July 2008 | Volume 8, Issue 10
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I. FROM THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

JOIN US IN STAUNTON FOR A RECEPTION AND KING LEAR PRODUCTION!

Thursday, July 31, 2008 -- BC Alumni Reception & King Lear

Reception: 6 p.m.; King Lear: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)

Cost: $38/person (includes reception and preferred seating in Section A)

Reservation Deadline: Monday, July 21, 2008 (Time is running out, so register today!)

Alumni and friends, join us at the American Shakespeare Center (ASC), 13 West Beverley Street, in Staunton, for an hors d’oeuvres reception with cash bar. Special campus guests include: Dr. Phillip C. Stone (President), Dr. Carol Scheppard (Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs), Dr. Stanley Galloway (Associate Professor of English), Scott W. Cole (Assistant Professor in Theater), Ralph MacPhail (Professor of Communication Studies, Theatre, and English, Emeritus), and Dr. Philip O’Mara (Associate Professor of English, Emeritus). Following the alumni and friends reception, enjoy an outstanding production of King Lear. Afterwards, interact with cast members as they take time to answer audience questions. Tickets are limited for this event, so register early! Sorry, no refunds for cancellations unless there is a waiting list. To register call the BC Office of Alumni Relations at 540-828-5451.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR THE BC ALUMNI ONLINE COMMUNITY?

The Office of Alumni Relations is proud to announce the launch of an alumni online community! Almost 1,200 alumni have signed up already! Have you? www.BridgewaterAlumni.com will allow you, as an alumnus, to perform social as well as career networking online. Update your personal profile with current contact and career information; upload class notes and photos; search the alumni profiles for classmates and friends; search for alumni to assist with career opportunities and mentoring; and even upload your resume. By now you should have received a postcard with details, including your Alumni ID#, which you will need to register. If you have questions, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 540-828-5451 or email alumnews@bridgewater.edu.

CALL FOR ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS

The BC Alumni Association annually presents alumni awards during the spring Alumni Weekend (April 17-19, 2009). To nominate someone for an award, please review the criteria below and click here to submit your nomination online. Or you can email your name along with the name and class year of the nominee, the award they are being nominated for and supporting details that will assist in the decision process to alumnews@bridgewater.edu. Please make your nominations by August 15, 2008.

The Distinguished Alumni Award was established to annually recognize one alumnus/a of Bridgewater College for his or her vocational and/or professional achievements. Attention is also given to recognition the individual has received in his or her given profession.

The Young Alumni Award was established to annually recognize one or more alumnus/a of Bridgewater College, who has not yet reached the age of 40, for his or her vocational and/or professional achievements. Attention is also given to recognition the individual has received in his or her given profession. In that regard, the award also is intended to identify and affirm the potential for even more remarkable achievements.

The West Whitelow Award for Humanitarian Service was established to annually recognize one alumnus/a who engages in volunteer acts of service that fall outside the requirements of their vocation. This award has been created to honor those who improve their communities - and we define community broadly to encompass global issues as well -- without consideration for remuneration or recognition.

The Ripples Society Medal was established to annually recognize one or more members of the Ripples Society -- a 50 or more year alumnus/a of the College -- who has expressed loyalty to the college while demonstrating significant lifetime vocational or professional achievements and/or exemplary involvement in humanitarian endeavors.

SIGN UP FOR THE EAGLES WE-HAUL ALUMNI SERVICE PROJECT

The Bridgewater College Class of 2012 will be moving to campus on Saturday, Aug. 30. The BC Alumni Association will provide a warm welcome and some move-in muscle power as “Eagles We-Haul.” Join us in this service project as we help new students and their parents get all their “stuff” moved into the residence halls and demonstrate to them they are now part of the BC family --- a family that stays connected and involved and gives back. Then, stay for a free picnic lunch compliments of the Office of Alumni Relations. FREE lunch for all volunteers and also FREE “Eagles We-Haul” T-shirts for the first 50 volunteers to register! To register for this important service project please call the BC Office of Alumni Relations at (540) 828-5451 or e-mail alumnews@bridgewater.edu.

HOMECOMING 2008 – “ROCK YOUR CRIMSON AND GOLD!”

Be sure to mark your calendars and plan on coming back to campus for Homecoming 2008 on Oct. 3-5. Contact your friends and make your plans now to be part of this fun-filled weekend. Here are just a few of the weekend’s highlights…

FRIDAY:

- Alumni and friends golf tournament

- Hall of Fame Banquet (Inductees: Douglas A. Coleman, ’73, Sydney Fultz John, ’97, Ray Lynn Heatwole, ’67, Dr. Beverly A. Marcum, ’68, Charles Russell Phillips, ’74.)

- Pep Rally, Bonfire and Fireworks

SATURDAY:

- Homecoming Festival (Live music, kettle corn, cotton candy, an apple butter boil, balloons, face painting, free give-aways for the kids, a moon bounce and orbitron.)

- Parade (Children may be in the parade if they are accompanied by an adult and pulled in a wagon.)

- Class Reunion Picnic for Classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003.

- Football game vs. Hampden-Sydney

- Ultimate Tailgate Party following the game

- Bridgewater College Chorale and Jazz Ensemble Concert

For the complete 2008 Homecoming schedule of events and a downloadable registration form visit: http://www.bridgewater.edu/alumni and click on the “Alumni News and Events” link.

II. CAMPUS NEWS AND UPDATES

JUSTICE G. STEVEN AGEE SWORN IN AS COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICE

Virginia Supreme Court Justice G. Steven Agee, of Salem, was sworn in as one of 11 judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on July 2. Agee, who filled a seat vacated by J. Michael Luttig, was nominated by President George W. Bush on March 13 and was confirmed on a 96-0 vote by the U.S. Senate on May 20. Agee, a native of Roanoke, is a 1974 graduate of Bridgewater College, a 1977 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a 1978 graduate of the New York University School of Law. He has served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1982-1994), as a judge on the Court of Appeals of Virginia (2001-2003) and as a justice on the Supreme Court of Virginia since 2003. He also served in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve from 1986-1997 and is a member of the board of trustees at Bridgewater College. Click here for complete story.

BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE HONORS THREE WITH GARBER AWARDS

Bridgewater College presented three Merlin E. and Dorothy Faw Garber Awards for Christian Service during the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference held in Richmond, Va. Receiving the awards at the College's alumni luncheon on July 13 were Daniel Rudy, a 2008 graduate from Mount Airy, Md., Claire Gilbert Ulrich, a 1978 alumna, and Dr. Dale V. Ulrich, provost and professor of physics, emeritus, both from Bridgewater, Va. The Garber Award for Christian Service, established in 1998, recognizes life-long Christian service and exemplary commitment to Christian values. Merlin Garber, a Church of the Brethren pastor, was a 1936 Bridgewater alumnus. His wife, Dorothy Faw Garber, was a member of the Class of 1933. Both are deceased. Click here for complete story.

ALUMNI CHOIR CONCERT – AUGUST 17, 2008

Mark your calendars now and plan on attending the free summer concert of the BC Alumni Choir on Sunday, August 17, at 3 p.m., at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. The 26-member choir is made up of BC alumni ranging from class years in the 70’s all the way up to 2010. The choir rehearses on Monday evenings in June, July and early August. There will be several alumni conductors including: Joel Bremner, ’06, Jolene Flory, ’03, Holly Dickerson, ’99, Jonathan P. Emmons, ’05, Ryan Keebaugh, ’02, David L. Tate, ’71, and Jesse E. Hopkins, ’70.

For questions about the concert, please email Dr Jesse E Hopkins at jhopkins@bridgewater.edu.

SUMMER PROGRAM FOR THE ARTS

Dr. Doug Ball, associate professor of education, and Scott Jost, associate professor of art, have received grants from the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education and a 2008-09 Creative Inspiration grant from the Arts Council of the Valley. Funds supported their Summer Arts Workshop, “How You See Me, How I See Me,” that took place July 7 – 11, at John Wayland Elementary School. Students learned digital photography skills and created mixed media self-portraits to reflect their unique and diverse identities. An exhibit of their photographic works is on display in the Cleo Driver Miller Art Gallery, from now until Aug. 15.

III. ATHLETIC NEWS AND UPDATES

TWO FORMER NFL STARTERS JOIN BC FOOTBALL STAFF

07/09/2008 - Bridgewater College has been selected to host an intern for the NFLPA/NCAA Internship Program for the 2008 football season. The Eagles intern will be Larry Moore, who attended Brigham Young University and then played nine years in the NFL as an offensive lineman. Moore will help coach the offensive line and tight ends. "We are excited that our program was chosen. I know well over 50 schools at the Division II and Division III level applied for these grants and I think our selection speaks well of our reputation," said Coach Michael Clark. He played for the Indianapolis Colts (1998-2001), Washington Redskins (2002-2003), and the Cincinnati Bengals (2004-2006). Ben Taylor will coach the BC linebackers and will be a seasonal assistant, whose contract runs only through the football season. Taylor, who starred at Virginia Tech and was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft in 2002, played for the Cleveland Browns (2002-2005) and Green Bay Packers (2006). Click here for complete story.

COPELAND SIGNS ARENA LEAGUE CONTRACT

06/19/2008 - Bridgewater College football wide receiver Brandon Copeland was signed to the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul on Wednesday, June 18. The AFL is the top arena football league in the country. Copeland, also an All-American track performer, finished his collegiate career with 127 receptions for 1,924 yards and 21 touchdowns. He ranks No. 2 all-time at Bridgewater in all three receiving categories. He was named All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference as a junior and senior. In May, Copeland was invited to and participated in a NFL rookie mini-camp with the Cleveland Browns. He was named an honorable mention camper by ClevelandBrowns.com for "catching everything thrown his way." There are 17 AFL teams and approximately 425 players on rosters. Copeland will be the fourteenth Division III player currently on an AFL roster. Click here for complete story.

QUEEN NAMED ODAC TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

06/18/2008 - Bridgewater College senior Melvin Queen has been named the ODAC Male Track & Field Athlete of the Year in voting by the conference coaches. Queen shares the honor with Lynchburg pole vaulter Scott Decker. Queen, a senior from Chesapeake, Virginia, won twice outdoors at the ODAC Championships including a fourth straight title in the 100-meter dash (11.00 seconds). He also placed second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.94 seconds. Queen then teamed with Brandon Copeland, Tyler Beiler and Tony Konate in the 4x100-meter relay, claiming top marks with a time of 41.73 seconds. That time set an ODAC Championships record by 0.01 seconds, replacing the 1998 Bridgewater team with a newer edition of Eagles. At the ODAC indoor championships, Queen won the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.48 seconds. In Wisconsin at the NCAA Division III National Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Queen competed in a pair of events, placing sixth overall in the 100-meter dash in 10.80 seconds. Click here for complete story.


IV. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

“ORACLES AT THE OAK” REVIVED AFTER 72 YEARS!

A ritual that literally was struck down by lightning in 1936 was resurrected at Bridgewater College on Saturday, May 10, at 8 p.m. Almost 50 graduating seniors and newest members of the BC Alumni Association breathed new life into “The Oracles at the Oak,” a ritual initiating the College’s graduates into the fellowship of the BC Alumni Association. The original ceremony took place from 1934-36 at a large oak tree dubbed "Old Sentinel," and was ended when lightning destroyed the landmark tree in front of Rebecca Hall. The revived ceremony took place outside the KCC on Rebecca’s side, by another large oak tree. Dr. Phillip C. Stone addressed the gathering, which included class officers Sharon Sweet and Kirby Green.


V. UPCOMING EVENTS

July 31 – ALUMNI RECEPTION AND SHAKESPEARE PERFORMANCE, Staunton, VA

August 30 – EAGLES WE-HAUL (FRESHMAN MOVE-IN DAY), Bridgewater, VA

Sept. 6 – AWAY FOOTBALL GAME BUS TRIP (BC vs. AVERETT UNIV.), Danville, VA

Sept. 27 – AWAY FOOTBALL GAME BUS TRIP (BC vs. LYCOMING COLLEGE), Williamsport, PA

Oct. 3-5 – HOMECOMING 2008, Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA

Oct. 18 – AWAY FOOTBALL GAME BUS TRIP (BC vs. GUILFORD COLLEGE), Greensboro, NC

Nov. 8 – AWAY FOOTBALL GAME BUS TRIP (BC vs. RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE), Ashland, VA

Nov. 15 – AWAY FOOTBALL GAME BUS TRIP (BC vs. CATHOLIC UNIV.), Washington, D.C.

Click here to view the Office of Alumni Relations Calendar

Click here to view the BC Campus Calendar

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