Come Join The Celebration! - Wayne State College

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
past 15 years. He has been an
active participant in community
service with his church and plans
a career change to church ministry
work. He earned his bachelor’s
degree in communication from
University of Michigan, master’s
in communication from University
of Illinois, and Ph.D . from City
University of Los Angeles. Dr.
Keenan previously taught at Mary
College, East Carolina University,
J.C. Smith University and Theil
College.
Vic Reynolds,
Professor of Art
Vic Reynolds, M.F.A., was hired
as full-time tenure-track faculty in
1988. Reynolds was born in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. After retiring from
Wayne State, Reynolds plans to
continue to work in his studio in
Wayne. Reynolds works using a
wide variety of art materials in the
creation of paintings, drawings,
and digital images. While serving a
tour in Vietnam (U.S. Army 116th
Combat Engineers), Reynolds was
selected to be part of the U.S. Army
Combat Art Team Vlll, which was
assigned by the Army Historian in
Washington D.C. to depict and create
impressions of the Vietnam War. He
received his bachelor and master of
fine arts degree from the University
of Idaho and taught previously at
the University of Nevada and the
University of Alabama.
Frank Teach, Director
of Student Activities
and Instructor of Physical
Education
Frank Teach, M.A., was hired nearly
40 years ago to run the college’s
new intramural sports program.
Teach also developed the student
activities program, which reached
out to students to involve them in the
coordination of campus activities.
He earned his bachelor’s degree and
a master’s in education from Wayne
State. During his master’s program,
he served as a graduate assistant for
baseball coach Fred Pierce.
WSC All in the Family for Adamson Family
Jordan Adamson made her mother’s goal complete on Mother’s Day weekend as she graduated
from Wayne State College on May 9. She and three of her sisters have all earned WSC degrees.
The goal to have all the Adamson girls graduate from Wayne State College was a special one
set when the children were small. Nicole Adamson Mathison was the first to achieve it in 1996.
Heather Adamson Tillotson followed as the only sister with an education degree in 1999. Megan
Adamson Froehlich earned her degree in 2004.
Three of the four sisters earned communications degrees and had Drs. Ron and Deb Whitt as
teachers and mentors.
"We all had the Whitts as instructors and they really made a difference for all of us,’’ Jordan
Adamson said. "I feel the most important aspect of the communications degree at Wayne State
College is the leadership aspect. I am very glad that was a part of my education.’’
Jordan Adamson will be entering The Buckle’s management program in Sioux Falls, S.D. She
said her leadership experiences at WSC will help her in the program.
“The Adamson sisters were an absolute delight to have as students in our Communication Arts
program. Each had a unique positive personality and brought a different positive perspective to our
classes,” said Professors Ron and Deb Whitt when asked about the Adamsons. “The one ingredient
that flowed through each, however, was a strong work ethic each brought to the classroom. All
were carefully prepared to fully engage in academic and group discussions. The sisters’ goal
oriented attitude, along with their strong interpersonal communication skills, will continue to serve
them well. We wish them the very best and look forward to the next generation of Adamsons!’’
Although all the sisters lived in Bowen residence hall, only Nicole and Heather had the
opportunity to live together in a room.
"Heather was able to tell me who I should take in classes and some tips about college life,”
Nicole said. “The best thing about Wayne State College was the small class sizes and individual
attention that we received from our professors.’’
Each sister agreed their professors had known them by their first names. They said they valued
the ability to be able to speak with them face to face.
After commencement, Jordan Adamson’s niece, Kennedy Mathison, ran up to her and gave her
aunt a hug.
"Tell us where you are going to college, Kennedy,’’ Adamson said. "Wayne State?"
Kennedy Mathison looked up and nodded yes with a big smile.
Jordan Adamson of Osmond is congratulated by her sisters as she joins them as Wayne
State College alumni. From left are: Heather Adamson Tillotson, a 1999 graduate;
Megan Adamson Froehlich, a 2004 graduate; Jordan Adamson, a 2009 graduate; and
Nicole Adamson Mathison, a 1996 WSC graduate.
Wayne State Magazine 7