Tag: 3

COVID-19 Vaccines Give Hope for Pandemic’s End

When Christopher Cordle ’69 was a self-described “farm boy” in the 1950s, he vividly recalls the oral polio vaccine program “Sabin on Sunday.” In the ’50s and early ’60s, polio vaccinations (developed by Jonas Salk) and oral polio vaccines (developed by Albert Sabin) were administered across the United States, and Cordle remembers going with his family to take his oral vaccine. Thanks to the successful vaccination programs, polio has not been seen in the U.S. since 1979.

Fast forward to 2020 and the world is in the middle of its worst pandemic in 100 years. Cordle watched as the United States and other countries raced to develop a vaccine to fight COVID-19. He was skeptical that mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine technology would be effective and could be developed quickly, but later was ecstatic to find he was wrong.

“The new vaccines are so extraordinary,” Cordle said. “I thought to myself, ‘Are these guys crazy? That’s never going to work. There’s not a single mRNA vaccine approved for humans in the world.’ Boy was I wrong. The thing I love most in science is when my favorite prejudice or theory is dashed by new data.”

Cordle was raised in Knox County, OH, where he resides now. While attending Otterbein, the U.S. was dominated by the race to the moon. “The country was enamored by science,” Cordle said. He attended graduate school at Johns Hopkins University as the government ramped up efforts to increase funding in science.

At Johns Hopkins, Cordle studied immunochemistry and immunology, the branch of biology that deals with the immune system. In 1980, he took a position as an immunochemist at Ross Labs, now Abbott Labs.

Although he retired from Abbott Labs in 2018, Cordle says he was mesmerized as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He closely followed the race to develop a vaccine to combat it.

“For the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, the scientists and the people who laid the groundwork, certainly there will be some Nobel Prizes, and not only that, the thanks of the planet,” Cordle said. “The integration of all the research and development by Pfizer and Moderna is an extraordinary accomplishment in the timeframe it was accomplished in. They just said ‘Don’t worry about whose budget it is, just do this,’ and they did! These vaccines are safe and effective and, if fully used, will save millions of lives across the globe.”

As director of the Otterbein interdisciplinary program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Professor John Tansey also followed closely how quickly the vaccines were developed.

“There were already other coronaviruses that people knew about, such as SARS and MERS,” Tansey said. “We already had an idea about how these viruses work, what they bind to, and their life cycle. Because we’ve had these basic advances in the sciences, it just takes far less time to develop therapies now than it would even a few years ago.”

The coronavirus uses its spikes to bond to human cells and gain entry to the human body. The result can be serious illness and death. The vaccines will build up immunity against the virus.

Tansey said the difference between the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines is due to the differences in how the information in coronaviruses is delivered to the immune system.

While the mRNA technology used by Pfizer and Moderna is new, the viral vector technology of the
Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been used by scientists since the 1970s.

Cordle and Tansey agree that the mRNA vaccines are important developments in scientific history. The speed in which the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, and the massive implementation of vaccines in arms, is remarkable, they say. The COVID-19 vaccines are a big step in getting the U.S. back to the new normal.

But the vaccines have sparked political and trust issues in America too. “This is really just a human health issue and not a political one,” Tansey said.

Cordle agrees. “I think some people are naturally distrustful of anything new,” he said. “I think many people get information from bad sources. For this vaccine, because of the necessity to have it out there quickly, it’s created a push and so some people naturally push back.”

The vaccines have introduced an ethical dilemma for some Americans. Equity in access to vaccines is at the core of this discussion.

Otterbein Professor Stephanie Patridge teaches classes in ethics, philosophy of art, philosophy of race, and human rights.

“Assuming that the goal of mass vaccination is to save as many lives as possible, then we likely do have a moral reason to pay attention to things like socio-economic status, and racial or ethnic status,” Patridge said. “There is a significant amount of empirical data to suggest that phenomena like racial weathering — advanced aging caused by the intense stress of living in a racist society — and working in frontline and essential industries have a significant impact on who gets sick (primarily those of low socio-economic status and Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and how sick they will get.”

Will the vaccine get the U.S. back to normal?

“The vaccine will get us back to the new normal life,” Cordle said. “There will never be such a thing as the old ‘normal’ again. If you won’t get vaccinated, your future and the health of your family and friends is at risk. Please folks, get vaccinated, as soon as you can.”

Grace Weidenhamer ’23 is a health communication and public relations major from Westerville, OH. She plays on the Otterbein women’s soccer team and is on the executive board of Otterbein’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

Otterbein Faculty Members Offer an Inside View into the Olympics

Olympics Interview

In 2020, the global pandemic postponed the Tokyo Olympics, dashing the hopes of athletes who had been training for years for a chance to compete with other athletes from around the world. This year, the Olympic Games are on track for competition without public spectators, but the pandemic could still derail those plans. How does this disappointment and uncertainty affect an Olympic athlete? How do athletes prepare for the Olympics? Two Otterbein faculty members have answers to those questions and more.

Associate Professor Bruce Mandeville

Associate Professor Bruce Mandeville competed in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games, two World Championships (1994 and 2002), and two Pan American Games (1999 and 2003) as a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team. He is an accomplished coach and dressage horse trainer. He has coached students in the North American Young Riders Championship (NAYRC) to a gold and bronze medal. At Otterbein, he teaches equine business management courses, including sustainable practices, equine center design, and equine law, among others.

Q: As an athlete, what does it take to prepare mentally and physically for Olympic competition?

Mandeville: For major competitions, athletes (and the horses) try to peak at the right time, not too early or late. Physical peak is easier to monitor and attain than mental peak. Having delays of even hours or days can influence a competitor’s mental state. Having months of uncertainly would be disarming. With two team members (rider and horse), there are many more physical and mental variables to consider. Preparation takes a village, including sports psychologists, which are often part of the traveling team.

Physically, national team members, during my years, were given physical therapy sessions to help with pains and strains. I also had a sports masseuse and osteopathist attend major competitions. Outside of competitions, my horse often got more medical attention than I did (those approaches and techniques I use today in my equine therapies classes).

Q: What should people know about the experience of competing in the Olympics?

Mandeville: The Olympics offers a unique atmosphere. The Olympic Village is often not accessible to all sports due to the various venue locations. Equestrians need land, so we rarely get to be in the village. The different countries identified by sportswear in the restaurants and gyms is memorable and exhilarating. Often, lifetime friends are made.

The Olympics also represent extreme stress — mental and physical, not only on the athlete but his/her support group. Finding a life partner or friends who understand the commitment and sacrifices poses a huge hurdle. Another stress is that just one thing could go wrong: a horse misstep in training, for example, and *poof* — that opportunity is gone.

Life after the Olympics can be tough. Athletes often suffer mentally and physically, including gaining
weight from not being on the same workout regime after retiring from the sport. The bright side is that the Olympics undoubtedly change athletes’ lives, and opens doors, opportunities, and new experiences.

Q: How has the pandemic changed Olympic qualification?

Mandeville: The postponement will affect athletes differently. Some will be advantaged, others not. Equestrians work in four-year cycles: World Championships, Pan American Games, then Olympics, followed by a year off. A certificate of capability is required to compete. For individual riders (not the team qualification), those required results last for 12 months. Team results from the Pan Ams and Worlds will qualify a country to send a team. Having a postponement creates chaos in this system, which is designed to keep riders safe.

The major competitions where one qualifies are “on again, off again” due to changing COVID circumstances; canceled competitions limit where equestrians can get qualified for the Olympics. On the bright side, riding horses is pretty COVID friendly — open riding areas (even indoors) offer plenty of airflow, and horses require social distancing (standing too close can get you kicked). COVID challenges many aspects of life, but equestrians benefit from still being able to ride during the pandemic.

Senior Instructor Denise Shively

Senior Instructor Denise Shively teaches public relations and health communication courses in the Department of Communication, as well as First Year Experience, Integrative Studies and Senior Year Experience courses. When she isn’t teaching, she is involved in artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming. She is the current president of USA Artistic Swimming and has been working closely with the national team that is hoping to qualify for the Olympic Games. In previous roles as vice president of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming board of directors and as an international team manager, she traveled with Team USA to many World Championships, three Pan American Games, and the 2008 Olympic Games.

Q: How long have you been working with artistic swimming champions?

Shively: I was asked in 2003 to serve as a team manager for our junior national team. Following the Junior World Championships in 2004, I “moved up” with the coaches and some of the team members to the senior level. Those are the athletes who ended up training for the 2008 Olympic Games. As a national team manager, I handled logistics for and represented the team officially at international competitions. That meant I was booking flights and ground transportation, securing hotel rooms, helping on deck during training, and supporting the team in any way that was non-coaching. Now as president of USA Artistic Swimming, I chair the board of directors and work to bring visibility and support to our members and the sport.

Q: What does it take to manage athletes at the Olympics?

Shively: As the manager at an international competition, I work with the coaches to figure out what time to walk to the bus, attend very tightly timed practice sessions in the pool, watch film of practice, get back on the bus, eat, recover, and repeat the next day. Schedules are prepared to the minute for each day. There’s no free time. People may not realize how many volunteers it takes to run such an event. That’s my favorite part of traveling internationally with the team. Often the volunteers are young adults or college students who want to practice their English. I have gotten to know so many young people from so many countries as a result of this experience and have kept in touch with many of them.

Q: How has the pandemic changed the way these athletes are preparing?

Shively: Our athletes were some of the leaders to embrace virtual training, especially land training. They organized sessions and invited athletes from around the world to join them. They were especially effective in building a supportive community of artistic swimmers whose training plans suddenly had to adapt. They worked with the international body FINA to host international land competitions. In February, the USA hosted a virtual World Series competition, the first of its kind.

Since the athletes are based in California, they had to follow state guidelines about returning to the pool and had to remain “in their bubble.” They often could not see family members or friends during holidays or other times of year to remain safe, healthy, and to be in compliance. Although that has been challenging, this group has remained focused on their goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games.

Reimagining Religion and Philosophy to Tackle Complex World

Last year, faculty leaders were asked to consider how their programs were meeting the changing needs of students. The Department of Religion and Philosophy met that challenge by combining two majors and reimagining their curriculum.

The new “philosophy and religion” major will help students better understand a complex landscape of competing worldviews. They will begin to unravel how those worldviews are lived out in practice. Students will tackle big questions about how we should live, how we should organize our communities, how we should pursue justice, and how we make sense of our place in an increasingly polarized society.

“In a globalized planet, being able to navigate challenging conversations is an essential skill — one that the new philosophy and religion major will develop,” said Andrew Mills, chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy.

Three concentrations will be available to students: philosophy, religion, and social justice/ethics.

Professor Stephanie Patridge explained that the combination is built off of the natural affinity between the two content areas, as well as between faculty members.

“We’ve always been a forward-thinking department. The pieces were always there, we just needed to make it happen,” said Patridge.

Senior Drew Wilson saw the combination first-hand with Assistant Professor Alex Rocklin’s class, Yoga: Religion, Philosophy, and Politics. Rocklin took yoga and showed how it is more than just an exercise routine. Wilson liked how the class showed the interdisciplinary nature of concepts you can experience daily.

“It’s really awesome to be able to pull ideas from both philosophy and religion simultaneously. While trying to assess a situation, you recognize ways to facilitate understanding in more meaningful ways,” said Wilson.

This new combination globalizes traditional Euro-centric concentrations, allowing students to expand their worldview. The major pays close attention to historical and contemporary answers to life’s fundamental questions, helping students formulate their own answers while fostering a deeper understanding of the global viewpoints.

“These two areas are designed to help people reflect on the ultimate questions in life,” said Rev. Larry Brown ’80, ordained UMC pastor and Otterbein Board of Trustees member.

Brown remembered how the generations of students before him, including his father, studied both philosophy and religion together.

“In the long term, this will broaden the pool of applicants for faculty and staff, increasing the possibilities for employees to directly impact our student body,” said Brown.

Philosophy and Religion in the Workforce

The wide applicability of philosophy and religion provides a unique combination of communication, reading, analytical, and empathetic skills that make graduates stronger, well-prepared, highly valued employees. According to the Educational Testing Services, philosophy majors have the fourth-highest median earnings in the United States — more than $81,000 per year, which outranks business and chemistry.

“Financial security and doing work that fulfills you are often at odds with each other. The earnings data we see for philosophy graduates nationwide is disproving that notion. This is, in turn, helping potential students see that you don’t have to abandon a passion in order to be successful,” said Mills.

Regarding post-undergraduate test scores, philosophy and religion majors score higher than other cohorts. For the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), they are tied for the highest final test scores across majors. Students score in the top five highest of all majors on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and have the highest composite scores of all majors on the graduate record examination (GRE).

“For the longest time, the old joke to studying philosophy and religion was ‘do you want fries with that?’ That’s no longer the case. Our graduates are going on to be part of the world’s leading industries and companies,” said Patridge.

Test scores and earning potential are testaments to the importance and impact philosophy and religion majors can make in the working world, but there is more to studying in these fields than numbers.

John Posey graduated in 2020 with a degree in philosophy. He came to campus to study criminology and pursue a career with the FBI. Upon hearing from a former FBI agent, his academic focus changed.

“The agent mentioned philosophy as a degree to pursue rather than criminology. I was excited to make that change as it had already piqued my interest,” Posey said. “It amazed me how you could discuss any topic and see how much it applies to your life.”

As a human resources technician for the Ohio National Guard, Posey said he interacts with people from all kinds of backgrounds: ethnically, culturally, and philosophically. The military is based on taking in information and using it to move forward with a plan of action to accomplish an objective. Posey says that is exactly what his philosophy education does for him.

“No one has ever asked me what Socrates said in 400 B.C., but the critical thinking, speaking, writing, and communication skills I learned are used every day. I’m finding commonalities and understanding across differences and I feel that’s drastically missing in society today.”

Will Elkins is the communication and social media manager at Otterbein University and holds a master’s degree in media management from Syracuse University and bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University. He focuses on social media strategy, marketing practices and theory, and internal communications.

Students Work with CNN on Debate Night Program

As viewers across the United States watched the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, Otterbein was again in the national media spotlight as our students had the opportunity to lend their talents and opinions to a national news production.

CNN came to Otterbein to host a focus group of 14 undecided voters, which included three Otterbein students. Another small group of students helped with field technical support as crew members. Additionally, CNN professionals visited several classes giving students meaningful insight into the work of national media.

This was CNN’s second visit to Otterbein in less than a year. In October 2019, CNN hosted the fourth Democratic primary debate on a stage in Otterbein’s Rike Center. More than 120 students had internships with CNN for that production, while dozens of other students met with The New York Times reporters, participated on panels, assisted with related events, and represented Otterbein to viewers across the country.

Scholarship to Serve Military Families

Devyn Craner ’24

Otterbein is proud to support military families by offering the Otterbein Honoring Service Scholarship to Folds of Honor and Ohio War Orphans recipients. This scholarship will make an Otterbein education more affordable for the children of these families by providing $19,000 toward an undergraduate degree — a 58% discount off Otterbein’s 2020-21 tuition.

“It is truly an honor to provide the Otterbein Honoring Service Scholarship to students whose families have sacrificed so much. Supporting these students not only benefits them, but also the inclusive and diverse Otterbein community they will join,” said Otterbein President John Comerford. “This is one small way in which we can contribute to the common good and honor our own institutional values.”

The first recipient of the Otterbein Honoring Service Scholarship is Devyn Craner, a first-year pre-veterinary major from Navarre, Florida. “It means a lot to me that Otterbein is supporting military families like mine by offering this scholarship. It shows how the university realizes the importance of the role military plays and the sacrifices that they make for our country. It has been a huge blessing to receive it,” she said.

Learn more about the scholarship at Otterbein Honoring Service Scholarship.

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Otterbein Students Contribute to Large Youth Voter Turnout

The Otterbein University Center for Community Engagement (CCE) partnered with groups across campus to encourage student voter registration, awareness, and electoral participation with its #otterbeinVOTES initiative. The kick-off for #otterbeinVOTES on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, brought in more than 100 people to learn more about voting in Ohio. “The #otterbeinVOTES campaign is a cross-campus, nonpartisan effort to mobilize our students to participate in the political process, educate themselves about the candidates and issues and vote,” said CCE Director Melissa Gilbert. According to the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, 68.7% of Otterbein students were registered to vote and 16.9% voted in 2014. Just four years later, 79.4% were registered to vote and 45.2% voted in the 2018 midterm election.

Sophmore Lindsey Payton was among the student leaders who organized a number of events to generate voter awareness and engagement.

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Otterbein Recognized for Excellence in Academics, Civic Engagement

Otterbein University has been collecting honors this fall, as it is recognized in national publications for its programs and values, including Washington Monthly, U.S. News & World Report, and Colleges of Distinction.

Otterbein was named by Washington Monthly as one of America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting 2020 for its high student voter registration and student voting rates, as well as its ongoing efforts. To make the list, schools must have submitted an ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge action plan in 2018 and 2020. Otterbein has received a gold seal from the Challenge for achieving a student voting rate between 40% and 49% in the 2018 Midterm Election.

In the U.S. News & World Report annual guide to “America’s Best Colleges,” Otterbein is ranked in the top 15% among 156 peers in the Regional Universities–Midwest category and 10th in its category for Best Undergraduate Teaching. Additionally, Otterbein was recognized as a Best College for Veterans, Best Value School and A+ School for B Students. See the complete guide at usnews.com/best-colleges.

Otterbein has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction. Otterbein received program-specific recognition in Business, Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Career Development.

Additionally, the Otterbein University-OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia program was named the top nurse anesthesia program in Ohio by NurseJournal.org, and the Promise House was named the Volunteer Corporate/Organization of the Year for 2019 by the City of Westerville.

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Office of Alumni and Family Engagement

New name, same great care and services

As we begin a new calendar year, the Office of Alumni Relations has updated its name to the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement to reflect its expanded commitment to serving Otterbein families, too. Alumni will not see a change in the programming and volunteer opportunities available. The team still will coordinate virtual and in-person events, work with 50th class reunions, and send regular communications crafted toward alumni. Parents and families of current students, though, will receive more targeted e-communications, experience an updated social media presence and see programs geared toward families. Why the change? Otterbein values the opportunity to work with families and students throughout the entire university experience and beyond. Our goal is to create a partnership with parents and families that enhances students’ success.

Check out the new family website at otterbein.edu/family.

Fun Getaway to the Finger Lakes

Not ready for overseas travel? Join us for a four-day tour of the beautiful New York Finger Lakes region of New York state, July 12-15, 2021. If you are an outdoor recreation enthusiast, a nature lover, a foodie, a wine or beer lover, or just enjoy being on the water, the Finger Lakes are a perfect destination for you! Highlights include the Bully Hill Winery, Corning Glass Museum, Belhurst Castle and Winery and the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion.

For more information on either of these trips, please visit otterbein.edu/alumni.

Experience Ireland with Otterbein

Join fellow Otterbein alumni as we tour the Castles & Legends of Ireland, Sept. 21-Oct. 2, 2021. Spend 10 nights in Irish castles while experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Trinity College Book of Kells and so much more. Once again, we have partnered with our travel expert, Warther Tours, to provide you with a coast to coast luxury tour. The trip is limited to 30 participants, and deposits currently are being accepted. Otterbein and Warther Tours will continue to monitor the safety of traveling overseas, and the health of our travelers remains paramount. Full refunds are available if cancelled by June 21, 2021.

More details about the trip can be found at otterbein.edu/alumni.

Notable Giving News

Highlighting generosity within our Otterbein community

 

Step Up for Students

An exciting new opportunity has begun at Otterbein, called the Step Up for Students Challenge. Start your very own four-year scholarship, while making use of a limited time pool of matching donor funds.

This challenge is a part of The Otterbein Fund Scholarship Program, which provides direct assistance to offset tuition expenses for a student’s four-year undergraduate experience. The $10,000 Otterbein Fund Scholarship can be the deciding factor for whether a student enrolls or graduates on time. While alumni love the experience of setting up their own scholarship and corresponding with their student, for some, this charitable commitment is out of reach.

The Step Up for Students Challenge provides $3,000 in matching funds, making an Otterbein Fund Scholarship a real possibility for donors who want to make an impact. This $7,000 commitment gradually “Steps Up” a donor’s giving over the course of four years, while making a substantial difference in the life of a student at Otterbein. In 18 months, Otterbein’s goal is to establish 47 new scholarships, to reflect the year Otterbein was founded — 1847.

We would like to highlight some of our amazing donors who have already stepped up to the challenge: Dr. Chris Cordle ’69 and Dr. Susan Palmer ’70, Luis Navarro and Mary Navarro P’11, Virginia Phillippi Longmire ’55, and Annie Upper Ames ’86.

Many continue to fund the traditional Otterbein Fund Scholarship Program; new donors include James F. Boltz ’86 and Bernie Campbell ’61.

To learn more, please contact Kathleen Bonte, executive director of development, at kbonte@otterbein.edu or 614.823.2707.

1847 Minutes for Otterbein a Success!

Thank you to all 412 donors who accepted the 1847 Minutes for Otterbein challenge! Thanks to you, we exceeded our goal of 250 donors and set a new challenge giving record — $105,392 raised for Otterbein.

Now more than ever, we’re grateful for the community that has come together to make a difference for Otterbein, since its founding in 1847. Donors Brad Longo ’12 and Karissa Dahdah Longo ’12, shared why it was important to them as young alumni to pay it forward and support Otterbein.

“We are beyond grateful for Otterbein because it provided us with so many memorable experiences and relationships. It is important for us to give back so that Otterbein can continue to do the same for other students.”

Brad also gives his time by serving on the Young Alumni Board. We’re grateful to the Longos for their support.

Brad Longo ’12 and Karissa Dahdah Longo’12

Cowan Hall Dressing Room Renovations

In July 2020, the Chang Family gave a generous donation to fund dressing room renovations for the Otterbein University Department of Theatre and Dance. The renovations will provide an enhanced behind-the-scenes experience for our talented theater and dance students. The Changs, parents of Cameron Chang ’20, reside in San Diego, CA, and made the gift during their son’s senior year at Otterbein. “We are honored to give back to the Department of Theatre and Dance. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to the outstanding faculty for their incredible training, guidance, and support our son was so fortunate to receive during his four years in the BFA Musical Theatre program at Otterbein.”
– Chang Family P’20

Common Book Tackles Tough Topic of Opioid Addiction

Otterbein University’s 2020 Common Book is taking on the complex issue of the opioid epidemic through an interdisciplinary lens. This shared reading experience challenges students to look at all angles of the epidemic throughout the academic year.

This year’s Common Book, Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by journalist and author Sam Quinones, uses the blue-collar city of Portsmouth, OH, as an entry point to examine the opioid epidemic, which has devastated hundreds of small towns and cities across the country. He weaves together stories of Big Pharma, narcotics investigators, survivors, and more into an examination of the causes and repercussions of an unprecedented epidemic of addiction in America.

Quinones visited campus virtually for classroom discussions and a livestreamed lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 27.