Muskingum College grants Distinguished Service Awards at Alumni Weekend

A highlight of this year’s Muskingum College Alumni Weekend, held June 20-22 on the campus, was the presentation on June 20 of the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to four alumni in recognition of their personal and professional achievements. The award is the college’s highest alumni honor.

Sponsored by the Muskingum College Alumni Council, the DSA recognizes and honors alumni who have distinguished themselves through their professional endeavors and exemplary services to society. Any living Muskingum graduate or former student is eligible to receive this award.

Receiving the award were Elizabeth Topping Mainiero ’57, a leader and innovator in the field of library science; Reverend Dr. W. Terry Schoener ’60, whose career as a pastor who impacted the nation’s civil rights movement; Robert Jennings Reveley ’65, an entrepreneur and civic leader; and Walter R. Young, Jr. ’66, a widely recognized leader and innovator in the manufactured housing industry.

Elizabeth Topping Mainiero ’57

Throughout her 40-year career in library leadership, Elizabeth Topping Mainiero has played a pioneering role in shaping the library for the information age, fundamentally enhancing the way these vital resources serve citizens of all ages.

Her groundbreaking initiatives spanned the full range of library services and administration. Mrs. Mainiero launched an integrated library system in 1978 – the second of its kind in the nation and the first east of the Mississippi River – and convinced libraries across New England to invest in shared emerging computer technologies. This transformed local resources into regional ones, led to many “firsts” in federal library grant funding, and paved the way for today’s internet-based consortia.

She was one of the first to recognize the library’s emerging role in providing opportunities for conversation and social interaction. She engaged nationally-known architect Cesar Pelli in 1994 for the Greenwich, Connecticut Library’s addition and renovation, which included informal gathering and work spaces for library patrons – the precursor to today’s “internet cafes.”

An English major at Muskingum, Mrs. Mainiero earned her master of library science from Carnegie Mellon University. Currently, she consults with libraries throughout New England on building programs and long-range plans. She shares her talents with educational organizations, serving on the Board of Governors of Saint Timothy’s School in Maryland and as a trustee of Saint Gabriel’s School in Connecticut, and the Whitby School in Connecticut.
She and her husband, Vincent, reside in Milford, Connecticut, and have four children – Morrow, Lisa, Bonnie and Kimmo – and 10 grandchildren. Her daughter, Bonnie Long Gorman ’88; her mother, Clara Bentley Topping ’27; and her aunt, Kathryn Bentley Schaefer ’27; are also Muskingum College alumni.

Rev. Dr. W. Terry Schoener ’60

The Reverend Doctor W. Terry Schoener has had a profound impact upon others. With a passionate dedication to civil rights and social justice, he has extended his singular ministry far beyond the physical boundaries of the congregations he guided during his 44-year pastoral career.

Rev. Dr. Schoener’s initial call was to the First Presbyterian Church in Seville, Ohio, from 1963-1966. He led the church to open its doors as a way-station for the “poor people’s marchers” who walked for civil rights from inner city Cleveland to Columbus. In Mississippi, in 1964, he worked in the watershed voter registration drive, facing antagonism from the Ku Klux Klan and local law enforcement agencies alike.

In 1966, Dr. Schoener was called to the Glenville United Presbyterian Church in inner city Cleveland. When rioting began, he served as a mediator and hosted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave his famous Glenville speeches from Dr. Schoener’s pulpit. Working alongside Dr. King and other national civil rights leaders, Dr. Schoener fought for minority economic empowerment that led to the first two McDonald’s franchises ever awarded to African Americans, and other significant economic opportunities.

While serving The First Presbyterian Church in Warren, Ohio, in 1971, Rev. Dr. Schoener led the city’s integration efforts, co-chairing the Committee to Desegregate Warren Public Schools and a task force to improve the city’s judicial and law enforcement systems.

Rev. Dr. Schoener led Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church near Annapolis, Maryland for more than 27 years, and it became a hub for Anne Arundel County citizens of all faiths – building housing facilities for the low-income elderly, and purchasing and renovating a failing YMCA, providing a much-needed, ongoing community resource. He established a sister relationship with a church in Kingston, Jamaica, creating educational and health care programs for local citizens.

Rev. Dr. Schoener earned his master of divinity and doctor of divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Brenda Hall Schoener ’61, reside in Severna Park, Maryland. Their three children are all members of the Long Magenta Line – Halle S. Randles ’86, Mathew H. Schoener ’88, and Bradley C. Schoener ’89.

Robert Jennings Reveley ’65

Robert Jennings Reveley has created a distinguished and wide-ranging legacy in entrepreneurship, the arts, and civic leadership.

Following his graduation from Muskingum with bachelor of science in mathematics, Mr. Reveley joined the Peace Corps. In Kingston, Jamaica, he became a member of the first Peace Corps class ever to serve in impoverished urban environments. Returning to the United States, he earned his master of business administration degree from Columbia University and began his business career with RCA International. He later joined Deloitte & Touche as a management consultant.

In 1977, Mr. Reveley founded an independent New York City real estate firm to develop brownstone condominiums. He also developed the $250 million John Jay College of Criminal Justice for the City of New York, and pioneered innovative methods of capital structuring within the commercial real estate industry. His strategies enabled non-profit organizations to create new facilities that would not otherwise have been possible.

As a patron of the arts, Mr. Reveley’s insight led him to select then-unknown architect Rafael Vinoly to design the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The project launched Vinoly’s United States career, which includes the world’s largest green building, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Reveley and his wife, Julie Heberlein Reveley, produced an off-Broadway play, Lily Dale, by Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award-winning playwright Horton Foote, and it was named one of the top ten shows of 1986 by New York Times theatre critic Clive Barnes.

Mr. Reveley’s real estate companies currently operate in seven states. He and Julie live in Palm Beach, Florida, where he serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the American Cancer Society of Palm Beach and as a trustee of Cardinal Newman High School.

Mr. Reveley and his wife are the proud parents of Jude, Alexandra and Jaclyn. Mr. Reveley’s brother, Randolph F. Reveley ’72, also graduated from Muskingum.

Walter R. Young, Jr. ’66

Walter Young’s distinguished business leadership, corporate citizenship and service to private higher education has changed the lives of countless workers, homeowners and students. He has led 23 organizational turnarounds in domestic and international manufacturing industries, and was named one of the world’s 1,000 most influential business leaders of the past 100 years in the Harvard University Press book, In Their Time: The Greatest Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century.

In 1990, Mr. Young became the CEO of Champion Enterprises, and the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. In less than 12 years he positioned it as the world’s largest homebuilder and a member of the Fortune 500. He partnered Champion with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development to improve quality, maintain affordability and enhance energy efficiency of manufactured housing.

He also volunteers his time to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies and with the Partnership for Advanced Technology in Housing. Mr. Young’s peers in the Manufactured Housing Institute voted him as the “Industry Person of the Year” for three consecutive years. He also shares his talents a member of the CEO Council of the National Organization on Disability.

Mr. Young and his family created the Young Foundation to support religious, educational and community endeavors. He is a trustee of Muskingum College and has served on the College’s Executive Committee and Alumni Council. In 2008, he was elected as a member of the Ohio Foundation for Independent College’s Hall of Excellence.

He earned his bachelor of arts in economics and history and his doctorate of public service from Muskingum, and his master of business administration from Pennsylvania State University.

Mr. Young and his wife, Donna Higinbotham Young ’66, reside in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and have two children, Mark and Michelle, and two grandchildren. Mr. Young’s parents, Mary Borton Young ’29 and R. Young ’30, both graduated from Muskingum, as did Mary’s three siblings, Homer, Loyal and Mabel. Since then, 20 members of the Borton and Young families have become Muskingum College alumni. Of those, there are six “Muskie” couples, three honorary degree recipients, two trustees, and one chairman of the Board of Trustees.

IN THE PHOTO: From left to right: Rev. Dr. W. Terry Schoener ’60; Muskingum College President Anne C. Steele, Elizabeth Topping Mainiero ’57; Muskingum College Trustee and Alumni Council President Gordon Litt, Robert Jennings Reveley ’65 and Walter R. Young ’66.

Undergraduate commencement features address by Barbara Young Morris ’67 and baccalaureate sermon by David J. Evans ’68

Muskingum College held its undergraduate commencement exercises on May 10, featuring an address by 1967 alumna Barbara Young Morris, a principal with Winston Partners, Incorporated of Chicago, Illinois. The baccalaureate sermon was delivered by 1968 alumnus David J. Evans, a founding partner of RS Investment Management LLC. Both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees were conferred to nearly 300 graduates.

In recognition of her lifetime of achievement, the college bestowed upon Ms. Young Morris an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Evans’ professional and personal achievements were recognized with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

Ms. Morris is recognized for her leadership role in the economic growth of Baxter International, Inc., a global, $11-billion, Fortune-100 health-care products and services enterprise. Offering expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Baxter assists healthcare professionals in the treatment of complex medical conditions. Among Baxter’s pioneering contributions to the medical field were the first commercially-manufactured intravenous solutions and the first portable kidney dialysis machine.

During her 17-year career with Baxter, Ms. Morris became the first woman to become a member of the company’s senior management team, serving in the roles of corporate vice president and treasurer, senior vice president for human relations, and senior vice president for corporate communications. She was also a member of the Baxter Foundation Board of Directors.

Currently a principal of Winston Partners, Inc. of Chicago, Ms. Morris advises chief executive officers of emerging companies across the nation. She specializes in communications, corporate governance, and finance matters related to initial public offerings.

Ms. Morris donates her time, energy and expertise as a member of the Muskingum College Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and the Board of Directors of Imagine Chicago, a non-profit organization which enables individuals and community organizations to participate in innovative civic projects designed to connect generations and cultures.

Ms. Morris earned her bachelor of arts in history and sociology from Muskingum and her master of business administration from Harvard University.

In her commencement address, Ms. Young Morris told the graduates, “Now is the time of your life to broaden your horizons. Don’t let fear of failure prevent you from achieving that which lies within you. As you embark, remain steadfast, think boldly and embrace risk.”

In her remarks to the graduating class, Dr. Steele recounted the many milestones the class had achieved during their time at the college, and told the graduates, “In countless ways you have shaped the Muskingum of tomorrow, just as you will now shape your own future. Thank you for being a part of the Muskingum community.”

Craig J. Miller ’08 represented the class of 2008. The charges to the class were presented by Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Teacher Education and Professor of Education Dr. Linda Morrow and Alumnus and Chair of the Board of Trustees Harold W. Burlingame.

The baccalaureate service was held at 10:00 a.m. Evans’ sermon, titled “Unintended Consequences,” centered on the notion that life’s actions often have unintended consequences that are either positive or negative. He told the students, "Even though today is your graduation day, your education has really just begun, and Muskingum has prepared you for a lifetime of learning. My hope is that you have balance in your life and that your unintended consequences are all positive.”

Mr. Evans is recognized for his financial leadership and his diverse contributions to our nation’s economy through his work with emerging companies and non-profit organizations.

A founding partner of RS Investment Management LLC (RSIM), he retired as its managing director in 2001. During his career, Mr. Evans managed investment portfolios for educational institutions, foundations, hospitals, corporate pension funds and individual investors. He specialized in the analysis of growth opportunities, particularly in the technology sector. Prior to founding RSIM, he led growth fund portfolio management for the San Francisco-based investment bank Robertson Stephens.

Mr. Evans entered the investment field with the Connecticut General life Insurance Company (later CIGNA) as a research analyst for aerospace, defense, technology and electronics industries. Previously, he served as assistant dean and director of admissions and student affairs at the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College and as assistant director of admissions at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Currently a partner with Land and Sea LLC, Mr. Evans is involved in real estate development and renovation of historic homes in Connecticut and Delaware.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mystic River Historical Society, the Mystic-Noank Library and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, and is an active volunteer with the Dennison Homestead Museum in Mystic, Connecticut.

Mr. Evans earned his bachelor of arts in history from Muskingum in 1968 and his master of business administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Joshua B. Eno ’08 read the scripture for baccalaureate and Jessica A. Marshall ’08 led the Collect.

Master’s degrees granted at graduate commencement, with address by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner

Muskingum College granted master of arts in education and master of arts in teaching degrees at its graduate commencement exercises, held May 8 in Brown Chapel on the campus.  The commencement address was delivered by 1974 Muskingum College alumna Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner, co-founder and chair of the Lyme Disease Foundation.

Muskingum College President Anne C. Steele congratulated the assembled graduates and said, “You have made a commitment to educate yourselves so that you may educate others. Through you, lives will be forever changed.”

In her address, Ms. Vanderhoof-Forschner chronicled the enormous challenges she and her family faced in their fight against Lyme Disease, and credited her Muskingum College experience with giving her the determination to face those challenges.  She told the graduates, “If you make your start here at Muskingum, you can accomplish anything.  The most important thing to remember is to never give up, on yourself or anyone else.”

In recognition of her contributions to her profession and to society,  the college bestowed upon Ms. Vanderhoof-Forschner an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. It was presented by Dr. Steele and Muskingum College alumnus and Trustee Gordon Spillman.  In 1999,  Mrs. Vanderhoof-Forschner received the Distinguished Service Award, Muskingum College’s highest honor for alumni. 

Ms. Vanderhoof-Forschner is an internationally recognized health advocate, whose efforts have educated millions of families to the dangers of Lyme disease and other tick-borne disorders. 

Her public mission is rooted in personal tragedy.  After being bitten by a deer tick in 1985, her son was born with, handicapped by, and died at age five from Lyme disease. She co-founded the Lyme Disease Foundation in 1988, and has since donated more than 40,000 volunteer hours to the organization, as well as serving as chair of its Board of Directors.

Under her leadership, the Lyme Disease Foundation created a high-profile public information program, cited by Time magazine as the “most successful awareness campaign” of any health organization.  In just two years, Lyme disease moved from being virtually unknown to achieving 88 percent household name recognition.

Ms. Vanderhoof-Forschner’s education initiatives have included authoring a book Everything You Need to Know about Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Disorders, and co-producing award-winning television programs for children.  She has conducted innumerable media interviews, and has testified before Congress, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

With professional expertise that spans the fields of health care and insurance law, Ms. Vanderhoof-Forschner focuses her research on health-care policy and has served as a member of the board of trustees for several health and human services organizations.  She has been honored by the National Institutes of Health for Outstanding Public Health Education, named a “Woman of the Year” by the Points of Light Foundation and Family Circle magazine and a “Woman of Worth” award by L’Oreal, Inc.

Ms. Vanderhoof-Forschner earned a bachelor of science in biology and psychology from Muskingum College, a master of business administration from the University of Connecticut School of Business, a juris doctor degree, cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, and a master of laws degree in insurance law from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

She is married to Thomas E. Forschner, a 1972 Muskingum College alumnus and  co-founder and executive director of the Lyme Disease Foundation. They are the parents of Christy and James (deceased), and reside in Tolland, Connecticut.

Candidates for their master’s degrees were presented by Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Paul Reichardt. The degrees were conferred by President Steele, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies Dr. Ruthann Fagan and Professor of Education and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Teacher Education Dr. Linda Morrow. 

Dr. Steele also recognized Dr. Morrow for her selection as “Professor of the Year” for the state of Ohio by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). To read more about Dr. Morrow, click here.

Faculty marshals were Professor of Religion Rick Nutt and Professor of Education Dr. Steve Kokovich. The graduate marshals were Elizabeth L. Gifford and Marianne M. Huey.

Dale W. Dickson Scholarship awards support to Traci Alt of Salesville

A first-year Muskingum College student has been awarded financial support from the Dale W. Dickson Endowed Scholarship Fund.  Traci Alt, a Buckeye Trail High School graduate from Salesville, will begin her studies at Muskingum this fall, where she plans to pursue the pre-medicine program. She is the daughter of Kevin and Debbie Alt of Salesville.

As a student at Buckeye Trail, Traci was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Students Helping Students and Students Against Drunk Driving.  She also participates in volleyball, basketball and softball, and was recently selected as a recipient of the John Wells Memorial Scholarship.

The Dale W. Dickson Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 1998, following his death, by his family, friends and the Mace Club, a social club at Muskingum. Dickson, who graduated from Muskingum in 1965, was a member of the Mace Club and served on its advisory board after his graduation. The purpose of the fund is to make it financially possible for deserving and qualified students, preferably from Guernsey County, to attend Muskingum College.

Dickson was a teacher and coach at Meadowbrook High School, Cambridge High School, Cloverleaf High School near Cleveland, and Mt. Vernon High School. Beginning in 1986, he was employed by Cambridge Savings Bank, where he served as vice president and secretary and as a board member of Camco Mortgage. He also was the high school football coach of Cambridge native Dom Capers, who is defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Capers also won coach of the year honors in the NFL as head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

Dickson was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club, the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce Board, the Guernsey County United Way campaign and the board of directors of the Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center. In tribute to his college athletic career, he was inducted into the Muskingum College Hall of Fame in 1993.

Two other Dickson Scholarship recipients, Jessica Miller and Alexe Monday, both of Cambridge, will continue their studies at Muskingum this year. Matthew Gilmore, another Dickson Scholar, recently completed his studies at Muskingum with a bachelor’s degree in History.

The Metallurg Vanadium Corporation/Muskingum College Engineering Scholarship awarded to John Glenn High School’s Emily Hollowniczky

The Metallurg Vanadium Corporation/Muskingum College Engineering Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year has been awarded to Emily Hollowniczky, a John Glenn High School senior. The daughter of Michael and Rhonda Hollowniczky of New Concord, Emily will enter Muskingum College this fall, where she plans to study engineering science.

Emily’s honors in high school include being in the top ten percent of her class at John Glenn, participation in the Orchestra and String Sounds, membership in the Fellowship of Christian Students, the Business Club and the Ambassador Club, and work as statistician for the boys' soccer and wrestling teams. She also works part-time at Animal Clinic of Cambridge, where she started as a volunteer.

The scholarship was created by Metallurg Vanadium Corporation (MVC) to help a student from an area high school study engineering science at Muskingum. Valued at $1,000 per year, it is available to students graduating from Buckeye Trail, Cambridge, John Glenn or Meadowbrook high schools. In addition to financial support, MVC will provide opportunities for the scholarship recipients to gain practical experience through internships with the company.

The engineering science program at Muskingum combines a broad foundation in engineering, mathematics, science and liberal arts with practical experience in designing, implementing and reporting on real-world projects. Students in the program typically take coursework in chemistry, computational science, electrical engineering, engineering design, material science, mathematics, mechanical engineering and physics.

MVC and the college believe that this scholarship supports the economic vitality of the region and addresses the need to develop future scientists and engineers. It is also hoped that this support will encourage talented local students to not only study at Muskingum, but remain in the region to consider their career opportunities after college.

In the photo: (Front row, left to right), Vice President of Enrollment Jeff Zellers, scholarship winner Emily Hollowniczky, Senior Admission Counselor Joy Cronin and Chair of the Department of Physics and Engineering Dr. Richard Taylor. (Back row, left to right), Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Riechardt. and Metallurg Vanadium Plant Manager Ed Forshey.

Center for Advancement of Learning hosts First Step, a summer program for college-bound students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD

The Muskingum College Center for Advancement of Learning will offer First Step, a program designed to improve the transitioning and academic skills needed by college-bound high school juniors and seniors with learning disabilities and/or ADHD, from July 13 through July 26 on the campus.  The program is open to any junior or senior student, regardless of whether or not they plan to attend Muskingum. 

Non-credit classes offered during First Step include “Introduction to College Writing” and “Justice in Society,” which are meant to acquaint college-bound students with the skills including note taking, homework assignments and tests.  Also included are lab sessions which complement those classes, as well as visits to the John Glenn Historic Site and Exploration Center and the Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio and Gallery in Zanesville.  Students will also travel to a local pottery, where they will paint their own piece of pottery, a tour of a crime lab and a variety of social activities. 

First Step aims to reduce student anxiety and to promote academic success, said Dr. Eileen Henry, Executive Director of Muskingum College’s Center for Advancement of Learning, which has provided academic support to Muskingum students for the last 25 years.  “Participants develop a better understanding of their unique learning styles, as well as a plan for improving their opportunities for academic success.”

These opportunities include diagnostic learning assessments, academic reinforcement and instruction through one-on-one tutoring, learning strategies workshops, and social and emotional support.

"Students will identify their individual strengths and weaknesses and then will be given assistance in practicing strategies such as time management and organization; note-taking; textbook reading; writing, proofing and speaking; memory, testing, listening, and self-advocacy,” explained Dr. Henry.

"The time that students spend at a program like First Step will help them enter college feeling confident and comfortable,” said Dr. Henry.

Muskingum College’s Center for Advancement of Learning is dedicated to helping students with learning disabilities to realize their academic potential and provides the framework for campus-wide academic support. Through the Center, Muskingum College offers its nationally recognized PLUS Program of comprehensive academic support services for students with specific learning disabilities. Those services include tutoring by qualified professionals, advising regarding the number and mix of courses, and group study opportunities.

For more information, call the Center for Advancement of Learning at 740-826-8280.

Two graduates recognized by Ohio Foreign  Language Association

Two Muskingum College graduates have been recognized for excellence in and service to the study of foreign languages by the Ohio State Language Association.

Brian Rippel ’08 graduated with majors in French, international business and international affairs, was a resident of the French House at Muskingum, a student assistant in the international student services office and was manager of the Morehead language lab.  He also is a past president of the French Club and spent his junior year at the Universite du Sud Toulon-Var in France.

He presented his senior research paper, written in French, titled “Facing Globalization:  What is the Role of the French Language?” at the Heidelberg College Undergraduate Research Conference in 2007.   

Katie Ballard ’08 graduated with majors in Spanish and Christian education and a minor in teaching English as a second language. While a student at Muskingum, she held an internship with the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program at the college.  In 2007, she won first prize in Muskingum’s annual Global Symposium for her  presentation on her semester at Universidad Blas Pascal in Cordoba, Argentina. She also presented her senior seminar research “Hispanic Ministry in the U.S.” at the Heidelberg College Undergraduate Research Conference.  

The Ohio Foreign Language Association is an organization of foreign language educators in the state of Ohio. It is committed to making foreign languages an essential part of every school's core curriculum, beginning in the primary grades, so that every student who graduates from high school is proficient in a second language.

Muskingum College offers new professional options

Muskingum College has made available three new professional development options designed for people interested in the field of accounting. Built on one of the well-established strengths of the college, the new accounting certificate program provides students a choice of progressively more advanced options in accounting including a college certificate in basic accounting, a college certificate in office management accounting, and a college certificate in public accounting preparatory to the CPA examination.

"The Muskingum Economics, Accounting and Business faculty makes these options available to both current and prospective accounting professionals in our region,” stated Economics, Accounting and Business Department Chair, Gary Golden. “These college certificate options will appeal to a broad spectrum of candidates ranging from students with little or no college experience, who may want to explore higher education in a compact yet meaningful program, to college graduates interested in advancing already established careers.”

Muskingum has made the program user-friendly. Rolling admissions allow most students to begin their program at the beginning of any term during the 12-month calendar followed by the college. Students are able to choose between classes offered on the traditional daytime schedule or on the evening schedule when classes meet once a week. The college also plans to make courses which are part of the certificate options available in New Concord and at sites in Coshocton, Zanesville and Cambridge.

For additional information about this or any other program at the college, contact Kim Goosman in Graduate & Studies at 740-826-8038 or at kgoosman@muskingum.edu.

Science Division students present research at Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Week poster presentations, three winners named

The Science Division recently held its annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Week, during which students presented their research findings in poster presentations. Each worked with the faculty at Muskingum, as well as with experts and organizations from outside the campus. Winners of the poster competition were selected by Science Division faculty members.

First place was awarded to Ankur Joshi '08, who presented Prediction of the structure and nature of the “resuscitation promoting factor” protein secreted by the viable cells of micrococcus luteus.

Second place was awarded to Anna Belyaevskaya '08. who presented Comparison of HLA-C gene from a person affected by psoriasis and three people potentially carrying the gene.

Third place was awarded to Rebecca Schroeder '08, who presented Biochemical evidence of dystroglycan complex in epidermis.

Also presenting were:

• Ashley Burkett '08 presented Taphonomy of mollusk species found in lagoonal cores of Smuggler’s Cove, U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Ashley Campbell '08 and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jim Dooley presented Composition and ecology of myxomycetes in a temperate deciduous forest of southeastern Ohio.
• Scott Carpenter '08 presented Phase 10, research on a popular card game.
• Nick Daniels '08 presented Commercial type effect of product value, entertainment and creativity.
• Joseph D. Foreman '08 and Associate Professor of Geology Dr. Stephen Van Horn presented Quantifying land use and water quality changes within a small rural watershed in southeastern Ohio (1961-2004).
• Jonathan Grennell '08, Jessica Teaff '08 and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jim Dooley presented Giraffe nutrition study at The Wilds, Ohio.
• Rohan Gupta '08 presented College Tour, research on the use of virtual reality for international students.
• Taylor Hammond '08 presented The effect of self-ambivalence level on attribution.
• Nicklaus J. Hess '08 presented Localization of a dystroglycan complex in human epidermis.
• Brock M. Huntsman '08 and The Homer A. Anderson Distinguished Professor of the Natural Sciences Dr. Danny Ingold presented Parasite loads in largemouth bass (micropterus salmoides) on a reclaimed surface mine in southeastern Ohio (The Wilds).
• Wes Jordan '08 presented Evidence of the stilostomella extinction during the mid-pleistocene in the central north Atlantic Ocean: Integrated ocean drilling program (IODP) expedition 306 site u1314 on the Gardar Drift.
• Catherine Kistler '11 presented Romantic relationships: Are we similar to our partners?
• Oksana Kyrychenko '08 presented Satisfaction in long distance relationships.
• Greg Leasure '08 and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jim Dooley presented, A population estimation of white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus) at The Wilds.
• Amanda LeFever '08 and Professor of Chemistry Dr. Raymond D Rataiczak presented Synthesis and characterization of the pyrene- 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane charge transfer complex.
• Megan Lucas '08 presented Do long-distance relationships effect social involvement?Amy Miller '10and Dr.Michael Misovich of Hope College presented Explicit vapor pressure prediction from the PRSV equation of state.
• Craig Miller '08 and Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Deepamali Perera presented Synthesis and characterization of pyrimidopyrimidoindole nucleosides: fluorescent probes for abasic dna sites.
• Shawn Miller '08 presented Microsoft XNA game development studio.
• Jenna Parrish '11 and Anna Belyaevskaya '08 presented Cloning and expression of the taq DNA polymerase gene from thermus aquaticus.
• Elizabeth K. Pittner '08 presented Personality and juror decision.
• Sarah Reams '08 presented The effects of heat stress on the viability and thermotolerance of bacillus cereus atcc 12826.
• Robert Rebecca '08 presented Perceived appropriateness of crime.
• David Shahbodaghi '10 presented Independent chemical research with Dr. Eric J. Schurter, Ph.D.
• Brittany Shannon '08 presented College enrollment factors in high school students.
• Kelli Simmerman '11 presented Bullying among adolescents.
• Jennifer Sorrell '08 presented Ice-rafted debris in the north Atlantic during the pleistocene (~1.4-1.7 ma): integrated ocean drilling program expedition 306, site u1314.
• Jason Tarbert '08 and Associate Professor of Geology Dr. Stephen Van Horn presented Effects of surface mining on stream water quality in the Wills Creek watershed, southeastern Ohio: PH, specific conductance and sulfate trends.
• Bonnie Whitt '08 and Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Amy Santas presented Use of a progesterone assay to detect pregnancy in rhinoceroses at The Wilds.
• Michael Zimmermann '08 and The Homer A. Anderson Distinguished Professor of the Natural Sciences Dr. Danny Ingold presented Parasite loads in three sunfish species (lepomis sp.) on reclaimed surface mine ponds in southeastern Ohio (The Wilds).

James A. Bradford Colloquium features research by Science Division students, three winners named

Seven Muskingum College Science Division students made presentations at this year’s James A. Bradford Colloquium, and three were selected as prize winners. Winners were selected by Science Division faculty members, and the prizes are funded by The Carolyn and Glenn Hodges Student Research Awards Fund.

Michael Zimmerman '08 was awarded first place for his presentation, Parasite loads in three sunfish species (Lepmis SP) on reclaimed surface mine ponds in southeastern Ohio (The Wilds). Zimmerman conducted his research with The Homer A. Anderson Distinguished Professor of the Natural Sciences Dr. Danny Ingold.

Ashley Burkett '08 was awarded second place for her study, Taphonomy of mollusc species found in lagoonal cores of Smuggler’s Cave, United States Virgin Islands.

Amanda LeFever '08 received third place for her work, Synthesis and characterization of the pyrene-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethan charge transfer complex. She conducted her research with Professor of Chemistry Dr. Raymond Rataiczak.

Other colloquium presenters were:

• Jessica Teaff '08 and Jonathan Grennell '08 presented, Giraffe Nutrition Study at The Wilds, Ohio.
• Joe Foreman '08 presented, Quantifying Land Use and Water Quality Changes Within a Small Rural Watershed in Southeastern Ohio (1961-2004).
• Taylor Hammond '09 presented, The Effect of Self Ambivalence Level on Attribution.
• Ankur Joshi '08 presented, Prediction of the Structure and Nature of the “Resuscitation Promoting Factor” (RPF) Protein Secreted by the Viable Cells of Micrococcus Luteus,

Students earn honors in annual Society for Collegiate Journalists competition

Student staff from Muskingum College’s newspaper, radio station and yearbook each have earned honors in this year’s Society for Collegiate Journalists national competition.

Josh Chaney '10 earned first place in the Spot or Hard News category for his story, Student arrested for making online threat, for the college’s newspaper, The Black and Magenta. The newspaper is advised by Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Vivian Wagner.

Caitlin Schultz '10 earned second place in the Broadcast News category for the college’s radio station, WMCO-FM, 90.7, for her story, Breaking News – Fire. Schultz also earned first place in the Commercial Promo/PSA category for her story, Village Vote, and second place in the same category for Community Calendar. WMCO’s station manager is Assistant Professor of Speech Communication Dr. Lisa Marshall.

The college’s yearbook, Muscoljuan, earned second place in the category Overall Excellence, Enrollment of 7000 or Fewer, and honorable mentions in the categories of Theme, and Reporting in Words. The faculty advisor for the yearbook is Instructor of English Meghan Fox.

The Society for Collegiate Journalists is an academic journalism honorary devoted to college journalists, advisors and media at colleges and universities around the world.

Five seniors make presentations at research conference

Five Muskingum College seniors have presented their seminar research at Minds at Work: The Fifteenth Annual Student Research Conference, held at Heidelberg College in Tiffin.

Katie Ballard '08 presented an English-language version of her Spanish seminar project titled Hispanic Ministry in the U.S. Her work was sponsored by Assistant Professor of Spanish Dr. Lisa Petrov.

Andrea Clemings '09 presented her research paper titled NAFTA and its Effects on Mexico. It was also translated from its original Spanish version into English. Her work was also sponsored by Dr. Petrov.

Brian Rippel '09 presented an English version of his French capstone research project titled Facing Globalization: What is the Role of the French Language? His research was sponsored by Associate Professor of French Dr. Jean Morris.

Emily Wilson '08 presented her Spanish seminar research titled International Relations and Major League Baseball: The U.S. and Latin America, which was directed by Dr. Petrov.

Angela Weimer '08 prsented Sanctioned Stamina: Disability, Poverty and Healthcare, directed by Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Vivian Wagner.

Sixty students from four participating colleges and universities gave presentations at the conference on a range of academic disciplines.

Speech team places fifth in state forensics tournament

The Muskingum College speech team placed fifth overall in the 2008 State Forensics Tournament, held at The Ohio State University in Columbus.

The following Muskingum students were honored at the tournament:

Rachel Thompson '10 placed ninth in varsity persuasive speaking on the topic of Campus Climate Neutrality and the Presidential Climate Challenge.

Yaesong Jung, an exchange student from Seoul, South Korea, won second place in novice multicultural informative speaking on the topic, Korea's Shifting Racial History.

Morgan Shepard '10 ranked seventh in novice after dinner speaking.on the topic The Franco-American Relationship.

The speech team is coached and advised by Instructor of Speech Communication Rachel Pollock.

Nine students named to OPCICA Honors Band

Six members of the Muskingum College Wind and Percussion Ensemble and three members of its Jazz Ensemble were named to the honors concert band and the honors jazz ensemble at the 2008 Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) 21st Annual Honor Bands Festival.

The festival took place on the campus of Malone College in Canton, and was hosted by Malone faculty member Dr. Cynthia Bridges. The students rehearsed for two days and then staged performances as part of the festival.

The Muskingum students chosen for the Honors Concert Band were Rosie Bonerigo '08, Amanda LaMaster '09, Laura Nichols '09, Kyle Paul '10, Drew Wichterman '08 and Karen Witker '09. Chosen for the Honors Jazz Ensemble were Levi Funk '10, Lucas Kaspar '10 and J. J. Wagler '10. A total of five Muskingum students were also chosen as soloists for the performances.

Nominations for the concert band and the jazz ensemble were submitted by conductors from each OPCICA-member institution, and those nominations were evaluated by both the president and president-elect of the organization. This year, 98 of approximately 150 nominees were selected for the concert band and 18 of 35 nominations for the Jazz Ensemble were selected.

Principal’s license program at Muskingum College offered in new format

Muskingum College is now offering its highly successful principal’s licensure program in a convenient distance-learning format that combines face-to-face classes meetings with electronic learning (e-learning). The new format allows students to complete a 3-credit course required for the license in just four weeks.

This change reflects Muskingum’s ongoing mission of providing service to the region by making this license more accessible to a broader audience. Dr. Vicki Wilson, who has taken a leadership role in distance education at the College, points out that there continues to be a strong demand for school administrators in Ohio and that today, everyone has access to the technology needed to participate in e-learning opportunities, including telephone and internet.

The new delivery format allows students to complete a 3-credit course in a month by attending two Saturday, classroom-based meetings and participating electronically during intervening weeks. Students will be able to complete up to four courses per term and have the option of attending full or part-time. According to Dr. Ruthann Fagan, dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies, “We’re very excited about this new opportunity. The training of high-quality, administrative professionals is one of the well-established strengths of the College. Blended learning serves to make our program even more accessible for the many students who are already in the program and already working as administrators.” Fagan went on to say that the blended-learning format also facilitates others joining who want to explore advancing their careers in this high-demand area.

This change in format marks Muskingum College’s second blended-learning offering. The option was launched this fall with the introduction of the Master of Information Strategy, Systems and Technology program. For more information about any of the programs offered through Graduate and Continuing Studies, call 740-826-8038.

Graduate and Continuing Studies offers adult students an opportunity to earn credit for life experiences

The Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Muskingum College is offering adult students wishing to complete their bachelor’s degree an opportunity to earn academic credit for learning outside the classroom.

The college’s Experiential Learning Workshop takes students through a petitioning process that leads to an evaluation of their learning as it applies to the pursuit of an undergraduate degree.  The credits earned can be applied toward their degree in the Muskingum Adult Program (MAP), which offers bachelor’s degrees in accounting, public accounting, business, criminal justice, early childhood education and intervention specialist education.

The workshops, which take place in six sessions over 12 weeks, guide students through the process of completing a portfolio of their learning from life and work experiences, which is then evaluated by a faculty member who is an expert in the field.  The academic credit earned is applied toward the student’s degree requirements.

"The experiential learning workshops offer adult students a new way to receive academic credit for college-level learning that has taken place outside of the classroom,” said Kim Goosman, coordinator of the Muskingum Adult Program. “Earning academic credit in this way has the potential to reduce the amount of time required to earn a degree, plus it can reduce the cost.”

Goosman also said that the money saved from the workshop can be significant.  “A student who receives 15 credits from their experiential learning portfolio can save almost $3,000 over the cost of regular tuition.  We’re confident that our adult students will find that a very attractive way to move forward with their degree,” she said.

For specific information on the workshops, call Graduate and Continuing Studies at 740-826-8038 or click here.

Plans announced to develop Bachelor of Science in Nursing program

Muskingum College has announced plans to develop a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program.  The program, which expands the number of degree choices for students at Muskingum, will be offered to both traditional undergraduate students in either a residential or commuter setting, and also as part of the Muskingum Adult Program (MAP) to persons currently holding the R.N. licensure.

"In planning this nursing program, Muskingum recognized the needs of  the nation and the southeastern Ohio region,"  said Dr. Anne C. Steele, Muskingum College President. National reports indicate that by 2010 there will be a critical shortage of registered nurses, one which will grow to 2.8 million by 2020.  In southeastern Ohio, there is a particular shortage of nurses who hold baccalaureate degrees.  At present there are too few openings in B.S.N. programs to accommodate the demand from prospective students, and this problem could worsen in the future as the need for nurses continues to grow. 

The program will combine the best of Muskingum’s liberal arts and sciences with a structured nursing curriculum to build a comprehensive B.S.N. experience. 

The clinical component is being designed to exceed required standards, and Muskingum College officials have begun discussions with both the Genesis Health Care System in Zanesville and the Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center in Cambridge about providing clinical opportunities for students.

Medical experts from these organizations are excited about the possibilities created by having a B.S.N. program in the region, where the students’ educational experiences will involve critical thinking, problem-solving, communications and exposure to today’s technology. Muskingum has begun the process of seeking approval of the nursing program from the Ohio Board of Nursing and the Ohio Board of Regents, and will ultimately seek accreditation from the North Central Association and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).  Successful completion of the program will allow students to sit for the exams leading to the R.N. license.

Dr. Judy Strayer has been hired as founding director, and will lead the program development.  Dr. Strayer is a licensed nurse and has extensive experience as a nursing faculty member and program administrator.  She has a Master of Science degree in Nursing and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from The Ohio State University, and is widely respected both statewide and nationally for her expertise in nursing education.

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