Ten Things Titan

10 things making us pretty Titan proud right now

Warm Westminster Welcome

1.Move-in Day was hot. It was humid. And for most people, it was sweaty. But our dedicated and energetic orientation leaders never seemed bothered as they helped new arrivals haul belongings into residence halls. Hats off to all the Titan helpers—from orientation leaders to football players to Student Affairs crews—who lent a hand on day one, offered warm welcomes to the new first-years and truly demonstrated what the “We” in Westminster is all about.

Parental Guidance

2. A Titan shout-out to Celebrity Series Director Connie McGinnis. When COVID-19 forced the curtains to close on in-person live performing arts events, Connie didn’t remain idle. Instead she took on the role of director of parent engagement, serving as the College liaison to Westminster parents. Connie has been keeping parents informed about all things Titan on the Westminster Parents Facebook page. And as a parent of a first-year student, she’s been able to relate with other parents and offer invaluable insight and guidance.

Raise the curtains!

3. Speaking of Celebrity Series, we are Titan proud to announce the return of our live performing arts series after a long hiatus! The Midtown Men will kick off the holiday season on Dec. 4—and we hope to see you there! For upcoming performances, check out www.westminster.edu/celebrity.

ALL THE SPORTS

4.The Westminster Magazine went to press before the end of all the athletic competitions last spring, but it’s not too late to acknowledge our tireless Sports Information Director Nathan LaRiccia. Nathan masterfully navigated his way covering nearly all the sports last spring, after the Presidents’ Athletic Conference voted to postpone high- and medium-contact fall sports— football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country—until spring 2021. A normal sports season keeps Nathan busy, so we were impressed with his ability and professionalism reporting on combined seasons. We’re still not sure when he slept, though.

Music maker

5.Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Perttu, music, on the world premiere of his original composition, Phoenix, by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in Cocoa, Fla., in August, followed by the world premiere of his viola concerto “Merlin” with Brett Deubner on viola and the Perrysburg (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra in October. This is music to our ears!

Man on a Mission

6.We’re certainly Titan proud of alumnus Chuck Monts ’82, who pedaled his way from Los Angeles to The Bowery Mission in New York City over the summer. Chuck spent nearly two months on the road raising awareness about and funds for the Manhattan-based mission that provides daily food and resources to the hungry and homeless.

A Royal Weekend

7.This fall, Dr. Russell Martin, history, participated in Russia’s first royal wedding since the days of the imperial monarchy. Held at St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia, the three-day event celebrating the union of the Grand Duke George of Russia, the Heir of the Head of the Imperial House of Russia—the great-grandson of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich Romanov, the cousin of the last Russian emperor, Nicholas II—and Princess Victoria Romanovna Bettarini. Martin composed the wedding program and delivered a simultaneous translation of the sermon into English during the ceremony, while his daughter served as a bridesmaid. A black-tie reception, a white-tie gala and a wedding luncheon rounded out the lavish event. And to top it all off, Martin was quoted in a New York Times story reporting on the nuptials.

Giving Back

8. Congratulations to the newest members of Westminster’s Alumni Council— Harry Bittle ’14, Scott Colvin ’74, Jim Giel ’74, Don Goughler ’68, Carsyn Jack ’22 Stephanie Kerns ’07 and Colleen Wilson ’97. We’re so thankful for all of our , Alumni Council members who offer their time and talent for the benefit of Mother Fair.

Author, author

9. Congratulations to Professor of English Emeritus Dr. James Perkins for the publication of his 20th book, Black Jack Burden?—Night Thoughts on the Genetics of Race in Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men, which questions if the classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the King’s Men has been misinterpreted for 75 years. Jim had been working on this book since 2001—and he received some genetics insight from Professor of Biology Emeritus Dr. Patrick McCarthy. We’re proud of his latest accomplishment and can’t wait to hear about his next project!

Henderson WINNER

10.Congratulations to Dr. Deanne Buffalari, neuroscience, for her selection as the 2021 Henderson Lectureship winner. In October, Deanne offered her presentation, “Basic Research in Neuroscience Promotes Our Understanding of Addiction,” discussing findings from her research on nicotine use, including its relationship with reward centers of the brain, addiction and memory.