Geneva Magazine - Summer 2013

GSUMMER 2013

GENEVA

MAGAZINE

HeAat thre t
of

Instruction

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”

Proverbs 23:12

Elizabeth “Liz” Noell

Two of Liz’s four children chose to pursue a challenging
education at Geneva College—Laura, a 2013 music
performance graduate; and Stephen, a junior majoring in
biology. And because both Laura and Stephen benefitted
from the academic scholarships they received, Liz had
been looking for the best means of saying, “Thank
you for helping our kids.”

She had also been weighing options for a faithful
manner of establishing a memorial for her parents, who
had left a life insurance policy in her name. “My children
and husband are well taken care of,” explains Liz,
“so I wanted to find a suitable way to use that
resource to honor the Lord.”

To satisfy both of these considerations, Liz established
the Olin S. and Glenna A. Fearing Endowed Scholarship
for biology students by naming Geneva as the
policy’s beneficiary.

Through founding this scholarship, Liz says she honors
her parents by “focusing on the things in which they were
interested.” Her father, Olin, was a biologist who was
instrumental in building the pre-med program at Trinity
University. Her mother, Glenna, had a career in education
as a guidance counselor receptionist and teacher. “This
scholarship is really their idea, rather than mine.”

If you would like to explore ways that you, too, can
pass along your blessings to the current and future
students of Geneva through planned giving, please visit
geneva.edu/give or contact the Office of Planned
Giving at 724.847.6514.

T O D AY

G
SUMMER 2013
CONTENTS

At the Heart

of Instruction

8 18 22

IN EVERY ISSUE IN THIS ISSUE 16 Take Our Word for It
18 Reaching the Unreachable
2 From the President 8 Assets for Education 20 Team-Building Exercises
3 In Brief 10 Well Read 22 Let the Little Children Come
6 In Motion 12 Called by God
24 In Service 14 Absolutely Worth It
26 Class Notes
32 In Conclusion EDITOR Greg Wise ’95 Your feedback is greatly
Geneva Magazine is published DESIGNER Kristen Lang appreciated. Please send
two times per year for Geneva EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD your correspondence to
College alumni, donors, students [email protected] or
and parents. It showcases the Dr. ADEl AikEN ’75 Geneva Magazine,
college and its constituencies as Geneva College,
they strive to fulfill the college’s Dr. Ken Carson ’79 3200 College Ave.,
mission. Opinions expressed in Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
Geneva Magazine are those Larry Griffith ’85
of its contributors and do not
necessarily represent the opinions Cheryl Johnston
of the editorial review board or
the official position of the college. DR. Jeff Jones

Dave Layton ’88

Missy Nyeholt

Rebecca (Carson ’85) Phillips

DAN WILLIAMS ’07

Van Zanic ’93

from the

Gpresident

Discovering the meaningful way that of Instruction,” are directly
all domains of knowledge relate to involved in the field of education.
God’s Word is the hallmark of a Geneva Dr. William Elliott ’95 tests theories
College education. This is the goal of our about ways to help disadvantaged youth
curriculum—the intentional integration achieve college degrees (“Assets for
of rigorous academics with Christian Education,” page 8); Emily Stains ’07
faith. Whether enrolled in traditional is a high school English teacher
undergraduate classrooms, online adult (“Absolutely Worth It,” page 14); and Dr.
degree programs, or graduate studies, Antoinette Eaton ’52 instructs pediatric
our students not only learn subject residents (“Let the Little Children Come,”
matter, but are also taught how ideas page 22). But those in ministry, non-
correlate with the inerrant truth profit work, and even engineering
of Scripture. are just as qualified to teach.

Geneva’s mission doesn’t end with As you read these stories, I hope you
developing this understanding, however. reflect on the ways you influence others
We also seek to “equip students for through your actions. You may not be a
faithful and fruitful service to God and gifted educator or work in a classroom.
neighbor.” That is, they are expected to But remember, you can still “apply your
put their Christian faith into action and heart to instruction …”
become teachers themselves, sharing (Proverbs 23:12 NIV).
with others that true understanding
comes only from recognizing the In His grace,
relationship between knowledge
and the Lord.

A number of alumni and current Kenneth A. Smith ’80
students featured in this issue of President
Geneva Magazine, “At the Heart

Stay in touch with President Smith by friending him at facebook.com/genevaprez.
2

Geneva community breaks in brief
world record.
CAMPUS NEWS
Reading Day—Monday, May 6, 2013—marked Geneva’s world
record-breaking knockout tournament, as 656 students, faculty, in Teaching award and Professor of Biblical Studies, along with
staff and friends lined up to shoot some hoops. After almost three Graduate Assistant in Student Ministries Jimmy Fabrizio and Bible
hours of play, junior business major Scott Stewart emerged as the Department Administrative Assistant Debbie Michalik.
“Dean Smith Ascent to Glory Knockout Tournament” champion. In knockout, players form a line at the free-throw line on a basketball
court. If the first player does not make a basket from the line, the next
Living up to its title as the “Birthplace of College Basketball,” in line tries to hit the shot before the first player can retrieve the ball
Geneva College was able to beat the previous record by 70 and make a layup. If the second player makes the free-throw shot
participants less than a month after it was established by Grove before the first player can score, the first player is out. The game
City College. In addition, a total of $740 was raised toward continues until only one player is left.
a mission trip to Haiti in partnership with Haiti H20.

Named in honor of retiring Bible professor Dr. Dean Smith,
the “Dean Smith Ascent to Glory Knockout Tournament” was
organized by Dr. Terry Thomas, recipient of the 2011 Excellence

Rutledge Etheridge fills new Chaplain position.

Rutledge “Rut” E. Etheridge III has been named Chaplain, Conference and the North
a position that focuses on the spiritual needs of the college American Presbyterian and
community. In this role, Etheridge will assist students, faculty Reformed Churches Reformation
and staff in understanding events as they relate to spiritual and Day, and has also been frequently
emotional well-being, oversee Geneva’s chapel program, interviewed on Bible Burgh,
and collaborate with the college’s church relations program a radio talk show on
and Center for Faith and Practice (CFP). 101.5 WORD FM.

As Chaplain, Etheridge will also teach part time in the “Having a chaplain is an
Department of Bible, Christian Ministries and Philosophy, important part of maintaining
a duty for which he is well qualified. He has been an Adjunct a spiritually healthy campus,”
Professor of Systematic Theology at the Reformed Presbyterian noted Geneva President Dr.
Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh since 2007 and is a Kenneth A. Smith. “Rut will
former Bible teacher at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis. be an asset in continuing the strong integration of academics
and faith for which Geneva is renowned, as well as an
“Broadly speaking, my hope is to be used by God to effectively encouragement to the college community in all areas
minister the living Christ to the college family, so that together of spiritual development.”
we’ll be increasingly in awe of His glory and goodness,” said
Etheridge. “I really want people to know Christ, to see in Him Etheridge earned a Master of Divinity at RPTS and a Bachelor
the perfection of all wisdom, truth and beauty. Toward that end, of Arts in Comprehensive Bible, with an emphasis on pastoral
I hope to build strong, sincere relationships with students and studies and a minor in the philosophy of religion, at Cedarville
employees by way of personal conversation, chapel ministry College (now Cedarville University) in Cedarville, Ohio.
and classroom teaching.”
“One of the strongest draws to this position is the opportunity
In addition, Etheridge possesses pastoral experience, having to interact with young adults in crucial times of life formation
served at Pittsburgh’s Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church as they struggle through the big issues of life—the joys, the
from 2006 until this year. He speaks regularly to many groups sorrows, the haunting questions and doubts,” added Etheridge.
and at colleges and conferences, and has been a chapel “I deeply desire for us all to fix our eyes upon the Lord Jesus,
speaker and guest lecturer at Geneva. Etheridge has spoken at to be well equipped to lovingly serve one another and the
the annual Westminster Confession of Faith Into the 21st Century rest of the world in His name.”

3

Kudos Board approves updated
mission statement.
DR. ADEL AIKEN ’75, Chair of the Department of Education
and Director of the M.Ed. in Reading program, presented “Virtues The work of the Committee to Update Geneva’s Mission
in Children’s Literature” to the Beaver County Reading Council. Statement has come to an end. Two years ago, the Board
of Trustees appointed the committee to formulate a student-
DR. TODD ALLEN ’91, Associate Professor of Communication, focused statement that differentiates Geneva College;
PROFESSOR MATTHEW FUSS ’94, Assistant Professor of guides the institution’s decisions and initiatives; and is
Business, and DR. DENISE MURPHY-GERBER, Associate Professor memorable, measurable, and motivating. The revised
of Business, co-presented “Teaching the Course in Business and statement, which was approved by the Board in May, is:
Professional Communication” at the 2013 Eastern Communication
Association Convention. Geneva College is a Christ-centered

DR. RALPH ANCIL, Associate Professor of Economics, published academic community that provides
numerous economic articles in the online journal The Imaginative
Conservative (www.theimaginativeconservative.org), as well as the a comprehensive education to equip
chapter “The Ideology of Growth and Self-Interest” in The Culture
of Immodesty in American Life and Politics: The Modest Republic students for faithful and fruitful service
(Palgrave Macmillan, 2013).
to God and neighbor.
DR. DAVID CHE, Associate Professor of Engineering, presented
“Common Grace and Engineering” at the 2013 Christian The committee wrote in its final report to the board,
Engineering Conference. “… we believe it is clear, understandable, and focused
on students. Further, its emphases on Christ, comprehensive
DR. LUTITIA CLIPPER ’75 (MSOL ’00), Adjunct Professor of education (encompassing our liberal arts tradition coupled
Leadership Studies, was named a 2013 Woman of Excellence with specific disciplinary preparation), and service to God
by New Pittsburgh Courier. and neighbor are consistent with the Charter, Bylaws,
and Foundational Concepts of Christian Education.
PROFESSOR KATHRYN DONALDSON, Adjunct Professor of Voice
and Director of Music for the Chapel Program, and her husband Sean During the process of forming the updated statement, the
were guest soloists at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. They committee sought input from all of Geneva’s constituencies,
performed in Prom Praise, a concert sponsored by London’s All including students, faculty, alumni, donors, staff, parents,
Soul’s Church. trustees and corporators. Several versions of the statement
were developed and refined through a number of broad
DR. DAVID ESSIG, Associate Professor of Biology and surveys and open meetings.
Cardiovascular Technology Program Coordinator, along with junior
biology major Caleb Leibee, presented “Bioinformatic Characterization Dr. Ken Smith ’80, President of Geneva and a member
of a Novel Lantibiotic Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Pedobacter of the committee, stressed that although the wording of the
heparinus” at the 34th Annual Western Pennsylvania Biology mission statement has been revised, the college’s mission
Undergraduate Research Symposium. has not: “We do what we do because of what we are,
not because of what we say we are. The updated mission
DR. CAROL LUCE, Director of the M.A. in Counseling program, statement does not redirect the college, but captures—
co-presented “Improving Behavioral Health Treatment for Older in clear and biblical language—what Geneva does.”
Adults through Professional Collaboration” at the 2013 Pennsylvania
Psychological Association Conference. The other committee members were: Andrew Bernard ’83,
Trustee; Nick Bloom ’10; Dr. Jim Dittmar ’76, Chair of
DR. MITCHEL NICKOLS, Adjunct Professor of Leadership Studies, the Department of Leadership Studies; Bill Edgar, Trustee;
was named an Urban Hero by Pittsburgh’s Center for Urban Biblical Kylie (Gardner ’12) Gibbons; Dr. Jeff Jones, Vice President
Ministry (CUBM). of Advancement; Missy Nyeholt, Director for the Center
for Faith and Practice; Dr. John Stahl ’79, Chair of the
PROFESSOR STEPHANIE SCHINDEL ’90, Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry, Math and Physics; and
of Psychology, received the Magic Makers Award from Big Brothers Rosanna Weissert, parent of a current student.
Big Sisters of Beaver County for a cooperative program that
she developed.

4

The John Paul Schaefer in brief
Memorial Observatory
is complete.

After years of planning and preparation, the John Paul Schaefer along with a control shed to house computers and electrical and Internet
Memorial Observatory is finally a reality. This long-awaited hubs, as well as provide storage for portable telescopes.
addition will enhance learning in astronomy courses; serve as
a valuable resource for math, physics and engineering student For more information about the John Paul Schaefer Memorial Observatory,
projects; and be made available to a wide audience contact Dr. Stein at [email protected].
for observation sessions, lectures on astronomical topics
of general interest and special events.

“The facility will be used for astronomical research—primarily
for the detection of exoplanets, which are planets orbiting other
stars, and for observations of comets and asteroids whose orbits
bring them into the vicinity of the Earth, collectively known as near-
earth objects or NEOs,” explained Professor of Mathematics and
Astronomy Dr. John Stein.

Dr. Stein has been involved with the project since 1995 along
with retired Professor of Physics John Schaefer, whose father is the
building’s namesake. Later joined by Physical Plant Director Jeff
Lydic and former physics professor Keith Willson ’90, the group
obtained a Meade RXC-400 telescope and eventually raised
enough funds for the construction of the buildings and additional
research instrumentation.

“With gifts from the estate of Professor Schaefer’s father,
gifts from alumni like Walter Zuberbuhler ’42, some faculty
contributions and a series of major gifts from the Extrasolar
Planetary Foundation, we reached our goal last fall,” said Dr. Stein.

Located near the 33rd Street Baseball Field, the facility consists of
an observatory building with a traditional 10-foot diameter dome,

Geneva names Joye Huston Huston has been a member of the American Nurses Association since
as Board of Trustees Chair. 1965 and currently serves on various boards in her community. As a past
Chair of the F.W. Huston Medical Center Board of Directors, she aided
Geneva College is pleased in the revival of the hospital: “I didn’t know if we could keep it open, but
to announce Joye Huston as I had to try.” In recognition of this effort, she was awarded the 2003
the new Chair of the Board of Jefferson County Economic Development Leadership Award.
Trustees. She is the first female in
the college’s history to be named Huston is a retired Registered Nurse and former CEO of F.W. Huston
to this position, and has been a Medical Center in Winchester, KS. After earning a Master of Science in
member of the board since 2009. Nursing from Winchester State University, she worked for 43 years as a
nurse and hospital administrator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Stormont
According to Huston, the board’s Vail Healthcare, Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Administration and F.W.
goals are to provide stable and Huston Medical Center.
positive direction to Geneva,
as well as support recruitment She and husband David have three children and many grandchildren.
efforts. “People are your greatest resource,” she said, and she Huston is a more-than-50-year member of the Winchester Reformed
plans to help the college’s administration maximize strengths Presbyterian church, where she has been a women’s Bible study group
and facilitate the best work possible. leader since 1994.

Huston is currently working on a book that will be a tribute to her mother.

5

in motion G

athletic news epn2012-13
BY VAN ZANIC ’93

10 Rocco Colavecchia scores four touchdowns as
Geneva’s football team upsets Thomas More 50-48
in triple overtime in what turned out to be the
highest scoring game in Geneva football history.

In his 25th year at Geneva College, Head Men’s
Basketball Coach Jeff Santarsiero receives

induction into the National Christian College
Athletic Association (NCCAA) Hall of Fame.

98
Junior Christine Bullock finishes
the 2012 season with an overall
singles record of 9-3 and caps her
season with a trip to the Presidents’
Athletic Conference (PAC) #5 singles

6 flight championship.

7 The men’s soccer team returns to the PAC title game for the
second consecutive season as Bryan Butler, Teddy Krzywiecki,
Jeb Nash and Jon Mathoslah were all named first team All-PAC.

6 Freshmen Laura Beck and Samantha Johnson named first team
All-PAC. Beck is named an NCCAA All-American
as Geneva’s softball team returns to the PAC
title game for the second consecutive
season and qualifies for the NCCAA
national tournament for the second
time in three years.

5 Nick Edinger smashes the Geneva College
cross country 8K record by over a minute
with his time of 24:23 at Oberlin College.
Edinger finished his career with All-PAC
first team honors as well as National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Division III All-Region recognition.

3

4 Mike Jeffreys was named a PAC First-Team selection while also Jeffreys has signed
garnering NCCAA East region pitcher and player of the year honors. a professional
Jeffreys was also named an NCAA Division III All-Region recipient for contract with
a year in which he led the Geneva baseball team with a .414 batting the Kansas
City Royals.
average while also breaking the single season record for
strikeouts with 106 this past spring.

2 3 Geneva’s cross country duo on the women’s side each broke the 6K record
on the same day. On a day when the women’s cross country team dominated
A trio of Geneva College track and the field with five of the top 15 finishes at Oberlin College, Sarah-Noel
field student-athletes took home PAC
titles at the conference championship Meek and Alayna Merkle each broke the school record with Meek
meet. Nick Edinger cruised to his first finishing first. Teammates Emily Hoobler, Shannon Rech and Anna
PAC title in the 5000 meter event while
Tyler French won the shot put and Kluitenberg contributed to the fastest average time of 23:16 in
Alayna1M0 erkle took home the top women’s cross country history.
prize in the women’s 1500 meter race.
1 A total of 90 student-athletes were recognized
during the 2012-13 school year as members 7
of the PAC Academic Honor Roll with at
least a 3.6 GPA. In addition, 50 juniors
and seniors were honored as members of
the Geneva Athletic Director Academic
Award with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA,
which was the highest total since 2008.

At the Heart

of Instruction

Assets for Education

By Greg Wise ’95

To those from financially disadvantaged families, a college opportunity for a strong Christian education and really fit where
education can sometimes seem beyond reach.This is a sentiment I was in my life.”
with which Dr.William “Willie” Elliott III ’95 can relate—and is
also a concern that he works to diminish through researching the He has many fond memories these days,“sitting in the library in
relationship between children’s savings and college success. one of the back rows reading philosophy, sociology and psychology
books; small gatherings that Dr. Mattsson-Bozé had at his house
Raised in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania,Willie grew up during the with several students discussing different sociological and political
decline of the steel industry. His family, along with many others, issues; and vibrant discussions in the classrooms that allowed for
faced tough economic circumstances.Willie’s father struggled God as part of the topic of discussion.”
through layoffs, his mother worked multiple jobs, and the
Elliotts even experienced periods of homelessness. According to Willie,“Geneva taught me how to study as an
academic, gave me a strong base to work from academically and
However, God used these challenges to focus Willie’s desire to help provided me with the environment where my spiritual growth
others.“Growing up poor, I always wanted to do something that could continue.” He attributes much of this to philosophy professor
would help poor children; that would help poor people change Dr. Byron Bitar, in whose memory the annual Bitar Memorial Lecture
their lot in life,” he says. Series was established:“He really stretched my thinking. I still rely
on things I learned in his classes for guiding my thoughts and the
Shortly after his sophomore year in high school, which was when way I try to live my life.”
he became a Christian, his aspiration to help others led Willie to
drop out of school and establish a mission in Beaver Falls serving After graduating,Willie entered law school for a time,but economic
alcoholics. But despite leaving school, his newfound faith would difficulty found him once again and he withdrew to join the military.
also have long-term implications on his educational journey.“It was Not to be deterred,however,Willie eventually went on to earn his
during this time that I learned to study and value reading,” he says. master’s degree in 2005 and Ph.D.in 2008,both from the GeorgeWarren
“At this point it was pretty much only the Bible that I studied— Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St.Louis.
but I literally studied for hours.”
Today,Willie is recognized as a leading researcher in the field of
Willie soon realized that the mission he started wasn’t his life’s children’s assets and educational outcomes and serves as a Senior
calling, however: “After working there for a while I knew I needed Research Fellow in the Asset Building Program of the New America
to continue my education, but also knew that I did not want my Foundation, which is“a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute
education to be separate from my faith.” So he earned his GED and that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next
enrolled at Geneva because, he says, the school provided “the generation of challenges facing the United States.”

Geneva taught me how to study as
an academic, gave me a strong base to
work from academically and provided

“me with the environment where my
“spiritual growth could continue.

8

He is an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas’ School of EDUCATION
Social Welfare; a member of the Research Working Group of Child AND
and Youth Finance International; and Director of the Assets and
Education Initiative, founded by Willie to “study innovations related AVINGS
to assets and economic well-being with a focus on the relationship
between children’s savings and the educational outcomes of low- If students have a tangible place to store funds,
income and minority children as a way to achieve the American they are more likely to attend four-year colleges
Dream.” He serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of than youths with no savings.
Children and Poverty, and his writing and work have been
featured in several major media outlets. Studies have shown savings are linked to
expectations of high school graduation,
Willie is also a faculty associate for both the Center for Race academic achievement,
and Social Problems at the University of Pittsburgh and the Center and pursuit of
for Social Development (CSD) at Washington University. Research postsecondary
designed and conducted for CSD by Willie, along with Sondra education.
Beverly, found that among youth who expected to graduate from
a four-year college, those with a savings account in their name Even modest-sized savings and
were approximately seven times more likely to attend college asset holdings have the potential
than those with no account. to alter the way people think
about the future, which can
“Children’s savings accounts are part of a life-long strategy for lead to productive
improving educational outcomes, as well as the long-term financial changes in behavior.
health of families,” explains Willie.“We have a collective interest in
the educational attainment of American children. Innovative ways Source: Reid Cramer, William Elliott,
to help children and their families accumulate savings to pay for “To Limit Debt, Promote Savings”
college, while building on the positive effects of fostering Inside Higher Ed, February 10, 2012
individual ownership and students’ stake in higher education,
deserve our attention.”

Additionally,Willie has conducted research on The Pittsburgh
Promise, a scholarship program for Pittsburgh Public School
students with which Geneva has established a partnership through
a matching grant program.Through the Pittsburgh Promise,qualifying
students receive up to $10,000 for undergraduate higher education.
“Think about how Promise programs can be combined with savings
programs, which provide additional effects like connecting children
to the mainstream banking institutions, providing them with the
opportunity to not only learn about financial education but to
practice what they are learning, provide a mechanism for lifelong
saving, and build expectations for college even among those who
might not feel as though the standards of the Pittsburgh Promise
are within reach for them,” he says.

Willie knows how much of a difference attending Geneva College
made in his life—and wants other underprivileged youth to have
that same opportunity for life-changing higher education. Beyond
the results of his research,Willie’s example of educational success
can also help students facing financial hardship, letting them know
that they can overcome their difficult situations, earn college degrees
and establish financial security for their families.After all, if he
could go from being a homeless high school dropout to a premier
college professor who provides for wife Michelle and children
Jordan, Michelle and Michael, they can, too.

But that’s not the only example Willie hopes to set for others:“God
is ever present in my life, teaching me to continue to strive to be
a testimony at a secular college, to have people see that whatever
they are doing, they should do it unto the glory of God.” G

9

At the Heart

of Instruction

Well Read

by M o nica M i l l e r ’12

Transitioning to life after college can be tough for some, different from her undergraduate experience at Geneva. “After
but Laura (Seyler ’04, M.Ed. in Reading ’08) Bisping felt well teaching in a public school all day and then attending classes at
prepared for the next stage of her life. a public university in the evening, I felt a longing to go back to
the days of being challenged and encouraged to connect my
She interviewed for a teaching position during the last semester profession with my Christian worldview as I had done all
of her undergraduate study at Geneva College, and was hired as throughout my time at Geneva.”
a full-time classroom teacher soon after earning her degree
in elementary education. Laura says she is thankful for an So she spoke with a friend who was enrolled in Geneva’s
interviewing course that she took from Dr. D. Gayle Copeland ’78, graduate program and soon contacted one of her favorite
and also credits the strong reading core that Geneva’s education professors, Reading Program Director Dr. Adel Aiken ’75,
program provided her. After her interview, Laura was told that to learn more. “Dr. Aiken changed my life. She instilled
she was the candidate with the best foundation in a love and knowledge for reading in me. She is a teacher
teaching reading. that impacts lives and is not just a teacher of academics.
She poured into our lives.”
“I knew after my first year of teaching that I wanted to get my
master’s degree, and that I especially loved teaching reading,” Although Geneva’s campus is far from Laura’s home in
she says. Laura soon began master’s coursework at a state Armstrong County, the college’s hybrid classes and a grant
university near her home and, because of her interest in reading, convinced Laura to transfer. “I spent a lot of time praying about
she chose to pursue certification as a reading specialist. making the move and I felt that it was really what God wanted
me to do,” she says. “I can honestly say it was one of the
During the first semester of her graduate work, however, she best decisions I have ever made.”
realized that the classroom at the public university was much

Reading skills correspond directly to one’s ability to…

Source: National Endowment for the Arts – “To Read or Not to Read”; corroborated by “Adult Literacy in America” a report from the National Center for Educational Statistics

be an communicate earn a achieve
informed effectively higher personal
salary fulfillment
citizen

“I felt a longing to
go back to the days
of being challenged

and encouraged to

connect my profession

with my Christian Although Laura now teaches at a public school where she
cannot openly talk about her faith, she teaches her students
“worldview. positive characteristics both inside and outside of the classroom—
treat others the way you want to be treated and put others
Geneva’s hybrid format of online and in-person classes provided ahead of yourself.
Laura with the perfect balance throughout her coursework.
Although the drive was farther than the state school near her Laura’s favorite verses are Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you
home, she only had to drive to Beaver Falls every other week do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
during the academic year, and only a few weeks in the summer. for human masters, since you know that you will receive an
“The hybrid classes are a perfect balance of interaction and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you
convenience for busy professionals,” she says. are serving.”

Because Geneva’s education program has a strong component And working for the children with all her heart is what she
in reading, Laura has been able to structure her courses to does. Even when not in school, Laura’s heart is always with her
encompass all types of literature and make reading fun. “Dr. students. Some of her pupils also attend Laura’s church, where
Aiken taught us to instill reading aloud to kids,” she says. “We they are able to see her lead and pray for them in a different
learned that motivation is such a big part of reading. I have seen type of classroom. Her involvement in the community displays
it make such a big difference. My students now want to hear what she stands for and the students and parents know
good stories, and read good stories.” what she believes.

Laura also values the Christ-centered education that Geneva Laura places a high value in the education and instruction that
provided her. “The greatest blessing has been my experience she was given throughout her time at Geneva, saying that it made
with Christian, caring professors and other likeminded her the teacher and woman that she is today. “I consider myself so
colleagues in the program. The education professors are blessed to have spent seven years of my life studying education at
not just teachers at Geneva; they are mentors and friends.” Geneva College from caring, knowledgeable professors who have
helped me to see the link between education and my relationship
That personal care displayed by the faculty continued into to Christ, as well as helped me to grow as an individual.” G
her graduate program experience. “The professors were very
willing to work with me individually so that the program was 11
doable despite my being an hour and a half away from campus,”
she says. “I feel really blessed with how Geneva has worked
with me.”

At the Heart

of Instruction

Called by God

By A dam R ow e ’14

Those who were freshmen at Geneva College in the fall of “Fred has been not only very influential, but a great visionary
2006 might recognize AJ Platt’s name. They all saw it, printed leader for our church,” he explains. “He’s showed me a great
on the front of You Are Called by God, one of the required class example, in terms of being a pastor.”
readings. AJ, the Executive Pastor at Youngstown, Ohio’s Trinity
Fellowship Church, has authored seven theological books to Rev. Mayhew was the one who started the church in 1984,
compliment his spiritual ministries, leading not only his when it originally met in a high school auditorium. A 1,000-seat
congregation, but his readership. sanctuary was built in 1999, and has been expanded over the years.
As the church grew in numbers, AJ grew in his education.
AJ has been at his church longer than many pastors: he first
started attending during high school when a friend invited him, “The single biggest thing that Geneva’s Adult Degree Completion
met his wife in youth group and has been on the pastoral staff Program did for me was to open up the possibility for higher
since 2000. learning and higher education,” AJ says. After earning his bachelor’s
degree from Geneva in 2005, he went on to seminary, achieved
“It was funny, because I remember walking into church for a Master of Divinity degree and is now working on a doctorate
the first time, after having been reading my Bible, and seeing at Knox Seminary in Fort Lauderdale.
how happy people seemed to be there, and just how full of life
it was. I thought, ‘This seems like the way people ought to do “I don’t think I realized at all at the time that that would even be
church.’ For me, that sealed the deal, and I started attending of interest to me,” he says of his career path, one that unfolded
here when I was a teenager,” he recalls, adding, “Been here for him “directly through the degree completion program.
ever since.” I wouldn’t even have thought I could do it, to be honest with
you. The level of work definitely prepared me for the future.”
As Executive Pastor, AJ preaches and oversees numerous
programs, including a branch of Rick Warren’s Christ-based While getting his degree in Christian Ministry Leadership in
program, Celebrate Recovery, which AJ initiated in 2009. He order to lead others, AJ was himself led by two instructors in
doesn’t appear to be leaving anytime in the foreseeable future. particular. He praises Dr. Scott Shidemantle, citing his
knowledge and understanding of the scriptures.
He hasn’t helped so many without receiving some help himself:
AJ lists Trinity Fellowship’s Senior Pastor, Reverend Fred A. “His writing in the program and his teaching really inspired
Mayhew, as a major mentor. me to try harder and to learn how to apply the Bible to all
aspects of culture and society,” AJ states.

The level of work

“definitely prepared
“me for the future.

12

Another of AJ’s valued instructors, Dr. Dean Smith, served as

“I’ve always wanteda pastor for 19 years, and was then the Chair of Geneva’s Bible

department for 23 years until retiring this spring.

to bring some of“He’s really been wonderful in my life, as far as understanding
ministry. He’s got a real gentle spirit, and a great kingdom-mind-
edness about himself,” AJ says. He benefits from his relationship

the concepts thatwith Dr. Smith both as a pastor and as a friend, receiving help
“not only in the area of education, but in the area of my
personal ministry.” I was learning
about in school
Writing books was one unexpected avenue AJ found to
channel his enthusiasm for instruction. After being inspired
by a topic familiar to all Geneva students and alma mater—
the discussion of calling—AJ wrote You Are Called by God.

“It was just a little book—60 or 70 pages—but I wanted in an easy-to-
to try to articulate what I learned from Geneva,

and what that means. It really resonated with me understand
personally,” AJ says.

AJ wrote the book for his church, as he writes all “way to
his books, and it was while he was still completing
his undergraduate work at Geneva that Dean Smith people.
became interested in You Are Called by God.

“I had a voice message on my phone,” AJ remembers.
“He called me ‘Doctor Platt’ and said, ‘We’d like 500

copies of your book to hand out to freshmen here.’

And I remember being so nervous when I got to class

that night, thinking he would find out I was

a student and not even want it.” Never at rest, AJ has another idea for a book. He’d love

Since Dr. Smith was filling in for a teacher that evening, to make a case for the optimism of the Gospel’s
AJ greeted him afterward to explain that he was just a student. advancement in the world.

Dr. Smith laughed, but was still interested and used the book “It’s really important that Christians have a view of the
for freshman for several years. world that makes people want to see other Christians
as their brothers and sisters,” he says.
“The instance of them using that book,” muses AJ, “is probably
what inspired me to want to write other books.”

Three of the works in his seven-book theological bibliography Whether AJ’s words come from the pulpit or the pages of his
are more akin to “glorified pamphlets,” he readily explains. The books, the driving force behind his work is simple: instructing
longer ones can be 300 pages in length, comprising titles like others about the grace of God.

Christ-Centered Youth Ministry, Doctrines of Grace—a defense “I’ve always wanted to bring some of the concepts that I was

of the doctrines of the five points of Calvinism—and an learning about in school in an easy-to-understand way to people.

introduction to post millennialism, You, Armageddon It’s hard to have a Bible study every time someone wants to

and the Kingdom of God. understand the five points of Calvinism,” he says with a chuckle. G

13

At the Heart

of Instruction

Absolutely Worth It

By A man da T y s o n ’16

“I knew the Lord wanted me to be a teacher, and He wanted my overwhelmed, reminding me my emotions and experiences
life to be used to serve Him in this way,” says 2007 Geneva College were normal.”
graduate Emily Stains.
This overwhelming feeling is what challenged Emily the most in
But even gifted and dedicated teachers like Emily, who was her first years.“The hardest lesson I had to learn on the path to
recently named one of the top 20 teachers in Henrico County, becoming a teacher was patience,” she says.According to Emily,
Virginia, and “Teacher of the Year” for Richmond’s Varina High patience is something that the Lord has been teaching her for
School, struggle with daily challenges in the classroom. quite some time.“I had to learn to be patient with myself and my
students, as they deal with teenage emotions and learning
So how does she cope when students are not cooperating new material.”
or lesson plans are not running smoothly?
Emily also feels that Geneva’s English department prepared her
Emily has adopted two mottos:“Let every day be a new day” well for her teaching career.The English courses provided a strong
and “Is this the best thing for my students?” She says,“If I don’t foundation for her first job as an AP English literature teacher.
choose to forgive them and forget it, I can’t teach effectively.” “Thanks to Geneva’s faculty, I was prepared for the intense rigor
required in teaching a course of this caliber,” she exclaims.
Also, although she says individual care can be so easily forgotten
“in the midst of the discipline and the state tests and the many But she almost didn’t come to Geneva.“The craziest part of this is
duties of a teacher,” Emily places utmost importance on each that I had my heart set on attending another institution. But when
student’s learning progress and character development. I stepped foot on Geneva’s campus, something happened to my
heart. I looked at my parents and said,‘We can go home now.
“The most rewarding moment of teaching is watching students I am coming here.’”
make connections beyond their perceived limitations. For every
student, this moment is different—and I love watching them crush While at Geneva, Emily was the president of the English Honor
their barriers and watch as their world gets a little bit bigger Society Sigma Tau Delta, the president of the English club, a junior
and brighter.” admissions counselor, a Humanities teaching assistant, and a writing
tutor for the Pendragon Writing Center. “I loved the friendships
In addition, she says her family “is the best group of cheerleaders,” made at Geneva and still cherish them to this day.We made some
providing the constant support that Emily needs to continue in her amazing memories. From the moment I had my first visit to the day
profession. Her mother, who was also a teacher, can sympathize I graduated with my dearest friends, I relished in the opportunities
with Emily during her harder days.“She comforted me when I felt afforded to me there.”

14 As a teacher, Emily attributes much of her success to others who
have modeled the role for her. “Both Dr. Lynda Szabo ’85 and Dr.
D. Gayle Copeland ’78 played huge roles in developing who I am as
a teacher. Anytime one of their classes was offered, I took it,”she says.

Growing up, her parents “instilled a work ethic to strive to further
God’s kingdom.”And her professors showed her how to teach
with a Christ-like heart.The passion, care and dedication that they
demonstrated were the inspiration that carried Emily into her years
of teaching:“I still look to Dr. Szabo for advice and support, and I
am still excited to tell her about my successes. Dr. Szabo trusted me
and allowed me to become a leader in my major. If I can become
half of the teacher she was to me, I have done my job well.”

God- Given
Ability

In return,the faculty agree that Emily is one the most promising
teachers to come through the ranks.“Emily is one of the
best students I’ve ever had in English education,” says
Dr. Szabo.“She is a natural teacher.”

Regarding being named one of the top 20 teachers Teacher
of the year, Emily says,“It’s hard to even express of the Year
how grateful I am—how thankful I am. I hoped
I could change my students’ lives and never Professional Supportive
realized how much they would impact mine. Preparation Family
I was beyond shocked to know that I had been
nominated by my peers, let alone to have won.”

Even with her recent successes, however, Emily which contains notes, memories and emails that offer extra
still wonders what God has planned next. She says, encouragement for the challenging days.“It sits inside my desk, and
“I am learning to be faithful in what He has planned on the days that I think,‘Is this worth it? Is what I’m doing making
for my life,” relying on her favorite verse:“‘For I know that any difference?’ I sift through my smile folder.And I always come
plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,‘plans to prosper you and back to the same conclusion:‘Absolutely.’” G
not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’” (Jeremiah
29:11).“When I’m feeling uncertain about any aspect of my life,
this verse just settles my spirit and my worry,” says Emily.

Still, she admits that there are times when teachers need to be
reminded why they wanted to become a teacher in the first place.
When this happens, she turns to what she calls her “smile” folder,

“ Is what I’m doing
making any
difference? …
“Absolutely.

G

15

At the Heart

of Instruction

Take Our Word for It

Education majors speak out about their Geneva experience

“Geneva is unique because—from the very
beginning—we get a glimpse into what the field
of education is really like with observation classes
and opportunities to serve in the educational world.
The professors teach in a way that inspires us to
instruct with a higher calling and influence the

hearts of students.”

—Russell Hall
Middle School Education

I appreciate how kind-hearted and “
willing to help the faculty and staff
of the education department are.
They are amazing and I am so

“thankful to have such caring
people encouraging me forward.
—Heather Busse
English

“ “Geneva’s education department
is a family.
—Marissa Seighman
“PK-4/PK-8 Special Ed

16

I love the enthusiasm and passion for teaching “ I receive the tools and
that the professors express in their classes and attitude necessary to
pass on to their students. function as a role model
—Kendra Dressler for my future students.”
—Nathan Dunn
“ “PK-4/PK-8 Special Ed
Middle School
Education

“Not only are my fellow education majors
and I receiving extraordinary tools and
experience for our future field, we are also
gaining amazing insight from educators to
use our gifts for our calling as a light for
Christ. I am very thankful to be able to have
“this experience so that I can not only make
a difference as a teacher, but as a believer.
—Allison McCormick
English

“Geneva’s education department partners with “Not only are the education
each student to encourage boldness in the classroom, professors incredible at
confidence in academics and strength in faith.” teaching you techniques
—Kathryn Regalado to prepare you for the
classroom, but they
“ History exemplify the integration
I appreciate the intensive education of faith and teaching.”
program offered, namely for the
amount of time we spend interning —Lindsee Clark
in the field, even prior to student PK-4/PK-8 Special Ed
teaching. The experience and
knowledge that we gain in the field 17
by actually working with students
is immeasurable.
—Gillian Kline
PK-4/PK-8 Special Ed

At the Heart

of Instruction

Reaching the Unreachable

By A man da ( K a s ka l avic h ’0 6) F l inn e r

One dark night, Geneva Master of Science in Organizational on interrupting the cycle of violence that occurs when convicts
Leadership graduate Debra Germany Morrison (MSOL ’11) inevitably return to their criminal lifestyle. Through DIM’s own
claimed a passage of scripture that has sustained her for the past IMPACT program and a partnership with the alternative housing
12 years: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, and service provider Renewal Inc., she ministers to at-risk youth
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will and incarcerated individuals to provide them with supportive
uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). services and job opportunities that will foster a positive trans-
formation, “focusing on restoring and realizing their maximum
Raymond Germany, her only child, was murdered in a Pittsburgh potential spiritually, physically and economically.” She tries to
Hill District apartment when his criminal life as a drug dealer make them understand that their actions are like a domino
caught up with him in 2001. It was the most horrifying installment effect that ripples through their families.
in a series of nightmares Debra had been enduring for years.
Violence doesn’t contain itself to the streets, but seeps into “I tell these young men today, you need to really understand
the homes of each young man or woman who chooses a life what you do when you pull a trigger,” she says.
of crime. For Debra, that meant when a deal went wrong for
Ray, she found a target on her own back. Strangers would call And she knows all too well. She doesn’t have to remember the
the house and threaten to send a hit squad after her son and location of each of the seven bullet holes, the color of the body
then wipe out the whole family. They would sit in parked cars bag, or the fact that her son was laid out naked on a metal slab;
across the street and even pound on the front door. After Ray’s the image is burned in her mind and she shares it with anyone
murder, grief didn’t take the place of fear, it only intensified it. she can. Any one of the thousands of young men she speaks
Her cries to God left her with a realization that she had to each year could be like her son and, if she can help it, she’ll
to help others in order to help herself. make sure none of them end up where he did. Sometimes, she
passes around a few of his personal belongings: a towel that
In 2002, Debra co-founded Divine Intervention Ministries once carried his scent, an old shoe or the last Mother’s Day
(DIM), initially to help grieving families and draw attention to card he gave her. She wears a t-shirt with his smiling face
unsolved murders through a billboard campaign, then to focus on the front and his casket on the back.

“... if you have God in your life
you can do the impossible,
“reach the unreachable
and bear the unbearable.

18

God loves you and so do I,

“ and if there’s anything I can do to help you
“I will.

“My gift is to speak life into dead places. I give hope to the hopeless want to let them know that ‘God loves you and so do I, and if
and I believe in my heart that if you have God in your life you there’s anything I can do to help you I will,’” Debra explains.
can do the impossible, reach the unreachable and bear the
unbearable, and that is what has happened to me,” she explains. But there are still all those others who weren’t ready to listen,
and she fears they might not get another chance. With DIM’s
Debra doesn’t have any doubts about her mission and neither funding completely slashed, her mission is functioning on
does the Pittsburgh community. She has received numerous crumbs and is nowhere near the one-stop shop for transforma-
accolades and honors for her work, including the 2013 Sally tional resources she hopes to achieve. But if Debra has proved
Hillman Award, the H. John Heinz Award for Community anything, it’s that she has learned to step out in the face of fear
Service and the 2012 Volunteer of the Year Award by Governor and rely on God’s promises. In fact, she belts out an enthusiastic
Tom Corbett and Secretary of the Department of Corrections “Woo-hoo!” as she explains that God is only closing single doors
John Wetzel, to name a few. Aside from being named one of so He can open double doors.
Pittsburgh’s “People Changing Lives,” she has been nationally
recognized as an “Ordinary Hero” by Today’s Christian magazine. Just as He opened a door into Geneva’s Master of Science in
She also found the time to become an ordained minister Organizational Leadership program, which transformed Debra’s
earlier this year. life and ripples outward from her to transform so many others.

It’s a lot to manage, but Debra credits Geneva’s Master of “My prayer is that someone would start investing in human lives
Science in Organizational Leadership program for helping as opposed to just profiting for their own selves. I’m committed.
her realize the breadth of her capacity. What time I’ve got left in this life, I’m going to spend it restoring
the lives of others. I refuse to spend what time I’ve got left on
“It stretched me beyond places I didn’t know that I could this earth doing something that doesn’t matter to God. I’m going
stretch, but it developed a sense of excellence in me that I to do whatever I can with whatever’s in me to help others.” G
wouldn’t settle, that I would always do everything within
my capability with a spirit of excellence and I knew that Information about Divine Intervention Ministries can
with anything, any paper I wrote, any project, I did it be found at www.divineinterventionministries.org.
with everything I had,” she says.
DMiivniinsteriIenst’eSrevrevnictieosn
While she’s certainly grateful for the praise, Debra insists she’s
just a tool for God’s work. She doesn’t even make a penny from q Mentoring Program
it. Besides, she measures her success a bit differently. She sees q IMPACT (Interceding Making Positive
it on the faces of countless young men who often approach
her with a smile. They’d heard her speak once and decided to Actions Come Together) Program
change their lives for the better. Instead of working the streets, q Speaking Engagements
they’re working behind deli counters or trying to go back to q Spiritual Support/Prayer Partners
school, all because somebody thought they deserved a chance
for a new life. Debra even hopes to speak to the man who
allegedly murdered her son. He’s serving time in prison for
a separate crime but has never confessed to killing Ray.

“That’s the type of work that God has me doing, really helping
the least of these. The people that nobody wants to be bothered
with are the people that have given up on themselves, and I just

19

At the Heart

of Instruction

Team-Building Exercises

By Greg Wise ’95

One of the most important tasks in effectively leading a
team of people is fostering sense of unity. Howard Nudi ’87
experienced the benefits of being part of a close-knit team
as part of a small group of electrical engineering majors at
Geneva College. And nurturing this atmosphere is a skill
that he developed through 24 demanding years of military
service, and one he has relied on through seven years
in the commercial nuclear power industry.

After graduating from Freedom High School in 1978, Howard

joined the United States Air Force and spent five years as

an aircraft electrician. During that time, he benefitted from

serving under officers who displayed excellent leadership

qualities. “Leaders should treat all people as equal, and with

dignity and respect,” says Howard. “The officers I saw treated “ Leaders should treat
all people as equal,
enlisted men this way, which influenced me in making the
decision to get a degree and become an officer.”

Dignity

Respect Direction andawnidthredsipgencitty.“So Howard enrolled at Penn State’s Beaver campus,

and later transferred to Geneva College as a junior

to complete his degree in engineering with an

Support Leadership Equality electrical concentration. “I applied to Pittsburgh
University and Geneva,” he explains. “My professors

recommended Geneva for the great student-

to-teacher ratio and the excellent reputation

of its program.”

Guidance Unity Geneva is also where Howard’s father, Harry, graduated from
in 1950. Here, Howard particularly enjoyed studying with the
other electrical engineering majors—the Double “E”s as he

Knowledge

20

calls them. He appreciated the close relationship “ Geneva does a great
that the members of the Double “E”s were job in finding talented
able to form with each other, as well as with
their professors.

In addition, he is thankful for the high quality professors with a great deal
of instruction at Geneva. “I received a fantastic
education,” he says. “I was taught by Ph.D.’s as

opposed to graduate students, which is the norm of technical knowledge while
at many engineering schools. Geneva does a
great job in finding talented professors with a

great deal of technical knowledge while providing providing students with a solid
students with a solid Christian foundation.”
“Christian foundation.
Among all of the influential professors at Geneva
from whose teaching he benefitted, Howard
specifically recalls Dr. Jack Pinkerton, for whom

Geneva’s Pinkerton Center for Technology I make sure that people understand the importance of what
Development is named. “He was a phenomenal they do as a team, and understand their roles in big picture,
man who took an interest in his students and would do whatever even if it’s a small one,” he explains. “It’s just like the cook on a
it took to help them succeed. I appreciated that relationship and submarine. The cook may not have the authority of the captain or
was constantly going to him for help.” an executive officer, but he’s just as vital because, after working

When Howard joined the United States Navy following graduation, 18-hour days underwater, nothing is more important to the
he was well prepared for the rigorous qualification process for crew’s morale than a good meal.”

nuclear power school. He was certified as an Engineer Officer on In both his military and civilian careers, Howard has experienced
the S8G reactor, which is used by the Navy to provide electricity God’s blessings. While in the Navy, he was honored with a Defense
generation and propulsion on warships, and served in various officer Meritorious Service Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, two
positions on Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarines. Howard Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals.
retired from the Navy in 2005 at the rank of Commander (O-5). And since coming to Duke Energy Corporation, he published

“I saw Bermuda through a periscope many times,” Howard “Battery Capacity Recovery for VRLA Cells—A User’s Perspective”
says jokingly, recalling his 18 years of submarine service, in Nuclear Power International magazine.

much of the time underwater. He says that he has seen God’s hand in his family life, as well.

He also fondly remembers the tight bonds formed between Upon moving to North Carolina seven years ago, Howard and
the members of his crew: “With 125 men in close quarters, it’s his wife Ellen were able to find both a good high school and
extremely important for them to work together and to establish youth group for their son, Matthew, who is now a junior at NC
a good command relationship between senior officers and State University majoring in nuclear engineering. The couple’s
enlisted men.” oldest daughter, Melanie, is a mechanical engineer and their
youngest, Crystal, is a speech pathologist. The Nudis are also

Howard uses this military experience to foster this same familial the proud grandparents of Emily, Owen, Savannah and Samuel.

atmosphere in his current role as a manager in charge of overseeing And as with the Double “E”s at Geneva, his crew in the military
plant engineering programs and program managers at Duke and his team at work, Howard is thankful that he found a
Energy Corporation’s McGuire Nuclear Station in North Carolina. church home with a caring and supportive community:

“My job is to build a cohesive team, while providing guidance “God led us to a close-knit church, and our growth in

and deliverables for programs and direction to program managers. our relationship with the Lord drew us in.” G

21

At the Heart

of Instruction

Let the Little Children Come

By Greg Wise ’95

Dr. Antoinette (Parisi ’52) Eaton fondly remembers working uncle wasn’t the only family member providing encouragement:
at the front desk in McKee Hall one evening when the house “I come from Italian immigrant parents, for whom getting an
mother walked by, looked at her papers, and said, “I don’t education was very important. And my maternal aunt
know how this doctor thing is going to work out. I can read was a dentist in Italy.”
your handwriting.”
She also credits many of her fellow students at Geneva.
Although the way a person writes can sometimes reveal a lot, “My classmates were very energizing and supportive,
this obviously wasn’t the case for Antoinette. Currently a Professor which is extremely valuable when facing any challenge,”
Emerita of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of she remembers. And pre-med curriculum is certainly challenging.
Medicine, as well as the Corporate Director for Governmental Antoinette spent entire afternoons in the lab four days a week,
Affairs and a member of the Section of Ambulatory Pediatrics at in addition to studying for classes and working in McKee Hall.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, her six decades—and counting—
of service as a physician is proof that she made a good decision But she still found time to go to Reeves Field and cheer on the
in pursuing the “doctor thing.” Golden Tornadoes. “I’m a football fan,” she says. “I still have my
Geneva beanie and sweatshirt.” She also liked to take evening
An uncle who had graduated from Geneva College and gone trips to the doughnut shop for coffee and enjoyed the company
on to a career as a plastic surgeon provided Antoinette valuable of her suitemates, whom she describes as “wonderful friends,”
direction in making this choice. After developing an interest in as well as the members of the Pre-Medical Society,
health care through her high school biology class, Antoinette of which she was Vice President.
says, “the guidance and experience of this sage uncle brought
me to Geneva,” where she majored in biology/pre-med. Of her nine classmates who applied to medical school after
graduation, eight were accepted according to Antoinette—
This career path was a courageous selection—in those days, an extraordinary statistic. She attributes much of this success to
only about six percent of doctors were female. But Antoinette’s
biology professor Dr. Theodore McMillion, who “shepherded
“My classmates were very us through our courses.” She also remembers that he went
energizing and supportive, well beyond his normal teaching responsibilities. “Dr.
which is extremely valuable McMillion would regularly visit medical schools to speak
“when facing any challenge. to those in admissions about accepting Geneva students,”
she recalls. “I owe him a debt of gratitude.”

Antoinette next attended Philadelphia’s Women’s Medical College,
the first medical institution to train only women in medicine

22

I delight in knowing honor is given to the legislator in the Ohio General Assembly
who focuses on a bill for the benefit of children’s health.
“ that there is something
“I can do for a child or family. Antoinette has also been a long-time academic leader. OSU has
and offer them the M.D. She then returned to her hometown a strong commitment as a teaching hospital, requiring resident
of Youngstown, OH, for her internship. Although she originally physicians to have a teaching role. She became a full professor and
focused on adult endocrinology in medical school, Antoinette served for a time as the university’s Interim Dean for Public Health.
received exposure to numerous medical fields. She eventually
decided to become a pediatrician and trained at The Ohio State Today, Antoinette continues to work with pediatric residents at
University (OSU) and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. OSU in a part-time role. “I teach first-year residents how to be
advocates for children in legislative and regulatory measures,”
“Pediatrics is generally a happy specialty, focusing on preventative she explains. These residents are learning from one of the best.
health care and often accompanied by joyful family interactions,” Antoinette worked on a bill to expand Ohio’s newborn screening
she notes. “I was also involved in clinical work with special-needs program, has testified before Congress and completed an eight-
and disabled children, and I delight in knowing that there is year tenure as Chairperson of the Department of Health and
something I can do for a child or family.” Human Services’ Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Infant
Mortality in Washington, D.C.
Antoinette’s interests in child health issues developed into
a passion for advocacy while serving as Chief of the Division Despite this lifetime of public service, Antoinette asserts that it
of Maternal and Child Health in the Ohio Department of Health is “definitely possible to combine career and family.” She and her
from 1974 to 1980. husband Samuel have been married for 53 years, and the couple
has three sons, one daughter and nine grandchildren.
She then continued her work of improving the health and
welfare of children and their families on a national level through Sixty-one years after graduating from Geneva, Antoinette some-
the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, Antoinette how still finds the energy to connect with her growing family
advanced the stature of all women physicians by becoming the while remaining active in her academic and public health roles.
organization’s first woman president in 1990, the year that she Where that energy comes from is no mystery to her, however.
received Geneva’s Distinguished Service Award. “I was glad to She says that she simply remembers the words Jesus spoke in her
be able to open that door,” she humbly adds. favorite verse, Matthew 19:26: “… with God all things are possible.” G

In recognition of her commitment to child advocacy, the 1971 MRI
Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics created the
Antoinette Parisi Eaton Child Advocacy Award in 2005. This 2000 Human Genome

Just a sampling of medical advances made draft completed
during Antoinette’s career so far:
2007
1963

1958
1952
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Artificial Heart
Pacemaker
1973
Polio Vaccine 1964 Surgical Robot Bionic Eye
Laser Eye 23
1960 Measles Surgery
Vaccine (LASIK)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 1967 First human heart 1985
transplant

in service

by Lyn s e y Au e l l ’14 &
Ric h a r d Lo u t h e r ’15

kingdom of God,” says Downs. “We wanted to equip leaders to
have cross-cultural literacy because leaders bring transformation
to organizations.”

“We can’t be

where we are called

unless we know
who we are.”

Kathy Kinzer-Downs In addition to being a founder and organizer, Kinzer-Downs
& Lamont Downs was also one of the conference’s keynote speakers, along with
Landon and Khadija Adams, domestic missionaries through
A vision with potential became a successful reality when the the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), and Rev. Avery
inaugural “Living in Color: Equipping Leaders to Serve in a Danage, a campus minister with the CCO.
Diverse World” was held at Geneva College in February of
2013. One hundred and fifty students, faculty, pastors and In her presentation, “My Identity: Embracing Who I Am,
members of the community gathered to learn what effective Living Out Who I’m Called to Be,” Kinzer-Downs spoke about
leadership means in today’s diverse workplaces, the importance of understanding one’s identity: “We can’t be
classrooms and society. where we are called unless we know who we are. I spoke about
who God has created me to be as an African-American woman,
The conference was initiated and developed by Kathy Kinzer- and some of the barriers that come with that reality.”
Downs, Geneva’s Director of Multicultural Student Services,
along with her husband Lamont Downs, Multicultural Student Larry Griffith, Executive Vice President of Geneva College,
Services Coordinator. “Kathy and I were talking, and we identifies Kinzer-Downs’ keynote speech as one of the best talks
thought that we should bring a diversity conference to Geneva on diversity that he has heard. “I was most impressed by the
so that we could talk about what diversity truly is,” explains Christ-centeredness of Kathy’s message,” he notes. “In fact,
Downs. “It took off from there.” I found it to span well beyond issues surrounding diversity.
She spoke to finding your identity in Christ and, ultimately,
Workshops for the weekend were organized into three tracks: how to live the Christian life.”
pastoral, community development and education. Additionally,
a panel of former and current college students shared their Kinzer-Downs is pleased that others were challenged through
experiences of living and attending classes on primarily the conference. “I was encouraged by being a part of different
white campuses. sessions and seeing people ask tough questions,” she adds.
“I also felt a sense of movement and momentum for Geneva.”
“We wanted to equip leaders from all cultures to break down
barriers, to be bridge builders and to really connect in the Planning has already begun for the next Living in Color
conference, which will be November 15–16, 2013.
2140
“We certainly anticipate building off of the success of last year
to reach more people, to be a part of the transformation and be
able to help develop those who attend,” says Kinzer-Downs.

Find out more at www.geneva.edu/livingincolor.

.

iving in Color

in a diverse worldequipping Leaders to Serve

NOVEMBER 15-16, 2013

www.geneva.edu/livingincolor

By Julia Schademan ’13

class notes Class Notes are available on
geneva.edu. Visit the site to
learn about fellow classmates.
Submit an update so they can
stay connected with you.

1949 1968 Douglas L. and Sabrina A. (Sette ’79)
Terrill’s son Zack competed in the 2012
Lois (Hadfield) Knaggs has retired Joe Petruny was inducted into the Beaver Jeopardy! College Championship, finishing
after teaching seventh through ninth grade County Sports Hall of Fame. A basketball in third place.
mathematics in Sidney, OH, for 18 years. player, Joe was asked by Geneva tennis
Lois resides in Plain City, OH. coach Cliff Aultman to participate on a
doubles team even though he had never
1958 played the sport. This began Joe’s tennis
career, which included six victories in the
JoJean (Daout) Holland is an Instructional acclaimed Beaver County Tennis Tournament
Associate at Cedar Valley College and an and 25 years of teaching the sport. Joe,
Adjunct Biology Professor at Mountain View who served as the Golden Tornadoes’
College. JoJean has published two books, basketball team captain in his senior year,
AVAM-Avenging America (under the pen was also named one of the best 50 players
name Veronica DeTerre) and Twilight in the in Geneva’s first 100 years of basketball.
Vineyard, both available through Amazon. Joe was an educator in the Hopewell
She resides in Mesquite, TX. School District for 34 years.

1966 1972 1982

Jeannie (Musser) Porter was Brian and Martha (Ward ’76) Long Cynthia (Lazar) Neiswinger
inducted into the Pennsylvania Music reside in Ellicott City, MD. The couple has
Educators Association (PMEA) Hall of five children. -See Neiswinger 1983
Fame. Jean taught classroom, vocal and
instrumental music. She worked in the Mid- 1975 1983
land School District from 1966-70 and in the
Blackhawk School District from 1970 until her Stephen Rhodes is Assistant Pastor for Michael and Cynthia (Lazar ’82)
retirement in 1998, where she directed high River Community Church in Prairieville, LA, Neiswinger now reside in Puyallup, WA.
school productions of Oliver, South Pacific, where he now resides. Michael accepted a job with Amazon and
Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of Music. Cynthia began her new position as Administrative
Jeannie previously received PMEA’s District 5 1976 Assistant at Tacoma General Hospital.
Citation of Excellence in 1992. She presented
“Music A La Carte,” a workshop for elementary Martha (Ward) Long Marty and Susan Plog are celebrating their
music teachers, at the PMEA Conference -See Long 1972 25th anniversary and their daughter, Susan,
and served as a judge for the Geneva is to be married in 2013. The Plogs live in
College Henry Mancini Musical 1979 Hoschton, GA.
Theatre Awards.
Tammie (Ward) Buckwalter 1984
-See Buckwalter 1980
Lynda Zelesnak
Sabrina A. (Sette) Terrill -See Lees 1993
-See Terrill 1980
1989
1980
Phil Cavett -See opposite page
Randy and Tammie (Ward ’79)
Buckwalter moved to Raleigh, NC, 1991
in 2012 after spending their entire lives
in Pennsylvania. Following more than 25 Mark Ratti Jr. was presented with the
years at Harleysville Insurance, Randy prestigious RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement
accepted the position of Public Relations Award in 2012. This award is given to a
Manager with PPD, a pharmaceutical small percentage of agents who have been
contract research organization. Tammie with RE/MAX for at least seven years and
is enjoying her retirement by taking care have worked with 1,000 or more families.
of their new home and spending time Mark has been with RE/MAX since 1988 and
with their one-year-old grandson. is in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the RE/MAX
100 Percent Club, and was in the RE/MAX
Top Ten for Commissions Earned in Western

26

PA for 2012. He and wife Christina proud parents of son Levi Josiah Daniels, 1989
(Huebner ’93) Ratti reside in Bethel Park, born January 9, 2013. Levi joins big brother
PA, with daughters Emma, Hannah and Julia. Caleb. The family resides in Corry, PA.

1992 Randy Savage (DCP #037) completed Phil Cavett was named the 2013
an advanced degree through Indiana Beaver County Teacher of the Year.
John Lenox is the Vice President of Wight- Wesleyan University. Randy is currently After graduating with a degree in math
Ox Enterprises, a marketing and PR firm employed at Malone University teaching education, Phil applied for a teaching posi-
specializing in the outdoor industry. John in the Malone Management Program. He tion in the Riverside School District—and
is also involved with the development and and his family reside in Canton, OH. has been there for the last 24 years. “It was
launch of Rush Outdoors Television throughout such an honor to be named Beaver County
New York State. He and his wife Marilyn 1995 Teacher of the year and to accept the award
reside in Little Genesee, NY. on behalf of the four other incredible final-
Rev. John Shaw has been called as ists as well,” says Phil. “I am thankful to the
1993 the General Secretary of the Committee on Jumet Charitable Foundation for instituting
Home Missions and Church Extension for the this program to recognize the great work
Lauralee (Zelesnak) and Scott Lees Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). John that so many teachers are doing across our
were married December 28, 2012. Lynda has served as founding pastor of Mission county. I am truly blessed to find my calling
Zelesnak ’84 served as the maid of Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, at Riverside. I work with a wonderful faculty
honor. Lauralee has degrees from Slippery Minnesota since 2006. John and Anne and such a supportive administration, and
Rock University, Westminster College and (Copeland) have four children: William, truly the students at Riverside are the best
the Fowler Wainwright International Institute Micah, Johanna and Samuel. They are students with whom one
of Professional Coaching in addition to her planning to relocate to Philadelphia, PA, could hope to work.”
degree from Geneva. She teaches biology at during the summer of 2013.
Mohawk High School. Lauralee and Scott are This closed an eight-and-a-half year season
co-authors of The Suitable Helpmate Prayer. 1996 of ministry in Newtown, CT, just a short
The Lees reside in Ellwood City, PA. distance from Sandy Hook Elementary. Robert
Megan (Merryman) Eicher and his wife Sarah (Bingham ’98) have
Joanne (Farina) Peterson earned her -See Eicher 1997 three children: Nathaniel James, Cairistiona
Ph.D. in Education, specializing in K-12 Grace and Katerina Anne. The family lives
Studies, from Capella University. She Michael Whitmer is now a Brigade in Westchester, IL.
previously received a Master of Education Chemical NCO for 1st Information Operations
from Lesley University. Joanne is a teacher in Command in Fort Belvoir, VA, where he 1998
the Scotland County Schools and an instructor and wife Christina reside.
at Richmond Community College in North Sarah (Bingham) Tarullo
Carolina. She and her husband James live 1997 -See Tarullo 1997
in Laurinburg, NC.
Rev. Doug Barnes has accepted a call
Christina (Huebner) Ratti to serve as Pastor of Covenant Reformed
-See Ratti 1991 Church in Pella, Iowa, a congregation of the
United Reformed Church of North America
1994 (URCNA). Doug previously served for eight
years at Hills United Reformed Church in
Michael and Melanie Daniels are the Minnesota. Doug praises God that the
members of the Barnes family are adapting
well to the changes God has brought into
their lives through this move. Doug and his
wife Grace (Pontier) have six children:
Michal, Samuel, Luke, Jacob, Joanna
and Jesse.

Chad and Megan (Merryman ’96)
Eicher reside in Lexington, OH.

Robert Tarullo began serving as Pastor at
Westminster Presbyterian Church (OPC) in
Indian Head Park, Illinois on August 1, 2012.

27

1999 in 2012. Rebecca is a Medicare Program August 4, 2012. Jameson is a Supervisor
Consultant for Capital BlueCross. The Feister’s at JusticeWorks Youthcare in Reading, PA.
reside in York Haven, PA. He also coaches Boys Varsity Soccer at
Wyomissing High School, leading the team
Tamera (Vucelich) married Jason Pfeiffer to their best record since 2007. The Beates
on September 13, 2009. The Pfeiffers reside family lives in West Lawn, PA.
in Virginia Beach, VA.
Kristen Karasek received a Master of
Business Administration and a Master of Arts
in Higher Education Administration from the
University of Akron. She resides in Seneca, SC.

Nancy (Kuhn) and Seth Beardsley Dan Williams-See opposite page
welcomed daughter Grace Elizabeth on
October 17, 2012. She joins older brother 2008
Levi. The Beardsley’s live in Elizabethtown, PA.

Joshua Van Ee successfully defended his Levi Stahl is a Nuclear Unit Supervisor
dissertation in ancient Near Eastern history at the Beaver Valley Power Station in
at the University of California at San Diego Shippingport, PA. He is responsible for the
(UCSD), earning his Ph.D. Josh is an Assistant safe operation of the reactor and secondary
Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at plants, day-to-day tests, and removing
Westminster Seminary California. equipment from service for maintenance.

2002 2005

David and Lauren (Shaw) Abt are the
proud parents of Davey, born March 20,
2011. David graduated from Philadelphia
College of Osteopathic Medicine and began
an internal medicine residency in June. The
Abts reside in Philadelphia, PA.

Gabbie (Murtaugh) and Robert
Broughton welcomed Katelyn Rose into
their family on March 12, 2012. The
Broughtons live in Philadelphia, PA.

Peter and Rachel (McMahan ‘05) Stefanie (Bishop) married Jared Buckner Josh “J.D.” and Abby (Bowser) Kail
McDonald announce the birth of daughter on May 26, 2012. Stefanie is a kindergarten are the proud parents of twins Emmanuel
Zoey Hope in June 2012. Zoey joins big teacher in the Alamance-Burlington school and Annika, born in late 2012. They join
sister Abby and big brother Ryan. The system. The Buckners live in Burlington, NC. big brother Solomon. Josh is a Law Clerk
McDonalds reside in Lawrence, KS. for Beaver County, PA. The Kails reside in
Rachel (McMahan) McDonald Beaver, PA.
Virginia “Ginny” I. Knor (MSOL) -See McDonald 2002
received a 2013 Outstanding Achievement Sarah (Romeo) and Justin Lynam were
in Media Award in the category of Agency/ 2006 married on July 7, 2012. Sarah received her
Allied from the Media Association of Pittsburgh. master’s degree in curriculum and instruction
Ginny is the Divisional Director of Marketing Alicia (McGhee) and Christopher from Concordia University in 2011. The
and Public Relations, The Salvation Army Hinzman are the proud parents of Max Lynams live in Guilderland, NY.
Western Pennsylvania Division. McGhee Hinzman, born on April 12, 2012.
Alicia is the District Operations Regional Judith Tobias received her Master of
2003 Coordinator for the Pennsylvania House of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Representatives Republican Caucus. The
Ben Cieply has received his Ph.D. in Cancer Hinzmans reside in Beaver, PA. 2009
Cell Biology from the West Virginia University
School of Medicine. He is a Post-Doctoral 2007 Matthew and Laura (Fischer) Cooper
Researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. welcomed Moriah Grace into their family on
Ben and his wife Shawna reside in Horsham, PA. Jameson and Tara Beates are the proud December 5, 2012. Moriah joins big brother
parents of Jackson Ender Bates, born on Caleb. Matthew is the Youth and Worship
Rebecca (Gardner) and Nijel Feister are Pastor at Westridge Church in Coraopolis,
the proud parents of Madeline Noelle, born PA. The Coopers reside in Baden, PA.

Dustin Diesing is now a Cardiovascular
Technologist in the Veteran’s Administration

28

Pittsburgh Healthcare system. He is engaged Gibbons were married on September 1, Kylie (Gardner) Gibbons
to Shannon Monac, and the wedding is 2012. Ben is an Admissions Counselor at -See Gibbons 2011
scheduled for October 4, 2014. Geneva College. The Gibbons live in
Beaver Falls, PA. Jonathan Kocher resides in Bethlehem, PA.
Michael and Faith Potoeski were married
May 19, 2012. Kathleen Haffly (DCP #038) resides
in Pittsburgh, PA.
2010
Andrew and Katie (Wright) Harper
Karey (Claar) Hooks were united in marriage in June 2012.
-See Hooks 2011 The Harpers live in Zoar, OH.

Susan Singer (DCP #007) is now an Daniel and Karey (Claar ’10) Hooks
Emergency Management Specialist for the were married September 29, 2012. The
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Hooks live in Denver, CO.
Agency in Harrisburg, PA.
Samuel and Courtney (Robel) Weaver
Matthew and Jessica (Rienow ’12) were united in marriage on August 4, 2012
White were united in marriage on July 16, and welcomed their first child, Penny Grace
2011. They reside in Zelienople, PA, where Weaver, into the world three weeks early on
Matthew is an Operations Manager for May 21, 2013. Sam is a science teacher for
TransIT Solutions. Hillcrest Christian Academy in Bethel Park.
They reside in Venetia, PA.
2011

Kate Blumberg resides in Pittsburgh, PA.

Justin (DCP #252) and Tessa (Frazier)
Miller were married on May 12, 2012.
Tessa is a Caseworker for Bedford County
Children and Youth, and has started her own
scrapbooking business. The Millers live in
Osterburg, PA.

2012 Jessica (Rienow) White
-See White 2010

Benjamin and Kylie (Gardner ’12) Cheryl (Omlor) Colaianne was married Photos appear within or before the
August 2012. The Colaiannes reside in Irwin, PA. corresponding class note.

2007 Left to right: Gretchen (Williams) Wright ’10, Sara Williams ’15,
Dan Williams ’07, Micah Wright ‘09, Jared Williams ’09, Becca
Dan Williams has been named Geneva’s Director of Alumni
Relations, moving from internal positions as both Resident Area (Michalik) Williams ’07 with future alumni Jackson and Alena Williams 29
Coordinator and Coordinator of Campus Fitness. “Geneva is
a special institution that makes a tremendous impact on those
who have been here,” he says.

“But that impact isn’t a one-way street,

and it doesn’t end when people

graduate. I’m looking to enhance the

ways that alumni interact with Geneva

and encourage them to develop

a lifelong connection.”

class notes In Memoriam

30s F. Yvonne “Bonnie” (Deener ’45) Carlisle R. McPherson ’51
McCormick on December 30, 2012 on March 26, 2013
Edith Pohley ’32
on January 26, 2013 Ruth C. (Caven ’46) Johnston Philip R. Lindeman ’52
on January 13, 2013 on March 22, 2013
Amelia C. (Carothers ’33)
Haine on December 30, 2012 Mary Jo (Bennett ’46) Yohn Keith D. Beachem ’54
on March 11, 2013 on April 19, 2013
H. Ross Strohecker ’36
on April 5, 2013 Donald B. “Dutch” Allen ’48 Elmer C. Calvin Jr. ’54
on May 23, 2013 on January 3, 2013
Zelda W. (Wilner ’38)
Feinberg on April 1, 2013 Richard G. “Dick” Luce ’48 Donald R. Haswell ’54
on April 19, 2013 on February 26, 2013
Naomi K. (Kuhl ’38) Griffiths
on January 9, 2013 John S. “Jack” McIsaac Jr. ’48 George R. Reese Jr. ’54
on March 2, 2013 on February 10, 2013
Jean D. (Springer ’38)
Kratzert on December 19, 2012 Barbara R. (Ryan ’48) Ride William W. Young ’54
on February 6, 2013 on January 9, 2013
H Donald C. McCune Sr. ’38
on April 10, 2012 Eugene T. Rumisek ’48 Marie E. (Conner ’55) Teets
on December 17, 2012 on February 10, 2013
W. Scott Bliss ’39
on January 17, 2013 Mary D. (Daniel ’48) Smith Richard A. Riley ’57
on January 6, 2013 on May 21, 2013
James W. McJunkin Jr. ’39
on November 30, 2012 Dr. Jack J. Roush ’49 John D. Swogger ’57
on March 1, 2013 on December 25, 2012
40s
50s Joseph A. Violi ’57
Betty M. (Whitfield ’40) Turzan on May 22, 2013
on January 22, 2013 Julius P. “Julio” Cellini ’50
on January 13, 2013 James P. Davis ’58
Martha A. Osborne ’41 on March 18, 2013
on May 18, 2013 Geraldine E. (McDanel ’50)
Crouthamel on February 3, 2013 Robert Rex Downie Jr. ’58
C. Rahl George ’42 on April 10, 2013
on March 8, 2013 William McComb ’50
on January 14, 2013 Evalin R. Knowles ’58
Harry F. Zeigler ’43 on May 15, 2013
on January 11, 2013 Donald J. Pierce ’50
on March 12, 2013 Sarah M. “Sally” (Moores ’58)
Dr. Dale E. Hamilton ’44 Milne Wilmoth on November 12, 2012
on February 25, 2013 Harold G. Stang ’50
on February 8, 2013 David R. Patterson ’59
Helene F. (Leonard ’44) Plataz on January 30, 2013
on February 26, 2013 William J. Chontos ’51
on January 7, 2013 John H. Ripper ’59
Ethel E. Ewing ’45 on February 17, 2013
on May 5, 2013 Marjorie J. (Rollman ’51) Forsyth
on February 28, 2013
Ethel May Graff ’45
on April 15, 2013

30

H John L. Smith Jr. ’59 Allan J. “Baines” Lizzi ’74 Thomas P. Woolaway
on April 17, 2013 on February 19, 2013 on May 22, 2013

60s David Kenneth Cartwright ’75 Class Notes Information
on March 17, 2013
Roger G. Sigler ’60 To share your news, visit www.geneva.edu/
on February 15, 2013 Cheryl L. (Westfall ’78) class_notes and click on “Update Form.”
Froment on March 8, 2013 High-resolution pictures of at least three
Claude “Freddy” F. Frank ’61 megapixels in size may be submitted in
on February 4, 2013 80s JPEG format. You may also mail your
news and photos to:
Karen H. (Tudhope ’62) Smith Andrew Sariochek Jr. ’80 GENEVA COLLEGE
on February 10, 2013 on April 21, 2013 Office of Alumni Relations
3200 College Avenue
John G. Salakas ’63 Frank Thomas “Tom” Rudman Beaver Falls, PA 15010
on August 18, 2012 Jr. ’85 on March 3, 2013
Inclusion of all items in Class Notes is at the
Ronald G. Sisson ’63 David S. Kluis ’87 discretion of Geneva College, in accordance
on December 27, 2012 on May 16, 2013 with the community standards of the institution.

Joseph T. Bodalec Jr. ’64 90s DHenoetersitmaegmebeSrs ofotcheiety,
on January 7, 2013
Stanley Pugh ’95 (DCP #046) which recognizes the valuable
Dr. William E. Irion ’64 on April 17, 2013 contributions of alumni and
on January 11, 2013 friends who include Geneva
Justin J. Elle ’96 in their estate and/or financial
Virginia J. “Jinny” (Jusczak on April 23, 2013 plans by gifts made through
’64) Spann on May 8, 2013 annuities, charitable trusts, gifts
Thomas A. Rupert ’98 (DCP of life estates, undivided partial
Robert W. Anderson Sr. ’65 #084) on April 1, 2013 interests in real estate or life
on May 3, 2013 insurance, and gifts made
00s through their will.
Ernest A. “Ernie” Dally Jr. ’68
on April 6, 2013 Janice G. Lape ’03 (DCP #162) 31
on February 14, 2013
70s
Friends
Michael J. Carnahan ’70
on April 27, 2013 Dr. Frances E. (White) Ewbank
on March 16, 2013
Dr. Karen L. Hornung ’70
on March 25, 2013 Richard R. Hammond
on April 6, 2013
Kenneth L. Knight Sr. ’70
on February 21, 2013 Kathryn L. “Kitty” (Shotsinger)
McGraw on January 2, 2013
Mary (Nuccetelli ’73) Graff
on May 3, 2013 Elsie C. (Check) Passavant
on May 3, 2013
Thomas M. Slick ’73
on February 13, 2013

in conclusion

At the end of the spring 2013 semester, Geneva said goodbye to a
number of long-time members of the campus community who retired.
We thank them for their years of service to the college, and pray that
they will experience the Lord’s blessings in all of their future endeavors.

Linda Bognoski Betty Iben
Adult Degree Completion Program Office Coordinator Director of Donor Services
Retired after 17 years of service Retired after 23 years of service

“Linda has been the primary voice of the Adult Degree “As we all have experienced, Betty has been an integral
Completion Program to those who phone our office; member of the Geneva community and the Institutional
staff and students alike will miss her cheerful greeting.” Advancement team. It has been a blessing to serve
—Dr. Ralph Phillips with and learn from Betty.”
Assistant Dean for Adult and Continuing Education – Dr. Jeff Jones

VP of Advancement

Dr. Pete Croisant Dr. Dean Smith
Assistant Professor Communication Chair of the Dept. of Bible, Christian Ministries & Philosophy
Retired after 30 years of service Retired after 23 years of service

“Pete will always be remembered by his whistle, which “Every one of us now working in the department had
reflected the joy in his heart. Students often remarked been brought in during his leadership, which balanced
about how Pete’s love for the Lord was evident in his personal involvement and care with encouragement
life and work.” and breathing room to grow.” 
– Professor Susan Layton – Dr. Jonathan Watt
Chair of the Dept. of Communication Chair of the Dept. of Bible, Christian Ministries & Philosophy

Dr. Suhail Hanna Bonnie Willson
Professor of English Data Entry Specialist
Retired after 31 years of service Retired after 27 years of service

“His Christian witness coupled with his wit made him “In many ways, a Geneva student begins their academic
a favorite professor of many students. He will be career with Bonnie! It has been an honor serving with
greatly missed by his students and, most especially, Bonnie and we will certainly miss her positive attitude
by his colleagues.” and joyful spirit.”
– Dr. Lynda Szabo —Roger Blevins

Chair of the Dept. of English Assistant Director of Admissions

32

HGoE NmEeVAc oC OmL L EnG gE

OC TO B E R 1 92013reunion CLASSES 2008, 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1983, 1973 www.geneva.edu/homecoming

geneva across america

The team’s coast-to-coast adventure was an overwhelming success!

Read about the “experience of a lifetime” in the Winter issue of Geneva Magazine.

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