URSINUS Spring 2012
MAGAZINE
Celebrating A New Chapter The Inauguration of Bobby Fong
“The greatest justification for the kind of education we do here is that it can change the world.” - DR. BOBBY FONG
Longtime baseball coach and former Director of Athletics Brian Thomas retired at the end of the spring season. After 23 years at Ursinus College he said “the time was right.” In appreciation for his many years of service, his winning record on the field and his mentoring of countless players, Ursinus named its baseball field Thomas Field on April 28. The farewell is bittersweet. “As a coach, you always want to see the next class through,” Thomas said.
In This Issue
Features
Celebrating A New Chapter
10
The Inauguration of Dr. Bobby Fong as 15th president ignites a new era at Ursinus. Alumni and students, excited for the leadership and energy they see in President Fong, share their reflections and hopes. The four-day celebration in April, captured in stories and photos, shows the true breadth of accomplishments of the Ursinus community.
Sitting Down with Mr. Daggett
20
William O. Daggett 1962 is CEO of Kistler Tiffany Benefits, a regional force in the field of employee benefits consulting. As a former student-athlete at Ursinus, he is a firm believer in the liberal arts. Daggett, a member of the Ursinus Board of Trustees for seven years, talks about his family, sports and why he still works on Saturdays.
Securing Landscape and Legacy
24
Natural Lands Trust was started in 1953 by a group of birders who called themselves the Philadelphia Conservationists and joined forces to protect the Tinicum Marsh. Today the nonprofit’s annual operating budget is $6,000,000 and it has 40 nature preserves in two states and 12 counties. Natural Lands Trust President Molly Morrison 1975 talks about what land preservation means to her and should mean to all of us.
In Rural Vermont, Providing Health Care for the Uninsured
26
General practitioners Tim Cope 1965 and Scott Smith 1986 both work at the Open Door Clinic, a no-frills health center operating in Vermont. Writer Alissa Smith 2008 explores how the two doctors took very different paths to the clinic where patients work hard, but typically can’t afford health insurance.
Campus News
4 The spring semester has been bustling, and especially beautiful, on campus. The College
will welcome Dr. Lucien T. (Terry) Winegar as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College in July. Some heartfelt goodbyes were offered to staff and faculty members. Commencement was held on Friday, May 11 this year. On pages 22 and 23, we offer a snapshot of a few standouts from the Class of 2012.
Class Notes
28 The Ursinus College community mourned the deaths of two young alumni. Jordan R. Baumeister 2010 lost his battle to cancer, and Daniel Glover 2012 died after injuries sustained in a car accident. Both men were talented wrestlers. Glover was on his way to Baumeister’s funeral when the accident occurred in January. See story on page 38.
On The Cover
The flag bearers and bagpiper process through campus for the start of the Inauguration ceremony.
Dear Friends, As this issue of Ursinus Magazine goes to press, it is a time of beginnings. Although we bid goodbye to our seniors, they are beginning careers, graduate school or service years. Soon we will welcome the Class of 2016 at orientation. In the following pages you will read some reflections from the recent Inauguration. As I said in my address, the Inauguration is not about a person, but about an institution, heralding a new chapter in the life of the College. The celebration of this new beginning was marked by a series of festive events, almost all of which we hold each spring, but they were included in the Inauguration schedule because they showcase faculty and students. The Celebration of Student Achievement, a Student Art Exhibition, a UC Dance Company performance, the spring College Choir and Meistersingers concert, the President’s Circle gathering for our donors, Relay for Life, the track and field meet and the Community Partnership Parade, its spirit not dampened by rain, all show what a vibrant community we are. Beginnings are reflected in other ways in this magazine issue. In addition to reintroducing my wife Suzanne and me to the campus and alumni community, these pages highlight several transitions, including the retirement of Baseball Coach Brian Thomas, who will begin a new chapter in his life, and the welcoming of our new Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Terry Winegar. We bring you news of accomplished alumni who care about their communities, including two alumni doctors who met while working at a Vermont clinic that provides health care to the underserved; and an alumna who heads the regional Natural Lands Trust. The closing of the Inauguration ceremony featured colorful Chinese Lion dancers, an ancient tradition popular in the Guangdong Province, from whence my parents emigrated. The lions symbolize joy and happiness. In turn, Sue and I want to express our own joy and happiness at having become members of the Ursinus family. We look forward to working with you to realize our strategic plan and to beginning the next chapter of the College’s continuing story.
Ursinus Magazine Volume CXI, No. 2 Spring 2012
Third class postage paid at Lansdale, Pa. Ursinus Magazine is published seasonally three times a year. Copyright 2012 by Ursinus College. Editorial correspondence and submissions: Ursinus Magazine, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426-1000. (610) 409-3300 or e-mail: ucmag@ursinus.edu Director of Communications Wendy Greenberg wgreenberg@ursinus.edu Editor Kathryn Campbell kcampbell@ursinus.edu Class Notes Editor and Staff Writer Ellen Cosgrove Labrecque 1995 elabrecque@ursinus.edu Contributing to this Issue Jeffrey Morgan, Joan Fairman Kanes, Steve Falk, Brian Garfinkel, Jim Roese, J.F. Pirro 1987, Alissa Smith 2008, Joshua Walsh 2013, Zeba Hussaini 2014, Lauren Goldstein 2012 Cheryl Walborn, Jim Wagner, Carolyn Weigel, Jennifer Wolfe, Erin Hovey 1996, Paul Dempsey, Laura Moliken, Lauren Davidson, Abbie Cichowski 2010 Design JDM Creative Advertising, LLC www.jdmcreative.com Chair, Board of Trustees John E.F. (Jef) Corson President Dr. Bobby Fong Interim Dean of the College Annette Lucas Senior Vice President for Advancement Jill A. Leauber Marsteller 1978 Vice President for Enrollment Richard DiFeliciantonio Vice President for Finance and Administration Winfield Guilmette Vice President for Student Affairs Deborah Nolan The mission of Ursinus College is to enable students to become independent, responsible, and thoughtful individuals through a program of liberal education. That education prepares them to live creatively and usefully, and to provide leadership for their society in an interdependent world.
Bobby Fong President
PAGE 2 URSINUS MAGAZINE
R E F L E C T I O N S on Inauguration •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
“I was extremely proud to be an Ursinus alumna and I look forward to seeing the impact that Bobby will have with the new strategic plan.” CHRISTINA SPIVEY BENDER 2007
“CoSA initiated the togetherness of the campus and got us pumped for what was to come later on during the weekend. CoSA is a time for students to reflect on our achievements. It was a great way to start off the events for the weekend because CoSA is a perfect example of all of the positive things that Dr. Fong spoke about at the Inauguration.” ERIN DOBY 2012
“It was a humbling experience to be a part of President Fong's Inauguration. What a time to reflect on all that Ursinus has meant, and continues to mean, in my life and that of so many other people.” ELLEN STAUROWSKY 1977
“How impressed I was with all of the weekend’s events. I was honestly blown away; it was more than I ever expected! I loved meeting older alumni and it was just such a great time from beginning to end on Friday and Saturday. Really, everything was just amazing!” HOLLY BRIZELL 2010
"It was priceless."
MATTHEW E. CAIA 1997
“It was truly exciting to be one of the representatives of the Class of 1962 with the honor of carrying in our banner as a part of this historic event. Certainly a once in a lifetime experience! From my perspective, it was planned to perfection!” SUE MCGOLDRICK HABGOOD 1962
“It was truly an honor to be a part of the Inauguration and certainly a once in a lifetime experience. It was an extra special event for me as I got to share it with my mother who is a graduate of the Class of 1940. I am confident that Dr. Fong will honor the traditions and values of the past as he navigates the water of change moving the school to even greater recognition in the future. The challenges of liberal arts education in the 21st century are many and it is clear that Dr. Fong has the support and commitment of the entire college community.” GAIL L. HEINEMEYER 1972 The Inauguration ceremony concluded with a traditional Chinese dance performed by the Philadelphia Suns.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 3
Gateway The
URSINUS CAMPUS NEWS
LUCIEN (TERRY) WINEGAR NAMED DEAN OF THE COLLEGE AND VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Dr. Lucien (Terry) Winegar is the new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College.
Dr. Winegar is currently the Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., where he is a member of the President’s Executive Staff and University Council. The School of Natural and Social Sciences has almost 60 full-time faculty and approximately 600 students, and it includes the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science, Physics, Mathematics & Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology & Anthropology, as well as programs in Biochemistry, Ecology, International Studies, Diversity Studies, Legal Studies, Allied Health, Health Care Studies and the pre-professional areas of PreMed and PreLaw. “We wanted in our next VPAA someone who appreciated the PAGE 4 URSINUS MAGAZINE
distinctive liberal arts education to be had at Ursinus, possessed the academic credentials and experience to lead a community of teacher-scholars, and had the administrative expertise to grapple immediately with the opportunities and challenges confronting the College,” said Dr. Fong. “Dr. Winegar fits the bill.”
and served as a strong advocate for faculty-student collaboration. Before joining Susquehanna as Dean and Professor of Psychology in 1999, Dr. Winegar was Assistant Dean at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, with responsibility for faculty development. He was previously director of the program in International Studies at RandolphMacon and served as Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Ambrose College in Iowa, a master’s degree in Education and Child Development from Bryn Mawr College, and a Ph.D. in Human Development from Bryn Mawr. Dr. Winegar will assume the position in July. He succeeds Judith Levy, who retired after 15 years as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean.
So Long ‘Coach T’: Ursinus Bids Farewell to Beloved Baseball Coach and Former Athletic Director Brian Thomas
At Susquehanna, Dr. Winegar has Longtime baseball coach and been a member of several commit- former Director of Athletics Brian tees that address campus initiatives at his institution, including the Strategic Planning Advisory group, Science Facilities Planning group, New Faculty Orientation team and First Year Seminar Pilot and Implementation group. He recruited a strong faculty, created new learning spaces with the construction of a new Natural Sciences Center
Thomas retired after this season. His departure caps 23 years at Ursinus College and a 43-year career. In appreciation for his many years of service, his winning record on the field and his mentoring of countless players, Ursinus named its baseball field Thomas Field on April 28 between a doubleheader. Thomas plans to enjoy retirement with his wife, Sue, Executive Associate Director of Admission, who is also retiring. “The time is right,” he said. “There is never really a good time, a right time, because as a coach, you always want to see the next class through.” As Athletic Director from 2000 to 2010, he developed relationships with faculty with the goal of integrating athletics and academics. He saw the completion of the athletic facility, the Floy Lewis Bakes Athletic Center, as well as the installation of the Eleanor Frost Snell Turf field. He was also involved in fundraising for the new turf Patterson football field. Under his leadership, the number of fulltime coaches increased from two when he arrived (football and field hockey) to 11 head coaches coaching 17 sports, out of 25 sports total. Thomas’s Ursinus baseball players were the first baseball champions
Coach Brian Thomas
in the Centennial Conference in the 1995-96 academic year. “Brian’s legacy in Ursinus Athletics is what he imparted to his players on the values of true sportsmanship, character and teamwork,” said Director of Athletics Laura Moliken. “He had a special gift for the profession. Working with him for many years, I appreciated his efforts to ensure that our teams are respected and admired for far more than our wins. Ursinus Athletics is a better program today for all that Brian gave to Ursinus.” Thomas’s classroom has been the playing field. “I think I’m a coach who prides himself on being a teacher, mentor, counselor, to help young men grow and mature,” said Thomas, who is known as Coach T. Thomas joined the Ursinus coaching staff in 1990 and began building a successful program, with two NCAA Division III regional appearances and more than 400 Ursinus victories. That is more wins than any baseball coach in the College’s history. He is one of the best baseball coaches in NCAA Division III play, with more than 788 wins in his overall coaching career over 43 years, including three Centennial Conference Championships. He is ranked the second all-time winningest coach in Centennial Conference baseball, with a 211-131 record. In addition, he has among his titles two Middle Atlantic Re-
gionals, an ECAC Championship and runner-up status, and saw 20 wins in a season 11 times. Among his many honors, he was voted to the Pennsylvania American Legion Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the Perkiomen School Hall of Athletic Honor in 2001. He was selected as an instructor for the prestigious Roberto Clemente All-Star Camp in Puerto Rico. In 2008 he was inducted into the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame.
is one of only four students from Pennsylvania colleges to be named a Watson Fellow for 2012-2013. Watson Fellows are selected from only 40 colleges nationally which have been reviewed for the rigor of their liberal arts programs.
Sutherland will live, work and create art with pacifist communities in Costa Rica, Peru, the Netherlands, India, Bhutan and Australia whose residents are working toward creating what they each consider to be the ideal non-violent society. “I hope to challenge my belief sysA retired U.S. Army first lieutentem by placing myself in situations ant, Thomas was a platoon leader where I am forced to reconsider in Vietnam. Among his military what is ‘ideal’ and to embrace awards and honors are the Combat the subjectivity of that idea,” says Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Sutherland. She will consider the with V for Valor, Purple Heart, universality of art as a vehicle for Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam peace, and “the idea of the inherent Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service peacefulness of creation” as she Medal and a Jungle Expert Badge. works toward making the lifestyles For all his honors, Thomas says and values of the pacifist comthat the most rewarding and munities accessible to people in memorable times in his career other parts of the world, through have been with the student athletes publishing opportunities and puband their families. “They are an lic display spaces. She also plans to extended family.” make meaningful personal connec– By Wendy Greenberg tions with community members through portraiture.
Watson Winner Explores Art as a Vehicle for Peace
Maeve Sutherland 2012 will travel the globe for a year exploring “Peaceable Kingdoms: Pacifist Communities and the Quest for Utopia.” Sutherland, of Schwenksville, Pa.,
The Watson is a one-year grant of $25,000 for study and travel outside the United States. The Thomas J. Watson Foundation, named for the former president of IBM, offers college graduates of “unusual promise” a year of “independent, purposeful exploration and travel–
in international settings new to them–to enhance their capacity for resourcefulness, imagination, openness and leadership and to foster their humane and effective participation in the world community.” Watson Fellows must create, execute and evaluate their own projects. - W.G.
A Spring Break of Action
For the last three years, the Ursinus Bonner Leaders have traveled to Beeston Springs, Jamaica, for spring break to rebuild and repaint damaged homes, schools and orphanages. The group was supervised by Dr. Christian Rice, Director of the Bonner Program, and Elizabeth Cannon 2010, Director of UCARE. “It was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much about their culture and social problems that they have to deal with,” says Paige Fronheiser 2014. The Bonner Leaders joined Moravian College students, as well as Moravian Seminary students, in helping to rebuild and paint homes and schools. “Going to Jamaica for spring break was hands down one of the most powerful and thought-provoking experiences of my life,” says Daria DePaul 2012. “This trip opened my eyes in so many ways and placed me in a realworld situation.” The exposure to extreme poverty was an eye-opening experience for Ursinus students
America the Philosophical, the forthcoming book about America as a philosophical culture, by Ursinus Professor of Philosophy and Humanities Carlin Romano, has earned a rare accolade: “starred” reviews from both of the country’s major pre-publication reviews, Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. A starred review in the magazines, which are widely read in the publishing and media industries, indicates a book of “exceptional quality.” In its April 1 issue, Kirkus described Romano’s 672-page book as “comprehensive and certain-to-be controversial.” Writing that “Romano’s grip on his subject is fierce,” Kirkus judged the book “a tour de force–encyclopedic, entertaining, and enlightening.” Publishers Weekly, which in January named America the Philosophical as one of its Top Ten books of the Spring in “Literary Essays and Criticism,” credited Romano in its March 26 review with “breathtaking intellectual range and passion,” observing: “With illuminating anecdotes and an addictive prose style, Romano renders complex ideas lucid without sacrificing depth of understanding or his splendid sense of humor.” America the Philosophical will be published by Alfred A. Knopf on May 22, when Professor Romano will begin a series of nationwide talks about the book, including at the Free Library of Philadelphia. His most recent essay as Critic-at-Large of The Chronicle of Higher Education appeared in the March 16 issue of the Chronicle. SPRING 2012 PAGE 5
learned and the progress it made. He began his presentation with a brief overview of Iraq and its current state. The nation is home to 32 million people belonging to three dominant groups: Sunni, Kurd and Shi’a. In 2005, the Iraqi people elected their own leadership for the first time in history. However, in 2010, the nation elected their leader without the aid of the American people.
Lieutenant General Frank Helmick spoke about the Iraq War to a capacity crowd in March.
allowing them an opportunity to gain understanding of many social problems in an international context.
An Inside Look at the Iraq War
Lieutenant General Frank Helmick, current Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, spoke about his experiences and knowledge concerning the war in Iraq at a campus lecture March 1. Jane Helmick, a senior and Media and Communication major at Ursinus College, introduced her father to the capacity crowd. Lt. Gen. Helmick has served in the 82nd Airborne Division, in the
Joint Staff as well as in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He also has taken on the role of the Senior Military Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lt. Gen. Helmick assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps in November 2009. Most recently, he led the Corps Headquarters to Iraq in support of Operation NEW DAWN as part of the United States Forces – Iraq from January to December 2011 where he served as the Deputy Commander for Operations. During his presentation, Lt. Gen. Helmick covered topics including why the United States went into Iraq and what challenges the military endured, the lessons
“The American way may not be the right way for the Iraqi people,” he said. “We cannot influence their political process. There are many things we can’t control, for example, the Kurd and Arab distrust, consolidation of power and election politics,” said Lt. Gen. Helmick in regards to democracy in Iraq. Lt. Gen. Helmick engaged his audience by asking, “How do you terminate a war?” American soldiers are based in Germany, Korea, Italy and Japan and have still not fully withdrawn from past wars. According to Lt. Gen. Helmick, there are “157 military people there who are responsible for the coordination of shipment and arms. This equipment comes directly from America. Tanks, helicopters and ships are among the many supplies received in Iraq.” Although there are Americans in Iraq currently, American presence in Iraq is significantly smaller than in other nations. Later in his discussion, Lt. Gen. Helmick discussed lessons that the American military can take away from their experiences in Iraq. He enforced the importance of “words and relationships.” “We gave Iraq an opportunity,” he said. “Now it is at a crossroads.” At the close of his presentation, Lt. Gen. Helmick presented Ambassador Joseph Melrose, professor of International Relations, with the Commander’s Coin. – By Lauren Goldstein 2012
Kristen Mareno 2013 was a Study Abroad Photo Contest winner. She won a Juried Award for a “Gondola Ride in Venice” (Italy). Mareno studied in the United Kingdom in the Fall of 2011. PAGE 6 URSINUS MAGAZINE
‘Ethics on Wall Street’ Talk Led by U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan was keynote speaker at “Ethics and
Wall Street: Lessons Learned from the 2008 Economic Crisis,” a presentation featuring leaders in banking and industry. The Ursinus Business and Economics Department’s forum explored lessons learned from the 2008 economic crisis, with specific focus on the future of the industry and the impact of new regulations. Rep. Meehan, who represents Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. Congress, offered a national perspective of the current economic landscape. Meehan serves on the Oversight and Government Reform, Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. Prior to his election, Meehan served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Panelists included Joseph John Bridy, partner and fixed income portfolio manager at Hamlin Capital Management, New York, N.Y., where he manages the Fixed Income Team; Thomas J. Cowhey, CFA, Chief Investment Strategist at Hirtle, Callaghan & Company in New York City; Saly A. Glassman, Managing Director of Investments at Merrill Lynch, Blue Bell, Pa., and a faculty member of Wharton’s Securities Industry Institute; David E. Sparks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, First Priority Financial Corporation, Malvern, Pa. In addition to the Business and Economics Department, student groups SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) and the Investment Club, and the Ursinus College Arts & Lecture Series sponsored the event.
Reflections on a Pilgrimage
Board of Trustees member Rev. Claudia Highbaugh, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Ursinus in 1995, spoke at Sunday services following President Fong’s Inauguration. Her sermon was titled Feet Don't Fail me Now, and included text from the Gospel of Luke. During the sermon, Highbaugh reflected on a Civil Rights trip to Alabama that both Ursinus and Connecticut College students took during this past
spring break. She shared memories and experiences they had as people on a pilgrimage from two generations and across several ethnicities. Rev. Highbaugh is the Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at Connecticut College. She is an ordained Disciples of Christ Minister, and she has served her faith community as a delegate to the National Council of Churches Governing Board. She earned her Doctor of Ministry from the School of Theology at Claremont and previously served for 12 years as
the Chaplain at the Harvard Divinity School.
spoke to the campus community on issues relating to the Middle East and the impact of recent changes in that region. Murphy is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Cambridge. After serving in the U.S. Army, Murphy started his Richard W. Murphy, former U.S. career in the U.S. Foreign Service as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Vice Consul in Salisbury, Rhodesia, Eastern and South Asian Affairs, and then worked for the Middle spoke on campus April 18. Murphy Eastern Bureau before his ambasis the former United State ambassadorships. He served as director of sador to Mauritania (1971–74), Syria the Middle East Roundtable at the (1974–78), the Philippines (1978–81) Council on Foreign Relations. and Saudi Arabia (1981–83). He
Richard W. Murphy
Middle East Focus of Talk by Ambassador Richard Murphy
Moving On
Dr. Bruce Rideout of the Psychology Department retired at the end of the spring semester. He was honored for his many contributions to Ursinus College in a celebration of his career and by remembering his role as leader, mentor, teacher, scholar colleague and friend. Dr. Rideout spent his early years in the suburbs of Boston, and earned an A.B. degree from Boston University with concentration in economics. A subsequent, non-degree bachelor's equivalence in biology at B.U. was followed by graduate work in Biopsychology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he studied with Neil Carlson, and received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Graduate research focused on higher order conditioning in mice, human evoked responses, and the effects of REM sleep deprivation in mice. Since coming to Ursinus in 1979, Dr. Rideout has taught Experimental Design, Sensation and Perception, Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroscience Lab and Environmental Psychology, as well as Introductory Psychology. His research has included the effects of caffeine and tryptophan on sleep and performance, the effect of music on spatial task performance (the Mozart effect), and most recently has focused on student attitudes on environmental issues. Sue Thomas retired in March after nearly 23 years in the Admission Office. She worked with prospective students, guiding them through their transition from high school to college. Sue was also the coordinator for the Senior Fellows program, acting as mentor, advisor and friend to many Ursinus students and graduates. During her time at Ursinus, Sue worked closely with the pre-med faculty on the Drexel Early Assurance program and was the liaison with coaches on athletic recruiting. She is affectionately known as the “baseball mom.” The wife of baseball coach Brian
Thomas, Sue has prepared many meals for the baseball team and has been the most loyal fan. Lisa Tremper Hanover, Director of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art, will leave Ursinus on June 30 to become Director and CEO of The James Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa.
“Departing Ursinus College was a very hard decision… my staff, my administrative, faculty and staff colleagues, have all informed my ability to lead the Berman Museum of Art program.”
Lisa Tremper Hanover
Hanover has been museum director for almost 25 years. She came to Ursinus as the Berman Museum was in the planning stages and built it into a successful, nationally regarded museum, noted for its diverse collections and innovative educational programming. The museum, with a holding of 4,000 works, attracts some 30,000 visitors annually and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Hanover has been passionate about promoting Berman exhibitions and programs and has integrated the museum into the educational mission of the College by engaging our students as researchers, curators and docents.
The Ursinus College Theater Department presented I Hate Hamlet, a play written by Paul Rudnick, in March in the Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center’s Lenfest Theater. Directed by Dr. Beverly Redman, Assistant Professor of Theater at Ursinus College, the play tells the story of Andrew Rally, a TV actor who has just been offered the stage role of Hamlet. Rally has trouble deciding whether he wants a stage career or a television career. It just so happens that he is living in an apartment once occupied by the great American actor John Barrymore, whose own version of Hamlet made a splash both in New York and London. Things get a little weird and a lot of fun when Barrymore, as a ghost, of course, pays a series of visits to Rally in an attempt to convince him to play the part and eschew selling out. Dr. Redman received her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego having completed her dissertation on the history of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. She also holds an M.F.A. in directing from UC Irvine and an M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric from Georgetown University. At Ursinus, she teaches voice and speech, theater history and literature, and she also directs for the department. Professor Redman has been with Ursinus College since 2006.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 7
Françoise Gilot (French/American, b. 1921) Orange Self-Portrait with Blue Necklace 1944-45 (Left) Oil on canvas, 45¾" x 35" Permanent Collection, Gift of Marguerite and H.F. Gerry Lenfest
PAGE 8 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Philip and Muriel Berman
THE
MUSEUM OF ART E X H I B I T I O N S
O N
V I E W
This painting (left) was included in a 2001 exhibition of 36 paintings by the artist on view in the Upper Gallery of the Berman Museum of Art. Françoise Gilot: 1940-1950 was a focused gathering of work that defined the most important and formative years of the artist. This self-portrait is a key painting of the period and pivotal in expressing her approach to creating a central image against the optimistic light of an open window, and the dynamic of opposite colors playing against and with each other. Two weeks after September 11, 2001, Gilot came to Ursinus College to participate in student-centered meetings and as a guest of honor for a black-tie dinner. Marguerite and H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, along with Anne d’Harnoncourt (late director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art), lingered to view the exhibition. The Lenfests were taken with this painting and expressed an interest in acquiring it. The artist agreed but noted that it was not signed. Black oil paint and a thin brush were produced and Gilot added her signature to complete the composition. Ten years later, this remarkable painting was offered to the Berman Museum of Art as a gift of the Lenfests and now joins the permanent collection as a signature work in the museum’s holdings. NATIONAL COLLAGE SOCIETY 28TH ANNIVERSARY JURIED EXHIBITION June 1 – August 12, 2012 | Upper Gallery Reception: Thursday July 12, 2012 5:30-7:30 p.m. Collage Workshop led by Gretchen Bierbaum, President, National Collage Society Saturday July 14, 2012; pre-registration required
ing sculptures and designed furniture for Knoll, International. His early studies at Cranbrook Academy of Art were in printmaking and metalworking which informed his work throughout his career. This exhibition, curated and traveled by Seraphin Gallery, Philadelphia, consists of 30 framed drawings from 1940-1978 and several Bertoia sculptures from the permanent collection of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.
The National Collage Society celebrates the 100th anniversary of collage in 2012 and we are delighted to collaborate once again with the NCS on their annual juried exhibition. The installation was rigorously reviewed by the Jury of Selection: Christine Poggi, Professor, History of Art, University of Pennsylvania; Daniel Miller, artist and Chair of the Graduate Programs, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Carol Wisker, collage artist and administrator.
TRANSITIONS: WORKS BY FRANÇOISE GILOT Main Gallery | June 1 – September 23, 2012 Curated by Mel Yoakum, Ph.D. Preview Reception: Thursday May 31, 2012 4–6 p.m. Opening Reception: Sunday June 3, 2012 1–3 p.m. Screening: The Shot Heard Round the World, with special guest Peter Salk, President, Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation, Friday September 21, 2012
Collage existed in many craft forms before Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso incorporated it into their art in 1912, elevating it to a fine art. The genre evolved through the 20th century using contemporary media and new dimensions. The National Collage Society was founded to educate the public about this art medium through exhibitions, lectures, publications and workshops. HARRY BERTOIA: DRAWINGS & SCULPTURE April 1 – June 3, 2012 | Lenfest Gallery Harry Bertoia (American, 1915-1978) was a resident of the Barto, Pennsylvania area where he created his well-known Tonal sound-
Transitions: Works by Françoise Gilot focuses on the evolution of Gilot’s approach to composition and color beginning with her seminal Labyrinth Series and including key works into the 21st century. Rich abstraction in a bold, powerful palette, a mainstay of her work, transitions to references to the figure, botanicals and still life. Iconic images such as orbs, birds, water and earth elements are investigated in tandem with color juxtapositions that are built up from layers and layers of pigment. The exhibition is curated by Mel Yoakum, Ph.D., author of Stone Echoes: Original Prints by Françoise Gilot and a scholar of her work. He began his association with Gilot in 1987, organizing exhibitions and cataloguing her extensive oeuvre of oil paintings and works on paper. He has authored numerous essays and catalogues for the artist and he also serves on the Board of Directors of the Berman Museum of Art. SPRING 2012 PAGE 9
Celebrating A “Fundamental to Ursinus is the academic seriousness with which it regards learning, teaching, and scholarship. It affirms the life of the mind, the ability to think critically and to communicate effectively, while providing opportunity for students to develop habits of the heart, the capacity to work cooperatively and act ethically. It is committed to a community of learning that strives for ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity for the sake of enhancing the experience of students preparing to be citizens of the world.� - BOBBY FONG
PAGE 10 URSINUS MAGAZINE
New Chapter The Inauguration of Bobby Fong as
15th President
“Ursinus College must be a repository of hope.” Lectures, sports, art and dance exhibitions were interwoven into an action-packed four-day campus celebration in honor of Dr. Bobby Fong’s Inauguration. The temperamental spring weather held and the pageantry of the main event on Saturday, April 21, was exhilarating. Dr. Fong said Ursinus was a beacon for liberal arts in the 21st century. “We also strive to teach students in ways that develop classical qualities of a liberally educated individual and prepare that individual for the changing world,” Dr. Fong said in his inaugural address. “I want our graduates to be people who honor and follow through on their word, who play by the rules but also know and respect the processes, political and social, by which they can change rules they deem unfair.” He included in his address the four underlying themes of the strategic plan for the College; interdisciplinary, experiential education, commitment to service and appreciation of difference. Dr. Daniel F. Sullivan, President Emeritus of St. Lawrence University, described the character of the College and the anticipation of a bright future in the keynote address. “I love the spirit here,” he said. “I love how Ursinus is so perfectly positioned to deliver more of what our students and the nation need right now. And I love that you have found a new president who knows how to work with trustees, faculty, staff and students to do what needs to be done at a very, very high level.” Trustee and alumnus Alan Novak 1971 lauded Dr. Fong’s leadership. “[Dr. Fong] knows where he’s going and where Ursinus College should go,” he said. State Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. also spoke and pulled out his red Phillies cap to wear during his welcome on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Professor C. Dallet Hemphill welcomed Dr. Fong on behalf of the faculty and Berman Museum director Lisa Tremper Hanover spoke for the staff. Collegeville Borough Councilman Arnold Mann, representing the community, called Fong a spiritual man whose only fault was that he was a Yankees fan. Representing the United Church of Christ was The Rev. Judith Youngman, and Erica Schindewolf 2102 spoke for the students. Events preceding the ceremony included a Science Roundtable symposium, the campus’s annual Celebration of Student Achievement, a Faculty-Staff Expo and a gala celebration for students, Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Held at the historic Foundry in Phoenixville, the gala included a live band, dancing and a whimsical and festive “candy island.” On Sunday, rain did not stop the Berman Museum from holding an open house and indoor Community Partnership Parade. The closing event was a Meistersingers and College Choir concert.
Hands-On and In Tune Alumni are excited for the qualities in the new president By J.F. Pirro 1987
At the Inauguration, Fong was hailed as both “the self-proclaimed new kid on the block” by Senior Class President Erica Schindewolf 2012, as an “incredibly seasoned leader” by Alan Novak 1971
F
or the past year, Dr. Bobby Fong has been signing his correspondence with the closing comment “Go, Bears.” But truly, he has been the one on the go. He has crossed the country, perhaps at an unprecedented pace, compared to his predecessors, to connect with alumni. And along the journey he has been speaking, writing, e-mailing and most importantly, listening. If it’s true that good leaders listen first, then lead, Ursinus has found a natural talent in Dr. Fong. “President Fong has provided numerous opportunities to connect, and we all appreciate that,” says Christina Spivey Bender 2007 who was a class flag bearer in a sea of red, black and gold at Dr. Fong’s April 21 Inauguration in the Floy Lewis Bakes Center Field House. “He’s been reaching out to alums, getting in tune and being hands-on.” SPRING 2012 PAGE 11
(Left) Jeff Klein, Assistant Director, University of Pennsylvania Newman Catholic Ministry, was representing his alma mater, Allegheny College. Beside him is Dr. Kathryn Goddard-Doms, Professor of Biology at Ursinus. (Right) Dr. Daniel F. Sullivan, President Emeritus of St. Lawrence University, was the Inauguration’s keynote speaker.
and a member of the College’s Board of Trustees and a “giant in liberal arts education” by keynote speaker Dr. Daniel F. Sullivan, President Emeritus, St. Lawrence University. As alumni, our lives remain intertwined with Ursinus. The buildings and the landscape may change, but the feeling of commitment and loyalty to this special place only increases with time. That bond has already been broadened with a recently unveiled draft of a strategic plan. First shared in March, in an e-mail, Dr. Fong called it a “roadmap for us all.” He presented it as a “blueprint of activities” that will further distinguish and position Ursinus as a national liberal arts college. Inevitably, the plan creates and ends with what Dr. Fong called a “promise that obligates us.” Among eight propositions examined, engaging alumni, shaping the campus community for diversity and managing student body size by focusing on retention are all alumni wish-list items.
There also seems to be a prevailing notion among alumni that Dr. Fong will work to redefine the liberal arts. The inauguration’s themed title alone is a harbinger: “Reimagining the Liberal Arts: Celebrate, Rededicate, Anticipate.” “He could make remarkable contributions, perhaps growing the College financially through philanthropy,” says Rhoda Hershman 1952, another flag bearer and a 60th anniversary reunion organizer. An English major and a champion of the arts, Hershman was won over the minute she learned that Dr. Fong is an Oscar Wilde scholar. “I had English professors who specialized in Shakespeare, or in old English, but Oscar Wilde?” Some alumni stress the need for a balance between keeping the College small, while still promoting progress. “We all want to keep the part that was so special, the fact that you could walk from one
The premiere of a musical piece, “Breath of Days,” with music by Professor of Music Garrett Hope and text by Professor of English Nzadi Keita, was performed by the Ursinus Wind Ensemble and College Choir.
PAGE 12 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Ceremony, Bonding and a Pinch of Promotion: ALUMNI DELEGATES TO INAUGURATIONS “The inauguration of a new president is a celebration for the entire college community. It is the continuation of an institution and its culture. It is a time of optimism as the college looks forward to a new era of academic achievement and growth.” - David Crisman 1961
By Wendy Greenberg
New Church were groomed and ready for a ceremony,” she recalls. “The group of college and university representatives lined up and chatted and excitement grew.” She was surprised when the mother of a 1989 Ursinus graduate recognized her by her Ursinus colors. “Not only did I have the privilege of being in an academic celebration, but I also had a chance to renew a friendship.” The Alumni Office accepts the requests to be part of the historic moments in higher education. Alumni are selected based on location. “Our alumni are able to serve as the faces of Ursinus College and be included in the celebratory spirit of another Inauguration,” according to Abbie Cichowski, Director of Alumni Affairs at Ursinus.
Want to soak in the ceremonial atmosphere of a college president’s inauguration? There may be one coming to a campus near you. As representatives from colleges across the country donned colorful regalia to represent their colleges at the Inauguration for Dr. Bobby Fong April 21, Ursinus alumni were preparing to do the same at other colleges.
Harriett M. Gould 1968 says it was an honor to represent Ursinus at the Doane College President’s inauguration. Doane is in Nebraska, and so is Gould. At Doane, she says, “I truly enjoy the atmosphere on this campus: small college, buildings close together, a true ‘campus’ without cars driving around, a liberal arts mindset and personnel that care about students. Amid the pomp and circumstance of this exciting day, I felt very much ‘at home’ representing Each year some 25 Ursinus alumni represent the Red, Old Gold and my alma mater at this event, a sister college and one with very Black at inaugurations across the country, requested by the Ursinus similar values, beliefs and mission.” Alumni Office. Most alumni are unaware of this important role. It means the name Ursinus appears in the inauguration program, and That day, like most inaugurations, started with a procession of repit is a way for colleges to honor each other. resentatives from colleges and universities across the United States. “The ceremony combined musical selections, addresses by various Ellen Staurowsky 1977 is mindful of the tradition. Not only was orators, the reading of a professor’s original poem, and a formal she an alumni flag bearer at Dr. Fong’s Inauguration, but she repreinduction,” says Gould. “The event was a first-class affair and both sented Ursinus at the inauguration of the President of Keuka Colmy husband and I were honored to be in attendance representing lege in Ithaca, N.Y., in May. Now a professor of sport management Ursinus.” The Nebraska resident also represented Ursinus at the inat Drexel, she lived in Ithaca and considers representing Ursinus at auguration of the President of Nebraska Wesleyan College. Keuka’s ceremony enough of an honor to return for the event. Cheryl Frey Baggs 1965 represented Ursinus at Mount Holyoke "The inauguration of a new president on a college campus repreCollege in 2010. “I was thrilled to meet so many representatives sents the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the entire acafrom other colleges and universities, many either an alumnus or demic community,” she says. “It is a celebration of all that has come alumna of that particular institution, and enjoy lunch with them before and an expression of all that lies ahead.” or engage in conversation as we lined up and marched in. Only a few with whom I spoke had ever heard of Ursinus and so a bit of The record for inauguration attendance may be held by David CrisPR was in order.” man 1961, who has represented Ursinus at four presidential inaugurations: Wellesley College in 2008, Wheaton College in 2010; Helen “Dixie” Steward 1968 had what she called “a fabulous time” Gordon College in 2011, and earlier, at Babson College, all near at the inauguration of President Thomas Foley at Mount Aloysius Boston. “It was a wonderful opportunity to tour the campuses, esin Cresson, Pa. “In line with me were 11 of his siblings, a son and pecially in the spring and fall when there is plenty of color and opnephew... there are 12 children in his family and those there all portunities for taking pictures,” he says. represented different institutions.” Adele Boyd 1953 also is something of a veteran having represented And she noticed a bit of Ursinus history too: “While in the library, I Ursinus at the inaugurations of the presidents of Bryn Athyn Colsaw the display of all the congratulatory messages that were sent to lege in 2009 and Cabrini College in 2008. “The day was bright and Dr. Foley. I found the letter that Dr. Fong sent him.” sunny; the Bryn Athyn College campus and the Academy of the SPRING 2012 PAGE 13
end of campus to the other in five minutes, but also to let everyone know about us,” says Bender, who works in alumni relations at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. “We want it to have the same feel, traditions and legacy. It’s a special, unique experience, but we also have to advance, move forward and grow.” Young Alumni Council member Greg Little 2010 was impressed with the transparency of the strategic plan. “I never thought Ursinus had a grand plan, or something that it was working toward,” he said. “The new transparency is much appreciated. I want communication and continued transparency.” Little, an American studies major who was president of the Black Student Union (Sankofa Umoja Nia), vice-president of student government and president of Sigma Pi Fraternity, is now teaching at a public charter school in Texas. Dr. Fong’s attention to diversity has captured his attention. “I want intentional conversation about diversity, and purposeful interactions between campus groups who wouldn’t normally interact with each other,” says Little.
Carol Clark Lawrence 1973, a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, spoke of building onto the college’s culture. “I have the same expectations as if (the late President Emeritus) John (Strassburger) were still here–and that’s that we remain competitive,” said Lawrence, a senior vice-president in community development banking. “He’s listening to so many conversations, then he will direct and shape where the College goes. We were looking for a leader to move us forward, and we have that in Bobby. We can’t look back. Ursinus has to continue pacing with the 21st century. Right now we appreciate that he’s learning, and that he’s bringing his style, as it is, and should be. He’s taking this quite seriously. The school must benefit from his tenure–and we will all benefit from him.” As Dr. Fong closed his inaugural address, he reaffirmed that Ursinus must remain “a repository of hope,” imagery immediately supported by a closing performance by the Philadelphia Suns, a non-profit dedicated to serving the region’s Asian-American community. The sound of its beating drums and the cultural color and pageantry of the lion dance landed at the feet of Dr. Fong. The trio bore a gift, then four exchanged bows. A new chapter has begun.
Part of the inauguration processional included 13 current students who marched in with international flags of their native origins. In his inaugural address, Dr. Fong made multiple references to respecting and appreciating differences, “assessing competing ideas” and forging a “universal humanity.”
View more coverage of the Inauguration here:
http://bit.ly/ucpresident
Excerpt from Dr. Fong’s Inaugural Address... An inauguration, however, is less a celebration of an individual than the opening of the latest chapter in the history of the institution…. “What we celebrate today is the beginning of another chapter in the story of Ursinus College, a story informed by foundational values that have inspired passion and dedication on the part of those who have imparted or partaken of a distinctive and exceptional educational experience. Fundamental to Ursinus is the academic seriousness with which it regards learning, teaching and scholarship. It affirms the life of the mind, the ability to think critically and to communicate effectively, while providing opportunity for students to develop habits of the heart, the capacity to work cooperatively and act ethically. It is committed to a community of learning that strives for ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity for the sake of enhancing the experience of students preparing to be citizens of the world. “Today, we remind ourselves of, and rededicate ourselves to, the principles and mission that undergird this place of learning. The most recent expression of these principles is found in the prologue to the draft strategic plan, the subject of a year-long process to identify institutional priorities for the next five to seven years. But strategic priorities must be set within the context of the foundational values of the College.”
1869-1890
John Henry Augustus Bomberger
PAST PRESIDENTS of URSINUS COLLEGE
1890-1891
Henry William Super (interim) (President 1892-1893)
1891-1892
George W. Williard (interim)
1893-1904
Henry Thomas Spangler
1904-1906
David Whitstone Ebbert
1907-1912
Albert Edwin Keigwin
&excitement
energy
and answer period, the presenters and the audience discussed the impact that groundwork in Philadelphia had on their perceptions of the city and the people who lived there. One student revealed that The days leading up to the Inauguration her exposure to media coverage had rendered her anxious on the defined what is best about Ursinus. prospect of going to Kensington for a class fieldtrip. Her experience By Joshua Walsh 2013 of the city had altered her perspective, and the class trips ultimately reduced her fear. She now has a new appreciation of Philadelphia An extended weekend celebration culminated in the inauguration and its culture. Such radical reversals of opinion reflect the transof Bobby Fong, Ph.D. as the 15th President of Ursinus College. He formative capacity of art that is grounded in experience to change succeeds interim president Jef Corson perceptions more fundamentally than Trustee Kelly Finch 1982 and Michele Nathan Borek 1982. who served after John Strassburger countless hours of conventional study. ended his tenure in the fall of 2009. The events began with the opening of The President and Mrs. Fong celebratthe Student Art Exhibition in the Bered the inauguration by hosting a ball at man Museum on Wednesday April the Phoenixville Foundry. Festive and 18. The opening brought a huge and jovial, the ball was a rare opportunity expectant crowd, which included the for students, faculty, administrators President-elect. The exhibition, feaand guests to mingle in a congenial, turing art of all mediums, epitomizes relaxed, yet elegant setting. George Ursinus’s commitment to celebrating Barringer 2013 enjoyed the ball imall forms of student expression. Judith mensely. “The inaugural ball was the Claire Peterson 2013, who won a prize best dance I’ve had here at Ursinus. I for her collection of pictures called The got to talk with professors and catch up Body Image Project (Part I), was excitwith old friends.” ed to have the opportunity to speak to Dr. Fong at length during the exhibiAt 11 a.m. on Saturday, President tion. “I thought it was pretty cool for Bobby Fong’s Inauguration ceremony him to make a point of coming over to began in the Field House. After a series me and talking about my work,” Peterof welcoming speeches given by Proson said. The welcoming atmosphere fessor C. Dallet Hemphill, Berman Muwas the perfect opening to a weekend seum director Lisa Tremper Hanover, of festivities. Collegeville Borough Councilman ArNancy Bare Davis 1951, James Nolan and Winifred P. (Pat) nold Mann, Trustee and alumnus Alan Howse 1950 enjoy the President’s Circle Dinner at the Foundry. During the annual Celebration of StuNovak 1971, State Sen. John C. Rafferty dent Achievement (CoSA) the following day, Ursinus suspended Jr., The Rev. Judith Youngman and Erica Schindewolf 2012, Bobby classes as students, professors, administrators, alumni and guests Fong officially became the 15th President of Ursinus College. In gave or attended lectures in various disciplines. My own lecture on his speech, President Fong asked the Ursinus community to comUrban Development in the 20th Century and urban planning stratmit itself to the future of what Ursinus could become, insisting that egies for Collegeville generated a discussion on the benefits and hope would be the wellspring of the future achievements the school costs of the strategies used by the University of Pennsylvania and could attain. The inauguration witnessed the dawning of a new day at Temple University to deal with their urban surroundings. Ursinus, one filled with as much hope as the atmosphere of the fourday celebration. Another presentation focused on student memoires informed by trips to various cultural sites in Philadelphia. During the question
1912-1936
George Leslie Omwake
1936-1958
Norman Egbert McClure
1958-1970
Donald Lawrence Helfferich
1970-1976
William Schuyler Pettit
1976-1994
Richard Paul Richter
1995-2010
John Strassburger
2010-2011
John E. F. Corson (interim)
who We Are,
whatWe Do
Celebration of Student Achievement (CoSA) blended into Inauguration festivities, offering a dynamic look at achievements of Ursinus students. By Zeba Hussaini 2014
This year, the 7th annual CoSA day kicked off the four day Inauguration weekend extravaganza. By celebrating diverse forms of intellectual and creative work done by Ursinus students, it was a unique and inspiring way to formally welcome Dr. Fong to the Ursinus community. “With CoSA, the president is getting a great introduction to what Ursinus has to offer and the potential of this campus,” said Ali Hrasok 2013. CoSA engages the whole Ursinus community in learning about the work of students throughout the year. The day included presentations in research, honors, independent study, internship, study abroad as well as performances, creative projects and other displays of student accomplishments. “CoSA is a time for students to reflect on our achievements,” said Erin Doby 2012. “It was a great way to start off the events for the weekend because CoSA is a perfect example of all of the positive things that Dr. Fong spoke about at the inauguration.” The student art exhibit, a student-faculty quiz competition, the study abroad photography contest winners’ reception, and more completed the day. Departments across campus were involved in showcasing their interests. Faculty, friends and family attended the presentations and demonstrated their support. “CoSA highlights who we are, what we do and what we’re all about,” said Adrienne Murphy-Stout 2013. (Above) Gina Masciarelli 2013 performs Turning World as part of the Ursinus College Dance Company’s role in the Inaugural celebration. (Right) Jonathan Ortiz 2014 performs in Marilyn and Sekou Sylla’s choreography. It was his first time dancing.
science Roundtable
As a part of the Inauguration celebration events, Dr. Joseph DeSimone 1986 spoke at the Science Roundtable: Toward a Vision of the Future of the Sciences. The symposium on April 20 discussed the teaching of science in the 21st century and the physical spaces needed for the best outcomes.
Dr. Joseph DeSimone 1986 talks at Science Roundtable. PAGE 16 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Other panelists included Dr. Daniel F. Sullivan, President Emeritus of St. Lawrence University; Dr. Rebecca Lyczak, Associate Professor of Biology; Dr. Lewis Riley, the Guilliam H. Clamer Chair and Professor of Physics; and Michael Lauber of Ellenzweig Architecture and Planning. Professor Victor Tortorelli, the Samuel H. and Anna M. Hess Professor of Chemistry and Director of Science in Motion, served as moderator. DeSimone is the Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University.
S
A
uzanne Dunham Fong is a teacher, attorney, civic volunteer and breast cancer survivor. She has supported her husband, President Bobby Fong, through his academic journey and continues to do so at Ursinus. Along the way, Suzanne has enriched and touched every academic community she has joined, yet always manages to make family her priority. Bobby and Suzanne Fong share an inside joke. “I’m the in-house counsel, but Bobby gets what he pays for,” reports Suzanne, who earned her Juris Doctorate with distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1982. The advice Bobby gets might be free, but it couldn’t come from a more articulate, informed and intellectually curious woman. Suzanne grew up in Easton, Md., and attended the St. Paul’s School for Girls. She went on to Wellesley College, where she graduated with a degree in English in 1974. Suzanne’s passion for learning, her inclination toward civic responsibility and her love of family go hand-in-hand with President Fong’s dedication to high-quality liberal arts education.
N.Y., then on to Butler University (2001-2011) in Indianapolis, and finally to Ursinus last spring. Suzanne brings her perspective to each new community and learns the best way to serve new neighbors and colleagues. In Kentucky, Suzanne first worked as a law clerk for an appellate judge, and went on to become a research associate and instructor at the University of Kentucky College of Law, where she edited a two-volume treatise on Kentucky Mineral Law.
NEW PLACE
CALLED
HOME By Ellen Cosgrove Labrecque 1995
“I truly just love to learn,” Suzanne says. Suzanne and Bobby Fong have been a team throughout his academic career. They met as undergraduates at an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship retreat on Cape Cod for students of Wellesley and Harvard (Bobby is a 1973 graduate of the latter).
She was an adjunct professor in business law at Berea College. At Hope College, she taught various law-related courses in the political science and sociology departments. She also chaired the Board of Heritage Homes, an organization that provided housing and care for developmentally disabled adults, and served as chair of her church’s outreach committee. In New York, Suzanne was twice elected to the Clinton Central School Board. She and her sons also raised three puppies for Canine Working Companions, a non-profit organization that trains and places service dogs for people with limited mobility. At her last post in Indianapolis, where Bobby served as president of Butler University, she served on the vestry of her church and on the boards of the Episcopal/ Lutheran campus ministry and the Immigrant Welcome Center.
Suzanne Fong checks the birdfeeders in the yard of the Fong’s Ninth Avenue home.
“We just connected,” Suzanne says about their meeting. “We had a shared sense of values and a shared sense of taking care of other people.” The couple now owns a home on Cape Cod that they use for their family retreats. The Fongs were married at a church in Baltimore the year Suzanne graduated. They moved to Los Angeles, where Suzanne earned a master’s degree in English and a certificate in teaching English as a Second Language from UCLA. Bobby completed his doctorate and their academic journey officially began. They started at Berea College (1978-1989) in Berea, Ky., and then moved to Hope College (1989-1995) in Holland, Mich. The next stop for the Fongs was Hamilton College (1995-2001) in Clinton,
“I wish I had a dozen Suzanne Fongs,” says Terri Morris Downs, executive director of the center. “She dug right into our mission and gave an eloquent and personal voice to how it feels to be a stranger in a new place. She and Dr. Fong know well the effects of discrimination and gave great credence to the importance of being a welcoming and inclusive community to everyone.” At Butler, Suzanne also was fighting a personal battle. In 2004, she was diagnosed with Stage IIIB breast cancer. She endured eight rounds of chemotherapy and the tumor melted away. Instead of turning inward during the crisis, the Fongs shared her diagnosis with the community, using her illness to communicate an important public health message. “We sent a memo to the community reminding women to get their mammograms,” she says. In treatment, she volunteered for every clinical study for which she was eligible, seeing that as a way of saying thank you for the excellent care she received at the Indiana University Cancer Center. She SPRING 2012 PAGE 17
One of her hopes here is to see the Collegeville and Ursinus community more engaged. An increase in attendance at student concerts and plays, and encouraging students to frequent local businesses are among her goals.
PAGE 18 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Continued from Page 17
served as an advocate and peer reviewer for the Komen Tissue Bank, which provides healthy breast tissue to those studying the causes of breast cancer. Now healthy, Suzanne will take time to determine how she can be most useful at Ursinus. “One of the things I’ve learned is that you respect the strengths of the place you are living [in] and build upon them,” she explains. “You nurture from the inside and then you reach out.” One of her hopes here is to see the Collegeville and Ursinus community more engaged. An increase in attendance at student concerts and plays, and encouraging students to frequent local businesses are among her goals. She regularly walks the family’s young Labrador retriever, Ursus, across campus and in town. Suzanne also has relished the role of “house manager” of the Fong’s Ninth Avenue home. Her down-to-earth decorating style creates a comfortable, warm place for students and alumni to visit. “The back room where we host has a 1940’s sunporch feel,” she explains. “I want the furniture to be nice, but not too fancy. I can say to the students, it is okay to put your stuff on tables. If you spill something, we can hose down the furniture,” she says with a laugh. No matter what her responsibilities within the academic community have been, Suzanne’s family is always at the forefront. The Fongs have two sons. Jonathan is a graduate of Connecticut College and works as a forensic videographer for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Colin is a senior at Bowdoin College in Maine. Living on the East Coast has provided more opportunities to drive to watch Colin run for the track team. He is a Division III All-American in the track Distance Medley Relay and the New England Division III champion in the 800 meters. Jonathan has visited his parents to rest and reinvigorate after long work hours in New York. “It’s been a real gift to have the boys closer in distance to us again,” says Suzanne. “This is one of the reasons Ursinus was so appealing.” Living in Pennsylvania also allows Suzanne to help care for her mother, Mary Dunham Nichols, who lives in a nursing home in Baltimore. Suzanne and Mary are especially close. Suzanne is an only child who never knew her father. She was only six weeks old when John Robertson Dunham went missing when a Russian MiG shot down his RB-29 off the northern coast of Japan while the crew was photo-mapping the easternmost coast of Hokkaido. Eyewitnesses saw a PT boat from a Russian-held island speeding towards parachutes drifting from the plane. That was the last news her family had of her father until 1991, when Suzanne was in Michigan and the telephone rang. “I had just put my babies to bed and I got a phone call that you usually just see in the movies,” Suzanne explains. “The man on the phone said, ‘Was your father John Robertson Dunham? We have news about him.’ ”
The news was big. A joint Russian-U.S. task force researching the fate of missing American servicemen during the Soviet era had recovered a telegram from 1952. The telegram was addressed to Joseph Stalin from the Russian Far East Command and reported that they had recovered the body of an airman with Suzanne’s father’s name. Over the next few years, the Commission uncovered more information about her father and the crew. Suzanne worked to locate the families of the other seven men on board who also died. She kept them up to date on all that had been discovered. The news became even bigger in 1993. A Pentagon official called from the U.S. embassy in Moscow to report they had discovered Suzanne’s father’s Annapolis class ring (he was a 1950 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy). It was turned over by the Soviet sailor who recovered Dunham’s body in 1952. The soldier had kept the ring all those years with the intention of returning it to the family. He was also able to reveal where he had buried the body. After two attempts, a joint Russian-U.S. recovery team located Dunham’s body and repatriated it to the United States. John Dunham was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery in July 1995. The soldier, who had returned the ring, by then in his late seventies, was flown over for the ceremony. Suzanne’s mother wore the ring on a chain around her neck and a B-52 bomber flew overhead as a final salute to John Dunham. “He disappeared from our lives 43 years ago,” Suzanne said at the services about her father. “He was missing, and the missing are different from the dead. The dead come back to us in the stories we tell about them, but you don't tell stories about the missing. It would be a kind of betrayal. In his short life he touched many lives, weaving the webs of friendship and memory that bring you here tonight. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved in return.” With John Dunham now laid to rest in his own country, Suzanne has closure and is at peace. She also feels lucky and proud in the way the U.S. government honored her father and his family. “It was our country at its very best,” she says. “We value the service of the individual, not the group, not the leader, simply the everyday citizen.” Bobby Fong also values the path of the individual, particularly in the pursuit of higher education. He feels lucky to have such an accomplished and able partner as they lead Ursinus into the future. “Suzanne and I have seen my presidency as a calling to the entire Fong family, not just to me,” says Bobby. “The nature of the community envisioned on a college campus necessitates investment in relationships and hospitality. In all this, Suzanne has been a partner and advisor to me over the years. Her efforts as a presidential spouse have been unstinting and generous. Ursinus and I benefit from her insights, her actions and her advocacy. I depend on her love and support.”
SPRING 2012 PAGE 19
Sitting Down with
Mr. Daggett By Kathryn Campbell
PAGE 20 URSINUS MAGAZINE
William O. Daggett 1962
R
econnecting with former classmates is just one reason Bill Daggett is looking forward the 50th class reunion this June. “I enjoyed my friendships with both fellow students and with my professors,” says Daggett, who lives in Chester County, Pa., with his wife, Jane. “I still see and stay in touch with friends from my days at Ursinus.” As a longtime supporter of Ursinus, he is also pleased to take a step back and take the long view on its progress. “I’m excited about where Ursinus is today,” he says. “We’ve got a beautiful campus, great students and the presidents, from Dr. Richter and John Strassburger and now to Dr. Fong, have all done a wonderful job.” Daggett knows a thing or two about leadership. He is CEO of Kistler Tiffany Benefits, a regional force in the field of employee benefits consulting. It was ranked as the seventh largest regional/middle states employee benefits firm by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2011. Newly graduated with a business degree, Daggett signed his first contract to work at the company, originally called Kistler Tiffany Companies. It was July 2, 1962. Within 10 years he started a group benefits department and eventually became a partner. In 1999, he bought out his partners. Now the organization focuses strictly on benefits consulting. It has experienced great increases in revenue and represents more than 17,800 businesses as well as municipalities, unions, school districts and associations. Daggett was a member of the Ursinus Board of Trustees for seven years. Today he sits on six boards and though it demands much of his time, he says he enjoys it. “Bill has been extraordinarily generous with both his time and talent,” says Chair of the Board of Trustees John E.F. (Jef) Corson. “There is no one I know who has recruited more high school kids to Ursinus, many of whom are athletes as well as scholars. He has been an inspirational leader of his class.” Daggett is especially proud of his sons, Brian, Brad and Bill, who have all followed him into the company that today has offices in eight locations. Although Kistler Tiffany will remain private, Daggett says he hopes to expand its health-care consulting technology platform. Among the traits he values are loyalty and hard work. But to really know Daggett is also to understand his passion for athletics. He and Jane are dyed-in-the-wool golfers, playing an average of 75 rounds of golf each year. Among their favorite places to play are Ocean Reef, Fla. in the winter and the South Jersey shore in the summer. A power walker, Daggett is usually accompanied by his dog, Trooper. “He likes it,” says Daggett about the famously wrinkled Shar Pei. “He goes everywhere I go.” A long-time Philadelphia sports fan, it’s not unusual for Daggett to attend between 60 and 75 professional sports events each year. It’s not only the professional sports leagues he supports. Daggett is just as likely to be spotted cheering on the older set of his eight grandchildren at their school games. A former Ursinus athlete, he played varsity baseball and basketball and intramural football as a student
after transferring here in his sophomore year from Elon University. Daggett continues to make time to root courtside for the basketball team and in the stands for baseball games each season. In addition to personal energy and enthusiasm for all things Bears, Bill and Jane Daggett’s generous support of Ursinus scholarship and athletic programs have been a longstanding hallmark of the Willistown Township family. “Bill Daggett has been an amazing leader for Ursinus,” says Jill Marsteller, Senior Vice President for Advancement at Ursinus. “He personifies what it means to give back to his alma mater in every sense and we count him among the brightest stars in our alumni constellation. We honor him as a special member of the 1869 Society (those who have committed at least $1 million to Ursinus in their lifetime), and we hold him up–along with his fellow classmates–as part of the golden 50th anniversary class to be heralded on Alumni Weekend in June.” “I just like getting involved in projects,” says Daggett modestly. He has fond memories of his time at Ursinus. Even the time he spent as a student worker in Freeland Hall, the College’s cafeteria, he counts as worthwhile and fun. Another job he held was as a night clerk at a nearby hotel to help support himself as a student. If there was studying to be done, he brought the work with him. He has established the William O. Daggett Jr. Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need, academic achievement and leadership qualities. A true believer in the personal touch, Daggett has been an advocate for bringing new students to Ursinus. “Bill has been one of my favorite graduates to work with to recruit students to the college,” says Richard G. DiFeliciantonio, Vice President for Enrollment at Ursinus. “Since my first days at Ursinus, back in 1990, when Bill took the time to introduce himself, we have discussed, easily, over a hundred high school students with the potential to attend the college. And I can’t count the number of times he’s taken the time from his own workday to drive to the college to accompany his nervous referrals and their parents, personally introducing them to me and Ursinus.” It’s been a pleasure to watch the business grow, he says, especially in recent years. “I love it,” he says. “And I enjoy having a lower profile now.” But lower profile doesn’t mean less work. He still travels often for business, and sets his alarm for 4:44 a.m. just as he has for the last several decades. He even works on Saturdays. The effort and determination paid off for Daggett. Now he is able to spend a little time reflecting on his path. “One piece of advice to young people starting out in business would be, never burn any bridges,” he says. In addition to determination, he attributes some of his good fortune in the business world to his genuine love of meeting new people. It helps of course if, like Daggett, you’re a people person. SPRING 2012 PAGE 21
SE N IO R S • 2 0 1 2 Vibrant, creative, determined and accomplished are some of the words to describe the Class of 2012. They developed their own honors projects, won awards in academics and athletics, reached out to the community, worked side-by-side with professors and with each other. They traveled to present their research and to perform on the playing field and the stage. In this photograph we introduce you to just a sample of the newest graduates of Ursinus College. You can read more about them and their advice to underclassmen at www.ursinus.edu.
Elizabeth Burns
Media and Communication Studies Major Minors in English and Sociology One of two Class Salutatorians. President, Campus Activities Board. Worked on Ruby yearbook, Grizzly and the Lantern. Member, Theta Chi, the Media and Communication Studies honor society.
Seniors Not Shown
Natalie DelBusso
Jason Mullins
Major Anthropology and Sociology / Minor in Spanish
Double Major International Relations and History
Football team, a UC Ambassador, member of Phi Kappa Sigma international fraternity, President of Fraternities within the Inter-Greek Council. First place, MAPS 2011 Poster Competition held at Thomas Jefferson University.
One of two Class Salutatorians. Cub & Key Society, Pi Gamma Mu, Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Alpha Theta, and the Modern Languages honors society. Member of Phi Kappa Sigma, Delta Rho chapter. Baseball team, Writing Fellow, Ursinus Model U.N.
Co-Valedictorian. Inducted into the Modern Language Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa. She will be going on to a doctoral program in theoretical linguistics in the fall.
Alyssa Thren
Katherine Greco
Field Hockey Standout. All-time leading goal scorer in Centennial Conference and Ursinus history. Third team All-America and First Team All-Region.
Independent chemistry research, presented at the Council on Undergraduate Research ‘Posters on the Hill’ Conference in Washington, D.C. Treasurer, Ursinus Chapter of the Beardwood Chemical Society. Performed with the Ursinus College Dance Company.
Exercise and Sports Science Major / Coaching Minor
Christopher Howard
Biology Major
Double Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) and Dance
Karissa Smith
Mathematics Major/ Double Minor in Computer Science and Statistics Member Kappa Delta Kappa Sorority, member Kappa Mu Epsilon, the National Mathematics Honor Society. Research project Modeling the Effect of Diversity in Host Plant-Herbivore-Predator Interactions accepted by the National Institute for Mathematical & Biological Synthesis and won Outstanding Presentation Award at the Joint Mathematics Meeting from the MAA Undergraduate Poster Session.
Shane Eachus
Double Major Psychology and Media and Communication Studies Grizzly, sports editor. DJ, Ursinus radio WVOU, Resident Advisor. Football team captain, Track and Field team. COSIDA 1st Team Academic All American (Football), COSIDA 1st Team Academic All South Region (Football), All Centennial Conference Sportsmanship Team, 1st Team All Centennial Conference 55 meter high hurdles, Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Maire Moriarty
Social Justice Studies Major / Spanish Minor President, Kappa Delta Kappa and Bonner Leader. Started with the English as a Second Language program as a tutor, became a lesson planner and ultimately coordinator.
PAGE 22 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Katharine Lechleitner Sam Rinde
Business and Economics Major Deans List, member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Honor Society in Economics. Student assistant in the Alumni Office, Resident Advisor, Ursinus Mens Club Volleyball.
Politics Major/ English, International Relations Minors
Track & Field, President, Omega Chi, Pre-Legal Intern, Oral Advocacy Award for Moot Court, Trucksess Award, Distinguished Honors Research in Politics, Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), Captain of Mock Trial Team.
Gregory Martell
Double Major Mathematics and Business Economics / Statistics Minor Football team, captain. All-Conference and All-Academic selection Centennial Conference, Defensive Player of the Year for Centennial Conference, ECAC Division III South Football All-Star team. Member Kappa Mu Epsilon, Cub & Key Society.
Michelle Ermatinger-Salas Renaissance Studies Major
Participated in Curatorial Initiative, culmination of three specific semesters of work became the exhibition “Holding the Eyes and Soul”: Object and Viewer in 2012 in the Berman Museum. Resident Advisor and volunteer firefighter.
Kristen Wampole
Business and Economics Major / Mathematics Minor One of two Class Valedictorians. Honors research looked at the impact of productive and non-productive variables on an NFL offensive lineman’s salary. Member, Phi Beta Kappa, Whitians Honor Society and Omicron Delta Epsilon.
Erica Schindewolf
Double Major Biology and Psychology / Minor Biostatistics Class President, Assistant Resident Director, Biology Tutor, Admissions Tour Guide, College Planning and Priority Committee Inaugural Speaker for Dr. Bobby Fong.
Kamilah McGill Mathematics Major
Resident Advisor, Admissions Office intern, Vice President of Best Buddies, member Senior Planning Committee. Student teacher at Spring-Ford Middle School and Spring-Ford High school. Assistant Cheerleading Coach at the middle school.
Mitch Smith
Physics Major / Mathematics Minor Member of Phi Kappa Sigma and worked on lighting and video at Kaleidoscope theater. Lighting designer for Breakaway Student Productions and Escape Velocity Dance Troupe. This past year he joined the Breakaway board as the technical coordinator, Technical assistant to the Bearitones.
Elizabeth Kilmer
Media and Communication Studies Major / English Minor
Ryan Pugliese
Co-Editor, The Grizzly, member Theta Chi, the honors society of the Media & Communication Studies department. CBS3 Eyewitness News intern.
Biology Major / Business Management Minor Leadership Development & Student Activities Programming Associate, Campus Activities Board Liaison, Vice President of the Photography Club.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 23
Securing
LANDSCAPE
Legacy
&
By Kathryn Campbell
In Molly Morrison’s view, everyone has a stake in preserving open space.
Since Morrison began her work as president in 2000, Natural Lands Trust has tripled the number of acres it preserves.
M
olly Morrison 1975 walked across a stone courtyard to a small bench. The view, just a few steps from her office at the Natural Lands Trust headquarters in Media, Pa., is a good spot to take in the sloping hills, meadows and trees fresh with new spring blooms. As president of Natural Lands Trust, she is poised to watch for changes in the landscape in both the environment and the business world. Her success over the last decade has been in bridging the two entities. PAGE 24 URSINUS MAGAZINE
“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve been able to spend time in an arena that I am passionate about,” says Morrison, who was Director of Policy and Planning for Chester County’s Board of Commissioners before arriving at Natural Lands Trust. “It gave me perspective. You are exposed to competing demands and they’re all legitimate in their advocacy. Land preservation is part of all that and it has to fit in the large quality of life issues that this region faces. It was a great way to learn truly what a community is all about.”
Her daily work has been guiding and leading a variety of constituents, from private donors to municipalities, in preserving and protecting land in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. “Their reasons [for donating land] are as different as people are different,” says Morrison, who grew up in Phoenixville and majored in English at Ursinus. “Legacy is a factor,” she says. “They fundamentally agree that they value land and open space for many ecological reasons and they see themselves as intertwined with the landscape. We talk about their priorities, how we can balance development with preservation of very important open spaces.” In her bright and spare office there is an air of an organized and deliberate leader. Property maps cover one desk, papers and books another. She sits at a small table, the sunlight pouring in over her shoulder, as she explains the network of people and organizations that work for the stewardship and preservation of public and private land. In 1953, Natural Lands Trust was started by a group of birders who called themselves the Philadelphia Conservationists and joined forces to protect the Tinicum Marsh, now the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Today the nonprofit’s annual operating budget is $6,000,000 and it has 40 nature preserves in two states and 12 counties. In its history it has preserved more than 100,000 acres of land through individuals, government agencies and conservation groups. Since she began her work here in 2000, Natural Lands Trust has tripled the number of acres it preserves. “There is never a single reason why these things happen,” says Morrison, an avid reader and hiker. “The surge in protected land is an expression of public support for preservation. It’s part of our DNA.”
After graduating from Ursinus, her curiosity and love of writing led her to pursue a master’s in communications from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. “College is all about sampling,” says Morrison. “I decided to pursue journalism because I craved a constantly changing landscape.” Growing up, Morrison spent many happy hours on her grandparents’ farm. She often visited and helped with chores. “It sounds kind of sappy,” she says, “but I remember things like the achinglycold feel of the water on my hands from the springhouse. We also gathered hickory nuts for my grandmother. That reverence for nature started very early for me.” But even those who don’t have a background, or close identity, with the land have a desire for the many benefits of preservation, Morrison says. “People who live in densely populated areas have an appreciation of open space,” she says. “There is an economic impact. The value of real estate in areas where there is open space is higher. Part of what makes this region competitive on a global scale is its connected network of open spaces.” Natural resources, recreation and agriculture are the top reasons for municipalities and businesses to continuing to expand the acres of open space. Directing the management of preserves, being a steward and advocate for the land, these responsibilities are her work, but Morrison hopes to convince more people in the public and private sector that it should be a shared goal essential to the growth of a community. “Our preserves present the opportunity to connect in a profound way to nature,” she says. “There is a restorative, psychic benefit to being out of doors.” SPRING 2012 PAGE 25
In Rural
Vermont, Providing Health Care T
for the Uninsured
he odds seem unlikely that two Ursinus alumni, who graduated decades apart, would find themselves working together at a free clinic in Middlebury, Vt. But general practitioners Tim Cope 1965 and Scott Smith 1986 both found their way to the Open Door Clinic, a no-frills health center operating there. The clinic exists in a trailer that doubles as a specialist’s office during the day. The trailer is located about 200 yards from the Porter Hospital Emergency Room. In the evenings, during clinic hours, the staff set out a portable sign directing patients to the clinic entrance. It has five exam rooms, a check in and waiting area, and several other rooms including a small break room. The Open Door Clinic is a non-profit organization that serves two towns, Middlebury and Vergennes. It operates mainly on volunteer hours, state and federal grants as well as private donations. One of the nice things about the clinic, Smith says, is the staff and doctors work so closely together.
Both Cope and Smith attended the family medicine residency program at York College in Pennsylvania. Cope grew up in Red Lion, Pa. with a father who was the general practitioner in the small town. “His office was adjacent to the house, so I had a lot of experience of just the day-to-day of what it would be like,” says Cope, who is often seen wearing a white clinic coat and carrying the traditional doctor bag he has owned for decades. After completing medical school at Hahnemann (now Drexel University College of Medicine), Cope put his residency on hold in 1970 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a surgeon. When he returned to York to complete his residency in 1972, he realized that home was not what he remembered. He moved to Vermont in 1974. The majority of Cope’s medical career has been in Middlebury in a private practice. In 1995 when he and his partner sold to Porter Medical Center, he continued to practice until he retired in 2010. PAGE 26 URSINUS MAGAZINE
By Alissa Smith 2008
Doctors Tim Cope 1965 and Scott Smith 1986 treat patients who can’t afford health insurance at the Open Door Clinic. It was a happy coincidence when they learned they both were Ursinus alumni.
Volunteering at Open Door three times a month offers Cope the ability to simply work with the patients again, without the added stresses of running a practice. Smith arrived in Vermont in 1999 after working in the Four Corners area of Arizona on a Native American reservation. But his interest in medicine started when he was in high school volunteering at a local hospital in Galloway Township, N.J. Once he had settled on medicine as a career, he says, he was determined. And after graduating from Ursinus, he attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. During a typical day at Open Door clinic there are 10 to 20 patients. Generally there are 10 patients per doctor, and the clinic is open from 6-9 p.m. two nights a week. “The vast majority are working individuals … and health care is sort of a luxury,” says Smith, who sometimes rides his bike to the clinic. The clinic started out as a mobile bus 20 years ago and doctors will still travel to see some patients. “They’ll go out to see the farmers, but also the farm workers, who are classically migrant workers,” says Smith.
Cope says the clients are not what he expected. “I thought that they would all be very poor people. But most of them are middle class, self-employed,” he says. “There are a lot of trades’ people, a lot of self-employed skilled people and small business owners that can’t afford insurance.” In addition to patients at the poverty level, the clinic also serves small businesses owners who can’t afford insurance and provides help to patients to get them enrolled in an insurance program either with the state or a private company. “There are many people in our community, as there are throughout the country, who are hard-working yet have no health insurance and struggle to deal with illness. Our clinic provides an option for them for non-urgent medical care and follow-up,” says Smith. “Most are trying their hardest to support themselves and their families, while not having health insurance. I am inspired by the migrant farm workers who support the dairy industry here in Addison County working long, grueling hours doing work that is exhausting in an environment and culture that is much different than their homeland.” Smith explained that in the Middlebury area there are only 11 primary care doctors and two retirees who joined as volunteers in the clinic. “In a rural town like this it’s difficult to have enough primary care doctors for those patients who have insurance,” says Smith, who lives with his wife, Leanne and daughter, Kelsey, in a modest home several miles outside of Middlebury. Because of the shortage of doctors, finding volunteers to add to their already busy work schedule can be difficult. “To Tim’s credit, he’s at the clinic three of four nights of the month,” Smith says. That offers some patients a feeling of continuity as most of the volunteer doctors can only volunteer one night a month. The clinic allows doctors like Cope and Smith to simply practice medicine and to help people. And that is exactly why the two Ursinus alumni became doctors. “It’s the most enjoyable part of the practice,” says Smith.
Alissa Smith 2008 studied English and Media and Communications. After graduation she traveled to Morocco and volunteered at an orphanage in Rabat before going to City University of London in the United Kingdom to study for her Masters in International Journalism. She has covered state politics in Virginia and Wisconsin and is currently in Connecticut working as a reporter.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 27
Class Notes 1942
Albin P. Tkacz, who resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C., writes that his wife of 68 years, Marjorie Colsher Tkacz (1943), passed away Nov. 22, 2010. Marjorie was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 30, 1922, and moved to Winterport, Maine, with Albie in 1945 where they owned and operated Blaisdell Orchards. After 45 years in the apple orchard business, Marge and Albie moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to enjoy their retirement and play golf. Marjorie is missed by Albie, daughters Nancy and Betsy, sonin-law Allen, and granddaughters Anna and Laura. Marjorie’s older sister and closest friend, Anne Colsher Sando, attended Ursinus in the class of 1938. Anne passed away Jan. 28, 2012. Anne’s husband, Briant Sando, also attended Ursinus and graduated in 1939. The two couples had very fond memories of their college years. Anne Colsher Sando 1938 (left) and her sister Marjorie Colsher Tkacz 1943.
in West Chester, Pa., for almost 40 years, gave a series of talks this past January called “Is the United States of America in the Process of Societal Breakdown?” The sessions were based on his new book, My Uncle Sam Needs a House Call: The Faltering Health of a Great Nation.
1953
Audrey (Rittenhouse) Cox and her husband Gerry (1955) enjoy living in Florida are still active and travel a good bit of the time.
1954
Isobel (Helffrich) Beaston and husband Philip are happy with their new lifestyle at Granite Farm Estates in Media, Pa. Isobel has also won numerous prizes for poetry this year including a first prize from the Pennsylvania Poetry Society Annual Contest.
1955
Gerry Cox and his wife, Audrey (Rittenhouse 1953), enjoy living in Florida, are still active and travel a good bit of the time.
1957
Arthur A. Arena has a new grandson, Jacob Bradley Eckel, who was born on Aug. 9, 2011.
1958 1947
William Nikel plays tenor sax for health center residents at his retirement community in West Caldwell, N.J.
1948
Frederick A. Grassin, D.O., still works at the Port Richey, Fla., clinic he opened in 1961. He sees patients four days a week and takes Thursdays for “office work.” When patients ask him about retirement he offers a one word answer: “Don’t.”
1949
Dick Brandlon is celebrating his 27th year of retirement and his 57th year of marriage in Portland, Ore., and Seal Beach, Calif. He enjoys writing blogs and generally raising as much “heck” as he can. Robert Poole, M.D. who practiced family medicine PAGE 28 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Robert D. Quinn joined the United Resource Holdings Group, Inc., a U.S.-based exploration and development company focused on the acquisition of mining equipment and the development of gold, as a director. Quinn has more than 50 years of experience in business and finance and has particular expertise in the metals industry.
1959
Patricia (Patterson) Rech sadly reports that her husband, Donald L. Rech, passed away on Feb. 15, 2011.
1961
E. Ann Woodward volunteers a lot with the Democratic Party of York, Pa., and the York County Community Against Racism. She attends the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York and is happy to be back there for 11 years after living in Massachusetts, Southern California and Reading, Pa.
1962
Robert J. Broselow, M.D., is now medical director
of the Mountainview and Hilltop Correctional Facilities for Women in Gatesville, Texas. Gayle (Gordinier) Roper’s latest book, Shadows on the Sand: A Seaside Mystery, was released in July 2011. Her Amish Farm Trilogy was re-released and is selling well. Roper was widowed in July 2010.
1963
Geof Bloom has a blog at www.geofbloom.com. Called From The Stool, the blog is a lighthearted commentary on everyday subjects about which Bloom has strong opinions and sincere interest. He prepared the website as a means of sharing his thoughts with those who may have interest. Toby Gelfand, Ph.D., is the Jason A. Hannah Professor of History of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. He has published extensively on the history of medicine in 18th- and 19th-century France, particularly on the contribution of Jean-Martin Charcot and his relationship with Sigmund Freud. He is the co-author, with Christopher G. Goetz and Michel Bonduelle, of the definitive biography Charcot: Constructing Neurology (Oxford University Press, 1995) and co-editor, with John Kerr, of Freud and the History of Psychoanalysis (Analytic Press, 1992), among other works. His most recent book is Charcot in Morocco, which is the first-ever publication of Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot’s travel diary of his 1887 trip to Morocco. Considered the father of neuropathology, Charcot (1825–1893) is a seminal character in the history of neurology and psychology. The book provides new insights into the personality of this influential figure and his perspectives on the Orient and its inhabitants. Charles Peraino has a photography blog, Charlie’s Hobbies, that includes photos taken from his many trips around the world. Check out his blog and photos at lifewithcharlieandterry.blogspot.com. Rev. Dr. Harry L. Serio is a founder and the longest-serving board member of the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pa. He serves as an emcee of the performances and coordinates the emcees for the festival, which runs in March.
1965
Evelyn (McNaull) Hartmann is the 2012 recipient of the Middlesex County Edward Schoifet Family Law Award. Hartmann was chosen by her
colleagues to receive this award in honor of her long career as an accomplished family law attorney known for her advocacy for her clients while maintaining an attitude of fairness with her adversaries and courtesy in all circumstances. She is a sole practitioner in Woodbridge, N.J. She received her legal education at the Rutgers University School of Law in Newark earning her JD in 1983. Karen Kohn was recently inducted into The Delaware Basketball State Hall of Fame. She was the states winningest girl’s basketball coach (227-86) when her tenure at A.I. du Pont ended in 1986. The Tigers won the state title in 1977 and finished second in 1976. Kohns teams won 11 Blue Hen Conference titles, and she was named state coach of the year in 1968, 1977 and 1986. Kohn also coached A.I.’s field hockey team to eight conference titles, two state championships and a 202-69 record over 25 years. She is also a member of the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame for Athletes at Ursinus.
1967
Allen Helwig reports he is now retired from the Good Samaritan Health System. He was director of pastoral care for 11 years, previously having served Churches in the United Church of Christ for 30 years. He lives in Lebanon, Pa.
1970
Jeffrey Crandall, D.D.S., completed his dental training at Temple University School of Dentistry in 1974 and the General Practice Dental Residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont in 1975. In 1984 Dr. Crandall received a certificate for completion of the extended program in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Crandall has maintained a referral-based practice limited to TMD and orofacial pain since 1984. He is a member of the attending staff in surgery and a preceptor for the General Practice Dental Residency at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and the International College of Dentists. He was president of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain in 2010-2011 and served as acting president for the AAOP in 2011-2012. He has presented more than 30 programs on a local and national level and has served as a planner for several national courses presented by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
1971
James “Jim” Williams and his wife Ginny retired from teaching in 2006 and live in Sun City Vistoso in Oro Valley, Ariz. They keep active by hiking in nearby mountains and playing tennis. He also pursues local area historical research. His article, “To Transform the Inner City” on the 1960’s in Tucson, was published in The Journal of Arizona History in 2011. He also teaches adult education classes in American history in their community.
1974
James A. Milke is president of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) for 2012. Milke is a professor and the chair of the department of fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland. Milke has served on the societys Board of Directors since 2004 and is an SFPE Fellow. SFPE Fellows represent a distinguished group of members who have attained significant stature and accomplishment in engineering.
1975
Andrew “Andy” Andre retired this past April after 36 years in the construction and mining industry. He worked for Atlas Copco CMT USA since 2004 after 28 years with Ingersoll Rand Construction and Mining. Prior to that, Andre served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. Debbie Ryan was inducted as a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 in April. Ryan was the women’s basketball head coach at the University of Virginia from 1978-2011 and her Virginia teams compiled an overall record of 739-324, participated in the NCAA tournament 24 times and made three-consecutive Final Four appearances. Her teams reached the NCAA Tournament “Sweet Sixteen” 12 times, won three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament Titles and 11 ACC regular season championships. Ryan was honored as the Naismith Coach of the Year in 1991 and earned ACC Coach of the Year honors seven times. She is also a member of the class of 2008 for the Womens’ Basketball Hall of Fame.
1979
Edward O. Naab was recently named Susquehanna Bank’s President of Susquehanna’s Blue Mountain Region. Keith Strunk led a discussion in collaboration with Arcadia University’s master of fine arts program in creative writing and the Philadelphia Writers Conference Free Forum Series on the topic, “Turn the Actor’s Craft into a Writer’s Tool” this past February. Strunk discussed the relationship between the actor’s and writer’s craft and the impact it has on character development and dialogue. Strunk is an actor, teacher and author, film and video producer, and has appeared in commercials, independent films and on stage. Strunk co-founded River Union Stage with Laura Swanson in 2002 and is a partner in Interlude Group, LLC, a corporate training company.
1984
John M. Zerr reports he and his wife Maria have three children ages 14, 11 and 6 and have been living in Houston for almost six years. He is the managing director and general counsel for Invesco.
1986
Dr. Joseph DeSimone was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for his excellence in original scientific research in the field
of chemical engineering. Membership in the NAS is one of the highest honors given to a scientist or engineer in the United States. Among the renowned NAS members are Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Orville Wright and Alexander Graham Bell. Dr. DeSimone will be inducted into the Academy next April during its 150th annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Dr. DeSimone is Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill and William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University. He is also an adjunct member at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. DeSimone has received over 40 major awards and recognitions including the 2010 AAAS Mentor Award, the 2009 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, and the 2008 Lemelson-MIT Prize. In 2005 he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. DeSimone has published more than 280 scientific articles and has 130 patents to his name with over 120 patents pending.
1989
Bridget (Algeo) Letukas reports she has a blog called Cabin Chat. Its tagline is “Thoughts on the stuff of life from the mountains of Pennsylvania.” She chats about movies, recipes, fitness, current events and life lessons and frequently displays pictures taken of and around the cozy cabin. Check it out at www.bridgetscabin.blogspot.com. Jennifer E. Richardson was recently named chair of the English Department at Bellefonte (Pa.) Area High School.
1990
Anupy Singla hosted a book signing at the Williams-Sonoma store in King of Prussia in late March for her book The Indian Slow Cooker. She also sold her own personal spice box, The Spice Tiffin, at the store.
1991
Deborah (Kriebel) Haynes is enrolled at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg beginning fall of 2012. She is pursuing a Master’s of Ministerial Studies.
1992
Michael Frederick was recently appointed vice president and New Jersey agency services manager for Stewart Title Guaranty Company.
1994
Steve Christy reports he is a Region Market Access Manager for Novartis Vaccines covering Pennsylvania. Last year he won the National CREDO Award, which included a trip to Punta Cana, and the company made a $100,000 donation to a meningitis charity in his name. He and his wife, Mia, are expecting their first child in September.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 29
Harley Rubin reports he recently joined iCrossing as a copywriter in their Dallas office. iCrossing is a full-service digital agency with clients and offices around the world. He is currently writing website content, display advertising campaigns and more.
1995
William J. Davies was assigned to the Economic Crime/White Collar Unit of the Franklin County (Ohio) Prosecutors Office. Previously, he had been prosecuting cases for more than five years in the Abuse Unit, which handles serious felonies committed against women and children such as rape, murder, internet crimes, physical and sexual abuse. He is married and a father of two sons (7 and 6) and a daughter(2). Robert Peter Jacoby is a psychotherapist who has worked with patients in North Carolina for over 15 years. He recently collaborated on a book with illustrator Brian MacGregor called The Return To Love: A Users Guide To Mending A Broken Heart. The book sells internationally and is on Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon. Brian S. Riordan co-authored a book with his mother, Vicki G. Riordan, called "Encore Performance: How One Woman's Passion Helped A Town Tap into Happiness." The book focuses on Vicki's journey to go back to teach dance as a single mother to make ends meet. Through her partnership with Brian, she now runs America's largest adult tap group in Harrisburg with over 500 women and men with an average age of 57. Brian and his mom were on CBS Sunday morning this past April talking about the book and they have also done signings at Barnes and Noble.
1996
Mark Leiser has been named executive editor of HemOnc Today, a clinical and industry newspaper distributed to 33,000 hematologists and oncologists. Leiser is also a freelance writer for The Hospitalist, a Society of Hospital Medicine publication.
1999
George Z. Hankins was named 2011 Pennsylvania’s Outstanding American History Teacher of the Year by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Jenn (McGee) Pietrzykowski and her husband recently started a new business, The Spirited Artist, in Phoenixville, Pa. The Spirited Artist is a BYOB art studio, which offers all the amenities for cultivating your inner artist including tabletop easels, smocks, canvases, paint and brushes. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks and choice of beverages to enhance the party and uncork their creative spirits. The website is www.thespiritedartist.com. Mike Traud, Esq., recently appeared on an episode of the Fox television show Kitchen Nightmares as a business consultant for a restaurant.
2000
Timothy P. Brennan was selected to the 2012 PAGE 30 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Rising Stars list and will be featured in the June 2012 issues of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® magazine and Philadelphia magazine. The honor is reserved for lawyers who have shown excellence in practice. The attorneys listed in Rising Stars are limited to 2.5% of the outstanding emerging lawyers in Pennsylvania who are age 40 and under, or have been practicing 10 years or less. In 2012, he also established his own firm, Brennan Law Offices, which focuses on workers compensation, business litigation, real estate, zoning, municipal law, debtor/creditor law, tort law, equine law and general litigation.
2006
Thomas Group reports he finished his M.S. in Clinical Research Organization and Management (CROM) from Drexel College of Medicine and started a new job in clinical research this past April. He will be staying at Merck but moving to a new site in Upper Gwynedd, Pa. He will be part of the Vaccines Clinical Research group where they design, monitor and evaluate late-stage clinical trials. Lisa Claudine Injaian writes that she is engaged to marry Jarrod David Hoover. Injaian is a doctoral candidate in biological sciences with a specialization in virology at the University of Maryland. Angela Sterner reports she and Mark Iacolucci (2008) were engaged on Aug. 6, 2011. They are currently planning their wedding for next January.
2009
Matt Caruso has a blog that focuses on the psychological aspects of singing. Currently, he owns his own company called ACappellaPsych. It is an a cappella exclusive full-service production company. Services include recording, editing, mixing, coaching, managing bookings and public relations. They have recorded and released a B'Naturals song, which can be found on iTunes. Their website is www.ACappellaPsych.com. Alex Peay, the founder of Rising Sons while at Ursinus, is one of 10 winners of the Black Male Engagement (BME) project awards. He is also is the recipient of a grant to continue his work with the organization. Rising Sons began at Ursinus in 2007 as a small discussion group. With the help of two other Ursinus alumni, Mubarak Lawrence and Stephen Harris, Peay transformed Rising Sons into a nonprofit that empowers underserved youth through personal and professional development as they give back to their communities through service. Rising Sons now has 12 dedicated members who help run five programs in four Philadelphia public schools for 75 students based on activities involving computer technology, performing arts, mentoring, outreach and sports without any outside funding.
2010
Richard J. Kisielowski reports he earned his Master of Science in public policy from Drexel University this past December. Roger Lee premiered five new dance works in three performances this past April at The Performance
Garage in Philadelphia. The performances combined contemporary jazz dance with soul music. Lee is the founder, artistic director and choreographer of Roger Lee Dance, a contemporary jazz dance company.
2011
Midori Intrator was accepted to Bournemouth University’s Biological Anthropology master’s program in the United Kingdom. David Hysek is working for Lorel Marketing Group in King of Prussia, Pa.
BIRTHS & ADOPTIONS 1999
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Huller (Karen Hollinger), a daughter, Adelaide Rose, on Dec. 10, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. George Z. Hankins (Tonia Crissey), a daughter, Sinead Hope-Charlene, on April 26, 2011.
2000
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Banff (Jessica Kilian), daughters, Julie Anne and Claire Marie, on July 3, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Corey Krejcik (Gretchen Paul), a son, Nathan Joseph, and daughter, Daphne Ann, on Feb. 7, 2012.
2001
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Flor (Kristen Holcombe), a daughter, Jenna Elizabeth, on Dec. 28, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Matkowsky (Heather Sweeney), a daughter, Anna Catherine, on Feb. 3, 2012, and a son, Liam Ryan, on July 7, 2010.
2002
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Sullivan (Kelly Rothermel), a son, Riley Jacob, on May 28, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Corey (Gretchen Paul) Krejcik, a son, Nathan Joseph, and daughter, Daphne Ann, on Feb. 7, 2012.
2003
Mr. and Mrs. Travis Allred (Lauren Woodward), a daughter, Vivienne, on April 16, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rowles, sons, Francis William and James Robert, on Oct. 8, 2011.
2004
Mr. and Mrs. James Cunningham (Bethany Stitt), a daughter, Sophie Taylor, on June 21, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Jason Flor (Kristen Holcombe), a daughter, Jenna Elizabeth, on Dec. 28, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Erick Moser (Nina Simoncavage), a son, Luke Simon, on Jan. 5, 2012. Mr. and Mrs. James Pettia (Jennifer Guido), a son, Jackson James, on June 16, 2011.
Art
The
of Giving There are many ways to make a charitable
gift in order to reach your philanthropic objectives. A life income gift to Ursinus College pays dividends. Choose from several options depending on your age, your needs and the way you fund the gift. A life income gift provides the following benefits:
• A stream of income for the lifetime of the donor and/or other qualified beneficiaries • Eligible for an income tax charitable deduction • Possible avoidance or reduction of capital gains taxes on gifts of appreciated property • A possible reduction in federal estate taxes • An opportunity to establish an endowed fund in your name or the name of a loved one • Membership in The Tower Society, which recognizes those individuals who have included Ursinus College in their estate plans
Nora Noland 2012
For more information, please contact: Mark P. Gadson, CFP Executive Director of Planned Giving Ursinus College Advancement Office 601 East Main Street • Collegeville, PA 19426 • P: 610.409.3164 Email: mgadson@ursinus.edu SPRING 2012 PAGE 31
Building a Better World, Step by Step Peace Corps Volunteer Alex Wang 2010
A trip to Mexico during his senior year at Ursinus sparked Alex Wang’s passion for travel and adventure. He is also starting a lacrosse program in El Salvador.
As an Ursinus student, Alex Wang’s plans for the future were clear-cut. “I was set on pursuing the medical track,” says Wang. Majoring in Biology with a 3.51 GPA, Wang was the ideal medical school candidate. “I took all my medical school requirements, the MCATs, and planned to matriculate right after graduation.” But during his junior year, Wang decided at the last minute to attend a campus job fair where a Peace Corps representative was recruiting. “The stories he told piqued my interest,” he says. “The idea of living in an exotic country for two years remained in my mind.” Wang tested this impulse to travel during his senior year, studying abroad for a semester as part of the UC in Maya, Mexico, program. The program introduces Mayan culture, history, and tropical biology to students living in two different cities. The experience cemented Wang’s desire to join the Peace Corps. “Alex clearly found something that he loved on our trip: the love of people and cultures, the love of nature and science, the love of language,” says Ellen Dawley, Professor of Biology at Ursinus and one of the trip’s leaders. “To say he blossomed there would be an understatement.” Today, Wang continues to grow while he explores the world. He was sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer in March 2011 and will be living in the rural community of Canton San Antonio El Rebelde, El Salvador, for the next two years. About 650 people live in this desperately poor and isolated region of the country. Wang wasted no time getting to work to help the locals. PAGE 32 URSINUS MAGAZINE
“Alex is one of the most productive, respected and empathetic volunteers I’ve ever seen,” says Carlos Ruiz, a medical doctor and the Peace Corps Coordinator in El Salvador. “In a very short time, Alex became a part of his community. He has initiated a variety of projects like a water retention tank, teaching English to the teachers at the local school and starting a community pig farm. He also advocated successfully for a water project through the local mayor’s office.” The proposed water project was critical. Only three of the region’s 115 houses have access to a potable water system. The other families haul water from a small waterfall about a mile away. The hike is particularly dangerous and takes at least 20 minutes each way. Wang’s project involved installation of piping from the water to a communal basin which is closer and more accessible to the homes. “The beauty of the Peace Corps is that we live in their community so we really know what they need and want,” Wang says. “We also gain the all-important ‘confianza’, or trust, to get the locals involved in the project and promote sustainability.” When Wang’s Peace Corp volunteer obligations are complete, his plan is to apply to medical school and begin classes in August 2013. Still he won’t give up the wanderlust. “I have the travel bug engrained in me now,” he says. “If I do get my medical degree, I plan to offer my services in developing countries through the World Health Organization or on trips with Doctors Without Borders. I want to continue to put in my time to make the world a better place, step by step.” Ellen Cosgrove Labrecque 1995
2010
2008
Ms. Brittany K. Nelson and Mr. Matthew Medvekus, a daughter, Callie Grace, on March 19, 2012.
Ashley Drogalis and Gregory Hoffman were married on Oct. 23, 2010.
MARRIAGES & COMMITMENTS
DEATHS
2001
Christy Barilotti and Robert Cappoli were married on July 30, 2011. Katrina Milton and Eric Edmonds were married on Oct. 1, 2011.
1949
David I. Bahney died on March 20, 2012. Edwin F. Weaver D.D.S. V12 died on March 3, 2012. Ceola J. (Dancer) Wentzien died on Jan. 1, 2012.
1938
Anne (Colsher) Sando died on Jan. 28, 2012.
1939
1950
Frederick W. Dau died on Jan. 9, 2012.
Aaron R. Miller, Ed.D., died on Feb. 16, 2012.
John “Paul” Ireland, Jr. died on April 2, 2012.
Ruth (Seidel) Reese died on Feb. 23, 2012.
1951
Arthur James “Jim” Morgan died on Jan. 28, 2012.
2002
1940
Dorothy (Reifsnyder) Hartman died on March 19, 2012.
Melvin H. Smithgall, D.D.S. died on Dec. 25, 2011.
2005
Norma (Braker) Schultz died on Feb. 8, 2012.
Julia Delores (LaPorte) Carson died on Feb. 16, 2012.
Mandy Hansen and Charles Merrill were married on Nov. 19, 2011. Nicole Borocci and Leo Wentline were married on Sept. 24, 2011. Kristen Muentener and Jason Paladino were married on Oct. 8, 2011.
2006
Rachel Nagourney and Steven Malagari were married on Nov. 19, 2011. Becky Rowley and Steve Palfreyman were married on Oct. 14, 2011. Jon Herting and Dr. Christina Stephenson were married on Aug. 14, 2010.
2007
Katherine A. Conner and Donald M. Winterbottom III were married on June 24, 2011. Katlin Edmunds and Benjamin Allman were married on Oct. 7, 2011. Dr. Christina Stephenson and Jon Herting were married on Aug. 14, 2010.
1942
Florence C. (Bechtel) Verish died on Feb. 28, 2012. Joseph D. Chapline, Jr. died on Aug. 8, 2011.
1943
Grace Irene (Brandt) Binder died on Feb. 5, 2012. Marjorie M. Colsher Tkacz died on Nov. 22, 2010.
1944
Donald S. Mackenzie, Jr. died on Jan. 23, 2012. Howard B. Schellhase died on April 6, 2010. Jerome W. Warren, M.D. died on Dec. 30, 2007.
1953
Gail (Kerlisk) Hoffman died on Feb. 15, 2012.
1954
Lois (Glessner) Adam died on March 26, 2012.
Elisabeth (Freeman) Fowler died on Feb. 3, 2012.
1945
(Ethel) Irene “Andy” Anderson, Ph.D. died on March 1, 2012.
Patricia L. (Garrow) Loomis died on March 26, 2012.
1955
James William Davis Wright died on March 20, 2012.
1947
Jane E. Brusch died on Jan. 9, 2012.
1948
1952
1956
Louise (Becker) Dunlap died on Jan. 28, 2012.
Andrew “Andy” Bain died on March 26, 2012.
Roderick D. Mathewson died on April 15, 2011.
Hire Ursinus Interns Shreya Nidadavolu, a junior Psychology major with minors in Biology and Neuroscience, interned at Yale University’s OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology) Laboratory. Nidadavolu shadowed the doctor there, watching her work with endometrial cells and assisting her in testing endometriosis and different reactions to antibodies. “Toward the end of the summer I pretty much ended up running the lab,” Nidadavolu notes. “It was awesome. I literally had my own lab at Yale. Best part of my summer.”
Post your internships at www.uccareernet.com, call 610-409-3599 or email career@ursinus.edu Shreya Nidadavolu in her lab.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 33
From Physics to
Flight School Christopher “Bud” Daniel 2010
mon event was a collaboration between dance and physics and Daniel starred as both a physicist and a dancer in the production. “Bud was a great student to work with,” says Thomas. “He asked great questions and was able to hold his own in discussions ranging from physics to art to politics. He had strong opinions but was willing to listen to differing views.” Ursinus Magazine first caught up with Daniel last fall in Officer Training School. What has been the most challenging aspect of your experience in the Marine Corps? Much of what I've done has been extremely challenging, but in different ways. In Officer Candidate School, I only got about three- and-a-half hours of sleep a night for the first three weeks. In The Basic School, we had multiple hikes that were at least 10 miles long, while carrying over 100 lbs on our backs. But this is only training, and you just have to push past the physical pain and discomfort. Much of what you experience in training is not fun, but the real challenges are when you go to combat.
Daniel is in Primary Flight Training at the Naval Air Station in Texas.
As an Ursinus student, Christopher “Bud” Daniel was a physics major with wide-ranging interests in art, math, physics, and physical fitness. “Something of a Renaissance man,” recalls Assistant Professor of Physics Thomas Carroll. Inspired by his father’s career as an F/A-18 pilot in the Marine Corps, Daniel “pushed past the pain” in Marine Corps training where he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and in Flight School at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL. Now he is in Primary Flight Training at Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. “This is the first school that I will actually be flying,” says Daniel. “I will be flying a relatively high-powered propeller plane, the T-34C, starting with basic take-offs and landings, and moving on to more advanced techniques. What I am really looking forward to are the aerobatics and formation flights. It will be great to finally get to apply what I've learned so far in my training.” In Carroll’s lab, Daniel worked on two projects, building an "external cavity diode laser" that's still in use today and running and analyzing simulations of quantum mechanical interactions among atoms on a supercomputer. This work earned him a co-authorship on the research paper Simulations of the dipoledipole interaction between two spatially separated groups of Rydberg atoms. The paper was published in Physical Review A, the premier journal for atomic physics. He also designed a lab T-shirt that students are still wearing on campus today, says Professor Carroll. “Bud was president of the Society of Physics Students and got many other physics students involved in the CIE Common Event Bodies in Motion. The comPAGE 34 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Was this something you had always wanted as a career? And what inspired you to pursue this field? My dad was an F/A-18 (fighter jet) pilot in the Marine Corps. Just like kids want to be firefighters and astronauts, I wanted to be a fighter pilot. However, I have had pretty awful eyesight since I was about 6 years old, so I never really took that career path seriously. The summer after my junior year, I found out that the military accepted PRK, a type of laser eye surgery. I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduating, and this was something I had always dreamed about. So I got the surgery, and applied for OCS. I wanted to go into the Marine Corps over the Navy or Air Force partly because I knew it better; my dad was a Marine. But more than that, the Marine Corps is by definition a smaller service, and more elite. Also, the Marine Corps is the only service that provides its own air support, giving ground commanders a chance to communicate with fellow Marines in the air when requesting air support. In what ways are you using your Physics major (or anything else you learned at Ursinus) in the military? My major at Ursinus was Physics, with a minor in Math. To be a pilot, you need a basic understanding of aerodynamics, which they teach you in Flight School. I have already been introduced to most of these concepts in my studies, so I have a leg up now. However, the main way I am using my experience from college in the military is dealing with people. The military is a people business, and I learned how to best work with others, especially from a leadership position, in my time at Ursinus. I was Treasurer of Beta Sigma Lambda fraternity, Secretary of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), and then President of SPS my senior year. Experience from those positions is helping me in my daily work in the Marine Corps. Interview by Kathryn Campbell
1957
Dorothy J. Rabiger died on Feb. 20, 2010.
1958
Edmond G. DeLuca, Jr. died on Aug. 13, 2011.
1960
Edwin Gottshall died on Aug. 7, 2011.
1961
David J. Williams died on June 4, 2011. Richard J. Koch died on Dec. 25, 2011.
1962
1969
Rev. Dr. Robert J. Lamont died on March 26, 2012.
Alan W. McAlarney Sr., LCDR USN Retired died on March 10, 2012.
Roy W. Simm died on Dec. 2, 2011.
1974
Virginia M. Stearns died on Feb. 10, 2012.
Lewis Preole Orchard III died on Dec. 31, 2011.
1979
Michael P. Conlon died Feb. 23, 2010.
2010
Jordan R. Baumeister died on Jan. 16, 2012.
Margaret M. Westen died on March 16, 2012. Charles H. Wolfinger died on Jan. 17, 2012.
Continuing a tradition.
2013
Samuel B. Morgan died on March 3, 2012.
Frederick D. Vastine died on Feb. 15, 2012. Margaret A. “Midge” Oppenheimer died on Feb. 8, 2011.
CENTER FOR CONTINUOUS LEARNING
1963
1960
John C. Reynolds died on Aug. 7, 2011.
1966
Lenore D. (Wilson) Pursch died on Jan. 8, 2012.
1967
Edwin A. Gottshall (Evening Division) died on Aug. 7, 2011.
1983
Shirley M. (Eckert) Carty died on Dec. 31, 2011.
Carol (Nussmann) Langkammerer died on Feb. 18, 2012.
FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE
1968
Eleanor Kay “Pete” Hess died on Dec. 14, 2011.
(L to R) Ted Holcombe 1959, Dick Blood 1958, Bob Turnbull 1960, Larry Habgood 1961 and Bob Fernandez 1962 at their alumni gathering in St. Michael’s. It is one of many Zeta Chi Fraternity reunions they have been having every few years since early 1960’s.
Joanne (McNeer) Simpson died on Feb. 5, 2012.
Every donor matters, because the Annual Fund matters.
“Others before us gave, enhancing our Ursinus experience. It seems fitting to us that we return the favor by giving to the Annual Fund. By giving, current and future students will have the opportunity to experience the liberal arts tradition, a tradition that is so much Ursinus.” Robin Forepaugh Koch 1961 and her daughter, Nancy Koch Hafer 1991
Thank you for making your fiscal year-end gift to the Ursinus Annual Fund by June 30, 2012! Give online at www.ursinus.edu/bankonbobby
SPRING 2012 PAGE 35
Weddings
Katrina Milton 2001 and Eric Edmonds were married on Oct. 1, 2011.
Mandy Hansen 2002 and Charles Merrill were married on Nov. 19, 2011.
Christy Barilotti 2001 and Robert Cappoli were married on July 30, 2011.
Ashley Drogalis 2008 and Gregory Hoffman were married on Oct. 23, 2010.
Stefanie Sinno and David Freese were married on July 9, 2011.
Kristen Muentener 2005 and Jason Paladino were married on Oct. 8, 2011.
Nicole Borocci 2005 and Leo Wentline were married on Sept. 24, 2011.
Rachel Nagourney 2006 and Steven Malagari 2006 were married on Nov. 19, 2011.
PAGE 36 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Jon Herting 2006 and Dr. Christina Stephenson 2007 were married on Aug. 14, 2010.
Katherine A. Conner 2007 and Donald M. Winterbottom III 2007 were married on June 24, 2011.
Becky Rawley 2006 and Steve Palfreyman were married on Oct. 15, 2011.
Ben Allman 2007 and Katlin Edmunds were married on Oct. 7, 2011.
We welcome news of Ursinus weddings! Please continue to send information and photos to Ursinus Magazine, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426. Digital photos can be e-mailed to ucmag@ursinus.edu. Ursinus Magazine reserves the right to reject publication of photos which are not of publishable quality. We regret that we are not able to return print photographs. The wedding date must be given and the group photograph should include only Ursinus alumni. Please sign onto the Ursinus Online Community: www.ursinus.edu/alumni for full captions including names of the Ursinus alumni pictured in the photo. A second option for brides and grooms is to send a close-up for the magazine, and a group shot for the Online Community. Questions can be addressed to the Office of Alumni Relations, 610.409.3585, or by e-mailing ucalumni@ursinus.edu.
Join us on Facebook where 2,995 friends like the Ursinus page.
www.facebook.com/ursinuscollege Follow us on Twitter where Ursinus has 548 followers.
www.twitter.com/ursinuscollege SPRING 2012 PAGE 37
IN
MEMORIAM Jordan R. Baumeister 2010 died on Jan. 16, 2012 after a battle with cancer. He was 25. A lover of animals, he had a German short-haired pointer named Max. Years later, Jordan would rescue a black cat that became a beloved family pet. Jordan’s studies helped him to score impressively on the entrance exam to the prestigious Haverford School. There, he lettered all four years in wrestling and was selected as an All-American his senior year. Jordan also found time for another passion–music. Jordan used a computer to teach himself how to play the guitar. Performing a wide variety of songs on request earned him the nickname “The Human Jukebox.” In typical leadership style, Jordan went on to form a band while enrolling at Ursinus. While excelling at college in both academics and wrestling, Jordan was dealt the blow of his life. In his sophomore year, he was diagnosed with cancer.
Jordan Baumeister 2010
Twice, the disease went into remission. Neither treatment at Pennsylvania Hospital nor a toe amputation fazed Jordan. With unswerving courage, he forged ahead to secure work as a waiter and an internship at NBC10. “Jordan was a very kind-hearted young man who befriended everyone he met,” say Bill Racich, PAGE 38 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Ursinus wrestling coach. “He was a true gentleman, a fun-loving guy and a fantastic teammate.” Daniel Glover 2012 died Jan. 30, 2012, after injuries sustained in a car accident. Glover was on his way to the funeral of Jordan Baumeister 2010, a fellow Ursinus wrestler and friend, who lost his battle to cancer on Jan. 16, 2012. Glover, a member of the Ursinus College wrestling team, had recently completed his degree in Exercise and Sports Science. The team attended Glover's viewing, the night before wrestling in a key Centennial Conference dual meet. From Bergenfield, N.J., Glover was a third place finisher at the 2010 Centennial Conference wrestling championships. He also finished second that season at the prestigious Petrofes Invitational and was also a third place finisher at the Citrus Invitational that season, compiling a 4-1 dual meet record in the Centennial Conference.
Daniel Glover 2012
The Ursinus wrestling team is a very tight knit community. “He was one of those people that once you met him, you liked him,” said Ursinus College head coach Bill Racich. “He was a highly skilled wrestler with a fierce competitive spirit, a great teammate, leader and champion on the mats.” Laura Moliken, Ursinus Director of Athletics, says
she was in awe of how the Athletics teams and community came together. “It’s one thing to say we are a ‘family’ or a ‘community’ but it’s another to back it up with actions. I think having such a strong group of coaches and student-athletes really helped to get through the hard times.” Associate Professor Tina Waligum was Glovers’ academic advisor. “Danny will be remembered for his love of life, his caring disposition, his ability to remind us all of the most important intrinsic aspects of our lives: caring for other individuals, living each day for the joy of sharing good times with family and friends,” she said. Glover’s wrestling family was with him in the last week, as teammates and coaches were by his bedside. Ursinus College alumni Dr. Chuck Odgers 1988, who also wrestled for coach Racich at Ursinus, helped with Glover’s care at Paoli Hospital. Even after Glover’s death, his giving spirit and willingness to help others will live on. Glover is an organ donor and at least five people will benefit from his donation, including a coach from his hometown. In addition, Damion Logan, who serves as an assistant coach at the Stevens Institute of Technology, is working on setting up donations in Glover’s memory. “His contributions to the Ursinus College wrestling program will last forever,” said Racich. By Jim Wagner, Ursinus Sports Information Director
Charles F. Fegely of Trappe, Pa., died on Feb. 22, 2012. He was a former lab assistant at Ursinus and did programming for the Student Union. He also started a tutorial program where undergrads tutored students from the surrounding school districts of Trappe. Dorothy M. Kritz of Pottstown, Pa., died on Jan. 20, 2012. She worked in the Ursinus human resources and business offices and retired in 1985.
of night. It was like you were entering a new country each time.” Often when the team arrived, the village residents would greet them with traditional dances and music, she says. The days were long and difficult because the number of patients seemed endless. After treating patients, some of whom had traveled many miles on foot to be seen by a doctor, the medical students would use headlamps to find their way at night. They stayed in tents and sleeping bags and skipped showers for days at a time. Despite the rigorous schedule, they did find some time to sightsee and even hike Mount Cameroon. Because of the work they were doing with Dr. Bwelle, O’Connell and one other student were interviewed as guests on national Cameroon radio.
Practicing Medicine
in Rural Cameroon Ashley O’Connell 2010 in Cameroon.
Ashley O’Connell 2010 spent six weeks in Cameroon last summer (2011) working in remote sites to provide health care to marginalized families who rarely, if ever, see a doctor. O’Connell, now a medical student at Drexel University, was a double major in French and biology at Ursinus. A trip to Senegal that she took as an Ursinus student in 2009 sparked an interest in working in medicine in Africa or other underserved areas. “The humanities serve as a context for her work as well as providing the basis for what well may be a lifetime commitment,” says Frances Novack, Professor of French. At Drexel, O’Connell’s French language background helped her to be selected to participate in a summer medical program in Cameroon run by Dr. Georges Bwelle, a surgeon at the Central Hospital in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Bwelle travels with his team into the most rural outreaches of Cameroon to treat the sick. The medical students who accompanied Bwelle last summer were from all over the world. They loaded into a Land Rover to travel rugged terrain, sometimes showing up in a village in the middle of the pitch-black night. “It was incredible,” says O’Connell. “Each village had its own character and they would all come out to greet us no matter what time
The conditions of the makeshift clinics were dire, says O’Connell, but she was able to observe relatively simple surgeries like hernia repairs that offered lifechanging possibilities for the patients. Some of the people she met had lived with painful tumors that kept them from working or from being accepted by the community. A few hours of medical care changed the course and outlook for these patients, says O’Connell.
“If I could learn a skill like surgery,” she says, “I could change the course of their lives.” With two more years of medical school, she is still deciding what specialty to pursue. If she chooses to become a surgeon it would mean five years of surgical residency. O’Connell says she was inspired by the work and travels of biology professors Ellen Dawley and Robert Dawley. “They’ve dared to do so many things and showed me that if I go out on a limb, I could help other people,” she says. “They opened a window.” This spring, she and other medical students hosted a creative and art-filled evening to support the work of medical workers in Cameroon. The benefit was held at the Ukranian League of Philadelphia. All proceeds went toward buying medications and supplies for the medical work in Cameroon. Those interested can visit BushMedicinePartnership.org to learn how to support this important effort. By Kathryn Campbell SPRING 2012 PAGE 39
FIELD NOTES
Ursinus Biology professors and husband and wife, Ellen and Robert Dawley, like to travel to places where they can imagine later bringing students. “Our trip to Antarctica is a trip that every zoologist should make at some time in their lives,” says Robert Dawley, who took these photographs. During the austral summer, these penguins breed in colonies, often huge colonies of hundreds of thousands. Penguins leave their nest and come down to the beach where they will enter the ocean, catch fish or crustaceans, and bring the food back to their chicks. The shot of the “odd couple” was taken on an ice flow next to Enterprise Island, along the Antarctic Peninsula. These penguins form monogamous pairs, so it’s tempting to see these two birds as “wife and husband.” But, since they’re on an ice flow and not on a nest in a breeding colony, they are probably just two random penguins, says Dawley. “The continent itself can support virtually no life at all (beyond bacteria), but the rich seas support an astonishing variety of birds and mammals, all adapted to a climate that seems so harsh to us,” he says. “We have been able to bring our experiences and photographs back to share with our students at Ursinus. Now, having managed to cross the Antarctic Circle, it’s time to return to the equator, where–with several exploratory trips under our belts–we are ready to show students the equally amazing creatures of the Galápagos Islands.”
PAGE 40 URSINUS MAGAZINE
Chinstrap penguins. The total number of these Antarctic birds is 7.5 million breeding pairs.
SPRING 2012 PAGE 41
URSINUS MAGAZINE
PO Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426-1000 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LANSDALE, PA PERMIT NO.267
Did you capture timeless memories at Alumni Weekend June 1-3? Send us your photos at ucmag@ursinus.edu
Please pass the Gulden’s. Recognize anyone in this photo? Let us know at ucmag@ursinus.edu PHOTO: Ursinus College Archives