Tower & Times Sprint 2009 - University of Rio Grande

Rio Grande
Rio Boards commit to shared vision and governance
The boards of the University
of Rio Grande and Rio
Grande Community College
participated in a joint board retreat
to collectively discuss key issues
facing the state, the region and each
institution. Board members began
with a commitment to move toward
a shared vision, coupled with open
communications and a focus on the
key stakeholder – Rio’s learners.
The highlight of the retreat was a
resolution, approved by both boards,
to “determine a way to further the
concept of a permanent shared
oversight entity.” In addition the
resolution supported “the presidential
search from this time forward as a
combined search for one president
with appropriate experience in public
two-year education and private higher
education.”
Barbara Gellman-Danley, Ph.D.,
Coordinating Officer observed, “The
joint board retreat exemplifies the
spirit of “One Rio,” an institution that
stands ready to work collaboratively
to serve learners in southeastern Ohio
and beyond. This great passion for
Rio and genuine excitement about
creating a shared vision will ensure
a financially healthy and sustainable
future.”
This collaboration has already had
an impact as the boards have signed a
new two-year operating contract. The
renewal of this contract is significant
in the fact that this new contract
was signed well before the current
contract was set to expire and is an
example of how the two Boards are
collaborating in order to benefit Rio
Grande students and the community.
“The relationship between the two
Boards is very encouraging,” said
Don Wood, interim president of the
University of Rio Grande. “We are
all community citizens, and we are
cooperating and working together
in order to serve the needs of our
students.”
Mike Swisher, Chairman of
the Community College Board of
Trustees, said, “We are extremely
pleased to have extended our valued
partnership with the University of Rio
Grande for another two years. This
agreement demonstrates our joint
commitment to continue providing
outstanding educational services to
the students of the district.”
Gellman-Danley, who has played
a key role in strengthening the
relationship between the two
Boards, said, “The renewal of the
Memorandum of Understanding
(the contract) is the greatest
single example of the outstanding
collaboration at Rio,”
Jeff Smith, a member of the
University of Board of Trustees, said
that the fact that the new contract
was signed so early shows the joint
spirit of cooperation between the two
Boards.
“I think this sends a very positive
message to the community that
both institutions are dedicated to a
long-term cooperative educational
relationship,” Smith said. “Faculty,
staff and students should be very
encouraged at this positive step
forward.” ◆
Tower & Times • Spring 2009
2
Alumni Directory
The Alumni Office is currently
in the process of
working with Alumni
Research, Inc. for the production
of a printed Alumni Directory.
Please expect a call to update your
information.
For questions please contact
Alumni Research, Inc. directly at
1-800-299-1230
If you need to make a change after
doing your initial interview, or to
order or cancel a directory please
call 1-800-325-8664. ◆
Interim President Named continued from page 1
times and improve our organization,”
Roach said. “He is passionate about
Rio, which is evident by his past work
on the Coordinating Committee and as
Chairman of the Board. The success of
Rio is Don’s goal, and he sees this as a
challenge to be met by all of us.”
Elizabeth Brown, Ph.D., chair of
the Rio Grande Faculty Association,
said she has met several times with
Wood in his role as the chair of the
Board of Trustees and now as interim
president.
“He’s very accessible and open to
the exchange of ideas,” Brown said.
She added that Wood is also very committed
to serving Rio Grande and helping
the institution continue to grow.
Jason Kellison, president of the
Student Senate, said he is impressed
with the work Wood is already doing.
“I met with him last week and he
has very good insight,” Kellison said.
Wood wants to work closely with the
Student Senate, while also talking with
students from all across the campus.
“We’re actually going to walk
through the residence halls this week
and look over the buildings,” Kellison
added.
Wood is thankful for the support of
the administration, faculty, staff and
students, and is also appreciative of all
of the work that former presidents Dr.
Barry Dorsey and Dr. Greg Sojka did
during their tenures at Rio Grande. ◆

1938
Deceased: Martha Anne
Streich Crowder on August
25, 2008. She began her
30 year teaching career
in Portsmouth, Ohio and
retired from Columbus
Public Schools. She received
the Golden Apple Award
from The Linden Principals
Alliance May 24, 1976
and The Alumni Citation
of Appreciation from The
University of Rio Grande
May 1, 2004.
1961
Wanda Saunders Willis has
published a book entitled
“The Beveled Mirror:
Reflections of an Appalachian
Family”. Willis says she
“wanted to tell the world
about how wonderful and
strong my mother was in
raising her eight children,
but it turned out to be my
own story with reflections
of my whole family in the
community.”
1966
Deceased: Maxine Wickline
Evans. Evans was a retired
teacher from the Hamilton
Twp schools.
1969
Deceased: David Patrick
Southard. Southard received
his Master’s degree in special
education from Wright State
University and was a retired
Clark County Vocational
School teacher.
1971
Candace Kiess
Spurlock retired
on June 30, 2008
from Point Pleasant
Primary School in
Mason County, West Virginia
after 38 years of teaching
second grade.
1973
Vincent G. Hill recently
retired after 35 years of
teaching.
1974
Beverly Lyons retired from
South-Western City Schools
in Grove City, Ohio in 2005
but is currently teaching
part-time in the Greenfield
Exempted Village School
District in Greenfield, Ohio
as a Reading and Intervention
teacher with first and second
graders.
1977
Deceased: Michael Chiccola
of Dallas, Texas on December
25, 2008.
1986
Lisa Casto has been hired as
the new guidance counselor
for Oak Hill Elementary
School for the 2008-2009
school year.
Linda Jeffers Lester has
been named foundation fund
development manager for
Holzer Health Systems in
Gallipolis, Ohio.
1987
Joseph R. Hemsley has been
named Principal of Jackson
High School in Jackson,
Ohio. Hemsley received his
The Shared Vision
Masters of Arts in Teaching
from Marygrove College and
completed the Educational
Leadership Program at the
University of Dayton.
Engagement: Angela Beans
to David Corbett. Angela was
a member of ZOX sorority
and the Grande Chorale.
She is now employed at
Immaculate Conception
School in Dennison, Ohio and
David works for DSCC. The
wedding will take place May
16, 2009 in Circleville, Ohio
1991
Deceased: Jerry Starlin
October 15, 2008
Chris Shank was recently
named the Director of Meigs
County Department of Job
and Family Services Agency.
He has been employed with
MCDJFS for 18 years.
1994
Todd Reigle completed
his Master’s of Science
degree in Marketing and
Communications from
Franklin University in
May. He is currently the
Promotions Director for 1460
The Fan, Mix 97.1, Ohio
News Network, and the Ohio
State Radio Sports Network
in Columbus. Reigle resides
in Dublin, OH where he
serves on multiple fundraising
boards in central Ohio.
1997
Birth: Daughter Ella to
Christina Heiss Schweikert
on January 17, 2008. She
joins brother Cole and sister
Riley.
Rochelle Browning is the
new principal of River Valley
High School in Gallia County
Ohio.
1998
Birth: Daughter Natalie
Elizabeth born to Glen and
Katie Smiley ‘02 Ragan on
April 18, 2008. She joins big
brother Dillon Michael (age 3).
Steven Crone has been named
Chief Executive Officer of the
Tiffin Community YMCA.
Crone was on the men’s soccer
team while a student at Rio.
He, his wife April and three
children will reside in Tiffin.
2000
Birth: Daughter Kayla Gayle
to David and Beth Bales
Tischler on January 16, 2008
Birth: Daughter Cambell to
Brad and Robin Johnson
Keating on May 17, 2007.
She joins brother, Beckam,3.
Brad was named partner
of the law firm, Magelaner
and Associates, located in
Columbus.
2001
Birth: Daughter Madeline
Nicole born to Jason and
Jillian Salmons on April 2,
2008. The family resides in
Wellston, Ohio where Jason is
an intervention specialist.
Birth: Son, Jalen Andrew to
Jason and Jodi Stambaugh
Dunham.
2003
Jana L. Fryman graduated
in June 2008 from Ohio
University with a Master
of Education in College
Student Personnel. She
currently resides in
Kane’ohe, Hawaii.
Birth: Daughter Emma
Nicole to Nick and Kira
Kearns Northup on May
27, 2008. The family
resides in Mason, WV.
www.rio.edu
5

Rio Grande
Michael Malone, a sixth-grade teacher
at Hamilton’s Hayes Elementary School,
will become the assistant principal at
Edgewood High School.
2004
Birth: Son Sean Mark Leonard to Jonny
and Kim Richardson ’04 Leonard on
July 9, 2007.
2005
Married: Erin Morgan to Josh
Stephenson on June 28, 2008. Erin is
employed at First National Bank of
Wellston and Josh is employed at YSK
Corp. The couple resides in Wellston,
Ohio.
2007
Married: Joseph K. Jackson ’07 to Kelly
Keene Hanselman ’05 on September 20,
2008 in Georgetown, Ohio. Joe graduated
with a degree in Fine Woodworking
and Industrial Technology while Kelly
graduated with a degree in Nursing. The
couple will reside in Georgetown, Ohio.
OTHER:
Tammy Davison has been recognized
by Cambridge Who’s Who for showing
dedication, leadership and excellence in
all aspects of social services.
Deceased: Sgt. Kevin R. Thornton,
April 25, 2008. He was a 18 plus year
United States Army nurse veteran, Kevin
had served tours in Belgium, Bosnia,
Iraq, Kuwait and Korea as well as
numerous state side assignments.
Deceased: Gregory Wayne Phillips on
June 30, 2008. ◆
Charles Withee to Retire After
46 Years of Teaching
University of Rio
Grande Alumni
Board Job
Description
Mission:
The University of Rio
Grande Alumni Board of
Directors seeks to serve the interests
and needs of the alumni, and whenever
possible, the needs and interests
of the University’s students. The
Board’s primary focus is to promote
the University to all of its constituents.
The Board will promote leadership
by example by encouraging the
continued involvement of its alumni
in the Association, and by fostering
social and professional relationships
among its members.
Responsibilities:
The University of Rio Grande
Alumni Board is to assist the institution
with its mission and aims,
evaluate various programs, and work
toward building the human and
financial resources necessary to reach
these goals.
The Alumni Board will assist staff
in providing events, products and
services that keep alumni informed
about the institution and its progress,
while fostering life-long relationships.
Tower & Times • Spring 2009
6
The University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College and the
family of Charles Withee are pleased to invite you to a retirement party
for Mr. Withee, long time Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Mr. Withee estimates that over 8,000 students have taken a class with
him during his 46 year tenure and he would like to invite each of them back to
Rio for this occasion. The celebration of his retirement will be held on Saturday,
April 25, 2009 in the rotunda of Bob Evans Farms Hall at Rio Grande
from 2-4 p.m. All alumni, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend.
Your RSVP may be made to Mary Withee at cmwithee@sbcglobal.net or PO
Box 39, Rio Grande, OH 45674. ◆
The Alumni Board seeks to:
• Increase Rio Grande’s support
base by hosting fellowship events
for alumni and friends
• Identify prospective students for
the Office of Admissions
• Improve Alumni Participation in
giving by helping to raise funds
from Alumni and Friends
continued on page 9

Rio Grande Unveils Athletic Logo
With branding such an
important part of the
athletic community, we
are pleased to unveil the new athletics
logo and with it many new opportunities
to promote the university and the
athletics program.
Athletic director Jeff Lanham, who
was on the committee that selected
the final design, is satisfied with the
new logo. “Yes, I am,” he said. “The
committee consisted of students,
athletes, faculty members, alumni,
administration, coaches, myself,
hourly workers,” he
said. “We tried to get
a cross representation
from as many people as
we could.” “We definitely
came up with the
one that the majority of
us liked and it is something
that is going to match and be
consistent for us.”
It’s also the first time in the
school’s history that the athletics program
will have its own branding logo
for promotion and marketing purposes.
In years’ past the university’s
would be used.
Lanham says this will be a consistent,
standard logo. “We’re trying
to be consistent across the board, we
haven’t in the past,” Lanham said.
“We’ve used different Indian heads
(when Rio Grande was the Redmen
and Redwomen) here and there, now
we have one logo that will be consistent
across the board.”
“Of course, we’ll be using it in
different designs, different areas, different
applications, all of our coaches,
all of our athletic staff, the bookstore,
t-shirts, camps, all of that will be using
this same logo,” Lanham added.
Lanham believes the overall tone
of the nickname and mascot change
has been positive for the university,
the alumni, the teams and the fans.
“I think we can have some fun with
it. We’ve got recordings of storms,
lightning and thunder and those kinds
of things that we’re going to bring
out with our teams,” Lanham said.
“We’re in the process now of trying
to get a mascot developed, actually
our students are going to be involved
with that.”
Lanham did not rule out outside
appearances for the new Red Storm
mascot. “There are all sorts of things,
Fourth of July parades, Christmas
parades, going to elementary schools,
Rio’s Hively Finishes 10th at National Meet
University of
Rio Grande
junior racewalker
Kyle Hively
produced a strong
10th place finish in
the men’s 3,000-meter
race walk at the
NAIA Indoor National Track & Field
Championships last Friday at the Mini
Dome in Johnson City, TN.
Hively came into the race ranked
12th overall and Rio Grande head
coach Bob Willey was pleased with
Hively’s performance. “Kyle did a
great job, he has done a great job all
year,” Willey said. “He got a little help
as three kids were disqualified, but he
still walked a great race. He set a new
PR (personal record).”
“As I said before we went down
there, we’re very happy and excited for
The Shared Vision
any type of outing or anything that is
going on off campus that we can represent,
we will have a student in that
mascot uniform and be able to put
them out there and show them off.”
Lanham said the process began
with eight designs to choose from and
it was slowly whittled down to the
final selection. “We started off with
eight and the next to the last meeting
we had four and then it got it to
two with changes to both of those
and then we chose the current that we
have,” he said.
Lanham is hopeful
that in time, all students,
faculty, alumni and fans
will get behind the new
logo and mascot. “This
is part of history at Rio
Grande and we want
this to be something that
our students and our faculty and our
alumni can grasp and grab a hold of,”
he said.
Lanham also stated the new
mascot had to be gender equal. “We
wanted something that was gender
equal, when we put out the questionnaire
back in the summer that was
one of the requirements,” he said.
“We had over a 1,000 entries and we
said we wanted it to be gender equal
so that we can use one mascot for
both men’s and women’s teams.” ◆
Kyle, just really proud of his accomplishments
this year,” Willey added.
Hively posted a time of 14:23.27.
His qualifying time was 14:33.01.
Hively was the only Rio Grande
participant at the three-day event.
He and the rest of teammates
now gear up for the outdoor season,
which begins Saturday at the Berea
College Invitational. The meet begins
at 10 a.m. ◆
www.rio.edu
7

Rio Grande
Rio Grande Joins Mid-South Conference
Beginning in the fall of 2009,
the University of Rio Grande
athletic teams will compete in
the Mid-South Conference, leaving
the American Mideast Conference.
Rio Grande has competed in the
AMC since its inception in 1998. The
AMC formed out of the old Mid-Ohio
Conference, which Rio Grande joined
in 1971. Before that, Rio played in
the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (KIAC).
The Mid-South Conference is one
of the most competitive and highly
respected conferences in the NAIA.
The move will constitute a jump in
divisions for the men’s and women’s
basketball teams, which had been
NAIA Division II since the 2000-01
season. Basketball is the only sport
that has two divisions in the NAIA.
Rio leaves the AMC/MOC with
a number of championships. The
RedStorm have won 10 conference
or division championships in
men’s soccer and will now have
the likes of national power
Lindsey Wilson to tangle
with for Mid-South crowns.
Baseball won two titles in the
MOC (1974 and 1978), softball
tied for the AMC South Division
championship in 2006 and 2008 with
Ohio Dominican, women’s basketball
copped three MOC titles in 1990-91,
1992-93 and 1993-94 and AMC Tournament
Championships in 1999
and 2000 respectively. Women’s
cross country won the 1997 MOC
title and women’s track and field
went back-to-back in 1993 and
1994. Rio volleyball won four
MOC titles (1987, 1991-1993) and
men’s basketball captured 10 titles
as well as the 2001 and 2003 AMC
Tournament crowns. Men’s cross
country won an outright MOC
championship in 1992 and men’s
track and field won MOC titles in
1990 and 1993.
8
Tower & Times • Spring 2009
The Mid-South has 15 members
overall, but seven schools are members
in football only and two others
play football and compete in track
and field. The teams which Rio will
compete against include: Bethel (TN)
(M/W track only), Campbellsville,
Georgetown (KY) College, Lindsey
Wilson, Pikeville College, Shorter
College (M/W track only), St. Catharine’s,
The University of Cumberlands
(KY), and WVU-Tech.
Mid-South Conference Commissioner
Mike Pollio is pleased to have
Rio Grande as a part of the conference.
“We are very excited to have
a first class school like Rio Grande
join what is considered one of the
best conferences in the nation,” Pollio
said. “When we toured Rio Grande
we were very impressed by the class
and professionalism of everyone
including the President, A.D. and the
coaches. Rio is a welcome addition to
the Mid- South Conference.”
Athletic Director Jeff Lanham, as
well as the entire athletic department,
is excited and looking forward to the
move. “The opportunity for the University
of Rio Grande to participate
in the Mid-South Conference is very
exciting!” Lanham said. “We believe
we are moving from one of the top
NAIA D II leagues in basketball to
one of the top NAIA D I leagues in
the country. Our coaches are very
thrilled about the move.”
Lanham talked about Rio’s past
and returning to play the majority of
their conference games in the Bluegrass
State as it did when his father,
Art, was coaching Rio Grande back
into the 1960’s. “We belonged to
the KIAC during the ‘60’s and are
now returning to familiar ground,”
Lanham said. “This has generated enthusiasm
in our athletes, students and
alumni, and will rekindle old rivals
for Rio.”
Lanham said that it has been a
smooth transition to this point. “The
A.D.’s, coaches and administration
have been very helpful and have welcomed
us with open arms,” he said.
“We are moving from the team in
a league which is the farthest team
south to a league where we are the
farthest team north.”
“Our fall and spring sports will
benefit from the move to the south,”
Lanham added.
Lanham also talked concerning the
competitiveness of the Mid-
South and about the increased
exposure Rio Grande will now
have in the neighboring state of
Kentucky. “The MSC is very competitive
and we are looking at this as a
challenge to all of our programs,”
Lanham said. “The philosophy
and commitment to the students/
athletes by the schools in the Mid-
South Conference fit Rio’s goals. Our
exposure in Kentucky will benefit
our admissions goal to expand their
recruiting in the state of Kentucky.”
Lanham added that the Mid-South
is also heavily involved in the Champions
of Character Initiative, which is
something Lanham believes strongly
in. “The Mid-South Conference, as
does the University of Rio Grande,
follows the Champions of Character
Initiatives.”
Competition in the Mid-South
Conference for Rio Grande will begin
with the Fall Sports Season of 2009-
2010. ◆

The Shared Vision
Alumni Board Description
continued from page 6
The individual Board member strives to:
• Identify with Rio Grande and endorse its
mission
• Know Rio Grande’s goals and objectives
• Serve as an ambassador for Rio Grande
• Support Rio Grande financially by giving
at the Society of 1876 level ($100 - $499),
or above, annually
• Participate in the annual Alumni
Phonathon by making calls to alumni
and signing letters to class mates as
requested
• Attend, at minimum, 1 alumni event per
year
• Meet, as a group, four times per year.
If you would be interested in becoming
an Alumni Board member, please contact
Annette Ward at 740-245-7431, or
800-282-7201, ext. 7431,
or award@rio.edu ◆
We Want To Hear About You!
If you recently found a job, were promoted, were married, moved,
had a baby or did anything else of interest, please let your University
of Rio Grande family know about it. Fill out the form below
and send it to the Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio
Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674.
Name_____________________________________________________
Phone________________________________ Grad. Yr.____________
Street_________________________________ City________________
State_______________________Zip________ County______________
Email Address__________________________
■ Check if this is a new address.
News:_ ___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Parents: If this issue of Tower & Times is addressed to your son
or daughter who has established a separate permanent address,
please notify us of the new address: 740-245-7431, or
800-282-7201, ext. 7431, or award@rio.edu
Nomination Form Request
The University of Rio Grande accepts nominations for the following
awards on a continuous basis. The deadline for nominations
within a given year is February 1 of that year. Nomination forms
are kept on file and reviewed yearly.
■ Alumni Awards (Distinguished Alumnus, URG Alumni, Atwood
Achievement, Faculty Citation, Citation of Appreciation)
■ Athletic Hall of Fame
■ Educators’ Hall of Fame
Please send the nomination form indicated above to:
Name_____________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________
Mail this request to: Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio
Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, OH 45674
The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College do not discriminate
against applicants, employees, or students on the basis of race, color,
creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ancestry,
citizenship, or disability. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Human
Resources Director, Allen Hall, 740-245-7228. Accommodations for persons
with disabilities may be made through the Human Resources office.

University Chapel
The University Chapel at Rio Grande will be poised
directly north of the campus, across from the
Campus Green.
The University Chapel will offer seating for 100, a
bride’s room, a groom’s room, and a pastor’s study. In
addition to providing a place for worship and meditation,
the University Chapel will be available for weddings,
christenings, memorial services, and other special
occasions for alumni, students, and the community.
The University Chapel will reflect Rio Grande’s
Christian heritage and founding.
Commemorative opportunities are listed in this
brochure.
For more information about giving to the University
Chapel Fund, please contact:
Beverly Crabtree
740-245-7225 • beverlyc@rio.edu
or
Annette Ward
740-245-7431 • award@rio.edu
F-990 OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
PO Box 500
Rio Grande, OH 45674-0500
www.rio.edu
Return Service Requested
Non-Profit
Organization
PAID
Permit No.200
Chillicothe,
OH 45601