February 21, 2012

Good Monday Evening – on Tuesday!

Sorry this is a few hours late. Had some pressing deadlines that others were dependent on me to meet.

Every academic year has its high moments for each of us. Occasionally, there’s a single event or experience that is memorable for nearly the entire campus. For many, Saturday was one such time.

It all began quite normally: doubleheader women’s and men’s basketball games with our arch rival, West Virginia Wesleyan. A beautiful, almost spring-like winter day, four weeks into the semester, two weeks before Spring Break – the campus was ready for a little diversion. The McDonnell Center seemed the place to go. Which literally hundreds did.

Upon arrival, the aroma of hotdogs grilled on hot coals was the first hint that something special was happening. Upon entering, every guest was greeted by an appropriately dressed student with “Welcome to D&E. Thank you for coming.” Once inside, our guests discovered those hotdogs were free – a gift from members of The Alliance Church of Elkins.

The women played well, but came up 7 points short in the end. The men on the other hand gave the home crowd one of those thrilling finishes that will live-on in the minds of everyone present: With the score tied at 72, PJ Turner lofted a jumper with 5 seconds left in overtime that hit the front of the rim, but 5 feet 10 inch D’Quan Lynch was quick to leap and tipped in the winning score as time expired. The McDonnell Center exploded, students stormed the court, there was joy in Senator-land.

But what really touched people’s hearts was what happened before the game and during halftime. We had as our special guests Ann Watson, alumna in the Class of ’86 and her 15-year old son, Matthew, from Boyds, Maryland. Ann’s late husband, Clive, ’87, excelled during his student days – as a student, as an RA in Presidential Hall, as a campus employee and on the basketball court. Joined by his former teammate, Troy Newbraugh, ’89 and their coach, Joe Super, we honored Clive for his service to the College during his student days, and presented Ann and Matthew with Clive’s retired framed jersey. His spirit will continue on the campus through the lives of young men who come to D&E with help from the Clive Watson Endowed Scholarship Fund.

It’s already another full week:

• Channel 12 News aired a feature last evening on our Presidents’ Day Admission Open House when we hosted some 60 guests who experienced our beautiful campus and friendly people.
• The National Society of Leadership & Success Student Networking Team (SNT) will host guest speaker Chris Fry from Edward Jones on the basics of financial investing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in SC 400. The event is open to all students.
•We will mark the beginning of Lent with imposition of ashes in Robbins Chapel at 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. on Ash Wednesday.
• The Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams will play in The McDonnell Center on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively, for their final home games. This will also be the men’s Senior Night.
• Employees are invited to a Wellness Breakfast featuring a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Scott Harris on Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Timms Lounge. Breakfast will be available from the Benedum Dining Room - complements of the Wellness Program.
• Nursing students will have the opportunity to attend a career fair on Friday in Halliehurst from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., co-sponsored by D&E Student Nurses Association and the Career Management Center.
• Airbrush Artists will be in Madden Student Center on Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and again from 5 – 7 p.m. for students to get some great personalized art.
• The Outdoor Adventure Program will take a final ski trip of the season to Timberline on Sunday with a 9:00 a.m. departure from the Martin Field House. Contact Tom Tesar at 304-637-1244 for more information.
• The Fairmont State Job Fair is Tuesday, February 28, with those attending leaving campus at 8 a.m. and returning no later than 2 p.m. Students must sign up by February 24 to reserve a spot. A properly-formatted resume is required and appropriate attire. Anyone needing help with professional attire can browse Senator Suits for free outfits through the Career Management Center.

Back to halftime at Saturday’s game: Professor and Assistant Athletic Director Dr. Mary Ann DeLuca stunned the crowd when she spoke on behalf of the coaching staff of their love for the College they and their student-athletes represent week-in and week-out. As a tangible expression, she presented Vice Presidents Pat Schumann and Kevin Wilson with an over-sized check for $2995 as a gift to The D&E Fund for the general operations of the College. Afterwards, officials from Wesleyan commented that such a gesture reflects the extraordinary spirit of a college when those who might normally have their hand out for bigger budgets are instead giving back for the welfare of the entire school.

Yep, only at D&E! Create a wonderful week.

President G.T. "Buck" Smith

Davis & Elkins College

Elkins, WV 26241

Cell: 304-830-3900

buck@dewv.edu

"If we see people as they are, they
will stay as they are. But if we see
them for what they might be, and
might become, they will become
those better selves." (Adapted: Goethe)