 Dear Alumni & Friends,
A few weeks have passed since the Virginia Tech tragedy. The Otterbein community was shocked by the events of that day, as was the rest of the country. Whitney Prose '09 shares her thoughts and reactions to the tragedy below.
We Cried Too
On April 17th the normally loud and busy campus center was very silent. My friend and I had arrived to set up for Otterbein’s Earth Week events. Typically the common TV has a group of students clustered around it watching a sports show or MTV. Today’s group didn’t look like any normal clique—it was a diversity promoter’s dream. Instantly, my friend and I knew something strange was happening because of their utter silence.
Quietly, my friend and I joined the group silhouetted by the television screen showing CNN and its latest coverage of the Virginia Tech heartbreak. My friend read the subtitle, “Oh my God,” she prayed, “That’s where my best friend lives!” She pulled out her cell phone and quickly dialed. Her friend answered I’m fine, just in lockdown.
By that evening the most popular groups on Facebook.com were anything in support and memoriam of VT. Some students were outraged, others scared, and all were looking for meaning. Rev. Monty and the Student Affairs staff members offered their services and led discussion groups. Many meeting agendas were abandoned so that we could all just talk and come to terms with what had happened. Of course, we all called home too.
Soon two banners appeared. In the matter of four hours the Campus Center’s banner was full of messages on the front and back. There literally was no more room to write on the single-bed-sized banner. The library’s banner was full by dinnertime. In alternating black and red sharpie ink we shared what was in our hearts. Here in this corner was scrawled a prayer, there a bold black Ohio Supports You!, and over there a red message in non-Arabic script encircled a heart. Otterbein mailed these to our fellow college students in Virginia. We’re a small campus, but we can pull together. We can lend our strength.
A single stick can be broken, but no one can snap a bundle.
Whitney Prose '09
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Upcoming Events
Follow the links for more information about each event.
Row, row, row your boat
Never kayaked but want to learn? Then Kayaking Quickstart is the program for you! It is geared especially for the novice kayaker.
Dayton, OH
May 29, 5:30 p.m. (more...) |
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Otterbein Alumni Club of Akron/Canton
This meeting is open to all alumni and friends of the 'Bein. Grab a friend or two and join us for a cup o'joe and good conversation!
Arabica Coffee House
1840 Town Park Blvd.
Uniontown, OH
Sunday, June 3, 3 p.m.
Questions? Contact Connie Hellwarth Leonard '63, Club Coordinator
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Class of 2007 Celebrations
It's time to welcome our newest alumni into the Otterbein alumni family!
All alumni are invited to meet the members of the Class of 2007 at these upcoming celebrations.
Zero Year Reunion for the Class of '07
Outside the Rike Center
Westerville, OH
Monday, June 4, 4:30 p.m.
Reception for Masters Program Graduates '07
Outside Roush Hall
Westerville, OH
Tuesday, June 5, 4:30 p.m. |
Is someone you know graduating from Otterbein next month? Surprise them with a gift from the
Otterbein Bookstore! |
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Class of 2007 Time Remaining Until Graduation |
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Alumni Weekend 2007
June 8-10
It's time to see familiar faces - the faces of Otterbein's new buildings and the lasting beauty of our landmarks, the faces of friends at class reunions, and, of course, your smiling face. It's a time to SHARE. LAUGH. LEARN.
Westerville, OH
(More info) |
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Third Annual Otterbein Scramble
What a beautiful sight...Cardinals on the links.
Chapel Hill Golf Course
Mt. Vernon, OH
June 12 9:42 a.m. shotgun start
$45/person (includes all you can eat buffet, beverages on the course, and 18 holes of golf with a cart and prizes
Questions? E-mail Jeff Demas or call 823-1563 for more information. |
Register by June 8th |
Otterbein Alumni Club of Dayton
Join Dayton area alumni to discuss development of the Otterbein Alumni Club of Dayton (and the ice cream is on us!)
Graeter's Ice Cream in Oakwood
2412 Far Hills Avenue
Dayton, OH
June 14, 6:30 p.m. |
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Alaska's state flower is the Forget-Me-Not. Come see why.
Join us for a special informational meeting and travel preview of the 2008 Alaskan cruise.
Campus Center
Westerville, OH
June 19, 7:30 p.m.
(more information) |
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Otterbein Alumni Club of Central Ohio
Now is a great time to get involved. Come to the June meeting and help make plans for the coming year's activities.
Hancock House on campus
Westerville, OH
June 13, 6:30 p.m.
Questions? Contact LeAnn Unverzagt '80, Club Coordinator |
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June Bug Jamboree
Shindig...party...jamboree. Whatever you call it, it's fun! Bring the kids, invite some friends and join Dayton area alumni for this annual summer celebration.
Waynesville, OH
June 23
Golf outing at 1 p.m.
Picnic at 4 p.m.
(more event info) |
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Big Apple Alumni...
Coming soon! The NYC summer 2007 alumni gathering. Hold the date!
July 16
New York City, NY
Location and time TBD. |
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Go where the hills glow green, leprechauns dance and the blarney stone waits for your kiss.
Ireland is the next international destination for traveling Cardinals.
It's not too late to register! For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 1-888-614-2600 or 614-823-1650.
Sept. 15-23
(More info)
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Remember when...
Cardinal Tales is a new feature in Towers. Cardinals everywhere can share humorous and heartwarming tales about different topics. For the summer issue of Towers, please send us your one-paragraph stories of memories from the Schear-McFadden Science Building. Did you start the infamous lab fire? Did you have a professor who taught you more about life than science in the halls of Schear-McFadden? Take a walk down memory lane and send us your Cardinal Tales! |
Alumni Out and About
Have you recently gathered with fellow Otterbein alumni? Send us a photo
and we will post it in future issues of "Cardinal Connections." |
Calendar of Events
May
June
6/3 - Otterbein Alumni Club of Akron/Canton meeting
6/4 - Zero Year Reunion
6/5 - Masters Reception
6/8-10 - Alumni Weekend
6/12 - 3rd Annual Otterbein Scramble
6/12 - Otterbein Alumni Club of Central Ohio meeting
6/14 - Otterbein Alumni Club of Dayton meeting
6/19 - Alaska Information Session
6/23 - June Bug Jamboree
July
7/27 - Stop by the Otterbein table during Westerville's Fourth Friday Festival on State Street
SAVE these DATES!
HOMECOMING 2007
Oct. 13
BLACK ALUMNI DINNER
Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Contact Angela Harris for more info at aharris@otterbein.edu
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 Otterbein Baseball & Barbecue
On March 18 alumni, friends, family and students watched the Cardinals baseball team and chowed-down on BBQ in Port Charlotte, FL. The event was hosted by the Otterbein Alumni Club of Southwest Florida. (more)
(L to R) Coach George Powell, Eric Heminger ’06 and Chelbe Heminger in Port Charlotte.
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 Otterbein "went green" during Earth Week 2007. Jack Hanna and his animal friends from the Columbus Zoo visited campus on April 19 and put on quite a show for the jam-packed Rike Center. (more photos from the event)
(Left) Trulee Barnett, Tom Barnett '91, Jagger, Jaylee and friend at the Columbus Zoo event.
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 Vice President for Student Affairs, Bob Gatti, hosted a brunch for student affairs professionals at the American College Personnel Association /National Association of Student Personnel Administrators conference in Florida.
(L to R) Maria Guiray, Amy Rosen, Jessica Moomaw '05, Alicia Colburn Caudill '95, John Geyer '05, Tacci Smith '94, Debbie Lamp '98, Tracy Benner, Sarah Hoffert '04, Gretchen Streiff '06 and Bob Gatti.
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 Otterbein students presented their research at the American Chemical Society's National Conference in April. They were honored at the home of parents McKim Barnes and Terry Fife in Chicago.
(front row L to R) Jessica Honnold '07, Nadine Stephens '07, Mary Lower '07, Shelly Hobbs '09 and Terry Fife; (back row, L to R) Sadie Bartholomew '07, McKim Barnes, Molly Barnes '04, Professors John Tansey, Dean Johnston and Jeremy Bringardner. |
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Brothers & Sisters: Greek Alumni News
If your sorority or fraternity has news to share, send it to the Alumni Association at AlumniInfo@otterbein.edu and we will help spread the word. |
Greek News
Check out the Spring 2007 issue of "The Greek Positive" newsletter.
Sigma Delta Phi
Alumni Gathering
Meet at 101 S. Grove St.
Westerville, OH
May 30 at 7 p.m.
Pi Beta Sigma Commencement Activities
Celebrate with the brothers of Pi Beta Sigma on June 9 with these activities:
Meeting 11 a.m. - noon
Open House 1 - 4 p.m. Tour the completed Phase One Renovation!
Evening Celebration at the Winking Lizard (100 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus)
5 - 7 p.m. Reception
7 - 9 p.m. Dinner, Presentation & Awards
9 p.m. - ?? Socializing
Purchase tickets by June 1 ($55 couple/$30 individual)
For more information, contact Zach Reat '05.
Hold the date! Pi Beta Sigma 100th Anniversary Celebration -
Oct. 18, 2008
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Pi Kappa Phi
Golf Outing
Table Rock Golf Club
3005 Wilson Rd.
Centerburg, OH
June 8 at 11 a.m.
For more information e-mail Seth West '02, or call 740-296-4770 or visit the Pi Kappa Phi website.
Lambda Gamma Epsilon
Annual Western Pennsylvania Reunion
Dinner reservations are due by July 21.
July 28 at 10 a.m.
Camp Allegheny in PA
Please e-mail Bob Fulton '57 or call 724-935-4276.
Tau Epsilon Mu
Alumni members of Tau Epsilon Mu are invited to the monthly Second Sundays Gathering. No meeting...just alumni getting together to enjoy good company, conversation and food. Catch up with your sisters and relax!
TEM will update their website each month with info regarding that month's gathering. Check it out at www.geocities.com/tem20002001. |
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 Stop by and see us sometime...
The Office of Alumni Relations has relocated to Hancock House, 111 W. Park Street. Feel free to swing by for a visit!
(L to R) Laurie Draper, Administrative Assistant; Whitney Prose, student assistant; Becky Fickel Smith '81, Director of Alumni Relations; and Bonnie Robinson, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
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Give the gift of time
Otterbein gave you so much during your college years. One way to "give back" is volunteering at the Otterbein Women's Club Thrift Shop. A gift of your time insures that the Thrift Shop continues to operate and provide scholarships for future Otterbein students. Volunteers are needed on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., or on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Volunteering just one shift a month can make a big difference. For more information, contact Peg Duffy '61.
Welcome to Otterbein!
Joe Neal joined the Otterbein College Office of Institutional Advancement as the assistant director of development on March 12, 2007. Read more about him in the upcoming spring issue of "Towers."
International Panel for World Freedom Press Day
On May 4 Otterbein and Columbus International Programs had the privilege of hosting the
U.S. Mission to the United Nations for a panel discussion titled "The Citizen Journalist: The Internet as a Tool for Freedom of Speech." (full story in @Otterbein)
Dress for Success AASU Project
Please help the African American Student Union (AASU) at Otterbein support the Dress for Success organization in its mission to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Donations will be accepted until Tuesday, May 29. (more information)
Save Student Choice Grant Campaign
Ohio residents have heard about the harmful effect to the region and state from the proposed cuts to the Student Choice Grant. The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio (AICUO) has launched a new feature on their campaign website, http://www.SaveStudentChoice.com. This feature enables Ohio students, faculty, parents, guidance counselors and friends to quickly compose and send an e-mail or letter to their legislators and the governor concerning this issue. Please take a look at the site and do what you can to spread the word about this campaign.
Pre-Order Harry Potter’s New Release
The OC bookstore is accepting pre-orders for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" due for release on July 21. The Bookstore will open in the lobby of the Campus Center at 12:01 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. for customers who preordered so you can avoid the long lines at other locations. The book is offered at 40% off when you pre-order. The list price is $34.99 and it will be available at $20.99. No further discounts apply. Contact the OC Bookstore at 823-1364.
Athletic Clothing Sale
Come to the ONE DAY ONLY athletic clothing sale from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 24 in the back area of the Rike Center on campus. Pick up a variety of athletic apparel at great prices. Lots of T-shirts, pants, game jersey's, sweats, shorts, etc.
| Kudos to... |
| Angela Harris, assistant dean and coordinator of ethnic diversity, upon her selection for United Way's Project Diversity Program. |
| Kate Porubcansky, Assistant Dean/Director of the Center for Student Involvement, for her recent election as the National Orientation Directors Association's Regional Coordinator for Region VII. |
The 2007 Alumni Association Award winners. These alumni will receive their awards at the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon. Read about their accomplishments on the alumni website.
Distinguished Alumnus Award - Dr. Bruce Flinchbaugh '75
Special Achievement Awards -
Dr. David Brown '64. Wayne Cummerlander '80, Jack Mehl '72
Alumni Community Service Award - Mark Puskarich '86
Honorary Alumnus Award - Chuck Vedder |
| Meg Morman '99, casting director for Fox Searchlight's new film "Waitress." Check the "Waitress" website to see this touching film at a theatre near you. |
| The Department of Theatre and Dance which recently received a commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives. It reads, in part, “On behalf of the members of the House of Representatives of the 127th General Assembly of Ohio, we are pleased to extend special recognition to the THEATER PROGRAM AT OTTERBEIN COLLEGE on its One Hundredth Anniversary… The program’s success is a justifiable source of pride and a fine reflection on its instructors, on its students, on the college, and on the community.” |
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 Rachael Harris '90, who can be seen on ABC's new series "Notes From the Underbelly." Harris recently completed two feature films, "Evan Almighty," starring Steve Carell, and "License to Wed," starring Robin Williams. |
| Mandy Bruno '04, who is playing the role of Eponine in "Les Miserables" on Broadway. Bruno can also be seen on "Guiding Light." |
 The Otterbein Baseball team for winning it third-consecutive OAC Tournament title. Megan Smith '07 for submitting the winning logo for Westerville's 2007 Music & Arts Festival. |
 The Otterbein Women's Track & Field for winning the OAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships after a 47 1/2-point victory over two-time defending champion Baldwin-Wallace. The men's team captures fourth place. OC's PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) students who were awarded top honors in the PRoject U campaign sponsored by the Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation and Northlich agency for their campaign "Pass It On—Otterbein DeBunkify." (more...) |
| Emily Harris '10 for her second place finish in the Introductory Division of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships. |
| Lindsay Chambers '02 and Jeremy Bobb '03 whose Broadway shows were nominated for Tony Awards! Lindsay is appearing in "Legally Blonde" and Jeremy can be seen in "Translations." |
Spring Cleaning Time!
During your annual spring cleaning, did you discover "treasures" that you would like to pass on to others?
Use Cardinal Classifieds. You can also use it to post rental property, announce meetings, etc. The site is available for all alumni, faculty, students and staff to use free of charge. (more...)
A special thank you from Megan Karr Magoon '05...
To all who sent items to the Soldiers in Afghanistan,
Thank you for supporting the Soldiers of the 37th Engineer Battalion
(Combat) (Airborne) over the holidays and through their deployment in Afghanistan. With the loss of one, and multiple injuries the remainder of the Battalion returned home on the 9th and 10th of March. The unit received many honors including two bronze stars, five Purple Hearts and more than 100 Combat Action Badges. Your support helped them through the rough times that deployments bring.
Thank you again for your support. Please continue to support the troops. |
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Compiled by Whitney Prose '09 |
Zach Reat '05 has spent the past two years helping homeless citizens of Columbus, OH. |
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| A love of education and service to others is a lifelong commitment for Bob Henn '57. |
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Sharing the Otterbein spirit around the globe!
Summer is on the way. As you take a well-deserved break from the daily grind, remember to pack your finest Otterbein-wear. When you visit the world's largest ball of string or even the Great Wall of China have a friend take a photo of you in your tan & cardinal colors. E-mail your photos to us for the Cardinals in Flight feature in future issues of Towers.
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Raymond White '65 shared the Otterbein spirit w-a-y out west and down south at Big Bend National Park in Texas.
(Above) Raymond sporting his coolest Otterbein gear amongst the cacti at Big Bend. |
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The Whittaker family shared the Otterbein spirit on the Island of Oahu.
(L to R) Rebekah Whittaker (age 5), Susan Wright Whittaker '86, Nathaniel Whittaker (age 4) and Todd Whittaker. |
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