Bethany has a long history of producing outstanding sports administrators. Pictured with Brian Rose, Bethany Director of Athletics and Recreation; Amy Schafer, Associate Director of Athletics/Head Softball Coach at Thiel College; and, Kevin Fenstermacher, Assistant Commissioner of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Not pictured: Jack Shafer, Widener University director of athletics. #ncaaconvention#scottdmiller

First Year Experience students from Dr. Pat Sutherland’s (Professor of Communications and Media Arts) seminar titled MyNews.com toured the facilities of WTRF-TV 7 Friday. In the seminar, students learn the components of quality journalism, and effects of new technology on the news. News Director Brenda Danehart coordinated the visit which included presentations from five members of her staff. Bethanian Laurie Conway and many other Bethanians have worked at WTRF. The First Year Experience is an important part of The Bethany Plan.

Bethany Broadcasting Network pre-game show with Dakota Kotsol. Bison and W & J five minutes from start.

Thomas More College President David Armstrong and I enjoyed our discussion with Dan Dutcher, head of NCAA Division III, at today's Presidents/Chancellors Luncheon at the Gaylord National

Attending the NCAA National Convention in Washington, DC. Next to me in the lobby is Ellen Crandall, Associate Athletics Director at the University of Hartford. Ellen and I both graduated from General McLane High School in Edinboro, PA in 1977. Had an enjoyable time catching up on life since General McLane. Ellen was a two-time NCAA All-American at Penn State and was a very successful head coach at the University of Connecticut before a stellar career as an athletic administrator at the University of Hartford.

Bethany Women and Leadership Weekend

Thanks to the leadership and generosity of Trustee and alumna Scarlett Foster ’79, I am pleased to share that a Women and Leadership weekend has been scheduled for March 20-21, 2015. The focus is to provide an educational leadership and networking weekend for women on campus to meet and to learn from other accomplished women within the wider Bethany College community.

The weekend will begin on Friday evening with a Women’s Leaders Recognition Dinner in which invited female students will be addressed by guest speaker Neile Miller, the CEO of Ultra High Materials and former Acting Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. SGA officers, along with Ms. Foster, will recognize women who are in existing leadership positions in campus organizations.

Saturday afternoon will begin with a panel discussion moderated by Scarlett Foster ’79, retired corporate officer and Vice President of Investor Relations, Monsanto. Ms. Foster was one of only six female corporate officers in the company’s history, and one of only 15 people to have that title at Monsanto during her time at the corporation. Panelists include:

· Marie DeParis ’83, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, SNY

· Billie Flaherty ’79, General Counsel, Chemtura

· Kylin McCardle ’03, Vice President, U.S. Government Relations and Public Policy, Barclays

· Kathy Tucker ’85, Division Manager, NVHomes

These alumnae will share their thoughts and experiences with our current female students to help encourage them to excel as leaders on campus and assist them in preparing for their professional careers.

After the panel discussion, invited participants will be given the opportunity to network with members of the Alumni Council and special invitees of the College. Panel members and Board of Trustee members will also be available for discussion. The evening will be capped with a dinner, held in Commencement Hall, featuring invited banquet speaker Sara Laschever, a noted researcher, speaker and co-author (Women Don’t Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation—and Positive Strategies for Change and Ask for It! How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want).

The events are by invitation only. Invited students have already received a save-the-date email, with full invitations to be sent in February. Please join me in thanking Scarlett Foster for planning and underwriting this wonderful educational weekend for our female students as we celebrate Women’s History Month.

Dr. Lisa Reilly, The Goulding-Woolery Professor of Chemistry, is offering a fascinating January Term class “Chemistry of Food”. I had a wonderful visit with the class and enjoyed hearing about their projects. Dr. Reilly is pictured with students in the “lab” (Benedum Commons). That’s Bethany Executive Chef Clark Creel offering some advice.

Viewpoints of President Obama’s Community College Proposal

Many of you have asked about the implications for Bethany College and higher education in general of President Obama’s recently announced Community College Initiative. I share the attached articles which present balanced viewpoints.

· Obama is joined by Republicans for unveiling of free community college plan – Inside Higher Ed

· The Players Who Influenced Obama’s Free-College Plan – The Chronicle of Higher Education

· President Obama’s community college proposal doesn’t make the grade – Washington Post

http://www.bethanywv.edu/files/7414/2117/1589/Viewpoints_of_President_Obamas_Community_College_Proposal.pdf

Mark Affeltranger Named Chair of the Department of Psychology

Dr. Mark A. Affeltranger, Associate Professor of Psychology, will assume the role of Chair of the Department of Psychology, effective January 1, 2015. Dr. Affeltranger was named Chair following the promotion of Dr. Katrina D’Aquin to Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.

A member of the Bethany faculty since 2003, Dr. Affeltranger has previously served as Chair for several years. He holds the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Kelly Schuller promoted to Associate Professor of Psychology with Tenure

It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that Dr. Kelly Schuller has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychology with tenure, effective July 1, 2015.

In her time at Bethany, Dr. Schuller has proven herself to be a gifted teacher, a skilled advisor, and a valued member of our faculty. She holds the B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from West Virginia University.

I know you join me in deep appreciation to Dr. Schuller for her many contributions to Bethany College and offer our heartfelt congratulations. I am certain that her talents as a teacher and leader at Bethany will continue to be greatly valued in the future.