Concord University Magazine Spring 2025

celebrating 50 years of service this year, showcases the significant contributions made by many individuals wl e ahdoehrasvhei pg ti vheant hgaesn ehreol pues dl y.gIrtoawl s ot hhei gFho lui gnhdtast itohne’ sw i s e ea nn dd oswmma lel -nsti zt eod$ u6 n0 i vmeirl sl iiot ine, st hi ne Wl a er gs te sVti ragmi noina g. Fmi neadl li yu, m ti nh de i av li ud mu anl si ndeowi nsgaenxdt rcaaomr dpiunsa ruyp dt haitnegs ss fhoarr Ce osnt oc roireds aonf d because of it. Oa cnc ebpe th oa ul f rohf eaal lr ot ffeul tst ahta Cn ok ns caonrdd aUpnpirveecrisaittiyo, np lfeoars e tshpee cmi aal npyl awc ea y. Ws yhoi ul e siut pi spoour tr apnl edatsaukree pt or i cdoemi ne tthoi sw o r k ea ad cvho cdaacyy ,t cohsaerri vt ae bol eu rc os tnut dr iebnut tsi,oi nt si st oy ot uh re cFoonutni ndua et ido n , amnede ts touudre mn ti sr seifoe nr rma l os rme af ud lel ye: at coh“ tyreaanrs tf ho ar mt e lni va ebsl e, eunsr it coh or eugri oc on ma l lmy, unnaittiioe ns ,aal lnyd, apnrde pi natreer nl eaatdi oenr sa lfloy.r” sWe reviincve i t e you to join us as we continue this good work. Together for Concord,

Ia pprreovvi oo suts wl y hhoa, dwthheenpe rvievri l ae sgke eodf hwoowr khi ne gwaal so, nagl ws i da ye s responded with one simple word: “Grateful.” At first, I tt hi mo ue ,ghhot wi t ewv ae sr, aI rkei na ldi z, ea dl mt ho as tt si ti mwpa lsi smt iuc crhe smp oo rnes et h. Oa nv e r twhoart k–. Hi t es ewr av se dg eans uai ng euliyd itnhga npkr fi un lc ifpo lret ihne hoips pl iof er taunndi t y tdoa ys earnvde tsot usdheanr et s wa int dh tdhoencoarms hp ouws ctohme imr guinf ti tmy aeda ec ha da ni f df e fraecnucl et y. Ht oe lienasdp iwr ei tdhma ahneya rc ta mo f pgur sa tai tdumd ien wi s it trha ot ourt s needing to say much on the subject. St hi na ct es aj omi ne i ns pg i rCiot na cnodr de n, Ie hr gayv, ea inndt eI nht ai ovne abl leye snopulgeha ts eodu t to find it in so many faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and ferxi ae mn dpsl .eWs ien atrhee epxac gi teesd otfot hh ii gs hCl oi gnhctosr odmUen iovfetrhsei tsye Mi mapgaaczti noef . POr ue sr i fdeeant ut rBeosgtgoersys ,c we l he bo rhaat es satl wh ea yt es nf uo ur en da n d gf arceualtt yh, osnt aofrf , aanndd parliuvmi l engi eo if no suerrvvei nnge rtahbel es tiunds et int ut st,i o n . The annual report from our Foundation, which is

Joshua D. Cline Executive Director of Advancement

concord university

contents

President Dr. Kendra Boggess

FEATURES

Executive Director of Advancement Joshua D. Cline

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

Chair, Concord University Foundation, Inc. Jennifer Ware ’88 CREATIVE STAFF: Director of Marketing and

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President Kendra Boggess retires after more than a decade of service.

10 Alumni Louis Tripodi ’60 and Robert Bennett Crawford ’58 reflect on their time spent on “The Campus Beautiful.” ALUMNI REFLECTION

Public Relations Lindsey Byars '03

Public Relations Manager Tammie Toler '98

departments

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

AROUND THE VALLEY

04 07

Campus News

Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Blake Farmer ‘17

Athletic Highlights

AMONG THE PINES

SUBMISSIONS: Please contact Lindsey Byars

08 10 34 52

at 304-384-5367 or lbyars@concord.edu

Alumni Happenings Alumni Reflections

Class Notes In Memoriam

MOVED RECENTLY? NEED TO UPDATE YOUR INFO? Fill out the Alumni Contact Information Update form under the Alumni tab!

FOUNDATION FOR IMPACT 14

concord.edu/alumni or email alumni@concord.edu

CU Ascend fundraising campaign launches

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The Concord University Foundation celebrates 50 Years

2023-2024 Annual Financial Report

ON THE COVER:

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: advancement@concord.edu Mail: Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712-1000 Phone: 304.384.6311 Fax: 304.384.6017

The Concord University Magazine is published by the Concord University Advancement Office.

Portrait of President Kendra Boggess. Photo by Blake Farmer for Concord University.

A portion of the cost is underwritten by the Concord University Foundation, Inc.

CAMPUS NEWS Da nudr iGn og vtehren2o0r 2J i3mRJeugsut il caer Sper os sviiodne,dt hf uenWd iensgt Vf oi rr gdi enfiearLr ee dg i s l a t u r e mC oani nc ot ernd aUnnc iev ae tr ssittayt er ei cnesitvi teudt iao Hn si gohfehr i Eg hdeurc ae tdi uo nc a t i o n . Da dedf errersesdpMr i oa irni ttye npar no cj eec Gt sr adne ts ifgonr a$t1e 1d . 6b ymt ihl lei oCnUt o Board of Governors. With the first allotment of $2.9 million received in December, Concord was able to start and finish several projects, including replacing ruopodfas toe ns eWc ui lrsiot yn caanmd eWr aoso adcdreol sl sHcaal lms , paussw. e l l a s

Talhsaonukpsdtaotefeddteercahlngoralongtyfuancrdoinssg,sCeovenrcaolrcdolleges in 2024. By providing students with state-of-the as kr ti l dl se, vainc de se, xCpol no cr oe rddi vi se resme pc ao rwe ee rr i np ga tthhse tmo bt oe tctoenr dpur cetpianrne otvhaetmi v ef orre sper aorf ec hs s, idoenvael l soupctchees isr itne ct hh en ircaapl i d l y evolving job market. Updates include software and technology in graphic design, VR headsets to support simulations for immersive experiences in the K-12 classroom, software to support social work field experiences, uteplegsracodpede floarb tehqeuCipUmOebnsteirnvathtoerDy,eapmarotnmgeontthoefrBs.iology and Department of Health Sciences, and a new Roofing supplies arrive on campus for needed replacement. Photo by Jason Lockart for Concord University.

President Kendra Boggess testifies before the House Finance Committee. Photo courtesy of alumna Stella Dunn. President Kendra Boggess testified on the FY 2026 budget before the HH oi guhseer FEi dn ua nc ac tei oCno mP oml i ictyt eCeoomnmF ei sbsri ou na rCyh2a0n. cSehl leo wr Saas raalhs oT iuncvkiet er dt ob y testify before the Senate Finance Committee as well.

Lg ay lnl es ir yB os py da c’ e1 2i ns thhoewAc laesxeadn dh ee rr Fwi on rekAi rnt st hBeuui lpdsi tnagi r s it nh rJ oa un guha rtyh. eS hS ae v’ sa cnunrarhe nCtol yl l ewgoe rokfi nAgr to annhde Dr eMs Fi gAn . L U y n n iv s e i r B s o it y y d . ’12 showcase. Photo by Jason Lockart for Concord

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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h i d r esgtroees sicni eenncvei r, oo nr mc oemn tpaul tgeeroi sncf ioernmc ea st i, ocnh es my sitsetmr ys, .c o m p u t e r Science Engagement and Active Mentoring Program, or SEAM, is open to new first-time freshmen and qt ur aanl isf yf ei nr gs tsut du edne tnst. sI nwai ldl dr ei tci eo inv et oa tluaipt itoonp , aws soi rs kt as nh coep, opportunities, field trips, and more. Visit concord.edu/SEAM for more information. sTt hu edreen at sr ewnheowl i va en di neVx pi ragni ndiead, Ns cohr ot hl aCr as hr oi pl i no ap,pFol rotrui dn ai t, i ae ns df o r Texas. The Admissions Office is seeing more applications from these areas. These scholarships are one way Concord is working to make college more affordable. Both first-year and transfer students are eligible if they meet the criteria. s $ u i t P h n o e r of 12 accolades CU students received, including five first place Crystal Awards and two second place Merit Awards. Students in Communication in the Organization competed against work conducted by advertising agencies, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and other universities in a six-state region. C u e o b n t l o c i p c o r R s d c e o U la r n t i i n i o v g n e p r s s u S i b t o y l c i i c s e t r t u e y d l a o e t f n i A o ts n m r s e e c r c a i e c m i a v p e – a “ E i B g a e n s s t i t n C i n e 2 n 0 S t 2 h r 4 o al . w T D ” h i b s i t s y r i i t s c h t o e f

Environmental geoscience students working in the field. Photo courtesy of Joe Allen.

New incentive for out-of-state students to apply.

J “i mI a Omwrsetaol nl y. “pTr oh ue yd coof nt hd eu cwt eodr ka oSfWo uOrT sat nu adleyns ti ss ,”a ns adi dc rIenastterdu cstuorrv e y iSnt us tdr eunmt se np tasr, tvi ci di peaotsi ,nag ri andc li uo dpeudb 2l i 0c 2s 4e rgvri ac de uaantne os uRnocsesmCel innte, , aMpioc shtaeer,l aHnadr es,oLcui aklemS ec da ri ab rpoo as tnsd. ” K a l e b WL aantds oo nl f .oC, Juardr eMn at hCfoonuczo, rJ od nsat ut hdaenn tSsc hwwh iot zceornl et rt ti be uatnedd Rt oo dt hr ei c cVaamupg ahing.n w e r e J a y d e n C o b b , E m m a a( nF rdoJmo nl ae tf ht )aJna dS cMh wa hi tf oz eurzl,eJtitme . OP wh osttoo nb,y Lindsey Byars for Concord University.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

CAMPUS NEWS

Igf aymo ue rhoarv ep oa tyeonut inagl Esp r o e t r e g ts a is m s t u r a r m e ti c m o r n e u r i f t o c , r a mp is open. Visit concord.edu/ cu-esports summer-camp

Concord Esports team named 2025 Boost on the Beach Champions Ch ao sn ce oi gr hd t Ecshpaomr tpsi ot enasmh isp as ,r teyri an cgkwi ni gt huCparl el coof gDnui tt iyo’ sn .pRr oo gc kr ae mt Lreeacgoured .nTohwe tTeXa. mA lal lgsaomq eusa lhi faiveed sf eo cr ut rheedCpEl Ca yCoMf f sa yf oMr at hd en ef isf st hTyo euar rn ai nmae rnot wi n uAnrdl ienrgAt ouns ,t i n Clay’s direction. OS hnoAwpcrai sl e2 6i n, Ct ho en cAorredn aE . s Rp ionrgt ss iasnhdotlrdoi pn hg i tehsef o2 rn tdh ae nFnaul la 2l 0A 2i r4 FCohr ac emGp ai omnisnhgi p wsoiclliablemperdesiaenfoterdmboerfeordeettahielss.howcase begins. Follow Concord Esports on (MFurorimndleafgto) mTroe, yChCaosmeeKr,oCgoedr,yJoFnrayteh, aNnatRhoasne,LOolcikvhiaaSrta,mTasy. lor Thimmesh, Simas Gurskis, Shaun

Concord vs. bluefield state Fellowship of Christian Athletes at both Concord and Bluefield State Universities worked together af ot rHpeeaovpe lne Saer no tu nMdi nt ihset rwi eosrtl od bi nu inl de ef do .oTdhpeayc aklss o ienvceonrtptoor saet ee dwahfor iceonudl ldy pc ao cmk pt ehtei tmi oons itnbt oo xt ehse. “mWeee thi na vg et ot hsee rFveel l. oTwhsaht iips oo fn Ce ht hr iisntgi awn eAat hr el eat ebso u t , ao nf dc otmh ips ei tsi tai onne,abt uwt ai ty itsoadl soot choamt . mT iue ni ni t ya sl ietrt vl ei cbei,t iFtCiAs mAminbisatsrsya, idtoisr. having fun,” said Steve Barrett,

FCA members from Concord and Bluefield State working tSoegnettMheinr itsotriimesp.act world hunger. Photo courtesy of Heaven

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Junior guard Kollin Tolbert of the Concord University men's basketball team was named the Mountain East Conference Player of the Year while junior forward Rene Diop was voted as the MEC Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to their individual awards, Tolbert was named to the All-MEC First Team, and senior guard Corey Boston joined Diop on the All-MEC Second Team. Junior forward Abbie Smith and senior guard Skylar Davidson of the Concord University women's basketball team were voted All-MEC performers for the 2024-25 season. SS me ciot hn dwTaesanma mp leady et or. tFhoer ADlal -vMi dEs Co nF, i irts' ts Tt he ea mf i rfsotrAt lhl -eMf iEr Cs t Ht iomneo ri ni nh eh re rc ac raeree re ra fatse rs hbea cl akn- tdoe- bd aocnk tahpepAe al l r- Ma nEcCe sS ae sc oanndATl le- aMmE. C Josiah Rickards and Skylar Davidson were named to 2024-2025 All-MEC Tournament Team. Rickards, a first-year ga pu pa reda ,r aa vnecrea. gHeed h2a1d paoci na rt se ei nr bt we sot goaf m2 3e sp, ohienl tpsi na gg al ei nasdt tnhaet iMo no aulnl yt ariannLk ieodn as nt od at ospe cs oe ne dd Ws t reas itgLhitbMe rEt yC iTno tuhren as emme inf it nSael ms . i f i n a l Davidson, a senior guard, led Concord with 24 points in her final collegiate game against Frostburg State. She also tallied eight assists, four steals, two rebounds, and two blocks against the Bobcats. Men's Soccer won a program-record 15 games in 2024 and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in pArmoegrriacmanhaisntdorayF, airdsvtaTnecainmgAtocatdheemseiccoAnlld-Armouenrdic.aSny. dney Tucker (women's soccer) was a Third Team All Volleyball advanced to the conference tournament semifinals for the first time since 1992. Logan Zuchelli (men's cross country) became a four-time All-Atlantic Region performer. Student-athletes were on the Concord Dean's List for the 2024 fall semester. Student-athletes were honored on either the All-MEC Academic Team or the Commissioner's Honor Roll.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

ALUMNI HAPPENINGS

2024 Phi Kappa Alpha Reunion Twheee kCeonndc oorf dS eUpntievme rbsei try6Zaent ad- U7 .pOs inl oFnr iCdhaaypnt ei gr hot f tPhie KPai pk ep aB Ar ol pt hhear hs ,esl dp ot uh se ei rs 2a0n2d4f rai ne nn ud as lartet eunndi oend tah ceo c k t a i l reception and dinner in lovely historic Lewisburg, WV. On Saturday, everyone gathered at Brother Grif Callahan’s home on beautiful Cold Knob Mountain Road in Gd ar ey es nabt rbi ee rl oCv oe ud nCt oy ,nWc oVr df o. Ar df edl il toi wo ns ahlilpy,, gt oa mh oe ns ,olri boaut ri odnesc, eaansde ds wP oi kpep Bi nr go tohl edr ss t, oar Ci ehsaopft ewroEntde er rnfaul l Ct ei mr eems oo nf yo u r wC iar sc lhe eBl de wU ni tbhr oe ak cehn .n" aTmh ee dr eaay dc of onl tl oi nwueedd bwyi tbhe al l pc ho it ml uec .kTshuep cpeerrepmr oo nv iydeenddbeyd awt tiet hn deeveesr ywoint he sf ai nv og irni tge “dWi sihl letsh, e desserts, more drinks and plenty of live music and songs. Dr. Dimeji Onafuwa '00 AA rl et xi satnadnedr CF oi nnec oArrdt sUBnui vi ledrisni gt yf raol ummAnuugsuDs ti mt herj oi uOgnha fOucwt oa bsehra ar endd hdius rwi nogr ka ri ne ctehpet Ai ornt haunrd Bl eu ct ct uh reer hGealldl eAr yu gouf st th 2e 2 . De dr.uOc antaof ru wa nadi sUaX ml eua ldt iefra. cHe et ehdoNl di gs ear Pi ahn. Db. oi rnnTarratni ssti .t iHo ins De xe ps iegrnt i fsreo emx tCeanrdnse bg ei ey oMnedl l tohne Uc na ni vvearss. i Ht ye, wi shaelrseo haen s t u d i e d dc oe ns if ge nr e’ sn cc oe nkter yi bnuottieosn, pt oa rt thi ec i np ea wt e ci no mp omdocna ss ,t sa, caonndc leepatdhwe ot er kr ms hsoapss “wr eocrol dmwmi doen. i Tn og p. ” i Hc se hhea cs obveeerns irna vnigt ee df rtoomd ealri tv e r and alternative economics to transition design, the pluriverse, the commons, allyship, and algorithmic bias. Da nr.dOtnhaef ur ews at ’ os fatrht ei s wt i co rj ol du,rinnecyl uhdai sn gt aPkiet nt s hb iumr gfhr ,oPme nhni ss yhlovma neilaa;nAdt ho ef nNsi,gWe rei as t t Vo ivr ag ri ni oi au;sScei at itet sl ei, nWt ah sehUi nngi tt eodn ;SLt aotse s Awnogrekl.es, California; Tokyo, Japan; Charlotte; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he has exhibited his

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

2024 Phi Sigma Epsilon Reunion Tr ehceo Pn nh ie cS ti ignmg aa nE dp sri el omni nRies uc inni go no nt otohke ipr l at icme eS ea pt tCeomn bc oe rr d1 8o v-e2r 2g, o2l f0, 2d4i ni nn eAr tsh, ea ndsa, nWc eV,. aTnhde vwi se iet ks eonnd cwa ma sp sups e. nT th e PE hp is iSl oi gn bAr lout mh enris Spc rhooul adrl ys hciopnitni n2u0e1t8o. sTuhpapnokrst ttoh se ui rp aplomr ta fmr oamt e rf etl hl or wo uaglhu mt hse aensdt afbr li iesnhdms ,e tnht eoffutnhde cPohni tSi ni gume sa tAossgorociwatteoddPayhototofginraapnhcyia. lly assist Concord students in their educational endeavors. Photo courtesy of

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

ALUMNI REFLECTIONS

Louis Tripodi ‘60 By Nicole Smith

Mr. Tripodi brought his friends Jill Palmisano (far left) and Pauline Gaudette to visit President Boggess and “The Campus Beautiful.”

Louis Tripodi graduated from Concord in 1960 with a Bachelor oHfeSfcui retnhceer ei nd Ehdi su sc taut idoi ne s, f aotc uWsoi nr sg t oe rn SAt ma t ee rCi coal nl e gh ei s, teoarrynai nngd am a t h . master’s degree in math. Ha si sa f ma veomr ibt ee rmoef mt hoer iPehs ioDf ehlitsa tPi mi fer aatteCr no int cyo. Hr de irnecml uedme bhei sr st itmh ee fbauctugl toyoaddhv ai szoi nr , gD" ra. sMwo eo lrl ea, sa nt hde rde amnicnei ss caendd aebvoeuntt s“ at hl i et tyl eh eh ladz. i Inng , ft ahcet ,f ohoet tboaol lkgaa md aensciinn gd icfof eurresnet apt anritgshot f. HWee satl sVoi rl og vi neida .a t t e n d i n g WH eh si laey as , s“tTuhdeeyn twaetr Ce ohnucmo rbdl e, haen md ge ot os tdu sdteundtesnf trso. mT hSeoyu wt he Kr eo rnei ca e. taondtaslkhatoreadnmd afunny tgooboed wthiitnhg. sW.”e helped each other out in school La oCuaitshwo lai cs ct hl uebparne ds i dh ea nd tdoi ff ftehree nNtefwa cmi l iatni eCs lbuabc, kwthhiecnh . wHaes rideemaesmwbitehrsWtreasvt eVlilringgintioa MUnoirvgearnstiotyw. n periodically to exchange His favorite and most influential professors included Dr. William R(Mobaitnhs)o, ann(dEMngrl.iPshh)il,lDiprs. F(rMaantkhS).tein (English), Dr. Carl Bailey Hc oi sl l er ge es i. dHeen rc ee mweams ba te rMe rd. Mi t cbNe ai ni rg’ sa hvoeur ys en, iwc eh ipclha cwe at so ns et aayr ft oh re ad icf foelrl eegnet st yt upde es notf. bTihr de rse, wwhaisc ha ht aebfleedoanl lt ht heedtei mc kew. i t h m a n y

HV ier gs iani di a, n“ Tpheeo pC laemwpeurse Bv ee ar yu tni fi uc el ,hai tn tdh tehsepyomt faodremmee. Tf eheel Wa t e s t home, even though I was a Yankee! It shaped my future because Ir er lei cg ei oi vne.”dOanveeor yf tghoeofda ceudlut yc amt ieomn ,baenrds wI wh oa swvaesr ya lds eo vao ct eoda ct ho omf y aevthelreytiwcse,ehka.d large family, and they would take him to church Awfht eerr eg rhaedtuaautgi nhgt ,f oh re 3b1e cyaema res a. Imn ahti hs rtee taicrhe me reinnt W, hoerhc ea ss tde or, nMe A , ah igs rcehaut rdceha, laonfdt rvai vs ietlel idn wg , iht he lppaetdi ewn ittshi nd itfhf eer he no ts poictcaal .sHi oenws aa ts a mt r aevme bl sewr oi tfhSht .i sV wi nicfee n, tthDeeyPvai us ilt Se odcAi eutsyt rf oi ar, oI tvael ry, 5I r0eyl aena dr s, .MI ne xhiicso , Canada, and the state of Colorado. “It was one of the best experiences of my life, attending Concord College. The students and faculty were great!”

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Robert Bennett Crawford '58

II nt hoansebwe ea ny oa nr ai nn toetrheesrt, i In hg apvrei vbi leeegne i tnov po levresdo nwailtl hy Ck no on wc o sr de vme no rper et hs iadne 6n 5t s yoefatrhsi. s great institution and to work or directly report to three. My campus life as a student was not typical. It took a meandering path before arriving at the “college friendly on the campus beautiful.” I was born in Bluefield, st ht aart t seudms cmheoro il ni nt hWe eKl cahn, agwr ahda uCai tt eydg fl ar os smpCl ahnatr ll oe satdoi nn gHfirgehi gShcth coaorl satnodewa ronr kme odn e y for college. Then in 1951, I entered VT as a cadet and soon found out military sI cohpot oe dl dt iod vnool ut na tgereere fwo ri tthh me de r. aHf ot , wa etvweor,- fyaecaerdc wo mi t hmbi temi negn td, raanf tde ds i gi nnteodt hu ep mt oi l i t a r y, become a glider pilot. I was ready to defend the USA as a proud member of the 101st Airborne, the Screaming Eagles. Fortunately, I was spared from the battlefield as a truce held between our nation and North Korea. Later, my unit was transferred to Europe. Because I had less than a year to fulfill my two-year commitment, I did not go with them. MC oyntcoour rd i inn stehrev fi ac el l roef a1f f9i 5r m6 . eBdeti hn eg da ef suilrl e- t it mo oe bs tt auidnean tc ot al lkeigneg daesgmr eaen. yI ea ns t2e1r ecdr e d i t ht i omuer sf opresrt tuedremn,t l ai vcitni vgi toi fefsc. aImdpi du st h, aonudg hwpoar rktiinc gi piant eP ri ni nac ef et own Sdi igdmn a’ t Ml e ua veevme nut cs ha n d made good friends: Bill Shaw, Charlie Webb (both veterans) and Vic Foti, among others. In less than three years, I had a degree in business administration (1958)

from Concord and entered graduate school. BD eunb lCi nr a, VwAf o. rPdhaott ot hceo Vuer tt ee rs ay nosf CBeemn eCtrearwy fionr d . VP ri ce sFiodtei natnMd aI ,r as lho on fgf ewr ei tdh mo teh ae rj oabl utmo nwi o, frokuinndtehde an es uwcl cyecsrsef au tl ecdh aCpe tnetre ri nf oRroEa cnoonkoe m. i c Action and to teach Economics. I accepted and spent another three years at Concord in tphr ee smi di ed n6t 0o’ sf . bToetnh yCeoanrcsol radt e&r iBnl ut he ef i eml di dS 7t a0t’es ,, aI na dc cwe potrekde da na no of ftehrefrr ot wmoDyre. aCrosf ff ionrd a f f e r, him until the merger ended and then another year to create a smooth separation. President Freeman took office and I worked a couple of months closely with him, ds er ti vt liendg ahni md aacrcol ui mn da t tehde t roe tghi oe na raenad. iHn et r wo dour ck iendg ohui mt a t joo bk eoyf fpe er rfsoor nms et ot oh ec lopn ht iinmu eg eatt CstoantecoorfdW. eI sdteVcliirngeindiaa.nd returned to Charleston as Director of State Planning for the Eo vv ee rr yt hheosuer 6s5p ey ne at rast lCeoa nv ec owr do nhda es rbf ue le mn ee nmr oi crhi ei ns .gI ta ni sdwi ni tthe rdaecet ipo an ns dwei tnhd sutrai fnf ga gn rda ft ai tcuudl tey wC ohnecno Ir dt h—i nf ke l ol of wt hset umdaennyt sf ,r fi ae cnudlst ym, satda ef f aanl ldt ot hoenfur ime ne dr os uh si ptso smt reenntgi ot hne, nbeudt wb ehcaatue svee ro f mbeotdteircupmerosof nsubcecceasussIehoafvCeohnacdoirsdl.argely because of them. I have a better life and am a

Ben Crawford in 1954. Photo courtesy of Ben Crawford.

Share your story and a photo with us at advancement@concord.edu or mail Advancement, P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

Ce xopnac no dr da Uc andi ve emr isci tpy raong nr aomu ns c, ei ndc trhe ea speusbt lui cd epnhta ss ce hoof l ai trss chai pp si t, aal ncda mr epnaeiwg nc ianmOpcut os bf aecri ltiot i reas i. sCeUf uAnSdCsEtNo D cCaolnl sc oorndaUl unmi vneir, sfirtiye’ns dsse,ravni cde octahne rAsSwC EhNo Dc atroema beoe tu to uCro nhci gohr de sttogroeaalcs h. n e w h e i g h t s o f g e n e r o s i t y s o Tg ihf tasnakrse t couor ur er ngtel yn emr oa uk si ndgoanno irms , pCaocnt caocrrdo sUsnci va emr ps iut sy . hHaesl pa l Cr eoandc yo redx ccel iemd be db ietys o$n1d2 omu irl lgi oo na l gboya ml . Ta hk iens ge ypohuilrangitfhtrtoopdyaya.tRCeomnceomrbde. r, gifts of every size count towards the success of all that takes place through President Kendra Boggess announces CU ASCEND campaign at Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 19 before the football game. Photo by Nicole Smith for Concord University.

campaign priorities

Scholarships

Facility Renewal

2

$3,500,000 Goal

1

$5,000,000 Goal

Academic Excellence and FacultyDevelopment 4

the concord fund

3

$500,000 Goal

$3,000,000 Goal

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Tn oe cpersessaerryv teo“oTl sh ef oCr aamqpuua sl i tBye ea du ut icf ua tl ”i of no ar lf ue xt up reer igeennceer, awt ieo mn su, satt tprraicotr ni tei zwe sr teundeewnat sl ,aannddupprgorvaiddee o u r fl aa bc isl .i tWi ees . hTahvaenakl ss ot or et nh oe veaatrel dy st hu ec cme sasi no ft ht he ai st ec ra mi n pt ahieg nA, l ewxea nh da ve er Fmi no ed eArrnt isz Ce de notue rr bc ri oe laot gi nygaan dp rcehme mi e ri s t r y space on campus and the surrounding community. Tg ohael sf o. Cr mr eeart itnegn na ni s icnoduorot sr awt ehrl ee tri ce sd epsriagcnt ei cde af ancdi lui tpygfroardoeudri nmt oo rpei ct hk al enb 6a 0l l 0c oaut hr tl es twe si tihs na leswo ubna ds keer twbaayl l, providing a year-round space for training. AasctcoIInotifntuheedFiimnepArorvtsemCeennttesrtroeonuorvaletiaornniwngillebnrviinrgonumpgernatdse. s to The H.C. Paul Black Box Theater, as well 1 facility renewal

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

2 scholarships

More than half of Concord’s students are Pell eligible and 97% receive financial aid. As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the cost to attend any four-year institution. Concord University and the Foundation are committed to helping students overcome financial obstacles through scholarships, aWweasrt dVsi,ragni ndi ap,raongdrawmesml i kues tCcUo nFtrieneu. eC ot on cc aorrrdystthuidsebnatds ggeraodf uhaotneowr. i t h t h e l o w e s t s t u d e n t l o a n d e b t i n

Donors and their families can create scholarships that reflect their personal interests and passions, offering a meaningful way to honor or memorialize loved ones who made a significant impact on their lives and the lives of others.

The first Lisa Blankenship Memorial Scholarship wU na isv ae wr sai tryd eodf Ct oh aCrUl ejsut no ino fro, Ko tabl eael lng Fa ims heeart, dhua rl fi tni mg teh e iSnc hS oe lpatresmh ibpe wr 2a 0s 2e 4s t. aTbhl ies hL ei sda bByl at nh ke eBnl sahnikpeMn sehmi po rf ai aml i l y in memory of a beloved Mountain Lion coach, and her boundless commitment to the CU cheerleading team that she helped build. This is the first endowed scholarship at Concord that assists cheerleaders in pursuing their academic goals. NEW SCHOLARSHIPS The Andrew Jackson (Jack) Lilly Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Judy Duncan Lilly, his wife, and Charles Andrew Lilly, his son, to honor Jack and remember his love for Concord. He was a dedicated supporter of Concord and its community and exemplified giving back to others. Tprhoismsicsheoalnadrswhiipll wbeillubseedawtoadrdeefrdaytothuendcoesrgt roafdtuuaittieonstaunddenfetsesw. ho have shown evidence of academic The William and Jamie Brown Family Scholarship Fund was established by William and Jamie BWriol lwi anmi na nh do nMoar rogfu“eBr ui tset ebro”t hB rhoawd ns ua cncde Ms s af ur gl uc aerrei teer sH ai ns ttye aBcrho ewr ns , abnodt hc ogarcahdeusa itne sMoef rCc oe nr cCoorudnCt yo lfloe rg e4. 0 years. This scholarship will be awarded based on academic merit with consideration given to financial need. (J oFer oBml a lnekf te)nSs ahri aph. PBhl oa nt ok ebny sBhliapk’e0 6F a, Kr ma leere nf oFr iCs ho enrc, oarndd University.

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

3 Academic Excellence and Faculty Development Ci no hn ec oa lrtdh Us cniievne cr es ist, yi ni sc lrueds ipnognndui nr sg i nt og mp roodgerranmws oarnkdf oar pc eh ynsei ec di asnbays es ixspt aa nn dt ipnrgo gi trsa amc .aWd eemwi ci l lo cf foenr ti ni ngus e enhancing our existing programs with planned investments. These resources will also allow faculty to stay at the forefront of their fields, travel to conferences to ei nnvheasnt icnegt ihne ouunri vf ae cr us il tt yy,’ swree pa ur et ai tni vo ens, tai nn gd icno lol au br os rt ua tdee wn tist ha ns tdu tdheen bt sr ooandreers ceoa mr c mh aucnriot ys.s d i s c i p l i n e s . B y 4 the concord fund Supporting The Concord Fund means supporting the needs of Concord University and its students. Gifts can be used where and when the impact will be most significant. Area of Greatest Need, Access and Affordability, and Campus Projects are all supported through this fund. Giving Day 2024 supported this goal, bringing 529 donors together who collectively raised more than $C1o3n7co,0r0d0pdroovlleadrsthfoart tehveerCyodnoconradtiUonnicvoeurlsditmy Faokuenadnaitmiopna. cAtl.umni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of ways to give Jsoi zi ne coot huenrtst ob wy amradks i tnhgeas cuhc ac er istsa bo lf et hg ii sf t ctaomhpeal pi gCnoanncdo rcda nU nb ei vsetrrsui tcyt uarsecde nodv et ro mn euwl t ihpel ei gyhetas r. sG. iBf tas soefdeovne r y the impact you wish to make, there are a variety of ways to give:

cash donation

stocks and bonds

planned gifts

tangible assets

Visit concord.edu/ascend for more iAndf ov ar mn caetmi oennot rdreevaecl ho pomu te tnot ss ot amf fetoonde i socnu tshs e your options by calling 304-384-6067 or emailing advancement@concord.edu.

SCAN OUR QR CODE to donate

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

History of the Concord University Foundation

Tmhaen Fy ocuonnds iadt ieornosnset oorf yt hbee gpionos rwe si tt hs edcetdi oi cnast eo df tpheeonpal et i, oann, i wmha ot ecdo bbyb ldeedvtoot gi oent hteor at hs mo uasl al nc od lsl eogf eg ii nf t swtho a t build one of the largest endowments per student of any institution that emerged from the normal school movement of the 19th century. “Colleges of the forgotten Americans” as they were tabbed by tohf et hCi as rpnuebg li iec Cc oo ml l emg ei stshi oa nt wo na sHcihg ahregreEddwu ci taht iporno. vFi rdoi nmg tchaep ba eb gl ei nt ne ai nc gh, ear sv of ol ur nt ht aer by us rpgi er iot nl ei ndgt fhree ef osucnhdoeorl s mw oo uv el dmbeen itn. Aa dnedqtuhaet ee at or l yt hl ee addaeurns t ki nnge wt a st kh aotf wr ahi islien tgaaxne sd ms ui gs thati nb ien tghae wp roi rntchi yp ai nl ss toi ut ur ct ieo on f. s u p p o r t , t h e y Our story is one of gratitude to those who have given so much, even sacrificially, and serves as a source oa cf ci nu sr ap ti er aht ii os tno froy r i so ue rs sceonnt ti ianl ut oi nhg ewe do irnkg. Wf a ei t hh foupl el y t thhaet ii nt swt ri lul ci nt i foonr smo af no du rc hd ao lnl eonr sg .eTohuoruhg ehitrfsu. l Mg iovri enogvies r , omneemoof raiahlaizneddfuinl othf emsetaipnus lfaotriopnasstshinagt aotutrenvdaleuneds otowsmuecncet sgsiifvtse. generations and often those values are Sa ti nt ocreniet sy sf o, buanndki ne gr si, nf i1n9a 7n 4c i, atlhaedCvoi snocrosr, da cFcoouunndt aa tni tosn, lhe aa sd ebrese no f soetrhveerd f bo yu ne dd autci aotnosr, sp, hbyussiicni ea snss ,l e a d e r s , co of mt hme i ur ni ni tvye vs toml uennt tese, rosf, t ae nn dn Co ot inncgotrhda at dt hmei ne insdt roawt omr se.nTt h, aelyt hsohua gr eh amnuecahr ns me da lpl er irdien ianbtshoel upteer tf eo rr mm sa, nhcaes outperformed others that range into the billions. Tb ehei sn i ss etrhvee sdt ob ryywohf at ht ei s pneoowp l tehoe f Ccoe nn ct roar ldAUpnpiavlearcshi ti ay , Faonudnedsapt ei oc ni a: l tl yh es os ut ut hd ee rnnt sWf reosmt Vf iarmg iinl iieas, wo fhmo ohda ev se t means and often first generation college attenders for whom the doors of learning were opened, the fcaucrur let ny t apnrde ss itda ef fnwt oh fo t wh ee ruen ei vnearbs li et yd, at on ds eteeka cf uh re trhs ei rn l tehaer npiunbgl iacnsdc ha ot toa lisn aanddv as no cc ieadl wd eogrrkeeerss i onfc tl uh de i rnegg ti oh ne who have earned master’s degrees. Fb irni eafl loyv, tehr ivsi ei swt ho ef Ts thoer yF oouf nt hd oa st ieo wn ’ hs oh igsat vo er ya. nI tdws oe ruvl de db. eT ihme pt ioms sei lbi nl ee ttoh iant cfloul dl oewt hs et hni as mn ae rsr oa ft itvhee omf f ea rnsy a wa chhoi ehvaevme egni vt ewnoouvl de rntohtebceo pu or ss es i obfl e5. 0Aydeda irtsi o. Wn ai ltlhy ,oouut rt hg er apt ei toupdl ee eaxntde nt hdes i trodPe rdei cs iadt ieonnt tEomCeorni tcuosr dD, rt. h i s JBeor ar yr dBCe ha as li er yJ ,ePnrneys iWd eanr et ,DCro. Kn ce onrddr aU Bn oi vgegres si tsy, MF or.uRnodgaet iroHn uCt oc hn it nr os ol l ne r, CHoi nl l ca or yr dWUi nl l ii va emr ss ,i taynFdotuhnedeant it oi rne Advancement team for providing this insightful look back. Without their many hours of researching minutes, financial records, recalling past achievements, and review of other historical documents this document would not have been possible.

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Growth of The CU Foundation Assets

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

Concord University Foundation 50 Year Timeline

1974 President Coffindaffer appoints a committee, ct hhea ifreeads ibbyi l ihtiys oefxcerceuat ti vi negaas sfiosut anndtaBt ieonn .Ve s t , t o s t u d y MDeeamnbRe.rKs:enny, Director of the Center for Economic ADcr.tiColnoyd Armbrister, Chair of the Business Division WBiellnAdkeellrsC,aArtrt, oDrinreecytor of Athletics IFroas Bt el ra nMkuelnl es nh ai px, C o a c h Bill Winfrey, Sr. Alexander Foundation provides naming gift for the FPianrek.Arts Center and funds to build Witherspoon

1975 Concord College Foundation established, and the first annual meeting was held on April 26. F ot uh ne dCaot ni ocno rsdp oAnr tsso raendd tChue l tMu or aulnSt taui nd iLoi oa nt PCi lpuebs taenmd State Park. Development office created in the Center for Economic Action.

1977 Br eol aa rt ido nd si shciupsws ei dt ht ht heenAe leudmf onri As tsasfof csiuapt ipoonr, ta, n d aFopurnodceadtiuorne. for requesting funds from the

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

1978 Mf o aurnidl yant iLoancmk ei yg hstusgegrevset eads tahhaot ltdheer o f f u n d s for campus organizations.

1982 First Endowed Scholarship fund created to honor Professor Harry Finkelman. The Foundation joined the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). th “M a P t a h c r i o g l u i S n l u d o t p p f o h E s i x n s c , i e b A l l l s y e s n b i c s e e t a m C n a a t m t t c o h p t e a h d ig e b n P y ” r w e fe s i d i t d h e e r a a n l t g , f o u a a n n l n d o o s f . u $ T n 2 h c 5 a e 0 t d , w 0 t 0 h a 0 e s n o tg ai fpt sp rboevpelda;che odwi ne vt he re, Pa lel rtmh ea ndeonntoEr sn dr eoqwume setne td Ftuhna td t. hTehier Shott Foundation, Consolidation Coal, Beatrice Nelson, Flat Top Bank, and Mercer County Bank provided generous gifts to the Challenge Fund.

1986 T$1ot5a0l,a0s0s0e.ts of The Foundation inched past

1987 Bookkeeping moved to computer. Dr. Doug Machesney hired as Vice President of Development. t Po arta Ji os ey c$e3h. 5i rteod$t4o md ei ltlei or mn ; i $n3e . 2t hme if lel ai osni bgi loi tayl soef tat coasmu pp pa iogrnt faculty chairs, program enrichment, faculty development, and student scholarships.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

1988 Jim Harrison chaired campaign committee. First phonathon, led by Susan Williams, garnered $34,000 in pledges. Katharine Tierney endowed Eminent Scholar Ct wh oa i gr ri annbt ubsyi nt eh ses sttha at et . i As lmMa ot cdheenda bf ay cai l oi t na et e- fdo r - the transaction. Quest for Scholars I: Seven Concordians wc oaul kn et ide st ht or otuagl kh asbi xo us ot ut ht heeirmn pWo retsat nVcier goifn i a cs cohnot ilna ur si nh gi pesd. Hu cuant di orne dasn jdo itno erda itshee f mu nadr sc hf oars i t ci nr co lsusde eddt hDroouugg hM tahcehier scnoemy , mt huen Vi tiicees . PWr easl ikdeerns t fSokre Da te, vt eh leo Dp mi r ee cntto; rHoofmS teur dBeanl tl , Aa cnt iavl iut mi e sn;uDs ;a Bn i l l Kg eeor eg trha ,pChoynpcroorfde’sssloi br ;r aJ irmi a Mn ; cDNre. eJ ol ye, MP raens zi doe, na t oa nf dt hteh Ce no nPcroersdi dUennitvJeerrsriyt yBAe lausml eny.i A s s o c i a t i o n ;

1989 Jim Miller suggests the creation of “super scholarships” that became the Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships.

1990 Twenty-five faculty members received modest dt heev er el ocpo mm emnet ngdr aa nt i tosnf roof mD ra. Df uena dn cTrue rant ee dr , uV pi coen Pb yr etshi ed eHnut gohf IA. cSahdoetmt , iJcr. AFof fua ni rds a, at inodn .s u p p o r t e d

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

1991 Bwoi tnhnae r$ 5S cmh oi lllai or sn Pgrroa gnrt amma ltacuhne dc hbeyd $ 1 ma hi lilgi ohne ,r tehdeul caar gt ieosnt igni fstt ietvuet irorne ci ne iWv eeds tb y VP ri regsiindieanat tatthteh tei mWee.sFt rVeidr gSimn iiat hS,cVhiocoel o f Oa rsrtaeno gpea tahmi c aMt cehdi incgi nger a( Wn t VoSf O$ M2 5) 0, h, 0e0l p0 e d fBr oo amr dt hoef RB ee gn ee nd tus mp rFoovui dn ed da tai on no .t hT ehre $100,000. The Foundation began to support pn roonfteesasci ho ni nagl ds teavf ef laonpdmf eo nr tf af oc ur l t y

pursuing graduate degrees. 1993

Q u ceos ut nf ot ri eSsc. hHoi gl ahr ss cI hI oc oo ml apnl de tceodl ltehgreo us tguhd ne ni nt es participated to earn a $100,000 gift from James “Buck” Harless.

1995 To fi tEl ed uI IcI apt ri oo np ,ops reedptaor eUd. Sb. yD eDpoaurgt m e n t Machesney and funded at $1.5 million.

1999 Faculty grants for doctoral studies reported.

2000 Pprlaensefnotre$d2. 5 million campaign

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

2001 Md oonuonrtsa ai nn dL isoi ng sn irfai ci saendt s$u3p3p1o, 7r 9t 2f r wo mi t hb i3n9g3o / raffle organized by Ron Macosko, Athletic Director. Fundraising dinners at The Greenbrier and Cfrhoamrle6s8t0onatrtaeinsdedeeasp. proximately $100,000 Mike Fulton of Golen-Harris helped secure $1 my eial lri so nf r oa nmd et ahremn a$r2k smdi lel si oi gnnaa tyeeda rb yf oSr etnhar teoer Bf oyrrtdhaenRdaChoa nl l gTreecshsnmoal ongRyaCheanl lt teor. b e u s e d l a t e r

2003 New by-laws created the executive, investment, nominating, and development committees.

2004 CUonni vceorrsdi tny ai mn er ecchoagnngi teido nf roofmf aCc ou ll lteygset rt eo n g t h , percentage of faculty with highest degrees in their teaching fields, and offering master’s degrees.

2005 Campaign kickoff held at Tamarack. Dean Turner reported that 18 faculty 1m3e ymeba er sr sf ohuanddeaatri on ne ds ug pr apdour at thea dd ebger ee ne sodf fuerriendg.

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

2006 C$ 5o ,n4c7o4r;dWe ensdtoVwi rmg ei nni ta ppeere sr tsu$d3e, n1 t8 4 ; a n d national peers $632. State Senator and Foundation Trustee LS aeyornea ar dr rAa nn gdeedr sao ns paencdi aRl loebgei sr lta t i v e aapppprroopprriiaattiioonn.of $557,000 to pay an

2007 Rahall Technology Center, a $12 million facility, is dedicated.

2008 EP oa ri nl yt , gcruorur ne dn bt rheoamk ien og f f tohr eUCnoi vn ec rosridt y University Advancement operations.

2009 Administrative fee of 0.9 percent adopted upon the r e Fc oo mu nmd ea nt ido ant iBoona or df Saunsda nE xLeacnudt ii vs ,e mDei rme cbteorr oof f Tt hh ee Beckley Area Foundation.

2011 Wt h ea st tpVuibr lgi icniinasAt itttuotri no ne ys Ga ne dn ef or aulnrdual et ido n s ca annd sThhaer eF os ut anf df . aCt oi onnc oa rgdr eUenoi vnear s i t y Memorandum of Understanding.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

2015 Classified employees asked the foundation to rt oe nt he we stchheoi rl afrosrhmi pe rf upnrda cf toi rc et hoef i mr caht ci lhdirnegn g. Ci f Ut s hofadembepglouyneteos oinffe2r00fr7e.e tuition to the children

2016 Funds at the Foundation were consolidated for enhanced growth and development opportunities. The Maier Foundation, Inc. provided its first c h a Rl l ee nt egnet gi orna nStc thoo sl aurpsphoi pr .t tThhei sC sUc hP oa tl ahrws ahyi ps benefits students requiring extra funds to remain at the University to complete their degree program. Executive Committee allocated $400,000 as a direct investment to the university. 2020 Special grant to the university of $500,000 from unrestricted funds. Alumni Association moved $1.2 million to a fund with The Foundation. Governor and legislature restore $1.6 million to Concord University’s base budget, a recommendation of a statewide committee co- chaired by President Kendra Boggess.

2019 Fo op rptoyr- tounnei tni ee swf of ur nCdosnccroeradt es dt u, di necnrtesa, sf ai nc gu l t y , staff, and the institution.

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

2021 Dt heev he li or ipnmg eonf tGCoonms emr -iGt teereb reercaosm m e n d s cf uonnds ur al ti as inntgt oc aams spi as ti gwn i. t hF opul anndna itni ognf o r at hpep Cr oUv eAss ct he ne ds iCl eanmt ppahiagsne, fl oa uc unscihn go fo n rf aaci si liint ige fsu, ns cdhsofloarr sshc ii epns ,c ae nl adbost, haet rh laertei ca s to enhance the student experience.

2022 Tr ehqeuFi or eudn dt oa tciroena tBeoaanr de nr adios we de dm si nc hi mo luamr s hf ui pn dt os

$25,000. 2023

Fuopudna dt eadt iwo ni t mh ai ssssiiosnt asntcaet efmr oemn tcwa ma sp a i g n cGoenrbsuelrt.ant, Dr. Jason McNeal of Gonser

2024 TChoemFmo ui tnt de ea tti oo ne nBhoaanr cdeviot st ei dn tteor nc rael aotpe ear aGtoi ov ne rs n. aTnhci es was also reflected in an earlier change to the term loi mf tiht sr eoef ymeeamr sbi enr as nt oe faf lol or twt ot hcrreeea tceo cnlseeacruetri vt ee rtme rsmosf board members. C UH Ao ms ceecnodmCi anmg pa na idg np uesnht ee sr sp tahset tphueb $l i1c 2p mh ai sl lei oant fundraising goal. The campaign is slated to wrap up June 2025.

2025 The Foundation celebrates “50 Years oP fr eSseirdvei nc et ’”s wBiatlhl ha orne oc er ipntgi otnh eb ei mf opr ea c t o f tc he el e fboruant idnagt itohne af ut tUunr iev oe rpspi ot yr tPuoni int ti easn d ahead.

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CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2025

Tsht ue d2e0n2t 5s , Pf ar ce us il dt ye, nstt’as f Bf , aalnl dw farsi ehnedl ds oo fn CSoant uc or dr da yc, eMl eabr rcaht e1da tshael u1m5 3nri d, aannnt ii vc iepr as taerdy ao nf nt huea luenvi ve en rt sbi tryi n. Sgisn tcoegiet tshienrc et hpet i go rne iant e2r0C1o8n, ct ho er dh ci gohml ym u n i t y f oi nr aa nt i me veelne isns gc oe lf eebxrcai tt ieomn eonf t saonc di a gl rcaanmdaeruardaesr igeu. eL si vt se cpreorwf odr mt haenbc ae l lDr Jo o m Nt hi cek BSaclol ’tst okveeprt 2t h5 e0 egnueersgt ys wa l ii tvhe ao np et rhfee cdtabnlceen fdl ooof rdtehcea de ne st i ar en dn iggehnt rfeosr for all to enjoy. Aatnhde rrelcaos gt nPirzeesdi df oe nr th’ se rB ianl lc, rDe dr. i Kb leen tdernauBr oe gagt etshse wUansi vheorns oi trye da n d tchoemsmignunifiitcya.nt contributions to the University and its greater

SApr ao mn saorrks, fBorro tnhzi es Sy pe ao rn’ ss oervse -n Pt ri ni nccl ue tdoend :HGe oa ll dt hS Cp aornes oC resn t- ePr r, iPnrci en tcoent oRne Cs coume mS qu un ai tdy a n d HPhoosptoitBalo,oatnhd: ZCiimty ZNoaotmionPahloBtaonBko. oCtahtering: Aramark, Décor: Moments in Time Events,

A Legacy of Leadership

president kendra boggess

After more than a decade of service, President Kendra Boggess, Concord University’s first faenmn oa luenpc reeds hi deernrte, ti isr er emt ierni nt gl a. Ps tr ey se iadreannt dB iosg g e s s currently counting down her final days. “hIet ’rse b. Ti tht ei sr si swme eyt ,f”aBmoigl yg, easnsds ai ti’ds . g“oI ilnogv et ot hbee pheaor pd l teo walk away.” Pp rr ee ss ii dd ee nn tt iBno Jgugl ey s2s 0w1 a3s. Oa pn pe oyi enat er dl aat es rt, ht eh ei nBt eo rairmd opfreGsoidveernnt.ors appointed her as Concord’s 12th “s Ta ihdi ,s tphoi nski tiinogn bwaac sk noont hoenrecoafr emeyr ga ot aClos n,” cBoor gdgtehsast bf aecgual nt y i. nF o1r9 t8h4e wn he xe tn 2s9h ey ej oa irns e, sdhteh se ebr uv es idn iens s di ni fcfleurdeinntgaacsa dDei vmi si icoannodf aBdums iinnei sstsr ca ht iavier pf roosmi t i o n s , 12 90 90 68 taon d2 020090, 9t ,haes f aa nc ual st ys opcrieast ei ddeenat ni na nb od tfhi n a l l y Interim Dean, from 2009 to 2011. Boggess said sa hd emlienai rs nt readt imo no raep pwriot ha cehaecdh hpeors it toi osne ,r av ne da sw h e n interim president, she accepted. “My interim contract stated that I was not to adpi spcluystsoi nbge tchoemceo pmrme siitdme ennt ,t” wB oi tghg me sys hs auisdb. a“An df t,eIr

tBaol ka er dd owf iGt ho vt he er nf aocr us lat yt ,tshtea ftfi ma nedamn de ms abi de rIswoof ut hl de hBaOvGe iannviitnetdermeset tiof tahpeprley.w” as interest in me, so the Ws u irtrho hu enrd he du sbbya hn edr, Tf aemd , i bl yy, choel rl esai gdue easn, da n d t h e Cthoenscporridncgoomf m20u1n4i.ty, Boggess was inaugurated in “pIrreesmi deemn tb’ se hr ot auksienagnmd ys hmeocmr i eodv,e” rBtoogsgeees st hsea i d . “r Ie at hl iiznek hsohwe wi ma ps ovretrayn pt rt oh ua td ma no dmtehnatt wmaasdteo mh eer a s wn oetl lh. aI fviet ghoanden ’ttobceoelnl efgoer aMt oaml l …’ si tu wr gai ns ga,l wI wa yosu l d her dream that I do so. Many first-generation students can relate to that, I think. “ Lp irkees itdheenpc oy,sti ht ieornes wBaosg ga el sost at oc cl ee aprt enda pn rdi oorb tsot atchl ee s to overcome. “s Ie sr es imo ne ms , ba ne rd gt oh ienrge two at sh eo ns et abt eu dl eggei ts lcaot mi v em i t t e e lVeiar dg ienri awdhooews no’ut lhdasvtea et en oe vuegrhy fyuenadri, n‘ Wg tehl li,sWy ee as tr, s o wc oenwv ei rl ls caut itohni,”g hBeorg egde susc as taiiodn. ,“’ Iat n’ sdj ut hs te rwehwa ta swnoou l d bt heocuugth, ta, n‘ Wd tehhaat vwe atso rdeoa lsl yo ms heot hc ki ni nggdtiof f emr ee n, at lnyd.’ ” I

By Lindsey Byars

ignasi nt i et ud t ni oant i Eo ns pa ol ra tt st et ne taimo n, ,abporoosgt readme nt hr oa lt l mh aesn t as tt uCdoennctos rfdo,ratnhde idnisvpe irrseedj oa bdsecger ne et etrheadt aprroeupnadr etsh e booming Esports industry. Oa tvCe or nhceor rtde nhua rs ed, ot hueb lneudm, gbreorwoi fn sgt furdoemn ta ar ot hulne dt e s 3C 0o n0 ctoor6d 0, a0s. Bwoegl lg ae ss st hs ur opupgohrot eudt taht he lsettai ct es , aste r v i n g as es vt ehrea Cl thi ami re so ft ht hr oe uMg ho uo un tt ahi en r Eparset sCi do ennf ec rye. n c e B$ 1o6g .g5e ms s i al lni odnhreernaodvma t ii no ins torfaTt ihoen Taol swoeorvs e, sr tsua dwe an t housing built in 1968. The renovation process wt haeseexxt teerni os ri voef, ti nh cel ub du ii nl dgi nugp. dCa ot ensc toor dr oi so mc usr ar enndt l y appr opjleyci nt sg t$h1a1t .w3 iml l irlel ipoani rt or odoeffse, rerleedv amt oari ns ,t e n a n c e mt h oe dl ee gr ni silzaet uc rl aesasnr odotmh es ,Wa nVdHmEoPrCe’ st hf oarnekssi gthot i n addressing the needs of our campuses. “c Io tmh mi n ikt tael dl ot fo uCsohnec roer da ,t aCnodn cwoer’dr ea cr oe mv emr yi t t e d tcoo mt hme ui dnei at yo, tf haereecgoi onnoaml yc ,aamnpdutsh tehyaot usne gr vpeesotphlee wB ohgogwe sasnstaai dh. i“gThh- qa tu’ as lwi t yh aetdwu ceaot ifof enra.”l e x p e r i e n c e ,” Wc hiat nh gBeos g, bg ue st ss, hCeoknnc oo wr ds Ut hnei vseercsoi tuyl dh ansost eheanv em a n y happened with her efforts alone. “dYoonu’ t df ionnd’ t sduoc caensys owf ot hr ki si nbgy ayl oo un res, ”e Bl f oagngde syso us a i d . “aWn de thhaevye rgerael al yt lpoevoeptlhe i swphloa caer .eWv eo rr yk icnogma ms ai t tt ee da m, , we get things done.” Ts mh ios odt eh craodaed o. Sf os emr ev i dc ee chi sa iso nn os twa el wr ea yms ebt ewe ni t ha adversity, and in the moment, doubt.

Pu nr ei vs ei dr es int ty Bpor ge gs iedsesnht as ,s saecrtvi vi negl yaws ot hr ek eCdh wa i irt ho fo t h e r the Council of Presidents for five years, to help sptaartte t ahne di r ns autpi opno ar tl lpalwa yms ai nk et rhse sseuec tche es si mo fphoirgtha enrt et hdautc saut ipopnoirnt Wi n ec rs et aVsier dg i an ni ad. Ianl l omwo er de rCeocnecnot ryde taor s , grow. Dt ourrei ns pg oBnodg gt oe st sh’ epwr eosri kd feonrcc ye, dC eo mn caonrdds wc raes aat be dl e by the COVID-19 pandemic by adding a nursing pa dr odgr reas ms naenedd sa ipnhWy sei sc ti aVni ragsisni isat aanntdpbr eo yg or anmd . tBoo t h p fu r n o d g i r n a g m . s were made possible by appropriations Ienn caodudri at igoendt po rhoegarlat mh cs at rhea ot fafpe pr ienagl se,dBtoogtghees s desires of a new generation of learners. She would spearhead West Virginia’s first public

wt hoe ri rk icnogmwmi ti ht m, aenndt yi so, uwnheaet dt ht eo yg feeteal as be no suet tohf ewi rh a t jboebcsa, uasbeoIutthtihniks aplllaoc ef ,uasnwd oaublodustaoy,u‘rI ts’ st uadl leanbt so,u t the students.’”

y“oTuh, ”o sBeo kg gi neds ss os af itdh. i “nTghs eayr et etaocuhg hy o, auntdo tbhee my cohr ae n g e cautious, but when you know something must hf i av pe pyee na ,r ys ol aut ehra, vaen tdo ydoou i kt .nYoowu il to wo ka sb at hc ke rmi gahy tb e decision, but while you’re in it, you’re not sure.” Bi noigngdeus ss t sr py,etnr ta vmeul icnhg ot hf rhoeur gehaor ul yt 2E0usr owpoer, kainndg de vuerri ny gs tt ahtee ni ne xtth3e 0c oyue anrt sr y, t wr aivt he l ihnegr thouns ebaarnl dy ' s ai np pt hoiisnct mh aepntte rt ,osah en ai st iloonoakli na rgcfhoirt we cat rudr at lo bf oo ac ur ds ,i ns go ot rni ph, eBrofgagme isl sy saanyds ti at kwi ni l gl bdea yt ot rFi ipnsl .aInf dt ht eo rcehi es ear boing her nephew who is working on his PhD. “cIohuanvt reyl ot ht sa ot fI fhrai evne dn ’st hs ee er en ,aannddaIl lhoavveer ftahme i l y t h a t It hwa at na tr et ohve irsei ,t ,t”hBeor eg ,gaens sd seaviedr. y“ wI hhaevree ,garna dn dI kdi od ns ’ t want to miss the next steps in their lives.” Concord’s 13th president will take the office ihna ns udmf omr et hr e2 0t r2a5n. sPi tri eosni ,daevnat i lBaobgl eg et os shwe li pl l “bwe hoenn ap sr ke es idd. ”e Sn ht : e“ dF iores st yo of fue rn tehei ds at od vk inc oe wf o wr thhoe ynoeux’ tr e

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

‘17 Dr. Kayla Odle Laws has joined AccessHealth in PScrhinocoeltoofnO, WsteVo. KpaaythlaicisMaegdriacidnuea. te of the West Virginia ‘18 Derek Dressler was recently hired as Assistant Offensive LC ionnec Co roda cUhnai vt eWr sVi tUy. fDr or ems s2l e0r1 p5 l-a2y0e1d8o. fDf eunr si ni vgehl ii sn ec af roer e r, hs eenei ao rr naendd ASlel -cMo no du nTteaai mn Eaass at Cj uonni foerr. eAnsc ae sFei rnsi to Tr , ehaemwaass a nT ahmi r de dTet oa mt h ea fDt eorns Ht aarnt isnegnaFl lo1o 1t bgaal lmGeasz ae tt tceeAn ltle- rR ea gnido nn o t m se i a s s s o in n g . any of Concord’s 684 offensive plays during the ‘19 Maizy Landreth ’19 ’23 and Zachary Talbert ’23 wed on St ha rt ou ur dg ahyt, hSee pMt eS mWbperro2g 1r a, 2m0 a2t4 C, iUn, PZ ea ac hr i si sb au rSgo, cVi Aa l. WT hoeryk emr e t and Maizy is a Resident Director at Concord. ‘20 Kasey Walls Goins PT, DPT has joined Active Fitness &a gPrha ydsui ac at el To hf eMr aa rpsyh pa lrlaUc tni ci veeirns iSt oy uStchheoronl Wo f VP. hKyassi ec ya l i s Therapy. Dakota Walls was awarded the Ability Works Award for tRheeh Ba be iclki tlaetyi oDni sSter ri cvti cf reos m. H tehies Wc uersrte Vn itrl yg ian iBauDs ii vn iessi so nS yosft e m s Analyst for The Army and Air Force Exchange Service. ‘21 Cassidy Hicks McCoy was selected as the Teacher of the Year for Frankford Elementary School. She now moves along in the process of potentially being selected as the county or state level Teacher of the Year award.

‘69 Richard Davis retired after working in the rehabilitation field with blind people for 50 years. He continues to vc ho al ui rnpt ee er sr own i at hn dt hae mN ea mt i obnear l oFfeidt se reamt ipolno yomf tehnet Bc loi nmdmaist ttehee. IGni f rf oe tridr se mG ue nn tO, Dwanvei rs si sf oarl sSoa fseetryv ti no gh ae sl pa ennadmgbuans svai odloern fcoer i n the United States. ‘90 Angie Hill , owner of SweetPea Hill Boutique in Princeton, WB eVs,t wo af sWseesl te cVtierdg iansi at hBee sbtr oL no zc ea l aPwl aacred two iBn unye rWoof mt heen2' s0 2 4 Apparel by WV Living. SweetPea Hill Boutique was established in 2019. ‘93 Greg Puckett , executive director of Community Cc roendneenctti iaol ni ns , JIannc u. , aerayr na fetde rt ha ec Ph rael lveenngtiinogn aSpppelci ci aalti isot nI I pa nr oecxeps es rat ni nd pe xl aanmn. i Tn gh iasncdr eddeel invtei ar il nrge ceodgunciaztei so nPaulcpkreot tg raas m s aa nd dd riensi st i aottihveers pdreessi sginnegdstooc iparleivs es unet ss.u b s t a n c e a b u s e a n d ‘94 H. Dean Kelley and Dana Schoonover Kelley celebrated 3a n0 eyme apr lsooy fe emoafr rCiaargiel i oi nn DCel icnei mc Tbeecrh2n0o2l o4g. yD eS ae nr viisc ec us rarse an t l y Tf oerc hRno oa nl oogkyeBCuosui nn et ys sS Dc hi roeocltsofroar n2d5 Dyae na rash. a s b e e n a t e a c h e r ‘06 Kent McBride , former Concord University basketball cboa as ckhe ,t bhaalsl bc oe ae cnhn. aWmhei lde Wa tyCoomnicnogr dE ,ahs te (gWu iVd)e bd ot yhse Mountain Lions to the Mountain East Conference title in 2016, the first conference title for the program in 19 years. ‘15 Megan Frey married Darren Kornprobst on September 2, 2024 in Cool Ridge, WV.

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SPRING 2025 CONCORD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE