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Tiffin University — 2013 Military Friendly School
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Andrew Forsthoefel
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Lisa Williams Editor
Why Tiffin? Tiffin University is a place of renowned academic strength within a friendly college town surrounded by the natural beauty of Ohio. Many students often find that Tiffin University is an inviting place to pursue academic goals while participating in personal, recreational, and scenic exploration. At Tiffin University, all students study alongside professors who engage and encourage them to help them discover their individual leadership potential. Tiffin University will continue to represent a new kind of institution in America, the professional university, where the career objectives of traditional college-age students and adult students are optimized through professionally-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that have a broad general education foundation.
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Dear Alumni and Friends of Tiffin University, This issue of Challenge Magazine is special as it represents our student and alumni veterans. Victory Media named Tiffin University to its 2013 “Military Friendly Schools” list. This list honors the top 15 percent of higher educational institutions in the country for doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as they transition to civilian life as students.
Tiffin University is a place where we challenge our students to become all they are capable of becoming. Hence, the name of the magazine.
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TU Football Fans
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Homecoming
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AlumniScene Lisa Williams Editor of Challenge Magazine Executive Director of Media Relations & Publications Photographer
Editor’s
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Like us: Facebook.com/tiffinu Contributing Writers: Geoff Schutt, Elaine Warnecke, Jessica Huffman and Jason Griffin SportsScene: Shane O’Donnell Creative Director/Designer: Mary Ann Stearns
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In Memoriam
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If this issue of Challenge Magazine is addressed to someone in your household who has moved, please notify the Alumni office by calling 419.448.3323 or email KoehlerS@tiffin.edu.
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How to send news to Challenge Magazine: Mail: Electronically or the Tell Us About Yourself form from the website - www.tiffin.edu (Click “Alumni”), Click “Stay Connected” - and send or mail to: Lisa Williams, 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 Call for interview appointment or story idea: Lisa Williams at 419.448.3444 Email: lwilliam@tiffin.edu (send a photo!)
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Left to right: Michael Porter Andrew Forsthoefel Victoria Wetzel Chad Needham Tyler Todd
Tiffin University Awarded ‘Military Friendly Schools’ Status
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Victory Media named Tiffin University to its 2013 “Military Friendly Schools” list.
The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country for doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as they transition to civilian life as students. “Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows that Tiffin University has a strong commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” says Sean Collins, Director for G.I. Jobs and Vice President at Victory Media. The Military Friendly Schools website, www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, interactive tools, and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The institutions on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility, and other services to those who served.
Veteran’s Day Celebrated Tiffin University celebrated Veteran’s Day by serving lunch and recognizing veterans (including students, faculty & staff) who have served in one of the branches of the United States armed forces. Dr. Charles Christensen, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Tiffin University, a retired Air Force Colonel and Vietnam War veteran, was the featured speaker. Focusing on John F. Kennedy’s quote “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You, But What You Can Do For Your Country,” Dr. Charles Dr. Christensen presented, “The Christensen Value of Veterans to our Society.” He talked specifically about three veterans whom he knew personally: WWII POW and Bataan Death March survivor, Charley Kaelin; former Vietnam POW Tom Moe; and former Tiffin resident and Marine Corps Veteran Joe Dariano. “There was a sense of teamwork, a sense of togetherness that sometimes gets lost outside of the military, Christensen said. “And that’s one of the things that I wish we, as a country, could recapture.” He outlined what his time in the service taught him and
Student Veterans of America – TU Chapter Tiffin University enrolled 148 veterans for the 2012 fall semester. As a result, two students, Ohio Army National Guard Specialist/BGSU Army ROTC Cadet Michael Porter and Army Reserve Private First Class/BGSU Army ROTC Cadet Tyler Todd, founded the TU chapter of Student Veterans of America. “The student veterans will work with faculty and staff to help them learn, in depth, how military training translates to higher education,” said Porter and Todd. “We hope to educate the TU community on steps to take to be military friendly and bridge the military/student gap.” One of the major goals of the organization is to raise awareness of suicide among military returning to civilian life. Porter and Todd agreed that military training, such as the
requirement to be on constant alert for potential deadly situations, is one of the biggest adjustments that veterans face when reentering civilian life. They also agreed that the feeling of isolation is another issue, and that the Student Veterans of America can help resolve that challenge. They each had advice for civilian students when approaching a military student. “Approach them with respect and ask only general questions. Allow them to tell you what they are comfortable with sharing, don’t push them,” said Porter. Todd added, “People need to realize that we’re just like everyone else, we just have a different background. Don’t hesitate to ask or talk to us.” The Student Veterans of America organization will meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm in Chisholm Auditorium. Porter and Todd encourage anyone to attend who is supportive of the organization and its goals.
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what he tries to convey to students he works with. “No matter what happens to you, be an optimist, because that’s going to hold you in good stead,” Christensen said. Tiffin University’s commitment to Veteran’s has been recognized and will continue to grow. There are several reasons for the success of TU with the veteran community. Tiffin University faculty, staff and students work daily to provide the support and guidance returning veterans, and those currently serving, need to acclimate to the college environment as opposed to the military environment.
TU’s Veteran’s Affairs Official When Denise Burkin was asked to become Tiffin University’s Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official, she said “yes” immediately because her interest was personal. Her oldest son, Kevin, had just left for Army basic training and her father, who passed away in 2009, served in WWII and in the Korean War. Kevin was very close to his grandfather and, according to Denise, joining the service was something Kevin always felt he needed to do. “Working with veterans formed a unique connection to my son and my father,” said Denise. “It was
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Denise Burkin, V.A. Official; Andrew Forsthoefel USMC; Christine Graham USAR; Victoria Wetzel USAF; Kyle Manzella, Army National Guard; Tyler Todd, US Army Reserves; Elizabeth Wetzel, Army National Guard; Todd Hasselbach USMC; Scott Ruttmann USMC; R. James Orr, U.S. Navy Retired; Juan Arbelac USMC; Patrick Finical, Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
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something I felt I needed to do.” To be a Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official, one must be passionate about the position and its duties. Research has proven that veterans have dropped out of college Denise Burkin many times because of the financial difficulty and the stress caused by the process of receiving benefits. Burkin works closely with each veteran enrolled. She makes sure each veteran is getting the benefits they earned through their service. She is integral to the success of TU student veterans because she makes sure their paperwork is certified and filed properly, and she coordinates benefits payment dispersal, which takes a lot of stress from the shoulders of the veterans. At the time of this interview, Denise was patiently waiting Kevin’s return. He had completed his service duties and was due home in less than two weeks.
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Veteran Education Advocate TU Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. John Schupp, has been an advocate for veteran education since his time at Cleveland State University where he started a student veteran program in 2006. Schupp set out to learn more about the veteran community and realized that those with a military background saw the college environment as a foreign one and needed help adjusting. Schupp decided that the best way to approach the transition for veterans is to change the college environment for the first few months of their return. Schupp is Creator and Director of SERV (Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran). SERV is a very successful, nationally-recognized program that has been featured on National Public Radio; at the ACE Summit at Georgetown University and the AMVETS National Convention; in Inside Higher Education, and in many other national outlets and venues. SERV provides an outstanding model for colleges and universities to emulate Dr. John Schupp in order to make their institutions veteran friendly and as they design programs and services that will cause returning veterans to find success in the academic communities. At Tiffin University, Schupp reformed his classes to make one exclusively for veterans. The experiment was successful--the veterans performed very well in the class. This proved that when veterans are put together in college classes, they can adjust and succeed. Schupp credited this success to the fact that this technique recreated the teamwork and camaraderie that is experienced by veterans during their military service. He also believes that TU has seen successful veteran education because of the high veteran to civilian ratio. “TU has a good retention rate because of the small campus size,” he said. “Vets can find each other, support each other, and they stay and graduate.” Schupp is excited by TU staff and students who are working to further his goal of providing a productive atmosphere for veterans. The recent founding of the Student Veterans of America chapter at TU makes him believe that veteran enrollment will increase because of his own research that has shown that the presence of such an organization at a university proves results. Author’s Note: Schupp has spoken about the SERV program to over 300 campuses nationwide. He received the Advocate of the Year award from the Vietnam Veterans of Ohio and was awarded the Zachary Fischer Distinguished Humanitarian award sponsored by the Department of Defense.
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Tyler Todd
Meet a few of Our Veteran Students
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Michael Porter Hometown: Batavia, New York Specialist (SPC) - Ohio Army National Guard / Cadet (CDT) - BGSU Army ROTC Michael is transitioning home from a deployment to Afghanistan and will return to Tiffin University as a full-time student in January to complete his final two semesters to earn a Bachelor of Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology degree. When asked why he chose TU, Michael said, “Tiffin University has many opportunities to explore new interests and develop already existing ones. My experience at TU has been pleasurable. Upon graduation, I plan to attend seminary to earn my Master of Divinity in order to become a Chaplain for the Army. I would also like to one day own and operate a CrossFit Gym.” Michael wants to encourage all veterans to pursue the next level of education, but more importantly, “To take advantage of the financial benefits, which they have rightfully earned. While a student, maintaining discipline and military bearing makes education easier and a better experience overall,” he said.
Victoria Wetzel Hometown: Foresthill, California Airman First Class - United States Air Force - Ohio Air National Guard Victoria is a full-time student at Tiffin University. She will earn a bachelor’s degree in Government and National Security in two years. She is currently doing on-the-job training at the Camp Perry Joint Training Center (she belongs to the 200th Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron). When asked why she chose TU, Victoria said, “As I was browsing through TU’s website, I absolutely loved the variety of criminal justice programs/degrees offered.” Victoria is happy she chose Tiffin University. “My major is something that has always sparked my interest since I was young and the professors and faculty at TU are very resourceful and knowledgeable in their professions. Many of them are prior service members, or, have many years of background experience in the areas they teach. I consider the friends I have made at TU to be my family.” Victoria plans to complete her degree, remain in the Air Guard, and then go to active duty for a few years before commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant. “I want to travel and go on as many deployments as I can all around the world,” she said. If she could advise other prospective military students/veterans in
regard to higher education, she says, “Go for it! It never hurts to have a degree and it will always be something you can fall back on. I am extremely grateful that the Air Force is helping me pay for school and encouraging me to better myself. In the long run, by having a degree, you will have a better chance at promotions and leadership roles. It is proof that you are continuously striving to learn and eager to obtain as much knowledge as you can.”
Chad Needham Hometown: Steubenville, Ohio Private First Class in the Ohio Army National Guard Chad is a full-time student with a part-time job. He is majoring in marketing at TU and expects to graduate in 2014. He chose TU because of the campus environment and the business program offered. “The campus is small so you get to know your professors and friends a lot better than at a larger campus,” he said. Chad says, “I am extremely happy with my higher education choice! I have met some fantastic people so far. My dreams are to graduate and, hopefully, obtain a marketing position with Procter and Gamble.” Chad’s advice to fellow veterans who are thinking about higher education is, “Do it! Joining the military was
Tyler Todd Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida Private First Class/Cadet Army Reserves
Andrew Forsthoefel Hometown: Loudonville, Ohio Corporal, United States Marine Corps Reserves Andrew is a full-time student while preparing for deployment to Afghanistan early next year. “I chose Tiffin University because of their acclaimed criminal justice pro-
gram,” said Andrew. Tiffin University is in a fairly small town so it somewhat resembles where I am from while offering great opportunities to branch out. One of the greatest attributes of TU, in my opinion, has to be the faculty. Almost every single faculty member in the School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences has lived that life; they have been there and done it all. Many are either former military, law enforcement, or they are still currently serving in some capacity within those areas. They can provide real-world experiences to back up their teachings.” Andrew is satisfied with his choice in TU. “You cannot ask for a better environment or a more experienced faculty. If you are serious about going into criminal justice and you want great connections to professionals within the criminal justice community, Tiffin is where it’s at.,” he said. As for his dreams for the future, Andrew said, “I either want to prolong my stay in the military making a career out of it, or, if I do get out, I’m looking at becoming a police officer and possibly getting a job with the U.S. Marshals Service.” For those veterans who are looking to start or go back to school, Andrew says, “I would say go for it as soon as possible. Get proactive and start talking to different universities about what they can offer you as far as financial assistance and degree programs. It is a different world, but hold on to the goal of what you are trying to accomplish. When I first came to TU, it was sort of a reverse shock. Most students get homesick when they go to school for the first time, and universities tend to them for that, and they require all incoming students to go through those preparatory
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Tyler is a full-time student at TU and is majoring in Homeland Security/ Terrorism and National Security/Government. “I picked TU because of their majors and faculty,” he said. “When I was searching colleges, TU’s programs were unparalleled and still are. Combined with the academics and small class size, students have the opportunity to become more personal with the professors if and when something comes up. TU’s professors understand the military, and I have never had an issue with taking time off for military obligations. In fact, TU professors have allowed me extra time to complete assignments.” Tyler knows he made the right decision in choosing Tiffin University. “I have received nothing but warm welcomes even when I came back from school late because of active duty orders,” he said. “The professors go above and beyond what they are
required to do, just to help veterans a little more. Tiffin University professors have so many connections, that no matter where I want to pursue my career, I know they will help.” For advice to other veterans considering starting or returning to school, Tyler said, “Sometimes, it can be hard to go back to school after coming off of military orders, but after you get back into the classroom, you will find a soothing place to fit in at Tiffin University. The small class size, combined with the professors’ willingness to create a safe, trustworthy, and personal environment, makes the transition back into school seamless. Also, Tiffin University’s faculty includes veterans as well—those who will take the time out of their own personal day just to help you. Finally, the current veterans on campus have created the Student Veterans Organization which is also a member of the Student Veterans of America, an organization to aid all veterans with any issue that may arise.”
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the best decision of my life because I have gained valuable experience and training which includes better time management, more respect for my professors, and I am better at meeting deadlines, and, you get help paying for college.”
Meet a few of Our Veteran Students classes. When you got on that plane or boarded that bus to basic training or overseas, you had a crash course in that area already. There will be civilians who that will pull/push every single button on your list of pet peeves and you will be forced to go through programs that are designed for incoming students right out of high school who have never been on their own. Do not let that discourage you. Eventually you will get into the classes you came to study and you will be able to see the finish line. Just believe that once you graduate and are hunting for a job, you are more marketable because of your background so why not guarantee yourself a great professional career by finishing school?”
JT (Jeff) Lichtfuss MSCJ Class of 2011 Hometown: Wisconsin United States Army, Wisconsin Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve JT’s realization that he wanted to earn a Master of Science degree that emphasized Criminal Justice began while he was deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. “I saw how important education in Criminal Justice was and how it would be relevant in many different fields of my military service,” he said. “When I returned home from deployment I immediately began to plan out my graduate education that I thought would benefit my future. I found Tiffin University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree in Homeland
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Todd Hasselbach Corporal United States Marine Corps Hometown & Current Resident: Fremont, Ohio Wars served: Operation Iraqi Freedom; August 2007 –March 2008 Operation Enduring Freedom; April 2009- December 2009 Todd is a junior at Tiffin University and his major is Homeland Security and Terrorism. Todd Notes: “War is something that you definitely have to experience to be able to relate to someone that has been there,” he said. “It is a one of a kind experience and not a lot of people have done it. I think it takes a special person to be willing to accept the fact that they are going to war and there is a possibility that they may not return.” “One of my Marine friends said, “A lot of people say that they might be afraid of whom they are when they come back from a deployment, but I’m actually afraid of what I might do when I get back.” That is really what it all boils down to. Most people do not see that they have changed until someone brings it to their attention.”
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Security Administration to be an excellent fit for my present and future needs. I have attended many schools, both online and brick and mortar, but Tiffin has been the only school that I can say I did not have ANY problems-from financial aid to academics, every department at Tiffin handled my needs professionally.” JT almost finished his MSCJ at Tiffin when he received news that he had cancer and needed to have emergency surgery, which resulted in immediate chemotherapy. “I continued with my courses throughout this difficult time,” he said. “Many would have been encouraged to postpone school, but I continued with my classes because of the understanding of my professors at TU. Tiffin University’s approach to my situation allowed me to finish my goal of earning the MSCJ, which I will be forever thankful.” After chemotherapy, JT was medically cleared to return to military service--an assignment with a Military Intelligence unit in the U.S. Army Reserve. “I was able to use the education that I earned at Tiffin University within my military assignment. Because of my education at Tiffin University, I was able to understand concepts and complete tasks that other soldiers did not understand—soldiers who have been in the unit much longer than I.” Today, JT is an expert in Intelligence Collection and Terrorism. One of his functions is advising law enforcement departments and agencies on the present and future trends and issues in terrorism. “I am grateful for the education that I received from Tiffin and look forward to interacting with Tiffin alumni in the future,” he said.
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Largest Freshman Class In Its History Tiffin University welcomed 446 new freshmen to the Tiffin campus for the 2012 fall semester, which is the largest freshman class in the history of the University. According to Tiffin University President, Dr. Paul Marion, “The size of our freshman class has grown each year, and the current class represents a 70% increase over the 262 new freshmen who entered in the fall of 2003. As TU’s academic reputation continues to increase, we find that more and more students are choosing Tiffin.”
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Black Student Graduation Rates Increased
A new report from The Education Trust named Tiffin University as one of the private colleges and universities who have shown the most progress in improving the graduation rates of African Americans students. According to Tiffin University President Paul Marion, “We provide a variety of services to help students succeed, and we are proud of the fact that the graduation rate for our students, including black students, continues to increase.” Dr. Sharon Perry-Nause is the Director of Institutional Diversity at Tiffin University. “Our ability to increase graduation rates of African-American learners is a result of our dedication and implementation of appropriate structures, which foster organizational commitment to diversity. The recognition confirms the success of our efforts in establishing institutional policies, procedures, and practices that visibly reflect our level of commitment.”
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International Student Panel International Student Services provided an opportunity for domestic students to get to know TU’s foreign students in October. Twelve students from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, China, Cameroon, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, Pakistan, Germany, and England answered questions about their native country’s culture, traditions, history, and food, to help all students understand each other.
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International Flag Ceremony Tiffin University President Paul Marion officially welcomed new and returning international students from 32 countries during the University’s annual International Flag Ceremony in November. International students new to Tiffin University presented their countries’ flags to President Marion. The new flags presented were Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Togo, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. The event took place during the U.S. Department of State’s, “International Education Week,” a week designed to celebrate the benefits of educational exchange throughout the world.
Good Morning World John Britt – Change Management & Accountability
Barbra Higgins – “Everything Matters”
Tiffin University’s first Good Morning World lecture of the season featured co-author John Britt. Britt presented, “Change Management & Accountability” in October at Camden Falls Conference Center in Tiffin. According to Britt, “Up to 70% of organizational changes John Britt fail. While this statistic is acceptable and even admirable in a major leaguer’s batting average, it should be considered unacceptable and appalling in our organizations.” Britt discussed how to manage through change with a higher success rate. Britt, a Partner with Mountjoy and Bressler, LLP, has over 20 years of experience in process- driven change and change management. In his business career, he has consulted with over 300 companies to assist with strategic methods to increase profitability. His first book Who Killed Change?, co-authored with Ken Blanchard, was published in 2009. He has also published articles in leading industry journals, and is an experienced keynoter who shares inspiring methods for leading and managing change based on his own practical experiences. He holds a master’s degree in Organizational Management and a bachelor’s degree in Management of Human Resources.
Businesswoman and Olympian Barbra Higgins was the featured speaker at TU’s November Good Morning World lecture. Higgins competed for Panama in the 1984 Summer Olympics as a fencer in the women’s foil competition. She Barbra Higgins has achieved unprecedented success in sports, entertainment, and business, and is an internationally acclaimed entrepreneur, attorney, and CEO/CFO/President for numerous corporations and community organizations. She has a law degree from the University of Miami and a BBA in Accounting from Florida International University and over 30 years of experience starting, operating, and occasionally selling small businesses. Her message, when you go through life, there are moments every day where you have a choice to make and you must train your brain to overcome mediocrity and realize that everything matters, was simple yet poignant and she has applied this rule throughout her career as an entrepreneur, attorney, and world-class athlete. Higgins urged those in attendance to have perseverance to get up and do something they may not want to do. “Business is not for the faint of heart or for someone who doesn’t like taking risks,” she said. In closing, Higgins reminded all in attendance that the keys to success are heart and passion because without the drive and clear vision, you will not succeed.
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Dr. Reginald Wilkinson Joins TU’s Board of Trustees Tiffin University elected Dr. Reginald Wilkinson to its Board of Trustees. Wilkinson is the President and CEO of the Ohio College Access Network. Prior to holding this position, he was the Executive Director of the Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy. Wilkinson retired in April 2006 after 33 years with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC); he served as the agency’s director since 1991. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest serving director of a state corrections agency in the nation. He is the former Chairperson
and current member of the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board, as well as Chair of the national Prison Rape Review Panel. He is a past president of the American Correctional Association, the Association of State Correctional Administrators, and the International Association of Reentry. Wilkinson’s academic background includes B.A. and M.A. degrees from The Ohio State University. He was also awarded the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Reginald Wilkinson
Faculty News Jason Slone Appointed Assistant VP for Online Learning
Jason Sloan
Slone holds a BA in Religious Studies from the College of Wooster, an MA in Comparative Studies in Humanities from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion from Western Michigan University. For additional information about Tiffin University’s Online Learning Program, email Slonedj@tiffin.edu.
TU Marketing Professor Dr. Perry Haan completed a guest faculty assignment during the summer of 2012 at the
Dr. Perry Haan
Faculty Participate in National Conference
Dr. Sushmita Ghosh, Associate Professor of Science, published her paper, “Increasing Competency In Health Science Education: Introspection,” in the American Journal of Health Sciences. The paper deals with improving science education. With an increasing population, economic downturns, rise in the number of elderly people worldwide, and public concerns about health issues, health science has a bigger role to play than ever before. However, before health science can play its expected role, health science education needs to be looked at critically and revamped. The paper suggests modifications and changes in science education in Grade 1 to Grade 12, in college, and after graduation from college and university and joining the workforce. Prior to publication in the journal, Dr. Ghosh had presented the paper at the 2012 Las Vegas International Academic Conference and her paper presented there was published in the Health Sciences Proceedings. Dr. Ghosh has published in the leading journals in sciences and presented at conferences nationally and abroad.
Seven faculty members from the School of Business attended and participated in the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP) Annual Conference in June in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Lillian Schumacher, Dean of the School of Business and Associate Professor of Management, and Dr. Gretchen Carroll, Professor of Management and MBA Program Chair, presented “Developing Students and Global Leaders Utilizing GMI and CHIP.” Dr. Laura Mays, Professor of Management, and Dr. Perry Haan, Professor of Marketing, presented “Publishing Scholarly Articles.” Dr. Terry Sullivan, Associate Professor of Business Law and Finance, Dr. Jim Padilla, Associate Professor of Business Law/Sport Management, and Kristina Smart, Assistant Professor of Management, also attended the annual conference. The ACBSP is the national council that has awarded TU’s School of Business accreditation for the past 22 years. Dr. John Millar, School of Business Dean Emeritus and Professor of Management, serves on the ACBSP Board of Directors.
Dr. Sushmita Ghosh
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TU Professor Spends Summer in Spain
Professor Publishes Paper C ampus S cene
Tiffin University named Jason Slone Assistant Vice-President for Online Learning. “Jason’s promotion is well deserved and is part of the Tiffin University’s recognition of the importance of online learning as part of our long-term future,” says Dr. Charles Christensen, Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Slone also chairs TU’s Academic Affairs Online Learning Council. “This council will define the common processes that are critical to Tiffin University as we build quality online programs,” Christensen says.
United International Business School (UIBS) in Barcelona, Spain. Haan taught a business strategy class to marketing students in the school’s MBA program. The class included students from Austria, Belgium, Belize, England, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Serbia, Slovakia, Rwanda, Spain, and the United States.
Faculty News Professor Publishes Chapter on Spirituality
Dr. Dohee Kim-Appel and Dr. Jonathan Appel
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Associate Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice, Dr. Jonathan Appel, and his wife, Dr. Dohee Kim-Appel, co-authored the chapter, “Psychology’s View of Religion and Spirituality: A Long, Short History,” in a new book entitled, Handbook on Spirituality: Belief Systems, Societal Impact and Roles in Coping, published by Nova Publishers. The chapter explores psychology and related behavioral sciences’ perspectives on religion and spirituality, which is embedded within a long-standing intellectual tension. According to Appel, “Psychology has had an ongoing and uneasy relationship with issues connecting body, mind, and spirit. Many in the field, at worst, have disregarded spiritual matters as neurosis – or at best, seen religion as a necessary construction that serves psychological, social, and moral structures.”
Professor Authors Chapter in Book Dr. Jason Slone, TU Associate Professor of Cognition and Culture and Assistant Vice-President for Online Learning, authored a chapter titled, “Religion is the
(continued) Aphrodisiac of the Masses: Darwinizing Marx” in the forthcoming book Mental Culture: Classical Social Theory and the Cognitive Science of Religion. He presented at the American Academy of Religion Conference in Chicago in November. Slone’s chapter sheds new light on an old question in the social sciences, namely why is religion widespread in all human cultures. Slone argues that religion may have evolved because it helps to solve problems related to reproduction and childrearing, and thereby genetic replication, by promoting commitment to marriage and parental investment.
mental health within a larger international framework. The findings presented by Dr. Appel and Dr. Kim-Appel have meaningful implications for understanding the different constructs, theories, and practices between the therapeutic and the criminal justice worlds.
Professor Speaks at Counseling Conference Dr. Erin Dean, Associate Professor of Counseling and Psychology, presented “Sex: Everyone’s Doing It, But Can Any-
Professor Presents Research at National Conference Dr. Jonathan Appel, Associate Professor at Tiffin University, and his wife, Dr. Dohee Kim-Appel, presented at the Annual National Association of Forensic Counselors Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September. The National Association of Forensic Counselors was founded to develop a competent workforce to counsel, treat, and supervise criminal offenders in order to reduce recidivism and increase integration with criminal justice systems. The first paper, “When Worlds Collide: Therapeutic Jurisprudence: an Ethical Paradigm” explores the trend that therapists are increasingly working with court-ordered individuals and their families. The second paper, “Culture, Criminal Justice, and Mental Health in Chongqing, China” examines the similarities and differences between the criminal justice systems in the U. S. and China. The paper also suggests points of cooperation and conflict in dealing with transnational views of crime and
Dr. Erin Dean
body Talk About It?” at the Tennessee Counseling Association Conference held in November. According to Dean, despite the increase in accessibility of sexual information, taboos of talking about sex still seem to exist; therefore, people are being mis- and under-informed about important issues pertaining to sex and sexual health. During her presentation, she discussed what counselors need to know when hearing and assisting their clients with these issues.
Faculty Member Publishes Article TU faculty member Melanie Trost’s article, “Asynchronous Art History,” which promotes the positive aspects of teaching art history online, was published in the December issue of “Faculty Focus,” published by Magna Publications. Melanie Trost is an adjunct instructor in TU’s degree completion
program through the School of Arts and Sciences. Her article deals with the teaching techniques and advantages of teaching art history in an online setting.
“Teaching art history asynchronously has the capacity to be very meaningful for students. In fact, it may even be a better way to teach art history. Many students thrive in an online environment, due in part to the familiarity of the Internet as well as the autonomy online education offers,” Trost remarks. “In my experience with online art classes, there are a variety of strategies an instructor can use to teach and assess the historical context and formal/stylistic qualities of art from different periods in art history. With a little preparation and patience, instructors can provide students a meaningful and memorable experience with art history.”
Professor Presents in Columbus
Professor Presents Research & Conducts Workshops
Professor Moderates Panel
Dr. Fang-Mei Law, Associate Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice and Dr. Gwo-Jen Guo, presented two papers at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention in August in Florida. The first paper, entitled “A Study of Correlation between Sense of Control and Self-Efficacy of Recovery for Female Drug Offenders,” tested the influence of the sense of self-control on self-efficacy among female drug offenders. The second paper, entitled “The Effectiveness of Choice-Based Therapy in Sense of Control over Drug Recovery,” revealed that after choice-based treatment, female drug offenders had a better perceived sense of control over setting goals and plans for recovery, a greater sense of control in coping with obstacles that might arise during recovery, and a greater sense of control in their emotional management than female drug offenders who did not receive treatment. Law and Guo had earlier published the results of a study that will
Dr. Bonnie Tiell
Dr. Bonnie Tiell moderated a panel focusing on fan engagement and advancement opportunities for women in sport at the NCAA Women’s Leadership Symposium (WLS), held in September in Boston. Tiell, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Management at TU, has co-chaired the WLS since 2001. According to Tiell, the WLS has impacted more than 1,000 industry specialists and aspiring professionals in the intercollegiate athletics industry since 2001 through generous sponsorships and volunteer committee services.
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Associate Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice, Dr. FangMei Law, presented at the All Ohio Dr. Fang-Mei Law Counselors Conference in November in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Law is a Licensed Professional Clinic Counselor (LPCC) in Ohio.
help guide implementing counseling strategies for overseas Chinese students. Dr. Law was the lead author of the paper, “Does time heal? Coping strategies and depression in overseas Chinese students in Taiwan,” which appeared in the May 2012 issue of The Archive of Guidance & Counseling? In addition to presenting to the American Psychological Association, Law was invited to lead a workshop entitled “Turning Drug Recovery Goal from Impossible to Possible,” for drug probationers to introduce the concept of hope theory and its application to drug recovery for the Changhua Prosecutors Office in Taiwan.
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Melanie Trost
For decades, excessive alcohol consumption has been identified as the major risk factor for college students’ physical health. Thus, Dr. Law conducted the research entitled “The Impact of Self-Control and Self-Efficacy on AlcoholRelated Behaviors in College Students” to explore factors that could potentially impact alcohol-related behaviors. She found that having low senses of selfcontrol and self-efficacy can exacerbate a student’s drinking problem. Dr. Law earned a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, an M.Ed. from the University of Wisconsin and M.Ed. and B.Ed. degrees from the National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan.
Faculty News
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New Research Published Dr. Bonnie Tiell, TU’s Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Management, has published new research as the lead author of an article in the Fall 2012 issue of The Journal for Intercollegiate Athletic Issues. The article, “Roles and Tasks Of The Senior Woman Administrator Through A Role Congruity Perspective: A Longitudinal Progress Report,” updates Tiell’s research that originally appeared in the 2005 publication, The Journal for the Study of Sport & Athletes in Education. “The purpose of the longitudinal research was to explore the current roles, tasks and support of the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) from the perspective of both the SWA and the athletic director to note changes over time,” Tiell remarks. “Results of the current study indicated a staggering increase in the percentage of SWAs holding administrative titles, particularly at the Division II and III levels, which almost doubled from the 2004-2005 study,” she says. “On a negative note, results of the current study confirmed a continued discrepancy between senior woman administrators and athletic directors regarding the extent to which SWAs are and should be involved in decisionmaking within athletic departments, with the greatest differences existing in the areas of budgetary planning and management and oversight of all – and especially men’s – programs,” Tiell says. Research also indicated that financial support for training and mentoring is not widely available or used by SWAs to enhance their career skills and advancement. Tiell does note that the NCAA recently dedicated $50,000-$100,000 in annual funding for the Women’s Leadership Symposium (WLS), which is a professional development training pro-
(continued) gram Tiell has co-chaired since 2001. The mission of the WLS is to facilitate the recruitment, retention, and support of women in intercollegiate athletics.
Professor Published in International Journal TU Professor Dr. Fang-Mei Law was the lead author of a paper published in the December issue of the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. Dr. Law, Associate Professor in the School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences, published new research in the paper, entitled, “Hope and Recovery from Substance Abuse for Female Drug Offenders in Taiwan.” Dr. Law’s co-author is her husband, Dr. Gwo-Jen Guo of the National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan. In the paper, the authors point out that in recent years, a higher percentage of females have been classified as drug offenders than males. “Female substance abusers felt hopelessness due to their traumatic life stress. Thus, instilling hope should be an important focus for female substance abuse treatment programs,” Law explains. “Unfortunately, to our knowledge, hope theory has not been widely applied in substance abuse treatment.” “The results of this study could serve as a framework for conducting a hope-based substance abuse treatment program to help female drug offenders. Our findings will contribute evidence for this line of research in the field,” Law remarks.
Professor Publishes Research on Smartphones & Blogs Tiffin University faculty member Dr. Lisa Kahle-Piasecki has published new research in the areas of smartphones. Kahle-Piasecki, Assistant Professor of Management & Information Systems, is Program Chair for Undergraduate Management & Marketing at TU, and is a co-advisor for the university’s business club.
Dr. Lisa Kahle-Piasecki
She was the featured management educator for the May 2012 Management Monthly Newsletter for Educators, published by McGraw-Hill Irwin. She is part of a virtual team of management educators that meets regularly and discusses management topics and technology integration in the classroom. In the article, “Internalizing Learning Through Blogging Technology,” she discussed her previous research on blogs in the classroom, which highlighted an alternative means of teaching by using the technology. “Using blogs gives students a heightened means of interaction with classmates,” she explained “The use of blogs also gives students an opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts on relevant course topics.” Kahle-Piasecki was also recently published in the Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness. “Managers and the Mobile Device: M-Learning and M-Business – Implications for the United States and China” was co-authored with Chao Miao of Virginia Commonwealth
Campus National Peace Corps Association Director Visits TU Dr. Kevin Quigley, who heads the National Peace Corps Association, visited Tiffin University in September and presented to students in Chisholm Auditorium. The event was sponsored by TU’s School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences. Quigley is a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow and a former Peace Dr. Kevin Quigley Corps volunteer in Thailand. As head of the association, Quigley’s overriding interest is in how non-governmental organizations work together with governments and corporations to address pressing social needs. Quigley visited classes during his visit. In addition to his work with the National Peace Corps Association, Quigley has also held senior positions in civil society and government, as well as various research institutions. Among these are Acting CEO of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Workers and Communities, Vice President of Policy and Business at the Asia Society, and Director of Public Policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts. He has published on a broad array of international issues in the United States and abroad in newspapers, magazines, and edited volumes and serves on numerous boards related to international development issues.
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University and Sonny Ariss of the University of Toledo. From their research, the authors discussed the use and abundance of smartphones in the workforce, and ways in which this has led companies to consider how conducting mobile or m-business can improve their organization by increasing the productivity and efficiency of the workforce. The article compared the current usage of smartphones in the U.S. and Chinese businesses, the advantages and disadvantages of mobile learning and mobile business, and the manager’s part in overseeing their use by employees while understanding the security risks of the devices and protecting company data.
Olympian Katie Bell Visits Campus
Tiffin University, in partnership with Owens State Community College, now offers the Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree in Justice Administration at the Owens State Community College campus in Findlay. TU’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice program provides students with the skills necessary to analyze threats to the communication infrastructure, and to assess the role of terrorism in world politics, among other skills.
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Owens & Tiffin Partner to Offer BCJ
After returning from London, Olympian Katie Bell arrived on TU’s campus and shared her story of her Olympic journey. Katie is a member of the USA diving team and was a member of the Ohio State University diving team. After graduating from OSU in Katie Bell 2011, Katie lived her lifelong dream and competed in the London Olympics. She was on the USA National Team in 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012. Katie was also a gymnast, although she began focusing solely on diving at age 14. After her diving career, Katie would like to earn a master’s degree and become a social worker.
Campus
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Annual Volunteer Fair
During her talk, Miller discussed the current state of non-violent change across the world and specifically in Latin America. Founded in 1981, the InterReligious Task Force on Latin America is a non-profit group that promotes peace and human rights in Central America and Colombia.
One Dress Project to Raise Awareness
Tiffin University hosted the annual Volunteer Fair in October. Students had the opportunity to sign-up with various local organizations to donate time to contribute to these organizations. Representatives from Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, F.A.C.T., The United Way, and several others were in attendance to explain to those interested what the organization accomplishes and what students would be doing as a volunteer. Note: Students must complete 13 hours of service learning (community service) to meet graduation requirements.
TU’s V.O.I.C.E. (Voicing Our Insight Creating Empowerment) is in the midst of their second year of participating in the One Dress Project. Six of the organization’s members are wearing the same dress every day in an effort to raise awareness about sex trafficking. “Once someone notices, we take the opportunity to talk about human trafficking across the nation,” said Heather Messer, V.O.I.C.E. co-president.
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Footsteps of Hope
“Footsteps of Hope: An Agent of Non-Violent Change in Latin America” was the topic of a special presentation in October. Paula Miller, a member of Cleveland’s InterReligious Task Force on Latin America, presented the program in Chisholm Auditorium. “Paula took part in witnessing non-violent change in Columbia in May 2011 with the Christian Peacemakers Coalition as well as working with immigrants on the US/Mexican border through Casa Mariposa in 2012,” says Dr. Matt Bereza, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling. “Recently she completed the 75-mile migrant walk in Arizona, tracing the footsteps of those in the desert and experiencing first-hand the struggle and hardship of movement.”
The One Dress Project originated in Toledo in 2010. Amy Seiffert learned that Toledo was ranked 4th in the U.S. for arrests/investigations, and rescues of underage victims of sex trafficking. She pledged to wear the same dress for 6 months and donate the money she would have spent on clothes to the Daughter Project, a local organization that was building a shelter for girls rescued from sex trafficking. Seiffert took her cause to the next level by blogging and speaking to others about it. Soon after, others followed her example. The goals of the worldwide One Dress Project are: • Enable women access to information and services they need to enhance and protect their health. • Eliminate violence against women. • Mobilize political will and resources for women’s rights and development. • Increase women’s participation in civil and political processes.
Theatre Educating Law Enforcement Professionals
TU’s Dragons Den Players presented, “Exit the Body,” a farce by Fred Carmichael, in November. Directed by Dr. Mary Grennen, Associate Professor of English and Director of Theatre Arts, the production was a delightful play that romped across the stage with laughter. Open to the public, performances were held in Osceola Theatre. The plot: A mystery writer rents a New England house to spend a relaxing four weeks working and resting. She is accompanied by her secretary and they are quickly told by the rental agent about the previous resident who was recently killed in an automobile accident (he had been holding and hiding a stash of diamonds that no one has been able to find).
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The Tiffin University School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences, along with the TU Center for Justice and National Security, sponsored a working conference, “Educating Law Enforcement Professionals for International Policing and Rule of Law Development Missions,” in September on campus. This conference explored the creation of a graduate-level education program aimed at law enforcement and corrections professionals. The conference goal was to bring together a group of people with varying expertise who can assist TU in identifying core competency areas and with curriculum development. TU received favorable feedback for the conference from the U.S. Institute for Peace, the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, the US Department of State’s Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnerships, and the U.S. Army JAG Corps, all of which sent representatives to speak at the event on best practices and current issues.
Dragons Den Players Present ‘Exit the Body’
Cast & Dire
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Art Diane Kidd Gallery The Diane Kidd Gallery located in the Hayes Center for the Arts, is one of the finest exhibition spaces in the area – a drawing card for art lovers in northwest Ohio and beyond. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Appointments and group tours are also available by contacting Celinda Scherger, TU Alumni Director, at 419.448.3313. More information about upcoming exhibitions is available by contacting Marsha Pippenger, Gallery Director, at marsha.pippenger@gmail.com.
September “Twisted” by Artist Amie Adelman Amie Adelman was the featured artist of the Diane Kidd Gallery’s first show of the season in September. Her show, titled “Twisted,” featured fiber installations. According to Gallery Director Marsha Pippenger, Adelman is inspired by the process of stretching yarns for weaving on a warping board so that the threads create a massive curving form in space that gradually shifts in color and value. Adelman is an Associate Professor of Fibers in the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University.
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October “Strands” by Artist Robert Mirek The second show of the season featured “Strands” by Artist Robert Mirek. The imagery of “Strands,” according to Mirek, is a
visual language in the form of self-dialogue that resides in objects, systems and scenarios that are at the edge of abstraction. Understanding them is less important than sensing their intrinsic nature. Mirek says he works on a thought process that keeps as many doors open as possible. The conceptual connections, which eventually become visual signals, are drawn in collaborative moments. The objects have origins in human, geologic, mythic, or universal themes that are meant to suggest. Mirek received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. His work has been exhibited widely throughout the United States and internationally, and has been included in private, corporate, and museum collections. He has also taught at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and at Lawrence Technological University’s College of Architecture and Design in Southfield, MI.
November “Pure Art” by Columbian High School
Pure Art Alex Kramer poses with one of her pieces titled, Blown Away Photo by A-T
Top-level artists from Columbian High School exhibited their work in Tiffin University’s Diane Kidd Gallery in November. Students in senior portfolio and art investigations classes exhibited more than 30 pieces of artwork in the show titled “Pure Art.” Robert Johnston, art teacher at Columbian and TU, said, “The variety in this show is very dramatic. The material in the show from the students is on the edge of incredible,” he said. Students worked for three months to finish their work for the show.
Music TU Kids Choir
Tiffin University Artist-in-Residence J Rawls presented a series of entertaining and fact-filled symposia about the four elements of hip-hop — Rap, DJing, Graffitti, and Dance.
In its third season, the TU Kids Choir has expanded to more than 75 young people, representing seven school systems from Tiffin and surrounding communities. “It’s so exciting to see the enthusiasm these kids bring to this group, and we’re very proud to offer them the opportunity to sing popular music in a choral setting,” says Ali Rees, Director.
Marching Band Showcase The Tiffin University Marching Band held performances in the Heminger Center in November. The event, free and open to the public, featured all band shows from the football season, which included a variety of songs from Jackson 5 and Led Zepplin to Wicked and American Idiot.
An Evening of Music In October, Tiffin University’s musical groups, Sound & Silence, Up in the Air and Higher Ground performed Hip Hop, Pop, Jazz & R&B at Phat Cakes in Tiffin.
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The Elements of Hip-Hop
Christmas at the Ritz Tiffin University’s Music Department presented its 8th annual “Christmas at The Ritz” concert in December. The concert featured the Tiffin University Choir, Concert Band, Gospel Choir, pop & commercial groups, Dance Team, and the TU Kids Choir, performing traditional and popular Christmas favorites. This was the largest turnout for a TU music event ever -- more than 750 audience members filled The Ritz Theatre in support of 250 performers. All proceeds were donated to the charity, CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of children with pediatric cancer and brain tumors, as well as children with other chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
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TU Football Fans
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Lydia & Victoria Ardner, Daughters of Charles & Vanessa Ardner
Niko with his Dad Jeremy Marinis
Donnie Johnson & his son Donavon
Karris Marinis, daughter of Jeremy & Jamie Marinis
Mykah & Max Borich, daughter and son of Joe & Megan Borich
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Macy Allen, Daughter of Lonny & Julie Allen
Josh Borich, Son of Joe & Megan Borich
Alumni & Hall of Fame Inductee Kelly Cavanaugh & Daughter Clare
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Xavier & Kevin Ardner, Sons of Charles & Vanessa
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Student News Senior Olivia Frantz Receives Delta Mu Delta Scholarship
Accounting Students Visit Webster Industries
Webster Industries Officials pose with TU Students
Tiffin University accounting students were given the opportunity to explore how the accounting system relates to business processes in October at Webster Industries thanks to the Chief Executive Officer, A.J. Felter and the Chief Financial Officer, Chris English. English held a session that allowed the students to see how a manufacturing business processes transactions while focusing on documents and internal control related to accounting. The students were given a plant tour that helped solidify the processes in a manufacturing business.
Psychology Club Members Attend Conference TU Psychology Club members attended the Annual Ohio Psychological Association (OPA) Conference, held in October, in Columbus. The TU students had the opportunity to attend numerous research presentations as well as the annual awards luncheon and meeting. The club’s advisor, TU Associate Professor Jonathan Appel, accompanied them. The students participated in the OPA’s Poster Session, with the goal of developing future research projects for future conferences. “The OPA conference provided great insight for an undergraduate student looking to enter the field,” says student Erin Snapp. “I was able to learn about a variety of topics that go beyond classes. Personally, I feel the graduate school workshop was an incredibly useful tool that I will be able to utilize through the next few years.”
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First Annual Dragon Leadership & Diversity Awards Tiffin University awarded its first annual Dragon Leadership and Dragon Diversity Scholarships this year in support of its actively-involved students. Fifteen undergraduate student leaders were awarded the Dragon Leadership Scholarship and five students received the Dragon Diversity Scholarship. Applicants for the Dragon Leadership Scholarship must be active members of the campus community with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA and provide recommendation letters from both faculty and staff members. “Many students dedicate their time and leadership to various campus organizations and events,” says Jamie
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TU Senior, Olivia Frantz, was awarded a Delta Mu Delta (International Honor Society in Olivia Frantz Business) scholarship, in September. Olivia, from Kansas, Ohio, is double majoring in Human Resource Management and Accounting at TU. She is President of the Tiffin University Business Club, President of Delta Mu Delta, a peer leader, and the Becker CPA campus representative. Delta Mu Delta is an international honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in business administration programs at Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs accredited schools. It was founded November 18, 1913. A Delta Mu Delta membership fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership. Olivia works part-time as an Accounting and Human Resources Specialist at Webster Industries, Inc. in Tiffin. She will become a full-time employee of Webster when she graduates this spring. “I chose Tiffin University because it was close to home and it is known as a reputable business school,” she said. “I have really enjoyed my experience at TU and I am happy with my choice.” “Olivia is an exceptional student and I will miss her leadership when she graduates in May,” says Dr. Lillian Schumacher, Dean of the School of Business, “although, I am really excited to see she will be joining a local orga-
nization and will remain an active TU alum! When anyone thinks of a true definition of student leadership, Olivia is that example in all that she does. She has made us extremely proud in the School of Business and we look forward to our continued relationship with her.”
Student News
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Marinis, Director of First-Year Programs & Student Outreach. “Without the hard work and enthusiasm of these exceptional students, many educational events, social activities, and philanthropic opportunities would not exist on campus. Applicants for the Dragon Diversity Scholarship must be full-time, domestic under-represented students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better and must be actively involved on campus with activities directly related to campus diversity. “The five students earned this scholarship for their commitment to diversity and diversity awareness at Tiffin University,” Marinis says. “As always, we appreciate all students for their endless dedication and passion for Tiffin University.”
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Fabulous Food Show Dishes Up Fun
When the fifth annual Fabulous Food Show opened up in November for a three-day run, five Hospitality students were in attendance with thousands of other Northeast Ohioans that were excited to watch some of the food world’s rock stars. The TU students were able to attend the Chef Michael Simon presentation. Admission included one celebrity chef performance in the show’s Main Kitchen Theater, as well as full-day admission to exhibitions, presentations on the Taste of the Neighborhood and Culinary Celebration stages. Other celebrity chefs that were scheduled to appear were: Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown, and Anne Burrell.
ETIQUETTE SEMINAR
Mrs. Susan Marion shared her etiquette expertise with students during the annual Business Etiquette Seminar hosted by the Office of Career Development. Students in attendance learn proper dress for interviews and formal occasions and are invited to a formal dinner where they experience first-hand the entire process, from fork to napkin, of wellmannered eating.
Students Doing GREAT Things Student Athlete Advisory Committee Raises Money for Make-A-Wish Foundation
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The SAAC hosted its annual “Best Wings in Tiffin” competition in October which featured five local businesses that each donated 100 wings. The Viaduct Bar and Grill was crowned this year’s champ. Other businesses donating to the event included Madison Street Tavern Pub and Grill, Carmie’s Grill and Bar, Shell Shuckers Restaurant, and TU’s own AVI. Almost $200 was raised during the event, which cost participants $1 to taste each of the wings in the competition. The annual Chili Cook-Off at TU’s home football game took place in November. Each of TU’s sports teams donated its best pot of chili to compete for the victory. All donations collected were delivered to Make-A-Wish Foundation. The SAAC is comprised of two representatives from each of TU’s intercollegiate sport teams who are selected by their coaches as leaders both on and off the field. Their primary responsibilities include promoting communication between the athletics administration and the student-athlete, disseminating information, providing feedback and insight into athletic department issues, generating a student-athlete voice regarding campus athletics department formulation of policies, building a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletic teams, soliciting student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation, organizing community service efforts, creating a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees, and promoting a positive student-athlete image on campus.
Students of Tiffin University’s Alpha Iota sorority hosted a presentation in November to discuss the continuing topic of human trafficking. “Human trafficking is known as modern day slavery,” said Judy Hofmann, an associate for the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, who presented a lecture on what human trafficking is and how to possibly prevent it in the future. “There are more slaves today than leading up to the Civil War,” Hofmann said. Students were divided into groups to perform several activities. Each activity was designed to open up the minds and reveal certain aspects about the human trafficking process. “The Sisters of St. Francis want to educate as many as possible to make them aware of the problem at hand,” Hofmann said. Human trafficking is not just sexual in nature; it also can be through labor and the victims are men, women, girls and boys of all ages. The life expectancy for these victims is very low, Hofmann said. “Over the years the victims just become empty shells,” she said, and urged those in attendance to learn more and teach others by spreading the word. Several years ago, the Sisters of St. Francis established a program called the Sisters in Shelter for victims of human trafficking and individuals who are immigrants. Now, Sisters in Shelter and the Seneca County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, is informing the public and raising awareness about the issue by giving presentations and looking for a new safe house for the victims of human trafficking. The movement began in 2002. The co-founders traveled to Southeast Asia on a exploratory trip where they witnessed children being sold for sex.
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The Tiffin University Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has found some creative ways to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation—wings and chili.
Alpha Iota Sorority Addresses Human Trafficking
Students Doing GREAT Things Equestrian Poker Run Raises $800 To benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation The Garlo Park Nature Preserve, in conjunction with the Tiffin University Equestrian Team and the Seneca County Park District, hosted its 4th annual Equestrian Poker Run/Nature Walk event in September. The event was open to all nature lovers who wished to ride their horses on a trail or take a short hike through the park. The event included 42 participants (36 horseback riders and 6 walkers) and proceeds in the amount of $800 (largest amount raised to date), were donated to Make-AWish Foundation, Tiffin University, and Garlo Park.
Freshmen Benefit Walk
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TU freshmen students walked at the Heminger Center to benefit the Allen Eiry Senior Center of Tiffin. According to Teresa Miller, Tiffin University Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, “This is the 3rd year of the Freshman Seminar classes participating in the Freshman Benefit Walk for the Allen Eiry Senior Center. Over 450 freshmen participated in the walk this year. The center provides social and community activities to local seniors--a place for seniors to meet and interact with each other.
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are still alive today, though she has been deceased for more than sixty years. Lack’s cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine, uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects, helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping, and, have been bought and sold by the billions. “Since we know cancer doesn’t discriminate,” Miller said, “Most of our students’ lives have been touched by it. In 2010, TU freshmen raised money for the local organization, FACT, which stands for Financial Assistance for Cancer Treatment. Last year, the Benefit Walk raised money for the local Morrison House. Tiffin University strives to teach its students to view success not only as a way to improve their lives but as a means to improve the lives of other people by giving back in their local community.
Harry’s Haunted Trails Tiffin University’s Track and Field Team hosted Harry’s Haunted Trails throughout Tiffin University’s Paradiso Athletic Complex during three weekends in October. The trails consisted of 15 scenes, 50 plus characters, concessions, and other entertainment. A hike through the haunted trails cost $6 and all proceeds benefited the MakeA-Wish Foundation and the Tiffin Track and Field team. “The trails are put together each year as a fundraiser and entertainment for students and adults,” said Jeremy Croy, Head Track and Field Coach.
Alpha Iota Raises Money for Autism & Dyslexia
The Walk began in 2010, when the incoming freshmen were required to read the book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Henrietta Lacks, was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, they
The sisters of Alpha Iota hosted a Thirty-One Gives party in November to raise money for the Center for Autism and Dyslexia in Findlay, Ohio. Since launching in 2012, Thirty-One Gives organization has helped thousands of women, girls and families.
The Tiffin University Women’s Basketball Team has partnered with Play4Kay to help support the fight against breast cancer with two special fund-raising. Play4Kay is an initiative started by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Before passing away due to the deadly disease, Kay Yow was the head coach of the North Carolina State Women’s Basketball Team. During her tenure, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she fought courageously for 22 years. As she battled breast cancer, she created the cancer fund, whose goal is to raise $5 million dollars for breast cancer research.
Men’s and women’s tennis teams bring holiday cheer to seneca house Tiffin University’s men’s and women’s tennis teams traveled to the Seneca House, an assisted living center, for their annual visitation. Each year the two teams make the trip to sing Christmas carols, help decorate the facility, and visit with the residents.
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Women’s Basketball Supports Fight Against Breast Cancer
Seneca House is an assisted living facility featuring apartment-style habitats designed to focus on providing assistance with daily living activities. They provide a higher level of service for the elderly and are designed to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home facilities.
Free-Throw-A-Thon In December, the Lady Dragons participated in a Free-ThrowA-Thon fund-raiser to support the fight against breast cancer. The team encouraged sponsors who made a donation for each successful free throw made. The money raised from the Free-Throw-A-Thon will be combined with a percentage of proceeds from the Lady Dragons Pink Wave game, held in the spring (another event to support the fight against breast cancer).
SHOP WITH A COP
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TU student John Leary is pictured during the Shop with a Cop program which is organized annually by the Fraternal Order of Police Harold J. Fraley, Sr. Lodge #128, Tiffin, Ohio. John has been employed with the Bloomville Police Department for the last 15 years. He is enrolled in TU’s Degree Completion Program and is majoring in Criminal Justice/ Emergency Management.
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Community TU to Memorialize Neighborhood
Community Day
The Board of Trustees of Tiffin University approved a plan for the University to celebrate the rich heritage of the former Italian-American neighborhood to which the campus is located by completing a memorial on campus to recognize the families that called the area home. TU and a committee of Tiffin residents will work with area vendors to determine the proper structure and location for the memorial. According to Ron Schumacher, Vice President for Development and Public Affairs, “This is one way for the university to give back to the community to insure that as we look forward to the future, we never forget our past or those who helped us get there.”
Tiffin University’s Sports Management Club and Athletic Department hosted its first Annual Football Tailgate and Community Day in November. The event took place in the Heminger Center and continued to the FrostKalnow Stadium where the Dragons faced Lake Erie College. Focused on “kids,” activities included face painting, games, and
corn hole. At the football game, kids who participated in the activities at the Heminger Center were invited to stand on the field and cheer as the Dragons ran out of the tunnel.
Sport & Hospitality Career Day
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Community Trick or Treat TU’s Office of Student Affairs hosted the Annual Community Trick or Treat activity on campus. Tiffin area children were invited to bring family and friends to the Legacy Courtyard to enjoy the spooky festivities. Some of the festivities included roasting marsh-mellows, coloring in the courtyard, games, and more. Residence Life members passed out candy at several residence halls and campus houses.
Tiffin University hosted its first Sport and Hospitality Career Day in November at the Heminger Center. The event featured 45 employers and seven representatives from graduate programs. The day was organized by Dr. Bonnie Tiell, Associate Professor of Management and Teresa Miller, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management and Marketing. The event was sponsored by the financial services firm CF Professional, Inc. of Tiffin.
Around the Town
Tiffin University and the Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce co- hosted the annual “Around the Town” event in the Gillmor Student Center in September. Local employers and organizations utilize this venue to showcase their business, products and services to faculty, staff and students. Each participant is invited to the annual Welcome Back Luncheon sponsored by TU’s Student Government.
TU Welcomes Nurse Practitioner
Tiffin University kicked off its United Way Campaign, “You Can Be a Super Hero,” on Halloween Day. TU’s United Way Committee leader, Lori Hall, Vice President for Human Resources & Campus Services, encouraged TU employees to be “Super Dragons.” “The traits of a Super Dragon are to give to the United Way Campaign, advocate to other employees how important it is to support the United Way Campaign, and to volunteer,” Hall said. Tiffin University employees have always been generous in their donations and this year’s campaign concluded with $18,489.16 in donations. TU celebrated by treating employees who contributed to refreshments, a super raffle and an assortment of super goodies. Tiffin University United Way Committee members were Lori Hall, Denise Burkin, Becky Fox, Jill Earl, Sarah Johnson and Vickie Galaska.
Tiffin Native Donates Seitz Hall Painting Tiffin resident Marilyn Hartman Seitz, generously donated a water color painting of Seitz Hall to TU President Paul Marion & Susan Marion in November. In 2002, Mrs. Seitz took a painting course at Tiffin University and she remembers her instructor telling the class to go outside, pick a spot, and paint “anything that comes to you.” According to Mrs. Seitz, Seitz Hall seemed like a perfect subject. Note: Marilyn’s husband, Norman Hartman, is a Tiffin University graduate (1948) along with their three sons: Steve Hartman (1972), Dan Hartman (1981), and Mike Hartman (1987).
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Frances Ford has joined Tiffin University as its Nurse Practitioner in charge of University Health Services. Frances has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and is thrilled to join the TU family. The University Health Services facility Frances Ford is located in the Seneca House on Miami Street and is open to all TU students, employees and family members of employees on TU’s health insurance plan.
You Can Be a Super Hero! United Way Campaign C ampus S cene
Professional sports teams attending included the Cleveland Indians, Browns, and Cavs, Detroit Red Wings, and Toledo Mud Hens and Walleyes. Also discussing opportunities with students were the Detroit and Cleveland Sports Commission, Ohio State University Athletics, Bowling Green State University Strohs Center, Toledo District Golf Association, and Ohio Sports Radio. Representatives from the hospitality industry included Kalahari Resort, Panera Bread, Newport Aquarium, Hampton Inn, and Great Lakes Brewing Company. Over 150 students from 11 different area colleges and universities attended the event. Twelve TU alumni were included in those representing the organizations at the fair.
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TU Celebrates Homecoming
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Tiffin University’s Homecoming took place the weekend of September 21-23. The weekend kicked off with two alumni panels, “It’s CriminalTips for Seeking Employment in the Field of Criminal Justice” and “Little Known Facts about a Successful Career Search.” The panels were open to the public. In the afternoon, the Women’s Soccer team hosted Ohio Dominican at the Paradiso Athletic Complex. The day ended with the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, Silent Auction and Induction. The 2012 Hall of Fame Honorees include Kelly Cavanaugh, Track Coach 1993-2000; Ali Lukungu ’03; Josh Martin ’01; Katie Siroky ’02; and KC Tener ’97. (See SportsScene, pgs. 64-65) On Saturday, the day included the Alumni 5K Run, the Alumni Softball Game, and tours of the Nature Preserve, Paradiso Athletic Complex, Living Learning Community, and the Heminger Center. The Alumni Office hosted its annual pre-game tailgate party at the Stadium parking lot. Featured fun included a food tent, children’s game and craft tent, and inflatable fun. Pre-game events included the introduction of the Homecoming Court, king & queen announcement, and recognition of the Athletic Hall of Fame honorees. After the football game, the Alumni Office hosted a post-game alumni reunion event at Madison Street Tavern. Sunday included the All Alumni Golf Scramble and Lunch at Seneca Hills Golf Course. The weekend ended with a women’s soccer game against Ashland and a men’s soccer game against Saginaw Valley State.
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Homecoming 2012 – Queen Jessica Oliver & King Sheldon James
Burk Tischler, Class ‘62
H omecoming
Alumni Football reunites at Homecoming 2012
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Eric Aller, Class ‘05
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John Gonya, Class ‘63
Steve & Nancy Gilbert
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Frank Marchetti, Class ‘70, and his wife, Wendy Worringer
Russel Sorg, Class ‘42, and Jan Sorg, Class ‘67
Carl Arnold, Class ‘61, and his wife Theresa
Hall of Fame Inductee Josh Martin, Class ‘01, and his wife, Marissa
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Five Family Members Contribute to Tiffin University
Clinton Friedley
A History of Tiffin University
Friedley Hall Dedication
Robert Keplinger
SIG’s Reunite at Homecoming 2012 Lunch
Steve Hartsel, Class of 1965 Boca Raton FL; Frank Marchetti, Class of 1970 Titusville, NJ; Ted Weaver, Class of 1962 Perrysburg, OH; Gary Zeisloft, Class of 1962, Columbus grove, OH; Harry Burd, Class of 1963, Tiffin, OH
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ONWARD TO THE DAWN By michael anthony grandillo Buy your copy of this limited-edition book today. Call 419.448.3282 or visit bookstore.tiffin.edu
Rolland’s daughter, Blythe Friedley, attended in 1968 and 1969 and was recently recognized as a 15-year member of the President’s Club at the annual dinner. A third brother, Clinton Friedley, of Columbus, Ohio, has been a member of the Green and Gold Club for several years. In 2011, he gave the college 25 of his grammar books, “I Feel Badly and I Enjoyed Myself,” and 25 writing books, “101 Dumb Things We Write.” This year a grandson, Robert Clinton Keplinger, who graduated from Tiffin University in 2011, surprised his entire family Friedley Hall by becoming a member of the Dragon’s Club with no encouragement. He is the grandson of Clinton and Charlene Friedley. The family is optimistic about Tiffin University.
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How often do five members of one extended family give to a university? The Friedley family has been giving for years and recently added a new member. The first Friedley philanthropist was Rolland, who graduated from Tiffin University in 1939. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for 28 years and served on the Budget and Finance Committee. His brother, Dr. Ellsworth Friedley of Cleveland, Ohio, joined with Rolland to give a large donation to build Friedley Hall, which was dedicated in 1991. Dr. Friedley also gave money to rebuild the Bridgewater House, which was named for Dr. Friedley’s caregiver in the latter years.
Alumni Spotlight Bobby Petras Class of 2003 Chief Operating Officer Lamplight Communities
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Bobby Petras, from Toronto, Ohio, transferred to TU from the University of Findlay. He played for the Dragon’s football team and majored in business. Bobby met his wife Brandie in 2002 and they have two children, Bella (3 years) and Bianca (7 months). Together, with his family, Bobby and Brandie own and operate Lamplight Communities (five assisted living facilities as well as a skilled nursing
facility in Ohio and Indiana) and are currently bidding on four additional properties to expand. It all began during the holidays in 2008. “My sister came home for Thanksgiving and informed me, my wife, and my mother that we were all going to quit our jobs and form a management company to run assisted living buildings. My sister was a very successful corporate banker at the time, so I knew if she was willing to give up what she had, than she must have a great plan. Four months later, I quit my job and we started Lamplight.” They spent all of 2009 looking for a property to buy and then finally found one in Maple Heights, Ohio. “I got my first paycheck from the company the day before Bella was born,” Bobby said. Today, Brandie is the Director of Social Services over all properties, but
Brandie & Bobby Petras
primarily works with each building’s Sales and Marketing Directors on a daily basis. “She has been amazing, and is one of the main reasons all of our buildings have such a high census,” said Bobby. “Brandie has the biggest heart of anyone that I have ever met and I’m amazed at her per-
make the best decision for their With today’s continuing loved ones, even if it’s not with medical advances, people are living Lamplight. We employ caring much longer. While technology and compassionate people to may be able to prolong our lives, assist in the process.” the reality is at some point, we will “You better never put me in all need assistance. For the most a nursing home,” according to part, we turn to our family for that Bobby, “is something we hear all support. Now that we are living of the time from children facing longer, healthier lives however, that Lamplight Communities strive to provide a the difficult decision of whether or responsibility is largely left up to the welcoming home to everyone, regardless of their economic resources. This includes not to care for a parent personadult children who are often in the preserving one’s dignity and by partnerally or place them in a care facility midst of raising their own children. ing with family members, caregivers, and such as Lamplight.” This phenomenon has become so health professionals in the surrounding local communities. “Our assisted living facilities common that it was aptly named the are fun and not a death sen“Sandwich Generation,” referring to tence. The resident’s days are fun filled with activities these adults who feel squeezed between the needs of and outings,” he said. “We have live music at the buildtheir aging parents or relatives and the needs of their ings regularly, and movie nights. While the fun things own families and careers. are often the center of attention, you have to remember According to Bobby, selecting a community for your that what it really comes down to is getting the best loved one is one of the hardest decisions you will make care for your loved one. Our care givers care for all in your life. Lamplight partners with local agencies, such residents as if they were caring for their own mom, dad as the Area Agency on Aging, in each community that or favorite relative.” they serve. “We are an open book and help families
Aaron Mistic Class of 2012 Air Force Officer Trainee
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In 2008, high school senior Aaron Mistic was charting his life ambitions. “I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do. I was interested in going on to study law enforcement,” he says. On his list was the FBI or the U.S. Marshall Service. Mistic settled on his career direction and stayed with it. For him, the challenge was exactly what degree and where to get it. He chose studying international relations, with a stint abroad, at a small Ohio college. Then, his dad suggested he talk to a friend, an instructor at Tiffin University. “When we got there, I showed him my transcripts and talked to him,” recalls Mistic. “He told me about the Homeland Security degree. I knew it would correlate nicely with what I wanted to do in law enforcement.” Aaron earned his degree in Homeland Security and Terrorism with minor in Intelligence Analysis. He did it while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.97. As a senior at Tiffin University, Aaron earned the prestigious award of Excellence in the Field of Homeland Security/ Terrorism. Ever the planner, Mistic knew he would need work experience to get a job and a job to get work experience. So, he enlisted in the Air Force ROTC program. In May 2012, he graduated from TU and received his Air Force Officer’s commission. In August, he
headed to Texas for further training as an Air Force officer. The faculty remains one of Mistic’s favorite things about TU. “It was really neat going through the program and having professors with the experiences they have. They are retired military, retired U.S. Marshalls, retired FBI, and retired civilian intelligence analysts,” he says. “It’s nice to be taught by people who know what they are talking about because they have been there and done that, especially when you are talking about issues of terrorism and criminal justice. There is only so much a degree can do for you. It’s in the application of the field that you’re really learning.” One of the more interesting things, he says, was gaining a broader perspective on the world. “It helped me understand the realities of Islam and the Middle Eastern culture. It helped me understand what it was really like through an educated person’s point of view, as opposed to applying stereotypes where it’s not fair.” He laughs when asked if Intelligence Analysis is like the television shows that “profile” suspects. “You gather information, you refine it,” he says. “Then you can give back to the individual who asked for it. It’s not like intelligence analysts can read minds or predict the future. It is more about looking for patterns, trends. Your ultimate goal is to gather as much information on an issue in order to gain the largest perspective possible.” Mistic is uncertain what the future will bring. “Maybe I will choose military work or federal law enforcement. I would definitely like to stay in the intelligence arena,” he says. “It really sets you up when you have a degree like mine from Tiffin. You can go into federal law enforcement or other fed-
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sonal relationships with each and every resident. I wouldn’t know what to do without her, she truly is my rock.” Bobby uses his TU education every day. “When I was at TU, I knew I wanted to own my own business and not work for someone else the rest of my life, so I draw on a little bit of everything I learned --accounting and employee management, to name a few.” Bobby says his business is very rewarding. “I’m able to spend a lot of time with my family, and this would not be the case if I was working for someone else, and we take care of people—people who need help to live who would not be able to live alone in their home otherwise.” In addition to Lamplight, Bobby and Brandie also own a business called Platinum Purchasing. http:// ppurchasing.com -- a procurement management company. “We help small to medium sized businesses get better pricing. Our main focus is health care, but we have helped many companies outside of health care,” he said. In closing, Bobby says, “I have nothing but wonderful thoughts when I think back about my TU experience. I have life-long friends and experiences from TU and I’m beyond proud and grateful to be able to give back to the school, and still be connected.
Alumni Spotlight eral employment when you get out.” Mistic has been a member of the national criminal justice honor society of Alpha Phi Sigma and a member of the Tiffin Martial Arts Club. He has been a student of the martial arts for ten years, and has assisted with teaching martial arts to children at the YMCA in Tiffin.
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Sarah Croswhite Class of 2012 Flagstaff, Arizona Police Officer Flagstaff Arizona Police Department Sarah was born and raised on a ranch in a small town in Northern California called Placerville, with her parents and younger brother. She now lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. In 2008, she started classes at TU double majoring in Law Enforcement and Homeland Security. In addition to a full class load, she was a member of the Varsity Equestrian Team and held several jobs on campus. “I worked hard and was on schedule to graduate with the rest of my class. According to TU Criminal Justice Professor Kevin Cashen, “Sarah was an excellent student at Tiffin University and now that she has graduated, she will be an outstanding ambassador for us. She has a strong work ethic combined with an excellent intellect and she is a good person with a strong and focused moral compass. Sarah will succeed in her pursuit of
(continued)
a law enforcement career. I would not be surprised to one day learn that Sarah has moved up the ranks within her department while earning a graduate degree as well.” The summer leading up to Sarah’s senior year at TU, she was offered a job with the Flagstaff Police Department in Flagstaff, Arizona. In order to attend the Flagstaff Police Department Academy (18 weeks of training), Sarah had to leave Tiffin University before Thanksgiving. She was faced with completing fall semester in eight weeks while attending a 50+ hour per week of rigorous police academy training. “In the Academy, I was educated on topics such as self-defense tactics, handcuffing techniques, the use of firearms, driving tactics, and every aspect of both criminal and traffic law,” she said. “I was pushed to the limit physically in a military style boot camp of physical fitness. As part of the training, I had to complete an obstacle after being shot with pepper spray, attacked by several instructors in a physical fight (the culmination of my defensive tactics course), and finally, being subjected to a taser stun gun.” Sarah graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy in April while simultaneously graduating from Tiffin with both degrees. “After I graduated, I returned to Flagstaff where I completed the three and a half month field training program. This program is designed to give new officers practical, in-the-field training, before they become solo officers,” she explained. After seven months of being an officer, Sarah was nominated for a lifesaving award. She explained, “I was a solo officer on the road when a toner came
out for a woman who was not breathing. I had actually been to the location the night before for a domestic dispute, so I knew exactly where the residence was. I was also the closest officer so I responded code (lights and sirens active) and was the first emergency responder on scene. I found an adult female lying on the floor not breathing. Due to traffic, it was several minutes before the paramedics could arrive so I learned from family members that the female was believed to have attempted suicide via drug overdose. While waiting for medics, I performed CPR which resulted in the subject taking several shallow breaths. I spoke to the doctor later in the shift and he informed that she would have died if she had not received the emergency CPR I provided.” When asked to describe a typical day, Sarah said, “I’m not really sure there is such a thing. That is why I love this job. For example, a few weeks ago we had a drug dealer who broke into the stash house of another drug dealer. The week before that was calm, but the week after, I was first on the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash after having found a subject who was threatening suicide by jumping in front of a train.” Sarah said she deals with numerous domestic violence situations, fights ‘downtown’ between college kids, crashes, both injury and noninjury, and suicide to name a few. Because her department is small, officers handle everything. “I will fingerprint recovered stolen vehicles, conduct initial investigations of missing persons and sexual assaults, and respond to medical emergencies,” she said. In addition to everything else, she conducts traffic stops. According to Sarah, “The Flagstaff Police
On a personal note, Sarah and Will, her fiancé, plan to get married as soon as he returns from deployment in Afghanistan. What has Tiffin University meant to you? “Tiffin University has truly been a life-changing experience. I came to Tiffin as a shy high school grad and left with the confidence to meet my challenges head on and knock them down one at a time. Tiffin was also a home away from home. I was only able to go home once a year due to the fact that I lived so far away, but within the first few weeks at TU, I knew I’d be okay.”
Nicole Walby wanted to be a veterinarian. “I love all animals but I could not bear to think about putting an animal down, even if it was for the best, I didn’t want that over my head.” I did not always want to be a reporter. I started off on the path of going into criminal justice. While at Tiffin Columbian I was part of the criminal justice program at the Tech Center. I enjoyed it in the beginning but my senior year I lost interest. I thought about where to go next and I had always had a passion for writing and was looking into doing something in PR or marketing and decided to go in a more broad direction and chose journalism. I owe where I am now to the education I received at Tiffin and Terra State Community College. I attended Terra for two years and transferred my credits from there to Tiffin. The people I met while at Tiffin were great and helped lead me down this path. I also owe a lot to Dr. Vallo. She helped get a better perspective on things as a reporter and I continually stay in touch with her. Typically, Nicole’s day begins with checking emails and messages. “Mondays are normally my day where I get at least two weeks laid out,” she said. “Things do come up during the
week, but I usually know when things are going to happen. It is not a very spontaneous beat, which I like. I like being prepared so I make lists. I cannot live without my planner or sticky notes. It is busy and I like it.”
John McCauley MSCJ Class of 2011 Painseville Township, OH Adjunct Instructor, Tiffin University When he was two years old, John McCauley, TU class of 2011, knew he wanted to be like his father and enter the police force. He even dressed like an officer every Halloween. So, when he got out of Willoughby South High School in 1992, McCauley enrolled in Lakeland Community College. There he received an associate’s degree in criminal justice and finished his police officer training. He couldn’t become a police officer until 1995. He had to wait to be 21 years old to carry a firearm. Then, he joined his dad, Jack, on the Eastlake police force. They worked together for almost four years until his father retired. In 2000, MacCauley decided to finish his bachelor’s degree. In 2002, he enrolled at Myer University in Cleveland studying criminal justice. When that was done, he enrolled at Tiffin University where he received a master’s degree in criminal justice. By that point he may as well have
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What will you remember most about TU? “I think the thing I will remember most is the atmosphere. The professors were not only teachers but friends. Classmates were not just friends but family. Tiffin was not just a school but a place where I was given the tools I needed to succeed and then allowed to try the tools until I found the ones that worked best for me.”
Nicole Walby Class of 2012 Tiffin, Ohio Education Reporter The Advertiser-Tribune
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Department has the highest DUI conviction rate per capita in the country and a very large emphasis is placed on DUI apprehension due to the high potential for injury/fatality crashes associated with driving while impaired. Every officer is asked to find and process at least one DUI a week,” she explained.
Alumni Spotlight
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been addicted to education. He’d built momentum and didn’t quit until he earned his Ph.D. in public policy and administration with a specialization in counterterrorism in 2011. “I started in 2002 and went straight through with no breaks,” he says. “I wanted to get it done so if I moved up down the road I’d have the degree. A lot of it, too, was the desire to do better.” A non-traditional student with a full-time job and family meant it took more than six years to complete his doctorate work. And, that was made possible by online classes. “I did my bachelor’s degree half on campus and half online,” he says. “I did my masters’ degree all online and my Ph.D., online with on-campus residency classes.” Today, as an online instructor at TU and five other institutions, he helps other aspiring graduate students do the same. At Tiffin University, in fact, he is the lead instructor for the counterterrorism track. “I like teaching counterterrorism because a part of our population in the program is police officers,” he says. “We don’t get counterterrorism experience in our service.” Having advanced degrees says McCauley gives him more insight into people. “You understand cultures and how to deal with people better,” he says.
Catch up on the latest TU Alumni News at www.facebook.com/ TiffinUniversityAlumni
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Brett Myers Visits Campus Tiffin University Alumus Brett Myers, Director of Ballpark Operations for the Omaha (Nebraska) Storm Chasers, spoke to students about careers in professional sports operations and facility management. The presentation was open to the public. A graduate of Tiffin University, Brett started his career as an intern in the Baseball Operations Department for the Cincinnati Reds. After completing his internship, Brett became an assistant coach for the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League. After a brief stint as the Assistant General Manager for the Bradenton Juice, Brett moved on to the Amarillo Dillas of the United League, where he was the Director of Stadium Operations and Corporate Sales. Brett’s career then brought him to Lincoln, NE, where he was the Assistant Stadium Operations Director for the Lincoln Saltdogs and the University of Nebraska baseball program. The Storm Chasers finished the season as runner-up for the Pacific Coast League Championship. The organization won the PC league championship in 2011. The Storm Chasers home field, Werner Park, opened in 2011 under Meyer’s leadership. The stadium accommodates over 9000.
Point. Click. Give.
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ClassScene Editor’s Note: Articles Welcomed! Did you meet at TU and get married? Tell us your story and send us your photo for the next issue of Challenge Magazine. Please feel free to submit news articles, short stories or other literature to Challenge Magazine. Email lwilliam@tiffin.edu
1930’s
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Grace Romine, Class of 1933, Centerville, Ohio, turned 100 years old on October 3, 2012. Harold L. Shultz, Class of 1938, Tiffin, Ohio, turned 95 in September. His education at Tiffin University Harold Schultz served him very well. He joined Huber Motor Transportation Company (later known as Mohawk Motor, Inc.) in 1939 as an accounting clerk and eventually became head of the accounting department. Following the sale of the company in 1970, he joined Seneca Sheet Metal, Inc. as controller. He remained in that position until 1992 when he retired at the age of 75. During his working career, he was active in local organizations, including the Moose, Elks, Lions, and United Commercial Travelers (U.C.T.). He served as President of the Tiffin Chamber of U.C.T. and was recognized for achieving the greatest membership growth in the nation. Harold has remained active throughout his retirement, including serving as Treasurer of Senior Community Services during the 1990’s. In December 2010, he moved from his home of 60 years to the St. Francis Home in Tiffin, where he joined his wife, Kathryn, who was already a resident. He is still
enjoying retired life and participates in most activities at St. Francis.
board of Developmental Disabilities and currently serves as the Medical Services Manager.
1990’s
Bill Thistlethwaite, Class of 2001 & 2004, St. Marys, Ohio, married Sarah McHenry in June.
Norman Elchert, Class of 1992, Tiffin, Ohio, was recently hired as treasurer of Fostoria schools. Previously, he has been Lakota Elementary principal since 2000, added middle school principal duties in 2007, and has handled central purchasing for the Lakota district since 2010. He and his wife, Windy, have two children. Melissa Woods Coe, Class of 1997, Bowling Green, Ohio, and her husband, Nick, recently welcomed a son, Easton, in October. Derek Stanley, Class of 1999, Lacrescent, Minnesota, and his wife, Kristen, welcomed a son, Alex, in March. Nancy Sullivan, Class of 1999 & 2000, Elyria, Ohio represented TU at the Baldwin Wallace University inauguration of President Robert Helmer. Justin White, Class of 1999 & 2000, Bowling Green, Ohio, was promoted to police sergeant.
2000’s Josh Martin, Class of 2001, Lake Tomahawk, Ohio, was inducted into the Tiffin University Athletic Hall of Fame in September. He played basketball at TU from 1998 to 2001. Josh was also recently inducted into the East Liverpool High School Athletic Hall of Fame. “Tiffin University is a special place to me, and it always will be. My induction to the Hall of Fame symbolizes the final chapter of my athletic career. I have a new life now, and my interests lie in starting a family and continuing my work in the field of disabled and disadvantaged individuals,” Josh said. Since 2002, he has worked for the Columbiana County
Brian Glenn, Class of 2002, Columbus, Ohio, is the market manager for Sherwin Williams. His wife, Katie, works for Victoria’s Secret as a deployment analyst. They have one daughter, Sophia. Cheryl Hill, Class of 2002, Fremont, Ohio, is the new Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for the Fremont Federal Credit Union. She joined the credit union in June 2008 and has more than 25 years of financial service experience. Additionally, Cheryl serves as treasurer for Old Fort Athletic Boosters. She lives in Fremont with her husband and two children. Chris Chase, Class of 2003 & 2005, Tiffin, Ohio, married Heather Hickle in May in Hawaii. He is a small business owner.
Chris & Heather Chase
Dustin Harrison, Class of 2003, and Angie Martorana Harrison, Class of 2004, Olmstead Falls, Ohio, welcomed a son, Austin, in August.
Ryan Harpold, Class of 2005, Noblesville, Indiana, and his wife, Heather, welcomed a daughter, Halle Adrian, in August.
Julie Metzger Sasala, Class of 2003, and her husband Jeff, welcomed a baby boy, Emmitt James, in May.
Joe Niehaus, Class of 2006, Springboro, Ohio, is a veteran police officer and author of six books and numerous articles in police and martial arts magazines. His most recent book, “Shadow in the Reflection,” was published this year. He holds certificates in fraud examination and clinical and forensic hypnosis. Joe is an adjunct professor at Ashford University and Sinclair Community College.
Julie, Jeff and Emmitt Sasala
Joan Reinhard, Class of 2004, Fostoria, Ohio, is the executive director of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation. She worked for the former Fostoria Area Federal Credit Union for nearly 15 years before moving to FEDC.
Stephen Kenney, Class of 2006, and his wife, Krista, welcomed a son, Lane, in October.
Tony Scherley, Class of 2006, Bellevue, Ohio, married Rachel Mercer in June. He is a trooper for the Ohio State HighTony & Rachel way Patrol Scherley and Rachel is a dispatcher for the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
Send us your news & photos! Email lwilliam@tiffin.edu
Lorenzo Guess, Class of 2007, Granger, Indiana, recently joined the Michigan State University football team’s strength and conditioning staff. He joins MSU after spending the past two seasons as an assistant strength coach at Notre Dame. Paul Sweeney, Class of 2007, Milford, Ohio, and his wife Heather, welcomed a son, Zachary, in July. Zachary joins his sister Emma and two brothers, Caleb and James.
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Kendra Lease Shearer, Class of 2003, Tiffin, Ohio, married Kyle Shearer in May. She works as a Kendra & Kyle juvenile proShearer bation officer for Seneca County. Her husband is a trooper for Ohio State Highway Patrol and a member of the patrol’s special response team.
Kelly Lindesmith, Class of 2005, Westerville, Ohio, was inducted into the Genoa High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Garett Bush, MSCJ/HS 2007, Los Angeles, California, is an investigator with the Los Angeles Police Garett Bush Department. He is currently assigned to the Crisis Response Support Section (CRSS) and is a member of the LAPD SWAT Crisis Negotiation Cadre. During his 9 year with CRSS, he has performed over 5,000 crisis interventions, dealing with the mentally ill population. He is published in several law enforcement publications and in the California POST Portal. Along with being a published writer, Garett is an adjunct faculty professor at ITT Technical Institute. He created the TAC*COM Institute and is the Officer in Charge and lead Instructor for its Crisis Communications/Crisis Negotiation Cadre. He has trained crisis negotiations to law enforcement professionals from other countries such as: Israel, Australia, U.K., and Canada, as well as from the Federal, State, and local levels. He was contracted to train the entire Dubai police department on emergency personnel’s response to individuals with mental illness.
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Tyson Pinion, Class of 2003 & MBA 2005, Tiffin, Ohio, recently accepted the position of Director Tyson Pinion of Development at Bowling Green State University.
ClassScene Parris Burt, Class of 2008 & 2010, and Wynter Toland Burt, Class of 2007, Findlay, Ohio, welcomed a daughter, Londyn, in July.
(continued) Chad Johnson, Class of 2008, and Bridgett Kolbow, Class of 2010, were married in July. Mike Lento, Class of 2008 & 2010, Fremont, Ohio, and his wife, DeeAnn, welcomed a son, Jaxson Donald, in July.
Londyn Burt
Brenda Collins, Class of 2008, Columbus, Ohio, was promoted to the rank of captain by Col. John Born, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent. She transferred from the field operations office to serve as commander of the critical information and communications center. She joined the patrol in 1985 as a cadet dispatcher. She began training as a member of the 116th Academy Class and received her commission in 1987. In 1996, she was promoted to sergeant and served as the patrol’s spokeswoman. In 1998, she was promoted to lieutenant and served as commander of the office of recruitment and training. In 2000, she began serving as post commander of the Fremont post. In 2006, she was promoted to staff lieutenant and transferred to the field operations office to serve as an inspector. In 2007, she served as the patrol’s recruitment commander, before returning to the field operations office in 2011.
Jasmine Trendafilov, Class of 2008, and Kaleb Christopher Torbet, Class of 2009, Wauseon, Kaleb & Jasmine Ohio, were Torbet married in August. Jasmine is a Licensed Professional Counselor for Maumee Valley Guidance and Kaleb is a Patrolman for Archbold Police Department. Christopher Buck, Class of 2009, Gibsonburg, Ohio, recently graduated from Basic Peace Officer Academy at Owens Community College. He scored second highest at the academy on the state test. He is serving with the auxiliary at the Walbridge Police Department. Tiniel Pinion Nickler, Class of 2009, Bucyrus, Ohio, and her husband, Dewayne, welcomed Gaitlin, born in August.
Ray Robinson, Class of 2010, Tiffin, Ohio represented TU at the Marietta College inauguration of Dr. Joseph Bruno. John Tenuto, MH 2011, Gurnee, Illinois, presented the results from four years of research into Star Trek at the University of Iowa and Trek Fest in June. He coauthored the book “Social Movement Theory and Research: An Annotated Bibliographic Guide.” For the past four years, he and his wife, Maria, have conducted major research based on the idea that “art thrives on limitations,” using Star Trek as a case study. Their research has been featured on BBC Radio, WGN News, Chicago Tribune, and in the documentary film, “The Force Among Us.” John has been a full-time sociology faculty member at College of Lake County since 1998. He teaches honors sociology and has developed courses such as “That 70s Class: Sociology of 1970’s Popular Culture,” “Star Trek and Sociology,” and “Star Wars and Sociology.” Callie Dewald, Class of 2012, Tiffin, Ohio, joined Corporate One Benefits as the Communications Representative in Findlay, Ohio. Marc Fencil, Class of 2012, Delaware, Ohio, is one of Dublin’s newest police officers. He is a U.S. Marine and has served in Iraq.
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TU Specialty License Plate Program If you are an Ohio resident, you can show pride in Tiffin University through the Collegiate License Plate Program sponsored by the State of Ohio. The cost to participate in the program (in addition to any normal renewal fees) is $35 annually. Of this $35 fee, $25 is directed to Tiffin University in the form of a charitable donation to the General Scholarship Fund in your name. Due to a change in the Drivers Privacy Protection Act, Ohio Revised Code 4501.27, the release of personal information will not be provided without written consent by the individual. Therefore, you must provide proof of your participation in the collegiate license plate program in order for Tiffin University to recognize your contribution to the TU General Scholarship Fund. If you have questions, contact TU’s Alumni Relations Office at 419-448-3313 or your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
In Memoriam 1950’s
Charles Swope, Class of 1934, Fort Seneca, Ohio, passed away in October. He was 100 years old. Charles lived nearly his entire life in Fort Seneca and worked in Toledo for nine years, then 34 years at Basic Incorporated at Maple Grove, Ohio, retiring as controller of finance. He was a past president of Basic Management Club, a past Charles Swope president of Basic Quarter Century Club, an avid golfer, and member of Nature Trails Golf Course for many years. He had three holes-in-one and was awarded several trophies over the years.
Raymond O’Connor Jr., Class of 1959, Albany, Georgia, passed away in June. A native of Tiffin, Mr. O’Connor served in the U.S. Army in Korea and moved to Albany, Georgia, from Newark in 1973. Mr. O’Connor was the purchasing manager for MacGregor Golf Co. until he retired in 1991. He was also employed with Thomas and Betts Lighting, Bainbridge, Georgia, and Thrush Aircraft of Albany.
Carl Adams, Class of 1937, Fairhope, Alabama, passed away in July. Mr. Adams served in the US Army during World War II. He was an entrepreneur whose career encompassed banking, communications, real estate development and energy exploration. He was publisher of the Lorain (Ohio) Journal and president of Great Lakes Broadcasting Company, which operated nine radio stations in six states. When he and his wife moved to Fairhope, he was not quite ready to retire so he joined with other local businessmen to invest in Fairhope real estate. In 2004, he was the recipient of a Doctor of Humane Letters from Tiffin University, which he had attended in his youth. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Mayor Tim Kant proclaimed September First as Carl Adams Day in Fairhope in recognition of his remarkable and interesting career.
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1960’s Tom Wilhelm, Class of 1962, Findlay, Ohio, passed away in October.
Tom Wilhelm
James Gillig, Class of 1964, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in September.
Clayton Border, Class of 1939, Toledo, Ohio, passed away in September.
James Gillig
1950’s
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Jean (Grady) Hertzer, Class of 1956, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in December. Tiffin University’s Hertzer Technology Center was made possible through a generous donation of Jean and her husband, Bill. Jean and Bill spent the last sixteen winters in Lehigh Acres, Florida. She was a member of the board of directors for the Tiffin Rangers and served as their Jean (Grady) Hertzer secretary for many years. She was a sixty-year member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Jean and Bill were members of Tiffin University’s President’s Club for many years and she was very active in TU events.
In Memoriam
(continued)
1960’s
2000’s
Marvin “Marv” Cok, Class of 1966, Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away in August. He managed the family-owned Spiffy Clean Coin Laundry and until his recent semi-retirement, he was the owner of Marvin R. Cok’s Tax Service for over 25 years.
Aaron Ciak, Class of 2005, Southgate, Michigan, passed away in July.
Marvin Cok
Sharon Boes, Class of 1969, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in October. She worked in the office for Fleck Electric for 19 years and in the office at K-Mart for 21 years. Sharon cleaned for seven years at St. Francis Convent and North Central Ohio Educational Service Center for 18 years. She was a 4-H adviser for 25 years.
Aaron Ciak Scholarship Fund
Aaron Ciak
This summer, Bobby Petras, Class of 2003, hosted a golf outing in honor of his late friend and former Dragon teammate, Aaron Ciak. Bobby decided that holding a golf outing every year during TU’s Homecoming celebration in Aaron’s name would give everyone a joyful reason to get together in his memory.
Sharon Boes
1970’s Gary Keller, Class of 1976, Bloomville, Ohio, passed away in October.
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Gary Keller
According to Bobby, Aaron was a great person, amazing athlete and awesome friend. After college, Aaron joined the Army and became an Army Ranger. “He served his country, and served it well, deploying several times overseas,” said Bobby. “For 2013, we are partnering with Tiffin University to make the event bigger and better,” said Bobby. “All of the proceeds from the golf outing will go toward a scholarship fund in Aaron’s name.” For more information about next year’s golf outing, contact Bobby Petras at rpetras@lamplightcommunities. com or TU Development Office at 419.448.3282.
Tell Us About Yourself @
www.tiffin.edu
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Football Tiffin University took a solid step forward during the 2012 season, finishing 3-8 overall in Head Coach Gary Goff’s second season. Tiffin picked up wins over McKendree, Notre Dame, and Lake Erie while dropping close games to Malone, Northwood, and Ohio Dominican.
Joseph Collard earned his third consecutive All-GLIAC citation while leading the team in sacks.
Person led the Dragons overall with 81 tackles along with 3 interceptions and 6 deflections, while Willis had 28 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and also had 3 interceptions and 6 deflections.
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Obadiah Dykes was named Second Team All-GLIAC and led all receivers in yards.
Tiffin University’s Obadiah Dykes was named Second Team All-GLIAC by vote of the GLIAC football coaches. Dykes led all Dragons receivers with 599 yards before his season was cut short due to injury after 9 games. He averaged 66.6 yards per game and hauled in 45 receptions. Six other Dragons players landed Honorable Mention honors. Wide receiver Marcus Beaurem was joined by offensive linemen Dustan Craig and Max Pollom, while defensive lineman Joe Collard and safeties Brandon Person and Stefan Willis were also selected. Beaurem led the Dragons with 51 catches and totaled 551 yards in 11 games. He averaged 50.1 yards per game while Craig (sophomore center) and Pollom (freshman tackle) helped the Dragons offense. Collard landed his third consecutive Honorable Mention selection, posting 63 tackles and team highs in tackles for loss (8), sacks (2.5), and forced fumbles (2).
Women’s Soccer Tiffin finished the 2011 season at 7-5-2 in the GLIAC and 9-8-2 overall. The Dragons finished with a flurry, winning the last four regular season games to get into the GLIAC Tournament. What made it more of a Cinderella finish was beating two teams ahead of them, Northwood and Saginaw Valley State, in the last two home matches. Giulianne Domingues led the team in scoring with five goals and 10 total points. Ashley Davis and Alexandra Sevastakis led the team with three assists each. In the net, Hayley Coppola was 7-4 with 2.5 shutouts, 81 saves and a 1.16 G.A.A. Lindsey Gallagher went 2-4-2 with 2.5 shutouts and 51 saves and a 1.26 G.A.A. Gallagher finished her career second in saves with 240 and fourth in minutes played at 4001:45. Sheena Maravich made All-GLIAC Honorable Mention. She started 18 of 19 games she played and had two assists. It
with three shutouts, 80 saves and a 1.58 G.A.A. After just two seasons, he is third in career saves with 207. Tiffin University’s Emmanuel Adjei was the sole Dragons player honored with the announcement of the GLIAC All-Men’s Soccer team. Adjei, a sophomore defender, was an Honorable Mention selection. He started 15 games while scoring one goal. He helped the Dragons post a 1.54 G.A.A. for the season.
was her defensive abilities that helped the Dragons surrender just 24 goals on the season and post five shutouts. Maravich also assisted on the game-winning goal against Saginaw Valley State that sent TU into the GLIAC playoffs.
Men’s Soccer
Emmanuel Adjei earned Honorable Mention All-GLIAC honors for the Dragons in 2012.
Volleyball Tiffin went 9-20 overall. At the Christian Brothers Invitational, the Dragons went 2-2 beating West Georgia and Ouachita Baptist. Tiffany Buchinger and Danielle McQuade made the all-tournament team. Buchinger averaged 10.80 assists over 15 sets while McQuade averaged 3.60 kills and 2.87 digs per set while hitting .275. McQuade earned ALL-GLIAC second team honors for the third time. She averaged 3.79 kills and 2.87 digs per set. She is ranked third in the GLIAC and 35th in the country in kills per set. McQuade had 20 double-digit kill and 16 doubledigit dig performances along with 14 double-doubles. Jordan Jenkins made Honorable Mention All-GLIAC. She tallied 555 digs and averaged 6.61 per set, despite missing 18 sets due to an injury. She had 23 double-digit dig matches with 20 in a row. Jenkins led the GLIAC and was fourth in the country for digs per set. She tied the school record with 50 digs against Walsh.
Danielle McQuade landed her third consecutive Second Team All-GLIAC honor in 2012 and was third in the conference in kills.
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Tiffin went 4-8-1 in the GLIAC and 5-9-2 overall. The Dragons were still in the hunt for a GLIAC playoff spot with four games to go. Unfortunately, injuries contributed to TU losing the last four games. Tiffin beat Mercyhurst 4-0 in the opening game; the Lakers would go to reach the NCAA Semi-finals. The Dragons also toughed out a 1-1 tie against Saginaw Valley State, which would reach the national championship game. Karl Jones led the team with 10 goals and 21 points while Jon O’Brien tallied seven assists. Jeremy Ashley was 5-8-2
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Giulianne Domingues led the women’s soccer team with 5 goals last season.
Men’s Cross Country
Men’s Golf
It was a solid season for Tiffin as they had 10 additions to the school record list. The Dragons scored 102 points to place fourth at the All-Ohio Championships. Earning All-Ohio honors were Colin Fisher (4th) and David Knack (8th). At the GLIAC Championships, TU was sixth with 182 points. David Knack earned All-GLIAC honors by placing 13th. His time of 24:45.90 broke the school record. At the Midwest Regional Championships, Fisher earned all-region honors by placing 25th. His 10,000 time of 31.50 was third fastest in school history.
Tiffin University’s men’s golf team was in first place for most of the 2012 GLIAC Men’s Golf Championships, but a hardcharging Grand Valley State squad went around the Dragons on day three, winning the event with an 880 score. Ferris State finished 9 strokes back with 889, while the Dragons were third with 891.
Andrew Bolinger led the Dragons golf team to a third place finish at the GLIAC Championships.
David Knack and Ashley Gilroy both earned All-GLIAC honors at the 2012 GLIAC Cross Country Championships.
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Women’s Cross Country It was a solid season for Tiffin as they had 12 additions to the school record list. The Dragons scored 88 points to place third at the All-Ohio Championships. Earning All-Ohio honors was Ashley Gilroy (3rd). At the GLIAC Championships, TU was eighth with 205 points. Gilroy placed 10th to become the first female runner to earn All-GLIAC honors. Her time of 21:32.10 was the fastest 6000 time in school history. At the Midwest Regional Championships, Gilroy earned all-region honors by placing 21st.
The Dragons’ five golfers were separated by 10 strokes. Andrew Bolinger led the way with a 223 (74-80-69), including a team-low of 69 in round three. Tyler Maranville was next with 224, shooting consistently with scores of 77, 72, and 75. Luke Schlicher shot 226 with roller coaster scores of 81, 68, and 77, while Jon Klein had a tough final round in finishing with 229 (74-72-83). John Tidenberg brought up the rear with 233 (78-76-79).
Women’s Tennis
Malaika Bora Messi was named First Team All-GLIAC, her third straight all-conference honor, and was ranked 8th in the Midwest Region.
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Tiffin University had another competitive season, finishing 8-8 after the fall season, 6-8 in the GLIAC. Malaika Bora Messi landed her third consecutive AllGLIAC selection, this time making the First Team. Messi, who also earned Second Team picks in 2011 and 2010, went 13-3 at first singles and was third in the conference at first singles in winning percentage (.812). She also went 9-7 in first doubles play and has a three-year Dragons career mark of 4714 at singles. She was also ranked 8th in the Midwest Region in singles play. Valentina Mazzola finished her freshman season with an Honorable Mention selection. She posted a 9-7 record at second singles along with a 10-6 mark at second doubles. Her singles record was ranked 6th amongst all GLIAC second singles players.
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BASKETBALL PREVIEW Men’s Basketball The Tiffin University men’s basketball team started and closed the 2011-12 season with a bang. The Dragons won four of their first five games, hit a rough spot and closed with five wins in the final six contests. Included in that stretch run were wins over Findlay and #24 Hillsdale, the first victories over those schools in over 20 years. Tiffin won the GCI Alaska Invitational en route to finishing 15-14, its first winning season in six years. The Dragons will have a different look for 2012-13. They lose only five players. However, those five were among the top six on the team in minutes played and included four starters. Among the losses for TU were Karl Finley, an All-GLIAC First Team selection, and the GLIAC Freshman of the Year, Iman Johnson.
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Joe Graessle became the 29th Tiffin University men’s basketball player to eclipse 1000 points in his career, accomplishing the feat early in the 2012-13 season.
Joe Graessle is the lone starter back. Graessle averaged 17.9 points, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals a game while hitting 3.1 triples a game. Graessle set the school record with 91 3-pointers made and 252 treys attempted and finished 12th in the country in three’s made per game. He was an All-GLIAC second team selection last season. Sophomores Michael Bouley and Sarwan Khan, both returning letter winners, have good size at 6’7” and 6’9”, respectively. Sophomores Mike Brown and Andrew Bendolph bring experience to the backcourt. Among the 10 newcomers, Mike Boan, a transfer from NCAA Division I Wright State University, is expected to make an immediate impact. The Dragons also look for contributions from freshmen Mohamed Rage, Khaleal McCormick, Eric Roby and Jonathan Sutherlin.
Women’s Basketball The 2011-2012 Tiffin University Women’s basketball team enjoyed a record-setting season, shattering the single season wins record by posting a 21-7 mark and reaching the GLIAC Tournament Semifinals, their farthest trip yet into postseason play. As exciting as the year was, the Dragons plan on making just as many waves in 2012-13 as some talented new recruits will blend with solid returning letterwinners. Leading the charge for the Dragons is 2011 Second Team All-GLIAC standout Karli Mast, who averaged 11 ppg while also finishing last season second on the team with 308 points. She was also the team-leader with 58 three-pointers (.395 pct.). Her three-point totals were fourth overall in the GLIAC. Also back is two-time Second Team selection Jessica Harris. Harris was second in overall rebounding in the GLIAC with 9.3 rpg while also averaging 10.5 ppg in just 23 minutes of action per game. Harris is also currently second in TU history in career rebounds per game with a 8.6 per game average while also staying on pace to become Tiffin’s all-time career rebounding leader during the season.
Jessica Harris is closing in on 1000 career points and also looks forward to setting a new career rebounding record this season.
Also back for TU is senior guard Melissa Gilliland (4.5 ppg) and point guard Steph Kelly (4.2 ppg), while sophomore forward Mary Kate Campbell returns after missing last year due to injury. In the 6-1 junior’s 2010-11 season, she averaged 2.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg. Juniors Jillian Adams (5-9 forward) and Erica Mathis (5-11 forward) also add depth off the bench. The Dragons will also feature five key new recruits this season, including point guard Mackenzie Storlie of Louisville HS and 5-9 guards Jordan Fraley (Perkins HS) and Macy Byrd (Perry HS). Tiffin will also add depth and size to the post with 6-1 Marisa Liburdi of Lapeer West HS and 6-1 Jessica Farr of Paulding HS.
Tiffin Debuts New Wrestling Practice Facility
Margarita Kalmikova has been named Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach for Tiffin University. Tiffin University will add men’s and women’s swimming and diving to its athletics mix for the 2013-14 athletic season. Kalmikova arrives at Tiffin after coaching last season at Bowling Margarita Kalmikova Green State University. Prior to that, she had coached for four years at Western Kentucky University. Kalmikova’s teams at WKU enjoyed conference and national success during her four seasons. The women’s swimming and diving team won three consecutive Sun Belt Conference championships from 2008-2010 and finished second in 2011. The men’s team won the SBC championship in 2010. Kalmikova’s swimmers set 11 SBC and 53 school records during her four year tenure. She also helped train butterfly swimmer Claire Donahue, who was the silver medalist in the 100 butterfly at the 2011 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Kalmikova’s amateur career included collegiate swimming at Lewis (Ill.) University, where she graduated in 2005. At Lewis, she was named Most Valuable Swimmer twice and served as the team captain. She finished in second place in the 200 breaststroke at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships, as she qualified for the national meet three times. She was also named All-American five times. Kalmikova is a two-time Olympian for Latvia. She was a world championship team member and a four-time World Cup team member. She was named “Best Latvian Female Swimmer” in 1996 and 2000. She also holds the Latvian national record in the 200 breaststroke.
Tiffin University proudly hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in October for a new wrestling practice facility located west of the Heminger Center. The facility will serve as a “wrestling home” for the team and will help build the family environment that the young program has been developing. Intercollegiate matches will continue to be held in the Gillmor Student Center. The new facility includes eight showers, a laundry room, a locker room, a conditioning room, offices, and a large space for wrestling practice with wall-to-wall mats. There are also areas available for wrestlers to study before or after practice if they wish.
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Margartia Kamilkova Named Head Swimming and Diving Coach
President Paul Marion is joined by Athletic Director Lonny Allen, Head Coach Joey Simcoe, and the rest of the Dragons wrestling program at the opening of the new Wrestling Practice Facility.
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Head Coach Joey Simcoe is in his second season with Tiffin and is excited about this addition to campus. “It is a great time to be a Dragon and this facility means everything to the program. The student-athletes now have every resource to be successful and we have a place that we can proudly call home. This is a wonderful recruiting tool and puts Tiffin on a whole new level. We are all about family and sticking together and with this great facility, we can all practice at the same time and that is important.” According to TU President Paul Marion, “We are proud of our athletic program and the new wrestling practice facility is a great addition which should help our team be competitive in Division II of the NCAA.” “This facility is a welcome addition to our campus and will be a significant asset to our wrestling program as it grows in stature in the region,” said Athletic Director Lonny Allen. “It shows the continuing commitment of President Marion and the TU administration to provide our student-athletes with exactly what they need to grow both in the classroom and athletically.”
TU’s Athletic Hall of Fame 2012
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Left to right: Kelly Cavanagh, Katie Siroky, Josh Martin, KC Tener, Ali Lukungu
Kelly Cavanagh
Katie Siroky
For most coaches, building a college program from scratch is one of the most difficult jobs imaginable. Kelly Cavanagh did just that with cross country and track and field. Kelly played from 1988-2000, and helped establish Tiffin University’s nationally-recognized track and field program while also serving as compliance coordinator. She helped spearhead the launch of the track program in the early 1990s, coaching from 1993-2000. Hailing from Tiffin, Kelly’s father, Roger “Buzz” Kirkhart, served as TU’s Athletic Director in the 1980’s as well as first head football coach, so she was a natural fit at Tiffin University--but that did not mean she was guaranteed success. With hard work, patience, and solid recruiting, the program started to see results. She coached Tiffin’s first NAIA National qualifiers in the 4x400 relays while also guiding the school’s first conference champions in the men’s 200 meters and the women’s 100 meter hurdles. She worked tirelessly in compliance for 11 years, helping nearly all Tiffin’s athletes during that period to reach their academic goals. She earned a bachelor and a master degree in Sport Administration and works in higher education in the Columbus area. She and her family live in Columbus, Ohio.
Few things can be more challenging for a coach or player than taking a team with a losing record and building a champion out of it. The ability to do that often revolves around having some key players that a championship caliber team can be built around. Katie Siroky was that type of player. Siroky, who played from 1999-2002, is one of the premier softball players in Tiffin University history. She earned 2002 Region IX Player of the Year honors while also landing two AllRegion and three All-Conference citations over her career. While leading the team to the 2002 American Mideast Conference championship, she finished third in the nation in batting. It was a fitting conclusion to a stunning softball career. Over Siroky’s career she holds the record for career triples. At the time of her graduation she had rewritten the Dragons softball record book, setting 16 new season and career marks while also leading the team to 107 wins. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and currently serves as Facilities Operations Manager for the City of Westerville Parks and Recreation Department. She resides in Gahanna, Ohio.
Josh Martin
Success isn’t always measured by wins and losses, or by honors and statistics. But in Ali Lukungu’s case, you get the whole package. Lukungu, who played from 1999-2002, is one of the most honored men’s soccer players in Tiffin University history. He earned three NAIA All-American honors over his career while
Send us your nomination for TU’s 2013 Hall of Fame The TIFFIN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME was instituted to honor former TU coaches; stand-out athletes, with emphasis on All-American, All Conference, All District performers; distinguished administrators; and significant contributors to the university’s mission as well as the mission of the athletic department. The Athletic Hall of Fame will recognize persons from all sports in which TU competed as a recognized intercollegiate athletic event throughout its history. Eligibility for induction is open to both living and deceased members of the TU community. You are welcome to send a nomination. Nominations can be offered by anyone except the person being nominated. The Selection Committee will discuss each nominee, making sure he/she meets the criteria established for induction. Those nominated and receiving the approval of the selection committee will be inducted, subject to administrative approval. For a nomination form, go to: www.gotiffindragons. com/f/Athletic_Info/Hall_of_Fame.php, complete the form, and send it to the address found on the form.
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Ali Lukungu
F ame
The high point for Tiffin University football in the 1990s is indisputable. Tiffin’s two NAIA playoff qualifying teams in 1993 and 1994 established a new level of success for the program, and many players from those teams have already been inducted to the Tiffin University Hall of Fame. Tener, who played from 1993-96, played in the trenches on the defensive line during Tiffin’s playoff run. He earned NAIA All-American honors while also earning two All-Conference citations during his career. Players that play up front on either side of the line often get overlooked despite the fact they are physically the most punished over the course of the season, but Tener’s tenacity on the line left its mark. His intensity on the line is reflected in his ranking amongst the Dragons’ career leaders in assisted tackles with 117 and his single-game high of 23 tackles in a game in 1996, the third-highest single game mark in school history. He was quick to recognize the coaches and teammates that helped him achieve success. He earned a bachelor degree in Human Resources and currently serves as an advertising consultant. He resides in Gainesville, Florida.
of
KC Tener
H all
Josh Martin didn’t start his career as a Dragon, but he certainly ended it as one of the most memorable post players in Tiffin University history. He played from 1998-2001, and ranks 14th in career scoring for Tiffin University. He earned NAIA All-American honors including three All-Conference selections during his three seasons with the Dragons. He was a NAIA National Player of the Week honoree in 2001 and is sixth in career rebounding average. His accomplishments have stood the test of time as he still appears in the top 10 in seven different offensive categories. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and works as the Medicaid Services Administrator for the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities. He and his wife Marissa reside in Negley, Ohio.
also landing four All-Region and All-Conference citations. After getting a good recommendation about Tiffin University’s academic and men’s soccer programs from TU men’s soccer standout Robert Ngumire, Lukungu made the decision to join the Dragons. It didn’t take him long to have an impact both on and off the field. He is the career leader in assists and is also a three-time First Team All-Ohio standout. He finished his career second in points and fourth in goals while also earning two NAIA Scholar Athlete honors. He helped lead the Dragons to 59 wins over his career including the 1999 American Mideast Conference championship. For Lukungu, it was the combination of athletic and academic excellence that was most memorable to him. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Management and currently serves as a Quality Assurance Analyst for PNC Bank. He and his family reside in Parma, Ohio.
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If you build it, they will come The Tiffin Dragons Track & Field teams had their first official meet in the Heminger Center in November and welcomed alumni to share the excitement. The Tiffin University Open attracted a crowd of nearly 1,000 people. Over 100 of those enjoying the festivities belonged to former Dragons and their families that came back to campus for this special event. The latest addition to the 110-acre campus, the Heminger Center features an indoor track and field complex and a 60x50 yard turf indoor practice facility. The facility, named after donors Gary and Jane Heminger, is a magnificent addition for Tiffin University. “Designed to enhance student life, Heminger Center will provide flexibility for students’ recreational experiences and will improve the level of competition for our athletic teams,” said Tiffin University President Paul Marion. “It also will be available for use by area schools and community groups as well as for conferences, trade shows and other activities. In addition, university commencement ceremonies will be held there.” One side of the 120,000 square foot building includes an indoor track and four multi-purpose courts that will be used for basketball, volleyball, and tennis. The other large area in the building is equipped with artificial turf and will be used for practices by the TU football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and softball teams, as well as intramurals, club sports and other recreational activities. The middle section of the Heminger Center has coaches’ offices, locker rooms, an athletic training room, two classrooms, and a food court. 2012 Tiffin Alum Travis LeFlore (current Jumps Coach at Wingate University) traveled from Charlotte, NC to be a part of the festivities. “It was a great time getting in there and competing! I think I can speak for all of us that we’re proud to be alum of such a great program and Tiffin is lucky to have Jeremy Croy as the leader of the facility and team,” he said. “Looking forward to more meets there!” Tiffin University’s Head Coach, Jeremy Croy, is in his 13th season with the Dragons and realizes what the Heminger Center means to the program. “After a decade of practicing in the gym, outside in the snow, warehouses, malls, and everywhere in between, it all came to fruition this past weekend. We felt that the alumni should help us celebrate and we were
thrilled with the turnout.” Former Dragons returned to Tiffin from Washington D.C., North Carolina, Louisiana, and as far away as Romania (Justin Setty just completed time overseas with the Peace Corps). Twenty of the alums that returned even competed in the event proving that their athletic ability hasn’t faded quite yet. As far as the actual event was concerned, the Dragons fared rather well as six athletes hit NCAA Division II Provisional marks, 22 results cracked the Top 10 in the school record books, and three school records fell. Other schools competing in the event included: Heidelberg University, Lake Erie College, Seton Hill University, and Trine University.
Women Ashley Dewitt won the 20-lb weight with a toss of 59’.75”. That throw hit the NCAA Provisional standard. Winning events and hitting the standard were Kiona Anderson in the 60-meter hurdles (8.88) and Katherine Gerhardt in the shot put (47’1.75”). Qualifying provisionally in the shot put was Sarah Clow (2nd – 46’2.5”) and Dewitt (3rd – 44’.75”). Candace Longino-Thomas won the 400m dash with a time of 58.60. That broke the school record of 58.80 set in 2007 by Chelsea Shelnick. Other victories for TU included: Kayla Ellks in the long jump (18’1.75”), Jessica Kern in the mile (5:55.68) and the 1600m relay team of Longino-Thomas, Anderson, Robyn Banks and Taylor Deskins (3:59.69).
Men Antonio Combs finished second in the triple jump with an NCAA Provisional jump of 47’5.25”. This jump broke the school record of 47’3” set by Ikenna Obonna in 2007. The shuttle hurdle relay team of Zach Cernansky, Vyshawn Arnold, Terry Evans III and Caleb Reynolds won with a school-record time of 30.38. Other winning events included: Colin Fisher in the 3000 meters (8:49.31), Ishan Garrett in the 200m dash (22.73) and the 800m relay team of Emmanuel Grembo, Omar Lane, Garrett and Stephon Goodwin (1:32:16).
Written by Shane O’Donnell, Director of Sports Information
C haritable G ift
Earn Income and Help TU Students
A Tiffin University Charitable Gift Annuity can: Increase your spendable income Provide joint and survivor annuities and deferred gift annuities Ease capital gain taxes
CHALLENGE | WINTER 2012 / 2013 | 67
As a nation of generous people and friends of Tiffin University, we all understand the importance of charitable endeavors in our society. As a result, many people support our goals and our academic programs. However, our natural instincts also tell us that we must first be concerned with our personal and family security before we consider being of financial assistance to Tiffin University. The Charitable Gift Annuity makes it possible for you to satisfy this dual objective of personal and family security and financial support of Tiffin University. Our Charitable Gift Annuity allows you to make an immediate gift to us without loss of income. In many instances, the gift annuity can actually increase your spendable income. In exchange for your gift of money, real property or securities, Tiffin University will pay you a certain specified annuity for life. The annual amount of annuity is fixed at the time of the gift, usually more than typical dividends or interest and remains stable throughout your life. It will not fluctuate with the economy, so you will know exactly how much income you will receive. What’s more, you have no investment worries because the annuity payments are guaranteed until your death. Many TU alumni and friends are using this attractive program because it allows you to make a significant gift to the University and still get the equivalent of the income from the money as long as you or your spouse survive. The Charitable Gift Annuity at Tiffin University is highly flexible and very personalized to your needs. Please call Ron Schumacher, Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at 419.448.3584 or email SchumacherRM@tiffin.edu.
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