A Publication for Alumni and Friends SPRING ISSUE 2006
Tower & Times Fall 2007 - University of Rio Grande
Tower & Times Fall 2007 - University of Rio Grande
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
A <strong>Publication</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Alumni</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Friends</strong><br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong><br />
<strong>2006</strong><br />
• Facilities to be<br />
Renovated<br />
• Board Appointments<br />
• Thomas Steps Down as<br />
Basketball Coach<br />
• Class Notes<br />
• Bickerstaff Roast<br />
• Bookstore<br />
Memorabilia<br />
Dr. Gregory S. Sojka, <strong>and</strong> wife, Jane
DEAR RIO GRANDE ALUMNI,<br />
Please let me introduce myself as your<br />
very proud Interim President of the University<br />
of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e. Dr. Dorsey departed<br />
in January after 15 years of excellent<br />
service to Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e. During<br />
the last 12 years I have served Rio’s<br />
faculty <strong>and</strong> students as Provost <strong>and</strong> Academic<br />
Vice President, My wife’s name<br />
is Jane (the “other Dr. Sojka”) <strong>and</strong> we<br />
are blessed with three daughters, Laura,<br />
20; Ann, 17; <strong>and</strong> Joan, 16. My new position<br />
will enable me to meet both on<br />
<strong>and</strong> off campus with many alumni <strong>and</strong><br />
friends of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e.<br />
Although snowflakes are flying<br />
across the sky as I am writing, spring<br />
cleaning will soon begin both in our<br />
homes <strong>and</strong> at your alma mater!<br />
Several campus improvement<br />
projects are underway this spring. Dirt<br />
will be moved <strong>and</strong> temporary inconveniences<br />
will occur, but the results will<br />
add many beautiful features to our campus<br />
to serve students, faculty, staff, alums<br />
<strong>and</strong> guests.<br />
These projects are benefiting from the<br />
current “Lighting the Way” Capital<br />
Campaign which has raised $16 million<br />
of the $21 million goal, with 18 months<br />
to conclusion.<br />
Through the generosity of Jack <strong>and</strong><br />
Jane Kidd, their son, Larry, <strong>and</strong> daughter-in-law,<br />
Cindy, a totally renovated<br />
greenhouse will sparkle in the Kidd<br />
Math <strong>and</strong> Science Center. Other improvements,<br />
including new classroom<br />
furnishings <strong>and</strong> a com<strong>for</strong>table lounge<br />
with wireless Internet access will also<br />
serve the many students who attend<br />
classes in this facility.<br />
Our swimming pool is undergoing a<br />
complete infrastructure renovation.<br />
Around 800 swimmers each week use<br />
the pool, <strong>and</strong> all the lifeguard training<br />
<strong>for</strong> local pools takes place at Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e. We also teach swimming lessons<br />
<strong>for</strong> children <strong>and</strong> adults who fear<br />
the water. A local community group,<br />
headed by Tom Blodgett, M.D., his wife<br />
Heidi, <strong>and</strong> Naci Bozkir, M.D., has volunteered<br />
to chair the Swimming Pool<br />
Campaign to raise the money <strong>for</strong> the<br />
renovations.<br />
Another project involves the expansion<br />
of the Evan E. <strong>and</strong> Elizabeth E.<br />
Davis University Center. Cafeteria seating<br />
will increase from 350 to 500, <strong>and</strong><br />
additional student meeting <strong>and</strong> game<br />
rooms <strong>and</strong> an open terrace will revitalize<br />
the campus core. A Great Hall <strong>and</strong><br />
other special features will enable Rio to<br />
host larger campus <strong>and</strong> community<br />
events.<br />
The admissions staff has moved into<br />
new offices in a renovated home across<br />
from Lyne Center.<br />
The Campus Beautification Committee<br />
works hard at making our campus<br />
an even more attractive place <strong>for</strong><br />
living <strong>and</strong> learning. I plan to join them<br />
in planting some additional perennials<br />
<strong>and</strong> annuals around the President’s<br />
Home!<br />
I had the privilege to attend several<br />
alumni meetings in Florida this February,<br />
<strong>and</strong> enjoyed meeting our friends<br />
there. This May, many <strong>for</strong>mer Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e basketball players will participate<br />
in a “roast” hosted by Bob Leith,<br />
honoring Bernie Bickerstaff, currently<br />
head coach <strong>and</strong> general manager of the<br />
NBA Charlotte Bobcats, <strong>and</strong> his <strong>for</strong>mer<br />
coach, Art Lanham. Commencement<br />
will follow on May 6, with a record of<br />
500+ graduates receiving their diplomas<br />
in a ceremony held on the Campus<br />
Green.<br />
For all the success we have had to<br />
date with the Capital Campaign, we<br />
must continue to “light the way” <strong>for</strong> future<br />
projects. Included on this list are<br />
equipping a psychology laboratory,<br />
funding an endowed faculty chair in<br />
technology, creating a simulated “trading<br />
floor” in our School of Business, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong>ming a School of Allied Health Sciences<br />
with a new building to follow.<br />
None of these projects can take place<br />
without your assistance. When asked,<br />
please volunteer your time, energy, <strong>and</strong><br />
resources. Accept my sincere thanks on<br />
behalf of your alma mater. I look <strong>for</strong>ward<br />
to meeting with you in the future!<br />
Dr. Gregory Sojka<br />
About the Cover: Drs. Greg <strong>and</strong> Jane Sojka<br />
are shown in the living room of the President’s<br />
Home. The home, located on the URG campus,<br />
has undergone a thorough <strong>and</strong> professional<br />
cleaning, including a repainting of both<br />
the first <strong>and</strong> second floors, carpet shampooing,<br />
<strong>and</strong> drapery cleaning. The Presidents’<br />
Home opened in 1994.<br />
Pool Under Repair<br />
Campaign Makes Upgrades Possible<br />
More than two months ago, Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
was <strong>for</strong>ced to close its swimming pool located<br />
in Lyne Center.<br />
The pool, built in 1969, is in good shape<br />
structurally, but needs immediate repair of<br />
its filter, filter houses, intake pipes, <strong>and</strong> circulation<br />
pipes.<br />
When operable, the pool is used by numerous<br />
people on a regular basis, including<br />
Rio’s athletic teams who use the facility<br />
<strong>for</strong> training, conditioning <strong>and</strong> rehab, area<br />
seniors <strong>for</strong> exercise <strong>and</strong> the ease of their<br />
arthritis, <strong>and</strong> a competitive community<br />
swim team.<br />
While not an original part of the Lighting<br />
the Way Campaign, the raising of<br />
$500,000 has been undertaken by the<br />
Campaign’s leadership <strong>and</strong> a committee<br />
<strong>for</strong>med to assist in this ef<strong>for</strong>t.<br />
Petrea<br />
Brown<br />
Named To<br />
University<br />
Board<br />
Petrea Brown, Jackson, was named to<br />
the University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Board of<br />
Trustees on February 4.<br />
The wife of the late Dean S. Brown<br />
’65, Petrea received her Bachelor of Arts<br />
degree in 1974, <strong>and</strong> her master’s degree<br />
in classroom teaching, also from Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e, in 1995. Petrea is a teacher in<br />
the Jackson City School District, where<br />
she has taught <strong>for</strong> the past 20 years.<br />
“I go back a long way with the University.<br />
It’s been a major part of my life,”<br />
said Petrea.<br />
“I will do whatever I can (to help),<br />
wherever I can.”<br />
2/www.rio.edu A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong>
Koby Named Interim<br />
President Of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
Community College<br />
A long-time<br />
<strong>for</strong>mer employee<br />
of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e,<br />
Dr. Herman L.<br />
Koby, Gallipolis,<br />
has been named<br />
the interim president<br />
of Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e Community<br />
College by the RGCC trustees.<br />
Dr. Koby served the institution in a<br />
number of positions between the years<br />
1966 <strong>and</strong> 2000. In 2002, he joined the<br />
RGCC Board of Trustees, <strong>and</strong> <strong>for</strong> the<br />
past two years has served as its chairman.<br />
Koby said his new position would<br />
enable him to further define,<br />
strengthen, <strong>and</strong> solidify the relationship<br />
between the two institutions.<br />
Nursing Students Assist In<br />
Katrina Relief<br />
Service-learning project of the RN-BSN<br />
Students in Pass Christian, Mississippi<br />
after Hurricane Katrina<br />
“It humbles you.”<br />
This was a statement made by nursing<br />
instructor, Kathy Carlisle, <strong>and</strong> a feeling<br />
shared by those who accompanied her,<br />
upon her return from Katrina-devastated<br />
Pass Christian, Mississippi.<br />
Four Rio nursing students organized <strong>and</strong><br />
funded the trip, taken in late 2005, as a community<br />
service project. While in Mississippi,<br />
the group passed out food <strong>and</strong> supplies<br />
at a distribution center, <strong>and</strong> worked<br />
in a soup kitchen.<br />
The group included Sara Lash,<br />
McArthur; Sarah Deel, Gallipolis; Lacey<br />
Bunting; Gallipolis, <strong>and</strong> Danielle Thomas,<br />
Asheville; Donna Mitchell, chair of the<br />
Holzer School of Nursing; <strong>and</strong> Carlisle.<br />
These students are enrolled in the Bachelor<br />
of Science Nursing Program.<br />
Of the trip all agreed that they got more<br />
out of the experience than they gave.<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />
Danny Goes To College<br />
Danny, a yellow labrador retriever <strong>and</strong> star<br />
of his own adventure series written <strong>for</strong> children,<br />
was accompanied by his owner, author<br />
Mia Simpson Coulton ’72, upon their visit<br />
to campus on November 30.<br />
At a luncheon hosted by the <strong>Friends</strong> of<br />
Davis Library <strong>and</strong> the URG <strong>Alumni</strong> Association,<br />
Mia, a <strong>for</strong>mer reading intervention<br />
specialist, <strong>and</strong> her husb<strong>and</strong> Rob ’72, explained<br />
the writing process that has resulted<br />
in the publication of 26 children’s<br />
books.<br />
The Coultons reside in Shaker Heights.<br />
Dorsey Says Farewell,<br />
Undertakes New Challenge<br />
Former President Barry M. Dorsey<br />
addresses attendees at a farewell<br />
reception held in his honor. At right is<br />
Gregory Fields ’71, Chairman, URG<br />
Board of Trustees<br />
Dr. Barry M. Dorsey, immediate past president<br />
of the University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e/ Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e Community College, is now the executive<br />
director of the New College of Virginia<br />
Planning Commission in Martinsville,<br />
Virginia.<br />
Dr. Dorsey noted that the Planning Commission<br />
has worked <strong>for</strong> nearly two years to<br />
lay the groundwork <strong>for</strong> establishing a new<br />
four-year state institution in the Martinsville-<br />
Henry County region of Southern Virginia.<br />
Said Dorsey, “My initial responsibility will<br />
be to implement an evolving two-stage plan<br />
to create the institution...literally ‘from the<br />
ground up.”<br />
Dr. Dorsey continued, “I will very much<br />
miss…all of the alumni, friends, <strong>and</strong> supporters<br />
of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e. I am grateful to each of<br />
you <strong>for</strong> your work to grow <strong>and</strong> develop the<br />
institution.”<br />
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
Kidd Family Extends<br />
Further Support To Center<br />
Major improvements to the Kidd Math<br />
<strong>and</strong> Science Center are underway, due to<br />
the extended support of the Jack Kidd Family<br />
of Jackson, Ohio. A long-time trustee<br />
of the University, Jack, <strong>and</strong> his wife, Jane,<br />
have enlisted the help of their son, Larry,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Larry’s wife, Cindy, in providing <strong>for</strong><br />
improvements to <strong>and</strong> the upkeep of the facility.<br />
(See President’s Message, p. 2)<br />
The Center’s greenhouse is receiving<br />
new windows, cabinets, <strong>and</strong> floor, <strong>and</strong> a<br />
new watering system is being installed.<br />
New stools are being put in the labs, <strong>and</strong><br />
new desks in the classrooms. The lobby is<br />
being redesigned to be more conducive to<br />
study, <strong>and</strong> will have wireless Internet accessibility.<br />
“We are just really enthusiastic about the<br />
University <strong>and</strong> everything it represents,”<br />
Jack Kidd said. Adds Larry, “We really<br />
believe in Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e.”<br />
W. Todd<br />
Johnson ’88<br />
Named To<br />
University<br />
Board<br />
W. Todd Johnson ’88, Gallipolis, became<br />
a member of the URG Board of Trustees<br />
during its October 2005 meeting. Todd is<br />
serving as a representative of the <strong>Alumni</strong><br />
Board of Directors.<br />
The <strong>for</strong>mer accounting major is an internal<br />
controls coordinator <strong>for</strong> the Ohio Valley<br />
Bank Co.<br />
www.rio.edu/3
CLASS NOTES ☎CLASS NOTES ☎CLASS NOTES <br />
1924<br />
JOY BETHEL, Ontario, celebrated her<br />
102nd birthday on January 22. A retired<br />
elementary school teacher, Miss Bethel<br />
gave piano lessons until her 100th birthday.<br />
A resident of Outlook Pointe, an assisted<br />
living center, Miss Bethel enjoys playing<br />
the piano in her room, reading mysteries<br />
<strong>and</strong> historical novels, <strong>and</strong> attending church.<br />
1931<br />
Deceased: DARLEENE OSBORN,<br />
Columbus, on March 6, 2005.<br />
1936<br />
Reverend DR. W. LUTHER TRACY, Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e, was named Pastor Emeritus on<br />
October 9, in honor of his 50 years of<br />
service to Calvary Baptist Church.<br />
1939<br />
ELVIN E. HAMM, Seville, received his<br />
50-year pin <strong>for</strong> faithful service from the<br />
Masonic Order.<br />
1942<br />
Deceased: STANLEY D. KITTS, Upper<br />
Arlington, in November 1998. While at Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e, Mr. Kitts served on the newspaper<br />
staff. He was an Air Force veteran of<br />
WWII, <strong>and</strong> received a second degree from<br />
the Ohio State University. Mr. Kitts was<br />
employed by the USDA as an agriculture<br />
specialist. He <strong>and</strong> his wife had two<br />
children, five gr<strong>and</strong>children, <strong>and</strong> seven<br />
great-gr<strong>and</strong>children.<br />
WARREN F. SHEETS, Gallipolis, died on<br />
February 19. Mr. Sheets was a veteran of WWII, <strong>and</strong><br />
served with the Timberwolves of the 413th Infantry,<br />
104th Division, U.S. Army. He attended Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
College, <strong>and</strong> graduated from Ohio Northern<br />
University Law School in 1950. He practiced law in<br />
Gallia County <strong>for</strong> fifty-five years, <strong>and</strong> is survived by<br />
his wife, his college sweetheart, PHYLLIS<br />
WILLIAMSON SHEETS.<br />
1963<br />
VIOLA GETTLES, Wellston, celebrated<br />
her 90th birthday on August 14. Mrs.<br />
Gettles retired from the Wellston School<br />
District in 1985.<br />
1975<br />
JACOB BAPST, Gallipolis, was honored<br />
with an Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Community Leadership<br />
Award at the annual awards ceremony<br />
of the Ohio Educational Service Center,<br />
held on November 14, in Columbus. Jake<br />
was recognized <strong>for</strong> his work with project<br />
CHAMP, a collaborative ef<strong>for</strong>t of URG <strong>and</strong><br />
the Ohio Appalachian Center <strong>for</strong> Higher<br />
Education to increase the college-going rate<br />
in Appalachian Ohio.<br />
1967<br />
CHARLES MURRAY, Gallipolis, was the<br />
recipient of the Jane Roush McCafferty<br />
Award of Excellence in Genealogy<br />
presented by the Gallia County Historical<br />
<strong>and</strong> Genealogical Society, Inc. at its<br />
Lineage Society Banquet on October 8.<br />
Charles has served on the Society’s Board<br />
<strong>for</strong> 24 years, <strong>and</strong> is the author of numerous<br />
articles on the history of Gallia County.<br />
1977<br />
DALE <strong>and</strong> PAULA WHITT, Bidwell,<br />
celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary<br />
on August 24.<br />
1980<br />
M. STEPHEN MOSES, Lumberton, NC,<br />
editor of the local newspaper, Red Springs<br />
Citizen, was selected to participate in a live,<br />
on-orbit interview with astronaut Comm<strong>and</strong>er<br />
William “Bill” McArthur onboard<br />
the International Space Station. McArthur<br />
is a native of the Red Springs area, <strong>and</strong> is a<br />
friend of Moses. The interview was carried<br />
live on NASA television.<br />
1985<br />
Deceased: ROBERT SHAW,<br />
Wheelersburg, in January.<br />
1986<br />
Married: RENEE WARD (also ’98),<br />
Bidwell, to Mike Bastiani, in April 2005.<br />
Born: to RUSSELL <strong>and</strong> DEBORAH<br />
MINGUS SAUNDERS ’95, a son, Wesley<br />
Allen, on December 5. The family resides<br />
in Gallipolis.<br />
CHRISTINE CAVALLARO, Ada, is a<br />
full-time professor in the English department<br />
at the University of Northwestern<br />
Ohio.<br />
1988<br />
Deceased: JOETTA<br />
RITCHIE TODD,<br />
New Concord, on<br />
December 16. While<br />
at Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, Joetta<br />
was active in ROTC,<br />
<strong>and</strong> was a TKE ‘lil<br />
sis. She had most recently been employed<br />
as an RN at Marietta Memorial Hospital.<br />
Joetta is survived by her husb<strong>and</strong>, DAVID<br />
’93, <strong>and</strong> her sister, JULIA RITCHIE<br />
KIMBLE ’92.<br />
1989<br />
Deceased: KERRY WOOD, Dublin,<br />
<strong>for</strong>merly of Wellston, in January.<br />
1992<br />
Born: to Dan <strong>and</strong> CHRISTIE WHITE<br />
LAMPE, a daughter, Addison Paige, on<br />
April 12. Christie teaches elementary<br />
education courses at Southern Illinois<br />
University Edwardsville. Dan is a senior<br />
vice president at Phoenix Partners. The<br />
family resides in Glen Carbon, IL.<br />
4/www.rio.edu A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong>
CLASS NOTES ☎CLASS NOTES ☎CLASS NOTES <br />
1993<br />
ELLEN BRASEL,<br />
assistant professor of<br />
history at the URG/<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Community<br />
College has been<br />
named Teacher of the<br />
Year in Ohio by the<br />
Ohio Association of<br />
Two-Year Colleges. The award was<br />
presented during a ceremony at Lakel<strong>and</strong><br />
Community College in Kirkl<strong>and</strong>, OH, on<br />
October 21. Brasel also holds a master’s<br />
degree from Ohio University.<br />
WILLIAM G. McDONALD, III, M.D.,<br />
Rio<br />
founder of the Orthopaedic Surgical Care<br />
Institute, practices in Connersville <strong>and</strong><br />
Richmond, IN. He is the author of an article<br />
recently published in the American Journal<br />
of Sports Medicine, <strong>and</strong> resides with his<br />
daughter, Kyndle, 8.<br />
1994<br />
Born: to David <strong>and</strong> JENNIFER<br />
TSCHUDI SIMPSON, twins, Gabriel<br />
Paul <strong>and</strong> Greer Evelyn, October 6. Son<br />
Graham is 3 1/2. The family resides in<br />
Mt. Gilead.<br />
Born: to DR. EDDIE <strong>and</strong> LORI DYE<br />
SLOTER ’95, a son, Kyle Anthony, on<br />
August 17. Son Cameron is 2. Eddie<br />
received his Ph.D. in genetics <strong>and</strong> developmental<br />
biology from West Virginia<br />
University in 2002. He conducted his<br />
graduate <strong>and</strong> postdoctoral research at UC<br />
Berkeley <strong>and</strong> the Lawrence Livermore<br />
National Laboratory in Livermore, CA.<br />
Lori was a third grade teacher <strong>and</strong> curriculum<br />
leader <strong>for</strong> New Haven Unified School<br />
District in Union City, Ca. The family now<br />
resides in Ashl<strong>and</strong>, OH, where Eddie is<br />
employed by WIL Research Laboratories<br />
as a study director in developmental <strong>and</strong><br />
reproductive toxicology.<br />
1996<br />
Married: CATHLEEN DEAL (also ’02)<br />
to Ryan Adams, on November 11. Cathleen<br />
teaches art <strong>and</strong> music at Huntington Middle<br />
School. Ryan is employed by Citizens<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />
National Bank. The couple resides in<br />
Chillicothe.<br />
Born: to Mark <strong>and</strong> VICKY BUSH<br />
SHEETS, Bidwell, their second son, Dylan<br />
Andrew, on November 7. Son Nicholas<br />
Allen is 5. Vicky is a substitute teacher.<br />
Born: to BROOKE LIEVING YOUNG,<br />
Pickerington, a second son, Braden Riley,<br />
on September 18. Son Nathan is 2.<br />
1997<br />
DIANE ROGERS married Steve Presdee<br />
on September 25, 2004, <strong>and</strong> completed her<br />
MAE in 2005. Diane is a teacher at<br />
Meadowbrook Middle School in Byesville.<br />
1998<br />
ANJEANETT GRANT, Columbus, has<br />
been promoted to education coordinator at<br />
Rosemont Center, Inc..<br />
1999<br />
Born: to JASON BROWN <strong>and</strong> wife,<br />
Christie, a son, Dean Harrison, on<br />
March 13. Siblings are Brooke <strong>and</strong><br />
Blake Kodem, <strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>parents,<br />
Petrea Brown ’74, ’95 <strong>and</strong> the late<br />
Dean S. Brown ’65. The family<br />
resides in Middletown.<br />
Born: to Jay <strong>and</strong> STACIE LAMBERT, a<br />
second son, Jance Stephen, on March 21,<br />
2005. Son Jordan is 3. The family resides in<br />
Gallipolis.<br />
JOHN GUERINI, Niles, received his BS<br />
in education from Youngstown State<br />
University.<br />
TIM <strong>and</strong> BECKY BENNINGTON<br />
OSWALT reside in Tiffin with their<br />
children, Ethan, 3, <strong>and</strong> Abigail Fae, born<br />
October 7, 2004.<br />
KRISTAL WION-ECKHARDT, Stuart,<br />
FL, is credited with creating the drama<br />
program at Martin County High School.<br />
The program, which started with an<br />
Introduction to Drama course resulted in<br />
the opening of a new theater at MCHS in<br />
1999. Kristal is the daughter of ROBERT<br />
<strong>and</strong> LEAH THOMPSON WION ’59,<br />
Gallipolis <strong>and</strong> Stuart, FL, <strong>and</strong> resides with<br />
her husb<strong>and</strong>, Peter, <strong>and</strong> daughter, Katie.<br />
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
2000<br />
Married: J.D. ROSS to Angela Gibson, in<br />
July. J.D. is an accountant with Centers <strong>for</strong><br />
Medicare <strong>and</strong> Medicaid Services, a position<br />
he has held since February 2005. Angela is<br />
an eighth grade language arts teacher at<br />
Marysville Middle School, <strong>and</strong> is a<br />
freshman volleyball coach. She is an ’05<br />
graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. The<br />
couple resides in Delaware, OH.<br />
BEN BARKSDALE, Savannah, GA, is a<br />
realtor with Keller Williams Realty.<br />
DANIELLE MOORE HIGGINS,<br />
Thornville, has received her master’s<br />
degree in curriculum <strong>and</strong> instruction from<br />
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University.<br />
2001<br />
HEATHER BYERS, R.P.H., PharmD., a<br />
May 2005 graduate of the Raabe College of<br />
Pharmacy of Ohio Northern University, has<br />
passed the licensure exam of the Ohio State<br />
Board of Pharmacy. She is employed by<br />
CVS Pharmacy in Columbus.<br />
2002<br />
Born: to SHANE <strong>and</strong> JENNIFER<br />
JONES WOLFORD, a son, Cade<br />
Paxton, on October 2. The family resides<br />
in Jackson.<br />
CHRIS <strong>and</strong> DEBRA DILLON GOOD,<br />
Ashville, married August 8, 2003, <strong>and</strong><br />
bought The Gutter Genie franchise in<br />
May 2005.<br />
2003<br />
The sculpture, Math Counts, a piece by<br />
KEVIN WITHEE is currently on display<br />
at the University of Connecticut’s Contemporary<br />
Art Museum, <strong>and</strong> can be viewed on<br />
the UConn web site. (Click Arts; the piece<br />
features a large sphere with numbers.)<br />
Kevin is a third-year graduate student at<br />
Miami University.<br />
2004<br />
JODI BURRIS moved to London,<br />
Engl<strong>and</strong> on February 8, <strong>and</strong> plans to be<br />
married on June 24.<br />
continued on page 6<br />
www.rio.edu/5
Classnotes continued<br />
OTHER<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e alumni recently recognized by<br />
the Academic Excellence Foundation of the<br />
Gallia County Local Schools were: RUTH<br />
WARDEN ’92, Kyger Creek Middle<br />
School; WILLIAM WEBB ’65, South<br />
Gallia High School; <strong>and</strong> LYNN ARNOTT<br />
’79, Bidwell-Porter Elementary School.<br />
Inducted into the Foundation’s Hall of<br />
Fame were <strong>for</strong>mer URG president,<br />
Barry M. Dorsey, <strong>and</strong> the late RON<br />
TWYMAN ’72.<br />
Grad Notes:<br />
Jason R. Winters, Graduate Recruiter<br />
The Office of Graduate Studies is<br />
working hard to provide the teaching<br />
professionals in our state with a simply<br />
engaging, profoundly impacting,<br />
<strong>and</strong> invitingly convenient masters program.<br />
We are currently offering to bring<br />
the Master of Education in Classroom<br />
Teaching (Fine Arts Concentration) to<br />
any school district that has 12 or more<br />
graduate students who wish to enroll.<br />
Spring Semester we began offering<br />
the program at Logan-Hocking School<br />
District (Hocking), <strong>and</strong> Western Local<br />
School District (Pike).<br />
At this time, the Fine Arts Concentration<br />
is the only portable concentration.<br />
However, we are working diligently<br />
on converting the Educational<br />
Technology, Mathematics, <strong>and</strong> Humanities<br />
concentrations to a hybrid <strong>for</strong>mat<br />
(face-to-face/online) that would<br />
allow these concentrations to be offered<br />
more conveniently.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about bringing<br />
the program to your district, contact<br />
your superintendent, curriculum coordinator,<br />
LPDC chair, or the Office of<br />
Graduate Studies at 1-800-282-7201<br />
ext. 7166 or jwinters@rio.edu.<br />
Rio’s Professor Sofranko attends<br />
“The Evolution of Psychotherapy:<br />
The World’s Largest Psychotherapy Conference”<br />
Dr. Edward Sofranko, professor at the<br />
University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e/Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
Community College, recently took part<br />
in a psychotherapy conference in Cali<strong>for</strong>nia<br />
that brought together many<br />
world leaders in the field.<br />
Sofranko serves as a professor of psychology<br />
at Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e <strong>and</strong> is the chair<br />
of the School of Social Sciences.<br />
In December, Sofranko attended<br />
“The Evolution of Psychotherapy: The<br />
World’s Largest Psychotherapy Conference,”<br />
in Anaheim, Calif. The conference<br />
was sponsored by the Milton H.<br />
Erickson Foundation. More than<br />
10,000 people from around the U.S. as<br />
well as representatives from 15 other<br />
countries attended the conference,<br />
which is recognized <strong>for</strong> the important<br />
topics that are discussed, the leaders in<br />
the field that attend <strong>and</strong> the ideas that<br />
are exchanged.<br />
“It was a golden opportunity to learn<br />
from the masters,” Sofranko said about<br />
the conference.<br />
The keynote address speakers at the<br />
conference this year were Hunter<br />
“Patch” Adams, the renowned medical<br />
doctor who was the subject of a movie<br />
starring Robin Williams; Mary<br />
Catherine Bateson, a writer <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />
anthropologist who is the daughter of<br />
the famous anthropologist Margaret<br />
Mead; <strong>and</strong> Aaron Beck, a respected<br />
psychiatrist <strong>and</strong> author who is the president<br />
of the Beck Institute of Cognitive<br />
Therapy <strong>and</strong> Research.<br />
“The keynote addresses were outst<strong>and</strong>ing,”<br />
Sofranko said.<br />
The conference offered topics from<br />
all different areas of psychotherapy,<br />
such as psychology, counseling <strong>and</strong><br />
social work.<br />
“It brought all of us together,”<br />
Sofranko said about the many different<br />
types of psychotherapy professionals<br />
who attended. The conference focused<br />
on new concepts <strong>and</strong> techniques<br />
in psychotherapy, while also discussing<br />
the current issues <strong>and</strong> concerns. “It<br />
was just phenomenal,” he said.<br />
For Sofranko, the conference was important<br />
<strong>for</strong> several reasons. First of all,<br />
he keeps himself up-to-date on all of<br />
the concepts <strong>and</strong> techniques in psychotherapy,<br />
so that he can teach his students<br />
at Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e about the current<br />
state of the field. By attending the conference,<br />
he is able to pass on the knowledge<br />
<strong>and</strong> experience from the leaders<br />
in psychotherapy to his students.<br />
Sofranko also is a practicing psychotherapist,<br />
<strong>and</strong> attends educational conferences<br />
<strong>and</strong> workshops in order to<br />
keep his Ohio license current.<br />
Sofranko serves as a licensed professional<br />
counselor at the Center <strong>for</strong><br />
Healthy Living in Gallipolis, in addition<br />
to his work at Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e.<br />
Besides giving professionals from<br />
around the world a chance to hear<br />
from renowned speakers, the conference<br />
also gives the psychotherapists the<br />
opportunity to talk with each other <strong>and</strong><br />
learn from each other in the workshops,<br />
classes <strong>and</strong> other gatherings.<br />
6/www.rio.edu A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong>
Rio Shares “Improving<br />
Teacher Quality” Grant<br />
The University has received a<br />
$121,000 grant to fund a program to<br />
help regional math <strong>and</strong> science teachers.<br />
The federal Improving Teacher Quality<br />
Program is providing funds to 26<br />
math <strong>and</strong> science education projects<br />
across the state of Ohio.<br />
Improving Teacher Quality Program<br />
projects are designed to provide sustained,<br />
high-quality professional development<br />
opportunities <strong>for</strong> practicing elementary<br />
<strong>and</strong> secondary school teachers<br />
<strong>and</strong> administrators from high-need<br />
schools, so that they, in turn, can provide<br />
challenging learning experiences<br />
<strong>for</strong> their students. Project activities<br />
must focus on the Ohio Academic Content<br />
St<strong>and</strong>ards.<br />
Dr. Barbara Hatfield, Interim Provost/<br />
Vice President <strong>for</strong> Academic Affairs,<br />
explained that Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e is<br />
working with other area colleges, such<br />
as Ohio University <strong>and</strong> Shawnee State<br />
University, to offer workshops <strong>for</strong> area<br />
teachers. These workshops will focus<br />
on methods of assessing the effectiveness<br />
of math <strong>and</strong> science projects <strong>and</strong><br />
the meeting of class goals. The workshops<br />
will also enable teachers to meet<br />
professional development requirements.<br />
Rio Employs New Method For Teaching Algebra<br />
Many college students have problems<br />
learning basic math <strong>and</strong> algebraic concepts,<br />
but an innovative new class at<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e is helping students overcome<br />
these difficulties.<br />
The pilot program, conducted by Jean<br />
Daniels, Associate Professor, is part of<br />
the Title III grant-funded project to<br />
improve programs across the campus.<br />
The class uses educational software <strong>and</strong><br />
techniques being used at colleges <strong>and</strong><br />
universities across the country.<br />
In the classroom, soothing music is<br />
played to reduce nervousness <strong>and</strong> improve<br />
concentration. Students also<br />
travel to the Jenkins Center <strong>for</strong> Student<br />
Success’ Smart Classroom. Here students<br />
may use the 24 computers, either<br />
individually or as a group. On-line quizzes<br />
enable the students to track their<br />
progress throughout the semester.<br />
Tribe Has Recent <strong>Publication</strong>s<br />
Dr. Ivan Tribe, Professor of History, recently served as<br />
associate editor of The Encyclopedia of American Gospel<br />
Music, published by Routledge, Fall 2005. In addition,<br />
he authored, or co-authored, some fifty-eight entries<br />
in the volume. Three Rio alumni also contributed to<br />
the volume. Andrea McCulty Gannaway ’03 contributed<br />
three entries; Abby Gail Goodnite-Ehman ’01 <strong>and</strong> William<br />
Plants ’97 each had one. The volume is designed primarily as a reference<br />
book, <strong>and</strong> may be ordered through the publisher.<br />
Dr. Tribe also contributed the chapter “Albany: From Farm Community to Virtual<br />
Suburb, 1905-2005” to the book Athens County: The Second Century, 1905-<br />
2005, which was published recently to commemorate the Athens County Bi-Centennial.<br />
Greenwood Press is scheduled to release his book Country: A Regional Exploration<br />
in late March. The 280-page monograph will be Tribe’s seventh book. Copies<br />
of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e: From Baptists <strong>and</strong> Bevo to the Bell Tower, which Tribe coauthored<br />
with Goodnite-Ehman in 2002 are available through the <strong>Alumni</strong> Relations<br />
Office. ( Proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the <strong>Alumni</strong> Association<br />
Scholarship Fund.)<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />
LOOKING FOR LOST<br />
ARCHONS<br />
If you are a member of the Fraternal Order of Archon <strong>and</strong> are<br />
not receiving mailings from Archon, please send your<br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation to:<br />
Merle Hoover, Archon <strong>Alumni</strong> President<br />
5181 Chenoweth Road<br />
Waynesville, Ohio 45068<br />
or<br />
kmcmanis@rio.edu<br />
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
Staff Advance<br />
Jennifer Merry Dyer ’90, a 12-year<br />
veteran of the University’s Financial<br />
Aid Office, assumed the leadership of<br />
the office in the Fall of 2005. As Associate<br />
Director, Dyer credits her own experiences<br />
as a Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e student in<br />
helping her assist current students<br />
through the financial aid process.<br />
Assisting Dyer in her new position<br />
are Michelle Alderman, assistant director,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Dawn Cummings ’98, financial<br />
aid advisor.<br />
Debbie Browning ’02 assumed the<br />
position of assistant registrar on July<br />
1. Debbie has been with the Records<br />
Office since 1999, <strong>and</strong> has just been<br />
awarded her master’s degree.<br />
www.rio.edu/7
Our Florida Folks<br />
The annual gathering of Rio’s Florida-residing alumni was<br />
held on Saturday, February 25, at the Anna Maria Oyster<br />
Bar in Bradenton. The group welcomed Interim President<br />
Greg Sojka, <strong>and</strong> new attendees John Lambcke ’91, Naples;<br />
Ruth Burton ’62, Bradenton; <strong>and</strong> Lenore Evans Deak ’77,<br />
Leesburg.<br />
Fowler <strong>Alumni</strong> House<br />
Pictured l-r: Ruth Burton, Delbert “Smokey’” Stover ’45,<br />
Glenn Cundiff, <strong>and</strong> Lenore Evans Deak<br />
The <strong>Alumni</strong> Office has relocated to the renamed Fowler<br />
<strong>Alumni</strong> House, located on the campus on State Route 325. A<br />
gift to the University, the structure is named in honor of Marie<br />
Fowler Richards ’25, a loyal friend of the University <strong>and</strong> the<br />
village of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, who passed away in 2004, at the age<br />
of 101.<br />
Roberts House<br />
Pictured l-r: Dr. Greg Sojka, Robert “Smokey” Wion,<br />
Jim ’57 <strong>and</strong> Kathy Lemley Shaw ’54,<br />
Alice Larter McNeal ’53, <strong>and</strong> husb<strong>and</strong>, George,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Leah Thompson Wion ‘59<br />
“Upon This L<strong>and</strong>” Ornament<br />
A limited edition, third in a series<br />
(of six), ornament featuring an exact reproduction<br />
of the <strong>Alumni</strong> Bell Tower’s<br />
stained glass window “Upon This L<strong>and</strong>,”<br />
showcasing the hills <strong>and</strong> valleys upon<br />
which Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e College was built, has<br />
been issued, <strong>and</strong> is now available <strong>for</strong> purchase.<br />
Ornaments are $15, <strong>and</strong> may be purchased<br />
at the <strong>Alumni</strong> Office, or by mail using the <strong>for</strong>m at right.<br />
Please add $1.50 per item <strong>for</strong> postage. Ornaments are individually<br />
gift-boxed.<br />
The demolition of Roberts House will provide necessary<br />
space <strong>for</strong> the impending construction <strong>and</strong> expansion of the<br />
Davis University Center, set to begin in June <strong>2006</strong>. In the<br />
past, the facility had housed the Offices of Admissions <strong>and</strong><br />
University Relations.<br />
Ornament Order Form<br />
Mail ornament(s) to:<br />
Name_____________________________________________<br />
Address ___________________________________________<br />
Or as a gift to:<br />
Name_____________________________________________<br />
Address ___________________________________________<br />
Purchaser’s Daytime Telephone ________________________<br />
# of ornaments ordered ______Amount enclosed __________<br />
Checks made payable to: University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e.<br />
Mail to: <strong>Alumni</strong> Relations, University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, PO Box 500,<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, OH 45674<br />
(Major Credit Cards Accepted)<br />
8/www.rio.edu A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong>
UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE AND RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE<br />
BOOKSTORE<br />
• White URG Mug White ceramic mug with red writing, ............................. $ 4.79<br />
two-sided imprint<br />
• Red & White URG Mug Two toned ceramic mug, red on white ........................... $ 5.49<br />
with white writing<br />
• Red & Black URG Mug Red thermal mug with black h<strong>and</strong>le ............................... $ 8.99<br />
• Red URG Mug with Red thermal mug with white writing .............................. $ 9.99<br />
Stainless Steel<br />
• Charcoal <strong>Alumni</strong> Tee 100% cotton screen printed tee..................................... $ 11.95<br />
• Charcoal <strong>Alumni</strong> Long 100% cotton screen printed long sleeve tee ................. $ 15.99<br />
Sleeve Tee<br />
• Charcoal <strong>Alumni</strong> Crew 80% cotton, 20% polyester screen printed crew .......... $ 21.99<br />
• Gray URG <strong>Alumni</strong> Tee 90% cotton, 10% polyester screen printed tee.............. $ 11.99<br />
• Gray URG Tee 90% cotton, 10% polyester screen printed tee.............. $ 11.99<br />
• Gray URG Crew 80% cotton, 20% polyester crew with front gusset ..... $. 22.99<br />
• Gray URG Hood 80% cotton, 20% polyester screen printed ................... $ 25.99<br />
hood with front gusset<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation contact the Rio Bookstore at:<br />
740-245-7274 or 1-800-282-7201 ext. 7274<br />
Varney House<br />
Reunion<br />
To Be Held<br />
The biennial reunion of the residents of the Varney House<br />
<strong>and</strong> Davis Cottage dormitories will be held on Saturday, September<br />
9. Persons wishing to serve on the planning committee<br />
or to submit agenda items are asked to contact Hope Keller<br />
’59, at 740-286-6728, or the <strong>Alumni</strong> Relations Office.<br />
<strong>Alumni</strong> of the University can visit <strong>and</strong> reconnect with<br />
friends <strong>and</strong> <strong>for</strong>mer classmates through the<br />
University’s on-line alumni directory.<br />
Visit www. rio.edu.<br />
Susan Haft .......................................... Production & Copy<br />
Jean Ann Vance .......................................Layout & Design<br />
Kathy Musser ................................................ Photography<br />
Mark Williams ............................................................Copy<br />
Nick Claussen ..............................................................Copy<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
www.rio.edu/9
Pictured l-r: Jerry Mowery ’86, Earl Thomas,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Brad Barber ’86<br />
Thomas Steps Down As<br />
Basketball Coach<br />
A 26-year veteran of the bench, Earl Thomas, has resigned his<br />
position as head men’s basketball coach.<br />
During Thomas’ tenure the Redmen captured two American<br />
Mideast Conference regular season championships, two AMC tournament<br />
titles, two berths in the NAIA Division II National Tournament,<br />
including an appearance in the Final Four in 2001. He was<br />
twice named AMC Coach of the Year.<br />
“I’m going to miss the players <strong>and</strong> the<br />
competition of trying to prepare a team to go<br />
against somebody else. It’s going to be tough<br />
to walk away, but I know it’s time, <strong>and</strong> I feel<br />
very com<strong>for</strong>table with the decision that I have<br />
made.”<br />
A surprise reception <strong>for</strong> Thomas has held<br />
on Sunday, February 19, <strong>and</strong> was hosted by<br />
Thomas’ wife, Annette ’92, <strong>and</strong> his daughter,<br />
Rebecca Thomas-Long ’99.<br />
A graduate of the Class of 1974, Thomas will remain a professor<br />
in the University’s communications department.<br />
Remaining <strong>2006</strong> Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Baseball Schedule<br />
Date Opponent Site Time<br />
April 7 Urbana Home 2 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 8 Urbana Away 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 11 Bluefield College Away 6 p.m. (1-9)<br />
April 14 Tiffin Away 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 15 Tiffin Away 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 16 Fisher College Sienna Heights 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 22 Ohio Dominican Away 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 23 Ohio Dominican Home 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 28 Mt. Vernon Nazarene Home 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
April 29 Mt. Vernon Nazarene Home 1 p.m. (DH)<br />
May 4-6 AMC Qualifier TBA TBA<br />
May 10-13 NAIA Region IX Tour. TBA TBA<br />
May 26-June 2 NAIA World Series Lewiston, ID TBA<br />
Remaining <strong>2006</strong> Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Softball Schedule<br />
Date Opponent Site Time<br />
April 2 WALSH Home 2 p.m.<br />
April 5 WV STATE Home 3 p.m.<br />
April 8 SETON HILL Home 2 p.m.<br />
April 9 SALEM INT’L Home 2 p.m.<br />
April 10 Cedarville Away 3 p.m.<br />
April 12 MT. ST. JOE’S Home 3 p.m.<br />
April 15 URBANA Home 1 p.m.<br />
April 18 Mt. Vernon Naz. Away 3 p.m.<br />
April 20 OHIO DOMINICAN Home 3 p.m.<br />
April 22 MYERS Home 1 p.m.<br />
April 23 U. of Charleston Away 2 p.m.<br />
April 25 Shawnee State Away 3 p.m.<br />
April 26 Marietta Away 3:30 p.m.<br />
April 28 POINT PARK Home 3 p.m.<br />
April 29 Myers Away 1 p.m.<br />
May 10-13 NAIA Region IX Tour. TBA<br />
May 19-24 NAIA National Tour. Decatur, AL TBA<br />
Remaining <strong>2006</strong> Outdoor Track Schedule<br />
Date Event Place<br />
Mar 31-Apr 1 Bobcat Invitational Athens, OH<br />
April 8 Cincinnati Invitational Cincinnati, OH<br />
April 14 Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Relays Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, OH<br />
April 21-22 AMC Championships Cedarville, OH<br />
April 29 Stan Lyons Invitational Indianapolis, IN<br />
May 6 Ohio University Open Athens, OH<br />
May 19 Baldwin Wallace Inv. Berea, OH<br />
May 25-27 NAIA National Meet Fresno, CA<br />
Dear Coach,<br />
As a member of the Rio Family, you know that the University<br />
of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Men’s Basketball program is rich with history<br />
<strong>and</strong> tradition. Our history is rooted in the successes of the Bevo<br />
Francis teams of 1952-1954. These teams were assembled by<br />
Coach Newt Oliver, a true visionary in coaching.<br />
During December we honor Coach Oliver <strong>and</strong> his successes<br />
with the Newt Oliver Classic. For next year’s event we are looking<br />
to not only honor Coach Oliver, but his legacy as well. We<br />
are looking to showcase the excellent teams that are coached by<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e alumni.<br />
We hope to develop a showcase of great high school basketball<br />
by matching schools coached by members of the “Rio Family”<br />
against each other.<br />
We are in the early stages of planning this event <strong>and</strong> are trying<br />
to gauge the interest of our alums in helping make the Newt<br />
Oliver Coach’s Classic happen.<br />
Currently the “NEWT” is scheduled <strong>for</strong> December 15 <strong>and</strong> 16,<br />
<strong>2006</strong>. On Friday December 15 there would be two college games.<br />
On Saturday December 16 , two college games would be played<br />
at 1:00 <strong>and</strong> 3:00, while the high school portion of the “NEWT”<br />
would be held at 5:00, 6:45, <strong>and</strong> 8:30.<br />
If you have any interest in bringing your team back to Rio to<br />
participate in the Newt Oliver Classic please contact one of us<br />
as soon as possible.<br />
Thank You,<br />
Ken French<br />
Jeff Lanham<br />
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Athletic Director<br />
University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
(740) 245-7294 (740) 245-7485<br />
kfrench@rio.edu<br />
jlanham@rio.edu<br />
10/www.rio.edu A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong>
Roast <strong>and</strong> Relive<br />
Coach Art Lanham<br />
Coach Art Lanham, <strong>for</strong>mer head men’s<br />
basketball coach, <strong>and</strong> Coach Bernie<br />
Bickerstaff, one of Rio’s own <strong>and</strong> the general<br />
manager <strong>and</strong> coach of the NBA Charlotte<br />
Bobcats, will be dodging punches<br />
without a “ref” to save them at Rio’s noholds-barred<br />
dinner/roast. On Friday, May<br />
5 at 6:30 p.m., Rio alumni <strong>and</strong> friends will<br />
gather during a dinner to see both Lanham<br />
<strong>and</strong> Bickerstaff get pummeled by friends,<br />
peers, <strong>for</strong>mer students <strong>and</strong> teammates during<br />
the inaugural Champions of Character<br />
Roast on Rio’s campus.<br />
The event will be hosted by the Lighting<br />
the Way Campaign Office <strong>and</strong> the URG<br />
Athletic Department. Bob Leith ’65 will<br />
serve as Master of Ceremonies. It’s a classic<br />
opportunity to relive, remember, reconnect,<br />
<strong>and</strong> just have fun.<br />
From football to baseball to track &<br />
field, to basketball <strong>and</strong> much more in between,<br />
alumni <strong>and</strong> friends will gather <strong>for</strong> a<br />
night that will be marked by memories <strong>and</strong><br />
the recognition of two of Rio’s finest. This<br />
year’s dinner/roast, with limited seating <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>SPRING</strong> <strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />
Coach Bernie Bickerstaff<br />
350 guests, will highlight a rich tradition<br />
of men <strong>and</strong> women athletes <strong>and</strong> athletics<br />
at Rio going back to the 40’s.<br />
In addition to the roasters that will rip<br />
both coaches that evening, photo tributes<br />
to a legacy of Rio sports <strong>and</strong> legends of<br />
Rio sports teams will be on display throughout<br />
with live music to accentuate the night.<br />
a 1940’s musical revue<br />
On Saturday, May 6, following Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e’s commencement ceremony,<br />
alumni <strong>and</strong> friends will gather to chronicle<br />
their years at Rio through present times.<br />
A limited number of hotel rooms have<br />
been blocked <strong>for</strong> this event. For more in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
or to make your reservations,<br />
please contact the Lighting the Way Campaign<br />
Office at 740-245-7009, or the Athletic<br />
Department at 740-245-7293.<br />
130th Anniversary<br />
Commencement<br />
May 5, <strong>2006</strong><br />
2:00 p.m.<br />
NAIA’s Champions of Character Program<br />
Student athletes at Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e are participating in the<br />
NAIA’s Champions of Character Program, which promotes sportsmanship<br />
<strong>and</strong> character at colleges <strong>and</strong> universities across the country.<br />
The program was created to recognize schools <strong>for</strong> teaching character<br />
along with athletic skills.<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e has been honored by the NAIA <strong>for</strong> meeting all of the<br />
requirements to be recognized as a Champions of Character institution<br />
in each of the last five years, <strong>and</strong> has begun distributing awards to deserving students.<br />
The University is also currently raising funds <strong>for</strong> a Champions Scholarship Program.<br />
The student athletes are also involved with, <strong>and</strong> available <strong>for</strong>, community service<br />
projects throughout the area.<br />
Ken French, newly-named men’s head basketball coach, serves as the director of<br />
the Champions of Character Program.<br />
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Dance Team<br />
Wins Championship Title<br />
The University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Dance<br />
Team won the title Midwest Collegiate Division<br />
II Hip Hop Team Champions Sunday,<br />
February 26 at the Cheerleaders of<br />
America (COA) Midwest Open National<br />
Championships in Columbus, Ohio. The<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Dance Team has been in existence<br />
only 2 years, <strong>and</strong> this was their first<br />
competition. “The team has been a great<br />
addition to campus, <strong>and</strong> their game per<strong>for</strong>mances<br />
are always a hit,” stated advisor<br />
Julie Haines. “For them to now have competition<br />
experience <strong>and</strong> a championship<br />
title at their first competition is just a sign<br />
of bigger <strong>and</strong> better things to come.” The<br />
team per<strong>for</strong>ms at Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e men’s basketball<br />
games <strong>and</strong> choreographed the competition<br />
routine while still preparing new<br />
material <strong>for</strong> games.<br />
The dance team season began last spring<br />
with team auditions. Be<strong>for</strong>e classes started<br />
in the fall, the team attended an intense<br />
dance training camp held on the Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
campus. Several routines were learned at<br />
the camp, <strong>and</strong> the team received technical<br />
dance training. Once classes started, additional<br />
tryouts were held to fill vacant spots<br />
on the team. Most of the team’s routines<br />
are choreographed by the members <strong>and</strong> are<br />
hip hop infused, but they do include other<br />
styles.<br />
“Our musical selections this past year<br />
ranged from Barry Manilow to the Beastie<br />
Boys, <strong>and</strong> each member got to step outside<br />
her dance com<strong>for</strong>t zone to per<strong>for</strong>m various<br />
styles,” Haines stated. “They all have great<br />
ideas <strong>and</strong> varied dance interests <strong>and</strong> experiences<br />
resulting in some great routines.”<br />
2005-<strong>2006</strong> Dance Team Members include<br />
Katie Childs (Middleport), Sam<br />
Adkins (West Portsmouth), Kara Caulley<br />
(Oak Hill), K<strong>and</strong>ace Clark (Batavia), Sasha<br />
Clarke (Clevel<strong>and</strong>), Brittany Dixon (Clevel<strong>and</strong>),<br />
Alex Savage (Lewisburg), <strong>and</strong> Liz<br />
Stevens (Gallipolis).<br />
www.rio.edu/11
JUNE 29 – AUGUST 5, <strong>2006</strong><br />
* Four or Five Week Program *<br />
12 Hours Credit – All Levels!<br />
Four weeks room & board in Puebla<br />
MEXICO CITY TOUR<br />
3 DAYS<br />
(Hotel, tour, breakfasts, trip to Teotihuacan)<br />
Books <strong>for</strong> classes in Puebla<br />
All fees & deposits - $5,500<br />
Deadline date <strong>for</strong> Registration:<br />
April 20, <strong>2006</strong><br />
Full payment or proof of Financial Aid:<br />
May 13, <strong>2006</strong><br />
• All levels of Spanish<br />
• Financial Aid Available<br />
• Travel to New Places<br />
• Experience the culture <strong>and</strong> earn credit!<br />
FULLY ACCREDITED<br />
For additional in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
or to register contact:<br />
Professor Karen Hale Elliott<br />
Wood Hall, Room 225<br />
University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, OH 45674<br />
1-800-282-7201 ext. 7436 (OH, WV, KY, PA)<br />
OR 740-245-7436<br />
E-mail: kelliott@rio.edu<br />
Check Study Abroad info at our site:<br />
www.rio.edu<br />
We Want To Hear About You!<br />
If you recently found a job, were promoted, were married, moved,<br />
had a baby or did anything else of interest, please let your University<br />
of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e family know about it. Fill out the <strong>for</strong>m below<br />
<strong>and</strong> send it to the Office of <strong>Alumni</strong> Relations, University of Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e, PO Box 500, Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, Ohio 45674.<br />
Name ___________________________________________________<br />
Phone _______________________________ Grad. Yr. ___________<br />
Street ________________________________ City _______________<br />
State _____________________ Zip ______ County _____________<br />
Email Address _________________________<br />
■ Check if this is a new address.<br />
News: ___________________________________________________<br />
________________________________________________________<br />
Parents: If this issue of Tower & Times is addressed to your<br />
son or daughter who has established a separate permanent<br />
address, please notify us of the new address: 740-245-7431, or<br />
800-282-7201, ext. 7431, or shaft@rio.edu<br />
Nomination Form Request<br />
The University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e accepts nominations <strong>for</strong> the following<br />
awards on a continuous basis. The deadline <strong>for</strong> nominations<br />
within a given year is February 1 of that year. Nomination <strong>for</strong>ms<br />
are kept on file <strong>and</strong> reviewed yearly.<br />
■ <strong>Alumni</strong> Awards (Distinguished Alumnus, URG <strong>Alumni</strong>, Atwood<br />
Achievement, Faculty Citation, Citation of Appreciation)<br />
■ Athletic Hall of Fame<br />
■ Educators’ Hall of Fame<br />
Please send the nomination <strong>for</strong>m indicated above to:<br />
Name ___________________________________________________<br />
Address __________________________________________________<br />
Mail this request to: Office of <strong>Alumni</strong> Relations, University of Rio<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>e, PO Box 500, Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, OH 45674<br />
The University of Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e <strong>and</strong> Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e Community College do not discriminate<br />
against applicants, employees, or students on the basis of race, color,<br />
creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ancestry,<br />
citizenship, or disability. Questions about this policy should be directed to the<br />
Human Resources Director, Allen Hall, 740-245-7228. Accommodations <strong>for</strong> persons<br />
with disabilities may be made through the Human Resources office.<br />
UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE<br />
F-990 OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS<br />
PO Box 500<br />
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e, OH 45674-0500<br />
www.rio.edu<br />
Address Service Requested<br />
Non-Profit<br />
Organization<br />
PAID<br />
Permit No.200<br />
Chillicothe,<br />
OH 45601