The GēDUNK September 2019

September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

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Grove City College

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Y O U A L W A Y S H A V E A S E AT AT O U R T A B L E .

September 2019 CONNECT. GIVE. CELEBRATE.

Class years ending in 4’s and 9’s Greek anniversary celebrations in honor of:

EPSILON PI 100th Anniversary GAMMA CHI 100th Anniversary I

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GAMMA SIGMA PHI 95th Anniversary PHI SIGMA CHI 95th Anniversary

Alumni Band Reunion with alma mater conducted by retired Chair of Music and Fine Arts, Dr. Ed Arnold.

New at Homecoming this year! Food Trucks Registration deadline is September 26th!

Registration and information on the full schedule of events, accommodations, and other frequently asked questions are available online at alumni.gcc.edu/ homecoming.

Contact Alumni and College Relations for any questions at alumni@gcc.edu or 888-GCC-GRAD.

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M E Grove City College

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A SEAT AT OUR TABLE IS READY AND WAITING FOR YOU hat comes to your mind when you think of a family eating a meal around a table? Growing up in my neighborhood, a loud siren marked the arrival of six o’clock every evening. My mother had a rule: be in the house ready for dinner no later than the siren. You can imagine my stress levels when I often heard the blasts of that alarm while playing baseball on a field 15 minutes from home (or longer if my bike chain fell off). I don’t know if my mother’s strict enforcement of this rule propelled me into my career in criminal justice, but I definitely learned the importance of the family dinner table.

Years later when Brenda and I assumed responsibility for establishing our own suppertime rules, we too emphasized the importance of the family meal. Conflicting activities were to be kept to a minimum, though my responsibilities on Capitol Hill and the Justice Department often required either eating late or Brenda and our four kids going on without me. The value of fighting for this time together was obvious.

We prayed, we laughed, and everyone enjoyed a deep sense of belonging. Gradually, one after another went off to college, and the empty chairs made us miss them even more. Yet there was always a place at the table ready and waiting for them.

That’s the image we hope you appreciate with this issue of our alumni magazine.

You always have a seat at our table waiting for you at this College, our home away from home. Remember cutting through the Gedunk on the way to class and seeing students and faculty hanging out at those huge oak tables? I recall fondly the tables in MAP and Hicks at which I could always expect to enjoy a meal with close friends. This constant fellowship around tables is one important part of our distinctive Grove City College community. Our mission includes being a special place in the lives of all alumni and friends, a place where everyone feels welcomed and connected to our vital work.

Connection is a big part of the Alumni Association’s new “A Seat at Our Table” initiative that is detailed in this issue. We connect around the table. We also celebrate each other’s achievements and give of our time and our resources. Now, when you hear “give” from your alma mater, it doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it does. Our feature story focuses on another way that alumni and friends can contribute to the future of our beloved College – recruiting students. Trustee Bill Mehaffey ’64, Amy (Fisher ’08) Mucha and Brandon McCall ’08 are shining examples of this. They’ve devoted themselves to guiding young people in their lives to consider attending Grove City College and find their own seat at the table. As well as hearing their stories, you’ll find on page 33 a concise summary of the College’s strengths, from our Christ-centered community to our amazing outcomes, that you can share with prospective students and families looking for a transformative liberal arts and sciences education.

The tables we have set together here on campus in the Gee, Hicks, MAP, and elsewhere are rich with potential for feeding our souls, building relationships, and changing us completely through the word, the power, and the love of Christ. They are waystations on the road to the ultimate destination, the heavenly banquet table where we will enjoy a feast in the kingdom of God. And where you always have a seat.

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EDITORIAL BOARD Jeffrey Prokovich ’89 Vice President for Advancement Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Jacki Muller Senior Director of Marketing and Communications EDITORIAL STAFF Nick Hildebrand Managing Editor Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Associate Editor, Class Notes, In Memory, Babies Brad Isles Associate Editor Joanie L. Baumgartner Director of Advancement Communications OFFICE OF ALUMNI & COLLEGE RELATIONS Tricia Corey Carrie Sankey Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw COLLEGE ARCHIVES Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT Brian Powell ’03 Kelly Conger Karen (Irwin ’85) Daum Elizabeth (Smith ’81) Hanley Zach Jew ’11 Adam Nowland ’07 Paul Pendergast ’68 DESIGN Justin Harbaugh Art Director/Graphic Designer ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Jana Volante Walshak ’07 President Carol (MacGamwell ’79) Yannuzzi President Cover photograph by Alan Adams Interior photography by Alan Adams, Tiffany Wolfe, Jason Jones, Andrew Stein ’18, Wesley Kinney ’21, Justin Harbaugh, Nick Hildebrand, Brad Isles WRITE US, PLEASE Your feedback is very important to our editorial staff and we encourage you to register your comments, questions, concerns, and, hopefully, compliments. Our mailing address is The GeDUNK, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City PA, 16127-2104, but there’s no need to put pen to paper or stamp to envelope, we’ll be happy to hear what you think via email at alumni@gcc.edu. Please use GeDUNK in the subject line and indicate if your letter is intended for publication.

Grove City College

Paul J. McNulty ’80 President

100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127 724.458.2300 888.GCC.GRAD alumni.gcc.edu

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September 2019

’mid the pages

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A SEAT AT OUR TABLE We come together at the table, whether it’s fully dressed for a lavish celebration, simply set for a home-cooked dinner, or wide open for a quick bite and some deep conversation (like they still are in the Gee). It’s where we gather to eat, talk, argue, console, pray, give thanks, build relationships, and become a community that enjoys life and stays connected, that gives their time and support, that celebrates accomplishments and inspires greater success.

Our alumni are like that, and you always have a seat at our table. Connect, give, and celebrate with us.

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IN SID E

6 | Upfront News from campus, alumni and sports 35 | Class Notes Find out what fellow alumni are doing 40 | In Memory Friends we’ve lost and remember 44 | Li’l Wolverines Introducing our newest Grovers 46 | Faith & Learning A faculty perspective

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GROVE CITY WANTS YOU Alumni can play a key role when it comes to recruiting prospective students and strengthening Grove City College in the years to come.

Connect with us:

The GēDUNK, a award-winning magazine published for alumni and friends of Grove City College, highlights campus news, student features and alumni achievements. Named after the on-campus gathering place / snack bar for students since the early 1950s, the word “Gedunk” made its way into the Grove City College vernacular when Navy veterans returned to campus, bringing the term with them. The name stuck. For decades, the Grove City College Gedunk has been the place to come together to share news and ideas, live and learn, and this magazine strives to connect our family in similar style.

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Grove City College

upfront

News about the College, alumni, students, campus, faculty and sports

A larger-than-life wolverine now guards the entrance to the Physical Learning Center, courtesy of the Class of 2019. The life-like bronze monument depicting the College’s athletic mascot was installed this summer. Graduating seniors raised more than $35,000 for the artwork, which is sure to become a must-see on campus tours.

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September 2019

outpatient, and rehabilitation settings. That need is expected to grow in the coming years and decades. By 2022, the need for nurses will increase by 19 percent and by 2025 the number of RN vacancies will surpass 1.2 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

Prospective students are aware of that demand and are looking for degree programs that will put them on track to fill those vacancies and advance their careers in the health care sector. The joint BSN program will educate health care professionals who can attend to patients and their families in a compassionate, holistic and ethical way, McNulty said.

Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 and Butler County Community College President Dr. Nicholas C. Neupauer brokered a unique private-public partnership to offer students a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

New nursing program, school serves students and the common good

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rove City College and Butler County Community College (BC3) are partnering to create a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program that offers students the best that both higher education institutions have to offer.

Students in the program, which will be offered through Grove City College’s newly established Charles Jr. and Betty Johnson School of Nursing, will benefit from an excellent liberal arts and sciences education from Grove City College and accredited, high quality technical and clinical professional training through BC3.

“Nursing is a rewarding and fulfilling career that many students are interested in pursuing. There is also a pressing need for more and better trained professionals in the field. This partnership with Butler County Community College allows us to meet the needs of students and society,” Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said.

“We are blessed to have a neighbor like BC3 that allows us the opportunity to better serve our students, our community, and the common good.”

“Collaboration is the key,” BC3 President Dr. Nicholas C. Neupauer said. “And when

a college like ours can partner with a nationally recognized institution like Grove City, it speaks volumes. Even better yet is that both institutions are addressing a highpriority occupational need like nursing.”

BSN students will live on the campus of Grove City College, where they will attend classes in the first and fourth years of the program. In the second and third years they’ll attend classes at both institutions, with formal nursing classes and professional placement through BC3’s Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health. At the end of the third year, students will take state exams and are expected to begin working in the field as they complete their fourth year. Grove City College will offer flexible and online classes to allow students to “earn while they learn.”

Grove City College plans to begin offering the BSN degree to incoming freshmen in the fall of 2020. BC3 plans an $18 million project that includes the $12 million Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building that will house the Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in the nation, with nurses needed most in the home care, long-term care,

“Nursing is a rewarding and fulfilling career that many students are interested in pursuing.

There is also a pressing need for more and better trained professionals in the field.”

– President Paul J. McNulty ’80 The Charles Jr. and Betty Johnson School of Nursing is funded by a $1 million gift from Jayne Johnson Rathburn and the Rathburn Family Foundation in memory and honor of her parents. Mrs. Betty Johnson was a nurse.

An additional multi-million-dollar estate gift from Mrs. Rathburn will go toward providing nursing scholarships.

“Grove City College is enormously grateful for Mrs. Rathburn’s generous gift and the opportunity it provides to fulfill our mission,” McNulty said.

To learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, visit gcc.edu/nursing or contact the Office of Admissions at 724-458-2100.

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Grove City College

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse speaks at the 2019 Commencement while President Paul J. McNulty ’80 and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs David J. Ayers look on.

Sasse addresses Grove City College Class of 2019

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rove City College awarded degrees to 511 new graduates and welcomed U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse to speak at its 139th Commencement on May 18.

Addressing the graduates, President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said it was a privilege to “live and learn with you for four years.” He noted that higher education is in a state of flux, with some questioning the value of a traditional liberal arts education and the kind of Christ-centered experience Grove City College offers.

“A central issue is whether a four year private education is worth the cost. Is it a smart investment? Well, the answer to that question, if you are talking about Grove City College, is yes. Absolutely. The value of an education here is beyond measure. Because the focus is on eternal truth not simple temporal opportunities, McNulty said. “The purpose of your education is to open your mind and your heart to ‘the treasures of knowledge and wisdom,’ in the words of the apostle Paul.”

“Let us press on to the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” he concluded.

A Nebraska Republican who is known as a consensus builder and truth teller in the

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halls of power, Sasse said he wasn’t going to talk about politics, which drew applause from the hundreds gathered on the Quad.

Instead, Sasse talked about the crisis of loneliness, how institutions like Grove City College can help create community, and where the ultimate solution lies.

The Class of 2019 is living in a singularly “disrupted moment” in history, Sasse said, driven by technology that creates enormous opportunity and wealth and frees people from the constraints of time, place, and routine that are often seen as obstacles.

“We are so rich and we can skim across the surface of life without roots,” he said.

The problem is that roots are important to happiness and can be the key to combating the loneliness that is plaguing society and, Sasse said, literally killing Americans in the prime of their lives. “One of the things that drives human happiness is not just freedom from a whole lot of bad stuff you don’t want, but is freedom to: To love and to share and to pull on oars in the same direction with people. To have shared projects, to have a sense of vocation, to have a sense of we. To be in it together,” he said.

Grove City College provides that. “This is a really important gritty place and you’ve

shared this place with people … You’ve had roots here over the last four years,” Sasse said. But, he stressed, faith is the ultimate answer to rootlessness and the ultimate source of happiness. It is that permanent kingdom, established by Jesus, that provides “a fellowship across time and space.”

The College awarded: 137 Bachelor of Arts degrees; 312 Bachelor of Science degrees; 36 Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degrees; 19 Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degrees; and 7 Bachelor of Music degrees. Forty-one percent of the members of the Class of 2019 graduated with cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude honors.

Sasse and Rev. Rufus Smith IV, senior pastor of Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tenn., received honorary degrees recognizing their contributions to their fields of endeavor and society. Sasse collected a Doctor of Humane Letters degree and Smith a Doctor of Divinity degree.

For more about Commencement and a link to Sen. Sasse’s speech, visit gcc.edu/commencement

September 2019

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Princeton Review, Forbes choose Grove City College

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rove City College has great career services, an outsized intramural program, solid towngown relations, and students who are conservative, religious – and sober, according to The Princeton Review’s 2020 guidebook, “The Best 385 Colleges.”

The College is again included in the annual rundown of America’s best colleges and universities, continuing a more-than-decade-long run in the respected education and testing company’s essential handbook for prospective students and their families. The guide highlights the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year higher education institutions, based on quality, value, return on investment, and student reviews.

This year, Grove City College made several of The Princeton Review’s famous top 20 lists, which are based on student surveys that are distributed to every student on campus every other year. The College holds the number 12 spot on the Best Career Services list. The ranking, which follows Princeton Review’s determination this spring that Grove City College is ranked number 11 for Best Schools for Internships, bolsters the College’s position as a great place for students to begin successful and rewarding careers.

“We strive to provide first-rate and comprehensive opportunities for our students during their time here and to play a central part of our students’ college experience. Our aim is to help them become career ready by the time they graduate and to ultimately live out their vocational callings effectively for Christ,” Amanda Sposato ’00, director of Career Services, said.

Earlier this year, the College was one of just 300 higher education institutions that made Forbes’ America’s Best Value Colleges list, which looks at the cost and return on investment of a college education. Grove City is in good company on the list, which includes Ivy League schools, major research institutions and public and private universities with tens of thousands of students.

In its class – private liberal arts – Grove City College is the second least expensive school on the Forbes list, coming in behind Brigham Young University. In its region, the College was ranked fifth overall out of the 13 Pennsylvania schools on the list. When it comes to costs, Grove City College is the least expensive school in the state, public or private, Forbes found.

Forbes’ methodology is based on a school’s rank on its annual Top Colleges rundown, student debt, alumni earnings, net price, graduation rate, and the number of federal Pell Grant recipients enrolled. That last data point, which counted for 10 percent of a school’s grade, makes Grove City College’s placement on the overall list even more impressive because the College doesn’t accept federal grants, student loans or any other federal funding.

“Forbes affirms what we’ve known for a long time: Grove City College stands with the nation’s leading higher education institutions as an excellent and affordable choice for students and families who want to get the best return on investment from their tuition dollars,” College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said. “The fact that we are near the top of our class nationally and regionally when it comes to affordability in comparison to schools that enjoy enormous federal and institutional subsidies is a testament to our financial model, which honestly reflects the true cost of providing our students with an excellent education in a Christ-centered living and learning environment.”

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Students say

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he Princeton Review conducted student surveys to produce these rankings. Students at Grove City College are surveyed every other year.

Considering the College’s vision, mission, and distinctives – and the students that it attracts – the rankings aren’t that surprising. But the attention they can bring, as evidenced by a number of statewide and national news stories around the release of The Princeton Review’s guide, can help define and elevate the College’s national profile.

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Grove City College

Alum organizing Indie film festival

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rove City College is among the sponsors of The Veritas Film Festival, which runs April 23 to 30 at the Guthrie Theatre in downtown Grove City, Pa., and on campus.

The vision of the cinematic showcase is to celebrate “truth and beauty through film,” according to organizer and Festival Director Spencer T. Folmar ’10. The festival is open to any and all filmmakers and is accepting entries now.

“For filmmakers it Folmar provides the opportunity to have their hard work shown to an audience hungry for stories with impact. A lot of time and effort goes into making a script and we want to provide filmmakers the opportunity to present their work to an active audience,” Folmar said. “For the audience we hope to provide a film festival like few others.”

The College is sponsoring the festival with Olde Town Grove City, the borough’s downtown action association, and Hard Faith Films, a production company headed by Folmar, who earned a degree in Communication Studies from Grove City College and is president of Veritas Films, which bought the vintage, single-screen Guthrie Theatre last year.

The festival kicks off with an Opening Gala at 6 p.m. April 23 at the Guthrie at 232 S Broad Street, followed by six days and nights of independent film, with screenings downtown and in venues on campus.

Along with screenings, the festival will feature discussions, guest speakers and nightly award shows. Awards will be determined by audience vote, a jury of film critics and filmmakers and a combination of the two to select the best film in each category. They are: Feature Films; Student Films; Hard Faith; Made in Pa.; Documentaries; Screenplays; and Short Films.

Veritas Film Festival is in its second year. The festival was held last year in Phillipsburg, Pa., and drew filmmakers from around the country and the world.

For more details, visit the Veritas website www.veritasfest.org.

Peter M. Frank ’95 selected as Provost and VP for Academic Affairs

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r. Peter M. Frank ’95 was hired in June as the College’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs after a nearly year-long search for the right candidate for a key campus leadership position.

Serving as chief academic officer, Frank will work closely with College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 to strategically advance the academic program. He will join the College in January, Frank after fulfilling duties in his current position as Dean of the Porter B. Byrum School of Business at Wingate (N.C.) University, where he has been an executive administrator and professor since 2003.

Frank is an accomplished economist and educator who double-majored in Economics and Religion at Grove City College before earning a master’s degree in economics with a concentration in urban and regional economic development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He received a doctoral degree at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., where his dissertation

committee included nationally-renowned economist and Grove City College alumnus Dr. Peter Boettke ’83.

“Dr. Frank is an innovative leader, accomplished scholar, and devoted servant of Christ who we are pleased to welcome home. As an alumnus, he understands the mission and values of Grove City College and its distinctive position in higher education. I am confident that he possesses the leadership experience, initiative, and strength of character to enhance the College’s strong reputation for academic excellence,” McNulty said. “In a highly competitive search process, it became abundantly clear that Dr. Frank shares our faculty’s enthusiastic commitment to the Christian intellectual tradition and the integration of faith and learning.”

Frank is a respected and active scholar, with years of teaching experience and numerous awards and distinctions to his credit, including a Fulbright Scholarship to teach and study in the former Soviet republic of Moldova in 2012.

Frank is married to alumna Amy (Wray ’95) and they have five children.

High school students: Start at GCC now!

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id you know that high-achieving high school students can get started at Grove City College now, before they graduate, and potentially save thousands of dollars and trim a semester or more off the time it takes to earn a degree?

The College’s Dual Enrollment and Online programs offer a selection of three- and fourcredit classes to high school juniors or seniors in public, private, or home education. They earn college credit at a reduced cost while exploring various fields of study in the context of a deeprooted academic community.

The $165 per credit hour price for the 201920 academic year for the Dual Enrollment Program is 70 percent less than the standard cost. Students may also earn high school credits for the courses. Dual Enrollment students can take up to two courses during the spring, summer, and fall, potentially cutting a semester or two off the time it takes to earn a degree and saving even more money.

Registration for spring classes begins Dec. 1. Online dual enrollment courses are open to high school juniors and seniors in every state except California.

For more information, visit gcc.edu/dualenrollment.

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You can ensure that future generations have the education they need to be a positive influence in our society.

September 2019

Make a gift in your will to Grove City College.

Here’s how it benefits you: • Your gift costs you nothing.

• It may effectively reduce taxes on your estate.

• You make it possible for generations of students to receive a quality higher education they need to be a transformative influence in our society.

“I came to Grove City because of affordability and have come full circle, perpetuating affordable cost by helping other students.”

— Ron Brandon ‘64

Contact Adam Nowland ’07, J.D., for more information about how you can create your legacy at Grove City College at 724-458-3865 or by email at avnowland@gcc.edu.

Or, get your free, personalized planning information at http://giftplanning.gcc.edu.

If you would like to support Grove City College through your will, please consider using the following language: “I give and devise to Grove City College (Tax ID 25-1065148), located in Grove City, PA, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for its general support (or a specific fund or program).” t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 11

Grove City College

Dr. Tracy S. Farone holds a hive frame thick with bees. Work begins soon on a pollinator garden on campus to learn more about bees and the diseases that threaten them and other insects.

What’s the buzz?

Bee-friendly garden coming to the Grove

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rove City College will break ground this fall to build a haven on campus for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.

The pollinator-friendly garden is part of a larger effort to learn more about pollinators and the diseases affecting honey bee populations around the globe, according to Dr. Tracy S. Farone, professor of Biology at Grove City College, who is heading up the project. She’ll be working with students and potentially other faculty to advance the work.

Farone has been on sabbatical for the past seven months, working in Europe, around the U.S., and throughout Pennsylvania with various beekeepers and academics to study aspects Farone of apiculture in literature, research, and the field. She has been

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speaking about bee health at professional conferences to veterinarians and beekeepers.

“At this point, I’ve had my nose in 3,000 to 4,000 hives,” Farone said.

The world’s bee population has been in trouble in recent decades due to habitat loss, emerging diseases, pesticides and climate change. Honey bees and other pollinators are necessary for one third of the nation’s food production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The loss of managed and wild bee populations could lead to food shortages and drive up consumer prices. Veterinarians have recently been mandated to help with honey bee health issues, including antibiotic resistance issues and food chemical residues that can affect us all.

“The new Grove City College garden is intended to bring awareness to ‘One Health’ issues and how all of creation is connected,”

Farone said. One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Our garden will be a part of a larger effort to study and combat the threat to pollinators that includes government agencies, academic partners, beekeeping associations, farmers, master gardeners, veterinarians, and rural development agencies. Bee health is crucial to the sustainability of our food sources. Students will be able to get hands-on experience and a variety of research opportunities will be available as the project develops. We’re already about a year ahead of schedule – thanks be to God,” she said.

The garden’s initial construction and development is being funded by grants Farone secured from a private donor and matching funds.

“Our biology research students will do the lion’s share of work on the garden, but anyone with gardening skills and a love of the outdoors may be able to participate in the project, “Farone said.

“We’re expecting to get some buy-in from students from other disciplines,” Farone said.

“For example, we’re hoping that engineering students can help design or build new beehives, and Entrepreneurship students can use their talents to market a line of honey that we hope the bees will produce in our garden.”

Grove City College’s pollinator garden will be one of just a handful of other dedicated gardens in Pennsylvania that provide a space for students to learn more about bees and other pollinators.

Construction and planting will begin the fall, and in the spring of 2020, bees and beehives will be introduced. The site on the northeastern corner of the College’s 180-acre campus provides nearby natural forage and is out of the way of students and nearby homes.

September 2019

From left, Jonathan Habbershon ’09, Grant Habbershon ’06, Tim Habbershon ’81, Natalie Holmes ’09 and Meredith Nastasi ’09 are pictured outside the Habbershon Family Innovation Zone on the campus of Grove City College. The space was named to honor the Habbershon family’s commitment to Entrepreneurship at the College.

Habbershon family supports legacy of Entrepreneurship at GCC

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ntrepreneurship is part of the family legacy that Tim Habbershon ’81 is building. It’s a legacy that is tied up with Grove City College, where he, his sister and his four children all earned degrees.

The College provided Habbershon a foundation upon which he built a successful career and fostered an entrepreneurial spirit that suffuses his work and his family’s. Currently a managing director of Fidelity Investments, Habbershon has been an advisor, consultant, and coach to large family-controlled firms and offices worldwide, and built three university institutes in family enterprising.

Recognizing the College’s influence and desiring to give something back to their alma mater, the Habbershon family invested in The Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation (E+I) at Grove City College. In May, E+I honored that support by naming its space in the Hall of Arts and Letters on campus the Habbershon Family Innovation Zone. The distinction recognizes Habbershon and his children.

Opened in fall 2018, E+I’s center is designed to be a highly collaborative space for students of all majors to utilize for a variety of purposes. The former classroom is like a blank slate. Within its white walls, tables and chairs can be arranged in any formation to meet a variety of needs; double-sided, mobile whiteboards wait for the next big idea, and staff is on hand to assist, advise and encourage budding entrepreneurs. It is meant to encourage collaboration, integrate different disciplines, and inform thinking. “The innovation space brings a different learning environment. I think it’s exciting,” Habbershon said.

“The generosity of the Habbershon family will fuel the growth of our program so that we may truly empower and equip students of all majors to create a better world,” Yvonne English ’97, executive director of E+I and professor of Entrepreneurship said.

Gibson, Beidelman win Seniors of the Year honors

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aniel Gibson ’19 and Rachel Beidelman ’19 received the highest honors that the College can bestow on students at the annual Recognition Convention in May when they were named 2019 Senior Man and Woman of the Year, respectively.

The awards are presented jointly by the leadership honoraries Mortar Board and Omicron Delta Kappa as a service to Grove City College. The selections are made on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and service. The candidates were voted on by students and faculty.

Gibson, a Mechanical Engineering major from Ivyland, Pa., demonstrated leadership and service in his fraternity, Omicron Xi, the Student Government Association, and Orientation Board. He has been involved in campus life through intramural sports, Homecoming Court, and as an emcee for campus events like All College Sing. A research assistant to Dr. Erik J. Anderson, Gibson volunteered with a local church’s youth group and was a team leader on mission trips.

Beidelman, a Finance major from Lewis Center, Ohio, was senior class president and a senator of Social Affairs with the Student Government Association. She served as rush chair and alumni secretary of Gamma Sigma Phi sorority and as the secretary for the Financial Management Association. She also served on the Executive Committee of Orientation Board and was part of the New Life campus ministry group. On campus, she worked in the Office of Alumni and College Relations.

Their names have been recorded for posterity on a memorial plaque on a boulder outside Harbison Chapel on campus. Former recipients of this prestigious honor have gone on to become leaders in faith, education, business, law, and health care.

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Grove City College

Dr. Gary Scott Smith ’72 and Dr. Durwood Ray

Ray and Smith first to be granted Emeritus Professor status

Dr. Richard Savage appointed dean of Hopeman School

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r. Richard N. Savage, an accomplished scientist, educator, executive and administrator, was appointed the new dean of the Hopeman School of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. Savage will also serve as a professor of Engineering.

Savage joins the College from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif., where he served as dean of graduate education. He also chaired the departments of materials engineering and biomedical engineering at the university. Additionally, he served in private industry – from senior scientist to director of product development to president – with technology companies in California and the Northeast, founding and operating SC Technology from 1984 to 1995.

College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said Savage was a leader and innovator. “His interdisciplinary expertise and industry acumen will be instrumental in moving the rapidly growing Hopeman School forward during an exciting time in its history. We are laser-focused in our efforts to train tomorrow’s leaders to serve society against the backdrop of some of our nation’s most pressing problems. Dr. Savage’s vision aligns perfectly with our strategic goals and objectives for STEM,” McNulty noted.

Savage will oversee eight academic departments from Mechanical Engineering to Exercise Science. More than half of Grove City College’s students are enrolled in the Hopeman School.

Savage earned a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Indiana University Bloomington and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Juniata College Huntingdon, Pa. He has published dozens of scientific papers, conducted research in myriad areas and holds a number of patents.

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n May, two distinguished retired professors were granted the title of Emeritus Professor, the first time in College history that the honor has been bestowed.

Dr. Durwood Ray, retired professor of Biology, and Dr. Gary Scott Smith ’72, retired department chair and professor of History, earned the status as a result of their exceptional service to the College and continued significant and valuable scholarship in their fields after retirement, College Board of Trustees Chair David R. Rathburn ’79 said.

The Trustees approved the title this spring for select retired faculty. Emeritus professors are recommended by the department in which they served, the dean overseeing that department and the provost.

Ray joined the faculty in 1994 and served as a professor until retiring in 2011.

He continues to teach on an adjunct basis.

He is the author or co-author of 17 refereed journal articles, almost 40 abstracts, a book chapter, and numerous conference presentations. He continues to do incredibly valuable work on tumor progressive cell lines, including three published papers and patent efforts.

Smith joined the faculty in 1978 and retired in 2017. He earned Professor of the Year awards from the College and the state and was author or editor of 11 books, including two on the faith of U.S. presidents, as well as many book chapters, opinion pieces, and conference presentations. He remains an active scholar, having recently completed the book A History of Christianity in Pittsburgh.

September 2019

New on the faculty: Front row: Brooks, Yowler, Berry, Richards, and Park. Back row J. Smith, Savage, K. Smith, Baker, and Rumbaugh.

New professors join distinguished scholars on GCC faculty

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rove City College welcomes nine new professors this fall, including several alumni. The new faculty will enrich academic departments in the Hopeman School of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics and the Calderwood School of Arts and Letters: Dr. Elizabeth Baker, History. Baker earned a B.A. in History from Gordon College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Notre Dame University.

Dr. Sarah Berry, English. She holds a B.A., University Scholars (Baylor), M.A. in English (Boston College), and a Ph.D. in English (University of Connecticut).

Dr. James Brooks ’04, Electrical Engineering. He holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Grove City College, a M.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in decision sciences and system engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Dr. Young K. Park, Accounting. Park earned a B.B.A. from Korea University, an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. George “Geo” Richards, Mechanical Engineering. Richards holds a B.S. in physics and mechanical engineering and a M.S. in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue.

Dr. Luke Rumbaugh ’07, Electrical Engineering. Rumbaugh earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Grove City College, a M.S. and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Clarkson University.

Dr. John D. Smith ’88, Management and Marketing. Smith earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Grove City College, a M.S. in industrial management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a D.B.A. in operations and supply chain management from Cleveland State University.

Ken Smith ’84, Entrepreneurship. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration and

Computer Systems from Grove City College and a M.A. in organizational leadershipleadership coaching and mentoring from Regent University School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Brian Yowler, Biology. Yowler holds a B.S. in biology with a minor in chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Penn State College of Medicine.

Two professors retired at the end of the spring semester. Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship George B. Howley, who joined the faculty in 2008, and Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson, who served as an adjunct professor of economics since 2004 and remains a fellow for economic and social policy with The Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College.

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Grove City College

Work is nearing completion on the new home of Wolverine soccer. When it is finished, it will be renamed in honor of retired athletic director Dr. Don Lyle.

Home field advantage: New soccer pitch is shaping up

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y the end of September, Grove City College’s men’s and women’s soccer teams will be playing on a new turf field named in honor of Dr. Don Lyle, a longtime coach, professor, athletic director, and mentor.

Installation of new lighting, proper drainage, and artificial turf at College Field, the home of Wolverine soccer since the 1950s, will be a boon to the soccer programs and make the College a likely location for tournament play and other events.

Bleachers, the press box, benches and current scoreboards were upgraded in 2005 and 2007.

The project is being funded by donations earmarked for the upgrade. So far, more than $700,000 has been raised from about 130 donors.

The work is part of an ongoing effort to provide students with facilities that match the excellence that they are striving for and achieving during their college careers. Both soccer teams are perennial champions in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and beyond.

“We are really excited to have the field so that we have a consistent training and playing

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environment – it will be a place we can truly call home,” Women’s Coach Melissa Lamie said. “Our home field advantage will now center around the fact that we train and play there every day. We are excited for the campus community to embrace that environment and make it their home too,” she said.

Men’s Coach Mike Dreves ’97 echoed that. “We are extremely excited about the improvements to the soccer field on campus.

Men’s soccer has been playing on that part of campus since 1955 and my hope that this new chapter can add to the legacy of the program.

Both coaches noted that with artificial turf and proper lighting, the new field will make it possible to train and play more matches – including night games – and serve as a magnet for prospective students and others.

“I feel that the setting as a whole will become one of the best places to play to soccer in this region. We have all the key pieces for a first rate experience for the players and the fans alike,” Lamie said.

“Along with everything being done to the field physically it is also amazing that the College gets to honor Coach Lyle by naming

the field after him. Coach had – and still is having – a huge impact on me and many others and this is a honor he truly deserves,” Dreves said.

The field of their dreams started taking shape this summer on the site of the existing pitch. New lighting was installed, the sod was stripped off the field and drainage work got started. And then the rains came, days and days of rain that adversely impacted progress.

Dry days in August allowed the construction crews to pick up the pace, with completion of Wolverine soccer’s new home field expected soon.

To support construction of the Don Lyle Soccer Field, make a gift online at giving.gcc/turf2019 or contact Brian Powell ’03, Senior Director of Development, at 724-458-2992 or bmpowell@gcc.edu

September 2019

sports Together, Wolverines break PAC Academic Honor Roll record

E Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02, left, and President McNulty, right, flank Sportswoman of the Year Krista Heckman ’19 and Sportsman of the Year John Bini ’19.

Bini, Heckman honored as Sportsman, Sportswoman of the Year

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rove City College honored baseball player John Bini ’19 and women’s soccer player Krista Heckman ’19 as its respective Omicron Delta Kappa/Mortar Board Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for the 2018-19 academic year.

A three-time First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference honoree, Bini, of Staten Island, N.Y., owns several notable pitching records at Grove City. He ranks first all-time at Grove City with 26 pitching victories, 318 innings pitched and 190 strikeouts. In 2016, Bini helped Grove City win a program-record 27 games along with the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III title. As a sophomore in 2017, he earned the team’s MVP award.

Bini earned a degree in Pre-K-4 Elementary Education. He has been named to the Conference’s Academic Honor Roll and is a three-time Dean’s List honoree.

Heckman, of Lock Haven, Pa., became the first United Soccer Coaches All-American in Grove City women’s soccer history last fall after she helped lead the Wolverines to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title and the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Heckman earned PAC Player of the Year, Eastern ECAC Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Great Lakes Region following the season.

She scored 10 goals and led the team with eight assists from her forward position. Heckman played in 90 career games and finished her career with 25 goals and 15 assists. Grove City qualified for postseason play in each of Heckman’s four seasons. She majored in Communication Studies and was named to the Dean’s List.

Grove City first awarded its Sportsperson of the Year award in 1948.

In 1982, the College split the award into Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.

ighty-one Grove City College winter and spring sports student-athletes earned placement on the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s Spring 2019 Academic Honor Roll.

The Academic Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes on varsity sports teams who have earned a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.6 or higher on a 4.0 scale during their semester of competition “This accomplishment is a great testament to the support and hard work of our faculty, academic support staff, administration, coaches, and of course the 81 athletes who earned this honor,” Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02 said.

Grove City led the conference with 81 Academic Honor Roll honorees. That is the highest spring semester total in conference history.

Grove City also had 68 Academic Honor Roll selections in the fall, giving Grove City a conference-high 149 PAC Academic Honor Roll performers. The 149 total Academic Honor Roll placements are also a conference record.

“This is a great example of the Wolverines Together mantra on our campus working to help students achieve at a high level allowing them to earn a recognition that all associated with the College can be proud of,” Gibson said.

Wolverine football squad is biggest in College history

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rove City College football marked the start of training camp with its largest-ever squad. A total of 110 studentathletes reported for the start of Grove City’s 125th season of intercollegiate football.

“We are very excited about the quality of players on and off the field that are coming into camp this year. We use a phrase ‘Each of us needs all of us.’ We look forward to everyone building together in 2019,” Head Coach Andrew DiDonato ’10 said.

Athletic Director Todd Gibson ’02 noted the success the College has enjoyed with recruitment and retention. “It demonstrates that we are building a culture that players want to be a part of,” he said.

Grove City returns 19 starters and 30 other lettermen from last season, when the Wolverines went 8-3 overall and won the ECAC James Lynah Bowl. t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 17

Grove City College

Karen (Semler ’92) Hanlon is the executive vice

president and COO at Pittsburgh’s Highmark Health. She oversees the organization’s long-term operations, as well as several of its portfolio companies, including Gateway Health and HM Health Solutions.

She played a significant role in strengthening the organization’s financial performance, including the financial turnaround of the Allegheny Health Network. In 2018, she was named a CFO of the Year winner by the Pittsburgh Business Times. She began her career in public accounting at KPMG Peat Marwick prior to joining Highmark in 1997.

A board member for several Highmark Health subsidiaries, she earlier served on the boards of Leadership Pittsburgh and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.

She and her husband, Shawn Hanlon ’91 have three children.

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Jack Kopnisky ’78 is president and CEO of Sterling Bankcorp and its principal banking subsidiary Sterling National Bank.

He has a successful history of growing organizations.

He earlier served as CEO of the SJB Escrow Corp investment pool, and as a partner in Mercatus LLC national consulting and investing firm. He was president and CEO of First Marblehead Corp., and held several top executive positions at KeyCorp.

He works on Sterling’s boards, as well as with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Westchester County Association.

He has chaired many non-profit boards focused on inner-city development and youth services.

He and his wife Kathy (Wood ’79) have three children.

September 2019

Executives, entrepreneurs, innovators honored

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ach year at Homecoming, the Grove City College Alumni Association honors alumni who have made significant contributions to their fields of endeavor and to society with the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award.

The award originated in 1964 with a class of honorees that included the College’s third president Weir Ketler ’08, legendary benefactor and Trustee Chair J. Howard Pew ’00, noted scientist George Southworth ’14, pastor and theologian Rev. F. Paul McConkey ’09, and longtime coach

and athletic director Robert E. Thorn ’16. The award was renamed in honor and memory of longtime alumni director Jack Kennedy ’37.

The College extends its congratulations to this year’s awardees and looks forward to honoring them with a dinner on Oct. 4 at Carnegie Alumni Center. The Kennedy award dinner is a highlight of homecoming weekend, bringing together alumni and friends of the College, retired and active faculty, and students for an evening of fellowship, reminiscences, gratitude, and inspiration.

James Segerdahl ’84 is a partner in and serves as global managing partner (CEO) of law firm K&L Gates LLP. K&L Gates represents corporations and companies in major industries, particularly technology, manufacturing, financial services, health care, and energy. With his leadership, the firm has been recognized for its high level practices and initiatives in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

Earlier, Segerdahl worked as general counsel of K&L Gates while maintaining an active law practice. In particular, he leads in the area of insurance coverage for significant liabilities faced by large corporations in matters involving billions of dollars. He is an author, and is co-author of the leading treatise in the area of insurance coverage law.

He attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. In the community, he serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

He and his wife Becky (Hanna ’84) have three children.

Richard Staley ’62, a chemical engineer, founded Flavor

House, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of unique flavors used by such well-recognized brands as McCormick and Maruchan. Since its beginning in 1977 under Staley’s leadership, the Southern California company has remained a privately-owned 100 percent debt-free company. It runs its own on-site research and development labs to work directly with its customers.

In 1985, furthering the company’s brand, Staley founded Staley Equipment Co. to manufacture and sell blending equipment to be used in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, and plastic industries. He is an advocate of supporting educational programs in both the STEM and entrepreneurial fields.

Earlier in his career, he was a plant manager for flavoring company Tate & Lyle in Chicago. Staley is now a dual resident of California and Florida with Jayne Staley, and is the father of three children.

Submit nominations for the 2020 Jack Kennedy Memorial Achievement Awards online at alumni.gcc.edu/JKMAAA

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Grove City College

The Phi Sigma Chi shadowbox, right, is the latest addition to Greek Hall, left, in the lower level of Carnegie Alumni Center.

Greek life highlighted in shadowboxes

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n the lower level of the Carnegie Alumni Center, you’ll find Greek Hall, a permanent display of 14 professionally designed shadow boxes, complete with paddles and other unique Greek memorabilia.

About nine years ago, work began on building these detailed shadow boxes to showcase the history of the 10 fraternities and eight sororities on campus. The College Archive just completed the 15th box, which celebrates Phi Sigma Chi sorority, in time for the group’s 95th anniversary reunion.

These boxes were built thanks to the extraordinarily generous gifts of alumni and active members of the sororities and fraternities. The order in which they are built was determined by the quantity and availability of items that have been donated for each group.

Many items are still needed for the three groups remaining! If you have memorabilia collecting dust in your attics and basements, please consider giving those items a new home at the Archive. Any items that cannot be used in the shadow boxes are placed in rotating displays throughout the Carnegie Alumni Center. Examples of needed items include clothing, jewelry, paddles, signs, programs, pledge books, etc. Have you kept the little signs from pledge, composite photos, or programs from Spring Party? Items that are unique to your organization are ideal.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and help to get your sorority or fraternity one step closer to having a permanent shadowbox in Greek Hall. Every effort is made to represent all generations of the groups from their founding to the present, so donations from all class years are welcomed.

If you have questions or would like to donate, please visit alumni.gcc.edu/archive or contact College Archivist Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak at 724-450-4059, Collegearchives@gcc.edu, or Attn: College Archives, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City PA 16127.

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GCC history comes to Instagram

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ant to see more College history?

The College Archive is now on Instagram! Enjoy fun facts about the College, see interesting historical photos and items from the Archive, and bring back fond memories from your days on campus.

Follow at @gccarchives and share your ideas for topics the Archive should feature on Instagram at alumni.gcc.edu/shareideas.

September 2019

the feed

Grove City College Alumni

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram Grove City College Alumni

Grove City College Alumni

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grovecitycollegealumni

We love GCC, and we know you do too. On this page, we’ll share insider info and behind the scenes photos of campus. Take a look at some of these drone shots of the new Don Lyle Field in progress!

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GCC alumni always have a Seat at Our Table! In the coming weeks and months, we’ll share all the ways you can connect, give back, and celebrate with other alumni and the College!

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grovecitycollegealumni Homecoming 2019 is just weeks away!

Did you know we’re celebrating the 100th anniversaries of two Greek organizations on ... more Grove City College Alumni

Homecoming 2019 is just 6 weeks away! Did you know we are celebrating the 100th anniversaries of two Greek organizations on campus? Who knows which two they are? Register for Homecoming and all Greek events

by Sept. 26th at alumni.gcc.edu/homecoming.

Grove City College Alumni

Did you know that the Annual Fund provides scholarship support to over 63% of Grove City College students? Your gifts make a lasting impact. http://giving.gcc.edu/givenow

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october 4-6 Grove City College Alumni

We love any opportunity to celebrate our alumni! Did you know if you have a baby, we will send you a GCC baby shirt to congratulate you? Complete this form and watch your mail! https://alumni.gcc.edu/s/1472/17/interior.aspx...

grovecitycollegealumni We love @gcc_Wolverines and can’t wait for the Annual Night Game and Alumni & Friends Tailgate on Sept.

14th! Register by Sept. 6th #wolverinestogether #grovecitycollege

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Grove City College

We are family

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nce again, Grove City College’s Family Weekend drew hundreds of parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other kin to campus to share the student experience, celebrate achievement, and have some fun.

Over the weekend of May 3 to 5, students and visitors took in displays of student talent, skill, and achievement, from Spring Dance Company to TAP One Acts, choral and instrumental performances to sporting events, Venture Battle and science showcases, and the weekend-capping, ever-popular All College Sing. Many of the events were livestreamed for those who couldn’t make it to campus.

More than 48 alumni families attended the Legacy Breakfast, a time for Grover families to celebrate and gather; some legacy clans had three generations turn out to recognize their deep Grove City College roots.

Plan to join us next year, in person or online, for Family Weekend, May 1 to 3, 2020.

Find out more about Family Weekend 2020 at gcc.edu/familyweekend Above: The Spring Dance Show and All College Sing give students a chance to demonstrate their talents (and sense of humor in the case of the latter) to the campus community and their families. Below: More than 48 legacy families like the Dayton and Slater families pictured here gathered for Family Weekend, when Grovers unite on campus.

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September 2019

More than a hundred alumni recruiters turned out for last year’s Career Fair. The fair is coordinated by the Career Services Office, which is ranked 12th in the nation by The Princeton Review.

GCC grads stand out in the workplace

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hat is it about Grove City College graduates that help them stand out in the workplace?

As alumni, you know personally the value of a Grove City College education and the professional preparation you received.

You also likely appreciate the benefit of hiring young people with high moral and ethical character who bring maturity, dedication, a driven work ethic, and solid academic knowledge to their jobs.

If you know of career opportunities for which our students would be a fit, where you work, we invite you to join the 150-plus alumni recruiters participating in the 21st annual fall Career Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 25, to recruit for entry level positions and internships at your organizations. Last year’s event brought over 160

employers and graduate schools and approximately 1,200 students from all years and majors, making it one of the largest job fairs in Western Pennsylvania and the College’s signature recruiting event of the year.

Additionally, the Career Services Office welcomes you to reach out at 724-458-3371 or career@gcc.edu about openings you learn about at your workplaces for which our students and recent graduates would be well-suited.

For more information about the Career Fair and how to register, please visit gcc.edu/careerfair.

“Year in year out, our Grove City students perform better in the workplace than students from other schools. They serve well, they have a maturity and a broad perspective on life, and they approach our program and their careers with the desire to use their gifts and their passions to further the flourishing of God’s kingdom in the work world.”

“We continue to hire Grove City students because when we bring them in, they become leaders very rapidly. They step up and advance faster than their peers. And when they advance like that - when they learn the skills that we’re trying to teach them faster than others - they end up becoming more valuable to us. They end up becoming more productive sooner.”

– Pittsburgh Fellows, Young Professional Leadership Division

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Grove City College

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Recent alumni & friends events included: (1) brunch in Midlothian, Va.; gatherings at Bonita Springs (2) and The Villages (3) in Florida; (4) an Alumni Travel tour of the Canadian Maritimes; (5) a get-together in Charlotte, N.C.; (6) Leaders Club Weekend; and gatherings in (7) Fuqay-Varina, N.C., and (8) McLean, Va.

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September 2019

alumni & friends events Upcoming Alumni & Friends Events September 21 Alumni and Friends Brunch Burntwood Tavern Brecksville, OH September 24 Institute for Faith and Freedom- Foundations of American Leadership Lunch Rivers Club Pittsburgh, PA September 25 Career Services Career Fair Grove City College

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October 4-6 Homecoming Weekend Grove City College October 7 First Monday Breakfast Eat N’ Park Wexford, PA October 15 Showcase Series Classical Faith Grove City College October 26 Showcase Series Giselle Pittsburgh, PA

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October 29 Seat at Our Table Dinner Grove City College November 4 First Monday Breakfast Eat N’ Park, Wexford, PA November 6 Ronald Reagan Lecture Grove City College December 2-6 Carnegie Christmas Concerts Grove City College

Remember to bookmark alumni.gcc.edu/events for more dates and info on registering.

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YOU ALWAYS HAVE A SEAT AT

CONNECT • GIVE • CELEBRATE People gather around the table to share sustenance and stories, to build relationships and bonds that endure through the years and over the miles. What’s on the table – fine china and white linen, fast food, or a simple coffee cup – isn’t important. Who is at the table and what happens there is.

Grove City College

September 2019

On-campus alumni and students gather around the table in the back patio of the President’s House. Clockwise from bottom left, Meredith Gartman ‘21, Dave Vaccaro ’21, Professor of Music Dr. Jeff Tedford ’00, Jake Dobransky ’20, Erin Cypher ’21, Career Services Director Mandy Sposato ’00, President Paul J. McNulty ’80, Assistant Professor of English Dr. Joshua Mayo ’10, and Chair and Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Michelle Clause ’83.

Relationships forged and experiences shared on campus are what binds the College’s alumni.

YOUR SEAT IS WAITING

By Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations As summer fades into autumn, we reflect on the passing season and the things that are really important in life: the time we spent with family and friends at cookouts, pool parties, and family reunions; vacations and travels; books read or at least started on the beach or in the backyard. We linger just a little longer as the days grow shorter, recalling the warmth of the season just passed.

We enter the fall renewed and recharged, ready to begin a new year on campus and ready to renew and recharge our ties with YOU, our alumni family, in new and deeper ways.

And we really are a family! Families are where lifelong connections are forged.

They’re the place where we learn to give the best of ourselves to support and encourage others. We walk alongside each other through trials and struggles, learning and

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growing together in the process. Celebrating life’s sweet moments and creating shared memories are the hallmarks of the kind of family life we all long for.

The Grove City College MacLeod Alumni Association truly is a family like that, and the good news is, you already have a “Seat at Our Table!” By virtue of being a graduate of the College, you automatically belong to the Alumni Association and are a vital part of this alumni family. There are no dues and no fees, just powerful, lasting ties to people who walked before you, alongside you, and after you through the halls of this campus and through their adult lives. They bear the same name you do: Grove City College Alumni.

Though GCC alumni now number over 29,000, the relationships you’ve built and

By virtue of being a graduate of the College, you automatically belong to the Alumni Association and are a vital part of this alumni family. the memories you share still have such a personal feel, such a meaningful place in your life. You are not just a number here.

September 2019

• Connect with other alumni using the Alumni Directory and social media. Check out our new Alumni Facebook and Alumni Instagram pages!

• Stay connected to your alma mater by keeping your contact information current on your online alumni profile or by contacting us directly.

• Take advantage of many livestreamed events, chapels, and other GCC happenings.

• Share your updates in the GeDUNK magazine and online via Class Notes.

• Share your time, service, and expertise with the College though numerous volunteer opportunities.

• Support the College financially each year.

• Assist the Admissions office by helping to find potential students and share referrals.

Grove City College is still “home” – and we’ll always be here, ready to welcome you back. Sometimes “coming home” means visiting a place you love, but just as powerfully, “coming home” can simply mean remembering who you are and how your personal story took shape.

I’m here to remind you who you are – a Grove City College graduate, and that your place in this alumni family is special and valued. There is a seat at our table that only you can fill, contributions that only you can make. There’s a place card at your seat with YOUR name, a spot reserved for no one but you. You’re a part of our history, but just as importantly, a part of our future. Every single member of the Grove City College alumni family is needed. Your input, your voice, and your involvement are what make our family strong and what help us to be the best College and Alumni Association we can be.

We’re excited to present to our alumni family a new framework that helps to define the GCC alumni experience. Soon you will see the phrase “A Seat at Our Table” everywhere – in this magazine, in emails, on the alumni website, and on event invitations.

Our goal is to remind you that you always

have a home here, a Seat at Our Table, and that like all families, you have an important role to play.

We invite our alumni to Connect, Give, and Celebrate. These are certainly the things that families do best, and our alumni family is no exception. We have so much to offer, and so do you. Your relationship with Grove City College is a two-way street – we hope you will choose to connect in new and exciting ways with your fellow alumni and the College, give back (or pay it forward) to the next generation of alumni, and celebrate all the successes and joyful moments born out of your relationship with your alma mater.

In the coming months, you’ll be hearing about new ways you can Connect, Give, and Celebrate as we launch new initiatives and inspire you to take your Seat at Our Table.

Your seat is waiting. Pull up a chair and join the conversation. You’ll be so glad you did. n

• Share your time by working with Career Services as a recruiter or through sharing career advice.

• Provide feedback on alumni programs, events, and services.

• Commit to praying for GCC and its students, alumni, faculty, staff, and leadership.

• Gather together with alumni at events on campus and in your region!

• Celebrate the achievements of GCC graduates by nominating them for alumni awards.

• Show your GCC pride! Wear your GCC gear and share College news with your family and friends.

• Let us know when you have a baby and we’ll help you celebrate with a baby shirt!

Find out more at alumni.gcc.edu/MySeat

• Share your own success stories so we can celebrate YOU!

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Grove City College College

GROVE CITY WANTS YOU! Alums can help college combat enrollment challenge Grove City College Trustee William Mehaffey ’64 points out the need for alumni to come to the aid of their alma mater. Mehaffey and other alumni recruiters bring something special to the table.

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Small, tuition-dependent private liberal arts colleges face enormous pressures today.

Since 2016, at least 20 have closed their doors, according to Inside Higher Ed, and experts expect more to follow. Most of the closures are due to dwindling enrollment and the financial pressure it creates.

Grove City College isn’t one of those schools. Sound fiscal management, a commitment to stewardship and vigorous fundraising keep the College on stable ground. But it faces the same enrollment challenges that a dozen closed colleges faced.

After the tsunami of the Baby Boom and the waves of their Gen X and Millennial children, colleges are fishing out of a shrinking pool of prospective students – which in a few years will be smaller thanks to low birth rates tied to the 2008 financial crisis.

Attracting students is necessarily more difficult when the supply for higher education outpaces the demand, according to Lee Wishing III ’83, vice president for student recruitment. Advertising, direct mail, outreach at college fairs, and social media campaigns are the standard tools in the admissions field, but Grove City College has something that other schools don’t and that can make a real difference when it comes to student recruitment: You. “Alumni are a real powerhouse when it comes to admissions recruiting,” Wishing said.

It’s impossible to say exactly how many current and prospective students learned about Grove City College from or made their decision to attend after talking with or knowing alumni of the College. But the Admissions Office does track referrals as indicated on student applications and it found that alumni are responsible for pointing an outsized number of prospective students to the Grove.

Wishing said the connection that prospective students have to alumni is one of two key reasons that they end up attending.

“It’s a simple sauce,” he said. “If you know people associated with the College and you visit, you enroll. If we can encourage alumni to get interested students to visit, then we can meet the challenge.”

Trustee William Mehaffey ’64 agrees.

Mehaffey has been recruiting students for more than 50 years and he’s pretty much the prototype for a freelance alumni recruiter.

The retired financial planner has played a role in the college selection process for dozens, if not hundreds of students and alumni. Mehaffey said he gets a degree of satisfaction at Commencement when he can tick the names of students he directed to the College off of the program.

September 2019

Amy (Fisher ’08) Mucha, second from left, poses with three of her CVCA recruits – Olivia Nitzsche, Catie Stanley and Ryan Klemmer – back in 2018 when they were seniors in high school. The three veterans of Mucha’s AP stats class are now sophomores at Grove City College.

Mehaffey has been recruiting students for more than 50 years and he’s pretty much the prototype for a freelance alumni recruiter.

He’s found much of his success in his church, Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church in Mount Lebanon, Pa., which he says is known informally as “Grove City South” because of the number of alumni in the congregation. Mehaffey’s work over the years may have something to do with that. “I’m known as an unabashed recruiter for Grove City,” he acknowledges. One of his Beverly Heights recruits, Donald C. Templin ’84, is now a fellow College Trustee.

Mehaffey said he keeps tabs on church families with children who might be prospects and talks up the College. He distributes literature, including the annual freshman profile, that provides additional information about what’s going on at Grove City and what kinds of students might be successful. He also makes sure to connect them to the Admissions Office.

Mehaffey thinks it’s critical that alumni connect with the offices of Admissions and Alumni & College Relations about prospective students, give some of their time and, like he does at graduation, celebrate the achievements of students he’s helped secure an excellent education and prepare for a successful future.

“If they like Grove City, and most people look fondly upon their experience at GCC, surely the very least they could do is some sort of recruiting in their church, recruiting in their school district, recruiting in their neighborhood,” Mehaffey said. “Given the circumstances at small private colleges these days we need to help out. The alums need to help out.”

Not surprisingly, other top alumni recruiters are educators working in public and Christian schools, according to the Admissions Office. Amy (Fisher ’08) Mucha, who teaches at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA), said she refers “any student that is in my high school math class.”

“I often joke that Grove City should pay me a commission given the amount of students I send their way from CVCA,” said Mucha. Joking aside, Mucha said lets her students know the College is challenging academically, but it will prepare them well for life and will make their college experience “something truly amazing.” On the school’s “college day,” all the teachers wear shirts from their alma maters and talk about their experiences, Mucha said. “It is one of my t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 31

Grove City College

Brandon McCall ’08 is founder and principal of Cornerstone Christian Preparatory Academy, a school designed to prepare students for Grove City College.

favorite days of the year, because I get to sing Grove City’s praises as part of the school day.”

Mucha’s school is kind of a “Grove City West,” with many College alumni in the faculty and CVCA graduates well-represented in the student body. Mucha is married to another CVCA and Grove City graduate, Nate Mucha ’08, assistant professor of Design.

At one point a few years ago, she said they calculated that three percent of the College consisted of former CVCA students.

“I love Grove City College, and I love my CVCA students. So when those two worlds collide, it makes me very happy,” she said.

Brandon McCall ’08, a one-time Education major who earned his degree in History, is another leading alumni recruiter. McCall is a founder and serves as principal of Cornerstone Christian Preparatory Academy, a school he said was born of a discussion about what a high school that prepped students for Grove City College would look like.

“All the things my friends and I loved about Grove City – the education, the values – would be built into a high school,” he said.

Cornerstone Prep opened in the fall of 2008 with seven students. In the school’s 12th year, it has over 200 students in preschool through 12th grade, McCall said, “all from the vision that was born in the classrooms and dorms at Grove City College.”

Given that founding vision, it’s natural to expect the College to be high on a collegebound Cornerstone student’s short list. “We recommend kids that are stronger in their faith, academics, have a good work ethic, and positive attitude to check out Grove City,” McCall said. “We know that where shared values align, good things happen. A student we’d recommend really has to have a heart to

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be a part of a culture they want to participate in Biblically and academically.”

McCall said he tells those students a lot of Grove City College stories. “Stories of struggles, frustrations, failures. And also stories of success, fun, and relationships. We talk a lot about how tough it was but joking about the challenges, in my opinion, demystifies it and makes it a reality that they can embrace,” he said.

“I think my favorite story is the ‘macro’ story of a bunch of our graduates at Grove City are building a culture there that makes the College a better place while they are growing in the process. It makes me proud that I get to watch my kids at Grove City as the people that I wish I was when I was there,” he said.

“That just gives me so much hope that even if we didn’t achieve everything we could have, we still have the opportunity to elevate others in our place.”

That chance to elevate others is clearly one motivation for Mehaffey, Mucha and McCall – along with other unsung alumni recruiters

– to go above and beyond to make the case for the College with prospective students.

They know what they got out of their time at Grove City College. They want to share that transformational experience and they want to ensure that it remains long after the current crisis in higher education is resolved.

In the meantime, Grove City College alumni can help the College weather it. In some ways, admissions is a numbers game. To thrive, the College needs to recruit a certain number of prospective students every year.

The larger the number, the better the chances that the College meets its enrollment goals.

“We have approximately 28,000 alums,” Mehaffey said. “If you just take half that – or even a quarter of that – you’ve got 7,000 alums. If those 7,000 alums could just send us one name of a candidate for Grove City College every year, then we’ve got a bigger number there.” n To become an alumni recruiter, contact the Admissions Office at 724-458-2100 or admissions@gcc.edu.

Meet the alums on the admissions staff

N

ot all alumni recruiters are freelancers. The College’s Admissions Office relies heavily on alumni to fill out its staff, with 12 Grove City College graduates working full time to recruit prospective students.

Lee Wishing III ’83, Vice President for Student Recruitment Paul Brinkman ’15, Admissions Communication and Data Manager Abbey (Henshaw) Donath ’15, Admissions Counselor Lindsay Harp ’18, Admissions Counselor Abby (Messinger) Kehr ’18, Admissions Counselor; Dual Enrollment Coordinator Kate (Nagatani) Mariani ’13, Senior Regional Counselor & Transfer Advisor Emily (Rothbard) Morgan ’16, Admissions Marketing Communications Developer Johanna (deVries) Paul ’12, Visit Coordinator Heather (Riding) Raine ’91, Admissions Data Specialist Tristan Slater ’16, Admissions Counselor Sarah M. Underwood ’14, Admissions Marketing and Communications Manager Dr. Jim Thrasher ’80, Senior Fellow for Vocational Guidance and Associate Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies and Humanities.

HOW CAN I HELP?

September 2019 REFER A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT

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HELP A STUDENT ARRANGE A VISIT

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ASK A STUDENT TO APPLY

gcc.edu/apply

WAIVE A STUDENT APPLICATION FEE

give code “alumni20”

REQUEST INFO TO SHARE WITH YOUR STUDENT OR YOUTH GROUP

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ECOURAGE STUDENTS TO TAKE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES

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EDUCATORS: REQUEST A PENNANT FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

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SHARE OUR VALUE The evidence is clear when it comes to the value of a Grove City College degree: GRADUATION RATE – 84 percent graduate in four years vs. a national average of just 33.3 percent for all colleges and universities and 52.8 percent for private schools.

SUCCESS RATE – 96 percent of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months.

ALUMNI SALARIES – Average starting salary of $53,500; Mid-career of $103,300 and a 20-year average net salary return on investment of $400,000, according to PayScale.

DEFAULT RATE – Less than one percent. Graduates earn enough to cover their debts and flourish.

AFFORDABLE – Grove City College is the most affordable private school in the state and in the top ten in national rankings. The College practices transparent tuition pricing and the 2019-2020 rate of $18,470 reflects the true cost of an education. The College works with students to find ways to pay for college, including privately funded need- and merit-based aid and access to private student loans

TELL OUR STORY If anyone knows Grove City College, it’s you. Alumni can offer prospective students and their families a unique perspective on what the College is really like -- how hard it is and how fun it is; how it prepared you for the future; how it tested and shared your faith; how it transformed you and prepared you for life. That personal testimony may be enough to “seal the deal,” but there’s more about Grove City College that alumni can share that might tip the scales.

CHRIST-CENTERED – The College advances an undenominational Christian worldview, protects freedom of conscience, and integrates faith into all aspects of the living and learning environment.

ACADEMICALLY EXCELLENT – The College’s core liberal arts curriculum provides a solid foundation and more than 60 areas of study offer students an array of educational opportunities for qualified students. Grove City College doesn’t teach you what to think, but how to think.

STUDENT LIFE – More than 100 student organizations, robust campus ministries, dozens of events on campus every week, Greek life, intramural and NCAA DIII varsity sports and a host of other activities keep students almost as busy as their classes do. Many on campus find out that they can do it all, earning the moniker “Grover-achiever.” With an unheard of 92 percent freshman to sophomore retention rate, it’s clear that t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 33 students love life in the Grove.

Grove City College

P A S S

2020

B O A R D I N G

ISRAEL, THE HOLY LAND March 3-13, 2020

Step back in time to the ancient world of the Middle East, where Jesus walked and Christianity was born, with President Paul J. McNulty ‘80 and First Lady Brenda (Millican ’80) McNulty. Come explore this land that still reflects its ancient past in the present day.

An Orbridge Travel Partnership

PROVENCE REGION, FRANCE April 26-May 4, 2020

Join us on a meandering journey by river through the landscapes that inspired Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne to create sublime art that captured the collective imagination of the world.

An AHI Travel Partnership

CHIANTI, ITALY

May 28-June 5, 2020 It’s time to indulge “La Dolce Vita” in this immersion program in one of Italy’s most magical wine regions – Chianti! Meander through Tuscany’s colorful cities, cypressstudded hilltop towns, classic cucinas, and idyllic vineyards.

An Orbridge Travel Partnership

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS AND THE WESTERN ISLES July 11-20, 2020

Let the lure of timeless, wild beauty and rugged shores bring you across the sea to the Scottish Highlands! Share the adventure with other alumni and friends as you travel from the hub of Glasgow up to Inverness, over to the incredible Isle of Skye, with stops at St. Andrews and Edinburgh.

More information coming soon on this Orbridge Travel Adventure!

SWITZERLAND/GERMANY/AUSTRIA AND THE PASSION PLAY July 29-August 8, 2020 Enjoy ten days of exploration in Switzerland, Germany and Austria as you follow the historical marks of one of Europe’s oldest Christian traditions - the Passion Play of Oberammergau. Hosted by seasoned traveler and Grove City College faculty member Dr. Beverly H. Carter, this once-in-a-lifetime experience should not be missed!

An AHI Travel Partnership

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY CRUISE

October 23-30, 2020 Sail with fellow alumni and friends on this colorful autumn journey through a part of our country known for its gorgeous scenery, artisanal shops, wineries, and even some historic Revolutionary War roots.

More information to come on this AHI Travel partnership program.

For on these 2020 Alumni and Friends Travel opportunities, visit alumni.gcc.edu/travel.

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September 2019

class notes 1967

KEEP IN TOUCH! We want to keep in touch with you electronically! If you

President Emeritus Richard Jewell was elected this spring as chair of the board of trustees of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. He has a long history with the YMCA, previously serving as the board chair of the Downtown YMCA from 1978-80 and as a member of the YMCA Metropolitan board of directors from 1980-94, where he operated in several leadership positions.

have an email address, or

1968

have recently changed your

Dr. David Hoch’s article “An Athletic Director’s Legacy – Doing What is Best for Students, Coaches” was published in the October 2018 issue of High School Today. This is his 650th published article, along with three books and several textbook chapters. As part of these contributions, he received the national NIAAA Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award and the NFHS Citation Award for his professional development efforts for the nation’s high school athletic administrators and coaches.

address or work information, make changes through

alumni.gcc.edu/update.

Have exciting news? Submit a class note for the magazine and for viewing online at

alumni.gcc.edu/classnote.

Remember to let the alumni office know that you are having a “Grover Gathering!” We’d love to send you some fun “stuff” for your event.

Email alumni@gcc.edu for more information.

1973 B.J. (Nichol) Connor wrote a grace that was published in the January 2019 issue of Guideposts magazine on its “Abundant Table” page. She has had stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, as well as other books and magazines.

She and her husband, Dr. Michael Connor ’73, live in Salisbury, S.C.

1975 Dr. Terry Sincich retired after 31 years as an associate professor of statistics at the University of South Florida (Tampa). Previously, he taught at the University of Florida and worked as a statistical consultant at Info Tech. He is co-author of several statistics textbooks. He and his wife reside in Lutz, Fla.

1977 Dr. Susan (Coblentz) Hanlon was appointed interim dean of the College of Business at The University of Akron in July. She is the first female dean in the history of the College of Business and holds positions as an associate professor of management and a Fitzgerald Institute Fellow of Entrepreneurship. She also serves as interim department chair of the Daverio School of Accountancy.

1978 Bill Jacobsen retired as administrator, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, Rocky Mount, Va., and vice president, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Va., in January 2019. He formed a consulting and executive coaching company called lumination! LLC, and he and his wife relocated to Roanoke. He was recognized by the American College of Healthcare Executives with a 2019 ACHE Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award by the ACHE Regent Virginia Central for his contribution to the advancement of excellence in

healthcare delivery. He was nominated for Rural Healthcare CEO of the Year by the American Hospital Association and was highlighted by the Healthcare Financial Management Association in an article on “Catalyzing Cost Transformation at a Rural Hospital.”

1979 Jim Hogan retired on May 31 after 40 years of service with the Department of Defense, including over 20 years of active military duty and 19 years of civil service. He retired as the chief of DoD Freedom of Information Act Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Previously, he retired in 2000 as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. While on active duty, Hogan’s assignments included instructor navigator on KC-135 and EC-135 aircraft and assistant professor of philosophy at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was recently awarded the Lifetime Service Award by the Department of Justice, presented annually to an agency professional with at least 20 years of work in FOIA administration and who has demonstrated excellence and dedication. He and his wife, Sharon (Cleres ’81), live in Burke, Va., and have three adult children.

1980 Mark Huston received the highest honor given by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, the Lawrence J. Rhoades Award, for his commitment, vision, and dedication to the defense manufacturing industry. The award was presented in May. Huston is retired after 35 years with Kennametal.

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Grove City College

SEVEN SPRINGS |

Sigma Theta Chi sisters representing the Classes of 1984-90 spent an August weekend together at Seven Springs resort in Champion, Pa.

1982 Carla (Wetzel) Patarini was inducted into the Butler County (Pa.) Sports Hall of Fame in April.

She was a multi-sport athlete at both Knoch High School and in college, and earned 11 varsity letters while a student at Grove City. She was inducted in to the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

1986 Doug Smith represented Pennsylvania in several track events (50M/100M/400M dashes) in the National Senior Games held in June in Albuquerque, N.M. He placed sixth (12.89 sec.) in the 100M dash finals in the Men’s 55-59 age group. Also, in March, he won the silver medal in the Men’s 50-54 60M hurdles at the USATF Masters National Indoor Championships in Winston-Salem, N.C. He continues to coach track at Robinson Township Christian School in McKees Rocks, Pa.

1990 Stephanie (Goda) Rossi, a senior advisor at JNBA Financial Advisors, has been named a Five Star Wealth Manager. She is based in

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Bloomington, Minn., and has received this honor for the past five years.

Carrie (Bub) Rust, human resources director at Ellwood Group in Ellwood City, Pa., was recognized as a “Workplace Wellness Champion” winner in May by Pittsburgh Business Times.

The paper recognized individuals who are working to promote healthy lifestyles within their companies.

2000 Jagan “Nick” Ranjan was confirmed in July by the U.S. Senate as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. His term began in August. He is a managing partner and commercial litigation attorney with K&L Gates in downtown Pittsburgh. His experience includes work in private practice and as a federal law clerk.

Shawn Robinson recently published a children’s book, Heli the Helo Goes to the Air Show.

Robinson is currently stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and will retire in one year with 20 years of service.

He spent much time flying the Sikorsky CH-53E – the helicopter that inspired character of Heli.

He both wrote and illustrated his book.

TWICE AS NICE | First Lady Brenda (Millican ’80) McNulty shares fine fashion sense with Alice (Bryant ’39) Ketler in a recent visit to Ketler’s Grove City home.

2001 Ben Moyer was named by MHI as the material handling industry’s Outstanding Young Professional for 2019 during a ceremony in April. He is the director of research and development for Hytrol in Jonesboro, Ark. The award recognizes an MHI member under age 40 for their professional accomplishments, leadership skills, and innovation. Moyer joined Hytrol in 2017.

2002 Michael Bootier and his wife, Nicole, announce the birth of son William Nicholas on Oct. 17, 2018.

Korie (Sell) Counts and her husband, Danny, welcomed daughter Allison Elizabeth on Jan. 29, 2019. Allie joins twin brothers Eli and Benjamin, 9, and Jack, 6. The family resides in Athens, Ohio, where Korie manages the life science intellectual property for Ohio University.

Rebecca Miller is now editor-in-chief of Farm and Dairy newspaper. The weekly publication has added web, social media and e-newsletters as well. Miller is a veteran journalist who also led Grove City College’s GeDUNK magazine and covered stories from overseas. She has freelanced for Farm and Dairy, and is co-owner of her family’s sheep farm in Lisbon, Ohio.

Sarah (Lenkner) and Michael ’03 Reese welcomed son Dylan Robert on July 22, 2016.

Jessica (Hawk) Smartt launched a book this spring with publisher Thomas Nelson titled MemoryMaking Mom: Building Traditions that Breathe Life into Your Home.

2005 Carrie (Willis) Sturgill and her husband, Andrew, are the parents of son Ray Alexander, born May 19, 2017.

2003

2006

Dr. Derek Stauff and his wife, Mariel, welcomed daughter Hazel Charlotte on March 6, 2018.

Rich Ernst and his wife, Rachel, announce the birth of son Benjamin Wycliffe on Jan. 2, 2019.

“Benji” joins twin brothers John and Winfield, 3. Ernst served as an Army psychiatrist until 2018 and now the family is preparing for an assignment with Wycliffe

2004 Joshua Crousey and his wife, Jiaying, welcomed daughter Janica on Dec. 3, 2016.

Bible Translators in Thailand.

They will be providing missionary mental health care and support to Christian workers from across Asia.

Stacey (Brubaker) Haught and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of twin daughters, Sadie and Sophia, on Sept. 13, 2018.

Andrea (Jeffries) and Joe O’Donnell announce the birth of daughter Amelia Joy on June 16, 2018.

Dr. Jennifer (Moyer) Talmage and her husband, Eric, announce the birth of their son Walter Ian in May 2019. Walter joins older brothers Edmund, 4, and Arthur, 2. Dr. Talmadge works as an anesthesiologist in Madison, Wis. Rachel (Holzaepfel) Wang and her husband, Nick, welcomed son Elijah Lianghua on April 24, 2018.

2007 James Dudt was named a principal of Karpinski Engineering, a consulting engineering firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dudt directs the firm’s Pittsburgh office, which he opened in 2015.

As part of the leadership team, Dudt will participate in firm-wide management, operations, and strategic planning.

Kevin McGuire and his wife,

September 2019 Rachel, are the parents of son Joseph Kenneth, born March 6, 2019.

Alexandra (Johnson) Myroniuk and her husband, Robert, announce the birth of daughter Addison Grace on March 15, 2019.

Sarah (Smith) Nettles and her husband, Chuck, announce the birth of daughter Abigail Natalie on May 28, 2018. She joins sister Charlotte Rose.

Jana Volante Walshak was elevated to partner at Fox Rothschild LLP. She is based in Pittsburgh and represents clients in commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense and compliance. She also serves as chair of the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania’s Young Professionals Board.

2008 Angela Buckler and James Becker were married on Dec. 30, 2018. The couple now lives in Lancaster, Pa. Kristen (Cospito) DiBlasi and her husband, Daniel, are the parents of Emery Sage, born May 2, 2017.

Laura (Levai) and Adam Frey welcomed son Maxwell Harvey on Aug. 12, 2018. He joined siblings Samantha, Lucy, Charles, and Jack.

WINTER GOLF | Epsilon Pi brothers met to “try to play” golf in Orlando, Fla., this winter. In front, from left, Richard Horton ’65, John Galvanek ’66, and Ronald George ’66. Back, from left, William McNees ’65, William Hladio ’64, Todd Alexander ’64, Raymond Rawlins ’66, Thomas Robinson ’62, James Passilla ’60, Harry Guarnieri ’60, Robert Jackson ’60, Ronald Gentile ’59, and Bruce Johnson ’60.

Rachel (Flynn) Fulton and her husband, Daniel, announce the birth of son Wesley Daniel on May 21, 2019.

Rochelle (Ritchey) Kennedy opened a private counseling practice in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in Feb. 2019. She sees clients from a variety of demographics, but specializes in working with trauma.

She and her husband, Micah, welcomed son Levi Daniel on June 6, 2018. He joins siblings Liam, Aisley, and Jovie.

Heather (McAllister) and Steven ’07 Lipp welcomed son Evan James on Sept. 3, 2018. He joins siblings Lindsay, 8, and Joshua, 4.

Kimberly (Barron) and Benjamin Read welcomed son William Benjamin on May 2, 2018. He joins sisters Charlotte, Heidi, and Lucy.

Joe Severyn was married to Trina Dennison in September 2018.

They reside in Dayton, Ohio.

2009 Elise (Born) and Tyler Constable welcomed daughter Esther Charlotte on Feb. 14, 2019. She joins siblings

Claire, 5, and James, 3.

Amy (Ritter) and Jacob ’10 Knox announce the birth of daughter Claire Lee on July 15, 2018. She joins sister Ellie, 3.

Erin Master and Clay Shesman were married on April 13, 2019, in Erie, Pa., where they now both work as educators. Rev. Jonathan Kuciemba ’09 was the officiant for the ceremony.

Laryssa (Joseph) and Josiah ’08 Nilsen are the parents of son Silas, born June 23, 2017.

Bethany (Lowe) Rupert and her husband, Mike, welcomed daughter Liliana Joy on Feb. 25, 2018. Sister Isabelle Betsy is 3.

Ariel Weygandt and Brian Peterson were married on Oct. 27, 2018, in Chicago, Ill., where they currently reside.

2011 Dr. Nicole Cifra had her artwork published as a cover of the March 2019 issue of Academic Medicine, the journal of the American Academy of Medical Colleges.

Her article, “Think Zebras,” is included in the issue.

MUY BONITA! |

The ’66 Chix group ushered in March in Bonita Springs, Fla. From left: Gail (Holmgren) Hunter, Sandy (McCracken) Gurgovits, Louise (Luther) Classen, Sherry (Mizer) Hardgrove, Sue (Weed) Marcy, Pennie (Martin) Clifford, Rusty (Coblentz) DuRei, Barbara (Studley) Burdette, and Lynn Ramsey.

t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 37

Grove City College Rachael (Genders) Dymski is the author of Anxiety Interrupted: Invite God’s Peace Into Your Questions, Doubts, and Fears, a book released in March by New Hope Publishers.

Ruth Mershon and Terrance Karthak were married on March 23, 2019.

They will be returning to his hometown in northeast India to work among unreached people groups through community development.

2012 Hannah (Woodring) and Ryan Anderson announce the births of daughter Laurel Adriel, born Nov. 18, 2018, and son Titus Ryan, born Aug. 9, 2016.

Kelsey (Wilson) and Connor Cooper welcomed daughter Josie Lynne on May 2, 2019.

Kristi (Walsh) and Josh ’11 Norman announce the birth of daughter Lily Jane on Dec. 6, 2018.

Lindsay (Miller) Saenz and her husband, Eli, welcomed daughter Ava Grace on Jan. 31, 2019.

2013 Nathan Adamo worked at Quest Diagnostics in his home state of New Jersey since 2014. He held analytical roles in patient services operations and in corporate

FLORIDA FUN |

finance, and currently assists in managing the metabolic and endocrinology product line.

Andrew McGuire and his wife, Stephanie, announce the birth of daughter Adalyn Grace on March 31, 2019.

Tim Morgan and his wife, Katie, welcomed daughter Lily on March 4, 2019.

2014 Laura (Doherty) Collins and her husband, Charles, welcomed daughter Eden Lilias on Feb. 21, 2019.

Collin Gingrich and his wife, Becky, welcomed daughter Joanna Alexis on Jan. 27, 2019.

Bethany (Blain) and Ryan ’13 Hammond announce the birth of son Lincoln Francis on Feb. 27, 2019.

Kyle Vuchak ’03, left, and Steve Lacinski ’01 played football together at Grove City College, and recently coached their sons’ flag football team together – earning a 9-0 record and winning the Highland Youth Football Championship (Ohio). Pictured are Kyle, Xavier and Georgia Vuchak with Steve and Mason Lacinski.

2016 Mariah (Syre) and Christopher ’17 Delposen announce the birth of daughter Eliora Rae on Feb. 28, 2019.

Grant Neal completed his law school studies and graduated from Ohio Northern University in May 2019.

Emily Rothbard and Alexander Morgan were married Jan. 5, 2019, in Havre de Grace, Md. Emily works in Grove City College’s Admissions

Sigma Theta Chi sisters from the Class of 1966 met in Venice and Nakomis, Florida, in March, at the homes of Sue (Lutz) Klingensmith and Dorothy (Gergely) McBride. From left, Klingensmith, Karen (Cabble) Lowe, McBride, Sandee (Diaz) Mook, and Anne (Callahan) Hogue.

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COACHING TRADITION |

GENEALOGISTS | Three alumae are on the board of directors for the North Hills Geneaologists in Pittsburgh. From left are Ami (Waldschmidt ’86) Wessel, Faith Jack ’83, a conference speaker Dr. Blaine T. Bettinger, and Susan Ennis ’82. Wessel is the group’s social media chair, Jack is vice president, and Ennis is newsletter co-editor.

HONDURAN HELP |

John “Jack” Sipes ’83, Matthew Hammond ’83, and Matthew Rugh ’83 participated in an eight-day mission trip to La Paz, Honduras, this winter. Honduras Compassion Partners organized the trip. The team helped the Honduran people and spread the Gospel by installing cement floors and clean water filter systems, visiting an orphanage, and having a sports night with local youth.

September 2019

GROVE AVENUE | Gamma Chi sorority sisters from the Classes of 1980 and 1981 enjoyed a spring break reunion in Seaside, Fla., recently, pausing under the “Grove Avenue” street sign. From left, Brenda (Yates ’81) Kale, Lynne (Chamberlain ’80) Kegel, Carol Balkey ’81, Ellyn (Christian ’81) Snyder, Lois (Parsons ’81) Glasgow, and Diane (Dunn ’80) Caldwell.

CHECK THE MATH |

June’s AP Statistics Reading in Kansas City, Mo., had a Grove City College connection. From left, Assistant Dean for Institutional Assessment and Professor of Psychology Dr. Gary Welton and teachers Pamela (Davis ’87) Garrett, Samantha Fales ’87 and Elaine Sotherden ’12, were among the 860 high school and college statistics teachers who gathered to read and score the open-ended test questions from 220,000 high school students taking May’s Advanced Placement statistics test.

Office as a marketing communications developer and Alex is working toward his physician assistant studies degree at Slippery Rock University.

2019 Rachel Falk and Tim ’17 Hanna were married May 4, 2019, in Harrison City, Pa. Rachel works as a data analyst for UPS and Tim is a music teacher.

KAP HONORS | Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity brothers honored six new brothers, two graduating seniors and three recipients of KAP Alumni Association scholarships at their April Recognition Luncheon held on campus.

PHI TAU HOUR |

These Phi Tau brothers were among those who attended the first Phi Tau Alumni Association happy hour this spring in Cranberry Township, Pa. From left: Dennis Spangler ’91, Dan Zugell ’91, Lance Sabados ’91, Bryan Hodil ’92 and Eric Walker ’91.

Allison Kofol and Joseph Fitzpatrick were married June 1, 2019, in Howard, Pa. They reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they work at a Chick-fil-A as directors of operations.

SPRING GOLF |

These ’95 Phi Tau brothers met for some spring golf in Orlando, Fla, at the Isleworth Golf Club. From left: Chris Connors, Raleigh Peters, Greg Bronson, and Drew Blank.

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Grove City College

in memory The Grove City College Alumni Association places a book in Henry Buhl Library in memory of each alumnus for whom the Office of Alumni and College Relations receives written notification of death, including a copy of the obituary. This pays tribute to the lives of deceased alumni while benefitting current and future students.

To notify the Office of Alumni and College Relations of the passing of a loved one, please send an obituary to alumni@gcc.edu.

Alice (Floding) Macalla ’41 died May 10, 2019. She was a lifelong resident of Youngstown, Ohio, and worked as a medical secretary for 60 years.

Helen (Hovis) Middendorf ’41 died Feb. 1, 2019. She lived in New Castle and taught English for 23 years at Neshannock High School.

Mary Lee (Ibberson) Fontaine ’43 died Feb. 20, 2019. She lived in Steubenville, Ohio.

Beatrice (Black ’44) Faux died July 14, 2018. A longtime Butler, Pa., resident, she taught for 40 years in local schools.

E. Audrey (Bridenbaugh) Mills ’44 died Jan. 22, 2019. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who lived in New Castle, Pa. Clair O. Weller ’44 died March 30, 2019. A Navy veteran of World War II, he worked as an engineer with Bell of Pennsylvania.

Carl J. McCurdy ’45 died Feb. 28, 2019. He was a World War II Air Force veteran living in Sun City West, Ariz.

Ruth (Gleason) Simer ’45 died Feb. 10, 2019. She lived in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Lawrence W. Krespan ’46 died May 24, 2019. The lifelong resident of Warren, Pa., practiced dentistry there for 59 years.

Shirley (Stevens) Snyder ’46 died May 11, 2019. A longtime resident of Attleboro, Mass., she worked as a registered nurse before raising her family.

Dorothy (Sourwine) Chittum ’47 died March 28, 2019.

She retired after 20 years as

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director of the Parkersburg and Wood County (W.Va.) Public Library.

Bonny (Johnson ’47) Jones died June 17, 2019. She studied voice and piano in her hometown Warren (Pa.) Conservatory of Music, and also worked as a secretary at the Warren County Court House before raising her family.

J. Lee Miller ’47 died June 11, 2018. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa., a World War II Navy veteran, he practiced law at the family firm of Miller and Miller with his father Harvey Miller, 1892, and brother Harvey Miller Jr. ’40, both former Trustees of the College.

He was part of a legacy family of 12 other alumni including daughters Marilee (Miller ’70) Ward, Lindsay (Miller ’72) Evans, Carol Miller-Mease ’75 and grandson Brandon Miller Evans ’97.

The Rev. Dean R. Montgomery ’47 died March 14, 2019.

Elizabeth “Ann” (McBride) Wallace ’47 died March 16, 2019.

Mary Ellen “Meb” (Babcock) Wright ’47 died March 21, 2019. A homemaker, she lived in St. Petersburg, Fla., for the last 15 years. Survivors include daughter Judith Wright ’72.

June (Smithers) Dall ’48 died July 5, 2018. She served for 31 years in the Volusia County (Fla.) School System and performed in many musical groups.

Dr. Norman C. Crill ’49 died May 8, 2019. A World War II Army veteran, he was a family practitioner in Lancaster, Pa., for 45 years. He was part

of a GCC legacy family that incudes son David Crill ’78 and granddaughter Barbara (Denlinger ’09) Bescher.

Lois “Pinkie” (Smith) Jones ’49 died March 12, 2019. The former teacher traveled the world during her husband’s geology career and most recently lived in Castle Pines, Colo.

Donna (Cummins) Jordan ’49 died April 16, 2019. After first working for the U.S. Department of Health, she raised her family in Dalton, Mass., before retiring to South Wellfleet, Mass. Survivors include sister Darlene (Cummins ’58) Smith.

Kathryn (Applequist) Spicer ’49 died April 14, 2019.

She lived in Oswego, N.Y., and served for many years on the Tioga County Social Services Commission Board.

Survivors include sister Carolyn (Applequist ’51) Turk.

Dr. Glenn B. Piper ’50 died March 1, 2019. The Army veteran practiced dentistry in the Pittsford, N.Y., area for 35 years, making many humanitarian trips to Central America.

Doris (Anderson) Reeves ’50 died Dec. 30, 2018.

Alexander S. Strain ’50 died Feb. 3, 2019. He lived in La Quinta, Calif.

Robert W. Ungren ’50 died June 5, 2019. A World War II Navy veteran, he taught math for many years at Franklin (Pa.) Area High School and won many awards for running.

Dale W. Warnock ’50 died Feb. 5, 2019. He was a World

War II Navy veteran living in Birmingham, Ala. T. Richard Campbell ’51 died March 9, 2019. A Navy veteran, he lived in Greensburg, Pa., for 50 years and retired as general manager of Menasha Corp., Yukon, Pa. Gloria (Maddalena) Cianci ’51 died March 11, 2019. She was a business and business education teacher who lived in Greenville, Pa. John S. Elliott ’51 died July 23, 2019. He lived in New Wilmington, Pa., and was a Korean War Army veteran. He retired from H.J. Heinz Co. as manager of compliance audits after 35 years of service.

Survivors include daughter Cindy Elliott ’85.

John W. Maharg ’51 died Feb. 3, 2019. An Army veteran, he worked for Phillips Petroleum in several states. Recently, he lived in Odessa, Texas.

W. Joseph Masters ’51 died March 1, 2019. He worked in Pennsylvania for U.S. Steel until retiring to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1989.

Philip M. Smith ’51 died July 18, 2019. The Erie, Pa., resident worked at Erie Insurance for 38 years as an auto underwriter. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Margaret (Rouse) Shull ’51 died March 5, 2019. Her recent residence was Seneca, S.C. Donald O. Stolz ’51 died July 11, 2019. A World War II Navy veteran, he had a career in the construction industry. He lived in Erie, Pa., and was a high school football official for 57 years.

Harold D. Boutwell ’52 died June 13, 2019. A Navy veteran, he lived in Erie, Pa., and taught at Iroquois High School for 33 years.

Shirlie J. Kauffman ’52 died May 19, 2019. A Warren, Pa., resident, she was a talented musician and piano teacher.

September 2019 Mary E. “Liz” (Parker) Stettner ’52 died July 8, 2019. She was living in Wilsonville, Ore. Dr. Glenn W. Thompson ’52 died March 31, 2019. He taught psychology at Allegheny College for 35 years and ran a private practice in Meadville, Pa. He was an Air Force veteran.

James R. McCullough ’53 died Jan. 19, 2019. A World War II Navy veteran, he was an electrical engineer with Rochester (N.Y.) Telephone Company for 20 years.

William E. Traynor ’53 died May 28, 2019. He lived in Wellsville, Pa.

Grove City College Trustee Samuel G. Casolari Jr., Esq. ’83 died July 30, 2019. He served on the Board of Trustees since 2002, after a three-year term as an Alumni Trustee. He led the Alumni Council as President 1997-99, during his 13 years on Council. A part of the Change & Commitment Campaign’s Steering Committee, Casolari also was a contributing author for The Institute for Faith & Freedom.

The managing attorney of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin’s Cincinnati office, he worked in the areas of liability, employment law, general casualty, and asbestos litigation. He was active in the Ohio State and Cincinnati Bar Associations and the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association.

Shared College President Paul J. McNulty in a letter to staff, “(Sam’s) strong faith was the foundation for his life and the reason for his extraordinary devotion to GCC. He delighted in seeing students flourishing spiritually and academically as a result of the College’s Christ-centered mission, a mission that Sam had a hand in strengthening through his remarkable service.”

Richard C. Arnold ’54 died May 21, 2019. The Williamsburg, Va., resident worked as a purchasing agent for General Motors. He was an Army veteran. Survivors include wife Mary (Kennedy ’54) Arnold.

Shannock Valley (Pa.) schools who taught private piano and organ lessons for 56 years.

Marjorie (Muir) Gliozzo ’54 died in April 2019. She taught English and Spanish, and was an accomplished traveler.

Recently, she lived in East Lansing, Mich.

Eric H. Gay ’56 died March 27, 2019. He served in the Air Force and worked at Owens Corning for 25 years as a mechanical engineer. Recently, he lived in Whitehouse, Ohio.

William F. Klenk ’54 died June 27, 2019. An Air Force veteran, he spent 43 years working in the steel and aluminum industry, where he held several management positions. His wife, Sally “Sara” (Vater) Klenk ’55 died May 28, 2019. After relocating many times, the Klenks settled in Bridgeport, W.Va., where they were very involved in church and community.

Robert V. Howard Jr. ’56 died April 27, 2019. An Army veteran, he worked for 30 years as an investigator with the federal government in Washington, D.C. Recently, he lived in Palm Harbor, Fla.

James E. Sterrett ’55 died May 20, 2019. He cofounded Avantek, Inc., was vice president of research and development for the semiconductor company, and named one of its Fellows. The College presented him with the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award in 1992.

He was an Army veteran and lived in Palo Alto, Calif.

James W. Foraker ’58 died Feb. 2, 2019. He worked as a traveling salesman for Koppers and Appalachian Timbers.

He later relocated to Hilton Head, S.C. He belonged to the College’s Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame.

J. Kay (Rearick) Davidson ’56 died May 19, 2019. She was a retired music teacher from the

Judith (Anderson) McCreery ’57 died Jan. 22, 2019. A resident of Youngstown, Ohio, she worked as a school librarian and an office manager.

Ralph D. Hartman ’58 died June 11, 2019. An accountant, he lived in Bethel Park, Pa., at the time of his passing; he performed in and directed local theatre. Survivors include wife Barbara (Ray ’54) Hartman.

Ruth (Levy) Jacobson ’58 died July 4, 2019. She worked in banking before raising her family and assisted with the finances in her husband’s medical practice. She was living in Missoula, Mont.

Dr. David O. King ’58 died June 10, 2019. He was a practicing dentist and orthodontist for 50 years, including during his service in the Navy. He also served three terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives beginning in 1990.

D. Allen Bergman ’59 died Jan. 18, 2019. A Benicia, Calif., resident, he spent his professional career in corporate credit. He also worked as a reserve police officer for 22 years, and a public safety officer.

Kathryn “Kitty” (Rivers) Bevington ’59 died March 31, 2019. She lived near Moultonborough, N.H., where she spent 18 years as a visiting health nurse.

John S. Ferrence ’59 died March 16, 2019. He lived in Ormond Beach, Fla. Brian K. Meadows ’59 died April 21, 2017. Formerly of Greensburg, Pa., he worked in the family-owned auto parts business, along with t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 41

Grove City College other accounting positions.

In retirement, he lived in Brandon, Fla.

he worked in the investment field and retired from Federated Investors in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Raymond D. Sams ’59 died Jan. 25, 2019. He was a licensed professional engineer who worked with several companies in the Lancaster, Pa., area. The Army veteran served on the College’s Alumni Council.

M. Anne (Paganelli) Petrarco ’64 died April 14, 2019.

She taught for 31 years at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Conn. More recently, she lived in Erie, Pa.

Richard M. Hisey ’61 died July 3, 2019. A longtime resident of Lancaster, Pa, he was a professional engineer, working with Armstrong World Industries for 35 years. He earned several U.S. Patents.

He retired to The Villages, Fla. David L. Hudak ’61 died Feb. 21, 2019. The metallurgical engineer had a 42-year career in the steel industry with the Jones & Laughlin Steel Company, working in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Atlanta, where he retired. Survivors include wife Nancy (Kennedy ’63) Hudak.

Robert D. Parise ’61 died March 3, 2019. He was a retired Air Force Brigadier General whose service included Vietnam.

He later worked for AT&T and Rockwell International in Pittsburgh, joining the PA Air National Guard and serving as a volunteer firefighter.

Andrew G. Doedyns ’62 died May 4, 2019. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he was an engineer living in Beaver Falls, Pa. He also was a master gardener.

Francis P. “Frank” Piatek ’62 died July 15, 2019. An Army veteran, he had degrees in mechanical engineering. He lived in Pittsburgh, Pa. Perry Anthony ’63 died Feb. 4, 2019. He was a retired executive with companies including Westinghouse Electric, Allied Van Lines, and Comptia. He lived in Loudon, Tenn. Survivors include wife Alyce (Anderson ’63) Anthony.

Charles E. Addis Jr. ’64 died June 2, 2019. A Navy veteran,

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Philip E. Cook Jr. ’68 died June 2, 2019. He was a tax attorney at Philip E. Cook and Associates, and co-authored the Pennsylvania State Tax Handbook for many years.

Philip S. Kocon ’79 died May 31, 2019. A CPA, he was a partner in the accounting firm HBK, retiring in 2017. He lived in Poland, Ohio, serving on the YMCA board.

William L. Jermyn ’69 died Feb. 12, 2018. He was living in Florida.

The Rev. Timothy A. Heitz ’82 died on July 3, 2019.

He pastored at Methodist churches throughout eastern Pennsylvania, later working for Superior Walls of America and Lancaster Bible College.

Survivors include daughter Karolin (Heitz ’08) Kennedy.

Douglas B. Swanson ’64 died Jan. 12, 2019. An Air Force veteran, he flew for Eastern Airlines for 22 years. He lived in Plantation, Fla., and later worked with Allstate Insurance.

Robert S. Kinelski ’70 died Feb. 23, 2019. He was an awardwinning marketing executive for several pharmaceutical companies. After retiring to Pinehurst, N.C., he led and mentored local organizations.

Richard A. Hoopman ’65 died March 15, 2019. He lived in Fredericksburg, Texas, and was retired from Xerox. Survivors include his wife, Judith (Earl ’65) Hoopman.

Milton A. Pritts ’70 died May 16, 2019. He was a business executive who traveled the world, while making his home in Louisville, Ky.

James A. Kenny ’65 died Jan. 29, 2019. The Air Force veteran had a 40-year career with United Airlines, and lived in Deer Park, Ill.

Richard H. Gochnaur ’71 died Feb. 11, 2019. He was a retired federal probation and parole officer at the Reading, Pa., office. He also served in the PA National Guard.

Thomas A. Nigon ’88 died May 14, 2019. He was a vice president and financial advisor with WesBanco Securities.

He lived in New Castle, Pa., and enjoyed coaching and supporting youth sports.

Ronald R. Arrington ’66 died April 21, 2019. He lived in Foley, Ala., and was a successful entrepreneur. He was a member of the College’s 1,000 point club for basketball.

Edward M. Griffith III ’71 died May 14, 2019. He was a chemical engineer who lived in Chesterfield, Va., selling scanning electron microscopes with FEI Co.

Summer L. Hill ’00 died April 16, 2019. She taught kindergarten for 18 years in Emigsville, Pa., and held offices in local teachers’ unions.

Linda (Johansson) Albert ’67 died Feb. 19, 2019. She taught high school math in many locales, recently enjoying retirement in Ormond Beach, Fla.

David L. Jones ’74 died May 7, 2019. A Franklin, Pa., resident, he first worked for Pennzoil, then for the U.S. Department of Transportation as an auditor for the Inspector General.

He helped to build a local observatory.

Michael J.T. Sacco ’01 died April 17, 2019. He was working as a clinical manager at George Junior Republic in Grove City and was a car enthusiast.

J. Terrence Breslin ’67 died Dec. 1, 2018. He was a Vietnam veteran and successful businessman who most recently lived in Ruston, La. Survivors include wife Dianne (Light ’67) Breslin.

Kermit W. Brown ’67 died Jan. 17, 2019. He worked in banking in Smethport, Pa., and later, Charlotte, N.C. Thomas W. Brown ’68 died April 2, 2019. He served as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve (Judge Advocate), in addition to practicing law in Pittsburgh for 45 years.

Survivors include daughter Mary (Brown ’05) Patterson.

Susan (Simpson) Steidl ’74 died March 15, 2019. A CPA, she spent 24 years as financial manager for Braun & Steidl Architects, Inc. She lived in Peninsula, Ohio.

Charles J. Thomas ’75 died Feb. 6, 2019. An Erie, Pa., resident, he worked as an industrial sales representative with various foundries and manufacturers.

Gary A. Young ’76 died July 5, 2019. He was a decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War. He worked as a teacher with the Crawford Central School District in Meadville, Pa., until retirement.

Lisa (Allen) Welker ’87 died March 31, 2019. She was a homemaker living in Grove City. Survivors include husband Randy Welker ’87 and daughter Gabrielle (Welker ’11) Kucks.

Ryan D. Green, a freshman history major from Fredericksburg, Va., passed away due to illness on May 8, 2019.

Friends Dr. Harold L. Conder, a professor of Chemistry from 1973-2016, passed away April 19, 2019.

He also worked as a farmer and lived in New Springfield, Ohio.

Survivors include son Michael Conder ’12.

11.19.19 24 HOURS.ENDLESS IMPACT.

WWW.GCC.EDU/WOLVERINECHALLENGE

Grove City College

l’il wolverines ‘mid the pines

Titus and Laurel Anderson Born 8-9-16 and 11-18-18 Hannah (Woodring ’12) and Ryan ’12 Anderson

Andrew “Drew” Batluck Born 6-25-18 Timothy ’06 and Rebecca Batluck

Thornwell Charles Hugh Biese Born 10-5-17 Ann and Ryan ’09 Biese

Chloe Grace Bodman Born 5-23-17 Krista (Diddle ’99) and Joshua Bodman

Jane Margaret Clark Born 9-9-18 Shaina (Williams ’14) and Rob ’14 Clark

Isacar Ezra Davis Born 2-4-18 Kristel and Brian ’92 Davis

Phillip Reuben Derstine Born 8-9-18 Grace (Lehr ’14) and Aaron ’14 Derstine

Rebecca Diane Forrest Born 3-25-18 Jeana (Duryea ’05) and Matthew Forrest

Joanna Alexis Gingrich Born 1-27-19 Becky and Collin ’14 Gingrich

Jacob Anthony Gray Born 8-4-18 Erin (Wheeler ’99) and Anthony Gray

Gideon Arthur Kho Haberman Born 9-26-17 Naneth and Jake ’03 Haberman

Clara Mae Hooper Born 7-19-18 Lauren (Baker ’12) and Jonathan Hooper

CONGRATULATIONS NEW PARENTS! Grove City College welcomes your new bundle of joy. We want to send your newborn a Grove City College T-shirt.

So between the feedings and late-night lullabies, be sure to send the Office of Alumni and College Relations your child’s name and date of birth. Shirts are available only in infant size.

Due to the popularity of the Alumni Babies feature, photos will be limited to babies under the age of 3 in Grove City College shirts only. Digital photos must be high resolution, 300 dpi. Please do not embed photos in the body of an email message, but rather attach a high-resolution image.

Submit photos at alumni.gcc.edu/babyshirt or email to alumni@gcc.edu.

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September 2019

Evan James Lipp Born 9-3-18 Heather (McAllister ’08) and Steven ’07 Lipp

Russell Thomas Llewellyn Born 4-13-18 Sarah (Klinger ’04) and Nelson ’04 Llewellyn

Silas Henry and Mila Adrielle Mercer Born 10-7-17 Stephen ’09 and Kristin Mercer

Luna Elizabeth Mitchell Born 10-1-18 Jaclyn (Lane ’12) and Charles ’12 Mitchell

Abigail Natalie Nettles Born 5-28-18 Sarah (Smith ’07) and Chuck Nettles

Silas Nilsen Born 6-23-17 Laryssa (Joseph ’09) and Josiah ’08 Nilsen

Amelia Joy O’Donnell Born 6-16-18 Andrea (Jeffries ’06) and Joe ’06 O’Donnell

Leonardo Jonathan Priano Born 1-3-19 Jonny ’03 and Ashley Priano

Lucy Mae Read Born 8-9-16 Kim (Barron ’08) and Ben ’08 Read

Dylan Robert Reese Born 7-22-16 Sarah (Lenkner ’04) and Michael ’03 Reese

Evelyn Joy Sheppard Born 8-30-18 Kristen (Scro ’04) and Noah Sheppard

Ethan Joel Shindeldecker Born 4-2018 Courtney (Sicher ’10) and Joel ’10 Shindeldecker

Maria Rose and Nicholas George Sinnott Born 5-11-2018 Rebecca (Bopp ’05) and Joseph Sinnott

Hazel Charlotte Stauff Born 3-6-18 Mariel and Derek ’03 Stauff

Elliana Marie Stitt Born 6-8-18 Sarah (Baltzer ’12) and David ’10 Stitt

Ray Alexander Sturgill Born 5-19-17 Carrie (Willis ’05) and Andrew Sturgill

Emma Cory Vernon Born 5-1-17 Amy (Bacher ’02) and Cory ’03 Vernon

Elijah Lianghua Wang Born 4-24-18 Rachel (Holzaepfel ’06) and Nick Wang

COUSINS Jonathan Andrew Zirkle, born 9-28-17 Jamie (Betteridge ’10) and Bryan ’11 Zirkle Hope Joanna Soja, born 11-16-17 Megan (Betteridge ’08) and Steve Soja t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 45

Grove City College

faith & learning A faculty perspective into the mission of Grove City College, the role of Christian scholarship in higher education, and the connection between faith and learning.

A feast at the table: Satisfying the hunger in our souls

By Dr. Andrew Mitchell

Dr. Andrew Mitchell is an associate professor of History at Grove City College. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College in 2000 and his master’s degree and doctorate from The Ohio State University. After teaching for three years at Hillsdale College and one year at Spring Arbor University, Mitchell came to Grove City in the autumn of 2008.

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E

ating and drinking are simple, everyday activities that we all engage in, sometimes with great intent, sometimes rather thoughtlessly. But today in America, confusion and deep contradictions exist concerning the nature of food and drink.

We’re a country of wine and beer connoisseurs and boorish drunkards; barbecue-lovers and vegans; the fattest nation on earth and home to millions of anorexia sufferers; we buy cookbooks at an extraordinary rate, but fewer Americans are cooking than ever. Food is but a subset of the larger American, post-Cold War paradox. A nation of stalwart individuals who compulsively check social media to see what others are up to and if they like or retweet our posts. Our image – unfiltered or Photoshopped, but definitely cultivated – appears to be everything.

Uncertainty and isolation abound. Just as we’re increasingly uncertain as to whether that story is true or “fake news,” so too it is with food. Do I need to change my eating habits?

Should I diet or fast? Do I only eat organic?

What does that even mean? As a result of our uncertainty, we become increasingly isolated.

In 2013, a Gallup poll revealed that only about half of American families eat dinner together every day of the week; percentages were considerably smaller for other meals.

More than stomachs that need to be filled or personalities that need to be affirmed, there is a right and proper hunger that makes us all human and that demands to be satisfied. The desire to satiate our constant hunger and thirst can create a rote approach, where mealtimes become a more organic gas station, where we fill and refill the human engine ad nauseam.

In its proper context, however, every occasion of eating, especially that epic encounter known as the Feast, has the ability to draw us up, beyond the realities we have constructed for ourselves. It is in those moments, those special times when friends, family, and congregations gather around

the table that we can see clearer, appreciate better, and love deeper that love which is the source of all creation, edible or otherwise.

Through companionship at table, with the humble stuff of salt and oil, bread and wine, that some of the richest and most satisfying communion is possible.

Let’s start with the basics. You wake up in the morning and you’re hungry. Why? It is simple – that’s the way God made us.

When we read Genesis 1 and 2, we realize we were made very good, but we were also made hungry. The God who made us created this remarkable method of sustaining life whereby we take food into ourselves, de-form it in our stomachs, and then experience its re-formation, becoming an integral part of who we are. Our Creator also provided a nearly infinite number of choices for us to satisfy our hunger and made it possible to do it in the simplest of ways: “take and eat.” Yet we would have things differently.

Eating the forbidden fruit did not change the fundamental reality that we are desiring creatures. Appetite drives us and causes us to be so restless. The appetites God has given us are good. The way in which we go about feeding them is problematic.

The first food to consider towards fulfilling our appetites is salt. Salt comes to us in two ways – either from the waters around the earth or from the ground. In this, as in our salty sweat, it is part of the same dust as ourselves.

The sodium in salt is one of the basic needs of the body. We need just the right amount.

Too much or too little and our cells will shut down. As a biological testimony perhaps to salt’s essential role, one of our basic taste receptors is designed for salt.

Salt fulfills a number of important functions, many of which are preserved through proverbs. It cleanses. “To take things with a grain of salt” is another way of expressing cleansing our sight. “To rub salt in the wound” comes from both the scouring and cleansing abilities. Salt also preserves or

extends the life of meat and cheese. Salt also serves functions beyond eating. Because it was so important and expensive, Roman soldiers were paid in salt rations, leading to our word salary. Salt has long been considered one of the basic foods of hospitality.

Then there is the bizarre ability of salt to accentuate the taste of what is being salted. A steak for instance becomes “steak-ier” when salted. When applied to something sweet, salt has the ability to accentuate sweetness. When a wise man tells his disciples that they are the “salt of the world” he is opening up a whole world of implications.

From salt we move on to bread. It’s not good for man to be alone, and what better way of reminding him of that than by making bread. Flour needs to be sown as grain, needs to be harvested, threshed, ground, and baked.

All of this requires community.

Bread has earned the well-deserved label, “the staff of life.” In many ancient cultures the word for “bread” is the same word as “food.”

We see this with the literal translation of the petition, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

This humble petition at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer reminds us that the hungers of both body and soul need to be fed and that we can ask God to fill both desires. Shared with others, it literally creates companionship, from the Latin pane. By the 18th century, bread was being used as a synonym for one’s livelihood – “to earn one’s bread” – and by the 1930s, the word was slang for money.

While salt has the tendency to clear our eyes, bread lifts us to a richer vision, especially in a Christian context. It enables us to not only to look backwards to our fall, but forward in hope. First through manna, and later with the coming of Christ, the food of the curse has become the food of forgiveness and, more remarkably, the food of blessing. Rather than being sown and harvested by the sweat of our brow, it has come down from Heaven through the free grace of God. That Communion bread is taken repeatedly in the Christian life also creates a strong link between this food and the memory of past meals and past mercies that sow seeds of gratitude and love.

The third food is meat, which was not initially given to man in the garden, nor, significantly, was it permitted immediately after the Fall. It appears with the creation of the New Earth in the days of Noah, given almost reluctantly, as a concession to man’s increasingly violent nature. The killing and eating of animals, over whom we exercised a different dominion in Eden, makes those events tragically humanizing, reminding us in a visceral way of the bloody consequences of our fall.

September 2019 Accompanying this new food in the New Earth we have the equally ambiguous substance, wine. The preeminent symbol of freedom and grace, wine mirrors the human.

It need not exist, just like every one of us, but thanks to God, we are grateful it does! It is ambiguous, just like we are: prone to elevate and inspire – and to debase and degrade.

Much like food, as we take wine into us, it transforms us, provoking reflection and judgement in taste. And it is this capacity for, and exercise of, a qualified independent reasoning that separates us from animals.

Wine is an exclusively human beverage. It can bring us together with a spirit of open charity. This remarkable, unnecessary beverage, drunk by unnecessary creatures for unnecessary reasons, invariably elevates us, producing a music from the heart that lifts us to song and good cheer.

“More than stomachs that need to be filled or personalities that need to be affirmed, there is a right and proper hunger that makes us all human and that demands to be satisfied.”

So, we are made hungering creatures; we have been given by God the basic necessities of salt, bread, and meat to satisfy these cravings and wine to wash it down. We have found beautiful ways of bringing these things together in a feast. But what’s the purpose?

Is it merely an Epicurean “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we diet?” Or is there something deeper? Is there, will there ever be, an end to our hunger, to our thirst?

On the one hand you have passages in the gospel that indicate Jesus has within himself the means to supply us with living bread and living water. Yet this selfsame Jesus, upon his resurrection, rarely met his disciples without eating with them, be it bread, or fish, or honey. Again, we find ourselves jutting up against a cosmic mystery, but it appears that the body that is raised incorruptible will still find delight in eating, that the wedding feast between Christ and his Bride, hinted at in Cana, may be more than just a metaphor.

The prophet Isaiah, in one of his first apocalyptic visions describes the Meal at the End of the World this way: “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.

He will swallow up death forever …”

There must be a true and proper focus to our lives, a center that is focused on allowing other elements in our lives to live into their true and proper perspective. We must slow down to recognize intentionally the incredible efforts that go into allowing our families, our churches, our schools to eat in this way, and be grateful. In the words of J. S. Bach, we are sleepers awakening every day to an Easter morn that reveals how much we are loved, and inspires us to love others albeit on a different plane. This is asymmetrical, as is true of all deepest loves: we don’t give to our children expecting they’ll give back to us, measure for measure, diaper for diaper. We are thankful, we are blessed. In a sense it is just perfect for what we need; in another, it fails to compensate adequately; in yet another, it is more than we deserve.

We are hungering creatures, yet we cannot foolishly pursue food and drink now with a passionate conviction that they’ll solve this hunger. Neither can we try to be godlike and live without it. But we can, in those moments of eating and drinking with others, have a moment of transcendence, a moment of being caught up, where time seems to stand still, where there is no compulsion to look at your cell phone, but into each other’s eyes, where the food and wine leads us to live a deeper love together.

Not every meal can be a feast. But still, in these bent and incomplete communities in which we find ourselves, with broken families, isolated churches, and fragmented neighborhoods, I would encourage all to sit down to a real meal with family at least once a week. The ingredients don’t have to be fancy, but sit for a while and be grateful.

Perhaps, when we have the courage to lose ourselves, we will awaken and see Love dwelling in our midst. Then the magic of the feast can truly begin, transfiguring us all in a beautiful new way. n

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Grove City College Alumni Magazine

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