Trailblazer (Summer 2009)

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SUMMER 2009

Marietta College celebrates new buildings LEGACY LIBRARY, ANDERSON HANCOCK PLANETARIUM FORMALLY DEDICATED

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he campus filled with stars on May 8, 2009.

They are the superstar supporters who continuously care for their alma mater, their employer, their educator, and their neighbor.

These allies of Marietta College came to celebrate the tangible and lasting new reminders of what their collective dedication had produced. These gifts—the Legacy Library and the Anderson Hancock Planetarium—will serve generations to come.

Since May 2007, the College has experienced an impressive construction boom—starting with the 53,000-square-foot library and concluding with the completion of the new planetarium, a 4,400-square-foot annex to the Rickey Science Center.

“Welcome to the MC version of The Big Bang,” said Dr. Whit Hancock during the early afternoon dedication ceremony for the Anderson Hancock Planetarium, which preceded the Legacy Library dedication by a few hours.

During both dedications, President Jean Scott recognized the hard work and generosity that alumni, staff, faculty and the community committed to the new buildings. “We have a lot of special guests today—and that’s all of you,” she said. “This is a very special day in the life of the College.”

During the Anderson Hancock Planetarium dedication, NASA astronaut and surgeon Dr. F. Story Musgrave ’60, H’83, spoke about his chance arrival at Marietta College 50 years ago after graduating from UCLA and of the embodiment of Marietta College—teachers such as Dr. Herschel Grose, and the late Professor Harla Ray Eggleston.

David Rickey ’78, H’02, echoed Musgrave’s sentiment about the quality of teachers he had while studying at Marietta. Rickey and his wife, Brenda, precipitated the planetarium project with a multi-million dollar gift in November 2007. The couple decided to honor two of David Rickey’s former professors—Dr. Whit Hancock and Dr. Les Anderson ’55—by naming the new annex after

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C E L E B R AT I O N Alumni, donors, friends and employees of Marietta College gathered for dinner in the Hermann Fine Arts Center after the two dedication ceremonies on May 8, 2009.

them. It has been Anderson’s dream for decades to have a planetarium built on campus—a dream he has shared with many people over the years.

“These guys were awesome professors,” David Rickey said. “Brenda and I are proud to see their names on this building.”

During the Legacy Library ceremony, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland referred to the new library as a jewel for the entire state and commended the College for having such a positive impact on so many people in Ohio and beyond. “It is gratifying to see what has taken place on these college grounds in such a short amount of time,” Strickland said.

U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson made a special presentation to the College commemorating the library’s 125th year of being a Federal

Document Repository.

Laura Baudo Sillerman ’68, who, along with Robert Dyson ’68, was a lead donor for the library project, provided tender moments during the ceremony, particularly when she spoke of her friendship with Dyson, who was unable to attend the ceremony, and of her immigrant grandfather. “It is difficult to dedicate this library without Rob,” she said, adding that his commitment to seeing the project become a reality was inspiring.

While speaking about the impact a library has on those desiring knowledge, her thoughts turned to her grandfather, who could not read or write in English when he arrived in America.

“The streets were paved with gold,” she said.

“It was the gold of knowledge and the goal of the belief in education.”—GS

See more photos from the two dedication ceremonies inside on pages 12 and 13 and the Web site: Library (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariettacollege/sets/72157618113982849/) and Planetarium (http://www.flickr. com/photos/mariettacollege/sets/72157618199963840/)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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Dr. Jean A. Scott

arietta College will celebrate its 175th anniversary during the 2009-10 academic year.

When we began planning for this special year, I indicated that there were four goals I hoped we could accomplish. > Focus on the intellectual, educational mission of the College and remind ourselves and our friends of the great tradition of learning and teaching that makes Marietta College special. We will achieve that by bringing speakers to campus, incorporating anniversary themes into our ongoing programming, and having some of our own faculty talk to us about the unique role of Marietta College in this history of our region and our country. > Raise public consciousness about Marietta College, to be sure that it is not a “well kept secret” but rather a shining example of what is right in American higher education. The events we hold will provide opportunities for us to accomplish that. > Inspire friends of the College to provide support to ensure that Marietta College continues to offer generations of students the opportunities past students have had. The Legacy Campaign will

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College, including commitment to liberal arts education, to high standards of scholarship, and to students.

Those values remain central to Marietta College today.

The Nine Core Values adopted in 2000 as part of our strategic planning process affirm our commitment to a liberal arts foundation and also to the connection of the liberal arts to career and professional preparation.

The liberal arts canon has changed over the years, and those changes are reflected here, but the core commitment to breadth of knowledge in the sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences and to the development of critical thinking and communication skills remains unabated. Many of our students major in traditional liberal arts fields; others choose majors in professional areas such as accounting, athletic training, or petroleum engineering. All receive rigorous instruction from faculty members dedicated to their students’ education and to the integrity of their disciplines.

Marietta College has changed in many ways over its lifetime—becoming coeducational, economically and racially diverse; reaching out to international students, including in the last 25 years, a large contingent of Chinese; increasing experiential educational opportunities for students including study abroad, internships, and one-to-one research with faculty; “Marietta College matters today as it did in 1835 and 1935. projects adding the McDonough strength is derived from its values, its ability to change as the needs of Center for Leadership students and society change, and the excellence of its graduates. and Business, incorporating leadership as a legitimate field of study conclude during the anniversary year, and I hope and encouraging leadership development across the that alumni and friends will take this opportunity campus; expanding co-curricular opportunities; and to pay forward in recognition of the benefits the adding masters degree programs in areas of special College provided them. strength or regional need. The campus, the student > Have a party. That may seem trivial, but it is body, and the faculty and staff have expanded. Today, important that we enjoy our achievements and as in 1835 and 1935, we must be creative to see that celebrate together all that Marietta College has our programs are adequately funded, but the College meant to us. In difficult financial times, we will be has an endowment and the ongoing support of alumni responsible in our celebration, but we will recogand friends. nize that part of what binds us to Marietta College The proof of the value of Marietta College today as is that we have had fun here. A birthday party is in in the past is the success of its graduates. Marietta order.

College’s Hall of Honor recognizes alumni who have That brief description of how we will celebrate leads achieved greatness in careers as diverse as the misto a more important question, and that is what are we sion fields scientific/medical research, industry, finance, really celebrating? Why is it important that Marietta philanthropy, athletics, and government. Today’s College, which was chartered 175 years ago when graduates promise to keep this tradition strong, as they Andrew Jackson was President, when the faculty set out for graduate school and work in such areas as was comprised of five men including the president, the Peace Corps, education, business, and governand when a class that would ultimately consist of four ment. The personal and professional achievements of graduates enrolled has endured for a century and The Long Blue Line bear witness to a simple truth— three quarters? The answer for me is simple. Marietta Marietta College matters today as it did in 1835 and College matters and its anniversary is a cause for 1935. Its strength is derived from its values, its ability to celebration because it has espoused timeless values change as the needs of students and society change, and changed when necessary to meet the needs of its and the excellence of its graduates. That is why we students and society. celebrate and why we believe that our successors in During the Centennial Celebration in 1935, President 2035 and beyond will do so as well.

Parsons spoke of the “abiding values” of Marietta

TRAILBLAZER

Golden Reunion

Pioneers get a glimpse of Marietta’s new library and planetarium

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an Oppenheim doubted very seriously that when he graduated from Marietta College in 1969 that he’d ever return to campus.

During that time, his friend in college, Earle Maiman ’70, had been expelled and eventually sued the College. “It really left a bad taste in my mouth and I never thought that I would ever come back to Ohio,” he said. “The reason why I became an attorney was so I could learn how the system worked. … I think a lot of us from that group became attorneys for that very reason.”

But after reading an article about Maiman returning to campus, he contacted his former classmate, who was conferred a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986. Oppenheim had a change of heart. When he received a mailing announcing his 40th class reunion, he made his reservations.

Like more than 50 fellow Pioneers, Oppenheim returned to Marietta with his wife, Marta, to celebrate the Golden Reunion Weekend, which ran June 5-7. Pioneers who had already celebrated their Golden Reunion, along with the classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, and their contiguous classes enjoyed a weekend of activities that ranged from an Ohio River cruise, reception at the Campus Martius Museum and tours of the new Legacy Library and Anderson Hancock Planetarium.

The weekend was a great opportunity for

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S H A R E D L A U G H T E R Nothing brings a smile to one’s face like a visit with friends.

This year’s Golden Classes also enjoyed special tours of Legacy Library and the Anderson Hancock Planetarium. To view photos of the weekend go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ mariettacollege/sets/72157619606161214/

decades-old friendships to be rekindled in the place where they began their journeys into adulthood.

Barbara Holmes Swasey ’59 celebrated her 50th graduation anniversary with her husband, Warren. The couple drove from their Arizona home to visit with friends and see “the huge buildings that were never here before, less grass but still a beautiful campus.”

Swasey, who majored in biology and

taught math and biology in several different schools, lived in Dorothy Webster Hall as a freshman before joining the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She still keeps in regular contact with two of her college mates Joanne Lancaster ’59 and Bettina Geyer ThompsonErickson ’60—friends she’s had for more than 50 years.

“It’s so nostalgic to be here—it’s still a very warm place,” she said.—GS

Future Use

Hub Burton, Associate Vice President, Alumni & College Relations

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e live in a Google society. Don’t know how to do something? Just enter some vague search terms.

You’re an instant expert.

In launching the Marietta College Alumni Association Oral History Project as part of the 175th anniversary celebration, we typed in “oral history” just for reference. There are dozens of do-it-yourself manuals on the market, consultants, journals, professional associations and scores of Web sites with audio file examples. It’s time to get started, isn’t it?

Hold the microphone. Just about every viable definition of oral history includes a reference to “future use.” It’s actually not enough to compile reels, cassettes or even bytes full of poignant recollection.

There needs to be process and access. That’s why the partnership of the MCAA and the Legacy Library’s Archives and Special Collections makes so much sense.

Later on this year, we will be working to gather interviews from

members of The Long Blue Line. We’ll ask about the life and times of Marietta College and your life and times while learning and growing up as Pioneers. These recordings will become wonderful resources and add substance to the cassette collection of oral history already catalogued by archivist Linda Showalter and her colleagues.

Thanks to Linda and the Library, the preservation and presentation of the material is assured, but there’s another partnership crucial to this project. It’s the one between the MCAA and you, our alumni.

I’m not worried about the memories. Sit in on a reunion or Homecoming and you quickly discover there’s no shortage. Not so high profile is the role our graduates can play in volunteering to help us transcribe and cross-reference the material for … wait for it … “future use.” Without that function, there really is no true access to the information. In the end, perhaps the greatest gift isn’t so much the contribution of the interview, it’s the donation of time to ensure that it’s available for others to enjoy, to learn from and to cherish.

Information on the MCAA Oral History Project will be coming your way this summer. Please watch for it and consider participating as a contributor, as a volunteer … as a Pioneer.

SUMMER 2009

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Reaching

for the Stars THE LONG BLUE LINE ADDS 235 GRADUATES

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laire Berlin fell in love with Marietta College six years ago. So when it came time for the 2009 graduate to say good-bye there were some teary moments.

But her sadness was tempered by the realization that she was now a member of The Long Blue Line.

“On Commencement day I felt very honored to finally see the results of my four years here at Marietta College. I sometimes wondered if everything that I was involved in and worked on would benefit me when I left campus and I am happy to say that my entire college experience has paid off,” said the McDonough Leadership Scholar who earned a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. “The impact that my time at Marietta has left on my life will only help me achieve my goals in the ‘real world’ now.”

Approximately 234 other graduates also entered the “real world” after receiving diplomas during the 172nd Commencement on May 10 in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. The class was treated to an inspirational address from one of Marietta’s most famous graduates—Dr. F. Story Musgrave ’60, H’83, retired NASA astronaut and surgeon.

“When you get to a fork in the road don’t be afraid to just leap off,” said Musgrave, who holds seven advanced degrees and more than 20 honorary degrees.

He was also the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony for the Anderson Hancock Planetarium on May 8.

During Commencement the College bestowed both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Bonnie E. Smith of Canton, Ohio, and Marcie B. Turner of Newport, Ohio, were named co-valedictorians, and Kelsie L. McCartney of Marietta, Ohio, was named salutatorian.

Marietta faculty member, Dr. Nicole Livengood, of the English Department, was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Award in her first year at the College.

Following Commencement, most of the nearly 2,000 in attendance gathered in the Kremer Amphitheatre to greet the graduates and take photos. There was also a reception on Fenton Court.

Berlin said she got plenty of photos taken that day with family and friends—a great ending to a wonderful four years. “I fell in love with Marietta College from the first brochure I received in my mailbox,” said Berlin, who is working at Stonewall Group in Marietta as a Public Relations Coordinator and Assistant Account Manager.

“Attending Marietta College was one of the best decisions I have ever made and not a day goes by that I think otherwise.”—TP 4

TRAILBLAZER

Seniors step up to the Challenge

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or more than a decade, Marietta College’s graduating seniors have been giving back to the alma mater in a very special way— the Senior Challenge.

The theme for this year’s Senior Challenge was “Building Our Legacy…Moving Forward, Giving Back” and rightfully so as the challenge for the class was to get 60 percent of the class to participate and raise $2,000.

Mission accomplished. The seniors eclipsed 60 percent and raised $2,826 for the Marietta Fund, which was matched by the Marietta College Alumni Association and the Board of Trustees for a total donation of $8,652.

The Senior Challenge program is an opportunity for each graduating class to continue a Marietta College tradition. Since 1997, the graduating class has united to participate in a campaign to raise money for the Marietta Fund that provides and strengthens scholarships and student financial aid, academic programs, student life activities, library resources, athletic programs and classroom equipment.

This year, eight seniors were on the committee to promote the challenge. Committee member, Mike Daugherty ’09, said coming together as a class was the most anyone could ask for.

“The members of the senior committee deserve a great amount of thanks and credit. I was unsure that we would make it but we all pulled together and in the end, it was never really about the amount raised, but rather the participation and the feeling that we came together and gave back,” Daugherty said.—BP

Jewett winner encourages classmates to think beyond ‘Me’

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akob Loukas ’09 received the Milo P. Jewett Prize for Oration for the inspirational speech A Cause Greater than ‘Me’ he delivered during the 172nd Commencement ceremony. During his speech, Loukas encouraged his fellow graduates to contemplate a greater cause than the individual one. Heather Boomer ’09 earned the second-place prize for her speech A Mountain of Messiness.

“Some of you may go off today to create scientific breakthroughs, but don’t forget the people that those innovations are for. Others may go off to run corporations or design advertisements, but we should not forget the people that every profitable venture must serve. It is hard to see out of our own niche in society, beyond our own friends and family, to the world outside. We become so focused on our needs, our security, and our future, that we may forget the greater good. Our futures will only become more secure if we take the time to help others. It may rub off on the world as others realize the good they can be doing as well. But there is more to do than simply volunteering or donating money. I’m talking about going out on a limb, taking a risk to help others,” said Loukas—TP

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New-look Web site to be unveiled in August

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arietta College’s remarkable campus transformation over the past decade has been very public and noticeable; most recently the openings of Legacy Library and Anderson Hancock Planetarium.

There has been another behind-the-scenes conversion taking place that soon will be very visible as well. The College’s Web site is undergoing it’s own makeover, and starting in late August you should see a more userfriendly site that is more aesthetically appealing and much more intuitive to first-time visitors, as well as those who log on every day.

“We are very excited to be launching this redesigned site, and we hope to provide a more interactive and satisfying experience for our visitors,” said Chris Craig, Marietta’s Webmaster.

One of the most noticeable changes is the addition of feature material at the top of the home page. College Relations will write about four to eight stories monthly to provide visitors with features that communicate the “Marietta Story” to the College’s many audiences.

There has also been a concerted effort to create a design and navigation that better directs visitors to the information they are looking for when they arrive at www.marietta. edu.

“At the beginning of the redesign process, we surveyed current students to find out what their opinions were of the existing Web site, and what they thought could be improved,” said Craig. “Then, working with a committee of faculty and administrative members, we created a set of priorities for the new site, and designed our layout to meet those priorities.”

“One of those priorities was a more customized user experience based on audience type. A high school student trying to decide whether or not to attend Marietta is probably going to be interested in much different information than an alumnus or faculty member, so the Web site should cater to those different constituencies and make it easier for them to find what they’re looking for.”

Another element of the redesign was the addition of a site for the College’s 175th anniversary celebration. Included in this site is an interactive timeline, biographies of all 16 presidents, photos of the week, calendar of events, and free e-cards that you can send to friends and family.—TP

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TRAILBLAZER

College announces new Director for Worthington Center ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR TO LEAD CENTER FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

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arietta College is full of big dreams that become big realities. Having high-caliber professors helps inspire dreams in the classroom and fosters the education necessary to make them happen.

The purpose for the Worthington Center for Teaching Excellence is to help professors develop successful teaching methods and to serve as a resource for understanding the latest educational techniques. Funded through a generous donation from David ’66 and Beverly Worthington, the new center is located on the second floor of the Legacy Library.

Recently, the College announced that Dr. Bev Hogue, Chair of the English Department, has been named the Director of the Worthington Center. Her qualifications for the job are a testament to her commitment to education.

An Associate Professor of English, Hogue has produced one and often two conference papers every year for the past seven years and has published articles for scholarly journals. She has participated in two Faculty Forum discussion panels that dealt with issues related to teaching and has been an active member of the College’s Pedagogy Committee for several years.

Peers elected her to serve as the 2009-10 Chair of the Faculty.

“When I began serving on the Pedagogy Committee several years ago, our task was simply to provide opportunities to help faculty members enrich their teaching,” Hogue said. “During most of that time, the Worthington Center for Teaching Excellence was just a dream of space and of a staff devoted to helping faculty members improve their teaching. Now that the dream has become a reality, I am thrilled to continue to be a part of it.”

Associate Professor of English, Dr. Joe Sullivan, will fill the role as Chair of the English Department. Hogue will continue to teach English courses parttime during the year.

Provost Dr. Rita Smith Kipp is confident that Hogue will flourish in her new position because of her ability to work with peers and her commitment to excellence in teaching strategies.

“The Worthington Center is a source of information and support for faculty seeking to develop and deepen their expertise as teachers,” Kipp said.

“The Pedagogy Committee serves as an advisory board for the Center, and its membership includes the Provost, some faculty appointees and an Instructional Technologist (Linda Roesch).”

Hogue hopes to develop stimulating programming at Worthington, similar to what she has presented in the past during the College’s different workshops and forums. Those presentations included topics ranging from using online discussions to enhance students’ learning and their classroom experience to “Humor as a Teaching Tool” and “Preventing Plagiarism.”

“I have really enjoyed participating in the discussions of what the Worthington Center could be,” Hogue said. “Now, I’ll be joining our Instructional Technologist who has been hard at work since January helping faculty members master the technology they need for effective teaching.

Together with the Pedagogical Committee, we will develop workshops and other events designed to assist our excellent faculty members in becoming even better.”—BP

Executive-in-Residence students release results of energy study ALUMNI PROVIDED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT DURING DATA COLLECTION

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uring the 2008-09 academic year, three groups of students undertook the challenge to study the country’s energy needs for the next century and devise a comprehensive approach to filling those needs.

Under the guidance of Kevin Henning ’69, who served as the Executive-in-Residence, and Dr. Bob Chase, the Chair of the Petroleum Engineering and Geology Department, the student teams surveyed 398 alumni on their energy choices, their knowledge of each and their opinions on what should be done to solve the energy crunch.

The survey concluded that 92.5 percent of alumni asked would either be very willing or willing “to be educated about the best possible solution to the energy crisis” and that 58.2 percent were dissatisfied with the current world energy options. With regards as to which energy sources they found most efficient and feasible, alumni were able to make multiple selections and listed solar, wind and nuclear as their top three choices and biomass, wave and “other” as their lowest choices. The survey also revealed that 85.1 percent of

participating alumni would either be likely or very likely to use alternative energy sources.

Rob Vazquez ’09, who now has a degree in petroleum engineering, was one of the team leaders for the project.

“I thought (Henning) did a great job following through with monthly status update teleconferences. He was very approachable and flexible, yet stern when necessary, just like any good leader.”

Also earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Clint Perkins ’09 said working with both Chase and Henning was an opportunity of a lifetime. “They provided a great depth of knowledge about varying issues and an extensive contact list for us to tap into through the course of our research. I remember numerous mornings before class and seeing up to five new emails from either Dr. Chase or Kevin about articles of interest they found or new ways to approach different aspects of this project. Without their support, we would not have been able to garner the same amount of success in our research and findings.”—GS

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New VISTA to carry on the torch AMANDA DEVER NAMED COLLEGE’S SECOND AMERICORPS REPRESENTATIVE

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manda Dever wasn’t quite sure where her first job would take her after graduating with degrees in English literature and international studies from Denison University earlier this spring.

While many of her friends had firmly set their professional paths, it wasn’t until Dever met with her college’s AmeriCorps VISTA that her immediate career plan became clear. “(The VISTA program) perfectly combined my interests in activism, advocacy, social justice and service. After this conversation, it felt like the process was moving along at light speed. When I found the Marietta VISTA position on the Web page, I was interested in the Hunger Relief theme and project put into action by the College.”

On Aug. 5, Dever will begin serving as the College’s newest volunteer coordinator, filling the role that outgoing VISTA Renee Steffen began in the summer of 2007. During Steffen’s time at Marietta, the College community has completed about 33,500 hours of volunteer service to the surrounding area.

“The impact that our students have on their community is enormous,” said Dr. Tanya Judd Pucella, Director of Civic Engagement in the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business. “In the coming academic year Marietta College has decided to focus on access to food, or hunger, as a social

issue to address in our community. We already have three projects in the works that will be developed under Amanda’s leadership, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Dever credits her family for her passion toward service.

With both of her parents in public education, they exposed their daughter to the social work that takes place outside of the classroom. When she studied abroad in New Delhi, India, she saw the impact that extreme poverty and hunger had on a community—she committed to fight the good fight.

“This experience showed me hunger and poverty in its most severe forms when I spent a semester in India. … This position reminds me that there is work to be done in my own part of the world. Coming back to the United States in a time of economic recession, I believe I need to bring what I have learned to this community while opening myself up learning from those around me.”

Judd Pucella said having a VISTA volunteer on campus is in line with the College’s commitment to provide service to the region, one of Marietta’s Nine Core Values. “Our AmeriCorps VISTAs have increased volunteer opportunities for all students at Marietta College, allowing them to engage in their communities and recognize Marietta as their second home. Service allows students to make connections between the academic work they are engaging within our classrooms to the real world, making their college experiences more meaningful.”—GS

The year was 1956, and a group of Marietta College co-eds enjoy a study break with a sing-along around the piano. Janice Craig Reif ’56, accompanies the vocals of Diane Hart Day ’56, Joan Barberie Meyer ’56, Shirley Thompson Lankford ’56, and Sonja Corneliussen Sexton ’57.

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TRAILBLAZER

Be a part of Marietta’s 175 celebration

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o you have heard Marietta College is celebrating its 175th anniversary, but you aren’t sure how to get involved. Are you feeling left out?

Well, you shouldn’t.

As part of the College’s yearlong festivity one activity should fit into the plans of any alumni this fall. On Friday, Aug. 28, Marietta College is conducting “Wear Your Marietta T” day. While this is an on-campus activity, we are also asking all alumni and friends of Marietta College to do the same on this day as a show of support.

We’d also like to ask you to have a photo taken of you in your Marietta shirt at work, on vacation or around the house on Aug. 28. Send us the photo at perryt@marietta.edu with your mailing address. As an incentive, the first five people not on campus to submit a snapshot will receive a free Marietta College 175th T-shirt.

The College has also partnered with iwearyourshirt.com and its founder Jason Sadler on this date. As part of the deal, Sadler will wear a Marietta College T-shirt all day on Aug. 28. He will also make appearances around the Web on sites like Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and the live-streaming site UStream.tv, promoting the College’s 175th anniversary.

So now you can get involved. It’s easy! Just wear any Marietta College shirt on Aug. 28, get your photo taken wherever you are that day and send it in to be part of a special photo gallery that will be part of our 175 Web site. We will also feature some of these photos in the January issue of Trailblazer.—TP

> PIONEER PRIDE order your shirt and join in celebrating the 175

anniversary by going to http://www.marietta.edu/175 and click on 175 essentials. th

Marietta welcomes two Asian experts to faculty

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arietta’s Asian Studies Program has gotten a major boost with the hiring of two faculty who both have extensive experience in their fields.

Hired to teach Asian History, Dr. Ihor Pidhainy most recently worked as a visiting assistant professor at Oklahoma State University teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. He was also a lecturer at the University of Toronto in the History and East Asian Departments.

Dr. Chaya Chandrasekhar, who will teach Asian Art History at Marietta, has taught a variety of courses at The Ohio State University and was a visiting instructor at Western Michigan University. Until recently she was the Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.

Pidhainy received his undergraduate degree in English, and his Master of Philosophy degree and his doctoral degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition to English, he has a near-native fluency in Mandarin (Chinese), French and Ukrainian, a proficient language ability in Russian and classical Chinese, and a working knowledge of German and Japanese.

Chandrasekhar received her undergraduate degree from

Bangalore University in Bangalore, India; her master’s degree is from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio; and her doctorate is from The Ohio State University. All of her degrees were in the Art History discipline. In addition to English, she speaks Hindi and Kannada and has a reading knowledge of Sanskrit.

Chandrasekhar has worked on exhibitions projects for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Columbus Museum of Art, and, in 2008, she curated the show, Intimate Encounters: Indian Paintings from Australian in Sydney, Australia.

Both will begin full-time teaching in the Asian Studies Program this fall, joining current faculty Dr. Luding Tong, who is the director of the program, and Dr. Matt Young.

Provost Dr. Rita Smith Kipp, who is also a specialist in Southeast Asia, said one of the objectives of the College’s Higher Ground strategic plan is to increase Marietta’s emphasis on international study and diversity, which includes the College’s focus on Asian studies.

“We have wanted for a long time to enhance our academics around Asia to match our strong personal connections with China,” Kipp said. “We want to attract more American students who are interested in learning Chinese and learning about Asia.

These two hires are a significant step toward that goal.”—GS

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Marietta students offer leadership workshop at high school Visiting executive guides project

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our Marietta College students put their leadership development education skills to the test at a western Pennsylvania high school spring semester under the guidance of Long Blue Liner Bill Wirant ’61.

Wirant, who graduated from Marietta College with a mathematics degree, is also an alumnus of South Fayette High School in McDonald, Pa. He led a group of four Marietta College students who are in the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business Program as they conducted a daylong program on leadership development at his high school alma mater. Marietta’s students developed the curriculum for the workshop and traveled to South Fayette High to implement their education plan.

“We had around 30 kids attend the workshop and they were all selected by their principal,” said Kylee Hamilton ’12, one of the Marietta College students who organized the seminar.

“We had freshman through seniors attend and most were involved in student government. We got some really positive feedback from the students through surveys we asked them to fill out at the end of the day.

They seemed to really respond well to the different aspects of leadership we were trying to educate and also seemed very ‘on fire,’ if you will, about taking what they learned and applying it to their leadership roles in their school.”

Hamilton, Lauren Yanko ’11, Hope Supernault ’11 and Laura Finck ’12 worked closely with Wirant during the workshop’s planning stages and later teamed with the retired vice president of Wirant Sales, at the Pennsylvania high school. The cost of the trip was underwritten by Wirant.

Dr. Gama Perruci, Dean of McDonough, said Wirant came to campus through the Visiting Executive Program. “I met with him in California and talked about the program. He talked about his high school and how they now have a leadership program,” Perruci said.

Wirant contacted the superintendent of the schools and coordinated the visit. Perruci said after the workshop, Wirant returned to campus for a couple of days to observe and participate in classes, have lunch with students and meet one-on-one with the students.

“He is both an alumni of South Fayette High School and Marietta College and wanted to bring the leadership skills he learned at Marietta College back to his old high school,” Hamilton said. “He coordinated everything and began the relationship between the two institutions. Also, he was a huge help in the planning and asking his opinion. I’m looking forward to working with Bill again next year on this same project.”—GS

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L E A D E R S H I P (From left) Laura Finck ’12, Lauren Yanko ’11, Bill Wirant ’61, Kylee Hamilton ’12 and Hope Supernault ’11 take a moment during their leadership workshop at a Pennsylvania high school.

Living in Marietta over the summer

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hat is “home” and where is it? This is a question many college students struggle with as they pack and unpack their belongings between semesters and holiday breaks. Are you going home or going to school? Are they the same thing? Where do you call home?

Normally, I would tell you that my home is in North Canton, Ohio, where I was born and raised. However, this summer, I am calling Marietta my home.

“Why aren’t you coming home?” my little brother, Austin, asked me when he heard of my plans.

I told him that I had an internship as a sports information assistant in the College’s Sports Information Office, a second job, and that a number of my friends were living in Marietta. But none of that mattered because to him Marietta isn’t home and I’m supposed to come home in the summer.

“Your friends are not going to be there! No one is! School is out.

Everyone is going home and you should too,” he argued.

He was right, in a way—though not completely. A few of my friends are here, but most of them are gone. Almost all of campus is gone. The hallways are empty and people walking down the Mall are few and far between. Even the brand new Legacy Library sees very little traffic in the summertime as opposed to its first semester on campus when students couldn’t find an open study room.

The real reason I am here and I can live away from “home” is because Marietta has become home to me in so many ways. More specifically, over the last three years the College has become a home away from home.

The first week that I lived here this summer, I lived in a community dorm on Second Street. I hated it. I wanted to move back to North Canton and tell my employers that I was sorry, but I couldn’t stay in Marietta for another second. The next day, I woke up and walked to campus for the first day of my job. As soon as I stepped on the Mall, I felt relieved and at home.

The second week I was here, I moved into Marietta Hall to work the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

About 30 Marietta track athletes came back to campus to work the meet. That week made me feel even more at home.

At the beginning of the third week, I watched my teammates pack up and go back to their homes away from Marietta. Saying goodbye was easy. Being a senior in college, I have become accustomed to greetings and farewells. My next stop was a house on Fifth Street with five of my closest friends where I have lived ever since.

There aren’t many people here and it is different than when school is in session, but it’s also very peaceful. The people who are here keep each other company and make it home. We all know that soon enough the Mall will be crowded with new freshman and returning friends all hurrying to their next class or meeting.

People come and go. Seniors graduate. Students go home for the summer. But what makes Marietta College home is that it is a comfortable, familiar and personable place. People know you. They take time to ask you how you are. And more importantly they care how you answer. That, to me, is home.

Logan Wern ’10 is an Advertising and Public Relations major from North Canton, Ohio. She is living and working in Marietta for the summer.

SUMMER 2009

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True dedication Marietta College celebrates the opening of library, planetarium

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hat culminated on May 8, 2009, started with a handful of people who had dreams of keeping Marietta College a special place for generations to come.

Two new buildings—a library at the heart of campus and a planetarium adjoined to a major science center—were dedicated by many of the people who were responsible for their creation. It’s no doubt, without the support of alumni, friends, current students and employees at the College, Legacy Library and Anderson Hancock Planetarium would not exist today.

Just before Marietta College welcomed the 172nd class into The Long Blue Line, the community gathered to celebrate these two newest additions to campus and the people who showed their dedication to making their constructions a reality. Major donors such as Dave ’78 and Brenda Rickey and Laura Baudo Sillerman ’68 attended the festivities, joining special guests and keynote speakers Dr. F. Story Musgrave ’60 and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Fellow lead donors such as Robert ’68 and Emilie Dyson, Robert F.X. Sillerman, and

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Eric ’64 and Barbara Berman Dobkin ’65 were unable to attend but were recognized for their support.

Throughout the following day, hundreds of parents, grandparents and children from the Marietta community turned out for special programming at both the Legacy Library and the Anderson Hancock Planetarium.

“The dedication of these two magnificent buildings could not have come at a more opportune time—Commencement weekend. It was a true milestone in Marietta College’s proud heritage of celebrating liberal arts education for students,” said Dr. Jean A. Scott, President. “A college is a place where creativity—in all of its forms—is celebrated. Whether it’s an astronomer in a planetarium, an author at a computer keyboard, a teacher working with children, or a student with a curiosity to discover something new at the library, everyone who is part of Marietta College’s community can rejoice in the fact that in these two new buildings we are offering new places where the imagination is nurtured and appreciated.”—GS

SUMMER 2009

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Murphy elected as newest alumni trustee

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s a young political science major at Marietta College, John Murphy was not immune to straying off his academic path.

But those detours from his educational goals were brief, thanks to the entire community at Marietta College who dedicated themselves to helping the developing minds on campus to have successful and positive learning experiences.

From Roger Patterson ’62’s mother, who was the cook in their ATO fraternity house, to Political Science Professor Robert Hill, by the time Murphy graduated in 1963 he had amassed a band of encouragers that would forever shape both his career path and the way he remembered his alma mater. “All of these people willing to make investments in your life is remarkable,” said Murphy, who is married to Shawn (Wilksa) Murphy ’64 and the father of three adult daughters.

This spring, alumni voted Murphy to serve as the newest Alumni Trustee on the College’s Board of Trustees. “I am just so grateful for the opportunity to return something to the place that I value so much,” Murphy said. “I hope to focus on the total quality educational experience for students…It’s faculty and staff and administrators working together that make it a special experience for students.”

Murphy retired in 2005 from the WilkesBarre Campus of Penn State University.

He served as the Director of Student Services for 36 years.—GS

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Faculty honors former provost Dr. Sue DeWine served campus for seven years

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red maple sapling stands outside of the new Legacy Library along with a special granite plaque—both a symbolic gesture from the faculty at Marietta College to honor former provost Dr. Sue DeWine.

Many members of the faculty and the administration joined DeWine on campus May 30 for an informal ceremony recognizing her for her dedication to the College and for her efforts with the new library. DeWine served as Marietta’s provost for nearly seven years before she was offered the president’s role at Hanover College in Indiana.

“When Sue DeWine left Marietta to be a college president, the faculty wanted to express their appreciation for all she did as provost,” said Dr. Mark Sibicky, McCoy Professor of Psychology. He and retired accounting professor, Dr. Ed Osborne, coordinated the marker and tree dedication, and an earlier gift of a Fenton Glass vase and candy dish. Sibicky said faculty council played an important role in making the tribute possible.

The marker contains the poem “Faith,” by Patrick Overton. DeWine recited the verse at both Marietta College and during her inaugural speech at Hanover.

“In brief, the faculty wanted to thank Sue for being an advocate of the faculty, for having faith in us, and for making sure the faculty had the resources to be the best teachers and researchers we could be,” Sibicky said. “Although Ed and I helped get the effort started, faculty council worked a lot on the project and the gift truly is a way for all faculty to say thank you to Sue DeWine.”—GS

PA department moving to newly acquired building Graduate program given the nod to expand to 36 new students by 2010

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ust as the demand for physician assistants continues to grow nationally, the graduate program at Marietta College is also expanding.

In April, the College received an endorsement from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) that allowed an increase in the number of new PA students Marietta could accept each fall. In 2008, there were 22 new students. This fall, that number will jump to 30 and, by 2010 there will be 36 new PA students accepted each fall.

Approval for the jump in student enrollment was partly facilitated when the College purchased the former lodge for the Moose Loyal Order of 1823, which is located at 208 Third St. The College bought the building in August 2008 and the Board of Trustees voted in October to move the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Department to the new location.

“Moving to the new location will allow the program to grow and provide a great space for instruction with the latest technology available,” said Dr. Gloria Stewart, Chair and Program Director for the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program. “The current students, staff and faculty are looking forward to our new facility.”

Stewart said students will continue to have their Gross

Anatomy course in the Rickey Science Center during the summer each year but the remainder of their classroom work will occur in the newly renovated building.

Marietta College implemented the PA graduate program in 2002 and, since that time, has graduated 96 physician assistants. The education is comprised of a 12-month didactic phase, in which the student learns basic medical sciences and clinical medicine in the classroom and lab, and a 15-month-long clinical phase, which includes a Capstone Project and clinical rotations in eight different medical specialties.

In addition to classrooms, the building is being renovated to include a student lounge, faculty offices, administration office, and clinical and breakout rooms. Fred Smith, Director of Physical Plant, said the design and build contract is with Marietta company, Silverheels and the building is expected to be ready in August.

About 65 percent of the building will be used for the PA program. The remainder, which is not currently under renovation, will eventually be used to support other areas of the College such as academics or student activity, Smith said.—GS

SUMMER 2009

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Wine, Dine & How to Act Fine

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he Sherwin Williams recruiter began asking his next question when the young candidate, dressed for a round of golf, abruptly looked to his cell phone as it hummed a catchy rap tune.

After a quick text response, the candidate answered the question.

In the next room, another Sherwin Williams recruiter met with a Marietta College graduate. With portfolio in hand and dressed in a neatly pressed suit, the Marietta candidate answered the questions with grace and professionalism.

In today’s competitive workplace, many companies put potential candidates through grueling interviews, some lasting an hour and some going for an entire day or two. Learning how to successfully navigate the protocol of business lunches, after-hour mixers, and interviews can make all the difference when finding and in keeping a job.

Marietta College’s Wine, Dine & How to Act Fine etiquette seminar was instituted several years ago and offered several times a year. This dinner seminar is designed to prepare students for etiquette required in the business world. Topics such as cell phone usage, which fork to use, and how to start and continue a conversation are discussed while eating a five-course meal prepared by Chartwell’s Chef Walter Miller.

Occasionally, to help underwrite the cost of this event, the Career Center will partner with a company. In the spring of 2008, recruiters from Sherwin Williams attended the event, and prior to the dinner showcased their internship and management training programs. Then the Sher-

win Williams representatives joined the students at the dinner and shared their etiquette lessons while they checked out potential candidates.

“This type of event enhances the students’ professionalism and is vital since you usually only get one chance to make a good first impression,” said John Loeb, District Manager of Sherwin Williams.

“Armed with this information, students can really set themselves apart from everyone else.”

Lauren Martin ’09, who had participated in one of the events, said originally she was intimidated by the notion of sitting at a table surrounded by people she didn’t know. After the event, she realized that the future holds many such opportunities and that practicing networking and eating in a comfortable environment will help her succeed. Another student, Xixi Zhao ’09, who is from China, remarked on how different the cultural rules are in America compared to her homeland.

Throughout the evening’s program, students become quite engaged with the information and positive role-playing, and ask many questions delving into the history of American dining etiquette. Facilitators from the Career Center always look forward to hosting this event because the turnout is outstanding, the feedback positive, and the energy in the room stimulating.

“Having a seminar where students can learn by doing is very powerful. And most employers today are demanding this etiquette knowledge. Helping Marietta College students prepare for their next steps in this competitive world of work is very meaningful,” said Hilles Hughes, Director of Career Services.

If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring an event such as this one, please contact Hilles Hughes, Director of Career Services, (740) 376-4480 or hilles. hughes@marietta.edu.

Marietta Fund gets new director A leader in strategic fund raising management services has recently been named the Director of the Marietta Fund.

Brandee Norris began her duties on July 24. Her primary role is to conduct fund raising efforts with the Office of Advancement, manage the Marietta fund professional and student staff and to provide leadership to the Marietta Fund’s strategic initiatives addressing donor participation and leadership annual giving. Most recently, Norris served as the program manager within the MASTERS division for RuffaloCODY, a national fundraising services firm based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The MASTERS division involves on-campus phonathon management.

LEARNmany MOREofabout the Marietta andand how to donate online go “I look forward to>meeting the Marietta FundFund donors volunteers to: http://www.marietta.edu/advancement/mariettafund.html in the coming year,” Norris said. “The Marietta Fund is important in providing

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Joining the team DR. DARLENE SNIDER TO SERVE AS HEAD PIONEER PHYSICIAN

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orking in an emergency room in Oberlin, Ohio, for nine years, Dr. Darlene Snider treated a number of injured athletes.

“While there, I had the opportunity to treat many college athletes, which I really enjoyed,” Snider said. “I wanted to get more training in the care of athletes in the emergency department setting, so I took a one-year fellowship training program in sports medicine at Lutheran Medical Center in Cleveland, training under the physicians who care for the Cleveland Indians. It was an awesome, intense year of training, which I loved. And, after that, I decided I would like to practice nonsurgical orthopedics and sports medicine, which I have been doing for the past 16 years.”

Her experience and training in sports medicine led to her recent appointment as Marietta’s head team physician and

well as the opportunities to improve our didactic and clinical education for our Athletic Training Education program,” Crowther said.

Snider will head a team of physicians in various specialties—each assisting in the caring for Marietta’s athletes. She will be working closely with the College’s Athletic Training staff, led by Crowther and Head Athletic Trainer Dave Marchetti. The Sports Medicine team also consists of Jessica Rager, Kemmery Sigmung and Elizabeth “Fizzy” Ramsey.

Snider received her medical training at Philadelphia College for Osteopathic Medicine, with a rotating internship at Metro Hospital in Erie, Pa., and a residency

“I am excited about the ideas she has presented to us to provide quality health care to our athletes, as well as the opportunities to improve our didactic and clinical education for our Athletic Training Education program.”

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAM SAM CROWTHER

Medical Director for the Athletic Training program this fall.

Local orthopedic surgeon, Dr. George Tokodi, formerly held the post for 19 years.

Associate Professor and Director of the Athletic Training Program Sam Crowther said the College is grateful for Tokodi’s service over the past two decades and appreciates Snider’s wiliness to take over the responsibilities as the team physician.

“Dr. Snider has already been meeting with the Athletic Training staff and I am excited about the ideas she has presented to us to provide quality health care to our athletes, as

an additional vitality to the campus life and educational experience of Marietta College’s 1,400-plus students.”

Norris has worked with multiple universities during their fundraising campaigns, including Johns Hopkins University, Lipscomb University and Ohio Dominican University. She has helped to implement a variety of annual fund raising initiatives at each institution.

“I am extremely excited to have Brandee join the Advancement team,” said Debbie Lazorik, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement. “I look forward to working with her. Her successful annual fund experience will

in emergency medicine at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Michigan. A sports medicine specialist, Snider is board certified in emergency medicine and sports medicine. Since arriving in Marietta in 2007, she has become affiliated with Marietta Health Care Physicians, Inc. and has taught classes at the College as an adjunct.

“Teaching advanced human anatomy dovetails perfectly into my work, as orthopedics and sports medicine is all about anatomy,” Snider said. “Teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels had been a professional goal of mine for many years and I truly enjoy it.”—BP

provide the necessary leadership to take the Marietta Fund to the next level in connecting our alumni and friends to our students through annual philanthropy.”

Through a difficult economy, support of the Marietta Fund and Pioneer Club from alumni and friends has been enduring and continues to achieve noticeable results, including 100 percent participation from the Board of Trustees, and increased number of individual donors, more than 50 percent participation from faculty and staff, and an all-time high of 60 percent participation in the Senior Challenge from the 2009 graduating class.—GS

SUMMER 2009

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College, city shine during Track Nationals

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on Drumm Stadium was the pinnacle for 688 participants in the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship, hosted by Marietta College May 21-23. Student-athletes representing more than 100 institutions descended on Marietta, each with the aspiration of bringing home a national championship.

That dream became a reality for 38 individuals and four relay teams, as meticulous preparation, the support of the entire MidOhio Valley and beautiful weather provided a welcoming setting for the three-day event.

The Wartburg (Iowa) College women scored all 52 of their points and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh men collected 32 of their 46 points on day three to claim the team titles. In addition, 37 Don Drumm Stadium records were set during the championship. Locally, both Marietta College representatives earned All-America honors in their respective event. Zach Gay ’11 tied for eighth place in the high jump after clearing 6-feet-8.

Jayshon Irvin ’12 then ran to a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter dash after crossing the line in 10.88 seconds.

“The feedback we have received from athletes, coaches, meet officials, parents and spectators has been overwhelmingly positive; all touching on the common theme that ‘everyone cared’,” said Larry Hiser, Director of Athletics. “Every civic group including merchants, hotels, restaurants, city services and especially our community volunteers pitched in to create a warm, welcoming environment. Our visitors left with a long-lasting,

positive impression on the quality of life here in Marietta and the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

The three-day event began a day earlier with a successful pre-meet banquet in Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. On Friday night there was a large community event that included a youth Olympics that introduced the children to different track and field events, as well as a fireworks display.

Approximately 3,000 people were in Marietta for the nationals, shopping downtown, eating at local restaurants and lodging at area hotels. The economic impact on the region was noticeable. Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Charlotte Keim said it has been estimated that each visiting family spent an average of $140 per day in addition to lodging expenses.

The College also showcased Don Drumm Stadium, which has undergone a transformation over the past five years; most notably the all-weather track. However, the College also did about $30,000 in renovations the past year in preparation for the NCAA meet. A restriped track, along with NCAA banners surrounding the chain-link fence and new equipment made the stadium look much more modern than one built in 1916.

Another Ohio Athletic Conference institution, Baldwin-Wallace College, will host the 2010 championship in Cleveland, Ohio.

Following the positive remarks and the success of hosting it this year, Marietta College officials are considering submitting a bid to host the event again in 2011.—DM

>

ALL-AM E R I C A N S (on the left) Jayshon Irvin ’12 runs to a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.88 seconds. (above) Zach Gray ’11 tied for eighth in the high jump after clearing 6-feet-8. With their finishes, both earned All-American honors.

SUMMER 2009

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Book your trip to Homecoming Weekend 2009

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here’s a sure-fire bestseller coming to a campus close to your heart!

The planning is well underway for the Homecoming Oct. 16-18, Turning the Pages of Marietta College. As always, there are plenty of opportunities during the weekend to catch up with friends and see all of the growth that has taken place on campus during the past year—Legacy Library, Anderson Hancock Planetarium and the new Physician Assistant Program’s new facility.

Jon Wendell ’69 and his Lambda Chi Alpha brothers will kick things off again this year with a pre-Homecoming Pig Roast at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Beer Garden at the Harmar Tavern. At 6:30 p.m. the Great Room in Andrews Hall will feature a Study Abroad Showcase and Reception.

Check-in and registration starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in the lobby of the Hermann Fine Arts Center. Registration packets will include tickets, schedules, maps, Dyson Baudo Recreation Center guest pass information and a welcome gift. There will also be a Reunion Board for a list of who’s coming back to campus and space to leave messages for friends who have yet to arrive.

Alumni from the classes of 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1999 will be celebrating special reunions during the weekend at several locations throughout the city.

Friday events include the 5 p.m. Alumni Awards Ceremony in the Alma McDonough Auditorium, followed by a reception, and the 6 p.m. Jason Noble ’99 Photography Exhibition Opening

CORRECTIONS

Reception. At 6:30 p.m., Alpha Tau Omegas, Tau Kappa Epsilons and Delta Upsilons will reunite for off-campus events and students will perform in the Pierre Corneille/Tony Kushner play, “The Illusion” in Friederich Theatre.

Just before check-in on Saturday, guests can enjoy a hiking tour of the Barbara A. Beiser ’49 Field Station at 7:30 a.m.

Coinciding with the 8 a.m. check-in are the Crew Alumni versus Freshmen race and the Chuck Cornelius Fun Run and Walk.

Faculty and staff will be on hand that morning to offer tours of the Anderson Hancock Planetarium, as well as other departments holding special open houses. Marietta on the MALL starts at 10 a.m., with a break at 11:30 a.m. for the Homecoming Parade. At 1 p.m. the Lady Pioneers will challenge Capital University in a soccer match on Marietta Field. Football kicks off at 1:30 p.m. as the men take on Ohio Northern. Many other events will round out the day, including The Long Blue Line Dinner and Dance at 6:30 p.m. in Ban Johnson Field House.

Closing the weekend is a 9 a.m. alumni breakfast in the Great Room in Andrews Hall.

Your invitation, which includes all of the details, has already been sent. Send it back and we’ll save you a seat at the game!—GS

> REGISTER ONLINE go to http://www.

alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/MRO/eventcal/ eventcal.cgi

INNER MONGOLIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology (IMUST) is situated in Batao City in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China.

The university opened its doors in 1956 as the Baotou Iron and Steel Industry School and the current name dates from 2003. IMUST has expanded greatly and while its engineering and related disciplines such as mathematics rank among the top in the country a wide curriculum is offered to more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students. IMUST is one of approximately 100 Chinese universities included in the “211 Project” which provides significant funding for institutions identified as key to the economic growth and well-being of the country. IMUST has cooperative agreements with universities in Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany, Japan, as well as the United States.

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CLASS NOTES

1940 & 1950 Howard A. Linn ’41 (Delta Upsilon) has many fond memories of Marietta College from his first two years, including the time spent with Dean Patterson, Coach Don Drumm, and mathematics professor John Sandt. Howard went on to

1960 Ruth Ann Davenport Evans ’60 (Chi Omega) is enjoying retirement, traveling to Florida in the spring, California to visit family in the summer, and spending

graduate from West Point and afterward served 29 years in the United States Air Force, flying 37 combat related missions in the Pacific during World War II. H. Page Bohman Eschenburg ’46 (Chi Omega) welcomed her first great-granddaughter, Evyrli Ann Ford, on Feb. 14, 2009.

Donald C. LeBlanc ’51 and his wife, Betty, are now Florida snowbirds with a new summer

September at the Jersey shore.

Reading is still her favorite pastime, but James M. Lacey ’61 (Tau Kappa Epsilon), after 25 years in the Navy and 22 years working for defense contractors, has finally retired. Jim and his wife, Diana, enjoy visiting their five (soon-to-be six) grandchildren. They are still living in Montclair, Va.

residence in Worcester, Mass.

The reminiscences of classmates in the spring magazine triggered their own memories of the barracks that Don and Betty, along with many returning veterans, called “home” on campus for a while after the war.

Curt P. ’58 (Alpha Tau Omega) and Charry Williams Walker ’58 (Alpha Xi Delta) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 4, 2009.

Eve Mechur Blohm ’64 is broadening her goal as a published author and artist, and has enrolled in the Institute of Children’s Literature.

Mary H. Civille ’68 retired this past April as a librarian from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

> CIVIL SERVANT

1970 William H. ’70 and Bonnie Allphin Donnelly ’91 are proud new grandparents of Addison Grace Schuck born on April 16, 2009. Addison is the daughter of Emily Donnelly Schuck, ’97 and ’07, (Alpha Xi Delta) and her husband, Brian, and joins her siblings, Jessica, age 19, Kennedy Grace, age 8, and Courtney Grace, age 6.

Lesley Jubinsky Morrow ’70 (Alpha Xi Delta) retired this June after more than 35 years of teaching. Lesley is looking forward to moving from a career of teaching senior and AP English literature and composition to a new life phase of visiting her children and soon-to-be first granddaughter.

G. Andrew Maness ’75’s music services company has become actively involved in fundraising events for non-profit organizations in New England. His children and

John Beale ’71 officially became the Barbados Ambassador to the United States on May 20, 2009, after President Barack Obama presented the diplomat with his credentials in the Oval Office. Beale, who was an economics major at Marietta, was asked by Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson to serve as Ambassador earlier this year and was recognized by the Organization of American States in February. family life continue to be “blessings.” Andrew has also been honored with inclusion in the latest edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Sue E. Harris ’78 (Chi Omega) is senior graphic designer for Blue Star Design, a small design studio in Cleveland, Ohio. Her daughter is a freshman at the University of Rochester.

> ALUMNI NOTE

Small World Sitting in the cafeteria of the oldest monastic home of the Benedictine Order of Nuns in Ireland, Dr. Bob Chase caught a glimpse of a familiar face staring at him from nearby.

“We exchanged stupefied stares a second time. ‘Ross?’ I said. ‘Bob Chase?’ he replied.”

Chase and his wife, Carol, were touring Ireland and the United Kingdom when the couple had a chance meeting with Ross Lenhart ’66 at Kylemore Abbey. Lenhart, a former trustee, was vacationing with his wife, Katharine (Michelson) Lenhart ’68.

Chase, Chair of Marietta’s Petroleum Engineering and Geology Department, was among a tour group of 17 people—among them was Harold Cranston, a long-time realtor and businessman in Marietta.

“Coincidentally, Harold had sold Ross’ first house when he moved from Marietta,” Chase said. “Days later I was in the basement gift shop of an ancient cathedral in Wales and hear ‘Bob? Bob Chase? It was Pam and Fred Canon from Williamstown, W.Va. Pam is a local realtor and Fred’s company, PARMACO, makes oilfield equipment.

Each year, our seniors tour Fred’s manufacturing facility in West Virginia.”

SUMMER 2009

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CLASS NOTES

1980 & 1990 Jeffrey L. ’80 (Lambda Chi Alpha) and Beth Leopold Hupp ’79 (Chi Omega) live in Katy, Texas, where Jeff works as a senior completion engineer with BP and Beth is an administrative assistant at Newpark Drilling Fluids, LLC. Jeff and Beth’s daughter is a sophomore at Marietta College, majoring in petroleum engineering and playing on the women’s soccer team.

Helen Tobin Moore ’81 (Alpha Xi Delta) enjoyed her off-tocollege trip with her daughter, who is attending the University

2000 Rachel J. Stevenson ’02 recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Master of Library Science.

Laura M. Belcher ’05 received a Master of Science in Software Engineering from West Virginia University in December of 2008.

of Notre Dame, as it gave her the opportunity to visit with an old college friend. Helen was thrilled to reconnect with Emee Gaither Miller ’81 (Sigma Kappa) and her husband, Robert B. Miller ’80 (Lambda Chi Alpha), at their home in South Bend, Ind. Layne J. Harpine ’92 (Alpha Sigma Phi) has been appointed the Dean of Continuing Education for both the New Bern and Havelock campuses of Craven Community College in North Carolina.

Layne lives in Emerald, N.C., with his wife, Annette, and children, Nathaniel and Amani.

Philena M. Myers ’99 was recently promoted to assistant zone manager at State Farm Insurance in Newark, Ohio.

Kevin M. ’04 and Jessica Lane Mudrick ’03 (Sigma Kappa) gathered with fellow classmates and alumni at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia to watch the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets.

Reuniting for the occasion were Jessica, Kristen M. Bird ’06, Sharon E. Santino ’06 (Sigma Kappa), Matthew G. Henwood ’05, Colin McKeever ’05, Kevin, Stephen T. DiPardo ’05, Mark A. Dolson ’05, Mike Ross ’07 (Delta Upsilon), Robert S. Johnson ’05, and Rick D. Meekes ’04.

> BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS Mark H. Patterson ’89 (Lambda Chi Alpha) and his wife, Roxanna, welcomed Quinn Paola to their family on Sept. 28, 2008. Quinn was born at Misawa Air Force Base in Japan where the Pattersons have been stationed since July 2008. Quinn joins sisters, Janelle and Eva, and brothers, Campbell and Micheil.

Erin Murray Toohey ’96 (Sigma Kappa) and her husband, James, welcomed their daughter, Keely Alana, on Feb. 24, 2009.

Keely is the new granddaughter of Cecelia Warfield Toohey ’82 (Chi Omega).

Brant R. ’05 and Rachel Boudreau Dye ’04 are happy to announce the birth of a baby girl, Harlow Parsons, on May 19, 2009. > Christopher J. ’97 and Megan Vanlandingham Craig ’96 (Alpha Xi Delta) welcomed their newest addition to the family, Owen Christopher, on June 8, 2009. Big sister Magnolia, age 2 is excited to have a brother.

< Rodney G. ’00 and Hillary Leckrone Nethers ’00 proudly welcomed their baby boy, Lincoln Daniel, on April 20, 2009, in Dayton, Ohio.

> Carmen M. ’02 (Alpha Tau Omega) and Megan Callery Peluso ’03 (Alpha Xi Delta) welcomed Isabella Anne Peluso on Oct. 20, 2008. Isabella joins big brother, Thomas Michael Peluso, age 2.

Discover

PioneerNet!

Finding it hard to navigate all that new social media in cyberspace? The only directory you’ll ever need to find fellow Pioneers is available right now on the Marietta College online community, PioneerNet! Whether it’s locating a classmate, updating your own contact information, posting a class note or setting up permanent e-mail forwarding, it’s available to members of the Marietta College Alumni Association and all for free!

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TRAILBLAZER

IN > MEMORIAM > 1930s John E. Grier ’34 (Alpha Sigma Phi) of Franklin, Ohio (3/28/2009).

Mary Lane Decker ’38 of Marietta, Ohio (4/5/2009).

Elmer N. Ullman ’50 of Mechanicsville, Va. (6/7/2008).

Edward C. Davenport ’51 of Creston, Iowa (3/14/2009).

Mary Gilbert McDonough ’51 of Parkersburg, W.Va. (2/27/2009).

> 1940s John J. Droz, Sr. ’42 (Delta Upsilon) of Utica, N.Y. (4/9/2009).

Vernon L. Gatewood ’42 (Alpha Sigma Phi) of Staunton, Va. (5/6/2009).

David R. Rood ’47 (Alpha Tau Omega) of Jackson, Mich.

(3/27/2009).

Clyde V. Ludington ’48 (Delta Upsilon) of Marietta, Ohio (4/19/2009).

Wayne D. Martin ’48 of Oxford, Ohio (4/17/2009).

> 1950s Don P. Meister ’50 of Marietta, Ohio (4/1/2009). Survivors include his daughter, Rebecca Meister Cortino ’76 (Alpha Xi Delta).

George E. Stewart ’51 (Alpha Sigma Phi) of Cherry Hill, N.J. (2/27/2009). Survivors include his wife, Glenna Granniss Stewart ’53 (Chi Omega).

Mary Miller Vennart ’51 of Richmond, Va. (5/1/2009).

Lincoln C. Hess ’52 of Marietta, Ohio (4/5/2009). Survivors include his brother, Bardill Hess ’56.

Douglas P. Hess Sr. ’52 of Vienna, W.Va. (5/30/2009).

Survivors include his brother, Bardill Hess ’56.

Catherine M. Petrelli ’52 of Wallingford, Conn. (4/8/2009).

Ellen Elston Snediker ’52 (Alpha Xi Delta) of Marietta, Ohio (5/7/2009).

Karl L. Meyer ’53 (Alpha Sigma Phi) of Richmond, Va. (3/15/2009).

James L. Davis ’54 (Delta Upsilon) of Parkersburg, W.Va. (3/22/2009). Survivors include his wife, Sarah Fletcher Davis ’53 (Chi Omega).

Lawrence M. Ciacci ’56 (Lambda Chi Alpha) of Stratford, Conn. (5/10/2009).

Virginia Kraft Weekley ’56 (Alpha Xi Delta) of Westerville, Ohio (6/6/2009). Survivors include her husband, Raymond E. Weekley ’56 (Delta Upsilon), daughter, Lisa Weekley Coulter ’83, and son, Matthew B. Weekley ’81.

Louis A. Kapfer ’58 (Lambda Chi Alpha) of Prestonsburg, Ky. (4/29/2009).

> 1960s Robert W. Schutz ’61 (Delta Upsilon) of Wyckoff, N.J. (10/21/2008).

Sarah C. Shine ’66 of Clifton Park, N.Y. (4/8/2009).

Eileen McNamara Haislop ’68 of Parkersburg, W.Va. (4/6/2009).

Terrence M. Morris ’69 (Delta Upsilon) of Marietta, Ohio (4/27/2009). Survivors include his wife, Melissa Joseph Morris ’93.

> 1970s Gerald L. Anderson ’70 of Cocoa, Fla. (12/3/2008).

Frances Murray DeMarco ’81 of Sylvania, Ohio (5/10/2009).

> FRIENDS OF MARIETTA Dr. Laurance A. Knecht, former professor of analytical chemistry, died May 23, 2009, at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was 77.

Knecht taught at Marietta in the 1970s and early 1980s before taking a position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Condolences may be sent to Drs. Michael and Anne Albrecht, 1012 Camden Lane, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516.

> MARIETTA MOURNS THE LOSS OF DR. JACQUELINE DELAAT With her in-depth knowledge of politics and social issues, Dr. Jacqueline DeLaat brought textbook knowledge to life in the minds of all of her students and inspired her peers to think outside the box in terms of education.

It was with great sadness that the College learned of Dr. DeLaat’s death on April 24, 2009. She was 66. Marietta President Jean Scott informed the campus community later that afternoon.

“Jackie was a distinguished teacher—a McCoy Professor of Political Science—and a mentor for students, faculty and staff,” Scott said. “Her passion for her work, her students, her family and her friends was very special. We will miss her very much.”

Dr. DeLaat is survived by her husband, Mike, and her two daughters, Meghan and Michelle.

A McCoy Professor of Political Science, Dr. DeLaat was a well-respected authority in the field of politics. Her colleague, Dr. Mike Tager, wrote a memorial essay about her for the July edition of PS: Political Science and Politics that included comments from her former students and her noteworthy career. “Undoubtedly Jackie had her biggest impact on her students. She often came to class early to chat informally with them, which she referred to as ‘warming up the room.’ At the same time she was an incisive and demanding teacher, not afraid to push students to do their best work,” Tager wrote. “For years she administered Marietta’s Washington Semester exchange program with American University, always encouraging our students to get an experience in DC. Tager received many emails from former students sharing their memories of Dr. DeLaat. In the essay, Tager included one of the messages. “She sat me down freshman year after taking American Government with her and asked me what I was majoring in at school I told her Broadcasting. She asked if I liked it and I responded, ‘No. But I like this political science stuff.’ And that was it...From that point on I had at least one course with her every term and would go to visit her in her office about once a week. I will miss her immensely, but I am thankful for the opportunity to know her.”

The College will dedicate a special bench outside Legacy Library in her memory. The family has requested that any donations in Dr. DeLaat’s memory be sent to Marietta College to assist students participating in American University’s Washington Semester program. The program offers an interactive learning opportunity in the nation’s capital to students interested in careers in leadership and public service. Donations may be made online at www.marietta. edu/advancement or by check. Checks can be made out to Marietta College. Please send the check with a note indicating the donation is for the DeLaat Award to Linda Stroh, Marietta College, 215 Fifth St., Marietta, OH 45750.

SUMMER 2009

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MARIETTA, OH PERMIT NO. 36 OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS 215 Fifth Street Marietta, OH 45750-4004 Return Service Requested

MARIETTA COLLEGE B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S Chair T. Grant Callery ’68 Vice Chair George W. Fenton Secretary William H. Donnelly ’70 Treasurer Daniel Bryant Penelope (Penny) Adams ’72 Anna (Ann) Bowser Bailey ’87 Mark F. Bradley Robert (Bob) Brucken ’56 Dr. Christine (Chris) Fry Burns ’66 Joseph (Joe) Chlapaty Patricia G. Curtin ’69 Barbara A. Perry Fitzgerald ’73 Douglas (Doug) Griebel ’74

Robert (Bob) Hauser ’71 Nancy Putnam Hollister Daniel (Dan) Jones ’65 John B. Langel ’70 C. Brent McCoy C. Brent McCurdy ’68 Dr. Marilyn L. Moon John R. Murphy ’63 William (Bill) O’Grady, Jr. ’70 J. Roger Porter ’66 Dr. Leonard M. (Randy) Randolph, Jr. ’65 Cynthia (Cindy) Reece ’78 Ronald E. Rinard ’72 Donald (Don) Ritter ’81 Charlene C. Samples ’77 Frank M. Schossler ’86 Jean A. Scott Donald (Don) Strickland ’66 Dale L. Wartluft ’63 Patricia (Pat) Willis ’70

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S Chair Mark S. Fazzina ’83 Vice Chair Jodell Ascenzi Raymond ’84 Alumni Trustees Daniel J. Jones ’65 C. Brent McCurdy ’68 John R. Murphy ’63 J. Roger Porter ’66 Frank M. Schossler ’86

Melissa Schultz Bennett ’91 David E. Harmon ’54 Teresa Gilliam Petras ’88 Paula King Pitasky ’96 Jason C. Rebrook ’96 Brian P. Rothenberg ’88 Reginald E. Sims ’75 Jeffrey J. Stafford ’83 Sharon Bayless Thomas ’78 Matthew B. Weekley ’81 Jonathan D. Wendell ’70 Mary Ellen Zeppuhar ’71 Zhou Zhou ’02 Tracy L. Zuckett ’96

Three professors retire after spring 2009 semester

T

hey taught for a combined 89 years—but the impact that three retiring Marietta College professors had on the lives of their students is immeasurable.

Dr. Robert Walker taught for 37 years in the Chemistry Department.

Dr. Peter Hogan taught for 34 years—32 of them in the Biology Department and two in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program. Dr. Stephen Rader ’67 taught in the Theatre Department since 1992 and served as its director after the late Dr. Ron Loreman retired in 2004.

Walker joined the College in 1972 after teaching for a year and a half at Hiram College. He chose Marietta because it shared his ideals on educating students and it was close to his Western Pennsylvania hometown. “I liked Marietta College from the first time I set foot on campus. … I really enjoyed working with students over the years,” Walker said. “I will miss that interaction.”

Hogan, a McCoy Professor, will teach part-time for the PA program but will still find plenty of time for recreation. “I plan to do a lot of reading and work in my (woodworking) shop until late at night,” Hogan said.

Rader taught a summer class this year and will help during the freshmen registration in the fall as well as during orientation of new Chinese students coming to campus.

“Steve has devoted himself to the Theatre program at Marietta College and to his students,” said Marietta Provost Dr. Rita Smith Kipp.

“We will miss his expertise in the classroom, the artistry of his sets, and his masterful directing.”—GS

MARIETTA COLLEGE C O N TA C T S President Dr. Jean A. Scott | 740-376-4701

Editors Tom Perry, Gi Smith

Provost Dr. Rita Smith Kipp | 740-376-4741

Art Director/Design Ryan Zundell

Vice President for Advancement Lori Lewis | 740-376-4711

Photographers Robert Caplin, Mitch Casey, Gary Kirksey, Lehigh Photo Services, Jo McCulty, Tom Perry, Dr. Gama Perucci, Gi Smith, Gloria Stewart

Assistant VP, Advancement Evan Bohnen | 740-376-4446 Associate VP, Alumni & College Relations Hub Burton | 740-376-4709 Director of Donor Relations Linda Stroh | 740-376-4451

Contributing Writers Hilles Hughes, Dan May, Brenda Puckett, Linda Showalter, Logan Wern Class Notes Cheryl Canaday Contact Us trailblazer@marietta.edu

S AV E T H E D AT E

Homecoming October

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