Winter 2011/2012 - Tiffin University

TIFFIN UNIVERSITYWINTER 2011/2012TIFFIN UNIVERSITY FALL / WINTER 2010A Magazine for Alumni & Friendsof Tiffin University

tLisa WilliamsEditorWelcome to Challenge Magazine!Dear Alumni and Friends of Tiffin University,Pictures are worth a thousand words, and with each issue I try mybest to give you an eye full of just how much is happening at TU.We have said it before, and we get to say it again, enrollment is atan all-time high!So what is new with you? We are all interested in your news tobe included in ClassScene, or better yet, as a personal testimony(see pages 38-46). Do you have a story to share?A favorite part of my job as Editor is hearing from you.Reading about you enlightens everyone including students whoare considering TU. You have an opportunity to connect with TUeach day through our website at www.tiffin.edu or to me by emaillwilliam@tiffin.edu. If you have an idea, or a story to share, send mea note.In the meantime, success at Tiffin University continues. Wecontinue to grow, change, and we never stop looking at how wecan do better. You will see for yourself in the pages ahead.Sincerely,Lisa WilliamsEditor of Challenge MagazineExecutive Director of Media Relations & PublicationsPhotographerEditor’sNoteHow to send news to Challenge Magazine:Mail: Print out the Tell Us About Yourself formfrom the website - www.tiffin.edu (Click “Alumni”),Click “Stay Connected” - and mail to:Lisa Williams, 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883Call for interview appointment or story idea:Lisa Williams at 419.448.3444Email: lwilliam@tiffin.edu (send a photo!)Special Mentions:Photography: Zeng LeiWriting: Geoff Schutt, Elaine WarneckeStudent Intern: Jessica HuffmanGraphic Designer – Mary Ann StearnsWINTER 2011 / 2012Tiffin University is a place wherewe challenge our studentsto become all they are capable of becoming.Hence, the name of the magazine.4Enrollment up 38%6Academic Programs8Homecoming14CampusScene38Student Success47ClassScene53InMemoriam54SportsSceneIf this issue of Challenge Magazine is addressed tosomeone in your household who has moved, please notifythe Alumni office by calling 419.448.3323or email KoehlerS@tiffin.edu.ContentsWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 3

Tiffin University EnrollmTotal enrollment at Tiffin University increasedfrom 4,940 in the fall of 2010 to 6,816 this fall, which is a oneyearincrease of 38%. This fall’s total represents an eight-yearincrease of 354% compared with the 1,500 students enrolled inthe fall of 2003.According to President Paul Marion, “As the academicreputation of Tiffin University continues to grow, more studentsare choosing to apply for admission and enroll once admitted.”6,8164,9403,4221,5001,6341,6581,9902,3492,7052003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20082009201020114 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE

ent Increases by 38%SpotlightWINTER FALL 2011 2010 / 12 | | CHALLENGE | | 22 5

Academic ProgramsThe number of academicprograms offered byTiffin Universitycontinues to increase.The current programs are as follows:Master of Business Administrationwith concentrations in GeneralManagement, Finance, HealthcareAdministration, International Business,Leadership, Elder Care Management,Sports Management, Human ResourceManagement, MarketingMaster of Science in Criminal Justicewith concentrations in Crime Analysis,Criminal Behavior, Forensic Psychology,Homeland Security Administration,Justice AdministrationMaster of Humanities with concentrationsin English, Art and Visual Media,and CommunicationMaster of EducationGraduate Certificates in AddictionStudies (post-bachelor’s), AddictionCounseling (post-master’s), CrimeAnalysis, Criminal Behavior, HomelandSecurity Administration, Justice Administration,Small Business Management,Leadership for Managers and Supervisors,Sports Management, HealthcareAdministration, and Professional Developmentfor EducatorsBachelor of Arts with majors in» Arts Administration withconcentrations in Music Industry,Visual Arts» Communication with concentrations inElectronic Media, Journalism, PublicRelations» Education (offered throughpartnership with Lourdes College)leading to licensure in IntegratedLanguage Arts (Grades 7-12),Integrated Social Studies(Grades 7-12), Middle ChildhoodEducation (Grades 4-9)» English» General Science with concentrationsin Green Technologies and BehavioralScience» Government and National Security» History» Paralegal Studies» Professional Music» Professional Studies» Psychology with concentrations inAddictions Counseling, ExperimentalPsychology, Human ServicesBachelor of Business Administrationwith majors in» Accounting» Information Systems withconcentrations in ApplicationSpecialist, Software Developmentand System and Network Support» Finance» Global Leadership Honors» Management with concentrations inEquine Business Management,Hospitality & Tourism Management,Human ResourcesManagement, International Business,Supply Chain Management,Managerial Studies, Elder CareManagement (degree completionprogram) Healthcare Administration(degree completion program)» Marketing» Organizational Management (degreecompletion program)» Sports and Recreation Managementwith concentrations in Sports andAthletic Administration, Recreationand Tourism, Sports MarketingBachelor of Criminal Justicewith majors in» Corrections» Cyber-Defense and InformationSecurity» Forensic Psychology» Forensic Science» Law Enforcement» Homeland Security/Terrorism» Justice Administration (degreecompletion program)» Emergency Management (degreecompletion program)Undergraduate MinorsAccountingAddictions CounselingArtBusiness AdministrationComputer & Information TechnologyCorrectionsCreative WritingEnglishFinanceForensic AccountingForensic PsychologyForensic ScienceGovernmentGreen TechnologiesHomeland Security/TerrorismHospitality & Tourism ManagementHuman Resources ManagementHuman ServicesIndividualized StudiesIndustrial/Organizational PsychologyIntelligence AnalysisInternational BusinessJournalismLaw EnforcementLeadershipManagementMarketingMusicPsychologyPublic RelationsRegional StudiesSociologySports Writing and PromotionSports and Recreation ManagementTheatreAssociate of Arts with major in GeneralStudiesAssociate of Business Administrationwith majors in Accounting, BusinessHealthcare Administration, InformationTechnology, Sports and RecreationManagementAssociate of Criminal Justice withmajors in Law Enforcement, Corrections,Homeland SecurityDegree ClassScene ProgramsWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 7

FALL 2010

Homecoming weekend kickedoff on Friday evening when TU hostedthe annual Athletic Hall of FameDinner in the Gillmor Student Center.The 2011 Hall of Fame Honoreeswere: Elizabeth Wead Knackstedt ’02;Brian Campbell, Softball Coach 2001-08; Diane Schaefer Sackett ’94; TedWypasek ’97; and Dave Reiter ’90.On Saturday, alumni, family andfriends joined in on the annual alumni5K Run , the alumni Team Challengeand softball game. Everyone enjoyedpre-game activities prior to the Men’sSoccer game.The weekend included guidedtours of campus, the Nature Preserve,the Paradiso Athletic Complex, LivingLearning Community, and the newrecreation center.Prior to the kick-off of the footballgame, TU’s Alumni Office hosted atailgate party including a chili cookoff,a food tent, and inflatable funfor kids. Other events included theintroduction of the homecoming courtand recognition of the 2011 AthleticHall of Fame Honorees.After the football game, thefestivities continued at a post-gamereception at the Pioneer Mill Restaurant.The weekend concluded onSunday with an Alumni Golf Scrambleand Lunch at Seneca Hills Golf Courseand Women’s Soccer Game.HomecomingWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 9

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The Science Center of Tiffin UniversityIn the 1989 movie, “Field of Dreams,” Iowa farmer Ray Kinsellahears a voice tell him to build a baseball field in the middle ofhis corn field. The voice keeps repeating “If you build it, theywill come.” Over the past few years, there have been manyvoices echoing for Tiffin University to add or improve manystructures on campus, including residence halls, sports andrecreation centers, and classrooms.One other important campus facility, a newscience laboratory, is now completed.The lab houses all of the biology, chemistry, natural science,and forensic science equipment.The School of Arts and Sciences has added numerousnew programs over the past decade emphasizing the foundationsof English, Math, Natural Science, and other academicdisciplines such as music and art. In fact, just this past year,TU created a concentration in Green Technology to educatestudents for careers in sustainable practices and “green”living. Yet, one piece of the puzzle was missing—a formal sciencelaboratory.According to the National Center of Education Statistics,25% of all degrees awarded in America are in some form ofscience, mathematics, or engineering disciplines. This represents a significant number of students from all walks of lifeProfessors’Ghosh &HerdlickScience Centerwho are interested in scientific careers. As Tiffin Universitycontinues unprecedented growth in all academic majors,together with its entrepreneurial spirit and high quality academicprograms, the building of a science lab was a naturaladdition to the campus. This laboratory will now open thedoors to future scientific disciplines and serve as a collaborativefocal point for students who may require scientific curriculumas part of their academic endeavors.TU’s laboratory will have the capability of housing 50students at a time for general chemistry, organic chemistry,quantitative and instrumental analysis, biology, environmentalscience and forensic science classes.The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art bench space,fume hoods, equipment, high-speed computers, and otherscientific tools. Students will also have direct access to theirrespective professors whose offices are now part of the TiffinUniversity Science Center.CampusSceneTIffin University’s School of Businessheld its Delta Mu DeltaInduction Ceremony inOctober.According to Dr. LillianSchumacher, Dean of the School ofBusiness, Delta Mu Delta is a strongnetwork of people that can helpstudents with all career aspirations.Delta Mu Delta is an InternationalHonor Society in Business for Universitieswhose business school programsare accredited by the AccreditationCouncil forBusinessSchools andPrograms(ACBSP) andprovidesthe highestinternationalrecognition for business studentsinvolved in their on-campus chapter.Recognition in the society is for a lifetimeand includes many benefits. Inducteesto the honor society are thosein the toptwentypercent ofthe businessprogram.Benefitsthat membersenjoyinclude networking opportunities,scholarships, acknowledgement forFederal Employment, lifetime contactthrough the newsletter, and a subscriptionto Bloomberg Businessweek.WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 15

School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences News‘Hackademic Challenge’Tiffin University students enrolled inthe university’s new Cyber-Defense &Information Security major participatedin the first “Hackademic Challenge” inOctober in Cleveland.The challenge included teams fromfour colleges and universities and waspart of the 2011 Information SecuritySummit.The Tiffin University students whotook part in the challenge were RoshanPatel and Justin Durham, both of whomare enrolled in the new Cyber-Defensemajor, which is offered through TU’sSchool of Criminal Justice.According to Professor ScottBlough, this new hacker’s challenge ispart of TU’s commitment to preparingthe next generation of cyber defenders.Hackers’ challenges are designedto allow participants to test their skillsand knowledge by attacking (or “hacking”)into a live network. The exerciseis done in a lab setting and the networkis specifically designed for the exercise.Participants use their own computersand connect to the lab network. After abrief overview of the rules, participantsattempt to penetrate the network andgain information.Both Patel and Durham noted thehands-on experience and networkingopportunities with professionals fromthe information security field as valuableto their long-term career goals.“I had never done any practicalhacking of systems, since it’s illegal, sogetting the chance to learn the differencesbetween the concept of how toEnvironmentally Friendly CampusTU’s Student Government has assembled a task force towork toward a more environmentally friendly campus.Their goal is to develop initiatives, evaluate theplausibility of the initiatives, lobby for them in the StudentSenate, and create an action plan for their implementationand campus awareness.Student Government President Jonathan Allen has numerousideas, such as creating a student-run, campus-widerecycling program for aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass;use recycled paper in printers,; harness solar energy withpanels on buildings; change bathroom faucets and handdryers; and reward those who contribute.“I’m confident the task force will propose initiativesthat the entire TU community will appreciate,” Allen said.According to Allen, StuGov has been working withthe Office of Residence Life to implement recycling in theresidence halls. They will be making more connections withstaff to ensure that the program is put into practice everywhereon campus.“Our first goal is to extend the amount of recyclingbaskets in all residence halls,” said Nathan Strickland, taskforce member. “We feel that this is one task that can bedone immediately and would benefit not only Tiffin Universitybut the Tiffin community as well.”Last April, TU was a recipient of a $4,000 grant fromOttawa-Sandusky-Seneca County Joint Solid Waste ManagementDistrict to expand the on-campus recycling program.The TU Green Committee and administrators are incharge of how the grant money is being used on campus.“The TU Green Committee welcomes any studentinvolvement from the student government task force,” saidDr. Erin Dean, Green Committee Chair. “The grant moneyhas been used to purchase recycling containers and materialsto recycle glass, cans, and plastic bottles. Tiffin University’sown contribution also helped pay for supplies and astudent worker to empty recycling containers throughoutthe campus.”16 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE

use certain methods to hack into machinesand actually doing it was a goodchance to get some real-world experience,”Durham said.Echoing his students’ perceptions,Blough remarked, “From an academicstandpoint, it allowed me to betterunderstand the skill set that studentsrequire to be competitive in the jobmarket and challenges such as these.”Founding ChiefProsecutor Visits TUTiffin University hosted a visit by DavidCrane, the founding Chief Prosecutorof the Special Court for Sierra Leone– an international war crimes tribunal– during a two-day visit to campus inSeptember.David CraneCrane’s visit, sponsored by TU’sSchool of Criminal Justice and SocialSciences and the GAO Club, included aprogram entitled “Accountability UnderInternational Criminal Law.”Crane’s visit included a receptionwith faculty and students, classroomappearances and a student and facultyluncheon.Kofi Annan, Secretary General ofthe United Nations, appointed Crane asChief Prosecutor of the Special Courtfor Sierra Leone in 2002. He served withthe rank of Undersecretary General forthe international war crimes tribunal until2005. His mandate was to prosecutethose individuals who were chargedwith the greatest responsibility of warcrimes, crimes against humanity, andother serious violations of internationalhuman rights committed during the civilwar in Sierra Leone during the 1990s.Among those persons he indictedfor horrific crimes were Charles Taylor,the President of Liberia and the firstsitting African head of state in history tobe held accountable for his actions.In his role, Crane was the firstAmerican since Justice Robert Jacksonand Telford Taylor at Nuremberg in1945 to be the chief prosecutor of a warcrimes tribunal. His position as chiefprosecutor was the culmination of morethan 30 years of service in the U.S. federalgovernment, during which time heheld numerous key leadership positions.At Syracuse University, Craneteaches international criminal law, internationalhumanitarian law and nationalsecurity law. He earned his Juris Doctordegree from Syracuse University and hisMaster of Arts degree in African Studiesand Bachelor of General Studies degreein History from Ohio University. Hehas received many honors and awards,including the Medal of Merit from OhioUniversity and the Distinguished ServiceAward from the Syracuse University Collegeof Law for his work in West Africa.Chief Judge of U.S. NavyVisits TUCaptain Daniel E. O’Toole, JAG Corps,U.S. Navy Assistant Judge AdvocateGeneral and Chief Judge of theDepartment of the Navy, visited TU inSeptember. Captain O’Toole met withDan O’Toolefaculty and students during the day, andgave a talk entitled “Military Commissions– Past and Present” in the OsceolaTheater.“Military Commissions – Pastand Present” included an introductionon the use of military commissionsthroughout U.S. history and a summaryof the Military Commissions Acts of2006 and 2009, including their differences.In addition, the jurisdiction ofmilitary commissions was examinedin relation to the recent U.S. Court ofMilitary Commission Review decisions inU.S. v. Hamdan and U.S. v. al Bahlul.During his visit with students andfaculty, Captain O’Toole discussedcareer options in military and nationalsecurity law.‘Totalitarian Islamism:Defining the Threat andUsing the Definition”Dr. DouglasStreusandDr. Douglas Streusand discussed “TotalitarianIslamism: Defining the Threatand Using the Definition” during his visitto TU in October. Streusand is Professorof International Relations at MarineCorps Command and Staff College,Quantico, VA. He is a noted historianspecializing in the Islamic world. Healso serves as an adjunct faculty memberfor the Institute of World Politics(IWP).‘The United States has had greatdifficulty in understanding the nature ofthe ideological challenge that the 9/11attacks force us to confront,” StreusandCampusSceneClassSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 17

School of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences Newsexplains. “The threat is in fact a totalitarianideology, combining elementsof Western totalitarian thought witha persistent tradition of dissent andresistance to the political mainstream ofIslamic civilization.”He adds: “The proper definitionof the threat can form the foundation ofa more effective strategy to address thechallenge of totalitarian Islamism in thelong term.”While at Tiffin University, Streusandmet with potential students for theIWP’s graduate programs in nationalsecurity, intelligence and internationalrelations. He also gave a presentationto TU faculty about the IWP’s efforts.Criminal JusticeEducation Career FairStudents who are interested in a careerin Criminal Justice, Homeland Security,Mental Health or Social Servicesattended The Ohio Council of CriminalJustice Education Career Fair hostedby TU in November. Representativesfrom federal, state and local agencieswere available to discuss career and internshipopportunities, accept resumesand conduct brief interviews.“We are very excited to host theOCCJE Career Fair for the third timein the past five years,” said Dr. StevenHurwitz, Professor of Psychology andCriminal Justice at TU and OCCJETrustee. “This year, we expanded ouralready impressive assortment of agenciesrepresenting areas of law enforcement,corrections and homelandsecurity, including several agencies thatencompass victim’s services, mentalhealth and social services. The OCCJECareer Fair provides undergraduateand graduate students, recent graduates,and working professionals theopportunity to gather information andnetwork with a wide array of professionalsunder one roof.”18 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE

Good Morning WorldAbout Good Morning World…Tiffin University’s Good Morning Worldbreakfast lectures take place at Camden Falls Reception Hall located at 2460South State Route 231 in Tiffin. The format is simple: breakfast is served buffetstyle at 7:30 a.m., the speaker presents at 8:00 with conclusion by 8:50 a.m. Ifyou would like to be placed on TU’s Good Morning World mailing list, call419.448.3282.How Football wasImportant to MeFormer University of Notre Dame and NFLfootball player Frank Stams presented “HowFootball was Important to Me” during TU’s firstGood Morning World breakfast lecture series inOctober. Good Morning World events take placeat Camden Falls Reception Hall in Tiffin.Stams is a 1984 graduate of St. Vincent-St.Frank StamsMary High School in Akron, Ohio and a 1989graduate of the University of Notre Dame, with aBA in History. While at Notre Dame, Frank was a consensus All-American anda member of the 1988 National Championship Team.Upon graduating, Frank was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams andspent three years there before being traded to the Cleveland Browns. Hefinished his seven-year career in 1995. While playing, Frank was active in localcharities such as the Orange County, California Special Olympics and theCystic Fibrosis Foundation of Summit County.CampusSceneClassSceneBaseball from Behindthe Umpire’s MaskRetired major league umpire Larry Barnett presented“Baseball from Behind the Umpire’s Mask”at TU’s November Good Morning World Breakfast.After graduating from high school, LarryBarnett entered umpire school. He was in theminor leagues for five years and in 1968 becamethe youngest major league umpire in history. HeLarry Barnettretired in 1999. He umpired in the AmericanLeague from 1969 to 1999 and became MLBsupervisor of umpires from 2000-2001. He officiated in four World Series,is tied with Jim Evans for a record seven American League ChampionshipSeries, and holds the ALCS record of 36 games.Barnett also umpired in four 4 All-Star games and was the home plateumpire when Cal Ripken, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutivegames played. One of the most controversial calls in World Series historycame in 1975 when Barnett was behind home plate and made a call of nointerference on Ed Armbrister after he impeded Carlton Fisk’s cut-off throwto second base. The result ignited considerable debate leading to MLB’sconclusion that Barnett made the correct call and instructing all future umpiresto make the identical call should the same incident occur.— Photos by Jill GoscheWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 19

20 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEFaculty NewsOrr Appointed Dean ofSchool of CriminalJustice & Social SciencesTiffin University named Dr. Jaimie Orr asDean of the School of Criminal Justiceand Social Sciences.Dr. Jaimie OrrDr. Orr has been a professor atTiffin University since 2008, teachingcourses on National Security, AmericanGovernment, and International Security.He advises the TU Global AffairsOrganization, a student group whichparticipates annually in the ModelNATO Conference hosted by HowardUniversity and the National DefenseUniversity in Washington DC.He joined the TU faculty afterretiring with the rank of Commanderafter 24 years as a U.S. Navy JudgeAdvocate, specializing in Internationaland Operational Law. In his last militaryassignment, he served as the Deputy LegalAdvisor for NATO’s Supreme AlliedCommander, Transformation.He was an adjunct instructor forthe U.S. Joint Forces Staff College from1996 through 2002. From 1996 to 2003he supported the U.S. Naval War College,teaching at its off-site programs.From 2004 until his retirement, he developedand ran several programs traininginternational legal advisors at the NATOSchool in Germany, as well as teachinga variety of courses to military personneloutside the legal field. He continues toserve as a subject-matter expert in InternationalRelations and International Lawfor NATO exercises run by the NATOJoint Warfare Centre, in Norway.Orr entered the Navy’s JudgeAdvocate General’s Corps StudentProgram while enrolled at The OhioState University College of Law, wherehe received his Juris Doctor in 1984. Healso holds a Master of Law degree inInternational Law from the University ofVirginia and is a graduate of the Collegeof Command and Staff at the U.S. NavalWar College.Found in Translation:A TU Professor Travelsto ChinaTU Associate Professor Dr. Jonathan Appelpresented new research during theAnnual World Congress of Forensics,held in October in China. Dr. Appel’stopic was “The Psychology of Terrorism.”The theme of the conference was“Science, Justice and Peace.”Participants were world-wide forensicexperts representing academia, theprofessional world, and those involvedin developing policy. They deliveredupdates on their work and discussedand analyzed the development of theforensic sciences across the world.“This annual conference provideda splendid and informative platformfor domestic Chinese researchers tocommunicate with international experts.It also offered excellent opportunitiesfor cooperation and collaboration, andpromoted international exchanges ofemerging knowledge and practice incriminal justice and forensics worldwide,”Appel remarks.He adds that the conference exceededhis expectations. “I found thatthe Chinese authorities were very graciousand eager to exchange informationaround differing views and proceduresin criminal justice,” he says. “Thehead of Chongqing Municipal PublicSecurity Bureau gave us a presentationthat documented his cleaning up of thecorruption of Chongqing police – manyof whom had various deals with organizedcrime. I was actually surprised theyDr. JonathanAppelwere very open about it. Chongqing hasbeen working hard to improve its policeimage and approve public safety andsecurity in a municipal area of more than30 million people.”Participants also enjoyed an intensivetour of the local security facilitieswith demonstrations of various technologiesbeing utilized.“While the presentations themselveswere fascinating and informative,other activities made the trip a greatcultural exchange,” Appel says.“I found the conversations withother professors and researchers to bemost fascinating. We all made sure we‘rotated’ around during the tours of thecity and the wonderful banquet mealsto connect with individuals from all partsof the globe – from Saudi Arabia toScotland to New Zealand,” he says. “Ifound this group of experts to be themost open, humble, and friendly professionalsI have ever encountered. This lefta lasting impression – and I learned justas a much from these social experiencesas the formal presentations.”Dr. Appel notes that while everythingin China is far from perfect, heexperienced a proud country wanting toconnect and cooperate with the worldand move toward improving itself.“I saw a huge city going throughthe challenges associated with a rapidexplosion in new growth, but also onewith unique traditions that were firmlyrooted in a proud past,” he comments.“Overall, I think the experience helpedin my growth as a teacher and researcherin the global age. My professional

goals for the future are very much toinclude students on such future experiences.The world is certainly the bestclassroom for learning.”Quality of Family andRelationships To MentalHealth ‘Mindfulness’ConnectedResearch has alreadylinked betterrelationships with aperson’s family-oforiginto bettermental healthmeasures – but itmay also be associatedwith a healthysense of “mindfulness,”according to new findings.A recent study conducted by Dr.Jonathan Appel, a professor of psychologyat Tiffin University, and his wife Dr.Dohee Kim-Appel, a therapist at FirelandsCounseling and Recovery Services,demonstrated that the quality of ourDr. Dohee Kim-AppelDr. Jonathan Appelfamily relationships colors much of ourpsychological development, our abilityto balance emotions with constructivethinking, and our ability to be “mindful”of self and others.The Appels presented their researchfindings in August at the AnnualConvention of the American PsychologicalAssociation.“The Relationship Between Bowen’sConcept Of Differentiation Of SelfAnd Measurements Of Mindfulness”was based on a study of individuals invarious relationship types and how theserelationships connected with a “mindful”perspective both of the self and theone’s environment.“Mindfulness is a concept thathas taken quite a hold on the therapeuticworld inrecent years,” theAppels remark.“Educational andcounseling techniquesthat induce‘mindfulness’are increasinglybeing employedin psychology,psychotherapy andin self-help programs to understand andalleviate a variety of mental – and evenphysical – conditions.”The Appels state that they foundmindfulness very connected to “differentiationof self,” or the ability to relatewith others without losing one’s healthysense of self or becoming too emotionallyoverwhelmed by others.Research that indicates mindfulnessactivates the medial prefrontalbrain regions, which plays a prominentrole in empathy, a better sense of selfand a decrease in anxious or depressiveself-obsession. The skill of mindfulnessis related to how accurately one is awareof the present moment in the surroundingenvironment as it relates to theindividual’s emotions, relationships andself-motivations.“Our family relationships are usuallythe most intense relationships weexperience, and families know how topush each other’s buttons. Our researchsuggests that targeting both mindfulnessand the health of one’s family relationshipshas the ability to significantly improveone’s mental health and even othercore relationships, such as work relationships,”explains Dr. Jonathan Appel.“Relationships are a core conceptto our psychological well-being– perhaps even more so than what wepreviously have understood or haveacknowledged in the mental healthfields. The world is really a series ofrelationships. These relationships arecritical to our health, and subsequentlyour individual views of the world aroundus. Relationships represent our verycore nature as human beings,” adds Dr.Dohee Kim-Appel.Gajjala Presents Researchat IBM WorkshopProfessor Vinnie Gajjala shared hisexpertise in transnational entrepreneurshipand e-learning during a workshoporganized by IBM. He received an invitationto present his research at “FutureTechnologies, Skills, Jobs and Careers:Connecting Frameworks, Theories andModels,” held in September at IBM’sAlmaden Research Center in California.Vinnie GajjalaUniversity-based entrepreneurshipecosystems, e-learning systems to boostproductivity, and how computers changethe nature of work across many industrialsectors were among the topics thatwere investigated in the workshop.Dr. Gajjala has taught both on-campusand online in the undergraduateand graduate programs offered by TU’sSchool of Business and the University’sExecutive MBA program in Romaniasince May of 2002.CampusSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 21

22 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEFaculty NewsChristianity & LiteratureTU Professor James Rovira presentedhis paper, “Knowing Love and Peace bytheir Opposites: the Demonic in Blakeand Kierkegaard,” at the Mideast Conferenceon Christianity and Literature inOctober.“This paper applied the conceptof the demonic in Kierkegaard’s TheConcept of Anxiety to Blake’s characterUrizen in The [First] Book of Urizen,” Dr.Rovira explains. “By illuminating eachauthor’s consideration of the demonic,the paper then illustrates their considerationof the demonic’s opposite – loveand peace.”James RoviraRovira noted that both Blake andKierkegaard gave the demonic characteristicsof darkness, fire, silence, andboredom, which Kierkegaard sums upwith the terms “inclosing reserve” and“unfreely disclosed.”“The good, in contrast, is comprisedof light rather than darkness andfire, with communication rather thansilence, and activity rather than boredom,”he said.His paper also explored Kierkegaard’sconcept of love as further developedin his Works of Love.“My research explains how love – beingan antidote not only to evil but to anxiety– is both a cancellation of the demonicand an active and continuing source ofpeace,” Rovira says. “This explanationalso sheds light on the final redemption ofUrizen in Blake’s Jerusalem.”Mike HerdlickHerdlick Presents at OhioWater EnvironmentalAssociationFaculty member Mike Herdlick recentlypresented a paper at the Ohio WaterEnvironmental Association Lab AnalystCommittee Meeting on “Applicationsin Green Technology.” The talk focusedon the current state of energy use in ourcountry and how sustainability conceptscontinue to grow and be applied toall aspects of business, education, andgovernment. At the meeting, it was alsodiscussed how Tiffin University has establisheda minor in Green Technologies andhas been the recipient of two substantialgrants for recycling. The Ohio WaterEnvironment Association is a not-forprofitassociation that provides technicaleducation and training for Ohio waterquality professionals who clean water andreturn it safely to the environment.Dr. Law Publishes PaperTiffin University Professor Dr. Fang-Mei Law, together with her husbandDr. Gwo-Jen Guo, published a paperentitled “Factors Influencing Interestin Research among Criminal JusticeStudents” in the September issue ofJournal of Criminal Justice Education.Dr. Fang-MeiLawAs the lead author of the paper,Dr. Law emphasized that, as the criminaljustice system moves towards beinga scientifically-oriented field, researchmethodology is a valuable tool enablingcriminal justice professionals to assessthe needs of the developing directionof the field; it is essential that criminaljustice students receive effective trainingin research to gain sufficient knowledgeand acquire adequate skills in researchmethodology throughout their professionaldevelopment. Thus, the aim ofthis study was to explore factors influencingresearch interest among criminaljustice students.Based on the findings, the authorshave proposed several implications foreducators in the criminal justice field inregards to enhancing students’ researchinterest.“This study helps us to understandthe factors influencing research interest forstudents in criminal justice majors. Our findingswill contribute evidence for this line ofresearch in the field,” Dr. Law remarked.How ‘Hope Theory’Can Enhance IndividualDevelopmentTU Professor Dr.Fang-Mei Law isexploring ways inwhich a step-bystep“Hope Theory”can enhance aperson’s developmentfrom infancyto adulthood.Dr. Law and her husband, Dr.Gwo-Jen Guo, describe their researchfindings in a new book entitled FindingHope: Applied Hope Theories in Counseling,published in October.In connection with her new book,Law presented the paper “I Believe ICan: The Study of Involvement, CopingAbility, Hope in Predicting AcademicSelf Efficacy for First-Generation College

Freshmen” at the All Ohio CounselorConference in November.As the lead author of the newbook, Law – who teaches in TU’s Schoolof Criminal Justice & Social Sciences –emphasizes that although it is good tohave dreams in life, the inability to attainthose dreams may lead to depressionmore often than to happiness.“This is because fulfillment of adream is quite complex, but with asystemic approach, dreams can be attained,”the TU professor says. “Suchan approach includes transferring thedream into a concrete goal, setting up apathway for its attainment, and followingthe pathway step-by-step to reach thegoal. This is called the Hope Theory.”Perry-Nause PresentsDuring National DiversityAwareness MonthDr. Sharon Perry-Nause served as thekeynote speaker for National DiversityAwareness Month at Marathon PetroleumCorporation in Findlay, Ohio inOctober. She is Director of InstitutionalDiversity and Assistant Professor ofManagement at Tiffin University. Herspeech, “Diversity and OrganizationalChange” focused on how one mustdevelop the appropriate diverse relationshipsthat cultivate organizationalcommitment to diversity and aide inorganizational transformation.“The opportunity to share theDr. SharonPerry-Nausesignificance of commonalities and differencesand how the successful alignmentof the characteristics foster commitmentto diversity was truly welcomed,” Perry-Nause says. “It was truly an honor to beselected as the keynote speaker for suchan event.” She noted how diversitycompetentinstitutions accept theirrole as catalysts – as agents for societalchange and transformation.“They engage in consultations tofurther the course of diversity in organizationsand communities. They engagein empirical investigations to learn moreabout the benefits associated with humandifferences, institutional policies,procedures, and practices gauge thelevel of commitment to diversity efforts,”she explains. “The presentationsought to broaden knowledge and supportfurther diversity efforts.”National Diversity AwarenessMonth began in 2005. It is a time to vowacceptance and tolerance. It is a timeto celebrate and embrace who we are,despite our differences, no matter whatrace, religion, gender, sexual orientation,age, nationality, or disability. It is atime to reflect on and gain knowledgeof about different ideologies and cultures(www.nationaldiversityday.com).Dr. Canchu LinLeadership Emergence inVirtual TeamsDr. Canchu Lin presented “LeadershipEmergence in Virtual Teams: Communicationand Uncertainty Reduction,” whichhe co-authored with Dr. James Olufowoteof Boston College, at the annualconvention of National CommunicationAssociation in New Orleans in November.Using the uncertainty reductionframework, this study investigated uncertaintyreduction functions of emergentleaders’ communication behaviorsin twenty four virtual teams.A qualitative analysis of the emergentleadership communication behaviorsrevealed four major functions in emergentleadership communication: initiation, taskmanagement, information management,and operational coordination.The discussion of the findings revealedimportant implications for theoryand practice regarding leadership emergencein virtual teams.Golden Opportunitiesfor School of BusinessDean of Graduate Studies Bonnie Tiellvisited Paris, France and Lausanne,Switzerland over Thanksgiving break. Aguest of two-time Olympian Dr. FrancisDove Edwin of Sierre Leone (Africa), Tiellpresented the Tiffin University OlympicAcademic Experience to 150+ Olympiansand members of the IOC at the 2011World Olympians Association (WOA).Seventeen students and threeprofessors from nine universities will joinTiell and Edwin in London next summer.Tiell also visited Paris to meet withHorizons University President, RobertaGrossi. Grossi and Tiell are collaboratingon academic projects dealing withshared curriculum for a graduate certificate,study-abroad opportunities, andglobal internships.While in Paris,Tiell toured theNationalArchives, ParisTown HallGovernmentbuilding, NotreDame Cathedral,and the Place dela Bastille whichmarked thebeginning ofthe FrenchRevolution.CampusSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 23

Student NewsDragon Leadership ScholarshipMany students throughout the Tiffin University community contributetheir time and leadership to various campus organizationsand activities, in addition to their stellar work in the classroom.Without the hard work of our dedicated student leaders,many campus events and philanthropic activities would nottake place for our entire Tiffin campus to experience. To recognizethe efforts and show our appreciation to our outstandingstudent leaders, Tiffin University is proud to announce thelaunch of the Dragon Leadership Scholarship. Congratulationsto the fifteen deserving recipients who will each earn $2,000to $3,000 annually. We are proud of the contributions all of ourTiffin University students have and continue to make on andaround campus and throughout the Tiffin community.Students Selected to Assist inInaugural Canadian Basketball DraftFour Tiffin University graduatestudents were selected to assistin the inaugural draft for theNational Basketball League(NBL) of Canada.The TU students –John Carpenter, Ornette Gardenheir, Darci Santella and SidneyAsante – are each pursuing a Master of Business Administration(MBA) degree in Sport Management.Basketball is among the fastest growing and most popularsports in Canada. More than 600,000 Canadians ages 15and older play regularly. Until now, Canada was the only countryin the top 30 basketball nations in the world without its ownprofessional league.The TU students participated in the administration ofthe NBL’s two-day combine in August at the Seneca CollegeSports Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The combine consisted ofskill drill stations and live competition.One of the league’s primary objectives was “to establisha sustainable financial model for the league and its franchiseswhich is poised for growth and expansion across Canada andpotentially United States markets.”Tiffin University was one of only two universities inAmerica selected to send students to work the draft.24 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEHospitality Club AttendsCleveland’s Fabulous Food ShowThe Hospitality Club sponsored an educationalexperience, Cleveland’s Fabulous Food Show, at theInternational Expo Center on Friday, November 11.The eight students who attended received a discountedadmission to the show which included onechef show in the Main Kitchen Theatre, as well as theMarket Place featuring more than 225 exhibiting companies,the Culinary Celebration Theatre, Grand TastingPavilion, Sweet Street and more than 100 ongoingdemonstrations on six stages.The food expo showcased a smorgasbord ofpopular celebrity chefs -- Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri,Robert Irvine, Duff Goldman and Cleveland’s ownMichaelSymon. The students were able to attend the chefhow featuring the “Ace of Cakes,” Duff Goldman.The show’s popularity with the public is growingso rapidly that the I-X Center will host the FabulousFood Show, Spring Edition, in April, 2012.

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Student NewsThe Daughter ProjectVoicing Our Insight Creating Empowerment (V.O.I.C.E) is anew organization on campus which focuses on helping theyoung women of Tiffin University grow into beautiful, talented,strong, and healthy individuals. Throughout the fall semester,members learned of the impact of women in the media, selfimage,and how to check their own health and wellness.New International Students WelcomedTiffin University President Paul Marion officially welcomednew and returning international students from 28 countriesduring the University’s annual International Flag Ceremony inNovember.International students new to Tiffin University presentedtheir countries’ flags to President Marion and returning internationalstudents celebrated their reunion. Taking place atthis year’s ceremony was the induction of flags for Spain andTrinidad & Tobago, the rededication of our past and present26 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEDuring the fall semester, the co-founders of V.O.I.C.Ebegan One-Dress, where each girl wears one dress for 110days in order to raise funds and awareness for The DaughterProject. The Daughter Project is a non-profit organization innorthwest Ohio that is preparing to build and operate a recoveryhome/trafficking shelter for girls who have been rescuedfrom sex traffickers by local law enforcement agents.Tiffin University’s One-Dress Project is being led by JessicaOliver, a junior from Indiana studying forensic psychology,and Ana Reyes, a senior from New York also studying forensicpsychology.By wearing the one dress and partnering with The DaughterProject, the members of V.O.I.C.E hope to enable womenaccess to information and services they need to enhance andprotect their health, to eliminate violence against women, tomobilize political will and resources for women’s rights anddevelopment, and to increase women’s participation in civiland political processes.flags, and performances by the Tiffin University Choir. Appropriately,the event took place during the U.S. Departmentof State’s “International Education Week,” a week designedto celebrate the benefits of educational exchange throughoutthe world.Breast Cancer AwarenessThe members of Gamma Chi Alphasorority hosted their 6th annual BreastCancer Awareness Gala in October. Thesorority sold T-shirts and wrist bands andorganized a silent auction to raise money forbreast cancer. During dinner, numerousspeakers enlightened those in attendanceand all proceeds from the benefit went toSusan G. Komen for the Cure.Gamma Chi Alpha is founded upondiversity. Every sister is different but all feelconnected to each other by the causes that they represent:breast cancer awareness, suicide awareness, and adopt asoldier.The Men’s Soccer Team, under the direction of Coach RudyBrownell, sold T-shirts to raise funds for breast cancer awarenessin October.

CommunityTU Funds Frost-KalnowStadium EnhancementsIn an effort to add value to the playing experience forthe Columbian Tornados and the Calvert Senecas,as well as Dragon football, Tiffin University donated$15,285 to the Tiffin City Schools to purchase newfootball and soccer goal posts.Tiffin University was active in past upgrades tothe stadium and recently partnered with the Tiffin CitySchools in relocating its transportation center. TiffinUniversity looks forward to further opportunities topartner with Tiffin City and the Calvert CatholicSchool systems to make Tiffin a great place to learn,work and play.CampusSceneCommunity Trick or TreatHeld on CampusTU’s Office of Student Affairs hosted theAnnual Community Trick or Treat activityin October. All Tiffin- area children wereinvited to the Legacy Courtyard to enjoyspooky festivities. Some of the festivitiesincluded roasting marshmallows,coloring in the courtyard, games, andmore. Residence Life members alsopassed out candy at several residencehalls and campus houses.Statistics inDecision-MakingTU’s School of Business and the TiffinArea Chamber of Commerce co-hosteda community seminar, “Using BetterBusiness Decisions Using Strategic Information,”in November.“Managers and other businesspeople learned how to use statisticaltools to assist in common decisionsmade in the organizational world,” saidDr. Perry Haan, Professor of Marketing,who led the session.“As part of the process of learninghow to use statistical data for decisionmaking,participants learned whichstatistical test to use where, how tointerpret data and determine samplesizes for research studies,” Haan added.“They were also introduced to the StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences(SPSS), a statistical software packagedesigned for analyzing the data used inbusiness situations.”“This was a hands-on workshopthat met in a computer classroom.Sample data and possible businessscenarios were provided. Certificates ofParticipation were provided by the TiffinUniversity School of Business,” Haansaid.Grad Talk RadioGrad Talk Radio is a new opportunityfor graduate students and professorson TU’s campus. It is a 30-minute showfocused on TU graduate programs, suchas Criminal Justice, Business, and Humanities.The goal of the radio show isto connect with students and instructorsusing available technology.“Ninety percent of grad coursesare online, so we wanted to find a wayto bring them (students, instructors, andalumni) together,” said Bonnie Tiell,Dean of Graduate Studies.The show airs once a month withthree speakers that include a guestspeaker and a faculty member, student,alumnus, or an administrator. September’sshow featured Janice Hilliard, VicePresident of the NBA and member ofTU’s Board of Trustees.Grad Talk Radio can be found as alink on Tiffin University’s website, www.tiffin.edu. It airs on the first Tuesday ofevery month at 7 p.m.WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 27

CommunityHilliard Elected to Boardof TrusteesTiffin University has elected Dr. JaniceHilliard to its Board of Trustees, accordingto Gary Heminger, Chair.Dr. JaniceHilliard28 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEDr. Hilliard is Vice President of PlayerDevelopment for the National BasketballAssociation. Under her leadership, programmingand professional developmentinitiatives are implemented for playersand staff on 30 NBA teams.“Dr. Hilliard’s experience in the fieldsof education and sports management willbe helpful to our Board, and we appreciateher willingness to serve as a trustee,”said TU President Paul Marion.Prior to joining the NBA, Dr. Hilliardspent seven years as a teacher, coachand counselor for public school systemsin Texas and Michigan. She also workedseven years in student affairs and athleticsadministration at Central Michigan University,the University of Houston, and theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.She has been a featured speaker atthe Women in Spotlight Leadership Conference,a frequent radio guest, and a presenterat many workshops and conferencesacross the country, including the NCAAand the Black Coaches Association.Her experience as both a leader andan innovative educator has resulted inmany awards, including the Central MichiganUniversity Diversity DistinguishedStaff Award, the University of North CarolinaFriends of Carolina Lacrosse ServiceAward, and the Thurgood Marshall CollegeFund Founder’s Award.Dr. Hilliard earned her bachelor’s degreefrom the University of Houston, where

she was co-captain of the women’s basketballteam. She later earned a master’sdegree and doctorate from MichiganState University, and also graduated fromthe Sports Management Institute.Veteran’s Remembered“The legacy of the American armedforces is truly extraordinary,” said CarolMcDannell, Director of Career Development,at Tiffin University’s Veteran’s DayCelebration in Chisholm Auditorium inNovember.TU faculty, staff, and students attendeda celebration to honor those whohave served in the U.S. military. AndrewPorter, veteran and TU adjunct professor,sang the National Anthem and LisaKirchner, Dean of Students, introducedguest speaker, Dr. John Schupp.Schupp, Program Director of SupportiveEducation for the ReturningVeteran (SERV), briefly explained how hefirst got involved with veterans’ educationat Cleveland State University.In the fall of 2006, a chemistrystudent who was also a veteran approachedSchupp and thanked himfor helping her pass the class after shehad failed it several times before. Thisencounter prompted him to do researchabout why veterans were havingproblems getting through college. Herealized that veterans need a differentenvironment to learn.In the spring of 2008, he experimentedwith his first veterans-only classand the results confirmed his theory. “Bybringing the vets together, I recreatedthe unit mentality,” he said.“We would grow as a country reallywell if we embraced the vets,” Schuppsaid. He highlighted three things thatveterans bring back that everyone inthe U.S. should imitate: the ability towork together for a common goal, selfreliance,and the mentality to put thebigger picture first.Schupp told attendees of an upcomingstate-wide event that will bringOhio veterans and college students together.He has assembled a competitioncalled The Patriot Games that will beginwith a torch relay through the state. Hechallenged the students and veteransto work together on the event that is tooccur this summer.“In my opinion, this country needscollege students, this generation, workingwith five generations of veterans tomake it a better place,” said Schupp.Criminal Justice Club President,Whitney Reshonsky, gave the presentationof appreciation. She spoke of howmuch gratitude U.S. civilians owe to veteranswho have risked their lives overseas.The veterans in the audience stoodand gave their name, branch, and yearsof service during the recognition portionof the celebration.CampusSceneAnniversary of 9/11The 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 terroristattacks was commemorated by Tiffin University,Heidelberg University and Tiffin citizens inSeptember at The Ritz Theatre.The event was sponsored by the TiffinUniversity Global Affairs Organization and CriminalJustice Club and by Heidelberg University’sOffice of Campus Ministry and Spiritual Life.Tiffin University Junior Steve Smolinskystated, “The purpose of today is to commemoratethe lives lost that horrible day, and also tocelebrate our response as a nation during thetrying times.”WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 29

Art, Music and TheatreThe Diane Kidd Gallery30 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE“Andrew Dailey – Recent Drawings”The Diane Kidd Galleryhosted “Andrew Dailey– Recent Drawings”for its opening 2011-12exhibition season.Dailey’s art featureddistinctive graphitedrawings, a medium,according to him, thatis often seen as preliminaryand secondary toother art media, andthat while he considershis primary medium tobe painting, much ofhis studio practice isspent drawing.According toMarsha Pippenger, GalleryDirector, Dailey hascreated this new body ofwork as homage to theunique qualities of theArtist Andrew Daileyself portrait as aviatordrawn subject, such as subtle tonality and immediacy of touch.“Drawing is a direct medium in which the artist makes hismarks directly on the support. The drawings he presented forour enjoyment comprised a history of visual experience andsensations,” she said.Dailey is a Dayton, Ohio-based artist who received hisMFA in painting from Miami University and his BFA fromWright State University. He is the recipient of a 2011 Ohio ArtsCouncil Individual Excellence Award. His work is included inthe permanent collection of the Evansville Museum of Art, History,and Science in Evansville, Indiana.‘Kinetic Memory, Mobilesby Terry Welker’“Kinetic Memory,Mobiles by TerryWelker,” the secondexhibition of The DianeKidd Gallery, openedin October. Welker, aKettering, Ohio-basedartist, is both a sculptorand architect. Heworks with metals andmovement to create hisdistinctive mobiles.“Making mobilesArtist Terry Welkercomes from my passionfor architecture, poetic space and meaningful places,” Welkersays. “I work to understand and extend the language ofmobiles by animating form, space and surface with time andmotion.”He adds, “The unique character of mobiles reveals theinherent challenge of gravity and the mystery of delicate balance.Seeking to push the limits of the art form with theseforces, I work to orchestrate ‘near misses’ and enable ‘softcollisions’ by playing with that time and motion. The unpredictableand accidental nature of these movements allowsthe observer to move beyond simple viewing and becomeunconsciously engaged in the enjoyable act of ‘watching’ and‘staring.’”Welker began his formal education in fine art, butlater moved toward architecture. After completing his graduatework at the University of Cincinnati in 1987, he continuedteaching design and drawing at the university for severalyears. An award-winning architect, he opened his own officein 1994 and created the Archetype Gallery, serving artists ofthe Miami Valley. In 2000, he rekindled his own work as anartist in the Welker Studio. Today, as a distinguished memberof the American Institute of Architects, his teaching experience,gallery knowledge and architectural practice informshis work as a sculptor. He has exhibited his work in many soloand group shows. He has also been commissioned to createlarger works for such clients as the Miami Valley Hospital andthe Children’s Medical Center in Dayton and the NationwideChildren’s Hospital in Columbus, among many others.

Arts & AnglesIndie Musician Bill MalloneeTU’s School of Arts & Scienceshosted its first Arts & Angles presentationin November featuringmusic by independent singersongwriter,Bill Mallonee.In 2006, Paste Magazinepublished a list of the top100 living songwriters andMallonee was named number65. He was part of a 90’s bandcalled the Vigilantes of Loveuntil 2001. Since that time hehas toured as a solo-act, andpresently is accompanied by hiswife, Muriah Rose.Singer SongwriterBill Mallonee‘The Local Cheeseburger’TU faculty member Lee Fearnside exhibited a special collectionof photographs in a show entitled “The Local Cheeseburger,”hosted by the Perrysburg Area Arts Council.LocalCheeseburgerby LeeFearnsideThe exhibition was presented at the Way Public Library inPerrysburg, Ohio, in October and November and focused onalternatives to mass-produced fast foods by highlightingoptions offered by local farmers and food producers. “TheLocal Cheeseburger” illustrated the local production of thevarious components of this popular food item.“My photos examined the products that make up thecheeseburger – the beef, the bun, the cheese, and the lettuce– as produced by local farmers and bakers,” Fearnside said.“Each artisan makes their products from homegrown localingredients and sells their goods at area farmer’s markets. Theyall speak about their passion for their products, their love of thecraft, and the value of connecting to a local community in anage where face-to-face exchange is often diminished by virtualexperience.” Fearnside added that “The Local Cheeseburger”offered its audience the opportunity to reexamine their relationshipto common food and the people who make it.Theatre‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’The Dragons Den Playerspresented Neil Simon’s comedy,“The Prisoner of SecondAvenue,” in November.“Though set in the 1980s,the play delves into economicconcerns that describe in uncomfortabledetail the Americaneconomy in its present state,”remarked Dr. Mary Grennen,Director of Theatre Arts.“The Prisoner of SecondAvenue” is the story of Mel andEdna – a middle class, middleaged,middle-happy couple– living in a Manhattan highrise apartment building. Melloses his job, the apartment isrobbed, Edna gets a job, Melloses his mind, and Edna losesher job … to say nothing of themore minor tribulations of nosyneighbors, helpful relatives,and exact busfares. The couplesuffers indignityafter indignity(some self-inflicted),and whenthey seem on theverge of surrender,they thumbtheir nosesdefiantly and digthe trenches forbattle.The play ran on Broadway from 1971 until 1973, and waslater made into a feature film. The play was nominated for a1972 Tony Award for Best Play.CampusSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 31

32 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEHoliday Concert

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Art, Music and Theatre34 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEMusicRees Travels to BelgiumBrad Rees, TU’s Music Department Director, was invited toteach at the 2011 Halewynstichting Summer Jazz Workshopheld in Dworp, Belgium. This week-long course for conservatorystudents and adult professionalsis one of the longest-runningand leading jazz events in Europe,and features a faculty composed ofleading jazz teachers and performersin Europe, the US and SouthAfrica. Rees worked with a groupof twenty vocalists on solo jazzperformance, improvisation andensemble singing.Brad ReesVazquez CompletesNew ProjectElijah Vazquez, TU’s Director ofInstrumental Music, recently completeda new project for ClevelandTapes Records, the digital album …off the vigorous by Odysseus Brown& the Midnite. Eli (AKA e.React)serves as the house engineer forElijah Vazquezthe record label, and is the creativemuse behind this body of workby the legendary Odysseus Brown. Like many of ClevelandTapes’ productions, this album is available for a “name yourprice” download.The album is receiving some great buzz, having beennamed Bandcamp.com’s Album of the Week. The releaseclosely follows Vazquez’ recent album Nowaystired – A Tributeto Bobby Womack, also on Cleveland Tapes Records.Up in the Air Alum Writes Future“Pop-Classic”Atlanta singer-songwriter and former member of Tiffin University’s‘Up in the Air’ is on her way tomaking a huge splash in the musicindustry. Prisca Strother has beenworking with hitmaker and megaproducerTricky Stewart on the debutrelease from the Swedish singerUlrika. Stewart produced Beyonce’s“Single Ladies,” Mya’s “Case of theEx,” Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” MaryJ. Blige’s “Just Fine” and JustinPrisca StrotherBieber’s “Baby,” and now turns his RedZone Entertainmentresources to the Swedish singer as his next pop star — doingso with the help of Strother and her co-writers at NamasteStudios in Atlanta.The first single from Ulrika’s upcoming album is Strother’ssong “Time Will Tell,” which Phillipa Young of Huffington Postcalls a “pop classic in the making.” Strother also co-wroteseveral other songs on Ulrika’s debut album, including “IConfess,” which is currently being performed and recorded byTU’s Up in the Air. The song includes a catchy pre-chorus thatwas inspired by the vocal harmony experience Strother had inthe TU a cappella group.Up in the Air has toured the Atlanta area twice in the pastyear, and spent some time at Namaste Studios working withUlrika and Prisca. Strother also appeared in a 2010 Tiffin showpresented by the TU Concert Production Team.TU Groups Open for RockapellaTiffin University’s a cappella groups Up in the Air and HigherGround served as opening acts for the acclaimed vocal groupRockapella in their November concert in Macedonia OH.Members ofTU’s HigherGround withRockapella aftertheir Novemberperformancetogether.One of the the most successful and lasting pop vocalgroups in the world, Rockapella was an innovator of themodern a cappella style. The group leapt to fame more thantwo decades ago as cast members of the PBS kid-TV smash“Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego?”, on the Spike Leedocumentary “Do It A Cappella”, and recording jingles forFolgers coffee and Almond Joy. In the years since the grouphas built on its fame touring the world and recording twentyalbums.The concert by Rockapella and the TU groups was theculminating performance of an all-day vocal festival hostedby Nordonia Hills High School. TU vocal directors Brad & AliRees served as clinicians for participating high school vocalgroups that performed during the daytime program.[photo: Members of TU’s Higher Ground with Rockapella aftertheir November performance together.]

TU Students perform with Ben FoldsFour Tiffin University students were featured with recordingartist and Sing-Off judge Ben Folds in his appearance with theIndianapolis Symphony in October.CampusSceneBen FoldsIndy ChoirTiffin University singers filled five of the eight positionsin the background vocal group, with music industry majorsShanna Litton and David Driskill, professional music majorSeth Conklin, graduate assistant Devin Langston, and musicdepartment director Brad Rees. This is the second time TiffinUniversity has provided background vocalists for Folds, withLitton having served in the role at a 2009 concert by Folds andthe Columbus Symphony.Folds was the front man and pianist for the alternativerock band Ben Folds Five, which charted with several hits inthe late 1990s, and since 2001 has toured extensively as a soloartist and recorded seven solo albums. He is known for histrademark percussive piano style, distinctive voice, and oftenhumorous or ironic lyrics. Folds is currently featured as one ofthe judges for the NBC-TV reality music show The Sing-Off.Open MicTalentNightTU’s MusicDepartmenthosted its firstannual Open MicTalent Night inSeptember. Inthe style of thepopular 70’sgame show, TheGong Show, 12talented student acts tried to avoid being ‘gonged’ off thestage by the judges as they competed for cash prizes.WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 35

Art, Music and TheatreNew Dance Team CoachErika Handru serves as coach of the extracurricularTU Crew dance team. In addition toleading rehearsals and choreographing routinesfor the TU Crew, Handru also serves as recruiterfor incoming dancers, who are eligible to receivescholarships.Handru graduated from Heidelberg Universityin 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Communicationsand Theatre Arts and has dancedErika Handrunearly all her life. She taught ballet for severalyears at In Motion Dance Studio and has studied and performed a varietyof dance styles including hip-hop, jazz, tap and lyrical. She also extensivelystudied ballroom dancing, including American Smooth and AmericanRhythm styles, and has won awards at collegiate competitions throughoutOhio and Indiana. She received first place in foxtrot at the Ohio StateUniversity’s annual ballroom competition in 2010. Erika, a Bascom, Ohionative, is married to TU’s Assistant Soccer Coach Mircea Handru.Kids ChoirTiffin University sponsors the TU Kids Choir. For the past two years, thischoir has operated as an afterschool program at Krout Elementary Schoolin Tiffin, and is nowopen to 4th, 5th, and6th graders from allarea schools. Directedby Ali Rees, the KidsChoir will performseveral times over thecourse of the year.36 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE

Christmasat the RitzTiffin University presented itsAnnual “Christmas at The Ritz”concert in December.The concert featured the TiffinUniversity Women’s Choir, conductedby McKaylea Collins, andthe University Singers, conductedby Brad Rees, each performingtraditional holiday selections. TU’sa cappella groups Up in the Air,Higher Ground, and the newestensemble Temperature Risin’,performed contemporary and popChristmas songs.Higher Ground was joinedby the Tiffin Kids’ Choir, whichis comprised of 4th, 5th and 6thgraders from the community, andmeets one hour per week on theTU campus. Both Higher Groundand the Kids’ Choir are directed byAli Rees.TU’s Chamber Arts Ensembleperformed traditional Christmasmusic for concert band, with guestflutist Dr. Teresa Collins. She is directorof Tiffin University’s Masterof Education degree program.The Chamber Arts Ensemble isconducted by Doug Neel.The concert also featuredthe InBetween, a 10-piece bandthat specializes in pop, rock, souland funk music, the hip-hop bandSound & Silence, the TU GospelChoir, and the brass and percussionband AfroFunk Arkestra.Elijah Vazquez directs Sound & Silence,Neel directs The InBetween,and Vazquez and Neel co-directAfroFunk Arkestra.Ticket proceeds weredonated to F.A.C.T. of SenecaCounty, which provides financialassistance to cancer patients andtheir families.CampusSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 37

Melissa (Missy) Firebaugh-ClosserHometown Millersburg, Ohio; now lives in London, Ohio Class Year 2003Degree Bachelor of Business Administration (Concentration in Marketing)Melissa (Missy) Firebaugh-Closser gotso involved in campus life at Tiffin that acampus has now become her life.After transferring to Tiffin in 2000when she changed her major to marketing,Closser quickly became involved inthe Tiffin University community. She wasa Dragon cheerleader for three years(captain her senior year); president ofthe Marketing Club; and helped foundthe Gamma Chi Alpha sorority. Now, asthe director of marketing and communicationsand head cheerleading coachat Urbana University, she attributes theexperiences she had at TU that lead herto a career in higher education.“I’ve always loved school, as dorkyas that sounds. When I left TU, I was sadA minute with Missy ...What did you always want to bewhen you were growing up?Movie/TV star and aLakers GirlWhat is the name of your favoriteband, songwriter, or song?I LOVE Katy Perry!If you could spend an afternoonwith anyone, who would that be?Zooey Deschanel’s character‘Jess’ off her TV show “NewGirl.” She has such a positive,happy attitude on life. I lovethat she makes a theme songabout her life and sings it.We should all make themesongs about ourselves andsing them every day!What was your best vacation?My honeymoon to Jamaica.We did a zip- line tourthrough the jungle and it wasscary and fun at the sametime!to leave such a wonderful place that hadgiven me such wonderful memories,”she explained.After graduation, she became themarketing coordinator at Hull and Associates,Inc., a mid-sized environmentalengineering firm in Dublin, Ohio. “I’llhave to admit, marketing environmentalengineering services was not the dreamjob I had hoped for, but it was goodexperience and I was able to apply theskills I learned in my marketing classesto my job,” Closser admitted. “I knew Iwas meant for something different, so Iwent back to school and got my master’sdegree in marketing and communicationsat Franklin University in 2008. After I hadfinished, a friend mentioned that UrbanaUniversity was looking for a new cheerleadingcoach. So I applied and was hiredto turn the declining program around.”And she did just that. Now into herthird season as the Blue Knight cheerleadingcoach, Closser has taken theprogram to a new level. She developedmarketing materials to promote theprogram; added new, more difficultstunts/pyramids; a competition squadthat exhibits at local competitions; stuntingclinics for high school cheerleadersinterested in collegiate cheerleading;and two male cheerleaders. “I givegood cheerleaders, who may not havethe tumbling skills required at most colleges,a chance to be a collegiate cheerleader– just at a smaller school. I can’ttumble, but TU gave me the opportunityto not only be a collegiate cheerleader,but the skills to be a collegiate cheerleadingcoach,” Closser proudly stated.It was during her second seasonwhen she was offered the director ofmarketing and communications positionfor the university. “They saw the marketingpieces I designed for the cheerleadingprogram and asked me to take theMelissa Firebaugh-Closserdirector position. It was a dream cometrue. I was so excited to revamp the UUbrand and to design marketing piecesfor something I love,” she exclaimed.“And Urbana University is a lot likeTU; faculty/staff know you by name, it’seasy to make friends, and you get theopportunity to be involved on campusthat makes it difficult to do at other largerinstitutions. My goal at Urbana is toincrease enrollment by creating marketingpieces that show what we have to offeras a small, liberal arts university. Andbecause I spent one year as a student atUrbana before I transferred to Tiffin, myheart is tied to both universities becauseof the wonderful experiences I’ve had atboth institutions,” she says.She and her husband Patrick, asmall business owner and City Councilman,reside in London, a half hour fromUrbana. She hopes to one day get herdoctorate and teach marketing/communicationsat the college level, as wellas maintain her director position. Herschedule is hectic, but she keeps inclose touch with Tiffin, her sorority, andthe TU alumni cheerleading program.It looks like Tiffin planted a seedwhich has continued to grow and develop.SpotlightWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 39

David NashHometown Paderborn, Germany; now lives in Tiffin, Ohio Class Year 2012WHAT Degree WILL YOU EARN? Bachelor of Business Administration (Sports and Recreation Management)40 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEAfter two years of college, David Nashwanted to refine his career direction. Helooked outside Niederrhein Universityin Germany for a place he could studysports management and transfer his collegecredits. Tiffin University had whathe wanted. So he moved to the UnitedStates in 2010. He will graduate in 2012with a Bachelor’s Degree in BusinessAdministration in Sports and RecreationManagement.While carrying nearly a 4.0 GPA inhis business classes and working as aresident advisor, he uncovered yet anothertalent – art. You will find his workon a myriad of sports posters aroundcampus and on athletic apparel andspirit t-shirts at the TU Bookstore.It all started with an assignmentin a marketing and management classhis first semester at Tiffin University.“We had a project where we had tocome up with an object and market it,”Nash recalls. “My group’s assignmentwas doing a spirit shop. I wanted toencourage more spirit. I wanted to buildschool pride so I created a two-minutecommercial asking what a student coulddo.”The commercial was about allDragon sports at Tiffin University. “Becausemy professor liked it so much, sheworked with me outside of class, too,”he says. It was such a hit, that Nashpresented it to 120-plus students andfaculty. It’s now on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fcdHMsX-RA“After presenting the commercial,the athletic director asked if I would beinterested in a job creating promotionalitems,” says Nash. “My first job wascreating a poster for basketball last yearand I have been working for athleticsever since.”He combined natural talent withmedia design work honed duringA minute with David ...What’s your favorite sport? American football. I played in high school andcoached two youth teams in Germany.What did you always want to be when you grew up? Someone witha purpose. One of my most desired things was being as educated as mygrandfather. He inspired me to not take opportunities for granted. I tookhis advice to heart and while growing up with limited resources, I triedto seize my opportunities. Now, my dream is to give other kids withlimited resources the opportunities I did not have.What is the name of your favorite band and song? I like the bandsFoo Fighters and Limp Bizkit. My favorite song is “Hero of War,”by Rise Against.If you could spend an afternoon with anyone, who would that be?It would be great to spend an afternoon with great political who seekfor freedom and learn from them what it takes to be a great leader.Ultimately, though, I would rather spend an afternoon with mygrandparents, who helped raise me. I love them so much and I amthankful for what they have done for me. They deserve to beacknowledged for that.What is your dream vacation? Any vacation with my family.David Nashhis cultural studies in Germany. TiffinUniversity gave him the opportunity tomerge his skills with something he loves,sports. As promotions and marketingadministrator, he creates event posters,schedule posters and more. “I come upwith ideas and talk to the sports promotiondirector to present them. If theyagree, we do it.”An ambitious student, Nash says,“The next couple of years are alreadyplanned. My goal is to build somethingsimilar to a foundation, a SportsDevelopment Center for DisadvantagedChildren. I want to give other kids thechance that I didn’t have when I wasyounger when I had to achieve everythingon my own. I know there are a lotof kids who need a person to show thema proper way and prove to them thatthey can do it. I would like to be thatperson.”

Emily Fox RiehleHometown Old Fort, Ohio; now lives in Delaware, Ohio Class Year 2006Degree Business Administration (Concentration in Hospitality Management)If there is a fast track in the food businessin Columbus, Emily Fox-Riehle,2006, is on it.Five years after graduating from TU,she is general manager of a Panera locationin Westerville, Ohio, and she creditsTiffin with getting her there.“I was the vice-president of thehospitality club, and worked in the bookstore and library on campus. I thoroughlyenjoyed all of the hospitality classesand knew that it was what I wanted todo.”“Tiffin University gave me a betterknowledge of the hospitality industry,and Professor Teresa Miller played a majorrole in developing my managementskills. Her classes and knowledge of theindustry helped guide me through mycareer choice, and without her, I probablywouldn’t have known what path totake.”That path led first to a Bob EvansRestaurant in Columbus right aftergraduation, where she worked her wayup to assistant general manager, and incidentally,met Josh, her husband-to-be.In April, 2008, she had an opportunityto join Panera, “And,” she said,A minute with Emily ...If you could spend an afternoonwith anyone, who would that be?My Grandma Beier.She was awesome. I wouldlike to tell her about my lifeand have her meet my son.What was your best vacation?Our honeymoon in Banff,Alberta....it was breathtaking!Emily Fox Riehle“I jumped at it. It was one of the bestcareer decisions I have ever made.”A little over three years later, Emilywas promoted to general manager ofthe N. State Street - Maxtown locationin Westerville. She now is in charge ofthree managers and 34 associates at thestore.She and Josh were married in 2009and son Landon was born on Mother’sDay in 2011. The family lives in Delaware,Ohio.Her future plans could includemanaging a district for Panera and/or finishing her master’s degree so shecould teach what she has learned inthe industry. According to Emily, “Thiswould be coming full circle so that Icould return the educational favors Ireceived at TU.”ClassScene SpotlightWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 41

John RiniHometown Chagrin Falls, Ohio; now lives in Hudson, Ohio Class Year 2011Degree Completing Master of Business Administration (Concentration in Sport Management)John Rini watches the Cleveland Brown’games on an eight-inch monitor – just afew feet behind the Brown’s bench.Rini, who coached wide receivers in2009 and linebackers in 2010 as a graduateassistant at Tiffin University, is alsoworking on his final class online to finishan MBA at Tiffin University. But duringA minute with John ...What did you always want to bewhen you grew up?A broadcasterWho is your favorite songwriter?Lil WayneWho would you like to spend anafternoon with? Bill ClintonBest Experience? I lived inCosta Rica for a month.the NFL season, he is a video intern withthe Cleveland Browns.The eight-inch monitor he watchesrecords images of player positioningfrom a sideline camera and an end zonecamera and is connected to a printer.So if you see Colt McCoy or any of theBrowns looking at still pictures after theycome off the field, Rini has providedthem with those pictures.His job is another step in a footballjourney that started as a student assistantat Ashland University and woundup five years later as video coordinatorfor Ashland. He was hired as a graduateassistant at Tiffin, and after thosetwo years, learned that Cleveland waslooking for video assistance. Rini wasoffered the job, which also includes filmingthe practice sessions at the Bereatraining complex.John RiniWith the extensive footballbackground, and the MBA soon to becompleted at TU, his hope is to continuein football coaching at some level. If thefootball openings do not develop, hewill be able to fall back on the MBA andenter business.42 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE

Abbey Lopez KanellakisHometown Upper Sandusky, Ohio; now lives in Tiffin, Ohio Class Year 2006Degree CommunicationAbbey Kanellakis has never lived orworked more than a half-hour fromTiffin, but Tiffin University has helpedexpand her horizons to begin a study ofthe public relations problems of Greece.A large part of this is because sheis married to Pavlo Kanellakis, TU Classof 2005, former Assistant Director of theEnglish Language and American Cultureprogram at TU. Pavlo is the son ofthe late TU faculty member and Dean,A minute with Abbey ...Favorite Movie: My long-runningfavorite is “What DreamsMay Come,” with RobinWilliams. We all need a goodcry at some point in our live .What did you want to be growingup? I was 8 when mygrandmother took me toThe Star Theatre to see myfirst musical, “Oklahoma.”I was hooked. From thatday on, if there was anopportunity for me to get upon a stage, you couldn’t stopme!What is your dream vacation?I suppose I can’t say Greeceanymore, though I alwaysjump at the chance to goback. I have always wantedto visit Ireland in the spring.Who would you have lunch withliving or deceased? Thelist is way too long, but if Ihad to choose one it wouldbe Jesus. I am not really areligious person, so I wouldlike to learn - from the sourcehow the message originatedand more importantly, whatthat message was.Janet Hanna, and was born and raisedin Greece and came to the states to goto TU.Developing a world-view whichincludes a graduate project on the presentday problems of Greece came aboutbecause of perspectives Abbey learnedat Tiffin.“Upper Sandusky is a farmingand factory town. I was never a greatstudent. No one in my family had goneto college. I came to Tiffin on a musicscholarship, and being here changedeverything,” she said.At TU, she was active in UniversityChoir, Up in the Air and Higher Groundvocal groups, and directed one-act playswith the Mediacs. She also performedin several theatrical performances anddirected a few full-length plays, as wellas a one-act production She eventuallyrealized her interests were more in writingand communications. She also hadthe chance to build strong relationshipswith professors and classmates, “manyof whom are still really great friends.”Her first job after Tiffin was a yearat the weekly newspaper in Willard,Ohio. “ I learned writing, investigating,creativity and sticking to a job. It was agreat education, and led directly to theA-T,” she said. Since 2007, she has beenthe Sunday editor at The Advertiser-Tribune.Abbey Lopez KanellakisThe developing of a public relationsconcept relating to the troubledGreek government is a part of her onlinemaster’s degree in Public Relationsthrough Kent State, and a project whichher faculty adviser feels can be published.Abbey and Pavlo have two youngdaughters, Giselle and Sofia.ClassScene SpotlightWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 43

Shaun PolaskyHometown Akron, Ohio; now lives in Bradenton, Florida Class Year (S) 2005 & 2007Degree (S) MBA (Human Resource Management) and BA (Hospitality Management)44 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEShaun Polasky feels it’s important todiscuss how he got to where he is…andthat has always been about selecting theright university.“Tiffin University showed me earlyon that what you put into something iswhat you are going to get out of it…thateffort and results go hand in hand, andbuilding relationships and maintainingthem while in school and out of schoolwill always remain important. You neverknow who will need you down the roador who you will need to lean on in thefuture,” he said.Shaun’s first position after graduatingwith his MBA from Tiffin Universitywas achieved through TU networking.In 2007, TU Alumnus Curt Neth hiredShawn to serve as Regional Human ResourcesGeneralist for Nortrax—a whollyowned subsidiary of John Deere for theConstruction and Forestry Division intheir Ohio and Tennessee facilities.After approximately 2 years, Nortraxcreated a Shared Services structurein Tampa, FL, for which Neth was namedthe Director of Human Resources. Nethasked Shaun to join him and relocateas Corporate HR Generalist serving all32 locations within 11 different states.Shawn spent three additional yearswithin that role and gained invaluableexperience managing the payrolldepartment, learning corporate retailbusiness, and building life-long relationshipsthat, “I continue to cherish eachday,” he said.After spending approximately 5years with Nortrax and obtaining hisPHR (Professional in Human Resources)certification, Shaun was offered an opportunitythat he could not pass up withA minute with Shaun ...Favorite Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Inception, and any/all comediesno matter how cheesy.What you always wanted to be when you grew up? A professional golfer,but when I knew that was not going to pan out, I did the next best thingand became a Professional in Human Resources.What is your dream or best vacation? My wife and I have always wanted tovisit Ireland. We have no ties to the country, but there is something therethat is drawing us to it (could be the golf, the crystal, or maybe even thebeer). Fortunately, with my new position, I will have the opportunity tovisit within the next year or so. At which point, my wife and I will have totry and make a vacation out of it.If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would it be and why?As cliché as this may sound, I will always choose to have lunch with mywife. She is my best friend and a true inspiration to me in my life. Shehas supported me in every decision I have made personally andprofessionally, and has done so without reservation. I look up to herevery day as she puts on her scrubs and takes care of sick kids as a R.N.at our local Children’s Hospital. It takes someone special to do that dayin and day out and still have the energy and mental capacity to deal withme. She is great person, the love of my life, and I would be honored toenjoy lunch with her any day of the week.Shaun PolaskyTransitions Optical. Transitions Optical,a joint venture between PPG (PittsburghPlate Glass) and Essilor, has offices onfive continents and serves as marketleaders in the field of Photochromiclenses. “We use this technology to createproducts that protect and enhancevision by adjusting and adapting todifferent lighting situations,” Shaun said.“Today, we offer adaptive solutions inmore than 100 lens options in an effortto constantly improve the future ofhealthy sight.”For Shaun, it was a very difficultdecision to make the move away fromNortrax. However, the position at Transitionswas too intriguing personally andprofessionally for Shaun to ignore.“First,” he said, “Transitions haswon Gallup’s Great Workplace Awardtwo years in a row, which recognizes ourability to provide an engaged workplaceculture worldwide. Second, I was hiredin as a PPG employee--a position that isused as a breeding ground for placementwithin expanding roles as theybecome available. Third, I will have theopportunity to gain international experience,which is exceedingly importantwithin the global market we all live intoday. Finally, coming from the retail environment,I knew my next move neededto be with a manufacturing organization

Emily MillerHometown Gilbert, Arizona; now lives in Tacoma, Washington Class Year 2011Degree MBA with a concentration in Sport Managementin order to become more diversifiedwithin my career.”As the Human Resources Generalistat Transitions Optical, Shaun is incharge of the recruiting efforts to bringtop talent into the organization, andis responsible for partnering with theOperations Department in regards toemployee relations and development,and providing overall benefits implementation/administrationthroughoutthe Transitions’ U.S. based operations.“I am thoroughly convinced, thatwithout the top-tiered education receivedat Tiffin University, the camaraderieestablished by being a member ofthe golf team, the networking optionsfrom being an alum, and the life-longlessons either taught or absorbedorganically through some of the greatprofessors I have had the opportunity tolearn from, I would not have achievedmy current successes nor any future successeswithout a combination of all ofthe above,” he said.“Much like life, the substance ofwhat I have experienced and learnedwithin my profession far outweighs thenumber of years on a piece of paper.Even though people try, you cannot puta price on experiences or on an education,both of which I thank God everyday I have been able to and continue toreceive.”“Attending Tiffin University was anunexpected event that started in 2009,”said Emily. “At that time, my littlesister Kelley was recruited to be a partof the inaugural season of the TiffinDragons Women’s Lacrosse program.After earning a bachelor’s degree fromArizona State University, I was lookingfor graduate assistant positions tocontinue coaching lacrosse at a higherlevel. Interestingly, in the process ofrecruiting Kelley, TU recruited me too,so I moved to Ohio, started my MBAin Sport Management, played lacrossewith my sister, and realized during myshort time there that it was finally timeto start a business.”Emily had a goal and the completionof her MBA was key to starting asmall business, now known as “Wildfire,”and to spread the word about lacrossein America (particularly in Arizonaand now Washington), and she has adeveloping website to prove it. Thewhole story is at www.wildfirelax.com .Wildfire’s mission is to spread thesport of lacrosse…. Like WiLdFiRe!! “Weare creating strategic partnerships with localnon-profits, school districts, and parksand recreation departments,” said Emily,“and we offer a wide variety of programsand services, including instructional clinics,physical education class demonstrations,A minute with Emily ...What did you always want to bewhen you were growing up?Physical Education TeacherDream Vacation?Long visit to GreeceEmily Millermini-camps, recreational programs, andorganized clubs and teams.”But that’s not all. While the Arizonaprogram continues to grow, her MBAhelped her land a position as the SportsDevelopment Coordinator for the Tacoma-PierceCounty Sports Commissionnear Seattle. She is creating a programfrom scratch for local youth and adults inTacoma, including marketing, membershipand fund-raising.“I am utilizing skills gained from myMBA to operate a business, while alsoapplying theoretical knowledge to dailytasks at the sports commission. TU gaveme the extra boost I needed to moveforward in accomplishing my dreamof becoming a small business owner.With the help and encouragement ofmy professors and lacrosse coach, I wasable to take that leap knowing that inthe business world, you cannot succeedunless you take risks,” she said.ClassScene SpotlightWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 45

John CarpenterHometown Brimfield, Ohio; now lives in North Olmstead, Ohio Class Year 2012Degree MBA (Concentration in Sports Management)After 19 years in the retail business --14 years as a manager for Bed, Bath &Beyond -- John Carpenter wanted to dosomething different. So, he enrolled inTiffin University’s MBA Program (SportsManagement Concentration).He chose Tiffin University becauseof the curriculum, the online opportunity,and the fact TU is a brick-and-mortarschool not far from home.The best part of the program, hesays, is the accomplishment and workingtoward his goal to work in the frontoffice for a major sports team or in theathletic department at a major college.The hardest part of the program isfinding the time and discipline to handlethe homework. “I work 50 to 65 hoursper week,” he says. The online programwas the only way he’d get that degreeand move into a field he loves.He had a taste of that (the field heloves) when a Tiffin professor connectedhim withanotherstudentto workthe draftfor Canada’sJohnCarpenterfirst professional basketball league. “Wehelped GMs, coaches and owners of theteam,” says Carpenter. “We took playermeasurements, weights and heights. Tome, it was a great experience.”He obtained an invaluable list ofcontacts from that experience.He’ll get even more experiencedoing a mentorship with the NY LibertyWNBA franchise. Though the team isbased in New Jersey, Carpenter willwork from home doing scouting andresearch for the team.46 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEA minute with John ...What did you always want to be when you were growing up? I alwaysloved baseball; I started playing at the age of five and continued to playuntil I was 29. I always wanted to learn the game, teach the game, andget better at the game. I always wanted to play in the Majors, butstruggled as a high school player. I coached after high school and stilllove the game.If you could spend an afternoon with anyone, who would that be?Tony LaRussa, retiring manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. I think hisknowledge of the game of baseball and the experiences he could sharewould be above and beyond most anyone who has played the game. Hegoes down in history as one of the best coaches in the history of thegame.What is your dream vacation? A dream vacation would involve travellingaround the country seeing each Major league ballpark or NBA arena.I love both games and they represent my passion for sports and what ittakes to get to the next level. I would love to watch games, learn thefranchise history and spend time with the fans that love their teams.

48 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGETell Us About Yourself1940’sDale Walcutt, Class of 1941, celebratedhis 70th wedding anniversary with hiswife, Irene, in June.1960’sWilliam Hertzer, Class of 1960, andJean Grady Hertzer, Class of 1956,celebrated their 55th wedding anniversaryin June.1970’sRebecca Chaney Riggins, Class of1975, Anchorage, Alaska, wrote, “Imoved to Anchorage in 1978. I workedat Anchorage Water and WastewaterUtility for 25 years as a Cost Accountant,Budget Office, and Payroll Supervisorbefore retiring in 2006. In 2006, I beganoperating Rely Tax Service full time. I’mnow joyfully “semi” retired. I only work1800 hours a year now! I would love tohear from old classmates.”Nancy Hetrick Lee, Class of 1976,Alva, Florida, is now retired. She was anaccountant for a construction company.Her husband, David, is a retiredmechanical contractor.Robin Marie Wahlers, Class of 1978,Port Clinton, Ohio, is the Chief DeputyClerk for Ottawa County Juvenile Courtin Port Clinton.Point. Click. Give.With our secure server,investing in Tiffin Universityhas never been easier.Just point and click, and your gift helpsTU provide access and opportunity forindividuals, and facilitates their preparationfor successful careers and satisfyinglives. We invite our friends and supportersto join us at www.tiffin.eduMarathon Petroleum CEOMakes Good On His ChanceDr. Gary Heminger, TU Class of 1975The new Marathon Petroleum Corporationis being led by a man with Findlayroots who worked his way up from “onestep above the mailroom.”Gary Heminger’s rise at Marathonis a tale of hard work and opportunity.“All I want is a chance. Give me achance to get in the front door and letme prove myself,” he recalls saying inhis job interview 36 years ago.Heminger made the same requestnine years earlier when he persuadedhis father to let him sell furniture atBritts Department Store on Tiffin Avenue,a store his father managed.Heminger was good on his wordthen, and he has been since.“Every job we put him in he did anoutstanding job,” said former MarathonPresident J. Louis “Corky” Frank, whoretired in 2001. “He has a great workethic and is a hard worker.”Heminger had an associate degreein accounting from Tiffin Universitywhen he was hired on the condition heearn his bachelor’s at night while workingdays at Marathon. Marathon paidfor his classes.He went on to earn a master’sdegree in business administration, andthe promotions kept coming.About 13 years ago, Hemingersensed he could make it to the top.“After being able to put a numberof deals together in the marketplacewhere I was dealing with Wall Streetanalysts, people who were educated atschools with a much higher brand namethan the schools that I attended, I foundthat I could go toe-to-toe,” he said.“I said, ‘You know what, I have thebasic skills, and I have the passion tooutwork most people, and I think thiscould turn out OK.’”But his success has not budgedHeminger’s heart from Findlay.“This is home for Jane and I,” hesaid. “We’re very proud of our rootsin Findlay.We’re very,very pleasedwith thequality of lifewe have inFindlay. It’s agreat community.”HeDr. Gary Hemingershowed hiscommitmentto Findlay in the wake of the 2007 flood,which caused $4.1 million damageto the basement and first floor of theMarathon building downtown.Controls for more than 5,000 milesof pipeline were shut down. Employeeswho work daily with customers couldnot make it to the office.“It’s fair to say that (Marathon)corporate executives in Houston, whenthat building was under water, weregoing, ‘Why are we in Findlay, Ohio,again?’” said Scott Malaney, Heminger’sneighbor and president of BlanchardValley Health System.“There really isn’t any particularreason for Marathon to be here exceptfor, it’s where it started, and I think Garyhas worked really hard to keep it hereand to keep it strong.... My take on itis, the biggest part of the reason whythat’s happening, is him,” Malaney said.Heminger answered to Houston forthe flood expenses and inefficiencies.“Can you efficiently operate in thistown?” he was asked.“Yes we can,” he responded, “andI will ensure that we start working on astrong foundation to improve this.”He and Cooper Tire & Rubber PresidentRoy Armes formed the NorthwestOhio Flood Mitigation Partnership, whichworked with the federal government tospeed up early flood control studies.At the time of the 2007 flood,Heminger’s standing at Marathon waswell-established. While he has ascended

steadily, his role in a 1998 venture withAshland particularly sculpted his status.In the 1990s, Marathon’s leaderssaw a need to become more efficient intransporting oil to wholesalers and retailersin the Midwest. Heminger helpedthem do that by identifying Ashlandas a partner for a joint venture. He alsonegotiated the contracts which formedthe Marathon and Ashland venture.It was a huge success. It savedcosts in oil transportation, and broadenedprofit margins. It also acceleratedHeminger’s rise.“It propelled my career,” he said.He became president of MarathonAshland Petroleum in 2001, and wenton to become president of MarathonPetroleum Co. in 2005.Heminger grew up in Tiffin, thesecond of seven children. While helearned one aspect of the businessworld from his father, he absorbedother parts from his mother.“She was a terrific businesswomanto be able to manage that big of a business,seven kids, get us through school,and then she worked part-time herself,”Heminger said.Under her tutelage, young Garybecame practiced in leading.“She gave me responsibility earlyon to help look after some of my brothersand sisters. And I think that helpeddevelop me,” he said.“Being the second oldest, my jobwas always to keep an eye out, makingsure that everybody was together, makingsure everything is kind of comingalong. To be able to make a family ofseven work, you had to have everybodypulling together, and I think we did.”His family experience and prideextends to his employees. In late 1997,Ashland leaders and New York lawyerswanted to have their “factory” of lawyers,paralegals and assistants do thework of closing the joint venture.Heminger would have none of it.“I said, ‘No, we’re going to closethis transaction in Findlay, Ohio....We have a factory of people with thestrongest work ethic you will ever see,’”Heminger said.Findlay’s Marathon employees“got to get in and work on this, andthere was nobody in New York or nobodyin Boston or nobody in Washington,D.C., that was going to outperformthem,” he said.The deal was closed in Findlay.“You never see him with a dominant,elitist attitude. It’s always, ‘We’rea team,’” Frank said. “He works withthem until midnight, 2 a.m., whatever ittakes to get the job done. People wantto do that for the right people.”Heminger called being a topexecutive humbling. He said it is a24-hour-a-day job, but he was not referringonly to himself.“You can’t be a top executive withouthaving a top executive at home,”he said, referring to his wife.“She runs the entire household...She’s the home executive. And there’sno question, she has been in charge ofraising and helping educate our childrenand done a great job. And now she’sworking hard on the grandkids. You haveto have that teamwork at home.”Heminger also said being a topexecutive is “a lot of fun.”“I have loved every day of the 36-plus years I have worked for Marathon,”Heminger said. “I get up wanting tocome to work. I just enjoy the people Iwork with. I enjoy what we do. I enjoyworking in the commercial space, andworking with customers.”This article appeared in The Courier,Findlay OH, June 20111980’sLinda Bourne Davis, Class of 1983,Fostoria, Ohio, is a Real Estate SalesAgent/Investor for American Heritage.Her husband, Thomas, is an IntelligenceEngineer for the U.S. Army. Lindawrote, “Returning to school during arecession doesn’t seem uncommontoday, but I finished school during therecession of 1981. My education hasled me throughout Northwest Ohio;working for many different companies. Iam fortunate to have the expertise thatI received at TU that many graduatesnever received.”Theresa Nibblett, Class of 1984,Lorton, Virginia, writes, “I retired fromthe federal government after almost 30years of service. I am now a contractemployee with the Department of State,Diplomatic Security Service, and Officeof Anti-Terrorism Assistance. I am aCurriculum Project Manager and handlea portfolio of five Homeland Securitycourses that are delivered to foreignlaw enforcement and security officialsall over the world.” Theresa’s husband,Donald, is a Senior Intelligence Analystfor the U.S. Army.Larry E. Hoffman, Class of 1986,Bluffton, Ohio, is Chief Financial Officerof First National Bank of Pandora. Hehas been a certified public accountantfor more than 24 years. Hoffman and hiswife, Marcy, have three children.Barbara Lockard, Class of 1988, Findlay,Ohio, was re-elected to the Findlayschool board. She has served on theboard since 2008 and is its vice president.A licensed Realtor, Lockard is themarketing assistant for the College ofEducation and Science at the Universityof Findlay. She previously was directorof marketing and public relations forBlanchard Valley Health System, andwas the communications director forUnited Way of Hancock County. Lockardand her husband have two children.ClassSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 49

Tell Us About Yourself1990’sDavid Reiter, Class of 1990, Aurora,Colorado, was one of five former TUathletes honored at the Hall of Fameinduction this fall. Reiter now works asa warehouse manager for Great WestDrywall Supply in Centennial, Colorado.Steven Fisher, Class of 1991, Fostoria,Ohio, is clergy for West IndependenceUnited Methodist Church.Brian Campbell, Class of 1994, Kent,Ohio, was inducted into the TU Hall ofFame this fall. Campbell is currently thehead coach at Youngstown State.Maureen Anne Neuenschwander,Class of 1994, Lima, Peru, is a Salesand Marketing Manager for Hotel ElPolo. Her husband, Javier, is the VicePresident for Grupo Fierro.Brenda Kay Poole, Class of 1997,Huron, Ohio, and her husband, Joseph,welcomed a son, Michael Kayden, inOctober.Kevin Pickard CFP, Class of 1998,Washington, Michigan, is First VicePresident for Morgan Stanley SmithBarney in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.Ann Darr, Class of 1999, Monroeville,Ohio, was recently hired by Ohio BusinessCollege in Sandusky as a computerinstructor. She teaches word processingand machine transcription.Mark Pardi, Class of 1999, Tiffin, Ohio,was elected as one of two new faces onthe Tiffin City Council for next year. Heserved in the Marine Corps for 25 years,and now works production and operationsmanagement for a manufacturer inFostoria.Celinda Scherger, Class of 1999, Tiffin,Ohio, was appointed by the SenecaCounty Commissioners to serve on theMental Health and Recovery ServicesBoard of Sandusky, Seneca and WyandotCounties.Lawrence Smith, MCJ 1999, Charleston,South Carolina, writes, “I am nowin the education field. I have been aclinical counselor since being a part ofTU’s first graduating class of the Masterof Criminal Justice program. We relocatedto South Carolina and we love thesouth. I love the new TU website. It isnice to keep up with the Dragons!” Hiswife, Sheila, is a sixth grade ELA teacherfor Charleston County School District.They have twin sons, Elijah and Isaiah.2000’sBrian Bower, MBA 2000, Tiffin, Ohio,was promoted to Ohio CommunityRegional Sales Manager at U.S. Bank inFremont, Ohio. As Regional Sales Manager,he leads the company’s mortgageproduction effort in the bank’s communitymarkets in Ohio and SouthernIndiana. Brian is also responsible forproviding loan officer coverage for morethan 100 retail locations throughout thetwo states. He is an active participantin local organizations such as BascomYouth Sports and Leadership SenecaCounty. Bower and his wife, Danielle,have three children, Lileigh, Alec, andRegan.Jynelle Rex, Class of 2002, Willard,Ohio, is a real estate agent for ColdwellBanker Tri-Pro Realty in Tiffin and a substituteteacher for Willard City Schools.She married her husband, Shane, in1998. They have four children, Lauren,Michelle, Nolan, and Hannah.50 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGETU Specialty License Plate ProgramIf you are an Ohio resident, you can show pride in TiffinUniversity through the Collegiate License Plate Program sponsored bythe State of Ohio. The cost to participate in the program (inaddition to any normal renewal fees) is $35 annually. Of this $35fee, $25 is directed to Tiffin University in the form of a charitabledonation to the General Scholarship Fund in your name.Due to a change in the Drivers Privacy Protection Act, OhioRevised Code 4501.27, the release of personal information will notbe provided without written consent by the individual. Therefore,you must provide proof of your participation in the collegiate licenseplate program in order for Tiffin University to recognize your contribution to theTU General Scholarship Fund.If you have questions regarding the Collegiate Plate Program, contact TU’s Alumni Relations Office at 419-448-3313 oryour local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Kelly Calmes, Class of 2003, Fremont,Ohio, is the Vice President of MemberServices at Fremont Federal CreditUnion. She spent the first half of herfinancial services career at Bank One;starting as a teller in 1998. Shortly afterthe bank merged and left the community,she secured a position at FremontFederal Credit Union. This is her 12thyear there. Calmes considers herself tobe a lifelong learner. She earned one ofthe first associate of individual studiesdegrees at Terra Community Collegeand then went on to graduate from theOhio School of Banking in 1993. Sheearned her first bachelor’s degree fromTU in 2003, and is now working on asecond. In the little spare time Kellyhas, she serves as a board member (andpast chairwoman) of the United Way ofSandusky County. She has been marriedfor 27 years and has two daughters.Kristi Krintzline, Class of 2003, Tiffin,Ohio, represented Tiffin University atthe inauguration of Ohio Northern University’snew president in October.JeremyMarinis,MBA 2003,and his wife,Jamie, welcomeda son,Niko James,in June.Niko MarinisKris Waechter, Class of 2003, Wheeling,West Virginia, is the Deputy Sherifffor the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office.Nicole King Keller, Class of 2004, Hilliard,Ohio, works as a CPA.Jeff Stanley,Class of2005, Wilmington,NorthCarolina,writes, “Aftergraduation,I movedto Florida,worked, andmet my wife,Emily. WeEmily, Elizabeth andJeff Stanleywere married in 2010. I was promotedwith my company in December andmoved to North Carolina. Emily and Iwelcomed our first child, Elizabeth, inMay.Congini Pearson, Class of 2006, Gahanna,Ohio, is an insurance agent forWestfield Insurance in Columbus. Herhusband, Nick, is a Graphic Designer forSchool Pride.Marybeth Santo Domingo, MBA2006, Plymouth, Minnesota, wrote,“Since I graduated from Tiffin University,I obtained with Asset Based Financein the banking industry. U.S. Bank offeredme the Senior Examiner (Auditor)position when I was in Cleveland andI moved to their corporate office inMinneapolis, Minnesota. I don’t mindthe cold weather—I just bundle up—and I love the city, because there arelots of places to explore.” Marybeth’shusband, Mario, is a Technician for GeneralElectric. They have two children,Raphael and Axel.Phillip Gosche, Class of 2007, and VeronicaYearling Gosche, Class of 2008,Tiffin, Ohio, welcomed son, AidenHenry, in June.Catch up on the latestTU Alumni News atwww.facebook.com/TiffinUniversityAlumniKurt Olson, Class of 2007, and KatlinZvansky, Class of 2008, married in July.Victoria Hamilton Speakes, Class of2007, Dayton, Ohio, writes, “I marriedmy college sweetheart and we starteda family in 2007. We both ran track andfield. I went to work as a price bookanalyst for Speedway in 2008. However,I recently left to start my own business,Allure Events and Photography--anevent planning and photography companyservicing Central and SouthwestOhio. I look forward to getting back intouch with my Tiffin family and supportingTiffin; especially Coach Croy and thetrack team! Go TUTF!” Victoria andher husband, Ryan, have two children,Peyton and Olivia.Scott Jason Cannon, Class of 2008,Johnston, Iowa, writes, “I enrolled at TUwhile working as an agent with the OhioInvestigative Unit. I felt the additionalbachelor’s degree would help me obtaina supervisory position in the future. Iloved TU. I was used to an extremelylarge university. TU offered a lot ofcharacter and personality that largeschools lacked. It was nice for professorsto not only know your name, butto know things about you and sincerelycare about your success. After completingmy undergraduate degree, I beganto work as a criminal intelligence liaisonwith OIU at the Ohio Homeland SecurityStrategic Analysis and InformationCenter. While at the SAIC, I decided toenroll in TU’s master’s degree in HomelandSecurity Administration. GraduateSchool at TU opened up additionalopportunities for me. After carefullyconsidering my opinions, I decided totake a job with the U.S. Marshals Serviceas a deputy in Des Moines, Iowa. Igenuinely feel that TU allowed me tosuccessfully pursue this opportunity andthat it opened up so many more doorsthan what had been available in thepast.”ClassSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 51

Tell Us About Yourself2000’sBrian M. Kraft, Class of 2008, Bucyrus,Ohio, recently graduated from BasicCombat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton,Oklahoma. During the nine weeks oftraining, he studied the Army missionand received instruction and training exercisesin drill and ceremonies, history,core values and traditions, military courtesy,military justice, physical fitness, firstaid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use,map reading and land navigation, footmarches, armed and unarmed combat,and field maneuvers and tactics. Briangraduated with distinction.Stephanie Gerold, Class of 2009,Sandusky, Ohio, writes, “I graduatedfrom TU in 2009, and will never forgetmy experience on Tiffin’s campus. As asingle mother, enrolling in college wasa struggle. However, I received morehelp and support than I ever imagined.I made friendships and memories thatcould never be replaced. My time atTU was such a positive experience.Any time someone asks about Tiffin, itbrings back a flood of wonderful memories.I will always have good things tosay about the campus and staff.”Jonathon Sharp, MSCJ 2009, Fremont,Ohio, is the Sheriff’s Deputy for the SanduskyCounty Sheriff’s Office. His wife,Joy, is the Human Resources Managerfor Wynn Reeth. They just welcomed ason, Rennie, in August. Rennie joins bigsister, Madelynne.Ray Robinson and Kristen Ameling,both class of 2009, married in June.Allison Budaj, MAH 2010, Woodstock,Georgia, wrote, “Since my graduation,I have been working for an on-campustelevision network called the GeorgiaTech Cable Network. My degree reallyhelped me centralize what I enjoyedfrom my college experience. Since takingthis job, I have been able to use myexperiences in my work. While here atGTCN, I have produced a show for playbackon our GTCN network designatedchannels called “What the Tech?” Theshow focuses on exploring and keepingthe campus traditions alive that are sounique to Georgia Tech by speakingwith alumni and students and sharingpersonal experiences. The show haswon a 2011 Gold EMPixx Award andtwo 2011 Silver International DaveyAwards. It has been a blast workingin such a creative environment whereI get to collaborate with students andindustry professionals. I have no doubtin my mind that my degree and time atTU helped me accomplish this. Now, Iam looking to pursue a Ph.D. in History,Technology, and Society from GeorgiaTech. Tiffin was a great foundation forme. The people and professors I wasable to interact with were some of thebest memories from at TU.”Paul D’Amore, Class of 2010, NorthBethesda, Maryland, is a Criminal Analystfor INTERPOL/US DOJ in Washington,DC.Maria Shaw, Class of 2010, and JeremyLee, Class of 2011, wed in June.Angela Sosebee, MBA 2010, Napoleon,Ohio, is the Assistant in Developmentand Volunteer Coordinator for HenryCounty Hospital.MirceaHandru,MBA 2011,Tiffin, Ohio,marriedErika Platt inJune in Alba,Romania.Erika is a staffwriter at TheAdvertiser-Tribune.Mircea HandruErika PlattMircea is Assistant Men’s Soccer Coachat Tiffin University.Gary Lyons, MCJ 2011, Sandusky,Ohio, was hired as the new Police Chieffor Monroeville in February.Nick Rader, Class of 2011, Peoria,Illinois, recently won the men’s title atthe Square Fair 5-kilometer race in Lima.He crossed the finish line in 17 minutes,24.6 seconds.52 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGETell Us About Yourself @www.tiffin.edu

InMemoriam1930’sLouise Horn Remsberg Class of 1934,Parma, Ohio, passed away in September.Rita Steinmetz Moyer, Class of 1938,Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in April. Sheretired as a secretary and teller at FirstNational Bank of Tiffin and was a memberof St. Joseph Catholic Church.1940’sVirgil F. Studer, Class of 1940, Tiffin,Ohio, passed away in July. He workedas the office manager for The LouisO’Connell Company and was a memberof St. Joseph Catholic Church and theKnights of Columbus, Council 608.Virgil enjoyed playing cards and scrollwoodworking.Hazel Craycraft Franks, Class of 1941,Upper Sandusky, Ohio, passed away inSeptember. She was born on Valentine’sDay in 1941. For anyone fortunateto have known Hazel, they would agreethat she brought unselfish love and joyto everyone.Dr. Franks was a member of TiffinUniversity’s Board of Trustees, a caringfriend to students and employees, and along-time supporter who made numerousprograms possible at TU includingfootball and music. She received an honorarydoctorate from Tiffin University andwas a member of the Founder’s Club.She celebrated her 90th birthday on Valentine’sDay, this year, on TU’s campus.Richard Weimerskirch, Class of 1948,Tiffin, Ohio, passed away in January.1950’sWilliam Charles Kastner, Class of1951, Warren, Michigan, passed awayin January. He previously worked as apurchasing agent for a traditional medicinecompany. Kastner loved to spendtime on his boat and at the beach.Betty Laux, Class of 1951, Tiffin, Ohio,passed away in mid September. Bettyretired as the comptroller at Terra CommunityCollege. She was also the clerktreasurer for the Tiffin City Board ofEducation for 13 years. After her retirement,she volunteered for many localorganizations.Arlene Gaietto, Class of 1953, Tiffin,Ohio, passed away in July. She hadretired as the manager of St. Mary’sSchool cafeteria. She was active withthe Girl Scouts. Family, faith and friendswere important to Arlene.Gale Crouse, Class of 1957, Milford,Ohio, passed away in October.1960’sJames Longacre, Class of 1967, Fostoria,Ohio, passed away in September.He had a passion for cars, especiallyCorvettes, and enjoyed sports.Timothy Beckwith, Class of 1969, Defiance,Ohio, passed away in March.Robert Noonan, Class of 1977, Galion,Ohio, passed away in March. He servedin the United States Air Force duringthe Vietnam War. He was a patrolmanfor the Galion Police Department andworked at various other places priorto working as Canteen Manager at theGalion American Legion.1990’sDeacon DanScherger,Class of1994, Tiffin,Ohio, passedaway in July.He servedthe congregationofSt. JosephCatholicChurch formore than30 years. HeDeaconDan Schergerworked as the pastoral associate at St.Joseph Catholic Church , served as anumpire in various baseball and softballleagues, and taught seventh-gradereligion for Calvert Catholic Schools.Additionally, he served as a marriageand a bereavement counselor.Ryan McDaniel, Class of 1998 and2007, Genoa, Ohio, passed away in August.He was a former student athletefrom 1995-1998 and Assistant BaseballCoach for TU from 2004 to 2009.ClassSceneWanda Seiple, Class of 1942, Huron,Ohio, died in September. She was aformer secretary for Erie Ordinanceof Sandusky, Verco Stock Exchange ofMansfield, and for Dr. Robert Gilletteof Huron. She was the secretary for theHuron School system from 1963 until herretirement in 1979.Robert Stevens, Class of 1942, DeSoto,Kansas, passed away in February.Donald Krofta, Class of 1948, passedaway in February.1970’sLynn Newcomer, Class of 1973,Findlay, Ohio, passed away in April. Hewas a Certified Public Accountant andmember of the Ohio Society of CPA’s.He was previously employed by Schultz,Huber and Associated, CPA’s of Findlay,Defiance, Archbold and Van Wert. Hefarmed with his brothers and father hiswhole life. He was a fan of the OhioState Buckeyes and enjoyed attendingBig Ten football games.2000Daniel Ray Ross, Class of 2000, Tiffin,Ohio, passed away in early July. Danielworked at Lowes Distribution Center inFindlay, helped with Habitat for Humanity,and volunteered with the city ofFindlay to beautify downtown Findlay.Jovan Zachary, Class of 2005, Cincinnati,Ohio, passed away in May. Whileat TU, Zachary served as a residentassistant. He was president of the BlackUnited Students, threw shot put in trackand field, and played basketball.WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 53

FootballSportsSceneMen’s SoccerQuarterback JamesCapello had a strongfirst season for Tiffin,breaking the singleseason completionpercentage recordand the single gamecompletion record.Tiffin University’s football team played hard butcouldn’t pick up a victory in 2011.For first-year head coach Gary Goff, the rebuilding processbegan with some offensive highlights. Tiffin University’soffense had their best game of the season against Lake Erie ina tough 52-42 defeat. Six records fell in the defeat.Quarterback James Capello completed 46 passes inthe game, shattering the GLIAC record of 39. The mark alsobroke Matt Root’s TU record of 40 set in 2008.Wide receiver Obadiah Dykes caught 18 of those passes,breaking another GLIAC record of 15 catches. The mark also brokeDyshaun Edwards’s TU record of 14 set in both 2008 and 2007.Capello accounted for 6 touchdowns in the game, passingfor 5 and rushing for another, breaking the school recordof 5 touchdowns accounted for by George Whitfield, GarrionCorbin, and Matt Root. Capello’s 5 touchdown passes alsotied the single game mark held by Root and Whitfield.Overall, Capello broke the season record for completionpercentage with a .692 mark, while also finishing with the thirdhighest completions in a season despite missing four gamesdue to injury.Dykes led the team in receiving with 547 yards whileMarcus Beaurem led the team with 73.9 all-purpose yards pergame. Mike Gomez (76 tackles) and Mike Virgin (68 tackles)led the team defensively.Midfielder MichaelO’Neill was a FirstTeam All-GLIAC selection,helping to leadthe Dragons to theirthird GLIAC Tournamenttitle in four years.The men’s soccer team won their third GLIAC Tournamentchampionship in four seasons. Overall, the squadfinished 10-5-4, 5-4-3 in the GLIAC.The Dragons outlasted Northwood 2-2 after two overtimesand won 3-2 on penalty kicks in a dramatic conclusion tothe tourney.Tiffin University’s Michael O’Neill landed top honors forthe men’s soccer program. O’Neill was a First Team pick aftera season in which he had 2 goals and 5 assists for 9 points over17 games. He was the lone Dragons player named to the FirstTeam. In 2010 he was a Second Team and All-Region selection.Three other Dragons were on the Second Team. TwotimeGLIAC Player of the Year Ashton Campbell was a SecondTeam pick. He led the conference in goals with 9 and pointswith 23 along with 5 assists. He also led the GLIAC in fiveseparate offensive categories. He finishes his career as a fourtimeAll-GLIAC honoree.Two defenders were also selected to the Second Team.Ryan Johnstone and Christopher Hoerle were the top defenderson a defense that led the GLIAC in all defensive categoriesincluding goals allowed, GAA, saves, and shutouts. TiffinWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 55

allowed just 15 goals during the season.A total of 10 men’s soccer players were named to theGLIAC All-Academic squad. Nick Kutch was the lone Dragonsplayer earning Academic Excellence citation, while nine otherplayers were All-Academic picks.VolleyballWomen’s SoccerThe 2011 Tiffin University women’s soccer seasoncan be described in one word - roller coaster. The Dragons(9-8-3, 7-5-2 GLIAC) placed third in the GLIAC South Divisionand advanced to the GLIAC Championship Semifinals for thesecond straight season.Senior Shelly Rogers was named to the All-GLIAC firstteam. This is the second straight year that Rogers has earnedall-league honors. She was a second team selection in 2010.Rogers becomes the second Dragon to earn first team honors.Rogers led the team in scoring with six goals and 15assists for 27 points while starting all 19 games. Her 15 assistsled the GLIAC. In NCAA Division II, she is second in totalassists and tied for third in average (0.79). For her career,Rogers is tied for third with 36 assists and among the top 10with 88 career points.Junior Ashley Davis earned second team honors for thesecond time in her career. She had four goals and two assistsfor 10 points while starting all 19 games.Offensively, sophomore Lauren Bowyer led the team withnine goals and was tied for second with 20 points. Junior AlexandraSevastakis was second with eight goals and 20 points.Senior Lauren Turkington finished second with five assists.In the net, junior Lindsey Gallagher went 7-7-2 with a 2.11G.A.A. in 1491 minutes and 33 seconds. Her 110 saves ranks thirdbest in single-season school history. Coppola finished 2-1 with30 saves and surrendered just two goals in 388 minutes and 27seconds of action. That gives her a 0.46 G.A.A. on the season.Sophomore Danielle McQuade led the Dragons in hittingagain, earning Second Team All-GLIAC honors.Youth was served during the 2011 Tiffin Universityvolleyball season. Six freshmen were among the eightnew players on the squad this season.Senior Lindsay Heller and sophomore Danielle McQuadewere named to the volleyball All-GLIAC team. Both playerswere honored for the second time each.McQuade, who earned second team honors last year,averaged 3.56 kills and 2.89 digs per set while hitting .269.She was fifth in the GLIAC in kills and total points per set. Mc-Quade had 20 matches in double-figure kills and 14 doubledoubles,including seven in a row.Heller, who earned honorable mention honors last year,led the team and was among the top 10 in the GLIAC withfour digs per set. She had 10+ digs in all but two matches thisseason and hit the mark in her last 18 matches. Heller finishedwith 1604 career digs (8th all-time), the first player in schoolNCAA Division II history to reach that mark.Tiffin excelled in the classroom as seven players earnedacademic honors from the GLIAC. Juniors Ashley Begemanand Maureen Kurtz were named to the Academic Excellenceteam. The team honors student-athletes with a G.P.A. of 3.50or higher. Earning All-Academic honors (G.P.A. of 3.00 to 3.49)were junior Maggie Betz, Heller, sophomore Jordan Jenkins,McQuade and sophomore McKenzie Wright.56 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEForward Michelle Rogers finished her Dragons careeras a First Team All-GLIAC selection, finishing amongstnational leaders in assists.

Cross CountryWomen’s TennisTiffin’s Colin Fisher wasnamed GLIAC Freshmanof the Year at theconference championships,helping to leadthe Dragons to a 6thplace finish.From start to finish, the Tiffin University men’s andwomen’s cross country season will go down as oneto remember.For the men, freshman Colin Fisher had the perfect collegiatedebut at the Carson-Newman XC Challenge. He ran25:34.87 (8K) to win the race and set a new meet record as theDragons scored 23 points to win the meet. Sophomore BrentHunter finished among the top five as well.At the GLIAC Championships, Fisher continued his strongseason placing ninth with a time of 26:11.25 (8K). Not only didhe earn All-GLIAC honors but was named GLIAC Freshman ofthe Year. Tiffin placed sixth as a team with 171 points.The Dragons closed the season by scoring 287 points toplace 10th at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship.Fisher and freshman David Knack finished among thetop 35 in the race. The men scored 287 points to finish 10th.The women scored 262 points to place 10th.For the women, TU started the same way the men did, scoring23 points to win the Carson-Newman XC Challenge. Finishingamong the top five were freshman Jessica Kern, sophomoreAshley Gilroy, junior Carly Reese and senior Becky Miller.Following a sixth place finish at the GLIAC Championships,the Dragons bounced back at the NCAA Division IIMidwest Regional Championship to place 10th as a team.Gilroy led the way finishing 14th with a time of 22:35.10 (6K),which was the second fastest in school history. Gilroy becamejust the third women’s runner in TU history to earn all-regionhonors.Tiffin’s women’s tennis team had an improved season,going 6-8 overall, 4-8 in the GLIAC and just missing the GLIACtournament by dropping their last match of the fall season.Tiffin University’s Malaika Messi and Taylor Cooperearned their second consecutive All-GLIAC honors.Messi was named Second Team for the second time,while Cooper landed Honorable Mention for the second yearin a row. Messi finished the season with a 9-4 singles record.Men’s GolfTiffin University had its best finishever at the GLIAC Championships,taking second by 11 strokes overWayne State with a three-roundtotal of 903. Only Grand Valley Statefinished with a lower total, betteringTU’s total by 16 strokes with an 887.The Dragons benefited fromtheir top four golfers all finishingwithin 6 strokes of each other.Dillon Klein was the top placingDragons golfer, finishing 7th withrounds of 75, 71, and 77 for 223.Blake DeBruyn was next in 8thplace with 225 (76-73-76) whileTyler Maranville took 10th with 226(77-73-76).Malaika Messi earnedanother All-GLIACselection, her secondconsecutive honor,finishing with a 9-4singles record..Blake DeBruyn was one ofthe leaders of the men’s golfprogram, which posted itsbest ever finish at the GLIACChampionships by takingsecond place. DeBruyn alsoearned medalist honors atthe Kyle Ryman Memorial.Jon Klein was 17th with a 229 score, improving from anopening round 80 to 77 in round two and 72 in round three.Jason Crow rounded out the top five for TU, firing 265.Tiffin University dominated play at the annual Kyle‘Ryman Memorial, shooting 591 to outdistance SouthernIndiana’s 628. Notre Dame College came in third with 662,followed closely by Urbana’s 663 and Heidelberg’s 665. BlakeDeBruyn took medalist honors, shooting 71-76-147 while DillonKlein was one stroke behind with 73-75-148.SportsSceneClassSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 57

Women’s BasketballMen’s Basketball58 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGESenior Mandy Jaebenters the 2011-12 seasonwith 1211 careerpoints, fifth all-time.She has also earnedtwo consecutive FirstTeam All-GLIAC selections.The 2010-2011 Tiffin University Women’s basketballteam enjoyed a breakthrough year, posting a 15-12record (their best mark in nearly 15 years) and qualifying forthe GLIAC tournament for the first time in school history. Asexciting as the year was, the Dragons know it could have beeneven better, as they dropped 5 games by fewer than 7 points.The Dragons enter the 2011-12 season with the confidenceof knowing what they accomplished last season. Theyalso return 10 letter winners and all five starters to a squadthat is now loaded with experience. Leading the charge forthe Dragons is two-time First Team All-GLIAC standout MandyJaeb, who averaged 14.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg while also finishinglast season with 1211 career points, fifth in Tiffin history. Jaeb,who was also among GLIAC leaders in steals, was also namedto the All-Defensive team for the second year in a row. Jaebfinished sixth in overall scoring in the conference while alsoplacing second in free throw percentage. She currently is TU’sall-time leader in free throw percentage and is third in careerfree throws made entering her senior season.Also back is Second Team selections Karli Mast and JessicaHarris. Harris was fifth in overall rebounding in the GLIACwith 8.1 rpg while also averaging 9.4 ppg. Harris also currentlyis third in TU history in career rebounds per game with a 8.3per game average. Mast was second on the team with a 12.6ppg average. She led the team with 50 three pointers, which isthe fourth highest total in single season school history.Other key returners for the Dragons include Holly Focke(6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Jennifer Johnston (6 ppg), Amanda Baute(6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Melissa Gilliland (4 ppg), and Steph Kelly (3ppg). Mary Kate Campbell (6-1, 19 games) and Jillian Adams(5-9, 26 games) also return in the post after gaining muchexperience in their debut seasons.The Dragons also look to utilize two new additions, guardDeidra Brown (Wilberforce University) and Jessica Korzelius(Sanata Ana CC), adding depth at the wing and the post.Senior Karl Finleyis one of the topreturners for the men’sbasketball team, whichenters the 2011-12season with hopes for abreakout season in theGLIAC.Leading the way for the men’s basketball team thisyear are the top two scorers from last year, senior Karl Finleyand sophomore Joe Graessle. Finley averaged 14.6 points agame while shooting 39.5% from behind the arc and 75.2%from the line. Graessle averaged 14.2 points and 2.7 assistsper game while hitting 75 three-pointers. He was named theGLIAC Freshman of the Year and earned NCAA Division II BulletinFreshman All-America honors.Joining those two as returning starters are seniors KeenanBarlow and Travis Spahr. Barlow averaged 8.2 points whileSpahr had 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds a game and shooting50.3% from the floor. TU also has returning letterwinners backin sophomore Mike Brown, senior Brandon Harris and juniorIsaiah Twine.The Dragons look to incoming freshmen Michael Bouley,Andrew Bendolph and Iman Johnson to be the key newcomers.Bouley, a graduate of Cincinnati Glen Este High School(Ohio), was named the Fort Ancient Valley Conference EastDivision Co-Player of the year as a senior. He averaged 12.1points, 10.8 rebounds and blocked 4.8 shots a game. Bouleyblocked 158 shots during his career and led the Trojans to arecord of 31-10 over his last two seasons.Bendolph, a graduate of Portsmouth High School (Ohio),led the Trojans to the Division 3 state semi-finals as a seniorfor the first time in 21 years. He averaged 13.4 points and shot53.4% from the floor earning All-Ohio Division 3 Special MentionAll-State honors.Johnson, a graduate of Dominican High School (WhitefishBay, Wis.), was a two-time All-Midwest Classic Conferencefirst team selection. The Knights won three Division 3 regionalchampionships and a total of 62 games during his three-yearcareer.

Hall of FameSportsSceneClassSceneHomecoming weekend kicked off when TU hosted the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner in the Gillmore Student Center.The 2011 Hall or Fame Honorees were (pictured left to right):Dave Reiter, Elizabeth Knackstedt, Ted Wypasek, Diane Sackett, and Brian CampbellDave ReiterIn the early days of Tiffin University football, one name stoodout when it came to tough-as-nails, hard-nosed defense -Dave Reiter.Reiter helped establish the Dragons program, recordingdefensive marks that have endured for over 20 years. Duringhis three-year varsity career, he was a three-time All-District22 selection at linebacker. He is second in career tackles with397 while holding the single season record for assisted tackles.His 1988 team also holds the single season record for leastyards allowed. Dave also ranks third in fumbles caused overhis career.“While I was contemplating college options, Coach BuzzKirkhart approached me with the idea of starting for the firstfootball team in the history of Tiffin University,” Reiter said.“It sounded intriguing and exciting to be a part of somethingnew. Coach Buzz mentioned a few local guys that I knew thatwere considering playing on the first football team and thatmade it more interesting to me”Like most first time college athletes, some challengeswere larger than others.“Time management was my biggest challenge. I wentfrom no job to two full time jobs, academics and athletics. Ithink I did a good job with managing it but, it was definitely achallenge,” Reiter said.As the Dragons built the program in the early years, winswere hard to come by. But certain plays and certain memorieshave lasted to this day.“A couple highlights stand out to me,” Reiter said.“Playing good hard football with a group of people that waslike a big family. We were a tight knit group. Greg Richards,the Chapman brothers, Tony & Mike Agro, Ben & Jon Nutter,Darryl Buckley, Scott Paden, Brian Burns, Dan Tisdale and LoisConrad. I also remember one play when I caught a runningback slipping out of the backfield for a dump pass. He splithis chin open from top to bottom. After going in for halftime,the guy has a chin full of stitches and comes back out andgives us fits the entire second half. I still respect that man.”WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 59

60 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGEHall of FameReiter also had fond remembrances for some faculty andstaff members that helped him during that time.“Every coach had an impact on me that will last a lifetime,”he said. “But professor Scott Distel had a huge influence on thedirection I took in life after college and who I have become. Ican’t explain it, but that man brought a calm to me.”“Overall respect for others and discipline are the twomost important things I learned while at TU,” Reiter said.Diane Schaefer SackettDiane Schaefer Sackett played with numerous Hall of Famestandouts during her softball career. That doesn’t mean sheplayed in their shadow.Diane earned four All-District 22 honors during her careerwhile also landing three All-Mid-Ohio Conference citations.She compiled a .346 career average over her four seasons,helping to lead the Dragons into the national spotlight withthe team’s first NAIA National Tournament appearance in 1993while also winning the Bi-District and District Championships.She was also a key member of the 1991 Mid-Ohio Conferencechampionship squad.For Diane, being a multi-sport athlete also was a strongappeal.“Tiffin University not only was able to offer me a greatcollege education, but their sports program also provided mean opportunity to continue playing basketball, volleyball andsoftball, sports I had loved playing for the prior 10 years inelementary and high school,” she recalled.With all the sports and big games during her career, onemoment easily stood out.“I was fortunate enough to be recruited by Bonnie Tiellto play softball and volleyball along with basketball. Becauseof the influence of Bonnie, the highlight of my athletic playingcareer came in 1993. Our softball team was the first in theschool’s history to make it to the National Tournament in Columbia,Missouri. That took determination from every playerand our coaches. Initially, we lost our first district game whichcould easily upset a team’s appetite to persevere. Howeverour team did not give up, rather worked harder, kept focus,persevered and we wound up winning the next five straightgames. We continued to win the Bi-District 15 championshipthe following weekend in 2 straight games. It was a very excitingexperience,” Sackett said.Sackett recalled many positive influences from her time atTU.“Bonnie Tiell along with Rick Robbins and Ron Schumacherwere very involved with the players on and off the field.Their dedication to the program and compassion for theplayers had a positive impact on me and the other players notonly on the field, but in the classroom. One memorable momentduring my Junior year was when my coach, Bonnie Tiell,escorted me to the ER with a fairly deep cut in my leg in anoff-field accident that required 36 stitches. Bonnie was in thevicinity when the accident happened and like the great personshe was and still is, took command of the situation and helpedus manage the issues and get me to the ER.“Some of my closest friends and old roommates wereStacy Ellinger Pantenburg, Kim Novotny Swartz, Lisa “Mo”Lucius Beeker, Carry Weygandt Becker, Dana KuhlmanSendlebach, Jenny Kane and Angie Shardo. But, of course,my parents had the biggest influence on me. Their wisdomand support has helped me in many successful achievementsI have obtained. Even before I played sports, they taught methat hard work and dedication pay off. This has proven truefor me on and off the field.”Ted WypasekOnly two players in TU men’s basketball history scored morepoints than Ted Wypasek - Jeff Ward and Ty Trbovich. NowWypasek joins them in the Tiffin University Hall of Fame.Wypasek totaled 1681 points over his four seasons. Duringthat period, he also earned three All-Mid-Ohio Conferencecitations. He is one of the Dragons’ top perimeter shooters,finishing second in career three pointers while also finishing inthe top four in eight offensive categories.For all his accomplishments, it was a number of personalrelationships that stood out to him.“Playing with my brother Tim was one of my highlights,”he said. “We played together in high school and we were veryfortunate to play together at the college level . Not too manypeople can do that. I was proud of the fact I was able to makesignificant contributions as a freshman to an experiencedteam. Some of my closest friends were my brother Tim, JeffDurbin, Greg Gaskin, Mike Mazur, John Miller, Chad Kin, MattDasher, and Jamie Jones.”Other individuals at TU helped Wypasek form a deeplypersonal bond over his career.“First was Kevin Cluts. He helped me settle in with housing.Dr. Ellen Jordan was a very patient and understanding instructor,plus a huge basketball fan too . Her husband, CoachRandy Jordan, was a hard working coach who really helpedyou off the floor as much as he did on it. Coach Ken Braun wasa very hard working coach. He did a lot of good for me in theweight room in particular. He was always in there pushing us.He would always be there in those early morning runs.”“My parents taught me at a very young age that if I wantedto be good at something, I had to work harder than anyone elseat it,” said Wypasek. “But the most important thing I learned atTU was that playing basketball was more than just a game. Thefriendships you build and the memories you create with those11 teammates are priceless. You experience at times more thingswith your teammates than you do your own family. Looking back,it was more than just wins and losses. It’s what you learn duringall those wins and losses that will shape you into the person youare today. I hope to pass everything I learned from my wins andlosses to my four children. That’s what matters to me.”

Elizabeth Wead KnackstedtDuring Tiffin University’s rise as a NAIA national soccer power,one player stood taller than any other - Elizabeth Wead Knackstedt.Knackstedt is the most honored athlete in Tiffin Universitywomen’s soccer history. She earned three NAIA All-Americanhonors over her career while also landing three All-Region andfour All-Conference citations. She is the career leader in goals,assists, and points while also holding the single season markfor assists. She helped lead Tiffin to its first NAIA NationalTournament appearance, Region IX Championship, and threeconsecutive American Mideast Conference titles, posting a65-15 conference record over four years.For Knackstedt, it was other things that first attracted herto Tiffin.“My parents really pushed me to go to Tiffin. They reallyliked (coaches) Jimmy Walker and Rudy Brownell and felt thatthe school was perfect for me. I would say the family atmosphereattracted me most to Tiffin,” said Knackstedt.Helping the Dragons’ program reach the national stagefor the first time in its history is something that Knackstedt stillconsiders a major highlight.“Making it to the National Tournament was the mostmemorable accomplishment,” said Knackstedt. “It was awesomebeing there with my closest friends and getting thechance to play at the national level. It didn’t hurt that it was inMiami, FL either.”Knackstedt’s parents also had good instincts in recognizingthe strong influence her coaches would have on her.“My two coaches - James Walker and Rudy Brownell -were key influences for me. They saw the potential in me inhigh school and really helped develop my skills into the playerI became. They both took the time to work with me beforeand after practice.“But my biggest influence had to be my parents. Theyboth pushed me to be better on and off the field. They bothworked really hard and made many sacrifices so I could attendTiffin and I will never forget that. They both were also verysupportive as they traveled to every game to come and watchme play.”Knackstedt also had a very specific lesson that shelearned while at Tiffin.“The time spent at college is too short so get involved inyour community, get involved in your career, and get involvedin life. It is your responsibility to create your path in life so getinvolved in it.”Brian CampbellTiffin University had significant softball success before BrianCampbell became head coach and enjoyed tremendous successsince he departed to become head coach at YoungstownState. But for a sustained run of excellence, nothing has yettopped Campbell’s tenure with the team.Campbell earned six Coach of the Year honors over hiseight-year career, leading the Dragons to two NAIA NationalTournament appearances, two Region IX Championships,five American Mideast Conference Championships, and apeak NAIA ranking of 13th in the nation. He was twice namedIndependent Division II Coach of the Year while also landingthe 2006 Region IX Coach of the Year honors. His teams won285 games, including an impressive 104-16 mark in conferenceplay.Campbell saw numerous changes off the field as well asimprovement on the field that helped make the program a topcaliber one.“When I first started at TU, we had the obstacle of thefield being at a park behind houses. This made it hard to recruitand was not an attractive incentive for recruits to play on.Thank goodness the administration at TU believed in us as anathletic program, and helped to build a great athletic complexthat is here today,” said Campbell.Athletic accomplishments came in waves, but it was classroomsuccess that meant just as much.“The different championships were all great, but beingin the top 10 in the country 7 out of 8 years for team GPA wasa bonus. It is my goal as a coach for my players to be studentathletes and strive to get their degrees. It is an accomplishmentto know that I was a part of their success, and to seethem walk across the stage with their degree is a bonus.Knowing that I was part of sending these young ladies out inthe work force to excel in life is priceless.”Campbell was also quick to recognize the support staff atTU for contributing to his success.“Coach Bob Wolfe, Ron Schumacher, Ian Day, LonnyAllen and Shane O’Donnell helped me tremendously duringmy time at TU, to only name a few. Coach Wolfe gave me thechance to come back to Tiffin and coach football. Ron Schumachergave me a chance to coach softball for the first time.I would not be where I am today without Ron. I was able tolearn a lot from these two coaches. They also helped me formsome of my own beliefs that I use now as a coach.”“I learned the fundamentals of coaching, leadershipstyles, patience for others, and to trust that my team andassistants would get the job done during my time at Tiffin,”finished Campbell.Written by Shane O’Donnell, Director of Sports InformationSportsSceneClassSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 61

ONWARD to the DAWNA History of tiffin UniversityBy MiCHAEl ANtHONy GRANDillO“Michael Grandillo has done amasterful job in bringing this history tolife. His work adds greatly to the historyof Ohio and higher education andreminds us how important independentcolleges and universities, such as TiffinUniversity, are to our state and country.“—Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator for Ohio“In the years between the Civil War andWorld War II, the for-profit business collegethat would become Tiffin extended accessto first-generation-in-college students whowere previously shut out by more traditionalliberal arts colleges. The story of local boostersbanding together to ‘bootstrap’ educationalopportunities to lift up their sons anddaughters is one told admirably by Michael A.Grandillo in this well-illustrated volume.”—Stephen G. Katsinas, Professor of HigherEducation, Director of Education PolicyCenter, University of Alabama“Michael Grandillo’s definitive history of Tiffin University is a delight to read. For historiansof higher education in our world today, Grandillo opens windows into a long-neglectedphenomenon—the rise of commercial or business schools in the United States and the processthrough which the best of these evolved into comprehensive universities with strong programs inliberal arts and sciences. I trust this book will one day serve as a plumb-line for future generationswho want to understand this transformative experience in higher education in the United States.”62 | WINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE—John Oliver, Emeritus Professor of History at Malone College and Editor of Cradles ofConscience: Ohio’s Independent Colleges and UniversitiesBuy your copy of this limited-edition book today.call 419-448-3282 or visit bookstore.tiffin.edu

Charitable GiftEarn Income and Help TU StudentsAs a nation of generous people and friends of Tiffin University, we all understand the importance of charitableendeavors in our society. As a result, many people support our goals and our academic programs. However, our natural instinctsalso tell us that we must first be concerned with our personal and family security before we consider being of financial assistanceto Tiffin University.The Charitable Gift Annuity makes it possible for you to satisfy this dual objective of personal and family security and financialsupport of Tiffin University. Our Charitable Gift Annuity allows you to make an immediate gift to us without loss of income. In manyinstances, the gift annuity can actually increase your spendable income.In exchange for your gift of money, real property or securities, Tiffin University will pay you a certain specified annuity for life.The annual amount of annuity is fixed at the time of the gift, usually more than typical dividends or interest and remains stablethroughout your life. It will not fluctuate with the economy, so you will know exactly how much income you will receive. What’smore, you have no investment worries because the annuity payments are guaranteed until your death.Many TU alumni and friends are using this attractive program because it allows you to makea significant gift to the University and still get the equivalent of the income from the money as long as you or your spouse survive.The Charitable Gift Annuity at Tiffin University is highly flexible and very personalized to your needs.Please call Michael A. Grandillo, Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at 419.448.3282 or email mgrandil@tiffin.edu.A Tiffin University Charitable Gift Annuity can:Increase your spendable incomeProvide joint and survivor annuities and deferred gift annuitiesEase capital gain taxesWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 63

155 Miami StreetTiffin, Ohio 44883800.968.6446NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGEPAIDTIFFINUNIVERSITYwww.tiffin.edu