Marietta Magazine Archive

Fall 2021

After missing out on an in-person gathering in 2020, members of The Long Blue Line were ready for a momentous return to campus to celebrate the 2021 (Come Back) Homecoming in late October.

Hundreds of Pioneers and their families celebrated the weekend, and the College made sure to honor classes that achieved milestone reunion years — such as the Golden Reunion Classes of 1970 and 1971 — with memorable events. This issue of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, features snapshots of events during Homecoming — from the All-Alumni Welcome, the MCAA Awards Ceremony, the Football Tailgate and other special reunions that took place at Marietta.

The issue also includes the 150th Anniversary of Rowing at Marietta, as well as the public launch of the historic “This is the Time” comprehensive campaign, which aspires to raise $100 million to support areas such as student engagement, endowed scholarships, faculty development, campus accessibility, beautification and wayfinding, distinctive academic programs, The Marietta Fund, and the construction of a “Student Center for Our Time.” You can learn more about the campaign at thetime.marietta.edu.

You can also catch up on news shared by alumni in the Class Notes section. If you would like to share your own update in a future publication, please email it to marketing@marietta.edu.

Summer 2021

One of the most daunting aspects of going to college is wondering if and when you will make friends. Marietta offers dozens of clubs and organizations that are centered around specific activities and goals, so students can seek out people who have similar niche interests.

The feature story in the Summer 2021 issue of Marietta Magazine explores how these clubs have become beacons for students who may have otherwise struggled to find friend groups — and how these organizations can mean the difference between a student choosing to stay at Marietta and one who chooses to transfer or withdraw from college altogether.

Also in this issue are photo spreads of the Commencement ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021, held on campus in May, as well as stories about student-athletes returning for a fifth year of play, alumni who have made the bold decision to change career paths, and students who have excelled academically during the year of COVID-19.

As always, you can catch up on news shared by alumni in the Class Notes section. You may submit your special update by emailing marketing@marietta.edu.

Spring 2021

After taking a yearlong break from printing the Marietta Magazine due to the pandemic, it is with great pleasure that we can return to that format.

This issue unveils a new and exciting series — I, Pioneer — which highlights alumni, students and employees who are committed to making their marks on their industry, their communities or in their personal lives. Coming to you in a multimedia format, this new series is designed to grow — showing how expanse, dynamic and evolving The Long Blue Line truly is — by adding new profiles each month to the special I, Pioneer section of the College’s website. We invite you to nominate a current student, alumna/us or employee for consideration for this section via email at marketing@marietta.edu.

The magazine includes the story of the determination of student-athlete, Kate Liston ’22, a member of the women’s basketball team who overcame both a life-threatening medical incident at age 12 during at an AAU game and a season-ending knee injury last year during a Marietta basketball game. You can also read Paul Adams' tribute to Professor Gerald Evans and catch up with alumni who shared updates in our Class Notes section. As always, you are welcome to share your personal or professional updates with your fellow Pioneers.

Winter 2020

Whether they donned the pinstripes for the Etta Express or they rowed for one of the College’s historic Varsity 8+ boats, Marietta College’s student-athletes have provided countless memorable moments for Pioneer fans. In this edition of Marietta Magazine, we rank the top 100 student-athletes of all time.

These former student-athletes achieved milestones at Marietta — including winning championships, setting OAC records and dominating their sport — and some continued their athletic achievements at the professional level.

This edition also highlights alumni such as Ashley Thomas ’12, Dan May ’03, MCM’09 and Claire Reintgen Smullen ’08 for the impact they’ve made on students in their communities.

As always, the Class Notes section is where you can share your news — whether you are retiring, having impromptu reunions with classmates or switching jobs. You may submit your note or a story idea at marketing@marietta.edu.

Fall 2019

The September edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education recognized the 2019 Great Colleges To Work For, and for the second year in a row, Marietta College made the list.

While that in and of itself is an accomplishment, what Marietta managed to do this year is almost unheard of — rather than standing out in one or two categories, Marietta earned a spot on this year’s Honor Roll list by achieving “Very Good to Excellent” scores in 10 of the 12 categories. Those scores are based on the results of more than 300 surveys sent to Marietta College employees earlier this year.

This edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College features employees discussing what makes Marietta a great place to work — from the investment in facilities to compensation.

Readers will get a first look at the newly renovated baseball facility, which was renamed Don and Sue Schaly Field at Pioneer Park, as well as learn about a remarkable alumna who recently earned the Best International Research Impact Award from the University of Essex for her work in Syria.

As always, Marietta Magazine would love to share updates about your life — new jobs, recent vacations, recent retirements, etc. — so please email us at marketing@marietta.edu to submit a class note or share a possible story idea.

Winter 2019

Not only has Marietta College been a beacon for higher education since gaining its charter in 1835, it has grown into a major economic driver for the region.

During the 2017 fiscal year, the College had a $55 million overall economic impact on Washington County, Ohio, and Wood County, West Virginia, based on a recent study conducted by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs last year. Researchers found that the College’s direct impact reached nearly $33.3 million from June 30, 2017, until July 1, 2017.

This edition of Marietta Magazine looks at how the College helps boost the local economy through student, employee and alumni spending, and through its day-to-day operations — from construction projects to the beautiful banners that adorn campus.

Also in this issue, readers are introduced to one of the captains of the women’s lacrosse team, as well as two of men’s basketball coach Jon VanderWal’s biggest fans — his parents.

The winter edition is packed with a variety of stories of students, alumni and faculty. We invite you to share your Pioneer stories, class notes or letters to the editor with us by emailing marketing@marietta.edu.

Spring 2019

In the fall of 1989, a group of new professors joined Marietta’s faculty, filling vacancies in Accounting, Political Science, Philosophy, Chemistry, Biology and Sports Medicine.

This spring, Grace Johnson, Xiaoxiong Yi, Ken Itzkowitz, Debbie Egolf, Dave McShaffrey and Sam Crowther completed their 30th year at Marietta College. The special “Class of 1989” share a little insight of their time at Marietta — from their arrival to what makes their role at the College exciting every academic year.

Also in this issue are features about T.J. King, a student-athlete at Marietta who is overcoming the heartache of losing his younger brother by becoming one of the world’s up-and-coming powerlifters, as well as a first-person account of the historic win during the 1966 Dad Vail Regatta.

If you have a story idea or an update you would like to include in the Class Notes section of Marietta Magazine, please send that information by email to marketing@marietta.edu.

Fall 2018

Among of the many benefits of having a community-minded liberal arts college in your town is having access to numerous, high-quality artistic events.

The incredible work of Marietta College’s Theatre Department in planning, facilitating and presenting stunning theatrical performances throughout the academic year is further emphasized during the summer months, as faculty collaborate with community partners to attract student actors to the city to prepare for and perform an impressive summer stock of plays.

This summer, the Marietta Summer Theatre Program brought Twelfth Night and Guys and Dolls. The Shakespeare classic was presented to the community for free at Muskingum Park’s gazebo, and the American classic, Guys and Dolls, was showcased at Peoples Bank Theatre, one of the partners of the summer festival. Marietta Magazine focuses on the importance of having a high-caliber summer stock — both in terms of maintaining a well-known theatre program at Marietta College and for the benefit of the community.

Marietta Magazine also unveils the unique looks of the College’s new athletic surfaces at Don Drumm Stadium and Marietta Field. The upgrades were completed by the start of the fall seasons — and have been met with a great deal of excitement and praise from student-athletes, coaches and fans.

There are many more stories about what’s happening at the College and in the lives of alumni. As always, if you have an exciting story to share or would like to submit a class note for future publications, please send us an email at marketing@marietta.edu.

Spring 2018

For many generations, young adults choose Marietta College as the place to receive a quality liberal arts education. What they may not have realized was that the moment they matriculated to Marietta, they joined a community of Pioneers — past, present and future — for life. Regardless of when they graduate, members of The Long Blue Line share memories of a very special college that became their second home.

This edition of Marietta Magazine celebrates the power of The Long Blue Line and how alumni find ways to reconnect with each other and their alma mater to rekindle old friendships, make new ones and help the newest Pioneers find their footing after graduation.

This issue also highlights Marietta’s revamped General Education Curriculum, which strengthens the focus on the liberal arts for every major throughout all four years of a student’s undergraduate education.

As always, if you have an exciting story to share or would like to submit a class note for future publications, please send us an email at marketing@marietta.edu.

Winter 2018

Imran Syed ’20 and his family worked very hard to give him the opportunity to go to college. So when it came time to decide where he would study, he chose a place that would help him achieve his dream of becoming an engineer and give him a safe, quality environment in which to study.

Though leaving home to attend college is seen as a rite of passage into adulthood, Syed’s story is a shining example of how dedicated Marietta’s students are to become Pioneers. Not only was he just 17 years old when he arrived for his freshman year, Syed was also the only student from India to do so.

There are 170 international students currently earning their degrees at Marietta College. They hail from China, Kuwait, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Saudi Arabia, England, Japan and India. In this issue of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, a handful of Marietta’s international students tell the story of how they chose to study at this small, liberal arts college in Ohio, and how they plan to use their education to achieve their dreams.

This edition also charts the emergence of Marietta football, and pays honor to Professors Dottie Erb and Carole Hancock as they prepare to retire from the College.

As always, if you have an exciting story to share or would like to submit a class note for future publications, send us an email at marketing@marietta.edu.

Fall 2017

Autumn is in the air — which means your copy of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College is also in the mail.

From cover to cover, this edition is packed with interesting stories about alumni, current students and faculty. The main feature focuses on a few Golden Pioneers who continue to discover new passions after retiring from their careers.

You’ll also read about recent alumni who pitched in over the long Labor Day weekend to help a fellow grad’s family clean up their home after Hurricane Harvey damaged it in August. Additionally, the magazine provides an update from campus on enrollment numbers and how generous our alumni and friends have been in helping to support the transformational education that Marietta College provides.

As always, we invite our alumni and friends to share class notes updates or story ideas for future publication, and hope you take a few moments from your busy day to enjoy reading this latest edition.

Spring 2017

Dance, music, art and theatre were front and center during an all-day event in downtown Marietta this spring. Music students spent months working with the Music Associate Professor Marshall Kimball and McDonough Center’s Leader-in-Residence Donna Collins to book acts and performance venues, line up participating food trucks, and collaborate with the city in preparation for the Brick Street Arts Bash.

The one-day festival highlighted the talent of local and regional artists, and provided a free cultural event to the community, showing the importance of having access to the arts, regardless of age.

The arts are front and center in this edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, which also includes a feature on how the College is working to create a new Music Therapy major, thanks to the generous donation of Don ’81 and Leslie Straub Ritter ’85.

Readers can also learn about the College’s newest Regional Associations — the greater Columbus area and the Philadelphia area— which received charters this spring.

This edition is loaded with stories about students, faculty and alumni. If you have a story or letter to the editor to share or would like to include a class note, please email marketing@marietta.edu — we always enjoy hearing from readers!

Fall 2016

The ability to communicate, solve problems and anticipate changes are many of the strengths that are developed when students undergo a liberal arts education. Those same qualities make for successful entrepreneurial-minded people.

This edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, highlights a group of alumni who chose to use their talents to pursue their own dreams of owning their own businesses, and what they’ve learned along the way.

Also in this edition, readers can catch up on the important events that have happened on campus since the spring edition — namely, the inauguration of Dr. William N. Ruud as Marietta’s 19th President.

We hope you enjoy the variety of stories that stem from being a part of Marietta College’s ever-impressive family. If you have a story or letter to the editor to share or would like to include a class note, please email marketing@marietta.edu — we always enjoy hearing from readers!

Spring 2016

Greek Life plays an important role at Marietta College.

From creating lifelong friendships to reinforcing strong study habits, the eight chapters on campus have positively impacted the lives of so many current students and alumni. In this edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, members from the eight chapters discuss the strengths and challenges that face their respective fraternity or sorority and why they’ll always cherish being a part of their organization.

Other stories in this edition include the Ruby family’s tribute to their patriarch, the late Dr. Victor Ruby ’42, as well as learn about the College’s 19th president, Dr. William Ruud.

This edition has plenty of interesting stories about students, staff and alumni.

Fall 2015

It’s no secret that enrollment numbers for small colleges have plummeted over the past five years. Adding to that problem is the ability to keep the students already enrolled.

To give Marietta College the best possible position, a revamped First-Year Experience program has been rolled out for the 2015-16 academic year. Blending social activities, service projects, academic courses and time for reflection. The first-year students who arrived on campus began their time at Marietta College with a whitewater rafting adventure in West Virginia with their fellow classmates.

More about the three-day trip and other aspects of the FYE program are detailed in the fall edition of Marietta Magazine. Additionally, the fall publication features the story of how Dr. Bill Bauer, Professor of Education, and his family turned the pain of losing his son, Grant ’12, to suicide into a way of helping others through an endowed fund that focuses on mental health and intellectual disabilities. The story also includes how an idea to do a random act of kindness in Grant’s name turned into a global event that involved thousands of people.

This edition has plenty of interesting stories about students, staff and alumni. If you would like to share your story idea or class note, please send an email to marketing@marietta.edu or mail it, along with your contact information, to:

Marietta Magazine/Marietta College     
215 Fifth St.     
Marietta, OH 45750     
— GI SMITH

Spring 2015

This edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, features the events that culminated in the success of the 2014-15 season for men’s basketball — from the hiring of Head Coach Jon VanderWal in 2007 to the offense threat that this year’s team posed to their opponents.

For the first time in program history, the team reached the NCAA Division III Elite 8, and solidified the Marietta community’s fandom.

VanderWal and his players reflect on the magic of the season and express their gratitude for the fans that remained faithful as the team rebuilt what it meant to be a Pioneer.

Also in this edition, news of a giant leaving the classroom after 38 years. Dr. Bob Chase has been the face of the Petroleum Engineering and Geology Department since 1970. He will remain in the Marietta community and help the new chair settle into the department and make the industry contacts that Chase has made during his tenure. He will also work to connect students with vital internships that will help them secure jobs post-graduation.

This edition has plenty of interesting stories about students, staff and alumni. If you would like to share your story idea or class note, please send an email to marketing@marietta.edu or mail it, along with your contact information, to:

Marietta Magazine/Marietta College     
215 Fifth St.     
Marietta, OH 45750     
— GI SMITH

Fall 2014

There was a certain thrill on Interstate 77 when you finally reached the Exit 1 or Exit 6 signs — you knew you were just minutes away from so many things you loved … friends, your tiny dorm room dressed up just the way you liked it, that project you really didn’t want to do but would glean so much satisfaction from turning it in on time — what you would expect from any college campus.

But the Marietta College experience spilled past the Fourth Street field, beyond Don Drumm and Parsons Field. Friendships were forged outside of the dorms and classrooms. Residents, shop owners and employees in the city were counted as friends; their specialty plates became your go-to comfort food, and the time you spent with them became special memories.

In this edition of Marietta Magazine, the cover story rummages into some of the more memorable places and tastes of the city of Marietta, and also highlights new or undiscovered hotspots you may not have gotten the chance to experience as a student but are encouraged to visit when you come back.

The magazine also includes stories about student internships, Dr. Dwayne Stone’s estate giving his massive mineral and fossil collection to the College, and how John Parsons ’94 is making an impact on player safety as the Director of the NCAA’s Sports Science Institute.

As always, if you have a story you’d like to share with us, please send an email to marketing@marietta.edu or mail it, along with your contact information, to:

Marietta Magazine/Marietta College     
215 Fifth St.     
Marietta, OH 45750

I hope you enjoy reading the variety of stories and the beautiful images featured in this edition!     
— Gi Smith

Spring 2014

One of the selling points of Marietta College to prospective students is its location — in a historic small city nestled at the convergence of two beautiful rivers.

For the most part, the close-knit community exists peacefully within the confines of this picturesque landscape. But every once in a while, the Ohio and the Muskingum take center stage. Ten years ago this fall, unrelenting rains from back-to-back hurricanes moving inland from the Atlantic Coast triggered a massive flood that snaked its way through campus, sent the majority of students home for a week and left a muddy, memorable mess.

In this edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, students, staff and faculty recall their experiences of the flood of 2004. Also featured are the impressive outcomes stories of a group of 2013 graduates who share what their lives are like since joining The Long Blue Line a year ago.

There are many more features in the magazine — including one about an Army veteran who hopes to take the field this fall as a member of the Pioneers football team.

Marietta College students, faculty and alumni have an endless supply of great stories to share. Let us know what you’ve been up to lately by submitting your class note to marketing@marietta.edu. We’d love to hear from you!

Fall 2013

On Thanksgiving Day, Morgan Armstrong ’17 won’t be sitting around the dinner table enjoying turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie; nor will she be watching football from the family’s Parkersburg, W.Va. living room couch.

Actually, you’ll be able to see what the freshman is up to that day from pretty much any home in America if you’re tuned into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The world-class jump rope champion will be performing during the parade. It will be the second time that Morgan, who holds several national titles and 15 world titles in competitive jump roping, has performed during the special parade.

Morgan is a member of the newest class of students at Marietta College, an outstanding group of freshmen who bring their special talents to campus. A few of these students are featured in the upcoming edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, which should arrive in the mail in the coming weeks.

Also in this edition, alumnus James Speed Hensinger ’68 shares stunning photographs he took during her time as a soldier in the Vietnam War, as well as a first-person account that gives the background story to those shots. His photos, which recently became public, are garnering a great deal of international media attention for their visual impact and quality.

In addition, the Developments section highlights how generous gifts in the name of faculty tug on the heartstrings of our beloved Marietta professors and lessen the financial burden facing today’s crop of talented students.

These are just some of what’s in store for your reading pleasure in the upcoming edition of your alumni magazine. If you have a great story idea for the magazine, or would like to submit a class note, contact the editors at marketing@marietta.edu

Spring 2013

All Scholars Day 2013 highlighted the research and artistic projects of hundreds of students, giving them opportunities to discuss their work with members of the community representing a broad range of majors and departments at Marietta.

This edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College showcases three of those works and recognizes the importance of student-faculty collaborative research projects. By engaging in serious research, students are encouraged to take their education a step beyond the classroom to better understand how their knowledge can be applied in a real-world setting.

Also in this edition, learn how Roxanne Regas Kane ’85 and Wendy Rush Zucal ’84 helped the Dennison Railroad Depot gain recognition as one of the country’s 2,500 National Historic Landmarks — one of only 70 in the state of Ohio. Volunteers at the depot, also known as a canteen, fed between 600 and 800 sailors, soldiers and Marines each day as they passed through the small Ohio town on their way to deployment during World War II. During that era, servicemen dubbed the stop “Dreamsville, U.S.A.”

In the magazine, Reggie Sims ’75 pays tribute to two very special alumnae who died last year. Dr. Barbara Diggs Lyles ’51, the first African American woman to graduate from Marietta, and Amanda Newhouse Carnie ’72, the first African American Homecoming Queen at Marietta, were courageous, intelligent and talented women who marched into uncharted territory and excelled in their individual efforts.

As you read through the Class Notes section, please take the opportunity to send in an update and photo to share with your fellow alumni. We’d love to hear what you’ve been up to since graduation!

Fall 2012

Campus was in full celebration mode during the second weekend of October.

Not only was it the start of the 2012 Homecoming Weekend, which welcomed hundreds of alumni and guests to campus, but it was also the moment that the College officially welcomed Dr. Joseph W. Bruno into the Marietta family.

In the latest edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, you can catch up on festivities that surrounded this historic event, which took place during Homecoming Weekend 2012.

Also in this edition, learn about the impact the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center has had on campus since its completion a decade ago and learn about a growing tradition in Dr. Steven Spilatro's microbiology class.

Don't forget, as you read through the Class Notes section, to send in an update or a story idea. We'd love to hear from you!

Spring 2012

Both served Marietta College beyond expectations, leaving last impressions on current students and alumni alike.

This summer, Dr. Jean A. Scott will retire from Marietta after leading the College for 12 years. In just a few weeks, just as construction winds down on the new residence hall, Harrison Hall, demolition crews will begin dismantling Parsons, which has housed students since 1961.

In the opening pages of this edition of Marietta Magazine, we pay tribute to some of the moments and programs that were ushered in when the Board of Trustees in 1999 made the decision to select Dr. Scott as the College's 17th president. Starting her tenure in the summer of 2000, Dr. Scott helped to shape initiatives that led the College out of trouble times and onto more prosperous paths. This edition also features her parting message to readers.

Since the start of the construction of Harrison Hall, which will welcome its first residents this fall, alumni have been sending in their reflections of Parsons Hall, which is set for razing in just a few weeks. Parsons has become an indelible fixture in the memories of college life for thousands of alumni, some of whom share their personal stories and photographs in this edition.

Another feature in the magazine shows how the College's 18th president, Dr. Joe Bruno, and his wife, Diane, prepare to leave their busy lives in Connecticut to begin a new journey at Marietta. Colleagues at Wesleyan University and KardasLarson, LLC, former students and lifelong neighbors and friends share their stories of the Brunos, bidding them farewell while sending their warmest wishes for the dynamic couple in their new roles.

The magazine also features a story of rising sophomore Nikki Morrone '15, a visually-impaired studio art major who is taking the department by storm; the rise of Marietta's women's basketball program; and a feature about alumni couple Jessica Tobin'02 and Ryan Korner '01 teaching their children about the value of philanthropy.

Fall 2011

As one of the top liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Marietta College prides itself on its ability to prepare students for the ever-changing workplace and community.

In this edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, you will learn about the new Office for Diversity and Inclusion, as well as meet the new vice president, Dr. Richard Danford, whose role it is to identify and develop programs that allow the College to better recruit and retain international and minority students.

Today's working environment demands professionals who are able to adapt to diverse fields and work with an array of people from various backgrounds and cultures. Because Marietta recognizes the value of being exposed to such dynamic environments, it's important to attract a broader range of backgrounds to campus, which means recruiting more minority students, faculty and staff. At the same time, the College must ensure the resources are available to traditionally underserved students so their dreams of successfully pursuing a higher education become a reality.

Also in the magazine, you'll read about the strength and perseverance of alumna Rebecca Holzworth '10, who was critically injured this year in a car accident, and how her longtime boyfriend, Chad Walker '10, has remained her No. 1 supporter throughout her recovery.

Glancing ahead to next spring, when the next edition of the magazine will hit the mail, we are asking alumni to send in their personal stories and, if possible, photographs of their memories of Parsons Hall, which is scheduled to be razed once the new residence hall is completed next fall.

Spring 2011

Marietta College is on the brink of a new era! In this edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College, you'll read about President Jean Scott's retirement plans after the 2011-12 academic year and how she reflects on her tenure as the College's 17th and only woman president.

The magazine also commemorates the impact that Drs. Jim and Mabry O'Donnell have had on the quality of education offered at Marietta and on the lives of hundreds of students, staff and faculty, past and present. Having taught at Marietta since 1969, the O'Donnells prepare for the next stages of their lives as Emeriti Professors.

With campus still celebrating the Pioneer men reaching the Sweet Sixteen this winter, readers can also enjoy getting a back story behind the most successful Men's Basketball season in the College's history.

Take a moment to catch up with what's been happening in the lives of your fellow alumni as well as the news on campus.

Fall 2010

Since the American Civil War, members of the Marietta College community have offered their services to aid in the nation's cause. Among the many interesting stories that you'll find in the Fall 2010 edition of Marietta, The Magazine of Marietta College is a feature that recognizes the sacrifices that generations of students, faculty and staff have made to fulfill their patriotic duty.

A few Marietta College graduates reflect in the feature article on their lives at college before, during and after the country was involved in military conflicts and current students who recently left the battlefields in the Middle East talk about adjusting to life on campus today.

Inside this edition, you'll also read about the College's newest strategic plan, Focused on Distinction, and about students who are beginning to make their way into their chosen industries by way of completing summer internships.

There are plenty of interesting stories in this edition so take a moment to catch up on what's happening at Marietta.