Viking Views 2023

The spring 2024 Viking Views alumni magazine.

Fall 2023/Spring 2024 A Publication of Missouri Valley College

Parisi MVC's President 14 th

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ON THE COVER

MISSOURI VALLEY C O L L E G E

Board of Trustees Chairman Matt Huston places the President's Medal around the neck of 14th President, Dr. Joe Parisi, during MVC's convocation and installation ceremony in August.

EDITORIAL STAFF Scott Queen Director of Marketing & Public Relations VIKING VIEWS 2023

Kameron Godsey Graphic Designer Elizabeth Cline Director of Alumni Relations Andy Pulverenti Sports Information Director

PRESIDENT'S CABINET Marsha Lashley Registrar Eric Sappington Vice President of Institutional Advancement Tim Schulte Vice President of Operations Dr. Terry Russell Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Joe Alsobrook Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Online Operations Dick Gozia Chief Financial Officer Paul Eppen Senior Vice President Mike Machholz Athletic Director Derek Bohnsack Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Scott Queen Executive Director of Marketing tAno Mateu Chief Information Security Officer

Viking Views is published for alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of Missouri Valley College. Our goal is to produce a lively, informative publication that stimulates pride and interest in Missouri Valley College.

MISSION: Guiding students to succeed through personal instruction and intellectual inquiry.

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Dear Valley Nation, My first year on campus has now wrapped up, and it feels like a whirlwind. But I really did take some time over the holidays to count my blessings. And as I told our board of trustees, I am overwhelmed by the heart of my alma mater and this community. Missouri Valley College simply wraps its arms around our students and gives them what they need. There are lots of great changes occurring on campus, so make sure you come soon for a visit. One of the first things I hope you notice is what we did with the Technology Center, which is now called the Welcome Center. Our admissions team and the student success team work here to give campus visitors a superb experience as they explore becoming Vikings. We’ve even put in a branch of Viking Athletic Goods down the hall to make sure visiting families get some gear! When it comes to the campus visit experience for alumni, nothing beats Homecoming! There weren’t many dry eyes back in October at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. And our Alumni Awards dinner was a tear-jerker too. It was so gratifying to experience these events as president, and as an alum. It was a great weekend. We’ve done a lot in the areas of online education, introduced a new Orange Carpet partnership program, added security cameras, renovated dorms, and revised our academic structure. But I want to elaborate on the most important change. It’s called the Viking Voyage, and it involves beginning with the end in mind. We are starting career conversations in the Welcome Center when families join us for the first time. We’re not waiting until senior year to polish resumes like many of our peers are doing. We’re working with our partners to build up career agilities and garner certifications and internships to help our graduates stand out. Please seriously consider the alumni request you recently received to look into helping connect students with internships. Lastly, I’d like to mention a couple of things coming up this summer. We’re going to have quite a celebration when we cut the ribbon on the new Julie Ann Deems Julien School of Nursing and Health Sciences. We hope you can join us. And I want to invite you to consider becoming a member of the President’s Society—a financial commitment that will pay dividends for students for years to come. Vice President Eric Sappington can tell you more about it. I hope to see you on campus soon!

Dr. Joe Parisi, President

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arisi P

Where growth is concerned, Parisi relied on his enrollment management experience to guide the admissions team to a 6 percent increase this past year. The campus also grew, and Missouri Valley purchased 26 acres of property near the campus. While the president has initial ideas on the use of the land, he is consulting with community leaders and the campus to find the best possible use. In his first year, there were residence hall upgrades and improvements, cameras added across campus for increased security, much-needed information technology infrastructure improvements, a new Starbucks in the Malcolm Center, and even a pizza vending machine at Burns Athletic Complex. Currently, he is conducting focus groups and visits to evaluate Missouri Valley’s unique value propositions, which he says will “guide all of us when we have the chance to talk to others about the college.” Dr. Parisi’s first convocation ceremony and installation at Gregg-Mitchell field in August was memorable for everyone who attended. After Chairman Matt Huston presented the new president with his President’s Medallion, the Missouri National Guard conducted a rifle salute. The crowd was entertained by Bear Brass, an ensemble from the Missouri National Guard’s 135th Army Band, and colors were presented by the color guard from Whiteman Air Force Base. Additionally, American Legion members from various local posts were in uniform and had seats of honor. Parisi has launched a God, Family, and Country emphasis at Missouri Valley College, reminding the campus of its religious roots and a values-based education. He has stressed paying tribute to the armed forces in the area, and specifically Missouri Valley’s historic participation in the Navy V-12 program. The exterior of the new Welcome Center is now adorned with the official seals of the branches of the armed forces, and will soon pay tribute to those who have served with memorial lists. He even brought in a muralist to paint a unique version of the American flag along Redman Avenue.. “Becoming president at my alma mater is both humbling and exciting, Parisi said. “I love engaging with our students and our faculty and staff, alumni and the community. I want to build relationships to help us forge a bright future for the college.” Parisi and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters. Gia is a freshman at Missouri Valley College, and Maleah is a junior at Columbia Rock Bridge High School.

Missouri Valley College’s board of trustees hired Dr. Joe Parisi ’94 as the institution’s 14th president in late 2022. Parisi comes to Valley after serving as vice president for enrollment management at both Central Methodist University and Lindenwood University for the past 24 years. “But now I’m home,” Parisi said. “I’ve had some life- changing moments on this campus, thanks to some wonderful faculty members particularly. Buckle up, because we’re going to change some lives.” Dr. Parisi spent his first few months serving alongside outgoing President Bonnie Humphrey. “We worked so well together,” Parisi said. “Her mentorship and onboarding was so critical to our smooth transition. She’s been a legendary leader here, and she helped me quite a bit.” Dr. Humphrey joked that working with Dr. Parisi was “like being shot out of a cannon.” Parisi implemented significant change over his first year, including reorganizing MVC’s academic structure to include five schools and the honors college. He and the board of trustees also led the fundraising effort to renovate and change the name of the Technology Center to the Welcome Center. That building, Parisi said, “is the front door to our campus. We need to put our best foot forward there.” The president moved the admissions office and student success office to the Welcome Center, with a refreshed customer-service approach with prospective students and their families. Philosophy changed as well, as the students and parents are now greeted with discussions about jobs, careers, internships and certifications, all a part of the new Viking Voyage Program. “We are beginning with the end in mind,” Parisi said. “Our graduates need to have even more tools in their toolkit—and the Viking Voyage will help us get there.” BECOMES MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE PRESIDENT

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President's The 2023 President's Gala in June certainly was one to remember -- the first for Missouri Valley College's 14th president. Dr. Joe Parisi celebrated with donors, trustees, friends, and family, and he was surprised with a special presentation of an endowed scholarship in his name. Above from left, Dr. Parisi's daughter, MVC freshman Gia Parisi, Dr. Parisi, his wife Brenda, his other daughter Maleah, parents, Angelo and Vivian Parisi and father-in-law, Gary Holland. Below from left, Dick '71 and Jane '69 Fry, David '74 and Jill '74 Corti, and Debra and Gene Harmon. G A L A

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Missouri Valley College recognized two pillars of the Marshall community — John and Donna Huston — awarding them MVC’s inaugural President’s Medal at the President's Gala over the summer. The prestigious honor was established by President Joseph A. Parisi to call attention to “excellence, extraordinary service and sacrifice, and commitment to Missouri Valley of the highest order.” Parisi said the criteria for the award includes significant contributions of time and expertise while making a positive impact on the campus for the betterment of students, faculty, and/or staff.” “My plans for the award began to percolate some time ago,” Parisi said. “But to tell the truth, it took no time at all when I started considering who might be a candidate. John and Donna Huston meet and exceed the qualities established for this honor. They are model citizens and esteemed members of the MVC family.” Parisi went on to say their sacrifices and effort at Missouri Valley College have made a significant difference over the years, and “their passion for this institution has fueled their effort to make Missouri Valley a better place.” Donna, a 1955 graduate of MVC, received the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1986, and was inducted into the Valley Women Hall of Fame in 1988. John served on the MVC board of trustees for 50 years (1963-2013). He worked 66 years at Wood & Huston Bank before his retirement as chairman of the bank’s board in 2015. FIRST PRESIDENT’S MEDAL AWARDED TO Hustons

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VALLEY OPENS New Welcome Center Alumni, faculty, staff, and community leaders kicked off Homecoming Weekend 2023 with a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of Missouri Valley College’s new Welcome Center. The building, formerly known as the Technology Center, sits at the campus’ front door, and now houses the admissions and student success teams. It is now the first stop for future students and their families. Just inside the front door, Missouri Valley College President Joe Parisi cut the ribbon along with Matt Huston, MVC chairman of the board, and about 200 guests. “This Welcome Center helps us greet our visitors in the right fashion,” said Parisi. “This building represents the focal point for our future. We’re making a warm statement about welcoming and embracing our guests. All are welcome here.” The college’s board of trustees helped this vision become a reality by raising more than $250,000 to renovate and upgrade the building, which also houses the Eckilson-Mabee Theatre, Stewart Chapel, and now, a new Viking apparel shop. Walking into the front door of the Welcome Center, no one can miss the feature wall just to the right, where visitors see a new eye-catching “God, Family, Country” mural. “God, Family, Country is very important to me,” Parisi said. “Our chapel sits in this building, and so, so many kids from all faiths worship here.” Parisi went on to talk about Missouri Valley’s rich military history with the Navy V-12 program, and strong connections to nearby military neighbors, such as the National Guard and Whiteman Air Force Base. A large Wall of Honor display on the outside of the Welcome Center is being developed, and includes recognition of each branch of service. The element of family is a “strong component on our campus as well,” Parisi said. “Family spirit is really what we are all about. The relationships our faculty build with students, and the bonds the athletes have with their coaches…it’s what Missouri Valley is all about.” Parisi said Missouri Valley is connected to thousands of veterans and of faith-filled alumni. “This is a very inclusive community and learning environment,” he said. “We are going to embrace it.”

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Convocation

& INSTALLATION

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Missouri Valley College celebrated the installation of its 14th president during a outdoor ceremony in August, followed by a campus picnic. Students and faculty filled the stands and played a prominent role in the ceremony, along with alumni, trustees, and community members. "It was a perfect and memorable day," said President Joe Parisi. "I'll never forget it." Top left: Dr. Parisi with Bear Brass an ensemble from the Missouri National Guard's 135th Army band. Top right: Dr. Parisi and his wife, Brenda. Middle left: The student section was colorful. Bottom left: Mayor Vince Lutterbie spoke at the ceremony. Bottom right: Dr. Parisi had a long line of students who wanted selfies with him.

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Homecoming 2023 OCTOBER 13-15, 2023

Valley

GLOW

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CROWD HONORS VALLEY’S It was a packed house in the Malcolm Center during Homecoming 2023 for the Missouri Valley College Outstanding Alumni Awards dinner and ceremony. Valley came together to recognize Colin Smith ’10, LaTonya Turner ’86, Derek Lark ’97 and Outstanding Young Alumnus Omar AlRefae ’16. “I was blown away with this event,” said new President Joe Parisi ’94. “The emotional storytelling, the fond memories, the tears, the joy. I’ll never forget it.” Outstanding Alumni

Colin Smith ‘10

Colin Smith is a 2010 graduate with a degree in nonprofit management and leadership. Colin came to Missouri Valley as a student in the spring of 2006. He was a member of one of the most successful Viking football teams in history, a team that was inducted into the MVC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. After graduating, Colin stayed on as a graduate assistant and completed a degree in education administration. He took on a full-time role in the athletic department serving as associate athletic director, director of game-day operations and director of diversity and inclusion until 2021. In December of 2021, Colin accepted the position of associate athletic director of internal operations and equity at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. Colin has remained an engaged alumnus, and has served on the alumni advisory board for a number of years. Colin and his wife Kim live in Asheville, NC. Derek Lark graduated with a degree in biology and also an education degree. He completed his masters of educational administration in 2003, and his education specialist degree in 2007. Derek was involved in Sigma Nu, men’s soccer and men’s wrestling, which became his passion. He played both sports his freshman year, but wrestling quickly became his first love. Derek was a two-time all American, and while completing his second degree at MVC, he served as a graduate assistant under Coach Mike Machholz. He was on the coaching staff during all three of the wrestling team’s national championships. He started his teaching career in Marshall and his career moved quickly into administration. He now serves as superintendent of the Santa Fe School District in Alma, Mo., where he and his wife and MVC alumna Gentry reside. They are proud of their three daughters, two who are currently attending Missouri Valley College.

Derek Lark ‘97

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LaTonya (Blanden) Turner ‘86

Dr. LaTonya (Blanden) Turner graduated with a degree in mass communications. She holds a master’s in education from Indiana University and earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership from Indiana State University. She was a member of the track team and a founding member of Psi Alpha Psi. She worked at the campus radio station, hosting her own radio show, and worked behind the scenes for the campus TV station. For more than 25 years as a professional educator, Dr. Turner has always sought to ensure every student, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic standing, was amply equipped to maximize their potential and serve the greater good. She is currently the dean of the Fred S. Klipsch Educators College at Marian University and is the first African American dean there. Dr. Turner and her husband, Nate, live in Zionville, Ind. and have a son who lives and works in New York. Omar AlRefae is a 2016 graduated with a degree in computer information systems. During his time as a student, he was involved with the men’s basketball program and Student Government Association, and he served as a hall director for student affairs. During the summer months, he worked in the registrar’s office. After graduating, Omar became a staff member and won the President's Staff Excellence Award in his first year of employment. He became an integral part of campus, developing custom software to fill gaps that existing software couldn't provide. Omar had a vision for constantly improving Missouri Valley and worked tirelessly to accomplish that. He became CIO at age 27, and sat on the president's cabinet. He earned a master’s degree in computer science at Georgia Tech University, where his keystone project was selected by a healthcare startup affiliated with the Harvard School of Business. Omar is now the director of enterprise applications at Washington University in St. Louis.

Omar AlRefae ‘16

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COUPLE RETURNS TO CAMPUS After 40 years By SCOTT QUEEN

On June 19, 1982, there was a small, but significant wedding in the Mabee Memorial Chapel on the campus of Missouri Valley College. Two Valley alums, Ed Farricker ’80 and Mitzi Medley ’81 were the first couple

As the years passed, they often reminisced about their days at Valley, particularly their memories of a snow- covered campus. They loved sharing stories about meeting in the fall of 1978, and their first official date on Valentine’s Day 1979 when they spent hours together after decorating the Ferguson Center. Through the years, Mitzi maintained a close relationship with her Alpha Xi Delta sorority sister and roommate, Rhonda Moore Helling, but despite Rhonda’s nudging, the Farrickers never found the time to return to campus. Until this year. After a carefully orchestrated retirement together, in late spring visit in over 40 years. “It was like stepping back in time when we arrived,” said Ed. “We were by the library and we saw these big mature trees that were saplings when we were on campus. It was kind of a metaphor for us.” “It was different in a lot of ways, but when I saw all the students and cheerleaders and their excitement, it took me back for sure,” Mitzi said. The campus, Ed said, “is absolutely beautiful. And the facilities just blew us away.” Their Homecoming visit was a perfect trip down memory lane, but they assured Rhonda they are already planning to spend Homecoming ’24 back at their alma mater. 2023, one of the first things they planned was their long overdue trip to Marshall, Mo. for Homecoming at Missouri Valley. Rhonda got a phone call, and planning had begun for the first

to marry in the chapel. They didn’t stay around Marshall for long. Ed was headed to law school in California and Mitzi was about to learn about the bureaucracy teachers face when they move from one state to another. “Mitzi would need to be the

primary earner while I was in law school,” Ed said. “She worked two non-education jobs back to back for 12-14 hours a day to support us.” On the day Ed passed the California bar exam, Mitzi was finally able to quit both jobs and pursue a teaching position. She ended up following her passion, teaching special education and students with disabilities. Most of her career would be in the town of Glendora, where the Farrickers lived and raised their children. Ed practiced law as a civil attorney for 20 years, but it took him away from home for a significant amount of time. He spent his last 17 years as a general counsel, which provided an acceptable work/life balance. “Other than the occasional wedding trip or rare opportunities to visit family in Missouri or on the east coast, our respective schedules were never in sync,” Ed said. “Mitzi and I took exactly one ‘real’ vacation together during our first 19 years of marriage.”

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Missouri Valley College has renewed its commitment to God, Family, and Country both visually and in practice. Visual elements are on display inside the new Welcome Center, where a new God, Family, Country mural is on display for all to see. Outside the Welcome Center and at the entrance to Stewart Chapel are discs that represent each brand of military service. Plans are in the works for a Wall of Honor to recognize veterans. Missouri Valley’s convocation and installation ceremony provided honored seats to local veterans, and participants included the Missouri National Guard and the Air Force, presenting colors, playing patriotic music, and offering a rifle salute. Chapel services have grown this semester, causing the administration to consider moving the services to nearby Eckison- Mabee Theatre. And Chaplain Paul List is scrambling in another area as well---requests for his Sunday Scriptures email blast are growing daily. MVC created A God, Family, Country page on the institutional website as well. GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY PRIORITIZED AT MVC

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Claire Schmidt

RECEIVES '23 McCALLUM AWARD

By MAVRICK ALEXANDER

Veteran faculty member Dr. Claire Schmidt is the 2023 recipient of the prestigious John McCallum Excellence in Teaching Award, presented annually to one Missouri Valley College faculty member whose peers acknowledge their academic excellence, hard work and dedication to the students of the college. “I was completely shocked and surprised, said Schmidt, an associate professor of English, “The stuff that meant the most to me was the things that my students and colleagues said about me.” Schmidt teaches courses in British and world literature and writing. Her areas of literary expertise include early medieval British literature, Chaucer, postcolonial British fiction, and global mystery fiction. “I think that's what we try to do as teachers, is to see our students and to let them know that they are seen,” said Schmidt, “so it’s almost a shocker, a little bit shocking to realize that you are also being seen.” Schmidt specializes in creative nonfiction, public writing, and grant writing. As a folklorist, her research is focused on the everyday, specifically occupational humor and foodways and race. She is the author of If You Don’t Laugh You’ll Cry: The Occupational Humor of White Wisconsin Prison Workers (2017, University of Wisconsin Press) and has published her research in Western Folklore, Digest: A Journal of Foodways and Culture, Oral Tradition , as well as in edited collections, including Reading Mystery Science Theatre: Critical Approaches and History of Folklore Studies in the United States and Canada.

I was completely shocked and surprised...

“The success of one person is the success of everyone. When one person at Valley wins, that means that everyone is lifted, and that’s the whole point we are here,” she said.. Schmidt also helps lead the charge for MVC’s Student Research Symposium, a professional opportunity for our students to share academic, professional, and creative work with the entire campus community. Twice a year, students can participate in the Symposium with submissions of original research, reviews, scholarly essays, creative writing, performance, film and original artwork. During the symposium, outstanding student work is recognized with three awards for excellence in undergraduate student research. “It is an amazing opportunity for students to show off their work, to gain real experience presenting at the professional level, to build a valuable internet footprint for themselves that will communicate the type of professional they are once they leave our campus,” she said. Schmidt received her bachelor’s in English from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, master’s in English at the University of Missouri, and her PhD in English with a concentration in folklore, oral tradition, and cultural studies, from the University of Missouri.

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More than 130 students shared their academic, creative and professional work at the Fall 2023 Missouri Valley College Student Research Symposium. This was the first symposium to be highlighted by the presentation of four $500 academic scholarships to the Excellence in Student Research winners. “The Symposium was outstanding,” said President Joe Parisi. “Kudos to not only our winners but all the students who worked so hard. And I also appreciate the 25 faculty and staff volunteers who made it happen.” Fall 2023 Student Research Symposium award winners included: Best Poster: Felipe Souza and Raphael Battini for “Sensory Rooms.” Best Presentation: Sage Carter “Irish Astronomy: Analyzing the Ancient Irish Passage Tombs.” Best Creative Work: Shane Rodriguez “Logo Branding Process.” Graduate Capstone: Alexis Livingston “Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Utilizing the Anion Gap for Treatment.” Honorable mentions in the poster category were awarded to Georgi Vlahov for “Ebola”; and Ashton Doran for “Investigating HIV/AIDS”; honorable mentions in best presentation went to: Valentine Laser for “Sports-Related Injuries and their Effects” and Lorenzo Celiento for “What’s in the Matrix:’ Honorable mentions in Best Creative Work went to DeRel Morris for “Who Are You, Truly?” and Chane Higgo for “Formula 1 Stickers.” The Student Research Symposium is sponsored by the Missouri Valley College Office of Academic Affairs, the MVC Office of the President, Alpha Chi, the School of Business and Technology, the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Education and Social Sciences, the Honors College, the MACC Program, the School of Science and Agriculture, MVC Libraries, and the School of Nursing and Health Science. The spring 2024 Student Research Symposium is set for April 29. More information will follow. Scholarships Awarded at Student Research Symposium

New Virtual Tour Debuts Missouri Valley College has launched a new virtual tour on its website, allowing prospective students, alumni, and other visitors a chance to have personal and up-close view of the campus. The tour can be located by navigating to moval. edu and clicking on “take our virtual tour.” The tour offers embedded videos, photographs, captions, and more. Please check back frequently, as new content is loaded into the tour almost weekly.

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FIRST VALLEY SELECT

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Missouri Valley College launched a new academic scholarship competition in the fall called Valley Select— and the competition culminated in December with a presentation of a full tuition scholarship.

President Joe Parisi presented the first prestigious Valley Select Scholarship to Ella LaDue of Orrick, Mo in a surprise ceremony on campus. LaDue, quickly high-fived the president and posed with her parents and her siblings for photos with a big check made out in the amount of a four-year full tuition scholarship.

“Ella LaDue, congratulations on being the winner of the Valley Select Scholarship competition,” said Parisi. “We’re honored to recognize high achievers like you.” Parisi said LaDue was an exceptional candidate with a high GPA and ACT score, along with “unmatched work ethic and a servant’s heart.” Parisi said LaDue did an incredible job navigating the essay and interview portions of the process. About 75 students, faculty, staff, and cheerleaders were in on the surprise and welcomed her to campus during a reception. Other competitors in the Valley Select competition also received award packages.

FALL ENROLLMENT

INCREASES AT MVC

Missouri Valley College reported strong enrollment growth in nearly every area of the institution in the fall. New freshmen and transfer students grew 12 percent for the 2023 academic year, and returning students grew by 6 percent over the prior year. The increases coincide with the arrival of Missouri Valley’s 14th president, Dr. Joe Parisi, who spent the largest part of his career growing enrollment at Midwest area colleges. Parisi said he is proud of his admissions, athletics, and retention teams “who did the heavy lifting to make this growth a reality. “So many colleges across the country did not see great numbers in the fall,” Parisi said. “We have a community, and a region, that is showing how much they value a Missouri Valley College education.” Parisi said there were many new features that attracted the new class, including big changes in student services, where the college spent over a $1 million on software that streamlines the enrollment, financial aid, and housing signup experiences. Other key factor to the encouraging report are improvements to housing and campus security, as well as Missouri Valley College’s new online presence, where several popular degree programs were added.

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TAKING PIZZA TO

THE NEXT LEVEL

The Midwest’s first pizza vending machine arrived in Marshall in late July. And Missouri Valley College students were soon lining up for the four-minute pies. Liz Huff, owner of Catalpa Restaurant in Arrow Rock, Mo., was busy making hundreds of pizzas to keep the machine stocked. She and Missouri Valley College’s new president, Dr. Joe Parisi, cooked up the idea in the spring when Huff was a speaker for the Maastricht Institute of Entrepreneurship on the MVC campus.

Just a couple of months after that initial discussion, a kiosk-type machine that is about the size of an ATM arrived all the way from France. It sits outside of Burns Athletic Complex, and is popping out hot and delicious pies, as well as warm cookies. “Our students are literally eating this up,” Parisi said. “Liz Huff is such a true entrepreneur and she is modeling that for us in our school of business. I think we’re going to see these machines all over the Midwest very soon.” Huff said the machine stores up to 96 pizzas/ cookies in a refrigerated zone. When an order comes in via a Smart Pizza mobile app or is directly keyed in at the front of the machine, a 12- inch pizza moves into one of the two stone-bottom ovens that fires up to close to 700 degrees. She and her company, Lot-za Pizza, plan all the varieties of pizza one might expect, and more. She plans to have special promotional items as well.

PROUDLY SERVING

Starbucks

Missouri Valley College began proudly serving Starbucks coffee in the Malcolm Center Bistro soon after Dr. Joe Parisi arrived on campus, and the coffee shop became a big hit among students and community members.

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‘ENDLESS BASEBALL GAME’

By SCOTT QUEEN HAD A VALLEY CONNECTION

Labor Day Weekend is a time for relaxing with family and having a little barbecue. But that wasn’t the case for one Missouri Valley College alumnus. In fact, Jeffery Bartolotta ’78 might have had the most stressful weekend of his life during Labor Day Weekend 2023– getting into the Guinness Book of Records for what is now called The Endless Game, a continuous baseball game in Kansas City that lasted over 100 hours. For Bartolotta, it was a Labor Day of love. Not only did he participate in the game as a catcher, he spent hours and hours earlier as one of its many organizers. “It took two years to put together,” he said. “Someone saw that the record for the longest baseball game was held by a group in Canada. They decided to bring it home to Kansas City.

“There were quite a bit of rules and regs to make sure we qualified to get into the book,” Bartolotta said. “All the way down to continuous cameras on the official game clock, to umpire volunteers, timers, backup power systems, and volunteers and restaurants to bring in food.” Players were not allowed to leave the immediate field area for the entire weekend, so uniforms were washed and dried on site. There was even a backup power system for the lights, and witness signatures every two innings on the official scorebook. Bartolotta said Team Courage and Team Strength had 30 players each, who rotated in and out of the game every four hours. “It was just as much a mental drain as it was physical,” he said. “Of course, you had to hit, run, catch, and throw. But you weren’t really playing to win, you were playing to finish.”

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After 83 hours, the record was broken. But Courage and Strength weren’t finished. They continued playing past the 100-hour mark. “The rep from Guinness was there the last eight hours, to check continuous play, document things, and review the scorecard,” he said. After it was all over, Bartolotta said an on-field celebration ensued. “We were exhausted, tired, thrilled,” he said. “It was a great experience. There were lots of hugs. So many people from all walks of life. It was pretty cool.” A retired construction project manager, Bartolotta said baseball has been a passion of his since he first arrived at Missouri Valley College after being recruited by the legendary Coach Ken Gibler to play football. But it didn’t take Bartolotta – or Gibler – long to realize that football wasn’t his game. “I never played a varsity down. So after the season, I went in to him to say I was going home. But he made

me a deal. He said I could keep my scholarship if I was able to make the baseball team or the track team.” And the rest was history. Bartolotta caught at MVC for four years and developed a passion for baseball that still lives today. In fact, he was in Florida in November playing in the 65-over Senior World Series where he was named his team’s MVP. But Labor Day Weekend, he said, was for fun, and just as memorable as his days at Missouri Valley. Bartolotta symbolically wore No. 62 (he has six granddaughters and two grandsons), and “we made the weekend a family affair. “ His daughter Kristi Larkin ’07 was a Valley cheerleader, and son-in-law Justin Larkin ’07 was a baseball player. And…daughter Kaylee Gaunce ’13 was also a Valley cheerleader. In the Endless Game, Courage (Bartolotta’s team) defeated Strength 468-307.

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Congratualtions CLASS OF 2023

Missouri Valley College conferred 218 degrees to students at its commencement ceremony on May 6. The 2023 graduating class was honored at this event. MVC President-Elect Joe Parisi '94 gave the commencement address. The Charles L. Bacon Distinguished Service Award is given annually to a senior man and woman, voted on by the senior class. The 2022 award recipients were Ana Paula Torresbaca and João Vitor Bonanoni.

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NEW NURSING BUILDING OPENING THIS FALL Missouri Valley College is preparing to celebrate the completion of its new School of Nursing and Health Sciences building on campus. The 17,000-square foot structure is on target for summer completion and will be holding classes in the fall. The building will feature the state’s newest and most modern simulation lab, and will remove the need for students to travel across Marshall to Fitzgibbon Hospital for their classes. “This new building and our program are being talked about in health centers across the state,” said President Joe Parisi. “Our hospital partners are pleased with the quality of nurses MVC is producing, and now we’ll have a building to match that quality.” The two-story structure will be named the Julie Ann Deems Julien School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The family provided a generous gift to help create this opportunity for students. Besides Julien, other significant gifts came from Hugh Libby, and the Sunderland Foundation.

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MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE

BUYS 26 ACRES FROM CITY

Missouri Valley College has been visiting with various community leaders and campus groups to develop ideas on the use of 26 acres of property it has purchased near the campus. President Joe Parisi said he hopes to advance plans for the property in the next several months, but prioritizes advancing campus strategic goals and finding a way to partner with the community on some of the land. Marshall Mayor Vince Lutterbie and Parisi signed the paperwork in mid-October for the sale of the land to the college. The tract, known to some in Marshall as the “Gieringer property,” is adjacent to MVC’s Burns Athletic Complex and Viking Village.

“This sale is not only important to Missouri Valley’s plans but also the city’s planning efforts,” Lutterbie said. “This is a first step toward Marshall’s new master plan, and we are including the plans of both Missouri Valley College and the Marshall Schools.” Parisi made a presentation to the council earlier in October, outlining some of Missouri Valley’s student needs in the area of housing and activities, and asked for help integrating the college’s planning with the city’s needs. “We’ve done a lot of strategic planning in the last nine months and none of it is more important than “how do we take care of our students and how do we become a stronger part of the community,” Parisi said.

TRADITION MEETS OPPORTUNITY: MVC LAUNCHES NEW

ONLINE DEGREE INITIATIVE Another big change is the addition of Dr. Joe Alsobrook to lead the online initiative. The new Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Online Operations has worked with “lightning speed" to add the new programs and position Missouri Valley well in the competitive online environment.

Missouri Valley College is investing heavily into online education and has more than quadrupled the number of programs it is offering. The college has added 13 online degree programs, ranging from Business Administration to Economics and Elementary Education. Other degrees offered online include Agribusiness, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Finance, Marketing, Nursing, and Sports Management, in addition to Master’s in Educational Administration and Nursing. To accommodate the first phase of the new online push, Missouri Valley College began offering its online programs in eight-week terms, something President Joe Parisi says is “a must in today’s environment. “Online students want to know how much it costs and how quickly they can get it,” Parisi said. “We’ve got to deliver multiple start times to meet their needs.”

The online team at Missouri Valley College already has developed a slogan for the initiative – Tradition Meets Opportunity. Parisi said the slogan is a perfect match for tradition-rich MVC. Alsobrook, who directed successful online programs at other colleges, said Missouri Valley is undertaking many other strategic endeavors to support the online initiative, including digital advertising and numerous website changes and upgrades. Alumni can review Missouri Valley’s College’s online degree options, visit moval.edu/mvc-online.

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Alumni LAKE SOCIAL

With the backdrop of the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri Valley College hosted the always-popular Lake Social in July at the Lodge of the Four Seasons. At left, Vice President Eric Sappington '95 with Susan '84 and Jack '82 Dilallo. Middle left: Sandra Rodriguez '23, Andreas Cordova '23, Sheila Garcia '19, Ana Paula Torresbaca '23, and Austin Kostelnick '23. Middle right: President Joe Parisi '94 with Bill '65 and Elaine Manion. Bottom left: Bonnie '16 and Tsvetan Todorov '19; and bottom right Nancy Carson Binkley, Betty Carson McAdams, Elaine (Wingo) Manion, and Barbara Carson Bierman.

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New Alumni Director on the Job Missouri Valley College is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Cline has assumed the role of director of alumni relations. Her wonderful talents were put to the test immediately, as she worked closely with Vice President Eric Sappington to put on an incredible Homecoming in October. Cline has worked as a marketing and communication

specialist at MVC since early 2022. In that role, she managed the college's social media platforms, and she has applied that expertise to her new role. Cline works with the alumni advisory board and other MVC staff to engage with alumni around the globe. “I am thrilled to have Elizabeth on the team,” said Sappington. “We have witnessed her talents up close with her social media responsibilities, and she is adding great energy and expertise to our team.” In addition to Homecoming, Cline was a great contributor to the inaugural Missouri Valley College Athletics Auction, alumni socials, and many other events. Cline earned her degree in Organizational Communication and Spanish from Northwest Missouri State University.

CLASS NOTES Mark Wolfe ‘84 to retire as the Director of the Missouri State Fair. Kim Alberson ‘07, Spainhower Primary School Principal, named Exemplary New Principal of the Year for the Central Region. She will be honored at the annual MAESP Conference in March. Philip Sawyer ‘98 was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for Pettis County, Missouri in the 18th Judicial Circuit. Mr. Sawyer currently serves as the Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney.

Each January, a group of Alpha Xi Delta sisters from the mid 1980’s get together for a girls weekend. This year they chose Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. Pictured left to right are: Nikki Saale Hart ‘89, Terri Taylor Tittone, entertainer at Crabby Bill’s Jeff Gurney, Karen Green Bernsen, Barbi Hartley Helms ‘88, Carrie Garvey Lawson, and Kelly Call Eaton ‘87.

Tell us what you have been up to!

www.moval.edu 27

Terri Thiel, Tiffany Dowell '02, Abby Schroeder

Rich Charboneau, Danielle Callanan '06, Kelly Callanan '07, Lisa McComas '86, George McComas, Tim Schulte

Alumni Association

GOLF TOURNAMENT JULY 10, 2023 | STONE HEDGE GOLF CLUB

Alex Maupin, Grant Maupin '22, Marc Plummer '17

Dr. Parisi '94 addresses the crowd with Tom Hayob '79 at right.

Burt Harriman, George Porter, Chad Lance '89

Stephen Main, President Parisi '94, Terry Russell, Gary Eskew, Steve Malan, Bert Shannon

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IN MEMORIAM 1940’s Martha Duffer ‘1945 of Odessa, MO passed away July 28, 2022 Rosemary Kelly ‘1946 of Arrow Rock, MO passed away February 1, 2023 Elizabeth Hausam ‘1947 of Sedalia, MO passed away December 24, 2022 Rosemary E. Korbecki ‘1948 of Saint Louis, MO passed away July 28, 2022 Mary E. Younger ‘1948 of Dayton, OH passed away November 6, 2022 Mack A. Porter ‘1949 of Kearney, MO passed away January 27, 2024 1950’s Lewis “Lew” Dunlap ‘1951 of Aurora, CO passed away September 7, 2023 Neil B. Elmer ‘1952 of Powell, OH passed away February 5, 2023 Earl E. Stair ‘1952 of Monroeville, PA passed away July 8, 2023 Roger Joseph Amidei ‘1953 of Boca Raton, FL passed away June 9, 2023 Betty L. Schweigerdt ‘1953 of Independence, MO passed away January 16, 2023 Thomas Dautenhahn ‘1956 of Lima, OH passed away October 30, 2022 Paul R. Ingrassia ‘1957 of Mechanicsville, Virginia passed away June 5, 2023 William “Bill” Westbrook ‘1958 of Marshall, MO passed away September 8, 2023 1960’s Walt Hicklin ‘1961 of Warrensburg, MO passed away January 19, 2024 Jon G. Knehans ‘1962 of Broken Arrow, OK passed away April 1, 2023 Terry Sadewhite ‘1962 of Marshall, MO passed away May 16, 2023 R. Clyde “R.C.” Shipley ‘1962 of Duncan, OK passed away October 12, 2023 F. Dwain Hall ‘1964 of Marshall, MO passed away July 19, 2022 Gary J. Hunt ‘1964 of Licking, MO passed away January 10, 2024 Jean Simmer ‘1964 of Chillicothe, MO passed away June 4, 2023 Shirley A. Smith ‘1964 of Grain Valley, MO passed away July 20, 2023 Ronald E. Thies ‘1964 of Olathe, KS passed away November 11, 2022

Joyce A. Poffinberger ‘1976 of Marshall, MO passed away November 24, 2022 Robert “Bob” Thomason ‘1977 of Slater, MO passed away January 25, 2024 Deborah “Debbie” Boyd ‘1978 of Marshall, MO passed away July 12, 2023 1990’s Scott A. Tomc ‘1990 of Kansas City, MO passed away October 2, 2022 Jody A. Bergman ‘1993 of Alma, MO passed away October 1, 2023 2000’s Cherry Lynn Swanigan ‘2003 of Marshall, MO passed away September 15, 2023 Bradlie J. Russel ‘2004 of Nelson, MO passed away July 27, 2023 James E. Slover ‘2006 of St. Louis, MO passed away September 25, 2022 Sandy Brockman ‘2009 of St. Ann, MO passed away October 24, 2023 2010’s Ryan M. Savka ‘2014 of St. Louis, MO passed away October 15, 2022 Friends Stephen Brawner of Scottsdale, AZ passed away July February 18, 2023 Paulette Philipp Augustin of Higginsville, MO passed away May 10, 2023 Warren “Wally” Dew of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away June 4, 2023 Daniel “Danny” Irving of Dublin, OH passed away July 30, 2023 Justin Trevor Lea of Saint Genevieve, MO passed away August 31, 2023 Mary Klinge Lenz of Marshall, MO passed away September 3, 2023 Sara Goldin Williams of Warrensburg, MO passed away September 19, 2023 Charles “Charlie” Robert Camp of Independence, MO passed away September 20, 2023 John Rex Dixon of Brookfield, MO passed away October 6, 2023 Charles E. Ferguson, Sr. of Marshall, MO passed away December 9, 2023 Katie Sharon of Marshall, MO passed away February 3, 2024

Georgeanne Hawkins Cooksey ‘1965 of Carrollton, MO passed away July 8, 2023 Jerry T. Dibblee ‘1965 of Franklin, TN passed away October 4, 2022 Judith R. Hynson ‘1966 of Columbia, SC passed away February 10, 2023 Hans G. Rettig ‘1966 of Ticonderoga, NY passed away November 18, 2023 Stephen S. Williams ‘1966 of Charleston, Mo passed away January 1, 2024 Delbert A. Thompson ‘1966 of Chillicothe, MO passed away December 11, 2023 William “Bill” M. Welter ‘1966 of Sturgeon Bay, WI passed away December 2022 Lloyd R. Best ‘1968 of Marshall, MO passed away October 25, 2023 Jay P. Dewar ‘1968 of Coppell, TX passed away August 4, 2023 Kenda K. Heckmann ‘1968 of Janesville, WI passed away April 11, 2023 Kenneth “Ken” W. Lewellen ‘1968 of Marshall, MO passed away December 26, 2022 Merle E. O’Neal ‘1968 of Tina, MO passed away January 20, 2023 Raymond Kalthoff ‘1969 of Marshall, MO passed away September 19, 2023 1970’s Lyle W. Abbott ‘1970 of California, MO passed away January 6, 2023 Dennis F. Bryant ‘1970 of Leawood, KS passed away February 23, 2023 Harry L. Hargrave ‘1970 of Brighton, MO passed away December 12, 2023 Dennis A. Morris ‘1970 of Wichita, KS passed away October 20, 2022 Dennis A. Risley ‘1970 of Fountain Hills, AZ passed away December 6, 2022 John W. Anderson ‘1971 of Loves Park, IL passed away February 22, 2023 William “Bill” Douglas ‘1971 of Dover, New Jersey passed away June 29, 2023 Marcile A. Ehlers ‘1972 of Corder, MO passed away January 25, 2023 Clarence R. Robinson ‘1972 of St. Louis, MO passed away August 9, 2022 Charlotte Curry ‘1975 of Sedalia, MO passed away August 15, 2023 Douglas J. Esposito ‘1975 of Holmdel, NJ passed away April 20, 2023

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CREEHAN TAKES REINS OF FOOTBALL PROGRAM

After an exhaustive search and over 140 applicants, Missouri Valley College introduced Casey Creehan as 13th head coach of the Viking football program. The Missouri Valley family welcomed him with a press conference and reception in the Eckilson-Mabee Theatre in January. Creehan has spent more than 20 years coaching at various levels of collegiate and professional football, and comes to Missouri Valley after spending 2023 as the defensive coordinator at NCAA Division II Concord (W.V.). He has head coach experience at two NAIA institutions. “We have high standards for all aspects of our program, and with Coach Creehan we have secured a high-caliber, proven leader to oversee our football program and orchestrate its return to national prominence,” said MVC President Joe Parisi. Athletic Director Mike Machholz said Creehan stood out from the field

“We had great candidates, but it became clear to us that Casey had the passion and the energy to lead our football program,” Machholz said. “It was his passion about family, football and the development of the student- athlete that really hit home.” Creehan’s most recent head coaching position came at fellow Heart of America Athletic Conference school Peru State (Neb.), where he led the program from 2020-21. The COVID-impacted 2020 season featured only three games for Peru State. In 2021, Creehan led the Bobcats to a 7-4 overall record, and a 3-2 record in the Heart North Division. Prior to his time at Peru State, Creehan spent two seasons as head coach of the Lyon (Ark.) football program from 2018-19. Lyon finished with a 4-7 record in his first season, then followed in 2019 at 7-3 overall, including a 6-2 record in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The seven wins in 2019 was the most in program history for Lyon. “I am humbled and honored to be selected,” said Creehan. “My family and I are extremely excited to join the Missouri Valley College family and the Marshall community. I can’t wait to get to work and build on the great foundation that has been laid here.”

TROTH BEGINS WORK AS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUCCESS

Missouri Valley College ushered in the new year by creating a new leadership position on campus -- executive director for student

commitment to young people is so well-known. There aren’t many like him. We’re glad that his next chapter is right here on this campus, helping our students get to the finish line.” Troth will develop a student success plan with strategies and interventions to enhance career readiness, retention, and persistence. He will be responsible for leading the Student Success program and its employees, introducing new initiatives, and assembling a comprehensive retention plan. “I am very excited to begin this new challenge,” said Troth. “After 22 years at Missouri Valley I feel I can continue to be an asset. I look forward to this opportunity and working with young people to help them get to graduation and build a career path.”

success. Paul Troth is the first ever to hold the job, focusing on career and academic initiatives to increase retention and graduation rates. Troth spent 22 years as the Vikings head football coach before stepping down last month. President Joe Parisi said Troth’s loyalty to the institution and commitment to student success made him a perfect fit for the position. “Paul Troth is a proven leader at Missouri Valley and he brings a lot to the table,” Parisi said. “His

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