Winter 2016

WINTER2017

Russell and Martha Wehrle INNOVATION CENTER Dedication and Open House

The mission of UC is to educate each student for a life of productive work, enlightened living and community involvement.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Launching Innovation is the appropriate theme for the 2016-17 academic year at your University of Charleston. On December 3rd, we cut the ribbon to celebrate the newest additions to campus: the Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center and the H. Bernard Wehrle Sr. Athletic Facility. Both of these state-of-the-art locations will be fully integrated into our school community Spring 2017, hosting classes and athletic events. It is, indeed, a time of celebration for every Golden Eagle.

We want the Innovation Center not only to inspire and challenge our student body, we want to serve the surrounding community, the entire State of West Virginia and well beyond. We can’t wait to see what ideas, accomplishments and inventions happen inside the Center. Our students are already dominating the statewide Business Plan competition.

You must come and see the new facility, if you have not done so already. See the MakerLab and the One Button Studio. Check out the spacious athletic arena and try to remember the configuration of Eddie King Gym. It won’t be easy!

Support our teams. Take in a basketball or volleyball game. We are having another stellar sports year – women’s tennis won the conference tournament, women’s golf won the conference title, women’s soccer advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, women’s volleyball advanced to the MEC semifinals, and men’s soccer finished the year as the national runner-up for the second time in the past three seasons.

In addition, we are proud to announce that the Higher Learning Commission continued UC’s accreditation for the maximum nine-year period. In a time when many higher education institutions are having to make tough decisions about the future, UC continues to lead by example.

At the University of Charleston, it’s not enough to know how the world works today or remember how the world worked previously. We help our students create the world they will live in tomorrow. The University of Charleston: The Destination for Innovation!

Dr. Edwin H. WelchPresident

Letter from the President

UC Student Profiles 2-4

UC Eaglefest 5

UC Faculty & Staff Profiles 6-9

UC Innovation Center Dedication 10-11

UC Winter Commencement 15

UC Athletics 16-17

UC Business 18-19

UC Health 20-21

UC Alumni 22-24

IN THIS ISSUE:

1

University of Charleston

WINTER2017

Actress Jennifer Garner visited UC and hosted a fundraiser to benefit an area school that was damaged in the June 2016 flooding.Read more on page 12

President: Dr. Edwin H. Welch

Graphic Design: Bridget Turley

Contributing Editors:

Contributing Writers:

Photographers:Brock Burwell

Travis Chandler

For more information on UC’s academic programs, admissions process, alumni or athletics,

call 1-800-995-GOUC (4682) or visit www.ucwv.edu.

On the Cover:

Dedication and Open House for the Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center on December 3, 2016

Joan ClarkAmanda Hinchman

Carrie StollingsDave Traube

Joan ClarkAmanda Hinchman

Carrie StollingsDave Traube

Stephanie Martin

FALL 2016 COMMENCEMENTPAGE 15

2

PA Student Helps Rescue Area Residents During Historic Flood

UC

Stu

de

nts

“All I could see was the top of my car. It was like a shark fin the way it stuck out of the water.”

When current University of Charleston Physician Assistant Student Taylor Callahan went to the final day of his primary care clinic rotation last June in Clendenin, he had no idea he’d be experiencing one of the deadliest flash flooding events in both West Virginia and United States history.

What was happening around Callahan, and to many West Virginians, was a flash flood. Callahan was in the clinic next to the Elk River, a river that rose to an all-time high level of nearly 34 feet. It was also a facility that doubled as a senior living facility, with assisted living apartments on the 1st, 3rd and 4th floors of the building.

As a result of the flooding, at least 23 deaths were reported in WV – a total that could have been higher if not for Callahan and others in the clinic who acted quickly when the water started to rise.

“We were seeing RV’s and sheds float past our building,” said Callahan. “Around that time we started to hear the folks in the first floor apartments scream for help – water had begun to pour into the building. We ran down there, rounded up all the medications and essential items we could and then helped rescue the people before the water flooded their rooms. Some weren’t very mobile or have dementia, so we knew we had to act quickly.”

For Callahan, sleep didn’t come easily for the next two days as the Beckley native worked to get the seniors to fire department rescue vehicles, battled constant fire alarms and awaited rescue. While he’s obviously not glad the flood happened, he is thankful for the newly found perspective it has afforded him.

I lost my car, but I have car insurance and purchased a new car. No big deal. But the people that live there lost everything,” said Callahan. “This wasn’t TV, it wasn’t a movie. This happened to real people who have nowhere else to go. The recovery process is still happening. I’m just glad we were there to help.” { }“It had been raining all day, but we were

too busy working to think much about it,” said Callahan. “When we heard

screaming coming from the front of the clinic we realized exactly what was

happening around us.”

3

For University of Charleston Pharmacy student Andrew Van Deusen, a vision for helping people through technology started by doing what he was already passionate about – just helping people.

“I have the opportunity to tutor many students through Rho Chi, an academic honors society for the top academic students in each university’s pharmacy school,“ said Van Deusen. “It seemed to me that the best way to help people study has been to verbally walk through the material, so I wanted to create a voice activated, 100% accurate study buddy.”

Armed with interests in both people and innovative voice technologies, Van Deusen set out to create a voice activated technology company that would specialize in education based programming to be utilized through the Amazon Echo, a voice-controlled speaker that can perform more than 3,000 skills. Using this knowledge he built Studylex, his study assistance application.

“I actually began this company last summer but I needed a starting point to utilize it. Apple products use the SIRI voice function, but it isn’t customizable,” said Van Deusen. “The Echo allows developers to create applications for it – so with it I had found my path.”

When Van Deusen learned about the WV Business Plan Competition, and UC’s intention to participate, the Ohio native saw another opportunity to showcase his idea – with the initial opportunity occuring this past summer in the famous Silicon

Valley, an area on the West Coast known for its technological prowess.

“My sister and I entered a global technology competition with over 1,000 other teams,” said Van Deusen. “With an emphasis on voice interactive technology we were one of 53 winners. From there we were one of 14 teams chosen to compete in the “Silicon Valley Week” event, a week-long experience where you hone your skills and pitch your product in front of a panel of investors. Think Shark Tank.”

Not only was the experience an invaluable one for Van Deusen, it was also a financially rewarding one. The folks at Amazon, the company responsible for the production of the Echo, gave him and his team an offer to invest in the idea. He now has financial backing to make his company even more of a reality.

Aside from all that, he’s one of the top students in his class at the UC School of Pharmacy. “There’s more to pharmacy school than I ever dreamed, and it ties right in with my entrepreneurial interests,” said Van Deusen. “There is an industrial side to the profession that would allow me to work on technology-focused initiatives rather than in retail pharmacy filling prescriptions. Honestly, though, I just want to spend my time caring for others and creating things that will ultimately help them.”

It’s say to safe that shouldn’t be a problem for Andrew. He is representing the University well as he achieves each of his endeavors.

Andrew Van Deusen is the developer of Studylex, a new study application for the Amazon Echo.

}

Pharmacy Student Creating New Voice Technology Programs

4

UC

Stu

de

nts

Current University of Charleston student Joshua Higginbotham was recently elected to serve in the West Virginia House of Delegates, making him one of the youngest elected officials in the country.

The Political Science senior will represent the 13th House District in WV, but his path to the state capitol has been anything but easy. “My opponents outspent me 20-1 and I was definitely the underdog,” said Higginbotham. “But I worked hard and had a lot of volunteers helping me out from the community I’ve built at UC. Together we knocked on 7,000 doors, called thousands of potential voters and mailed over 6,000 handwritten letters. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

Even though politics has always interested Higginbotham, he didn’t grow up in a political family. “It’s funny, but no one in my family had ever even voted until this election,” said Higginbotham. “Even more than that, I’m actually the only one of my siblings to have graduated from high school. I’ve always wanted to represent my family well and build a legacy – this outcome is just another step in that continued hard work.”

UC Student Elected to House of Delegates

– Cody WalkerCharleston, WV

December 2016 MBA Graduate

My dad, Ralph Walker, was in one of the first classes or “cohorts” in UC’s MBA

program. His cohort was made up of primarily military businessmen including a gentleman named John Finlayson, who is currently Vice President/Business Services Officer at BB&T Bank. The family connection continued to evolve as my grandmother babysat John’s son. Because of my dad’s great experience, he

encouraged me to enter the MBA program. Remarkably, Mr. Finlayson just finished teaching my own Professional Experience MBA class and he was excited to pay it forward by sharing his knowledge with the latest cohort. Needless to say, the

community of people I have met at UC has been better than what I experienced elsewhere. It’s easy to see there’s a family dynamic here – I’m living it.

{It’s All In The Family {

Student Life:

In August, the first “EagleFest Back-to-School Celebration” took place, and over 700 students came out to be part of the fun. There was some intense competition, plenty of music and a lot of cheering, laughter and connecting with fellow students.

Emceed by Electric 102.7 radio’s Coach Kidd and Morgan, the evening included human fooseball, bubbleball, interactive gaming trucks, volleyball and bean bag toss. Students were also able to try paddle boarding on the river. For those looking for more leisurely activity, there were pontoon boat tours on the Kanawha River led by UC Alum Adam Stollings and a coffee house/bookstore (courtesy of Taylor Books) in the CT with live music. Students could also enjoy geocaching, a TapSnap interactive photo booth, free smoothie samples and 3-D printing demonstrations.

Students also received free t-shirts with lists of interests on the back, so they could mark what they were interested in and then find like-minded friends during the evening.

Many thanks to Fonda Holehouse, her Innovation Champions, Innovation Scholars, volunteers and all those who helped make EagleFest a great event. From concept through event success, the planning and enthusiasm to create such an amazing evening for the students, is greatly appreciated. And what an evening it was - even the weather cooperated! The University of Charleston staff appreciates the sponsors and other supporters who made this an incredible evening to kick off the year.

In addition to EagleFest, an entire “Week of Welcome” offered activities to students during the first week of class. It was a great way to start the year!

5

UC

Sta

ff &

Fa

cu

lty

6

Dr. Xiaoping Sun, Professor of Chemistry was a speaker at the International Conference on Applied Chemistry in Houston, Texas, in October. His topic was Investigations on Charge Transfer Reduction of Uranyl UO22+ (VI) to UO22+ (V) by UV-vis and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopies. In addition, his paper has just been accepted for publication in Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements, a peer-reviewed journal in his area of expertise published by Taylor & Francis. The authors are Xiaoping Sun, David Haas, and Chyress Lockhart (a chemistry

student who graduated in May 2016). The paper is: Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3)-Catalyzed Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution of Chlorobenzene with Thionyl Chloride (SOCl2) and the Accompanying Auto-Redox in Sulfur to Give [yield] Diaryl Sulfides (Ar2S); Comparison to Catalysis by Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3)

“Among other things,” stated Sun, “I would like to thank the University administration for providing money to repair our GC-mass spec instrument this spring. This has made the completion of the work possible.”

Dr. Rebecca Linger, Associate Professor UC School of Pharmacy

and Dr. Aymen Shatnawi, Assistant Professor UC School of Pharmacy were recipients of WV-INBRE Faculty Research Development Awards. Dr. Linger received $15,920 for “Analysis of novel disruptors of glutamine metabolism isolated from actinomycetales”. The study encompasses

natural product drug discovery by isolating secondary metabolites from actinomycetes and analyzing them for their ability to disrupt cancer cells from using glutamine as an energy source. The current study will look at direct enzyme inhibition by the isolated drug leads. Ultimately, the results of this work could identify new adjunct therapies in cancer.

Dr. Shatnawi received $30,000 to study the role of the ING4 tumor suppressor factor in prostate cancer development and progression. The outcome of this study will hopefully identify the exact mechanism by which ING4 modulate androgen receptor in prostate cancer can be employed for the development of improved prostate cancer pharmaceuticals that target androgen receptor /ING4 complex or its downstream pathways.

UCSOP student pharmacists will be provided the opportunity to work with Drs. Linger and Shatnawi, which will help the students gain bench research experience in addition to their clinical training.

Mrs. Jane Condee, RPh, Assistant Director Experiential Education

and Ms. Jamie Bero, Director of Student Affairs, UC School of Pharmacy were recognized as Regions I and II Advisors of the Year by the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) during the SNPhA Annual Meeting in Atlanta,

GA. The award was given in “recognition as an advisor for hosting an outstanding 2016 regional meeting.”

The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy SNPhA chapter hosted student members from 43 SNPhA chapters at the Regions I and II meeting in April. The meeting was held at the Charleston Marriott.

FACULTYPROFILESThis year, faculty members have conducted breakthrough research, been recognized for excellence and honored for contributions to the University.

7

COACHING HONORS

• UC Softball staff named Atlantic Region Staff of the Year following last year’s historic winning season

• Women’s Golf Coach Will Johnson named Atlantic Region Coach of the Year

NEW GOLDEN EAGLE COACHESUC welcomed three new head coaches who joined the UC family this academic year: Kim Stiles, Softball; Elizabeth Gainer, Lacrosse, and Ken Murczek, Men’s Volleyball.

Stiles joins the Golden Eagles after spending the last six seasons as head softball coach at Davis & Elkins College. A native of Thurmont, Md., she played initially at the University of Vermont before transferring to University of Pittsburgh for her final three seasons. At both stops she earned conference academic honors from the American East and Big East while earning a B.A. in Communications and Political Science. She later earned a M.S. in Kinesiology/Sport Administration from Midwestern State University.

Gainer comes to UC after spending the past five seasons as a head coach at NCAA Division I and II institutions. She served as the head coach at Manhattan College from 2013 – 2016. Gainer earned a degree in communications, specializing in advertising and public relations from Loyola in 2009. She also holds a Master’s degree in sports management from Neumann University.

Ken Murczek comes to University of Charleston after spending the last three seasons as head coach of the women’s volleyball program at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Murczek led the Demon Deacons to 44 wins over the three-year stint.

Prior to moving to Winston-Salem, N.C., Murczek was in charge of the women’s volleyball program at University of North Texas where he spent three seasons as head coach.

UC

Sta

ff &

Fa

cu

lty

8

Dr. Sandra Bowles, Assistant Dean for Assessment and Special Projects, UC SOPSandra Bowles was the last faculty member hired by Dr. Leonard Riggleman in the summer of 1964 as the first Instructor in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Over the next 40 plus years, she served as Chair of the Nursing Department, Dean of the Division of Health Sciences, and as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. Under her leadership, the Health Sciences programs in Nursing, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Science and Athletic Training prepared several thousand graduates.

Since retiring as Dean of the Division of Health Sciences in 2008, Dr. Bowles has served the School of Pharmacy as a member of the Executive Committee, providing development and oversight of assessment in this program and teaching ethics throughout the program.

Among other honors, she was recognized as the Professional Woman of the Year in 2005 by the West Virginia Women’s Commission. Dr. Bowles became a Certified Nurse Educator in 2008, one of the first to be recognized with this designation in the state of West Virginia. She provided leadership for chartering the Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau on the University of Charleston campus.

Dr. Bowles served two terms on the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Nurses. From 1968 until 2000, she was a site visitor for the National League for Nursing and served multiple terms on NLN Accreditation Panels. She chaired the NLN Council of Associate Degree Nursing Programs and served on the NLN Board of Governors in 1995-1997.

Dr. Bowles became a Consultant-Evaluator for the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission in 1991 and has served that organization in many roles including multiple terms as an Accreditation Review Council member; Chair of the Eligibility Review Committee; and Multi-Campus Reviewer. During her 25 year stint as a Peer Reviewer, she chaired many accreditation site teams throughout the North Central Region.

Her involvement with accreditation and assessment at the national level resulted in her leadership to initiate the University Assessment Committee. This group moved the University to a leadership position in small colleges and Dr. Bowles and her colleagues provided many presentations at national conferences on assessment. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 she organized assessment conferences on the UC campus bringing in national leaders in assessment to anchor the programs.

Dr. Bowles and her husband, John, have two children, Daniel and Beth; and two grandchildren, Macy and Emerson.

9

LONG TERM EMPLOYEESUC is honored to have many long term faculty whose dedication has made a difference

in so many students. This issue highlights two of the longest serving faculty members, Dr.

Sandra Bowles and Dennis McMillen.

Dennis McMillen, Associate Professor, School of Business and Leadership

Dennis McMillen is an Associate Professor in the School of Business and Leadership and is currently serving on the Student Academic Affairs Committee and the Inquiry Roundtable. He served as a Faculty Marshal from 2003-2016 and was awarded Faculty Emeritus status in May 2016.

Mr. McMillen is an alumnus of Morris Harvey College, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management in 1975. In 1978, he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Marshall University with an emphasis in finance and extensive coursework in statistics at West Virginia University.

During his 40 years as an associate professor, Mr. McMillen developed two graduate programs in business – an Executive MBA Program in 1985 and an accelerated MBA program in 1998. He served as Assistant Dean from 1982-1985, with a responsibility for scheduling and student advising. From 1985-1999, he served as Dean and Division Chair for the Jones Division of Business with responsibility for curriculum development, staffing, budgeting and program planning.

Throughout his tenure at the University of Charleston, Mr. McMillen has been an active participant in various campus-wide committees including the Curriculum Committee, Admission and Retention, University Senate, Faculty Personnel Committee, Athletic Committee, Budget Committee and Academic Planning. He has held the appointment of Faculty Athletic representative for 27 years working on eligibility and compliance issues for Division II programs and chairing the Division II Degree Completion Committee for 13 years. Mr. McMillen has aided student development by functioning as an advisor for numerous campus organizations including the Student Government Association. He has been the recipient of many University Awards and National Recognition Awards including 8 times “Teacher of the Year,” the Ralph and Frieda Merry Outstanding Faculty Member Award, National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advisor Award, Who’s Who Among American Teachers, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, and Who’s Who in America. He is a Life Member of Strathmore’s Who’s Who.

Outside of the University of Charleston, Mr. McMillen held the roles of City of Charleston Councilman and Chair of the City’s Finance Committee (1991-1995). His extensive community involvement includes multiple years as President of the Charleston Figure Skating Club and various school PTA groups. He has been a member of the Westside Development Committee, Mountain State Press and Citizen’s Recycling Committee. He also writes poetry and has performed in several musicals, including roles as Bardolf in Falstaff, Cyriaque in Riverboat Man, and McNair in 1776.

Mr. McMillen and his wife, Gail, have two daughters, Shannon and Brie; a son, Scott; six grandsons and three granddaughters.

Russell and Martha Wehrle INNOVATION CENTER Dedication and Open HouseAfter a decade of dreaming, years of construction and months of anticipation, the ribbon-cutting

and dedication ceremony for the Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center took place on the

steps of the facility in early December.

Hundreds of students, community members and employees gathered to watch the

ceremony and to get their first chance to walk inside the newest edition to UC’s

historic campus.

“We’re sincere about knowing that innovation is the key to the

future of West Virginia,” said Dr. Ed Welch, President of the

University of Charleston. “We see this as an opportunity

to have a place on campus where we can teach it to

our students, inspire it in the community, and have

our graduates leave here to take great ideas out

into the world to do great things.”

The facility will not only be the home to new

technologically advanced classrooms, offices

and creative student work spaces, it will serve

as the new home for the UC basketball and

volleyball teams, replacing the Eddie King

Gym on campus.

11

UC

Ev

en

ts

Hillary Clinton Forum on Drug AbuseFormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed an invitation-only crowd on the dangers of opioid abuse in Erma Byrd Gallery in May. The roundtable discussion featured West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, Dr. Rahul Gupta, commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, David Grubb, Charleston lawyer and former state senator, Andrea Darr, director of the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice. Another panelist was Chelsea Carter, a former drug user.

Jennifer Garner Comes to UCThe Charleston campus took on some red carpet glamor in July when WV native Jennifer Garner hosted a fundraiser for Herbert Hoover High School. At the event, Garner told the crowd that she was able to rally a half million dollars to help with flood relief through the UC event as well as through her West Virginia Strong T-shirt sales.

Garner was surrounded by members of her 1990 graduating class from George Washington High School, her childhood neighbors, her former ballet teacher and even the librarian she had as an elementary student, as well as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. Several other elected officials and our own UC President Edwin H. Welch. also attended.

The event, originally meant to be a fundraiser for Corey Palumbo and his re-election campaign, was held instead to benefit Herbert Hoover High School following the devastating flooding in the area.

12

Packed House for Larry Sabato’s Crystal BallA packed house heard New York Times best-selling author Dr. Larry J. Sabato

offer his insights regarding the November election and our political process.

Throughout his discussion, Sabato interspersed his findings with humor,

answered many thought provoking questions from the audience, and offered

his opinion on how we “got where we are.” (His diagnosis? People not going to

the polls during the primaries.)

Professor Sabato has had a 98% accuracy rating in projecting races for President,

Senate, House, and Governor since 2000. His Crystal Ball website has a

remarkable 98% accuracy rating in projecting political races since 2000. He was

named the #1 leader in political prediction by the Pew Charitable Trust.

A Rhodes scholar, Dr. Sabato is the founder and director of the University of

Virginia’s Center for Politics. He has had visiting appointments at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities in

England. He appears multiple times each week on national and international television, and has won two Emmy

Awards for documentary production. He is the author or editor of two dozen books on American politics and has

taught over 20,000 students in his 40-year career. The University of Virginia has given him its highest honor: the

Thomas Jefferson Award.

Sabato appeared in late September as part of the University’s Speaker Series.

Nexus of Leadership SymposiumBobby Bowden, the “winningest college football coach alive today”, was the featured keynote speaker during the UC School of Business and Leadership annual Nexus for Leadership event.

Bowden, 87, spent 57 years coaching college football – including four seasons as the WVU assistant coach and six as head coach. Regarding leadership, he says it is about actions, more than words. “Set an example. Don’t tell them to do it if you’re not going to do it.”

In addition to his keynote address. Bowden requested time to talk with the UC men’s football and basketball players.

The Nexus event also featured Phil Phister, formerly the World’s Strongest Man, and included a kick off dinner, educational paper presentations, break-out sessions on leadership skills, and a panel discussion about keys to successful leadership.

The Nexus event helps bring together community leaders, UC students and the public to exchange ideas about how to be a leader in today’s business world.

13

The 2016-2017 fall school term started with the highest student enrollment total in 45 years - 2,425 students. This represents a four percent increase from 2015-2016, and continues the trend of rising enrollment for the sixth consecutive year.

“The increase in enrollment is evidence that we’re providing value for West Virginia students and meeting the needs of people across the country through our online offerings,” said Dr. Ed Welch, President at the University of Charleston. “We will continue this record of success with the completion of the Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center and the focus on innovation in every academic program.”

Currently, the student body is made up of 73% undergraduate students and 27% graduate students, with nearly 800 of those students studying online.

“Four years ago we began to diversify our student populations when we added hybrid and online program offerings,” said Joan Clark, Executive Vice-President and Chief Admissions and Marketing Officer. “Today, two-thirds of our students are enrolled as in-seat students while the other one-third are enrolled in distance education programs.”

ENROLLMENT INCREASE

600studentathletes

FALL 2016BY THE NUMBERS

2425students enrolled

4%Increase over fall 2015

733live on

campus

36

studentsrepresent

and45

COUNTRIES

STATES

700militarystudents

ACTIVE

OVER

WVU – 353UC – 501-600Alderson Broaddus > 800Concord > 800Fairmont State > 800Glenville State > 800Marshall > 800Shepherd > 800West Liberty > 800WVU-Parkersburg > 800

The University of Charleston was the number two University in West Virginia:

UC makes the Wall Street Journal 2017 Higher Education College Rankings

14

According to the ranking, a UC grad makes on average $42,000 ten years after graduation, which is the 3rd highest on the list for every institution in the country.

ENROLLMENT INCREASE

UC makes the Wall Street Journal 2017 Higher Education College Rankings

15

The December 2016 Commencement Ceremony set

a record for the University of Charleston, as 178 new

graduates earned the right to walk across the stage

in Geary Auditorium and received their diplomas. The

graduates represented the Charleston and Beckley

campuses, as well as online programs.

In addition to the ceremony in Charleston, 25 military

students received Masters level degrees in either

Organizational Leadership or Strategic Leadership at

a ceremony held on the Naval Amphibious Base in

Coronado, California. Twelve additional students took

part in a UC-Beckley pinning ceremony signifying their

completion of the Associate Degree of Nursing program.

DECEMBER 2016 COMMENCEMENT

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERSteven M. RubinPresident and CEO, Blue Creek Gas Company

Steven Rubin is the President of JBS Resources, LLC, and the President and CEO of Blue Creek Gas Company. Since 2014 Rubin has also served as an adjunct professor for the University of Charleston’s MBA Program.

Rubin is the Chairman of the BB&T Advisory Board and serves on boards for the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, Charleston Area Alliance, B’nai Jacob Synagogue Board and Edgewood Summit Board. Rubin previously served on boards for CAMC, the Charleston Tennis Club and the University of Charleston. He served the University for 8 years in that capacity.

In what had been deemed by some as a season of rebuilding for the University of Charleston men’s soccer team ended with the squad exceeding expectations. The Golden Eagles finished the year as the national runner-up after falling 2-0 to Wingate University in the National Championship Match in December. The match marked the second time in the past three seasons that UC had reached the NCAA DII Men’s Soccer Final, losing 3-2 to Lynn University in 2014.

A season of team success was fueled by individual accomplishment, both on and off the field. Junior Will Roberts (first team), sophomore Patrick Guier (second team) and senior Bruno Oliveira (third team) were named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American Teams. Roberts’ first team selection was the third-consecutive season that the Denbigh, Wales, native had found his name on a postseason awards list.

Off the field, Junior Abhinav Nath was named the Elite 90 Award Recipient for the 2016 season. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating in NCAA championship finals. It is the third consecutive season a UC player has earned the distinction.

16

UC

Ath

leti

cs

Rebuilding year? Not so much

Pictured left: UC President Dr. Ed

Welch with Mary and Drew Payne on

behalf of the John L. Dickinson Family.

MEC Commissioner’s Cup Award for ExcellenceThe University of Charleston won the 2015-16 Mountain East Conference Commissioner’s Cup recognizing overall athletic excellence among its membership on an annual basis. The UC athletic department also won the award in the MEC’s inaugural year in 2013-14.

In his presentation, MEC Commissioner Reid Amos stated that the competition was fiercer than it has been in years. He recognized UC for spearheading the success of the Mountain East Conference, in particular the success of the soccer and softball programs.

Athletic Director Bren Stevens thanked her remarkable staff, and particularly noted that the coaches make sure that the student athletes have a great experience both on and off the field.

Dr. Welch noted that UC coaches care for their sport and their students while understanding the mission of the University.

UC finished atop the standings just ahead of Wheeling Jesuit. Shepherd took third, West Virginia Wesleyan, Notre Dame and Fairmont State rounded out the top half of finishers.

UC won MEC titles in soccer and men’s tennis, won a division title in softball and finished in the top third in the conference standings in seven other sports.

Both the UC Women’s Tennis and Golf teams won their respective championships, and became 2016 MEC Champions.

UC Grabs First Ever MEC Golf TitleThe University of Charleston won its first MEC Golf Championship at The Resort at Glade Springs in October, cruising to a 31-stroke victory over second place Notre Dame College.

Charleston posted the lowest team score all three days of the Mountain East Championship led by Lauren Crouse’s third place finish with a three-day total of 244. Elizabeth Karsten

followed close behind with a fifth place finish for the Golden Eagles after posting a score of 248. Freshman Alyssa Wrozier also posted a top-10 finish for Charleston, finishing eighth with her 259 total after

three championship rounds. Fellow freshman Ciara Costabile came through with a 15th place effort and Kelsey Allbright rounded out the squad finishing 24th overall.

It marks the first Mountain East Conference golf title for Charleston since joining the conference in 2013 and the first overall title for UC Women’s Golf.

UC Women’s Tennis Wins MEC Tournament TitleUC Women’s Tennis claimed their first ever Mountain East Conference Championship, defeating West Virginia State University 5-4 at the Brian David Fox Tennis Center Sunday afternoon.

It marks the first time UC has defeated the Yellow Jackets since the formation of the Mountain East Conference more than three years ago. West Virginia State had won 51 consecutive conference matches before the MEC Tournament Championship Final loss to the Golden Eagles.

In an exciting finish, it came down to one last match to decide the tournament champion between UC’s freshman Kristine Gegeshidze and WVSU’s Mountain East Conference Player of the Year, Laura Isbey. Isbey claimed the first set in a tiebreaker, but Gegeshidze rallied to avenge a regular season loss to Isbey by taking the second set 7-5 and securing UC’s MEC title by winning the third 6-3.

17

UC

Bu

sin

es

s

The West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition, held this fall at Concord University, resulted in 30 teams of semi-finalists moving forward to the next round. Fifteen of those semi-finalists were University of Charleston students!

After a second round of competition this winter, six finalists will now go on to compete in the finals in April 2017 at West Virginia University.

Originally, more than 135 University of Charleston students formed 72 teams and entered their ideas in the Competition. Entries included concepts in three categories – Hospitality & Tourism, Lifestyle & Innovation, and, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM).

The annual West Virginia Business Plan Competition affords college students around the state the unique opportunity to make a business idea come to life with the support of state institutions of higher education and seasoned business professionals from around the country.

The goal of the competition is to provide students with the education, skills, contacts and motivation to create a viable, start-up company in West Virginia. Grand prize packages are awarded to the top team in each of three categories, and includes a $10,000 cash prize, accounting, legal and virtual or physical incubator space.

“These participation numbers are great news for the University of Charleston and the growing entrepreneurial culture in southern West Virginia,” said Fonda Holehouse, UC Vice president and Chief Innovation Executive. “UC’s students have begun the process of exploring the feasibility of ideas ranging from innovations that will solve issues in health care and the opioid crisis to those that capitalize on our tourism resources, and other services to improve the overall quality of life of West Virginians.”

18

UC STUDENTS ARE WELL REPRESENTED AT STATEWIDE COMPETITION

UC Students participating included:

In the category of STEM/Technology:AKA Medication Solutions LLC Inc.Kathryn MarkusAdam FifeAngel Withrow

Automated Pill DispenserEric Constant

PaintBotsTony SimpkinsSirlei Farley

Perfect Touch Blood Glucose MeterRyan NolanDomonique Dobson

Protect Diagnostics (Zika Virus Home Testing Kit)Karina Del Sol

Seatbelt Compliance Technology, LLCRuby Ann SablanAdam Morgan

StudyLexAndrew Van Deusen

Lifestyle & InnovationDo it Yourself Service Call AppThomas Matrascia

Fire Safety InnovationsAllyssa CovertAdam Miller

Insulin +PlusLouise Givens

URCoveredDouglas CriadoVictoria OyewoleDana Ciarrocchi

Hospitality & TourismBeLocalWVMarc GreenbergJoshua Harless

Charleston Area Community GardenKory SandersGhina Alsabbagh

DAT SHAT Jamaican Spice LLC Vaughn Griffiths

Quik-O-CupRomkamol DangprasertNga-Phoung Nguyen

19

The University of Charleston and Jagiellonian

University of Krakow, Poland, signed a

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recognizing

common interests between the two schools. The

MOU will allow the two universities to exchange

students and faculty on a yearly basis, and will

provide UC students the opportunity to study

abroad at one of Poland’s most historic universities.

Jagiellonian University is the second largest

university in Poland and one of the most prestigious

in Europe. Over the course of its 650-year

existence, Jagiellonian has produced an impressive

array of alumni, including Nicolaus Copernicus and

Pope John Paul II.

“This is the opening of a door for cooperation

between the two universities,” said UC President

Edwin Welch. “It is a wonderful opportunity for our

students and faculty members to experience a

different culture, a different part of the world and a

different political environment.”

Artus Gruszak, the chair of national security at

Jagiellonian University, came to the U.S. to meet

with administration from UC. He expressed his hope

that the two schools would have a long relationship

together. “I think,” Gruszack said, “for my university,

it’s a great opportunity to share experiences and to

learn new elements of education and teaching.”

Both schools will start programs in 2017 to enrich

each school’s staff by exchanging faculty members.

Unique partnership with Toyota Manufacturing of WV

Through an exciting partnership with the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company of West Virginia, employees at the facility now have access to portions of online classes at the facility in Buffalo, WV. The unique partnership is for employees of Toyota who don’t have time for traditional class meetings.

“We believe that our relationship with UC will support individual development and growth, and that will continue to make Toyota a world class leader in automobile manufacturing,” said Barry Pearson, Human Resource Manager at Toyota and Strategic Leadership student at UC. “The programs offered by UC tie directly in with our culture of teamwork and problem solving.”

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGsigned with Historic Polish University

UC

He

alt

h

20

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Nationally Ranked “The Best”

UC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) Program was named one of the 2016 Best Ultrasound Technician Schools by College Choice. The program is ranked number 17 on their list and notes the program has some of the most stringent requirements for completing the degree. The full listing is available at www.collegechoice.net.

PA AccreditationThe Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted “Accreditation-Continued” status to the University of Charleston Physician Assistant Program, granting full compliance with the ARC-PA standards. The school was granted 10 years until the next review.

“We have worked extremely hard to get to this point and are so excited that our hard work was validated by the ARC-PA,” said Jennifer Pack, UC Physician Assistant Program Director. “We have a dedicated faculty who care about the needs of each student and work tirelessly to promote a supportive environment that fosters teamwork. The UC PA Program has big plans moving forward and is excited about opportunities to promote our mission.”

The UC Physician Assistant (PA) Program is committed to train high-quality, patient-centered PAs who are well prepared to practice medicine and help meet the needs

of the community and the underserved.

– Jennifer Pack, UC Physician Assistant Program Director

21

Pharmacy Accreditation The University of Charleston’s School of Pharmacy announced that it has received full continued accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Board of Directors. In addition, the next accreditation visit to the school is not scheduled until 2024 – the maximum term that can be granted between accreditation visits.

Accreditation is a complex and comprehensive process to assure a program meets very specific standards. To do so, a pharmacy education program must have a clearly articulated mission, desired goals and a planning process in place to achieve success. Programs must educate students to deliver patient-centered care as members of an interprofessional team, emphasizing evidenced-based practice, quality improvement approaches, and informatics. The teaching and learning methodologies used should foster the continued development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, be applicable to the diverse learning needs of the pharmacists, and encourage continuing professional development.

“We are thrilled with the ACPE Board of Directors confirmation of the competence, strength, and ability of the pharmacy faculty, staff, preceptors, and university community to provide an education that prepares student pharmacists to make a positive difference in the lives of their patients,” stated Dr. Michelle Easton, Dean of the UC School of Pharmacy. “ACPE’s provision of the maximum term of eight years to our program is an honor.”

Beckley Pinning

Kristan Acord- Raleigh CountyBrandi Hayes- Boone CountyJulia Blevins- McDowell CountyShatika Cockrell- Mercer CountyJami Davis- Putnam CountyEmily Deal – Kanawha CountyShane Krausman – Greenbrier County

Aimee Lacy – Kanawha CountyHannah Thompson – Raleigh CountyJoshua Vance - Raleigh CountyClinton Wooton - Raleigh CountyWilliam White – Nicholas County

For 12 University of Charleston – Beckley students, an important milestone took place in December when the Associate Degree of Nursing program held its pinning ceremony. A pinning ceremony welcomes newly graduated nursing students into the professional ranks.

Students participating in the ceremony were:

The University of Charleston Associate Degree in Nursing started at its Beckley location in September, 2014. The program offers a unique schedule, allowing students to continue to work, while attending classes on the weekend.

“This is an exciting program for UC and the Beckley community,” said Duane Napier, Chair of the ADN program. “It reflects the University’s commitment to educational programs in southern West Virginia. It provides a great opportunity for working students to further their careers while still being able to keep their regular jobs.”

UC

Alu

mn

i

In honor of his tireless work for the University of Charleston, Ben Beakes was named Alumnus of the Year during the UC Homecoming Game in October.

Beakes is a rising entrepreneur and community leader in Charleston, West Virginia. He is the founder and managing member of Three Point Strategies, LLC – a government affairs and public relations firm based in West Virginia. Originally from Cross Lanes, WV, Beakes was drawn to UC as a student because of its mission and philosophy of personalized education. As a student he majored in political science graduating Summa Cum Laude. He also met his wife, Sarah (Orrison) Beakes, a 2004 alumna, while attending UC and has two children, Chloe and Cooper.

Beakes began his career as the Political Director of the West Virginia Republican Party. In 2005 he served Secretary of State Betty Ireland as her Chief of Staff. After a short stint in the private sector Beakes was appointed State Director of the McCain 2008 presidential campaign in West Virginia.

In 2009 Beakes returned to his alma mater to serve as its Vice President for University Development – a position he held for five years. In 2014 Beakes became the Director for Government and External Affairs for Alpha Natural Resources before he founded his business in September 2015.

Beakes believes in service to his community. He was named “40 under 40” by the State Journal and recently finished his term as President of the Rotary Club of Charleston where he oversaw the club’s Centennial Year. Most important to Beakes, though, is his faith and family. He is blessed with the opportunity to serve his church, River Ridge Teays Valley, on its worship team.

Alum of the Year: Ben Beakes

22 { }As a student, Ben Beakers stood out as particularly talented,

resourceful and dedicated, His success in government, business and higher education has been exemplary. He has already left

his imprint on West Virginia and his alma mater.

– Dr. Edwin H. Welch, University of Charleston President

I am thrilled to have been recently named the new UC Director of Alumni Relations and look forward to serving you in this role. For the last seven years, I have been the UC Director of Donor Relations and have had the pleasure of getting to know many of you during that time. I look forward to meeting those of you I don’t know and learning about what MHC/UC means to you. As Alumni Director, my “door” is always open. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have a question/comment/concern or to simply introduce yourself or chat about upcoming UC events. I hope you will continue to be

engaged with your alma mater in the ways you find meaningful: volunteering at a UC event, referring prospective students, being a brand ambassador, or supporting our Golden Eagle athletic teams. I encourage you to let your love for your alma mater shine through and to share that love and pride for the University with your friends, fellow classmates, and community members.

Let’s make this a great year for the University of Charleston! Yours, in service, Stephanie W. Martin

Greetings, MHC/UC Alumni,

CLASS NOTES

23

Allan Davis, Class of 1967, owns his own accounting firm, Davis & Davis, Inc., in Prescott Arizona. He has been in practice since 1977. He and his wife, Eileen, have

conducted seminars in the Southwest on topics related to Equine and Alpaca Farm Ranch tax issues. While that is certainly interesting enough, the story of their wedding has a UC military twist to it.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis both served in the United States Air Force in the Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam War. They served overseas at Kadena AFB, Okinawa and Westover AFB in Massachusetts. His best man was also a

UC graduate, Dr. Gary Cohen. Dr. Cohen was then serving as a US Marine in Vietnam. Davis wrote to him to see if he could pull some strings and fly out of Vietnam to Okinawa for the weekend to be at the wedding. Cohen managed the feat, arriving in Okinawa in his jungle fatigues, with his M-16 and side arm. Now that’s Golden Eagle friendship!

Hank J. Hoang, a graduate of our PharmD program, published an article, “5 Things I Learned in Pharmacy School” in the August issue of Pharmacy Times, published online. For the entire article, visit http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/hank-j-hoang-pharmd-mba/2016/08/5-things-i-learned-in-pharmacy-school/P-1

(If you just can’t wait to find out, his top five are: Don’t Just Be Book Smart, Think Outside the Box, Make an Impact, Create Lifelong Connections, and Find a Mentor.)

Four 1999 graduates of our BSN program are all living in the Greensboro/Raleigh NC area, where they spread Golden Eagle pride throughout their community. Pictured, left to right:

Leslie Cutlip Bowles, Post Anesthesia Care Unit at Moses Cone Surgery Center/Cone Healthy, Greensboro

Kathleen Popp Underwood, Medical Surgical Unit, Rex Hospital, Raleigh

Josh Monday, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Endoscopy at Lebaurer/Cone Health, Greensboro

Sarah George Monday, Endoscopy at Wesley Long Hospital/Cone Health, Greensboro

Dr. Angie Settle, Class of 1993 (BSN), is the executive director of WV Health Right, a Charleston-based free and charitable health clinic. She recently organized a free 2-day health clinic, in a partnership with Remote Area Medical. The clinic included the volunteer efforts of eye doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners and physicians, and served around 600 people during the weekend.

Doug Stimpson, ’70, has finally retired and fully intends to catch and release every fish in Lake Tahoe.

Barbara Cook Overton, Ph.D., MFA, ’95, received a doctorate in health communication last year from Louisiana State University. Her dissertation, funded by an LSU Dissertation Year Fellowship, examined electronic medical records system adoptions in several emergency rooms and the implications for emergency medicine providers as well as changes to providers’ communication patterns with important outcomes for patient safety. The findings are the subject of a forthcoming book and several academic articles. Overton is an Assistant Professor at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Jenny Enochs James, ’02, was recently chosen as “Teacher of the Year” in the Charlotte County Public Schools (in Florida). She gives thanks to the University of Charleston for the amazing education she says she received from the University.

We offer our condolences to the famly and friends of Morris Harvey College/University of Charleston alumni who have passed away since January 2016.

INMEMORIAM

24

Christopher Lasker ‘04Mary Lipscomb ‘69Paul Mackey ‘84Kenneth Mann ‘70Richard Marks ‘54Mozella R. Matics ‘53Bertie May ‘66Betty McComasBarbara K. Milam ‘60Sue R. Miller ‘66Okey Moffatt ‘95Eugene Moore ‘62Linda P. Morgan ‘74Emily Morris ‘53William Morris ‘59Jacqueline Mundy ‘52Joan H. Myers ‘64Greg Newport ‘10James Nutter ‘64Kathleen B. Older ‘49Mary C. Parsons ‘59Gloria Payne ‘67J. Persinger ‘87Wanda L. Pierson ‘59Virginia J. Pullen ‘75John Quintrell ‘67Dorothy A. Reed ‘61Patsy D. Reed ‘67Maury Reishman ‘65

Daniel Richards ‘66Patricia Richardson ‘71Lelan Richmond ‘56Larry Riffee ‘65Ruth Rohr ‘50Lori Rolleri ‘75Robert Rollins ‘70Judi G. Rosa ‘67David Samms ‘55Marjorie B. Schoolcraft ‘73Masil Scragg ‘61Marlin Sherman ‘59Anne Shreve ‘95Tammy B. Stafford ‘92John Stanley ‘91John Sullivan ‘53Clyde Summers ‘72John Tinney ‘66Beverly Tucker ‘79Barbara A. Wagner ‘53Bonnie C. Walker ‘44Margaret R. Wellman ‘80Charles West ‘50Eddie WhittBenny Williams ‘60Ferne Williams ‘48Joseph WilliamsJudy Wiseman ‘74

WE’RE FIRED UP!“There is no place to go,” students said. They had anentire riverfront on which to play and rest, but therewas no place to sit or come together as a group.Thanks to a gift from Laurie Erikson, the interest ofstudents, the encouragement of Dr. Janet Welch,and the ingenuity of the facilities staff, we now havethat place to go and come together. Now there is acozy riverfront park by the Boat House with severalbenches, chairs, and trees.

Student government leaders saw the park as theideal place for their long-desired fire pit and theycontributed money from their SGA budget to make it happen. When estimates for building a fire pit came in over budget, we turned to our own crew. Many of the talented craftsmen in the facilities department turned their attention to designing the fire pit, purchasing the materials, and in between their regular duties constructing one worthy of any campus anywhere.

The fire pit was built last spring and used fully this fall. Students can sit and watch the river from the circular area. They may get together to grill hot dogs for a picnic or have a smores party for their particular group.

The food service provides food, the maintenancestaff provides the firewood and cleanup, and students come and enjoy the setting. While all eyes have been on the construction of the Innovation Center and the much-needed new gymnasium, this quiet corner of the campus was also transformed to make a statement of its own and to fill another student need.

TRUSTEE DINNEROn a warm October night, the University of Charleston board of trustees enjoyed a very special dinner – held at the UC Boathouse. The guests enjoyed a pre-dinner social hour at the President’s House, then enjoyed a delicious meal served in the unique setting.

Photo caption:Members of the Facilities Services Department who create

the fire pit are shown with student leaders, their departmenthead Gary Boyd, and Dr. Ed Welch and Dr. Janet Welch

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 2066Charleston, WV

2300 MacCorkle Avenue, SE • Charleston, WV 25304

IN OUR NEW H. Bernard Wehrle Sr. ATHLETIC FACILITY

1/26/17 West Liberty UniversityWomen 5:30 PM - Men 7:30 PM

1/28/17 Wheeling Jesuit University Women 2 PM - Men 4 PM

2/1/17 Notre Dame College (Ohio)Women 5:30 PM - Men 7:30 PM

2/4/17 Urbana University (Ohio)Women 2 PM - Men 4 PM

JOIN US FOR AN UPCOMING BASKETBALL GAME

To order tickets, call 304-357-4820

www.ucwv.edu | 1-800-995-GOUC (4682)