Challenge The Magazine of Tiffin University Spring / Summer 2010
Pictured to the left are back issues of Challenge Magazine beginning fall 1984. You will find additional covers throughout this issue (see page 47 and back cover). The name Challenge was based on the premise that each student at Tiffin University is challenged to reach his or her potential and twenty-six years later, Challenge Magazine has more than doubled in size and is now full-color.
I hope you enjoy its evolution through the pictured covers of back issues.
Lisa Williams Editor
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EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Alumni and Friends of Tiffin University: As I sit down to write this letter, the Challenge Magazine you are holding now is in its design phase. From beginning to end, the magazine goes through many stages. First the copy is written, edited, re-written, and edited again. Hundreds of photos taken throughout the year are examined and placed with each story (some photos must be re-taken). The edited copy must be paginated, a color theme is chosen, the photos are placed and replaced and the magazine then returns for one final approval before it moves on to be printed, dried, labeled and mailed—it is about a 4-6-month process. As this magazine is mailed, work on the fall-winter issue has already begun. This is an exciting issue. Tiffin University has received a very positive review regarding its most recent re-accreditation process, so we anticipate approval for re-accreditation through 2020 before the end of summer. Tiffin University’s re-accreditation process began in 2006. Our Self-Study Coordinator, Dr. Teresa Shafer, organized virtually every member of our faculty and staff into steering committees and campus teams and our work paid off. See page 5 . On Tuesday, June 22, Tiffin University celebrated its national campaign kick-off, Share the Pride, Build on Tradition: A Campaign for Tiffin University. See page 10 . In our last issue, TU had just completed its first two Living Learning buildings. In this issue, we have added two more apartments and our new recreation center is near completion. See for yourself what else has happened. Turn the page.
this issue
Challenge
Tiffin University is a place where we challenge our students to become all they are capable of becoming. Hence, the name of the magazine.
SPRING / SUMMER 2010 The Magazine of Tiffin University
1 Accreditation p5
Capital Campaign p10
Lisa Williams Editor & Photographer Executive Director of Media Relations & Publications
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Accreditation Update
18
New Deans
10
Share The Pride. Build on Tradition.
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CampusScene
17
TU Gold
24
President’s Club
28
Commencement
36
AlumniScene
40
Alumni Referral Program for International Students
42
Save The Date - Homecoming
43
ClassScene
46
InMemoriam
48
SportsScene
Theatre - Steel Magnolias p13
HOW TO SEND NEWS TO CHALLENGE MAGAZINE… Mail: Print out the Tell Us About Yourself form from the website www.tiffin.edu (Click “Alumni”), Click “Stay Connected” - and 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!)
President’s Club p24
CREDITS Photographer: Lisa Williams Contributing Photographer: Zeng Lei Contributing Writers: Geoff Schutt, Elaine Ocker, Shane O’Donnell Graphic Design: Mary Ann Stearns
N t W Note: We hhave made d every effort ff t to t provide id names andd captions ti for f eachh photo. h t Please accept our apologies for those that are incomplete.
Commencement p28
h issue off Challenge h ll Iff this 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. www.tiffin.edu | 3
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TU Receives Positive Review
by Accreditation Team
A team representing the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC) of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools visited
Tiffin University in March as part of the
University’s re-accreditation process.
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Accreditation
Paul Marion and Teresa Shafer toast to employees at accreditation celebration
trends will result in sustainable long-term enrollment levels.” The report, which was prepared by the team for consideration by the “TU effectively utilizes strategic alliances/partnerships to develop HLC Board of Trustees, was very positive and included the following and grow academic programs and to extend its local, national, and statements: global presence.” “The administration has remained true to the mission as it con“TU is appropriately investing in the main campus in Tiffin, Ohio. ducts strategic planning, budgeting, and implementation of curricular These investments are a core factor in the University’s long-range stuoffering for its students. This provides a sound foundation for organizadent retention strategies.” tional decision making. “ “The faculty members of Tiffin University are committed to stu“The Board of Trustees has been very engaged in planning for the dent learning and success” and are satisfied “with the level of personal future.” involvement and autonomy in the creation of new courses and proinvolvem “Faculty are responsible for or creating, implementing grams of study”. and assessing curricular courses, rses, “TU p provides a student-centered culture offering focused services programs, and majors to enand programs designed toward individual student success.” pro sure that offerings maintain “Tiffin University’ss mission to provide professionally-focused “Tif Tifffin University the integrity of the academic education that leads to successful careers educa mission. This ensures that new and a productive lives drives the instiprogramming will be consistution to be intentional in preparing t tent with the strengths and students to live and work in a global, s core competencies of the Uni-port e R diverse and technological society. d versity.” y d u Self-St This Th is manifest in the choice of pro“Processes and procedures es grams, design of curriculum, use of gr are in place to verify that Tiffin fin technology, and utilization of faculty tec University operates with integrity.” ty.” Studen and administrative leadership with ex“Tiffin has skillfully deployed yed t Han ation dbook ed Accredit perience in professions outside of the peri environmental scanning techechfor Continu ing Commission ols 20 Prepared arn ho Sc Le d er s an 09-201 High of College with the sociation 0 academy.” acad As niques to identify market opporporral nt North Ce “Tiffin routinely looks inward to ensure “Tif tunities. Its ability to measure and institution is meeting the emerging the in evaluate local and national market 6
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summerr 2010
needs of its most immediate constituency, the students.” “Tiffin University is a committed and engaged partner in the Tiffin Community. Specifically, TU contributes to the quality of life in the Tiffin Community through service by students, faculty and staff at local non-profits, leadership within community organizations and boards, availability of campus facilities for events as well as multiple cultural and recreational events open to local citizens.” “Tiffin makes a special, even sometimes heroic effort, to enroll, retain and graduate students capable of excelling in the workplace.” “A life of service is embedded into the TU campus culture”. “The local Tiffin governmental leaders and TU administrative leaders have developed a strong collaborative partnership. TU enjoys a positive working relationship with the City of Tiffin and Seneca County in order to determine how the entities can invest in the community in ways that are mutually beneficial. Through service learning opportunities, beautification projects and the creation of common aspirations, these entities are a model of what an exemplary cooperative relationship looks like.” “The concept of the Ivy Bridge partnership is an excellent strategic initiative. It addresses an underserved population through a strong curriculum, efficient and effective academic support, excellent instruction, and a very good online portal for program delivery.” “TU has responded to the need of upgrading its facilities in a way that makes the traditional campus program more appealing to the typical college-age student” and “has positioned itself as not only a place to earn a quality education but boasts an attractive setting in which to do so”. “Since the last HLC visit, TU has dramatically changed the academic profile of the typical campus undergraduate student. This decision alone has helped TU’s retention of students increase substantially. TU should be applauded for the efforts it has made to keep tuition affordable and to offer the chance to a sometimes overlooked demographic among college hopefuls. TU has re-tooled several of its student services to assist the many first generation students that choose to enroll. TU’s investment into institution-wide retention efforts has paid off through a 15% increase in freshman to sophomore retention rate for traditional campus students.”
Nancy Gilbert and Susan Treece toast at TU’s accreditation celebration
AVI Food Service Employees www.tiffin.edu | 7
New Deans Appointed The following new appointments to Tiffin University’s Academic Affairs Leadership Team will enhance academic excellence and student success at Tiffin University. Dr. Jan Samoriski o %FBO PG UIF 4DIPPM PG "SUT BOE 4DJFODFT t Dr. Deb Gatton –Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Lillian Schumacher o%FBO PG UIF 4DIPPM PG #VTJOFTT t Dr. Gene Crustsinger –Dean of Academic Support Programs Dr. Jan Samoriski joined Tiffin University in 2006. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent a superb team of teachers and scholars in the School of Arts and Sciences,” says Samoriski. “As Dean, I follow in the footsteps of Professor Miriam Fankhauser who has guided TU’s School of Arts and Sciences for the past four years with great wisdom and a genuine concern for our students. What we do in the School of Arts and Sciences across the different disciplines constitutes, I believe, the core of a college education. We teach students to read, write, speak, think and develop an appreciation for the arts and sciences as they enter their respective fields. My goal as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences is to listen, learn and represent the faculty.”
As the incoming Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Lillian Schumacher looks forward to building upon the strengths of the school and working in collaboration with a solid group of faculty. Prior to joining TU, Schumacher served as Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. program in Global Leadership at Indiana Tech. She arrives at TU with over 20 years experience in higher education and corporate environments. “The School of Business has been the flagship program at TU,” says Schumacher, “and I hope to continue the forward-thinking progress while advancing the momentum already evident in our programs. This move is an optimal one for my family. My husband Ron has returned TU, after being gone for seven years, and now I have the honor of also working for this fine institution.”
Dr. Deb Gatton joined TU in 1996. She previously served as chair of TU’s Management Department and also serves as a member of the Graduate Senate and the Institutional Review Board. “I have taught in Tiffin University’s MBA Program for more than 12 years,” says Gatton. “I have witnessed the graduate programs grow exponentially. I am very excited to have this opportunity to increase my involvement in expanding the breadth and depth of our graduate programs while also assisting in the maintenance of our high academic standards. Additionally, I am looking forward to working with the newly formed Graduate Senate to continue to shape the graduate culture at TU.”
As the new Dean of Academic Support Programs, Dr. Gene Crutsinger will oversee a number of services aimed at helping students succeed in their studies. These programs will be centered in Friedley Hall. The Student Success Center will continue as the home of peer-tutoring and workshops in various subjects. The Directors of Academic Advising and Career Development and the Coordinator of Disability Services will have offices in the SSC. The central location for these programs will provide students with a ‘one-stop shop’ for academic support. Dr. Crutsinger will also coordinate the English Language & American Culture program, TU’s program to assist non-native English speakers enhance their academic skills so they can participate in degree programs. He will also oversee the Freshman Seminar, which begins during the first weekend of the college experience and helps incoming freshmen find their way through the initial steps of their academic work. According to Crutsinger, “I hope to facilitate these programs in such a way that the people who are directly responsible for them can work together to make these support resources available to students at every stage of their TU careers.”
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Share the Pride. Build on Tradition. A Campaign for Tiffin University On June 22, to a packed house at the Gillmor Student Center, Tiffin University kicked off the public phase of Share the Pride, Build on Tradition: A Campaign for Tiffin University. The quiet phase, which took place during the past several years, has generated $8,611,622.44 to date toward the $12 million goal. This new campaign seeks to engage and connect with TU’s alumni and friends through social networking sites, videos, web cams, and traditional print media and mailings. This capital campaign will be both high-tech and high-touch; traditional personal visits will be combined with web site updates. Share the Pride, Build on Tradition is a comprehensive campaign designed to create endowed scholarships, construct the new recreation center, and make other campus improvements. These enhancements, coupled with recent investments in new student apartments, a planned recreation center, the Tiffin University Nature Preserve, the Paradiso AthPresident Paul Marion welcomes guests. letic Complex, and the Miami Street Improvement project will result in a total investment of more than $30 million in the Tiffin communityy Tiffin University rsity is in the midst of a remarkable academic and physical transformation. The effort has been underway for the last several decades, and the growth has been guided d by keen vision n and an entrepreeneurial spirit. Tiffin fin University has benenefited from commitmitted trustees, strong ong administrative leadead10
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
ership, engaged faculty and staff, and dedicated alumni, donors and parents who join together to deliver knowledge and success to our students. It is into this framework that TU acquired the former Rosenblatt Scrap Yard property as the next campus expansion front. A partnership with the TU Trustee Claire Johansen City of Tiffin, the State of Ohio, the United States government and the University secured funding for clean-up, environmental study and remediation. The end result will be nothing short of a complete transformation from a junkyard and neighborhood eyesore to a much needed Recreation Center to benefit TU students, neighboring schools, and the community. Along with the already completed Living- Learning Community across the street, the bold expansion also creates a more comprehensive campus as the property is bordered by the University’s Physical Fitness Center and tennis courts on one side and the athletic playing fields further west. Student athletes are an essential component of campus life and are an increasingly important piece of the remarkable TU story. Nearly 40% of students on the Tiffin campus participate on an athletic team during the course of the year. For the students who are not on intercollegiate teams, recreation and wellness are keys to a positive student life experience, and today’s student has come to expect certain social and recreationamenities. In the competitive realm of student enrollal ame ment, such facilities make it easier to recruit and retain students. stude
Beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, Tiffin University began participating in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Tiffin University is committed to competing with the best in Division II athletics, and the recreation center will help achieve this goal. The cornerstone of this capital campaign is the new Tiffin University Recreation Center. Designed to enhance student life, this facility will provide flexibility for student recreational experiences and will improve the level of the competition for our athletic teams. The new building will be approximately 120,000 square feet and will include an indoor practice facility with artificial turf and a field house that will include a competition track, with basketball, tennis and volleyball courts on the infield area of the track. The building is designed with a two-story connector building that will house locker rooms, coach’s offices, trainer’s room, lobby and pre-function area and a student lounge area with concessions located on the first floor. The second floor includes a multi-purpose room, future fitness area, and fixed grandstands that connect the track level to the viewing mezzanine. The facility is constructed of pre-engineered building materials with a conventional steel frame structure for the two story support link building. The focus of the Recreation Center is the sweeping, curved, brick wall anchored with a clock tower that defines the point of arrival for this facility. The interior of the building will be open, light, dynamic, and utilitarian. The building meets LEED Silver design criteria.
Michael Grandillo
Campaign Objectives RECREATION CENTER
$9,400,000 The Recreation Center will consist of two connected buildings: a field house, and an indoor practice facility. The connector will include a lobby and locker room facilities
OTHER CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS
$1,600,000 Over the past twenty years, TU has created a campus that not only reflects the University’s own growth and success, but also enhances the appearance and economic well being of the City of Tiffin. To continue pursuing the campus master plan, TU seeks $1.6 million for land acquisition, landscaping, parking and others amenities. Also, the University will work with representatives from the community to honor the legacy of the Italian-American neighborhood that surrounds the TU campus.
ENDOWMENT
Above: Recreation Center - Under construction this May, 2010. Below: Architectural rendering of completed Recreation Center.
$1,000,000 Without financial aid, many Tiffin students could not afford higher education. Since over 80 percent of TU students receive some level of aid, TU leaders seek $1 million to bolster the endowment resources of the University to create additional student scholarships. Additional information is available at www.tiffin.edu/sharethepride.
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What’s Happening CampusScene TRUSTEE NEWS TU Trustee Fred Zoeller, President and CEO of Laminate Technologies, Inc., was inducted into the Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame in 2009. The annual induction ceremony is presented by Rocket Ventures and Launch and is sponsored by Gorillas & Gazelles LLC in partnership with The University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University. The Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame was created to encourage, promote, and recognize outstanding entrepreneurship, family business, and business excellence. This program was formed as a result of a recognized need to foster and honor entrepreneurial success and business innovation and excellence in our region. Mr. Zoeller also serves as Chair of Tiffin University’s Development Committee.
The Arts | Diane Kidd Gallery DIANE KIDD GALLERY CONTINUES TO DAZZLE VISITORS Tiffin University’s Diane Kidd Gallery continued to dazzle visitors with two major shows during the 2010 spring semester. The first of the shows, “Treeline,” put the spotlight on the paintings of Oxford, Ohio-based artist Robert Mullenix. Mullenix creates his landscapes in a decidedly unconventional way – which reflects his dual interests in photography and painting. He uses the photograph as the basis for his work, and considers his work inspired by the Romantics.
SCHUMACHER NAMED VP FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT In January, Ron Schumacher assumed the position of TU’s Vice President for Enrollment Management. “We are very pleased that Ron Schumacher has joined our leadership team, and we are confident that he will continue the positive momentum that TU has experienced in recent years,” says President Paul Marion. For the previous seven years, Schumacher served as Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Saint Francis in Indiana. During his tenure, Saint Francis increased its total enrollment by 26.8 percent. Prior to his position at Saint Francis, Schumacher worked at Tiffin University for eight years, including five years as Director of Undergraduate Admissions. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College and an MBA from Tiffin University, and he is currently working on a doctoral degree from Bowling Green State University.
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Mullenix “Treeline”
“I find Romanticism compelling, though we live in a decidedly unRomantic time,” remarked Mullenix. “This, in large part, explains the unusual way that I create landscapes – by repainting photocopies, even photocopies of photocopies. I like the irony of painting trees using photocopies, referring to that lifeless process even as I create a sense of light and time.” Mullenix has exhibited his artworks widely, and has taught a variety of art classes at Miami University, Heartland Community College and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “At times, my works are revelations of emotional states,” he commented. “The photograph is the basis for these images. It reflects a conceptual and physical distance from the subject matter, as we tend to experience the outdoors vicariously through the filter of media. Derived from photographs of trees, found in publication, and digitally manipulated, I enlarge these images emphasizing the dot matrix. This is the basis for the final painting. The photographic image is repainted.”
SENIOR RECEPTION This year’s graduates attended the “Senior Reception” the evening of the Student Show. The Senior Reception, hosted by President Paul and Susan Marion takes place annually during this art gallery event.
Hundt, Ron “Greystone Wharf with Bouys”
The second major show featured the three-dimensional works of Kettering, Ohiobased artists Ron Hundt and Don Williams. “Constructures Revisited: Architectural and Ceramic Constructions” opened with a reception on March 11, and ran through April 4. The show featured the artists’ architectural sculptures. “The work of these two artists was uniquely suited for shared display, as both presented themes of structure, home, shelter and story,” explained Marsha Pippenger, Diane Kidd Gallery Director. Hundt combines wood, stone and found objects – such as steel, rusted metal and other natural materials – creating “entrances” in three dimensions and relief. Williams, in contrast, takes a more whimsical approach in much of his work, looking at structure and architectural issues with an eye to myth and fable. This was the Diane Kidd Gallery’s first three-dimensional show in several years.
Seniors pose for photo at Senior Reception
ABOUT THE DIANE KIDD GALLERY The Diane Kidd Gallery is located inside the Hayes Center for the Arts. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, or through appointment by contacting Celinda Scherger at Tiffin University at 419.448.3313. Group tours of the gallery’s shows are also available.
First Gallery Show
Theatre STEEL MAGNOLIAS Tiffin University’s Dragon’s Den Players presented “Steel Magnolias” in March. Steel Magnolias is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the female characters are as delicate as magnolias, but as tough as steel. “Harling wrote the play as a therapeutic attempt (it was first a short story) to cope with the death of his sister, a diabetic, on whom the character Shelby is based,” remarks Dr. Mary Grennen, Assistant Professor of English and Director of Theatre Arts. “The Players attracted a large crowd to this well-known title, but although the title’s fame derives largely from the glamorized 1989 film by Tri-Star Pictures, the stage play proves to be a wonderful piece of drama that overflows with emotional intensity and evenly spaced wisecracks and sarcasm. I actually prefer the play to the film.”
“From Here To There” Paintings by Diane Kidd Opening Reception Thursday, September 16 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
ANNUAL STUDENT SHOW The 2009-2010 art gallery season culminated with the annual Tiffin University Student Show, which opened with a reception on April 22 and continued through May 9. The Student Show always explores the diverse artistic talents of Tiffin University students, and this year, helped to honor the entire TU graduating class of 2010. Lee Fearnside, Assistant Professor of Art, selected the artworks in the exhibition. Below are two examples of student art displayed at the show.
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What’s Happening |
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Arts & Angles
Music TU ALUM SIGNS WITH PRO VOCAL GROUP Tiffin University alum Ben Rudolph (BA-Arts Administration ‘09) signed a contract to serve as vocalist with InPulse, a professional a cappella group based in Minneapolis. InPulse tours nationally, performing more than a hundred shows each year in concert halls, clubs, and on college campuses. The group has been named Grand Champion of the Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweepstakes, Runnerup at the International Harmony Sweepstakes Finals, and Runner-Up for “2007 Band of the Year” by Campus Activities Magazine. Rudolph, a native of Napoleon OH, was a member of TU’s award-winning a cappella group Up in the Air, and is the second former member of the Tiffin University group to serve as a member of InPulse.
Ben Rudolph
UP IN THE AIR – MATISYAHU Tiffin University’s a cappella group Up in the Air received some international acclaim in April, when they placed sixth among more than 600 entries in a remix/cover contest held by IndabaMusic.com. The group covered and recorded “One Day” by reggae artist Matisyahu, a song that served as an anthem for both the Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The group’s entry Up in the Air premieres their arrangement of Matisyahu’s “One can be heard at www.upintheair. Day” in an outdoor concert at the Seneca County Courthouse. us or http://www.indabamusic. com/featured_programs/show/remixmatisyahu.
UP IN THE AIR & HIGHER GROUND TOURING TU’s a cappella groups Up in the Air and Higher Ground toured jointly for two weeks in May, presenting 31 performances in 13 days across Ohio and in the Chicago metro area. Highlights of the tour included appearing at Kingston Mines blues club and at the Cafe Ballou coffeehouse in Chicago. TU’s Higher Ground performing for a standing-room-only audience at Findlay’s Coffee Amici.
TU NIGHT In the Ritz Theatre’s First Friday Series, The National Theatre (TNT) plays host each month to an eclectic selection of artists in a unique performance environment. Tiffin University Night was in February and featured Up in the Air (a cappella); Front Street (rock/soul); Higher Ground (a cappella); and Grey Sunday (jazz).
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Tiffin University’s Arts & Angles lecture series featured four compelling programs using the theme of film as their general focus during spring semester 2010. During the first of these programs, Professor Lee Fearnside presented the film “King Corn” in January. The documentary follows two college graduates and friends – Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis – as they discover that their bodies are made up largely of corn, because of the food processing practices in the United States. “Cheney and Ellis move back to the Midwest to plant an acre of the nation’s mostgrown and most-subsidized grain and follow their crop into the U.S. food supply,” Fearnside said. “They learn about genetically modified seeds, powerful herbicides and the realities of modern farming – calling into question government subsidies, the fast-food lifestyle and the quality of what we eat.” In addition to showing the film, the TU professor moderated a brief discussion about autobiographical documentaries. “Robert Johnson and the Delta Blues,” was presented by Brad Rees in February. Rees screened the film “Can’t You Hear the Wind Howl? The Life & Music of Robert Johnson,” for an audience of students, faculty, staff and community members. “The program also included an overview of the Delta Blues, with a discussion of its musical influences and impact, form and lyrics,” Rees explained. “We also talked about the ways in which different individuals and perspectives have influenced how we perceive the history and heritage of the blues.” The documentary was directed by awarded-winning filmmaker Peter Meyer and combines earlier research about Johnson from musicologists and historians. The film is narrated by acclaimed actor Danny Glover.
The classic Australian film “Breaker Morant” was featured during the March program, moderated by Dr. Bruce Bowlus. “Breaker Morant,” released in 1979 by Australian director Bruce Beresford, addresses the troubling issue of what becomes of soldiers placed in an untenable position by political initiatives beyond their knowledge or understanding. “Considering the time of its release, it is understandable why many viewed the movie as a commentary on the My Lai Massacre and the Vietnam War. In that sense, this beautifully scripted and superbly acted movie addressed what one critic called a ‘timeless’ theme,” remarked Bowlus. The film follows an Australian lieutenant serving in the (British) Bushveldt Carbineers, a special unit tasked with defeating guerilla resistance by native Afrikaners during the Boer War (1899-1902). His name is Breaker Morant – referring to his skill at breaking wild horses. “Unconventional tactics used by the guerillas caused the British to ‘unofficially’ resort harsh retaliatory methods against the Boers,” Bowlus said. “Unbeknownst to the Carbineers carrying out this program, the British government faced stiff opposition from other European nations, particularly Germany. In an effort to demonstrate its backing away from these unpopular tactics, the British placed Morant and two fellow soldiers on trial for murdering several Boers in the course of performing what they understood to be their duty.” Much of the movie focuses on the trial, with flashbacks used to illustrate key issues brought up during the proceedings. Dr. Vincent Moore concluded the 20092010 series with a program entitled “New Orleans: Experience and Film Representations” in April. Moore took students in his class, “America’s Historic Cities,” on a road trip to New Orleans during TU’s 2010 spring break. At the program, class members shared their experiences and observations about the culture and rebuilding of New Orleans. Clips were shown from representations of New Orleans in such films as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Runaway Jury,” “The Big Easy,” “Angel Heart,” “Hard Times” and “The Drowning Pool.”
Information about upcoming programs, including the 20102011 season, is available by contacting Professor Miriam Fankhauser at 419.448.3426, or via email at mfankhau@tiffin.edu. Arts & Angles programs, which are held in Chisholm Auditorium, are always free and open to the public.
Academic STUDENTS CAN EARN BOTH Tiffin University and Buckeye Central School District will begin a dual enrollment program this year. Buckeye Central is located in New Washington, Ohio. The program is similar to an existing collaboration between TU and Tiffin Columbian High School, according to Dr. Teresa Shafer, Professor of Sociology and Management. Under the new agreement, Tiffin University will offer three collegelevel courses for the district’s students. Shafer, who is also Board President for Buckeye Central, says the three TU courses – two math and one English – will be available at Buckeye Central High School. “We wanted to offer classes that would easily transfer to other colleges and universities,” she explains. With academic guidance from Tiffin University, faculty at Buckeye Central will teach the courses. Students who achieve a final grade of “C” or better will receive credit towards satisfying both the requirements for a high school diploma and three semester hours of university academic credit. Unlike other post-secondary programs that require students to attend classes on the college campus, the innovative dual enrollment program has the advantage of keeping students at the high school, where they can remain active in the life of the school while earning both high school and college-level credit. After evaluating the success of the first three classes, TU and Buckeye Central hope to expand course offerings for students in subsequent years.
Alumni Graduate School Discount Discounts to earn a Graduate Degree are now available to Tiffin University Bachelor’s Degree alumni beginning fall semester 2010. You can earn: ■ Master of Business Administration ■ Master of Education ■ Master of Humanities ■ Master of Science in Criminal Justice For additional information, call TU’s Office of Graduate Admissions at 419.448.3401 or email: Grad@tiffin.edu. www.tiffin.edu | 15
What’s Happening |
CampusScene
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AT TU “In Digital Photography, students learn both technical and creative skills. They learn how to use their cameras and use Photoshop as a digital darkroom. They also investigate how to use photographs to express visual ideas and think creatively and conceptually about images.” Lee Fearnside Assistant Professor of Art Below are a few digital images taken by students during spring semester’s digital photography class. The captions are the students’ perceptions about their images. Jessie Stefanov “This photo will accompany a series of photos I did on abandonment. I learned a lot from taking this course, it made me look at every day life as a constant photo opportunity.” Mindy Courtdad “This picture is of an abandoned warehouse in North Baltimore, where I live. During digital photography, I learned about looking at photos with perspective, and how a photo alone can tell a story. Before taking the class, I would have not seen the warehouse as anything but an eyesore in the community. My views of this place and potential beauty that could be captured in a photo changed. After looking through the camera at small parts of an ugly place, I found beauty in the bright colors, sunlight, and the shadows that I now see.” Lynne Wagner “Taking the digital photography class at Tiffin University taught me to push the boundaries and learn to explore outside the box. As a photographer, I tended to stay within typical studio-type shots or settings because I did not want to venture outside the norm. This photograph (one of a 6-shot series) showed me that even a simple subject such as a girl and a bridge can be taken to new levels when considering all of the environment surrounding us.” 16
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Stacey Lucas “This is a photo of my dog, Charles, a white Akita. He was playing outside in the snow, in his element. What I learned most about myself through photography was how much I enjoyed capturing emotion. I love scenery, but I would much rather take photos of living things. For example, photos of Charles. It was fun for me to capture him playing and having fun in a creative way.” Nicole Walby “This is a simple photo of ice cycles hanging off a gutter. Taking digital photography class was definitely something I would love to do again. I love to take pictures and showing people different aspects of my images.” Christopher Hamilton ”I wanted people to interpret whatever came to their mind from this image--the wheels symbolize something moving and the pathway gives the viewer a destination. I learned from my digital photography course that I can manipulate the symbol of a wheel on a bicycle, or a road covered in snow. I am hoping my photo shows a pathway to a message, but I also understand they will have the capability of putting their own twist to the story the photograph tells.” Logan Kaminski “This is a photo of the building of TU’s new recreation center.”
TU WINS HANDBOOK CONTEST, AGAIN TU participated and won the School Datebooks Student Handbook Cover Contest during spring semester. This year’s contest was different than the previous years’ contests because TU was the defending national champion. School Datebooks, the company that publishes the TU Handbook, sponsors a six-week contest that pits a field of sixty-four entered colleges and universities against each other. TU faced many formidable challenges since the schools are not grouped by size. Schools had to win by gaining the greatest number of votes, which leveled the playing field. TU won the contest which included $1,000 as well as bragging rights for another year. TU’s Student Government voted to use the prize money to place a permanent park bench on campus to commemorate the win, and have a place for all those who participated to remember their efforts whenever they visit TU. This year’s Student Handbook cover was designed by Keith Bales, ’10 and Morris Allison, ’11.
Career Development
TU GOLD Tiffin University faculty and staff who have served the institution for 10 or more years are invited to an annual luncheon in recognition and appreciation of their years of service. This year, employees had 1,131 combined years of service. Special recognition and gifts are given to those at the 10, 20, 25 and 30-year anniversary.
This year, Carol McDannell, Director of Career Development, was recognized for 20 years of service and Dr. Jeff Stockner, Professor of Business Law & Criminal Justice, was recognized for 25 years of service. Those recognized for ten years of service are named in the photograph below.
OPTIMALRESUME TU’s Office of Career Development hosted an “OptimalResume, Cover Letter, and Interview Workshop” in January. Students learned how to design a resume and cover letter with Optimal Resume, a new online
resume design program, as well as enhanced their interviewing skills with the new online interview training program.
CAREER FAIR The TU/Berg Career Fair took place in April on the Heidelberg University campus. Last year, the career fair took place on TU’s campus. The Career Fair is designed for students looking for a full-time, part-time, or summer job, or for an internship.
Front Row-Left to Right Dr. E.K. Esawi, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Natural Science Deb Fowler, Human Resources Specialist Dr. Martha Turner, Professor, Accounting Julie Nighswander, Housekeeper Julie Starkweather, Bursar Back Row-Left to Right Jeremy Croy, Head Track and Field Coach & Assistant Athletic Director Dr. Zhaolu Lu, Professor of Philosophy Dan Everhart, Maintenance Paula Clagg, Enrollment Services Coordinator Brian Smith, Systems Administrator www.tiffin.edu | 17
What’s Happening |
CampusScene
Good Morning World
Faculty News & Accomplishments
CONGRESSMAN JIM JORDAN Jim Jordan, 4th District Ohio Congressman, presented “A Congressional Update from Washington, D.C.” in April. Jordan was raised in Champaign County, Ohio, graduating from Graham High School, where he was a four-time state champion in wrestling with a career record of 150-1. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, where he was a two-time NCAA wrestling champion. He later earned a master’s degree in education from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Capital University. Jordan is a fiscal conservative who believes that families and taxpayers know best how to make decisions with their money. Throughout his career, Mr. Jordan has led the fight against tax hikes, including those proposed by his own political party. He was named pro-life legislator of the year from United Conservatives of Ohio and won the Defender of Life award from Ohio Right to Life.
TRASH ART EXHIBITION IN RHODE ISLAND Assistant Professor of Art, Lee Fearnside, was a curator of a group exhibition entitled “Trash” at a prominent gallery in Rhode Island in January. The artists explored the complex connections between garbage and human behavior. Fearnside exhibited photographs taken at a sewage treatment plant. “My photographs explored what happens to our water after it goes down the toilet,” she says.
MARK CONISH Mark Conish, Executive Vice President of Global Operations presented, “Church & Dwight Today—A Global Company,” in April. Mark Conish’s career spans in excess of 30 years of various levels of supply chain management. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Utah in chemistry and started out in a process development laboratory in Salt Lake City. He joined Church and Dwight Co. Inc. in 1975 at the Green River Wyoming facility, was transferred to the Old Fort, Ohio plant in 1985 as plant manager, and moved to the company’s corporate headquarters in 1989 to head the chemicals division R and D effort. After two years in this capacity, he moved back to the operations group where he eventually became responsible for the global supply chain organization as Executive Vice President of Global Operations. When he started with Church and Dwight, its sales were roughly one hundred million. Current sales in are in excess of $ 2.5 billion.
STEVE COURTNEY Steve Courtney, WJR-AM Radio Sports Reporter presented, “Should Athletes be Role Models” in May. Steve Courtney is one of WJR’s most popular sports guys. Born and raised in Detroit, Steve knows what a great sports town Tiffin is. Steve credits his parents for his positive attitude towards life and Spec Howard for shaping his radio skills. He is a lifelong Detroit Lions fan. Steve takes sports reporting to a new entertainment level as he enjoys putting his guests at ease with humor. He is a 30 year broadcast veteran, spending the last several years with News/Talk 760 WJR. Within his years in the radio business, Steve has won awards from both the AP and MAB. In addition, he was voted the “Best Sports Talk Show Host” by the Detroit News.
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The waste water treatment plant in Tiffin. Above is the Secondary Treatment, and below is the Tertiary Treatment.
The United States generates more refuse per person than any other country. In fact, 30 percent of the world’s garbage is produced by five percent of the world’s population, according to Fearnside. “In 2005, 236 million tons of garbage ended up in the country’s landfills, although 59 percent could have been composted or recycled. As the landfills like Fresh Kills in New York and Rhode Island’s Central Landfill become replete and close, and alternative treatments of garbage fail, it is safe to say that we have a rubbish crisis,” she says. Fearnside notes that Fresh Kills Landfill was, by the time it closed in 2005, the largest human-made structure in the history of the world, out scaling the Egyptian Pyramids at
Giza, and the Great Wall of China. “The treatment of trash, garbage and rubbish has been a primary struggle for every civilization since humans settled in permanent structures,” she adds. “Over the centuries, humans have employed management strategies ranging from dumping, burning, recycling/reusing, to minimization. To complicate things even further, plastics have dramatically altered the composition of garbage and take tens to hundreds of years to break down.” The exhibition was a way to create awareness through the artistic process of this ongoing problem.
ROVIRA AUTHORS RS NEW BOOK The Continuum Interrnational Publishing Group will release Blake and Kierkegaard – Creation and Anxiety, a new book by Dr. James Rovira, in June. Rovira Asvira is As sistant Professor of English at Tiffin University. His book connects “Kierkegaardian anxiety to Blake’s creation myths to explain how Romantic era creation narratives are a reaction to Enlightenment models of personality.” “This book looks at why we persistently fear our own creations by examining Blake’s illuminated books of the 1790s through the lens of Kierkegaard’s theories of personality and of anxiety,” Rovira says. He notes that “apocalyptic nightmares that humanly-created intelligences will one day rise up against their creators haunt the western creative imagination. However, these narratives find their initial expression not in the widely disseminated Frankenstein story but in William Blake’s early mythological works.” Michael Phillips, of the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies at the University of York, UK praises the new volume: “James Rovira offers a highly nuanced comparative reading of both author’s concepts, of innocence and experience, creation and fall, that not only enhances our understanding of the works under consideration but affirms their abiding and life-attempting relevance to modern thought.”
ROVIRA SPEAKS AT NATIONAL COMMUNICATION CONVENTION TU faculty member James Rovira delivered a presentation during the 2010 annual convention of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) in March. The convention was held in Louisville, Kentucky and was themed, “The Remix: Revisit, Rethink, Revise, Renew.” Rovira’s presentation, “Dialogism vs. Assessment in the Composition Classroom,” was delivered during the session, “F Grades, or, Who Put the A in Assessment?” “Compositionists who call for theory’s ‘remix’ as an answer to assessment strategies should also identify economic and ideological changes that shape the university,” remarks Rovira about his presentation. Each year, the CCCC Convention attracts college faculty members from across the world.
BEREZA PRESENTS AT OSU Dr. Matt Bereza, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Psychology, presented “Evaluating and Assessing the Bilingual Child in Today’s Multicultural Environment” to The Ohio State University’s Psychology Training Program in April. “My focus was placed on cognitive testing, the understanding of dialects within Spanish, and cultural divisions between the Spanish speaking world,” the TU professor explains. “Consideration was also given to strategies working with the Latino community in Ohio, and increasing relations between psychology and this group.” Ohio State’s Psychology Training Program sponsored Bereza’s presentation based on his years of work with the Latino community in both New York and Ohio, and also his experience as a bilingual psychological practitioner. He shared data concerning how psychologists communicate with, test, and evaluate students who speak Spanish.
FACULTY PROMOTED Tiffin University promoted Dr. Perry Haan to the rank of Professor, and Dr. Fang-Mei Law to Associate Professor, according to President Paul Marion. Haan is an expert in leadership skills, marketing and sales. He earned two bachelor’s degrees from The Ohio State University, an MBA from Xavier University, and a doctorate in business administration from the University of Sarasota. Law, who teaches in the areas of psychology and criminal justice, is recognized for her work in counseling in a multicultural setting, cultural competency training, substance abuse and violence against women. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor. She earned bachelor and master’s degrees in education from the National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan, a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, and a doctorate from Mississippi State University.
HAAN NAMED ACADEMIC FELLOW Dr. Perry Haan, Professor of Marketing, was named an Academic Fellow by the International American Association of Financial Management (IAAFM). According to C.Y. Shan, Director of IAAFM, the Association cited Haan for outstanding contributions to world economic development, business management, and international education in his work as an educator and administrator. He was one of three Academician Fellows chosen from the thirty educators nominated for the honor. The award was announced at the IAAFM annual board meeting in February.
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What’s Happening |
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CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS Dr. Jonathan Appel, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice from Tiffin University and Dr. Dohee Kim Appel, a Therapist at Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services in Tiffin, presented a training seminar entitled “Co - Occurring Disorders: Treatment and System Challenges” to more than 80 criminal justice professionals in Columbus in February. The training was sponsored by the Ohio Community Corrections Association and highlighted the fact that individuals suffering from both psychological and substance abuse problems are a varied group with multiple mental health and social problems and are at increased risk for incarceration and homelessness. This training took a “wide lens” systemic view of the issue, examining both the historical barriers for effective treatment and community management, while highlighting research which is suggestive of more effective integrative interventions. Dr. Appel and Dr. Kim-Appel are both dually credentialed in mental health and chemical dependency and have an active research interest in the area of therapeutic jurisprudence.
LAW CONDUCTS WORKSHOP Associate Professor Dr. Fang Mei Law conducted a workshop during the American Counseling Association 2010 Conference & Exposition. The conference was held in March in Pittsburgh. Her workshop, “Suppress In or Express Out? Exploration of Factors Influencing the Styles of Anger Expression of Chinese American Immigrants,” included an overview of the basic concepts of cultural impact on anger expression and its relation to depression; factors that influence Chinese American immigrants’ anger expression and influence their depression; and how to work with Chinese American immigrants in managing their anger in order to enhance their psychological well being.
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COLLINS PRESENTS LECTURE & RECITAL
RESEARCH PRESENTED
Dr. Teresa Collins, Assistant Professor of Education, presented a lecture and recital highlighting the music of French Impressionist composer Gabriel Fauré in April on TU’s campus. The recital also included vocalist Miriam Fankhauser and pianist Susan Marion. Gabriel Urbain Fauré (1845-1924) was recognized as the foremost French composer of his generation, and was a major influence on how Gabriel Fauré future composers (May 12, 1845 - Nov. 4, 1924) utilized harmonic and melodic language in their music. This influence also affected the way in which harmony was taught to young musicians and composers.
TU Professors Laura Ketter and Debra Gatton will present the symposium, “Walk the Talk: How Gendered Laura Ketter Communication Styles Impact Status and Prospects of Women,” at the annual Academy of Management meeting in August in Montreal, Canada. Their Debra Gatton research looks at the differences of perception, bias and interpretation in electronically-mediated versus face-to-face communication.
TEAM TEACHING
DELEGATE FOR ROUND TABLE
Tiffin University faculty members Dr. Phyllis Watts and Dr. Teresa Collins co-authored a paper entitled “Team Teaching Across Disciplines” for Phyllis Watts the joint meeting in Chicago of the Midwest Sociological Society and the North Central Sociological Association. Acco rdin g to Watts, who is Professor of SociTeresa Collins ology, the paper she wrote with Collins, who is Assistant Professor of Education at TU, focused on best practices gained from teaching the paired courses of Principles of Sociology and Music Appreciation. The courses were part of the undergraduate Freshman Honors Program, which offered themed classes during the 2009-2010 academic year. “The chosen theme for the year, agreed upon by the members of the Honors Committee and the respective instructors teaching the classes, was the 1960s,” Watts says.
Professor Laura Ketter spent a week in March at Oxford University in Oxford, England as an invited discussant at the Oxford Round Table. She was one of 33 international delegates who convened for a week-long examination of current research on “Women in the Academy: Status and Prospects.” She was invited to discuss 20 new research studies accepted for publication and to facilitate the presentations.
GROWTH OF ADULT DEGREE PROGRAMS Dr. Teresa Shafer, Professor of Sociology, presented “Blending Business Acumen with Educational Mission” in April at the 115th Annual Conference of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Teresa Shafer Schools. “The presentation centered on Tiffin University’s growth in adult programs, especially degree
completion programs – which represent over 20 percent of the current student enrollment,” Shafer remarks. In collaboration with Nathan Greeno, President of Education Strategies, Shafer shared the story of how TU engaged his company’s services in building its first degree completion program, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Organizational Management. The special program reviewed how the curriculum was developed, as well as the faculty and staff development practices that took place as part of integrating this innovative program within institutional structures. TU’s partnership with Education Strategies was the first of several that the University now leverages to meet its strategic plans. “Participants at the conference learned the industry’s best practices about how the success at TU was achieved, as well as current market trends for these types of programs,” Shafer says.
Student News TU PARTNERS WITH STUDENT AFRICAN AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD (SAAB)
Eager to improve retention and graduation rates for men of color, Tiffin University welcomed a chapter of the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) to the campus during the 2009-2010 school year. “SAAB is a brotherhood. They understand and help one anSharon Perry-Nause other get through school and become successful in the working world,” says Dr. Sharon Perry-Nause,
director of institutional diversity and assistant professor of management at Tiffin University. According to SAAB, males are the least likely to enroll in college, and the most likely to drop out without earning a bachelor’s degree. Black women are twice as likely as black men to get a college degree. Those numbers aren’t acceptable to TU leadership. “SAAB,” says founder Tyrone Bledsoe, “has increased the number of African American and Latino males who graduate from college by creTyrone Bledsoe ating a positive peer community that is culturally-sensitive.” His 20-year-old association has more than 250 chapters from middle school through college and university in 39 states. The organization is growing rapidly, averaging about 20-25 new institutions annually. Student-run chapters take a holistic approach, caring for students academically, socially, culturally, spiritually, as well as teaching community service. The group helps neutralize culture shock, while building skills for success. To that end, says Perry-Nause, students learn to put together a personal strategic plan, handle personal finance, lead committees, contribute to the community and much more. SAAB provides weekly study sessions and developmental seminars for students, business meetings, social and religious activities, and work with various non-profit service agencies. An organization like SAAB is necessary for institutions dealing with today’s diverse population. “We’re in the process of a huge paradigm shift,” says Perry-Nause. She notes that the Latino population – part of SAAB’s membership -- outnumbers other minority demographics. “The student of today doesn’t look like the student of 20 years ago. We want to make sure these students are successful.” SAAB distinguishes itself from other minority programs, says Bledsoe, in the following ways: t 8F BEESFTT POF PG PVS OBUJPO T NPTU critical challenges-- saving our males--especially our black males. t 8F BSF POF PG UIF NPTU DPNQSFIFO-
sive and diverse initiatives in the country intentionally connecting middle schools, high schools, two- and four-year colleges/universities to a structured model of mentoring and leadership development. t 8F BSF JOUFOUJPOBMMZ JO UIF CVTJOFTT PG developing “Males of Passion” who transform into good men, husbands, fathers and contributing citizens. Bledsoe is founder-CEO of SAAB National and the former vice president for student affairs and special assistant to the president at University of Toledo. The TU chapter is made possible by a grant from AVI Food Systems, the Tiffin University food service provider.
BUSINESS CLUB NEWS The Tiffin University Business Club sponsored monthly speakers and programming engaging over 120 members during the 2009-10 academic year. Kim and J.D. Krenshaw of the National Hockey League Columbus Blue Jackets visited the campus on the heels of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the Men’s Hockey Gold Medal showdown between USA and Canada. Eighty plus students were treated to a lecture on breaking into the professional sports business. Additional speakers included David Cannelongo and alumni LeAnne Lucius, Senior Marketing Analyst and Account Services Specialist for Marathon Oil and Jamie Coleman, Community Outreach Specialist for Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca County Waste Management District. The Club provided business cards to student members, organized a Speed Interview Session, and hosted a Poster Competition to cap off the year. The Speed Interviews provided upperclassmen and graduate students practical experience in first-impression self-marketing in front of faculty, members of the School of Business Academic Advisory Committee. The Poster Competition allowed students to visually express the theme “Adapting to the Economy.”
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STUDENTS ATTEND CONFERENCE
PLATINUM CHEF CHALLENGE
INTERNATIONAL DINNER
Fifteen TU students took part in the annual Ohio Parks and Recreation Student Conference in February in Westerville, Ohio. This was the fourth year that TU participated in the conference, which offers students the opportunity to learn about the major issues currently facing parks and recreation. Students also were given the chance to receive interview/job search tips, according to Dr. Bonnie Tiell, Chair of Tiffin University’s Master of Business Administration program. “This conference assisted our students in examining how to prepare for that first ‘real’ job, and how to navigate the early years of a professional parks and recreation career,” she remarks. “In receiving a true picture of the career aspects and expectations, along with networking with seasoned professionals, students gain greater insight on how to make a significant impact on the profession and also enable the profession to grow.”
Tiffin University senior Tim Larsen (left) and Scott Blough, Chairman of the School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences, participated in TU’s Platinum Chef Challenge in March. Three two-person teams had an hour to cook food for a panel of judges.
Tiffin University held its annual International Dinner in March on campus. The event featured food, fashion, and entertainment from around the world. TU has over 100 international students from more than 20 different countries and a wide range of food and entertainment was available to sample from many areas of the world. Entertainment for the evening included dancing, music, martial arts, and a fashion show. “The International Dinner has become a popular tradition,” says Ryan Miller, TU’s Director of International Student Services. “It provides a unique opportunity for international and American students to share their heritage with the campus and the Tiffin community through food, arts, and entertainment.”
The Sports Management Club sponsored a trip to
Platinum Chef Challenge Photo by Jill Gosche
Community ATHLETIC TEAMS SUPPORT COMMUNITY & CAUSES
Dayton for a baseball game in April. Twelve students received a tour of the stadium and met with front office personnel. Pictured is Sports Management Club President, Keith Bales, and Business major, Alexis Karel with the Dayton Dragon mascot, “Heater.” The Sports Management Club also sponsored a corn-hole tournament before finals week and a trip to the Cleveland Cavaliers Quicken Loans Arena.
STUDENTS ATTEND ANNUAL CONFERENCE Eight TU hospitality and tourism students attended the Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association conference in Sandusky, Ohio in November. The students attended the keynote presentation that addressed the future of the hotel industry and attended sessions that covered the following topics: sales guidance in a challenging market, branding know how, multi-cultural working environments, internet social marketing, hiring the best and brightest, food and beverage trends and more. The students particularly enjoyed the opportunity to network with over 300 industry professionals.
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On Valentine’s Day weekend, the Men’s and Women’s basketball games included sales of raffle baskets, t-shirts, and candy with all proceeds donated to the Kay Yow Breast Cancer Fund. Other volunteer efforts by TU athletic teams included: Baseball Y-Wives Extravaganza; Krout Elementary School’s market days, and Krout Elementary School’s Grandparents’ Day. Golf Birdies for Breast Cancer; Caddy Day in Fostoria; Junior Golf Clinic and Toys for Tots/East of Chicago Pizza Day. Men’s Soccer Soccer camp for children. Track and Field Run Like the Dickens; Tiffin Cross Country Carnival; junior high and high school track meets, and raking leaves for the elderly. Women’s Basketball Trash pickup along US 224; basketball clinics for Boy Scouts and Washington Elementary School; reading to elementary school children and Relay For Life. Women’s Soccer Relay For Life and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TU’s Sigma Delta Sigma Sorority hosted a carnival to raise awareness about domestic violence in March. The carnival featured games, food, prizes, and contests throughout the day. All proceeds from the event were donated to Take Back the Night Foundation which raises awareness about domestic violence and rape.
School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CONSORTIUM
EASTER EGG HUNT Tiffin University’s Student Government held its annual Christi Thomas Memorial Easter Egg Hunt in March. The hunt, offered to Tiffin-area children, has been a popular offering for many years and, through a generous donation by the Thomas family, it has now been renamed to honor their daughter, Christi, who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 2006. Family and friends fill Tiffin University’s Legacy Courtyard to hunt for brightly colored eggs that were stuffed with candy. TU’s Dragon and the Easter Bunny were in attendance for photo opportunities.
In March, the Northwest Ohio International Affairs Consortium, a group of international relations faculty from Heidelberg University, Tiffin University, the University of Findlay, Ohio Northern University, Bluffton University, and Defiance College, held a conference on American National Security and Foreign Policy. The conference provided an opportunity for students and faculty to discuss some of the important issues facing our nation and our allies. The keynote speaker was noted US foreign policy expert Dr. Steven Hook, of Kent State University, who spoke on the subject “US Grand Strategy and the Paradox of World Power.”
Dr. Steven Hook
CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT Tiffin University coordinated two programs in March that focused on critical incident stress management (CISM), featuring special guest Gary Logan., who led presentations on public safety workers, the general public, and the TU campus community. Logan’s visit was sponsored by TU’s School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences and the student Criminal Justice Club. “The two-day event was part of TU’s continuing efforts to link what we do in our nationally recognized criminal justice, social science and homeland security programs to the community,” says Dr. Jan Samoriski. “Critical incidents – be they local, regional or national – affect us all. They’re unpredictable. But when they occur, they have an impact on both public safety workers and the community in many ways, most often in the background of our daily lives.” CISM is a comprehensive crisis intervention system that is used to help people deal with critical incidents, including shootings, fires, accidents, deaths, disasters, and other traumatic events.
LAW PRESENTS TWO PAPERS Associate Professor Dr. Fang-Mei Law presented, “Factors Influencing Interest in Research among Criminal Justice Students,” during the 2010 Academy of Criminal Justice Science Annual Meeting in February. The presentation introduced roles and functions of research in criminal justice; reviewed factors influencing interest in research; presented research findings; and provided suggestions for increasing interest in research among criminal justice students. The second paper, “The Effectiveness of Traumatic Recovery Dr. Fang-Mei Law in Addiction Treatment for Drug Offenders in Taiwan,” included an introduction of the model using traumatic recovery in addiction treatment; a review of the effectiveness of traumatic recovery in addiction treatment; a presentation of research findings; and a discussion of implications of the findings. www.tiffin.edu | 23
President’s ClubDinner An essential group of supporters who reflect the importance of giving.
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Gene and Melissa Crutsinger
Bill Reineke and Evelyn Marker
Chuck and Nancy Christensen
Ron and Lillian Schumacher
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Tiffin University President’s Club Service Awards 2010 FIFTEEN-YEAR AWARD
TEN-YEAR AWARD
NEW MEMBERS
Bill & Jean Hertzer Mike & Nancy Grandillo
Lenny & Lynn Clouse Mike & Mary Baltzel Dave Spitler & Barb Beineke-Spitler Chuck & Nancy Christensen Tim Schultz
Founder’s Club - $5,000 and up contribution Frank & Paula Murphy President’s Club - $1,000 to $4,999 contribution Scott & Barb Bodie Gene & Melissa Crutsinger Ron & Lillian Schumacher
Mike and Mary Baltzell
Barb and Dave Spitler
Paul and Susan Marion
Don and Dorothy Bero
Frank and Paula Murphy
Scott and Beth Bodie www.tiffin.edu | 25
President’s Club Members
Lenny and Lynn Clouse
Hazel Franks and Steve Wiilliams
Gary and Jane Heminger
Timothy Schultz
Table Decoration
President’s Club Entertainment Nelly Arnett and The Christian Secrist Quartet
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Commencement 2010 “Today is a Commencement. It is not an end. It’s a beginning of a journey through life.” Commencement Speaker Charles Bolden
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Jr., the keynote speaker for Tiffin University’s 122nd Undergraduate commencement, urged graduating seniors to follow their passion in life but also encouraged the class of 2010 to consider public service as an integral part of their future. “What an extraordinary time this is in your life,” he said at the ceremony on May 1st. “But as you celebrate, you should also be reminded that today is a ‘commencement.’ It is not an end. It’s a beginning of a journey through life.” The journey through life includes believing that there is “possible” in the seeming “impossible.” “Forty-nine years ago, President Kennedy challenged this nation and said we would land on the moon. Eight years later, this goal was achieved,” he said. “At NASA, we do a lot of what other people consider the ‘impossible’ things.” The journey through life begins with one’s self, Bolden remarked. “You must have faith in yourselves. Your education must not end when you leave here today. Exploration, risk-taking – having a vision and following through – each of these is a characteristic that has been defined by human beings who have sought the answer to the impossible and found it.”
TU Trustee Gary Heminger and Commencement Speaker Charles Bolden www.tiffin.edu | 29
Commencement 2010
Putting Values into Action through Public Service During an interview prior to the commencement ceremony, Bolden discussed his own lifetime of public service, which has led him from combat duty in the Vietnam War to becoming an astronaut, to his current role as the first AfricanAmerican to lead NASA on a permanent basis. He also talked about the importance of values, especially those instilled early in life. “As a child, my core values were rules set down by my parents,” he explained. “You had to study. You paid attention to your elders. You went to Sunday School.” After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968, Bolden accepted a commission as second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He was designated a naval aviator in 1970 and flew more than 100 combat missions in North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Following the Vietnam War, he served the United States in a variety of capacities, eventually becoming a test pilot. His 34-year career with the Marine Corps included 14 years as a member of NASA’s Astronaut Office. In 1994, he returned to active duty as the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy. In 1997, he was promoted to Deputy Commanding General, and served in 1998 as a Commanding General in support of Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait. He was later
promoted to the rank of Major General and named Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces in Japan. Among his many military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2006 and is the virtual host of the Space Shuttle Launch Experience at the Kennedy Space Center. While he did not suggest that the 2010 graduates devote their entire lives to public service, Bolden did echo President Obama’s call for young people to dedicate two years to some form of “giving back.”
“HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT” As a Marine, Bolden’s childhood core values made the transition to honor, courage and commitment. “Courage is sometimes physical, but more often it’s moral,” Bolden said. “Moral courage allows you to make difficult decisions, because you know it’s the right thing to do.” This moral courage also represents his personal faith in God, and has complemented his work as a scientist, he said. “At some point, you realize you don’t have the answers to every question, and that’s when
TU Faculty: Jonathan Appel, Phyllis Watts and Martha Turner 30
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
you need to turn it over to faith.” But this doesn’t stop the quest to discover. If anything, he said, it “empowers” the quest to understand. As an astronaut, he has been a member of four space shuttle flights and commander of two of those missions. He was instrumental in the deployment of the Hubble Space Astronaut Charles Bolden Telescope and was part of the first joint American/Russian Space Shuttle mission. During these missions, an important lesson was reinforced, he said. “You need to employ some sense of humility.” Describing his experience in space, Bolden reflected, “It’s both awesome and very humbling, because you realize how insignificant you are. It’s very hard to look back at Earth without these feelings. You don’t see cities except at night when the lights make them visible. Most of time, there are no signs at all of intelligent life.” When he was a child, he was a fan of what was then considered science fiction. “I loved ‘Buck Rogers,’ he said. As an adult, Bolden said that “E.T.” became one of his favorite movies. “And I still watch it,” he said. He added: “My faith makes me believe that there must be some other planet in the universe that can sustain life. Most of the people who have flown in space believe the same thing. This is one of the reasons we continue to explore.”
A Recipe for Success Because of the tough economy, Bolden noted that the job search for many new graduates might be difficult. “Be passionate in your ultimate search and you’ll be rich beyond measure,” he said, and also returned to his belief in the value of public service. “This might be the ideal time to serve your country and fellow citizens through service in the military or government, or with the Peace Corps, or for a charitable organization.” A recipe for sustained success should always include gaining as much knowledge as possible and then sharing this knowledge with others. “I would hope that while you may have big plans in life, you should always allow for flexibility to adapt to an ever-evolving world,” he advised. “And you should also be reminded that the answers to today’s big questions do not lie with my generation but with your generation, and with future generations.” As he finished his lively and inspiring address, Bolden was given a standing ovation. During the commencement ceremony, Tiffin University conferred upon Bolden the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
EXPLORATION & EDUCATION Although the shuttle program is coming to a close, the Obama Administration has developed ambitious new goals in manned space flight, including returning to the moon by 2020, and traveling into deep space to Mars by the 2030s. “We do incredible science,” Bolden said, “but when most of the population thinks of NASA, the focus is on our space missions. What people might not realize is how much this kind of exploration translates into the development of technology that has a direct impact on our quality of life. Most of the money we spend is not spent in space, but is spent in research here at home.” This science has led to the development of such medical innovations as the CT scan and magnetic imaging, as well as other forms of noninvasive testing. It has also greatly enhanced biomedical research. “When we try to educate the public on the benefits of the space program, sometimes the adults just don’t get it. But the school kids do. Young people want to do new things. They have a thirst for what the space program encompasses,” he said. “Exploration goes hand in hand with education,” he said, and noted NASA’s involvement in encouraging more and better math and science education, especially at the middle school level.
Charles Bolden receives Honorary Degree
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Commencement 2010
TU Honors Philanthropist Frank Murphy TU’s 2010 Undergraduate Commencement presented the university with an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary philanthropic efforts of educator and business leader Frank E. Murphy. He was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws during the May 1 ceremony. As the chief executive officer of University Housing Solutions, Murphy helps to develop innovative facilities on college and university campuses. At Tiffin University, he has guided the construction of the Living Learning Community, located on Miami Street. Students are currently utilizing two of the four planned apartment buildings. The other two buildings that will complete the complex are scheduled to open during the summer of 2010.
Living Lea
The Living Learning Community will have a final price tag of approximately $15 million. Murphy initially is leasing the buildings to TU and will eventually gift the community to the University. The apartment buildings have been developed for juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Each building includes a multi-purpose room that functions as a classroom and 12 apartments, which house 60 students and a head resident. Each apartment has five single bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. The student apartments are located on the south side of Miami Street, which was once part of the 10-acre Rosenblatt scrap yard. The project has already restored 4.15 acres of contaminated property. Similar remediation on the north side of Miami Street, where the recreation center is being built, has already begun. The remediation of the former scrap yard was funded by state and federal funds. In addition to his involvement with the Living Learning Community, Murphy has committed a major gift to TU for a new recreation
rning Com
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
MURPHY ELECTED TO TU BOARD Tiffin University elected Frank Murphy to its Board of Trustees in May. According to President Paul Marion, “We are very fortunate that Dr. Murphy has joined our Board of Trustees. He has made many positive contributions to our society as an educator, a business executive, and a philanthropist, and I am sure that his involvement as a trustee will benefit Tiffin University students in many ways.”
center that will be constructed across the street. Both the recreation center and the Living Learning Community are part of TU’s commitment to providing its students with “the complete college experience.” This means the social and recreational opportunities that complement Tiffin University’s strong national and international educational reputation.
munit y
Faculty member, Erin Dean
Tiffin University Graduation Awards 2010 DEAN’S AWARD
Undergraduate Degree Awards SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD This year’s scholar athlete, Sara Durkee, was a 4-year letter winner in golf, typically in the # 2 position. She competed in nationals, earned first team conference honors as a freshmen, and is a consistent all-academic GLIAC honoree. Sara Durkee accepts the Scholar Athlete Award from Associate Professor of Management Dr. Bonnie Tiell.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD Choosing to be a leader is not always an easy path. Making the choice to be a student leader has its own set of challenges, especially when one must hold one’s peers accountable while helping them to develop and grow. This year’s Student Leadership Award Winner, Angella Bradley, is a phenomenal graduate who gave of her time, not only to her organizations, but to the campus community, and to the larger community as well. She has touched the lives of a great number of people around her.
Angella Bradley accepts the Student Leadership Award from Dean of Students Lisa Kirchner.
Graduate Michael Salaciak and his Mom, Linda
The Dean’s Award is given to the graduating senior in the baccalaureate program with the highest cumulative grade point average. To qualify for this award the student must have completed 50% of the total degree requirements at Tiffin University. This year, TU awarded two graduates. Kelly Distel graduated with a perfect 4.0 in Communications. Faculty said, “Kelly is more than just an excellent student. She is intelligent, personable, and never at a loss for words. She’s a joy to have in the classroom,” and “She is that rare student that makes coming to class a pleasure for her professor, not only because of her dedication as a student and her willingness to learn and experiment, but because of her talent. Her blend of dedication, humor, and talent make her a joy to have in the classroom, a joy that she will take with her wherever she goes.” Sarah Durkee graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA in International Business. She arrived on the Tiffin campus from Battle Creek in 2006. Since that time, she has been successful in all of her endeavors at TU. Faculty describe her as “always prepared, always contributing, always constructive, and a sheer pleasure to teach.” Sara has
TU Employee JoElle Hall
Kelly Distel accepts the Dean’s Award from Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Sara Durkee accepts the Dean’s Award from Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
TU Faculty members Danielle Foster and Kelly McGilvray www.tiffin.edu | 33
Commencement 2010 visited Scotland and studied abroad in Switzerland. Currently, she and her fiancé are setting up an importing business to bring alcoholic beverages into the United States from a vineyard in Spain and a brewery in the Cayman Islands. They anticipate bringing in their first shipments this summer. Sara, also winner of TU’s 2010 Scholar Athlete Award, is an accomplished golfer, a 4-year varsity letter winner, as well as a two time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic.
increase her ability to provide for her family. In addition to her studies, this year’s honoree is employed by the Ohio Virtual Academy and is using her degree to seek job advancement. Her story, and others like her, represents the best of Tiffin University’s mission.
EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF STUDY AWARDS
The Graduate Student of the Year Award is given to the outstanding student in each graduate degree offered by Tiffin University. The criteria for this award are completion of the graduate program with a cumulative GPA of 4.0, significant involvement in learning, and noteworthy contributions to the workplace, industry, and society.
The Excellence in the Field of Study Award is given to one graduating student in each baccalaureate program with a GPA of 3.5 or above. Awardees are chosen by the faculty for both their academic performance and for their contributions to learning and life at Tiffin University. Michael Kiscellus, this year’s recipient for the Excellence in the Field of Study Award for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Justice Administration Program, has been described by his instructors as a “serious student.” It’s not surprising that he is graduating with honors and is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, The National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Michael is one of a growing number of adult learners who have obtained their degree online. In the online environment, communication and support Michael Kiscellus accepts the Excelare critical elements of a successful lence in the Field of Study Award from Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice class. Michael has been specifically President for Academic Affairs and recognized by his instructors and fel- Dean of Faculty low students for his leadership and support. He is a certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist, an accomplishment that is rare for individuals who have not yet obtained a bachelor’s degree. He is a Senior Aircraft Performance Engineer and Program Administrator for American Airlines. After graduation, he wishes to focus on national security and intelligence work, and pursuing teaching opportunities. Tammy Tom, this year’s recipient for the Excellence in the Field of Study Award for the Bachelor of Business Administration, Organizational Management major. When faculty and colleagues describe Tammy, two words we often used---committed to academic excellence and dedication. For example, her dedication to her educational goals has led to her achieving one of the best overall grade point averages in the program---not to mention raising a famTammy Tom accepts the Excellence ily and holding down a full-time job. in the Field of Study Award from When asked why she excelled in our Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice program, she stated that she believes President for Academic Affairs and that her education will permit her to Dean of Faculty 34
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Graduate Degree Awards
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD This year’s honoree, Earline Thomas, began her career with Energizer Battery Company in 2001 as an International Logistics Associate, responsible for export order management. Her performance has been instrumental in Energizer’s achieving the highest possible rating on the Department of Homeland Security’s C-TPAT program. In January 2009, Earline completed a two-year internship at the renowned Cleveland Clinic where she successfully completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Earline Thomas accepts the MBA Graduate of the Year Award from Education while serving as one of Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice the Clinic’s chaplains. Earline has cer- President for Academic Affairs and tifications in patient advocacy and Dean of Faculty grief recovery. She has a calling for helping those who are hurting and in need, and currently uses her counseling skills to help patients and their families in her capacity as a volunteer with Hospice of the Western Reserve.
MASTER OF HUMANITIES GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD This year’s Graduate of the Year Award in the Master of Humanities program went to William Cleland, a true renascence man. After he found the Master of Humanities program at Tiffin University, he instinctively knew he had found an academic home. Tiffin’s program offered a wide variety of complementary courses that appealed to his interests. According to our honoree, Tiffin University has made possible a dream of graduate education in the Humanities. William says that the Humanities education has sharpened his perception and comprehension of the challenges facing humanity, and that the program is both timely and timeless. William Cleland was not available to accept his award.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, this year’s Graduate of the Year Award in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degree went to Thomas Collins, a person that embodies the characteristics of scholastic achievement, character, professionalism, and pursuit of excellence. He is a veteran of the United States Army and he has served in both the public and private sector. He is currently employed by Hewlett Packard in a cross-functional management role in Global Resiliency and Aviation functions under the Global Security Group.
Keeping TU in the Family PAULA AND NICOLE CLAGG
Thomas Collins accepts the MSCJ Graduate of the Year Award from Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
MASTER OF EDUCATION GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD This year’s Graduate of Year in our Master of Education program was awarded to Cheryl Berry. Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, Cheryl enrolled in TU’s Master of Education Program in 2008 and was a member of the first graduating cohort for the program. She is the Curriculum Implem entation Specialist at Lorain Preparatory Academy where she also teaches the 8th grade. In her capacity as Curriculum Implementation Specialist, she oversees all areas of the curriculum Cheryl Berry accepts the Master of Education Graduate and serves as fa- of the Year Award from Dr. Charles R. Christensen, Vice cilitator for all aca- President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty demic programs for her school. She further ensures that her school’s middle school students receive a first class learning experience. Additionally, she has previously taught sixth grade language arts and math as well as served as a Title I teacher.
Paula Clagg earned an Associate Degree from Tiffin University 1981. She has worked for Tiffin University for 10 years in Adult Services, Graduate Operations, and Registration and Records. Paula’s daughter, Nicole, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tiffin University this year. Nicole plans to move to Chicago and pursue a career in modeling. She is a member of the modeling team for Today’s Bride and has appeared many times in the Today’s Bride Magazine.
JUDY AND LINDSEY HAFLEY Judy Hafely has been employed by Tiffin University since 2001. Judy has worked in TU’s Business Office, Financial Aid Office, Adult Student Services Office and currently in the Registration & Records Office. She earned an Associate Degree from Terra Community College. Judy’s daughter, Lindsey, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Hospitality and Tourism this year. After a successful internship, Lindsey became a full-time employee of Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio.
DENISE AND HEATHER BURKIN Both Denise and Heather received degrees this year. Heather earned a Master of Education degree (with Distinction) and Denise earned an Associate Degree on May 1. Denise, who also graduated with honors, is the Assistant to the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Tiffin University. Within the last year, Denise and Heather realized there was a possibility that they would graduate together.
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Update AlumniScene
Nate Washington and his Mom, Lisha In May, ten TU staff members traveled to Maumee, Ohio, to join TU Alum Nate Washington and his Mom, Lisha Washington, guests of honor at a fund-raising event for “Mom’s House.” Mom’s House honored Lisha because her story has been an inspiration to the young mothers of Mom’s House, and has encouraged them to persevere and have hope for a bright future for their children. Mom’s House strives to break the cycles of poverty and welfare. It’s mission is to guide at risk, single mother’s through the process of achieving educational goals and provide tools and resources needed to become effective parents. Nate Washington, former TU Dragon, Pittsburgh Steeler-two-time Super Bowl Champion and now a Tennessee Titan, presented his mom with flowers.
War Stories JAMIE L. CHESTER Battle Scars is reality-based fiction following Jamie L. Chester’s combat experiences during Operation Just Cause in Panama. Published in January, 16 years after Chester started writing it, the 172-page paperback tells a story of external and internal ernal battles through the eyes of Jim Hunter unter and antagonist Emil Rojo Rodriguez. ez. Chester, 40, earned a Master ster of Business Administration degree ree from Tiffin University in 2002. He received, in 1995, a Bachelor of Criminal Justice, with a specialty in n forensic psychology. “I started the book as an autobiography for my son to understand -- if anything happened to me -- why I am the way I am,” he says. “It went from autobiography into a fictional accounting. ounting. Then, I ‘Hollywooded it up’ to make k it a good d read.” d The ‘Hollywooded’ version of the novel is more graphic than the 36
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
original memoir meant for his three children. The plot line tracks Hunter’s/Chester’s experience as a special operations soldier facing his first combat experience. Bloody, hand-to-hand combat and the death of a close friend tug at a reader’s heart. The book pauses, at times, to flash back to character-shaping experiences. For example, a young Hunter’s arrogant misjudgment results in a broken leg during a wrestling match. Flashbacks aside, the book starts on the
Christmas day, 1990, Jamie’s second combat tour - the first Gulf War.
WILLIAM CRANSTON
Jamie’s wife Melissa, oldest son Holden, middle son Garrett, and daughter Gracie.
first day of the U.S. Panamanian Invasion in 1989. Army Ranger Jim Hunter – Chester’s alter-ego – parachutes through anti-aircraft fire into the steamy Panamanian jungle. As he hits the ground near Rio Hato Airfield, enemy gunplay is so close it kicks dirt into his face. Just minutes after hitting the ground, Hunter is face-to-face and hand-to-hand with the enemy. Operation Just Cause was an unusually violent conflict intended to capture Panama’s deposed president Manuel Noriega, to crush his alleged support of illegal drug-trafficking and to launch a democratic government. Hunter’s Army Ranger 3rd battalion jumped into the area, not far from Noriega’s beach house, to eliminate all enemy resistance at Rio Hato Airfield, Panama’s major military airfield. The book travels through the war conflict, internal conflict and ends with … that’s for readers to find out. Chester chose the title “Battle Scars” for its commonly accepted double usage. War leaves both obvious physical scars and invisible, but long-lasting, mental scars. Jamie L. Chester served on active duty in the United States Military from 1988 to 1992, then in the National Guard from 1992 to 1998. He participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm in Iraq, and was part of the 1996 Olympic Security Team in Atlanta. He’s married to Melissa (Smith) Chester, a 2003 TU graduate. He’s currently Manager of Leadership Development, Manufacturing at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in Findlay.
William Cranston’s war experiences nces are mentioned in a book: “Murder er in Baker Company: How Four Amerierican Soldiers Killed One of Their eir Own,” by Cilla McCain. The book ok recounts the 2003 murder of Army Specialist Richard T. Daviss upon his return from Iraq. Cranston met Davis while the young soldier’s platoon was delayed in Baghdad for several weeks – without supplies – on their deployment back ack to the United States. “We helped d these young soldiers who were battle weary and bored. We offered them hot showers, chow, water to wash their clothes, and vehicles for use to get to phones and call home,” he notes. “We let them hang around our compound and get away from their makeshift camp.” During that time he befriended Davis, whom he remembers as helpful. The book quotes Cranston: “He didn’t really have to help us. It wasn’t his job or anything; he was just being nice and wanted to keep busy.” That was in May 2003. In July that year, Davis returned to the United States where he was murdered by members of his own platoon. Cranston, 57, is enrolled in TU’s Bachelor of Business Administration online degree-completion program.
Bill, age 18, in Vietnam
Battle Scars was self published by iUniverse and is available from most online booksellers, including Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and iuniverse.com
Sgt Carl Cranston (left) Bill’s cousin. Bill Cranston (right) in Iraq, May 2003. www.tiffin.edu | 37
Update |
AlumniScene
From Old Fort to Carnegie Hall The joke may be as old as the concert hall itself. “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer: “Practice, man, practice!” If you ask Marci Haack, TU Class of 1974, she might say her journey to Carnegie Hall began when she saw the film adaptation of the Broadway hit, “The Music Man”. The film inspired what would become a life-long passion for barbershop harmony. Marci researched and discovered a women’s barbershop singing organization, (SAI) Sweet Adelines International. She sought a chapter near her home of Old Fort and ultimately joined the Bucyrus Belltones and traveled to London, England as a spectator at her first SAI international competition. She would later sing with the award winning Toledo Seaway Chapter. During her years with Toledo Seaway she sank on stages in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia during the international competitions always placing in the top ten. While still singing with Toledo Seaway, Marci directed the Winesburg Chapter, Clyde, for two years. Marci’s barbershop harmony and business experience grew simultaneously and would intersect forever after. Memories will never fade of her SPEBSQSA friends, The RITZ (1991 Quartet Champions) and the Vocal Majority of Dallas (11-time International Chorus Champions). When circumstances combined for Marci to move to the Dallas area, she sought a chapter that offered: quality music education, compatible personality, common goals. TEXAS HARMONY, met all three expectations. The chorus was in full-blown preparation for performances at Carnegie Hall and for SAI International Competition in 2009. She quickly became an integral part of the chorus, and was recently select-
ed by her peers to represent Texas Harmony on the Regional “Wall of Fame”. The adventures continue… New York City February 2009: Texas Harmony was one of seven choruses invited to perform for what was billed as the “Sweet Adeline Reunion” at the historic Carnegie Hall. The first stop in New York was the Gershwin Theater on Broadway for a production of “Wicked”! Excitement was paramount, but it wasn’t until each singer was given a “Backstage Pass – Carnegie Hall” that the long-anticipated experience became reality! Each chorus presented a 20 minute set then came together for a 300+ voice finale. The combined chorus performed three selections, including “New York, New York”! Three of the larger choruses filled the stage, with the other four in the two-tiered loggia areas on either side of the hall. Following the performance, singers and their guests enjoyed a celebratory dinner cruise. Nashville Opryland October 2009: Although in town for the SAI Convention, Texas Harmony had the added distinction of performing at the Opryland (Roy) Acuff Theater at the invitation of the local chapter and regional champion, Tune Town Show Chorus. Nashville Sommet Center: International is the “Olympics” for barbershop singers; as such, every participant has won a championship at a regional level. Preparation begins early: vocal production skills, style, mental and physical stamina, extra rehearsals. Unlike Olympic events that are measured by time or distance, success is in the eyes and ears of judges, also Sweet Adelines, highly trained in their specialties. It was a definite thrill for Texas Harmony to have qualified to be there, and it was elevated to a new level when they came away with a bronze medal! On the final day of the convention. SAI President, Peggy Gram, established a new category, “world’s largest singing lesson”, for the Guinness Book of World Records. She provided 10 minutes of interactive musical instruction to 6,651 participants, complete with Guinness representative to validate the accomplishment.
Marci Haack, Pam Mayfield, Donna Saunders and Pat Murray 38
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Upcoming events
Point.click. Give. With our secure server, investing in Tiffin University has never been easier. Just point and click, and your gift – whatever its size – helps TU provide access and opportunity for individuals, and facilitates their preparation for successful careers and for productive and satisfying lives. We invite our friends and supporters to join us at www.tiffin.edu where Real Connections yield Real Results.
Tiffin University’s Alumni & Friends 12-Day South America Passage Cruise departs from Buenos Aires on February 4, 2011 Experience the elegant luxury of Holland America Line and discover special places like; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Pt Stanley, Falkland Islands; Scenic cruising around Cape Horn; Ushuaia, Argentina; Cockburn and Beagle Channels; Punta Arenas, Chile; Strait of Magellan; Amalia Glacier Canal Sarmiento; Darwin Channel Chilean Fjords; Puerto Montt, Chile; Santiago, Chile. Cruise prices begin at $1,499 per person. Complete travel packages are also available and include 2-nights hotel, 12-day cruise, transfers, and airfare. Don’t Miss the Boat! A deposit of $300 per person guarantees your space. All major credit cards accepted. For reservations and further details, contact: Brad Haley, HAL Personal Cruise Consultant 1-800.355.3017 extension 29300 or bhaley@hollandamerica.com.
TU On The Road 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.
SHARE your pride How many of you have your diploma hanging in your office? Do you wear Tiffin University apparel when you are traveling or on vacation? Do you have a TU license plate on your car? Does a TU Alumni license plate holder display your license plate? Participating in small activities like these helps promote your alma mater. Who knows when the next prospective student (or parent) will notice that you graduated from Tiffin University?
If you have questions regarding the Collegiate Plate Program, contact TU’s Alumni Relations Office at 419-448-3282 or your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
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Update |
AlumniScene
Alumni Referral Program for International Students You’re a Dragon, so you know all about the value of Tiffin University. At Tiffin, we take great pride in our students and recognize that great people have great networks. Do you know a prospective international student who could be a good match for Tiffin University? You’ll help open a world of new opportunities by referring a prospective new student to TU. We are excited to announce the official launch of the alumni referral program for the Fall 2010 class! Here’s how it works: 1) Refer a family member, friend, relative, neighbor, or acquaintance as an international student to Tiffin University by completing the Alumni Referral Form. 2) Sign the form and send to the International Admissions Office. You may mail, e-mail or fax the form to: Scott Saracusa Assistant Director, International Enrollment Management Franks Hall 155 Miami St. Tiffin, OH 44883 Phone: + 1 419 448 3310 Fax: + 1 419 443 5002 Email: saracusasw@tiffin.edu 3) If your referral successfully enrolls and pays the first tuition installment, we’ll send you a $150 VISA gift card as a token of our appreciation.
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Terms and conditions: a) This program is exclusive to Tiffin University alumni, current undergraduate and graduate students only. Employees of TU are not eligible to participate. b) In order to be qualified to receive the gift card, the referral must be an international student who: i. Has not previously contacted Tiffin University’s International Admissions office or submitted the application form. ii. Does not have a recruiting agent. iii. Is not participating in athletics, cheerleading, music/dance, or theatre. iv. Must attend class on the Tiffin, Ohio campus for a minimum of two weeks and be in good academic and financial standing. c) The entire Tiffin University community is encouraged to refer as many prospective international students as possible. There is no limit in terms of the number of gift cards to be awarded. d) Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of the VISA gift card to the address indicated in the referral form. e) No cash, cash value, or cash equivalents will be awarded.
Alumni Referral Form For International Students PROSPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION First Name Middle Name Last Name Complete Address Zip Code Country Phone Number Email Address Program of Interest
YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION First Name Middle Name Last Name Complete Address Zip Code Country Phone Number Email Address How do you know this student? Alumni or Current Student? Date of Graduation
All fields are required. Sign the form - mail, e-mail or fax to the International Admissions Office. Scott Saracusa, Assistant Director, International Enrollment Management Tiffin University, 155 Miami St., Tiffin, OH 44883 Phone: + 1 419 448 3310 | Fax: + 1 419 443 5002 | Email: saracusasw@tiffin.edu www.tiffin.edu | 41
“We are the Tiffin Dragons, and we’re out to win. We have an old tradition, to which we all are kin. The Green and Gold will battle, ‘til victory rings through. We always stand behind our team from old T. U.”
Save The Date HOMECOMING 2010 October 22-24 42
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Tell Us About Yourself
ClassScene
Class of 1960 Golden Grads
1930’s Milton Trubey, Class of 1932, Fostoria, Ohio, was inducted into the Ohio Track and Field Hall of Fame. He played football, baseball, and ran track at Wittenberg College before graduating in 1927. He worked as an accountant and lived in Fostoria until his death in 1993.
1940’s Carl Richard Russell Sr., Class of 1943, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, wrote, “After graduation, I was drafted into the Army. When I returned from Europe, I went to Kent State University and graduated in 1948. At age 86, I am now a published author of the book ‘Civilian to Soldier Through Combat- WWII’ that was released in March. We are never too old for surprises!” To celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation from TU, those who agreed to represent the Class of 1960, were guests of honor at TU’s commencement luncheon and joined the graduation procession with the Class of 2010. Affectionately referred to as our “Golden Grads,” the photo (left to right) is Celinda Scherger, Director of Alumni Relations, James Sager, Dave Moon, William Hertzer, and Nancy Mylander Jackson.
David Albert Ryckman, Class of 1943, Greenport, New York, retired from Tenneco as Plant Manager after 25 years. In 1985, he moved to Florida. Most recently, he relocated to Greenport to an assisted living facility.
1960’s Scott Asman, Class of 1964, Sandusky, Ohio, is new retired from General Motors. His wife Diane works in sales for Creative Teaching. David Burkett, Class of 1965, Whitehouse, Ohio, is an accountant for Harmon Sign Company in Toledo, Ohio. His wife Mary is a teacher.
1970’s Raymond Weleski, Jr., Class of 1972, Hanover, Pennsylvania, is now retired.
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Tell Us About Yourself |
ClassScene
1980’s
Stephen Kovacs, Class of 1994, Cincinnati, Ohio, and his wife Staci have three girls, Hanna, age 16, Emmah, age 6, and Lylla, age 4.
Vera Kelley Bury, Class of 1981, North Baltimore, Ohio, writes, “I lived and worked in Marion, Ohio for years. Upon the defeat of my boss as the Marion County Auditor, I lost my job as Chief Deputy Auditor. After a few weeks, I was offered a position in my home county, Wood. I sold my home and made the big move to my hometown of North Baltimore. I’m enjoying reconnecting with old friends and my new home in the country. Life is good!”
Holly Stacy, MBA 1995, Green Springs, Ohio, writes, “Since finishing my MBA at TU, along with working, I started giving back to the community through public service. I have been serving on the Old Fort Board of Education for seven years now.” She is the President/CEO of the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce. Holly and her husband Douglas have two children, Dean and Diana.
Jerry M. Kuhlman, Class of 1982, Kansas, Ohio, is a self-employed house painter. He has one daughter, Makayla. Theresa Nibblett, Class of 1984, Lorton, Virginia, retired from the United States Customs and Border Protection (an agency under the Department of Homeland Security) in 2009, after 29 years of federal service. She wrote, “I am now a contractor working for the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service’s Anti-Terrorism Training Program as a Curriculum Project Manager. I manage a portfolio of Homeland Security courses that are created for and delivered internationally to partner nations.”
Christine McColl Pease, Class of 1996, Havilland, Ohio, is a laborer for Cooper Farms. She and her husband, Robert, have three girls, Kirsten, age 10, Lynsey, age 4, and Madison, age 6 months. Kellie Jakubowski McGilvray, Class of 1999, and her husband, Brandon, welcomed Carlie Christine in February. Kellie is Instructor of Marketing for Tiffin University.
Ruby Cavanaugh Koerper, Class of 1984, Columbus, Ohio, wrote a book, “A Wagon, the World, a Nickel…a memoir.” Theresa Marie Drown, Class of 1989, Pemberville, Ohio, works as a Customer Specialist for Honeywell in Toledo, Ohio.
2000’s
1990’s
Joseph A. Shook, MBA 2000, Copley, Ohio, was recently promoted to Audit Project Manager at the NASA, Office of Inspector General, and is stationed at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Joe previously served as a Senior IT Auditor with the Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, in Cleveland.
Candice Fields, Class of 1990, Akron, Ohio, is a Computer Applications Analyst at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. She writes, “I have a daughter, Briana, who is 20 years old and is currently attending The Ohio State University. Attending TU allowed me to meet lots of people from all over the world. TU has changed a great deal since I’ve attended. The town has catered to the needs of all of the diverse groups and the campus looks like a real college campus, but the memories are still there. A small college was a great experience for me because I felt I could be personable with my professors and everything was in walking distance.” Candice still keeps in touch with many of her college friends. She attends annual TU events at Cavaliers games and Cedar Point. “Our main motivational saying at TU was ‘GET THAT DEGREE’,” she exclaimed.
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Michelle Marie Kreager Ish, Class of 2001, Oak Harbor, Ohio, is the Human Resources Manager for RVI, Inc. in Oak Harbor. She writes, “In 2006, I received accreditation as a Certified Workers’ Compensation Professional from MSU School of Labor Relations, and currently moonlight as a consultant in that area. I am also the Vice President of my local Safety Council and conduct safety and workers’ compensation presentations at various venues from Toledo to Columbus.” Michelle and her husband Craig have two sons, Colin and Brenen. Erika Williams Sassaman, Class of 2001, Albuquerque, New Mexico, works as on Operations Manager for Grant Thornton LLP. Her husband, Kim, is the Director of Information Security for Presbyterian Healthcare. Casey Matthew Smith, Class of 2001, Clyde, Ohio, writes, “After graduation, I reunited with my high school sweetheart, Danyell, and have two beautiful children, Taylar Lynn, age 6, and Teagan Rae, age 2.”
Janel Hemker Murdoch, Class of 2002, and Dave Murdoch, Class of 2004, welcomed Landon Richard born in November 2009.
Jennifer Martin, MBA 2005, Delaware, Ohio, writes, “For the past two years, I have been teaching part-time at both Franklin University and the University of Phoenix. I teach in the Human Resources and MBA programs.” Carrie Hayward Torres, Class of 2005, Fremont, Ohio, works as a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Bayshore Counseling in Sandusky, Ohio. She welcomed a little girl, Macy Sue, into her family in 2009. Carlo Adams, Class of 2007, Tiffin, Ohio, is the owner of AB Computers in Tiffin. His wife, Leslie, works as a Paralegal.
Lori Welch Schrader, Class of 2002 and Jesse Schrader, Class of 2002, welcomed Addison Quinn in March.
Ashley R. Goldstein, Class of 2007, Toledo, Ohio, works at an alternative school for children with severe emotional/behavioral problems. She shared, “I will never forget the four years I spent at TU. I would go back in a heartbeat. I miss my friends horribly, but am very satisfied with how my life has turned out so far, thanks to TU.” Lindsey Kuty, Class of 2007, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She earned distinction as an honor graduate.
Jeremy Crall, Class of 2003, Bucyrus, Ohio, joined United Bank in 2009 after 12 years of experience in the financial industry. He and his wife, Beth, have a some, Brett. Bobby Petras, Class of 2003, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and his wife, Brandie, welcomed their first child, Bella Lynn, in December 2009. Bobby is the Chief Operating Officer for Lamplight Communities in Fort Wayne. James Harwood, MBA 2004, Clarksville, Tennessee, is a Bindery Superintendent for Worldcolor. Stephanie McCoy Loquvam, MCJ/MBA 2004, Phoenix, Arizona, is an Attorney for Fennemore Craig, PC. Brett Myers, Class of 2004, Lincoln, Nebraska, is the Assistant Director of Stadium Operations for the Lincoln Saltdogs Professional Baseball Club. He played baseball from 2001-2004 for the Dragons. Franklin Dean Wylie Jr., Class of 2005, Newport, Kentucky, and his wife Stacie have two children, Addison and Alexander. He writes, “Since graduation, I have worked in s psychiatric hospital setting as an MHP and Dual Diagnosis Counselor, as a Forensic SAMI Case Manager, a Dual Diagnosis Therapist (ex-offenders in residential treatment), and now in academia as a full-time Program Director for a new Chemical Dependency Program (also instructing for Criminal Justice and Psychology) and Adjunct Instructor for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.” Additionally, Franklin recently began working toward his PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Alaina Schaefer, Class of 2007, Orlando, Florida, works in Guest Services at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Jamie Shaw, MSCJ 2007, Toledo, Ohio, and her husband, Kenny, welcomed their second child, Brady, in December. Sonia Troche, MBA 2007, Perrysburg, Ohio, Executive Director of Adelante, the Latino Resource Center, was promoted to the Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. The commission studies problems and programs concerning Spanish-speaking people. Sonia is a member of the Toledo Hispanic/Latino Strategic Alliance and the Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Nancy L. Valenti, MSCJ 2007, Loudon, New Hampshire, writes, “I recently started a full-time position as the Training Development Manager with the New Hampshire Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General. I am working under a three year ARRA/Byrne Grant.” John Majoy, MSCJ 2008, Huron, Ohio, was appointed as Chief of Police. He started his career in Huron as a full-time police officer in 1991 and was promoted to sergeant in 1999. He has been acting chief since June 1, 2009. Mike Shook, Class of 2009, Westfield, Ohio, married Erica Rife in 2009. Mike is employed in management with Speedway Super America and is a member of the Air Force National Guard.
Kelly Lindesmith, Class of 2005, Odenton, Maryland, works as an Accountant for the United States Department of Defense in Virginia. She played basketball for the Lady Dragons for four years.
www.tiffin.edu | 45
Our Deepest Sympathies |
InMemoriam
Honary Degree Bernard Welly, Honorary Degree 2003, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in May. He received a degree of doctor of laws from Tiffin University in 2003, in recognition of his long service and generosity to Tiffin University. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. While stationed in Korea, he received the Korean Service Medal, three bronze campaign stars, the Army Occupation Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He worked at General Electric in Tiffin for more than 30 years and retired in 1985. Bernard had a deep interest and appreciation for all things natural, was a lover of nature, cared for many cats, and grew herbs and wild flowers. He also was an accomplished musician and played both the organ and the piano.
1930’s Ivan Cole, Class of 1938, Charlotte, North Carolina, (long-time resident of Findlay, Ohio) passed away in May. He was a WWII veteran who fought under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. The long-time Findlay, Ohio resident spent his professional career of 44 years at Marathon Oil Company before moving to Charlotte three years ago. Ivan was a long-time supporter of TU and established the “Ivan Daniel and Maxine L. Cole Scholarship of Tiffin University.”
1940’s Perma Jean Ritter Rice, Class of 1944, Utica, Ohio, passed away in May. Perma was a charter member of Utica Historical Society and curator for the Utica Museum. She volunteered for 57 years at Utica schools and the Utica community. She was the representative for the Utica Food Pantry and was a Girl Scout leader. She was a recipient of the Utica Humanitarian Award and inducted into the Utica Hall of Fame.
1950’s Horace Eugene “Gene” Philbrook, Class of 1956, Cardington, Ohio, passed in 2009. He retired from the banking industry in 1999, after 43 years working as a bank officer.
1960’s Rod Clouser, Class of 1963, Findlay, Ohio, passed away in February. His wife Nancy wrote, “Rod and I had 12 great years of retirement until 2008 when he had a stroke. He was in a nursing home for 16 months before he passed. He will be missed terribly by our daughters, five grandchildren, son-in-laws, and I.” Raymond R. Brown, Class of 1967, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in February. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country during the Vietnam era. He and his family started the Tiffin Hardware Store, of which he became president of in 1983. In 1986, he was co-founder and co-owner of Northcoast Ace Hardware until his retirement in 1998.
1970’s Paul Ardner, Class of 1977, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in 2009. Paul served in the United States Navy from 1957-59, worked for Webster Manufacturing for more than 40 years, and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He enjoyed working around the home, traveling, and spending time in North Carolina. He also loved spending time with his family, especially all of his grandchildren.
1980’s Valerie Draper, Class of 1981, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in October, 2009 at her home. Pamela J. Shaw, Class of 1987, Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in November. She was the treasurer’s assistant for Hopewell-Loudon Schools for the last 10 years. For 10 years prior to that, she had worked in the Human Resources department at Mercy Tiffin Hospital. She was a member of Moose Lodge No. 846 and loved spending time with her family, camping, and mushroom and arrowhead hunting.
Tell Us about Yourself
www.tiffin.edu
46
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
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SportsSportsScene at TU Spring Reviews BASEBALL The Tiffin University baseball team posted a 21-33 overall record in 2010, putting together one of the top offensive seasons in team history. Pitching issues kept the team from reaching many of its goals, but the team certainly proved exciting to watch, as Devin Rudolph earned Second Team Daktronics All-American status with a record-setting season. Rudolph batted .529, shattering the single season batting average record by nearly 60 points while also winning the NCAA Division II batting title. He was named ABCA Midwest Region and GLIAC Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-Region status from the NCAA.
By Shane O’Donnell, SID TU Sports Information Office 419.448.3288
Cory Hornyak, Ty Blake, Donnie Smith, and Pat Curtin earned Second Team All-GLIAC while Jason Bailey and Colin Lowe also earned Honorable Mention status. The team set 9 new school records, with Blake setting new single season records for hits, doubles, and runs. He also set new career marks in doubles and runs. Head Coach Lonny Allen also won his 400th game during the season. The season ended with a red-hot April in which the team went 15-8 against some of the top teams in the conference.
SOFTBALL The Dragons softball team enjoyed a strong 2010 season, becoming just the second TU team to qualify for the NCAA national tournament when they were selected to play in the Midwest Regional tournament. Overall the Lady Dragons finished 34-18 and were ranked 7th in the region. The Dragons, featuring no seniors and a young pitching staff, opened the season with a 12-3 record and stayed hot for most of the season, posting a 19-9 record in April. Amanda Temple was named NFCA Second Team All-Region while Temple, Meagan Baird, and Del-
Senior Devin Rudolph led the nation in batting average with a .529 mark while earning NCAA Second Team All-American status.
Junior Tiffany Smith set a new single season record with 13 home runs while leading the GLIAC in RBI and earning All-Conference honors. 48
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
aney Talmage were named Second Team All-GLIAC. Tiffany Smith and Lauren Mazzuca were Honorable Mention picks. Smith set a new single season record with 13 home runs, while also leading the GLIAC in RBIs. Temple led the conference in doubles, while Mazzuca led the GLIAC in runs scored. Overall, the Dragons figured among conference leaders in nearly every offensive category.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE The Dragons introduced a new intercollegiate sport in 2010, with women’s lacrosse taking the field for the first time. The team posted wins against Shepherd and Mount St. Joseph, but also had a number of close losses against some solid regional opponents. The team will look to build upon its season next year. Allyn Saling led the team with 44 goals and 11 assists for 55 points while Ali Quast led the team with 18 assists. Emily Miller was second on the team with 39 goals and 9 assists, while Jessica Oliver and Aimee LeClair split time in goal and combined for 176 saves.
Freshman Ali Quast led the new Dragons lacrosse team with 18 assists.
NEW ATHLETIC WEBSITE Tiffin University Sports Information Director Shane O’Donnell announced today the launch of its new athletic website, culminating months of work in a site that should give Dragons fans a more rewarding experience in following Tiffin’s various sport teams. The web site address will be www.gotiffindragons.com. “Everyone at the university is very excited about the new website,” said O’Donnell. “The website serves as the face of the athletic department and presents a new dynamic look that gives more fluid access to visitors while also allowing easier navigation.” The new site is being hosted and powered by eSolution Architects and their product SIDHelp. SIDHelp is a content management and web development system built specifically for college athletic departments. The SIDHelp network currently includes more than 25 conference/league sites and more than 50 institutional sites. “Greg Black and his staff have been tremendous during this transition period,” said O’Donnell. “We wanted a more modern, visually appealing look that was not only user friendly but met all the needs of our users and peers. We feel this move accomplishes that.” Like our old site, gotiffindragons.com will be a one stop site for Dragons news, schedules, rosters, results, and multimedia. The new site will also offer advanced features such as facebook, twitter, and scoreboards. It also will allow continue to expand in the areas of web streaming and live stats of sporting events in a more easily accessible platform. www.tiffin.edu | 49
Sports at TU |
SportsScene
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS Tiffin University’s men’s tennis team showed marked improvement in 2010, improving from 1-25 to 8-15 in one season. Six of their 15 losses were narrow decisions and, with all but two members of the team returning next year, the team looks to improve just as dramatically next year.
team with 13 wins playing at fifth singles, while Santiago Revelo and Andres Torres also cracked double figures in wins in singles play. In doubles play, Carvalho/Torres was the top team for TU, posting 11 wins. The team qualified for the GLIAC tourney. For the women’s team, Teauana Long was an Honorable Mention selection in the GLIAC. She had 10 overall wins between singles and doubles play, playing at first singles and taking on the toughest opponents during each match. Taylor Cooper had 15 combined wins and Jessie Stefanov had 14 combined wins also.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF
Freshman Luiz Carvalho was named Second Team All-GLIAC and won 18 combined matches in 2010, including 11 in doubles play.
Luiz Carvalho was named Second Team All-GLIAC while Harry Smith was an Honorable Mention selection. Brian Coffman led the
Tiffin University’s men’s golf team had a competitive season with some standout performances. They saved their best performance for last, winning the Kyle Ryman Memorial Invitational. Tiffin University’s men’s golf team shot their best two-day total of the season, firing a 596 to capture the title by 5 strokes over Wayne State. TU’s Dillon Klein made the All-Tournament team, while Corey Martinez also earned AllTourney selection. Dillon Klein was named Second Team All-GLIAC, posting the 12th best scoring average in conference play amongst all conference competitors with a 73.6 average. The team also came in second at the Tucson Invite, while finishing near the middle in most of their other matches. The Lady Dragons placed 7th overall at the GLIAC Championships. Deborah Landis led the Dragons at the GLIAC Championships with a 171 two-round score, followed by Brittany Lynch and Sara Durkee.
Men’s Golf Team in support of Birdies for Breat Cancer 50
CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
Sophomore Dillon Klein was named Second Team All-GLIAC with one of the top averages in the conference.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD The track and field teams had a very successful indoor season and followed it up with more success in the outdoor season. Tiffin University had its best NCAA Division II Championships indoor performance in school history, landing 7 All-American efforts in four events. Anthony Thomas and Justin Ware earned two All-American honors, with Thomas finishing 5th in the 200 meters in 21.54 while also teaming with Ware, Dominic Colvin, and Deven Keene in taking 3rd in the 4x400 relay in 3:13.54. Ware’s second All-American honor came in the 400 meters, where he was 7th in 48.74. Dan Snyder also earned All-American honors in the heptathlon, finishing 8th with 4980 points. Overall the Dragons finished 13th of the 47 participating schools on the men’s side.
Junior Justin Ware was part of the GLIAC-champion 4x400 relay team at the 2010 GLIAC Indoor Track Championships. He also came in second in the 400 meters.
The men’s team was ranked 9th in the nation in indoor and also excelled at the GLIAC meet, with Anthony Thomas earning Indoor Track Athlete of the Year honors. Thomas landed three GLIAC Championships at Grand Valley State. He was part of the 4x400 relay team that obliterated the school and GLIAC record with a NCAA automatic qualifying time of 3:11.69. Thomas also won the 60 meters with a school record and provisional mark of 6.84 and the 200 meters with a GLIAC record and provisional mark of 21.45. He has had a standout 2010 indoor season, setting new school records in the 60 meters and the 4x400 while also holding the record in the 200 meters. Overall, the men were 3rd at the championships while the women were 7th. In the outdoor season, Ramone Brant won the GLIAC championship in the 110 hurdles while also qualifying for the NCAA National Outdoor Championships, seeded as the 6th best time entering the event. Overall the Dragons won the Defiance Invite while taking second at Miami. At the GLIAC Championships, they finished fifth overall while the women were 8th. Two Dragons just missed championships, as Lee Miller came in 2nd in the pole vault with a vault of 15-9.75, while Kayla Ellks came in 2nd in the triple jump with 35-6. Meghan Gill was 3rd in the high jump with 5-1.75.
Winter Wrap-Up MEN’S BASKETBALL The Tiffin University Men’s Basketball team looked to take things in a new direction with new head coach John Hill and many new faces as the team entered its second season in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The improvement was obvious as the team played many more close games as they started the rebuilding process. The team dropped
Junior Rafael Cuellar led the team in rebounding with 5.6 rebounds per game. www.tiffin.edu | 51
Sports at TU |
SportsScene
7 games by 10 points or less, including a loss in overtime by one point to defending national champion Findlay. DeAngelo Jordan was named Second Team All-GLIAC South Division by vote of the GLIAC coaches. Jordan was the Dragons leading scorer with 13.6 ppg and was second on the team in rebounding at 4.8 rpg. He was also second on the team in steals. Brian Scott was also in double figures offensively with 11 ppg, while Rafael Cuellar averaged nearly 7 points and 6 rebounds per game.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Playing with a very young team of mainly freshmen and sophomores, the 2009-10 season was Tiffin’s second season as an official member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
EQUESTRIAN The Tiffin University Equestrian Team had a standout season in 200910, sending multiple riders to regional events. In Hunt Seat, Freshman Lauren Stewart scored a total of 44 points for the top number on the team. Senior Kaitlin Foster finished second with 39 points, followed by freshman Travis Roper with 37 points in third. Stewart, Foster and Dittman also competed in English Over Fences. Stewart again led the charge with 40 points, followed by Foster (18 points) and Dittman (15 points). On the Western side, junior Lindsay Schwenk led the team with 29 points. McKibben was second, followed by freshman LaTicia Jeffers with 26 points in third. Combination riders (those who ride both Hunt Seat and Western Saddle) were also recognized for points scored in both disciplines combined. Stewart scored a total of 65 points for champion while Marsh and McKibben tied for reserve with 52 points. Eleven team members qualified for regionals during the season. Schwenk, Roper, Marsh, Croswhite, sophomore Josie Holland, junior Ashley Lewellen and Riddle all rode for TU at the IHSA Regional competition. Trisha Hellein qualified in Hunt Seat, but was unable to compete due to a schedule conflict. Stewart competed in two events, flat and over fences in Hunt Seat. Dittman competed in both Hunt Seat and Western Saddle, winning her Western class. Trillet also won her Western class. Dittman and Trillet traveled to California to compete in the Western Semi-finals. Dittman placed eighth out of 16 competitors.
Sophomore Mandy Jaeb had an outstanding year, averaging 19.5 points per game while earning Second Team All-Region and First Team All-GLIAC honors.
The Dragons lost 8 games by 10 points or less. Guard Mandy Jaeb had one of the top seasons in TU history, finishing with a 19.5 ppg average and earning Second Team All-Midwest Region and First Team All-GLIAC honors. Jaeb was the GLIAC scoring champion and also figured high in nearly all other GLIAC offensive categories. Jaeb was also recognized for her defensive ability, landing a spot on the GLIAC AllDefensive team. Jessica Harris also had a strong freshman season, placing near the top of GLIAC rebounders with a 9.6 average while also averaging nearly 8 ppg. Karli Mast also had a solid debut, averaging almost 10 ppg in her first season.
Equestrian Senior Kaitlin Foster competed in her last competition in February.
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
New Coaches Announced Paula Fantini o )FBE 8PNFO T 4PDDFS $PBDI t Dana Cordova – Head Volleyball Coach Colleen Dixon o )FBE 8PNFO T -BDSPTTF $PBDI t Scott Hall – Women’s Golf Coach Paula Fantini assumed the position of Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Tiffin University. Fantini, a native of Brazil, took over the women’s program from Rudy Brownell, who remains as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach. A former soccer star at Union College (KY), Paula Fantini joined the Lincoln Memorial University coaching staff in 2007 after obtaining a double major in physical education and sports management, minors in health and general business and a master’s in health and physical education. While serving as assistant for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Lincoln Memorial, the teams both had winning records. In 2007, both the men’s and women’s teams won the regular season and tournament conference championships. The men’s squad finished as NCAA National Runner-up, while the women reached the Southeast Region Semifinals. As a student-athlete, Fantini excelled on and off the field. She was a Dean’s List honoree every semester at Union, and was a three-time Academic all-conference honoree, as well as a two-time All-American Scholar Athlete. She was named All-Conference and All-Region three times, and was named All-American twice. She ranks fourth in career points in Union’s history. “I am extremely excited to be the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Tiffin University,” said Fantini. “I felt as if I was at home from the moment I stepped on campus. I trust that I will share an extraordinary experience with my players and the faculty and staff at large.” Dana Cordova assumed the position of Head Volleyball Coach for Tiffin University. She most recently served as Head Coach at Montana State University-Billings. Prior to that, she served for eight years as head coach of Otero (Colorado) Junior College’s volleyball and golf teams. “I am truly honored to be part of an exciting chapter of Tiffin University Volleyball’s continued growth,” said Cordova. “I look forward to leading these young ladies to achievements on and off the court. I am proud to be part of the Tiffin University family.” Originally from Trinidad, Colorado, Cordova attended Hoehne High School where she was a standout athlete receiving all-state honors in both volleyball and basketball and was a four-time state qualifier in track. Cordova then attended Otero Junior College on a basketball scholarship. After earning all-region honors her freshman and sophomore years at OJC, Cordova was named to the NJCAA All-American Team. She earned her associate of arts degree at OJC and transferred to McPherson College in Kansas. There, she received all-conference honors, as well as leading the conference in rebounding. While at McPherson, she completed her bachelor of arts degree and was an assistant volleyball
coach for one year, before returning to Otero Junior College as the head volleyball and golf coach. Over her eight-year career at OJC, Cordova had 10 players named to All-Region IX teams. In 2007, Cordova’s golf team finished on top of Region IX, winning all four Region IX tournaments. Along with an outstanding performance on the court, Cordova’s student-athletes in volleyball and golf also excelled in the classroom as she had a 97.4 percent graduation rate. During her career at Otero, Cordova had 13 Academic All-Americans, 52 Academic All-Region selections and the team was ranked as high as 12th nationally in team grade-point average. Colleen Dixon has been named Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach for Tiffin University. She takes over from departing coach Mark Schreiber. Dixon served as a coach with Gannon University’s nationallyranked women’s lacrosse program after completing a stellar career on the field for the Golden Knights. Dixon was a two-time All-American at midfield, helping to lead Gannon to national rankings in each of her four seasons. She is among Gannon’s all-time leading scorers and hopes to bring the same success to the Lady Dragons as TU begins its second season of women’s lacrosse. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Gannon University. Scott Hall has been named Head Women’s Golf Coach for Tiffin University. He takes over from departing coach Ryan Sams. Hall has previously served as Head Golf Coach at Fostoria High School from 1994-98. Hall managed all aspects of the Redmen golf program and plans on utilizing his experience for the Lady Dragons golfers. He is a graduate of Miami University (OH) with a degree in Education and also holds a Master’s degree from the University of Toledo. He has also served as a Fulbright Scholar to the Netherlands in 1990 and on the Red Cross Board of Directors from 19952001.
www.tiffin.edu | 53
ONWARD TO THE DAWN A History of TifďŹ n University By Michael Anthony Grandillo
Published by Reedy Press. Please visit our website at www.reedypress.com.
This comprehensive, heavily illustrated, keepsake history book tells the story of Tiffin University’s first 50 years. Discover the university’s role in higher education in Ohio how the school evolved from a business college to a major university.
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CHALLENGE | Spring / Summer 2010
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and Earn Income Help TU Students 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 Michael A. Grandillo, Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at 419.448.3282 or email mgrandil@ tiffin.edu. A Tiffin University Charitable Gift Annuity can: ■ Increase your spendable income ■ Provide joint and survivor annuities and deferred gift annuities ■ Ease capital gain taxes
www.tiffin.edu | 55
TIFFIN
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