The Harbinger
December 5, 2005
Education that Works? Boldly follow your heart to find career success
Eight words changed Bob Danzig’s life.
During his plenary session address at Hiram College’s December 1
conference on “Education that Works: Liberal Arts and Careers,” Danzig
said those same eight words apply to Hiram students, who, along with
faculty members and staff, filled Hayden Auditorium to hear the former
CEO of Hearst Newspapers.
Danzig, pictured at right, had never heard the words until the
office manager of the Albany, New York, newspaper, where he had become
an office boy as a teenager, spoke them to him. After observing the way
Danzig went about his work, she shared a conclusion that floored him. 
“You are worthwhile,” she told her young charge. “You are full of promise.”
Hiram students know the words apply to them. Their presence at the
College is an unspoken statement of this. But they also hear them from
their professors.
“When I was a student of Jim Barrows,” said Biology Professor Denny
Taylor, who is also Director of the James H. Barrow Field Station
Academic Programs, “he made us students believe we were second to none.
He gave us this vision that anything was possible.”
Bob Danzig, who grew up in a series of foster homes, had no such
reinforcement – “No one had ever said that to me” – until the office
manager recognized his promise and remarked on it.
“It was a magical moment,” Danzig had told a group of students gathered earlier for a session in the Kennedy Center, “That day gave me permission to aspire.”
Danzig and seventeen other successful men and women, who are experts in fields from jet propulsion systems for aircraft and spacecraft to art to medicine, visited classes, ate lunch with students and spoke to them in two plenary sessions. The details of the message varied, but the bottom line was the same.
Hiram students, with the breadth of their liberal arts educations, will find themselves in position to fulfill their great promise if they follow their hearts and boldly pursue their passions.
“I hope you’ll regard this as third-party validation of the work you do in our classrooms,” Hiram President Thomas V. Chema told the students and faculty.
If the visiting experts brought Hiram students career enlightenment, many of them left campus with a greater appreciation for the College.
“My sense,” Danzig said, “is that the students of Hiram share a common quality, and my sense is that that common quality is decency.
“I feel their decency. People look you in the eye. You have grace. You are welcoming….”
Through College 360, a cooperative effort of 15 Northeast Ohio colleges, President Chema, co-chairman of the program, and others have been attempting to make Northeast Ohio welcoming not only as a place to attend college but also as a place to make a career.
Daniel Gauntner, picture left, Chief of the Engineering Systems
Division at NASA Glenn, understands this challenge both from a
professional and personal point of view. Gauntner, who was among the
subject-matter experts participating in the conference, grew up in
Cleveland and, at 59, continues to make his career there. Only one of
his five children, however, remains in the region.
“There is such an easier path to move around the country,” Gauntner explained to Brad Goodner’s three-week seminar and lab introducing students to research methods and other topics of current interest in biology. “The sense of family isn’t as strong. What we have to do is find a way to make (Northeast Ohio) attractive.”
That is one of the connections that Hiram College Board of Visitors
member Roger Herman hoped to begin forging with the conference he
inspired and through his plans to continue with a 2006 event that
brings to campus more employers.
“Hiram is just a gorgeous place,” Gauntner said. “Bring industry people in to make connections. Push intern programs so (students) get involved with people. Getting the (students) involved in the community before they graduate (is a key.)”
Ellen Yerman, pictured above right, Executive Director of Career Services and Cooperative Education at Villa Julie College in Stevenson, Maryland, explained in her plenary session how faculty members and others who work with students could integrate learning what she calls the “soft skills” of career preparation at a liberal arts institution.
These skills would include not only experiential learning but also social skills, including etiquette, conversation, and networking.
“Most of us are uncomfortable,” she said of learning to network. “But practice does help.”
There is no better place to practice and develop these skills and to discover a passion worth boldly pursuing than a college campus.
“You are,” she told Hiram students, “in a safe place to make mistakes.”
This is because, Danzig said, Hiram faculty members, “are in the business of treasuring you…of helping you become a person of scope and gauge.”
Danzig found throughout a career in which he helped Hearst Newspapers to grow their cash flow one hundred fold that people always were there to help him if only he were open to them and the possibilities they presented. He called these people and the possibilities “pearls.”
“You have to open yourselves,” he said, “to all those pearls that add to the necklace of your lives.”
Twenty-eight Hiram students will contribute to this week’s Madrigals
Tickets remain for the Hiram College Madrigal Singers’ annual Yuletide Revels on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon in the Ballroom at the Kennedy Center. Twenty-eight students will bring to life a holiday festival in an Elizabethan royal court.
The Friday and Saturday dinners begin at 6:15 p.m. and the performances follow at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday brunch starts at 12:15 p.m. with the performance to follow at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $37.50 for the dinner and evening Revels and $15 for
the Revels only. Sunday prices are $30 for brunch and Revels and $12
for Revels only. Reservations may be made by calling the College at
330.569.5900.During the meal, the singers, dressed in period attire, stroll among the tables singing carols while the court jester entertains the guests with humor. A recorder ensemble and herald trumpets accompany the singers during the performance.
Founded in 1969, this select musical group performs vocal chamber music throughout the year. In the past four years, the singers have visited 13 states, including venues in New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., where they performed at the Kennedy Center. Their tour in March 2006 will take them to the Boston area.
The Yuletide Revels performers:
Singers
• Andrea (Andee) Wilson, a senior biomedical humanities/music major from Port Alleghany, Pennsylvania
• Nate Koven, a senior English/history major from Boston.
• Emily Clark, a junior theatre arts major from Canton
• Brad Cromes, a senior political science major from Bellefontaine
• Charity Jean, a senior vocal music major from Hollis, New Hampshire
• Jason Kiss, a senior computer science major from Aurora
• Dana Pogorelec, a sophomore theatre arts/vocal performance major from Richmond Heights
• Ryan King, a first-year art history major from Olmsted Falls
• Kristen Haase, a sophomore mathematics education major from Bay Village
• Camille Campanaro, a sophomore Spanish major from Rochester, New York
• Greg Peterson, a junior mathematics/applied physics major from Ravenna
• Isabelle Tuma, a junior biomedical humanities/psychobiology major from Shaker Heights
• Daniel Klinzing, a junior computer science major from Leawood, Kansas
• Elizabeth Over, a junior music major from Barberton
• William Everhett Jackson, a first-year music performance from Upper Arlington
Jester
• Matt Coleman, senior psychology major from Aurora
Recorder consorts
• Charles Eppley, sophomore with no declared major from Stow
• Rebecca Fischer, sophomore art major from Amesville
• Amanda Cagle, junior art/music major from Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Lisa Beebe, sophomore French/music major from North Olmsted
Trumpeters
• Ashley Huff, first-year with no declared major from Cortland
• Adam Pysell, first-year with no declared major from Chardon
• Natalie Smith, senior chemistry major from Lorain
Harpist
• Hannah Gardner, sophomore writing/publishing major from Chagrin Falls
Production staff
• Amber Bowers, first-year with no declared major from Cortland
• Joe Gaither, senior music major from Dunedin, Florida
• Scott Wolfe, senior biology major from Barberton
• Dan Brusich, senior theatre arts major from Erie, Pennsylvania
See the Madrigal Website at http://home.hiram.edu/Madrigals
Knowing the Nobel made easy
Annually the Royal Swedish Academy announces the Nobel Prize winners in the sciences, and annually many people wonder why the winners won and why the prize is important.
Besides the obvious – that Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, industrialist, and the inventor of dynamite, left the money in his will to create the prizes – there are subtleties to know and understand.
This year, two Hiram College professors, Colleen Fried, pictured right, and Brad Goodner, will explain the importance of two of the prizes and answer other questions about the chemistry and medicine awards.
Professor of Chemistry Colleen Fried will discuss the Nobel Prize in Chemistry Tuesday, December 6 at 4 p.m. in Gerstacker 123. The title of her address is: “The Dance of Metathesis Reaction: Nobel Prize-winning Chemistry.”
On Monday, December 12, also at 4 p.m. in the same room, Associate Professor of Biology Brad Goodner will share his thoughts on the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. His address is titled: “A Prize for Pure Guts, Literally – The Nobel for Physiology or Medicine.”
This year’s prize for chemistry was award to YVES CHAUVIN, ROBERT H. GRUBBS , and RICHARD R. SCHROCK for the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis. The prize in medicine went to BARRY J. MARSHALL, and J. ROBIN WARREN for their discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
You could be a big wheel on campus
The Office of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving would like to pack Price Gym on Saturday, December 17 and to put one of the basketball spectators behind the wheel of a new vehicle.
All the potential new-car driver has to do is from the stands put a paper airplane through a designated target during halftime of the men’s game.
Students will also have the chance to be selected for a basketball shooting contest in which they could win a semester of tuition for themselves and a friend and a spring break trip for ten. Children will have the opportunity for special activities in Kids Corner.
In addition to other giveaways and door prizes, the day offers everyone the opportunity to see three – count ’em THREE – games. An alumni team will play the junior varsity at 11 a.m., the Hiram women will play host to Ursuline College at 1 p.m., and the Hiram men will meet Thiel College at 3 p.m.
The Terrier alumni team will include Carlton Dean ’05, Christian Somrak ’00, Scott Kline ’01, Tim Tallbacka ’91, Steve Fleming ’94, John Lampe ’93, and Jeff Suzelis ’89.
Pack the Price T-shirts will go on sale December 12 for $5 to students and for $7 to others. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at 330.569-5283 or 800.705.5050 or visit http://alumni.hiram.edu.
Carter Hiestand assumes Development leadership
Carter Hiestand joined Hiram College on Monday as Executive Director and Chief Development Officer.
He comes to the College from the Cleveland Play House, where he had been Director of Development for th
ree years, after serving in several development roles at Case Western Reserve University.“Carter is an experienced fundraiser with a history of exceeding goals,” Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tim Bryan said. “When Carter visited for his interview, campus feedback was very positive. Carter will be an excellent addition to an already strong staff.”
Carter earned an MBA from Case, a Master of Divinity from the Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University.
At Case, Carter worked in positions of increasing responsibility. He began his career there as Director of the National Development Network, moved up to the Director of Major Gifts for the College of Arts and Sciences, and finally worked as Executive Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Hiram Hosts Kiwanis Christmas Breakfast for Children
Last
Saturday, December 4, at 9:00 am, Dix Dining Hall in the Kennedy Center
was a very busy place as Kiwanis members kicked off this year’s holiday
season with their Breakfast with Santa program. This year, Professor
Carol Donley coordinated the program assisted by Mike Corr, the current
president of the local Kiwanis Club and Hiram College’s Assistant Dean
of Students.
The Western Reserve Kiwanis Club partners with local organizations
and citizens to help make various holiday programs successful. Santa’s
Workshop, an inexpensive toy store coordinated by Martha Schettler and
Jill Corbett with the Hiram College Bookstore, Christmas cookie
decorating sponsored by the local Girl Scout Troup 751, and face
painting provided by Hiram volunteers were some of the activities
organized by local groups. Close to 190 children and adults enjoyed a
breakfast served by Hiram College Catering followed by a visit of the
real Santa Claus for everyone’s enjoyment.
Breakfast with Santa is an annual Kiwanis event at Hiram College.
Construction Starts for Kennedy Center Main Lounge and Hiram Cafe
Constrtuction has begun on the Formal Lounge and Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) to moderi
The Angel Giving Tree is in the Bookstore!
The Hiram College Bookstore is one of eight
locations in Portage County where the Salvation Army has hosen to
place one of its Angel Giving Trees. To participate in this cause,
simply go to the Bookstore and pull
an ornament from the Angel Giving
Tree. Each ornament has the name of a different gift requested by a
needy child in Portage County. Purchase the designated gift at your
favorite store and then deliver it to the Bookstore, unwrapped, by
Friday, December 9th at noon. Jennifer Allen, pictured at left,
our Area Coordinator for the Hill, represents Hiram College for the
Salvation Army. The gifts will be picked up at the Bookstore and
distributed to the selected children before the holiday. The children
involved are up to 17 years old.
Local Civic Organizations Show Interest in Hiram College Values Activities
Several local civic clubs and schools have requested programs involving Hiram College’s activities with the problem solving abilities and values of the Tuskegee Airmen as well as the anonymous giving connected with SSSSH (Secret Society for Serendipitous Service to Hal). Many area civic clubs have also started participating in community service projects using SSSSH activities as guidelines. Some dates for such upcoming programs follow.
The Solon Senior Center, Dec. 16, Noon to 3:00 - Hiram College and SSSSH.
Rotary Club, Hudson, Dec. 21, 7am – Hiram College and Tuskegee Airmen Values
Warren G. Harding H.S., Warren - Mentor Training, Dec. 28, Hiram College and Tuskegee Airmen Values
Warren G. Harding H.S., Warren - Mentor Training, Dec. 29, Hiram College and SSSSH
Rotary Club, Husdon, Dec. 28, 7am breakfast, Hiram College and SSSSH
20th Century Club, Garrettsville 5:30 pm – Hiram College and Tuskegee Airmen Values
This anonymous-giving phenomenon is still
continuing throughout America. On November 8, 2005, SSSSH received 52
letters from Wichita, Kansas where a middle school assigned its entire
7th grade class to do anonymous good deeds. Anonymous giving, a
great holiday-season activity. See http://www.hiram.edu/hal and http://www.hiram.edu/tuskegeeairmen.
The Athletics Department new Pack the Price Web link is here!
http://www.hiram.edu/athletics/packprice.html
The Athletics Department "This Week in Sports" is here.
http://www.hiram.edu/athletics/thisweek.html
Submit items for publication in future issues to Steve Love - lovesh@hiram.edu
Submit corrections for this issue to Roger Cram - cramrf@hiram.edu