TODAY - Winter 2010

winter 2010, vol. 9 no. 3

university of central missouri

Her Practically Perfect Career Magic Kingdom Job is Dream Come True for UCM Alumna

COVER STORY Her Practically Perfect Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Whether Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, the Seven Dwarfs, the Little Mermaid or hundreds of others, Disney characters are unmatched for their lasting influence. For Marie Nelson Masakayan, a 1989 Central Missouri alumna, it began with Mary Poppins, but in her job now as vice president of global creative operations for the Walt Disney Company, it encompasses much more.

FEATURES A gold for Today Online! Our winter and spring 2009 issues received the highest award possible in the 2010 competition sponsored by District VI of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. It won over submissions by Iowa State and the University of Kansas. Read this issue at www.ucmo.edu/today.

Published by the offices of University Relations and Alumni Relations and Development. Send comments and feedback to today@ucmo.edu or call 660-543-4640.

Editor Designer Photographer Class Notes

Call It the Denker Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Central Yesterday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Eateries, New and Old, Reawaken Memories Bomb Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 From the Oklahoma City Bombing to the Desert of Afghanistan First-Time Donors Tell the Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 UCM Foundation 2009 Annual Report SECTIONS Campus Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Philanthropy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Dalene Abner ’09 Kathleen Robertson Bryan Tebbenkamp ’03 Tina (Tock) Bell fs ’85-’87

Today (USPS 019-888) is published quarterly by the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Printed by The Lane Press, Inc., 87 Meadowland Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403. Periodicals postage paid at Warrensburg, MO, and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Today, Smiser Alumni Center, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093.

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A Word

From the President

Many Degrees of Success

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One of my proudest moments as a university president comes at the end of the fall and spring semesters when I have the opportunity to give the commencement addresses in celebration of our new graduates’ success. It’s a wonderful feeling to look across the Multipurpose Building and see the joy on the faces of our graduates, as well as their parents and friends who supported them in their journey to earn degrees from the University of Central Missouri.

We know that each of our graduates has been given a great gift — the opportunity to attend a wonderful university that provides a world-class higher education.

They will forever reap the benefits of an educational environment that helped them develop habits of mind and character.

As you peruse this issue of Today, you will see examples of what a UCM education has meant for some of our past graduates — examples of how the demanding work that led to their college degrees helped prepare them for some highly successful professional careers. You’ll also see examples of faculty and staff who contribute to making UCM an exceptional place to learn.

One of our alumni featured in this issue is Marie Nelson Masakayan.

Find out what led this 1989 alumna to the Magic Kingdom, where she serves as vice president for global creative operations for Disney Consumer Products. Learn about Kerry Myers, a 1978 alumnus who led an FBI team in uncovering evidence to convict the person responsible for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Find out how former wrestling coach Roger Denker influenced the lives of UCM graduates who became successful coaches. You’ll read about three graduates and a current student who feel so strongly about the value of their education that they became first-time donors to UCM. We are proud of our students and alumni, and the many faculty and staff who have contributed to making UCM an outstanding place to pursue a university education. We look forward to sharing their stories through this issue.

Aaron Podolefsky, Ph.D. President, University of Central Missouri

22 University of Central Missouri · Today

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“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney SEARCH STARTS FOR NEW PRESIDENT Central Missouri’s Board of Governors has started a national search for the university’s 15th president after voting last fall not to extend Aaron Podolefsky’s contract, which expires June 30.

The board has engaged Ken Hutchinson, president of Hutchinson Consulting LLC, Columbia, to conduct the search. He has served 42 years in higher education administration in Missouri and maintains a relationship with the leading national search firm, Jerry H. Baker and Associates, which brings additional expertise and resources to the search.

Richard Phillips, board president, notes the search process will be highly collaborative and involve input from all major stakeholders.

Such efforts include the appointment of a presidential search advisory committee with representation from students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as the Warrensburg and Kansas City communities. For the latest on the search, visit www.ucmo.edu/presidentsearch.

GRANT AIDS UCM HEALTH PROGRAMS A $1.2 million grant for three UCM programs — nursing, medical technology and communication disorders — will provide the state with more trained health care professionals. That is the goal of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, when he announced that $40 million in federal economic stimulus money will fund the Caring for Missourians initiative.

“Caring for Missourians invests heavily in our state’s workforce while also solving a pressing need for more health care professionals,” Nixon said. “As this program puts more workers in the medical field, it will help keep Missourians healthy while making our economy healthier, too.” Grants were awarded to higher education institutions throughout the state.

CHANGE OF GUARD FOR MULES FOOTBALL Jim Svoboda was named head coach of Mules football in January, following the announcement by Willie Fritz that he was leaving for Sam Houston State University. Svoboda has experienced success at every level, winning national championships at the Division II and NAIA level as an assistant coach, as well as bowl game and playoff appearances at the FCS and FBS Division I levels. He comes to UCM after three years as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach at Division I-FCS member Montana State. Read more at www.ucmo.edu/athletics.

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WESTERHOLD RECEIVES OLDER WORKER AWARD At 80 years old, Ernestine Westerhold is nearly 25 years into her second career as a library assistant at the UCM James C. Kirkpatrick Library. She recently received the 2009 Experience Works Region IV Outstanding Older Worker Award for Missouri.

Westerhold’s career with UCM began in 1985, after she retired from 26 years as a public school teacher in several schools in Johnson County, MO. Her job has changed dramatically in these two decades, notes Mollie Dinwiddie, dean of library services. Instead of film and print, there are CDs and computer storage. Electronic databases have replaced the card catalog.

Westerhold’s willingness to keep up with new technology, along with her work ethic and sense of humor in the face of past serious illnesses, made her the ideal employee, says Dinwiddie. “Anyone would have a hard time keeping up with her.”

Keeping Up with Mules & Jennies Put fall 2009 into the UCM record books for more Mules’ and Jennies’ achievements. Consider these three highlights: The golf team’s 5-for-5 sweep of fall tournaments was more than any other team in the nation in any NCAA division. It gained them the highest ranking in school history by Golfstat at No. 2 in Division II. The team’s starting five, all Missouri natives, and their coaches were Ty Needles, assistant coach; Zach VanDolah, Kansas City; Jared King, Lawson; Matt Miller, Eldon; Ryne Kloeppel, Kansas City; Justin Yoder, Versailles; and Tim Poe, head coach.

Then there’s the volleyball team. Its MIAA title was the first since 2000. Its 32 wins were the most since 1996. Plus in his first year as head coach, Flip Piontek was unanimously chosen Coach of the Year.

One more fact: in December the Mules’ basketball team was ranked No. 1 in the nation for all of NCAA Division II for the first time in a season since Feb. 20, 1980.

GRANT FUNDS ELECTRIC VEHICLE STUDY Central Missouri’s automotive technology management program and the Missouri Safety Center are receiving a $650,000 grant as part of a group of in-state educational partners sharing a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. On a larger scale, the project is part of a $2.4 billion federal effort to accelerate the manufacture and deployment of electric vehicles, batteries and components across the United States.

Under the grant agreement, Missouri University of Science and Technology will focus on development of courses to train advanced electric drive vehicle engineers; the Missouri Science Center in St. Louis will address public outreach; and UCM and Linn State will develop courses for operators, technicians and product support managers.

Associate Professor Scott Wilson and Assistant Professor Terry Nicoletti plan to create an undergraduate AEV certificate program plus education materials for technicians and trainers. “In the next five to 10 years, 50 to 60 percent of passenger vehicles will have some sort of electric motor,” Nicoletti says, adding that they plan to work with manufacturers to develop course content.

Wilson and Nicoletti expect high school instructors, community college instructors, industry trainers and others to be able to complete the certificate requirements, then assist in teaching AEV courses at their respective companies and institutions.

BALSAM PRESENTED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Nina Balsam, a strong supporter of UCM’s criminal justice department and a major catalyst of the restorative justice movement, received the university’s Distinguished Service Award during the fall 2009 undergraduate commencement ceremonies.

Working to assist crime victims and their families, Balsam has helped Missouri become a leader in the restorative justice movement. As director of restorative justice for the Center for Women in Transition in St. Louis from 2004-2009, she implemented the Missouri Restorative Justice Initiative and developed the statewide Missouri Restorative Justice Coalition.

She engaged UCM’s criminal justice faculty to serve as research consultants with the coalition, leading to publications and professional group presentations for them. Balsam’s efforts also stimulated graduate students to initiate thesis projects on topics such as juvenile justice and school bullying programs.

ADVANCED AVIATION TRAINER UNVEILED Central Missouri aviation students now have the experience that professional pilots receive when they step into the cockpit of a Boeing 737-800 airline cabin class aircraft, complete with controls, instruments, and complex jet systems of a multi-engine aircraft.

The only exception is that most of today’s jetliners don’t have the advanced technology systems that are part of the aviation department’s new Boeing 737NG Advanced Aviation Training Device, unveiled this past fall semester.

“It’s a next generation cockpit that will allow us to teach students how to use a flight management system, which is the computer system that flies the airplane,” says William Rankin, department chair.

“It provides us with advanced technological training opportunities that we have not had before and are not available at a lot of other institutions that have aviation programs.”

The trainer can be used to meet some Federal Aviation Administration requirements for individuals who want to become qualified to fly aircrafts with the B737NG configuration, including logged flight experience, instrument experience, instrument proficiency, and a maximum of 20 hours toward an instrument rating.

It can also be used to garner a maximum number of hours toward private pilot, commercial and airline transport pilot certificates.

University of Central Missouri · Today

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Her Practically Perfect Career Magic Kingdom Job is Dream Come True for UCM Alumna

By Heather Hickerson

E

veryone has unforgettable childhood memories of their favorite Disney character. For Marie Nelson Masakayan, it was Mary Poppins.

“I remember seeing the movie in the theater with my parents and that following Christmas, I got a Mary Poppins’ umbrella and raincoat. I liked her because she had that cool bag with all the neat things that she pulled out of it for the kids.”

Whether Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, the Seven Dwarfs, the Little Mermaid or hundreds of others, Disney characters are unmatched for their lasting influence. For Masakayan, a 1989 Central Missouri alumna, it began with Mary Poppins, but in her job now as vice president of global creative operations for the Walt Disney Company, it encompasses much more.

Explaining her position within the company, she says, “I oversee creative operations for the global creative team in consumer products as well as our Culture of Innovation.

We are responsible for creating artwork, branding, packaging and design portfolios for our licensees to develop products for our franchises.” Simply put, every time people buy an item with a Disney tag, whether from the Disney store or a major U.S. retailer, Masakayan’s team helped develop it.

She works for Disney Consumer Products, a division of the company that covers films, cable channels, books, home products, fashions, food, health and beauty products, toys and stationery. (continued on page 6)

For Marie Nelson Masakayan, a 1989 UCM alumna, it began with Mary Poppins, but now in her job as vice president of global creative operations for the Walt Disney Company, it encompasses much more.

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University of Central Missouri 路 Today

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(continued from page 5) This includes everything from Hannah Montana backpacks and Jonas Brothers t-shirts to Buzz Lightyear bedding and Cinderella slippers.

For this midwestern woman, her Magic Kingdom job is a dream come true, stemming from her days as a student at UCM. Choosing Central Missouri was an easy decision for the Hickman Mills Senior High School graduate because she liked its comfortable, relaxed feeling. She joined the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, which she credits to shaping her college experience. She says that being part of Greek life and living in Panhellenic Hall with the other sororities created a sense of community and support.

When she realized how much she enjoyed setting up social events for the sorority with the fraternities, she switched her major to graphic arts technology management. “I have always gravitated to the creative process, and when I first attended UCM, I was a marketing major. Midway through school, I took photography and screen printing classes and was suddenly drawn to graphic arts,� she says.

Finding an internship to complete her studies was tougher than she thought. Having no luck after meeting with printers in Kansas City, she packed her bags and headed west to California to live with her aunt. She found a job at a printing company and gained experience with layout minus a computer.

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When she graduated from UCM and again had no luck finding employment with area printing companies, she returned to California where she got her old job back. The company had been bought by Applied Graphics, which produces movie posters, records, CDs and other entertainment-related prints. She was working in customer service when a sales executive took her under his wing. In a twist of fate, the Disney Company called Applied Graphics to do some printing, and she was assigned to their account.

It was her break into the corporate Disney world.

Masakayan started at Disney as a manager buying print materials for their creative portfolios in the consumer products division, coordinating $2 million in printing projects.

When the industry shifted to desktop computers, she helped to bring print production in-house to reduce costs. She was promoted to senior manager over production, electronic studio and traffic. Next, she worked with the company to create a job family for project management, now known as creative operations, and was named its director. When the company decided to centralize its creative development department, she was promoted to vice president.

“It’s a very interesting career because I’ve been exposed to so many different things,” she says. “There are constant changes, but if you can go with the flow instead of strictly thinking A+B=C, then you’ll be successful.”

Masakayan knows a thing or two about success. Since she started working there, Disney Consumer Products has grown from a $10 billion company with 100 employees in 1994 to a $30 billion company with 1,000 employees in 2008.

Success often comes at a price. For Masakayan, it’s a difficult work-life balance. Being promoted to vice president at age 37, she constantly strives for a positive balance. “I think that [balance] comes with professional maturity, and we all know you only get that through life and work experiences,” she says.

To de-stress from hours of meetings and hundreds of emails each day, Masakayan walks her dog while her two sons (Jake, 13,

and Michael, 10) ride their bikes and enjoy the California sun.

One of the perks of being employed by Disney is the benefit of working with the best artists in the world. But creativity is a fickle thing, so Masakayan has adopted an uncommon approach to motivating her staff and stimulating fresh ideas. She developed the Culture of Innovation in 2005 to give employees a positive, creative environment that inspires the product development process.

“Once a quarter we have an artist enhancement trip, where we take everyone to a place that is fresh; where something relevant is happening,” she says.

“Last year we went to San Francisco because it’s at the forefront of the green movement.

We actually went to a dump and saw them separating the trash from the recyclable materials. We also visited some completely green buildings and museums.

Our goal is to inspire and invigorate them, and hopefully something creative will come from the experience.”

So how do Disney products make it from the drawing tables to the store shelves? When Disney is working on a movie — such as the upcoming Toy Story 3 — Masakayan’s creative team meets with filmmakers, directors and producers to brainstorm.

“We get a copy of the script and see the sketches, then we sit down and brainstorm to get a feel for the movie,” she says. “As the movie progresses, we get back with the directors and producers to see that we are all on the same page.”

On a movie project, 50 to 100 people may work on the development process during the 18 months it typically takes for products to make it from filmmakers to creative to licensing, then back to creative to production and finally to the stores. As an added benefit to working on the movie, all the creative employees get to see the film before it’s released.

Simply put, every time people buy an item with a Disney tag, whether from the Disney store or a major U.S. retailer, Masakayan’s team helped develop it.

(continued on page 8)

University of Central Missouri · Today

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(continued from page 7) In the fall, Masakayan reached out to creative art schools in the Midwest to get interns for the design and creative teams at the company. She was surprised to learn that colleges now offer career counseling to help students prepare résumes and find internships and jobs.

“When I graduated, I really felt like I was on my own,” she says. “What I’ve fallen into now at Disney is my dream job. But I wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone that when I graduated from college.”

That’s why she has decided to open the opportunity for a UCM student to participate in a six-month, paid internship in project management at Disney Consumer Products in California. “I think there are people like me who are interested in creative work but who don’t want to go completely down that path. I wish I had had some type of internship or experience when I got out of college that I’ve had at Disney. That’s why I’m working with UCM to start a project management internship for a student,” she says.

The internship is expected to begin this summer and will be awarded to a graduate, so as not to disrupt the student’s graduation track. She says that designers at Disney have internships open year-round, but this will be the first internship for project management.

Looking back on her time since graduating from UCM, Masakayan now has the personal and professional experiences to appreciate all the ups and downs of life with laughter.

“I was just in Kansas City for business meetings with Hallmark, and I met some of my college buddies for dinner,” Masakayan says. “I hadn’t seen many of them for at least 15 years, and we laughed so hard at all the great stories. I was at UCM at such a turning point in my life, getting an education, meeting some of my lifelong friends and enjoying my independence; it was such an amazing experience. I reference those years as some of the best years of my life.”

Photos by Ryan Astamendi, courtesy of Disney

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winter 2010

Flying from Three Missouri Cities Our Master of Science in Aviation Safety, a program of growing national importance, is available in three Missouri cities: St. Louis, Springfield and Lee’s Summit. Working adults can start the program any semester and complete it within two years on a part-time basis, gaining a professional capstone for any background in aviation. Graduates are employed by Beechcraft, Cessna, Boeing, Lockheed, United Airlines and many government agencies and companies.

UCM’s School of Graduate and Extended Studies offers a variety of degrees and classes for both personal and professional development. Programs are available online as well as through the UCM Summit Center in Lee’s Summit and at distance learning sites throughout Missouri.

John Horine, one of UCM’s most respected aviation professors, is graduate adviser of the aviation safety master’s degree program.

School of Graduate and Extended Studies In Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit, MO Tollfree: 877-729-8266, ext. 24 extcampus@ucmo.edu www.ucmo.edu/aviationsafety

By Matt Bird-Meyer

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oger Denker never wrestled in high school or college. He simply knew how to lead and inspire people, find the best assistants to demonstrate moves and bring to the University of Central Missouri the right athletes to form solid collegiate squads. Many of these athletes still cherish Denker as a mentor, motivator, father figure, role model and lifelong friend.

“In the last decade, a large majority of all state wrestling titles have been won by products from Coach Denker. He’s recognized as the grandfather of modern Missouri wrestling,” says Gary Mayabb, head wrestling coach at Staley High School in Kansas City.

Denker was Central Missouri’s head wrestling coach for 17 seasons, from 1963 to 1981, claiming seven MIAA titles in that time. In fact, Denker had all but one of the MIAA crowns for the Mules before UCM stopped competing in the conference after 1986. He was inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and into the Missouri Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame two years later. This year marks the 17th season for the tournament named in his honor, the Roger Denker Open at UCM. Denker, now 76 and enjoying retirement with his wife, Connie, in Hot Springs Village, AR, still attends sports banquets for the kids of his former wrestlers. He sends notes if he can’t make a birthday party, and his protégés frequently call him for advice or just to keep in touch. And his protégés are doing astoundingly well. (continued on page 12)

“In the last decade, a large majority of all state wrestling titles have been won by products from Coach Denker. He’s recognized as the grandfather of modern Missouri wrestling.”

(continued from page 11) Denker can list the names of at least 50 of his former athletes and students who went on to make careers as wrestling coaches and officials. Thirteen of them are coaching in Missouri high schools, including Brett Barbarick at Raymore-Peculiar; Bill Biggerstaff, Lee’s Summit North; Phil Dorman, Platte County; Bill Erneste, Park Hill; Ron Franklin, Pleasant Hill; Tony Griffith, Parkway South; Mike Hammer, Liberty; Roger Offield, Odessa; Ray Stockdale, Knob Noster; Joe Greim, Excelsior Springs; and Scott Vitek, Smithville.

“I know I probably missed a dozen or so,” Denker says during a telephone interview.

“There’s a whole bunch in the Kansas City area, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Arizona… It’s really kind of interesting.”

Mayabb is one of Denker’s wrestlers who achieved extraordinary success as competitors, coaches and officials. Two others are Mike Hagerty and Jimmy May. “They are three of the finest coaching examples,” Denker says. “I can’t say enough good words about all of them. They are three of the most unique people in the world.”

Gary Mayabb The Staley High School coach hustles along the pristine halls, first gathering equipment, then dressing for practice. Meanwhile, some 18 boys warm up in the mezzanine-level wrestling room. It was the fourth day of practice, and Mayabb looked over his small squad, noting that he should have 54 wrestlers. Many were absent, pushing through football post-season.

A four-time Olympic Trials finals qualifier, U.S. Open finalist and fourtime USA Wrestling All-American, Mayabb joined Staley when it opened in 2008.He had taught and coached since 1987 at Oak Park High School.

Mayabb can name 48 of his former athletes who became coaches in his 25-year coaching and teaching career. Seven of his protégés assist him at Staley, five working as volunteers. Another volunteer coach is Mike Fallein, who Mayabb got to know when he started wrestling in junior high. Fallein went on to coach Mayabb on the Missouri national team in 1975-76.

Mayabb first came to UCM in 1978 and recalls how nervous he was approaching Denker for the first time in his office. Mayabb was small at 105 pounds, and Denker didn’t mince words, telling Mayabb he might never wear a Mules’ singlet.

“But I promise you, you’ll be a better person,” says Mayabb, recalling Denker’s words. “That is a promise I make to my guys. Real, true success comes down to what we do in the end.”

Mayabb did wear that singlet, leading to a wrestling career that ended with the 1992 Olympic trials when he was 31. He also has officiated Big 10, Division I and II matches and the NCAA national tournament. He coached Team USA at the Senior World University Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece.

He recently had both hips replaced and didn’t get selected for Division I but hopes to get back in 2010. Mayabb said that shouldn’t be a problem as he’s in the top 25 nationally, and Hagerty is in the top five. The two have shared officiating duties, most notably the dual between Iowa State and the University of Iowa, which last year drew a record-setting attendance of 16,000.

“For two small-town Missouri kids, that’s a pretty neat thing,” Mayabb says. “That’s a dream come true.”

“The bottom line is he mentored people. He made coaches.”

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Back in college, Mayabb said Denker would pull certain wrestlers out of practice and send them to nearby schools to put on clinics and teach moves. So, they basically started coaching and officiating before they left college.

“The bottom line is he mentored people,” Mayabb says. “He made coaches.” And they all keep in close contact. In fact, Jimmy May comes to Staley to demonstrate moves.

“We’re more than fortunate,” Mayabb adds. “This whole thing is about that. It is about building these relationships.”

Jimmy May Sweat already shows through his shirt as May prepares for practice at Baker University in Baldwin, KS. More wrestlers arrive and stretch out on the mats. May stops a wrestler to offer encouragement from the previous night’s scrimmage.

“You looked good last night,” the coach says. “Now we just need to put some beef on you.”

Practice starts, and May jogs the mats with his wrestlers, chatting with a few of them at the same time. He then starts the drills and partners with one of his heavyweights for an intense session of one-leg takedowns.

“Work on moving those feet!” he hollers at his squad.

May, a 1977 UCM graduate, was hired this past summer to head Baker’s first wrestling program in the school’s 150-year history. Denker did what he could to ensure May landed the job when he called one of his former graduate assistants, Dan Harris, who, as it happened, was Baker’s athletic director.

“He said interview Jimmy May. Hire him. I’ll talk to you later,” Harris recalls with a laugh. “I just love Roger Denker. He’s an awesome guy. He’s the reason I hired Jimmy May.” Harris has since retired from the athletic director post.

May said he was ecstatic after receiving word of his new position at Baker.

“My dream was to be a head college coach, and I feel real grateful that I had this opportunity.”

Starting the program at Baker highlights an already illustrious competitive and coaching career for May, who was recently inducted into the Nevada chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He earned two junior college conference and regional championships before arriving at UCM where he was team captain and MVP. Then, he won two MIAA championships.

May was young, married and had a child when he came to UCM. He came from a broken family, was raised by his grandmother and found a vital mentor and role model in Denker.

“I owe him and UCM a lot for where I am,” May says. “Meeting Denker was a blessing for me. I got to see what family values were about.”

After Central Missouri, May returned to Las Vegas to coach and teach high school for the next 32 years. He became known for his “Dynasty in the Desert,” which refers to his 12 state championships in 20 years at Eldorado High School. While there, he coached 63 individual state champions and 19 All-Americans. The wrestling facility was named in his honor.

“Meeting Denker was a blessing for me. I got to see what family values were about.”

(continued on page 14)

University of Central Missouri · Today

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(continued from page 13)

Mike Hagerty Hagerty credits May for teaching him many of the technical wrestling skills while he was on Central Missouri’s squad; he credits Denker for getting him there.

“Coach Denker was a great inspiration to my life,” he says. After graduating from Higginsville High School in 1975, Hagerty contacted Denker. They met to talk about him attending school here over a round of golf. After playing, it was time to talk business, and Denker produced a scholarship form. Hagerty says he told Denker that maybe he should talk to his father first.

Denker raised an eyebrow.

“He said if you choose not to come here, you can pay the green fees,” Hagerty says, recalling that he hadn’t brought any money.

Hagerty signed, leading to a career as a highly successful coach and nationally renowned official. He followed in Denker’s footsteps and coached the Mules from 1983 to 1990.

Hagerty worked for the USA Wrestling program in Colorado Springs, CO, until 1993 when he became head coach at Blue Springs High School. He was Missouri District 7 High School Coach of the Year numerous times, was inducted into the Missouri Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1993, coached back-toback undefeated teams and consistently finishes well at state.

Nationally, Hagerty was head coach of the USA Wrestling University World Team, coached at Olympic Training Camps and coached international teams.

He’s officiated at the NCAA Division I championships every year since 2003.

Like Mayabb, Hagerty uses his summer club, MO-West, as a building block for his high school program. He also spends part of his summer at wrestling camps, such as the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He has taken his high school wrestlers, including his son, Keenan, who was state champ last year at 125 pounds, to train at the Olympic Training Center.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Hagerty says. “I’m just so used to doing it, I don’t know what I’d be doing if I wasn’t doing it.”

It’s all about supporting the sport any way you can, something Denker drilled into his athletes.

“Those words resonate every day in my mind,” Hagerty says. “Coach Denker was big about giving back. He never defined the roles, but those who wrestled for him knew what giving back meant.”

“Coach Denker was big about giving back. He never defined the roles, but those who wrestled for him knew what giving back meant.”

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Central Yesterday

By Mike Greife

Eateries, New and Old, Reawaken Memories When the Chick-fil-A® cow arrived on campus this fall, followed by the two Einstein Brothers®, it was official; the University of Central Missouri had entered a new era of food choices.

Chick-fil-A Express® joined Pizza Hut® Express, Burger King®, Garden Bistro™, Sub City™, and Taco Bell® in the Elliott Union Central Courte.

Next, a $3-million renovation by university food service provider Sodexo transformed Todd Dining Hall into their fifth nationwide, multi-restaurant venture, featuring the Flying Star Diner, Panino’s Deli, Wild Mushroom, Bella Trattoria and Magellan’s.

Then, Kirkpatrick Library entered UCM food history by opening an Einstein Bagels, becoming part of the largest bagel retail company in the U.S. Some of the most prominent food franchises in the nation, these campus eateries continue a tradition that began generations ago.

Before such commercial food became popular on campus, the Warrensburg business community served students’ appetites. Local restaurants such as Hart’s Café, Lamb’s Café, Wilson’s Café, Tip Top Café, Peterson’s Drive In, Conner’s Café

and the Corner Café catered to hungry students, often late at night.

Perhaps the most famous, and most often remembered, restaurant was Riggle’s, located directly across from the campus on Maguire Street in the area once known as Buentetown. Later known as the Campus Inn, it served students for more than 30 years while others came and went along the same block of businesses.

Although Buentetown, known to a later generation of students as the College Plaza, is gone, one building still stands.

The old Buente grocery store, which for many years also was Ike Martin’s music store, now houses Planet Sub. One of the first franchised restaurants to arrive in Warrensburg was the Dog ’n Suds Drive In east of Maguire Street on Business Highway 50. A Pizza Hut® later was built at the same location, it now is the site of Walgreens. Sonic® appeared in Warrensburg in the 1960s, only to disappear for a decade or so during the 1980s. It reappeared in the same location, where it remains today, serving another generation of UCM students.

Before long, the Warrensburg business community grew to accommodate more of these restaurants. Commonly known

as “drive-ins” because of the convenience of ordering from the car, they eventually became known as “fast food” restaurants because of the speed of service. Many of these franchise operations, such as Ku Ku and Mister S, are part of the local lore.

Others, like McDonald’s®, Burger King® and Wendy’s® still compete with local establishments.

Pizza always has been popular, beginning with the Village Inn Pizza Parlor on South Maguire. Its location across from what once was the Campus Movie Theaters made it a popular place. Its location close to campus also made it popular for a variety of restaurants over the years.

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15

Bomb Expert

From the Oklahoma City Bombing to the Desert of Afghanistan

By Jeff Murphy

A

serene weekday morning in downtown Oklahoma City turned into a time of shock and loss for the city’s residents April 19, 1995, when an explosion ripped off the north face of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. It was considered the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil up to that time.

One hundred sixty-eight people perished, including 19 children at a daycare center, when a rented van carrying 5,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate fertilizer was detonated at a parking space near the front of the building. The persistent “no stones unturned” investigation that ensued led federal agents to Timothy McVeigh. He was convicted two years later on murder and conspiracy charges partly due to key evidence uncovered by a team commanded by a University of Central Missouri graduate.

When he got the call to assist with the case, Kerry Myers was a long way from his high school stomping grounds in Independence and the dusty gravel road leading to the family farm in Centerview. He had joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1990 and was working as a special agent in the Tampa, FL, office, having been certified as a bomb technician and hazardous materials operator two years before.

“I had a technical expertise in bombing matters, so they sent me to Oklahoma City, where I was in charge of about 100 people at the crime scene,” he says.

For approximately five weeks, the team that included members of the FBI, Army and Air Force National Guard sifted through 3,500 tons of dust and rubble searching for clues. As they sorted through the debris, the crew uncovered a truck axle and serial number that provided an important break in the case.

“With the serial number we were able to trace that rear axle to a brand new Ford truck, which Ford Motor Company said was sold to Ryder Rental Company in Miami, FL. The rental company traced it to their store in Johnson City, KS,” Myers recalls. He adds the signed rental agreement led them to McVeigh.

“Because of the importance of that evidence, they had to get it into the trial,” Myers says. “I testified against Tim McVeigh, who was convicted and got the death penalty.”

As a bomb expert and government witness, he also testified against co-defendant Terry Nichols, who also was sentenced to life in prison on murder charges for helping McVeigh to plan and execute the bombing.

Long after his role in the Oklahoma City bombing, Myers continues to serve the FBI in Tampa as a technical squad supervisor, a job he’s held since 2008. Reflections on his 19-year career with the organization not only rekindle memories of other high-profile cases and his world travels with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force but also the path that brought him to worldwide levels of crime scene investigation. (continued on page 18)

Kerry Myers and members of a U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal unit prepare to destroy a cache of explosives that troops recovered from insurgents.

University of Central Missouri · Today

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(continued from page 19)

(continued from page 17) Kerry Myers recreates a terrorist suicide bomb using a bus loaded with 60 pounds of high exposives that is detonated and recorded by high-speed, high-resolution film.

18

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After moving to a farm at age 17, Myers enrolled at UCM, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He spent his summers as a welder on the assembly line at the General Motors’ Leeds Plant in Kansas City, except for his senior year, when he worked in accounting in the freight department. When he graduated summa cum laude in accounting in 1978, his interest in crunching numbers had lost its appeal, so he entered law school at the University of MissouriKansas City. He earned his law degree in 1981.

“When I graduated from law school, and after passing the bar exam, I went to work as an attorney with the chief federal judge for the Western District of Missouri, and I got to work on a school desegregation plan for the Kansas City School District,” he says. “It was a very good job. I learned a lot and got to see a lot of federal criminal trials.”

The clerkship with the Hon. Judge Russell Clark later took him to the federal courthouse in Springfield after the judge transferred his office from Kansas City. When Myers’ two-year appointment ended, he briefly became a federal prosecutor, followed by private legal practice.

“I practiced for seven years in a law firm.

I made good money — don’t get me wrong. It was financially rewarding, but after years of representing insurance companies and handling car accidents and whiplashes…there wasn’t a lot of personal satisfaction in what I was doing,” he says.

While in law school, Myers pondered the idea of an FBI career, but it wasn’t until age 34, only months before the bureau’s cutoff age for new agent trainees, that he decided to apply. A credit to his UCM education, he not only was accepted after going through a tough examination process, including a lot of accounting-related questions, but he also graduated at the top of his class at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. The 1990 graduate also was second in his class in firearms.

“I started out working mostly in violent crime for the FBI — bank robberies, extortions, hunting fugitives — that sort of thing, but I always had a technical background. I had worked as a welder at an assembly line with General Motors and before that I worked as an auto mechanic,” he says.

A technical aptitude was exactly what the FBI was looking for in 1993 when it selected Myers for

special training at the U.S. Army Hazardous Device School at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. More than just excelling as a bomb and explosives expert, he also became a trainer, eventually traveling throughout the U.S. to instruct others in the field.

Because of the timing of his training, Myers was selected to help at Oklahoma City and be an active participant in other major criminal investigations, such as the Centennial Park bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA, and the TWA Flight 800 disaster that same year. After more training, he became an international terrorism expert. He was assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and traveled throughout the world doing investigations for the bureau.

“I spent 2006 in Afghanistan supporting the U.S. military in Operation Enduring Freedom as an FBI bombing expert embedded with the Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell,” he says. “During this assignment, I would regularly travel with the military to the scene of IED strikes to conduct forensic post-blast investigations.”

CEXC is a group that includes representatives of all four branches of the U.S. military, members of other federal agencies and representatives of the Australian, British and Canadian military. In recent years, the FBI got involved because of its strength in forensic science and the ability to do detailed analysis, including searching for DNA. Myers’ role included providing analysis and conclusions at the scene of a bombing that could be used by the military and others to develop appropriate countermeasures to the IEDs and help identify insurgent bombmakers.

As he continues sharing insight into his FBI work overseas and travels to places such as Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Japan and Thailand, Myers discloses some of the job’s potential hazards. The longtime bombing expert nearly became a victim while investigating a case in Afghanistan related to a Taliban insurgent who drove a suicide vehicle into an armored convoy that killed several citizens.

“The military set up security around the crime scene. As I was working the scene, a second suicide bomber ran a military check point,” he recalls.

“Soldiers opened fire on him and hit the vehicle, but it didn’t hit him. Once he got inside the perimeter, soldiers couldn’t fire anymore because of the danger that they would shoot us, but we shot and killed

the bomber before he could detonate.”

For his role in stopping the insurgent and protecting the lives of others at the scene, Myers was honored in Washington, D.C., in 2008 as a recipient of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association Annual Award for Bravery.

Today, he continues to work out of Tampa, handling training duties, mentoring young FBI members and arranging security at large-scale events, such as SuperBowl XLIII in 2009.

The father of three college-age boys and husband to a special agent in the Florida State Police seems to have found the “purpose” in life that he sought so many years earlier. Ask him how he feels about his career, and he’s quick to point out, “You know that old saying, ‘The man who loves his job never has to work a day in his life.’”

“Working for the FBI has been, by far, the best job I have ever had in my life and the best career decision I could have made.”

Kerry Myers, second from right, poses with soldiers during Improvised Explosive Device training at Ft. Hood. Says Myers, “The FBI cadre of special agent bomb technicians teaches an IED combat postblast class to U.S troops before their deployment to Afghanistan.”

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Philanthropy

“We started out in this business as builders of buildings. We soon understood that what we had to learn best was how to be builders of people.” — Terrence P. Dunn

JE DUNN CONSTRUCTION SUPPORTS NEW KANSAS CITY EDUCATION INITIATIVE

William H. Dunn Sr., chair emeritus, and Robert P. Dunn, vice president of community affairs

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winter 2010

Demonstrating its commitment to building strong learning opportunities for educators in the metropolitan area, JE Dunn Construction Company has provided a lead gift of $50,000 toward the Kansas City Initiative, a project launched by the University of Central Missouri’s College of Education.

Stressing a need for such an initiative, William H. Dunn Sr., chair emeritus of JE Dunn, says, “We have a long relationship with the University of Central Missouri, and we welcome the opportunity for a partnership benefiting education programs for both Missouri and Kansas.”

Mike Wright, dean, explained the Kansas City Initiative will maximize the college’s strengths, including its emphasis on rigorous and challenging preparation and training of pre-service teachers. It also will provide an opportunity to develop more programs that give educators an opportunity to sharpen their skills in the classroom and to explore leadership and professional development opportunities as administrators. He believes the “initiative holds promise of becoming a unique and valuable network for producing more educated citizens for the state and nation for generations to come.”

The gift will be provided to UCM over a threeyear period. The company’s sponsorship will serve as a model for other corporations to support teacher education and programs for counselors, administrators and other education professionals that benefit Kansas City’s urban and suburban school districts.

“We’re very grateful to JE Dunn Construction Company and its commitment to helping us provide a foundation for quality education programs,” says Wright. “We want to make our degree programs more accessible to more people with a goal to prepare more qualified teachers and to make UCM a university of choice for Kansas Citians who want to enter the education field.”

HOLTHAUS RECEIVES BART BROWN SCHOLARSHIP

KARSON WRIGHT JOHNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Scott Holthaus can tell you what his proudest moment has been as a UCM aviation student. It was the semester that “I worked harder than I ever knew I could and received my instrument rating in three months while getting a 4.0 GPA.” He’s not as sure about what area of aviation he wants as a career, but he knows that receiving the Bart Brown Memorial Scott Holthaus Aviation Scholarship is getting him closer to his goal of becoming a certified flight instructor. The scholarship was established in memory of Brown, who was the chief flight instructor at UCM’s Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport before he died in 2008 from a heart attack.

Holthaus, who is majoring in flight operation and management, plans to have earned his commercial and certified flight instructor rating by the end of his junior year. Finding the resources to finish his flight training, though, has been tough. He’s working 12 hours a week, gets some help from his parents and has four loans.

“College has been full of good and bad experiences,” he says. “I never expected to change my mind so many times about my major and what I wanted to do with my life. I’m still changing my mind as a junior, but at least I know my place is in aviation.”

When Matthew and Brooke Johnson made a gift to the UCM Foundation to create a scholarship, the couple knew they wanted to establish a lasting legacy in memory of their son, Karson, who died at nine months from a true cord knot.

They also knew they wanted to give back to a program at their alma mater that had benefited both of them, wrestling.

Cory Bloodgood The couple started the Karson Wright Johnson Memorial Scholarship to help a member of the Mules’ wrestling team, who had been a national qualifier and had a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

As a Mule wrestler himself, Johnson had been a three-time AllAmerican, four-time national qualifier and four-time Academic All-American. Brooke was a manager for the team. Both graduated in 2001.

The scholarship was awarded for the first time this past fall to Cory Bloodgood, a junior and returning national qualifier who wrestles at 141 pounds. “Cory is one of the hardest workers we’ve had here at UCM,” says Coach Robin Ersland. “He has that national tournament experience and comes to practice every day and works his tail off.”

FIRST FRANCE, NEXT GERMANY FOR PARKS-SOULIS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Shannon Piehl has wanted to speak other languages and study abroad since her older brother studied Russian and her older sister learned French, after which both visited the respective countries.

With her father’s family originally from Germany, she had further reason for her college pursuits.

Piehl’s interest explains why she was awarded the Jayme ParksSoulis Scholarship named in memory of the 2004 graduate who pioneered UCM’s first direct exchange in Angers, France. Piehl spent her semester in Angers this past fall; this spring she plans to be in Bremen, Germany.

“Both my brother and sister were good at languages, so I figured I would be, too. I chose UCM because the amount of scholarships I received made it cheaper for me to attend here than any other university in Iowa or Missouri.”

With a major in French education and a minor in German education, Piehl says her goal is to “teach in a low-income school for at least four years and then continue teaching at any grade level, since I will be certified for all of them.” She also intends to obtain a master’s degree.

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First-Time Donors Tell the Story UCM Foundation 2009 Annual Report

By Dalene Abner

E

veryone can remember firsts in their lives: first day of school, first pet, first car, first date, first presidential vote, first child.

While some of life’s milestones are major, such as taking a first step, others are less momentous, like starting a new job.

For thousands of Central Missouri alumni, fiscal year 2009 was notable for another first. It was significant because during the period from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, they made their first gift to their alma mater.

Central Missouri’s 8,575 donors represent all walks of life, from grandparents to current students. Despite one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history, individuals, corporations and foundations provided more than $2.7 million to the university in support of students, academics, outreach and athletics.

“Some 2,177 individuals became first-time donors to Central Missouri last fiscal year,” says Joe Kremer, executive director of the UCM Foundation. “That kind of loyalty speaks to the mindset of our alumni and friends who believe in this university’s mission and its commitment to providing a quality education.”

Today interviewed four first-time donors: senior history major Matthew Seithel, firstgrade teacher Holly Trotter, third-generation business owner Eric Kolkmeyer and long-time political consultant Tom Wyrsch. While their stories are individual, their reasons for making a gift show common threads — they benefited from their education and now are paying it forward.

“I have had so many amazing experiences here at UCM that I made my donation to the university as a way for me to give back for all it has given me,” Seithel says.

Seithel says his best college experience was becoming a community adviser in University Housing. “I met so many great supervisors who have turned into role models, coworkers who turned into friends, and residents who have turned into mentees and companions. I learned a lot about myself personally and professionally, and I was introduced to a career that fit my personality in the best ways possible.”

When he graduates in May, Seithel plans to teach English as a Second Language abroad for a year, then return to pursue a graduate degree for a career in student affairs. His long-term ambition is to become an academic dean.

One of his activities as a student was serving as an alumni ambassador. “Working with so many alumni and seeing the connections they maintained over the years influenced me to continue building those connections as well. After I was appointed to the Alumni Association

Some 2,177 individuals became first-time donors to UCM last fiscal year. That kind of loyalty speaks to the mindset of our alumni and friends.

(continued on page 24)

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“I have had so many amazing experiences here at UCM that I made my donation as a way for me to give back for all it has given me.” — Matthew Seithel, current UCM student

“Since I was given a leg up to start my career, it is my responsibility to help others succeed.” — Eric Kolkmeyer, 2006 business graduate

“I wanted the money to be slated for scholarships because of the growing need for quality teachers.” — Holly Trotter, 2002 education graduate

“I’m like a lot of graduates who leave school and get into life without thinking about their college experiences until they get older. Last year I had an opportunity to give back.” — Tom Wyrsch, 1977 political science graduate (continued on page 24)

University of Central Missouri · Today

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(continued from page 22) Board of Directors, I saw it as an opportunity to give back to UCM for everything it has given me.”

Seithel has advice for other students and recent graduates. “Although you may not have a lot of money right now, if you make a gift of any size to the university, it will allow you to have another connection to campus. You’ll be able to take pride that your contribution made an impact on UCM.” Eric Kolkmeyer made a gift to UCM simply because he was asked. The 2006 graduate knows the value of scholarships, since they helped him finance his bachelor of science in business management degree. The 700 people who live in his hometown of Wellington, MO, also raise about $15,000 annually to help their high school seniors pay for college.

“I think that since I was given a leg up to start my career, it is my responsibility to help others succeed with life and career goals,” he says. As a UCM student, Kolkmeyer always knew what major he would pursue.

He’s the third generation working in the family business, Wellington Oil and Gas, the largest propane transportation company in northwest Missouri and the Kansas City area.

“I’ve been taught to run the business from my parents and grandparents, only one of whom went to college. UCM helped me see how other business models are set up and successfully operate. I was taught computer, communication and leadership skills as well as the concepts and theories that make a good manager and good business.”

Kolkmeyer, who served eight years in the Army National Guard, is a captain with the Wellington-Napoleon Fire Protection District, the smallest fire department and volunteer ambulance district in Missouri.

He’s responsible for public relations and the junior firefighter program. While his fondest UCM memory is “going to baseball games the year we went to the College World Series,” he most appreciates that the university “taught me how to think about how to create and manage a successful business.”

First-grade teacher Holly Trotter, a 2002 alumna, is another third generation who never questioned her career ambition. “I knew I wanted to teach for as long as I can remember. I went to the same small school where my mother and grandmother were teachers. I played in their classrooms after

TOTAL GIFT ACTIVITY

TOTAL GIFTS

*by fiscal year

*by fiscal year

$3,936,494

2008

$3,185,408

2007 $3,936,494

$3,709,486

2006

$3,915,776

2005 $3,709,486

* audited numbers, July 1 - June 30

winter 2010

*July 1 – June 30

18,000

$2,742,687

2009

24

school so I had more insight about teaching than most kids.”

She adds, “I often think back now and realize what great teachers I had when I was in school. I can remember every one of them and what their classrooms were like as far back as kindergarten. When I think about that, I realize what an impact a teacher can have on a child’s life. I want to be remembered as a great teacher who had a positive impact on the children I taught. I want the children I taught to have the same memories of me that I had of my teachers.”

Trotter, from California, MO, made a gift to support scholarships in the College of Education. “I wanted the money to be slated for scholarships because of the growing need for quality teachers in our schools,” she says.

“College is very expensive and paying back student loans on a teacher’s salary is not easy!”

Trotter says she made her gift in honor of her grandmother, Nell Hart, who taught second grade for 22 years. “She was an amazing teacher, and as a child, I recognized how hard she worked and how much her students adored her. Many of her former

16,000 14,000 2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

15,174

15,832

16,178

16,270

15,720

Symington, Senator Thomas Eagleton, the Democratic National Committee, Congressman Jim Symington and Senator Harry Wiggins. When he graduated in 1977, he continued in politics, running the mobile congressional office of Congressman Richard Bolling.

Wyrsch continued to work on various political campaigns, including a few of his own, until 2006 when he became director of compliance review for Jackson County, MO. He’s responsible for affirmative action compliance for vendors who do business with the county, including projects such as the newly renovated Truman Sports Complex.

When he read about an opening on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, he decided it was time to become more involved with his alma mater.

“I’m like a lot of graduates who leave school and get into life without thinking about their college experiences until they get older. I always followed the Mules and Jennies but didn’t get involved in anything with the school until recently,” he says.

He’s been active in Kansas City, especially the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the

students still call or visit her today. I always knew that someday I wanted to be like her!”

After teaching for several years, Trotter realized even more how much she’s benefited from her UCM degree. “I have a great knowledge base and have always been confident in my abilities as a teacher. In my current school, I often have the opportunity to mentor new teachers. I believe the program at UCM gave me the foundation I needed to become confident and successful,” she adds.

Scholarships also are the area that firsttime donor Tom Wyrsch supported with his gift. As a student at Central Missouri, he majored in political science and minored in criminal justice. He designated his gift for the Guillermo “Bill” Davila Scholarship for Criminal Justice, honoring the professor “who helped make the criminal justice department one of the best in the country” and who died in 2009.

Wyrsch’s life has centered around politics; he put aside his college for a few years to work as a volunteer coordinator for the George McGovern for President Campaign in Kansas City. In the six years he took to finish his degree, he worked for Senator Stuart

American Royal Parade, Lenexa barbeque competition, Martin City St. Patrick’s Parade and the Executive Committee of the State Democratic Party. He’s becoming more involved with the Alumni Association board, elected as its vice president for 2010.

With a 17-year-old daughter preparing for college, he knows how expensive it is going to be. That’s also a reason he made a gift toward scholarships.

“Working in the public sector, I know the salaries are not huge, but I have been lucky to have a job and like what I do,” Wyrsch says.

“Last year I had an opportunity to give back to UCM. I hope to be able to continue to give every year.”

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SOURCE OF REVENUE

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

2009 Fiscal Year

*by fiscal year $809,971

2009

9.3% 50.3%

40.4%

2008

$638,809

2007

$626,356

2006

$536,204 $423,609

2005 Corporations, foundations, other organizations, and estates 9.3% Alumni 40.4%

*July 1 – June 30

Friends, faculty, parents, staff and students 50.3%

University of Central Missouri · Today

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Class Notes 1970-1979 Glen Enloe ’70 has published a fourth book of cowboy poetry, No One Knows Where the Longhorn Goes. He resides in Independence, MO. Ken Lamastus ’70, former mayor of Maumelle, AR, retired two years ago as executive vice president of the Arkansas Medical Society.

He helped to start the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, where he spent 28 years, the last 20 as chief executive officer. He was the go-to man for the state’s physicians and legislators when it came to shaping health care legislation in Arkansas.

He also started the Arkansas Access to Health Care Foundation, designed to help those who have no health insurance and the Arkansas Medical Foundation which helps physicians who have trouble with alcohol and drugs. He and his wife, Quy, reside in Maumelle.

Jerry Hogan ’71 has written 100 publications. His novel, New Columbia, was serialized in three parts in the journal, Aphelion, in October, November and December.

His story, “Kerosene Heat,” has been nominated by Shirley Allard, publisher of Word Catalyst magazine, for the 2010 Pushcart Prize. He resides in Fayetteville, AR. Dennis McGowan ’73 has started a new ministry, Living Room Ministries International, with his daughter, Juli, in Kenya, Africa. The ministry is treating severely malnourished infants as well as continuing an HIV/AIDS education program. They are also building a home to care for the critically ill among the poor. He is the U.S. director of operations.

Check out their website at www. livingroominteranational.org. He and his wife, Donna (Miller) ’72 reside in Redding, CA. Vicki (Kozlen) Swank ’73 has been teaching and living for 10 years in Brazil, China, Romania and now India. She is a kindergarten teacher at the American International School Chennai. She has four adult children, all of whom received degrees from UCM. She also has one grandchild, who is 2 ½ years old. She would love to hear from old classmates.

Tim O’Rourke ’75, ’77 retired his LPC counseling license in 2008.

He is now working on a movie and filmmaking career. Check it out at http://timorourke.webs.com.

He resides with his wife, Laurie, in Placitas, NM. David Baker ’76 published a new volume of poetry, Never-Ending Birds.

He is the chair of creative writing at Denison University and poetry editor of The Kenyon Review. He resides in Granville, OH. Juli (Walter) Weissflog ’76 graduated in December with a master’s in secondary education at the University of Missouri-St Louis.

She resides in St. Charles, MO with her husband, Rick, and two sons, Brett and Paul.

1980-1989 Shan Ayers ’81 is a professor of theatre at Berea College in Berea, KY. He teaches design and technology, theatre history and playwriting courses. His wife, Trish, is a playwright who has had work presented in many states and Japan.

The couple plans to visit Japan for

the fourth time to study traditional Japanese theatre.

Joe Greaves ’82 completed the Redman Iron Man Triathlon in Oklahoma City as part of the Club National Championship. He is a member of the Columbia Multi Sport Club, which placed second in the large club division. He resides in Columbia, MO. Mark Lashley ’83 is the Arkansas regional manager for Selected Funeral and Life Insurance Company of Hot Springs, AR. He resides in Conway, AR. Melvin Amick ’87 has returned from a one-year mobilization with the New York Army National Guard as a UH-60 helicopter pilot. While in Baghdad, Iraq, he performed duties as the 10th Mountain Division aviation liaison officer and flew over 450 combat hours while in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He is also a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and is currently employed by DynCorp International and resides in South America.

1990-1999 Karee White ’90 is the human resource supervisor and a member of the executive staff with Hy-Vee, Inc. She resides in West Des Moines, IA. Carl “Wes” Yates III ’90 has been an associate city counselor for

Former Mules Playing Pro Ball Five former Mules are playing in the European professional basketball league. Michael Hicks, 2004-06, is with the New Yorker Phantoms of Braunschweig, the top league in Germany. He’s the league’s 16th highest scorer and leads the team with 14.4 points per game. Zack Wright, 2006- 07, is in the French top division for LeMans Sarthe Basket after spending his first season in Germany. He is second on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game. Alonzo Brooks, 2005-07, and Wadale Williams, 2005-07, renewed their contracts with the TG 1837 White Wings of Hanau, Germany. De’Andre Byrd, 2007-09, is playing for SVD 49 of Dortmund, Germany.

Alonzo Brooks

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winter 2010

Wadale Williams

Zack Wright

De’Andre Byrd

Michael Hicks

the city of St. Louis, MO, for the last 13 years, practicing municipal law.

He also serves as an adjunct professor at St. Louis University, Webster University and Sanford-Brown College, teaching various law-related courses. He resides in St. Louis, MO, with his wife, Bridget.

Todd Moore ’92 is the vice president of enrollment at Bethel College in North Newton, KS. Victorie Kelley-Hollwell ’93 completed her doctor of education from the University of MissouriColumbia in higher education leadership. She and her husband, Carlos ’94, reside in Lee’s Summit, MO. Kristy (Smith) Kennedy ’93 and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of Nolan Christopher Oct. 21, 2009. He joins brother, Quinn. The family resides in Florissant, MO. Jason VanAusdall ’93 is the public works director for Windsor Heights, IA. Franklin Dobkins ’96 celebrated 25 years of employment at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing Aircraft in St. Louis, MO. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Bridgeton, MO. Scott Miller ’96 and his wife, Dawn (Hodges) ’98, ’00, announce the birth of Sophia Quinn July 8, 2009. She joins sister, Lillian Paige, 4.

The family resides in Normal, IL. David Kaibel ’98 and his wife, Natalie, announce the birth of Noreen Elizabeth July 3, 2008. She joins an older sister. The family resides in Blue Springs, MO. Heather (Cook) ’99 married Chris Coots May 16, 2009. She now has a seven-year old stepdaughter named Jenna. The family resides in Duncanville, TX. 2000-2009 Michael Carr ’00, ’02 is teaching at Cleveland State Community College.

Rachel Fritz ’00 was named student services manager at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in August 2009. She is also on the piano faculty and resides in Glendale, WI.

James Pennell ’00 and his wife, Andrea (Tippett) ’00 announce the birth of Kendra Marie July 28, 2009. She joins sister, Mikayla Grace, 6, and brother, Kyle James, 4. James is a parts coordinator for True Manufacturing in Mexico, MO, and Andrea is employed by Shelter Insurance in Columbia, MO. The family resides in Kingdom City, MO. Tracy (Wrenn) Crowe ’01 and her husband, Michael, announce the birth of Myra Jeanne July 29, 2009.

She joins brother, Jonah. The family resides in Columbia, MO. Miranda Olvera ’01 married Joseph Sooter ’02 Oct. 16, 2009. They reside in Charlotte, NC. Kylee Wachholz ’02 married Tyler Francis Oct. 2, 2009. The couple resides in Fort Worth, TX. Marisa (Johnston) James ’02 and her husband, Steve ’02, announce the birth of Grant William Aug. 20, 2009. He joins sister, Lila. The family resides in Lee’s Summit, MO. Susan (Parks) Kedigh ’02 and her husband, Arian, announce the birth of Charles Edward July 13, 2009.

The family resides in Urich, MO. Sarah (Hymes) Osborne ’02 and her husband, Matt ’04, announce the birth of Aven Leigh July 7, 2009.

The family resides in Lee’s Summit, MO. Angela (Schemmer) ’03 married Miguel Carrasco ’99 July 25, 2009. She works as the academic secretary for the socialorganizational psychology program at the Teachers College at Columbia University. The couple resides in Queens, NY. Hilary (Graff) Cole ’03, ’04 and her husband, Issac ’00, announce the birth of Samuel Truman, Sept. 28, 2009. The family resides in Grain Valley, MO. Homam Bogary ’05 and Rayan Maimani ’07, ’09 have started a gourmet sweet and date business, Tamraty Al Momayazah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hazar Bogary ’06, Homam’s sister, created the design for the branding and logo.

Nicole “N.K.” Gutierrez ’05 played the role of Joanne Jefferson in RENT, a Tony Award and Pulitzer

Offutt Writes of Haunted Yeater Jason Offutt ’87, ’01 has been a newspaper editor, general assignment reporter, photographer, newspaper consultant, bartender, farm hand and the mayor of a small midwestern town. His articles have appeared in Missouri Life, Night Terrors, Kansas City Family, Kansas City Star, Next Phase, Parentguide News and Dragon magazine. He even has a story under contract with Chicken Soup for the Women’s Soul at Midlife.

He’s also an author with two books set to publish in 2010. His book, Haunted Missouri: A Ghostly Guide to Missouri’s Most Spirited Spots has special interest for UCM because of its chapter on Yeater Hall.

Laura J. Yeater was the head of the Latin and Greek department at UCM from 1901-1914 and pushed for women’s housing on campus. By 1940, she had raised enough money to build the university’s first women’s dormitory. The red brick building became Laura J. Yeater Hall. The third floor has been shut down since 2001. Staff members say the floor is closed because of low occupancy and electrical wiring; however, generations of students have claimed it’s haunted.

Offutt writes, “They have whispered about a woman sometimes seen looking out from that window, a window inaccessible by the students who live there… That’s what I was told more than 20 years ago when I was enrolled at the school – and students are still talking about it.”

He notes, “I think Yeater is haunted for two reasons: One, there have been too many similar stories throughout the years of furniture rearranging itself on the third floor and other strange noises to be urban legend, and two, I experienced two things there I can’t explain by terrestrial means.”

Offutt likes to write about the paranormal. It’s also the subject of his book, Darkness Walks: The Shadow People Among Us. He’s also won awards for his humor column. Follow his blog at http://jasonoffutt.blogspot.com/

Of Babysitters and Guerilla Girls During Women’s History Month this March, the UCM women’s studies program will celebrate its 25th anniversary with two special activities: • Guerrilla Girls, March 25, Hendricks Hall • Miriam Forman-Brunell, author of Babysitter: An American History, March 26, Elliott Union Please join our celebration. Learn more at ucmo.edu/womensstudies/activities.

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The Latest in Space Flight Phil Sumrall, a 1961 math and physics alumnus, updated Today about the latest space flight project, the Ares I-X, and its successful first test flight.

Sumrall began his career with NASA helping to build the Saturn V rocket, used by the Apollo program to take the first humans to the moon.

Honored as the 2007 UCM Distinguished Alumnus, he recently emailed us this photo of himself and Steve Cook, the original Ares projects office manager, standing next to LC-39B the evening prior to the scheduled launch.

Sumrall is manager of advanced planning in the Exploration Launch Projects Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center and is leading the development of the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles.

The Ares I-X lifted off Oct. 28 from Kennedy Space Center for a two-minute powered flight. The major goals of the unmanned six-minute flight were to collect engineering data on how the tall, slender rocket flew through the lower atmosphere; how the structure responded to aerodynamic and acoustic forces; and how the new parachute system, scaled for the planned Ares I, performed.

The 327-foot-tall Ares I-X test vehicle produced 2.6 million pounds of thrust to accelerate the rocket to nearly 3 g’s and Mach 4.76, just shy of hypersonic speed. It capped its easterly flight at a suborbital altitude of 150,000 feet after the separation of its first stage, a foursegment solid rocket booster.

Parachutes were deployed for recovery of the booster and the solid rocket motor, which were recovered at sea and were towed back to Florida by the booster recovery ship, Freedom Star, for later inspection. The simulated upper stage and Orion crew module, and the launch abort system were not recovered.

The flight test is expected to provide NASA with an enormous amount of data that will be used to improve the design and safety of the next generation of American spaceflight vehicles, which could again take humans beyond low Earth orbit.

For more information and photos of the Ares project, Sumrall suggests people visit nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/ flighttests/aresIx/index.html.

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Prize-winning musical, which ran at the Paramount Theatre and West Aurora High School Auditorium, Aurora, IL, in November 2009. She also owns a bridal stylist business.

Kelly Hemmingsen ’06 was promoted to account coordinator for Dobies Healthcare Group, a marketing and communications agency serving the health care industry. She will manage the execution of branding, public relations and advertising efforts. She resides in Kansas City, MO.

Mick Owens ’07 is director of curriculum and professional development at Kansas City Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center. He resides in Raymore, MO. Layton Childress ’08 is the dean of technical education at Ozark Technical Community College.

Jessica Dunster ’09 is the assistant athletic trainer at Alfred State College. She resides in Birdsall, NY.

College High Reunion June 18-19, 2010 For all students and graduates of the Training School, College High or University High To learn more, email alumni@ucmo.edu or call 660-543-8000. Find us on facebook under College High Colts.

Treasures of China and Yangtze River Cruise April 12 - 22, 2010

historic and rare sights in China, an ancient land that has fascinated travelers from around the globe for centuries. See remains of the oldest civilizations in the world, while also admiring its many modern marvels, from the towering skylines of its largest cities to the world’s largest dam.

We also have trips planned to London, Alaska and Ireland.

For details, watch our web site at www.ucmo.edu/alumni or call 660-543-8000.

Awards &Honors Thomas Kunz ’61, ’62 is one of 29 nominees for the Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading prize for animal conservation. The 2003 UCM Distinguished Alumnus has been nominated for more than 40 years of significantly and instrumentally contributing to the conservation and teaching of bat ecology, physiology and behavior. The winner, who will be announced in mid-2010, will receive $100,000 and the Lilly Medal, an original work of art that signifies the winner’s contributions to conserving some of the world’s most threatened animals. Kunz is professor of biology and director of the Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology at Boston University. He resides in Wellesley, MA. Vic Thate ’61 is executive vice president of FAA Credit Union in Oklahoma City. He was named CU Hero by Credit Union Magazine, a publication of the Credit Union National Association. He received this award for his ongoing efforts in support of the national Credit Unions for Kids program benefiting Children’s Miracle Network. During the last 10 years his efforts have increased the amount of money raised by the state’s credit unions from $100 to more than $150,000.

Dave Neuhart ’80 is director of tennis for Reynolds Plantation near Atlanta, GA. He was awarded the Tennis Professional of the Year Award by the United States Tennis Association Georgia. The tennis facility was also awarded the 2009 Facility of the Year Award by the USTA. He and his wife, Lori (Reed) ’79 reside in Madison, GA. Mark Curtis ’91 received the Optometrist of the Year Award at the Missouri Optometric Association Convention Oct. 2-5, 2009, at the Lake of the Ozarks. He collaborated on an educational DVD on the new Missouri Vision Law that requires all kindergarten students to have a professional eye exam and mandates all first and third graders in the state to have a vision screening at school.

He is an optometrist at Insight

Eye Care in Warrensburg. He has served on the Missouri Optometric Association’s Board of Directors and was the governmental affairs chair when Missouri passed the third Kindergarten Eye Exam Law in the country. While at UCM he was a cheerleader for the Mules football and basketball teams. His grandmother’s determination to overcome blindness inspired him to become an optometrist. She was a graduate of UCM in the 1940s and taught as a kindergarten teacher in La Monte for 30 years with the help of an aide. She is believed to have been the first blind teacher in the Missouri public school system. He resides in Warrensburg with his wife and three daughters.

Jamie Hulet ’91 is the corporate and convention sales manager for Gaylord Attractions in Nashville, TN. She has been awarded the Associate Award of Excellence by the Tennessee Hospitality Association.

Scott Kuttenkuler ’01, ’03 was named 2009 College Speech Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas Communications and Theatre Arts Association. He was also named the 2008 International Public Debate Association National Coach of the Year. He has taught six years on the faculty at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and was recently named director of advancement.

He and his wife, Amanda, have two children, Beau, 6 and Gabe, 4.

Joe Mundt ’07 ran in the 2009 New York Marathon and finished 69th out of approximately 43,500 runners. His finish was in the top one-tenth of the top one percent in the world’s most prestigious marathon. In preparation for the marathon, he was running 80 to 90 miles per week, mostly with the Kansas City Smoke Running Club.

He ran at UCM and earned AllMIAA honors in cross country three times, All-Region twice and earned six all-conference honors in track. He is a personal trainer in the Wellness and Fitness Center at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

An Amazing Rescue When James Pennell, a 2000 UCM business graduate, took his family for pizza this summer, he didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary to happen.

When his wife, Andrea (Tippett) Pennell ’00, who was eight months pregnant, observed a toddler leave the restaurant without an adult, though, his instincts as a father kicked into action.

Running between cars, the child had darted into the path of an oncoming van. Pennell grabbed and tossed the child to safety and was hit himself.

“The van hit Pennell and he flew up over the van’s hood, hit the windshield and went over the top of the van before he fell to the pavement,” said one witness. “It was frightening. His leg was out of joint and flying sideways. I thought he was killed for sure. So did everyone else who saw the accident.”

Pennell had multiple injuries including a compression fracture, torn knee tendons, broken fibula and deep gash. The child needed only a stitch or two.

“God must have been protecting me in some way. I don’t know how I did it,” he said.

One eyewitness, Carl Bedford, was so moved by Pennell’s unselfish act that he and Pennell’s father, Mike, went to the local bank to set up the James Pennell Heroism Fund to help the family pay their bills until he can return to work.

“James Pennell stepped up to the plate for a stranger’s youngster and his family. Now it’s time for the rest of us to step up and honor Pennell and his family with a contribution to help a true hero if I ever saw one,” Bedford said.

As an update, Andrea emailed us their third child, Kendra, was born July 28, 11 days after the accident. Their daughter, Mikayla, is now 6 and son, Kyle, is 4. Her husband has had multiple surgeries and continues to improve.

“His recovery is going great, just a slow process that requires a good spirit and a good attitude, which James has shown.”

WE WANT YOUR Have you moved? Been married? Changed jobs? Retired?

Gotten a new email? Received an award? We want your news! mo.edu/alumni Go online to www.uc ucmo.edu Email us at alumni@ umni Association, Write us at UCM Al l Missouri, University of Centra 093 Warrensburg, MO 64 er, nt Smiser Alumni Ce

University of Central Missouri · Today

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In Memoriam 1940-1949 Steward M. McDaniel ’41 Morran D. Harris ’46 Betty J. Hitchcock ’46 Lawrence P. Hewitt ’49 Mara L. Yeckl ’49 950-1959 Harry J. Witzl ’50 Barbara M. Jobst ’51 Earl A. Moore ’52 Della Evelyn Rabourn ’52, ’55 James W. Basham ’53 Clement T. Hertslet Jr. ’53 Luetta N. Bartlett ’54 Mary Joan Wille ’56 Jack W. Clifford ’57

Ray Gene Fagg ’57 Bessie E. Westerman ’57 Clyde L. Epps Jr. ’58 Ronald J. Nadler ’59 1960-1969 Jerry Blasingame ’61 Richard C. Harrison ’61, ’63, ’87 Gilbert B. Fisher ’62 Linda L. Fletcher ’62 Geraldine E. Derby ’64 Mary J. McSpadden ’64 Gary L. Epps ’65 David F. Kipp ’65 Alvin Duane Rogers ’65 William L. Tade ’65

Mary Margaret ’Peggy’ Baldwin Mary Margaret “Peggy” Baldwin, a 1941 Central Missouri alumna, died Oct. 14, 2009. She and her husband, Howard, were long-time donors of Central Missouri’s athletics program. They established the Howard C. and Mary Margaret “Peggy” Baldwin Athletic Fund in 1991 to provide additional financial support for Mules and Jennies basketball teams, as well as for Mules football and golf.

In addition to an undergraduate degree in 1941, she received a master’s degree from UCM and served as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

During her 22-year education career, she taught math, English and physics. She retired in 1981. Her husband, Howard, who was inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994, preceded her in death.

Ross Dey Ross Dey, former Mules baseball player and longtime baseball coach at SmithCotton High School in Sedalia, MO, died Oct. 20, 2009, from melanoma cancer.

Dey was a member of the Mules’ 1985 MIAA championship baseball team coached by Stu Rogers. In addition, the UCM alumnus played two years at State Fair Community College and was a member of the gold medal USA Olympic fast pitch softball team. He received many international fast pitch softball accolades including induction into the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame. He also was a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

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Terrence L. Thompson ’65 Mona J. Hughes ’66 Maisie G. Cavanah ’68 1970-1979 Dianne M. Hoffmeyer ’70 Donald W. Schmidt ’70 Richard J. Gooden ’73 Carolyn L. Moody ’75 Lynn Bettencourt ’76 Cecil P. Carter ’76 Mark J. Fischer ’76 Betty J. Grammer ’76 Beverly J. Parnell ’76 Le Chan ’77 Kathryn Christie Wills ’78

Betty Pine Lockard Betty Pine Lockard, professor emerita of criminal justice, died Oct. 22, 2009. A UCM faculty member for 24 years, she was the first woman in Missouri to be voted in and serve on the bench as a probate magistrate judge.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Central Missouri in 1955, one year later, she finished her master’s. She taught third grade for three years, then entered the University of Missouri Kansas City Law School. She earned her juris doctorate degree in 1961 and was admitted to the Missouri Bar Association. She entered private practice with her father, Gayles Pine of Warrensburg, and the two worked together for eight years.

She served a four-year term as probate judge and ex-officio magistrate judge in Johnson County before joining Central Missouri’s faculty in 1971. She retired from UCM in 1994.

She accumulated many honors during her career. She was a member of Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in the United States, Community Leaders & Noteworthy Americans, Dictionary of International Biographies, The Best Lawyers in America, Universal Women’s and Women of the World. She received Sigma Sigma Sigma national sorority’s highest honor, the Emily Gates Alumna Achievement Award, in 1977.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Department of Criminal Justice.

1980-1989 Sheri C. Adams ’80 Barbara J. Stewart ’82 Carolyn L. Moree ’83 Tracy A. Jackson ’86 Patricia F. Meads ’86 Garnett G. Jones ’89 1990-1999 David Scott Seymour Jr. ’93 Karen Elaine Hess ’95, ’97 Mary L. Johnson ’96 Former Students Patrick Lauderdale James Isaac McConnell Charles T. Rafter Jr. Joan H. Taylor

Bonnie Pankalla Bonnie C. Pankalla, the first woman graduate of Central Missouri’s aviation technology program, died Nov. 2, 2009.

The 1974 alumna also was the first woman instructor in the Department of Power and Transportation and the first UCM student, as well as the first female pilot in Missouri, to receive the airline transport pilot certificate. She also was the first in Missouri and the first UCM student to fly in the Powder Puff Derby.

Shortly before graduating from UCM, she became the chief pilot for Harmon Industries of Grain Valley. She went to work in 1977 for the Federal Aviation Administration in West Chicago as an operations aviation safety inspector. She held many offices and positions in her tenure with the FAA, retiring as deputy regional manager of fiscal and material services of the Great Lakes Region.

Robert ‘Dusty’ Rhodes Robert G. “Dusty” Rhodes, 62, director emeritus of student records/registrar, died Dec. 4, 2009, in Warrensburg.

Rhodes was university registrar for 21 years, retiring in 2006. After earning a bachelor’s degree in 1971 followed by a master’s degree in 1972, the UCM graduate taught one year at Appleton City High School. He then went to Knob Noster High School, where he started the wrestling program and taught social studies. Fourteen years later, he joined the staff of UCM, first as assistant registrar, then associate registrar and finally registrar.

Friends Donald J. Alsberge Harold W. Christian Jr. Dora P. Cowherd Ross Dey Sue Dilley John A. Donley Donald B. Ellis Donald Guinnee Mary K. Irwin Paul M. Jansen Wayne E. Latare Joseph W. Miller Raymond C. Ritchey Jr. Gene Rutherford Clarence Scantlin Dan Sweeney

Rhodes began his collegiate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia, served two years in the U.S. Army, after which he briefly took classes at the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University.

His wife, Barbara, who survives, is a 1971 Central Missouri alumna. She is an educational adviser in the Department of Academic Enrichment.

Barbara Wright Barbara K. Wright, professor emerita of transportation and safety, died Jan. 18, 2009, in Tallahasse, FL. Wright joined Central Missouri’s faculty in 1981 after successful careers in the U.S. Marine Corps and at The Ohio State University. The native of Pittsburgh, PA, received a bachelor degree from Oberlin College, a master of arts from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate from Florida State University.

She served with the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve during World War II as a company commander, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. Following 25 years’ voluntary service with the Girl Scouts, she became a teacher-coach at the Alfred B. Maclay Day School and a graduate assistant at Florida State.

She served as director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Education Center at Ohio State’s National Center for Research in Vocational Education and then became a research specialist before she came to Warrensburg as an associate professor. She retired in 1989.

Impacting Local Communities When the Corporation for Public Broadcasting visits your station, you know it must be BIG. That was the case when Lori Gilbert, a member of the CPB Board of Directors, presented Rosemary Olas, education outreach manager, and Don Peterson, director of broadcast services, a My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement for KMOS-TV’s Happy, Healthy Missouri Kids initiative. KMOS was one of 26 stations nationwide to receive the distinction, once again reflecting its exceptional quality as a unique resource for educational, inspirational and informational programs.

Become a member with your pledge at www.kmos.org.

From Today Readers From the Editor We appreciate your feedback and welcome your input. Go online to comment on a feature article or contact Editor Dalene Abner by emailing today@ucmo.edu or by writing Today Editor, University of Central Missouri, Office of University Relations, ADMIN 302, Warrensburg, MO 64093.

More about Frank Fendorf

The article on Frank Fendorf (Summer 2009) was superb!

Frank and my late husband, Jack Overbey, also a UCM alumnus from the same years as Frank, were good friends from their years together in the late 1940s until his death in 2005. Jack was active in choral music throughout the state as an educator, and for many years was associated with Frank at Wingert-Jones Music in their choral department. Thank you for the heart-warming story on such an exemplary man.

Mrs. Jack Overbey P.S.: Our son is also an alumnus of UCM! UCM’s Hands-On Value

Dr. Podolefsky’s comments in the latest issue of Today regarding on-the-job training at UCM and a UCM education building a strong foundation for a student’s work choice after UCM ring so true.

There has not been a day gone by during my working years that I have not used a “tool” out of my UCM “toolbox.” That’s what drew me to UCM — a school that provided me an opportunity to work in my field of choice, while obtaining an education.

Working in media relations at Union Pacific Railroad has given me the opportunity to use the skills I learned at UCM in broadcast and film production on various projects, including two Olympic torch relays and various

television productions. I was fortunate to be able to apply my broadcast production background from UCM during the early 1980s to help put together solid crisis communication planning not only for Union Pacific but for the rail industry’s media relations teams.

It’s good to see that UCM is continuing to provide students with a “hands-on” education.

Mark Davis ’77 8,000 Miles

A minor point in an otherwise very interesting article, “The Point of Now,” concerning Indian student Ankita Sinha. We all know that the distance from Missouri to India is not 80,000 miles unless the Indian subcontinent has gone into orbit around the earth as a minor moon. 8,000 miles is more like it; a typo I am sure.

I enjoyed reading the profiles, articles and departmental updates in the Today magazine. Your publication presents itself and the university in a very professional manner. Keep up the good work.

Ralph M. Stonner, DDS, ’76 Desegregation of KC Schools

You have heard about this already I’m sure, but in the obituary about Edna Mae Whitsitt, you incorrectly noted that she was active in the Kansas City schools when they desegregated in the mid-1970s. The Kansas City schools actually began a very rapid desegregation in the mid-1950s. My father taught in the system, and I heard a great deal about it, mostly negative.

Gerald McDaniel ’50 About Charles Olaiya

The article is a mini catalogue of Dr. Olaiya’s life. It captured his essence as a human being who has feelings for those who need genuine help to achieve their aim

in life despite his own travails to get to where he is today. I am not surprised at his success. We were childhood friends. He has ever been a prime mover, determined, a goal getter and a loyal friend.

I wish him more success in his endeavors and thanks to UCM for the great honor bestowed on him.

Engr. Anthony Okuyelu About Robert Buhrkuhl

“Let it be said that the Slater Class of ’65 is proud of one of its own. What a great acknowledgment for a truly deserving man. Congrats to not only Bob but to Bonnie, too. “ “As a friend and classmate of Bob, I am so glad to see him recognized by UCM. He is truly a wonderful person!”

“Outstanding article about an outstanding person. Having grown up in Slater with Bob, we have developed a friendship that has been valued for years.

Bob is a wonderful person, husband and father. I am proud to know Bob and proud of UCM for recognizing him. He is most deserving. Also, it has been several years since I have visited the university, and the campus is beautiful. I am proud to also be a graduate of UCM.” About Bryan Burns

“I was a young part-time secretary while a student in Carl Foster’s PR office in the early ’70s.

I remember Dean Vogelaar and Bryan Burns with admiration — not that they would remember me! But I am so proud of what they have done!”

“This article was extremely interesting, concise and delivered a powerful message of what can be accomplished from small beginnings and constant networking. It also shows what collaborative thinking can do

in the world of technology but also the importance of someone driving the vision at all times.”

“It’s GREAT when you hear the successes of former CMSU grads and old friends like Dean and Carl Foster. It brings back fond memories of my days as an employee and student at the university,” writes Shawn Thompson.

About the UCM Archives

“I hope the collection includes some of those handbooks from the 1960s and early ’70s, which dictated the dress code and other rules for behavior on campus. I foolishly had a burning ceremony with mine when I graduated.

Now people don’t believe me when I tell them women had to wear skirts (to make sure their legs were showing, I guess) to classes, for meals at the dorm, in the library, unless the temp was 10 degrees or lower, and that women had to be safely locked in their dorm rooms at 10 p.m. weeknights! We were thankful that few professors enforced the skirt rule. Then there was the rule about “appropriate uppergarments” (I am not making this up), which led to my boyfriend’s insistence on a daily ‘bra check.’ Ah, the good ole days.”

From an unreformed rebel, Class of ’72 About Social Networking

“This is a hot topic today. I am 68 years of age and Facebook daily to communicate to a variety of people. These technologies will open the minds of people to even greater collaborative thinking.

These communication vehicles provide tremendous opportunity to engage a lot of people in a very short period of time.”

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Meet Tucker Wagoner “I want to thank you for awarding me with the Helen Monroe Bell Scholarship. I am honored to accept the award that was established to recognize the efforts of your mother. Like your mother, I have the brains to go to college but struggle with the finances needed for attending. Your gift will help make the burden of tuition easier.�

Help more students like Tucker through these tough economic times through a gift to Scholarships NOW. Go online to www.ucmo.edu/givenow or call 660-543-8000.