Why Wesleyan? - West Virginia Wesleyan College

NEWS FROM ERICKSON ALUMNI CENTER, CONT’DFRIEND OF THE COLLEGE/EXTRA MILE AWARDALISA MAUK LIVELYOn staff since 1987, Alisa Mauk Livelycurrently serves as director of campuslife at West Virginia Wesleyan where sheoversees housing, residence life, campusactivities, summer conferences, outdoorrecreation, and judicial affairs. She is alsocurrently the chair of Staff Council; amember of the WVWC Board of Trustees;co-chair of the Facilities and Equipment TaskForce; a member of the Strategic Planning Committee; an advisorto several Student Senate committees; a member of the FamilyWeekend, Orientation and Risk Management committees; a leader forWesleyan’s Collegiate Habitat for Humanity alternative spring breaktrip; and the list goes on. She is the mother of two daughters, Meganand Hannah.While her list of community involvement and professionalaffiliations is extensive, it is Alisa’s work with current students andeven alumni that propel her to extraordinary levels. In 2007, she washonored as the Staff Person of the Year, as voted on by the students,for her enthusiasm, dedication and genuine interest in students.Perhaps more impressive, though, are the words of recent graduateswho nominated her for this award. One stated that, “When I arrivedon Wesleyan’s campus, Alisa went out of her way to make me feellike Wesleyan wasn’t just a college, but also a home. Throughoutmy years at Wesleyan, I looked to her for guidance and advice. Shealways empowered me, allowing me to learn and grow.” Anothernomination stated that, “Alisa is someone that every student cancount on. She shows great caring for each and every student.”Class of 1960 joins Emeritus ClubTwenty-one members of the Class of 1960 returned to campus in earlyMay to celebrate their 50-year reunion and join the Emeritus Club.Alumni in the photo include (row 1, left to right) Sally Bond Paige,Jean White Grenning, Joyce Kurzel Fischer, Carole Doughton VacherMayberry, Mary Sue Van Camp Fraser, Shirley Lee Rogers,(row 2) K. Elizabeth Teter Akin, Joseph W. Tereshko, Robert I.Humphreys, Frederick M. Hart, David F. Wolfe, Alfred L. Moyé, (row 3)Rosalie Abbott Olsen, Arthur N. Smith, James M. Kerr, Frank Hartman II,John B. Pennington, Kenneth H. Maberry, William G. Thompson III,Gail L. Zickefoose, and Thomas E. Salata.Commencement 2010In Pursuit of DreamsMore than 175 undergraduatestudents earning Bachelorof Arts, Science, Science inNursing, or Music Educationdegrees plus nearly 30 graduatestudents earning Master ofBusiness Administration,Education, or Science in Athletic Training degrees graduated onMay 9, 2010.Father Ron Nickodem, S.M., pastor of Holy Rosary CatholicChurch in Buckhannon, delivered the Baccalaureate address onMay 8 and inspired us all to achieve greatness through the power ofpeace, presence, purpose and prayer. Julie Keehner, vice presidentfor student development and enrollment management, highlightedthe many successes and challenges the senior class faced over the pastfour years in her keynote address at the senior banquet just beforeBaccalaureate.Dr. David B. Gray from the Class of 1938 (pictured above) washonored for his outstanding achievements as a long-time oncologistand general surgeon in Charleston, WV. He received an HonoraryDoctor of Science degree during the Commencement ceremony.Senior class president Chris Tichnell ’10 presented Dr. Jeff Godwin,associate professor of business, with the Distinguished FacultyAward. And continuing the tradition of giving back with a class gift,the senior class presented a check for $5,367.38 to President PamelaBalch ’71 earmarked for lobby furniture in the new ReemsnyderResearch Center.Often referred to as the“dean of West Virginia radiobroadcasters,” Harvey “Hoppy”Kercheval (pictured left) of WestVirginia Radio Corporation andMetroNews Talkline deliveredthe Commencement addressentitled “Help Wanted” andreceived an Honorary Doctor ofHumane Letters. Referring to the graduates as smart, well-trained,hardworking, ethical and responsible, Kercheval shared with themthat, “We sometimes take it for granted in this country, but thinkabout this concept for a minute: You are not only free to pursueyour dreams, you are encouraged!”He reminded the Class of 2010 that, “Parents, teachers and othershave told you to work hard in school, to cultivate your interestsand passions, to be the best person you can be. They did thisbecause they wanted you to find happiness in your own versionof the American dream.The beauty of this scenario is that all you have to do is find yourpassion and pursue it. Discover what it is that you would do withyour life even if you didn’t get paid for it. Go after that with all yourheart and mind and then, as an added bonus, actually get paid.”1 8 SUNDIAL SUMMER/FALL 2010