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Rolling in Dough: Adam Pomerantz ’90 • United Nations Program Helps ’Berg Students Reach Across Borders WINTER 2015 THE MAGAZINE Randy Helm: Making ’Berg Better Wasn’t Greek to Him A Farewell Tribute to the College’s 11th President

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Page 1: Making ’Berg Better Wasn’t Greek to Him · Making ’Berg Better Wasn’t Greek to Him ... curse and swear and call one ... Dennis Williams '97 spoke at 'Berg's Celebration of

Rolling in Dough: Adam Pomerantz ’90 • United Nations Program Helps ’Berg Students Reach Across Borders

WINTER 2015 THE MAGAZINE

Randy Helm: Making ’Berg BetterWasn’t Greek to HimA Farewell Tribute to the College’s 11th President

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Features10 Rolling in Dough

Adam Pomerantz ’90 couldn't stand Wall Street, so he followed his heart and turned

Murray's Bagels into the most popular nosh in New York City.

16 United Nations Program Helps ’Berg Students Reach Across BordersInterning at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was a formative

experience for nine ’Berg students.

18 Cover Story: Randy Helm: Making ’Berg BetterWasn’t Greek to Him

Muhlenberg Magazine is published three times a year by the Public Relations Office Muhlenberg College2400 Chew StreetAllentown, PA 18104

www.muhlenberg.edu

phone: 484-664-3230

fax: 484-664-3477

email: [email protected]

CreditsDr. Peyton R. HelmPRESIDENT

Michael BrucknerVICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS

Jack McCallum ’71GUEST EDITOR

Jillian Lovejoy Lowery ’00EDITOR

DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COMMUNICATIONS

Mike FalkSPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR

Tanya TrinkleDESIGN

All professional photography by Amico Studios, Bill Keller and Paul Pearson Photography unless otherwise noted.

© 2015 Muhlenberg College®

On the Cover: President Randy Helm, whose leadership is drawing to a close, poses in his office among ancient replicas and’Berg memorabilia. A tribute to our 11th President is found on page 18.

THEMAGAZINE WINTER 2015

WANT MORE MUHLENBERG NEWS?If you want to see more news aboutMuhlenberg College, please follow us onTwitter at www.twitter.com/muhlenberg and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/muhlenbergcollege.

For upcoming events, news about theschool and more, go to Muhlenberg.edu.

Alumni: Are you connected? Visit www.MuhlenbergConnect.com for the latest alumni news and events.

C

Departments2 Door to Door

6 Alumni News

8 Focus on Philanthropy

14 Sports

26 Class Notes

37 The Last Word

18

14

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WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU 1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Well, if I thought I would solve all the world’s problems – and Muhlenberg’s – before

retiring, I guess I was wrong. There’s still plenty left for people to worry

about: terrorism, the economy, ethnic and reli-gious prejudice, racial strife, Ebola, conflict inthe Middle East, gridlock in Washington, glob-al warming, carcinogens, college costs, VladimirPutin, North Korea. . . . To quote from a songof my youth, “The whole world is festeringwith unhappy souls,”2 or from one of our greatcontemporary philosophers, “We seem to bemade to suffer, it’s our lot in life.”3

All this, of course, is bread and butter forthe media, whose frantic alarums compete forour attention during every waking information-saturated hour.

Among our favorite and most venerableworries is the state of today’s youth: their feck-lessness, fragility and general unfitness to takethe reins of society. Of course, members of mygeneration are fine ones to talk about theshortcomings of the rising generation, we of(formerly) long hair, bellbottoms, flower power,free love, hallucinogens and over amplified,overblown, pretentious rock music. But like allthe generations before us, we claim the right todespair of today’s student generation.

This is a trope that goes back at least 4,000years to the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians.An Egyptian scribe around 1700 B.C. despairedof his students: “…thou forsakest writing!Thou givest thyself up to pleasures. Thou goest from street to street where it smelleth ofbeer....”4 The fourth century A.D. philosopherLibanius complained that students disruptedhis lectures by laughing, chatting about chari-ot-races, singing popular songs and “picking

their noses with both hands at once.”5

And do not think for a moment that theEnlightenment and the Industrial Age saw anyimprovement in the morals of the rising gener-ation.

In 1695, Robert Russell wrote a book ofadvice for the young, in which he despaired:

“I find by sad Experience how the Townsand Streets are filled with lewd wickedChildren [who] curse and swear and call oneanother Nick-names….”6

In 1790, the Reverend Enos Hitchcock com-plained that, “The free access which manyyoung people have to romances, novels, andplays has poisoned the mind and corrupted themorals of many a promising youth.”7

In 1816, the Times of London inveighedagainst “The indecent foreign dance called theWaltz….It is quite sufficient to cast one’s eyeson the voluptuous intertwining of the limbs,and close compressure of the bodies…. We feelit a duty to warn every parent against exposinghis daughter to so fatal a contagion.”

In 1859, Scientific American opined “a per-nicious excitement to learn and play chess hasspread all over the country…. A mere amuse-ment of a very inferior character, which robsthe mind of valuable time that might be devot-ed to nobler acquirements….”

And in 1915, the psychologist Gail Harrisonadmonished, “We seem to have dropped intoan age of entertaining, a breathless going fromone sensation to another, whether it bemechanical toys for the five-year-old or mov-ing-picture plays for the sixteen-year-old. It notonly destroys their power to think, but alsomakes happiness, contentment, and resource-fulness impossible.”8

It would seem, then, that today’s college

students represent the latest (and thereforepresumably the most degraded) manifestationof what the critic and literary theorist NorthropFrye once called “The Great WesternButterslide” – the common belief that westerncivilization has been steadily deterioratingsince...well, since forever.9

Frye, of course, was anticipated in this bythe Greek poet Hesiod (around 700 B.C.) whodescribed the history of the human race as onelong downward spiral into selfishness, wicked-ness, and frivolous lawsuits.10

One mathematically minded commentatorhas calculated that if each generation since theSumerians has seen a 5% decline in virtue,then the current generation of students retainsonly three one hundred thousandths of thevirtue of Sumerian youth. . . leaving themessentially devoid of any virtue whatsoever.11

To all of which I reply, in the words ofanother great college president12,“Horsefeathers!”

If there is one thing I am knowledgeableabout, it is college students. Yes, there aresome who treat college as an expensive four-year bacchanalia, best enjoyed on “the streetsthat smelleth of beer” – but not many. And

The Kids Are Alright1

continued on page 32

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 2

DOOR TO DOOR

Muhlenberg College’s Board of Trustees approved the College’s first comprehensive Diversity Strategic Plan at theirfall 2014 meeting. The plan identifies six broad goals and

numerous specific initiatives designed to make the campus a more diverse and inclusive community and provides the necessary resources to implement the plan. Building on past institutional efforts, the plan’ssix goals express Muhlenberg’s diversity aspirations for the next five years.The six goals outlined in the plan are:• Cultivate a campus community that is supportive of inclusion, justiceand social equality.

• Actively recruit and retain a student body with increasing numbers ofstudents from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups.

• Actively recruit and retain more faculty and staff from those racial and ethnic groups that have had limited access to careers in higher education.

• Strengthen the depth and complexity of teaching and learning about diversity.

• Engage more deeply with the diverse communities of Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.

• Assign responsibility for the measurement, assessment and coordination of diversity initiatives.

President Helm, who chaired the Diversity Strategic PlanningCommittee, remarked, “The Muhlenberg community has strived tobecome more diverse and inclusive over many years, but we have beenkeenly aware that we could and should do better. This comprehensive

plan, our first such comprehensive plan aimed at building and sustaininga more diverse and inclusive campus community, will accelerate thoseefforts and enable us to fulfill more of our aspirations for the College.”

The Diversity Strategic Planning Committee included four facultyelected by the faculty; two faculty appointed by the President; four students selected by the Diversity Vanguard; one student selected by the President of Student Government; three staff chosen by thePresident from self-nominations; one alumnus chosen by the Presidentfrom self-nominations; one Trustee appointed by the Board Chair from self-nominations; five ex officio staff members; and the President,who served as chair of the committee. The Diversity Strategic PlanningCommittee engaged members of the Muhlenberg community – students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents – who contributed to the planning process by submitting potential initiatives; participating in small group discussions, a public forum and a gallery walk exercise;and commenting on the draft of the plan when it was posted.

The plan acknowledges that there is much work to be done andattempts to formalize a series of goals and initiatives that can be implemented and monitored broadly across campus. The plan challenges members of the Muhlenberg community to embrace the collaborative work that lies ahead. While the plan is an important step,the Diversity Strategic Planning Committee acknowledged that muchwork will be necessary if the College is to achieve the aspirations for inclusive excellence expressed in this strategic plan and hopes that future plans will build on the momentum achieved during its implementation.

Diversity Strategic Plan Approved

Dennis Williams '97 spoke at 'Berg's Celebration of Diversity event, addressing students, faculty, staff and alumni.

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WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU 3

DOOR TO DOOR

Wightman Awarded NIH Grant

Dr. Bruce Wightman, professor of biology, has beenawarded a $285,702 grant from the National Institutesof Health (NIH) to support his study of Transcriptional

Regulation of Cell Differentiation in C. elegans by tailless.Wightman’s laboratory focuses on understanding the

molecular pathways – the series of specific steps—that allowcells to communicate with each other to create organized tissues and organs during animal development.

Nematode worms, the subject of Wightman’s research,have a gene that functions in the development of severalorgans, including the uterus. Wightman’s lab looks at how theNHR-67 protein formed by this gene controls and is controlledby other genes. The nhr-67 gene (also called tailless or Tlx) ispresent in vertebrates, including humans, where it has beenshown to be a key regulator of neural stem cell identity. Anunderstanding of how Tlx regulates other genes is central tounderstanding neural stem cells, and an important first step in identifying potential candidates for therapy in neuro-degenerative disease. Wightman anticipates his research willadvance understanding of tissue and organ development in allanimals. The research will be performed in part byMuhlenberg College undergraduate science majors.

Wightman joined the Muhlenberg faculty in 1996. Heholds a B.A. from Oberlin College and earned his Ph.D. atHarvard University. In addition to his work in the biologydepartment, Wightman serves as the director for the College’sCenter for Ethics.

’Berg Honored by the Lehigh ValleyPartnership for a

Disability Friendly Community

Muhlenberg College was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from the Lehigh Valley Partnership for a DisabilityFriendly Community.

Bob Wittman, chair of the Community Awareness Committee, says,“Muhlenberg has done an outstanding job helping students with disabilitiessucceed. The community has also derived great benefits from the College’sactions on behalf of people with disabilities.”

Dr. Nelvin Vos, the convener of the Partnership and emeritus professor of English, pointed to the College’s academic resource center, the office ofdisability services and the department of theatre and dance as offices that dooutstanding work on behalf of those with disabilities. Certificates wereawarded to each of these departments for their efforts, as well as to theCollege in general, for its commitment to being disability friendly.

The Lehigh Valley Partnership for a Disability Friendly Community hasmore than 75 members, including persons with disabilities, representativesfrom service provider agencies and organizations, caregivers, family members,government and community leaders as well as persons interested in advocacyfor people with disabilities.

The Certificate of Recognition is presented on an occasional basis to organizations that do an exemplary job promoting the benefits of inclusionand those organizations that are create a more disability-friendly environment.The Civic Theatre was the first recipient in May 2014.

above: Jessica Bien, general manager of the department of theatre & dance, Wendy Cole, director ofthe academic resource center, Pamela Moschini, director of disability services, and Michael Huber,dean of the college for academic life, accept awards on behalf of the College.

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 4

DOOR TO DOOR

Trexler Library’s New Exhibit Celebrates the Contributions andCorrespondence of ’Berg Students and Alumni in WWII

Muhlenberg College’s Trexler Library and Wescoe School co-sponsor “From the four corners of the earth: World War II as Revealed in theMuhlenberg College Archives,” an exhibit located in the Library’s Rare Books Room, located on Level B. It is available to view free ofcharge through June 2015.

The exhibit, curated by Special Collections & Archives Librarian Susan Falciani, was precipitated by the arrival in her office of almost 1000 lettersand postcards from Muhlenberg students and alumni from the WWII era. The letters had been integrated into alumni records in development &alumni relations for decades, and because of their historical nature, Falciani was asked if the archives would like to keep them.

The files contain postcards, letters, V-mail and, importantly, carbon copies of replies written by Muhlenberg staff to the servicemen. While a fewfolders contain only change-of-address postcards, most contain letters describing battles and conditions on the front lines in the European andPacific theatres, as well as at training bases throughout the US. Servicemen talk about visiting Hiroshima and Nagaski months after the atomicbombs were dropped, about being held as POWs in Germany and about their training as paratroopers, just to give a few examples.

The exhibit celebrates these letters by showing interesting and varied examples, while at the same time capturing the atmosphere at the Collegeduring the war years, at which time it served as both a V-12 and a V-5 Navy training unit for officers. Photographs and documents from the period, aswell as clippings from the Muhlenberg Weekly and Muhlenberg Alumni Quarterly, document the campus as training camp from 1943-1945.

For more information on the exhibit, visit trexler.muhlenberg.edu/wwii.

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5

DOOR TO DOOR

WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU

Public Health Major Approved

Muhlenberg College is pleased to announce that, beginning inthe Fall 2015 semester, students will be able to declare amajor in public health.

Muhlenberg was the first small, private liberal arts college in thecountry to establish a public health minor in 2006.

Public health at Muhlenberg is an interdisciplinary study that focuseson the protection and improvement of health for individuals, communitiesand populations at risk for injury and disease. The curriculum extendsacross the natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences and humanitiesto educate and empower students about health-related issues from varying points of view. They will graduate well-prepared for graduate work and professional careers in public health.

“Public health is already the largest minor program at Muhlenbergwith typically more than 100 minors per year,” said ChristopherHooker-Haring ’72, P’08, P’10, dean of admission and financialaid. “I’m thrilled that our students with an interest in this importantfield will now have the opportunity to study public health as a major aswell as a minor.”

Students who study public health will gain an understanding ofbehavioral, economic, historical, political and social determinants ofhealth and of the important relationships that statistics and sciencehave on the design of public health interventions. Within the program,students are afforded the flexibility to choose electives appropriate totheir field-specific interests. Students are encouraged to participate inpublic health related experiences including independent research study,service learning or other experiential learning connected to a course,internships within the community and community service unconnectedto a course.

“Students at Muhlenberg have shown great interest in learning waysto impact the health and wellness of communities and society that don’tfocus purely on medicine,” said Chrysan Cronin, lecturer of biology anddirector of the public health program (pictured above). “Our new majoraffords students the opportunity to draw from the wide range of disciplines at the College, studying health and wellness from differentpoints of view, which is a key strength of a liberal arts education.”

Mallory Bernstein ’14 Receives Fulbright Award

Mallory Bernstein ’14 has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to South Africa for anEnglish Teaching Assistantship, the United States

Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board announced recently.

Bernstein, who majored in chemistry and minored in public health, is one of over 1,800 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad for the 2014-2015 academic year through theFulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic and professionalachievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential.

Other recent ‘Berg alumni who received Fulbright awards areThomas Bertorelli ’10, Melissa Bressler ’12, Gillian Irwin ’13and Jennifer Melis ’12.

John Williams to Become President of Muhlenberg College John I. Williams, Jr., an innovative and visionary leader with

extensive experience in higher education, has been selected to be the12th president of Muhlenberg College. He will begin his tenure at the College on July 1, 2015. Be on the lookout for a feature introducing Williams in the next issue of Muhlenbergmagazine.

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 6

Save dateth

e

September 18-20, 2015Once again we are celebrating Reunionand Homecoming in a single weekend.Classes of the ’0s and ’5s will be marking reunions. If you would like tohelp plan your class reunion, pleasecontact us directly at 1-800-464-2374.

REUNION & HOMECOMING 2015

ALUMNI WEEKEND

Alumni Travel Program

April 14-22, 2015

For additional information on any of these events, please call the Office of Alumni Relations at 1-800-464-2374 or check online at MuhlenbergConnect.com.

In reading through some archival materials recently, I came across the following excerpt from the Muhlenberg Monthly written in 1883,entitled “Our Alumni.”When you wish to know the character of a book, you seek its index;

when you wish to know the character of a college, you seek its Alumni.Although Muhlenberg is still too young for its graduates to have acquiredany great distinction in the world, yet wherever they are, they are gainingan honorable name. Compare them with graduates of other colleges, andyou will find them inferior neither in scholarship nor success. They occupypositions of equal, and, in many cases, of superior importance, and dis-charge their duties with fidelity to their fellows and with credit tothemselves. The one hundred and sixty alumni, graduated in fifteen class-es, are scattered throughout fourteen states of our Union and Canada,from Nova Scotia to California, from Minnesota to Tennessee. Whereverthey are, Muhlenberg College is represented and its influence is put forthfor good….May the time speedily come when “I am an Alumnus ofMuhlenberg” will be as honorable in the college-world, as “I am aRoman” was in politics of yore.”

Fast forward to 2014. Muhlenberg is no longer too young for its graduates to have acquired

any great distinction in the world. Quite the contrary. Muhlenberg alum-ni have made their mark and succeeded in every discipline – law,medicine, the arts, research, literature, education and public service.

Muhlenberg’s alumni population now includes women and numbers26,261. They are scattered in all 50 states and 35 countries.

Even now, 131 years later, it seems to me that the truth remains thatthe character of Muhlenberg College is reflected in its alumni. Whereveryou are, you represent Muhlenberg College.

And so I want to ask you to consider what contribution you can maketo help the College continue to grow in stature and recognition. Howcan you help Muhlenberg continue to be a college of distinction at atime when many are questioning the value of a liberal arts education?How can you make certain that when you say “I am an alumnus/a ofMuhlenberg” it continues to serve as evidence of our College’s boldcommitment to the human spirit and the possibilities inherent intomorrow?

ALUMNI NEWS

From the Desk of Natalie Kulp Hand ’78, P’07, Director, Office of Alumni Relations

The Volunteer Summit affords Muhlenberg alumni the opportunity tohear from senior leadership, create new connections, receive trainingand provide input to help strengthen our volunteer program. Considerjoining us for this day whether you are one of our seasoned veteransor someone interested in learning about volunteer opportunities atMuhlenberg College. It also provides an event when Muhlenberg canrecognize the accomplishments of the Volunteer Award winners fortheir commitment to the College.

Volunteer Summit March 28, 2015

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WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU 7

News of noteAlumni Board Executive CommitteePRESIDENTSheryl LeBlanc Guss ’81, P’10, P’13

VICE PRESIDENTStephen Hart ’76

SECRETARYGreg Adams ’05

TREASURERMike Geller ’04If you are interested in serving on theAlumni Board or have a suggestion ofsomeone who would be a good candi-date, please contact Natalie Hand '78,P'07, Director of Alumni Relations [email protected] or call 484-664-3304. Nominees should have astrong connection to the College and be able to provide leadership and representation for alumni.

Alumni AwardsNominations due March 2015

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS• Alumni Service to the College

• Alumni Lifetime Achievement

• Alumni Achievement in a specific field

• Alumni Leadership

• Service to the College by a Friend

ALUMNI RECOGNITION AWARDS• Tricorn Award for Exceptional

Service in the Past Year

• Young Alumnus/a Recognition Award

• Heritage Award

For additional information or to answer any questions, please contact Deborah Klinger, Events and Volunteer Coordinator, AlumniRelations at 484-664-3303 or [email protected]

Class NotesYour classmates would love to know what you are up to. Did you get married,engaged, have a baby, get together withMuhlenberg friends and classmates, celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary, get promoted, move, retire...have anything to share? Please submitinformation to the Office of Alumni Relations in writing at 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104, by email [email protected], or by posting on muhlenbergconnect.com.

Deadlines for inclusion in the Muhlenbergmagazine are:Spring issue: February 16, 2015Summer/Fall issue: June 15, 2015Winter issue: October 20, 2015

Stay connected with ’Berg

wherever you are with campus updates, history, alumni news and contests!Facebook: Facebook.com/MuhlenbergCollegeAlumniTwitter: @MuhlenbergAlumInstagram: @MuhlenbergCollegeAlumni

Dear Fellow Alumni,This past summer, while out walking, I was passed by a group – some

of whom were wearing jerseys and shorts that were emblazoned with thenames of universities. I started to think about name recognition,Muhlenberg, branding and alumni pride. It reminded me of a conversa-tion that I had with Jason Finkelstein ’06 earlier in the summer. Jasontold me that he had just moved to an apartment complex in Hoboken,and noticed an individual on a terrace wearing a Muhlenberg T-shirt. Heyelled up, only to be told that there were several more Muhlenbergalumni living within a several block radius. It was purely by chance – seeing that Muhlenberg T-shirt - that he learned that members of theMuhlenberg family were living in his own neighborhood.

Has this happened to you? Muhlenberg is a nationally recognizedschool with a small student population; our alumni body numbers justover 26,000. We do not have Division I sports teams whose athleticapparel is sold in big box stores, and we do not have graduate programs.That is not who Muhlenberg is or ever intended to be. Yet, we needmore people to know who we are and to learn about the amazing accomplishments of our students, faculty and alumni.

I am not a marketing guru, but after listening to enough experts andjust thinking about society’s habits, I think one thing is certain - themore an individual sees a brand, the more likely they are to remember itand to explore what it is.

So, how can we, as alumni, play a role in this effort? Let’s consider avery simple approach.

Take a look in your closet and see what Muhlenberg clothing exists inyour wardrobe. Do you have a T-shirt or a hat? Maybe you still have thatperfectly broken-in sweatshirt from your student days? Or maybe it’stime to pay a visit to the bookstore and see what they have…

My point is simple. Any alum can do their part by simply wearingMuhlenberg clothing – to the gym, to your kid’s soccer game, while trav-eling or shopping. I am always on the lookout for Muhlenberg appareland am curious, when I spot someone, if I know the person. And, even ifI don’t, I am always proud to be part of such an extended community.

I know I am not alone in this. Have you ever introduced yourself tosomeone you see who is wearing a Muhlenberg sweatshirt? Perhaps youwere driving and noticed a Muhlenberg sticker on the back of a car.What emotions did it trigger; did you speed up to see who was driving,if only to smile at them?

I am going to ask that you find your Muhlenberg apparel and make a conscious choice to wear it and show your pride in the College –a simple request that can help us brand the Muhlenberg name.

Sheryl LeBlanc Guss ’81, P’10, P’13Alumni Board President

ALUMNI NEWS

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 8

FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY

When Peter Allen and Carole BayerSager wrote “Everything Old isNew Again,” they must have been

thinking about East Hall.Muhlenberg’s oldest residence hall was ded-

icated October 24 in a grand ceremony thatshowcased the splendor of a renovation projectthat involved the collective efforts of the entirecampus community and once again returns thefacility to its status as a diamond-in-the-roughresidency for students.

“I’m sure many of you here today can thinkback on your time at Muhlenberg and havesome very vivid memories from East,”Muhlenberg College President Randy Helmtold the assembled crowd prior to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour. “…After all, Easthas always been known for its quaint andquirky charm.”

In fact the building was so special for someindividuals that they decided to name a space.Those individuals include Gregory Adams ’05and Heather (Lenz) Adams ’07; theMuhlenberg College Alumni Trust Fund;Michael Geller ’04 and Lia Geller, a former student; Michael Guido ’98 andCarlyn Mastracchio Guido ’98; and Rebekkah L. Brown ’99.

Whether some of East’s allure had beenstolen by the unending march of time is a mat-ter of individual discernment. Nevertheless thedecision behind East’s facelift was pragmatic,according to Richard Crist ’77, P ’05, P’09,Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

“Yes, East Hall had undergone some small-scale repairs, maintenance and renovation overthe years, but it was no longer considered a trulydesirable building for upper class students,”Crist said during the ceremony. “The board oftrustees recognized that a renovation of Eastcould reverse that trend and decided it wasworth the investment.”

That investment has paid off as the EastHall of today is now a state-of-the-art facilitythat meets the modern needs and expectationsof students, while also retaining the uniquecharacter of the past.

“It was critical to us that the architecturalintegrity of this historic hall remain intact,”Helm noted.

Mission accomplished. Working closely withSpillman Farmer Architects, the College wasable to preserve the original fireplaces and refurbish the original copper cupolas atop the south face.

Construction began on May 20, 2013 and

wrapped up on August 8, 2014 without a hitch,with East Hall ready, willing and able to welcome back students to campus a few weeks later.

It’s never easy to improve upon a classic, but Muhlenberg actually did just that with therenovation. Many would find it hard to imaginethat that the stylish and efficient modules thatwere added during the renovation weren’t always there. The modules proved so adroit at enhancing the value of East that it was recognized with an Award of Distinction (FirstPlace in permanent modular construction –commercial housing over 10,000 square feet) at the 2014 Modular Building InstituteConvention and was also awarded Best in Show for permanent modular construction at the same convention.

The renovation also added about 13,000square feet, allowing this landmark building to accommodate additional students and to provide handicapped-accessible bedroomsand bathrooms, common areas for students to study and socialize, kitchen and dining areas for impromptu student gatherings, asZachary Zimmerman ’15, the current HeadResident Advisor in East Hall, attested duringthe ceremony.

B y S t e p h e n A l t h o u s e , D i r e c t o r o f C o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d D o n o r R e l a t i o n s

East Hall Returns to Prominence: Dedication marks successful renovation project

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WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU 9

FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY

Muhlenberg Challenges Galvanize Giving

In September 2013, Muhlenberg College launched two incredible challenges designed to inspire alumni, parents and friends to support students by establishingendowed funds for scholarships and educational enrichment opportunities (muhlenbergconnect.com/muhlenbergmatch). The College set aside $10 million for the Scholarship Challenge and $1 million for the Educational Enrichment Challenge and offers donors a 1:1 match for establishing endowed funds between $25,000 and $50,000.

Muhlenberg College is truly grateful to the alumni, parents and friends who have established endowed funds in support of our students. For more information on the Match Challenges, visit muhlenbergconnect.com/muhlenbergmatch or call 484-664-3247.

With the help of theMuhlenberg Match program,Connie and Sam Beidleman ’63have established The Sam ’63and Connie BeidlemanScholarship. “We were veryhappy to make the investment,”Sam says. “And that’s what weconsider it – an investment inthe future of somebody here at Muhlenberg.”

As of Dec. 17, 2014

“As the resident assistants moved in over thesummer, we were amazed at the transformationthat had happened,” Zimmerman said duringhis comments. “The new space is beautiful,and the RA staff and the residents feel lucky tobe in such a wonderful new space. As one resi-dent put it ‘it feels like I’m living in a hotel.’”

As a four-year residential liberal arts institution, Muhlenberg houses about 90 percent of students in a variety of student-housing options.

“East currently has a mixture of seniors,juniors and sophomores living within its walls,”said Karen Green, dean of students. “Each ofthose students have different majors, differentagendas and of course, different personalities.And the renovated East Hall is now equippedto serve as a home that will create memoriesyears and even decades from now.”

Originally completed and named Berks Hallduring the 1904-1905 academic year, the struc-ture was one of three new buildings – togetherwith the Administration Building (nowEttinger) and the President’s House (now theWescoe School) that comprised the College’snew location in the West End of Allentown,according to information compiled by SusanFalciani, special collections and archives librarian at Trexler Library. Berks was informallytermed “East” prior to World War II for thesimple geographic location it occupied on campus and the name stuck sometimebetween 1943 and 1945.

During the renovation process, several artifacts were uncovered to the delight ofHelm, a historian in his own right.

“They were usually discovered behind baseboards and mantelpieces,” President Helmsaid during his remarks. “These included beercoasters, used book sale flyers, pictures ofsweethearts and postcards from home, to name a few.”

To learn more about the East Hall renova-tion process and to see photos from the event,please visit www.muhlenbergconnect.com

Challenge Gift Commitments Match Funds UtilizedScholarship Match $4,541,702 $3,791,702

Enrichment Match $1,150,000 $400,000

Total (both) $5,691,702 $4,191,702

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FEATURE STORY

MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 10

Murray Pomerantz knew the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He was bornthere; he shared the Eastern European roots of the Jewish neighborhood. Hiswomen’s clothing store, Berent & Smith, catered to the matrons. Adam, his

youngest son, watched him work. “He was amazing,” Adam says. “They came in ready to haggle. He’d say, ‘The tag says $30,

but for you, darling, it’s $25.’ It was a good business, but by the mid-’80s, 95 percent of thesewomen had either died or moved to Florida. Hipsters were moving in, the neighborhood waschanging. I saw that he needed to adapt, but I was 17. He was never going to listen to me.

“Sometimes he sold through his inventory, sometimes he didn’t. It was a hard life. We lived in the Great Kills section of Staten Island — my father, my mother, Roslyn, my sister,Ellen, my brother, Matthew, and I. Many of my friends’ fathers worked on Wall Street. Theynever had the issues we had. It made an impression on me. I wanted corporate success, asteady paycheck and chance to move up the ladder.”

It didn’t take Adam, Muhlenberg College Class of 1990, long to turn a longtime summer jobinto a position with Merrill Lynch. Four years later, he was a Vice President of StructuredFinance/Mortgage Capital for the finance giant. Surely, it was everything he wanted. Hardly, he says.

“The money was good, but the life wasn’t,” Pomerantz says. “I worked with guys who were miserable. I was about to get married, and I knew I had to get out. I had a small window to

Adam Pomerantz ’90couldn’t stand Wall Street,

so he followed his heart and turned

Murray’s Bagels into the most popularnosh in New York City.

B y D a v i d C h m i e l

Rolling in Dough

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FEATURE STORY

take control of the life I wanted.”He had a plan, one that excited him more than any big deal or corner office ever could.

He was leaving Wall Street to make bagels.

The ‘Hole’ Story“After four years, I realized that Wall Street was not what I wanted. I started looking for

other options,” Pomerantz says. “I lived on 15th Street and couldn’t find a good bagel in myneighborhood, so I knew that there was demand for a good, old-fashioned bagel shop. Withintwo years, I found a location, quit my job and got to work.”

He had a name, Murray’s Bagels, but he had no idea how to make them. He also had tolearn about building codes, health department requirements, ordering, hiring, design, in-storetraffic flow, marketing, payroll, and everything else a small-business owner needs to know.

“I was lucky,” Pomerantz says. “My wife, Joanne, and I had just gotten married. She wasworking for an architecture firm, and she carried us through some tough times. I boughtequipment and learned from an Egyptian bagel maker in Bloomfield, N.J. During the day, Isanded floors, hired help and did whatever else I had to do to open the doors. I borrowedmoney, begged my landlord to be flexible with the rent, got friends to find me plumbers andother help. About a year later, Murray’s Bagels was open, in a 600-square-foot store, with myfather, Murray Pomerantz, working the counter.”

Eighteen years after that, Murray’s Bagels is a staple of virtually every “best bagel” list inNew York City, straddling the line between neighborhood mainstay and tourist destination. Hetripled the size of the original store, opened Leo's Bagels (named for his wife’s uncle) near WallStreet in 2008, and now employs 60 workers.

“When we started, our older son, Ethan, was a baby. I didn’t cash a paycheck for two years,”Pomerantz says, “but our neighbors flocked to the shop, word spread, and the business tookoff. Now we sell more than 1,000 bagels every day in each location.”

Pomerantz stayed true to his father’s roots. “I wanted to make sure that we made authenticbagels, just like they made on the Lower East Side at the turn of the 20th century. Pretty sim-ple, really…they are made with flour, water, yeast, salt and barley malt syrup. That is what givesthem the golden shine on the outside, that snap when you bite into them. I don’t use preserva-tives, and we will never use a bagel rolling machine to make them. Ricky Greenbaum, the manwho sold me all my equipment, told me I should take advantage of available technology, but I realized then, and continue to believe to this day, that a hand rolled bagel is far superior. I will never use a bagel rolling machine. I did use it to hold our fax machine fora while, but that's it. Brian, our roller, is from Coney Island. He's been doing it for about 50years. Every bagel we roll looks unique, as it should.

“When I was at Muhlenberg, it wasn’t easy to find a great bagel,” Pomerantz says. “But Ifound a place about a 10-minute walk from campus that I used to go to. They are closed now. Iwent, probably more often than I should, to get my Jewish soul food.”

Bullish on the MulesPomerantz is proud to be a Mule. “I will never forget my first visit. I had an awesome tour

guide, Joanne, who was smart and funny. The campus was perfectly manicured, the kidsseemed happy, the professors were enthusiastic. I knew it was the place for me.

“I was taught about the real world of business. Those lessons were very important lessons to

ALL ABOUT ADAM

ADAM POMERANTZOwner: Murray’s Bagels, Leo’s Bagels

BORN AND RAISEDGreat Kills, South Shore of Staten Island

FAMILYWife: Joanne; Sons: Ethan, 17; Will, 14

HOMECobble Hill, Brooklyn

MAJORBusiness administration, Class of 1990

BUSINESSMurray’s Bagels (500 Avenue of Americas,

New York, NY; murraysbagels.com); Leo’s Bagels (3 Hanover Square, New York, NY; leosbagels.com)

BAGEL 101Adam Pomerantz tops most New York “bestbagel” lists. He prides himself on their authenticpreparation and taste. Here are his tips for look-ing like a bagel aficionado:

• If a bagel is fresh, don’t toast it!

• If a bag of bagels all look exactly the same,they weren’t hand-rolled. If they aren’t hand-rolled, they aren’t authentic.

• “Specialty” bagels (blueberry, cheddar cheese, French toast, etc.) are not true bagels. If you want to look like a local, order plain, sesame, poppy or everything.

• I’ve seen it all, and we are prepared for all requests, but go traditional. If you don’t know, ask.

• If you ordered a cinnamon-raisin bagel with lox, you should have asked.

continued on page 32

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 12

SPORTS

It was a fall season to remember at Muhlenberg. Of the seven sports whosechampionship seasons are in the fall, five

earned postseason (NCAA or ECAC) berths, asa team or individually. All four teams for whichthe Centennial Conference has postseasontournaments qualified for the playoffs – thefirst time that ever happened at Muhlenberg.Five of the teams earned regional and/or national rankings.

The Mules also got it done in the class-room. A record 39 student-athletes werenamed to the Centennial ConferenceAcademic Honor Roll, topping the previous fallmark of 37 set in 2005 and matched in 2011and 2013. Three Mules – junior Bryan Auvil infootball (first team), junior Tommy Hoffmannin soccer (first team) and senior LanceDotzman in soccer (third team) – were namedAcademic All-Americans.

Muhlenberg is one of seven CC schools tosponsor field hockey, football, men’s andwomen’s soccer and volleyball. Of the seven,

the Mules compiled the best combined recordin league contests. (see table on page 15)

Heading the list was men’s soccer, whichwon its sixth CC championship. The Mules,who were ranked in the top 10 in both DivisionIII polls heading into the postseason, capturedtheir first CC title since 2005 with 1-0 winsagainst Dickinson and Haverford, earning theright to host the first two rounds of the NCAATournament.

Muhlenberg advanced to the “Sweet 16” forthe fourth time in program history by gettingpast Baruch (4-0) and Catholic (on penaltykicks) and was picked to host for the sectionalsas well. The season finally came to an end witha 2-0 loss to Tufts, which went on to beat two-time defending champion Messiah the nextday. The Mules finished with a record of 15-2-3.

Football rebounded from a loss to JohnsHopkins in the fourth week to win its final sixgames and finish the regular season at 9-1 andearn a berth to the NCAA Tournament.Playing against a favored undefeated Widener Ph

oto credits – Jim O

’Connor/N

JSportPics.com

and

Bob Brand

meir

Senior Lance Dotzman was the third Mule to be namedCentennial Conference men’s soccer player of the year

Legends of theFall

b y M i k e F a l k , S p o r t s I n f o r m a t i o n D i r e c t o r

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SPORTS

Above: Football earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament

Left: Sophomore Nick Palladino set school records for completions (266), completion percentage (.691) and passing yards (2,998) in a season

Men’s soccer won its sixth CC championship

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 14

SPORTS

squad, Muhlenberg led late in the fourth quar-ter before falling, 36-35, on a field goal with10.2 seconds left.

The Mules were bolstered by a record-set-ting offense that averaged 38.3 points pergame. And as usual, their defense was stellar,holding opponents under 300 yards and 20points per game for the 13th time in 14 years.

Volleyball advanced to the CC champi-onship match for the second year in a row andreceived votes in the national poll and anNCAA regional ranking for the first time everin a 25-8 season. The Mules fashioned aschool-record 13-match winning streak in start-

ing out with a 20-2 record. In College athletichistory, only the 1945 men’s basketball team(20-1) reached 20 wins faster.

Field hockey tied its best CC record ever (7-3) and received votes in the national poll formost of the second half of the season.Muhlenberg posted a thrilling 3-1 win againstthen-No. 3 Montclair State early in the yearand won eight of nine in one stretch. Afterfalling 1-0 to fifth-ranked Franklin & Marshallin the semifinals of the CC playoffs, the Mulesearned a bid to the ECAC Tournament.

Women’s soccer set a program record bygoing undefeated (6-0-1) in its first seven

games and was ranked in the region for most ofthe season. The Mules qualified for the CCplayoffs for the third straight year, dropping aclose 1-0 game to eventual championSwarthmore, and received an ECACTournament bid.

Above: Volleyball advanced to the CC championship match for the second year in a row

Right: Junior Katherine Boll became the first Mule volleyball player to earn All-America honorable mention since 2004

Field hockey tied its best CC record ever

Senior Kayleigh Thies finished her career with 101 points and was the first two-time all-region selection in

Muhlenberg field hockey history Photo credits – Jim O

’Connor/N

JSportPics.com

and

Bob Brand

meir

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SPORTS

Men’s Women’sField Hockey Football Soccer Soccer Volleyball Total Pct

Muhlenberg 7-3 8-1 7-1-1 6-4 8-2 36-11-1 .760

Johns Hopkins 6-4 9-0 3-5-1 9-1 8-2 35-12-1 .740

Franklin & Marshall 9-1 4-5 8-0-1 1-8-1 6-4 28-18-2 .604

Ursinus 10-0 6-3 3-5-1 6-2-2 1-9 26-19-3 .573

Gettysburg 2-8 5-4 2-6-1 9-0-1 5-5 23-23-2 .500

Dickinson 5-5 3-6 6-2-1 5-4-1 2-8 21-25-2 .458

McDaniel 5-5 0-9 2-6-1 3-4-3 3-7 13-31-4 .313

Sophomore Jaryd Flank (right) and senior Luke Munyan (left) finished 1-2, respectively, at the Cedar Crest/Muhlenberg Invitational,

leading the Mules to the team title Junior Melanie Tramontina (wearing headband) won the women’s race

In cross country, both Mule teams finishedin the top 20 at the NCAA Mideast Regional(men 15th and women 17th), and Muhlenbergwas represented the NCAA Championships forthe 10th straight year. Jaryd Flank became thefirst Mule sophomore to qualify as an individ-ual and posted the best finish ever (92nd) by amember of the men’s team.

Of the more than 400 schools in DivisionIII, Muhlenberg was one of only four to be represented at the NCAA Championships inall three men’s sports (football, soccer andcross country).

Senior Colleen Touhey was named to the All-CentennialConference first team and the CC Academic Honor Roll

Right: The Mules qualified for the CC playoffs for the third straight year

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FEATURE STORY

United Nations ProgramHelps ’Berg StudentsReach Across Borders

B y L i a t K e s s l e r ’ 1 5P r e s i d e n t i a l A s s i s t a n t , P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s

For Muhlenberg College junior Gabriela De Frutos, an internship with the United Nations seemed like the perfect opportunity – after all, it’s in her blood.

“My dad worked at the Mission of Spain to the U.N., and my mom works at the Mission of Chile to the U.N. in New York,” said De Frutos. “After college I want to pursue a career in diplomacy, so Ithought it was a great opportunity to be at the United Nations andhave some experience.”

De Frutos was one of nine Muhlenberg students who interned fortwo weeks at the United Nations Permanent Forum on IndigenousIssues, an annual two-week conference. The U.N. website describes itthusly: “The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the Economicand Social Council with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues elated to economic and social development, culture, the environment,education, health and human rights.”

Muhlenberg students have been participating for 10 years. Theyvolunteer for the Indigenous Peoples Centre for Documentation,Research, and Information (DoCip), an organization within the U.N.that handles documentation and other logistical matters for indige-nous people participating in U.N. programs on a temporary basis. Thestudents help with tasks like translating and data processing.

Besides De Frutos, the Muhlenberg participants in 2014 were:

Student volunteers at the United Nations are: Christopher Gallagher ’15, Cynthia Pereira’15, Chayoot Chengsupanimit ’16, Lucas Esposito, Alexa Potter ’16, Joyous Pierce ’16,Gabriela De Frutos ’16 and Tyler Schoen ’15, pictured above with two U.N. workers

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WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU 17

Chayoot Chengsupanimit ’16; Nicholas Farmer ’15; Christopher Gallagher ’15;Cynthia Pereira ’15; Joyous Pierce ’15, Alexa Potter ’16; and Tyler Schoen ’15, all made aware of the internship by Dr. Chris Herrick, professor of politicalscience and diretor of the international studies program.

The team of Muhlenberg interns worked under the supervision of twoDoCip workers. Gallagher, a political science and international studies double major, was pleased that he found himself doing meaningfulwork. “Of course I did all of the normal internship stuff like makingcopies and filing paperwork, but it was so much more than that,” hesaid. “I felt like I was part of something greater. It was a completely dif-ferent experience than I signed up for, in the best possible way.” De Frutos, an international studies major and economics minor, also

emphasized the inclusive feeling she got during the program. “We werethere in the meetings and had the chance to listen to what the differentmember states or Indigenous representatives thought about various topics,” she said. “This summer was my second year doing the internship,and I found myself speaking to people in Spanish and French and also being

able to help the other interns.” Since most of the students are international business majors, they were pre-

pared and educated about the topics that were being discussed at the forum.Chengsupanimit, a native of Thailand who is a double major in international studies

(global trade and commerce concentration) and accounting, said, “As an internationalstudies major at Muhlenberg, this internship was a great experience for me. Some of the

indigenous issues that were brought up were topics discussed in my previous classes, such asglobalization. Taking introductory courses in international studies gave me a better lens for under-

standing these issues.” Gallagher, who was abroad in Geneva for the semester before he interned, noted that most of the issues brought up

at the Permanent Forum were topics that he understood from both his experiences abroad and his international studies at Muhlenberg. “Afterstudying about the United Nations for so many years, it was nice to see how it operated,” he said.

While Chengsupanimit and Gallagher found their classes prepared them for their time at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, De Frutos said that her work-study position in the political science department helped prepare her for the documentation portion of the internship.

Different aspects of the program moved the students in different ways. Gallagher was inspired by the individual speakers. “Quite a few successful individuals spoke who were still actively invested in the group that they came from,” he said. “These were people who, although operating in developed counties, were trying to help the developing countries from which they came.” Witnessing this solidified Gallagher’s desire to work in some capacity with a non-governmental organization where he can help represent the United States on an international stage.

Chengsupanimit found interaction between cultures to be the most meaningful part of his internship. “There was a fantastic turnout for music performed by those indigenous groups, so while they were all from separate cultures, music brought them together.” After he graduates,Chengsupanimit plans to work in accounting for a few years to help support his family back in Thailand. A student athlete, he also plans to continue his wrestling training in case he gets the opportunity to represent Thailand at the 2020 Olympic games.

For De Frutos, the most meaningful part of the internship was just the opportunity to walk where her parents walk. “I am very proud that at 19 years old I knew the inside and outside of the U.N. and I was able to really solidify my goals for the future,” she said. De Frutos spent the fallsemester abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France and is currently studying in Salamanca, Spain. She plans on taking the State Department ForeignService Exam next year and having a future in diplomacy. That sounds like a family plan.

FEATURE STORY

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COVER STORY

s the College’s 11th president prepares to take his leave on June 30, it is time to ask a question with both classical and modern dimensions. To wit:

Is Peyton Randolph Helm, called Randy at his insistence, the only man in the history of the world to have bothwritten a scholarly paper with the weighty title of “Herodotus VII.63 and the Geographical Connotations of theToponym Assyria in the Achaemenid Period,” and spent much of his adult life twisting the arms of well-heeleddonors?

“I don’t think there’s much doubt about that,” says Helm with a laugh. “I’m probably the only person who didjust the Herodotus part.”

That Helm is so securely a citizen of two worlds – the one academic, the other pragmatic – goes a long way toexplaining his success during his 12 years as president, a time of much growth, and, just as importantly, much stability for the College.

“Randy was the right man for the time,” says Dr. Christopher Borick, a political science professor who heads upthe college’s highly-regarded Institute of Public Opinion. “His personality, his approach to leadership, his pragmaticideas about how a campus should run, were what was needed when he arrived at Muhlenberg.”

Viewing Helm through a different lens, Richard Brueckner ’71, P’04, P’10, chair of the Board of Trustees for eightyears during Helm’s tenure, says this: “There are always natural tensions on college campuses, not just between the academic side and the business side but lots of other ones. Randy bridged all the divides with supreme skill.”

Helm’s crossover touch went beyond the fact that his academic past gave him cred with the faculty, and his fund-raising chops did the same for the Board. Though reticent by nature, as he concedes himself, Helm reachedout to the parents, to the community at large and to the students who will long remember his dramatic FreshmanOrientation entrances. He was Batman, he was Indiana Jones, he was a gladiator, he was Dumbledore from HarryPotter, and, of course, he was Achilles. (He never attempted the Greek historian Herodotus who would’ve doubtlessgone unrecognized.)

And there’s this: Helm – descendant of a Confederate war hero, son of a lawyer, husband of a distinguished musicprofessor – is also your guy if you need to put a righteous knot on that bowtie.

Randy Helm:Making ’Berg Better Wasn’tGreek to Him

b y J a c k M c C a l l u m ’ 7 1 , G u e s t E d i t o r

A

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 20

Helm was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1949, the middle son of ThomasKennedy Helm, Jr., a lawyer with a flourishing regional practice, and Nell, ahomemaker, who is still alive at 94. Randy was never attracted to the law, aswas his older brother, his father’s namesake who eventually took over the legalpractice. But the dinnertime chats, framed by his legal-minded father, had a

strong impact on his future as a scholar.“My father loved the law and rational thinking,” saysHelm, “and one of the lessons he tried to communi-cate is that there are two sides to every question orissue. He told us: ‘Only a fool would insist that he isalways right.’ My father was a very powerful influ-ence on me.”

Randy’s career path – the academic part of it,anyway – started to form in sixth grade when theAssyrians and the Egyptians, standard middle-school fare, took hold of his imagination. “Whoknows why that happens?” says Helm. “Theancients just spoke to me.” And he spoke tothem, signing on for five years of Latin,including one difficult stretch taught by, as heputs it, “the Bobby Knight of Latin instruc-tors,” as well as a couple years of Greek.

So by the time he was ready to leavehis old Kentucky home, he was prettysure he wanted to swim with theancients. And when his Yale tour passed

through the Sterling Library, he was NewHaven-bound. “There were all these display

cases filled with actual cylinder seals [small stonecylinders that the ancients rolled across clay to affix

a kind of signature on a document] from Assyria,” saysHelm, still relishing the memory. “My brother was at Yale

at the time, and, yes, that might’ve been a factor. But see-ing those seals clinched it for me.”

One could argue that Helm was at Yale at precisely theright time (1966 through 1970) for a future college presi-dent, who must be nothing if not skilled in the art ofcompromise. The campus was torn apart by studentunrest over the Vietnam War, and the archaeology majorfrom Lousiville negotiated a path between the extremes.

“I didn’t burn my draft card, I didn’t throw rocks,and I didn’t participate in a student strike,” he says. “Ihad a lot of things I wanted to learn.” On the otherhand, he was not unfamiliar with the anti-war move-ment. As a deacon of the Church of Christ in Yale,he revolved in the same orbit as William SloaneCoffin, the Yale chaplain renowned for his anti-war

COVER STORY

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way. So I went to a barber and got a buzzcut,which at the time absolutely no one had unlessyou were heading for Vietnam.”

Do photos exist of the buzz-cutted best man?“They do,” says Helm, smiling, “but you’ll

never see them.”

One of Helm’s seminal experiences wasgoing on a dig to Israel as a collegian. He continued his classical studies at the Universityof Pennsylvania, where he earned a doctoratein ancient history and became an adjunct assistant professor of ancient history and urbanstudies. (By “urban studies,” he deconstructedcity plans of ancient Babylonia, not, say, theNew York City park system.) It was during thattime that Helm produced his dissertation onGreeks in the Neo-Assyrian Levant and Assyrianin Early Greek Writers, as well as the aforemen-tioned Herodotus article, "Kind Hearts andCold Cash: Dowry and Bride-Price in HomericSociety," and a chapter on "Races and PhysicalTypes in the Ancient Mediterranean.”

No dowry was involved when he marriedPatricia Burton, a grad student in music fromColorado, and they settled into a campus life,

COVER STORY

22 MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE

views. Helm attended weekly meetings at Coffin’s house, which included discussions not just ofthe war but also of faith. Helm, a lifelong Episcopalian, emphasized that he never lost his.

But he did pick his spots for rebellion. At graduation, he eschewed the cap-and-gown for a suitand a black armband – “I’m sure we shortened the war by seconds, if not minutes, with thatprotest,” he says wryly – and took an even stronger stand at his brother’s wedding, where he was to serve as best man.

“My brother told me that his future wife’s family was very conservative, and he would appreci-ate it if I cut my hair,” Helm remembers. “I considered that a betrayal in the most fundamental

BUILDINGS/MAJOR RENOVATIONS:

’04-’05 Life Sports Center expansion completed’04-’05 Newman Center doubled in size ’05-’06 New Science Building completed, including the

creation of the Acopian Center for Ornithology ’06-’07 New residence hall completed– 2201 Chew Street ’06-’07 New Multicultural Center completed, housing

international programs, multicultural programs, classroom and student space

’07-’08 The Village residence halls completed’09-’10 Former TKE fraternity house redesigned as

Rehearsal House ’09-’10 Seegers Union expansion completed in August ’10,

including opening of The Robert and Ilene Wood Dining Commons

’10-’11 Newly renovated and expanded Hillel opens, alongwith new facilities for sociology and anthropology

’13-14 East Hall renovated and expanded

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

’04-’05 Muhlenberg offers accelerated graduate degree programs in Physical and Occupational Therapythrough Thomas Jefferson University

’05-’06 New minor in public health ’05-’06 New film studies major ’05-’06 New major in finance ’05 Two new faculty lines approved for ’06-’07 academic

year in political science and film studies ’06-’07 New minor approved in Africana studies ’06 Two new tenure-track positions approved for ‘07-’08

academic year in neuroscience and sociology. A third(non-tenurable) line was added in film studies.

’07 Three new tenure lines approved for ’08-’09 academicyear in biology, art and music

’09-’10 Arts management concentration within the businessadministration major

’09 New tenure line in Africana studies approved ’11-’12 New Jewish studies major’13 New general education curriculum passed by the faculty

HELM AT THE HELM: COLLEGE ACHIEVEMENTS, 2003-2014

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completed by the arrival of sons in 1982 and1985. The family of four lived in a Penn dormi-tory – these days, that would’ve been a surefirereality show – and for a while they loved it. Butthen Randy and Pat discovered that there was,in fact, great satisfaction in other dimensionsof living learning communities. So Randybecame Penn’s first College House Coordinator,developing living-learning programs across thePenn campus. Then he moved into fundraisingwhere he became associate director - and thendirector - of the School of Arts and Sciencesdevelopment office.

It was in the latter position that Helm,seduced by cylinder seals and ancient cityplans, began asking for money. “You have tounderstand that I grew up in a house whereyou didn’t talk about money,” says Helm, “andin fund-raising that’s all you talk about. So itwas an adjustment. But I came to realize – asanyone who fundraises has to do – that you’reasking on behalf of something you reallybelieve in. I could never ask for five dollars formyself, but I found I could ask for five hundredthousand dollars for the college.”

Patricia Helm, now an assistant professor ofmusic at Muhlenberg, says her husband’s tran-sition was rooted in his intellectual curiosity.“He’s interested in a lot of different things,”says Patricia, a scholar herself who recently gavea lecture in Austria during which she spokeonly German. “Randy authentically loves find-ing out about people. And when he finds outabout them, he’s able to ask them for money.It’s just a gift that he has.”

His successes at Penn grabbed the attentionof the administrators at Colby, a highly regarded liberal arts college in Maine, where in 1988 Helm was hired as vice president fordevelopment. It came with a pay raise so significant that Patricia asked her husband,“Are you sure you’re worth that?” She was kidding. He thinks.

Again, Helm had success as the man incharge of soliciting gifts of $1 million andabove and working on strategic planning withthe Board of Trustees and the president, a forceof nature named William Cotter, who Helmdeeply respected. Eventually Helm becamevice president for college relations, a position in

which he supervised 53 full-time employees. As the years rolled on, Randy and Patricia became committed Colbyites. Randy found time

to teach a classics course each year and Pat taught in the music department. Patricia also gave private piano lessons; her students included the daughters of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelistRichard Russo. They loved raising their sons in the town of Waterville, where they still own ahouse and spend part of their summers. “I thought I’d be one of those old souls doddering aroundcampus forever,” says Helm. “And if the thought ever entered my mind about becoming a collegepresident myself, I always thought, ‘I could never be a president like Bill Cotter.’”

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But gradually he came to realize that he couldbe a president like Randy Helm. So when hisname was put into nomination at Muhlenbergby Steve Dahnert ’82, in 2002, he was ready for anew challenge. And the College was ready for anew direction.

Many factors about Muhlenberg attractedHelm, who took office on July 1, 2003, but hesingles out three.

“I remember looking at the academic calen-dar and seeing that Yom Kippur was a collegeholiday. I’m not Jewish, but it showed me thatthis was a place where faith is welcome.

“Secondly, I noticed a welcoming attitudetoward gays on the faculty, the staff and the student body. That is not always the case on college campuses.

“Finally, though Muhlenberg was most defi-nitely a liberal arts institution, there was apragmatism about it. They weren’t snobs. Youcould take time to think here but you could alsoget a major in business administration. It was aplace where things got done.

“Plus, there is one other thing: Everyone was nice to me. I know they’re nice to everyonearound here, but it still meant a lot.”

And what did Helm want to add when he arrived?

“The only thing ‘missing’ was a classicsdepartment,” he says, “but I wasn’t going tocome in here and start one and, anyway, I neverthought it should be a priority. There was just somuch great stuff going on, things that we shouldbe getting more credit for, the main one being anextraordinary faculty that emphasized teaching.If you have that at a liberal arts college, you haveso much.”

In Helm, Muhlenberg found a scholar, a fund-raiser and, perhaps as importantly, a conciliator.Under Arthur Taylor, a strong personality,Muhlenberg had experienced enormous growth,but also a not inconsiderable degree of internaltension. Helm, more Athenian than Spartan, low-ered the volume around the president’s office –“He brought a leadership style focused on dueprocess” is the way Brueckner puts it – with an easygoing call-me-Randy charm. He was open to new ideas, whether they came from

COVER STORY

SOME MORE RANDY DETAILSIT’S NOT THE SOUTHERN CHARM

A native Kentuckian, Helm says that he does not slip into a sugary Southern accent when he’s asking for money. “I’ve never used it for that purpose,” he says.“In fact, the accent only comes out after I’ve had a drink or when I’m under stress.”

THE LINCOLN-HELM CONNECTIONBen Hardin Helm, a distant relative, was a Confederate brigadier general who diedat the Battle of Chickamauga. “Ed Bonekemper ’64 [an adjunct history professor]was very impressed when he heard that,” says Helm, whose extensive toy soldier collection mixes together Greeks, Romans, Rebels and Yankees. General Helmwas married to Emily Todd, whose sister was Mary Todd, Abe Lincoln’s wife. Emilywas a somewhat controversial figure, who, trading on the security provided by herbrother-in-law, may have been smuggling messages to Confederate forces duringthe Civil War. “If that’s true,” says Helm, “don’t hold me responsible.”

AN ARTS TRIUMPHHelm first realized that “maybe I could be a fund-raiser” when, as the associate director of Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences (he later became the director), hebrought in distinguished people from the arts and political world for a weeklongcampus immersion. They included novelist Norman Mailer, opera diva Beverly Sillsand former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

I’LL BE BACKFor someone with a Ph.D. in ancient history and a command of ancient languages,Helm’s movie tastes do not run to the sophisticated. “I rarely miss a Schwarzeneggeror a Stallone, things like that,” he says. His sometimes movie companion, Dean ofStudents Karen Green, puts it this way: “For Randy, the more explosions the better.”

PARTY GUYHelm’s predilection for donning a costume during freshman orientation has itsroots, says his wife, in birthday parties. “He loves ‘theme’ parties,” says PatriciaHelm. “I can remember a Robin Hood party for one of our sons, cakes in theshape of ships, things like that. He’s never been an actor on stage, but he seemsto have a theatrical bent.”

THE CHALLENGE, NOT SURPRISINGLY, IS …As Helm sees it, Muhlenberg’s next president will face the same economic challenges as every president of every small liberal arts colleges.

“Under the prevailing financial model, it’s impossible not to increase tuition abovethe rate of inflation if you want to maintain your buildings, offer great programs andpay your faculty a fair wage,” says Helm. “It just can’t happen. Tuition supplies86% of our revenue. We are tuition-dependent, just as most every small liberalarts college is. If income is stagnant, as it has been in our economy, it will remain a formidable challenge for parents to send kids to places like Muhlenberg withoutaid. We have to provide that aid, and we will.”

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alumni, faculty or students.One example is offered by Jacy Good, a

2008 grad. “I was a constant pain to Randyabout the environment,” says Good. “I’m surehe got tired of seeing me and hearing me, buthe never shut me out. We worked on thingstogether because he cared, and the result wasthe Campus Greening Committee.” (That isan initiative that focuses on recycling and sus-tainability and is still going strong.)

No college president raises money alone,and Helm had assistance from a strong boardand the considerable talents of former VicePresidents Tilghman Moyer and Connie Harris,and more recently Rebekkah Brown ’99. Helm’sfund-raising strength no doubt had somethingto do with his academic background.

“Randy’s process is to do his research, puthis points together and present the case, clearlyand impactfully,” says Mike Bruckner,Muhlenberg’s vice president of public relations.“He professionalized the development opera-tion and gave them more resources.” Helm also“Greeceinized” it to an extent; whenever hemade a speech, there was an ongoing over-under number as to how many Herodotusmentions he would include.

Among Helm’s accomplishments in expand-ing and making major renovations to the campus(see Focus on Philanthropy on page 8 and Helmat the Helm, page 22), two stand out for him –the completion of the new science building and the Village residence halls.

“I met with [chemistry professor] BruceAnderson, and we were told that the sciencebuilding would cost $30 million,” remembersHelm, “and I thought that was a lot of money.But I was noncommittal. So when Bruce wasasked about it he said, ‘Well, when Randyheard 30 million, he didn’t blink.’ Later I toldBruce, ‘From now on you’re going to see meblinking like I have an eye infection.’

“But we spent the money because it wasnecessary. We were starting to lose some of ourbest science students because of our facilities.Now they stack up with almost anyone’s.”

Helm called the Village project “a no-brainer”since the college had been stuck with dou-

COVER STORY

blewide trailers in that area for over two decades. It cost $11.5 million, and its modular constructionwas featured in the New York Times.

No college president leaves with the thought that he has accomplished everything on his wish list.Campus diversity is always a challenge, not just for Muhlenberg, but for most liberal arts colleges.Helm worked hard at it, helping to establish a new Multicultural Center and develop the College'sfirst comprehensive diversity strategic plan. “You cannot expect students from underrepresentedpopulations to want to come here unless there’s something that can make it appealing,” says Helm.“You can’t wait until you have a critical mass to start building programs, because why would theycome in the first place? We’ve made strides that I’m proud of. We’re as diverse as we’ve ever been,but not as good as we want to be.”

Bruckner is more emphatic about Helm’s success in that area. “I believe diversity on campuswill be Randy’s long-term legacy,” he said. “No president here ever took it more seriously.”

Helm touched upon numerous other Muhlenberg memories during two long interviews, such ashis initiation of the Board of Observers program (“I was careful to put that in during my honey-moon phase”), the establishment of partnerships with institutions such as Thomas JeffersonHospital and the Allentown Art Museum and an expanded and strengthened Hillel program, whichincludes a new center, a new director and two kosher kitchens in the dining hall. But it’s obviousthat his costumed appearances before the freshman class hold a special place.

“Freshmen are a little intimidated and insecure at that moment after their parents leave, andthey’re on their own for the first time,” he says. “So it occurred to me that if the president showsup and doesn’t take himself too seriously, maybe that will help them relax. The first time I heard astudent say, ‘Well, when I was a freshman he showed up as …’ I knew it was a success.” Andthough there is no hard evidence that any Muhlenberg students were ever in dire need of bowtieinstruction, the YouTube video of Helm ripping off a perfect one is available for viewing at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO96fvVhnfo.

You don’t need YouTube to view Helm’s 12-year handiwork. He made a difference in the classroom, where at Muhlenberg he continued to occasionally teach his beloved HST 207 “The Homeric Epic and Greek History.” He made a difference in the community, where on a regular basis he penned editorials trumpeting the benefits of the liberal arts education. And hemade a difference in the campus at large where, with a curious mind and a relentless work ethic,he helped grow the facilities and increase the endowment to almost $250 million from the $70.5 million when he took over.

It was his beloved Homer who wrote in “The Odyssey” that “each man delights in the workthat suits him best.” Peyton Randolph Helm found himself suited to two different kinds of work –to conjure up the ancient past while living very much in the practical present. And as he takes hisleave, Muhlenberg is much the better for it.

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CLASS NOTES

1936Louis Varricchio celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday, July 26 at CedarbrookNursing Home in Allentown, Pa. Celebratingwith him were his wife of 66 years, Sarah BigatelVarricchio, their three children (Andrea, Celesteand Louis) and their families, and about 25close relatives. An aide from PennsylvaniaSenator Pat Browne’s office stopped by to deliver a proclamation from the Senator, in cele-bration of Lou’s 100 years. Prior to the party, abirthday greeting had arrived from the WhiteHouse, signed by President and Mrs. Obama.Lou also received an acknowledgment letterfrom Willard Scott of NBC’s The Today Show.On the following Thursday, July 31, the staff atCedarbrook held their party for Lou. Wife Sarahand daughters Andrea and Celeste were alsopresent. More proclamations were delivered –from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, fromAllentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski (who namedJuly 31st as “Louis Varricchio, Jr. AppreciationDay” in Allentown) and from Lehigh County(Pa.) Executive Thomas Muller. Muhlenberg’sAlumni Office sent their best wishes and alsosent a special Muhlenberg Alumni baseball cap,which Lou proudly wears in the photo with his

wife Sarah. The Varricchio family had a wonder-ful week of celebrations marking Lou’s 100years on the planet.

1964Ron Smyser’s new book, “Family Business:Practical Leadership Succession Planning,”demystifies and simplifies one of the mostimportant challenges facing family businessfounders. He has also written a number of business management articles and has appearedon Money Matters TV to discuss issues facingsmall businesses. Ron’s initial career spanned 22 years with DuPont Co., where he fosteredinnovative leadership in technical, marketing,manufacturing and human resources functions.Subsequently, he led family owned, privatelyheld businesses in the semiconductor, factoryautomation, security and automatic toll collection industries. Over the last 20 years,Ron’s company, Spinnaker LeadershipAssociates, Inc. (www.spinnakerleadership.com)has assisted startups to global private and publicly traded businesses with insightful leadership and management counsel based onproven, practical business principles.

1970Joel D. Beaver has endowed The Jacqueline S.and David Beaver Scholarship in honor of hislate parents as part of the Muhlenberg MatchScholarship Challenge. Joel is grateful to be

able to provide the opportunities afforded himby his parents to future generations ofMuhlenberg students.

1973Dilworth Paxson LLP attorney James H.Landgraf received the 2014 Professional Lawyerof the Year Award for Burlington County N.J.The award is presented annually to lawyersfrom bar associations across the state who, byvirtue of their character, competence, andexemplary professional conduct, set a positiveexample for others in the profession.

1976Tom Graves was awarded the 2014 IBPABenjamin Franklin Award in History for his firstbook, Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans ofWWII and Korea. Regarded as one of the high-est national honors for small and independentpublishers, the award was announced May 28that a ceremony at New York University. Since1983, Independent Book Publishers Association,IBPA, the largest not-for-profit trade associationof independent publishers, has been the leaderfor education and advocacy.

1989Bill Kennedy writes, “This year, eleven AlphaTau Omega brothers and I traveled to NorthernIreland to play golf for four days in mid-June. The photo is us alongside of the oldestgolf clubhouse in Northern Ireland, Ardglass.Alumni who attended were Pete Belasco,Lance Hallam, Chris Lutz, Dan Allgor, DarrylHalterman, Todd McNamara, Brian Rozen,Rob Gibbons, Brian Masterson and RobEckerstrom.”

1990Mark Hanna writes, “I am proud that my son,Mitchell Hanna, graduated from Muhlenbergin 2014. He had a double major, Americanstudies and political science.”

1991Rose Associates, the New York-based full-servicereal estate firm, announced that it has namedMarc Ehrlich as its new chief financial officer.

Louis Varricchio ’36

Tom Graves ’76

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CLASS NOTES

As CFO, Ehrlich will provide leadership for thefinancial operations of Rose, its clients andpartners. Ehrlich will also provide strategiccounsel to Rose’s senior management as itfocuses on the growth of the company’s variousdivisions including development and third party services.

1996Shane Trayers and her husband, Jim Beahm,welcomed their first child, a baby boy, SilasAbram Beahm III on August 23, 2014. Heweighed in at 10 lbs., 5 oz.

1998Lehigh Valley Business has named ParenteBeardPartner Jeffrey Skumin to their 2014 FortyUnder 40 class. Mr. Skumin was selected for hisoutstanding contributions to the GreaterLehigh Valley, both in the accounting industryand community.

2003Rachel (Liebman) Franco and her husbandAndy, along with big sister Ellie, are happy toannounce the birth of their daughter and sister,Marc Erlich ’91

Jeffrey Skumin ’98

Silas Abram Beahm III

Alpha Tau Omega brothers in Northern Ireland

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28 MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE

CLASS NOTES

Olivia Mae, on February 12, 2014. She writes,“We are happy to have another mini-Mule inthe family!” • Jessica (Skrocki) Gould andScott Gould welcomed their son, ColinMatthew, on January 10, 2014.

2004Matthew Menard and Kim Menard are pleasedto announce the birth of their son, CooperJames Menard. Cooper was born on June 11,2014, and weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz. His uncle isJeremy Menard ’12. • Jaclyn (Minkoff)Goldin and her husband Andy welcomed theirsecond child, Samantha Rehm Goldin, on June10, 2014. Samantha weighed 6 lbs., 15 oz., andshe was 20.5 inches long. Big sister AlexandraRehm (age 3) couldn’t be more excited.

2005Dorie (Gillette) Morgan writes, “Brian and I arethrilled to announce the arrival of our secondson, Wynn William Morgan. He was born onMay 20, 2014, at 9:29 p.m. at PennsylvaniaHospital. Big brother Tristan loves having a lit-tle brother.” • Beth Slakoff and MatthewMcDonnell were married on September 20,2014 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Alumniin attendance were: Danielle Kline, ShannonSolheim, Katie Parry, C.J. Kessler, AndreaJohnson and Shannon Burke. • Michelle(Silacci) Thurlow and her husband, Allen“Terry” Thurlow ’04 are excited to announcethe birth of their first child, Luke MooreThurlow. Luke was born on July 10th, 2014,weighing 8 lbs. 5 oz. and measuring 20.5 incheslong.

2006Erica Cenci married Bryan Cordes on June 7,2014, in West Orange, N.J. Many alumni werein attendance. The couple currently lives inNew York City with their cat, Sully.

2007Geoff Zinberg DMD presented a poster enti-tled “The Upper Lid Split Orbitotomy: Reviewof Technique and Case Report” at the 2014American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial

Olivia Mae Franco

Samantha Rehm Goldin

Wynn William Morgan

Luke Moore Thurlow

Colin Gould

Cooper James Menard

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CLASS NOTES

Surgeons in Honolulu, HI. He is currently serv-ing as chief resident of Oral and MaxillofacialSurgery at Christiana Care Health System inDelaware.

2008Jordon and Jamie (Capodiferro) Grube werehappily married on April 26, 2014, in a beauti-ful lakeside outdoor ceremony in Perkasie, Pa.They recently relocated from suburbanPhiladelphia to Union, N.J. Jordon is a first yeardoctor in residency at St. Barnabas MedicalCenter, specializing in otolaryngology and facialplastic surgery. Jamie works for KormanCommunities, a luxury property managementcompany. Alumni in attendance at the weddingwere: Meaghan Healy, Kevin Ciccarello, Mary(Henning) Veltkamp ’06, Brian Veltkamp,Courtney (Tapkas) O’Brien ’06, Joe O’Brien,Alissa (Constantinople) Graham, KevinGraham, Matt Johnson, Tiffany (Elliott)Johnson, Heather (Podvey) Asip ’07, DannyAlumni at the wedding of Beth Slakoff ’05

and Matthew McDonnell

Alumni in attendance at the wedding of Erica Cenci ’06 and Bryan Cordes

Friends showed their ’Berg pride on the beaches of the OuterBanks while vacationing together in July 2014. From left toright: Kaitlyn Toto ’07, Steve Toto ’07, Julia (Lamborn)Altenburger ’07, Kristin Zieser ’07, Amanda (Linick) Brown’07, Mike Gawel ’09, Holly (Kolesnik) Gawel ’07, Pat Moyle’07, Diana Skowronski ’07,Hilary (Marinchak) Fowler ’07 andLauren (Whitehead) Moyle ’07.

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CLASS NOTES

Alumni at the wedding of Jordon ’08 and Jamie (Capodiferro) Grube ’08

Alumni at the wedding of Nicole Brett Bernard ’09 and Edward Louis Risener ’09

Alyssa Bruckner ’11 and John Allen ’11

Alumni at the wedding of Joseph Barrese ’09 and Nicole DiStefano ’10

Alumni at the wedding of Jenna (Neumann) Redden ’11 and Robbie Redden ’11include (L-R) Erica Langner ’11, Jillian Bevacqua ’11, Pat Fligge ’10 and Kristin Kettig ’11

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Asip, Chris Vinci, Brett Shaver, Dustin Goodand Jess Anselmi. • Drew Krumholz writes, “Iwas recently named the 2014-2015 UnionCounty, New Jersey Teacher of the Year. I amnow in the running for the State of NJ 14-15Teacher of the Year. I wanted to share this newswith my fellow members of the class of 2008, as well as current students, to show them thewonderful things that can transpire with a solidliberal arts foundation from MuhlenbergCollege!”

2009Joseph Barrese and Nicole DiStefano ’10were married on June 7, 2014, in Tarrytown,N.Y. Joseph graduated from New YorkUniversity College of Dentistry in May 2014and is an orthodontic resident at Stony BrookUniversity. Nicole is an advertising accountmanager at Cosmopolitan magazine. The couple resides in New York, N.Y. • Nicole Brett Bernard married Edward Louis Riseneron July 12, 2014.

2011Alyssa Bruckner and John Allen are excited toannounce their engagement to the ’Berg com-munity. The wedding will take place in July of2015 on Long Island, where both currentlyreside. • Sam Busa and Brian Goldberg ’08gathered with fellow Muhlenberg alumni,including brother of the bride Alexander Busa ’14 and Muhlenberg Professor andDean Kathy Harring, to celebrate their wedding. Muhlenberg alumni spanned theyears 2005-2014. • LisaMarie Ianuzzi is cur-rently in her third season performing as an NFLcheerleader for the New England Patriots. Sheis also a trained pastry chef.

2013Nathan Crossette earned a master’s inadvanced studies in physics from CambridgeUniversity. He is currently enrolled in a Ph.D.program at the University of Colorado inBoulder.

WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU 31

CLASS NOTES

Submitting Class Notes has never been faster or easier. Use MuhlenbergConnect (www.MuhlenbergConnect.com) to

share your milestones, news and favorite photos. If you are new to MuhlenbergConnect and have not registered,

please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at [email protected], or call us at 800-464-2374, for your first

time log-in instructions.C NNECT

Y O U R ’ B E R G C O N N E C T I O N

Alumni present at the wedding of Sam Busa ’11 and Brian Goldberg ’08

Nathan Crossette ’13

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given the cost of tuition these days, parents are less tolerant of misspent opportuni-ties than they used to be.

The vast majority of Muhlenberg students, the ones I know best, are an excellent bet to lead our society in the coming years. They are focused on thefuture: 96% are in graduate or professional school or are employed within one yearof graduation. They take their studies seriously and are determined to get the mostout of their four years at Muhlenberg: 34 percent double-major, many of themacross disciplines. They are highly competitive applicants to law school and medicalschool (92% of Muhlenberg grads applying to medical school over the past six yearshave been accepted – more than double the national average). They are engagedcitizens: 63% engage in some form of community service while at ’Berg. And,thanks to the wonders of Facebook (which allows me to keep up with our youngeralumni), they land good jobs, marry, have kids, rise to leadership positions in theircommunities and support their alma mater. Most of them, in fact, are doing betterin their first decade out of college than I ever did.

They are not sheep, they are not slackers, they are too intellectually tough andresilient to be ruined by waltzes, nicknames, chess, mechanical toys, movies, novels,or plays or by whatever else modern times will throw at them. As long as they con-tinue to ask tough questions, challenge received wisdom, hone their analytical skillsthrough the clash of ideas, make connections between ancient verities and newinsights, they will do just fine.

So, that’s one less thing for you to worry about. Be well, and thanks for your friendship and support throughout 12

wonderful years.

1 Or “The Kids Are All Right” depending on whether you prefer The Who’s song and documentary(“Alright”), or the more recent film “All Right”). This essay, my last as President of Muhlenberg, includesreflections shared with the Muhlenberg community in my last Dean’s List Convocation address as well asat various receptions on my “Farewell Tour” during the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015.

2 “The Merry Minuet” by Sheldon Harnick, famous for its performance by the Kingston Trio.3 C3PO in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” 4 Adolf Erman, ed., The Ancient Egyptians, A Sourcebook of their Writings, Harper 1966, pp. 190-191.5 Emiel Eyben, Restless Youth in Ancient Rome, quoted in http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2177 6 Robert Russel, A Little Book for Children and Youth: Being Good Counsel and Instructions for YourChildren, Earnestly Exhorting Them to Resist the Temptation of the Devil…

7 Memoirs of the Bloomsgrove Family8 “Modern Psychology in its Relation to Discipline,” Journal of Proceedings and Lectures 53: 658-661,National Education Association of the United States, 1915.

9 https://macblog.mcmaster.ca/fryeblog/2009/09/24/frye-and-chesterton-ii-the-great-western-butterslide/10 Hesiod, The Works and Days, 109 ff.11 http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=2177 12 Quincy Adams Wagstaff of Huxley College. Google it.

Peyton R. HelmPresident, Muhlenberg College

me, especially as we started building Murray’s Bagels. “If I can say one thing to Muhlenberg students

today – especially to business majors – it would be toembrace your liberal-arts classes. Being a well-roundedperson will make you a better businessperson. In yourpersonal and professional lives, you will need to talk to awide range of people, so you should feel comfortablespeaking about many different topics. Who knows –maybe it was my religion class or my art-history classthat helped me to break the ice with my Harvard-educated wife.

“I had a sculpture class, taught by Professor ScottSherk. It was so great to get your hands dirty and becreative first thing on a Monday morning. Sometimes,when kneading bagel dough or rolling out a bagel, Iremember my time in that class. Another memory wasJudeo-Christian Heritage, a religion class. Our teacherwas a minister; for our final paper, each student had to goto a service outside his or her faith. I went to Sundaymass with my friends the Kellehers. Near the end ofmass, the priest said, “Peace be with you,” and I saw people hugging, kissing, shaking hands. I don’t know why I did it, but I leaned over and gave this beautiful redhead a kiss. I had never met her. The Kellehers stilllaugh about it today. But I wrote the required paperabout my experience at Sunday mass. I got an A on it,and when the professor handed it back to me, he put his hand on my shoulder and said, smiling, ‘I just wantyou to know that I was grading these in the middle ofthe night, and I woke up my wife to read this paper toher. We had a really good laugh.’”

Pomerantz is most proud of the name on the flagship shop.

“My father Murray worked here until he died in2010,” his son says. “He was larger than life, the perfectcharacter we needed to connect with customers. I was sohappy to give him the opportunity to do something heloved at the end of his career. As word spread about ourbagels, people came from all over the world to take theirphotos with him. He loved every minute of it. It is sogratifying that he could be part of our success. My momis one of those ladies in Florida now.”

Ethan Pomerantz is a high-school senior now. Hisfather has taken him to visit Muhlenberg many times,but doesn’t think he will apply. “But our other son, Will,is a high school freshman. There is a chance thatMuhlenberg could be a perfect fit for him.”

By then, maybe he would be able to find a “Jewishsoul-food” spot near campus with a familiar name.

Rolling in Dough; continued from page 11President’s Message; continued from page 1

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Fall 2010 MUHLENBERG.EDU 33

IN MEMORIAM

1934Robert Evan Mentzer died on June 1, 2014.

He was predeceased by his wife Helen Aagaardin 2011. He is survived by two daughters,Carolyn Mentzer Byham (William C.) ofPittsburgh, Pa., Christine Mentzer Batten(David P.) of Baltimore, Md.; four grandchil-dren, Tacy M Byham and Carter W. Byhamboth of Pittsburgh, Erika Batten Goldwater(John A.) of Marblehead, Mass., Kurt D.Batten of Boulder, Colo.; and four great-grand-children, Spencer Byham-Carson and Olivia,Mitchell, and Bennett Goldwater.

1944Joseph I.C. Everly died on March 8, 2014.

He was preceded in death by parents, Wilmerand Anna Everly; brothers Will and FrancisEverly; and his son, Damien Joseph Everly. Heis survived by his wife of 64 years LorraineDitzler Everly of Lebanon, Pa.; daughterRosemary Linkovic of Harrisburg, Pa.; grandsonMatthew Bowman and his wife MadeleineBowman of Harrisburg, Pa.; granddaughterMichelle Bowman Dixon and husband MichaelDixon of Harrisburg, Pa.; great-grandchildrenEvan and Patricia Bowman, Joseph andGabriella Dixon; as well numerous nieces,nephews and cousins.

1946Rev. Alfred H. Erb died Saturday, May 10,

2014. He was the husband of Elsie M. (Keck)Erb, who died August 20, 2008. He is survivedby his cousins Newton Treichler Longacre andJulia A. Longacre and family.

1947Kenneth “Buddy” Dollinger died on

February 6, 2013. He was married to the former Joan Davis for 64 years, and was thefather of Reesa Greenwald of Roseland, N.J.,and Jeffrey D. Dollinger of Whippany, N.J.;grandfather of Jamie Snow of Livingston,Corey Liberman of Livingston, Jaclyn Stukey of Essex Junction, Vt., and Michelle Dollingerof Essex Junction, Vt.; and he had six great-grandchildren.

1948George F. Leymeister died on February 12,

2014. He was the husband of PaulineLeymeister and the late Margaret Leymeister.He was the father of Kenneth E. and Dave(married to Lisa) Leymeister; grandfather ofJennifer (married to Sean) Alwardt, BlakeLeymeister, Miles Leymeister, and the lateJason Leymeister; brother of the late DorisJones; great uncle of Brett Von Bergen ’10;stepfather of Tom Weaver, Linda (married toWalter) Komosinski, Todd (married to Pam)Weaver and Sally (married to Mike) Jackson;and is also survived by several step-grandchil-dren.

1950James “Frank” Franklin Brown Everett died

on July 23, 2014. He is survived by his wife,Thelma, of Indianapolis; his daughters, JamieSue (John) Schlenk of Fishers, Ind., andBonnie Allison (Jack) Frank of Maytown, Pa.;two grandsons, Daniel James of Noblesville,Ind., and David John of Greenwood, Ind.;great-grandson, Matthew James; and sister,Marguerite Reppa of Warminster, Pa.

The Reverend Marvin L. Harding passedaway July 18, 2014.

1951Donald Williams Haas died on August 14,

2014. Donald is preceded in death by his par-ents, Merritt and Rosa Jane and his wifeDorothy. He is survived by his daughter MarciaHaas and her partner Timothy Wood, and hisbeloved grand-dog Captain.

Dr. Frank Albert Krajcik died on July 24,2014. He was predeceased by his wife, IrinaBorisjuk. He is survived by his sister, ElizabethOlson of Stratford, Conn.; three sisters-in-law,Margaret Krajcik of Stratford, Conn., MarilynKrajcik of North Easton, Mass. and RosalieKrajcik of Stratford, Conn. He is also survivedby his six children and their spouses: Richard &Jody Krajcik of Pembroke, N.H.; DeborahKrajcik of Henniker, N.H.; Sandra Cashion-Massoud & Paul Massoud, of Utica, N.Y.; EllenWirta of Grantham, N.H.; Lorena & Frank

Montefusco of Raleigh, N.C.; and TanyaKrajcik of Weare, N.H.; 16 grandchildren andtheir spouses; and 15 nieces and nephews andtheir families.

1952Anthony J. Timar died on July 31, 2014. He

was predeceased by his wife, Dolores M.(Miller) Timar. He is survived by: children,Michele Eyer and her husband John ofEmmaus, Pa., Michael Timar and his wifeSandra of Phoenixville, Pa., and Susan Dreherand her husband David of Allentown, Pa.;grandchildren, Stephanie Smith and her hus-band Stanley, Melissa Kane and her husbandShawn, Matthew Eyer and his wife Angie,Jenny Eyer, Andrew and Adam Timar, AmyRyan and her husband Patrick, Lauren, Kelseyand Megan Dreher; Great-grandchildren,Makenzie, Reagan and Luke Smith, Aidan andLogan Kane, Molly Ryan, and twins on theway; and Sister, Margaret Feather and her hus-band Donald.

1953James P. Colagreco died on August 13, 2014.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria (Padula)Colagreco; children, Janice Colagreco, JamieJankowski and her husband Ed, AnthonyColagreco and his wife Tanya, and JuneColagreco and partner William Burns; grand-children, Michelle Allwein, James Allwein,Ryan Jankowski, Justin Jankowski, BiancaColagreco, Sofia Colagreco; and great-grand-children, Hunter and Logan Jankowski. Inaddition, he is survived by his sister, MarieWieland of Florida and predeceased by his sister Carol Ann Winslade.

David Beaumont Seay died on June 27,2014. He was predeceased by his wife, Lois. Heis survived by: his sons, David Jr. (and his wife,Nancy), and Rick; daughters, Linda (and herhusband James) Hurley, Dr. Susie (and herhusband, Mark) Richardson; 11 grandchildren;and 2 great-grandchildren.

1955Rev. Wilson R. Hoyer died on August 28,

2014. He was the husband of Susan L. Bowman

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 34

IN MEMORIAM

Hoyer and the late Barbara Hoyer. In additionto his wife, Susan, he is survived by his sons,Chris M. Hoyer and Mark W. Hoyer; two step-daughters; three grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; three great grandchildren; and abrother Paul Hoyer. He was predeceased by ason Matthew Hoyer and brothers William andLee Hoyer.

1956Walter C. Buchfeller died on September 16,

2014. He is survived by his sons, Glenn andEric; daughters Lynn Rogers, Jayne (wife ofJames) Richards, and JoAnn Tabor; nine grandchildren; and beloved dog Teddy. He waspredeceased by a brother, Richard.

Rev. Richard D. Schlegel died September13, 2014. He was the husband of Mary AliceSchlegel, father of Matthew (Kristin) Schlegeland Krista Rickel, grandfather of Jessica(Richard), Michael, Devon, Anthony and Alec.

1957Donato Casciano died on July 7, 2014. He is

survived by his sister Mary Rose Mavis; niecesRose Marie Mavis and Susan Mavis Schwoyer;and nephew John Mavis.

1958Stephen I. Stupak died on June 12, 2014.

He is survived by: his wife, Lucille C. (Phillips)Stupak; his son, Timothy S. (Michelle) Stupak;his brother, Joseph C. Stupak, companion ofGenevieve Lanski; his son-in-law, Timothy P.Boylan; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

1961David Wick Capron died on August 27,

2014 at Lehigh Valley Hospital. He is survivedby: his companion of 22 years, Betty J Mai;daughter, Susan Capron and companionRussell Ramich; son, Bruce Capron; stepchildren Hiram Cook and Heidi Perrett;grandchildren, Amber, Chris and Natasha. Hewas predeceased by his wife, Shirley Cook; son,David Capron; stepson, Frank Cook; brother,Richard; and sister, Phyllis.

1962John Edward Donmoyer died on August 16,

2014. He was the husband of Barbara (Rose)Donmoyer for 52 years. Survivors: father; wife;son, John W. Donmoyer of Allentown, Pa.;daughters, Diane L. (wife of Barry M.)McCooley of Center Valley, Pa., and Nanciann(wife of Richard K.) Knoedler ofCoopersburg,Pa.; brother, Joseph P. (husband ofHelen Donmoyer of New Tripoli, Pa.; sisters,Judy A. (wife of Berdell) Fatzinger ofWhitehall, Pa. and Joann (wife of Mark) Popeof S. Whitehall Township, Pa.; grandchildren,Jacob, Celia and Chloe.

1963Walter J. “Jack” Heintzelman died on June

23, 2014. Surviving are his wife, Barbara, whomhe married in 1976; his son, Jeffrey; daughter,Jennifer Eck (Jason); grandchildren, Brady andCharlotte; brother, Richard (Doris); brother-in-laws, Richard (Susan) and Steven (Kim), andseveral nieces and nephews.

Carol Anne (Langle) Lombardi died onDecember 8, 2013. She was the daughter ofthe late Richard and Bertha Ruehling Langle.Carol is survived by her daughter, Dawn Orzaand her husband Louie of Briarcliff Manor,N.Y.; her sons, David Lombardi and his wifeLinda of Katonah, N.Y., and Danny Lombardiand his wife Joanne, of Bear, Del.; her daughter,Diane VanderBrink and her husband Brian ofCincinnati, Ohio; nine grandchildren,Catherine, Lucien, Grace, Emma, Nicholas,Oskar, Abby, Joy and Paige; and her sister,Elizabeth Fitzgerald.

1964Georgeann Moses died on June 2, 2014. She

is survived by: her life partner Laura Irish;brothers Robert, Mitri and David Moses andhis wife Fay; her nieces and nephews DeborahMoses, Laurie McShane, John Moses, LeilaScott, Mario, Lisa and Dawn Moses; and hergreat nieces & nephews Colby, Jesse, Molly,Maddie, Devon, Gabriel, Julian, Alexa,Nicholas, Alex, Isabella and Max.

1967Robert C. Christy died on September 24,

2014. He is survived by his wife of 45 years,Linda (Wehr) Christy; a daughter, Laura, wifeof Joshua Rapp; a granddaughter, AshlynnRapp; a sister, Joan Christy Catalano, wife ofthe late Alan Catalano; and 6 nephews, MattCatalano, Ben Catalano, David Catalano,Charlie Wehr, Kenneth Wehr and Dylan Wehr.

1968Gregory R. Wells died on July 12, 2014. He

was married to Joy (Freeland) Wells. Greg andJoy met at Muhlenberg and were marriedshortly after graduation in July 1968. He is sur-vived by his wife, Joy, and their only daughter,Dawn Nadeau, who resides in New York Citywith her husband, Philip, and their children,Julia and Abigail.

1969Barbara Anne Farrow died on May 9, 2014.

Surviving are two sisters, Joyce Gifford and herhusband, Daniel, and Marguerite Gire and herhusband, Michael; and several nieces, nephews,great-nieces and great-nephews.

1972Susan (Thomson) Perry died on April 7,

2014. Beloved wife of 42 years to Ty Perry,mom of Kate (Ed) Penberthy and Jenn(Anthony) Gentlesk, Nana to Emma, Eddie,and Ty Penberthy, and Grace, Genevieve, andJoseph Gentlesk, sister to Doug Thomson,Carol Dowlen, Jo Pierson, and Ricardo Reis,and dear friend to many.

1981William P. “Bill” Debus died on June 6,

2014. He and his wife, Letitia B. (Neil), recent-ly celebrated their 15th anniversary. Survivors:wife; daughters, Laura E. Lehmann and hus-band, Horst J., Lydia W. Peters and husband,Earl A., Emmaus; sister, Judy Szloboda andhusband, Steve, Emmaus; step-sister, JanisGlassmeyer, Macungie; brother-in-law, TerrenceR. Neil, Jr. and fiancée, Ottie Willoughby,Macungie; nephews, Steve Szloboda and wife,Dez, Mark Szloboda, Emmaus; granddaugh-ters, Erin E. Peters, Elsie J. Lehmann.

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35WINTER 2015 MUHLENBERG.EDU

REUNION AND CLASS FUND CHAIRS

1949William D. Miers Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1951Theodore C. Argeson Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1952Harold S. WeissClass Fund [email protected]

1953Joseph H. Jorda Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1956Richard G. MillerClass Fund [email protected]

1957Wolfgang W. Koenig Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1958Owen D. Faut Class Fund [email protected]

1959Lee A. Kreidler Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1960Edward M. Davis, Jr. Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1961Richard L. Foley Class Fund [email protected]

1962Duane G. Sonneborn, Jr. Class Fund [email protected]

1964Patricia Dickinson Hoffman Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1965John E. Trainer, Jr. Class Fund Chair [email protected]

Sharon Brewer Lowe Reunion [email protected]

1966Timothy A. Romig Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1967David J. NowackClass Fund [email protected]

1968W. Russell Koerwer Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1970Diane R. Schmidt Ladley Class Fund & Reunion Chair [email protected]

Diane E. Treacy Class Fund & Reunion Chair [email protected]

1971Mary Daye Hohman Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1972Rev. Eric C. Shafer Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1973Jeffrey R. Dundon Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1974Betsy Caplan MacCarthy Class Fund [email protected]

1976Tom Hadzor Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1976 continuedGreg FoxClass Fund Chair [email protected]

Stephen HartClass Fund Chair [email protected]

Carolyn IkedaClass Fund Chair [email protected]

1977Steven and Susan M. Ettelman Eisenhauer Class Fund Co-Chairs [email protected]

1979Rudy A. Favocci, Jr. Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1980Kim Barth Kembel Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1981Joan C. TrianoClass Fund [email protected]

1982William J. and Tambria Johnson O’Shaughnessy Class Fund Co-Chairs [email protected]

Marion E. GlickClass Fund [email protected]

We want to hear from you! Reunion Chair and Class Fund Chair volunteers serve as liaisons between the College and their class. If you would like to get more involved,are interested in helping plan your upcoming reunion or have relocated and are looking for other Muhlenberg alumni in the region – let us know. Please be in touch with your respective class liaison(s) (names and email addresses are below) and share with them your accomplishments, successes and other important life moments. We’ll be sure to include your updates as part of Class Notes in the next edition of the magazine.

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MUHLENBERG MAGAZINE 36

REUNION AND CLASS FUND CHAIRS

1983Tammy L. Bormann Class Fund [email protected]

1984Michelle Rein Pressman Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1985Carolyn Ricca Parelli Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1986Paul “Chip” Hurd, Jr. Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1987Eileen Collins Neri Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1988V. Scott Fegley Koerwer Class Fund [email protected]

1989Jeff Vaughan Class Fund [email protected]

1990Ramy SharpClass Fund [email protected]

Sharon MahnClass Fund [email protected]

1991Christopher Parkes Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1993Jill M. Poretta Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1994Bret G. Kobler Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1995Alyssa J. Picard Class Fund [email protected]

1996Mikel Daniels and Melissa Wasserman Daniels Class Fund Chairs [email protected]

1997Courtenay Cooper Hall Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1998Joshua A. Lindland Class Fund Chair [email protected]

1999Matthew R. Sordoni Class Fund Chair [email protected]

2000Drew J. Bitterman Class Fund Chair

2001Christopher A. Lee Class Fund Chair [email protected]

2002Adam Marles Class Fund [email protected]

2003Laura A. Garland Class Fund Chair [email protected]

2004Robyn M. Duda Class Fund [email protected]

2005Chelsea M. Gomez StarkowskiClass Fund Chair [email protected]

Allison YoungReunion [email protected]

2006Elizabeth R. Hamilton MarreroClass Fund Chair [email protected]

2007Jason M. Bonder Class Fund [email protected]

Courtney N. RoosaClass Fund [email protected]

2008Allison C. Schnall Class Fund [email protected]

Kristel R. Dow Class Fund [email protected]

2009Brittany A. Barton Class Fund Chair [email protected]

Jillian K. Carnrick Class Fund [email protected]

2010Jonathan Falk Class Fund [email protected]

Alysea McDonald Class Fund [email protected]

Jessica Davis Class Fund [email protected]

2011Kelly E. Frazee Class Fund Chair [email protected]

Catherine S. Schwartz Class Fund [email protected]

2012Lisa PetersonClass Fund [email protected]

Jeffrey P. Brancato Class Fund Chair [email protected]

2013Nina E. Pongratz Class Fund [email protected]

Nashalys Rodriguez Class Fund [email protected]

2014Gabrielle AboodiClass Fund [email protected]

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37

THE LAST WORD

When one reflects on Muhlenberg over the last 12 years, the sense ofprogress, strength and accomplishment is striking. Our college stands ona firm foundation, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities

ahead of us, positioned not just to survive but to thrive in a rapidly-changing world. This positionof strength is the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of hard work and collaboration by faculty, staff, alumni, students, parents and friends, all led by Muhlenberg’s eleventh president,Peyton R. “Randy” Helm. As we embark on a year of presidential transition, it is important for ourcommunity to pause, look back and celebrate the many achievements of the past 12 years.

The most obvious and dramatic changes to our campus involve bricks and mortar. The LifeSports Center is only 10 years old, but it is already hard to remember what life was like before itsmodern facilities. The New Science Building, 2201 Chew Street and the Multicultural Center areall integral parts of the campus community, and all were built on Randy’s watch. The Village, withits innovative construction methods, was completed in the summer of 2008. While somemourned the loss of the TKE House, we all joined in the celebration of the completion of theRehearsal House as well as the much-anticipated Seegers Union expansion, including the extraor-dinary Wood Dining Commons. The building trend continued in 2011 with the opening of therenovated, expanded Hillel, in addition to the new sociology / anthropology facilities. The returnof East Hall to its former glory (complete with expansion and copper cupolas) completed anexceptional era of infrastructure expansion and enhancement.

The inner workings of an institution like Muhlenberg are less visible but every bit as important.Muhlenberg has operated with a balanced budget for 59 straight years, an incredible accomplish-ment, and its endowment has grown from $73 million to more than $247 million over the past 11years. The Talents Entrusted to Our Care: The Campaign for Muhlenberg raised more than$110,000,000, and the Muhlenberg Match challenge—still available for participation—provides$11 million to match scholarship and research gifts.

The academic experience has been enhanced with a new general education curriculum and theaddition of new faculty positions in Africana studies, art, biology, film studies, music, neuro-science, political science and sociology. There are now new majors in film studies, finance andJewish studies and new minors in Africana studies and public health.

And the world outside has taken notice. The theatre program, consistently ranked in the top 10countrywide by Princeton Review, achieved the #1 rank in 2011. Muhlenberg was further recog-nized as the #1 liberal arts college for the support and services offered to military veterans andtheir families. We were also the first liberal arts college in the nation to achieve Hillel accredita-tion. The recognition goes on and on.

As an alumnus, I want to thank Randy for his stewardship of Muhlenberg. He has kept the coreessence of my alma mater while making necessary improvements and changes. He is leavingMuhlenberg better than he found it.

As a parent, I want to thank Randy for the quality of care and education received by my chil-dren. Their Muhlenberg experience truly prepared them for life outside The Bubble. I also wantto thank him for engaging so many parents in support of the College, making it no accident that49% of parents support the college through financial gifts.

As a trustee, I want to thank Randy for his ethical leadership, his financial prudence, and hiscommitment to the success of the entire Muhlenberg community.

As board chair, I want to thank Randy for his professionalism, his candid counsel, and, most ofall, his friendship.

By Richard C. Crist, Jr. ’77, P’05, P’09Chair of the Board of Trustees

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2400 Chew StreetAllentown, PA 18104-5585

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDLehigh Valley, PAPermit No. 759

Christina Bryde ’15, Michael Chase ’15 and Lauren Alper ’15

We are members of the Class of 2015 and feel so fortunate to study at this wonderful institution. Becauseour experience has been outstanding, we want to give back to the College. That’s why we joined the Senior ClassConnections Campaign (SCCC) Committee. As part ofthe SCCC, we work to inspire philanthropy among ourclassmates and raise funds for our Senior Class Gift. Please join the Class of 2015 and renew your

commitment to Muhlenberg by making a gift to The Muhlenberg Fund.

• Make an online gift at www.muhlenberg.edu/makeagift.

• By phone at 1-800-859-2243.

• By mailing a check, made payable to MuhlenbergCollege, to The Muhlenberg Fund, 2400 Chew St.,Allentown, Pa. 18104.

Make your gift to The Muhlenberg Fund!

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