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First WordA bold vision for LC’s futureSoon after I graduatedfrom college in 1962,the United Stateslaunched the Mariner 2space probe for a studyof the planet Venus. Afew weeks later, President John F. Kennedyasked Americans toconsider what we hadjust accomplished andto aim for something more.They remarked that I had given them“permission” to set goals that force us tostretch our abilities.Sometimes we need someone to remindus that it is OK to reach for the stars.But it is more than OK. It is vital that wedo so.Today, I invite you to reach with us. Weneed your involvement as we finalize a planthat will, as President Kennedy said, “organize and measure the best of our energiesand skills.” There are several ways that youcan help.First, reflect on what LC does well today.The stories in this magazine, as well as the“No man can fully grasp how far and howlatest articles published at lynchburg.edu/fast we have come,” he said. “.So it is notnews, are a good starting point. I hope theysurprising that some would have us stayremind you of the impact LC has had inwhere we are a little longer to rest, to wait.”your life.Delay was not an option, though. “WeSecond, I ask you to share feedback, comchoose to go to the moon in this decade and ments, and questions for our Strategic Plando the other things not because they are easy, ning Team to review. What can, and should,but because they are hard,” he said, “because Lynchburg College be in the future?that goal will serve to organize and measureLater, we will work together to bring Vithe best of our energies and skills.”sion 2020 to life. Faculty will design a revoPresident Kennedy’s words energized melutionary curriculum grounded in the liberaland other NASA employees. Inspired by aarts. Staff will support that with co-curricumonumental goal, we accomplished whatlar programming and the necessary facilities.previous generations had thought impossible. Alumni will assist by staying in touch toLynchburg College faces a similar molet us know about their accomplishments,ment as we create a new strategic plan. Wevisiting campus, connecting with each other,can, and should, take pride in what we havetelling prospective students about the Colbuilt together: a phenomenal combinationlege, and investing financial support that willof academic, athletic, and student life proallow LC to extend better educational opgrams that prepare students for successfulportunities to another generation of students.lives.Over the past 113 years, Lynchburg ColBut we must not stop here. We must looklege has become a great institution thatforward to the dawning of a new day withprovides an excellent education. By workingnew challenges and opportunities for private together on a bold, focused vision, we willcolleges and universities. Vision 2020, ouraccomplish tasks that seemed impossiblenew strategic plan, will guide us throughdecades ago. We will be known as one of thethat day.world’s best colleges preparing students for aWhen I reviewed the first draft of Visiondynamic future.2020, its goals and initiatives were admirablebut not aspirational. I asked our StrategicPlanning Team members to be bold. Theyquickly identified new goals that would setKenneth R. Garren, PhDLynchburg College apart as a premiere eduPresidentcational institution.2 LC MAGAZINE Spring 2016Around the DellLynchburgC o l l e g eM a g a z i n eMAGAZINE STAFFBryan GentryEDITORMichael JonesDIRECTOR OF COLLEGECOMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETINGBetty McKinneyDIRECTOR OF ADVERTISINGKatharine McCannChristopher PetersonDESIGNERSJohn McCormickPHOTOGRAPHERDr. Seldenofficially becomesvice presidentand deanPamela CarderTracy ChaseDavid Woody ’00WEB TEAMMike CarpenterCONTRIBUTING WRITERPam HallCLASS NOTESNatalie LeDonne ’18Warren WrightCONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHYADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSKenneth R. GarrenPRESIDENTSally SeldenVICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN,ACADEMIC AFFAIRSStephen BrightVICE PRESIDENT,BUSINESS AND FINANCERita DetwilerVICE PRESIDENT,ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENTDenise A. McDonaldVICE PRESIDENT, ADVANCEMENTJohn EcclesVICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN,STUDENT DEVELOPMENTLynchburg College Magazine is publishedsemi-annually for alumni, parents, and friendsby College Communications and Marketing,434.544.8325 or 800.621.1669.Send change of address to:Lynchburg College MagazineLynchburg College1501 Lakeside DriveLynchburg, VA ters to the editor may be sent tomageditor@lynchburg.eduLynchburg College does not discriminate onthe basis of race, religion, disability, gender,sexual orientation, or national or ethnic originand complies with the requirements of theAmericans with Disabilities Act.PHOTO BY WARREN WRIGHTActive learningA new style of classroom is helping Lynchburg College professors change the way they teach.In the “active learning classrooms,” studentsform groups around different tables, each groupfocused on its own flat-screen monitor on the wall.Thanks to dry-erase paint, the students can writeon the walls with markers while brainstorming.With wheeled office chairs, the students are moremobile than usual.There is no one focal point in the room at anygiven time. “The layout of the room really prohibitsme from lecturing,” said Dr. Laura Kicklighter. “Iam interacting with the students much more directly than I would be in a traditional classroom.”After a brief “true/false” quiz about AIDS in onerecent class, Dr. Kicklighter assigned each group toidentify ethical issues in a different country’s policiesregarding HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.As the students talked, they typed quickly on theirlaptops to edit presentations on their shared screens.Using their computers and cloud editing technology comes naturally to most of the current generation of students, Dr. Kicklighter said. “It’s beenreally great to allow students to use technology forlearning instead of constantly trying to stop themfrom using their technology (for texting or socialmedia use) in class.”Four active learning classrooms — three forstudent instruction and one for faculty training —were installed at LC in the past year. By fosteringfree discussion and movement, the rooms applyresearch-backed methods to improve learning, saidDr. Allison Jablonski, associate dean. “Moving andPHOTO BY JOHN MCCORMICKAFTER SERVING ON AN interimBY BRYAN GENTRYlearning is more memorable than sitting,” she said.The new classrooms were proposed by Dr. Jablonski and other faculty members who started the LCTeaching and Learning Center several years ago. TheJessie Ball DuPont Fund provided money to createan active learning classroom in the library to serveas a home for the TLC. This classroom is used totrain faculty in the techniques that use the room’stechnology most effectively.Another active learning classroom was createdin Thompson Hall, allowing education students towork hands-on with technology that is becomingmore common in the public schools where they willteach. Another serves the School of Business andEconomics in Schewel Hall while the third is inthe Westover Honors suite, where Dr. Kicklighterteaches most of her courses.She said the smart application of the technology,combined with even more interactive classes, seemsto help her students improve their grasp of thesubject matter in her medical ethics course. “Theirgrades are better than other times that I’ve taughtthe same material with the same book,” she said.“Their academic performance has gone up.”In addition to the active learning classrooms, theTLC sponsors workshops and speakers to help faculty continually improve their teaching. “This is away for teachers and scholars to look at how learning works, and that will inform our teaching,” saidDr. Jablonski. “Our mission as Lynchburg Collegeis to be a teaching institution. We are here to offer aliberal arts education. The best way that we can dothat is through informed teaching.”basis for several months, Dr.Sally Selden became the permanent vice president and dean foracademic affairs in December.The national search drew75 applicants, and two finalistswere interviewed in early December. Dr. Kenneth R. Garren,president, said that Dr. Seldenemerged as the best candidate.“She has had a distinguishedcareer at Lynchburg Collegeand has already provided exemplary leadership to our collegecommunity,” he said. “I knowthat she will be a tremendousleader for Lynchburg College aswe move forward with the implementation of our strategic planfor the future.”“I am honored by this vote ofconfidence and the opportunityto continue serving LynchburgCollege in this capacity,” saidDr. Selden. “I look forward tocontinue working with our dynamic faculty and staff to createthe best possible environmentwhere students can becomeeducated and prepare for livesof work and service.”Dr. Selden has served as aprofessor of management inthe School of Business and Economics since 2001.Spring 2016 LC MAGAZINE 3

Around the DellONLINE EXTR AS Read Dr. Manian'spaper on Hindu influences in St. Lucia.magazine.lynchburg.eduProfessional group honorsKari HamptonKARI HAMPTON, a health and physical educationHobbs Hallrenamed tohonor SiglerDR. JULIUS A. SIGLER JR. ’62, washonored for his 48 years of serviceto Lynchburg College at a rededication of the Hobbs Science Buildingon September 4. Previously namedin honor of T. Gibson Hobbs ’04, anLC trustee from 1915 to 1942, thebuilding was renamed the ThomasGibson Hobbs and Julius A. SiglerScience Center to recognize themany contributions made by Dr.Sigler during his tenure. He servedas a physics faculty member, assistant dean, and finally vice presidentand dean for academic affairsbefore his retirement in June. Hewas awarded an honorary doctorof science during Commencementexercises in May.“Dr. Sigler played an integral role inthe history of Lynchburg College andin the lives of many students overthe past five decades,” said LC President Dr. Kenneth R. Garren. “TheCollege’s trustees and I thought itwas fitting to honor him permanentlyby adding his name to our sciencebuilding.”4 LC MAGAZINE Spring 2016DPT and PA students volunteer inthe CaribbeanOutstanding Faculty AwardDr. Sabita Manian, a Lynchburg Collegeprofessor of international relations and politicalscience, recently received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of HigherEducation for Virginia.As the highest honor that the Commonwealthof Virginia gives to professors at public and private colleges and universities, Outstanding Faculty Awards recognize superior accomplishmentsin teaching, research, and public service.“Dr. Manian’s commitment to and accomplishment in fulfilling Lynchburg College’s mission is evident through her dynamic pedagogyand outstanding preparation of students for aglobal society as conscientious citizens,” said LCPresident Dr. Kenneth R. Garren, who nominated her for the award.Dr. Manian also recently published researchin the online academic journal Religions. Herco-authored paper, “Sensing Hinduism: Lucian-Indian Funeral Feast as Glocalized Ritual,”relates her observations from a funerary feast sheattended while in St. Lucia for research.Dr. Manian has taught at LC since 2001. Shehas received two of the College’s top awardsfor faculty, the Shirley E. Rosser Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Thomas C. AllenAward for Excellence in Academic Advising.Two groups of Lynchburg Collegemedical students started 2016 by teachingand serving in the Caribbean.Nine students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program worked with specialeducation teachers in St. Lucia while 17Physician Assistant Medicine studentsperformed clinical work in the Dominican Republic. The experience allowed thestudents to apply what they have learnedCommonwealth’s secretary shares dream at LCLEVAR STONEY’SPARENTS WERE agesNew major in liberal arts studiesA NEW MAJOR AT Lynchburg College provides anadditional offering to the institution’s liberal arts corewhile allowing more flexibility for students to pursuediverse interests.The Liberal Arts Studies major, which became anofficial part of LC’s curriculum in the fall of 2015, servesstudents whose interests span several disciplines.Students can design their own majors or choose froma variety of pre-defined options that combine coursesfrom several minors with common themes.Being able to integrate a breadth and depth ofcross-disciplinary perspectives across several subjectswill give students an edge in graduate schools andother careers, said Dr. Sabita Manian, who serves asthe program chair. “Even in the tech world, they arelooking for a combination of skills — such as writingand critical thinking — that brings together more thanone discipline,” Dr. Manian said. “We created this majoras another venue for students to develop such skills.”PHOTOS BY JOHN MCCORMICKin classrooms, but, more importantly, ithelped them develop their sense of purpose and service, said DPT professor Dr.Lori Mize.“I hope the students will gain a love notonly of our profession, but of service andof people. Really that’s the most importantthing that we can help them come to, orteach them,” she said. “To see that passionignite in them was the absolute best.”professor at Lynchburg College, has been namedthe 2015 College/University Health Teacher of theYear by the Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.The annual award recognizes faculty membersin Virginia who demonstrate effective teaching,emphasize the importance of physical fitness, andserve as positive role models for students.“Kari is an exemplary educator and is instrumental in mentoring Lynchburg College studentsthrough the health and physical education majorand into service as educators,” said Dr. Jean St.Clair, dean of the School of Health Sciences andHuman Performance. “With America in a healthcrisis fueled by the epidemic of obesity, each ofthose students can have a powerful impact uponthe lives of young men and women.”Hampton taught in the Henrico County Public Schools before she began teaching at LCin 2008. Her interests include improving thephysical education experience for students whohave disabilities, as well as finding ways to havestudents with disabilities learn alongside otherstudents in the regular physical education setting.16 and 19 when he wasborn. Neither of themgraduated from highschool. He grew uprelying on free lunch inthe school cafeteria.“I pinch myself everyday because, usually,a person with thosecircumstances doesn’tbecome secretary ofthe Commonwealth,” Stoney told an audience inHopwood Auditorium recently. He was the guestof the Black Student Association.Today, Stoney keeps his family’s past in mindas he plays a role in shaping Virginia’s direction.“Sometimes not having a lot closes a windowon opportunity,” he said. “Even though publicservice is not easy, experience makes it worth it.What we do every day in the governor’s administration makes a difference.”The youngest member of Virginia Gov. TerryMcAuliffe’s cabinet, Stoney leads the commonwealth’s efforts for “restorative justice,” which hehopes will help former inmates build better livesfor themselves.One side of that involves streamlining and facilitating the process by which convicted felons inVirginia can regain their voting rights after completing their prison sentences. Stoney and McAu-PA PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY WELSH; LEVAR STONEY AND KARI HAMPTON PHOTOS BY JOHN MCCORMICKliffe have worked to decrease waiting periods,reduce application paperwork, remove financialbarriers, and reach out to former inmates.Restorative justice also involves improving thecorrectional system. Stoney co-chairs the governor’s commission reviewing the Commonwealth’spolicy on parole, which Virginia eliminated in 1995.Allowing convicts to start over will be betterfor the former inmates, their families, and society,he said.“We understand that the sands of the hourglassare flowing through by the minute, by the second,” Stoney said. “What we want to do is takeevery moment possible and use that moment forthe betterment of Virginians.”Spring 2016 LC MAGAZINE 5

DiscoverConnectAchieveLeft: Tarsha talks to host Jonathan Bennett, right, during the“ooey gooey, soft and chewy” second challenge round.Below: Tarsha reacts as judges declare her overall winnerduring the judging of the final challenge round while runnersup Megan Greulich and Jen Musky watch.Eat yourart outRECENT GRADUATE WINS FOODNETWORK COOKIE CHALLENGEBY BRYAN GENTRYo Tarsha Joyner ’13, cookies, cakes, andcaramels are blank canvases waiting forher artistic touch.“It takes forever to sculpt somethingor paint or quilt, but it takes just a couple of hours to bake something and havesomeone see it,” Tarsha said of her preferredmedium. “I’m able to be creative and get instant gratification.”Tarsha’s talent for wielding frosting andflavors has underpinned a growing businessfor four years now, and it helped her win 10,000 in the Food Network ChristmasCookie Challenge special last year.She is using that money to expand herbusiness to a full-time venture with her ownstorefront in downtown Lynchburg. Sheplans to open Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely FabulousTreat Shoppe this spring.6 LC MAGAZINE Spring 2016“Even though I had a small local presence,it’s grown exponentially since the show,”Tarsha said. “People everywhere want to trythose cookies.”The past decade has been a flurry of activityin Tarsha’s life. She has worked as an accounting firm office manager, a tech supportrepresentative, and a freelance photographer.She earned an associate’s degree in computerprogramming and business administrationfollowed by her art degree at LC. She startedher baking business while still in school. Allalong, she was deeply involved in her familyand church.All of these activities had something incommon, she said.“I’ve always searched for and sought outcreative outlets — I just didn’t know that’swhat I was doing,” she said. “I immerse my-self in whatever I feel to be the most expressive of my creative abilities.”In the spring of 2012, LC graphic designprofessor Ursula Bryant told Tarsha that aclass that fall would challenge the students tocreate a business brand. Tarsha decided to geta head start over the summer by selling homemade shortbread cookies at the LynchburgCommunity Market. “I figured I could testout my packaging and my product and see ifthe customers responded well to it,” she said.By the time the fall semester came, Tarshaalready had the beginnings of a profitablebusiness. She also had a brand that neededimprovement.“At the beginning, I had a rather tackylogo,” Tarsha said. She credits ProfessorBryant with helping her perfect the logo andpackaging design.Tarsha’s branding project won an AddyAward from the American Advertising Federation that year. “I knew she would go onto do more great things,” Bryant said. “She’sbeen quick to prove me right.”Tarsha quickly expanded beyond cookiemaking and added cake pops, cakes, doughnuts, and caramels to her repertoire. Hertalent and creativity are easy to see, said AmyForbes, an early and faithful customer.Forbes recalled asking for a coconut caketo celebrate a birthday. Rather than top atraditional sheet cake with coconut frosting,Tarsha sculpted a cake in the shape of a coconut cut open and with a straw placed inside.She colored the outside with toasted coconut.“It was flawless,” Forbes said.Last August, Tarsha and her husband, Ron,flew to California so she could compete inthe Christmas Cookie Challenge. She hopedto win the 10,000 prize to help finance herdream of quitting her tech support job andgrow her baking business.Tarsha's winning Chronicles of Narnia-inspired cookiesThey returned to Lynchburg with a secret— Tarsha had won, but they could tell noone, not even their three children, until afterthe show premiered Thanksgiving weekend.Many of Tarsha’s friends and customersfilled a Lynchburg restaurant for a viewingparty on November 28. They watched hercompete against four professional bakers tocreate a variety of holiday cookies. Althoughshe demonstrated a sense of humor and baking talent in the first two rounds, Tarsha saidshe got lucky as other bakers made minormistakes that sent them home.The last round catered to Tarsha’s greateststrength. She was asked to decorate cookies for a “Winter Wonderland” theme. “Iimmediately thought of the Chronicles ofNarnia,” Tarsha said. She spent two hoursdesigning cookies that she hoped would makePHOTOS BY EMILE WAMSTEKER/ TELEVISION FOOD NETWORK, G.P.; COOKIE PHOTOS BY TARSHA JOYNER ’13the judges feel like they were staring out of awardrobe and into a forest blanketed in snow.The judges got the picture.“Your cookies really tasted like Christmas,” judge and pastry chef Duff Goldmantold her on screen. “We all agree, you reallybrought an artist’s vision to the cookies onyour platter.”When Tarsha was announced as the winner, cheers erupted throughout the restauranthosting the viewing party. Tears flowed, too.“Being a loyal customer, it’s nice to see apiece of that success for her,” Forbes said.“There’s really nothing better than learningabout the success of past students,” Bryantsaid. “We all have those memorable students,and for me Tarsha is one of the greats. She isan inspiration.”Spring 2016 LC MAGAZINE 7

DiscoverConnectAchieve“My desire to explore the worldcarried over into school. I’m not stressing out tryingto prepare for a test; I’m justlearning.”— Alyson Black ’16Living to learnSOMMERVILLE SCHOLAR HAS A PASSION FOR DISCOVERYBY BRYAN GENTRYIf Alyson Black ’16 had time for yet another major or minor, it would be English.She has spent most of her time workingon her two majors — biomedical science andchemistry — and her mathematics minor.But while math and science courses presenther with problems that boil down to onecorrect solution, she has enjoyed classes whereshe can analyze literature and come to a vastarray of possible answers.“I love that here at LC I can develop bothof those ways of thinking,” Alyson said.Alyson’s passion for learning is one reason Lynchburg College named her the 2016Richard Clarke Sommerville Scholar, thehighest academic honor the College bestowson students. Chemistry professor Dr. WilliamLokar, one of Alyson’s academic advisors,noted Alyson’s interests in all subjects, in8 LC MAGAZINE Spring 2016cluding science, social issues, philosophy, andpolitics.“Alyson is driven by what fascinates her,not by just what is required of her,” Dr. Lokarsaid. “Alyson has a unique way of delvingbeyond what is near the surface to developinsightful responses on many topics.“What sets her apart from most other students is that she embodies a liberal arts education in everything she does,” he added.Alyson’s love for learning took root as shegrew up exploring the world around her in arural area just outside Lynchburg. “I’ve alwaysbeen curious,” she said. “My desire to explorethe world carried over into school. I’m enjoying myself. I’m not stressing out trying toprepare for a test; I’m just learning.”When Alyson attended the Central VirginiaGovernor’s School for Science and Technol-ogy, some of the teachers there mentionedtheir bright, inquisitive student to Dr. AllisonJablonski, a biomedical sciences professor andassociate dean. When Alyson came to LC, shecontinued to develop a positive reputationamong the faculty. Dr. Jablonski finally taughtAlyson in a recent cancer biology class, anddecided everything she had heard from otherprofessors was true. “She’s motivated. She’s curious. She’s extremely bright. She asks probingquestions,” Dr. Jablonski said. “It’s a dream toteach a student like her.”Alyson’s two majors and her minor have alot in common, a fact which thrills her. “Themost exciting part of school is when differentideas start to converge and connect,” she said.She applied her knowledge of biology andchemistry and her mathematical skills in anindependent research project about the wayPHOTO BY JOHN MCCORMICKsome molecules in the immunesystem respond to E. coli. Sheplans to study pharmacology ingraduate school because of theway it appeals to her interests inbiology, chemistry, and medicine.Alyson also spends a lot of timereading from a bookshelf thatincludes biographies, popular science books, and literary fiction.Serving as a Peer Assisted StudySession leader for an “infamouslydifficult” organic chemistry classhas helped Alyson develop oneof several visions for her future.She would love to teach collegeherself one day.Her intelligence, combinedwith interpersonal skills, makeher a great fit for that, saidDr. Jablonski. “She’s a naturalteacher.”Before coming to LC, Alysonfirst enrolled in a large state university. But the first day of orientation revealed a high-pressure,competitive style of academics.She withdrew, and one of herhigh school teachers recommended that she take a class atLynchburg just to test the water.It was perfect. “Everyone wasso friendly and welcoming,” shesaid. “They encouraged discussion and curiosity. It seemed likeit was more of a team effort insearch of success.”Alyson said the honor of becoming the Sommerville Scholarwas especially meaningful becauseof one facet of its history: Almost30 years ago, the award went toDr. Stephen Smith ’88, ’93 MEdduring his senior year at LC. Hewent on to become the directorof the Central Virginia Governor’s School; he was the teacherwho first encouraged her to thinkabout LC.Considering him one of herrole models, Alyson feels she is onthe right track. “It’s neat to see itcome full circle,” she said.PHOTO BY JOHN MCCORMICKDividendsFINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FIRM HIRESSENIOR WESTOVER HONORS STUDENT,LACROSSE ATHLETEBY BRYAN GENTRYindustry,” he said. “I became more interested inTHE FACT THAT RYAN CONNORS ’16 securedmaking investment decisions.”a full-time job before starting his senior year atThe internship allowed Ryan to work alongLynchburg surprised no one.side BlackRock analysts and learn the ups andThe job offer revealed the natural progresdowns of wealth management. Then, BlackRocksion of someone with Ryan’s natural talent andoffered him a full-time financial analyst job.work ethic, said Head Men’s Lacrosse CoachHe knew that BlackRock likes to hire from itsSteve Koudelka.internship program, and he was honored to see“Ryan came here with a very competitivethat happen in his case. “For it to actually comespirit about him that was obvious from his highto fruition is something that I’m extremely proudschool success in the classroom and on

Lynchburg College Magazine is published Over the past 113 years, Lynchburg Col semi-annually for alumni, parents, and friends by College Communications and Marketing, 434.544.8325 or 800.621.1669. Send change of address to: Lynchburg College Magazine Lynchburg College 1501 Lakeside Drive Lynchburg, VA 24501-3113 alumni@lynchburg.edu