Monmouth College Magazine - Summer 2015

VOL 30 | NUM 2 | SUMMER 2015

MONMOUTH COLLEGE MAGAZINE

INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

MONMOUTH COLLEGE MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 08

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8 NEW BEGINNINGS 12 SEEING STARS

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VOL. 30 | NUM. 2

SUMMER 2015

EDITORIAL BOARD Stephen M. Bloomer ’83 Vice President for Development and College Relations Timothy G. Keefauver ’80 Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Jeffrey D. Rankin Director of College Communications Barry J. McNamara Associate Director of College Communications Hannah Maher Director of Alumni Engagement

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Monmouth College Magazine is published by the Office of Development and College Relations for alumni and friends of Monmouth College. All opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial staff or the college.

21 THE INFAMOUS HOLIDAY INN CAPER

We welcome letters about the college or the magazine.

Letters will be printed on a space-available basis and may be edited for length, style and clarity. Send letters, queries or submissions to: Monmouth College Magazine, 700 East Broadway, Monmouth IL 61462-1998, or email jrankin@monmouthcollege.edu.

26 COMMENCEMENT 32 THE WAIT IS OVER

EDITOR Jeffrey D. Rankin ASSOCIATE EDITOR Barry J. McNamara

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DESIGNER Debby Winter, Winter Agency BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE William Goldsborough ’65, Chairman Nancy Snowden, Vice Chair Gerald Marxman ’56 (Emeritus), Treasurer Karen Barrett Chism ’65 Robert Dahl Larry Gerdes Mark Kopinski ’79 Gail Simpson Owen ’74 Stanley Pepper ’76 Jack Schultz Mark Taylor ’78 Ralph Velazquez ’79 Jean Peters Witty ’88 Richard Yahnke ’66 ALUMNI BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mary Corrigan ’82, President Danette Bagley-Thierry ’86, Vice President Jerri Picha ’75, Secretary CONTACT US Magazine Editor 309-457-2314 jrankin@monmouthcollege.edu eNewsletter Editor 309-457-2117 mcnamara@monmouthcollege.edu www.monmouthcollege.edu/alumni/pipeline Alumni Programs 309-457-2316 alumni@monmouthcollege.edu Athletics 309-457-2322 dnolan@monmouthcollege.edu

campus news books sports clan notes last word

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ON THE COVER: An image of the Rosette Nebula, photographed with a powerful CDK 20 telescope, the same model which was recently installed in Monmouth College Adolphson Observatory. (See page 12)

Admissions 309-457-2131 admissions@monmouthcollege.edu Give to Monmouth College 1-888-827-8268 www.monmouthcollege.edu/give MONMOUTH COLLEGE ADMITS STUDENTS OF ANY RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN TO ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES GENERALLY ACCORDED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO MONMOUTH STUDENTS. MONMOUTH COLLEGE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, DISABILITY, AGE, MILITARY SERVICE, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR OTHER FACTORS AS PROHIBITED BY LAW IN ADMINISTRATION OF ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ADMISSIONS POLICIES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS, ATHLETICS AND OTHER SCHOOL-ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

THINK ANEW, ACT ANEW Late 1862, the war was going badly for Union forces, and the off-year elections were a clear rebuke to President Abraham Lincoln. But in the face of these challenges, Lincoln’s great character and vision led him to understand that the Civil War was indeed a second American Revolution, and that only by ending slavery could we realize our full promise as a society. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation that September, and that December, in his second annual Message to Congress, he challenged all Americans to share his vision.

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present,” he wrote. “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”

In its own way, our world today is just as divided, just as chaotic, as in Lincoln’s time. Conflict and challenge confront us at every turn. Our national and global societies need women and men empowered to lead us through these uncertain times.

What can we do at Monmouth College to address these great challenges?

If we are to bring order and progress from this turmoil, if we are to fulfill the potential that lies within in each of us and in our societies, education is the key. But if we are to help free our country, our world, of the dogmas of the quiet past, we as educational institutions and those who lead them must start with ourselves. We must think anew, and act anew.

American higher education is now in a period of concentrated change, and no college or university is immune. This is especially true for residential liberal arts colleges. Over the next decade or so, a great sorting-out will take place among these institutions. Some will hunker down and hope to survive, setting themselves on a path to declining quality, and, in some cases, to extinction. Other colleges are dramatically changing who they are, trying to be all things and adopting short-term fixes that dilute or abandon a commitment to the liberal arts. A much smaller group of colleges, those with the largest endowments and deepest applicant pools, feel no sense of urgency, no real need to innovate.

Monmouth is distinctively positioned to define another path—creating a more intentional, purposeful, and coordinated program of human development, and ensuring that this experience is responsive and available to a changing American and global society. This path represents the next stage in the evolution of the residential liberal arts experience. In this time of dramatic change for higher education, Monmouth has not just the opportunity, not just the necessity, but the duty to lead.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

How do we do this?

To answer this question, over the past several months, as a community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees, we have been engaged in a thorough and more inclusive process of strategic planning at Monmouth College. That work has been done in several steps. |

We first established an on-campus Planning and Priorities (P & P) Committee. This group represents faculty from across the disciplines and ranks, staff from all areas of the College’s operations, and student leaders. This broad representation is important for several reasons. First, effective planning work needs a rich range of perspectives. It also needs to have the confidence of all elements of the campus—each member of the community needs to look at the committee and see someone whom they are confident represents them.

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he P & P Committee began with an examination of core T commitments, those characteristics and beliefs that are fundamental to our identity. We then discussed which of those commitments are particularly powerful for the College, establishing current or potential points of distinction as we move to advance the College’s place among residential liberal arts colleges. We also examined which of those points of distinction spoke to developments and issues in society at large, for if no one else cares, it doesn’t matter how distinctive some element of our work might be. The Committee then turned next to an examination of four documents—Fulfilling the Promise, the vision statement, the campus master plan, and the business plan. Each of these documents contained solid ideas, resulting from thoughtful work, regarding the College’s future. The Committee drew upon the strongest and most relevant of these to inform the College’s direction.

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he Committee’s next step was to assess the recent internal T development of the College, looking especially at its current strengths and weaknesses.

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he Committee then turned to the external environment, exT amining the trends in larger society that provide opportunities for and threats to the College.

This planning process is yielding a set of strategic directions for the College, which we will soon share more fully. But I suggest that we start by thinking not of the liberal arts, in the traditional sense.

Rather, let us think of the liberating arts, an experience that frees our students from the particular moments of their births. Our enterprise possesses great power. That power resides in the process

of human development—not just in the transmission of a body of knowledge, not just the preparation for a job, but in the guided growth of young women and men as intellectual, social, moral, and physical beings. Such an experience will allow them to answer challenges, seize opportunities as yet unimagined. Our national and global society yearns for such people as leaders, and no educational experience fulfills this purpose better than that which Monmouth and other strong residential colleges offer.

But as strong as that experience is, it is not adequate to the moment at hand. We must imagine and create an environment that prepares our students for the world in which they will live, work, thrive, and lead. If we were gathering today to found a college from scratch, would its curriculum, its organization, look like ours, or that of hundreds of other liberal arts colleges? I would bet not.

We have the opportunity to better serve our students, better serve society, and position ourselves more strongly, by fully realizing the power of the residential liberal arts experience. Every aspect of this experience will be woven into a seamless and mutually reinforcing program of human development. We should ban the term “extracurricular,” for nothing is outside or extraneous, if properly conceived and executed. We all know the Type A student who creates, indeed demands, this experience for herself. We will create a concrete process that makes such an experience the norm for all of our students. Students, guided by faculty and staff mentors, will from their matriculation develop a plan that seeks not just the completion of a set of course requirements, but rather a range of experiences that helps the students to grow in intellect, character, responsibility, and confidence. This plan will evolve as the student evolves, demonstrating and reinforcing the ability to reflect and adapt that will make them more attractive to prospective employers and graduate programs. Most important, it will lead them to success and fulfillment in their professional, civic, and personal lives.

We will be sharing more detail regarding this direction and others being articulated through the planning process, and asking for the thoughts and support of all alumni and friends of the College. Our past is worthy of great celebration, but our future of service and distinction is even more exciting. Thanks for all that you do for “the school we love so well.”

Clarence R. Wyatt President

MONMOUTH COLLEGE MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2015

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RECORDS FALL GOALS REACHED

CAMPUS NEWS

MONMOUTH COLLEGE HAS CLOSED THE BOOKS ON THE LARGEST CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IN ITS HISTORY WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY REACHING TWO LOFTY FUNDRAISING ACCOMPLISMENTS.

At the public kickoff of the college’s “Fulfilling the Promise” comprehensive campaign in 2013, a goal of $75 million was announced. The campaign officially closed on June 30 at $78.15 million.

“As we report the successful conclusion of the ‘Fulfilling the Promise’ campaign, you will see many impressive numbers,” said President Clarence R. Wyatt. “But the real power of those numbers lies in the thousands of stories of commitment to the mission of Monmouth College. Each of those gifts has ‘paid forward’ the profound change that Monmouth made in the lives of these donors.”

Campaign chair Fred Wackerle, a 1961 Monmouth graduate, and Bill Goldsborough ’65, chairman of the board of trustees, praised the work of the fundraising staff.

“I am grateful for the outstanding cam-

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Monmouth COLLEGE ®

Fulfilling the Promise A $75 M C C for A E

pus development team’s leadership of the ‘Fulfilling The Promise’ campaign,” said Wackerle. “This record-setting fundraising accomplishment is testimony for ‘Monmouth’s magic’ and will enhance our strong four-year student experience.”

“The campaign was a great success, in large part, due to the strong efforts of our development staff,” agreed Goldsborough. “The end result will be twofold: we will be able to sustain and enhance important academic initiatives to increase student engagement while initiating an endowment fund for student financial aid and scholarships to make Monmouth more affordable.”

The good news didn’t stop there, as a challenge issued seven years ago by the college’s board of trustees was reached three years ahead of schedule. During the 2014–15 fiscal year, the college raised more than $2 million through its Monmouth Fund.

When that fund first reached the $1 million milestone in 2008, the trustees called for it to be doubled in 10 years.

The Monmouth Fund total was $2.06 million, with nearly 3,500 donors contributing.

“The Monmouth Fund provides crucial flexibility to the college’s budget,” said Hannah Maher, MC’s director of alumni engagement. “A vibrant Monmouth Fund allows for innovation, while also supporting the most fundamental elements of the college experience. We are overjoyed with the thousands of loyal supporters who chosen to contribute to the college this year.”

Additionally, Monmouth posted its second-highest single-year fundraising total, closing with $11.26 million in new gifts.

Bolstered by an $8.1 million trustee challenge, which included a single gift of $5.25 million, the “Fulfilling the Promise” campaign allowed the college to move forward on a number of initiatives, including establishing three new faculty development funds and three new undergraduate research funds; creating two new named professorships and one new endowed chair; and establishing three new studyabroad funds.

The college’s nationally-recognized Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research (MJUR) was one of the initiatives funded

CAMPUS NEWS

THE RESEARCH SPACES ARE INCREDIBLE. KAYLA CHERRY ’16

by the campaign. Students, such as Jade Luthy ’16 solicit and edit scholarly articles from around the nation for the multidisciplinary journal.

“The experience is a professional application of the skills we have been building throughout our college education,” said Luthy, an English major. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work outside of my discipline with a team of skilled peers, and I’ve gained team-working and organizational skills.”

Through the campaign, more than $8 million was raised for new scholarships and $15 million was raised for current operations. “The scholarships that I have received have allowed me the opportunity to find my home away from home,” said Neriangela “Neddy” Velez ’17, a business administration and wellness administration major. “With six different jobs over the years, athletics, intercultural life, Greek life, two majors and a minor (Spanish), I can truly say that I have experienced what college was meant to be. Without scholarships, this would not be possible.”

Additionally, an endowed Presbyterian Leadership fund for the college’s Lux Center for Church and Religious Leadership was established. Angela Baumann ’18 is grateful for the opportunities the Lux Center provides. “As a Presbyterian Scholar, I have benefited from an unbelievably wide range of opportunities—a retreat to Camp

Stronghold, meeting and holding discussions with nationally-known leaders such as Eboo Patel and the Rev. Margaret Aymer, and an interfaith immersion trip in Chicago during spring break. These are experiences that play a role in shaping who I am here.”

“I’ve met so many great people not only through the program on campus, but through talking to alumni and representing the Presbyterian Scholars for the board of trustees,” said Sophie Slocum ’18. “I’ve been given leadership roles that will put me at an advantage when it comes to graduate school and the job search. I appreciate all those involved with funding the program and keeping it running.”

Physical improvements made possible by the campaign included the construction of the $42 million Center for Science and Business; the new Pi Beta Phi sorority house, which is under construction; renovations to April Zorn Memorial Stadium and eight other facilities; and securing land for an educational market farm.

At the heart of the campaign was the Center for Science and Business. The 138,000-square-foot facility ushers in an era of innovation, with collaboration through the integration of the science and business disciplines. The belief is that students who are able to understand the principles of both business and science will be better prepared for the increasingly de-

manding challenges of a global economy.

The building houses the departments of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science, psychology, political economy and commerce (business, economics and international business) and accounting.

Among the campaign’s goals was to “fulfill the promise” of the vision of the college’s founders, who sought to “elevate the hearts and minds of young people, and empower them to shape a better world.” Four distinct guiding principles were the foundation of the campaign: active learning, civic engagement, complex problem solving and discerning a purpose in life.

Those principles are regularly put into practice in the Center for Science and Business throughout the traditional fall and spring semesters, and even outside of that, thanks to the Kieft Summer Research fund and Summer Opportunities for Intellectual Activities (SOFIA), two of the new undergraduate research funds made possible by the campaign.

“The research spaces are incredible,” said Kayla Cherry ’16, a chemistry major who has been on campus long enough to remember lab work in the former science building. “Our chemistry department has a separate room where we all have our own desks to keep information about our experiments or items for classes, along with large

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CAMPUS NEWS

whiteboards where we can get our thought processes out in the open. It’s a great space to work in, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to learn here.”

Biochemistry major Annie Axup ’18 has conducted summer research in the laboratories through both the Kieft program and SOFIA. “It is such an amazing opportunity to be able to use such fine instruments and equipment for our experiments and then continue learning about topics discussed during the academic year,” she said. “These experiences have also helped me to figure what I want to do after Monmouth. After my enjoyable experiences in the lab, I realized that I wanted to pursue medical research.”

Axup also noted, “The CSB has become a common meeting place for students on campus, not just the science and business students. Many clubs have their meetings there, and the multiple study areas are beneficial when the library gets crowded.” One way students practice civic engagement is through Monmouth’s successful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which completed its 16th year in April. A portion of the new academic building was designed specifically to accommodate assisting the public with tax return filing.

Maria Romero ’16 was one of two dozen accounting majors who helped prepare more than 1,000 returns this spring.

“As a student, I’m always trying to learn something new that will benefit many,” said Romero. “Participating in VITA has allowed me to apply what I have learned in class while, at the same time, enhancing my knowledge and experience. It’s also a great way to give back to the community, who are always very appreciative for our help.”

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FUNDRAISING YEARS

“The Center for Science and Business allows for individualized, confidential meeting spaces for the taxpayers, as well as comfortable waiting areas,” added Emily Flint ’16, one of the college’s Midwest Scholars.

Brad Sturgeon, associate professor of chemistry, has been one of the leading professors in initiating cross-disciplinary science and business projects. In that regard, the Center for Science and Business has fully met expectations.

“Since moving into the CSB it has been so easy to connect with my business colleagues,” said Sturgeon. “Specifically, I have had many interactions with (associate professor of political economy and commerce) Terry Gabel. It has been a pleasure to be a guest in his entrepreneur class speaking on both the Monmouth Coffee Project and my new brewery business in downtown Monmouth.

Additionally, I have had some product conversations with (associate professor of political economy and commerce) Dick Johnston, which most likely would not have occurred in prior years.”When asked recently about the new machine shop, physics professor Chris Fasano acknowledged the building’s effect on making new things possible.

It all adds up to much more than $78 million in campaign funds, concluded President Wyatt. “The success of the ‘Fulfilling the Promise’ campaign provides a strong foundation for the college as we think anew and act anew in creating an even greater Monmouth College.”

2003-04 $12.17 M 2014-15 $11.25 M 2002-03 $9.72 M 2007-08 $8.94 M

IN 2014-15, MONMOUTH NOT ONLY HAD ITS SECOND-HIGHEST FUNDRAISING YEAR IN HISTORY BUT ALSO TOPPED $2 MILLION IN THE MONMOUTH FUND FOR THE FIRST TIME.

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2001-02 $8.65 M 2011-12 $8.54 M 2000-01 $7.90 M 2009-10 $7.82 M 2005-06 $6.32 M 2004-05 $6.13 M

CAMPUS NEWS

NEW KAPPA HOUSE MOVES CLOSER TO REALITY

Karen Barrett Chism ’65 is an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and served as president of the historic women’s fraternity founding chapter in 1964-65. She says the college and Kappa helped develop her leadership talents that led to several successful careers in teaching, biology research, computer programming and, finally, her current career of auditing clinical trials for new therapeutic drugs.

Now Chism, a longtime member of the college’s board of trustees, and her husband, Stan Chism ’63, hope that a recent gift that they have made to the college will spark the interest necessary to construct a new residence for the Alpha chapter of the prestigious national sorority. Kappa Kappa Gamma was founded at Monmouth College in 1870 by a group of six female students.

The Chisms noted during a visit to Monmouth that a property near campus was for sale. They quickly moved to provide the funding for the college to purchase the house on South Eighth Street, with the plan that someday a spacious and modern new chapter house would be built on the property, which also includes the site of a current residence where six Kappa members live.

“I hope other alumni will step forward now and support the effort to raise funds to build a house there,” said Chism, who stressed the importance of the double lot’s proximity to campus. “I was recently on the second floor of the [nearby] Alpha Xi Delta house, and the view of campus is beautiful.” Chism is not only a proud alumna of the college, but she is equally proud of what Kappa Kappa Gamma symbolizes at Monmouth.

“It has a rich history that cannot be ignored,” she said of Monmouth’s status as the birthplace of two national sororities, the other being Pi Beta Phi in 1867. “It ties into a long history of advocacy for women’s education. Since the 19th century, Kappa has promoted women to serve in leadership roles, both in their organization and for prominent roles in their communities.”

“Karen and Stan have long supported key initiatives of the college, including off-campus study programs for faculty and students, the biology department in the new center, and, in this case, the historic role of women on our campus,” said President Clarence Wyatt.

“We are proud of that legacy of the empowerment of women, and we look forward to making that legacy an even more prominent part of the college’s future.”

The interest the Chisms hoped to spark has already begun, as Bonnie Bondurant Shaddock ’54 of Laguna Woods, Calif., and Roger and Mary Hawk of Toulon, parents of the late Kristin Hawk Keane ’00, have recently made gifts to support the project.

RINEHART GIFT SUPPORTS LUX CENTER

Marlyn Whitsitt Rinehart ’57 knew that she wanted to give back to her alma mater, but she wasn’t quite sure about the best way to do it. She ultimately decided to place her money where her faith was—in a relatively new spiritual life initiative.

After initially considering funding a scholarship, she made a $200,000 gift to create the Marlyn Whitsitt Rinehart Presbyterian Leadership Program Fund, which will directly support the Lux Center for Church and Religious Leadership, co-founded by the college’s chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Teri Ott, and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Dan Ott, assistant professor of religious studies.

A distinctive program developed by Monmouth College to nurture and equip students to be servant leaders, the Lux Center prepares them through internships, ministry experiences, service opportunities, educational trips and retreats. “Marlyn’s gift will fully endow the Presbyterian Leadership Program, within the Lux Center,” said Teri Ott, who derived the name of the ambitious spiritual life initiative from the motto “Sit Lux,” which is inscribed over the Dahl Chapel stage. Translated from Latin, it means “let there be light.”

“After meeting with Teri Ott, I was impressed with how motivated she was to carry out her ideas that Monmouth should have more of an identity with its roots,” said Rinehart, who provided an initial $50,000 gift when the college established the Lux Center in 2013. “What Teri is doing is a way to really strengthen the college,” concluded Rinehart. “She’s very dynamic and can have so much influence. I’m excited about the thought of how her programming will foster diversity on campus.”

FIRST TOM JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Dustin Atwood ’16 is the first recipient of the Tom Johnson Scholarship, presented to a Monmouth College student by the Edward Arthur Mellinger Educational Foundation.

The $10,000 annual scholarship, named in honor of the foundation’s former president, is to be presented annually to a Monmouth College junior who best exemplifies Johnson’s work ethic and values. “Tom worked his way up from modest beginnings as a farm kid in Roseville to become the president of a Monmouth bank,” said professor Michael Connell, chair of the political economy and commerce department, who was instrumental in the creation of the scholarship. “The scholarship celebrates the values of those who believe in hard work and facing challenges head on.”

Selected each year by the faculty of MC’s political economy and commerce department, the student who receives the scholarship must have demonstrated interest and ability in business.

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INAUGURATION

CLARENCE R. WYATT 14TH PRESIDENT OF MONMOUTH COLLEGE

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS With a message of “Think Anew, Act Anew,” Dr. Clarence R. Wyatt was inaugurated as the 14th president of Monmouth College in April.

Drawing upon his career as a historian, Wyatt quoted from Abraham Lincoln’s second annual message to Congress, Dec. 1, 1862, comparing the turbulence of the Civil War period to the current uncertainty regarding the future of higher education: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”

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Wyatt declared that this same idea—“think anew, act anew”—will be a first principle of Monmouth College.

In his message, Wyatt announced the successful completion of a challenge gift that will provide $5 million for new initiatives supporting the inaugural theme, including $2.5 million in venture capital to aggressively seize opportunities and address challenges that will accelerate the college’s development. Another $2.5 million is slated for the endowment to create the Stockdale Fellows Program, named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Vice Admiral

INAUGURATION

One of several successful pre-inaugural events was the Clobie Kilt Run, a 5K race through the streets of Monmouth.

Among the special guests at the inaugural ceremony were President Emeritus Bruce Haywood, left, and former President Mauri Ditzler.

Members of the Fighting Scots Marching Band comprised a surprise flash mob that led the recessional march to the tune of Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk.

Jamar Jones ’17, left, and John Stanford ’18 lead the Colorful Voices of Praise gospel choir in a rousing rendition of Curtis Mayfield’s People Get Ready.

James B. Stockdale ’46, and his wife, Sybil. Beginning in the fall of 2016, the program will recognize exceptional intellectual and service achievements through full-tuition scholarships, concentrated mentoring and enrichment projects.

Wyatt also announced a program to “open the world to our students” by providing the paperwork and application fee for each Monmouth student to receive a U.S. passport. “Monmouth is distinctively positioned to define another path—creating a more intentional, purposeful and coordinated program of human development, and ensuring that this experience is responsive and available to a changing American and global society,” said Wyatt.

The $5 million challenge, issued last fall by a friend of the college and her spouse, required that the college raise $2.5 million in new gifts by Dec. 31, 2015. The goal was surpassed eight months ahead of schedule, helping the college successfully complete its “Fulfilling the Promise” comprehensive campaign.

Wyatt outlined four guiding principles for his administration: Monmouth will remain a place of high opportunity that is accessible to bright and aspiring students of all backgrounds; the Monmouth experience will be integrative and interdisciplinary; experiential learning will be a cornerstone of a Monmouth education; and an increased focus will be placed on engagement in the global society and travel abroad. Wyatt also called for the Monmouth community to think not of the “liberal arts,” but rather of the “liberating arts”—an educational experience that frees us to anticipate and respond to ever-more rapid change.

A native of Kentucky, Wyatt honored his roots by inviting three individuals from the state to participate. They included: Dr. John A. Roush, president of Centre College, who presented Wyatt for investiture; Dr. Richard Trollinger, vice president for college relations at Centre, who presented a historical reading; and poet Tony L. Crunk, a longtime friend of Wyatt’s, who read from his works.

The investiture ceremony was performed by William Goldsborough ’65, chairman of the board of trustees; Nancy Snowden, vice-chair of the board, who chaired the search committee; and First Lady Lobie Stone.

Four individuals delivered greetings to President Wyatt, on behalf of Monmouth’s faculty, staff, students and alumni. They included Marsha Dopheide, president of Monmouth’s Faculty Senate, who said, “President Wyatt, we trust you will help all of us—students, staff and faculty—to not only imagine better, but to do better.” Additionally, Jeff Arnold, executive director of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, and Monmouth mayor Rod Davies ’74 presented greetings.

“We watch with pride as the college continues to grow, both physically and in academic prestige,” said Davies. “At the same time, we look forward to the guidance and inspiration that you and Lobie can bring to our downtown, based on your expertise in historic preservation and community development.”

Wyatt concluded his inaugural address with the following words:

“The promise of peace and prosperity unprecedented in human history lie within our grasp. Our opportunity, our obligation, is to raise our sights, to envision, create and sustain an educational experience that nurtures the people who will unlock that future. Let us come to this place each day, determined and joyful, to carry out this mission to the best of our abilities. Our only limits are imagination and energy. Let us think anew. Let us act anew, and in doing so free ourselves, free our students, and through them, free our world to realize the power of possibility that lies within us all.”

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PEOPLE BRIEFS

HAQ RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS WILSON FELLOWSHIP

Political science professor Farhat Haq has received a prestigious residential fellowship from The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. She will spend the 2015-16 academic year in the nation’s capital, working on her upcoming book, Sacralizing the State: Islam and Democracy in Pakistan. “I will be writing about political Islam,” said Haq. “Where is it more fruitful for democracy?

What venues are more productive for integrating Islam into democracy, and which are not helpful, not productive?”

Haq’s selection was the result of a highly rigorous process that included three separate review panels. Hers was one of 19 applications selected from a pool of more than 300.

Prior to departing for the nation’s capital, Haq was in Pakistan for the summer, “looking through archives, conducting interviews and gathering other research materials.” Added Haq, who expects to have a completed manuscript at the end of her fellowship, “I’m looking forward to having full days devoted to writing.”

Haq

KUPPINGER IS PRESIDENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY SOCIETY

Kuppinger

Petra Kuppinger, professor of sociology and anthropology, assumed the office of president of the Society for Urban, National, and Transnational Anthropology (SUNTA), a subsection of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), as part of a six-year commitment to the organization’s executive committee.

Joining other Monmouth faculty in leadership positions of national organizations, Kuppinger was elected president-elect in 2012 and began her presidency last fall. She will transition into the role of past-president from 2016 to 2018.

One of the larger sections of the AAA and with 700 members worldwide, SUNTA publishes City and Society, an important urban anthropology/urban studies journal. SUNTA sponsors several invited panels at the annual anthropology meetings and several dozen regular panels.

WITZIG’S ARTICLE ON CHARLES TOWN WINS HISTORY PRIZE Fred Witzig, associate professor of history, won the prestigious Clark-Weir Award, which is presented annually to the author of the best article published in the South Carolina Historical Society’s journal.

Titled “Beyond Expectation: How Charles Town’s ‘Pious and Well-Disposed Christians’ Changed Their Minds about Slave Education during the Great Awakening,” Witzig’s article appeared in the October 2013 issue of The Journal.

Witzig

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Established in 1855, the South Carolina Historical Society is dedicated to expanding, preserving and making accessible its invaluable collection, as well as encouraging interest and pride in the rich history of South Carolina.

Witzig’s article tells the story of how colonial Charles Town (which would become known by its current name of Charleston more than four decades later) started a school for slaves in 1740, despite being so reliant on slave trade that South Carolina was the only colony in America “where the enslaved outnumbered their free neighbors.”

CORDERY ELECTRED TREASURER OF HISTORY SOCIETY

History department chair Stacy Cordery, already the bibliographer of the National First Ladies Library, was recently elected treasurer of the Society for Historians of the Golden Age and Progressive Era (SHGAPE). It’s a fitting honor for Cordery, author of an acclaimed biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, who has been with SHGAPE since its beginnings.

“When I was a graduate student, I got word the group was forming,” said Cordery, who was at the University of Texas at the time. “So I was part of the first meeting they ever had.”

She continued, “I’m grateful to be serving this way for a national organization. It’s a way to give something back.”

Cordery

SIENKEWICZ, FASANO RECEIVE 2015 HATCH AWARDS

Thomas Sienkewicz, the Minnie Billings Capron Professor of Classics at Monmouth College, is the recipient of the 2015 Hatch Academic Excellence Award for Distinguished Service, while Chris Fasano, the Martha S. Pattee Professor of Science and chair of the physics department, received the Hatch Award for Distinguished Scholarship.

Funded by the late 1957 Monmouth graduate W. Jerome Hatch, a retired executive for American National Can, the Hatch Awards were established in 2004 to recognize outstanding work by MC faculty in areas of teaching, scholarship and service. Sienkewicz has now been honored with Hatch Awards in all three areas.

Behind Sienkewicz’s service award is 20 years of leadership in the college’s off-campus study program. He was its coordinator from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1998 to 2010. During that time, Sienkewicz created and wrote basic guidelines, including procedures for approving and evaluating potential off-campus programs, and safety and security protocols for existing ones. He increased the number of off-campus programs available to Monmouth students and established the college’s connection with the International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP).

Sienkewicz further broadened opportunities by establishing exchange programs in France, Scotland, Sweden and Japan.

Sienkewicz

Fasano

PEOPLE BRIEFS

Nominations for the award are made by faculty colleagues.

Wrote his nominator, “Tom has invested countless hours figuring out travel, coordinating academic programs and attending meetings. … He has led many trips abroad: six to Rome; four to Greece; two to Turkey; and one each to France, Spain, and Naples.”

Fasano is currently conducting research on a range of physical phenomena including the X-rays and gamma rays that are present in thunderstorms, and how to conduct crop yield modeling using data gathered from Midwest farmland.

He has received grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and Cottrell Science.

A member of Monmouth’s faculty since 1998, Fasano holds both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in physics from The University of Chicago.

Wrote his nominator for the award, “Professor Fasano encourages and supports science students in a long string of additional research projects and studies accomplishing the very goal Jerry Hatch so cherished—research and scholarship that benefits Monmouth students.”

GOBLE SELECTED TO ATTEND NATPE CONFERENCE

Goble

Communication studies instructor Chris Goble was part of a select group of international educators chosen to participate as a faculty fellow prior to the annual National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) Market & Conference in Miami earlier this year.

Goble, who serves as the adviser to the college’s MC-TV and WMCR radio, was one of 21 college and university officials allowed special access to a group of six industry leaders on the day before the conference. Ranging from the CEO of NATPE to an executive vice president of Lionsgate, the leaders shared their thoughts on the state of television and answered questions from the faculty fellows.

“My experience in the industry helped me receive the invitation,” said Goble, who has previously worked for WQAD-TV in the Quad Cities as a cameraman and has 11 years of experience in radio. Goble said the conference had two components—a traditional element featuring speakers and panels discussing programming content, and a market, allowing content producers and buyers from TV stations to meet and do business.

Norman Lear, who produced the iconic 1970s show All in the Family among other major network successes that decade, was the keynote speaker.

GILBERT, SPAETH NAMED TO ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS

Late in the spring semester, Trent Gilbert was named Monmouth’s new vice president for enrollment management.

Shortly following that announcement, Nick Spaeth was named associate vice president for admission.

Gilbert spent nine years working in the higher education enrollment field, most recently as a leading consultant in enrollment management. He served as the chief experience officer of Target X, a higher education consulting firm specializing in technology and the campus visit experience. In this role, Gilbert worked with more than 200 college and university clients, helping them to enroll more “best-fit” students and meet aggressive enrollment goals.

One of the nation’s leading experts on recruitment strategy, Gilbert has counseled admission offices, presidents and boards of trustees across the country on issues facing higher education, and has preached the tenets of the experience economy. As an industry expert, Gilbert has been quoted across mainstream media, and has been featured in both U.S. News and World Report and University Business Magazine.

“We are fortunate to have attracted a very strong field of candidates for this position, yet another testament to Monmouth’s growing strength and reputation,” said President Wyatt. “Trent has a distinctive combination of work as a consultant with some of the nation’s strongest liberal arts colleges and universities, along with success as a vice president for enrollment management. His strategic sense, his knowledge of cutting-edge methodologies and technology, along with his natural leadership abilities, will be great assets for Monmouth.”

Gilbert is a graduate of Elon University in North Carolina, where he earned a B.A. in political science.

Spaeth did his undergraduate work at Ripon College, studying German. In 2007, he received his master’s degree in management from Cardinal Stritch Univesity. He came to Monmouth after most recently serving as a regional director for Chegg, Inc., a student recruitment consulting firm based in Santa Clara, Calif. Prior to that, he had served as senior director of admissions at Lakeland College.

Gilbert

Spaeth

In other enrollment management personnel news, Jayne Poland Schreck ’90 was promoted to the position of associate vice president for financial aid. Brandon Meyer has been promoted to regional director of admission and Gabi Schaerli ’12 to associate regional director. Sommer Foster ’14 was hired as a new admissions counselor, as was Aaron Klemm ’15.

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INSTRUMENTS OF

INSPIRATION RECENT GENEROUS GIFTS AND GOVERNMENT GRANTS HAVE EQUIPPED MONMOUTH COLLEGE WITH RESEARCH-GRADE SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS THAT PROVIDE UNDERGRADUATES WITH DISTINCT ADVANTAGES IN PREPARING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL AND SCIENTIFIC CAREERS.

STORY BY BARRY MCNAMARA PHOTOS BY KENT KRIEGSHAUSER

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ABOVE LEFT: Assistant Professor of physics Tim Stiles adjusts the Trubeck Telescope.

ABOVE: Image of Rosette Nebula taken with CDK20 (Don Goldman/Astrodon Imaging)

TRUBECK TELESCOPE

A ‘TIME MACHINE’ Monmouth College’s Adolphson Observatory is now home to one of the most powerful telescopes on a college campus, thanks to a gift from William Trubeck ’68.

Installation of the PlaneWave Instruments CDK20 telescope was recently completed in the observatory, which sits atop the college’s new Center for Science and Business. The 20-inch Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) Astrograph telescope “is an observatory-class instrument,” said physics professor Chris Fasano, “which is highly uncommon for undergraduate students to have access to.”

About twice as bright and with the similar magnifying power, the Trubeck Telescope compares well with the 20-inch reflector telescope at the venerable Doane Observatory at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Adaptive optics on its camera—which are not conceptually different from the Keck telescopes in Hawaii—will make it even more powerful than comparable 20-inch telescopes. Also, it will be viewing much darker skies in western Illinois, literally opening up a new world for Monmouth’s students and making it possible for them to discover asteroids, comets and other astronomical objects.

For example, said Ashwani Kumar, another member of the physics faculty, Monmouth intends to apply to the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union at Harvard University and receive a permanent observatory code to report and share observations related to asteroids, comets and other small natural objects in our solar system with the rest of the world. Such observations were part of a Summer Opportunities for Intellectual Activities (SOFIA) student research project led by Kumar.

The Trubeck Telescope can gather about 10,000 times more light than an unaided human eye, therefore making visible celestial objects such as stars and galaxies that are trillions of miles away.

Closer objects such as earth’s moon can be seen with such clarity and detail that the mountain at the center of the Tycho Crater can be seen clearly.

The year 2015 was the target date of the time machine in the motion picture Back to the Future, and now the year will also mark the date that the college received its own “time machine,” noted Fasano.

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INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

“The Trubeck Telescope, which is available to all of our students, is really a way to look back in time,” he said. “For example, we can take a detailed look at the Sculptor Galaxy, which is 11.4 million light years away. It’s part of the nearest group of galaxies to our Milky Way, and is going through a fascinating period of star formation. To view this object is to see it as it was 11.4 million years ago.”

Students will be able to capture spectacular high-resolution photographs of galaxies and nebulae, thanks to the telescope’s astrographic CDK design, which provides excellent imaging with a large format charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, while remaining superb for visual use. It far exceeds the performance of most commercial telescope designs. “The CDK design was chosen primarily because of its sharpness and ease of use,” said assistant professor of physics Tim Stiles, who reported the entire assemblage weighs about 500 pounds.

The telescope is powerful enough that the distant objects it observes won’t simply appear as tiny dots to the user. Rather, a distant galaxy

could fill the screen, making it easy to observe its fascinating features, such as spiral arms.

Aiming software includes the TheSkyX Professional Edition, which enables astronomers and students to more quickly find the objects they wish to image, and the CCD imaging easily allows storage of images taken. “Users simply need to type in the object they wish to view, and the telescope will point itself to the object and then track it so that it continues to appear in the center of the field of view,” said Stiles.

The former vice chair of the college’s board of trustees, Trubeck has been the chief financial officer for several corporations, including H&R Block, Waste Management and International Multi-Foods, and has held numerous corporate director positions. He was inducted into the Monmouth College Hall of Achievement in 2005. His brother-in-law and sister—David ’67 and Priscilla Trubeck Adolphson ’70—funded the Adolphson Observatory, built in 2013.

THE UNIVERSE THROUGH THE EYES OF A NOBEL PRIZE WINNER Students and faculty who will use the new Trubeck Telescope to seek out distant galaxies received inspiration when Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist John Mather visited campus in April to deliver the annual Wendell Whiteman Memorial Lecture.

The project scientist for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Mather won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work that experimentally confirmed the Big Bang Theory of the formation of the universe. “It’s actually ‘the Infinite Bang,’” Mather told a large Dahl Chapel audience. “The universe is expanding infinitely into its infinite self. … There’s no ‘center of the universe’—we’ve looked. It happened everywhere at the same time.”

Mather offered some practical advice for those who needed a reassuring word after hearing astronomers’ doomsday forecast—granted, a forecast billions of years in the future—for Earth and the Solar System.

That advice came in his reply to the question, “What is our purpose for being here?” After joking that some would say it’s to provide carbon dioxide for plants, Mather said, “Look inside your heart. That may be

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where your purpose comes from. You get to choose.” As for how we got here and where we’re going, Mather is a big believer in the power of a man-made instrument to provide the answer—the JWST, which after its launch in 2018 will look even farther back in time than the Hubble Space Telescope, peering inside the dusty cocoons where stars and planets are being born. It will also be capable of examining Earth-like planets around other stars. “We hope to see how stars are made,” said Mather. “We have already seen three or four thousand cases of planets that move in front of a star. How much like Earth are those planets? We don’t know yet, but NASA is working on this.”

Called “one of the highlights of the academic year at Monmouth” by President Clarence Wyatt, the Whiteman Lecture series was created in 1992 to bring leaders of business and industry to campus. The series has now featured two Nobel Prize winners. Robert Solow, who won the 1987 Nobel Prize in economic sciences, spoke in 1998. Mather’s work with NASA increasingly crosses into the business sector, particularly regarding funding.

INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

Physics faculty member Tim Stiles demonstrates the precision controls of the department’s new milling machine.

Since the college purchased a 3-D printer last year, physics students have spent countless hours “making things” with it.

Now, a new tool is at their disposal, as the college purchased a 2,600-pound machining mill, thanks in large part to a generous gift from trustee Nancy Speer Engquist ’74.

THE SCIENCE OF CREATING The typical college art major isn’t asked to devote hours of study to the subject without ever getting the opportunity to create his or her own art.

But professor Chris Fasano and his Monmouth physics colleagues see that happening, to a degree, in their discipline, and they have resolved to do something about it. “One of the things we used to see is that students coming to college had some experience making things,” said Fasano. “Maybe they had taken a shop class, or they’d had the opportunity to work in construction through their school.

Now, that doesn’t happen anymore. Making things is quite foreign to this generation of students.”

Milling is the machining process of using rotary cutters to remove material from a workpiece advancing in a direction at an angle with axis of the tool. It is one of the most commonly used processes in industry and machine shops today for machining parts to precise sizes and shapes.

“We are delighted,” said Fasano. “This tool fits well into our desire to have students be able to make things—for experiments and for prototypes—and become confident in their abilities. Between the mill and the 3-D printer, we should be able to make almost anything when we are up to speed. We’re adding some very high-quality tools.”

Fasano called the mill—which has precision measured to one thousandth of an inch—“the 3-D printer of the past.” Yet it will also be a tool for the future, as the brand new mill is a “100-year machine.”

“A mill allows you to take stock metal and plastic and shape it to whatever you want,” said Fasano. “This will help us provide a practical, basic skill for our future scientists and engineers. Designing and building what you need is a big part of those fields.”

Fasano said an experienced machinist will provide instruction to the students early on. “Our students are building and soldering electronics, they’re blowing glass, and now we have all the things they’ll be able to do with the mill and the printer,” said Fasano.

“This is all very unusual for a liberal arts college. I don’t know that other colleges are making a concerted effort toward building things like we are here at Monmouth.”

In addition to crediting Engquist’s gift, Fasano wanted to mention the “not trivial” contribution from the college’s physical plant.

Their crew figured out how to unload the one ton-plus piece of machinery and maneuver it through the Center for Science and Business to get to its home in the physics department. It’s a good thing that physics is housed on the ground level of the CSB, rather than the third floor. That would’ve required a whole new level of physics problem solving.

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3-D PRINTING IN 31 FLAVORS CRUSHED CERAMIC, NYLON, PLASTIC AMONG MATERIALS AVAILABLE

In the not-too-distant future—“within my lifetime,” predicts physics professor Chris Fasano—three-dimensional printers could be used to print body tissue, such as cartilage. “The bio-mechanic possibilities are really interesting,” said Fasano. “Doctors could say, ‘We’re going to print you a better knee.’ They might print kidneys or hearts, eliminating the need for human transplants. The stakes are really high, and it’s a tremendously interesting and exciting field.”

Monmouth’s role in 3-D printing would “be part of the research effort” to make such medical advances possible, said Fasano. His students are learning their way around the relatively new technology, which was first developed in the 1980s.

Like the famous ice cream chain Baskin and Robbins, Monmouth’s physics students have access to 31 different “flavors” of materials they can use in their department’s new 3-D printer. Although delicious desserts have been printed in 3-D, chocolate isn’t one of the flavors being used. Rather, some of the materials are crushed ceramic, which prints a “faux-stone” that resembles marble, and a faux-bronze, in addition to an assortment of nylons and plastics.

Berkh Tsogtbaatar ’17 and Patrick Crawford ’16 are the resident experts of the new technology. “They’ve both gotten really good at it,” said Fasano, “and they’re very excited about it.” Their first major project has been to help Fasano with his lightning research, for which he received a $228,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant allowed the college to purchase the printer, which is paying for itself already. The pieces that Tsogtbaatar and Crawford have printed would have cost about $100 apiece to purchase from a manufacturer, and Fasano needed as many as 100.

Fasano needs electric field mills to measure Earth’s static electric field in the moments before, during and after a lightning strike.

The professor said he has been through Plans A, B and C to try to obtain the mills at a reasonable price. Plan D could also be called “Plan 3-D,” as the blades that Tsogtbaatar and Crawford have created for the mills “are coming out nicely,” said Fasano. “If they work, we will have finally solved our problem.”

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First-year student Connor Oltman gets an early introduction to Monmouth’s new 3-D printer as a member of a team exploring “Recreational Physics” this summer.

To the layman, the 3-D printer has the look of a small aquarium, right down to its clear exterior. On one side of the printer is a spool that feeds the material into a section of metal teeth, which then forces the filament—or “ink”—up through a tube, where it is heated to more than 200 degrees Celsius (for nylons) and as high as 270 degrees (for metals). The latter temperature is more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

“The printer prints a layer, then drops the Z axis and prints another layer,” said Crawford, with Tsogtbaatar adding, “The movement clarity is less than a sub-millimeter.” The issue of repairs has been convenient so far, explained Crawford. “If one of the parts breaks, I’ll just print a new one. If it’s not metal or clear plastic on this machine, we can print it.”

What’s ahead for Monmouth’s most-accomplished 3-D printers to date? Tsogtbaatar is working on a new way to measure rainfall as part of what Fasano called “a new kind of weather station.” Beyond that, Tsogtbaatar said, “I’d like to explore industrial-grade printing—things that are multiple meters in size. I can think of an idea for a product, then print it out and see if it works. It’s rapid prototyping—cheap and fast.”

“I dream of helping to make the 3-D printer on the International Space Station more efficient,” said Crawford, who is also interested in the field of medical physics.

INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

SEEING THE UNSEEN Until very recently, the term “ultrasound” was almost exclusively associated with obstetric care and large, clunky machines that produced sonogram images. A shift in the ultrasound industry began to occur in the 1980s. Kevin Goodwin ’80 experienced that shift, eventually taking on the role of president and CEO of SonoSite, a medical technology company in Washington state. SonoSite made its name in the world of emergency medicine by developing portable ultrasound machines that weighed a fraction of their 300-pound predecessors and could be started up faster and at only one-fourth the cost.

Shortly after Goodwin visited campus in 2011 to deliver the annual Whiteman Lecture, assistant professor of physics Tim Stiles inquired about acquiring a portable scanner to assist in his research. He got more than he expected, as Goodwin donated a $90,000 SonoSite M-Turbo scanner and transducers a few months later.

“My plan involves using ultrasound to quantitatively measure tissue changes, which can be used in research connected with liver and breast cancer,” said Stiles (pictured top right, using scanner to image a student’s carotid artery).

Stiles uses the scanner in his research to test methods of measuring the size of objects causing ultrasound scattering. The test objects are composed of milk, agarose and microscopic glass beads. The scanner is also used in the Physics III course, which includes a section on sound and ultrasound, and it will be part of the college’s new biomedical physics class. He is currently discussing cross-disciplinary use of the scanner with colleagues in biology and kinesiology. “For example, we can compare ultrasound images of our human cadaver to dissection results,” he said.

As a scientific tool that not all colleges possess, the scanner is just one more example of the advantages Monmouth students have in “seeing the unseen.”

SEPARATING THE LOADS The art of multi-tasking took a giant step forward when washing machines and clothes dryers became standard household items. No longer did individual items of clothing have to be washed by hand, giving the person assigned that chore the freedom to do something else.

Assistant professor of chemistry Michael Prinsell (pictured bottom right) can relate. The college’s new CombiFlash flash chromatography instrument brings multi-tasking to the world of separating chemical compounds in the laboratory. Prinsell, who joined the faculty during the summer, led one of the Summer Opportunities for Intellectual Activities (SOFIA) programs with chemistry colleague Brad Sturgeon. The project was titled “Chromatography: The Science of Separation,” and Prinsell explained why that science is important.

“In most of our college-level labs, we conduct experiments that are known to work,” he said. “In the real world of research, that’s not the case. You might be trying to develop a reaction, and you get three equal amounts of compounds. You won’t be able to tell what you have.

Chromatography allows you to identify the compounds.

Maybe only one of the three is what you wanted. So it’s a process used in developing drugs or natural products.”

Prinsell explained there are several types of gas and liquid chromatography methods, but the most common for organic chemists is flash chromatography. All of those methods, including flash, require the presence of the scientist throughout the purification process.

“You stand there, and you force the pressure through and monitor the solvent,” he said. “Individual test tubes are filled, and you need to analyze each tube.”

But with flash chromatography performed with the college’s new instrument, he said, “You run a mini-analysis at the beginning, which you would need to do with any form of chromatography. Then you load your experiment into the system, and you walk away. You can come back later, or the next day, and the output (a chromatogram) will be prepared for you. Then you can grab only the test tubes you want.”

During the SOFIA project, students worked with various types of chromatography, including flash. They also performed thin-layer chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography, separating compounds such as silica (a very pure sand), the blue and yellow colors in green dye and the different sugars found in candies.

Although chromatography has been around since 1900, the flash technique was first developed in 1978, and the technology in instruments such as CombiFlash is even newer. In other words, flash chromatography wasn’t even on the radar when MC’s previous science building—Haldeman-Thiessen Science Center—was completed in 1971.

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INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

THE STATE-OF-THE ART OF GREEN PLANTS OF ALL KINDS LOVE THEIR NEW HOME IN NEW BUILDING

AS YEAR THREE OF MONMOUTH COLLEGE’S $42 MILLION CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND BUSINESS BEGAN, IT WAS YEAR ONE FOR THE BUILDING’S KOPINSKI GREENHOUSE, WHICH BIOLOGY PROFESSOR TIM TIBBETTS CALLS “A STATE-OFTHE-ART, FULLY FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC GREENHOUSE.” Tibbetts said the new 660-square-foot greenhouse offers many features that weren’t available in the college’s previous facility, which was on the top floor of Haldeman-Thiessen Science Center, a building that closed in 2013. The most significant changes are in the area of climate control. “We have independent control of each of the three rooms,” said Tibbetts. “For example, we’ll be able to keep one area humid and warm for tropical plants, one area drier for desert-type plants, and the other area at standard settings for research. That’s the way most large greenhouses operate, and we’re now able to do it, too.”

Other cutting-edge advances are a weather station that will monitor data and automated roof vents and shades which open and close as needed to control the greenhouse climate. Forgetting to water an area of plants is a non-issue, as a computer-controlled automatic watering system will take care of that chore.

Tibbetts appreciates the more practical design of the new greenhouse, which sits on its own pad on the southwestern side of the ground floor of the Center for Science and Business, providing easy access to the outside and better drainage.

Although Tibbetts was on a sabbatical when the greenhouse opened for regular business in the fall, he was pleased to welcome botanist Eric Engstrom to the biology department this year. Holding a Ph.D. from prestigious Stanford University, Engstrom was hired to fill the biology component of the college’s new “Triad” program in food security, which also includes a faculty member in economics and one in anthropology.

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Biology professor Tim Tibbetts (left) is assisted in the greenhouse by Xavier McNeal ’18. Although a math major, McNeal enjoys the challenge of helping to stock the new facility with a variety of botanic samples.

WE’LL BE ABLE TO KEEP ONE AREA HUMID AND WARM FOR TROPICAL PLANTS, ONE AREA DRIER FOR DESERT-TYPE PLANTS, AND THE OTHER AREA AT STANDARD SETTINGS FOR RESEARCH.

“I will be teaching a new course in the spring, ‘Plant Biology,’” Engstrom said. “For that course, I am planning to spend much of the fall semester enlarging the current greenhouse collection, with specimens representing key taxonomic groups, inside and outside flowering plants, and plants of special human interest. The latter group includes coffee, vanilla and Mongongo nuts.” Engstrom will be launching research projects involving ferns and Arabidopsis thaliana—a model flowering plant for genetic studies—and will be growing ferns in the greenhouse.

Trustee Mark Kopinski ’79 and his wife, Deborah, made the naming gift for the greenhouse in honor of Kopinski’s mother, an avid gardener.

INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

DETAILS CREATE THE BIGGER PICTURE NEW ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE TO BROADEN STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCE

MONMOUTH COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO PURSUE ADVANCED DEGREES CONSISTENTLY REPORT BACK TO FACULTY THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH THEIR GRADUATE SCHOOL PEERS THANKS TO SKILLS THEY ACQUIRED AT MONMOUTH.

Science majors are being exposed to even more valuable experiences through a variety of new equipment and technologies available in the Center for Science and Business, including a recently-acquired $20,000 atomic force microscope (AFM).

“The addition of the AFM to the already sophisticated pieces of equipment that reside in our science departments allows our students and faculty to expand their research and teaching into the area of nanoscale imaging, whether it be of biological samples or of a silicon chip,” said associate professor of chemistry Audra Sostarecz. “The AFM can be used as both a research and a pedagogical tool, which will afford our students the opportunity to learn AFM theory, use and analysis, thereby becoming more competitive when applying for summer research positions and graduate school.”

Biochemistry major Khdr Eskandar ’17 of Syria is the first of what faculty hope will be many students to show proficiency with the college’s new microscope. “Khdr really took off with the microscope during our 10-week Kieft Summer Research program this year,” said Sostarecz, who called the AFM “very user friendly.” She added, “This microscope supports the philosophy of our chemistry department that students need to use the equipment themselves in order to learn. Khdr really owned it, and it was an independent research project for him. He has already produced great images of DNA, bacteria and monolayer films.”

Sostarecz explained that Eskandar and another summer research student—YeJun Park of Seoul, South Korea—encountered questions as they did more and more work with the AFM. Her advice was “Figure it out” and, after helping them set up their first conference call to get their questions answered, she was pleased to see them take the initiative to set up their own calls and Skype chats about the microscope. “You don’t always have the answers,” said Sostarecz of what students will encounter when they get into the professional world. “Finding connections and knowing where to go for answers is an important part of the process.”

As other Monmouth students encounter questions with the new microscope this fall, they will be wise to start with Eskandar for the answers. He became an expert using the AFM in “tapping mode,” taking images of approximately 5x5 micrometers of e-coli bacteria

THIS INSTRUMENT HAS THE CAPABILITY OF TAKING THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES OF A SURFACE AND ITS FEATURES SO WE CAN MEASURE HEIGHTS OF MICRON-SIZED PARTICLES.

Syrian student Khdr Eskander (foreground), who spent 10 weeks this summer mastering the operation of the atomic force microscope, gives a demonstration to physics faculty member Ashwani Kumar.

to assist with research for associate professor of chemistry Laura Moore. It takes hours to produce just one image.

What exactly does an atomic force microscope do? Eskandar was the natural person to ask. “This instrument has the capability of taking three-dimensional images of a surface and its features so we can measure heights of micron-sized particles,” he replied. “This feature is not available in regular microscopes or transmission electron microscopy (TEM).”

Sostarecz and Moore said the microscope “fills a hole” in the chemistry department. Previously, to conduct nanoscale imaging, the department would take students to the University of Iowa. Sostarecz said 2015 graduate Heather Malone was able to learn more about working with an atomic force microscope during trips to Iowa’s campus, which eventually led to an internship with Abbvie, Inc. and acceptance into graduate school. “Now that we have our own AFM, we’ll be able to reach more than one student,” she said. “It’s a huge advantage to have this piece of equipment and will help us stay successful and competitive with other colleges that have an AFM, such as Amherst.”

Sostarecz credited alumnus Kent Schuyler ’71, sales manager at Mnp, Inc., a leading-edge microscopy firm, with showing her the ezAFM microscope model that the college eventually purchased.

The new microscope is useful to students in biology, chemistry and physics.

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INSTRUMENTS OF INSPIRATION

GENERATING THE PUREST RESULTS PROFESSOR CONDUCTS EXPERIMENTS BEHIND 30-INCH CONCRETE WALLS

WITH THIS TYPE OF TESTING, YOU’RE NOT DESTROYING THE SAMPLE IN ANY WAY.

The list of private colleges that house both a neutron generator and a germanium detector is very short but, thanks to a $171,000 Department of Energy nuclear infrastructure grant that physics professor Chris Fasano received in 2009, Monmouth is on the list.

Under the Nuclear Energy Universities Program (NEUP), the Department of Energy offered more than $6 million in grants to 29 U.S. universities and colleges in 2009. Others receiving awards included the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California-Berkeley and four Big Ten schools.

Fasano said the arrival of the neutron generator (pictured above, right), which was granted after a four-year approval process, was accelerated, so to speak, by the college’s Center for Science and Business.

“Really, we needed the new building for this,” he said, adding that a room with 30-inch concrete walls and ceilings was constructed on the building’s lower level to house the generator, which is capable of producing 300 million neutrons per second. Fasano was asked what his department would do with all those neutrons, whose very presence on campus needed to be approved by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. He replied that the neutrons are especially useful for “non-destructive testing.”

“For example,” said Fasano, “if we want to test whether a sample has aluminum or silver in it, silver will capture the neutrons, while aluminum will not. For other methods of testing, you’ve got to do chemistry. You’ve got to cut up the samples, or grind them, or expose them to chemicals. But with this type of testing, you’re not destroying the sample at all. One area where this type of test-

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ing is especially useful is with historical artifacts. You can look at what they contain without doing any type of chemistry on them.”

Fasano explained that a neutron generator essentially makes an object “radioactive for a short period of time. Of course, that can be dangerous if not done properly, and everything we do with the generator is done very safely. It’s unusual for an entity the size of Monmouth College to have this type of equipment.”

Fasano said another use of neutron tracer testing is done in well logging, helping scientists determine if oil is nearby. Neutron generators can also produce short-lived radioactive materials for medical purposes, such as radioactive iodine.

Generators such as Monmouth’s $92,000 model are the new standard for working with radioactive materials. Fasano recalled studying at the University of Chicago, using source radiation, such as plutonium. “Plutonium doesn’t turn off and on,” he said. “It’s always on. The replacements now are these generators. They only produce radiation when they’re turned on.”

Also secured with the grant was the germanium detector (pictured above, left), which is valued at approximately $50,000, including software and accessories. Fasano is thrilled to have both pieces of advanced scientific equipment up and running. “It will allow us to teach students about the role of nuclear materials and radiation in our technological world, as well as the fundamentals of nuclear physics, It will also enable us to enhance the laboratory component of our current nuclear physics course and develop new courses in health physics and radiation and the environment.”

THE

INFAMOUS

HOLIDAY INN CAPER

One night in the spring of 1966, six or eight of us sat around in someone’s room in the newest men’s dormitory, Gibson Hall, which was to be dedicated in a few weeks. A three-story structure shaped like a horseshoe, it was built around a central grass courtyard, with exterior walkways allowing access to individual rooms. € The dorm’s resemblance to the popular Holiday Inn motels sprouting up across the country was not lost upon us. How cool would it be, we wondered, if we could hijack one of those iconic Holiday Inn billboards and raise it in front of the dorm on the day of the dedication? Most such dreams never get beyond the idea stage, but I found myself outside of town one day, carefully analyzing the billboard of our dreams–which consisted of two pre-painted, 4 x 8-foot plywood panels–and trying to figure out how to dismantle, remove and then reconstruct it on campus. There are other ways to “skin the cat.” Having seen a plate on the sign with the name of the company in Indiana that manufactured the billboard, I had an idea.

BY ANDY MARSHALL ’66

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MONMOUTHIANA

THE DORM’S RESEMBLANCE TO THE POPULAR HOLIDAY INN MOTELS SPROUTING UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY WAS NOT LOST UPON US.

I suggested that we call the company ask to borrow one of the billboards. It would be good publicity for both Holiday Inn and the billboard company if we could pull it off. Having been a door-to-door salesman during summer vacations, I was elected to make the call.

To my surprise, our idea was warmly received. All we had to do was travel 200 miles to Indiana, rent a trailer, pick up the sign and return to Monmouth the night before the dedication ceremony. Some serious engineering and planning were in order. Several fellows checked out a pile of unused telephone poles nearby, left over from a previous project, and reported on their length and approximate weight.

Plans were drawn up for how construction and installation of the sign would actually occur.

A big issue was how to dig and hide two deep holes into which the telephone poles would fit. Someone timed the rounds of the night watchmen and reported on “safe” times between midnight and 2 a.m. Two teams volunteered to take turns with the late-night digging. A hand-held posthole digger was rented and sod covered the holes after each digging session.

But the real challenge was how to actually pick up the sign and return in the pre-dawn hours on the dedication day. We decided that a three-man crew was needed for the big trip. Bill volunteered his V-8 Buick and a credit card. Bob, a polite science major, was also selected, and I, for my relationship with the company president, rounded out the crew.

The “day before” dawned. Armed with a full tank of gas, some cash and Bill’s credit card, we left on our mission early that morning, assuring ourselves that we had plenty of time for the trip and any unexpected glitches. As we tooled along the interstate the engine suddenly roared, the rear tires squealed briefly and the car slowed down as if the brakes had been suddenly applied. The car slowed to less than 25 miles per hour and we pulled to the shoulder of the freeway, put the car in park and opened the hood. The engine was running fine, but the automatic transmission would not shift out of first gear.

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With the next exit just ahead, we made it to a gas station, where a mechanic announced that the transmission could not be fixed until early the next week. Could the mission be saved? Just then, a low-flying airplane heading toward a nearby airport gave us an idea.

We drove slowly to the office of a flying service at the small local airport.

We explained our situation to the manager and a polite, professional-looking pilot. Their maps showed a dirt airstrip a few miles from the sign factory, and we could charter their single-engine plane for $160. “Cash only, in advance and no credit cards,” we were told.

Soon I was “sitting shotgun” in the small Cessna, as Bill and Bob strapped themselves into the back seats. We reached flying altitude, then headed in a straight line toward western Indiana, with no idea of what to do when we got there.

The pilot eventually announced that we had crossed into Indiana, and he began looking for the landing strip. Heading into the wind to increase lift as we lowered to the ground, I watched the pilot manage two foot-pedals, the little wheel in one hand and the throttle with the other. The pilot cut the engine, gingerly applied the brakes and we bounced along before coming to a full stop. “End of the line,” he said.

We caught a lift from a local farmer, who dropped us off at a single-story office building with a shop and warehouse in the back.

Soon, in a modest, wood-paneled office we sat explaining our new situation to the company president. He called the shop, which had the two sheets of plywood strapped together, along with a bundle of all the lumber we would need, cut to the proper lengths. The shop and office staff seemed rather amused, and wished us good luck as we walked back to the highway, two of us carrying the plywood and one of us lugging the bundle of two-by-fours.

The only way home was to head north to Gary, Ind., our link to roads west and back into Illinois. Short on plans but long on confidence, we caught the attention of the driver of an empty, five-ton freight

MONMOUTHIANA

truck. He told us that he was going to Gary but regulations allowed him to accept only two passengers. “I live just a hundred miles east of here,” Bob volunteered. “I will hitchhike home, see my folks for the weekend and take a bus back on Sunday. Good luck, fellas.” Thus Bill and I, and the plywood and lumber, took the long ride to Gary Indiana: smokestack capital of America.

By late afternoon we were at the trucker’s terminal, six blocks from the Short Line station which connects Gary to Chicago, some 20 miles west. The two of us could barely manage our heavy loads and there was still no real plan. Then came a voice from behind us, “Hello, there.

Are you hungry?” We turned and looked into the smiling faces of a half dozen Girl Scouts, holding out boxes of cookies.

We purchased several boxes and ate through half of the first one while sitting on a nearby bench. Intrigued by us, the girls offered to help carry the sign to the train station. We must have looked like a strange bunch, walking down the industrial and commercial streets of Gary: two college guys and a troop of green-uniformed Girl Scouts carrying a bundled-up billboard and a stack of lumber.

We bid adieu the troopers, then walked into the ticket office of the Short Line, with the sign and lumber leaning against a wall outside.

After explaining our situation, we learned we would have to ride in the freight car with our cargo. The car had no seats, so Bill and I stood up and gazed out the wide-open door at the endless blue waters of Lake Michigan as we rolled along its southern shoreline, heading to Chicago.

But alas, nothing is easy. It seems that Chicago has more than one railroad station, and the one we ended up at had no connections south.

We lugged our burden out to the street and, with nothing to lose, hailed a taxi. A portly, friendly driver asked us what we needed. “A ride to the other station,” we said. He thought for a moment, then said, “Put the plywood on the roof, the lumber on top of the plywood, then sit in back and hold it all down with your arms out the two back windows.” With our dwindling cash we paid the driver, then tipped him a box of cookies.

RIGHT The proud pranksters pose in front of their completed masterpiece.

The author is standing second from the right.

BELOW With rows of chairs behind it, the Holiday Inn billboard stands ready for the dedication ceremony. The Huff Athletic Center, completed in 2003, today occupies the former site of Gibson Hall.

At the ticket area of the next station, we learned we would need two trains: one, a freight train to Galesburg, 16 miles from Monmouth, arriving at 4 a.m., and a passenger train for us, arriving in Monmouth at 2:30 a.m. But our cash was nearly gone and the credit card almost maxed out. We faced a bitter, inevitable choice. The sign and lumber could go, but we were to stay in Chicago until morning when someone could wire us more money for tickets.

Soon, Bill was engaged in a conversation with the supervisor and finally arranged that the credit card could back up a check. Somehow it all worked, and we found ourselves on a passenger train in the dark of the night, catching some well-needed shut-eye.

We arrived at the Monmouth depot and our friends picked us up, but a big problem remained. How would we get the goods from Galesburg back to Monmouth, and could we still construct and install the sign before morning? We started knocking on doors at Gibson Hall, waking up fellow students with a plea for help. Luckily, one fellow with a big Ford convertible volunteered to assist. We drove to Galesburg, picked up our precious cargo and put the top down on the Ford. Then, with the plywood resting gingerly on the top of the windshield’s steel and chrome framework and Bill and I holding onto the other end in the back seat, we made our way back through early-morning fog so thick that the headlights barely showed the lines on the road.

Author Andy Marshall writes short stories inspired by his decades spent exploring the canyons and mountains of the Southwest. Samples of his work can be found online. highlonesomelegends.com Monmouth Magazine seeks submissions by other alumni of essays, feature stories or opinion pieces that may be of interest to our readers.

Concluded on page 30 MONMOUTH COLLEGE MAGAZINE

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23

BOOKS

bailey THE GOOD SHEPHERD: A THOUSAND-YEAR JOURNEY FROM PSALM 23 TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

CREATURELY COSMOLOGIES: WHY METAPHYSICS MATTERS FOR ANIMAL AND PLANETARY LIBERATION

By Kenneth E. Bailey ’52 Soft Cover, 288 pages, $24 InterVarsity Press

By Brianne Donaldson Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religious Studies Hard Cover, 176 pages, $80 Lexington Books

“The Lord is my shepherd.”

Thus begins the most beloved of all Psalms—and thus begins a thousand-year journey through the Bible. Prophets, apostles and Jesus himself took up this image from David, reshaping it, developing it and applying it to their own situations and needs. Kenneth Bailey uses his celebrated insights into Middle Eastern culture and especially his familiarity with Middle Eastern shepherding customs to bring new light and life to our understanding of this central image of the Christian faith.

With each of nine major Old and New Testament passages, Bailey reveals the literary artistry of the Biblical writers and summarizes their key theological features. His work is also enriched by his unique access to very early Middle Eastern commentaries on these passages, bringing fresh understanding from within the mindset of these ancient worlds. The Good Shepherd invites us to experience a rich, biblical feast of ethical, theological and artistic delights.

A prolific author in both English and Arabic, Kenneth E. Bailey spent 40 years living and teaching New Testament in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus. Currently research professor (emeritus) of Middle Eastern New Testament studies at the Ecumenical Institute (Tantur), Jerusalem, he is an authority on Middle Eastern New Testament studies. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he also serves as Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church, USA. He holds graduate degrees in Arabic language and literature, and in systematic theology; his Th.D. is in New Testament.

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donaldson

Metaphysics—or the grand narratives about reality that shape a community—has historically been identified as one of the primary oppressive factors in violence against animals, the environment, and other subordinated populations. Yet, this rejection of metaphysics has allowed inadequate worldviews to be smuggled back into secular rights-based systems, and into politics, language, arts, economics, media, and science under the guise of value-free and narrowly human-centric facts that relegate many populations to the margins and exclude them from consideration as active members of the planetary community.

In this scholarly work, assistant professor of philosophy and religious studies Brianne Donaldson, writes that those concerned with systemic violence against creatures and other oppressed populations must overcome this allergy to metaphysics in order to illuminate latent assumptions at work in their own worldviews, and to seek out dynamic, many-sided, and relational narratives about reality that are more adequate to a universe of responsive and creative world-shaping creatures. This text examines two such worldviews—Whitehead’s process-relational thought in the west and the nonviolent Indian tradition of Jainism—alongside theorists such as Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, Judith Butler, Donna Haraway, Karen Barad, that offer a new perspective on metaphysics as well as the creaturely kin and planetary fellows with whom we coshape our future.

Professor Philip Clayton of Claremont School of Theology writes, “Rarely does a single book captivate us at both ends of the spectrum simultaneously. Bridging the metaphysics of East and West, Donaldson will lead you to deeper feeling of ‘the creaturely multitudes, the active shadows of our buzzing universe, too long marginalized by a dominant and falsely separated human.’ These pages invite you into new adventures of thought, co-feeling, intra-being, and activism.”

BOOKS

jornlin

ott & schell

BRINGING BACK A HERO: RETURN OF LST 325

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT IN AMERICA: A BRIEF HISTORY

By Robert D. Jornlin ’61 Hard Cover, 216 pages, $39.95 Jornlin Farm

Daniel Ott Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religious Studies Hannah Schell Professor of Philosophy & Religious Studies Soft Cover, 340 pages, $49 Fortress Press

In this engaging first-hand account, Capt. Robert Jornlin ’61 describes how he, a retired Navy officer and seed corn salesman, along with a crew of 70—many of whom were veterans in their 70s and 80s—rescue what they consider one of the surviving true heroes of World War II—a Landing Ship Tank, which delivered armored vehicles and troops to critical battle zones in Europe. Enduring the infirmities of age and an uncertain mission, they travel to Greece to retrieve the LST 325, half a century old, left desolate in a boneyard. The determined sailors would not give up on the ship that beached at Sicily in 1943 and was at D-Day June 6, 1944.

Since completing the 6,500-mile voyage in 2000, Jornlin has presented more than 600 heartwarming talks about the ship, his crew, and their tireless effort that went into its restoration.

“All of us guys just wanted to bring back an LST,” he writes. “We think the LST has been very underrated and unappreciated as far as the importance it played in the different wars. We wanted one so that we could all go aboard and remember the days we were on them, and so that our children and grandchildren would also be able to see them. This was the sole purpose of doing this. We never thought this thing would attract so much attention.” LST 325 is currently docked in Evansville, Ind., and is open for tours.

Colleagues in Monmouth College’s department of philosophy and religious studies, Daniel Ott and Hannah Schell collaborated on this book, which offers a short, accessible overview of the history of Christian thought in America, from the Puritans and other colonials to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Moving chronologically, each chapter addresses a historical segment, focusing on key movements and figures and tracing general trends and developments. While many texts offer a detailed history of Christianity in the American context, few focus on the philosophical and theological issues, which form an important yet often neglected part of our history.

The narrative aims to underscore the diversity of Christian thought in America by addressing issues in their historical contexts and by examining across a range of traditions. At the same time, it conveys a sense of the vibrancy of Christian thought, as well as the liveliness and creativity of the ongoing theological debates. The book explores several recurring themes that mark the trajectory of Christian thought in America, including the idea of a divine mission, the tendency to privilege the individual, and the influence of the spirit of reform and revival.

“This is the best book I’ve seen in a long time for exploring the long sweep of Christian thought, rather than doctrine, in American history right into the twenty-first century,” writes Professor Nancy Frankenberry of Dartmouth College. “Schell and Ott have performed a huge service in making it available as a short history.”

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LEFT TO RIGHT, FROM TOP: The Huff Athletic Center Fieldhouse is filled to capacity, after weather moved the ceremony inside; the Rev. Margaret Aymer preaches a powerful Baccalaureate sermon; happy grads look back fondly while stepping toward their future; Jake McLean ’15 can barely contain his excitement as he honors a favorite professor, Kate Zittlow Rogness, at the Honor Walk; President Wyatt greets a line of graduates, accompanied by Gen. Allen and First Lady Lobie Stone.

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COMMENCEMENT

A DAY OF

TRIUMPH

BE AN EXEMPLAR OF HUMANITY AND FELLOWSHIP IN ACTION. GEN. JOHN R. ALLEN

Living forever young yet moving forward to change the world.

After less than a year in office, President Clarence Wyatt and his wife, Lobie Stone, have already been embraced as beloved members of the Monmouth College family. That spirit of community was echoed in Wyatt’s remarks to the graduating seniors on May 17. “Commencement is one of the best days on the American calendar,” Wyatt remarked. “It is a day of hope, optimism, celebration and triumph. It is a day of community effort because not one of our graduates came to this moment by himself or herself.”

Wyatt’s words rang all too true to the class of 2015’s approximately 250 graduates, who said farewell to the faculty and staff members who had become like a second family.

Although moved indoors due to uncertain weather conditions, the mood inside the packed Huff Athletic Center fieldhouse was bright and anticipatory. The graduates heard from Wyatt and from the keynote speaker, Gen. John R. Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. Two of their 2015 classmates, Stephanie Lankford and Brianna Kamphuis, also spoke.

A member of Monmouth’s first class of Midwest Scholars and the college’s Student Laureate from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, Lankford offered thanks to the college’s family of faculty.

To her classmates, she said, “Don’t ever forget that we are citizens of this world, as reinforced by the Monmouth College citizenship course, and there are things that we can do to revitalize the human experience. Things that we can do every single day. Things that are free. Character, honesty, respect, kindness, and love.

These are some of the qualities I have found at Monmouth College. … We are too good for gossip and snark. We are too good for intolerance. We are too good to think that people who disagree with us are our enemy. Don’t ever forget that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. How we live matters.”

Added Kamphuis, who served as senior class president, “At Monmouth College, we have been able to grow and develop emotionally, intellectually, personally and professionally by integrating knowledge and experience throughout the process of becoming lifelong learners.”

Allen, who received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, was appointed to his current position in the U.S. State Department by President Barack Obama in September 2014. His distinguished career has included a rich variety of important commands and senior appointments. The retired four-star Marine Corps general shared three lessons with the graduating class.

And just in case the graduates couldn’t quite remember them—as he suggested might be the case due to all the pomp and circumstance—his address was replayed on national television two weeks following the ceremony on C-SPAN. The first lesson is one you might expect to hear from a Marine; take care of yourself physically. … Only by maintaining your physical condition will you be able to achieve your full potential and to appreciate and experience all the world has to offer you. … My second lesson involves nurturing your intellect and cultivating a lifelong curiosity; be the master of your profession. Trust me, your success in life will be determined by your capacity to learn, and in learning to master the ability to embrace new ideas and turn them to your favor. … My third and final lesson has to do with values, and the vital work of enriching your spirit, and it is this, be a servant leader. Put others first and you will find that life is more fulfilling.

Be an exemplar of humanity and fellowship in action.”

Lankford, who will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry, was one of Monmouth’s 10 summa cum laude graduates. The others were Emily Bell, Phillip Buckwinkler, Edith Gabel, Mackenzie Gillund, Courtney Johnson, Nicole Kamzic, Mackenzie Mahler, Kayla Westfall and Richard Williams.

“We are all proud of you,” concluded Wyatt. “We love you. And, from Lobie and me, we wish that you will keep the spirit of these days forever. That you will be forever young.”

During the ceremony, it was announced that two faculty members—Kristin Larson (psychology) and Tom Sargent (educational studies) were promoted to full professor. Two others were promoted to associate professor and granted tenure—Tim Pahel (music) and Tim Stiles (physics).

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COMMENCEMENT

LEFT: Harold Knapheide and Vicki Knapheide Wood (at left) participate in the groundbreaking ceremony in May. ABOVE: Rendering of the new chapter house, under construction on the northeast corner of campus.

ALPHA CHAPTER BEGINS NEW CHAPTER PI BETA PHI, THE NATION’S FIRST ‘FRATERNITY’ FOR WOMEN, WILL SOON OCCUPY A BRAND NEW HOUSE ON CAMPUS During commencement weekend activities at Monmouth College, ground was broken at the site of a new $2 million chapter house for the Pi Beta Phi women’s fraternity.

In honor of their late mother, Mary MacDill Knapheide ’35, siblings Harold “Knap” Knapheide III of Quincy, Ill., and Vicki Knapheide Wood of The Woodlands, Texas, made a gift of $1.2 million to Monmouth College. Knap was among the speakers at the ceremony, and he also participated in the official groundbreaking, along with representatives from the architectural firm of Klingner & Associates and Russell Construction.

“It feels good to do this in honor of my mother,” said Knapheide.

“She was very proud of this college. Our ancestors that preceded her were Presbyterian ministers and professors who taught here. She was quite connected to Monmouth College in a number of different ways. Monmouth College was very important to her. Even beyond school, the Pi Phis were always a huge part of her life.”

The 15-bed house, which will be located on the northwest corner of Ninth St. and Euclid Ave., will be available for Pi Phi members in the spring of 2016. It is being designed in a modified Greek Revival style to pay tribute to the architecture of Monmouth’s historic Holt House, where two of the founders boarded and planned the organization.

Founded in 1867 as I.C. Sorosis, it was the first secret society for women in the United States to be patterned after men’s Greek letter fraternities. “We have a legacy of empowering women that did and continues to separate Monmouth College apart,” said Monmouth College president Clarence Wyatt. “I am proud to be associated with an institution that has done this since its earliest days.”

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Anita Ridge, a 1988 Monmouth graduate and Pi Beta Phi member, said the new house will take the already positive relationship that she and her sisters have with Monmouth to another level. “Having a physical bond strengthens the bond of alumni and their ties to Pi Phi and the college itself. In this beautiful home to be built here, future generations of young women will strengthen their bonds with each other and this institution.”

With a strong connection to Pi Phi, Mary Knapheide serves as a link from the organization’s very beginnings to this recent announcement. During her time as a Monmouth student, the 1932 initiate met four of the 12 founding members—Margaret Campbell, Clara Brownlee Hutchinson, Fannie Whitenack Libbey and Inez Smith Soule.

Mary’s grandmother, Lessie Buck MacDill, was not far behind the founders at Monmouth, being the 44th woman initiated.

Due to the Depression, Mary left Monmouth midway through her junior year to take a teaching job. Ensuring that Monmouth students are able to afford the cost of college for all four years was the reason behind a previous gift the Knapheide family made to Monmouth, creating the Mary MacDill Knapheide Scholarship.

When the family made its next gift, Knapheide said, “We considered creating a new dorm, but a new Pi Phi house is more personal for our family. We have a strong connection to it. If my mother were here to see this today, she would enjoy this and be proud that we are helping these students.”

MARIELA SHAKER

COMMENCEMENT

With the ink on her diploma barely dry, one member of the Class of 2015 is already making her mark on the world stage.

Mariela Shaker ’15, a Syrian refugee, who is also an accomplished violinist, traveled to Washington, D.C., where she performed at the Kennedy Center for the Arts and was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change” in conjunction with World Refugee Day.

Shaker, who also participated in a White House panel discussion on refugees, was recognized for her example and work in using the power of music to highlight the cause of Syrian refugees and to provide a path to healing and reconciliation. The program, which included nine other Champions of Change, featured remarks by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and Cecilia Muñoz, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Shaker represented refugees from Syria and around the world in sharing ideas about how to deal with this unprecedented crisis. In a statement released by the White House, President Obama said that

“World Refugee Day is a solemn occasion for the United States to join our partners in the international community in recognizing the dignity, value, and potential in every one of these lives.”

On the Saturday night prior to her White House appearance, Shaker performed to a standing-room only audience at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where she was invited to appear by the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees. In introducing Shaker at the event, Monmouth president Clarence Wyatt said, “Mariela’s life is a powerful story of the triumph of dignity over despair, of hope over hatred, and of compassion over conflict.

Her commitment to use her talent as a musician and the grace of her character to heal the wounds of war and oppression, to ‘think anew and act anew’ in the face of this crisis, does honor to the highest values of Monmouth College, and we are deeply proud of her.”

Born in 1990 in Aleppo, Syria, Shaker began playing the violin at the age of 10 when she joined the Arabic Institute of Music in Aleppo. Her talent soon brought her to participate in many festivals and concerts in Syria and across the Middle East. Shaker taught the violin for five years at the Arabic Institute of Music.

In 2011, she gave a live audition in London, and subsequently received an offer to complete her music studies in the Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music.

In 2013, Shaker received a scholarship to attend Monmouth College, earning a bachelor’s degree in music performance. She successfully applied for asylum in the United States because she is unable to return to her native country, where her family still resides, living amidst the tragedy of the Syrian civil war.

One of 18 Syrian students on Monmouth’s campus during the past academic year, Shaker said, “There are ambitious students in Syria who have lost hope—lost everything. Rebuilding the infrastructure is just one thing that can be done with our hands, but rebuilding the humanity and deconstructing the antagonism from the minds of the people is another thing that should be done with our hearts. I left my home in Syria because of the war. It is here in the United States that my life has begun.”

Shaker’s performance can be viewed on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage website at www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium.

To learn more about the White House Champions of Change program, visit www.whitehouse.gov/champions. Follow the conversation at #WHChamps.

Shaker and her accompanist, the accomplished Syrian pianist Riyad Nicolas, take their bows following the Kennedy Center concert.

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GOLDEN SCOTS CELEBRATION

MORE THAN 100 ALUMNI FROM THE CLASSES OF 1970 AND EARLIER RETURNED TO CAMPUS IN JUNE FOR THE ANNUAL GOLDEN SCOTS CELEBRATION—A FOUR-DAY GATHERING THAT INCLUDED LECTURES, TOURS, DINNERS, CLASS REUNIONS, OPEN HOUSES AND EVEN AN OLD-FASHIONED CHAPEL SERVICE. CLASS OF 1960

Row 1: Jacque Hoover Campbell, Judith Stafford Denniston, Carolyn Davis Penney, Carolyn Davis Penney, Nancy Van Natta Wherry, Joan Schilthuis Wagenknecht and Ann Toal. Row 2: Mary Bullard Ford, Nancy Lee Graves, Jeanne Gittings Robeson, Alice Robbins Thompson, Chuck Rassieur, Richard Wherry, Barbara Divinski Brundage and Kathy Oliver Tribler. Row 3: Donn Denniston, Dean Graves, Arlene Dresmal Blewitt, Maureen Smiley Liesman, John Penney and Robert Gamer.

C E L E B R A T I O N

CLASS OF 1955

Row 1: Alan Larson, Gary Allen, Allen McGehee and Keith Droste.

Row 2: Lou Richard, Dick Bowman, Donald Delzell and Richard Riedel.

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CLASS OF 1970

Clarke Bennett (left) and Gary Sears.

GOLDEN SCOTS CELEBRATION

CLASS OF 1965

Row 1 (L to R): Sharon Avery Danner, Sharon Zipse Fesler, Genie Willman Zagorski, Harriet Southerlan Whiteman, Lynn McCrery McGill, Bonnie Heyes Jensen, Carole Praet Pawloski, Janet Hamly-Ott, Judy Hodges Tucker and Jim Mock. Row 2: Idabelle Augspurger Wahls, Judy Maxwell Schaeffer, Karen Bush Watts, Marcia Dawson, Linda Schantz Keener, Marilyn Marshall Nuss, Julie Caldwell Arnold, Sharon Wehrs Mock and Karen Barrett Chism. Row 3: Lee Schaeffer, Robert Hehn, Karen Brunke Hehn, Judith Iverson, Nancy Hibbert Murray, Crystal Fern, Robert Garro, Bob Tucker, Ann Garry and James Greenwald. Row 4: Bill Goldsborough, Ron Zagorski, Dave Coots, Allan Etzbach, David Biklen, Bill Simpson, John Stack and David Lindgren.

THE INFAMOUS HOLIDAY INN CAPER

Continued from page 23

By 5 o’clock that morning, Bill and I, the sign, the lumber, two telephone poles, an array of tools and a dozen or so associates were all together on the football field, where we completed the construction of our genuine Holiday Inn billboard. It was attached firmly to the poles, but great care had to be taken that the poles were the same distance apart as the holes in the ground at Gibson Hall.

As dawn brightened over the horizon, we hefted the poles onto our collective shoulders and walked slowly to the dormitory. The sign was aligned on the ground, and the poles matched the holes perfectly; but how would we lift it into place? From the two balconies on either side, ropes were thrown down and attached to the top corners of the sign, then pulled evenly as a half dozen young men pushed the top slowly upwards, while two of us guided each post carefully towards its pre-dug hole. Carefully, we worked together, keeping it balanced and straight. I saw the pole on our side slip toward its hole, and looked across. There was a nod of agreement, and someone shouted, “It’s in! Pull it up!” The balcony boys did just that.

I let go of the pole and backed away. For a moment all stood still; the sign became fully upright and then with a ‘Whump!’ both poles fell deeply into the ground; and there stood a Holiday Inn billboard, gleaming triumphantly in the first rays of sunlight.

There is more to the story, but for us it was somehow, miraculously over. Chairs were set up for the dedication later that day. An endless procession of cars drove by—the townspeople gaping at the efforts of us college boys. The news media was alerted, and most important, the dedication was held that afternoon under the classic motel billboard–a compliment, as it were, from the students to the college which had provided us a safe place to receive our educations. All mentions of the sign by the speakers were positive and in praise of our clever, honest efforts. A few of us posed for pictures, and four of us were awarded a free weekend at the Holiday Inn of our choice, courtesy of the Holiday Inn Corporation in return for the favorable publicity.

The sign was later de-constructed and returned as agreed. Then we proceeded on into our lives and the rapidly-changing world we would soon have to face, but with a renewed sense of independent thought, problem-solving, teamwork, engineering, playing by the rules, and how to stick with a worthy goal despite the unplanned obstacles: all components of a good liberal arts education, after all.

But even those valuable life lessons were briefly outshone by the sheer, unforgettable joy of accomplishment that we felt upon successfully completing ‘The Infamous Holiday Inn Caper.’

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SPORTS

THE WAIT IS

OVER. Denied a Midwest Conference playoff berth since reaching the postseason in 1999, the Fighting Scots finally punched their return ticket with a runner-up finish in the league. Coach Todd Skrivseth’s squad went 13-5 in MWC action on its way to a final record of 16-8, which included a 98-89 loss to Grinnell in the semi-final round of the playoffs.

“The last time we were in the conference tournament, the freshmen were three years old,” said Skrivseth, who completed his fourth year at the helm. “They really understood the significance of qualifying when we put it in those terms. They’re excited to be part of getting our tradition back.”

It was actually a 119-114 road victory at Grinnell early in the season that served notice the Scots were ready to contend, and an eight-game winning streak that started over the holidays— which included six MWC victories—put them in great position to finish behind a St. Norbert squad that would go 16-0 in the league and play in the NCAA tourney.

Mathison’s classmate, Jon Calhoun, was also a steady performer, running the point guard spot and averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 assists before suffering a late-season injury.

Freshmen Will Jones and Paul Engo started most of Monmouth’s games, with Jones pouring in 14.3 points per game with 6.3 rebounds to earn honorable mention All-MWC. The Scots also received solid contributions from players like Riley Blea ’18 and Nick Marema ’16, who averaged 6.5 and 5.8 points, respectively.

Of the 12 players who logged 200 minutes of court action or more, only one was a senior, so it’s very possible that the next playoff berth for the men won’t require a 16-year wait.

Although several freshmen played prominent roles, the Scots’ achievement had been years in the making, as Skrivseth’s first full recruiting class continued its development as juniors. Andrew Mathison’s star shined the brightest, as his third season with Monmouth was easily his best. He averaged team highs of 15.1 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 61.3 percent from the field to earn All-Region honors and a spot on the All-MWC first team.

“He’s worked extremely hard to improve his game,” said Skrivseth. “We’re looking forward to seeing where he can take his game next year as a senior.”

LEFT: All-conference players Will Jones (left) and Andrew Mathison (right) helped coach Todd Skrivseth guide the Fighting Scots back to post-season play.

Coach Skrivseth

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SPORTS

SPORTS IN REVIEW

ABOVE: Roger Sander ’78 (center) was honored at his final home game as baseball coach, receiving congratulations from many well-wishers, including Sander’s basketball coach at Monmouth, Terry Glasgow (left), and longtime assistant coach Ron Nelson. Combined, Sander and Glasgow posted 713 of the program’s 1,190 victories.

TRACK REVIEW RESCHKE’S RUNNING LIFTS SCOTS TO 12TH PLACE FINISH AT NCAA INDOOR MEET

GOLF CHAMPION DECKER WINS MWC INDIVIDUAL TITLE, BESTING COMPETITION BY FIVE STROKES

BASEBALL: Coach Roger Sander closed his 22-year head coaching career with another solid season, but the Fighting Scots came up just short in what was another very competitive season in the Midwest Conference’s South Division.

Not long ago, all the division teams finished in a tie at the .500 mark, and this season felt similar, as the Scots were 2-2 against all four South opponents to finish 8-8, one game out of the playoffs. Their record of 17-19 closed Sander’s career with 370 wins. He picked up the final two victories at Glasgow Field on a day his honor.

The Scots were represented on the All-MWC team by utility man Ryan Sparks ’17 (.397, 4 HR, 24 RBI) and catcher Jesse Brucker ’15 (.358, 6 HR, 42 RBI).

Following the season, it was announced that Alan Betourne ’05 would take over the baseball program, becoming just the third head coach since 1973.

SOFTBALL: After a 4-5 start in Florida, Coach John Goddard’s squad slipped to a 12-22 final record and a 6-9 mark in the MWC’s South Division. One of the bright spots was a record-setting debut in the circle by freshman Liz Hippen, who struck out 14 Simmons College batters in Florida. Hippen finished the year with an 8-6 record, a 2.23 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 94 innings. The Scots’ lone All-MWC selection, Hippen also starred at the plate, hitting a team-high .382.

MEN’S GOLF: Head coach Steve Schweer couldn’t quite steer his team to a Midwest Conference title in his first season at the helm, but the Fighting Scots did have the individual champ, as Drake Decker ’16 carded rounds of 73-77-77 to lead from start to finish. His 54-hole total of 227 won by five strokes. As a team, Monmouth placed third, 17 strokes shy of St. Norbert. Joining Decker on the all-conference squad was Luke Kreiter ’17 (236).

MEN’S TENNIS: The other new coach for the spring season, Brian Jordan ’09, also had a successful debut, guiding the Scots back to the Midwest Conference playoffs, where they fell 5-4 to Lake Forest in the semi-finals. Jordan, who is

34

SPORTS

LEFT: Ethan Reschke ’17 prepares to accelerate after taking the baton during a relay race in the Huff Athletic Center. Reschke earned three All-American honors at the NCAA meet.

indoor success. Reschke, Foulkes and Parr were affected by food poisoning and were unable to live up to their pre-meet rankings, which included the No. 3 spot in the nation for Reschke in the 200and 400-meter dashes and the 4x400 relay. Joe Ward ’16 had the highest NCAA finish vaulting 16’0-1/2 to place ninth.

At the MWC indoor meet, the Scots brought home their 16th straight title. Reschke won three sprints and two relays while earning a share of the Outstanding Track Performer honor. Kyle Orwig ’15, who won the weight throw (53–5¾), earned a share of the Outstanding Field Performer honor. Steve Andris ’15 pole vaulted 14–4¾ to claim the Scots’ other first-place finish.

Outdoors, the Scots placed second to St. Norbert by 15.5 points, ending a run of 14 straight titles. Reschke and Foulkes won the 400 (47.85) and 200 (21.40) and two relays apiece, which netted Foulkes a share of the Outstanding Track Performer honor. Other champs were Ward in the pole vault (16’1-1/4), Andris in the javelin (186’3) and Orwig ’15 in the shot put (51’10).

also the women’s tennis coach, guided Monmouth to a 15-10 record, 8-1 in the MWC. Dylan Wong ’18 racked up the most singles wins (20), while Wong and classmate Ronnie Griffin went 14-8 in doubles.

WOMEN’S WATER POLO: In its second year in existence, the water polo team produced its second all-conference selection, as Abbi Murray ’18 was named to the Collegiate Water Polo Association second team. Her 12 goals tied for the team lead with classmate Rachel Unger. Peter Ollis has taken over the water polo programs after Josh Dunn ’13, left to take a job in the private sector.

MEN’S TRACK: Ethan Reschke ’17 had an indoor season to remember, earning three All-American honors at the NCAA meet, including a second-place finish, to help Monmouth place 12th in the nation. Competing in Winston-Salem, N.C., Reschke was especially strong in his signature event, the 400-meter dash, placing second in 48.68 and anchoring the 4x400 squad that placed fifth in 3:17.94. Joining him in running Monmouth’s second-best time ever in the indoor relay were Adam Parr ’16, Matthew Trainor ’16 and Raimius Foulkes ’15. Reschke picked up a third All-America honor in the 200-meter dash, placing seventh in 22.40.

Outdoors, the Scots continued their strong showing in the sprints, qualifying three individuals and two relay teams for nationals, but an unfortunate illness prevented them from repeating their NCAA

WOMEN’S TRACK: The Fighting Scots saw their string of MWC championships come to an end at both the indoor and outdoor meets, placing fourth in both. Erin Maul ’15 was the Scots’ lone NCAA qualifier and lone MWC champ. She placed 15th in the hammer throw (166’3) and had the top conference distance of 167’2. Along with Maul, Kyra Kimber ’15 and Beka Wollenburg ’17 reached the podium at both MWC meets.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: In what turned out to be coach Katie Marcella’s only year on the Monmouth bench, she was tasked with replacing 80 percent of the Fighting Scots’ starters from a year ago. Her new lineup nearly accomplished its playoff goal before settling for sixth place in the MWC at 9-9, and 10-13 overall.

The highlight of the season was a thrilling 60-58 overtime victory over St. Norbert, which was the Green Knights’ only loss of their MWC campaign. Kelsey Walsberg ’18 cashed in on a rare four-point play in the extra session during a 14-0 run. Walsberg emerged as a regular scoring threat, draining a team-high 48 treys on her way to an 11.5-point average. The other leading scorers in Monmouth’s balanced attack were Kathleen Forrest ‘15 (11.1), Katie Houston ‘16 (11.0) and Paige Nord ’15, who averaged 10.7 points to go with team highs in assists, steals, blocks and free throw percentage.

That all-around game netted Nord her first All-MWC selection.

During the summer, Kyle Wilson was hired as the new women’s basketball coach.

MEN’S SWIMMING: Fours were wild for the Fighting Scots at the Midwest Conference meet, as the team placed fourth, led by a quartet of top-four finishes by R.L. Aldridge ’18. Neal Hosper ’17 and Julius Bradsfield ’18 were right behind with three such finishes apiece. Diver Marshall Palfenier ’15 boosted the Scots’ point total by placing third in the 3-meter competition and fourth in the 1-meter. The Scots finished with 374 points, 149 behind third-place finisher Carroll.

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SPORTS

LACROSSE TO DEBUT IN ’17 One of the fastest growing sports at the NCAA level is coming to Monmouth College in the spring of 2017, when play begins in men’s and women’s varsity lacrosse. “As the addition of water polo did, the addition of lacrosse gives us the opportunity to draw from new geographic areas and provides our student body with an opportunity to become involved in a new sport,” said vice president for student life Jacquelyn Condon.

The expansion will find the Fighting Scots men competing in the Midwest Lacrosse League, while the women will join the Midwest Women’s Lacrosse League. Schools in both leagues include Aurora, Beloit, Benedictine, Concordia (Wis.) and Cornell. The men’s league also includes Fontbonne and Milwaukee School of Engineering, while Illinois Institute of Technology, Loras and Wartburg round out the women’s conference. Monmouth, which is in the geographic center of both leagues, will play its home games at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.

Routt

Demara

A nationwide search for coaches led to the hiring of Andrew Routt to lead the Fighting Scots men and Elizabeth Demara to guide the women. Routt has experience coaching at nearly every level, building programs along the way. He entered the college coaching ranks in 2012 as the interim coach for the newly-established men’s lacrosse program at Defiance. Routt then took his talents to Beloit, where he was an assistant in the Bucs’ new program for the past two seasons, serving as the defensive coordinator and developing a comprehensive recruiting plan.

Demara is also familiar with forming a new lacrosse team, having served the past two seasons as the assistant coach for the fledgling women’s program at Division II Alderson Broaddus. Demara spent a season working at the Division III level and with club teams following her graduation from St. Bonaventure, where she was a four-year member of the lacrosse team.

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE, ON AND OFF THE FIELD A packed house filled Dahl Chapel and Auditorium in April for the first annual Fighting Scot Athletic Awards, otherwise known as the MC ESPYs.

honor. Knee surgery her sophomore year kept Gillund out of the majority of matches as a junior, but she came back with a vengeance as a senior, playing every set of every match.

Modeled after ESPN’s awards show and sponsored by the McDonough Telephone Cooperative, the MC ESPYs recognized the top team and individual performances from the 2014–15 academic year. More than 100 student athletes were recognized for their athletic and academic excellence. Two teams—volleyball and men’s golf—and 12 student athletes were recognized for earning national academic accolades.

Cross country All-American Kyra Kimber ’15 won the Individual Performance of the Year, while another All-American, Ethan Reschke ’17, captured the Championship Performance of the Year honor.

Monmouth’s thrilling overtime win over St. Norbert in women’s basketball won the Upset of the Year and netted Kelsey Walsberg ’18 the Best Moment honor for her big basket in the extra session, while the men’s basketball team won the Breakthrough Performance of the Year.

The night’s highest honor went to swimmer Erin Willhite ’15, who was awarded the Fighting Scots Leadership award. Willhite was selected as the winner from the field of 10 student athletes. Director of aquatics Tom Burek cited Willhite’s off-season work with disabled youths and other children’s programs as examples of her exceptional leadership qualities.

Political economy and commerce professor Ken McMillan received the Faculty Support Recognition Award as nominated by the student-athletes, while former track standout Roger Well ’86 was on hand to receive the Fighting Scot Alumni Recognition Award.

What could have been a devastating injury turned out to earn volleyball’s Mackenzie Gillund ’15 the Comeback Athlete of the Year

36

WOMEN’S SWIMMING: The Fighting Scots repeated their fifth-place finish from a year ago at the Midwest Conference meet, and they also had another repeat performance, as diver Allie Vallance ’17 qualified for her second consecutive NCAA regional. Vallance, who won several first-place honors throughout the season, placed seventh at the regional, up 10 spots from a year ago.

At the MWC meet, Vallance broke her own school record in the 1-meter diving competition, placing second. Other school records that fell at the MWC meet came from Clarissa Henby ’15, who set new marks in the 100 and 200 butterfly, and Morgan Bruess ’16, who claimed the Scots’ 50 and 200 backstroke records. Cassidy O’Connell ’16 set the new 400 IM mark and had two top-five finishes.

CLAN NOTES

CLAN NOTES 1936

1957

Virginia Goodwin Hansis of Eau Claire, Wis., celebrated her 100th birthday on April 4.

Lynn Nelson and his wife, Doris, of Galesburg, Ill., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 17.

1947

1961

Mary Frances Lister Miller of Monmouth celebrated her 90th birthday on July 16, 2015.

1949 Bill ’52 and Erma Norris Smallwood of Monmouth celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in July.

1952 Kenneth Bailey of New Wilmington, Pa., has published his 10th book, The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament. (See Books, page 24] The Rev. Wayne Keller of Olympia, Wash., recently began participating in an enthusiastic group of 15 high school students and 15 seniors named STEP (Sharing Teens and Elders Project). Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a decade ago, the active Keller says, “So far I have not noticed.”

1956

 60th

REUNION

JUNE 2-5, 2016

 55th

REUNION

JUNE 2-5, 2016

Robert Jornlin of Earlville, Ill., has published a book about his experiences restoring a vintage World War II transport ship and captaining it from Greece to the United States with a crew of 50 veteran sailors having an average age of 72. Titled Bringing Home a Hero, the account is featured in the Books section on page 25.

1964 Tom Ulmet of Centennial, Colo., was recently appointed executive director of the Associated China and Mongolia International Schools. A board member for the organization for the past five years, he will use technology to conduct daily affairs with its Beijing office from his home in Colorado. During his long career in education, Ulmet has worked in three colleges and five international schools. Most recently, he served as superintendent of Yew Chung International Schools in China.

1965 William Simpson of Everett, Wash., was inducted into the John Wood Community College Athletic Hall of Fame for the variety of advance

Julie Sankrauff Stoffels ’64 thoroughly enjoyed her 50th reunion at Monmouth College one year ago.

But she was also able to participate in another college reunion, meeting up in Geneva, Switzerland, with three women she came to know during her Junior Year Abroad experience there. “Our conversations centered on memories of struggling with French in classes and life decisions we made as a result of our experiences abroad, such as changing majors, pursuing travel opportunities throughout our lives and encouraging our own children and grandchildren to study or live abroad,” said Stoffels. “We talked about how young and naïve we had been, but confident in our ability to succeed.”

The old friends also returned to their old haunts, such as Les Armures, a restaurant in Geneva’s Old Town district. “They are known for their delicious, authentic fondue, and it tasted just as we remembered it,” she said. “One day, we returned to the apartments we had inhabited as students. How thrilling it was to actually be able to enter the International House, where I lived, and to climb the winding staircase up and up to the floor on which I had my room.”

The group also returned to Saint Pierre Cathedral, the 850-year-old church that Stoffels attended. “As I toured the site, the same high, wood pulpit, from which John Calvin once preached, was in place, and the choir and organ pipes had all been put back. I was cast back to the Sunday mornings I’d spent there.”

A former high school teacher and college professor who retired as director of teacher education at Western Michigan University, Stoffels lives in Coldwater, Mich.

Stoffels (right) and three classmates from her 1963 Junior Year Abroad visit one of their favorite old haunts, the Les Armures restaurant in Geneva, Switzerland.

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CLAN NOTES

Dwayne Hughes ’87 was pictured on the cover of a recent issue of Candy Industry magazine. A senior vice president of Hearthside Food Solutions, a leading co-manufacturer of bakery, snack and cereal products, based in Downers Grove, Ill., Hughes developed a key performance indicator system that tracks safety, quality, service, cost and culture at the company’s 20 manufacturing plants. The system is at the heart of a long-term plan to make all of the $1.2 billion corporation’s world-class operations. Prior to joining Hearthside at its founding in 2009, Hughes worked for Quaker, Nabisco, ConAgra and Ralcorp.

ment to the campus and the athletic programs that occurred during his 11 years as president. Those advancements included the construction of a student activity center and baseball and softball complexes.

1966 1971

 50th  45th

REUNION

REUNION

JUNE 2–5, 2016

JUNE 2–5, 2016

Buchen ’74

Lucy Ludlow Mavros of Glendora, Calif., is an executive assistant with The Walt Disney Company.

1972 Carolyn Ellis Harrison of Wittman, Md., retired from her position as a vocal music teacher at Harford County Public Schools.

Joseph Kucharz of Vernon Hills, Ill., has started a position as executive general adjuster with Crawford Global Technical Services.

1974 Patrick Buchen has been named manager of the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair. His résumé includes an accomplished list of work in the event planning and fair industry, including serving as executive director of both the Indiana State Fair and the Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders Association.

Steve Goss of Stone Mountain, Ga., has retired after 36 years as an on-air personality in Atlanta radio, most recently as the host of WABE’s Morning Edition. He was recently recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Atlanta Achievement in Radio. In 2013, he was named a Career Achievement Inductee to the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame.

1975

Eisenbraun ’04

manager for Commonwealth Edison in a 2,200-square-mile territory that includes Freeport.

1984 Helen Culp Lawrence is band director and music theory instructor at vHampshire (Ill.) High School. Her daughters Katelyn ’15 and Amy Lawrence ’18 were both students at Monmouth during the past year.

1986 Gary Selof of Johnston, Iowa, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard in 2013 and, last year, assumed the role of the organization’s state chaplain.

1989 Brad Nahrstadt of Lipe, Lyons, Murphy, Nahrstadt & Pontikis, Ltd. in Chicago, was installed as second vice president of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. He will progress through the positions in the executive committee to become president in 2018.

1990

Robin Calvin Rutlin of St. Louis, Mo., retired this year from her position as a speech and language diagnostician. She has served as an adjunct instructor at Lindenwood University since 2011.

Kristyne Gilbert Bradford is the new executive director of Monmouth’s Buchanan Center for the Arts.

1980

Craig Anderson of Morton, Ill., has been appointed executive director of the Illinois High School Association. He will begin his duties in January.

The search committee chair noted, “Craig has shown tremendous leadership during his time at the IHSA. We considered and interviewed several impressive candidates, both internally and externally, but the committee came away from Craig’s interview confident that his experience makes him the right person to lead the IHSA into its next era.”

Kevin Goodwin of Kirkland, Wash., has been appointed CEO of Signostics Limited, an Australian medical device manufacturer and a market leader in handheld ultrasound devices.

1981 George Gaulrapp, former mayor of Freeport, Ill., is the new public relations

38

Goss ’74

1991

CLAN NOTES

1992

Jessi Miller Larson is a teacher in the Freeport (Ill.) school district.

Travis Coverdell has been promoted to head of marketing and admissions at Dulwich College in Suzhou, China.

Mitch Tanney was hired during the offseason by the Denver Broncos as director of football analytics. In August it was announced that he will assist head coach Gary Kubiak in calling plays during games by being connected to his headphones. He previously held a similar position with the Chicago Bears.

1995 Cassie Zelinske Day of St. Louis, Mo., began a new job as global quality row crop lead at Monsanto.

Katie Hunter Smith of San Antonio, Texas, is chief ethics officer for the United States Automobile Association (USAA), a Fortune 500 financial services company.

1996 Tim Salier was named the 2015 NBA Development Team Executive of the Year for his work with the Austin (Texas) Spurs. “Under Tim’s leadership, the Austin Spurs have become a prime example of how an NBA D-League team should be run to both benefit its NBA parent club (the San Antonio Spurs) and be independently successful,” said D-League president Malcolm Turner.

1998 Jennifer Cameron has received a master’s degree in clinical research, giving her the credentials to run clinical trials for new medical treatments. She added the M.S. from the Louisiana State University Medical School, where she currently works, to a previous master’s, as well as a Ph.D. Five years after receiving a doctoral degree in pharmacy from the University of Colorado, Dan Crona of Durham, N.C., has earned his second Ph.D., a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of North Carolina, where he will soon start a tenure-track assistant professor position.

Sameer Malhotra of San Jose, Calif., has started a new position as senior project manager at NetApp.

2000

2007 Sarah Zaleski Degarmo of Altona, Ill., teaches art in the Geneseo school district.

Chelsea Brandy Ekstedt of Springfield, Ill., is a disability claims adjudicator for the State of Illinois.

2008 Ryan Bouwman of Dyer, Ind., is a conductor for Union Pacific Railroad.

2009 Emily Morland has moved to Norman, Okla., where she is property manager of an apartment complex called The Grove.

2010 Emily Caron of Chicago is community relations and event manager at State Restaurant.

Josh Kotecki has joined former Fighting Scots head football coach Steve Bell’s staff at Augustana College. Kotecki, who earned his master’s degree in educational policy and administration, will serve as offensive coordinator and running back coach for the Vikings.

Lauren Vana of Chicago is assistant property manager for Joseph Freed and Associates.

2011 Kevin Askew graduated as valedictorian from his class at the University of Illinois’s college of pharmacy.

Hillary Lee Dickerson and her husband, Jay Dickerson ’99, live in Galena, Ill., where they work at the Galena Gazette. Among recent awards the couple has received were the Illinois Press Association’s Harold & Eva White Memorial Trophy, presented to Hillary as editor of the best medium-sized weekly newspaper in Illinois. The National Newspaper Association also honored the paper for two special sections.

Rodney and Cassie Hart Clayton live in Houston, Texas, where Rodney is the staff metallurgist at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners and Cassie is the catering manager at the Houston Country Club.

2002

2012

Adam West recently accepted an assistant principal position at Yorkville (Ill.) High School.

Christine Stenson Wright of Bethalto, Ill., received her second master’s degree from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 2013 and is a special education teacher

2004 Tom Eisenbraun of Tinley Park, Ill., a guidance counselor at Mount Carmel High School, was recognized by Stanford University as part of its Teacher Tribute Initiative. A 2014 Stanford graduate nominated Eisenbraun for the guidance he provided and for helping him get into Stanford.

Mike Fanucce is a resident director at the University of Illinois-Springfield.

2006 Albert Greene of Rolling Meadows, Ill., joined the football coaching staff at Lake Forest College last year. He also plays professional indoor football for a team in Chicago.

Dustin Murray is a math teacher at Mercer County High School and also serves as a volunteer fireman for the Aledo (Ill.) Fire Department.

Kathryn Argentine of Las Vegas, Nev., is a teacher in the Clark County school district. She received her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from UNLV in May. Nicole Allen Lyles of Blandinsville, Ill., is a teacher at Catch A Star Learning Center in Macomb.

2013 Amy Kerulis of Wilmington, Ill., earned her master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from Elmhurst College and is an independent organizational development contractor for Trinity Services, Inc. Steven Seers of Addison, Ill., works for MacNeil Automotive in customer sales and service.

2014 Evan Davis of Minneapolis, Minn., is a sales development representative for SPS Commerce.

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WEDDINGS

BIRTHS When JOEL BURGER ’14 proposed to his childhood sweetheart Ashley King last year, the couple took their engagement photo in front of a Burger King sign. When the photo was published, it went viral and in April, Burger King announced it would not only provide corporate-branded merchandise for the wedding, but foot the wedding bill. The couple’s July wedding received international news coverage.

1961

Barbara Jean Coleman Bartlett and Steve Thompson

2004 Mike Fanucce and Adam Drake ’07

September 24, 2014 June 12, 2015

2007 Sara Ingersoll and Ryan Gielow

November 15, 2014

2008 Carissa Scott and Andrew Doyle

November 29, 2014

2009 Sarah Kisner and Ben Weinert

Felicia Roberts and Glenn Wachob

2011 Alyson Schroeter and Eric Boonstra

Sarah Stinson and Stefan Schwegmann

Kylie Stufflebeam and Nick Lucas

2012 Taylor Milliken and Mark Cratty 2013

Chelsey Widdop and Mike Blodgett ’11

2014 Joel Burger and Ashley King

May 30, 2015 March 28, 2015 September 20, 2014 October 4, 2014 May 15, 2015 October 4, 2014 May 2, 2015 July 18, 2015

VEDA ELIZABETH JONES

1999

Tamara Leodoro Gallagher and Dustin a son, Samuel Wayne

2005 Mollie and Jacob Emery

a son, Aedan Jacob

Allison and Ben Hickerson a daughter, Harper Kathleen

2006 Albert Greene and Tiffany

a son, Blake Jordan

Jessi Miller Larson and Carl a son, Charlie

December 27, 2013 May 11, 2015 May 9, 2105 February 1, 2014 April 15, 2015

2008 Cassidy Eklund Murray and Dustin ’11

a daughter, Brynn

January 23, 2014

2007 Sarah Zaleski Degarmo and Kevin

a daughter, Peyton Marie

January 15, 2015

Chelsea Brandt Ekstedt and Adam a son, August Joseph

October 2, 2014

2010 Kathryn Knapp-Packingham and Justin

a daughter, Zoey Rose

Kayt Drost Snowdon and Jonathon twin daughters, Arya and Evelyn

2011

Kayla Winbigler Jones and Greg ’09 a daughter, Veda Elizabeth

June 19, 2015 October 14, 2014 July 14, 2015

The guest list at the May wedding of CHELSEY WIDDOP ’13 and MIKE BLODGETT ’11 read like a Fighting Scots Who’s Who, as more than two dozen standout athletic alumni attended.

WE WELCOME NEWS AND PHOTOS related to your career, awards, reunions or travel with your MC friends, and any other information of interest to your classmates or alumni. We also welcome announcements and photos of alumni weddings and births, as well as alumni obituaries.

LEFT: ALYSON SCHROETER ’11 AND ERIC BOONSTRA

Digital photos should have a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch. Please include a photo caption with full names that clearly match faces, class years, date and location. Submit your news online at monmouthcollege.edu/alumni/ updates, by e-mail to alumni@monmouthcollege.edu, or by mail to Monmouth College Magazine, Attn: Alumni Programs, 700 East Broadway, Monmouth IL 61462-1998. We reserve the right to reject images for any reason, especially those with low resolution and those that require purchase from a photo gallery website. Submissions will be published at the discretion of the editors on a space-available basis.

RIGHT: CARISSA SCOTT ’08 AND ANDREW DOYLE

40

CLAN NOTES

IN MEMORIAM 1935 Katharine Ramsey Snook, 99, of Oxford, Ohio, died Jan. 25, 2013. She graduated with a degree in biology and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Snook worked for many years at several Oxford businesses, including a law firm and a bank.

1937 Ralph Downing, 99, of Wilmington, Del., died Feb. 2, 2015, three weeks shy of his 100th birthday. He majored in chemistry and was a member of Crimson Masque. He completed his doctoral degree in chemistry at the University of Virginia and worked for 42 years for DuPont. He won numerous awards, authored a textbook on fluorocarbons and was a global authority on coolants.

1938 Evelyn Kennedy Spitznas Norman, 96, of East Moline, Ill., died March 10, 2014. A bank teller, she was a member of First United Presbyterian Church for 84 years.

1940 Doris Hatch Cippolla, of Yarmouth Port, Mass., died April 30, 2015. A general studies major, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Described as Cape Cod’s “youngest 96-year-old,” she retired there in 1972 after working as a teacher and park naturalist. Survivors include a daughter, Leslie Cipolla ’77.

Maxine Winbigler Menely of Edina, Minn., died Oct. 19, 2014. A member of Pi Beta Phi, she had many Monmouth alumni connections, including four brothers, four sisters and her great-great-grandfather, John Winbigler, who graduated from the college in 1865.

1941 Jane Tuttle Durham, 93, of Lubbock, Texas, died July 21, 2015. She graduated with a degree in English and was a member of Kappa Delta.

Her eight children were born in five states, and she settled in Lubbock in 1959, working many years as a high school teacher and counselor.

Frederick Neil, 96, of Jackson, Miss., died Feb. 7, 2015. A math major, he was a member of the basketball team and Theta Chi. Neil worked for Ralston Purina for 25 years, then joined Deposit Guaranty Bank in 1969 as a vice president. He was preceded in death by siblings Charles Neil ’24 and Dorothy Neil Luehrs ’31 and by his wife of 61 years.

1942 Louise Ugland Judd, 94, of Big Rock, Ill., died Dec. 5, 2014. She studied speech, communication and theater arts and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University and also received her master’s degree there. A longtime teacher, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years.

Patricia Reid Milligan, 93, of New Wilmington, Pa., died Jan. 20, 2015. A speech, communications and theater major, she was a member of Crimson Masque and Kappa Delta. Milligan served in various churches led by her late husband, the Rev. Bruce Milligan ’42, and she also taught English for a number of year at Salem (Ohio) High School. She was also preceded in death by siblings Malcolm Reid ’32 and Eva Reid ’36.

Eleanor Campbell Schlaretzki, 94, of Gaithersburg, Md., died April 26, 2015. She graduated with a degree in speech, communication and theater arts and was a member of Crimson Masque and Pi Beta Phi. Schlaretzki was a caseworker and an elementary school teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ernest Schlaretzki ’41.

Winifred Torley Zay, 96, of Monmouth died June 11, 2015. She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Torley Thornton ’45.

1943 Wanda Brasel Farrar, 95, of Castle Rock, Colo., died April 5, 2015. She studied elementary education at Monmouth. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth E. Farrar ’42, and survivors include a son, Kenneth R. Farrar ’68.

Charles Finney, 91, of Kettering, Ohio, died June 6, 2014. A three-sport athlete, he majored in chemistry and was a member of Theta Chi and the Octopus Club. He practiced law for more than 50 years at Miller, Finney & Clark. He was preceded in death by siblings Jane Finney ’37 and Joseph Finney ’42.

Irma Stevens McIntosh, 92, of Monmouth, died Jan. 15, 2015. After studying at MC, she received training to be a nurse, and she worked at the Monmouth hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years. Survivors include a granddaughter, Amy McIntosh Huston ’96.

1944 Barbara Clough McFarland of Spring, Texas, died Jan. 13, 2015. Between her matriculation with the Class of 1944 and graduating with a degree in elementary education from Monmouth in 1953, the Pi Beta Phi member received nurses training at the Presbyterian School of Nursing.

Helen White Weidenheim, 92, of Holmen, Wis., died Feb. 3, 2015. A French major and a member of Kappa Delta, she received a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin and was a high school teacher in Onarga and Princeton, Ill.

1945 Barbara Moseley Bogard, 91, of Mason City, Iowa, died July 2, 2015.

A member of Kappa Delta, she completed her undergraduate degree at Iowa State University, studying dietetics. She was a teacher before starting a 22-year career as a hospital dietitian.

Virginia Weber Mays, 91, of Havana, Ill., died June 1, 2015. She received her MC degree in mathematics and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Mays was a longtime school teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mays ’43. Survivors include a daughter, Katherine Mays ’73, and a granddaughter, Caitlin Mays ’11.

Dorothy Hill Merillat McCurdy, 90, of Naples, Fla., died April 24, 2014.

She graduated with a degree in elementary education and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Merrillat ’47, and survivors include daughters Kris Merrillat ’68 and Sara Merrillat Luethner ’72.

Virginia Burrill Moffitt, 91, of Milan, Ill., died Feb. 16, 2015. She graduated with a degree in English and taught in the Illinois towns of Reynolds and Moline, retiring in 1984.

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CLAN NOTES

HOFSTETTER ’48 WAS PIONEERING WOMAN MAGISTRATE The Hon. Patricia J. Hofstetter ’48 of Ferndale, Calif., a 1993 inductee into the Monmouth College Hall of Achievement, died March 25, 2015, at the age of 87.

Speaking to the California House of Representatives shortly after Hofstetter’s death, the Hon. Jared Huffman said Hofstetter “was a pioneer for women on the California bench, and her commitment to the communities in which she lived was well known to everyone acquainted with her. A longtime fisherwoman, Ms. Hofstetter grew to know and love Northern California rivers, for which she was a staunch advocate.”

Two years after graduating from Boalt Hall Law School at the University of California-Berkeley in 1951—one of only two women in that class—Hofstetter opened a law office with her sister, Marilynn Hofstetter ’49. She was appointed to judge at Whittier Municipal in 1963 and became the first woman to serve as

1946 Jean Capowski of Rochester, N.Y., died May 13, 2013. An English major, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Jay Fairvalley, 90, of Hilton Head Island, S.C., died March 28, 2014. A veteran of World War II, he completed his education at the University of Colorado. Fairvalley was a top salesman for 45 years, primarily at Hart Schaffner & Marx.

James Gabby, 87, of San Francisco, Calif., died in June 2014. He studied biology and was a member of Theta Chi before World War II interrupted his studies. After his military service in Wiesbaden, Germany, he received his M.D. in psychiatry from the University of Chicago and practiced for more than 50 years. Gabby was founding medical director of the California Medical Clinic.

William Hoover, 90, of Monmouth, died Feb. 14, 2015. In the midst of studying chemistry, he enlisted in the Army Reserves and was called into active duty during World War II, eventually participating in the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. Hoover then attended the Worsham College of Mortuary Science, beginning work in that field in Monmouth in 1947. He eventually built Hoover Memorial Chapel in 1974 and also opened funeral homes in Alexis and Oquawka. He retired in 1992, the same year he ended his 20-year stint as Warren County coroner.

Stephen Rankin, 92, of Oshkosh, Wis., died Dec. 16, 2014. He attended Monmouth for one year, then volunteered for the Army Air Corp, flying more than 35 missions in the Pacific Theater. Rankin completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin, then received a divinity degree. He served in several Methodist churches in Wisconsin from 1950 to 1985, the last 20 years in Oshkosh.

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president of the California Judges Association in 1976.Hofstetter was the first woman to serve as mayor of Whittier, and she served on various federal commissions, including the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. She also served as national president of Soroptimist International, an organization of professional women.

At Monmouth, Hofstetter majored in history and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta and Crimson Masque. She received an honorary LL.D. degree from the college in 1978, when she gave the college’s 125th commencement address.

Hofstetter’s family had a deep connection to Monmouth College, with both of her parents and two sisters having graduated (the other sister being Helen Hofstetter Raphael ’47]. Survivors include Helen and Marilynn, as well as Hofstetter’s partner, Sally Tanner.

Monmouth to complete his chemistry degree, then received a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois. He worked for 36 years with Abbott Laboratories as a research and development chemist, retiring in 1984. He was awarded the President’s Award at Abbott Labs in 1979. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Jeanne Matson ’47, and survivors include a daughter Lynette Johnson Carlson ’74.

Shirley Robeson Moore, 89, of Casper, Wyo., died Feb. 18, 2015. She studied sociology and was a member of Kappa Delta. Moore was an Avon representative for more than 40 years. Among her many MC alumni connections was her late sister, Ellen Robeson Killey ’49.

1948 Joyce Hewett Cote, 88, of Decorah, Iowa, died April 19, 2014. A member of Alpha Xi Delta, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa. She was a substitute teacher, pool manager and theater manager in Waukon, Wis. Marjorie Wise Foster, 89, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., died Dec. 3, 2014.

She graduated with a degree in English. Foster worked at Prairie State College and Glenwood School for Boys. Survivors include her husband, Robert Foster ’48. She was preceded in death by a sister, Edith Wise Schlaf ’37.

1947

John Hoyt, 90, of Wayzata, Minn., died Feb. 3, 2015. After serving as an Army Air Corps pilot, he graduated with a degree in chemistry from Monmouth, where he was a three-sport athlete. He also graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago and practiced medicine for 36 years, first in his family’s practice in Roseville, Ill., and later at the University of Iowa and the Metropolitan Medical Center in Minnesota.

Vince Johnson, 91, of Waukegan, Ill., died March 17, 2015. A member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, his time at Monmouth was interrupted by World War II. He joined the Navy V-12 program, which allowed him to continue his college studies at Illinois State University and Columbia University while also training to become a Navy officer. Johnson served in the Pacific Theater on the USS Bougainville. After the war, he returned to

Rosemary McLaughlin O’Malley, 87, of Sun City, Ariz., died June 29, 2014. She graduated with a degree in physical education before receiving her master’s degree in education from Loyola University. She was an educator in Illinois for more than 30 years before retiring to Arizona. Survivors include siblings Grace McLaughlin Jones ’51 and John McLaughlin ’57.

CLAN NOTES

1949 John Forbes, 89, of Chicago, Ill., died Jan. 6, 2015. He majored in economics and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. A World War II Navy veteran, Forbes was a successful financial executive.

Donna Wisner Hatch, 87, of Avon, Ill., died April 24, 2015. She studied secretarial science and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Hatch was a homemaker on her family’s farm near Avon, where she lived for more than 60 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Henry Hatch ’48.

Martha Lafferty Mountfort, 88, of Atlanta, Ga., died May 3, 2015.

She studied art and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma before completing her degree at Stevens College. Mountfort was a business consultant specializing in work with dental offices.

Max Shrode, 90, of Monmouth died July 1, 2015. A World War II veteran, he flew C-47 Skytrains in the China, Burma and India theaters of operation. After graduating from Monmouth, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, Shrode worked a series of jobs before settling into a long employment with the U.S. Postal Service. He was preceded in death by brothers Raymond Shrode ’41 and Leroy Shrode ’45. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Colleen Sprout Shrode ’50.

Harry Van Fleet, 88, of Wadsworth, Ohio, died Jan. 5, 2015. He majored in Greek, was a three-sport athlete and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. After Monmouth, he attended the Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary, graduating with a master’s degree. Van Fleet served four Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee, retiring in 1993.

Betty Davis Van Fleet ’49, his wife of 54 years, preceded him in death.

Harry Cook, 90, of Kapolei, Hawaii, died April 20, 2015. He graduated with a degree in business and was a member of the baseball and swim teams and Alpha Tau Omega. A retired Navy pilot, he served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Payne Cook ’52, and is survived by a daughter, Cathy Cook Barnes ’79.

Benjamin Farrar, 86, of Port Byron, Ill., died April 24, 2015. He studied history and was a member of the tennis team and Theta Chi. He completed his studies at Millikin University and founded an insurance firm, Ben Farrar and Company, in 1961.

Donald Mills, 88, of Monmouth, died Jan. 2, 2015. After serving in the Army during World War II, he studied physical education at Monmouth College. He worked in agriculture in Warren County throughout his life, and he was also a master carpenter and builder. Survivors include his wife, Marian Thompson Mills ’48.

Eugene Missavage, 88, of Winter Garden, Fla., died Feb. 14, 2015. A business major, he played baseball and football, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. Missavage farmed in Raritan, Ill., for 35 years and was a realtor for 27 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Missavage ’42. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Marie Lynch Missavage ’54, and a daughter, Sharon Missavage Gallop ’86.

Jean Thompson Follett Newman, 85, of Geneseo, Ill., died June 2, 2015.

She followed her grandfather, an 1894 graduate, and her father, the late Monmouth College philosophy professor Samuel M. Thompson ’24, to Monmouth, majoring in psychology and joining Pi Beta Phi. She was an elementary education teacher in Geneseo for more than 20 years.

1950

1952

Mary Plunkett Gibson, 87, of Warrenville, Ill., died Jan. 9, 2015. She graduated with a degree in biology and taught for many years in Rockford (Ill.) public schools.

Dorothy Schlemmer Anderson, 84, of Wauwatosa, Wis., died Dec. 27, 2014. She graduated with a degree in speech, communication and theater and was a member of Crimson Masque and Kappa Delta. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Robert Anderson ’51. Survivors include children John Anderson ’78 and Barbara Anderson ’79.

Nancy McDowell Grice, 86, of Kewanee, Ill., died March 3, 2015. She majored in English and was a member of Pi Beta Phi and the synchronized swim team. Survivors include her husband, William Grice ’50, and a daughter, Virginia Grice Kopper ’74.

Carol Miller Lonborg, 86, of Wichita, Kansas, died July 24, 2015. A member of Alpha Xi Delta, she studied elementary education and was a teacher. Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Arthur.

Geneva Davis Medhurst, 87, of Alexis, Ill., died July 27, 2015. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Western Illinois University and was a fourth-grade teacher for 27 years in Alexis.

Anna Bear Miller, 86, of Belleville, Ill., died April 18, 2015. She completed her studies at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Miller taught fourth grade in the Millstadt (Ill.) school district for 20 years.

Martha Wysong Moyer, 86, of Monmouth, died April 2, 2015. She graduated with a degree in biology and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. She worked as a nursery school director in Paris, Ill., and a church secretary in Eldon, Mo.

1951 Charles Brandt, 87, of Catonsville, Md., died Dec. 30, 2014, after a battle with cancer. He majored in business administration and was a member of the tennis team and Alpha Tau Omega. He began his career in the family steel fabrication firm before working in the architectural metals field with Reynolds Aluminum and International Nickel.

Laurence Benson, 84, of Barrington, Ill., died Jan. 21, 2015. A psychology major, he was a member of the swim team and Theta Chi. After graduating, he served in the Counter Intelligence Corps in Korea. Returning to civilian life, he began a career in advertising sales, first with the Wall Street Journal in the Midwest and New York, and then forming his own company, which became Benson Coffee Associates.

Jack Feeheley, 87, of Frankfort, Mich., died June 26, 2015. Following high school, Feeheley served in the Navy as a pharmacist’s mate in the Pacific Theater. He then attended Monmouth, graduating with a degree in biology, and was a member of the track team, Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Octopus Club. Feeheley had a distinguished career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent, with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan as deputy director and with Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, retiring from the latter company in 1992 as senior vice president. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Feeheley ’49.

Wendell Knox, 83, of Fort Myers, Fla., died March 17, 2014. He graduated with a degree in English, then served in the Coast Guard for four years. A graduate of the Chicago Kent College of Law, he worked as an aviation law editor for a publishing company.

Jeanne Metcalf Osby, 84, of Hebron, Ind., died March 6, 2015. She and her high school sweetheart from Hebron were married for more than 60 years.

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CLAN NOTES

1953 Charles Behringer, 83, of Altona, Ill., died May 1, 2015. He studied physical education, then left Monmouth to serve in the Army during the Korean War. Upon his return, he worked on his family’s farm in Altona until his retirement. Survivors include his wife, of 63 years, Dorothy Behringer ’66 and a sister, Barbara Behringer Paulus ’56.

James McVey, 83, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., died March 23, 2015, of Parkinson’s disease. A Navy veteran, he graduated with a degree in business administration and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He put that business acumen to use during a 35-year career with Oscar Mayer, eventually becoming the company’s chief executive and chairman. He was proud of many accomplishments with the company, including “hitting home runs” with two jingles – “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener” and “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-SC-A-R.” He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard McVey ’46.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Eleanor Lauder McVey ’54.

Peggy Carlson Stripe, 84, of Placerville, Calif., died March 29, 2015.

She graduated with a degree in biology and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta. She had a long career in education, eventually serving as principal of an elementary school and a middle school in California.

1954 Richard Tibbetts of Fort Morgan, Colo., died Feb. 10, 2015. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Denver, then graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School.

After three years in the Air Force, he started his dentistry practice.

1955 Charles Lantz, 83, of Rockford, Ill., died Jan. 13, 2015. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and was a member of the football team. His time at the college was interrupted by service as a medic in the Army, stationed in Germany. An entrepreneur, he created five chromatography-related companies. He was at Barber-Colman for more than a decade in its chromatography division, and he was a vice president of sales at Pierce Chemical Co., where he worked for 30 years.

James Lexvold, 82, of Kingston, Ill., died June 23, 2015. A member of Alpha Tau Omega, he went on to own several barbed wire companies.

Lexvold received Monmouth College’s Young Alumnus Award in 1965.

1956 Earl Charles Chatfield Jr., 80, of Springfield, Ohio, died Jan. 15, 2015.

He graduated with a degree in history, then completed a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in history from Vanderbilt University. Chatfield taught 38 years at Wittenberg University, where he was professor emeritus.

The author or co-author of numerous books and articles, Chatfield received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Peace History Society. He also received an honorary Ph.D. from Monmouth and the 2012 Peace Hero Award from the Dayton International Peace Museum.

George Friese, 78, of New Castle, N.H., died Jan. 31, 2015. He graduated with a degree in history and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. After receiving his J.D. from Chicago Kent College of Law, he served as general counsel and vice president for Banner Insurance in Chicago and as a partner of Madsen and Friese in Park Ridge, Ill. He then joined the legal staff of SCOA Industries in Columbus, Ohio, and was appointed president of the company in 1981. Friese also served as vice chairman and director of Hills Department Stores.

Danna O’Grady Nelson, 80, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., died Aug. 12, 2013.

She graduated with a degree in English and was a member of Crimson

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Masque. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Jack Nelson ’58 and a daughter, Thea Nelson Britton ’79.

Priscilla “Pat” Pierce Petersen, 80, of Naperville, Ill., died May 13, 2015. A member of Kappa Delta, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Petersen ’53. Survivors include a son, Steve Peterson ’76.

1957 Sara “Sally” Horner DuClos, 78, of Anchorage, Alaska, died May 11, 2015. She graduated with a degree in chemistry and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the synchronized swim team. She was a teacher in Alaska for four years before raising her family. DuClos returned to work in 1984 and held various jobs, including one with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Joan Watt Maguire, 79, of Monmouth, died Feb. 18, 2015. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, she graduated with a degree in English. A homemaker, she also worked a variety of jobs, most recently turning her antiquing hobby into an antique dealership. Maguire followed her parents to Monmouth College, as did her sister, Barbara Watt Johnson ’52, and granddaughters Amanda Todd-Andrews ’05 and Melinda Todd ’08.

James Thomas, 79, of Jacksonville, N.C., died Dec. 4, 2014. He graduated with a degree in economics and was a member of Theta Chi. Thomas served in the Marine Corps and retired as a major.

Janet Dillon Thompson, 80, of Mt. Hood, Ore., died July 30, 2015. She majored in physical education and was a member of Crimson Masque and Kappa Delta. A lifelong educator, she was a teacher for more than 50 years in Pennsylvania, California, Idaho and Oregon, also serving as a coach and a drug and alcohol administrator. Survivors include her husband of 55 years, James Thompson ’57.

1958 Leonard Gibb, 80, of Litchfield Park, Ariz., died July 1, 2015, of pancreatic cancer. An Army veteran, he graduated with a degree in psychology and was a member of the track and basketball teams and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Gibb earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University and Washington University, respectively, and held positions in education, including 19 years as director of development at UW-Stevens Point. He retired as director of planned gifts for Sun Health Foundation in 1999. His father, the late Louis Gibb, taught economics at Monmouth for 18 years. Survivors include a brother, Larry Gibb ’63.

Robert D. McLoskey, 78, of Cupertino, Calif., died March 12, 2015. A physics major and a member of Theta Chi, he was an M Club Hall of Fame athlete, competing in basketball and baseball. McLoskey joined the Navy in 1959 and eventually retired as a captain from the Naval Reserve. He spent his career as a pilot for TWA. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert T. McLoskey ’28, and a sister, Mary McLoskey Toal ’63. Survivors include his wife, Joann, and sisters Anne McLoskey Romine ’54 and Margaret McLoskey McNitt ’67.

1959 Dean Welch, 77, of Lexington, Ky., died Nov. 15, 2014. A chemistry major, he was a member of Theta Chi. After receiving his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from MIT, Welch began working for a laboratory that eventually became Solvay Animal Health. He retired from the company in 1993 as vice president of operations. Welch was also a pilot, carrying passengers and freight throughout the U.S. He received the college’s Young Alumnus Award in 1971.

CLAN NOTES

YANG ’50 HELPED POPULARIZE FIELD OF KOREAN STUDIES Key Paik Yang ’50 of Bethesda, Md., who was head of the Korean section at the Library of Congress for 45 years, died Jan. 16, 2015, at the age of 95. Known in academic circles as the “Father of Korean Studies,” Yang was in charge of all materials related to his native country. Toward the end of his career, his scope broadened considerably, as he was named chief of the library’s Asian division.

During the 1980s, Yang was awarded the Library of Congress Meritorious Award and was a Fulbright Scholar. When the first President Bush went to Korea, Yang helped with his speech, and he was honored with an appointment as special adviser to the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. A charter member of Columbia University Seminar on Korea, Yang was the former chair of Korean Materials Subcommittee of the Committee on East Asian Libraries. He received other awards during his career, including the Seoul National University Award for promoting Korea studies in the U.S. and, in 2009, Monmouth’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The author or co-author of 10 books on Korea or Asian geopolitical affairs, Yang received master’s degrees in public administration and organization from American University and in librarianship from Catholic University.

Yang had received a degree from the University of Nippon before arriving in 1949 at Monmouth, where he majored in government. He had a “remarkable” relationship with professor John Scott Cleland, who wrote a letter that led to Yang being hired at the Library of Congress, and he also fondly recalled weekly dinners at the home of political science professor Carl Gamer.

“Even though I was here for just one year, what I am now is because of Monmouth College,” Yang said during a 2000 visit to campus.

Survivors include a daughter, Won Yang Everett ’68, and a grandson, William Everett ’00.

1960

1967

Louis Pine, 81, of Torrance, Calif., died Feb. 17, 2015. After serving in the Marine Corps, he studied business at Monmouth. Pine was a bus driver for 26 years.

Stephen Turpie, 67, of Novato, Calif., died March 24, 2013. He studied mathematics at Monmouth for one year, then joined the Army, earning a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Turpie completed his degree at San Diego State University and earned a law degree from the Hastings College of Law. After a stint with the Merchant Marines, he did legal work. He and his wife formed the non-profit organization Friends of the Shelter, saving the lives of hundreds of animals, and he also worked for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service.

1961 Charles Landstrom, 75, of Venice, Fla., died Oct. 26, 2014. A member of the football team and Theta Chi, he graduated with a degree in physical education. Landstrom earned his master’s degree at Indiana University, then worked as a psychologist at a maximum-security institution. He was also a principal at two middle schools in Illinois.

David Levine, 80, of Chesterfield, Mo., died July 19, 2015. A geology major, he was a three-sport athlete but, ironically, none of the three was golf—a sport that the longtime Monmouth resident had great success with until very late in his life. Levine served in the Army from 1957-60, attaining the rank of sergeant.

Robert Patterson, Jr., 76, of Hayward, Calif., died June 21, 2015. A member of Crimson Masque, he graduated with a degree in elementary education and became a teacher, first in Illinois and then in California. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Patterson ’27, and a brother, Ben Patterson ’53. Survivors include a brother, Donald Patterson ’54.

1962 Edwin Hunt, 74, of Green Bay, Wis., died March 15, 2015. He graduated with a degree in business administration and was a member of the football and baseball teams. He spent his career as an accountant and auditor.

1965

1969 Linda Secord of San Marcos, Calif., died June 28, 2015, after a battle with cancer. A sociology major, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was a retired human resources professional and an avid quilter.

1970 Richard Davey, 66, of Pittsburgh, Penn., died June 12, 2015. He followed his parents to Monmouth, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and graduated with a degree in business administration. He was the CEO of Stop-N-Go convenience stores in Pittsburgh.

1971 Theodore Hartridge of Kalamazoo, Mich., died Jan. 24, 2015. A member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, he graduated with a degree in government. He ran Kalamazoo Plastics Company with his wife, developing a reputation as a creative entrepreneur.

1972

Gary Tee, 71, of Cape Canaveral, Fla., died Dec. 21, 2014. A member of the baseball and basketball teams and Tau Kappa Epsilon, he graduated with a degree in economics.

Jacques deJourno, 66, of Geneva, Ill., died March 10, 2015. He graduated with a degree in geology and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He spent most of his professional career at Wico and AIG in Chicago, consulting on insurance, environmental and health regulations.

1966

1973

Catherine Ross Corzatt, 94, of Stronghurst, Ill., died May 14, 2015. She graduated with a degree in elementary education. Her mother was a 1918 graduate, and her granddaughter, Crystal Corzatt ’06, also graduated from Monmouth.

Gail Flagler of Chicago, Ill., died Dec. 25, 2014. A member of Pi Beta Phi, she graduated with a degree in art. Flagler was vice president of trading operations for the Chicago Board Options Exchange.

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CLAN NOTES

1975

1984

Stephen Jones, 61, of Grinnell, Iowa, died Dec. 27, 2014. He worked for Wilcox-Garland Furniture Store and Super 8, and was also a musician with the band Rewinders. He was preceded in death by his mother, emerita trustee Marion Austin Jones ’50.

Nancy Olson, 60, of Dallas City, Ill., died July 8, 2015. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and taught in Dallas City for 28 years.

Gary Madsen, 60, of Boca Raton, Fla., died Feb. 21, 2014. He studied speech, communication and theater arts and was a member of the cross country team and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He completed his studies at Columbia College in Chicago. Madsen was an award-winning house builder before moving into the disaster restoration industry. He then opened a home inspection business.

Patricia Smith Dagenais Roberts, 61, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Dec. 31, 2014. She graduated with a degree in speech, communication and theater arts and was a member of the synchronized swim team. She held a series of positions in the communities in which she lived, including ones in Illinois with the Downtown Naperville Alliance and the Bartlett and St. Charles park districts.

Robert Wilson, 65, of Aurora, Ill., died July 27, 2015, after a battle with kidney cancer. Following high school, he served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Wilson majored in business administration and worked in the die casting industry for 45 years, becoming a partner at Callen Manufacturing in Northlake, Ill., in 1988. Survivors include his wife, Alessandra Clay Wilson ’74.

1977 Bonnie Holloway, 59, of Decatur, Ill., died July 16, 2015. A member of Kappa Delta, she graduated with a degree in physical education and was a member of the softball and volleyball teams. She worked for Kmart for 20 years and was a physical education teacher in the Mount Zion (Ill.) school district for 14 years.

1979 Ralph Brooks, 60, of Gainesville, Fla., died June 5, 2015. A general studies major, he was a member of Crimson Masque and Zeta Beta Tau. He received a master’s degree from Western Illinois University.

1980 Robert Corrigan, 57, of Chillicothe, Ill., died June 8, 2015. A business major, he was a member of the golf and football teams and Alpha Tau Omega. After working as a banker and a community college teacher, he settled in the Peoria, Ill., area, where he worked in sales as an in vestment representative and manager for several investment firms.

Survivors include a son, Patrick Corrigan ’13.

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1985 Wally Cordell, 51, of Fort Meyers, Fla., died April 26, 2014, of a heart attack. A member of Alpha Tau Omega, he graduated with a degree in business. Cordell was a certified public accountant.

1986 Tod Pleinta (formerly Bret Brown), 51, of Anna, Ill., died Jan. 30, 2015, of esophageal cancer. He majored in philosophy and was a member of Crimson Masque. He received a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and taught philosophy and ethics at two colleges.

1993 Jay Kjellander, 44, of Elgin, Ill., died April 28, 2015. He studied business and was a member of the football team and Alpha Tau Omega.

Kjellander completed his degree at Illinois State University and was a mortgage broker for many years. His most recent position was senior administration adviser for Colorado Technical University. Survivors include a brother, Jeffrey Kjellander ’78.

1996 Paula Larmier, 54, of Galesburg, Ill., died April 8, 2015. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and was a special education teacher for the Knox/Warren special education district.

2005 John Tullmann, 33, of St. Louis, Mo., died April 20, 2015. A member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, he graduated with a degree in history. Tullmann worked for In The Line of Duty as manager of technical services and launched JET Digital Information Technology Services, donating his time and talent to charitable causes.

2018 Malcolm McGuire, 19, of Woodbridge, Va., died May 15, 2015. A computer science major, he was vice president of the Association for Computing Machinery and was on the men’s tennis team.

WORD HAS ALSO BEEN RECEIVED OF THE FOLLOWING DEATHS:

1932 Eleanor Slagel, 102, of Flanagan, Ill., died April 24, 2012

1941 Frederick Lauer, 95, of Stevensville, Mich., died April 9, 2012

1938 Eugene Crum, 93, of Smyrna, Tenn., died Sept. 22, 2010

1941 Ottavio Sorrentino, 98, of Burbank, Calif., died Nov. 9, 2012

1939 Elizabeth Gallop Logue of Yucca Valley, Calif., died April 7, 2013

1942 Loren Clay, 92, of Wildwood, Texas, died Feb. 3, 2012

1939 Roberta Looser, 92, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died Oct. 30, 2011

1943 Loren Beth, 90, of Rock Hill, S.C., died Dec. 28, 2010

1940 Marie Pierson Anderson, 95, of Princeton, Ill., died Aug. 22, 2011

1943 Arthur Howe, 89, of Willoughby, Ohio, died Sept. 21, 2010

1940 Christel Gleich Grate of Frederick, Calif., died Feb. 17, 2013

1945 Raymond Erbes, 90, of LaGrange Park, Ill., died Dec. 31, 2012

1940 Jean Hutchinson Jamieson of Waverly, Ohio, died Feb. 29, 2008

1945 Vesta Rodgers Larson, 87, of Tempe, Ariz., died June 27, 2011

1940 Angelo Parrilli, 99, of Chicago, Ill., died Aug. 1, 2013

1950 Frances Ferson Rasmusen of Euclid, Ohio, died Sept. 27, 2013

1941 Edith Williams Isaacson, 92, of Waterman, Ill., died Nov. 30, 2010

1955 Martha Marquis Gray, 79, of Clive, Iowa, died April 23, 2013

CLAN NOTES

ESPRIT DE CORPS

Five Chicago attorneys who are Monmouth College alumni teamed up in April to give pre-law MC students an inside look at the legal profession during a field trip to the Windy City. Pictured with political science faculty member Nathan Kalmoe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis; Daniel Cotter ’88, partner at Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd LLP; Doug Carlson ’66, partner at Douglas Carlson LLC; Amy Manning ’89 managing partner at McGuireWoods; and Jeff Bakker ’90, partner at Neal Gerber Eisenberg.

Mike Fotis ’99, left, and Joe Bozic ’99 both returned to campus in February as Monmouth College Distinguished Alumni. The pro–fessional improvisation performers presented “Operation: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” at the Wells Theater and visited various classes on campus.

Five Monmouth alumnae, who graduated within five years of one another and who were also members of Kappa Kappa Gamma, have reunited as members of the Monmouth College professional staff.

From left are Kristi Millar Hippen ’93, registrar; Gena Corbin Alcorn ’88, development and major gifts operations officer; Michelle Merritt ’89, associate dean of students; Lori O’Brien Oetting ’90, admission systems specialist; and Jayne Poland Schreck ’90, associate vice president for financial aid.

1955 Lois Meier Johnson, 79, of Beverly, Ohio, died April 5, 2012

1975 Ricky Lehman of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Oct. 6, 2012

1956 Jack Hoy, 80, of Bull Head City, Ariz., died July 29, 2015

1995 Stephanie Wesemann Thompson of Greeley, CO., died May 2, 2012

1957 Roger Fitzpatrick of Grand Junction, Colo., died April 29, 2013 1961 Dean Van Horn, 68, of Lake Saint Louis, Mo., died April 19, 2008 1965 Howard Congdon, Jr., 73, of Coupeville, Wash., died March 11, 2013 1965 William Goetz of New York, N.Y., died in January 2015

> Karl Rauschert, 85, a former member of the Monmouth College board of trustees, died June 12, 2015 >M arilyn Undercoffer, 70, secretary in the alumni and development office from 1991 to 1997, died Jan. 13, 2015, in Fuquay Varina, N.C.

1966 Brian Medford of St. Louis, Ill., died Aug. 6, 2010 1970 Gail Tiedmann of Lancaster, Pa., died May 3, 2013

MONMOUTH COLLEGE MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2015

47

THE LAST WORD

THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVILIZED DISCUSSIONS

THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND OPINIONS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A CIVILITY THAT IS USED TO SHUT UP THOSE WHO THINK DIFFERENTLY

BY WILLIAM URBAN

After teaching one year at the University of Kansas and 49 years at Monmouth College, I have learned that if all knowledge were firm and settled — as it seemed to be way back in kindergarten — educating students would be easy: professors would explain and students would memorize. However, real life doesn’t work that way, except for people who don’t have a clue, but are certain that they know everything.

Difficult problems have nuances and most have a price tag. For example, I don’t believe that disagreeing with President Obama is racist.

I grew up reading Herbert Marcuse, who argued that only people with power (males, whites, Americans) can be racists. Last I looked, the president of the United States has a pen and a telephone and his critics don’t.

I have also learned that people with no sense of humor are hard to talk with. In our intellectual discourse we need more humor, a sense of irony, and the humility and humanity that these bring with them.

This does not mean that we just tell jokes, because too much levity can lead to dialogue constipation.

Discussions are what give life to higher education. Note that I do not say “civil” discussions, because the exchange of ideas and opinions is more important than a civility that is used to shut up those who think differently — they are the very foundation of a civilized society.

Discussions are also easier to start at small colleges than at a university, where one is practically anonymous, or at a junior college, where fellow students go home right after class. In a residential college one can move easily from conversation to discussion to debate.

Small-college faculty members also take more interest in individual students. It isn’t that they are better people, but there is less pressure to publish and less pomposity, more time for listening and to take part in campus events. However, if a few people refuse to be civil or to take differing opinions seriously, they can damage the intellectual community; and individuals who need trigger warnings should be told that the life of the mind is not a fear-free zone.

48

One cure for all this is to return to the simpler life of the mind, that of ancient Athens, where citizens took a mid-day break to exercise, then drink some wine and talk. Better yet was a symposium with Plato or a playwright. (Plato, it might be remembered, was very funny.)

Another remedy is to not let the most emotionally involved person define the terms. One articulate individual I know intimidates others by suggesting that disagreement with him is sort of racist. He loves Marcuse’s ideas, but I doubt he has ever read him, because almost nobody reads the previous generation’s philosophers. I am half amused by this — if the victors write the history, that is true of the culture wars, too. The Middle East is filled with peoples who have hated one another for centuries, and that is all America’s fault; it can only be solved when the Jews are all killed. (I say this ironically, of course, but look back at paragraph three, then do a humor check.)

The world abounds in similar paradoxes that confound our preconceptions. What seems easy becomes complex when you look into it. What is complex is, well, actually pretty complicated. Thus, we look for simple explanations — like saying that we just need to understand other people. Understanding Genghis Khan was never the problem. Dealing with him was.

Society moves on, leaving behind a debris field of outdated ideas that many stumble over in their attempt to catch up without actually dealing seriously with anything that contradicts their sense of reality.

Good intellectual discussions can help put this all in order again.

Holder of the Lee L. Morgan Chair in History and International Studies, William Urban retired in May after nearly five decades on the Monmouth College faculty. He is continuing to teach part-time this fall.

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CELEBRATING

LOYALTY Announcing the Loyal Scots Society, a new recognition program for individuals and organizations who contribute to Monmouth College in three or more consecutive fiscal years.

MEMBERSHIP You automatically become a member of the Loyal Scots Society when you make your gift to Monmouth College three fiscal years in a row. The Monmouth College fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

BENEFITS Upon becoming a member, you will receive a membership packet welcoming you into the Loyal Scots Society.

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Society members will receive special recognition at college events, as well as upon reaching milestones of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30+ years of consecutive giving.