Inside this Sundial - West Virginia Wesleyan College

West Virginia Wesleyan 

Winter/Spring 2012 

Inside this Sundial 

> A New Wellness Center Opens 

> 2011 Homecoming Photos 

> Concert Chorale Reunion Information 

> Alumni News, Class Notes & more

Features 

8 

Center for 

Community 

Engagement 

Launches New 

Programs 

2Exercise Scientists 

and Athletic Trainers 

Serve Society 

WINTER/SPRING 2012 

Sundial Editorial Staff 

Mary Elliott ’04, Publications Coordinator 

Rochelle Long ’00, Director of Public Relations 

Robert Skinner ’75, Vice President for 

Advancement 

Kristi Lawrence Wilkerson ’99, Editor and 

Director of Alumni Relations 

Homecoming 2012: 

Save-the-Date! 

112012 Athletic Hall 

of Fame 

15 

22 

Alumni News 

and Class Notes 

In August 2011, Wesleyan welcomed the Class of 2015 

which included several Legacy Students. 

1st Row, (left to right): Jake Bowen, John Bowen ’82, Brittany Bowen, Darlene Marteney-Crane ’91, Rachel 

Marteney, Pam Mangers-Fabbricatore ’89, Jennifer Fabbricatore, Vickie Hill-Russell ’07, Brianna Hill; 2nd Row 

(l-r): Alyssa Bowen, Deanna Bowen, Lori Miller-Rogina ’83, Lauren Rogina, Larry Rogina ’81, Shannon Shaw, 

Kim Grossman Shaw ’88, Mike Shaw ’87; 3rd Row (l-r): Jeff Matheny ’80, Melanie Matheny, Robert Matheny, 

Beverly Meadows Ziemiecki ’80, Madison Matheny, Alicia Matheny ’12; 4th Row (l-r): Kirk George ’86, Will 

George, Linda Kiverchuk Phipps ’72, Andrew Phipps, Arnie Phipps ’69, Amber Ziemiecki, Henry Ziemiecki ’78, 

Leslie Spindler Bucina ’81, Lauren Bucina; 5th Row (l-r): Gabe Hubbard ’02, Rena Reed Hubbard ’78, Elizabeth 

Hubbard, Janice Spicer, Jackie Spicer ’12, Matt Spicer, Fred Spicer ’81, Christopher Dotson ’90; 6th Row (l-r): 

Libby Stealey Summers ’79, Molly Summers, Olivia Dotson; 7th Row (l-r): Boyd Dotson ’62, Karen Olinger 

Dotson ’65, Matthew Dotson ’93. 

CONTACT: 

Office of Alumni Relations 

800-768-8264, 304-473-8509, or 

alumni@wvwc.edu 

Office of Institutional Advancement 

800-768-8264, 304-473-8540, or 

makeagift@wvwc.edu 

Office of Admission 

800-722-9933, 304-473-8510, or 

admission@wvwc.edu 

www.wvwc.edu 

Sundial is published biannually by West Virginia 

Wesleyan. Story suggestions, comments, address 

changes, and class notes should be directed to the 

Office of Alumni Relations, Erickson Alumni Center, 59 

College Ave., Buckhannon, WV 26201. 

West Virginia Wesleyan, a private educational 

institution, is committed to the principle of equal 

opportunity for all qualified persons, welcomes students 

of all backgrounds and takes pride in the diversity 

of its faculty and staff. It assures students access to 

all the privileges, programs and activities generally 

accorded or made available at the College. West Virginia 

Wesleyan College strongly supports affirmative action 

principles and does not discriminate on the basis of 

creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, race, 

color, gender, sexual orientation, or handicap in the 

administration of its educational programs, admission 

policies, financial aid programs, athletics, co-curricular 

activities or other College administered programs. 

On the Cover 

The new Wellness Center opened in January 

2012 utilizing the space that was formerly 

Jenkins Hall cafeteria. Junior John Maddox 

from Philadelphia quickly put the new 

equipment to good use. Photography by Brian 

Bergstrom of Bergstrom Entertainment. 

Homecoming photographs on pages 15-19 

provided by Brian Bergstrom, Dewayne ’57 

and Ginnie Settle Lowther ’68, and WVWC 

Marketing and Communication Office. 

Various other photographs, such as yearbook 

photos, were provided by Brett Miller ’06 

in the Archives Office of the Annie Merner 

Pfeiffer Library. 

SUNDIAL WINTER/SPRING 2012

A Message from the President 

Greetings from all of us at West Virginia 

Wesleyan. We hope that your new year is 

plentiful with good health and happiness. 

Many projects are occurring on campus 

and I would like to share one of these 

activities with you. Throughout the fall 

semester, we conducted a marketing study 

with the assistance of consultants from a 

higher education marketing firm, Paskill 

Stapleton & Lord. We wanted to define 

“who we are” in a more concrete manner. 

I am pleased to share that partial results 

from the study have been received and we 

have much to celebrate as we learn more 

of how to market Wesleyan better. 

President Balch welcomed over 400 new students and their families to campus with a 

picnic lunch at her home in late August. This is just one event of New Student Orientation 

weekend that begins the ever important connections between faculty, staff and students, 

and ensures growth and success in academic and co-curricular programs. 

This study involved one-on-one meetings with key faculty and staff on-campus, as well as student focus groups. We 

also asked constituency groups, such as alumni, faculty and staff, current students, prospective students, parents 

and high school guidance counselors to complete either a mailed survey or an online questionnaire for specific 

information. The alumni group that was surveyed included graduates of the last 20 years who currently have an 

email address on file in our database. 

I sincerely appreciate all those who participated in the survey. We had a good response rate from all groups, especially 

alumni. 

We have learned that 96% of alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their Wesleyan experience. In addition, 89% of 

current students classify the quality of their education as either good or excellent. Those are solid statistics of which 

we can all be proud. 

The study has indicated we have many opportunities that await us. We are poised to grow with a clear marketing 

plan and recruitment effort. The College will continue to integrate strategic and tactical messaging into its overall 

marketing efforts. 

Finally, we have confirmed what many of us have suspected for decades now. The study verified that some of 

Wesleyan’s best qualities include the relationships that develop between faculty and staff and our students — that 

special connection many other colleges cannot claim, as well as the culture of involvement that is promoted here. 

Wesleyan students are kept busy through academic and co-curricular programs. These students truly develop 

leadership abilities that will serve them well into the future due to their constant involvement with campus initiatives. 

I encourage you to look for more details in the near future about this marketing study. As more information 

becomes available, I am certain you will see a stronger focus on marketing strategies at West Virginia Wesleyan. In 

the meantime, thank you, once again, for your commitment to our alma mater. 

In friendship,

Editorial Note: This is the first article in a series about 

the individual academic schools now at West Virginia 

Wesleyan. The Sundial recently had a conversation 

with Dr. Dan Martin to learn more about the mission of 

the School of Exercise Science and Athletic Training. 

Dr. Martin has served as the director of this School 

since August 2008 and is also frequently involved with 

advisory committees and speaking engagements. He 

has served on the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee 

for the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities 

Commission for 23 years, is currently the chair of 

Wesleyan’s Institutional Research Review Board, was an 

invited writer for the fourth edition of the Sports Medicine 

Handbook of the National Federation of State High 

School Associations, and recently gave a presentation 

at the 25th Annual Jose I. Ricard, MD Family Medicine 

and Sports Medicine Conference, an invitation-only 

speaking engagement. Additional faculty members also 

contributed to this article. 

PHOTOS COuRTESy OF THE OFFICE OF ADMISSION AND OFFICE OF ALuMNI RELATIONS. 

Enhancing LifE 

for ALL Of Us: 

Exercise Scientists and 

Athletic Trainers Serve Society 

The School of Exercise Science and Athletic Training 

is hot, hot, hot these days. The number of 

undergraduate majors continues to increase with 

each academic year and a successful masters program 

rooted in the traditions of West Virginia Wesleyan 

took shape a few years ago. This year, approximately 

140 undergraduate students are part of the School, 

while the masters program consistently includes 

eight graduate students. 

2 

SUNDIAL WINTER/SPRING 2012 

Exercise Science and Athletic Training are growing 

areas of interest for a multitude of reasons. First, 

society in general is focusing more on overall health 

and wellness. Second, there is now a better understanding 

of the need for athletic trainers and professionals 

trained and skilled at Exercise Science. 

“In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a subset of 

the U.S. Department of Labor, has indicated that 

these professions will continue to grow and increase 

in need over the next several years,” stated Dan 

Martin, director of the School of Exercise Science 

and Athletic Training.

science programs. Graduates go on to fulfilling careers in fitness 

facilities and physical therapy clinics. They may also be strength 

coaches for sports teams. And, society is currently seeing a surge 

in the number of companies that are hiring wellness coordinators 

for in-house expertise. 

Athletic Training, on the other hand, is a bit more specialized 

than Exercise Science. It is an allied health care profession and 

is governed by specific laws in 48 of the 50 states in the nation. 

Athletic trainers are required to pass a national board exam and 

they must be recognized to practice in the state in which they are 

employed. They can begin work immediately following graduation 

and passage of the boards, or they can also attend graduate 

school for advanced practice (such as the Master of Science in 

Athletic Training – MSAT – offered at Wesleyan), for increased 

research opportunities, or for others areas such as physician assistant, 

physical therapy and medical school programs. 

Assistant professor Rae Emrick ’95 noted that, 

“the Bureau of Labor Statistics has specifically 

projected a 37% growth in Athletic Training from 

2008 to 2018.” 

“Clearly, there is a social movement for a healthier 

population and lifestyle,” concluded Martin. 

To fully grasp this increased awareness, it is important 

to recognize how these professions have 

expanded beyond traditional practice. Exercise 

Science may have been better known as Adult 

Fitness a couple of decades ago, and Athletic 

Training may have been termed Sports Medicine. 

These basic concepts have grown and developed 

more completely in recent years. Today, medical 

professionals and corporations alike are witnessing 

the advantages of having employees schooled in 

Exercise Science and Athletic Training. 

Assistant professor Greg Bradley-Popovich shared that, “No 

number of pills can compete with the power of applied exercise 

science. Plus, the ‘side effects’ of exercise are frequently positive, 

such as improved self-esteem. How skillful and artful it is 

that so many diseases can be managed without so much as a pill 

or a scalpel! Witnessing students embrace this knowledge while 

creatively integrating it into other professions is the most rewarding 

aspect of my career.” 

Exercise Science is a broad-based field allowing for a variety of 

options for students. Majors may prepare for graduate school 

and focus on research or cardiac rehabilitation, for instance. 

They may also gain an exercise specialist certification. Unique 

practicum and internship opportunities prepare students for 

physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical school, chiropractic 

school, osteopathic school, physician assistant and nutrition 

“Traditionally, athletic training 

would support professional, 

college and high school sports 

teams, but today the field is 

much more far-reaching,” said 

Martin. “Athletic trainers actually 

work with a whole host of 

active populations and serve 

a broader base of individuals 

than they did several years ago. 

Careers may range from serving 

and supporting FBI training 

centers, military bases, Cirque 

du Soleil performers, New York 

and Chicago ballet companies, 

police and fire training facilities, 

NASA, Walt Disney World and 

Sea World.” 

“Athletic trainers are not just for 

sports teams anymore.” 

Further, Martin shared that coal companies recently began hiring 

athletic trainers to care for and support miners and other 

employees. Corporations are also finding that Exercise Science 

and Athletic Training staff members may help to reduce workers 

compensation premiums. 

Another change in the field of Athletic Training is increased 

licensure and registration requirements. “For example, mandatory 

Athletic Trainer registration became effective July 2, 2011, 

in West Virginia and leaders in the field will continue to pursue 

state licensure,” stated Emrick. 

The curriculum for both Exercise Science and Athletic Training 

is based heavily in the sciences. All students must complete 

biology, chemistry and psychology courses, as well as human 

anatomy, exercise physiology, and kinesiology. They learn from 

WINTER/SPRING 2012 SUNDIAL

direct experience through assessments, labs, internships, practicum 

and research. 

Exercise Science majors, however, focus more on exercise testing, 

while Athletic Training majors primarily study orthopedic and 

general medical conditions. Courses completed on an electivebasis 

allow students to dive into personal interests and possible 

future career plans. “For instance, if a student is considering a 

career with an FBI or police training facility, then electives in 

criminal justice may be appropriate,” said Martin. 

Both majors require intensive hands-on experiences. “Our 

students learn about Athletic Training by actually working side 

by side professionals. Our motto is ‘learn by doing.’ We have 

long said that we teach students to be athletic trainers by allowing 

them to work with us as we are actually providing athletic 

training services to our athletes—it is beyond the classroom and 

happens in real life,” said Emrick. 

Although a specialized skill set is gained through Exercise 

Science and Athletic Training coursework, the general studies 

classes found at a liberal arts institution like Wesleyan work to 

truly build and maintain a well-rounded and fully developed 

professional. Solid oral and written communication abilities are 

critical to a variety of courses, projects, and presentations, as 

well as professional development. The overall general education 

curriculum complements the more specific topics covered in 

advanced courses for these majors. 

Undergraduate students also gain a healthy association with 

graduate students. Those in the MSAT program provide direct 

assistance for assigned athletic teams and help to enhance the 

coverage for student-athletes. The graduate students are engaged 

within the local community, providing coverage for area high 

schools with their elevated basic skills, orthopedic assessment and 

overall medical knowledge. 

Martin is joined by Drew Mason ’00, Brian Potter ’03, Tammie 

Hammon-Moody, and Scott Street, as well as Bradley-Popovich, 

Emrick and other professionals in the School. They work to 

find balance for their students and themselves, as they maintain 

a multi-focus on classroom instruction, hands-on experiences, 

research and working with community members and athletic 

teams. In addition, they heavily encourage and support students 

in attending and presenting at local, state, and regional conferences. 

Faculty themselves are often committed to multiple 

speaking engagements and serve on countless state and regional 

boards and committees. 

For these faculty members, their greatest rewards, though, occur 

when students succeed. Just this past fall, a senior Exercise 

Science major was selected for early admission into a medical 

school for fall 2012. Students also experience transformational 

summer internships with professional baseball teams, the Coast 

Guard Academy, NASA and the Patch Adams, MD Gesundheit 

Institute, just to name a few. 

They can also boast a multitude of awards. In 2010 alone, Potter 

was named the West Virginia Athletic Trainer of the Year, Martin 

was awarded the West Virginia Athletic Training Educator of 

the Year title, and Hideomi Masuda ’10 was named the West Virginia 

Athletic Training Student of the Year. Currently, Masuda 

is continuing his studies in advanced practice as a student in the 

Wesleyan MSAT program. In 2011, Tsubasa Tomoto was honored 

as the Athletic Training Student of the Year. 

These faculty work collaboratively with campus colleagues on 

interdepartmental projects and programs. One example is the 

School of Education whereby they instruct and assist K-12 education 

majors with Physical Education & Health concentrations. 

In addition, the chemistry department has conducted research 

projects with Exercise Science students through the INBRE program 

(Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence). 

Today, the students and faculty from the School of Exercise 

Science and Athletic Training are enjoying the new on-campus 

Wellness Center and the opportunities for enhanced care and 

practice for fellow students and campus community members. 

“The new wellness facility is a wonderful hands-on learning 

environment where our students enrolled in practicum courses 

will receive experience assisting in exercise program development 

and implementation with a variety of client demographics,” said 

Bradley-Popovich. “Such interactions allow students to gain 

valuable experience that can prove beneficial not only in securing 

employment, but also when interviewing for professional schools 

in the health sciences where candidates can relate the wisdom 

they’ve accumulated with respect to comorbidities, behavior 

change, compliance, and other issues. Moreover, there will be 

options to gain administrative and management insight.” 

To say that members of the School stay busy on-campus and 

off-campus would be a gross understatement. They are first 

and foremost committed to assisting society in gaining a more 

healthful lifestyle at both work and play. From the way it looks 

at West Virginia Wesleyan, they are already making a dramatic 

difference in our world. 


When students, faculty and 

staff returned to West Virginia 

Wesleyan’s campus in January 

to begin the spring semester, 

they came full of post-holiday 

cheer, home-cooked meals, 

NEW WELLNESS 

CENTER 

OPENED IN JANUARY 

fond family memories and a pocketful of New 

Year’s Resolutions. For many of us, the New 

Year marks a fresh start, an opportunity to 

make those lifestyle changes that we have 

talked about in the preceding 

months. For those members of 

the Wesleyan community who 

may have added “get fit,” “eat 

healthily,” “manage stress” 

or “drop a few pounds,” 

Wesleyan opened the doors to its new, state-ofthe-art 

Wellness Center just in time for students 

to move back into their residence halls. 

“It really is an excellent addition to our campus,” said Julie 

Keehner, vice president for student development and enrollment 

management. “The impetus for this project came 

from input from our Student Senate, saying ‘This is what 

we want.’ I think that the facility will be hugely successful, 

because we really have addressed what the students have 

said they want.” 

Located in the former Jenkins Hall dining area and at about 

ten times the square footage of the previous facility, the new 

Wellness Center offers three times the number of cardiovascular 

machines, a free weight room with a rubber floor, 

a lounge, vending machines, locker rooms with showers, 

a front desk, a storage area where users can stow their belongings 

during their workouts, televisions, refillable water 

stations, and two multi-purpose rooms. 

“These multi-purpose rooms are used for fitness classes, 

like Zumba, P90X, aerobics and other exercise programs 

students enjoy,” Keehner said. “If someone makes a request 

for a class and we can find an instructor for it, we will do 

our best to accommodate that request.” 

Keehner anticipates that the larger multi-purpose room, 

which offers outside access, can be used as a meeting space 

or to offer wellness-related seminars, such as nutrition programs. 

“We are taking a holistic approach to wellness, not 

just the physical fitness, but emotional, mental and spiritual 

well being as well,” she noted. 

The center is currently open to students, faculty, staff and 

family, as well as retired faculty, staff and their spouses. Before 

jumping right in to a workout, everyone is required to 

participate in a training program to make sure they are informed 

as to how to properly and safely use the equipment. 

An added bonus for those wishing to hit the gym is that 

personal training will continue to be available, courtesy of 

Wesleyan’s exercise science students. The new center actually 

offers enhanced opportunities for both student trainer 

and trainee. 

“For students in the exercise science program, an internship 

at the new Wellness Center is available,” explained Keehner. 

“Helping people develop their own fitness plan is a great 

way for these students to gain experience in the field, but 

also for them to really assist members of our community 

and impact their wellness. It provides important practical 

experience for students who want to go into this profession, 

as well as an opportunity for them to educate and assist 

other students in learning about lifelong wellness.” 

“The center is open to all members of our campus community, 

regardless of their level, whatever their place on that 

fitness continuum,” Keehner said. “We see it not only as a 

place for people to take care of themselves in so many ways, 

but also to experience a sense of community.” 


Football Sweethearts: 

Having Fun and Enjoying the Game 

Picture it: A typical boy meets girl, boy and girl 

like each other, boy and girl eventually marry type 

of story. However, this boy and girl literally met on 

a football field, which may not be the typical spot 

for a college romance to blossom and flourish. Or, 

maybe it actually was. 

It was late summer 1997 and junior sports medicine major 

Courtney Sill was assigned to work with the football team. Senior 

adult fitness major Patrick Courtemanche was the offensive 

line’s right tackle for the football team that year and soon knew 

that Courtney was the girl for him. They married in 2000. 

Today, Courtney ’99 and Pat ’98 live in Hanover, Md. They 

have two daughters, five-year-old Addison and one-year-old 

Jenna. And, they are continuing to meet up on the athletic field. 

As alumni of what is now the School of Exercise Science and 

Athletic Training, both continue to do what they love in the field 

of sports. Courtney has served as an athletic trainer at St. Vincent 

Pallotti High School since 2003, while Pat is in his twelfth 

year at Pallotti as director of physical education, instructor of 

health, physical education, weight training and sports management, 

and head baseball coach. Pat was also head football coach 

for many years, but stepped down in 2010 to spend more time 

with his family. In 2005 and 2006, Pat won back-to-back baseball 

championships and has compiled a 172-105 record. When 

he accepted the baseball coaching position, he was returning 

to a sport he had not played since eighth grade and had never 

coached. 

previously spent time as an exercise physiologist before going to 

Pallotti. 

The Courtemanches credit their professional success and personal 

interests to their college experiences at Wesleyan. 

“My life would not be what it is today without Wesleyan. I met 

my husband there, I earned my education to become an athletic 

trainer there, and my best friends are the people I met while 

there,” Courtney said. “I have never once regretted having gone 

to Wesleyan. I had the best experience.” 

Pat concurred, “Wesleyan changed my outlook on life. All of the 

hours in the classroom and on and off the athletic field prepared 

me for who I am as a teacher and a coach. I would not trade it 

for the world and that is why I try to give back when I can.” 

Courtney is now completing a master’s degree in teaching from 

Loyola University of Maryland and is certified as a strength and 

conditioning specialist. Prior to Pallotti, she served as an athletic 

trainer for several schools in Maryland and Washington, DC. 

Meanwhile, Pat completed his master’s degree in Sports Management 

from the United States Sports Academy in Alabama. He 


For the Courtemanches, 

giving back is exactly what 

they have done. Last August, 

Wesleyan welcomed 

J.T. Noland, a freshman 

criminal justice major 

J.T. Noland 

from Laurel, MD. To say 

that J.T. has become involved on campus 

would be an understatement. He is a 

Service Scholar, a member of the Social 

Justice WE LEAD team and the Honors 

Program, plays intramural volleyball and 

flag football, and is a Wesleyan Ambassador. 

He also earned a spot on the Dean’s 

List after completing his first semester 

at Wesleyan. Noland is an engaged and 

integrated first year student, who makes 

Wesleyan what it is today. 

“Coach and his family introduced me 

to Wesleyan and I am so thankful that. 

Because of them, I have found a great college 

that is perfect for me,” commented 

Noland. 

“I love to talk to my students about 

Wesleyan,” said Courtney. “I had such a 

great experience and have such wonderful 

friends from college. If I see a student 

who might be a good fit at Wesleyan, I 

give them the info and try to promote the 

school. I have a Wesleyan banner hanging 

in my office window, too.” 

In addition to their busy academic and 

athletic schedules, the Courtemanches 

know how important co-curricular activities 

are for students. Courtney is a sister 

of Alpha Delta Pi and also spent time in 

Loveshine. Pat is a brother of Theta Chi 

and participated in community service. 

“I loved every experience I had at Wesleyan 

through academics, athletics, and 

community service,” said Pat. “I have so 

many awesome memories that I will always 

cherish and they will be a part of me 

for the rest of my life. The Learning Center 

was such a special place for me. I spent 

a lot of time there with support from the 

staff, like Phyllis Coston ’53, Judy Knorr 

’66, and Jeanie Hawkins.” 

“I remember when Theta Chi won Greek 

Week and Spring Sing. I remember the 

1995 WVIAC Football Championship, 

and I remember the 1997 football win 

over Concord College when Mike Grippo 

’99 broke the then-school single game 

rushing yardage record. Wesleyan was and 

still is like a second home for me.” 

From a career standpoint, Pat points to 

Dr. Robert Braine for preparing him “very 

well for the physical education field.” He 

also gives a nod to former offensive line 

coach Brian Jozwiak ’91 who, “probably 

had the biggest influence and impact on 

me while I was a player. He always had 

the quote ‘the power of the mind is a 

beautiful tool if you know how to use it,’ 

and that sticks with me to this day. I try 

to pass on and instill the values and work 

ethic that I learned at Wesleyan to all of 

my student-athletes.” 

“As a teacher,” Pat added, “I really care 

about these students like they are my 

family. I know that students learn in 

many different ways, especially since I 

have a learning disability myself. My goal 

is to motivate and impact these students 

because they are the future leaders of 

America. I want to help them achieve 

their goals. They need to know they have 

to put in the effort in order to get what 

they want.” 

“When I coach, my student-athletes know 

they have to work hard, be dedicated and 

put in a lot of time. I try to work with 

every athlete, especially the average or below-average 

ones, and help to transform 

them into above-average athletes. I do not 

focus on wins and losses. I focus on preparing 

them for their future and I don’t 

let them quit. I try to show them what it 

is to be a leader and to lead by example,” 

he concluded. “We always go back to the 

fact that God comes first, family second, 

academics third, and athletics fourth.” 

For Courtney, the focus and mission 

of her work is to educate the students, 

parents and general public about athletic 

training. “Because the athletic training 

name does not clearly describe the profession, 

athletic trainers spend a lot of time 

educating others about what we do and 

what our background is. I am lucky to 

teach an Introduction to Sports Medicine 

class at Pallotti and this provides me 

with a great opportunity to have students 

explore the profession and everything that 

goes into it. I love the work I do and want 

to share that with others,” she said. 

Patrick and Courtney Courtemanche continue 

to grow through the lessons learned 

while at Wesleyan, and they share those 

lessons with others. Their personal and 

professional goals were summarized by 

one concluding statement, they are trying 

to ensure that, “These student-athletes 

can just have fun and enjoy the game.” 


PHOTOS PROVIDED By THE OFFICE OF COMMuNITy ENGAGEMENT 

Leading By exampLe: 

Wesleyan’s 

Center for 

Community 

Engagement 

Launches 

Successful New 

Programs 

Written by 

Katie Oreskovich Loudin ’07, 

Coordinator of Outreach 

and Leadership Development 

The Center for Community 

Engagement at Wesleyan has 

undergone a transformation over 

the past two years. Rooted in the 

United Methodist teachings of 

For many years, the hallmark of Wesleyan’s 

commitment to service has been the Bonner 

Scholars program, which provided countless 

hours of service to both the community 

and students. Currently, there are 21 Bonner 

Scholars in the junior and senior classes, and as 

the Bonner program continues winding down, 

the new Wesleyan Service Scholars program 

continues to build. In the spring of 2012, 35 

sophomore and freshman Service Scholars will 

each complete 75 hours of volunteer work in 

the community or on campus. 

social justice and compassion Wesleyan Service Scholars serve as classroom 

assistants, afterschool tutors, and project organizers 

in community organizations like the 

for others, Wesleyan has always 

Upshur Cooperative Parish House, Clothes 

Closet, Buckhannon Police Department, 

had a history of service to and Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 

Child Development Center of Central WV, 

and area elementary schools. Our students 

engagement with the community. 

often complete tasks our community partners 

have to postpone because of time, while other 

students give extra attention to children who 

need more one-on-one time. One teacher said of Wesleyan Service 

Scholar Teneille Garton last year, “We really enjoy having Teneille in 

our classroom. She is soft-spoken, gentle, and confident in what she 

does. She is always willing to help any way she can.” 

Last year also marked the premiere of our top-flight peer leadership 

and engagement program, WE LEAD (Wesleyan Engaging Leaders 

through Education And Development). WE LEAD is comprised of 

27 students who apply leadership skills gained through the program 

to organize service events around and bring awareness to local, 

national, and international societal issues. Each issue team has two 

or more student leaders who work with their peers, faculty, and staff 

members to understand the various (and sometimes competing) aspects 

of their issue, offer service and awareness projects to contribute 

to the problem’s solution, and raise consciousness about its existence 

to the Wesleyan community at large. 

 


The Center for Community Engagement 

staff provides leadership training and 

resources for all students in WE LEAD 

through an orientation at the beginning of 

the year, a mid-year retreat, and workshop 

offerings at the weekly meetings. WE LEAD 

students all take the StrengthsQuest assessment 

to identify their personal strengths, 

which they then incorporate more intentionally 

into their leadership style. Through 

workshops, small group discussion, and 

reflection, students consider how to utilize 

their strengths in The Five Practices of Exemplary 

Leadership in Kouzes and Posner’s 

Student Leadership Challenge text. 

WE LEAD enjoyed a very successful fall 

semester. The Annual Events team collected 

over 2,500 non-perishable food items for 

the Upshur Parish House and Salvation 

Army through the Homecoming Food Village 

and Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods 

events in October. The same team held a 

Ten Thousand Villages on-campus sale in 

November, selling over $6,000 in fair trade 

handicrafts from 38 developing countries 

around the world. The Animal Welfare team 

raised over $400 and donated a washer and 

dryer to the Upshur-Lewis Animal Control 

shelter. The Health & Wellness team 

offered CPR and First Aid training to the 

Wesleyan community and hosted a public 

dialogue on prescription drug abuse with 

over 40 community members in attendance, 

including law enforcement and corrections, 

the county prosecutor, and others who are 

connected to prescription and other drug 

abuse in the area. 

The real learning and leadership lessons, 

however, are not reflected in the numbers 

above. All in WE LEAD are learning lessons 

that will carry them into successful professional 

and personal lives in the future. They 

have met and overcome major challenges 

communicating with each other, their issue 

teams, and the Wesleyan campus. Some 

have learned how to address conflict and 

how to resolve broken expectations while 

others have learned to be more patient with 

others whose work styles differ from theirs. 

They have all learned how to use their 

resources to mobilize large student groups 

and that backup plans are always necessary. 

WE LEAD Annual Events Coordinator 

Brittany Johnk shared, “My experiences in 

WE LEAD have given me valuable leadership 

skills which will be beneficial to me for 

years to come. I know that we have, even 

in a small way, helped to improve the lives 

of those in the Buckhannon community as 

well as those in other countries, and have 

raised awareness of the issues our events attempt 

to combat. My hope is that students 

on WVWC’s campus will understand the 

importance and impact of community 

service on others as well as how it can aid in 

their personal development.” 

To learn more about the Center for Community Engagement, WE LEAD, 

or the Wesleyan Service Scholars program, please visit our website at 

www.wvwc.edu/campus/CommunityEngagement 

or e-mail us at wvwcservice@wvwc.edu. 


It’s Michael John Aloi. Most often, individuals use only their first and last names 

in common correspondence. For the newest judge of West Virginia’s 16th Judicial 

Circuit (Marion County), inclusion of his middle name is preferred. It recognizes and 

honors his late uncle, John Manchin, who greatly influenced his life. Now, Judge Aloi 

has the opportunity to influence and serve his community in what he refers to as “the 

ultimate public service.” He recognizes that one decision always impacts individuals, 

families, and communities all at once. 

Appointed as a judge on August 1, 2011, Aloi is a 1980 graduate of West Virginia 

Wesleyan. He first came to campus as a high school student involved in student council. 

He wanted a small college after growing up in rural West Virginia and Wesleyan 

was the perfect fit. He applied to law school “on a whim” and discovered a love in 

assisting others through the legal system. In fact, prior to his current position, Aloi 

served as a mediator for more than 2,500 cases — the most of anyone in the state of 

West Virginia. 

he Ultimate Public Service 

A typical day for Judge Aloi now includes six to 10 different hearings where he is 

able to monitor certain circumstances, facilitate decision-making and oversee short 

proceedings. He handles civil cases, criminal cases, and juvenile cases. He presides over 

issues associated with child abuse and neglect and hears appeals from magistrate and 

family courts. He also finds it heartwarming to share in adoption cases, weddings and 

name changes. For adoptions, in particular, he finds those ceremonies full of beauty 

when a child gains love and stability through a family and community. 

“The variety of cases that I am presented with is truly fascinating,” stated Aloi. “This 

experience offers an intriguing mixture of humanity and the law.” 

Above left: Michael as a freshman in 1977. Above 

right: Aloi visits with his “uncle Jimmy” on campus 

in 1979. A. James Manchin was West Virginia 

Secretary of State at the time. The photo was taken 

by Howard Hiner, college photographer and good 

friend of Manchin. 

Judge Aloi’s mission seems to be simple. He strives to listen deeply and seriously, be 

respectful, show compassion, and be responsive to all in his courtroom. He believes 

judges have an obligation to community leadership and interaction with community 

members, that they need to be visible and help the general public understand the different 

facets of the law. Last fall, he participated in the “Robes to Schools” program 

by reading a book to first graders at a Marion County school, and the children asked 

questions about his work afterward. 

“Serving as a judge is intellectually stimulating,” concluded Aloi. A recent graduate of 

The National Judicial College in Nevada, he knows that he, too, is always a student, 

always learning, always gaining information, and always looking for additional insight. 

The privilege of serving as a judge in the Court of General Jurisdiction is a humbling 

experience, according to Aloi. He enjoys spending his time within the walls of a courthouse 

each day. It is the center of the community where public information is held 

and reported, such as births and deaths. It is where public business is conducted. It is 

where citizens complete car registrations and pay property taxes. 

The true rewards, though, come from witnessing firsthand how people can and do 

succeed after a challenging time. Aloi has the pleasure of encouraging and facilitating 

growth in individuals, which allows them to be more productive members of society. 

“It is my honor to have this opportunity,” said Aloi. “We all must do what we can to 

insure we have a safe and loving community in which to live. This is my part in that.” 

10 


ATHLETIC PHOTOS COuRTESy OF PETER GALARNEAu, JR. ’98, 

THE WVWC SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE, AND THE WVWC OFFICE OF ALuMNI RELATIONS 

Athletic Hall of Fame 

2012 Inductees: 

Klebez 

Louks 

Morin 

Odom 

Rocke 

George Klebez ’65, Sue Reiff Louks 

’94, Monica Morin ’05, Darryl Odom 

’85, and Colin Rocke ’93 were officially 

inducted into Wesleyan’s Hall of 

Fame on February 11, joining and 

becoming members of an elite group of 

outstanding former athletes, coaches, 

and supporters of Bobcat Athletics. 

Klebez demonstrated 

a lifetime commitment 

to Wesleyan athletics 

as a student-athlete, 

coach, and director 

of athletics, before 

retiring in 2008. He 

had a highly successful tenure as both a 

swimming and soccer coach. Specifically, 

he guided the Bobcat soccer team to 

three consecutive NAIA Tournament 

appearances. Klebez served as the athletic 

director for 18 years, was a member of the 

NCAA Division II Management Council 

for four years, and was awarded the Mike 

McLaughlin Administrative Award from 

the WVIAC in 2005. 

Louks was a member 

of the Lady Bobcat 

volleyball teams 

that won more than 

100 WVIAC games 

in a row. She was a 

two-time WVIAC 

Player of the Year, a four-time first team 

All-WVIAC and All-Region selection, and 

a third-team All-American. 

Morin, one of the 

most decorated swimmers 

in the College’s 

history, is Wesleyan’s 

only individual 

national champion 

in any sport. Her 

swimming career was highlighted by 

her national championship in the 200 

butterfly in 2005. She still holds school 

records in the 100 and 200 butterflies, 

the 400 individual medley, and the 400 

medley relay. 

Odom led Wesleyan 

to a NAIA Basketball 

Tournament runnerup 

finish in 1984 and 

to the NAIA Quarterfinals 

in 1985. He 

was a first team NAIA 

All-American and a two-time first team 

All-WVIAC selection. 

Rocke was the starting 

midfielder on 

the 1989 and 1990 

Soccer NAIA National 

Championship teams 

and the 1992 national 

semifinalist team. 

He was a three-time NAIA All-American 

and a four-time All-WVIAC performer. 

After graduation, he enjoyed a successful 

professional soccer career. He was also a 

successful track and field athlete while at 

Wesleyan. 

More information about the Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame can be found at: 

http://wesleyanbobcats.com/athletics/halloffame 

WINTER/SPRING 2012 SUNDIAL 

11

• DonalD son • s kiles • Tenney • Warner • 

Wesleyan’s 

Four 

Coaching 

Giants 

Gavin Donaldson, Jesse Skiles, Randy Tenney ’77, and Steve Warner ’90 

are far more than successful coaches at Wesleyan. All have surpassed 20 

years of coaching here and have been recognized by their West Virginia 

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) peers with over 55 Coach of 

the Year honors. With 1,685 wins, 80 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic 

Conference (WVIAC) Championships, more than 20 NCAA Division II 

playoff appearances, and one NAIA championship, Wesleyan’s fabulous 

four are highly respected across the nation. 

Donaldson Skiles Tenney 

Warner 

ATHLETIC PHOTOS COuRTESy OF PETER GALARNEAu, JR. ’98, 

THE WVWC SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE, AND THE WVWC 

OFFICE OF ALuMNI RELATIONS 

The Sundial recently sat down with Wesleyan’s four coaching 

giants to talk about their careers and what fuels their 

desire to coach at the small college level. 

What brings you the most personal satisfaction about 

coaching? 

GD I love being around the kids—the rhythm of what you love 

to do—and the new and exciting challenges that await you each 

year. 

JS The professional success that your kids enjoy after graduation 

is always the most satisfying aspect of coaching at Wesleyan. 

I love to watch the kids learn to work as a team and how that 

transformation and the self-discipline they develop leads to career 

success. 

RT Success for me has evolved over my coaching career. I remember 

the satisfaction I gained with our first conference title. 

But last year’s senior class, where all 12 seniors graduated and 

seven are now pursuing graduate or professional degrees, was the 

highlight of my tenure here. That class was a very special group 

and I could not be prouder of their accomplishments at Wesleyan 

and their success after graduation. 

SW For me, it is the player development, not just on the playing 

field, but in the classroom and as people. The relationships you 

develop last far beyond their playing days at Wesleyan. The job, 

wedding, and birth announcements always bring me great joy. 

Some former players are sending their kids to our camps, and 

that life circle feels very special. 

12 SUNDIAL WINTER/SPRING 2012 

How did you become interested in coaching? 

GD I have never thought of being anything else. I always loved 

the idea of coaching but thought that I wanted to pursue a 

career in the sciences until I had the opportunity to coach. I 

never looked back. As a kid, I was a natural organizer of games 

and knew quickly that coaching was the right field for me. I love 

coaching because you never do the same thing every day and I 

thoroughly enjoy coaching at this level because the kids play for 

the love of the game. 

JS My intentions were to pursue a sports journalism or sports 

broadcasting career. During my senior year at college, my athletic 

director, Jesse Lilly, asked if I wanted to coach track. I told him 

I did not have any experience and he replied, do you want to 

coach? He did not want to spend time on a search process and I 

found myself calling recruits the night of my graduation. Thanks 

to Paul Price’s desire to work full-time as a football coach and 

George Klebez and Dave Thomas, I came to Wesleyan. 

RT I had many wonderful role models in my high school 

coaches, such as Larry West, Granville Zopp, and Jim Marsh. I 

coached on a volunteer basis under my college coach Hank Ellis. 

When circumstances unfolded that I could do this professionally 

and make a living, my course was set. But, I would have continued 

coaching without pay. 

SW I was a gym rat in high school and, like Randy, I was fortunate 

to have many wonderful role models, such as Don Willis, 

Jim Marsh, and Mike Gillespie. Mike Hinkle asked me to assist 

him with the softball program and when he decided to work 

full-time in the public school system, I was allowed to pursue 

something that I love to do.

Randy Tenney 

How has college coaching 

changed during your career? 

GD I think there is too much 

organization on the youth level. 

Kids just don’t play, and as a result, 

they have lost out on some 

of the inherit lessons of the sport. 

I have been fortunate to travel to 

third-world countries and have 

found that the kids there are 

some of the best soccer players 

in the world because they have 

such a passion for play. Parent expectations 

are much greater since 

many have invested financial 

resources in camps, organized 

play, and private instruction. The 

national rules schedule we have 

to follow today does not allow us 

enough time to teach the basics 

of the game. 

JS Kids are just different in the 

digital age. You have to work 

Steve Warner 

harder to build team chemistry. 

I am always amused that they 

text each other across the room 

instead of talking to each other. 

RT Society has changed which 

has carried over to athletics. I 

still love the throwback athlete, 

one who is truly self-motivated. 

The game still brings great highs 

and disappointments. I do think 

society has made a huge error 

in rewarding every kid who 

participates because it creates an 

inflated view of abilities. That 

fosters a sense of entitlement 

instead of working hard to earn a 

place on the team. 

SW I agree with everything that 

Gavin, Jesse, and Randy have 

said. The kids are also bigger, 

stronger, and faster. But, the 

little things of the game are not 

as important to this generation 

of players, such as hitting behind 

a runner. I don’t think kids are 

as fundamentally sound as they 

were when I first started. 

How do you maintain your 

passion and enthusiasm? 

GD I enjoy the spirit of competition, 

but love that I get to know 

so many kids personally. I like the 

challenge of getting the most out 

of each individual to teach the 

value and benefit of hard work. 

JS The relationships you develop 

are what drive you to continue. 

That is the value of working at 

a small school such as Wesleyan. 

No matter how many championships 

we win, I love the challenge 

of trying to win another title 

with another group of athletes. 

And, in our sport, it is rewarding 

to watch kids set and achieve 

both individual and team goals. 

It is always most satisfying when 

you win a championship when 

you are not expected to do so. I 

have been fortunate for that to 

occur a few times in my career. 

Jesse Skiles 

RT I love practice. That aspect of 

coaching is more fun than the actual 

games. Everyone has the will 

to win, but practice is where you 

learn who is willing to do whatever 

it takes to win. I also cherish 

the relationships you build. You 

hope to have an impact on your 

players, not just on the baseball 

diamond. I always hope my players 

learn as much from me as I 

learn from them. 

SW The challenge of winning 

always keeps me going. I still get 

butterflies in my stomach before 

every game. The day that stops 

happening will be the time for 

me to quit coaching. But like my 

Wesleyan peers, the transformation 

you see each kid develop 

from their first day of school to 

graduation is what makes this job 

a labor of love. 

Gavin Donaldson 

CoaCH 

sTaTs 

Gavin Donaldson His 

overall coaching record is 

313-176-44 and his record 

at Wesleyan is 271-134-38. 

His teams have captured 

11 WVIAC titles, one NAIA 

Championship in 1994, 

three NAIA National Tournament 

appearances, and 

four NCAA II appearances. 

His 2010 team advanced to 

the NCAA II Elite Eight. He 

has been named WVIAC 

Coach of the Year six times 

and was named National 

Coach of the Year in 1994. 

Gavin is currently 11th in 

NCAA II in career wins. 

Jesse Skiles His teams 

have captured 50 WVIAC 

Championships, including 

45 at Wesleyan. His teams 

also have been runnerup 

in the conference 42 

times. He is the only coach 

to have four conference 

championships in a single 

season, something he 

has accomplished on four 

different occasions, and he 

has been named WVIAC 

Coach of the Year 42 times. 

Throughout his career, 

his WVIAC meet record is 

636-44. 

randy tenney Overall 

coaching record is 636- 

383-7 (all at Wesleyan), 

which places him among 

the top five all-time in 

the number of wins at 

one WVIAC school. His 

teams have captured four 

conference championships 

and he has been named 

WVIAC Coach of the Year 

four times. He still holds the 

career and single-season 

stolen base records at 


Steve Warner Overall 

coaching record is 736- 

270-1 (all at Wesleyan) and 

he has more wins than any 

softball coach in WVIAC 

history. His teams have 

captured 15 WVIAC titles, 

advanced to the NCAA II 

Regional Tournament 15 

times, and to the NCAA 

Nationals once. He is 

a member of the West 

Virginia Executive Hall of 

Fame. 


1

FooTbALL FiniSHES 24 TH in nATion 

Neugebauer Closes Out 

Brilliant College Career 

It was a history and record-setting year for Wesleyan Football. 

First-year Head Coach Jonas Jackson’s squad posted a 9-2 

record, finishing second in the West Virginia Intercollegiate 

Athletic Conference and 24th in the final NCAA Division II poll. 

The Bobcats were nationally ranked as high as 11th during the 

regular season after winning their first nine games, which established 

the longest regular season winning-streak in school history. 

Senior quarterback Adam Neugebauer of Pittsburgh closed out 

his brilliant career by leading the nation in touchdowns (40) 

and passing yardage (4,111), shattering single-season school 

records in both categories. He threw for more than 300 yards 

in all 11 games and over 400 yards on three occasions. Neugebauer 

finished fifth in the voting for the Harlan Hill Trophy, 

the most coveted prize in NCAA II football. He was named to 

All-America teams along with senior wide receiver Jon Meadows 

of Carroll, OH and junior defensive end Jonas Celian of North 

Lauderdale, FL. Meadows led the nation with 99 receptions for 

1,275 yards, while Celian wreaked havoc on opposing teams 

tallying 67 tackles, including 21 for a loss, 12 sacks, four fumblerecoveries, 

and one interception. 

Adam Neugebauer 

ATHLETIC PHOTOS COuRTESy OF PETER GALARNEAu, JR. ’98, THE WVWC SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE, AND THE WVWC OFFICE OF ALuMNI RELATIONS 

In addition, Coach Jackson was selected as a mentor at the 

American Football Coaches Association Future Coaches Academy 

held in January. 

WESLEYAN FALL SpORTS WRAp-Up 

Men’s Cross Country 3rd in WViAC 

6th in nCAA ii regional Championships 

Women’s Cross Country 3rd in WViAC 

Jonas Jackson 

Football 9-2 season record, 2nd in WViAC, 

24th nCAA ii Final ranking 

Women’s Golf 3rd in WViAC 

Men’s Soccer 10-6-3 season record, 2nd in WViAC, 

lost in WViAC tournament semi-finals 

Women’s Soccer 10-4-3 season record, 1st in WViAC, 

lost in WViAC tournament semi-finals 

Women’s Tennis 2-5-0 season record, 7th in WViAC 

Volleyball 21-10 season record, 4th in WViAC 

Jonas Celian 

Jon Meadows 

1 SUNDIAL WINTER/SPRING 2012

Don’t miss this opportunity to 

return to campus for lots of 

laughter and fun! 

Mark your calendar and 

make plans to join us for 

Homecoming Weekend 

on October 18-21, 2012, 

as we celebrate all 

alumni and cherish the 

friendships and experiences 

of Wesleyan. 

Everyone is invited to all events! Join us for 

Founders Day Convocation, golf, reunions, 

tailgate picnic, athletic events, banquet, the 

annual Homecoming Chapel Service, and 

more. 

Special reunion events are planned for the 

Classes of ’32, ’37, ’42, ’47, ’52, ’57, ’62, ’67, 

’72, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, ’02, & ’07. 

Watch your mailbox for the schedule of events 

and registration form coming later this summer. 

Special Note Friday, Oct. 19 - “Celebrating 

Wesleyan!” with the Homecoming Banquet 

(please note that this is a change from previous 

years) 

Saturday, Oct. 20 - “Cherishing Alumni!” with all 

class reunions held throughout the day, including 

the Homecoming WINTER/SPRING Bash at Stonewall 2012 SUNDIAL Resort. 15

News From 

Erickson Alumni Center 

’36 ’51 

’56 

’61 ’61 

Football Team 

Class of 1936 Jessie Brown Beard Powell ’36 with President 

Pamela Balch ’71. 

Class of 1951 1st Row (left to right): Ellen Roush Nickell, 

D. Jean Burton, Margaret Jane Cook Johnson, Anna Young 

Brady; 2nd Row (l-r): John E. Ferrell, Edith Logsdon, Robert T. 

Horstman. 

Class of 1956 1st Row (left to right): Barbara Swanson 

Cawley, Beverly Rinehart Rutherford, Bernice King McHenry, 

Elizabeth Lindsay Swarthout; 2nd Row (l-r): Thomas M. 

Rutherford, James E. Gaston, G. Herold Berthy, Jr. 

Class of 1961 1st Row (left to right): Alan P. Machenberg, 

Jane Reemsnyder Soverns, Ann Welker Harrison, Charles M. 

Kohler; 2nd Row (l-r): Bart Waddell, Raymond P. Fish, Lewis 

A. Simmons. 

1961 Football Team 1st Row, (left to right): Hank Ellis, Bill 

Wood, Charlie Emery, Gene Rall, Boyd Dotson, Dan Pearce, 

Dave Brown, Robert White, Daniel Penwell, George Lohman; 

2nd Row (l-r): Richard Baisden, Gene Brown, Darrel Tenney, 

Gary Johnson, Chuck Snyder, Tom Dunn, Bill Vogt, Carl Wood; 

3rd Row (l-r): Kent Carpenter, L.D. Montgomery, Chuck 

Furbee, Jim Hawkins, Gary Hershman. 

16 


’66 

Class of 1966 1st Row, (left to right): Susan Mathews Eaton, 

Marilyn Scutt Watson, Carol Hinkle Spurrier, Marian Brittain 

Olson, Mary Ann Kelly Lockhart, Donna Gaither Bland, Ruth 

Cairns udall, Betsy Brown Reger; 2nd Row (l-r): Judy 

Munchmeyer Knorr, Nancy Stadleman Miller, Pat Chaffey 

Bozeman, Marjorie Jo Boltz Lea, Sara Jane Attleson Hymes, 

Rita “Sam” Lawrence Meneses, Ron Slade, Ed Sabom; 3rd 

Row (l-r): John Lovell, Doug Thatcher, Ron Lockhart, Barry 

Blankenship, Sally Howard, Scott Come, Jim Chomicz, Tom 

Eakin, Pete Weaver; 4th Row (l-r): Jim Seath, Doug Eppinger, 

James J. Davies, Dean Byrom, Kevin Ryan, James Sorber, 

Mike Davis, Jim Williams. 

Class of 1971 1st Row, (left to right): Sue Hoffman Jolley, 

Nancy Halsey Moore, Karen Marsteller Richardson, Deloris 

McCutcheon Dotson, Vicki Hudnall Breakiron, Pamela Balch, 

Chris Wege Okonak; 2nd Row (l-r): Andy Hileman, Kathy 

Hammond Foster, Debbie Fisk Bush, Karen Ruppel Terry, Mary 

Jean Dorsey Taylor, Judy Richmond Ryan, Rhonda Stinnette 

Campbell; 3rd Row (l-r): John Thompson, Tom Hasbrouck, 

Tom Ryan, J.F. Lacaria, Peter Carty, Robert Campbell, John 

Porter, Steve Gammarino, Biff Jones, Jim Okonak, John 

Esaias. 

Class of 1976 1st Row, (left to right): Sherrie Lohr Walsh, 

Lynne Rice Petrosky, K. David Rollins, John Lhota, Lois Flick 

Waltz, Dianne Hickman Archut; 2nd Row (l-r): Michael Zebley, 

Donna Gray Collins, Ed Collins, Randy Flanagan, Janet 

McCloud Flanagan, Phil Loftis. 

Class of 1981 1st Row, (left to right): Kristi George, Carroll 

Wilcox Enterkin, Anita Wetherill, Mary Lou Greenwood Boice, 

Karen Lannin Dulany, Kim Wiseman Lhota, Mary Beth Skinner 

Morrell, Joe Kenaston; 2nd Row (l-r): Gina Betti Marcucci, 

Tony Marcucci, Alfred Schweikert, Michael Cowger, Fred 

Spicer, Patti Erickson Schnell, Tam Sheirer Chomas, Sandy 

Henderson Michlich; 3rd Row (l-r): Kathy Higgins, Scott 

Miller, Brenda Riffee Zahn, John Fletcher, Dennis Griffin, John 

Humes, David Henzler, Ken Krimmel, Jane Ellen Nickell. 

’76 

’81 

’71 


1

’86 

’01 

’91 

’06 

’96 

Class of 1986 1st Row, (left to right): Suzanne Gilliland, Debra McCauley Peck; 2nd 

Row (l-r): Allen Mason, Donna Cowan Crafford, Kathy Pafford Morris, Bob Morris. 

Class of 1991 1st Row, (left to right): Jennifer Zimmerman Paris, Tammy Paxton 

Miller, Robyn Dozier, Lisa Oertel Reich, Linda Eshbaugh O’Bryan, Charleen Kerns 

Hamrick; 2nd Row (l-r): Emmy Msaitif, Susan Olofson Brandolino, Phil Beck, Nettie 

Smith Aiosa, Lysiane Rochat Sternick. 

Class of 1996 1st Row (left to right): Tom Neumark, Rochelle Jones Thomas, Rob 

Millwater, Lesley Christian Withers, Debbie Day; 2nd Row (l-r): Mark Norman, Nathan 

Elsener, Bill Fahrner, Bill McKenna, Alan Ball; (left inset) Mindy Foust Dawson; 

(right inset) Susanne Alkire Gompers. 

Class of 2001 1st Row, (left to right): Jennifer Mullen Kostolansky, Alisha Smith 

Dumrongkietiman, Amy Andrew, Clifton Taylor, Erika Klie Kolenich; 2nd Row (l-r): 

Stephanie Cores Snider, John Waltz, Katie Rose Richter, Jill Wiech Jolley, Derika 

Bowyer. 

Class of 2006 1st Row, (left to right) Daniel Aguirre, Steven Smith, Kate Simmons 

Carns, Brett Miller. 

photos of reunion classes and candid shots are included in this issue of the Sundial. 

also, some photos are available via Flickr at 

www.wvwc.edu/alumni/homecoming/ 

1 


Homecoming 2011 was a 

success with a multitude of alumni 

and friends gathered on campus last fall 

from october 13-16. 

CCClassmates reunited, the Center for 

Community Engagement collected 

nonperishable food items for the Upshur 

Parish House, the Athletic Department 

hosted Midnight Madness for the 

Bobcat Basketball teams, and the 

Founders Day Convocation address 

by Dr. Scott Miller ’81 offered poignant 

reflections about time spent at Wesleyan. 

The Alumni Awards were presented during 

the Founders Day Convocation and offered 

a glimpse of the many accomplishments Wesleyan alumni have 

achieved. 

Ellen Roush Nickell ’51 received the Alumni 

Service Award, as she has dedicated much 

time, energy, and other resources to 

Wesleyan for decades. She continues 

to be a strong advocate for the 

College, sharing her experiences, 

memories, and stories with those 

around her. She remembers being 

May Queen with the three-day 

measles and participating in Tour 

Choir. Since graduation, she has served 

Wesleyan as an employee and later as a 

member of Alumni Council, president of the Emeritus Club (2008- 

10), sponsor of Kappa Phi, and president of the College Club 

(1998-2005). Ellen stated, “I feel so blessed to live in this lovely 

college town and have enjoyed college activities for 50+ years.” Her 

nomination summarized that she has “always taken a keen interest 

in the college students, supporting them with scholarships among 

other ways, and has always been devoted to the college she loves.” 

Kathy Higgins ’81 received the Alumni Achievement Award. Kathy 

currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Blue 

Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and 

President of the Blue Cross and Blue 

Shield of North Carolina Foundation. 

In 2008, she co-led a statewide 

campaign to promote physical activity 

and personal health responsibility 

by walking 650 miles across North 

Carolina. She has received the 

“Hands of Health” award for innovative 

work addressing health care needs of 

underserved children, been named one of 10 

Women Extraordinaire from Business Leader 

Magazine, was a Fulbright Senior Scholar and an Eisenhower 

Fellow and currently serves on several non-profit boards. She is 

truly striving to make a positive impact in society and is committed 

to addressing the health needs of our communities. 

Rev. Gary Beale ’66 also received the Alumni 

Achievement Award. Gary began serving 

The House of the Carpenter in Wheeling, 

WV, in 1970, and recently retired as 

Executive Director. His nomination stated 

that he has “helped others by providing 

shelter, food, and other assistance for 

over 40 years. He has ministered to the 

emotional, spiritual, and therapeutic needs 

of those seeking assistance. He should be 

honored for his dedication and compassion. 

He represents what every young Wesleyan student should strive 

to become, both in their communities and their religion.” “He has 

impacted the lives of many people and The House of the Carpenter, 

through his administration, made all the difference for so many,” 

said another friend and colleague. 

The Young Alumni Achievement Award was presented to 

Sherezade Panthaki ’99, who according to her nomination, “is 

performing at a quality that no other Wesleyan Alumnus may have 

ever achieved in the field of music.” In 2011, she graduated with an 

Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music and Yale 

Institute of Sacred Music – a highly academic 

as well as performance-intensive program 

that accepts only one soprano a year. The 

Washington Post has said she is a “radiant 

voiced stand-out.” She is in constant 

demand as an opera and oratorio soloist, 

and in New York City, she is a frequent 

soloist with the most accomplished early 

music ensembles. She has five recordings 

to her credit and several projects in production. 

Patrick Balch, husband of President Pamela Balch ’71, was 

recognized as going “above and beyond the call of duty” with 

the Extra Mile/Friend of the College Award. As noted by Alumni 

Council members, he is often present at College functions both on 

and off campus. He is active in Buckhannon community events, 

as well. Patrick is always one of the first 

to congratulate students on their 

accomplishments. An educator 

himself, he exudes pride for each 

and every achievement, from 

Fulbright Scholars to athletic 

competitions. He is the ultimate 

Wesleyan cheerleader. He serves 

the College in all he does and 

truly has the heart of a loyal Bobcat. 

Current Wesleyan students even started 

a standing ovation in recognition of Patrick! 


1

News From 

Erickson Alumni cEntEr 

March 15 Alumni Award 

Nominations due 

extraordinary alumni are everywhere! The 

Alumni Council invites you to nominate a 

great alumnus for the Achievement or service 

alumni awards. Nominations are due by 

march 15, 2012. submissions may be sent 

via the online form at http://www.wvwc.edu/ 

alumni/awards.php or by sending a detailed 

letter to the office of Alumni relations, 59 

College Ave., Buckhannon, wV 26201. we 

welcome your stories and anecdotes about 

alumni and friends who have achieved 

greatness professionally, personally, or on 

behalf of wesleyan. Award recipients will be 

recognized at Homecoming 2012. 

May 5 Wear Orange & Black Day 

For the first time in recent memory, 

Commencement will be held on a saturday 

this year. on may 5, 2012, the Class of 2012 

will join the west Virginia wesleyan Alumni 

Association. Please wear orange and black in 

celebration of this accomplishment and also 

in remembrance of your own graduation from 

wesleyan. Any orange and black piece will 

work, from lapel pins and ties to scarves and 

shirts. send a photo of your orange and black 

attire to office of Alumni relations, 59 College 

Ave., Buckhannon, wV 26201 or alumni@ 

wvwc.edu. we would love to see your photos 

of alumni supporting the Class of 2012 and 

honoring all wesleyan alumni. 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

April 13-15 Concert Chorale Alumni reunion 

April 14 GoLD society reception 

April 14 Young Alumni reunion during spring 

weekend 

April 14 spring sing in wesley Chapel 

April 15 Concert Chorale Alumni 

Performance in wesley Chapel 

April 20 wesleyan society and scholarship 

Dinner 

June 2 wV wesleyan/st. Joseph’s Hospital 

Annual Gala at stonewall resort 

Class of 1962 to Join Emeritus Club 

The Class of 1962 will celebrate its 50 Year Anniversary in conjunction with the 122nd Commencement of west Virginia wesleyan on may 2-5, 

2012. The emeritus Club welcomes graduates of the 1962 class to join the organization in an induction luncheon on campus on may 3. The 

purpose of the emeritus Club, chartered in 1962, is for fellowship among those who attended wesleyan 50 or more years ago. 

For more information, please contact Harold T. elmore, Hon ’82, coordinator of the emeritus Club, at elmore_h@wvwc.edu or 304-473-8491. 

EMERITUS CLUB LUNCHEONS ON CAMPUS in 2012 © may 3 © June 14 © July 12 © August 9 © october 20 © 

1st Row (left to right): Franklin C. Ellis ’43, Anna Young Brady ’51, D. Jean Burton ’51, Margaret Jane Cook Johnson ’51, Beverly Rinehart Rutherford ’56, Phyllis Kohl Coston 

’53, Ernestine Cutright Horstman ’54, Victoria T. Ferrell (Aux), Bernice King McHenry ’56, Rose B. Elkins (Aux); 2nd Row (l-r): Ellen Roush Nickell ’51, Mary Virginia Settle 

Lowther ’68, Margaret J. McCauley (Aux), Dewayne R. Lowther ’57, Jane Reemsnyder Soverns ’61, Edith M. Logsdon ’51, Mara Linaberger Watson ’58, Marvin W. Culpepper 

’51, W. Howard Reeder ’40, Thomas M. Rutherford ’56, Herbert R. Coston (Aux), David F. Wolfe ’60, Sue B. Wolfe (Aux), G. Herold Berthy ’56, Nancy Jo Funk Pepper ’59; Alan 

P. Machenberg ’61; 3rd Row (l-r): Richard M. Hamilton ’58, Arthur W. Swarthout ’53, Elizabeth Lindsay Swarthout ’56, Arthur N. Smith ’60, Charles M. Kohler ’61, William E. 

Watson ’58, Janet Belcher Gramlich ’58, Paul W. Gramlich ’58, Ronald M. McCauley ’59, Charles E. Elkins ’52, John E. Ferrell ’51, William C. Pepper ’61, Robert T. Horstman ’51. 

20 SUNDIAL WINTER/SPRING 2012 

The Emeritus Club at Homecoming 2011

A lumni P rofile 

Why I Give Back … 

“It seems like it was just yesterday ...” 

Who is Jim McCune? 

I currently serve as the Pastor of Grace Church in Keyser, WV. I 

also teach freshman orientation and coordinate the Community 

Service Office at Potomac State College. I previously was the 

Campus Pastor at Marshall University. My wife, Donna, and I 

have two children, Janell (an obstetrician) and Lucas (a chef), 

and two grandchildren, Annie and Ethan. I enjoy bicycling and 

traveling. 

I also chair the West Virginia Annual Conference Board of 

Higher Education and Campus Ministry. Connecting the United 

Methodist churches to Wesleyan is part of our task. I am also 

involved with Summer Youth Celebration which brings 300- 

plus middle and high school students to Wesleyan’s campus 

every June. I find people like Rev. Angela Gay Kinkead ’79 and 

Alisa Lively to be among the many helpful and energetic folks at 


Why are you passionate about Wesleyan? 

This is the place where I grew up! Wesleyan was the only school 

my parents ever talked about. The fact that my parents met 

there after the war, fell in love and were married might have 

something to do with it. All these years later, I still draw on my 

classroom experiences at Wesleyan. I also still keep in touch with 

many friends who attended Wesleyan during that time and share 

wonderful stories of experiences beyond the classroom. Retreats, 

service projects, intramurals, and attending Wesleyan men’s basketball 

games were some of the best times. 

I still enjoy simply walking around campus. In many ways 

students have not changed a bit! Being able to watch friends 

hanging out, dating, having fun or also having some very serious 

conversations, all while surrounded by a very beautiful place, is 

what college has always been about. 

Why do you “give 

back?” 

I know what smaller 

classrooms with 

keenly interested 

faculty can mean. I 

also know that any 

financial support we can give will hopefully help another generation 

meet their college expenses, and hopefully set the stage for 

them to have a rich experience at Wesleyan. For me, personally, 

this is where many faculty and staff made sure I not only got my 

work finished, but “got it.” There were those difficult questions 

that caused me to justify my answers, gather my thoughts and 

stay focused. I felt like, by the time I was in seminary, I was ready 

myself to ask the hard questions and dig in. 

Today, I feel Wesleyan’s influence in my life specifically in the 

area of critical thinking. Chairing or participating in committees 

and task forces, having to respond to challenging situations, 

being comfortable in diverse situations, and appreciating and 

celebrating my own culture — I feel that Wesleyan has equipped 

me for all of these and more. 

This is why I support Wesleyan with gifts, time and service. 

What are some favorite Wesleyan memories? 

Dr. Sidney Davis having us put down our pencils during finals 

and sing a Christmas Carol! Dr. Marvin Carr taking us to War, 

WV for flood recovery work as part of an Appalachian Culture 

experience. It seems like Dr. Davis’ career was winding down 

while Dr. Carr was just getting started and they were such inspiring 

teachers. Also, Rev. Harry Coleman kept me focused on my 

faith and was incredibly hospitable. 

It all seems like it was just yesterday. 

Last fall, Jim received a Distinguished Service Award from 

Potomac State College and is pictured here with his wife, 

Donna. 

Jim McCune (center) with other campus ministers including Angela Gay Kinkead ’79 

(second from right), and Greg Godwin ’82 (far right). Jim McCune, class of ’78 

Alumnus Jim McCune ’78 

supports his alma mater in so 

many different ways. He is a 

member of the Alumni Council, 

he is active in higher education 

ministry, he continuously 

promotes the College and tries to 

recruit new students, and much 

more. After hearing his Wesleyan 

story, it appears this sort of 

dedication is simply in his genes. 


21

A lumni news & Cl A ss notes 

19 30 

KATHERINE CURRAN REEMS- 

NYDER, Buckhannon, WV, was 

pleased to spend time with her 

daughters, JANE REEMSNYDER 

SOVERNS ’61, Linthicum Heights, 

MD, and KATHIE REEMSNYDER 

KAMM ’71, Pasadena, MD, as well 

as Wesleyan President PAMELA 

BALCH ’71, at the Emeritus Club 

Luncheon during Homecoming 

Weekend 2011. 

19 32, 37, 42 

vReunion at Homecoming 2012v 

19 43 

LOIS SCHOOLCRAFT VICE, 

Catonsville, MD, is still going 

strong. Her daughter and son-inlaw 

have been to Wesleyan. Her 

daughter was born in Buckhannon 

and feels close to the College 

since her grandfather was Dean. 

19 47 


19 51 

BEN McKEE and MONA HAR- 

RIS McKEE ’52, Ligonier, PA, 

celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary 

on August 4 with a trip 

to Niagara Falls, Canada, where 

they spent their honeymoon. He 

served as the District Superintendant 

of the Pittsburgh East 

District before retiring as a United 

Methodist pastor. They have three 

children, seven grandchildren, and 

six great-grandchildren. 

19 52 


19 53 

The artwork of RUSS MAR- 

SHALL, Virginia Beach, VA, was 

featured in the Sandler Center 

Art Gallery. A Grand Perspective: 

Paintings by Russ Marshall 

showcased Marshall’s enormous 

colorful canvases, including a 

5' x 6' canvas titled “Homage to 

Wesleyan,” which pays tribute to 

Buckhannon where he made a 

serious commitment to painting 

as a life’s work. He is married to 

CAROL HYMES MARSHALL ’54. 

19 54 

FRANK D’ANNOLFO celebrated 

his 80th birthday at the Rockledge 

Golf Club in September with 200 

guests attending, including many 

of his former student-athletes from 

the 70s and 80s in soccer, ice 

hockey, and lacrosse, as well as 

his golf buddies. He lives with his 

wife, Suzi, in West Hartford, CT. 

19 56 

DIANE DIETENHOFER SUMMER- 

HILL, Westminster, MD, spent a 

month touring Alaska this summer 

with her sister, CARYL DIETEN- 

HOFER ZACHARY ’62, who now 

resides in Knoxville, TN. 

19 57 


FRED LANTING, Union Grove, 

AL, published his novel, Conflict, 

concerning a Wesleyan graduate 

who returns to Buckhannon after 

two wars to become a professor 

there. He is married to JEANNE 

COOK LANTING ’60. 

MAX MULLER has announced 

the publication of his book, Secrets 

of Successful Watercolors. 

This full-color instructional book is 

filled with information about Max’s 

50 years as an artist, instructor, 

and judge. He currently lives in 

Port Charlotte, FL, with his wife 

Dolores and continues to teach 

art classes for the Ringling School 

of Art and Design Adult Program. 

For more information, go to 

mullerartstudio.com. 

RICHARD VON HOORN has 

slowed down a bit, but has fun 

gardening, fishing, and producing 

art. Friends can visit his website 

at www.hillsideartstudio.com. He 

lives with his wife, Ann, in New 

Preston, CT. 

19 58 

After spending 14 years in Florida, 

DICK EVANS and his wife, Myrna, 

have moved to Central New 

Hampshire to be closer to family. 

They make their home in Gilford. 

19 59 

MARTIN SCHWARTZ and MERE 

GURSON SCHWARTZ ’60, Jacksonville, 

FL, celebrated their 50th 

wedding anniversary on August 6, 

2011. They were married in Brooklyn, 

NY, in 1961. 

19 60 

KEN REMLEY and CAROL 

BEERS REMLEY ’59, Charlotte, 

NC, competed in the 2011 National 

Senior Games held in June 2011 

in Houston, TX. 

MAKE IT AUTOMATIC 

Over 100 people have already enrolled in monthly giving! 

Making a monthly commitment to Wesleyan is easy through 

credit card payment or electronic funds transfer. 

Visit http://www.wvwc.edu/advancement/gift.php 

for the EFT form or contact the Office of Institutional Advancement 

for details: makeagift@wvwc.edu or 

800-768-8264. 

CLARENCE ROBBINS, Clermont, 

FL, has signed a contract with 

Springer-Verlag GmbH for publication 

of the 5th Edition of his book, 

Chemical and Physical Behavior 



ARE YOU MISSING OUT ON OUR EMAILS? 

Stay up-to-date on campus news with emails from Wesleyan! 

Make sure we have your 

current email address by 

contacting the Office of 

Alumni Relations at 

alumni@wvwc.edu 

or 800-768-8264. 

of Human Hair, in 2012. This book 

contains more than 650 pages 

describing the structure and morphological 

characteristics, growth, 

chemical reactions, and physical 

properties of human hair. He has 

authored more than 70 scientific 

publications and 24 U.S. patents. 

He retired from the Colgate 

Palmolive Company in 1999 and 

is now a consultant with Procter & 

Gamble. He and his wife, Marjorie 

Gene, have two children, Laurie 

and Mark. 

19 65 

TOM BRZEZINSKI, Marriotsville, 

MD, submitted a photo of Phi 

Sig brothers RAY SAMPSON 

’66, Boiling Springs, PA, CARL 

DOERR, Marcus Hook, PA, and 

LARRY DILLEN, McKeesport, PA, 

when they gathered on June 1, 

2011, in Boothwyn, PA, for Carl’s 

birthday. 

at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 

in the Highland Park neighborhood 

of Pittsburgh. 

MARILYN OTTO GALANTI retired 

in April 2011 after 18 years with 

Beiersdorf Inc., most recently as 

Accounts Payable Manager. She 

had previously spent 25 years 

with General Foods. She and 

her husband, Joseph, make their 

home in New Fairfield, CT, and 

recently they happily welcomed 

their first grandchild, Isabella Livia 

Gilman. 

DONNA DODD LYNN, St. Petersburg, 

FL, is grateful that both 

of her sons were able to return 

home for Thanksgiving in 2010, 

having completed their Army tours 

in Afghanistan. She and her husband, 

George, who will be retiring 

from his law practice soon, have 

six grandchildren. 

TOM McKELVEY retired from the 

ministry on June 30, 2011, after 

43 years as a United Methodist 

pastor. He is married to KAREN 

DELBRUGGE McKELVEY ’65, 

who also retired after 35 years as 

a public school teacher. They live 

in Salisbury, MD, and have two 

sons and four grandchildren. 

19 67 


ED BAKER, Ridgely, MD, was honored 

by Chesapeake College with 

the Pride of Peake Award. A professor 

of kinesiology and wellness 

for over 40 years, he estimates 

that he has taught over 11,000 

students, whom he has worked to 

give the skills to be both mentally 

and physically healthy. He also 

received commendations from the 

Maryland Senate and Gov. Martin 

O’Malley. He is married to BON- 

NIE MARINO BAKER ’69. 

19 62 


19 63 

PATTY SUTTON MICHAUX, 

Lexington, KY, has published a 

memoir of an inner-city elementary 

school principal, which follows 

her through 35 years in education. 

19 64 

BILL BURNS, Fridley, MN, completed 

his 23rd year as City Manager 

of Fridley. He has been a city 

manager for the past 35 years. 

19 66 

MYLES BRADLEY, Pittsburgh, PA, 

has retired after 43 years of serving 

United Methodist churches 

in Western Pennsylvania, ending 

his ministry at West View UMC in 

Pittsburgh. He is married to JOAN 

ROBERTS BRADLEY ’67. 

BOB BRUCE and CAROLYN SIL- 

LAMAN BRUCE ’69, Lyndhurst, 

OH, became the proud grandparents 

of Barrett Owen Bruce 

on September 29, 2011. Barrett 

joins sister, Teagan Avery, age 17 

months. 

DEAN BYROM, Pittsburgh, PA, 

has retired as a United Methodist 

pastor in the Western Pennsylvania 

Conference. He now works 

part-time as a pastoral assistant 

Join THE 

WESLEYAn 

SoCiETY! 

Have you ever considered joining the 

Wesleyan Society? Become a part of the 

leadership giving society today. 

For $1,000 or more each fiscal year, you will 

be a member of the Wesleyan Society and 

receive all the benefits of belonging to the 

Society. 

To make a gift, go to: 

http://www.wvwc.edu/advancement/gift.php. 

For more details, email makeagift@wvwc.edu 

or call 800-768-8264. 


2


19 70 

ROGER CAMPBELL, Pittsburgh, 

PA, retired from a career in 

political marketing consulting and 

returned to graduate school at Pitt 

with the goal of teaching literature 

at the college level. He always 

enjoys hearing from Wesleyan 

friends. 

19 71 

GARY BAILEY and PERCILLA 

WAUGH BAILEY, Eleanor, WV, 

welcomed their second grandchild, 

Bryor Tate Bailey on June 

29, 2011. He joins older brother, 

Turner, 3 years old. Gary is retired 

after 37 years with the USDA. 

DAVID HERMAN, St. Petersburg, 

FL, retired from the Florida 

Conference and is now President 

of DS Coaching, encouraging 

churches and pastors through 

church change and growth. His 

wife, SHARON BRADEEN HER- 

MAN ’70, retired from nursing and 

assists him in church work. They 

both enjoy hiking in North Carolina 

and spending time with their 

grandson in Florida. 

19 72 


ELAINE IRWIN FRANTZ, Savannah, 

GA, was appointed to the 

Georgia Trauma Care Network 

Commission by Lt. Gov. Casey 

Cagle. She is currently the Director 

of Trauma Services at Memorial 

University Medical Center in 

Savannah. 

NANCY MADGE HARRINGTON, 

Millington, MD, retired after 37 

years of teaching for the Kent 

County Public School System. 

She is now mentoring new teachers 

and enjoys reading, gardening, 

kayaking, and spending time with 

her grandson, Brayden. Her sister 

is DARLENE MADGE RIZZO ’74, 

and her daughter is MELISSA 

HARRINGTON LOLLER ’02. 

19 73 

JACK FREAR, Round Hill, VA, 

retired from the Loudin County 

Public Library after 33 years of 

service. 

SHERRIE HAMILTON KIRKPAT- 

RICK, Laurel, MD, submitted this 

photo of a small Alpha Xi Delta 

reunion in Buckhannon. Pictured 

are, (front, l-r): DEBBIE MOXLEY 

ANGER, LINDA BAYS COOPER, 

JAYNE CHAMBERLAIN KALP 

’74, JAMIE WELLMAN STEVENS, 

SUE DUCHENE CONNOR ’74, 

JEANNIE ELLIS ZICKEFOOSE, 

NANCY HURT RENEAU ’75, 

BARB LISKE TANTILLO ’75, 

SANDY HOUSTON LESCH; 

(back): PATTY NEWMAN HELD 

’74, JANET SMITH BLUNT ’74, 

KITTY DONAHUE BLACK, 

KIRKPATRICK, BARB DEHAAS 

BOCCHINI, MARILYN SMITH ’75, 

& CHERYL FRANKEBURGER 

NEFF ’75. 

19 74 

MARY BECKER MASON, Cranberry 

Township, PA, was juried into 

membership of the Associated 

Artists of Pittsburgh. She received 

the Juror’s Award at their show, 

Myths and Fables, at Gallery SIM in 

Pittsburgh for her copper enamel 

jewelry pendant of the Ancient 

Green Man. 

19 75 

PATTY WATKINS WAGER was 

voted Big Ten Track and Field 

Boy’s Coach of the Year by the 

Big Ten Conference high school 

track and field coaches. She is 

currently the boy’s track and field 

head coach at Buckhannon- 

Upshur High School, as well as a 

Visual Arts teacher at the school. 

She lives in Buckhannon with her 

husband, ROY WAGER ’70. 

DENNIS & LINDA LEMMON 

XANDER, Buckhannon, WV, 

enjoyed the new fountain on 

campus this summer with their 

granddaughter, Olivia Caroline 

Hawkins, Class of 2032. 

19 76 

At ceremonies held during the 

spring semester of 2011, JOHN 

COLATCH, Easton, PA, received the 

Aaron Hoff People’s Choice Award 

and the Cyrus Fleck Administrator 

of the Year Award for outstanding 

contributions to the Lafayette 

College community. Colatch has 

served as Director of Religious 

and Spiritual Life and Chaplain of 

Lafayette College since 2004. 

19 77 


MICHAEL CARTER, Bucksport, 

ME, retired after 33 years of 

teaching physical education and 

coaching in Bucksport. As the 

varsity wrestling coach, he posted 

an overall career record of 282-62- 

3. He was named Maine Coach 

of the Year, New England Coach 

of the Year, and a member of the 

BHS Athletic Hall of Fame. He and 

his wife Michelle are the parents of 

Joshua and Jessica. 

19 78 

DAVID PARKER, Washington, DC, 

was promoted to Senior Financial 

Sector Expert at the International 

Monetary Fund (IMF). His book, 

Closing a Failed Bank, was recently 

published by the IMF. 

CHIP PICKERING, Williamstown, 

WV, designed and built WV’s first 

LEED platinum-certified home. He 

is President & CEO of Parkersburgbased 

Pickering Associates, an 

architectural/engineering firm, and 

he is married to JOAN LANIER 

PICKERING ’79. His mother is 

JEAN ALLEN PICKERING ’55. 

19 79 

MICHAEL SALMONS and his wife, 

Helen, celebrated the marriage of 

their son, Aaron, on October 22, 

2011, in Jacksonville, FL. Michael 

is the manager of the Cathodic 

Protection Division of Allegheny 

Surveys, Inc., and resides in 

Culloden, WV. 

19 80 

KIMANN SHULTZ SHOCKLEY, 

Nashville, TN, was hired by the 

UMC to lead a research project on 

how United Methodist churches 

become vital places of mission and 

ministry. 

19 82 


19 84 

SARAH LOWTHER HENSLEY, 

Fairmont, WV, has been named 

Vice President for Community Engagement 

at Pierpont Community 

& Technical College. She oversees 

communications, public relations, 

marketing, and alumni and 

donor relations for Pierpont, which 

serves a thirteen county region in 

North Central West Virginia. 


The Wesleyan FUnD 

is an opportunity for alumni and friends to take a lead role in 

advancing the College. It is our highest fund-raising priority because it 

helps enhance the Wesleyan experience for each student. It provides 

direct support to our financial aid program, allowing Wesleyan to attract 

a diverse group of outstanding students. It is the key to allowing 

Wesleyan to reach its mission of preparing and graduating educated 

men and women who: 

• think critically and creatively, 

• communicate effectively, 

• act responsibly, and 

• demonstrate their local and world citizenship through service. 

Participate in the 

Wesleyan experience 

and support the 

Wesleyan Fund. 

Giving to The Wesleyan Fund is easy! 

The Wesleyan Fund 

59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201 

800-768-8264 

www.wvwc.edu/alumni/gift.php 


2


19 85 

TRACY HASELY-HARSHMAN, 

Casper, WY, was named the 2010 

Hometown Hero for Workplace 

Safety by the Americal Red Cross. 

19 87 


19 86 

TODD LEONHARDT has opened 

a new Benjamin F. Edwards & 

Company office in Red Bank, NJ. 

He and his wife, Jamie, live in Sea 

Girt, NJ. 

19 89 

ALICE FAUCETT-CARTER, 

Charleston, WV, visited Buckhannon 

in the fall to tour Wesleyan’s 

campus with her four daughters, 

Jairis, Julia, Jaidyn and Jamie. 

19 92 


ERIC WAGGONER, associate professor 

of English at Wesleyan, was 

presented with the General Board 

of Higher Education of the United 

Methodist Church Exemplary 

Teaching Award during the Founders 

Day Convocation held October 

14, 2011, by Dr. Larry Parsons, vice 

president for academic affairs. The 

award recognizes faculty members 

who exemplify excellence in 

teaching, civility and concern for 

students and colleagues, commitment 

to value-centered education, 

and service to students, the institution, 

and the community. Joining 

Wesleyan’s faculty in 2002, Waggoner 

teaches American literature, 

literary theory, and composition. 

19 93 

PETER GALLAGHER, Gilbertsville, 

PA, became the all-time wins 

leader in Ursinus College football 

history in 2010, and his team was 

also named Centennial Conference 

Champions. He completed 

his 11th season in the Fall of 

2011 as Head Football Coach at 

Ursinus College. He is married to 

STACY KONICK GALLAGHER 

’94, and they have two children, 

Kaleigh, 11, and Madison, 9. 

SARA GRADY WYER, Leroy, WV, 

was recently promoted to Director 

of Psychological and Clinical Services 

at KVC Behavioral Healthcare. 

Sara and her husband, 

Kevin, are the proud parents of 

three girls: Sydney, 10, Alison, 7, 

and Jenna, 2. 

19 97 


MATT McCLUNG is the pastor at 

Chapel United Methodist Church 

in Madison, OH. He and his wife, 

EMILY SKOLNIK McCLUNG ’98, 

an instructor in Hiram College’s 

Department of Nursing, live in 

Ravenna, OH, with their two children, 

Lauren, 5, and Daniel, 1. 

Married: JENNIFER PEARCE & 

Rick Aldrich, October 8, 2010, in 

Charleston, SC. Many alumni 

friends were in attendance. The 

couple resides in Seabrook 

Island, SC, and Jennifer continues 

to work in University Planning at 

the Medical University of SC in 

Charleston. 

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19 95 

Born: to Thomas & REBECCA 

GANTZ BLUM, daughter Rachel 

Antonia, January 4, 2011. She joins 

siblings Courtney, 7, and Tommy, 4, 

at home in Monroeville, NJ. 

19 96 

Born: to TROY QUILLEN and 

STEFANIE GEBHARD QUILLEN, 

daughter Lucy Ann, August 24, 

2011. They reside in Woodford, VA. 

Her grandmother is ROSALIND 

GEBHARD PAUL ’65. 

19 99 

Born: to John & JESSICA 

GAINOR COPPOLA, son Angelo 

Joseph, September 15, 2011. They 

reside in Millersville, MD. 



20 02 


Married: MARY ALICE BIRD 

and JASON FOOTE ’06, MBA 

’08, May 21, 2011, at Fernandina 

Beach, FL. Many Wesleyan friends 

were in attendance. The couple 

resides in Fernandina Beach. 

Born: to DAVID HARDIN & wife 

Jeni, son Benjamin Monroe, June 

20, 2011, joining sister Cora, 2, at 

home in Bedford, OH, where David 

currently serves as the Senior 

Pastor at First Baptist Church 

Bedford. 

20 04 

Married: RAY LAMORA III & Kathleen 

Burda, July 2, 2011, in Elkins, 

WV. Many Wesleyan friends were 

in attendance. The couple resides 

in Elkins. 

20 05 

KRISTIN CANTRELL CANIPE 

graduated from East Carolina 

University in May 2011, with a 

Master’s of Science in Nursing 

with a concentration in Nursing 

Education. Kristin is married to 

JAMES CANIPE ’05. They reside 

in Richmond, VA. 

Married: DENAE KESSEL & 

Daniel Dostal, July 24, 2011, in 

Amherst, MA. Wesleyan Alumni in 

the wedding party were JUSTIN 

FOLTS ’02 and DEVAN KESSEL 

FOLTS ’01. The couple resides in 

Easthampton, MA, where Denae 

is a Physical Education teacher 

and personal trainer. 

Born: to Christopher & ALICIA 

CRAFT McPHERSON, son Cohen 

Brent, October 19, 2010. They 

reside in Sutton, WV. 

20 07 


JENNIFER DICK, Hilliyard, OH, 

graduated from the West Virginia 

School of Osteopathic Medicine 

in 2011. She is now working at 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 

Columbus, OH. 

20 08 

HEATHER MAUGER, Gahanna, 

OH, graduated in August 2011 with 

a Master of Arts in Museum Studies 

from Baylor University. 

Married: IAN SULLIVAN and 

ASHLEY HODAK, June 4, 2011, 

in Millersville, MD, at the Historic 

Baldwin Hall. Members of the 

wedding party included JARED 

WELLER MB A ’07, RAELYN 

SPRENKLE ’09, MATTHEW 

WAGNER, CHARLES POWELL 

’10, ROBERT POWELL ’11, JAC- 

LYN RANDOLPH ’09 and KELLY 

SHATTUCK MEd ’11. Many other 

Wesleyan friends were in attendance. 

The couple now resides in 

Catonsville, MD. 

N 

Your 

classmates 

would like to 

hear from You! 

Share your news (career 

and address changes, 

promotions, awards, 

marriages, births, 

retirements, etc.) by 

sending the information 

to the Office of Alumni 

Relations at 

59 College Ave., 

Buckhannon WV 26201 

or alumni@wvwc.edu. 

Remember to include your name 

with maiden name (if applicable), 

class year, spouse’s name and 

class year (if applicable), mailing 

address, phone and email 

address. Include occupation/title 

and other business information, 

as appropriate. Photos should 

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apologize for any inconvenience, 

but we are unable to publish 

engagement announcements due 

to space limitations. 

20 09 

SARAH VAN HORN, Malta, OH, is 

the Girl’s Basketball Coach at Paul 

Laurence Dunbar High School in 

Lexington, KY. 

20 10 

ELLEN DAHILL-BROWN, Ramsgate, 

New South Wales, Australia, 

is getting her certification as a 

scuba instructor. She has had 

many adventures, including two 

weeks spent diving at the Great 

Barrier Reef. 

Born: to DEREK SNYDER and 

KASEY EMERICK-SNYDER, 

daughter Mia Elizabeth, April 19, 

2011, in Parkersburg, WV, where 

they reside. 

SALLIE RICHARDS, Ironton, OH, 

received her Doctorate of Psychology 

from Marshall University 

in December 2010. She is the 

daughter of MARLENE HECHT 

RICHARDS ’65 of Franklin, PA. 

20 06 

Married: Jeff Morris & MORGAN 

DELANEY, October 23, 2011, in 

Roanoke, VA. She is the Project 

Administrator for the Carilion 

Clinic Cardiovascular Fellowship 

program, and the couple resides 

in Roanoke. 

TOM WOOD, Tallmansville, WV, 

won the Fourth Annual Stonewall 

Jackson Triathalon. The course 

included a one thousand meter 

swim, twelve mile bicycle race, 

and four mile run. He completed 

the competition, which was held 

at Stonewall Jackson State Park, 

in one hour, forty-four minutes. 

JOSHUA RIDER, Berkeley 

Springs, WV, is the new 6th Grade 

teacher at Warm Springs Middle 

School. 


2

A Musical Career 

Comes Full Circle 

“It’s not about me, it’s about music-making,” 

said Dr. Larry Parsons as he remembered 

Concert Chorale over the last several decades. 

Parsons, who has conducted the Concert 

Chorale at West Virginia Wesleyan for over 

40 years, has also served as Vice President for 

Academic Affairs and Dean of the College for 

the last eight years. 

Today, he is preparing to step down as conductor and 

director of the choir at the end of this academic year, and 

in doing so, he is also planning a large alumni reunion in 

mid-April. 

When Dr. Parsons arrived on campus in 1968, Wesleyan 

had an 80-member Chapel Choir. From that group, approximately 

40 students were chosen for the Tour Choir. 

Then, they were invited to perform at the 100th anniversary 

of The United Methodist Church in Austria in 1970, 

Parsons’ second year at Wesleyan. The name Concert 

Chorale then emerged. 

He remembers rehearsals in the early days at noon with 

bag lunches from Saga (the former food service provider 

on campus). He remembers having 30 to 40 fundraising 

concerts that year, too. Each student paid roughly $750 for 

the trip to Austria. The College matched that amount and 

the remaining funds needed were raised through concerts. 

They spent six weeks in Europe touring and performing in 

eight countries. 

In the last 40 years, Parsons and the Concert Chorale have 

not only visited Austria, but also Switzerland, Italy, Germany, 

Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Denmark, The Netherlands, 

England, and Wales. It is through these touring experiences 

that students gain a sense of great discipline. They become 

great performers through clear focus, according to Parsons, 

much like great athletes do. And, they learn to get along 

with others. 

Parsons’ mission has been to share the full experience with 

his students. They do not simply sing or learn music. They 

gain an understanding and appreciation for the literature 

(music and text), as well as the culture. He finds it critical 

that students and performers study the words themselves. 

“The words are so important,” said Dr. Parsons. “You must 

know the culture of when a piece was written - the architecture 

and the clothing of the time.” 

Auditioning for Concert Chorale is much the same today as 

it was 40 years ago. What has changed, though, is the availability 

of applicants. 

“Music struggles to stay alive in public schools now, so our 

pool of applicants is smaller,” according to Dr. Parsons. 

Once a group is established, they often stay connected for 

years. The upcoming reunion will be an opportunity to 

celebrate an affinity group that alumni Chorale members 

cherish to this day. Parsons noted that these alumni “really 

do like each other.” The reunion will be built around a performance, 

as many alumni continue with singing long after 

leaving Wesleyan. The reunion offers fellowship, rehearsal 

time and a closing concert. 


Concert Chorale Alumni Reunion 

April 13-15, 2012 

> Rehearsal on Friday, April 13 at 7:30 pm in Loar Auditorium 

> Rehearsals on Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 am and 2:30 pm in Wesley Chapel 

> Performance on Sunday, April 15 at 3:00 pm in Wesley Chapel 

(All are welcome to enjoy the performance!) 

For details, go to http://www.wvwc.edu/alumni/choirreunion/ 

“We have a lot of traditions that have developed over the years and 

would be difficult to share outside of our group. Some of them are 

silly, but fun, and that’s what makes this particular group so special,” 

continued Dr. Parsons. He did mention that they always have a 

statue with the group. At Founders Day this past October, a rooster 

(“Cack”) made an appearance on stage with the Concert Chorale. 

“Ed the Dog” was a former statue that traveled with the Chorale. 

It was thought to be at the bottom of the Buckhannon river many 

years ago, but actually made an appearance at the 2006 Chorale 

reunion during Festival of Lessons & Carols. 

Parsons recognizes that this is a bittersweet time. He knows the 

time is right to retire and he is looking forward to finding a new 

director, the right person to lead Concert Chorale. 

“I am interested in seeing where the Chorale goes from here. New 

conductors have the opportunity to pull their own personalities into 

a group such as this.” 

The memories overflow and pride exudes from Parsons as he talks 

about the many experiences he has had with the Chorale. He had 

planned to stay for only three years when he first arrived at Wesleyan, 

but then ended up staying for his entire career. He quickly found 

that he could do more literature here than he could at a larger university. 

He could study in Germany, tour in Austria, take a sabbatical 

and complete a doctorate, then create the Larry Parsons Chorale at 

a semi-professional level, serve as chorusmaster of the West Virginia 

Symphony, all in West Virginia and all while teaching music at a 

small liberal arts college in a rural area. He did what he wanted and 

West Virginia Wesleyan was, musically, a great place to be. 

Parsons believes we all must find a calling in life and go where we 

belong. For him, that place of belonging was here. In mid-April, 

Parsons’ career at Wesleyan comes full circle as the reunion concert 

will feature three pieces he truly loves with a great choir. One of 

those pieces was performed during his first year at Wesleyan. 

memories... 

“I have a photograph of the Concert Chorale 

in Wesley Chapel rehearsing some songs for 

a CD for the troops of Desert Storm. Every 

time I look at that picture I think of the brave 

men and women who have served or are 

currently serving our country and it makes 

me smile that I was a very small part of 

bringing a bit of cheer to those overseas.” 

Allison b. Ambrose ’92 

“From 1965-1969 I spent four years at 

Wesleyan — where have those 40 plus years 

gone? I look back to that time as some of the 

best in my life and although the world was in 

a state of turmoil we were sheltered in those 

West Virginia Hills, carefree kids, learning, 

playing, and preparing for our lives ahead. 

And as the song says no matter where I 

roam some part of my heart will always be 

in those West Virginia Hills.” 

Jack Tourtillotte ’69 

“Tour choir 1957-1961: One year on tour we 

attended the opera, “Lucia di Lammermoor” 

in New York City. How surprised we were 

when we heard Wesleyan’s Alma Mater of 

the Mountains (tune) being sung during the 

opera. Our director, Ms. Irma H. Hopkins 

had to explain that indeed it was first sung in 

Lucia, not at Wesleyan.” 

Ann Welker Harrison ’61 


2

i n memoriA m 

LILLIAN MCGINNIS WOLFE ’32 

of Vienna, WV, died September 

15, 1998. 

LUCIE BROOKS CAVEN ’33 of 

Pitman, NJ, died November 17, 

2010. She was an educator with 

the Pennsville School System. 

MARY BETTY KELLY JONES ’35 

of North Riverside, IL, formerly of 

Wheeling, WV, died May, 15, 2003. 

She was a teacher in Ohio County 

Schools. 

PAUL VENNARI ’36 of Beckley, 

WV, died December 31, 2000. 

WINIFRED SPRING LAYTON ’37 

of Catonsville, MD, died October 

15, 1997. 

HOWARD W. REPPERT ’37 of 

Buckhannon, WV, and more 

recently of Charleston, WV, died 

June 6, 2011. He loved fishing, 

squirrel hunting, and the New York 

Yankees. 

LOIS MICK FRY ’38 of Ronceverte, 

WV, and more recently of 

Henderson, NV, died August 12, 

2011. She was a teacher at Greenbrier 

High School from the early 

1950s until her retirement in 1972 

and was active in the Ronceverte 

Women’s Club. 

EDMUND C. MEADOWS ’38 of 

Leominster, MA, and Manchester, 

VT, and more recently of Bennington, 

VT, died July 26, 2011. He 

was a surgeon in the U.S. Navy 

in WWII and the Korean War 

and also served as the Chief of 

Surgery at Leominster Hospital for 

32 years. 

JACKSON M. ANDERSON ’39 

of Lexington, KY, died August 

27, 2011. He was a Professor of 

Industrial Recreation at Purdue 

University, and he worked with 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver planning 

what would become the Special 

Olympics. 

GELIA WAMSLEY SHAW ’40 of 

Orange, CA, died September 30, 

2009. 

DONALD R. SUTHERLAND ’40 

of Camden, TN, died January 26, 

2004. 

On September 21, 2011, PATTON 

LACY NICKELL, JR. ’56 passed 

away. 

Pat served Wesleyan for decades and 

in many different capacities, including 

Registrar, vice president for administration, 

and director of church 

relations. He retired in 1986. Pat 

received an Alumni Award in 1982 

for his outstanding loyalty and service to the College. A 

resolution by the Wesleyan Board of Trustees noted that 

“he exemplified the qualities of leadership, dedication, 

professionalism and humaneness that are so vital to the 

mission of the College.” He was also a U.S. Air Force 

veteran of the Korean War, a member of First United 

Methodist Church, a Scoutmaster, and volunteer for 

several other community organizations. He is survived 

by his wife, Ellen Roush Nickell ’51, and their three 

children, Van ’79, Jane Ellen ’81, and Wes ’84. 

The family suggests that memorial gifts be directed to 

the Roush Nickell Scholarship Fund at Wesleyan. 

REQUA S. “REX” TENNEY ’42 of 

Elkins, WV, died January 20, 2010. 

He was a veteran of WWII and was 

an ordained deacon in the First 

Baptist Church of Buckhannon. 

HARRIETT WHETSELL 

WELSHONCE ’43 of Elkins, WV, 

died on January 20, 2012. Her love 

for Wesleyan never faded, and she 

considered it part of her life’s work 

to recruit students from Randolph 

County to attend Wesleyan. She 

once served as an assistant to 

the President of Wesleyan and 

later as a member of the Board 

of Trustees, Alumni Council and 

Emeritus Club. 

JEROME E. BROWN ’44 of Buckhannon, 

WV, died June 19, 2010. 

IRENE COLE ’44 of Cridersville, 

OH, died August 26, 2011. She 

was a home missionary at the 

McCurdy School in Santa Cruz, 

NM, from 1944-1997. 

REX KOON ’44 of Bridgeport, WV, 

formerly of Ellamore, WV, died October 

15, 2006. He was the former 

owner and mechanic of Koon’s 

Gulf Station in Buckhannon. 

ZOLA RAMSBURG SIMS ’44 of 

Weston, WV, died May 29, 2010. 

She was a teacher in Lewis 

County for 20 years. 

JEAN HORNER CHILDRESS ’45 

of Oak Ridge, TN, died August 

5, 2011. She worked at the Oak 

Ridger for 35 years and had an 

unrivaled command of the English 

language. 

REGINALD W. LONG ’46 of Deland, 

FL, died October 21, 2011. He 

worked as a railroader for 45 years 

and was an avid bridge player. 

MARVIN B. MORRISON ’46 of 

Richwood, WV, died March 19, 

2009. He was a veteran of WWII, 

a member of the Shriners and 

Masons, and loved to golf. 

BEULAH BROWN NEIL ’46 of 

Daytona Beach, FL, died October 

2, 2011. She was an elementary 

school teacher and principal, as 

well as a 4-H leader for 37 years. 

PAUL L. UPOLE ’46 of Wauseon, 

OH, died January 31, 2006. 

MARTHA RUSSELL BARKER ’47 

of Richwood, WV, died December 

5, 2008. She was employed by 

the Nicholas County Board of 

Education for over 25 years. 

RONALD C. KYGER ’48 of 

Huntington, WV, died October 17, 

2011. He was a former Assistant 

Attorney General of WV, serving 

as counsel to the State Tax Commissioner. 

LOREN E. “DUTCH” KARICK- 

HOFF ’49 of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 

died August 17, 2011. He was a 

veteran of WWII and retired from 

the Church Insurance Agency 

after nearly 50 years. 

JOHN T. SHEAHAN ’49 of St. Augustine, 

FL, died January 19, 2011. 

He was an educator for 42 years 

and taught in Palm Beach County 

and at the University of Florida. 

ZANE H. SUMMERS ’49 of The 

Villages, FL, died September 30, 

2011. He served 43 years of active 

military duty, retiring as a Colonel 

in 1987. 

DONALD E. ANTHONY ’50 of 

Woodsfield, OH, died July 25, 2011. 

WALLACE S. CAINES ’50 of 

Charleston, WV, died July 15, 2011. 

He retired from Union Carbide 

Tech Center in 1985 and served 

for many years as an umpire in St. 

Albans summer league baseball. 

BETTY FOSTER PHILLIPS ’50 of 

Buckhannon, WV, died November 

12, 2009. She was a real estate 

agent and enjoyed reading. 

WILLIAM G. STARKEY ’50 of 

Virginia Beach, VA, died June 3, 

2011. He was a retired Episcopal 

pastor. 

CHRISTINE CONTOS FOTOS ’51 

of Annapolis, MD, died September 

1, 2011. She enjoyed traveling and 

attending events at St. John’s 

College. 


i n memoriA m 

HATTIE BELCHER GARRETT ’51 

of Vienna, WV, and more recently 

of Austin, TX, died June 28, 2011. 

She was a teacher in WV and later 

in OH, where she was named 

Teacher of the Year in 1960. 

GUY H. “BUTCH” BURRILL, JR. 

’52 of Monroe, NH, died November 

20, 2011. He was a sports 

enthusiast who loved baseball, 

football, golf, snowmobiling, hunting, 

and attending the sporting 

events of his sons and grandchildren. 

JOANNA FELTON COCCHI- 

ARELLA ’52 of Merritt Island, FL, 

died December 9, 2010. She was 

a teacher at Satellite High School 

for more than 20 years as well as 

a professor at the Florida Institute 

of Technology. 

DORIS RADER HYDE ’52 of Munhall, 

PA, died August 8, 2011. She 

was a lifelong educator, serving 

as Principal of Barrett Elementary 

School in Homestead for over two 

decades. 

NANCY PHILLIPS MARTIN ’52 of 

Paris, PA, died December 6, 2011. 

She loved to swim, play bridge, 

and golf. 

PATRICIA HIGGINS ROB- 

ERTS ’52 of Elizabeth, WV, died 

December 6, 2011. She was a 

longtime member of the Elizabeth 

United Methodist Church and a 

community supporter of many 

Wirt County organizations and 

programs. 

ROBERT M. SIMONS ’52 of 

Beverly Hills, MI, died September 

27, 2011. He retired as Executive 

Director of the Michigan Heart 

Association in 1989 after 28 years 

of service. 

PATRICIA RADABAUGH PER- 

KINS ’53 of Buckhannon, WV, 

died December 22, 2007. She was 

a lifetime member of 4-H All Stars. 

ESTHER FERRELL SEADEEK ’53 

of Orlando, FL, died November 15, 

2011. She was an educator, pastor, 

and author. 

ANN MOSS SMITH ’55 of 

Berkeley Springs, WV, died July 

6, 2011. She taught second grade 

in West Virginia and Maryland for 

22 years. 

RICHARD E. “DICK” MOHR ’56 

of Trumbull, CT, died November 19, 

2011. He was owner of the Dairy 

Queen in Bridgeport for many 

years. He loved camping in Maine 

and sailing model sailboats. 

JEAN GIVEN GUM-GOODE ’57 

of Richmond Heights, OH, died 

July 4, 2011. She taught second 

grade at Rozelle Elementary in 

East Cleveland for 37 years. 

LAURA MCMURDO ’57 of Casselberry, 

FL, died February 1, 2010. 

W. KIRK SAYLOR ’57 of Bellevue, 

PA, died June 23, 2010. He was 

active in the Greenstone United 

Methodist Church and was a 

32nd Degree Mason. 

LESLIE E. BIRKMAIER ’58 of 

Trumbull, CT, died May 16, 2011. In 

addition to being a U.S. Air Force 

veteran, he was a planetarium 

director at the Museum of Art, 

Science, and Industry for over 

35 years and enjoyed teaching 

children about the stars. 

MARVINP.JONES ’59 of Newark, 

OH, died September 14, 2011. He 

was an engineer at the Newark Air 

Force Station and retired in 1993 

after 30 years of service. 

IMOGENE MOSS WIMER ’60 of 

Weaverville, NC, died August 29, 

2011. She was an active bridge 

player and taught lessons for over 

30 years. 

CHARLES R. DENT ’61 of Annapolis, 

MD, died July 7, 1990. 

STEPHEN H. JACKSON ’63 of 

Vienna, WV, died June 23, 2011. He 

was a professional wildlife artist. 

His work has been displayed at 

the U.S. Department of the Interior, 

the WV State Capitol, and other 

state offices. 

INA ZICKEFOOSE PERRY ’63 

of Buckhannon, WV, died August 

21, 2011. She worked in the Office 

of the Registrar at Wesleyan and 

later became a teacher’s aide at 

Washington District Elementary 

School. 

JOHN L. STRATTON ’64 of Hollidaysburg, 

PA, died September 14, 

2011. He was a U.S. Army veteran 

and retired from Bomont Mills in 

Altoona. 

PAULA HOCKELBERG LEAVER 

’65 of North Canton, OH, died 

August 5, 2011. She was a registered 

nurse at Barberton Hospital, 

Edwin Shaw Hospital, and the 

Crisis Center. 

WILLIAM G. FRASER, JR. ’66 

of Elkton, MD, died October 29, 

2011. He was an educator in Cecil 

County Public Schools for 30 

years. 

RONALD J. LASICH, SR. ’66 of 

South Baldwin, PA, died June 4, 

2011. He was the President and 

CEO of the Visionary Federal 

Credit Union in Bridgeville, PA. 

SUSAN CRAIN SONOSKI ’66 of 

White Plains, NY, died November 

7, 2011. She was a longtime member 

of the Nyack Field Club and 

loved to play tennis. 

JOHN R. CHASE ’68 of Atlanta, 

GA, died November 5, 2011. He 

retired as the Southeast Regional 

Manager for DeVilbiss Medical 

Supplies. 

BERNICE TOMEY ’69 of Buckhannon, 

WV, died May 18, 2008. 

She was a teacher in Upshur 

County, WV. 

KAYE BROWN RIGGS GRANT ’71 

of Wilmington, DE, died September 

13, 2007. She taught at the 

Delaware School for the Deaf for 

23 years. 

SHELIA ETOWSKI-JAVED ’72 

of Oakland, MD, died November 

1, 2011. She loved cats, writing 

poetry, and playing guitar. 

ROBERT H. KLICK ’73 of Bethlehem 

Township, NJ, died September 

22, 2011. He worked at Foster 

Wheeler Inc. for over 33 years and 

was a 32nd Degree Mason. 

On January 4, 2012, JOHN C. 

WRIGHT ’48, Hon. ’74 died. 

He completed a Ph.D. in chemistry 

from the University of Illinois 

in 1951, served as an industrial 

research chemist in Delaware and 

then began serving Wesleyan as 

associate professor of chemistry on 

January 28, 1957, filling the faculty 

position that became available upon the death of Dr. 

Nicholas Hyma in November, 1956. He left Wesleyan 

in 1965 and continued his distinguished career in higher 

education elsewhere. He served as the President of the 

University of Alabama-Huntsville from 1978-88. As 

a Wesleyan student, he was a member of Kappa Alpha, 

Benzene Ring and Community Council. He served in the 

U.S. Navy during World War II. 

He is survived by four sons, eight grandchildren, five 

great-grandchildren and one sister. His wife, Margaret 

Ann “Mac” Cyphers Wright ’50, predeceased him in 

2003. Wesleyan friends and former students initiated an 

effort several years ago to name a chemistry laboratory in 

his honor in the David E. Reemsnyder Research Center. 


1

i n memoriA m 

STEVEN B. RHOADES ’73 of 

Washington, WV, died October 

26, 2011. He served as a United 

Methodist pastor for over 40 

years, most recently serving the 

Gassaway UMC, Seventh Street 

UMC, and Sandyville UMC. 

ROLAND M. BOGERT ’74 of 

Buckhannon, WV, and more 

recently of Lenexa, KS, died 

November 9, 2011. He enjoyed 

golfing, fishing, and spending time 

in Florida. 

JANICE FOGG ’75 of Wayne, 

NJ, died July 14, 2011. She was 

a Customer Service Operator 

at Verizon Paterson for 28 years 

and was a Passaic County Hall of 

Fame Bowler. 

MAVIS COOKI HOLYFIELD ’77 of 

Nutter Fort, WV, died October 16, 

2011. She retired in 2006 from the 

Federal Bureau of Prisons after 28 

years of service. 

DONALD L. BOSLEY ’78 of Hillsdale, 

NJ, died August 14, 2011. He 

loved fishing, golf, and watching 

college sports. 

NANCY BEACHLEY FROEHLICH 

’81 of Berlin, PA, died December 

10, 2005. She was a certified 

financial planner and travel agent. 

PAUL D. STOCK ’82 of Penn 

Township, PA, died October 9, 

2011. He enjoyed hunting, cooking, 

traveling, and the Pittsburgh 

Steelers. 

RICHARD L. PETRAS ’83 of 

Millersville, MD, died July 22, 2011. 

He was a hotel manager in the 

Washington, DC, and Baltimore, 

MD, areas. 

STEVEN E. SHENUSKI ’84 of 

Buckhannon, WV, died September 

12, 2011. He was a fifth-grade 

teacher at Tennerton Elementary 

School and former Vice Principal 

at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle 

School. 

LARRY M. “MIKE” SKINNER 

’88 of Seaford, DE, died August 

21, 2011. He was a decorated 

U.S. Marine and a veteran of the 

Wilmington, DE, police force, and 

he recently retired from the Small 

Business Administration. 

JAMES B. BEMIS ’97 of Malvern, 

PA, died November 20, 2011. 

He was an avid runner, loved 

spending time with his family and 

friends, and delighted in being a 

father. 

ALLAN T. WHITEMAN ’02 of 

Westminster, CO, died October 8, 

2011. He practiced optometry in 

Arvada, CO, for five years. 

OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH 

WESLEYAN: 

DARRELL L. CLARK of Winchester, 

VA, died October 6, 2011. 

HUGH D. CROCKER, HON. ’78 of 

Grove City, PA, died June 13, 2011. 

He served churches in Big Run, 

Slippery Rock, Girard, and Oil City, 

and he was the former district 

superintendent of the Johnstown 

District. 

SAMUEL A. HARFORD, HON. ’58 

of Parkersburg, WV, died July 15, 

2011. He served various churches 

in MA and WV as a United Methodist 

minister, retiring in 1969, and 

he then became a professor at 

Parkersburg Community College 

teaching WV History and Religions 

of the World from 1969 to 1981. 

ALICE CLARKE LYNCH of Richmond, 

VA, died October 26, 2011. 

She was a life-long advocate for 

efficient, effective government, and 

deeply believed that voting registration 

should not be restrictive. 

C. OKEY MCCORMICK, HON. ’79 

of Logan, WV, died November 

19, 2011. He was a past member 

of the Board of Trustees and he 

served the WV United Methodist 

Conference as Chairman of Finance 

and Administration, leading 

a major fund raising campaign to 

found West Virginia United Methodist 

Charities. 

ARLETTA MICK of Buckhannon, 

WV, died June 23, 2011. She managed 

the Wesleyan bookstore. 

JEFFREY L. RINKEL of Hixson, 

TN, died May 2, 2010. 

HENRY A. SHISSLER of Philippi, 

WV, died August 1, 2011. He was 

a Professor of Sociology at Wesleyan 

from 1960 to 1970. 

This is the memorial list as we know 

it. We apologize for any omission and 

ask that you please notify the Office 

of Alumni Relations at alumni@wvwc. 

edu or 800-768-8264, ext. 8509. 

Professor Emerita and West Virginia Poet Laureate 

IRENE MCKINNEY ’67 died February 4, 2012. 

Widely respected regionally and nationally as a poet, 

scholar, and teacher, she is the author of six books of 

poetry in addition to numerous publications in literary 

journals and magazines. Another forthcoming collection 

of poetry will be published posthumously in 2013. 

She also served as an instructor at Wesleyan for over 

two decades and in the last three years of her life, she founded and directed 

the Low Residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program. 

A fund in her memory, the Irene McKinney Award for West Virginia 

Wesleyan MFA Students, has been established at West Virginia Wesleyan 

College, c/o Dr. Boyd Creasman, Division Chair, English Department, 59 

College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201. 

HONOR ROLL CORRECTIONS 

We apologize for the inadvertent omission of 

the following gifts from the 2010-11 Honor Roll 

of Donors. 

In MeMory of 

Mr. Robert H. Reger, Sr. ’34 & 

Mrs. Gwen Finlayson Reger ’37 

Mr. Robert H. Reger, Jr. ’64 & 

Mrs. Betsy Brown Reger ’66 

Mr. William L. Reger ’67 

Mr. Robert H. Reger, Jr. ’64 & 

Mrs. Betsy Brown Reger ’66 

Wesleyan Society 

1890 CIrCLe 

Annual Gifts of $10,000 to $24,999 

Dr. John D. Esaias ’71 & Dr. Ruth Ann Esaias 

WeSLeyAn CIrCLe 

Annual Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499 

Mrs. Janice Israel Allen ’49 

Mr. Clinton D. Spiegel ’54 

SChoLArShIpS & other endoWed fundS 

Audrey Hood Thompson Nursing Scholarship 


Many West Virginia Wesleyan alumni, 

parents, and friends give back to Wesleyan 

through bequest intentions or planned gifts 

that support: 

• scholarships for future Wesleyan students; 

• campus facilities, such as Wesley Chapel, the new 

residence hall or the wellness center; 

• naming of an academic school or endowed faculty 

chair; 

• a variety of other priorities across Wesleyan’s campus, 

such as the Center for Community Engagement, 

athletics or an arts and lecture series; 

• or Wesleyan’s greatest need. 

Bequests and planned gifts to Wesleyan have helped shape this College. 

Let us help you make a difference at Wesleyan and welcome you 

into the John W. Reger Society, which recognizes donors who make 

provisions for Wesleyan’s future. If you have been thinking of including 

Wesleyan in your will or gift planning, or need further information or 

assistance, call us at 800-768-8264 or 304-473-8600 or contact Rev. David 

R. Peters ’65, Planned Giving Coordinator at peters_d@wvwc.edu. 

Leave behind a legacy by contacting: 


Advancement Office 

59 College Avenue 

Buckhannon, WV 26201 

800-768-8264 

peters_d@wvwc.edu 

Mrs. Shirley Miller Gentry ’58 grew up in Upshur 

County, WV and spent most of her adult life in 

Missouri where she and her husband trained 

horses. She has planned a gift for Wesleyan because 

she feels Wesleyan gave her so much in the beginning of her 

adult life. 

She expresses it this way, “It’s a gift from my heart the College 

can use wherever the need is the greatest.” 



59 College Avenue 

Buckhannon, WV 26201 

www.wvwc.edu 

Non Profit 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

Permit #108 

Morgantown, WV 

Change Service Requested 

Have your name or the name of a loved one 

etched in glass for $750. The glass etchings will 

be prominently displayed on the front doors 

of the David E. Reemsnyder Research Center. 

Etchings can have up to 63 total characters 

and spaces, and may include “in honor of” or 

“in memory of” notations, if you so choose. 

Purchase a 12¨ X 12¨ commemorative tile for 

$1,500. The tiles will be displayed in the breezeway 

between the Christopher Hall of Science 

and the David E. Reemsnyder Research 

Center. Created by Buckhannon artist Roger 

Marsh, the tiles can feature a photo and/or text. 

Gifts for both the glass etchings and the tiles can be sent to Wesleyan over a twoyear 

period, with a down-payment and pledge required to reserve your space. 

For more information, contact: 

Rose Ellen Loudin, Director of Advancement Operations 

at 800-768-8264, 304-473-8600 or loudin_r@wvwc.edu

Inside this Sundial - West Virginia Wesleyan College

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