Spring 2019 - Issue I, Vol. IHomecoming 2-3Campus Christmas 4Rio Abroad 5Staff Appreciation Night 6Storm Tracker Staff Pictures/Bios 7Dr. Clark Letter/Commuter Corner 8

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HOMECOMING 2018By Katie Hemsley / Photos: Chelsy Slone & Abby Grasso

The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College is a school built on tradition. These traditions celebrate a variety of events and people including current students and staff, athletics, alumni, and perhaps, most importantly, Clarence “Bevo” Francis. Every year, the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College honor these special people and moments during homecoming week.

The weeklong event begins with a mid-day Bevo Francis Memorial Cancer Walk, an event that encourages current students, staff, and alumni to reminisce the basketball great and the permanent imprint Bevo left in the hills of Southeastern Ohio. As Sunday draws to a close, student athletes participate in the Annual Lip-Sync Competition. This year’s competition resulted in a tie between Men’s Soccer and Cheerleading. Following the tie-breaker, which included improv dancing (and singing) to some of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, the 2018 trophy Was given to the Men’s Soccer team. This allowed the team to earn their second trophy that week, following their overtime win in the River States Conference Championship against West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

For some, the most exciting part of the night occurred during halftime of the Friday evening game. This year was especially exciting for Amanda Shy and Kent Reeser, who were named the 2018 Homecoming Queen and King. The night was also special for student-athlete, Chelsy Slone, who received the Bevo Francis Character Award; an award recognizing a student-athlete with good academic standing, professionalism, and outstanding leadership qualities.

As the week continued, current students and staff were encouraged to participate in Spirit Week. This year, attendees and employees of the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College began the school week in red, white, and blue in acknowledgement of Veteran’s Day. Following Monday, the daily attire themes continued, leading into Friday evening; the opening night of the 36th Annual Bevo Francis Classic. For this event, student-athletes and basketball fans wore white, as all athletic programs took the floor before the 8:00pm men’s game and formed the number thirty-two and stood for thirty-two seconds of silence in remembrance of Clarence “Bevo” Francis.

2018 Homecoming

Royalty:

Amanda Shy &

Kent Reeser

Dylan Shockley, Male Athlete of the Year

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Former Homecoming Royalty were honored during this year’s festivities. � ey include, from le� to right: 2015 King Bryan Stevens, 2013 Queen Gwendolyn Rose, 2012 Queen

Kassandra Mosher, 2007 Queen Kendell Nelson, 1988 Queen Marlo Grubb, 1965 Queen Catherine Clark, 1956 May Day Queen Joann Shrader, 2016 Queen Taylor Grubb,

2018 Queen Amanda Shy, 2018 King Kent Reeser, and 2017 King Spencer Reinford.

Men’s Soccer Team - Lip Sync Champions

Rio Men’s Basketball Team competing in the Lip Sync Contest.

Chelsy Slone, (below), senior, was named therecipient of the Bevo

Francis Champions of

Character Award.

Twin Day - Abbey Ansell (freshman) and Jess Youse (freshman) matching in red.

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Before heading home for the holidays after finals week, the Office of Student Affairs and the campus Chaplaincy Program helped to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to campus. Instead of lighting the one large tree near the Berry Fine & Performing Arts Center, Amy Weaver (of Student Affairs) suggested a trail of trees near the Rhodes Student Center. This allowed for involvement from student and faculty groups on campus to join in the festivities by decorating their own tree. Though the cold wind and rain made the outdoor festivities a bit short, everyone was still able to enjoy Christmas carols from the Grande Chorale (led by Dr. Sarin Williams) and the official lighting of the trees before heading inside to get warm. Once inside, positive words were shared by Professor William Plants (Coordinator of the Chaplaincy Program), more carols were sung by the Grande Chorale, and hot chocolate and cookies were provided for everyone to enjoy.

Rio Grande Chorale performing in front of Rhodes Student

Center

CHRISTMAS ON CAMPUSBy Mackenzie Hornsby

NEXT ISSUE: Recap of Commencement 2019, Road Trip Graduation, RISE, Athletic Awards, Rio Abroad, Jake Bapst Interview, Special Olympic Student Volunteers, and Sigma Tau Delta Conference.

JOIN OUR TEAM: Want to write articles? Take photos? Help with layout/design? Do you see areas where we need to improve? Then join the Student Alumni Association and the Storm Tracker Staff ! --- Email: dedwards@rio.edu for more info and an application.

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RIO ABROADBy Mackenzie Hornsby

I believe I was born with the desire for adventure and travel in my blood, but up until this year, I had yet to cross the Atlantic Ocean. After only one full week in Wales, I can already say that the Rio exchange program was well worth the time and money spent to get me abroad.

I arrived at the Heathrow Airport (London, England) early on the morning of January 23rd. After gathering at the meeting place with other international students, representatives from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David rounded us up onto a

bus and drove us the rest of the distance to each of our campuses. For the BA Acting program, I am studying at the Carmarthen campus.

Since that first day, I have not only met people from Wales and England, but also others from the States, Malaysia, Ireland, Canada, Spain, and Italy. It has truly been a beautiful thing to become such quick friends with people from different locations and to be able to discuss and understand our similarities and differences. I have also already visited castles

and cathedrals mounted on a majestic backdrop of rolling green landscapes or majestic beaches with rock cliffs. Wales has already been a dream come true for me, and I cannot wait to discover all that I will experience as the journey continues in the next few months and as I delve deeper into my courses. I am thankful for the opportunity Rio has given me and I highly encourage current and future students to consider this exchange program.

Note: The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College offers an excellent opportunity to its students to study abroad in the beautiful country of Wales through its partnership with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. All interested students can get more information on the exchange program by visiting Jeanne Jindra in the Madog Center on campus or emailing jjindra@rio.edu

“I was born with the desire for adventure and

travel in my blood!

St. David’s Cathedral

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STAFF APPRECIATION NIGHT

The University of Rio Grande celebrated their annual URG Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night on January 29, 2019.

The event is part of Rio Grande’s commitment to the NAIA’s “Champions of Character” initiative, as an example of how academics are a priority with the school’s student-athletes, while also serving as

an opportunity to bring together a diverse group of faculty/staff members and students together.

This event gives senior student/athletes an opportunity to honor a faculty or staff member who has had a positive impact on their

collegiate career at the University of Rio Grande.

Below is a complete list of those recognized. Honoree Department Student-Athlete Sport HometownRoger Watson Business Whitney Gilkeson Women’s Basketball Marietta, OHAndrea Vera Women’s Soccer Haley Merrit Women’s Soccer Huntington, WVBob Willey Athletics Kameron Carpenter Track & Field/XC Newark, OHBonnie Gilliland URG Postmaster Earl Russell Men’s Basketball Warrington, England

Brad Warnimont Baseball Roanderson Severino Baseball Blandon, PABrenda Sharp Business Asia Branch Women’s Basketball Cincinnati, OHChris Baker Radiology Megan Liedke Women’s Basketball Beverly, OHCraig Doughtery Athletics Daschle Facemyer Track & Field Pomeroy, OHDena Warren Dean of Students Kaylynn Bell Women’s Soccer Hillsboro, OHKatie Moleski Sports and Exercise Chelsy Slone Women’s Basketball Gallipolis, OH‘’ ‘’ Harry Reilly Men’s Soccer Coventry, UK‘’ ‘’ Ben Mendoza Men’s Soccer Chichester, UK‘’ ‘’ Dylan Shockley Baseball Minford, OH‘’ ‘’ Zach Harvey Baseball Kenova, WV‘’ ‘’ Taylor Grubb Track & Field/XC Thornville, OHLisa Theiss Nursing Michaela Criner Softball Bremen, OHPaul Dovyak Social Work Jaida Carter Women’s Basketball New Philadelphia, OHDon Althoff Wildlife Lucy Williams Track & Field/XC Albany, OHSam Wilson History Pierce Knisley Baseball Chillicothe, OHStephanie Scott Education Sierra Kingery Women’s Soccer Circleville, OHSunita Dayal Nursing Carly Skeese Softball Newark, OHTony Daniels Athletics Andrea Vera Women’s Soccer Quito, Ecuador‘’ ‘’ Olivia Slone Women’s Soccer Huntington, WV‘’ ‘’ Kelsie Lee Women’s Soccer West Chester, OHWesley Theone Marketing Eduardo Zurita Men’s Soccer Barcelona, Spain‘’ ‘’ David Rodriguez Baseball Santo Domingo, DR‘’ ‘’ Michael Rodriguez Baseball Santo Domingo, DR‘’ ‘’ Michael Norris Track & Field Dayton, OH‘’ ‘’ Alexis Johnson-Schoolcraft Track & Field Mercerville, OHWilliam Plants History Harry Robinson Men’s Soccer London, UKRandy Payton Sports Info Director Kelsey Conkey Softball Minford, OH

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MEET THE STORM TRACKER STAFFManaging Editor Photography Editor Graphic Design Editor

Megan Coon, SeniorCommuter Student

Major: EnglishFrom: Oak Hill, OH

Damon Ledford, SeniorResident Student

Major: AYA: IntegratedLanguage Arts

From: Portland, OH

Abby Grasso, JuniorCommuter Student

Major: Pre-Art TherapyFrom: Minford, OH

Emma Nesbitt, JuniorCommuter Student

Major: Graphic DesignFrom: Gallipolis, OH

Reporter/Writer Reporter/Writer Reporter/Writer Reporter/Writer

Photographer

Katie Hemsley, JuniorResident StudentMajor: Middle

Childhood EducationFrom: Jackson, OH

Mackenzie Hornsby, SeniorCommuter Student

Major: EnglishFrom: Gallipolis, OH

Sean McIntyre, JuniorCommuter StudentMajor: ATS Public Safety Management

From: San Antonio, TX

Darian Miller, SeniorCommuter StudentMajor: Pre-Med

From: Gallipolis, OH

Whitney Gilkeson, SeniorResident Student

Major: Healthcare Administration

From: Marietta, OH

Kaylynn Bell, SeniorReseident StudentMajor: Sports & Execise Studies

From: Hillsboro, OH

Editor

Photographer Photographer

Chelsy Slone, SeniorResident StudentMajor: Sports & Exercise Studies

From: Gallipolis, OH

Advisor:Delyssa Edwards ‘10

Alumni Editors:Jenni Dovyak-Lewis ‘96

Keith Thomerson ‘68

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To start off this segment of ‘Commuter’s Corner’, I would like to share with you what it is like to be a commuter – from my viewpoint. I have been attending and commuting to Rio since 2016. I have always enjoyed driving— I like to look at the scenery and listen to music on my way to school. There have definitely been times when I am running late and walk in frazzled—I would say that is a con to commuting— a higher risk of running late. In the four years that I have been a commuter, I can definitely say I have turned my car into my room on wheels. I now always have extra clothes, shoes, blankets, camping

chairs, snacks, etc. in my car. There have been times where I have studied, ate lunch, and even taken naps in my car. If I had the option to be a resident on campus or a commuter, I would still choose to be a commuter because I would have the freedom to leave campus whenever I want, and I know some residents do not have that opportunity.

If you are interested in being featured in the next segment of ‘Commuter Corner’, please email your segment to s300732520@students.rio.edu.

Thanks, and happy commuting!

COMMUTERCORNERBy Megan Coon

Students,I am happy to be part of the first edition of the newest

student-written ‘Storm Tracker’. Some form of student publication have been distributed on campus for at least 50 years.

The name of these publications has been associated with the nickname of the college/university.

According to our Archivist, Jake Bapst:“The history of the student newspapers, much like all things Rio, is a twisiting trail. In 1913, students published a small paper called the

‘Rio Grande Cardinal’. From 1914-1915, it became a full-sized paper called, ‘The Cardinal’. In 1920-1921, the paper was called the Rio Grandion. Then for four years, 1924-1928, it was known as The Comet. It was renamed The Cardinal in 1932 and remained under that name until the mid-1950’s. In 1964, The Smoke Signals started and by 1968, the name shortened to just

Signals. For a brief time in 1976, I was co-advisor and we called the student newspaper simply The Paper. Then again, a name change came about; we

went back to Signals, printed on paper, and it remained under this name until 2013. In 2014, there were a few electronic versions, but everything

disappeared in 2015.”

There has been a paper of some sort for about 83 of our 143-year history. It is so good to see it return!

I hope you will find this online newspaper as a useful source to publicize upcoming campus events, for reporting on past

campus events, and as a source of entertainment.Thanks go to Rio’s Alumni Director, Delyssa Edwards and the Storm Tracker Staff for their interest and efforts to

produce ‘Storm Tracker’.

Enjoy!Catherine M. Clark, Ph.D.

Interim President

FROM THE PRESIDENT