The Wabash Valley College "View From The Valley" newsletter contains information about faculty, staff, and student accomplishments. All material is copyrighted and the property of Wabash Valley College.
WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE AN ILLINOIS EASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
View from the Valley
June 15th, 2022
Volume 16, Issue 12
OUR MISSION IS TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS AND TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES.
Valley Briefs
Table of Contents PAGE 3 — Valley Briefs PAGE 4 — Warriors Baseball Hit Nationals PAGE 7 — WVC Archery Wins Gold PAGE 9 — Commencement Ceremony PAGE 11 — Campus Events PAGE 12 — Faculty Bio PAGE 13 — Giving Information
Brenda Phegley left WVC this Spring for retirement. Sandra Craig and Jane Owen will also retire this summer. Between the 3 women there was more than 3/4 of a century of work at WVC!
Three WVC Employees Set to Retire
Mrs. Willis, the Assistant Volleyball Coach at WVC, resigned early in the Spring semester. After a lengthy search, WVC has hired Stephanie Reid-Noe as the new Assistant Coach.
WVC Volleyball Hires New Coaches
WVC’s solar array has now produced more than 81.37 MWh of energy and saved more than 126,000 pounds of CO2! This reduction is equivalent to nearly 1K trees being planted!
Solar Savings Update
“A quality education grants us the ability to fight the war on ignorance and poverty.”
“To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”
— Charles Rangel
— Theodore Roosevelt
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WVC Baseball Finishes at National Tournament
The Wabash Valley College Men’s Baseball Team recently fought their way to the semi-finals of the JUCO World Series. After a stellar season filled with all-star players who were ranked in the top 5 nationally in several categories (see below), the Warriors made it to the national tournament. There were several rounds of nail-biting games, but the Warriors managed to claw their way to the Final Four before falling just short of the Championship in their game with Central Arizona College. The Warriors finished the season with a record of 59-9 and accrued some miraculous statistics along the way. They were 29-3 in Conference, had a TEAM batting average of .396, an on-base% of .504, and hit 82 home runs during the season!
Not only was the team as a whole an impressive unit, several players managed to accomplish nearly unthinkable feats as well. Among those players:
-Jacob Bimbi won “Conference Pitcher of the Year” -- 1.33 ERA, 10-1, 74.1 IP, 113K
This marked Head Coach Rob Fournier’s 26th season with Wabash Valley College. During that time he has had multiple finishes at the national tournament, 14 Conference titles, has achieved a #1 ranking *Nationally multiple times, and won the GRAC (conference) Coach of the Year more than 10 times! We know there will be many more accomplishments to come from Coach Fournier.
-Bradke Lohry won “Conference Freshman of the Year” -- .473 AVG, 97H, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 20 SB
-Brian Kalmer won “Conference Player of the Year” -- .429 AVG, 99H, 17 2B, 17 HR, 101 RBI
-Jonathan Hogart and Ryan McCoy (along with the previous 3 players) won All Conference
-Lohry and Hogart were ranked 2nd and 3rd in the nation for batting average
-Kalmer was ranked 2nd for RBI’s
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Archery Duo Win Gold at National Tournament
Second-year Wabash Valley College (WVC) student Jalyn Shoemaker and first-year student Clay Dempsey won gold as a duo team at the Nationals Mix Team Event at Chula Vista, CA, on Sunday, May 22nd. Dempsey and Shoemaker are members of the WVC Varsity Archery Team. As explained by Dempsey, the Nationals Mix Team Event entails two shooters--one female and one male--that have to be in the same class. The two shooters within one team shoot off against other competing shooters in their own respective teams. Overall, the shooters are ranked in a bracket based on how their team performs, how well the shooters score individually in their qualification rounds, etc.
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Commencement Ceremony Sees Large Turnout
Archery Cont’d As the process goes, two teams compete against each other. Each shooter has 20 seconds to shoot an arrow and must shoot two targets. In total for one team, two shooters have 80 seconds to shoot their arrows into two different targets. This then progresses into the Gold Medal Match. Whichever team is qualified higher gets to choose who shoots first. Not picked first, Dempsey and Shoemaker waited their turn as the other female and male shooters shot their single shot. When the other team’s time ended, Dempsey and Shoemaker’s round began. Dempsey and Shoemaker went through four rounds. Whichever team has the highest score wins. Around 40 teams participated at Nationals. Overall, Dempsey ranked 15th and Shoemaker ranked seventh individually. Dempsey and Shoemaker have both been exceptional in their long WVC archery season, such as ranking in the top ten for other archery events. Dempsey explained that archery is not only challenging physically but also mentally. “Archery is 90 percent mental, because you sit there and it’s just you on that [shooting] line. You can’t really quantify how bad or how good you did. There’s no one you can play against--it’s just you.” Dempsey has enjoyed archery all his life. One of Dempsey’s goals was to pursue archery in college and shoot at a prestigious level. Shoemaker started archery during her sophomore year of high school. WVC Archery Coach Earl Lawrence persuaded both Dempsey and Shoemaker to shoot for the WVC Archery Team during the course of several recruiting efforts. “Archery is a growing collegiate sport,” Lawrence stated. “Archery is something that you can do your whole life. You can involve family and friends in it. There’s not only target archery but also hunting, 3D shooting--a pretty broad range of things to do with archery.” Both Dempsey and Shoemaker expressed that they enjoy the freedom the WVC Archery Team receives during practice time. While some colleges/universities have scheduled practice time, the WVC Archery Team can choose when and how long they want to practice. They also added that they appreciate Lawrence’s dedication to the team. Some schools do not allow nursing students to be on the archery team due to the nursing program’s heavy involvement. Shoemaker, an incoming student of the nursing program for this fall, still has the opportunity to shoot for the WVC Archery Team with her rigorous schedule. Lawrence mentioned, “We will roll with it.” Dempsey is from Newburgh, IN, and plans to pursue electrical engineering. Shoemaker is from Vienna, IL, and wants to become a flight nurse. Outside of archery, Dempsey likes to fish, and Shoemaker enjoys drag racing. Now that they’ve won a Gold medal in the Mixed Event, they both hope to win Gold individually next year.
The 60th Commencement at Wabash Valley College was held Friday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spencer Sports Center.
More than 200 Associate degrees and certificates were awarded for 2022.
A Prelude of music by Marcia Woodcock, pianist, was provided prior to the Processional. Marcia Woodcock, pianist, and Bill Hudson, trumpeter, provided the music for the Processional and Recessional. Performing the National Anthem was be Michelle Sue Cox. Ms. Cox received an Associate in Science & Arts Degree and graduated with Honors. Michelle is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society at WVC. She is the daughter of Tracy and Christina Cox and plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana after graduation from WVC. The Invocation was delivered by Darcy Jean Clodfelter, a Student Senate Board Member. Ms. Clodfelter received an Associate in Science Degree and graduated with High Honors. She is the daughter of Kenny and Terri Clodfelter. In addition to serving on Student Senate, Darcy is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Business Club, and Red Rage. Darcy plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University in the fall. The Charge to the Class was given by Brenda Phegley, retiring WVC English Instructor, with the Student Response by Maxwell Alan Zimmerman, Student Senate Board Member. Mr. Zimmerman graduated with an Associate in Science Degree and also graduated with High Honors. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a Student Ambassador, and participated in the Red Rage Club. He is the son of Mark and Susan Zimmerman. Max plans to enter the United States Air Force Academy to study engineering. Dr. Matt Fowler, President of Wabash Valley College, presented the degree and certificate candidates to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees member Roger Browning. Browning confered the degrees and certificates to the graduates. Kyle Peach, Director of Broadcasting, announced the graduates. Also included in the program was a recognition of Outstanding Transfer (Brenda Phegley) and Outstanding Career and Technical (Tosha Jane Baker) faculty members by Robert Conn, Dean of Instruction. Micah Henson is the recipient of the Outstanding Career and Technical Scholarship. Micah is the son of Matt and Nancy Henson. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and has also won the Della Marie Yates Scholarship, B.W. and Bertha Carrell Scholarship, and helped the WVC Radio/TV station win IBS Community College Station of the year. Maggee Bleyer, the recipient of the Outstanding Transfer Scholarship, is the daughter of Chuck and Tracy Bleyer. She is involved in FRESH, a Student Senate Board Member, Rotaract President, and a Student Ambassador. She has also received the Della Marie Yates Scholarship and the Chester D. and Lizzie Mae Daniels Scholarship. These scholarship recipients served as Honor Marshals, leading the graduates in the Processional. Dean Conn also recognized Susan Zimmerman as “Outstanding Adjunct Instructor of the Year.”
Article by Maggee Bleyer
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WVC Campus Events Last Month
USTA Sponsors Tennis Camp at WVC
Glenn Decker, President of the Wabash Valley College Foundation, and Cassandra Goldman, WVC Foundation Scholarship Chairman, will present the Foundation Scholarships: this year’s Foundation Scholarships include the Alma Bell Hill, the James T. Watson, and the Walter F. Holland Jr. Scholarships. Ronda Hockgeiger, Lead Instructor for the Social Services Specialist Program, presented the Day Family Scholarship. A reception, hosted by the Wabash Valley College Foundation, will be held in honor of the graduates in the Spencer Sports Center parking lot under the tent immediately following the Commencement ceremony. Graduates, family, and friends are all invited to attend. WVC recently purchased a large tent for campus events that was installed in time for Commencement. Drinks and snacks were offered to attendees at the completion of the ceremony.
The United States Tennis Association sponsored a Tennis Camp for local children at the WVC Tennis Courts during the first and second week of June. Children ranging in age from 5 all the way to 13 years old attended the camp. There were more than 35 kids in attendance. MCHS Tennis Coach Patty Bramlet led the camp with the help of several of her high school players. She was very appreciative that the college allowed the use of their facilities for the event.
Warrior Grill Remains Open for Summer
The academic year for 2021-22 has ended and most students are home for the summer, but the Warrior Grill remains open to the public for lunch from 11am-1pm. The rotating menu allows customers varying options each time they dine. Jason Laws and his crew have a smoker on site and have cooked up some excellent courses in the past few months. If you are looking for a new spot to dine, come check it out! Theatre Completes Updates The Brubeck Auditorium underwent several renovations this spring. The light system was decades old and was in need of an update, and the only option for display in the auditorium was a single overhead projector that displayed images on a large screen located at the back of the stage. The renovation project was recently completed. The lights are new and state of the art, and several large display screens have been added in the room to be able to advertise events, show displays during presentations, and much more.
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Monthly Faculty Bio Phegley Retires after 38 Years with WVC
Faith , Phegley aims to motivate and encourage her readers using Scriptures. Both books are available on Amazon for purchase. Phegley’s hobbies include reading (devotional books, biographies, history), writing (creatively and letter-writing), scrapbooking, walking, and dancing (aerobic-type dancing). Her retirement plans include her continuous love for writing. She also plans to spend time with her grandchildren and become more involved in Operation Christmas Child. Some of her favorite memories from WVC involve Spring Fever Days, her involvement in Phi Theta Kappa, and the golden WVC moment of when the Warriors Basketball team won the national championship in 2001. “I loved teaching at WVC for 38 years,” Phegley expressed. “I felt like I made a difference in the lives of 10,000 students who became leaders in the community, country, and the world.” Phegley has this piece of advice for incoming students: “Aim for success in all aspects of your life and follow your passion. Try to imagine having a career that you would do even if you did not get paid. Then you know you love it! Realize that your path to success may be different from your friends and relatives. Remember to enjoy each day, and do not worry if you do not reach all your goals immediately. Sometimes the detours along the way lead you to better goals in life.”
The 2021-22 academic year marked the last year of teaching for Brenda Phegley at Wabash Valley College (WVC). This year marked the 38th years of Brenda’s employment with IECC/WVC. Mrs. Phegley also served as the WVC Phi Theta Kappa advisor for 36 years. After graduating from Mt. Carmel High School in 1976, Phegley began her college career at WVC. “Attending WVC was one of the best decisions in my life,” Phegley stated. “I assumed leadership roles in Student Congress and the WVC Singers. [I was also] the featured baton twirler at basketball games.” During her two years at WVC, Phegley worked as a lifeguard at the WVC pool and taught baton and swimming lessons. At WVC, Phegley not only made many friends, but also met her future husband of 42 years, Terry Phegley. Upon graduating with high honors from WVC in 1978, Phegley received an academic scholarship to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale. At
Brenda Phegley presents the Transfer Scholarship to Maggee Bleyer at the 2022 Commencement Ceremony.
SIU, she was a baton twirler who performed at SIU football and basketball games. After graduating with high honors from SIU in 1980, Phegley and Terry married in June of the same year. In August 1980, Phegley began her first teaching job at Bone Gap and West Salem grade schools in Illinois. She decided to advance her education by pursuing a Master of Arts degree at the University of Evansville (UE) in 1981. She graduated with high honors from UE in 1983 and was offered a part-time teaching position at WVC. By August of 1984 Mrs. Phegley was offered a position as a full-time instructor. “When I first began teaching at WVC in 1984,” Phegley said, “I quickly realized that I had much to learn. Even though I had experience teaching part-time classes for WVC, teaching full-time college classes was more challenging. I spent many hours making lesson plans and grading papers; however, I loved what I was doing. I persevered and had a wonderful first year at WVC!” In January of 1985 Phegley and her husband moved into the home they began building in 1984. In November of the same year, Phegley’s first daughter, Julie, was born. In June 1988, her second daughter, Amy, was born. Phegley held many roles at WVC, including Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, Reader for Scholar Classic (20 years), Peer Counselor Advisor (8 years), WVC Cheerleading Sponsor, Transfer Instructor of the Year (5 years), and served on the 50th and 55th Anniversary Committees for WVC. Phegley also enjoys helping her community, such as being involved with Parkview Christian Church (greeter, volunteer for Operation Christmas Child) and being a judge for DAR and American Legion essay contests. As well as being an accomplished instructor, Phegley is also a published author. Phegley loves to write. Through her two devotional books, Prescription for a Cheerful Heart and Venture Forth with
Article by Maggee Bleyer
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Help Support Wabash Valley College
As boundaries that have separated nations, cultures, and individuals continue to dissolve, the role of education has become vital in equipping students for the changes and challenges that lie ahead. We at Wabash Valley College understand that
building a firm educational foundation which meets the demands of our world requires the support of our community. We would like you to partner with us in that endeavor. Call the college at 618-262-8641 or scan the QR code to learn more about donating to WVC.
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