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The New Academic Center

Page 8

Building on Student Success:

STEVENSON UNIVERSITY Vol. 9 | No. 1 | Fall 2016

Student Clubs at SU: Something for Everyone 4 | Advancing the Mission Page 16

VENTURES

TBA

Close-up from the 2016 Senior Capstone Exhibition, which celebrates the work of graduating visual communication design students.

See more at flickr.com/photos/stevensonuniversity.

IN THIS ISSUE 2 President’s Perspective

3 News

16 Advancing the Mission

19 Class Notes

21 Alumnus Profile: Alphonso Mayo ’14

23 Alumna Profile: Megan Lanasa ’09

FEATURES

News for alumni and friends of Stevenson University • Vol. 9, No. 1 • Fall 2016

BUILDING ON STUDENT SUCCESS: THE NEW ACADEMIC CENTERThis fall sees the debut of Stevenson’s largest academic building. Learn how the innovative new Academic Center will benefit the University as a whole.

STUDENT CLUBS AT SU: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONEThe University offers more than 50 inclusive student clubs, ranging from pre-professional and service organizations to cultural and interest-based groups. Read more about the ways these clubs can enhance learning for students—and for faculty and staff.

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Ventures is published four times each year by Stevenson University for its students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and benefactors. No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or digital form without prior permission from the publisher.

President Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D.

Chair, Board of Trustees James B. Stradtner, CFA

Vice President, University Advancement Stevenson W. Close, Jr.

Vice President, Marketing and Digital Communications and Publisher John Buettner

Editor Sherry E. Bithell

Design Atsuko O. Biars

Contributors Chip Burkey, Tiffany Reese, Samantha Brooke Murray, Alexandria Noble, Greg Royce, Lara Wilkinson, Office of University Advancement

Photography Leo Brady, Kara Daly, Maximilian Franz, Aaron Harris, Omeed Nabavi, Sabina Moran, Office of University Advancement

Questions or comments about this issue? Please contact: Sherry E. Bithell, AVP, Publications Stevenson University 100 Campus Circle Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 443-352-4483 [email protected]

Please visit stevenson.edu for the latest news about the University.

VENTURESStevenson University

Visit Ventures online for added content, including videos, photos,

blog posts, and more!

stevenson.edu/ventures.

PRESIDENT’SP E R S P E C T I V E

Throughout history, universities have been both symbolic and practical.Universities foster values and a spirit of optimism. And the

university experience creates the future through innovation

and technology while helping people formulate plans of study

for their careers and lives. Stevenson’s motto—For Learning. For Living.—embodies these ideals; we have essentially been a

case study on effective growth through practical change.

As a sign of this optimism and our commitment to pre-

paring students for their futures as citizens and working

professionals, Stevenson celebrated the opening of its new

200,000-square-foot Academic Center at Owings Mills North

on Tuesday, Aug. 30. This is a significant milestone in our his-

tory, and I thought it would be of interest to Ventures readers

to briefly review what has happened since 2000 in terms of

achieving Stevenson’s vision and mission.

By 2000, Villa Julie College had grown as much as it could

in its small, private college form. Since its 1947 start, the Col-

lege had made significant contributions through its many

graduates. But with limited space and infrastructure on our

original campus, it was impossible for the College to grow any

further, which impacted our ability to serve students and the

community.

Also from its start, Villa Julie focused on serving many first-

generation college students. This aligned with the mission of

our founders, and now neighbors, the Sisters of Notre Dame

de Namur. However, the leadership of the College, including

the Board of Trustees and the President’s Cabinet, was con-

cerned that if we did not expand the campus and its offerings,

the ability to achieve our mission would be severely hampered.

With the Board’s encouragement, we began to formulate

plans for a new campus in Owings Mills. After an exten-

sive and thoughtful three-year process, in 2008, the Board

of Trustees approved the creation of Stevenson University

through both a careful process and a common method of

naming a university: after its geographic location. Although

we preserved the name of Villa Julie for our Greenspring cam-

pus, the Villa Julie College of Arts and Sciences, we chose the

name “Stevenson” to help eliminate potential confusion for

those outside Baltimore; the VJC name led many people to

think we were still a women’s college.

The new University needed a student housing component

that could not be accommodated on the original Greenspring

Valley campus. We were fortunate to be able to elicit the support

of Bank of America as our primary lender and worked closely

with committed area developer Howard Brown as our primary

contractor to develop the initial Owings Mills campus. Subse-

quent to the university status change in 2008—including the ul-

timate creation of seven distinct Schools—Stevenson University

has grown dramatically, doubling in student size, faculty, and

staff. During that time period, we also have expanded our op-

erations budget from $25 million to $150 million and focused

on expanding our online graduate and professional programs.

Returning to the notion of a university connecting the

merger of symbolism and practicality, our new Academic Cen-

ter embodies this approach. This building opportunity was the

result of the purchase of the former Shire Pharmaceuticals site

that physically connects to our Owings Mills campus from its

athletics fields. Our “smart growth” included relocation of the

School of the Sciences to that building, and the recently opened

School of Design will expand from its neighboring building to

more space in the same Academic Center. The Center will also

serve as the home of our new School of Health Professions. Ad-

ditionally, we will complete a lighted boardwalk that will permit

students and visitors to walk easily between the two Owings

Mills campuses.

The Academic Center truly represents the Stevenson expe-

rience—our commitment to meet the needs of our students

through academic excellence and career preparation. We look

forward to a bright and exciting future with this progressive ex-

pansion.

Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D.

| VENTURES/FALL 20162

NEWSB R I E F S

Celebrating Diversity at SUThe academic year theme for 2016-2017 is Celebrat-

ing Diversity, a reminder of the many ways in which

the University embraces the inclusion of all within

its tight-knit community. Visitors to campus will see

these colorful, thoughtful banners posted through-

out in support of continuing Stevenson’s long-held

tradition of promoting diversity in all of its efforts.

New Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Named

Susan Thompson Gorman, Ph.D., has been appointed Stevenson’s

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Gorman previously

served as the Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

and was the founding Dean of Stevenson’s School of the Sciences. In

her new position, she will serve as a member of the President’s Cabi-

net while providing the academic leadership for Stevenson. As Chief

Academic Officer, Gorman will lead the deans of Stevenson’s seven

Schools, support the professional growth and development of fac-

ulty, participate in shared governance, and support student learning

through academic services.

A graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio, Gorman holds a Ph.D. in

Physiology from the Johns Hopkins University and completed a post-

doctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She

joined Villa Julie College in 1991, developing new courses, a senior

capstone program, and the institution’s first pre-medical curriculum.

As an academic administrator, Gorman has held three positions:

She was appointed to serve as the Founding Director for the Science

and Mathematics Division in 2001; in 2009, she was selected as the

Founding Dean for the School of the Sciences; and in 2014 she was

appointed as the Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“The most important thing that we do at Stevenson, the only thing

that really matters, is educating our students and equipping them for

the future,” Gorman notes. “Our motto, ‘For Learning, For Living,’

says it all. I am privileged to work with many talented colleagues whose

commitment to excellence, hard work, and support are responsible for

the accomplishments we have achieved collectively.”

STEVENSON.EDU | 3

Criminal Justice Professor Receives Award from U.S. Attorney’s Office

NEWSB R I E F S

Colin May, Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice, was presented with an Award for Public Service by the U.S. Attorney for the District

of Columbia, Channing D. Phillips, at the USAO’s 34th Law Enforcement Partner Awards. One of approximately 170 law enforce-

ment officers, agents, and investigators who received recognition for efforts to convict criminals, May was nominated for his work as

a Special Agent with the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement from 2012 through

2015. The award cited a case that he worked on with Federal prosecutors involving the seizing and subsequent initiating civil forfeiture

proceedings against critically sensitive aircraft parts valued at over $1 million. The award noted that these forfeitures were the “first of

their kind ever filed and represent an effective multi-pronged strategy” to disrupt terrorist support networks overseas. The citation also

stated that the forfeitures were “truly an inventive solution” that had otherwise never been used or considered in these types of cases.

School of the Sciences Receives Award

The female faculty and staff of the School of the Sciences

have been honored with Insight Into Diversity magazine’s

2016 Inspiring Women in STEM Award. This recognizes re-

markable women in STEM (science, technology, engineer-

ing, and math) professions who make a significant differ-

ence and inspire others through teaching and mentoring,

research, and other initiatives.

The School of the Sciences has a long history of engaging

diverse students at all levels from elementary school through

college in hands-on learning, original scientific research,

and STEM career exploration. Previous Dean Susan T. Gorman, Ph.D., established many of the current initiatives

for which the School is being recognized and oversaw

tremendous growth in the sciences in the last several years.

Current Dean Meredith C. Durmowicz, Ph.D., says,

“These faculty and staff are strong, confident, smart, and

accomplished women who are living, breathing examples to

others that it is possible to be a woman and be successful in a

STEM career. They are role models for all those who interact

with them, including male students and colleagues.”

READ MORE about this story at bit.ly/stem-initiatives.


NEWSB R I E F S

New VP of Marketing and Digital Communications Named

Stevenson is pleased to announce the appointment of John Buettner as Vice President of Marketing and Digital Communications, effective

since July 1, 2016. Buettner brings a wide range of expertise to the

leadership responsibilities of his new role, which he served in an interim

capacity for four months. Previously, Buettner was the University’s

Associate Vice President for Digital Communications, overseeing the

web team, the SU Now Portal, media relations, the video production

team, and emergency digital communications. He originally joined the

Office of Marketing and Digital Communications in February 2009 as

the Assistant Vice President of Public Relations.

Buettner holds a bachelor’s from Washington College and a master’s

from Villanova University. He has more than 20 years of experience

in journalism, public relations, and marketing, with 16 of those years

spent in higher education. He previously served as the Director of

Media Relations for Washington College (2000-2006) and the Media

Relations and Web Manager for the University System of Maryland

Chancellor’s Office (2006-2009).

During the final year that Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D., will serve as the

University’s president, Stevenson will

take the time to reflect upon his ac-

complishments, his impact on SU’s

growth and evolution, and his dedi-

cation to students, faculty, staff, and

alumni. Track these events, celebra-

tions, memories, photos, and more

on the dedicated “Celebrate 17”

website at stevenson.edu/celebrate17.

We will continue to add to this site

throughout the year, so please book-

mark and visit it frequently as we

begin to bid farewell to our visionary

president.

BE SURE TO VISIT stevenson.edu/celebrate17 throughout the 2016-2017 academic year as we pay tribute to Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D.

5STEVENSON.EDU |

Andrew Bordelon Named Men’s Soccer Coach

Stevenson Announces Dick Watts Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2016

WANT MORE? Check out gomustangsports.com and find videos, photographs, stats, schedules, interviews, and much more. To stay up-to-date, bookmark the site and visit it frequently.

Eight individuals and one team will comprise the 2016

induction class into the Dick Watts Athletics Hall of

Fame. President Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D., will be the

first to be inducted in the Emeritus category. Field hockey

and women’s lacrosse player Tracey (Whetstone) Cantabene ’95, men’s lacrosse player Peter Nee ’96,

field hockey player Holly Chattin-Smith ’00, women’s

soccer player Adrienne (Justis) Tamanini ’03, men’s

basketball players Wade Henninger ’05 and Anthony Fitzgerald ’06 and longtime athletic department

administrative assistant Fran Fidler will be inducted

Andrew Bordelon was named the seventh head coach in men’s soccer program history in

June 2016. He comes to Stevenson after three seasons as the head coach at Westminster (Mo.)

College. Bordelon took over the Westminster program in the spring of 2013 and guided the

Blue Jays to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament, the deepest run in program history,

and a 13-9-1 overall record that included a Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

(SLIAC) tournament title. He was named the NSCAA Central Region Coach of the Year.

on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Hall of Fame banquet during

Homecoming and Family Weekend. In addition, the Hall

of Fame will also recognize the 2005-2006 men’s basketball

team as a Team of Tradition.

Including this year’s class, the Dick Watts Stevenson

Athletics Hall of Fame, founded in 2014 as the University

celebrated the 20th anniversary of the start of NCAA

Division III athletics in 1994, consists of 24 individuals

and four Teams of Tradition. Nominees for this year’s class

include those who graduated from Stevenson (formerly

Villa Julie College) in 2006 or earlier.

VISIT GoMustangSports.com/halloffame to learn more about this year's class.

NEWSB R I E F S


Golf Junior Remains Among D3 EliteFor the second consecutive season, Stevenson women’s golf junior Emily Haas was the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2016 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship. The award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships. A fashion merchandising major, Hass carried a 4.0 GPA. She was presented the award during the championship banquet prior to the opening round. Haas finished tied for second at the MAC Championship, carding a two-day total of 176 to help lead the Mustangs to their second straight confer-ence title and second straight NCAA appearance. She was the recipient of last year’s then-Elite 89 Award at the 2015 NCAA Championship as Stevenson made its first appearance in the women’s golf championship. Haas posted 11 top-10 finishes during the 2015-2016 season, including four finished in the top five.

NEWSB R I E F S

7STEVENSON.EDU |


THE NEW ACADEMIC CENTER

by Sherry Bithell

Building on Student Success: The New Academic Center

STEVENSON.EDU | 9


“This is a particularly exciting fall as we open our largest

academic building,” says President Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D. “Stevenson’s new Academic Center will provide

state-of-the-art instructional resources for the School of

the Sciences and the new School of Health Professions as

well as space for the School of Design.” Yet the benefits

of this space aren’t limited to these three undergraduate

Schools—the new Center will touch all areas of the

University, not just during its debut semester but for years

to come.

Crunching the NumbersIn 2011, Stevenson purchased the former Shire

Pharmaceuticals property located adjacent to its Owings

Mills campus. In 2013, the 18,000-square-foot School

of Design building opened for its first classes, but the

campus’ second building, the pharmaceutical company’s

primary manufacturing facility, needed further work to

be classroom-ready. In partnership with builder—and

longtime University friend—Howard Brown, Stevenson was

able to renovate the existing space at a fraction of the cost

of what other universities would pay, says Tim Campbell, Executive Vice President for Financial Affairs and CFO. “By

working with Howard Brown, we were able to renovate this

building much more efficiently than it would have taken

to produce such a state-of-the art facility by starting from

scratch.”

Now, the renovated building more than triples the

amount of space currently available to the School of

the Sciences and School of Health Professions. The

200,000-square-foot building also will house classes and

studios for the School of Design as well as a third University

library, the Learning Commons. And the University as a

whole will benefit from the Academic Center; the recently

vacated space on the Greenspring campus will allow more

opportunities for expansion by the School of Education

and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

For the three Schools, the University was able to add:

• 19 general classrooms,

• 120 offices,

• 5 conference rooms,

• 6 studios,

• The SoLVE (Solutions for Learning and Vibrant Education) Center,

• And more than 40 teaching, research, skills, simu-lation, computer, and specialty design labs and studios.

“In addition to all of the new academic space, we also

gained approximately 18 acres of attractive campus space,

which bodes extremely well for the future,” Campbell says.

“We have very effectively, efficiently, and economically

acquired space that will make it conducive to grow the

University’s enrollment capacity.”

Three Schools, One LocationHow will each of the three Schools housed in the

Academic Center use their space? Judiciously, and with

great anticipation.

Jeanne Geiger-Brown, Ph.D., Dean of the School

of Health Professions, says that students in the nursing

program—the largest major at Stevenson—will benefit

from the new facilities from their first year on campus.

“There are now three fully outfitted large, bright skills

labs where students can learn, earlier in their academic

careers, more basic healthcare skills, such as suctioning

and inserting various tubes like a Foley catheter or nasal

gastric tube,” she says. There are also more beds and

examination tables to teach students how to perform

complete physical exams on manikins.

At Stevenson, change is always in the air—so much so that Su’s signature green could be ascribed to its constant growth.



The additional space also includes four up-to-date, ICU-

level care simulation rooms that will be used to simulate adult

critical and chronic diseases, infant illnesses and emergencies,

and childbirth. “We have the capacity now to give students the

best environment to practice what they’re learning. Here, they

can make a mistake and not hurt anybody, and they can go

back and correct the mistake,” Geiger-Brown explains. “This

allows the students to develop confidence and competence in

their critical-thinking skills—they go beyond learning tasks to

thinking like nurses.”

Medical laboratory science students will benefit from a new

microbiology lab where they can focus on identifying organisms

that cause disease. This, she says, will prepare them to more

immediately contribute to their first jobs after graduation.

“All medical laboratory science and nursing students take

anatomy and physiology, and the new teaching area supports

what students need to learn in these subject areas,” Geiger-

Brown adds. “I think that when students look at the facility,

they’ll see that it’s a place of active learning, a place where they

can be fully immersed in the life of a healthcare professional.”

For the School of the Sciences, Dean Meredith Durmowicz, Ph.D., foresees much of the same. “First and foremost, the

Center has so much more space, particularly dedicated space

for independent research and active learning,” she says. “We’ve

had a research-rich culture for some time now, and we’re going

to be able to do that in a nicer space with the opportunity

to do more and different types of research throughout our

curriculum.” One example she cites is cell culture research.

“Faculty who already conduct this research will have more and

better support, and faculty who don’t now have the capacity

to pursue their research in whatever direction it takes them.”

Two other programs in the School that will further flourish

are environmental science and biochemistry. Environmental

science has a research and teaching lab that it previously lacked

as well as a freestanding green house, and biochemistry now

has a dedicated teaching lab.

“Having these spaces is great,” Durmowicz says. “We’re

not trying to fit these programs into other spaces that are not

designed for them.”

One particularly welcome new feature is the SoLVE Center,

an innovative academic support program focused on developing

students’ relational and problem-solving skills. “The SoLVE

Center allows students to take information learned in a

chemistry or math course, for instance, and apply it to real-

world problems,” she says. “It’s a different way of approaching

academic support and teaching and learning and it helps our

students retain the information better. It keeps their interest:

They’re learning without knowing they’re learning.”

Although the School of Design has been on the Owings

Mills North campus since 2013, Dean Amanda Hostalka, M.F.A., believes that the additional spaces in the Academic

Center will enable the School to more fully realize its vision of

STEVENSON.EDU | 11

being a creative community. “The synergy created by bringing

everyone in the School of Design together on this campus will

be inspiring as this move affords us opportunities for greater

interdisciplinary collaboration and, therefore, increases our

capacity for innovation and growth in art, communication,

fashion, film, and visual communication design,” she says.

“The enhanced and expanded studios in the Academic Center

provide students with access to faculty, technology, equipment,

and workspaces all in one place.”

Additional features for the School in the Center include new

art studios, printmaking facilities, letterpress studio, darkroom,

digital labs, and fashion and textile studios that, Hostalka says,

will give students more spaces and resources to work on their

projects and greater flexibility in how to best realize their design

ideas. Finally, the communication studio, a lab and home base

for courses in writing, design, journalism, and public speaking,

will serve as a much-needed “hub” for the many business

communication program activities.

The Center also includes an additional School of Design

gallery—the University’s fourth arts exhibition space, located

on the second floor—that will further showcase the work of

students, faculty, and professionals.

Blending the sciences with the arts in one building fits neatly

within Stevenson’s mission as a liberal arts institution, and

the aforementioned gallery is just one of many places in the

expansive new Academic Center where this beneficial cross-

pollination of disciplines will occur, says Susan Gorman, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“I do think that our students benefit from interacting with

students from the School of Design,” says Geiger-Brown. “Nursing

is informed by humanities and arts, so for our students to learn

how those students use expressive media to convey their ideas is

a great opportunity. As for being housed with the School of the

Sciences—only good can come from that.”

Durmowicz agrees that having the School of the Sciences and

the School of Health Professions together on the first floor of the

academic center will be beneficial. She is also excited about the

potential for working more closely with the School of Design.

“We’ve had innovative collaborations through the years but this

offers more opportunity to truly realize that potential.”

Hostalka also sees the connection. “Designers, like scientists,

use scientific knowledge and research to solve problems and

make discoveries,” she notes. “The process of innovating through

biomimicry, for example, uses the natural world as a catalyst

for developing sustainable designs for anything from products

to buildings. Similarly, when working with healthcare clients,

designers use research data and feedback loops to inspire more

effective tools and strategies for communicating with patients.”

Overall, says Gorman, there are now many more opportunities

for collaboration and learning—both informal and formal—across

School and department lines. “Students and faculty will find

themselves sharing ideas with each other in a hallway nook or


over a cup of tea just as often, if not more so, than they do in

the classroom, studio, or laboratory. ‘Space and place’ matter,

and the richness of this kind of interdisciplinary learning

environment will benefit everyone.”

The Learning CommonsYet another innovative new space in the Center is evoking great

enthusiasm: the Learning Commons. Stevenson’s third library

will give a new meaning to the concept of active learning.

Susan Bonsteel, Director of Library Services, explains the

genesis of the Learning Commons. “Last fall we conducted an

observational study of students at Greenspring and Owings Mills

to see how they use space, how they interact, and what they’re

actually doing in the library—studying alone, working in groups,

using books or laptops, or even just talking. We compiled and

used that data to plan the Commons.”

“The Learning Commons was designed to reflect best practices

in contemporary library learning spaces,” Gorman elaborates. “In

order to remain a vital force in education, libraries and librarians

have had to grow and adapt to changing learning paradigms. The

name of Stevenson’s new library reflects the expectation that a

lot of valuable shared learning will take place there.”

The goal is for the Learning Commons to be a welcoming and

flexible space for individual or group study and even to practice

class presentations. This idea led to the design inclusion of

small, private rooms around the perimeter of the library that

can be reserved for use throughout the year. A bright, open area

featuring a refreshment bar and comfortable seating should

make the new Learning Commons a popular destination for

student, faculty, and staff alike.

“Students can receive all library services that they find at the

other library locations,” Bonsteel says. “Although there are no

print collections, books can be requested and received through

campus mail. Librarians will be on hand to help with research,

develop workshops, plan events, and refer students to other

academic services as needed.

“The hope is that the Learning Commons will foster

interdisciplinary conversations, allowing people from different

departments to work together and share perspectives,” she

continues. “We want to build a community of learners and

researchers, people who are interested in collaborating to

create new projects.” The space is open to all students from

all disciplines, as is the library in the School of Business and

Leadership and the Learning Resource Center at Greenspring.

“We say that we’re ‘One library, three locations.’”

Another exciting library initiative underway this year is

centered upon the notion of scholarly communication. “The

new Research and Instruction Librarian who will staff the

Learning Commons will establish a process for collecting and

sharing all of the outstanding things our faculty, staff, and

students are doing in terms of their scholarship and creative

works,” Gorman says. “This type of repository will allow us to

recognize and celebrate more effectively all that we’re doing as

a community of scholars. In time this collection will become

a great resource for the University; it will help us to recruit

and retain not just excellent students but talented faculty and

academic leaders as well.”

A Game-ChangerDurmowicz says that she has spoken with several prospective

students as they have come through the Center. “‘Amazing” and

‘incredible’ and ‘unbelievable’ are the words they’re throwing

out. This kind of building for science is not something you’d

expect to find at a liberal arts institution—the number of labs,

the dedicated spaces for all Schools in this building—it’s just

exciting.”

From Campbell’s perspective, the Center’s positive addition

to the University is twofold. “When students and parents come

to Open Houses, the Academic Center makes an impression.

We’re hoping that, in turn, will enhance enrollment numbers—

and now we’ll have a place for those additional students. We’ve

increased our academic capacity with an attractive new campus

while economically and efficiently providing the University

with an opportunity to expand enrollment. From a business

standpoint, Stevenson is now in a position to grow without

building more buildings.

“Ultimately, this is a game-changer in the most positive of

ways: a great building, a great campus, contributing to greater

growth.” SU

LEARN MORE about what the new Academic Center has to offer at stevenson.edu/academic-center.

Breaking News! As Ventures was at the printer, the University made three important announcements: The Academic Center will now be known as the Kevin J. Manning Academic Center; the School of Health Professions has been renamed Sandra R. Berman School of Nursing and Health Professions; and the School of the Sciences is now Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences. Look for more information on these exciting changes at stevenson.edu/academic-center and in the winter issue of Ventures.

STEVENSON.EDU | 13


Admittedly, the phrase “something for everyone” sounds

trite. But when you glance at the full list of Stevenson’s

diverse array of student clubs (see sidebar to the right),

it’s easy to see that every SU student should be able to

find at least one fit—if not more.

“In addition to doing well academically, I think

there are two things every student should do in college:

study abroad and get involved,” says Daniel Schwartz,

Assistant Director of Student Activities. “If you like a

club, stay in it. If you don’t like it, try something else.”

A specific example comes from Maumi Cannell-Chatterton, Assistant to the VP for Student Affairs and

staff mentor to the Anime Club. “One of the benefits is

that the club seems to attract introverts. These students

aren’t always the social butterflies, but through this club,

they find like-minded people and forge real friendships.”

Cannell-Chatterton, who also serves as staff

mentor to Best Buddies and the International Student

by Sherry Bithell

Association (ISA), says that all the clubs create common

ground among students. “Sometimes you think you’re the

only one interested in something, then you find that you

have a shared experience with others.” Citing students in

the ISA, she says, “They come from around the country

and the world, and here they have a place to learn more

about other cultures, talk about their food and family.

“It’s what college should be: learning something outside

of what you already know.”

This principle also applies to club faculty and staff

advisors, says Morgan Somerville, Director of Student

Engagement and advisor for Mission: I’m Home and the

Muslim Student Association.

“One of the reasons I love working at Stevenson is that

I am able to learn and grow alongside our students,” she

says. “This past year, the president of the Muslim Student

Association approached me about being the advisor

for their club. Since then, I have learned a tremendous

Student Clubs at SU:

Something for Everyone


STUDENT CLUBS AT SU

SU

amount about the Islamic faith and the Muslim culture. I appreciate these amazing

students sharing their culture with me and trusting me to help support their club.”

Diane Payne, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and

Research and Instructor of Chemistry, is the faculty advisor for the American

Chemical Society Club. Here, students gain experience in areas that you might

expect—and others that you might not. “They learn to present their knowledge to

others and gain leadership skills from serving as an officer or leading a meeting,”

Payne says. “But they also take part in outreach events, attending Scholars Day and

Accepted Students Day, and many of them mentor freshmen chemistry majors.

And they enjoy the camaraderie of working with other clubs on University-wide

events throughout the year.”

The group’s diversity is an added bonus, she notes. “They all get along well

and have learned to look for each other’s strengths, not their shortcomings or

differences.”

One club that emphasizes inclusion and student support is The Q Group, which

allows students to learn about and promote LGBTQ issues and identities. Faculty

advisor Laura T. Smith, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of English Language

and Literature, says that in addition to events such as Queer Talent Night and

Drag-u-Cation, the club also holds weekly meetings and Safe Space forums that

feature games, movies, and discussions of personal experiences and current events

Student Government Association-recognized Student Clubs for Fall 2016

47 House (communications careers)Accounting AssociationActive Minds (mental health awareness)African Student Union AIGA, Professional Association for DesignAll Natural (a capella)Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, IncorporatedAlpha Phi SigmaAmerican Chemical SocietyAmerican Marketing AssociationAnime ClubBest Buddies (intellectual disabilities support)Bethel Campus FellowshipBlack Student Union Campus Crusade for ChristCatholic Campus MinistriesCommuter Student Association Criminal Justice Student AssociationDodgeballEnglish ClubEnvironmental ClubEquestrian ClubFashion Apparel and DesignFellowship of Christian AthletesForensic Science ClubHuman Services ClubInternational Student Association Jewish Student AssociationLegal SocietyMale Initiative of Leadership and Excellence Mission: I'm HomeMuslim Student AssociationMustang Activities and Programming Board Mustangs for ChristNational Student Nurses AssociationOrganization for Latin American Students People for Animal Wellness SocietyPhi Beta LambdaPhi Sigma Sigma SororityPsychology ClubThe Q GroupRelay for LifeResidence Hall AssociationService CorpsSigma Alpha PiStangs for Social ActionStevenson Enactus (entrepreneurship)Stevenson University Sovereign Stangs (step team)Student Government AssociationTeachers of TomorrowUpsilon Pi EpsilonVideo Games

Wilderness and Ecology Club

To learn more, visit stevenson.edu/clubs.

related to LGBTQ life. “It’s a great space for all students to learn about gender and

sexual identities and to find information and support,” she enthuses.

Schwartz, who is the primary staff support for the clubs, says that Student

Affairs recognized the importance of diversity and inclusion by adding it as an

event category; the others are social, educational, collaborative, community

service, and career focus.

Last year alone, he says, the clubs held 260 events and performed nearly 3,000

service hours. “It’s not just balloons and bingo. They’re learning career and life

skills.”

In his experience—both at Stevenson and in a similar role at Stony Brook

University in New York—membership in student clubs contributes to student

satisfaction and retention as well as students being more likely to stay involved

with the University after graduation. “Of equal importance, membership also

contributes to the University’s liberal arts focus by encouraging students to

experience something different,” he adds.

As Cannell-Chatterton says simply, “Everyone belongs at Stevenson. This helps

them find their place.” Take another look at the list on the right; where is yours?

STEVENSON.EDU | 15

ADVANCING THE MISSION


Fall is an invigorating time of year with the air turning crisp, the leaves donning bright colors, and students beginning a new academic year. For many, the return to campus is only possible through the generous aid of scholarships. We extend our warm appreciation to the donors who fulfill this crucial need. Highlighted here are some of the scholarship funds helping our students to meet their goals.

A New Academic Year, Brought to You by Scholarships!

Shannon Henretty Nursing Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was created last year as a tribute to the late Shannon Henretty ’14, a graduate of the nursing program and a student-athlete who was much admired by the SU community. We launched the Shine Like Shannon campaign to build the fund, and the Shannon Henretty Memorial Walk was held on October 20, 2015, with 122 participants helping to raise money and celebrate Shannon’s

memory. Another event is planned for Sept. 10. We were able to begin awarding the Shannon Henretty Nursing Scholarship in fall 2015. The fund currently stands at more than $20,000, with a goal of $50,000 to establish a permanent endowed scholarship fund so that Shannon’s legacy will help others in perpetuity. We are grateful for the support of the community in honor of such a worthy cause. If you are interested in contributing to the fund, please contact Meghan Culbertson, Director of Advancement, at 443-334-2227 or make a secure gift online at stevenson.edu/givetosu.

Newcombe Scholarships for Mature Women Students

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation (CWNF) is continuing its support of Stevenson students who are beyond the traditional age of undergraduates by granting an award of $20,000 for a second year. The Foundation provides scholarship funds to institutions that are particularly welcoming to mature women students and serve them well. These scholarships are awarded to women over the age of 25 with financial need who have earned at least 60 credit hours toward their first bachelor’s degree. From its inception in 1979, CWNF has provided a total of $21.5 million in grants for Newcombe Scholarships for Mature Women Students at 60 colleges and universities. Last year, Stevenson University was fortunate to receive its first award of $20,000 from the Foundation: $10,000 was distributed in tuition

ABOUT WHAT WERE YOU MOST PASSIONATE DURING COLLEGE? Was it your major? Your sport? Your favor-ite professor? Your student organization? The career that lay ahead?

How did your passions enrich, change, and shape who you are now?

What if you had the opportunity to help someone else be enriched, changed, and shaped by the experience at your alma mater?

AND WHAT IF, BY MAKING A GIFT, YOU BECAME A GIFT TO SOMEONE ELSE?

As we begin a new year, welcome a new class, and anticipate celebrating with those who will complete a degree this year, we renew our efforts to create op-portunities to come to, thrive at, and graduate from Stevenson.

The University needs you to STAND for a program, a scholarship, a team, or a ma-jor. To support the students in the class-room, the athletes on the field, partici-pants in community and service projects, we have a call to action: Attend an event, cheer on a team, mentor a student, guide an intern, and be a gift by making a gift.

STAND

STEVENSONfor

STEVENSON.EDU/GIVING | 17

support among nine deserving female students; the remaining $10,000 formed an endowed scholarship fund. All institutions receiving awards from CWNF are required to match the funds; thus, Stevenson provided an additional $20,000, divided between the awarded scholarships and the scholarship endowment. With the renewal of this grant, we will again offer scholarships to students who meet the criteria, we will add to the endowment, and we will work toward matching these dollars. To learn more about supporting this fund, contact Meghan Culbertson, Director of Advancement, at 443-334-2227.

Keelty Scholars

Stevenson University has been honored to count Joseph S. Keelty among our most generous supporters, and we were saddened by the news of his passing on April 10 at the age of 93. As our friend for more than 30 years, Keelty established the University’s first endowed scholarship in 1986: The Joseph S. Keelty Endowed Scholarship. It began awarding students in the fall of 1991 and is now in its 26th year. In 2002 he established a second endowed scholarship to benefit students in our nursing program, The Joseph S. Keelty Endowed Nursing Scholarship. To date, a total of 123 students have received more than $600,000 in tuition support. These endowed funds will award in perpetuity, ensuring that Keelty’s philanthropic legacy will continue.

A Grand Opening for a Grand BuildingOn Aug. 30, the SU community, alumni, and friends joined together to celebrate the opening of our new Academic Center at Owings Mills North, ready to receive students for the fall 2016 semester. The festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks by campus and community leaders.

With its expanded classroom, laboratory, and studio space for the School of the Sciences, the School of Health Professions, and the School of Design, this impressive building also offers a Learning Commons, student lounge areas, and art exhibition space. The Academic Center will provide an optimal learning environment for our students for many years to come.

In June, Stevenson’s Office of Alumni Relations hosted a luncheon at Hertz-bach & Company, a certified public accounting and consulting practice in Owings Mills. Many of Steven-son’s 23 graduates who work for Hertzbach gathered to learn about the strong partnership between SU and Hertzbach from colleague and Alumni Association Board Member Jennifer Verch ’01. The program also included a University update from

President Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D., and remarks from Chair and Professor of Ac-counting Barbara Rowell, J.D.

Along with establishing a strong internship and recruitment program at Steven-son, Hertzbach has contributed to the success of our students through scholar-ship support. Since fall 2004, 11 accounting students have been awarded a total of $23,000 from the Hertzbach & Company Annual Scholarship, and then the Hertzbach & Company Endowed Scholarship, which became fully funded in fall 2015.

Alumni@Work is an initiative that helps strengthen the relationships among Ste-venson University, our alumni, and our corporate partners. Through this program, we reach out to businesses that employ graduates to hold events where alumni can network with their colleagues and maintain a valuable connection with their alma mater. If you work alongside several SU alumni and are interested in learning more about our Alumni@Work events, please contact Allison Humphries, Assistant Di-rector of Alumni Relations, at 443-334-2063 or [email protected].

with Hertzbach & Company

Keelty with some of his Keelty Scholars in May 2015

President Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D., spoke with Stevenson alumni employed at Hertzbach & Company.

ADVANCING THE MISSION


Outstanding Alumnae Honored

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDThis award honors alumni who demonstrate the Stevenson tra-dition of excellence through personal accomplishment, profes-sional achievement, and humanitarian service.

TAMMY SCHNEIDER ’98Since her graduation from Villa Julie College, Tammy Schneider has worked in public accounting for 20 years, rising to the principal level. In January 2016 she started her own firm, Taurus CPA Solutions, a boutique tax and accounting firm. Throughout her career, Schneider’s accomplishments have been recognized in publications such as The Daily Record, The Baltimore Business Journal, and most recently, Smart CEO Magazine. She is dedicated to increasing the role of women in business and has demonstrated her commitment to the greater community by serving on various local and national boards.

Schneider views Stevenson University as a strong institution and looks forward to seeing the continued commitment to students, to education, and to the community.

ALUMNI LOYALTY AWARD This award is presented to alumni who continually demonstrate loyalty and commitment to the Stevenson University community by devoting their time and talent to enhance the overall success of the University.

FRAN GUNSHOL ’67Fran Gunshol’s decision to attend Villa Julie College was encouraged by her family. She was involved in various extracurricular activities and looks fondly upon her student experience, noting that her professors and the sisters affirmed her abilities and gave her great confidence.

Throughout her career, Gunshol has been responsible for moving organizations forward, raising funds and friends

for non-profits, and connecting people and projects. She returned to campus where she thrived in her role as the Director of Alumni Relations, serving as part of the team behind many major achievements for the University.

Gunshol is impressed with the growth of Stevenson and hopes that the University will continue to adapt, grow, and stay loyal to its mission as it has faithfully done since the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur founded VJC in 1947.

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARDThis award recognizes graduates from the past 10 years who have achieved success while remaining engaged with the University.

LAUREN HUMPHRIES ’08While attending VJC, Lauren Humphries was an accomplished and active student-athlete. As a graduating senior, she was the recipient of the Elizabeth McWethy Award, the Fighting Heart Award, and the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

As a marketing professional, Humphries recognizes that the skills she acquired as a business communication major have served her well professionally and in her volunteer efforts. At the request of her college mentor, Chip Rouse, Associate Professor, Business Communication, and other faculty and staff, she has visited campus several times post-graduation to participate in panel discussions and networking events with current students.

Humphries has inspired others through her personal accomplishments. In 2015, she modeled in the first fashion show featuring women with dwarfism during New York Fashion Week and was the first person with dwarfism to run the Chicago Marathon.

Humphries appreciates the opportunities that Stevenson has created to engage alumni and values the importance of supporting future generations of Stevenson students.

Left to right: Tammy Schneider ’98, Lauren Humphries ’08, and Fran Gunshol ’67.

CLASS NOTES

1957Marie Feild Ford is living in Woodstock, Ga. She is very active with the Woodstock Senior Center and enjoys going on day trips, playing bridge, and going to the movies. She has two sons, Michael and Patrick. Marie is the 10th of 11 children, with one sister and brother living in Baltimore and another brother in North Carolina.

Christine Henry Jones is the executive assistant to the CEO at the International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters in Yarmouth Port, Mass. In late March she left for Rome, Italy, on holiday. During a two-hour layover at the Brussels Airport, two bombs went off in the departure area. Thankfully, she was able to escape unharmed and eventually made her way to a hotel in a small town outside of Brussels. Christine writes that the local residents were all wonderful, particularly the taxi driver who refused to accept payment when he found out she was coming from the airport. Because the Brussels airport remained closed for several days, she never made it to Rome, instead exploring Belgium, Amsterdam, and Tuscany.

1998Divita Washington is the Director of Client Relationships for a non-profit organization in Rockville, Md., that assists individuals who are homeless or have been involved in human trafficking and who need a safe place to stay.

Alumni, we want to hear what you’ve been doing!Please send us your news and photos on personal and professional achievements, marriage, family, travel, and memories of your time at VJC/SU. Submit your news and photos via mail to Alumni Notes, Stevenson University, Attn: Carolyn Douglas, 1525 Greenspring Valley Rd., Stevenson, MD 21153-0641; via e-mail to [email protected]; or submit them online at stevenson.edu/ventures.

1963 Carmela “CeCe” DiGiorgio Brooks Hilte enjoyed a family reunion trip to California and spent time horseback riding through the vineyards of Napa Valley with her granddaughter, Maddie Helmstetter. Maddie’s mom is CeCe’s daughter, Molly Brooks Helmstetter ’90, and her dad is Glenn Helmstetter ’90, who passed away in 2014.

1974Susie Wu is retired and enjoying life as grandma to four wonderful grandchildren who keep her young at heart and staying active. She loves photography and painting and tries to find some free time to enjoy these hobbies. Whenever she is in Maryland, Susie drives to campus to reminisce about “the good old days” and to visit the brick that she bought in memory of her parents, Jean and Jimmy Wu.

1975Andrea “Angie” Tyler Haggens is celebrating the birth of her first grandchild, Devin Aljanon Graham, born on April 8. The proud parents are Angie’s daughter, Kandace, and her husband, Rodney.

1992Lori Schemm Wooldridge ’92 ’97 writes that her son, Kyle, began studies at SU this month as a freshman student and a member of the class of 2020. He is planning to major in business administration-sport management and plans to play basketball and football for the Mustangs. Lori and her husband, Tom, are very happy that Kyle selected Stevenson for his college experience.

1999In the fall of 2015 Jennifer “Jenny” Peddicord Gordon started work on a master’s degree in contemporary communications at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Steve Morrill is the Director of IT and Cyber Science at Loyola Blakefield and was recently recognized as the nation’s first cyber teacher. Steve says that integrating cyber topics into all courses within a school is important, mainly because cyber is in every aspect of society today. He invests a lot of time in helping students experience the many exciting opportunities that a cyber-focused STEM education can offer, and he is already seeing many of his students continuing and excelling in university cyber security programs.

Alexandra Newman started working at Baltimore County Public Schools in Dec. 2015 as an Administrative Secretary. She has a grandson, Mason, who turns 2 in September.

2000Dottie Hudson Barber and her husband, Erik, welcomed their second son, Henry, born on April 15, 2016.

2001Cari Baker Biscoe and her husband, Robert Biscoe ’02, welcomed a son, Sullivan Thomas, on April 30, 2015. He has three older sisters: Addison, 9; Molly, 7; and Gianna, 4.

2003Valerie Tighe ’03 ’13M and her husband, Michael, both retired on July 8. After taking their grandchildren to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Las Vegas, the couple headed to Anna Maria Island in Florida to enjoy some beach time. Valerie writes that even though she is retiring from a nursing career spanning 38 years, she will always be a nurse.

Longtime friends Dave Krastel ’94 ’02M, Sean Kaifer ’94, James Anuszewski ’94, and Doug Blair ’98 celebrated the 20th Annual SU Golf Open at Greystone Golf Course on June 9. True supporters of the event, these players began joining fellow alumni on the links during the first tournament in 1996.


Irvin Davis retired two years ago after working at the Social Security Administration for 42 years.

Robert Lin is employed as a Senior IT Analyst at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Jeannie Sikorsky Dunphy and her husband, Nick Dunphy ’03, are proud to announce the arrival of their first child, Liam Joseph, born on April 10. The couple began dating in 1999 while students at VJC, and they were married in 2007.

2005Shayla “Shay” Bryan Powers and her husband, Mark, are expecting a second daughter in August. Brynn Marie will join big sister Amaya, who turned 3 in June.

2006Megan Harrell ’06 ’08M and Jeffrey Mahaley ’08 were married on May 13 at the Valley Country Club in Towson, Md. The couple honeymooned in Laguna Beach, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev.

Lori Lang Lee and her husband, Eric Lee ’03, welcomed their second daughter, Ella, in December 2015. She joins big sister Clara, who was born in December 2013.

2007Christina Kramer was promoted to the position of Program Expert at the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn, Md. She previously held the positions of Claims Authorizer and Operations Analyst.

Andrew “Andy” Levy and his fiancée, Kelly, are the proud parents of a son, Andrew James-Wayne, also known as A.J., born on May 9. A.J.’s parents are both studying for graduate degrees at Stevenson. Kelly

is enrolled in the healthcare management program and Andy in the business and technology management program.

Lesley Lookingbill and her husband, Ron, welcomed two grandchildren this year. Mason, son of their daughter and son-in-law, was born on June 10 and Marcus, son of their son and his wife, was born on June 24.

2009Diana Davis ’09M is the program director for Langton Green, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to adult individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. She is also a live-in counselor at one of the Langton Green residences in Annapolis, Md.

Ashley Ward has joined the Baltimore law firm of Goodman, Meagher & Enoch, LLP, where she practices in the areas of litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, and family law.

2010Megan Kane Karcher and her husband, Justin, welcomed the arrival of their first child, Grant Anthony, born on Jan. 28.

Kimberly “Kim” Moxley is working as an Addictions Counselor at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, Md.

2011Katie Street McMichael ’11 ’13M and her husband, Mark, welcomed their second son, Landon Tyler, on March 22. He joins big brother Sawyer, who turns 3 in October.

Arden Haley has been working for five years as a graphic designer and web specialist for What’s Up? Media, a magazine publishing company for the Annapolis, Eastern Shore, and West County areas in Maryland. The

entertainment guide covers activities, sports, restaurants, special events, lifestyle, and more.

Reginald Jordan received a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law and is working at the Law Office of Rhonda Framm in Owings Mills, Md.

Jo-Ann Middleton recently completed the Master of Science degree in Nursing from Simmons College in Boston through their online FNP (family nurse practitioner) program. She took the FNP certification exam during the summer to practice in Maryland. Jo-Ann credits the wonderful faculty at SU who propelled her forward to maximize her potential and her love of working with patients to achieve their health and happiness.

Suzanne Packard graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Science degree in Information Assurance from Capitol Technology University in May. She works as an Alternate Information Systems Security Manager at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Jennifer Cecchetti Whitfield and her husband, Bryan, welcomed the arrival of their first child, Lucy Harper, on March 23.

2012Megan Andrews officially launched her small business in January. Here Comes The Bling, LLC is an online boutique that specializes in custom rhinestone clothing, gifts, and accessories for everyday fashion, brides, sports teams, special events, and more. She is hoping to expand the business into some local retailers. Megan writes, “Whether it’s a bridal party, business, or sports team looking for some sparkle, we have them covered for all things bling!”

Maria Disogra is the Assistant Residential Director for HopeWorks in Howard County, a


Milestone Reunion & Jubilarian Society Dinner Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 5:30-7:30 p.m. Greenspring Campus

To reunite with one another in celebration of:

The Jubilarian Society, members of the classes of 1949-1965 who have achieved

their 50-year anniversary milestone.

The 50th Reunion Class of 1966

Milestone Classes of 1971,1976, 1981, 1986, and 1991

Please contact Carolyn Douglas with questions at 443-334-2690 or by email at [email protected].

program assisting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. She graduated in May from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a master’s degree in social work. In June, she passed the social work boards and is now a licensed social worker in Maryland.

After almost 11 years of dating, Renae Hunter and Brian Diller became engaged on May 7.

Oyinade Koyi recently accepted the position of Assistant Media Manager at The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York City.

Kayla Wilson completed her first year at Michigan State University College of Law in May. She writes that it was a challenging year and has been interesting to experience life outside of Maryland on a Big Ten campus.

Mentor on a Mission

ALUMNUS PROFILE

“I think the most important thing in life is integrity. You build your own character,”

says Alphonso Mayo ’14, a recent human services graduate with a passion for giv-

ing back to both his community and his alma mater.

“We wait for someone else to take the next step,” he adds. “I didn’t want to wait

for someone else because what if that person never steps? What if 1,000 people

never step? I want to motivate others to take that step. I want to motivate others to

support one another.”

Growing up in Baltimore City, Mayo found himself seeking out male role models,

such as his high school football coach. This led him to realize his life’s goal: helping

others and creating opportunities for success.

Although he left Baltimore after his 2006 graduation from high school to play

football at North Carolina Central University, he learned soon afterward that he

was going to be a father. He returned home and found it challenging to find steady

employment without a college degree, so he made a promise to his grandparents

that he would create a positive legacy for his family by returning to college.

He chose Stevenson after hearing about the launch of its new football program.

As someone searching for an opportunity to change his life, Mayo says, “I didn’t

have anything to believe in but I believed in Stevenson’s values.”

As a student-athlete, Mayo's experience was different from that of other students,

juggling academics, football, family, and work. Yet he gained a sense of community,

and that inspired him to give back.

After graduating from Stevenson as the first member of his family to earn a

college degree, Mayo accepted a full-time position with Service Coordination

as a Case Manager assisting and advocating for individuals with disabilities. He

simultaneously began developing his own organization, Mentoring Mentors, to

support underserved youth in his community. Its goal is to provide teens and young

adults with opportunities to develop life skills and give back to their community

through volunteerism. Mayo also visits schools and other organizations as part of

his Words Change initiative, which promotes a sense of support and community for

youth in the Baltimore area.

In addition, Mayo is an advocate for the STANDforStevenson campaign for

increasing alumni participation. “I truly believe that it is better to give than it is to

receive. If you have an opportunity to help someone, why wouldn’t you?” he asks.

It was a family alumni occasion at the Nurses’ Pinning ceremony last May as Traci Mooney ’85 (left) and nieces Amy Bryant ’16 (center) and Kate Mooney ’12 (right) celebrated the completion of Amy’s nursing degree.

2013Rajkumar Baldeosingh graduated in May from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a Master of Science degree in Molecular Medicine. He is working in a research lab at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins and plans to pursue a doctorate degree.

Yanita Boayue writes that she is having a great year. She enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic, and she was promoted to Lead Therapist at B.A.S.I.C.S. ABA Therapy.

Justine Bugaoisan recently graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law and took the Illinois Bar Examination at the end of July. While in school she was an editor for the Northern Illinois University Law Review. Justine plans on being a trial lawyer, either as a state’s attorney or defense counsel. During the summer of 2015, she was


Milestone Reunion & Jubilarian Society Dinner Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 5:30-7:30 p.m. Greenspring Campus

To reunite with one another in celebration of:

The Jubilarian Society, members of the classes of 1949-1965 who have achieved

their 50-year anniversary milestone.

The 50th Reunion Class of 1966

Milestone Classes of 1971,1976, 1981, 1986, and 1991

Please contact Carolyn Douglas with questions at 443-334-2690 or by email at [email protected].

Members of the Stevenson University Alumni Association Board remain an integral

part of the SU student experience well after graduation. They act as ambassadors, work

to engage fellow alumni, design and support programs and events to foster a strong

sense of community, and preserve the Mustang pride that alumni developed during

their time as students. On July 1, leadership positions were appointed to several dedi-

cated board members who will work to enhance the Stevenson alumni experience.

2016-2017 Alumni Association Board Leadership:

Matt Johnson ’98 Immediate Past President, Board of Trustees Ex-Officio memberShervonne Cherry ’05 President, Executive Committee ChairAnthony Davis ’02 ’03M Vice President, Nominations and Awards Committee ChairAngela Davis Pallozzi ’05 Events Committee Co-ChairChristina Bowman ’02 Events Committee Co-ChairBlaire Miller ’05 Engagement Committee ChairTonia Cristino ’08 ’10M Athletics Committee Chair

a law clerk at the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee in Chicago. In 2014, she was a judicial intern at the 18th Judicial Circuit Courthouse in DuPage County, as well as a legal intern at the Kane County Public Defender’s Office.

Devonna Butler is employed as a Medical Social Worker II at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore and is working toward the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical licensure (LCSW-C). She received a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2015 and returned to Stevenson this semester to study for a second master’s degree in healthcare management.

Jennifer DeHoff and Daniel Tobon ’12 first met at SU through Service Corps and became engaged in October 2015. The couple was married on Aug. 12.

Amber Hall Olsen and her husband, Carleton, purchased their first home last November and now reside in Nottingham, Md.

Jordan Wright has been working in California for the past three years, serving at-risk youth growing up in the Watts community of Los Angeles. In August he returned to Baltimore to pursue a master’s degree in communications studies from Stevenson and will be shifting his focus to serving at-risk youth in Baltimore City.

2014Melanie Bishop-Crouch ’14 ’16M is a staff auditor in the Office of Legislative Audits in Baltimore. In May she received a master’s degree in forensic studies from SU.

Malcolm Broadnax and his wife, Najla, welcomed their second child, a daughter, Sonjai, born on June 15. Big brother Brycen was born in July 2015.

An Orioles victory over Los Angeles was celebrated by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of SU on Saturday, July 9 during Stevenson Night at Camden Yards. Prior to the start of the game, guests mingled on the upper deck concourse enjoying food, drinks, and a visit from the Oriole Bird.

Sept. 10 Shannon Henretty ’14 Invitational

Sept. 24 Alumni Day at Boordy Vineyards

Sept. 26 Accounting Fair

Oct. 16-22 Homecoming + Family Week

Dec. 1 Mentor Mixer

Dec. 10 Breakfast with Santa

Alumni Events You Are Invited

Watch for further details on this and other events

in upcoming issues of the email Alumni Newsletter, or visit

the alumni website at stevenson.edu/alumni.

Have any ideas or suggestions for alumni events? Please contact

Jamie Myers, Director of Alumni Relations, at 443-334-2625 or jmmyers@

stevenson.edu.


The Alumni Association Board: Continuing to Serve

Thinking Outside the Diploma

ALUMNA PROFILE

From a young age, Megan Lanasa ’09 admired the entrepreneurial spirit of her

parents, who own The Breadery in Catonsville, Md., and it sparked her interest in

owning a business. She attended Stevenson University to pursue a degree in business

communication. Thanks to the tough love and constant consideration of Stevenson

faculty, she says her college experience became one to remember.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree and familiarity with the restaurant industry,

Lanasa wanted to start something of her own. “Why work so hard and not reap

the benefits?”

At 27, she embarked on her first business venture to launch BricknFire Pizza Co.,

a mobile brick oven food truck. For months, she made appearances at farmers’

markets and special events, delivering wood-fire pizza and growing the BricknFire

brand.

Lanasa has never shied away from opportunities to promote her company. “It’s

amazing that we willingly put ourselves in the position to do things that scare us,”

she says.

In June 2015, BricknFire entered the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor’s Canvas

competition, a contest for entrepreneurs to submit business proposals to be

evaluated by a committee of local restaurant and hotel owners, industry experts, and

foodies. Upon her selection as a finalist, she participated in day-long competition

that included rapid-fire questioning in true “Shark Tank” fashion.

Lanasa won the competition, giving her the opportunity to work with a panel

of mentors as she designed the company’s first brick-and-mortar space in the

hotel’s location near Camden Yards. Turning the food truck reins over to her

Mobile Operations Manager gave Lanasa time to focus on generating interest in the

restaurant and leading her growing staff of 15.

She also finds time to return to campus, sharing her story with Stevenson

students interested in starting their own businesses. Lanasa recently served as a

panel member during Adulting 101: Thinking Outside the Diploma, an event

sponsored by the Senior Class Council.

“Without my decision to attend Stevenson University, and the skills I developed

while I was there, I might not be where I am today,” Lanasa notes.

Nicole “Nicky” Costabile is a Graphic Designer for Syncopated Engineering where she is responsible for the design and development of the company brand, marketing, product, and recruiting materials as well as engineering services and product websites. She also serves as a front-end web application developer responsible for the design and development of Syncopated’s product application interfaces and user experience. She is pursuing a professional graduate certificate in web development and technologies at the Harvard Extension School.

Alex Zeidler started a new position in May as a Retail Marketing Coordinator at the Under Armour Global Headquarters in Baltimore.

2015Chelsea Clough is working with Abel Communications as a Multimedia Content Creator. She initially joined the Abel team as a freelancer but is now a full-time employee. She has taken photos and created videos for clients including STX, First Mariner Bank, and Point Breeze Credit Union. While a student at SU, Chelsea won the 2015 Excellence in Cinematography Award and received first place honors in both the 2014 and 2015 Stevenson University Online Film Festival. Her work has been published in The New York Times, People Magazine and Yamaha, among other publications.

Kia Dawkins has written a book of poetry, notes, and motivations for those who dream entitled, To Be Drenched in Dreams, Delights, Downfalls, and Dos. The title was self-published in April with Createspace.

Colette Farhat was accepted to the Charleston School of Law in South Carolina and begins her studies in September.

Alexandra “Alle” Friend completed her first semester as a graduate student at University of Baltimore in the nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship program. She has started a full-time job as a Youthworks supervisor and a part-time position with the Friends of Patterson Park as a Community Outreach Specialist.

Alyssa Henry is studying for a doctorate degree in school psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Ashley Shelton is employed as a Clinical Assistant at Kennedy Krieger Institute and is pursuing a master’s degree in forensic psychology at Southern New Hampshire University’s online program.

Lauren Speiser was featured in a May article in The Baltimore Sun discussing her experiences as a first-year kindergarten teacher at Hammond Elementary School. She says that she owes the faculty of the School of Education a huge thanks for believing in her and pushing her to be the best teacher possible. Lauren adds that she went into her first year not wanting just to survive, but wanting to show what a Stevenson alumna can really do. “I could not have succeeded this year without the tools


Megan Lanasa ’09 (front row, second from left) and her BricknFire Pizza Co. staff welcomed customers into the company’s first brick-and-mortar restaurant in July 2016.

Helen Delich Bentley

IN MEMORIAM

Stevenson University is saddened by the passing of Helen Delich

Bentley. The former Maryland Congresswoman had a long and

active record of service to the University.

Bentley’s history with SU goes back to its days as Villa Julie

College. She was invited to join the Board in October 1974 and

served until January 1994. She was reelected in July 1996 and

served a second term until September 2005. During that time,

she supported the College in numerous ways, including making

gifts as well as soliciting them on our behalf. Additionally, Bentley

supported the approval of VJC’s Paralegal Studies program

in January 1985 and was the VJC Commencement speaker in

1986, when she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane

Letters.

Outside of Stevenson, Bentley, who graduated from the

University of Missouri with a degree in journalism, had a lively

and varied career path. After accepting the position as the

maritime editor of the Baltimore Sun in 1945, she became devoted

to maritime issues. In 1969, she was appointed chair of the Federal

Maritime Commission, the first woman to hold the post. She

also served as a member of Congress, representing Maryland’s

Second District from 1985 to 1995. Her achievements were well

noted: She was inducted into the International Maritime Hall

of Fame in 2004, and in 2006, as part of its 300th anniversary

celebrations, the port was re-named the Helen Delich Bentley

Port of Baltimore.

“We greatly appreciate that Helen found the time, among her

other important contributions, to support and advocate for us

over several decades,” said President Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D. “She will be missed, but her legacy of tireless service will never be

forgotten.”

provided me throughout my years at Stevenson.” Beginning in September, Lauren will teach kindergarten at Forest Ridge Elementary School in Laurel, Md.

Nefertiti Victor is working as a teaching assistant at Y.A.L.E. School in New Jersey, which serves students with social, emotional, learning, and behavioral disabilities who need a specialized setting in order to benefit from education. She is also studying for a graduate degree in applied behavior analysis from Rowan University in New Jersey.

Avery Yancey ’15 ’16M is headed back to school working on a doctorate degree in business administration with a specialization in information technology management, with an anticipated completion date in late 2018.

2016Ian Eberly is working as a Software Engineer at Leidos, a defense company headquartered in Reston, Va., that provides scientific, engineering, systems integration, and technical services.

Kevin McDonough accepted a job as a Marketing and Communications Specialist for the MD DC Credit Union Association where he will help with media placements, internal and external communications, social media, events, and more.

Megan McSwain has joined the Chesapeake Conservancy to work with the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay to develop public awareness of conservancy issues.

Shane Messick has had a life-long desire to work in the entertainment industry. After graduation, he drove across the country to live in Los Angeles where he is actively searching for the right career opportunity that combines his passion for the world of entertainment with his college background in public relations, publicity, and marketing.

Ashley Mil is working at the Padonia Park Club as the Events Manager. Padonia Park Club is a 30-acre privately owned club that offers year-round catering in addition to a swim club and day care facility.

Sydney Rebechi has accepted a position as a Business Developer at Element Fleet Management in Sparks, Md. She writes, “I feel more prepared than other people in my position.”

Alison Smith accepted a job at Stanley Black & Decker as an Associate Product Manager, where she will work with the brand Porter Cable, overseeing the process of creating new products from the beginning stages all the way to production.

In Memoriam:Ebony Short ’15 on June 14, 2016

Cynthia Stein Tannebaum ’78 on Jan. 28, 2013

Andrea Graf Velasco ’09 on July 28, 2011


Building on Student SuccessS T E V E N S O N U N I V E R S I T Y

Biochemistry and the New Academic Center

Stevenson University’s biochemistry program has a long record of preparing students to embark on successful careers and to pursue post-graduate degrees in the health sciences, medicine, and pharmacy.

From forensic science to genetics, from biomedical and pharmaceutical research to teaching, the career paths for biochemistry graduates are varied—and growing.

Stevenson is also growing to meet this demand. With the opening of our new 200,000-square-foot Academic Center, our School of the Sciences has even more facilities and resources to support student success:

• 20 state-of-the-art labs, including a dedicated biochemistry lab • Terrarium and aquarium room for plant and aquatic research • Dedicated labs for independent faculty and student research • SoLVE (Solutions for Learning and Vibrant Education) Center for the cooperative learning support of science students

Through this expansion, Stevenson continues to engage students, build their knowledge and skills, and enrich their practical experience through faculty-stu-dent research and internships—all with the personal mentoring that sets them on stronger paths to their futures.

But don’t take our word for it; see for yourself:

visit.stevenson.edu. New Academic Center

1525 Greenspring Valley Road Stevenson, Maryland 21153-0641

stevenson.edu

Home of Career ArchitectureSM

Help us celebrate our annual Homecoming + Family Week by attending one or more of our many fun and family-friendly events, including:

THURSDAY, OCT. 20, 2016Academic Affinity Reunions

(School of Design, School of the Sciences, School of Health Professions)

Powder Puff Football GameGPS Alumni Happy Hour

Bonfire

FRIDAY, OCT. 21, 2016Varsity Golf Alumni Homecoming TournamentMilestone Reunion Dinner and Jubilarian Society InductionMustang Madness

Haunted Hallways

SATURDAY, OCT. 22, 2016Alumni Lacrosse GameFamily Fanfare and Affinity Reunion Tailgate Parents ReceptionFootball vs. Delaware Valley CollegeMaryland Crab FeastDick Watts Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet

For more information and a full listing of events, please visit stevenson.edu/homecoming.

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