from the p d · the israeli air force, the u.s. air force school of navigators and the irish...

F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T ’ S D E S K

Managing EditorDenise Thomas-HoskinsAssociate Director of PublicationsOffice of Communications and Marketing

EditorConnie SteeleOffice of Communications andMarketing

Photo EditorStephanie James ElyOffice of Communications and Marketing

DesignTheresa AlmondOffice of Communications and Marketing

Cover DesignGreg TobiasZe Design

AlumNotesMindy HomanOffice of Communications and Marketing

Contributing WritersJohn Bennett, Richard Doty, StephanieJames Ely, Judi Engle, Mindy Homan,Bob Noss, Micah Siegal, Connie Steele,Jennifer Wilder, Mark Willis, MattZircher

Contributing PhotographersMartin Biel, Roberta Bowers, JennyGarringer, Greg Glass, Deb Leclere,Michael Leschisin, Chris Snyder, JimWitmer, Stephen Wright

Community is published two times a yearby the Office of Communications andMarketing, Division of UniversityAdvancement, with the support of theWSU Alumni Association. Distribution isto Wright State alumni, faculty, staff, andfriends of the university. Submitinformation, comments, and letters toCommunity editor, Office of Communica-tions and Marketing, Wright StateUniversity, Dayton, OH 45435-0001 ore-mail [email protected]

Fall 2003VOLUME VIX NO. 1

277015/200308-2853/SE03/63M President, Wright State University

�

ON THE WEB www.wright.edu/

The hard work anddedication of the campuscommunity this past year havepropelled Wright State to newlevels—despite a verydifficult economy.

But even with economicchallenges, the Wright Statecommunity came together toaccomplish four major goals.We:

• achieved academicexcellence, with nationaland international honors;

• exceeded our campaignexpectations one year aheadof schedule;

• provided statewide leadership that avoided severe cuts to highereducation; and

• established a strategic plan with full community support.

This issue of Community contains several stories about how the efforts ofthe campus community and its many supporters contributed to this success.

As you will read in our cover story, Wright State’s high-achievingfaculty, staff, and students are engaged in collaborative, cutting-edgeresearch and scholarship, making it a major player in Ohio’s new knowledgeeconomy.

In fact, research funding to Wright State increased by 12 percent in thepast year to more than $46 million, ranking the university third amongOhio’s state-assisted colleges and universities in federal research. And, forthe fifth straight year, Wright State was the top choice in the nation forMiami Valley valedictorians.

On page 23, read about how WSU’s first-ever major fundraisingcampaign has exceeded expectations. Based on national benchmarks, thecampaign’s goal was to raise $40 million in five years. To date, we haveexceeded that target—one year ahead of schedule. The nearly $43 millionraised so far will support scholarships, academic programs, facultydevelopment, and facilities. But there are still unmet needs in these areas—our National Alumni Challenge is well under way, and the WSU FamilyPhase is set to kick off this fall.

The efforts of many on the state level are helping to build the case forincreased support for higher education. As a member of the Governor’sCommission on Higher Education and the Economy and as co-chair of itsAccess and Success Committee, I will continue to work with leadersstatewide to reinforce the role of higher education in Ohio’s economy.

The new academic year was also marked by another beginning. On page18 you will read how the campus came together in record time to formulatea five-year strategic plan that aims to expand the university’s role in theregion and beyond.

With your support, we will continue to build on our academic distinctionand go boldly and creatively toward expanding partnerships with ourregional and global communities.

D E P A R T M E N T S

INSIDE

F E A T U R E S

2 UNIVERSITY NEWS

6 PIONEERING RESEARCH FOR OHIO’S THIRD FRONTIER

Wright State’s cutting-edge research projects with partners such as Wright-Patterson Air ForceBase, the Human Genome Institute, and Procter and Gamble are pointing the way to a newfrontier in Ohio’s economic development.

9 AN INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR TAFT

10 DIGGING UNDERGROUND FOR AVIATION HISTORY

The site of the Wright brother’s bicycle shop where they built the 1903 flyer that flew at KittyHawk was the project for WSU’s annual Field School in Archaeology.

12 TEACHING COMPUTERS TO THINK LIKE HUMANS

WSU’s Information Technology Research Institute received nearly $1.4 million from the AirForce Research Laboratories to develop revolutionary technologies to manage large volumes ofdata.

13 THE WRIGHT STUFF

Requests to access WSU’s world-renowned Wright Brothers Collection soared as the worldprepared to celebrate the centennial of flight.

14 WSU CELEBRATES THE INVENTION OF FLIGHT

A year of events, programs, and festivities marked an event that changed the world.

16 SHINING AT THE SCHUSTER

The sights and sounds of Wright State University singers, dancers, filmmakers, and artists filledthe Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center last June.

18 ON THE HORIZON

Wright State’s new five-year strategic plan aims to expand the university’s role in and beyondthe region.

20 SIMULATED PATIENTS: ACTING THE PART

Simulated patients are both actors and teachers for first- and second-year medical students.

21 A LIFE MARKED BY FIRSTS

A profile of alumna Deborah Loewer, the first woman, war-trained admiral and first woman vicecommander of the Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC).

22 TOMORROW TAKES FLIGHT CAMPAIGN REPORT

24 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

26 ALUMNOTES

30 ATHLETICS

2 Community FALL 2003

U N I V E R S I T Y N E W S

StudentsCollect “Milk Money” A group of Wright State University

students raised $1,200 for Heifer ProjectInternational’s (HPI) efforts in twoUkrainian villages near the border withPoland. The donation will help providedairy cows for 30 impoverished farmingfamilies in Nove Selo and Berezets, an areathe students visited last year on a tripsponsored by the university’s CatholicCampus Ministry.

Thomas Howell, a junior biomedicalengineering major, raised money for HPIby spending three days on clear liquids andfinding financial sponsors to support hisfast. “I wanted to try to get a better feel forhow people in certain areas live,” Howellsaid.

The project will also provide training infarm management, animal health, and vetcare over the next two years. Families makea commitment to pass on the gift by sharingone or more of their animal’s offspring withother families in need. Students from theWright Engineering Council, the UnitedMethodist Student Movement, and theNewman Catholic Student Associationbegan collecting money last February.

Wayne Shebilske: “People are my test tubes.”

WSU, China ExchangeMBA program

Agreements have been signed for aninternational MBA program that will bringChinese business leaders to Wright Stateand involve WSU business faculty teachingin China.

“This program will open doors foreconomic development between Ohio andShangdon Province,” said BerkwoodFarmer, dean of the Raj Soin College ofBusiness.

The program will begin next year,bringing in approximately 40 Chinesebusiness and government executives toWright State in January to begin anintensive, 12-month program to earn aMBA executive format degree. In turn,several faculty from the college will travelto China in the spring of 2004 to begin theMBA executive format degree in Beijingand Shanghai.

For information, call (937) 775-2895,or e-mail [email protected]

Data Fatigue: Bane of the Information Age?

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From the battlefront, to the board roomsof multinational corporations, to disasterrelief sites, the internet and computers havechanged the way people communicate andwork together. But can there be too much ofa good thing?

“Yes,” explains Wayne Shebilske,professor and chair of WSU’s Departmentof Psychology. “It’s now possible to receivea ton of information from different sources.It’s a question of how much can someonedo and take in at one time,” he says. Therisk is information overload or data fatigue,he explains, a dangerous turn especiallywhen a rapid response is required.

“Sometimes technology needs to bereined in or it will create more problems,”he says. “The key is to design systems thatserve people effectively.”

An expert on human performance andlearning, Shebilske is a partner in a $5million grant to Wright State, Texas A&M,and Penn State University to develop CAST(Collaborative Agents for SimulatingTeamwork), a sophisticated softwareprogram that can bring order to the chaos ofinformation. Funded through a Department

of Defense MURI (MultidisciplinaryResearch Program of the UniversityResearch Initiative) grant, CAST canprioritize relevant data and send it whenneeded. It can even predict future informa-tion needs based on the changing dynamicsof the situation.

Besides military applications, CAST hasthe potential to assist in homeland securityoperations, such as tracking diseaseoutbreaks and coordinating rescue efforts ofpolice, firefighters, national guard troops,and medical personnel responding to aterrorist attack.

In his computer lab in Fawcett Hall,Shebilske is involved in other researchprojects that center on developing computer-based training protocols. He tests them byhaving subjects perform complex videogame-like tasks.

His training protocols have been used bythe Israeli Air Force, the U.S. Air ForceSchool of Navigators and the Irish NationalAir Lines. Currently, he’s working with ateam of researchers at MIT to develop avirtual environment trainer for astronautsdestined for the International Space Station.

Community FALL 2003 3


Grant to Study DrugTreatment

Research partners led by Wright StateUniversity School of Medicine’s Center forInterventions, Treatment, and AddictionsResearch have begun a new $4 million,five-year project: Reducing Barriers toDrug Abuse Treatment Services. Funded bythe National Institute on Drug Abuse, theproject is a controlled clinical trial designedto test the effectiveness of interventionswithin the context of Dayton’s existingcommunity resources.

The grant will enable researchers andtheir community partners to assess twopromising interventions: motivationalinterviewing and strengths-based casemanagement. Current statistics indicate thatevery dollar spent on drug treatment is abargain for federal, state, and localgovernments.

Other partners include SamaritanBehavioral Health, Montgomery CountyAlcohol Drug Addiction and Mental HealthServices; Montgomery County Center forAlcoholism and Drug Addiction Services,Miami Valley Hospital Turning Point;NOVA House Association, Inc.; ProjectCURE; Daymont West; and the WSUSchool of Medicine’s Consumer AdvocacyModel.

QuadcycleDesign Earns Prize

Over a century ago, the bicycle provideda medium for the Wright brothers to perfecttheir knowledge of things mechanical. AtWright State, the bicycle still serves as avehicle to test innovation and know-how. Inthis case, it’s a bicycle built for four by ateam of mechanical engineering students.

And while it may not sport a sleek,futuristic look, WSU’s entry in the 2003Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Challenge,sponsored by the American Society ofMechanical Engineers, earned a second-place trophy in the Multi-Rider Event inMay.

Held at the University of Missouri atRolla, the HPV Challenge attracted 16schools from across the country. The event’sgoal is to promote research in developinghuman-powered vehicles that can be usedin everyday activities, said Junghsen Lieh,associate professor of engineering andadvisor on the project.

Judged on design, safety, and perfor-mance, WSU’s quadcycle reached speeds upto 22 miles per hour on a circuitous 11-milecourse that featured sharp turns, speedbumps, hills, sudden stops, and otherobstacles.

The riders sit two-by-two, with those inthe back operating hand rowers taken fromold exercise machines. This innovativeaddition provided the extra power needed topropel the 200-pound bike.

Graduating senior Annemarie Peterssaid the cycle’s unique design also raisedsome eyebrows at the competition. “Theywere amazed, because it was the first four-person vehicle that had ever been entered inthe multi-rider event,” she said.

Preparing FutureScientists and Engineers

While some teens spent their summerrelaxing, playing video games, or watchingtelevision, 160 students enrolled in WrightState University’s Science, Technology,and Engineering Preparatory Program(Wright STEPP) took field trips to areabusinesses, attended seminars on careerawareness, and took classes in math andscience. Begun in 1988, Wright STEPP, apartnership between Wright State, theDayton Public Schools, Wright-PattersonAir Force Base, and local industry, hashelped over 1,000 students in grades 7–10become interested in and prepare for careersin science.

In addition to course work, the four-week Wright STEPP program helpsstudents explore career options in engineer-ing and science; introduces them to rolemodels from industry and education;arranges tours of local businesses for thestudents; and encourages students tocomplete college preparatory courses inhigh school. More than 100 scientists andengineers from around the communityvolunteer with the Wright STEPP program.

Students who complete four summers inthe program and meet other academiccriteria are eligible for a four-year, full-tuition scholarship from Wright State.

Wright STEPP was named one of theThousand Points of Light by formerPresident George Bush and earned the GoldMedal Award for Community Partnershipsfrom the Council for Advancement andSupport of Education. The National ScienceFoundation awarded Wright STEPP theComputer Science, Engineering, andMathematics Scholarship Award.

Wright STEPP’s graduation ceremony last July

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Students pedal the quadcycle across campus.

Counselor RecognitionKaplan’s 2004 Unofficial, Unbiased

Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Collegeslists Wright State as one of the mostunderrated schools in the nation, accordingto its survey of guidance counselorsnationwide. Also included in the list werethe University of Massachusetts-Amherst,Rutgers University, and the University ofArizona. WSU was also listed as one of theschools recommended by guidancecounselors.

Research Funding UpFunding for research at Wright State

increased 12 percent in 2002–2003 to$46,255,284. In the last 10 years, federalresearch funding at WSU has more thandoubled and the number of awards hasincreased from 378 in 1993–1994 to 554 in2002–2003. Wright State ranks third amongOhio’s state-assisted colleges and universi-ties in federal research.

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Pammer NamedFulbright Scholar

William Pammer,professor and director forthe Master of PublicAdministration program,was selected as aFulbright Scholar for the2003–2004 academicyear. Pammer will spendthe year in Moldova, a former Sovietcountry in Eastern Europe, instructing andassisting local officials in building marketeconomies and democratic governments.

“Moldova, like other former Sovietcountries, has been in transition since theearly 1980s,” said Pammer. “These aresome of the poorest areas in Europe, andthat’s why I’m going. I like a challenge.”

During his stay, Pammer will beteaching courses on local fiscal administra-tion and public administration to both stateand local government officials at theAcademy of Public Administration.According to Pammer, the centralized styleof government in former Soviet-bloccountries like Moldova created a lack oftrust in the government. Pammer hopes torebuild that trust by helping the localofficials develop their economies andgovernments.

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Talbott Awardedfor Faculty ExcellenceThe Wright State

University Board ofTrustees selected JohnTalbott, professor ofaccountancy, winner of theTrustees’ Award for FacultyExcellence. The award ispresented to one facultymember each year in recognition ofsustained excellence in teaching, scholar-ship, and service.

Talbott’s students have won the NationalStudent Case Competition an unprecedentedfour times and have finished in the top fouron three other occasions.

Talbott also organized a unique programfor Meadowdale High School students,which invites students to Wright State onceeach week for two months and introducesthem to accounting practices and careeropportunities in the accounting profession.

A two-time winner of the AlumniTeaching Award, Talbott has also beennamed a Distinguished Professor and chosenas an outstanding teacher in the Raj SoinCollege of Business on six occasions. Amember of the Board of Directors of EsckoCorporation, Talbott has also chaired WrightState’s Faculty Affairs and Budget Reviewcommittees.

Plants’ Defense May Leave Them Vulnerable

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Students Available forBusiness Consulting

Local companies that need people tohelp complete human resources orinformation systems projects may get helpat little or no cost from students in the RajSoin College of Business through theOhio Small Business DevelopmentCenter.

Human resources projects includepolicy and procedures development, inwhich a team of students supervised by aWright State faculty member willcomplete job descriptions; analyze jobs,wages, and benefits; make recommenda-tions on employee recruitment andstaffing; develop a performance appraisalsystem; and develop human resourcesstrategies and policies.

Students may also conduct an HRaudit for a business. Companies are askedto be available five to 10 hours per monthto meet with students and providemarketing, financial, and any otherneeded information.

Students from the Department ofManagement Science and InformationSystems are also available to developdatabases and Web sites for companies.

For more information, contact theOhio Small Business Development Centerat [email protected] or bycalling (937) 775-3487.

Some of the defenses that plants use to fight offdisease leave them more susceptible to attack byinsects, according to Don Cipollini, a chemicalecologist at Wright State University.

A major research interest of the Wright Statescientist is how plants cope with insects anddiseases. This includes examining biochemicalmechanisms of resistance, as well as theecological costs and benefits of plants’ responsesto pests.

His study, done in collaboration with researchersat the University of Chicago, illustrates the effects ofsalicylate, a natural plant chemical, on resistance of the plantspecies to the beet armyworm larvae. Salicylate is chemically similarto the aspirin that humans take, and it functions in nature to heighten aplant’s defenses to disease-causing microbes. But when applied toplants, salicylate can interfere with resistance to some insects,however, leaving them more susceptible to insect feeding damage.

“This interaction can result in the unfortunatetradeoff where plants become resistant to some

diseases, but more susceptible to some insects.This phenomenon represents an ecological costof resistance,” said Cipollini.

The assistant professor of biologicalsciences presented a research paper on thistopic last August at the annual meeting of theEcological Society of America in Savannah,Georgia.Cipollini’s research, which has funding support

from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hasimplications for crop plants in which salicylate-mediated

defenses have been either genetically engineered or chemicallymanipulated. It also illustrates natural constraints on the evolution ofplant resistance.

Cipollini has been invited to present his induced defense researchat international symposia in Australia and Canada next year.

William Pammer John Talbott



As the start of the new academic year got under way, President Kim Goldenberg announced the 2003-2204 recipientsof the President’s Excellence Awards. The awards are presented annually to outstanding individuals and units that demonstrate

exceptional dedication, expertise, and passion for excellence.

Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

Jay DeanAssociate Professor,Physiology andBiophysicsBrage GoldingDistinguished Professorof Research

Peter LaufChair, Professor,Physiology andBiophysicsUniversity Professor

Henry LimouzeChair, AssociateProfessor, EnglishFrederick A. WhiteDistinguishedProfessor ofProfessional Service

Tim WoodProfessor,Biological SciencesRobert J. KegerreisDistinguishedProfessor of Teaching

Don CipolliniAssistant Professor,Biological SciencesEarly CareerAchievement

Laura LuehrmannAssistant Professor,Political ScienceEarly CareerAchievement

Javier SternAssistant Professor,Pharmacology/ToxicologyEarly Career Achievement

Lisa CrawfordManagementOutstanding Instructor

Stan EasleyAnatomyOutstanding Instructor

Adrienne StolfiPediatricsOutstanding Instructor

Linda LesterMathematics andStatisticsOutstanding Lecturer

Karen MeyerComputer Science andEngineeringOutstanding Lecturer

Martha TeterNursing and HealthOutstanding Lecturer

Presidential Awards for Staff Excellence

Mary Jean HenryCollege of Education andHuman ServicesHuman Relations: Classified

Stephanie OursSchool of MedicineHuman Relations:Unclassified

Thomas BazzoliCollege of Engineeringand Computer ScienceInnovation: Unclassified

Kenneth BozemanLab StoresService: Classified

Paul NewmanAthleticsService: Unclassified

Special Collection Archives, University LibrariesOutstanding Unit

Planning, Engineering & Construction, Business Services; CATS; StudentAffairs and Enrollment Services; Student Union; Residence Services; Officeof Disability Services; Faculty Senate; Student Government; Physical Plant;Plant Operations and Maintenance; Facilities and Management; andEnvironmental ServicesOutstanding Collaborative Units

Presidential Awards for Staff Excellence


W hen Jenny Barger graduated from Wright State inJune, she was confident about her prospects in the jobmarket. In fact, she had a job lined up since April. Itpromised to be a good job, a high-tech job with a future,

the kind of job that Governor Bob Taft believes will transform Ohio’seconomy.

A Celina native, Barger attended Wright State’s Lake Campus fortwo years. Continuing her undergraduate program at WSU’s Dayton

campus, she learned about a new career option for biology ma-jors—bioinformatics—which used the latest advances in

information technology to manage the ever-growing mass ofbiological data generated since the sequencing of the

human genome.“Dr. Dan Krane told us bioinformatics would bethe next big thing, it would go places,” Barger

recalls.Sitting in the first of five computer scienceclasses required for the bioinformatics

option, she wondered whether it wasreally where she wanted to be. “Com-

puter science was so different fromthe biology classes I had taken,

but eventually I got the hang ofit. I even enjoyed it.”

Ohio’s Third B y M a r k W i l l i s

University Research Pioneers New Pathways on

Two days after graduation, Bargerbegan full-time work with Acero, aCleveland-based software company.Acero is the developer of the GenomeKnowledge Platform (GKP), apowerful bioinformatics tool thatenables scientists to share staggeringamounts of data within and betweenresearch organizations. Barger’s firstassignment was setting up the GKPat the University of Cincinnati’sGenome Research Institute, the hubfor a regional research collaborationthat includes Acero, Procter &Gamble, Wright-Patterson Air ForceBase, and Wright State University.

With the prospect of returning toWright State, not as a student but aGKP trainer, Barger considers herself“very lucky to have gotten thisopportunity.”

A Vibrant Knowledge-BasedEconomy

To Governor Bob Taft, the col-laboration evolving around theGenome Research Institute points theway to a new frontier in Ohio’seconomic development. Ohio’s firsteconomic frontier was agriculture,and its second was manufacturing.The Third Frontier, according to thegovernor’s vision, is the “knowledgeeconomy.”



Frontier“We’ve lost more than 100,000

manufacturing jobs in recent years,”Taft explains. “Our per capita incomewas growing before the recession,but it was growing at a slower ratethan other states. If we’re going topreserve quality of life and a vibranteconomy, we have to accelerate thetransition of our economy to a moredynamic one based on research andinnovation.”

Accelerating that transition isTaft’s top priority. In 2002 helaunched the Third Frontier Project,which will invest $1.6 billion in statefunds over the next decade to spurOhio’s knowledge economy. Part ofthe money comes from Ohio’s shareof the tobacco settlement; part of itcomes from capital and generalrevenue funds. On November 4, Ohiovoters will be asked to approve Issue1, which will authorize $500 millionin state bonds to finance additionalThird Frontier initiatives.

The monies will be investedstrategically in high-tech fields suchas bioscience, fuel cells, and infor-mation technology, which havestrong potential for commercializa-tion and job development. Ohio’sresearch universities bring valuableintellectual capital to the venture, andvarious Third Frontier programsencourage new collaborationsbetween universities and the privatesector.

WSU alumna Jenny Barger set up and provides training for the bioinformatics platform used at Cincinnati’sGenome Research Institute.

If approved by voters inNovember, Issue 1 will allowthe state to issue bonds tofund the high-tech researchneeded to create the high-paying jobs of the future.

“Growth in the high-techsector has averagedfour times that of the

overall economyduring the 1990s.”

“The state can provide funding andoverall leadership,” Taft says, “butultimately, we need our universities tofocus on research and developmentrelevant to the knowledge economy—helping new businesses to start up,encouraging faculty to participate innew businesses where appropriate,and also working with large estab-lished companies to help theminnovate and stay ahead of the curve.”

—© 1999 Milken Institute*



by AFRL at a level in excess of$1 million with the expectation thatthe results will both benefit the AirForce and have commercial potential.The funds are administered by theWright Brothers Institute, a newcommunity nonprofit organizationintended to provide an additionalmeasure of excellence to the AirForce laboratories and Ohio universi-ties. These collaborations are ex-pected to greatly expand, building offthe synergy of excellence in industry,government, and the university.

Taft and Samuel both also point tothe Genome Research InfrastructurePartnership (GRIP), the largercollaboration surroundingCincinnati’s Genome Institute, as anew model for university researchersworking across institutional lines.The GRIP was awarded a $9-milliongrant in the first round of ThirdFrontier funding, which is being usedto build a research infrastructureshared by all the partners. WrightState brings significant bio-informatics experience to the partner-ship, and a share of the grant will beused to expand bioinformaticsresources here.

“You can have someone start asmall company in the community andhire 10 or 25 people. That could be asource of high-tech, high-paying jobsin the community. Or you could havea university professor who aggres-sively develops a research programthat also hires 25 people,” Thomascontinues.

“It’s understood now that univer-sity-sponsored research programs arepart and parcel of economic develop-ment within the community. Univer-sity research programs create jobs inthe same way as more traditionalstart-ups.”

Governor Taft expects the ThirdFrontier Project to bring additionalfederal research funds to Ohio, whichwill provide more research anddevelopment jobs. A longer-termbenefit will be new Ohio businesses,large and small, creating qualityhigh-tech jobs like Jenny Barger’s.

“Every year Wright State gradu-ates a lot of talented people,” thegovernor says. “We want to keepthose graduates here at home byensuring that Ohio remains anexcellent place to work.”

America’s High-Tech Economy: Growth,Development, and Risks for Metropolitan Areas© 1999 Milken Institute

Taking Research to theMarketplace

According to Frank Samuel, thegovernor’s science and technologyadvisor, the Third Frontier Projectwill fund “the applications of newknowledge in the form of technologyapplied to products that will actuallysell in the marketplace, henceour insistence that businesspartners be front and center in thesecollaborations.

“University researchers can bringcreative, interactive approaches todeveloping relationships with theprivate sector,” Samuel adds. “Itrequires new ways of thinking andworking. Not all researchers will findthis congenial, but I think many will.”

“Dayton has an extraordinaryconcentration of information technol-ogy companies,” Governor Taft says.“Companies like Reynolds andReynolds, LexisNexis, and NCR areworking closely with universities. Weneed innovative partnerships likethese in every region of the state.”

He adds, “We also need to fullyutilize the Air Force ResearchLaboratory’s (AFRL) potential asan engine for Ohio’s knowledgeeconomy.”

The Wright State ConnectionWright State’s computer science

faculty is partnering right now withDayton information technologycompanies, AFRL, and other univer-sities to pursue its strength in datamanagement. With an NCR Teradatacomputer recently gifted to theuniversity, the computer sciencefaculty has first-rate facilities toconduct research in advanced datamanagement of critical importance toboth the IT industry and the AirForce.

A current project entitled SecureKnowledge Management is funded

“Technological innovation hasimproved productivity growth

and boosted U.S. long-termeconomic growth.”

—© 1999 Milken Institute

*

“States are beginning to seefederally funded university researchas an engine for economic develop-ment,” explains Jay Thomas, WSUvice president for research and dean,School of Graduate Studies.

*

“High-tech firmswant access to a trained

workforce, close proximity toresearch institutions,

a network of suppliers,access to venture capital, and

a good quality of life.” *—© 1999 Milken Institute


Q&AQ: A lot of states have launchedhigh-tech development programs.How can Ohio compete with them?

Taft: We have to make investing inthe knowledge economy a priority atthe state level. We are alreadyinvesting $25–30 million a year intobacco settlement monies. We’reinvesting $50 million a year in capitalbudget monies. We’re puttingadditional general fund dollars intothe high-tech economy. The finalpiece is Issue 1, the bond issue thatwill be on the ballot November 4. Itwill generate $500 million over a 10-year period to complement theseother funds. We’re talking about a$1.6 billion commitment over 10years, that we believe will leverage anadditional $4.5 billion in privatesector investment and federal re-search dollars.

Q: Beyond the grants, isn’t theproject also meant to stimulate newways of working?

Taft: The state investment willprime the pump, but the initiative alsohas to come from local institutionsfrom each region in the state. InDayton, you have companies workingtogether closely with universities.That has to happen in every region ofthe state.

An Interviewwith Governor Bob Taft

Q: You’ve traveled widelythroughout the state to promoteresearch and development. Whathave you learned about Ohio’scapacity for growth in theknowledge economy?

Taft: I’ve learned that we have alot more than people think or knowthat we have. Part of our challenge isto view ourselves as a state withstrong activity and tremendouspotential in important areas of thehigh-tech economy.

We have a lot going on, and weneed to promote it very aggressively.We need to promote collaborationamong different regions of Ohio,among different research institutions,and between research institutions onthe one hand and businesses on theother.

Q: How do you keep the faith in thefuture in tough budget times likethis?

Taft: Through this very difficultbudget period, we’ve had almostunanimous support in the GeneralAssembly for Third Frontier Projectinitiatives. We’ve been able topreserve the tobacco settlementdollars that are going into biomedical

research. We’ve been able to pre-serve our Third Frontier ActionFunds, which are general revenues.The legislature has already approvedthe first two installments of ourbricks-and-mortar capital project,which provides dollars for WrightCenters of Innovation. With enact-ment of the ballot initiative inNovember, we will have a verystrong program in place that willcompete favorably with what anyother state is doing.

I believe we will see the benefitimmediately in the form of addi-tional federal dollars coming into ourstate, which will provide more R&Djobs. These in and of themselves arehigh-paying jobs. That’s the short-term benefit. The long-term benefitis more innovative and successfulemployers, large and small, provid-ing good paying jobs for Ohiocitizens and keeping our best andbrightest college graduates at home.

Ohio’s Third Frontier Project


F or more than six weeks, 11students dug, scraped,scooped, and sweated under

a hot summer sun where the Wrightshad their sixth bicycle shop from1897 to 1916 and where they builtthe historic plane that flew at KittyHawk on December 17, 1903.

“This has been an incredibleexperience,” said senior anthropol-ogy major Nikki Novak. “Doing thisin conjunction with Dayton’sInventing Flight really gets you inthe spirit of the celebration. It’s beena unique experience.”

Digging UndergroundLocated on West Third Street in

Dayton’s revitalized Wright-Dunbarneighborhood, the dig was a projectof WSU’s annual summer FieldSchool in Archaeology conducted byprofessor of anthropology RobertRiordan. With a boost from a $46,000grant from the Dayton AviationHeritage Commission (DAHC), theproject’s aim was to find artifacts leftbehind when Henry Ford moved theshop in 1936 to Michigan’sGreenfield Village.

But based on the amount of bricksunearthed, it appears that Ford didn’ttake as much of the shop with him asthought.

“A major surprise is that there ismore left of the original structure thanwe had anticipated,” said Riordan. “Itcould be that only the front façade ofthe shop was taken, and that therestored shop incorporates bricksfrom Michigan.”

Despite the seven-hour-day, six-day-a-week work schedule, there wasonly time to dig at predetermined“hot spots,” revealed through amagnetic ground survey conductedlast spring.

One highlighted spot was a sectionalong the Third Street sidewalk wherea limestone block foundation wasrevealed, as well as brick stoops froma house that predated the shop and wasenlarged to encompass the bike shop,a funeral parlor, and later, a floristshop.

Artifacts uncovered early onincluded a piece of mosaic floor tile, awoman’s shoe, pieces of dinner plates,buttons, and a brass gaslight fitting.

The site included a boardwalkalongside the project that allowedonlookers to observe work in progressand talk with WSU public historygraduate students Tasha Hairston andTim Binkley.

“There’s been a lot of interest inthis,” said Hairston. “It’s not everyday you see an archaeological dig in acity.” Besides giving daily updates totourists, the interpreters talked aboutthe history of the site and showedsome of the artifacts found during thatday.

Initially, a large amount of the workinvolved removing top layersof debris and dirt filled in when afurniture store built in the early fifties

WHILE SOME OF DAYTON’S INVENTING FLIGHT EVENTS

HAD CELEBRANTS LOOKING TO THE SKY, A GROUP OF WRIGHT

STATE ARCHAEOLOGY STUDENTS WERE LOOKING UNDER-GROUND FOR ARTIFACTS CONNECTED TO WHERE IT ALL BE-GAN: THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ BICYCLE SHOP.

B y C o n n i e S t e e l e

Pieces of ceramic and glassware; abrass gaslight wall fixture

Junior Kevin Tibbs and Senior Nikki Novak hit “paydirt” when they reached the level from the Wright era.


for Aviation History

was razed in 2001. “Pay dirt” was alayer of “clean” dark soil indicatingthey had reached the level from theWright era. That’s where artifactsfrom the Wrights’ bicycle businessbegan appearing.

These include pieces of bicyclevalve stems; a small metal buttoninscribed with “Kelly Handlebar,Cleveland,” and some wheel spokeferrules.

They also found a few type slugsfrom the Wrights’ printing business.“Documents show that when the shopwas moved, there was a lot of typeset-ting equipment from the Wrights’printing business on the second floor,”said field school supervisor and publichistory student, Lee Barrett. “While

some were taken to Greenfield, therest was thrown out on the lot andburied under the fill.”

Anthony Sculimbrene, DAHCexecutive director, said the projectdid a lot to generate public interest inthe Wright-Dunbar neighborhood andin the Inventing Flight celebration.“We’re very pleased with whatWright State has done here,” he said.“This project turned out to be muchdifferent than we expected: we neverthought that much of the foundationwas left after Henry Ford moved thebuilding. Based on what’s showingup, I can see that we’ve barelyscratched the surface with this.”

As for the future of the site,Sculimbrene said the commission is

looking at options to preserve it asone of the attractions in the WrightDunbar Historical District.

While the overall project wasdeemed a success, Barrett said sometreasures remain undiscovered, suchas determining the exact location ofthe shed where Charlie Taylor builtthe 1903 flyer’s engine.

“One question we get asked a lot is‘how can you decide when to stopdigging?’ Don’t you wonder if you’rejust one inch away from that prizefind, from that time capsule that wasleft behind?’” said Barrett. “As anarchaeologist, you have to be able towalk away. It’s part of the process.You just hope your training hashelped you find the right spots.”

Professor ofanthropology RobertRiordan at the ThirdStreet excavation site


That’s oneof the challenges being faced by agroup of local engineers tasked withcreating new software that willincrease our nation’s security.

In the Miami Valley, academia,industry, and government have cometogether to develop revolutionarytechnologies that can help make ournation more secure: specifically,software programs that can be usedfor securing information, mining datafor extracting knowledge, andeffectively managing large volumesof data. Wright State’s InformationTechnology Research Institute(ITRI), working as the research armof the Greater Dayton InformationTechnology Alliance, put together aproposal that brings fresh, newresearch ideas that can be commer-cialized to the region.

able individuals meet and interactwith others, they too will become newinformation for the computer to storeand analyze. Infrared and thermalsensors will make it a capable anddependable system at night.

Continuous video monitoring canproduce huge amounts of data wheredata mining techniques are needed toextract the “hidden” knowledge.

“Large amounts of disjointed dataoriginating from multiple sources isworthless to the end user unless theinformation is retrieved and corre-lated in useful and meaningful ways,”said Nikolaos Bourbakis, director ofITRI. “The Secure KnowledgeManagement software gives us asystem for taking individual piecesfrom numerous puzzles and puttingthem together to make a new picture.

“Researchers working on theSecure Knowledge Managementproject will create software method-ologies for collecting, mining, andassociating data, information appli-cable to a great variety of commercialand government problems such asvideo surveillance for storage units,art galleries, casinos, parking lots,and convenience stores,” saidBourbakis. “This research willcontribute to economic developmentvia information technology compa-nies in the region and throughout thestate of Ohio.”

Teaching Computers to Think like

Can a computer be taught to�distinguish between normaland abnormal behavior? Researchers at Wright State areworking on software that can direct a computer to interpretwhat it sees in the same way a human would.

HumansUnder the umbrella of the Wright

Brothers Institute, the project, SecureKnowledge Management (SKM), hasreceived nearly $1.4 million from theAir Force Research Laboratorieswith possible additional funding for2004 and 2005.

As the principal investigator forTask-1 of the SKM project, ITRI willwork in collaboration with The OhioState University, the University ofCincinnati, Kent State University,and the University of Dayton.Nineteen scientists from the fiveuniversities will collaborate on 17projects that have been funded todate.

A computer surveillance systemthat can improve airport security isone of the SKM projects. Research-ers from the SKM team are creatingnew software that “teaches” acomputer to extract behavior andcompare it to a database of normaland abnormal behavior. For instance,they’ll program the computer todisregard a person with a briefcasewho enters the airport and boards aplane but to send up a red flag if it“observes” an individual with apackage wandering between termi-nals, discarding the package behind awaste can and leaving the airport.

As the computer processes thevideo images, it will also be taught tocompare facial details to a databaseand alert security personnel toknown terrorists. And as recogniz-


Requests to access WSU’s world-renownedWright brothers collections soared as theworld prepared to celebrate centennial of flight

The WRIGHT STUFF

As the year 2003 comes to a close, things justmight start slowing down for the staff in WrightState’s Special Collections and Archives.

Then again, maybe not. After all, as holder of one of theworld’s most complete collections of the Wright brothers’life and work, the archives have drawn aviation research-ers, historians, and authors from around the globe sincethe Wright family donated the collection in 1975.

But as plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary ofpowered flight began to take off across the nation and theworld, the number of requests to access the collectionbegan increasing at an almost exponential rate.

“We started seeing an increase two to three years agofor images and information,” said Dawne Dewey, headarchivist. “Starting the first of the year, it reached acrescendo and has maintained that level. It’s been very,very busy.”

Dewey said her staff has fielded requests from all overthe world. The collection has been cited as a resource in aplethora of films, documentaries, books, exhibits, maga-zine and newspaper stories, and television specials aboutaviation and the Wright brothers. Film crews from Ger-

many and Japantaped segmentsin the archives,and the collec-tion was tappedby all threemajor networks,as well asNationalGeographicChannel, PBS,and the Discov-ery channel,

B y C o n n i e S t e e l e

Dawne Dewey

which featured commentary by Dewey on a special thataired September 19.

Even the National Park Service, the National Air andSpace Museum, the Seattle Museum of Flight, the U.S.Postal Service, the Dayton International Air Show, andDayton’s very own Inventing Flight requisitioned thearchives. In addition, staff members were in great de-mand to speak at community and school groups around thestate, as well as in North Carolina and Philadelphia. In2001, Dewey was invited to display several artifacts fromthe collection at the Paris Air Show.

“We also received a lot of oddball requests,” addedDewey, “such as ‘what was the name of the Wrights’ St.Bernard?’ and ‘where did they buy the muslin that coveredthe 1903 flyer?’”

The Wright Brothers Collection serves as a nucleus of arich collection of manuscripts, books, and journals aboutaviation history.

And for those who are wondering: the dog’s name was“Scipio” and the store was Rike’s.

Phot

o: D

an P

atte

rson


Wright State CelebratesPerhaps nowhere was it more appropriate to celebrate the invention of powered flight

than at a university named after its inventors and located just down the road from

where they conducted their early flight experiments. Following are just some of Wright

State-sponsored events, programs, and festivities marking an event that changed the

course of humankind.

3. The First Flight Federal AdvisoryBoard and the U.S. Centennial of Flight

Commission held their first joint meetinglast fall at Wright State University.

Among the attendees were NeilArmstrong (back row, left) and John

Glenn (front row, left).

6. The book Kitty Hawk and Beyond,coauthored by Ronald R. Geibert,professor of art, was updated and

re-released.

1. The Song of Flight, a free communityconcert at Dayton’s Masonic Lodge, was

presented by the music departments of WrightState University and the University of Dayton.

4. The WSU Wind Symphony premieredMan Flies, composed by WSU professor

Leland Bland, and directed by David Booth.

8. “Aviation in Art & Culture” symposiumfeatured WSU alumnus Dan Patterson and a

book series he is co-authoring, AviationCentury.

5. University Art Galleries spring exhibitof early flying machines by French

artist Jacques Henri Lartique.

2. President Goldenberg accepted the historicfirst flight photo from astronaut Jerry Ross, who

carried it on the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

I N V E N T I N G

7. The Third Annual InternationalSymposium for Aviation Photographers:Wilbur Wright flying the Wright Model A

Flyer in Pau, France, 1909 (WSU Archives)

3

1

2

4

5

6

8

7



WSU FetesAlumni and Friendsfor Dayton’s GrandKickoff

On July 3, Wright State hostedmore than 1,500 alumni-donors, and friends at the

university’s Kettering Center for acookout.

Located directly across fromRiverScape in downtown Dayton, thecenter provided a prime location forfamilies to enjoy the Inventing Flightactivities and Independence Day fire-works show.

“There were many alumni and friendsat the event who were delighted torediscover WSU’s presence in the heartof downtown Dayton,” said Shari Lewis,director of Corporate and FoundationRelations. “This event helped us tostrengthen that presence and show oursupport for the centennial celebration offlight—one of the most significant eventsin Dayton’s history.”

F L I G H TPresident Goldenberg,

Representative ChrisWidener, and Senator

Steve Austria

Fred andJudy Weberenjoy icecreamdonated byalumnusDan Young.

Ken Oberheu, Senator JeffJacobson, Marilee Oberheu,

and Susan Williams

Food for the revelersClowns and face paint

Wearable balloon art

A view of downtown’s RiverScape andDayton’s Inventing Flight celebration fromthe top of WSU’s Kettering Center.


Shining at th

Wright State takesthe stage at

Dayton’s newestperforming arts venue

T he sights and soundsof more than 200Wright StateUniversity singers,dancers, filmmak-

ers, and artists filled the Benjaminand Marian Schuster PerformingArts Center last June, part of aninaugural season of downtownDayton’s newest performing artsvenue. The show kicked off to asold-out house with a major Broad-way review featuring songs bydistinguished alumni from NewYork and Los Angeles, includingAnn Van Cleave, star ofBroadway’s Ragtime, NicoleScherzinger, lead singer for the hitsinging group Eden’s Crush, andleading stage performer, Jay Pierce.


he Schuster

With music from Miss Saigon,Oklahoma!, Les Miserables, andCabaret to breathtaking tap se-quences from 42nd Street, the eveningwas hailed as a landmark event forWSU arts in the Miami Valley.

President Kim Goldenberg made a presentation toBenjamin and Marian Schuster in appreciation for theircontributions to the arts.

The Dayton Daily News reportedthat the performers “can hold thebiggest stage in town.”

The evening concluded with thestirring America, the Beautiful,arranged by Carmen Dragon, per-formed by the WSU Wind Symphonyand sung by more than 200 voices,including the WSU CombinedChoirs.

Those with a penchant for thevisual arts were delighted withstudent artists drawing, painting, andsculpting as patrons watched. Motionpictures majors presented clips fromrecent productions.

According to Mitch Singer, amajor supporter and benefactor inthe restoration of WSU’s FestivalPlayhouse renovation, “This is thebest I’ve seen in Dayton.”


Wright State’s New Strategic Plan Aims to Expand the University’s Role In and Beyond the Region

O N T H E H O R I Z O N

The 2002–2003 academic year is in full swing.The campus is capping off its centennial offlight celebration. The university’s firstcapital campaign has garnered overwhelming

public support. It couldn’t be a better time, says PresidentKim Goldenberg, to implement a new five-year strategicplan approved by the Board of Trustees last June.

“Our plan represents the ideas of wonderfully talentedfaculty, staff, and students, with input from distinguishedalumni and community,” said Goldenberg, who initially setthe broad goals, future direction, and process for the plan.

The strategic planning process began only last fall.Robert J. Sweeney, professor of finance and financialservices, chaired the committee, collaborating withJacqueline McMillan, executive assistant to the presidentand secretary to the WSU Board of Trustees. The chargefrom President Goldenberg was to assemble a committeerepresentative of the campus and craft a plan to the trusteesby the June meeting.

“It was important to involve everyone in the campuscommunity,” said Sweeney. “The input we received fromfocus groups and forums held on the Dayton and Lakecampuses ensured that everyone had the opportunity to beheard. We appreciate the hard work and effort of all thoseinvolved.”

On board to lead implementation of the plan is WSU’snew provost, David Hopkins. “I am really impressed withthe time frame in which the strategic plan was accom-plished and the overall support for it,” added Hopkins.“I’ve been involved in planning at other institutions and itcan take several years to accomplish what was accom-plished here in just nine months. ”

“Dr. Robert Sweeney provided outstanding leadershipof the planning committee and will continue to assist thenew provost,” added Goldenberg.

The plan serves as a blueprint for implementing threeoverarching goals: recruiting and retaining a diversestudent body; expanding partnerships regionally andglobally; and focusing on emerging areas of need withgovernment, business, and nonprofits.

“The future of higher education lies in our ability tobuild mutually beneficial partnerships,” said Hopkins.“As we implement our plan, we will continue to reachout in very creative ways to serve our students andcommunities.”

Alumni will also play an important role in theuniversity’s outreach efforts, Hopkins added. “Themessage is that alumni benefit from what Wright State isdoing.”

Sweeney explained that expanding partnerships meansmore than Wright State’s going out into the community:“it’s inviting the communityonto campus, to be part of theevolution.”

Citing examples such asusing more community andbusiness experts to team teachand offering more servicelearning projects for students,Sweeney explained, “It’sresponding and evolving tocompete in the marketplace ofthe future—to the changes intechnology, the needs of ourstudents, and fiscal responsi-bilities.”

David Hopkins, Jacqueline McMillan, andRobert Sweeney discuss strategies toimplement WSU’s new strategic plan.


The more WSU’s new provost and

chief academic officer, David

Hopkins, learns his way around

campus, the more he finds to like. “The

atrium in the library is wonderful,” he

says, “Looking up at the full-scale replica

of the Wright brothers’ flyer that hangs

from the ceiling is certainly inspiring.”

But it’s more than the campus’s

physical attributes that he admires: it’s a “can do” spirit that pervades

throughout the faculty, staff, and students.

“I’ve worked at older institutions where traditions are difficult to

change or question,” says Hopkins, who came on board July 1. “But

there is a sense here that we can try new things.”

In fact, empowering people to reach their potential has been the

hallmark of his leadership style throughout his 27 years in higher

education: as a teacher, department chair, college dean, and top-

level administrator.

Hopkins comes to Wright State from Indiana State University,

where he was senior associate vice president of academic affairs. He

replaces Perry Moore, who was promoted to senior vice president

and is currently executive-in-residence on the senior staff of the Ohio

Board of Regents.

At Indiana, Hopkins led the development of a proposal that

garnered $20 million from the Lilly Endowment for the College of

Business. He worked for nine years in the provost’s office, including a

position as interim provost. He developed numerous programs for

faculty and staff development and student learning, including a

comprehensive program designed to help students adjust to college.

Hopkins earned a doctorate in physical education with research

expertise in exercise physiology at Indiana University. He is the

inventor of ACUFLEX instruments, which are used worldwide to

evaluate joint flexibility.

According to President Kim Goldenberg, “Dr. Hopkins seeks to

involve others in decision making, and his leadership philosophy is

based strongly on ethical and caring behavior. He is known for

enhancing the personal growth of people, while improving the quality

of an institution.”

Added Hopkins, “I believe you aspire to lead because it enables

you to serve more people in greater ways.”

During the initial planning stage last year, campus unitsand academic departments proposed objectives to supportthe plan’s three goals. Sweeney said the campus’s enthusi-astic response to the process stems from several factors,including a spirit of teamwork and a focus on theuniversity’s strengths.

Although Sweeney and McMillan will remain mem-bers of the committee, Hopkins will lead the group to setaction steps during this next implementation phase.

“Having the provost lead the efforts during this stage isthe natural evolution in our planning process. Decisionsfor allocating resources and prioritizing action steps mustbe done at the highest level. I’m looking forward toworking with Dr. Hopkins. He brings a lot of experienceto the table,” said Sweeney.

New WSU Provost

David Hopkins

WRIGHT STATE’S FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

Role in the World• Serve students from a diverse cross-section of the population;

• Perform research and scholarship that address societal needs;

• Engage in community outreach that improves quality of life.

Future Direction• Expand Wright State’s role in and beyond our region

Strategic Goals•Enhance Wright State’s distinctive learning experience to recruitand retain a diversity of students from the region and beyond.

• Expand partnerships through external funding and collaborativescholarship both regionally and globally.

• Extend engagement with government, business, and nonprofits tofocus on emerging areas of need.


B y J u d i E n g l e

“SIMULATED PATIENTS MUST

KNOW THEIR ROLES SO WELL

THEY CAN BE GENUINE AND

INTERACTIVE WHILE PART

OF THEIR BRAIN REMAINS

AN OBSERVER.”– JEROME BORCHERS

Acting the PartSimulated Patients

Medical student Nikole Scalera and simulated patientBetsy Daniels

SIMULATED PATIENT TRAINER

At Exam Room #8,second-year medicalstudent Nikole Scaleraquickly reviews the

patient’s chart: Betsy Belyak, newpatient, normal vital signs, severeabdominal pain episodes. As Nikoleflips the “in use” flag and knocks atthe door, Betsy a.k.a. Daniels sets the20-minute timer. In that set time,Nikole must establish rapport withher patient, obtain her social, medical,and family history, complete arelevant physical exam, and deter-mine a possible diagnosis. In otherwords, she must function just like adoctor.

Betsy Daniels is a simulatedpatient, a highly trained individualwho portrays a case and also evalu-ates the student’s efforts. Betsy hasbeen given a social, medical, andfamily history and an “ailment.” Shehas meticulously rehearsed her role toensure that her responses lead to anappropriate diagnosis.

Almost 15 minutes into theencounter, Nikole asks Betsy to moveto the exam table and to “untuck hershirt.” Nikole explains that she islistening for “normal bowel sounds”as she places a hand-warmed stetho-scope on Betsy’s abdomen. Nikolegoes on to check for tenderness,abnormal masses, and liver size—until the buzzer goes off.

At this point, Betsy Belyaktransforms into Betsy Daniels and

both Betsy and Nikole fill out shortquestionnaires. Nikole must indicateshe learned about Betsy’s heart attacktwo years ago and her current medi-cations. She needs to describe thepresenting complaint and list appro-priate tests to confirm a diagnosis.

Betsy notes that Nikole introducedherself, washed her hands, andchecked her abdomen but ran out of

time before the lungs and heart exam.Betsy also ranks Nikole’s communi-cation skills and gives her feedbackfrom a patient’s perspective. In awrap-up session, Nikole discusses herfindings and experience with S. BruceBinder, clinical curriculum coordina-tor for the School of Medicine whodeveloped the program.

Simulated patients, from the agesof 12–75 and all walks of life, presentfour different cases to first-yearstudents and 15 different cases tosecond-year students. “The key forthe simulated patient is that theyknow the role so well they can begenuine and interactive while part ofthe brain remains an observer,” saysJerome Borchers, who trains morethan 80 simulated patients a year.

Betsy has been a simulated patientfor three years. “I felt that I couldmake a difference by helping studentsthink about the ‘why’ issue,” shesays. “I feel as a patient, and then as ateacher afterwards, I can give stu-dents information that they may nothear in any other setting.”

The simulated patient program wasestablished in 1980 in the School ofMedicine. Today, the program is inthe Skills Assessment TrainingCenter, which offers its services toother clinical training programs. “Theprogram is designed to be a safe placeto learn, to grow, and to build confi-dence,” says Binder. “The program iscompassionate.”


Landlocked Springfield,Ohio, might seem like anunlikely birthplace forsomeone whose career

revolves around water. But that neverstopped the course of Rear AdmiralDeborah Loewer’s (’76 B.S.) illustri-ous Navy career, including being thefirst woman war-trained admiral andfirst woman vice commander of theNavy’s Military Sealift Command(MSC).

In addition to her rise through theranks at sea, some of AdmiralLoewer’s greatest career challengeshave occurred landside. On Septem-ber 11, 2001, the Wright Stategraduate had the duty of being thefirst to inform President Bush of anattack on the World Trade Center. Atthe time, Loewer was Situation Roomdirector in the West Wing of theWhite House, a fast-paced, 24/7 jobshe held for two years.

“My team’s and my mandate wasto ensure that President Bush and[National Security Advisor]Condoleeza Rice were always keptabreast of international issues that

Alumna’s

B y M i c a h S i e g a l

From WSU softball to the WhiteHouse to a Military Sealift Command:

affected national security,” sheexplained.

On that fateful day, this duty wasput to the test. While part of a presi-dential motorcade en route to aSarasota, Fla., elementary school,Loewer received a call from her staffsaying an airplane had flown into oneof the World Trade Center towers.“Once the motorcade stopped, I ranup to the president and Secretary[Andrew] Card and briefed themboth. The president’s guidance to mewas, ‘keep me informed.’” Afterinforming the president, she staffedan impromptu situation room in avacant classroom with access to cabletelevision and telephones.

As the MSC’s vice commander,Loewer is charged with organizingthe movement of tons of equipment,food, and fuel to soldiers and sailorsalike across the globe. She describesher new position as the “chief operat-ing officer of a 126-ship, $2.4 billionshipping operation.”

Loewer’s 27-year military careerbegan right after she graduated fromWright State with a degree in theo-

retical mathematics and computerscience. Along the way, she earned adoctorate in international law fromthe University of Kiel in Germany,served as military assistant to theDeputy Secretary of Defense and theSecretary of Defense, and com-manded the USS Baker and USSCamden.

Despite her success, Loewerhasn’t forgotten her past. “WrightState in the ’70s was such a positiveenvironment. The professors werealways terrific, the graduate assis-tants were so helpful, and I don’tthink I would have gone anyplaceelse…and I really looked around alot.”

Playing for Wright State’s firstwomen’s softball team in 1973 is herfavorite memory from her collegedays. She earned the nickname “BabyBat” because of her penchant forbunting, a strategy that caughtvisiting teams off guard. “I was neverthat good,” Loewer admits, “but Iloved getting out and being part ofthat team environment.”

life and career

marked by

f i r s t sPresident George W. Bush andRear Admiral Deborah Loewer


C A M P A I G N R E P O R T

TOMORROWTAKES FLIGHTThe Campaign for Wright State University

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

(L–R) Richard Schuster,Chair, Division of HealthSystems Management;President KimGoldenberg; OscarBoonshoft; and HowardPart, Dean, WSU Schoolof Medicine

BOONSHOFT MAKES NEWDUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM POSSIBLE

Thanks to a $2 million gift from Dayton philanthropist Oscar Boonshoft, next year WrightState will launch a new physicians leadership development program. The program, whichcan be completed in five years, will allow medical students to pursue both a Master of Busi-ness Administration degree along with their M.D.

Created by Dr. Richard Schuster, chair of WSU’sDivision of Health Systems Management, the programwill help students develop essential management andleadership skills as well as knowledge of health eco-nomics and population-based medicine.

The School of Medicine will use half of thegift to fund program development, and the otherhalf to provide scholarships for select medicalstudents.

In addition to his most recent gift to WSU, Mr.Boonshoft’s past generosity led to the creation of theDivision of Health Systems Management in 1999 with a

gift of $2.5 million to endow the Oscar Boonshoft Chairof Health Systems Management, occupied by Dr.Schuster. In recognition of his outstanding philan-thropy, in 2000 the Division of Health Systems Manage-ment presented Mr. Boonshoft with a traditional Schoolof Medicine “White Coat.”

Born and raised in the Bronx in New York City, Mr.Boonshoft received his mechanical engineering degreefrom Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey andjoined the Army Air Corps in 1939. Following his mili-tary career, Mr. Boonshoft had a successful 30-yearcareer as a project manager, USAF contracting officer

and supervisory production engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He retired from Wright-Patterson in January 1970. Mr. Boonshoft and his

wife Marjorie have supported science andmedicine in a number of capacities.

He is a member of the Wright StateUniversity Founda-tion Board ofTrustees.


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VECTREN SUPPORTSLITERACY IN DAYTON

On August 7, Stephen P. Bramlage, president ofVectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, vowed to helpimprove the reading skills of Dayton Public Schoolstudents through a $10,000 check to Wright State’sUrban Literacy Institute (ULI). Vectren supplies naturalgas to residential and business customers in west-central Ohio.

A partnership between WSU’s College ofEducation and Human Services and DaytonPublic Schools, ULI just completed the second ofa four-year pilot program for children in grades Kthrough 4.

The program is seeing encouraging results. For the2001–2002 statewide Fourth Grade Proficiency test,Dayton Public Schools saw a double-digit increaseover the preceding year.

ALUMNI PARTICIPATIONON THE RISE

WSU is in the midst of the most ambitious and mostsuccessful fundraising effort in its history. Focusedprimarily on people and programs, the Campaign forWright State University is driven by and gainsmomentum from its generous donors and volunteers.

Last October, WSU alumni from throughout thecountry were asked to answer the call to the NationalAlumni Challenge by making a gift to the Campaignfor Wright State University. And answer, they did!

By September 1, 2003, 14.5 percent of Wright Statealumni had already made a commitment to theuniversity’s first-ever campaign, resulting in more than$3.2 million in gifts. Leading this important alumni effortis Ron Amos (’76 B.S.B.; ’84 M.B.A.), Gail Littlejohn (’76M.S.), and a national team of nearly 50 alumni donor-volunteers.

“Frequently I hear alumni remark that theywouldn’t be where they are today without WrightState,” said Susan Smith, executive director ofAlumni Relations.“Through this campaign, we aretrying to ensure that Wright State continues to be aplace that opens doors of opportunity and achievementto people of all means and backgrounds.”

Haven’t yet made a campaign gift? There’s still timeto join the thousands of alumni who are making adifference at WSU by including your gift in the enclosedenvelope.

CAMPAIGN COMMITMENTS SOAR

1999* 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004**

$19.3

$26

$40.9

$3.7

$12.1

$42.2

IN

MI

LL

IO

NS

* Includes only gifts made between April 1, when the campaign started, and June 30,the end of the fiscal year.

** As of September 1, 2003

F I S C A L Y E A R

Campus Scholarship CampaignSees Record Success

For more than a quarter of a century, WSU faculty,staff, and retirees have furthered the mission of WrightState by contributing not only their time, but also theirvaluable resources. This year alone, over 800 membersof the WSU family contributed an unprecedented$225,000 to the Campus Scholarship and InnovationCampaign (CSIC)—a $30,000 increase over last year.

The success of this and past annual campuscampaigns sets a strong foundation for theuniversity to launch the Family Phase of theTomorrow Takes Flight Campaign in October2003.

Spearheading the Family Phase will be a committeeof volunteers comprising each representative group.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

$40 Million

From left: Marcia Muller, vice president for University Advancement;Stephen P. Bramlage, president of the Vectren Corporation; WSU PresidentKim Goldenberg, and Steve Hansell, professor and chair of the Departmentof Teacher Education.


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ON THE WEB www.wright.edu/alumni

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Women’s head basketball coach, Bridgett Bonds WilliamsMen’s head basketball coach, Paul Biancardi

Head Tennis Coach Herb Foster

Student Alumni Association member Laura DeStephen, juniorWSUAA member Kim Group, ’78, ’88

Assistant director, Bolinga Center, and WSUAA member Corey Leftridge, ’97WSUAA Board member Eric Sedwick, ’95

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Women’s head volleyball coach, Joylyn Tracy ’94Men’s head soccer coach, Mike Tracy, ’93Future alumnus, Matteus Tracy, ’23

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Student Alumni Associationmember Katie Woods, senior

WSUAA memberLiz Conzo, ’00

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A L U M N O T E S

CLASS OF 1968Steven Christian (B.S., ’71 M.B.A.)recently completed a one-year termas president of Kappa Beta DeltaInternational Honour Society. Thehonor society is for two-year pro-grams accredited by the Associationof Collegiate Business Schools andPrograms. Christian is currently aprofessor of accountancy and financeat Jackson Community College inJackson, Michigan.

CLASS OF 1969Nancy Farnan (B.S.Ed.) is a profes-sor at San Diego State University.She was recently promoted to de-partment chair of teacher educationin August 2003.

CLASS OF 1970Garnett McDonough (B.S.Ed.),retired professor and chairperson oflegal assisting, law, and real estateat Sinclair Community College, wasrecently awarded professor emeri-tus status at the college’s 37th an-nual commence-ment. ProfessorMcDonoughserved as a facultymember of theBusiness Tech-nologies Divisionfrom 1974through 2002.During her 28-year tenure, sheserved as acting dean, providingleadership that resulted in the Busi-ness Technologies Division earningapproval by the Association of Col-

legiate Business Schools and Pro-grams. In 1997 McDonough wasnamed the Innovator of the Year forher work in Web development andtraining. She also developed thetwo-year degree program in legalassisting, which was one of the firstto gain approval from the OhioBoard of Regents and the AmericanBar Association. ProfessorMcDonough has provided her timeand talents for community service,including serving as president to theLeague of American Wheelmen, anational organization of cyclists.She has served on the board of theClark County Library, SpringfieldSymphony Orchestra, Five RiversMetroParks, and the state board forpublic libraries.

CLASS OF 1971Terry Simonton (B.S.) is retiredfrom Navistar International and wasrecently promoted to auditor III atthe State of Nevada Department ofEmployment Training and Rehabili-tation, Employment Security Divi-sion, Las Vegas Field Audit Office.

CLASS OF 1972Patricia Scott (B.S., ’83 M.S.) is anRN/counselor at Mental Health Ser-vices of Clark County. She is cur-rently working on a part-time basis,volunteering with Mercy Hospice inSpringfield, and is active in MapleAvenue Church of God in Fairborn.

CLASS OF 1975Raymond Umstead (B.S.) is cur-rently vice president and assistantchief legal officer, Anthem, Inc.,and in July of 2001 was listed as amember of the executive officer ofAnthem in the acquisition of BlueCross/Blue Shield of Kansas.

CLASS OF 1976Dale True (B.S.) owns and works asa financial advisor at True FinancialStrategies, an investment manage-ment firm in North Carolina. He isalso the executive director of Con-servation Partners of North Caro-lina, funding conservation researchprojects.

CLASS OF 1979George Sodders (B.A., ’83 M.S.),the county auditor for Clark County,was first elected to a four-year termin 1991, and was reelected in 1994,1998, and 2002.

CLASS OF 1980Gene Randall (B.A., ’83 M.S.) is aself-employed tax preparer. He alsoserves as a member of Xenia Cham-ber of Commerce, Greene CountyYMCA, WGC Golf Course, and XeniaCity Traffic Commission.

CLASS OF 1982Sharon Short(B.A.) recentlyhad a humorousmystery novel,Death of a Domes-tic Diva, publishedby Avon Books.The novellaunches a newseries for Short, which features thecharacter Josie Toadfern, alaundromat owner and stain expertin Paradise, Ohio. Short indicatesthat her Toadfern novel series is amix of traditional cozy mystery andgentle social satire. Additionally,Short’s humor column, SanityCheck, runs every Monday on thecover of the Life section of the Day-ton Daily News. Short has a Web siteat www.sharonshort.com.

CLASS OF 1986Shawn Eric Jackson (B.A.) is a sev-enth and eighth grade social studiesteacher at Yellow Springs schools,where he also serves as the YellowSprings Education Association presi-dent. Jackson is also a LPDC chair-person, Praxis III assessor andtrainer, Pathwise and Ohio First men-tor and trainer, WOEA executivecommittee member, OEA senatedistrict 10 chair, OEA Greene CountyUniserve chair, OEA Regional Coor-dinating Council representative, andClark County Democratic party cen-tral and executive committee mem-ber.

Margaret Stooksberry (B.M.) re-cently graduated with honors fromSinclair Community College with anA.A.S. in mental health technologyand a certificate in therapeutic recre-ational activities.

Wright State athleteBreaks World Swimming Record

Despite her diminutive size, recent Wright State gradKara Sheridan (’03 B.S.) made a big splash at the 2003USA Swimming Disability Championships in

Minneapolis, Minn., in July, breaking a world record andthree U.S. records.

Sheridan set a new world record in the 200M women’sbreast stroke and new American records in the 50M, 100M,and 200M women’s breast stroke with times of 1:08.85,2:27.57, and 5:09.63. Although she only began daily trainingfor the competition in January, Sheridan began swimmingbefore she learned to walk, as therapy for osteogenesisimperfecta, a condition she suffers from that is commonlyknown as brittle bone disorder. Classified SB4, Sheridanswims against athletes with disability profiles likes hers. Onceshe lifts her 82-pound frame out of her wheelchair and into thepool, the playing field is leveled.

“Kara probably has one of the best mind-sets of anyone Ihave ever coached,” said Tanya McAdory, assistant directorof adapted recreation at Wright State. “To train for thiscompetition, she’s had to swim more yards than she has everswum in her life.”

Sheridan, who graduated from Wright State in June with abachelor’s degree in psychology, still works out in theuniversity pool every morning. She trains to keep her musclesconditioned and for a chance to swim for a gold medal.Sheridan will compete next in November’s Last Chance Meetin Indianapolis. Named because it gives swimmers a “lastchance” to qualify for a national or elite team, winners areguaranteed funding and a slot on the Paralympic team. “Myultimate dream is to compete for the U.S. in the 2004Paralympics in Athens, Greece,” she said.


A L U M N O T E S

Valerie Van Winkle (B.S.) has 18years of banking experience, and hashelped start a successful communitybank, Canyon National Bank, in PalmSprings, Calif. Canyon National Bankis owned in part by the Agua CalienteBand of Cahuilla Indians and is oneof approximately ten Native Ameri-can owned banks in the country. Shecurrently heads the Tribal Servicesdivision of the bank as vice presi-dent. She was also recently installedas the president for the Palm SpringsChamber of Commerce.

CLASS OF 1990Robert Dils (B.S.B. ’96 M.B.A.) is asupervisor at Delphi Inc.

Andy Krieger (B.S.Ed.) was ap-pointed to the position of director ofsports and recreation at ParalyzedVeterans of America, located inWashington, D.C. Krieger has beenwith PVA for almost 10 years, serv-ing as associate director of sportsand recreation until his recent pro-motion.

CLASS OF 1991Shawn Faulkner (M.Ed., ’98 Ed.S.)recently graduated from the Univer-sity of Toledo witha doctor of phi-losophy degree ineducation with amajor in curricu-lum and instruc-tion and a minor ineducational psy-chology.Faulkner’s dissertation was entitled:The Carnegie Council on AdolescentDevelopment Recommendations forTransforming Middle Level Education:Reported Implementation of TurningPoints in Ohio’s Public Middle Schools.Faulkner is currently employed as aTitle One/Literacy instructor for theOhio Department of Rehabilitationand Correction at the Ohio Reforma-tory for Women in Marysville, Ohio.He is also a certified Praxis III asses-sor for the Ohio Department of Edu-cation.

CLASS OF 1992Annette Sobel (M.S.), a former na-tional security analyst at SandiaNational Laboratories and currentdirector of intelligence for the Na-tional Guard Bureau, was recentlynamed New Mexico’s director of

Running the Minefield Marathonin Afghanistan

On November 29, 2002, at daybreak on a chilly morning at Bagram Air Field inAfghanistan, Chris Kotsko (’86 B.S.) found himself at the starting line of a race thatwould make history. A sergeant in the Air Force Reserves’ 445th Airlift Wing, Kotsko

was about to begin the Minefield Marathon, the first-ever marathon in Afghanistan. The eventwas so named because the course took runners around the base and through active minefieldson the perimeter of the compound.

“Land mines are everywhere in Afghanistan,” said Kotsko.In fact, many of the patients he cared for as a medic werecasualties of land mines, including children.

Reports claim that land mines left over from Afghanistan’s23 years of war still claim more than 100 victims a month. And,since they come in all shapes and sizes, it’s hard to identifythem. “Some children pick them up and play ball with them,” hesaid. “Others take them home to use the metal to make jewelryto sell.”

Although Kotsko is a health advocate and has previouslyparticipated in marathons, this one was extra special in anotherway. He carried two American flags during the race, each representing a child suffering fromcancer. Kotsko is a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, anonprofit organization whose mission is to raise funds for research to find a cure for leukemia,lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and theirfamilies. Kotsko committed himself to run the marathon for two cancer-stricken youngsters

from the Dayton and Columbusarea. This mission was alsoimportant to Kotsko because hewas diagnosed with lymphoma in1998, and has been in remissionsince 1999.

Upon returning to the UnitedStates, Kotsko was invited to bea guest speaker at the Team inTraining annual awardsbreakfast. Prior to his speech, hepresented one of the children herepresented the American flag hecarried during the marathon.

Kotsko works as a Columbuscity fireman and lives with hiswife and three children.However, he anticipatesredeployment in the near future,and states, “To anyone in thisbusiness (the reserves), this is away of life from here on out.” Heexpects to be gone approximatelyfive months in his nextdeployment, which is usually thenorm. He declared, “I willprobably miss another Christmas,and my wife isn’t too happyabout that.”

Reports claim thatland mines left over

from Afghanistan’s 23years of war still

claim more than 100victims a month.

Chris Kotsko in Afghanistan holding flags he later presented to the Leukemiapatients he represented in the Minefield Marathon.


A L U M N O T E S

homeland security. Sobel, a medicaldoctor with expertise in weapons ofmass destruction, and a chemical-biological warfare analyst, has beenworking on homeland security is-sues for more than a decade. Dr.Sobel is an Army, Air Force, andNASA flight surgeon.

CLASS OF 1993David Dexter (B.S.M.E.) has beenappointed the chairperson of themain committee of the ASPE (Ameri-can Society of Plumbing Engineers)Plumbing Design Standards Com-mittee, as well as a member of ASPE15 Working Group, Hot Water Tem-perature Control Committee.

CLASS OF 1994Arthur Arnold (M.S.) is the managerof medical operations at KennedySpace Center. He is a physiciancertified in aerospace medicine andthe 1995 outstanding resident in theAerospace Medicine Residency Pro-gram at Wright State. He also haspracticed in the field of diving medi-cine, treating decompression sick-ness and other illnesses related tothe activity.

Michelle Douglass (M.D.) is cur-rently employed by Fairfield Anes-thesia Association, where she be-came a partner in October 2002.

Chris Royse (B.A., ’99 M.Hum.)currently works for Science Applica-tions International Corporation inAlexandria, Virginia, at the ThreatReduction Support Center. Heserves as the deputy task leader ofthe Biological Weapons ProliferationPrevention Support Team. Tasks forthe team include providing scientific,engineering, and technical supportto the United States government inthree areas at former Soviet Unionformer biological warfare facilities:cooperative biodefense research,security and safety, and dismantle-ment/conversion. Royse came toWright State University’s Lake Cam-pus in March to speak at a seminar.

CLASS OF 1997Kathleen Rank (M.Ed.), a fourthgrade mathematics teacher atBennett Intermediate School inPiqua, was recently one of four Ohioteachers among 170 educatorsthroughout the country who were

honored on March 21, 2003, in Wash-ington D.C. during the annual awardsceremony for the 2002 PresidentialAwards for Excellence in Mathematicsand Science Teaching.

CLASS OF 1998Joshua Smith (B.S.) recently receivedhis commission as a naval officerafter completing Officer CandidateSchool at Naval Aviation SchoolsCommand, Naval Air Station, inPensacola, Florida. Joshua receivedspecialized training on subjects in-cluding navigation, ship handling,engineering, naval warfare, and man-agement. He also completed an in-tense physical fitness program andreceived leadership training and in-struction on the importance of theNavy’s core values—honor, courage,and commitment.

CLASS OF 2000Olusegun Daniels (B.S.) works as anIT manager at Excel ManagementSystems.

William Lutz (B.S., ’02 M.P.A.) wasrecently appointed as the first town-ship administrator for Bethel Town-ship in Miami County.

CLASS OF 2001Caroline Macey (B.F.A.) is a veteranthespian with a degree in musicaltheater, a ScreenActors Guild card,and credits on sev-eral televisionshows. Most re-cently, Macey por-trayed a 14-year-oldgirl on a segment ofthe Lifetime Televi-sion for Women program WhatShould You Do? Since moving to LosAngeles last fall, Macey has appearedin several TV shows: Gilmore Girls,Buffy the Vampire Slayer, AmericanDreams, and Crossing Jordan. Shehad her only speaking role on aGilmore Girls episode that aired inApril, and she played a corpse onCrossing Jordan. In addition to hersmall TV parts, Macey has appearedin commercials and works twofreelance jobs. Macey made her firstfilm appearance as an extra in theJohn Goodman feature Matinee at theage of 13, and she hopes to become aregular on the big screen.

Flying High

When Captain Cherish Krutil (’97 BA) was deployedto Oman in December 2002, she had to keep herwits about her, whether it was in the stifling heat of

the desert or flying 30,000 feet above it. From staginggrounds in Coalition-friendly Qatar and Oman, the captainpiloted the mammoth C-130 E-model aircraft.

The Hercules C-130 E is an all-weather, four-engineturbo-proptransport aircraftused by the AirForce to dropparatroopers andequipment intohostile or remoteareas. Capable ofoperating fromrough, dirtlanding strips,the plane has acrew consistingof a pilot, co-pilot, navigator,flight engineer,loadmaster, and acrew chief.

“We would fly out of our base in Qatar empty and pickup supplies in Kuwait and fly to Iraq,” she reports. “Wemoved anything and everything—from tents, to toilet paper,to water, and even a couple Humvees once.”

When notified of her deployment to Oman, she believedwar wasn’t eminent. “I expected to be there 30 days andthen come back home!” Hoping the same, her family wasmore concerned for her safety because they weren’treceiving the constant stream of reassuring intelligence shewas. She didn’t receive her news from just intelligencebriefings. “We got a lot of our information from CNN,” thecaptain explained. “There weren’t any TVs in our tents, butthe bases had a few.”

Born in Cleveland, Krutil chose Wright State because ofits proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and itsrecognized ROTC program. After receiving her pilot’straining at Vance Air Force Base in 1999, she was stationedat Yakota Air Force Base in Japan, where she flew C9aircraft. In February, she came back stateside to Pope AirForce Base, where she remains today.

With four more years left before the captain can considera career change, she’s keeping her options open. “I’lldefinitely join the [Air National] Guard if I decide to leavethe Air Force,” she says.

It’s good to be home. “I was worried that people backhome had forgotten about us. It was good to get home andrealize how much support we had.”

—By Micah Siegal

In the Field: Cherish Krutil with General TommyFranks (center) and fellow soldier


A L U M N O T E S

CLASS OF 2002Stephanie Goff (M.B.A.) works as anassistant engineer for the LoganCounty engineer’s office. She re-cently received her registration as aprofessional surveyor in the state ofOhio. Stephanie has also received herregistration as a professional engi-neer in the state of Ohio, allowing herto be dual registered.

Kristin Graham (B.A.) recently ac-cepted a job as a full-time Spanishteacher at Kettering Fairmont HighSchool.

The Challenge of New ThingsDuring her 15-year career as a Department of Defense

employee, Mary Brett, Ph.D. (’82 M.S.) has worked for theNavy, Air Force, Army, and Marines. So it’s not surprisingthat she feels right at homeas human resources directorof a brand new federalagency charged withprotecting all branches ofthe military from chemicaland biological attack.

The Joint ProgramExecutive Office forChemical and BiologicalDefense (JPEO-CBD) putsunder one administrativearm the existing biologicaland chemical defenseprograms of each armedservice. JPEO-CBD’soverarching mission is toresearch, develop, and acquire chemical and biologicaldefense equipment and medical countermeasures that supportthe national military strategy, explained Brett.

“In light of the war with Iraq and the threat of weaponsof mass destruction by terrorists or rogue nations, it’s crucialto increase and strengthen our efforts against chemical andbiological warfare,” added Brett.

Stationed in Washington, D.C., Brett began her post lastJune. When up and running at full tilt, JPEO-CBD willinclude over 400 employees.

Brett’s appointment comes on the heels of a 14-monthstint as Lead Human Resources Specialist at Camp SDButler, a marine Base in Okinawa, Japan. While there, shereceived a letter of commendation for a communicationsgroup she started for military couples undergoing maritalstress.

Her insight into the inner workings of human emotionsprovides the grist for two booksof poetry she’s authored underthe pen name of Mari L.Brett: Sweet Offerings: Lifeof a Military Wife; andHearts and Eyes DancingWith Love, about lovingyourself and others.

“In light of the warwith Iraq and the threat

of weapons of massdestruction by terrorists

or rogue nations, it’scrucial to increase andstrengthen our effortsagainst chemical and

biological warfare.”

Raj Gopal Prasad Kantamneni (’01 M.S.Egr.) was recentlyhonored as one of 10 United Nations Online Volunteerof the Year for 2003 for his work with Freedom from

Hunger. The volunteers were singled out forhaving performed outstanding work forinternational development organizationsaround the world through NetAid OnlineVolunteering (OV), a free service jointlymanaged by NetAid and United NationsVolunteers.

Prasad began working for Freedom fromHunger, an international nongovernmentalorganization (NGO), supporting the poor indeveloping countries with micro-credit andhealth and nutrition education. He later moved to volunteeringas a Web site developer, creating a high-quality professionalWeb site within the projected time and budget. In addition, heensured the sustainability of the project within the organizationby proposing a site-based maintenance tool to reduce costs, andhe is currently training staff members to use this tool.

His new site is ranked highly in search engines, and hisonline volunteering assignment has reinforced his commitmentto start up his own nonprofit to help underdevelopedcommunities bridge the digital divide.

Prasad stated, “Working with Freedom from Hunger hasgiven me exposure to people and ideas that are making adifference. This exposure has helped me to connect with somevery wonderful people, who are in the position to mentor me onthe path [to form my own nonprofit]. If anything, myexperience has made me realize that my goals are not as hard,or as far away, as they may seem.”

The Web site’s url is: www.freefromhunger.org.Prasad recently came on board as a research associate with

Wright State’s Department of Human Factors Engineering.

United NationsOnline Volunteer of the Year

Gail Ann McNerwey (B.A.) receiveda M.S.W. in June 2003 from TheOhio State University.

Brandi Miller (B.A.) works as a op-erations generalist at Sinclair Com-munity College. Miller is still attend-ing Wright State University, seekingan M.B.A. in marketing.

Amanda Schur (B.A.) is currently inher second year of graduate schoolat Xavier University in Cincinnati,Ohio. She is hoping to graduate withher M.Ed. in school counseling inMay 2004. She is currently employedas a supervisor at Kohl’s departmentstores.

Mary Brett

Raj Gopal PrasadKantamneni


A T H L E T I C S

ON THE WEB www.wsuraiders.com�

It was April 4, 2003. WrightState University just announcedthat former Ohio State Univer-

sity assistant coach Paul Biancardihad been chosen as the head coach ofits men’s basketball team. The workbegan.

Biancardi set out to return theRaiders to a winning programthrough hard work, recruiting, andreaching out to the fans. His missionwas clear and he went right to work.

Since that day, he has hired threevery capable assistant coaches inLarry Greer, Ed Huckaby, and BrianDonoher. The latter will be known tomany from his playing days acrosstown at the University of Dayton aswell as through his famous father,Don, who led UD to many memo-rable wins as its head coach.Biancardi later hired Kyle Getter asdirector of basketball operations.

Biancardi then went out andsigned three star-studded freshmen inDeauntay Scott of Cleveland,DaShaun Lynch of Detroit, andZakee Boyd of Philadelphia. He alsoconvinced Vova Severovas of theDetroit area to remain in the fold.Severovas, a freshman born inLithuania, was signed by the previous

B y B o b N o s s

Biancardi Begins Work for New Season

staff. He also convincedreturning senior VernardHollins to stay at WSU for hislast season of eligibility.

Hollins, who averaged over19 points and five rebounds lastyear, could have left to pursueother options since he officiallygraduated in June. Also backwill be Horizon League first-teamer Seth Doliboa, whoaveraged over 22 points and 7.5rebounds last year. They will beteamed with fellow seniorsTrent Vaughn, Braden Bush-man, and Mark Starkey as wellas junior Malcolm Andrews.

Biancardi, a 41-year-oldBoston native, did not stopthere, signing OSU transferZach Williams. Williams, athree-year starter for theBuckeyes, decided to leaveOhio State and followBiancardi to WSU. Accordingto NCAA rules, he’ll sit out theupcoming season and join theteam for the 2004–2005 season.

Oh yeah, he also had to finish theschedule, set a recruiting base for thefuture, and move his wife and twolittle children to the Dayton area.

Gallery of Athletes

A sample of stalwarts who arehelping lead the Raider sportsteams this fall.

Left: Emily Flohre, women’s soccer,senior goalkeeper.Center: Lucas Brewer, men’s soccer,sophomore midfielder.Right: Eboni Kidd, volleyball, seniormiddle hitter.

Senior Forward Seth Doliboa


Coming off one of the mostsuccessful campaigns inrecent history, the Wright

State women’s basketball looks tobuild upon that success and add on toit this season.

Last season, the Raiders won 11games, the most for any WSU teamsince 1995–96, and the eight HorizonLeague victories were the most everfor Wright State. The Raiders alsoachieved their highest standing ever inconference play as they finishedfourth.

Head Coach Bridgett Williams, inher third season at the helm, welcomesback five letterwinners, led by a pairof starters in senior forward IeshaGray and junior forward Angie Ott.Forward Dori Glance is the only othersenior on this year’s roster and guardsKendra Agee and Rhea Mays com-prise the sophomore class.

The Raider roster will have fournewcomers, along with freshmanTyanda Hammock, who wasredshirted last season. Guard JeanetteWoodberry, like Mays, is a graduate ofDetroit’s Martin Luther King HighSchool while guard Brittney Whitesidecomes to WSU from Mifflin HighSchool in Columbus. Local productMimi Goodyear, from Waynesville,gives Wright State an inside presencefrom the center position.

B y M a t t Z i r c h e r

Women’s Basketball PreviewBanner Year forSwimming andDiving

As both the men’s andwomen’s swimming anddiving teams prepare to

defend their 2003 Horizon Leaguechampionships, they receivedadditional recognition from theCollege Swim Coaches Associationof America for their efforts out of thewater.

The women’s squad posted anoverall 3.325 GPA and ranked 24thnationally while the men’s teamranked 32nd nationally with a teamGPA of 2.898.

Entering his 15th season, CoachMatt Liddy has led the Raiders toeight women’s titles and five men’stitles, including the 2003 dailydouble. At the Horizon League meetin Cleveland, Jackie Dexter wasnamed as both the League’s Swim-mer of the Meet and the Athlete ofthe Year. She set new HorizonLeague records in the 50 freestyleand 100 butterfly and was part of the200 freestyle and medley relay teamsthat also set new League marks.Overall, Wright State placed first in10 of 20 events.

On the men’s side, freshman AlexDolgov was named as the League’sNewcomer of the Year as he finishedsecond in both the 400 individualmedley and 200 breaststroke and wasthird in the 200 individual medley.Dolgov was also part of the 400freestyle relay team that placedsecond. Overall, Wright State wasfirst in four of 20 events.

Finally, Liddy was named as theHorizon League Women’s Swim-ming Coach of the Year. It is hisninth men’s, women’s, or combinedCoach of the Year honor.

Sophomore Guard Rhea Mays

Wright State will face a challeng-ing schedule during the 2003–2004season with road games at Ohio Stateand against cross-town rival Daytonhighlighting the slate. The schedulealso features dates with area rivalsOhio, Indiana State, Eastern Ken-tucky, Akron, and IPFW along with16 games in the Horizon League.

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Athletic Equity Leader

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Wright State is in the top one percentin the nation for gender equity in college sports. This reflects the highest percentage offemale athletes as a percentage of all athletes among the 327 schools in the NCAA’sDivision 1 for the 2002-2003 academic year.


A T H L E T I C S

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2003–2004 Men’s Basketball Schedule

November9 Sunday COACHES VS. CANCER (EXHIBITION) 2:0015 Saturday EA SPORTS (EXHIBITION) 7:0025 Tuesday CEDARVILLE 7:0029 Saturday at South Florida Noon

December3 Wednesday at Morehead State 7:006 Saturday BALL STATE 1:0011 Thursday at Miami 7:0015 Monday SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 7:0018 Thursday at Youngstown State * 7:0022 Monday at Toledo 7:0028 Monday at Brown 2:0030 Tuesday at Akron 7:00

January3 Saturday BUTLER * 7:005 Monday UW-GREEN BAY * 8:158 Thursday at Cleveland State * 7:0010 Saturday at Detroit * 4:0014 Wednesday TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN 7:0017 Saturday at Loyola * 2:0021 Wednesday UIC * 7:0024 Saturday at Butler * 2:0027 Tuesday UW-MILWAUKEE * 7:0031 Saturday CLEVELAND STATE * 7:00

February4 Wednesday LOYOLA * 7:007 Saturday at UW-Milwaukee * 2:0012 Thursday DETROIT * 7:0014 Saturday IPFW 7:0019 Thursday YOUNGSTOWN STATE * 7:0026 Thursday at UIC * 8:0028 Saturday at UW-Green Bay * 8:00

March2 Tuesday Horizon League First Round + TBA5 Friday Horizon League Second Round # TBA7 Saturday Horizon League Semifinals # TBA9 Tuesday Horizon League Championship ! TBA

HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPSAll Times Eastern

* Horizon League games # Highest Seed or Butler+ Campus Sites ! Highest Remaining Seed

2003–2004 Women’s Basketball Schedule

November10 Monday ATHLETES IN ACTION (EXHIBITION) 7:0022 Saturday TENNESSEE STATE 5:0025 Tuesday at Ohio 7:0028 Friday at Indiana State 7:00

December1 Monday EASTERN KENTUCKY 7:004 Thursday WEST VIRGINIA 7:009 Tuesday at Dayton 5:30

13 Saturday CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1:0016 Tuesday AKRON 7:0018 Thursday at Ohio State (St. John’s Arena) 7:0021 Sunday MOREHEAD STATE 1:0030 Tuesday at Butler * 7:00

January5 Monday UW-GREEN BAY * 6:008 Thursday at Cleveland State * 5:00

10 Saturday at Youngstown State * 5:1517 Saturday at UIC * 6:3019 Monday DETROIT * 2:0022 Thursday UW-MILWAUKEE * 7:0024 Saturday at Loyola * 2:0031 Saturday BUTLER * 2:00

February5 Thursday at UW-Milwaukee * 8:007 Saturday at UW-Green Bay * 4:00

12 Thursday YOUNGSTOWN STATE * 6:0014 Saturday UIC * 2:0019 Thursday at Detroit * 7:0023 Monday at IPFW 7:0026 Thursday LOYOLA * 7:0028 Saturday CLEVELAND STATE * 7:00

March2 Tuesday Horizon League First Round + TBA4 Thursday Horizon League Quarterfinals # TBA7 Sunday Horizon League Semifinals ! TBA8 Monday Horizon League Championship ! TBA

HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPSAll Times Eastern* Horizon League games # op Four Seeds Host+ Hosted by Eighth Seed ! Highest Remaining Seed or UWM

W SU Athletics has an-nounced several attrac-tive season ticket

packages for Raider men’s hoopsfans.

Senior citizens aged 60 and over,along with Wright State Faculty,staff, and alumni will pay $152.50 forthe 15-game package, while children

Season Ticket Packagesages 3–18 can buy a season ticket foronly $105.

A new option for the upcomingseason will be the Family Fun Zone.For tickets behind the basket, familyseason tickets will be sold for $90each. A regular 15-game seasonticket or renewal will cost $172—a $39 savings when compared to

buying single game tickets.Individual game tickets will go on

sale in November and will cost $15for adults, $12 for senior citizens,faculty and staff, $8 for children, and$6 for the Family Fun Zone.

For more information, visitwww.wsuraiders.com or call theNutter Center Box Office at(937) 775-4787.

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Through my student internships and volunteerexperiences, I like to think that I am helping peopletake the steps to create better lives for themselves.

I came to Wright State knowing that I wanted to makea difference in people’s lives—what I didn’t expect wasthat it would make such a difference in mine.Attending WSU gave me an opportunity to connectwith friends and faculty mentors, and provided mewith the education, training, and skills to become aprofessional psychologist.

From my courses on diversity and multi-culturalism, to my practicum at a center fordomestic violence victims, Wright State hasbroadened my perspective and understandingof people and the world. This perspective servesme well when I counsel others.

Attending Wright State would not have beenpossible without the scholarships I received.I hope you will consider making a gift to theAnnual Fund this year and provide other studentswith the opportunity of a world-class WrightState education.

Eunice Kim

Dr. Scott T. Bowers Memorial ScholarSOPP First-Year Academic Award RecipientWSU School of Professional Psychology,Class of 2004

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On the first weekend of September, the Hunter Green and Gold carpet was rolled out for students moving onto campus. On Friday, over 1,700 newstudents moved into campus housing in order to participate in First Weekend 2003. The event is part of The First-Year Experience, a program that providesevents and activities to help new students successfully begin their college career. Sunday’s move-in day was for returning students, with over 1,000bringing with them all the essentials for college life.