Forward - Summer 2008

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Presidential Transitions:Thank you to Dr. G. Thomas MannWelcome Dr. G.T. "Buck" Smith

Commencement Coverage, StudentNews, Athletics, More ...

SUMMER 2008

from the presidentDear Alumni and Friends,

I am guilty of carrying on a ten-year love affair with Davis & Elkins College. Not to worry: it isnot an extramarital affair. My wife Carolyn shares my passion.

I came to this affair as the first member of my family to earn a college degree. My parentssupported me in achieving a goal that they perhaps did not understand fully, but that theyembraced without reservation.

I came to this affair as the product of another small, private, liberal-arts college where I gainedcourage to ask any question, willingness to deal with any new insight, and a sense of freedom tochange course in the face of compelling evidence.

I came to this affair as an academic. I earned a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, notbecause I viewed it as a credential, but rather because the program I chose allowed me to rubintellectual shoulders with some of the shapers of modern thought—Goethe, Kleist, Büchner,Wedekind, the other Thomas Mann—and to grapple with some of humanity’s darkest legacies inmy personal pursuit of truth.

I came to this affair as an internationalist. I chose to study abroad after my sophomore year ofcollege, at the height of the Cold War and in a place where the stark line between East andWest was characterized by mistrust and espionage I came out of that experience committed toinvesting myself in building trust and cross cultural understanding.

I came to this affair as a Presbyterian—not a lifelong Presbyterian, but as a Presbyterian bychoice. A tiny, progressive congregation in southern Iowa taught me that I did not necessarilyhave to take things literally to take them seriously. And that gave me a new and deeperappreciation for the unity of mind and spirit that links higher education and the Reformedtradition.

I came to this affair as a West Virginian—but again, by choice I came originally from places thatperpetuated all the stereotypes of West Virginia and central Appalachia, but I had found hereinstead a genuineness, a connectedness, and a sense of place from which contemporary societywould be well advised to learn.

And I came to this affair as one who, based on thirteen years of administrative experience, hadcome to view college administration as a venue from which I could support the larger academicenterprise more fully than I could as a Professor of German.

All of these winds from past experiences that seemed to align so perfectly with the breezes thatblew through D&E’s mission and sense of self fanned the sparks of this love affair from themoment Carolyn and I were presented with the opportunity to join our lives with that of theCollege. This has been an affair that we have shared for the past ten years and that we willalways treasure. May all of these elements continue to mix and feed each other to produce newlife, energy, and flames of passion for D&E in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

2 | Davis & Elkins College Forward... Summer ’08

A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FR IENDS OF DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE

News 4-8D&E Hosts West Virginia Sustainable FairStudent Education Association Goes to StateD&E’s International StudentsStudents in Free Enterprise CompeteBiology Student Receives ACA AwardInstallation of Academic Chairs

Commencement 2008 9-11

Parting Thoughts: Words and Pictures of Dr. G. Thomas Mann 12-13

Meet Our New President 14

Changes in Admissions 15

Tradition of Teaching Excellence 16

Planned Giving 17

Athletics 18-20

Alumni News/NAC Letter 21

Alumni Notes 22-27

In Memoriam 28

contents Summer 2008

Surprise honors. Carolyn and President Tom Mann receive word duringCommencement Ceremonies of the newly created G. Thomas and CarolynMann Academic Scholarship, an endowed gift to the College in honor ofthe Manns’ 10 years of service to D&E and its students and funded bymembers of the Board of Trustees.

Forward

On the cover: The West Virginia Highlanders ofDavis & Elkins College carries a D&E flag as partof its color guard.

Davis & Elkins College | 3

EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTORCarol Schuler

OFFICERS OF THE COLLEGEG. Thomas Mann

President

Kevin WilsonVice President for Enrollment Management

and Special Assistant to the President

Reneé HeckelDirector of Enrollment Management

Laurence B. McArthurVice President for Academic Affairs

& Dean of the Faculty

Patricia J. SchumannVice President for College Advancement

David M. SneedVice President for

Student Life & Dean of Students

COLLEGE ADVANCEMENT DIRECTORSCarol Schuler

Director of Communications & Marketing

Rachel Halperin Montgomery, ’91Director of Alumni Relations &

Annual Giving

Karen L. Wilmoth, ’83Director of Advancement Operations &

Stewardship

About the CollegeFocused on student success, Davis & Elkins College offers apersonalized undergraduate education firmly rooted in theliberal arts tradition. Its academic programs include thetraditional arts and sciences as well as preprofessional andprofessional studies. The College’s small size allows students todevelop close relationships with members of the faculty andwith each other that advance their academic and personaldevelopment.

Related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Collegewelcomes persons of all backgrounds and seeks to liveaccording to principles consistent with humane traditions andits Judeo-Christian heritage.

Davis & Elkins College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and willpractice equal opportunity in all aspects of its operation. Davis &Elkins College is committed to assuring equal opportunity to allpersons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex,religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, family status, orsexual orientation in its educational programs, activities, admissions oremployment practices as required by Title IX of the EducationAmendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in 1991, the WestVirginia Human Rights Act, and other applicable statutes. Inquiriesconcerning Title IX compliance should be referred to the College TitleIX Coordinator. Inquiries concerning Section 504 compliance shouldbe referred to the Vice President of Student Life. Inquiries concerningequal opportunity in personnel practices should be referred to theCoordinator of Personnel Services.

©2008 Davis & Elkins College

I remember the first formal ceremony I participated in at Davis & Elkins College— it must have been the Founders’ Day Convocation. There I stood in cap andgown along with faculty and other administrators of the college, and bycoincidence, I was just a seat or two from President Tom Mann. There was a lotto take in that day, but one thing that struck me was how much Dr. Mann likedto sing. This was no obligatory singer. This was a man who sang with feeling,enjoying the hymns, the voices around him, and the simple pleasure of song.

Later, I learned that Dr. Mann often selects the hymns for D&E’s formalceremonies. They are hymns I have enjoyed: traditional, melodic, and familiar.They evoke memories from throughout my life, and now they are a part of mylife at D&E. As I began this letter and searched for what to say about this manI’ve worked with over the last seven years, I thought that a short list of hymnshe has selected would provide a telling record. It’s a good list of sweet andtimeless tunes – a simple gift he has shared with all of us.

God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens, William Moore, 1825 God Who Gives to Life Its GoodnessEternal Father, Strong to Save, John Bacchus Dykes, 1861Spirit, James Manley, 1975Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, William Croft, 1708Be Thou My Vision, ancient Irish traditional melodyThe Love of GodO for a World, Carl Gotthelf Gläser, 1828

The job of a college president cannot be easy. I’ve watched Dr. Mann worksteadfastly to do great things for D&E. I’ve also watched him steel himself to dothose things he would rather not have done. Through it all he has worked with aquiet determination that reflects his vision of those ideals stated in D&E’smission. These are, I believe, the same ideals of which we have sung with him.

I’m not sure if there is a perfect hymn about retirement out there. But if there is,Dr. Mann, I truly hope you find it, and sing your heart out.

All the best,

Carol SchulerDirector of Communications & Marketing

Volume 54, No. 1 from the editor


news

D&E Hosts West Virginia Sustainable FairIn April, Davis & Elkins Collegecosponsored the West VirginiaSustainable Fair 2008, “Green Makes$en$e.” The three-day fair featuredevents that focused on sustainable living,including organic foods, greentechnology and energy alternatives. Anenvironmentally friendly art show washeld in Booth Library and speakers,demonstrations and exhibits were foundin classrooms and common areas acrosscampus. Other highlights included aconcert by “Public Outcry,” sponsored bythe D&E Writers Week program,coordinated by Associate ProfessorsPeter Okun and Bill King, the WestVirginia Symphony Concert, and amatinee performance of “Urinetown:The Musical,” by the D&E TheatreDepartment and directed by AssistantProfessor of Theatre April Daras.

D&E Instructor of EnvironmentalScience Russ McClain and D&EDirector of Communications andMarketing Carol Schuler worked closelywith the event organizers to promote theweekend statewide. McClain saysattendance topped 400, drawing peoplefrom beyond our area and our state.

“Feedback from the campus communityhas been overwhelmingly positive,” saysMcClain, “with many asking when Davis& Elkins College will again host thestatewide Sustainable Living Fair. Someof the most popular exhibits and displayswere, of course, the wind turbine andsolar panel displays, but the variety ofspeakers, vendors, and the great foodwere not to be outshined. Withattendance at this year’s fair topping 400visitors, many from beyond the countyand state, the possibility is certainlythere for us to host again and to becomemore integrally involved with the parentnonprofit organization, SustainableLiving for WestVirginia. In fact,there has beendiscussion ofcreating a home forthe organization atDavis & ElkinsCollege, along witha connectedspeaker series,increased studentinvolvement, andregular sustainablefairs andconferences. I

think there is real potential for D&E tobe a leader in the area of sustainableliving and development in WestVirginia.”

Two of the Sustainable Fair’s most-talked-aboutevents included the “Taste of West Virginia,” abuffet-style dinner catered by West Virginia chefsand featuring organic foods, and “A SustainableFeast,” which was an elegant gourmet dinnerserved in Halliehurst and planned by StonewallResort Chef Dale Hawkins. Hawkins worked withD&E Executive Chef and Manager of DiningServices Melanie Campbell as well as D&Ehospitality students to provide an organic meal thatfeatured local and regional foods.

news


The Davis & Elkins College StudentEducation Association (SEA) has 14 membersand increases every year. This year, fivemembers attended the annual West VirginiaStudent Education Association “Spring Fling”conference in Charleston, April 11-12.Students stayed at the Charleston Marriott.On Friday evening, the 11th, a dinner wasserved along with awards given andnominations for state officers for next year.On Saturday, the 12th, SEA students votedand attended three workshops from 8:30 untilNoon. Workshop Topics were “SpecialEducation: Debunking the Myths,” “Being aSuccessful Teacher: What Every ‘Newbie’Should Know,” and “Classroom ManagementStrategies.”

The D&E SEA won the President Award foran “Outstanding Community Project” for its“Get A Clue” summer 2007 children’sprogram at the Five Rivers Public Library inParsons, WV. The reading program was heldevery Wednesday, starting at 10:00 a.m., and

lasted for 7 weeks. SEA students were able toselect their own book to read aloud and createan activity or craft to go along with the book.Refreshments were furnished each week bythe library. Ten to 30 children attended eachweek ranging in age from two to 13. At theend of the program, awards were given toseveral students (i.e. who read the most) anda treasure hunt with clues was held. Allchildren received a bag of goodies to takehome.

The D&E chapter also received awards at theState Conference for membership, communityservice, and overall programming. Twomembers were elected to the State SEA:sophomore Stefanie Ogden, president-elect,and senior Macy Jackson, secretary-elect.

SEA officers for 2007-2008 were senior JillEvick, President; senior Renea McDaniel,Vice President; junior Audrey Scott,Historian; and junior Gloria Tusing,Secretary.

Student Education Association Wins State Awards

By Jill Evick, President, D&E SEA

D&E freshman Allison Bruce has beenselected to receive a National ScienceFoundation Science, Technology, Engineeringand Mathematics (STEM) scholarship fromthe Appalachian College Association. The$6,000 scholarship award is designed toencourage talented students to major inSTEM fields.

Allison is a Biology major from Gretna,Virginia, who was recruited by D&E Women’sBasketball Coach Jay Dailer. She is in theHonors Program and hopes to pursue a careerin the medical field. Professor of Mathematicsand Physics Dr. Sharmi Roy is Allison’s

mentor for the scholarship. D&E has been agood fit for her, Allison says.

“I’m from southern Virginia, so I like thescenery and getting outside. Basketball takesup a lot of my time, but this is a whole lotdifferent than being at a big school. If you likegoing outside, you can get away,” Allison saysto Bickles Knob, Blackwater Falls.”

As part of the STEM program, Allison willalso attend a conference in Abingdon,Virginia, this October.

Freshman Biology Major AllisonBruce has been selected toreceive a $6,000 National ScienceFoundation STEM scholarshipfrom the Appalachian CollegeAssociation.

Allison Bruce ReceivesNational Science Foundation Scholarship

Student Education Associationmembers, Stefanie Ogden,president elect; Ashley Kimble;Renea McDaniel; Macy Jackson,secretary WVSEA; Audrey Scott;and Jill Evick, president.


news

The Davis & Elkins College (Studentsin Free Enterprise (SIFE) team competedat the Charlotte, NC, SIFE USARegional Competition this spring, one ofsixteen SIFE USA RegionalCompetitions held across the UnitedStates.

During this academic year, the Davis &Elkins SIFE team organized projects atYouthBuild, the Elkins Mountain,

School, the Highland Adventist School,and for local businesses. A grant of$5,000 was awarded from the MarcusFoundation to support teaching the“Entrepreneurship Initiative” to low-income, at-risk youth. Also, a $1,000grant was awarded from the AppalachianCollege Association to a team memberto facilitate technology initiativesresulting in stronger digital skills oncampus and for team communityprojects. The D&E SIFE Web site wasupdated to support the team’ssustainability goals.

Team members representing Davis &Elkins SIFE were Joel Richardson, anInternational Management major from

New Grant, Trinidad; Daniel Kwafo,Accounting, Accra, Ghana; EbtisamBahar, Management, Hamad Town,Bahrain; Jawad Latif, Accounting andFinance, Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan;Zahra Khalid, Business Administration,Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan; CarmenJones, Hospitality and TourismManagement, McDonald, PA; SheriefNagui, Economics, Cairo, Egypt; MarwaManai, Biology, Cite Ibn Khaldoun,Tunisia; and Cherisse Cheesman,Accounting and Management, Pinte-a-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago. D&EProfessor of Business Dr. VictoriaMullennex, Sam Walton Fellow,accompanied the team.

On Saturday, May 10, President TomMann welcomed a crowd of donors andwell-wishers on the second floor ofBooth Library for the formal installationof two academic chairs: The ThomasRichard Ross Chair in History and theHumanities and The James S.McDonnell Foundation Chair inBusiness and Economics in honor of Dr.Gloria M. Payne. Dr. Ross and membersof his extended family attended theevent, while Dr. Payne and her familywere regretfully missed – Dr. Payne hadsome unexpected (and successful!)surgery that morning.

Others who helped with the ceremonyincluded trustee the Rev. Dr. Jean H.Henderson, who gave the invocation;

Vice President and Dean of the FacultyDr. Laurence McArthur; Trustee Mr.T.R. Ross, II; and Chairman of theD&E Board of Trustees Mr. Joe Timms.

Dr. Mann recognized Professor of HistoryDr. David Turner, who has held theRoss Chair since itsinception as well asthe new holder ofthe chair, AssociateProfessor of EnglishDr. Peter Okun. Dr.Mann also namedthe first holder of theMcDonnell/PayneChair: Dr. GloriaMarquette Payne.

Ross & Payne Academic ChairsFormally Installed in Booth Library

Display unveiled during Commencement Weekend

SIFE Team Competes

Director of Alumni Relations and AnnualGiving Rachel Montgomery and VicePresident for College Advancement PatSchumann unveil the new permanentinstallation of two of the College’s endowedacademic chairs on the second floor of BoothLibrary. Portraits of Drs. Ross and Payne hangabove the inscribed chairs.

New Email NewsletterWe have renewed our efforts to publish an email newsletter, this time with a more colorful, graphic approach. If you would like to receive it, please sign up on our Web site or send an email to [email protected]


foss celebrates

The 2008 spring FOSS weekend was a big success by allaccounts and we certainly enjoyed getting together to celebratethe achievements of D&E Soccer, both past and present.

The celebration centered around toasting our NAIA NationalChampionship teams of 1968 and 1970, with many members ofboth teams coming to Elkins for the occasion. Dr. Greg Myers,Head Coach of the 1968 and 1970 championship teams,delivered a rousing rendition of what went into the making ofthe teams and shared some hilarious stories of various incidentsalong the way.

Duane Dyer, ’94, got the current soccer teams mingling withFOSS members and their families as he spun tunes from acrossthe decades during the traditional FOSS Icebreaker reception,which was held in the infamous Icehouse on Friday evening.Soccer coaches, players and fans of all ages were welcomed bymembers of the FOSS Board (namely D&E Athletic DirectorRalph Hill, Alumni Doug Homer, Pat Massa, Bill Nuttall,

Vince Rooney, Hank Steinbrecher, and Charlie Straw, HeadWomen’s Soccer Coach Raul Ovalle, and Head Men’s SoccerCoach Mark Stollsteimer) and immediately introduced tomembers of the two D&E soccer teams. The championshipbanners for the 1968 and 1970 teams were hung from therailing of the Icehouse to celebrate and welcome home ournational champions.

On Saturday, a series of soccer skills games and challenges wereset up by the D&E women’s team, under the leadership of newHead Coach Raul Ovalle and senior captain Rachel Moore.Several prizes were awarded to those who participated in theskills competition. Adjacent to the games were a series ofinflatable jumping stations for the children of our alumni andfriends in Elkins to use throughout the afternoon.

Several fraternities and sororities also set up interactive gamesfor the kids and this helped set the tone for a wonderfulafternoon at Harpertown Field.

FOSS CelebratesNAIA National Championship Teams

by Doug Homer, ’93, and Vince Rooney, ’91

Photo by: Greg Keatley

D&E Women's SoccerCoach Raul Ovalleand Men's SoccerCoach MarkStollsteiimer (withdaughter Katarina)check out the newgolf cart that BobWolfe, '71, donatedto the D&E soccerprogram.


foss celebrates

A Cultural Celebration!International students at Davis & Elkins College enjoyed an end-of-the-year dinner in Halliehurst,thanks to Trustees Bill Robbins and Debbie Madden. More than 35 people attended. Among thehighlights of the evening was the Eugene Morrisey award, which was given to Wayne, WestVirginia, sophomore Justin Clayborne. Here, a small group of Justin’s friends surround him duringthe evening celebration (clockwise from lower left): Tigran Ghazaryan, Goris Armenia; ElhamFatma, Aligarh U.P., India; Ebtisam Bahar, Hamad Town, Bahrain; Maroua Manai, Tunis, Tunisia;Jawad Latif, Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan; Zahra Khalid, Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan; Madhulika(Ayesha) Mazumdar, Mumbai, India; and Saad Boukhnifi, Rabat, Morocco. The Belfast Crystalaward is given to an American student who has been identified by international students as themost supportive in helping them understand the culture of the United States. The award is namedin memory of 2004-2005 international student Eugene Morrisey.

After a tasty BBQchicken lunch providedby the Sig-Ep fraternity,FOSS’s “old timers,”meaning anyone who isstill foolish enough topull on their boots butnot actually required todo so - including thisyear’s graduatingseniors, played afriendly game againstthe current Men’s teamand lost with pride, 3-0,behind two goals fromsophomore defenderJames Kpainay…reinforcing the fact thatthe D&E Men are thecurrent WVIACchampions.

Bob Wolf, ’71, surprisedthe crowd, coaches andteams by donating amodified “movable bed”golf cart which wasbedecked with all

manner of signage detailing the Senators' successes in the2007 season. Everything from WVIAC Championshipinsignias to All-Conference, All- Region and All-Americaselections were festooned across every surface of the cart. Itwas a great gesture on Bob’s part and will come in handy formoving gear or, heaven forbid, the odd injured player to andfrom the soccer fields!

The awards banquet was a special tribute to the NAIAchampions complete with remarks from Myers, HankSteinbrecher, Charlie Straw and Bobby Wolf. Seniors from

both teams were inducted into FOSS by their respectivecoaches and this year’s A.C.E. Awards were presented by thecoaches to Matt Fannon, a junior defender from York,England, and Mallory McCartney, a sophomore midfielderfrom Ajax, Canada.

Thanks to the support of our Banquet patrons, we also raisedover $1,200 for the current teams thanks to a silent auctionand raffle coordinated by Ralph Hill and Bill Nuttall. Manythanks to all who contributed their time and resources tosupport this special event.

Last, but not least, for those of you who purchased D&EThrowback Jerseys - thank you for your unwavering supportof FOSS and the soccer programs at D&E. We are still sellingjerseys and would like to invite those of you who were notable to come to Elkins to go online at www.dnesocalums.organd reserve a special jersey now.

Tell us what sizes you would like and we’ll get them down toyou once they are produced and delivered, sometime in lateAugust or early September. The current teams are going towear the shirts as their regular season uniform in celebrationof the 40th anniversary of the 1968 and 1970 championshipsides. Sizes available are YL, M, L, XL or XXL.

Here’s the link to the shirt:http://www.dnesocalums.org/events/reunion08/jerseypromo.html

Special thanks to AdamBaumgardner, Dan Court,Duane Dyer, the FOSSBoard, Raul Ovalle, VinceRooney, Stollim ScottStonesifer, Kendall Walkesand Bobby Wolf for theirefforts toward organizing agreat FOSS weekend.

Don Spahr and Scotty Smyth duringthe FOSS reunion.

Senior soccer player Rachel Moore workswith Katarina Stollsteimer during Kids 'nSibs Day activities during the FOSSreunion.


commencement

Associate DegreesNatalie K. Alker, Andrea Nicole Aman, Danielle NicoleAnderson, Brenda Lea Bennett, Carrie Elizabeth Bentley,Kimberly Dawn Brady, Margaret “Maggie” Burch, Candy M.Carr, Betina R. Cline, Wendy Michelle Collins, Gary A.Farley, Rachael Kathryn Felton, Lanelle S. Fischer, PaulineFitts, Tonya Dai Foster, Veronica Fragmin, Kimberly SueFunk, Whitney Taylor Graham, Kimberly Elaine Grinnan,Katherine Alexandra Harris, Jodi Marie Marsh Hart, ErikaRae Hawkins, Scott Hawkins, Amber N. Hayes, SashaMarie Hibbs, Kristie Ann Holt, Jennifer April Howard,Tracy E. Hunter, Tara Johnson, Jessica Carolyn Jones,Andrea Dawn Kile, Leslie A. Knight, Emily J. LoGreco,Carla Sue Loutfi, Katie Maier, Randall J. McDaniels II,Donna Michael, Stacy Ann Minix, Alice Ann Moffett,Amy J. Moneypenny, Lisa Ann Murray, Candace E. New,Brandi Renee Perkins-Tomey, Jamea L. Pugh, BrendaRafferty, Dorie Ann Raschella, Troy C. Ruddle, CharlotteAnnette Scott, Casey Nichole Sendling, Lisa Marie Sharp,Marc Allen Simmons, Danielle LaRae Smiley, Renee LynnSmith, Ashley Ann Stark, Brooke Nanette Swisher,Jennifer Dawn Thomas Silvia Boyero Triplett, Tamara A.Wallo, Erica Nicole White, Buddy Allen Young

Bachelor of ArtsQiana Monique Anderson, Rose Anne Blake, Noah A.Bland, Laura Diane Bonser, Jonathan Peter Borowski, TaraTeresa Bowley, Rhiannon Leslie Burk, Brittany Dawn Burner,Megan Elizabeth Foreman Bush, Veronica Rivera Coberly,Valerie S. Coleman, Allison Diane Creech, Derek Crider,Taylor L. Curtis, Stephen Earle Engle, Melissa N. Evans,Christopher Michael Fisher, Heidi Michelle Floyd, KellyFornwalt-Bedard, Erin Elyse Franklin, Chrisantha L.Frederick, Angel Marie Godfrey, Megan Elizabeth Heatwole,Amanda Marie Helmstetter, William Knight Henderson,Herman J. Hermanson, Casey A. Houser, Charlotte Inez-LeeJamison, Benjamin W. Jones, Grant Ryan Jones, AshleyKelley, Deandra N. Kisamore, Timothy Murray MacVean,Marissa Masse, Benjamin J. McArthur, Snyder J. Montoney,Ashley Sarah Morici, Hattie R. Nice, Kathryn RoseOwsianiecki, Jennifer L. Pell, Sarah M. Phillips, Victor J.Pyles III, Alec M. Rader, Trista Aileen Odessa Rager, MayraRamirez, T. Brett Rector, Kathleen Margaret Rice, DarcyLynne Robbins, Matthew Joseph Santoro, Caryn Seward,Natosha LaShae Sipe, Ryan C. Smoot, Amber N. Spencer,Wayne Eugene Startt, Jessica Swecker, Samantha Weintraub,Dan Weiser, Tiffany Diane Wenzel, Alison N. Westfall,Richard Jerod Whitley, Jr., Adriane W. Wilson

You Are Alumni Now!Congratulations Class of 2008

CharlotteJamison enjoysher special day.

Hundreds of well wishers gathered with thenew graduates on the plaza followingCommencement Ceremonies.


commencement

Bachelor of ScienceJohn Aldous, Danielle Nicole Anderson,Brandon A. Bates, Jessica Marie Batten,Amanda Nicole Biser, Makesi Bosticm,Matthew A. Bright, Megan Joella Bruce,Anthony Thomas Cacace II, Cherisse ReikaCheesman, Amanda Marie Claudio, NicholasRobert Coffman, Lauren Beth Davis, Kristy D.Ferguson, Travis R. Fisher, Kylee L. Griffith,Tane L. Hardy, Ann Woodling Harris, StevenMatthew Harvey, Tyler Russell Hern, Shasta R.Hickman, Jelani Gamal Jackson, MatthewCole Johnson, Steven Michael Johnson, JamesKincheloe, Michael J. Knox, Nathan RussellLaValla, Aaron L. Lonon, Kathleen E.MacGregor, Herbert J. Matthews V, JohnAlexander Olson, Thomas Matthew Paige,Leanne H. Parliman, Courtney Rose Pawlak,Christopher Robert Racine, Desirae N.Richardson, Blake L. Rogers, Rezena AnnRoth, Rebecca Sinclair, Bethany E. Sindy,Burge Lee Speilman II, Andrew ChristopherThommen, Adam Lee Thompson, JamesMichael Valach, Jr., Rebecca W. Vance,Jennifer Lyn VanDevender, Maximilian F. vonDoemming, Charles E. Wells, James ArthurWright, Jr., Dmitry Yanushkevich.

Editor of The Senator, Alec Rader, hashis post-graduation plans in place atthe Elkins Inter-Mountain newspaper.

Jeff, Dick, '78, Steve, andRose Harvey celebrateSteve's new Bachelor ofScience degree inManagement and Marketing.Like his father, Steve alsograduated from the Senatorbaseball program.

D&E graduated 56students with AssociateDegrees in Nursing.


commencementFellow staff members Debbie Larkin, Sharon White andRobin Price gather around Ann Harris to congratulate Annon her achievement as a member of the Class of 2008.

The Rev. Dr. Jean H. Henderson,’64, was this year’s Baccalaureatespeaker and received the Doctorof Divinity degree, honoris causa,during Commencement.

Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. ChristinaSwecker and Associate Professor of English Dr.Peter Okun on their way to Harper-McNeeleyAuditorium.

Retiring trustee Dr. Frank Melereceives Doctor of HumaneLetters, honoris causa, duringCommencement.

Erika White receives hernurses pin from Instructorof Nursing Karen Seel.

Kathy, Dr. Larry, Jaxson, Kim,Ben, Doug, Amber and TalonMcArthur gathered togetherfor Ben's graduation from theCollege's HospitalityManagement program.

Cherisse Cheesman eagerly approachesHermanson Campus Center as part of theprocession to the Commencement Ceremony.


tribute

ON May 11, 2008, President G. Thomas Mann received recognition for10 years of service and was named President Emeritus, effective upon hisretirement June 30. He leaves D&E with exciting new facilities and anew sense of purpose. Moreover, his commitment to the Liberal Artsplaces D&E in a strong position to successfully advance a programcommitted to experimentation and tradition.

Dr. Mann and his administration have faced many challenges, not theleast of which is the College’s continued quest for higher enrollment. Yethis contribution to D&E is not a simple matter of numbers; it is, he says,a difference in the engagement of the campus community and the levelof collaboration and creativity at D&E today.

Lasting contributions by President G. Thomas Mann:• The Madden Student Center• The McDonnell Center for Health, Physical Education, and

Athletics (Phases I & II)• The Thomas Richard Ross Chair in History and the Humanities• The James S. McDonnell Foundation Chair in Business and

Economics in honor of Dr. Gloria M. Payne• The Claire Deiss Fiorentino Chair in Theatre• 45 New Student Scholarships• $25.5 million Centennial Campaign• Renovations to Liberal Arts and Albert Halls• Winter Term• New major in Criminology• New minors in Criminal Justice, Hospitality, and Green Studies• Centennial Celebration• Independent College Enterprise (ICE) technology initiative

Here, some snapshots and parting thoughts regarding his 10 years ofservice.

Parting Thoughts: Words and Pictures ofDr. G. Thomas Mann

12th president of Davis & Elkins College, 1998 - 2008

“I loved our Centennial Day, September 21,2004. It was so much fun from beginning toend … with the balloon ride and pig roast, anda wonderful mix of townspeople, students,faculty and staff. It was like a festival day.”

“I’ve never encountered a school that I thought “I’ve never encountered a school that I thought

“It is essential to have solid programs that recognizethe wholeness of the student. It is a context wherethere is development of the mind and intellectcombined with development of social and spiritualcharacteristics that result in an individual who is atease and confident in new situations.” – Tom Mann, 2008


tribute

“Winter Term has been a tremendouslyenergizing program. It is a distinctive programthat separates us from the pack. It providesopportunities that are so different from thetraditional classroom. It engages students inclasses and activities that they might nototherwise pursue.”

“There has been a productive push for campus facilities. I’m pleased to have begun my workfrom a wonderful base of newly restored buildings, which allowed me to turn my attention toimproving other facilities that are highly student-focused. They point to the central role ofstudents and the College’s commitment to the wholeness of the student body.”

“You have to have faculty who value studentswhere they are, who take that opportunity tomake students stretch. Faculty who aresuccessful at D&E have a personal sense ofsuccess in their role when they have helpedstudents fulfill their potential, whatever that is.”

“When I moved from being a faculty member tobeing an administrator, the thing I missed themost was having a free, unstructured summer.And now, I will have the freedom to shape time.I’m getting my summers back, plus some.”

D&E should copy.”D&E should copy.”

“I think the genius of D&E is thatwe bring in people with a lot ofpotential and provide anenvironment for that to grow. Ifyou select students withpotential and bring out the bestin them, help them to becomegreat citizens and greatcontributors, that’s an institutionthat serves society.”

“I’ve tried to approach leadership as a team issue. TheCampaign Leadership included more than 60 people. Taskforces and ad hoc committees of the Board of Trusteeshave served an important role in addressing issues thatneeded to be resolved, but not by one individual. Myobjective has been to be more open and to share.”


next president

Trustees Select G.T. “Buck” Smith as Next President

Smith will become D&E’s 13th President July 1

On March 10, the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trusteesannounced the appointment of G. T. “Buck” Smith as theCollege’s 13th president, beginning July 1. A national leaderin higher education, Dr. Smith served most recently aspresident of Bethany College (WV), and previously aspresident of Chapman University in California.

Now, the D&E Community is preparing for the arrival of“President Buck” and his wife, Joni Smith, who will take upresidence in “Hearthstone” in late June.

A longtime colleague and friend of President Mann, thePresident-elect noted the strengths of Dr. Mann’s legacy andthe immense potential he has created for the College. “Joniand I are “possibility” people. And D&E is certainly on thefront edge of “possibilities,” Dr. Smith said in a recentinterview.

“A college is in business for one primary purpose: to servestudents,” the new president said. “Whatever is in their bestinterest will likely also be in the best long-term interest of thecollege.” He continued, “We must of course increaseenrollment and resources. But the thing that is mostcompelling to me is the human potential of this special place.What Joni and I most look forward to is helping bringtogether all the wonderful energy - of people and possibilities -into an orchestrated whole. There can be a beautiful soundfrom all that.”

D&E Board of Trustees Chairman Joe Timms noted that it isto the College’s credit that Dr. Smith is coming on board.“That we were able to attract a person of Dr. Smith’s statureand experience is a compliment to Davis & Elkins,” saidTimms, “and suggests great promise for the future of theCollege.”

Dr. Smith served as Bethany College’s 18th president fromJune 2004 to January 2008. Upon his retirement, the BethanyBoard of Trustees established the G.T. “Buck” Smith Centerfor Global Initiatives, with an initial gift of $1 million, as anexpression of appreciation for his service to the College.

In accepting the Davis & Elkins appointment, Dr. Smithcommented, “Though Joni and I have had a long and abidingaffection for D&E, I had no expectation of serving again as acollege president. But when the invitation came to join theD&E family in this capacity – especially the opportunity toserve the students – we found it very compelling. This is aplace that deserves the best any one of us has to give.”

A graduate of The College of Wooster and Cornell University,he began his professional career in higher education atCornell. Two years later he returned to Wooster, serving therefor 15 years before he was named President of ChapmanUniversity. After 11 years of service at Chapman, he washonored with a lifetime appointment as President Emeritus.

His years at Chapman were marked by a renewal of theUniversity’s spiritual and intellectual life, as well as a greatlyenhanced financial position and significant expansion ofenrollment. Smith Hall on the Chapman campus stands as acontinuing expression of the University’s gratitude for his andJoni’s leadership.

Joni Smith has been very much a partner throughout herhusband’s career, providing leadership “in her own way” tostudents and the campus communities at Wooster, Chapmanand Bethany. A former social worker with the YWCA, hercommunity involvements have included the League ofWomen Voters, Interfaith Housing Commission, UnitedNations Observance Day, and Hospice Care.

In looking forward to life at D&E, Joni commented: “I havebeen consistently moved by the hearts of the people at the

G.T. “Buck” Smith and Joni Smith


next president

Continued President-Elect Buck Smith story...college. This just shines out to me.” As to where she will focusher energies, she noted, “I want to see where my gifts bestmatch up with the needs on campus. I want to be helpful, toopen our home, and serve the college and larger Elkinscommunity.”

During the 1990s, Dr. Smith served as counsel to severalcolleges and universities throughout the country, includingDavis & Elkins. During 2001-2003, he was Executive Directorof Talaris Research Institute in Seattle, a philanthropydevoted to advancing knowledge of early brain development.

Recognized in Who’s Who in America for more than 35 years,he received the honorary Doctor of Laws degree from BethanyCollege, the CASE Steuben Apple Award for distinguishedteaching, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from TheCollege of Wooster, and the Christian Church (Disciples ofChrist) Faith and Reason Award. He and Joni are life-longmembers of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Reflecting their strong global interest and engagement, theSmiths have devoted their energies toward helping strengthenthe management of non-profit organizations both nationallyand internationally. Significant among the latter is EduCongo,an enterprise they helped launch to provide educationalopportunities for orphans of the civil wars and AIDS epidemicin Africa.

The Smiths have two adult children, four grandchildren, twostep-grandchildren, and a Siberian Husky named Holly, whothey say is “a major presence in our lives.”

To welcome the Smiths to Davis & Elkins College, you cansend an email to [email protected] or send a note tothem via the President’s Office, Halliehurst, 100 CampusDrive, Elkins, WV 26241. Dr. Smith would like to hear aboutyour highest hope(s) for the future of D&E, or, in 12 to 20words, how you describe the essence of D&E.

In an effort to expand our reach while containing the costs ofrecruiting new students, Davis & Elkins College is makingshifts toward a more regional admission team. Recently, fivenew faces joined the Office of Enrollment Management. Ifyou know a student in these recruiters’ areas, please dropthem a line and let them know about future D&E studentsfrom your area. You can contact all of our admissioncounselors through the College Web site atwww.davisandelkins.edu.

Kevin Wilson, Vice President forEnrollment Management and SpecialAssistant to the President

Contact Kevin [email protected].

Becky Pauls

Rebecca “Becky” Pauls is D&E’s newAssociate Director for Admission.She is handling recruiting forsoutheastern Ohio as well as northcentral West Virginia, includingParkersburg, Morgantown and

Clarksburg. Becky’s office is located in Bethany, WestVirginia. Contact Becky at [email protected].

Randy Trostel

William “Randy” Trostel serves asAssistant Director of Admission withan office in Oxford, Ohio. He isrecruiting in parts of eastern Ohio aswell as in the Washington, D.C., area.Contact Randy at

[email protected].

Kara Fisher

Kara Fisher is our new Manager ofEnrollment Programs and Activities.Working in Halliehurst, she isresponsible for on-campus events forprospective students and families,including admission open houses,

registration days, campus tours and other student visitationactivities. Kara also supervises our Student Ambassadorprogram. Contact Kara at [email protected].

Steve Merrick

Steve Merrick serves as RegionalAdmission Counselor for North andSouth Carolina with an office inCharlotte, North Carolina. ContactSteve at [email protected].

New FacesAdmission Office Welcomes Regional Team


tradition

The Lois Latham Award for TeachingExcellence honors one of D&E’sproudest traditions: its commitment tostudent learning and the teachers whomake that possible. Winners arenominated by the campus communityand voted on by the College SenateExecutive Committee. More than 14faculty members have been recognizedthroughout the award’s history, whichbegan in 1982.

According to the nominationrequirements, the award marks therecipient as a person of distinguishedintellectual development, a personpossessing a love and enthusiasm forscholarship and intellectual growth, as aperson whose calling is the intellectual

and personal development of others.Recipients are to be recognizable bytheir enthusiastic support of the liberalarts program, dedication both to theentire range of human knowledge and totheir own disciplines, and by theirunswerving and unselfish devotion tothe intellectual inquiry and newunderstandings of the world and ofoneself. Their concern for individualstudents will be disclosed in theenduring effects they have had on manyof those students, and on the choicesthey have made.

Dr. Roidt and Mr. McClain, the twomost recent recipients, have broughtenthusiasm to the classroom, but havealso extended their love of teaching intoD&E’s Winter Term program. Throughexperiential learning and well organizedtrips off campus, they have createdengaging programs. Dr. Roidt’s course,“Brother’s Keeper: The Ethics of Help”has taken students to work at theSalvation Army and on the Katrina-tornGulf Coast. McClain’s courses haveexplored the hydrology of the Evergladesand will soon take them to theGalapagos Islands.

Roidt came to D&E in 2001, and hasworked on many committees to furtherthe College’s commitment to innovative,personal learning opportunities. Hehelped develop Winter Term, theCriminology and Criminal Justiceprograms, and served on the President’sTask Force for Enrollment Management.

He also is active on the PhippsLectureship Committee and directs theHonors Program and serves on CollegeSenate as well as the Faculty AssemblyExecutive Committee and theAdmissions and Academic StandingCommittee.

McClain joined the faculty in 2004,taking on the Environmental Scienceprogram following Dr. Jim VanGundy’sretirement from full-time teaching. Aformer scientist for The NatureConservancy, McClain has an extensivenetwork of contacts in theenvironmental science communitywhich has opened many doors forstudent internships, graduate school, andcareers.

Lois Latham AwardRecipients(current faculty members)

Dr. Gloria M. Payne (1982)Dr. William E. King (2000)Dr. David R. Turner (1993)Dr. Brian W. Moudry (2001)Dr. Thomas T. Chadwick (1994)Dr. Michelle L. Mabry (2003)Dr. Laurence B. McArthur (1995)Dr. Peter T. Okun (2005)Professor Terry R. Hayes (1997)Dr. Shawn K. Stover (2006) Dr. Sharmistha B. Roy (1998)Dr. Joseph M. Roidt (2007)Dr. Stephanie C. Haynes (1999)Mr. William “Russ” McClain (2008)

Passing the Torch. Associate Professor ofSociology Dr. Joe Roidt, who was the 2007-2008winner of the Lois Latham Award for TeachingExcellence congratulates Instructor ofEnvironmental Science Russ McClain, who wasnamed the new recipient of the award at theApril Honors Convocation.

D&E Winter Term Studentsstudy swamp ecology in Florida.

Tradition of Teaching ExcellenceContinues with Latham Award

planned giving


When Trustee William S. Robbins, ’56,was reviewing his estate plans last year,he had two fundamental goals in mind—to preserve assets that would eventuallypass to loved ones, and to help his almamater, Davis & Elkins College, today. Inthe Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, hefound a tool that would help him doboth, and provide him with a significanttax benefit as well.

Working with his financial advisor and arepresentative of the New CovenantTrust Company, Robbins made a gift toestablish a charitable lead annuity trust.For a period of 15 years, the trust isinvested with New Covenant TrustCompany, and an annuity of 5% of thevalue of the original gift is paid to Davis& Elkins College. Any additionalearnings are returned to the trust to helpit grow. When the trust terminates in 15years, the assets will be distributed tothose Robbins has designated. Becausethis distribution is independent of his

estate, recipients will not be subject toinheritance tax.

“This is the best planned giving tool Ihave encountered,” says Robbins. “I feelgood about helping D&E now, while Ican see my money at work, but alsoknowing that the people I feel closest towill be provided for in the future. In fact,because of investment income, and thefreedom from inheritance tax, they mayreceive more than if I had simply left thismoney in my estate. With this gift,everybody wins.”

Making a planned gift to Davis & ElkinsCollege

Davis & Elkins College is deeply gratefulto those who have made provision for agift to the College through charitable giftplanning.

To include a gift provision in a will,simply have your attorney use thelanguage, “to Davis & Elkins College for[the purpose you choose].”

For further information, please contact:Patricia J. SchumannVice President for College AdvancementDavis & Elkins College100 Campus DriveElkins, WV 26241(304) [email protected]

Bill Robbins, ’56, right, supports D&E in numerousways. Shown here with Matt Fannon, a studentfrom York, England, and fellow trustee DebbieMadden, at the International Student Dinner theyhosted this spring, Bill has created a Charitable LeadTrust to provide support to D&E now whilepreserving his assets for later.

Davis & Elkins CollegeA Proud Partner

Robbins Establishes Charitable LeadAnnuity Trust

Making a Bequest orPlanned Gift to Davis

& Elkins CollegeDavis & Elkins College students havebenefited greatly from the commitments ofthose who, through foresight andthoughtful planning, chose to make adifference in the lives that follow byincluding the College in their charitableestate plans.

To include Davis & Elkins College in abequest, simply state that the gift is to goto Davis & Elkins College for the purposeyou choose. Consult your financial advisorabout other gift planning vehicles such ascharitable gift annuities, trusts, or gifts ofretirement funds, insurance policies, orreal property.

Suggested DesignationsEndowment Funds Minimum Gift

Academic Scholarship ........$10,000Library Acquisitions Fund ..$10,000Lectureship ........................$50,000Chair....................................$1,000,000Contribution to an ..............Any Amountexisting fund

Funds Available for Current Use

• Current Student Scholarship Fund• The Library Gifts Fund• Historic Landmark Preservation Fund• An academic department or athletic team

of the donor’s choice

Unrestricted Gift

• The donor may grant the Board ofTrustees the authority to use the giftwhere it is needed most.

Heritage SocietyThe Heritage Society is Davis & ElkinsCollege’s recognition society for those whoinclude the College in their charitable estateplanning.

For further information contact:Patricia J. SchumannVice President for College AdvancementDavis & Elkins College100 Campus DriveElkins, WV 26241(304) [email protected]


athletics

Men’s BasketballHead Coach: Amrit Rayfield

The 2007-2008 men’s basketball teamstarted the year off on the right foot asthey claimed the First Annual KelleyMotors/YMCA Giveback FoundationBasketball Tournament Championshipon the opening weekend of the season.A great kickoff victory, it also christenedthe new McDonnell Center as the homeof the Senator basketball program!

The season continued to be special fromboth a team standpoint, as well as forindividual players. There were severalkey wins, including one over regular-season WVIAC Champion Pitt-Johnstown, a road win over FairmontState University, and a home win overUniversity of Charleston. The 13-15season marked the highest win total forthe men’s program since the 1980-81season, and the nine home games wonalso tied the mark from that season. TheSenators were also able to host a firstround conference play-off game, the firsttime since the WVIAC went to itscurrent tournament format in 1995.

This year’s senior class of Brett Rector(Ravenswood, WV), Aaron Lonon(Cumberland, VA), Jelani Jackson(Harrisburg, PA) and Alex Olson(Moseley, VA) graduated with the mostcareer wins of any class since the class of1983. Rector, a guard, was honored asthe WVIAC Player of the Week onceand was named to the HonorableMention All-Conference team. He alsobroke his own D&E 3-point field goalrecord for number made in a seasonwhile finishing second in NCAADivision II for 3-point field goals madeper game. Jackson, a forward, was alsohonored as WVIAC Player of the Weekand, at the end of the season, washonored with a 1st Team All-Conference selection. Both Rector andJackson finished their playing careers

with over 1,200 points scored. Fellowsenior guard Aaron Lonon was rewardedat the end of the year for his academicand athletic efforts by receiving the FirstCommunity Bank WVIAC scholar-athlete award in addition to beingselected as the Davis & Elkins Collegemale scholar-athlete of the year.Sophomore point guard Danny Manuel(Waynesboro, VA) was an HonorableMention All-Conference selection forhis outstanding season in a Senatoruniform.

It was definitely an exciting season forthe program as well as for Senator fanswho provided a great turnout for homegames at the McDonnell Center. Thereturning players and coaches arelooking forward to next season as a solidfoundation has been laid for thecontinued success and resurgence oftradition in the Davis & Elkins CollegeSenators’ men’s basketball program!

Women’s BasketballHead Coach: Jay Dailer

The Davis & Elkins Women’s BasketballTeam struggled this season with a youngroster, but never gave up, ending theseason just six points from a conferencewin against Fairmont State Universityduring the first round of tournamentplay. Individual honors went toForward/Center Courtney Pawlak, whowas named All-Conference HonorableMention.

Head Coach Jay Dailer stepped down atthe season’s end after eight years ofbuilding one of the most scholasticallyexcellent teams at D&E. During histenure, the women’s basketball team hasproduced two valedictorians, twosalutatorians, one student bodypresident, and four or five graduates whohave now completed graduate school.Four years ago, the team had the topGPA in the NCAA, Div. II.

“I’ve really loved coaching here,” saysDailer. “The caliber of young ladies Ihave brought to D&E has beentremendous. They’ve been greatbasketball players, great students andgreat campus leaders.”

Athletic Director Ralph Hill agrees.“Jay’s teams have always hadphenomenal GPAs and graduated at thetop of their class. They worked hard attheir sport and equally hard in class. Hehas cultivated true student-athletes.”

The new women’s basketball coach,Jason Asbell, joined D&E in May.Formerly the Assistant Women’sBasketball Coach at West Liberty StateCollege, he will work in athletics fulltime, coaching and also managing theCollege’s Sports Information duties.

BaseballHead Coach: Ron Palmer

The baseball season was a tough one asthe team finished in 4th place in theCentral Division of the newly alignedWVIAC, yet many individuals enjoyedrecognition throughout the season.Adam Thompson, a senior outfielderfrom Apopka, FL, finished off a stellarcareer with a selection to the WVIACAll-Conference 2nd team as anoutfielder. Blake Rogers, a senior righthand pitcher/infielder from Charleston,WV, was Honorable Mention All-Conference Designated Hitter, andTyler Beard, a sophomore infielder fromWilliamsport, MD, also receivedHonorable Mention All-Conference atthird base. With these guys receivingawards, it made a tough season a littlebrighter. But the brightest spot of all wasseeing Kylee Griffith, a senior right-handed pitcher from Charlestown, WV,recover from an arm injury that sidelinedhim for his entire Junior season. Notonly did Griffith recover, but he cameback to be a starter on D&E’s staff and

Winter/Spring Results


athleticsearned his first collegiate win with acomplete game effort against ColumbiaUnion College. Eight of the team’s nineseniors graduated in May, with the ninthcoming back to finish his degree nextyear.

SoftballHead Coach: Jim Bacca

The 2008 season proved successfuldespite a 14-35 record. The teamrecorded their 13th and 14th wins at theWVIAC Conference Tournament,which put them over the previous highof 13 wins in a season, the highestnumber of wins in the last 15 years.Additionally, the D&E Softball Teamrecorded its first ConferenceTournament win in the last 15 years.

The team had four seniors: Sue Kolb(Springs, PA) was a walk-on this seasonwho felt she could help by being aninfielder on the left side. She proved tobe correct because she played themajority of the season at third base orshortstop. Sue was very strong at thosepositions and was very willing to dive, atalent that also serves her well on theD&E women’s soccer team. LeanneParliman (Lehighton, PA) was one oftwo pitchers. She was a junior collegetransfer and was the number 4 hitter inthe lineup all season. Parliman had themost homeruns with four and was astrong pitcher despite being injured part

of the season. Amanda Helmstetter(Cumberland, MD) was the startingshortstop and helped out at catcherwhen we needed it. She worked hard toimprove on her throwing andsignificantly decreased the number oferrors this year. She also had the highestbatting average on the team. The lastsenior, but certainly not least, wasMegan Bruce (Windermere, FL). Shewas our starting centerfielder and had avery strong year. Bruce made fouroutstanding diving catches, includingone catch that took away a homerunfrom a Fairmont hitter as Bruce crashedthrough the fence. Bruce was tied forfirst with runs batted in, second indoubles, had the least amount ofstrikeouts, and had the third highestbatting average.

Megan Bruce was Honorable Mentionfor Player of the Week for the WVIACConference in the second week of April.

She put together an outstanding week ofhitting, ending the week with a battingaverage of .600 over six games.

Britne Bacca (Turlock, CA) was Playerof the Week for the WVIACConference in the last week of February.She hit over .500 and pitched 17scoreless innings. Britne was a freshmanpitcher and forced to take a great deal ofthe mound time due to LeanneParliman’s injuries. Bacca was thenumber three hitter in the lineup allseason and led the team with MeganBruce in runs batted in, and also led theteam in doubles. She was second in leastamount of strikeouts and also secondwith the highest batting average.

Britne Bacca was voted 2nd Team All-WVIAC Conference for her steadyperformance all season. LeanneParliman, Amanda Helmstetter andMegan Bruce were all voted HonorableMention All-WVIAC Conference. Thiswas a highlight for the Women’s SoftballTeam because it was the highest number

The Athletics Department held its annual awards ceremony in The McDonnell Center May 4. Nearly 50 student-athletes were honored with special awards going to, left to right: Aaron Lonon, Senior, Basketball, Cumberland, VA (Academic male Athlete of the Year); Makesi Bostic, Senior, Soccer, San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago (male Athlete of the Year); Laura Bonser, Senior, Soccer, Oakland, MD (Academic female Athlete of the Year); Nicole Dant, Freshman, Soccer, Elkton, MD (female Freshman of the Year); Matthew Bright, Senior, Baseball, Ripley, WV (Joe Carroll male Leadership Award); Britne Bacca, Freshman, Softball, Turlock, CA (Joe Carroll female Leadership Award); and Jennifer Pell, Senior, Volleyball, Morgantown, WV (female Athlete of the Year). Not pictured, award winner Graeme Robertson, Freshman, Golf, Stirling, Scotland (Male Freshman ofthe Year) The ceremony was attended by more than 200 students, friends and fans of D&E athletics.

Freshman pitcher Britne Bacca was named WVIACPlayer of the Week in February and pitched 17scoreless innings during the season.


athleticsof D&E players recognized by conferencecoaches in more than 10 years.

The highlight of the season came in theWVIAC Conference Tournament. Theteam lost their first game to WheelingJesuit on Thursday, May 1. Theybounced back the next day with avictory over Bluefield, 7-2. Immediatelyfollowing that game they played thenumber two team in the conference,Alderson-Broaddus. At the end of sixinnings D&E was down 1-0. Parlimanwas the first batter in the top of theseventh inning. She hit a towering blastthat rocketed out of the field.Immediately following that, Helmstetterhit a double to the right center field gap.Megan Bruce stepped to the plate andproceeded to hit a shot up the middleultimately scoring Helmstetter with adramatic close play at the plate. In thebottom of the inning Parliman pitchedthe best she had all season, recordingtwo strikeouts and a soft dribbler back toher. She struck out Alderson-Broaddus’All-American Catcher for the last outand the upset victory.

Unfortunately the team had a number ofinjuries to several players throughout theseason. The five returning players, AnnaStem (Bethlehem, PA), Britne Bacca,Jennie Finafrock (Falling Waters, WV),Jessy Pifer (St. George, WV), and LisaKlinger (Phillipsburg, NJ), look forwardto a healthier and stronger 2009 season.

GolfHead Coach: Scott Goddard

Freshmen Neil Howitt (Nairn,Scotland) and Graeme Robertson(Stirling, Scotland) have traveledconsiderable distance, weathered collegeacademics in a different country, andhave performed admirably on the golfcourse.

Robertson was one of five individualsfrom the East Region selected to play atthe Northeast/East Super Regional onMay 5-7 at the Back Creek Golf Courseat St. Anne’s Golf Club in Middletown,DE. Graeme tied for 11th with a finalscore of 232 after three rounds. He went

76, 73 and 82 on the difficult par 71course.

Robertson was also named to the All-WVIAC Men’s Golf Second Team inearly April and is the first Senator golferto receive All-WVIAC honors sinceJared Meabon in 2001. Robertson hasbeen a consistent presence for theSenators all season, notching a team-high eight top-20 finishes. Through 14rounds, he has averaged 75.78 strokesand earned five top-10 finishes (SenatorShootout at The Raven, WVIACConference Championship, CarnegieMellon Invitational, St. Vincent CollegeInvitational, and WVIAC Invitational)and one victory (Senator Shootout atThe Raven). His low round of 70 (twounder par) came in October’s WVIACSouthern Regional at Pipestem ResortState Park. Robertson’s best two-round

total was the 146 he fired, also inOctober, at the WVIAC CentralRegional at Canaan Valley Resort andConference Center.

Neil Howitt walked away with medalisthonors on April 10 at the CarnegieMellon Invitational at the Longue VueClub in Verona, PA. Howitt shot aneven par round of 70 to take home thetitle on a course designed by RobertWhite, a prominent Scottish golf coursearchitect and designer of coursesthroughout the country.

With the solid play from Howitt andRobertson, Davis & Elkins College hasreceived a national ranking on Golfstat,the official source for golf scores andstatistics. Davis and Elkins is currentlyranked 18th in all of NCAA, DivisionII, in the Freshmen Class Impact Ratingwith an average score of 78.03.

Robertson and Howitt, along with CoryDillinger (Sophomore, Bobtown, PA)and Ricardo Soler (Sophomore, Chi-Cundinamarca, Colombia) promise anexciting fall run of tournaments, despitethe loss of graduating seniors BrandonBates (Little Hocking, OH) andNathan LaValla (Burgettstown, PA).The Senators will tee it up once again at their home tournament, The SenatorShootout at The Raven (Snowshoe, WV,Snowshoe Mountain Resort) on August 31.

Graeme Robertson of Stirling, Scotland, and NeilHowitt of Nairn, Scotland, enjoyed a stellarfreshman year on the D&E golf team.


nac letter

Over the past two weeks, I have been in contact with threeD&E alumni. One was for lunch, one was to help a daughterwith college plans and one was to find out if we might find achance to go fishing together over the summer! Thesecontacts are certainly not remarkable in any way except forthe fact that the initial relationships all began more than justa few years ago on a college campus in Elkins, by God WestVirginia and continue to this day.

When we first headed off to college, our initial thoughts wereprobably on surviving the first semester, getting prepared for afirst job and hoping for at least a little bit of fun on the wayto a degree. Little did I expect that D&E would do its job byproviding the opportunity for a degree, but it would alsoprovide an outstanding group of individuals who wouldbecome so important in my years as an alumnus.

As alums of D&E we all have our individual memories andwe also have both individual and collective ways ofcontinuing our involvement with the life of the College. TheNational Alumni Council (NAC) is but one way that themany voices of alumni are focused upon the future of theCollege. The NAC consists of thirty-three alums, just likeyou, who spend more than a bit of their “free” timeundertaking serious and some fun initiatives to ensure thatD&E is even better positioned to face its future years.

Over the past year, the NAC has undertaken a critical reviewof its role representing alumni and the needs of the College.The College’s Strategic Plan was instrumental in shaping howwe can and should be supportive. The NAC has organized its

primary efforts into three major areas, alumni engagement,philanthropic efforts and enrollment and student life. Eachmember of our NAC is participating in one of theseinitiatives that will come to full fruition as we approach thenew academic year. This re-organization of the NACcoincidentally corresponds to another change at D&E andthat being the arrival of Dr. Buck Smith as its new Presidentbeginning this July.

A new President and a growing role for your NationalAlumni Association do not change some constants for D&Ethat made our experience so successful or for both currentand prospective students. The strength of the College hasand will continue to depend upon how alumni add valueback to the experiences of our students. Some of us do it byvolunteering to help with admission efforts, some provideinternships for students, others help make needed contactswith leaders in our communities, others give of theirresources, others share the name of the College with friendsand neighbors, some join FOSS or sing in the Tedford alumnichoir or honor the service of Drs. Payne or Ross. Regardless,the question is how does each of us support the College thathas and will continue to be an important part of our lives?Your NAC is as committed to the future of our College as weknow you are.

See you in October for Homecoming! Don’t be late…thelast person to register has to sing the alma mater “a capella”at the opening reception!

Blaine SteenslandNAC President

News from Your National Alumni Council

by Blaine Steensland, President, NAC

During this year's Homecoming,October 17 - 19, Sigma Phi Epsilonwill hold two special events. OnFriday, there will be a scholarshipreception in Halliehurst to announceannual awards: the Balanced ManScholarship, which goes to fiveincoming male freshmen each year;the Ralph Young MemorialScholarship, a $1,000 award to a SigEp with a strong GPA, communityinvolvement and facultyrecommendations; and the Alumni

Association Dues ReimbursementScholarship, which goes to a Sig Epwho achieves a 3.2 GPA. On Saturdaymorning, the Alumni AssociationAnnual Meeting will be held at theSig Ep Lodge. That afternoon, thefraternity will host a 1950s-'60s pre-dinner nostalgia party at the lodge tohonor its alumni from that era. JoelTurley, current president, says "Everybrother is encouraged to come and bea part of the tradition that is WestVirginia Delta!"

Sig Eps Gathering for Homecoming Calling all GammaDelta Alumni ofAlpha Sigma PhiA committee has been formed to evaluatethe interest and support of bring backAlpha Sigma Phi to Campus. There willbe gathering during Homecoming/Familyweekend, October 17-19. Please come outfor your brotherhood and help jointogether and bring alpha Sigma Phi backto Davis & Elkins College! For moreinformation contact Fred “Ted” Shepler [email protected]


alumni notes

Alumni NotesCompiled and edited by Wendy Cunningham Morgan and Rachel Montgomery, Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving

1950Julius A. Hirsch, Morgantown, PA,enjoyed a month long trip to Flagstaff,AZ, and Telluride, CO, visiting withfamily and friends this past fall.

1952Dorothy Steele Stacy, Clewiston, FL,visited campus in September 2007 andnoted the many changes and growth ofthe campus, and how beautiful D&E is.

1953Edward T. Peck, Jr., Columbia, SC, isproud of his children. His son, Daniel, isa Clemson University graduate(Clemson, SC), and his daughter,Valerie, graduated Magna Cum Laudefrom Long Island University (LongIsland, NY). She is now an attorney inManhattan, NY.

1954Arthur S. Hirshey is enjoying life inMerrick, NY! He has a wonderful familyand his granddaughters complete thepackage.

1955John P. Petrali, Jr., Churchville, MD, isa scientist at the U.S. Army MedicalResearch Institute of Chemical Defense.He was recently appointed chairman ofthe National Certification Board ofElectron Microscopy Technologists. Thisdistinction recognizes John’s manycontributions to the field of electronmicroscopy. In addition, he has beenreappointed visiting professor in theDepartment of Dermatology andDermatopathology at the University ofMaryland School of Medicine(Baltimore, MD). John has designed andconducted primary research to detect themechanisms of chemical threat agentsand to identify those that may bepredictive or diagnostic of a givenpathogenesis. His work has led to a

A Note about Notes …Thank you to the many alumni who submit notes for publication inForward magazine. We enjoy sharing your news, both in these pages and onour Web site. If you have a note, please complete and return the formbelow, or e-mail your note to [email protected] and we can alsoadd you to our email newsletter list.

Sending photos? Just mail your prints or disk, or e-mail your photos to ouralumni office. Send all materials to: Davis & Elkins College Alumni Office,100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241 or [email protected].

Please publish this Alumni Note in the Davis & Elkins College Forwardmagazine in print and online.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Maiden name, if married: _______________________________________

Class Year: ___________________________________________________

Here is my news: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________

Photo enclosed ❑ Yes ❑ No

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alumni notes

number of breakthrough discoveries,including the effects of nerve agents onthe blood-brain barrier as beingconvulsive-dependent and the sequentialpathogenesis of sulfur mustard-inducedblister formations in exposed skin. Hisdiscoveries have led to the developmentof specific immunodiagnostic tests and tonew treatment regimens followingexposure. John is the author of morethan 120 peer-reviewed scholarly articles,eight book chapters and 31 technicalreports.

1956Fred Miller, Verona, NJ, was recentlyelected Lay Leader and Chairman of theFinance Committee of Verona UnitedMethodist Church. Fred visited D&Eduring Forest Festival 2007 and saw thenew gym (The McDonnell Center forHealth, Physical Education, andAthletics.) He reports, “It looks great!”

1957Gerald Goldstone, Carmel, IN, enjoyedseeing old friends during his return toD&E for his 50th reunion in October2007.

Donald A. Luloff has relocated toNevada! He wants to hear from all hisfriends and classmates so please write toDon at his new address, 1970 NorthLeslie St., Apt. 1813, Pahrump, NV89060, or call him at (928) 706-8236.

W. Quintus and Marie Webster Wade,’58, Evington, VA, celebrated their 50thwedding anniversary on June 16, 2007.They were married in Richmond Hill,NY, on June 15, 1957.

1958Harold L. “Hal” Arner is lookingforward to traveling from his home inAlbuquerque, NM, to Davis & ElkinsCollege for his 50th reunion the weekendof October 17-19, 2008. He hopes to seeall his classmates there.

1959Ruth Herbert Gnagey, Noramal, IL, iscombining ministry with spending the

winters in South Texas, which hasprovided her with a very rewarding semi-retirement as she serves the UnitarianUniversalist (UU) Fellowship of HidalgoCounty, TX, and All Souls All Church ofBrownsville, TX.

Mariwyn McClain Smith and herhusband George Smith, ’61, Parsons,WV, are proud to say they are great-grandparents. Their oldest granddaughter,Sarah Smith Roberts, and her husband,Ryan W. Roberts, had a son, Isaac WadeRoberts, on July 11, 2006. Sarahgraduated from Tucker County HighSchool (Hambleton, WV) and iscurrently a sophomore at D&E, majoringin math, and Ryan is in Iraq for thesecond time.

1960Richard L. Huggins, Lakeland, FL, iscelebrating active retirement as theStated Supply Pastor for the McLeodMemorial Presbyterian Church inBartow, FL, and as Parish Associate forAdult Ministries and Director of HISCompany Drama at First Presbyterian inLakeland. Richard and his wife, Barbara,enjoy traveling to see their combined 11grandchildren and families. In Octoberthey will lead six couples on a trip toPrague (Czech Republic) and Budapest(Hungary). Last year, a visit to SanDiego, CA, reunited them with Sig Epfriends, Phil Inglee, ’59, Don Santamaria, ’62, and George Morgan, ’61.

Joan Larkin Huke, Rockville, MD, isworking for Craftstar Homes inMaryland, selling new and existinghomes.


Several Alpha Sigma Phi brothers gathered during Homecoming 2007, including standing, (left to right):Lawrence “Larry” Hunt, ’67; Rev. John “Digger” Simpson, ’67; Robert "Bob" Baird, ’67; Harold “Bud”Weigle, ’67; Rev. William “Bill” Kokie, ’67; James “Jim” Keller, ’67; Front Row, Donald “Flamer” McMahon,’73; and Charles “Charlie” Straw, ’70. They hope to see more Alpha Sigs at Homecoming 2008 on October17-19.

Sarah Smith Roberts, 2011, and husband Ryanwith their son, Isaac Wade Roberts, who was bornon July 11, 2006. Isaac’s great grandparents,Mariwyn McClain Smith, ’59, and George Smith,’60, couldn’t be prouder of him.

George Morgan, ’61, made sure to photograph thegroups of friends that came to visit him in the SanDiego area last year. These D&E friends include, left toright: Barbara Huggins; Richard “Dick” Huggins, ’60;Phil Inglee, ’59; Marilyn Inglee; Don Santamaria, ’62;and Maria Erhard Santamaria, ’63.


alumni notes1963Barbara A. Matz Brunermer and herhusband, Robert, Spring Church, PA, areproud of their nine grandchildren:Matthew, Marc, Luke, John, Stone,Garret, Kayleigh, Meghan and Olivia.They range in age from 15 years to 9months.

Jim D. Cook, Leesburg, OH, was electedmayor of Leesburg after five years on thevillage council. He began his four-yearterm on January 1, 2008. Jim’s wife, MaryJo, retired in June 2007 after 33 yearswith Fairfield Local Schools assuperintendent secretary. Jim and MaryJo have two grandchildren, HannahBullock, age 9, and Ethan Bullock, age 6.

1964Alan R. Colussy and his wife, SusanHillick Colussy, ’67, Atlanta, GA, hada great time during Homecoming 2007.

David A. Kirk, Roanoke, VA, retiredafter 40 years of ministry in June 2007,and was blessed with the birth of his 7thgrandchild, Asher Kirk Claybrook, onOctober 31, 2007.

1965Lee Bohme, Ft. Worth, TX, retiredMarch 1 after 27 year of service as anenvironmental scientist with theEnvironmental Protection Agency.

In July 2007, Lee J. Murray, Jr.,Appleton, WI, retired from AlcanPackaging where he was a SeniorResearch Fellow at the NeenahTechnical Center in Neenah, WI. Aftergraduating from D&E, he continued hiseducation at WVU, receiving an M.S.

Degree in Organic Chemistry in 1967.Lee is a well respected technicalauthority in the field of medicalpackaging. His career included nine yearswith DuPont Textile Fibers Departmentin Richmond, VA, and Chattanooga,TN, and nearly 31 years with AmericanCan and succeeding companies(currently Alcan Packaging) in Neenah.He had a long history with TAPPI, theTechnical Association of the Pulp andPaper Industry, serving in severalcapacities, including twice chairing theHealthcare Packaging Committee andthe High Barrier/Active PackagingCommittee. He was honored at thegroup’s 2007 International Conferencewith the Technical Achievement Award.As an active member of the AmericanChemical Society, Lee held local sectionchairman positions in Tennessee andWisconsin. He has published articles inthe area of barrier packaging, and holds12 patents in the area of ink-jet inks andbarrier packaging, with several moreactive barrier patents pending. His areasof expertise include sorption, permeationand transport, and analytical chemistryand thermal analysis. In retirement, Leeplans to obtain his glider pilot licenseand purchase a sailplane. He will alsocontinue his interest in politics at alllevels, as well as serving his communityand church in various capacities. Thispast winter, Lee and his wife, Barbara“Bobbie” Hogan Murray, ’68, enjoyeda three-week river cruise fromAmsterdam (The Netherlands) toVienna (Austria), and in May went toChina. Lee and Bobbie have twochildren and two grandchildren.

1966Rexford A. “Rex” Fliess and his wife,Claire J. Rehill Fliess, ’66, Bayfield,WI, are enjoying life. Rex is retired fromfull time ministry, but continues to beactive on an occasional basis as anEpiscopal Priest. Claire is employed fulltime as a graphic artist for their localdaily newspaper.

In October 2007, Robert M. McIlvaine,Slippery Rock, PA, wrote theintroduction for At the Twelfth Hour:Selected Short Stories of Joseph A. Altshelerand published it through University Pressof America.

1967Lawrence “Larry” Hunt, Springfield,VA, had a wonderful time with friendsfrom his class and fraternity brothers ofAlpha Sigma Phi during Homecoming2007.

1968Charles H. Potter, II, Silver Spring,MD, was nominated, and elected toreceive the honor of the 33rd and lastdegree of Masonry - Inspector GeneralHonorary.

45th Reunionat HomecomingOctober 17-19

The Class of 1967 had a nice reunion during Homecoming 2007. They gathered on campus and at Bob Baird’soffice in downtown Elkins. From (left to right), back row: Don “Flamer” McMahon, ’73; Rev. John “Digger”Simpson, ’67; Jim Keller, ’67; Harold “Bud” Weigle, ’67; Shirley Weigle; Rev. William “Bill” Kokie, ’67; Middlerow: Rebecca “Becky” Leo McMahon, ’72; Jayne Ellen Hunt; Christine Smith; Judith “Judy” Eadson, ’67;Robert "Bob" Baird, ’67; Ann Labrecque Baird, ’88; Joanne Loeffler Kokie. In front, Larry Hunt, ’67.


Steven P. Andreasen, ’70, and his grandson, Colin,enjoyed at day at the Breeders’ Cup Championshiphorse races last October.

alumni notes

1970Steven P. Andreasen, Watchung, NJ,spent a day at the races with his grandsonColin in October 2007. They enjoyedwatching the Breeders CupChampionship. This was a great way torecover from Steven’s third canceroperation two weeks earlier.

1971David A. Coombs and his wife, LindaA. Schacht Coombs, ’71, are enjoyingthe retirement home they built in HotSprings Village, AR. Dave retired inAugust 2007 from L’Oreal U.S.A. asHuman Resources Director - Maybelline.Dave and Linda would like to hear fromold friends at [email protected].

1977Brad Armentrout and Joy ElaineTantow of Minneapolis, MN, weremarried by her father in 1999. They nowlive in McKinney, TX (about 30 milesnorth of Dallas.) They have fourchildren, Clara Susanne, 15; PaulStanley, 14; Jenna Kristin, 4; and JohnDavid, born December 31, 2007.

Harriett L. “Laura” VandevenderKneib, Bremerton, WA, retired inDecember 2007 after working computergraphics for the U.S. Navy. She was onCommand Staff, a fast paced anddynamic environment, at Naval BaseKitsap at Keyport, WA, for the past sevenyears. Laura writes that most of her skillswent towards making a torpedo look“sexy” - not an easy task!

1978Jo Anne Vaccaro Cerven, Elberon, NJ,enjoyed the field hockey reunion dinnerwith teammates and Doc Minnick duringAlumni Homecoming & FamilyWeekend, and had a good road trip withPam Boyd Petroski, ’78, and KayKirby Jeter, ’78.

Karen S. Cowen Long and her husbandEdwin Long, ’80, Haymarket, VA, havetwo daughters, Laura and Sarah. Lauragraduated from the College of Charleston(Charleston, SC) in 2007, and Sarah isgoing to Roanoke College (Salem, VA)in 2008. Ed is the greens superintendentat Stonewall Golf Club, and Karen is aretired college guidance counselor.

1979Richard H. Cresson, Swarthmore, PA,has been employed as the plant engineerat IPA Systems in Philadelphia, PA, since2003.

1980George “Mongo” Brelsford recentlyearned a Doctorate in EducationalLeadership. Dr. Brelsford is currently theAssociate Vice President for StudentAffairs and Dean of Students at RowanUniversity in Glassboro, NJ. George andRobin Thrall Brelsford, ’82, raisepuppies for The Seeing Eye in their sparetime and live happy in a log cabin inElmer, New Jersey.

1981Arlene K. Glascoe-Jones, Culpeper,VA, created Nation Builders OriginalFamily Crest Design. This project andproduct line were released during the2008 Easter season and are sponsored byJones & Jones Advertising. Arlenedesigned the first original crest as amodel and she displays it in her garden-house studio gallery. She uses old photosand family facts as an inspiration tocreate likenesses in wooden, mixed-media wall sculptures. The product name,Nation Builders Original Family CrestDesigns, was chosen by Arlene to“express thanksgiving, love, honor,recognition and respect for all Americansthat sacrificed, contributed and laboredto build our nation.” For moreinformation contact Arlene [email protected].

Olympian Cindy Stinger, ColoradoSprings, CO, was honored by her co-workers at the United States OlympicCommittee by being selected to be partof the Olympic Torch Run. Cindy ranwith the Torch on April 9th in SanFrancisco, CA, the only United Statesstop for the Summer Olympic Torch.

1984Thomas E. Beins, Rockville, MD,started his second career at theDepartment of Veterans Affairs inWashington, DC. He is living in hissecond house in Rockville, MD. As Tomreflects back 20 years, D&E was thebeginning of his career; it was a greatschool and the people around him werealways nice and friendly.

1985Shaun Green, New Britain, CT, has ledCentral Connecticut State University tothe NCAA Tournament after the CCSUBlue Devils won the NortheastConference (NEC) championship.Shaun, a native of Newcastle, England,was a member of the highly-successfulD&E teams under Nils Heinke, ’73,from 1981-84, and earned severalaccolades from the WVIAC andNSCAA for his play as a midfielder.Congratulations to Coach Green and hisplayers!



Olympian CindyStinger, ’81, carriedthe Olympic Torchin San Francisco,CA, as part of theupcoming Summer2008 Olympics.

Just hours old, Carriss Renee Avondo already knowshow to put a loving smile on her parents’ faces,Colette & Robert “Flipper” Avondo, ’88.

Arlene K. Glascoe-Jones, ’81, with one ofher Crest Designs. Arleneis the founder of NationBuilder Original FamilyCrest Designs.


alumni notes1988Robert “Flipper” Avondo, CranberryTownship, PA, and his wife, Colette, arethrilled to announce the birth of theirfirst child, a daughter, Carriss Renee.Carriss was born on Easter Sunday,March 23, 2008, at 9:27 p.m. inCranberry Township. She was 7 pounds,9 ounces and 21 inches long. Flipperadmits that she melted his heart at firstsight.

1993Doug Homer, Falls Church, VA, and hiswife, Caroline, welcomed a second baby,and first daughter, Isabel Signe JosefinHomer on February 18, 2008, at 1:40p.m. She weighed 6 pounds, 12 ouncesand was 19 inches long. Isabel joins bigbrother Elias. Doug has recently accepteda new position with FieldTurf Tarkett asDirector of Soccer – North America,where he will be working on syntheticgrass soccer field projects andopportunities throughout the nation.Doug continues to lead the D&E Friendsof Senator Soccer. For more on thisspring’s tribute to the 1968 and 1970NAIA Championship teams, go tohttp://www.dnesocalums.org/

Christian Sidwell, San Francisco, CA,has changed careers. After working 10years with marketing in technology,Christian is moving to real estate. He isworking for the No. 3 real estate firm inSan Francisco and Northern California.Christian is an uncle for the second timeto Isabella Grace Sidwell and he liveswith his partner, Dr. Jon Smith.

1995Jerry Digman and wife, Lisa ValentineDigman, ’96, Elkins, WV, were marriedon September 14, 1996. Lisa is a shiftmanager for Wendy’s and Jerry isemployed with the WV State Road inthe office of Technology. They have beenblessed with three children, LaurenAshley (October 19, 1996), JenniferEmily (May 7, 1999), and Mason Edwin(September 10, 2006).

1998Jennifer R. “Jenny” Morris, SilverSpring, MD, and Kevin Corbett weremarried on April 1, 2007, in Frederick,MD (no, it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke!).Karyn Morris, ’96, Kim Morris, ’96,Rebecca Morris, ’99, and LynetteMorris, ’00, were bridesmaids. OtherD&E friends included Amy SpencerGoddard, ’99, and Michael Brownlee,’95, who is planning a June 7, 2008,wedding to Jenny’s sister Karyn, and wasthe couple’s photographer. Jenny andKevin are wildly content and wonderfullyhappy living just outside Washington,DC and performing with The CapitolSteps political satire group.

Sarah A. Nethery Scott, Culpeper, VA,and her husband, Matthew, celebratedtheir fifth anniversary in October 2007.This year she will celebrate 10 years ofemployment in Northern Virginia whereshe currently works in Human Resources.Sarah would love to hear from oldclassmates at [email protected].

1999Phyllis A. Meals, Reading, PA, isworking for Dynogy at Ontelaunee PowerPlant as the plant engineer, and isworking on her professional engineerlicense. She also finished her fourth yearas an assistant field hockey and softballcoach. Her field hockey team just won itssecond conference championship in threeyears and made its third appearance inthe NCAA playoffs.

2000Nickalus D. “Nic” Allen, Belington,WV, is now working for Hospice CareCorporation in Public Relations as aMarketing Representative,http://www.hospicecarecorp.org.

2003Perry Cunningham, Waynesburg, PA,and Ryan Flanigan, ’06, are members ofthe Chillicothe Paints ProfessionalBaseball Team. Perry has been pitchingfor the last four seasons (2004-2007) andRyan has been pitching for the last two

Whenever the Morris sisters get together it is a mini D&E reunion, but this time they were together tocelebrate sister Jenny’s wedding with the rest of the Morris clan. (Left to right), back row: sister-in-law NancyMorris, sisters Rebecca Morris, ’99, Lynette Morris, ’00, Karyn Morris, ’96, Kim Morris, ’96; middle row:brother Jason Morris, father Arnold Morris, mother Phyllis Morris, groom Kevin Corbett, bride Jenny MorrisCorbett, ’98; brother Jon Morris; front row: nieces Charlotte Morris and Abigayle Morris.




seasons (2006-2007). Both played atD&E under former Head Coach RyanBrisbin and both were named WVIACPitcher of the Year — Perry in 2003and Ryan in 2005. The Paints Baseballteam is located in Chillicothe, OH, andis a member of the Frontier League,which is an independent baseballleague.

Stephanie Perry Farrell,Harrisonburg, VA, married Ryan Farrellin August 2005. On December 10,2007, their identical twin boys, ReedFrederick and Grayson Jay, entered theworld. Reed weighed 5 pounds, 12ounces and Grayson weighed 5 pounds,1 ounce. Both boys are doing very welland growing fast.

William V. “Vinnie” LoGreco andwife, Lorin Shellhamer LoGreco,’03, Phoenixville, PA, had a veryexciting October as they became anaunt and uncle. Their niece, DaneliaRose Ryan, was born October 2, 2007,at 2:50 a.m., and weighed 8 pounds, 8ounces. Lorin’s sister, Dana, and herhusband, Jim, are doing well andVinnie and Lorin are looking forwardto being the best aunt and uncle theycan be!

2006Rachelle M. Sprenkle of Martinsburg,WV, and W. Knight Henderson,’08,of Charlottesville, VA, are engaged tobe married. Knight proposed atGraceland Inn and Conference Centerat D&E on February 15, 2008. Rachellegraduated from D&E with a B.A. inArt Education. She is employed byBerkeley County Schools as an artteacher in an elementary school.Knight is a member of Tau KappaEpsilon and graduated from D&E witha B.A. in History. A November 8,2008, wedding is planned in BerkeleySprings, WV.

2008Allison D. Creech Bennett, CrossLanes, WV, is working for Girls Scoutsof Black Diamond Council inCharleston, WV, as ProgrammingSpecialist.


alumni notes

Teammates again! After playing one year together as Senators on the D&E baseball team, PerryCunningham, ’03, and Ryan Flanigan, ’06, now sport the Chillicothe Paints uniform.

Sleeping peacefully. Thismay be the only timeReed and Grayson Farrell(Grayson is in the front)give their Mommy,Stephanie Perry Farrell,’03, some quiet time forherself.

Aunt Lorin ShellhamerLoGreco, ’03, stops bythe hospital to introduceherself to her new niece,Danelia Rose Ryan. Lorinis letting Danelia knowthat Aunts are likegrandparents — they aresupposed to spoil you andsend you home.


in memoriam

1928 Ebba L. Erlandson Bosworth, December 23, 2007

1930 Mary L. Tallman Cline, November 30, 2007

1933 Arthur R. Laney, Jr., 1991

1935 Madge E. Schoonover Andrews, January 21, 2008Mary Jane Wilt Clark, April 3, 2008

1936 Mary Gamble Kump, April 11, 2008Pauline “Polly” M. O’Kernick, January 6, 2008Helen P. Schneider Sutton, April 17, 2008

1937 Troy R. Swecker, January 27, 2008

1939 Jean Hunter Lantz, January 12, 2008

1944 Mary L. Pingley Ice, December 17, 2007

1947 Irene Goode Haught Davidson, February16, 2008

1949 Louis P. DiGiovanni, January 4, 2008Dorothy J. Smith Schempp, August 19, 2007

1950 Beryl Stalnaker Brock, February 8, 2008John K. Mann, February 10, 2008Lacy A. Mann, November 27, 2007Hanora N. Nichols Sprague, February 24, 2008Gordon B. White, March 2, 2008

1951 Virginia D. Vance Adamson, January 31, 2008David Dann Brown, January 5, 2008Paul R. Campbell, March 6, 2008Sidney W. “Skip” Fay, March 1, 2008Thomas F. Sheppard, May 27, 2005Donald H. Slocum, February 29, 2008

1952 Ruth S. Coffman, December 12, 2007John “Jack” S. Cougan, February 27, 2008Rosendo “Rod” F. Rodriguez, January 5, 2008

1953 John E. Hester, November 22, 2007Elizabeth “Libby” Butt Law, April 27, 2008Arthur “Art” E. Windsor, February 16, 2008

1954 Betty Lu White Sainato, December 16, 2007

1955 John J. Halloran, March 10, 2008George Kiess Schoonover, January 14, 2008Robert J. Westbye, November 30, 2007

1959 James H. “Chief” Harris, February 11, 2008Mary Francis Hockensmith Hockman, December 19,2007Howard “Bill” W. Shaffer, February 22, 2008August “Augy” K. Vilseck, March 14, 2008

1960 Dorothy “Lynn” Cromwell, January 7, 2008

1961 Robert B. Harriman, January 17, 2008Edward H. Simpson, January 28, 2008

1967 Don A. White, January 10, 2008

1990 James W. Weese, February 21, 2005

1998 Cynthia L. Boxell-Ware, January 22, 2008

2004 Cheryl Fitzgerald Arnold, December 23, 2007

David E. Warner, Jr., November 28, 2007, Former Chair of thePhysical Education Department and Coach ofSwimming, Cross-Country, Track and Field.

V. Robert Heisey, February 4, 2008, Former Instructor in MusicAugust 1955 - May 1958

Mary J. McCullar Chisolm, December 8, 2007, Former Student

John F. Harris, December 20, 2007, Former Student

Agnes M. Meffe, February 27, 2008, Former Student

Former members of the D&E community:H. Clifton Carrico, Former Business Law Teacher (’78-’80),

April 2007

W. Russell Studenmund, Former Economics and BusinessFaculty (’69-’81), April 2007

Howard D. Bartels, Former Trustee (’81-’91), August 2007

The individuals listed below include members of the D&E family whose passing we havelearned about within the last six months. Although some left us years ago, we wanted toremember them here on behalf of all alumni and friends of Davis & Elkins College.

Ralph S.SheplerTrustee, 1966 – 1973

Ralph S. Shepler of Elkins, aformer trustee of the College,died at his home on February20. He was born December 31,1920, at Harrisville, and, in1941, was married to the formerMary Frances Keys, whosurvives. Shepler was a graduateof R.W. High School in Clarksburg and Salem College, andhe was a veteran of World War II. The Sheplers moved fromClarksburg to Elkins in 1950 with the C.C. Keys MusicCompany. In 1952, he brought cable television to RandolphCounty, among the first cable systems in the nation. Alongwith business partners, he developed television cable systemsalong both sides of the Ohio River. They purchased a cablesystem in Tucker County and then developed cable inWaycross, Georgia. They then developed the largest cablesystem in Gainesville, Florida. Shepler was always civic-minded and served as president of many organizations and asa board member of Davis Trust Co., Davis Memorial Hospital,and the Randolph County Airport Authority and IndustrialDevelopment Corporation. He served three terms as Mayor ofElkins. At D&E, he served as a trustee and was an honorarymember of Phi Beta Lambda and Beta Alpha Beta businessfraternities. He received the Gordon Hermanson ServiceAward and the Sigma Beta Delta International BusinessManagement and Administration Award, and he was named“Philanthropist of the Year” for his work in restoringHalliehurst.

7th AnnualSenator Basketball

Golf TournamentAll proceeds to benefit the Davis & Elkins College Men’s Basketball Program

4 Person “Scramble” (Modified Scramble)Where: The Raven Golf Club at

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

When: Saturday, July 26th, 2008

Starting Time: 12:00pm - Shot Gun Start

Cost: $125.00 per person or $500.00 per team (4-Man teams) (Individual entrants will be assigned to a team)

Entry fee will include a “Cook Out” style meal following the tournament

Make checks payable to: “Davis & Elkins College Men’s Basketball” and send to:

Davis & Elkins CollegeMen’s Basketball Office

100 Campus DriveElkins, WV 26241

**Please include your handicap with your entry fee*

Registration: Pre-register teams by Friday, July 11th, 2008

Prizes: Ranging from T-Shirts, sweat suits, hats, golf shirts, golf clubs, golf balls, gift certificates, weekend get aways, rounds of golf at several courses including The Raven Golf Club and many more.

For more information or to register contact: Amrit RayfieldHead Men’s Basketball Coach Davis & Elkins College 100 Campus DrElkins, WV 26241 304-637-1279 [email protected]

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPittsburgh, PA

Permit No 2096

100 Campus DriveElkins, WV 26241

Are you getting an extra copy?If you receive more than one Forward mag-azine, please cut out the mailing informa-tion here and send it to the Davis & ElkinsCollege Office of College Advancement.You will help us clean up our records, andyou'll help the environment too!

Come join your friends and your D&E family thisfall and don’t miss out on all the fun D&E has instore for you! Check out these highlights:

Scenic Train Ride to the High Falls of the Cheat River

Academic Department Open Houses

College Tours

Student Organization Fair

American Mountain Theater Show at theDowntown Railyard

Class dinners and receptions

Family reception

President’s Welcome Reception – Meet our newPresident “Buck” Smith and Joni Smith

Theatre Production at the Boiler House Theatre

Greek Reunions and Scholarship Presentations

Softball Reunion

Talbot Environmental Science Symposium

Volleyball and Soccer games

President’s Forum

All Alumni Choir Reunion and Concert

Homecoming Banquet and Alumni AwardsCeremony

The Homecoming Ball

Alumni Memorial Service

And those are just the highlights! See the fullschedule at www.davisandelkins.edu and makeyour reservations for a beautiful weekend in theWest Virginia highlands. Come one, come all toD&E this fall!

D&E’s 2008 Homecoming & FamilyWeekend is October 17 – 19

Mark Your Calendar!

Documents

Forward - Summer 2008