Shipherd's Record fall 2005

Fall 2005

Still Connected During Olivet’s Intensive Learning Term, students have the opportunity to travel the worldThe in search knowledge .

Hon.ofJudge William Bledsoe ’52

After All These Years

The Alumni Magazine of Olivet College

From the

President Olivet College has experienced a great beginning to the 2005-06 academic year. Total enrollment for the fall semester stands at 1,116 students, which is a new school record. Even with the growth, please keep in mind, Olivet will always be a place where each and every student is given personal attention. I am also happy to report the academic preparedness for our incoming students continues to improve. The freshmen class had an overall grade point average of more than 3.0.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit campus recently, I encourage you to do so. You’ll notice many positive changes. Chartwells, our new food service provider, recently completed a major renovation of the Kirk Center cafeteria (see related article on page 9). We also installed the Milford E. Reeder ’41 Cyber Café in the lower level of Burrage Library. This project was supported by Virginia Reeder ’49, who donated the funds in memory of her husband. A new sculpture, entitled “Oak Cycle,” (see related article on page 20) was dedicated to celebrate the major donors who contributed to the Heritage Campaign. The Don Tuski ’85, Ph.D. sculpture, located between Dole Hall and the Kirk Center, was created by Gary Wertheimer, chair of Olivet’s Arts and Communication Department and professor of art.

Olivet’s great music tradition is continuing. The music program, under the direction of Timothy Flynn, Ph.D., and Jeananne Nichols, has turned in some wonderful performances. The choir recently sang at the First Congregational Church U.C.C. in St. Joseph and traveled to Kansas City this summer to perform at the National Association of Congregational Churches Conference. This fall, the wind ensemble played before a full-house at the Olivet Congregational Church. I want to thank the Upton Foundation for its generous support of our music program.

Since Olivet College is a private, independent institution, it does not receive any state subsidies. Olivet offers an educational opportunity to a wide range of students, which means we must provide a great deal of internal financial assistance. This academic year alone, the college will provide nearly $8 million in financial aid to our students. Thus, it is critical that we have alumni support. I want to thank those alumni who give regularly to Olivet and I would like to encourage other alumni who have not made a gift recently to do so. There are many opportunities to support the college. Our newest program is the “Buy-A-Brick” campaign (see back cover and insert). Please consider purchasing a personalized brick to support the Olivet College Annual Scholarship Fund.

This fall, Olivet received some very positive media attention. We hope to build on this as we prepare for our next comprehensive fund-raising campaign. I encourage you to be a part of your alma mater and give back to the college that gave you an opportunity to succeed.

As always, I truly enjoy hearing from alumni, so please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Don Tuski ’85, Ph.D. President Olivet’s new “Oak Cycle” sculpture

Board of Trustees Officers David T. Hayhow, Chair, Okemos George F. Francis III, Vice Chair, Southfield The Hon. Judge Denise Page Hood, Vice Chair, Detroit David E. Hathaway, J.D., Secretary, Ada Stanley Dole, Treasurer, Grand Rapids Members G. Asenath Andrews ’72, Detroit Christine Arvidson ’78, Traverse City C. Patrick Babcock, Lansing Thomas Burke ’82, Carmel, Ind. James W. Butler III, East Lansing Priscilla Upton Byrns, St. Joseph Dennis Daugherty ’70, Mattawan Robert Ewigleben, Albion Jamey T. Fitzpatrick ’86, Grand Ledge William N. Healy ’79, Brighton Sharon R. Hobbs, Ph.D., East Lansing Timothy Hodge ’83, D.O., DeWitt Thomas Hoisington, Lansing Kennard A. Kinzler, Bloomfield Hills Thomas E. Kolassa ’69, Battle Creek Robert M. Lawrence ’57, Grosse Ile Dean Lewis ’55, Kalamazoo Fritz Lewis, Middleville William Middlebrooks, West Bloomfield Martin L. Mitchell ’73, Ed.D., Coldwater Tom Nesbitt ’63, White Lake Don Oderkirk ’64, Coloma The Rev. Don Olsen, Waukegan, Ill. George Pyne III ’65, Milford, Mass.

The Rev. Nancy Barto Rohde ’65, Petoskey Samuel H. Thomas, Ann Arbor

Campus Administration Administrative Responsibility Team Don Tuski ’85, Ph.D., President Barb Spencer, Executive Assistant to the President Larry Colvin, Vice President for Administration Norma Curtis, Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Mark DeRuiter, Controller Lynn Ward Gray, Associate Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs Linda McWright, Ph.D., Vice President and Dean for Student Life Jerry Rashid, Assistant Vice President for College Relations Tom Shaw ’88, Vice President for Enrollment Management Mark Veich, Director of Development

Table of

Contents Features Shipherd’s Record is named after Father John J. Shipherd, who established Olivet College in 1844. The magazine is published twice annually for Olivet alumni and friends.

Shipherd’s Record Staff

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Olivet Abroad

Olivet students traveled to England, Ireland, Italy and Spain to learn more about the world during the college’s spring Intensive Learning Term.

Jerry Rashid Assistant Vice President for College Relations

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Shannon Tiernan Coordinator of College Relations and Special Events Jackie Bounds College Relations Specialist Bruce Snyder Director of Publications and Web Services

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Geoff Henson Sports Information Director

Send comments or suggestions to: Office of College Relations Olivet College Olivet, MI 49076 (269) 749-7657 collegerelations@olivetcollege.edu Send change of address notices to: Olivet College Development Office Olivet, MI 49076 (269) 749-7625 pfrayer@olivetcollege.edu Olivet College Mission Statement The mission of Olivet College is to make available to a diverse campus community, an education which will enrich lives intellectually, morally and spiritually.

Having gained these qualities through the educational experiences at Olivet, our hope is that our graduates will embody the Divine art and science of doing good to others, as stated by the founding fathers of Olivet College in 1844.

CSI: Olivet

Olivet’s criminal justice program turns to forensic science.

Marty Mason Jennings ’67 Director of Alumni Relations

Contributors Ann Mackenzie ’67 Matthew Miller Katie Oliveri Molly Reed, senior Phil Reed Linda Jo Scott Mark Veich Gary Wertheimer

From Olivet to the Orient

Professor Martha Perkins spent three weeks of her summer in China, teaching English and turning heads.

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Hooked on insurance

Jason Wells ’02 is an assistant vice president for the world’s leading insurance services firm.

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Busy as can be

Sophomore Eleni Mitropoulos is taking Olivet College by storm.

Departments 2

Around the Square

20 Development 21

Comet Sports

24 Class Notes OLIVET

COLLEGE

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Parent Advisory Council

Around the

Square Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center The Olivet College Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center was reinvigorated this fall with the addition of Rev. Julie Kilmer, Ph.D., as its director. The center provides information, education and services related to gender issues for the college community, both women and men.

The center’s staff coordinates book discussions, safe sex and sexual assault awareness programs, and special programs for studentathletes. In addition, the Tea at Three Series Julie Kilmer is offered every Tuesday with different individuals and groups discussing issues affecting those in the Olivet community.

New this year is the Women’s Center Student Ambassador Program. Its purpose is to promote collaboration between the center and student groups and organizations. Student ambassador responsibilities include: • Giving presentations about the center’s programs and services to student groups and organizations • Establishing and maintaining connections with student organizations to increase opportunities for program support • Representing and promoting the center at campus events • Assisting in the coordination of additional programming Kilmer’s professional background includes teaching and directing programs at Miami University of Ohio, as well as Elmhurst College and North Central College, both in Illinois. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a master’s in educational administration from Marshall University in West Virginia, a master’s of divinity from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and a doctorate in theology, ethics and human services from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Members of the Parent Advisory Council include (back row from left) Kathy Schoen from Climax; Rene St. Hilaire from Grosse Point Woods; Therese Scarpace from West Bloomfield; and Gary Wear from Hastings; (front row from left) Linda McWright, vice president and dean of student life; Earlene Esters from Lansing; Nancie Gillengerten from Mason; Debra Cross Desrochers from Nashville; Katie Louttit from Climax; and Norma Curtis, vice president and dean for academic affairs.

Olivet’s Parent Advisory Council is designed to promote meaningful and active parent involvement in the college. Parents voluntarily work side by side with the college administration to help make the experiences of Olivet’s students rewarding.

Purpose of the Parent Advisory Council: • To involve parents and guardians in the Olivet College community and serve as resources to the college and its students • To assist parents and guardians with support and tools as they adjust to their child’s college transition • To build stronger communication between parents and guardians and the college • To identify and address college related needs and concerns involving their sons and/or daughters • To inform parents and guardians of the college’s programs and events and encourage participation • To serve as ambassadors for the college and support Olivet in strategic and development initiatives in their local areas

2005 Fall Lecture and Symposium Series As an extension of The Olivet Plan, the Olivet College Lecture and Symposium Series is an excellent way for students to experience the world through the eyes of noted speakers.

The 2005 fall series featured Mary Carouba and Susan Hagen, authors of “Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion,” and Kyle Maynard, who was born with a rare disorder called congenital amputation, which left him with only three major joints: his neck and two shoulders.

Carouba and Hagen, who presented Sept. 14, 2005, offered a vivid and emotional story told to them by 30 women who risked their lives at the World Trade Center Sept. 11, 2001. Don Walker, Social Science Department chair and professor of history, believes this was one of the best lectures the college has hosted in years.

Mary Carouba and Susan Hagen 2

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Maynard was a guest on ABC’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “20/20” as well as CNN’s “Larry King Live” within a week of his presentation at Olivet. Born to parents who gave him no special treatment, Maynard’s “No Excuses” philosophy has helped him meet life’s challenges and succeed. He is a highly competitive wrestler and weightlifter.

“You may look at me and say, ‘That sucks you have no arms or legs,’ but that doesn’t matter,” he said to nearly 500 Kyle Maynard students, faculty, staff and community members on Oct. 5 in the college’s Upton Center. “There’s nothing I’m not going to be able to achieve. I just don’t make excuses. Instead, I make reasons why I’m going to succeed. It’s impossible to fail as long as you never give up. When you learn from losses, that’s when you improve.”

Maynard is a sophomore at the University of Georgia and is a member of its wrestling club. He took the semester off to tell his inspirational story and promote his new book, “No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life.”

Word of mouth helps grow Olivet College enrollment

by Matthew Miller, Lansing State Journal

Over the past four years, Olivet College has increased its enrollment by 31 percent. In 2001, it had 847 students. Today, it has 1,112.

The small private liberal arts college didn’t grow by tossing admissions standards out the window. In fact, the average ACT scores and high school grade point averages of its incoming students have improved steadily.

It didn’t grow by mounting a huge marketing campaign.

It grew by reconnecting with alumni, by focusing its attention on the sort of students who traditionally do well at Olivet and by taking a personal approach to the process of recruiting.

“Our success has been word-of-mouth based,” said Tom Shaw, Olivet’s vice president for enrollment management.

“We had to do it by finding the right kind of student and really working them.”

The reason for expanding was simple economics, said Don Tuski, who became Olivet’s president in 2001.

As a private college, most of Olivet’s money comes from tuition. Its dorms and classrooms could hold more students, so it made sense to have them.

Tuski came to Olivet in 1981 as an undergraduate and never left. He knew the institution.

His first move in bringing new students was to tap other people who knew the Strolling through the Square are (from left) institution: Olivet alumni who juniors Katrina Williams and Sherri Kelso had gone on to become high and freshman Malicia Rivers. school teachers, coaches and school administrators.

Those alumni, Tuski said, “have a better sense of who would fit at Olivet.”

They also had direct access to prospective students.

The next step was personalizing the recruitment process. Shaw said that when he arrived in January 2002, prospective students could visit Olivet only at certain times on certain days of the week.

“I made a little change,” he said. “Anytime someone wants to visit, including weekends and holidays, we’ll be there.”

As a result, prospective students got more one-on-one time with admissions officers and a sense that “we would pay attention to each and every student,” Tuski said.

Olivet officials also reconsidered where they were putting their financial-aid dollars, giving less to students with top-flight academic credentials and more to the average students who make up most of Olivet’s student body.

For example, students with a high school GPA between 3.0 and 3.5 now receive a $5,500 discount off the $15,500 annual tuition.

There were other changes. Olivet ramped up its sports programs.

It recruited valedictorians and sports stars from small towns, hoping their decision to attend would create a ripple effect.

Around the

Square

Growth at Olivet College Olivet College has increased its enrollment by 31 percent since 2001.

The private, four-year liberal arts school also has seen steady improvement in the quality of its incoming classes and a steady increase in its budget.

Year

Enrollment

GPA

ACT

Total Budget

2005

1,112

3.05

19.3

$22M

2004

1,062

2.97

18.7

$21M

2003

1,072

2.92

19.0

$19M

2002

941

2.85

18.3

$17.5M

2001

847

2.67*

17.3*

$16M

*Mean scores for the period from 1999 to 2001. Source: Olivet College

Attracting students Olivet College has made changes to personalize the recruitment process, including: Offering students with a high school GPA between 3.0 to 3.5 a $5,500 discount off the $15,500 annual tuition Ramping up its sports program Recruiting valedictorians and sports stars from small towns Prospective students now may visit Olivet anytime, including weekends and holidays.

Looking ahead

There are plans to build a residence hall, athletic field house and a student center in the next five years.

Copyright 2005 The Lansing State Journal

The result, so far, is that the residence halls are full, alumni giving rates have almost doubled and the school has been able to reinvest in infrastructure.

Olivet isn’t looking to grow much more. Tuski said 1,100 to 1,200 students is just about right. There are, however, plans to build a residence hall, athletic field house and a student center in the next five years.

Students at Olivet are generally happy that the school has grown.

Some complain about larger classes and competition for on-campus jobs, but, mostly, they like the change.

“With more people, you have more excitement,” sophomore Derrick Dawkings said. “With all the different attitudes, it’s never a dull moment.”

Contact Matthew Miller at (517) 377-1046 or mrmiller@lsj.com

Olivet offers new center for learning and student success The Comet Learning and Student Success (CLASS) Center is Olivet College’s new one-stop shop for students seeking assistance with academic advising, career planning, test taking and writing.

The center also assists students with learning disabilities as well as those who strive for advanced learning opportunities.

The center is housed in Mott Academic Building 212 and features five campus programs: Academic Advising, Academic Resources, Career Services Network, Global Citizen Honors Program and the Writing Program.

“The CLASS Center is an effort to integrate services related to student success,” said Charlie Wilson, associate dean for academic affairs. “This center allows staff to collaborate on the most effective, efficient and best practices in supporting students in their academic and career pursuits.”

Charlie Wilson SHIPHERD‘S

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Around the

Square 2005 Leadership Dinner Awards The 2005 Olivet College Leadership in Individual and Social Responsibility Awards Dinner was the most successful in its nine-year history. Grossing nearly $43,000, proceeds from the event benefit the Olivet College Annual Scholarship Fund.

The Leadership Dinner was established in 1997 to honor individuals whose contributions in Michigan reflect the college’s vision of Education for Individual and Social Responsibility.

The award also recognizes those who have made significant contributions The 2005 Leadership Dinner Award recipients to the growth and (front row from left) Dr. Richard Rasmussen ’35, development of Olivet Theda Rudd and George Francis III, with College.

President Tuski.

The 2005 Leadership Dinner honorees were: George Francis III, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, for exemplary service to the Boy Scouts of America and commitment to the advancement of Olivet College. Francis is also a member of Olivet’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Richard Rasmussen ’35, former thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, for visionary work in the medical field and dedication to the advancement of Olivet College.

Theda Rudd, president, David Rudd Enterprises, Inc., for being instrumental in establishing a Ronald McDonald House in mid-Michigan.

For 20 years, Rudd owned and operated eight McDonald’s restaurants in East Lansing, Lansing and Okemos.

Founders’ Day/Church Relations Day Olivet College will commemorate its 162nd year by celebrating Founders’ Day in conjunction with Church Relations Day Wednesday, Feb. 22 with a series of events.

9:30 a.m.

Registration with light refreshments, Upton Conservatory of Music lobby 10 a.m.

“Women, Science and Spirituality” panel discussion, Upton Conservatory of Music Recital Hall 11:30 a.m.

Wreath laying ceremony, Kirk Center lobby 12 to 1 p.m.

Luncheon, Oaks Dining Room 1:30 to 3 p.m. Founders’ Day program, Olivet Congregational Church The “Women, Science and Spirituality” panel will include Maria Davis, Ph.D., Natural and Physical Science Department chair and associate professor of biology; Leah Knapp, D.V.M., biology program director and associate professor of biology; and Susanne Lewis, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry; moderated by Hanna Wang Hall, past moderator of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.

The afternoon program will feature President Tuski, and Linda Jaramillo, executive minister for justice and witness ministries, United Church of Christ (UCC).

Jaramillo, a seasoned lay minister and longtime justice advocate, has served in numerous UCC positions. She has been a member and moderator of Ainsworth UCC in Portland, Ore.; moderator, vicemoderator, treasurer and search committee chair in the Central Pacific Conference; member and committee chair of the Executive Council; and assistant moderator of the General Synod. In 2002, she was a UCC delegate to the World Council of Churches Assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Maria Davis

Leah Knapp

Susanne Lewis

Students in the News Earthbound, an environmental awareness organization, provided educational information and brought some of the science department animals for the public to meet and handle at the Michigan Audubon Society Wildlife Extravaganza in Bellevue. Students provided native garden plants to the public and also did animal face painting on children.

Mike Haenisch, a senior from Grand Rapids, completed a summer research internship at Humboldt University in California on bioremediation, which is the use of living organisms to cleanup pollution.

In his case, they were using bacteria to remove naphthalene and other pollutants from coastal waters.

Dave Keeney ’05, a teacher certification candidate, served as guest conductor during a Friday night football halftime performance for the Mass Band at Battle Creek Central High School. The Mass Band is comprised of middle school bands from the Battle Creek Public Schools.

Kefentse Mandisa, a junior from Inkster, was selected for the coveted Spencer Foundation Internship, which he pursued with Ilitch Holdings – working with the risk manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Little Caesar’s. Established in 1962, the Spencer Foundation investigates ways in which education can be improved around the world.

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The Olivet College music program, under the direction of Timothy Flynn, Ph.D., music program director, made several guest appearances this year. Students performed in Kansas City at the National Association of Congregational Churches Conference. The Women’s Chorale performed at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church in Oakville, Ontario and the choir sang at the First Congregational Church U.C.C. in St. Joseph.

Gabe Pringle, a senior from Grand Blanc, was elected international student representative to the executive committee of the Grand Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma, as voted on by other Gamma Iota Sigma Chapters in the United States and Canada. He will represent all insurance, risk management and actuarial students. He has completed internships in Chicago, San Francisco, Cherry Hill, N.J., and Baltimore.

Diana Boatwright

Diana Boatwright was named academic counselor and adjunct professor of education.

She works with students who have learning disabilities and those in need of academic assistance. She also provides consultation and assistance in formulating a successful study plan to help students. Her professional background includes serving as principal for three years and assistant principal for 12 years at Harry E. Gardner Middle School in Lansing. Prior to that, she taught middle school English, math and social studies as well as elementary and special education for 12 years in the Lansing School District.

Dustin J. Byrd, adjunct instructor of religion, presented a guest lecture at the Lakeshore Interfaith Institute in Ganges, on the topic of the “Spiritual Practices of Islam.” He also presented a paper at the United Nations sponsored conference on “Global Ethics.”

Jay Carrigan was promoted to director of campus safety at Olivet College. He previously worked as the campus safety supervisor and assistant football coach for three years.

Pat Fields, Ph.D., adjunct instructor of biology, Richard Fleming, Ph.D., professor emeritus of biology, and Leah Knapp, D.V.M., professor of biology, presented nature programs for the annual Michigan Audubon Society Crane Festival Oct. 8-9 in Bellevue.

Faculty and Staff

News Wendy Leow, head athletic trainer and adjunct instructor of HPERS, was published in the 2005 Journal of Public Health Dentistry for her research article titled, “Attitudes of Central Collegiate Hockey Association Ice Hockey Players Toward Athletic Mouthguard Usage.”

Susanne Lewis, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, and John Wilterding, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry, attended a National Science Foundation funded workshop in Wendy Leow St. Paul, Minn. They learned how to teach and implement chemistry instructions using the Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) method.

POGIL is a technique by which students, working in groups, are progressively presented data and chemical concepts using leading questions that engage them in the process of discovering underlying principles and concepts in chemistry. Both instructors are using the approach in their classrooms.

Timothy Flynn, Ph.D., music program director and assistant professor of music, won the Leland Fox Award for Scholarship, awarded by the National Opera Association for his paper “Camille Saint-Saens and Opera.” The paper examines primary source materials housed at the Northwestern University Music Library.

Phil Reed was appointed assistant professor of criminal justice. He also serves as director of the criminal justice program. Reed previously worked as director of campus safety at Olivet, while teaching criminal justice courses. Prior to that, he served 25 years with the Battle Creek Police Department.

Jay Carrigan

The following professors were granted five-year tenure by the Olivet College Board of Trustees: Cynthia Noyes, J.D., assistant professor of sociology/anthropology; Martha Perkins, Ph.D., Humanities Department chair and assistant professor of humanities, and John Wilterding, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry.

Kirk Hendershott-Kraetzer was promoted to associate professor of humanities.

Pringle was selected for the latter two internships as part of a national competition conducted by the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices. He also chaired the national surplus lines insurance symposium, “The Extreme Risk Takers” in Chicago and the international management conference of Gamma Iota Sigma held on Mackinac Island.

John Travis, a teacher certification candidate, and John Wilterding, Ph.D., director of the chemistry program and professor of biochemistry, presented a paper to the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute about their investigation on population distribution and density of autumn olive, an invasive plant. The invasive shrub was planted extensively in the 1960s as forage and groundcover for pheasant. The research project mapped the occurrence and distribution of the shrub throughout the institutes’ more than 650 acres of habitat using GPS/GIS technology.

Forty-five people represented Olivet College in the American Cancer Society Walk for Breast Cancer Oct. 15 in Lansing. Rev. Julie Kilmer, Ph.D., director of the Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center, and Martha O’Dell, director of the Wellness Center, organized pledge collections.

Members of Phi Beta Lambda traveled to the Economic Club of Detroit to hear a presentation by guest speaker, Mike Babcock, head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. They also attended a press conference and student question and answer session with Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Holdings, and Ken Holland, general manager of the Red Wings.

Royce Samuels

Royce Samuels, admissions representative and assistant men’s basketball coach, was inducted into the El, Reno (Okla.) High School Athletic Hall of Fame in July 2005.

Three insurance students: Craig Carpenter, a junior from Lowell; Hristo Kozhuharov, a junior from Bulgaria; and Gabe Pringle, a senior from Grand Blanc, earned scholarships from the Spencer Foundation.

The Echo, Olivet’s student newspaper, earned seven awards in the Michigan Press Association College Phi Beta Lambda members went on a Newspaper Contest, based on private, guided tour of the Grand Army of entries published from January the Republic museum and the Honolulu 2004 to May 2004. Students House museum in Marshall to learn about earning awards include Jason tourism and marketing.

Wright, a senior from Marshall; Nick Hannar, a senior from Dowling; Eleni Mitropoulos, a sophomore from Bronson; Greg Mason, a junior from Lansing; Allison Choike ’05 from Fort Leonardwood, Mo.; Amy Jo Parish ’05 from Charlotte and Yolanda Greene ’04 from Lansing.

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by Molly Reed, senior

or most of the year, the City of Olivet, one square mile of land between Marshall and Charlotte and home to roughly 1,758 people, comprises many students’ entire world. It offers a comforting, familiar nook of Western culture where students study and attend class, eat in a casual cafeteria, play video games and participate in sports.

But sometimes, even the place you call “home” can make you stir crazy. That’s why many students, plagued by cabin fever, are ready to pack their bags and see the world outside Olivet by the time late spring rolls around. A number of students take that opportunity during Olivet College’s three-week Intensive Learning Term (ILT), offered late April through mid-May, by enrolling in one of several classes that travel abroad, including a visual arts course in Italy, a business course in Spain, a social science course in Ireland and a humanities course in England.

Intent on teaching the significance of difference in culture and lifestyles, the college organizes trips months in advance to prepare students for a lesson not only relevant to their major, but to their understanding of the world. “It’s important to find out that there are people who live differently and think differently than you,” said associate professor of humanities Kirk Hendershott-Kraetzer, who traveled with his class to England in 2004. “You can yap all you want about that back here in the States, but when you’re actually standing in a building that’s 1,000 years old or looking at a countryside that has been pretty much like you’re seeing it now for several centuries, you just get that there’s more to the world than your own hunk of culture.”

Students from the art and culture class that traveled to Assisi, Florence, Siena, Tuscany, Umbria and other parts of Italy saw that there are more ways to satisfy an appetite than with Western restaurants like the Olive Garden. Italian cuisine was a main highlight of the trip and is a large part of the country’s culture. Students were required to keep journals chronicling their experiences. Many chose to write about how

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Italians focus on food and meals as an essential part of their lifestyle. “The food was amazing,” said senior Erin Fredericks from Lansing. “No, it was more than amazing. It was fresh and prepared with love. In itself, it was a work of art.”

Gary Wertheimer, Arts and Communication Department chair, said that when they weren’t enjoying the cuisine, students studied the artistic heritage, literature, and political and commercial developments of that area during the 14th and 15th centuries. They visited some of the world’s most artistic architectural sites, churches, galleries and museums, and saw the work of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo, including the statue of David. “This was probably my favorite sculpture,” said Fredericks. “At first, I was not excited when I heard we were going to see it because the image is everywhere - on posters, aprons, T-shirts and key rings - but when we arrived, I was the first one to get to the statue and the last one to leave it. I wrote about it and described every delicate muscle carved out of stone.”

Intricate architecture and sites were also abundant in Spain, where the international marketing class saw Italica, the first major Roman settlement in the country; the Torre del Oro (the Golden Tower) and the Plaza de Toros (bull ring) in Seville; the Jewish Quarter, which was built for Pedro the Cruel in the 14th century; and the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) in Madrid, among many more sites.

Several members of the group even took a ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar into Morocco.

Susan Houston, associate professor of business, said the students were required to pay attention to all aspects of marketing on the trip in addition to the intake of the aesthetic environment.

“Students negotiated prices for various products, they studied institutional marketing at museums and churches, and retailing in the various cities and contrasted how it is different from the United

States. They also saw how geography and history play an important aspect in determining a country’s products.”

Their excursions in marketing were made more challenging by communication barriers, but Houston said that obstacle emphasized to the students how important it is to study other languages.

“Studying the culture of another country is always important and the students had a good time getting around and trying to communicate in another language.” Some of the more commonly used Spanish vocabulary included dinero, which is the word for money, playa, which means beach, and siesta, the word for nap.

In Ireland, where a group traveled to study the myths and legends of the country, students picked up on the word craic, which means “great fun.” From the Cliffs of Moher and Dingle to the Temple Bar, a traditional Irish Pub rich in Guinness and other ales, the craic was never in short supply. Other sites included a visit to Glendalough, an ancient monastery; Inishmore, an island in Irish-speaking Gaeltacht; and the Dublin Castle, once the seat of British rule and the current seat of Irish government.

Ireland’s most famous prehistoric site, Newgrange, a passage tomb that was built in 3200 B.C., seemed to be the most spellbinding site for students. Every year on Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice, the sun shines directly into one of its chambers for about 15 minutes.

“I think all of us had our individual favorites,” said Cynthia Noyes, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology. “But everyone was awed by their visit to Newgrange. Over and above its imposing structure, the idea that we stood in a chamber where some of our ancestors may have stood to watch the winter solstice 5,000 years ago made us realize how old the land and culture are, and how we were connected to that.”

Noyes added that the archaic land formation, the ancient architecture and the accompanying legends reminded everyone of the

grim times through which the Irish survived under Great Britain’s rule. “The monuments and statuary… and the stories told by our guides deeply affected everyone,” she said. Upon their return to Olivet, students relayed those profound effects through papers and presentations on aspects of Irish culture, a final effort at capturing the cultural intake they experienced during those few short weeks.

In England, where the class focused on dramatic performance and English culture, students saw the world much like it was in the time of Shakespeare and other monumental 16th century playwrights. They saw performances of Romeo and Juliet in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, where Hendershott-Kraetzer said actors used the same conditions and techniques that were used in the playwright’s day. They also toured Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in England; Stonehenge; Westminster Abbey; and Camden Market, a type of street fair and flea market in London, among other sites. They also took in a bit of popular culture at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, home of Shakespeare’s wife, where they saw the owl that plays Hedwig in the Harry Potter films. There was a bit of reluctance, however, to try some English food, which was unfamiliar and very expensive in London. “One meal, bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes), I found to be unpleasant,” said Hendershott-Kraetzer.

For some, Western luxuries like a cheeseburger and fries just can’t be topped no matter how many times you circle the globe.

At the ILT’s completion, students returned to Olivet, their tiny corner of the world, with an awareness of how profound and integral foreign culture can be to their education. Professors are already outlining itineraries for the 2006 ILT, including plans for three new classes titled Paris in the Spring, From Vienna to the Rhine, and Culture and Environment in Central Mexico.

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Olivet cooks up new food service Katie Oliveri, The Battle Creek Enquirer

OLIVET — Olivet College is serving up something new to its students this year.

Grilled panini sandwiches. Cajun chicken pasta. Oriental dishes.

The campus’ 42-year-old cafeteria underwent a major overhaul of its food and beverage areas, main dining room and kitchen this summer, transforming from a single-line, single-option food service into a stateof-the-art cafeteria with nine themed food stations.

“Students spend three times a day here,” said Don Tuski, the college’s president. “They wanted more options, so it was a priority. Nothing had been done before. This is the first renovation since it was built in 1963.”

The $1.1 million project, paid for by Chartwells, Olivet’s new food service vendor, provides a wider variety of foods and will serve the 650 students on the campus meal plan more efficiently.

“We wanted to have a little more fun,” said Ben Marciniak-Jennings, Chartwells’ food service director at Olivet. “It was a straight-line service before, which pretty much gave students a one-meal option. The change gives them more freedom and they don’t have to wait in line. We are trying to bring food closer to their fingertips.”

The project, generally a six-month endeavor, took crews only 10 weeks to complete. Construction began in June and was complete by Aug. 22, the first day back for students.

“It was blood, sweat and tears,” Marciniak-Jennings said. “We had a very good construction crew. They didn’t let obstacles get in the way.”

DeKwan Morris of Battle Creek, 21, a junior at Olivet who graduated from Representatives from Olivet College and Chartwells Pennfield High joined together Tuesday, Sept.13, for a ribbon-cutting School, said he is ceremony to celebrate the college’s newly renovated impressed with the cafeteria. changes.

“I feel like we’ve upgraded,” Morris said. “The facility looks great. It looks like it will pay off for recruiting.

If you look better, you feel better.”

The new food stations — Market Carvery, Menutainment, Sandwich Central, Fresh Grille and Trattoria, among others — offer new vegetarian options; healthier, portion-controlled meals; and the same comfort food favorites including pizza and burgers. The beverage area and salad bar also are new and improved.

“The food definitely looks a lot better,” said sophomore Ashley Withey, 19, while preparing a salad. “Last year, it wasn’t that great.”

“Now you can go to the grille, get pizza, get a sandwich or pasta,” said senior Chris Quackenbush, 21. “Before you just had whatever they were serving.”

The college signed a 10-year contract with Chartwells in December after experiencing disappointing service from its former provider, Sodexho, according to college officials.

“The problem was the quality of food and service for students,” said Larry Colvin, vice president for administration. “There was an unwillingness from them to invest in capital projects like the recent renovation.”

Sodexho was Olivet’s food service provider for 34 years prior to the change in vendor. “We don’t get a heavy state subsidy like Michigan State, so it was really important for us to use someone else’s dollars to do it,” Colvin said of the project. “Chartwells did it and did it with a smile.”

The Menutainment station seems to be the favorite among students so far. It serves a different dish every day on a three-week cycle.

“It’s fantastic,” said Marcus Darden, 34, chairperson of the computer science and math departments. “I liked the Cajun chicken pasta they had the other day. People were getting up for seconds and thirds.”

Its popularity has kept Lin Collins, a server who mans Menutainment, busy this week. “I get a lot of students,” she said.

“I do omelettes in the morning. I serve at least 60 omelettes a day.”

Collins said students love her station because she makes something new each day. “I’ll have wraps, oriental dishes or sizzling Caesar salads,” she said. “Today is cashew chicken in a sesame sauce. They love it.”

Chartwells also is encouraging students to eat healthier by serving up smaller portions in five-ounce dishes.

“Variety is always key, but nutrition is starting to become a priority for students,” Marciniak-Jennings said. “We are trying to get them used to what that size looks like.”

Many students have requested healthier options, but the majority still enjoy the comfort foods. “We serve about 40 pizzas a meal, two meals a day, for 203 days,” Marciniak-Jennings said. “You figure that’s about 1,600 pizzas per year.”

And while freshman Alex Esters, 19, thinks the food isn’t bad, he says it can’t compete with a home-cooked meal. “I was home schooled,” Esters said. “You can’t compare meals from home to cafeteria food.”

The college will pay Chartwells about $1 million per year for its food services.

In addition to renovations of the main dining area, a “grab-and-go” style coffee snack shop was installed in the college’s Burrage Library and Mott Academic Center.

Katie Oliveri covers education. She can be reached at (269) 966-0589 or koliveri@battlecr.gannett.com.

A look at the Kirk Center cafeteria before and after the $1 million renovation.

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Martha Perkins: from Oliv

by Jackie Bounds

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magine yourself in a foreign country and everywhere you went people were whispering “waiguoren” (foreigner) or gesturing toward you saying “meiguoren” (American). Walking down the street in Lin Ping, China, Martha Perkins, Ph.D., didn’t feel like she stood out because she’s a moderately tall American woman, she felt like she stood out because she wasn’t Chinese. One man actually turned his head gawking so much, he almost fell off his bike.

Perkins, Humanities Department chair and assistant professor of humanities, went to China this past summer. She explored whether the U.S.-China Education and Cultural Exchange program would be an appropriate volunteer-abroad opportunity for Olivet College students to share their talents and teach English in local schools.

In addition to her busy teaching schedule, Perkins serves as advisor for the Garfield Lake Review, the college literary/arts magazine, and Sigma Tau Delta, the English international honor society. She is also the principal writer for Olivet’s North Central Association of Colleges and Schools self-study.

Perkins joined four other Americans teaching English for three weeks at the Yu Cai Primary School in Lin Ping, in the Zhejiang Province. The private school is located in what the Chinese consider a moderately rural town of 100,000 people. She stayed at the New Relax Hotel, a five-minute walk from the school.

Perkins taught 9- and 10-year-old students with another Lin Ping teacher using textbooks and audiotapes.

After a few weeks, she caught on to many Chinese words because the students would often answer her questions in Chinese before saying the word in English.

According to Perkins, the students attended class for 50 minutes and then had a 10-minute break where they would literally go wild,

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talking, yelling and taking a restroom break. “The Chinese students really had a grasp on the difference between a time to sit and learn, and a time to be crazy during break,” said Perkins. At the school where she taught, morning and afternoon camps were offered, so the instructors went to town between camps to eat lunch and experience Chinese culture.

Perkins says the Chinese were very friendly to her. She discovered that nearly everyone speaks a tiny amount of English, she heard a polite “hello” or “hi” from many people she passed on the street. For lunch, she would buy a big bowl of soup and a drink and it would only cost her six yuan. “The exchange rate was eight yuan to about one dollar,” said Perkins. “Everything was so cheap.”

While in China, she learned the power of negotiation for food or goods.

“If a vendor saw that I expressed interest in an item, they would ask, ‘What will you give?’” she said. “Then they would hand me a calculator to press in what I was willing to pay.” Perkins quickly memorized Chinese numbers 1-100 and used that knowledge to get what she wanted.

She purchased an art print and wanted to send it home in a shipping tube, but could not find one so she began looking for cardboard to create her own. She negotiated with three women who were collecting discarded cardboard on the back of their threewheel bicycle “trucks.”

Martha Perkins, Ph.D., Humanities Department chair and assistant professor of humanities

vet to the Orient At the Great Wall, Perkins bartered for water and even with 8year-old children selling ice cream for four yuan; she knew that red bean or green tea flavored bars usually cost one yuan.

“It was interesting to experience culture from the Chinese view and see their propaganda clearly defining China as the superior country,” she said. The U.S. news reports say that there is still a lot of repression in China, but Perkins said she did not see evidence of this.

She did witness the Chinese spin on international news. “During the NASA space shuttle expedition, there was a question about the shuttle’s ability,” said Perkins. “The Central China TV reported ‘Are the Americans going to be ashamed of their once powerful space program?’

We don’t hear statements like that on American news.”

According to Perkins, China made a huge economic shift in a short period of time: most people she met were just one generation removed from farming. Yet the Chinese seemed more technologically advanced than in the U.S. – nearly every person had one or two cell phones. She was amazed by the unique culture: small and large factories dotted the Chinese countryside that was otherwise full of rice, fruit trees, squash and ornamental plants.

Parts of China reminded Perkins of a third world country with first world standards.

“Olivet College students will see that China is an economic power to the rest of the world,” she said. “They are a main competitor and may someday pass the U.S. because the standard of living is so much lower, yet the people are so driven. To the people I met, owning a car was an aspiration.”

Perkins hopes that Olivet students will have the opportunity to take part in a Chinese cultural trip in the summer of 2006.

Martha Perkins, Ph.D., Humanities Department chair and assistant professor of humanities, with her morning class of third level English students at Yu Cai Primary School in Lin Ping, China.

Above: Chinese students identifying the English word for the animal pictured on their worksheet.

A few souvenirs Perkins purchased during her summer visit to China include a lion incense burner (opposite page) and Chinese fortune sticks (left).

Olivet College’s foreign language program expanding Olivet College has expanded its offering of foreign language courses for the 2005-06 academic year. Students can select introductory courses in four languages – Arabic, French, German and Spanish.

According to Martha Perkins,Ph.D., Humanities Department chair, the decision to offer students more experiences in language and culture is an example of the college’s ongoing commitment to diversity.

“There is a lot of interest, especially in Arabic, and I think there will continue to be because of our expanding global culture,” said Perkins.

Sixteen students are enrolled in the Arabic course this semester. Olivet is the only school in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association to offer a course in Arabic.

French was offered for the first time in many years during the 2004-05 academic year. German is once again being offered at the college and Spanish has always been part of the curriculum. Currently, a Spanish minor is designed for students who are focusing on careers in K-12 education.

Students also have the option of taking language courses to receive required credit for their liberal arts core classes.

Olivet College written in Arabic, which is read from right to left.

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CSI: Olivet

by Phil Reed, criminal justice program director

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t is 2 a.m. Saturday and I am sound asleep. The phone rings and the sergeant on the other end of the line informs me that there is a homicide on the south side of the city. There are no suspects and the area is cordoned off and waiting for the crime lab.

The first 48- to 72-hours are critical in any homicide investigation.

Detectives are out canvassing the area for witnesses and other officers are assisting in the examination. Many people are hysterical about the brutal death of their friend or loved one.

The mobile crime lab arrives and the scene is turned over to the forensic science experts. Without these people the case wouldn’t go very far. They are using modern technology to look for DNA and other trace evidence that would give detectives clues about the killer and connect him or her to the crime scene.

This scenario played out over and over again during my 25 years with the Battle Creek Police Department as Commander of Investigations. Without people knowledgeable in forensic science, many cases would go unsolved. I have always had a great admiration for the lab technicians because they are very skillful people. Whether it is lifting a fingerprint from inside a cereal box, to recovering a strand of hair at the crime scene, I couldn’t do my job unless they did theirs.

When I became the director of Olivet College’s criminal justice program, I realized there was a tremendous opportunity to start a minor in forensic science. The college is already known for its strong science program. It seemed like a natural progression to take some criminal

Sgt. Brown uses a magnification glass to examine identification points on the fingerprints collected in the crime scene investigations class.

justice courses and merge them with courses offered in the science major. I met with Maria Davis, Ph.D., chair of the Natural and Physical Science Department, and we came up with a rough draft of a forensic science minor that would cover chemistry, biology, physics and criminal law, which are cornerstones of the field.

Thirty-two students are enrolled in the crime scene investigations course taught by Sgt. Martin Brown, lab supervisor for the Battle Creek Police Department.

The “CSI” class covers a wide range of issues concerning what to look for at a crime scene and how to process evidence that is collected.

Students learn about the significance of DNA evidence, latent fingerprints, blood spatter interpretation and court room testimony.

Each student has a lab kit for testing blood, taking measurements and processing items for fingerprints.

During the spring semester, I will teach another new course called introduction to criminal investigation. This course will explore the elements of a crime and what to include in a police report.

The forensic science minor at Olivet is still a work in progress.

I want to give students more opportunity for hands-on activities.

There is much work to be done as far as arranging internships at local and state labs, as well as developing courses in criminal justice that emphasize search and seizure. Our goal is to produce a forensic science program that gives Olivet’s students valuable skills as well as the knowledge to do the job correctly.

Daniel Davis (center), a junior criminal justice major from Detroit, reviews the fingerprints he lifted from several objects with his instructor Sgt. Martin Brown (right), who also serves as lab supervisor for the Battle Creek Police Department, and Phil Reed, criminal justice program director. Davis and his classmates dusted objects with a form of volcanic ash powder that adheres to the fingerprint. The prints were lifted using tape and placed on a white card used by the crime scene investigation lab at the police department.

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Criminal justice majors Stephanie Warner, a senior from Homer, and Preston Dahlgren, a junior from Potterville, examine the structure of the fingerprints. They are looking at different sets of fingerprints to identify whirls and loops and find some similarities in the prints.

Building Trust

by Jackie Bounds

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arry Vallar ’84 had planned to play basketball at Olivet College. Instead, he became a football and track star. Today, he stays competitive by fishing and golfing. In fact, he has earned recognition for his outstanding golfing ability at the Marshall Country Club and Devil’s Ridge Golf Club in North Carolina.

His athletic spirit also comes through in his professional life.

As a regional manager for Dollar General, he oversees the operations of 203 stores in Michigan, which involves training, developing and coaching 14 district managers.

“My philosophy is to build trust with a person and become a supporter of them,” he said. “I believe in fostering an open and honest environment where people can say what they want without being afraid of losing their jobs.”

While on the job, Vallar often refers to one of his favorite books, “The Game of Work” by Charles Coonradt. “I try to treat all people with respect and just don’t tell them to do something, I explain why,” he said.

Communication is the key to Vallar’s work. He feels his patient leadership style makes him more approachable as a manager. Vallar is responsible for overseeing store operations, implementing company programs, training and development, product deliveries and customer service. He travels four days a week, visiting stores and meeting with the district managers. When he’s not traveling, he’s reading weekly reports, returning e-mails, or is on the phone, participating in conference calls. He also assists in opening stores in new markets.

Dollar General recently opened stores in Lansing, Traverse City, Vicksburg, White Pigeon and a fifth store in Jackson.

Vallar began his retail career as a manager for Blockbuster Entertainment, where he learned a lot about the retail business as well as managing and leading people. After Blockbuster, he became manager at Moovies, a new company that was later bought by Video Update.

After a few years, Video Update was acquired by Movie Gallery. For Vallar’s employees, this meant dealing with a lot of change and job transitions.

“Change is not easy for anyone,” said Vallar. “Each time people had to adapt to change, we tried to find a tactful way to help them adjust to a new environment.” Each acquisition not only brought many changes to employees, it had a big affect on his family as well. Because of his position, his family had to relocate to South Carolina, Minnesota and North Carolina.

Student Focus: Prashant Rajbhandari

by Molly Reed, senior

When 21-year-old Prashant Rajbhandari, a senior from Nepal, heard about Olivet College from a friend in the States, he didn’t hesitate to research the campus on the Web. Interested in learning more about the college, he quickly got in touch with Mike Fales ’75, director of church relations and campus ministries, and co-adviser for international students, who sold him on Olivet. “Mike Fales was very convincing about the benefits and what the college has to offer,” said Rajbhandari.

“He mentioned the close interaction with teachers and things you can’t find at a big university.”

That’s why the biochemistry major chose to leave his home in southern Asia to pursue higher education at Olivet. After finishing a year’s worth of college credits in high school, Rajbhandari enrolled as a sophomore in 2003 and plans to graduate in spring 2006. “Since I came here I got the opportunity to do everything up to my potential,” he said.

“They (Americans) really appreciate hard work and work ethic.”

After deciding he had enough of the buyout exercise in the entertainment industry, Vallar opted for a management position with Toys “R” Us. In 2002, his supervisor found a better position with Dollar General.

Vallar decided to follow him to a job that led his Larry Valler ’84 family back to Michigan, where they lived before the retail whirlwind began.

Along with his work with Dollar General, Vallar and his wife, Dr. Lori Coles-Vallar, a veterinarian, recently assumed operations of Log Cabin Animal Hospital, LLC, in Battle Creek.

“It’s my wife’s desire to make sure every pet gets the best healthcare possible,” he said, with a proud smile. The Vallars compliment each other well. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he handles the business side of the animal hospital, while she provides care for the animals. Owning their own business has always been a long-range goal of the Vallars. Right now, they are working on transitioning between the previous owners and their clientele.

Now that his family, which includes children, Marcus, 17, and Kayla, 16, is established in Marshall, Vallar has more time to reconnect with Olivet College. John Homer, Ph.D., professor of economics, invited him to speak with business students about career aspirations and compensation. Vallar is also working with Linda McWright, Ph.D., vice president and dean of student life, on advising the Elite fraternity and offering guidance to its members. The organization recently celebrated its 25th anniversary during Homecoming Oct. 8.

“It’s the young men in Elite now that deserve the credit for the milestone anniversary,” said Vallar, one of the founders of Elite. “When I was involved, it was more of a social organization that played intramural sports together. We were trying to make the organization better. Now, Elite is a legitimate fraternity; they even have their own house. Olivet has worked very hard at encouraging diversity on campus and I think it enhances a student’s overall experience.”

Rajbhandari exhibited his potential in the medical field during the summer when he was granted a stipend to work with the Biomedical and Biological Science and Research Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). “My summer research basically dealt with the characterization and analysis of amber, opal and ochre suppressor tRNAs (transfer strands of Prashant Rajbhandari ribonucleic acid), which would be used in gene therapy of diseases like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and xeroderma pigmentosum.”

Upon graduating from Olivet, Rajbhandari, who recently became a permanent American citizen, plans to take a year off to work before applying to graduate school at MIT. “I will be staying in the U.S.,” he said. “I want to get my master’s degree at MIT.” SHIPHERD‘S

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Smart Boards + Smart Classrooms

= Smarter Students

by Jackie Bounds

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mart boards and smart classrooms leave black board chalk in “When the smart boards were first introduced, some faculty the dust. First introduced at Olivet College in 2004, the new members were skeptical about learning the new technology,” said Sylvia technology is now a common fixture in the college’s academic Burkett, ITS coordinator. “Now they leave a training session saying buildings. ‘wow, that was so neat, I want to use it.’” Demand for smart board New technology offered with smart boards classrooms has increased dramatically. More than 85 courses are taught A “smart board” is a touch-sensitive solid white board attached to using the smart board or in a smart classroom setting, says Burkett. a classroom wall. When connected to a PC along with a TV/VCR, Smart classrooms with Polyvision white boards document camera and data projector, it can display presentations, Olivet College also has two “smart classrooms” which take highWeb sites, videos and DVDs. The boards tech to the next level. The classrooms were are designed so professors can simply tap on entirely renovated from floor to ceiling to the board and navigate through a include a video, DVD, CD player, a copy presentation, using his/her finger like a camera and document reader to display threetraditional computer mouse. dimensional objects, including books and paper.

Carol Breed, Business Administration The smart classrooms also feature a 12-foot Department co-chair and associate porcelain Polyvision white board with laser professor of business and insurance, uses sensors. A microphone is located behind the the smart board extensively in her classes. board to track pen movement. After an “When I’m teaching a segment on instructor writes on the board, he/she pushes a insurance regulations, for example, button that signals lasers to scan the board and I outline the topic in a PowerPoint take a picture of the work, which is then saved as presentation” said Breed. “Then I insert an image on the Internet. various state and legislative Web sites for The smart classrooms also feature several students to review. The smart board allows “huddle boards” where students can gather for a lot of flexibility. during class to work on group projects. The “I love drawing on the board to boards can be taken off the wall and moved to emphasize a point,” she said. “I just tap-tap any location in the room. After students take on the board and work through my notes on the boards, they are placed in front of a presentation, I don’t have to stand behind a Carol Breed, Business Administration Department co-chair copy camera, photographed, saved and posted on and associate professor of business and insurance, computer monitor.” the Internet. demonstrates using a stylus to tap her way through a Web The smart board technology also “It saves time copying notes from a group site using the Smarttech smart board technology in Mott 408. meeting,” said Joe Kiss, a sophomore from East allows instructors to have information available at their fingertips.

Leroy. “In my Self and Community class, we Below: Breed opens up a PowerPoint presentation for her “If a question comes up that I don’t Ethics and Presentation class. take notes for a group project on a big note pad, know the answer to, 98 percent of what I then we place it in the view of the camera, press need answered can be achieved by a search a button and have an image of our notes on the Internet,” said Breed. available in our network storage.”

According to Suresh Acharya ’99, Information Technology Services Breed said students notice when they are in a “regular” classroom (ITS) manager at Olivet, the smart board technology can help with a chalkboard, overhead projector and TV monitor. “My Ethics and instructors become even better presenters. For example, a chemistry Presentation class was assigned to a regular room,” said Breed. “They professor can open the periodic table, select a few elements and create noticed the lack of technology and began searching around for a smart a virtual chemical compound with the touch of a finger. A Health, board or smart classroom we could use. This new technology engages the Physical Education, Recreation and Sport Department professor can use students and prepares them for the business savvy world.” sports figurines and X’s and O’s on a smart board to simulate athletic plays. Acharya says, at the end of class, the information may be saved as a PDF file and retrieved for further use.

Learning the new technology Upper level business students are required to make presentations for their business classes and a smart board PowerPoint show is usually their mode of choice. Masters of Arts in Teaching students receive training on the smart boards and then make their final research presentation using the advanced technology. According to Diane Joslin-Gould, Education Department chair, many high schools have implemented smart board technology into their classrooms and it is a tool future teachers should be familiar with before graduating.

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Who wealong meet the way

by Ann Mackenzie ’67

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biography is a sketch or outline of one’s life. But for me, it’s more about those one meets along the way offering opportunity — and learning how to accept those offers. As my dear old dad used to say, “Luck happens when opportunity meets preparedness.”

For instance, Marty Mason Jennings ’67, Olivet’s director of alumni relations, kick-started my professional life by pointing the way to United Airlines, where I spent 21 years as a flight attendant, based in Chicago, Honolulu and San Francisco.

In Hawaii, I was encouraged by a chance acquaintance on the New York to Hawaii run to give up my reticence and embrace my artistic leanings. I’d been given a thorough education in art and art history, but lacked the confidence to declare myself an artist.

Nella Hoffman, who eventually became my closest friend in Hawaii, is a graphic designer whose clients were successful jazz and rock ‘n’ roll promoters. In the course of her work, she introduced me to dozens of musicians, and I was given the chance to travel with some of the groups between flight assignments. While waiting for flights and watching rehearsals, I began to occupy my time with designing needle paintings.

These designs took from several Mendocino Wine Affairs catalog cover months to five years to complete and were a great ice-breaker, leading to meeting even more interesting folks. I still didn’t have the courage to actually “be an artist,” so I gave most of this work away.

At home in Manoa Valley, on Oahu, as a tangent to embroidery design, I began making stippled drawings of animals. I kept them in a sketch book, and when I moved to San Francisco in 1978, people began to ask if they could buy them. With the encouragement of several entrepreneurial friends, we decided that a good way to provide the drawings to a broader audience was to print them. This lead to the establishment of Tidings, a stationery line that existed for 18 years.

I took some time off from flying to travel to gift and craft shows, eventually selling to retail stores internationally.

Then things really got fun. I met my sensational husband, Jack, in 1988. He, too, is an entrepreneur in industrial and commercial real estate, and he continues to inspire and support me in all my endeavors.

About the same time, I was invited for an evening of dining and flamenco with a group of San Francisco ladies.

In that group was an artist named Marcela Evans. I had just bought my first Macintosh computer and was absolutely thrilled with its limitless capabilities.

In the ’80s, we had few acquaintances who would indulge in computer chat with us, so Marcela and I spent the rest of the evening happily indulging in computer gossip. She suggested that I would find her job interesting, so I went to visit her at Brøderbund, and fell in love with computer graphics. With her guidance, I signed up at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and trained to be a digital artist.

I am now working as a graphic designer with my own business—Mackenzie Digital Art. I worked with Ann Mackenzie ’67 Marcela at Brøderbund on multi-media projects for four years. A brilliant executive educator, Lynn Phillips, Ph.D., a former professor at Harvard, Stanford and Berkeley, asked me to work with him for a couple of months to redesign his presentation materials. After six years of working with him on projects for companies such as Lockheed Martin, Hewlett-Packard and UBS Investment Bank, we finished the job.

Two years ago, Jack and I moved to Geyserville, in the heart of California’s wine country. Jack realized a dream by renovating three vintage fire engines at our new home in the middle of a vineyard. There are 100 wineries nearby, and we entertain friends and clients by taking them to our favorites for tours and special events.

Meanwhile, I have landed in the ideal situation for my particular set of skills. I am a fan of digital photography and never go anywhere without my camera. When a wine country job requires something unusual and inspiring, I layer several photos and “paint” with them.

I finally feel content saying that I am an artist, thanks to encouragement from friends and acquaintances along the way, but I don’t believe I would have been so well prepared without my treasured education from Olivet College.

Big Red Engine wine tasting tour information is available at www.bigredengine.com.

Left: A siamese cat illustration for Tidings, Mackenzie’s stationery line.

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Some of the attendees at the 2005 Homecoming Brunch included (from left) Don Oderkirk ’64, Celia Weidendorf, Marilyn (Purse) Dean ’60, “Cliff” Dean ’60 and Charles Weidendorf ’55.

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Senior Carrie Abbott and senior Keegan Robbins

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Junior Ashurina Chamoun

President Tuski (second from right) with the 2005 Homecoming Brunch honored guests (from left) “Bette” Fleming, Richard Fleming, Ph.D., Pat (Champion) Sheets ’70 and Karla Kunkle. Pat was representing her husband, Ivan Sheets ’69, who passed away last year.

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Soronians and Phi Alphas on their homecoming float

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Senior Carrie Abbott, Katie Graebner ’05, Becky Gehrman ex ’05 and senior Margaret Todd

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2005 Homecoming Grand Marshals Richard and “Bette” Fleming

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President Tuski presents Fleming with his 1844 Award.

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The Sturgis High School Marching Band led by Joe Ehlert ’92.

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10. Olivet celebrated homecoming with a 31-24 victory against Hope College.

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Soronians and Elite societies celebrate milestones during 2005 Homecoming 11

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2005 Homecoming Court (from left): Danielle Jones. Isaiah Wiltshire, Erica Anderson, Wendy Mickelwait, Aisha Parks, Allison Shakinis, Ryan Newberry and Mauricio Palli.

12. Homecoming Queen Aisha Parks with King Ryan Newberry 13. From left: Board of Trustees member Dean Lewis ’55, Charles Weidendorf ’55, President Tuski and Perry DuLong ’55 at a dinner recognizing the Class of 1955’s 50th Anniversary.

Named the Soronian Society in 1868, but founded as the “Young Ladies Literary Society” in 1847, it is the first and oldest sorority in the United States. In 1905, construction was begun on Sperry Hall, home to the Soronians for the last 100 years. The hall was named for former Olivet College President Willard G. Sperry.

During Homecoming, the Soronian Alumni Council sponsored a reception and silent auction in the Kirk Center, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Sperry Hall. Proceeds will benefit restoration of the house.

Many Soronian alumni took part in the celebration and bid on silent auction items. More than $1,700 was raised from gift baskets, put together by different pledge classes.

The brothers of Elite celebrated their 25th Reunion with an informal Friday night gathering. On Saturday, they tailgated before the football game and later that evening, held a semi-formal dinner where President Tuski and Stephanie Eagles ’86, received honorary memberships. More than 60 alumni, family and friends participated in the weekend festivities.

Originally, Elite began as an intramural basketball squad, and in 1980, founder Anthony Earl Walker formed the team into a campus organization. The primary focus of the brotherhood was to unite and support the small number of minority males on campus at that time.

Elite is the oldest predominantly African-American fraternity on Olivet College’s campus.

14. More than 3,000 fans turned out for Olivet’s 2005 homecoming game.

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Hooked on insurance

by Shannon Tiernan

Jason Wells was all set to attend the University of Michigan when he changed his mind. Wanting to continue his golf career, he drove his car to Olivet College and has never regretted his decision.

“I wanted to go into finance but it wasn’t offered at Olivet,” said Wells, who graduated from Olivet in 2002. “So I found the insurance program and Gamma Iota Sigma and was hooked.

“I still can’t get out,” he added with a laugh.

Wells is an assistant vice president in the property and risk management department at Marsh, the world’s leading insurance services firm. His clients include Fortune 500 companies with premiums ranging from $1 million to $30 million.

In short, Wells helps his clients insure their assets and business income.

“I’ve had the opportunity to travel to London, Turkey, Sweden, Bermuda and across the United States,” he said. “But it’s Jason Wells ’02 been difficult starting from the bottom…

I think a student coming out of college never really knows what to expect in the real world.”

Three years after graduation, Wells still pulls from his experience at Olivet when tackling situations that pop up at work. He credits Mike Hubbel, insurance program director and Gamma Iota Sigma advisor, with preparing him for the tasks he faces on a daily basis. Wells added that Hubbel has had an especially strong influence on his life.

“It comes down to his energy, how he cares for students and increasing the strength of the program,” said Wells. “When you combine those three things, Mike displays what Olivet College is about in regards to building a strong institution.”

Making light of Wells’ compliment, Hubbel said he finds his job tremendously rewarding. “We train students to help others in times of disaster; there can’t be a higher calling than that.”

Hubbel added the insurance program has been fortunate to recruit strong students like Wells. “Jason was always well prepared, always had strong leadership skills,” Hubbel said. “He was truly responsible for his own learning. We just guided him along the way.”

Wells mentioned he didn’t understand the opportunities he had at college – both professionally and in his personal life - until he had a chance to reflect on his experience after graduation. Today, he feels driven to give back to his alma mater because his time at Olivet was so positive.

“Many students right out of college From left: Ryan Stahr, Ted Cohoon ’02, don’t have the money to Jason Wells ’02 and Lance Lancour ’02 at the give financial support,” 2001 Gamma Iota Sigma golf outing. he said. “But I think it’s equally important to share your experiences, mentor students and provide input to college administration.”

Since graduating, Wells has participated in a number of Olivet’s insurance program and Gamma Iota Sigma-sponsored events, including teaching several classes, presenting at two of the Ford Motor International Risk Management lectures and he created the Great Lakes Alumni Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. Believing the person you influence today may be a viable network connection tomorrow, he has also mentored a number of students while working at Marsh.

“Jason senses it’s important to support students because they are the future of that industry,” said Hubbel. “Most good business people recognize that.”

Though it was golf that brought Wells to Olivet, it was the insurance program that kept him here and ultimately prepared him for what he would experience in life.

“In this industry, the one thing you have is your reputation; and your reputation can make or break you,” he said. “No one knows how to respond to every challenge that may be presented to them in their life, however, Olivet strives to teach students the tools to make good decisions on their own.”

2006 Spring Lecture and Symposium Series speakers For more information on these events, call (269) 749-7164.

Black History Month Lecture and Symposium “Everyday actions that anger, annoy and divide the races” Wednesday, Feb. 8, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; Mott Auditorium

Women’s Conference Lecture and Symposium “Body Images” Wednesday, March 22, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; Mott Auditorium

The lecture will feature Lena Williams, a 28-year veteran of The New York Times and author of, “It’s the Little Things,” a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year.” Her article of the same name won the National Association of Black Journalists award for feature writing. She received the 2001 Ebony “Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications” award, as well as the Penney-Missouri and The New York Times Publisher’s awards.

The lecture will feature Amaya Brecher, member of MTV’s The Real World: Hawaii cast, and Veronica Portillo, member of MTV’s “Road Rules Semester at Sea.” They will present a frank and open interactive program on eating disorders and self-esteem.

After sharing personal stories of their own battles with anorexia and bulimia, they take a hard look at societal influences on body image as well as how the media tends to falsely represent the true body of a woman.

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Busy as can be

by Shannon Tiernan

E

leni Mitropoulos believes success is directly connected to how hard she pushes herself.

“I get opportunities others wouldn’t because I work hard,” said Mitropoulos. “When people ask me to do something, I don’t want to let them down, so I work to get the job done right.”

Halfway through her second year of college, Mitropoulos’ resume mirrors that of a graduating senior. She’s an active member of the science and photography clubs, editor of The Echo, Olivet’s student-run newspaper, and plans on participating in the music program’s trip to Paris during the Intensive Learning Term this spring. She was a member of the softball team her freshman year, participated in the college’s musical this fall, and recently traveled to Ontario, Canada with the Women’s Chorale, an exclusive group of student vocalists.

“I guess you could call me ambitious,” she adds with a shrug of her shoulders.

Mitropoulos has always been a motivated individual. She graduated from Howe Military Academy in Howe, Ind., in 2004 as a major, second in command of the school’s cadets directly under her best friend, Marie. It was the first time in the academy’s 121year history two females held the highest rank among its students.

While at Howe, she was involved in music, theatre, basketball, Eleni Mitropoulos softball and was the only female on the boys’ soccer team.

“My experience at Howe changed me; I’m a better person because of it,” she said. “I learned to manage all kinds of people, and I definitely learned good leadership skills.”

Student

Profile

Being a leader seems to be second nature for Mitropoulos. She has taken her role as Echo editor in stride, even though there were few returning staff members this year. Regardless, she enjoys the challenge of training a new staff while continuing to produce an award-winning newspaper. When asked if she ever feels overwhelmed by her responsibilities, she answers with a resounding “yes.”

“Whenever I start to feel that way, though, I look at what others around me are doing,” she added. “My professors, advisors and parents – they’re busy too. But each semester gets better and I like what I do, so in the end it’s OK.” Joanne Williams, director of the journalism program and Echo advisor, said Mitropoulos has handled her responsibilities extremely well. “She really thinks about people and why they do what they do,” Williams added.

“She’s always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt or a second chance because she rarely makes assumptions.”

Williams describes Mitropoulos as a Renaissance woman for her multitude of interests – computer programming, editing, science and singing. Designing her own individualized major, Mitropoulos’ degree will encompass all four of these subject-areas. With hopes of being a magazine editor or science writer someday, she knows her experience at Olivet will help her pursue a career that fits her personality.

“If I were at a bigger school with more competition, I know I wouldn’t have the same opportunities I’ve had here,” acknowledged Mitropoulos. “So I’m grateful for that.”

Rather than pausing to be proud of her accomplishments, Mitropoulos is constantly looking ahead to what she can or should be doing next. “I’m really stubborn and like to take the hard way around things; but that makes you learn,” she added. “My teachers from Howe keep telling me to just concentrate on school, but I like being involved in all these other things. I guess I’m just dedicated.”

Mitropoulos at work as editor of The Echo.

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Olivet College

Development Support your alma mater

“Oak Cycle” sculpture dedicated

by Mark Veich, director of development

by Gary Wertheimer, chair of the Arts and Communication Department and professor of art

Private support for Olivet College involves gifts and grants given by alumni, friends, corporations, foundations and other organizations that are committed to helping Olivet fulfill its mission and academic vision. Although motivations for giving are often varied, all are very important to the college.

Many individuals view their support as a means of accomplishing some of their personal goals, supporting values and beliefs. Some give simply because they view their support as a good investment. Others value the knowledge and experiences they gained while attending Olivet and have a desire to ensure the same for future generations of Olivetians.

Perhaps your motivation is to: • Remember someone you love or respect by naming a scholarship, professorship, lectureship or even a building in his/her honor • Maintain an interest or affinity in a particular program you want to see grow and succeed • Demonstrate your leadership and support for higher education • Support your financial or estate planning through philanthropic tax advantages Whether you want to make a difference for a student, professor, department or program, or challenge others to give, you can show gratitude for your Olivet experience through a gift to the college.

All gifts are valuable to Olivet College because they help continue to provide a quality education to a variety of students.

Milford E. Reeder ’41 Cyber Cafe`

The new Milford E. Reeder ’41 Cyber Café, located in the lower level of Burrage Library, offers bagels, cereal, fruit, sandwiches, salad, soup and yogurt, as well as coffee, expresso, juice, soft drinks and water. The café is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Editor’s note: On Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, President Tuski dedicated a public sculpture to honor major donors to the Heritage Campaign: Responsible Liberal Arts. The following article, written by the sculptor, explains the thought process in choosing his subject, and the meaning behind the work.

In spring 2004, President Tuski approached me with the idea of recognizing major donors to the Heritage Campaign by erecting a public sculpture. As an imagistic sculptor, I felt that my design had to represent the institution, but also had to transcend that of a mere trademark. In other words, there had to be some underlying content in whatever subject I chose.

I thought about the many people who have supported Olivet College since its inception in 1844. Most of those individuals remain anonymous and have passed into historical oblivion. With the exception of a few structures, the campus itself has transformed over time and would not be recognized by those benefactors. It struck me that only the magnificent, timeless oak trees, gracing our campus, have endured from before the founding of the college to this day. Thus, I chose to use oak leaves and acorns as the subject for my work, entitled “Oak Cycle.”

Oak leaves and acorns have been used so many times by the college, that they have almost attained cliché status. The challenge for me was to create a work that transcended simple leaves and acorns. I chose to depict three oak leaves leaning on each other in a tripodal position with their Members of the Board of Trustees and campus stems meeting at the community gather for the “Oak Cycle” sculpture top. Each leaf dedication ceremony Oct. 7. personifies a period in the cycle of life. One leaf appears to be in motion, much like a dancer, and represents youthful, active life; one leaf meets the base at a 90-degree angle, appears to be seated in a tranquil position, and represents our middle years; the last leaf is dry and crumbling and represents the twilight of life. The acorns are designed to celebrate fecundity. One acorn is nubile and in a state of development; a group of two acorns appear fully formed, mature and ready to burst; and the third acorn shows a newly sprouted root penetrating the ground plane while sending a shoot into the air, the rebirth. “Oak Cycle” is made of cast bronze and sits atop a four-foot high black granite pedestal that displays the Olivet College seal, an inscription thanking the donors, and a list of their names. The sculpture is a narrative for the hope and opportunity which education offers each new generation of students.

I am honored to have been commissioned by the college to create this work. It is my hope that the monument will inform future generations of those individuals who helped support Olivet College in its efforts to provide a meaningful, relevant education for its students at the beginning of the 21st century.

Olivet alumni (from left): George Pyne III ’65, Dave Cutler ’65 and Tom Nesbitt ’63, in front of the newly erected Cutler Challenge donor recognition sign at the Cutler Athletic Complex. Pyne and Nesbitt are also members of the college’s Board of Trustees.

Comet

Athletics Comets come out at night Bruce Barea ’82, Joey Fitzpatrick (accepting the award for her father, C. Daniel Fitzpatrick ’67) and Stan Baker ’84 were recognized during the 2005 Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

2005 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Stan Baker ’84, Bruce Barea ’82 and C. Daniel Fitzpatrick ’67 (posthumously) were inducted into the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 9.

Baker was a letterwinner on the football, basketball and track teams at Olivet. In track, he was a three-time All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) selection and a two-time All-American.

Baker was the MIAA champion in the 100-meter dash in 1982 and 1984. After graduating from Olivet, he played one year in the National Football League, one year in the United States Football League and five years in a semi-professional league. Baker, who lives in Defuniak, Fla., has also worked in various fields, including juvenile prevention, retail management and as a golf club professional.

As a member of the Olivet men’s golf and baseball teams, Barea was a four-year varsity letterwinner in each sport. In golf, his team won the MIAA Championship each year. Individually, Barea was a two-time AllMIAA choice. For 18 years, he worked at the Michigan Department of Corrections in Coldwater and Jackson where he attained the rank of acting Assistant Deputy Warden. Barea resides in Battle Creek.

While at Olivet, Fitzpatrick participated in football for four years and baseball for one year. In football, Fitzpatrick served as team captain during his senior season. He was also selected as the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week on three occasions. Fitzpatrick owned and operated a successful real estate appraisal company in Atlanta.

The Olivet College football team opened its 2005 season Saturday, Sept. 10 with a “Comets come out at night” celebration. Olivet played host to Franklin (Ind.) College at 7 p.m. for the first night game under the lights at the new Cutler Athletic Complex. The last time Olivet played a night home game was more than 40 years ago.

An Olivet single-game record crowd of 4,910 fans turned out for the contest. Fans were treated to free admission to the game and the first 1,000 people through the gates received a free commemorative T-shirt.

A tailgate-style dinner and family-friendly activities were also available. The celebration concluded with a post-game fireworks show.

Olivet was defeated, 41-23.

It was standing room only at Olivet’s Cutler Athletic Complex Saturday, Sept. 10, as the Comets celebrated their first home night football game in more than 40 years.

Comet News and Notes The women’s golf team finished in second-place in the final 2005 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings. Freshmen Tricia McKim of DeWitt and Lindsay Pipkin of White Lake earned first-team All-MIAA honors, while junior Stephanie Nicolai of Shelbyville earned second-team Tricia McKim Lindsay Pipkin All-MIAA honors.

At the Defiance (Ohio) Tournament Sept. 12, the Comets broke the school record with a team score of 316. Individually, Pipkin and sophomore Amanda Sanders of Concord each broke the 18-hole school record with a 76.

Entering the 2006 spring season, Olivet is ranked 11th in the NCAA Division III Head-to-Head rankings, which is compiled by the Web site golfstat.com. Head Coach Bill Maas ’89 has been named to the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Regional Advisory Committee.

The men’s golf team was third in the final 2005 MIAA standings.

Junior Derrick Sayers of Battle Creek earned first-team All-MIAA

honors with a 74.6 stroke average. His low round of the season was a 69 on two occasions.

During the 2005 outdoor track and field season, two Olivet College women set school records –Donna Cripe of Vermontville in the 100Derrick Sayers Katelan Schoen meter dash (13.26 seconds) and Hannah Robbins of Marshall in the 400-meter hurdles (1:11.95).

Also in the 2005 spring season, women’s tennis player Rachel Vilums of Hudsonville set the single-season school record for wins in singles play (13).

Sophomores Nick McIntosh of Petoskey and Katelan Schoen of Climax were named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV baseball and softball second-team as selected by College Sports Information Directors of America. McIntosh has a 3.88 GPA in criminal justice. Schoen carries a 3.73 GPA in biology.

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Comet

Athletics

Women’s Basketball NOV.

2005-06 Winter Sports Schedules

DEC.

Men’s Basketball NOV.

DEC.

JAN.

FEB.

18 19 22 26 29 10 14 16 17 29 30 4 7 11 14 18 21 25 28 1 4 8 11 15 18

ANDREWS CONSOLATION/CHAMP GAME @ Saginaw Valley State @ Anderson (Ind.) @ Madonna DEFIANCE (Ohio) @ Wisc.-Whitewater vs. Buena Vista (Iowa) Consolation/Champ game vs. Marian (Ind.) Consolation/Champ game @ Alma * HOPE * TRI-STATE (Ind.) * @ Adrian * @ Calvin * @ Kalamazoo * ALBION * ALMA * @ Hope * @ Tri-State (Ind.) * ADRIAN * CALVIN * KALAMAZOO * @ Albion *

1:30 P.M. 6:30/8:30 P.M. 8 p.m.

TBA 7:30 p.m.

3 P.M. TBA 6 p.m. CT 2/4 p.m. CT 6 p.m.

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Swimming and Diving OCT. NOV.

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29 4 12 19 10 7 13-14 21 28 9-11 9-11 16-18

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HOPE and SAINT MARY’S (Ind.) * @ Calvin * @ Hillsdale with Ohio Northern @ Albion * @ North Central (Ill.) Invitational CHICAGO (Ill.) @ Chicago (Ill.) Invitational ALMA * KALAMAZOO * MIAA Championships * @ Jenison HS NCAA Division III Women’s Championships @ University of Minnesota NCAA Division III Men’s Championships @ University of Minnesota

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vs. Keystone (Pa.) Consolation/Champ game ALVERNO CONSOLATION/CHAMP GAME @ Tri-State (Ind.) * vs. Andrews in Berrien Springs SPRING ARBOR KALAMAZOO * @ Franklin (Ind.) Consolation/Champ game ALBION * @ Northwood @ Saint Mary’s (Ind.) * ADRIAN * @ Hope * ALMA * @ Calvin * TRI-STATE (Ind.) * @ Albion * SAINT MARY’S (Ind.) * @ Adrian * HOPE * @ Alma * CALVIN * @ Kalamazoo *

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Wrestling NOV.

19 29 DEC. 2 3 10 18 29-30 JAN. 4 8 13-14 21 25 28 FEB. 3-4 11 18 MAR.

3-4

COMET DUALS at Olivet High School 9 A.M. @ Tri-State (Ind.) 7 p.m. @ Milwaukee (Wisc.) SOE Duals 5 p.m. CT @ Milwaukee (Wisc.) SOE Invitational 9 a.m. CT @ Ohio Northern Invitational 9 a.m. @ Mount Union (Ohio) Duals noon Midlands Championships @ Northwestern (Ill.) TBA @ Chicago (Ill.) 4 p.m. CT TRI-STATE (Ind.) 2 P.M. @ North Central (Ill.) Tournament 3 p.m./9 a.m. @ Eastern Michigan Triangular noon MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE 7 P.M. Monon Bell Classic Duals @ Wabash (Ind.) 9 a.m. @ Wheaton (Ill.) Invitational 2 p..m./9 a.m. CT Mid-States Conference Tournament @ Mt. St. Joseph (Ohio) 9 a.m.

NCAA Division III Midwest Regional NCAA Division III National Championships @ College of New Jersey

BOLD and CAPS denote home event. * denotes Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest

www.olivetcollege.edu/sports

TBA

Comet softball and baseball teams have record-setting seasons

by Geoff Henson

The 2005 Olivet College softball team found out that there is no better way to start a season than in sunny Fort Myers, Fla. In addition to enjoying the weather at the Gene Cusic Classic, the Comets also came back to Michigan with a lot of confidence in their ability to hit the ball hard and far.

In its first game, an 11-0 win over Dominican (Ill.) University, Olivet hit five home runs. Lindsey Daniels of Galesburg and Beth Shunkwiler of Berrien Springs had two apiece and Jessica Schmansky of Clarkston had one. The hits continued to come, as the Comets finished their trip to Florida with a 5-1 record. As a team, they had a .343 batting average to go along with nine doubles, five triples and 10 home runs for a .628 slugging percentage. In the six games, Olivet outscored its opponents, 43-11.

Individually, Shunkwiler collected nine base hits – one single, three doubles, one triple and four home runs – while driving in 13 runs. The four home runs tied the Olivet single-season school record.

For her efforts, Shunkwiler was the first player in school history to be named as a Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Week. Jill Shufelt of Millington hit a team-high .700 with 14 hits in 20 at-bats. In addition, the Olivet pitchers limited their opponents to a .188 batting average. Erica Anderson of Casnovia posted a 0.34 ERA, allowing only one earned run in 20 and two-thirds innings.

“The spring break trip set a tone for the entire season,” said Head Coach James Farnum.

“The team was able to stay focused and aggressive, which carried over throughout the course of the season.”

The Comets finished the season with a school-record 22 wins to go along with records for highest batting average (.333), most runs scored (218), hits (342), RBIs (192), doubles (74), triples (13) and home runs (20).

Shunkwiler shattered the singleseason school record for most home runs (nine), RBIs (50), total bases (91) and highest slugging percentage (.740). The previous record for these four categories Beth Shunkwiler were four, 27, 82 and .683, respectively. Jenn Newland of Tekonsha set records for most runs scored (35) and at-bats (130).

Anderson, Newland and Shunkwiler were rewarded for their efforts with first-team All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) honors. Schmansky and Shufelt were second-team All-MIAA picks. Shufelt and Shunkwiler earned first-team NFCA All-Central Region honors and Newland was a second-team NFCA All-Central Region choice. Shunkwiler became the first player in school history to earn All-America honors after being named to the 2005 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-America third-team. She received her award at a dinner prior to the NCAA Division III Softball World Series in Raleigh, N.C. “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Coach (Gordie) Hetrick for what we were able to accomplish hitting wise,” Farnum said. “He did a great job working with our players and they liked working with him.”

A two-time All-MIAA selection, Shunkwiler is Olivet’s all-time leader in doubles (26), home runs (nine), RBIs (61) and slugging percentage (.616). Anderson needs only one win during her senior season to break the Comets’ career record for pitching wins. After three seasons, she has 31 wins to tie Jessica (Davenport) Creager ’00. Anderson is also in striking distance of breaking the career innings pitched record, which is 386 and one-third innings by Creager.

Comet

Athletics The baseball team also got off to a great start in its 2005 campaign at the Gene Cusic Classic in Florida. Despite a 4-4 record, the Comets scored 79 runs and hit .311 on the trip. Four players collected at least 10 hits each. Chris Shelhart of Rolling Meadows, Ill., topped the team with a .433 batting average.

Hits kept coming throughout the season, as Olivet set team records for most runs scored (280), doubles (76), triples (10) and home runs (30).

Shelhart broke the individual single-season record for most hits (55), home runs (14), RBIs (46), total bases (112), runs scored (41) and highest slugging percentage (.855). For his efforts, he earned first-team All-MIAA and second-team Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association AllMideast Region honors.

In addition, James Melvin of Redford and Jonathon Chris Shelhart VanSon of Macomb were second-team All-MIAA picks.

In MIAA play, Melvin started every game at third base and had a .306 batting average. VanSon split time between shortstop and the pitchers’ mound during conference play. At the plate, he hit .302 and on the mound, he had a team-low 1.48 ERA. After two seasons at Olivet, Shelhart already has the highest career batting average (.403) and slugging percentage (.712). He is also two home runs shy of tying Chris Ploucha’s career home run record (17) set from 1992-96.

Comet Readers program The Olivet College men’s basketball program has begun its second year of “Comet Readers” at Fern Persons Elementary School in Olivet. Head Coach Kurt Soderberg started the program with help from librarian, Wanda Kleinfelt.

Twice each semester, studentathletes from the team read to the students in the school’s library.

Upon arriving at the library, a basketball player is paired-up with Freshman Jon Teuber reads to at least one child. The player reads students at Olivet’s Fern Persons a book to the child and then Elementary School. helps that child find another book that he/she can take home to read. Each time the team visits the school, the players read to children from a different class.

“This program is a win-win situation,” said Soderberg. “The children love it when we come to their school, and it also gives our players a chance to participate in a great community service project.”

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Class

Notes Vedder family bond grows stronger

Clarification from last issue: Sylvia Hicks-Fox ’78, M.D., earned a medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. She is a former member of the Michigan State Medical Society.

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Dorothy (Brown) Snyder ’29 celebrated her 98th birthday May 16, 2005. She still enjoys music and playing the keyboard.

Karla Kunkle, former director of annual giving, and Dorothy (Brown) Snyder ’29

Mary Adams ’36 won “Best of Show” for Open Class Art at the Eaton County Fair in Charlotte. She also won the “Peoples’ Choice” award for her painting of a barn.

1930s

The Vedder siblings are a close-knit bunch. They spent their youth growing up in Olivet and all graduated from Olivet College: Jim ’77, Steve ’79, Mike ’82 and Sandy (Vedder) Boyer ’85. Earlier this summer, the bond between Jim and his sister became stronger when Sandy donated one of her kidneys to him.

“People need to know about being a live donor and how it helps to save lives,” said Sandy. “I want to get the word out and raise awareness.”

About 15 years ago, Jim noticed something was “not quite right” with himself. Following a series of tests, doctors diagnosed Jim with Lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. Five years ago, Jim had triple bypass surgery and three years later his kidneys began to fail, which led to dialysis treatments.

When Sandy was told her brother needed a kidney transplant, she was the first in line to be tested for compatibility. It turned out she was a perfect match, but before she could go through with the operation, Sandy had a few obstacles to overcome herself. Her husband, Brad, and two daughters, Kelsey, a freshman at Northern Michigan University, and Breana, a sophomore at Saline High School, were understandably reluctant to see her run the risk of major surgery. A more serious concern for her family was that Sandy had an artery running in front of her kidney that should lie behind it, making her part The Vedders (from left): Mike ’82, of the surgery even more of Steve ’79, Sandy (Vedder) Boyer ’85 a challenge for doctors. and Jim ’77.

Sandy also had to tie up loose ends with associates from the two businesses she helped establish: The AndersonBoyer Group, which specializes in assisting small to midsize law firms create and implement successful management strategies, and the Network of Leading Law Firms, a nonprofit international organization.

After six months of tests and CAT scans, the surgery was successfully completed June 20, 2005 at Saint Mary’s Mercy Medical Center in Grand Rapids. Both surgeries went very well. Although Jim still has Lupus, research shows chances are good the disease will not attack the new kidney.

Sandy must undergo testing on a quarterly basis and needs to keep her protein intake lower than before. Jim resides in Grand Ledge and works in the accounting department for Farm Bureau in Lansing. He feels like he has a “new lease on life.”

1920s

Joining Marion (McConnel) Bradley ’31 (right) to celebrate her 96th birthday Sept. 11, 2005, at Maplewood Assisted Living in Marshall, were Larida (Scott) Petersen ’31 (center) and Mildred Parrott ’32.

Elizabeth (Leslie) Seager ’36 spent the winter with her daughter, Rev. Charlotte Seager ’61, in Tennessee. During the summer, Elizabeth returned to Northport.

1940s

Loel (Burket) Shuler ’43 visited campus Oct. 12, 2005 to give a presentation about her book “Alaska in the Wake of the North Star” as part of the college’s Library Book Talk Series.

E-mail Loel at loels@pacbell.com.

Carolyn (Vosburg) Hall ’45 published her Loel Shuler ’43 16th book, “Playful Quilts for Kids.” In addition to being a writer, Carolyn is a skilled fabric artist, pattern maker, designer and photographer. E-mail Carolyn at cvcahall@aol.com.

Janette (Mills) Badland ’46 has lived in California since 1947 with husband, Bill. They are both retired teachers. Janette and Bill have a son and a grandson. E-mail Janette at bbadland@earthlink.net.

Regina (Rosen) Ross ’49 keeps busy with church work and volunteering at the Adams National Park Headquarters in Quincy, Mass.

She and her husband have eight children, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all within a 30-mile radius of Boston. E-mail Regina at RJimJean@aol.com.

Class

Robert Jackson ’40 and wife, Margaret, visited campus this summer with their daughter, Kathy Russell.

1950s

Dorothy Kovarik ’53 played an 158-year-old piano in a small Presbyterian church in Omena this summer. It was the second piano brought into Leelanau County. After the 2005 holidays, Dorothy will be a substitute pianist at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church.

E-mail Dorothy at carlysamrocky@yahoo.com.

Jack ’56 and Nancy (Collins) ’57 Fieldman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 20, by taking a cruise to the Bahamas with their three daughters and eight grandchildren. Nancy’s mother is Frances (Friend) Collins ’28.

Carl ’57 and Mary Jane (Keschman) ’59 Cooper spent five weeks this summer in China (fourth trip) and Vietnam (third trip). They live in Florida and have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Rev. Donald Nichols ’57, Ph.D., was elected Governor of the “Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Ohio,” at a meeting held May 21, 2005. He attended a national meeting Sept. 9–14 in Plymouth, Mass.

E-mail Don at sallydon1@juno.com.

1960s

Notes

Arthur Clough ’60 had two neurosurgeries this year to help relieve the symptoms of essential tremor. E-mail Arthur at aecjlc@ktc.com.

Lou Flanigan ’62 stayed in his apartment, 11 miles from downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter District, during Hurricane Katrina. He went without power, water and a phone for 12 days. E-mail Lou at lhftours@msn.com.

Larry ’64 and Mary Martha (Potts) ’65 Melendy retired from the Hastings School District in 2000. They now have four grandchildren, after their daughter, Michelle Marie, and her husband adopted a baby girl from South Korea. E-mail Larry and Mary Martha at 3mimel@cablespeed.com.

Forrest “T” ’65 and Geri (Sellers) ’65 Bone and are in charge of the Tin Can Tourists. In 1998, they renewed the club, which is dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation and promotion of vintage RVs. Contact “T” and Geri at f23bone@earthlink.net.

Jane (Nelson) O’Brien ’65 retired after 35 years of teaching in the Olivet School District. During her last few years, she had been teaching sixthgrade math. Jane has a daughter and a granddaughter.

David Prior ’65, Ph.D., was appointed the seventh chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, July 20, 2005. David began his teaching career at the University of Kentucky in 1973. He has also held administrative positions at three other universities. He and wife, Merry Lu (Fritz) ’68, have a daughter and son.

Jeanette (Landes) Anderson ’66 retired from teaching but continues as a substitute teacher at the Strange School, a one-room schoolhouse north of Charlotte.

Bob ’67 and Pat (Roach) ’69 Lewallen moved into a new home in Traverse City. Bob retired in 2002 after 35 years of teaching math and coaching football. Pat retired in June 2005 after 35 years of teaching and serving as the junior high school principal and administor for the Traverse City Schools. They have two daughters and a grandson. E-mail them at bandplew@chartermi.net.

Alpha Es from the 1960s who reunited at Schuler’s in Marshall June 28, 2005, included (from left) Lois (Sowers) Hiemstra ’66, Pat (Coates) Zook ’68, Nancy H. (Smith) Johnson ’68, Carol (Ferguson) Westby ’67, Charlene (Rarick) Dean ’70 and Marcia (Campbell) Sumerix ’69.

Jon Rupright ’68, D.O., is an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and the medical director of Traumatic Brain Injury Programs at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Jon was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Missouri Brain Injury Association. He lives in Columbia, Mo., with wife, Karen. E-mail Jon at Mosesboy@msn.com.

Mary Beth (Price) Kraus ’69 teaches elementary school in a rural, primarily Hispanic district, 35 miles south of Tucson, where she lives with husband, Mike. E-mail Mary at mkrauss01@comcast.net.

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Class

Notes Soronian Reunion Soronians from ’65 to ’71 gathered for a three-day weekend at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, June 24-26, 2005.

Maureen (Hendrick) Smyth ’71 is the senior vice president for programs and communications at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Flint. She is active in a number of international and national organizations in philanthropy. Maureen is the chair of the Trust for Civil Society in central and eastern Europe, a multinational organization that supports the development of civil society in seven countries. She was recently reappointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to the Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Trustees.

Michael K. Williams ’71 is the chief operating officer and executive vice president for Bates International Motor Home Rental Systems, Inc., in Las Vegas. A large percentage of his RV rental fleet have been relocated to Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi to house workers as they reconstruct the infrastructure devastated by Hurricane Katrina. E-mail Michael at headquarters@batesintl.com.

Christopher Johnson ’72, served as technical advisor to the United States delegation to the committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Committee, which addresses standards, regulations and other technical barriers to trade that impede access to goods in global markets. E-mail him at Christopher.Johnson@usitc.gov.

Mike Maciasz ’72 retired after 32 years of teaching at Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. He and wife, DeDe, have two daughters.

First row from left: Reva (Hayes) Parrella ’68 and Pam (Bankerd) Snarey ‘66; second row from left: Colleen (Hutton) Moose ’68, Marsha (Hill) Malec ’71 and Sidney (Patton) Parridine ’69; third row from left: Anne (Carlson) DuVall ’68, Bente (Lieng) Howe ’68 and Lorna (Brown) Spencer ‘68; fourth row from left: Ann (Bertram) Brindle ’71 and Linda (Bryant) Soloman ‘68

First row from left: Holly Elmer ’67, Denny (Redmond) Rice ’67 and Sandy (Charles) Grimaldi ’67; second row from left: Martie (Graham) Ports ’65, Judy (Ports) Kearn ’65 and Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67; third row from left: Sylvia Scarbrough ’67, Lynne (Dorman) Meservey ’67, Jane (Nelson) O’Brien ’65 and Sue (Smith) Munn ’67

1970s

Jim Brunger ’71 retired from the federal government in July 2003, ending a more than 31-year career in human resources. He resides in Virginia with wife, Pam. E-mail Jim at Brungerjp@aol.com.

Doug Semivan ’71 has taken on the responsibilities for the Visual Arts Program at the EurAm Center in Pontlevoy, France, located near Paris.

Doug and wife, Julie (Abraham) ’71, have a studio and living space in the French town. E-mail Doug and Julie at djs218@wowway.com.

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Rose (Thornton) McKinney-James ’73 joined the MGM Mirage Board of Directors in Las Vegas. She established and owns Energy Works Consulting and McKinney-James & Assoc., both based in Las Vegas. She was previously president of Brown & Partners and president of Governmental Affairs for Faiss Foley Merica. Rose is also a registered lobbyist with the Nevada Legislature, representing the Clark County School District. In 1998, she was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Nevada and became the first African-American to win a Nevada statewide primary election. Rose’s husband, Fred James, is a certified public accountant. They have two sons, Avery, 9, and Erick, 15. E-mail her at foursolar@aol.com.

Ron Stites ’77, and Tala Walsh ’77 both work for the Naval Personnel Development Command in Norfolk, Va. The NPDC delivers individual training to sailors throughout the Navy.

Detroit-area Holiday Social Friday, Dec. 16 6 to 9 p.m.

Birmingham Athletic Club Hosted by J. Robert Gillette ’63 For more information, call (269) 749-7644 or e-mail mjennings@olivetcollege.edu.

Rev. Bruce Redner ’73, Ph.D., and wife, Ruth, live in Perth, Australia.

He recently earned a master’s degree in human resource management.

Bruce is on the board of directors of a private psychology clinic serving victims of child sexual abuse. E-mail Bruce at redner@abanet.com.au.

Class

Notes

Maxine Becker ’75 is a librarian at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. E-mail Maxine at mab1@fastmail.fm.

Making the Call

by Linda Jo Scott

The Alumni Social in Alpena Sept. 22, was hosted by (from left) Betsy (Dee) and Greg Adamus, both ’81. They were joined by Ponja (Davenport) Vahs ’03 and Patrick Chadwick ’62, among others.

Pam (Heos) Brancheau ’77 is director of development at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing. She is also a member of the Olivet College Alumni Council and serves as the 1977 Class Captain.

E-mail Pam at heosp@cooley.edu.

Judi (Steinhoff) Ingison ’80 is the director of Eagle Ridge Academy, a charter school in Minnesota.

E-mail Judi at jingison@eagleridgeacademy.org.

1980s

Carole “Kelly” Havens ’77 is teaching fourth- through eighth-grade music at the Trinity Lutheran School in Elkhart, Ind. She and her husband, a research engineer in physics and professor at the University of Notre Dame, have four children. E-mail Kelly at havens@datacruz.com.

Kim (Stahlmann) Mull ’81 is the owner of First Creative Services in Lansing, which handles design for print, Web, identity, marketing, advertising and corporate communication.

E-mail Kim at jkmull@cablespeed.com.

Andrea Lozano ’82, was named Orion Art Center’s artist of the year.

Andrea has three sons: Alex,15, Sean, 13, and Dylan,10.

David ’80 and Tara (Tulk) Kollar ’83 recently moved to Grand Ledge.

David is a registered piano technician, and Tara is a private piano teacher. They have two children, Robby,13, and Bria,11. E-mail them at tarakollar@adventpoint.com.

Janet (Matheson) LaVasseur ’83, a Portage Northern High School English teacher, went to Africa on a Fulbright-Hays scholarship for one month this summer. She and 16 other teachers visited 31 schools, three libraries and many historical sites in South Africa and Botswana. E-mail Janet at jlavasseur@tds.net.

Linda Hoover ’81 has officiated at the NCAA Division I College Softball World Series and would love to get to the Olympics someday.

Her physical education degree from Olivet College and vast experience as a softball official may eventually get her there.

While Hoover was at Olivet, Pat Vannorsdall, associate professor of physical education at the time, recognized her skills and good judgment and recruited her to do some volleyball and softball officiating. After graduation, Hoover’s mother became seriously ill. So she stayed in the area, working for the Marshall Recreation Department and Copper Bar, to assist her mother. She also joined a local softball league to continue playing the sport she loved.

Linda Hoover ’81 Hoover went on to Western Michigan University to pick up another educational endorsement in health and began teaching at Marshall High School, first part-time and then, after four years, full-time.

The officiating has continued for high school volleyball and softball, as well as some college volleyball. Last July, she went to Oklahoma City to work the “World Cup,” which is similar to the Olympics, for Australia, Canada, China, Japan and the United States.

Multiple knee surgeries keep her from playing competitive softball, but she loves the continued involvement she has by officiating. “It keeps me active but also gives me a chance to give back to the game,” she said.

Her slogan is an apt one for a career official: “It’s nothing till I call it.”

It is also apt that she was inducted into the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

A lover of travel, Hoover has gone on many trips abroad through her contacts at Marshall High School, with both students and colleagues. So far, she has gone to Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Thailand, France, Spain, Greece and Turkey. Her experience in the world of softball has also given her the opportunity to travel within the states to California, Florida, Minnesota, Texas and many other areas.

Hoover hopes to retire in nine or 10 years. “I’m now getting ‘kids of kids’ in school, and that’s scary,” she said with a laugh.

Hoover stays in touch with fellow Sigma Beta sisters, Karen (Wilson) Van Hentenryck ’81, Kim (Kirk) Byrens ’81, Katie (McEwan) Schook ’81, and sees David Sly ’70 each Sunday at the United Methodist Church.

“Linda is an accomplished athlete and a natural leader,” said Van Hentenryck. “In sports she was committed, encouraging, fair and always had a great sense of humor. She persistently gave 100 percent in practice and on the field or court and expected the same contribution and effort from her teammates. These qualities are also apparent in her approach to teaching, coaching and most things in life that she cares about.

“I think back now on those years at Olivet and wonder how we ever became such good friends. I was never involved in organized sports during my years at Olivet and our areas of interest and study were not similar, but Linda was never one to limit herself by identifying with a single group. She enjoyed friendships with a broad spectrum of people.”

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Class

Notes Daniel Arce ’84, Ph.D., received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Research and/or Creative Activity at the annual Rhodes College Awards Convocation, April 29, 2005. Daniel is a professor of economics and business administration.

Michael James ’84 lives in New York City and is the head writer for “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith” on ESPN2. Contact Michael at jamjourn@hotmail.com.

Cathie Falk ’88 won the 2005 Eaton County Heritage Award. The award is given annually by the Eaton County Historical Commission to individuals or organizations that make important contributions to the restoration, preservation or public awareness of the county’s historical heritage. Her focus on the county’s experience in the Civil War included “Eaton Rifles” of Michigan’s Sixth Infantry Regiment. Cathie has been a history teacher for 14 years at Charlotte Middle School.

1990s

Kimberly (Wade) ’90 and Jonathan Wilson ’92 manage Wilson Homes, Inc., a foster care company in Eaton County. Kimberly also has a new office for individual and family counseling in Lansing. E-mail Kimberly and Jonathan at lost_one_won_one@msn.com.

Marlon Bailey ’91 earned a doctorate in African-American studies with a designated emphasis on women, gender and sexuality from the University of California-Berkeley. Contact Marlon at mmbailey@berkeley.edu.

James Etherton ’91 is serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine.

E-mail him at Seabrig29@aol.com.

Sue (Cheney) Ayotte ’92 is the special projects chair for the Women’s Board of Olivet College. She plays hand bells and the flute at the United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Sue and husband, Robert, have two children. E-mail her at vntmrn@core.com.

Terri Dinsmore ’92, a math teacher at Webber Middle School in Saginaw, was commissioned to do an oil painting for the Unitarian Universalist Church in Flint. Her 20" x 24" painting will be used as a welcome sign inside the church. Terri earned a teaching certificate from the University of Michigan – Flint, and a master’s degree from Marygrove College.

Julie Foster ’92 is the director of career services for the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Contact Julie at juleskfoster@yahoo.com.

Cindy Hudson ’92 is the news editor at the Lansing State Journal. She recently received the paper’s Star Award for Trust, a program where six employees are recognized each quarter in the areas of trust, leadership, excellence, relationships, fun and unsung hero.

The employees are nominated by peers or supervisors. E-mail Cindy at chudson@lsj.com.

Returning for 2005 Homecoming activities included (from left): Angel White ’04, Lindsey Palmiter ’04, Sarah Hall ’04, Alana Fox ’03 and Shannon McHugh ’04.

Julie Foster ’92

Stay connected with Olivet E-newsletter

Jeff Mathie ’88 developed a deep space antenna for NASA. He owns and operates Patriot Antenna Systems, a Michigan-based company that manufactures a wide range of commercial antennas, ranging in size from 60 centimeters to nine meters. The antennas are used for homeland security, emergency response and broadcast and cable systems, among other applications. His clients range from the Nigerian government to various companies in Europe and the Middle East. Jeff is married and has five children.

Joyce Smith ’88 recently returned to Marshall, after having taught three years in Florida. She is reopening “The Lesson Place,” a private piano studio. E-mail Joyce at Kaleikat@aol.com.

You don’t have to wait for Shipherd’s Record to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at Olivet College. Subscribe to Olivet’s free monthly E-newsletter. Developed with alumni and friends in mind, the E-newsletter contains news and notes about Olivet’s students, faculty, staff and alumni. This service is only available to those alumni and friends who subscribe, so sign up today by sending an e-mail to collegerelations@olivetcollege.edu.

Class Notes Turn yourself in for Shipherd’s Record Class Notes.

Send your notes to the Office of Alumni Relations, 320 S. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076.

You may also e-mail your information to alumnirelations@olivetcollege.edu.

Web site Visit the Olivet College Alumni Association Web site at www.olivetcollege.edu/alumni for the latest news and events.

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Where are they now?

Mel Larimer served as chair of Olivet College’s Music Department and choral director from 1970-76. He later joined the Albion College music faculty, where his choral groups presented annual madrigal dinners, musicals, and “Lessons and Carols” during the holiday season on National Public Radio.

Larimer also served on the summer faculty at Interlochen Center for the Arts for 31 years.

Since 1997, he has served as music director at the First Congregational Church in Traverse City, and his choir toured in Europe, Russia and Scandinavia.

These days, partially retired, Larimer enjoys keeping up with all of the musical activities of his five children, as well as hunting, fishing and skiing. His wife, Joan ’77, stays active as costumer for their Mel Larimer son’s madrigal dinners at West High School in Traverse City.

The Larimers can be reached at 139 West Silver Lake Rd., Traverse City, MI 49684-8528, or by phone at (231) 943-7900.

Chala (Fowler) Lott ’93 works for Fifth Third Bank in Jackson. Chala and husband, Kevin, have four children.

Bill Thams ’93 is an account executive for Wilmington Finance. He and wife, Denette, live in North Carolina. E-mail Bill at Thams@carolina.rr.com.

Hannah (Woofter) ’94 and Dr. Greg Rodocker ’94, live in Indiana.

Greg is a family doctor with the Deaconess Medical Group Columbia in Evansville. They have a son, Evan, 5, and a daughter, Abigail, 3.

E-mail them at hrodocker@yahoo.com.

Shannon (Cunningham) Fairlamb ’94 was recently promoted to manager of the creative writing group in the marketing services department of Combined Insurance Company of America. E-mail Shannon at smfairlamb@hotmail.com.

Nate Gross ’94 teaches English at Petoskey High School. He and his wife built a house last year. They have a son, Eero, 3 and a daughter, Raija, 2. E-mail Nate at gross.nj.t@petoskeyschools.org.

Don Heinz II ’95 submitted the winning essay for the 2004 Samsung Hope for Education Essay Contest and won $10,000 worth of Samsung electronics for his two alternative education programs. He is an employee of the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District and the director/ teacher for The Crooked Tree Center and Great Lakes Emmet Alternative Education Programs. E-mail Don at dmojoman57@hotmail.com.

Cheryl (Baetz) Pennings ’95 is an independent consultant for Arbonne International, a European skin care company. Cheryl also has her own home-based party business. She and her husband have been married five years and just moved back to Michigan, having spent eight years in the Chicago area. E-mail Cheryl at pennings@myarbonne.com.

Rob Tenyer ’95 coaches football and strength and conditioning at Morehead State University in Kentucky. His wife, Jane, is in charge of the Wellness Center at the university. E-mail Rob at r.tenyer@moreheadst.edu.

Class

Notes Kim (Barnes) Bondy ’96 earned a master’s degree in science education from Michigan State University in 2004. She teaches sixth-grade science and history and is the Dean of the middle school at the South Arbor Academy in Ypsilanti. Her husband, Dave ’96, works at AIG Insurance in East Lansing. E-mail Kim at kbarnes@heritageacademies.com or Dave at david.bondy@esis.com.

Erik Larson ’97 is the executive director of the Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing. E-mail Erik at larson@impression5.org.

Antoinette (Dawkins) Gray ’99 is the director of multicultural programs at Adrian College. E-mail Antoinette at agray@adrian.edu.

Brian Samulski ’99 is the new girls’ basketball coach at Canton High School.

Ben Torres ’99 resides in Warren and teaches physical education at St. Mary’s and St. Dennis elementary schools in Royal Oak. The past two years he has been the varsity boys, track coach and assistant football coach at New Haven High School. He also coached football for four years at St. Clement Catholic High School in Center Line.

2000s

Jessica (Davenport) Creager ’00 is teaching special education at C. W. Otto Middle School in Lansing. In her first year of coaching the varsity softball team at Lansing Everett High School, she won the district tournament in 2005 and was named District Softball Coach of the Year.

Shawn Dowling ’00 earned a medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 2004. He is now at the University of Calgary and plans to complete his residency in emergency medicine in 2009. E-mail Shawn at shawn.dowling@calgaryhealthregion.ca.

Mindy (Koviak) Otto ’01 earned a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Olivet College in May. She started a business with her mother and sister, called Just4Twins. It is a Web-based business for custom and unique gifts for twins and multiples.

Annie (Deschoff) Eggleston ’02 competed in her second marathon in October 2005, finishing in 4:40. She has a 1-year-old daughter.

E-mail Annie at deschoff237@hotmail.com.

Brooke Dalton Baker ’03 has relocated to Chicago for a job in art education. E-mail Brooke at Brookedaltonb@aol.com.

Kristi Barker ’03 is taking her graduate certification for forensic and analytical health scientists at Wayne State University. She is a research assistant for WSU’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Contact Kristi at kbarker9903@yahoo.com.

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Notes Mike Dyson ex’03 played for the Topeka Tornados in the All-American Professional Basketball Team Summer League. Before going to Topeka, Mike played with the Grand Rapids Flight of the International Basketball League, where he earned IBL All-Star honors.

Jamie Hinkle ’03 is working as a technical analyst for the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. E-mail Jamie at jdubbsh16@buckeye-express.com.

Jason Anderson ’04 recently completed basic training for the U.S. Navy at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Matt Brawley ’04 is the new Coloma High School girls’ basketball coach.

Tonja Hewitt ’04 is teaching seventh-grade keyboarding and high school English for Maple Valley Schools in Vermontville. E-mail Tonja at tata76@sbcglobal.net.

James Neely ’04 is a newspaper reporter at The Lacombe Globe in Alberta, Canada.

Joe Richards ’04, a personal trainer at Troy Huggett’s Fitness Pros, recently earned a certified strength and conditioning specialist credential through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Joe is also an assistant baseball coach at Olivet College. E-mail him at jbiggs6@hotmail.com.

Kyle ’04 and Trevor ’04 Young, identical twins, are teaching in the math department at Marshall High School.

Melissa Chovance ’05 is a first-grade teacher at Park Elementary in Avon Park, Fla. E-mail Melissa at m_chovance@yahoo.com.

Katie Graebner ’05 is the women’s residence life area coordinator at Lindsay Wilson College in Columbia, Ky. E-mail Katie at kgraebner@gmail.com.

Comet Classic golf outing The runner-up foursome at the 2005 Olivet College Golf Classic included (from left): Matt Wait ’99, Mary Anne McMullen ’01, Amy Lahr and Bill Maas ’89.

The outing was sponsored by the Comet Athletic Department.

Garfield Lake gathering The Kathy Ford Band, whose musical performances include jazz, rock ’n’ roll, disco, blues and country, performed Oct. 8 at the newly re-opened Garfield Lake Tavern, now owned by Chris Furlong ’05.

The tavern, which underwent seven months of remodeling after being closed for more than a year, Chris Furlong ’05 employs 13 Olivet College students. Furlong, a native of Constantine, purchased the tavern with business partner Tyler Paesens. They refashioned the food and interior to serve a large part of the community, including Olivet students, staff and Kathy Ford ’78, seated faculty. In combination with a new menu, the cozy atmosphere offered a great place for Kathy Ford ’78 and her band to perform.

Ford has been an opening act for artists such as Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks and Vince Gill, with whom she performed a duet. Her band has been named the “Best of the Best Band” by readers of the Lansing State Journal for the eighth consecutive year. When she’s not performing, Ford is a teacher consultant in special education with the Ingham Intermediate School District.

Olivet College Alumni and Friends Cruise Alaska– Inside Passage Princess Cruise Lines/Sun Princess JUNE 4 – 11, 2006 Sets sail from Seattle with stops In Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria. For more information, contact Marty Mason Jennings ’67, director of alumni relations, at (269) 749-7644 or mjennings@olivetcollege.edu.

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Pam Heos ’77 and Jeff Brancheau, June 29, 2005, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bloomfield Hills.

Franklin Unger ’91 and Dr. Kirsten Michelle Miller, Oct. 23, 2004, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Grosse Point Park.

Pam Heos ’77 and Jeff Brancheau

Leonard Shelton ’97 and Dirlene Campos, Oct. 29, 2004, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Jennifer Jill Kochin ’98 andPatrick Gary Sickels, May 28, 2005, in Muskegon.

Marriages

Shane Richard Bookwalter ’99 and Amanda Lynn Tate, July 30, 2005. Andy Mayr ’01 was the best man.

Deirdre Carroll ’99 and Jeffrey Cook, Aug. 20, 2005, in Glen Arbor.

Olivetians in the ceremony were Leni Steiner-Zehender ’98 and Loretta Cox ’98. E-mail Deirdre at dcarroll@nmu.edu.

Jason Moore ’99 and Jamie Taylor, May 7, 2005, at the Sandals Resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Amy Wood ’99 and Matthew Tanis ’01, Aug. 2, 2003.

Shawn Dowling ’00 and Stephanie Kerwin, Aug. 20, 2005, in Roseneath, Ontario, Canada. Matt Wait ’99 was a groomsman.

Lisa Chase ’02 and Travis Lehman ’03, Aug. 13, 2005, in Ionia. Other Olivetians in the wedding were Lorin Granger ’01, Melissa (Sobie) Casarez ’02, Mike Wilson ex ’02, Dave Trudell ex ’03, Mike Smock ex ’04 and Erin Wilson ’04. Mike Fales ’75 officiated.

Shauna Ivy ’02 and Cleveland White III, June 25, 2005, at Mars Hill Baptist Church in Chicago. Other Olivetians in the wedding were Gwendolyn Williams ’01, Alicia Sanders ’02, and Latonja AllenMallard ’01. E-mail Shauna at shaunaivy@hotmail.com.

Tracy Harmon ’03 and Jeremy Mulvany

Class

Notes

New Comets

to Shantel (Diethrich) Launstein ’93 and husband, Jon, a daughter, Ashley Lynn, April 21, 2005. Ashley joins sister, Ellie, 2. E-mail Shantel at shantel_launstein @hotmail.com to Bryant Filter ’93 and wife, Lisa, a son, Jack James, May 17, 2005. to Heather (Morrison) ’93 and Jeff Kucharczyk ’94, twins, Jacob and Zachary, March 25, 2005. They join The Kucharczyk twins sisters, Karlie, 4 and Kimberly, 7. Grandparents are Judy (Spear) ’70 and Olivet College’s men’s golf coach Gary Morrison. E-mail Jeff at jhkkjzk@aol.com or Heather at Heather.Kucharczyk@Kellogg.com. to Bill Thams ’93 and wife, Denette, a daughter, Maelyn Ellen, Aug. 11, 2005. Maelyn joins sister, Marsie Renee, 2. to Josh Hosler ’94 and wife, Christy, a daughter, Sarah Sophia, Aug. 7, 2005. Josh is currently working for Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle. Contact Josh at josh.hosler@comcast.net. to Kim (Barnes) ’96 and Dave Bondy ’93, a daughter, Megan Elisabeth, June 4, 2005. Megan joins sister, Hannah. to Julie (Ottinger) Long ’98 and husband, Jason, a son, Josiah Fowler, July 7, 2005. Josiah joins Justice, 6, Jaylee, 3 and Jaxi, 2. to Amy (Wood) ’99 and Matthew Tanis ’01, a son, Connor Ryan, Sept.18, 2004.

Stephanie Jiles ’02 and Matt Hokanson, June 11, 2005.

to Kelly (Van Dorpe) Gardner ’00 and husband, Troy, a daughter, Maci, July 28, 2004.

Leonard Meschino ’03 and Lisa Marie Williams ’03, April 9, 2005, at Lake Michigan Hills Golf Course in Benton Harbor. Olivetians in the wedding were Beau Barnum ’02, Johnny Wright ex ’03, Alvin Little ’03, Shannon McHugh ’03, Lindsey Olds ’03 and Angel White ’04. E-mail them at lenny_meschino@hotmail.com.

to Gail (Hoag) ’01 and Patrick Lakatos ’00, a son, Trevor Ryan, May 15, 2005.

Tracy Harmon ’03 and Jeremy Mulvany, July 16, 2005, at the Olivet Congregational Church. Bridesmaids included Kelly (Becklin) Offrink ’99 and Susan Bigger ’00. The groom’s grandmother, Joy Mulvany, is a member of the Women’s Board of Olivet College.

to Melissa (Sobie) Casarez ’02 and husband, Jeremy, a son, Antonio Chase, Aug. 23, 2005. to Annie (Deschoff) Eggleston ’02 and husband, Gerry, a daughter, Chloe Jaden, Oct. 25, 2004.

Antonio Chase Casarez

to Mark Long ’05 and Jenna Little ex ’05 a son, Kaiden Frederick, Aug. 13, 2005.

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Notes Tressa Viola Barnes ’26, April 8, 2005 Lucile Moore ’29, June 19, 2005 Marian (Weeks) Vernier ex’30, June 12, 2005 Fortune Sullo ’33, Feb. 22, 2005 Dr. Robert Brugman ’37, Jan. 8, 2005 Elizabeth (Phelps) TenEyck ’37, Feb. 25, 2005

Memoriam

Class

Dr. Richard Jackson ’39, in June 2005. One of his survivors is brother, Robert Jackson ’40.

Ruth (Switzer) Moran ’40, Feb. 4, 2005 Elizabeth “Laura” (Nind) Litscher ’42, July 22, 2005

Erminine (Stripe) Eaton ’44, July 16, 2005. She is survived by her husband, David ’44, daughter, Mary Dankert ’69, and four other children. Memorial contributions in Erminine’s name may be sent to Olivet College.

Phyllis Estes ’45, March 3, 2004 Richard Curtis ’46, Sept. 11, 2004 James Burton ’49, Oct. 5, 2005 John Angott ’63, May 10, 2005 David Cioe ’63, Dec. 22, 2002 Harold Beebe ’64, Oct. 18, 2005. His wife, Connie ’64, preceded him in death in 2003.

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Robert Wetherell ’64, Dec. 6, 2002 C. Daniel Fitzpatrick ’67, July 10, 2005.

Memorial contributions in Dan’s name may be to sent to Olivet College for the Cutler Challenge.

Lynn Johnson ’69, Aug. 17, 2005 Miles Vieau ’74, Sept. 2, 2005 Elizabeth (Schrack) (Basnett) Hebert ’75 (teaching certificate), Sept. 18, 2005 C. Daniel Fitzpatrick ’67

James W. Jury ’77, July 27, 2005 Ronald Graves ex’88, Aug. 10, 2005

Geneva (Chapman) Howe ’91, July 30, 2005 Elizabeth “Libby” (Stryker) Ebinger ’97, June 22, 2005

Former Faculty, Staff and Friends Richard Closson, July 11, 2005. Richard worked in housekeeping at Olivet College from 1990 to 2002. More recently, he videoed the college’s football games.

Linda Hinz, Jan. 12, 2005. Linda was the wife of Fred Hinz ’70, Class Captain for 1970.

Phyllis Souden, Oct. 17, 2005. Phyllis was the wife of Don Souden ’76.

Robert Weber, Sept. 19, 2005. Robert was an Olivet College Board of Trustees emeritus.

Hurricane aKatrina family’s struggle O

by Jackie Bounds

and here in Michigan is such a blessing and an answer to my prayers,” livet College senior Greg Ravy remembers sitting in his he said. The college provided the family with bus transportation from room in Blair Hall watching the news and feeling helpless crowded shelters in Louisiana and Texas and organized housing for them as he saw Hurricane Katrina devastate his hometown of on-campus and in the community.

New Orleans. After the storm hit land, he lost phone In order to make sure the family had enough to eat, their meals contact with his family. were supplied by Chartwells, the college’s food service provider. The “I just kept prayin’ that they were safe,” said Ravy. “I was really Olivet Community Food nervous, but my coaches and friends Bank, South Central kept me going.”

Michigan Food Bank and area Two days after the hurricane food drives also supplied the struck, Ravy finally spoke with his family with plenty of food. mother and other family members.

Representatives from the He learned they had lost power, their college worked with area houses were flooded, they had schools and the community to nothing to eat and looters were collect clothing and personal running through the neighborhood. care items not only for Ravy’s Cell phone reception was nearly family, but for others affected impossible. The airwaves were

by Hurricane Katrina. jammed with people searching for “Bringing the Ravy family loved ones, so it was often in the to Olivet was a large endeavor, early morning hours when Ravy but we knew in our hearts it would get calls from his family. was the right thing to do,” said He became the central contact Olivet President Don Tuski person for his aunts and cousins to ’85, Ph.D. “I’m proud of the field updates on their location or way students, employees and what shelter they had moved to. the community stepped up to “My cousins watched the roofs assist them.” blow off their homes,” said Ravy.

Two months after the “Water poured in and damaged a Olivet student Grag Ravy, a native of New Orleans, had 18 members of his family devastating hurricane, only two bunch of stuff. My auntie didn’t arrive at Olivet College Labor Day. The college provided a safe haven members of the Ravy family want to leave her house because she for the family after their lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. remain in Olivet, the rest have was afraid of looters coming in.” returned to New Orleans, or The family’s cars were hit by falling relocated to Texas, to start rebuilding their lives. debris. Some of his family members walked miles through flood water “People have really made us feel welcome here,” said Michelle. and spent two days waiting in line for buses to take them to a shelter.

“We are very thankful for all the support and help from the college and “I didn’t know the hurricane would be so devastating,” said Greg’s community.” She and her daughter, Florence, 16, recently moved into an mother, Michelle, with tears in her eyes. “I’ll never forget Greg calling apartment in Olivet and Florence joined the Olivet High School varsity to say the college was buying us bus tickets to get us out of this mess.” girls’ basketball team. They plan to stay for the rest of the school year and Ravy felt an enormous sense of relief and thankfulness as 18 look forward to watching Greg play college basketball for the first time. members of his family, ranging in age from six months to 52 years, arrived at the college on Labor Day. “Knowing that my family is safe

Olivet becomes safe haven for Ravy family Eighteen members of the Ravy family, who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, were welcomed to Olivet with an outpouring of support from alumni, the college and community. The Women’s Board of Olivet College opened the Oak Chest, a downtown resale shop, and allowed the family to select some much needed clothing at no charge.

The college’s Betsy Dole Women’s Resource Center sponsored a Dunk Tank to raise money. Olivet College athletic teams, Greek societies and seminar classes joined in fund-raising and food collection efforts. As a Fall Service Day project, members of Alpha Omega joined President Tuski in painting the exterior of the Gruen House, where some of the family members were housed. Jessica (Davenport) Creager’s ’00 class at C.W. Otto Middle School in Lansing conducted a food drive.

Through Al Swain’s ’78 connection, a motorized wheelchair was donated by Caremore, Inc. of Brighton. The city of Olivet is still collecting for a 100,000 pop can drive.

Candy Ford-Mercury Inc., in Charlotte donated a van to Michelle Ravy, whose son, Greg, attends Olivet College. The Ravy family also received medical care from Dr. Martha Walsh in Marshall and dental care from Dr. Rand McKinley in Battle Creek, at no charge.

Several churches and organizations sent donations to the college to support its efforts with caring for the family in its time of need.

They include Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor, Edgewood United Church of Christ in East Lansing, First Assembly of God in Olivet, Gracewalk Community Outreach in Olivet, Olivet Community Chamber of Commerce, Olivet Congregational Church U.C.C., and the Mayflower Congregational Church and Plymouth Congregational Church, both in Lansing. The national United Church of Christ also made a $5,000 donation. The list of supporters and donations goes on and on - caring for the needs of the Ravy family was truly a community effort.

Buy-A-Brick Campaign Thousands of people pass through Olivet College’s Kirk Center each year. To enhance the appearance surrounding this focal point on campus, the college will construct new walkways consisting of bricks purchased

by Olivet alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members.

You are invited to support this worthy opportunity.

When you buy a brick, you’re investing in far more than the sidewalk itself. Money raised through the purchase of the personalized bricks will support the Olivet College Annual Scholarship Fund. Purchasing an engraved

brick is a great way to etch your name into Olivet College history. It also makes a great gift.

For $150, you can buy a standard 4” x 8” brick engraved with your name or personal message.

A $500 contribution buys an 8” x 8” engraved brick, and a $1,000 contribution buys a 12” x 12” brick. In the event you would like to recognize someone special to you – a family member, student, classmate or college employee – engraved bricks may also be purchased in his/her honor.

Now is the time to leave your mark on Olivet College’s campus and on the lives of those students who will benefit from the Annual Scholarship Fund.

4” x 8” brick (Example)

12” x 12” brick

8” x 8” brick

(Example)

(Example)

For more information, call (269) 749-7630.

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Office of College Relations Olivet, MI 49076

Education for Individual and Social Responsibility www.olivetcollege.edu 1-800-456-7189

Non-Profit PRST STD U.S. Postage

PAID

Kalamazoo, MI Permit No. 1679