Longwood Magazine - Spring 2012 (Volume 11, No. 2)

Longwood

A Magazine for the Alumni and Friends of Longwood University

I N SIDE Inaugurating a President On the Reserve List Honoring Longwood’s Best

FLYING LESSONS 7,000 miles alone in the air, one incredible geography project Vol. 11 No. 2, Spring 2012

Longwood Publisher

Longwood University Foundation Inc. R. Kenneth Marcus, Ph.D. ’82, President

Editor

Sabrina Brown

Creative Director

David Whaley

Associate Editors

Kent Booty, Gina Caldwell

Graphic Designer

Rachael Davis

Contributors

Editorial Advisory Board

Board of Visitors

Mack Cales; Taylor Dabney; Andrea Dailey; Diane Easter; Stephen Hudson ’13; Deneese Jones, Ph.D.; David Keran ’12; Jennifer Lucado; Greg Prouty; Richmond Times-Dispatch; Gary Robertson; Red Rocket Photos; Brian Ritchie; Stuart Smith; Casey Templeton; Linda Wagner Gina Caldwell; Kent Booty; Sabrina Brown; David Hooper ’00; Greg Prouty, Paula Prouty ’85, Bryan K. Rowland, Ph.D.; Nancy Shelton ’68; David Whaley Marjorie M. Connelly, Rector, Keswick M. Jane Brooke ’63, Richmond John W. Daniel II, Richmond Edward I. Gordon, M.D., Farmville Rita B. Hughes ’74, Vice Rector, Virginia Beach Thomas A. Johnson, Lynchburg Ripon W. LaRoche II, M.D., Farmville Judi M. Lynch, Ph.D. ’87, Richmond Jane S. Maddux, Charlottesville Stephen Mobley ’93, McLean Marianne M. Radcliff ’92, Richmond Susan E. Soza ’62, McLean Ronald Olswyn White, Midlothian

Editorial offices for Longwood magazine are maintained at the Office of Public Relations, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909.

Telephone: 434-395-2020; email: pr@longwood.edu.

Comments, letters and contributions are encouraged.

Printed on recycled stocks.

No state funds were used to print this publication.

To request this magazine in alternate format (large print, braille, audio, etc.), please contact the Longwood Learning Center, 434-395-2391; TRS: 711.

Vol. 11 No. 2, Published March 2012

From the President As I approach the end of the second year of my presidency, I can only think, “What a year this has been!” From the presidential inauguration in October to the Big South announcement in January, from progress on the Academic Strategic Plan to welcoming the largest class in our history, Longwood University is certainly an institution on the move, and I am so pleased to be able to witness its success.

The theme of my inauguration was “Scholarship. Service. Standards.,” and that theme has been carried throughout the year. We are here for, and because of, the students, and they guide every decision that we make.

I see evidence every day that we are making the right decisions.

Scholarship. NCATE officials recently re-accredited our teacher education program, which has been continuously accredited since 1954.

The accreditation success is the epitome of collaboration, communication and innovation among faculty, staff and administrators across all colleges.

The Academic Strategic Plan process will review our current academic offerings and goals and determine the best future for Longwood to answer the needs of today’s students. The teamwork and creativity demonstrated campuswide while developing this plan shows a collective desire to be current while still maintaining the quality that has come to be expected from a Longwood education.

Service. The idea of citizen leadership is carried out every day at Longwood and is an integral part of a well-rounded educational experience here.

During my inauguration, students, faculty and staff joined together in a day of service on our campus and in the community. This semester, the Longwood community, led by one of our fraternities, stepped in to help students at Hampden-Sydney College who suffered great loss from a devastating fire.

All of our fraternities and sororities value service as a key part of the missions of their organizations. Students regularly volunteer around Farmville at the food bank, Meals on Wheels and churches. Faculty and staff serve as coaches for local sports teams, board members for nonprofit organizations and volunteers for programs such as Special Olympics.

Standards. Honesty, integrity, respect—these guiding principles are embedded in the Longwood culture. This year, the university celebrated the 101st anniversary of the Honor Code, a driving force for not only our students but also our faculty and staff. There is no department that demonstrates these ideals better than our Longwood Police Department, which, for the third consecutive year, has been ranked among the top 500 security programs in the nation, according to Security Magazine. Longwood is ranked 17th out of the 31 schools in the education/university category and is the only university police department from Virginia that is recognized.

Our officers set a wonderful example and keep our campus safe.

As we look toward the final weeks of the semester, I am excited about what lies ahead. I appreciate the support I have received from alumni, parents, donors, friends and the campus community. By working together to focus on scholarship, service and standards, we will ensure Longwood’s success.

Patrick Finnegan President

David Keran ’12

CONTENTS

Cover Story Studying geography from 10,000 feet

Brian Ritchie

10

Flight of the Tweetybird

18 16

A Lancer Forever Longwood embraces its new leader with pomp, circumstance and excitement

In Good Company Alumni Awards honor Longwood’s best

Plus … New mace’s symbolism is more than skin deep

26 On the Reserve List

Departments

Longwood alumni at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond

2 31 32 34 38 44

On the cover: The effects of irrigation are easy to see from the air. Photo by David Keran ’12

Taylor Dabne y

Plus … ‘Inside connection’ nets rich experience for students

On Campus In Print Calendar Lancer Update Alumni News End Paper 1

Red Rocket Photos

on campus

Going

Director of Athletics Troy Austin: ‘Now the games truly begin.’

Big News

2

2012

in

Lancers to join the Big South Conference as of July 1 Wearing their Lancer gear and “Going BIG in 2012” buttons, hundreds of Longwood students, coaches, staff, faculty and community members packed Blackwell Hall Ballroom on Jan. 23 to await the announcement that had been more than four years in the making.

Big South Conference President Penny Kyle, also president of Big South member Radford University, got right to the point.

“It is my pleasure to announce that the Big South Conference has extended an invitation to your president and to Longwood University to join the Big South Conference—as soon as possible,” she said.

“When we discussed adding schools to our conference, it isn’t just an

BIG

athletic decision that we make—it’s an athletic and an academic decision. Nothing could have pleased me more than to be at this podium and to make this announcement to Longwood University.”

Kyle ended her remarks with a hug for Longwood President Patrick Finnegan, who then stepped to the podium, placed a Big South pin on his lapel and announced that Longwood accepted the invitation.

Longwood becomes the 12th member of the conference on July 1.

“This is a big step forward for us.

We’ve believed for some time that the Big South is the best conference for us,” said Finnegan, adding the belief is founded on Longwood’s similarities with the other confer-

ence members—not just geographic similarity but also “the emphasis on both student and athlete.”

Longwood has competed as an independent on the Division I level since 2007. With the addition of Longwood, the Big South Conference will now have four members based in Virginia (Liberty, Longwood, Radford, VMI), as well as four each in North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, High Point, UNC Asheville) and South Carolina (Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Presbyterian College, Winthrop).

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Ebony & Ivories

Longwood athletic training majors Hanna Sacks ’15 (left) and Matt Rawlins ’12 assist Gracie McGurn of Richmond at the Richmond Marathon.

Trial Run Athletic training students gain medical experience supporting marathon runners

Gina Caldwell

More than 17,000 SunTrust Richmond Marathon, McDonald’s Half Marathon and HCA Virginia 8K runners crossed the downtown finish line on Nov. 12. After their moment of triumph, they were greeted by a supporting medical team of 17 Longwood athletic training students practicing alongside CJW Sports Medicine nurses and physicians. Several of the physicians also work as instructors in Longwood’s Athletic Training Education Program.

Dr. Doug Cutter, director of CJW Sports Medicine in Richmond, has been involved with the Richmond Marathon through Longwood since 2004, when he began teaching at the university. Cutter serves as medical director of Longwood’s Athletic Training Education Program and each year works with program director Sharon Menegoni to bring 15 to 20 students to serve as the primary medical care providers at the races’ finish line.

At 3 a.m. on race day, students and program staff members departed Longwood’s campus for Richmond to begin prepping the first aid area.

From 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., the team was ready and waiting to provide runners with support as needed. Cutter and Menegoni advised students to walk with the event participants, hold them up and stay with them after they had completed the race. Students closely observed the runners, looking for any indications of medical need.

“This is an incredible opportunity for students to not only work with trained medical staff but work in a clinical setting as well, undergoing real triage cases in a mass participation event,” said Cutter. “I don’t know of any other program that provides this level of exposure.”

Students in the program work toward certification as medical professionals in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and others who are engaged in everyday physical activities.

On display in the Steinway & Sons showroom in New York City is a book listing those who have purchased one of the company’s legendary concert grand pianos. The name of Longwood University recently was added to that impressive list.

Longwood’s new “model D” Steinway concert grand arrived on campus in December, and its rich sounds can now be heard in Jarman Auditorium. The piano measures 8 feet 11.75 inches long and has an ebony finish with the gold “Steinway & Sons” insignia. Each handcrafted Steinway piano requires up to one full year to build.

“This piano invites you to play it,” said Dr. Lisa Kinzer, professor of music, who traveled to the Steinway factory in New York City with William Lynn, multimedia supervisor, to select the instrument.

Kinzer and her former music student Allison Allgood ’10, assistant director of conference services at Longwood, were the first to play the new piano after it was set up on the Jarman stage.

The Steinway was purchased through the building renovation fund for Jarman Hall, which reopened in October 2010.

Jarman Auditorium’s new Steinway 3

Tumor immunologist works to develop better cancer treatments

Paving the Way

Dr. Amorette Barber, assistant professor of biology, tries to meld immunology with treatment for cancer.

Her mission? Understanding what’s happening inside immune cells— which ultimately will help scientists develop better treatments.

“Most of the cancer therapies out there right now have negative side effects,” said Barber. “Chemotherapy and radiology don’t discriminate between cancerous and healthy tissue.

It would be better to get the immune system to target the cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue alone.”

One of Longwood’s newest faculty members, Barber brings her interest in cancer treatment with her from Dartmouth College, where she studied receptors—proteins on the surface of an immune cell that actually interact with cancer cells. When the immune cell comes in contact with a cancer cell, the receptors send messages to the immune cell to tell it what to do. Ideally, the receptors should tell the immune cell to kill the cancer cell—and Barber and her team found one that did just that.

Barber and her team took a receptor from one cell and put it on another to create an immune cell that can recognize and kill cancer cells.

Even better, it’s able to recognize more than 80 percent of cancer types, including lymphoma and ovarian, pancreatic, lung, breast and colon cancers. Therapy using this receptor will go into clinical trials soon.

At Longwood, Barber continues to pursue this area, focusing her research on different receptors and their benefits. This semester she is bringing students into the lab to assist with her research. She reports that they are eager to begin studying and making their own receptors.

When N.H. “Cookie” Scott ’72 participated in orientation as a Longwood freshman in 1968, she was told she would not be welcome on Sunday morning at the downtown church where she was attending a required candlelight service. The day she moved onto campus, her mother was refused service when she tried to eat at the lunch counter at a department store on Main Street.

Scott, however, was not deterred by the racism of that era—in fact, she was motivated by it to become a stronger person. She went on to become Longwood’s first AfricanAmerican graduate and is now deputy director of administration for the Virginia Department of Corrections. She returned to campus in January to share her story and to commemorate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who paved the way for her and others.

“It’s good to be back here with a good feeling,” said Scott, the speaker for Longwood’s Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium. “I’m not bitter about anything that happened

First African-American graduate shares her life journey

‘

4

N.H. ‘Cookie’ Scott ’72 spoke at Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium

Dr. King’s spirit and values.

“While I can’t lay claim to no prejudices, because we all have some whether we acknowledge them or not, I know my journey has convinced me if they surface, I will beat them down.”

Scott’s journey began in a small town in southern Albemarle County. She attended segregated schools until her senior year of high school.

Scott attended Longwood at the urging of Virginia Dofflemyer, a 1941 Longwood graduate who was

My life is filled with great people—black and white— who were caring, compassionate and supportive.’

—N.H. ‘Cookie’ Scott [in Farmville], but I would say the church experience changed me—it didn’t make me angry, just sad.”

Scott’s primary message for the day was that good people—and not so good people—come in all colors.

“My life is filled with great people—black and white—who were caring, compassionate and supportive. And, while I did not have the opportunity to personally meet Dr. King, the folks in my life reflected

her high-school guidance counselor.

“Ms. Dofflemyer put me in her own personal vehicle and drove me to Longwood for a visit,” she said.

“That was taking a personal risk, but she took it for me.”

After graduating from Longwood with a degree in sociology, Scott joined the Department of Corrections and became its first black female deputy director in 2002.

Different Strokes Special education students benefit from aquatics program at Longwood pool

Fixer-upper

Renovated cabin retains rustic nature

Kent Bootuy

The Longwood Cabin, for decades the site of student parties and cookouts, has been fixed up and modernized—but in a way that retains its rustic nature.

“We have tried to bring it back to a more useful condition while preserving its beauty. It still has rustic lighting inside, open rafters and a stone fireplace,” said J.W. Wood, director of Capital Planning and Construction.

The 720-square-foot one-room cabin is believed to have been built shortly after the university acquired Longwood Estate in 1928. It is located in the woods a short distance from Longwood House.

Renovations, which began in spring 2011 and were completed in February, included repairing log chinking, leveling the floor, replacing the roof, and installing a

Kent Booty

Elementary school doesn’t usually include a weekly swimming excursion, but some special students are finding their time at Longwood’s pool to be a unique learning experience.

Each week, students from two special education classes at Cumberland Elementary School spend an hour in the Willett Hall pool on the Longwood campus. The therapeutic aquatic program was launched in September 2011

by Dr. Susan Lynch and Dr. Matt Lucas, faculty members in the Department of Health, Athletic Training, Recreation and Kinesiology. It is an outgrowth of ongoing efforts by both professors to provide services in therapeutic recreation (Lynch’s field) and adapted physical education (Lucas’ specialty) to Cumberland County students. The program, which involves Longwood students, may eventually be expanded to middle-school and high-school students.

Freshmen from Lynch’s Intro to Therapeutic Recreation (TR) class and juniors from her Facilitation Techniques class helped with the program in the fall, and students in TR and Adapted P.E. classes are helping this spring.

The program is getting high marks from teachers at Cumberland Elementary whose students are participating.

The aquatics activities are especially good for students who have autism, said teacher Yvette Rodriguez-Diaz. “These students have sensory issues. The sounds, the pressure from the water, and the feel of the water help them.”

Hailey Ricker (left) works out in Willett pool with assistance from Amy Lewis ’13.

heating and air conditioning system.

In addition, the inside restroom was relocated outside and made handicap-accessible, and the front porch was extended to make the entrance handicap-accessible, Wood said.

Bob Wertz ’85, commissioner of the revenue for Loudoun County, remembers taking full advantage of the cabin during his student days.

“I attended parties out there with my fraternity, Alpha Chi Rho, with several sororities, and with the rugby team,” said Wertz. “It had everything that students needed—lights and a bathroom!”

Dr. Rená Koesler, professor of therapeutic recreation, got the ball rolling on the renovations. Her outdoor education and ropes course students use the cabin when it rains or is cold. She contacted President Patrick Finnegan in the fall of 2010 and urged that the cabin be restored.

Longwood Cabin’s renovation was led by Gary McQueen, construction manager in Capital Planning and Construction.

5

Mack Cales

Hula Ho op Dreams Talent uncovered at Longwood fuels student’s career ambitions and supports the local community Hula hooping may seem like kid’s stuff to a lot of people but—combined with physics, biology, creativity and passion—it has turned into something much more serious for one Longwood senior.

Ashley Russell, a biology major from Amelia (with concentrations in pre-health and molecular science), picked up a hula hoop for the first time since childhood about two years ago. She was inspired by a performance that had enchanted her with its graceful display of dance involving the spinning plastic rings.

“I just had this feeling, watching this girl do these amazing tricks with the hula hoop. I knew I wanted to make people smile like she made me smile,” said Russell.

Her life hasn’t been the same since.

She immediately bought a hoop and immersed herself in online dance tutorials, practicing for several hours each week and finding her groove. Her efforts culminated last fall in “Untamed Elements,” a show in the style of Cirque du Soleil that was held at Longwood’s Jarman Hall.

Russell organized and headlined the show, which benefited the Southside SPCA and featured other talented student performers,

‘

Student Ashley Russell raised $1,000 for the SPCA with her Cirque du Soleil-style show held on campus.

6

I can’t think of a single element of the show that wasn’t influenced by what I’ve learned at Longwood.’

—Ashley Russell ’12 including belly dancers, a gospel choir and other musical acts.

“Untamed Elements” generated $1,000 for the SPCA and launched a career for Russell. Her weekends are booked with performances in other cities and universities around the region, and she credits Longwood with her success.

“I can’t think of a single element of the show that wasn’t influenced by what I’ve learned at Longwood,” Russell said. “My biology classes taught me about the body and its capabilities. Physics and architecture helped me build and design an aerial rig that could support 1,000 pounds of torque. Art classes helped me tap into my creativity.”

She’s found support from Longwood faculty and staff every step of the way, too.

“Ashley is a remarkable young woman,” said Dr. Rodney Dunning, associate professor of physics and a key collaborator in Russell’s construction of the show’s aerial rig. “She’s discovered a true passion and is intensely motivated to not only bring it to life but to use it enthusiastically for the benefit of others.”

$1,000 for the local SPCA today. $1 million for national cancer research tomorrow?

As long as the hoops keep spinning, Russell is dreaming big.

Keeping It Simple Developing streamlined analysis process could save money for pharmaceutical companies—and consumers Dr. Sarah Porter, assistant professor of chemistry, and Scott Hull, a senior chemistry major, are conducting research that may one day lead to changes in the drug manufacturing process that will save pharmaceutical companies—and hopefully consumers—money.

Specifically, the team is looking at ways to simplify the process companies use to analyze the amount of active ingredients in drugs. Active ingredients—such as aspirin or ibuprofen—make drugs work, and pharmaceutical companies must be able to verify that each drug they manufacture contains the amount of active ingredients they claim.

The current process to do this is costly and time-consuming, and involves using different methods to separate the active ingredients from flavorings, dyes and other inactive ingredients.

Working with cough syrup, Porter and Hull are developing a method that would streamline this process, ultimately resulting in a single analysis method that could create a cost and time savings for pharmaceutical companies.

“If we are successful, we will have a useful method that can be widely applied in the field,” Porter said, adding that she plans to apply her findings to similar research on gasoline and other fuels.

off the shelf

Kent Booty

New dean takes a fresh look at Greenwood Library

Suzy Szasz Palmer is working to help Longwood’s library embrace the ‘digital revolution.’

Change is brewing at the Greenwood Library with the appointment of Dean Suzy Szasz Palmer. Among her goals for the library is that it “become a more flexible and nimble organization that can adapt to change.”

“I think there will have to be a re-thinking and a re-shifting of how we do our jobs to meet the needs of our clients,” Palmer said.

Palmer, who assumed her new position at Longwood in June 2011, most recently was deputy librarian at the Library of Virginia, where she had worked since 2007. Previously she worked in the library systems at

Cornell University and the University of Louisville.

“The future of libraries is unquestionably digital,” Palmer said. “That doesn’t mean the book is going away. Libraries have embraced technology as a tool, but we have not completely understood the digital revolution. The e-book market is soaring, but the publishing industry still sees individuals rather than libraries as their target market for content. Libraries will need to play a more active role in the digital publishing world lest we get left behind, as many bookstores have been.”

7

Dr. Jamie R. Riley, whose background in student affairs includes teaching, research and counseling, is Longwood’s new director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, formerly known as the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The programs and services offered by the office are available to all students but specifically support those whose ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, age, religion, ability status, and/or sexuality are underrepresented.

Linda Wagner

New office serves underrepresented student groups

Emily Flint ’12 landed a USO job after interning there.

The Fun Is in the Details Student plans super-size events during USO internship

Dr. Jamie R. Riley

Riley, who began his duties in July 2011, said he is currently focused on assessing student needs and creating new programs that focus on social justice, intercultural competency, and academic and social integration for first-year and transfer students.

Helping students adjust to campus is particularly important, Riley said. “This may be the first time many of them have not only been away from home but have also been expected to thrive in an environment where they are often reminded of their minority status.”

“We hope Longwood can become a premier example of a university that infuses diversity into every fabric of the institution,” he said Riley earned his Ph.D. in counseling and student personnel services from the University of Georgia.

8

Organizing a picnic for 1,000 people may sound overwhelming to some, but for Emily Flint, a senior communication studies major from Chesapeake, it was just another day as an intern with the USO. Flint spent last summer assisting the director of special events at the United Services Organizations Inc. (USO) Regional Office in Virginia Beach. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization that provides moraleboosting programs and services to U.S. troops and their families. There are more than 160 USO locations worldwide. For her internship, Flint was instrumental in the organization of three major events for the USO. Her work was so impressive that she was offered a full-time job by the USO following her graduation this coming May. “I am excited that my required internship experience has landed me a ‘real-world’ job,” said Flint. “My communication studies classes prepared me to work within an organization like the USO. I believe it is important to pursue an internship in a field that might interest you as a career. An internship is a great opportunity to meet new people and gain real world experience.”

Flint’s first major event was a Fourth of July picnic in Boston. More than 1,000 service members and their families attended the event, which was held on a U.S. Coast Guard base. Prior to the picnic, one of Flint’s major responsibilities was to visit local businesses and ask for donations of goods such as utensils, paper products and drinks. She also assisted with coordinating the rental and setup of tents, tables and chairs.

“I learned that when the military is involved, people are very willing to help,” said Flint. “I also learned the importance of marketing the USO brand and making it visible in multiple locations.”

“Working with the USO gave me a new appreciation for the military on a whole new level,” said Flint, whose father served in Navy. “While the USO is doing these things for the military to show appreciation, military members are telling us how much they appreciate all that we do. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

Learning at the Speed of Light Physicist involves students in research at national lab Longwood physicist Tim Holmstrom and his students are conducting research at the same facility that draws leading scientists from around the country and the world.

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News is the only one of its kind in the world. One of 17 national laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the lab’s primary mission is research on the atom’s nucleus. Hall A, where Holmstrom works, has collaborators from more than 70 institutions and 18 countries.

Holmstrom, assistant professor of physics, has collaborated on eight experiments over the last eight years at the facility. Six current or former Longwood students also have participated in the research since Holmstrom joined the Longwood faculty in 2008.

“Jefferson Lab is unique; no other lab does exactly what we do,” said Holmstrom, whose field is experimental nuclear physics.

“Nobody has an electron beam at our intensity and energy. Our advantage is this intensity, the number of

electrons per second, which enables us to carry out experiments with high statistical precision.

“What we’re looking at in these experiments is the structure of the neutron and the structure of the proton. The lab has an accelerator that accelerates electrons up to near the speed of light. We produce massive amounts of energy and use the electron as a probe, essentially as a giant microscope, to examine the neutrons and protons.”

The accelerator, which is shaped like a racetrack and is seventheights of a mile long, directs an electron beam into one of three experimental halls, each located in a different part of the lab. Holmstrom collaborates on experiments in Hall A, the largest of the three staging areas. As the electron beam makes up to five successive orbits, its energy is increased up to a maximum of six billion electron volts.

Holmstrom has worked on two types of experiments: four experiments related to Helium-3 and four involving what is called parity. “The Helium-3 experiments are trying to understand the ‘strong force,’ which holds the nucleus together and is one of the main focuses of the Jefferson Lab. All of these experiments are finished collecting data, and a number have published results. I am currently doing analysis on two of the experiments” he said.

Dr. Jeannine Rajewski Perry

Under New Management Dean named for Graduate and Professional Studies Dr. Jeannine Rajewski Perry was once a nontraditional student, so she can relate to what these students go through when they attend college.

That understanding is important in Perry’s new position as dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. CGPS serves a wide range of students, but the majority are nontraditional graduate students who work full time and attend school part time.

About 700 Longwood students each semester are studying at the graduate level in areas including business, communication sciences and disorders, creative writing and education; the university also has a small but growing number of undergraduate students at its off-campus sites in Martinsville and Emporia. CGPS oversees these students as well as online courses offerings, distance learning, credit and noncredit workshops, and courses offered that are not part of a degree program, Perry said.

“One of my goals is that CGPS not be seen as a separate entity but as a unit that supports the institution and that is part of the Longwood family,” she added.

A member of the College of Education and Human Services faculty since 2003, Perry assumed her new responsibilities in August 2011.

9

Flight of the

Tweetybird

Winchester, Va.

Spartanburg, S.C.

10

Montgomery, Ala. Shenandoah Valley in Virginia

Flying solo across the U.S. and back in a small plane? No big deal.

Studying geography from 10,000 feet?

Now that’s exciting.

David Keran ’12 and Tweetybird

Rivers snake through arid countryside, creating a winding oasis of green. Clouds paint shadowy pictures on the earth below.

Odessa, Texas

Pecos River in Texas

Waco, Texas Shreveport, La. 11 South of Odessa, Texas

Aerial photos by David Keran ’12

And man leaves his mark not only with skyscrapered cities but also in compositions of circles, squares and triangles resulting from various irrigation methods.

Crop patterns beside the Alabama River in Alabama

Just

about anyone who’s been in an airplane has been captivated by sights like these. But for David Keran, a Longwood honors student who flew solo across the country—and back—for an independent study project, the view

from 10,000 feet was much more than beautiful. It was an opportunity to study geography not just from a textbook but from actual experience.

“The Cormier Honors College uses the concept of ‘place as text’— using a location as opposed to a textbook,” said Keran, a senior criminal justice major from Round Hill and a Cormier Citizen Scholar. “In other words, instead of reading about the geography of a place, go there, walk around, see it, experience it. That’s really the essence of how this project came to be. Your classroom is the environment you’re studying.”

Putting his self-reliance and piloting skills to the test was the “icing” on the adventure. Keran had been in possession of his pilot’s license only two years when he took off from Winchester last July in Tweetybird, a Cessna 172 on

Desert Mountains in Arizona

loan from an anonymous donor.

The 7,000-mile trip took Keran from the East Coast to the West Coast and over 22 states in between. (He took a southern route out and a northern route back to Winchester.)

The seed for the project was sown during Keran’s first week on campus. As part of orientation for the Honors College, he participated in a project engaging students in how geography influences culture— and vice versa—in Farmville.

He took that idea to the next level the following year with his proposal for the independent study project: traveling across the United States to observe and analyze our nation’s diverse physical and cultural landforms.

San Jose, Calif.

Tucson, Ariz.

Banning, Calif.

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Cajon Pass in California

Grand Tetons in Wyoming

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Initially, Keran proposed driving Route 50, a less famous counterpart of Route 66. After an anonymous sponsor offered him the use of Tweetybird, he elevated his route about 10,000 feet and adjusted his emphasis to studying physical landforms he could observe from the air.

For Keran, flying is a family affair; his mother and both of his grandfathers were pilots, and his father flies as well. Keran himself already has 10 years of flying experience and was formally licensed in 2009, making him well-equipped to take his journey to the skies.

The trip took 23 days, including 66 hours in the air and a two-week stint (on the ground) with the Civil Air Patrol in Alabama. Among the sights he saw from the cockpit: rural Mississippi, salt flats, the city of Los Angeles, a gold mine carved out of a Nevada mountainside, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore and Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

Keran was undaunted by the prospect of flying such a distance alone. “None of the weather really worried me. I knew I’d done it before,” he said. And he was equally confident about finding a place to sleep when he stopped for the night: He hauled along his camping equipment and slept out under the stars when possible.

The Cormier Honors College provided funding for the project

and Longwood faculty members Dr. Ed Kinman, Dr. Alix Fink and Dr. Geoffrey Orth provided support and encouragement.

“David gets a spark in his eye when he makes observations about the world around him,” said Kinman, associate professor of geography and Keran’s independent study advisor. “He has a great love for learning. Combine that with his passion for flying, and you have this remarkable project.

“When you get above and start looking down at the world, you’re able to make connections and identify patterns you wouldn’t otherwise see. David developed an understanding not only of the varying physical landscape—mountains,

Sacramento, Calif.

Driggs, Idaho Battle Mountain, Nev.

13

Gold mine in Nevada

The View from 10,000 Feet Three geographic observations that helped Keran synthesize his classroom and real-life experiences Windmills These were especially prevalent in the Southwest, as well as southern Idaho, eastern Ohio and West Virginia.

Windmills mark an area of steady wind—either from flat areas with nothing to stop wind currents (such as in the desert) or mountain thermals and currents (Idaho, West Virginia, Ohio). They also may indicate the political geography of the area, in terms of green energy and anti-pollution laws.

Systems of Irrigation In the Southwest, circular agricultural fields stood out clearly in the desert, formed by “pivot irrigation.”

On the other hand, irrigated fields in California’s San Joaquin Valley were rectangular, with aqueducts along the edges. The prevalence of irrigation systems emphasized the importance of utilizing water to its maximum potential in these areas.

Plant Succession In this phenomenon, aquatic vegetation slowly overtakes a lake or pond, solidifies into peat and eventually replaces the pond. Several examples were found in central South Dakota. Keran was particularly impressed to see such clear demonstrations of plant succession, as he had read about it in a textbook before starting out.

Plant succession in South Dakota

West Yellowstone, Mont.

Sheridan, Wyo.

Pierre, S.D. David Keran’s journal details his daily observations and experiences.

14

Rocky Mountains in Wyoming

valleys, plains—but also the cultural landscape, or the things that humans have altered.”

At the end of each day, Keran recorded his observations in the trip journal and downloaded photos and video footage. He identified and documented examples of the physical and cultural landforms he had studied in class and any insights he had.

At the conclusion of his trip, Keran produced a 34-minute video, a photo book and a 120page journal with written narratives and souvenirs to share his findings.

He has made presentations to his fellow students at Longwood, and this semester he is working to turn his journal into a book.

“What really makes me happy from an educator’s perspective is the breadth of academic disciplines this project crossed,” Kinman said.

Sunset over Texas

“David brought in skills from so many different areas of study: geography, history, physics, English.

This type of experience truly brings to life the value of a liberal arts education.”

The experience not only complements and reinforces Keran’s current studies but also his planned career path. “In the near future,

I’d like to get involved with the National Park Service as park law enforcement. I’ve always been interested in the spaces that have been carved out as the highlights of our country. It would combine a little of everything— law enforcement, aviation, our national parks. For me, it’s the best of all worlds.”

Keran camped out along the way, sometimes pitching his tent next to Tweetybird.

Muncie, Ind. Oshkosh, Wis. Winchester, Va.

15

Air show in Wisconsin

Joan Brock ’64

She is the former chair of the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees, and she currently is a board member of Sentara Healthcare Systems. On the Sentara board, she chairs the Foundation committee, whose mission includes providing health care for those who could not otherwise afford it.

lation.” She became a docent at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk and Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry then enrolled as a student at Old DoHumanitarian Alumni Award minion University, where she earned a Master of Arts in humanities.

Joan Brock takes seriously the reThat degree proved helpful when sponsibility that she believes comes she became a trustee of the Chrysler with success: the duty to give back Museum and eventually the first feto society and share the blessings she male board chair in the museum’s has received in her life. history.

It is for the fulfillBrock said she and ment of that responsiher husband, Macon bility that she received Brock, have always the Jabez Lamar Monbeen thankful for their roe Curry Humanitareducations and what ian Alumni Award. life has given them.

“Joan definitely is They also have always very deserving of the believed that giving award,” said Pat Woolback is an expression lum ’64, who introof that gratitude. duced her at the (Macon Brock, a awards dinner. graduate of RandolphBrock’s philanMacon College, has thropy has involved generously supported both her time and her his alma mater, treasure, and she foas well.)

by Gary Robertson cuses those resources “I have had a rich on institutions and isand blessed life, a supsues that ignite her inIn 2010, the Longwood Alumni Association portive family, a good terest. “That’s where education, a wonderestablished four awards to recognize alumni your passion comes ful marriage and sucand others for their outstanding achievements from,” Brock said. cess in business. I feel and service. The first recipients were announced She has a lasting pasit is my obligation to in 2011. This year’s awards were presented at sion for Longwood and help others who a March 2 dinner on campus. tries to make gifts that haven’t been as equally answer crucial needs. blessed,” she said.

Gary Robertson is a freelance writer from Richmond.

One such gift created Brock Commons, a space the length of three city blocks that transformed As a believer in lifelong learning, the campus when it opened in 2004. Brock wanted to explore the world Thomas Jefferson ProfesWhen Dr. Patricia Cormier, then of art. A predominantly left-brained sional Achievement Award president of Longwood, approached math major trained in the theories of Brock with the vision she had for logic, Brock said jokingly that “the the Longwood campus, Brock saw Places have the power to shape lives. other side of my brain needed stimuthe opportunity to make a meaningJust ask Tom DeWitt ’80. ful difference for her alma mater.

“You find that one place in your Brock Commons closed a public life that really makes a difference, Joan Brock ’64 road and made Longwood a pedesand, for me, that place was Longtrian-friendly campus and more wood,” he said. handicap-accessible.

DeWitt found his wife here, he Brock’s interest in education also found mentors and lifelong friends has extended to the Access College here, and here he began developing the Foundation, which since its founding skill sets that helped him craft a sucin 1988 has helped 35,000 deserving cessful military career and later start a students in South Hampton Roads successful company in civilian life. secure financial aid and scholarships DeWitt is founder, president and while navigating the college process.

CEO of SNVC, a rapidly growing

In Good Company

Alumni Association honors 3 outstanding individuals

Tom DeWitt ’80

16

Tom DeWitt ’80

Northern Virginia information technology firm with 115 employees that serves both the federal government and commercial customers.

For his many accomplishments, DeWitt was chosen to receive the Thomas Jefferson Professional Achievement Award.

DeWitt said he is proud of what he and his employees have accomplished, noting that Virginia Business magazine named SNVC the best place to work in Virginia in its size class for 2012. This is the second year in a row his company was selected to receive this award.

“To really understand Tom DeWitt, one only needs to examine the culture of leadership values that pervades Tom’s firm,” said Paul Barrett, dean of the College of Business and Economics at Longwood, who introduced DeWitt at the awards dinner. “The firm is an extension of Tom, and Tom is a pay-it-forward citizen leader focused on changing the world for the better.”

When DeWitt entered Longwood, he began a journey that would enable him to become the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

DeWitt helped bring a fraternity to campus, and he worked closely with administrators to bring ROTC to Longwood.

The ROTC program was crucial in DeWitt’s life, helping him to hone his leadership skills and providing him with the motivation to complete his degree. He spent 16 years in the military, rising to the rank of major in the U.S. Army

before retiring under a special program offered in 1996.

His biology major introduced him to the scientific method, which has become a foundation for his decision making. It taught him to observe, measure, experiment and, when necessary, modify a hypothesis.

DeWitt’s advice for anyone thinking of trying to emulate his successful career path: “Don’t expect everything to happen overnight. Take the first step, assess your progress and make the next decision.”

Bill Todd ’83 William Henry Ruffner Alumni Award If today’s students are wondering exactly what Longwood has in mind when urging them to become citizen leaders, all they have to do is take a close look at William E. (Bill) Todd ’83.

Todd recently completed a one-year tour in Afghanistan for the Department of State, where he coordinated assistance and economic affairs, including a $4 billion development program.

In December 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Todd to be the next ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. If confirmed by the Senate—an action expected in March— it will be Todd’s second ambassadorship in four years. The first, from 2008-10, was to Brunei, a rapidly industrializing and strategically situated nation on the island of Borneo.

Todd also has served as acting inspector general and deputy inspector general of the Department of State.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Todd received the university’s William Henry Ruffner Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association. The award recognizes those who have achieved success and national distinction in their personal and professional life.

“I can tell each of you that given his success in his professional endeavors, he is still the humble, caring individual we all got to know during his attendance at Longwood College,” said Tom Cole ’81, who introduced Todd at the awards dinner.

Todd’s road to a life of public service at the national level began in close-knit classes at Longwood.

“I had a sociology class that had a requirement to do community service at a center for people with access and functional needs, and learning disabilities. It turned out to be one of the best experiences I had at Longwood,” he said. “One of the lessons the people there taught me was to count my blessings for what I have vs. focusing on what I don’t have.”

When Todd graduated with a degree in business administration, he took with him some of the favorite sayings of his finance professor, Dr. Anthony Cristo, and then added to them. Here are a few examples of the sayings, which have developed into sort of a creed for life and career.

• Understand risk but do not let fear motivate you.

• When you can, give people the benefit of the doubt.

• When you (or someone else) make a mistake, learn from it, but don’t dwell on it. Move on.

• When the time comes to be tough, always be fair.

Bill Todd ’83 with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

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Brian Ritchie

Longwood’s 25th president, Patrick Finnegan, shares a light moment with the audience during his inaugural18address.

a

Longwood embraces its new leader with pomp, circumstance and excitement

lancer forever

by Gina Caldwell

With the peals of the Longwood bell in the air

and a blue autumn sky overhead, the campus buzzed with energy and excitement as the Longwood community prepared to inaugurate

Patrick Finnegan as the university’s 25th president.

A

Brian Ritchie

festive parade of rung 25 times to signify students, faculty, Longwood’s 25th presistaff, alumni, members dent. The first 24 bell of the Board of Visitors ringers were Longwood’s and academic delegates longest-serving employmarched along the ees (the senior employee, sidewalks of High Street at 45 years, was Eva toward Jarman Hall for Philbeck in the Office of the long-awaited Oct. Academic Affairs); the 21 installation ceremony. last was the university’s Dr. Jim Jordan, chief newest employee, Kevin faculty marshal, led the Bryant ’05, who works U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) presents the keynote address for procession carrying Long- the installation ceremony of his longtime friend, Patrick Finnegan. in web communications. wood’s new mace (see More than 65 alumni related story on Page 22). from the classes of 1943 through 2011 were among Meanwhile, staff selected to ring the Longwood Bell those participating in the ceremony as class representaanxiously awaited their turns. Moved temporarily from tives. Elsie Stossel Upchurch ’43 represented the earliest Greenwood Library to the front of Jarman, the bell was Longwood class, and Ben Brittain ’11 represented the 19

‘I reaffirm the promise I made 15 months ago to

uphold the high standards

of the university, to promote excellence in scholarship, to choose the harder right over the easier wrong, and to forge new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service.’ ­—President Patrick Finnegan

Stephen Hudson ’13

Pearl Agee, secretary for the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy, rings the Longwood Bell prior to the installation ceremony. She was among 25 staff members selected for the honor.

20

Kent Booty

Kent Booty

2 Stephen Hudson ’13

3

1 1. Longwood staff members Jennifer Paulett ’06, Debbie Epperson, Sheri McGuire, Ken Copeland and Kelly Martin ’07 welcome Elwood to the campus picnic that was held following ‘Longwood Gives Back: A Day of Service.’ 2. Members of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity perform during the picnic. 3. President Finnegan shows off his ‘serious bling.’

most recent Longwood class. In addition to the alumni, 34 students representing a variety of Longwood’s clubs, athletic groups and Greek organizations were involved in the ceremony.

Finnegan had chosen three elements essential to a good education as the theme for his inauguration: scholarship, service and standards. “These elements will be the hallmark of my presidency,” he said.

A retired Army brigadier general and former chief academic officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Finnegan has a long history of upholding these ideals.

“Today marks the coming together of a great leader and a great institution of higher education at a moment in our history when we need more of both,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) in his keynote address at the installation ceremony.

When it comes to Finnegan’s character, Reed knows what he’s talking about. The two men have covered a lot of ground together, starting with their days at West Point and continuing through their graduate studies at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, infantry officer training and airborne school, where Reed was a young Lt. Finnegan’s platoon leader.

Their friendship continues today.

“Patrick Finnegan is a preeminent citizen leader,” Reed said. “For more than three decades, he devoted himself to selfless service to the nation as an Army

officer. As dean of the Academic Board at West Point, he was a superb educational leader. His vision, his collaboration and his commitment reshaped West Point, expanding its international curriculum, enhancing its approach to chemical and nuclear engineering programs, and constantly adapting to changes in information technology, both as an academic subject and as a managerial tool. His work completed the Jefferson library, honoring a great Virginian who, in 1802, signed the legislation creating West Point.

“But more important than these remarkable achievements is the fact that Patrick Finnegan understands, through his experience, that talent, technology and technique can never ultimately succeed if character and commitment fail. Like Longwood University, Pat Finnegan is about character and commitment. He is a man of decency and integrity who is committed to using his talents to help others develop their talents so that they can be the leaders of the future.”

Finnegan was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Joan; his daughters, Katie and Jenna, and their husbands; two of his four grandchildren; his brother, Danny, recently named editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch; and his sister, Rosaleen (Rosi) Finnegan Shinsato ’76, who represented her class. Also in attendance were Longwood’s last two presidents, Dr. Patricia P. Cormier (1996-2010) and Dr. William F. Dorrill (1988-96).

“I reaffirm the promise I made 15 months ago to Continued on Page 24 21

new mace’s symbolism is more than skin deep L

ongwood’s new mace tips the scales at more than 9 pounds, but the symbolism of this metal-and-wood staff is even weightier than its physical heft.

“The mace is the symbolic authority of the president,” said Dr. James Jordan (pictured below with the mace), chief faculty marshal and professor of anthropology who had the honor of carrying the metal and wood staff at President Patrick Finnegan’s installation ceremony. (The chief faculty marshal, a senior faculty member chosen by the president, carries the mace at all official academic ceremonies.) “It is used only when the president appears,

such as in ceremonies and other formal events. It precedes him in a processional and leads him out in a recessional.”

Appropriate to this function, Longwood’s new mace is also symbolic in its design. What’s hidden from view, however, is perhaps even more symbolic.

“Part of the concept to make Longwood’s mace symbolically and historically tied to the institution, in particular, was the inclusion of objects held within the mace,” said Kathy Johnson Bowles, director of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts and a member of the committee charged with creating the mace. “It was

Rotunda dome Serving as the traditional orb at the top of the mace is a miniature Rotunda dome, which symbolizes Longwood as a sanctuary for learning.

hidden inside • A silver coin dated 1877, found by workers behind a wall in West Ruffner, symbolizes ongoing prosperity.

• A piece of wood from the rubble of the Great Fire of 2001 symbolizes dedication and perseverance.

• The head of a porcelain figure symbolizes the life of the mind and academic pursuits.

• A sewing thimble symbolizes labor and good works.

cube

• A marble symbolizes recreation and rest.

A cube on which the Rotunda rests bears the seals of the university and the commonwealth, as well as Joan of Arc’s coat of arms, representing the university’s mission to inspire leadership in service of common good.

• A shard of Blue Willow china symbolizes beauty and community.

• A minié ball, which likely struck Ruffner Hall during the final days of the Civil War, commemorates Longwood’s long history.

• A federal infantryman’s brass button represents duty and service.

• A silver napkin ring labeled “State Normal School of Farmville, Virginia,” a gold “State Teachers College” class ring, and a goldand-onyx “Longwood College” class ring are reminders of Longwood’s evolution.

fluted shaft The 28.5-inch-tall fluted shaft recalls Ruffner Hall’s columns and the pillars of knowledge.

Brian Ritchie

22

• A vial of ashes is from a “burning” ritual conducted by Chi, Longwood’s oldest continuous student organization, which was founded in 1900.

Stephen Hudson ’13

1 2

Gina Caldwell

my role to conceptualize, select, gather and interpret these objects.”

The result of Bowles’ efforts is a treasure trove of items inside the mace that relate to the university’s history and values.

“In a sense, Longwood’s mace is its symbol, much as the flag is the symbol of our country,” said Dr. Jordan. “I believe this new mace will represent a new chapter in the life our university.”

In fact, Longwood’s impressive new mace is not the first to serve Longwood at formal occasions. In 1974, Zeta Tau Alpha presented the institution with the Longwood College mace in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the sorority’s founding at Longwood in 1898.

With the designation of Longwood as a university in 2002, it was clear a new mace was needed. In spring 2011, President Finnegan appointed a committee to study and design the new mace. Members included Dr. Jordan; Bowles; Dr. Geoff Orth, former director of the Cormier Honors College; Nancy Shelton, director of alumni relations; David Whaley, director of publications and visual arts; Dr. Craig Challender, professor of English; and Brandon Fry, president of the Student Government Association.

After the committee discussed the significant historical attributes of ceremonial maces and objectives for Longwood’s mace, Bowles and Whaley led the design process. Once the design was approved, the new mace was handmade by Northwest Territorial Mint and Medallic Art Company, a full-service mint and precious metals dealer located in Nevada.

The company, which also created the chain of office used in Finnegan’s inauguration, completed both pieces in about three months.

The new Longwood University mace is housed in a sealed case located in the President’s Office. The Longwood College mace is on permanent display in the first floor atrium of Greenwood Library.

—Gina Caldwell

1. The Camerata Singers perform during the Inaugural Silver Notes Celebration Concert, which featured several student groups.

2. President and Mrs. Finnegan paint a nursery at Farmville United Methodist Church for ‘Longwood Gives Back: A Day of Service.’

‘We believe in serving others as part of our mission to develop

citizen leaders who contribute to the good of society.’

­—President Patrick Finnegan

23

Stephen Hudson ’13

Stephen Hudson ’13

1 2

1. Jay Coward ’13 (keyboard) and Chris Kjorness, adjunct instructor of music, (upright bass) entertain guests during a reception held prior to the benefit dinner for the proposed University Student Center. 2. In recognition of the Silver Celebration for Longwood’s 25th president, the tables for the benefit dinner were decorated in silver, blue and white.

A card tucked into each napkin described the proposed University Student Center.

24

uphold the high standards of the university, to promote excellence in scholarship, to choose the harder right over the easier wrong, and to forge new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service,” Finnegan said in his remarks.

He also cited the Academic Strategic Plan that Longwood is currently devising, the need to prepare students to “participate in a global economy and society,” and his desire to “expand international opportunities” and “push the boundaries of our internship requirement.” He illustrated Longwood’s heritage as a teacher’s college with a personal anecdote.

“We still prepare and educate teachers who are routinely recognized as the best in the Commonwealth.

Our daughter Katie’s kindergarten teacher was a Longwood graduate. She was so good that Katie was disappointed when Saturdays rolled around and she couldn’t go to school. Now that’s the way to get a child started on the right foot.”

Among the examples of service by students, faculty and staff that Finnegan mentioned are the Longwood Center for Communication, Literacy and Learning and the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. “These are just two examples of how we here at Longwood combine scholarship and service to meet the needs of and to enhance the life of our community,” he said.

“After 12 years at West Point and now 15 months at Longwood, I believe more than ever that educating our young people is the only way to ensure our freedom and our success as a nation. I believe that the wisest investment we can make is in education—the rate of return is world peace.”

Longwood Board of Visitors Rector Marge Connelly administered the oath of office. Dr. Ken Perkins, interim vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Jordan then placed the chain of office around Finnegan’s neck. Made of brushed enamel silver, the chain of office weighs about 3 pounds and is anchored by the Longwood medallion. Individual links of the chain are engraved with the names of Longwood’s four colleges, “Scholarship. Service. Standards” and “Lancers Forever.” Finnegan later jokingly referred to the chain of office as “some serious bling.”

“Pat Finnegan has won over this campus with his warmth, his good humor and his vision about the next big step this great university must take,” said Connelly, who also spoke at the ceremony.

Longwood Gives Back Earlier in the week, Longwood students, faculty and staff put on work gloves and rolled up their sleeves for “Longwood Gives Back,” a day of volunteer service in

Kent Booty

Elsie Stossel Upchurch ’43 (fifth from right) was one of 65 alumni to represent their graduation classes in the inaugural procession.

Following the ceremony she gathered with members of her sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and President and Mrs. Finnegan in front of the Longwood Bell.

the Farmville community that kicked off the inaugural celebration. As a result of their work, numerous community agencies and nonprofit organizations had their to-do lists completed in just a few short hours.

Projects included cleaning at a local food pantry; preparing for an open house at the SPCA; helping dismantle an abandoned house for Habitat for Humanity; painting a church nursery; donating and assisting with a blood drive; landscaping for a church; and assisting with a benefit event for the Pregnancy Support Center. Donations of goods also were collected for the SPCA, the Pregnancy Support Center and Farmville’s food pantry, FACES. “When we were planning the inauguration, I wanted to make sure we included a service component because one of the things that has impressed me most since coming to Longwood is the idea that service is in our DNA,” said Finnegan. “We believe in serving others as part of our mission to develop citizen leaders who contribute to the good of society.”

As part of “Longwood Gives Back,” a campuswide picnic was held to thank the volunteers and to provide an opportunity for the campus community to celebrate Finnegan’s inauguration. A variety of student performers took the stage during the picnic to share their musical talents and honor Finnegan.

More Celebration Students also had a chance to shine during inauguration week at the Silver Notes Celebration Concert, which showcased the Camerata Singers, Jazz Ensemble A and the Wind Symphony. Irish folk songs and military tunes, recognizing the president’s Irish ancestry and

Army background, were also part of the program.

Wrapping up the festivities on the evening of the installation ceremony was a benefit dinner for Longwood’s proposed University Student Center.

Before dinner, guests were entertained by Longwood theatre students who performed “Apotheosis, or How Not to Ascend to a Presidency.” Dr. Gene Muto, professor of theatre, directed Christa Brown ’12, Kyle Butler ’12, Justin Heavner ’12 and Adrienne Johnson ’13 in the original play.

Following dinner, a videotape of greetings to President Finnegan titled “The Future is Bright” was shown.

Those delivering formal greetings included Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell; U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (DVirginia); Helen Warriner-Burke ’56, chair of the Inaugural Steering Committee and former rector of Longwood’s Board of Visitors; Barry Case, head of the presidential search committee and former rector of the BOV; and Longwood faculty, staff and students. At the conclusion of the dinner, Longwood’s all-female a cappella group, Pitch Perfect, performed the Alma Mater.

a sacred trust Taken together, these few days in October constituted a seminal moment in the history of Longwood University.

The university put its future in the hands of Patrick Finnegan, and, judging by the words he chose to conclude his inaugural speech, he is worthy of that trust.

“I will do the very best I can for Longwood because, as of today, not only you, but I, am a Lancer forever.”

Gina Caldwell is a media relations specialist in Public Relations and associate editor of Longwood magazine.

25

On the Reserve List

Photo by Casey Templeton Photography

26

The financial health of the nation rests, in part, on the expertise of a cadre of Longwood alumni who work at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond.

by Kent Booty

Among the Longwood alumni working at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond are (starting from left on opposite page) Marilyn Hosea Bishop ’76, currency technology; Gareth Flanagan ’99, Stephanie Roddenberry ’11 and Stacy Pingel Cox ’91, all in supervision, regulation and credit; Claudia MacSwain ’77, chief financial officer; Barbara (B.J.) Moss ’75 and Carlyle Powell ’08, both in supervision, regulation and credit; Tracy Prowse ’99, audit; and Greg Dodt ’11 and Susan Gardner Maxey ’06, both in supervision, regulation and credit.

27

There’s more than a little truth to the saying that

money makes the world go around. Ensuring that it goes around in the right way — at least in the United States — is a group of Longwood alums working at 701 E. Byrd St. in downtown Richmond.

On that site stands the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, established in 1914 as one of 12 district banks in the Federal Reserve System. Anyone who has a bank account, a paycheck that arrives like clockwork in that account or a lowinterest mortgage owes at least a small debt of gratitude to these Longwood alums and the many other people who work at what is commonly known as “the Fed.” The Longwood “Reserve list” includes more than a dozen men and women in departments ranging from currency technology to supervision, regulation and credit. One Longwood alumna is the Richmond bank’s chief financial officer; another graduated in December 2011 and began her job in January as an assistant examiner in consumer affairs. Other Longwood graduates work as bank examiners, auditors and financial analysts.

At the simplest level, the Federal Reserve has a three-fold mission: setting monetary policy to keep prices stable, regulating member banks to ensure they are safe places for depositors to keep their money and facilitating the rapid movement of funds from bank to bank.

The Richmond bank serves as headquarters for the Fed’s Fifth District, which comprises Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina and most of West Virginia.

Claudia MacSwain ’77 is a topranking officer for the Fifth District. Named chief financial officer (CFO) in 2004, she is one of 11

28

asked to get the area “back on senior vice presidents and supertrack.” It took three years for her vises about 100 people. She was management team to accomplish the second woman to be named a that task, and shortly thereafter she senior vice president at the Richwas named to her current position. mond Fed. It is clear to anyone who speaks MacSwain’s responsibilities to MacSwain that she is very happy include the Fifth District’s corporate accounting function, the Feder- with the path her career has taken.

“I am so lucky—I have a great job, al Reserve System’s National and I like everything about my job.

Procurement Office, statistics and No two days are the same, which is reserve accounts, and corporate what keeps me engaged. I’m really planning—an interesting twist to dedicated to my work. One of my a career that started with teaching principles is to do the right thing in high school. all situations. I’m just a person who “The accounting classes I took at comes here every day to do the very Longwood were a catalyst for me,” best job that I can do.” said MacSwain. “I took as many In the Supervision, Regulation accounting courses as were and Credit Department, Assistant offered—four, I think—which Vice President Barbara (B.J.) Moss I really liked. Teaching accounting concepts to high-school students ’75 also is dedicated to her work at the Fed. was also a lot of fun, but after my “Our job is ensuring that banks second year of teaching I knew and other financial institutions are I wanted to enter the business doing the right job from a safety world, where I could utilize and soundness perspective,” said my accounting skills in a differMoss, a former field examiner who ent way.” has worked full time in Richmond She began working at the Fed in since 1978. “We make sure they’re 1981 as an auditor, then signed on with the financial accounting/planning in compliance with laws and regulations. area in 1984. Along the way she “In the Fifth District, there are earned an MBA and a post-bac97 state member banks and 247 calaureate certificate in accounting from Virginia Commonwealth Uni- bank holding companies and financial holding companies that we regversity, as well as her CPA license. ulate,” Moss said, adding that the MacSwain credits some of her success at the Fed to her decision in largest bank holding companies regulated by the Richmond Fed are 2000 to volunteer for a particularly Bank of America, Capital One and difficult assignment. An accounting area that was not under her supervi- BB&T. “We are the sole regulator of bank holding companies, which sion at that time received a low ratown banks, and we recently accepting in a review by the Fed’s ed responsibility for thrift holding governing body, and MacSwain was

Dr. Ray Brastow (left photo) took five of his students for an in-depth visit at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, where he works part time.

How the economy really works

Longwood’s ‘inside connection’ at Richmond Federal Reserve nets rich experience for students Students in a Longwood economics course last semester got a close-up look at how the economy really works.

Five of the seven students in Dr. Ray Brastow’s Honors Economics 217: Principles of Micro Economics visited the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond a week before Thanksgiving. Brastow works at the bank part time as a financial economist in the Supervision, Regulation and Credit Department, and arranged the in-depth visit. Students met for an hour with five Longwood alumni who work in supervision, regulation and credit, then had lunch in the executive dining room. Later they met with the Human Resources Department and toured “The Fed Experience,” an interactive, multimedia exhibit in which visitors explore their personal connections to the economy and the Fed’s role.

“The Longwood graduates who work there were really excited to meet and talk with the students,” said Brastow, professor of economics, who organized the trip. “Each employee spoke about his or her career path, what they do at the Fed and how Longwood prepared them.”

The Longwood students also enjoyed the visit.

“It was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to see how things work there and how the Fed controls things,” said Kristyn D’Angiolillo, a sophomore history/secondary education major from Smithfield. “ None of us who went are economics majors, and, being a history major, we usually don’t get into how things work now.”

Katerina Wiley, a freshman business management major and Spanish minor from Goochland, said she

received some “good advice from the alumni on how to handle our future, and they talked about internships.

I didn’t really realize how important internships are.”

Stephanie Roddenberry, who graduated from Longwood in December 2011 and interned at the Fed in the summers of 2010 and 2011, knows from personal experience just what an internship can do for you.

She started her new job as an assistant examiner at the Richmond Fed in January.

“Stephanie is an exceptional student,” said Brastow.

“She came to me in fall 2009, and I encouraged her to apply for an internship at the Fed, but I didn’t get her the internship. … Her abilities got her the internship.”

Students like Roddenberry and those who recently visited the Fed benefit from Brastow’s work there in many ways. He not only provides them with an “inside connection” but also brings what he learns at the Fed into the classroom.

“In my work at the Fed, I provide data and analysis for bank examiners,” said Brastow. “We try very hard to get ahead of any emerging risks, changes in bank regulations, et cetera, that might affect banks.

In August [2011] I wrote an eight-page report on possible risks to banks of the debt-ceiling debate and subsequent ratings downgrade. With the economic downturn, I did a lot of crisis data analysis, trying to get a handle on what was going on with banks and financial markets.

“I’ve learned an enormous amount about the realworld economy, which has enabled me to bring to the classroom a much deeper appreciation for how the economy works. It’s been a great boost to my career to get off campus and into the real world.”— Kent Booty

companies, which own savings banks.”

Moss started at the Fed in 1973 as a part-time employee in the Cash Department—a job that supplemented her pay as a substitute teacher—and started working her way up, eventually becoming a senior examiner in 1988.

examiner in consumer affairs; and Stephanie Roddenberry ’11, assistant examiner in consumer affairs.

Roddenberry, who majored in business at Longwood, was offered her position after interning at the Richmond Fed in the summers of 2010 and 2011.

Carlyle Powell analyzes a portfolio

sheets could withstand a loss under adverse economic conditions.

Maxey completed a master’s degree in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University in December.

Stacy Cox, whose job is to identify best practices, ensure consistency and recommend improvement strategies in her department, says

‘Our job is ensuring that banks and other financial institutions are doing the right job from a safety and soundness perspective.’

Barbara (B.J.) Moss ’75, Assistant Vice President Supervision, Regulation and Credit Department

“I was a bank examiner out in the field for 18 years, and typically I would leave home on a Monday morning and come back on Friday,” said Moss, who graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management in the 1980s. “At the height of my examiner career, during the savings and loan crisis of 1985, I spent 186 nights away from home, including a four-month stretch at the Fed office in Baltimore, where I was in charge of logistics.”

In 2000, Moss was promoted to assistant vice president, one of 15 in supervision, regulation and credit. Longwood alumni working with her in that department are Susan Gardner Maxey ’06, a quantitative research analyst; Carlyle Powell ’08, a portfolio research analyst; Brian Thompson ’03, a large bank examiner; Greg Dodt ’11, an assistant examiner; Stacy Pingel Cox ’91, a quality management senior examiner; Aaron Thompson ’99, a senior

30

Longwood paved the way for her of 24 banks. “What I most enjoy is the opportunity to provide outreach career at the Fed. “I give a lot of credit to Mikie to bankers. Periodically, I have the Flanigan [Longwood professor of opportunity to visit with the banks in my portfolio to discuss strengths, accounting], who is my mentor, my friend, my role model,” said Cox. struggles, market area trends and strategic plans,” she said.

“She made me fall in love with accounting. The accounting backMuch of Brian Thompson’s work ground really helped me at first is devoted to bank holding compahere, especially in my role as an nies for E*Trade, based in Arlingexaminer. I can thank Mikie Flaniton, and the T. Rowe Price Group gan for that.” in Baltimore. “In this job, you get And she can thank the Fed for a to learn a great deal about how banks operate and to see the impact job that is challenging and enjoyable—a feeling shared by all the of monetary policy decisions on Longwood alums interviewed for banks,” said Thompson, who this story. pitched on the baseball team his “I like the diversity of my job,” first two years at Longwood.

Cox said. “I’m constantly learning Susan Maxey, who works in the and looking at new things. Also, Risk and Policy Unit, is involved in the Comprehensive Capital Analysis there is tremendous camaraderie, and, when you work hard, they and Review, a project that was reward you.” prompted by the financial crisis of 2008. A collaborative effort of several of the Federal Reserve banks, Kent Booty is a media specialist the project stress tests the capital levels of the largest financial institu- in Public Relations and associate editor of Longwood magazine. tions to ensure that their balance

books by alumni, faculty, staff and friends

In Print Many Septembers: My Autobiography

by Dr. John Randall Cook ’56, M.S. ’60, Longwood alumnus This autobiography has been described as “the story of a very active, successful and diversified life that began humbly in rural Virginia.” Cook, a Crewe native, is one of Longwood’s first male graduates. He is a nationally recognized leader in guidance and counseling who served as supervisor of guidance for the Virginia Department of Education.

Currently a resident of Richmond, Cook co-authored the first elementary guidance bill introduced in the U.S. Congress and has been named the Outstanding Counselor in America. Cook is a generous Longwood benefactor who has established scholarships at Longwood, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the College of William & Mary.

The Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences is named for him and his longtime partner and fellow philanthropist, the late Dr. Waverly M. Cole. Published by Gardner Press, hardcover, 146 pages.

Come Closer: Critical Perspectives on Theatre of the Oppressed co-edited by Dr. Toby Emert ’86, Longwood alumnus In this book, community activists, scholars and theatre artists describe their work related to Theatre of the Oppressed (TO), an interactive theatrical methodology developed by Brazilian artist/activist Augusto Boal. Emert, associate professor of education and department chair at Agnes Scott College near Atlanta, served for six years on the board of the international organization Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed and was its president in 2008-09. “Much of my research work and teaching draws on arts- and especially theatre-based strategies,” said Emert, who, in addition to his work at Agnes Scott, teaches drama-based education courses through a graduate program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. He and the book’s co-editor, Dr. Ellie Friedland of Wheelock College in Boston, have presented at national conferences and conducted TO-based workshops together. Published by Peter Lang Publishing, hardcover, 198 pages.

Teaching the Nuts and Bolts of Physical Education: Ages 5-12

by Dr. Allison (Vonnie) Colvin, Professor of Physical Education; Nancy Egner Markos; and Pamela Walker ’75, Longwood alumna This textbook is the second edition of Teaching the Nuts and Bolts of Physical Education, also co-authored by Colvin, who coordinates the Physical and Health Education-Teacher Education program at Longwood. It comes with a CD-ROM that contains a 335-page copy of a revised and expanded version of the first edition. Markos was the 2002 National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, and Walker was the 1995 Virginia Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Both taught in Albemarle County before retiring. Published by Human Kinetics, softcover, 58 pages.

Body, Mind & Spirit: The Awakening

by James Hackley ’88, Longwood alumnus This first book by Hackley, who lost 50 pounds in four months, “explores the root causes of why we overeat, refuse to exercise, live chaotic lives and fail to accomplish the goals that God has intended for our life,” the publisher says of the 21-day guide. “This is not just another diet or ‘weight loss’ book. Diets simply don’t work, and James emphasizes how we need to be more concerned about ‘fat loss.’” Hackley, who has a physics degree from Longwood and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Virginia, is founder and CEO of Omega Consulting Services, based in Sterling, where he lives. Published by Omega Consulting Services, softcover, 333 pages.

NOTE: Any Longwood alumna/alumnus or faculty or staff member or university friend who has published a book or released a music CD is encouraged to contact Kent Booty in the Office of Public Relations at bootykl@longwood.edu

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calendar

W elcome Alumni & Friends!

All events are free and open to the public except where noted. Visit www.longwood.edu for updated information.

MARCH

29

-31, April 1 Longwood Theatre: Zero to Sixty, Longwood’s Fifth Annual Ten-Minute Playwriting Competition. ThursdaySaturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, LAB Theatre. Tickets: $5. Information: 434-395-2474 or boxoffice@longwood.edu.

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Author Reading and Book Signing: Friends of the Library presents author Kelly Cherry.

Reception, 6 p.m.; lecture, 7 p.m., Greenwood Library, atrium. Information and RSVP: 434-395-2431.

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Chamber Music Series: The Claremont Trio. 7:30 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall. Information: 434-395-2504.

APRIL

2

Longwood Authors Series: Featuring Andy Duncan. 8 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall.

Information: 434-395-2159.

3

Men’s Tennis: vs. Liberty. 1:30 p.m., Lancer Courts. Full Schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

3

Softball: vs.

University of Virginia. 3:30 p.m., Lancer Field. Full schedule: longwood lancers.com.

6

Women’s Tennis: vs.

George Washington.

2 p.m., Lancer Courts. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

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13

Lacrosse: vs. Presbyterian. 4 p.m., Athletics Complex. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

13

-14 Men’s Golf: Longwood/ Manor Intercollegiate. The Manor Golf Club. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

14

through May 12 Exhibit and Receptions: Art Department Senior Exhibition.

Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. April 14; closing reception, 2-3 p.m. May 12. Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

Decade of the ’80s Alumni Reunion April 20-21

15

Concert: Percussion Ensemble. 2 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall. Information: 434-395-2504.

7

17

11

17

11

20

Women’s Tennis: vs. North Carolina A&T. 2:30 p.m., Lancer Courts. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

Softball: vs. Virginia Tech.

4 p.m., Lancer Field. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

General Education Film Series: Exit Through the Gift Shop. 7 p.m., Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434395-2206.

11

Lacrosse: vs. Virginia Tech. 7 p.m., Athletics Complex. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

12

-15, 19-22 Longwood Theatre: Steel Magnolias.

Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Mainstage Theatre, Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, Mainstage Theatre.

Tickets: $5 Longwood students; $6 LU faculty/staff, senior citizens and students from other schools/colleges; $8 general admission. Information: 434-395-2474 or boxoffice@ longwood.edu.

Baseball: vs. VCU. 7 p.m., Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium. Full schedule: longwood lancers.com.

Concert: Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensembles. 7:30 p.m., Jarman Hall, auditorium.

Information: 434-395-2504.

-21 Alumni Reunion: Decade of the ’80s Reunion for the Classes of 1980-89.

Longwood campus. RSVP at www.longwood link.com. Information: 434-395-2044.

22

Concert: Men’s and Women’s Choir. 3 p.m., Wygal Hall, Molnar Recital Hall.

Information: 434-395-2504.

22

Earth Day Event: “Surfing for Change,” presented by environmental activist Kyle Thiermann. 5 p.m., Blackwell Hall.

Information: 434-395-2103.

24

Concert: Camerata Singers.

7:30 p.m., Farmville United Methodist Church. Information: 434-395-2504.

Softball: vs. Elon. 4 p.m., Lancer Field. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

Taylor Dabney

25 27

Community Achievement in the Arts: Awards ceremony and reception. 5-7 p.m., Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

27

Baseball: vs. UMES. 6 p.m., Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

Meredith Williams Dobyns ’12, Lancaster Hall, 2009, watercolor, 10.25 x 15.25 inches, Collection of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts.

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Lacrosse: vs. Liberty. 7 p.m., Athletics Complex. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

art department senior exhibition April 14 through May 12

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Earth Day Event: Clean Virginia Waterways conducts makea-rain-barrel workshops and a variety of other fun and informative events. 1-5 p.m., Longwood campus. $50 for rain barrel construction. Information: 434-395-2602.

MAY

11

Graduation Garden Reception: With President and Mrs. Finnegan for the Class of 2012 and their families. Longwood House.

RSVP: alumni@longwood.edu.

12

Commencement: Featuring retired Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas.

9:30 a.m., Wheeler Mall. Information: 434-395-2003.

15

Baseball: vs. James Madison. 6 p.m., Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium. Full schedule: longwoodlancers.com.

17

Tea Time at Longwood: Luncheon featuring a presentation by Longwood English professor Dr. Kimberly Stern on the Victorians. Noon, Blackwell Hall. Tickets: $20 (sold in advance).

Organized by the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

JUNE

8

through Aug. 25 Exhibits and Reception: A Picturesque Campus and A Tradition of Excellence: The Longwood University Alumni Exhibition. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. June 8. Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Information: 434-395-2206.

20

Alumni Event: Norfolk Tides baseball game. Pregame picnic, 5:45 p.m.; game, 7:15 p.m., Harbor Park. Cost TBA. Information: 434-395-2044 or longwood.link.com.

JULY

18

Alumni Event: Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game. Pre-game picnic, 5:45 p.m.; game, 7:15 p.m., The Diamond.

Cost TBA. Information: 434-3952044 or longwood.link.com.

AUGUST

10

Alumni Event: Friday Night on the Patio at James River Cellars Winery. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Glen Allen. Information: 434-3952044 or longwood.link.com.

20

Alumni Event: Washington Nationals baseball game.

Pre-game picnic, 5:35 p.m.; game, 7:05 p.m., Nationals Park. Cost TBA. Information: 434-395-2044 or longwood.link.com.

22

Alumni Event: Lynchburg Hillcats baseball game. Pregame picnic, 5:30 p.m.; game, 7:05 p.m., Calvin Falwell Field. Cost TBA. Information: 434-395-2044 or longwood.link.com.

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Brian Ritchie

LANCER SPORTS

Hall of Fame members gather with President Patrick Finnegan.

Athletics Hall of Fame inducts new members The Class of 2011 was one of the biggest ever inducted into Longwood’s Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition to soccer player Darryl Case ’84 and field hockey player Claire Reyes Williams ’01, every member of the 1991 baseball team—which advanced to the Final Four of the Division II World Series—as well as the team’s two coaches joined this elite group.

Darryl Case ’84 is the university’s only four-time All-American in men’s soccer. He was a first team National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) AllAmerican as a senior in 1984, following second team All-America selections from 1981-83 for former head coach Rich Posipanko.

A four-year starter, Case totaled 15 goals, seven assists and 37 points while leading the Lancers to a record of 50-15-12 and two Virginia State Championships (1982, 1984).

“Individual honors cannot be obtained without being part of a great team,” said Case. “So, I have to thank Rich for coming here and taking on a 0-14 team and turning it into a winning program.”

Case earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration at Longwood. He and his wife, Laurie, live in San Diego, Calif.

same year. She was a first team AllAmerican as a junior (1999) and senior (2000), while a three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Team selection from 1998-2000 for former head coach Nancy Joel.

A four-year starter, Reyes Williams totaled two goals, four assists, eight points and six defensive saves while leading the Lancers to a record of 49-27 and three-straight appearances in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II Championships, including the 2000 ECAC Title.

“I just want to also dedicate the award itself to the 2000 team because, without them, I actually wouldn’t be up here,” she said.

Reyes Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science at Longwood. She and her husband, Michael J. Williams, live in Virginia Beach.

Claire Reyes Williams ’01 was a two-time All-American in field hockey at Longwood. She earned 2001 Virginia NCAA Woman of the Year honors while she was one of 10 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year that 34

The 1991 Baseball Team finished a school-record 41-8 while advancing to the Final Four of the 1991 Division II World Series. Coached by veteran head coach Buddy Bolding, Longwood

went 3-2 at the World Series and was within one victory of the championship game, defeating American International, Florida Southern and Missouri Southern State, while also falling twice to Missouri Southern State.

The Lancers had advanced to the National Championships after sweeping the South Atlantic Regional completing the regular season with a record of 35-6.

The Lancers’ roster totaled 19 team members: Dennis Hale ’91 (team head captain), Scott Abell ’92 (team captain), Eric Hutzler ’91 (team captain), Michael Adams ’93, Todd Bowman ’93, Matt Carlisle ’91, Nealan Chandler ’91, Eric Hill ’94, John Hutzler ’93, Shawn Jones ’93, Bill Martz ’93, Chris Mullins ’92, Chris Peebles ’93, Chris Porter ’93, Bill Reeves ’95, Terry Taylor ’93, Michael Tucker ’93, Kyle Weaver ’93 and Wayne Weaver ’95. Robert Jackson ’89 assisted Coach Bolding that memorable season.

“It was not one pitch,” said Eric Hutzler, on behalf of the team.

“It was not one inning. It was not one player. It was all of us; it was the team.”

Red Rocket Photos

A Whole New Ballgame Joining the Big South Conference begins new era in Longwood Athletics process for recruits, parents, coaches Finally. Longwood University Athand others is gone.” letics is gaining affiliation with the The impact of Big South memBig South Conference, becoming bership will also be felt in schedulthe 12th member of the conference ing. No longer will the men’s in 2012-13. What does this mean basketball team have to play five for the coaching staffs of Longgames in five states in two weeks or wood’s 14 sports and the university’s embark on a 17-day trip for road 200-plus student-athletes? games. No longer will the women’s The No. 1 impact will be on soccer team have to play eight recruiting. matches in 24 days. No longer will Coaches can immediately begin offering prospective student-athletes the softball team be forced to play 18 games in 19 days, including the opportunity to compete for back-to-back double-headers within conference championships and in 24 hours in two different locations post-season NCAA Tournaments. separated by 300-plus miles. No Over the past several years, coaches longer will baseball play nearly twohave lost one outstanding recruit thirds of its schedule during the after another because other schools first six weeks of a 13-week season. could offer these and other benefits “It’s very difficult to put into of conference affiliation and Longwood could not. words how happy I am to now only “Recently, we have had a number have to schedule eight to 10 nonconference games a year as opposed of instances where a prospect has to putting 31 games together for us gotten to the point of making the decision to come to Longwood, only to play each year,” said Gillian.

“The schedule will certainly take on to succumb to external influences a new look now as it will become that convinced them otherwise,” said ninth-year men’s basketball head more ‘normal’ through January and February.” coach Mike Gillian. “The main facLongwood will now benefit from tor in all of that was our lack of a “built-in” league schedule each league affiliation. Now we’re moving year that will decrease the need for forward as a proud member of the Big South Conference, and the main opponents and result in less travel obstacle in the decision-making and, consequently, less time out of

the classroom for student-athletes.

“Conference affiliation will provide the full intercollegiate experience for our student-athletes, fans and coaches alike,” said baseball head coach Charles Buddy Bolding, now in his 34th year.

A bonus for the Longwood and Farmville communities will be the building of rivalries within the conference. While the biggest rivalries will undoubtedly be with those schools closest to Longwood—Liberty is just 50 miles away, VMI, 92, and Radford, 146—sport-specific rivalries will probably develop as well.

“There’s something more at stake for our teams in terms of league standings, conference tournaments and NCAA championship bids, so you can count on the magnitude and ‘buzz’ of these Big South games to be amped up several notches,” said 18th-year women’s soccer head coach Todd Dyer ’93. “As a DI Independent, I thought the campus and community support of our athletic teams was tremendous. Now, with Big South play looming on the horizon, I’m convinced Longwood school spirit will reach new heights and facilitate a great deal of energy and support locally and throughout the region.” — Greg Prouty 35

GOING PRO Red Rocket Photos

Josh Helmick ’12

Goalkeeper is first Longwood player drafted by Major League Soccer team

36

Men’s soccer earns Atlantic Soccer Conference title The men’s soccer team capped a remarkable 2011 season with a seven-match unbeaten streak and captured its second Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) title in four years.

The Lancers, under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Jon Atkinson, posted an 11-6-3 overall record, the most wins by the men’s soccer team since it finished the 2002 season with a 12-6-1 mark.

The Lancers entered the 2011 ASC Tournament as the No. 2 seed.

Longwood advanced to the championship match after playing to a draw with third-seeded Houston Baptist and advancing 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout.

In the title match, Longwood and host Adelphi University played to a scoreless tie, and the championship came down to a shootout.

Senior Joel Helmick of Springfield stopped a pair of attempts in the shootout after making nine saves in 110 minutes. Junior Vinnie Llana of Raleigh, N.C., buried his shot in the net in the seventh round of penalty kicks to give the Lancers the crown.

Helmick was named the ASC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

The ASC Championship capped what was an already impressive season by any standard.

The Lancers won the final five matches of the regular season, including a pair of 2-0 victories at Southern Conference members

Davidson College and UNC Greensboro and a 2-1 victory at Big South Conference member High Point University. The Lancers also won a pair of conference home matches against Howard (5-0) and Houston Baptist (2-1) during the run.

Longwood went 3-2-1 against instate competition, with wins at Big South members Virginia Military Institute (4-0) and Radford University (1-0, 2OT) and Atlantic 10 Conference member University of Richmond (3-1). The Lancers tied James Madison University of the Colonial Athletic Association 3-3, a team that advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

“This season was a step in the right direction,” said Atkinson.

“It gives us confidence going into next year, especially joining the Big South Conference. We played some strong programs and not only competed, but won some of them.

JMU had a great season, and UNC Greensboro is a perennial power.”

In addition to the team accolades, several individuals earned conference, state and regional recognition.

Six lancers were named to the All-ASC First Team, and two team members were recognized for their work in the classroom with selections to the NSCAA University Division Scholar All-East Region Second Team and the ASC AllAcademic Team. — Stuart Smith Red Rocket Photos

Four years of hard work paid off for senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick of Springfield when he became the first Longwood soccer player ever to be selected in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Supplemental Draft.

Helmick was selected by the Colorado Rapids as the 14th pick in the fourth round of the draft. Over his four-year career, he started 71 of 74 matches and played 6637:22 in goal. He made 273 saves for a .728 save percentage and posted a 25-3113 record. Helmick had his best season as a senior with a career-best 0.92 save percentage, 11-6-3 record and six shutouts.

He stopped 72 shots for a .791 save percentage and played 1864:29 in goal, missing just 23:05 the entire season. Helmick trained with the Kansas City Wizards/Sporting KC during the summers of 2010 and 2011.

“To have Joel get drafted by a MLS team, it says a lot about the direction of the program and the growth over the years,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “Joel is a beacon for future aspiring athletes at Longwood, and a testimony that hard work and dedication, along with talent, can get you closer to your dream.”

A Championship Season

Red Rocket Photos

Nothing but Net Basketball teams wrap up season Longwood entered the final month of the college basketball season with both the men’s and women’s programs looking to carry forward the momentum of recent victories.

The Lancer men earned three wins during a difficult month of January that featured six road games, including five-straight over 14 days in five different states. Senior Antwan Carter of St. Petersburg, Fla., was poised to become the school’s all-time leading scorer as he entered the final two weeks of the campaign with 1,768 career points, trailing only Kevin Jefferson ’90 (1,806) and just ahead of Jerome Kersey ’84 (1,756). Carter will also finish second in rebounding at Longwood, while ranking among the top five in several other categories.

The women’s team played nine games in January, including six road games in five states, collecting three wins.

Lacrosse has a 16-game schedule.

Springing into Action Teams gear up for 2012 play The Longwood baseball team has a 56-game schedule that features 33 home games highlighted by visits to Farmville from Virginia schools George Mason, James Madison, Norfolk State, Old Dominion, VCU, VMI and William & Mary. Longwood will compete with a roster of 21, including 13 returning lettermen from a 2011 team that finished 28-18, including 17-9 at home. Longtime head coach Charles Buddy Bolding (900-495-4, .645), entering his 34th year at Longwood, returns three seniors, three juniors and seven sophomores, while adding eight freshmen to the team.

Softball Coming off a 37-13 season last year, Longwood softball faces a 58-game schedule that includes seven tournaments: three at home as well as events at Alabama, Charleston Southern, Georgia State and the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. Veteran head coach Kathy Riley (434-230-1) is in her 15th year with the Lancers and returns 10 letter winners, including four seniors, three juniors and three sophomores, while adding seven freshmen to her squad.

Lacrosse Women’s lacrosse is playing its final season as members of the National Lacrosse Conference with a 16-game schedule plus the conference tournament.

Red Rocket Photos

Baseball

Antwan Carter ’12

Winning the Right Way As a Longwood Lancers fan, your support is crucial to the success of our programs and student-athletes. The NCAA prohibits specific activities between individuals who are representatives of our athletic programs and our prospective and current student athletes.

Visit www.longwoodlancers.com and click on “NCAA Compliance” to learn how you can be involved in the right way.

We thank you for your continued support of Longwood Athletics.

Golf Fifteenth-year head coach Kevin Fillman and his men’s golf team are scheduled for five tournaments, including the season-ending Longwood/ Manor Intercollegiate April 13-14 at The Manor Resort in Farmville. The women’s golf program has four tournaments on the spring schedule.

For more information please contact: Nick Schroeder Director of Compliance schroederng@longwood.edu 434-395-2417

Tennis The women’s tennis team has a 22-match schedule this spring, while the men’s tennis team is scheduled for 18 matches.

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alumni news

Where everybody knows your name If you’re a member of the Classes of 198089, make plans to attend the Decade of the ’80s Reunion on April 20-21.

The activities begin Friday night with a reception in Blackwell Ballroom, which alums will remember as Blackwell Dining Hall. For lunch Saturday, participants are invited to experience what meals are like for today’s students as they go through the line in Dorrill Dining Hall. If all goes as planned, Tina will be there to greet everyone with her familiar “Hey, Baby.”

On Saturday night, a barbecue picnic will be held at the Longwood Golf Course, with music provided by the band Super Hold.

Other campus activities during the reunion are a baseball double-header on Saturday, April 21, vs. North Carolina A&T and a production of Steel Magnolias.

“Longwood has some great memories for me, which is why I help plan these reunions,” said David Lydiard ’84 of Richmond, who also helped organize the previous two Decade of the ’80s reunions. “Like other people, I always go back hoping to see someone I haven’t seen in a long time.”

Additional information, the complete schedule of events, and the registration form can be found online at www.longwoodlink.com. Alumni can register and pay online through longwoodlink.com, our alumni online community. The recent improvements to LongwoodLink require a new registration to use LongwoodLink. If you have not received your new user name and password for LongwoodLink, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@longwood.edu or 434-395-2044.

The reunion Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com. Just search for “Longwood Decade of the 80s.” Please post your favorite memories on this page and read those submitted by other classmates and friends.

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On Point The January men’s basketball matchup between Longwood and Army provided the perfect opportunity for Longwood alumni to gather with President Patrick Finnegan and his wife, Joan, on the U.S. Military Academy campus in New York. On hand for the game were (bottom row, from left) Marjorie Cannetti Mendola ’85, Colleen Margiloff ’97 (vice president of the Alumni Board), Joan Brock ’64 and Jacqueline Andrews Carey ’66; and (top row, from left) Ricky Otey ’89, President Finnegan, Rita Berryman Hughes ’74 (a member of the Board of Visitors), Joan O’Connor Brocker ’76 and Marita Repole ’72.

Don’t keep it under your hat Know any alumni, faculty, staff or students with an interesting story? If so, please tell us. The Office of Public Relations shares the accomplishments of members of the Longwood family with many different audiences and in numerous ways, including this magazine, the website, news releases, email newsletters, class notes and admissions materials. To tell us about potential new stories, visit www.longwood.edu/ suggestastory.htm, then click on the “Story Submission Form.”

We will look into each tip and and determine where it might fit. We’re always looking for more stories—especially yours— so please help us identify the great work happening in the Longwood community. Thank you.

Lessons from Home At a university celebrated for the strength of its teacher preparation, you don’t have to look far to find faculty, students, staff and alumni dedicated to the art of education.

Alumna Karen Feathers goes above and beyond in her drive to learn, teach and use her experiences to better the lives of children near and far.

And it all begins at home.

As the parents of three sons, Feathers and her husband knew they were in for different experiences when they celebrated the birth of Erin, their first daughter. They could not have anticipated that Erin’s arrival would set in motion an entirely new direction for their family—and help Feathers discover a passion that spans her personal and professional lives.

Erin was born with Down syndrome, a condition associated with the damage of cognitive ability and stunting of physical growth. Feathers knew immediately that she wanted to understand the condition better and equip herself to connect with her daughter in a more meaningful way. With significant experience as a middle-school educator as her foundation, she made a major commitment: earning a Master of Science in education, with a concentration in special education/curriculum and instruction. She entrusted Longwood University with her education and preparation.

As Feathers engaged in her studies at Longwood, the family made a life-changing decision. She and her husband traveled to Ukraine in 2001 to adopt Diana, a young girl with Down syndrome. The master’s degree would have to wait as Feathers focused on her expanded family.

“We felt as a family that we had something to give another child with

Down syndrome,” said Feathers.

“We learned so much through early intervention and my course work at Longwood—and just from having Erin in our lives. We wanted her to have someone ‘who saw the world as she did,’ as Daniel, my oldest son, described at the time.”

Feathers made good use of the time away from her graduate studies.

During the adoption process, she saw firsthand how much Ukrainian societies struggle with educational opportunities and inclusion for children with special needs. Feathers decided to take a stand for children like Diana and Erin, founding the Ukraine Special Needs Orphanages Fund (USNOF) in 2002.

USNOF’s mission is to encourage opportunities for the children of Ukraine—including orphans and children with special needs—to grow, learn and be loved. It provides education and literature to early intervention centers and staffs an education team that works with the Ukraine Birth Defects Prevention Program.

USNOF also holds annual education conferences to help parents and professionals working with children of varying disabilities and functioning levels.

“My children provided me with the inspiration, and Longwood provided me with the tools to do something for these kids,” said Feathers.

As her daughters grew older and USNOF flourished, Feathers returned to Longwood. This time, it was a Feathers family affair, especially in the 2009-10 academic year. She and Dylan, her middle son and a senior at Longwood, were finishing up their studies. Kyle, her youngest son, was enjoying his freshman year.

“We’d have dinner together and then

Andrea Dailey

Experience with her own daughters informs alumna’s efforts to improve the lives of special needs children in the U.S. and Ukraine

Karen and Rob Feathers and their daughters, Erin (left) and Diana

all go to class,” Feathers laughed.

She and Dylan graduated on the same day in May 2010. In addition to earning her master’s degree, she completed an autism certification course—in part to assist a local family who adopted an autistic child from Ukraine. Never content to rest on her laurels, Feathers began pursuing her Ph.D. from Capella University in September 2011.

Longwood continues to benefit from Feathers’ passion for special education. In the last three semesters, she has taught an undergraduate survey course providing a general overview of teaching diverse learners.

“I really think that Longwood is on the cutting edge” in teacher preparation, she said. —Jennifer Lucado

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Second Time’s a Charm 70 attend university’s annual Black Alumni Weekend About 70 alumni from as far away as Houston, Texas, made their way back to the Longwood campus in November for the second annual Black Alumni Weekend.

Joining them were 35 current Longwood students, some of whom had helped plan the event.

“Events like this help to build a bridge between alumni and students so that we can be a resource for [them],” said Jeris Hill Johnson ’88 of Raleigh, N.C., who has attended both reunions. “Someone on the panel at the forum this year talked about finding internships for students, and I have helped students write their résumés.

Plus, we have a great time at the reunion. It’s just good to see everybody.”

Cameron Patterson ’10, a member of the event coordinating committee, said that, for both reunions, students “have played a significant role in the planning process and with the weekend’s activities, which will continue.”

“This gives students an opportunity to connect with alumni,” added Patterson, program coordinator in Longwood’s Office of Disability Resources.

The reunion also gives alumni the chance to connect with faculty. This year, Dr. Edna Allen Dean, associate professor emerita of social work, and Dr. Theresa Clark, associate professor and chair of the Department of Social Work and Communication Sciences and Disorders, were honored for their contributions to supporting the needs of African-American students.

Johnson, who is a team leader at LabCorp’s Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology at Research Triangle

More than 70 alumni attended the Black Alumni Reunion in November 2011. Participants enjoyed interacting with current students.

Park in North Carolina, was impressed by Longwood’s appearance and the quality of new facilities, particularly the Health and Fitness Center. Clearly, she was happy to have the opportunity to be back on the campus she had reluctantly left years earlier.

“I had a wonderful experience at Longwood. I loved it there!” she said. “A lot of people say they couldn’t wait to graduate from college, but my Longwood friends and I didn’t want to leave.”

The third annual Black Alumni Reunion is less than a year away. Mark your calendars for Oct. 19-21, 2012.

throwing smoke

Longwood President Patrick Finnegan threw out the first pitch at a Lynchburg Hillcats game last season, where he also posed with the team mascot “Southpaw.” A Longwood contingent of about 50 alumni and family members attended the game. The invitation to Finnegan to throw out the first pitch came about through Scott Bacon, Longwood’s director of development for intercollegiate athletics and voice of the Lancers, who is a former director of broadcasting for the Hillcats, a minor-league team. Photos by Gina Caldwell 40

From Jarman Hall to the White House Experience at Longwood prepares alum to record sights and sounds of Obama administration When President Obama announced in May 2011 that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces, the person running the teleprompter in the East Room of the White House was Luke Emory ’10. When the president walks into a room and a voice announces, “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States,” that voice may belong to Emory, and when you watch a video on the White House website (whitehouse. gov), Emory was most likely involved in its production.

Emory is a multimedia technician specialist for White House Event Productions, which handles what he calls the “audiovisual components” for the Obama administration.

“Essentially we’re glorified roadies for the president,” Emory said, even though all his traveling takes place in the halls of the White House. (Another crew follows President Obama on the road.) “Any time there’s a statement or a taping at the White

House that involves the president, first lady or vice president, we’re involved with it.”

How often is Emory in the White House? “Every day. About 90 percent of our events take place in the White House.” The rest take place in the Executive Office Building— “about 30 yards away from the West Wing entrance,” he said—which is where the 12-member White House Event Productions staff has its offices. Emory is one of the youngest members of the staff and one of two under age 30.

“I love this job,” said Emory, who lives in Arlington. “This is a unique opportunity, and I’m grateful for it. Audiovisual work was always a hobby, a passion, of mine, and now I’m paid to do it for the president.”

After speaking with Emory for a short time, it becomes clear that every day is different. For example, on the day he was interviewed for this article, he had a press briefing with

the president’s press secretary, Jay Carney, then filmed a “Let’s Move” segment for the Disney Channel that featured first lady Michelle Obama.

“That night we had a reception in the East Room with President Obama honoring wounded soldiers of the Iraq War,” he added.

Emory was offered the job the same day he interviewed for it in October 2009 but had to wait for his security clearance, which came through in December 2010. He trained for about a month before officially starting on Jan. 3, 2011.

At Longwood, Emory worked as a production assistant for Conferences and Scheduling in the summers of 2008 and 2009. “I worked in Jarman. I ran the audio mix and light board as well as setting up podiums and the stage for numerous events held by the conferences. It was great working there because it prepared me for this job,” he said. —Kent Booty

Luke Emory ’10 is a multimedia technician specialist for White House Event Productions.

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40th, 45th reunions to get started in September 2012

Support Group Nearly 20 members of Longwood’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and five other Longwood alumni gathered in December for a concert by sorority sister Elaine Dempsey ’80 (seated, far right) with her group BiG WiDE GriN at Ashland Coffee & Tea. Dempsey, a professional singer/songwriter who lives in Mill Valley, Calif., near San Francisco, plays guitar and sings with BiG WiDE GRiN, a self-described “bi-coastal” trio (fellow members Lawrence Lambert and Karl Werne live in the Tidewater area of Virginia) that writes and performs contemporary acoustic music. “This is a tight-knit group of alums who have remained close over the last 30 or so years, and we make a point of staying in touch and meeting periodically during the year,” said Mitzi Mason Lee ’82 of the alums who came out to support Dempsey.

The Buddy System Eight Longwood classmates from the Classes of 1974 and ’75 who have been gathering regularly since graduating got together most recently for lunch at the Waverly home of Charlene Wheeler Pope ’74 (front row, center). Also present were Sally Carson Beale ’75 of Blackstone (front row, left), Helen Meredith Raetz ’74 of Richmond (front row, right), and (back row, from left) Jan Poole Iacopinelli ’75 of Disputanta, Rita Berryman Hughes ’74 of Virginia Beach, Linda Ware Moorefield ’74 of Lynchburg, Pat Watson ’75 of Wilmington, N.C., and Billy Sue Taylor ’74 of Portsmouth. “We had large celebrations as each of us turned 50 and are planning celebrations as we each jump into our 60s,” said Hughes, a member of the Longwood Board of Visitors.

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At the request of some alumni, a new fall reunion weekend is being planned for the 40th and 45th reunion classes.

The first reunion is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, for the Classes of 1967 and 1972. Anyone who is a member of one of these classes and would like to help with the reunion is encouraged to contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 434-395-2044 or alumni@ longwood.edu. And it’s not too early help with the planning for the reunion of Classes of 1968 and 1973, which will take place in fall 2013. Anyone from those classes who wishes to volunteer should also contact the Office of Alumni Relations.

Upscale accommodations at reasonable prices ❧ Six bedrooms beautifully furnished with antiques ❧ A short walk from the Longwood campus Longwood Bed and Breakfast 608 High Street • Farmville, Virginia

434-395-2617 www.longwood.edu/bedandbreakfast

credit where credit’s due

Now taking nominations for Alumni Awards The Longwood University Alumni Awards program recognizes alumni for their outstanding achievement and service to others. Nominations are accepted at any time of the year. If you want to nominate one or more alumni, visit www.longwood.edu/alumni/ awards.htm and click on “Nomination Form.”

The alumni awards—the William Henry Ruffner Alumni Award, Thomas Jefferson Professional Achievement Alumni Award, Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry Humanitarian Alumni Award and Horace Mann Honorary Alumni Award—are presented at a dinner in March. Nominees for the Ruffner Award must hold a Longwood degree, and nominees for the Jefferson and Curry awards must have earned 48 credit hours from Longwood. The Horace Mann Award honors someone who is not a Longwood graduate but has given extraordinary service to the university.

Nominations must be received by September for consideration for the following year. For more information, call 800-281-4677 (extension 3) or 434-395-2044.

Where in the World?

Got any photos of yourself wearing or holding Longwood gear—a shirt, hat or scarf—from anywhere around the country or the world? We’d love to publish it in the magazine, alumni newsletter or other publications. Please email such photos to alumni@longwood.edu. Displaying their Lancer scarf at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, are Longwood students (from bottom) Chris Caudill ’13, Olga Knop ’11, Kaye Goulding ’13 and Ben Miethke ’13.

Class Notes Coming Soon Longwood magazine is planning to start a Class Notes section with personal and professional news about our alums. If you have recently gotten a promotion or a new job, celebrated the birth or adoption of a child, gotten married or received an award, please tell us about it so we can share it with your classmates. Please provide the following information: full Name • year Graduated • Degree Received • contact information Weddings: Date of ceremony, spouse’s name, spouse’s degree and class year if Longwood alum Births: Full name of child (including last name), date of birth, parents’ names, parents’ degrees and class years (if Longwood alumni; both parents do not have to be alums) Awards: title of award, name of sponsoring organization, when you received it and why Professional news: current job title, company, location of company, when promotion received or new job started Please email your submissions to: alumni@longwood.edu. We hope to hear from you soon!

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END PAPER

Shattering Stereotypes A Western woman’s new perspective on Saudi Arabia

by Dr. Deneese Jones Dean of the College of Education and Human Services I am a seasoned traveler. I have visited European countries, West Africa and the continent of South America. And yet I found myself apprehensive about an upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia as part of an accreditation visit to King Saud University in Riyadh.

I have done on issues of equity relative to gender, race and culture in the United States did not better prepare me to embrace the Saudi people on their own terms.

What an eye-opening but delightful experience my trip turned out to be.

At that time, my knowledge of Saudi Arabia came from what I had read and been told by others. I was aware that the current government, which is considered reformist, had opened the country’s first co-educational university and given women the right to vote.

Despite that awareness, the other things I had assessed seemed to carry more weight. I knew that the country operated under Islamic law that separated men and women.

I knew that some radical activists compared the condition of Saudi women to slavery. And I knew that the thought of wearing the hijab (head covering) and a full black cloak called an abaya made me uncomfortable.

Now, as I look back on those days of preparation, I am chagrined that even the extensive research

I landed in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 7, 2011, along with the four other members of the team whose task was to evaluate King Saud University’s College of Education.

In the customs area, we were greeted by a representative of the university, whisked out of the long lines and led right past the window.

The women in our group were escorted to benches—to rest— while our passports were checked.

The men in our group were fingerprinted, and their eyes were scanned.

As women, we were exempt from those procedures. Instead, we were taken to waiting luxury cars. To my amazement, I never picked up a piece of luggage nor opened a door (except to my hotel room) during my entire trip. I was treated like a queen by every man I encountered.

“What?” I thought to myself.

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“I don’t feel oppressed or secondclass; I feel special, protected and safe!”

My experiences at King Saud University continued to turn my assumptions upside down. The university’s vision is to be a world-class institution, which includes providing a quality education to its 38,000 students—both men and women.

The College of Education comprises two campuses: one for women and one for men. Surprisingly, it was on the women’s campus where I found my perspective changing most.

This type of segregated environment initially offended me, but, once inside the barricades of the guarded female facility, I felt pleasantly relaxed as I was greeted by Saudi women who encouraged me to shed my hijab and abaya while I was there. I stared in admiration at the fashionable dress of these professionals who shared my own dark complexion.

As I had more opportunities throughout the visit to interact with this brilliant group of scholars, I became acutely aware that many women in Saudi Arabia do not want radical change. I was awakened to a sharp sense of their opposition to unwanted Western cultural influence and intense pride in their Arab customs.

I realized that I had criticized and feared what I did not understand.

I was guilty of perpetuating stereotypes.

My time in Saudi Arabia taught me the absurdity of “spray painting” others with a limited lens of cultural values. But the most important lesson I brought back is the value of travel abroad as an educational experience.

Those who are open to it will gain a global outlook that emphasizes the ties among nations and cultures, the universality of human values and the necessity of working together.

THE POWER OF ONE ... of One Alum ... of One Friend ... of One Gift Visit our Website www.longwood.edu/advancement/makeagift.htm

and Make a Gift Today

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Published March 2012.

Let’s Make a Deal Longwood President Patrick Finnegan and Big South Conference President Penny Kyle make Longwood’s invitation to the Big South official. See stories on Page 2 and Page 35.