Geneva Magazine Summer 2019

GENEVA SUMMER 2019
MAGAZINE
Pro Christo et Patria Edition
Prepared and Sent Out

FROM THE PRESIDENT

CALVIN L. TROUP

I often ask people what books they return to regularly something of us long before any of us ever enrolled
at Geneva. His good purposes have been established
as guideposts within their Christian calling.Within and certain from before the foundation of the world.
Christian higher education, I have relied upon A However, as students and alumni, we work out His
Christian Critique of the University, by Dr. Charles purposes for our salvation with fear and trembling,
Habib Malik. In the introduction of the book, Malik says, looking for the good works He has prepared in advance
that we might walk in them.
Since the university determines the course And so, the seal of the college continues today to place
of events and the destiny of man more than students and alumni where we can hear God’s call, and
any other institution or agency today, it is to position us well, not to be conformed to this world,
impossible for the Christian not to ask the but be transformed by the renewing of our minds—that
question:What does Jesus Christ think of the we might know the will of God.
university? To a Christian this question is an Christ alone, as the one master teacher, possesses the
absolute imperative. transforming power of true education. At Geneva, we
continue to strive to listen to Him pro Christo et patria.
Of basic condition of the modern university, Malik
concludes,“Christ cannot possibly be pleased.” Calvin L.Troup, PhD
President
A generation earlier, C.S. Lewis wrote that modern
people are prone to ask,“What are we to make of
Jesus Christ?” Malik suggests that modern universities
have been asking this question with an agenda—to
swerve away from Christ, Jesus himself.“There is always
something else put forward to make us forget him:
justice, science, culture, prosperity, pleasure, serenity,
peace.The important thing is to replace him…”

Nearly 40 years later, we see collegiate education
swerving away from Christ at an alarming rate. Malik’s
critique points us to the heart of the problem: it’s
personal, not political or intellectual.The educational
establishment objects to Christ.

In this sense, we work to keep Geneva College
serving faithfully as a thoughtfully counter-cultural
institution—a ministry of education that educates our
present generation of students pro Christo et patria.
And we trust that with the Lord’s help we can together
deliver this heritage faithfully to future generations.

At the conclusion of his essay, C.S. Lewis says that the
central question of our lives applies Malik’s question of
the university to each one of us in person.The question
is not,“What are we to make of Jesus Christ?” but rather,
“What will Jesus Christ make of us?” To be sealed
as Geneva alumni puts us on course to discover the
answer over and over again, because as Geneva alumni,
we are “for Christ and country” and committed to
pursue the totality of our life’s work under the Bible—
the word of Christ.

Of course, we believe that Christ began to make

1 GENEVA MAGAZINE

GENEVA
MAGAZINE

3 15 SUMMER 2019
17
Geneva Magazine is published
two times per year for Geneva
College alumni, donors, students
and parents. It showcases the
college and its constituents 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
MARVIN DEWEY, PHD, EDD
CHERYL JOHNSTON
DAVE LAYTON ’88
KELLY SANZARI, MA
RICHARD TALBERT, PHD
CALVIN L. TROUP ’83, PHD
VAN ZANIC ’93
JAMIE SWANK, JD

WRITERS
OLIVIA FORTON ’19
JACOB YARNELL ’19
KATHARYNE REITSMA ’20
EMILY WALKER ’20
JESSICA WILSON ’21

PHOTOGRAPHERS
CHRISTY MARTIN ’16
ABIGAIL BANKES ’19
ALAINA COTTAGE ’22
OLIVIA FORTON ’19
GREG MEILANDER ’19
MEGAN SCHOENEWEIS ’19
RACHEL KOONTZ ’20

1 From the President 15 George Tannehill ’46 leaves Geneva 26 Sprinting to Success
3 The John H. Gerstner Project $6M Planned Gift 27 Athletic News
7 On Campus/Community Involvement 29 In Memoriam
17 Prepared and Sent Out: Service Pro
Christo et Patria

20 From Mechanical to Medical

13 Commencement Address by 21 Campus News 31 Class Notes
Dr. Stephen J. Nichols

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

Much More than Preserving Books

Geneva Dedicates the John H. Gerstner Collection for God’s Glory

By Olivia Forton ‘19 and Cheryl Johnston

In early May 2019, Geneva College welcomed extensive resources
for public access at
esteemed guests from near and far to campus for the Geneva College.The
John H. Gerstner Collection Dedication.This dedication collection will greatly
celebrated the newly installed Gerstner Collection benefit Geneva students
on the main floor of McCartney Library. A Harvard and faculty as well as
graduate, Dr. Gerstner was a renowned theologian theological scholars
who mentored R. C. Sproul and many others, authored from across the country
dozens of books and contributed significantly to interested in apologetics,
Reformed Theology in the 20th century. He also Jonathan Edwards, and
regularly taught at Geneva and spoke at chapel. biblical inerrancy among
other scholarly emphases
Dr. Gerstner’s family donated his collection of works, in Dr. Gerstner’s work.This
private and published writings, study notes, video and

3 GENEVA MAGAZINE

valued collection is expected to
benefit novices and advanced
theologians alike, particularly
those working in the
Reformed tradition.

Geneva College

President Dr. Calvin

L.Troup remarked

that it’s a wonderful

blessing for Geneva

College to have

such a collection

that aligns with the

“college’s mission. We need to pass along to
the next generation the gift
“We are not here to
preserve books.We’re that John Gerstner gave the
here to help young
people understand
that Christ has claims

on every aspect of students that he taught.”

their lives.We need to

pass along to the next - Calvin L.Troup, PhD
generation the gift that

John Gerstner gave The Gerstner Symposium, moderated by Reformed
the students that he Presbyterian Theological Seminary President Dr.
taught – helping them Barry York, investigated the topic,“What questions
to be believers thinking, and contributions of note make the work of John H.
believers living before God Gerstner merit continuing study?” A panel of three
and giving Him their lives.” contributors who knew Dr. Gerstner well participated

The events marking the in the discussion:

opening of the Gerstner • Dr.Art Lindsley,Vice President of Theological Initiatives
Collection were held over at the Institute for Faith Works & Economics
Commencement weekend and

included a Gerstner Symposium, • Dr. David Coffin, Senior Pastor of New Hope

Dedication and Pastor’s Luncheon. Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fairfax,VA

4

• Dr. Mark Ross, the John R. DeWitt Professor of Vesta Sproul The Genevans under the
Systematic Theology and Director of the Institute Dr. Stephen J. Nichols direction of Dr. Kenneth Smith
for Reformed Worship at Erskine Theological
Seminary in Columbia, SC

An overflowing crowd gathered under a large tent
beside McCartney Library for the Dedication. At this
event, Dr. Stephen Nichols, President of Reformation
Bible College and Chief Academic Officer of Ligonier
Ministries, noted,“John Gerstner was an evangelist to
academia – a respected scholar with the boldness of a
reformer to speak the truth in love.”

“ John Gerstner
was an evangelist
to academia.”
Left to Right: Dr. David Coffin, Dr. Art Lindsley, Dr. Mark Ross, Dr. Barry York
- Stephen J. Nichols, PhD

“In a time of great controversy in the 60s and 70s, when
denominations were caving… he was uncompromising,
a warrior, standing strong and rooted. He was not only
confessional but convictional confessional.”

With the Gerstner Collection located at Geneva Dr. Jonathan Gerstner, Dr. Calvin L. Troup
College, that heritage will live on, observed Dr. Nichols.
“Like Gerstner’s own students, Geneva students will Church in Ligonier, PA, shared remembrances. Dr. John
find these manuscripts and books and get a little steel “Jack” White ’58, President Emeritus of Geneva and a
in their spine, a little encouragement from the legacy contemporary of Dr. Gerstner’s, gave the Dedication.
of John Gerstner. Scholars will come here to discover (See the Q&A on page 6.)
more about Apologetics as a Reformed position. And
pastors will realize there is a little book that places Fittingly, the Dedication events ended with a Pastor’s
them in the presence of Jesus Christ – and enables Luncheon, featuring a challenge to God’s front line of today
them to lead their congregation right to Him. I trust to be diligent in conveying the gospel to the world and
that God will use the materials and the space we raising up disciples in Christ’s name – a cause to which Dr.
dedicate today to the praise of His glory.” Gerstner devoted his life. Dr. Nichols gave the message for
pastors and all who gathered at the luncheon.
Dr. Byron Curtis, who studied under Dr. Gerstner, is a
Geneva College Professor of Biblical Studies, writes Those who would like to experience the robust works
music and talked a bit about an anthem he penned, and materials comprising the Dr. John H. Gerstner
“Soli Deo Gloria.” The title, he explained, means “To Collection are invited to visit the room that houses the
the Glory of God Alone” and is a motto he heard many collection on the main floor of McCartney Library. For
times from the lips of Dr. Gerstner. It is also part of the more information or to view the webcast of the John H.
Latin translation of one of Dr. Gerstner’s favorite verses Gerstner Collection Dedication, go to
of scripture, 1 Timothy 1:17.The Genevans, the college’s www.geneva.edu/gerstner. G
official choir, brought the anthem to life by singing two
of the movements from “Soli Deo Gloria.”

Dr. Gerstner’s son, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Gerstner, and his
pastor, Rev. David Kenyon from Pioneer Presbyterian

5 GENEVA MAGAZINE

Q&A with Jack White
on John H. Gerstner

By Katharyne Reitsma ‘20

Dr. John H.“Jack”White ’58,

former Geneva College President,
knew Dr. John H. Gerstner and
talked about Dr. Gerstner’s
relationship with Geneva, his
influence and the collection.

Q: How did you come to know
Dr. John H. Gerstner?

A: Dr. Gerstner played a part

in my coming to faith. In 1954,

I was not a believer, but my

roommate John Russell took me

to a service at College Hill RP

Church at which Dr. Gerstner

was preaching. He was a very,

very dynamic speaker in the Rev. David Kenyon, Dr. John H. “Jack” White, and Dr. Jonathan Gerstner
pedagogical style. He preached a

famous series of sermons,“Hell: Q: How did the Gerstner Collection find its way to
What It Is,”“Hell:Who’s Going There” and “Hell: How Geneva?
to Escape.” These sermons were very significant in my

coming to faith. Later, I was a student of Dr. Gerstner’s A: The collection was housed in a warehouse not
in two classes at Xenia Seminary in Pittsburgh. I got available to anyone. Dr.Troup and I agreed that the
to know him quite well. He was one of the most most appropriate place for a trove like this should be
noted scholars of Jonathan Edwards in the evangelical at an institution that loved the biblical and Reformed
community. Theology that is represented by Dr. Gerstner’s ministry

Q: What were Dr. Gerstner’s connections to Geneva? and teaching.A decision was made by the family to give
the collection to Geneva College and make it publicly
A: While I was working at College Hill RP Church, I available.
asked Dr. Gerstner to teach a Sunday School class for
students one day a week for four weeks each year. Q: What influence do you expect the Gerstner
When I went to Geneva, I also had him teach short Collection to have?

courses on the Bible each year. And he preached in A: I think it will be a place for local pastors and lay folk
chapel several times in the 1970s and 1980s. His robust to come and be informed and inspired by Dr. Gerstner’s
Reformed and Calvinistic teaching helped to shape teaching through the years.They will be able to sit and
Geneva into a college that had that same love. enjoy the many, and there are many, DVDs, audiotapes,

Q: What was Dr. Gerstner most passionate about? etc. And then, there are very precious books and notes

A: It was a combination of two things: First and about his substantial study of Jonathan Edwards. For
most importantly, he wanted people to know Jesus
personally. And secondly, he wanted people, believers, Geneva students and scholars from across America,
to know and love sound, biblical theology.
there will be an opportunity to study primary sources

of one of the foremost Reformed scholars of the 20th
century right here at Geneva College. G

6

ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Douglas/Paton Fund

Geneva announces the creation of the Douglas-Paton Dr. Kevin J. Vanhoozer
Humanities Fund in honor of professors Betty Douglas
and Ann Paton, key architects of Geneva’s Humanities Dr. Kevin J. Vanhoozer was a chapel speaker and
program. They were integral in the creation of the 2019 Vos Memorial Lecturer with a message entitled,
Humanities core, launched in 1969. This endowed “Staurology, Ontology, and the Travail of Biblical
fund provides funds for field trips, guest speakers Narrative.” Dr. Vanhoozer is a Theologian and
and other resources. The chair of the Humanities Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity
Program, in consultation with the Provost, determines Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. He earned
how these funds will be used each year. Alumni are his BA from Westmont College, his MDiv from
invited to participate in helping Geneva establish the Westminster Theological Seminary and his PhD at
Douglas-Paton Humanities Fund with a one-time gift or Cambridge University in England.
commitment over one to two years.

Ann Paton, PhD Betty Douglas Vos Reprint

Hartman/Myers Scholarship Geneva College
announces the June
Eddie Hartman and Keith Myers, two beloved 2019 availability of a
graduates from the class of ‘83, are memorialized new reprint of The Book
along with other graduates lost from the class of of Books from Crown
1983 through the Eddie Hartman and Keith Myers & Covenant Publishers.
Memorial Scholarship Endowment. This endowment The Book of Books is
was made possible through the contributions of Calvin a collection of essays
‘83 and Amy (Spears ‘83) Troup and Andrew ’83 and about the primacy and
Jane (MacDonald ‘85) Bernard, who together have vitality of the Word of
committed $75,000 in seed money over the next four God. The clear message
years to this endowment. Alumni are encouraged to aid is to love, to know and
in this effort to meet or exceed a memorial endowment to follow God's written
goal of $150,000, an amount that will produce Word. The book was first assembled in 1978 to
$6,000 in annual scholarships for Geneva students. honor beloved Professor J.G. Vos—Bible teacher,
Reformed theologian, pastor and missionary—and his
passionate work for God's kingdom.

Contributors include Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Cornelius
Van Til, J.G. Vos and John H. White. New to this
edition: a photograph section; a new preface; an
introduction that explores the effects of Vos’s time in
China on today’s burgeoning Chinese church. Learn
more by visiting crownandcovenant.com, calling
412-241-0436 or visiting the purchase page at
Crownandcovenant.com/product_p/bs231.htm.

Keith Myers Eddie Hartman

7 GENEVA MAGAZINE

ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

City-College Alliance between the Geneva campus and the Beaver Falls
business corridor, the South Campus Project, which will
Intentionality and connection is important to Geneva. renovate the city-college boundary of campus through
As the largest employer in Beaver Falls, Geneva the generous donations of friends and a grant from the
invests and collaborates with the city to work toward Commonwealth Finance Authority; and partnering with
the flourishing of the community as a whole. Geneva’s Communicycle, a bike sharing community allowing
motto – Pro Christo et Patria – is not just a motto; it is students to travel on and off campus.
a mandate to live for Christ and country, to invest in
the surrounding community, to build, encourage and Geneva also started the Beaver Falls Fellows Program,
strengthen it. which provides a quality Christian education to
qualified Beaver Falls High School graduates at no
“The Lord brought us here,” shares President Calvin L. cost. Officers from the city’s police force earn their
Troup concerning Geneva’s move from Northwood, criminal justice degrees at Geneva and invest in the
OH to Beaver Falls in 1880. Invited into an already college while earning vital field experience doing
established community, Geneva sits on gifted land from security work on campus.
the Harmony Society. Since then, the histories of Beaver
Falls and Geneva have been integrally intertwined. These are just some of the many ways that Geneva
and Beaver Falls are working together to form a
Therefore, the Board of Trustees formed the City- city of connection, communication and community.
College Alliance with Beaver Falls. At its heart, the Through the City-College Alliance, community
mission of this alliance is to establish a partnership to members can work toward fulfilling Jeremiah 29:7,
intentionally collaborate, establish new connections “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you,”
and support current ones. Tangible examples are and through seeking the welfare, through intentional
the newly opened 1.78-mile Walk Beaver Falls Trail investment, all will be blessed.

Harlem Globetrotters Dazzle Geneva Community

Geneva College brought together a couple thousand people from surrounding communities in Metheny
Fieldhouse on February 5 for The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters and their “Fan Powered World Tour.” Fans
of all ages and backgrounds communed in cheers and laughter at the showcase of iconic basketball talents,
tricks, jokes and entertainment. One section of the gym was devoted to honoring Special Olympics participants.
Local Boy Scout troops and youth basketball teams joined the festivities. At halftime the Blackhawk High School
choir performed, youth basketball players played a game, and students from Central Elementary School enjoyed
a once-in-a-lifetime experience by intermingling with the Globetrotters on the court and posing for a picture with
their school banner. It was a memorable community-building event.

8

ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

South Campus Spruce Up

Geneva embarks on the next phase of Expanding Tolkien & Lewis Performed at
Our Edge 2.0 with a focus on improvements to the Geneva
southern end of campus where it meets the City of
Beaver Falls. Playwright and actor David Payne’s production, Tolkien
Improvements will include new black iron rod fencing & Lewis: Wardrobes & Rings, was staged in Geneva’s
to match Reeves Field, as well as a new entrance to John White Chapel during two performances in
the Merriman Athletic Complex. New signage will January. The work explores the friendship of the two
adorn the bleachers of the Track and Field Complex. lions of twentieth century British fantasy writing. The
In addition, improved lighting will brighten a new, Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis) and The Lord of the Rings
wider sidewalk bordering PA Route 18. The more (Tolkien) reached millions of readers, young and old
appealing south campus will present a better athletic alike, with mystifying adventures to entertain and deep
environment and a safer and more inviting space for truths to move people's hearts. They were also Oxford
walking. University faculty members, participants in a literary
group known as the Inklings and friends who had their
Dr. Christopher Yuan Addresses share of disagreements and estrangement. In the play,
Singleness and Homosexuality audiences joined "Jack" and "Tollers," as they knew
each other, at Oxford's historic Eagle and Child Pub for
Dr. Christopher Yuan, renowned Christian speaker one last visit, tempered by thawing humor, confession
on faith and sexuality, spoke at two Geneva College and reconciliation.
events this February 27. In Chapel, Yuan shared his
struggle with homosexuality and journey to victory Shooting Victim Robbie Tolan
through Christ in his sermon titled, “Redeeming Tells His Tale
Biblical Singleness.” He ended his testimony with a
message to Christian singles on the goodness, holiness The Geneva College Criminal Justice Club hosted
and eternality of singleness. That evening, Yuan gave speaker Robbie Tolan on February 15, 2019. Tolan,
a lecture, “A Christian Response to Homosexuality” for author of the book No Justice: One White Police
the Geneva Visiting Artist & Lecture Series (GVALS). Officer, One Black Family, and How One Bullet
Yuan is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute Ripped Us Apart, shared his experience as a survivor
and author of multiple books including, Out of a Far of a 2008 police shooting and the legal process that
Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken followed. Son of a major league baseball player,
Mother’s Search for Hope. Tolan described himself as an advocate for victims of
police brutality. Tolan says, “God put me here for a
reason; He spared my life for a purpose. I can’t be
selfish in this second chance that I’ve been given.”

9 GENEVA MAGAZINE

ON-CAMPUS / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Concerts Captivate Christian Community

Geneva contributed to the Christian community’s praise of God through music in two March concerts.

The college hosted Big Daddy Weave, popular Christian contemporary music group, in a concert bringing
together nearly 2,000 Christian music fans from the surrounding communities in Metheny Fieldhouse. Lead singer
Mike Weaver and bandmates performed best-selling songs like “Redeemed,” “The Lion and the Lamb” and
“Overwhelmed” from their catalog, developed over a 20-year career. As is their custom, the band spent time after
the concert greeting, listening to and praying with concert goers.

Geneva sponsored Christian contemporary artists Casting Crowns’ concert at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena.
Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing Tony Turner, EdD, spoke from the stage about Geneva’s mission, and
thousands of attendees received information about a Christ-centered Geneva education and a gift.

Snell & Kaemingk Lecture on for Public Justice and author of the book Christian
Political Philosophy Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in an Age of Fear
(Eerdmans, 2018).
The Bitar Memorial Lecture Series welcomed Dr. R.J. Both lecturers also held classes for Geneva students
Snell and Dr. Matthew Kaemingk to speak on two and engaged informally in philosophical conversation
complementary approaches to political theology. with them.
On February 6, Snell spoke on “The Law of Love:
A Classical Approach to Political Theology.” While Dr. R.J. Snell
Snell emphasized the classical, Kaemingk focused
on the Reformed approach, giving his lecture,
“The Cross, the Crown, and our Muslim Neighbor:
A Reformed Approach to Political Theology,” on
March 27.

Dr. Snell is Director of Academic Programs at the
Witherspoon Institute in Princeton, NJ and has
authored many books including The Perspective
of Love: Natural Law in a New Mode (Pickwick,
2014). Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller
Seminary, Dr. Kaemingk is an ordained minister in
the Christian Reformed Church, Fellow for the Center

10

COMMENCEMENT
MAY 11, 2019
27



a few moments to bring you a charge
from God’s word.

by Dr. Stephen J. Nichols This is a text in Deuteronomy
chapter six, and we find ourselves in
Deuteronomy chapter six in a time
of transition, a time of anticipation, of
what’s next for the nation Israel. And
we hear these words, Deuteronomy 6:
10-13.

“And when the Lord your God brings
you into the land that he swore to
your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and
to Jacob, to give you - with great and
good cities that you did not build, and
houses full of all good things that you
did not fill, and cisterns that you did
not dig, and vineyards and olive trees
that you did not plant - and when you
eat and are full, then take care, lest
you forget the Lord, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the
house of slavery. It is the Lord your
God you shall fear. Him you shall serve
by his name you shall swear.”

This is a richly textured text. As I read

this text, all sorts of images come to

mind, images of cities and the ancient

land of Canaan, with houses that

Excerpted From Dr. Nichol’s Geneva College are full of furniture and wares and

Commencement Address, May 11, 2019 supplies that are needed and at wells,

cisterns, and vineyards, and olive trees.

It’s been a real joy for us to be on your campus. It’s We very clearly see what is expected of Israel when

my first time on your campus, though I am a Western they get into this land of Canaan the foundational,

Pennsylvania native. And I bring greetings to you from fundamental activity of how they are to respond to God

Ligonier ministries. Also accompanying me is Vesta and what God demands of them.

Sproul, the wife of R.C. Sproul, and greetings, Dr.Troup On the one hand you have remembering; remember,
and administration, to you faculty, to you honored the key here is,“then take care lest you forget.”
guests and family, and to you especially, graduates.

Now one thing you know, being at a college like And what flows from remembering is gratitude for all
Geneva, is that salvation is by faith alone, through grace these things that were done for us, that we did not do.
alone. But graduation is by works.
And from gratitude flows dependence, the realization
And you have earned this moment, and I trust that you that we could not do these things without the
will savor this moment of celebration. Please allow me assistance of others, and ultimately without the
faithfulness of the God of Abraham and the God of
SPEAKER Isaac and the God of Jacob.

Dr. Stephen J. Nichols And then from that gratitude and dependence, we fear
God.We have that proper perspective on who He is,
• President of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, FL and who we are.We order all of our lives and every
• Chief Academic Officer of Ligonier Ministries aspect of our lives along that relationship.
• Author of 20 books including Beyond the 95 Theses and Jesus

Made in America
• Blogger, podcast host of 5 Minutes in Church History and

Open Book.

13 GENEVA MAGAZINE

We have a very clear task: we serve Him, and we give Him may very well be generations who come after you.

our exclusive allegiance, and we swear by no other name. What wells will you dig with your lives for those who

We remember, we are grateful, we are dependent.We fear will come after you?

God, we serve Him, and we show Him our allegiance. “ What wells will
you dig with your lives
On the other side is forgetting. Forgetting leads to
ingratitude.We forget what everyone has done for us
and the things that were provided for us, and so, we
cultivate a deeply rooted ingratitude, and that leads to

an independence.We are in this on our own, and we for those who will
need not the help of others.

Once ingratitude and independence take root, it leads come after you?”
us directly to pursuing little idols and our hearts wander
far from God.We stray, and we seek after other gods.

That’s the upshot of this text. And Israel is reminded Not only be grateful but have a proper ambition.
as they come into this land, they are to remember.The Ambition is sometimes one of those words that gets
part that sticks out to me is the wells. I love the idea abused easily, but ambition not need be unhealthy.
of the wells. I think about some of these wells. Do you If we are ambitious for ourselves, then yes. But if we
remember one of them was somewhere on the way to are ambitious for God, for His glory and for future
the wilderness of Sur? generations to know the God of Abraham, and Isaac and
Jacob, then that is a healthy ambition.
And there a well was not dug but it was discovered - it
was a spring. It was discovered by a woman and she And so, as you embark on what is next and as you move
was in a very desperate situation. And in this culture into to that next phase that God has for you, remember,
water means life.The absence of water means death. be grateful and realize that there may very well be
generations who come after you. And what are you
Here Hagar finds this spring, in the wilderness of Sur. leaving for them?
She’s led to it.

And as Israel went into the land, they were to Believe, love, fear, serve and obey Him.
remember that these wells were given to them - wells
that provided life and wells that told them stories, I encourage you to remember these words - To
stories of God’s faithfulness and even stories of God’s remember all that has been done for you, ultimately, by
faithfulness despite His people’s unfaithfulness and God through others, for you. Remember and be grateful.
quarreling and bickering.They were to learn something.
They were to learn gratitude for God. May you get to the end of your lives and may you say
that you have believed, you have feared, you have
Now, you know that as a graduate.You know that you served, that you have given your all and your whole
are not here without the help of others.You know that allegiance to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
you would not be here without your parents digging
deep wells for you throughout your life.And that you May God bless you with a life of faithfulness and a
would not be here were it not for the faculty who had life of fruitfulness. May God bless you graduates, 2019
dug deep wells for you to drink from. graduates of Geneva College.Thank you. G

We remember, and that causes us to be grateful. Watch the video...

And so, my charge to you firstly is remember and
be grateful. For from that gratitude will spring a
dependence upon God.And from that dependence
upon God will spring verse 13, fearing Him, serving
Him, and swearing your allegiance to Him and
demonstrating it in all of your life.

But let me encourage you not only to drink from wells To see the full commencement address, go to:
that others have dug, but let me remind you that there www.youtube.com/genevacollege

14

George Tannehill ’46 Leaves
Geneva $6 Million Planned Gift

By Jessica Wilson ‘21

George Tannehill ’46 served his community and started early when he enlisted in the Air Force reserves
in 1942, just one semester into his studies at Geneva.
his country well during his life, and by way of a He served in the Air Force for three years and spent 20
planned gift to Geneva College of around $6 million, months in Italy with the 775th bombardment squadron.
he continues to serve well. He received a Geneva Even while he was away, Geneva was still on his mind
Life “G”Alumni Award in 1994 for achievements of and in his heart.While he was overseas,Tannehill wrote,
service above self and noteworthy efforts on behalf of “I heard in [the] mid-Atlantic via radio that Geneva
Geneva, community and nation. He also received nine [football team] beat Westminster by 10 points.”
bronze stars and battle awards in his time in the Air
Force during World War II. Among his many military In the published work A History of the 775th
decorations and citations are a Good Conduct Medal, Bombardment Squadron, 463rd Heavy Bomb Group,
Distinguished Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Tannehill’s squadron is remembered as an all-American
European-African Middle East Service Medal, and U.S. outfit, proud patriots and possessing an unlimited will
Air Defense Medal. He retired from the U.S.Air Force to achieve.
Reserve on July 1, 1968 as a Major and Executive
Officer with the 911th Troop Carrier Wing, Greater After his service,Tannehill returned to Geneva,
Pittsburgh Airport. graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration. His education continued at
Tannehill’s service to Geneva, community and nation the University of Pennsylvania where he completed

15 GENEVA MAGAZINE

an MBA in 1948. His professional career began with The Life “G” Award Recipients
Koppers, Inc. as an Auditor for Procedures, but he was
later transferred and promoted to the Supervisor of The Life “G” Award, Geneva’s highest alumni honor,
Accounting and Procedures and eventually became is presented each year to a graduate for service
Comptroller.Tannehill served on assignment in Chile, above self, one who embodies the principles for
Colombia, Brazil,Venezuela, Egypt,Turkey, Philippines which Geneva stands and whose efforts on behalf of
and Australia during his time with Koppers. the college, the community and the nation have been
exemplary. The award is also a means of honoring
He married Beverly Bae Wally in 1972 at their long- alumni for exemplifying Geneva’s standards, mission
time church, First United Methodist Church.The and commitment to servant-leadership.
Tannehills were very invested in their church, serving
their community members, young and old, through At the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on
mentorship, Sunday school and leadership. George May 11, 2019, two recipients were honored with
Tannehill served on the board of directors for Jersey the Life “G” Award.
Settlement Cemetery for 30 years and served 15 years
F. Ann Paton ‘50 is from New
on the board of Asbury Heights Castle, PA and graduated
(Methodist) Retirement Home, from Shenango High School.
Mount Lebanon, PA, including At Geneva, she had a double
three years as its president. major in math and English,
sang in The Genevans,
He taught Sunday school for worked two jobs and
many years at First United graduated as valedictorian
Methodist Church, and in his of the Class of 1950. She
early life, also worked as an joined the Geneva faculty
in 1958, and she stayed until she retired in 1994.
Assistant Professor for The She was given the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Citadel, the Military College Her degrees are the Geneva BA, Master’s from the
of South Carolina in Charleston. In 1956, University of Pittsburgh, and PhD in Medieval British
he began teaching as a part-time professor at Geneva Literature from the University of Colorado. She loved
College and held this role for five years. classroom teaching and is thankful for the company
of scholarly people, united in their vision and
George Tannehill served God, community and country practice of Christian higher education.
wherever he was. During his service in the military,
the accolades and the stories of his valor tell of his Charles Ray Steele ‘52 was
courageous service. His dedication to his profession born in Western Pennsylvania
also led to successes in business, and he valued learning on January 29, 1925, the
and teaching.These types of service were clearly fifth child of Elmer and
present in Tannehill’s life as he sought to honor God Ernestine Steele. Ray enlisted
and neighbor through prayerful service. Upon his in the U.S. Army in 1943
passing in July 2018 at age 96, he gave one of the most and was a part of the Army
substantial monetary gifts Geneva has ever received, an Air Corps, flying raids over
estimated $6 million, to ensure a continued legacy of Nazi Germany from England.
service to future generations. G He was a flight engineer on
a B-24. He graduated with a business degree from
Geneva College in 1952. He and his wife, Barbara
Ann Baltzell ‘52, met while both were members of
the Geneva College Choir in Beaver Falls, PA. He
passed to his life eternal on January 31, 2019, two
days after his 94th birthday.

He was awarded the Life “G” posthumously.

16

Prepared and Sent Out:
Service Pro Christo et Patria

By Dani (Fitzgerald ’14) Brown

Geneva College’s motto,“Pro Christo et Patria,” management… I thought Geneva would be a good fit,”
he says.
articulates the college’s desire to prepare people to
serve God and serve others, for Christ and country. And it was. At Geneva, Jones sharpened his scriptural
In living out this motto, a virtuous pattern manifests knowledge and leadership foundation, and with his
– students come to Geneva to prepare to serve their continued work in the community, he became the City
neighbors, and then Geneva sends them to their Manager of Beaver Falls.
mission fields, whether they be professional vocations,
graduate schools, full-time ministries or others. “In my role as a Christian manager, I’m a real big fan
of servant leadership, and it’s so much more than the
For some Geneva graduates, the mission field is day-to-day tasks,” Jones says. “I probably spend a lot
thousands of miles away and for others, it’s close to more time with people, talking about their personal
home in the local community.That’s the way it was for challenges. And that’s crucial. It’s important to be there
Charles “Mick” Jones ’08 ADP, ’11 MSOL. for people and let them know you care.”

Jones, who has over 30 years of service under his belt, With his experience in the military and working as
served the local Beaver Falls community as a police a local police officer, Jones knows firsthand what
officer for more than two decades, eventually becoming brokenness looks like in the world. But as a believer, he
the city’s police chief. Jones also served in the U.S.Air says he has hope and can share that hope with others.
Force in both active duty in the ‘80s and in the reserves
in the ‘90s. “There’s a lot of brokenness in the world, and a lot of
people don’t know where that comes from,” Jones says.
Jones clearly knew how to serve before attending “You don’t always have to open up your Bible with
Geneva’s adult completion program in 2008 and later them, but you may be the only Bible somebody sees.”
receiving his master’s in organizational leadership. But
he says the college gave him the tools necessary to be a When Jones sees injustice in the city and is frequently
Christian servant leader. reminded of the sinfulness all around, he stays positive,
focuses on the good that’s also taking place and keeps
“Biblical study and good solid biblical principles in his eyes on things above.

17 GENEVA MAGAZINE

“I let my life be a sermon in itself,” he says. But overall, attending a college that prioritized trusting
the Lord through all circumstances had an impact she
Other Geneva alumni find themselves in similar relies on, especially on the harder days.
situations, being confronted by the brokenness of the
world yet seeking the Lord through it all. “A lot of days I really do lean on my faith and pray
for the students on my heart and the more needy
“ I let my life be a situations,” she reveals.“I’ve been in tears over a
sermon in itself.” student and giving it to God. I have to realize that I
have limitations, but I have to trust that God will be
Minnesota native Katie Thomas ’17 MA is one of those there for them and provide for them.”
folks. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling
from Geneva in 2017 and currently works as a school As a Geneva graduate student,Thomas says she
counselor in the Slippery Rock Area School District in especially valued learning from professors who
Butler County, PA. worked in a public school setting, but still remained
true to their Christian faith and ethical convictions.
While attending Geneva, she worked at an inpatient,
mental health facility serving the vulnerable in the local “Dr. Shannan Shiderly (a Professor and Chair of the
community. program) gave good, practical insight into the public
school setting, expectations and how to navigate it,”
Thomas explains.“As a school counselor, I’m a neutral
party. Dr. Shiderly’s insight and advice from her years
as a school counselor were very beneficial.”

What she learned hands-on in the community Now, as a school counselor herself, Thomas is an

coincided beautifully with her experiences at Geneva, advocate, a listener, a teacher, a supporter and a leader.

both in the classroom and working as an academic And through it all, she does so as a servant of God.

advisor in Geneva’s Student Success Center. “Counseling and my Christian faith are intertwined,”

“It all kind of played a part,” Thomas says. “I worked she says.“I can serve God by helping people and

in the mental health field and it’s been impactful as walking alongside them.”

a school counselor because I get the medical side of

counseling. I was also able to work as an academic

Counseling and my Christianadvisor. I enjoyed working one-on-one with Geneva

students and hearing what did and didn’t work for

“ faith are intertwined. I canthem.”
serve God by helping people

and walking alongside them.”

While Jones stayed nearby and Thomas came to
Geneva from far away, alumnus Dean Dinell ’15, who
earned a Geneva degree in Sociology in 2015, initially
decided to attend a college several counties away.

“The general consensus with high school students was
that once you graduate from Beaver Falls, you have
to move as far away as possible.You have to get away
from here,” Dinell says.“That was sort of the unspoken
rule, and I had fallen into that for a time.”

But Dinell said he felt called back to Beaver Falls and
Geneva College. He even packed up his things and drove
back to the city in the middle of the night, transferring
to Geneva and starting classes that same semester.

18

“Chapel, the mandatory Bible classes and other
opportunities were such an enriching experience. It
brought everything to light and confirmed to me who I
am as a Christian and what I believe in,” he says.

Now, four years after finishing his undergraduate
program at Geneva, Dinell ran for Beaver Falls City
Council and hopes to come alongside the good that’s
already taking place in the city.

Dinell says.“That service mindset has been instilled in
me, and I think I’ve found my calling.”

“ That service mindset
has been instilled in me,

and I think I’ve found

my calling.”

Through his studies at Geneva, especially his classes AUTHORHelping students hear and respond to God’s call in
with Dr. Brad Frey, Dinell started to see Beaver Falls in a their lives is a primary tenet of the Geneva College
whole new light – with less judgment and more grace. vision.Through vocational training and fostering
academic strength, Geneva prepares its graduates to
Dinell says the more he studied sociology and learned serve and sends them out regularly to all corners of the
from his professors at Geneva, he realized,“There are world to proclaim the Good News as they integrate
great things being done here in the community, and I faith and life. G
want to be a part of that.”
Dani (Fitzgerald ’14) Brown studied writing at Geneva
Attending Geneva was a turning point for Dinell, not College and worked for the college’s student-organized
only in his desire to serve the community, but to do so newspaper. She is a reporter for the Ellwood City Ledger and
because of his hope in Christ. Beaver County Times and also teaches English as a second
language to Chinese students online.
Although he was raised in a Christian home, Dinell
credits Geneva for really enhancing his faith.

LegacyGrantGENEVA COLLEGE’s To celebrate the importance of our legacy
families, we offer a legacy grant to

incoming students who have a parent or
grandparent who graduated from Geneva.

To see all of the legacy photos from this year’s For questions about the Legacy Grant, contact your
commencement ceremony, go to Geneva.edu/legacy. admissions counselor at 724-847-6500.

19 GENEVA MAGAZINE

From Mechanical to Medical

By Jessica Driscoll-Owens ‘14

Joshua Woolley ’03 looked like the perfect,

successful, soon-to-be Geneva graduate. He was
studying mechanical engineering, and with only
a semester standing in his way of graduation, he
already had job offers.“My last semester I felt
worried, anxious and depressed,”Woolley says.“I
knew something wasn’t right.”

During that semester, a friend invited Woolley to

hear a lecture by Dr. James Antaki at the University

of Pittsburgh on the engineering of artificial hearts.

The topic piqued Woolley’s interest, but the offer

of free pizza piqued it even more. Dr. Joshua Woolley ’03 is the recipient of the 2018 Geneva Alumni

This lecture turned out to be so much more than Distinguished Service Award, first author on multiple peer-reviewed
free pizza as Woolley talked with others about publications, first author for a book chapter in a physicians
textbook, an invited lecturer to numerous conferences and hospitals,

bioengineering and artificial heart research. He and an expert in Pediatric Anticoagulation.

began to realize that working with machines was While Woolley knew he had finally found his calling, he
not his calling. He enjoyed engineering but wanted to did not feel prepared for a PhD in Bioengineering or the
see his work directly impact the lives of those around lab work required for his degree. However, God saw him
him, through medicine, to serve God and neighbor through, and his Geneva degree gave him the flexibility
through his vocation. necessary to step up to the challenge. After applying to

A number of doors flung open for Woolley during this and being turned down by several labs for his internship,
time. It just so happened that Geneva’s Assistant Dean Woolley got accepted into his first-pick lab with William
of Students Joy (Morgan ’68) Jewell was familiar with Wagner. “I was so excited but nervous,”Woolley reveals.
the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) “We were studying how blood interacts with artificial
Artificial Heart Program because her husband, Paul heart and surfaces, but I knew nothing. My first day I was
Jewell ’68 received a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), on Wikipedia looking up platelets and such because I
which helped him remain healthy enough to later didn’t know anything about that.”

undergo a successful heart transplant. As Woolley approached the completion of his PhD

A VAD is a piece of hardware implanted in the heart Program, he accepted a position as Clinical Affairs
to assist blood flow to the body. “VADs are used to Specialist with Berlin Heart, Inc., at the time the only
provide support, pumping blood one ventricle at a time VAD provider for children.There, he provided clinical
until a heart transplant is available,” explains Woolley. support for children with VADs.“I cannot touch the
These devices allow the patient’s body to continue patients, but I assist the surgeon by telling them how
receiving a proper flow of blood, increasing the to do the surgery and ensure the device is attached
chances of a successful heart transplant. properly.” Woolley loved working with children, but
after implants in over 130 children, he thought it was

Woolley found this work fascinating and later accepted time to move on. He became interested in developing a

a part-time position in the Artificial Heart Program at better VAD device for children.

UPMC, his Geneva degree helping him make this new In 2017 Woolley accepted a new position as Director of
interest possible.“I had to work a full-time mechanical Clinical Affairs at NuPulseCV, an artificial heart startup
engineering job to pay the bills, but my real job was company. Here he began working on a Mechanical
working at the hospital,” Woolley explains.This job Circulatory Support device, which assists rather than
and the connections Woolley made during this time takes over the work of the left ventricle.“Our device is
led him to apply to the University of Pittsburgh’s easier to live with and has less complications than VADs,”
Bioengineering PhD program. Woolley says. It is currently awaiting FDA approval. G

20

CAMPUS NEWS

Jack White ‘58 Honored as a Dr. White was a student
Faithful Servant at RPTS from 1958-1961.
Later, he served on the
The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Board of Directors and
(RPTS) in Pittsburgh, PA, held their annual support Trustees. Dr. White says
dinner on Friday, March 22. At this event former that RPTS, especially Dr.
President of Geneva, Rev. Dr. John H. “Jack” White Bruce Wilson, “taught
‘58 was honored with the Faithful Servant Award. me about the lordship of
His service was highlighted in a video created by Christ over every area of
the Coalition for Christian Outreach from his years of life, a Biblical worldview
partnership with them. and Christian education.”
Dr. White says these
Dr. White joins 12 past recipients of this award. themes shaped him in
When thinking of potential award recipients, understanding Christ’s
President of RPTS Barry York said, “We look for claim on every area of
someone who has consistently served Christ and life, especially the area of education, and helped him
the church over a lifetime with fruitful ministry and fulfill roles at Geneva as a teacher, administrator and
maintained a Christ-like character in so doing.” Dr. later President from 1991 - 2004.
White displayed this kind of service and character
in his work both as a pastor and as the President While Dr. White was honored to be recognized
of Geneva College, as well as through his work in by RPTS as a Faithful Servant and is very grateful,
helping to establish ministries like: Beaver County he says, “As far as I’m concerned, this is too much
Christian School, the Center for Urban Biblical about White and not enough about God’s grace
Ministries and Tiger Pause. and glory. If it hadn’t been for His grace, none of the
opportunities that I had would have happened.”

Low Geneva Student The March Matchness giving challenge results are in!
Loan Default Rate Gets
Even Better 667 $250,193 $160,000

The three-year cohort student loan default Generous Donors Raised by Alumni, Matched by the
rate for students who graduated from
Geneva improved to 4.8% for 2016 (the Friends, Faculty, Staff Geneva College Trustees
latest data available). Geneva’s 2015
student loan default rate of 6.5% was 8% and Students & Advancement Board
better than the national average for private
colleges and nearly 40% better than the all- $410,193The Grand Total Raised...
school average. Thank You!
Geneva.edu/give
Geneva Director of Student Financial
Services, Allyson Grubb ‘04, ‘13 MSOL
says, “I believe the faithfulness of Geneva
families is the greatest reason for our
low loan default rate. In partnership with
these families, we offer personal loan exit
counseling, personal communication with
students and parents, and financial literacy
activities throughout the year.”

21 GENEVA MAGAZINE

CAMPUS NEWS

New Programs Approved

Geneva students will have new options of study for
majors, minors and concentrations:

Long Time Band Director Communication Design combines the visual arts with
Hangs Up Uniform the depth of communication scholarship and theory.
The major will prepare students by developing their
Donald Kephart, Geneva Band Director and Chair communication skills and providing hands-on design
of the Department of Music, has retired after 36 experiences.
years of service at Geneva College. Kephart, or
“Coach” as his students call him, has directed the Community Leadership, offered at Geneva’s Pittsburgh
Golden Tornadoes Marching Band since 1983. He Campus at the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry
was also inducted into the Beaver Valley Musicians’ beginning in January 2020, is a four-year program in
Hall of Fame in 2018 and won the Geneva College which students gain expertise in leading organizations
Excellence in Teaching award in 2005. Kephart has and institutions of various types.
served his students and colleagues with grace.
• BS, Actuarial Mathematics
Replacing Kephart as new Band Director will be • BS, Aviation Business Administration
Mark Godwin, who is currently band director at • BS, Computer Science/Cybersecurity Dual Degree
Union Area (New Castle) School District and owner • BA, Community Development
of Godwin Music Studio. He previously taught music • BS, Cybersecurity
at Aliquippa Schools. Godwin holds a Bachelor’s • BSBA, Finance
Degree in Music Education from Slippery Rock • Adult Development and Aging Services minor
University. He lives with his wife Maegan and two • Behavioral Health Science minor
children in Beaver, PA. • Children, Youth and Family Services minor
• Concentration in Information Technology (Business

Administration majors)
• Entrepreneurship minor (non-Business majors)
• Global Humanitarian Services minor
• Master’s in Education with School Counseling

Certification

New Song Announces Summer Tour

New Song, a special Geneva College music ministry, starts its 2019 summer tour June 22. This year’s group
consists of ten students: Lily Burgreen, James Lyu, Kyle O’Keefe, Grace Skarzynski, Joel Yoder, Elyn Snyder,
Jordan Kiesewetter, Matthew Munford, Ariadne Lewis and Annie Dawson. They will spend the summer
ministering to many people across the Midwest.

Saturday, June 22 - Dress Rehearsal Concert - Beaver Falls, PA Tuesday, July 9 - Lawrence, KS
Sunday, June 23 - Minerva, OH Wednesday, July 10 - Shawnee, KS
Monday, June 24 - Cincinnati, OH Thursday, July 11 - Clarinda, IA
Wednesday, June 26 - Sparta, IL Friday, July 12 - Washington, IA
Thursday, June 27 - Tulsa, OK Saturday, July 13 - Davenport, IA
Saturday, June 29 - Sterling, KS Sunday, July 14 - Janesville, WI
Monday, July 1 - Quinter, KS Tuesday, July 16 - Midland, MI
Friday, July 5 - Cheyenne, WY Thursday, July 18 - Lafayette, IN
Saturday, July 6 - Grand Island, NE Friday, July 19 - Pataskala, OH
Sunday, July 7 - Clay Center, KS Sunday, July 21 - Derry, PA
Monday, July 8 - Winchester, KS Monday, July 22 - Robinson Township, PA

For details, go to Geneva.edu/newsong.

22

CAMPUS NEWS

New Hires at Geneva College

Anthony Turner, EdD Mark Godwin

The Geneva community Geneva College is excited
welcomes Dr. Anthony (Tony) to hear the new sounds of
Turner as the new Vice President Mark Godwin as he joins the
of Enrollment and Marketing. community as the new Band
Dr. Turner joins Geneva from Director. Godwin has lived in
his previous position as Vice Beaver County his whole life,
President and Dean of Student attending Blackhawk High
Enrollment Services at Moody School. He earned a bachelor’s
Bible Institute of Chicago, IL. He has a Bachelor of degree in Music Education from Slippery Rock
Arts in Practical Christian Training from Bob Jones University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree
University, a Master of Arts in Evangelism and in Education Technology for Online Instruction from
Church Planting from Liberty University, and has just Slippery Rock. Godwin has served as the Band Director
completed a doctoral degree in Leadership in Higher at Aliquippa Area School District and then as the Union
Education from Northcentral University of Arizona. Area School District’s Band Director.

Michael Grinder Joe Calderoni

Michael Grinder, new Geneva Joe Calderoni also joined the
Women’s Basketball Head Geneva Community this year,
Coach, held the same position accepting the Events Manager
at the University of Pittsburgh position in the spring. He has a
at Titusville. Grinder received Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
a bachelor’s degree in Youth from Michigan State University
Ministry from Simson University, and worked for 30 years in
where he also played basketball. this field. He lives in Enon
After college, he moved to Palestine to play Valley with his wife and three of his four children,
professional basketball. He has coached basketball in all of whom are adopted. Calderoni is a member of
foreign countries for four years. Chippewa Alliance Church.

HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*

September 27-28, 2019 Ongoing FRI 9/27
12 p.m.
Reunion years: 1 - 4 p.m. Select Classes Open for Alumni to Attend
4 - 5 p.m. Golden Grads Reunion Luncheon
1959, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 6 - 8 p.m. Campus Tours
1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 8 p.m. Alumni Profession Panels

All Alumni Dinner and Alumni Awards Ceremony
The Genevans Concert

8 - 10:30 a.m. SAT 9/28
11 a.m.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Presidential Pancake Breakfast
1 - 2:30 p.m. The Genevans Concert
3 p.m. Class Reunions
6 - 8 p.m.
Academic & Affinity Reunions
Football Game vs. Waynesburg University

100 Years of Engineering Celebration

23 GENEVA MAGAZINE *For more events and information, visit:

Geneva.edu/homecoming

Af icionados
Honoring Christ Through the Arts

Building a Lasting Legacy

By Olivia Forton ‘19

Gifts from the senior class of 2018 and the
Geneva College Board of Trustees of $5,342
funded a new gazebo on the west lawn of Old
Main.

Built from poplar wood, the gazebo stands out as
a lasting legacy in a most visible part of campus.
Inside, lights hang among the trusses, shedding
warmth for an evening swing. The lights were
reclaimed from the sanctuary of an RP church,
purchased by the college in the early 2000s.
The octagonal structure, complete with six swings
facing inward, serves as a place of community
where all can come and swing, relax, chat, study
and enjoy the afternoon sun together.

Kelly Sanzari, Director of Alumni Relations, says,
“The seniors really wanted it to be a place where
people were able to gather.” And the gazebo is
already doing just that – fostering community.

The workmanship of Geneva employees is
evident in the new structure. Instrumental were
carpenter Rick Fleisher and engineer Dave Clark,
who drew the plans, including cuts, a parts list,
and dimensions, from photographs.

“Building the gazebo was a group effort,”
Fleisher states, with electricians, builders,
engineers, contractors and public coordinators all
playing integral roles in its completion.

24

I give to Geneva because the college was
very giving to me when I was a student. I

“ benefited from generous scholarship support
while at Geneva. I also have been blessed by
God, and He has called me to give back to
those who have graciously blessed me.”
- Nathan M. Danneker ’16
Geneva

Your loyalty to the Geneva
Fund year after year truly
makes an impact!

• Student tuition, room & board provides more
than 87% of the operating budget. Giving to the
Geneva Fund assists in filling the gap between
tuition/room/board and the college’s remaining
operating expenses.

• Your gift impacts students as they learn that
everything they do has an eternal impact.

• Alumni participation is vital! A higher alumni
rate of participation ranks Geneva higher
nationally in publications such as U.S. News &
World Report.

The Geneva Fund Goal for 2019-20 is $1,185,000 and
an increase in the number of alumni donors by 300.

Make an impact early in the new giving year, and
make your gift today. Your participation now will
help us keep Geneva strong.

Geneva.edu/give

25

Sprinting to Success

By Chris Mathews ‘00 talent. He’s a natural leader, and teammates just
gravitate to him. He’s a key reason why we’ve had the
Senior Aaron Tedys grew up as a standout success we’ve had, and he’s going to have great success
at whatever he chooses to do in the future. I love him
athlete in football and track and field at nearby like one of my own kids.”
Riverside High School. When it came time
to pick a college,Tedys chose a school about Tedys says the impact Geneva has had on him goes far
two hours away that had recruited him to play beyond athletics. “I’m so glad I came here,” he says.
football. However, after one semester, Tedys “The relationships I’ve built and the friends that I’ve
realized it was not what he was looking for, and made have been tremendous. I wanted to surround
he decided to transfer. myself with Christians, and this place is full of them.
The people here support you. They care for you. You’re
“I wanted to be in a Christian environment, not always going to make the best decisions sometimes,
and I wanted to be close to home,” says Tedys. so you need people around you to encourage you, and
“I wish I had focused a little more on Geneva correct you when you need it. Geneva has done that
coming out of high school, but that semester for me.”
away helped me mature and figure out what
was really important to me.” Tedys already has a job lined up after graduation.
Through a series of connections,Tedys accepted a
Tedys knew about Geneva and its Christian community, position as an assistant track coach at a college in
and he felt it would be a good fit to continue his Missouri. Coach Thompson has had a big impact on
college career. He had a couple high school friends Tedys, and Tedys hopes to emulate Coach Thompson in
who were already at Geneva, and they spoke very many ways.
highly of the school. He thought about joining the
football team, but he felt it might be best to leave “Coach Thompson represents what a coach should
athletics behind and focus on his academics. be,” says Tedys. “He’s not afraid to be hard on you
sometimes, but you always know that he’s doing it for
A week after Tedys arrived on Geneva’s campus, he your good. He knows how to coach you but also how
got a call from Track and Field Coach Phil Thompson, to be a father figure at times as well, showing care for
who convinced him to come to a track practice before his athletes as people.
making a decision. Tedys eventually agreed, showing up
at the next practice, and everything clicked from there. “Where I’m going isn’t a Christian school, but hopefully
I can build those types of relationships that can impact
His first season,Tedys ran well, and the team finished people’s lives the way I’ve been impacted. Geneva has
in the middle of the conference standings. Coming done really a good job of integrating faith into all of my
into his sophomore year, Geneva had a strong group of classes, my athletics and my friendships, and I hope to
upperclassmen returning, with Tedys as a key member. be able to offer the same thing to the students I get to
Coach Thompson felt the team was on the cusp of work with.” G
something special, and his optimism proved accurate.

Geneva won its first Presidents’Athletic Conference
(PAC) Championship in track and field during the
outdoor season in 2017. Tedys won the 400m race and
ran on the winning 4x100m relay as well as earning
points in the 200m and 4x400m relay. It would prove
to be only the beginning of winning for Tedys and the
Golden Tornadoes.

Over the past two seasons, Geneva has added to its
trophy case with two Indoor PAC Championships and
two more Outdoor PAC Championships, making it five
straight conference championships for the Golden
Tornadoes. Tedys has been a big reason why.

“Aaron is such a tremendous athlete,” says Coach
Thompson. “It’s rare you get to coach a kid of his

26

ATHLETIC NEWS

By Chris Mathews ‘00

Celebrating Athletic Excellence

Men’s Track Quinn McCracken TEN HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018-19

Trewon Marshall 1. The Geneva College men’s track and field program won its
Josh Duffie fourth and fifth straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC)
championships this past season. The Golden Tornadoes easily
won the indoor championship in February, and they cruised to the
outdoor championship in April by almost 80 points. The program
has been led by a standout senior class, who have put their mark
on the program with their excellence over the past four seasons.
Head Coach Phil Thompson also received his fifth straight PAC
Men’s Coach of the Year award after the outdoor season.

2. Senior Trewon Marshall finished his storied career at Geneva by
being named the PAC Offensive Football Player of the Year. He
broke Geneva’s all-time career rushing record in the fall, finishing
with 4,263 yards. His single-season total this year of 1,716 yards
is second all-time in school history, and he finished his career with
a 286-yard effort, the second highest single-game total in school
history.

3. Senior Josh Duffie was named the top runner in the conference
for his performance during both the indoor and outdoor track and
field seasons. Duffie was named the PAC Indoor Most Outstanding
Men’s Performer at the PAC Indoor Championship, and he followed
that up by being named the PAC Outdoor Most Outstanding Men’s
Performer at the PAC Outdoor Championship. He holds multiple
school records in track and field and was a 1st Team All-PAC
performer in cross-country.

4. The men’s volleyball program had a very successful first season
as a varsity program under Head Coach Curt Conser, competing
in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC). Junior
Quinn McCracken (1st Team All-AMCC and Newcomer of the
Year), sophomore Anthony Baronio (1st Team All-AMCC) and
sophomore Dan Townsend (2nd Team All-AMCC) all received
conference recognition. Geneva finished the season 20-9, 11-3 in
the AMCC, which tied it for the regular season championship in the
AMCC. The Golden Tornadoes ended up losing a heartbreaking
five-set match in the AMCC semifinals to eventual champion Thiel.

5. Michael Grinder was hired to take over as the head coach for
women’s basketball after Lori Wynn stepped down at the end of the
season. Grinder comes from the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville
where he had successful stints as the head coach for both the men’s
and women’s programs. He led both to their best seasons in school
history, with the women winning their first conference championship
this past season.

6. Three Golden Tornadoes reached significant milestones this year.
Senior Callie Ford became the third women’s basketball player to
surpass 1,500 career points. She finished her career with 1,624

27 GENEVA MAGAZINE

points, third all-time at Geneva. She broke the single-game Callie Ford
scoring record with 39 points against Penn State Altoona in the Haley Sainato
first game of the season. Junior Ethan Moose surpassed 1,000 Women’s Golf
career points midway through the season. He was named a 1st
Team All-PAC performer for the second year in a row, and he is
headed towards becoming one of Geneva’s top ten scorers in
school history. Senior Haley Sainato reached 100 career stolen
bases early in softball’s season. Sainato is already the school’s
all-time leader in stolen bases, breaking the previous record of
81 steals late last season, and she is on pace to be named an
All-PAC performer all four seasons at Geneva.

7. A total of 51 student-athletes received all-conference
recognition for their performance in their sport, including 22
1st Team Honors. Those numbers don’t include baseball or
softball because PAC had not released awards at the time of
publication.

8. Geneva had 64 student-athletes receive recognition on the PAC
Fall Honor Roll for their work in the classroom, the second most
in the PAC. To make the honor roll, a student must achieve at
least a 3.6 GPA and be a current member of one of the fall
sports team, which include men’s and women’s cross country,
football, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s tennis and
women’s volleyball. The spring honor roll had not yet been
announced at the time of this article.

9. Women’s golf is preparing for its first season of varsity
competition in the upcoming fall. Andrew Fee, who is also the
Director of Athletic Operations and Associate Head Softball
Coach, was named as Geneva’s first Women’s Golf Coach. Fee
has been recruiting heavily for the team in preparation for their
inaugural season, and in November, it was announced that
nearby Connoquenessing Country Club had been chosen as
Geneva’s home course.

10.Last summer saw the completion of the new turf on Reeves
Field, and it proved to be a huge benefit to the college and the
surrounding community. Besides the football team, the men’s
and women’s soccer teams used it as their primary home field.
The student body used it regularly for intramural competition,
and the Special Olympics made good use of it in April. The
community also utilized it, notably as the home field for Beaver
Falls High School.

28

IN MEMORIAM

40s _______________________________________ Vincent W. Piccola ‘58 on November 16, 2018
Velma L. (Heineman) Burrows ‘41 on March 1, 2019 Edward J. Vass ‘58 on February 14, 2019
Betty R. (Holt) Trout ‘45 on December 6, 2018 Paul “Pete” J. Balik ‘58 on March 2, 2019
Dr. Thomas F. Sheffer ‘46 on June 14, 2018 Henry Ziegler ‘58 on March 9, 2019
Carolyn Kulcyk ‘47 on May 9, 2019 Martha T. (Towicimak) Rapso ‘58 on March 24, 2019
Gloria Giovannini ‘48 on December 29, 2018 Faith C. (Boyd) Bromm ‘58 on April 20, 2019
Margaret “Peggy” (Zahn) Hayward ‘48 on February 12, 2019 Mary E. (Reed) Marco ‘59 on February 17, 2019
Roy Blackwood ‘48 on February 24, 2019
Martha A. (White) Beard ‘49 on December 1, 2018 60s _______________________________________
Olive Jeanne (Warren) Lane ‘49 on February 15, 2019 Margaret (Metzger) Emelson ‘60 on January 25, 2019
Eugene E. Kopczak ‘60 on February 21, 2019
50s _______________________________________ Guy P. Demaio ‘61 on November 24, 2018
Mervyn M. Means ‘50 on April 18, 2019 Elizabeth F. (Kramer) Bodensky ‘62 on December 13, 2018
Charles Mason ‘50 on April 28, 2019 William Donald Moore ‘62 on October 31, 2018
Beatrice (Sambol) Vickers ‘51 on January 30, 2019 Glola G. (Caskey) Basler ‘63 on November 19, 2018
Albert Lyle Peluso ‘51 on February 7, 2019 Dr. John J. Nicklas ‘63 on January 26, 2019
Mary E. (Drogus) Hanna ‘51 on February 1, 2019 Marilyn E. Datt ‘65 on December 23, 2018
Marian Jean (McClain) Clapie Krivoski ‘52 on November 10, 2018 Margaret J. (Irvin) Dishong ‘65 on December 30, 2018
C. Ray Steele ‘52 on January 31, 2019 Jean (Elder) Bash ‘65 on September 11, 2018
Jovan Vukmaravich ‘53 on November 22, 2018 John Hutchinson ‘65 on May 3, 2019
Joseph W. Zurku ‘53 on March 17, 2019 Michael H. Thompson ‘66 on November 2, 2018
Robert E. Sterrett ‘54 on December 18, 2018 Edward Miller ‘66 on April 26, 2019
William A. Marmalich ‘66 on May 1, 2019
Rev. Andrew G. Slade ‘54 on January 14, 2019 Lois Marlene (Erickson) Larson ‘66 on May 13, 2019
Frank Stephen Matsukas ‘54 on March 28, 2019 June Hall ‘67 on April 24, 2019
George N. Panagis ‘55 on March 21, 2019 Robert J. Stefan ‘67 on June 30, 2018
Eugene “EK” Hassan ‘56 on November 19, 2018 W. Joyce (Blair) Bloemers ‘67 on October 29, 2018
John E. Miller ‘56 on December 21, 2018 Wesley K. Lewis ‘68 on November 9, 2018
Marcia E. Elliott ‘56 on August 13, 2018 Mary M. (Boal) Batchelor ‘68 on November 20, 2018
Dr. John Robert Sapp ‘57 on October 27, 2018 Richard A. Byers ‘69 on February 9, 2019
Ray E. Coakley ‘57 on January 11, 2019 Martin H. Matthews ‘69 on April 16, 2019
Thomas D. Kennedy ‘57 on January 27, 2019
Doris J. (Musgrave) MacKenzie ‘57 on February 4, 2019 70s _______________________________________
Harold E. Boyer ‘57 on April 2, 2019 Mable Patricia (Butcher) Trotter ‘70 on March 9, 2019
Patrick Cortazzo ‘57 on May 7, 2019

29 GENEVA MAGAZINE 30

IN MEMORIAM

Bruce A. Hawk ‘71 on November 6, 2018 Joanne Doedyns ‘97 on May 2, 2019
Richard S. Lapishka ‘71 on January 13, 2019 Bonita “Bonnie” L. Ney ‘98 on January 5, 2019
Frank J. Sniezek Jr. ‘71 on January 13, 2019 John T. McCreary ‘98 on April 29, 2019
Wendell R. Dean ‘71 on March 4, 2019 Ruth Barrett ‘98 on May 19, 2019
Rev. William R. Betteridge Jr. ‘72 on March 12, 2019
Marilyn J. Tychonievich ‘72 on March 19, 2019 00s _______________________________________
Nicholas G. Pavkovich ‘75 on April 30, 2019 Judith Stoops ‘02 on May 11, 2019
Harold J. Wissner Jr. ‘77 on November 6, 2018 Ann Tweddell ‘03 on May 5, 2019
Ellen L. (Cunningham) Fleming ‘77 on May 22, 2018 Larry Shonka ‘05 on February 18, 2019
John R. Huffman ‘77 on April 13, 2019 Christopher R. Yinkey ‘07 MA on December 8, 2018
Carroll B. Skinner ‘79 on November 19, 2018 Royal D. Hart Jr. ‘07, ‘10 MSOL on January 14, 2019
Mary Ann (Freeman) Davis ‘79 on January 16, 2019
10s _______________________________________
80s _______________________________________ Richard L. Evans ‘12, ‘14 MA on October 31, 2018
Rebecca (Harrington) Forest ‘80 on June 29, 2018
Merle A. Platz ‘80 on April 14, 2019 Friends ___________________________________
L. Richard Balmer ‘82 on March 4, 2019 Philip Inman on February 8, 2019
Scott A. Eckert ‘85 on January 5, 2019
Lawrence P. Brenneman ‘85 on March 14, 2019 Elda V. Perz on November 10, 2018
Don Clendenning ‘86 on May 5, 2019 Frank Walker on December 29, 2018
Randal J. Peterson ‘88 on April 19, 2019 Andrew Doedyns on May 4, 2019

90s _______________________________________ Denotes members of the
Nancy K. Starr-Brickner ‘90 on November 13, 2018
Dale I. Claerbaut ‘90 on February 15, 2019 Heritage Society,
Bruce J. Hemphill ‘90 on February 18, 2019
Jeffrey Thomas ‘92 on May 9, 2019 which recognizes the valuable contributions of
John P. DiMarzio ‘93, ‘00 MSOL on March 6, 2019 alumni and friends who include Geneva in their
Shirley J. Estright ‘93 on March 11, 2019 estate and/or financial plans by gifts made
Carrie A. (Rorabaugh) Balas ‘95 on November 9, 2018 through annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of life
Jessica (Martin) Twardzik ‘95 on January 20, 2019 estates, undivided partial interests in real estate
William G. Cornell ‘95 on January 20, 2019 or life insurance, and gifts made through their
Martha S. Werner ‘96 on January 24, 2019 will. To learn more, visit
R. Jean Whitcomb ‘96 on January 21, 2019
Danielle M. (Edgar) Korpiel ‘96 on January 30, 2019 Geneva.giftlegacy.com

30

CLASS NOTES

Class Notes are available on two sons-in-law and six grandchildren. married to Judy Moore O’Data and has
Geneva.edu. Visit the site to They live in Shoreview, MN. two children, Aaron and Lauren, and
learn about fellow classmates, one granddaughter, Riley Ann.
and submit an update so they Dr. Steven S. Garber ‘76 has been
can remain connected with you. appointed Professor of Marketplace 90s
Theology at Regent College, in
50s Vancouver, BC and is the director of the Shawn Caldwell ‘90 released his second
master’s program in Leadership, Theology CD, “It’s Christmas Time,” in November
Jean (Mitchel) McFarland ‘58 and and Society. This past fall his book, 2018. It is a collection of original,
husband Rev. Glenn McFarland ‘58 Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for contemporary and traditional Christmas
moved from Southern California 12 the Common Good, was translated into songs. For more information or to order,
years ago to Florida where they retired. Indonesian, and he was invited to come visit www.shawnecaldwell.com.
Glenn is a retired minister, school for the launch, speaking many times over
principal and teacher. Jean is a retired many days; his wife Meg (Elliott ‘73)
RN, having worked in the ICU and ER as joined him. There are now editions of
well as an instructor and administrator. the book for India, and this next year a
Chinese translation will be done as well.
60s

Bruce ‘63 and Lois (Edgar ‘63) Alexander John McBurney ‘91 and wife Alisha
celebrated their 53rd wedding welcomed their third daughter, Makayla
anniversary on June 12, 2018. Bruce Ansley, on November 20, 2018. She
retired as a colonel in the Army after 27 joins sisters Abigail and Jasmine.
years of service in Washington D.C. The
Alexander’s retired to Mebane, NC. Linda (Harrison) McMullen ‘95, ‘99
MSOL completed her PhD in Human and
John Manzetti ‘69 officially retired in Organizational Systems from Fielding
Graduate University (Santa Barbara,
2018. He also published a book, Small CA). Her dissertation was “Howard
Thurman’s Journey to Community:
Bites of the Elephant in 2018 to share Rev. Rebecca (Mahr) Cartus ‘77 A Case Study of the Church for the
his broad business knowledge and Fellowship of All Peoples 1943-1953.”
experiences with entrepreneurs and small participated in the 2018 Parliament of the Linda is currently the Ely R. Callaway
business owners. World’s Religions Conference in Toronto, Sr., Associate Professor of Management
ON from November 1-7, 2018. She and International Business at LaGrange
College (LaGrange, GA).
presented a workshop, “Hands Across
70s the World: Building Bridges of Peace to Sara (Sandherr) Taylor ‘95 and husband
Damen welcomed their first grandchild in
Sandra Pittenturf ‘74 has retired from Become the Beloved Community.” 2018! Their family attended the Pack the
Gym alumni tailgate. Sara and Damen
her management position at DFIN Randy Roeber ‘79 retired as a Lockheed have four children: Gabrielle, Lillianne,
Solutions, Inc. She plans on spending Martin Program Manager in November James and Violet. The family resides in
most of her time with her three 2018. He and his wife Diane (Kirchmeier Pittsburgh, PA.
grandchildren. ‘75) live in Vestal, NY. They have five sons
Sarah (Zwinger) Gibbs ‘98 is pursuing
Dr. David Howard Jr. ‘74 retired in and twelve grandchildren. a technical career after 19 years of
working in higher education. She is an
May 2018 after 36 years of teaching Dr. John Emmart ‘79 and his wife
Old Testament and Hebrew at Bethel
relocated to Rolla, MO where John is
Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota), Trinity the Chief Human Resources Officer with
Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL) Phelps Health.
and the New Orleans Baptist Theological

Seminary (New Orleans, LA). He has 80s
published 14 books on Old Testament-

related topics and worked on the Doreen (Barrows) Perry ‘81 resides in
translation teams for three English Bibles: Ambridge, PA.
the New Living Translation (NLT, 1996),

the English Standard Version (ESV, 2001) Jon O’Data ‘82 has been named Location
and the Holman Christian Standard Bible Manager with the Cremation Society of
(HCSB, 2004). He served as President Pennsylvania in charge of the Pittsburgh
of the scholarly guild for theologians region with an office in Wexford, PA.
and biblical scholars, the Evangelical The Cremation Society of Pennsylvania
Theological Society, in 2003. He has is a division of Service Corporation
also been privileged to teach in Eastern International (SCI). Jon is a graduate of
Europe (Romania) since 1998 and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science
Southeast Asia (several countries) since and also holds an MBA from Robert
2009 in various theological schools. He Morris University (Moon, PA). Jon is
and his wife Jan have two daughters,

31 GENEVA MAGAZINE

CLASS NOTES

Implementation Consultant for TargetX, Kathryn “Kaye” (Gideon) Weaver ‘04 fiction piece titled Changing Change. It
working remotely from home. She is is a business and self-help book designed
excited to use the knowledge of the past and her family moved to Dayton, OH for leaders and others who seek to better
19 years to help colleges and universities for their last military assignment in understand change and more effectively
better facilitate the use of their CRM. 2016 after spending six years living engage their goals. More information can
in Hawaii. 2019 will bring one more be found at darrell.haemer.co.
Carol Howard ‘98, ‘03 MSOL joined move but this time to Maryland and
the full-time faculty of Penn State Greater as a fully civilian family when her Gregory Holland ‘10 and wife Kristin
Allegheny in August 2018 as Lecturer in husband Zach retires from the Air welcomed their first child, Connor, in June
Business Administration and Marketing. Force. In 2017, Kaye, Zach and the 2018.
kids (Gideon, TJ and Lorelei) welcomed
Josh ‘98 and Lee Ann (Trotter ‘97) the final addition to their family. Liliana
Mahar welcomed their son Ethan (Lily) was born on February 21, 2017.
Richard Mahar on November 13, While there may still be moves in
2018. He joins his older sister Elise. their future the whole family is looking
forward to staying in one place for a
Alicia (Fink) Purdy ‘99 worked as a full- little while.
time, freelance journalist for the past 15
years, focusing on business, politics, Scott Sweatman ‘05 and wife Katie live
finance and other freelance projects. in Lynchburg, VA and are expecting their
However, she has decided to leave her third son in November 2018. He will
professional career behind to pursue join big brothers Jack and David.
a new vision. In October 2017, Alicia
published her first book, The Way of James ‘06 and Rachel (Cypher ‘06) Adam Jones ‘10 MAHE is the Associate
the Worshipper, which has been used Samreny welcomed their son Michael Director of the Office of Student Conduct
in Bible schools, churches, seminars on February 17. at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He
and conferences around the world. In and wife Melissa have four children and
June 2018, Alicia was invited to speak Michael Lehman ‘07 and wife welcomed reside in Indiana, PA.
and teach about worship at several a son Owen in September 2018.
churches throughout the Philippines
In November 2018, Alicia launched Melissa (Brooks) Boehret ‘08 and Jill (Hanson) Moore ‘10 and husband
TheWayoftheWorshipper.com - a blog husband Seth welcomed their son welcomed daughter Millicent (Millie) in
that expands the vision of her book, Cameron Dennis Boehret on February August 2018.
which features daily devotionals, 12, 2018. He joins siblings Ellie and
teachings and resources and is more Adrian. Jamie Kensinger ‘11, ‘13 MAHE accepted
centered on the subject of worship. a new position at CLI/Sheetz as an HR
Using her Broadcasting degree from Susanna (Jalosky) Giesey ‘08 received Generalist.
Geneva, where she was a DJ for three her Master of Public Management
years, Alicia is currently working on degree from Carnegie Mellon’s H.J. Benjamin McCauley ‘11 and wife Ashley
launching a podcast/vlog on The Way Heinz College of Public Policy and welcomed their third child, Ginny Blye,
of the Worshipper YouTube channel Management. She currently serves on October 22, 2018. She joins older
about worship as well as her next book. as Chief Program Officer at Venango siblings Clayton (2015) and Fayre
Training and Development Center, Inc. (2017). The McCauleys reside in Olathe,
00s and resides in Seneca, PA with husband KS where Ben is a software engineer at
Merle. Garmin.
Maj. John A Topper III ‘02, ‘08 MSOL
was promoted to Major in September Anna (Foust) Wall ‘09 and husband
2018. Justin welcomed their firstborn son,
Knox, in January 2018.

Kyle ‘09 and Chelsea (Yarger ‘09)

Harrington welcomed son Jace
Harrington in May 2018. He joins big
sister Sadie, born in 2016.

Tyler Marwood ‘09 and wife Katherine
welcomed their daughter Mercy Anne
on August 23, 2018.

10s

Darrell Haemer ‘10 MAHE published
his first book in December 2018, a non-

32

CLASS NOTES

Chris Slick ‘11 resides in Mechanicsburg, Resources Department. She and husband Caleb ‘17 and Jill (Leatherman ‘16)
PA with wife Jori and their son Caleb. Daniel welcomed their first child, Dietrich, Metzler were married on June 10, 2017.
in July 2018. The couple resides in Herndon, VA.
Daniel ‘11 and Kelly (Fitzpatrick ‘11)
Allan have two children, 3-year old Stephen Noell ‘15 is a graduate research Mickayla Nero ‘17 will graduate from
daughter Adelie and 1-year old son Ezra. assistant at Oregon State University. He Geneva College in May 2019 with
and wife Tamara reside in Corvallis, OR. a Masters in Clinical Mental Health
Ryan Bruckner ‘12 and his family Counseling.
celebrated son Harrison’s first birthday on Katie (Key) Rager ‘16 and husband
April 18, 2019. Aaron are pleased to announce the birth Mitchell Steffy ‘18 spent time working
of their little blessing Faith Elizabeth with Reach Global doing hurricane relief
Hannah (Winkle) Lund ‘12 and husband Rager, born on January 2, 2019. in North Carolina and met a fellow
Chase welcomed their baby girl, Emma, Geneva alumnus, Jacob Bruker ‘13, who
in July 2018. Big brother Peter loves his was working with another church.
sister and enjoys helping her learn new
things. Pricilla Robertson ‘15 MSOL received her
Doctor of Education in Administration and
Leadership Studies from Indiana University
of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA). She is the
Interim Assistant Director of Military and
Veteran Services at Community College of
Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA).

Dan ‘16 and Samantha (Jensen ‘16)
White welcomed a son Ellis in 2018.

Ian ‘14 and Sarah (Abbott ‘15)

MacKenzie welcomed their second
child, Charlotte Grace MacKenzie, on
September 6, 2018.

Daniel ‘15 and Becky (Dimidik ‘16) Keys Photos appear after the corresponding class note. Alumni Baby
welcomed their first child Seth Daniel in Onesies
July 2018. Class Notes Information
Let the alumni office
Tyler Clewell ‘15 was hired in July 2018 To share your news, visit ([email protected])
as the 4th band director at his high school geneva.edu/alumni/connect and know the name and
Alma Mater, South Huntingdon, PA. Tyler click on “Alumni Update Form.” High- birthdate of your new
is working with students in grades 5-12 resolution pictures of at least three baby, along with your
and directs the marching band, Jr./Sr. megapixels in size may be submitted current address, and
high concert bands, 5th grade band, jazz in JPEG format. we’ll send you and your
and pep bands. He is happy to be in his
hometown and loves making music with Inclusion of all items in Class Notes is newborn a Golden
his students. at the discretion of Geneva College Tornadoes onesie
in accordance with the community (size: 12 months).
Ainsley (Guess) Knapke ‘15 is currently standards of the institution.
working as a Project Manager for
Clermont County, OH in the Water Geneva.edu/alumni/connect

33 GENEVA MAGAZINE

“Geneva College saved my life,”

says Yvonne S. Gentzler ’75 PhD, Associate Professor Emerita,
University of Minnesota.

When Yvonne first visited Geneva, she didn’t have a direction
for the rest of her life or even for the next few months, but she
discovered something unexpected – it felt like home.

The people she met beginning on day one were friendly, fun,
kind and caring, and they became her fast friends. She trusted
them enough to be herself. “It was exactly what I needed but
didn’t know I needed,” she says.

These Geneva friendships shaped who she would become.
Yvonne not only developed a love for Jesus and a robust
faith, she earned a PhD and inspired others, including her
colleagues at a handful of esteemed institutions, where she
served and worked collaboratively to create ventures to
sustain human health and well-being.

Several years ago, Yvonne received a diagnosis of early
dementia. The outpouring of support from those students,
who she influenced as Sigma Phi Epsilon’s first Faculty
Fellow, was profound. It highlighted her impact on the
students, which she attributes to the meaning Geneva
had in her life: “It always meant more to me
because it was home.”

Yvonne has completed the circle of influence
that started her first day at Geneva by
committing to establish an endowed
scholarship through her estate. Generations
of students will continue to be blessed through
her thoughtful and generous gift.

To learn how you can give a gift to future
students, please contact Geneva Planning
Giving Officer at [email protected] or
go to Geneva.giftlegacy.com.

Yvonne Gentzler ‘75, PhD

Geneva.giftlegacy.com

3200 College Ave. Beaver Falls, PA 15010
P: 724-847-6614 | F: 724-847-5017 | [email protected]

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“You need to minister in your vocation.
It’s a completely different way of looking
at life when your focus is being a follower

of Jesus Christ not just an engineer,
accountant or teacher.
It changes everything.”

- Genna Frederick ‘12

Genna Frederick ‘12 is the Technical & Process
Manager for medical products at Metalwerks, Inc.

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