achieve fall 2010
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Achieve Fall 2010TRANSCRIPT
Remembering Richard Harriman:Celebrating A Life Well -Lived
A C H I E V EM A G A Z I N EThe alumni magazine of William Jewell College
Fall 2010
A C H I E V EM A G A Z I N EThe alumni magazine of William Jewell College
Fall 2010
ContentsFeatures
Remembering Richard Harriman:Celebrating A Life Well-LivedThe English professor who became an impresario brought his passion for the arts to generations of Jewell students and the world beyond the Hill.
A Decade of Achievement:The Presidency of Dr. David SalleePresident marks many milestones in his first decade at Jewell.
Homecoming 2010Alumni reconnect with classmates in a weekend to remember.
Young Alumni Profile: Nick ClarkBrings Marketing Savvy to the Athletic ArenaNick Clark makes the transition from the Hill to the high-stakes world of international marketing.
Our MissionWilliam Jewell College promises students an outstanding liberal arts education that cultivates leadership,service, and spiritual growth within a community inspired by Christian ideals and committed to open,rigorous intellectual pursuits.
Go Cardinals! Homecoming 2010
Fueling the flame of knowledgeBeginning my eleventh year as president of theCollege has given me the opportunity to reflect on the enterprise of higher education in a community like William Jewell College. In particular, I have beenthinking about what makes it “go”.
All kinds of arguments can be made for the things thatcontribute to the effective achievement of the mission,but I think the engagement of a great group of facultyis the number one driver toward mission success.
At William Jewell College, the faculty bring with them outstandingknowledge in their chosen disciplines. They have the highest degrees intheir fields from places like Vanderbilt, the University of Chicago, OxfordUniversity, Duke, Tulane, Georgetown, UCLA, Cal-Berkeley, Kansas, Missouri,Yale, Colorado, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Washington University-St. Louis.
Of course, it is critical that they bring high levels of knowledge to theclassroom. However, at a place that values teaching and learning, facultymembers must also be committed to the study of and constantly improvingthe practice of pedagogy. As I talk with faculty members and hear themgive presentations, it is this focus on intentionally improving their teachingpractices that they are most excited about. They see how students learn andthey adapt to the ever-changing landscape of learning technologies andeffective learning experiences.
In the end, a college like Jewell is not about teaching, it is about learning.And our faculty is committed to how well our students learn. They talk witheach other, they attend conferences on teaching, they read the latest articleson pedagogy and they listen to their students. The passion in their voices asthey talk about their students’ learning is, however, the most telling evidenceof their commitment.
That passion for learning is absorbed by Jewell students and graduates.I continue to talk with recent graduates whose gratitude for the Jewellexperience is focused not on the knowledge they accumulated, but ratheron the passion for learning and the lifelong skills that enhance learning thatthey “caught” from their great teachers.
Great teachers make a great college. Thank you to the Jewell faculty forbeing great teachers.
From the President
4 Achieve Magazine Fall 2010
ACHIEVE MAGAZINE
FALL 2010
PRESIDENT
David L. Sallee
VICE PRESIDENTFOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Chad J. Jolly ’94
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Robert A. Eisele
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOROF ALUMNI RELATIONSAND ANNUAL GIVING
Kent Huyser ’93
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI SERVICES
Tanna Campbell ’08
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI PROGRAMSAND VOLUNTEERS
Lindy Sheets
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OFCOMMUNICATIONS AND NEW MEDIA
Cara Dahlor
MANAGER OF PRINT
COMMUNICATIONS
Kari L. Perry ’94
DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES AND SIGNATURE EVENTS
Susan E. Arbo ’86
CAMPUS PHOTOGRAPHER
Kyle Rivas ’08
Achieve is produced three times a year bythe Office of College Relations and
Marketing at
WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
500 College HillLiberty, Missouri 64068-1896
Visit us on Facebookfacebook.com/jewellalumni
“During our senior year at Jewell, a few of our classmates stressed tous the importance of giving, in a spirit of appreciation for ourcollege experience, regardless of how much or how little we wereable to give at the time. By supporting the Jewell Fund, we knowthat we are strengthening Jewell’s ability to offer more students thesame quality education we received. We believe that it is importantto use the resources we have to help build a better world, and for us,Jewell is just the place to make that happen.
“For many of us, Jewell was a place of great personal discovery andgrowth. By supporting the Jewell Fund, alumni can use theirresources, great or small, to offer the same experience of discoveryand growth to others. During college, we all sang together in theAlma Mater, ‘We will fight to keep her fame...’ Giving to the JewellFund is one way that we can all fight to keep the Jewell experiencealive and well in the future.
“Our Jewell education did so much more than just prepare us forjobs after college. Over the course of four years, we were challengedto think critically about our roles as citizens, neighbors, friends andcolleagues, and to use the gifts we have and the skills we’ve acquiredto create a good, meaningful life for ourselves and our community.We are grateful for the faculty, staff and alumni who made ourJewell experience possible.”
To give to the Jewell Fund, go to www.givetojewell.com.
Andrew is pursuing his master of fine arts in creative writing/mediaarts at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Kristen is a graduateof the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and works atthe Lathrop and Gage law firm in Kansas City.
At right: Andrew Johnson ’05 and Kristen Ellis-Johnson ’05,with Annen Isaac Johnson
The Jewell Fund:Why EveryGift CountsBy Andrew Johnson ’05 and Kristen Ellis-Johnson ’05
The 2010 season of the Harriman-JewellSeries began like many others during the46-year history of the acclaimed performingarts presenting program. A crowded FollyTheater welcomed both William JewellCollege students and members of the largerKansas City community for a performanceby the cutting-edge Trey McIntyre Project, amodern dance company. Expectations werehigh as the lights dimmed for the openingperformance of the new season.
But one seat remained unfilled on thatwarm September night: orchestra left, rowH, seat 1. It was the seat traditionallyoccupied by Richard Harriman, a member
of the William Jewell College class of 1953,co-founder and artistic director of theHarriman-Jewell Series that bears his name.
The former college English professor whoseunassuming manner masked a deeply heldpassion for the performing arts died ofleukemia on July 15 at the age of 77. At anAugust memorial service, more than 600friends, family members, colleagues and artspatrons gathered in Gano Chapel on theWilliam Jewell campus to remember theman who had touched the hearts and mindsof an entire community. The serviceincluded performances by pianist ConradTao and tenor Michael Fabiano, as well as
tributes from Kansas City community artsleader Joan Israelite, from longtime friendJohn Moore, and from Series co-founderand longtime friend and Jewell colleagueDr. Dean Dunham, Jr.
“Richard was best known to the worldbeyond the College as founder andpatriarch of the Harriman-Jewell Series,”said President David Sallee. “And we aregathered in the place where that all began in1965, the place where the very best artists inthe world first appeared, the place thatbrought together those artists, the studentsof William Jewell College and the arts
Remembering Richard Harriman:
At right: Richard Harriman with Series co-founder Dr. Dean Dunham, Jr.
“In him, we have the perfectexample of what dedicationand imagination can bringto the world.”– Joyce DiDonato
CelebratingA Life Well-Lived
patrons of Kansas City. It is fitting that wecelebrate his life in this place.”
Dr. Sallee noted that Harriman was mostwidely known as an impresario and artsadministrator. But his true gift wasteaching. “In all he did, Richard was in hisheart a teacher,” Dr. Sallee said. “Whetherhe was leading the dissection of a passagefrom Shakespeare, which he did as well asanyone ever has, or lending his wisdomand polished presence to the men of theLambda Chi Alpha fraternity, orgraciously welcoming all of us to anotherperformance at the Folly, he was alwaysteaching. It appeared to me that Richard’sjoy came in sharing—whether he wassharing knowledge and fresh insights intoliterature with his students or sharing thewonder of the arts with all of us.”
It was in this same 800-seat Gano Chapel onthe Jewell campus that Harriman arrangedto share with area audiences thefirst professional recital by a thenlittle-known tenor namedLuciano Pavarotti in 1973.Harriman’s remarkable gift forchoosing artists whose star wasascending was remembered byJoyce DiDonato, theinternationally renowned mezzo-soprano and Kansas City arearesident who appeared on theHarriman-Jewell Series in 2003,2006 and 2009.
“He somehow knew who thestars would be before any ofthem knew themselves,”DiDonato wrote on her web sitein a memorial tribute. “In him,we have the perfect example ofwhat dedication andimagination can bring to theworld. In bringing more than850 events to one city over theyears, a single human beingwith a vision and the fortitudeto follow it through changedthe lives of the people of myhometown. He brought usbeauty and introspection andlaid the world at our feet. Noneed for passports and airfare—he graciously brought it all tous. I owe Mr. Harriman atremendous amount, and hewill be sorely missed.”
Dr. Gordon Kingsley, president of WilliamJewell College from 1980-93 and a formerEnglish department colleague with RichardHarriman, remembered his friend as agifted teacher and beloved faculty member.“Personally, I feel the passing not just of a
friend but of an era: our English facultycolleague Ann Marie Shannon has slippedaway, and then Myra Unger, and nowRichard,” Dr. Kingsley wrote in aremembrance contributed for thememorial service program. “And in that
big, big music heaven in the sky,Richard is now joining the likes ofLuciano—what a reunion that onemust be! These are all special people,each in his or her own way. Richardstands tall among them—thougheven at this moment we can imaginehim standing in the background togive others precedence andprominence. It was Richard’s way.”
No one was more familiar with“Richard’s way” than Clark Morris ’91.Morris came to the Harriman-JewellSeries as a student box-office workerand ended up finding his life’s callingbeside the man who would becomehis career mentor and cherishedfriend. Morris recalled that shortlyafter Harriman’s death, he wasworking through the details ofbooking a promising emerging artistfor an upcoming performance whenhe realized he would not be able toshare his sense of excitement andanticipation with the man whom hehad shared so many similar momentswith in the past.
“In this moment I felt uneasy with theabsence of Richard–the thought thatnot one of the thousands of luncheswe shared could be repeated,” Morrissaid. “And yet, I would suggest thatRichard has endowed us with great
(Continued on followin page )
Richard Harriman with super-tenor Luciano Pavarotti
Clark Morris ’91 with Richard Harriman outside Kansas City’s Music Hall
gifts. His life’s work was to bring us thegreatest performing artists in the world andthose artists will continue to come and be apart of our lives. Richard’s refined values areingrained in the Harriman-Jewell Series andan aspect of his brilliance was in buildingsomething that would last beyond his owncuratorial guidance. We who have workedso closely with Richard will continue to hear
his voice echo in our ears, we will see his ‘correction finger’ rise, and we will smile knowing we have satisfied his exacting standards.”
Though Harriman’s professionalachievements were many, it was his essentialhumanity that Morris remembers best.“Sometimes, we expect that those who
accomplish much are unlike us anddistanced from our understanding of ourdaily lives,” Morris said. “Artists withphenomenal gifts and impresarios withexceptional intelligence should becelebrated, but we shouldn’t fail toacknowledge our common nature. I lovedDick most because, despite his greatness, hewas gentle and generous.”
Dr. Dean Dunham, Harriman’s Englishdepartment colleague and a friend for morethan 48 years, recalled the humblebeginnings of the Harriman-Jewell Series in1962: “Two English professors in a tinyoffice, thinking about our students andabout the arts, and a way to get the twotogether. Neither of us dreamed that itwould grow as he nurtured it to do.”
Dr. Dunham noted that Harriman was apowerful teacher whose Shakespeare classesat Jewell were legendary. He shared anexcerpt from a note he received from aformer Jewell student following Harriman’sdeath: “A hush would fall over the roomduring his Shakespeare readings. The power
Richard Harriman with violinist Itzhak Perlman
Richard Harriman served for many years as an advisor to the LambdaChi fraternity.
gentle &generous8 Achieve Magazine Fall 2010
of his speaking made Shakespeare’s workmeaningful and profound to us in our ownday. It was a whole cracking open of a worldthat was new to us. When he spokeShakespeare’s words, it was a purposeful,gifted presentation of the language of thehuman experience.”
Remembering that one of Harriman’sfavorite plays was Thornton Wilder’s “OurTown,” Dr. Dunham quoted a passage fromthe play in which a character is allowed torevisit her life and relive the preciousmemories of a single perfect day: “Oh Earth,you’re too wonderful for anyone to realizeyou,” Dunham read from the text of the playas he concluded his emotional tribute.“Richard believed that the arts could help uslook at one another and help us realize life.”
In closing his portion of the memorialservice, Dr. Sallee offered the final wordsfrom Shakespeare’s “King Lear”:The weight of this sad time we must obey;Speak what we feel, not what we ought tosay. The oldest hath borne most: we thatare young shall never see so much, nor liveso long.
“By his example Richard taught us how tolive with grace and sophistication,” Dr.Sallee concluded. “By his presence, Richardtaught us to be reserved and thoughtful. By
“By his exampleRichard taughtus how to livewith grace andsophistication.”– Dr. David Sallee
his standards, Richard taught us quality andquiet excellence. By his humility, Richardtaught us to be human, with ourselves andwith each other.
“Thank you, Richard.”
Extendingthe legacyThe Richard L. Harriman Fund forExcellence in the Arts is a restricted fund to be used by the Harriman-JewellSeries for special artists and projects.Contributions to this fund will honorRichard’s memory by carrying on his legacy of quality, variety and discovery in the arts.
Gifts to the Harriman Fund for Excellencein the Arts can be made online atwww.hjseries.org or by contactingHarriman-Jewell Series Director ofDevelopment Kimberly Hinkle at 816-415-7814 or [email protected].
grac
e & so
phist
icatio
n Richard Harriman with the celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma
Tributes“He was a star in the magnitude of peoplewho made a real difference. I will neverforget him.”
—Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano
“No one will ever be able to calculate howthe presence of some of the world’s mostsuperb artists before area innocentsinfluenced the development of residentmusic, dance and theater companies. WhatHarriman has done...has multiplied incountless, wonderful ways.”
—The Kansas City Star editorial board
“I was 12 years old when Richard Harrimanbrought The Joffrey Ballet to Kansas City.That evening changed my life. Richardwould bring great artists to Kansas City buthe also knew how to bring a faithfulaudience to the theater. This gift, which hegave to both artists and audiences, is rare.He was the first to bring Parsons Dancehome to Kansas City in 1987. I will miss hiswise, kind, soft-spoken words of advice andthe love he had for artists, audiences and theperforming arts.”
— David Parsons, choreographer
Parsons Dance will premiere a new piece dedicated to the memory of Richard Harriman at their GalaPerformance January 25 at New York’sJoyce Theatre. For more information, go to www.parsonsdance.com.
“I’ve been to Kansas City quite a few times,”pianist Emanuel Ax told The Kansas CityStar prior to performing a Novembermemorial concert for Richard Harriman.“I’m very happy to be coming back. It’s anhonor to do something in Richard’smemory. I studied Shakespeare at Columbia(University in New York) in the late ’60s,and I’ll always remember discussingShakespeare with Richard. He was a warm,generous person. Just great.”
—Emanuel Ax, pianist
Thank you, Richard
To visit New York for the first time has aspecial meaning when the visitor inquestion is a small-town boy who has begunto suspect that he wants to immerse himselfin the life of art. It is a turning point, themoment when the rest of your life starts totake shape before your astonished eyes. Forme that moment came in December of1975, and it was Richard Harriman whomade it happen.
In those days William Jewell College gave itsstudents the opportunity to participate in aseries of between-semesters coursescollectively known as “Winterim.” One ofthe most coveted was a two-week visit toNew York sponsored by Mr. Harriman. Itwas a kind of cultural finishing school, for
not only did those lucky enough toaccompany him go to concerts andshows, but they also stayed at theWaldorf-Astoria and ate at fancyrestaurants. (Many years went bybefore I learned enough about theworld to realize that Mr. Harrimanmust have been discreetly picking up anot-insignificant portion of the tab forthose trips.)
Ever since I’d gotten a glimpse of NewYork on television, I had longed to seefor myself what it was like. A year afterI transferred to Jewell, I found out. Mr.Harriman had chosen our activitieswith the greatest of care, and to look ata list of the things we saw and did is tobe staggered by the prodigal richness ofthe itinerary he laid out for us. We sawMikhail Baryshnikov, newly defectedfrom Russia, dancing “Spectre of theRose” with American Ballet Theatre.
Remembering Richard Harriman:
Opening the DoorBy Terry Teachout ’79
Remembering Richard Harriman:
(Lauren Bacall was sitting two rows aheadof us.) We went to the Museum of ModernArt to look at Picasso’s “Guernica” andMonet’s “Water Lilies.” We saw TomStoppard’s Travesties and Harold Prince’srevival of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. Wewent to a broadcast matinée of Puccini’sTrittico at the Metropolitan Opera House.We ate at “21,” the Four Seasons, and theRainbow Room.
It astonishes me in retrospect how manyseeds were planted during that trip thatwould bear fruit much later in my life. I hadno idea when I saw New York City Balletdance George Balanchine’s Nutcracker that Iwould someday write a book about thegreatest choreographer of the twentiethcentury, or that when I reviewed theBroadway revival of Alan Ayckbourn’sNorman Conquests for The Wall StreetJournal in 2009, I would be able to tell myreaders that I had seen the originalproduction thirty-four years earlier. I rodethe subway, tipped a surly cab driver, andate quiche and pâté de foie gras for the firsttime, and I put on my very first black tie inorder to go to the Café Carlyle and hearBobby Short sing the songs of Cole Porterand Noël Coward. If you’d told me thatnight that I would someday live in NewYork and take such things for granted, Iwould have laughed in your face.
Not only did Mr. Harriman makethese adventures possible, but he showed ushow to respond to them. Though heseemed to me as elegant and sophisticatedas Bobby Short himself, I was struck by theyouthful enthusiasm with which he hurledhimself into each day’s events. It wasimpossible for him to be blasé. He was aman who loved the arts with all his heart,and who cared no less deeply about thenaïve students who were his charges. To seeNew York in his kindly company was likebeing escorted on a date by an omniscientchaperone who ensured that you never didanything foolish while somehow contrivingto make you feel as though you were grownup and on your own.
When the fun wasover and I returned home to Missouri,I knew in my bones that I had to live in theimprobable city to which Richard Harrimanhad introduced me. Would I have taken myfirst tentative steps on the road that led tothe life I now lead had he not been there toshow me the way? Perhaps—but I suspectthat it would have been longer and bumpier.Of all the things I owe him, that is by far the greatest: he flung wide the door to my destiny.
Terry Teachout is the drama critic of TheWall Street Journal. His most recent book isPops: A Life of Louis Armstrong.
The fall of 2010 marks the10th anniversary of servicefor President David Sallee atWilliam Jewell College.Since Dr. Sallee assumed thepresidency at William Jewellin 2000, the College wasnamed “Liberal Arts Collegeof the Year” by TIMEMagazine for 2001-02.William Jewell has also beenprominently andconsistently ranked amongthe nation’s top colleges, in such publications asU.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Reviewand Forbes Magazine. His decade-long tenure atWilliam Jewell distinguishes Dr. Sallee as thelongest sitting president at any college in theKansas City metropolitan area.
Dr. Sallee’s tenure as president at William Jewell isthe apex of a career devoted to higher education.He received his associate of arts degree fromCrowder College in 1971; his bachelor of artsdegree from Oklahoma Baptist University in1973; a master of science from Pittsburg StateUniversity in 1976; and was awarded a doctorateof philosophy in adult and higher education fromthe University of Oklahoma in 1993. Prior to hisservice at William Jewell, he was Vice Presidentfor Enrollment Management at Luther College inDecorah, Iowa, from 1993 to 2000, and held thesame position at Oklahoma Baptist Universityfrom 1985 to 1993.
Since assuming the presidency at Jewell, Dr. Salleehas led a successful “Jewell Rising” campaign torestore and enhance campus facilities after atornado struck the campus in the spring of 2003.Under Dr. Sallee’s leadership, William Jewellweathered another kind of storm precipitated by
A Decade ofAchievement:
The Presidencyof
Dr. David Sallee
the Missouri Baptist Convention’sdecision in November of 2003 towithdraw more than $1 million inannual funding to the College overissues of institutionalgovernance andacademic andpersonal freedoms.In a November 2,2003, editorialheadlined “Million-dollar model of freespeech,” The KansasCity Star praised Dr.Sallee for taking astand on the issue ofacademic freedom.
Other majorinstitutionaldevelopments duringDr. Sallee’s tenure haveincluded the dedicationof the Fred & ShirleyPryor Center forLeadershipDevelopment in 2005; a successfulfundraising campaign for renovations andadditions to the Yates-Gill College Union in2006; and the fall 2009 opening of the new$14 million Shumaker Hall Sorority Housesand Greek Commons. Academically,William Jewell became the first college inthe country to allow students to add a
second major inApplied Critical
Thought and Inquiry by completing a core curriculum along with experientiallearning components.
The College’s acclaimed Oxbridge HonorsProgram continues to grow and thrive, withJewell students completing their majors inthe British tutorial style of instruction while
spending their junior year in the universitycommunities of either Oxford orCambridge. Jewell students consistentlyclaim numerous prestigious national andinternational scholarships and fellowships,including Goldwater, Marshall, Truman,Mitchell, USA Today, Madison and Pointscholarships.
Under Dr. Sallee’s leadership, the Collegereaches out in a number of ways to thelarger Kansas City community, most visiblythrough the flagship Harriman-JewellSeries, which is currently in its 46th seasonof bringing the world’s best performingartists to the Kansas City community. Dr.Sallee has also shared his personal expertisethrough a variety of professional and civicactivities including service on the AmericanHumanics Board of Directors; the Centerfor Practical Bioethics Board of Directors;the Midwest Research Institute Board ofTrustees; and the Clay County EconomicDevelopment Council.
Dr. Sallee provided leadership for asweeping institutional strategic plan thatwas launched in the spring of 2005.Building on the College’s longstandingmission of supporting the common good,Dr. Sallee obtained funding for theestablishment of the Center for Justice and
Sustainability in 2008.Growing out of theCollege’s strategicplanning process was aplan to begin transitionof the College’s athleticprograms from the Heartof America AthleticConference of theNational Association ofIntercollegiate Athleticsto the Great Lakes ValleyConference of theNational CollegiateAthletic Association. TheCollege was approved by
the NCAA to begin the three-yearcandidacy process in the summer of 2009.
One of my favorite memories of Dr. Sallee is getting tosee him play on a Jewell intramural basketball team. Hewasn’t there for attention, he just seemed to genuinelylove being around the students. I have always respectedDr. Sallee’s vision and courage in leading the College ina positive direction, but it is his personability and carefor students that has impressed me the most.
–Hilary Marks Tramel ’02
Dr. Sallee’s presence as a leader and compassion forstudents were evident from the first time I spoke withhim. These traits became even more apparent after theMay 2003 tornado (my senior year). He and his wiferolled up their sleeves and worked side-by-side withstudents, faculty, staff and members of the KCcommunity to help clear debris from campus. His calm,confident smile along with a pat on the back were amuch-needed boost for me personally during aparticularly difficult chainsaw job on the south lawn ofthe President’s Home. – Andy Johnson ’03
As a student journalist, I met with Dr. Sallee almostweekly, and I learned more from him than I could havefrom any class. The most important lesson he taught mewas that of listening, which he did and does so well,especially when speaking with students. I’m especiallyimpressed by Dr. Sallee’s leadership before and duringthe College’s transition away from the Missouri BaptistConvention. During a difficult time, he demonstratedintegrity, sincerity and a deep commitment to ourshared values, and in doing so, he brought new strengthto the college community. – Anthony Shop ’05
Dr. Sallee once told a hypothetical story of two Jewellalumni returning to campus to debate a controversialtopic – one for, one against – as a way of introducing hisvision for the WJC community. Under his leadership thisenvironment, where a plurality of viewpoints arefostered and challenged, has been created. Dr. Sallee ledthe College through a difficult transition – financially,academically, spiritually – guiding rather than dictating,letting us realize for ourselves the right course despitethe time and controversy such student freedomentailed. He and Mary made their home the campus’shome, celebrating and welcoming students and facultyin a way that fostered community rather than hierarchy.
Dr. Sallee is known for carrying a British two pound coinas a reminder of his reliance on the “shoulders ofgiants.” In my experience, he gave us a great pair ofshoulders on which to stand. – Emily Abdoler ’06
Every time I talk about my Jewell experience, my friendsare amazed to learn that the College’s president was anactive member of our community--someone studentsknew personally and considered a mentor. While manyof their presidents seemed to be off campus and farremoved, Dr. Sallee was at our events, engaged with thestudent body and, most important for me as a Monitorstaffer, always willing to work in a last-minute interviewfor the week’s newspaper. In those interviews, hetreated me with a level of professional respect I don’tthink many student journalists ever experience. He gavestraight answers and never backed down from toughquestions--and I knew he expected me to ask thosequestions. He wouldn’t have accepted anything lessfrom Jewell students. I consider myself extremely luckyto have been able to get to know Dr. Sallee and Maryduring my four years at Jewell. They welcomed studentsinto their home and took a genuine interest in our lives.And the fact that they’re able to keep track of thenames and adventures of alumni years after graduating(often more than I know about my own classmates)?Well, that’s just showing off. – Emily Wales ’07
During my first year at Jewell in a leadership class wehad an assignment to interview and learn from a leaderin the nonprofit sector. Because I was a work-studystudent for the Office of the President, I wanted to workwith Dr. Sallee on this task. I don’t remember many ofthe specifics of our discussion except for one piece thatI reiterate to myself frequently. I asked Dr. Sallee what hethought was the most important trait in a great leader.He replied,“Integrity. Doing what you said you weregoing to do.” I think of this often when I am strugglingwith which direction to take in tough decisions.
– Anthony Bowen ’09
From a student perspective: Reflections on LeadershipA college president deals with many constituents. But one of the hallmarks of the presidency of Dr. David Salleehas been his accessibility. Students–now alumni–of William Jewell College share their impressions of PresidentDavid Sallee.
Jewell students scoreimpressive results in national survey
william jewell collegewilliam jewell college
2010
Alumni gathered on the William Jewell campus andaround the Kansas City area September 30-October3 to relive special memories and reconnect withfriends and classmates.
This year our Golden Reunion Celebration includedthe Old Ely Breakfast at the home of Dr. Harvey ’47and Irene (Simon) Thomas ’47. A special group ofself-proclaimed “inmates”of this campus buildinggathered to tell the tall tales of mop bucket fights,cold nights and lifelong friendships.
The annual Homecoming Golf Tournament was awin-win for all, providing funding for CardinalAthletics and every player with a new pair ofFootJoy golf shoes.
The Alumni Board of Governors inducted Ardi Sharpand Dr. Ed Chasteen as honorary alumni into thealumni association. Steve ’81 and Miriam (McCoy)Spencer ’82 received the Distinguished AlumniService Award. Rev. Dean Lewis ’49 received theJewell Humanitarian Award. Dr. Harvey ’47 and Irene(Simon) Thomas ’47 were recognized with the JohnF.Truex Award for Lifetime Alumni Service. Dr. Davidand Mary Sallee were presented Resolutions ofAppreciation recognizing their 10 years of service to the College.
The Celebration of Cardinal Athletics provided avideo tribute to our record-setting alumni whomade our rich tradition with the NAIA possible.Four student-athletes were also recognized.
Join us next year for Homecoming2011 on Saturday, October 8!
SUPER FUN FOR ALL
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1. Dr. Harvey Thomas ’47 with Bud Lathrop ’58on left
2. Golden Reunion Campus Tour – classes range from 1950 – 1961
3. Jamie Taylor Kapke ’00 presenting Ray Bowman ’60with the Silver Cardinal Award for the Hilltop Challenge. (Ray was the representative for all winning class decades)
4. Judy Durbin,Don Gregory ’60 and Ann Hoover Henning ’52 at Golden Reunion Celebration
5. Sylvia Robinson ’50 receiving her 60 Year Class Medallion
6. Alumni service award winners (from left) Ardi Sharp,Dr. Ed Chasteen,Irene Thomas, Dr. Harvey Thomas,Rev. Dean Lewis,Steve Spencer,Miriam Spencer
7. Celebration ofCardinal Athletics
8-9. Mary Sallee and Dr. David Sallee receive resolutions of recognitionfrom Alumni Board President Doug Brasel ’86
10. Class of 1960 at the Golden Reunion Celebration
11. The self-proclaimed “inmates” of Old Ely Hall at the Old Ely Breakfast during the Golden Reunion Celebration
12. Darlene Bailey (left) andJerry D.McCoy ’52 (right)
13. Wes Blanton ’75 and Debbie Blanton ‘76 visit with Assistant Football Coach Zach Wierzbicki
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Editor’s Note: Christine Duncan, a senior nursing major, traveled toUganda this summer thanks to a grant from William Jewell’s Centerfor Justice and Sustainability. She shares her impressions withAchieve readers.
The streets of Kampala, the bustling capital city of Uganda, are ajumble of pedestrians and taxi vans. On any given day, it is notunusual to see both large bed frames and cows being transportedon motorcycles through the streets of this teeming East Africanmetropolis of more than a million people.
For the second time in two years, I was on my way to experiencelife in the small Ugandan village of Bubogo. During the summer of2009, a friend and I had the opportunity to help launch a children’sministry for the Lutheran Church in Uganda. Thanks to a grantfrom William Jewell’s Center for Justice and Sustainability, I wasable to return to Bubogo, along with fellow Jewell student AnnaDickson, in the summer of 2010.
After a few days spent defeating jetlag and reorienting ourselves inKampala, we were picked up by Noah and Susan Isanga, directorsof the Women’s Alliance and Children’s Affairs (WAACHA)organization, a vocational training center for young Ugandanwomen and men who have not completed their education. Theydrove us to Bubogo in WAACHA’s van, called “the Ark,” stoppingintermittently to pour water on the over-heated engine. We made itto WAACHA safely and were warmly welcomed by the students.
This year, 28 female students and five male students are enrolled atWAACHA. Prior to our trip, we asked Jewell female students tocorrespond with female students enrolled at WAACHA. Theexchange consisted of writing a letter and sending a video and T-shirt. Within the first week, we also gave each girl at WAACHA a
Christine Duncan (middle in photo above and far right intop photo), with fellow Jewell student Anna Dickson (centerin top photo) in Bubogo, Uganda.
IntoAFRICAcreative package, designed by a student at Jewell. Watching the girlspull out pictures, stories and notes of encouragement from girls anocean away was remarkable. It was clear they felt loved. The girls atWAACHA later returned letters, videos and handmade paper-beaded necklaces to their new friends at Jewell.
We were astounded by the efforts of the WAACHA organization.The students there spend a year at the school, learning a variety ofskills primarily in the fields of carpentry, catering and tailoring.Additionally, the students spend time each morning completingchores, washing clothes and taking classes taught by Susan, Noahor other hired teachers. WAACHA is also involved in thecommunity in a number of different ways, with a major focus onHIV counseling and testing.
Our days varied for the month we got to live life at WAACHA. Webuilt a composting latrine, with the help of the carpentry students,as well as two hand-washing stations outside the bathrooms. Wehad opportunities to introduce new foods to the catering students,like guacamole and chocolate cake. A few mornings were spentteaching first-aid and other lessons. Afternoons were spentlearning how to make paper beads, watching the World Cup andplaying soccer with local schoolchildren. A few nights were spenthosting a Talent Show, a “spa” night and a movie night. We alsohad the opportunity to assist at HIV testing sites.
Living life in Bubogo was hard, yet meaningful and energizing.Watching the students and members of the community live with asense of expectancy even in the midst of social injustice andhuman suffering filled me with hope. I am thankful for my timespent in Bubogo and feel lucky to have learned from friends wholive so far away.
Jeff Whitaker, a member of the William Jewell College class of2009, has become a temporary resident of Antarctica in hisnew position as a recruiting coordinator in the humanresources department of Raytheon Polar Services.
Whitaker, a business administration major, is headquartered atMcMurdo Station, the largest and most populous station onthe Antarctic continent with over 1,000 residents.
“It is very much like a small town, with almost 200 buildings,”Whitaker says. “Temperatures vary greatly and the weather canchange in an instant. In my first week we went from a couple ofdays where it was 15 degrees Fahrenheit to a couple of dayswhere it was 30 below, or 60 below with the wind chill.”
During the mid-summer month of January, temperatures canclimb above 45 degrees. In the winter, the thermometer can dipto a negative 100 degrees.
“We have just a couple weeks of sunsets left until the sun willbe up 24 hours a day for a few months,” Whitaker says. “I’veadjusted fairly well to the conditions I think, with the help ofall the warm protective gear they gave us in New Zealand onour way down.”
Raytheon Polar Services is the primary contractor for the UnitedStates Antarctic Program, which is run by the National ScienceFoundation. “We provide all the support personnel for thescientists doing research down here and we keep all the stationsrunning,” Whitaker says. “It takes a lot of people to make thisplace work and to help the scientists have successful projects.”
Working as one of two HR people on the station, Whitakermanages employee relations issues, performance developmentand assists employees with their benefits or other issues. “As itcontinues to warm up, I will get the chance to go out withsome of the science teams and witness their research first-hand,” Whitaker says.
Whitaker is scheduled to remain in Antarctica until December,then plans to return home to Denver, where Raytheon PolarServices is based. For more info about the program visithttp://www.usap.gov.
Also check out
Alum keepshis coolwhile on the jobin Antarctica
Jewell’s Sckaerscores in baseballcompetition ontwo continents
Jewell’s Sckaerscores in baseballcompetition ontwo continents
It may be best known as “America’s pastime,” but baseball is agame that knows no geographic boundaries for Jewellorganizational communication major Moritz “Mo” Sckaer, anative of Cologne, Germany.
“I have played baseball in Germany since I was 8 years old andhave been through all the different levels we have there,” saysSckaer, a senior at Jewell and a member of the Cardinal baseballteam’s pitching staff. He performed so well during a practicesession for Germany’s national baseball team that he was invited tobe a part of the team this past summer.
“For three weeks we played in the Euro-Cup in Germany,” Sckaersays. “Our games were in Stuttgart and Heidenheim. We playedagainst teams from the Ukraine, France, Belgium, the CzechRepublic, Greece, Holland and Italy. I was a relief pitcher on thestaff and threw in two games.”
Though it was baseball that brought Sckaer to Jewell, he hasenjoyed all aspects of his college experience. “I grew up in Cologne,a beautiful city on the Rhine River in West Germany,” Sckaer says.“When I was 21 I decided that I wanted to study in the U.S. andgot a scholarship offer from Ottawa University. After my
sophomore year I transferred to Jewell after being connected toCoach (Mike) Stockton through my freshman year coach fromOttawa. I came for a try out and then was offered a scholarship forbaseball and academics here. I really liked what the school had tooffer academically and athletically.”
Competing in the Euro-Cup and ultimately winning the bronzemedal in front of a home crowd in Germany has been thehighlight of his baseball career to date. “It was the first medal ininternational competition for a German baseball national team inover 30 years,” Sckaer says. “It meant a lot to the team and to thesport of baseball in Germany.”
What does the future hold for Sckaer after graduation this spring?“I hope to still be able to move between Germany and the U.S.frequently, because I’ve grown to love both countries,” he says.“What jobs I’d be taking to make this work or whether graduateschool will be an option will have to be seen along the way.Certainly I am looking forward to being with my family for acouple of months after I am done. But then I am planning to moveon and follow any interesting career paths that I can find.”
HOME team
Play Ball!Play Ball!
William Jewell’s rich athletic heritage officially began in 1883 withbaseball as the first College-organized sport participating inintercollegiate athletic competition on the Hill.
As Jewell moves closer to NCAA membership in 2011, the Collegehas developed a vision for the future of the Spratt Sports Complex,the northeastern portion of the campus where the baseball andsoftball facilities reside. This multi-phased plan, which initiallyfocuses on the baseball stadium, will transform the overall game-day experience for Cardinal student-athletes and fans.
Phase 1: Enhanced Baseball Stadium Press Boxwith Restrooms and ConcessionsThe first phase of this plan was completed in time for last season’shome opener, thanks in large part to a significant gift from LynnSchlemeyer Cookson, the mother of a recent baseball player. Thenew press box is triple the size of the former facility and nowhouses restrooms and concessions.
Varsity Swimming Returns to JewellWilliam Jewell will reinstate the varsity swimming program formen and women in time for competition during the 2011-2012academic year. The College will move to the Great Lakes ValleyConference of the NCAA Division II next year and will join fellowconference schools Drury University, Indianapolis University,University of Missouri S&T (men only) and Lewis University asschools that currently sponsor swimming and diving. “We are
excited to bring back the swimming program at Jewell,” said Dr.Darlene Bailey, Director of Athletics. “There are many high schooland club swimmers who wish to continue to compete at the collegelevel while pursuing a degree at an institution like Jewell. We arethrilled to be able to offer them that opportunity.” The search for ahead swimming coach is under way.
Phase 2: Baseball Stadium Grandstand SeatingPrior to the 2011 home opener, the baseball facility will betransformed with a new entrance, a walkway from the entrance tothe press box and brand new grandstand seating, thanks to asignificant gift from baseball alumnus Jack Talley ’80. The newseating will stretch from dugout-to-dugout over three sections(home, visitor and middle sections) and will be elevated to offer animproved view of the games. The middle section will have “seat-backs” on individual seats. Work is currently underway tocomplete all these renovations prior to the home opener on March 4, 2011.
Stadium DedicationMark your calendars for Saturday, April 16, 2011, to attend the official dedication of the renovated baseball stadium. The Cardinals take on Avila University at 1:00 p.m., and thededication will take place during a pre-game ceremony.During the dedication, the stadium will be officially renamedin honor of two Cardinal baseball legends. Be sure not to missthis historic moment in Cardinal Athletics.
From the Hill to the Big Apple, Nick Clark’07 has gone from discussing marketingconcepts in the classroom to practicingthem at an international level in just threeshort years.
Clark’s remarkable career trajectory beganwhen he made a positive impression whilecompleting an internship at ESPN in NewYork City the summer prior to his senioryear. He was offered a position with thecompany following graduation.
“I was responsible for developing marketingconcepts for clients to help grow overallexposure and association with a sportsproperty,” Clark says.
Clark, who was a business administrationmajor with an emphasis in marketing and aminor in entrepreneurial leadership,remembers his marketing capstone courseas a valuable opportunity to gain real-worldexperience. “My William Jewell education,both inside and outside of the classroom,has paid big dividends in my career,” Clarksays. “The curriculum and class projectsallowed me to gain an invaluableunderstanding of what to expect once I left Jewell.”
Debbie Scarfino, associate professor ofbusiness administration, recalls that Clarkplayed a key role in the success of hismarket research team. “During his senioryear at Jewell, Nick completed his marketingcapstone with me,” Scarfino says. “Thecourse was taught as an experientialconsulting model class. He was a memberof a three-person team that completed a
primary field study with the Mid-AmericaRegional Council (MARC). After theypresented their findings and recommendationsto the MARC leadership team, there was veryhigh praise for their work.”
Scarfino remembers that Clarkdemonstrated strong leadership skills as astudent at Jewell. “He excelled in relating toothers and demonstrated the ability toachieve desired results both in theclassroom and in the larger community,” shesays. “It’s no surprise that these qualities arestill showing up in his professional life.”
While completing his degree at Jewell, Clarkworked at Image Impact, the companyfounded by Russ Cline ’71. “Russ and I aregood friends, and he continues to serve as mymentor today,” Clark says. “At Image Impact, Iworked as a sponsor detection specialist,accessing the broadcast exposure value forsponsors. My work would then help generateReturn on Investment reports to enable clientsto make better, more informed decisionsregarding their brand placement.”
Clark also competed on the track and fieldteam and was a member of Kappa AlphaOrder. He credits those experiences withdeveloping leadership skills that he uses inhis career and in everyday life. “All of thoseopportunities contributed to the quality ofthe education I received, and I feel theyprovided me with a solid foundation to take into the professional environment,”Clark says.
Recently, Clark got the opportunity to takeon new career challenges when he accepted
a position as senior account executive atIMG Consulting, the world’s largest full-service sponsorship marketing agency. “Our work involves transforming consumerpassion for sports and entertainment intomeasurable returns on business and brandobjectives,” Clark says. “We represent clientsglobally with approximately $1 billion inpartnerships and media spending.”Specifically, Clark is responsible for themanagement of General Electric’s Olympicmarketing program and the developmentand implementation of sponsorshipinitiatives to build brand awareness aroundthe London 2012 Olympic Games. In thiscapacity, he works with the InternationalOlympic Committee, the United StatesOlympic Committee and the LondonOrganizing Committee of the OlympicGames on behalf of GE.
“When the opportunity came up to work forIMG, I decided to take on the challengebecause of my interest in working on theOlympic Games,” Clark says. “With IMGbeing such a strong company in the sports andentertainment industry, I felt compelled totake my career to the next level with them.”
Still based in New York City, Clark enjoyshaving access to the city’s six professionalsports teams. “I still support my Kansas CityChiefs and Royals here in the Big Apple,” hesays. “The best part about living in NewYork is that there is something here foreveryone. I love that you can always findsomething that fits your interests.”
Young Alumni Profile:Nick Clark brings marketing savvyto the athletic arena
Dr. Anthony Maglione has been namedassistant professor of music and director ofchoral studies at William Jewell College.
An accomplished conductor andcomposer, Dr. Maglione earned hisbachelor of music degree at WestminsterChoir College of Rider University (N.J.).He completed his master of music degreeat East Carolina University (N.C.) and hisdoctor of musical arts at the University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles.
“I was attracted to the position initiallybecause of Jewell’s well-known traditionof quality music, both at the College andwith the Harriman-Jewell Series,” Dr.Maglione said. “However, it wasn’t until Ivisited the campus that I realized thisprogram would be a wonderful fit. I didmy undergraduate studies at WestminsterChoir College, a small musicconservatory of 450 students. Seeing thesimilarities, I found myself immediatelycomfortable in the intimate learningenvironment of Jewell.”
An active composer, Dr. Maglione hashad his works performed by a wide arrayof amateur and professional ensemblesand is published on GIA Publications’“Evoking Sound” choral series. In 2005,he was commissioned to compose“Prayer of Columbus,” which waspremiered at the United Nations buildingin New York City. In 2008, his anthem “O
Master Let Me Walk With Thee” wasperformed by the Crystal CathedralChoir both at the Western Division of theAmerican Choral Directors Associationconvention and on the internationallysyndicated television broadcast “TheHour of Power.” In 2009, he composedthe soundtrack for the video game“National Geographic Traveler’s Sudoku:China!” and was the featured composerfor the choirs of the New EnglandConservatory during their 2009-2010concert season.
Dr. Ian Coleman, professor of music anddepartment chair, believes that Dr.Maglione brings a winning combinationof talent, temperament and teachingexperience to the position: “On paper itwas Anthony’s blend of successful highschool teaching experience, which weknew would boost the experience of ourmusic education majors, and his greatfoundational work in collegiate choralmusic that we felt would enable him tocarry on the great tradition of choralmusic we have here at Jewell,” Dr.Coleman said. “Once he got here, wewere all impressed with his personality,which blends a serious love and respectof choral music and a desire for thehighest standards with a sense of humor,and the ability to communicate exactlywhat he wants from the music at anygiven moment. Watching him interactwith Concert Choir during his interview,and then hearing the positive buzz fromthe students afterwards, made a reallygreat impression on me.”
As a conductor, Dr. Maglione has madenumerous guest conducting appearancesand has prepared choirs for such esteemedconductors as James Conlon, JamesJordan, David Newman, Donald Neuenand Alex Treger. From 2001 to 2005, heserved as director of the Piscataway HighSchool (N.J.) choirs, a large, performance-intensive department that made regularappearances at the New Jersey StateDepartment of Education meetings, Teen
Arts Festivals and Carnegie Hall. From2007 to 2010, he served as conductor ofthe UCLA University Chorus, as well asdirector of music ministries at AmericanLutheran Church in Burbank, Calif., andassistant conductor of the AngelesChorale. He is a member of ACDA,ASCAP, the American Composer’s Forumand Pi Kappa Lambda National MusicHonor Society.
“In future years, I hope to honor thetradition of quality set in place by mypredecessors and continue to build thechoral program, focusing on artistry,passion and excellence,” Dr. Maglione said.
William Jewell College welcomed the following new faculty members for the 2010-2011 academic year:Kimberly Caseyvisiting assistant professor of political science
Kevin Garnerinstructor of communication and assistant debate coach
Peggy Jones-Wilsoninstructor of biology;
Erin Martinassistant professor of mathematics
Jamie Sanfordvisiting assistant professor of biology
and Kenton Stoneassociate professor of Spanish.
New Faculty Profile: Dr. Anthony Maglione continuestradition of choral music excellence at Jewell
Editor’s Note: Dr. Michael Cook, the John W.Boatwright Professor of Economics atWilliam Jewell, spent the spring 2010semester in China. He shares his impressionsof the experience with Achieve readers.
In spring 2010, I spent a semester teachingin an alternative program run jointly by theChinese University of Hong Kong and theTung Wah Group of Hospitals, which is thelargest charitable institution in Hong Kong.The two-year program in which I taughtprepared students to study at four-yearschools; only 10 to 12 percent of itsgraduates were typically accepted at suchschools. I found the students in mymicroeconomics and macroeconomicscourses to be very different from my Jewellstudents. These students needed more helpin understanding how to take good classnotes and understanding how to use thelectures and homework problems to preparefor exams.
As expected, there was much less academicfreedom in Hong Kong. The Head of theBusiness School wanted to look at all mylectures and homework problems duringthe first five weeks of the semester. He alsoneeded to approve my first examinations.After the fifth week, he rarely looked at mylectures or homework problems. Final
ExploringChina
ExploringChina
examinations in Hong Kong had to beapproved by a government-run supervisoryinstitution. Professors were also expectedto arrive by 9:00 each morning and to stayat school until 6 p.m., and to be at schoolone Saturday a month. But as a visitingprofessor I was spared Saturday duty.
On weekends I spent time learning moreabout the neighborhood around myapartment house in Hung Hom, andabout the area between my apartmenthouse and the college, which was in theKing’s Park neighborhood. One of theother visiting professors, Professor Tengfrom Northeast Normal University inChangchun, China, also lived in myapartment house. Beginning in February,
we often saw the sights of Hong Kongand the surrounding area together.
As we discovered, Hong Kong has a veryefficient public transportation system,once one learns to use it. There are eightdifferent subway systems and a dozendifferent ferries and over 100 bus routes.The people there easily take a bus to aferry to another bus to get to theirdestination and then a different bus to asubway system to return home. Over
time one can learn how to get to any part of Hong Kong using public transportation.
We went to six different museums in HongKong. The History Museum was ourfavorite; it was only a 15-minute walkfrom our apartment house. Theexhibits began with the geologicalformation of Hong Kong Island andthen moved on to prehistoric timesand continued chronologically up tothe re-unification of Hong Kongwith China. Eventually, we visitedevery district of Hong Kong andseveral of the outlying islands. It iseasy to be impressed with all the tallbuildings on Hong Kong Island--
one section actually has severalblocks of apartment buildingsthat are 100 stories tall. We alsoexplored a number of parks andzoological and botanical gardens.On Buddha’s birthday, we visited a templeon one of the outlying islands to see thespecial ceremonies.
In June and July, I had opportunities to goto mainland China. I visited Beijing, theGreat Wall of China and the historic city of
Xian. From my perspective, Beijing simplyhas too many people. The streets are alwaysvery crowded and the air is difficult tobreathe. During a visit to the Great Wall ofChina, we took a cable car and were able
to walk around for over an hour on the wall. On the following days, we also visitedthe Forbidden City and other sites in Beijing itself.
Civic leaders were honored for public serviceat Opening Convocation ceremoniesmarking the beginning of the new schoolyear September 8 in Gano Chapel on theWilliam Jewell campus. This year’sconvocation celebrated the 30th anniversaryof the awarding of the William F. YatesTrustee Medallion for Distinguished Service.The recipients for 2010 were R.C. CrosbyKemper, III, Chief Executive of the Kansas
City Public Library;Dr. William B.Neaves, PresidentEmeritus of theStowers Institute;and Roshann Parris,President and CEOof ParrisCommunications,Inc. Special guest artist was the internationally
renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato,who offered a musical tribute in memory of
Richard Harriman, co-founder and artisticdirector of the Harriman-Jewell Series.
The William F. Yates Medallion forDistinguished Service is the highest non-degree award bestowed by William JewellCollege. The medallion was presented for thefirst time at Opening Convocationceremonies in 1980 as part of theinauguration events for the College’s 12th
president, Dr. Gordon Kingsley. The Board ofTrustees initiated the award in recognition ofoutstanding service to the College and thecommunity. The award recognizesindividuals who have made distinctcontributions. The list of distinguishedrecipients of the Yates Medallion over thepast 30 years includes the very finest amongKansas City leaders.
Celebrating 30 yearsof community service achievementsCelebrating 30 yearsof community service achievements
Above (from left) Yates Medalists R.C. Crosby Kemper III, Dr. William B. Neaves and Roshann Parrisacknowledge the audience's applause during Opening Convocation ceremonies
in Gano Chapel.
Joyce DiDonato
A Look Back: Jewell Then and Now
The College quadrangle marked by a flagfluttering vigorously in the breeze wasonce a very different kind of focal pointfor the William Jewell campus.
Alumni from the 1950s and before whogathered for Homecoming in Octoberremembered that the landscaped bermbetween Greene Hall and Curry Library wasonce home to “Old Ely” Hall, a three-story,red brick multi-purpose building that at onetime served as the hub of the campus.
Dr. Harvey Thomas, trustee emeritus anda member of the Jewell class of 1947, hasparticularly fond memories of the steeplyvertical, ivy-covered red brick structurethat at one time dominated the Jewelllandscape at the heart of the Quad.
“It was the central point for all kinds ofthings back in the day when there was nostudent union building,” Dr. Thomasrecalls. “There were big windows withlots of light. The first time I saw my wifeIrene (Simon Thomas ’47), she wasstanding outside Old Ely talking with hersorority sisters. I remember it as a veryhappy place.”
The 1957 Tatler yearbook refers to OldEly as “the Hub” and reports that“students have made Hub-sitting Jewell’sleading sport.” Thomas remembers thatthe building at various times housed the
campus bookstore, an upper class studentresidence hall, mailboxes, a campusmessage board and a mimeographcopying machine that faculty used forreproducing tests. A popular spot on theground floor was “Mother Clapp’s CoffeeBar,” a snack bar run by the mother of thereligion department chair.
Old Ely was built in 1881, and by thetime Thomas was serving on the Jewellfaculty in the 1950s, the building wasshowing its age. Plans were being madefor a modern Yates College Unionconstruction project just northwest ofOld Ely and north of Carnegie Library.The library would in turn be replaced bythe current Curry Library building in theearly 1960s. As demolition of Old Ely got
under way in 1958-59, a huge pile ofbricks filled the quadrangle site as thebuilding was brought down.
At the time, the Thomases had a growingfamily and were making plans to build anew house. They had admired a homethey had seen in New Englandconstructed using reclaimed bricks. Withthat in mind, Harvey arranged topurchase the Old Ely bricks from theCollege for three cents apiece.“During the spring of 1959, I’d get up at4:00 in the morning and drive our oldChrysler up to the campus,” Thomas says.“I could fit about 200 bricks at a time intothe trunk. By the time fall came around, Ihad picked up about 3,000 of them.”
Today, the Old Ely bricks adorn twofireplaces and the façade of the Thomashome north of the campus in Liberty,along with a solid walnut banister thatwas also salvaged from the remains of OldEly. The memories of Jewell’s historic pastlived on when Harvey and Irene hosted areunion gathering at their home duringHomecoming weekend in October.
“I remember that my bricklayer was notvery happy with me, because the brickswere not straight and true, and thecorners weren’t all even,” Thomas says.“But I thought they were beautiful.”
Old Ely on the Quad, circa 1957; The Quad today; Harvey and Irene Thomas at their Liberty home with Old Ely brick fireplace
William Jewell is fortunate to regularlyreceive a number of high-profile externalvalidations for the quality of the liberalarts education we provide. This year, itseems that the accolades have beenparticularly abundant.
We put together the poster pictured here to let the William Jewell Collegecommunity know about the recentrecognition that the College has received,and it is currently on display all over thecampus. I am pleased to share this goodnews with you.
Jewell has had a presence in the U.S.News & World Report higher educationrankings since the magazine beganrunning this popular annual feature inthe 1980s. This year, the College jumpedto the number 131 position in the firsttier among national liberal arts colleges,the elite list of the country’s best four-year undergraduate institutions. We havealso been a fixture in The PrincetonReview’s annual “Best College”guidebooks, which are based primarilyon student survey results.
Forbes Magazine entered the collegeranking business just three years ago, butJewell has been among their “America’sBest Colleges” list since the beginning.This year, the College was ranked #157out of 610 institutions, based in part onfindings from the Center for CollegeAffordability and Productivity.
A relatively new ranking—this one fromWashington Monthly magazine—placesJewell in the spotlight among “Collegesthat Contribute to the Public Good,” anaffirmation that reflects the core beliefsof William Jewell’s mission. Usingmeasures of social mobility, research and service, the magazine placed thecollege in 89th position among 252nationally ranked schools. Jewell’scommitment to service was alsoacknowledged with the College’s
placement on the President’s HigherEducation Community Service HonorRoll, which recognizes the contributionof more than 41,000 hours of communityservice work by students and facultyduring the 2009-2010 academic year.
Prospective students, and their parents,have been pleased to learn that a 2010survey conducted by the PayScale datacollection firm places Jewell among the
country’s top 50 liberal arts colleges interms of the future earning potential ofits graduates.
There are thousands of alumni andfriends who have played a role in helpingmake William Jewell College one ofAmerica’s best. We celebrate with a spiritof gratitude.
Regarding JewellBy Chad Jolly ’94
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
500 College HillLiberty, Missouri 64068-1896
William Jewell College 2011
Stuart Bascomb ’63Chairman and CEO,
Qualsight Inc.
Robert Gengelbach ’69President, Oxea Corporation
Cynthia L. (Hoover)Martin ’81
Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals,
Western District
Diane E.H. Webber ’81 Rear Admiral,
United States Navy
67th Annual Achievement Day Dinner and CelebrationThursday, March 3, 2011
Westin Crown Center
Featuring Guest Speaker Event Chairman
Jon Meacham Debbie SmithPulitzer Prize-winning author of “American Lion: Andrew Jacksonin the White House”Former Newsweek EditorHost of PBS’s “Need to Know”
Citation for Achievement Honorees 2011:
For information about tickets or the event, visit www.achievementday.net or contact Susan Tideman at (816) 415-7550 or [email protected]