GeDUNK Spring 2008 by Grove City College

Grove City College Alumni Magazine Magazin • Spring 2008

FOCUS ON THE MILITARY Special Service Issue

Williams ’99 prosecutes detainees through U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

Military pilots, navigators are bound together by a passion for aviation

Alumnae contribute to American freedoms in nontraditional roles

It’s doctor’s orders for the Class of ’01 with a high number of military medical personnel

lettersttotheeditor Dear Alumni and Friends, The advancement of freedom and service to our country has been an integral part of Grove City College. This GeDUNK is a special one as it represents an amazing historical record of the many men and women who have served our nation. This magazine was a big task but one that we felt we needed to undertake. We have a long history of military service that includes a significant ROTC program and many alumni who have chosen to join one of the branches of the military. We thank those who have shared their personal story with us. We know that there may be some alumni whom we have missed and for that we sincerely apologize. Please enjoy the stories contained within. And I welcome and encourage you to continue to send your stories to the alumni office. This magazine and the updates received will be archived as our written history of our alumni military service. It is an honor to serve you in my new role at Grove City College. I have big shoes to fill, as a number of great leaders have served the alumni before me. Please know that your Alumni and College Relations Office is here to serve you and we always look forward to hearing from you. I hope that you will let me know if you plan to come to campus. I would enjoy the opportunity to meet or see you again. It isn’t too early to start planning for Homecoming on Oct. 17-19, 2008! And in 2009, we plan to welcome you all back for a special military reunion; be checking your mailboxes for more information.

Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Dear Alumni and Friends, The theme of this edition of The GeDUNK magazine deals with alumni who have or are serving in our nation’s military. From the early 1970s, as a matter of national policy, all have been volunteers. Since our nation’s founding in our War of Independence, our country’s men and women have served numerous times in hot wars and cold wars, as beacons of national defense and as the front line of offensive military actions. It is a difficult and challenging job, but usually not thankless, as our citizens, while on occasion differing on policy direction, have recognized the valor of those who serve. It is also a dangerous job as our men and women often come in harm’s way. And some – like graduate Maj. Brian Downs ’87 – give, as President Lincoln once said, “their last full measure of devotion,” in dying in the service of our nation as he did on May 30, 2005, in Iraq. Please enjoy this issue. It tells us about a representative group of our military alumni who have answered our nation’s call.

Richard G. Jewell ’67 President

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

I recently received the recent issue of The GeDUNK and want to congratulate you on your innovative approach to alumni news. The Food issue is wonderful. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes. The retrospective photos, “Eating In,” on pages 54-55 caught my attention as well. If I’m not mistaken, my Phi Sigma Chi sorority sister, suite-mate and best friend, Kay (Foreman ’59) Holzwarth and I are the co-eds at the table in Old MAP (see photo below). She’s the smiling one, passing a dish of something, and I’m the one at the end of the table. I can’t quite determine who’s sitting between us, but it just might be Dot (Harker ’58) Jansen. And at the table behind us, I think I can see Lynne (Kennedy ’60) Passilla. The dining hall in MAP was very well organized by Dean Jean MacLeod. Seating charts were posted weekly and there even was a table “head” in charge of conversation. At breakfast, you were allowed to leave the table when you had finished eating, at lunch time the table could exit the dining hall together and in the evening, we could only leave after the dean and her table left. Girls entered the dining hall in order of class seniority, always following the dean. Food was wonderful! The only meal I ever remembered being served cafeteria style was Saturday morning breakfast. Great glazed donuts were a special Saturday treat. Thanks for the great memories! Marcia (Langford ’59) Lengnick Adrian, Mich.

lettersttotheeditor I loved the issue on Media and Publishing in the fall of ’07 and had the privilege of working with Tom Langmyer ’83 when he was general manager of WSAJ. While my career hasn’t been as illustrious as Tom’s, I also went into radio as a career and am currently the program director of FOX Sports Radio 1490 WLPA in Lancaster, Pa. Another thing Tom and I have in common is that I too have appeared before the Federal Communications Commissioners. I spoke at their Harrisburg, Pa., hearing on media consolidation in March ’07, while holding my six-week-old son (“the future of radio” as I called him that day). Sue (Wade ’85) Sensenig Lancaster, Pa. We are so thankful for the beautiful Christmas CD that you sent us (2007 Annual Report)! What a talented group of students. Our freshman daughter, Anna, LOVES being a student at GCC, and she has been so encouraged by her peers and the professors. We are thankful for the positive start that she has made, and we are grateful to all of you that have made this possible. God bless you as you continue to lead and to guide our children. We are praying for you! Amanda Shimomura P’11 Hillsborough, N.J. I am the older brother of retired faculty member Dr. Ross Foster, and I wanted to convey how wonderful your Touring Choir performed at the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Fla., during Easter. They looked terrific, sounded even better and delivered a concert worthy of GCC. We have grandchildren proudly applying in a couple more years. Both of our daughters are Grovers, as is our son-inlaw. You folks do a wonderful work. Grade A products! Thank you. Paul and Ann Foster Estero, Fla./Saxonburg, Pa.

lettersppolicy

It was a real pleasure for my wife, Marcia, and I to read the Focus on Food issue of The GeDUNK. It is a great looking magazine. I particularly liked how you used the graphic of the recipe card to direct us to check out the featured recipe of each chef. We will make it a point in our travels to visit some of these restaurants and establishments operated by GCC alumni. And we will mention that we read about them in The GeDUNK. My compliments on a dynamic and enjoyable publication. Ray Speicher P’08 Stahlstown, Pa. I just wanted to let you know that I particularly enjoyed the most recent issue of The GeDUNK, Focus on Food. It was great to read about GCC’s support of local agriculture through Bon Appetit’s Farm to Fork program – very progressive. Keep up the good work! Elizabeth Mountz ’96 Silver Spring, Md. I never thought that I would like any issue of The GeDUNK better than the one you did on the Arts, but I was wrong. The Focus on Food issue is the very best yet! I read it from cover to cover. I also plan on trying some of the recipes, especially the chocolate lava cakes (they are a favorite on mine, topped with Katie's Korner vanilla ice cream). Congratulations on an excellent magazine. Carole Starz Adjunct Professor in Communication Studies and Fine Arts Greetings. Today in the mail I received a wonderful Christmas present. The Red Letter Days and especially the Christmas music CD from Grove City College. Wow! It is truly fantastic. Thank you so much for sending that out. It means so much! God bless, Rev. David Hunte ’85 Clinton, Ill.

letterffromtheeditor It’s not often I get a chance to write to all of our readers of The GeDUNK. And I’m happy to report that we’ve been bringing you the “new and improved,” redesigned and renamed GeDUNK for nearly five years now. The redesign process that created the publication you know today began with several important questions. One was, “What do we want our magazine to be?” That was an important one, because we as the editorial board first had to figure out our main mission. We realized that mostly we wanted it to be a two-way communications tool to serve you – our alumni, friends, parents, students and employees. Once that very important point was established, we knew our next answers had to come from you. So we put forth a survey asking what you liked about the existing magazine, what you read, what you didn’t read, what was good about it, what could be better. After an impressive response, we took your answers and suggestions to heart and poured them into the redesign of this publication. And we took it seriously; it was nearly a yearlong process. Some of those suggestions are evident today, such as better photography and an expanded Class Notes section. It’s time to ask some important questions again. Please take a few minutes to look over page 4 and log on the web site listed. There you will find another set of survey questions. Again, we want to use these answers to better serve you through our communications efforts, alumni relations and fundraising. There’s also a chance to win a great prize from Grove City College, so please log on today. Please enjoy this special issue of The GeDUNK, our biggest undertaking to date.

Amy Clingensmith ’96 Senior Director of Communications GeDUNK Managing Editor

Letters to the Editor must be no longer than 250 words and should be sent to: Alumni Magazine Editor, Letters, Grove City College, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City, Pa. 16127 or news@gcc.edu. The Alumni Magazine Editorial Board reserves the right to edit, hold or not publish letters. – DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

the To the alumni of Grove City College, we ask for your help. We value your opinions, and your thoughts play an important role in the magazine, not only in design, but content. A few years ago, we redesigned your publication, and we want to continue getting your input.

An easy way to get your thoughts to us is by completing an online survey of questions we prepared for you. It will only take a few minutes, and these valuable points will benefit the readers to this magazine.

And when you reply, we have gifts that you will love. For every 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th alumnus who logs on to complete the survey will win a basket of Grove City goodies. But we all win when we share our thoughts and opinions about our alma mater. So go to:

www.GeDunk.net and take a few minutes for Grove City College.

GROVE CITY COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE The GeDUNK Editorial Board Jeffrey D. Prokovich ’89 Vice President for Advancement Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Managing Editor Amy Clingensmith ’96 Senior Director of Communications Associate Editor Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Communications Project Coordinator Contributing Editors Ryan Briggs ’01 Rebecca Miller ’04 Linda Reash Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw Cover Photo Jim Judkis, Pittsburgh, Pa. On the Cover... Robert Kane ’79 and Ken Merchant ’80 have risen through the military ranks and now work together at Scott Air Force Base. Read more on page 6. Design Amy Clingensmith ’96 SWP (www.swpagency.com) Printer Printing Concepts, Inc., Erie, Pa. Alumni Association Officers 2007-08 Andrew J. Kozusko ’96 President Douglas E. Knable ’79 Vice President Jeffrey D. Prokovich ’89 Executive Secretary Roger K.Towle ’68 Treasurer Donald L. Balla ’93 Annual Giving Chair Laura (Ritchey ’87) Havrilla Alumni Trustee Jane (McKnight ’63) Klingenberg Alumni Trustee Arthur G. Mitchell ’64 Alumni Trustee Grove City College 100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127 (724) 458-2300 (888) GCC-GRAD www.gcc.edu alumni@gcc.edu

The GeDUNK is a magazine published three times a year for alumni and friends of Grove City College and highlights campus news, student features and alumni achievements. Gedunk is a word that resonates with alumni and friends. Named after the on-campus gathering place/snack bar for students since the early 1950s, the word made its way into the College vernacular when veterans returned to campus, bringing with them the word that defined the place where snacks could be purchased aboard ships.The name stuck. For decades, the Grove City College Gedunk has been the place to come together to share news and ideas, and this magazine strives to do the same.

SPRING 2008

COVER STORY 6 Robert Kane ’79 and Ken Merchant ’80 have risen through the ranks. FOCUS ON MILITARY 10 Builder, engineer at center of military construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Grad finds time in the sky after retirement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Alumni share stories of active duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Soldiers recount recent experiences in Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Grad prosecutes insurgents through U.S. Embassy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Three Grove City friends serve together in Marines . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Swimmers remember fallen teammate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 JAGs practice military justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Captain finds law career in military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Alumni share life-changing experiences with Marines . . . . . . . . . . 24 Adventure calls grads to Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Trumpeter’s lips make music on Navy ships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Grad remembers pop culture icons while in Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Military chaplains serve as shepherds among flocks. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Alumni soldiers live Army strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Reservists find ways to serve throughout life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Air Force takes many to new heights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Alumni pilots recount precious time in sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Two stood stormy posts as military meteorologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Females step out to contribute to American freedoms. . . . . . . . . . 40 Military wives work to balance home, family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Alumna’s Brownie group sells cookies for troops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Medical personnel do their part in war zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Military dentists drill home memorable stories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Class of ’01 boasts six Air Force physicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Contingent of military doctors serves in San Antonio . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Two doctors deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Pair helps wounded recover at Walter Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Grad uses psychology degree to help troops in Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 World War II survivor still holds great faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Lieutenant colonel protects soldiers’ environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Alumni in media report on wartime news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Personal stories help remember Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Returning vets credited with Gedunk name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Contractors do their part for troops’ safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Student finds direction before returning to college . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Students interview veterans for documentary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 ROTC created memories for hundreds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 IN RETROSPECT: ROTC 68 MILITARY NOTES 70 ALUMNI NEWS & EVENTS 72 SPORTS 76 Sports Feature: Three athletes change uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Winter Wrap-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Spring Wrap-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Hall of Fame honors alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Sports News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 FACULTY 84 Faculty Features: Dr. Earl Tilford and Dr. Bruce Ketler ’71 . . . . . . 84 Faculty News and Faculty Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Faculty Retirees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 CAMPUS NEWS 92 A THOUSAND WORDS: Legacy Luncheon 95 CLASS NOTES 96 IN MEMORY 105 ALUMNI BABIES 108

Rising Ranks coversstory

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obert Kane ’79 must have made an impression the day he walked in to take the exam to get into the U.S. Air Force. In a roomful of young recruits waiting their turn, he was the only one unaccompanied by a family member.The first question he recalls the colonel asking was “How’d you get here?” It’s a memory Kane, now a brigadier general serving as the vice commander of the 18th Air Force, considers with amusement for a brief moment. For him though, it’s not a question of how, but when the journey really began. “Next thing you know, it’s 28 years and it’s like a day,” he said as he paused over lunch recently at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. In the years since graduating from Grove City, Kane, along with Air Force Brig. Gen. Kenneth Merchant ’80, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard “Dick” Swope ’64, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Brad Butler ’76 and Navy Cmdr.Troy Mong ’89 are a testimony to the influence Grove City has had in the armed forces. Kane and Merchant, in particular, represent only a few alumni who are active duty officers in high-ranking positions. A novice pilot from New Jersey, Kane scrimped and saved to pay for one hour of flying time a month during high school. He was looking for any excuse to climb into the cockpit, and the Air Force seemed like the easiest way to get there. It was the recommendation of his pastor that drew his attention to Grove City College. “I didn’t know enough about the military at the time to know exactly what I was getting into,” Kane said wryly.“I was fully intending to be an airline pilot.”

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Ken Merchant ’80, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., had dreamed of playing college football with Dan Marino and Tony Dorsett – until he injured his knee during senior year of high school. Influenced by his father’s experience in the U.S. Marine Corps, Merchant decided to join the Air Force. He was recruited by Dr. Donald “Doc” McMillan ’32 to play at Grove City College. Armed with scholarships, both Kane, a chemistry major, and Merchant, an engineering management major, enrolled in the College’s Air Force ROTC.They joined Epsilon Pi fraternity and were even suitemates in Hopeman Hall for a year. Upon graduation, they entered the Air Force. (They couldn’t have picked a better time to join. In just a few years, President Ronald Reagan would call for a military build-up.) They went their separate ways: Kane to pursue a career of flying, while Merchant began work on developing new systems projects like the F-22 stealth fighter aircraft. Although a number of the Grove City ROTC members would cross paths over the years, Kane and Merchant never worked at the same base – that is, until the beginning of this year. After almost three decades, both Kane and Merchant have found themselves stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Merchant was assigned there in November 2007 after serving as vice commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.Then Kane came to Scott in January following an assignment on staff at the Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C. Now, Merchant is the director of logistics

Alumni obtain influential positions in military for the Air Mobility Command headquarters, the air component of the U.S. Transportation Command. Kane works across the street as the vice commander of the 18th Air Force, which is tasked with all air mobility missions as part of the AMC. Kane and Merchant even live next door in base housing; a remarkable occurrence considering that housing is assigned. The camaraderie between the two is evident in their easy banter back and forth on a recent sunny spring morning as they guided visitors around base.With their shared wit and easy manner, it’s not hard to imagine that they’ve worked together for years. As director of logistics, Merchant oversees the aircraft maintenance, transportation, supply and logistics planning at 14 major air installations in the U.S. and 17 locations around the world. He is responsible for 860 active aircraft, 8,200 vehicles and 24,000 people. He also assists in the readiness of more than 600 aircraft and 80,000 people in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. It makes for a less-than-predictable schedule, particularly dealing with aging equipment. “Every day is different,” Merchant said. “There’s never a boring day in this job.” He describes it as a juggling act, maintaining everything needed to do the day-to-day operations. One day, in particular, a problem with C-17 cargo aircraft engines forced an engineering analysis to ensure that the problem didn’t extend to the entire fleet.Then, there was a problem with C-21 cargo and passenger airlifters. At the same time, crews found See RANKS, next page

STORY BY Rebecca Miller ’04

Air Force Brig. Gen. Kenneth Merchant ‘80, left, and Brig. Gen. Robert Kane ‘79 both work at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Behind them is a C-32 jet, which transports dignitaries such as the vice president, first lady and Congressmen.

RANKS from page 6 welds that needed to be fixed on a system shipped out to the desert, a problem that could only be fixed using limited resources. The AMC also takes part in humanitarian missions, such as transporting medical patients after Hurricane Katrina. It also oversees Air Force One, as well as the transportation of anyone from the vice president and first lady to Cabinet members and Congressmen. Kane’s role comes into play when material or personnel need to be transported by air. It’s a constant cycle; every 90 seconds, an air mobility mission is planned to take off, according to Kane. In his position, Kane helps to oversee the execution of all air mobility forces around the world.The 18th Air Force includes 12 AMC wings, three AMC groups, two expeditionary mobility task forces and the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center. Much like Merchant’s position, the job

requires flexibility and an attention to detail. “It’s really a global enterprise,” Kane said. Although Merchant had not planned to make the military a career, the high level of responsibility he was given right out of college caught his interest. He was named program manager working on the development of Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared System for Night for the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. “It was pretty interesting work,” Merchant said.“I just kind of got the bug after that.” He went on to be a program manager on numerous weapon system development and production programs including the F-22, E-3 airborne warning and control system aircraft, Air Force One, KC-10 air-to-air tanker aircraft, the Guided Bomb Unit 15 and the AGM-130, a powered air-to-surface missile. He found he was well-prepared for the rigors of life in the military. “I think between the work ethic my

photography BY Jim Judkis

folks instilled in me and the education I got at Grove City,” he said.“That’s really what’s made me successful.” He recalls the academic demands in the engineering management program.“They set me up for the test of life that I had in the military.” Merchant began dating his future wife, Susan Bell ’80, an elementary education major and member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, sophomore year.They have a daughter,Tara. Over the years, he has been stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.; Eglin AFB, Fla.,Washington, D.C.; Hickam AFB, Hawaii;Tinker AFB, Okla.; and Hanscom AFB, Mass. – a series of assignments that have required 15 moves in 28 years. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree in management from Troy State University and a master’s degree in national resource management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. See RANKS, page 8

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Rising through the Ranks

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Kane held onto the idea of becoming an airline pilot for almost 10 years after joining the Air Force. He had flown C-141 airlifters in Charleston, S.C., and had options for his next assignment: South Korea or Ankara,Turkey.The Gen. Brad Butler ‘86 tour would either be a lengthier time with his wife Katy and two young sons or one year without them. At that point, he decided he was in the perfect position to leave the Air Force. Katy had other ideas. After she convinced him that going overseas was a great opportunity, they moved to Turkey. He served as an aide-decamp, C-12 instructor pilot and chief of plans branch for the U.S. Logistics Group. Katy, a trained nurse, ran the health unit at the U.S. Embassy. “It was an absolutely wonderful experience,” Kane said. He – accompanied by his family – went on to South Korea and later to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where Kane was vice commander and then commander of the 86th Airlift Wing from August 2003 to April 2006. Ramstein was a highlight for Kane, who, as commander, also led the Kaiserslautern Military Community, the largest American community outside the United States.“To command that unit was just a real honor and privilege.” The love of serving was derived in part from his experience at Grove City.The moral and ethical principles he was exposed to during his time on campus naturally fit with the philosophy of military leadership. During his career, he has had an opportunity to work in legislative affairs. He was also assigned as commander of the 1st Airlift Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.The squadron was tasked with transporting the nation’s leaders, such as the vice president, the first lady and Cabinet members. Air Force One is also based out of Andrews.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

from page 7

To date, Kane has logged more than 4,200 flight hours. In addition to C-12s, he has flown C-130 military airlifters, C-21 cargo and passenger airlifters, C141 strategic airlifters, KC-135 Stratotankers, C-37 jets,VC-137 jets Cmdr. Troy Mong ‘89 and C-32 jets used to transport the nation’s leaders. He holds a master’s degree from University of Southern California in systems management. “In many ways, I had some very unique and special experiences,” Kane said.“I’m not sure you could get it any other place than the military.” Also a product of the College’s Air Force ROTC program, Swope attained one of the highest ranks of any graduate to date, retiring 10 years ago as a three-star lieutenant general. Before his retirement, he served as inspector general of the Air Force, where he oversaw Air Force inspection policy, criminal investigations, counterintelligence operations, the complaints and fraud, waste and abuse programs, intelligence oversight and two field operating agencies, the Air Force Inspection Agency and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He, too, entered the Air Force thinking he would only be in it for a few years. “There was never an ‘Aha’ moment,” Swope said.“For me, it was one of those things that evolved … I realized I really believed in what we were doing. “I had not only found something that was fun to do, I had found a vocation and an avocation,” he added. Over the years, Swope served as commander of the 13th Air Force at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, and assistant chief of staff for operations and logistics for the Allied Forces Central Europe in Brunssum, Netherlands. He also served as a squadron and wing commander in places like Tokyo and Ramstein Air Base, and as chief of staff and inspector general at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, located at

Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. He was drawn to the Air Force because of the allure of flying. “I was not wise enough when I was a student at Grove City to realize that education is about preparation Gen. Dick Swope ‘64 for life,” he said. Nevertheless, he credits the hard work of the faculty and administration in preparing him to continue. He became an F-4 fighter pilot; his pilot training and weapons officer schooling led to assignments in West Germany and England. He also flew F-4 fighters with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron for a year in Vietnam. It made an impression. “It’s a powerful experience,” he said. “There’s no question about that … Even as a young officer, you have extraordinary responsibility for the lives of other people.” He was also a weapons instructor in Spain, before doing tours as commander of fighter squadrons in South Korea and the Philippines, highlights in his career. Fighter squadrons have 24 airplanes and 30-70 aviators. By the time he retired, he had logged more than 3,800 flight hours with 320 combat hours. In addition to F-4s, he has flown F-15 and F-16 fighters. He’s retired, but he’s nowhere near ready to put his feet up and really retire.“I’m working on my third retirement now.” Currently, he commutes weekly from his home in Whitefish, Mont., to Alexandria, Va., where he serves as vice president for Air Force programs with Cypress International, a defense consulting firm. Butler was a hometown boy, born and raised in Grove City.“In some ways, I was fortunate to grow up in a town that had a quality institution like Grove City available,” he said. Influenced by his father’s military experience and friends involved in the ROTC, he decided to join the Air Force. See RANKS, next page

coversstory RANKS from page 8 He retired as a brigadier general in the Air Force in April, having served as the director of logistics and warfighting integration and chief information officer for the headquarters of the Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. In that position, he was responsibility for all of the maintenance, supply and logistics for the command.The combination of warfighting integration and communications was important. “Communication enables warfighting integration,” he said. He also oversaw satellites, such as those used for Cape Canaveral, and determined logistics requirements to sustain missile and spacelift, helicopters and support equipment at required readiness levels. In a way, it was a blessing to return to the specialty he began with. After graduating with a business administration degree from Grove City, he completed a Master of Business Administration degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He went on to serve in a variety of combat commands with the 12th Strategic Missile Squadron and the 341st Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Then he served on a number of command and staff assignments in missile operations, missile and aircraft maintenance, logistics, programming and acquisition positions at Ramstein, the Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Eglin AFB, Fla., among others. Butler was a chief with the Joint Air-toAir Missile Program Management Office at the Aeronautical Systems Center at Eglin AFB. He was also logistics wing commander and U.S. senior national representative for the NATO Airborne Early Warning E-3A Component and commander of the 470th Air Base Squadron at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany. He earned a master’s degree in national security resource strategy at Fort Leslie J. McNair. Now that he’s retired, he and his wife plan to stay in Colorado Springs. “I’m going to plan to keep doing things

Brig. Gen. Robert Kane ‘79, left, and Brig. Gen. Kenneth Merchant ‘80 were Epsilon Pi fraternity brothers and dorm neighbors. They now work at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

that support the nation’s troops and their families,” he said. As deep as its roots in the Air Force are, Grove City’s influence extends to other branches of the military as well. Troy Mong ’89 always knew he wanted to go into the armed forces, but it wasn’t until he arrived at Grove City as an electrical engineering major that he decided to go in to the U.S. Navy. His sophomore year, he received a Navy’s Nuclear Power Officer Program flyer in his student mailbox. After talking with recruiters, Mong became interested in submarines.With crews of about 135, the vessels relied on teamwork, a concept Mong was familiar with, having played a number of sports in high school and college. Mong was commissioned after he graduated from Grove City. During the first year, he had extensive classroom time, an experience he compares with “drinking from a fire hose.” But he was up for it. “Grove City is a fantastic place to be,” he said.“I was very well prepared.” In the Navy submarine program, sailors are assigned to four sea tours. For his first assignment as a junior officer, Mong spent

45 months assigned to a Trident submarine, a ballistic missile vessel. On his second tour, he served as a weapons officer in charge of about 30-40 crewmen, and on his third assignment, he was the executive officer, the second-in-command focusing on running the everyday operations and overall training of the crew. He was named commanding officer of the USS Hyman G. Rickover, a nuclearpowered fast attack submarine, for his fourth assignment. “You still have a rank structure, you still have a chain of command, but in that environment, you work with everyone,” he said. “It’s a constant training environment.” Getting acclimated to the demands of life on a submarine wasn’t hard.“It’s not as difficult as you think,” Mong said.“I think the camaraderie, and the close knit team really helps out.” The life of a submariner is one of constant learning and training. Despite the sacrifices of living for months at sea, Mong found the adventure, uniqueness and close teamwork on submarines enjoyable. See RANKS, page 13

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

military focusonm

Johnson ‘60 at center of military building

The main function of the By Amy Clingensmith ’96 he distinguished military facility was to protect the career of Col. Bruce military workings from a Johnson ’60 took him possible bomb from North around the world in 30 years. Korea.The center was staffed And over those three decades, with 300 to 400 personnel 24 Johnson, armed with an hours a day, seven days a week. engineering degree from Grove The shelter not only protected City, made a difference in the the computers and equipment infrastructure on which the used to detect aircraft, but also military was built – literally. the lives of those who worked Johnson, trained in the in this important protective College’s ROTC program, went role. into active duty in the Air Force The project cost $300 soon after graduation. Just a million – in 1978 dollars – and Bruce Johnson ‘60, far right, briefs the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, year earlier, he had married the bill to equip the 100,000second from left, with Maj. General George Edwards, in uniform, and Lt. Shelvey (Pease ’59). Together, square-foot, two-story center Col. Cho Kung Yon, far left. / Contributed photo they spent 14 years overseas came to $250 million.The U.S. with Bruce serving in Okinawa from 1963-66,Vietnam from contributed $1 million in the form of American engineers and 68-69, Germany from 72-77, South Korea from 78-80 and other personnel like Johnson. Along with another staff member, England from 86-90. They also lived intermittently in the U.S., Johnson oversaw 500 employees of a Korean design firm that in New Mexico, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama and California. aided with the project. In all of those places, Shelvey made a home for Bruce and Johnson worked on the structure from 1978-80 and left their three children: Jennifer (Johnson ’85) Green, David ’89 South Korea two months before its completion. The Hardened and Sandra. In 1990, Bruce and Shelvey made their 21st move Tactical Air Control Center is still in operation today and in 30 years, to sunny Orlando, Fla., where they retired. Johnson was able to visit the project close to his heart in 1996 But in those 30 years, Col. Johnson had many memorable while working on an airport in Seoul. Since his work there, a experiences.The one that stands out the most, though, is Project second bunker has been added next to the structure, and an Constant Watch, a joint undertaking between South Korea and underground tunnel connects the two. the U.S. to construct and equip a Hardened Tactical Air Control After Johnson retired from the military in 1990, he took on Center at Osan Air Base, 30 miles south of Seoul.The facility the new role of director of engineering construction at the was designed to withstand an attack by air, strengthened with Orlando International Airport. Today he works for Parsons concrete and tons of steel. It was set into a huge crevice cut International as a vice president in the aviation division involved into the side of a hill, created by exploding 35,000 sticks of with civilian airfields and airports. dynamite; the center was even camouflaged with painted trees (Amy Clingensmith ’96 is the Grove City College senior director on its side. of communications and the GeDUNK managing editor.)

Jim Downey ’81 serving as dean at Regent University Dr. James Downey ’81 has continued his educational career at Regent University in Virginia. After teaching physics and serving as the physics department chair at Grove City College, Downey completed a yearlong National Security Fellowship at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, then moved onto the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. Last summer, Downey was named the

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies at Regent. At the Army War College, Downey was a professor of science and technology and taught courses and seminars in the use of technology and strategic leadership

James Downey ‘81

planning to high level officers in the military. Downey earned his Ph.D. in aero/astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Downey is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and completed his many years of active and reserve duties last summer. He began his post at Regent on August 1, 2007.

military focusonm

Grad finds time in the sky after retirement

By Amy Clingensmith ’96 apt. John Paganelli ’53 just couldn’t sit still after retirement from the U.S. Navy. He admits that at Grove City College he majored in “beer and fraternity” and was close to flunking out. He didn’t receive a letter from the Registrar, however. Instead, he got one from the Draft Board. And the Korean War was in full swing, although nearing its end by 1953. So “Pag” enlisted in the Navy. Always interested in airplanes, he was encouraged by the fact that he didn’t need a college degree to enter pilot training. “I ended up in the Navy with every intention of getting out,” he said.“But I stumbled upon an absolutely wonderful way of making a living and ended up staying 32 years.” By the time Paganelli made it to pilot training, the Korean War had ended. Instead, the young pilot moved to Virginia Beach,Va., where he began flying in a fleet squadron. After a trip to Vietnam, the Navy sent him back to school.“I started college in ’49 and finished in ’70,” he said. Paganelli graduated from the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey Calif., then got his master’s degree in diplomacy from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. The native of Butler, Pa., has been around the world several times in aircraft carriers, from the North Atlantic Basin in the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam. After living all over the world as well, Paganelli retired with the rank of captain in September 1985. But things certainly didn’t let up. Today, after “retirement,” Paganelli works for Air Combat USA in the “Fighter Pilot for a Day” program.These instructors introduce the customers to the plane – an F-260 Marchetti, a small military training plane – and teach them to fly it just like the real fighter pilots do. “That is one of the really fun things

John Paganelli ‘53 flies with Air Combat USA in the ‘Fighter Pilot for a Day’ program. / Contributed photo

about it – you are introducing somebody to an environment that is totally foreign to them,” he said.“It’s an experience they would never, never be able to have.” Air Combat USA helps make the experience memorable, too.There are four cameras in each of the nine planes and the “Fighter Pilot for a Day” gets a video to take home and share. The company has been in existence for more than 20 years and has flown more than 40,000 customers with a 100 percent safety rating. Paganelli joined Air Combat USA one month after 9/11. He says that on a busy day, 14 flights are scheduled. He flies nearly every weekend and chalks up 200 flights a year. All in all, Paganelli has logged more than 13,000 flight hours, touched down on 931 landings and has flown the AD, F9F, A4, F4, A6, A7 and F14. He and his wife, Rose Marie, have flown together many times around Brazil. Paganelli likes to tell the story of their sweet meeting. While “Pag” was a freshman at Grove City and Rose Marie was a sophomore at

Butler (Pa.) High School, he ran into her while she was selling candy. “She said,‘Would you like to buy some candy?’ and I said,‘Little girl, whatever you’re selling, I’m buying,’” he remembered.“So I called her up and got a date. One thing led to another and we’ve been married 52 years.” Through the company, Paganelli travels to his hometown of Butler, Pa., once a year to fly customers enrolled in the program. Other cities for Air Combat USA include San Antonio, Ft.Worth and Houston,Texas; Pensacola,Tampa, Miami and Kissimmee, Fla.; Charleston, S.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Raleigh, N.C.;Winston-Salem and Norfolk,Va.; Lancaster and Butler, Pa.; Boston, Mass.; Detroit, Mich.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Chicago, Ill.; several locations in New York, and, the newest stop, Augusta, Maine. “It’s just so much fun,” Paganelli said.“It’s certainly not a job. It’s kind of like a hobby. It’s the ultimate as far as an old retired guy.” (Amy Clingensmith ’96 is the Grove City College senior director of communications and the GeDUNK managing editor.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Active Duty military focusonm

Alumni currently enlisted tell stories of service

By Nicky Lipartito ’08 rove City College grads Mark Ziegler ’87, Jon Sanders ’06 and Jeff Danielson ’97 found their calling in the U.S. military. Ziegler, part of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps community, is a contacting officer for the Navy. He previously served as “the supply officer of USS Barry (DDG 52), a destroyer; Air Terminal Officer at CTF-53 in Bahrain, and various division officer jobs on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).” He also served as an undesignated seaman and Mark Ziegler ‘87 Disbursing Clerk on board the USS Hewitt (DD 966) in Japan. Ziegler has been in service for 14 years. Aside from patriotic reasons, he said he joined the Navy “for job experiences, life experiences and to clear my head.” He’s served in the Navy for three years and said he plans to serve at least six more years, though he may stay longer. He is eligible for retirement at 20 years service. “After the Navy, I plan to continue to work in the acquisition community, either for the government or the private sector,” he said. According to Ziegler, his memorable experiences “include all the places I have visited while on board the ship, and the people I have served with.Though we pass in and out of each others lives, you never really forget those who you served with.” He added,“It has been a heck of ride and, blessed with the grace of God and the continued love and support of my family, it will continue to be as successful and [enjoyable] as it has been so far.” At the College, Ziegler majored in accounting and was a member of the golf team, Koinonia and played intramural sports. He and his wife, Dena, live in Stafford,Va., with their two sons Andrew, 9, and Steven, 6. Sanders said he thought off an on about joining the military throughout high school and college. “The two internships that I performed during two different summers of my college years left me a bit unfulfilled,” he said.“I was anxious to experience the types of things you can do in the military that you likely won’t do in any civilian job and I enjoy structured environments and a lot of physical activity. I was pretty certain that I would look back with regret if I didn’t choose to serve in the military at this point in my young life. I had a number of discussions with Dr. (James) Thrasher ’80 from Career Services in which he was influential in helping me to see the Lord’s calling in my life to join the military.” Sanders has spent the last nine months working as the intelligence and security officer in charge at his reserve unit,“a

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Abigail (Fitzpatrick ’02) Sanders and Jon Sanders ‘06 will stay close as Jon trains in Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Huachuca, Ariz. / Contributed photo

Military Police Battalion responsible for internment and resettlement operations and for operating prisoner camps,” he said. He will be in training at Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Huachuca, Ariz., from April to August 2008. He is married to Abigail (Fitzpatrick ’02) Sanders. “I hope either to transition to full-time active duty service in the Army or secure a civilian job in the defense industry to complement my service in the Army,” he said. As to memorable experiences thus far,“The gas chamber during basic training is something that you don’t forget in a hurry,” Sanders said. He added,“Though I’m still pretty new to the military and have a lot more to learn, there is definitely a lot of commitment and discipline involved as well as honor and a sense of pride. I’d encourage all young Christian men to seek the Lord’s will on whether or not they should serve in the armed forces.” Sanders graduated from the College with a double major in mathematics and Christian thought. Danielson said military service was something he had always considered because his father was in the Air Force. “But it was a year of finding life in business unfulfilling that pushed me to make the career change. I decided that I wanted be a part of something larger and more significant,” he said. He attended Officer Training School in April of 1999 and has been in service for nine years. See ACTIVE DUTY, next page

military focusonm RANKS from page 9

Jeff Danielson ‘97 spends time with his kids, Annelise, 5, and Abram, 3. The family lives with mom Dianne (Tinkham ‘97) Danielson in Ely, England. / Contributed photo

ACTIVE DUTY from page 12 Danielson is an instructor navigator in the KC-135 Stratotanker working as the Training Flight Commander for 351st Air Refueling Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England. He, along with four officers and three airmen, conducts the training for the 137 KC-135 aircrew assigned to the base. “We provide in-flight refueling to U.S. Air Force, Navy, NATO and other allied fighters, bombers, transport and reconnaissance aircraft,” he said. He added that he has had a variety of other jobs including aircrew scheduling, mission planning and being a colonel’s executive officer. Recently, Danielson was selected for promotion to major, which will be official in the spring of 2009. Danielson said his most memorable experiences come from the downtime during his deployment to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyzstan as a crewmember and staff of Operations Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. “The long periods of just ‘hanging out,’ general shenanigans and laughter rival anything currently taking place in Hopeman or Alumni,” he said.“I expect the friendships that began under the stress of military life post 9/11 to last as long some of those that

began at Grove City.The camaraderie and bonds of brotherhood found among the military during conflict, even in the relative safety of the Air Force, are surpassed by nothing this side of heaven.” Looking ahead, Danielson said he plans to stay in the military until he is up for retirement after 20 years of service or for as long as he continues to be promoted. He added that he would like to continue his education and pursue a doctorate. “After getting out I’d like to teach in a related field at the collegiate level or possibly work for an organization like USAID,” he said. Danielson graduated with a degree in marketing, was a varsity swimmer for four years and was a member of Pan Sophic and the Outing Club while at the College. Danielson and his wife, Dianne (Tinkham ’97) Danielson live in Ely, England, about 15 miles north of Cambridge, though they expect to move this September based on assignment.They have been married 11 years and have two children Annelise, 5, and Abram, 3, and expect a new baby in December. (Nicky Lipartito is a senior English and communication studies major and The Collegian editor-in-chief.)

Mong became acquainted with his future wife, Joyce Miles ’86, through a mutual friend. She was teaching in DuBois, Pa., at the time. Because he was out at sea, they corresponded for 10 months before even meeting; the first time he called her, he was at a port in Puerto Rico.They married in 2000 and live in Stonington, Conn. Having completed four sea assignments, he is currently assigned as deputy commander for readiness at Submarine Squadron TWO stationed in Groton, Conn.This summer, he will begin an eightmonth assignment with United States Central Command. Mong, Merchant and Kane each come from diverse backgrounds, driven by different desires to go into the military. But ask them why they’re still there, and their answers sound somewhat similar. “I want to stay in the military as long as they’ll have me,” Merchant said.“It would be kind of hard to not put my uniform on every day.” Mong agreed. “You have to spend time away from home … but you get a lot of satisfaction, because you know what you’re doing is very important for the country,” he said. A glance around Kane’s office shows signs of his affinity for the job and the people he works with. A mounted boar, “Betsy,” and a mounted deer,“Bambi,” keep a sharp eye on visitors. Despite his short time with his office staff members, they have already established a tradition of decorating Betsy and Bambi in advance of holidays; the duo greeted Cinco de Mayo wearing sombreros and necklaces of shiny, red chili peppers. The light-hearted display is but one demonstration of the enjoyment Kane and those he serves with get from their jobs. As each of the men and women worldwide serving in the military seek to do their jobs to the best of their ability, so too do each of these Grove City alumni. “That’s all that we ever ask for is to be properly trained and equipped to do our jobs,” Kane said. (Rebecca Miller ’04 is the Grove City College communications associate.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Grovers on the Ground military focusonm

Alums recount recent experiences in Iraq

By Kristin (Morgan) Chapman ’04 n March, the nation marked the fiveyear anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the years that have followed, thousands of men and women have taken part in the effort to bring freedom, stability and peace to the Iraqi people. Among the ranks of those who’ve served are several Grove City College alumni, a few of whose stories we recount below.

Todd Simpson ’89 When Todd Simpson ’89 first arrived in Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserves in August 2004, he received an unexpected welcome: the explosion of two rockets only a few hundred meters from where he was unloading his gear. Simpson said he soon learned that this would be an almost daily occurrence, but it “was quite frightening on that first night in camp.” Based out of Camp Al Taquaddam, which is located near Habiniyah and Fallujah, Simpson was responsible for transporting fuel to surrounding camps and bases.The missions were generally conducted at night when it was cooler and when Iraqi locals were off the roads due to curfews. “The work I did and the missions I was on were dangerous and the schedule was sometimes grueling but over all things there were not too hard,” he said. On his days off, Simpson said he stayed busy reading – approximately 40 novels – watched a lot of movies, and became a whiz at various computer solitaire games.“I also ran quite a lot and lost over 50 pounds,” he said, but added,“I have found them again.” Simpson remained in Iraq for almost a year before he returned home to Latrobe, Pa., where his wife Robin (Winkle ’89) Simpson and their three children had held down the fort in his absence. Simpson said one of the hardest parts of serving in Iraq was all that he missed back home, which

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Todd Simpson ’89 spent nearly a year in Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserves. / Contributed photo

included birthdays, Christmas, family dinners and his son’s first day of kindergarten. But the experience, he said, also gave him a new “respect and appreciation for my wife who is my hero. She managed our household, continued to work full time, corresponded with many family members, sent me packages and took great care of our children.” Simpson said he also returned home with greater confidence and “a tremendous feeling of success having accomplished so much [in Iraq].” But he said he was also relieved and thankful:“To have been in harm’s way so many times and to have come away safe and unscathed was an answer to many prayers, and not just my own.” Reflecting back on his experiences that year, Simpson said the one thing he will never forget is all the friends he met.“Many of the people I worked with were strangers before we went there and now I miss them very much.We went through a lot together and forged some lasting friendships.”

Mark Trammell ’92 Mark Trammell ’92 was deployed to Camp Victory, Iraq, in 2004. As an Army captain, Trammell served as a logistics officer for the Corps Psyop Support Element.“My days were typical Army days – Mark Trammell ‘92 alternating between periods of intense activity and periods of boredom,” he said. Although the Cleveland Heights, Ohio, resident escaped injury during his time in Iraq, he said exploding mortar rounds and rockets were commonplace and convoy vehicles he rode in often took enemy fire. The one thing Trammell couldn’t escape, however, was Iraq’s sand.“Many people think it is sandy, but the sand is actually more like moon dust – the consistency of powdered sugar,” he said.“It gets in everything.” See IRAQ, next page

military focusonm IRAQ from page 14 One of the experiences Trammell said he will never forget was actually his return trip home. His wife, Alisha (Fiddler ’92) Trammell, was expecting their third child any day, but his flight home kept getting delayed.“It was easy to get from Fort Bragg to Baghdad, but not so easy to get back.” When Alisha starting having what she thought were early signs of labor,Trammell finally got put on a flight and even had a personal escort from Fort Bragg to the civilian airport where a ticket to Cleveland was waiting. “It all happened so fast I still had my body armor, helmet and, worst of all, ammunition magazines still in my pockets,” he said. “After TSA and I sorted things out, I made it on to the plane.The pilots made me sit in first class, which was nice, but the other passengers may have been taken aback a bit by the cloud of dust that arose from my clothes every time someone patted my shoulder or I took a step.” Although the contractions turned out to be a false alarm and baby Yorrick (now 3) wasn’t born for another week,Trammell had quite the homecoming meeting his family at the airport.“It was a joyous reunion and I remember, for those few moments, everything in the airport seeming to come to a halt while everyone smiled at my children, my wife and me,” he said.

Andrew Costello ’01 For Capt. Andrew Costello ’01, his recent tour of duty in the War on Terror was an experience that’s really hard to describe: “It’s a completely different experience from anything I’ve ever done.” Costello was deployed in September 2007 with his entire C-17 squadron from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. During his four-month tour, Costello flew C-17s in and out of Iraq, Afghanistan, and a few other neighboring regions, delivering everything from troops and supplies to military humvees. His missions lasted anywhere from 12 to 20 hours and generally involved two to three stops before returning to home base. Costello said the schedule was exhausting at times, especially since his tour coincided

Andrew Costello ‘01 flew C-17s in and out of Iraq during a four-month tour of duty. / Contributed photo

with the troop surge and troop rotations, and he ended up flying a lot of passenger missions.“After four months straight of flying all the time,” he said,“you get pretty worn out.” Upon completing a mission, Costello received 16 hours or more off before flying his next assignment. During that time he said he tried to catch up on sleep or he would stay busy on base, playing soccer with other soldiers, as well as going to the gym, movie theater, pool or library. “Additionally they had poker tournaments, bingo – you could even have three alcoholic beverages a day out there,” he said.“So it was nice that you had a pretty large variety of activities to keep you busy when you weren’t flying.” And staying busy helped pass the time he was away from friends and family – including his wife, Mandy (May ’03) Costello.While Costello said the separation was the toughest part of the experience,“It made it a little easier that our whole squadron deployed so you are over there with friends.” Although Costello’s tour is over now, his work in the War on Terror is not. As a C-17 pilot he still flies regular missions to the same places he flew while deployed.“So being deployed,” he said,“just means we’re out there a lot longer but we’re still doing the same thing we normally do.”

Robert Balserak ’85 When Lt. Col. Robert Balserak ’85 retired from the United States Air Force on Sept. 1, 2001, he was preparing for a new stage of life as a civilian. But the events of Sept. 11 soon changed all that. Believing it was his duty to use his military skills to help fight the War on Terror, he volunteered and was deployed with the Air National Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing, 163rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Fort Wayne, Ind. Balserak was based out of Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar for his first tour of duty and then out of Balad Air Base in Iraq for the remaining two tours. During those three tours, which occurred between the summer of 2004 and the fall of 2007, Balserak served as an F-16 fighter pilot providing close air support and reconnaissance for ground coalition forces. His passion for the military was rooted in family. His father, Dr. Robert Balserak Sr. ’60, was a military dentist (see page 48). Balserak said his time in Iraq gave him a new appreciation for life in the United States after witnessing first-hand what Iraqis experience day in and day out. “Americans, for the most part, take for granted the blessings Almighty God has bestowed upon us,” he said.“Being able to See IRAQ, page 17

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

military focusonm

Grad prosecutes insurgents in Iraq

By Rachel (Leonard ’03) Califf and Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser apt. Dylan Blake Williams ’99, an Air Force JAG, regularly sees murderers, kidnappers and insurgents with the blood of American servicemen on their hands. Assigned to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.,Williams has been deployed to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for the past eight months. His task force is in charge of working with the Central Criminal Court of Iraq to prosecute detainees for murder, kidnapping or possession of illegal weapons. Williams’ task force has a conviction rate of nearly 60 percent. Sentencing for insurgents can range from a year in prison to the death penalty. Sometimes cases are dismissed for lack of evidence. “We get frustrated when a case gets dismissed, but the Iraqi court system has its own rules and standards.The Iraqi Court is very heavily influenced by the Koran and the rules are very strict.” For example, Williams continued, “you have to have two witnesses that can say ‘I saw with my own eyes.’ Sometimes it’s really hard.” “The biggest challenge is just understanding the Iraqi culture because it’s very different from American culture in the way that they interact with each other, the way that they view outsiders, the way religion influences so much of what they do, including their government,”Williams said. “It’s difficult not to apply American standards or American philosophies to the way things should be done and difficult learning to operate within a culture, a system, a philosophy and a language that is incredibly different from our own.”To that end,Williams has been studying Arabic for the past six months, an endeavor that has earned respect from his Iraqi colleagues. Williams was at Wake Forest University in fall 2001 when “after 9/11, recruiters from the military began showing up on campus.” He talked to the representative from the Air Force JAG and was impressed. “I liked the opportunities: to

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dylan Blake Williams ’99 stands outside the courthouse in Baghdad, where he is serving as an Air Force JAG. The courthouse used to be a museum in which Saddam Hussein housed gifts he received from foreign heads of state. The building now serves as the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. / Contributed photo

work in multiple locations without taking separate bar exams, to practice both criminal and civil law and not get pigeonholed, to not have to seek clients.” He thought the work sounded satisfying – “service oriented, more than financial-gain oriented.” Ultimately,Williams said, he sensed God calling, and followed. Williams works 12-hour shifts seven days a week. Each morning he goes to his office, checks on court paperwork for that day, and rides in an up-armored SUV to the edge of the Green Zone. From there he walks to the courthouse, participates in the day’s trials, returns to the office, and prepares paperwork for the following day. Sound grueling? “I love my job,”Williams says. “It’s very different from anything I’ve done in work or in life.” Becoming a JAG has provided opportunities that Williams wouldn’t have

yet as a civilian lawyer. “Right away, I was prosecuting jury trials in a federal court. Two years in, I went to Korea and was working on international law with a foreign government. Now, five years in, I’m working with a foreign court system.” Williams encourages and appreciates the support of the American people, particularly in light of his firsthand experience. “We’re building schools, hospitals, water treatment facilities. It’s amazing the amount of effort that people are putting in and the amount of people here to create a better place. Overwhelmingly, the American military is an amazing institution.” (Rachel (Leonard ’03) Califf is a freelance writer living in Fairborn, Ohio, and Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser is a freelance writer living in Massachusetts.)

military focusonm IRAQ from page 15 go the grocery store or mall and buy whatever you want and have it available, attending the church you want, attending a decent school are all things the average Iraqi dreams of.” Balserak also said most of what the news reports about the war is short-sighted:“The coalition is making great strides in Iraq, but the efforts take time.That’s not something that our liberal society wants to endure.” During his last tour at Balad, Balserak said he had a poignant encounter that illustrated the impact coalition forces were having in Iraq. After returning from a mission, he encountered four local Iraqi men who were working on the base. One of the men asked in broken English for “candy” – something the unit had in abundant supply thanks to the many care packages it received. After giving the men an armload of assorted candy, Balserak said they repeatedly thanked him.Then one of

The events of Sept. 11 put Robert Balserak ‘85 back in the U.S. Air Force. / Contributed photo

the men looked at Balserak and pointed to a parked F-16 nearby and said “Thank you” again. “As I looked him in the face, I realized it wasn’t the candy he was thanking me for, it was for our presence there and the work

we were doing,” Balserak said.“That was one of my few encounters with an Iraqi national, but it drove home to me that what we are doing for them is a good thing.” (Kristin (Morgan ’04) Chapman is a freelance writer living in New Castle, Pa.)

Keep the Beat! No matter what the size of your gift, it’s your consistent giving from year to year that counts! It’s your giving that keeps the beat, providing a unique and exciting Grove City College experience each and every year. Make your gift today. Use the enclosed envelope, call us at (866) 386-3422 or give online at www.gcc.edu. Jarrod Crawford ’09 keeps the beat with the Wolverine Marching Band.

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Band of Brothers military focusonm

Three Grove City friends train as Marines together and serve in Iraq

By Sarah (Fuhrey ’05) Huber iming to serve God and country, three Grove City College men have taken the “Brotherhood of the Marines” to a new level. Gareth Hughes, Andrew Lubbert and Andrew Newbrander graduated from Grove City in 2004 and together entered The Basic School (TBS) in Virginia, boot camp for Marine officers, the following November. Linked by their college experiences as well as the battletested Marine Corps “code” of honor, courage and commitment, the soldiers say their military career is the logical extension of the values and discipline they learned at Grove City College. Hughes, Lubbert and Newbrander didn’t plan to meet after Grove City, but they were happy to find each other among the 250 officers in the same TBS company. Hughes said,“Not even large universities … were represented so well. It was a testimony to the kind of leaders that Grove City attracts, grooms and produces.” Today, all three men are first lieutenants. Hughes is married to Emily (Russell ’05) Hughes; their son, Calvin Irfon Hughes, was born in September of 2007. At TBS, the men prepared for six weeks to be Marine officers.They completed field exercises during the day and slept outside in winter. Newbrander said it helped to have college buddies nearby, both for encouragement and to bounce ideas off each other.After TBS, the warriors went separate ways, but they continue to be interested in each other’s lives. Hughes, stationed in Hawaii as a pilot and awaiting deployment to Iraq at the time of

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Marine brothers, from left, Andrew Lubbert ’04, Gareth Hughes ’04 and Andrew Newbrander ’04 at their graduation from The Basic School in Virginia./ Contributed photo

this printing, and Lubbert, currently in Iraq, met on the first day of Grove City’s freshman orientation.Thrust on stage during the freshman square dance, they sang karaoke for the class and soon became fast friends. Lubbert, who majored in history, had always wanted to be a Marine, while Hughes, a history and communication major, decided the summer before his sophomore year that he would enlist.A few months later, the events of Sept. 11 solidified his decision, and he applied to become a U.S. citizen – a requirement for service. Hughes’ parents are Welsh and thus British citizens. Meanwhile, Newbrander’s decision to join was influenced by two Grove City

professors, Dr. Earl Tilford in the history department and Dr. Charles Dunn, former dean of arts and letters at the College and presently the dean of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government in Virginia. Newbrander, who majored in political science, said Dunn “referred to serving in the military as being a sort of calling, not unlike becoming a priest, pastor or missionary.” Now in Iraq as an intelligence officer on a classified mission, he said the analogy is true:“Most of the young men and women in the Marine Corps nowadays join because they are looking for the chance to do something that matters, something that will challenge them, and something that will allow them to make something of their lives.” Lubbert said the leadership intrinsic to the Corps may be summed up by the phrase “leaders eat last.” He said,“It means that you take care of your Marines before you take care of yourself.” Because selflessness is essential to the job, he said a student should not enlist without weighing the cost. “The guys who will be to your right and left deserve that,” he explained. Lubbert was

See BROTHERS, next page

1st Lt. Andrew Lubbert ’04, right, does patrols in Iraq, where he is currently serving. / Contributed photo

BROTHERS from page 18 in Iraq for all of 2006, the worst year in Al Anbar, as a motor transport platoon commander.“Looking back now, I can see how extraordinarily blessed I was with the Marines in my platoon,” he said.“As a platoon commander, your job is to take care of those Marines, make sure they all get back home.”As far as the danger involved, he said,“You don’t really think about it while it’s going on, and not a whole lot more after it’s over. It’s just part of the job.” One challenge for Grovers considering the service is funding. Because the College does not accept government funds, federal funding for soldiers is not available to Grove City students. Nonetheless, the fact that some students still enter the military, often at personal sacrifice, highlights the caliber of students the College nurtures, noted Hughes. Besides funding, Lubbert said, the hardest part of a military career is being away from family and loved ones.“It goes beyond just missing them,” he said.“When you’re gone for seven months or a year, it seems like the lives of everyone you know move on while your own life is on pause, and that is a very

1st Lt. Gareth Hughes ’04 stands in front of his helicopter. A CH-53D Sea Stallion pilot in Hawaii, he is awaiting deployment to Iraq. / Contributed photo

strange feeling.” Newbrander said it’s difficult to settle down in the States when not deployed. Despite the challenges, Lubbert and Hughes agreed with Newbrander that a Marine is characterized by a commitment to the call. Since the Marine’s job constantly makes him aware of life’s frailty, faith is crucial. Faith, Lubbert said,“makes you feel a little bit protected when you know that you really shouldn’t feel protected or safe at all.”

Hughes, whose father is the pastor of Hillcrest Presbyterian Church in Grove City, said,“[In the Marines], there can be resistance to Christianity, but on the flip side, I’ve met some of the most devoted Christians in my life in the military.” He added,“When you deal with life and death situations, having a faith in a true God is the most important tool you can take with you into the military.” (Sarah (Fuhrey ’05) Huber is a freelance writer in Dallas.)

United Without One military focusonm

‘71 swimmers remember 9/11 victim Charles Droz

By Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser n February 2008, four classmates gathered together for the first time since graduation in 1971.They caught up, celebrated accomplishments, and remembered a fifth classmate, missing that day. Missing since Sept. 11, 2001, when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon, killing all on board. Among those passengers was Charles “Chuck” Droz ’71. To say that William “Skip” Arbuckle, Wayne Bissell, Droz, Gordon Mott and Dan Reid (all ’71) spent a lot of time together in college would be an understatement. Freshman hall-mates in Ketler – placed together by their swim coach, Jim Longnecker – the young men bonded quickly over freshman activities, shared classes and their swim practice schedule. They became the only varsity swimmers in their year, and the memories stuck. “Chuck was a sprinter,” says Mott.“Anything beyond a hundred he’d fall apart.” “Chuck was the first guy I knew who was into Jimi Hendrix,” says Arbuckle.“And Wayne was the first to have goggles. I had never even seen any.We teased him about it – but he was right; it kept the chlorine out of your eyes. Gordy could get up without an alarm clock.” Reid was an All-American backstroke swimmer in 1970 and 1971, and along with Arbuckle is in Grove City College’s Men’s Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame. At graduation, Arbuckle held every school record in the freestyle. He is one of only three Grove City swimmers to earn NCAA All-American designations in three individual events. He also swam the five relay events, anchoring the medley relays. “I was blessed with good coaches my entire life,” he says.“Freestyle’s a very individual event, but the only way to get good is to practice, and practice comes with good teammates.” After college, all but Mott entered the military. Arbuckle joined the Air Force,

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

ABOVE: From left, Gordon Mott, Wayne Bissell, Skip Arbuckle and Dan Reid from the Class of ‘71 remember their fallen teammate Charles Droz ‘71, who was killed on Sept. 11. BELOW: The 1971 men’s swimming and diving team. Front row beginning third from left are Mott, Droz, Reid (cocaptain), Arbuckle (co-captain) and Bissell. / Contributed photos

continuing with the ROTC he had begun at Grove City. He attended the University of Akron Law School and became an Air Force JAG. Arbuckle began practicing law in 1974 and spent 10 years in the Reserves at Rickenbacker AFB. “We went our separate ways,” Arbuckle says.“We would write occasionally.” Fully out of the Reserves since ’84, he has a general practice in Julian, Pa.“I do still swim. Not as much, and not as well!”

Reid completed Naval Aviation training and navigator school, after which he rode in F-14s as a radio intercept officer.Today the former swim team co-captain works for Thorn Hill Printing in Freedom, Pa. Mott went into commercial banking, and in 1995 left that realm and bought a company that handles inbound call answering. Mott resides in Media, Pa., where he grew up. Droz married his high school sweetheart, See SWIMMERS, next page

military focusonm SWIMMERS from page 20 Cindy, and joined the Navy along with Reid and Bissell.“Chuck served for 20 years,” Bissell says.“Longer than any of us. During his service, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School, and while working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency at the Pentagon, was one of the early pioneers developing objectCharles Droz ‘71 received a oriented programming military burial in Arlington National Cemetery. languages.” Droz retired from active duty as a lieutenant commander, and in 2001 was vice president of software development for EM Solutions in Arlington,Va. Entering the Navy, Bissell was eager to pursue intelligence work. He tested high in language aptitude and received a year’s training in Arabic.When proficient, his assignment was to “go to a safe location and listen to bad guys’ conversations. In those days, that meant the Palestinians.” From a location on Cyprus, Bissell and his team took data from radio communication.They were listening to the rise of terrorism. “During crises, we’d work 24 hours a day, trying to beat them before they could pull a trigger. Over a two-year period, my unit made cryptology breakthroughs against the Palestinian Feyadeen in the first Beirut uprising, during the attack by Egypt against Israel in October 1973, and most significantly but unheralded, in preventing two major terrorist attacks in 1974 planned against the U.S.”Terrorism then, he notes, involved bombs and hijackings, not the harder-to-prevent suicide attacks. “I thought it was only a matter of time before it came to our shores.” But he couldn’t have known how close to home it would come. “They got better and better, and ultimately they got Chuck,” Bissell says. Mott learned of Droz’s death within a

week of 9/11. He read something and put the facts together. Arbuckle also heard quickly.“It was very shocking,” he says.“I realized I hadn’t seen him since graduation.” The news trickled slowly to Bissell.“One fraternity brother e-mailed another, who forwarded to a friend, and eventually to me.”The loss was difficult for Bissell, who had worked so vigilantly against terrorism. Today Bissell works as a commodities trader in New Castle, Pa.“Away from the bombs, guns – I won’t go back.” Specifically, he will not travel east of Greece.“It’s not safe for a blond, blue-eyed American.”Two close calls stand out to him: in 1974, being relocated out of Cyprus just before Turkey attacked Greece and his station came under fire, and witnessing a spontaneous riot in Iran in the late 1970s. The recent reunion was staged in Arbuckle’s honor. He was inducted into the Grove City College Athletic Hall of Fame, and Athletic Director Don Lyle helped arrange for Reid, Mott and Bissell to surprise Arbuckle by attending the dinner. “I hadn’t seen them together in 20 years, and I walked in and the three of them were there,” Arbuckle says.The friends sat talking in MAP Hall until the cleaning crew had completely reset the room.“We didn’t even realize it. It could have been 1971.” “Skip had changed the least. He kept his hair dark somehow; he’s cheating,” Bissell comments.“We missed Chuck. But it was so much fun to be together.” “Even coming back together after a long time, it felt comfortable” Mott says.“I think Wayne’s the only one who could probably fit in the swim suit anymore, though.” Since the reunion, the alumni have been more connected, trading emails and letters. It was Bissell who urged the others to tell their stories in “The GeDUNK,” but each echoed the same sentiment:“This is about Chuck.” “Chuck was a tremendous guy,” Bissell says firmly.“If he had known what was going on, on that plane, he would have taken those guys down.” (Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser is a freelance writer living in Massachusetts.)

Readiness ‘Above All’ Schnee ‘79 part of 9/11 crisis team

By Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser uring his college years, Epsilon Pi brother Thomas Schnee ’79 participated in Grove City and Slippery Rock’s joint ROTC – which Schnee recalls was then the largest ROTC program in the United States.“I didn’t realize the education I got at Grove City until later,” he says.“Six of us started off together in navigator school, all six of us graduated, and three were in the top five of that class.” Schnee was fourth. In his first operational fighter as a navigator, Schnee flew 2.2 times the speed of sound in an F111. After graduating first in his class at pilot training, Schnee spent time in Florida flying an F15 Eagle, became an instructor at Lead-in Fighter Training, and was later assigned to the Philippines at the rank of major. At Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Schnee was fulfilling the role of director of plans and programs for the 13th Air Force headquarters during the fateful eruption of nearby Mt. Pinatubo on June 12, 1991. “The sky turned black in about 15 minutes, and rained construction-grade sand and mud for about 22 hours,” Schnee says. All non-mission specific personnel were evacuated to Subic Bay, about 50 miles south.The rest of the staff soon followed. Schnee was sent to the Navy Command Center to coordinate the airlift and sealift of 20,000 people to the island of Cebu, where there was an airfield. From there, personnel were airlifted back to the States in the operation known as “Fiery Vigil.” That accomplished, Schnee reported to the See READINESS, page 59

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Spring 2008

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JAGs practice military justice T By Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser he Judge Advocate General’s Corps – the JAG – are the military’s legal branch. In each of the Armed Forces their career progression varies, but across the board, JAGs are licensed U.S. attorneys who have undergone additional schooling. Beyond serving military justice, they function as legal advisers on environmental law and admiralty law as well as draft wills for service members.And as these five alumni have found, becoming a JAG opens doors well beyond the law school classroom. “When I joined, JAG was like an elite club,” says Thomas Brown ’68. As a Grove City College freshman and sophomore, Brown participated in the thenmandatory Air Force ROTC.“A plane sat behind Lincoln where Memorial is,” he recalls.“We did formations on the soccer fields on Mondays.” Brown didn’t take it too seriously at the time. But he graduated and began Duquesne Law School at the height of the Vietnam War.“The question became, ‘Am I going to get drafted?’” he says.“It seemed likely, so I decided to talk to the Army ROTC at Duquesne. Because of my ROTC at Grove City, they took me.” After completing the minimum time he owed the Army, Brown received mail from the Reserves, but wasn’t interested until a friend talked him into becoming a JAG. For a self-employed lawyer, being a reservist was time consuming.“The obligation is one weekend a month, two weeks a summer,” Brown says,“but as you get promoted, responsibility increases.”And Brown did get promoted. He retired as a colonel, with his last assignment as staff judge advocate for the 99th Regional Support Command, which services five states and 22,000 soldiers.“It was like running a law firm located in five states.” Brown left in 2004 at the mandatory retirement mark of 30 years’ service.Today, the once reluctant ROTC student sees things differently.“I believe that if everyone had a stint in the military, there’d be less problems in society.The Reservists – they’re our finest citizens.” Brown maintains his law practice and is organizing the golf outing

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Navy Lt. Derek Butler ‘00, right, receives an award in the courtroom at the Washington Navy Yard from Marine Col. Ralph Miller. / Contributed photo

for his upcoming 40th class reunion. George Holmes ’71 also had military experience before becoming a JAG. He joined the Marines, after speaking with a representative outside the Gedunk.After six years as an artillery officer, he attended law school in the Excess Leave Program. By 1984, Holmes was serving as senior defense counsel at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He did two Mediterranean deployments as the staff judge advocate to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.“Lawyers are judge advocates,” Holmes explains.“Staff judge advocate is a position within a command – the legal adviser to the commanding officer.” Holmes was deployed to Saudi Arabia as the officer in charge of Legal Services Support Section in November 1990.“My deployments always included being away on Thanksgiving,” he notes. The 65 attorneys and 80 staff Holmes supervised were dispersed throughout the theater of operation.“The craziest thing I ever did,” he recalls, was jumping in a Jeep with a staff judge advocate one day to visit all of the stations – despite being warned to only

travel with a convoy of soldiers. It seemed like a good idea until the two were out in the desert, alone, in an area scarce of roads and activity.Though they reached their destination without incident, Holmes says,“I wouldn’t do that again.” After Desert Storm, Holmes was made battalion commander, responsible for 1,200 Marines. He retired in 1994 after 23 years. “My wife, Pam (Hansen ’72) Holmes, was ready, I was ready. I’ve been home for every Thanksgiving since.” Many JAGs have received assignments to Iraq. Navy Lt. Derek Butler ’00 spent May through November of 2006 in Baghdad briefing detainee files for the Combined Review and Release Board, composed of Iraqi government officials and American military members.“There are thousands of detainees,” Butler says. Coalition soldiers “go on a raid, find improvised explosives, and detain the people they think are responsible.” Often these raids are triggered by a tip then the CRRB determines who is detained and who is released. See JAG, next page

military focusonm JAG from page 22 Despite enjoying an office in one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces – air conditioned as summer temperatures climbed toward 130F – Butler found the work tedious over time.At six months, he gladly returned home. (“I wanted to see my wife!”) Still, Butler values his time in Iraq. “Interacting with Iraqis, seeing them working to establish their government – I got to put a face to everything.” Now in Washington, D.C., Butler works in Navy and Marine Appellate Review Activity, reviewing cases that receive an automatic appeal. “It’s a shame,” he says, “but drug use cases are very common. And unfortunately, sexual assault.” He spends more time in an office than a courtroom. “Less surprises, a predictable schedule. I like it a lot, though I think I’m in the minority.” Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Greer ’94 began active duty in 2001. From September 2004 to April 2005 he served in support of a Navy SEAL group in Iraq, processing detainees at Abu Ghraib prison and ensuring that Christopher Greer rules of engagement ‘94 works in a night were observed.“I was operation in Iraq. honored to deploy with the SEALs and to assist them with legal aspects of their operations,” Greer says.“I had a sense that I was with the best.” Greer returned to Washington, assigned to the Pentagon, and served as the flag aide to the judge advocate general of the Navy.This allowed him to travel the world and gain an overall picture of the Navy JAG Corps. Currently, Greer works in the Office of Legislative Affairs as a liaison between the Navy and Capitol Hill. His portfolio covers “a grab bag of issues – detainees, military justice and the Law of the Sea Convention, to name a few.” This summer, Greer and his family – wife Stacey, 16-month-old daughter Amelia, and baby number two due in July – will relocate to San Diego for his next assignment. (Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser is a freelance writer living in Massachusetts.)

John Schwab ‘98 works in legal realm of military By Darin Miller ’09 Graduates often find themselves in careers vastly different from what they studied in college. Capt. John Schwab ’98 is no different. Schwab graduated from Grove City with an accounting degree, but his life took him in a very different direction. “I planned to go to law school, but I kind of wanted to be able to do something a little more interesting than the average job, so the Marine Corps had a lot of appeal,” Schwab said. Schwab resides in Jacksonville, N.C., where he serves as the chief defense counsel at Camp Lejeune. Schwab was commissioned in 1998, but went to school for three years before beginning his work. “I’ve been working full time for the Marine Corps since 2002,” he said. Schwab met his wife, Rachel, while working in Beaufort, S.C., and married her there, then moved to Jacksonville in 2006.They have two daughters: Grace, 4, and Hannah, seven months. Proud grandfather is College Trustee the Hon. Arthur Schwab ’68, who is a U.S. Federal Court Judge. In 2007, Schwab served a seven-month term in Fallujah, Iraq, as a legal adviser to an infantry battalion. Schwab’s battalion was part of President George W. Bush’s troop surge, which began in January 2007 and committed thousands of additional troops to the war in Iraq. “At the beginning of the deployment there were a good number of attacks,” Schwab said, “but at the end of the deployment it was a good bit quieter.The Iraqi police became more effective while we were there.” Schwab added that the region is dramatically more peaceful now than it was before the surge. While there, Schwab advised the battalion commanders, investigated legal claims and paid out claims to residents of Fallujah.These claims were largely for damages during searches or for car accidents. “There was a period of time

John Schwab ‘98 worked in law during a sevenmonth stint in Iraq. / Contributed photo

where heavy fighting was going on – when U.S. forces would occupy certain (Iraqi homes),” Schwab said. According to Schwab, the Iraqi people were very positive toward the troops. “These were people who didn’t have water and sewer and power, so (due to) the fact that we were able to teach the Iraqis to bring those back online, they were very positive.” Unfortunately, Schwab’s location in Fallujah did not provide him with an easy line of communication with his wife and other family members. He said being separated from home was the hardest part of his experience. Hannah was born while he was on a three-day operation, staying in a Forward Operating Base. “When my battalion found out (that she was born) they relayed it over the radio to me, so it was nice,” Schwab said. “I called my wife not too long after.” Schwab plans to leave the Marines in the summer of 2009, when he hopes to return to Pittsburgh and work as a defense attorney in the area. (Darin Miller is a junior communication studies major and will serve as the 2008-09 Collegian editor-in-chief.)

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Spring 2008

Serving with Pride military focusonm

Alums share life-changing experiences in Marines

By Anna (VanSlembrouck) Swartz ’01 espite the diverse experiences of each Marine, it’s clear that they have at least one thing in common – their time in the service has changed them forever. It has instilled in them a sense of confidence, leadership and determination; introduced them to the best of friends; and given them the privilege of serving their country. Here are just a few of their stories.

Josh Onuska ’03 “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they’ve made a difference.The Marines don’t have that problem.” Ronald Reagan’s words are ones that 1st Lt. Josh Onuska references as he talks about why he chose the military.“I always wanted to live a life of significance,” says Onuska. Currently stationed in Japan, Onuska is the maintenance and material control officer for an F-18D squadron.“I manage the logistical efforts of 120 Marines to prepare 13 jets to fly training and combat missions,” he says. Onuska has also been stationed in three states, as well as in Iraq, including at the time Saddam Hussein was hung. For Onuska, there are far more battles than just the “big picture” of the war.“It has become more about the small victories – helping a friend, mentoring a young Marine and being professionally competent. Wars will be won and lost, but the hearts and minds of the Marines I work with are eternal. Our daily actions, as Christians, have lasting effects – especially in times of uncertainty and stress.”

Matt Jensen ’00 A private first class in the Marines, Matt Jensen served in active duty from 1987 to 1988. After inactive service from 1988 to 1993, he medically

Matt Jensen ‘00

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

1st Lt. Josh Onuska ’03 is currently stationed in Japan. / Contributed photo

retired in 1993. Jensen was stationed at MCRD in San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Calif. His most unforgettable experiences included “getting off the bus at boot camp and the first few days of camp.” Jensen says being a Marine has changed him for the better by giving him “an appreciation for those who serve in noble professions (military, fire, police, etc.).” Currently, Jensen works in information technology at Grove City College.

Matt Heinle ’02 Growing up with a father in the Marines, becoming a member of the same tribe was something that Heinle never questioned. Heinle, a corporal in the reserves, was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January through September 2003. “After the initial invasion, we ran fuel convoys from Kuwait up to Najaf and back every three days until we were re-deployed back state-side,” he says. Being a Marine has taught him the value of being a leader who takes care of his

Matt Heinle ‘02 and his daughter. / Contributed photo

troops.“I would like to acknowledge God’s gracious hand in bringing my men and me back safely,” says Heinle, who currently lives in Bethlehem, Pa., working as a consultant with Virtusa Corporation, an IT services consulting firm.

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Kurt Stein ‘89

Kurt Stein ’89 The seed for Lt. Col. Kurt Stein’s blossoming military career was planted at Grove City College when a fellow fraternity brother joined the Marine Corps. “I saw the metamorphosis in him, identified with it and pursued it,” he says. Stein’s career has spanned to include 5,000 hours piloting various military and civilian aircraft, traveling to 40 countries, two tours in Iraq, 100 combat missions, and participating in humanitarian efforts in Somalia and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. He served 20 years combined in active duty or as a reservist. Currently, Stein – who is on a military leave of absence from American Airlines – “flies a desk, not an airplane” in his job at the Pentagon, where he participates in strategic planning for the Marines. He does fly every weekend, though – to stay with his family in Lancaster, Pa. “My whole career has been a privilege,” Stein says. “The Marine Corps prides itself on honor, morale and physical courage and commitment, and I believe these core values have made me a better husband, father and citizen.

Robert Montgomery ’82 As a sophomore in 1980, Robert Montgomery found himself walking through the student union – and a door of opportunity. One of his older fraternity brothers, Ernie Miller ’79, was there, recruiting Marines.The next thing he knew, Montgomery was on a bus headed for Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va. Upon graduation from Grove City, he served in active duty from 1982 through

One of the jobs of Lt. Col. Ken Keverline ‘78 was to fly President George H.W. and Barbara Bush in ‘Marine One.’ / Contributed photo

1987. He joined the Reserves in 1987, serving in Dessert Storm in 1991 and Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Colonel Montgomery is currently the operations officer for the Marines Corps Reserve Logistics Group in New Orleans, La. “[Being a Marine] has given me the drive to do things that I wouldn’t have the confidence to do otherwise,” he says. Montgomery is a lead financial analyst for AT&T in Birmingham, Ala.

Vince Barr ’87 One of Maj.Vince Barr’s most unforgettable experiences as a Marine was his time spent flying the KC-130 Hercules in Iraq. “The missions we flew played an important part in the stabilization of that country,” Barr says. During his 20 years in the Marines, he was stationed in four states, as well as Okinawa, Japan. He retired just last year. Barr and fellow Grove City alum Kurt Stein ’89 even served in the same squadron for two years. “I’m part of a brotherhood that will always be a part of me long after I’ve hung up my uniforms,” Barr said. “I’ve also made lifelong friends with some of the best people in the world.” Barr is now a production test pilot at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.

Ken Keverline ’78 Ever since he was small, Lt. Col. Ken Keverline wanted to learn how to fly.The Marines allowed him to do just that. In his 22 years in the service, he was an aviator flying mostly helicopters and Ken Keverline ‘78 then VIP airplanes during the last four years. What perhaps Keverline, as a young boy, never imagined was that he would be a presidential pilot for the former President George H.W. Bush from 1989 through 1993 as part of the Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), or “Marine One.” He flew many presidential and vice presidential missions in and out of the U.S. Many weekends flying to and from Camp David, a presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains, allowed Keverline a unique opportunity to spend time with the President and First Lady.“We would play horseshoes and walleyball to together,” Keverline recalls.“It’s the most enjoyable time I’ve had in the Marines.” Keverline retired from the Marines in February 2000. He currently serves as chief pilot at the University of South Carolina. See MARINES, page 29

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Spring 2008

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Adventure calls grads to Navy By Sarah (Fuhrey ’05) Huber Since George Washington sent the first Americans to sea, adventure-hungry youths have turned to the Navy. And Grove City College students have been among its heroes. Kevin White ’76 said the Navy reveals what a young man can do.“Put him in a different environment, one with responsibilities, and you’ll be surprised,” he said.White, who retired from the Navy as a captain after 26 years of service, has seen a bit of everything. He moved 13 times during his career, bringing his wife and two children with him. His oldest, in fact, was born in Guam. “Being in the Navy is a chance to serve your country, get responsibilities, and see the rest of the world,” he said.“It’s a lot bigger world out there than Grove City.” Today,White continues to serve his country as the business director of the Penn State Electro-Optics Center, which specializes in defense work for the military. While joining the Navy was a natural choice for White, given his love of adventure, the military was a second thought for Wilmont “Wil” Shellenberger ’64, a Kappa Alpha Phi member who played Wil Shellenberger ‘64 varsity soccer at the College and lives in Washington. After graduation, Shellenberger moved to Ohio to start a soccer program at Mount Union College.Two years later, however,Vietnam was making headlines, and he said,“the draft board was lurking.” He joined the Navy as an ensign.“I intended to stay three years, but I found going to sea and operating the ship fascinating,” he said. Shellenberger remained in the Navy for 20 years, during which he visited 70 countries and was stationed around the world. He and his wife, whom he married a few years after enlisting, lived in a Japanese-style home in Japan, rather than

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Capt. Kevin White ’76, wife Judy (Hamilton ’79) White, son Colin and daughter Hannah celebrate Kevin’s retirement in 2003. / Contributed photo

on base, for a year.Their neighbors were, of course, Japanese, and the Shellenbergers had to learn some of the language to grocery shop.“My liberal arts education at Grove City College prepared me for the Navy,” he said.“It gave me roots to use to learn about other cultures.” He similarly tried to make the most of short port calls.“As I history major, I loved the opportunity to sightsee, especially to see the things I learned about in college.” Before reaching a port, he would read up on the area and determine what to explore. He said,“Being in the Navy gave me a much broader worldview and appreciation for what we have as citizens. It helped me understand how the rest of the world thinks.” John Dean ’71 of New Jersey and Chuck Wazenegger ’62 also joined the Navy because of the draft.“Possessing a low draft number,” Dean said,“I applied for the Navy Officer Candidate School.” He spent four years at sea, before and during the Yom Kippur War, and participated in several training and shakedown missions in the Caribbean. Later, he joined the Reserves, retiring after 30 years of service as a commander. “There were some rough spots along the way,” he said,“but, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my many years of service and the countless associations I made.” Wazenegger majored in biology at Grove City, thinking he would become a medical

doctor, but the draft forced him to change his mind. He entered the Navy the year he graduated. “Without the draft, obviously not as many people are as likely to consider a career in the military. In a lot of cases Chuck that’s a mistake,” he said. Wazenegger ‘62 “You get so much out of the military.” He said his Navy career helped him to mature and to cultivate lasting friendships, even with Navy men with whom he did not serve. “Being in the Navy is almost like being in a fraternity,”Wazenegger said.“When you meet another person who was in the Navy, you have a propensity for carrying on a lengthy conversation.” Wazenegger made two major deployments to the Mediterranean Sea before being transferred to the Brooklyn, N.Y., shipyard, where he was responsible for tracking merchant marine shipping, briefing merchant ship masters on their responsibilities in the event of war and training reservists. In 1965, he joined the Reserves, from which he retired as commander in 1989 after 26 years of service.Today he owns a financial planning company. Like Shellenberger, Dr. Raymond Batz ’92, also brought his family to Japan. Batz is based in Yokosuka, where his ship is always “forward deployed,” with his wife and two sons, one of whom was born in Asia. Batz majored in Raymond Batz ‘92 biology and secondary education at Grove City College before attending Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. He’s served in the Navy for 12 years and is currently the senior medical officer on the USS Kitty Hawk. As such, Batz is responsible for the

military focusonm

Dr. Raymond Batz ‘92 is the senior medical officer aboard the USS Kittyhawk in Japan. / Contributed photo

medical readiness and healthcare of 12 officers and more than 7,000 soldiers. “Grove City College helped me to lay the foundation of this career and prepared me very well to be a naval officer as well as a physician,” he said. He encouraged aspiring health professionals at the College to consider a career in the Navy.“I believe that the Navy offers wonderful opportunities for an individual and a family to grow in many ways,” he said. He added that the Navy’s core values – honor, courage and commitment – resonate with Grovers. For a few grads, love of the water wooed them into the Navy. John “Jack” Barry III ’62 entered the Navy only 10 days after leaving Grove City and the Epsilon Pi fraternity. A resident of Texas, Barry has owned five boats.“The love of ship handling has stayed with me,” he said. “Maneuvering a destroyer while screening

Dr. John ‘Jack’ Barry III ’62 served aboard the USS Turner Joy during Vietnam. / Contributed photo

for an aircraft carrier, conducting antisubmarine attacks or just normal steaming [were activities] of which I never tired.” During the Vietnam War, Barry served aboard the USS Turner Joy, one of two destroyers involved in the Tonkin Gulf Incident.The incident prompted the first large-scale involvement of U.S. armed forces in Southeast Asia and is now considered politically controversial, he said. Several days after the incident, Barry was selected to deliver the “after action report” to a delegation from D.C. in the Philippines. He enthusiastically encouraged young Grovers to join the Navy, saying,“I cannot think of another opportunity where they would experience as much responsibility and operational experience at such a young age.” Barry, a retired CEO and business consultant, is the author of several books on leadership. Richard Krebs ’63 of Colorado said his experience in Sea Scouts, a version of the Boy Scouts that focuses on water trips, piqued his interest in boat handling. He entered the Navy immediately after College and spent a year in Vietnam.When he left for Saigon, he said goodbye to his wife and son, then less than a year old.“It’s part of the duty,” he said.“You just have to learn to deal with it.” In Vietnam, he served as a dufflebag officer and adviser, putting electronic devices in the ground to track the enemy. Like Dean, Krebs joined the Reserves when he returned to the States and served another 20 years.“It went fast,” he said.“I enjoyed it.”

Some alumni were military men before they were Grovers.William Messner, a 1996 graduate of the College, joined the Navy right out of high school.“I had always wanted to see the world,” he said. In 1988, he headed off to boot camp, where he made the transition from being a civilian to being a soldier.“Boot camp makes you a component of a team, where life depends on each other,” he said. He was drilled on physical fitness, mental tests and basic skills such as firefighting. “If someone doesn’t know how to fight a fire on a submarine, everyone dies,” he said. At boot camp, he also learned to appreciate shoe polish.“I had the shoe polish out a few nights ago,” he said, laughing. Although Messner enlisted for adventure, he said his tasks were sometimes boring, which caused students to get degrees and enlist as an officer. He worked as a torpedo man, which involved six-hour watches. “It wasn’t ‘The Hunt for Red October,’ but I did get to travel,” he said. He was at sea during Desert Shield, the mobilization of troops before Desert Storm.“I felt pretty safe. In a submarine, we have such a big hammer, people think not just twice, but five or six times, before going on offensive.” He added,“Being in the Navy made me realize how good we have it in U.S., how blessed we are. Even in some of the developed European nations, it’s like our 1930s or ’40s.They don’t have as many choices at the grocery store, for example.” After six years in the Navy, Messner entered Grove City to major in finance. He met his wife at the College and is now the CEO of Community Capital Group in New Castle, Pa. Some are not permitted to say much about their adventures. Robert Mehaffey ’68 of North Carolina served at Camp David in Maryland from 1969-72. Much of his work was classified. Like Shellen-berger, he also was a Kappa Alpha Phi. All the Grove City Navy men emphasized that “freedom isn’t free,” adding that they could not have served, or be serving, without the sacrifices and dedication of their spouses and loved ones, as well as the College’s adventure-valuing foundation. (Sarah (Fuhrey ’05) Huber is a freelance writer in Dallas.)

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Spring 2008

Taking Notes military focusonm

Jay Loose’s lips make music on Navy ships

By Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw hen Jay Loose ’95, a business management major with a passion for horn playing, was facing graduation and finding a job, what was the obvious career path to take? Why, the Navy, of course! In truth, it was almost that easy. A member of the marching band, concert and jazz ensembles for his entire college career, Loose turned for advice to the one person who had been the biggest influence in college – Chair of the Department of Music and Fine Arts Dr. Edwin Arnold. “A month before graduation I still didn’t have a firm idea of what I was going to do. It just so happened that the Marine Corps music recruiter was coming to Pittsburgh, and ‘Doc’ said I should go check it out.” Loose passed the Marine performance requirements, but decided that the Navy was a better fit for him, joining about a year and a half after graduation. “I didn’t join the Navy with the intention to make it a career, but now I can’t picture myself doing anything else!” Loose’s career began at the Navy Band Great Lakes just north of Chicago, where he also worked as an NROTC recruiter for Chicago and Milwaukee. From there he was posted with the Navy School of Music at their main base in Norfolk,Va., before being transferred to his current – and sweetest – gig with the Pacific Fleet Band, Hawaii, in December 2005. Hawaii has been paradise not only for him but also for his family. Loose met his wife, Lori, while serving and playing together in the Navy Band (she is a flute player). They married and welcomed daughter Lily in 2007. Now retired, Lori works as a registered dietitian. The Loose family has also enjoyed a second career as extras in the ABC series “Lost” – where Lily was featured in the role of “Baby Aaron” in the popular series. Being stationed in Hawaii has offered Loose assignments taking him to Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as to Kuala Lumpur for the International Tattoo, celebrating Malaysia’s 50th year of independence. His first chance to go to sea for an extended period came in May when he was deployed with the band on board the USNS Mercy for a humanitarian mission supporting the Pacific Partnership. “Working with civilian aid agencies and military members, both U.S. and foreign, we’ll provide medial care and assistance to five nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania,” Loose indicated. “The band will perform to support community relations and to

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Jay Loose ‘95 excelled in music at Grove City College and then took his talent to the Navy after graduation. / Contributed photo

bring greater awareness to our overall mission.” Loose and other military musicians are part of 13 Navy bands in the U.S. and overseas. “We aren’t deployed to war zones, usually” he stated, “but rather to help the United States build and maintain good relationships with other nations.” From those great Grove City College jazz band tours to building morale in Indonesia, Loose brings his trumpet and love of music and service to his country to people across the world. (Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw is the Grove City College assistant director of alumni relations.)

military focusonm

Sunny Days on the High Seas Grad remembers Navy pop culture experiences, stories

By Sarah (Fuhrey ’05) Huber ichard “Dick” Dunmyre ’66 didn’t enlist with Navy to make movies, rescue spacecrafts or check out Brazil’s pre-Lenten Carnival, but he’ll be first to say that a person – especially an enlisted man – has to deal with what he’s dealt. And Dunmyre thoroughly enjoyed his hand. “Not heroes, but someone had to do it,” he said. A Pennsylvania resident, Dunmyre shipped out the October after his graduation at age 22. “During our senior year, it was pretty hot in Vietnam,” he said. “The drafting board sent a bus to

the College, and all the senior men had to go for a physical. I didn’t want to join the Army, so I enlisted with the Navy.” First an ensign and then a lieutenant, he was in the Navy for four years. Because his ship, the USS Yorktown, was constructed in 1943 and looked her age, she was selected to play a part in the taping of both the films “Toro Toro Toro” and “Get Smart.” Dunmyre said the flight deck was refurbished to mimic a Japanese aircraft carrier. He stood on the bridge while old Japanese war planes were flown off into the sunset for the movie cameras. On Dec. 27, 1968, the USS Yorktown – returned to its American visage – served as the rescue ship for Apollo 8, the first spacecraft to go to the moon and back. Sitting under the stars on a small lifeboat out at sea, Dunmyre watched a bright red light streak into view and crash into the ocean, as planned. He was on hand to help pull

the capsule from the water. A month later, the ship changed homeport from Long Beach, Calif., to Norfolk,Va. Since she could not fit through the Panama Canal, they cruised around South America, stopping in Chile and Brazil during the annual Carnival. “We went right downtown with the rest of them,” he said. “There were a lot of happy people.” Nonetheless, he understands the realities of military life. “Don’t forget to honor those who did not come back,” he said. “They are the real heroes.” Dunmyre said his college experience prepared him for the military, teaching him to never give up. “I had to study hard,” he said. An accounting major, he is a CPA and has his own business filing tax returns. He is married with two daughters, including Andrea ’06. (Sarah (Fuhrey ’05) Huber is a freelance writer in Dallas.)

MARINES from page 25 Harrison Courie ’07

Richard Dunmyre ’66 served aboard the USS Yorktown and helped recover the Apollo 8 capsule. Team members are shown here at practice. / Contributed photo

Harrison Courie has always wanted to be a Marine. So when it interrupted his time at Grove City, he was up for the challenge. He was deployed to Iraq with the Marine Corps Reserve from March to Harrison Courie ‘07 September of 2005. Currently, he works at a pharmaceutical plant and is still in the Reserves. Of his time so far as a corporal in the Marines, Courie says:“It has helped give me the determination to try things that I would have otherwise thought impossible.” A memorable moment for Courie was a memorial service for those lost during his deployment: “Each person was someone who could have given their life to protect yours,” he said. (Anna (VanSlembrouk ’01) Swartz works in communications in Michigan.)

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Spring 2008

military focusonm

Military chaplains serve as shepherds among their flocks

“I

By Kelsey (Pollock ’06) Rhea recall vividly that I was sitting at my desk in 62 Ketler Hall, listening to the radio when President Roosevelt made the grave announcement that Pearl Harbor had been bombed,” recalls Dave Chambers ’43.World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and even the war on terror have all seen the service of Grove City graduates who have answered a common calling to service to their country and to their Lord. “When the war in Iraq broke out in 2003, I felt the Lord calling me to look into ministry to our troops,” recalls Capt. David Stevenson ’87.War time called Col. Lynn Myers ’54 more directly, when he was drafted upon graduation, and after several years he Lynn Myers ‘54 answered a voluntary call to service as he pursued the path of becoming a pastor and a soldier. Cmdr. Peter Gregory ’80 presided over a parish for three years before he was “called to a different path.” Though their paths to service were different, their common foundation of Grove City College prepared them for the challenges they would face in their respective careers. Myers remembers Grove City as the place where he “learned how to reach people for Christ.” “My experience at Grove City confirmed and strengthened my decision to enter the ministry,” he said. Also, he noted “the Christian atmosphere and emphasis upon things spiritual” as indispensably influential to him in his career.

Cmdr. Peter Gregory ‘80 baptizes a baby aboard the USS Austin. / Contributed photo

Gregory remarks on the College’s “strong heritage upon service to God and to country” as being what he took with him into this most challenging and rewarding of fields. And adds Stevenson, “The friends I made while attending Grove City are still my closest friends and support people.” Whether it was the pains of separation from family or the daily hardships of military life, especially overseas, these alumni shared a foundation of faith that made them strong and capable leaders. By being “out there every day doing what they (fellow service members) did, breaking down barriers,” as Myers describes, or by “sharing the same hardships and family separations; suffering See CHAPLAINS, next page

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dave Chambers ‘43 / Contributed photo

Grads live Army Strong military focusonm

By Anna (VanSlembrouck) Swartz ’01 he Army is sure to bring you more than you expected – a change in perspective and character, exciting opportunities and treasured memories. From Alaska to Iraq, from short stints to long-time careers, these soldier’s experiences showcase how the Army can leave a lasting impression.

David Chase ’82 As part of the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, candidates completed ‘soldier tasks’ involving gas chambers, road marches and obstacle courses. Here, Dave Stevenson ’87 rappels from a tower. / Contributed photo

CHAPLAINS from page 30 transfers to new and often unwelcome assignments, and having their families uprooted,” as Chambers remembers, these chaplains were placed in a unique position of living among their flock. Added Stevenson, “Here these soldiers were joining the military during a time of war … many were very young and very fearful of the future.The harvest field was so very ripe and I had the privilege of seeing many come to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him.” These men who share a passion for service with their common foundation and shared experiences have led careers of honor and of distinction.They have acquired more medals than one could count, served in numerous countries and theaters of war, and led thousands to the Lord and salvation in the most difficult environments imaginable. But it’s an everyday calling for a military chaplain. “You continue to serve your faith,” Gregory said, “as God gives you strength.” (Kelsey (Pollock ’06) Rhea is the Grove City College assistant director of alumni relations.)

“I am ‘living the dream’ every day,” says Lt. Col. David Chase. “I couldn’t think of anything more challenging or rewarding that I would rather do.” Currently in active David Chase ‘82 duty in the Army’s infantry, Chase is an infantry battalion commander at Fort Benning, Ga. He has also served overseas – in Neu Ulm in the Federal Republic of Germany (1988-90), Operation Desert Storm (1990-91), and Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 and 2 (200304). He will again head out of the States when he assumes the position of deputy brigade commanding officer as he deploys to Afghanistan in June of this year. Speaking about his current position, Chase says: “I have been afforded the opportunity to serve and lead the nation’s greatest treasure, America’s sons and daughters as soldiers, every day.”

Sam Robinson ’71 Sam Robinson enlisted in the Army in 1971 for one reason – to avoid the draft. Several years later, he found out that he likely would never have been drafted. “Imagine all of the fun I would have missed,” he says. After his training was complete, Robinson was stationed at Fort Meade,

Md., for his active service from 1971 until 1974. As a second lieutenant, Robinson served as an executive officer for two different units with administration duties such as training, security, readiness, finance and personnel. Robinson also enjoyed a 10-week stint as part of a maintenance platoon at West Point in 1973. In 1974, Robinson received an Army Commendation Medal in appreciation of his service at Fort Meade. “I almost stayed in the Army because I liked it so much,” Robinson said. “The highlight of my career was my job.” After active duty, he remained in the Army Reserve as a first lieutenant. Robinson currently works for Union Switch and Signal in Pittsburgh.

Ed McGowan ’87 After scoring well on the Army aptitude test, Ed McGowan could have easily found his way into a desk job – but he chose infantry instead. He served as an army rifleman in Fort Wainwright, Ala., from 1987 to 1991. As part of the rapid deployment force instituted under Ronald Reagan, he helped secured the extreme northern flank (Alaska) during Operation Desert Storm. McGowan’s character matured to encompass a strong sense of discipline and perspective. One such experience that helped instill those traits was the long road march at the end of basic training with full gear, helmet, 60-pound pack and rifle. “My group went 28 miles in one night because our commander didn’t properly plan its route,” he said. When comparing experiences like that to his civilian job, “sitting at a desk for 12 hours wasn’t all that hard.” Currently, McGowan works in financial consulting for Hantz Group in Michigan. (Anna (VanSlembrouk ’01) Swartz works in communications in Michigan.)

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Spring 2008

Filling in the Gap military focusonm

Reservists find ways to serve throughout life

By Anna (VanSlembrouck ’01) Swartz he Reserves have provided a gateway for those in its service to discover new areas of the country, the world and themselves. Challenges and successes have shaped their lives to create unforgettable experiences and lessons for a lifetime.

Jay Ahlgren ‘57 / Contributed photo

Jay Ahlgren ’57 During his eight years in the Air Force (three years active duty and five years inactive duty as a captain), Jay Ahlgren learned firsthand that facing the unexpected can bring about positive results and memorable lessons. In flight school in Missouri, Ahlgren spent hours with his instructor working on maneuvers and touch-and-gos – always using runway 22.“I knew when to make a turn to downwind (over the big barn), when to reduce power (over the corn field), where to lower gear and flaps (over the pond), where to turn final approach (over the farm house), etc.,” he said. Just after Ahlgren took off for his first solo flight, he was informed that he had to land on runway 4 due to a significant change in the wind.Without the familiar runway, Ahlgren had to remember his instructor’s advice for such a situation.The result was a successful landing. “I learned that when the unexpected occurs, try not to panic, analyze the situation, think things through and do what

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Adam Wyse ‘96 at the Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. / Contributed photo

you feel is right,” he said. Ahlgren used his piloting skills as a parttime flight instructor for 35 years. He also worked 39 years with U.S. Steel before his retirement.

Jason Turner ’96 Of the four jobs on a tank – loader, driver, gunner and tank commander – Jason Turner held the first three titles during his

time as an armor crewman in the National Guard. He served for Company A 103rd Battalion of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 1991-97. Turner recalls his most memorable experience Jason Turner ‘96 See RESERVES, next page

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Bill Keane ’61, second row, far right, with a group of other Reservists at Fort Jackson, S.C. This photograph was taken 46 years ago. / Contributed photo

RESERVES from page 32 with the Guard at the annual training in Fort Drum, N.Y., where crews were qualified. Despite his unit being less than full strength, they were still held to active duty Army standards. During day/night qualifications,“a lot of people were hopping in and out of tanks to fill up a crew,” he said. Even after being up for close to 48 consecutive hours, he earned the best score for his company and received “Top Gun” recognition. “I am proud to have served my country,” said Turner, who chose not to re-enlist. Currently,Turner is an engineer for Penn United Technologies, Inc.

Bill Keane ’61 When Bill Keane was assigned to basic training for the U.S. Army Reserves in Columbia, S.C., he learned more than just military skills. He learned about Southern culture from locals in his training program that he describes as “backwoods type of guys.” His time in the deep South also allowed him to see some of the country’s pre civil rights-era ugliness. For example, having an African American platoon sergeant automatically meant “a lower grade” for cleanliness when the barracks were being checked.The punishment was rising at 4 a.m. instead of 4:30 a.m. Overall, Keane calls his six months of active duty, which included working in a

the reserves include Commanding PRT Khowst from August 2004 through July 2005 and being awarded the Bronze Star. Hollister retired from the reserves in 2007. He is currently executive vice president and chief operating officer of L.M. Kohn & Company, Brokerage and Investment Management.

Adam Wyse ’96 Carl Hollister ‘88 hands out supplies as part of the U.S. Army Reserves. / Contributed photo

basic training unit that trained troops in South Carolina and five and a half years as a company clerk in a reserve unit in Philadelphia, a positive experience. Keane is retired from a financial services career with several companies – Hershey Company, Harsco and Book-of-the-Month (a subsidiary of Time Warner).

Carl Hollister ’88 Carl Hollister’s work history includes tasks that few could boast – fighting the drug war in Central America, conducting nation building in the Balkans, and fighting enemies such as the Taliban, Hizb-I Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) and Al Qaeda in Central Asia, just to name a few. Hollister’s 21 years of service, including 17 in Special Operations for the U.S. Army Reserves has taken him around the globe for both short and long tours. Some of his most cherished moments in

Adam Wyse admits that he’s not exactly the stereotypical candidate for the Air Force Reserves – that’s what he loves about it. At 5’ 9” and 130 pounds,Wyse is an English teacher for middle school kids, prefers classical music and occasionally wears sweater vests.“The military is so different,” he says, adding that it allows another side of himself to develop. Wyse had been working as a teacher for nine years when he decided to sign up for the Reserves. Besides completing two-week tours in South Carolina and Hawaii,Wyse was deployed to the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from January through May of 2007. His job in air transportation involved loading and unloading the passengers and cargo on planes coming and going from Afghanistan. “I was led into the military,” says Wyse, who plans to re-enlist.“I have no doubt that I was meant to join.” (Anna (VanSlembrouk ’01) Swartz works in communications in Michigan.)

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Spring 2008

military focusonm

Air Force takes many to new heights Especially through Air Force ROTC training at Grove City College, a legion of alumni found their calling in the U.S. Air Force and went onto successful careers both in an out of military and civilian aviation. Here are just a few of their stories:

Jeff Baldridge ’69 I spent 30 years in the U.S.Air Force. I traveled quite a bit around the world, but perhaps the most interesting adventure was a trek to Nepal to the Everest Region in 1975. I was stationed in northern Thailand during the end of the Vietnam War. I read a book by Sir Edmund Hillary,‘High Times,’ and decided to go see the places Sir Edmund had built. I kept a diary on the trek and, 27 years later, converted the diary and pictures into a book of sorts called ‘I Came to the Mountain.’ It was an amazing adventure that had soaring highs and amazing lows. I was truly blessed on this adventure, one of a lifetime.

Richard Beidler ’51 Beidler joined the U.S. Air Corps in 1946, which later became the Air Force. He worked in Westover Field, Mass., just as World War II was ending. First, Beidler was called upon to type thousands of discharge papers, but he couldn’t break his bad typing habits. Instead, he volunteered as a flight traffic clerk, working as a steward on planes bring GIs home from Europe. The stewards trained in West Palm Beach, Fla.; Beidler scored in the top three in his class. No. 1 stayed on as an instructor; Nos. 2 and 3 were sent to Washington, D.C., to join the 503rd Squadron’s “Top Brass” Service in the Air Transport Command.Those in the program provided passenger service for VIPs on special missions. Says Beidler,“We were in exciting company as MacArthur’s C-54 ‘Bataan’ and Eisenhower’s Constellation ‘Columbine’ were parked on the tarmac along with the planes we were using.” Three missions stand out to Beidler in the 600 he logged before the discharge sent him home to Ivyland, Pa., then to Grove City College:

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

First, the mayor of New York City, Fiorello LaGuardia, was appointed the head of the United Nation Relief and Rehabilitation Association at the end of the war. He made it part of his mission to visit the countries we were helping to rebuild in Europe and Africa. He wanted to follow the food and construction materials to be sure they were being used as they were intended overseas. His mission took us to Casablanca by way of Bermuda and the Azores Islands.We crossed North Africa to Ciaro. In rapid succession, one- or two-day visits found us in Rome,Athens, Berlin, Geneva, Prague and Belgrade. In Yugoslavia, we got to swim in the Sava River and we picked up a Russian radioman and a navigator who pointed us in high-speed, low-level flights to avoid mistaken antiaircraft fire on our way to Kiev, Minsk and Moscow.Warsaw, Poland, was a city of streets surrounding two- and three-story-high piles of rubble where magnificent buildings once stood. A second mission took us west to Sacramento, Pearl Harbor, Guam, China and Japan. Henry Luce, editor and publisher of ‘Time’ and ‘Life’ magazines took our mission to Nanking, Peiping and Shanghi as well as to Tokyo. Our flight was within a year of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and we were not sure of the safest altitude to fly, but I may have one of the earliest aerial photos of the appalling devastation of Hiroshima, from 25,000 feet. A third mission took us west again in a B-17 bomber that was requested by a brigadier general who wanted to fly ‘his’ plane back east from discontinued wargame training sites out west. I remember thinking how ironic it was for me to be shooting snapshots out the turret windows instead of gunfire. I have since learned that the average accumulated actual combat life of a ball turret gunner was 11 seconds! If the war had continued longer, I might have been one of the guys small enough to fit into those turrets, and one of the hundreds who did not come back alive. A longer version of Beidler’s account is on file at the National Air and Space Museum at Dulles Field,Washington, D.C.

Ralph Cagna ’73 Cagna’s story is one of a “small world.” After graduation, there were 50 students

commissioned as second lieutenant via the Air Force ROTC. A year and half after graduation, Cagna was assigned to a oneyear remote tour to an Air Defense site in an isolated part of Iceland. He reports that there were about 500,000 people in the Air Force at that time.When he arrived in Iceland, among the 10 officers also stationed there was another 1973 Grove City College graduate – George “Tony” Stohon.“Tony got there two months before me, so we overlapped 10 months of my 12month tour,” Cagna said.“It made a very challenging assignment much easier to have a fellow grad with me in such a remote corner of the world.” Cagna also shared an obituary of a fellow Grove City College student from 1972. William S.Yeager ’71 was a Sigma Alpha Sigma fraternity brother killed while on Air Force active duty.“He was a fine, young man who died in service to our country.” William S. Yeager (1948-1972) 1st Lt. William Scott Yeager, 23, was killed while in training with the Air Force when two F-4s collided in the air in Florida, May 8, 1972. Lt. Yeager was a navigator. Both he and the pilot of his plane were killed in the crash. Lt. Yeager was born Sept. 29, 1948, in Connellsville, Pa., and was a graduate of Connellsville High School. He graduated from Grove City College with four years in ROTC. William was a nephew of Jesse Yeager, formerly of Meyersdale, now residing in Michigan. The deceased is survived by his wife, Donna; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Yeager; sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Wade; and maternal grandmother, Mrs. DeBolt; His late grandfather, Mr. DeBolt, was fire chief for many years in Connellsville. A memorial service was held in Florida, May 10. A full military funeral was held in Connellsville, Saturday, May 13 at Brooks Funeral Home and Greenwood United Methodist Church with Rev. Ralph Arnold and Rev. Floyd Martin officiating. Interment in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Connellsville. Meyersdale Republican, May 18, 1972

See AIR FORCE, next page

Josh Christy ‘03 (see page 36), who is trained as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, supplied this beautiful sunset image. / Contributed photo

AIR FORCE from page 34 Craig Christner ’64 Christner took a commission in the Air Force and was sent to San Bernardino, Calif., for training as an education officer with the Ballistic Systems Division of the Air Force Systems Command. He was required to pass top-secret clearance and gave briefings to many individuals and groups. In 1967, he was chosen for reassignment to the Systems Command Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He has received the commendation medal. One of Christner’s most interesting briefings was to Gen. Jimmy Stewart, who was a reserve officer in the U.S. Air Force the time.The Air Force sent Christner back to school for his master’s degree at Akron University with the plan he would teach in the ROTC and eventually serve as an instructor at the Air Force Academy. Christner was forced to retire from the military due to diabetes in 1972. He had reached the rank of captain.

Timothy Green ‘88 Green was pinned with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2004 after which the

Air Force assigned him a job at NATO. He and his wife, Kimberly (Tosh ’87) Green, moved to Belgium.

Patrick Grolemund ’99 In the Air Force since his graduation in 1999, Grolemund was deployed once to Qatar in 2003 after serving in Korea in 2002. Now the executive officer to the civil engineer at the Air Education and Training Command, with headquarters at the Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio,Texas, Grolemund graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He shares that he had no prior family ties to the military but continues to be thankful to serves as an American in the military.

Frank Shaffer Jr. ’59 Shaffer was born and raised on Washington Boulevard in Grove City. His father owned Shaffer’s Wallpaper and Paint Store across from campus and his mother was a librarian at the College. Sisters Susanne (Shaffer ’54) Johnson and Marilynn (Shaffer ’63) Diffenderfer are graduates and Shaffer’s niece, Laura Harper ’00, was the Senior Woman of the Year. Shaffer majored in metallurgical

engineering and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force via the ROTC program. He served for 21 years, retiring in 1980 from Norton Air Force Base, Calif., as chief of the San Antonio Operating Location and was the liaison between Logistics and Systems Design for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Some of Shaffer’s first duties were as an instructor at Lincoln Air Force Base, Neb., training more than 500 people entering the missiles operations and maintenance field. He was on a combat crew there during the Cuban Missile Crisis and also had assignments at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Shaffer served three tours overseas, including three years with the British Royal Air Force in Germany; one year as munitions commander at Korat,Thailand; and three years as director of weapons in central Europe. He and his wife, Carolyn (Shelly ’60) Shaffer adopted two daughters while in the Air Force and their mantra was,“Wherever you are is the best place you have ever been … make the most of it and learn as much as you can while you are there.” – Compiled by Amy Clingensmith ’96

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Spring 2008

Flying High military focusonm

Alumni pilots recount precious time in the sky

By Brian Powell ’03 ach unique story of military pilots and navigators, across decades of individual missions around the world, is bound together by a passion for aviation and value of friendships with former professors, mentors, family and friends. The journey for Joseph Bream ’65 began subsequent to graduation when he departed to attend navigator and bombardier training on the B-52 and FB-111 in Sacramento, Calif.With 26 years of service and Joseph Bream ‘65 more than 126 combat missions, Bream flew missions out of places such as Guam and Okinawa. Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Chile, Bream, however, was no stranger to overseas travel. “I give a lot of credit to Professors (John) Havrilla and (Hans) Sennholz for helping to make me well-rounded,” Bream said.“My father was an accountant and I had a lot of wonderful experiences growing up, but they really piqued my interest in their fields.” Bream spent three years teaching air science at the U.S. Army War College at Fort Leavenworth and four years working in political military affairs for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. He has since earned his CPA, retired from the United States Air Force in 1992 and served as CFO for several non-profit organizations. Bream currently resides with his wife in Port Aransas,Texas, on Mustang Island. For Josh Christy ’03, military service is truly a family affair. Following in the footsteps of Stephen Sullivan ’94, also a fellow alumnus from the ROTC program at Slippery Rock University, Christy now provides leadership as commander of an

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Air Traffic Control company at Fort Drum, N.Y. in the U.S. Army. His wife, Katie (Smith ’04) Christy, leads the Family Readiness Group for his company which provides support while family members are deployed. Josh’s brother, Daniel, is currently stationed at Fort Hood,Texas, and is married to one of Katie’s sorority sisters, Lisa (Pike ’04) Christy. “I tell my men that we’re definitely a team, and that in our business, professional and personal life intermingle sometimes more than we would like,” Christy said. “As long as we rely on each other and stay in the right direction, we’ll be successful and realize our potential as a company.” Christy is trained as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, and he has already flown more than 500 hours as a platoon leader in Iraq. Christy’s formal introduction to the military came through the ROTC program and basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., during his junior and senior years in college. “Each experience in my life from my

upbringing to my time at Grove City College and ROTC to my technical military training has been a building block,” Christy said.“Work ethic and character have been set before I got here, but it has been tested and refined through my military service.” Christy will be deployed again this fall. He continues to lead by example, which has been modeled for him by family, professors and friends. Joe Moran ’63 and Jim Beatty ’63 built upon their Grove City College experiences while being assigned together as Air Force pilots for nine years in the United States, Southeast Asia and Germany. “I am infamous for being shot down on my first mission by a surface-to-air missile,” Moran said.“I was rescued on the same day and flying again on the next.” Moran was awarded a Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross, and Beatty was awarded two Crosses.They were both instructors at Nellis Air Force Base in Las See PILOTS, next page

Josh Christy ‘03 is a trained UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot. / Contributed photo

Capt. Bradley Brandt ’99 embarked upon overseas adventures navigating and piloting advanced aircraft for the Air Force. / Contributed photo

PILOTS from page 36 Vegas, Nev. At the Bitburg Air Base in Germany, Moran and Beatty were reunited with Dick Swope ’64 and Doug Swanson ’64. “There were more guys there from Grove City College than the Air Force Academy at that time,” Moran said. Long before flying the F-4 fighterbomber, the seeds for flying were planted at a young age, when Moran watched F-86 planes flying overhead during the Korean War.These ideas took shape through his experiences with Lt. Col. Rambo and Sennholz at Grove City College. Moran played basketball and soccer and was involved with inter-fraternity council, student government and the Arnold Air Society. “I can still remember traveling as seniors in college to Butler to put hours in on the Piper Cubs,” Moran said. Moran retired from the Air Force in 1983 and worked for a private company contracted to train pilots on the Predator spy plane. Lt. Col. Richard Ciaramella ’87 is currently stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del. Ciaramella has served as a civil engineer and piloted the C-130, C-12

Joe Moran ‘63, second from left, and 1st Lt. Jim Beatty ‘63, third from left, in Bangkok, Thailand, on their way home after completing 100 missions over North Vietnam in the F-4. / Contributed photo

and C-5 aircrafts while stationed in Texas, Oklahoma, Delaware, Germany and Saudi Arabia. “As a child, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot or astronaut,” Ciaramella said. “I specifically selected colleges that had ROTC programs.” Ciaramella was commissioned in 1987 and earned his pilot license in 1991 at Oklahoma Vance Air Force Base. He returned to civil engineering in Delaware because there were too many pilots at that time. Eventually he flew the C-130 in Germany from 1996 to 2000. “I flew low-level extraction missions into Bosnia and Albania,” Ciaramella said.“On one particular mission we flew in at 300 feet to pick up a team in a combat zone.”

Richard Ciaramella ‘87 / Contributed photo

Some of Ciaramella’s highest accomplishments include flying presidential support in South Africa for President Clinton. He has flown more than 40 missions in Iraq and received Aerial Achievement Medals in Bosnia and Iraq. The relationships that he built with friends, professors and coaches such as Jim Longnecker at Grove City College continue to have a lasting impact. Richard See PILOTS, page 38

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military focusonm PILOTS from page 37 and his wife, Kristin (Black ’87), have two children, Ryan and Rachael. Ryan is currently enrolled in Naval ROTC at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Randy Tack ’86 followed a long family history of military service as his father and grandfather served in the Marines and Navy respectively. “Growing up I was watching space flight develop, and I saw the power of aircraft through the closing stages of Vietnam,”Tack said.“I’ve always liked the highperformance vehicles such as F1 racing, aircraft and spacecraft.” Through navigator school, B-52 training, B-1B training and mid-level officer training,Tack was always at the top of his class. He flew the second highest number of sorties in the first Gulf War of any bomber crew, and he was selected to fly the B-1B bomber in many special missions. His first assignment in Michigan was just down the street from Randy ’85 and Jacque (Carey ’86) Beck. Beck was also an Air Force navigator at that time. Tack reflects upon Grove City College as a place that really “walked and talked values, discipline and moral principles and served as a launch point beyond the students’ families to further focus them to a responsible life.” After resigning from the Air Force after 10 years as a commissioned officer,Tack now works as a mechanical engineering group leader for Cummins, Inc. Randy and

Randy Tack ‘86 followed a long family history of military service. / Contributed photo

Patty (Green ’88) Tack live in Sugar Grove, Pa., and have two sons. With the guidance of the late Dr. David McKillop, mentor and professor, and one of his former students, Capt. Bradley Brandt ’99 embarked upon overseas adventures navigating and piloting advanced aircraft for the Air Force. “A lot of friends at Grove City College dreamed of flying when they were younger,” Brandt said.“It occurred to me during my senior year that I didn’t want to sit behind a desk, and flying seemed like a rewarding career.” Brandt earned his private flying license at the Grove City Airport during his senior year in college. After navigator training, he served as a Weapon Systems Officer in the F-15E. Brandt later became a pilot for the

F-15E, flying to places such as Norway, Czech Republic and Israel. “With the F-15E constantly getting new avionics and weapons every year, I’m constantly studying to keep up,” Brandt said. Brandt, who has a newborn baby with his wife, Sofia, says he owes a lot to McKillop, his history professor who spent many times discussing his career options, and Dr. Chuck Kriley ’88, his adviser for men’s rugby. “They were what you hope a mentor would be – honest, involved and cares for your best interests,” Brandt said.“Kriley even visited me while I was in North Carolina for F-15E training and living in the United Kingdom.” (Brian Powell ’03 is a Grove City College development officer.)

Plane at home on campus A fighter airplane on the lawn? Yes, an F-84 fighter-bomber made its home on campus for a number of years. The plane sat on the lawn near Lincoln Hall and the old Memorial Hall. The plane was installed in 1957 and served as a tribute to the Korean War. According to George Hagstrom, former associate professor of aerospace studies, the plane was not used for any official ROTC ceremonies on campus, but it was “more of a monument, a remnant of the Korean War.” Vice President for Operations Tom Gregg ’80 recalls the plane having a full instrumentation panel in the cockpit at one time. The cockpit was sealed during years at the College. The plane remained on campus until 1981. Where the plane went after its departure from campus is a bit of a mystery, but its time at Grove City will remain in many photographs and in the memories of many students.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

A photo in the 1962 yearbook shows ROTC men cleaning the jet trainer while fellow student Mike St. Clair ’62 supervises on the wing. The original Memorial Hall is in the background; Crawford Hall is at right. / Archives

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Danley Brown ‘69, Miff McBride ‘44 stood stormy posts as military meteorologists By Ann-Margaret Lambo Danley Brown ’69 has weathered quite a few storms in his life. Not just in the figurative sense. But in the literal sense, too. The Grove City College mathematics major spent a good part of his professional career as a meteorologist in the U.S. Air Force.Throughout his 23 year career in the armed services, Brown spent time in Thailand, Guam and Germany, and provided weather support for not only his comrades in the Air Force but also fellow soldiers in the U.S. Army as well. “Between my junior and senior year, the Air Force introduced a policy that they were looking for math and physics majors to go into meteorology,” Brown, a resident of St. Louis, explained. “All I had to do was say I might be interested and that was enough – I was tracked right into meteorology. It was a great way to use my math degree and complete my commitment to the Air Force.” After deciding on meteorology, the Air Force sent Brown to The Pennsylvania State University, where he received a second bachelor of science degree in meteorology. Brown not only ended up being a meteorologist but also made a career of being in the Air Force. “Meteorology is critical to the all of the armed forces,” Brown explained. “An airplane doesn’t want to fly in turbulence, the pilot needs to know where and whether he can land.The crew also needs to know temperatures and winds to know which way to take off and how long their take off is going to be.The Army needs to know whether they can take their tanks across a field without getting stuck or whether or not they can use their nightvision goggles. Plus, with all the smart weapons they’re using anymore, they need to know whether they can use them or not.They are all meteorologically affected. Meteorology is a big part of all of this. Just about every major exercise, every major

event that goes on in the military, the weather people are involved in the planning and execution of it.” Brown readily admits that although his job as an Air Force meteorologist was Milford McBride ‘44 interesting, the really exciting part of the gig was flying weather reconnaissance in C-130s.When most people were preparing to get away from major hurricanes or typhoons, Brown and his fellow meteorologists were flying toward them. Actually, he flew right into them. And he volunteered to participate. “There was a whole slew of reasons why I volunteered (for weather reconnaissance) and if I could have, I would have done it my whole career,” Brown explained. “It was fun and different.The reward of doing it is tremendous as well.You know you are helping a lot of people because the information that we provided went to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or the National Hurricane Center; both are the primary sources of information that they used to send out the warnings for the protection of people, places and things.We tried to fly an X across the storm to hit all four quadrants of the storm. It was also part of our job to look out the window of the plane and look at the surface of the ocean and tell them what the wind speed is down on the ground.The greener the ocean, the stronger the wind speed.” Brown continued that flying through the eye wall is a real experience. “You just never know what you’re going to experience (going through the eye wall),” Brown said. “Most of the time, you can hear the torrential downpours beating on the outside of the airplane. Once we were through, we would fly around inside of the eye for a while where

it is calm and very warm. And from the eye, you can look down and see where the storm is the strongest.” It is safe to say that Brown has pretty much seen it all – or at least a lot – in his meteorology career. “(In my career) I was involved in moving Air Weather Service from a pencil-paper-grease pencil era to computer driven support all the way down to the local base weather station,” Brown noted of his career, which started out with ROTC at Grove City. College Trustee Milford McBride ’44 wanted to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Law so badly that he was willing to weather just about anything. So, when the U.S. Air Force offered to send him to meteorology school at New York University – during World War II – he jumped at the chance. “I didn’t want to be drafted so I enlisted in the Air Force in 1943,” McBride explained. “I wanted to be a pilot, but my eyes were bad, so I couldn’t (fly).The Air Force offered to send me to meteorology school at NYU. By going, I also changed my rank from private to lieutenant.” After completing his meteorology and officer training, McBride spent time stateside before landing in Guam for the remainder of the war. During his time in the service, he did find that he liked meteorology but his desire was to go to law school. McBride eventually combined his Grove City College credits with his credits at NYU and received a B.S. in meteorology. That degree, along with “pretty good grades” was one more step in realizing his dream to attend Penn Law School. “I never dreamed I would attend meteorology school or become a meteorologist,” McBride said with a hearty chuckle. (Ann-Margaret Lambo is a freelance writer living in New Castle, Pa.)

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Females in the military step out to contribute to American freedoms T By Rachel (Leonard ’03) Califf heir experiences are vastly different. Their careers are nothing alike.The one constant for these five alumnae is their devotion to and wholehearted recommendation of the military as a career.

Torie (Wuchnick ’84) McGirr “The Air Force is nothing I ever thought I’d do in a million years,” said Lt. Col.Torie (Wuchnick ’84) McGirr. She remembers when a friend’s father, an Air Force officer, suggested it to her. At the time, she was working for a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. “I thought,‘Me? A four year commitment?’” But soon, she was heading for San Antonio,Texas, for officer’s training school.Twenty years later, McGirr retired from the Air Force. “I had a great time in the Air Force,” McGirr said.“I moved all over the world.” During her career in protocol, McGirr has lived in Japan, Korea, Belgium, Boston, Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, Hollywood and Washington, D.C. “If a distinguished visitor, general officer

Lt. Col. Torie (Wuchnick ’84) McGirr has switched from a career in the military to raising three young children. / Contributed photo

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Capt. Sarah (Logan ’99) Micklo in the cockpit of a KC-135R. / Contributed photo

or high-ranking dignitary comes to visit your base, you plan their whole trip, transportation and social events,” McGirr explained.“Everything from the time they land to the time they leave.The challenge is making every event seamless. “Protocol is different all over the world,” she continued.“(Retired Grove City College professor the late) Dr. Hilda Kring used to say,‘Everything is the same but everything is different.’ I took that with me. I think that when you do get to see lots of different parts of the world, you do experience that.” Once, while serving as the aide-de-camp to the secretary of the Air Force, McGirr visited the South Pole. It was her “neatest trip. It was absolutely the most amazing, pristine, beautiful untouched place.” McGirr and her family live in Colorado where her husband, a Navy pilot, is serving in the Reserves. She is a stay-at-home mom to three young children. “It’s exciting to know I’ve done all these

things, but who knows what I’ll end up doing?” McGirr said.“This is what I’m doing for a season, but I don’t know how long it’ll be or where it’ll lead. But that’s OK. It’s better than I ever planned. God’s plan is so much better than our own. “My second career is harder than my first career,” McGirr laughed.“But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Sarah (Logan ’99) Micklo When Capt. Sarah (Logan ’99) Micklo enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1997, it was for the educational benefits. “If you’d have told me that this was what I’d be doing the rest of my life, I’d have laughed,” Micklo said.“I would have laid out my plan for you. And I would have been completely wrong. It was my senior year. I knew was that I was going to be a music teacher. But within a year, I was married and I was going to be a pilot. God gets a kick out of us planning our lives.” See FEMALES, next page

military focusonm FEMALES from page 40 In April 1999, two weeks before her graduation, Micklo’s unit was activated as a result of Operation Allied Force.When her classmates were graduating, Micklo was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Frankfurt, Germany.Though Micklo worked in maintenance, she interacted with pilots in her six-week deployment and knew it was what she wanted to do. After two years of pilot and survival training, and living apart from her new husband, Micklo came back to her reserve unit as a fully qualified pilot. Six years later, Micklo has two sons and has logged more than 1,500 hours working part time for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.Training missions refuel almost everywhere in the United States and real world missions can include supporting the President, protecting the shuttle or refueling aircraft coming back from the desert. Her unit was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom at the beginning of the war and has regular deployments to Turkey, Guam, Germany, Iceland and all over the United States. Micklo expects that her unit will be deployed overseas this fall. She calls it “doing our time in the desert.” Her most memorable moment to date was a deployment to Diego Garcia, one of the British Indian Ocean Territories. “It took three days to get there,” Micklo recalled.“We spent one night in Hawaii, one night in Guam, and the third day we got there.We crossed the international dateline and the equator to get there and to get back. It was the complete other side of the world. It was cool to think that I live in Pittsburgh, but now I’m on the other side of the Earth doing this mission.”

Suellyn Wright (Corson ’73) Novak When her third-grade teacher asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Suellyn Wright (Corson ’73) Novak drew a second lieutenant saluting a major outside a barracks, and told the teacher she wanted to be a full colonel,

Suellyn Wright (Corson ’73) Novak

Beverly (Amity ’83) Thomas spends time with a child in Afghanistan. / Contributed photo

squadron commander in Alaska. “As soon as the Air Force ROTC opened up to women, I was sitting on the doorstep,” Novak said.“That was in 1971.” Now a retired colonel, Novak was the first woman commissioned through the ROTC detachment at Grove City College. Before the end of her career, Novak had been the commander for the Third Medical Support Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, one of only two female full colonels on that base. She retired at Bolling Air Force Base in August of 2003 after more than 32 years. Recalling the most memorable events of her career, Novak noted that she was once shot at while serving orders during a brief stint in personnel. Novak also added,“I had the Mafia after me for the same reason. I was trying to call this Mafia kingpin’s son to active duty. He was shouting at me,‘Do you know who I am?’ At the time, the security police would escort me to and from work for months. I felt pretty safe. I was young and carefree and indestructible.” Novak recalled proudly that “one of the best jobs was when I ran the Air Force blood program worldwide.” At the time, Novak had been reassigned to the Biomedical Services Corps.“It was the most fulfilling job. Even though the Air

Force blood program was the smallest of the blood programs, in the first Gulf War we put more blood on the ground than any of the other services.” In total, they gathered 60,300 units, with every eight donations equaling one gallon. Though she has been retired for nearly five years, Novak keeps busy at her home near Anchorage, Ala. She serves as the president of the Alaska Veterans’ Memorial Museum and 24 other volunteer jobs. “Alaska has more veterans per capita than any other state in the union, but it is the only state without a veterans’ museum,” Novak said.“We are out to get that changed.” “I have no regrets,” Novak said of military career.“It was all I ever wanted to do and I’m one of the few people I know who got to live their dream.”

Beverly (Amity ’83) Thomas Two years ago, Cmdr. Beverly (Amity ’83) Thomas was working as a law firm paralegal in Orlando, Fla., when she was called into active duty service. Now serving her third year as a mobilized reservist,Thomas is an intelligence officer stationed at United States Central Command in Tampa Bay. See FEMALES, page 44

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Married to the Military military focusonm

Wives work at one of the toughest jobs in the world

By Rachel (Leonard ’03) Califf t’s not a position for which you interview in the traditional sense.There are no prerequisites or qualifications. It does not require any particular training.Yet it can turn your family upside down and relocate you to the other end of the world every few years. It involves major sacrifices on occasion and minor sacrifices daily. It can make you a single mother for long stretches of time on a regular basis, or potentially forever. So how do you get tapped for this demanding occupation? You simply fall in love with a military man and you make a life with him, whatever sacrifices that love requires. Deployments can be the most challenging of those sacrifices for a military wife. “When your husband’s deployed,” Kristen (Rizzuti ’02) Dening explained,“you almost feel like a widow to some extent.You go to church by yourself.You go shopping by yourself. Even just walking around the mall, you’re by yourself.You can’t contact him, can’t immediately call him.” Of course, it’s hard to feel like a widow if you’ve barely felt married. Lt.Andrew and Abigail (Russell ’05) Rember married in March of 2007, honeymooned and then boarded separate flights, Andrew to Fort Benning, Ga., and Abigail to White Plains, N.Y. “After the wedding, we were flying back and forth on the weekends,” she good-naturedly remembered.Though they now share a home in Fort Riley, Kan., her husband’s infantry platoon is preparing to deploy to Iraq by August for a year’s tour of duty. Deployments do not often come at convenient times. Cindy (Kun ’92) Tenet remembered her husband, Rob, a lieutenant in the Coast Guard, being deployed to the Persian Gulf more than five years ago when their daughter, Brooke, was just four days old. “He left on Christmas Day,” she added, as an afterthought. For many military wives, separations are routine early in the relationship. Jessica Young ’06 and her fiancé, Sgt.Travis Bruneau, have planned around his National Guard obligations for the duration of their courtship. Reservists like Bruneau, who is with the B-CO 1-112th 28th Infantry Division, are committed to one weekend per month and two weeks during the summer. So planning a wedding just one week after Bruneau’s annual summer training and just a few months before his scheduled active duty deployment overseas is nothing new. “Sometimes it feels like it’s going to be long distance forever, though we know it won’t be,”Young said. Increased opportunities for communicating with deployed soldiers can make that distance seem smaller.This is not the first time that Julie (Downs ’90) Bullard’s husband, SFC Thomas Bullard,

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Abigail (Russell ’05) married Lt. Andrew Rember in 2007. / Contributed photo

currently with the 155th Combat Service Support Battalion, has been deployed to Iraq. One way that she compares his first deployment with the 629th Transportation Unit in 2003 and his current deployment is by the amount of time they are able to speak. “Now, I talk to him at least three or four minutes every day,” Bullard said.“When he was in Iraq the first time, it could be two to three weeks at a time before I heard from him.” That communication can be vital, to both those deployed and those left behind.Tenet remembered that “I really tried to email as much as I could, even though sometimes I’d be nursing the baby and have to type one-handed. But that’s what he looked forward to and there’s not much to look forward to on the ship.” See WIVES, next page

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Laura (Hogue ’00) Fusz and her husband, Capt. Bill Fusz. / Contributed photo

Jessica Young ’06 and her fiancé, Sgt. Travis Bruneau. / Contributed photo

Laura (Hogue ’00) Fusz’s husband, Capt. Bill Fusz, has been deployed to Iraq since June 2007. He is a military intelligence officer with the 3-73 CAV unit with the 82nd Airborne Division. “I feel really blessed because God has used the situation to draw us a lot closer to Him and to each other,” Fusz said.“When you talk, you really feel that you want to talk about things that are important. Not that every conversation has to be a deep and meaningful one. Sometimes you talk about checking accounts or car maintenance. But I feel that we’ve been able to stay connected even though we’re really far apart.” Ease of communication can have its downsides, however. “Violence is so random, it’s hard to know when you need to be worried,” Fusz said. “The biggest concern is always traveling on the roads.Today, I knew he had traveled. I thought I would’ve heard from him by noon, and then one o’clock comes, then two o’clock, then three o’clock, and I’m starting to really panic. I had to really just pray.You need to trust Jesus that things are OK and calm down.And 20 minutes later he called. I just feel like I’m in this constant state of prayer.” Most military families lean on one another during times of deployment. Rember’s role as the wife of a platoon leader means that she is often the go-to person for the families in her husband’s unit, both while they are state-side and during their deployment later this year. Officially, Rember is part of the Family Readiness Group on post, a resource and support system for families dealing with

feel comfortable or confident about telling me what he’s been through over there until he’s certain he’s not going back,” Bullard said. “He doesn’t usually tell me about the risk,”Tenet said of her husband.“Ignorance is bliss.” Dening said that her husband, Capt. Christopher Dening, a protocol officer for the United States Army, Pacific Headquarters, is always reassuring her that everything is going to be okay.“He’s never scared, as far as I can tell,” though Dening recalls an incident where the armored vehicle in which her husband was riding was bombed while they were doing road repairs. In Iraq, Dening was both a platoon leader and a construction officer for the 84th Engineers Combat Heavy Battalion. “But because it was the most heavily armored vehicle in the whole platoon, they survived. He called me a couple of hours later and didn’t even mention it.” Distractions are practically an art form, composed of Family Readiness Groups, continuing education, children, church, Bible studies and working outside the home. Interestingly enough, Bullard’s career is not without risks of its own.As a juvenile probation officer in Pennsylvania, she manages an average caseload of 80 juveniles, is trained in unarmed combat and regularly carries a baton, pepper spray and a firearm. Her husband is proud of what she does, though Bullard notes that “it’s a worry factor for him.” These women are proud of their husbands, too. See WIVES, page 45

Julie (Downs ‘90) Bullard’s husband, Thomas, has been deployed to Iraq. / Contributed photo

deployment. Unofficially, Rember gets calls from young wives in their unit who have never had to pay bills before. “Or they ask where to go to prepare their income taxes or how to get a doctor’s appointment on post,” Rember said. “Separations can be hard on any marriage, but a lot of enlisted soldiers and their wives are only 18 years old and just out of high school.” “When your other half is gone, it gets lonely sometimes,” Fusz said.“As wonderful and helpful as my friends are, you have a loneliness that you feel only your husband can fill for you. It’s not that the days are bad, really, but the moments. He’s not there to hear your silly stories or help you fold laundry.” Sometimes soldiers miss major events as well. Bullard and her husband found out that they were expecting their third child two days before he arrived in Iraq. He came home about one week after his daughter was born. His father also suffered a massive heart attack during that deployment. It took four days to track down SFC Bullard and another 36 hours of travel to say goodbye before his father’s life support was removed. Fear for a spouse’s safety is always foremost, but some choose not to discuss the dangers. Bullard’s husband has not discussed his first deployment with her. “His reasoning is that he’s not going to

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military focusonm FEMALES from page 41 “We collect data, make an assessment and then provide it to our leadership so that they can make a decision about what we need to do,”Thomas explained.“I’m in charge of my own shop. I work with Air Force, Marines, Army and Navy folks. It’s a joint command.” Thomas was also stationed in Afghanistan from November 2006 through March 2007. “You work at least 16 to 18 hours a day and there are no days off,”Thomas said, but, “the cool part is that when we were off duty, many of us volunteered to visit refugee camps. First, after working long shifts, we had sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines, on their own time, sorting through items like clothing, school supplies and shoes donated by great Americans. Then the following day we would travel via convoy to the refugee camps and distribute the needed goods to the refugees. “It was great because when you go out and meet the Afghan people, you understand why we’re there,”Thomas continued.“It was one of the best things I ever did in my life. I met so many servicemen who were on their third or fourth trip and who had volunteered to go back.That’s how much they believed in helping out.The Afghan people touch you. The ones we met were really grateful that we were there.When we leaving, a couple of them had tears in their eyes. “I love the United States,”Thomas said. “I cry when I hear the national anthem and I’m proud to be an American. Some of the

younger people in this country don’t get it sometimes and that’s okay if they don’t get it.That’s why I’m here, so they can do whatever they want.”

Glenora (Ford ’88) Rodford Maj. Glenora “Glennie” (Ford ’88) Rodford enlisted with the Army out of high school and, by October, was learning Russian at the Defense Language Institute. “It was a really great way to see the world, to be able to earn money for college,” Rodford said,“and they dangled that carrot of being able to go to language school and live in California for a year. For an 18-year-old kid from Pennsylvania, that sounded pretty exciting.” During the next four years, before the Berlin Wall came down, when Eastern bloc countries were off limits, Rodford was working as a voice interceptor in the Russian language. “I would listen to Russian military radio transmissions and translate what was going on,” Rodford said.“At that time, one of our greatest enemies was the Soviet Union. Our military forces could listen in on their communications and were able to pick up information about what their intentions were.” Now, 27 years into her military service, Rodford is a personnel policy integrator stationed at the Pentagon, in the section hit by the airplane on 9/11. She is the point of contact for policy issues pertaining to the human resources arena, particularly Reserve Component officer promotions.

Maj. Glenora (Ford ‘88) Rodford. / Contributed photo

“I stay because I feel like it’s my duty to stay,” Rodford said.“If we didn’t have people who stood up and volunteered to do what we do, our country would be in a very bad way.We are so blessed in this country because freedom is not really free. It’s won on the backs of people who are on patrol in Iraq and Afghanistan and on the border in Korea. “With technology, we can no longer be just within our own borders,” Rodford continued.“We’ve got to learn to get along in a world with other people of other religions, backgrounds and ethnicities.The military is one way to contribute and one way to ensure that our lifestyle continues for future generations. “I started out thinking that I was in for four years,” Rodford said.“That was my short-term thought and goal but, once I got here, it got in my blood. My blood’s not red. It’s green now. (Rachel (Leonard ’03) Califf is a freelance writer and military wife stationed at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, Capt. Benjamin Califf ’03.)

Alumna’s Brownie group sells treats for troops By Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Nine girls and 433 boxes of cookies equal a taste of home for military men and women. The third-grade girls in the Brownie troop of Tracy Collar-Mirich ’93 were dedicated to their Girl Scout cookie sales this spring and were able to sell 433 boxes of cookies specifically for men and women in the Armed Forces. The young ladies voted early on to be a part of the national Girl Scouts’ Operation Taste of Home.

See BROWNIES, next page

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Tracy Collar-Mirich ’93 (back) and her Brownie Troop sold more than 400 boxes of Girl Scout cookies this year for troops serving overseas. Her daughter Mikayla is fourth from left. / Contributed photo

military focusonm WIVES from page 43 “The region where my husband is stationed had been forced to live in situations of extreme poverty,” Fusz said. “The Army being there has bolstered that community. Even though it’s difficult for us at times, we know that his work is really important.” One aspect of military life is frequent relocation.Tenet, a self-proclaimed Air Force “brat” whose father was active duty, has moved a total of 17 times. She has enjoyed the opportunity to travel. “I got to see Eastern Europe before communism fell.”Tenet believes she will miss moving around once her husband retires from the Coast Guard, but recognizes how difficult it can be for her children to start new schools and make new friends. “We tell the children that it’s dad’s job and sometimes we have to move even if we don’t want to,”Tenet said.“Kids are pretty resilient.There’s always something to look forward to in the next place.” Military children face the realities of deployment as well. Rember teaches middle school Spanish on post at Fort Riley, Kan. She points out that more than half her students have one parent deployed. “If one parent is deployed and the other works all day, some have to go home and take care of younger siblings,” Rember observed.“They have more responsibilities than most 12-year-olds.” “There are days that I struggle and days that, after the kids have gone to bed, I sit and I cry,” Bullard said.“But that’s just how you have to do it. I don’t want to show them.You’ve got to be strong. It just breaks

BROWNIES from page 44 “The girls worked very hard to help the soldiers,” said Collar-Mirich. “They get so excited about this project.” In addition to cookies, the girls send homemade notes and drawings to the troops saying “We’re thinking of you” and “Thanks for what you do.” The Venetia, Pa., troop is part of Pittsburgh’s Trillium Girl Scout Council. This was the second year in a row that CollarMirich’s troop sold the most cookies in Peters Township for Operation Taste of Home. Last year, they sent 301 boxes.

Kristen (Rizzuti ’02) Dening welcomes husband Chris home from Iraq. / Contributed photo

your heart once in a while.” “Military wives in general are independent tough ladies,” Fusz added,“but it’s nice to know that I’m not alone in thinking about and praying for my husband all the time. Keep him on your prayer list.” “The chief reason we can go through any of this is because we know God is in control,”Young said.“I don’t know if I’d survive this otherwise. It’s scary to be apart, let alone have them involved in a war.” “It’s such a testimony to sacrifice,” Dening said of those willing to risk their lives and of the families who support them.“The wives don’t scream or shout or hold riots or protests.They actually have a really positive opinion of the good things their husbands are doing over there.The people in the military are willing to risk their lives.They signed up to put their life on the line for something great.You don’t hear bitterness from those who have been deployed multiple times.They talk about the positive

things like building schools and giving humanitarian aid.And they are so humble about it.They feel like they were called to serve their country. It’s just amazing.Their wives weep for them every single time and it’s something I don’t think a lot of people really understand. I never understood it before now.” When her children miss their daddy, Bullard reassures them,“It’s ok.You need to miss him and it’s all right to feel that way. He’ll be home as soon as he can.” (Rachel (Leonard ’03) Califf is a freelance writer and military wife stationed at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, Capt. Benjamin Califf ’03.)

Overall, the troop sold 1,885 boxes of cookies this year. While selling the sweet treats, the Brownies ask purchasers if they would be interested in buying cookies for the soldiers. Shipping the cookies and thank-you notes to servicemen and women overseas is handled by the Pittsburgh Council. “Nine-year-old girls are a bunch of giggles,” said Collar-Mirich. “I try to teach the girls how to have fun while helping others at the same time.” The troop also makes homemade valentines for veterans, delivered to the VA Hospital by a troop member’s mother who

works there. “The vets are so happy to receive the valentines. We always get a thank you note back.” Collar-Mirich lives in McMurray, Pa., with her husband, Peter, and daughter Mikayla, a member of her troop. Collar-Mirich started assisting this Brownie Troop in their kindergarten and first grade years and plans to bridge to Girl Scouts with them next year. When asked if the troop plans to sell cookies for the troops again next year, she replies with a definite “oh, yes!” (Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman is the Grove City College communications project coordinator and GeDUNK associate editor.)

Cindy (Kun ’92) Tenet, her husband, Rob, and their kids. / Contributed photo

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Spring 2008

On Call Medical personnel do their part to help in war zones

By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren ost people practicing military medicine can expect relative safety. Even when deployed, they often work in hospitals somewhat removed from the actual war. But at least two Grove City College alumni in medical professions have served closer to the front lines.

Dr. Simeon Ashworth ’98

Dr. Simeon Ashworth ‘98 holds a newborn Iraqi baby named Sihad. / Contributed photo

As part of a striker unit – one of the most aggressive Army units aside from the Green Berets and Special Forces – Dr. Simeon Ashworth ’98 penetrated deep into Iraq. He finished residency in emergency medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis,Wash., in June 2006.Two weeks later, he said goodbye to wife Amy (Powell ’99) Ashworth and got on a plane to Iraq. His unit, working wherever the “hot spots” were, spent time in Mosul, Baghdad, Sadr City and elsewhere during his 14month deployment. “We were there at the worst time of the war since the initial insurgency,” he says. Yet everyday duty wasn’t as adrenalinefed as you might think. He did not care for injured American soldiers; they’re flown directly from the point of injury to fully-equipped hospitals. Ashworth worked out of a tent for a few months, then out of abandoned buildings that the Army had converted into medical clinics. He worked on a Forward Operating Base, so his base was gated and was relatively safe from ground attack, though not from mortars or rockets. Most days, Ashworth took “sick call,” seeing soldiers with sore throats, injuries from playing basketball – run-of-the-mill stuff.

Not that there weren’t some heartpounding days. Most of Ashworth’s trauma cases were Iraqi children. Parents or relatives brought hurt children to the base gates, begging for help. And he flew three times by Blackhawk helicopter to Ibnsina Hospital in Baghdad, where he worked in the Dr. Robert Modrow ‘64 is recognized for his medical service. / Contributed photo emergency room for several-day middle of a soccer game and blew up his stretches.The pace was quicker there; the car, injuring 18 Iraqi children between ages hospital received “mass casualties” – fell 2 and 10. Ashworth helped to care for swoops of wounded people – two to three them. times daily. He took care of Iraqi Army members, One of his first patients at Ibnsina was a Coalition Forces and even Iraqi civilians. medic from his own unit who had been “The great thing is we treated everybody shot by a sniper. Ashworth did CPR, but equally.” the medic died. “I didn’t know him well, but I remember Dr. Robert Modrow ’64 talking with him about his desires and goals Imagine being responsible for hundreds to be a gunner,” Ashworth recalls. of wounded soldiers at a time. Once, a Sunni terrorist drove into the See CALL, next page

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

military focusonm CALL from page 46 As the aeromedical evacuation officer at an Army hospital in Pleiku,Vietnam, Robert Modrow ’64 managed transportation of wounded soldiers to other military hospitals. He saw vast numbers of wounded soldiers pass through his own hospital during his year in Vietnam in 1967 and ’68. Shortly after he arrived in Vietnam, 74 soldiers went through surgery in three days. Several months later, 500 wounded men passed through his hospital in nine days. “I can still remember the sight of an orthopedic surgeon crying,” Modrow says. “He was so exhausted from operating that he no longer trusted his hands.” The Army surgeon general later told Modrow that his unit had handled the largest mass casualty situation in Vietnam. Just before Modrow was due to leave Vietnam, an Army intelligence report predicted an enemy attack that would rip through his hospital on its way to blast a nearby Air Force base. Although medics had little weapons training, Modrow and his coworkers started trading medical supplies for weapons. But eventually they realized that if the hospital were attacked, it would mean that wounded soldiers would arrive, too. Weapons were useless to them; they would all have to drop their defenses to help the wounded. After returning to the U.S., he earned a doctorate from the University of Michigan and became a university professor. He is now retired. To this day,“I find myself missing the people I worked with and being part of a group with selfless devotion to caring for combat casualties,” he says. Not that he’d voluntarily go back to war. But “most of what happens [back at home] seems very superficial,” he says.“You just don’t ever feel as alive again” as when doing something as important as caring for wounded soldiers. (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

Even behind-the-scenes military personnel come to front lines By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren Grove City College has its share of military heroes among its alumni, but many behind-the-scenes personnel are needed to support the heroes. Here are a couple of alumni who have served in more of a supportive capacity, plus one yet to start training: • Lt. Col. (Ret.) Willard Kingsley ’52 was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard while studying chemical engineering at Grove City College. He spent three years working for a large chemical company in Willard Kingsley ‘52 eastern Pennsylvania, then he was shocked to receive a draft notice in the mail in 1955 – his National Guard time wasn’t enough. Not wanting to be in the ground troops, he drove to the Pentagon and got a direct Air Force commission. He stayed in the Air Force for 20 years. He and his wife lived all over the United States and the Pacific. He worked primarily in bioenvironmental engineering, handling industrial health and safety issues.While stationed at Fuchu Air Station in Japan, he and his unit handled all bioenvironmental affairs for Japan, Okinawa and Korea. His base also received wounded military members in transit from Vietnam to the United States. After retiring from the Air Force in 1975, Kingsley worked 17 more years as a civilian chemical engineer. • Dr. Michael Riggall ’00, a pediatrician, probably will never be deployed because of his chosen specialty. He is the only pediatrician stationed at Vandenburg Air Force Base north of Santa Barbara, Calif. A fresh-out-of-residency

Zoe (Wiley ’00) and Dr. Michael Riggall ‘00. / Contributed photo

doctor, he finds his solo status challenging at times. But he’s formed relationships with community doctors who lend their advice, and he likes running his clinic the way he wants. He and his family – wife Zoe (Wiley ’00) Riggall, daughter Eliana, 2, and second child due around press time for this magazine – have the added benefit of watching rockets go off every couple weeks; their base is part of the Air Force Space Command. • David Kuraguntla ’05, at press time for this magazine, was waiting for one last signature before his Air Force scholarship for medical school could be made official. He plans to start medical school this fall at the University of Maryland or West Virginia University after a couple years of doing research in cardiology. He is thinking of pursuing a surgical specialty. Why join the Air Force? “I wanted a chance to give back,” he says, noting his parents immigrated and found many opportunities here – his father did his anesthesiology residency and his mother earned her doctorate in genetics here in the United States. (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Dental Duty military focusonm

Military dentists drill home memorable stories

By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren ou’d think dentistry would be the same anywhere in the world. Then you get orders to do a root canal on a dog, and you realize the military is a whole different story. A number of Grove City College alumni have served as military dentists.They range from Dr. Robert Balserak ’60 and Dr. Larry Kiselica ’71, who served full careers including Vietnam tours, to more recent dental school grads. And they’ve had a lot of wild experiences. Here are a few: • Balserak, now retired from the Army and living in Arizona, once saw a young recruit who had never seen a dentist.The young man sat on Balserak’s stool.When Balserak waved him to the dental chair, he Dr. Robert perched himself on the Balserak ‘60 very edge.Told to lean back, the young man did, but he put his head on the side of the headrest. Finally, told to put his head squarely in the headrest, he got up, lay down on his belly and put his face in it. • As a former Army dentist and medic, Dr. Chris Houser ’93 learned to jump out of planes. • Those doggie root canals? They were performed by former Army dentist Dr. Brian Barnhart ’94. Barnhart says the Army spends $100,000 training a service dog, and if the dog gets a broken tooth, it has to be decommissioned or get a root canal.With that kind of money at stake, dentists roll up their sleeves and get a whiff of dog breath. But weird and exciting experiences aren’t always the order of the day. For Dr. Nathan Carlson ’96, the first six months of a yearlong Iraq tour were downright boring – he

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dr. Brian Barnhart ’94, then-chief of endodontics at Fort Drum, performs a root canal on a military police dog. ‘Occasionally,’ Barnhart says, ‘I would receive these requests from the post veterinarian to do root canals because if a police dog loses one of their canines they are retired from duty.’ / Contributed photo

averaged less than one patient a day. But the almost-daily mortar attacks of his base spiced things up more than he’d have preferred.

Dangers and hardships Most of the men contacted for this story, in fact, had at least some experience with mortar attacks and other dangers. Dr. Sloan McLaughlin ’02 serves on the Sinai Peninsula, keeping watch over the border between Israel and Egypt. Despite tensions in that part of the world, however, McLaughlin says it doesn’t feel dangerous on a daily basis. For Balserak, a 30-year career included only one truly dangerous year – a Vietnam tour. He still chokes up just thinking about leaving his sons, who were 3fi and 2. “Daddy’s going far away, and I won’t see

you for a really long time,” he told them. Later, the older boy said,“Daddy, you don’t have to worry about not seeing me. I’ll get on my tricycle and ride all the way to the end of the street so I can see you.” On Balserak’s first day in Vietnam, fighter jets dropped napalm near the perimeter of his base, and he thought,“I’m going to die, and I’ve only been here for a day.” Later, however, danger once worked to Balserak’s advantage. At a party for his promotion to major, Balserak had just announced,“The bar’s on me,” when the sirens went off and everyone had to hit the bunkers, where they remained until the bar’s closing time – and Balserak’s money remained in his wallet. Kiselica – now a civilian dentist in Butler, Pa., with former Phi Tau brother Dr. See DENTAL, next page

military focusonm DENTAL from page 48 James P.“Kip” Miller ’72 – served as a Navy dentist during both Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. He was department head (one of six to eight commanders over the ship’s 5,000 sailors) on an aircraft carrier that delivered the first air strike on Baghdad in Desert Storm. He also operated on State Department employees wounded in a land mine explosion in Somalia. However, he thinks the “stresses are probably even greater on the family members than on the military member,” noting that when he was gone for three years of a four-year stretch, his wife Kathleen, son David and daughter Jennifer all had medical problems. (Later, David died shortly before completing his senior year at Grove City College in 1999, and the Kiselicas have established a scholarship in his name.) Mrs. Kiselica also made sacrifices in her own career as an occupational therapist, never earning retirement because the family moved 11 times in her husband’s 24-year career. “Without a good marriage to a wonderful wife, it would have been absolutely impossible” to have such a long Navy career, Kiselica says. Carlson also mentions stress on spouses, noting wife Lynn couldn’t get a nursing job during their four years stationed in Germany, and the couple was apart for two of those years because of Carlson’s deployments to Kosovo and Iraq.The Kosovo deployment was better than it sounds, though – it was safe enough to allow him to do humanitarian missions, pulling Kosovars’ teeth. Another hardship of military service: Just when you think you’re done, you find out you’re not. Houser got out of the Army in 2000 but was reactivated from the Reserves in 2003 and sent to Alaska for three months. He had young kids, a civilian dentistry job and a brand new house, and the Army wasn’t paying enough to cover the mortgage. But he’s quick to point out that he had it better than the men he was filling in for – they went to Iraq.

Blessings and benefits These dentists, however, are all quick to cite benefits of their military service. “Every place we went, we had a new family,” Balserak says, noting military members bond quickly because most of them are separated from family by sometimes thousands of miles. And military families wonder whether their children will turn out okay, but Balserak recounts a time when his fears were allayed. The family had just finished three years in Hawaii and had moved to Colorado. Balserak took his two boys skiing, and as they rode the lift together, the younger son said,“It’s really great that you decided to stay in the Army – we have friends all over the place, we just finished surfing for three years in Hawaii, and now here we are skiing.” “I thought,‘Whew, they like it,’” Balserak says. Yes, they did – enough to have military careers of their own.

Dr. Sloan McLaughlin ’02 serves on the Sinai Peninsula, keeping watch over the border between Israel and Egypt. / Contributed photo

Elder son Robert E. Balserak ’85 (see page 15), now a surgeon, is also a commander in the Arizona Air National Guard, and younger son Jim, who designs and tests missiles for Lockheed Martin, is also a National Guard fighter pilot.The Balseraks’ daughter, Susan (Balserak ’92) Northam, is also a Grove City College graduate. Variety is another benefit of military life, Houser says, noting the “daily 9-to-5 grind” of his own dental practice is not as exciting. That variety sometimes includes duties other than dentistry. Houser and McLaughlin trained as triage officers, tasked with coordinating medical care in the event of a mass casualty situation. Barnhart, on a six-month deployment in Saudi Arabia, served as company commander for two months – an unusual assignment for a dentist – and also led nicotine-cessation classes. For McLaughlin, travel is a big benefit. He’s visited the Pyramids, the Sphynx, the Dead Sea and other tourist attractions. The Veterans’ Administration education benefits have helped Carlson, who with his wife is now a student at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. “[The Army] was a very good personal and life experience, especially being attached to a brigade” and deploying with them, Carlson says, admitting he didn’t always think so at the time.“If I’d just been in a clinic, I would have been very insulated from the life of a soldier.” Like some of his colleagues, McLaughlin admits that joining the military at first was a “monetary decision” – just a way to pay for dental school. “Now that I have been in, I really enjoy the Army and have a sense of pride for being in and wearing the uniform.” (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

military focusonm

Class of ‘01 boasts six Air Force physicians

By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren rove City College seems to send an extraordinarily large number of students into military medicine. Take the Class of 2001, for instance. At least a third of that year’s graduates who went on to medical school also signed up for the Air Force. One of them, Dr. Kevin Olson ’01, notes that there are only about 150 to 200 Air Force physicians in any given class year. In his year, six of them – about three or four percent – are from Grove City College alone. “There’s definitely something about Grove City and the military,” Olson says.

All in the family As Olson remembers it, “I probably was the first one talking about” signing up for the Air Force from his premed class, although it was more of an individual than a group decision. For him, the military was a natural choice – his dad was an Army line officer for 30 years. “It was a lifestyle I always knew.” He and classmates Angela (Sabella ’01) Jenny and Natalie (Hecht ’01) Baldauff were sworn in together in March of their senior year. Dr. Matthew McHale ’01, who is featured in another story in this issue, also had family members in the military, so “it seemed like a fairly easy jump,” although he also notes that classmate Jason Higey ’01 (also featured in the story with Dr. McHale) “talked it up” and helped to convince him. “Plus my dad was saying, ‘You should do that.’” “[The Air Force option] was welladvertised in our class,” Jenny says. “We all talked about it.”

Air Force life Now that they’re actually serving, they’re all happy with their choice to join the Air Force – even since Sept. 11, 2001, shook the nation just a few months after

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Natalie (Hecht ‘01) Baldauff nurtures a little one at Dayton Children’s Hospital. / Contributed photo

most of them signed up. “If anything, I thought, ‘Now they’re going to need doctors more than ever,’” Jenny, a family practice resident at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, says. Olson, who ended up at the same residency program with Jenny, says, “You have to mix the good with the bad” when you think about Air Force life. For him, the “good” is the patients – active-duty and retired military men and women who have served their country. “It’s meaningful for me to work with them,” he says. The bad? Deployments, “the way the military uses doctors – those things are more discouraging.” Others echo his sentiments, with multiple people citing heavy deployment schedules and “hoops you have to jump through,” such as reams of military paperwork, as negative aspects of their work. But they can often brush those things aside when they look at the whole picture.

They all say they’re pleased with their training. Most have attended residency programs that are split between military and civilian facilities, giving them a wide variety in patient population – both young military families and the cross-section seen more typically at civilian hospitals. McHale, for instance, is in a combined general surgery residency program between Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base,Texas, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.The university connection makes it possible for him to do two years of research in the middle of his residency. Starting this summer, he’ll research blood vessel and skeletal muscle regeneration. But Air Force life has also given some of these doctors opportunities to do things they couldn’t have done in civilian medicine. McHale says working in the burn unit at nearby Brooke Army Medical Center, where he rotates as part of his residency program, has been “one of the toughest things I’ve done,” but also one of See CLASS OF ‘01, next page

military focusonm CLASS OF ‘01 from page 50 the best. “Seeing the soldiers coming back who have been burned and getting to serve them and take care of them is a unique experience you don’t get anywhere but in the military.” Because all of these doctors are still in training, they have yet to experience full military life, including deployment and frequent moves. But they all say they don’t regret their choice to join.

Reasons for joining So why did they – and so many students from other years – join the military? Most of these six doctors say it’s because the College and the military attract a similar type of person. People who are “driven” and who are “okay with rules” are found in both places, Jenny notes, and several others added that the military also seems to have an unusually large number of Christians. All six doctors cited fiscal responsibility as probably the prime reason they joined the military – they didn’t want to end up with a load of debt from medical school. And the College, as a private school with a tuition bill comparable to public schools, tends to attract budget-minded people as well. “Most people who go to medical school got into the ‘better’ schools,” Olson says.That includes himself – he was accepted at the University of Virginia, Georgetown and William and Mary, but he chose Grove City. “I liked the school, I wanted a Christian education, but I also liked the price tag. I didn’t want to start off my career with a lot of debt” – a concern that attracted him to both Grove City and the Air Force, which foots the entire bill for medical school as well as giving the student a stipend during those years. “Of course, I married into $200,000 worth of debt, but she’s all worth it,” Olson says, laughing, with wife Dr.Thuy Lan Olson, a fellow family practice resident, listening in. “A lot of people go into certain specialties because they’re more lucrative,” Baldauff, a pediatrics resident at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, notes. “I didn’t want to be in a position where I had to do that [to pay off debt]. I wanted to do something because I loved it.” For her and a few of the other doctors, an “adventurous spirit” made the Air Force a good move also. “I think it would be fun to go overseas for a couple years,” says Dr. Jill (Kasper ’01) Roth, an obstetrics and gynecology resident at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “We’re game to go anywhere,” she says of herself and husband Chris, a chef. But they’re not going anywhere yet – she still has another year of residency. Baldauff and husband Kenneth Baldauff ’01, a mechanical engineer, will move to Guam this summer. Jenny, who roomed with Baldauff in medical school, leaves for Turkey this summer with husband Seth, a teacher and coach. Both doctors volunteered for these slots – they wanted a chance to travel. In

Angela (Sabella ‘01) Jenny and Kevin Olson ‘01 were sworn into the Air Force together with classmate Natalie (Hecht ‘01) Baldauff. / Contributed photo

fact, the Jennys volunteered for Turkey in part because it’s only a two-year commitment, giving them to opportunity to move again and see another place before their four-year commitment is up. The Baldauffs are excited about Guam, which Dr. Baldauff describes as “smaller than the township we live in now,” yet conveniently located for traveling to Japan and China. Guam has “a lot of different cultures” represented among the population, including Filipino and Japanese, so they’ll get the cross-cultural experience they wanted.Yet Guam is also known as “America in the South Pacific” – Baldauff says it boasts the world’s largest KMart. She’ll be the only pediatrician on the base. Other reasons these doctors cited for joining the Air Force include that branch’s reputation for being family-friendly, the guaranteed job after residency and especially the opportunity for service to the country. But there was a more basic reason, too. “To be honest, I think it’s because we had such an active recruiter,” Roth says. She checked into the other military branches, but only the Air Force recruiter “made it seem like they really wanted us.” For Higey, an internal medicine resident at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, a big attraction to the Air Force was that it allowed him to have a family while he was in medical school; he didn’t have to wait because of financial pressure. He and wife Jill (Pendergast ’01) Higey, have two children, ages 3 and 2, with a third on the way. Any more reasons for joining the Air Force? “My wife’s telling me to say patriotism,” Higey says, laughing. But he means it. “It’s kind of cool when the patient you’re getting called on in the middle of the night is a World War II veteran. It gives you a different perspective.” (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

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Spring 2008

Texas Tour military focusonm

Contingent of military docs serves in San Antonio

By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren ilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio,Texas, could have its own chapter of the Grove City College Alumni Association right in the physicians’ lounge. Six alumni are now doctors at the Air Force hospital, with a seventh just across town at the Army hospital, Brooke Army Medical Center.Air Force and Army doctors rotate through both hospitals, so all seven alumni share stomping grounds, though some see each other more than others. Who’d have thought Grove City College would become a pipeline to San Antonio? Certainly not Drs. David Rice ’96 and Luke Arnholt ’98, the first alumni on the scene. Shortly after they arrived in San Antonio in 2003 – Rice for a pulmonology/critical care fellowship and Arnholt for an ear, nose and throat residency – the College parade started. Joshua Sill ’98 and Jason Higey ’01 arrived for month-long rotations in Rice’s department – Sill as a resident, Higey as a medical student. One day, Rice asked Sill where he’d gone to undergraduate school. “I went to a small Christian college in Pennsylvania – you’ve probably never heard of it,” Sill replied. Oh, yes, he had. As the years went by, other alumni came on board. Sill was once Higey’s student mentor through Orientation Board at Grove City College; now they’re together again. Sill is a pulmonology/critical care fellow, and Higey (see page 53) is an internal medicine resident. Dr.Temple Ratcliffe ’99 (see page 53) is an internist at Wilford Hall. Dr. Matthew McHale ’01 is a general surgery resident in a combined program at Wilford Hall and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr.Andrew Brackbill ’02, an Army doctor, is an internal medicine resident at nearby Brooke Army Medical Center. Even the higher-ups are shocked by the number of Grove City College alumni. Higey says Wilford Hall’s internal medicine program director is “wondering what’s in the water at Grove City.” And if this weren’t all coincidence enough, all six Air Force doctors married fellow Grovers, so there are multiple strands of connection between them, with some of the wives also knowing each other from undergraduate days.The wives are Kimberly (Deitrich ’00) Arnholt, Michelle (Morrone ’96) Rice, Jill (Pendergast ’01) Higey, Lindsay (Oram ’99) Ratcliffe, Julie (Porter ’98) Sill and Julie (Porter ’02) McHale.Yes, that’s right – two of the doctors even married women with precisely the same maiden names! Not that these alumni just relive college together.They all say they don’t see as much of one another as they’d like.They’re busy – most of them have young kids, and some are residents with the

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dr. Joshua Sill ‘98 takes a flight in conjunction with the aerospace medicine course in San Antonio. / Contributed photo

attendant long hours and hectic schedules. Several, however, say they still appreciate Grove City College and how well it prepared them for medical school. “The anatomy class there made my anatomy class in med school look like a joke,” McHale says. Attending medical school Dr. Joshua Sill ‘98 celebrates his residency alongside some Ivy Leaguers, graduation with wife Julie (Porter ‘98) Sill, Higey “never felt less Brett and Kiley. / Contributed photo prepared than any of them.” In a small-group situation early in medical school, Sill says his classmates were so impressed with his level of knowledge that they said,“Where did you go to school again? We have to send our kids there.” “There’s a culture at Grove City – you don’t stop studying until the work is done,” Rice adds.“It doesn’t matter if you have to sacrifice the dance or the basketball game.” That, he says, is great preparation for medical school. “But above and beyond that, I met the Lord [at Grove City College], and I met my wife there.” See TEXAS, next page

military focusonm

Two doctors deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq

By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren r.Temple Ratcliffe ’99 served a relatively uneventful six-month deployment in Iraq – until his thirdto-last day. He and a fellow doctor had just finished their out-processing paperwork and were on their way to the gym, looking forward to flying home soon, when the base was mortared. Ratcliffe’s friend, walking right next to him, got hit. Keeping cool heads,“both he and I resorted to our most basic level of training,” and Ratcliffe ran to a nearby guard station to summon help and then applied pressure to the wound until medics arrived. Thankfully, the other doctor was expected to make a complete recovery. But the close call left Ratcliffe “badly shaken up for a couple of days,” with ringing in his ears for a day and a half and a sense of constant vigilance. Returning to work the next morning and spending a night on call actually helped him to feel more like himself. The level of danger was probably the same during his entire six months in Iraq, but those final three days felt the most dangerous. “It’s amazing how a personal experience can change your perception of danger.” An internist at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Ratcliffe served in Iraq from September 2007 to March 2008. As an intensive care unit physician on deployment, he cared for American and Coalition troops as well as Iraqi civilians caught in the crossfire, noting that “anyone who came through our doors was treated the same,” with interpreters on hand for Iraqi patients. He actually spent the most time treating

TEXAS from page 52 And although these men and their families don’t see each other often aside from meeting in the hospital hallways, they enjoy their Grove City connection. Brackbill, at the Army hospital, is somewhat more isolated from the others;

Iraqis; wounded Americans often spent only 24 hours in his hospital before they were flown out to better-equipped hospitals, usually at an American base in Germany. Dr. David Rice ’96, a coworker of Ratcliffe at Wilford Hall, served an earlier deployment – from April to September 2007 – flying those wounded soldiers between hospitals. He spent two months in Afghanistan and three in Iraq. In Iraq, he flew patients out of the same hospital where Ratcliffe later served on the staff. As a critical care air transport team leader, he headed a three-person team of a doctor, nurse and respiratory therapist. They basically turned a cargo plane into a flying intensive care unit. They usually transported about 20 “walking wounded” soldiers and two or three critical patients per flight.Those critical patients were often on ventilators after life-saving surgeries for injuries of the head, abdomen or limbs. Rice’s team flew a total of 30 such missions, each of which was a 40-hour undertaking. But as hard as those missions were, Rice says Hurricane Katrina was even worse. He served on a team flown from Wilford

Hall Medical Center to New Orleans immediately after the hurricane. His team reached New Orleans before the airport even had power. Wounded people were transported to the airport, which became the city’s de facto hospital. Rice spent the first 14 hours just doing triage on “about a thousand patients strewn all over the floor.” He had nothing with which to diagnose other than vital signs and whatever the patients or their family members could tell him. The situation was so bad that at times, he had to bypass patients who were so badly wounded he didn’t think they’d make it anyway. “It didn’t take long for the family members to realize what the guy in the flight suit was doing” – determining levels of care for each patient – “and they were crying and begging.” Equally bad was the fact that he had to load patients onto planes and leave family members standing there – there wasn’t room to take them along. He couldn’t even tell those family members where the patients were going; he didn’t know himself until the plane was in the air. Hospitals around the South – in Georgia, Texas, Louisiana and other places – took Katrina patients. “It was a harrowing experience,” he says. But it left him appreciating the abilities of military medicine in wartime. Even at war, wounded patients don’t get overlooked the way the near-death patients were during Katrina, he says. “Regardless of the condition of the soldier, no one is denied anything but the most aggressive life-saving surgery.” (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

he sees only Sill, who has an office at his hospital. But some couples even stayed with other alumni when they were househunting before moving to San Antonio, and others had newcomer alumni over for dinner. “It’s sort of scary when you go

somewhere and you don’t know anyone,” Higey says. “But as soon as we moved in, Dave and his wife called, and I knew Josh would be here.” Ratcliffe adds, “It’s great to have that sense of community.” (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

Dr. Temple Ratcliffe ‘99

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Road to Recovery military focusonm

Franklin, Yeung help wounded at Walter Reed

By Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren any military members have returned from war missing limbs, suffering traumatic brain injuries and breathing only with the help of ventilators. Two alumnae – Dr. Allison Franklin ’99, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, and Jennifer (Caye ’95) Yeung, a physical therapist – have helped wounded veterans to recover at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the busiest military hospital for such injuries. Franklin, director of the blast injury rehabilitation team, describes the medical team’s mission as “taking patients from the point where they are hurt and most vulnerable to reintegrating them into society – getting them as functional as they can be and also helping them to be happy with what they can do.” “The heartbreaking stories are the ones who will never recover much,” says Yeung, who worked at Walter Reed and National Naval Medical Center, also in Washington, D.C., for about a year and a half in 2006 and 2007. But both women have been amazed at the number of patients – most of them, Franklin says – who have gone on to lead productive lives again. When Franklin entered her specialty, she never expected to see what she’s seen. Most people in her specialty see patients only after all their surgeries are done. She was expecting to help people rehab after things like hip and knee replacements. Instead, she’s seeing people as they get off the plane on ventilators, with multiple surgeries still ahead of them. One of her first patients was a young woman who was so badly injured that Franklin could only stand at her bedside and think, “This is not what I signed up for.” She asked another member of the team, “Are you sure she’s not supposed to be in the ICU?” But that same patient recently came back to visit Franklin. “She’s living completely independently, she’s doing things she thinks are fun” – she’s put her life back together. “The most heartbreaking thing,” Franklin admits, “is that no one ever gets back to what they once were.” Her job is to help them find their abilities and create a different life that can still be satisfying. It’s a long process;Yeung and Franklin have gotten to know their patients well because they spend many months in the hospital. At first, the goal is just to get them sitting up for the first time, and then standing. Yeung recalls several young couples she knew. In many cases,

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Jennifer (Caye ’95) Yeung, center, stands with President George W. Bush and a Purple Heart recipient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. / Contributed photo

brain injuries prevented the men from even recognizing their wives at first. As the months went on, they remembered their wives and then learned to stand. At that first instance of standing again, “I would tell them, ‘You can give your wife a real hug now,’ and these women could finally be held as a wife after months” of sitting at their husbands’ bedsides, she says. She also recalls seeing many moms “watching their sons learn to walk the second time around.” Besides the families,Yeung got to know the military members themselves once they were able to talk again.They slowly opened up to her about their experiences at war. The “emotional and spiritual injuries” often were worse than the physical injuries, she says, noting some patients had relatively small injuries such as broken legs, yet they had to grapple with the fact that they were the only men to get out of their humvees alive. Franklin appreciates the opportunity to help patients not only physically but emotionally. She helps them make decisions for the future: If they can go back to work, do they want to return to military service? Or do they want to go back to school or get a different job? See RECOVERY, next page

military focusonm

‘99 grad uses psychology degree to help troops in Iraq

By Beth Mohr ’06 apt. Mike Bowen ’99 leads a life motivated by the desire to serve others. An Air Force psychiatrist serving in Iraq, Bowen hardly needs to offer any other proof of this fact.The desire itself surfaced much earlier, in Bowen’s years as a Grover. Bowen entered Grove City College knowing he was headed for the field of medicine. “It just seemed to fit since I wanted to do something to serve people and I love the sciences,” he recalls. A molecular biology major, Bowen also found time for involvement in the Beta Beta Beta fraternity and several other activities which gave him service opportunities. Among these were Homecoming Committee and New Life. Bowen says his time at Grove City “helped to solidify my desire to serve others through medicine” and also taught him about perseverance, both of which were advantages he would need in the years ahead. After graduating, Bowen attended Penn State College of Medicine, where his

desire to serve focused itself towards the field of psychiatry. Besides being of the most interest to Bowen, the specialty was appealing because it was relationship-oriented. “I found myself wanting to help others with Mike Bowen ‘99 their mental and emotional problems as well as their physical problems,” he says. “I also found I had the best opportunity to get to know a person and really understand the things that they struggle with in psychiatry.” Bowen’s decision to enter the military coincided with his decision to go to medical school. After graduating from medical school in 2003, he completed his residency near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he is now stationed when not overseas. Bowen’s current assignment in Iraq is to a medical clinic that serves a military base of 10,000, built at the site of the ruins of the ancient city of Ur. Bowen sees

members of all branches of the military, as well as some coalition forces and civilian contractors. He cites the difficulties of multiple deployments away from family, as well as combat stress and sleep problems, as the most common complaints he treats. “Fighting in a war is something that we weren’t created to do on a regular basis,” he states. “It is unfortunately necessary sometimes, and my coworkers and I try to help service members deal with it the best that they can.” Bowen, despite missing his wife, Sara, reports that he is proud to be a part of the efforts at rebuilding the country. Bowen’s time in Iraq began in December 2007 and will probably continue until sometime in June. He will return home to Sara, a graduate of Juniata College who, in the same month, will finish her residency in the field of pediatrics. Shortly afterward, Bowen anticipates reassignment to Travis AFB in California. (Beth Mohr ’06 graduated with an English degree and is living in Grove City.)

RECOVERY from page 54

“The cool thing about this job is that you’re with people when they’re at a really bad point in their life, and later they visit or e-mail and tell you things are good.” Yeung also appreciated visits from Dr. Allison patients who recovered. Franklin ‘99 “They would come back dressed in their military uniforms, pushing strollers and walking with their wives. It was amazing to see them” and remember them on ventilators, she says. (She can recall only two patients on her unit who were women wounded at war.) What often amazed her most, she says, was the officers who woke from sedation immediately after surgery and wanted to

know where “their guys” were and who was taking care of them – they cared more for their men than for themselves. And she recalls that the patients “truly were a band of brothers.” Anytime she worked in the gym helping patients, if a new patient came in and tried to walk for the first time, “everybody was cheering him on.” She recalls one particularly moving instance when a young, injured medic entered the gym for a physical therapy session for amputees. Everyone in that room,Yeung says, was probably saved and gotten off the battlefield alive by a medic. “When they found out he was a medic, they all stood up and applauded.They all knew what a hero he was.” (Rebecca (Beinlich ’95) Sodergren is a Pittsburgh freelance writer.)

She evens helps them set new goals, perhaps to return to doing something they did before or to learn something new. One of her favorite parts of her job is taking patients on recreational therapy trips. She has gone on ski trips, but there have also been fishing trips, hunting trips, and Smithsonian Museum and White House tours. “Some people adapt really well and think it’s really cool to still be able to do things they used to do,” she says. And after the trips, she sees a big change in therapy sessions at the hospital gym. Patients work harder because they have hope that they’ll be able to lead fulfilling lives again. Franklin’s grandparents were both in the Army medical corps, so joining the Army made sense for her.

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

military focusonm

World War II survivor still holds great faith

By Ann-Margaret Lambo t has been said that many a soldier has found religion in the depths of a foxhole. Young Armand J. DeBellis ’49, known as A.J., took religion – and prayer – with him into not only foxholes but also the mountains of northern Italy during World War II. Much like his life before and after his experiences in the war, prayer and an intense faith were familiar territory. DeBellis, who today is 84, graduated from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh and began his post-graduate studies at Grove City College in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Reserve Corp in October of that same year and was called to active duty soon after.A commander in the 335th Tank Destroyer Battalion, DeBellis eventually was sent to infantry training where he earned the rank of sergeant.When that training was complete, DeBellis’ combat infantry squad was sent to Italy as replacements for the 34th Infantry Division. Not only did they see intense action as American forces fought to liberate Europe, the young soldiers also found themselves in the midst of the worst Apennine winter in decades.The fighting, along with the ferocious weather, made for

many opportunities to pray for safety, protection and deliverance. One of DeBellis’ most vivid memories of the war was when his squad was under intense fire and a fellow soldier named Chico demanded that someone, anyone, pray. DeBellis said he could pray, but suggested that Chico say the Lord’s Prayer. It was a prayer that Chico admitted he did not know. “I remember this episode as though it was yesterday,” DeBellis noted with a chuckle.“I couldn’t believe that someone didn’t even know the Lord’s Prayer.That was amazing to me.And I told him,‘Chico you gotta be kidding.’And he answered me that he wasn’t kidding so if I knew how to pray just do it.” So DeBellis did pray for Chico and himself and the other men he was fighting with.And it came naturally and flowed because that was how he was raised – with great faith.That faith and belief in prayer has guided DeBellis through life’s ups and downs. “My experience as an infantry sergeant in World War II strengthened my faith,” noted DeBellis in a sermon he presented to the congregation at his church.“Although there

Armand J. ‘A.J.’ DeBellis ’49

were other soldiers with me in combat, those I depended on for support, I was (basically) alone.Alone with my thoughts and prayers.Through prayer I found that the Lord was with me. I silently repeated the words of one of my favorite hymns – ‘O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee.’ He was and is my shepherd.” DeBellis, who did not speak of his World War II experiences for many years, readily admits that he began his service to this country as a kid. He, like many young men of his generation, were caught up in the patriotic fervor following Pearl Harbor.The situations in which he found himself in the countryside of northern Italy not only forced him to grow up fast, but also shored up his faith. “When we veterans came back to Grove City, everybody had been into some kind of a fracas,” DeBellis said.“Very few of us talked about it.There were things that See WWII, next page

Son remembers father’s contributions to WWII By Amy Clingensmith ’96 Robert McGowan ’73 has made a new set of friends over the past few years. Sure, they are a little older and perhaps a little wiser, but they provide an invaluable link to his father. Sgt. Robert W. McGowan was a freshman at Grove City in 1941. He packed his bag on Dec. 7, hitchhiked to Meridian, Pa., and enlisted in the Marines. Thus began the elder McGowan’s military

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

career. He served 36 months mostly in the Panama Canal Zone. He was severely wounded on May 14, 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II.The 82-day battle was the bloodiest of that area, with 250,000 dead on all sides – more than Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. McGowan was discharged in early 1945, a sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 29th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division.

His battalion saw 969 casualties out of 1,000 men. After Robert Sr. died in 1999, Robert reached out to some of his remaining friends from the military and have become close with them. He often meets them for their monthly Breakfast Club in Norristown, Pa. (Amy Clingensmith ’96 is the Grove City College senior director of communications and GeDUNK managing editor.)

military focusonm

Going Green

By Ann-Margaret Lambo ichard Shertzer ‘71 was green before livin’ green was in. And not just because that was the color of his uniform. The retired lieutenant colonel spent his career protecting the health of soldiers – and the environments in which they served. Shertzer, who has worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection since 1974, began his vocation as an environmental science officer with the 28th Division, Medical Battalion, of the Army National Guard from 1978 to 1997. In that capacity, Shertzer, along with four enlisted men, were charged with protecting the health of the 18,000 or so troops in the 28th Division. Shertzer and his men would inspect facilities that the troops would use during active duty – including eating facilities, gymnasiums, swimming pools and barber shops.They would check microwave radiation, air quality and other industrial hygiene-related functions on the outside and fire extinguishers and the condition of the furnace on the inside. Shertzer was required to follow whatever environmental regulations were applicable in the state where the troops were training. “We were kind of a mobile field laboratory,” noted Shertzer, who also has a

WWII from page 56 happened that were very sad and very upsetting and we didn’t want to resurrect bad memories.There were a lot of lifechanging experiences.” “I never found myself saying ‘save me Lord,’” DeBellis added, who was wounded in combat.“And believe me, we were all scared all the time. If anything, I was guilty of doing what most people do – praying under duress. I always asked for the Lord to protect me.And He did.” DeBellis continued,“(My time in World

Shertzer ‘71 protected environments for soldiers

master’s degree in biology from Slippery Rock University.“It was one of those jobs that if you did it right, nobody cared. But if something went wrong, look out.” Toward the end of his career as the environmental science officer, the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., created environmental sections nationwide, for each state. Shertzer

applied for the job – and got it. “I was fortunate enough to come in at the very beginning of a brand new program,” Shertzer said. “We were responsible at that point that all Army National Guard activity in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was operating in compliance the state, local and federal environmental requirements. So, all the stuff that went on at your local armory, Monday through Friday – between drills, between those weekends every month – had to be conducted in a way that complied with environmental laws and regulations.” Before retiring from the service in 2006, Shertzer also worked to oversee the development of an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, for planned Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard facility construction. An EIS is required of all federal facilities under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act. It is designed to quantify and minimize the environmental impacts of planned construction activities.The EIS that Shertzer worked on considered 42 different projects. Shertzer and his wife, Nancy (Frank ’71) Shertzer, have two children and a grandson. (Ann-Margaret Lambo is a freelance writer living in New Castle, Pa.)

War II) was a time in my life unequal to any except for when I married my wife and when my daughters were born.” He received the Bronze Star for his heroic actions in battle in northern Italy in 1945 as a sergeant with Company B, 135th Regiment, 34th Division, 5th Army. DeBellis finally received the honor – and the Bronze Star – at a ceremony in 1998, some 53 years after he was nominated for it. The Bronze Star recognizes heroic or meritorious achievement in connection with operations against an opposing armed force.

DeBellis was the first director of economic development for the city of Virginia Beach. He retired from that position after 20 years and remained active as an economic development consultant to various municipalities. He is an elder at Providence Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach and is currently working on his World War II memoirs. DeBellis and his wife, Sally, have two daughters, Margaret and Barbara.Two sons-in-law and two grandsons complete the DeBellis family. (Ann-Margaret Lambo is a freelance writer living in New Castle, Pa.)

Lt. Col. Rick Shertzer ’71 and wife Nancy (Frank ’71) Shertzer celebrate his retirement from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard after 35 years of service. / Contributed photo

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Between the Lines military focusonm

Alumni in media report on wartime news, stories

By Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw hen one thinks of media and the military, images come to mind of generals holding press briefings or network correspondents trying to get the “real story” from between the lines. Military media work is often much more – something both Larry Griswold ’69 and Robert Bronson ’67 experienced firsthand. Griswold learned the delicate balancing act of candor and discretion early.“I was the media officer and spokesman for a large base in New England during the 1973 ArabIsraeli War. Israeli planes came in and out of our base on supply runs. I’d often get surprise visits from the media, but couldn’t confirm or Larry Griswold ‘69 deny anything.After the war, a tough old newspaper editor who didn’t particularly like the Air Force wrote an editorial about me entitled,‘The Man Did His Job Well.’ He wrote,‘they never met anyone who could say “no comment” in more ways than Capt. Larry Griswold – the harder he was pushed, the more polite he became.’ I still have a copy of that somewhere.” Griswold, who graduated with a degree in marketing and sales, was required, as were all male students in the mid-60s, to take two years of Air Force ROTC.“There was no military history in my immediate family, but when we picked up our uniforms at the old Ketler gym, the officer watched me put on a hat and said ‘You’ve worn one of those before.’ I obviously had not – but took it as a sign of things to come. “The ROTC detachment was in the basement of Carnegie Library,” he added.“I do remember Lt. Col. Reuben Ware, Maj. William Richardson and Capt. Fred Marcks. Richardson made us laugh a lot but Marcks could be stern and pretty scary. But they

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

were all good men.” Griswold was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1969 and requested assignment on either coast.“I was hoping to see the world – or at least the United States – and ended up being sent to Headquarters Strategic Air Command near Omaha, Neb. My first job was publications editor, so I went from editing ‘The Collegian’ in 1968 to editing emergency war orders in just a little more than a year.” Leaving active duty in 1974, he became an area admissions liaison officer for the Air Force Academy. In 1991, he served as commander in northern New Jersey for two years, after which he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Upon retirement from active duty in 1997, Griswold continued to represent admissions at the Academy and marks his 25th anniversary in May 2008. In 1978, Griswold left active duty and moved to publishing and sales with a 19year career at “Sports Illustrated” magazine. “I believe one of the main reasons I did well in sales was due to my military training. I was always courteous, clear and to the point without wasting time. I loved reading ‘Sports Illustrated,’ but had no idea I would ever get to work there, let alone end up with the Army, Navy and Marine Corps as advertising clients!” Griswold is enjoying more time with wife Barbara (Tune ’70) Griswold and his son, Ross, who recently began teaching and coaching lacrosse in New York.“Thanks to my son, I’ve become passionate about the sport. I became a high school lacrosse official last year – possibly the oldest rookie ref in the country! I’m also doing volunteer work for the Irish Lacrosse Foundation.” Bronson worked a more vocal aspect of military media machine.Also a marketing major, Bronson contributed to campus communications through the airwaves at WSAJ. He also served as president of the campus radio club and worked part time as newscaster, deejay and sometimes even as

janitor at WEDA-FM, a commercial station located on Broad Street downtown. Drafted into the Army in May 1968, Bronson traveled to northern Thailand as part of a supply battalion facilitating the Army Special Forces on the Laotian Border. During that assignment, he also found himself on several Robert Bronson ‘67 temporary duty forays to South Vietnam.“It was not heavy combat,” he said,“but I was fired upon a few times – which was pretty scary.” Answering an ad in the internal Army newsletter, Bronson applied for a job at the all-Air Force Armed Forces Radio station located at U-Tapao Air Force Base in southern Thailand.A Bangkok plane ride and an interview later, he was behind a microphone again.“It was great duty,” Bronson said,“even when an explosion knocked me out of my chair and put the station off-air one Friday. I thought we were under guerrilla attack and – grabbing a rifle – crawled out the door to see what had happened.As it turned out, a fully loaded B52 bomber had crashed and exploded on take-off about 300 yards from the station.” Unlike Robin Williams’ portrayal in the hit movie,“Good Morning,Vietnam,” Bronson was not simply a radio personality with a lot of air time to fill.“That movie really allowed Williams to basically play himself ” he said.“It took a lot of liberties – let’s just say that.The duties of an AFRN announcer was limited not only to doing the live deejay programs but also doing the boring stuff like playing transcribed programming, of which there was a lot. ” Some of the other duties Bronson performed were anything but boring, however.“I did a weekly sportscast on TV at U Tapao and did some personality See MEDIA, next page

military focusonm READINESS from page 21 American Embassy in the Philippines to plan disaster relief. Schnee received several decorations for his part in Operation Fiery Vigil, including the Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation and the Humanitarian Service Medal. In assignments that followed, Schnee continued to impress his superiors and rise through the ranks. He maintains that only opportunity set him apart.“I was fortunate enough to get opportunities to excel,” he says. By Sept. 11, 2001, Schnee was serving as chief of the Air Force Operational Readiness Division and an Air Force Crisis Action Team (AF CAT) “Team Chief ” working at the Pentagon. He regularly prepared Congressional Readiness Testimonies on the status of the United States Air Force to do its mission. And readiness was put to the test that day. “I was sitting in a staff meeting when we heard the big bang,” Schnee says.“Someone came in and said,‘We just got hit.’” Did chaos follow? No.“People did what they were trained to do.” Security personnel stood in the corridors directing traffic. Pararescue folks grabbed their medical kits and headed for the crash site. Schnee returned to his division to check on his team. Discovering they were safe, he sent them home. He would later hear their stories of eight-hour traffic backups, and a six-monthpregnant major who walked four hours home rather than driving. Meanwhile, Schnee reported to the Air Force Operations Center to see where he could lend a hand. He worked for about three hours, until smoke began to trickle down to his location. Schnee then flew directly to Bowling AFB, east of the Potomac, where he and the on-site Wing Commander established the alternate command center to which the Center relocated. “People say ‘I led the evacuation,’” Schnee explains,“but it was more ‘relocating a command center’ than just getting people out.” Schnee emphasizes the teamwork within the Pentagon.“No one does anything single-handedly.” After leaving Washington, D.C., in August 2002, Schnee’s assignments took him to Turkey, working with NATO; and then to Germany for nearly three years, helping transition the Rhein-Main Air Base to German control. His final role was chief of safety, Twelfth Air Force, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Retired with the rank of colonel in September 2007, Schnee “painted the house, played golf… and then I got bored and went back as a civilian.”

MEDIA from page 58 interviews as well.The best one was Morey Amsterdam, who was Buddy Sorrell on the old Dick Van Dyke show. He came to do a series of USO shows and was a riot – I was laughing so hard I could hardly conduct the interview!” Definitely a highlight was his backstage visit at one of Bob Hope’s many overseas Christmas shows.“Bob Hope was as warm

Thomas Schnee ‘79 poses with the A-10 Thunderbolt II he flew on his first operational mission out of Bentwaters, England, in 1991. / Contributed photo

He is now the Deputy Chief of the Operational Planning Division for 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), responsible for planning the deployment, sustainment and redeployment of the full spectrum of Air Force assets in support of air and space operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. But whatever experiences have come since, Schnee hasn’t forgotten the details and emotions of Sept. 11, 2001.“I remember calling my wife at home to tell her everyone was okay, while in the background she could hear alarms and the voice warning ‘Fire’… disbelief that it happened – very surreal. And I remember my mother and father telling me all of the friends, family and neighbors, from many years gone by, who called to see if I was okay. It’s very humbling, even today.”

(Meghan (Price ’03) Blosser is a freelance writer living in Massachusetts.)

and funny in person as onscreen – a really gracious guy. Film star Ann-Margaret was equally wonderful.” Bronson recalled. Of actress/singer Connie Stevens, however, his memories were a bit more mixed.“She was having a bit of a tantrum, as I recall. ... Hope looked at me, rolled his eyes and winked while trying to soothe her. In her defense, when it came time for her entrance, she came out, did a bang-up show and signed autographs for the servicemen

for hours!” Upon his return to the U.S. after he completed his service, Bronson returned to his marketing roots and currently works in sales for Chaperral Steel near Chicago. He lives in Aurora, Ill., where he and wife Jane celebrated their 37th anniversary with sons Andrew and Robert III. (Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw is the Grove City College assistant director of alumni relations.) – DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

Remembering Vietnam military focusonm

Alumni tell stores of war in own words

By Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw ore than three decades have passed since the fall of Saigon and the end of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Grove City College alumni were in this conflict. Many returned home. Many didn’t. As Roger Towle ’68 observed,“Regardless of what you may believe about the war, you can’t forget that 58,192 people went to Vietnam because our country asked them to … and never came back.” These are the first-hand stories from some of our surviving Vietnam veterans – each his own words.

received a call on behalf of a son of a deceased veteran … and got that preverbal chill.The caller confirmed that this was George Perry’s son.To this day I reflect on the joy I have with my family that was denied George.War takes a terrible toll on friends and family that lasts a lifetime and beyond. It’s said that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom … it doesn’t make it easier.”

Dennis Larry ‘65

Robert Cetola ‘61

Robert Cetola ’61 retired a brigadier general from the U.S.Air Force and recently from his parallel career with Lockheed Martin. He served active duty as a fighter pilot throughout Vietnam as well as in Turkey and Italy for nuclear alert. He and wife, Georgianna, have two sons, five grandchildren, and live in Williamsburg,Va. “I was assigned to the 1st/327th battalion in the 101st Airborne with the Army. It’s tough to ask about the war. Folks die.We were young. George Perry was a fellow lieutenant and good friend – we shared pictures of our newborn sons – George had shipped out before his was born. I made it back and not long after received a letter that he’d been killed – never having held his son. Fast forward 18 years – I was a Reservist helping kids apply to the Air Force Academy. I

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dennis Larry ’65 served in the Air Force from 1966-71 and was discharged a captain. He currently practices law in Pensacola, Fla., where he lives with his wife, Barbara.The couple has two grown children. “I was a munitions officer stationed for a year at Bien Hoa, 17 miles from the Cambodian border – not “at the front” like an Army platoon leader. In May 1970, we began flying (unauthorized by Congress) bombing missions into Cambodia to interrupt the Viet Cong weapons supply lines.This escalation into Cambodia prompted the Kent State riots.Years later, I visited the Vietnam Memorial and found the name of my roommate and fraternity brother, Dennis Montague ’64, who was killed serving as a riverboat captain in 1968. I was tearfully reminded of the painful loss in war – right or wrong, popular or not. John Sinclair ’66 served in the Air Force from 1968-71. He currently resides in Virginia and is the father of two. “In 1968, body count was the yardstick of success or failure in Vietnam.A good friend and I

enlisted ... and I took the test for pilot school, figuring that – with 13 months plus of pilot school and training – this “undeclared war” might just be over. I was assigned to an SAC B-52 which had been converted to drop conventional weapons as well as nuclear. On April 17, 1969, my good friend Vince Willet got shot down.The next two years were hell – and a lesson in life. I’ll never be sure how or why I survived, but I give lots of credit to my Delta Iota Kappa brothers and Dr. Fred Kring for their tolerance of a rebel.” Douglas Bashline ’70 served in Vietnam with the Air Force after his graduation. He works for US Airways and lives in Grove City with his wife, Lucia.They have three grown children. “The North Vietnamese strove to occupy Kontum City and that airfield.To re-supply and deal with mounting refugee numbers the C130-E Hercules team was called in to land under cover of darkness.We would open the troop doors and have guys armed with flare guns to divert the path of SA 7 shoulder launch missiles – which might follow the flare – not the aircraft. Charley positioned to shoot streams of tracers at us – pretty scary. Outside of that battle, I was most emotionally moved by the plight of the helpless and distraught refugees.They were frail, filthy, poorly clothed, exhausted, screaming for lost loved ones and terrified during the airlifts. It was horrible.War is horrible.” Getty George III ’61 retired as a lieutenant colonel in October 1981 after 20 years in the Air Force.The parents of three children and eight grandchildren, George and his wife, Lori, live in Riverside, Calif. “I worked as a contract auditor at aircraft repair plants in Japan. My most difficult experience in the war was losing a good friend from high school who visited me at Tachikawa Air Base on his way to assignment in Vietnam. Lori and I often reflect on the sacrifice of all the lives lost ... the price of freedom. See VIETNAM, next page

military focusonm VIETNAM from page 60 William Rosquist ’68 served in Vietnam as an Air Force pilot. Retired from a career with United Airlines, he and his wife, Elaine, have two grown children and reside in Loveland, Colo. “I was enrolled in the Air Force ROTC, and upon graduation was off to the pilot training base in Valdosta, Ga. I ended up providing close air support to CIA trained Hmong guerrillas in northern Laos in their fight against the Pathet Lao Communists. I came back to an instructor pilot position at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. I finished out my military adventures flying for the Air Defense Command and stayed in Colorado. I count my blessings every day.” Lloyd Fred Yetka ’65 served in the Army during the war. He and wife Carol have three children and live in Westlake, Ohio, where Fred works as a management consultant. “Many grads I knew went into other branches of the service. I served as an army officer with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, experienced the Tet Offensive (the turning point of the war) and received several citations. At one point, I reported directly to Gen.William R. Peers, who later was responsible for conducting the investigation of the My Lai incident.” Kenneth Richards Jr. ’72 also served in the Army during Vietnam. Along with wife Mary Jane (Headings ’70) Richards, he has two children and two grand-children.They live in New Castle, Pa., where Ken works in insurance. “I was on my way to Vietnam in September 1968. On May 12, 1969, we were called into a major firefight with the North Vietnamese. I received four gunshot wounds – through the arm, hip and both my legs – the worst day of my life. After recuperating, I finished out my two year commitment at Fort Knox, Ky., where I found that if I went back to college, I could get a 90-day early release. I applied to Grove City College for the 1970 spring semester and met Mary Jane, dated, became engaged and was married. If I hadn’t been wounded, I wouldn’t have wound up at Ft. Knox, applied to Grove City or met Janie – which also made May 12th the best day of my life.”

Lawrence Buzard ’66 served a year with the Army in Vietnam from 1969-70. He resides in Canton, Ohio, and is retired from the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. “I attended graduate school at Georgetown University. I was drafted into the Army in August of 1968 and did basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. I served overseas as a “grunt” – infantry, First Calvary Division. I have two bronze stars … the first few months in ‘Nam we saw almost daily action in fire fights. I was fortunate to come home in good shape. Roger Towle ’68 served in the Army from 1968-70 and spent just shy of one year in Vietnam.Towle serves as vice president for financial affairs at his alma mater and lives in Grove City with wife Deborah.They have Roger Towle ‘68 one daughter, Jocelyn (Towle ’00) Keck. “Vietnam – my first memory is of the plane transporting me and 200 other soldiers to Bien Hoa.About an hour before we landed, people looking out windows saw what appeared to be lightning. Everyone became deadly quiet because we all realized that it wasn’t lightning – we were in a war zone. One of my clearest memories was when I drove with a new exec to Ton Se Nut Air Base outside Saigon to pick up a member of our unit. On the return we found ourselves driving after dark – a very dangerous situation. About halfway back – we had a tire blowout – and no jack.Two of us stood back of the jeep and tried unsuccessfully to lift it enough to slide the spare on. Suddenly, we heard the sound of M-16 and AK-47 gunfire.We looked at each other and grabbed that bumper and lifted – it is incredible what fear and adrenaline can do!” Robert Parise ’61, a retired brigadier general with the Air Force and Pennsylvania National Guard, had a distinguished military career of active and reserve duty spanning more than 29 years. Married to wife Rita since 1964, they make their home in Hampshire, Ill., and have three sons and six grandchildren.

“On one of my assignments, I taught English in the evenings to the Vietnamese military police. I developed friendships, especially with a man named Tran Ngoc Son or “QC Son” (QC being the equivalent of M.P.) Prior to my leaving Robert Parise ‘61 Vietnam, Son told me of his dream to become a pilot and asked if he could visit me if he came stateside. In 1970, I received a collect call from Son, who was completing his basic flight training in Texas.When he transferred to an Air Force Base near Columbus, Ohio, I brought him home to meet my family.We kept in touch via letters and I learned from another call that, after the fall of Saigon, Son and his wife had escaped under fire from Tan Son Njut Air Base by commandeering an A-37 fighter. Son asked me if I would sponsor them in this country. Of course I said yes! I was able to find a rent-free home and secure full time employment for Son at Rockwell International. Son and Hai, his wife, had a baby daughter and we remained close for two years.A better job took them to Houston,Texas, and – sadly – we again lost touch. I tried with no success to find them.We often think of them and wonder how they are.” Richard Manley ’67 served in 1969 as a first lieutenant with the Army in Vietnam, field artillery, working as a forward observer for the Infantry. He and his wife Jeri live in West Chester, Pa., and have three children. “My job was primarily humping through the jungle with infantry grunts in the mountains around Pleiku and An Khe, shooting in artillery fire when required – which was often! Our job had a 85 percent casualty rate – 8.5 out of 10 were wounded or ‘greased.’ It still touches painful memories that are difficult to share. My roommate and closest Epsilon Pi fraternity brother Ed Strausbaugh ’67 and I used to write each other when we were ‘in country’ He was a swift boat officer and we’d tease each other as to who had the tougher job. But to this day, we have never sat down in all the years since and talked about those times.” (Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw is the Grove City College assistant director of alumni relations.)

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Spring 2008

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Milliken ’67 thanks coach, track for saving leg

By Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw ames Milliken ’67 excelled at running at Grove City College.That was the most important factor in his survival when he served in Vietnam in 1969. As a freshman, Milliken ran track for Coach Jim Longnecker, who put him into hard training that combined sprints, distance running and weight training. Sometimes, he said, he felt like throwing in the towel but didn’t out of fear of disappointing his coach. “Coach Longnecker was more than a coach to all of us. He was like a father who cared about not just our abilities on the team but also our abilities for our future lives.” Milliken started out finishing last in races, but with Longnecker’s guidance, he lettered three years straight in track and maintained strong grades.“No doubt about it,” he observed,“I was in the best physical and mentally disciplined shape of my life under Coach’s program.” After graduation and not wanting to wait to be drafted, Milliken enlisted in the Army and found himself at Fort Dix along with his best friend,Tim Firestone ’67. After completing their basic training, both ended up in the 3rd Platoon headed for Vietnam.

James Longnecker, left, and James Milliken ‘67

The platoon saw frequent action in the first six months.They were in or near the front lines most days, and the terrain they covered was a stifling humid mixture of swamp, rice patties and jungle. On May 12, 1969,“Milkman,” as his buddies called him, and his platoon were in helicopters to assist a unit under attack.The helicopters flew into extreme gunfire to drop the battalion to the ground below. Milliken and fellow soldiers crawled through water, muck and decaying underbrush to rescue 13 troops. The heat was oppressive and Milliken was overcome and collapsed. He realized then that he’d been hit in both legs – one wound so severe it had blown away bone

and left a hole through his thigh. Amazingly, his platoon mates got him off the field, into a helicopter and back to the field hospital, where the chances of losing his leg were very real. “The doctors told me that by right I should have lost my leg,” Milliken said.“But they said that my legs were in such good physical condition, I was somehow able to heal this horrific injury.” His training under Longnecker combined with self-designed exercise Milliken did daily in his bed were the keys to recovery. Six months in the hospital, several surgeries and much painful rehab later, Milliken walked out on both legs. Forty years later, Milliken had the opportunity to thank the man who had not only influenced him as a student but also indirectly saved his life. Standing proudly beside Longnecker at the Class of ’67’s 40th reunion, he told the tale of a coach determined to bring excellence to every athlete and the infantry soldier who was saved by that determination and training. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. (Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw is the Grove City College assistant director of alumni relations.)

Returning vets from Korea credited with Gedunk name By Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Members of the Grove City College community share a certain vernacular regarding places on campus – MAP, MEP, HAL and TLC, for example. Another popular term is Gee, short for Gedunk.The history of that unique name can be traced back to Grove City College’s Korean War veteran alumni. The Gedunk (pronounced with a hard “G” – GEE-dunk) has been the name for the campus’ fountain room/social spot since the early 1950s.The room came into existence in 1953 with the construction of the Recreation Building/Alumni Hall.The fountain room in the new building was unnamed, but not for long. According to Robert Anderson ’57, “almost a third of the males in my freshman class of 1953 were Korean War vets. … The

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

vets introduced many slang terms on campus during that era and one of them was to name the coffee shop in the recreation building the Gedunk.The slang term ‘took’ and has ‘stuck’ ever since that time.” The term, more specific to Navy veterans, refers to the place aboard ship where snacks can be purchased, or to the actual snack items themselves. The Grove City Gedunk has become part of the College’s heritage. Said Vice President for Advancement Jeff Prokovich ’89,“for most of us, the Gee was a place to meet friends, catch up on the day’s events, chat with a favorite faculty member, order fries and cheese, or relax with a significant other.” The name “Gedunk” has been so unique to Grove City College through the years

that it was the word chosen as the title of the re-designed alumni magazine in 2004. The ‘Dunk’ was capitalized on The GeDUNK magazine as a stylistic item.The magazine’s goal is to provide readers with an opportunity to catch up on news of the College and classmates, just as if they were sitting in the actual Gedunk. The Gedunk was moved to a new location in 2004 with the construction of the new Student Union. In the new building, the famous social spot is still close to mailboxes and the bookstore. Numerous fixtures from the old Gee were saved and moved to other locations on campus. Yet many things remain the same. As the saying still goes,“see you at the Gee.” (Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman is the Grove City College communications project coordinator and GeDUNK associate editor.)

All in a Day’s Work military focusonm

Army employees, contractors do their part for troops’ safety By Anna (VanSlembrouck ’01) Swartz t’s not hard to find job satisfaction, knowing that what you do on a daily basis protects the lives of U.S. troops around the world. Such is the case for those who work directly with a branch of the military or for a company that supports them.

Michael Foley ’00 An internship as an undergrad confirmed for Michael Foley ’00 that his applied physics degree and math minor would not land him in his dream job.This led him to pursuing a master’s degree in materials science and engineering and into a job he loves – with the Army. Foley works for the Army at the Tank and Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren, Mich. After more than two years on the Materials and Environment team, he switched to the Countermine/Route Clearance team as a systems engineer for mine protected vehicles. The vehicle is designed to protect soldiers from mine blasts and IEDs as they clear supply routes of explosive hazards. “My responsibilities are the technical management of the vehicle from initial concept through procurement, testing/verification, manufacturing and sustainment,” says Foley. “I like to know that what I do matters, and it makes me do the best I can in my job,” Foley says.

Bonnie Marsh Shumar ’74 When Bonnie Marsh Shumar ’74 graduated from Grove City in the mid-70s, women often fell into a few niche careers such as secretaries, nurses and teachers. But Shumar – who worked secretarial jobs as a student for “Kelly Girls” in downtown Pittsburgh companies – observed managers at work and said to herself,“I can do that.” Two days after graduating from Grove City College, Shumar began work with the Westinghouse Plant Apparatus Division (WPAD) in procurement for the naval aircraft carriers. Most recently, she has worked for the sixth largest government contractor in the world – L-3 Communications – in the Brashear division. She was a manager of contracts/subcontracts for weapon fire control systems and aircraft tracking systems for military applications. Shumar moved from Brashear to Westinghouse Nuclear on April 1 as a contracts manager. Her most interesting military-related project with Brashear? “Miniaturizing a fire control system to make it light enough and small enough to carry into battle,” she says.“The basic philosophy is large enough for naval ships.The system has to track night and day to identify and target the enemy.That’s been the biggest challenge.”

Michael Foley ‘00 works as an engineer on vehicles similar to the one pictured above. / Contributed photo

“I feel proud that I’ve had a very small part in helping protect the members of the military,” she says.

Josh Moore ’04 In working for the Army, Josh Moore knew that working outside of the United States was a possibility. So when an opportunity arose, Moore seized it.“I have no regrets so far,” he says. His work involves supporting a prototype sensor system that is currently being fielded by his organization. Moore says he has gained a greater understanding of how the military functions in an operational environment. “This experience has opened my eyes a bit wider to the sacrifice and struggles that our soldiers face each day,” he says. (Anna (VanSlembrouk ’01) Swartz works in communications in Michigan.)

Mullen returns to campus Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen returns to campus this fall as the Pew Memorial Lecturer. Mullen is the 17th chairman and had previously served as the Navy’s chief of naval operations from 2005-07. His other assignments include being the commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples and the Adm. Mike Mullen vice chief of naval operations. He was the College’s Commencement speaker in May 2006. The date of the fall 2008 Pew Memorial Lecture is yet to be determined. Watch www.gcc.edu for further details.

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Spring 2008

Learning the Hard Way military focusonm

Matt Schiavone ’09 finds direction in Army, returns to Grove City

By Rebecca Miller ’04 att Schiavone ’09 will look you in the eye and tell you he’s made mistakes – but he’s learned from them, and he has the U.S. Army to thank. Five years ago, the Jamestown, N.Y., native came to Grove City College as a freshman, but soon began drinking and skipping classes. After two semesters, his GPA dangerously low, he knew he couldn’t stay. He called a U.S. Army recruiter to enlist. He took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and scored high enough to choose explosive ordnance disposal, a program that trains soldiers to locate, identify and get rid of a variety of explosives, including chemical, biological and nuclear. Schiavone may have lacked discipline at Grove City, but the crucible of basic training proved to be just what he needed. He discovered something else, too. Recruits were allowed three personal items: stationery, regimental medallion and a Bible. Although he had never read it with any regularity before, Schiavone turned to the Word. “Reading the Bible in basic training showed me how timeless and applicable its lessons are,” he said. After graduating from basic training in March 2005, he began the explosive ordnance disposal training. He spent 10 weeks at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., before going to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for several more months of training. Schiavone was in class from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. He made good use of study time before classes; there were tests every week. Anything below an 85 percent was a failing grade, and failing twice disqualified trainees from finishing the program. It seemed Schiavone had found his niche. He had a job to do and was doing it well. But two weeks before his training ended, he had an asthma attack.The medical exams that followed showed that his childhood ailment had returned. He would have to leave the Army. Schiavone wasted no time in calling the College about reenrolling, despite the fact that he was giving up the scholarship money available because of his honorable discharge for medical disability. He resubmitted his application, with a letter promising to work hard if he was accepted.Within two weeks, he was enrolled. He returned in the fall of 2006 as a communication studies major and earned a 3.0 GPA his first semester. The change was immediately apparent to Patricia (Armstrong ’75) Tinkey, associate professor of Spanish. She had Schiavone for beginning Spanish when he was a freshman – he had dropped out.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

U.S. Army training taught Matt Schiavone ’09 the focus and discipline he needs to finish his degree at Grove City College. / Contributed photo.

When he returned, he purposely enrolled in her class again. “Knowing Matt before and knowing him now, it’s like night and day,”Tinkey said. “You can tell that Christ has made an impact on him.” Schiavone had a new focus. He realized he had a unique opportunity to be a freshman resident adviser. “I had fallen really far off the track when I was here before,” he said.“I’d never wish it upon anybody to follow in my footsteps.” Tinkey agreed to write a recommendation for him.“I saw him come back with a compassion that I had not seen in him before,” she said.“He really embraces this idea of mentoring other young men very readily.” After a year as freshman resident adviser, Schiavone will spend his senior year as an upperclassman resident adviser. He has followed his mother, Susan (Towne ’75) Schiavone, and sister, Karen Schiavone ’04, in attending Grove City.When he graduates, he plans to go into the public relations or journalism field and marry his high school sweetheart, Parris Pintagro ’09. (Rebecca Miller ’04 is the Grove City College communications associate.)

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Students interview war veterans during documentary film courses S By Darin Miller ’09 tudents in Guest Lecturer in Communication Studies Lisa Cantini-Seguin’s Audio Production and Documentary Film courses are required to conduct an interview for the class final projects. Last semester, Seguin decided to make the project something meaningful – with a wonderful outcome. Seguin first heard about the Veterans History Project – an undertaking of the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center – on National Public Radio over the summer. “It sounded really interesting,” Seguin said. “[W]hat they were doing was getting regular people around the country to go and interview vets in their neighborhood … about their experiences of serving in the war, and then the idea was you send a recording to the Library of Congress and they digitize it.” After hearing about the project and discussing it with Dr. Daniel Brown, chair of the department of communication studies, she decided to have her Audio Production and Documentary Film classes work on the projects. The hardest part of the project was finding veterans who were willing to participate. Initially Seguin contacted the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post, hoping that she could find a number of veterans to interview. She found only one. “Richard Young called me back,” Seguin said. “He was basically the only one who would speak with us and he agreed to do an interview.” At the beginning of the semester, Seguin still had not found enough veterans to participate. “When school started, I started asking different people if they could think of any

vets,” Seguin said, “and then I thought of Dr. [Earl] Tilford.” Tilford agreed to be interviewed, and gave Seguin the names of fellow faculty members Dr. James Dupree and Dr. Bruce Ketler ’71 as other veterans she could contact.These three, along with Young, were the interviewees for the Documentary Film class. For the Audio Production class, Seguin’s husband participated, as well as several individuals that the students were able to find on their own. Seguin also found a pilot with the help of Jane Birch, author of “They Flew Proud.” In teams, the students from both classes conducted a total of 11 interviews. “I was real pleased with the way it turned out,” Seguin said. “I felt really good because the students were so excited about it. … I think when you get excited about the project you’re doing, you learn more when you’re doing it.” Senior Shannon Park’s group interviewed Ketler. “The interview was a good learning experience for setting up camera shots, angles and microphone equipment,” Park said. “Dr. Ketler would take our questions and run with them, which was great because it gave us a lot of good sound bites to work with when it came time to edit the piece.” “[The veterans] were thrilled,” Seguin said of the final products. “Mr.Young told

Most people think that the Vietnam War was hell on earth. ... it most certainly was, but there was hope in the midst of chaos. – BRIAN SCHULTZ ’10

me … that it was the most wonderful tribute that anyone had ever done to him in his life.”Young told her he put the DVD in his safe so that he would have it to show his children and his grandchildren. Sophomore Brian Schultz conducted an audio interview with senior RJ Fryan for the Audio Production class. He interviewed his high school Bible history teacher, pastor Michael Charles of Portersville Bible Church in Portersville, Pa. Charles served in the Army during the Vietnam War. “Most people think that the Vietnam War was hell on earth,” Schultz said. “According to Pastor Charles, it most certainly was, but there was hope in the midst of chaos, [and] Michael Charles’ story tells this.” “I think [all the students] learned something through the interviews, whether it was about … war or it was about the heroism that those guys lived through,” Seguin said. “I think they were very moved that people that could have been their fathers, grandfathers – they put their lives on the line for American freedom.” (Darin Miller ’09 is a communication studies major from Line Lexington, Pa., and an intern in the Communications Office.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

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ROTC created fond memories for hundreds he Reserve Officers’Training Corps was a part of Grove City College life from 1919-89. Designed as a college elective at institutions all over the United States, ROTC is an officer commissioning program that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning and professional ethics. At the height of enrollment in the Air Force ROTC unit on campus, Anne (Harker ’60) Dayton reports that Grove City College “was one of the top schools (including the military schools) in the country to commission Air Force officers.” According to the College history book “’Mid the Pines,” Grove City had a military department from the 1890s to about 1911. Dayton’s grandfather, Alva J. Calderwood ’96 was pictured in his uniform around 1894. Calderwood was never in active duty, but served on the Mercer County Draft Board for years. Dayton adds that Calderwood’s son, John ’38, was a Naval officer on a ship hit by Japanese fire and suicide pilots in the Pacific. Countless Grove City College alumni got their military start at the ROTC program at Grove City. Here are just a few of their memories:

Barbara (Tregembo ’61) Bauer My husband and I consider our years at Grove City College and the following 10 years of his military service to be the most remarkable period of change, growth and development in our lives. Don graduated in 1960 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was an outstanding Air Force ROTC cadet while in school, thus he received a regular commission as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force upon graduation. I was only a junior at the time of his graduation, but recognizing the separation that his Air Force duties would create, we decided to marry and live the adventure together. In the next 10 years we moved 14 times, had four children, and had travels and remarkable experiences that formed the

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

foundation for our lives. His tour in the Air Force included duty stations in Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Alabama and California, together with foreign duty in England and the Far East. After 10 years of military service, Don resigned his commission in the Air Force for a civilian career in aviation. He joined the Cessna Aircraft Company for 20 wonderful years, followed by another 10 years with Learjet Corporation. Now retired, we live in Dublin, Ohio, where three of our four married children and nine of our 14 grandchildren reside. In reflecting back on his career, Don has frequently mentioned how none of it would have been possible without our years at Grove City College and the many doors that were opened by his military service.

assignment was to report to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., to work in the Comptroller Directorate.Two years later, I was reassigned to Omaha, Neb. Assignments followed to Turkey, Montana and Grissom Air Force Base, Ind. With the cutbacks in the post-Vietnam era, I left active duty and joined the Air Force Reserves. At the same time, I entered Federal Civil Service with the Department of Defense. After several years in Indiana, I relocated to south Mississippi to work for the Department of the Navy. I also changed reserve positions and joined the Selective Service Unit in New Orleans, La. I retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1992 at the rank of lieutenant colonel and retired from Federal Civil Service in 1998. My entire federal career, both military and civilian, was spent working for the Department of Defense.

Daughn Brumbaugh ’56

Naomi (Eshelman ‘91) Nolte

My career began upon graduation from the Air Force ROTC program at Grove City College. Upon completing pilot training, my wife, Betty (Nicholas ’56) pinned the wings on my uniform. I served the active U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves as an aircraft commander flying numerous aircrafts engaged in airlift and air drop missions. My most memorable experiences were in support of the famous 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky., involving paratroop air delivery and resupply missions. During my 28-year Air Force career, I accumulated over 4,000 flying hours on missions to five continents as well as in all 50 states. I enjoyed being the wing flying safety officer and squadron commander. It was a privilege to serve our country and the United States Air Force, both active and active reserve, for 28 years. It was truly an enriching experience and made possible by Grove City College.

Naomi writes that her husband, Bill Nolte ’89 was in the last ROTC class to graduate at the College. Bill is now a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and has served his country faithfully.

John Covode III ’64 I completed all requirements with the Air Force ROTC Detachment 745 and, along with 40-plus other graduates, was commissioned as a second lieutenant. My first active-duty

Dan Rennard ’68 My military experience began with ROTC at Grove City College. Although ROTC was mandatory, I chose to volunteer for the Drill Team and became a member of the Mitchell Air Society and the Rifle Team.We had a great time at parades, competition and visiting the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Williamsburg. Little did I know at the time that this training would come in handy in the real world, and to this day I thank Dave Standish and Sonny Grupp for instilling in me the discipline I needed to survive in the Army. I was drafted on Nov. 7, 1968, and while in basic training at Fort Gordon, I was made squad leader. I then went with what Uncle Sam thought was best for me and ended up at Fort Sill, Okla., in field artillery. In April 1969, I was shipped to sunny Southeast Asia and was assigned to a unit in the New See ROTC, next page

military focusonm ROTC from page 66 Hampshire National Guard. A massive ground attack was the subject of an article in the October 2006 issue of VIETNAM Magazine. As a response to the article, I had a letter published in the October 2007 issue. After becoming a section chief, I got married and headed back to Fort Sill, where I became the driver for the battery commander. I volunteered for the Post Flag Detail, and spent my last month raising and lowering the flag each day. I also was on the Honor Guard, and we did several military funerals. My experiences at Grove City College carried me through my military experience and beyond. My Drill Team discipline paid off in the Army, and I even bought my own Springfield ’03!

Charles J. “Jim” Seltzer ’68 Seltzer went on from his ROTC training at Grove City to be a captain in the Air Force, serving from 1969-73. He attended flight school at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala., and was a pilot-aircraft commander of the C-141 Starlifter. He was stationed at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, Calif., as part of the 14th and 53rd Military Airlift Wings and served in Vietnam, receiving an air medal with two oak leaf clusters for combat air operations. After Vietnam, Seltzer was the supervisor of flying at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, in the summer of 1973. Seltzer reports that he had a “hairy” flying experience en route from Southeast Asia to the Philippines. He published the story, titled “Clear and a Million,” originally written as correspondence between a friend of his who was an Annapolis graduate.

John Vierthaler ’63 Vierthaler lived with a fellow ’63 ROTC graduate, Jim Moore, on the same floor of Lincoln Hall. Jim was a great guy, as kind as could be, a real gentleman. Jim was quiet but extremely intelligent. Jim was sent to Vietnam as a pilot. For my four years I was assigned to bases in Harrisburg, Pa., and Atlanta, Ga. I’m so sorry

The F-84 airplane is installed on campus in 1957. / Archives

to have to say that Jim’s aircraft was shot down in Vietnam while on a combat mission. Jim did not survive the crash. Jim Moore is an absolute hero.Today’s war in Iraq is no different and the solders that go there are absolute heroes, just like Jim. My hope for Grove City College is that we can provide a way for the students to become great leaders, men and women who are independent thinkers and who can see past flagwaving and self-serving rhetoric.

Dave Weingartner ’63 I was in the Air Force ROTC at Grove City and was scheduled to be commissioned as a second lieutenant prior to my graduation commencement the morning of June 8, 1963. The night before graduation, some of my Beta fraternity brothers were celebrating the next day’s festivities at Rudy’s. (Some of the brothers were Jay Schroeder ’63, Don Cook ’63, Harry Thomas ’63 and Jack Seelhorst ’63.) As the night wore on, Rudy himself joined in on the festivities and broke out the champagne in appreciation for all the business we gave him

during the past year. I woke up the next morning in my apartment on Sunset Avenue and, to my dismay, I realized that I had slept through the commissioning ceremony that was held in an office in the rec building. I hurriedly shaved and got into my uniform and drove to campus. It was a humbling and disappointing experience to see all of my fellow ROTC buddies with their shiny new gold 2nd Lt. bars on. I sheepishly found the Air Force officers who conducted the commissioning ceremonies and somehow convinced them that I was worthy of being commissioned, too.After my fair share of chastisement, tsk tsk tsking and lecturing, they finally agreed to give me my own ‘private’ commissioning. To this day I am truly appreciative of these officers for giving me a second chance.As I proudly wore the uniform of an Air Force Officer for the next 28 years, I often thought back to that June morning in 1963 when I was given my second chance and always tried to conduct myself in a way that was worthy of their trust in me. – Compiled by Amy Clingensmith ’96

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

ROTC

inretrospectRROTC

From 1919 to 1989, ROTC on the Grove City College campus helped transform thousands of young men into capable leaders

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

inretrospectRROTC

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: The 1978 ROTC Fall Ball had a theme of ‘Moonlight Serenade’ (Inset: The 1964 ball cost two dollars per couple, according to the ticket); the 1959-60 Rifle Team; Karen (Magill ’66) Behr was the 1964 Military Ball Queen and 1965 Miss Blue Tiger; former first lady Helen (Calderwood ’23) Harker presents the Professor of Aerospace Studies Award to Cadet Col. Douglas Aitken ’65 in May 1965; the 1959-60 Drill Team; senior cadets become second lieutenants at the 1956 spring review; and the AFROTC Drill Team gathers in 1953 after receiving their rifles. / Archives

militarynotes SHARE YOUR STORY!

1939 PAUL PIZOR attained the rank of captain while in the Army Field Artillery from 194147 while stationed in India and China.

1947 CLIFFORD D. SMITH, who died in 2000, took flight training with local friend Brenton Holter, serving from 1941-45, including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to Grove City and finished college.

1950 BILL BOVARD served with the Army Air Force and was based in the Pacific theater, flying as a flight traffic clerk with the Air Transport Command. His father, S. Robert Bovard ’13, joined the Navy during World War I and served on the USS Lea, which accompanied the fleet carrying President Wilson to Europe to sign the Armistice. CHARLES C. GUMBERT served with the World War II Army Infantry in Germany. JAMES C. HENDERSON served in the Army Air Corps from 1944-46, during which time he earned his navigator’s wings and a second lieutenant’s commission. BERT MUELLER served in the Marines from 1941-46 and was a platoon sergeant with the Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa.

MIKE CREEDON ’66 served in the Air Force from 1966 until his retirement as a colonel in 1992. A Vietnam War veteran, he received the Bronze Star. His sons, Air Force Captain Michael Creedon and Marine Corps 1st Lt. Bradley Creedon, are currently serving their country in the War on Terror. In photo: Col. Mike Creedon ’66 stands with College roommate, Omicron Xi fraternity brother and fellow Air Force retiree Charles “Cam” Campbell ‘66 on a ski slope in Las Alamos, N.M., on Feb. 1.

1966

JAMES HOUSEMAN served eight years with the Coast Guard reserves and attained the rank of third class damage controlman.

CAM CAMPBELL retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel after serving from 1966-87. A Vietnam War veteran, he received the Bronze Star. He was a security manager for Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1990 until his retirement this January. His son and daughter-in-law are senior airmen at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. STEPHEN LENGEL served in the Army from 1959-62 as a radar technician with the Army Signal Corp. DR. WILLIAM SLEIGH, who served as an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War, wrote the memoir “Viet Nam and Cambodia Recalled: It Still Hurts,” which was published after his death in 2007.

story online.

1962

1970

E-mail us at

DON GAUS served in the Air Force and left as a captain. He was on a Titan I ICBM launch team in South Dakota, tracked satellites in New Hampshire, then was at a remote radar site in Iceland.

DOUGLAS BASHLINE served for 13 years in the Air Force and fought in the Vietnam War from 1972-73. GEORGE ELLIOTT retired from the Air Force in 1993 as a lieutenant colonel after serving 22 years as a fighter pilot. TOM EVENS served 20 years in the Air Force from 1970-90. He fought in the Vietnam War from 1971-73, during which time he received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.

We touched based with hundreds of

1954

alumni for this

PAUL CUFFARI attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.

special military issue. But if we missed you, please share your

alumni@gcc.edu.

1961

1965 70

Roommates Reunite

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

MARK SIEFERT retired as a colonel from the Air Force in 1991 after serving 26 years. He is also a Vietnam War vet.

Marathon Man

militarynnotes of Air Force Reserve in the Pentagon. Miller is a master navigator with more than 4,600 flying hours in airlift aircraft. He was promoted to colonel in February 2004.

1987 WILLIAM BRIAN DOWNS died in a plane crash while serving in Iraq in 2005. He was an Air Force major. MARCEL FERRERE JR. retired in 2005 as a major after 24 years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He served in Kosovo from July 2003 until February 2004 and received the Meritorious Service Medal and Kosovo Campaign Medal. MIKE SMITH attained the rank of captain while serving eight years in the Air Force. PATRICK ROSS ’68, an Air Force veteran and former staffer with “Stars and Stripes,” enjoys his time today working as a contract vendor for the Armed Services. He travels bi-weekly to other countries and says the best part of the job is providing service to the current generation in the military. Ross lives with wife, Jutta, and their two youngest sons in Trier, Germany, and competes in marathons worldwide, including on the original marathon course of ancient Greece. In photo: Patrick Ross #375 runs in New York City Marathon.

DICK GIES was a member of the U.S. Air Force and spent about two years in Iran before Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, was exiled in 1979.

1975 JIM STOECKER received his Air Force commission through the College’s Air Force ROTC program. He spent 20 years in active duty and now lives in Oklahoma.

1979 LT. COL. CARL PUNTURERI is retired from the Air Force and living in Grove City.

1982 CHRISTOPHER T.C. MILLER recently retired after 25 years of service in the Air Force. Col. Miller was chief of the Operations and Plans Division in the Office

1992 JENNY SIEK and family coordinated the Crimson Kids Project, an effort to place William J. Bennett’s book set, “America: The Last Best Hope,” into the hands of 29 Grove City students this year. The book is dedicated by Bennett to the American soldier, “whose fidelity, patriotism, and valor have made this land the last best hope of earth.”

1994 ROY SAMUELSON received a distinguished visitor pass onto the USS Ronald Reagan.

1996 MATT MOSER completed his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at West Virginia University. From October 2003 to September 2005, the captain served as detachment commander and adjutant for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. He was later assigned as quality control officer, then deputy commander, for the Tripler Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory. He departs for Aberdeen Proving Grounds for an assignment with the 1st Army Medical Laboratory, 44th Medical Brigade, 82nd Airborne. – Compiled by Kristin (Morgan ’04) Chapman

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

alumniassociation Alumni Council serves 24,000 through programs, events By Andrew Kozusko ’96 Alumni Council President The Alumni Council is a group of 36 alumni who donate their time to Grove City College and its alumni. It is a talented, diverse group. Our class years range from 1952 through 2007, and we come from all over the country. Our professions include education, finance, law and marketing. Alumni are one of several groups, including students, faculty and staff that comprise the Grove City College community. Although most alumni lack a regular physical connection to the College, they are essential to its existence. The Alumni Council acts as a liaison between alumni and the College. Our goal is to help the College best serve its 24,000 alumni and to provide them with opportunities to serve the College during their lifetimes. In doing this, we will ensure that the College continues to be a vibrant institution.

This year, we are developing several new initiatives. For example, we plan to assist Dr. James Thrasher ’80 in attracting more recruiters to hire Grove City students as interns, and then full time after graduation. Our alumni serve many of the best public and private sector employers in the world. Using this alumni network, we plan to educate these employers on the benefits of hiring our students. We believe that connections between alumni and current students are very important. Having a connection to the College is essential to sustaining a lively culture over the long term.The Council is also working on other programs to provide alumni and students with opportunities to connect. To find out more about the Alumni Council go to www.gcc.edu/Alumni_ Association.php. Please contact us and let us know how we can better serve you.

eCommunity participation nears 6,500 In a little more than one year, the Grove City College Alumni eCommunity has surpassed the 25 percent registration mark, a goal the Alumni Council set for the year. As of April 1, 6,408 alumni have registered to use the site, or 26 percent. Almost 5 percent have set up a permanent e-mail address through the eCommunity, or 1,165. And nearly 15,000 Grove City College alumni have email addresses on file at their alma mater, or more than 60.2 percent. Harris Interactive, which helps colleges and universities set up eCommunities for their alumni, recognized Grove City College with its annual for having the highest registration participation within first year of going live, March 15, 2007-March 15, 2008. If you are an alumnus and have not yet registered on the eCommunity, visit www.gcc.edu/alumnicommunity to get started.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

There are better ways to stand out in an interview.

Use your Grove City College connection... ... alumni love to hire other alumni. Whether you’re looking or looking to hire, log on to the Grove City College Alumni eCommunity’s Career Center for job postings, resumé postings, mentoring services, career links and other helpful information. The best perk is that it’s all free and secure! Check out the online alumni Career Center today at www.gcc.edu/ecommunity

alumnieevents

WHITTIER, CALIF. College Trustee Stan Johnson ’60 and his wife, Karen, hosted Los Angelesarea alumni event at the Friendly Hills Country Club on Jan. 19. From left, Trustee C. Fred Fetterolf ‘52, Charles Slemmons ’53, President Richard G. Jewell ’67 and Mary Anne and Richard ’55 Williams.

DENVER, COLO.

PITTSBURGH, PA.

Denver, Colo.-area alumni gathered for a Twelfth Night brunch Jan. 5 at the home of Trustee Dr. Jody Mathie ’77 (second row center, in gray suit) and her husband, John Hoffman. Also attending was Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod (first row, far right).

‘The Lion King’ cast members, on far left and far right, visit with First Lady Dayl Jewell, President Richard G. Jewell ‘67, Scott Matthews ’91 and Jill (Slimmer ‘93) Matthews at a reception after the show at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Theater on Feb. 9. Hundreds of alumni attended the sold-out event.

GROVE CITY, PA.

PHOENIX, ARIZ.

Enjoying a few moments together are Carol Duda ’89 and Christine and Sandra (Scheer ’85) Jazwinski, as they prepare to see the Jose White String Quartet as part of the College’s Guest Artist Series on Feb. 11.

Framed by artwork in the Phoenix Art Museum, hosts Vivian (Capana ’56) Marr and husband Richard enjoyed a luncheon and tour of illustrated manuscripts with guest Sandra (McClelland ’64) Everett on March 8.

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

alumnieevents

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.

WINDERMERE, FLA.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., alumni had the pleasure of dinner and a concert with the Grove City College Touring Choir at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church on Palm Sunday March 16. The Touring Choir, under the direction of Dr. Douglas Browne, sang at Florida churches during Holy Week.

James ’61 and Lynne (Kennedy ’60) Passilla, center, hosted the Grove City College baseball team for some picnicking and R&R at their home in Windermere, Fla., on March 16. Students from left are Bryan Pierrot ’08, Chris Bowser ’08, Ray Mertz ’08 and Pat Messner ’08.

SARASOTA, FLA.

FT. MYERS, FLA.

Enjoying the alumni luncheon at the University Park Country Club near Sarasota, Fla., on March 20 are, from near right to upper left, Kathy (Sperandeo ’71) Hamilton, Ruth (Terry ’56) Marks, Peggy (Smith ’56) Foster and Marilyn (Wilson ’58) Thompson.

John ’64 and Joan (McClure ’64) Moore hosted the Grove City College Touring Choir along with staff and friends at a picnic in Ft. Myers, Fla., on March 21. Moore opened his home to the student singers who met many alumni during their spring tour.

BONITA SPRINGS, FLA.

PITTSBURGH, PA.

Robert and Marlene (Otto ’59) Morrell hosted an alumni brunch at the Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Fla., on March 22. Marlene, far right, is pictured with her daughter, Kristin (Morrell ’90) Bovard and Vice President for Advancement Jeff Prokovich ’89.

Dr. Lois Larson Johnson spoke about the College’s Office of International Education at a March 27 alumni luncheon at the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh. Shown with Johnson is Elizabeth Telep ’08, who studied abroad in Italy last year.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

alumnieevents

HERSHEY, PA.

NEW YORK, N.Y.

Brian Scott ’90, left, wins a College basket at the reception for alumni at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conference in Hershey, Pa., on April 17. He is joined by Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Kelsey (Pollock ’06) Rhea, center, and Dr. Ed Arnold, music department chairman.

Alumni, friends and staff gathered for a New York City mixer at the noteworthy Prohibition in Columbus Circle on April 17. From left are Vice President for Advancement Jeff Prokovich ‘89, Josh Mallalieu ‘05, Bethany Klein ‘05 and Chelsea White ‘05.

GROVE CITY, PA.

George Hampe ’10, in character as Foxy Loxy, entertains young visitors at the Children’s Theater Alumni Character Breakfast on April 19.

The cast of the Grove City College Children’s Theater production gather with President Richard G. Jewell ’67, center, on April 19, his birthday.

UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 10 American Founders Luncheon The Center for Vision & Values Rivers Club Pittsburgh, Pa. JUNE 12 Alumni Mixer Brewerie at Union Station Erie, Pa. JUNE 12 Alumni Reception John Harris House Harrisburg, Pa.

JUNE 14 Alumni Luncheon Original Bookbinders Philadelphia, Pa.

JULY 11 Alumni Mixer The Burgundy Room Columbus, Ohio

SEPTEMBER 13 Wicked – SOLD OUT Benedum Center Pittsburgh, Pa.

JUNE 26 Alumni Mixer Riva’s at Navy Pier Chicago, Ill.

JULY 19 Alumni Luncheon and Tour Fenway Park Boston, Mass.

SEPTEMBER 20 Alumni Band Day/Night Game Robert E. Thorn Field Grove City College

JULY 10 Alumni Reception Cleveland Botanical Gardens Cleveland, Ohio

AUGUST 16 Pittsburgh Pirates Game/Skyblast PNC Park Pittsburgh, Pa.

October 17-19 Homecoming ’08 Grove City College

(Visit ww.gcc.edu/Alumni_Events.php for an up-to-date listing of alumni events around the country. Also check www.gcc.edu/Freshman_Picnics.php for a list of locations this summer where the College will welcome freshmen to the family!)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

sportsfeature

Former Wolverine football player Adam Wargo ’06 is studying at the Naval Air Station Command in Pensacola, Fla.

Changing Uniforms

Former Wolverine athletes serve in new military attire

By Mallory Skarupa ’09 few proud Grove City College students are chasing their dreams of serving others by serving their nation. After proving that they are spiritually and academically strong, they now are pursuing the task of becoming “army strong.” 76

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Three former student-athletes are taking the skills they learned on the field and applying them to their military field of interest: Kristin Hummel ’06 currently attends Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences to become a military doctor; Adam Wargo ’06 attends flight school, studying at the Naval Air Station Command in Pensacola, Fla., to become a weapons systems officer in either the F15e Strike Eagle or the B1 bomber; and Sgt. Adam Beggs, who attended Grove City College for just a semester before being deployed again, is a team leader of a Tactical PSYOP (Psychological Operations) Team, serving in Iraq.

Former soccer standout Hummel decided to attend medical school through the military. Aside from the financial incentive and top-notch education that the military offered, Hummel wanted “to give something back” to her country, while still pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. “The Grove City mindset pushed me towards serving others. By serving my country, I can take pride in that fact,” Hummel explained. “I’m also interested in humanitarian missions, and I believe the military will better prepare me for those opportunities.” Continued on next page

For former football and track star Wargo, “joining the military was not some life long dream,” he said, but rather an opportunity. After deciphering his most beneficial career path, this marketing major decided on the Air Force during his senior year.“I thought, what could be better than being an officer and a navigator in the Air Force?” Similar to Wargo, Beggs could not think of anything better. He joined the military after his senior year of high school in 2002. “September 11 happened my senior year, and I felt called to duty,” Beggs explained. After his first deployment to Iraq, he enrolled at Grove City, but attended for only a semester before he was ordered to train and deploy again. Before he became a team leader of a Tactical PSYOP Team, advising a battalion staff on psychological warfare and coordinating messages to his targeted audiences, Beggs was a runner and jumper on Men’s Track Coach Dr. Stan Keehlwetter’s track team. “All the coaches were so good to me,” Beggs said. He had not run or jumped in the almost five years since high school.“But (Keehlwetter) knew I had a dream to try and run again and he backed me up.” Hummel remembers similar qualities in Head Women’s Soccer Coach Melissa Lamie.“She cared about us as people and not just players,” Hummel said.“She always made sure we were doing all right, both on and off the field.” These athletes certainly miss the thrill of the game, along with their beloved teammates and coaches. “I loved being on the team,” Hummel said.“Being encouraged by others to give your best and pushing each other to be better players, athletes and people – it was a great opportunity.” Agreed Wargo,“I really miss being able to play organized football.You can play a pickup game in most other sports, but it’s pretty much impossible to get 22 people together and get full pads and play a football game.” The camaraderie of being on a team is also something all three student-athletes miss. “A lot of the friends I still keep in touch with from Grove City are people I met while playing sports,”Wargo said.“You learn a lot of valuable lessons and you gain many lifelong friendships from being on a sports team.” Leadership and motivation were two of these lessons.“I really learned to work with

people and motivate people,” Hummel said. “You learn how to lead people, but also make them into leaders as well.The discipline of being on a team has also helped me tremendously. Incorporating my athletics with my academics prepared me physically and mentally, but also set the tone for my emotional state as well.” After learning time management skills through this academic-athletic balancing act, Hummel and other student-athletes knew how to compartmentalize work and pleasure. Hummel was part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes,Warriors for Christ and the Beta Beta Beta biology honorary, while participating in varsity soccer and intramural sports. Wargo also took part in a variety of extracurricular activities, but is most proud of the colors of the Epsilon Pi fraternity. “A lot of men on the football team were members of Epsilon Pi and I am closest with my fraternity brothers. It was there that we all continued to build character and responsibility,” said Wargo.“I actually learned a lot of things in my fraternity that helped me get through Officer Training School,” he added. With the lessons they learned on and off the field,Wargo, Hummel and Beggs will be able to achieve their life ambitions. “My main goal is to serve my country,” Wargo stated. After graduating from flight school,Wargo’s job “basically will be to sit behind the pilot and navigate and target locations,” but he has other plans as well. “While I’m in the Air Force I would like to get as much training, knowledge and experience that I can – putting in at least 20 years before I retire. I would, however,

TOP: Adam Wargo ‘06 was a standout on the football field. Now he stands out in the military. ABOVE: Kristin Hummel ‘06 made headlines on the soccer field. Today she is a military doctor.

also like to get my doctorate and eventually become a professor.” Likewise, Hummel wishes to serve her country through healing others in highpressure situations.“I know I’ll be deployed. I just hope to be the best doctor I can be and remain calm and insightful under the pressure,” Hummel explained. Whether targeting mission locations, coordinating psychological messages or performing surgery, these former studentathletes will be using the talents they polished at Grove City – in the classroom and on the field – to serve others and the red, white and blue. (Mallory Skarupa ’09 is an English/ secondary education major from Pittsburgh, Pa., and The Collegian sports co-editor.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

winter

wolverinessports

By Ryan Briggs ’01 All four of Grove City’s winter sports teams produced notable improvements and accomplishments during the 2007-08 season. The men’s swimming and diving team captured its first Presidents’ Athletic Conference title since 2004, while the men’s basketball team tied for the top spot in the conference in the regular season with a 9-3 record.The men’s basketball team also advanced to the ECAC Southern Championship Tournament for the second straight season. The women’s swimming and diving team placed second in the conference, which represents the program’s best finish since 2000. Meanwhile, the women’s basketball team posted a six-win improvement and earned its first conference tournament victory since 2004 when the Wolverines upset Bethany in the PAC quarterfinals.

MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING After suffering a humbling 152-102 dual-meet loss at Westminster, it would have been easy for the Grove City College men’s swimming and diving team to reconsider its plans of capturing the PAC title in 2008. Instead, that setback galvanized the Wolverines’ resolve as they prepared for the season-ending Grove City Invitational and PAC Championships Feb. 14-16. Grove City led nearly wire-to-wire at the three-day meet and pulled out a 912-898 victory over Westminster to win the conference title. Grove City’s 400-yard free relay team of Drew Snyder, Cam Coppelli, Peter Larsen and Tim Whitbeck clinched the championship by winning the 400 relay in 3 minutes, 6.71 seconds. Whitbeck earned the meet’s MVP award and High Point Award after individually winning the 50 free, 100 free and 100 backstroke races. Overall, Grove City won 10 of 20 total events. In the regular season Grove City went 11-3 in dual meets and clinched its 56th consecutive winning season. Grove City earned a 171-121 victory over defending NCAA champion Kenyon.The Wolverines also humbled regional rival Allegheny in nonconference dual-meet action. Additionally, the Wolverines won the Clarion Fall Classic and the Longnecker Invitational during the 2007-08 season.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

ABOVE: Thirteen Grove City swimmers either provisionally or automatically qualified for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships during the Grove City Invitational/PAC Championships Feb. 14-16. Front row, from left: Lauren Baur, Sarah Page, Ellen Keefer, Sarah Bargery and Amanda Thompson. Back row: Peter Larsen, Cam Coppelli, Tim Whitbeck, Lincoln Larsen, Bennett Keefer and Drew Snyder. BELOW: Captains, from left, Albert Cheung, Nick Barker, Joe Riddell and Drew Snyder receive the Grove City Invitational and PAC championship trophies from President Richard Jewell ’67, center, on Feb. 16 after the Wolverines captured their first men’s swimming and diving conference title since 2004. / Photos by Ryan Briggs ’01

WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING The combination of strong upperclass leadership and an influx of talented newcomers helped vault Grove City to one of its finest seasons in recent memory. Grove City finished second in the season-ending Grove City Invitational/PAC Championships Feb. 14-16, which is the Wolverines’ best finish since 2000. Grove City also finished ahead of archrival Westminster for the

wolverinessports MEN’S BASKETBALL Grove City earned back-to-back postseason berths as the Wolverines played in the ECAC Southern Championship Tournament for the second straight year after posting a secondplace finish in regular season standings in the PAC. Grove City closed its season with a 72-61 setback against eventual ECAC champion Carnegie Mellon on March 5. Senior guard Shawn Carr became the program’s 22nd all-time 1,000-point scorer. Carr finished his career 15th on the all-time scoring list with 1,121 points. His 207 three-point goals are the most in program history. Carr earned First Team All-PAC while junior guard Ryan Gibson and sophomore center Andy O’Keefe both received AllPAC Honorable Mention. Nine different Grove City players scored at least 100 points this season.The Wolverines finished 17-11 this year, including a sweep of Geneva. Grove City’s 17 victories this season represent the highest single-season win total for the program since 2003. Ten of Grove City’s games were decided by four points or fewer.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Senior forward Bobby Turner shot over 50 percent from the field this season while also serving as Grove City’s defensive stopper. Turner started all 28 games this year and helped the Wolverines advance to the ECAC Southern Championship Tournament. / Photo by Dave Miller

first time since Westminster became a full member of NCAA Division III. Senior Ellen Keefer, sophomore Amanda Thompson and freshmen Sarah Bargery, Lauren Baur and Sarah Page all provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships.That quintet combined to set seven new College records during the season, including three relay records. Page shared the High Point Award at the Grove City Invitational/PAC Championships after sweeping the 50, 100 and 200 sprint free races. In all, Grove City athletes won eight of the 20 total events. Grove City also recorded second-place finishes at the Clarion Fall Classic and the College’s own Longnecker Invitational.The Wolverines went 7-8 in dual meets, including a 2-2 mark against conference foes.

After accumulating just five wins in 2006-07, the Grove City College women’s basketball team made tremendous strides on the floor and in the win column this winter, finishing 11-16 overall. Grove City secured its first PAC Championship Senior forward Brittany Anderson led the Tournament victory since PAC with 48 blocked shots. She tied a 2004 on Feb. 26 when the Grove City single-game record with Wolverines upset Bethany seven blocks in Grove City’s 71-68 upset of Bethany. / Photo by Dave Miller in the PAC quarterfinals, 71-68. Grove City trailed 68-62 with just 1:14 left but rallied for the win. Freshman forward Christine Slater led Grove City in that victory with 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field. Slater earned Second Team All-PAC recognition after becoming the first freshman to lead Grove City in scoring over the course of a season since Beth (Lora ’98) Pifer led Grove City in 1995. Slater, who averaged 11.9 points per game, also led Grove City in rebounding (7.2), three-point goals (30) and field-goal percentage (47.9) this year. Grove City opened the season by winning Allegheny College’s National City Tip-Off Tournament. Junior guard Raeann Szelong earned Tournament MVP honors while freshman C.J. Beatty joined Szelong on the All-Tournament Team. (Ryan Briggs ’01 is the Grove City College sports information director.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

spring wolverinessports

By Ryan Briggs ’01 All eight of Grove City’s spring sports programs entered the 2008 season with high expectations and did not disappoint.The baseball team won the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title, earning the team’s first NCAA Championship Tournament appearance.The men’s tennis and men’s track and field teams defended their respective Presidents’ Athletic Conference titles while golf, softball and women’s track and field teams all sought a return to the top of the conference. In women’s water polo, Grove City finished with a fifth-place national ranking and its first winning season ever.

BASEBALL Grove City made its NCAA Championship Tournament debut after earning the PAC title with a series of upset victories.This was the first season the PAC champion received an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines played in the New York Regional, hosted by Ithaca College in Auburn, N.Y. Grove City was the No. 8 seed in the eight-team, double-elimination bracket.The team dropped a 10-1 game to top-seeded Cortland State and lost to Eastern Connecticut State 10-5. Grove City, the No. 4 seed, captured its third PAC title since 2001 by earning a pair of victories over Mercer County rival Thiel. The wins came after the Wolverines upset topseeded Thomas More in the first round of the championship tournament.

ABOVE: Senior catcher Ray Mertz is a two-time All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference selection and a two-year team captain. BELOW: Sophomore Renee Ward earned First Team All-PAC honors following a fourth-place finish at the PAC Championship. / Photos by Dave Miller

SOFTBALL Second-year head coach Chelle Fuss guided Grove City through a 38-game season, its longest to date. Along the way, the team recorded its longest winning streak at seven games.The Wolverines finished 15-23. Veteran players such as senior catcher Abby Greiner, senior infielder Kristen Hughes and senior outfielder Krysten Fritz saw immediate help from freshman additions. In particular, freshman pitcher Lauren Pennell made an impact, hitting .417 for the season. Greiner and junior outfielder Rachael Risbon each earned College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II College Division honors. It was the second career Academic All-District selection for both Greiner and Risbon.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

WOMEN’S GOLF For the second straight year, Grove City recorded a third-place conference finish, led by sophomore Renee Ward.Ward earned First Team All-PAC honors after recording an overall four-round score of 366. Freshman Corinne Seiling earned Second Team All-PAC.

wolverinessports MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD Grove City won its fourth-straight PAC title this year, led by a strong individual performances. Five Grove City athletes earned individual victories for Grove City. Senior pole vaulter Matt Kulinski won his second straight title and set a new Grove City record by clearing 15 feet, 1/4 inch. Senior Bob Perri won the shot put with a mark of 52-1 while sophomore Sean Domer won the javelin with a throw of 188-5. Senior Chris Andrew won the 3000 steeplechase with a time of 10 minutes, 3.65 seconds. Senior Greg Kroleski won the 5000 with a time of 16:23.24, as Grove City scored five of six runners in that event.

WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD The Grove City women’s track and field team recorded a fourth-place finish in the PAC Championships. Junior Kristen Carter picked up a pair of individual victories and also broke two conference records. Carter won the 1500 in a Grove City-record time of 4 minutes, 47.75 seconds, then won the 5000 in 17:59.49. Junior Julia Seward won the 10,000 in 43:01.20. Junior Megan Fellows led Grove City in the field by winning the javelin with a toss of 118 feet, 4 inches.

MEN’S TENNIS Under the direction of 36-year head coach Joe Walters, the Grove City men’s tennis team won its 18th consecutive conference title. Junior John Moyer earned PAC Player of the Year honors while Walters earned the conference’s Coach of the Year award. Grove City swept the six singles titles and won two of three doubles titles. Moyer is the first Grove City player to earn PAC Player of the Year since Brent Moon in 2005.

WOMEN’S WATER POLO Senior Bob Perri, returning NCAA All-American in the shot put, helped the men’s track and field team win its fourth-straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship. / Photo by Dave Miller

MEN’S GOLF The Grove City College men’s golf team wrapped up the 2008 season by winning the Grove City McBride-Behringer-Allen “MBA” Invitational at Grove City Country Club. Grove City posted a team score of 313. Senior Tyler Fitch concluded his career at Grove City by earning medalist honors. Fitch shot a 75 to earn a one-stroke victory over senior teammate Brady Randall, who shot a 76. Grove City recorded a fifth-place finish in the PAC. Fitch finished second.

Grove City finished fifth in the 2008 Collegiate III National Championships, capping the first winning season in its nine-year history at 13-12. Sophomore Kate Stiebler was named First Team AllConference and Second Team All-Tournament. (Ryan Briggs ’01 is the Grove City College sports information director.) Senior goalkeeper Keala Walter is a three-time AWPCA Honorable Mention All-American. / Photo by Dave Miller

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wolverinessports

Athletic Hall of Fame adds nine By Ryan Briggs ’01 Grove City College inducted its second class of honorees into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 16. Eight former athletic standouts and a distinguished multi-sport coach comprised the Class of 2008. Grove City held its Hall of Fame ceremonies in conjunction with the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships and the College’s PAC basketball doubleheader against visiting Waynesburg University. The College inducted Todd Alexander ’64,William “Skip” Arbuckle ’71, Jeff Cass ’89, Bob Crow ’83, Anne (Kister ’88) Parker, Jim McElhaney ’86, Chris Van De Mark ’82, the late coach Cliff Wettig and Carla (Wetzel ’82) Patarini into the Hall of Fame.

Grove City College inducted nine former athletic and coaching standouts into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 16. Front row, from left, President Richard Jewell ’67, Chris Van De Mark ’82, Carla (Wetzel ’82) Patarini, Anne (Kister ’88) Parker and Florence Wettig (wife of posthumous inductee Cliff Wettig). Back row: Jim McElhaney ’86, Bob Crow ’83, William ‘Skip’ Arbuckle ’71, Jeff Cass ’89, Todd Alexander ’64 and athletic director Dr. Donald Lyle. / Photo by Ryan Briggs ’01

The College recognized the inductees at halftime of the men’s basketball game.The Hall of Fame weekend concluded with a reception, dinner and formal induction

ceremony that night, with President Jewell serving as emcee. (Ryan Briggs ’01 is the Grove City College sports information director.)

Three join Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame Grove City College enshrined three former standouts into its Men’s Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame during a Jan. 19 meet against Washington & Jefferson. This year’s inductees were David McClintic ’65, Charles Stadler ’65 and Keith Bennett ’85.Their inclusion brings the total number of Hall of Famers to 36. McClintic earned NCAA All-America honors in the 400 individual medley and in the 400 free relay at the inaugural NCAA College Division Championships in 1964. He captured four Penn-Ohio titles during his career. As a junior, McClintic also helped Grove City’s 400 free relay to the Penn-Ohio crown in 1964. As a freshman, he joined fellow inductee Stadler on Grove City’s Penn-Ohio champion 400 medley relay team. McClintic then captained the 1964-65 team as a senior. He is retired as a vice president for Mellon Bank. McClintic also served as a

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

From left, Keith Bennett ’85, Chuck Stadler ’65 and Dave McClintic ’65 were inducted into the Men’s Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame this winter. / Photo by Dave Miller

commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. The first Grove City swimmer to break the 1-minute mark in the 100 backstroke, Stadler earned three NCAA All-America

citations in 1964. He placed fourth nationally in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 200, receiving All-America status in See SWIMMING, next page

wolverinessports

Carr marks 1,000th

Swimmer Tim Whitbeck earns All-America honors Grove City College junior sprinter Tim Whitbeck earned two NCAA All-America honors and set a new College record in the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA Division III Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Oxford, Ohio, March 20-22. Whitbeck is now an eight-time NCAA All-American after posting top-10 finishes in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. Whitbeck placed third in the 50 free March 20 with a time of 20.23 seconds. In the preliminary heat, he recorded a Grove Cityrecord time of 20.19. He entered the Championships as the defending champion in the 50 free. His time in the finals this year surpassed his victorious time of 20.25 at the 2007 Championships. On March 22,Whitbeck placed 10th in the 100 free with a time of 45.35 seconds. It is his first All-America honor in the 100 free. Whitbeck also participated in the 100 backstroke at the NCAA Championships and placed 30th with a time of 53.35. He accumulated 23 team points at the three-day event, placing Grove City 28th in the overall team standings. Whitbeck is the fourth-most decorated athlete in Grove City men’s swimming history with eight All-America honors. Caleb Courage, who will return to the program next season after a one-year sabbatical to train for the U.S. Olympic Trials, is an 11-time All-American. Rick Durstein ’77 and Dave Tomashewski ’78 are both nine-time All-Americans. Whitbeck also matched the eight NCAA All-America honors earned by his older sister, Peggy ’04, from 2001-04. Peggy Whitbeck won three national titles in the 200 butterfly and earned four All-America citations each in the 100 and 200 butterfly races.

Senior Shawn Carr, left, receives a ball commemorating his 1,000th career point from the College’s top two all-time scorers, Bob Crow ’82, center, and Jeff Claypool ’69 prior to Grove City’s Hall of Fame Day victory over Waynesburg on Feb. 16. Crow joined eight other inductees as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008. He finished his career with 1,450 points. Claypool is the all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball with 2,234 points. He is a 2007 Hall of Fame inductee. Carr finished his career with 1,121 points, the 15th most in College history. / Photo by Bob Gregg

Teams sponsor camps for high schoolers Three Grove City College sports teams led by alumni coaches host annual summer camps for high school teams.They are open to teams only and the athlete’s coaches would need to make arrangements. Head Football Coach Chris Smith ’72, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Lamie ’85 and Head Men’s Soccer Coach Michael Dreves ’97 each sponsor camps. Interested coaches may contact Smith, Lamie and Dreves via e-mail: n Smith – cwsmith@gcc.edu n Lamie – sslamie@gcc.edu n Dreves – mfdreves@gcc.edu

SWIMMING from page 82 both. He also contributed to the ninth-place 400 medley relay team. Stadler won six Penn-Ohio titles, helping Grove City win the conference title in each of his four seasons. He won the 200 backstroke title in 1963 and 1964 while earning the runner-up spot in 1965.The 400 medley relay team won the Penn-Ohio crown in each of his four seasons. Stadler helped Grove City to a 40-5 record during his career, including a 12-0 mark in 1961-62. He is a retired Lutheran pastor. Bennett helped Grove City

to a 12-0 dual-meet record as a freshman and to one of the most successful four-year runs. Grove City accumulated a 427 dual-meet record from 198185, including the program’s first conference title in 1985. Bennett capped his career in 1985 by earning NCAA Division III All-America honors in the 400 medley relay. As a senior captain, he won titles in five events. An eight-time NCAA qualifier, Bennett graduated with five varsity records. He works for General Electric. The Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame began in 1985.

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facultyfeature

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Military historian and history professor Dr. Earl Tilford will retire from Grove City College this summer. / Photo by John Gechter ’09

History Lesson

Military historian and professor Earl Tilford looks back on a varied career at retirement

By Nicky Lipartito ’08 hough Dr. Earl H.Tilford, professor of history, will retire from his position at Grove City College at the end of August, he will not be putting an end to his already fruitful career. Tilford received his bachelor’s and master’s in history and English at the University of Alabama in 1961 and 1969. In 1975, he attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he worked on his doctorate, which he received in 1984. Tilford said he was commissioned in 1968 and went to graduate school for a year. He also went to pilot training,“but found out my eyes were too bad so I became an intelligence officer,” he said. Tilford served as an intelligence officer in Southeast Asia from 1970-71.There, he gave morning briefings on intelligence to the general in charge of air operations in Laos. He next became a nuclear targeting officer at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, targeting air bases in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe until 1975. From 1975-79, he worked on the official history of the Air Force in Vietnam and wrote a volume on search-and-rescue operations. For two years he taught at the Air Force Academy and then went to Air University in Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., until 1990. Here he was editor of the Air Force’s professional journal, and during his last three years he wrote his book “Crosswinds:The Air Force’s Setup in Vietnam.”Tilford then retired from active duty and went to work for a short time at the Air Force as a civilian professor. While he was director of research at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies

Institute at Carlisle, where he worked for said. nine years,Tilford said he read an ad in a Other highlights included writing his magazine for a teaching job at Grove City history of the Vietnam War and his work College. He had previously known about for the Army. the College through its reputation and from “Working for the Army was great, taking his neighbors at the time. groups to the national training center in For instance, his neighbors’ son had Fort Irwin, Calif., showing them how the graduated from Grove City College and his Army prepares for tank battles by putting neighbors across the street had a son who them out on the battlefield and letting attended and now works for the College – them ride in tanks and armored cars while Director of Media Services Matthew these battles are going on,” he said. McQuaig ’03.What’s more,Tilford said his Also, in 1999 at a high-level conference doctor at the time was a Grove City in Abu Dhabi that focused on the future, College graduate, as Tilford presented a (The military) is an well as both of his talk on the future of pastors and the man excellent way to travel, war. Other who bought his presentation topics to meet lots of people, to see included the future of house. “I just knew lots of different cultures, to be diplomacy and the really good Grove future of medicine, he involved in something City people and I said. thought I would like very important. Tilford said he – DR. EARL TILFORD decided to serve in to teach here,” he said.Tilford applied the military because, for a teaching at his college position at the College, interviewed in graduation in 1968, his choices were to 2001 and started that fall. He and his wife “either enlist or be drafted. of 34 years, Grace, moved to western “I decided I’d rather be an officer. Pennsylvania.They have a son, Michael, Besides, I thought it would be fun to fly who teaches middle school, and a daughter, fighter planes … so I went into the Air Ellen, who is getting her master’s degree in Force,” he said. psychology at Millersville University. Tilford said he was glad he made this Tilford said there were many “highlights decision, although he had originally of my professional career and life,” such as intended to enter the world of academia. getting married and divorced in Southeast But today, he’s happy for the mix between Asia. Another highlight was that while he the two. was at the Headquarters Strategic Air “(The military) gave me a lot of real life Command,Tilford took the order from experience. It broadened my outlook Washington and passed it along to the beyond a very narrow field. Most scholars commander in chief of the Strategic Air are very narrowly trained in whatever field Command to go to Defense Condition 2 it is that they teach – you have to be,” he in 1973, which “put our forces on the said.“But I think if you’ve been out and second highest level of nuclear alert,” he Please see TILFORD, page 87

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facultyffeature

Business professor recalls Air Force background

By Nicky Lipartito ’08 rofessor of Business Dr. Bruce Ketler ’71 has traveled all over the world despite living all but six years of his life in Grove City, Pa. Ketler grew up in Grove City and attended Grove City College, making the first time he left home for an extended period of time when he went into the Air Force, he said. Not wanting to be drafted, Ketler said he participated in Air Force ROTC while at the College and was commissioned as a second lieutenant at graduation. “In those days, the first two years of Air Force ROTC were mandatory for all male students on campus; and I just thought the Air Force would be an interesting job, and I figured I probably would end up in Vietnam one way or the other, and I thought, ‘Well, better to go flying in an airplane than being on the ground,’” he said. He added that he originally planned to become a pilot but since his eyesight was not good enough, he ended up a navigator. From 1971-72, he went to navigator training in Sacramento, Calif., then to Little Rock, Ark., in ’72 to obtain qualification in C-130 cargo planes. Into 1973 he was stationed in Taiwan “where we did the majority of our flying in Southeast Asia, which would have been Cambodia and Vietnam,” he said. Ketler said the highlight from that year was flying to Hanoi, North Vietnam, while American POWs were still being held. “We flew up an army officer who did the first face-to-face negotiations in North Vietnam with the North Vietnamese.” In 1974, Ketler went to Merced, Calif., where he was trained to fly KC-135 refueling tankers and was stationed in Plattsburgh, N.Y., near Montreal. During his tour of Plattsburgh, Ketler said “I had a chance to be a member one season with the United States Air Force bobsled team. That was fun.” He stayed in Plattsburgh until he left active duty in the summer of 1977 to start

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dr. Bruce Ketler ‘71 found his niche in the classroom and in the military. / Contributed photo

his teaching position at the College.While on active duty in the Air Force, he had decided he did not want to make it a career. “And so in the process of thinking about what I wanted to do, (Grove City College) was one of the places that I applied, never thinking that I would get the position … I had never taught before,” he said. Ketler did get the job and he and his wife,Teri, both originally from Grove City, took the chance “to move back

home and raise our kids,” he said.Their grown sons are Adam and Andrew, and Adam has two sons of his own: Landon, 5, and Jack, 1. Ketler, to his surprise, started off in the engineering department in the fall of 1977. “At the time I had a master of business administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master of science and systems management and I See KETLER, next page

facultyffeature KETLER from page 86 fully expected to go into the business department,” he said. But the College had an opening in a program called management engineering, so Ketler was a fit for the position. “It was just one of those little unexpected turns in life I guess – how I ended up here and ended up actually in engineering with no engineering background at all,” he said. Ketler taught in the engineering department for five or six years before moving to business. After a year of teaching at the College, Ketler joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in Pittsburgh and was with that unit from 1978 until he retired in the spring of 2004. Ketler said highlights from the National Guard were his involvement with Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Additionally, he finished his career as a colonel and was a squadron commander responsible for 10 aircraft, a flying crew of 25 and about 100 maintenance personnel. He also had the opportunity “to travel all over the world. I’ve been almost everywhere except for Africa and South America and Eastern Europe.” Ketler said the “unbelievable poverty” he witnessed in the Philippines and Mexico compared to the “unbelievable wealth” in Monaco had a profound effect upon him. “I was in a Filipino household – it consisted of two rooms with a dirt floor, they had one bed and one piece of furniture and couple of chairs,” he said. “That has probably been the most significant thing that sticks in my mind. It certainly gives you an appreciation for the United States.When we talk about poor in this country, and I know it’s relative, but nothing I’ve seen in this country compares to what I’ve seen.” After 31 years at the College, Ketler said two things keep him inspired. One is his passion for his field of study and the second is the students.

“I’ve really be fortunate to be associated with some students over the years who have gone on to do some pretty remarkable things,” he said. “And it’s the students who have an interest in the field and then when you see their success out there after graduation it keeps me inspired as well. And I learn a lot from my students. I’m like a proud parent so to speak.” He added that the College’s industrial management program is very unique with its blend of engineering and business. While he is inspired by his job, Ketler said another passion of his is Olympicstyle weightlifting.This developed from his interest in sports as a child, though he was physically weak. He started weightlifting with a friend and as a sophomore in high school decided to enter a weightlifting competition in Pittsburgh. “And the bug just bit. And it’s been my passion ever since,” he said. He competed from the time he was 15, entered masters’ competitions after he turned 40 until he gave up competing about three years ago, he said. During those years of competing he placed second in two national competitions and was ninth in the world at one time while a masters’ lifter. “That’s been my passion and I’ve had a chance to get to know Olympic and world champions and world record holders,” he said, “so it’s been just a great experience for me, that a sport would turn into a passion.” Ketler said he hasn’t given much thought yet as to what he will do when he retires from the College. “We’ll let God sort that out for me,” he said. “I mean, I ended up here at Grove City College quite unexpectedly. Nobody knows where life will take you, you just don’t know. But I won’t sit around, I know that – I’m too active to do that.” (Nicky Lipartito is a senior English and communication studies major and The Collegian editor-in-chief.)

TILFORD from page 85 you’ve seen the world you have a much broader view of life and of events and people and how this all comes together – I think this makes you a more balanced person.” He added that the career path to history professor is currently difficult to break into, and students interested in that route might want to temporarily choose a different path. “Go out and do other things for a while, you might come back to it; history’s extremely important,”Tilford said.“But I would suggest going into the military, work with the American people, with the people of the world. … (The military) is an excellent way to travel, to meet lots of people, to see different cultures, to be involved in something very important.” As a personal example,Tilford said he was offered a job with the ColgatePalmolive company in 1973. He said that on the one hand he had “the power of life and death over millions of people and on the other I could have sold toothpaste. I’m glad I did what I did.” After his retirement from Grove City College,Tilford will return to Alabama to continue teaching. He will write a book on the history of the University of Alabama “from George Wallace’s stand at the schoolhouse door in 1963 to the anti-war riots that took place there in May of 1971,” he said.“It will be titled ‘Peace Now … Roll Tide Y’all’ and it’s about a conservative, traditional southern institution undergoing tremendous change during a very turbulent period – the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement in the 1960s.” He added that his next book will cover the Air Force from Vietnam to Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and how it transformed from the Vietnam experience. “Who knows,” he said,“I might someday write a book about Grove City College.” (Nicky Lipartito is a senior English and communication studies major and The Collegian editor-in-chief.)

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Spring 2008

facultynnews Seybold publishes book

Two awarded sabbaticals

Dr. Kevin Seybold, chair of the psychology department, is the author “Explorations in Neuroscience, Psychology and Religion,” part of the Ashgate Science and Religion Series. Seybold’s book discusses progress made since the 1990s in understanding human behavior, especially in relation to religion. He concludes science and religion are not contradictory or in conflict, but do complement Dr. Kevin Seybold each other. The Ashgate Science and Religion Series presents interdisciplinary study, research and debate in science and religion. The series explores the philosophical relations between the physical and social sciences and religious belief.

Dr. Shane Brower and Dr. Dorian Yeager have been awarded sabbaticals during the 2008-09 academic year. Yeager, professor of computer science and mathematics, will take his sabbatical in fall 2008 to develop a text titled, “Object-Oriented Programming Languages and Event-Driven Programming.” Brower, chairman of the department of physics, will take his sabbatical in spring 2009 to study the optical properties of various thin film metal hydrides. He will work with Dr. Daniel Azofeifa at the University of Costa Rica. Brower will also look into the possibility of developing a student study abroad program. He has tentative plans to offer an astronomy course in Costa Rica in January 2009. Since the inception of the program in 2004-05, 11 faculty members have been awarded sabbaticals.

Trio studies adolescence Three psychology faculty members have been conducting research on adolescent development. The Templeton Foundation funded the $300,000 project by department chair Dr. Kevin Seybold, Dr. Joseph Horton and Dr. Gary Welton. The study looks at 235 families, some with students in homeschool settings, some in private school and some in public school; all students were in seventh or 10th grade. Participants completed questionnaires and were a part of focus groups. As a follow-up, the researchers will re-administer the original questionnaire to analyze how students have changed. Over the past year, the group has presented initial findings to the American Scientific Affiliation with Christians in Science conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the National Council on Family Relations conference in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Joseph Horton

Dr. Gary Welton

Dr. Mark Graham, associate professor of history, is leading five students on a trip to Carthage, Tunisia, to help with an archeological dig, thanks to Grove City College’s Swezey Scientific and Research Fund, made possible through alumni gifts. The Byrsa House house in Carthage is serving as a classroom for senior Justin Horst, sophomore Andrew Welton, senior Katie Miller, junior Kelly Dr. Mark Graham Anderson and junior Jeff Coleman. It is the first time Grove City has offered such a trip for academic credit. The Byrsa Hill house is a Byzantine dwelling built on top of an ancient Roman home. The house was first studied in the 1890s, but the Roman home was not excavated until 1998, when archeologists began to dig there again. The Swezey Fund covered much of the students 18-day stay from May 24 to June 10.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Dr. Dorian Yeager

Three write devotionals

Graham digging Tunisia trip

Dr. Shane Brower

Three faculty members have been published in “A Noble Calling: Devotions and Essays for Business Professionals.” Dr. Shawn Ritenour and Dr. Jeff Herbener of the economics department and Dr. T. David Gordon of the religion department contributed essays to the devotional. According to editor Dr. David Whitlock, individuals with a business calling feel they Dr. Shawn Ritenour should be serving God more directly. The devotional argues that people in the business world can be among God’s most effective servants, since they often have a potential to impact and influence many people during their careers. Whitlock was Ritenour's colleague at Southwest Baptist University, where Ritenour taught before Grove City College. When Whitlock began soliciting material for “A Noble Calling,” he asked Ritenour to write an essay Dr. Jeff Herbener for the book. He then encouraged Herbener and Gordon to submit pieces they had originally written at the outset of the entrepreneurship program at Grove City College. “A Noble Calling,” published by Wipf and Stock, is designed for business professionals facing the demands and challenges of the dayto-day workplace. Ritenour’s essay is titled “Economics: A Biblical Perspective.” Herbener and Gordon co-authored “God’s Mandate and Dr. T. David Gordon Entrepreneurship.”

facultynnews Thrasher ’80 featured on radio

Archibald leads contest judges

Director of Career Services Dr. James Thrasher ’80 was featured on the nationally syndicated “Money Matters” radio program to discuss the Career Services Office at the College and its listing as No. 17 for “Best Career/Job Placement Services” by the Princeton Review. “Money Matters” is heard on more than 450 stations nationally and features commentary by Dr. James Thrasher ‘80 host Howard Dayton and various expert guests. The program also includes consumer-oriented features and Bible-based commentaries aimed at helping people become good and faithful stewards.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Mark Archibald was selected as a chief judge for the “Human Powered Vehicle Challenge,” sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Two contests were in April in Reno, Nev., and Madison, Wisc., and a third is set for September in Venezuela. Human Powered Vehicles are aerodynamic vehicles used by land, sea or air and are Dr. Mark Archibald judged on design, safety and performance. Archibald has been a judge for the competitions for the past few years. As chief judge, he will recruit the judging team for each competition, evaluate and recommend rule changes, and oversee the safety and judging of each event.

Duguid writes book on Daniel Dr. Iain Duguid, professor of religion, completed a commentary on the Old Testament book of Daniel. Duguid is a biblical editor for the Reformed Expository Commentary series, of which “Daniel” is the seventh installment. This is his second book in the series. “Daniel” began as a series of sermons Duguid preached in a California church in early 2006. He revised the series into a manuscript. Dr. Iain Duguid Duguid is currently working on a book on Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi, which will be published by Evangelical Press, possibly by next year. In the Reformed Expository Commentary series, his next addition will be a commentary on the book of Judges.

Profs finish forgiveness paper In 2000, members of the Department of Psychology began research on forgiveness. Eight years later, they are publishing their final report. Dr. Kevin Seybold and Dr. Gary Welton wrote “Forgiveness in the Trenches: Empathy, Perspective Taking, and Anger.” Former Grove City professor Dr. Peter Hill also contributed. “Forgiveness in the Trenches” will be published in the “Journal of Psychology and Christianity.” The professors’ project was in response to a call from the Templeton Foundation for more research on forgiveness in real life. Their research studied domestic couples in the process of terminating their relationships who were referred by the courts to a mediation center.

facultyprofile

Lisa Cantini-Seguin Name: Lisa Cantini-Seguin College: Vassar College Major: Art history Graduation Year: 1972 Further Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Fine Arts, Film and Television Production Title: Guest Lecturer in Communication Studies First Job After College Graduation: WQED TV, Pittsburgh, associate producer for “Decades of Decision,” a National Geographic special for the bicentennial Activities on Campus: Working with my students on video and audio projects Hobbies: Needlepoint, cooking, reading Last Book You Read: “T Is for Trespass” by Sue Grafton Favorite Vacation Spot: Phoenix, Ariz. Family Members: Husband Jim; sons Matt, 29, and Andy, 26; daughters Marie, 25, and Lizzy, 22

Pets: Oscar the cat and Milo, a Yorkie dog Favorite Location on Campus: Library Classes Taught this Semester: Video Production and Digital Citizen Favorite Part of Interacting with Students: Getting to know each student’s interests and strengths and trying to build a strong learning environment with the various personalities. Publications or Special Projects: Currently working on a video project on graffiti. I will also be attending a workshop in digital storytelling at the Santa Fe Workshops in Santa Fe, N.M., which will incorporate digital photography and recording documentary audio. Recently worked with students on a Veterans History Project – an undertaking of the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center Vietnam War documentary (see story on page 65).

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Spring 2008

retiringffaculty

Ellison shared love of mathematics with students By Nicky Lipartito ’09 r. John Ellison, professor of mathematics, began teaching at Grove City College in 1970. “I’ve taught virtually every course in the math department except statistics and geometry,” he said. Ellison said he “has always liked math” and thus decided to be a math major. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Whitman College, his master’s in applied math from the University of Colorado and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. While at Grove City, Ellison said the students have been something that has stood out to him, noting “the quality of students both as people and as students, particularly the math students,” he said. He added that teaching at the College has been an overall enjoyable experience. “I’ve really enjoyed working with the students and very much enjoyed working with my colleagues in the math department,” he said. According to Ellison, his favorite moments have been in the classroom, “trying to present the mathematics coherently and clearly and helping the students to learn the mathematics for their

Dr. John Ellison

careers.” Ellison said he hoped to help students “appreciate the beauty of mathematics; the power and the elegance of the subject.” He added that he would encourage interested students to pursue a career teaching mathematics as he did. “Teaching at an undergraduate college like Grove City is a great career,” he said.

Ellison was chair of the math department for 12 years, advisor to the Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity for 20 years, received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Grove City United Way and the Grove City College Florence E. MacKenzie CampusCommunity Award. In addition, he has been involved with the Newman Club on campus for 32 years, supporting Grove City’s Catholic students. He also spent more than six summers doing mathematical research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Ellison and his wife, Margaret, who also will retire from her job as a systems manager at George J. Howe Company this spring, will continue living in Grove City for the time being. They have been married 40 years and have four children: Mark, Kirsten, Joshua and Benjamin. Upon retirement, Ellison said he would like to do more volunteering, noting that he has been active in the community library for 20 years and would like to volunteer more at his church, Beloved Disciple. “I don’t have any particular plans. We’ll just see how things develop,” he said. (Nicky Lipartito is a senior English and communication studies major and The Collegian editor-in-chief.)

Van Til, the educators’ educator, will keep teaching By Mallory Skarupa ’09 lbert Einstein once said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Kathryn Van Til, with a creative genius all her own, has become master of this “supreme art” by awakening joy and a passion for teaching, and she will continue to do so after retirement. “I’m really not retiring, just re-firing,” Van Til said. “I’m doing something different. It’s hard to imagine not teaching, but it’s better to retire when no one’s hinting at it. Better to be in the driver’s seat than asked to move over or get out of the car.” In her years of teaching, Van Til has created and established numerous approaches to writing and teaching. At the high school level, she calls writing “verbal art” and inspires students to overcome their fears of composition.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Kathryn Van Til

On the collegiate level, Van Til devised a variety learning strategies for teachers to use in their classrooms. English and writing skills are not the only tools at Van Til’s disposal. In fact, it was in the foreign language department that she initially found herself at Grove City College. After her husband, Dr. L. John Van Til, was hired in ’72, the sudden death of Robert Sisler left a position to be filled. Van Til stepped in, utilizing her B.A. in French from Calvin College. Along with teaching French, Van Til soon became an instructor of some of the “Creative Dimension” humanities courses, required of all freshmen at the time. Later, the Education Department chair asked Van Til to instruct the English methods course for secondary English education majors, a part-time position. A

See VAN TIL, next page

retiringffaculty

Jones to continue cancer research after retirement By Nicky Lipartito ’08 hough Dr. David Jones, professor of biochemistry, is retiring this year, students and colleagues may still catch a glimpse of him from time to time. Staying in Grove City for now, Jones will continue working on cancer research with Dr. Durwood Ray, professor of biology. “Basically I’m going to just work writing some research papers. This will be a volunteer position, but it will be an opportunity for me to keep going.” Jones received his B.S. from Bethany Nazarene College, M.S. from the University of Oklahoma and Ph.D. from Cornell. Jones said he “had the wonderful opportunity to join a research group” at UCLA under Dr. Paul Boyer. He added that this was a post-doctoral fellowship spent working with mitochondria. Boyer won the Nobel Prize from this research in 1997. For nine years Jones taught in the biochemistry department at Albany Medical College in Albany, N.Y. Next, he went to Oral Roberts University medical school that was forming at the time in Tulsa, Okla. “We saw it as a tremendous opportunity to build a Christian medical school from the ground up,” he said. At a conference, he met Ray, who was working at Case Western Reserve. “We had instant rapport because we were working in the same fields and we were also Christians – and in our field there are not a lot of Christians.” After the Oral Roberts med school closed, Jones began teaching at Grove City. “It was a new thing for me because I had always taught at the medical level or the

David Jones named Professor of the Year

VAN TIL from page 90 full-time position came about 12 years ago, Van Til said. “I did it so my husband and I could have the same vacations. My family told me to do it, and it’s been very worthwhile.” With her new job came more new experiences – and a bigger family. The sorority sisters of Alpha Beta Tau soon asked Van Til to be their sorority mother – a fond memory Van Til holds dear. “I became the sorority mother for 10 years,” Van Til said. “I had three sons, but

Dr. David Jones

Retiring Professor of Biochemistry Dr. David Jones was named the 2008 Grove City College Professor of the Year at a ceremony in Harbison Chapel on May 1. He joined the faculty in 1990. The Professor of the Year was initiated in 2000 by the Omicron Delta Kappa campus leadership honorary and is sponsored by the Grove City College Alumni Association. Past winners include Larry Fleming (2007), Dr. Ralph Carlson ’62 (2006), Dr. James Bibza (2005), Richard Leo (2004), Dr. James Dixon (2003), Dr. Timothy Homan (2002), Dr. John Sparks ’66 (2001) and Dr. Gary Smith ’72 (2000).

graduate level and teaching at an undergraduate level is different because you have to teach over a broader spectrum of topics,” he said. Besides biochemistry, Jones has taught genetics and developmental biology. “I’ve liked Grove City College very much; the students are tremendous. And it’s a great privilege to teach the quality of students we have here; and interestingly the level of material that I give in my courses here is about the same level that I gave to medical students in the medical schools I taught at,” he said. Of memorable moments, Jones said there have been many. “One of the most exciting things was the surprise retirement party the students gave

me,” he said. “[It was] a total shock and it was just really wonderful.” In addition to his research with Ray, Jones said he will pursue other pastimes such as fishing in his new fishing boat, bird watching and continuing being active in East Main Presbyterian Church. “I think I’ll keep busy, I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to do other things,” he said. He and his wife, Jean, have planned a celebratory trip to national parks and will visit friends in the western states. The Joneses have three children: Martha, Kathleen ’94 and Timothy ’00. They have five grandchildren and one on the way. (Nicky Lipartito is a senior English and communication studies major and The Collegian editor-in-chief.)

no girls so I enjoyed that immensely.” Along with “more time with the eight granddaughters,” Van Til will hopefully be marketing her book (now in progress), authoring for publication of her beloved “strategy boxes” – the treasure chest of any of her English education students, editing for Vision & Values and traveling with her husband. Whatever comes her way, Van Til “won’t be bored.” “Life can’t be boring,” she said – and her career has been anything but. The most rewarding part of it all for her has been the exponential effect of “having [her]

hand on the future, in teaching prospective teachers who then go out and teach.” “It’s amazing the influence that comes through you,” Van Til explained. “When you stop and think about it – that’s the greatest reward. They [prospective teachers] take what they learn from you and give it to lots of other people.” Based on what Van Til has taught them, these teachers will have loads to give, and she will certainly be missed. (Mallory Skarupa ’09 is an English/ secondary education major and The Collegian sports editor.)

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

campusnnews

Hardesty joins College as VP of Student Life potential,” he said.“And not just potential, some of that’s realized potential. I interviewed with 78 people while I was on campus. About 30 of those were students. I was so impressed – impressed by the students, impressed by the faculty.” Hardesty, 40, enjoys woodworking and reading. He is currently building a desk and he and his wife, Josie, are renovating their current home.They are preparing to move with their eight-month-old daughter, Ellie, to the Grove City area. He officially begins June 1.

After a national search and extensive interviews, Larry Hardesty has been named the new vice president for student life and learning. Hardesty graduated in 1990 from Geneva College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 2005, he earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Geneva and also completed courses toward a master’s in student affairs in higher education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Hardesty has worked at Geneva since 1994, most recently as the acting dean of

students and director of campus ministries. Throughout his career there, he worked in nearly every area of student development. At Grove City, Hardesty will be responsible for all aspects of the Student Life and Learning Larry Hardesty program and lead the student life office. “Everywhere I look at Grove City I see

Attorney, pastor address graduates

Four join Advancement team

Attorney David Lascell, chief counsel for Grove City College during the landmark Supreme Court case, addressed 576 graduates at Commencement on May 17. Pastor Robert Thune offered words of wisdom an evening earlier at Baccalaureate. Lascell, a College Trustee, specializes in litigation, intellectual property, higher education and not-forprofit organizations. In 1984, he led the College through Grove City College v.T.H. Bell, Secretary of Education David Lascell and made headlines in the first court case where an educational institution fought for the right not to accept federal or state funds. Since then, Grove City College has remained truly financially independent in not Robert Thune accepting these government funds. Thune is senior pastor at Southwest Community Church in Indian Wells, Calif., and preaches weekly to a congregation of approximately 3,000.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Four employees recently joined the Grove City College Advancement team. Kelsey (Pollock ’06) Rhea was named assistant director of alumni relations. She will help to oversee the coordination of Homecoming and plan alumni events. After graduating with a political science Kelsey Rhea ‘06 degree, Rhea served as former Congresswoman Melissa Hart’s head of legislative correspondence in Washington, D.C. Rhea then worked for the Texas firm of Baselice & Associates. She visits shut-ins and the elderly through the Concord United Methodist Church and resides in North Sewickley Township, Pa., with her husband, Nathan. Elicia (Mack ’02) Winner was named director of annual giving. She has five years of annual giving and campaign experience as marketing coordinator with the United Way of Western Crawford County (Pa.). Elicia Winner ‘02 She will be responsible for the annual giving program Full Circle, fund raising events and phone-a-thons.

Winner graduated with a degree in marketing management. Her volunteer work includes helping with Make A Difference Day in Crawford County. She resides in Meadville her husband, Brian. Melinda Miller is serving as director of foundation, corporation and church relations, a newly created position. Most recently, she served as director of communications at Shadyside Academy, a private Pre-K-12 school Melinda Miller in Pittsburgh. A native of Newport, R.I., Miller earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy from SUNY Albany and Boston College. She has worked in communications in the private and public sectors. Miller volunteers at the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Business Marketing Association and with Slippery Rock’s Annual Village Fest. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in communication and rhetorical studies at Duquesne University. She and her husband, Chuck Morse, split their time between homes in Slippery Rock and Pittsburgh. Tricia Corey joined the team as alumni relations assistant. She began her new post on May 19 and lives with her family in Grove City.

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Grove City College officially opened its new downtown store, Crimson Connection, on April 14. Ribbon cutters included, from left, Brian Ralph, president of the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce; Roger Towle ‘68, Grove City College vice president for financial affairs; State Representative Dick Stevenson; President Richard G. Jewell ‘67; Grove City Mayor Randy Riddle; Bookstore Manager Larry Mathieson and Lisa Pritchard, manager of Olde Town Grove City. / Photo by Janice (Zinsner ‘87) Inman

College opens new store in downtown Grove City A new Grove City College store opened downtown with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 14 at the store’s 231 S. Broad St. site. Crimson Connection offers apparel, gifts and other merchandise. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays.The store is closed on Sundays. The location is one that is attractive to the College, being near to the College’s Colonial Hall Apartments and the Carnegie Alumni Center, currently under renovation. “We have been both a witness to and a major contributor to the many great things happening in downtown Grove City,” said President Richard G. Jewell ’67,“and we wanted to continue to be a part of that momentum.We think having a presence in

a revitalized downtown will be a wonderful shopping experience for our friends, fellow community members, prospective students and parents, and the thousands of alumni who visit the area each year.” The site had been renovated in 2005, so only a few projects were necessary. Crimson Connection is looking forward to helping Grove City College alumni writers showcase their work as well. Alumni who have authored books may send a published and finished review copy to Crimson Connection Manager Larry Mathieson at 100 Campus Drive, Grove City, PA 16127. Include contact information, please. Mathieson will contact writers whose works may be featured at Crimson Connection.

College acquires observatory Grove City College has acquired an observatory from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and will utilize the remote structure for astronomy classes as well as for faculty and student research. The Grove City College Observatory will open many doors to physics faculty and students and those in other science disciplines.The goal is for faculty to use the observatory in the 2008-09 academic year.

Plans include operating the Torus 20-inch robotic telescope remotely from more than 60 miles away. The purchase will pave the way for the addition of an astronomy minor. All funds for the observatory came through donations by alumni and friends to the Swezey Scientific Instrumentation Fund, designed to prepare students for careers in the hard sciences and engineering.

College establishes emergency system Grove City College recently began using a campus emergency notification system. The emergency notification system is designed to alert the campus to weatherrelated emergencies as well as dangerous situations on campus. Depending on the circumstances, additional information may be provided to the campus via voice or text message and/or e-mail; information may also be posted on College’s website at www.gcc.edu under the link for “Emergency Response Plan.” In the case of an actual emergency, the alert will be a combination of an audible message alerting the campus to the nature of the emergency and a different signal tone. Each alert will continue for approximately two minutes. The system is one component of the College’s Emergency Response Plan, which provides a framework to address emergency situations such as fires, bomb threats and campus evacuations. The signal is located just off of Madison Avenue beside the College’s central heating plant. The location insures that the emergency warning is audible on all outdoor areas of campus and some indoor areas as well. The signal may be heard in parts of the Borough of Grove City and portions of the east end of Pine Township. The system will be tested weekly with a chime tone that will also remind community members that they are invited to attend Sunday evening Vespers.

Scholarship luncheon joins donors, students Grove City College’s annual scholarship luncheon was held on April 19. At the oncampus event, many scholarship donors were able to meet and dine with their scholarship recipients. For more on the luncheon, as well as photographs, visit www.gcc.edu/giving.php. Also watch for an in-depth story on scholarship in the fall issue of The GeDUNK.

Grove City named to guide The Intercollegiate Studies Institute has included Grove City College as one of 134 quality schools in its guide “Choosing the Right College 2008-09: The Whole Truth about America’s Top Schools.” Grove City College is one of 33 colleges and universities highlighted in the Mid-Atlantic region. – DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

College awarded donor funding

campusnnews

Grove City College was awarded funding to develop information-sharing events for donor relations professionals in western Pennsylvania. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education District II Board’s Venture Capital Fund awarded $10,000 total and $1,000 to Grove City’s donor relations program, under the leadership of Director of Donor Services Roxann Williams. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education District II covers Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and West Virginia.

Debaters finish 11th in nation In its second year of parliamentary debate, the Speech and Debate Team finished 11th in the country as ranked by the National Parliamentary Debate Association. The team competed in the national tournament at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Prior to nationals, debaters traveled to other regional competitions, as well as the National Christian Colleges Forensic Invitational. At nationals, freshmen Daniel Hanson and Kelsey Winther both scored high. The Speech and Debate Team is coached by Drs. Steven Jones and Jason Edwards.

College makes grade in safety and security Grove City College has earned an “A+” rating for the safety and security of the campus, according to recently released 2008 College Prowler rankings. Only 12 schools received the highest rating. The high grade “means that students generally feel safe, campus police are visible, blue-light phones and escort services are readily available, and safety precautions are not overly necessary,” according to the College Prowler guide. The rating is a result of the recommendation of the guide’s student author, direct student feedback and other factors such as the presence and size of a police force and security staff, services provided, the area and campus crime reports, security of dormitories and the prevalence of campus theft. 94

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Shovel turners ceremoniously break ground for the new Carnegie Alumni Center. / Photo by Amy Clingensmith ’96

Ground broken for new Carnegie Alumni Center Grove City College broke ground on the new Carnegie Alumni Center in February.Taking part in the ceremony were College President Richard G. Jewell ’67, Alumni Council Vice President Doug Knable ’79, Student Government Association president Andrew Miller ’08, Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, Vice President for Advancement Jeff Prokovich ’89,Vice President for Operations Tom Gregg ’80, John C. Schrott, III, president of the Pittsburgh architecture firm IKM Incorporated, and James T. Frantz, president of the TEDCO Construction company of Carnegie, Pa. The $6.7 million Carnegie project will include a 6,200-square-foot addition and renovation to the existing 12,600-squarefoot building.The addition will serve as a main entry point to the facility and meet all accessibility requirements, feature an elevator and additional stairway, and provide adequate restroom facilities for staff and event needs.The project is the last in

the College’s $69 million Change & Commitment Campaign. All funds for Carnegie are donated funds. The building, home to the College Institutional Advancement staff, will keep its overall personality of early 20th century architecture while upgrading to include better welcoming reception space, more office and a space to showcase the history of the College.The space will be open to the College’s 23,000 alumni for dinners, events, programs and a gathering area. “We’re looking forward to the grand opening of this new space,” MacLeod said. “This is a way for us to give back to our alumni and friends who have contributed so much in making the College the place it is today.We want the new Carnegie Alumni Center to be their home away from home when they visit their alma mater.” Seventeen staff members relocated to the Pew Fine Arts Center Gallery in January and should return by March 2009 at the completion of the renovations.

athousandwords

The 2008 Legacy Luncheon, an annual part of Parents’ Weekend festivities, welcomed 36 legacy families to campus. Grove City College alumni parents, and some grandparents, joined their current students for lunch on May 3. / Photo by Tiffany Wolfe

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

classnotes

The e symbol is a new feature of GeDUNK Class Notes. An e following certain notes indicates that news has been submitted via the Grove City College Alumni eCommunity. Therefore more news and/or a photo is available on the eCommunity site. Visit www.gcc.edu/alumnicommunity for details.

1943 CHARLES RUDIBAUGH JR. reports that 2007 was a year of anniversaries for him. Charles and his wife, Helen, were married for 60 years; he has been in the insurance business for 60 years; and he attained 50 years of perfect attendance with the Youngstown (Ohio) Kiwanis Club.

1954 LEAH (HUNTER) WILLIAMS was featured in the Johnstown, Pa., “TribuneDemocrat” in December for her 21 years of work with the local Festival of the Nativity. In addition to finding hundreds of crèches, she organizes the music. Williams is the retired administrator of the Presbyterian Home of Johnstown.

1966 KEEP IN TOUCH! We want to keep

CHARLES “CAM” CAMPBELL retired from Los Alamos National Labs in January 2008. He says he will ski more and teach a course or two at the University of New Mexico.

1967 DR. CHARLIE STEIN recently led the dental team during a Rotary Club project to Peru. Teams consisted of four to nine dentists and support staff, depending on the day. Dentists hailed from the United States, Japan, Denmark, Mexico and Peru. The team performed 1,400 brushing and fluoride treatments while the dentists saw 551 patients and extracted about 1,500 teeth.

1969 GEORGE and GEORGIA (WILSON ’70) KNIGHT were featured in the 2007 annual report of the American Red Cross, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter. The Knights are donors and active volunteers. They serve on the South Metro Disaster Action Team and Community Council, and the Heroes Campaign. George has worked on several large-scale relief operations and Georgia teaches babysitter’s training, first aid, CPR and water safety.

1970 ROB DICKENSON was the subject of a story in the “Daily Local” in Chester County, Pa. Dickenson has been a working musician

Theater Fellowship

in touch with you electronically! If you have an e-mail address, or have recently changed your address, please contact us at alumni@gcc.edu.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

These theater-going alumnae met in April for a show at the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa. The ladies have met every two or three years for the past decade; most are sisters of the Theta Alpha Pi sorority. Row 1, from left, Lois “Pinky” (Smith ’49) Jones and Phyllis (Double ’49) Paolo. Row 2: Jan (Currier ’50) Johnson, Jean (McIntire ’50) Robertson, Beryl (Fox ’49) Davis, Jane (Scott ’49) Gilchrist, Jean (Hale ’49) Miller, Dolores (Seginak ’50) Willson and Ruth (Shafer ’49) Stubbs.

classnnotes for nearly 50 years, still playing about 200 dates a year. He just released his sixth CD, “Remembrance.” He has three different musical projects: The Rob Dickenson Band, a dance band called Good Foot, and an Irish-themed band called Shenanigans.

Yoga Surprise

1971 ELIZABETH (SHEAR) ORNDORFF’s play, “Death by Darkness,” won the $10,000 prize for best new work at the International Mystery Writers’ Festival in Kentucky in June 2007. She was honored with an additional $5,000 prize as best new playwright. Orndorff was one of six writers in competition in the play division. An earlier composition in 2004, the short story “The Bathroom Cleaner,” has earned several honors.

1972 MARY KAY (MCKNIGHT) MATTOCKS received the Community Service Award in January 2008 from the Grove City Chamber of Commerce. She has volunteered her time on the Grove City Bicentennial, Grace Community Food Pantry, Grove City Historical Society, Strawberry Days festival and Fall Fest, among others.

1973 GREG URBAS led the wrestling team at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, to its state-record 12th consecutive Division I wrestling title. It was Urbas’ 13th state crown in the 19 years he has been head coach. He was named Coach of the Year for his efforts. He is a math teacher at the school.

1974 CURT HAINES joined Affinity Technology Consultants in Harrisburg, Pa. Serving as senior technology adviser, he will focus on revenue, gaming control systems, data center consolidation and technology operations in the United States and abroad. For the past 32 years, Haines worked for the state of Pennsylvania.

Janice (Troupe ’71) Keifer realized a dream this winter when she opened her own yoga center in Apopka, Fla. Completely surprising her there at the Lotus Yoga Center one Saturday in February were several of her 1971 Sigma Theta Chi sorority sisters, all ready for class. They had flown in from as far as Seattle, Wash., to surprise her. Row 1, from left, Barb (Toth) Brandt, Deb (Marziano) Lang, Linda (Byer) Lemmon and Barb (Sherwin) Schmit. Row 2: Cathy (Santalucia) Clark, Andrea (Smith) Fine, Keifer and Susan (Preston) Conrad.

1975 BARBARA (BIRD) EVANS is the new assistant director for public services at First Regional Library in Hernando, Miss. She will oversee 13 branch libraries in five northern Mississippi counties.

1978 THOMAS WOODWARD has been named state president and Philadelphia market president for Bank of America. He will provide business, civic and philanthropic leadership for Bank of America throughout Pennsylvania, with a focus on the Philadelphia area. He has been with the company since 2006.

1979 BARBARA (SPOTZ) JOHNSON opened her own intellectual property law practice in January 2008, Barbara E. Johnson, Esq., Attorney at Law, on Grant Street in Pittsburgh.

PAT LEDONNE has joined Holy Cross Catholic School in Lynchburg, Va., as their director of admissions and development. Holy Cross is a pre-K through 12th grade private school. LeDonne lives in Lynchburg with her daughter Natalie, 13.

1980 GENE LEPLEY was recognized as Best News Anchor by the Virginia Associated Press for his work with NBC-12 (WWBT) in Richmond, Va. ROBERT MUNRO is now the northeast regional sales manager for videoNEXT, a developer of security management solutions. The company is based in Chantilly, Va. GREGORY SPALDING and his wife, Lilly, announce the birth of son Willard Gregory on March 7, 2008. The Spaldings live in Pittsburgh.

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

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1982

Biblical Storytelling Trip

JAMES GEORGE was named vice president, community relations, for The Hershey Company in Hershey, Pa. He is now responsible for the company’s community involvement, both locally and internationally. This includes corporate giving, strengthening ties with the Milton Hershey School and leading operations for Hershey’s Track and Field Games. He has been with the company since 1984. MARY EVE KEARNS, who works with Peters Township (Pa.) Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, was named as being in the top one percent of sales associates for the year 2007. She is an associate broker and has been the top sales associate in her office from 1992-2007.

1983 KENNETH GONCZ and his wife, Gina, welcomed son Bradley Judson on Jan. 24, 2008.

1984 BARBARA (WAUGAMAN) FOX was initiated into the national honor society of Phi Kappa Phi at Columbus State University, Columbus, Ga. Fox will be completing her master of science in applied computer science degree with a concentration in information assurance in May 2008. GAIL (ZEHNER) MARTIN is the author of a new novel, “The Blood King,” released in February by Solaris Books/Simon & Schuster. The book is a sequel to her earlier book, “The Summoner,” both of which are part of The Chronicles of The Necromancer fantasy adventure series. “The Blood King” has already gone into a second printing and was number two on British bookseller Waterstone’s pre-order list. PATRICIA PREMICK has been accepted as a career missionary with United World Mission. e JOHN MARK VOUGA and his wife, Tamara Sender, welcomed son Kai Sender on Feb. 3, 2007. They live in Valparaiso, Ind.

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Four Alpha Beta Tau sorority sisters journeyed to Israel/Palestine in January on an 11-day biblical storytelling trip. Pictured on the Mount of Olives with Jerusalem in the background are, from left, Tracy Radosevic ’87, Ann (Kurtz ’84) Judd, Betty Ann Buckley ’87 and Heather Scott ’88. Buckley’s tour company organized the trip and professional biblical storyteller Radosevic designed the program, which focused on the stories of biblical women, Jesus and other people of faith.

1985 THE REV. DR. RON BELSTERLING received his Ph.D. in education from Biola University in the spring of 2006. He has been teaching for 11 years at Nyack College, in the undergraduate program for youth ministry and Christian education, and in the graduate programs for counseling, education and ministry. His research has focused on adolescent attachment

relationships. He also preaches and speaks regularly, while chairing a Young Life committee in his community. KEVIN GIBSON, who coaches youth lacrosse in Hamburg, N.Y., was named a Character Coach of the Year by the Character Council of Hamburg and the Hamburg Youth Sports Partnership. He was recognized for teaching character, leadership and teamwork. Gibson also is the treasurer for Hamburg Youth Lacrosse.

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1986

1990

1992

DAVID ALTHOUSE accepted a new job as lead engineer of the Cab Division of Mack Trucks, Allentown, Pa., in October 2007. DAN GONCZ was named a stockholder at Gannett Fleming, an international planning, design and construction management firm based in Mercer, Pa. Goncz serves as manager of municipal services for the firm’s Pittsburgh Region Environmental Engineering Division.

STEPHANIE CATES and Paul Hermann were married Oct. 17, 2007, in a private ceremony at sunset on the beach at Makena Surf in Maui, Hawaii. They currently reside in Spokane, Wash. Stephanie is the marketing director for a consumer packaged goods manufacturing company and Paul owns a decorative concrete business. GIZELLE (KOVACSICS) DEAN earned her doctor of physical therapy degree in August 2007 from Slippery Rock University and was recognized for distinguished academic achievement. She also published an article in “Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice” and is an instructor in Penn State’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program. She maintains a clinical practice at Peak Performance Physical Therapy in Hermitage, Pa., and lives in New Castle with husband Dr. William Dean ’88 and their two children. DANIEL KRILEY earned an M.A. in educational leadership and policy studies from California State University – Northridge in December 2007. He is currently teaching theater at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego. He directed this spring’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

MATT FAGLEY and his wife, Angela, are the parents of daughter Kayla, born Jan. 3, 2006. BETH (DOROW) FREDERICK and her husband, Kevin, welcomed son Colin Matthew on July 30, 2007. He joins Lia, 2, at home in Pittsburgh. REBECCA (PALMER) GUSTAFSON and her husband, Eric, announce the birth of son Michael Joseph on Jan. 4, 2008. e DAVID KENNEDY and his wife, Melissa, are the parents of Mackenzie, born March 13, 2007, and David III, 2. The Kennedys live in Youngstown, N.Y. LORI (METZ) and JONATHAN ’93 SPAHR welcomed baby Piper on March 24, 2007. e STEVE and ANDREA (TONGEN ’97) WOLFE welcomed son Jack on May 25, 2007. e

1987 DAVID SCHUERER and his wife, Kendra, are the parents of daughter Charlotte Irene, born Jan. 8, 2008. The family makes its home in Merritt Island, Fla.

1988 LAURA (BAIRD) ALTHOUSE accepted a new job as a legal secretary for the North Whitehall Township (Lehigh County, Pa.) lawyer/solicitor in December 2007.

1989 DENISE (JAMISON) MONDAY and her husband, Pete, welcomed son Luke Anthony on Oct. 8, 2007. Brother Nathan is 6. The Mondays reside in Renfrew, Pa. TIMOTHY MOORE accepted a job at Virginia Tech as data warehouse architect. e ERIN (O’BRIEN) and JEFFREY ’90 SCOTT welcomed daughter Bridget on July 13, 2006. Siblings are Brendan, Colin and Sean. ALLEN YARD and his wife, Ruth, announce the birth of daughter Evelin Jennifer on Feb. 7, 2008. The family resides in Waterford, Pa., where Allen is a land surveyor with BenchMark Surveying.

1991 THE REV. RON GEISLER started a new church, the Life Church South Hills, in Canonsburg, Pa. Geisler serves as pastor of the church, which is part of the Free Methodist denomination. LAURIE (JONES) and GLENN HOSHAUER welcomed son Jacob Kirk on Nov. 14, 2007. Siblings are Justin, 8, Amanda, 4, and Rebekah, 2. The family lives in Tampa, Fla. RON KAINE was promoted to senior technical writer at Confluence Technologies in Pittsburgh. e

1993 MATT BEATTY has accepted a call to pastor a small independent church in the Cincinnati area beginning June 1. He is leaving his position at Grove City College as assistant to the provost; director of academic advising; and instructor of religion, philosophy and humanities. CATHERINE (EHRKE) CALIGIURI and her husband, Joseph, welcomed daughter Caroline Elizabeth on Nov. 18, 2006. Big brother Andrew is 3. The family lives in Lancaster, N.Y. ELLEN (THORNHILL) and MATT ’92 HUFFMYER announce the birth of daughter Kiersten Joy-Ruth on Sept. 18, 2007. She joins brothers Cameron and Will, and sister Laurel at their Pittsburgh home. HEIDI (HUTCHINS) MESSNER and her husband, Steve, welcomed son Oliver Thomas on Nov. 16, 2007. He joins sister Katie, 2, at home in Reading, Pa. ALICIA (WRABLEY) STULL and her husband, Dennis, welcomed daughter Margaret Cecilia on April 28, 2007. e

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

classnnotes

Conneaut Staff Reunion

An in-service day for staff at Conneaut School District in northwestern Pennsylvania turned into a sort of Grove City College mini-reunion. The alums realized that they make up approximately four percent of the district’s staff. They report sharing good memories and laughs from their days at the College. Row 1, from left, Ben Stumpf ’03, school psychologist; Claudia (West) DeVoge ’77, business education, Linesville and Conneaut Lake High School; and Kris Barnes ’95, music, Conneaut Lake Elementary. Row 2: John Hines ’87, principal, Conneaut Lake High School; Joel Wentling ’91, assistant principal, Conneaut Lake High School; Glenn Cameron ’91, band director, Conneaut Valley High School; Bill Merritt ’77, English, Conneaut Valley High School; and Mark Skiba ’84, business education; Conneaut Valley High School.

1994

1995

THE REV. DEANA ARMSTRONG is serving as pastor of St. Michael’s United Church of Christ in Baltimore, Ohio. She began her tenure as pastor in June. DEBRA (RUTH) ERCEGOVIC and her husband, Edward, announce the birth of daughter Caroline Ruth on April 25, 2006. e MAUREEN JORDAN has been promoted to director with the business law firm of Cohen & Grigsby. She works in the firm’s Business Practice Group in Pittsburgh, concentrating on real estate. KRISTIN (JOS) and NICHOLAS ROBINSON have a new daughter, Greta, joining siblings Alden and Lucy. VICTORIA (BECKER) TORRES and her husband, Adam, welcomed son Hudson Chester on Sept. 14, 2007. The family lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

JENNY (LIPPINCOTT) and YORK ’93 ASPACHER announce the births of three sons in the past four years. Grayson James was born April 29, 2004, Owen Campbell was born Aug. 10, 2005, and Morgan Leggatt was born Dec. 10, 2007. The boys join brother Jake and sister Madeline in Rochester, N.Y. CHRISTOPHER BOORMAN is serving as testing manager at Visual Technologies, Inc., in Hartford, Conn. SHERI (ROBINSON) and TOM ’96 CAMPION welcomed daughter Selah Grace, born May 3, 2007, and placed in their family May 5, 2007. Selah joins brothers Holt, 7, Costen, 5, Greyson, 3, and sister Elaina, 3, in Mahomet, Ill.

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JENNIFER CAYE and Christopher Yeung were married Aug. 18, 2007, in Ligonier, Pa. Jennifer received her doctorate in physical therapy from Duke University and served hospitals on the east coast, including Shriners Children’s Hospital, George Washington University Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (see story on page 54). Christopher is a Ph.D. graduate of Johns Hopkins University and does MRI physics research at the National Institutes of Health. They reside in Milwaukee, Wis. CATHY (MILLER) HOOVER and her husband, Mike, welcomed son Joshua Michael on Oct. 23, 2007. The family resides in Akron, Ohio. WENDY (HARRISON) and RYAN HUTCHISON welcomed son Cole James on Aug. 8, 2007. Sister Abby is 6. The family lives in Venetia, Pa. JOELLE THOMPSON is working as a staff developer with Montgomery County Public Schools in Rockville, Md. JIM VIELAND is the new head football coach of the Mountaineers at Ephrata (Pa.) High School. He came to the position after serving Hempfield High School as varsity assistant coach and head junior varsity coach.

1996 REBECCA (DUNBAR) and PETER “CLARK” BOWERSOX announce the adoption of three children from Liberia, West Africa: Joshua, 5, Patience, 3, and Garty, 1. The children joined the family on April 9, 2007. e HEATHER (KINKADE) and DOUGLAS ’00 DUNSMOOR welcomed daughter Chloe Alicia on March 4, 2008. They live in Columbus, Ohio. MEREDITH (REASOR) and BRETT HINKEY welcomed daughter Reagan Grace on Oct. 19, 2007. She joins sisters Alex and Sydney in Nokesville, Va. AMBRA (REHM) HORWITH and her husband, Michael, welcomed twins Abigail Jane and Elizabeth Marie on Oct. 18, 2007. e

classnnotes LAUREN (BASCOM) KAUSNER and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of daughter Elizabeth Ann on Oct. 25, 2007. She was welcomed by brothers John, 5, and Steven, 4, in Buffalo, N.Y. KATHY (KLIMCHAK) MARLEY and her husband, Gregg, welcomed daughter Megan Elizabeth on Aug. 15, 2007. e AMY (CHEESEMAN) and JASON ’97 NEWLON welcomed son Andrew Charles on Dec. 14, 2007. Big brother is Max. The Newlons live in Lebanon, Ohio. SCOTT REID and his wife, Jean, are the parents of son Garrett Hunter, born Dec. 1, 2007. The Reids live in Lynbrook, N.Y. MICHELLE (MORRONE) and DAVID RICE welcomed son Jason on Oct. 31, 2007. He joins Ben, 2, in San Antonio, Texas. MARCY (LUCAS) STEHNEY and her husband, Arlan, are the parents of son Ari Lucas, born Dec. 22, 2006. They live in Leesburg, Va. BOBBI (DUNGAN) and FRANK STEWART are the parents of son Alexander Garret, born Sept. 1, 2007. The Stewarts reside in Clemmons, N.C. KELLI (GUMP) and GREGORY WATSON welcomed son Joshua Lawrence on Dec. 10, 2007. Joshua joins sisters Amanda, 6, Emily, 4, Rachel, 3 and Lauren, 2, in Pittsburgh. DEANNA (CLAMIDORI) WEAVER and her husband, Christopher, announce the birth of son Grant Christopher on Oct. 2, 2007. They live in Valencia, Pa. e

1997 ALEXIS (TROIAN) COLONELLO and her husband, Richard, announce the birth of son Vincenzo Troian on Nov. 28, 2006. e DAISY (LEPNARK) and EDWARD ’96 CRANE welcomed daughter Kaelin Elizabeth on April 4, 2007. She joins siblings Ellie, 6, and Noah, 3, in Ambler, Pa. e LOUIS EARLE completed a 28-day desert survival course last summer. He spent a month hiking more than 250 miles in the canyons of southern Utah. e JOSHUA FOSTER is the new executive director of Chatham Baroque in Pittsburgh. The group is a professional baroque ensemble playing on period instruments.

CARRIE (DANEKIND) GILBERT and her husband, Marc, welcomed twin girls, Eleanor Grace and Abigail Faith, on Oct. 15, 2007. JUSTIN KING is an associate partner with Brulant, Inc. marketing company in Cleveland. He and his wife have four daughters. e DANIELLE (PLATT) LEWIS and her husband, Jonathan, announce the birth of daughter Gabrielle Kimberly on Oct. 31, 2007. The Lewis family lives in Culpeper, Va. MEGAN (ROBERTS) RYAN and her husband, Todd, welcomed daughter Emma Anne on Jan. 16, 2008. Emma joins sister Hannah, 2, in Bumpass, Va. JASON SEABORN married Jowell Ortega on July 28, 2007, in St. Helena, Calif. Jason’s daughter, Isabella, 6, was a flower girl. The family has relocated back to Hawaii, where they live on the North Shore of Oahu, in Waialua. Jason is an editor for the Honolulu “Star-Bulletin” and Jowell is a physician assistant at a clinic in Kapolei. VANESSA (WOLL) WATNE and her husband, Jamie, welcomed son Bjorn James on March 30, 2007. He joins sister Ana. MAE (MCCLERNON) and KYLE ’98 WILSON welcomed daughter Elisabeth Mae on Nov. 21, 2007. She joins Emma, 7, and Sam, 2, at home in Richmond, Va. ALISON YOUNG was named by the White House as special assistant to the president and deputy director of the USA Freedom Corps. She had served as White House liaison and director of faith-based and community initiatives at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

1998 MICHELLE (FREEMAN) and RUSSELL BAFFORD announce the birth of son Isaac Charles on Dec. 21, 2007. e ABIGAIL (NOSS) and MATTHEW BEST welcomed son Grant Alexander on Feb. 2, 2008. He joins Emma, 5, and Molly, 3.

ROBIN (MILLER) and ADAM ’97 DREWS welcomed son Calvin Adidas on April 11, 2007. He joins sister Nicol in Norfolk, Va. STACEY FOX is working as a senior manager at Argy, Wiltse & Robinson, P.C., in McLean, Va. TIMOTHY GROSS and his wife, Corri, welcomed daughter Lyla Pear on Feb. 24, 2008. Lyle is sister to AJ, 5, and Phoebe, 2. The family resides in Stonington, Conn., where Tim is a buyer for Electric Boat. RACHEL (OESTERLING) HILLMAN and her husband, Brett, welcomed son Dain on June 17, 2006, and daughter Jillian on Jan. 24, 2008. e JENNIFER (VOEGTLY) KASIANIDES and her husband, Paul, welcomed daughter Anna on Oct. 12, 2006. e STEPHANIE (BROWN) and KIRK MILLER are the parents of daughter Eva, born Nov. 15, 2007, and brother Simon, 3. The Millers live in Kansas City, Mo. HEATHER (MITCHELL) WILSON and her husband, Jeremiah, announce the birth of son Sawyer David on Feb. 23, 2008. The family resides in West Hartford, Conn. KELLY (OSBORNE) and KENNETH WOODARD welcomed daughter Cambridge “Cammie” Grace on Dec. 18, 2007. She joins Rhys, 2, at home in Taylors, S.C.

1999 AMY (VALENTINE) BILSLAND and her husband, Justin, are the parents of son Cooper James, born March 13, 2007. The family resides in Pittsburgh. KELLY (NICHOLSON) CONAWAY and her husband, Eric, welcomed son Ian Samuel on Aug. 31, 2007. BETH (BARDEEN) and JASON ’96 GUILLAUME welcomed son Ryan James on Feb. 6, 2008. Brothers are Nathan, 3, and Alex, 1. The family lives in Blossburg, Pa. KARIN HENDRICKSON began DMA studies in conducting at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. In the coming months, she will also conduct the Kalamazoo Symphony (Mich.) and cover conduct the Baltimore Symphony. e KRIS LEFFEW and his wife, Courtney, welcomed son Luke Scott on July 17, 2007. e

– DUNK theG e

Spring 2008

classnnotes PAMELA and DANIEL ROSSI-KEEN announce the birth of twins Carmine Anthony and Maria Caterina on June 11, 2007. Brother Owen is 4. The family lives in The Plains, Ohio. BETHANY (VANVOORHIS) and MARK SCHEFFLER welcomed daughter Daniela Joy on July 23, 2007. She joins Jordan, 2. Mark is executive director at Leadership Akron in Ohio. Bethany, in addition to being a stay-at-home mom, works for West Publishing, writing and updating legal reference books. ANDREA (TONGEN) and STEVE ’92 WOLFE welcomed son Jack on May 25, 2007. e

2000 REBECCA (YEAGER) BOWMAN and her husband, Stuart, welcomed son Daniel Richard on Feb. 4, 2007. Brother Adam is 3. The Bowmans reside in Fairfax, Va. ERICA (TUCKEY) and MATTHEW BRUMBACH are the parents of Peter, 2, and reside in Gap, Pa. DR. KRISTINE (BEATTY) DELAMARTER has joined Madras Medical Group in Madras, Ore. She sees seeing patients of all ages for primary healthcare. LINDSEY (CATLIN) and TIMOTHY ’99 DOUTT welcomed son Spencer Reed on March 25, 2007. e DR. TYLER FUGATE and his wife, Angelique, announce the birth of daughter Audrey Elaine on April 17, 2007. The family lives in Harrisburg, Pa. THERESA (NUMER) GARVIN and her husband, Stephen, welcomed daughter Miriam Rose on Feb. 22, 2007. She joins sister Naomi, 2. COURTNEY (CHRIST) and JEREMY HASSEMAN welcomed son Oliver Henry on Oct. 5, 2007. Tristan is 3. DR. AMANDA HEPLER joined HealthReach Community Health Centers in Rangeley, Maine. She will begin by doing a preceptorship and will join Rangely Region Health Center as a full-time physician in July when she finishes her residency. OWEN HUGHES and his wife, Amber, welcomed son Griffin on Nov. 5, 2006. Griffin’s sister Emma is 3. The family lives in Melbourne, Fla.

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GRETCHEN (HAMEL) LANDIS was named vice president of workforce development and community partnerships at Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland. She will lead seven Goodwill professionals managing workforce programs in the Lansing, Battle Creek, Charlotte, Coldwater and Marshall areas. LAURA LEMIRE-JANSON and her husband, Jim, are the parents of son Colin, born Oct. 27, 2007. e DANIELLE (PLATT) LEWIS and her husband, Jonathan, announce the birth of daughter Gabrielle Kimberly on Oct. 31, 2007. They live in Culpeper, Va. KRISTIN (BARBISH) ROBERTS and her husband, Alexandre, welcomed son Timothy Alexandre on May 20, 2007. He joins brother Paul, 2, in New Kensington, Pa. CAROL TIPPIE completed her master of science degree in biotechnology at Texas Tech University in August 2007. She continues to work for Bayer CropScience, currently working with their cotton seed company, FiberMax. She lives in Lubbock. BRYNN (DEYE) and NICK TISCIONE are the parents of son Silas Bartholomew, born July 18, 2007. AMY (SCHOELLER) and BRIAN TONEY welcomed son Nolan on July 17, 2007. e JESSIE (HOPPER) ZACEK and her husband, Aaron, welcomed daughter Samantha on Dec. 24, 2007. e MICHELLE (LESNEY) ZANG and her husband, Jason, announce the birth of daughter Sophia Michelle on Oct. 27, 2007. Brother Ethan is 2. They reside in Butler, Pa.

2001 ROBYN (VANVOORHIS) ALLAN and her husband, Eric, announce the birth of daughter Payton Augusta on April 10, 2007. The Allans live in Louisville, Ohio. ALLISON (DEES) and PAUL BARRY announce the birth of daughter Katherine on Feb. 27, 2007. e SARAH (HAHN) and TRAVIS ’99 BOND welcomed daughter Sadie Elizabeth, born Dec. 26, 2007. e EMILY (RICE) CAMA and her husband, Jim, announce the birth of daughter Abigail Grace on Jan. 30, 2008. The Camas live in Denver, Colo.

JENNIFER (ALLEN) CHECK was promoted to coordinator of K-5 curriculum and K-12 technology at Bloomfield (N.Y.) Central School District. She also completed a second master’s degree in educational administration from the State University of New York at Oswego. e DAWN (BLAUVELT) DETRICK and her husband, Brett, are the parents of son Tyler David, born Aug. 26, 2007. Their home is in Herndon, Va. BRIAN DONOVAN and his wife, Erin, announce the birth of son Keegan Joseph on Dec. 22, 2007. e KATHRYN (WIANT) and BRETT ’99 DUTTON welcomed son Caleb Brooks on Feb. 21, 2008. He joins brother Noah, 2, in Powell, Ohio. TRACEY (FETTER) KELLER and her husband, Matthew, welcomed daughter Hannah Beth on Feb. 20, 2008. The Kellers live in Mount Joy, Pa. CHRISTY (STOUT) and BOB ’97 KERIN announce the birth of son Matthew James on March 12, 2008. Sister Elizabeth is 2. The Kerins live in Elizabethtown, Pa. SARA LUBBERS was hired as director of research and insights in the Insights Department at Malone Advertising in Akron, Ohio. JUSTIN MUCHONEY won the position of the first Disney Parks chief magic official. He was first selected one of the top 20, then top 10, then to three finalists out of 1,300 applicants, The chief magic official will work part time during Disney’s The Year of a Million Dreams celebration. More information is available at www.dreamcmo.com. Muchoney works as director of music and fine arts at Ingomar United Methodist Church in Franklin Park. AMANDA (BAYLISS) and JOSHUA MOYER welcomed daughter Caitlin on May 5, 2007. e KRISTINA (ODONISH) and ROBERT PAZEHOSKI announce the birth of twin sons, Henry Wilson and Jesse Webster on March 18, 2008. e JAMES ROODHOUSE and his wife, Jen, are the parents of daughter Natalie Faith, born March 23, 2007. JILL (COFFEE) TAYLOR and her husband, Daniel, welcomed a son, David William, on Oct. 3, 2007. e

classnnotes

2002

2003

SHELLEY (ALFANO) BERAD and her husband, Derrick, welcomed son Carter Derrick on Nov. 10, 2007. The family lives in Pittsburgh. BRIAN CAMERON and his wife, Jenny, are the parents of Katelyn Nicole, born July 16, 2007. They live in New Castle, Pa. ELLEN (O’LEARY) and CHRIS CREFELD welcomed son Benjamin Peter on Dec. 9, 2007. Sister Lydia is 2. ABIGAIL FITZPATRICK and JONATHAN SANDERS ’06 were married Nov. 10, 2007, in Carlisle, Pa. They live in Carlisle, where Abby teaches Spanish and fifth grade at Grace Baptist Christian School. Jon works at Immigration Support Services in Mechanicsburg and is a member of the Army Reserves. AMOS GIBELLO and his wife, Leah, are the parents of Ryle Forest, born Sept. 18, 2007. e JILL (CUNNINGHAM) and RYAN ’00 GILMORE announce the birth of son Jonah Robert on Sept. 7, 2007. Brother Caleb is 3. e LAURA JACKSON and Adam Coss were married June 16, 2007, in Alexandria, Ohio. e MELISSA (SNOWDEN) and JOHN ’01 SABELLA welcomed son Timothy Joseph on Dec. 11, 2007. Timothy’s sisters are Grace, 5, Lilly, 4, and Sarah, 2. LAURIE (LITZINGER) and GEOFFREY SWANSON announce the birth of son Carter Thomas on Jan. 4, 2008. He joins sister Taylor, 2, in Simsbury, Conn. CHRISTINA (SCOTT) and BRIAN ’00 VARE welcomed daughter Abigail on Sept. 8, 2007. e

DR. JOEL BIGLEY graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in May 2007. He was inducted into the national Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society in 2006. Bigley is at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, specializing in urology. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Andrea (Insana ’04) Bigley. ALISON (WADE) BROWN and her husband, Bradley, welcomed son Henry Allan on Dec. 13, 2007. The Browns live in Richmond, Va. MARK BYRER and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of son Jack Henry, born Oct. 26, 2007. The Byrers reside in Morgantown, W.Va. REGAN COKAIN and her fiancé, Steve Cheney, won an all-expenses paid wedding from Youngstown, Ohio, TV station WFMJ. e MATTHEW FISCHER and his wife, Caroline, welcomed son Benjamin on Nov. 8, 2007. Siblings are Alejandra, 5, and Mason, 4. They live in Grove City.

SARAH (FEUCHT) and ANDREW FLANAGAN welcomed son Ethan Andrew on Nov. 1, 2007. Brothers are Patrick, 3, and Samuel, 1. The Flanagans make their home in Puyallup, Wash. HEATHER GAASRUD and Sean Smith were married Oct. 5, 2007. They live in Lindenhurst, Ill., and teach at the same high school, Heather in science and Sean in math. KRISTIN (PETERS) LEFEBER joined Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland (BVU) as the organization’s new business relations and communications coordinator. She is responsible for providing communication and marketing support for BVU and its business partners. JENNIFER (COLES) LEITCH received her master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh in December 2007. e

Conference for Liberty

Four current students found two alumni while attending the “Students For Liberty” conference in February at Columbia University in New York City. From left to right: David Gernhard ’10, Caryn Shick ’07, Blake Imeson ’10, Dr. Sanford Ikeda ’80, Ariana Thompson ’09 and Elizabeth Imeson ’11. The Imesons had previously met Ikeda last summer at a seminar held at the Foundation for Economic Education. He is a professor of economics at the State University of New York – Purchase.

classnnotes AMY LUCAS and Donald VonCannon Jr. were married Oct. 13, 2007 in Bowie, Md. They currently reside in Crofton, Md. e ANNE (WILLIAMS) and NICHOLAS MORGAN welcomed daughter Grace Mae on Oct. 5, 2007. They reside in Litiz, Pa. RENEE (BARFAY) and BRIAN WALLACE welcomed son Andrew Robert on July 29, 2007. They live in Gibsonia, Pa.

2004 JACOB ANDERSON accepted a position as program specialist at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Arlington, Va. e KRISTEN (LAZER) and DOUG ’01 BARBOUR announce the birth of daughter Abiella Grace on Dec. 30, 2007. The Barbours reside in Wexford, Pa. LISA BOVENZI and Don Scata Jr. were married Aug. 4, 2007, in Rochester, N.Y. e STEVE BROWN and Siobhan Farquhar were married May 26, 2007, in Newark, Del. Steve is a CPA and is now attending Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pa. Siobhan is a nurse working at Albert Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia. The couple lives in Abington, Pa. RANDY COLE completed a halfmarathon in January near Austin, Texas. JOHN JACOBS received a juris doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in December 2007. e MISTY (WADOWSKY) MCCONNELL and her husband, Jim, welcomed son Landon James on July 4, 2007. The McConnells live in Stephens City, Va. CATHLEEN (HOMAN) and KURT ’03 SCHUMACHER welcomed daughter Ellie on July 21, 2007. They reside in Webster, N.Y. COURTNEY (CURTIS) ZIMMERMAN, her husband and son will be relocating to Uganda for five years. They will work with the New Hope Orphanage and on local farming projects.

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2005 LINDSEY ELWOOD and Brad Burns were married Sept. 9, 2007. They live in Montclair, N.J. Lindsey has returned to school and is studying at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She plans to earn her second bachelor’s degree in nursing. CHARLIE HILDBOLD is the new director of marketing and promotions for the Odessa Roughnecks. The Texas team plays in the Intense Football League. JESSICA PROL joined The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., as the marketing coordinator for the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society. RACHEL (OLESNEVICH) ROBINSON and her husband, Keith, announce the birth of son Kristofer William on Nov. 29, 2007. They live in Cabot, Pa.

MEGAN MONTGOMERY works in pharmaceutical sales in New Jersey and continues to travel to an orphanage in Guatemala. e LEAH SMEENK is working on her master’s degree and Ph.D. in media psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif. e KRISTEN YANAK and DAVID DIDONATO ’05 were married July 21, 2007, in Bridgeville, Pa. Kristen is an elementary school teacher at the Pittsburgh Urban Christian School. David is a flooring manager for Tom Brown Contracting, Inc. The couple resides in Peters Township, Pa.

2007 SARAH WATTS is serving as a human resources associate at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Evanston, Ill.

2006

GeDUNK Alumni Magazine Class Notes are gathered from alumni and news

CHRISTINA KUBALA earned a master’s degree in elementary education in December 2007 from California University of Pennsylvania. e

reports. The editorial board reserves the right to edit, hold or not publish notes. Weddings and births must be submitted no later than one year after the event date.

Glacier Park Trek

Drew Wardlow ’07, left, and Aaron Kroenke ’06 took a backpacking trip through Glacier National Park in August 2007. Photographer Bethany Eichler ’06, who lives in the area, joined them for a day. Grove City College Alumni Magazine

inmemory

DOROTHEA (PERKINS) MILLS ’31 died Feb. 23, 2008. She was living in Elon, N.C.

he Grove City College Alumni Association places a book in Henry Buhl Library in memory of each alumnus for whom the Alumni Office receives written notification of death, including a copy of the obituary. In addition to paying tribute to the lives of deceased alumni, the books will benefit current and future students. If you would like to support Grove City College through a will bequest or other charitable estate plan, contact Marcus J. Fish ’97, director of planned gifts, at (866) 386-3422 or mjfish@gcc.edu.

M. GENEVIEVE (BIRNLEY) SNYDER ’31 died Dec. 25, 2007. She was a music teacher. THEODORE R. UBER ’31 died March 21, 2007. He lived in Carlsbad, Calif., and was a teacher and owner of Van Ness Water Gardens in Upland. He had been honored for his hand-forged aluminum work. Surviving are his wife, Louella, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. LOUISE (ALLISON) MCCUTCHEON ’34 died March 12, 2008. She worked with the “Latrobe Bulletin” newspaper, a pre-school training center and as a teacher’s assistant. She was active in her church and made her home in Silver Spring, Md. Surviving are a son, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild. BARBARA I. MCKINLEY ’34 died Feb. 27, 2008. She was a teaching missionary in Thailand, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, and later taught English as a Second Language at the University of Michigan. Survivors are two children, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother. ELINOR (HILLMAN) SPIGELMYER ’34 died Jan. 21, 2008. A teacher of English, Spanish, French and social studies, she most recently lived in Warren, Pa., and was involved with her church. Surviving are cousins. THE REV. DR. FRANCIS G. STEWART ’34 died April 4, 2007. He was a chaplain in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the pastor of Natrona Heights (Pa.) Presbyterian Church from 1945-55, and later served the State University College of New York at Buffalo as professor and director of admissions and records. Surviving are a son, three daughters and nine grandchildren. ALICE C. COYER ’35 died Dec. 21, 2007. She was a teacher at Meadville High School, then Grove City High School, retiring in 1976 from teaching business. In Grove City, she was involved with the Grange, Daughters of the American Revolution and Women’s Club. Survivors include three nephews. THE REV. DR. J. ROBERT HENDERSON ’35 died Nov. 13, 2007. A pastor, he served churches in Elderton-Shelocta, Turtle Creek, Glenshaw and Churchill, Pa. He served as moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery in 1970. He and his brother, the late George Henderson ’36, helped organize the College’s golf team. Surviving are his wife, Virginia; five children, including John Henderson ’68 and Mary (Henderson ’81) Lindquist; a stepson; 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

LAWRENCE V. RHEA ’35 died Jan. 1, 2008. He was a broadcaster for the Kansas City Royals and hosted a TV sports show. He later had a career as an insurance executive. A resident of Rancho Mirage, Calif., he and his wife were very active in fund raising activities and worked closely with people such as Bob Hope. Survivors include a brother and sister. LILLIE L. WOOD ’36 died Dec. 2, 2007. She made her home in New Wilmington, Pa. HELEN (TAYLOR) LILLY ’37 died Nov. 20, 2007. She worked for the Oil City (Pa.) school tax office for many years and lived in Oil City. Surviving are a son and daughter, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. DOROTHY (HANNA) CRAMER ’38 died March 1, 2008. She made her home in Penn Hills, Pa., and had taught Latin in four different school districts. Survivors include her husband, John Cramer ’38, daughter Jane Cramer ’74, a son and two grandchildren. ELIZABETH “BETTY” (CASEY) PRINCE ’38 died Dec. 26, 2007. The College May Queen in 1938, Prince was president of the Alumni Council from 1965-67, served two terms as an alumni trustee and president of the Pittsburgh Women’s Club of Grove City College. She was honored with an Alumni Achievement Award in humanities in 1985. She taught business and business law early in her career, and was a board member for more than 40 years at Presbyterian Senior Care Homes in Pittsburgh. She was an active member of her church and taught Sunday school for many years. Her husband, the late Bob Prince, was known as the “Voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates.” Surviving are a daughter, a son and grandchildren. ESTHER (UREY) REYNOLDS ’38 died Jan. 29, 2008. She retired from the Grove City Area School District, where she was a guidance counselor and language teacher for 35 years. She lived in Grove City and was active in her church and several education associations. Two stepdaughters survive. OLA (COOPER) VENSEL ’38 died March 24, 2008. She retired as a teacher from the Northwest Elementary School in Butler Township, Pa. She was living in Lewistown. Surviving are a daughter, two granddaughters, a great-granddaughter and a sister. ELEANOR (BOYCE) HOLSTEIN ’39 died Dec. 4, 2007. She was a librarian then raised her family. She was active with her church and as a volunteer. Most recently, she lived in Doylestown, Pa. Surviving are her daughter, Linda (Holstein ’67) Sheasley, a son, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

memory inm DOROTHY (DEAN) PAXTON ’40 died Jan. 26, 2008. She taught secondary English for 26 years in the Kane and Punxsutawney (Pa.) school districts. Most recently, she made her home in Sebring, Fla. Surviving are two daughters, including Elizabeth (Paxton ’74) Jenkins, and two sisters.

M. BARBARA (KURTZ) TUSSING ’45 died Nov. 14, 2007. She was a retired teacher living in Confluence, Pa., and was active in her church and historical society. Two daughters, including Susan (Tussing ’74) Gordon; two grandchildren and a sister, Martha (Kurtz ’51) Ringer, survive.

NITA (MURRIN) THURAU ’41 died March 1, 2008. A resident of Franklin, Pa., she was known as an authority on trees and flowers and was chairperson of the Shade Tree Commission. She was also active in her church. Surviving are her husband, Robert; two daughters; two sons; eight grandchildren, including Michael Elder ’97; one greatgranddaughter and her brother.

DOROTHY (JACK) SHOVLIN ’47 died Jan. 16, 2008. She taught business education in Midland, Pa., for 36 years and helped her parents run the former Fritz’s Market in New Brighton. She also helped Midland’s Chamber of Commerce and public library. At Grove City College, she assisted the dean of women. Survivors include cousins and friends.

M. JACK NASER ’42 died Jan. 14, 2008. He worked for US Steel in Pittsburgh, in personnel services and arbitration. He was interested in land management and was named Armstrong County’s Outstanding Forester of the Year in 1978. An Air Force veteran, he was a golfer and volunteer with the Foxburg (Pa.) Equestrian School. Surviving are his wife, Harriet (Hughes ’41) Naser, a sister and brother-in-law, and sisterin-law Marian (Hughes ’38) Call.

JAMES T. DOWNIE JR. ’48 died Nov. 28, 2007. A World War II Navy veteran, he was national credit manager for Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation. He enjoyed golf and gardening. Surviving are his wife, Helen, a daughter and granddaughter, and two sisters, including Margaret (Downie ’61) Consolini.

I. DAYNE SHAW ’43 died March 8, 2008. An attorney, he practiced in McKeesport and Versailles, Pa., for 60 years. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife, Patricia; two daughters, including Patricia (Shaw ’74) Warren; a brother, Robert C. Shaw ’50; and four grandchildren. ROBERTA B. HANNA ’44 died Oct. 16, 2007. She made her home in Pittsburgh. HELEN (KAUFMAN) SOCZEK ’44 died Dec. 7, 2007. She lived in Los Alamitos, Calif. DR. JOHN B. BLAKLEY ’45 died Dec. 7, 2007. He attended Grove City until interruption for the Navy in 1943. He lived in Pittsburgh, where he was an orthopedic surgeon on staff at Allegheny General Hospital for 36 years. Surviving are three children, including son John Blakley ’70, and five grandchildren. MARY (CRUIKSHANK) HALSTEAD ’45 died Jan. 26, 2008. She was an elementary teacher for the Mars Area School District. She lived in Valencia, Pa., and was active with her church and women’s clubs. A sister, nieces and nephews survive.

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Grove City College Alumni Magazine

CLYDE T. WILLIAMS JR. ’48 died Feb. 13, 2008. A World War II Army veteran, he made his home in Novi, Mich. He served the Hudson Department Stores for 32 years as an auditor, credit office manager and corporate budget controller. He was an active volunteer in his community and with his church. Surviving are his wife, Ruth (Wick ’48) Williams, three daughters, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister. ARTHUR E. DUNMIRE ’49 died Dec. 20, 2007. A Grove City resident, he retired in 1993 as owner and operator of Dumire’s Cleaners. He was involved with his church and the VFW. He was a World War II Navy veteran. Surviving are his wife, Jane, four children, four stepchildren, two sisters, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. MARY LOU (SOFFEE) HILLIARD ’49 died Dec. 25, 2007. She lived in Whitehall, Pa., and was retired as a schoolteacher with Baldwin Whitehall School District. Survivors include a son. WILLIAM C. BERLIN ’50 died March 2, 2007. He lived in Blue Bell, Pa., and is survived by his wife, Joann, a daughter, and son Thomas Berlin ’73.

JAMES M. HEID ’50 died Dec. 16, 2007. He was an Army veteran with two Bronze stars. He worked for the former Allegheny Ludlum Co., finishing his 35-year career in 1986 as marketing manager of special products for AL Tech of Dunkirk, N.Y. He lived in Fredonia, serving for 20 years on the Zoning Board of Appeals and staying very active in his church. Surviving are his wife, Corrine, a daughter, two sons and six grandchildren. HAROLD R. RICHARDSON ’50 died Nov. 19, 2007. A lifelong resident of Brownsville, Pa., he and his father established a wholesale sporting goods business. He served on the borough council and several school boards. An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was a regional historian. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy, a daughter, a son and six grandchildren. THE REV. CONRAD C. STEINBRENNER ’50 died Dec. 21, 2007. An Army veteran of World War II, he was an ordained Presbyterian minister. After serving churches in Indiana and Erie, Pa., and Wellsburg, W.Va., he served as Presbytery executive of Lackawanna Presbytery. After retirement, he was a parish associate in Hershey. Surviving are his wife, Louanne (Lindgren ’52) Steinbrenner; two sons, including David Steinbrenner ’78; daughter Joi (Steinbrenner ’79) Canavan and four grandchildren. FRANCES (BALLIETTE) WOODS ’50 died Jan. 7, 2008. She made her home in Columbus, Ohio. During her career, she worked as a chemist, food chemist and medical technician. She was a chemist at the Atomic Power Division of Westinghouse where she worked on the development of the first atomic powered submarine. Surviving are her husband, Frederick, a daughter, two sons and three grandchildren. SAMUEL W. BALLINGER ’51 died Nov. 25, 2007. A World War II Army veteran, he enjoyed a 42-year career as a teacher and principal in Oxnard, Calif. He was a skilled musician, singer and storyteller who also loved sports. He was very involved in his church and community. Surviving are three children and five grandchildren.

memory inm JOHN M. “JACK” KAY ’51 died Nov. 5, 2007. An Army veteran, he was chief auditor for the U.S. Department of Energy for 30 years. He lived in Moorehead City, N.C. Wife Mary Lou (Black ’53) Kay; two daughters, including Susan (Kay ’83) Morgan; three sons and eight grandchildren survive. ROBERT D. CORBIN ’53 died March 16, 2008. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he retired after a 37-year career with Ford New Holland, most recently as a purchasing agent. He lived in Belleville, Pa., where he officiated PIAA basketball and baseball for 41 years, coached Little League for 17 years, ran youth programs and taught Sunday School. He ushered at Penn State football games for 17 years. Surviving are his wife, Patricia, two sons and a daughter. DR. RICHARD C. SHORTS ’53 died June 7, 2006. He was a retired chiropractor living in Madison, Ohio. An avid golfer and hunter, he was also a Marine veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Carol, a sister and a brother. ELIZABETH (MCCLUNG) FOSTER ’54 died Nov. 19, 2007. She lived in Pittsburgh. Surviving are three daughters, a son, eight grandchildren and a sister. SARA (HAZLETT) WOOLEVER ’55 died July 10, 2007. She made her home in Oneonta, N.Y. ROBERT W. MACMILLAN JR. ’56 died Jan. 5, 2008. He spent 40 years in education, 38 of those in the Freehold Township (N.J.) schools. He was a sixth grade teacher, vice principal, guidance counselor and principal. He was also active in his church. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy (Power ’57) MacMillan, two daughters and a sister. THE REV. WILLIS B. HACKER ’57 died Dec. 9, 2007. A retired Presbyterian minister, he moved to Phoenix in 1968. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife, Grace, four children and eight grandchildren. DANIEL G. WAGNER SR. ’57 died Jan. 16, 2008. He lived in Glenshaw, Pa., and is survived by his wife, Mary, a son and daughter, three grandchildren, a sister and two brothers, including Richard Wagner ’56.

JOHN W. OSBORNE ’58 died Jan. 10, 2008. An Army veteran, he was an IRS auditor and field agent for 30 years. He made his home in Oklahoma City, Okla. Survivors include several stepchildren. ROGER W. TAYLOR ’63 died Aug. 14, 2007. He lived in Tucson, where he was an estate planning attorney. He was active in his church and the community. Survivors include his wife, Julie (Considine ’64) Taylor, two daughters, a son, his brother and two grandsons. SANDRA (KUBINEC) MASTERSON ’72 died Jan. 19, 2008. She worked as a teacher and as an engineering consultant with IHE in Houston. She enjoyed interior design, golf and cooking. Surviving are her husband, Leigh; her daughter; a granddaughter; her mother; a brother and a sister. DAVID E. BROWN ’74 died May 31, 2007. He made his home in Asbury Park, N.J. JOHN L. BROAD ’75 died Dec. 15, 2007. He lived in Butler, Pa., and was the clinical director of adult outpatient and triage for Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center. A Vietnam War Army veteran, he enjoyed fishing and gardening, and served on the Oakland Township Planning Commission. Survivors include his wife, Sharla, two sons, his mother and a sister. THOMAS S. GALAN ’76 died Feb. 25, 2008. He lived in Cherry Hill, N.J., where he had been a scout master for 15 years. Survivors include his wife, Susan; three sons; his mother; a sister; and brother Jack Galan ’79 and his wife, Cheryl (Downes ’79) Galan. ROBERT T. SCHUDER ’94 died Dec. 10, 2007. He make his home in Anchorage, Ala. Surviving are his parents, a brother and his grandmother. COLLEEN M. ZINK ’97 died Feb. 3, 2008. She was living in St. Louis and worked as a teacher and childcare specialist. She was active in her church and the local square dance club. Survivors include her parents, grandparents, a sister, a brother and friends.

OSCAR A. COOPER died May 6, 2008. A professor of music at the College from 19421981, he directed the chapel choir, taught voice and directed the touring choir that he founded. He also directed the Tower Church choir for 40 years. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy, two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren. E. VIRGIL HACKETT passed away Jan. 9, 2008. He taught business at the College from 1967-1985 and advised the American Management Association. He made his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and is survived by his former wife and a son. GERALD A. MCINTIRE died March 8, 2008. He was living in Salem, S.C. A 20-year Air Force veteran, he was an ROTC instructor at Grove City from 19721976, then joined the business faculty where he taught finance until 1997. Survivors include his wife, Donna, a son and daughter, and two granddaughters. DR. RUDOLPH “REX” REEDER died April 27, 2008. He was living in Grove City. He taught political science at the College from 1966-93 and advised the Delta Iota Kappa fraternity for many years. Earlier in his career, he was a pastor and a high school teacher. Surviving is a sister.

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Spring 2008

alumnibabies

Abiella Grace Barbour Born 12-30-07 Kristen (Lazer ’04) and Douglas ’01Barbour

Brian Timothy Brindle Born 12-15-05 Brian ’04 and Melody Brindle

Caleb Joshua Byers Born 3-3-06 Cherie (Dybowski ’92) and Steve Byers

Caroline Elizabeth Caligiuri, Born 11-18-06 Catherine (Ehrke ’93) and Joseph Caligiuri

Grace Christine Chapman Born 7-27-07 Jarrett ’04 and Kristin (Morgan ’04) Chapman

Samuel Wyatt Chapman Born 10-25-06 Laurel (Bassler ’00) and Joshua ’00 Chapman

Alexa Claire Chimenti Born 3-31-06 Chris ’94 and Kelly Chimenti

Danica Julie Christman Born 7-27-06 Shannon (Eckman ’96) and Mark Christman

Vincenzo Troian Colonello, Born 11-28-06 Alexis (Troian ’97) and Rick Colonello

Bennett Carlson Danile Born 6-20-07 Marc ’91 and Courtney Danile

Katelyn (Katie) Dawn Dentler, Born 5-19-06 Pamela (West ’02) and Don Dentler

Emily Rose Detar Born 5-15-07 Sarah (Howe ’98) and Sean Detar

Danielle Domenico Born 7-19-07 Barb (Porter ’95) and Frank Domenico

Calvin Adidas Drews Born 4-11-07 Robin (Miller ’98) and Adam ’97 Drews

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 Alumni Relations Office 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 imbed photos in the body of an e-mail message, but rather attach a high-resolution image. Send to Alumni Relations Office, Alumni Babies, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City, Pa. 16127 or alumni@gcc.edu. 108

Grove City College Alumni Magazine

alumnibbabies

Nicol Viviana Drews Born 9-22-05 Robin (Miller ’98) and Adam ’97 Drews

Jenna Catherine Duffy Born 9-14-06 Andy ’97 and Michele (Balest ’98) Duffy

Ryan Matthew Eckert Born 7-26-07 Matthew ’01 and Lacey (Williams ’00) Eckert

Brady Alexander Ewing Born 4-16-06 Jared ’94 and Kimberly Ewing

Colin Matthew Frederick Born 7-30-07 Beth (Dorow ’92) and Kevin Frederick

Jonah Robert Gilmore Born 9-7-07 Jill (Cunningham ’02) and Ryan ’00 Gilmore

Victoria Harrer Born 12-18-04; adopted 10-12-07 Brian ’87 and Julie Harrer

Cassidy Lynne Harvey Born 6-8-06 Nate ’95 and Jenni (Cassaday ’95) Harvey

Jacob Rich Higgs Born 2-23-07 Jeff ’95 and Deborah Higgs

Jacob Kirk Hoshauer Born 11-14-07 Glenn ’91 and Laurie (Jones ’91) Hoshauer

Zachary Dale Howard Born 5-19-06 Craig ’01 and Tomi (Karazsia ’01) Howard

Calvin Irfon Hughes Born 9-15-07 Gareth ’04 and Emily (Russell ’05) Hughes

Alexandria Marie Jones Born 5-10-07 Laura (Novotny ’97) and Ron ’99 Jones

Amanda Grace and Matthew Robert Kasenter Born 2-5-06 and 9-2-07 Robert ’90 and Sarah Kasenter

Emily Latham Born 4-22-06 Elizabeth Tolfa ’88 and Robert Latham

Kaelin Rose Magee Born 8-6-06 Justin ’02 and Jodi (Shepherd ’03) Magee

Nikolai N. Marburger Born 8-11-07 Julie ’99 and Sergiy Nepomyashchyy Marburger

Caleb Mark McCann Born 6-2-06 Kelly (Bubar ’99) and Steve ’99 McCann

Peter Joseph McHenry Born 8-27-07 Deena (Keebler ’95) and Todd ’95 McHenry

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Spring 2008

alumnibbabies

Camille Elizabeth and Natalie Violet Murchie Born 2-6-05 and 12-15-06 Missy (Guetschow ’98) and Michael ’99 Murchie

Zane Greyson Pacek Born 6-27-07 Athena (Hammel ’01) and Corey ’01 Pacek

Landon and Laila Pfeil Born 10-3-07 and 10-8-05 Suheir (Saikaly ’90) and Robb Pfeil

Garrett Hunter Reid Born 12-1-2007 Scott ’96 and Jean Reid

Hannah Katherine and Emma Anne Ryan Born 3-3-06 and 1-16-08 Megan (Roberts ’97) and Todd Ryan

Michael Davis Sabella Born 3-11-07 Tim ’00 and Jill (Webb ’00) Sabella

Ellie Schumacher Born 7-21-07 Kurt ’03 and Cathleen (Homan ’04) Schumacher

Aisha Grace Shaffer Born 3-22-2006 Adopted by Josh ’93 and Erin (Lagan ’93) Shaffer

Braighden Patrick and Molly Jane Sullivan Born 3-5-07 and 1-23-06 Sean ’99 and Kristen Sullivan

Theresa Hope “Tess” Taaffe, Born 10-12-05 Cynthia (Phillips ’88) and Steve ’89 Taaffe

Andrew Robert Wallace Born 7-29-07 Renee (Barfay ’03) and Brian Wallace

Friends Bjorn James and Ana Leigh Watne Born 3-30-07 and 8-12-05 Vanessa (Woll ’97) and Jamie Watne

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Grove City College Alumni Magazine

Hayden Alger Winder Born 4-11-07 Lisa Seibold-Winder ’88 and Richard Winder ’89

Josephine Elizabeth Smith, left, and Sydney Elise Hancock, Born 2-11-06 and 2-12-06 (one day apart) to Maureen (Conwell ’00) and Nathan Smith; Christina (Norris ’00) and Kevin Hancock

our green initiative The beautiful spring scene shown here on the Grove City campus makes us proud of our environment. And we want to keep the campus green for our future alumni.

The pages of this issue of the GeDunk have been printed on certified paper, giving us peace of mind knowing that the stock used can be traced back to responsible forest management. To produce this issue, Printing Concepts Inc., of Erie, chose an SFI paper stock. The company has been audited and are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes. Each of these organizations focuses on chain of custody (CoC) certification, which documents the entire path taken by a tree from the forest to the mill, to the printer, to the end-use consumer.

From the last cover… Autumn Bupp ’94, owner of Autumn’s Cakes in Harmony, Pa., was featured on the popular Focus on Food issue. The cake baker has added a new facet to her business. This summer, she will kick off a line of cake decorating parties. She will offer children’s birthday parties and teenage/adult parties. The teen and adult parties are geared toward those celebrating birthdays, showers, office parties or just a night of fun. Kids’ parties will include basic instruction on using different icing tips to create designs. Each child receives his or her own six-inch cake to decorate and take home. The teen/adult parties include the same basic instruction, but guests will also learn to make fondant flowers and decorations. They will have the option to decorate their own cake or work as a group to create a three-tier wedding cake design. For more information, visit www.autumnscakes.com.

Grove City College has a special place on campus recognizing its veterans. A plaque at the base of the flagpole on the Quad reads, ‘These living gardens are dedicated to the honor of God and country in tribute to the men and women of Grove City College who have lived on this campus, looked many times from this view, learned in these halls and left this very special place to serve proudly and honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, upholding the God-given truth, freedom, and values experienced here.’ / Photos by Amy Clingensmith ’96

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