Northern Magazine Fall 2005

alumni lecture series | The philosophy of david iler | Building Boom

northern kentucky university

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fall 2005

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volume 5, no. 3

the new

Norse fa l l

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northern kentucky university

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fall

2005

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volume 5, no. 3

features

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Fans will see a new mascot prowling the sidelines this season, along with a new logo for NKU athletics.

Meet the NKU Alumni Council members.

the new norse

alumni council

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sixth annual alumni lecture series

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building boom

Projects will expand and enhance campus.

John Edwards and Steve Forbes visit NKU.

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The philosophy of david iler Carntown native builds foundation for NKU.

regulars

athletics

northern news

alumni journal

Calendar

class notes

publisher

CONTRIBUTORS

CORRESPONDENCE

Deidra S. Fajack

Chris Cole ’99, ’04

editor

Director of Alumni Programs

Director of Media Relations Marketing and Communications

Dionne Laycock ’90

Gerard A. St. Amand

Northern Kentucky University Office of Alumni Programs Mark R. Herrmann Center Nunn Drive Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099 phone: (859) 572–5486 web: www.nku.edu/~alumni

Rob Pasquinucci

designer

Joe Ruh photographer

Interim Vice President for University Advancement

Kelli Moynahan Student

Don Owen ’99 NKU Sports Information Director

e-mail:

alumni@nku.edu

NORTHERN is published four times a year by the Office of Alumni Programs at Northern Kentucky University for its graduates, donors and friends. Copyright 2005, Northern Kentucky University

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the new secondary logo

primary logo

The NKU mascot

(played by student Paul Bob Sorrell) is surrounded by cheerleaders (front row, left to right) Sarah Whitaker, Jamie DeLong, Nikki White; (Back row) Shayla Myles Aaron, Chris Elliott and Amber Salter.

norse The Norse sports new logo and mascot by rob pasquinucci

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1970’s Logo

taming the dragon fire breathing history

Through the 1970s and ’80s, the athletic teams, generally had just the school name emblazoned on their uniforms (the university colors of gold and white, by the way, were chosen because some of the founders were graduates of Centre College and wanted similar colors;

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More than 1000 years ago, a group of tribes carved out an existence in the rugged and infertile lands of the North German plains.

Known as Norsemen or Vikings, they were expert sailors and some became rich through trading, while others turned to piracy, terrorizing the Scottish and English coasts and gaining a bloodthirsty reputation.

More than 30 years ago, a much less bloodthirsty yet equally adventurous “tribe’ formed Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights. The founders

black was added as an accent color later). The “Norsemen” (there were no women’s teams) did have a logo — a stylized Viking with pointy horns, a mustache and goatee. Over the years, the dragon evolved into the recognizable symbol of the team, and as women’s teams were added to the athletic department, the firebreathing creature was somewhat more politically correct.

By 1992, the current “dragon” logo was unveiled. The logo was reminiscent of a Viking ship and included a shield as the “O” of the word “Norse.” Along with the new logo, a mascot was selected. Similar to the logo, the mascot was a dragon costume complete with a Viking’s horned helmet. The fuzzy, fan-

of the university chose “Norse” as the nickname for its athletic teams in a nod to the campus’s location. proximity to the river and the region’s German population.

“It made sense,” says Dr. Jim Claypool, the first NKU employee, who served as dean of students and history professor when the nickname was selected. “We had a contest among students and faculty and got suggestions ranging from Vikings to Northwind. The Norse name was chosen because we are the northernmost university in the state, we’re close to the river, and because of the Germanic heritage of many people who live in the region.”

friendly heycharacter, you known as “Hey U,” has prowled the sidelines at athletic events for the past 12 years.

Despite being easily identifiable, the Norse logo and mascot were often hard to connect with what a “Norse” is. And the mascot – a smiling dragon– didn’t exactly make opposing teams want to run across the moat and hide in the castle.

Hey U was also a difficult costume to wear and perform in. These are some of the reasons NKU decided to develop a new identity for athletics.

“We have a unique name (only a handful of NCAA schools are known as the “Norse”) and felt that a new, powerful, professionallydone identity will help improve our image,” says Kurt Moeller, associate athletic director, development. “The current logo was dated and didn’t match up with a unique identity.”

1990’s Logo

HEY U MASCOT

me e t th e n o rse

the new norse

“

The new NKU logo and branding system has a more athletic and powerful look.

”

NKU turned to Louisvillebased StudioSimon to develop NKU’s new athletic logo. The company and its founder, Dan Simon, has designed logos for the NFL, Los Angeles Dodgers and dozens of universities to develop new identities. The company consulted various NKU groups, including the athletics staff, athletics council, Norse Athletics Club, student athletes and others before submitting several proposed designs.

”It was a two-year process,” Moeller says. “We had several options to choose from.”

The new NKU logo and branding system has a more athletic and powerful look; more clearly demonstrates what Norse is and incorporates the NKU black, gold and white colors. The medieval Viking helmet, crossed swords and “NKU NORSE” lettering provides a more compact logo that can fit on helmets, hats and uniforms. The new logo will be phased in over then next several

years as athletic teams order new uniforms and facilities are updated.

Along with the new logo comes a new mascot. The yetto-be-named Viking looks ready to rumble with a horned helmet, cape, shield and sword. The foam costume will be more mobile, allowing the Norse to conquer the bleachers. Students, staff and faculty got the chance to “meet” the new mascot this past October and a contest is planned to give this new, fierce Viking a name.

WORDMARK

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¬Section: Features Photos: Can we get one of Votruba looking “conversational” Notes:

taking a time out

Votruba discusses decision to wait o n N CAA D i v . I At h l e t i c s Taking a Time Out Votruba discusses decision to wait on NCAA NKU presidentDiv. Dr.1 Athletics James Votruba announced this fall that NKU will NKU president Dr. James Votruba this fall that NKU not announced begin the process of moving up towill not begin the process of moving up to NCAA Division 1 athletics. The Northern discussed the administration’s decision and the future of the NKU athletic program.

NCAA Division I athletics.

Northern discussed the administration’s decision Northern: Many alumni and friends of the university are excited and the future of the NKU athleticabout the athletic program and believe it’s ready to compete at the Div. I level. After some consideration, program.you’ve decided to keep the University where it is. Why?

Votruba: Our decision needs to be considered in the broader context of the university, where we are headed and how wer ar going to get there. As a university, we have seen tremendous growth in the last 5-10 years; in our student population, new and improved facilities and the numberMany of programs When weuniversity look at athletics, we know our programs are very important to the university and Northern: alumniwe andoffer. friends of the are we’reexcited extremely proud our student athletes.

The question was, about the of athletic program and believe it’s ready tocan we go to Division 1 athletic and not jeopardize our core areas – andcompete the answer the Div. board of regents was ‘no.’ Here’s at the I level.

After and someI had consideration, you’vewhy: The cost of such a move would be, in round numbers, roughly $4.5 million dollars in operating support and $20-25 million dollars in facility upgrades. this expenditure would delay investments in decided to keep the university where it is. Why? our core mission that are important to our students and our region. This doesn’t mean that we won’t make the move at a later time, Votruba: decision needs to be considered in the but not now. OtherOur things are more important. broader context of the university, where we are headed and how we are new going to getofthere.

As a university, we have seen Northern: Is the “Bank Kentucky” arena project going to help prepare the university for the move to Division 1 athletics? tremendous growth in the last 5-10 years; in our student population, andtoimproved the number Votruba: It wouldnew be folly attempt tofacilities move toand Division 1 without having that favility.

Another key component in aofpotential Northern: Wouldn’t the cost going tomove D-I be offset of programs wewe’d offer.

When we look at athletics, knowfrom that conference to Division 1 is that need to join a conference, andwe officials would take a close look at our campus. The by increased ticket sales? ourimprovements programs are we verymake important to next the university andincluding the facilities over the several years, the Bank of Kentucky Center and the new student center will We’reattractive extremely proud of our student athletes. makecommunity. us all that more to the conferences we’d want to join.

Votruba: Our consultants told us we’d only be looking at The question is, can we go to Division I athletics and not $500,000 in gate receipts each year. jeopardize our the corecost areas – andtothe thebyboard of ticket sales?

Northern: Wouldn’t of going D-1answer be offset increased regents and I decided was ‘no.’ Here’s why: The cost of such How about football? Is there any consideration of fielding a move be, intold round numbers, roughly $4.5 million in gate receipts each Votruba: Our would consultants us we’d only be looking at $500,000 year.football team? an NKU dollars in operating support and $20-25 million dollars in upgrades.Is This would of delay investments How facility about football? thereexpenditure any consideration fielding an NKU football team? I never say never as far as football is concerned, but in our core mission are important to ourbut students I never say never as far asthat football is concerned, addingand thatour program brings considerable costs in facilities, and costs otherin facilities, adding that program bringsequipment considerable region.

Thisthink doesn’t mean that we won’t make sport, the move a is basketball. expenses.

I also every campus needs a feature and at ours equipment and other expenses. I also think every campus later time, but not now. Other things are more important. needs a feature sport, and ours is basketball.

Northern:You’ve acknowledged that the university might consider this move at another time. Is there a timetable?

Votruba: I think the message we’re sending is, we’re staying right where we are for the time being. We want to take our program to Northern: the newwhile “Banksupporting of Kentucky” projectWhen we get there, the top of Division 2Isathletics our center core mission. and after some of ouracknowledged new facilities are Northern: You’ve thatonline, the university to helplook. prepare the university for the move to Division we’ll going take another might consider this move at another time. Is there a I athletics? timetable?

Northern: What has the reaction been from the community and alumni?

Votruba: It would not be possible to move to Division Votruba: I think the message we’re sending is, we’re I without having Another key component in Votruba: I’d describe it asthat onefacility. of understanding.

Some are disappointed we didn’t make thisright move,where but they vision, ourWe want staying weunderstand are for theour time being. potential move to Division I is that we’d need to join a valuesa and our focus. to take our program to the top of Division II athletics conference, and officials from any conference would take a while supporting our core mission. When we get there, ### close look at our campus. The facilities improvements we and after some of our new facilities are online, we’ll take make over the next several years, including the Bank of another look.

Kentucky Center and the new student center will make us all that more attractive to the conferences we’d want to join.

Q A

Q A

Q A Q A Q A

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Northern: What has the reaction been from the

community and alumni?

Votruba: I’d describe it as one of understanding. Some are

disappointed we didn’t make this move, but they understand that, for now, other priorities must come first.

alyse Bender A junior at NKU

Olivia A. Birkenhauer, ’81

J. David Bender, ‘76, ‘79

Vice President Alumni Council

President Elect Alumni Council

Short Sleeve Nku t-shirt Available at Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear at Eastgate and Cincinnati Mills malls.

NKU windshirt with new nku athletic logo.

women’s short-sleeved polo with the new NKU athletic logo.

$35.00

$25.00

Windshirt and short-sleeved polo available by calling the office of alumni programs at 859-572-5486 or visiting alumni.nku.edu and clicking on NKU Merchandise. A full line of NKU merchandise is also available at the NKU Bookstore located in University Center. s p rf ianl gl

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T h e P h i l o s o p hy o f D a v i d I l e r Carntown native builds foundation for NKU

By Chris Cole (’99, ’04)

David Iler has nearly a century of wisdom he wants to pass along to the next generation. And at age 93, he figures now is as good a time as any.

Iler has done most of the grunt-work – both literally and figuratively. He’s whittled down his life’s lessons into what he calls the “Top Twenty-One.” They are 21 original ideas that make up his life philosophy. And, earlier in his life he built some of the infrastructure that made NKU what it is today.

Part of Iler’s life philosophy is the value of learning, which for this extraordinary Carntown, Kentucky native has been a struggle throughout his life. But now he wants to provide a new generation educational opportunities that he was unable to receive – and has provided a $3 million gift to NKU to help make that happen.

Born on Jan. 17, 1912, Iler’s first struggle was mere survival.When he was born, he was believed dead and nearly discarded. His three-day delivery resulted in a dislocated hip, a broken jaw and a sphincter muscle being ripped out. Iler was wrapped up in a bloody sheet and, literally, thrown under the bed.

“About four hours later,” he says, “my Dad’s sister saw the sheet move and screamed that the baby was still alive. They put me on a board…and I lay on it flat for days while they put me back together.

Starting from the very beginning, Iler has had to work hard for everything he’s ever received in this world. From his early days in Foster, Ky., a small town about two miles up the Ohio River from Carntown, where Iler owned and operated the Dot Food Store, he has had an entrepreneurial spirit and an unmatched work ethic.

At the age of 39, Iler realized he had a “hankerin’” for construction and that it “satisfied his inner soul.” He bought his first bulldozer on credit in March of that year, helped put the machine’s hydraulics together, and paid off the $10,000 loan by that Christmas. “[Construction] was just my second nature,” Iler says. “I was a big boy and I had big toys. The bigger they were the better I liked them.” He began by digging ponds and soon was building roads all over Northern Kentucky – he built parts of 1998, 1997, Route 8, Route 9, Route 19 and others.

He built interchanges on I-75, and did all the roadwork associated with Meldahi Dam. When it came to education, there was no stopping Iler, despite many obstacles. Until the fifth grade, his education was in a one-room schoolhouse in Carntown. He went on to be a member of the final graduating class of the original Moscow High School (Clermont County, Ohio).The story may sound a bit cliché today, but Iler had to walk down the C&O Railroad for a mile and a half, continue down to the river, cross the river by boat, then walk another three-quarters of a mile to the high school and back every single day.

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Iler farm in p e n d l e t o n c o u nt y

Iler construction of n u nn d r i v e in the early 1970’s

“That’s what you’re

supposed

to do with what you’ve got,” Iler says,

“help the next person who comes along.”

Dyslexia was no match for him either. “I never learned to really read until I started making bids on road work,” he says.“They didn’t know what dyslexia was at that school. I became a good listener.

I think if I hadn’t of had it, that I would have played basketball at UK.” Iler led Moscow to a state basketball championship and enrolled at the University of Kentucky.

But he was only at UK for three weeks. “I came back home because my mother called me every morning wanting me to come home,” he says. “I never got to start playing.”

That’s when he returned home and got the “hankerin” for construction. As his company grew from scratch, so did his reputation. “They said I had the best equipment and kept it in the best shape,” he says. “They said I had the best crew of men and did the best job of all the contractors around.”

And so in 1971, when work began on the new Highland Heights campus of Northern Kentucky University, it was the Iler Construction Co. that got the call. “The governor had set money aside and I consider it a privilege to have built the first road going into it,” he says. When Iler got to the new campus, “there was nothing there, it was just beginning.” He built the road from US 27 to John’s Hill Road. Iler personally oversaw the job, and still remembers parking in the Thriftway parking lot each day. He says he still takes pride in the work his crew did in laying NKU’s foundation.

Shortly after his work at NKU, Iler sold his business for about $1 million and retired to Florida with his wife, Ruth. He put most of his money into the stock market. He’s been trading for nearly 60 years. Iler still lives in Naples, where the only hint that he’s a self-made millionaire is the Lexus parked in his garage. His wife of 38 years, Ruth, passed away in October 2004, after a long fight with cancer.

Iler hasn’t been on NKU’s campus since his work on the road, Nunn Drive, which would later be named for that Republican governor who had set aside money for NKU. And so it came as a bit of a surprise that on a December day nearly 35 years later, Iler’s thoughts would once again turn to Northern Kentucky University.

Nancy Perry, NKU’s director of planned giving, was stunned to receive a call from an accountant in Naples, Fla., who had a client that wanted to make a generous gift to the university. Just a couple weeks later, Perry was in Naples for Iler’s 93rd birthday party. She returned with one of the largest commitments to scholarships that NKU has ever received. “That’s what you’re supposed to do with what you’ve got,” Iler says, “help the next person who comes along.”

Iler’s gift of $3 million will help ensure that students from Bracken and Pendleton counties will have a chance to go to college. Preference will be given to students interested in engineering. “If they don’t get an education,” he says, “they are behind the eight ball in life.”

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Diane H. Sticklen Jordan Chad A. Bilz

J. David Bender

Billie L. Clark

Remal l. castleman

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Mark j. Adams

“I serve on the NKU Alumni Council simply because NKU has and continues to give me so many resources, I just want to return the favor and help in any way possible as NKU grows into an educational powerhouse!”

–Bryson Lair

susan cook

2 0 0 5 ALUMNI 2 0 0 6 COUNCIL * photo not available

Olivia A. Birkenhauer

PRESIDENT Chad A. Bilz, ’94 Chad is vice president of Schiff Kreidler Shell Insurance and serves on the Alumni Awards and Student Recruitment committees.

PRESIDENT ELECT J. David Bender, ’76, ’79 David practices law in Ft. Thomas. He serves on the Community Outreach and Legislative Advocacy committees.

VICE PRESIDENT Olivia A. Birkenhauer, ’81 Olivia is a personal trainer. She serves on the Community Outreach, Ways and Means and Student Recruitment committees.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Diane H. Sticklen Jordan, ’74 Diane is principal, HRC Consulting in Cincinnati. She serves on the Ways and Means committee.

Other members: Mark J. Adams, ’87 Adams is a brand manager, marketing, for Kendle International, Inc. in Cincinnati.

*

David A. Cain, ’96 David is president and CEO of The Wireless Store. He serves on the Community Outreach, Legislative Advocacy and Student Recruitment committees.

Remal L. Castleman, ’94 Remal is the senior operations manager at Fidelity Investments. He serves on the Alumni Family Scholarships committee and is co-chair of the Community Outreach committee.

Paula Goff Christy, ’92 Paula is the municipal contract manager for CSI Waste Services. She serves on the Legislative Advocacy and Community Outreach committees. paula goff christy

Billie L. Clark, ’93 Billie is an account consultant with Humana. She serves on the Alumni Awards and Student Recruitment committees.

Susan K. Cook, ’75 Susan is the superintendent of Kenton County Schools. She serves on the Alumni Awards committee.

Michael E. Dietz, ’84

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Michael is a family doctor in Anderson Township, Ohio. He serves on the Alumni Senior Awards committee.

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Barbara J. Martin

Dave marshall Matt e. eilers

nancy a. Kremer

Steve J. Olding

Leo F. McCallen

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Jamie M. Ramsey

Lee A. McGinley

Matt E. Eilers, ’97 Matt is a vice president at Central Bank.

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Gageby P. Gaither, ’93 Gee is co-owner of the Tom Gaither Studio/Gallery. She serves on the Community Outreach committee.

Nancy A. Kremer, ’70, ’85 Nancy is a senior vice president at St. Luke Hospital. She serves on the Alumni Senior Awards committee and currently serves as NKU Regent.

Bryson p. lair

Bryson P. Lair, ’96 Bryson is the general sales manager at Viacom-Infinity Broadcasting. He serves on the Alumni Lecture Series and Student Recruitment committees.

*

John M. Lucas ’73, ’96 John is counsel, second VP and assistant secretary of Union Central Life Insurance Co. He is the chair of the Alumni Lecture Series committee and serves on the Community Outreach committee.

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Kevin M. Maines, ’88, ’94 Kevin is vice president of Commerce Lexington.

Dave Marshall ’97 Dave is the assistant men’s basketball coach at NKU. He serves on the Alumni Lecture Series and Student Recruitment committees.

Barbara J. Martin, ’73, ’82 Barbara is assistant superintendent of the Ludlow Board of Education. She serves on the Alumni Family Scholarship and Alumni Lecture Series committees.

Leo F. McCallen, ’91 Leo is director-project management for Information Resources, Inc. He serves on the Alumni Lecture Series and Ways and Means committees.

Lee A. McGinley, ’97 Lee is assistant vice president at Fifth Third Bank. She serves on the Alumni Awards, Alumni Family Scholarships and Community Outreach committees.

Linda J. Nesbitt, ’87, ’99 Linda is the director of community connections at NKU. She serves as co-chair of the community outreach committee and serves on the Alumni Senior Awards committee and the Legislative Advocacy committee.

Steve J. Olding, ’87 Steve is the communications director for the Alzheimer’s Association of America. He serves on the Legislative Advocacy committee. linda j. nesbitt

Jamie M. Ramsey, ’96, ’99 Jamie is an attorney with Keating, Muething and Klekamp. PLL. He serves on the Alumni Senior Awards and Legislative Advocacy committees.

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Jennifer K. Roose, ’98 Jennifer is an associate manager-human resources for Procter & Gamble. She serves on the Alumni Awards and the Alumni Lecture Series committees.

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Kimberly M.Vance, ’94, ’05 Kimberly is the assistant director of student life at NKU. She serves as the chair of the Alumni Senior Awards committee and on the Alumni Family Scholarships committee. fa l l

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sIxTH ANNUAL NKU ALUMNI

LECTURE

governing in america:

ERIES 1

1

3

2

4

Former Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards makes a point during the NKUTIAA-CREF Alumni Lecture Series.

2 Judge Lambert and Patti Hehl meet Senator John Edwards prior to the Alumni Lecture Series.

3 John Edwards signs copies of his book , Four Trials, prior to the Alumni Lecture Series while NKU students Leslie Young and Savannah Capito hand him copies to sign.

4 John Edwards on the podium at the Alumni Lecture Series.

se n at or

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john

e dwar d s

2005

the power behind the politics 5

7

5 Steve Forbes at the Northern Kentucky University TIAA-CREF Alumni Lecture Series.

6 John Edwards and Steve Forbes with moderator (and NKU Dean of Students) Kent Kelso during the student lecture, which gave students a chance to meet Edwards and Forbes.

7 NKU students (L to R) Karen Cope, Katie Osterbrock and Heather Meeks hand Steve Forbes copies of his book , Flat Tax Revolution to

6

8

autograph.

8 Attorney Joy Moore (’96, Chase) and her daughter, Brandi List (who is the chief of staff for Kentucky First Lady Glenna Fletcher) meet

9

Steve Forbes prior to the Alumni Lecture Series.

9 Channel 9 Anchor Clyde Gray ser ved as moderator for the 2005 lecture.

st ev e

f or be s

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Building

boom new student union

Projects will expand and enhance campus

B y Ro b Pa s q u i n u c c i

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The roar of bulldozers and piles of dirt can be heard and seen around campus this fall as NKU continues to expand and improve the campus. And the university isn’t done.

“Lack of space has reached a crisis on our campus,” says President James Votruba. “It impacts our ability to grow enrollments and serve our community.”

The university will ask the legislature to help fund several new projects, including a building for the College of Informatics, the School of Nursing and Health Professions, renovations to Founders Hall (formerly the science building) and other projects. These requests come on the heels of the legislature approving nearly $100 million of construction projects, including $60 million for the Bank of Kentucky Center for basketball and special events.

Other projects on the horizon include a student union, which will feature a grand

student union atrium

new campus signage

student union cafe student union cafe lake project

Bank of kentucky center

ballroom and food marketplace for students; and a parking garage.

This fall, smaller projects have improved the overall look of the campus. Work has begun on improvements to the former “Lake Inferior” that will create a new, larger lake and park surroundings in the center of campus, along with an amphitheater, bridge, walkways and waterfall.

Also appearing on campus this fall is new black and gold signage. In addition to revised large signage at campus entrances, there are several smaller “wayfinding” signs that point visitors to each building, these help visitors find their way through campus, identify buildings, improve the overall brand identity of the university and provide a more cohesive look to buildings and locations.

Projects

Lake improvements

Est. Cost: $2.4 million Construction currently underway

New student union

Est. Cost: $34 million Scheduled completion: Summer, 2007

Bank of Kentucky Center

Est. Cost: $60 million Scheduled completion: Fall, 2007

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NORTHERN

athletics

Big shoes to fill Norse looking for point guard, forward to step up this season

By Kelli Moynahan

Moynahan is a Journalism/ S p o r t s B u s i n e s s m a j o r a t N KU

The last time a Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team had no seniors, it went on to win the school’s first national championship on March 25, 2000. “(This year’s) team isn’t quite as experienced as that group, but it’s always fun to dream,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “The big goal is to work as hard as we can, try our best to have a great season, get into the NCAA Tournament, which will be very tough, then see what can happen.”

NKU must find replacements for two key positions if the Norse hope to make it back to the NCAA Division II Tournament after a year’s absence and improve upon last season’s 16-12 overall record.

NKU also posted a 13-7 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The Norse must replace Elizabeth Burrows, NKU’s starting point guard the past three seasons who started 94 games in her four years with the team. Burrows also led the team with 118 assists last season.

“We have three, maybe four, people who will compete for this position: Nicole Chiodi, Betsey Clark, Keri Finnell and possibly Karen Brackman,” Winstel said.

Last season, Clark, a junior guard from McNicholas High School in Cincinnati, saw action in 21 games and started three for the Norse, and she collected 19 assists and six steals. Chiodi, a 6-foot sophomore guard

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from Newport Central Catholic High School, finished last season with 18 assists and five steals in 24 games.

Finnell, a 2003 graduate of Purcell Marian High School, sat out as a redshirt during the 2004-05 season but is an outstanding scorer and ballhandler. As a senior, she averaged 22.1 points and 5.1 rebounds and finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,584 career points.

Brackman averaged 12.3 points per game as a senior at Minster High School. She helped lead Minster to the Division IV state championship as a junior.

The Norse will also have to replace forward Connie Myers, last season’s team leading scorer (16.5 ppg) and rebounder (8.6 rpg) who also earned first team All-GLVC honors. But Winstel believes one the strengths of this year’s team is its size.The Norse have five players on the roster listed at 6-foot-1.

The top returning player for NKU is 6-foot-1 junior Karmen Graham, who averaged 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during the 2004-05 season.As the second-leading scorer and rebounder last season, Graham earned honorable mention conference honors.

Angela Healy, a 6-1 sophomore from Highlands High School, saw action in all 28 games and started six times. She averaged 5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season, and she finished the season as one of the team’s best shot blockers with 29.

The Norse also add two Division I transfers, Katie Butler and Angela Estes. Butler, a 6-1 junior transfer from Dayton, averaged 4.8 points per game last season and was 11-for-38 from three-point range.

During her career at Dayton, Butler was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week in December of 2003. She also scored 15 points in a win over Wright State, and she had 14 points and seven rebounds against George Washington.

A 2003 graduate of Liberty-Benton High School, Butler was named Northwest Ohio Player of theYear as a senior after averaging 25.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg.

Estes, also a 6-1 post player, had 13 steals and seven blocks last season in 25 games for East Tennessee State.

Karyn Creager, a 5-11 junior guard, averaged 9.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season. She also dished out 37 assists and had 18 steals. Creager made a team-leading 88.5 percent from the free-throw line (77 of 87), and she connected on 36.8 percent of her three-point attempts. In addition, Creager set an NKU single-season record by making 27 consecutive free throws.

Winner played in all 28 games last season and started 13 times. The junior forward from Minster High School averaged 6.8 points per game and lead the team in steals with 29, along with adding 38 assists.

Chad Bilz, ‘94, and Lyndsey Yager ‘04 were among the alumni who watched NKU in preseason action against Xavier University.

Building on success Men’s basketball hoping to continue winning this season By don owen

Once again this season, the NKU basketball team opened the season with an exhibition game against a legendary opponent. This year, it was a trip over the river to take on the Xavier University Musketeers at the Cintas Center.

Unfortunately, the Musketeers’ height advantage and nearly 60 percent shooting accuracy lead to a decisive 78-44 victory over the Norse. The game marked the first meeting between NKU and Xavier since Jan.6, 1979, when the Norse stunned the Musketeers, 63-61, in overtime at Schmidt Fieldhouse.The previous season, NKU also upset Xavier, 59-58, as Mike Hofmeyer tipped in a shot at the buzzer to give the Norse the win.

Several alumni visited the Cintas Center and enjoyed a private reception prior to the game.

NKU President James Votruba says the “cross river” shootout was a great chance for NKU to strengthen ties with another regional collegiate institution.

Despite the exhibition-game loss, the Norse are looking to improve this year. During the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament last March, Northern Kentucky University displayed poise, clutch shooting, excellent defense and an ability to pull off victories when it was considered a big underdog.

The result was a trip to the championship game of the GLVC Tournament. NKU - which entered the GLVC Tournament seeded sixth posted wins against third-seeded Indianapolis

and second-seeded Southern Illinois at Edwardsville before falling to Southern Indiana.

NKU head coach Dave Bezold, whose team fell one win shy of earning a trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament, believes the late-season run will carry over to the 200506 campaign.

“We played very well at the GLVC Tournament, and I think our returning players now understand what it takes to succeed in that type of atmosphere,” said Bezold, whose team finished with a 14-15 record. “We lost several very good seniors from last season, but we return some good players, plus we added some talented newcomers who are going to really help us.”

NKU must replace leading scorer Mike Kelsey (16.0 points per game) and four other starters, but Bezold’s recruiting class and the returning letterwinners give the Norse a solid nucleus to build around.

The top returning player is 6-foot4 junior forward Kevin Reinhardt, an outstanding leaper who averaged 8.4 points per game last season. Reinhardt is at his best when going to the basket, but he has also developed a solid mid-range jumper. He is also an exciting dunker, and Bezold expects the former Campbell County High School star to be a key this season.

“Kevin has proven he can score going to

the basket, and we will need him to provide us with a lot of offense this year,” Bezold said.

Sophomore forward Harrison Morton averaged 7.9 points per game and could also be a major factor. Morton, who specializes in going strong to the basket, scored in double figures eight times last season.

Junior guard/forward Kevin Schappell (3.3 points per game) had an outstanding offseason at the Deveroes Summer League in Cincinnati.

Schappell averaged more than 20 points per game during the summer, and he is also an effective rebounder on the offensive glass.

Returning letterwinner Travis Rasso will also challenge for significant playing time inside.

Rasso, a 6-8 post player, averaged 2.1 points per game and 3.0 rpg as a freshman.

Three transfers - center Gavin Ludgood, guard Aaron Smith and forward Vincent Humphrey - figure to make immediate impacts. Ludgood, a 6-8, 235-pound transfer from Division I Florida Atlantic and former prep standout in Arkansas, should give NKU a powerful presence in the post.

Smith, a 6-3 guard, is a long-range shooting specialist who averaged 14 points per game in junior college. Humphrey, a 6-4 wing player who spent last season at Valparaiso, is a versatile performer who can pass, rebound and score.

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NORTHERN

athletics

simply perfect N KU S o f t b a l l t e a m w i ns more than 50 games and breaks college records BY don owen

softball star named NCAA Kentucky

Woman of the Year Stephanie Leimbach, a senior member of the Norse softball squad, was named Kentucky’s Woman of t h e Y e a r b y t h e N CAA

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The NKU softball team won 50 regular-season games — more than any college team in history.

The team went on to win its second straight GLVC regional championship and posted five more victories before losing two games in the NCAA Division II World Series. The team finished the season with a 55-2 record overall.

The Norse also finished the season with the alltime record for winning percentage. The record of 55-2 (.965 winning percentage) eclipses the previous mark (.947) set by Coker College in 1998.

“The things that these girls accomplished this year (are) remarkable,” says head coach Kathy Stewart. “But, we wanted to win it all here,”

“I think we had a great season, but we didn’t finish how we planned on or wanted to,” says junior pitcher Krystal Lewallen.

The Norse were honored in September by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce with an “Image Maker” award in recognition of their outstanding season.

The NCAA Woman of the Year recognizes outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community leader ship. Chosen by a committee of representatives from member institutions, 29 of the 2005 state honorees are from Division I, while 16 represent Division II and six are from Division III. They represent 15 sports.

The committee of institutional representatives also will select 10 finalists from the 51 state winners, based on grade point average, athletics achievement and community service.The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics will chose the national winner from among the 10 finalists.

Leimbach, a four-year starter for the NKU softball team who was part of the record-breaking 2005 season. She also earned NCAA Division II All-America honors after batting .399 and helping NKU capture the Great Lakes Regional championship for the second straight year.

A native of Hilliard, Ohio, and a graduate of Darby High School, Leimbach finished her career as NKU’s all-time leader in hits (258) and runs scored (151). A center fielder, she also stole a school-record 25 bases as a senior and also had a 1.000 fielding percentage.

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WNKU posts successful fund drive

It is often said, “People fear change.”

The adage was of some concern to the staff of WNKU going into this fall’s on-air membership drive, but the recent changes in programming have proven to be widely accepted as the station just completed its most successful membership drive ever. Just four weeks after dropping National Public Radio’s hugely popular All Things Considered in favor of more music and more local programs, WNKU raised $139,000 in listener support and recruited nearly 300 new members during its seven-day membership campaign.

The campaign surpassed its goals.

“All Things Considered was always our biggest performer in past membership drives,” said station manager Ben Singleton.

“To lose that program and achieve our most successful drive ever just a few weeks later is an incredible validation of more music and more local programming. We couldn’t be happier with the result.”

The program changes occurred September 12 when WNKU added more music and more local programs to its weekly lineup. The new schedule includes three more hours per day of adult alternative music and a mix of live, local talk radio programs including Simply Money, Real Life Real Estate, and Keep Antiquing, three familiar and very popular programs previously heard on WVXU. In addition, WNKU now carries the nationally syndicated program The Changing World and a brand new, locally produced business and tax program called BusinessWise.

Although the on-air membership campaign has concluded, listeners and fans of WNKU can support the station anytime by giving securely online at www.wnku.org. Of course, listeners can still call that number they know so well: (859) 572-7897.

Concert of Hope

NKU students, staff and faculty members held a concert to help raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina in early September. A variety of campus organizations and departments joined in the effort, with donations collected at the free concert going to relief organizations.

NKU College of Business Students Bring Home 19 State Awards

Most Phi Beta Lambda Conference awards in NKU history Students from Northern Kentucky University’s College of Business have earned 19 awards at the annual Kentucky Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Spring Conference in Louisville.

In all, 18 NKU students participated in the conference, and 16 earned awards in competition with students from other Kentucky colleges and universities in various academic events. The 19 total awards are the most in NKU history.

“In recent years our business majors have performed very well in the state competition,” said NKU College of Business Dean Michael Carrell. “However, this year with seven first-place awards and six second-place awards, the NKU College of Business students were unbelievable!”

Seven students won first-place honors.They are Patrick Bass (Future Business Teacher); Mindy Clayton Dunaway (Statistical Analysis); Gabriella Gonzalez (Management); Joe Graf (Telecommunications); Christian Graue (Economics); Shawana Gutzwiller (Finance); Jennifer Schwab (Marketing).

Second-place awards were won by Dee Begley (Sports Business); Katie Kashanai (Business Math); Eric Kiely (Finance); Lindell Rowe and Schwab (Community Service Project); Jessica Smith (Newsletter).

Third-place honors went to Mike Murphy (Human Resources); Rowe (Scrapbook); Lance Vaught (Management); and Vaught, Tony Hahnel and Graf (Business Decision Making).

One fourth-place award was received by Hahnel (International Business), and fifth-place honors were earned by Dee Begley, Kiely and Murphy (Business Decision Making) and Grove (Computer Systems).

Leslie Kyle, director of NKU’s College of Business Advising Center, said the college couldn’t be more proud of its award winners. “As their advisor, I have gotten to know these students very well,” Kyle said. “They are dedicated, hard-working leaders within the college and outstanding students in the classroom.”

First- and second-place winners will now compete at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., June 19 through July 2. PBL is an international organization for business students.

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Museum named after history prof James A. Ramage knew he wanted to be a teacher since he was in sixth grade. He thought he might teach agriculture, until he discovered a love for history while reading.

Ramage earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Murray State University. He received his doctorate in history at the University of Kentucky.

He came to teach at Northern Kentucky University in 1972. In 1988, he was awarded Outstanding Professor of the Year and was named Regents Professor in 1994. As faculty advisor of Phi Alpha Theta national history honor society, he won NKU’s Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award in 1999. He won the Flame Award in 2003 and won the 2003 Acorn Award from Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education.

The city of Fort Wright and Northern Kentucky University worked beside Ramage to create a museum at Battery Hooper, a six-foothigh earthen wall on a hilltop off Highland Pike that was built by Union forces to defend against Confederate attacks during the Civil War. Only six of the original 28 artillery batteries built along Northern Kentucky hilltops in 1861 exist today.

Ramage was surprised to learn that the city named the museum the James A. Ramage Civil War Museum.

“I was just floored and overwhelmed in many layered ways,” Ramage said. “To think that they would name it for me, but more important that the mayor, city officials, university and community preserved the site without protests or letters to the editor. It was a wonderful experience.”

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NKU students discover their own ‘Jurassic Park’

This summer, a group of Northern Kentucky University geology students participated in its own version of “Jurassic Park,” braving blistering heat and severe dust storms to uncover prehistoric mysteries in the hard mudstone near Price, Utah.

The dinosaur expedition, which was led by Professor Dr. Janet Bertog of NKU’s Department of Physics & Geology and Professor David Kime from NKU’s Honors Program and conducted in collaboration with the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Marietta College, had the students working to bring well-known and what may prove to be very rare Jurassic animals to life through the excavation.

Students spent three weeks in Utah learning how to properly excavate bones of Jurassic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Diplodocus and Allosaurus. The students worked with Dr. Bertog and Kime to collect data important in the interpretation of how these animals lived, died and were buried.

Joshua Cooper, who graduated from NKU in May with a B.S. in both biology and geology, said that uncovering the dinosaur bones was the best part of the adventure. “I found a small Allosaur tooth,” he said, “and then later we discovered and excavated a large vertebrae and rib.” It was

Cooper’s second excavation. Last summer he was one of three NKU students who worked with Dr. Bertog to excavate large marine reptiles from the Cretaceous shale in South Dakota.

For Kime, it was just good to get back to the basics. “No phones, e-mail, TV…” he said, “Just worrying about things that have mattered to humans our entire existence: food, water, shelter, working in a small community to meet a common goal, waking and sleeping when the sun rises and sets. How someone reacts to that setting is really something that speaks to the core of who we are.”

During the day, the team had to deal with scorching temperatures that, when combined with such low humidity, posed a serious dehydration threat. At night, there was the 80-mile-per-hour wind. “One night we had the worst wind storm that kicked up so much dust it actually collapsed a few of the Marietta students’ tents,” Cooper said. “Riding that storm of wind out was less than enjoyable…I was happy that I even fell asleep that night.”

Cooper and fellow students Sarah Christen (Independence), Rath Robinson (Petersburg) and Jeremy Moore (Ft. Thomas) worked together with Marietta students to unbury the site and excavate the bones. “I thought it was great to get to work with other students from another school,” Cooper said, “because they brought their own energy to the site and made it more fun in the field and back at camp.”

For Moore, a junior geology major, the experience was an opportunity to “put imagination to the test. This is every child’s dream, to work with dinosaurs,” he said. “I have learned some lifetime experience and made some everlasting friends along the way. It’s not every day that you can go on an exciting journey with only a few showers and camping for three weeks.”

The NKU students worked as a team to map the bones using Total Station electronic survey equipment. “When it’s a good team or group of people that are united toward one goal,” Cooper said, “some fast and efficient work can be accomplished.”

He said he hopes to apply the teamwork skills he learned in the Utah desert back at NKU, where the data collected will be used to produce a three-dimensional reconstruction of the site, allowing the researchers to interpret the placement of bones relative to each other, which helps to interpret the environment of deposition. Of great significance at the site is the large number of very small bones, which have the potential to be Jurassic mammals. Mammals of this time period are very rare and poorly understood, making this a very significant site.

Dr. Bertog said that the team doesn’t yet know if the group uncovered these rare bones. She said that question may be answered tomorrow or a year from now. “We have to go through the samples using small air tools to gradually remove the rock until the specimen is exposed,” she said. “This is a slow process, so it is difficult to estimate when we will make ‘the discovery.’”

The Cincinnati Museum of Natural History will prepare and house all bones and other materials from the site. Excavation of the site is expected to continue next summer.

The course is open to anyone interested – not just NKU students – and there are no prerequisites.

Anyone interested should contact Dr. Bertog at (859) 572-1523.

NKU sets the ‘PACE’ Northern Kentucky University has developed a flexible degree program tailored to working adults. The Program for Adult-Centered Education (PACE) will begin this fall and will allow students to work around careers, families and community commitments.

Students can complete an associate degree in just two years or a bachelor degree in four - even with little or no prior college experience. Three bachelor’s programs are currently available through PACE - business administration, organizational leadership and liberal studies.

“The PACE curriculum has been carefully crafted to provide a structured yet flexible schedule for working adult students,” said Vicki Culbreth, executive director of Educational Outreach at NKU.“We believe PACE will enable many adults to achieve their educational goals in a timely manner while maintaining their career, family and community commitments.”

PACE classes will meet for consecutive eight-week sessions throughout the year on Monday and Thursday nights, 6-9:30 p.m. There will be six sessions per year, and students can enter the program at any of the six enrollment periods. Summer session classes will meet 6-10 p.m.The program also includes 90 minutes per week (120 minutes during the summer) of web-enhanced instruction, and some classes will be delivered entirely online.

All courses required for graduation at the associate and bachelor levels will be included in the program.

All classes will be held at NKU’s Covington campus (1401 Dixie Highway). Full student support will be provided to help guide students throughout the program, and students can transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions.

Climb every mountain

NKU’s Campus Recreation program offers fun and games for alumni

Ever wanted to explore the great outdoors on a rafting or kayak trip? Or maybe a rock climbing adventure? The NKU Campus Recreation Center’s Outdoor Adventure Program offers alumni the chance to participate in these activities. Trips planned for early 2006 include skiing/snowboarding at Snow Shoe Mountain, West Virginia; a kayaking trip (location to be determined); and a whitewater rafting trip on the New River.

Alumni pay a one-time $25 participation fee in addition to each trip’s cost.

NKU alumni can also join the Campus Recreation Center and use the pool, racquetball courts and other facilities at a rate much lower than most area fitness centers.

Alumni who miss the competitive action of intramural sports can form a team and participate. Alumni pay a $15 per sport fee or can apply a $25 yearly activity fee to play.

For more information on all these programs visit www.nku.edu/~camprec or call 859-572-5197.

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(Seated L-R): Brandy Bailey and Christine Splicha; (Standing L-R): Daniele Longo, Nadine Parris and Primo Nyika-Makore are the first NKU business students to win a national case writing award.

MBA students honored by BusinessWeek An NKU MBA student group received honorable mention in the first national BusinessWeek Magazine 2004 Student Case Writing Competition. The title of the case was “A Director for Pete.’

According to Bert Smith, a BusinessWeek representative, this year’s competition received entries from 60 universities. Kenneth S. Rhee, assistant professor of management, is the NKU faculty supervisor for the BusinessWeek Case Writing Competition. This was the first ever national case writing award received by NKU students.

Class

travels

to Ireland Professor Michael J. Simonton, Ph.D., chair of the NKU anthropology department and his students traveled to Ireland. The photo above is at Pol na Brone, the largest dolmen in Ireland.

RHA conference The Residential Housing Association (RHA- a student organization) hosted a large regional conference on campus in November called SAACURH, which stands for the South Atlantic Association of College and University Residence Halls. More than 700 student leaders from 9 states in our region were on NKU’s campus for leadership development, as well as networking with other student leaders and having fun.

Ten of Region’s Seventeen College Seniors Most ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ are from NKU The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently conducted its first “Most Likely to Succeed” competition for regional college seniors. Of the 17 students selected, 10 are from Northern Kentucky University’s College of Business.

The purpose of the new event is to help chamber firms recruit and retain the standout students from the Greater Cincinnati region.The inaugural class included 10 students from NKU, three from the University of Cincinnati, three from Gateway Community and Technical College and one from Beckfield College.

“We are extremely pleased that a committee of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has selected 10 NKU College of Business students out of the 17 total in the class of ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ college seniors,” said NKU College of Business Dean Michael Carrell.“It is a fitting tribute to the high quality of students graduating from the NKU College of Business.”

NKU recipients include: Justin Baute, Finance; Dee Begley, Marketing; Abby Bentley, Management ; Denise Byron, MBA;Thomas Coloma,Accounting; Peg Fightmaster,Accounting; Daniel Longo, MBA; Mary Meyer, Accounting; Djibril Thiaw, Accounting; Rohan Tillekerante, Finance.

Highly qualified The incoming freshmen class at NKU is the most highly qualified in the school’s history. The class average ACT score is 22.8 compared to 21.7 last year. New tougher enrollment standards, which require at least a 19 composite score on the ACT and an 18 in English, math and reading to be admitted.

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Gift from the Griffin Family Will Establish The David L. Holt NKU Athletics Hall of Fame Hall will be located in The Bank of Kentucky Center The Northern Kentucky University Board of Regents approved the establishment of The David L. Holt NKU Athletics Hall of Fame on November 9, which results from a $250,000 gift from the Griffin Family.

The David L. Holt NKU Athletics Hall of Fame will be located within The Bank of Kentucky Center, which will begin construction early next year.

The gift will also establish The David L. Holt Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarship assistance to student athletes participating in the Norse men’s and women’s basketball programs.

“We are indebted to the Griffin and Holt families for all that they have done to establish a tradition of excellence at NKU,” Northern President Dr. James Votruba said. “This scholarship fund and Hall of Fame named in David’s honor create lasting legacies that ensure David’s support and commitment to our intercollegiate athletics program and the university are long remembered.”

Holt’s contributions to the NKU athletic department date back nearly 20 years. He served as president of the Norse Athletics Club and also served on the NAC Board of Directors.

The NKU Hall of Fame was established in 1997 to honor those men and women who made significant contributions to NKU’s athletic program through outstanding achievement in intercollegiate athletics.

A committee composed of former NKU athletes, coaches, administration and friends of the program biannually nominate, evaluate and vote for worthy candidates based on recommendations from alumni and head coaches. Thirty individual NKU athletes, coaches and administrators have been enshrined along with the 2000 NCAA Division II women’s basketball national championship team.

“We are deeply touched and appreciative of Linda and the Griffin Family Foundation for their scholarship gift to our men’s and women’s basketball program in Dave’s memory,” said NKU Athletic Director Jane Meier. “Dave was a first-class individual who was very supportive of our entire athletics program, both as serving as a volunteer and giving financially. It is an honor to have the NKU Athletics Hall of Fame named in his memory.”

Current members of The David L. Holt NKU Athletics Hall of Fame: Class of 2005 Diane Redmond J.T. Roberts

Amy Flaugher Tim Grogan Nancy Berger Paul Cluxton

John Toebben

2000 NCAA Division II

women’s basketball national

championship team.

Class of 2003

Paul Steenken Julee Hill Dave Krebs Dr. Jim Bilbo.

Class of 2001

Derek Fields Melissa Wood-Fleming Kevin Cieply Gary Flowerdew Brenda Ryan Roger Klein

Class of 1999

Jeff Stowers Russ Kerdolff Julie Thoman Perry Marilyn Moore

Class of 1997 Richard Derkson

Peggy Ludwig

Johnny Lott

Brady Jackson Barbara Harkins Bill Aker

Peggy Vincent Gary Wall Dan Doellman

Tops again:

Anna Polusmiak wins another international piano competition Northern Kentucky University alumna Anna Polusmiak has won first prize in another piano competition. This time, Polusmiak placed first in the Artist Division in the renowned Louisiana International Piano Competition. After being selected to participate based upon a recorded audition, Polusmiak progressed through three rounds of competition involving 28 players from 15 countries before being declared the overall winner.

In addition to the $5,000 first place cash award, she will receive a trip to Russia to perform with the St. Petersburg Symphony in the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.While in Russia, Polusmiak will also record a solo CD with Classical Records in Moscow and perform a recital at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory.

Back in Louisiana, she will perform a recital at the Louisiana Piano Series International in Natchitoches, and another at the Bach Concert Series in Alexandria.

Polusmiak recently tied for first place adult in Kawai Piano’s North American “Searching for a Star” CD recording contest against thousands of other contestants across the United States and Canada. She has been a recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including a Corbett scholarship, a Regents award and the Outstanding Senior in the NKU Department of Music. She graduated from NKU in May with a Bachelor of Music.

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NO R T H E R N Top nursing students The School of Nursing and Health Professions inducted 70 undergraduate and graduate nursing students into the Rho Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society in a ceremony on Nov. 4 at the Syndicate in Newport, Ky. Membership in the Honor Society is by invitation only and is extended to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and professional nurses who have demonstrated superior scholastic, leadership and nursing achievements.

Founded in 1922, the honor society currently has 125,000 active members in more than 90 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others.

NKU partners with Kenton County Detention Center on library program A unique partnership between the Kenton County Detention Center and Northern Kentucky University’s Steely Library and Department of political science and criminal justice seeks to ensure that inmates have access to information resources that will support life skills development and facilitate a smooth reintegration into society upon release from jail.

The partnership, called “Library Link: Bettering Life In, Life Out,” is the result of an NKU University-Community partnership grant. Through the program, faculty members from NKU’s Steely Library are developing the infrastructure for a new library at the Kenton County Detention Center in Covington.

The Steely Library faculty will also develop programming to increase the overall reading among inmates. Faculty members from NKU’s Department of political science and criminal justice will evaluate the effectiveness of this programming in changing psychological and social functioning of the inmates, reading levels and the overall correctional environment.

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NE W S New staffers in University advancement Gina Hemsath Program Coordinator An NKU Radio/Television alum, Gina Hemsath joined the Office of Alumni Programs in May as program coordinator.

She will be a familiar face at alumni events and alumni council meetings. Gina has been involved with the communications alumni association since graduating in 2001, recently serving as the group’s president.

Rob Pasquinucci Director of Alumni Publications/Editor Rob joins the alumni staff as the editor of the Northern and director of alumni publications. He is a veteran public relations and editing professional, having worked at two large Cincinnati marketing communications agencies. He also served as director of communications for Phi Delta Theta fraternity in Oxford, Ohio.

Julie Budden Director of Development Julie Budden joined the College of Arts and Sciences in August, 2005 as its first full time director of major gifts to assist people who wish to make gifts specific to the College of Arts and Sciences and its programs. She works on behalf of the College to develop and advocate its fundraising priorities to the NKU Development Office. Julie is an alumnae of the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio and has worked as the assistant director of admissions at Muskingum College and the director of development at the UC College of Engineering prior to joining the NKU staff.

Meridith Oberklein Director of Annual and Special Gifts Meridith Oberklein joined the NKU Development office this summer as the director of annual and special gifts. A 1998 Miami University graduate, she has development experience at both the Harvard Business School and worked as the reunion and special coordinator at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Meridith is also a 2005 graduate of the Salmon P. Chase school of law. She passed the Ohio bar exam in October and was sworn in as an attorney before the Supreme Court of Ohio on November 7, 2005.

2006 Homecoming Events Saturday, January 21 Service on Saturday. Join the Community Outreach Committee and NKU students to perform community service in the Northern Kentucky community. Contact Linda Nesbitt for information at 859-572-1463.

Sunday, January 22 Norse Day on the Levee with discounts for those wearing NKU gear. Possible performances by NKU Dance Team and Cheerleaders between 2 and 4.

Friday, January 27

Alumni Awards Banquet at Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter at 6:15 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 859-572-5486.

Saturday, January 28 3rd Annual Alumni Chili Cookoff. Bring your best chili to the tent at Regents Hall by 4:00 p.m. Awards for best chili in three categories - alumni, community, and students.

Saturday, January 28 Homecoming basketball games against Bellarmine. Women’s game at 5:30 followed by men’s game at 7:45.

Saturday, January 28 Homecoming Party sponsored by Young Alumni Society at Cold Spring Barleycorn’s from 9 p.m. until midnight. Door prizes and special drinks.

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Lo oking for

to do ?

For more information about any event listed here, visit

Why not come back to campus to enjoy some great entertainment, educational opportunities and sports events? NKU offers inexpensive, family-friendly options for weekend or evening activities.

Here are some featured events:

www.nku.edu or call

(859) 572-5220

and ask for the appropriate department or visit nkuconnections.nku.edu

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NKU Bands Concert 8 p.m., Greaves Hall

PACE Information Session 6-8 p.m. NKU Covington Campus call 859-572-6577 for more information

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NKU Commencement, FirstStar Arena

Northern Kentucky Youth Strings Program, 2 p.m.4 p.m. in Greaves Hall

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Wisconsin-Parkside, 3:15 p.m., Regents Hall

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Homecoming see events page 29 Women’s basketball vs.

Bellarmine, 5:30 p.m.

Regents Hall Men’s basketball vs.

Bellarmine, 7:45 p.m.

Regents hall

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Winter Blues Concert to benefit EMPOWER program, time and location TBA

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Women’s Basketball vs. Indianapolis, 5:30 p.m., Regents Hall

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Indianapolis, 7:45 p.m., Regents Hall

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Unfinished Business, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m.

Greaves Concert Hall

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Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet, 6:30, Marriott RiverCenter

Azmari Concert, 7:30 p.m.

Greaves Hall String Quartet & NKU Faculty Art Exhibit Admission

NKU Celebration of the Arts time TBA

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NKU Music presents a KMEA Showcase 7:30 p.m. Greaves Hall, Featuring the Conner HS Chamber Choir and the Ryle HS Symphonic Band

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Grad School Strategies for Success 6-8 p.m.

Covington Campus Call 859-572-5600 for information

Men’s basketball vs.

Southern Indiana, 3:15 p.m., Regents Hall

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Men’s basketball vs.

Lewis, 7 p.m., Regents Hall

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Women’s basketball vs. Southern Indiana, 5:30 p.m., Regents Hall

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Men’s Basketball vs. St. Joseph’s 3:15 p.m., Regents Hall

Women’s Basketball vs. St. Joseph’s, 5:30 p.m., Regents Hall

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NKU Theatre presents A Chorus Line. The show runs through Feb. 26 at the NKU Corbett Theatre.

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In recognition of Black History Month the KSO’s Newport Ragtime Band traces the development of rag-time, blues and early jazz. 9:30 & 11 AM

NKU Band Concert 8 p.m. Greaves Hall

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- Networking/Career Day with biology students 1:00 pm

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A lumni

J ournal

Reaching out and staying connected During the past few months, we’ve gone on the road to visit alumni in Chicago and Washington, D.C. to help establish and renew connections between alumni in those cities. Our hope is to establish alumni chapters around the country to give folks a chance to make contact with others who have an NKU history in common. In Washington, we held a reception for alumni, toured historic sites and were hosted at the Capitol by Congressman Geoff Davis. In Chicago, we saw Burgertown, a musical produced by Ken Jones of the NKU music department with NKU students and alumni in the cast. We held a reception following the performance for alumni.

Photos from both of our trips appear on the next few pages.

Want to put together an alumni chapter or be the NKU alumni contact in your town? Give me a call or send and email to fajackd@nku. edu.

We’ve got many exciting events planned for this year’s Homecoming, so make sure you plan on coming back to campus the weekend of Jan. 27, 2006. You can see the basketball team, meet the new Norse mascot, see the many changes taking place on campus and reconnect with old friends. There’s more information in this issue.

Make sure you keep us up to date with your current address and news so we can stay connected. You can update your information on our website: alumni.nku.edu (note: no “www”) or give us a call: (859) 572-5486. We like to hear about what’s new in your life.

There are two programs that you might be interested in that help NKU. A credit card program offered through U.S. Bank supports the alumni association with every purchase.

Visit our website (as listed above) for more information. You can show your alumni pride by ordering NKU license plates the next time you renew. Go to www.kyrenew.com or request NKU plates at your county clerk’s office.

A special thanks goes to our Alumni Council members, featured in this issue. These dedicated alumni are always the first to help out with our events, including homecoming, the lecture series, scholarships and other activities. We truly couldn’t do what we do without them!

Deidra S. Fajack, Director, Alumni Programs

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gatherings Washington Dc meeting

Congressman Geoff Davis hosted a group of NKU visitors and local Washington D.C.-area alumni during a visit this past June. Davis’s staff helped coordinate a visit to the Capitol building. Sarah Abdow (2004, master’s in public administration) is the alumni contact in Washington D.C.

Left to right: Mark and Gillian Fajack, Dane Fajack, Mac Riley, Gina Hemsath, Candace Klein, David MacKnight, Geoff Davis, Stan Wind (brother of NKU Associate VP of Gov’t and Community Relations Joe Wind) along with his wife, Elaine, daughter, Michelle and her friend, Kari.

Left to right: Deidra Fajack, Ryan Breitenbach, Scott Gonzales, Jan Oliver, Mac Riley, Tim Funk, Julie Brown, Rebecca Chatterjee, Sarah Abdow, Greg Mecher, Katie Herschede, Maureen Rodgers, Jared Barlage, Bill Sanders, Maureen Rogers,Gina Hemsath, Jay Lidington, David MacKnight

Windy City bites into BurgerTown

N KU - p r o d u c e d m u s i c a l plays in Chicago BurgerTown — a delicious new musical comedy set in the Windy City, made its regional debut in Theatre Building Chicago’s South Theatre beginning June 2. BurgerTown was originally produced in 2004 as part of Northern Kentucky University’s Summer Dinner Theatre. The Alumni Association sponsored a reception for area alumni after the musical in June.

BurgerTown is the story of Dan O’Reilly, a timid fry cook who accidentally invents the hottest new craze in the fast food world, and takes the humble BurgerTown restaurant from its lowly place beneath the tracks of the Fullerton train station to soaring new heights. In this fun and kooky new musical, our shy hero encounters bad guys, big business and burgers. He struggles to hold onto his sanity as he chases his dreams for success, romance, and a fast-food fortune.

The creators of BurgerTown are Ken Jones (director and librettist), Jamey Strawn (musical director and composer) and Christine Jones (lyricist). Although this is the first time the three have crafted a show together, each brings considerable experience to the table. Ken Jones, chair of NKU’s Department of Theatre and Dance, is an award-winning playwright whose 24 plays (seven of which are published) have been produced over 300 times.

Jones was pleased with the production. “It proved that our talent — faculty, staff, students and alums—are able to hold our own in a big city. The cast performed six shows a week, and they got better and better with each show,” Jones says. “I had two artistic directors of two separate Chicago professional theatre compliment not only the production itself but also the quality and professionalism of our entire team.

Strawn is an NKU assistant professor of musical theatre, and has served as musical director as well as composed incidental music for numerous productions. He currently has a set of three songs entitled “Grateful Inspiration,” which is being considered for publication. NKU Professor Christine Jones is an award-winning poet and lyricist whose work has been recognized by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and commissioned by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Freedom of Expression and the Cincinnati Bicentennial Organization.

The additional creative team members for BurgerTown include Ronald Shaw (scenic design), Terry Powell (lighting and sound design, technical director), Dean Walz (costume design), Sarah Peak (choreography) and Samantha Reno (prop design and scenic art).

The cast of BurgerTown included NKU students Roderick Justice, Sarah Drake, Michael King, Shannon Kramer, Chauntel McKenzie, Sarah Peak, Jeremy Sartin, Tracy Weiler and Christopher Wesselman.

Top: The BurgerTown logo and a scene from the musical.

Left to right: Tracy Weiler ’05, Paul Webster ’04, Sarah Drake ’05, Shannon Kramer ’99 in Chicago to perform in BurgerTown.

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Class Notes 1977 Margo Otto-Nam (social work) recently received a master’s in social work from the University of Las Vegas. She also holds a MA in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Henderson, Nevada with her husband, Dr. Bo Nam.

1978 Gregory Rust (anthropology) has a photography exhibition of images from Ghana, West Africa on display at Xavier University’s Gallagher Center.

Thomas C. Donnelly (anthropology) has his own law practice and is the athletic director of Clark Montessori Junior and Senior High Schools in Cincinnati.

He recently won the Giraffe Award given to the city’s top athletic director. He recently became a grandfather after the birth of his granddaughter, Quinn.

1980 Jeannine Kreinbrink (anthropology) supervised the archaeology of a log slave pen that is the centerpiece for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.

1982 C at h e r i n e B l ac k w o o d (elementary education) retired from teaching in Kenton County, Carroll County and Covington independent school Lee McGinley systems.

Mike Beiser is an environmental administrator for the Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality and recently co-authored a poster on “ecoregions of the Mississippi with the U.S. EPA.” Deborah Williamson (anthropology) received a citation from the Kentucky House of Representatives for contributions ot the state’s civic literacy project.

Paul L. Whalen (law) recently won a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

1984 Mark Jacobs (anthropology) started a private, non-profit conservation organization called Wildlife Conservation Kentucky, Inc. He is executive director of Split Rock Conservation Park in Petersburg, KY. Jacobs is also the conservation technician for the Boone and Kenton County Conservation Districts.

1985 Anthony E. Bezold (computer science) Kenton Hills, KY was recently promoted to assistant vice president and director, commercial property

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management for Eagle Realty Group, , the real estate investment and property management subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group® (W&SFG). Bezold is responsible for the overall performance, profitability and service quality of the commercial property management department. This includes client relations, tenant relations, business development, vendor management and capital improvement project management.

1987 Dorothy (Dottie) R. Baker (nursing) currently works as a nurse practitioner at University Neurology, Inc. in Cincinnati. She has a specialty in multiple sclerosis and is a part-time faculty at the NKU graduate nursing program.

1988 Jeff Coleman (accounting) is the president of internal controls at Cincinnati Bell.

excited about the position, and I know that having my anthropology degree will only help me deal with the different cultures of people that I will care for.”

Kristina Meek (English/theatre) lives in San Diego after receiving her MA in writing for performance from Goldsmiths College in London. She has had several plays produced in the past year, including a staged reading in New York. See www.kristinameek. scriptmania.com.

1998 Dana Wilfe-Hildebrand (anthropology) is a department chair at national College of Business and Technology in Florence, KY.

2000 Jessica Enderle (anthropology) is the assistant director of admissions at NKU.

Daniel J. Venard (communication) reports he is the assistant manager of the new Joseph A. Bank Clothiers location at Crestview Towne Center. The store is opening in early October.

Mollie R. Poynton (nursing) recently earned a doctor of philosophy degree from Indiana University, and also was recognized in 2004 with the Emily Award, the highest honor for a PhD student at IU. She currently lives with her husband and son in Park City, Utah, where she is an assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing.

1993

2001

Heath Northcutt was recently promoted to national account manager at SENCO products.

Shauna Holt (psychology) recently earned her master’s degree in social work from UK. She currently is a residential therapist at Holly Hill Children’s Services in California, KY.

1990

1994 Nathan Smith and his wife Mary Lee welcomed baby Dora Holley Smith on July 6, weighing in at 7.5 pounds.

Mary Kimbrough (social work) earned a master’s of public administration from Southern Ill. University-Edwardsville and is a member of Eta Phi Beta, a business and professional women’s sorority.

1996 Denise Byrum (biological science) was promoted to research administrative operations coordinator at Shriners Hospital for Children. She’s working on her MBA from NKU and is looking forward to graduation in December.

1997 Robin Pelfrey (anthropology) recently graduated from Eastern Kentucky University’s nursing program and has been hired to work at the University of Kentucky’s medical center on their trauma unit. Robin writes that, “I am really

Melanie Spencer (Art) has been working as a home design feature writer/columnist for the Austin Texas American-Statesman newspaper.

2003 Autumn E. Bennett (anthropology) accompanied anthropology professor Michael J. Simonton and students on an NKU intersession course to Ireland.

Katie Cox (Thiel) (speech communication) works at State Farm as a sales/marketing representative and married her husband Eric in June, 2004.

Thomas “Eric” Bates (anthropology) is working on his master’s degree in liberal studies at NKU. Sylvia Helm (anthropology) married fellow NKU

Send us your class notes Please fill out this form and mail the entire back cover to the return address listed on the back page. You can email class notes, photos and announcements to fajackd@nku.edu grad. year:___________________________________________________________ MAJOR(s):_____________________________________________________________ name:________________________________________________________________ address:_____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

anthropology grad Asa Helm and attended grad school at the College of William and Mary.

Jaime Engelman (nursing) is a RN in the Birthing Center at St. Luke Hospital in Fort Thomas.

Cassandra Childers Haney (anthropology) is currently working at the Bank of Kentucky.

2005

Rebecca Campbell (anthropology) moved to coastal North Carolina after graduation and is applying to various graduate schools.

Sarah Turner (anthropology) is working at Great American Insurance Company as an accountant.

Emily Powers Dean (anthropology) is seen here on an NKU-sponsored archeology research trip to Thailand.

2004 Emily Gladden Faulhabe (psychology) is a patient representative for MedAssist, Inc. in Louisville.

She has been active with the Kentuckiana Pug Rescue Group.

check if this is a new address

Christine Bowles (anthropology) is spending six weeks in Europe in November and then off to grad school for medical anthropology.

Donald A. Miller (anthropology) is working at Gray & Pape in Cincinnati and plans to attend graduate school next fall.

phone: ( )_ __________________________________________________ e-mail:_______________________________________________________________

occupation:__________________________________________________________ employer:_ __________________________________________________________ business address:__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ business phone: ( )_________________________________________ business fax: ( )____________________________________________

interests / hobbies:_________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ please list any schools you are attending or have attended since graduating from nku and your degree:

A lumni Belinda Stivers

on

the

move ’9 8 , ’0 2

Top nurse

Belinda Stivers, RN (nursing) ’98 and ’02, was recently named School Nurse of the Year by the Kentucky School Nurses Association. Stivers is the school nurse for the Eminence Independent Schools near Louisville.

Stivers is the district’s first school nurse, convincing the district to create the position seven years ago. Her work is appreciated.

“She’s the greatest,” says Middle School Principal Steve Frommeyer. “I can’t imagine that if you looked up school nurse in the dictionary, you wouldn’t find a picture of Belinda there.”

Stivers literally dispenses every pill, bandage and ice pack for the school’s students. She also does health education for students and parents.

______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ accomplishments / awards:_________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

spouse’s name:______________________________________________________ occupation:__________________________________________________________ employer:_ __________________________________________________________ business address:__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ business phone: ( )_________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ check if spouse is an nku grad

In Memoriam Mary Beth Huser Wendt (nursing) died Sept. 18 after a long battle with cancer. She worked for 15 years at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Cardiology Assicates and Northern Kentucky Heart PSC in Crestview Hills. She is survived by her mother, four sisters, two brothers, her husband, son and daughter.

if so, grad year:_____________________________________________________ major(s):_____________________________________________________________ children’s names & birth dates:___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

please give us a brief update on yourself or a classmate for class notes in the next issue of northern:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

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Planned Giving

Alumni Association 2005-2006 Council

A Gift, A Legacy,

Chad A. Bilz ’94 President

and A Valuable Advantage

J. David Bender ’76, ’79 President-Elect

Olivia Birkenhauer ’81 Vice President

Diane H. Sticklen ’74 Immediate Past President

Deidra S. Fajack Director of Alumni Programs

Rob Pasquinucci Dir. Alumni Publications

Carol S. Beirne Assistant Director

Gina Hemsath Program Coordinator

TERM EXPIRES 2006 Mark Adams ’87 Susan Cook ’75 John Lucas ’73, ’79 Kevin Maines ’88, ’94 Linda Nesbitt ’87, ’99 Stephen Olding ’87 Jamie Ramsey ’96, ’99 Nancy Kremer ’70, ’85 TERM EXPIRES 2007 J. David Bender ’76, ’79

Giving back can be both satisfying and rewarding, especially

Remal Castleman ’94

w h e n c o m b i n e d w i t h fi n a n c i a l a n d e s t a t e p l a n n i n g .

Billie Clark ’93

This pro-

cess—often referred to as planned giving—has become very popular with our alumni and friends.

Through planned giving,

Michael Dietz ’84 Matt Eilers ’97 Gee Gaither ’93

you can advance NKU’s educational goals, create a personal

Leo McCallen ’91

l e g a c y t o b e n e fi t f u t u r e s t u d e n t s , a n d e n j o y g r e a t e r t a x a n d

Kim Vance ’94, ’05

i n v e s t m e n t b e n e fi t s a l l a t t h e s a m e t i m e .

TERM EXPIRES 2008 David Marshall ’97 Olivia Birkenhauer ’81

If you wish to learn more, please contact

Paula Goff Christy ’92

Nancy Bratton Perry,

Lee A. McGinley ’97

Director of Steely Library Development

NORTHERN Office of Alumni Programs Mark R. Herrmann Center

Barbara Martin ’73, ’82 Jennifer K. Roose ’98

and University Planned Giving,

Bryson P. Lair ’96

at (859) 572-5722

David A. Cain ’96

nonprofit organization u. s. postage

PAID

Nunn Drive

burlington, VT

Highland Heights, KY 41099

permit no. 540