Northern Magazine Spring 2009 by Northern Magazine

Coffee research

Daniel Martin Moore

n o rt h e r n k e n t u c k y u n i v e r s i t y

spring 2009

War Poet

vo lu m e 8 , n o. 1

making it BIG in the

Big Apple s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

N O R T H E R n M aga Z in E i S n O W O n L in E ! Check out web-

only features at northernmagazine.nku.edu. There, you’ll find updates to these articles and additional information exclusive to the web. On the cover: NKU alumni gather in Times Square. Top row: Jamie Buckner, Phillip Guttman, Aaron Lavigne, Eric Bricking, Angel Wuellner, Kelly Strandemo; Middle: Annalyse McCoy; Bottom (left to right): Brian Bailey, Sarah Peak, Sarah Drake, Kaitlin Becker, Tracy Weiler. Photo by Joe Lawton.

features

NKU theatre alumni are living large in the Big Apple

Curtis Heuser’s Inspiring Canvas

NKU alumna offers hydrotherapy for dogs

start spreading the news

one cup at a time

Field research helps NKU students learn the coffee business

ruh retrospective

Daniel Martin Moore

N EW L E A F PA P E R environmental benefits statement Northern Kentucky University saved the following resources by using New Leaf Reincarnation made with 100% recycled fiber, 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free.

trees

water

18,227

fully grown

gallons

energy

solid waste

greenhouse gases

3,987

6,738

million BTUs

pounds

Calculation based on research by Environmental Defense and other members of the Paper Task Force.

n o r t h e r n

www.newleafpaper.com

888.989.5323

from white walls to faux finish

notable norse War poet R.L. Barth

notable norse

northern kentucky university | spring 2009 | volume 8, no. 1

regulars

Rob Pasquinucci

publisher

CONTRIBUTORS

Deidra S. Fajack

Carolyn Blair

editor

Director of Alumni Programs

Dionne Laycock ’90

Gerard A. St. Amand

designer

Joe Ruh Tim Sofranko photographers

Vice President for University Advancement

Joe Lawton John Petric, Jr. Vicki Prichard Brittany Richardson Chris Shibiya ’06 Rich Shivener Dustin Zeller

4 northern athletics 8 alumni journal 28 class notes 30 northern news

CORRESPONDENCE Northern Kentucky University Office of Alumni Programs 421 Johns Hill Road Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099 phone: (859) 572-5486 web: alumni.nku.edu e-mail: alumni@nku.edu NORTHERN is published three times a year by the Office of Alumni Programs at Northern Kentucky University for its graduates, donors and friends. Copyright 2008, Northern Kentucky University.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

N O R THE R N

Numbers game NKU program helps students and businesses succeed the region’s leading marketing

to her. The Marketing Research

research firms. She loves being

Partnership Program works with

able to look at numbers and have

seven companies that provide

those numbers tell a story, which

NKU the opportunity for hands-on

is what she does each day in her

experience before they graduate.

job. But she wasn’t initially drawn to marketing research. Why do we buy one detergent or

many research companies there are here,” Levin said.

another? What are families looking

stumbling into my major,” Bailey

for in a new home? Students and

said. “I started out in pharmacy

60 NKU students have received

faculty in the NKU Marketing

and went through six other

jobs in partner companies.

Research Partnership Program

majors, but something just clicked

Research from NKU students has

are helping local businesses find

when I took a research class.

helped guide companies’ strategic

answers to those questions and,

There was just something that fit.”

directions and has been featured

in the process, are helping NKU

Her professor, Aron Levin,

Bailey isn’t alone. More than

in local publications.

students get a head start on a

associate professor of marketing,

career in market research.

said Bailey was a student who

supplier of choice for entry-level

had an “aha” moment when she

market research professionals,”

Tiffany Bailey (’02) who works

began learning about research and

said Greg Martin, chair of the NKU

at Directions Research, one of

the career opportunities available

Department of Marketing.

One of those students is

“Oh, no. I was a poster child for

“Our students don’t realize how

n o r t h e r n

“We are becoming the boutique

Prof successfully pushes for landmark status for state park NKU faculty members John Rockaway and Jeannine Kreinbrink (’80) were part of a local effort to have Big Bone Lick State Park named a national natural landmark. The park received approval from the Science Committee of the National Park Service Advisory Board and recently learned the park had been named a landmark. The 512-acre park is already on the National Register of Historic Places and still contains fossils. Big Bone Lick has been referred to as the birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in North America. The Academy of Natural Sciences refers to Big Bone Lick as the “first major New World fossil locality known to Europeans.” The Big Bone fossils played a very important role in the development of scientific thought regarding the idea of extinction and the relationship of geology/paleontology. Among the park’s visitors was explorer William Clark, who obtained fossil bones from the park to give to President Thomas Jefferson in 1807.

NKU professors rated tops RateMyProfessors.com, the Internet’s largest destination for professor ratings, announced its annual ranking lists that capture the highest-rated college professors and faculties on the site. NKU has been named one of the Top 10 universities with highest-rated professors. “The 2008 RateMyProfessors.com rankings mirror the voices of students sitting in classes and listening to professors’ lectures. These students have elevated the teachers they feel are the best to the top of these lists,” said Carlo DiMarco, vice president of university relations for mtvU, which owns and operates RateMyProfessors.com. W e b e x t r a : Visit northernmagazine.nku.edu for more.

one 25,000 The number of NKU alumni in Kentucky. Source: NKU alumni records.

The number of U.S. states with at least one NKU alumnus.

The number of NKU alumni who live in North Dakota. W e b e x t r a : Visit northernmagazine.nku.edu for an active map!

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

N O R THE R N YES plays Make plans now to see the following NKU Year End Series (YES) of plays April 16-26:

Shock and Awe by Damon DiMarco of New York is adapted from his 2007 book of interviews

Heart of War: Soldiers’ Voices from the Front. Love and Communication is by James Christy, a Princeton, N.J., playwright and stay-at-home dad to

A stego-what? What happens when you take a Volkswagen Beetle and cross it with a dinosaur? A “Stegowagenvolkssaurus,” of course, and it has taken up residence inside Steely Library. “Stego,” as he’s called, is a sculpture by Cincinnati artist Patricia A. Renick and combines the body of a VW Beetle with the legs and spikes of a stegosaurus. Renick meant the work as a comment on the parallels between the coming obsolescence of fossil-fuel vehicles and the extinction of the dinosaurs. The 12-foot-tall by 20-foot-wide sculpture is on long-term loan to the library courtesy of Laura Chapman, executrix of Renick’s estate. Chapman also oversaw the restoration of the sculpture.

Danny Miller remembered NKU English professor Dr. Danny Miller died November 9 at his home. Often cited as a favorite teacher by his students, Miller was remembered by many alumni, who shared their memories with the magazine. “Dr. Miller was a fabulous person and professor. He was a generous man who loved his work, his students, and made everyone around him better.” – Aime Marsh, ’01 “Dr. Danny Miller was an amazing professor and friend. Although I was not a literature major, he took an interest in me and encouraged me to do well in school and life. He and I have kept in touch over the last 11 years, and he continued to be a positive impact on my life. He always had such a positive attitude and could get people excited about the smallest things. His outlook on life was amazing. He will truly be missed.” – Gina Holt, ’97, NKU communication grad The NKU Foundation has established the Danny Miller Memorial Fund. Please make checks payable to the NKU Foundation noting the Danny Miller Memorial

n o r t h e r n

a son with autism.

Nightjars by Mark Rigney of Evansville, Ind., is about a loose band of college seniors dedicated to “change” who are arrested by the FBI. For information about the YES Festival, call (859) 572-5464.

Communications

grad program rated tops

NKU flips on new transmitter Did you hear? WNKU recently flipped the switch on its new transmitter and now offers better signal coverage and HD radio to its listeners. The transmitter was paid for by listener contributions and a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The NKU goblin? It’s late at night and students are heading home after some late-night studying. They walk near the wooded area near the Honors House and see something. What was that?? Maybe nothing. Maybe another student ... but it doesn’t look like a student. Is NKU haunted by a goblin, or do some students have very active imaginations? NKU student Sam Ranney-

The NKU communication graduate program, in only its third year of existence, received the National Communication Association Outstanding and Innovative Master’s Program Award. The award is the most prestigious acknowledgement that the association awards to master’s-level graduate programs.

Redfern, who created a Facebook group dedicated to the goblin rumors, isn’t saying. “Possibly ... you never know,” Ranney-Redfern said with a shrug and a smile. “The goblin could be the result of a biology experiment gone wrong or something.” Even though Ranney-Redfern admits the goblin is pretty much his invention, posters to the Facebook page claim to have seen it. “It was as scary as sin,” wrote one poster. s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

N O R THE R N

ATHLETICS

New home for soccer

Soccer success The NKU men’s soccer team enjoyed a Cinderella season, advancing to the Division II semifinals before losing to Dowling. The clock had to strike midnight eventually for the Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team, and strike it did in the 98th minute, when Lamine Traore netted his second goal of the match to send Dowling to the national championship game with a 2-1 overtime victory. Nonetheless, the Norse were proud of their accomplishment, going deeper in the NCAA Tournament than any NKU team before them.

NKU men’s and women’s soccer matches will return to campus this fall when a new $6.5 million soccer stadium complex is completed. The teams’ home games have been held at the Town & Country sports complex in Wilder since the Kenton parking garage was completed on campus. “We’re excited about providing an on-campus home for this sport,” said Jane Meier, NKU athletic director. “Now our fans and athletes can truly enjoy a home-game experience on campus.”

Winstel marks 600th win

You can’t spell Winstel without “win.” NKU women’s basketball Coach Nancy Winstel chalked up her 600th win this season. She credits her players for her outstanding career. “Coaches are only as successful as their players. I think you have to be effective and successful in your own way. I am very fortunate to do what I do and to have the players that I have,” Winstel said after becoming just the fifth coach in NCAA Division II history to win 600 career games. Winstel is now 600-225 in 29 years as a head coach. The Norse mentor has won 561 games at NKU, and she collected another 39 victories as the head coach at Midway (Kentucky) College.

Marston,

Opening the Bank With a tip of the ball and the sound of shoes on new hardwood, The Bank of Kentucky Center was open for basketball business November 8 as the Louisville Cardinals came to NKU for an exhibition season opener. See a photo gallery from the game online at northernmagazine.nku.edu. 8

n o r t h e r n

Meyers named to GLVC Hall of Fame

The Great Lakes Valley Conference has selected two NKU alumni for induction into the GLVC Hall of Fame. Michelle Cottrell Marston completed her career at NKU as one of the most accomplished women’s basketball players in GLVC history. The 2002 graduate and four-year starting center led the Norse to an overall record of 113-17 and a GLVC mark of 73-9. She paced NKU to four conference championship titles and to a pair of conference tournament titles. The Norse advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament in all four years, made three Elite Eight appearances and captured the 2000 National Championship, the first national title in school history. Marston is currently a middle school teacher and high school coach in Independence, Ky., where she lives with her husband, Scott. Rick Meyers, ’77, served the GLVC as the sports information director at NKU for 17 years from 1988 to 2006 and in that capacity proved a trailblazer and innovator in the field of sports information. Meyers spearheaded the promotional efforts for the GLVC, co-developed the initial GLVC web presence and developed a computerized statistical reporting system for all sports. In addition, he orchestrated a Player of the Week Award for all GLVC sports and expanded the All-GLVC awards program. Meyers is currently the associate vice president of marketing and communications at NKU. His wife, Paula, is also an NKU graduate. The couple has two daughters, including one currently attending NKU.

Field research helps NKU students

a t p a u c t im e e

learn the coffee business

Story Rob Pasquinucci

When the new Student Union opened, a major feature heralded by NKU students and faculty alike was the Starbucks coffee shop on the main floor. The green logo, rich aroma and the “swoosh” of the steamer snares sleepdeprived students as soon as they walk in the building. Most students don’t think much about the coffee drinks, other than they help wake them up for that early class or get them through night class. Jada Windham, ’08, a recent honors program graduate, felt the same way about coffee before she went on a studyabroad trip to Finca Alta Gracia in the Dominican Republic as part of her world of coffee class.The course covered fairtrade coffee issues and other topics in the classroom and then gave students a chance to experience the industry – literally studying it from the field. “We got to see firsthand the communities – the small homes and some of the poverty,” Windham said. “It was the

first time I had been off by myself, so it took some getting used to.” Visiting the farm and seeing the coffee process inspired Windham to make coffee production her honors senior project. The overseas work helped Windham grow as a cultural anthropologist, and she said she felt culture shock after she arrived in the Dominican Republic and “reverse culture shock” when she returned to the United States. “American culture seemed strange after being there,” Windham said. She went on to make a similar trip to Guatemala in 2007. What follows are photos and descriptions of the coffeemaking process that Windham shared with Northern magazine. Read on to sound smart the next time you order up a venti house blend.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

Arabica and Robusto

Arabica beans grow best at altitude, around or above 4,000 feet higher than sea level, and it is generally regarded as producing the best coffee beans. Robusta is grown from sea level up to about 3,000 feet. Robusta is generally used in blends and for what has come to be called “instant coffee.”

Sun vs. Shade grown coffee

Shade-grown coffee is grown at lower elevations and relies on migratory birds to control the pests that could harm the coffee. Sun-grown coffee relies on chemical processes to control pests, like the coffee worm shown here.

Depulping

After coffee “cherries” are picked, they must be depulped within a day or else they begin to ferment, producing overly fruity, rotten flavor. After depulping, the beans are fermented, processed (either wet or dry), bagged and roasted.

Fair Trade

To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria: paying a minimum price per pound of $1.26, providing much-needed credit to farmers, and providing technical assistance such as help transitioning to organic farming.

Coffee facts • Coffee is the second-most valuable traded commodity after oil. • Coffee farmers earn as little as $0.04 per pound for coffee they pick by hand. • Coffee is the sole source of income for 25million families around the world. • More than 20,000 bags of coffee are consumed in the U.S.

n o r t h e r n

Roasting

Windham and the other NKU students got a chance to see the fruits of their labor. Beans were roasted at the farm, as seen in this photo. There are a variety of roasts that can be done, from the lighter, medium roast to dark, mahogany-brown French roast. Once the beans are roasted, they can be purchased whole bean or ground.

Dry and wet processing

In the wet process, the fruit covering the seeds/beans is removed before they are dried. Coffee processed by the wet method is called wet-processed or washed coffee. The wet method requires the use of specific equipment and substantial quantities of water and is harder work, according to Windham. In dry processing (as seen in this photo, provided by Windham) the coffee is placed in the sun to dry and process.

Beyond the beans

Windham’s trip helped her learn about the challenges faced by coffee growers. She became involved with Coffee Kids, an organization that helps promote healthcare, education and other programs to help coffee farming communities. Windham said she is interested in working for the organization professionally, but first she is considering a stint in the Navy.

Jada Windham, ’08

on l i n e e x t r a :

Grab a cup of java and visit northernmagazine.nku.edu to see a photo gallery of Windham’s travels.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

Big Apple

Story Rob Pasquinucci

Each NKU theatre major graduates with a dream, and that dream has a location – New York City. Several recent graduates have made the trip east with nothing but their savings, their talent, their hopes and their ambition (and perhaps an iPod playing Sinatra’s famous hit about the city). Not too long ago, many might have doubted the chances of a graduate of Northern to be successful in New York City, where literally thousands go each year to try to break into a very exclusive industry. But Lois and Richard Rosenthal Chair in Theatre Ken Jones and the faculty of the department have succeeded in giving talented students the foundation – and the confidence – to try to make it big in the Big Apple. “Ken Jones has done a phenomenal job with this program,” said John West, a 2006 graduate currently living in New York. “All the faculty at NKU have helped us succeed.” 12

n o r t h e r n

West is one of the nearly dozen NKU alumni who have established theatre careers in New York. The alumni support makes it easier for future graduates to come to the city and be successful. “They have helped me, and they are there to help you. They tell you everything you need to know and will light a fire under your butt to do well here,” said Brian Bailey, another 2006 graduate. Bailey and West visited NKU to offer advice and encouragement to theatre undergraduates in November while Bailey was in town as an understudy for several performances of The Wizard of Oz. Jones recently made headlines for writing a new play on the life of Abraham Lincoln that was approved by both the Indiana and the United States Lincoln bicentennial commissions. Improv Every NKU theatre alum who hits the ground in New York is looking for an audition. One way to prepare the budding performers to do well at an audition is through Ken Jones’ improv class. The class doesn’t have lectures or tests – students are graded on participation. “If they don’t show up, they are thrown out of class,” Jones said. The class, which also performs in the community, teaches students how to think on their feet and work together to perform improvised sketch routines. After sloughing off backpacks and coats, the students lined up in front of Jones, who had them warm up by clapping and stomping their feet rhythmically, pounding their sneakers against a wooden floor in the small studio. Jones then asked them to make funny faces, act like a crew of crabs, and turn and give their best McCauley Culkin face from Home Alone. “Heart and lungs!” Jones yells without warning. Within seconds the group of students formed a pantomime of cardio-respiration. “Thump-thump, swoosh-swoosh,” they said in unison as they “breathed.” Again, without warning Jones had them become a beach scene, a washing machine, a dinosaur and whales. The results are often funny, but it’s clear the students are good at working with each other. “Improv helps them become better actors,” Jones said.

Lois and Richard Roesenthal Chair in Theatre Ken Jones hams it up with his improv class. Photos by Joe Ruh.

His students agree. “It’s the best acting class I ever had,” one said. Another admitted the first day of class “was the scariest day in my life” as she wondered how she would fit in with this group. The improv class is more than an academic exercise. The team performs at schools and at events around the region. Almost a dentist For many NKU theatre alumni, Ken Jones was and is their mentor. What they may not know is that he didn’t always want to be a playwright and drama teacher. He started college at the University of Florida in predentistry, but fate intervened in the form of an explosion in the chemistry lab, and Jones was “invited” to study something else. “Sadly, they removed me from the program,” Jones said with a wry smile. Jones found his calling in drama, however. He went on to graduate – a B.F.A. in acting and directing – and has done just about everything in the field from television to stand-up to playing Willie Wonka. Jones went on to earn an MFA in playwriting from the University of of Virginia, MFA Playwriting, and holds degree in playwriting from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. He considers himself primarily a writer and has written several plays, TV pilots and films. For the past 21 years at NKU he’s seen nearly 200 students graduate from his improv program, many of them going on to have successful careers in show business. “I’d like to think we’ve had a role in their success,” Jones said, but quickly noted that his students come to the university with exceptional talent. “There is a spark or something you can see in someone. We know it when they come in.”

Jones’ accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by the community. In 2007 he was named the Lois and Richard Rosenthal chair of the department after a gift from the Rosenthal Foundation (see sidebar). But his accomplishments came on the shoulders of his predecessors at NKU. “The ball was rolling; I just got to kick it farther,” Jones said. He said even greater things will come from NKU theatre in the years to come. “We’re only in our teenage years as far as academic departments go.” On the following pages, read more about some NKU alumni in theatre in New York City. Brian Bailey Graduated 2006 Recent work: Understudy in The Wizard of Oz After graduation Bailey went straight to the Papermill Theatre and was later nominated for best supporting actor in a musical by the New Hampshire Theatre Awards. He has worked for Disney Cruise Lines on board the Disney Magic playing Quasimodo in Golden Mickey’s, GusGus in Disney’s newest musical Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story, Aladdin in Disney Dreams, and Jeremy in Welcome Aboard and Farewell. He is also the face character Mad Hatter around the ship. Most recently, Bailey was an extra in the Broadway production of The Wizard of Oz. Kaitlin Becker Graduated 2007 Recent work: A Kid’s Life Becker moved to Astoria, Queens, September 1, 2007, and two weeks later began rehearsals for Hair with Skyline Theatre Company. Fellow NKU grad Aaron LaVigne

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

was also cast in the production, “so that was tons of fun,” Becker said. “After Hair I began work as an usher at the Hilton Theatre for Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. Around Thanksgiving I started rehearsals for the new off-Broadway children’s musical A Kid’s Life at the York theatre. We performed there throughout the holidays then toured through February.” Becker continued her work at the Hilton after that until she left for her next show in May. She went to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where she played Donna in The Taffetas. Currently she is still looking for the next audition. A Kid’s Life will start again in the spring at New World Stages, and they have asked Becker to come back. The end of the summer she will be going to Clarksville, Tenn., to perform in RENT at the Roxy Regional Theatre. Jamie Buckner Graduated 2002 Recent work: Assistant production coordinator for an untitled Nancy Meyers project Jamie Buckner, who helped organize an NKU alumni group in New York City, said the university is getting a good reputation among the theatre community there.

Aaron LaVigne Graduated 2005 Recent work: RENT Aaron LaVigne is an actor/singer/ songwriter. Coming off a Broadway national tour of RENT, he’s currently doing projects in and out of NYC. Sales of his music CD are available online through CDbaby.com or iTunes. He most recently won a national music competition and won a Universal Music Group A&R submission of his iTunes music and a cash prize. John West Graduated 2006 Recent work: The Man from La Mancha John West (who shares an apartment with fellow alum Brian Bailey) loves New York and encourages future NKU students to move to the Big Apple to pursue their dreams. “New York auditions are not as scary as you think. Everything is in your control,” West said. “You show up early, looking crisp with a smile. They want you to succeed. The alumni presence in New York has been helpful to West. “Having the enormous amount of NKU alumni from classes that came before us has been invaluable. There was a great sense of comfort that came in knowing I was moving up there with so many people I went to

work to realize she’s got a sense of humor, which she gives credit to Ken Jones for honing. 2007’s Now That You’ve Seen Me Naked was a sketch comedy about love and the battle of the sexes. Weiler appeared on New York City billboards wearing nothing but a sign advertising the show. “Many of the characters I audition for are comedic roles,” Weiler said. “Ken told me to never stop being funny, and I’m trying!” She hopes to take her work to the small screen and narrowly missed a part in the ABC comedy Ugly Betty when the character she was playing was cut from the script at the last minute. She hopes to get another shot at a part on the show, and she’s trying to get a role on a TV pilot or various feature films. Weiler is getting ready for a benefit concert she’s singing in this winter. If her “girl next door” appearance looks familiar, she’s modeled for Women’s Health and Cosmopolitan magazines. When not auditioning, performing or modeling, Weiler likes to take it easy. Her favorite place in the city? Her couch, she said with a laugh. “If I’m not on my couch relaxing, I like to go to movies. I’m auditioning more for TV and film these days and consider watching movies a form of studying my craft,” Weiler

A lot of the NKU grads in the city are great friends from college. Having them here is really beneficial. Buckner’s work is primarily behind the camera, working on production crews, writing and producing. Recent films he’s worked on include Revolutionary Road,The Departed, War of the Worlds, The Honeymooners and Elizabethtown. Buckner, who is originally from Louisville, is working to try to bring film work back to his home state. He’s working with Kentucky officials in Frankfort to try and find ways to give studios incentives to film in the commonwealth. Buckner and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Sorrell (who is a 2004 NKU grad and also works in the film industry), live in Brooklyn. One of his favorite spots in the city is a local tavern called the Barcade. “It has video games and an excellent beer selection,” Buckner said. 14

n o r t h e r n

school with,” West said. “Seeing them all succeed gave me the inspiration that I needed to make it happen, and it’s nice to know that a cup of coffee with any number of NKU alums is always a Facebook message away ... so I’ve never had the feeling of being all alone in New York.” When in town (he’s currently on tour) West enjoys the diner by his subway shop and Central Park. Tracy Weiler Graduated 2005 Recent work: Preparing for a benefit concert Weiler’s first audition was for Romeo and Juliet. “I played Juliet my senior year, so you could say I was comfortable with the material. All it takes is a glance at Weiler’s recent

said. “And I like to watch movies, and, oh, and I can write them off!” Weiler said having fellow NKU graduates in the city provides a great support network. “A lot of the NKU grads in the city are great friends from college. Having them here is really beneficial, especially when I first moved. The few that were in town before me helped me settle in,” Weiler said. Other theatre alumni in New York Phillip Guttmann, ’02, has been in New York City the longest among NKU graduates and went on to earn an M.F.A. in dramatic writing at The New School in 2005. He has written plays that have been performed at Wesbeth Theatre, Chashama Theatre, West Bank Theatre and in festival at the Cherry Lane Theatre, and he has written for All My

2 1. John West. The 2006 NKU alumnus says fellow NKU grads helped him pursue his dreams of success in New York City. He recently returned to the university to talk to current theatre majors about how to make it in New York. Provided photo

2. Annalyse McCoy. Also a 2006 grad, McCoy has worked in several regional theatres and is a singer songwriter in a New York folk-bluesrock band that can be heard around New York. Photo by Joe Lawton

3. Tracy Weiler. The 2005 NKU grad loves New York and is a rising star, narrowly missing a part of the ABC comedy Ugly Betty. In addition to acting, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modeled for several national magazines. When not on set or auditioning, she can be found at her favorite diner or on her couch watching movies. Photo by Joe Lawton

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

4 4. Brian Bailey. 2006 graduate Brian Bailey in the national tour of The Wizard of Oz. Bailey, who shares an apartment with fellow alum John West, also came back to NKU to help students learn the secrets to success in New York. Photo by Joan Marcus.

5. Aaron Lavigne. Entertains the crowd at a club in New York. The 2005 graduate is an actor, singer, songwriter who is coming off a Broadway national tour of RENT. Photo by Joe Lawton

7 6. Phillip Guttman talks shop with Tracy Weiler. Guttman is a 2002 graduate. Photo by Joe Lawton 7.Sarah Drake â&#x20AC;&#x2122;05 teaches acting at NEED in NEED. Photo by Joe Lawton

W e b e x t r a : Visit Northernmagazine.nku.edu to see a slideshow of NKU alumni in New York.

n o r t h e r n

Children on ABC. “Currently, I freelance for The Play Company in fundraising and special projects, teach fifth graders drama, and am working on writing a full-length play and screenplay.” Guttmann is going beyond the stage and screen with a new venture he cofounded in 2007 with a confection company, which makes and sells toffee-chocolate-matzah. “We sell at eight stores nationwide and will be featured on Martha Stewart in April,” Guttmann reported. Eric Bricking, ’97, and his business partner have started a company that books theatrical productions. He had been an actor (B.F.A. in musical theatre), then moved into company management. “We started our booking agency, Hyperion Productions, and

donor

prof i l e

we now represent eight shows. Our largest show currently is Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s A Christmas Carol. “We are in talks with several other ‘acts,’ some of whom are pretty big names. I don’t want to jinx it, so until they sign with us, I won’t mention them,” Bricking said. “We are getting into promoting, and we will eventually produce our own shows, but for now we are a booking agency.” Annalyse McCoy, ’06, has worked at several regional theatres, obtained her Equity card in 2007, and currently resides in Astoria, N.Y., a 20-minute train ride from the heart of Times Square. In the midst of constant auditioning, McCoy is also a singersongwriter and founding member of the band 2/3 Goat, whose folk-blues-rock vibe can be

heard around the New York area. The alumni profiled here are just the some of the NKU alumni in New York City. Others include: Jennifer Bavaro, ’98, who works for the National Football League; Jackie Golsch, ’03; Devin Nix, ’03; Sarah Peak, ’06, who recently starred in the Broadway production of The Wedding Singer; Kelly Strandemo, ’03, who will be seen this upcoming March and April in Belles, an off-Broadway show playing at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row in New York City; Brannan Whitehead, ’00; and Angel Wuellner, who graduated from NKU in 2000, went on to receive a master’s in performing arts administration from New York University in 2005, and is currently working as the auditions department associate for the Actors’ Equity Association.

leadership that would establish the vision.” In 2007, the Rosenthals endowed Jones as the chair of NKU’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Lois Rosenthal said she and Jones found that they shared a vision of NKU students fully engaging in the arts. “That’s why we endowed his chair, so that he has the funds to support the projects he believes in,” said Rosenthal.

interning at Uptown Arts, receiving both college credit and a stipend.

The Creative Playing Field

Story Vicky Prichard The partnership of Lois and Richard Rosenthal with Ken Jones began some years ago when NKU’s Gail Wells, who at that time was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was introduced to Lois Rosenthal. “Gail wanted very much for her students to be involved in Uptown Arts,” said Lois Rosenthal. “She very much believed that NKU students would benefit from working with the community.” Wells, who is now provost, said it was obvious that Uptown Arts was a “perfect fit” for NKU theatre and music students. It was Ken Jones, she said, who “would provide the

The idea for Uptown Arts, said Rosenthal, was to level the playing field. “I wanted to see what would happen if we employed the best teachers in the city and exposed them to students who might not otherwise study with people of that caliber,” said Rosenthal. Uptown Arts students have gone on to the School for Creative and Performing Arts and have been in scholarship programs at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, the Taft Museum of Art, the Contemporary Arts Center and the Art Academy. The students range in age from 5 years old to 10 years old and participate in music, art, acting and dance classes, all of which are free. Students qualify for the program if they receive a free lunch at school and live within a five-mile radius of Uptown Arts, which is on East Liberty Street in Cincinnati. Each spring Jones selects NKU theatre students to intern as teaching assistants with Uptown Arts. Ten NKU students are currently

A Profound Impact While the Rosenthals are pleased with the professionalism that Ken Jones has brought to Uptown Arts, he has also had a profound impact on NKU’s students, preparing them not only as performers but also as young adults preparing to enter the real world. “The opportunities he provides for his students are life changing, whether it is the connection he provides with Uptown Arts, performing overseas, or outreach at local elementary and high schools,” said Rachel Perin, an NKU senior majoring in musical theatre and an Uptown Arts scholar. “NKU has been an incredible experience for me these past few years, and I owe a great deal of that to Ken Jones,” said Perin. Indeed, Jones has created a unique opportunity at Uptown Arts for its young, elementary-age students as well as his NKU theatre and music students. Rosenthal said she sees the student interns growing from their experiences at Uptown Arts. Wells said Jones is a good example of the importance of leadership. “He does a terrific job and he loves it,” said Wells. “Leadership is key.” She said the experience is a beautiful juxtaposition of philosophy dedicated to the arts and transcending economic boundaries. “I’m amazed at the difference it has made in our students’ lives,” said Wells.

Vicky Prichard is the NKU director of development communications. s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

from

to faux finish Curtis Heuser’s Inspiring Canvas

story Brittany Richardson

It didn’t look like much, at first. Aluminum siding covered the windows. Crumbling plaster. Nicotine-stained drapes. Smelly, moldy carpeting. Outdated wood paneling. A small lake in the basement. Each room piled high with discarded mattresses and other junk. Most people would walk right past the 1895 home in Newport, Ky. But Curtis Heuser, ’85, saw something special in the corner house on an overgrown lot. The home had “wonderful architectural potential” Heuser wrote in his book.“I was attracted by the sensuous curve of the brick wall flanking one side of the house and the graceful front entrance and side porches.” So, $97,800 later, the home was his and the work began. A yard sale helped clear out the unwanted contents that came with the property. Paneling, dropped ceilings and walls came down to return the house to its original floor plan. The cleaning revealed wonderful architectural details and a fireplace in the bedroom that was overlooked when Heuser first walked through the house. When the demolition was finished and the contractors and subcontractors had completed the floor plan, Heuser saw more than unpainted walls; he saw his canvas. A decorative artist, Heuser envisioned the restored home as an opportunity to showcase his talents with faux finishes and murals.The project also led to a book when Clare Finney, art director for North Light Books, came 18

n o r t h e r n

Upper left: Heuser’s book looks at home in his guest bedroom. Upper right: Curtis Heuser in the dining room of his 1895 home in Newport. He spent nearly $100,000 restoring the home and making it a showcase for his faux finish work. Lower left: Heuser often finds a small detail to help set the color palette for a room. A small, colorful tassel inspired the living room, pictured here. Lower right: Adding a window to a room with paint, Heuser added this piece to his bedroom. Photos by Joe Ruh

to his yard sale and asked Heuser about his plans. The book is called “Your Home – A Living Canvas,” which is also a fitting description of his finished home. Warm finishes that preserve the historic charm of the house fill every room. A Chinese garden landscape greets visitors to a guest bedroom, while painted drapery and a faux stone finish decorates the ceiling and walls in Heuser’s third-floor bedroom. Each room is different, yet they work together to form a warm, welcoming home. Heuser opens his home for tours on many occasions, giving neighbors a chance to see his stunning work. The artist has been featured in Cincinnati Magazine, House Trends, Design Magazine, The Kentucky Post and The Cincinnati Enquirer. Several of his commissions have been shown on the TV show Around the House and on HGTV’s Before & After show. The home has been transformed, with intricate attention to detail, into a showcase of his work. Before, during and after pictures can be seen in the book, which has sold more than 5,000 copies. Heuser will do custom murals in any home. He conducts intensive interviews at the first meeting to get to know the family. “I like to add personalization to the murals,” Heuser said. For example, a couple requested a tree with animals in the mural for a nursery. Through the interview Curtis found out the couple had gotten engaged in a pumpkin patch, so Heuser incorporated pumpkins at the base of the tree mural. If you are interested in commissioning Curtis Heuser, check out his work and contact him at www. livingmurals.com to see some of the work he has done and the response of his clients. Brittany Richardson was a summer intern for Northern magazine in 2008. She graduated from NKU in December 2008. s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

nota b l e

NOR S E Shauna Grainger

Pooches

and puddles

Eli’s world was turned upside down NKU alumna offers when he woke up hydrotherapy for dogs paralyzed in his back legs. Unable to run or play, Eli, a black Lab, struggled to find motivation.

But, as the saying goes, every dog has his or her day, and thanks to Shauna Grainger, founder of Hot Diggity Dog Canine Water Fitness, Eli is gaining strength and recently took his first steps since his surgery in February 2008. As the name implies, Hot Diggity Dog Water Fitness is a facility to help rehabilitate dogs that have been injured or paralyzed. Dogs are placed on an underwater treadmill and are able to walk because the water lowers the weight on the injured limbs yet increases resistance, forcing the animal to use every muscle. Grainger graduated from NKU with her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 2002. She worked in pharmaceutical sales before making the decision to become an entrepreneur. After months of driving to Dayton, Ohio, so that her dog, Arthur, could receive hydrotherapy, she realized the need for a similar facility in the Greater Cincinnati area. The underwater treadmill is a great treatment for obesity, muscle atrophy, dysplasia, show dogs, behavioral issues, arthritis, paralysis, pre/post surgical conditioning and more, but Grainger said she sees ACL tears most often. Since there is currently no certification available to operate the hydrotherapy machinery, Grainger spent two weeks in Dayton training in addition to the sessions she spent there with her dog. Grainger is not afraid to get her hands dirty, and her love for dogs is obvious when one sees her at work. The sessions cost $45 and run for 30 minutes. Grainger said, “When dogs get older owners think they need to rest and sleep more but it’s not the case.” There are no age or size requirements for this underwater treadmill that is filled slowly from the bottom up so that the dogs can adjust to the 90-degree temperature, lukewarm to the touch and healing both emotionally and physically. For Eli, the tank was filled with approximately 16 inches of water, which came to his collar. “Wherever you have the water line is where the most resistance is,” said Grainger. Eli was happy to be on the treadmill, especially because his owner enticed him with treats at the end of the tank. His legs, which were unable to move on the ground, worked in the water. Other clients, including a Chihuahua, come in for their appointments and cooperate (with the help of treats) for Grainger. Owners smile as injured pets begin to mend, proving again the adage that every dog does, indeed, have his (or her) day. Brittany Richardson was a summer intern for Northern magazine in 2008. She graduated from NKU in December 2008.

Story Brittany Richardson

When dogs get older owners think they need to rest and sleep more but it’s not the case.

n o r t h e r n

Shauna Grainger, a 2002 graduate, works with a dog while the dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner keeps him walking with treats. Graingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hydrotherapy pool helps older dogs or dogs with injuries rehabilitate. Photos by Joe Ruh

W e b e x t r a : To see a video of Hot Diggity Dog Canine

Water Fitness, visit northernmagazine.nku.edu.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

A warm spring day or finals week were good times for Joe to capture the essence of NKU students.

NKU campus photographer Joe Ruh retired in January. Ruh was the NKU photographer for 30 years – most of the university’s life – and took a variety of shots of students on campus as seen below.

It was a

really

great job.

I had a

blast.

Joe Ruh The creative use of lighting help capture this musician’s work.

n o r t h e r n

The best way to capture a growing campus was often from the air. Here, Joe takes wing in a single-engine plane to shoot aerial images of NKU.

Retrospective

J o e Ruh

Joe proudly displays awards from the Kentucky Press Photographer’s Association.

President Ford, President Bush and many other famous visitors were captured by Joe’s camera.

He’s taken every historical photo on this campus. His pictures tell the story of this campus better than anything.

Rick Meyers, ’77

Joe’s work also includes award-winning images of Northern Kentucky scenery. A collection of his off-campus feature photography on exhibit in NKU’s Steely Library Eva G. Farris Reading Room through April.

Award-winning shot of Coach Ken Shields.

Campus scenes changed over the years, and Joe captured them in the evening, during the day and through the seasons.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

NKU alumnus releases first CD Stray Age Story Rich Shivener

Austerity. Understatement. Obscurity. Honesty. Daniel Martin Moore embodies all of them. In such a short time as a serious singer-songwriter, he has done what hardworking bands around the area strive to do: opened for an insanely popular act (The Swell Season), worked with a renowned producer (Joe Chiccarelli), signed with a preferred label (Sub Pop) and played the coveted artist-in-residence series at the Southgate House. None of this has penetrated his humility. Do you know him? Not many people do. 24

n o r t h e r n

Travelin’ man Moore is a drifter, a free spirit who floats comfortably in life’s lazy river. He prefers MySpace to a cell phone, goes to bed early, loves photography, works part time at A.J. Jolly Golf Course in Campbell County and reads a lot of books. Though he was a choirboy growing up, he picked up guitar just six years ago, taking cues from his rootsy influences. “When I heard his songs on MySpace, I was like, ‘Whoa,’” recalls old friend Joel Runyan, a local multi-instrumentalist who’s phenomenal with the mandolin and piano according to Moore. He plays local shows with Moore. “He’s filling a gap between generic pop music and indie underground,” Runyan says. Moore is still an unknown to many in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky music scene, far from a local hero like garage-rock band The Greenhornes or fellow Cold Springers The Kentucky Struts, an alt-country band. He was working at a tiny bed and breakfast in Costa Rica when Sub Pop came calling. (Before that it was Cameroon with the Peace Corps, and Minnesota.) “It was a slow season for tourism, so it was a lot of being in a tropical place, riding bikes, reading a lot, going to the beach; a lot of time in hammocks, in the boat, the ocean,” he recounts over sushi at Teak in Mount Adams. “You wait two days, and you have more yard work than you can imagine.” Earl Moore, who lives in Minneapolis, remembers a long-distance call from his younger brother. “I got a voicemail that said, ‘Hey, I have the most amazing news’ – news about his record deal. It wasn’t a surprise, but it also was a surprise,” says Earl, a piano teacher. Daniel stayed with his brother over the winter of 2006. With a Mac, recording software and a microphone, he scratched four songs, ones that would later impress the Sub Pop staff. A ‘COLD’ PACKAGE In May 2007, around the time of his 25th birthday, Moore signed with Sub Pop, a label

long known for cultivating indie talent – from Nirvana and The Afghan Whigs to Iron & Wine and The Postal Service. His debut album was released in October of 2008. Nervous? “I haven’t even thought of it that way,” Moore says. “Sub Pop is really welcoming. I mean, they didn’t have a big party with all the bands to toast me. I felt really comfortable. If other people have expectations, that’s nothing I can control. “I’m excited to be attached by proxy to those bands,” he adds. “I feel honored.” In January 2007, Moore’s four-song demo arrived at Sub Pop’s Seattle office unsolicited, or “cold,” usually a red flag in the recording industry. Staffers, including artists and repertoire rep manager Stuart Meyer, raved about it after someone finally played it in the office four months later. “It was really simple stuff. I thought his voice was amazing ... he was kind of a diamond in the rough,” Meyer says. “I had just moved from a small house to a slightly bigger house. I remember driving around and I was kind of stressed out, and I could just kind of lose myself in the car. The demos were what I needed at the time.” The two e-mailed for weeks as Moore finished up his stint in Costa Rica. “He would send me stuff he recorded on his Mac – a George Jones cover, a Willie Nelson cover, some other originals ... he just had the ability to pump out this stuff,” Meyer says. He knew Moore wasn’t a road warrior kind of musician yet – rather, someone who had a blast playing for 10 people at a coffeehouse. “I don’t think we thought it was a huge detriment. I remembered when we signed Iron & Wine, Sam Beam had played a minimal amount of shows,” Meyer says. SONIC SYNTAX Stray Age clocks in at 39 minutes. Moore delivers earthy narratives with his soft voice and acoustic guitar – touches of upright bass, piano,

brass, mandolin, violin, vibraphone and jazzy drums underpin some tracks. It’s a folk record. “There’s a kind of purity and austerity to it. It’s very honest, very straightforward,” says producer Joe Chiccarelli, whose recent credits include The Shins’ Wincing the Night Away and The White Stripes’ Grammy Award-winning Icky Thump. Moore flew out to Los Angeles three times to record with him. Chiccarelli was blown away by the demos, which he thought were old standards. “He had a huge influence on Stray Age, a comfortable one,” says Moore, who had never worked with an actual producer. “My tendency is to write a song that’s about a minute and a half long. He would say things like, ‘If you were to repeat that chorus again, how would it sound?’ He helped me develop as an arranger.” “I think (recording) was a little scary for him,” Chiccarelli says. “I think he was concerned about being turned into something he wasn’t. I was very aware of that, and I didn’t want to come in and radically change his stuff.” LIVE AND LOCAL Moore has been rehearsing Stray Age and more in Northern Kentucky. Runyan joins him regularly, and he just hired Dan Dorff, another outstanding multi-instrumentalist, who has a knack for percussion. Moore and Sub Pop are working to organize a tour, and he may hire a band for it. “I don’t know how much room I’ll have or if I’ll be financially able to bring them,” he says. “It wouldn’t make sense to bring a full band if we’re making $50 a night. One of us would have to go hungry, and that person would probably be jealous.” Would he go hungry for his band mates? “If I told the truth I would sound terrible,” he says, laughing. “It would be silly to ask people to take a month out of their lives and jobs to go lose money. Even though it would be rewarding musically, you couldn’t ask somebody to make that sacrifice.”

Know Moore S EE M O O RE on l i n e :

Do you know Daniel Martin Moore? Here are a few quick points about him. • He graduated from NKU in 2004 with a photography degree. • Before he picked up the guitar, he was in choirs, including a hand bell choir. • He opened for The Swell Season at the Chicago Theatre in June. • His debut on Sub Pop, Stray Age , is out. It is worth noting that a studio contributor was violinist Petra Haden, who has worked with The Decemberists and several other indie favorites. Shivener is a former reporter for Cin Weekly, where this article originally appeared and is used by permission of the publication. Shivener graduated from NKU in 2006 with an English degree and currently is working on his master’s in English at NKU.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

Story Vicki Prichard

War poet R.L. Barth

In 1968, just two years after graduating from Covington Catholic High School, Erlanger native R.L. Barth was a Marine patrol leader in the First Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam. Today, the 1973 Northern Kentucky State College graduate is lauded as the author of some of the best war poetry in the English language. In 1969, after returning home from the war, Barth enrolled as an English major at NKSC (now NKU). Among the university’s first graduating class, Barth stood out as an exceptional student. “Bob Barth was one of the first NKU students I encountered during my first year of teaching who had such an intense desire to read and study that I virtually redesigned my course in science fiction and utopian literature to accommodate him,” says literature professor Dr. Tom Zaniello. “Like many moments in the early days of NKU, we were making it up as we went along anyway, but getting to know Bob and later reading his poetry made my transition into an NKU professor possible,” Zaniello says. It was through Barth’s Vietnam poetry that Zaniello says he learned about his experiences in the war. While Barth didn’t contribute his poetry to Zaniello’s class, he visited other classes after graduating where he gave readings and talked about the craft and writing. “He is probably the finest poet ever to have graduated from this university and is certainly one of the finest war poets this nation has produced,” says NKU literature professor Dr. Robert Wallace, who remembers Barth from when he would join his wife, Susan, in a summer literature course she took under Wallace. “I was delighted to find him turning in papers with the rest of the class,” Wallace recalled recently, as he introduced Barth to an audience in the Eva G. Farris Reading Room of the Steely Library where Barth read selections from his newly released book of poetry, Deeply Dug In, released by the University of New Mexico Press. Wallace says Barth was one of the first students to show him how incredibly accomplished Northern students could be, referring to a particular essay he wrote in response to Herman Melville’s, The Encantadas, a series of sketches that Melville wrote about the Galapagos Islands. “It was a brilliant essay about transformation, or the lack of it, in those sequential stories, about Melville’s quest to find meaning in a bleak, depopulated and sometimes dispiriting setting,” says Wallace. Barth knows all too well about the search for meaning and dispiriting settings. His poetic, soldier’s perspectives on the war in Vietnam is, as he says, a way of “meditating on all of it. “I try to make sense out of it in a moral and ethical sense,” Barth says. When he returned home from Vietnam in 1969, the war was very much on Barth’s mind. “When I came home I piddled around and then seriously thought about it, partly because it’s a serious subject that I wanted to explore,” Barth says. “It occurred to me that the battlefield is a microcosm of naturalism in the world.” When Barth graduated in 1973, he was the recipient of the university’s first Byron Award, named in honor of the university’s first English chairperson,William Monroe Byron, which recognizes an outstanding English major. Both Barth and Zaniello were followers of the approach to literature pioneered by Yvor Winters of Stanford University, where Zaniello had attended graduate school.

After graduation from Northern, Barth also attended Stanford to work on his master’s as a Stegner Fellow, a two-year program where working artists practice their craft. Barth later went on to edit The Selected Letters of Yvor Winters. His war poems, says Zaniello, have “made a noteworthy contribution to the long and distinguished tradition of war poetry.” “The poetry he began to write about his experiences as a Marine platoon leader in Vietnam conveys his own experience in a way that embodies the essentials of war for humankind,” Wallace says. Barth’s recollections of the war aren’t drawn from well-documented notes in detailed war journals or collections of letters to home. He says he never kept a journal and wrote very few letters. Instead, from a daunting memory, he has authored a body of poems both poignant and pithy in style, which have earned him critical acclaim. His “Elegy for a Dead Friend” was described by the Christian Science Monitor as “one of the best war poems in English.” Indeed, 35 years later, Barth’s perspective on war is still applicable to 21st century conflicts. His thoughts on the current war in Iraq, he says, find him in an “awkward position,” as his original thoughts that the U.S. shouldn’t be involved in this war are muddled by the question of what to do now. “I find myself in the awkward position of saying, ‘But can we pull out?’” Barth says. “This is a particularly important part of the world and I find myself saying, ‘We just can’t leave.’” R.L. Barth and his wife, Susan, live in Edgewood, Ky. Vicky Prichard is director of development communications at NKU.

Headline: Barth’s War Poems Subhead: Elegy for a Dead Friend Mock night of black clouds seemingly withdrew Into deep space; then our break ended too. Was it the quickened beauty of that day That made you careless as you forced your way Beyond the hut’s packed earth, through the hedgerows?

Subhead: 19. Epitaph Tell them quite simply that we died Thirsty, betrayed, and terrified.

n o r t h e r n

Was it that letter? Simply chance? Who knows? You tripped a mine. Explosion and then scream— Blasts and echo—I heard them in a dream Of foliage. Dirt fell. Smoke caught my eye As it drifted across the china sky.

Subhead: 3. War Debt Survive or die, war holds one truth: Marine, you will not have a youth.

nota b l e

NOR S E Paul Cluxton

Nothing but net Alum and NCAA record holder shares shooting secrets Story By Rob Pasquinucci Perfect. 100 percent. Count it. Paul Cluxton, ’97, was as good as you can get from the free-throw line, making 94 of 94 free throws during his senior year at NKU and setting an NCAA record. “It’s just unheard of,” said Ken Shields, who was the men’s basketball coach during Cluxton’s time here. “During his career he hit 93.4 percent of his free throws, and that’s also an NCAA record.” Shields, who is godfather to Cluxton and his wife’s (Katie Kelsey ‘99, also a former NKU basketball player) fourth child, adds that Cluxton could nail three-pointers, hitting more than 49 percent outside the arc. “But he’s more than a great shooter; he’s genuinely one of the most pleasant people to coach and to be around,” Shields said. Now Cluxton’s sharing his secrets with local youth basketball players on a 20-minute DVD. “It’s a community-service thing, really,” said Cluxton, who is a sales manager at McCluskey Chevrolet. He’s offered to go talk to local teams to offer his expertise. The Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame committee asked Cluxton to make the DVD. On the DVD, Cluxton recommends taking one dribble, aiming for the front of the rim and shooting. He also suggests doing the same routine every time from the foul line before the shot. The video is available locally in the Cincinnati area for $10, and there are plans to launch it nationally. For more information, e-mail Don Hughes, Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame board member, at dhughes12@cinci.rr.com.

Paul Cluxton

Made a total of

98 free

throws in a row , 98 consecutively over two years.

94 94

Made of free throws his senior year

Holds Made almost 94 four percent

NCAA

of his free throws

free throw

during his college

records

%%%%%%%

shooting

career s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

alu m n i

A year of celebrations We capped off a year celebrating NKU’s 40th birthday with a black-tie event in November, but as the photos on these pages show, that was just one of many events we held during 2008. The communications alumni group held a wine and cheese party in October, giving them a chance to see the new Student Union and The Bank of Kentucky Center. The community again enjoyed an evening of spirited political debate during the Alumni Lecture Series event October 9. We welcomed Karl Rove and Dee Dee Myers, who had an intriguing discussion on the election. Alumni also had a chance to enjoy a nice fall day at the Young Alumni Society golf outing in September. A truly wonderful event was the first basketball game at The Bank of Kentucky Center in early November. The Norse put on quite a show as alumni and the community enjoyed the area’s newest entertainment venue. As we look forward to 2009, I encourage each of you to continue to check the alumni home page (alumni.nku.edu) to find out what’s coming up. In an effort to keep costs down and minimize our environmental impact, many events will be promoted through electronic invitations, so make sure you’re signed up as a member of our alumni community. We hope to see you back on campus soon.

journal

n o r t h e r n

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

1976

1993

Marlene Newman reports she is

Tom Myers has been promoted to senior

teaching for the U.S. Department of Defense in Spangdalem Middle School in Spangdalem, Germany. She was named Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Educator in Germany in 2008.

vice president, client services management, at Burke Inc. downtown. Myers joined the company in 1981 as a data analyst trainee and has served in many different roles and departments, from data management to statistics to consulting and analytical services to client services.

1978 Tom Donnelly reports that he took over

as athletic director at Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills High School. Walnut Hills is ranked as the best public high school in Ohio and the 34th best in the entire nation.

district attorney in Moore County, N.C. Tami Root is the owner of Studio Root, a

1987

nail and skincare studio in Ft. Thomas, Ky.

Tim Schneider and his wife, Donna (’88), are in their 21st year of serving the Campbell County School District. The couple recently celebrated the wedding of their daughter and have a child currently attending NKU.

1995

alumni on the

m ov e Laurel Marie Hagner

Maureen Krueger was recently elected

n o r t h e r n

Fifth Third Bancorp reports that its board of directors recently promoted Janet Brinkman to vice president. Brinkman

joined Fifth Third Bank in September 2006 and serves as a recruiting manager. She is responsible for managing the hiring needs of the audit, finance, marketing, legal, human resources and corporate facilities departments. Janet earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational studies from NKU. She resides in Florence, Ky. 1998 Deborah Muench , accounting manager for the Northern Kentucky Health Department, was part of a project team selected for the Balderson Award given by the National Public Health Leadership Development Network.

Cutting glass Laurel Marie Hagner, ’00, owns a cutting-edge glass and metal sculpture studio located in the Portland, Ore., area. She has produced glass and metal sculpture for many public and private clients, including work for Nikon and the Peppermill Casino in Reno, Nev. Visit www.glassometry. com to see some of her work.

a lumni on the

m ov e

Matt Kelley

Kelley helps club kick its way to success Story Dustin Zeller

If you live near NKU and listen to WNKU, you may have heard Matt Kelley, ’04 (pictured here), report on the news. He made some news of his own recently when the NKU taekwondo club that he coaches and competes with won two gold medals at the AAU championship held last year. “We have such a diverse team, and I am inspired by all of them,” Kelley said. The taekwondo club was established in 1999. The club practices the Olympic style of the Korean martial art under the direction of master Susie Jang and instructor Christopher Jang. Kelley had to come back from a torn ACL to return to competition. He credits the Jangs for coaching him through the injury. Not all club members spar, and many participate to help build self-discipline. “I’ve seen 5- and 6-year-old kids sitting perfectly still for hours at a time in competitions. Martial arts is definitely a sport of control and self-discipline.” Current students and NKU alumni are welcome to join the club. There are different age groups for competitions. For more information, contact Matt via e-mail at matt@wnku.org or his masters Chris and Susie Jang at www.cgjang@gmail.com. s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

Class Notes

1999

2003 Jessica Martini Johnston and her

husband, David ’08, are the parents of Kaitlyn, born May 5, 2008. Jessica is the Executive Director o The Patty Brisben Foundation

Jim Reynolds was recently promoted to

vice president at U.S. Bank and relocated to St. Paul, Minn. There he is the regional site director of two contact centers. He was selected and is actively participating in “Leadership Saint Paul,” a 10-month leadership program sponsored by the city’s Chamber of Commerce.

a l um ni on the

m ov e Kim Vinje

2000 Jennifer Vasseur was recently promoted to north central recruiting leader, human resources, for Ernst & Young, LLP. Jennifer and her husband, Daniel (a 2001 NKU grad), live in Cincinnati.

2002 Patrick Gamble has joined Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. as vice president and private banker/branch manager. Dan Meloy is serving as Colerain Township

chief of police after serving as interim chief in late 2007. He holds an M.P.A. from NKU.

FS Financial Services, Inc. has promoted Nathan Hughes to regional territory development manager. In his new role, Hughes will support the Georgia-Florida region by working with financial institutions and their investment representatives to develop fixed, variable and immediate annuity sales. Hughes received an undergraduate degree in finance and business administration from NKU. 2008 Sara Austin is a social psychology doctoral

student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

eight inducted into athletics Hall of Fame NKU and the Norse Athletics Club recently inducted the following alumni and coaches into the 2009 class of the NKU Hall of Fame: Todd Gruenwald, men’s soccer (1989-1992) Mote Hils, men’s basketball coach (1971-1980) Thomas J. Kearns, faculty athletics representative (1980-2007) Michelle Cottrell Marston, women’s basketball (1998-2002) LaRon Moor, men’s basketball (1993-1997) Jenny Geramiah Moore, volleyball (1996-1999) Tricia Ruark, women’s soccer (1998-2002) Mark Steenken, baseball (1975-1977)

n o r t h e r n

Kim Vinje writes novel 1992 journalism graduate Kim Vinje recently published her first novel, Bylines and Deadlines, which will be part of a series chronicling the life of young, impetuous Kristen Larkin. In the first book Larkin sets out to fulfill her dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist – never mind the consequences. With the help of an unexpected source, she uncovers the story of a lifetime. She charges fullsteam ahead, certain this byline will bring her the fame, fortune, respect and adoration for which she longs. Work has already begun on a sequel to the novel. While at NKU, Vinje worked at The Cincinnati Enquirer as a copy clerk and sports stringer. She was also a writer and copyeditor for The Northerner. Today, she works for one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies and enjoys writing as a hobby. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her dog, Cody.

a lumni on the

m ov e

Alumnus helps with Iowa flood relief Story Brittany Richardson

Andrew Hixson When floodwaters ravaged Iowa in the summer of 2008, NKU alumnus Andrew Hixson was there to help. In June, Andrew Hixson, a 2006 NKU graduate, participated in the disaster relief in Iowa for two weeks. Working on the construction side of the relief, he focused on getting people back to work. He said the goal was to have “as little negative impact as possible in the community.” “The community was going to work immediately; they weren’t waiting around. I stayed in a hotel where whole families were staying; observing the conversation … they were so positive about their situation and talking about how they needed to get out there and help the people with real problems,” Hixson said. Hixson said that his biggest concern was for the people. “When the water recedes and evaporates, the sewage and chemicals and whatever else was in the water remains on the ground and has the potential to become airborne,” Hixson said. “It’s hard to describe

the smell, what it looks like; it’s a disaster.” Hixson is a business development manager for LVI Environmental, whose mission is to provide the most costeffective, schedule-efficient, highest-quality environmental remediation and facility services nationwide. He has been with the company since September 2007 and is responsible for four states. Recently, LVI sent 1,700 people to assist with the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and 200-250 people to Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Hixson spent some time walking the streets of the residential areas where people’s belongings were stacked 15 feet high. “The front doors were marked with X’s in different colors to identify which houses would be knocked down and which would not.” Hixson also said that very few of the victims had the insurance to cover their losses. According to the Associated Press, three deaths were associated with the floods in Iowa, and there was $700 million in property damage in Cedar Rapids alone. CNN reported that 55 of the 99 counties in Iowa were under an emergency declaration. W e b e x t r a : To see more photos

visitnorthernmagazine.nku.edu.

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

a lum ni on the

m ov e

Two NKU alumni tapped for Scripps’ leadership

The E. W. Scripps Co. has filled two key roles in its corporate HR function with NKU alumni Mary Minser and Julie McGehee. Mary Minser, ’80, is now vice president of human resources for the company’s newspaper and licensing/syndication divisions. She will serve as the senior HR business partner to both divisions, working with management teams to drive HR strategy within these divisions as well as at local business units. Minser has been the director of human resources for the newspaper and licensing/syndication divisions since 2006. For the previous 14 years she was the company’s primary internal HR consultant in the areas of employment law, employee relations, policy development and company-wide management training. She joined Scripps as HR director for the corporate office in 1988 after serving four years in various HR positions with The Kroger Company. Julie McGehee, ’83, ’92 (Chase), is now vice president of compensation and benefits with responsibility for designing, planning and implementing the company’s strategies for delivering rewards packages that attract and retain talented employees across all three Scripps divisions – newspapers, broadcast television and licensing/syndication. Both appointments were announced in 2008 prior to Scripps’ separating into two companies. For the past seven years, McGehee has been at Duke Energy, where she has held positions within the executive compensation, compensation and benefits areas. She has been the primary point of contact for executives under purview of the board’s compensation committee.

Sasher succeeds at Applebee’s

For more than four years, Ashley Sasher has worked as community relations and events manager with AppleCreek Management Co., franchisee of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and owner and franchisor of Up the Creek Restaurants of America, Inc. During this time, Sasher has worked side by side with the founder of Applebee’s, Bill Palmer, and has enjoyed the diverse and fast-paced atmosphere of her job. Sasher has worked to keep the 40 Applebee’s and two Up the Creek Greater Atlanta restaurant locations in the public eye by being heavily involved in community outreach projects including implementing turnkey fundraising programs for local organizations, title sponsorships for nonprofits such as the Georgia Transplant Foundation and Mercy Flight Southeast, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Hemophilia of Georgia to name a few. Sasher also manages all in-store and off-site revenue and non-revenue events, coordinates Partners in Education programs and directs local store marketing initiatives including market research and analysis, public relations, print, radio and direct mail campaigns. Sasher is an active member of 11 county Chamber of Commerce associations, a board member of the Johns Creek Business Association, a board member of Jesse’s House Emergency Children’s Shelter, and a past ambassador of the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce. Sasher’s greatest accomplishment to date was being awarded the coveted 2007 and 2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award for the state of Georgia from the National Restaurant Association to Applebee’s and Up the Creek for the restaurants’ outstanding community outreach efforts.

n o r t h e r n

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 e-mail class notes, photos and announcements to fajackd@nku.edu. grad. year:_____________________________________________________________ MAJOR(s):_______________________________________________________________

Gaither’s studio designs White House ornament Kentucky’s ornament on the White House Christmas tree this year was designed by Gaither’s Studio, owned by NKU alumnae Gee Gaither, ’93, and her husband, Tom. The ornament features images of a Kentucky Mountain Saddle horse running among holly branches. Gee and Tom attended a White House reception with first lady Laura Bush in December to unveil the White House Christmas tree.

name:___________________________________________________________________ address:_______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ check if this is a new address phone: (

)_____________________________________________________

e-mail:__________________________________________________________________

professional title:________________________________________________ occupation:_ ___________________________________________________________ employer:______________________________________________________________ business address:_____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ business phone: ( business fax: (

)___________________________________________ )______________________________________________

interests / hobbies:___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ please list any schools you are attending or have attended

Mecher to lead Driehaus’ office

Cincinnati’s new congressman is keeping his Washington office close to home. Rep. Steve Driehaus, a Price Hill Democrat, has hired NKU alumnus Greg Mecher as his chief of staff. Mecher, 32, is a 1999 NKU graduate who has worked in Washington since a 1999 internship with former Kentucky Rep. Ken Lucas. He also has worked for the Democratic National Committee (for the 2004 presidential race) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (for the 2006 election), a stint that left him with good ties to former DCCC chairman Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois congressman who has been tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to be White House chief of staff. “It’s very exciting. Frankly, it’s fantastic. I’d always hoped that I would be able to work for someone who was somehow tied to Ohio. The idea that I get to work for the guy who represents the place where I grew up is very exciting, and I’m very honored to serve in that capacity,” he told The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Carter joins NACEDA

Aaron Carter, ’04, recently joined the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations, which assists community economic development associations or nonprofit corporations that develop affordable housing, create economic opportunity for distressed communities, empower low-income people to create positive change in their lives and provides social services.

since graduating from nku and your degree: _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ accomplishments / awards:__________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

spouse’s name:_ _______________________________________________________ occupation:_ ___________________________________________________________ employer:______________________________________________________________ business address:_____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ business phone: (

)___________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________ check if spouse is an nku grad 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:________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

s p r i n g

2 0 0 9

nonprofit organization u. s. postage NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY Office of Alumni Programs 421 Johns hill road Highland Heights, KY 41099

PAID burlington, VT permit no. 540

Mystery photo? Do these people look familiar to you? Do you know the names behind the faces wearing these c o s t u m e s ? T h i s i s o n e o f m a n y m y s t e r y p h o t o s i n t h e NKU a r c h i v e s . NKU a r c h i v i s t L o i s H a m i l l is trying to get any information she can to help identify who is in the photo and what event was taking place when it was shot. If you know any of this information, even an educated guess, send Lois an e-mail at hamill1@nku.edu and put â&#x20AC;&#x153;mystery photoâ&#x20AC;? in the subject line. For more mystery photos, visit northernmagazine.nku.edu.

n o r t h e r n