SPRING ISSUE2006

A Publication for Alumni and Friends

• Facilities to beRenovated

• Board Appointments

• Thomas Steps Down asBasketball Coach

• Class Notes

• Bickerstaff Roast

• BookstoreMemorabilia

Dr. Gregory S. Sojka, and wife, Jane

2/www.rio.edu SPRING ISSUE 2006A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

DEAR RIO GRANDE ALUMNI ,Please let me introduce myself as your

very proud Interim President of the Uni-versity of Rio Grande. Dr. Dorsey de-parted in January after 15 years of ex-cellent service to Rio Grande. Duringthe last 12 years I have served Rio’sfaculty and students as Provost and Aca-demic Vice President, My wife’s nameis Jane (the “other Dr. Sojka”) and weare blessed with three daughters, Laura,20; Ann, 17; and Joan, 16. My new po-sition will enable me to meet both onand off campus with many alumni andfriends of Rio Grande.

Although snowflakes are flyingacross the sky as I am writing, springcleaning will soon begin both in ourhomes and at your alma mater!

Several campus improvementprojects are underway this spring. Dirtwill be moved and temporary inconve-niences will occur, but the results willadd many beautiful features to our cam-pus to serve students, faculty, staff, al-ums and guests.

These projects are benefiting from thecurrent “Lighting the Way” CapitalCampaign which has raised $16 millionof the $21 million goal, with 18 monthsto conclusion.

Through the generosity of Jack andJane Kidd, their son, Larry, and daugh-ter-in-law, Cindy, a totally renovatedgreenhouse will sparkle in the KiddMath and Science Center. Other im-provements, including new classroomfurnishings and a comfortable loungewith wireless Internet access will alsoserve the many students who attendclasses in this facility.

Our swimming pool is undergoing acomplete infrastructure renovation.Around 800 swimmers each week usethe pool, and all the lifeguard trainingfor local pools takes place at RioGrande. We also teach swimming les-sons for children and adults who fearthe water. A local community group,headed by Tom Blodgett, M.D., his wifeHeidi, and Naci Bozkir, M.D., has vol-

unteered to chair the Swimming PoolCampaign to raise the money for therenovations.

Another project involves the expan-sion of the Evan E. and Elizabeth E.Davis University Center. Cafeteria seat-ing will increase from 350 to 500, andadditional student meeting and gamerooms and an open terrace will revital-ize the campus core. A Great Hall andother special features will enable Rio tohost larger campus and communityevents. The admissions staff has moved intonew offices in a renovated home acrossfrom Lyne Center. The Campus Beautification Com-mittee works hard at making our cam-pus an even more attractive place forliving and learning. I plan to join themin planting some additional perennialsand annuals around the President’sHome! I had the privilege to attend severalalumni meetings in Florida this Febru-ary, and enjoyed meeting our friendsthere. This May, many former RioGrande basketball players will partici-pate in a “roast” hosted by Bob Leith,honoring Bernie Bickerstaff, currentlyhead coach and general manager of theNBA Charlotte Bobcats, and his formercoach, Art Lanham. Commencementwill follow on May 6, with a record of500+ graduates receiving their diplo-mas in a ceremony held on the CampusGreen. For all the success we have had todate with the Capital Campaign, wemust continue to “light the way” for fu-ture projects. Included on this list areequipping a psychology laboratory,funding an endowed faculty chair intechnology, creating a simulated “trad-ing floor” in our School of Business, andforming a School of Allied Health Sci-ences with a new building to follow. None of these projects can take placewithout your assistance. When asked,please volunteer your time, energy, andresources. Accept my sincere thanks onbehalf of your alma mater. I look for-ward to meeting with you in the future!

Dr. Gregory Sojka

Pool Under Repair

More than two months ago, Rio Grandewas forced to close its swimming pool lo-cated in Lyne Center.

The pool, built in 1969, is in good shapestructurally, but needs immediate repair ofits filter, filter houses, intake pipes, and cir-culation pipes.

When operable, the pool is used by nu-merous people on a regular basis, includ-ing Rio’s athletic teams who use the facil-ity for training, conditioning and rehab, areaseniors for exercise and the ease of theirarthritis, and a competitive communityswim team.

While not an original part of the Light-ing the Way Campaign, the raising of$500,000 has been undertaken by theCampaign’s leadership and a committeeformed to assist in this effort.

Campaign Makes Upgrades Possible

Petrea Brown, Jackson, was named tothe University of Rio Grande Board ofTrustees on February 4.

The wife of the late Dean S. Brown’65, Petrea received her Bachelor of Artsdegree in 1974, and her master’s degreein classroom teaching, also from RioGrande, in 1995. Petrea is a teacher inthe Jackson City School District, whereshe has taught for the past 20 years.

“I go back a long way with the Uni-versity. It’s been a major part of my life,”said Petrea.

“I will do whatever I can (to help),wherever I can.”

PetreaBrown

Named ToUniversity

Board

About the Cover: Drs. Greg and Jane Sojkaare shown in the living room of the President’sHome. The home, located on the URG cam-pus, has undergone a thorough and profes-sional cleaning, including a repainting of boththe first and second floors, carpet shampoo-ing, and drapery cleaning. The Presidents’Home opened in 1994.

www.rio.edu/3A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDSSPRING ISSUE 2006

W. Todd Johnson ’88, Gallipolis, becamea member of the URG Board of Trusteesduring its October 2005 meeting. Todd isserving as a representative of the AlumniBoard of Directors.

The former accounting major is an inter-nal controls coordinator for the Ohio Val-ley Bank Co.

W. ToddJohnson ’88Named ToUniversity

Board

Danny, a yellow labrador retriever and starof his own adventure series written for chil-dren, was accompanied by his owner, authorMia Simpson Coulton ’72, upon their visitto campus on November 30.

At a luncheon hosted by the Friends ofDavis Library and the URG Alumni Asso-ciation, Mia, a former reading interventionspecialist, and her husband Rob ’72, ex-plained the writing process that has re-sulted in the publication of 26 children’sbooks.

The Coultons reside in Shaker Heights.

Danny Goes To College

Major improvements to the Kidd Mathand Science Center are underway, due tothe extended support of the Jack Kidd Fam-ily of Jackson, Ohio. A long-time trusteeof the University, Jack, and his wife, Jane,have enlisted the help of their son, Larry,and Larry’s wife, Cindy, in providing forimprovements to and the upkeep of the fa-cility. (See President’s Message, p. 2)

The Center’s greenhouse is receivingnew windows, cabinets, and floor, and anew watering system is being installed.New stools are being put in the labs, andnew desks in the classrooms. The lobby isbeing redesigned to be more conducive tostudy, and will have wireless Internet ac-cessibility.

“We are just really enthusiastic about theUniversity and everything it represents,”Jack Kidd said. Adds Larry, “We reallybelieve in Rio Grande.”

Kidd Family ExtendsFurther Support To Center

A long-timeformer employeeof Rio Grande,Dr. Herman L.Koby, Gallipolis,has been namedthe interim presi-dent of RioGrande Commu-nity College by the RGCC trustees.

Dr. Koby served the institution in anumber of positions between the years1966 and 2000. In 2002, he joined theRGCC Board of Trustees, and for thepast two years has served as its chair-man.

Koby said his new position wouldenable him to further define,strengthen, and solidify the relation-ship between the two institutions.

Koby Named InterimPresident Of Rio Grande

Community College

Nursing Students Assist InKatrina Relief

“It humbles you.”This was a statement made by nursing

instructor, Kathy Carlisle, and a feelingshared by those who accompanied her,upon her return from Katrina-devastatedPass Christian, Mississippi.

Four Rio nursing students organized andfunded the trip, taken in late 2005, as a com-munity service project. While in Missis-sippi, the group passed out food and sup-plies at a distribution center, and workedin a soup kitchen.

The group included Sara Lash,McArthur; Sarah Deel, Gallipolis; LaceyBunting; Gallipolis, and Danielle Thomas,Asheville; Donna Mitchell, chair of theHolzer School of Nursing; and Carlisle.These students are enrolled in the Bach-elor of Science Nursing Program.

Of the trip all agreed that they got moreout of the experience than they gave.

Service-learning project of the RN-BSNStudents in Pass Christian, Mississippi

after Hurricane Katrina

Dr. Barry M. Dorsey, immediate past presi-dent of the University of Rio Grande/ RioGrande Community College, is now the ex-ecutive director of the New College of Vir-ginia Planning Commission in Martinsville,Virginia.

Dr. Dorsey noted that the Planning Com-mission has worked for nearly two years tolay the groundwork for establishing a newfour-year state institution in the Martinsville-Henry County region of Southern Virginia.Said Dorsey, “My initial responsibility willbe to implement an evolving two-stage planto create the institution...literally ‘from theground up.”

Dr. Dorsey continued, “I will very muchmiss…all of the alumni, friends, and support-ers of Rio Grande. I am grateful to each ofyou for your work to grow and develop theinstitution.”

Dorsey Says Farewell,Undertakes New Challenge

Former President Barry M. Dorseyaddresses attendees at a farewell

reception held in his honor. At right isGregory Fields ’71, Chairman, URG

Board of Trustees

4/www.rio.edu SPRING ISSUE 2006A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

CLASS NOTES b CLASS NOTES b CLASS NOTES b1924

JOY BETHEL , Ontario, celebrated her102nd birthday on January 22. A retiredelementary school teacher, Miss Bethelgave piano lessons until her 100th birthday.A resident of Outlook Pointe, an assistedliving center, Miss Bethel enjoys playingthe piano in her room, reading mysteriesand historical novels, and attending church.

1931Deceased: DARLEENE OSBORN,Columbus, on March 6, 2005.

1936Reverend DR. W. LUTHER TRACY , RioGrande, was named Pastor Emeritus onOctober 9, in honor of his 50 years ofservice to Calvary Baptist Church.

1939ELVIN E. HAMM , Seville, received his50-year pin for faithful service from theMasonic Order.

1942Deceased: STANLEY D. KITTS , UpperArlington, in November 1998. While at RioGrande, Mr. Kitts served on the newspaperstaff. He was an Air Force veteran ofWWII, and received a second degree fromthe Ohio State University. Mr. Kitts wasemployed by the USDA as an agriculturespecialist. He and his wife had twochildren, five grandchildren, and sevengreat-grandchildren.

1963VIOLA GETTLES , Wellston, celebratedher 90th birthday on August 14. Mrs.Gettles retired from the Wellston SchoolDistrict in 1985.

1975JACOB BAPST, Gallipolis, was honoredwith an Outstanding Community Leader-ship Award at the annual awards ceremonyof the Ohio Educational Service Center,held on November 14, in Columbus. Jakewas recognized for his work with projectCHAMP, a collaborative effort of URG andthe Ohio Appalachian Center for HigherEducation to increase the college-going ratein Appalachian Ohio.

1967CHARLES MURRAY , Gallipolis, was therecipient of the Jane Roush McCaffertyAward of Excellence in Genealogypresented by the Gallia County Historicaland Genealogical Society, Inc. at itsLineage Society Banquet on October 8.Charles has served on the Society’s Boardfor 24 years, and is the author of numerousarticles on the history of Gallia County.

1977DALE and PAULA WHITT , Bidwell,celebrated their 30th wedding anniversaryon August 24.

1980M. STEPHEN MOSES, Lumberton, NC,editor of the local newspaper, Red SpringsCitizen, was selected to participate in a live,

on-orbit interview with astronaut Com-mander William “Bill” McArthur onboardthe International Space Station. McArthuris a native of the Red Springs area, and is afriend of Moses. The interview was carriedlive on NASA television.

1985Deceased: ROBERT SHAW,Wheelersburg, in January.

1986Married: RENEE WARD (also ’98),Bidwell, to Mike Bastiani, in April 2005.

Born: to RUSSELL and DEBORAHMINGUS SAUNDERS ’95, a son, WesleyAllen, on December 5. The family residesin Gallipolis.

CHRISTINE CAVALLARO , Ada, is afull-time professor in the English depart-ment at the University of NorthwesternOhio.

1988Deceased: JOETTARITCHIE TODD,New Concord, onDecember 16. Whileat Rio Grande, Joettawas active in ROTC,and was a TKE ‘lilsis. She had most recently been employedas an RN at Marietta Memorial Hospital.Joetta is survived by her husband, DAVID’93, and her sister, JULIA RITCHIEKIMBLE ’92.

1989Deceased: KERRY WOOD , Dublin,formerly of Wellston, in January.

1992Born: to Dan and CHRISTIE WHITELAMPE , a daughter, Addison Paige, onApril 12. Christie teaches elementaryeducation courses at Southern IllinoisUniversity Edwardsville. Dan is a seniorvice president at Phoenix Partners. Thefamily resides in Glen Carbon, IL.

WARREN F. SHEETS, Gallipolis, died onFebruary 19. Mr. Sheets was a veteran of WWII, andserved with the Timberwolves of the 413th Infantry,104th Division, U.S. Army. He attended Rio GrandeCollege, and graduated from Ohio NorthernUniversity Law School in 1950. He practiced law inGallia County for fifty-five years, and is survived byhis wife, his college sweetheart, PHYLLISWILLIAMSON SHEETS .

Riowww.rio.edu/5SPRING ISSUE 2006 A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

CLASS NOTES b CLASS NOTES b CLASS NOTES b1993

ELLEN BRASEL ,assistant professor ofhistory at the URG/Rio Grande Commu-nity College has beennamed Teacher of theYear in Ohio by theOhio Association ofTwo-Year Colleges. The award waspresented during a ceremony at LakelandCommunity College in Kirkland, OH, onOctober 21. Brasel also holds a master’sdegree from Ohio University.

WILLIAM G. McDONALD, III, M.D. ,founder of the Orthopaedic Surgical CareInstitute, practices in Connersville andRichmond, IN. He is the author of an articlerecently published in the American Journalof Sports Medicine, and resides with hisdaughter, Kyndle, 8.

1994Born: to David and JENNIFERTSCHUDI SIMPSON, twins, GabrielPaul and Greer Evelyn, October 6. SonGraham is 3 1/2. The family resides inMt. Gilead.

Born: to DR. EDDIE and LORI DYESLOTER ’95, a son, Kyle Anthony, onAugust 17. Son Cameron is 2. Eddiereceived his Ph.D. in genetics and develop-mental biology from West VirginiaUniversity in 2002. He conducted hisgraduate and postdoctoral research at UCBerkeley and the Lawrence LivermoreNational Laboratory in Livermore, CA.Lori was a third grade teacher and curricu-lum leader for New Haven Unified SchoolDistrict in Union City, Ca. The family nowresides in Ashland, OH, where Eddie isemployed by WIL Research Laboratoriesas a study director in developmental andreproductive toxicology.

1996Married: CATHLEEN DEAL (also ’02)to Ryan Adams, on November 11. Cathleenteaches art and music at Huntington MiddleSchool. Ryan is employed by Citizens

National Bank. The couple resides inChillicothe.

Born: to Mark and VICKY BUSHSHEETS, Bidwell, their second son, DylanAndrew, on November 7. Son NicholasAllen is 5. Vicky is a substitute teacher.

Born: to BROOKE LIEVING YOUNG ,Pickerington, a second son, Braden Riley,on September 18. Son Nathan is 2.

1997DIANE ROGERS married Steve Presdeeon September 25, 2004, and completed herMAE in 2005. Diane is a teacher atMeadowbrook Middle School in Byesville.

1998ANJEANETT GRANT , Columbus, hasbeen promoted to education coordinator atRosemont Center, Inc..

1999Born: to JASON BROWN and wife,Christie, a son, Dean Harrison, onMarch 13. Siblings are Brooke andBlake Kodem, and grandparents,Petrea Brown ’74, ’95 and the lateDean S. Brown ’65. The familyresides in Middletown.

Born: to Jay and STACIE LAMBERT , asecond son, Jance Stephen, on March 21,2005. Son Jordan is 3. The family resides inGallipolis.

JOHN GUERINI , Niles, received his BSin education from Youngstown StateUniversity.

TIM and BECKY BENNINGTONOSWALT reside in Tiffin with theirchildren, Ethan, 3, and Abigail Fae, bornOctober 7, 2004.

KRISTAL WION-ECKHARDT , Stuart,FL, is credited with creating the dramaprogram at Martin County High School.The program, which started with anIntroduction to Drama course resulted inthe opening of a new theater at MCHS in1999. Kristal is the daughter of ROBERTand LEAH THOMPSON WION ’59 ,Gallipolis and Stuart, FL, and resides withher husband, Peter, and daughter, Katie.

2000Married: J.D. ROSS to Angela Gibson, inJuly. J.D. is an accountant with Centers forMedicare and Medicaid Services, a positionhe has held since February 2005. Angela isan eighth grade language arts teacher atMarysville Middle School, and is afreshman volleyball coach. She is an ’05graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. Thecouple resides in Delaware, OH.

BEN BARKSDALE , Savannah, GA, is arealtor with Keller Williams Realty.

DANIELLE MOORE HIGGINS ,Thornville, has received her master’sdegree in curriculum and instruction fromMt. Vernon Nazarene University.

2001HEATHER BYERS, R.P.H., PharmD., aMay 2005 graduate of the Raabe College ofPharmacy of Ohio Northern University, haspassed the licensure exam of the Ohio StateBoard of Pharmacy. She is employed byCVS Pharmacy in Columbus.

2002Born: to SHANE and JENNIFERJONES WOLFORD, a son, CadePaxton, on October 2. The family residesin Jackson.

CHRIS and DEBRA DILLON GOOD ,Ashville, married August 8, 2003, andbought The Gutter Genie franchise inMay 2005.

2003The sculpture, Math Counts, a piece byKEVIN WITHEE is currently on displayat the University of Connecticut’s Contem-porary Art Museum, and can be viewed onthe UConn web site. (Click Arts; the piecefeatures a large sphere with numbers.)Kevin is a third-year graduate student atMiami University.

2004JODI BURRIS moved to London,England on February 8, and plans to bemarried on June 24.

continued on page 6

6/www.rio.edu SPRING ISSUE 2006A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Dr. Edward Sofranko, professor at theUniversity of Rio Grande/Rio GrandeCommunity College, recently took partin a psychotherapy conference in Cali-fornia that brought together manyworld leaders in the field.

Sofranko serves as a professor of psy-chology at Rio Grande and is the chairof the School of Social Sciences.

In December, Sofranko attended“The Evolution of Psychotherapy: TheWorld’s Largest Psychotherapy Confer-ence,” in Anaheim, Calif. The confer-ence was sponsored by the Milton H.Erickson Foundation. More than10,000 people from around the U.S. aswell as representatives from 15 othercountries attended the conference,which is recognized for the importanttopics that are discussed, the leaders inthe field that attend and the ideas thatare exchanged.

“It was a golden opportunity to learnfrom the masters,” Sofranko said aboutthe conference.

The keynote address speakers at theconference this year were Hunter“Patch” Adams, the renowned medicaldoctor who was the subject of a moviestarring Robin Williams; MaryCatherine Bateson, a writer and culturalanthropologist who is the daughter ofthe famous anthropologist MargaretMead; and Aaron Beck, a respectedpsychiatrist and author who is the presi-dent of the Beck Institute of CognitiveTherapy and Research.

“The keynote addresses were out-standing,” Sofranko said.

The conference offered topics fromall different areas of psychotherapy,such as psychology, counseling andsocial work.

“It brought all of us together,”

Rio’s Professor Sofranko attends“The Evolution of Psychotherapy:

The World’s Largest Psychotherapy Conference”

Sofranko said about the many differ-ent types of psychotherapy profession-als who attended. The conference fo-cused on new concepts and techniquesin psychotherapy, while also discuss-ing the current issues and concerns. “Itwas just phenomenal,” he said.

For Sofranko, the conference was im-portant for several reasons. First of all,he keeps himself up-to-date on all ofthe concepts and techniques in psycho-therapy, so that he can teach his stu-dents at Rio Grande about the currentstate of the field. By attending the con-ference, he is able to pass on the knowl-edge and experience from the leadersin psychotherapy to his students.

Sofranko also is a practicing psycho-therapist, and attends educational con-ferences and workshops in order tokeep his Ohio license current.

Sofranko serves as a licensed profes-sional counselor at the Center forHealthy Living in Gallipolis, in addi-tion to his work at Rio Grande.

Besides giving professionals fromaround the world a chance to hearfrom renowned speakers, the confer-ence also gives the psychotherapists theopportunity to talk with each other andlearn from each other in the workshops,classes and other gatherings.

The Office of Graduate Studies isworking hard to provide the teachingprofessionals in our state with a sim-ply engaging, profoundly impacting,and invitingly convenient masters pro-gram. We are currently offering to bringthe Master of Education in ClassroomTeaching (Fine Arts Concentration) toany school district that has 12 or moregraduate students who wish to enroll.

Spring Semester we began offeringthe program at Logan-Hocking SchoolDistrict (Hocking), and Western LocalSchool District (Pike).

At this time, the Fine Arts Concen-tration is the only portable concentra-tion. However, we are working dili-gently on converting the EducationalTechnology, Mathematics, and Hu-manities concentrations to a hybrid for-mat (face-to-face/online) that wouldallow these concentrations to be offeredmore conveniently.

For more information about bringingthe program to your district, contactyour superintendent, curriculum coor-dinator, LPDC chair, or the Office ofGraduate Studies at 1-800-282-7201ext. 7166 or jwinters@rio.edu.

Grad Notes:

Jason R. Winters, Graduate Recruiter

OTHERRio Grande alumni recently recognized bythe Academic Excellence Foundation of theGallia County Local Schools were: RUTHWARDEN ’92, Kyger Creek MiddleSchool; WILLIAM WEBB ’65 , SouthGallia High School; and LYNN ARNOTT’79, Bidwell-Porter Elementary School.

Inducted into the Foundation’s Hall ofFame were former URG president,Barry M. Dorsey, and the late RONTWYMAN ’72.

Classnotes continued

www.rio.edu/7SPRING ISSUE 2006 A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The University has received a$121,000 grant to fund a program tohelp regional math and science teach-ers.

The federal Improving Teacher Qual-ity Program is providing funds to 26math and science education projectsacross the state of Ohio.

Improving Teacher Quality Programprojects are designed to provide sus-tained, high-quality professional devel-opment opportunities for practicing el-ementary and secondary school teach-ers and administrators from high-needschools, so that they, in turn, can pro-vide challenging learning experiencesfor their students. Project activitiesmust focus on the Ohio Academic Con-tent Standards.

Dr. Barbara Hatfield, Interim Pro-vost/ Vice President for Academic Af-fairs, explained that Rio Grande isworking with other area colleges, suchas Ohio University and Shawnee StateUniversity, to offer workshops for areateachers. These workshops will focuson methods of assessing the effective-ness of math and science projects andthe meeting of class goals. The work-shops will also enable teachers to meetprofessional development require-ments.

Dr. Ivan Tribe, Professor of History, recently served asassociate editor of The Encyclopedia of American Gos-pel Music, published by Routledge, Fall 2005. In addi-tion, he authored, or co-authored, some fifty-eight en-tries in the volume. Three Rio alumni also contributed tothe volume. Andrea McCulty Gannaway ’03 contributedthree entries; Abby Gail Goodnite-Ehman ’01 and Will-

iam Plants ’97 each had one. The volume is designed primarily as a referencebook, and may be ordered through the publisher.

Dr. Tribe also contributed the chapter “Albany: From Farm Community to Vir-tual Suburb, 1905-2005” to the book Athens County: The Second Century, 1905-2005, which was published recently to commemorate the Athens County Bi-Cen-tennial.

Greenwood Press is scheduled to release his book Country: A Regional Explo-ration in late March. The 280-page monograph will be Tribe’s seventh book. Cop-ies of Rio Grande: From Baptists and Bevo to the Bell Tower, which Tribe co-authored with Goodnite-Ehman in 2002 are available through the Alumni Rela-tions Office. ( Proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the Alumni AssociationScholarship Fund.)

Rio Shares “ImprovingTeacher Quality” Grant

Rio Employs New Method For Teaching Algebra

Many college students have problemslearning basic math and algebraic con-cepts, but an innovative new class atRio Grande is helping students over-come these difficulties.

The pilot program, conducted by JeanDaniels, Associate Professor, is part ofthe Title III grant-funded project toimprove programs across the campus.The class uses educational software andtechniques being used at colleges and

universities across the country.In the classroom, soothing music is

played to reduce nervousness and im-prove concentration. Students alsotravel to the Jenkins Center for StudentSuccess’ Smart Classroom. Here stu-dents may use the 24 computers, eitherindividually or as a group. On-line quiz-zes enable the students to track theirprogress throughout the semester.

Tribe Has Recent Publications

Staff AdvanceJennifer Merry Dyer ’90, a 12-year

veteran of the University’s FinancialAid Office, assumed the leadership ofthe office in the Fall of 2005. As Asso-ciate Director, Dyer credits her own ex-periences as a Rio Grande student inhelping her assist current studentsthrough the financial aid process.

Assisting Dyer in her new positionare Michelle Alderman, assistant direc-tor, and Dawn Cummings ’98, finan-cial aid advisor.

Debbie Browning ’02 assumed theposition of assistant registrar on July1. Debbie has been with the RecordsOffice since 1999, and has just beenawarded her master’s degree.

LOOKING FOR LOSTARCHONS

If you are a member of the Fraternal Order of Archon and arenot receiving mailings from Archon, please send your

information to:Merle Hoover, Archon Alumni President

5181 Chenoweth RoadWaynesville, Ohio 45068

orkmcmanis@rio.edu

8/www.rio.edu SPRING ISSUE 2006A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The Alumni Office has relocated to the renamed FowlerAlumni House, located on the campus on State Route 325. Agift to the University, the structure is named in honor of MarieFowler Richards ’25, a loyal friend of the University and thevillage of Rio Grande, who passed away in 2004, at the ageof 101.

Fowler Alumni House

The demolition of Roberts House will provide necessaryspace for the impending construction and expansion of theDavis University Center, set to begin in June 2006. In thepast, the facility had housed the Offices of Admissions andUniversity Relations.

Roberts House

“Upon This Land” OrnamentA limited edition, third in a series

(of six), ornament featuring an exact re-production of the Alumni Bell Tower’sstained glass window “Upon This Land,”showcasing the hills and valleys uponwhich Rio Grande College was built, hasbeen issued, and is now available for pur-chase.

Ornaments are $15, and may be pur-chased at the Alumni Office, or by mail using the form at right.Please add $1.50 per item for postage. Ornaments are individu-ally gift-boxed.

Ornament Order FormMail ornament(s) to:Name_____________________________________________Address ___________________________________________Or as a gift to:Name_____________________________________________Address ___________________________________________Purchaser’s Daytime Telephone ________________________# of ornaments ordered ______Amount enclosed __________

Checks made payable to: University of Rio Grande.Mail to: Alumni Relations, University of Rio Grande, PO Box 500,

Rio Grande, OH 45674(Major Credit Cards Accepted)

The annual gathering of Rio’s Florida-residing alumni washeld on Saturday, February 25, at the Anna Maria OysterBar in Bradenton. The group welcomed Interim PresidentGreg Sojka, and new attendees John Lambcke ’91, Naples;Ruth Burton ’62, Bradenton; and Lenore Evans Deak ’77,Leesburg.

Pictured l-r: Dr. Greg Sojka, Robert “Smokey” Wion,Jim ’57 and Kathy Lemley Shaw ’54,

Alice Larter McNeal ’53, and husband, George,and Leah Thompson Wion ‘59

Our Florida Folks

Pictured l-r: Ruth Burton, Delbert “Smokey’” Stover ’45,Glenn Cundiff, and Lenore Evans Deak

www.rio.edu/9SPRING ISSUE 2006 A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Susan Haft .......................................... Production & CopyJean Ann Vance .......................................Layout & DesignKathy Musser ................................................ PhotographyMark Williams ............................................................CopyNick Claussen ..............................................................Copy

Alumni of the University can visit and reconnect withfriends and former classmates through the

University’s on-line alumni directory.Visit www. rio.edu.

The biennial reunion of the residents of the Varney Houseand Davis Cottage dormitories will be held on Saturday, Sep-tember 9. Persons wishing to serve on the planning commit-tee or to submit agenda items are asked to contact Hope Keller’59, at 740-286-6728, or the Alumni Relations Office.

Varney HouseReunion

To Be Held

UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE AND RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOOKSTOREBOOKSTORE• White URG Mug White ceramic mug with red writing, ............................. $ 4.79

two-sided imprint

• Red & White URG Mug Two toned ceramic mug, red on white ........................... $ 5.49with white writing

• Red & Black URG Mug Red thermal mug with black handle ............................... $ 8.99

• Red URG Mug with Red thermal mug with white writing .............................. $ 9.99Stainless Steel

• Charcoal Alumni Tee 100% cotton screen printed tee..................................... $ 11.95

• Charcoal Alumni Long 100% cotton screen printed long sleeve tee ................. $ 15.99Sleeve Tee

• Charcoal Alumni Crew 80% cotton, 20% polyester screen printed crew .......... $ 21.99

• Gray URG Alumni Tee 90% cotton, 10% polyester screen printed tee.............. $ 11.99

• Gray URG Tee 90% cotton, 10% polyester screen printed tee.............. $ 11.99

• Gray URG Crew 80% cotton, 20% polyester crew with front gusset ..... $. 22.99

• Gray URG Hood 80% cotton, 20% polyester screen printed ................... $ 25.99hood with front gusset

For more information contact the Rio Bookstore at:

740-245-7274 or 1-800-282-7201 ext. 7274

10/www.rio.edu SPRING ISSUE 2006A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Date Opponent Site TimeApril 7 Urbana Home 2 p.m. (DH)April 8 Urbana Away 1 p.m. (DH)April 11 Bluefield College Away 6 p.m. (1-9)April 14 Tiffin Away 1 p.m. (DH)April 15 Tiffin Away 1 p.m. (DH)April 16 Fisher College Sienna Heights 1 p.m. (DH)April 22 Ohio Dominican Away 1 p.m. (DH)April 23 Ohio Dominican Home 1 p.m. (DH)April 28 Mt. Vernon Nazarene Home 1 p.m. (DH)April 29 Mt. Vernon Nazarene Home 1 p.m. (DH)May 4-6 AMC Qualifier TBA TBAMay 10-13 NAIA Region IX Tour. TBA TBAMay 26-June 2 NAIA World Series Lewiston, ID TBA

Date Opponent Site TimeApril 2 WALSH Home 2 p.m.April 5 WV STATE Home 3 p.m.April 8 SETON HILL Home 2 p.m.April 9 SALEM INT’L Home 2 p.m.April 10 Cedarville Away 3 p.m.April 12 MT. ST. JOE’S Home 3 p.m.April 15 URBANA Home 1 p.m.April 18 Mt. Vernon Naz. Away 3 p.m.April 20 OHIO DOMINICAN Home 3 p.m.April 22 MYERS Home 1 p.m.April 23 U. of Charleston Away 2 p.m.April 25 Shawnee State Away 3 p.m.April 26 Marietta Away 3:30 p.m.April 28 POINT PARK Home 3 p.m.April 29 Myers Away 1 p.m.May 10-13 NAIA Region IX Tour. TBAMay 19-24 NAIA National Tour. Decatur, AL TBA

Date Event PlaceMar 31-Apr 1 Bobcat Invitational Athens, OHApril 8 Cincinnati Invitational Cincinnati, OHApril 14 Rio Grande Relays Rio Grande, OHApril 21-22 AMC Championships Cedarville, OHApril 29 Stan Lyons Invitational Indianapolis, INMay 6 Ohio University Open Athens, OHMay 19 Baldwin Wallace Inv. Berea, OHMay 25-27 NAIA National Meet Fresno, CA

Remaining 2006 Rio Grande Baseball Schedule

Remaining 2006 Rio Grande Softball Schedule

Remaining 2006 Outdoor Track Schedule

A 26-year veteran of the bench, Earl Thomas, has resigned hisposition as head men’s basketball coach.

During Thomas’ tenure the Redmen captured two AmericanMideast Conference regular season championships, two AMC tour-nament titles, two berths in the NAIA Division II National Tourna-ment, including an appearance in the Final Four in 2001. He wastwice named AMC Coach of the Year.

“I’m going to miss the players and thecompetition of trying to prepare a team to goagainst somebody else. It’s going to be toughto walk away, but I know it’s time, and I feelvery comfortable with the decision that I havemade.”

A surprise reception for Thomas has heldon Sunday, February 19, and was hosted byThomas’ wife, Annette ’92, and his daughter,Rebecca Thomas-Long ’99.

A graduate of the Class of 1974, Thomas will remain a profes-sor in the University’s communications department.

Thomas Steps Down AsBasketball Coach

Dear Coach,As a member of the Rio Family, you know that the University

of Rio Grande Men’s Basketball program is rich with historyand tradition. Our history is rooted in the successes of the BevoFrancis teams of 1952-1954. These teams were assembled byCoach Newt Oliver, a true visionary in coaching.

During December we honor Coach Oliver and his successeswith the Newt Oliver Classic. For next year’s event we are look-ing to not only honor Coach Oliver, but his legacy as well. Weare looking to showcase the excellent teams that are coached byRio Grande alumni.

We hope to develop a showcase of great high school basket-ball by matching schools coached by members of the “Rio Fam-ily” against each other.

We are in the early stages of planning this event and are tryingto gauge the interest of our alums in helping make the NewtOliver Coach’s Classic happen.

Currently the “NEWT” is scheduled for December 15 and 16,2006. On Friday December 15 there would be two college games.On Saturday December 16 , two college games would be playedat 1:00 and 3:00, while the high school portion of the “NEWT”would be held at 5:00, 6:45, and 8:30.

If you have any interest in bringing your team back to Rio toparticipate in the Newt Oliver Classic please contact one of usas soon as possible.

Thank You,

Ken French Jeff LanhamHead Men’s Basketball Coach Athletic DirectorUniversity of Rio Grande University of Rio Grande(740) 245-7294 (740) 245-7485kfrench@rio.edu jlanham@rio.edu

Pictured l-r: Jerry Mowery ’86, Earl Thomas,and Brad Barber ’86

www.rio.edu/11SPRING ISSUE 2006 A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

a 1940’s musical revue

Rio Grande Dance TeamWins Championship TitleThe University of Rio Grande Dance

Team won the title Midwest Collegiate Di-vision II Hip Hop Team Champions Sun-day, February 26 at the Cheerleaders ofAmerica (COA) Midwest Open NationalChampionships in Columbus, Ohio. TheRio Grande Dance Team has been in exist-ence only 2 years, and this was their firstcompetition. “The team has been a greataddition to campus, and their game perfor-mances are always a hit,” stated advisorJulie Haines. “For them to now have com-petition experience and a championshiptitle at their first competition is just a signof bigger and better things to come.” Theteam performs at Rio Grande men’s bas-ketball games and choreographed the com-petition routine while still preparing newmaterial for games.

The dance team season began last springwith team auditions. Before classes startedin the fall, the team attended an intensedance training camp held on the Rio Grandecampus. Several routines were learned atthe camp, and the team received technicaldance training. Once classes started, addi-tional tryouts were held to fill vacant spotson the team. Most of the team’s routinesare choreographed by the members and arehip hop infused, but they do include otherstyles.

“Our musical selections this past yearranged from Barry Manilow to the BeastieBoys, and each member got to step outsideher dance comfort zone to perform variousstyles,” Haines stated. “They all have greatideas and varied dance interests and expe-riences resulting in some great routines.”

2005-2006 Dance Team Members in-clude Katie Childs (Middleport), SamAdkins (West Portsmouth), Kara Caulley(Oak Hill), Kandace Clark (Batavia), SashaClarke (Cleveland), Brittany Dixon (Cleve-land), Alex Savage (Lewisburg), and LizStevens (Gallipolis).

Roast and Relive

Coach Art Lanham, former head men’sbasketball coach, and Coach BernieBickerstaff, one of Rio’s own and the gen-eral manager and coach of the NBA Char-lotte Bobcats, will be dodging puncheswithout a “ref” to save them at Rio’s no-holds-barred dinner/roast. On Friday, May5 at 6:30 p.m., Rio alumni and friends willgather during a dinner to see both Lanhamand Bickerstaff get pummeled by friends,peers, former students and teammates dur-ing the inaugural Champions of CharacterRoast on Rio’s campus.

The event will be hosted by the Light-ing the Way Campaign Office and the URGAthletic Department. Bob Leith ’65 willserve as Master of Ceremonies. It’s a clas-sic opportunity to relive, remember, recon-nect, and just have fun.

From football to baseball to track &field, to basketball and much more in be-tween, alumni and friends will gather for anight that will be marked by memories andthe recognition of two of Rio’s finest. Thisyear’s dinner/roast, with limited seating for

350 guests, will highlight a rich traditionof men and women athletes and athleticsat Rio going back to the 40’s.

In addition to the roasters that will ripboth coaches that evening, photo tributesto a legacy of Rio sports and legends ofRio sports teams will be on display through-out with live music to accentuate the night.

On Saturday, May 6, following RioGrande’s commencement ceremony,alumni and friends will gather to chronicletheir years at Rio through present times.

A limited number of hotel rooms havebeen blocked for this event. For more in-formation or to make your reservations,please contact the Lighting the Way Cam-paign Office at 740-245-7009, or the Ath-letic Department at 740-245-7293.

Coach Art Lanham Coach Bernie Bickerstaff

NAIA’s Champions of Character ProgramStudent athletes at Rio Grande are participating in the

NAIA’s Champions of Character Program, which promotes sports-manship and character at colleges and universities across the coun-

try. The program was created to recognize schools for teaching char-acter along with athletic skills.

Rio Grande has been honored by the NAIA for meeting all of therequirements to be recognized as a Champions of Character institution

in each of the last five years, and has begun distributing awards to deserving students.The University is also currently raising funds for a Champions Scholarship Program.

The student athletes are also involved with, and available for, community serviceprojects throughout the area.

Ken French, newly-named men’s head basketball coach, serves as the director ofthe Champions of Character Program.

130th AnniversaryCommencement

May 5, 20062:00 p.m.

We Want To Hear About You!If you recently found a job, were promoted, were married, moved,had a baby or did anything else of interest, please let your Univer-sity of Rio Grande family know about it. Fill out the form belowand send it to the Office of Alumni Relations, University of RioGrande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, Ohio 45674.

Name ___________________________________________________Phone _______________________________ Grad. Yr. ___________Street ________________________________ City _______________State _____________________ Zip ______ County _____________Email Address_________________________■■ Check if this is a new address.News: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nomination Form RequestThe University of Rio Grande accepts nominations for the follow-ing awards on a continuous basis. The deadline for nominationswithin a given year is February 1 of that year. Nomination formsare kept on file and reviewed yearly.

■■ Alumni Awards (Distinguished Alumnus, URG Alumni, AtwoodAchievement, Faculty Citation, Citation of Appreciation)

■■ Athletic Hall of Fame■■ Educators’ Hall of FamePlease send the nomination form indicated above to:

Name ___________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________Mail this request to: Office of Alumni Relations, University of Rio

Grande, PO Box 500, Rio Grande, OH 45674

Non-ProfitOrganization

PAIDPermit No.200

Chillicothe,OH 45601

UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDEF-990 OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONSPO Box 500Rio Grande, OH 45674-0500www.rio.eduAddress Service Requested

Parents: If this issue of Tower & Times is addressed to yourson or daughter who has established a separate permanent

address, please notify us of the new address: 740-245-7431, or800-282-7201, ext. 7431, or shaft@rio.edu

The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College do not dis-criminate against applicants, employees, or students on the basis of race, color,creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ancestry,citizenship, or disability. Questions about this policy should be directed to theHuman Resources Director, Allen Hall, 740-245-7228. Accommodations for per-sons with disabilities may be made through the Human Resources office.

JUNE 29 – AUGUST 5, 2006

Books for classes in PueblaAll fees & deposits - $5,500Deadline date for Registration:

April 20, 2006Full payment or proof of Financial Aid:

May 13, 2006

• All levels of Spanish• Financial Aid Available• Travel to New Places

• Experience the culture and earn credit!FULLY ACCREDITED

For additional informationor to register contact:

Professor Karen Hale ElliottWood Hall, Room 225

University of Rio GrandeRio Grande, OH 45674

1-800-282-7201 ext. 7436 (OH, WV, KY, PA)OR 740-245-7436

E-mail: kelliott@rio.eduCheck Study Abroad info at our site:

www.rio.edu

* Four or Five Week Program *12 Hours Credit – All Levels!

Four weeks room & board in Puebla

MEXICO CITY TOUR3 DAYS

(Hotel, tour, breakfasts, trip to Teotihuacan)