Geneva Magazine Spring 2017

GENEVA
MAGAZINE

SPRING 2017

Transformed Lives
The Football Ministry of the Sullivan Brothers
Commencement 2017
How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?

FROM THE PRESIDENT

CALVIN L. TROUP

“Therefore encourage one another and build each
other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

I Thessalonians 5:11

In Chapel this year, our campus community explored the God blessed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego with each
topic of courage. In one case, we had to consider a common other during their trial by fire. Jesus Christ sent out the
misconception about courage, that courage is primarily an disciples two by two. Paul was never alone on any of
individual virtue or act.Although we must enact courage his journeys; he always brought people along with him,
personally, we don’t do so alone.We are made in the image of sometimes four or five. God created us to need one another.
God; we are social beings. God created us to live personally in You need encouragement in your work and so do I. None of
families, in communities and with our friends. According to us is that strong. It’s not good for us to be alone.
the scriptures, God designed the universe, in part, to call us to
encourage other people and to give them courage to face the The substance of our courage comes from Christ, and Christ
issues of life.The core of courage is heart.And the good news comes alongside us. The scriptures talk about the Holy Spirit
is that we aren’t alone; courage is a team activity. as One who comes alongside, and we are to do the same
thing for one another, to come alongside and encourage
Giving someone courage – encouraging them – is good but people who really need to be able to practice courage.
not necessarily nice. Courage does not try to help someone
develop a positive mental attitude. Courage does not just say Courage comes to us through our companions, friends, family
nice things to people to make them feel better, especially and community.Therefore, encouragement – giving courage
when it isn’t true. Courage seeks to strengthen hearts in the to one another – is a core virtue and practice within the
midst of challenges, distress and troubles. Geneva community. I am daily encouraged by our students,
faculty, staff, alumni and donors. Above all, courage comes
Scripture gives us three basic instructions about how to to us in the person and the work of Jesus Christ.We need
encourage one another. First, we have to concentrate.We not lose heart or fear acting out of cowardice rather than
need to be attentive to when those people closest to us need courage. Christ has come, is coming again and will raise
encouragement.To achieve that level of awareness, we must us. He will encourage us. Let’s join Him in encouraging
read what is happening in their lives and be prepared to one another by concentrating, constructing and caring in
encourage them at every time and in all seasons. deliberate, courageous ways.

Second, we need to be constructive, to cultivate a mindset deliberate, courageous ways.
of building others up.The people who encourage us most
are not those insightful critics ready to correct everything we Calvin L.Troup
think and do. Critique cannot produce courage. Encouragers
do not employ criticism to fix others. Instead, because we President
love our neighbors, we take the next step – diagnosing to
provide constructive assistance and help to address the
troubles they face.

Finally, we are called to encourage one another with great
care.When we become fainthearted, we need each other for
encouragement.All of us experience situations that scare us,
cause anxiety and tempt us to lose heart. In such moments,
we need each other the most. We can remember seasons
of grief, sorrow, pressure and distress – moments when we
need someone who loves us to come alongside and bear us
up.Togetherness is the nature of our lives, of our work and
of our ministry, and God’s mercy brings us together as we
continually seek to walk with Christ in the face of spiritual
opposition from the enemy.

1 GENEVA MAGAZINE

GENEVA SPRING 2017
MAGAZINE
7 Geneva Magazine is published
9 17 two times per year for Geneva
College alumni, donors, students
and parents. It showcases the
college and its constituencies as
they strive to fulfill the college’s
mission. Opinions expressed in
Geneva Magazine are those
of its contributors and do not
necessarily represent the opinions
of the editorial review board or
the official position of the college.

EDITOR DAN DIETER
DESIGNER BEN LICHIUS
EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD
DR. MARVIN DEWEY
JOLYNN FREY
LARRY GRIFFITH ’85
CHERYL JOHNSTON
DAVE LAYTON ’88
DR. RICHARD TALBERT
DR. CALVIN L. TROUP ’83
VAN ZANIC ‘93

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
GREGORY BEECHAUM, JR.
ANDREW DOMENCIC
OLIVIA FORTON
JENNIFER GLEIM
ERIKA KAUFFMAN
JACOB YARNELL

Please send feedback to
[email protected] or
Geneva Magazine,
Geneva College,
3200 College Ave.,
Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

1 From the President 11 Life “G” Award: Carolyn Mellenkopf 20 Campus News
25 Athletic News
3 God and Neighbor: 13 Seniors Prepared for Service 29 In Memoriam
Judge Kathy (McFarland ‘78) Gardner 31 Class Notes

5 Opportunities are Bigger in Texas 14 Faculty News
Finding Freedom from Insta-Anxiety,
15 That’s Auell, Folks!
7 Perfectionism and Shame

9 Commencement 2017 17 Transformed Lives: The Football
Ministry of the Sullivan Brothers

God & Neighbor:

Kathy (McFarland ‘78) Gardner, KS Appeals Judge

BY HOLLY ( VIZINO ‘15) EMERY

Photo Credit: Stephen Koranda, KS Public Radio

Although “Hometown Success” or “Ring by Spring” areas of study.A semester in France during her junior year at
Geneva reminded her of God’s omniscience and the breadth
are catchphrases that could describe the life of the Hon. of His kingdom. Gardner has loved French since junior high
Kathryn Gardner ’78, Geneva’s motto (“For Christ and school and continues to attend a French speaker’s club. Her
Country”) best captures her personal mission. Even as English studies also prepared her for a legal career.
a judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals, she continually “I use my English degree daily,” says Gardner.“My
puts the needs of family, state and hometown first.“I have work as an attorney for 30 years, and now as an appellate
enjoyed each job I’ve had, but the greatest challenge and
the greatest reward of my life has been having children Faith and family always came
and raising them to love the Lord,” she says. f irst, and the rest revolved
around that.”
Gardner met her husband,Timothy Gardner ‘76, at
Kathy Gardner with her father, 17th President of Geneva College
“Geneva and they celebrated 39 years of marriage this Dr. Joe McFarland, and her daughter. (Photo Credit: Kathy Gardner)

May.They have three daughters: Sarah, 27, Rachel, 25 and
Hannah, 23. Sarah, who is now married and the mother of
two girls, recalls,“Faith and family always came first, and
the rest revolved around that.”

Gardner was born in Sterling, Kansas and has spent most
of her life in Topeka, Kansas.“Growing up in the Bible
Belt and the Kansas plains was great,” she comments.
“People are hardy, hopeful and family oriented.”

After attending Sterling College for a year, Gardner wanted
to expand her French studies but continue attending a
small, Christian college. She transferred to Geneva on the
recommendation of her father, Dr.William Joseph (Joe)
McFarland, who was a student at Geneva earlier in life
and would go on to become a beloved Geneva president
from 1984-1992.There she majored in English, minored
in French and earned her teaching certificate for middle
school and high school in both subjects.

Since then, she has enjoyed many benefits from these

3 GENEVA MAGAZINE

judge, requires a good grasp of grammar, clear writing AUTHORHe has
skills, a love of reading, a penchant for problem solving
and some analytical aptitude. I highly recommend an told you,

“undergraduate degree in English for students planning to O man,

attend law school.” what is
She specifically remembers Geneva professors Norman
Carson (English) and David Carson (Political Science) good; and
challenging her to think beyond the text and clearly
articulate her beliefs. During her senior year in college, what does
Gardner developed an interest in religious liberties cases
and believes her natural skills and interests suited her for a the Lord
legal career.
She quotes Micah 6:8 as her theme verse and challenge for require
life:“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does
the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, of you but to do justice, and
and to walk humbly with your God?”
Walking humbly, Gardner has adapted her career to the to love mercy, and to walk
changing needs of her family through the years.While her
husband finished his undergraduate degree, Gardner taught humbly with your God?”
English and French at a high school for two years before
attending law school at the University of Kansas. Later, her - Micah 6:8
husband’s employment as a State Trooper for the Kansas
Highway Patrol moved them from Topeka to Wichita, then month and writes opinions in one third of those cases,” she
back to Topeka 14 years later.“Accommodating his career says.“The workload is intense and demanding but the cases are
required job changes for me – changes I did not always interesting! Most days you’ll find me in my office reading briefs
desire at the time, but which, in retrospect, worked for or memos, doing research on other cases that may be similar to
good,” reflects Gardner. the one I’m trying to decide, or writing my decision in a case.”
She went on to become a research attorney for a judge on
the Kansas Court of Appeals, an assistant attorney general Gardner says that she lives out her faith in several ways. She
for the State of Kansas and a law clerk for a federal trial observes that although her approach to the legal field has
judge. Following the birth of her eldest daughter, Gardner been similar to many of her secular peers, she holds a different
worked for 12 years as a litigator in private practice.Then in worldview. She recognizes that man’s judgment is imperfect and
2015, she was appointed as a judge on the Kansas Court of that God’s law and justice will prevail.
Appeals.
She and her husband continue to share many values with
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announces nomination of Kathy Gardner Geneva, loving their neighbors through church and community
to Court of Appeals. (Photo Credit: The Topeka Capital-Journal) involvement.They attend Topeka Bible Church, and for the past
two years, Kathryn and Timothy have enjoyed volunteering
“When a person goes to trial and loses, he has a right to weekly at Neighborhood Empowerment Transformation, NET
appeal the case,” explains Gardner. In her state, most of Reach, an outreach of the Topeka Rescue Mission. NET Reach
these appeals are decided by groups of three judges on attempts to reduce homelessness and poverty in a challenged
the Kansas Court of Appeals. For two days each month, and impoverished neighborhood.
they hear oral arguments from both sides.After reviewing
evidence and performing careful research, the judges Whether in the courtroom, the family room or fellowship hall,
determine whether a new trial is necessary. Judge Kathryn Gardner sets an admirable example of a life in
“Each judge usually decides between 21-30 cases each Christ’s service. Sharing her mother’s dedication to faith and
family, Gardner’s daughter, Sarah shares,“I hope I’m half the
mother and woman she is.” G

Holly (Vizino ’15) Emery has written for publications
including Geneva Magazine, The Beaver County
Times and RP Witness. She joined Pittsburgh Fellows
and worked for UPMC until joyfully marrying Samuel
Emery in January 2017.

4

Student Opportunities are Bigger
in Texas Thanks to Alumnus

BY HOLLY ( VIZINO ‘15) EMERY

This summer, five Geneva students will travel to Pasadena, he coordinates ongoing training for KNA professionals, and he
expanded and organized the internship program in 2015.
Texas for an exciting internship at Kaneka North America
(KNA). KNA’s internship is more than a well-organized summer KNA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the diversified Japanese
opportunity, though; professors and students agree that what chemical company Kaneka Corporation, makes polymers and
sets this program apart is the alumni relationship behind it.Tom remains the world’s largest manufacturer of the food supplement,
Garrisi ’78 annually brings college students to his company to CoQ-10. KNA employs approximately 450 fulltime employees and
work, learn and provide leadership opportunities for employees, a has manufactured in Pasadena,TX for about 35 years.
relationship that benefits everyone involved.
Applying the Kaneka internal mission to dream, participate and
After graduating from Geneva in 1978 with a B.S. in Chemistry, contribute to the company, Garrisi invites employees to mentor
Garrisi continued to California State Polytechnic University, the interns one-on-one for the summer. Unlike many internship
where he earned another bachelor’s degree, this time in chemical programs that may hire interns primarily for their labor, KNA uses
engineering. He went on to work for Air Products, then moved the internship program to also provide leadership experience
to Texas for an opportunity at Kaneka North America (KNA) for their own employees. KNA interns receive lots of hands-on
in 1987. He is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and attention and direction, while both mentor and student gain
currently works as an engineering fellow for KNA. In this role, confidence in the field.

Clint Dubec and Alex Farkas Garrisi says engineers remain the largest group of summer
interns. Process engineers address questions like,“How can we
expand the process? How can we make a better product?” Project
engineers install changes designed by process engineers and
negotiate with contractors and equipment suppliers. Reliability
engineers ask “Why did this equipment fail prematurely?” Last
year, one intern addressed how to safely load a diesel tank,
designed an access system and determined how to build it out of
readily available materials.

Garrisi says that KNA is surprised by the quality and quantity of
work interns accomplish in just twelve weeks of the summer. By
engaging mentors, KNA raises their next level of managers.The
program has grown in size each year and has the potential to
expand further as more employees become mentors.

5 GENEVA MAGAZINE

2017 will be the third year of the internship program and the
second year to accept out-of-state students. In 2016, Alex Farkas
and Benjamin Mills, two of Geneva’s senior engineering students,
participated. This year, five of the 15 interns will be from
Geneva College. Farkas will return, joined by Brendan Hamilton,
junior chemistry major, Molly Hindman, junior environmental
engineering major, and Sarah Kinney and Ethan Stahl, junior
chemical engineering majors.

Finding good interns is only possible with the help of professors
who will promote these programs in the classroom, says Garrisi.
“The people at Geneva are enthusiastic and go out of their way to
make it happen.”

When he began recruiting interns, Garrisi reached out to Dr.
John Stahl, who was his classmate when they were students
at Geneva. Stahl now faithfully promotes the program to his
students by personal contact, posting flyers and emailing
information. Mills says that Dr. Stahl’s email inspired him to
apply.

“ The people at Geneva are
enthusiastic and go out of

their way to make it

happen.”

Geneva’s Career Development Center helps students with resume
preparation.The center’s Director, Joy Doyle, has worked with all
the Geneva interns, to improve their interviewing skills.

The internship benefits the students academically and

professionally. Between mentoring, classes with Garrisi and Ben Mills and Stephen Sanchez

practical experience, Farkas and Mills felt they made great strides

in these areas. Mills says his experience at KNA prepared him community was challenging, attending and serving at a local

for two of his senior level classes, Chemical Reactor Design church made a difference as it provided the opportunity to make

and Thermal Design and Optimization, and gave him a better friends outside of work.

understanding of the fulltime process engineering positions for Best of all, Stahl observes that partnering with alumni like Garrisi
which he is now applying. helps Geneva accomplish the mission “to equip students for

Alex Farkas agrees,“The Kaneka North America internship was a faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor,” and the students

great experience and opportunity to grow as an engineer in the concur.

professional field. Not only did I get practical experience from
other engineers, but I was given my very own project to work on.

God has people in all places.”It was very rewarding to be given an engineering problem and

“ultimately work to implement a solution.”
Although KNA is a long way from many students’ homes, Garrisi “Tom Garrisi understood the liberal arts education we had,” says

does all he can to make the move to Texas pleasant for his Mills.“He had a good idea of how to bring that into the workforce

interns. Both he and Stahl say that spending a summer away is a in a way that is perhaps more marketable than that of a secular

great “growing up experience.” KNA provides a small relocation school.Working with people from Geneva College helps you

assistance, and the students rent a room for the summer.This year maximize what you learned because they know what you learned

KNA set up a Facebook page for interns to help each other find and how to apply it.”

housing and communicate easily with each other. Partnerships with alumni can greatly influence students and their

Stahl encourages students to find a local church near their careers, but the blessings are mutual. KNA is just one example of

internship for worship and fellowship, reminding them,“God an alumni relationship benefitting student, employer and school for

has people in all places.” Ben Mills says that although finding God’s glory. G

6

Psalm 23: Finding Freedom from
Insta-Anxiety, Perfectionism & Shame

SPEECH BY DR. ANTHONY BRADLEY

For the students of Geneva: Anthony Bradley shares an important message.

Parents, alumni and friends: today’s young Christians face extraordinary challenges.

I am going to talk about the intersection of anxiety and their families, and you look at your own body, your own clothes

depression and perfectionism and social media. I’ve noticed that a and your own family, and you think you are inadequate.

lot of Christians coming out of the church, campus ministries and We add on top of that the encouragement to be super
Christian colleges feel a pressure to be something extraordinary Christians, sinless Christians, unbroken Christians.You have to
that the scriptures don’t say you have to be.At least for some of have good grades.You have to be good and really smart.You
our students at King’s College in New York City, they are obsessed have to have relationships with people, but you can’t ever touch
with their grades because they are afraid of being ordinary.They them because that is sinful.You can’t spend a lot of time with
think they have to be extraordinary sorts of Christians. people you are not already like.You have to do something really

Christian campuses ought to have students that are the least special for God in terms of your career.Your family puts these

stressed out of any cohorts of students in the country.The two expectations on you, and there is this added pressure to do all

concerns that are causing the most anxiety on our campuses are these things for the Lord which increases the levels of anxiety

grades and stress about social life. Oddly enough, according to and depression and self-medication.

the data, Instagram and Snapchat make that anxiety even worse, Students are constantly tracking their phones for text messages,
thanks to the “fear of missing out,” also known as FOMO. constantly checking to see if people are doing something or

What the social media platforms all have in common is they make saying something that they ought to know about. It’s not that

us feel inadequate because we do not measure up.When your these social media platforms are evil or have some sort of

Snapchat story is boring and your friend’s Snapchat story is fun sadistic plan to ruin our lives and take us over. It’s that we have

and hilarious, you look at your account and think, I’m a loser. Or lost our capacity to exercise resilience because we are already

when you look at the Instagram pages of people that you don’t stressed out, anxious and depressed about our performance,

know, you look at their bodies, their clothes, their vacations and about measuring up, about being super and extraordinary kinds

of people. Christian culture can make this worse.

SPEAKER There are three sources of anxiety and depression even within
Dr.Anthony Bradley the Christian subculture.The first is achievement pressure.The

• Associate Professor of Religious Studies,The King’s College in New second is isolation from parents – being emotionally, spiritually,
York City psychologically disconnected.The third is touch deprivation.

• Research Fellow, The Acton Institute Unfortunately, even within the context of the church, there is
this pressure to be successful professionally.You have to get
• Author of Black and Tired, Liberating Black Theology, Aliens
in the Promised Land, and John Rawls and Christian Social
Engagement.

7 GENEVA MAGAZINE

good grades in order to go to a good school like Geneva, to get a from touch deprivation, who are freed up from performance

good job, to get married so you can live a nice comfortable life, pressure, because we are the people who are actually being cared

have kids and then you can rest and repeat. Some people view this for by God.

achievement as God blessing you.They think this is what it means The very first verse of Psalm 23 that many of you had to memorize
to be a godly person.To them, godliness tracks this American when you were little is “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
dream narrative of good grades, school, career, marriage, house, When we are truly able to embrace the reality that the Lord is our
kids, soccer, football and repeat. shepherd and that we don’t need anything else; that we are fully

The pressure for success has made perfectionism a major problem. and sufficiently provided for; that the sovereign and triune God

Perfectionism says,“You have to have the perfect job, not just a loves us and cares about us; then we are free. I will know that I am

job, the perfect job that meets your interest, your desires, that fulfilled, that my body is fine, that my social life is fine.And when

checks all the boxes. It has to pay you really well or you don’t have I see images on social media, they don’t make me feel inadequate

a job at all.” Perfectionism wants you to have the perfect thing or because I am already adequate.

nothing at all. In Christ, you are already adequate today. In fact, you can’t be more

The other variable is isolation from parents. Studies show that adequate than you already are. You have the full benefits of being

children of affluence are less close to their parents than children a child of God.There is nothing that you lack because your triune

who live in poverty. By close, I don’t mean physically close but God cares about you, and the second person of the Trinity was

emotionally where there is a real connection. Parents can be resurrected for our good. We have been given the Holy Spirt to

overly involved and controlling at the same time their kids still comfort us, care for us and guide us as we live the lives that God

feel isolated. Suburban intends for us, wants for us and has destined for us.

children’s needs for
emotional closeness

In Christ, you are alreadymay often suffer as the

demands for parents’

“ adequate today. In fact,professional careers erode

relaxed family time, and
they spend more time you can’t be more adequate
home alone.To medicate

the feeling of isolation, lots

than you already are.”of students turn to drugs
and alcohol and food and

being at the gym. So, what Christian colleges ought to be the place where there is no

we find in terms of the isolation, where there is no performance pressure, where there

data is if you are from a is no feeling of inadequacy because of the ways we are heavily

lower income family, you involved in loving and caring for each other.When non-Christian

are much more likely to colleges see us they ought to be jealous because of the kind of

have a better relationship communities we have on our campuses – absolutely chilled and

with your parents than relaxed and less anxious. They should ask,“How come those

kids from higher income families. Christians at Geneva are so chill and so relaxed, right? Why are

Lastly, I would like to talk about touch deprivation. Our society is they not freaking out about their futures? How can they be so
suffering from chronic touch deprivation. What we have done is to calm?” Because they are being cared for by God the Father, the
so sexualize touch that American parents touch their children less Son and the Holy Spirit. G

than parents in other cultures.Touch is associated with things like

positive body image. Anxiety is associated with touch deprivation, In Case You Missed It...
as is depression and aggression. Students who are much more

physically affectionate with their parents have higher academic

performance and better grades. Stress levels also decrease in

contexts of high touch family.

When you combine achievement pressure, parental isolation and
touch deprivation with social media applications designed to
make you think they can meet those needs for you, you get cycles
and habit forming activities that allow advertisers to make tons of
money but don’t actually solve problems.

One of my interests is to help Christians believe that they are Watch this year’s JG Vos Memorial Lecture
actually sufficiently given everything they need to be what God given by Dr. D.A. Carson on Feb. 8, 2017 on
has called them to be and to do. I want Christians to be the kind
of people who are not isolated from each other, who don’t suffer Geneva’s Youtube channel by visiting:
www.youtube.com/genevacollege

8

Commencement 2017

M AY 6, 2017

Geneva College conferred degrees on 413 graduates at “How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?”

ceremonies marking Commencement on Saturday, May 6. Rev. Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson
A chilly, rainy day could not dampen the celebratory mood
of graduates, faculty and administration. Commencement Address to Graduates at Geneva College, May 6, 2017

President Calvin L.Troup awarded internationally known President Troup and members of the board who are
expert on Reformed Christian Theology, Rev. Dr. Sinclair B. present with us here; the distinguished faculty, a good
Ferguson with an honorary Geneva doctorate degree in a number of whom I’ve already met, and I’ve been impressed
hooding ceremony. Dr. Ferguson presented the message by their distinctiveness and their distinguishedness; and
“How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?” to the traditional madam chairman of the Board of Trustees, and also to you,
undergraduate class of 2017. His address is printed in its Dr.Watt, for your warm welcome to me:
entirety here.
First of all, let me say what a privilege it is to have the
SPEAKER opportunity to address our graduates and to look forward
to hearing more of you in the future.When Dr.Watt met
Rev. Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson us at the airport, his first words to me were,“You’re not
what I expected.” I have this theory about commencement
• Ordained minister in The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church addresses — that they are among the least memorable
• Teaching Fellow with Ligonier Ministries addresses anyone is ever called to give. So, I had developed
• Chairman of the Board of the Banner of Truth Trust Publishers a kind of mythology about the reason why I was being
• Evening preacher in St. Peter’s Free Church, Dundee, Scotland invited to Geneva College in Western Pennsylvania. I
• Professor of Systematic Theology,Westminster Theological had come to the conclusion that the board, recognizing

Seminary, Philadelphia, and Redeemer Seminary, Dallas
• Ministered three congregations in Scotland and South Carolina

9 GENEVA MAGAZINE

the unmemorable nature of commencement addresses, going home. I wasn’t brought up in a home that had
thought that if they could get somebody who sounded central heating (Scotland can be cold). So, as a four-year-old
either like Shrek, or perhaps Sean Connery, or even from boy, eager to read, and apparently having learned to read,
the side view looked like Mr. Bean, then at least the I used to get into my parents bed in the morning when
graduates would feel: I can’t remember what he said, but they had left it (it was centrally-heated). And I would find
wasn’t he that Shrek voice?

It really is a great privilege and honor to address you today
and to try to say some things that I hope really will be
memorable to you.You are facing a new stage in your life
leaving Geneva College, which at least by my observation
over a period of 30 years, has grown not only in the
offerings it has, but in stature, in physical facilities, in the
commitment and power and ability of the faculty.You
have been greatly blessed by the education that you have
received.

I want to say, as a kind of mouthpiece to your parents,
grandparents, friends, that I know the faculty here are
profoundly grateful for the privilege you have given to
them. In most places, you don’t graduate until all the
money is paid in, and so I assume that many of you are
heaving a sigh of relief or wondering who will give you
another mortgage. But this is a great and glorious day for
you, and we all rejoice with you and are grateful for you.

I suspect that it is impossible to graduate from this Has your education prepared
institution without knowing the question that’s asked in you to sing the Lord’s song...
the 137th Psalm, from which the title of these remarks is
drawn.The exiles in Babylon who hanged their hearts on
the willow trees, their captors taunted them saying,“Sing
us one of the songs of Zion!”The response in the Psalm, as

“you’ll remember, is “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a

strange land?”
You have been living as college students in a land of in the land in which you are
promise and blessing, and now many of you are going out
into, what is for you as Christian believers, as graduates being called to serve him?”
of this institution, a very alien and strange land.The great
question for you really is this question: Has your education my grandmother’s old Bible that the family had kept, and
prepared you to sing the Lord’s song, the song of your Lord as a little boy tried desperately to find the Book of Daniel.
Jesus Christ, in the land in which you are being called to Eventually finding it, loving to read of these four young men
serve him? — Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach,Abednego — who sang the
Lord’s song in a strange land.
One more thing about that Psalm is that the Psalmist
himself suggests that there were those who were unable I want to make a few comments about them because they
to sing it. If you turn over a number of books in the Bible, are familiar to all of us, and to ask the question:What enabled
you come across four young college graduates who gave a them to sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? They don’t do
wonderful illustration of what it means to sing the Lord’s this anymore in academic books, but in my day the answer
song in a strange land. I’ve never met them, but I’ve loved was usually to be found in the back of the book.Teachers
them since I was a child. I wasn’t brought up in a church-

10

have become wiser now than to do that.The answer to the until your work is done. So, trust this sovereign God, and he
question is at the back of the book of Daniel:Those who will protect you.They were able, also, to stand because they
know their God will stand firm. Of course, the knowledge knew the truth of God. In their case, it had been poured into
of the Lord is the heart of the Bible’s message. Remember them by their parents back home in Jerusalem — certainly
Jeremiah saying,“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, not in the pagan college from which they graduated.
the rich man in his riches, the strong man in his strength,
but let him who knows me boast in this, that he knows me, In the case of many of you, also, the truth of God has
that I am the Lord.” been poured into you by loving parents; but for all of you,
the truth of God has been poured into you by a loving
These are words, in a sense, that the Lord Jesus picked up and a devoted faculty.You’ve had the privilege that many
at a high point of personal emotion when he prayed on of us have not had of being taught that all things are
the evening of his crucifixion,“Father, this is eternal life - to held together by Christ, that although you do not know
know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you everything, because you trust in the Lord, you know
have sent.”That was so obvious in these four Hebrew boys: something about everything, and that because you know
their knowledge of the Lord; their marvelous sense that He him, you actually know something about those who are
was with them; and the power that He gave them.The way not believers who may protest and, indeed, may eventually
in which He surrounded them, strengthened them, blessed persecute you.You know that they know that God is and
spend their lives in a thousand different ways seeking to
“them, reassured them and gave them poise enabled them deceive themselves into the conviction that he does not
exist, and all the while creating coping mechanisms that
to live for the Lord’s glory. In every single conceivable so often end up in the psychiatrist’s office because in their
situation, they were able to do that because they knew that heart of hearts they are running away from the God whom
the Lord was sovereign. they know to be. My dear young friends, you need to take
great confidence in the truth of God and also in this truth
whenever you encounter opposition.

T he truth of God has been

poured into you by a loving

and devoted faculty.”

The very first words of the Book of Daniel give us a A couple of weeks ago, I read in the London Times an
hint.They knew that Nebuchadnezzar had come from obituary notice of the Russian playwright, poet and
Babylon to Jerusalem to besiege their home city, but they novelist Yevgeny Yevtushenko. I knew his name exclusively
recognized it was the Lord who had given Jerusalem into for one reason – he had come to the United Kingdom in
his hands. Every step of their way, they looked to this the days of the Cold War, and he had met England’s most
promise of God that they had, in a sense, learned from their distinguished contemporary novelist, Sir Kingsley Amis.
forefather Joseph. Even when men and women seek to do He was astonished to find that Kingsley Amis did not
evil, the Lord is sovereign, and he turns things together for believe in God. He assumed, you know, every Englishman
the good of his people, and for their blessing. So they were believes in God. He said to Kingsley Amis,“Is it true, Sir
able to trust Him because they knew that he was the Lord Kingsley, that you do not believe in God?”To this, one of
of every situation. the most distinguished atheists in the country responded,
“Yes, it is true; but it’s more than that, you see. I hate him.”
That’s something that transforms your life, doesn’t it? That It was one of the clearest illustrations of a man of learning,
you know that whatever comes to you, comes to you only distinction and gifts I had read in the United Kingdom. In
because it passes through the hands of your Heavenly his antagonism against God, recognizing before he could
Father. Because that is true, you are immortal in his service

11 GENEVA MAGAZINE

recapture the words that he was a God-haunted man who “Life G” Award:
would not bow to him.
Carolyn (Metcalfe ‘62) Mollenkopf
You need to be reassured as you go out as witnesses to Jesus
Christ in this world that you know of something that those The “Life G”Award is the highest alumni honor presented
who may demean your Christian faith do not know about annually to a graduate who has best carried out the
themselves.You will be strong and helped by the truth of College’s motto,“Pro Christo et Patria.”This year’s recipient,
God.These young men, they were helped by the knowledge Carolyn (Metcalfe ‘62) Mollenkopf, was chosen for her
of God’s sovereignty; they were helped by the knowledge of service that embodies the mission of Geneva College, and
God’s truth; and in some ways they were also helped by the whose efforts on behalf of the College, community and
knowledge of God’s presence.The three boys were faced with nation have been exemplary.
the fire unless they bowed to the new idol of Nebuchadnezzar,
trusting that the Lord would be with them and that the Mollenkopf graduated in Geneva’s class of 1962.While
promises of His word would come true. In situations they could at Geneva, she was an active member in the campus
not imagine being able to stand in, He would stand with them. community as a cheerleader and choral singer among other
activities. She remembers that “most classes were taught in
And Daniel. I wonder if Daniel was like I was as a little boy. I the ‘sage on the stage style,’ but the professors were kind,
hated David with a perfect hatred.This little boy, a well-meaning caring and spiritual in their contact with students.”
aunt introduced me to, who sat on a rock with a cherubic face,
a spotless robe and a shepherd’s crook that clearly had never After graduating from Geneva, Mollenkopf taught third
been used, and composed the 23rd Psalm. Until I recognized grade for three years before taking a 12-year maternity
that this was not an infant David but a man who had been leave during which she raised two sons. She worked the
through dark valleys and from those dark valleys had begun to next 32 years as the librarian for Baltimore County Public
speak about the Lord as his shepherd who was with him,“You schools, responsible for serving all 13,000 county school
are with me.Your rod, your staff, they comfort me.” employees. She was also a concierge at the Hyatt Regency
Hotel in Baltimore for 24 years.
There are few things, my friends, that will make you stronger
than this knowledge.The Lord Jesus Christ, who has Since moving to Maryland, she’d longed to return to
promised never to leave you, never to forsake you and always Geneva and support the many concerts, plays and sports
to be with you to the end of the age — He will be with you. activities about which she’d been reading.“I wanted to
be back on campus and be a cheerleader for Geneva
I think of my fellow countryman, David Livingstone, standing and its students.” Mollenkopf has experienced a “second
in a situation just like this in the University of Glasgow, his life” at Geneva acting as a chaperone for The Genevans
arm hanging limp from where he had been mauled by a lion and New Song choral groups tours. She also serves as an
in his African explorations, saying to young men and women alumni representative when Geneva sports teams play in
like yourselves,“Jesus has promised me that he will be with Maryland and south central Pennsylvania. She lunches with
me to the end. Since He is a gentleman and has never failed students and spends time with parents and loyal fans. She
to keep his promise, that promise will come true for me and specifically enjoys watching the play of the football and
also for you who come to trust him.” volleyball teams.

And so, those of the faculty who have taught you, who love Mollenkopf is thankful for her time at Geneva and the
you, for whom you are a kind of second family in many ways, education she received enabling her wonderful career.“I
the families that surround you, the friends who are here, and am glad I attended a Christian college that was staffed by
I myself bid you to go and sing the Lord’s song in what is those who demonstrated Christian love and the value of
becoming an increasingly strange land.Trust his power, and individuals.” She continues to take every chance to support
trust his truth, and trust his presence, and he will be with you Geneva.“My interaction with students, faculty, administration
to the end of your life, and then by his grace, for all eternity. and parents has rewarded me with richness beyond what I
could have imagined. I look forward to many more years of
With thousands of others, I commend you to Jesus Christ and supporting Geneva in a variety of ways. My heart will always
to serve Him for His glory. skip a beat when I hear the alma mater.”

May God bless you and keep you. G 12

Graduates Prepared for Service

The Geneva graduates who walked off the stage on Evan Wehr graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science
ceommencement day are walking into new experiences as and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics. He will attend Carnegie

they begin their lives as alumni. Here’s a sampling of the Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III College to pursue
plans they shared with us. a graduate degree in Information Security, Policy and
Management.

Melissa Reabe, a graduate with a degree in Human Hannah Kennedy, a native of Oil City, Pennsylvania,
Services, will work as a Fellow with the Coalition for graduated in December 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts in
Christian Outreach in mentored ministry. She will partner Writing. She was immediately accepted into the Masters
with The University of Memphis and Hope Church in of Fine Arts Creative Writing Program at Carlow University
Tennessee. in Pittsburgh.

Hannah Troup, a graduate with a degree in Communication Jesse Doss graduated from Geneva College with a B.S.
Disorders, will attend Purdue University in Indiana for her in Civil Engineering, and minors in mathematics and
graduate degree. She chose Purdue because of its excellent missions.Thanks to the engineering program he was
Speech-Language Pathology program and her familiarity able to pass the FE exam and earn a position at Civil and
with good churches in the area. Environmental Consultants, Inc. in the Pittsburgh area.

Michael Kearney, a Communication graduate concen- Luke Gatchell graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science.
trating in Public Relations, grew up in Mount Sinai, New He is working at Hyland Software, Inc. in Cleveland as a
York. Michael was accepted as a Graduate Assistant in the front-end web developer.
Master’s in Rhetoric and Philosophy of Communication
program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Heather Vizino graduated with a B.S.B.A. degree in
accounting and this fall joins the audit staff at public
2017Isaac Baugh,a graduate with degrees in both Biblical accounting firm Grossman Yanak & Ford in Pittsburgh.
Studies and Philosophy, plans to attend Westminster
She is working on CPA certification this summer.
Seminary of California in his home state.

13 GENEVA MAGAZINE

Contact with Faculty News

Reality by DR. DAVID KENNETH SMITH Professor of Music,
led The Genevans on a multistate tour from PA to
Dr. Esther Florida over spring break 2017. They spread the
good news of the gospel to 16 different churches and
Lightcap Meek schools, ministering to hundreds of people along the
way. They performed in Pittsburgh and steadily made
DR. ESTHER LIGHTCAP MEEK, their way through West Virginia, North Carolina and
Philosophy professor, authored a South Carolina until finally reaching Florida. On the
new book Contact with Reality: return trip, they sang in Georgia, North Carolina,
Michael Polanyi’s Realism and Virginia and Martinsburg, WV.
Why It Matters, published by On the final day, the choir sang a tribute to the 40 lives
Cascade Books. lost during the 9/11 attacks at the Flight 93 National
Memorial.
Is knowledge discovered, or just
invented? Can we ever get outside ourselves to know how PROFESSOR PAUL POTEETE joins the faculty as
reality is in itself, independent of us? Philosophical realism a member of the Engineering and Computer Science
raises the question whether in our knowing we connect with Department in the fall. Poteete will teach Computer
an independent reality--or only connect with our own mental Science courses. He earned a Masters in Information
constructs. Far from being a silly parlor game, the question Systems and Operations degree from the Naval
impacts our lives concretely and deeply. Modern Western Postgraduate School and is currently working towards
culture has been infected with antirealism and the doubt, a doctorate at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
skepticism, subjectivism, relativism and atheism that attends
it--not to mention distrust and arbitrary (mis)use of reality. DR. JONATHAN M. WATT, Professor and Chair,
Department of Bible, published three articles in
Premier scientist-turned-philosopher Michael Polanyi stepped separate collections. The articles are: “Gregory
aside from research to offer an innovative account of knowing of Nazianzus on Language,” “IAKWBOU Contra
that takes its cue from how discovery actually happens. Mundum: Anti-Language and the Epistle of James,” and
Polanyi defied the antirealism of the twentieth century, “Getting Along: Politeness Theory and the Gospels.”
sounding a ringing note of hope in his repeated claim that
in discovery, we know we have made contact with reality 14
because “we have a sense of the possibility of indeterminate

future manifestations.”And that sense
marks contact with reality, because
it is the way reality is: abundant,
generous, and fraught with as-yet-
unnameable possibilities.

This book examines that distinctive
claim, contrasting it to the wider
philosophical discussions regarding
realism and antirealism in the
recent decades. It shows why
Polanyi’s outlook is superior,

and why that matters, not just to
scientific discoverers, but to us all.

“ In this lively book, Esther Lightcap Meek does more than
simply make a compelling case for Polanyi’s realism in the
context of dominant epistemologies and philosophies of
science; she also brings out a beautiful dimension of Polanyi’s
thought that is not often seen, deepening its metaphysical
underpinnings through creative engagement with
contemporary thinkers.This book makes a much-needed
contribution to the reception of Polanyi--and offers a fresh,
new way to think about reason more generally.”

- D. C. Schindler,Associate Professor of Metaphysics and Anthropology,
Pontifical John Paul II Institute,Washington, DC

That’s Auell, Folks!

BY DAN DIETER

T“ earn my masters so that I would be a better instrument in
he mental picture of me standing beside my girls, all
three of us together at Geneva in cap and gown, kept me His hand in the areas that he called me to,” Lynsey recalls.“I

moving forward,” says Tracy Auell.The mental picture became came to Geneva looking for education and have received so

a reality on Commencement Day, when mom,Tracy, received much more than I expected; two degrees with a lifetime of

her Master’s in Leadership Studies degree alongside her memories.”

daughters, Lynsey and Natalie, who graduated with a Master’s The challenge of juggling work, school and the everyday
in Organizational Leadership and Bachelor’s in Music Business, activities of life seemed overwhelming at times for both Tracy
respectively. and Lynsey. But a network of family and classmates provided

Advice from Tracy’s grandmother echoed in her head,“It’s the encouragement and support to complete the program.

never too late to get an education; they can never take it “This community has played a major role in my life since

away,” but it remained an unfulfilled item on her “bucket list” coming to Geneva in 2010. I have been blessed to be involved

until Lynsey told her about her own pursuit of a Masters in and glean so much education, deeper faith, friendships and a

Leadership degree at Geneva.“I better awareness of how God can

was instantly intrigued,“ Tracy says. use me,” Lynsey says.

“When she described the program… Natalie Auell is a gifted musician
and the online option, I decided to and singer-songwriter who is
enroll.” following God’s calling for her life

Tracy works in the Human Services to Nashville with plans to use her

field and looks forward to using her music business degree to pursue a

newly acquired leadership skills to career in the music industry.

help her become a better leader (Left to Right) Lynsey, Natalie and Tracy Auell “I am so proud of the fact that my
professionally, and a better mom and girls have taken on the challenge
Christian, as well. of college, no matter what the

For Lynsey, who earned her obstacles, and as a mom, the fact that

undergraduate degree in Communication from Geneva in I could personally share the moment with my two girls was

2014 and serves as an Enrollment Counselor in Geneva’s incredible,”Tracy says.“The moment we stood outside John

Department of Professional & Online Graduate Studies, earning White Chapel for a photograph was surreal and completely

her Master’s degree is proof that God is faithful.“I wanted to fulfilling. It is a moment I will cherish forever.” G

15 GENEVA MAGAZINE

March Matchness

Thank you alumni and friends for your generosity! Geneva College surpassed the matched amount
In March of 2017, Geneva College Trustees with a total of $289,565. A grand total
along with the Board of Advancement of $449,565 was raised. Thank you for
committed to matching up to $160,000 continuing to support Geneva College
for every dollar donated! The donations and the work done through it by the
from students, friends and alumni of grace of God.

The March Matchness giving challenge results are in!

728 $289Ov,er000 $160,000

Generous Donors Raised by Alumni, Matched by the
Friends and Students Geneva College Trustees

& Advancement Board

$449,000The Grand Total Raised...
+
Thank You!
Geneva.edu/give

16

(Top, Left to Right) Bob Razzano, Gene Sullivan,
Geno DeMarco (Bottom) Jeff DeSantes,
Don Sullivan, Gary Warman

Transformed Lives

The Football Ministry of the Sullivans Brothers

BY BILL ALLMANN

The sport of baseball traces its roots to Abner Doubleday. its transformations in both style and structure – including
moving from the NAIA to the NCAA. One of the biggest
Basketball goes back to James Naismith (with an early path transformations in style came in the 1970s, when the
through Geneva College). Sullivan brothers arrived on campus.
As a sport, football doesn’t have any such obvious roots.
At Geneva, though, the roots are more traceable – in 1890, Don arrived first as an assistant coach and assistant dean
Geneva fell to Pitt 10-4 in its first game. It would take of students in 1975. He kept both duties until 1986 and
another season for that first win - 42-0 over Westminster. later became dean of students and athletic director. Gene
Since that time, the program has had its highs, its lows, and followed a year later as the head football coach, completing
the Sullivan duo at Geneva, and the program hasn’t been the
17 GENEVA MAGAZINE same.

T hey showed that the things said on the

“f ield aren’t just words. Anyone that played
for them can’t help but be inspired.”

The Golden Tornadoes have since found “Geneva is a great place for academics,” says Frank Whalen,
success on the field – Gene won 75 who played for the Golden Tornadoes from 1982-85 as a
games before stepping aside as the head nose guard and has just been named the head coach at
coach in 1992. He led Geneva to the Knoch High School.“But what separates Geneva is guys like
NAIA semifinals in 1987, losing to a team Don and Gene that care.
that later had to forfeit its win for using “They were extremely steady and great role models.That
ineligible players. consistency is what I’m Iooking to copy at Knoch – they
showed that the things said on the field aren’t just words.
After stepping aside as head coach, Anyone that played for them can’t help but be inspired.”
he remained as an assistant on Geno The impact of the Sullivans, in fact, was usually felt off the
field before it got the chance to be on the field.
DeMarco’s staff, stepping
in as the defensive line 18
coach and three of his
players (John Schmitt,Seth
Rsenberger, and Blaise
Karlovic) were named
All-Americans.The fourth,
Paul Warsing, would have
been an All-American in
most years, but getting the
entire line honored just
doesn’t happen.

“I played for Gene,
coached for Gene, and he
coached for me. Not too
many guys can say that,”
says Geno DeMarco, who replaced Gene
as head coach and later Don as the Geneva
Athletic Director.“As a player, his impact on me was far more
than football and, after I hired him, my respect for him grew.

“He stepped down and moved to the defensive line - he was
an offensive guy but he got after it and made three of his
guys All-Americans – they had the talent but still very few
coaches could have done that.

“When I was a player, Gene talked to us about more than
football, and that was the first time a coach had ever done
that. He taught me that he cared about me as a man – a lot.

“You can talk to a lot of people and they’ll tell you Don had
a tremendous influence on them, too, but he wouldn’t take
credit. He was real with us and identified with us. I remember
talking with him as a senior linebacker. At that time, I didn’t
know cover 2 from cover 3, but he would teach me defense
and drawing the Xs and Os from a defensive perspective. He
simplified it and got me thinking about coaching.”

The impact of the Sullivan brothers, though, isn’t measured
in success on the field.

pure honesty floored me a little but that’s Gene.That’s the
greatest compliment – he was interested in what was best
for me.”

Razzano continues,“Don was my linebacker coach and I
wasn’t the easiest guy to coach, especially as far as telling
me to do this or that – my brother (Rick) taught me and he
played five years in the NFL.What I respected about Don was
that he understood that and let me go. He didn’t make me
something I wasn’t, he knew my immaturity and let me grow.

“ Gene knew that – he knew
football was short-lived

and just a means to an end

– the education is what

matters. T hat’s why we

still talk about him.”

“I remember Gene when I came to Geneva, looking to “I tell kids now those are the things in life that matter. I’m
transfer from Richmond,” says Bob Razzano, who played still in the record books there 34 years later and I show kids
linebacker for the Golden Tornadoes and set a record for that, then tell them that’s not what matters; the degree is
tackles (since broken) in 1983. He is still fifth in career what matters. Gene knew that – he knew football was short-
tackles.“I brought a tape and I’ll never forget what Gene lived and just a means to an end – the education is what
told me as we were watching it. matters.That’s why we still talk about him.”

“He looked at me and said ‘Bobby, you sure you want to People still talk about both of them and only tangentially is
come here, you don’t belong here.’The truthfulness of it about something that happened on the football field.The
Gene Sullivan is only matched by my mother. He wasn’t as character they showed – and instilled - is what has stood
interested in making the football team better as much as the test of time.
he was in me.That speaks volumes about the man he is. His
“As a young man there, they disciplined me when I screwed
“ What separates Geneva is
guys like Don and Gene

that care.”

19 GENEVA MAGAZINE

“ Don said that if all you had to do to be saved was
to rely on what you’ve done, why did Jesus have to die?
T hat stopped me in my tracks.”

up and mentored me.Without them, I wouldn’t be the same,” my coming to faith. I was raised as a Catholic, but I didn’t
says Jeff DeSantes, who played at Geneva from 1981-84 and understand salvation as it is in the Bible until Don. I was in
later coached as well. He is now a national field development Don’s office once and some of my teammates were there.
manager for an insurance company.“They showed me that my
walk as a man is more important than football and built me “Don said we’ve been praying for you that you’d be saved. I was
up as a man, showed me a good balance between on and off taken aback. I said what do you mean – I pray, I don’t cross all
the field.” my Ts but I do what I’m supposed to do. Don said that if all you
had to do to be saved was to rely on what you’ve done, why did
That balance, in fact, carried into the very foundations of Jesus have to die? That stopped me in my tracks. I had no idea
Geneva players’ souls. about grace, but that’s when I understood the gospel for the first
time.”
“I spent a lot of time with Don, both as defensive coordinator
and dean of students,”Whalen says.“He was instrumental in That kind of impact isn’t measured in wins or losses, either. G

20

CAMPUS NEWS

Geneva Adult Degree Program agencies like the FBI and DEA
Delivers Criminal Justice or municipal policing.”

Geneva College now offers an online Criminal Justice The most important aspect of
program in the Adult Degree Program beginning in the the new program, according
fall of 2017. A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice can to Dr. Johnson, is Jesus.
qualify current law enforcement officers for promotion or
diversification, and it enables others to receive employment in She says, “There is a dark
many criminal justice professions. side to the criminal justice
system. Well, here at Geneva
Dr. Millie Johnson, who served as a Sergeant in the Pittsburgh we’re going to operate by
Police Department for 15 years, leads the program. Dr. the example of Christ to bring
Johnson, a Geneva alumna of the Adult Degree Program light to that system.”
and Graduate Program in Leadership, says that many adults
who work in law enforcement, corrections or any other field Nationally, the growth of
in criminal justice are looking to expand their skills and employment opportunities
knowledge. in criminal justice fields is
among the highest of all
The program’s fully online feature enables students to benefit job categories. Regionally,
from teaching by experts from across the country. “Our Allegheny County has the largest number of employers in
program gives students a wide variety of instructors and an justice, public order and safety of any county in Pennsylvania.
opportunity to study all levels of criminal justice—federal
More information about the fully online, adult degree Criminal
Justice program is available: geneva.edu/adult-degree/
majors/criminal-justice.

March for Life 2017

Geneva Presents Casting Two Geneva freshmen stepped out as leaders in a big way this
Crowns Concert semester when they organized a bus trip for students, staff and
community members to attend the March for Life in Washington
Geneva partnered with Generation Exodus to bring Casting D.C. The coach bus, chartered personally by Michael Shemer
Crowns’ “The Very Next Thing Tour” to PPG Paints Arena in and Laura O’Neil, left Geneva at 6 a.m. on January 27
Pittsburgh in a night of God-honoring music on March 4, 2017. carrying about fifty pro-life supporters headed for the March.
Supporting artists Danny Gokey and Unspoken also performed.
Michael, who’d attended the March three times in the past, and
Geneva made a visible impression at the concert with an Laura, eager to go for the first time, felt it was their duty as pro-
ocean of gold and black scarves worn by ticket purchasers. life advocates to get others involved in supporting the March.
Geneva’s Cheryl Johnston, Director of Marketing Services & Laura says, “As one of the demographic that is most affected
Public Relations, and sophomore student Olivia Forton spoke by abortion—the generation dealing with the pressure to have
from the main stage to an audience of about 8,000 about and support abortion and also the group most affected by the
Geneva’s Christ-centered educational mission. millions missing because of abortions—it is vital for me and
my fellow college students to take a stand against this unseen
Casting Crowns has earned at least 20 music awards, holocaust.”
including numerous Billboard Music Awards, American Music
Awards, Dove Awards, Readers’ Choice Christian Music Michael and Laura’s leadership was driven by a fervent love for
Awards and a Grammy Award. With award-nominated and the Lord and a desire to serve His people. Geneva is proud to
award-winning singles, such as “Who Am I,” “Jesus Friend of support these students who followed God’s call to take a stand
Sinners” and “Praise You in the Storm,” they have sold over for what they believe in.
five million albums.

21 GENEVA MAGAZINE

CAMPUS NEWS

Geneva, CCBC Reach Transfer Announcing Anonymous
Agreement Estate Gift

Geneva College and the Community College of Beaver Geneva College is pleased to announce receipt of an
County (CCBC) have reached a transfer agreement to unrestricted estate gift in the amount of $921,000. The
enhance their partnership for current and future students. anonymous donor was an alumnus from the 1940s who
The agreement enables students to more seamlessly valued his Geneva degree, allowing him to pursue his
transfer the credits from their CCBC associate degree to dream to teach in higher education. He was a lifelong
corresponding bachelor’s degree programs at Geneva. supporter of Geneva and its mission and was determined
Geneva College President, Dr. Calvin Troup spoke to focus his philanthropy giving toward Geneva through his
enthusiastically about building a stronger academic estate.
connection to CCBC. “Geneva College is excited about
developing these new agreements with CCBC because We are so grateful for the generosity of this alumnus.
of the value for students and the ability to serve students Estate gifts often provide the largest gifts that a college like
together. The new approach of using creativity and Geneva receives. Unrestricted estate gifts often go to the
collaboration in higher education is essential in addressing Board-directed endowment fund, thereby strengthening
the ever-changing needs of students.” the financial base of the institution. They also allow the
Board to direct a gift toward a direction of greatest need or
opportunity to expand its mission.

A portion of this gift will be used to begin a new program.
This program of study will provide opportunity to attract a
new group of students, in an area of growing need, with
good pay, that demonstrates the influence of the Gospel.
The beginning of this program will be announced in the
future.

Transfer Credits Students Earn Early College
Credits
From CCBC Program To Geneva Program
Geneva launched its Early College Program last year to
Professional Pilot Business Administration or provide an inexpensive way for high school students to
Missions/Aviation receive college credit. These students have three options for
participating: on campus, online or even in their own high
Air Traffic Control Business Administration or school.
Missions/Aviation
The on-campus courses taken by Early College students are
Aerospace Management Business Administration or usually general core classes in subjects like natural science,
Missions/Aviation English, math, philosophy, or social science. Online
students learn alongside other Geneva College students in
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Business Administration or the same virtual classroom. Four Christian high schools are
Missions/Aviation now offering courses for Geneva credit. Those classes, also
general core, are dependent on the qualifications of the
Process Technology Professional Studies in high school faculty.
Management, Human Resources,
Organizational Leadership Students involved in any of the Early College programs may
attend special events on campus, such as guest speakers
Engineering Engineering (Biomedical, hosted by the Geneva Visiting Artist and Lecture series. Dr.
Chemical, Electrical and Jeffrey Cole, Director of the Early College Program, says
Mechanical Concentrations) that offering college credits to high school students builds
familiarity with Geneva and promotes the college’s mission
Business Administration Business Administration/ in high school settings.
Accounting or Sport Management
High school students interested in the Early College Program
Sports, Arts and Sport Management at Geneva College can visit Geneva.edu/earlycollege for
more information.
Entertainment Management
22

Scenes from Af icionados
A Geneva
Fairytale, Honoring Christ Through the Arts
2016
Film Fest Film Fest at Geneva and assists regularly at Pathway Church with video
People’s production.
Choice
Award
winner.

There are numer- “While the videos I make outside of Pathway don’t always carry
ous opportuni- an overtly Evangelical message,” Field says, “I still desire to
ties for students at reflect Christ in the quality of work and the wholesomeness that
Geneva to experi- is lacking in many of the movies of the 21st century.”
ence the arts and
express the creativity Aligned with this mission, A Geneva Fairytale is a wholesome,
and talents endowed light-hearted film for the entire family and can be viewed at
by their Creator. One YouTube.com/fieldfilmz.
avenue for students to
put these interests into Inspector Hound & One Act
action is through the an- Plays
nual Film Fest. Each fall,
students create short films Geneva’s Theater program is for students who desire to express
to be submitted, judged, their creativity in live performance. With two major productions
chosen and then shown at this and several student-led productions each year, students can share
event. Whether participating in their talents on the stage, inspiring an enjoyment of the arts in other
the movie making process itself students and the wider community.
through acting, producing, directing, recording, or
editing or watching as an audience member, students can enjoy During the spring semester, Geneva College performed Tom
the imagination, ingenuity and artistry behind each of the works Stoppard’s “The Real Inspector Hound” at the Bagpiper Theater,
shown. directed by Dr. David Kuhns. The parody in the absurdist tradi-
tion follows two theater critics who become involved in the insane
On December 10, Film Fest featured six films including Breaking setup of a country house murder, whodunit mystery. Eight Geneva
Dab, Unknown, A Geneva Fairytale, X-Men Schism, Absent and students comprised the cast with many others assisting with various
Little Red Riding Hood. With comedy, action and drama all rep- roles of the production.
resented, the audience was touched and moved by the submis-
sions. Produced by Michael Field, A Geneva Fairytale won the The Bagpiper Theater was also the location of five student-directed
People’s Choice Award as best film. One Act Plays in April. Tyler Piper directed his own original play
“A Friend Nobody Wants.” Piper says, “It’s an interesting dynamic
Desptite studying computer engineering, Field’s interest in film- because we get to use what we’ve been taught and apply it to our
making led him to participate in every Film Fest during his four- own cast, along with finding new and unique ways to direct.”

year education at Geneva. Field makes videos on a regular For those who love music, several avenues of opportunity open up.
basis. Some of these include videos involving engineer- Whether singing in The Genevans or Broadway Review, performing
ing projects, roller coasters, the Humans Versus at the My Generation Night (MGN) talent show or playing in Jazz
Zombies Geneva event, aerial vid- Band, students can share their talents and gifts to the glory of God.
eos using a quadcopter drone and
chapel videos. In addition, he has
served as a Video Production Intern

23 GENEVA MAGAZINE

“ I am truly thankful for the education Geneva

provided for me. The faculty and staff work

hard to provide an education that is genuinely

Christ-centered. My Geneva experience would

not have been possible without the generosity

of alumni, and it makes me want to be a part

of making that experience possible

for future students.” GFenunedva
- Nathan Sneller ’17

Your generosity makes the difference.

Alumni like you have a special role in making Christ-centered education a reality.
You can help students like Nathan Sneller make an impact in the world for
Christ by supporting the Geneva Fund. Nathan plans to pursue dentistry as a
career and to serve Christ through his profession and beyond.

The Geneva Fund is an essential part of bringing the mission to life - equipping
students for faithful service to God and neighbor.

The fund impacts every area of life at the college. And your gift to the Geneva Fund
prepares the next generation of Christian leaders for a wide-range of vocations.

Almost all Geneva students receive some form of financial aid to make their
Christ-centered education possible. Scholarships funded by your gifts to the
Geneva Fund help young men and women who need it most.

Geneva.edu/give

ATHLETIC NEWS

BY VAN ZANIC ‘93

Celebrating Athletic Excellence

Gib McCracken As the academic year came to a close, the Geneva College
Nicole Bartoletta athletic department reinstated its season ending awards
banquet. Each of its 16 athletic teams gathered together
on Reading Day for the Athletic Banquet to recognize
excellence in and out of the athletic arena for the 2016-17
school year.

“It is important to get our student-athletes together and
recognize the hard work of so many throughout the
academic year,” says Director of Athletics Van Zanic. “We
have so much to celebrate throughout our department; it
was a great setting to have the student-athletes and their
peers together for one last time before the summer break.”

In addition to recognizing individual team awards and
overall athletic accomplishments, President Calvin L.Troup
addressed the student-athletes as did keynote speaker
Rob Smith. Smith, a 1983 Geneva graduate and soccer
alumnus, serves as the Executive Director of the Kent County
(Delaware) Regional Sports Complex named DE Turf.

Head coaches from Geneva’s 16 varsity programs
addressed the gathering and gave a quick recap of the
2016-17 season. Additionally, each handed out awards
honoring their Most Coachable Player and the Best
Teammate as voted on by the student-athletes.

Geneva College celebrated the great success of the men’s
soccer program, which brought home the 2016 men’s
soccer Presidents’ Athletic Conference crown for the first
time after finishing the regular season with a perfect 8-0
conference mark. Gib McCracken, who was a first team All-
Conference and All-Region performer, took home the Male
Student-Athlete of the Year Award. On the women’s side,
Nicole Bartoletta, who broke six school records in indoor
and outdoor track and finished 9th in the 60-meter hurdles
at the NCAA Division III national meet, was awarded the
Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award.

The Male and Female Rookies of the Year Awards went
to All-Conference freshmen performers Ethan Moose in
men’s basketball and Casey Farkasovsky in softball,
respectively. The Community and Character Awards, which
are presented to a male and a female student-athlete who
best represents Geneva College on campus and throughout
the community, went to senior men’s basketball player
Chaese Vaudrin and senior women’s basketball player
Rachel Larson. While Vaudrin helped to enhance Geneva’s
Fellowship of Christian Athletes group, Larson spearheaded
the #Wynnthebattle campaign across Geneva’s campus
and throughout the PAC to support head coach Lori Wynn’s

25 GENEVA MAGAZINE

battle against cancer. Larson herself then handed Coach Ethan Moose Casey Farkasovsky
Wynn the 2017 Award for Courage in recognition of her Chaese Vaudrin Rachel Larson
amazing fight this past year with ovarian cancer.
Coach Lori Wynn
While there was much to celebrate in the athletic arena,
Geneva student-athletes also excelled in the classroom.
In the fall, Geneva placed more student-athletes on the
PAC honor roll (3.6 GPA or higher) than any other school
in the conference. Geneva faculty athletic representative
Denise Murphy-Gerber recognized the top men’s and
women’s athletic teams for their work in the classroom
with the highest overall GPA. She then awarded individual
academic honors to Johnathan Shoaf (3.95) for the Highest
Male Athlete GPA and Clara Sevy (3.85) for the Highest
Female Athlete GPA.

Geneva athletics experienced a memorable year. The future
continues to shine bright for the Golden Tornadoes as we
look to the 2017-18 academic year and more success on
and off the field for Geneva College. G

Geneva boasts one of the most ardent fan bases in all of
NCAA Division III sports. Attendance at Golden Tornadoes’
home football games this year was an average of nearly
4,500, which ranks Geneva number 10 in the nation.

Men’s Track & Field Team Wins PAC Title

The Geneva College Men’s Track and Field team won its first Johnathan Shoaf Clara Sevy
ever Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship on 26
Saturday, April 29 at Geneva’s Merriman Athletic Complex.

Geneva’s depth enabled student-athletes to pick up points
in 17 separate events, resulting in a wide victory margin.
Geneva scored 145.5 points while the team from second
place Thomas More College tallied 116 points.

Geneva College Head Coach Phil Thompson, who was
awarded PAC Coach of the Year, says, “It’s a great feeling. I
couldn’t be happier. It was an unbelievable meet. Everything
went right.”

Individually, Aaron Tedys won the 400 meter with a time
of 49.01 seconds, and he was also a part of the 4x100
relay team, along with Alex Parker, Cam Unrath, and Henry
Kennedy, that took first place with a time of 41.58 seconds.

YREEVAIREIWN

276

Save the Date

OCTOBER 6-7, 2017

Reunion
years: 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012

IN MEMORIAM

30s Leona B. (Weekley ’52) Lorkovich on March 1, 2017
Howard D. McMahan ’52 on December 19, 2016
Dr. Milton L. Caplan ’38 on March 7, 2017 Thelma J. (Hamilton ’53) Byerle on March 10, 2017

Anna (Batz ’38) Chotiner on July 19, 2016

40s Steve J. Mulik ’53 on January 28, 2017
Ann P. (Cunningham ’53) Oakes on January 22, 2017
Dorothea (Freker ’40) Rhodes on January 11, 2017

Erskine E. Harton ’41 on October 16, 2016 Robert L. Edwards ’54 on November 24, 2016

Helen Jane (Hugus ’42) Kane on December 26, 2016 Harry D. Milnes ’54 on March 17, 2017

Elizabeth A. (McLaren ’44) Weimer on November 20, 2016 Elizabeth “Betsy” (Hammerle ’55) Brown on December 28, 2016

David A. Edgecombe ’45 on May 19, 2016 Shirley A. (Shannon ’55) Patterson on February 24, 2017

Blanche (Baughman ’45) Shafer on March 9, 2017 Rev. Horace B. Pollock ’55 on March 7, 2017

Dr. Bruce C. Stewart ’45 on December 25, 2016 George S. Vonakis ’55 on October 26, 2016

Esther H. (Sarver ’47) Ardary on October 23, 2016 Janet D. (Stuehling ’56) Zoeller on November 30, 2016

William P. Elliott ’47 on April 26, 2017 Louis J. Gache ’57 on February 10, 2017

Alice K. (Hardy ’47) Trapp on November 25, 2016 Carolyn J. (Wilson ’57) Harkins on January 26, 2017

Glenn L. Wilson ’47 on December 9, 2016 Thomas B. Bradshaw Sr. ’58 on April 16, 2017

Hugh N. Houck ’48 on December 23, 2016 Marshall P. Hargett ’58 on January 15, 2017

Fred A. Jackson ’48 on October 8, 2016 Dr. John L. Parrish ’58 on October 17, 2016

August E. Bottonari ’49 on April 17, 2017 Katharine (Willson ’58) Plowmaker on October 27, 2016

Paul E. Gallagher ’49 on October 27, 2016 John Tartline ’58 on April 11, 2017

Jack R. Goodman ’49 on November 7, 2016 Alexander E. Daniel ’59 on November 14, 2016

Harold J. Johns ’49 on January 17, 2017 John A. Gordon ’59 on February 10, 2017
Raymond Lopez ’59 on January 25, 2017
50s Thomas A. Mansfield ’59 on August 25, 2016
Landis P. Morgan ’59 on August 16, 2016
James P. Borsody ’50 on October 25, 2016 Rudolph W. Smolar ’59 on March 31, 2017
Robert E. Linn ’50 on February 23, 2017 Donald B. Torbich ’59 on February 1, 2017
James H. Marshall ’50 on December 24, 2016
Raymond D. Gibson ’51 on October 18, 2016 60s
Ernestine J. (Casteel ’51) Mooney on February 16, 2017
Eileen E. (Beaver ’61) Cartwright on January 30, 2017
Richard B. Nehrich Jr. ’51 on March 18, 2017

Fred A. Bowie ’52 on May 2, 2016 William B. Teasdale ’61 on April 23, 2017

29 GENEVA MAGAZINE

Roger N. Alms ’62 on November 8, 2016 Theresa C. (Rozzi ’77) Mastren on March 10, 2017
John W. Madden ’62 on March 9, 2017 Dwight B. Adams ’78 on November 21, 2016
Eugene M. Margiotti ’63 on April 13, 2017
Albert T. Kittner ’64 on February 4, 2017 90s
Merrill S. Lentz Jr. ’64 on January 21, 2017
Dennis A. Ciani ’65 on April 4, 2017 Mary J. Verbe ’91 (DCP #009) on April 19, 2017
Linda E. (Dooley ’65) Jagerski on March 13, 2017 Debra A. (Shope ’93) Freeman on October 23, 2016
Joseph J. Sendek ’65 on January 26, 2017 Janet E. Inches ’93 (DCP #030) on November 6, 2016
George C. Thomas ’65 on March 4, 2017 Laurel A. Stupka ’99 (DCP #105) on April 27, 2017
Joseph W. Cochran ’66 on April 17, 2017
Joan L. (Rasmussen ’66) Glenn on February 13, 2017 00s
Charles E. Hall ’66 on February 2, 2017
Alyce L. (Gower ’67) Grubbs on January 7, 2017 Nicholas C. Bruich ’00 (DCP #119) on November 21, 2016
Kenneth L. Young ’68 on January 21, 2017 Araina D. (Howard ’02) Tivis on February 12, 2017
James E. Hardie ’69 on January 21, 2017 Edward D. Wallace Jr. ’02 on January 4, 2017
Edward D. Mihalyi ’69 on February 7, 2017
Lauren G. (Wickline ’69) Naugle on January 30, 2017 10s

70s Dana K. (Neapolitan ’12) Ellis on February 24, 2017

Stanley K. Bollinger ’70 on December 31, 2016 Friends
Eric A. Miles ’70 on February 19, 2017
Jesse J. Molnar ’70 on October 22, 2016 John B. Schaefer on May 6, 2017
Richard W. Trenary ’70 on April 8, 2017 Mildred Couch on February 20, 2017
D. Paul Weimer ’70 on January 20, 2017 Dr. Peter E. Howe on December 23, 2016
Duwayne L. Baird Jr. ’71 on March 29, 2017 George B. Robinson on November 24, 2016
Dr. Gwendolyn (Jones ’72) Farmer on November 3, 2016 John A. Shearer Jr. on January 26, 2017
Joseph C. Kinslow ’72 on February 7, 2017
Nancy L. Ball ’73 on January 12, 2017 Floy M. Smith on April 7, 2017
Henry L. Walden ’73 on April 26, 2017 William G. Thomas on October 11, 2016
Bruce M. Hockenberry ’74 on January 12, 2017
Ruth V. Bell ’76 on March 8, 2017 Heritage SocietyDenotes members of the ,

which recognizes the valuable

contributions of alumni and friends

who include Geneva in their estate

and/or financial plans by gifts made through annuities, chari-

table trusts, gifts of life estates, undivided partial interests in real

estate or life insurance, and gifts made through their will. To

learn more, visit geneva.edu/planned-giving/heritage-society.

30

CLASS NOTES

Class Notes are available on

Geneva.edu. Visit the site to James McFarland ’59 resides in Sun and served in the Ridgefield Park, NJ
learn about fellow classmates, City West, AZ. RPC, before taking up the ministry
and submit an update so they in 1995 of the Geneva RPC which
can remain connected with you. 60s merged with the First RPC of Beaver
Edward “Ted” Broadfield ’61 recently Falls in 2004. Also, after 19 years,
40s retired from Missouri Metals, LLC as Bruce retired from the Geneva College
Dr. Ralph ’40 and Naomi (Smith President/General Manager, after Board of Trustees Friday, 3 February
’42) Kilpatrick celebrated their 70th 52 years in aviation and aerospace 2017. He remains on the Geneva
wedding anniversary on January, 5 industries. He and his wife Brenda College Board of Corporators.
2016.

have been married 54 years and are

currently residing in Lake Saint Louis, 70s

MO. Ted is currently serving as an David ’71 and Constance (Openshaw

elder in their church, and attending ’71) Troxell, now retired and living in

bible study fellowship. He is enjoying Sun City West, AZ, welcomed their

retirement by hunting, playing golf 13th grandchild, John Luke Peter Troxell,

and traveling to visit grandchildren. December 2016. John is the son of

David Joshua ’12 and Amanda Troxell.

Michael Clinton ’64 is a retired

professional engineer. He and wife Having served as Administrator and

Marjorie have four children and reside Chief Financial Officer for more

in Evergreen, CO. than 38 years of employment at

the Reformed Presbyterian Home in

Dr. Vivian (Davidson ’43) Hewitt was Annetta (Keys ’66) Kronz and husband Pittsburgh, Bill Weir ’73 retired in

awarded the Lifetime Achievement Ronald reside in Fairfax, VA. September 2016. His wife Rose

Award by the University of Pittsburgh, (Rutherford ’75) continues employment

School of Information Sciences on Linda (Hannen ’67) Boilegh resides in at Eden Christian Academy in the

October 7, 2016. On October 22, Toronto, OH. North Hills of Pittsburgh. Their

2016 Dr. Hewitt received a promotion daughters Jennifer (Weir ’00) George
in The Most Venerable Order of the Geraldine “Gerry” (Reed ’67)
Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem to Burkholder retired as a United and Natalie (Weir ’05) Faris became

Dame, as sanctioned by Her Majesty Methodist pastor from the Virginia 4th generation Geneva graduates when

Annual Conference. She and husband graduating in their respective years.

Queen Elizabeth II, the Sovereign Barry reside in Stephenson, VA.

Head of the Order. On May 12, Frederick Arnold ’72 recently returned

2017, she was awarded the Heinz full time to Beaver Falls, PA after
History Makers Medal of Innovation in Myrna (Little ’67) Porter is the owner of commuting weekly to Washington,
Paulson Centre Executive Office Suites DC and Arlington, VA for 13+ years
Education. and looking forward to retirement once as a consultant to US Department

50s the business is sold. She and husband of Homeland Security. Fred is the
Pete have three children and reside in Vice President & COO of Le, Arnold
Robert Varkony ’57 and his wife Lake Suzy, FL.

Sarah split their time between & Associates. He and wife Sherry

Orlando, FL and Glenville, NC. Bob Bruce Backensto, ‘69 retired from (Mitchell ’72) have one son and reside
serves as a VFW chaplain and vice the Gospel Ministry in the Reformed in Beaver Falls.
commander as well as president Presbyterian Church of North
and board member of the Glenville America, 31 May 2014 after serving
Community Development Center. his final 19 years as the Teaching

Elder of the Geneva/First Reformed

Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls,

PA. He was ordained and installed

Teaching Elder of the Sterling, KS, RPC

31 May 1972. He was the Church

Planter, Organizing and First Teaching

Elder of the Springs Reformed Verner Welsh ’73 resides in Novelty,
Fellowship, Colorado Springs, CO OH with wife Jill. They have one son,

31 GENEVA MAGAZINE

Justin. Vern is a Medical Science Pamela (Polesiak ’87) Brossman was the Shadows is the first in a series

Liaison for V. Welsh Medical Sales hired as the senior editor at the YGS of fantasy novels. He blogs about

Consultant. His company is ranked in Group in York, PA. She is responsible writing and books at darrickdean.

the top 5 in the nation representing for the publications of this large com.

Transdermal Therapeutics Inc. marketing and communications firm.

Her husband Mike Brossman ‘87 is Brian ’98 and Shannon (Jones ‘99)

Cheryl Webb ’76 retired in 2014 from the lead pastor of Calvary United Dewar announce the birth of their son

teaching nursing at the Community Methodist Church in York. Kaleb Patrick Jones Dewar on April

College of Beaver County. She 19, 2016. Kaleb joins big sisters

also taught nursing at Mt. Aloysius 90s Aubrey (7) and Avery (5) at home.

College and Butler County Community Vicki (Porter ’90) Pasterik and her Big brother Kade went to Heaven at

College and worked as a therapist husband Michael serve as church a week old. The family resides in

and researcher at STAT Nursing multiplication facilitators with Every Upland, IN where Brian teaches in

Consultants. In her retirement Cheryl Community for Christ, the church the Department of Biology at Taylor

is working on projects which include multiplication catalyst of One Mission University.

knitting caps for preemies and making Society, in the Amazon River region

quilts for soldiers and veterans. of Peru, South America. They provide

training in evangelism, discipleship

Michael Plank ’77 married Marsha and church planting as well as

Kampes on April 22, 2017. Mike also equipping and encouraging those

has a new grandson, Carter Emerson called to serve as pastors. Vicki and

Claybrook, born on February 12, Michael have 9 children and when

2017 to daughter Emily Claybrook they are not in Peru the family resides

and her husband Bill. Mike is a Senior in Corry, PA.

Director at the University of Maryland

Medical Center. He and Marsha Matthew Fuss ’94 earned his Ph.D.

reside in Havre de Grace, MD. from Duquesne University in 2016.

He and wife Chelle (Simons ’93) have Derek Seipp ’99 resides in

Rita Schalkwyk ’77 has eight children two children, Zane and Logan, and Allison, PA with his wife Holly and

and resides in Red Deer, Alberta, reside in Grove City, PA. Matt is an daughters, Cassandra and Alanna.

Canada where she is a social worker. Associate Professor of Business at He is a published author with his

David DeWall ’78 is a Systems Geneva College. most recent book, Innovation in
Administrator for Erie Insurance. He W. Calvin Smith ’96 married (after World Mission.

and wife Pamela have one son and being widowed in 2012) Teri Erickson 00s

reside in Erie, PA. Smith on April 2, 2016, and relocated Rachel (Merrick ’01) Richardson and

80s from Roanoke, VA, to Loudoun County, husband James reside in Grove City, PA.
James Edwardson ’81 resides in
Willow Grove, PA. VA. Calvin is Senior Counsel at

Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, PLLC, in David Stahurski ’01, ’04 (MSOL)

Leesburg, VA. resides in McKees Rocks, PA with wife

Thomas Hanrahan ’82 resides in Christine and children Luke and Joey.
Lexington Park, MD. Dave is the Vice President – Investment
Real Division at First National Bank in

Jon O’Data ’82 graduated from the Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Rebecca Parkin ’02 spent summer
2016 studying ongoing research
in September 2016 and is employed projects such as radio tracking,
cheetah conservation and
at the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home in

Beaver Falls, PA. Darren DePaul ’97 is a pastor and

resides in Clinton, CT with his wife ecosystem management as well as
Alan Harrison ’84 was appointed CEO Jenny and two daughters Amelia and the design of school and community
of ToolBank USA. Alan brings 20+ programs in Namibia. Rebecca, an
Ellianna. outdoor education manager at Lake
years of successful experience in both Metroparks lives in Chesterland,
OH, and took the graduate course
private industry and non-profit sectors Darrick Dean ’98 had his first novel
to his new position at ToolBank USA. published in August 2016. Among

32

in pursuit of her master’s degree licensed professional counselor. Mary Ann Miller ’12 resides in Beaver
from Miami University’s Advanced The family resides in Pittsburgh. Falls with her husband David and two
Inquiry Program. children, Sydney and Camden. She is
the Membership Director at the Beaver
County YMCA as well as a personal
trainer, health coach, USA Swimming
certified coach and American Red
Cross Safety Instructor.

Bryan Visingardi ’13 is a supervisor

at Arnett Carbis Toothman LLP. He and

Conor ’04 and Ashley (Marchini ’05) wife Rachael reside in Poland, OH.

Dawley welcomed son Avin Joseph

Dawley, born December 29, 2016. David DeWall ’15 is working as a

Avin joins big sister Samantha Joy. The graduate assistant while pursuing an

Dawley family resides in Erie, PA. Luke Duriancik ’09 and his wife M.S. in International Affairs, with a

Cortney were married on October concentration in Urban and Regional

15, 2016. They currently reside in Planning from Florida State University.

Pittsburgh, PA.

Rhetta (King ’15) and Brendan Byham

10s ’16 were married in the summer of

John Bennett ’10 is the Director of 2016. The couple resides in Pittsburgh.

Franchising for Sunny Days In-Home

Care and recently expanded the Holly (Vizino ’15) married Samuel Emery

company into the Chicago, IL area. on January 7, 2017 in Pittsburgh. The

Ashleigh (Verrillo ’04) Meeker and John and wife Ashley (Grueso ’09) couple now resides in Munhall, PA.

husband John welcomed their first have a daughter, Avalyn Michelle, Courtney (Aldridge ’15) married Tyler Kish.

child, Daphne Lucille, on October and reside in McMurray, PA. Courtney is an elementary school teacher.

27, 2016. Ashleigh is a Clinical David Ketter ’10, MAHE ’13 was The couple resides in Warren, OH.

Care Manager at Beacon Health ordained a priest by Bishop James
Hobby of the Anglican Diocese of
Options. The family resides in Pittsburgh on February 4, 2017 at Daniel Cox ’16 resides in Scotland,
Durham, NC. PA. He moved to China in January of

Robert Arata ’07 earned his Doctorate Church of the Savior in Ambridge, PA. 2017 to teach English.

of Physical Therapy from the University Samantha Jensen ’16 resides in
of Nevada – Las Vegas and is a co- Jill (Hanson ’10) married Ben Moore Center Valley, PA. She is engaged to
owner of Athletes Physiotherapy. He on September 24, 2016. She is a be married to Daniel White ’16 in the
and wife Sunshine have two children, Senior Tax Accountant at Blue & Co. summer of 2017.
The couple resides in Shelbyville, IN.
Aryana and Andrew. The family

resides in Henderson, NV. Susan Singer ’10 (DCP #007) recently Darrin Tarasovich ’16 resides in
Coraopolis, PA. He is currently em-
Julia Bavuso ’08 received her BSN transferred from the Pennsylvania ployed by Michael Baker International.
Emergency Management Agency to
from Robert Morris University. She Photos appear after the corresponding
moved to the UK in July 2016 and has a position as the Lead Emergency class note.
been working at a children’s hospital Preparedness Planner for the
Pennsylvania Department of Health’s
in London.
Bureau of Public Health Preparedness. Class Notes Information

Christopher ’08 and Jessica (Johnson To share your news, visit Geneva.

’09) Gage welcomed son Greyson Shaka Sydnor ’10, MAHE ’12 is the edu/class_notes and click on “Up-
Everett Gage on July 2, 2016.
Assistant Dean of Students at the date Form.” High-resolution pictures

Greyson was born at only 28 weeks University of Virginia. Wife Heather of at least three megapixels in size
and spent his first two months in the (Knight ’10) graduated with a Master’s may be submitted in JPEG format.
NICU. He is now happy, healthy and in Social Work from the University of
thriving at home. Chris is a Senior HR Cincinnati. They welcomed son Isaiah Inclusion of all items in Class Notes is
Generalist at NEP, Inc and Jessica is a Jabari on April 15, 2015. The Sydnor at the discretion of Geneva College,
family resides in Charlottesville, VA. in accordance with the community

standards of the institution.

33 GENEVA MAGAZINE

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“Geneva is where you get a quality Christian education, where the professors are
going to push you and teach you to learn, not just teach you information.”

- Dr. Stephanie Poe

Dr. Stephanie Poe (’06 Biology & Chemistry) graduated from Geneva and was admitted directly into a
leading doctoral program, earning a Ph.D. in Biomedical Research-Immunology from the University of
Pittsburgh Medical School. Today, she is making her impact for God
and neighbor as an immunologist, founder and clinical director of a
healthcare nonprofit, business owner, wife and mother.

TOP MAJORS DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS

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