Westminster
WINTER 2015 • VOLUME XXXIV, ISSUE 2
COLLEGE MAGAZINE
A Season of
Gratitude
INSIDE > 2014-2015 HONOR ROLL OF GIVING
CROWNING
MOMENT
Zeta Tau Alpha Channing Pifer
reacts as she is crowned the 2015
Homecoming Queen. For more
Homecoming coverage, see page 16.
Westminster
COLLEGE MAGAZINE
WINTER 2015
Volume XXXIV, Issue 2
EDITORIAL STAFF
Elizabeth Fontaine Hildebrand ’92
Editor & Designer
Nicole Crumbacher Hunter ’12
Contributing Writer
Rick Sherlock
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE
Kara H. Montgomery
Cynthia Dafler ’03
Linda Wilson
ALUMNI COUNCIL
James A. Giel ’74, President
Karen Campman Emmett ’75, Past President
PRINTER
Printing Concepts, Inc., Erie, PA
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Deborah Platt Majoras ’85
Chair, Board of Trustees
Dr. Richard H. Dorman
President
Dr. Neal A. Edman
Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Kenneth J. Romig ’85
Vice President for Finance & Management Services
Dr. Thomas H. Stein
Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing
Matthew P. Stinson
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Dr. Jane M. Wood
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of the College
Cover photography: Rick Sherlock
Additional photo credits: Tiffany Wolfe Shaffer,
Elizabeth Hildebrand ’92, Brad Weaver, Katie Hilliard
Bittner ’08, Nicole Crumbacher Hunter ’12, Amber
Scalfari ’08, Terry Clark, Annie O’Neill
Contact us at:
WCmagazine@westminster.edu or 724-946-8761
Mailing address:
Westminster College
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16172-0001
ATTN: Westminster Magazine Editor
Westminster Magazine is published twice a year by the Office
of Marketing and Communications. Westminster College
does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination, on
the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, age,
handicap or disability, marital status, veteran status, genetics
or any other protected class as those terms are defined under
applicable state or federal law, in the administration of any of its
educational programs, activities, or with respect to admissions
and employment. In its employment practices the College may,
however, consider the individual’s support of the philosophy and
purposes of Westminster College as stated in the Undergraduate
Catalog. Inquiries may be directed to the Equal Opportunity
Officer, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA 161720001, 724-946-7247. Westminster College is related to the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the Synod of the Trinity.
contents
WINTER 2015 | Volume XXXIV, Issue 2
WHAT’S INSIDE
2 President’s Message
4
From the Vice President for Institutional Advancement
6
Campus News
14 Reaching Out: Alumna, Senior Connect for Service Project
16 Homecoming 2015
18
Ever Higher Campaign Celebration
24 Sports Spotlight: Coach Rob Klamut Diving into Something New
26 Alumni News & Notes
36 WC Memories
STAY CONNECTED
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 1
A
MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
I
n past years I have had the opportunity to address our graduating seniors during a social
gathering held in the days prior to Commencement. Among my messages of congratulations
on reaching this milestone are expressions of gratitude to all the unseen people who helped
to make their Westminster College education possible. I remind our graduating students that, as
an independent private college, we are dependent on the philanthropy of others to help operate
the institution. In these remarks I note that nearly every building on campus has been constructed
thanks to the private gifts of individuals, foundations, and other funding sources. I also note that as
the students walk down the Quad, they should realize that nearly every fellow student they pass is
receiving some form of financial aid made possible through the generosity of others. In short, the
enterprise of the small, independent college is fueled substantially by the giving hearts and caring souls of alumni and
friends of Westminster.
But this current generation of graduating students is different from the ones before it. They often assume higher levels
of student debt in order to pay for their education. They view higher education as more of a commodity than earlier
generations, and as such may not feel as emotionally invested in their alma mater. For these reasons we are witnessing
a national downward trend in the percentage of alumni who give to colleges and universities that is correlated to the
age of the graduate. Recognizing that these young people may have a harder time getting financially established than
earlier generations, I implore these graduating seniors to give something back to Westminster so that we may maintain
the cycle of philanthropy that has served the College so well over its history. One way I do this is to ask them to recall
the name of the largest size coffee one can order at Starbucks. “Venti!”, they reply (roughly about $5). I respond by
having them recite that word collectively and remember it when the Westminster Fund reaches out for support. “Just
provide the equivalent of a Venti coffee each year until you are able to do more,” I say. If they did so, it would cultivate
a habit we hope would last a lifetime.
In this Honor Roll of Giving, we highlight the wonderful and meaningful support provided by our thousands of
benefactors to help fuel the good work we do here. When The New York Times ranks us 12th nationally for providing a
quality education for lower income students, you know we are on the right track. Our successes are due, in part, to
your generosity and the continued support you provide to us. So on behalf of the hundreds of faculty and staff who
comprise the Westminster Community, and especially all of Mother Fair’s students who benefit from your ongoing
support — THANK YOU!
Most sincerely,
Dr. Richard H. Dorman
President
2 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
MORE STEM RECOGNITION
Westminster
continues to be
recognized for its
commitment to the
science, technology,
engineering and
mathematics (STEM)
disciplines as
evidenced by recent
rankings.
Westminster ranked in the top 10 for
“Most STEMinist Schools in America,”
guide for locating the right degrees at the
according to Her Campus Media. Of the 350
nation’s top colleges and universities, ranked
students who major in STEM-related fields at
Westminster 16th in the nation among small
Westminster, 59% are female.
colleges in its “Great Colleges for STEM
“Women in particular are drawn to
January 22, 2016
Do you know a high school student
who is interested in a STEM
discipline? Let him or her know
about our STEM Visit Day
in January! To register, go to
www.westminster.edu/visit.
Degrees” category. The ranking was based on
Westminster because they see lots of
school size, research opportunities, awards
women, both faculty and students, in
and recognitions, and variety of STEM
the STEM classrooms and labs,” said Dr.
majors.
Helen Boylan ’95, program coordinator for
environmental science.
But not only women are excelling in the
STEM fields at Westminster, Boylan said.
“We are successful in keeping both men
Additionally, Westminster was ranked
13th in the nation for being one of the “most
technologically advanced small colleges” by
Best Colleges Online.
Westminster was measured based
and women in STEM because of the close
on awards and recognitions related to
mentoring we do with our students,” she
technology, progressive science/technology
said. “We spend hours in lab together,
degrees, advanced on-campus technology
looking at data together, and thinking about
offerings, high-level technology internships,
important questions in science. This time
technology research funding, technology-
together builds relationships, which is
related study abroad opportunities/
why I think our students are successful at
partnerships in technology, connections
Westminster and beyond.”
with local community technology experts,
“Our programs are centered on mentoring
YOU’RE INVITED!
In fact, Best Degree Programs, a resource
individuals ­— women and men, alike — to
and various “wow” factors or unique
programming that stands out.
become highly successful professionals,” said
Dr. Peter Smith, professor and division chair
To view Westminster’s list of STEM
for biological, chemical and environmental
disciplines, visit www.westminster.edu/
sciences.
academics.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 3
HOW
YOU
CAN
HELP
“HOW CAN I HELP?” I HAVE
By MATTHEW STINSON
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
•
website at www.westminster.edu/visit to set up
HEARD THESE FOUR WORDS
FROM THE WESTMINSTER
COLLEGE COMMUNITY MORE
a campus visit with a prospective student and his
or her family.
•
Educate parents about the value of a rich
liberal arts education and let them know that
Westminster’s liberal arts tradition is at the core
THAN ANY OTHERS DURING
of our continually evolving curriculum designed
to serve our mission in a rapidly changing world.
MY FIRST SIX MONTHS HERE.
Share with them that 98% of our graduates
report being employed or attending graduate
The first few times I was asked the question I didn’t think
school the year after graduation.
much of it. However, I kept hearing the same question
again and again. I realized that there was a sincerity to
Call 724-946-7100 or visit the Westminster
•
Consider how you can nominate students for
the simple question, and it was our job in institutional
one of our prestigious awards including the
advancement to construct the appropriate response. How
Jerb Miller Scholarship, the Young Presbyterian
can we best leverage the genuine interest of our 20,000
Scholars Program, or the Lemmon Scholarship.
alumni to help advance the cause of Mother Fair?
1. You can serve as an extension of our admissions
•
Encourage parents to explore financial aid
packages before they decide that a Westminster
team by helping introduce a high school student to
College education is out of reach. They will
Westminster College. Westminster could have an
likely find our cost competitive with other
unlimited marketing budget, but it would still not be
schools that may appear at first glance to be
as effective as utilizing your personal influence.
less expensive.
4 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
2. You can serve as an extension to our alumni and career center team by helping our students identify and achieve
meaningful career objectives that build upon their Westminster education and experiences. Contact Katy DeMedal,
director of the career center, at demedakk@westminster.edu or 724-946-6338 about helping in one of the
following ways:
•
Represent your company at our job fair or participate in on-campus recruiting.
•
Enroll your company in our shadowing or internship program. Shadowing provides our students with short
experiential opportunities and practical exposure to a particular field of interest. Internships are longer, more
in-depth opportunities for applied learning in a particular field of interest.
•
Become involved in the Professional Networking Symposium held each semester on campus. Learn more
about this unique opportunity at www.westminster.edu/pns.
•
Host a student in your home during a semester or summer internship. Housing is a critical factor for many
students considering internship opportunities. It can be very difficult and expensive for students to rent an
apartment for a few months during the summer. When a student must decline internships because he or she is
not unable to afford associated living expenses, the overall student experience is poorly impacted.
3. You can serve as an extension of the Office of Institutional Advancement. Westminster College invests in our
alumni activities for a very specific reason. We are working to create meaningful connections with our alumni and
friends that ultimately result in philanthropic investments that help our students succeed and the College prosper.
•
If you are already giving, we sincerely thank you. If you would like to discuss your specific philanthropic goals
please don’t hesitate to contact Kelli McKee, our senior director of development, at mckeekj@westminster.edu
or 724-946-7673.
•
If you aren’t already giving annually we highly encourage you to do so. Your gift truly does matter in our
quest to provide the highest possible educational experience for our students. There are many ways in which
you can make your gift. Please visit www.westminster.edu/give for more details.
•
Become involved with our alumni council or a local regional alumni committee by contacting Kara
Montgomery, director of alumni relations, at montgokh@westminster.edu or by calling 724-946-7363.
•
Reignite your Titan pride by attending a campus athletic, arts, or research event. Our student athletes,
scientists, musicians, presenters, thespians, entrepreneurs, and artists will not disappoint. Consider making the
College’s events calendar a saved tab on your browser and visit it often at www.westminster.edu/calendar.
If you have further questions about how you can help or if you have other ideas to share, please do not hesitate to
contact me at stinsomp@westminster.edu or 724-946-7368. I am humbled and grateful to be serving as your vice
president for institutional advancement. I am confident that together we can achieve great things for Westminster.
It should be noted that another question I have been asked almost as much in my first six months would be, “What’s
going on with the magazine?” I understand how much you look forward to receiving regular communication from
the College. We are committed to communicating through the Westminster Magazine on a bi-annual basis. It is my
personal pledge to you. Hopefully you are also receiving the Wiley House Wire electronic newsletter that is produced
at much more frequent intervals. If not, please subscribe by emailing alumni@westminster.edu.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 5
THE
MOMENT
FAMILY DAY
This Moment —
­ Family Day — has become
one of Westminster’s great traditions.
Students’ family members ­— parents, siblings, grandparents,
aunts, uncles, cousins — are invited to campus for a fun-filled day
and a chance to experience the Westminster Way at the height
of the academic year. This year’s Family Day was coupled with
another long-standing Westminster tradition, Lil’ Sibs Weekend.
Families had the opportunity to enjoy a coffee and a chat with
President Richard Dorman, warm up at the chili bar, and take
in a shutout Titan football game against Geneva. It’s always a
wonderful time to revisit campus, see how the students are doing,
and enjoy all that autumn at Westminster has to offer.
6 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
CAMPUS NEWS
Grant will strengthen chaplaincy efforts
W
estminster College’s Office of Faith and Spirituality
was selected as a top-tier, $20,000 recipient of the
Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education
(NetVUE) Chaplaincy Implementation Grant.
NetVUE’s mission is to enrich intellectual and theological
exploration of vocation among undergraduate students. The grants
are intended to provide assistance in strengthening chaplaincy efforts
Rev. James Mohr, college chaplain and director of church relations.
“One of the goals is that we not just create programs that last for
just one year, but that we create sustainable programming that has
the ability to move on into the future.,” Mohr said.
This coming year, students will be introduced to leadership
development opportunities through an on-campus leadership
development summit and will also have the opportunity to become
throughout campuses and in the world. Awards are made possible by
student chaplains, working with the men’s and women’s varsity teams
a grant to the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) from the Lilly
on campus.
Endowment, Inc.
“We’ll use these funds to take our current ministry and expand it
beyond the programming we’ve been doing over the years,” said the
The funding will provide speakers through the Spiritual Emphasis
Westminster series, as well as offer world outreach opportunities
through the Experience Alaska mission trip.
Anonymous gift will benefit student musicians
A
n anonymous $25,000 donation will be used to establish
an endowed scholarship in honor of one of Westminster’s
longtime adjunct music faculty members.
The Kevin M. McManus Excellence in Jazz Award and Scholarship
will assist in recruiting and retaining talented students and elevating
the level of the Westminster Jazz Ensemble performances.
"My wife and I were delighted in the music program offered at
Westminster College and especially the efforts of Kevin McManus,
who directed the Westminster College jazz ensemble for a number of
years,” said the donor. “Our student was a jazz ensemble member and
a direct beneficiary of this enriching experience.”
The donor said he hopes the scholarship will help elevate the
level of the Jazz Ensemble performances at Westminster and enable
McManus’ outstanding work to be recognized in perpetuity.
McManus received a bachelor of science in music education from
Penn State University, a graduate performer’s certificate from SUNY
Purchase Conservatory, and a master of music degree from Carnegie
Mellon University.
Jeanne Barbour, a sophomore music education major and
trombonist, has been named the first McManus scholarship recipient.
“I could not imagine myself anywhere else or in any other
program,” she said. “The music program is home for me, and I’m
Sophomore trombonist Jeanne Barbour, center, poses with Kevin McManus,
left, and Westminster School of Music Chair Dr. Daniel Perttu. Barbour is the
first recipient of the new Kevin M. McManus Excellence in Jazz Award and
Scholarship.
incredibly grateful to have been given this award which has helped
turn my dream of being in this music program a reality.”
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 7
NATIONAL RANKINGS SNAPSHOT
HOW DO WE
MEASURE UP?
To get an unbiased opinion and see how Westminster compares to other
colleges, take a look at some of our recent national rankings:
8 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
•
Westminster was ranked #125 in the nation for “Best Liberal Arts College” by U.S. News (2016
edition).
•
Westminster placed in the top 7% in the Educate to Career (ETC) college ranking index. In the
study of 1,184 colleges and universities across the nation, Westminster climbed the ranks to
#30, stationed in top 2.5% in the nation.
•
Washington Monthly recognized Westminster as one of the
top liberal arts schools in the nation. The publication rates
schools based on their contribution to the public good in
three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and
graduating low-income students), Research (producing
cutting-edge scholarship), and Service (encouraging
students to give something back to their country.
•
Among 402 schools included in Washington Monthly’s
“Best Bang for the Buck” listing in the Northeast region, Westminster ranked #62. For this
category, Washington Monthly rated schools based on their “contribution to the public good,”
including: loan default rate, graduation rate, graduation rate performance, percent of Pell Grant
students, and net price of attendance.
•
The New York Times’ Upshot ranking positioned Westminster College at #12 in the nation for
“doing the most for low-income students.” According to their ranking, the New York Times uses
the College Access Index to measure top colleges’ efforts for economic diversity. The index is
based on the number of students who receive Pell grants, rate of graduation for those students,
and the price that the College charges both low- and middle-income students.
•
Best College Review ranked Westminster College #11 in the nation in its “50 Best Colleges for
Greek Life” listing. The ranking is based on five criteria: percentage of students enrolled in Greek
life; number of Greek organizations on campus;
Greek organizations must be chapters of national
organization; number of criminal offenses occurring
on campus; and average Greek Rank rating. At
Westminster, 49 percent of the student population is
involved in Greek life, which consists of four national
fraternities and five national sororities. Together,
Westminster’s Greek life raises more than $19,000
each year.
•
Best Degree Programs ranked Westminster #16 in the nation among small colleges in its
“Great Colleges for STEM Degrees” category. The ranking was based on school size, research
opportunities, awards and recognitions, and variety of STEM majors.
•
Westminster was ranked #13 in the nation for being one of the “most technologically advanced
small colleges” by Best Colleges Online.
•
Her Campus Media ranked Westminster in the top 10 for “Most STEMinist Schools in America.”
Legacy
WESTMINSTER
Molly Somora with brother John-Scott
’18 and grandparents Thomas ’64 and
Elisabeth Allshouse Nesbit ’64
TITAN LEGACIES. This year 25 students were welcomed into the Legacy Family,
entering into a long-standing and proud tradition at Westminster.
Megan Simpson with
father Larry Simpson ’80
Josh Kaiser with parents Tim ’85 and
Kristin Mezmer Kaiser ’86
Lauren Faber with grandmother Nancy
Heid Bittel ’60 and cousin
Keith Bittel ’96
Patrick Raymond with mother
Margaret Goodrick Raymond ’83
Mia Magnotti with sister Amanda ’17
and father Steve Magnotti ’89
Michael Douds with parents
Michael ‘91 and Lynn Lazenby
Douds ’91
Annmarie Biss with mother
Beth Lewis Biss ’89
Shannon Wenk with father
David Wenk ’90
Anna Lish with parents Henry ’87 and
Lisa Barth Lish ’88
Ben Canty with parents Scott Canty
’88 and Nancy Botti Canty ’89
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 9
Student, professor receive
funds for intensive cancer research
M
embers of the Westminster College biology program received
a $10,000 award that covered the cost of their summer
research efforts, which included the study of chemotherapy
drugs.
Karen Resendes, associate
professor of biology, and Kelly Higby,
senior molecular biology major, were
selected as the first annual recipients
of the Westminster College DietzSullivan Biology Research Experience
Award. This award allowed the
pair to spend their summer in the
Westminster College laboratory,
conducting intensive research
that investigates the molecular
mechanism by which chemotherapy
drugs induce cell death in certain
cervical and lung cancers.
According to Resendes,
misregulated nuclear transport
Kelly Higby, left, and Dr. Karen Resendes
affects cancer progression and
treatment in certain types of
cancer cells. Determining if chemotherapies inhibit this altered nuclear
transport as part of cell death can provide evidence of treatments that are
potentially better options for these cancer subtypes.
“By performing undergraduate research that has a clinical aspect, I hope
to cross the bridge between education, research and medicine and learn
how all three interact,” said Higby. “I will hopefully be able to contribute
data to round out a manuscript and publish the research that has been
performed on this topic.”
Along with covering the cost of supplies and stipends, the award will
allow Higby to present her research at the American Society of Cell
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Students Doltyn Snedden ’17, center, and Troy Jackson ’18,
right, and BD&E Project Manager/Senior Designer Michael
Dicken discuss logistics for an upcoming sound and video shoot
of the Westminster Chamber Choir. The students partnered with
marketing agency BD&E to produce the Westminster College
electronic Christmas card which was emailed to alumni and
friends on Dec. 7. To view the Christmas card online, please visit
www.westminster.edu/christmascard.
10 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
Biology Conference in San Diego in December.
The annual Dietz-Sullivan Biology Research Experience Award was
developed using funds donated to the biology department by Fredrick
H. Sullivan in honor of his wife, Carol Dietz Sullivan ’59. The Sullivans’
donation was matched by Dow Chemicals.
“This award provides students with the financial support to conduct
research,” said Resendes. “And, this research adds a greater depth to
student work, making them stronger candidates for advanced degree
programs and careers in STEM.”
GIVING BACK THROUGH TIME AND TALENT
Erin Remai Palko ’98 chats with a student at the fall Professional Networking Symposium. Palko, communications specialist for UPMC, is one of many
alumni who returned to Westminster to network and share stories of their professional adventures. Nearly 300 alumni, students and guests attended
the September event which featured 25 specialty panels. In addition to UPMC, nearly 90 companies were represented including Carnegie Museum,
CONSOL Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, Ernst & Young, Giant Eagle, IBM, McCormick Theological Seminary, Moody’s, Ohio Valley Hospital, Penn
State University, Rutgers University, Springfield Restaurant Group, Steelite International, and U.S. Steel.
Internships, board games and awards
W
hile at his summer internship at the National Archives in Washington D.C., junior history
major Andrew Henley won an international award for his creation of a Lewis and Clark
board game.
“With the help of fellow interns, supervisors and the design team, a little idea was transformed into
a tangible learning tool for the children and families who visit the National Archives,” said Henley.
To make the game realistic, Henley used real obstacles and advances, which he
found while reading through transcripts of Lewis and Clark’s diaries.
The structure of the game is based loosely on Chutes and Ladders, and players face
obstacles or good fortunes such as the ones encountered in Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark’s expedition west.
Henley’s idea, which was submitted along with more than 6,000 other
entries, was recognized as a finalist for the 21st Annual Communicator Award of
Distinction. Behind the Communicator Awards is the Academy of Interactive
and Visual Arts (AIVA), which is dedicated to embracing the progress and evolving
nature of traditional and interactive media.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 11
MOCK THE VOTE
the country. This student-run convention, a tradition at Westminster since 1936, has run every four years for the party
out of the White House, with the exception of 1944. The four candidates represented at this year’s convention included
ST
WE
STER CO
L
E
2015 Republican Mock Convention in November. The Westminster College Mock Convention is the second oldest in
IN
G
LE
Republican strategist Karl Rove, left, former senior adviser to President George W. Bush, kicks off Westminster College’s
M
MOCK REPUBLICAN
CONVENTION
Jeb Bush (Anthony Esley), Ben Carson (Alix Rea), Sen. Rand Paul (Brenna Butler) and Donald Trump (Emily Clark).
Earning the presidential nomination was Ben Carson, with Rand Paul earning the vice presidential slot.
2015
HOME PORT
Mark Gleeson ’49, left, commissioned the
creation of a model of the SS Westminster
Victory, a troopship that served during the
latter stages of World War II. The model,
gifted to the College in memory of American
Merchant Marine veterans of World War II,
was dedicated Nov. 9 during Westminster’s
annual Veterans Day recognition ceremony.
The ship will be housed in the lobby of Orr
Auditorium. Also pictured from left are
President Dorman; Dr. Samuel Farmerie,
professor of education emeritus and curator of
cultural artifacts; Walt Luikart, a friend of the
College who sailed two voyages aboard the SS
Westminster Victory; and Kelli McKee, senior
director of development.
12 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
DOING SOMETHING BIG
W
estminster students joined 50 other colleges across the nation in the Close
the Loop Cup Challenge, a four-week competition sponsored by H&M
Clothing Store aimed to collect items of unused clothing items to be recycled
and repurposed. According to www.dosomething.org, 11.1 million tons of recyclable fabric
and textiles are added to landfills each year.
Westminster placed third in the challenge, collecting 20,126 articles of clothing. Second
place winner was Vanderbilt University, whose students collected 21,118 items, and
University of Texas at El Paso took first place with 23,180 items. Westminster was given
the Spirit Award for being the most visible on social media and encouraging campus
involvement.
“We’re a small college competing against giants,” said Liz Buechele, Student Government
Association service chair and senior communication studies major. “The number one
school is 23 times our size, and the number two school, 12 times our size. We rallied the
entire campus around a cause.”
Close the Loop Cup Challenge committee members included seniors Buechele, Abigail Miles, Blake Tyger, and Elizabeth Venanzi and
sophomore Christian Na.
“We were part of something bigger than ourselves,” said Buechele. “We had the coolest human assembly line I’ve ever seen. But most
importantly, we worked together. And because of that, we made a huge impact.”
STUDYING
ACROSS THE POND
A group of students in Westminster’s London program arrive
at Blenheim Palace’s Flagstaff Gate. Twenty-five students
and two faculty members lived and studied in London during
the fall 2015 semester as a part of the College’s study abroad
offerings. Westminster provides many study abroad options
for students in all majors, working with partners that provide
study, internship, and service learning opportunities in most
countries across the globe.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 13
REACHING
By NICOLE CRUMBACHER HUNTER ’12
Out
LIKE MANY OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS, THE STORY OF
WESTMINSTER’S LINK TO TEAM TASSY RESEMBLES THAT
OF A COLORFUL CONNECT-THE-DOTS PUZZLE. IT BEGINS
WITH A CONNECTION MADE FIVE YEARS AGO DURING A
CONVERSATION AT CAMP.
14 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
Jacki Jaros ’92
L
iz Buechele, a senior communications
studies major who was then part
of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
(RYLA) camp, was talking with Jacki Jaros
’92, the camp’s co-director. Jaros told
Buechele about her volunteer work with a
friend’s organization.
The friend was Ian Rosenberger, a
Pittsburgh native best known for a stint on
TV’s “Survivor” who travelled to Haiti in
2010 after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed
thousands and left a million people in the
poverty-stricken nation homeless. There
he met a young man named Tassy Filsaime,
who had cancer of the jaw. Rosenberger was
inspired to help Tassy and raised enough
money through Team Tassy to get him to the
states and life-saving medical care.
Rosenberger saw there was far more work
to do in Haiti and upscaled Team Tassy to
address deeper problems in the devastated
nation, specifically the soul-crushing lack of
opportunity. That one interaction provided
Rosenberger the inspiration to “unleash the
inherent power in every person to eliminate
global poverty.”
The work and goals of Team Tassy
inspired Buechele, now the service chair
of Westminster’s Student Government
Association, and in 2015 she brought the
outreach idea to fruition the first weekend of
fall semester.
Students fill shoeboxes with hygiene products.
“I was so happy to see how perfectly
Team Tassy fit into the flow of the Fresh
Start orientation program,” said Jaros,
school counselor for Deer Lakes Middle
School. “It was encouraging to see the level
of commitment from the upperclassmen
Senior Liz Buechele ’16, far right, address students who joined to help pack items for Team Tassy.
students. It was their mission to illustrate
the profound importance of connection to
campus through the service of others.”
There were a lot of small moving parts to
bring Team Tassy’s mission to life on campus,
beginning with 20 vibrant orange Nike
shoeboxes, courtesy of the Titan football
team. To fill these boxes, incoming first year
students were sent on a summer mission
to find items to fill them with — but most
importantly, seal them with — the inherent
message that “you’re not in this alone.”
“I am continually blown away by the
service-minded nature of Westminster
College’s student body,” said Buechele. “And,
it’s not just coming from current students.
I’ve had so many alumni reach out to me
asking if they can still volunteer. It’s that kind
of sense of community that makes people
keep giving back and coming back to this
school with pride in service above self.”
“During the event, I had an ‘aha’ moment
when I was talking to the first year students,”
Jaros said. “The students, fully aware and
thankful for how much they have been given
in their lives, were so willing to jump in and
take ownership of this project for others,
some of similar ages, who aren’t so fortunate.
Our students are young in age, but their
hearts are so wise.”
What were once empty Nike shoeboxes
were then transformed into hopeful care
packages, stacked sky-high in the TUB. That
day, Westminster College students and
“
Giving back is one
thing that connects
all of us — regardless
of what organizations
you’re in, your major,
”
or how you spend your
spare time.
alumni represented a step toward positive
change in the world.
“The aspect that makes me happiest
on campus is when I see people working
together for positive change,” said Buechele.
“Giving back is one thing that connects all
of us — regardless of what organizations
you’re in, your major, or how you spend your
spare time. By supporting causes that are
important to us, we are connecting to our
most basic form of human interaction. That’s
the kind of love that can radiate through
a campus community and have a truly
powerful effect on the world.”
Nicole Crumbacher Hunter ‘12 is the
communications specialist for Westminster College.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 15
2015
HOMECOMING
Channing Pifer
(Zeta Tau Alpha)
and David
Jamieson (Sigma
Phi Epsilon) were
crowned the 2015
Homecoming
Queen and King.
THE ANNUAL HOMECOMING PARADE MAY
HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO THE WEEKEND’S
WEATHER, BUT THE COLD AND RAIN
CERTAINLY DIDN’T DAMPEN THE FESTIVITIES.
President Dorman, center, with the 2015 Alumni Award recipients. From left are alumni Benjamin
Nelson ’06, David Nobs ’80, Philip Petraglia ’83, and Jonathan Bigley ’84.
16 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
CLASS REUNIONS
75th REUNION
Class of 1940
60th REUNION
Class of 1955
55th REUNION
Class of 1960
50th REUNION
Class of 1965
40th CLUSTER
REUNION
Classes of 1974-76
25th REUNION
Class of 1990
20th CLUSTER REUNION
Classes of 1994-96
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 17
A Celebration
of Philanthropy
College celebrates conclusion of Ever Higher Campaign
It’s hard not to feel a little proud.
After all, Westminster’s comprehensive campaign,
Ever Higher: The Campaign for Westminster College,
surpassed the $50 million goal. And during the course
of the campaign, the College received the largest gift
in its history thanks to a $7 million bequest from Helen
Louise Lemmon. But most importantly, the College
closed the books on the campaign on June 30 knowing
that the contributions made will have a lasting impact on
Westminster and her students.
Perhaps what we’re really feeling is gratitude.
A celebration officially closing out Ever Higher, held
during Homecoming weekend, was a chance to express
that gratitude to the alumni and friends who made the
campaign a success.
“The outstanding generosity of our alumni and
friends has yielded the most successful comprehensive
campaign in the College’s history and exceeded our $50
million goal,” said President Richard Dorman. “This
celebration is an opportunity to extend our deepest
18 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
thanks to all those who provided so selflessly to ensuring
that future students will continue to receive a quality
higher education.”
The Ever Higher campaign — which was initially set
at $40 million in 2010 — was so successful during its
non-public phase that the Board of Trustees approved
raising the campaign goal to $50 million in 2012, just
after the launch of the public phase. In fact, when most
colleges expect to raise only about half of their campaign
goal during the initial phase, Westminster’s alumni and
friends had already contributed $36.4 million during the
“quiet phase.” In other words, 91 percent of the initial
$40 goal was already reached before even taking the
campaign public—all thanks to Westminster’s alumni,
friends, faculty, and staff.
By generously supporting the campaign priorities—
increasing endowed funds for student scholarships,
faculty development, and academic programs; enhancing
facilities; and strengthening the Westminster Fund—
Westminster students can continue their paths of
growing intellectually, spiritually, and socially.
TOTAL
GIFTS
President Richard
Dorman and Robert
Patton ’50, trustee
emeritus and Ever
Higher campaign chair,
fire confetti cannons
during the campaign’s
closing celebration.
•$20,021,077 for PEOPLE
AND PROGRAMS, providing
endowed scholarships, faculty
development funds, academic
program enhancements,
and funds for intercollegiate
sports
•$5,290,122 for FACILITY
AND CAMPUS
IMPROVEMENTS, including
the Patterson Hall renovation,
construction of Berlin Village
Phase II student townhouses,
and improvements to Senior
Terrace
•$7,713,700 to THE
WESTMINSTER FUND,
providing tuition assistance
in the form of annual
scholarships for all students
and to enhance academic,
athletic, and student life
programs
•$14,634,004 of LEGACY
GIFTS FOR WESTMINSTER’S
FUTURE through trusts,
bequests, charitable gift
annuities, and other longterm arrangements to create
a permanent donor legacy
and future additions to the
College’s endowment
•$4,165,436 in additional gifts
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 19
&
PEOPLE PROGRAMS
“Through hard work and the generosity of the
Lemmon Family Scholarship, students have been given
an opportunity to immerse themselves into
Westminster’s rich educational experience.
It is the gift of a lifetime.”
­
2 0 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
— Ashlyn Brown, Class of 2017, Lemmon Family Scholar Recipient
&
FACILITIES
CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS
“Investment in the College’s facilities and
infrastructure provides the foundation that
will ensure Westminster and its current and future
students are ready to meet challenges
in an ever-changing world.”
­— Jim Giel Jr. ’74, Alumni Council President
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 2 1
THE WESTMINSTER FUND
“Today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders
through enrichment opportunities
provided by Westminster Fund donors.
These annual gifts offer endless rewards
for which we are ever grateful.”
­
2 2 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
— Amber Scalfari ’08, Assistant Director of Donor Relations
LEGACY GIFTS
FOR OUR FUTURE
“Members of our Legacy Society have made a
meaningful impact on current and future generations
of our students. We are humbled and grateful for the
gifts of enduring love that represent our most treasured
Westminster College alumni and friends.”
­— Matthew Stinson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 2 3
SPORTS
DIVING into
SOMETHING NEW
Klamut to transition from coach to administrator
By NATHAN LaRICCIA
Sports Information Director
R
ob Klamut will soon be trading in his pool shoes for
dress shoes.
When the 2015-16 swimming and diving season
concludes, Klamut will step down from coaching and slip into
his new role as Westminster’s newest major gifts officer in the
College’s Institutional Advancement (IA) division.
When considering the career change, he took one of his own
pep talks, usually intended for his student-athletes, and applied
it to his own life.
“I have been telling my teams for 31 years to step out of their
comfort zones and try new things,” Klamut said. “Now it is time
for me to do the same. I am looking forward to a new challenge
and I am hopeful that I can help Westminster continue to grow
and prosper.”
The new position might not be all that different, however. One
word: recruiting.
“My new position in IA is going to involve establishing and
building relationships with alumni and friends of the College,
which hopefully will result in a gift to Westminster,” he said.
Recruiting is vital in collegiate athletics, especially at the
Division III level where there are no scholarships awarded.
Klamut added, “Recruiting is all about establishing and building
relationships in hopes of getting prospective student-athletes to
choose Westminster to continue their academic and swimming
or diving career.”
Connecting with alumni is familiar territory for Klamut. “I feel
that I have a good rapport and relationship with the swimming
and diving alumni and friends of the program,” he said. “Not with
Klamut, who has won more than 400 dual meets and 10
combined Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championships
during his time with the Titans, has earned either PAC Men’s or
Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year honors 10 times since the
Titans joined the league in 2003.
So, what has Klamut learned from his three decades of
coaching that he can apply to his new position?
“Knowing that hard work pays off is one of the things that I
have learned that I will take with me,” he said. “To always set
high goals and standards is important. Do not be satisfied with
the status quo and do not be afraid to think outside the box.”
Klamut made sure that his next career move was still where
his heart was.
“I love Westminster and want to finish my professional career
here,” Klamut said. “It’s a great place to work and I am very
grateful that this opportunity allows me and my family to remain
at a place we really love.”
Despite Klamut’s excitement for the new position, he remains
focused on his current student-athletes and the 2015-16 season.
“It’s going to be a special season for me with coaching the
Titans for the last year,” Klamut said. “In no way do I want to
detract anything from the student-athletes. It is their season.
I want to put all of my energy and effort into making sure that
each and every one of them reaches their goals and has great
performances throughout the season.”
The Titans, who recently won their 600th dual meet in school
just the ones who I have coached, but with alums who swam or
history, have their sights set on another PAC crown. A fitting
dove for coaches before me.”
ending to a truly wonderful coaching career.
24 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 2 5
Imagine.
GIVING BACK TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
Imagine a swimmer diving into the possibilities of her future.
Imagine being the first college graduate in your family.
Imagine a biology major discovering the cure for cancer.
Imagine an education that fuels a passion.
IMAGINE WHAT YOUR GIFT CAN DO.
WestminsterFund
Your gift. Westminster’s future.
To make your gift to The Westminster Fund today,
please call the Office of Institutional Advancement at 724-946-7370 or visit westminster.edu/give.
MESSAGE FROM ALUMNI COUNCIL
Dear Friends and Fellow Alumni:
Wow! Still recovering from a busy and activity-filled Homecoming weekend at Westminster. Even
though the weather didn’t cooperate, the warm and festive atmosphere of gathering at a place that is
special to all of us was present. Whether at the Alumni Awards dinner Friday evening, the Ever Higher
campaign celebration (thanks, Bob Patton, for your leadership and vision) before the Titan victory
against CMU, the various reunion gatherings (I celebrated my 41st), or at the worship service, the spirit
of Westminster shone all around.
A special congratulations to the 2015 Alumni Award winners: Benjamin Nelson, Phil Petraglia, David
Nobs, and Jonathan Bigley. You are true examples of what it means to be a Westminster Titan! Also a
big hug and great thanks to our Alumni Office staff and all who worked so hard to make it a great time for those who
were able to come back.
As I begin my two-year term as Alumni Council President, I look forward to continuing the strong tradition of alumni
involvement in the life of Westminster. Whether being a member of Council, serving as a student mentor, providing
student internship and career opportunities, attending some of the many alumni activities planned throughout
the country, or just staying in touch with the College, alumni involvement is an important part of the fabric of
our institution. Make Westminster a favorite on your various social media outlets. We are the best billboard for
Westminster!
This season of thanksgiving and celebration is also a time for us to reflect on all that Westminster has provided
us. Driving home the evening after our class reunion, I could not help but think about how grateful I am to have
attended Westminster; the generosity and hard work of my parents who provided the opportunity to attend
Westminster; the many lifelong friends I have gained; the faculty, staff, and administration who made and make the
Westminster experience an important part of our lives; the vision of the founders and leaders of the College; and the
many generous alumni and friends of the College who give their time, treasures, and talents to continue the great
Westminster legacy. I’m sure that as you reflect on your Westminster experience, you will also share that same
feeling of gratitude!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Season’s Greetings to you all!
Jim Giel Jr. ’74
Alumni Council President
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 2 7
CLASS NOTES
i PASS YOUR
NOTES ALONG!
1965
1978
Keep your fellow
Titans posted on
what’s happening.
1972
1979
ONLINE
westminster.edu/alumni
EMAIL
alumni@westminster.edu
SNAIL MAIL
Westminster College
Office of Alumni Relations
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16172
OR EVEN BY FAX!
724-946-7366
Joan McLachlan of Centerville, Mass., has
released her newest book, Get an Internship and
Make the Most of It: Practical Information for High
School and Community College Students.
David Seaburn of
Spencerport, N.Y., has
published his fifth novel,
More More Time, with
themes of aging, intimacy,
loss, self-discovery, marital
discord, infidelity and
childhood abuse. The book
draws on his 30 years’
experience as a marriage
and family therapist and his
tenure as a parish minister.
1977
Robert Ives was named
president of the board of
directors of the Northwest
United Methodist
Foundation, which serves
congregations in the
Oregon-Idaho, Pacific
Northwest and Alaska
conferences in endowment
and investment
management. An attorney
in private practice, he and his wife, Ellen, make
their home in Vancouver, Wash.
Thomas Tupitza, past
president of Westminster’s
Board of Trustees, was
honored as a 2016 Best
Lawyers® “Lawyer of
the Year” in land use
and zoning law for the
Pittsburgh metropolitan
area. Selection is based
on exhaustive peer-review
assessments and voting by
more than 52,000 attorneys. Tom has been on the
list for the past five years for public finance law;
the past two years for real estate law and land use
and zoning law; and was newly selected for health
care law for 2016.
1980
F. J. Hartland won rave reviews for his
performance as “Charlie” in The Whale at Off the
Wall, an equity theater in Carnegie. He is currently
a visiting assistant professor of theatre at Saint
Francis University in Loretto.
BREAKING AWAY
FIRST SOUTH SISTERS
Friends from the Class of 1958 reunite at
From left, Sally Naylor Johnson, Sharon McKee, Diane
Breakers Hotel in Spring Lake, N.J. From left to
Morrell Beck, and Roberta Laird, all class of 1974,
right are Nan Ozias Asher Flatau, Bev Bemiss
gather over Homecoming weekend and reminisce about
Walz, Elsie Vaughn Edlis, and Nancy Worster
their days living on first south in Shaw.
Traficante.
2 8 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
Sharon Wallace Brown of Canfield, Ohio, was
appointed vice president of finance for Vec Ohio,
a general and electrical contractor working in 39
states.
1983
Dr. Michael Gette was honored with the Pennsylvania Academy of
Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery’s Dermatologist of the Year
Award, recognizing an Academy member who has made significant
contributions to the specialty and to the Academy’s leadership
and/or educational programs. A past president of the Academy,
he is a board-certified dermatologist with Saye, Gette & Diamond
Dermatology Associates and is a clinical assistant professor of
medicine at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine.
Daniel Miller, professor of psychological
science and neuroscience at Carthage
College, has earned divemaster certification
for scuba training. He leads the annual
J-Term study term “Biodiveristy, Brains and
Behavior” in Honduras, during which students
become scuba-certified and study the
ecology of a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem.
As a divemaster, he is now certified to lead
dives and continue instructing novice student
divers during the study tour.
1991
Julia Sampson Frankland was awarded the 2014-2015 Distinguished
Faculty Award for Service at Malone University in Canton, Ohio.
1993
1995
Lt. Col. Christopher Madeline was selected
for the Secretary of Defense Corporate
Fellows Program, during which he will spend
a year with Caterpillar, Inc. leadership in
Peoria, Ill. At the conclusion of the fellowship
he will return to Marine Corps Systems
Command in Quantico, Va., to resume his
position as an acquisitions manager. He and
his wife, Stephanie, are the parents of three
children.
Class of 1964 establishes
intern sponsorship fund
Recognizing that experiential internships enhance students’
classroom study, the Class of 1964 has endowed a sponsorship
fund for Westminster students.
While internships allow students to explore career options
Helen Boylan Funari, professor of chemistry,
has been named Westminster’s GibsonDrinko Distinguished Chair for 2015-2018.
This endowed award recognizes excellence in
teaching, scholarship and civic contribution,
along with advocacy for the liberal arts.
Jonathan Potts was promoted to associate
vice president for public relations and
marketing at Robert Morris University in
Moon Township. He and his wife, Maggi, and
three children make their home in Pittsburgh.
2006
Dina Linn recently became curator of the National Naval Aviation
Museum in Pensacola, Fla. The facility is the world’s largest naval
aircraft museum, housing World War I biplanes, F-14D Tomcat
fighters and World War II-era Dauntless dive-bombers.
2010
Abigail Miles, seated left, and Olivia Martin, seated right, join alumni
who helped establish the Class of 1964 Intern Sponsorship Fund. Miles
and Martin were the first recipients of the funding, which enabled Miles
to intern with Project Favela in Rio de Janeiro, and Martin to spend her
summer as an intern at the Erie Times-News newspaper. Pictured with
the seniors are, in front from left, Laurie Rees Williams ’64 and Linda
Wood Fetters ’65, and in back from left, Craig Fetters ’64, Roberta
Mumpfer Abbey ’64, and Dan Williams ‘64.
and gain professional skills, significant expense can be
associated with high-quality internship experiences.
The Class of 1964 Intern Sponsorship Fund, created in honor
of the class’ 50th anniversary celebration in October 2014,
will be used to provide competitive funding for students who
accept eligible, credit-worthy unpaid internships. Two or three
sponsorships will be awarded annually.
Seniors Olivia Martin, English major, and Abigail Miles,
communication studies major, were the first students to benefit
from the scholarship fund. Martin interned as a reporter for the
Erie Times-News, while Miles traveled to Rio de Janeiro to intern
with Project Favela.
The sponsorship is administered through the Westminster
College Career Center.
John Magnuson is the associate pastor for discipleship at Shadyside
Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 2 9
WEDDINGS
2002
u Linda Sestric and Mark McCrady, Aug. 25, 2012, at Most
Holy Name Church in Pittsburgh. The couple and their son live in
Glenshaw. (See New Additions)
2007
We need YOUR support!
EVERY GIFT MATTERS
Alumni participation to the Westminster Fund is
critical to our success and helps demonstrate the
strength of our school. Show your support for
Westminster College by making a contribution to
the Westminster Fund.
u Jennifer Ramsey and Anthony Oliva, July 14, 2015, in Negril,
Jamaica. The couple resides in Virginia.
Make your gift today.
2012
www.westminster.edu/give
u Emily Saulsbery and Jason Brown, May 30, 2015, in Conneaut
Lake. Alumni in the wedding party were Becky Hasulak ’13 and
Kelsey Mersing ’13. The couple lives in Carnegie.
2013
u Tricia Glorioso and Brian Mack ’12, June 21, 2015, in Sewickley.
WEDDING ALBUM
6TH ANNUAL ALUMNI & FRIENDS
DINNER DANCE
C•R•U•I•S•E
TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Sestric-McCrady
Saulsbery-Brown
Ramsey-Oliva
Glorioso-Mack
Boarding at 5:30 p.m. and departing at 6 p.m.
from St. Petersburg Beach
(new location and free parking!)
Join alumnus host and trustee Keith
McCauley ‘68 and Westminster alumni and
guests for a Tampa Bay cruise experience.
Evening includes dining, live entertainment,
and dancing. Free parking available.
RIDE WITH PRIDE
PENNSYLVANIA ALUMNI:
Show your Titan Pride when you are on the road!
To order a Westminster College license plate, visit
www.westminster.edu/alumni/services.cfm.
3 0 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
RSVP by March 26 to Keith McCauley
727-733-6075 | keithmccauley@msn.com
NEW ADDITIONS
OPERATED
&
BUSINESS INFORMATION
OWNED
1998
u Mandy Snyder Corbett and her husband, Jeff: a
daughter, Maelie Virginia, on Aug. 15, 2015. She joins
siblings Annie (14), Austin (12), Samuel (10), Caeden (9),
Daniel (4) and Jackson (2) at home in Ellettsville, Ind.
1999
u Melissa Rea Goda and her husband, Steve: a son,
Marco, on Oct. 1, 2014. The family resides in Scott
Township.
2002
ARE YOU A BUSINESS OWNER?
We want to help support our alumni by listing
any businesses that are owned or operated by
Westminster College alumni on our website.
Email alumni@westminster.edu and include the
following:
u Linda Sestric McCrady and her husband, Mark: a son,
Jackson Richard, on July 14, 2015. The family lives in
Glenshaw. (See Weddings)
2006
u Jacklyn Fair Prepelka and her husband, Andy: a
daughter, Ruby Lyn, on Aug. 21, 2015. She joins big sister
Lola Jane at the family home in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.
2008
u Emilee Ackerman Atkins and her husband, Jay: a
daughter, Brinlee, on June 17, 2015. The family lives in
Harrison City.
•
Your name and work email
•
Name of business
•
Location of business
•
What type of services or products you offer
•
Business website
•
If you wish to extend a discount or special
offer to Westminster alumni
We are currently collecting content and will soon
2010
u Amy Wolenski Willey and her husband, Mike: a son,
Noah Benjamin, on May 17, 2015. The family resides in
Pasadena, Md.
2012
dedicate a portion of our website to this effort.
Thank you for your participation.
Questions? Contact the Westminster College
Morgan Gerlach Whitaker: a son, Colton Levi, on May
27, 2015. The family lives in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, where
Morgan is an area branch operations coordinator with
Airgas USA.
Alumni Office at 724-946-7364.
TITAN TOTS
Maelie Corbett
Marco Goda
Jackson McCrady
Ruby Prepelka
Brinlee Atkins
Noah Willey
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 3 1
REGIONAL CONNECTIONS
Regional events are open to all alumni and friends of Westminster College.
The Office of Alumni Relations works with volunteers to plan events in cities
and regions across the country. Get connected with alumni in your area!
RAISE IT! — The Pittsburgh Regional Alumni Committee hosted their annual Pittsburgh Pirates Alumni
Tailgate on July 24. Alumni enjoyed free T-shirts, great seats, tickets loaded with food credits, and a 7-5
win over the Washington Nationals.
BREW SCHOOL — Members of our Cleveland Regional Alumni Committee
helped host the Great Lakes Brewery Tour & Beer Class on June 2. After
receiving a tour of the brewery, attendees learned about the beer making
process in a private tasting and hors d’oeuvres reception. This event was
also open to other alumni who carpooled to Cleveland to attend.
WINE TIME — The Lawrence, Mercer, Clarion Regional Alumni
Committee organized the Webb Winery Wine Class on June 24
in support of alumnus and winery owner Kevin Webb ’02 and
his wife, Carlee. Guests enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres paired with
complimentary wine made right at the Webb homestead and
winery in Hermitage.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SEASON KICKOFF — Nothing like kicking off the Titan football
season with a party! For the first time in recent memory,
Westminster hosted a pregame event prior to the 2015 season’s
kickoff at Hiram College on Sept. 5. Alumni, parents, and fans
enjoyed a pizza, salad, and cookie buffet, coupled with corn hole
and beautiful weather. The Titans beat the Terriers 17-9.
TUESDAY, DEC. 29: Deadline to book Alumni Mediterranean Cruise
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21: Wear Westminster Day & Titan Pride Season Kickoff
SUNDAY, MARCH 6: Alumni Event @ Erie Otters Hockey Game
SUNDAY, MARCH 13: Alumni Event @ Columbus Blue Jackets
THURSDAY, MARCH 31: Alumni Event @ Pittsburgh Penguins
SUNDAY, APRIL 10: Alumni Dinner Cruise in St. Petersburg, Fla.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23: Preshow Celebrity Series Alumni Dinner
THURSDAY, MAY 19: Alumni Reception in Washington, D.C.
Check out our events page often for upcoming national and regional events!
www.westminster.edu/alumni/news-and-events.cfm
3 2 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
keep in
TOUCH
Update your details and stay connected at
www.westminster.edu/KeepInTouch
If you would prefer to send us your updates by mail, you can fill out the form below and return it to:
Alumni Updates, Westminster College, Office of Alumni Relations, 319 S. Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16172-0001
Today’s Date_______________
Name_____________________________________________________________ Maiden Name___________________________ Class_____________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City__________________________________________________________________________ State__________ ZIP*____________________–_______________
Email address_______________________________________________________________________I.D. Number (see mailing label)________________________
Occupation__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Employer____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City__________________________________________________________________________ State__________ ZIP*____________________–_______________
Home Telephone__________________________________Business Telephone______________________________ Cell Phone___________________________
Spouse’s Name____________________________________________________________________ Spouse’s Westminster Class__________________________
Children’s Names and Birth Dates_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here’s my news:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
o This is an address change.
o This is new information which I have not submitted before.
o Please publish my news in an upcoming issue of Westminster Magazine.
* Please state your zip + 4. Refer to your utility bills for this number.
WANT YOUR NEWS & PHOTOS PUBLISHED?
@ EMAIL us at alumni@westminster.edu
E SNAIL MAIL us a letter at:
Westminster College
Office of Alumni Relations
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16172-0001
p FAX us at 724-946-7366
I PHOTOS: We love to publish photos of alumni and future
Titans! Please follow these guidelines when submitting photos:
PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS: We accept all sizes of photographs, but prefer
them to be at least 4x6 inches in size. Both color and black and white prints are
acceptable.
DIGITAL PHOTOS: To submit a digital photo, attach it to an email message
addressed to alumni@westminster.edu. We require high-resolution files (a minimum
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significant lead time is required. This issue features Class Notes received prior to
Oct. 15. News received after that date should appear in the next issue.
W e s t m i n s t e r C o ll e g e M a g a z i n e 3 3
IN MEMORIAM
Word has reached us of the passing of the following alumni and friends of Westminster College. To submit information for
the In Memoriam section, please provide a complete obituary notice (if available) to the Office of Alumni Relations.
ALUMNI
Virginia Mack Held ’37 of Leechburg, Feb. 21, 2015.
Ann Daugherty Sickeler ’42 of Vero Beach, Fla., Jan. 5, 2015.
Malcolm Findlay ’42 of Grove City, Ohio, July 27, 2011.
Lee McColgin Kennedy ’42 of Cabot, July 5, 2015.
Martha Rhea Roadamel ’42 of Knox, Aug. 30, 2015.
Martha Fannan Williamson ’43 of Bluefield, W.V., Aug. 31, 2013.
Betty Jane Johnson Norris ’43 of Avon, Conn., Sept. 8, 2015.
Helen Trevitt Painter ’43 of Evans City, Sept. 14, 2015.
Robert Belding ’44 of Franklin, N.C., July 30, 2015.
Nancy Jarrett Ett ’46 of Alliance, Ohio, March 22, 2015.
Robert Dicks ’47 of Mercer, Oct. 8, 2014.
William Baker ’48 of Pompton Plains, N.J., Feb. 8, 2015.
Charles Davis ’48 of Durham, N.C., March 9, 2015.
Mary Lyon Collins ’48 of Westbury, N.Y., Dec. 26, 2012.
Harold McWhertor ’48 of New Wilmington, Nov. 25, 2014.
Ann Wahlin Harris ’48 of San Diego, April 17, 2015.
Jean Clark McWhertor ’49 of New Wilmington, June 25, 2014.
Dr. Edwin “Ted” Good ’49 of Eugene, Ore., Sept. 12, 2014.
Janet Keller Moll ’49 of St. Albans, W.V., July 8, 2015.
The Rev. Kenneth Stewart ’49 of Naperville, Ill., Aug. 4, 2014.
Kathryn Couch Waters ’50 of Parkersburg, W.V., May 9, 2015.
David Goodwin ’50 of Hermitage, Nov. 25, 2014.
Carolyn “Nickie” Holub Wilbanks ’50 of Mesquite, Texas, July 25, 2015.
Harry Nelson ’50 of Sapulpa, Okla., Sept. 12, 2015.
Jean Swindler Hosie ’50 of New Wilmington, March 18, 2015.
The Rev. Dr. Dwight White ’50 of East Ryegate, Vt., March 10, 2015.
Joan Magee Boyd ’52 of Willoughby, Ohio, June 25, 2015.
Jack Welty ’52 of York, Feb. 11, 2015.
Gloria Ben Wasilewski ’53 of Ellwood City, Nov. 15, 2013.
Theodore “Tee” Lorence ’53 of Pleasant Hills, May 3, 2015.
John “Jay” Thompson ’53 of Oklahoma City, March 1, 2015.
Nancy Brown Greenlee ’55 of Shaker Heights, Ohio, June 2, 2014.
Thomas Lusk ’55 of Ontario, Ohio, Sept. 6, 2015.
Roland “Bud” Tallarico ’55 of Greer, S.C., Jan. 24, 2015.
Doris Gething Holter ’56 of Norcross, Ga., Feb. 26, 2015.
Francis McGary ’56 of Alliance, Ohio, July 1, 2015.
Sarah Haddad ’57 of New Kensington, April 30, 2015.
Richard Rausch ’58 of Bethany Beach, Del., Nov. 19, 2014.
Barbara Powell Flinchbaugh ’59 of West Sunbury, July 3, 2015.
Donald Rice M’61 of Leesburg, Dec. 6, 2013.
Joan Curry ’62 of Canandaigua, N.Y., Feb. 2, 2015.
Patricia Pallone DiSantis ’62 of Mentor, Ohio, Nov. 24, 2014.
The Rev. John “Jack” Sharp ’62 of Baltimore, May 11, 2015.
Marion Smith Drake ’62 of Westfield, N.J., Jan. 2015.
Donna Houser Han ’63 of Lewisville, N.C., Feb. 15, 2015.
The Rev. Dr. William Hudson ’64 of Hermitage, July 20, 2015.
Gary Mackey ’64 of Warren, Ohio, Sept. 4, 2014.
Wayne Cornelius ’65 of Boardman, Ohio, Nov. 24, 2009.
Glenn Mains III ’65 of Lehigh Acres, Fla., March 6, 2014.
Dr. Dennis Omlor ’65 of Berea, Ohio, April 11, 2013.
George Seidel Jr. ’65 of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, April 12, 2015.
Michael Cruger ’67 of Peekskill, N.Y., July 8, 2015.
Ronald Ealy M’71 of Greenville, June 29, 2015.
Thomas Cooke ’72 of Hixson, Tenn., Jan. 2, 2015.
Frank “Fats” Cubellis M’73 of New Castle, Sept. 5, 2015.
Dr. Thomas Hartman ’75 of Toledo, Ohio, Dec. 12, 2014.
Dennis Mumper ’75 of Canonsburg, Jan. 7, 2014.
Harriet “Harri” Amurgis ’76 of Columbus, Ohio, June 18, 2015.
Michael Patterson Sr. ’76 of Allison Park, Nov. 26, 2014.
Lanna Lorigan Shaw ’77 of Kittanning, April 12, 2015.
Gail Habbyshaw ’80 of Mercer, April 23, 2015.
James Yelovich Jr. ’86 of Parkesburg, Aug. 26, 2014.
Lisanna “Lisa” Hancox-Totin ’89 of New Castle, April 15, 2015.
Thomas Burkhart M’99 of Mercer, March 1, 2015.
MABEL C. KOCHER ’32 • July 25, 2015
At 105, Mabel C. Kocher ’32, was a longtime friend of
Westminster College. She served her alma mater for 33 years,
28 of which as head librarian. She retired in 1975 as associate
professor/head librarian. In addition to her degree from
Westminster, she also held a bachelor’s degree in library science
from Carnegie Library School at Carnegie Institute of Technology
(now Carnegie Mellon University) and a master of science in
library science from Western Reserve University (now Case
Western Reserve University). Following her retirement from
Westminster, she continued to be involved with the McGill Library,
primarily working on the Special Collection which contains books
authored by Westminster alumni. In 2005, Westminster awarded
Kocher with an honorary doctorate of literature degree.
3 4 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
FRIENDS
RICHARD E. “DICK” FUHRER ’50
July 29, 2015
Richard E. Fuhrer ’50 served on the Westminster College Board of
Trustees from 1986-1991. He founded Fuhrer’s. Inc., an independent
insurance agency that was consistently honored for excellence.
He was a life member of the Oakmont Country Club, serving
as president in 1983-1984, when the club hosted the U.S. Open
Championship.
MARY W. HILL
AUG. 24, 2015
Mary W. Hill served on the education faculty of Westminster from
1979 until her retirement in 1995, when she was granted professor of
education emerita status and honored with the Distinguished Faculty
Award.
DR. JOHN L. MANSELL ’54
April 13, 2015
Dr. John L. Mansell ’54 partnered with Dr. Howard “Larry” Shaffer
to establish a medical practice in New Wilmington in 1961, retiring
in 2009. He served as the College physician and in a variety of
leadership positions in the community, earning him a Westminster
Alumni Citation in 2004.
J. FRED RENTZ
Aug. 19, 2015
J. Fred Rentz served on the Westminster College Board of Trustees
from 1972-1999, earning Trustee Emeritus status in 2000. A World
War II veteran, he retired as president and chief executive officer
of the New Castle News in 1988. His contributions to Westminster
include the establishment of the Suzanne Shannon Rentz and Rentz
Family scholarships, as well as support of other projects.
ofaaWestminster
Westminstereducation
educationneeds
needsto
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betold.
told.
The power of
How has your Westminster degree helped you become
the person you are today? Share your story of how your
Westminster experience shaped your life. We’ll run
responses in a future issue of Westminster Magazine.
SHARE
YOUR
STORY
Email your story to WCmagazine@westminster.edu or mail to Westminster Magazine, Westminster College, 319 S. Market St.,
New Wilmington, PA 16172 by Jan. 30, 2016. In addition to your story, please include your name, class year, address and email address.
A current photo or a snapshot from your days at Westminster would be appreciated, as well.
WC MEMORIES
GALBREATH HALL 1957
GALBREATH HALL construction was completed in 1957 as a memorial to Westminster’s seventh president,
Robert F. Galbreath (1932-1946), who guided the College through the Great Depression and World War II. The
building housed 166 women students and provided a food service complex with two large dining rooms for oncampus students. It was dedicated on Oct. 25, 1957, not even two years after the Board of Trustees approved
the project in January 1955. Galbreath was the guest of honor at the dedication, which attracted 200 guests,
including many intimate friends of Galbreath. Female students from the six sorority houses moved into the first
floor of Galbreath on November 23, 1957.
The erection of Galbreath Hall was part of the large construction
program during the presidency of Dr. Will Orr (1949-1967). It
cost $1,140,000 to construct, and most of the funds came
from an $803,000 Federal Housing Administration Loan. The
building’s two dining facilities —
­ Duff and McGinnis dining
halls — were named for trustee and benefactor John Duff,
who had recently been killed in an automobile accident, and
deceased alumnus Samuel Wilson McGinnis, class of 1901.
Today, the centrally located Galbreath Hall provides housing
for 152 women and is comprised of three floors, each one
containing single and double bedrooms and two large
community bathrooms.
~ Compiled by Dorothy Pollock ’46
3 6 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
DAVE & KAPPY SARVER
DAVE AND KAPPY SARVER’S LOVE for Westminster College goes
back more than 40 years. This was where they met and fell in love, where they
developed their potential, and where they grew spiritually. They treasure the
College as a nurturing, encouraging, challenging, and loving environment and
want that legacy to endure and expand for another generation of students in a
rapidly changing global community. They believe that Westminster College is
uniquely able to help students grow into “purposeful and intelligent” people
who can make the world a better place.
The Sarvers, both 1973 graduates, have established the Dave & Kappy Sarver Scholarship
Fund to support the development of a more diverse student body and have maintained a
math scholarship in honor of Dave’s mother, Harriet Jackson Sarver ’36.
WHY DO YOU GIVE?
“
We believe
Westminster gave
us a very good
foundation. We want
to enable Westminster
to do the same for
future generations of
students.
”
There can be no better way to preserve the future of
Westminster College than through giving.
Every gift of every size contributes to student success.
YOUR GIFT. MORE THAN YOU IMAGINE.
For information on ways to give in support of Westminster students through both current and future gifts,
please contact Roxann Williams, director of donor relations, at 724-946-6995 or williare@westminster.edu.
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SHOW YOUR TITAN PRIDE
JANUARY 21-FEBRUARY 11
TITAN PRIDE SEASON
• WEAR WESTMINSTER DAY: Jan. 21
Sport your favorite Titan gear at work or school. Take a photo of
yourself wearing your white & blue and post and tweet it out to
share your Westminster pride! #WWD2016
• DO A TITAN GOOD DEED: Jan. 28
Print the official signage (available at www.westminster.edu/
titanpride) for the day and do a good deed for a friend, neighbor,
colleague, or classmate. Leave the signage and snap a photo.
Tweet or post it out to show your pride! #imaginemore
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