Leadership: Winter 2012

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pat kirby

BRINGING THE WORLD TO

WESTMINSTER

The Magazine of Westminster College Featuring the Alumni Weekend 2012 Schedule and Registration



CONTENTS

WINTER 2012

Features

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Bringing the World to Westminster Pat Kirby travels the globe

14 Trends Inspire New Programs Curriculum expansion that’s globally relevant 18

On Top of Their Game Student-athletes get an all around education

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22 ReConnection Take a leap and set sail – alumni bonds remain strong 24

Make the Connection

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Forbes Science 30 Under 30

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Global Life Lessons MTV Exec Bill Roedy inspires Westminster

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Farewell, Mr. Westminster

Alumni Weekend 2012 Interview with Rizia Bardhan ’05

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Tribute to Jack Marshall ’53

In every issue... 4

President’s Column

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Campus News

34

Class Notes

38

Baby Blue Jays

41

Wedding Album

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In Loving Memory

Leadership Magazine, Winter 2012 Leadership is published twice a year. Please submit suggestions and comments to: alumni@westminster-mo.edu If you are interested in advertising in Leadership please contact: the Office of Marketing & Strategic Communication at (573) 592-JAYS Kris Lensmeyer, Executive Director of Marketing & Strategic Communication Rob Crouse, Director of Media & Public Relations Melanie Barger, Director of Alumni Engagement & Event Management JAMIE PATTERSON, Marketing Manager DIANE HAMMERSTONE, Class Notes Sarah Carnes, Multimedia Designer Contributors: LAURA MARTY, Writer DAK DILLON, Photographer BEN JONES ‘14, Marketing Intern


PRESIDENT’S

COLUMN

Dear Friend of Westminster, I hope you enjoy this issue of Leadership magazine, which provides you with an up close and personal look at pieces of Westminster’s past, present, and future. One section gives an inside look at the current great success Westminster is experiencing in attracting international students, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Pat Kirby. One article introduces the exciting new programs and majors coming to the College in the future. In another part of the magazine, the College returns to memory lane to pay tribute to Westminster legend Jack Marshall, whom we lost before the holidays in a fond farewell retrospective. I am also pleased to report that we have taken an important and necessary step in telling the Westminster story more effectively. A major goal of our strategic plan is to tell our story in ways that expand our student recruitment, retention, and our donor base, and in ways that build a national reputation. One of the ways we achieve this is by identifying a succinct phrase, known as a tagline, to accompany our name and logo that captures the essence of the College whenever people see our wordmark and logo. The process of identifying that phrase is now complete, and we will be using the phrase “Educated to Lead. Inspired to Achieve.” on our official College materials and in our marketing efforts. I believe this phrase does an excellent job of capturing the themes that define Westminster College. Central to our mission is educating and inspiring our students to be leaders and to go on to live lives of success, significance, and service. This phrase expresses those themes perfectly. The entire Westminster community from students to alumni was engaged in the process of selecting this tagline, and I want to thank all involved for their participation. I believe we have a phrase that articulates the Westminster identity strongly. Please watch for its appearance with our wordmark and our logo and help us by weaving it into the way you tell the Westminster story. These are exciting times for Westminster as we continue to take actions that will move us to the forefront in the world of higher education.

George B. Forsythe, Ph.D.

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Leadership winter 2012


President Barney Forsythe congratulates some of the Westminster student leaders who made this year’s Homecoming Oct. 22 such a success.

Westminster students were excited to kickoff Homecoming Week with the first Homecoming Parade since 2001.

Westminster’s Blue Diamonds were on hand for all the Homecoming football game activities.

President Forsythe and the 2011 Homecoming Court.

Homecoming King Kyle Gunning ’12 and Homecoming Queen Lee Goatley ’12 join Winston the Blue Jay in celebrating a Homecoming victory over MacMurray College.


Dr. Robert Volz ’54 (left), poses with scholarship recipients Leah George ’12 and Nathan Moulton’12 at the President’s Dinner on Oct. 14.

John ’62 and Karen McFarland, whose scholarship was showcased in the evening’s program (left), are greeted by Westminster President and Mrs. Forsythe.

John Comerford, Vice President of Institutional Advancement (left), and Westminster President Barney Forsythe relax at the reception with Frank Turner ’84, Board of Trustee member who was inducted into the Sentinel of the Columns Lifetime Giving Society during the evening’s program.

Andrew Darkow ’09 (right), shares a story with Peter ’60 and Mary Ellen Peck.


Dr. David Eagleman, a neuroscientist from the Baylor College of Medicine, opened the Westminster Symposium on digital technology September 20 with a lecture on how the Internet could save the world.

Cyborg anthropologist Amber Case interacts with students at a Symposium breakout session on the ways humans interact with technology.

Rev. Terry Minchow-Proffitt of St. Louis, whose daughter Hannah is a senior, elaborates in a breakout session on what contribution technology makes to engaged spirituality.

President of the Worldwide Agriculture and Turf Division of the John Deere Company David Everitt tells Symposium participants about the role digital technology plays in feeding the world’s population.

Professor Yuko Oda from the New York Institute of Technology makes a point to the Symposium audience about Digital Art at a morning session September 21.


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BR ING I NG THE WORLD TO

WESTMINSTER International Student Coordinator Pat Kirby travels the globe to find students who are a perfect fit for Fulton.


Pat Kirby has spent decades working with Westminster students. He’s served as dean of students and alumni director, and for the past several years he has been the College’s international student coordinator. He’s well-suited for the job – Pat loves to travel and has visited more than 50 countries, not all as part of his recruiting efforts. Westminster work took Pat to three continents during the fall semester alone. He made trips to South America; to Europe, to visit United World College campuses; and finally to China, South Korea and Hong Kong. Pat was away on those trips for a total of seven weeks. “I don’t have a problem with that; I could have done seven weeks at one time,” Pat says with a smile. “But my wife would not like that.” He returned to Fulton just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. Pat considers multiple factors when planning his travels, but cost weighs heavily in the decision. Pat says, “My job is to identify those areas where we feel we have good students.”

Selecting Destinations   United World College (UWC) schools are one focus of Pat’s work. Working with UWC connects Westminster with students at campuses around the world – in Mbabane, Swaziland; Hong Kong; Pune, India; Singapore; Santa Ana, Costa Rica; Italy; the United Kingdom; the Netherlands; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Norway; and Canada. “We like these students for a number of reasons,” Pat says. “They’re bright, and they complete the” International Baccalaureate program, “which makes them eligible

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for United World College scholarships based on financial need.” These Davis scholarships provide up to $20,000 per year for international students to attend select colleges in the United States. “The Davis program has approved 90 schools in the U.S. that these students can go to and receive the Davis scholarship. “We’ve been lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and we’ve been able to take advantage of it because of our environment and a lot of interest among our students,” Pat says. “We compete with the best schools in the country for those students.” And “we have been getting about 30 students a year, so we probably have the most UWC students of any school in the country.” Another consideration in Pat’s travels is Westminster’s membership in the Jiangsu Province Consortium, a group of 14 colleges that sends representatives to China’s Jiangsu province each spring. “The educational officials there are terrific to work with,” Pat says. “We really like them, and we trust them. The officials over there know us, and they trust me, and like with anything, you build a relationship.” Jiangsu province has proved a worthwhile destination. “I think over the past four years we’ve had 10 or 12 students come from Jiangsu province to Westminster, and they are really good students,” Pat says.

Worldwide Welcomes  Travel plans also are influenced by input from members of the Westminster community. “I’ve

been going to schools in Peru and Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica. I’ve gone to schools there that have been recommended to me by parents, school counselors and, in some cases, students,” Pat says. “I went to Peru for about six days, and I went because one of our students, Fernando Soto, had recommended that I go there,” he says. “I stayed with his parents for a week. His mother took me to all my events – they were just fabulous. Fernando’s mother not only drove me to all my appointments but deserves a medal just taking on city traffic in Lima! And she and Fernando’s dad kept me wellfed all week!” It’s the hospitality of families like Fernando’s that make Pat’s travels possible. The parents of Westminster student Raisa Ramalho generously hosted Pat at their home in Maputo, Mozambique. “They even hired a guide/translator for me!” Pat says. Pat experienced the same warm welcome on a visit to India. “I thank my lucky stars that I have really great people. India is a tough place to visit. I have to go to Mumbai, then I have to go to Pune, then I have to hire a driver to go to the campus there. But I’ve had a family that would meet me at the airport with their driver, take me to places, take me to the airport. I mean, it’s been wonderful.”

Making Westminster Home  The hospitality he enjoys on his travels inspires Pat to make Westminster’s international students feel at home. “I go to St. Louis, pick them up or have someone help me pick them up. We bring them to campus; we help them get moved right into their


dorms. I try to make them feel as welcome as I’m made to feel welcome in the places I go.” Once international students settle in, it doesn’t take long for them to get involved in campus life. “We have international students in all of our fraternities,” Pat points out. “Every single one of them. Isn’t it fabulous?”

Travel Tips from the Westminster Globetrotter • Drink bottled water or the native beer. • Know what you are eating: At my first big luncheon in Nanjing, China, I took a bite of something so hot that it made me cry, leave the table (while the others laughed at me) and drink water for 24 hours! After that, I learned to ask what unidentified items were and if they were spicy or hot! • Never drive in a foreign country (except Canada): If I told you how many times I have been lost, my family would have a heart attack. The one advantage of traveling alone is that no one sees all my mistakes! Fortunately, I do plan ahead, allowing that I may get lost a time or two. • Use good judgment in everything you do on the road. “I’m lucky to have never been ill on the road, and I have no problems with jet lag,” Pat says. “Like in life itself, it also helps to have a little Irish luck!” 12

Leadership winter 2012

Two of Westminster’s men's social fraternities have elected international students to serve as president for the next year: Sigma Alpha Epsilon elected Mirza Avdagic from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sigma Chi elected Ameen Amin from Iraq. “I recruited these two young men to Westminster and knew the leadership potential both students have,” Pat says. “And they remain very good friends of mine. What is equally pleasing to me personally is to see all of our men's social fraternities initiating international students into their membership.” Pat also extols the everyday interaction of the College’s domestic and international students. “Sixty percent of our students are from Missouri, and a lot of them are from small Missouri towns, and so to be able to come into an environment like this and have a roommate from Indonesia or Peru! An international student can be living with an American student, or there are maybe five more Americans and another international student in the same suite. They see each other in the dorms, they go to meals together, they may have a class together — there’s just more natural interaction with people from different cultures that really makes it better for everybody.” And he’s excited that the College’s enrollment includes two additional countries this spring semester from Yemen and the Palestinian territories. “We’ll actually be at 70 countries. The number of countries is probably not quite as critical as just simply finding the good international


students that are a good fit for us,” Pat says. “But if they do come from a country that’s not represented, that’s just icing on the cake.”

Competing in a Global Economy  Pat’s travels have clearly illustrated for him the differences between an American education and the systems in other countries. “They like the freedom that we have. They like the freedom that we have politically, and they like the freedom that we have to choose their own major in a college, and they don’t have to make the decision before they start college or even when they start college,” he says. “It really is an advantage because in most countries, you go into an undergraduate program and you don’t change your mind. You either do that or you’re out of luck.” Regardless of academic backgrounds and cultural differences, Pat makes it clear to prospective international students that there is one skill they must have to succeed at Westminster. “I stress this every time I do a presentation: English, English, English, English. I don’t care how smart you are in math or biology or whatever — if you don’t have the English skills, you’re not gonna survive in an American or U.S. college or university.” This emphasis on language skills illustrates another aspect of international student recruiting: English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. “We currently do not have an ESL program because we haven’t needed it. But the reality is that the schools who have an ESL program have a terrific advantage in recruiting,” Pat says. “Certainly if we want to grow from 16 percent to 20 percent” international enrollment, “that would be one way to facilitate that.” Pat points out that American students can expand their opportunities by learning another

language themselves. “Virtually every one of our international students speaks two, three, four, five languages. If a young person can speak English and any other language — such as Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian, Indonesian — they will have the edge in the 21st century in professional and graduate schools and in the job market, a reflection of the global economy.” “Right now, this is what I would encourage our young graduates to do: Virtually every country I visit, they’re looking for Americans to teach English in their schools,” Pat says. “There are a lot of opportunities outside the U.S. that I think some of our graduates would love to have and benefit from.”

Next on the Itinerary  Pat’s spring travel will take him to Africa and Asia. “Probably two trips, one to India and Nepal and then South Africa, which includes Mozambique, Botswana and Swaziland. Then in April I will go to Indonesia, Thailand and China.” Though his work often takes him far from home, Pat enjoys sharing the advantages of Westminster with top-notch students around the world. “I think they get a heck of an education here. We’re small, the classes are small. The faculty love them, they love the faculty, our domestic students accept them very well,” he says. “There just seems to be a much healthier community here than they might find at a much larger school.”

Pat’s Photo Album See pictures of Pat’s travels from around the world!  westminstercollege.zenfolio.com


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W

hile Westminster has many exciting new developments taking place, one of the most substantial and important changes is a wealth of new programs that are greatly expanding the curriculum to make it more relevant and attractive to today’s students.

“Westminster is constantly on the move to meet the needs of our current and incoming students,” says Westminster President Dr. Barney Forsythe. “We want to build on our strengths by packaging courses in new ways that align with our mission to prepare people to lead in a global community.”

Online Courses One of the new ways that has already caught fire is the online classes, which began with Seize the Summer 2011. These courses were initiated to help students take classes they were unable to work into their schedules during the regular semester, catch up or re-take classes to gain better grades, or help to pick up an additional minor. “What makes our program unique is that our Westminster faculty are teaching the courses,” says Dr. Sue Serota, Director of Online Teaching. “We don’t outsource like most colleges and universities do.”

they receive on campus during a regular semester. For example, online classes made it possible for Robert Thum, a senior from Fenton, to take a lighter workload this fall so he could spend more time on his subjects and still have time for athletics.

The original hope was that each of these nine classes would meet the desired minimum enrollment of six students for a total enrollment of 54. Imagine Dr. Serota’s astonishment when four of the nine professors ended up teaching two sections for a total of thirteen classes. By the time enrollment had ended, almost 170 students were on board with this new approach.

Dr. Carolyn Perry, Dean of Faculty, has been very impressed not only with the support Dr. Serota has given the faculty, but also with the training she has provided for students on how to approach online classes. She sees great benefits for our current students, but also for those who are no longer on campus. “One of the reasons I was in favor of online courses was to assist those students who leave the College without finishing the final few hours they need to graduate,” says Dr. Perry. “I believe this program will help our students and make a significant impact on our graduation rate. Dr. Serota has gone above and beyond in her efforts, and it really shows in the quality of the courses we are offering.” Dr. Serota hopes to attract students beyond the College, including alumni and families of our students. “The range of course offerings is remarkable,” Dr. Perry notes. “From ‘Whodunit? Examining Accounting Fraud’ to ‘Digital Photography’ to ‘National Security Law’ to ‘Creative Writing,’ we believe we will attract a wide range of students both on and off campus.”

Dr. Serota says the students’ evaluations on the courses, instructors, and approach have all been overwhelmingly positive. Over 60 students enrolled for the three courses scheduled for Winter on the Web, a three-week class scheduled in between the fall and spring semesters. Students have expressed how helpful it has been to adjust their schedules a bit now that they have the online option, and they also appreciate being able to complete tests and assignments on their own time and from great distances, but still get the quality classes

Dr. Serota says, “We anticipate twice the number of courses next summer. I have 13 new faculty members going through the training this winter, and all nine faculty members from the summer are returning for Seize the Summer 2012.”

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Honors Program Next fall a small exclusive group of 18-25 interested students who hold eligibility for Westminster’s highest academic scholarship programs will have the opportunity to enroll in a new Honors Program. Housed in The Churchill Institute under its own director, this program will offer top students special classes that provide enriching academic experiences, as well as professional and leadership development activities. Each year the Honors Program will include a highly specialized honors curriculum developed for each cohort of students. Students entering the program will take a onehour course to introduce them to the basics of the Honors Program. Then throughout their four years, they will take courses that will yield deep learning experiences where faculty will work with them as a group and individually to help them excel academically and apply theories and classroom learning in the real world. Group activities, off-campus trips, and a portfolio chronicling their academic and experiential activities in the program will be a part of the process, which will culminate in an honors project such as an honors thesis or in-depth honors project. “Westminster attracts many outstanding students, but many are looking for more challenges than we currently offer,” says Dr. Perry. “We believe this program will prepare those students for high-end scholarships, such as the Truman or Rhodes, and it will make them more competitive in graduate programs and in the workforce.”

New Majors & MinorS New majors in Business Communication, Sports Management, and Exercise Science, and a new minor in Public Health, are being offered to students right now. A popular self-design major since the 90s, the Business Communication major under Professor Keith Hardeman is the result of a strong partnership between the Department of Speech and Communication and the ABE-MIS Department. The Sports Management major allows Westminster students who have long been served by an individualized major to benefit from a structured curriculum of sport and business classes and internship experiences that capture the excitement of sports in the world of business. This joint project between the ABE-MIS Department and Physical Education Department will be taught by Dr. Therese Miller and Dr. Bill Carner. Dr. Carner has taught Sports Management in the past and intends to enhance the major with some prestigious internships. The Exercise Science major taught by Dr. Miller provides opportunities and options for Westminster students interested in dedicated study in the areas of health, sport exercise and wellness. The major prepares students for graduate studies and allied health professions. The Public Health minor enhances majors across campus as students assume leadership roles in the increasingly challenging areas of global health.

Dual Degrees Strong partnerships with other institutions have made two very attractive degree options available. In the field of engineering, Westminster is now aggressively recruiting candidates for its dual degree program with Washington University School of Engineering, and Westminster has recently entered into a similar cooperative agreement with Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla in order to offer a new alternative. The brand new Introduction to Engineering class that has been started in conjunction with the degree filled up rapidly, with students who will literally take over an old garage on campus to set up their workshop. Westminster has also entered into a cooperative agreement with Barnes Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis to offer a dual degree in nursing, 16

Leadership winter 2012


a first for the College’s curriculum. This high-powered nursing degree allows students to complete a B.A. at Westminster as well as a B.S.N. at Barnes Jewish, with two five-year options. The Goldfarb School is supportive of liberal arts and lifelong learning, and their faculty believe the combination of majors is an excellent way to produce the outstanding nurses. Students in this program will have the opportunity to work in one of the few undergraduate cadaver labs in the country, housed on the Westminster campus. “After a year of studying both developments in the job market and the interests of students, faculty came forward with several new or redesigned academic programs,” says Dr. Perry. “In some cases, partnerships proved to be the best way to serve our students, so we are pleased to find strong partners at high-quality institutions.”

Future Programs Other new programs are just in the discussion phase, but with hopes of seeing them come to fruition in the next year. Westminster hopes to have a new instrumental music program in the Fine Arts Department next fall. At the same time, a Security Studies minor is being discussed that would complement a wide range of majors, from Political Science to Economics and Environmental Science. Dr. Tobias Gibson, who will be in charge of this new minor, says, “Security Studies will prepare students to serve their country in a variety of capacities. This program will prepare students to attend graduate programs to study advanced topics in security studies and to serve in intelligence agencies and the diplomatic corps.” Dr. Gibson believes the liberal arts environment of the College with dedicated instructors and a rich history – along with the willingness of alumni with experience in national security such as Heather Biehl ’89 and Brock Ayers ’82 to share their wisdom – make Westminster the perfect college to build a strong program. These new class offerings and majors are already generating a great deal of excitement on campus and among prospective students looking at Westminster. “Our new degrees and majors will greatly enhance the Westminster experience and increase the value of a Westminster education,” says George Wolf, Vice President and Dean of Enrollment Services. “I expect these new options will convince a new set of students to consider Westminster as the best choice they have to attend a nationally ranked college at a price they can afford.”

trend s

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ire new p rogra ms

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ON TOP OF THEIR GAME Student-athletes demonstrate excellence in competition, classroom, community. As President Barney Forsythe says, “At Westminster there are many classrooms, and some of them are in academic buildings.� Few students understand the truth of this statement as well as Westminster student-athletes, who learn valuable lessons on the court or in the field and through service to the larger community, in addition to their academic pursuits.


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thletics – on the intercollegiate, intramural and individual levels – provide a more robust student experience and help boost enrollment. They afford additional venues for students to demonstrate their physical and academic prowess, as well as their generosity of spirit. And sports offer opportunities for friendly competition and personal well-being to the student body at large.

ALL-AROUND EDUCATION

“Westminster’s approach to student development is highly integrated,” said Dean of Faculty Carolyn Perry. “Faculty and staff together see it as their job to educate our students.” In Westminster’s mission to educate the whole student, sports give studentathletes a forum to develop leadership, decisionmaking, teamwork and time-management skills, and offer the unique satisfaction of proudly representing Westminster on a national level.

members who thoroughly enjoy being able to sponsor a team, even if that means serving bagels at an early-morning practice!”  “Athletics is an area of extracurricular activity where students can learn valuable lessons that pertain to the social, ethical and wellness domains of the columns concept,” said Faculty Athletics Representative Karen Tompson-Wolfe. “Our association with the NCAA and Division III specifically aligns with our mission and vision.”  Westminster’s student-athletes compete in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III, an organization whose motto — “Discover, Develop, Dedicate” — echoes the values of the College.

“Their coaches understand that they are students first,” said Assistant Athletic Director Kristen Ely. “And their professors support that they are athletes competing in a sport they love.”

“The coaches find countless ways to teach our students about team-building, leadership and developing a sense of personal values,” said Perry. “In my 20 years at Westminster, I have been consistently impressed by how seriously our coaches live out their teaching mission.”

Perry agrees that sports offer singular opportunities to cultivate leadership potential. “Faculty encourage the personal development that comes through participation in sports. I know several faculty

“Athletics have historically provided learning opportunities and outcomes that help build the foundation for future success,” said Athletic Director Matt Mitchell. “Former student-athletes

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are currently doctors, attorneys, educators, coaches and businesspeople.”

FILLING THE ROSTER

Athletic programs not only enrich the student experience at Westminster; they also help attract top-notch prospective students.  “Recruiting student-athletes is crucial to the enrollment success of Westminster,” said George Wolf, the College’s Dean of Enrollment. “Successful athletic programs make it easier to recruit new student-athletes, and it helps keep current students enthusiastic about being involved.”  In this year’s freshman class, 167 students came to the College with the intention of participating in intercollegiate athletics. In the long run, not all students who are interested in playing intercollegiate sports actually do, “but it is a significant factor when choosing a college to attend,” Wolf said.  Coaches play a major role in bringing studentathletes to Westminster. As a member of NCAA Division III, Westminster doesn’t offer athletic scholarships, so it is imperative that prospective students hear about the full range of benefits and opportunities the College offers. This conference regulation guarantees that those who attend the College are dedicated to its overall vision of academic enrichment, ensuring that intercollegiate athletes’ primary focus is their studies.  “The Enrollment Services Division and the Athletic Department at Westminster College are dependent on each other for the College’s recruitment and retention goals to be achieved,” Wolf said. “Without this partnership being strong, focused and effective, the chances for Westminster to meet its enrollment goals each year are unlikely.”

A WINNING RECORD

Intercollegiate sports play a role in the lives of many Westminster students: The College currently has

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328 student-athletes, and more than 400 current Westminster students have participated in intercollegiate athletics at some point.  It’s no wonder so many are inspired to play for Westminster. The College’s teams and individual student-athletes have accomplished great things – in sports, community service and academics.  “We have won multiple conference championships – in men’s and women’s tennis, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball,” Mitchell said. “Last year we finished in the top half of our conference in eight of our sports and had three conference champions.” But Westminster’s coaches and student-athletes aren’t resting on their laurels – they’re seeking to compete at a higher level and showcase their talents on a broader stage. “Our coaches continue to challenge our success by taking our teams to new locations, where they can compete against stronger teams and be recognized more often regionally and nationally,” Ely said.  Student-athletes also make their mark through service in the wider community. Westminster is dedicated to a partnership with the local Special Olympics group – volunteering for the past three years with the Special Olympics bowling tournament, hosting the Special Olympics district volleyball tournament and participating in the annual Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser.  Each team also hosts events for other causes, including breast cancer awareness, and teams up with area agencies, such as SERVE Inc. and the Missouri School for the Deaf.  In addition, many of the College’s student-athletes excel in the classroom, consistently earning academic honors. Thirty-one Westminster students have received regional recognition through the SLIAC’s All-Academic Team over the past year, representing nearly every conference sport. These outstanding


individuals have attended Westminster for at least one academic year and achieved at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA.  And in the past several years, three Westminster student-athletes have achieved recognition that goes beyond their time as undergraduates with the SLIAC Post Graduate Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded each year to only two graduating seniors in the entire athletic conference.  To qualify, student-athletes must earn at least two varsity letters and a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Stephen Hoell ’04 (soccer), Jason Warncke ’09 (basketball) and Shanna Crafts ’10 (volleyball) were selected by a vote of conference faculty athletic representatives to receive the scholarship for their first two years of postgraduate study.

CULTURE OF WELLNESS

Intercollegiate sports aren’t the only programs that inspire Westminster students to be active. Most of those enrolled at the College take advantage of its recreational and athletic facilities.

“We have a large population of students on our campus who are devoted to physical activity for a variety of reasons, whether it be general fitness, competitiveness, fun or stress relief,” said Ely. “Students on our campus use the current facilities

for everyday workouts, intramurals, pickup games and group fitness classes.”  An estimated 75 percent of Westminster students use the College’s facilities for competitive and recreational activity. This pursuit of physical well-being points to the maturity and diversity of Westminster students’ interests, but also presents a difficult challenge. “The demand for space and equipment greatly outweighs the availability,” Ely said.  “Our immediate problem is that our facilities are busting at the seams,” Mitchell said. “Most of our students had better recreation and varsity athletic facilities at their high schools.”   The College’s main recreation space in Hunter Activity Center is more than 20 years old and lacks air conditioning, limiting its usefulness as a hub for student activity. “We have a strong need for facility upgrades,” Mitchell said. “Upgrades will impact the entire student body as well as the intercollegiate student-athletes.”  Mitchell’s assertion is supported by the experience of the Enrollment Office. “Expansion in athletic programs at colleges like Westminster always impacts enrollment in a positive way,” Wolf said. “At small colleges, the enrollment and revenue value far outweigh the cost.”

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The W es t m i n s t er CO LLE G E

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n this age of social media, it’s easier than ever to reconnect with old friends via Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc. Despite being able to catch up on what you’ve each been doing the last 10, 20, 30+ years, social media cannot replace that face-toface feeling! Reminiscing about favorite professors, tough exams, great parties and the Westminster experience is best done in person. Many of you do this each year at Alumni Weekend, but others have lost track of people who were once close friends. Don’t let another year pass by – make 2012 the year you RECONNECT with Westminster friends! Contact the Alumni Office at 573-632-1937 or email alumni@westminster-mo.edu to take the first step. Have you already reconnected with your Westminster friends? Read these stories on recent alumni reconnections, then share your own on our Facebook page – Westminster College MO – or email alumni@ westminster-mo.edu. The Leap Day Pact   On February 29, 1976, when Pat Kirby was young and handsome, Wesley Burns ’79, David Deming ’78, Matthew Kranz ’79 and Robert Kranz ’78, having exhausted every other alternative to studying, entered a Leap Day pact — a pact which they will honor by returning to Westminster together on February 29 of this year, marking their ninth consecutive intercalary reunion. They look forward to swapping stories about families and careers, reminiscing about their time together at Westminster, and pestering inhabitants of Sweazy Hall. Since 1976 they have seen each other get married, have kids, start careers, change careers and turn gray. All four have gotten married, some more than once,

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and one has nearly died from a rare disease. Upon graduation Robert went to grad school at Wash U in St. Louis; Matt went into the Marine Corps; David went into sales and marketing for AT&T; and Wesley went to work for the Federal court system. Matt left the Corps after eight years to become a CPA and both he and Robert have had multifaceted careers in finance and accounting. Dave’s time with AT&T was followed by a career in corporate consulting. Wesley has found an unexpected career as a Federal investigator, confirming our worst fears about our government. At one point both David and Robert lived in New York – David in Seneca Falls and Robert in Manhattan. That Leap Day Robert made it to St. Louis by air but David got snowed in and couldn’t get out of Seneca Falls. Now David and Wesley live in the St. Louis area while Matt lives in Arlington, VA and Robert lives in Los Angeles. In 2008 they had lunch in the new dining hall (much nicer than Robertson Hall from their day) and strolled the campus talking to students. It may be just this that they’ve most enjoyed, and found most uplifting: the changes in the school and its students which are in evidence every four years. Former Roommates Reconnect  after Thirty Years Bob Ahsens ’72 and Bob Michel ’72 roomed together for three years at Westminster College. They were Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers, ROTC cadets and active in a variety of other campus activities. After graduation in 1972, they were both commissioned in the US Army, married and went their separate ways. They saw one another again in 1976 when they were both stationed in Alaska. After leaving the service, Ahsens returned to Missouri, went to law school and settled in Jefferson City and into law practice. Michel fell in


love with Alaska and stayed. He passed the CPA exam, settled in Fairbanks and opened his own practice. This past August, after renewed contact by telephone and email, Ahsens and his wife Jane traveled to Fairbanks and spent a week catching up with Michel and his wife Laura. The former roommates and their wives traveled to Valdez, Alaska, and spent four days fishing on Prince William Sound aboard the Michel’s yacht. “We picked up right where we left off,” Ahsens said. He and Michel resolved not to let another thirty years go by before they get together again. Friends of the Annex Reunions In the early 1970s, the rear wing of Wetterau Hall, the former Phi Psi house, was fondly known as The Annex. Residents and friends fondly remember parking lot parties, the Annex Band, Crystal the greyhound, the Ladies of Jones Hall, Captain Schlitz, Mean Irene from the Spot Café and late night runs to the IGA. Over the past 35 years, friends of The Annex have been reuniting to maintain the friendships originating at Westminster and William Woods. The reunions have been held throughout the United States – from New Orleans to the beaches in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, from Memphis to Vegas, from Saratoga Springs to the Lake of the Ozarks. The group has attended jazz and blues festivals, and partaken in excellent food and beverages. They will be heading to Key West, Florida March 8-12, 2012. If you are interested or can help them locate missing friends, please contact Stuart Weiss at stuartdweiss@gmail.com, Joe Selby at azjoes@cox.net or John Walsh at dmw513@aol.com.

Leap Day Visitors (from left): David Deming ’78, Matt Kranz ’79, Robert Kranz ’78 and Wesley Burns ’79

Bob Ahsens ’72 (left) and Bob Michel ’72 (right) display a seventeen pound silver salmon caught during their recent fishing trip near Valdez, Alaska.

The Friends of the Annex take a steamboat cruise on Lake George in June 2010 during their reunion in Saratoga Springs, NY. From left: Laurie Coyne, Stuart Weiss ’74, Joe Selby ’73, Martha Randall, John ’73 & Debbie Walsh, Judd Staley ’73, Captain Schlitz (aka Greg Forsyth ’74), Larry Norton ’72, Bob Stretch ’74, Dan Barringer and Missy McSwain. WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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NEW! Alumni Weekend

Central

The Hill (weather plan Hermann Lounge, Hunter Activity Center)

Need to meet some friends or want a place to hang out for the afternoon? Alumni Weekend Central will be conveniently located on The Hill with plenty of room for you to sit and catch up, enjoy a cool beverage, listen to some tunes and plan your Alumni Weekend connections. A Beer and Wine cash bar will be available on Friday afternoon from 2-6pm and Saturday from noon-6pm.

Tell us you are here! Stop by Alumni Weekend Central to register and pick up your free Alumni Weekend t-shirt.

Registration Hours: Friday, 10am-7pm Saturday, 8am-6pm 24

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hether it’s your first trip back or your Golden Anniversary, Alumni Weekend is a time for you to make face-to-face connections with friends, faculty, staff and students. The Alumni Association has been working hard to incorporate some new opportunities for you to reconnect and celebrate Westminster, so come see what’s new for 2012!

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 Undergraduate Scholars Forum 9am-4pm, Champ Auditorium & Coulter Science Center Celebrate the tradition of scholarship and research. Students will highlight their achievement and research on important current topics through presentations and creative performances.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 Westminster/William Woods Golf Tournament 10am, Shotgun Start (Registration at 9am) Tanglewood Golf Course Cost: $50 per player Preserve Your Legacy: Ways to pass on both your values and your valuables Lee G. Jantzen CFP™ CAP™ Director of Planned Giving 10-11:30am, Hazel 112 Values-based legacy planning allows you to thoughtfully consider how to pass on not only your assets–but also your values. Philanthropic planning provides creative ways to do both! Old Guard Lunch & Learn 11:30am-1pm, Marsh/Jones Suite, Mueller Leadership Hall Cost: $20 Catch up with fellow Old Guard (classes 1962 and before) alumni for lunch and a presentation on the Emerson Center for Leadership & Service by Dr. Bob Hansen.


Campus Tours by Students 1:30-4pm, Alumni Weekend Central

Westminster Alumni Awards Convocation 10am, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury

Global Resilience & Security: A World Issue Guest Lecture by Cliff Bragdon ’62 3pm, Hazel 112

Join us in recognizing the 2012 Alumni Award recipients and the Golden Anniversary of the Class of 1962.

Faculty Retirement Reception 4pm, Coulter Science Center Atrium Visit with retiring Westminster professors Dr. Dave Collins and Dr. Butch Lael. Westminster/William Woods Cocktail Party 5-7pm, Aldridge Patio, William Woods Campus Parking at Firley Soccer Field - shuttle service provided Class of 1962 – Golden Anniversary Dinner 6:30pm, Sir Winston’s Restaurant Class picture, medals and dinner for the Class of 1962. Cost: $30 (cash bar)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 Westminster Triathlon Registration - 7:45, Historic Gym Swim will begin at 8am Cost: $15 for individual or $20 for relay team Race includes 300 yard swim, 15 mile bike and 5K (3.1 miles) run. May register as an individual or relay team of 3. Iron Phi 5K Run/Walk Registration – 8am, Race begins at 8:30am Cost: $30 (tax deductible donation) Proceeds to benefit the ALS Association and the Westminster Fund. Sponsored by the men of Phi Delta Theta.

Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award: Philip Boeckman ’88, Steve Erdel ’73, Bill Felder ’80, Tim Harlan ’71, John O’Brien ’62 and Chris Ursitti ’83 Young Alumni Achievement Award: Eric Coppenger ’98 and Courtney (Stubbs) Swan ’01 Alumni Loyalty Award: Betsy (Schultz) Humphreys ’83 Co-Ed Mud Volleyball Tournament 11am, Adjacent to the Soccer Field Cost: $60 per team (tax deductible donation) Get dirty for a good cause! Register in teams of 6-8 for a day of fun and friends. Sponsored by Westminster Independents. Proceeds to benefit Making Lives Better and the Westminster Fund. Alumni Weekend Cookout 11:30am-1pm, Alumni Weekend Central Cost: $10 Westminster celebrities – alumni, faculty and staff – don the chef ’s hat for an old fashioned cookout on the Hill. Alumni Competition – Minute to Win It for SERVE 12:30pm, The Hill Cost: $25 per person (tax deductible donation) Round up your friends and sign up in teams of 2-5 for minute to win it games – tournament style. This is your chance to show your competitive side, have fun with old friends and support this campus service. Games will be posted to the Alumni Weekend website soon for you to start practicing! Proceeds to benefit SERVE and the Westminster Fund. WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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WEEKEND NOTES Westminster Alumni Association Raffle

Purchase your raffle ticket to win great Westminster items. Tickets – 1 for $5 or 5 for $20 – proceeds support the 2012 Blue Jay Road Trip

Westminster College Bookstore

Campus Tours by Students 1-2pm, Alumni Weekend Central Those Who Led: A Look at Some of Westminster’s Early Presidents Lecture by Past Professor Bill Parrish 2pm, Coulter Science Center Lecture Hall Class of 1962 Beer & Wine Tasting at WWU
 3-6pm, Aldridge Patio, William Woods Campus

Friday, 8am-5pm & Saturday, 10am-4pm Mueller Leadership Hall, lower level

Spend the afternoon catching up with friends and classmates. Full bar available. Live music begins at 4pm.

Use the Westminster Wireless Network

Affinity Networking Receptions 3:30pm, Coulter Science Center

National Churchill Museum Exhibit & Tours

Alumni are connected to Westminster in many ways, including organizations or experiences. Reconnect with old friends and discover new friends as you mingle at the different receptions. See the Alumni Weekend website for a complete list of groups and locations.

*Alumni Receive a 10% Discount

Westminster is now wireless! Bring your computer, get on the internet and check your email. Pick up a password to access the wireless at registration.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4:30pm

Need to Fit in Your Workout?

The Mabee Gymnasium (Hunter Activity Center) will be open Friday and Saturday 8am-5pm

Dining Hall

Grab a meal with your friends at Mueller Leadership Hall. Friday Lunch 11am-1pm – $5.81 Dinner 5-6:30pm – $7.21

President’s Club Reception 4:30-6pm - President’s Home Invitation Only Spring Choral Concert Hunter Activity Center, JCI 6:30pm – Coffee House and informal music 7pm – Concert Cost: $10 reserved seating (limited quantity); Standing room only – free

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2012

Saturday Brunch 11am-1pm – $7.21 Dinner 5-6pm – $7.21

Alumni, Student and Friends Church Service 10am, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury

Sunday Brunch 11am-1pm – $7.21

Alumni Council Meeting 9:30am-1:30pm, Marsh/Jones Suite, Mueller Leadership Hall

ALUMNI WEEKEND ONLINE

www.westminster-mo.edu/go/alumniweekend > Alumni Weekend Schedule > Area Hotels & Restaurants > list of Who Is Coming Back for the Weekend > Register Online


SCIENCE 30 UNDER 30, RIZIA BARDHAN ’05 Rizia Bardhan ’05 Mathematics and Chemistry Major PhD Chemistry, 2010, Rice University, Houston, TX Postdoctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA

A

ccording to Forbes, odds are that in science, no one “makes it” before reaching age 30. However, the recently published “Rising Stars of Science – Forbes 30 under 30” list found thirty young researchers nationwide who are beating those odds, already making an impact in science before hitting the big 3-0. Rizia shares her thoughts on Westminster and her future.

I am currently developing nanomaterials for energy conversion and energy storage. Particularly I am designing materials for hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is a clean, renewable energy carrier, the only product of its combustion being water, and can store 3x more energy than petrol. However, storing hydrogen with high volumetric and gravimetric density remains a challenge. Current options of hydrogen storage are high pressure tanks, which are bulky and unsafe for transportation. My current research focuses on designing nanoscale metal hydrides which can store high density hydrogen, are much safer to use, and can be integrated into a battery-sized fuel cells or devices. During my PhD studies at Rice University, my research focused on designing multifunctional nanoparticles for simultaneous targeting, imaging, and treatment of cancer. This work resulted in several published papers and an issued patent.

What role did Westminster play in leading you to your current position? Westminster College provided me a strong foundation of science and mathematics, fundamental concepts which I use nearly everyday in my research. I also conducted research with Dr. Frerichs during my senior year which imbibed in me a passion for pursuing research. I am also proud to have received a liberal arts education which, I believe, has made me a strong scientific writer, speaker, and mentor.

What successes and achievements do you envision in your future? My goal is to be a faculty member at a top 50 university and pursue research and teaching throughout my career. An

academic career will combine my passion for research and mentoring as well as inspiring students toward careers in science and engineering. I also aim to strive for top national awards in academia for excellence in research and teaching.

What advice can you offer Westminster students? I would especially like to encourage students at Westminster to pursue a graduate degree. A graduate degree enables you to put in practice the strong fundamentals that a Westminster education provides their students. A graduate degree will also offer better job opportunities. I would also encourage science majors to pursue research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. This is an exciting field of research in all aspects of innovation – from biomedicine to energy storage to electronics – with plenty of job opportunities being created among large and start-up companies, as well as in academia. I would also like to add a note for international students. As an international student myself, I know it is especially hard for new international students when they arrive for the first time in this country. I started my roots in the USA at Westminster and the close-knit environment gave me the strength to pursue a future in the USA. I am very happy for the decisions I made following my years at Westminster, especially going to Rice where I met my husband, Cary Pint. Cary got his PhD from Rice in Applied Physics and he is also on the Forbes Magazine Top 30 under 30: Rising Stars of Science. So I would like to reach out to my fellow international students and encourage them to appreciate the education at Westminster, the closeinteractions with their teachers, and the path to success that will start from Westminster. WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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Life Lessons

from an MTV Exec

“It

is truly great to be a Blue Jay!” began Dr. William H. Roedy in true Forsythian fashion as he took the podium to deliver Westminster’s 54th Green Lecture. This introduction was, not surprisingly, met with cheers from the crowd of Westminster students, alumni, faculty, and staff. “I feel a bit like Harry Potter up here,” continued Roedy, referring to his academic regalia. Indeed, Roedy appeared exceedingly more institutional than one would expect from an MTV executive.

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he former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks International, Roedy’s television career spans decades and borders. From Berlin to Bangladesh, much of the MTV-watching world owes thanks to Roedy, who served as the architect of the network’s rapid expansion throughout the globe. Roedy’s address served as the capstone lecture for this year’s Westminster Symposium, an annual event which has for six years encouraged the Westminster community to reconsider, rethink, and reimagine the globe. Aimed at broadening students’ perspectives on pressing global issues and concerns, previous symposia have focused on topics ranging from global health to environmental responsibility. This year’s symposium focussed on the growth of digital technology and its implications for our lives and for the future. With technology ushering in a more interactive and participatory age, the symposium emphasized the importance of understanding the opportunities and risks that such a world presents. Lecture topics ranging from digital art to online campaigning to cyborg anthropology provided the Westminster community with a unique opportunity to explore the increasing ubiquity of technology and its global ramifications. On the final afternoon of the Symposium, Westminster gathered to hear Bill Roedy’s lecture, a speech which proved particularly relevant for Westminster students. Listening to the brains behind the network of their generation was, for many students, an insightful and enlightening experience. Throughout his lecture, Roedy highlighted the unique opportunities for global leadership that the modern age presents. Citing his experience leading MTV on a global scale, Roedy outlined what he considers to be his “top ten tips for young people” in today’s ever-

changing world. These tips boil down to three main lessons, the first of which is be a learner. Learning, says Roedy, is the key to never growing old. Roedy certainly exemplifies this reality better than most. While at MTV, Roedy was constantly forced to learn and relearn the language of young people. An integral part of this process was learning to navigate the ins and outs of the digital world. Roedy stresses the importance of mastering the digital nature of the world, but “only with a heart and only with a soul.” The second main lesson stressed by Roedy is the importance of boldness in leadership. Roedy considers boldness to be one of the unique powers of young people - a power that ought to be used wisely. Emphasizing the importance of boldness and its implications for leadership, Roedy appropriately quotes Sir Winston Churchill, whom he greatly admires. Churchill said that "courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that guarantees all others." The world is currently experiencing what Roedy refers to as a leadership “void,” leaving an extraordinary opportunity for young people to shape the course of the future. With digital technology as one of many tools, today’s youth have the power to impact the globe in profound and lasting ways. Roedy’s final lesson is to be adaptable. Roedy cites the drastic changes the globe has undergone over the past decades as evidence for the need for adaptability. “When I was your age, things that later defined my life didn’t even exist,” he says. Roedy explains that these global changes will come with increasing frequency. Adaptability is and will continue to be a key ingredient for success in an ever-changing world. Despite the challenges presented by the inevitable unfamiliarity of the future, Roedy is optimistic that today’s youth posses the energy and creativity WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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Bi ll Roe dy ’ s Top Ten Tips for You ng P eo ple Have passion: Love what you do, do what you love. Charging the hill is easier when you really want to charge the hill. Go global, go local: We are all one, but different. We are all different, but one. -Bono Take risks, break the rules: Don’t be afraid - innovation only comes from taking risks. Failure, good failure, teaches more than success. Lead: Be the first on the battlefield and the last to leave. Be quick to take blame and slow to take credit. Hard work trumps raw talent: All great ideas dissolve into execution and hard work.

needed to tackle global problems - even ones that do not yet exist. “You are adaptable; you can change, it comes easier to you,” says Roedy. For Westminster students, the future will come faster than ever expected. “It will,” says Roedy, “define your life, like it defined mine, in completely unknown ways.” The possibilities ahead are endless and the ideas that will shape the world have yet to be encountered. Today’s young people seem to have tapped into the notion that change can be harnessed and used for good. Roedy points out that Churchill agrees with this idea; “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often,” he said. This attitude has, perhaps, never been more relevant than it is today, in the wake of an increasingly digital age. 30

Leadership winter 2012

Stand up for tolerance AND diversity: Be brave, the world will test you. Hang with people who are different. Never accept 'No' for an answer: Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never give in. -Sir Winston Churchill Master digital, but only with a heart and only with a soul: Learning the digital language is as important as learning Mandarin and Spanish. Have fun: Balance work with life, balance the stress of work. Nurture friends and family nothing is more important. Make a difference in the world: Pick an issue. Pick any issue.

As his lecture drew to a close, Roedy issued a powerful charge to Westminster’s students. Reminding them that graduating from Westminster College is a great opportunity followed by even greater responsibility, Roedy encouraged students to carefully consider the implications that the privilege of education has for how they ought to interact with and lead others. “Speak for those with less voice, speak for those with less opportunity,” challenged Roedy. “Your courage, combined with your youth, your energy, your creativity, your adaptability, will make the future bright. I have no doubt. I have absolutely no doubt. You will be successful, and the world will be a better place for it.”


WESTMINSTER MARCH MADNESS March Madness has come to Westminster, and you can join the competition! Here’s the game plan: sixteen campus teams will face-off during the month of March for the chance to win a $5,000 donation. The winning team will use that donation to enhance their campus organization or event. And you get to decide the winner!

HOW TO PLAY: 1. Visit Westminster’s website on March 1st to learn about the competing teams. www.westminster-mo.edu/go/MarchMadness 2. Cast your vote online during each of the 4 tournament rounds. You can help determine which teams advance to the final round! www.westminster-mo.edu/go/MarchMadness Vote for ROUND 1 on March 5 Vote for ROUND 2 on March 12 Vote for ROUND 3 on March 19 Vote for the CHAMPIONSHIP on March 26 3. Stay tuned and watch for the big announcement of the winner!

Westminster College would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Debbie and Mr. Paul ’81 Kavanaugh for their generous support of the March Madness competition.


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warm hearty laugh that filled the room. A dazzling personality that brought a smile to the lips in return. A strong presence at any event supporting Westminster or the Fulton community. These are just a few of the treasured moments that have now become fond memories with the passing of the man known as “Mr. Westminster.” Although he was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 30, 1932, from the moment he came to Westminster College to graduate with a political science degree in 1953, John Edwards “Jack” Marshall found his home, except for his two years in the U.S. Army. Certainly no name could have been more appropriate for him than “Mr. Westminster.” During the forty years he spent working at Westminster, Jack held every prominent position conceivable. Starting as an Admissions Counselor in 1955 after his military service 32

Leadership winter 2012

in Germany, he moved to Alumni Secretary and Director of Publicity, then Dean of Men, followed by Dean of Admissions. Then he was promoted to Vice President for Development and even served as Interim President before being appointed Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Alumnas and former Westminster Executive Director of Development Donald Wood ’00 put it best when he said “Jack was the embodiment of Westminster College. If our mission statement could manifest itself in human form, it would be Jack Marshall.” As a result of his vast experience and prodigious memory, Jack was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about Westminster’s history and operations. Whenever there was any question about the past, a phone call went out to Jack. Jack’s friend, former Westminster Professor John Schultz

’58, found it astonishing that Jack knew the name of everyone who had attended or worked at Westminster during his tenure and knew a story about each of them. Even so, Jack himself admitted it was sometimes a challenge when people would walk up to him and ask if he remembered them when they had grown a beard and were fifty pounds heavier. Over his years of service, Jack’s contributions to Westminster were immense. When Westminster President J. Harvey Saunders made the decision for Westminster to become co-educational, Jack Marshall was given the responsibility to write the confidential plan. Once the Churchill Memorial came to campus, raising funds and improving its resources became one of Jack’s passions. His meticulous eye for details helped to make world events at Westminster such as the visits by Reagan and Gorbachev appear seamless.


Jack’s great love of Westminster College was returned in kind. He was awarded every kind of prominent recognition the College could bestow—an honorary degree, an Alumni Achievement Award, and the Alumni Award of Merit. His fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, presented him with the Merit Key and the Order of the Phoenix Award. In addition to Westminster College and the National Churchill Museum, John’s third great passion was the city of Fulton. He was one of the original Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and instrumental in the passage of the city tourism tax. He was on the board of numerous civic organizations. As Westminster President Barney Forsythe summarized it “Jack lived the Westminster mission of service to the community every day.” Although in his later years, Jack used a computer and cell phone,

during his professional career, he resisted their use personally, even though he advocated their use in the offices where he worked. He was afraid these new technologies would desensitize the human interaction he loved so much. His entire life Jack Marshall was all about “The Personal Touch.” He made warm personal connections in his friendships, his fundraising, his help to students, his service to college presidents, and any Westminster or Fulton service project he undertook. In return, he experienced great success and was universally loved because everyone he met knew his heart and motives were pure and his devotion to Westminster was genuine. Admiration for his bravery was added to the list when he became seriously ill. Having endured the harsh treatments for cancer ten years earlier, Jack knew well what was ahead when the dreaded

disease returned. Yet, even on his most difficult treatment days, he remained upbeat, never complaining, and fought valiantly until the end. Sadly for all who loved and admired him, Jack passed away November 20, 2011. The loss is immeasurable. Upon his passing, Westminster President Forsythe sent this message to the Westminster community: “You can be certain that as long as there is a Westminster, the life and achievements of Jack Marshall will not be forgotten, and he will live in the hearts and minds of all of us who were blessed to know him as we try to live up to the high standards he set for us. The only words that seem appropriate to mark Jack’s passing are ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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1.

2.

1

1940s Gordon Gray ’41 is a Highlander from Kirkwood, MO. He became a USMC pilot serving as a Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 1963, after 3 wars, a Distinguished Flying Cross Award and Purple Heart. Gray then became a McDonald franchisee for 23 years. Gray lives in Santa Ana, CA with his wife Sue of 46 years. Gray still goes to the gym 5 days a week, does 50-60 push-ups every day, pumps iron for an hour, then goes home for his nap.

1950s Dr. Norm Freiberger ’55 is Clinical Director of the Senior Dental Clinic, SSM St. Joseph Health Center, which celebrated their 10th Anniversary on October 6, 2011. The volunteer based clinic has serviced over 17,000 special needs patients since its founding. Dr. J. Rigby Slight ’57 was honored with the 2010-2011 Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award from the University of California San Diego’s School of Medicine for his contribution to teaching ophthalmology residents and fellows glaucoma diagnosis, management 34

Leadership winter 2012

2

and surgery. Slight operates a private practice in Solana Beach, CA. Dr. Jack Gunter ’59 has been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly for the 10th consecutive year. Gunter operates a plastic surgery center in Dallas, TX.

1960s Harry Sharp ’60 [1] received the Distinguished Leadership Award for a Citizen Planner from the Missouri Chapter of the American Planning Association. The award recognizes individuals who contribute to the vitality and preservation of their communities in the state of Missouri. Sharp is a retired IBM Executive and lives in Sikeston, MO. Cliff Bragdon ’62 recently retired from Florida Institute of Technology after 39 years in academia.

1970s Dennis Rose ’72 is the Chief Executive Officer of the AvoidPreDiab-etes Foundation in San Francisco, CA. David Brinkmeyer ’73 retired from his family plumbing business in 2005. He divides his time between

Harry Sharp '60 receives the Distinguished Leadership Award for a Citizen Planner from the Missouri Chapter of American Planning Association Allen (12) and Mason (8) sons of Darren ’91 and Karen Kay

his home in Ladue, MO and his river acreage in South Central MO. David hopes his son Erich will be attending Westminster in the near future. Curt Paddock ’73 is the Director of the Will County, Illinois, Land Use Department and has been awarded the 2012 Public Integrity Award by the American Society for Public Administration. The award is given to the organization that has made the greatest contribution to the advancement of ethical performance in the public service. Karl Evanzz ’75 recently published The Wilma Chestnut Story with New Wave Books in September 2011. Bruce Cameron ’78 released Emory’s Gift in August of 2011. His book A

Dog’s Purpose has been picked up by

Dreamworks Studios to be made into a movie.

1980s Brian Boatright ’84 was appointed

to the Colorado Supreme Court after more than a decade of serving as a Judge in District Court.


Oakes Briscoe ’86 is a Private Mortgage Banker with Wells Fargo in St. Louis, MO. Mark Hauer ’86 released a short story and a poem in an anthology titled In Their Service published by Hadley Rille Books. Brad Hilsabeck ’86 is the Chief Executive Officer with GMO in San Francisco, CA.

1990s Michelle Heiliger ’91 is a Business Manager with Genxmex Foods in Wentzville, MO. Jane Jackson ’92 was named Physical Therapist Assistant of the Year for the state of Arizona by the American Physical Therapy Association. Jackson is a physical Therapist Assistant with Spooner and Shaft Physical Therapy in Fountain Hills, AZ and serves as an Arizona delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association. Kim (Stubler) Fallis ’95 was featured in the April/May 2011 issue of Columbia Home Magazine in an article titled “A Mother’s Sweet Endeavor.” Audra (Miller) Heller ’95 is a Real Estate Expert with Prudential Realty in Kansas City, MO. William Popp ’95 has been promoted to Acting Consul General with the US Consulate General in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Ryan Gattermeir ’96 was awarded the 2011 Missouri Association of Realtors Salesperson of the Year Award. Gattermeir is a Broker/ Owner with Gattermeir Davidson Lake Ozark Real Estate in Lake Ozark, MO. Ronda Helton ’96 is Owner/ Managing Director with The Design Connection Group in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Garrett Andrews ’97 is Owner/Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist with Andrews Neuropsychology Clinic, and Director of Training with Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Administration in Little Rock, AR. Eric Coppenger ’98 is the Director of New Business Development with Rare Conservation in Arlington, VA. Dr. Robert Hawkins ’99 was awarded the 2011 Ralph Henry Gabriel Prize of the American Studies Association for his dissertation, Natural Born Ease Man?: Work, Masculinity and the Itinerant Black Musician. Hawkins is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor of History at Bradley University in Peoria, IL.

Leadership Development with Drury University in Springfield, MO. Melissa (Box) Stromblad ’01 is a Partner with The Creative Word PR, a boutique marketing and public relations firm that manages projects throughout the United States. Betsy (Sharp) Lynch ’02 is President/Owner of Lynch, Sharp & Associates, LLC in Lee’s Summit, MO. Prity (Vanmali) Stubinger ’02 had photography on exhibit at the Capital Arts Gallery last winter in Jefferson City, MO. Her work can be viewed at www.wix.com/ PrityStudios/Prity-Studios. Lillian (Dean) Hoell ’04 received an Educational Specialist degree in Mental Health Practices in Schools from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Hoell also received the Mid-Missouri Elementary Counselor of the Year Award for 2011. Pete Miranti ’04 is a Manager in the Enterprise Risk Services division of Deloitte & Touche in Los Angeles, CA.

Shannon (Meyer) Bradbury ’01 is a Quality Systems Analyst with Chestnut Labs in Springfield, MO.

Kali (Wright) Smith ’04 earned a PhD in Political Science from Purdue University. She is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY.

Courtney (Stubbs) Swan ’01 is the Director of Community Outreach &

Amanda (King) Spezzo ’04 is the Assistant Director of Georgia

2000s

WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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ONmyLINE and Instructor with the College of Education at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA.

Gera Stewart ’06 is a Corporate Buying Director with ALDI’s corporate office in Chicago, IL.

Sara (Hart) Weir ’04 is the Manager of Federal Government Relations with GlaxoSmithKline in Washington, DC.

Danie Becknell ’07 earned a Masters in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from Indiana University and is pursuing the Peace Corps while working as a professional photographer.

Rizia Bardhan ’05 made Forbes 2011 “Rising Stars of Science-Forbes 30 under 30” list. Dr. Susan (Sullivan) Demirel ’05 was named Pediatric Chief Resident with Arkansas Children’s Hospital for the 2013-2014 year. Liz Icenogle ’05 is the Manager of Membership Services with ARMA International in Overland Park, KS. Matthew Quintero ’05 is an Assistant Branch Manager with Regions Bank in Columbia, MO. Rev. Cassie Tritthart ’05 is a Correctional Officer Chaplain with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Jess Dunn Correctional Center in Taft, OK. Adelle Bergman ’06 is the Administrator of St. Margaret’s Nursing Home in New Orleans, LA. Mary Poletti ’06 took fourth place for feature writing in the Illinois Press Association’s 2010 Editorial Contest. Poletti is a reporter with The Quincy Herald-Whig in Quincy, IL. 36

Leadership winter 2012

Joey Hoflander ’08 is working as an Attorney with Langdon and Emison in Lexington, MO. Brett Richman ’08 earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in May 2011. Sarah Yates ’08 received a Juris Doctorate from The University of Tulsa School of Law and passed the Oklahoma bar. Shera Daroga ’09 is pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Joe Leake ’09 is an Assistant Baseball Coach with Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO. Alleson Liebling ’09 is Sales a Coordinator/Corporate Event Planner with Hello-Arizona in Phoenix, AZ. Mandla Reissmann ’09 is a Sales Executive with Kia Motors in Mbabane, Swaziland.

Michael Silver ’09 is an Experienced Associate with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Washington, DC. Derek Abbott ’10 is a Firefighter with Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District in MO. Lane Hume ’10 is pursuing a Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. Jessie Johnson ’10 is pursuing a Masters in Social Work from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO. Ryan Orf ’10 is a Healthcare Recruiter with Maxim healthcare Services in O’Fallon, MO. Eric Qualls ’10 is pursuing a Juris Doctorate at the University of Missouri Kansas City Law School. Nathan Smith ’10 has been accepted into the United States Air Force and will be stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Katie (Schulte) Besselman ’11 is attending the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Des Moines University in Des Moines, IA. Mike Butera ’11 is a Research Intern with CSIS in Washington, DC. Nicki DiSalvo ’11 is Employee Activities Coordinator with BarnesJewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.


Jennifer Humphrey ’11 is a Donor Relations Specialist with Citizens United in Washington, DC.

SHARE YOUR NEWS...

Trey McKenzie ’11 is a Donor Relations Officer with The Leadership Institute in Washington, DC.

We encourage you to submit your latest news to be published in the Class News & Notes section of Leadership Magazine.

Luke McKinlay ’11 is an Associate with WTP Advisors in White Plains, NY.

alumni@westminster-mo.edu

Dane Winkelmann ’11 is a Field Coordinator with Americans for Prosperity in Washington, DC.

Emailed photos should be taken in at least 300 dpi resolution in tif or jpg format. Submit class notes to:

Class News & Notes Office of Alumni Engagement & Event Management Westminster College 501 Westminster Ave Fulton, MO 65251-1299 (573) 592-5319 The deadline for the next issue is August 1, 2012.

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John Comerford and Rachel Rumple-Comerford [01] welcomed Grant Leo Comerford on November 30, 2011. Grant joins older siblings Garrett, age 5, and Reagan, age 3. The family resides in Fulton where Comerford is Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Rachel teaches education at Westminster College. Kyle Miller [2] and wife Nina welcomed Jude Ryce Miller on December 7, 2011. The family resides in Columbia, MO. Miller is a History Instructor at Westminster College in Fulton, MO.

1993

David Barnard ’93 [3] and wife Susan welcomed Remy Rosalie Barnard on September 10, 2011. Rosalie joins older sisters, Ava and Katarina, age 5. The family resides in Parkville, MO where Barnard is a Partner/AttorneyIntellectual Property with Lathrop & Gage.

1995

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1996

Sergei ’96 and Stephanie ’98 Kosakovsky Pond [5] welcomed Gavin Alexander Kosakovsky Pond on June 30, 2011. The family resides in San Diego, CA where Sergei is an Assistant Adjunct Professor with University of California San Diego, and Stephanie is a Senior Scientist with Prognosys Biosciences. Gavin is the grandson of David Pond ’71. Todd Meierhoffer ’96 [6] and wife Michelle welcomed Mack Melton Meierhoffer on August 28, 2011. Mack joins older brother Walter, age 2. The family resides in St. Joseph, MO where Meierhoffer is Vice President of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

1997

Houston Joost ’95 [4] and wife Jennifer welcomed Joseph Ellwood Joost on February 7, 2011. The family resides in Philadelphia, PA where Joost is with the FMC Corporation.

9.

4

Anne (Reid) Curchin ’97 [7] and husband Alex welcomed Alexander Brower Curchin, V on September 29, 2011. Alexander joins older sister Louisa, age 2. The family resides Columbia, MO where Curchin is Vice President of Legal Affairs with Missouri Hospital Association. Alexander is the grandson of Mike Reid ’68 and nephew of Sarah (Reid) Murray ’93, Louise (Curchin) and Eric Secker ’93 and Emily (Reid) ’00 and Logan Stanley ’00.

Rebecca (Gehlert) '01, Steven & Sylvia Adams 10. Henry, Caroline & Campbell Hoesch 11. Emma & Joshua Meeks 12. William Moore 13. Samuel Ream 14. Caroline Vinyard 15. Will Spellman

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Leadership winter 2012

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1999

Leslie (Brooke) Hunt ’99 [8] and husband Joseph welcomed Pearl Louise Hunt on November 19, 2011. The family resides in Fort Worth, TX where Hunt is an Attorney with Decker Jones Law Firm.

2001

Rebecca (Gehlert) Adams ’01 [9] and husband Steven welcomed Sylvia Grace Gehlert Adams on June 25, 2011. The family resides in Columbia, MO. Adams is a 3rd Grade Teacher with Fulton Public Schools.

2002

Katie (Sapienza) Hoesch ’02 [10] and husband Matthew welcomed Campbell James Hoesch on November 2, 2011. Campbell join older siblings Henry, age 4, and Caroline, age 2. The family resides in Ozark, MO. Hoesch is a 1st Grade Teacher with Nixa School District. Marissa (Dudley) Meeks ’02 [11] and husband Jerry welcomed Emma Kaytlin and Joshua Raymond Meeks on July 13, 2011. The family resides in Raymore, MO where Meeks is a Financial Analyst with Sprint.

11

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8

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Grant Comerford Jude Miller Remy Barnard Joe Joost Alexander Kosakovsky Pond Mack & Walter Meierhoffer Mike Reid '68, Louisa (2) & Alex Pearl Hunt

Emily (Cubbage) Moore ’02 [12] and husband J. welcomed William Ryder Moore on September 9, 2011. The family resides in Cushing, OK where Moore is Office Manager/Broker with WR Cubbage, Lawyer. Lauren (Koerber) Ream ’02 [13] and husband Tom welcomed Samuel Thomas Ream on April 22, 2011. The family resides in Madison, WI where Koerber is a Financial Analyst III with Unity Health Insurance. Chris Vinyard ’02 [14] and wife Andrea welcomed Caroline Dean Vinyard on November 3, 2011. The family resides in Kirkwood, MO where Vinyard is a Sales Specialist with Teva Neuroscience.

2003

Katie (Farris) Spellman ’03 [15] and husband Andy welcomed William Owen Spellman on July 7, 2011. The family resides in Des Moines, IA where Spellman is a General Dentist with University Dental Group.

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2004 Ryan Braden ’04 [16] and wife Lisa welcomed Avery Ann Braden on May 29, 2011. The family resides in Norman, OK where Braden is an Account Executive with Aetna. Dan ’04 and Sara (Griffith) ’06 Miller [17] welcomed Price Daniel Miller on July 25, 2011. The family resides in Kirkwood, MO where Dan is Vice President of Corporate Banking with PNC Bank, and Sara is a Corporate Communications Manager with Monsanto. Sarah (Muenks) Veile ’04 [18] and husband Adam welcomed Lucy Ann Veile on November 1, 2011. The family resides in Jefferson City, MO where Veile is the Major Accounts Coordinator with the News Tribune.

2005 Nikki (Dickman) ’05 and Steve ’05 Dean [19] welcomed Richard Steven Dean on June 12, 2011. The family resides in Kansas City, MO where Nikki is Traffic Coordinator with Hallmark Cards, Inc. and Steve is Branch Manager with US Bank.

President and Physician Agent with Resolve Physician Agency. Alisha is a 4th year medical student completing her clinical rotation at Capital Region Medical Center. Caden is the great-grandson of Dr. R. David Hinds ’58 and grandson of Dave Hinds ’85.

2006 Adam Hans ’06 [21] and wife Michelle welcomed Adelia Marie Hans on May 13, 2011. The family resides in Fulton where Hans is a Manager with Fastenal.

2007 Kunal Chaudhary ’07 [22] and wife Karishma welcomed Kairah Chaudhary on July 10, 2011. The family resides in Croydon, UK. Chaudhary works for Nomura International in London.

2011 Samantha (York) Crowe ’11 [23] and husband Michael welcomed Adriena Crowe on December 7, 2010. The family resides in Columbia, MO.

Jeff ’05 and Alisha (Toti) ’07 Hinds [20] welcomed Caden David Hinds on April 4, 2011. The family resides in Ashland, MO. Jeff is completing a Masters in Healthcare Administration and working as a Vice

16. Avery Braden 17. Price Miller 18. Lucy Veile 19. Richard Dean 20. Caden Hinds 21. Adelia Hans 22. Kunal Chaudhary ’07,

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Karishma & Kairah 23. Adriena Crowe

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Leadership winter 2012


1991 Scott Meierhoffer ’91 [1] married Sarah Dolman on November 19, 2011. The wedding party included Todd Meierhoffer ’96, Bryan Foote ’94, Greg Foote ’96, Drue Duncan ’95, John Kull ’91, Ladd Lafferty ’91, Bob McCarthy 1

’94 and John Spencer ’95 [2]. The couple resides in St. Joseph, MO where Meierhoffer is President of Horizon Memorial Group.

1995 Emilie Raymond ’95 [3] married Craig Dober on June 12, 2011. The couple

resides in Richmond, VA where Raymond is an Associate Professor of History with Virginia Commonwealth University. 2

2001 Jamie Dillon ’01 [4] married Drew Oestreich on May 29, 2011 in the

Bahamas. The couple resides in Fulton, MO where Dillon is Supervisor of Business Operations with Ameren.

2004 Jessy Stubblefield ’04 [5] married Josh Mabe on June 4, 2011. The wedding 3

party included Lindsay Castello ’04, Sara (Garner) Rubenstein ’04, Sera

Kate (Timmerberg) Dobrinic ’04, Amy (Edgar) Ferreira ’04 and Suzanne

Hellebusch ’04. The couple resides in Cuba, MO where Stubblefield is Vice President of Operations with The Care Network.

2005 4

Eleanor Aboussie ’05 [6] married Brian Ashley on July 2, 2011. The wedding party included Katie Warner ’05, Katie Murray ’05, Melissa Plunkett ’05 and Nick Auboussie ’01. The couple resides in St. Louis, MO where Aboussie is a Social Studies Teacher and Varsity Volleyball Coach at University City High School. 1. 2.

5

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3. 4. 5. 6.

Scott ’91 & Sarah Meierhoffer Todd Meierhoffer ’96, Bryan Foote ’94 Greg Foote ’96, Drue Duncan ’95, John Kull ’91, Ladd Lafferty ’91, Bob McCarthy ’94 and John Spencer ’95 Emily (Raymond) ’95 & Craig Dober Jamie (Dillon) ’01 & Drew Oestreich Jessy (Stubblefield) ’04 & Josh Mabe Eleanor (Aboussie) Ashley ’05 & Bridesmaids

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7. Laura (Cohen) ’06 & Jay Gallegly 8. Lane (Hume) ’06 & Sasha Mirzoyan ’10 9. Valerie (Schofield) ’08 & Heinz Leigh 10. Amy (White) ’08 & David Parsons 11. Liz (Munguia-Ramirez) ’09 & Thulani ’10 Shabangu 12. Lauren (Brohammer) ’10 & Joe Flaugher ’09

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8

2006

9

Laura Cohen ’06 [7] married Jay Gallegly on July 9, 2011. The wedding party included Eva (Rader) McDorman ’06, Sara (Griffith) Miller ’06 and Catie Vogeding ’06. The couple resides in Oklahoma City, OK where Cohen teaches 7th Grade Spanish at Edmond Public Schools. Lane Hume ’06 married Sasha Mirzoyan ’10 [8] on June 24, 2011. The wedding party included Anna Cherry ’10, Hernan Cipriotti ’10, Jillian Eads ’10 and Madusha Mayadunne ’11. The couple resides in Pittsburgh, PA where Hume is pursuing a Masters of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh.

2008 10

Valerie Schofield ’08 [9] married Heinz Leigh on May 31, 2011 in Honolulu, HI. The couple resides in Centralia, MO. Schofield is working with American Red Cross in Columbia, MO pending entry into military service. Amy White ’08 [10] married David Parsons on May 21, 2011. The couple resides in Pocahontas, AR where White is a Jewelry Sales Associate with Walmart.

2009 11

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Elizabeth Munguia-Ramirez ’09 married Thulani Shabangu ’10 [11] on August 13, 2011 in Fulton, MO at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. The wedding party included Mthoks Dlamini ’09, Sithembile Mabila ’09 and Richard Waery ’11. The couple resides in Jefferson City, MO where Munguia-Ramirez is an Assistant Manager with Walmart and Shabangu is the Webmaster with the Office of Administration for the State of Missouri.

2010 Lauren Brohammer ’10 married Joe Flaugher ’09 [12] on June 18, 2011 in Fulton, MO at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. The wedding party included Clayton Studyvin ’07, Ryan Cook ’08, Clayton Bentzen ’09, Michael Buffa ’09, Carter Garrett ’09, Jessica Contratto ’10, Leah Maconochie ’10 and Liz Klaffenbach ’12. The couple resides in Fulton, MO. Brohammer is a Speech Implementer at Hawthorne Elementary School in Mexico, MO and Flaugher is a Teller Supervisor with Missouri Credit Union in Jefferson City, MO.

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Leadership winter 2012


13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

13

Markie (England) ’10 & Wil ’11 Lampkin Brandi (Fischer) ’10 & Joe ’11 Hassien Jen (Thompson) ’10 and Justin Elms Mitchell ’11 & Jordyn Christensen Katie (Schulte) ’11 & Mark Besselman Samantha (York) ’11 & Michael Crowe

14

Markie England ’10 married Wil Lampkin ’11 [13] on November 19, 2011 in

Hermann, MO. The wedding party included Josh Wiltfong ’10. The couple resides in Union, MO. England is a Health Teacher and Coach at St. Clair High School and Lampkin is an Accountant with SFW Partners, LLC. 15

Brandi Fischer ’10 married Joseph Hassien ’11 [14] on October 8, 2011. The

wedding party included Dori Craighead ’10, Jim Gesling ’10, Chris Hassien ’12 and Steven Yob ’13. The couple resides in Fulton, MO. Fischer is a 4th

Grade Teacher at Hawthorne Elementary in Mexico, MO and Hassien works at Tanglewood Golf Course.

Jennifer Thompson ’10 [15] married Justin Elms on June 4, 2011. The couple resides 16

in Jefferson City, MO where Thompson is a Client Service Coordinator with Central Missouri Community Action Career Center.

2011 Mitchell Christensen ’11 [16] married Jordyn Boland on October 1, 2011 in Fulton, MO at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. The wedding party

included Mitch Erdel ’10 and Ben Peterson ’11. The couple resides in Auxvasse, 17

MO where Christensen joined the family business, Christensen Construction.

Katie Schulte ’11 [17] married Mark Besselman on June 4, 2011 in St. Charles,

MO. Justin Kern ’11 and Alyssa Fixley ’13 participated in the wedding. The couple resides in Des Moines, IA where Schulte is attending the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Des Moines University.

Samantha (York) ’11 [18] married Michael Crowe on July 5, 2011 in Bland, MO. 18

The couple resides in Columbia, MO.

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Roy G. Hickman of Marana, AZ on October 27, 2011. He was a friend of the National Churchill Museum.

Junior Grade. McCrary was an Executive with Johnson County bank in Kansas.

Edward C. Dunlop ’36 of Hockessin, DE on April 26, 2011. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He received a PhD from the University of Illinois and served during WWII. Dunlop served as National Chairman of the Analytical Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society and was one of the founders of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies. He retired as Research Manager of the Physical and Analytical Division of Central Research and Development after almost 39 years at DuPont. He received the Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College in 1972.

George W. Johns ’45 of San Marino, CA on May 18, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He served in the Navy during WWII and earned an MBA from Stanford University. He began his career in retail with the Broadway Department Stores, then Buffum's and in 1973 bought Port O'Call Pasadena before retiring in 1988.

Clarence H. Havens ’38 of Joplin, MO on June 29, 2011. He and his brother owned a chain of grocery stores. They declined an offer by Sam Walton to become partners and help develop what later would become Wal-Mart. After selling the stores he worked for a government agency before retiring.

Russell B. Stephens ’47 of Roseville, CA on March 23, 2011. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta.

Dr. Eugene W. Hall ’43 of Valley Park, MO on August 2, 2011. He was a member of the Highlanders. He attended St. Louis University Medical School before serving as an Army Captain in the medical corps. Hall was a private practitioner for 56 years. William H. McCrary ’43 of Kansas City, MO on July 30, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law School in St. Louis, MO. He served in the Navy in WWII as Lieutenant, 44

Leadership winter 2012

Robert A. Jordan ’47 on October 12, 2011. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He graduated from Washington University and served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy until retiring in 1985. Jordan then worked as an Insurance Agent until retirement.

John R. Opel ’48 of Fort Myers, FL on November 3, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago. Opel joined IBM as a salesman and held a number of executive positions before serving as President from 1974 to 1983. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1983. Opel served as an active member on Westminster’s Board of Trustees from 1965-1978 and became a Life Trustee in 1978. He received the Alumni Achievement Award in 1969 and an Honorary Doctorate in 2010. Thomas E. Winningham ’48 of Downers Grove, IL on July 23, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He spent his career in the corrugated box industry and retired in 1992.

Walter J. Davis ’49 of Dallas, TX on July 21, 2011. He was a member of the Highlanders and served in the Navy. Davis was the founder and President of Cross Country Insurance Agency and Crowder Davis & Company, later renamed Dexter Insurance. He volunteered with Service Corps of Retired Executives. He received the Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College in 1993. His son John Davis, Jr. ’81 also attended Westminster College. Charles S. Hallock ’49 of Newport, OR on August 2, 2011. He was a member of the Highlanders. He was a 2nd Lieutenant during WWII in the Airborne Division. He worked in Industrial Sales and was a Sales Manager for refrigeration products before retiring in 1990. He volunteered at Samaritan Hospital in Oregon. William A. Jones ’49 of Valparaiso, IN on June 23, 2011. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He worked for Allstate Insurance Company for 28 years before retiring. After retiring, Jones taught at Washington Township High School and many other Porter County schools in Valparaiso until the age of 80. He volunteered for many Valparaiso organizations. Norvell L. Pugh ’50 of Houston, TX on June 19, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He served in the Navy during WWII as a mine sweeper in the Pacific. He worked for the Ethyl Corporation for many years. Dr. Paul Revare ’50 of Kansas City, MO on August 24, 2011. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He was an Army Veteran. He attended


Medical School at the University of Missouri, and received an MD from St. Louis University. He worked in the Emergency Room with North Kansas City Hospital following several years of family medicine, and later served as the Director of the Emergency Room at Spelman Hospital in Smithville, MO. He was a charter member and former President of the American Board of Family Medical Practice. He received the Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College in 2002. James W. Vosburgh ’51 of Beaufort, SC on November 9, 2011. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was in attendance for Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech. He served in the Navy during WWII. Vosburgh had a career in Mutual Fund Sales. His cousin, Dick Vosburgh ’52 also attended Westminster. Edward W. Rife ’52 of Morgan Hill, CA on August 20, 2009. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He earned a BS in Agricultural Engineering from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. He worked for John Deere as a Cattle Ranch Manager and for Lockheed Missiles and Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base and in Mountain View, CA before retiring in 1992. Rife and his wife bicycled across the country stopping in Fulton on their 3,500 mile journey to visit the KA house and tour the campus. John “Jack” Marshall ’53 of Fulton, MO on November 20, 2011. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He served 2 years in the US Army. Marshall’s 40 year career at Westminster College included serving as Alumni Secretary, Director of Publicity, Dean of Men, Dean of Admissions, Assistant to

the President, Director and Vice President for Development, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Interim President. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the National Churchill Museum. Marshall received an Honorary Doctorate in 2010, the Alumni Award of Merit in 1990, and the Alumni Achievement Award in 2008 from Westminster College. Andrew W. Walker ’55 of Charlotte, NC on September 25, 2011. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He received an MD from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In 1969 he joined the Charlotte practice of William Berkley and Hal Chaplin, which became Charlotte Plastic Surgery. Walker served as President of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, Vice-Chairman of the Plastic Surgery Department with the Carolina Medical Center, and Chief of Presbyterian Hospital's Plastic Surgery Department. He assembled a group of physicians to start a free skin clinic and traveled to Third World countries to perform surgery on needy patients. He helped start the Berkley Lecture Series and the Southeastern Society's yearly Breast Surgery Symposium, now in its 28th year. He received the Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College in 1995. Richard M. Schwieder ’57 of Park Ridge, IL on August 16, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He began his career with the Harris Bank in Chicago, IL and later retired from Drexel Burnham Lambert in Chicago, IL. He was a Friend of the National Churchill Museum since 2005. Dr. Marvin E. Schmidt ’58 of Canton, IL on September 8, 2011. He was a member of Delta Tau

Delta. He graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1962. Schmidt served as Captain in the Army during the Vietnam conflict and as a Preventive Medical Officer at Fort Riley. He was Director of Graham Hospital Laboratory for 30 years and Director of Mason District Hospital Laboratory for 35 years. He was a member of the American Medical Association and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Thomas A. Houf ’69 of Boonville, MO on August 25, 2011. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He served in the US Army Airborne Division in Vietnam. Houf taught at the Boonville Correctional Center for more than 20 years before retiring. His father Jim Houf ’38 also attended Westminster. John A. Wilson ’69 of Salinas, CA on June 28, 2011. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He became a lawyer following a stint in the Army. He began his career as a public defender, switched to corporate insurance law, then concentrated on worker’s compensation cases. His passion was photography. He took a 10,000 mile journey capturing scenes from Northern California to New England, down to Florida, across the Gulf Coast and back to California. Robert O. Lesley ’70 of Kansas City, MO on December 10, 2011. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. He received a Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, MO where he was editor of the law review and elected to Order of the Coif. Lesley started his law career with Stinson Mag and Fizzell where he became partner, continued with Sonnenschein and then as partner in the trial WWW.WESTMINSTER-MO.EDU

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department of Lathrop and Gage. He served as a member on Westminster’s Board of Trustees from 2001-2010 and as Alumni Council President from 2000-2001. Harry S. Bradley ’71 of Mobile, AL on September 3, 2011. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. Kirt W. Buckley ’73 of Pleasant Valley, MO on August 22, 2011. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and the Skulls of Seven. He graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law and was a practicing attorney in Liberty, MO. Russell D. Smith ’76 of Arcadia, CA on October 20, 2011. Smith worked as a stockbroker and trader in St. Louis, New York and Los Angeles. Robert L. Bird ’77 of Tulsa, OK on October 25, 2011. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma. Bird pursued his career in the oil and gas business starting with Amoco then as Owner and President of Altrav Petroleum.

From promoting athletic programs to expanding technology in the classroom – nothing has a wider impact on the College than the Westminster Fund. Gifts to the Westminster Fund support the most vital needs of the College and power every corner of the campus with life, energy and new opportunities. Giving to the Westminster fund means impacting every student, faculty and staff member on a daily basis. Annual support to the Westminster Fund from alumni and friends of the College is critical. Every gift you make will work to continue Westminster’s tradition of excellence in the lives of students today.

Make an impact. Make a difference. Make a gift. www.westminster-mo.edu/giving

John D. Fraser ’82 of New Iberia, LA on August 30, 2011. He was a Financial Advisor for 29 years. Andy S. Mickels ’83 of Palm City, FL on July 23, 2011. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Joseph “Steave” Wayman ’89 of Dallas, TX on August 8, 2011. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. Wayman was a military history expert with a special interest in WWII. He visited Iwo Jima with his dad in honor of his paternal grandfather who was severely wounded during WWII. His uncle Hugh Steavenson ’71 also attended Westminster College. Chris P. Lange ’93 of St. Joseph, MO on October 4, 2011. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He was a businessman in St. Joseph for 15 years. John D. “Trey” Settle, III ’97 of Dallas, TX on October 26, 2011. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He earned a Masters in Public Management from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Settle worked as a Government Advisor to the Governor of Kentucky and as an Escrow Officer for Title Insurance Companies. He served as Chair of the Kentucky Homeland Security, President of Kentucky Occupational License Administrators, and President of Kentucky Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers. He received the Kentucky Colonel Award, the highest accolade awarded to a public servant. Jon M. Freiger ’00 of San Antonio, TX on October 23, 2011. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. Freiger earned an MA in School Psychology from Trinity University. He was employed by the San Antonio Northside Independent School District.


Announcing Westminster’s New Tagline

More than a College Education. Inspiring Growth. Educating Global Leaders. Tradition of Achievement. Leading the Way. Westminster College is a small liberal arts college where students learn to lead. Through Westminster’s integrated approach to learning, tight-knit, global campus community, and focus on the individual, students develop the skills, character and habits – creativity, critical thinking, openness, and curiosity – that make them lifelong learners and leaders. The Westminster education engages students in a college experience that prepares them for success and service in an ever-dynamic global community. Challenging them to think big and deliver solutions relevant in today’s society, Westminster educates students to lead and inspires them to achieve. The entire Westminster community has been involved in the college branding process. From focus groups to email surveys to committee work – your opinions have helped us shape our Westminster message. Thank you.

Help us spread the word and tell the Westminster story. www.westminster-mo.edu

I believe this phrase does an excellent job of capturing the themes that define Westminster College. Central to our mission is educating and inspiring our students to be leaders and to go on to live lives of success, significance, and service. This phrase expresses those themes perfectly. – President Barney Forsythe


WESTMINSTER COLLEGE 501 Westminster Avenue Fulton, Missouri 65251

WESTMINSTER 2020 VISION

Westminster College will be recognized as the best school in America for developing leaders in a global community at the undergraduate level.

How do we get there?

www.westminster-mo.edu/go/2020


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