A good turnout for Bethany College "Thirsty Thursday" at Houston's in Atlanta.

Bethany College Trivia

Q: How much money did Bethany College Founder Alexander Campbell receive for teaching and serving as the College’s president?

A: From Bethany College’s founding in 1840 to Campbell’s death in 1866, he was never compensated for teaching or serving as president. He paid his own traveling expenses, gave personal loans to students, paid faculty out of his own pocket, and funded much of the College’s construction.

Bethany College Relay for Life

Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the “Relay For Life” movement. Bethany College’s annual “Relay for Life” event with be held Friday (Feb. 28), beginning at 8 p.m., and end Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Bethany senior Jessica Miller, an English Education major from Greensburg, PA, will be the featured speaker at the opening ceremony, and M.E. Gamble, Chair of the Business, Communications and Media Arts Department, will speak at the closing ceremony.

I encourage all of you to get involved in this important event, either by creating a team, coming out to Sandwen Arena (in the Thomas Phillips Johnson Recreation Center) to support the walkers, or providing monetary support.

For additional information, please contact Rhianna Petrone ( rpetrone@bethanywv.edu) or Kenn Morgan ( kmorgan@bethanywv.edu ).

Talking graduate school with talented student-leader Monica Westerheide, a junior from Zanesville, Ohio.  Monica is an honors student and leader in a wide variety of student activities.

Talking growth opportunities in the Presidents Athletic Conference with Commissioner Joe Onderko and Bethany AD Brian Rose.

Dr. Rodney B. Hurl ('52) Baseball Collection

The T.W. Phillips Memorial Library unveiled the Dr. Rodney B. Hurl ’52 Baseball Collection on February 25th in honor of Dr. Hurl’s 84th birthday. The collection includes more than 100 titles about his favorite pastime. From profiles of individual players and teams, the history of the sport, and baseball inspired works of literature, this collection adds greater depth to this area of the library’s holdings. Pictured with Heather Ricciuti, The Mary Cutlip Director of Libraries & Learning Resources.

Bethany College Founder's Day Celebration March 6

I am pleased to invite you to our Founder’s Day celebration on Thursday, March 6, beginning at 11 a.m. in Commencement Hall. The College received its official charter from the Legislature of Virginia March 2, 1840. The charter was affirmed June 20, 1863, by the Legislature of the newly formed state of West Virginia.

Jeffrey L. Seglin, a 1978 Bethany graduate and an internationally acclaimed ethics columnist and Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, will be the keynote speaker. He authors a popular, internationally syndicated column, “The Right Thing.” He is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books on business and writing. The Right Thing: Conscience, Profit and Personal Responsibility in Today's Business was named one of the "Best Business Books of 2003" by the Library Journal.

Jeff has written for the New York Times, Fortune, Real Simple, FSB, Salon.com, Time.com, Sojourners, MIT's Sloan Management Review, Harvard Management Update, Business 2.0, ForbesASAP, CIO, CFO and MBA Jungle. He has contributed commentaries to Public Radio's “Marketplace” and has appeared as a commentator on CNN, CNBC, Fox 25, WGBH's Greater Boston and more. From 1999 until 2011, he was a tenured associate professor at Emerson College in Boston where he was also the director of the graduate program in publishing and writing. He has lectured throughout the country on business ethics and hosted an hour-long live television show, “Doing Well by Doing Good,” which aired on PBS’s Richmond, Va., affiliate.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Bethany, a master’s degree in theological studies from The Divinity School at Harvard University, and will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the Founder’s Convocation.

Following the Convocation, and a lunch honoring leaders from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we will have the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Campbell Cemetery (in case of inclement weather, the event will be the Meeting House). The wreath will be placed at the gravesite of Alexander Campbell (1788-1866), Bethany College’s founder and first president. Guests are invited to visit the Campbell Mansion, one of Bethany’s National Historic Landmarks, following the ceremony.

All events are open to the public.

Visiting with the Bethany Broadcasting Network (BBN) webcast play-by-play and color analysis team of Matt Neverett (r) and Dakota Kotsol at a break in the Bethany women's game with Washington & Jefferson.

 

With Bethany Broadcasting Network "Game Day" hosts Jared Martin and Jim Peterson at a break in first half action of the Bethany v. W & J women's basketball game. 

Conversion of Bethany Coal Plant to Natural Gas

As you know, Bethany College is one of nearly 700 signatories to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), a higher-education leadership initiative designed to address and to help correct the effects of global warming and climate change. For several years, the College has researched and analyzed available options to continue with our effort to reduce the carbon footprint of our campus.

To meet new Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) compliance guidelines by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, we will in the spring convert our coal boiler plant to natural gas. The conversion will be to what is called a Low Nitrogen Oxide burner capable of a maximum output of 300 horsepower.

The technical benefits are:

• Elimination of particulate matter control devices (e.g., fabric filter, ESP, multi-clones, etc.).

• Elimination of SO2 control devices (e.g., dry or wet flue gas desulfurization).

• Elimination of disposal costs associated with coal combustion residue (CCR).

• Elimination of coal storage, handling, and preparation equipment.

• Significantly reduced maintenance costs.

In addition to meeting new guidelines, the upgrade will move us closer to a longer term goal of having individual heating systems in each building, which will allow more efficient control of our overall facility environment.

You should not notice a disruption in any heating services.

I wish to thank Ted Williams, Director of the Physical Plant, and his staff for their intensive planning for the conversion and their commitment to enhanced energy efficiency for Bethany College.

Productive meeting at the WV Senate President's Office this morning with Jack Harrison, Government Relations Officer with West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities, Ned Rose, Chair of the WVICU Board, and Pam Balch, President of West Virginia Wesleyan & Chair of the President's Council. I enjoy serving as Chair of Legislative Affairs for WVICU.

With former Bethany Provost and current West Virginia Wesleyan President Pam Balch at the State Capitol Complex this morning.

Great visiting with Jim Workman, Assistant Managing Editor of The State Journal, at the editorial offices in Charleston. For over six years, I've authored a monthly higher education column for the paper.

Enjoyable visit at the State Capitol with Sen. Jack Yost (D - Brooke). He now proudly displays a "Boomer" bobble head in his office.

Productive discussion with Del. Phillip Diserio (D - Brooke) today at the State Capitol. "Boomer" now resides in his Charleston office.

Megan Lindley and Briana Breault fund raising for last night's "Think Pink" game to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund (in partnership with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association).

With our current scholars at Saturday’s Kalon Leadership Scholars luncheon. Joining us for the picture: Kathy Shelek-Furbee (Kalon Advisor) and Todd Owens (keynote speaker).

Afternoon branding and marketing planning session with Jeff Flick, President and CEO, and Kristina Martinez, Executive Vice President, of Pittsburgh-based BD & E. Jeff is graduate of Bethany and was recently recognized as Alumnus of the Year.

Deadline Approaching for President’s Award Nominations

The deadline is approaching for the President’s Award for Excellence in Performance. One award will be given to faculty and another to staff.

Nominations are sought from all campus constituencies. Recipients will be announced during the annual Honors Day Convocation. Nominations should be sent directly to Office of the President, Bethany College, 110 Old Main (Box 417), Bethany, WV 26032.

Deadline for submission is February 21.

Kalon Leadership Scholarship reception at Christman Manor

Bethany College Trivia

Q: What year did the men's basketball team win the most games in a single season?

A: During the 2011-2012 season, the men went 25 - 4 and won the PAC regular season championship, the PAC tournament championship and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

With Bethany Kalon Leadership Scholarship keynote speaker Todd Owens ('93) after Saturday's luncheon. A former Carfer Prize winner at Bethany, Todd is the founder and principal of Pittsburgh-based Nonprofit Talent. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently named him one of the "People to Know Around Pittsburgh in the New Year."

With Kathy Shelek-Furbee, Advisor for the Kalon Leadership Scholars program, and Mollie Cecere, Director of Enrollment Management, before the opeing session of the Kalon Leadership Scholars competition Saturday.

Kalon Scholarship Competition Weekend

This Saturday Bethany College is pleased to host the 30th Annual Kalon Scholarship Competition when we will welcome more than seventy students and their families to campus.

All of the students have been accepted to Bethany, and they will be competing for only 10 scholarships awarded to those who have displayed exceptional leadership and civic engagement while in high school. They and their families will be traveling to campus from ten different states. Additionally, fourteen alumni will be on campus to serve on the three-person interview teams. I would like to personally thank the faculty, staff and students who are volunteering their time on a Saturday to make this day so very special. As you know, the Kalon competition is traditionally a way of identifying future campus leaders, and I share with you the high expectations we have of their academic performance, as well.

Todd Owens ’93, co-founder and principal of Non Profit Talent, will serve as the keynote speaker. Todd was recently named one of the “People to Know around Pittsburgh in the New Year” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Attack Theatre and the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. Todd was recently selected as the 2014 Get Involved! Man of the Year and will be honored at the Annual Pittsburgh Service Summit on Tuesday, March 25.

Please join me in giving a warm Bethany welcome to these potential new Bethany scholars and their families.

Great visiting with Bob ('59) and Nancy Goin last night in Jacksonville, Florida. A legendary coach & athletic director at Bethany, Bob was also AD at Florida State University and the University of Cincinnati.

Wrapped up the Bethany College Alumni and Friends Caravan tonight in Jacksonville, Florida. Enjoyable visit with loyal Bethanians Rev. Richard ('70) and Linda ('71) Hull and Margy Lang ('81). Rick and Margy are former presidents of the Bethany National Alumni Council.

Bethany Trivia Question

Q: What led to the destruction of Bethany College in 1857?

A: On Dec. 10, 1857, a fire burned the entire College to the ground. The 3,000-volume library, dormitory, classroom and manuscripts were destroyed. However, classes continued to be held and President Campbell began a campaign to raise money to rebuild the College, and six months later, construction began.

Enjoyable evening with Bethany trustee Lew Wheeler and his wife Peggy in Jensen Beach, Florida.

Loyal Bethanians and long-time supporters Peter and Lynne (Rollins) Morgan (both class of 1961) were among our many enjoyable visits today in Southwest Florida. The Bethany Caravan moves on to Ft. Pierce, Florida today.

Busy day in the Ft. Myers, Florida, area. Enjoyable visit with David and Valerie Black. David was our Interim Provost during the Fall Semester and is our Sarah B. Cochran Visiting Executive in Residence for the spring.

While visiting the Ft. Myers, Florida area, had a nice visit with Bethanians John and Janet Bendall (Class of 1953).

Enjoyable visit with strong Bethany supporters and Beta brothers Nick Linn ('55) and Lawrence Caliguiri ('55) at the Estero Country Club.

Always enjoyable visiting with Dot (Schumacher) ('52) and Jack Crawford at the annual Bethany College alumni and friends gathering at the Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Crawfords have attended the last six gatherings.

Happy Birthday to Winona (Rosecrans) Rutter ('50). She celebrated her birthday with Bethanians from many generations. 

Delightful dinner Friday in St. Petersburg, Florida, with loyal Bethanian Nancy Ratcliffe ('44), President of the Bethany College Alumni Association in the 1970s.

Members of the teaching staff from John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, W.Va., visited campus Thursday. The group met with the me and members of the Administration and Academic Chairs throughout the day to learn more about Bethany and discuss co-curricular initiatives for their students. Pictured  is Jason Marling, a 1999 graduate of Bethany and assistant principal at John Marshall.

Four day old granddaughter Addison Sanders shows the Bethany College spirit (Thanks Stephanie and Cathy). Couldn't help but make a quick side trip to see her on my way to Washington, DC.

Bethany students involved in the West Virginia American Choral Directors Association Collegiate All State Choir gather with Dr Donald Nally from Northwestern, the collegiate guest director. Pictured from left to right: Heather Grinkley, Kvanna Diaz, Dr. Donald Nally, Tess Parry, and Jesse Elliott.