Dr. Harald Menz Receives ACA Faculty Fellowship

I am delighted to announce that Dr. Harald J.A. Menz, Professor of World Languages and Cultures, has been awarded a $30,000 Post-Doctoral Faculty Fellowship from the Appalachian College Association. The funding will support his 2015-16 sabbatical.

According to the grant, Dr. Menz plans “to explore an interdisciplinary subject on the international stage in a part of Italy where German is the dominant language.” His fellowship is titled “Experiential Pedagogy: The Alps Meet The Appalachians.”

This is the second significant honor in a week for Dr. Menz. Last week he was named as one of five finalists for The Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia 2014 Professor of the Year.

Dr. Menz has served on the Bethany faculty since 1994. He has taught German and German literature and civilization, elementary Spanish, and first-year seminar courses throughout his time at Bethany.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Padagogische Hochschule, Heidelberg, West Germany, and the M.A. and Ph.D. from West Virginia University.

Dr. Menz has received a number of Bethany College recognitions for outstanding teaching. Within the past two years he has been recognized with The President’s Award for Excellence in Performance, the International Association of University Presidents’ 2013 International Education Faculty Achievement Award, and the John R. Taylor Memorial Award in the Liberal Arts.

The Appalachian College Association is a non-profit consortium of 35 private four-year liberal arts institutions spread across the central Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Collectively these higher education institutions serve over 54,000 students. Bethany College has been a member of the ACA since 1984.

Congratulations to Dr. Menz on another remarkable accomplishment.

‘Tis the Season of Philanthropy

The holiday season reminds all of us of the importance of giving. For Bethany College and other non-profit organizations, this time of year is financially significant as donors make calendar year-end gifts and our Office of Institutional Advancement marks the midpoint of the fiscal year’s totals to The Bethany Fund and other programs and purposes.

We thank all who contribute to this vital revenue stream for Bethany College, and we invite Bethany alumni and friends, and all members of our campus community, to make a gift by December 31 and/or before the fiscal year ends on June 30. Every gift of every amount is needed and valued as we support Bethany’s historic mission and underwrite our future as A Small College of National Distinction.

With warmest wishes to you and yours for the Christmas holidays and the new year, thank you for your part in keeping Bethany strong.

Dr. Anju Ramjee, The John F. and Evelyn Casey Steen Professor of Finance, has been named the recipient of the 2014 International Education Faculty Achievement Award from the International Association of University Presidents. Dr. Katrina D’Aqiun, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and I presented her the award at tonight’s holiday social at Christman Manor. According to Dr. Toyoshi Satow, President of IAUP, the award is “in recognition of extraordinary commitment to fostering international understanding and preparing students to be world citizens.”

Dr. Lisa Reilly, The Goulding-Woolery Professor in Chemistry and Associate Professor of Chemistry at Bethany College, was recognized as a national nominee in the U.S. Professors of the Year Award competition. The program is sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. A joint announcement by Anthony S. Bryk, President of the Carnegie Foundation, and John Lippincott, President of C.A.S.E., stated: “The program celebrates dedication to undergraduate teaching at higher education institutions in the United States. Your nomination is a tribute to your years of excellent teaching and brings honor to your institution. You have demonstrated a passion for educating, a commitment to your students and innovative instructional methods that have inspired and motivated others.” Dr. Katrina D’Aquin, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, joined me in making the presentation.

Enjoyable dinner at Christman Manor recognizing years of service to Bethany College. 45 years - - Madeline Wilson; 30 years -- Kathy Shelek-Furbee, Ted Williams; 25 years -- Pat Sutherland, Kenn Morgan; 20 years -- Harald Menz, Vince Galloway; 15 years -- Deborah Soly, Gloria Colussi, Hank Cook, Angela Counselman, Beth Hood, Elizabeth Hull, Floyd McFadden; 10 years -- Becky Upton, Carol Tyler, Delbert Shreve, Melanee Sinclair, Anju Ramjee, Rob Brown, Pandel Collaros

With Student Government Association Vice President Dylan Martinez, SGA President Jared Roque, and Bethany Broadcasting Network moderator Dylan Blaschak at last night’s “Ask Me Anything” student roundtable in Phillips Hall. Also, with Dylan Blaschak during the 90 minute program.

Dinner at Christman Manor last night with most of the seniors from this year’s ECAC Southwest Bowl Bethany College football Bison: Brandon Hill, Terrel Carter, Chris Burg, Juliano DeVito, Nick Greer, Brooks Kursey, Wyssmey Despagne, Sherman Hodges, Greg Roberson, Chris Collins and head coach Bill Garvey.

Historic Christman Manor at Pendleton Heights is ready for the Christmas season complete with five trees. Our 10-month-old granddaughter, Addison, is showing that she's ready for her first Christmas, too.

Breakfast Saturday morning with two of my favorites.

Great turnout at the Ogden Dining Hall for "Breakfast with Santa" (and Boomer the bison). A wide variety of activities for area children and their parents sponsored by the Bethany College Undergraduate Alumni Association.

Great turnout in Commencement Hall for the fourth annual Light Up Night and Charity Christmas Tree Auction. The program raised more than $2,560 for Bernie's Kids, a charity that provides Christmas presents for needy families in Brooke County. Pictured left, Honorary Tree Lighter Christopher Upton, five-year-old son of Becky and Andy Upton.

Head Men's Basketball Coach Andrew Sachs, pictured with Director of Athletics Brian Rose, was recognized prior to Wednesday's game against Saint Vincent for winning his 100th game at the helm of the Bison. The milestone victory occurred Nov. 15th in a 76-70 triumph over Frostburg State.

Bethany College United Way Campaign

I am pleased to inform you that this year Bethany College will be participating in the United Way Campaign. Our United Way supports 30 different agencies that provide help and needed social services to individuals/families living in Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel or Belmont Counties. Some of those agencies provide tangible/emergency assistance while others are committed to strengthening the lives of children/families/senior citizens. One of our graduates, Kristie Barnett, is the Chair for this year’s United Way Campaign.

In the near future, you will be receiving a pledge card and information on how our United Way agencies are touching the lives of hundreds of individuals/families each day. I would ask that you consider contributing to the United Way either through payroll deduction or a one-time gift. I should note, too, that you can choose to designate your United Way gift to any organization (as long as it is a 501-c-3 charitable organization) by indicating that gift designation in the middle section of your pledge card.

Please return your completed pledge card by December 15, 2014 to the Human Resources Director, Doug McConahy. If you have any questions about the Campaign or the United Way, please contact Doug at 7131 or George Smoulder, the Executive Director of the United Way, at 304-232-4625.

We hosted todayFengyu Yang, Principal of Bodi School in China, an international partner of Bethany College. Joining us for productive discussions: Dr. Katrina D’Aquin, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Harald Menz, Professor of World Languages and Cultures, and Director of International Studies. We presented her with a framed Old Main print.