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CAMPUS NEWS | Titan news on and beyond campus
Mellon grant provides key funds for reopening
SAM REIMAN Richard King Mellon Foundation Director A$210,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation was critical in helping Westminster reopen safely this fall, while enabling the expansion of virtual learning capabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Westminster was one of 12 regional colleges and universities to receive grant money from the foundation, which allocated $2.5 million for higher education institutions to use specifically for COVID-related expenses such as enhanced virtual learning needs, COVID testing, personal protective equipment or financial aid.
Westminster is using the grant money to support technologies necessary to strengthen its hybrid teaching modalities and to augment health and safety resources needed for this academic year.
“Our regional colleges and universities are essential engines for growth—for the students who learn there, the people who work there, and for the local communities whose economies we know they so powerfully impact,” said Sam Reiman, foundation director. “The foundation has partnered with each of these schools on projects over the years. And we want to be there for them now, at this critical hour, as they navigate the complex logistics of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Reiman said the Richard King Mellon Foundation is focused not just on the essential importance of higher education to students, but also on the powerful economic impact of colleges and universities on local businesses, particularly in more remote communities.
“For many local businesses, their neighboring college is like the sun—and if that sun goes dark, there’s no backup generator,” said Reiman. “We want to do everything we can to keep those colleges running.”
Schedin tapped to guide admissions efforts
Following a nationwide search, Dr. Karen H. Schedin was named vice president for enrollment management, effective Aug. 31.
Schedin, who served as vice president for enrollment management at Rivier University in Nashua, N.H., since 2012, fills the vacancy created by the May departure of Dr. Jeffrey Coker. She will lead the admissions and financial aid teams.
With nearly three decades in higher education, Schedin employs a focused data-driven approach to recruiting students. Schedin saw a 54 percent increase in new student enrollment over three consecutive years at Rivier. She also led the initiative for Rivier’s conversion to a test-optional institution.
“The experience and knowledge of the management, analysis and technologies necessary for success in student recruitment and financial aid Dr. Schedin has will help Westminster continue to strengthen this key function for the College,” said Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson
“It is apparent to me that the Westminster College community of faculty, administrators and staff are deeply committed to the success of its students, and the students and alumni have a profound and lasting affinity for Westminster,” Schedin said. “Joining such a community is exciting as an enrollment professional as such authenticity is easy conveyed to prospective students considering enrolling at the College.”
Prior to her experience at Rivier University, she held various positions at Becker College in Worcester, Mass.— director of admissions, dean of admissions and interim dean of enrollment. She also spent several years at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Mass., Schedin
where she had been director of student life and director of admissions. She also served as director of admissions at Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, Mass.
Schedin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and English from Fitchburg State University, a Master of Education degree in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from the University of New England.
CASE recognizes Westminster’s fundraising performance
Westminster was one of 101 colleges and universities from across the nation to win a prestigious 2020 Educational Fundraising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Westminster earned the award for its overall improvement by demonstrating significant program growth over three years of data. Westminster is one of only five colleges recognized in the category of private liberal arts institutions with endowments under $150 million.
Winners are not selected based solely on total funds raised. Judges select winners based on many factors, including alumni participation, patterns of growth in total support, amount raised per student and the impact of the 12 largest gifts on total support.
The award comes on the heels of two recent and successful fundraising initiatives, Bring Back the Titans (BBTT) and Clash of the Titans (COTT), which brought in a combined $2 million during a two-month period. With a matching donation from the May Emma Hoyt Foundation and more than 850 donors, the BBTT campaign raised over $1.8 million to date to aid students financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The one-week COTT campaign to benefit marching band members and Titan athletes raised $218,197 from 1,684 donors.
WHY I GIVE
DARRELL ’53 & SUE brown Yeaney ’51 Philosophy, Psychology
Home:
Scotts Valley, California
Professions:
Darrell is a retired Presbyterian pastor who served as a campus minister at various institutions of higher education. Sue, also retired, was the founder and director of I-You Venture in Santa Cruz, California.
Their Giving Accomplishment: Darrell and Sue have been consistent donors to Westminster for 30 years.
Why the Yeaneys Give:
“Our four years at Westminster gave us a foundational experience of adult living and learning for the rest of our lives. Westminster provided a near perfect setting for us to grow into mature adulthood—supported, challenged and stimulated by caring faculty scholars, a community of mutually helpful and exciting peers and in a friendly community that welcomed us and made us feel safe. The administration seemed always ready to help with any concerns. But above all, The Spirit of Westminster was palpable. Not only was there a mutual commitment to learning but also a loving Divine Presence seemed to saturate the college community. We could not have asked for more. And we hope subsequent generations will be able to experience the rich learning culture of Westminster.”
Annual Rankings
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT Westminster is one of the top 125 best national liberal arts colleges in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2021 rankings. Westminster earned the 120 spot from a pool of 1,452 schools, as well as the number 14 slot on the Social Mobility list, which assesses how well schools graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, a form of needbased federal financial aid. In 2020, 55% of Pell recipients graduated in four years. WALL STREET JOURNAL/ TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION Westminster continues to be ranked as one of the best colleges nationwide, according to Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education (WSJ/ THE) College Rankings 2021. Of the four areas examined—resources, engagement, outcomes and environment—Westminster scored strongest in the resources category that measured colleges’ capacity to effectively deliver teaching by examining costs per student, student-tofaculty ratio and the number of academic research papers published by faculty members. WASHINGTON MONTHLY Westminster continues to be recognized as one of the nation’s best, earning a spot among the “Best Liberal Arts Colleges” list in Washington Monthly’s 2020 College Guide and Rankings. Westminster was also named a “Best Bang for the Buck College” in the Northeast region for helping non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.
TRIO grant will aid support services
Westminster will receive $1.3 million in grant funding over the next five years to develop and maintain a TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program to benefit underrepresented students in their academic pursuits.
The competitive federally-funded five-year grant from U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services (SSS) Program will provide services and resources to first-generation, income eligible students and students with disabilities to ensure they successfully navigate their college education at Westminster College. The College will receive $261,888 this year to establish the program.
“A significant number of Westminster students are the first in their family to attend college, and navigating higher education can be daunting for them. Many others face financial challenges as they pursue their educational goals, and we want to partner with them to make their aspirations a reality,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Dr. Jamie G. McMinn. “The TRIO SSS grant will provide academic, financial literacy, cultural and wellness programming to firstgeneration and low-income students so that they achieve the outcomes that mark a successful Westminster graduate.”
Of the currently enrolled Westminster students, 38% are identified as low income, 17% are first-generation college students and 7% have a declared disability. Westminster’s SSS Program is funded to work with nearly 140 students annually and will support three full-time staff members—a director and two advisers.
Services and resources provided will include academic tutoring; academic success and wellness coaching to promote classroom achievement and personal wellbeing; support for learning and other disabilities; and career and college mentoring.
MONEY MAGAZINE Westminster was named to Money magazine’s “2020 Best Colleges for Your Money” list based on quality of education, affordability and alumni financial success. The 2020 rankings gave greater weight to affordability factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact. This year, Westminster raised more than $1.8 million through its Bring Back the Titans fundraising campaign, an initiative designed to ensure students would be able to continue their educations at Westminster despite financial hardship created by the economic downturn. PRINCETON REVIEW Westminster is one of the best colleges in the Northeast, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company features Westminster among its “Best in the Northeast” recommended schools in its “2021 Best Colleges: Region by Region” website feature. Only 224 colleges in 11 Northeastern states are included in the list. The Princeton Review asked students to rate their college on several issues. Students said Westminster’s student-to-faculty ratio is an advantage and professors are “extremely accessible and helpful” and devoted to student success. COLLEGE FACTUAL Westminster College does better than 70 percent of American colleges and universities, according to College Factual’s 2021 Best Colleges list. Ranked in the top 30 percent nationwide for overall quality, Westminster was also named a “Great Price” school, ranking in the top 5% for both the national and Middle Atlantic Best for the Money lists. Westminster also took the #38 spot on the Best Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
THESE HANDS DON’T HAZE
Phi Mu member Lexi Koslosky ’21 shows her support for “These Hands Don’t Haze,” a hazing prevention and awareness campaign sponsored by Phi Mu and Theta Chi during National Hazing Prevention Week in September. Students from all student organizations were encouraged to stop by the quad, dip their hands in paint and add their prints to a banner to signify their pledge against campus hazing.
WHY I GIVE
ANTHONY COLWELL ’08 MATHEMATICS & PHILOSOPHY
Home:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Profession:
Claims Adjuster, Travelers Insurance
Getting Involved:
Anthony attended the Professional Networking Symposium crowdfunding discussion and mentioned that he never really conceptualized that his gifts could make a difference in the lives of students. But after hearing how gifts of any size directly impact Westminster’s students, he is excited for his future of supporting the College.
Why Anthony Gives:
“The biggest burdens for any new graduate are paying down debt and finding a position they like—and some employers take advantage of new graduates by not paying them what they deserve. By giving to help students get good internships and connect with alumni, I know that they will find good employers who will pay them what they are worth.”
WC joins racial equity leadership alliance
Westminster is one of 51 inaugural member institutions of the University of Southern California (USC) Race and Equity Center’s newly established Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance.
“We look forward to working with our colleagues across the nation as we strive to achieve the historic vision of our founders, who in 1852 chartered an institution open not only to men but also to women and people of color without regard to their religious creed—a remarkable vision that still drives us today,” said Westminster President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.
As an alliance member institution, Westminster will benefit from a variety of resources and educational opportunities for faculty and staff, including monthly virtual professional workshops, workplace climate surveys and an online portal of equity-related tools and resources.
Beginning in January 2021, the Center will host a dozen eConvenings workshops, each on a particular aspect of racial equity. These live, three-hour sessions, each on a different topic, will be delivered by highly-respected leaders of national higher education associations, tenured professors who study race relations and people of color, chief diversity officers and other experienced administrators, and specialists from the Center.
These interactive sessions will use contemporary cases of equity dilemmas and racial crises on liberal arts college campuses. Emphasis will be placed on learning from situations that have recently occurred elsewhere; learning how to get ahead of situations and reducing risk of crisis; and learning actionable equity leadership strategies.
An online repository of resources and tools—including downloadable equityrelated rubrics, readings, case studies, videos, slide decks and conversation scripts—is being developed by the Center. Every employee across all levels at each member college will have 24/7 full access to the virtual resource portal.
Alliance member colleges will benefit from this trio of campus climate surveys on a three-year rotational basis: the student survey in year one, the faculty survey in year two, and the staff survey in the third membership year. The Center will manage data collection and analysis
Presidents of member colleges will meet quarterly to share strategies, seek advice, and identify ways to leverage the alliance for collective impact on racial equity in higher education.
Asbury joins diversity and inclusion office
Kaileik Asbury has for student success and hub for our underrepresented been named assistant inclusive excellence. “She students on campus, and I director for diversity is an incredibly passionate want to make sure we continue and inclusion, effective Oct. 28. social justice activist and to provide them with this
Asbury will work to develop she will contribute greatly to space, even if it means we do campus-wide multicultural the work of creating a more it virtually. I believe that my and social justice programs equitable and inclusive campus passion to foster and sustain at Westminster and will community.” a socially just, equipped and coordinate educational programming and training on justice, equity, diversity Asbury holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Chestnut Hill College and a inclusive campus community, strong commitment that promotes holistic success and development and the ability and inclusion. She also will master’s in higher education to empower students to feel serve as adviser to student policy and student affairs from confident in their skills, and organizations such as Black West Chester University. capabilities to influence change Student Union, ALLIES and the “Westminster has greeted in our society makes this role Disability Awareness Club. me with open arms. The air is so much more fulfilling.”
“We are excited to have clear, the campus is beautiful Prior to her appointment Ms. Asbury join our team and all my interactions have to Westminster, Asbury was at Westminster,” said made me extremely eager to a programs coordinator for Candace Okello ’11, associate dive straight into my position,” the Bronx Westchester Area dean of student affairs said Asbury. “My office is a Health Education Center of the Asbury
Lehman College of the City of New York. She had also worked as a graduate coordinator at West Chester University, a mentor and student success coordinator at Hostos Lincoln Academy, and coordinator for student engagement at Jefferson University.
Blumenthal Graham Hartner Huffman
Faculty gains six members
Hashemi Joo Zoulagh
The Westminster faculty welcomed six new members this fall, bolstering the institution’s already high-caliber community of educators.
Adam Blumenthal, assistant professor of mathematics. Blumenthal recently earned his Ph.D. in mathematics with a minor in computer science from Iowa State University, where he served as a teaching assistant. His research interests include extreme graph theory, domination theory and combinatorial algorithms. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Auburn University.
Rebecca Graham, assistant professor and instructional design and technology librarian. Graham holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the iSchool at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign with a focus in online instruction. Her areas of interest include digital accessibility including creating screen-reader accessible course materials, video captions and designing courses that reduce barriers for students with ADD, dyslexia, autism, anxiety, color blindness and low vision. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, where she minored in database design.
Kandice Hartner ’12, lecturer in the School of Communication. Hartner has served as an adjunct at Westminster since 2016. She earned her M.A. and M.F.A., both in interdisciplinary design, from Chatham University. She earned a B.A. in media arts and public relations from Westminster in 2012.
Loreen Huffman, lecturer of psychology. Most recently, Huffman was professor of psychology at Missouri Southern State University where she had been serving since 1996. She also spent six years teaching at Rutgers University. Her research interests include successful aging and the use of memoir-writing to promote successful aging. Huffman holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Rutgers University and a B.S. degree in individual and family studies from Pennsylvania State University.
Mohammad Hashemi Joo, assistant professor of finance and economics. He recently completed his Ph.D. in finance from Florida International University, where he served as an instructor. His research interests are in the fields of corporate finance, corporate governance, behavioral finance and fintech. He earned his M.S. in finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, his M.B.A. in finance from Multimedia University in Malaysia and a B.S. in industrial engineering from Isfahan University of Technology in Iran.
Latifa Zoulagh, lecturer of modern languages. Zoulagh comes to Westminster from Salem State University in Salem, Mass., where she was assistant professor of Arabic and French. Previously she taught at the University of South Carolina, Meredith College and the University of Oklahoma. She also taught high school French in Morocco and worked in the private sector as a translator and interpreter. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, her M.A. from North Carolina State University and her B.A. from the University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah in Morocco.
The CARES Act adds charitable contribution deduction
The CARES Act allows for up to $300 in qualified charitable contributions to qualify as an “above-the-line” deduction in 2020, meaning you don’t have to itemize deductions in order to claim the $300 as a deduction. Taxpayers can take this universal deduction no matter whether they itemize or take the standard deduction on their taxes. (Qualifying donations must be made in cash or cash equivalents.) This is a great year to consider supporting Mother Fair!
Class of 2024 Profile
ith staggered move-in times and two socially-distant Opening Convocation ceremonies at Burry Stadium,
WWestminster officially welcomed the Class of 2024 to campus on Friday, Aug. 14. This crop of students is unique. Most of the 310 incoming new students finished out their high school careers last spring learning remotely—but that doesn’t wholly define who they are. Take a look at their class profile and see who makes up Westminster’s newest Titans.
3.65
average HIGH SCHOOL GPA
9+ 9% STUDENTS OF COLOR FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS
21
STATES REPRESENTED
MOST HAIL FROM
PENNSYLVANIA OHIO MARYLAND NEW YORK NEW JERSEY VIRGINIA
34+ 34% CALIFORNIA 51+ 51% STUDENT-ATHLETES
2,600 miles FARTHEST DISTANCE TRAVELED
(Eugene, Oregon)
TOP MAJORS
BIOLOGY NURSING ACCOUNTING BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES
Just Mercy Week explores racial issues
Before first-year students set foot on Westminster’s campus for the fall 2020 semester, they were given their first homework assignment: Read the memoir Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson.
Between Sept. 20-29—or Just Mercy Week—students in the First-Year Program’s Inquiry core course participated in a series of events tying back to their required summer reading book. Written by Stevenson, an attorney and founder/executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Ala., the book depicts Stevenson’s experiences as a young lawyer, who fought to address injustices in the criminal justice system, including the case of Walter McMillian, a Black man from Alabama who, in 1988, was sentenced to die for a murder he didn’t commit.
Dr. Shannon Smithey, professor of political science and coordinator of the First-Year Program, said that by choosing Just Mercy as the common reading and holding the fall events, she wanted students to reflect on contemporary injustices and the roles that individuals can play in seeking to address them.
Events included:
“The Cross and Capital Punishment” lecture by activist the Rev. Stacy Rector, executive director of Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
“Defiantly Marching: Ida B. Wells, Black Women and the Women’s Suffrage Movement” lecture by Dr. Angela Lahr, associate professor of history
“The Chemistry of Lethal Injection” lecture by Dr. Patrick Lackey, assistance professor of chemistry
“37 Years of Injustice” lecture featuring juvenile lifer Ricky Olds, who, at age 14, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole after being convicted as an accomplice to murder
Television Man book reading by Dr. David Swerdlow, author and professor of English
“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Westminster,” a community discussion with Candace Okello, associate dean of student affairs
Student Government Association-sponsored Civil Dialogues discussion of the book Just Mercy
Discussion of Foster Art Gallery exhibition “We Are Here: Black Identity in White Spaces” led by Jordyn Kee ’17. Exhibition’s featured artists included alumni Celine Hildack ’20, Marqus Koranteng ’15 and Macaya Yao ’17 and current students Jasmine Woodings and Amanda Young Showing of the 2019 film “HER” by Macaya Yao ’17 “Just Mercy” starring Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan, as well as “Do the Right Thing,” the 1989 Academy Award-nominated Spike Lee film that explores racial tensions in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood
Ricky Olds speaks to students at Anderson Amphitheater during Just Mercy Week.
Students can fast-track their law degree
Students interested in a faster track toward earning a law degree have a new option available to them.
Westminster and Widener University Commonwealth Law School have established a 3+3 program partnership enabling students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in just six years, saving students time and money.
The agreement allows Westminster students to earn the pursue their advanced degree at Widener while also earning their
final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener University students expressed interest in environmental law during the
Commonwealth Law School, while simultaneously pursuing their law degree.
Qualifying students must complete their major and general Westminster College. Students must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and apply to Widener by April 1 of their junior year.
“Many Westminster graduates have enjoyed a distinguished career in law, and our partnership with Widener University Commonwealth Law School provides new opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Jamie McMinn, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. “We are particularly pleased that students who want to practice such specialized areas as environmental law will be able to undergraduate degree at Westminster.”
Westminster’s political science faculty have advised pre-law students for many years, and according to McMinn, several education requirements by the end of their junior year at
College’s fall Professional Network Symposium.
Westminster alumnus Matthew Kerns ’07, associate dean of admissions at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, helped facilitate the partnership.
Westminster, Crisis Shelter to broaden services
Arecently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Westminster and the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County will strengthen the way the two work together to address student sexual assault, domestic or dating violence and/or stalking.
The two will develop enhanced comprehensive victim services for students and prevention and awareness education for the entire campus community, said Stephanie Holzhauser, health educator for sexual violence prevention at Westminster.
Under the MOU, CSLC will train key Westminster staff on topics such as victim advocacy, trauma-informed care and the dynamics of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking.
Additionally, Westminster staff will provide training to CSLC advocates on the College’s Title IX grievance process so they may inform students of their rights and reporting options and offer support during the campus judicial process.
The MOU is a result of Westminster’s ongoing commitment to addressing sexual and relationship violence on campus. In 2019, Westminster received a three-year $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The grant helped develop the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) aimed at preventing and responding to sexual and relationship violence incidents.
One of the strategic goals of the CCRT was for the College to enhance its relationship with CSLC to ensure all sexual violence survivors—including male and LGBTQ+ survivors—have access to services through a uniform, campus-wide referral and response process.
Experience matters
Biochemistry majors study coronavirus in prestigious research program
Two Westminster College biochemistry majors had a unique experiential learning opportunity this summer as members of a highly selective undergraduate research team studying the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Senior Morgan Shine of Greenville, Pa., and junior Nicole Mackenstein of Ellwood City, Pa., participated in a remote 10-week National Science Foundation-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in Duquesne University’s chemistry department where they modeled the surface and potential surface reactions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, otherwise known as the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19.
Researching a virus that has dominated the global public’s daily conversation for months was an exciting opportunity for the students, but both women undertook their is fundamentally about
responsibilities like they would any other assignment. Shine said she also
“I’m really passionate about research, so I approached the SARS-CoV-2 research the same way I would approach any project,” said Shine. “My usual research at Westminster focuses on histone mRNA degradation, which is a fundamental cellular process that is not directly connected to a disease. Although I approached the SARS-CoV-2 research the same way as my histone mRNA project, it was interesting responsible for the current pandemic.”
Mackenstein agreed.
“It helped me realize how important not only the research I was working on was, but how important research is in general,” said Mackenstein, who also has a minor in data science. “But I treated it like any other project. I just focused on my work and what was asked of me.”
While COVID restrictions prevented Shine and Mackenstein from conducting their research on Duquesne’s campus, the nature of their project—using computational chemistry, specifically molecular dynamic simulations, to study the effects of mutations on the secondary structure of conserved regions in the SARS-CoV-2 virus—still allowed them to get hands-on, real world experience through remote research.
“I was able to learn so many new skills and I was given the opportunity to work on something so important,” Mackenstein said. “The support and guidance by my faculty mentor, Dr. Patrick Lackey, allowed me to be able to grow more confident in my place on the team. He helped me understand that research learning, and if we had all the answers, there would be no need for research.” Shine
to consider the broader implications of studying the virus was gratefully for the opportunity to build on her strengths and learn a new set of research skills, especially at a time when most summer research programs were canceled due to the pandemic. Mackenstein
Both women—and one other undergraduate team member from Duquesne—held daily research meetings with Dr. Lackey, assistant professor of chemistry at Westminster, and weekly group meetings were held with the Duquesne University research advisers and graduate students. Additionally, Shine and Mackenstein participated in weekly instrumentation workshops on topics such as microscopy and next generation sequencing, as well as an ethics forum with students from other research groups. They also offered biweekly presentations on different phases of their research.
“Westminster students who participate in summer research programs learn valuable research skills because they can dedicate all of their day to research,” said Dr. Peter Smith, professor of chemistry. “Their participation in summer research experiences prepares them for success after graduation.” S
For more about Westminster’s biochemistry major, please visit www.westminster.edu/biochemistry.
