Concord University Alumni Magazine - Fall 2025

Students, alumni, and members of the Concord community gather around the traditional Homecoming bonfire. Photo by Jason Lockart for Concord University.

From the President

Dear Concord Alumni and Friends, I1t3i tsht rpur leys ai dne hn ot no of rC oa nn dc oar db lUe snsi vi negr st iot ys. eSri vnec ea sa rt hr iev i n g oo vneTr hweh Ce lammepdubs yBtehaeu wt i faurlm, mt hy, fkaimn di lnyeasns ,daInhdaevne tbheheuns i a s m we’ve experienced from the Mountain Lion community. From our first days here, it has been clear that Concord is not just a university. It’s a family. Wf r oema roeusrof agcr ua tl teyf ,usl tfaofrf , tahl eu mwna ri ,ma nwdesl tcuodmeen tws .eE’ vaec rhe c e i v e d dp ao yu, rI ’tmh eiinr shpei raer dt s bi yn ttoh et edaec dh ii cnagt iaonnd omf oe un rt ofraschuilpt y; twh eh o cs uo mp pmo ri ttmoeunr tsot uf doeunr tsst;atfhf ewahcoc ogmo pa bl ios hv emaenndt sboefyoounrd atlou m n i wd eht oe rcmo ni nt iant iuoen t oo f mo ua kr es tuusdpe rnot us dw; ha on de ,mmboosdt yo of ua rl l ,mt hi ses i o n to "Come to Learn, Go to Serve." AV isr mg i ny ifaa, mwiel yf eaenldt rI usleyt tbl lee isns teod l ti of e chael lr et hiins scooumt hmeurnni tWy e s t home. WM ohue nt ht ae irnwLei o’ rnesa, totre nv di siint igncgawmipt hu sa leuvme nnti sa, nc hd eneeriignhgboonr so, u r wspeesceiael tphleacper.ide and spirit that make Concord such a LUonoi vkei nr sgi tayh—e agdo,awl serhoaovt ee db ii ng goouar l ms fios rs iCoonnacnodr dg r o u n d e d i n tahnedbteralinesfftohramt ahtiigvhee. r education should be both accessible

Wo pepwo ratnutnti ot i egsr oswo eevnerroyl lsmt uednet ,nkt ewe hp oc oc hs tosolsoews , Caonndceoxrpda n d can graduate with the knowledge, skills, and confidence teod us uc ac ct ieoend r. eOmu ra ipnrsi oarf if toyr di sa bt ol ee, nhsi ug hr e- qt uh aa lti tay ,Caonndc omr da r k e t - rliefealdoyn, gprseeprvaircine.g graduates for meaningful careers and Wp aer tanl seor fwo ar notuCr orne cgoi ornd at on dc oanltei na dueert oi nbteh ea sgtraetaet, d r i v i n g isnt rneonvgatthi oe nn ,i ns ug pt hp eo rctoi nmg mwuonr ikt if eo sr cwe ed pe vr oe ul odpl ym seenrtv, ea . n d Ta nh de rseo’ sms ou cmh ut oc hl ot oo kb feo pr wr oaurdd ot of .aTt oCgoent hc oe rr ,dwUi nt hi vyeor us irt y cf oounnt idnaut ei odns aunpdp owrrt i, twe et hwe i nl l ebxut igl dr eoant cohuar pstterro ni ng C o n c o r d ’ s story. Ta nhda nf ok ryyoouufro sr t we aedl cf aosmt icnogmmmyi tfma me ni lty taontdh ims ee xstor awoar dr mi nlayr, y umnoi nv et hr ss i at yh. eI al od oakn fdo cr we l ae rbdr at toi nmg eael tl i tnhga mt wo er ewoi fl lyaocuc oi nmtphlei s h together. With gratitude and Mountain Lion pride,

Bethany Meighen, Ed.D. President

ON THE COVER:

FEATURES

Behind President Bethany Meighen is an acrylic on canvas painting by Sydney Rector '25. Rector's work (pictured above) is displayed throughout the President's home. President Meighen plans to rotate student art regularly. Photo by Jason Lockart for Concord University.

NEW LEADERSHIP

30 President Bethany Meighen joins the Mountain Lion Family.

ALUMNI REFLECTION

24 26

Rebecca Roseberry '01 turns her passion for Bob Dylan into a dream job.

Firechiefs Charlie Croy and Ed Thompson forge a lifelong friendship.

President Dr. Bethany Meighen Executive Director of Advancement Joshua D. Cline

DEPARTMENTS

AROUND THE VALLEY

Chair, Concord University Foundation, Inc. Jennifer Ware ’88

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Campus News

13

Athletic Highlights

CREATIVE STAFF: Director of Marketing and

AMONG THE PINES

Public Relations Lindsey Byars '03

16

Alumni Association Awards

Public Relations Manager Tammie Presley '98

20 Homecoming Memories 28 Class Notes 56 In Memoriam FOUNDATION FOR IMPACT 34

Sports Information Director Wes McKinney ‘13 Creative Services Managers Arthur Capuzzo '24 Jason Lockart

Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Blake Farmer ‘17

Evelyn Lilly Blake leaves $2.7 million for new endowed science fund

36 38

Scholarship created to honor Coach Tony Colobro.

Student Contributor Aidan Bishop '25

2024-2025 Concord University Foundation, Inc. Annual Financial Report

SUBMISSIONS: Please contact Lindsey Byars at 304.384.5367 or lbyars@concord.edu

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION:

The Concord University Magazine is published by the Concord University Advancement Office. A portion of the cost is underwritten by the Concord University Foundation, Inc.

Email:

advancement@concord.edu Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000

IS YOUR INFO UP TO DATE?

Mail:

Fill out the Alumni Contact Information Update form at concord.edu/alumni or email alumni@concord.edu.

Phone: 304.384.6311 Fax: 304.384.6017

STUDENT ENROLLMENT Concord students are from 32 states 1,638 undergraduate students 345 graduate students

1,975 * Fall 2025 Census

and 50 West Virginia counties

ACADEMICS

student to faculty ratio 106 full-time faculty 67% have a terminal degree 70

+ academic programs including five online graduate programs

15:1

Home of the only Bonner program in WV

The Concord University Board of Governors ai np pf arlol v2e0d2 6i n. -Ts ht aet e" Tt wu i ot i oS nt a at ensd. Of enees Rr aattees" fcoarmapl laVi gi rng ci no iual ds t pu odteennttsi aelnl yr oc lul itn g twhiellirstrialltequmaolirfey tfhoar nsc$h1o0l,a0r0s0h.ipIns aadnddiitniosntittuottihone adliascido.unted rate, students “VWi r eg ianri ea . tMh rai nl l ye do ft oo ue xr tVe inrdg ian ima es tt ruod et unittsi ol inv er al tees st ot hoaunr 2n0e i mg hi bn ou rt es si nf r o m oq uu ra lbi teya, ua tf fi of ur ldcaabml epeudsu, ac antdi ot nh icsl oi ns iet itaot ihv oe me ne s, ”uCr oe ns ct ho redy Pc ar en sai dc ce enst sBae ht hi ga hn -y Meighen said. “This new rate reflects our commitment to expanding oinptpootrhteunMitoyu, nsutapipnoLritoinngfarmegiiloy.n” al growth, and welcoming more students

Concord University has been named to the 2025-26 Ct hoel l be ge es ts uonf dDei sr tgirnacdt ui oant e, aenx pa ne rni ue anlc lei ss taoc fr ot hs se tshc eh oUo. Sl s. Tt hhaet Cpor lol ev gi de es of Distinction organization also calls out institutions with specific programs that go above and beyond to serve students. Concord earned recognition as a: • West Virginia College of Distinction • Public College of Distinction • Business College of Distinction • Education College of Distinction • Nursing College of Distinction • College of Military Support

All seven of Concord’s teacher education programs that submitted a West Virginia Content Area Program Approval report for state review were fully approved on first submission over the summer. Cs tUa twu sa so tnhfei rfsi rt sstuibnms t ii st us itoi onn, ai nn dt hTee as tcahteer tEo dhuacvaet iaol nl pCrhoagirraAmnsdar ceha i Ce va emtphbi se l l ef oxrp froersms eadt thi ne gr at hp ep reex ct ei ant si oi vne t do aet va enr ey coenses ao rny ht eo rc toema mp l ewt eh ot hwe or rekpeodr tl so na gh ehaodu or sf the June deadline. “wI et rhual yv eb tehl iee vb ee swt ef ahc auvl tey t ahne db setsat f ef . dHuacvaitnogr aplrl eopf aorua rt i po nr opgrroa gmr sa mr esc be ievcea ‘uf us el l y approved’ on first submission is further evidence of that,” Campbell said in announcing the results.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Concord University Foundation rTercuei si vt eWd eas $t 1V0i r, 0g 0i n0i ag rFaonutnidnaAt iporni lt 2o 0s2u5p pf roormt t ht hee University’s Pathways Scholarship. "We are grateful for the partnership and financial sUunpi vpeorrst i tt yh at ht rTor uu gi sht oh ua rs fporuonv di daet ido Cn of on rc os rodm a n y ya edavrasn,"c es ma i de nJ ot . s"hTuhae Ci rl ignief t, ee xneacbul et isv eu sd ti roeoc bt ot ar ionf a n if mu npdr ews hs iivc eh mi s aet scshe fnot ri aol ut or Ph ae tl hp wi nagyms Sa cnhy osl taur ds he inpt s complete their academic goals and graduate." SUunpi vpeorrstiet yd Fboyufnudnadtsi or na i as endd tmh raot cuhgehdt hbey Ct hoen c o r d MS cahioe lraFr sohuinpdias t ai owna or df eCdh aarnl ne sutaolnl y, ttho er iPsai nt hgwoar y s current CU sophomores, juniors or seniors, who are West Virginia residents and who face financial needs that could otherwise force them to withdraw from college. Uyepatro. 50 students will be awarded $2,000 scholarships this Concord University’s first cohort of pp reer c- lei cnet npsausrse rna ut er soi nn gt hger aNdaut ai ot ensa ls cCooruendc ai l 1L 0i c0e n s u r e Examination for Registered Nurses and a 100 percent employment rate. The final test score was reported on Areuggi.o1n,.and all graduates are serving as nurses in the Amci cl eosmt opnl ies hf oi nr gC Ua ’1s 0n0u rpsei rncge np tr opgarsasmr a. tTehiiss agnr oi umpp oo fr t a n t students were the first to enter the nursing program wt hirtohuoguht pt hr ei oernntui rres icnugr reixcpuel ur mi e n. Tc eh eainrda cpcroomg rpelsi ss h m e n t s ss pt aenadkatrod tshsee th abrydowu ro rnku rosf i onug rpsrtougdreanmt s. a n d t h e h i g h “c Wu rhr iecnu lgai ,vwe ne tchheo os ep ti inosnt et aodutsoe beux ii lsdt i an gp rnougrrsai nmg f r o m tnhuer sgirnogu enxdpue pr i, ednrcaewf irnogmo on uorvne er w1 0f a0 cyuel at yr, ”s soaf i cdoMmibc ihneel de H o l t , di ni rs et rcut oc tri oo nf na ludr seisni gg n. “eTr hs ,eagnudi ds taanf cf ewfar so mi n voaul ru aa bd lme , i na ni sdt roaut or r s , sa tl lu. dTehni st sw’ daes dt ihcea tpi oe rnf et oc tesxecteul pl e nf ocre swu ca cs etshse. Iht e’ saar twb ei na tf oorf i t envuerrsyeosnweilaltsCeorvnec.o”rd University and the many patients these

First cohort of pre-licensure nursing graduates with CU nursing faculty. Photo courtesy of Michele Holt, director of BSN program.

Concord University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was approved in 2022, and this first class entered idni f ffae lrl e2n0t 2b3a. cTk hg er os eu ns tdusd, ae lnl tsseeenk ti en rge ad nt he ew pcraorgerearmi nf rnoumr s i n g .

“t hTeh eC oTnr uc oi srtdWUensitv eVri rs gi tiyn iFaoFuonudnadt iaotni o’ snPi as tphrwo auyds tSoc shuopl aprosrht i p P“ Cr oo ng rcaomr d,” i Ts rauni setxMc eaprtki oe tn Pa lr ei ns si dt iet un tt i Joonr dt ha ant Wp roeopl da rr ei ds gi et ss a i d . sc toundt reinbtustfeotrobtrhi gehi rt ,ciomnpt iancutef udl scuacrceeesrss.,”a n d w e ’ r e h o n o r e d t o Truist Mortgage Lender Jeremy Ayers and Market President Jordan Wooldridge present Dr. Kendra Boggess a $10,000 contribution to the CU Pathways Fund.

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WRITTEN BY TAMMIE PRESLEY

Concord's first PA cohort. Photo by Jason Lockart.

Concord’s PA program last spring, and eventually, all of the applicants were trimmed to just 24 inaugural candidates. “Now that the first cohort has officially matriculated, the PA pt hr roogur ga hm a’ sc ltos nogf -st ee rr vmi cgeoaanl sd sthr ai fitntion ge nt hr iec hc oi nhgo trht emceommbme rusnti ot y bWeaklkneorwslaeiddg. eable and compassionate medical providers,” Ti nhAe tchuernr si c, ue xl uc me p rt ef qo ur icrlei ns itchaal tr ot ht ae t Pi oAncsl, aws shei sc hwwi l li l tl adkoempilna ac et e later semesters, in local hospitals and medical offices. It nh iet iAa ll ecxl aa ns sdeesr aFni nd el aAbr tssp aa nc eds Hweial ll tbhe Sscei te ni nc et hs eC el onwt eerr, al envde la o f ra enma on da teol mo fyWl aobo wd di tehl l AHnaal tl or me caegnet l tya ob pl eesn, ea dn dt wa no ca lsassessrsomo me nst, lab with exam tables for the PA program.

After years of preparation and the creation of a completely unique curriculum, CU launched its Physician Assistant program this fall, welcoming the first cohort of 24 students to class Aug. 18. Oi nut et snt saen, ds ienvge ns t- us ed me netsst ef rroj mo uar cnreoys sd et hs ieg nn ae tdi ot on pb reegpa anr ae n tahr ee mn eteoddeedl imv eors ht i—g h u- qnudaelri tsye rhveeadl t rhucraarlecionmt hmeuanriet ai esst h e y throughout the Appalachians. Pt hAe Apdr mo gi rs as mi o nrse cCeoi vo er dd i an at ot ot ar lAomf 5y 2W0 aal pk ep rl i cr ea pt ioorntse da ftthe ar tC U announced the rollout, but roughly 157 of those proved to be verified applicants as evaluations progressed. TP hh ye sAi ccicarne dAist saitsi toann Rt ae vp iperwo vCeodmpmr oi vs si si oi onn oa nl aEcdc ruecda it ti ao tni of no rf ot hr e

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Ta phpe l si ct autdi oe nn ttsoatrheenportonger wa mt o, Wh ea al kl tehr craerpeo. rAtte tdh tehtei ymael roef a d y hOaudt sai dneaov ef rt ha geec oo mf 3m, 2o8n7 fha oc tuorrs tihnastotmh eeyf oa lrlmw oa nf ht et oa lstehrcvaer ea.s a md i if df e- rl ee vnet l spt ar ot evsi ,dsetrr, et thcehyi nagr ef rao mv a rMi eadr ygl raonudpt, oh Ca ial li inf og rf nr oi am. O1u0r fgur taudrueaPt eA sp rr oe gp rr ae ms esn, ta 1n 7d ut hned ec lragsrsa di nucal ut ed se cs hoonoel so af no du rt hvreerey own fast-track PA students from CU. Naroeminastptierrinwgh. ere they come from, Walker said the students “I Icnh aods ed ittoi ocna ltloema cehe st itnugd et hnet tmo atjeol rl itthyeomf tthheemy wf oerr ienat ec cr ve ipetwe ds , bweef owr oe uslednldoivneg toouht aevme at hi l es .mI t bwe aas ps aurcthoaf jtohyi st oc othe ol l rtth. eTmh a t ' s pa dr ombias bs il oy nosnceooofr md i yn af at ov ro rsiat iedt, haidndgisnagbtohuatt thhaepjpoyb tne oa wr s,”atrhee ot oc cgaesti ownhael rl ye pt ha er ty oafr he enrojwo b, a. n“ Tdhwe ye ' vweaanltl twhoa rt kt ey dp es oo fhhaar rdd wproorgkr,apmro.”fessionalism and dedication carried over to our

Wc h iat lhl ernugrea li na rreeacsr ui ni tci rnega ps irnogvl iyd fearcsi,nWg aa lnk ee rv es ra-i pd rpe rsoe gnrt a m s l i k e CNoa nt icoonradl ’ sL icborualrdy corfe Ma t ee dai cpi on se s, iabpl ep rsooxl ui mt i ao tne. l Ay c2c0o rpdeirncge nt ot ot hf e t1h0e pUe. rSc. epnotpoufl aUt. iSo. np hl i yv seisc ii annas rpurraacl t ai cree ai n, wr uhri lael oa rnel ya sr. o u g h l y Given the number of specialties in which PAs can practice, they can present an efficient way to fill the gap in essential healthcare providers. It nw oa dedl ei tci toi nv et ot rtahcek sc ot hr ea tpwr oi gl l raalml o,wC Ue a’ sc Ph As tpurdoegnr ta mt o ws ei ll el cotf fae r ce oa nc hc esne tmr aetsi ot enr , abnedg ipnanr itni cgi pwai tteh i tnh ae ts we coo- nh do us re me l ee cs tt ei vre. Tc hl aes ts w o elective tracks are: • Medical missions and population health; • Substance use disorders. Omnucset sptausds etnhtes Phhayvsei cgiraand Au as st ei sdt af rnot mN at ht ieo nPaAl pCreorgt irfaymi n,gt hEexya m , tthheemcotmo pprreahcteincseivaes,astPaAn.dardized test required to allow Name: Katie Sauget

Why Concord’s PA program? WP Ahpa rt odgrreawm mwea ts ot hC eo nu cnoi qr du ’es ot hpep do er tvuenl oi tpymt oe nc to on ft rai bbur at en dt o- ni netwi mpi dr oagt irnagmt.oWb he ial epiat rctaonf b e tahned i sntaauf fg guor aal bcol avses a, nt hde bf ea yc uo lnt dy taospseucptps.ort students in all

Hometown: Grosse Pointe, M I Undergraduate degree: BVai ol lme ye dS ti caat el SUcni ei vnecres ai ttyG r a n d What brought you to Concord? Ww ahsa tt hber oc luogshe t- kmn ei t tcooCmomn cuonridt y asenrdvcinogm. mitment to lifelong

Name: Avalon Milburn Hometown: Dana Point, CA Undergraduate degree: BC h. Sa. pomf Ha enaUl tnhi vSecri es intcye a t What brought you to Concord? Tc uhlet unraet, uarned, samcahlal nt ogwe fnr o m m y Orange County bubble.

Why Concord’s PA program? Tb ehci sa upsreo gorf atmh ei sp es or ssopneacbi al el pt rraocfkess,saonr sd, du unei qtuoei tf obceui ns g bt hr ea ni ndi tni ea wl c. lIa lsosvbeebc ea iunsge ionf the ability to help establish traditions and fine tune the program.

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WRITTEN BY TAMMIE PRESLEY

President Meighen and staff hosted Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s Education Liaison Mimi Vance and Economic Director Jennifer Piercy in August, as they visited Wooddell Hall and other areas of campus.

• C$ 1U. '1s mn ei wl l i oPnh yi ns iscti aa rnt uAps sf iusnt adni nt gS ttuhdr oi eusgphr ao gCrDa Smprreocj ee icvte d advanced by Capito. • C$8U9's5B,0a0c0heinloCrDoSf Ssctaierntucpe ifnunNduinrsgi.ng program received Tp rhoegyr aa lms os , ma se twwe il lt ha ss tf ur odme ntths ea bn ud sfianceuslst yd ferpoamr t PmAe annt ,dt on ue nr sgi angge ipnarmtneearniinnggfwuiltdhialeloggisulaetaivbeoluetahdoewrs.Concord can continue PA student Kelly Pruett '25 has received the pT rhei ss tai gwi oa ruds wN ai ltl i of unnadl Hh ee ra let hn tSi reer vPiAc et rCaoi nr pi ns gS ac th Co loanr cs oh ri pd . University. In exchange, Kelly has committed to practice for at least three years after graduation and certification aHseaalPthA Pinroafnesosuiotpnaatl iSehnot rctlaingiec Ainreaan. area deemed a “c Io’ mm mb euynoi nt i de se txhc ri toeudg ah nhde ga rl taht ce af ur el . hS ea rs vai lnwg aryusr ba le e n a pu na sdsei rosne rovf emd i, ”n Ke ,eal lnyds aI icda, nenc os tt awt i ac i at tt ot hgei vnee bwasc kt htaot tshhee ’ d bt heaennkaf uwlatrodCe odntchoeredsftoere mt heedospcphoorltaurns hi tiipe.s“II’’vme dheaedp l y tI ’hmr ohuognhooruetdmt oy buen da epragrrta od futaht ee Pa An dp gr or agdr auma t,eaendduict aht ai osn . tPrhuyl ys i cc hi aann Ag es ds i smt ay nl ti f Pe .r Io wg rial lmr epprroeus de lnyt aCsoannc oNrHd SUCnsi vc eh rosl iat ry, ’ s both as a student and in my career.”

Concord welcomed members of Senator Shelley MM oe iogrheeCnaapni tdo 'sst at ef fahma dt ot hc ae mo pp pu os ri tnuAn ui tgyutsot .sPh roews i Ed ce onnt oBme tihc a n y Dh oi rwe cCt oo rn cJ eonr dn i ifse ru sPiine gr cSye anna dt oEr dCuacpai tt ioo' sn cLoi an igsroens sMi oi mn ai l Vdai nr ec cet e d spending awards: • $l a1u. 6n cmh ei l dl i oPnh ai ns eC IDoSf ftuhnedCi ne gn,t me raftocrh Re du rwa li tHh esat lat thec sa ur ep p o r t , Workforce Solutions. • St he ins arteonr oCvaapt ii ot on' so Cf DWSo foudnddei lnl ga nf odr aFl Yl o2w6 swpoa uc el dt oc oemx ppal entde healthcare workforce programming.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS

WELCOME HOME

mWoes’ tr es upcrcoeus ds f tuol wc oeal cc ho mi ne CAUl i ss oa f Tt ba as ll el rh ibsat oc kr yt, og uC iodni cn og r tdh. eS hp er owg ra as mt h fer o m 2012 to 2021. She led the Mountain Lions to five 30-win seasons and p 1 l t a 0 h y - r y e o e r u s a g r t h o t e t a w n ll u o - r c N e o n C a f A t e C A r o e D n n i c c v e o i s r h i d o o , n n th o I e I r s T N o t e h u w a r t n c i a a n s m c t l l e u e n , d t O e a k d p l s a p e h e v o a e m r n a a n a n c ll e a -r s t e . i v D g e i u o c r n o i n a s g c e h l h e e e c d t r i1o9ns. hAisntdorTya.sler has also coached the only two All-Americans in program "I am very excited to be back at Concord University, a place I consider home, back to an institution that actually cares about their coaching staff and wants every single sport to succeed on and off the field," Tasler said.

Concord hired Jonathan Kigel to the position of head men’s and women’s track & field and cross country coach. Kigel comes to t Ch oe nl ac sotr dt wf rooyme aLrysnhne Ul pni ni vge gr sr iot wy i annBuopc -aa Rn ad t- oc on m, Filnogr irduanwn ihnegr ep rhoeg sr pa me n. t b a o " t t I h h 'm le o t e n e x s a c , n i n t d o e d t o o f t f o n t l h j y o e a i n t c r h t a h i c e i k s v , e ” c o K th m ig e m e ir l u p s n a e i i r t d s y . o annadl bheesl pt s b, buui ltdgar opwr oagsr ai nmd wi v hi deurael s Tragen Moore was hired as Concord’s strength & conditioning coach for all sports, a position that hasn’t been filled in more than a decade. He comes to hAet hweanssaf rgor ma d Supa at er taasnsbi sutragn, tSionutthheCsat rr oe nl i gntaha&n dc oDni vdiist ii oo nn i In Ug SpCr -oUg pr asmt a .t e w h e r e "I look forward to building relationships, creating a culture of hard work, and helping each athlete reach their potential both on and off the field," Moore said.

NEW COACH

PLAY OF THE YEAR

Dawson Gragg of the Mountain Lion baseball tf oe ar mh i swhoonmMe o- ruunnt arionbEbai ns tg Cc oa nt cf he raegnaci en sPtl aEymoof rtyh e& YHe ea nr r y oc ant cFhe bmr ua ra kr ey d2 t5h. eT ht hei rCdh cr iosnt isaenc subt iuvreg y, Ve ai rrgti hn ai at an aCtoi vnec’ os r d athlete has won MEC Play of the Year.

WATCH HERE

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SL iexwf oi sr mP oeer, aJ at hk el e Lt ei lsl yw, aenr ed vAoatreodni nMt iol l tehr.eTAhtehyl ej toi icnHf oa rl lmo ef rF af omo et b: aClhl ac do aFcrha zGi ae rr,i nJ e Jruesmt iicaeh aJno dh nl os no gn t, iCmael vCi noanuc gohr dJ oAnt ehsl e, Lt iac u r e n DreecpoagrntimzeedntdsuercinregtahraylfA-tnimitea oCfotnhneeHr, owmheocwomillinbge gwaemlceoomneOdctto. 1th1e. prestigious club for her service. All new members were Johnson is the only Concord football player to be named to the all-conference first tseeal emc tfioounrt thi rme ee st iimn epsr odgurrai mn g hhi isst ocrayr.eTehr, ea Bn da l taitmt ho er ec no na tcilvues iwo ansoaf lhs oi s asne na il ol -rr esgeiaosno n , Johnson was an All-American in 2017. Throughout his career, Johnson gained respect from opposing offenses, as teams elected to not throw to his side of the field as a cornerback. Still, Johnson ranks fifth in program history with 11 career interceptions and is third in career pass break-up (c 3a r6e) e. Hr. eO av lesroa lhl ,aJdo ha nksnoanc ks t faorrt ef idn 4d 4i nggatmh ee sf o2o0t 1b 4a l-l1, 7a s, ahnedf ohrec we da sf oaupr rf oummibnl ee ns ti np lhaiyse r i n the Mountain Lions going 13-1 in 2014 and reaching the Division II Semifinals. JEREMIAH JOHNSON '08

One of the most prolific scorers in the storied history of Concord men's basketball, Miller ranks in a tie for 10th in all-time scoring with Will Johnson (CU Hall of Fame Class '98) at 1,746 points. The northern Virginia native did a bulk of his damage from the three-point line, as he ranks fourth in program history with 238 made triples. Miller's 42.5 percent from three-point distance is second all-time at Concord. The sharpshooter also ranks sixth at CU in career free-throw percentage (84.4) while sAhl lo- Mo t Ei nCg pme rofroer mt hearn i 5n 02 p0 e1r5c ea nn td f ao dr dhei sd caanr eAel rl - fMr oEmC S2e0c1o3n-d1 7T.eHa me ws ea lse ac tFi oi rns ti nT e2 a0m1 7 . In four years, Miller scored in double figures 87 times and was a prominent player tdoroCuognhcto.rd winning the 2016 MEC Championship, snapping a 19-year championship In a program that has historically produced legendary running backs, Calvinaugh Ji so nNeos. i1s innepa rr ot ghrea tmo ph iosft ot hr ey li ins tr. uTshhei nf go uyra-rydesa (r 4s, t6a3r 8t e) rafnr do mr u2s 0h 1i n2g- 1a 5t t ei nmtphtes b( a8 c7k4f)i e l d while ranking third in both rushing touchdowns (35) and yards per carry (5.3). The Maryland native produced 1,000-yard rushing seasons each of the final three years of his career — the only player in program history to accomplish this feat. The best year for Jones came in 2014, when he gained 1,734 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on his way to be a First-Team All-American, as well as the Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Jones added another 1,124 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2015. In his career, Jones had 26 100-yard rushing games.

AARON MILLER '17

CALVINAUGH JONES '19

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

The architect of two conference championships in a four-year span, Justice sported a record of 40-17 from 2011-15. Justice's first championship team was in 2011 when the Mountain Lions defeated West Virginia Wesleyan in the regular-season finale to claim their first West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Championship since 1990. Three years later, Concord not only won the Mountain East Conference Championship, but also won the Super Region One Championship—the first regional championship tpeoasmt s ei na sporno ggraamme haiss tCoUr yw. Jeunstt i1c 3e -i1s at hned oandlvyacnocaecdh t ion t ph reoNg rCaAmA hDi isvt iosri yo nt oI IwNi na t ai onnaatl i o n a l Sa te mC oi fni nc oarl sd iann2d0w1 4a s. Jvuosttei cde twh ea sS un pa me reRdecgoi onnf eOr ennecCe ocaocahc ho fotfhteh eYeyaera ri nt w2 0i c1e4i. n h i s c a r e e r A blue-collar linebacker from nearby Bluefield, Lilly was a three-time All-WVIAC/ AL il ll l-yMwE aCs sseel el ecct ti eo dn ai ns 2t h0e1 W1 , V2 I0A1C2 ,Daenf ed n2s0i v1e3 P. Al atytehreocf ot nh cel uYes iaorni no f2h0i1s 2j uanf ti oe rr ps ei lai ns og nu, p 126 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. His senior season was just as impressive with 118 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five forced f2u0m1 3b ,l easn, da nc da popneed i nh ti se rccaerpe tei ro no .nLtihl ley BweaysonnadmS epdo rt tos tNh ee tawl lo- rr ek gAi ol ln- At me aemr isc ai nn 2T0e 1a 2m ainnd 2l o0s1s 3a. rLei lel iyg' sh t3h7a7l lc- at irme eer atta Cc kUl.eHs ea ri se at hl si or dt hi ne po rnol yg rpalma y ehri sitno rpyr, owg rhai lme hhiiss t3o0r yt awc ki tlhe s1f0o ro r more forced fumbles. Af o rl ohnegr- tmi me rei tsourpi op uo sr tseerrov fi cCeotnoc Co Ur d. Saht he l seet ircvse, dC ot hnen eCro ng oc oe sr di nAt tohtl he tei ch aDlel po af rf at mmeen t an so wi t si ns et oc rreettai rr ye mf reonmt , 1C9o9n2n-e2r0a1n9d bheef or rheursebtai rni dn ,gF. rDeudrdi ni eg, rheemr wa i on rtkwi nogodf at yh se amn ods t lDoeypa al rstump epno tr twe rass aenv do l fvai nn sg ,oCf ot hn en eMr obur no tuagi hnt Lcioonnsst. aAntt as tt ai mb iel i wt yhteont ht he ec Co aUc Ah et hs l ient si ci d e t h e Carter Center. Lewis, now Poe, stamped her name in the Concord record book with her sweet swing from the left side of the plate 2014-17. Lewis ranks second in program history in br uont hs sr uc onrsebda(t1t e3d0 )i na l(l1r5a6n)k atnhdi r dd oi un bpl reos g(r5a0m) . hHi es trohr iyt. sL(e2w3 i1s) b, hu or smt eo nr ut nh se (s2c 5e )n ea nads a fwr ehsi lhemhai tnt i inng 2. 30 81 44 ., Sa hs es hf oe l lsomwaecdk ei td uap t ihne 2n 0- s1i n5 gwl ei -t she aa ns oanl l -prreoggi roanms erae scoonr dt h2a0t di nocul bu ldeesd 2q u6 ael xi ftyrian- gb af os er iht si t sf i rasntd- e4v5e rRNBCI ,AaAs sTho eu rwnaasmaevnitt. aNl po aornt eo fi nt hper oCgUr as mo f thbias ltlopr ryopglraayme d more than the 218 games that Lewis suited up in, guarding the outfield. Along with her 2015 all-region season, the native of West Virginia's eastern panhandle was also all-region in 2014. Oc ovnesr i st ht eenct ohui rt tseer os fi nh itshfeo uC rU- yl ienaerucpa. rFerearzai et rCeonnjcooyredd, Fh ri sa zbi ee sr t ws ea as soonne i on f 2t 0h 1e 7m, aoss tt h e Rh eo lapni no gk el e, Va Ad , Cnoant icvoer dw taos tnhaemMe Ed Ct hSeo uMt oh uDni tvai isni oEna tsitt lCe o, tnhf ee rleans tc ed iPvliasyi oe nr oc fr ot hwenYfeoarr ,t h e Mw aa sr oaol sno aan tdwGor-at yi m. Lea At el rl - Ai nt ltahnet ipc oRs et sgei oa snopne, rFf roarzmi eerr wi na s2 0a 1T7h ai rnddT2e0a 1m8 A. Fl lr-aAzmi eer rri ac an nk .s H e tHhi isr d8 3i nhpi trsodg ur ar mi n gh hi sitsopr yl a iyne rr -uonf s- t shceo- yr eeda r( 2s e0a0s)oannadr ei s tthi ee dmf oo rs tniinn tphr oi ng rcaamr e he ri sht oi trsy(f2o2r 9a) . sreincgolreds. eason, and the 73 times he crossed home plate in 2017 are also a single-season

CHAD FRAZIER '18

LAUREN LEWIS POE '17

JAKE LILLY '14

GARIN JUSTICE

ANITA CONNER

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WRITTEN BY WES MCKINNEY

Sl etaedv ee nr f“rCohma sWe ”yBo mr oiwn gn C‘ 2o1u ni st ya,nWeVl e. mA te Cn ot anrcyoer dd uUcnaitvoerras ni tdy, iCnhs at rsuec t i o n a l er ems ibdreanc et da slseiasdt aenr st ,hvi pi c ei nps ri de es i adne dn toouft st hi deeAtphpe acllaacshs iraono mL e. aHdee rssehr vi pe da nads a Ewdhui lcea et iaornn iFnogu rnedcaotgi onni t, i ao nn dt ha rno aucgthi vne ummeemr obuesr socf hToal ua rKs ah pi ppsa aEnpds ai l wo na ,r d s , iCnocnl uc od ri ndga Cl soongc aovr ed ’hs i Omuot sntea no df ihni gs gErl ee ma t ee ns tt abrl ye sEs di nugcsa—t i ohni sAwwi af er ,dK. a t i e , a fellow education major. Ca hkai ns ed ebreggaarnt ehni sa nc adr se ee cr oi nn dW- gyroamd ei nt ge aCcohuenr.t Hy , iws lheeardeehr es hsiepr ivne dt haes sbcohtoho l community has included directing the PBIS committee, facilitating student council, and serving as an LSIC representative. In recognition of his impact, he was honored as Berlin McKinney Elementary’ s Teacher of the Year and later named the 2024–2025 Wyoming County Teacher of the Year. Bp ruoi lvdi di negporno ftehsessi oe naac lc do emvpe ll iosphmmeenntt,sc, uCrhrai cs ue lfuomu nsduepdp Co hr ta, ma npdi ocnosa fcohri nCgh it lod er ednu cLaLtCo,r tsharcoruogshs wWhe iscthVhi regpi nairat.n e r s w i t h E S S I I n c . t o Ct wh ians eb oi sy cs u—r rf ue nt ut lrye pCuornscuoi nr dg aa l umma sntietrhoe fmesdeul vc ea st i—o na si nt hi nesyt rc uo cnttiionnuael ml e ao dd ee rl isnhgi pt h. He ier af anmd iKl ya’ tsi el eagraec ye xocfi tseedr lvyi cper ea pn adrti hn eg i tros hwaerl ec do mb ee l i e f that every child is worthy of love, opportunity, and excellence in education. CHASE BROWN – YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Dt wr.oMdaencda yd eWs roifs teoxnp e‘ 9r 8i e inscae ni na ttihvee tAr pa vpeall aacnhdi at on uprri os mf e si snidounsatlrwy. iHt he ra l m o s t et haer l Sy ocuatrheeerrnoWc ceuspt aVt ii or gnisn ii na cCl uo dn ev de ngtri oo nu pa nt oduVr ias ni tdo rgsr aBnutr es pa ue c, idailri es ct tfoorr of operation and finance for the Raleigh County Recreation Authority, tourism specialist and event coordinator for the Fayette County Chamber oc of oCrodmi nma teerdc eW/ Ne setwV Ri rigvienri aG’ so rl agregCe os tnov ne ne -t di oany aenx dt r Ve mi s iet os rpso Br tufreesat ui v. aSl h, Oe f f i c i a l Bridge Day, from 2012 to 2019. Ii nn chl ui gdhi ne rg eddeua cnaot ifosnt ,uhdeern et sx pa enrdi ecna cme psupsa nl i sf es, ecvoeorradl i hn iagtho-rr ao nf ke xi ne gc uptoi vsei t i o n s , l A e c a a d d e e r m sh y i . p program, and assistant dean of Mountain State University DR. MANDY WRISTON – OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Mandy is currently the owner of Appalachian Queen Consulting and Public Relations, LLC. She gives her time by using her pc oumb lmi c urne il tayt.i oI nn sa da dn idt imo na,rskheet i vnogl us knitlel se rt os ahse lcpo np suublltiac ni zte/ bc oo ma rmd umnei mt ybeevre, na nt sdcloeoarddmi neant et odrbfyo rn Lo ne apdr oe rf isths iapnFda oy et ht teer Ccoi tui znetny.sSohfehiesra mboeamrdbeorf tohfeRHotiastroyrIinctFearyneatttieonTahleaantedr.is the secretary for the Canyon Rim Rotary Club chapter. Mandy also recently joined the

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

DR er.sJiaddeen cGya lal ti mC ho ar er l ’e0s9t oi ns tAhree pa rMo ge rdai mc a ldCi reenctteorr (oCfAt Mh eC G) ea nn edr aa nl Sausrsgi setrayn t pi nr oCfheas rs loers toof ns,uWr gVe. rSyhaet et ahrenCeAd Mh eCrI dn os tcittourt eo ff oors At ecoapdaetmh yi caMn de dmi cai sntee r of business administration, both summa cum laude, from Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2015 and completed her general surgery residency at CAMC in 2020, serving as administrative chief resident her final year. FC ohlal or lwe si nt ogna i ny e2a0r 2i n1 rt ou rj ao li ng et hn ee rsaul rsgui rc ga el rf aycpurl tayc tai cned, pJ audres ur ee thuer rn epda st soi o n fdoi rr ercetsoi rd ei nn c2y0 e2 d1 uacnadt i ob ne c. aS mh ee wp ar os garpapmo idnitreedc taosrs oi nc i2a0t e2 3p .r So hg reaims b o a r d DR. JADE GALLIMORE – YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

ctheertCifoiendtibnyuothues ACemretirfiiccaantioBnoaCrodmomf Situtregee. ry, where she serves as an examiner for the certifying examination and is a vice chair of NA caat idoenma li lcy ,Ms he de i icsa al nC eanc tt ei vreCmo me mmbi tetre oe ,f at hn ed Ao sf st oh ce i aS toi uo tnh oe fa sPtreorgnr aS mu r gDi icraelcCt oornsgirne ss su, rwg ehreyr, ewshheer ce hsahi er ss tehr ev eEsdounc at ht i eo nI nadnedp eTnr adienni nt g Committee. She serves as a member of the editorial board on The Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE®), the defined online curriculum blueprint for surgical education in the United States. She is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, previously serving as the state's Young Fellows Association representative and now serving as secretary/treasurer of the West Virginia chapter. In addition, she is a medical advisor to the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their two daughters, Hazel and Ruby.

DWre. sJ ot sVei pr ghi nP.i aC iSncchi on on la ot if, OD s. Ot e. oi sp aa t1h9i c8 6M ge rdai dc iunaet. eHoef tCroa ni nceodr di na no rdt ha o1p9e9d2i cg sr ua dr gueart ye aotf DUnocivteorrssiHtyoasnpditaDlo, Icntoc.r,soHf SotsapriktaCl.ounty, Ohio, and completed his residency at both Ohio Joseph has been practicing since 1997, when he first arrived in the Martinsburg, WV., ap rrea ac tai cf tee, rCbe enitnegr rf oe rc rOuri tt he do pbeydCi ci tEy xHc eolsl pe ni tcael ,, Iwn hc .eAr eyhe ea rc ol ant teirn, uJ oesde tpoh gsrtoawr t et dh eh pi sr aocwt inc e b y adding partners. Ta no df ubrut hi l et rT mr i -eSet ta tt eh eS us ur gr igci ac la Cl ne ne et edrs. Ionf Ot hcet ocbo emr m2 0u 2n 1i t, yt, hhee Taontda l hJ iosi np ta rPtrnoegrrsa dme sbiegcnaemd e DR. JOSEPH P. CINCINNATI, D.O. – OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

certified by ACHC after meeting the highest standards. The Center for Orthopedic Eg exnc ee lrlaelnoc ret ha no dp eTdriic- Ss ,t at rt ae uSmu rag, iacnadl Cf reanctteurr reeccaernet.l yHme ehragsehdewl di tnhuVma el lreoyuHs ecaolmt hmS iytst et eemms e. mJ o bs eepr shhsi pp es ,c ii na lcilzuedsi ni ng jpo ri ne st irdeepnl at coef mt heen t s , mOsetdeiocpaal tshtaicffMaet dBiecrinkeelaenydMWedeisctaVl iCregninteiar.UHneivisercsliintyicSaclhaososilsotaf nMtepdriocfienses. or of orthopedic surgery for West Virginia School of Hi nec lius daepWr eecsetpVt oi rrg fi on ri at hOer tEhaospt ee rdni cWS oe sc ti eVt yi r, gWi neisat RVui rrgailnHi ae aS lot chi eEtdyuocfaOt i sotne oCpoantshoi rc tMi uemd.i cHi insep, Ar omf eesrsi icoannaOl as ct et iovpeamt hei mc Ab sesros chiiaptsi o n , a n d American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.

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Dr. Rosemary Carucci Goss, a 1974 distinguished alumna of Concord Up hniilvaenrtshi tryo, phya. sS hd ee veoatrende hd ehrelri f be at coheedl ourc’ as t di oeng ,r leeea df reorms hCi po, nsceorrvdi cbee, faonrde c U o n m iv p e l r e s t i i t n y g . a master’s at Virginia Tech and a doctorate at Florida State Rmoasneamg ea mr yesnetr ivne dt haes Caopl lreogfee sosf oLri bo ef raapl pAarrtesl ,ahnoduHs iunmg ,aannSdc ri ee ns oc eu sr caet Virginia Tech, where she was a valued member of the university community for nearly five decades, and in 1986, she founded the np iaot ni oenearlilnygr ae cc ao dg enmi z ei cdpRaet hs iwd ea ny st i ianl Pt hr iospeemr teyrMg i anng ai gnedmu setnr ty.pSrhoeg rwa ams , uPlrtoimfeassteolryEnmamereitdaR. esidential Property Management Advisory Board SAhs es ohcei al dt i ok eny, al en addwe rasshai pc t ri voel ei sn i tnh ne aNt iaot ni oanl aplr Ao fpeasrstimo neanl t oAr sgsaonci izaatti ioonn sa ,ni dn ct lhued Ii nn sgt pi t ruet sei df oern Rt eo af lt hE es tHa toeuMs i an ng aEgdeumc ea nt ito. nH ae nr dl eRg ae cs ey awr cahs further honored when Virginia Tech renamed the Property Management Advisory Board Professorship in her name. Bh ae sy os nh do wh ne rapnr uo nf ews saivoenrai nl ga cccoommmp li itsmh emnet nt tos e, Rn os us er imn ga ray bhrai gs hbtefeunt uar set feoard Cf aosnt ccohradmt hp ri oo nu gf oh rhCeor nvcool rudn tUene irv seer rs vi ti yc ea nwdi t iht st hs teuCdoe nn ct so. rSdh e Uwnhievreer shiet yr iFnosui gnhdta at inodn dBeodai rcda toi of nD iwr eecr teo irns s. tHr ue rml ee na dt aelrisnh ti ph ef ucratmh epra ei gxnp’ as nt rdeemd et hn rdoouugshs hu ec cr ersosl —e assu cr hp aa isrs oi nf gt hi tes C$U1 6A ms c iel lni od nC ga omapl at oi g n , support Concord’s future growth and impact. IRne c1o9g9n7i ,zsi nh ge tehs et aibml ips oh retda nt hc ee Co fa reux cpceirGi eonstsi aFl al me ai rl yn iSncgh, oslhaer sl ha ti pe r, pc rr oe va it de di n tghcer Ci tai cr aulcscui pGpo os sr tFtuonsdt uf od re nEtxsc ienl l et hnecier, awc ha idcehms iucpj po ou rr tnse y s . sI nt uaddedni tt iaonndt of a hc ue rl t ay ctar da ve eml ,i cr easneda rpchhi lparnot jhercot sp, i ac nadc hl ei eavdeemr sehni tps ,dRe ov es el omp amr ye ns te—r veesdp ae sc iNa lal yt i of onra ml Perme sbi de resn ot fo Pf aAnl phhe al l eSni gi cmoar gAal pn hi zaa t i o n s . Sorority from 1984 to 1988, reinforcing her lifelong dedication to empowering women and student leaders. DR. ROSEMARY GOSS – ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Ab al cGhueel no rt honf esrc igerna cdeu iant ebdu fsri on me s sC oa dn mc oirndi sUt rnai tvi eorns. i tDyui rni n1g9 h6 i6s wt i mi t he aa t CHoe nwc oa rs da, tAhl rdeies-tyi ne ga ur issthaer dt i nhgi mmseeml f bbeort ho fa tchaed eMmoiuc na tl layi na nLdi oantsh bl eat si ceablal yl l. team, demonstrating leadership and dedication on the field. He also became a proud member of Phi Sigma Epsilon as soon as he was eligible—an affiliation that fostered lifelong friendships and deep personal connections. Ienc o1n9o7m2 ,i sAt l, jwo hi neerde thheeqWu iacckhl yo veixac Be lal endk, Ta rnuds itnDtehpeamr t imd -e1n9t 8a0s si,t sh e wt haes Pnrai vma et ed Mr easrekaertc Vh adl ui ree cMt oo rd. eI nl —1 a9 n8 5i n, nh oe vaant di v he i as pt pe ar oma cdhe vt oe l sotpoecdk selection that achieved notable success throughout the decade. His role evolved further in 1999, when he became a sector analyst for the department, deepening his influence on strategic investment decisions. Demonstrating entrepreneurial vision, Al later became a part of Tanglewood Asset Management alongside several senior pmraonf ea sgsei ot hn ea l fsi nf raonmc i aWl aa sc sheotvs i ao .f Ti ths ef of iur nmd’ sa tei xo pn e. rI nt i s2e0 a0t7t r, aNcot ve ad nt th Ae sastet et nMt iaonna go ef mN oe vn at nwt aHs eeasl tt ahb, lI ins ch. e, wd , hwi chhe ar ec qAul i wr eedn Tt aonngtl oe wmoaonda gt oe the Novant Opportunistic Equity Fund beginning in 2008. Tt oh hr oi su dg he coaudt ehsi so fc aa rcehei er,vAe lmheans t eixnetmh ep lfiifni eadn ci ni at le sger ci ttyo, ri, nhneohv aa st i oc onn, as insdt elne taldy edres mh i opn. Fs trroamt e hd i as ec oa rml ymdi at my se anst at oCeoxncceol lrednscteu. d e n t - a t h l e t e AL GUENTHNER – GOLDEN ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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Mountain Lions from across generations, locations near and far, made their way BHaocmketcootmheinMgo2u0n2t5a.ins, Back to the Memories, Oct. 9-11, for

Ta nhtei qr ue tei rt er ud cjku ddgr ei vaenndblye gCiosnl actoorrdr Do di ree ci nt otrh oe fbPahc yksoi cf aalnP l a n t Steve Miller with his granddaughters to lead the parade, with Frazier wearing his 1964 football letterman’s sweater. “s Iwwe aa tsear. wI wa l ak s- osnl o, awn, da npdl ahyaedd ne on os uk gi lhl s t,”oheea sr ani da , l he tutme rbml ya, n explaining that he had played as a lineman for the 1964 Mountain Lions. Judge John Frazier ’67, and his granddaughters.

TR he tei raendn Nu ai nl tHh oCmi reccuoi mt J iundgg Pe aJ roahdne ,F lreadz ibeyr , Gk ri ca knedd Mo af fr ts hh ea l official festivities as it rolled down Vermillion Street and concluded at the Callaghan Stadium parking lot. Fi nr a1z9i e6r7 mwei tt hh ai s bwu isf ien, eBsrse dn edgar, eaen bd egf roarde ucaotme dp lf er ot imn gCtownoc o r d years in the U.S. Army and returning to earn a law degree from West Virginia University. After briefly practicing law iHnoPursien coef tDo enl, eFgraatzeise, rbduet psahrotretdl yt oi nsteortvheaitnt et hr me W, hees wt Vaisr g i n i a aMpeprocienrtCedoutonttyh.e bench to preside over the Ninth Circuit in Hb eeghi nenl di ntgh aat ssheoarttusnt itni lt haiss ar ne tai rdejmu necntt i inns t2r0u0c 6t o, rb ea ftoCroe n c o r d . HD ee l seegravt ee ds at wn do mmoovrien tge tromFsoirnt tMh ei l lW, Se. Cs t. , Vt oi rbg ei nni ae aHrohui ss es oo fn , dF raauzgi he rt esra- ii dn -tl ha we ,oaf fnedr gt or asne dr vdea ua gs hgtrearnsd, Mmaadrisshoanl af onrd t Ah em e l i a . ahne neunaj ol yCeUd Ht ho emtei mc oemo ui nt gt hpaatr ac adme we ai ns tahgerme ai td hs to onfoar, faanmdi l y vz iapclai nt iionng two iPt hi pheisst egmr a nRdeds oa ur tgShttaetres Peaarrkl i,ewr hi ne rt he eh de ahya. d g o n e “That was on my bucket list,” he said, though he admitted it would likely be his first and last excursion of the sort. The annual Homecoming Parade was led by Grand Marshal Retired Ninth Circuit Judge John Frazier ’67. CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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M5 0e-my ebaerr cs l oa sf st hr ee uCnl ai os ns oa ft 1U9n7i v5ewr sei trye Pi novi ni tte. dA bf ae cwk mf oermt hbeeirrs o f tChhea cplealsas rfoouunndd tthhee israwmaeyt ii nmsei dSea tt ou ur dr ianygmt hoer nWi ni lgk de su rFianmg itlhy e amnenmuoalriKeesga&ndEsgwgsapevsetnortiaens.d seized the opportunity to share Jt oh si ne gp sh aObfonue tr tahnedf oMoitcphrai ne lt Ao kf eCrosnac gorrede’ sd mt haai tn acl at hmopuugsh amn da nt yh e wt haer sma mwee ltchoi ms He ot hmeeyc ao lmwianygs, rme ac eniyv eodt hi enrs itdhei nAgtshhe anvs er ec hmaani gneedd since their time spent daily at Concord. “It feels strange!” Akers said when first asked how it felt to be back. Wt h eh isl ea mt heectlwa sos ,wt he reey bdoi dt hn ’ bt uc rsoi ns es spsamt hasj oi nr st hweh‘o7 0gsr .aTd hu eayt ehdaidn se ev ve enr raol ot hmi ne gdswa int dh et hvee no tf hr ieern’ sd Ts ai nu cKoamp pmaoEnp, shiol ownesvpe or. nOs no er. Owfhneenr’hserojooimnemdaTteKfEo.r a brief time was Akers’ big brother Oe nf nt eerrt aa inndi nAgkcearps el ar su gt hheeyd aans dt ht he ye irrenmeiing ihsbcoe rdsagbootui tn t o i n s i d e thhaes reevsoi ldveendc oe vhearl ltsh ae tyCe oa nr sc.oBr ud t, at hn edrhe owwa smounceh tthhien gc at mh epyu s doubted has changed since 1975. “s Ia igdo. t“ aI wg oeondt iendt uo cbaut isoi nn e. Ws s ,haant edvIe rraInl eaatrhnaetdb, ui tswi noersks efdo ,r” 3O0f n e r years.” The business major also had a flare for creativity; so, he also taor ot . kTahne aurnt i cqlua es sc ionmj ebwi neal triyo nd esseirgvne da nhdi me nwd ee ldl , uaps hmei na onrdi nhgi si n wHiilflefoesrttahbrleisehdeedcaanddesr.an a successful jewelry store in Oak Akers still heads up his own accounting firm in Beckley. “I Ig’ mo t vaerreyapl lryoguodotdo ebdeuac agtri aodnu. aDtre. [oHf aCror ny c] oFri dn ,k” ehl emsaani dp. r“eI pt ha ri ne dk me for the CPA exam, and I passed it.” WRITTEN BY TAMMIE PRESLEY (From left) Michael Akers and Joseph Ofner, Class of 1975.

(From right) Amelia Muscari, representing Tri Sigma, and Zoey Shamblin, representing Alpha Psi Omega, were revealed as the winners of the 2025 Homecoming crowns, and their supporters stormed the field for hugs, high-fives and all sorts of congratulations.

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“When we first meet the kids, 99 percent of them have ntoevwearlkheaawrdayoaf Bboigbf, aann,”dRweebedcocna’tsnaiedc.essarily expect them Hl oenrg hi nega rt ot ’ sg de te si ni r teoius cthh awt itthhet he xe pi reor wi e nn ccer el eaat ivvei st yt, heevme n i f tmhueysi’cvebenfeovreer. experienced the allure of art, poetry, lyrics, or OT annegol ef dR eUbpeicnc aT’ us nf aevso, ar i tpel apyi eocne sD oy fl ahne’ sr “j oTba ni sg ltehde Up pr oi gnr Ba ml u e . ” Fs cuhnodoeldc hb iyl dbroetnh wg rhaon mt s iagnhdt ndootneoxrps ,etrhi eeni cnei tai aftoi vr emianlvmi t euss i c ei nd uk ec ay tbiooanridns ,t he el ei cr tcrliacsos rr oaocmo ussttoi ctgr yu itthaer,i rp ehracnudsss iaotnl ,eos sr o n s harmonica. After a series of songwriting sessions, she said the final session often features the students performing t p h la e y ir . original pieces on the instruments they’ve learned to REBECCA ROSEBERRY '01 Tangled up in tunes

It’s been a long time since Rebecca Roseberry sbeutt fhoeort eo, ns hCeolnecaor rnde dU nt hi veelressi st yo ’ns smt oa ghiec lapl mh eoruvni st ai ti onrhs agveet n , Tangled Up in Tunes at the Bob Dylan Center daily. “bIut ’ts Ibsepeenn at mj oousrtnoe fy.mI ’ymc oh ri lidg hi noaol dl y i fnr oSmu mema set er sr vni lKl ee,n” tRuecbkeyc, c a said. At efat ec rh ignrga dhui gaht i sncghiono2l 0f o0r1s, isxhyeesapr es natnad dme icdaddlee isnc he do uo lc af ot iro n , fcoaur er, pf or lol og wr aemd sbayt at hpeo Ds iet ipoanr tams ea nstuopfeHr vui ms oarnoSf el or vnigc-et se ri nm Oklahoma. Up al tsi smi oant efloyri te dwuacsaht ieornl itfheal ot nl agnldo ev de oh fe Dr dy lraena’ms mj oubs iacs atnhde a eAdrcuhciavteiosnatanthdeoBuotbreDacyhlamn aCneangteerr. of the American Song Tl ehgea cAymoef rsioc ma ne Soof nAgmAerrcihc iav’ es smi so sdteedni cdaut reidn gt os po nr egswe rr vi tienrgs .t h e Ictoml l eacnt ai ogness ,opf rDe ys el arnv,eWs , oa onddypGr ouvt hi drei es aanc cdems sotroe .t h e c o r e Ry eeabresc ac an dh abse lhi ee vl de sh ietr’ sceuxrar ce tnl yt pwohs ei tri eo ns hf oe ’rs mmoeraentthtaonbteh. r e e Aa gtey pc hi ci al dl rdeany hcuonugl dr ys et oe lheearr ng raebeot iuntgt hd eo zme nu ss i oc af ls ci choono wl - h o cs thearnegoet yd pt ehse, leaanr dn si nc ag pae Pouf l hi tizseirn Pd rui szter yf o, wr lhi ti el er adteufryei n, agn d fighting for social justice.

TO hk il sa hpor mo gar aMmu sr ee uc emn tAl ys swo oc ina tt ihoen ’ s OP ruot gs tr aa nmd ianwg aOr du ,t raenadc hR eobr eEc dc au cwa at iso n itnhvei Atemd etor i cparne sAelnl itaonnc ei tos fi mMpuas ec ut ma t s ’ A M n a n y. ual Conference in Los Angeles in Icfhti hl derreen’ s coanr er yl easws oa ny , si th’ se thhoapt et sh et hy e should always be proud to be unique. “Bob never stayed in one box. He was [first] defined as a folk singer, and tr ho ec kn shien gweern. Tt he el enc threi cwaenndt bc eocuanmt rey a. . . H“Aet nmeavneyr cs ot anyceedr ti sn i on nt eh eb o‘ 6x0, ” ss, hhee swa ai ds . gs toi il nl wg eo nn t sot angset abgeei nagn bd opoeerdf o, br mu tehde. Tdihdaittcaonuylwd anyo.”t have been easy, but he Dwyhloa ns two oa ds af onr ot rhi eg icnaaul ,s ae ns hi nedbi ve il di euvaeld, iwn i tahn da smt ea adde f at hs et smp ui rsi it c. Ht healte mt f aa tnt se raendd critics alike know that only he would define who he was.

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ICnonmcaonryd.ways, Rebecca said she learned the same lessons at “wCiol lnaclowrady, st ob me pe a—r t oe vf ewnhtoh Io au mg h. Ii tt ’ lsa bi de et hn eofvoeurn2d0a tyi eoanr sf o—r wT hheo pI raomf e,”s ssohres swa iedr e“ Ist og ai nvveoml vee dt h. Te hkenyo wk nl eedwg eu st op et eras cohn.a l l y. Ti mh pa to mr t aena tn, tasnodmt huacthl et od mmee. tTohkenyomwatdhea mt Ienfeeeedl es de etno amnadk e s a t n u y d th en in t g s f e e l e se l . s ” een and important, if I didn’t teach them Along with the confidence instilled by a strong curriculum af rni edncdosrhei pc lsa ss hs eesb, uRiel bt , escocma ea los of wp ho ii nc ht eadr et os tt hi l el al i pf eol wo negr f u l f o r c e for good in her life. “My core friend group — those memories have been with me my whole life. Concord just gave me the confidence tehvae tr yI tchoiunlgd, ” dsoh ea ns ya ti dh .i n“ Pg haynsdi ccaol luyl, di t b’ seboena umt iyf uolw. . .nT. hI te’ s Cbaeme np u s Beautiful, but the people are also beautiful. I talk to people all the time who have school experiences with 300 to 400 people and never got to interact with anyone individually.

Tanhaint’dsinveidvuearltbhaesciasstehearteC.”oncord. You get to know people on Specifically, she recalled history classes with Dr. David Bard. “I still reflect on my history classes with Dr. Bard, whose pGaest tsyi os bn udregewp ei tnhehdi mmyr el omvae ifnosr ot nh ee os uf bmj eycmt . oAsttrui pn ftoor g e t t a b l e ec ox pl l ee gr iee—n ci et sw, ” aRs eab he cocma es, afirdo. m“ Cionns cpoi rr idn gw pa sr omf eosrseo tr hs at no fj ur isetnad l y fmacoems ltiokealLl iobfbuys[!”Alvis] in the cafeteria, who felt like a second Concord, to me — even though it’s been over 20 years — will always be part of who I am.

(Below) Rebecca Roseberry ’01 leads tour of young people at the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, OK. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Roseberry.

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WRITTEN BY TAMMIE PRESLEY

FORGED IN FIRE & FRIENDSHIP

Princeton Fire Chief Charlie Croy '95 and Beckley Fire Chief Ed Thompson '94 were among the founding fathers of the Concord Pi Kappa Phi Eta Alpha chapter in the mid-1990s and are both now the chief of their respective fire departments. Photo by Tammie Presley.

“wChoenrceoIr dw we nats tao lhoicgahl ss cc hh oo oo ll ., Irti gwhat sdaofwf onr dt ha eb lset, raene dt fIr foeml t l i k e it was the best option for me,” Charlie said. He met a friend who became a fraternity brother. “GAo gduf rye tyh—a t Is tsaartt ne de xtta tl ko i inng Caoblol eugti at ht ei sSgi nr ogue pr st —h a tChher iws a s a pC ah ratr loi fe arne dc atlhl eadt . t “hHe ey swaei dr et hg aoti nhge ttoh od uo gshotmt he agtoIowd ot uh li dn gbse,” a good fit. I went to an interest meeting, realized that I already knew some of the guys involved.” TK ha pa tp ianPt ehrie, st ht emleoectai lncghwa pa tsefronr at hmeeCdoEntcaoAr dl pchhaa. p t e r o f P i Ea nd dwpahsi lao ps oo pl i ht iyc. aLl iskcei eCnhcaer lmi ea, jtohre wmhoor emhi ne ogroetdi ni nv ohlivs et odr iyn os ono- cna bmepc uo ms aec Et i tvai tAi el ps ,hhae, tahl se ol ogcoat l i unnv iot l vo ef dt hi en Pwi hKaat pwp os .u l d “—Wae nhda dt hseoymhea dr ebael leyngwo oodr kl ienagd et or ws hai rpd—t h ua tp gpoe ar l cfloars ssme veenr a l

The leaders of two southern West Virginia fire dUenpi vaerrt ms i teyn’ st sPai rKeaapmp ao nPgh it hc eh af oput enrd, Ei ntga fAaltphhear .s o f C o n c o r d WP rhi ni lcee tt ho ne fFriartee Dr neipt ya ri tsmn eonl to nC ghei erf aCcht iavrel ioe nC cr oa my 'p9u5sa, bn od t h Beckley Fire Chief Ed Thompson '94 said their involvement and their time at Concord shaped who they are today. Iatc wc eapst ea dt itmo emouf l ut inpcl ee rstcahi no toyl sf oarn Ed dw, awshno’ t ssaui rde hwe h’ da bt et oe ns t u d y . Hb eef oc or emf mu l ul yt ei md tmo etrhsei nAgt hhei mn ss ec laf mi np tuhsehci os lfl reegsehemx apne ryi ee an rc e . “vTibhreancatmplpauces,”wEads prerceattllyefdu.ll at that time, and it was a very Ca nh da rwl i ea sa ct toemn df oerdt amb il ed di nl et ah ne dc ohmi g mh us cnhi toyo, ls ao t cAo tnhtei nnus i Sncghhoios l eCdoumcma tui onni caatt iCoonnAc or trsdwf ei ltthncaotnucreanl . tHr aet imo na sj oirne dt hiena t e r a n d public relations. CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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