National ChampionsContinuing a Dream

issue 03 | 2014

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Greetings Golden Bears,

When I accepted the opportunity to come to WVU Tech two years ago I was overwhelmed with the encouragement and support of our wonderful alumni, faculty, staff and students. Thanks to each of you we’ve made tremendous strides toward our three Rs: Recruit. Retain. Rebuild.

Last fall we had a more than 10 percent increase in enrollment – one of only two public institutions in West Virginia to report an increase! Our fall enrollment was 1,222 with students from 28 states and 23 nations. Residence halls are nearing capacity and the dining hall is overflowing with students. In response, we have added a dining option in the new Student Success Center and are planning a “grab-and-go” eatery in the Engineering Building.

We’ve added forensic investigation to our academic offerings and are working on an online program in aviation management. We continue to make updates to our campus facilities, including adding a new forensic crime house, an outdoor basketball court and the Welcome Wall at the campus entrance. We are planning to repave several parking lots this spring, as well as the walking path between Orndorff Hall and Old Main.

We are also working with West Virginia University for our institutional reaccreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This is a pivotal time for WVU Tech and the WVU System as we reaffirm our rigorous academic standards. We continue our commitment to offering students a top-notch education at an exceptional value. More information about the reaccreditation process can be found online at wvutech.edu.

I hope you enjoy this latest edition of the Bear Tracks magazine highlighting some of our recent accomplishments. Great things are indeed happening at WVU Tech thanks to the generous support of Golden Bears like you!

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

lett

er fr

om th

e

WVU TECH CEO

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West Virginia UniversityInstitute of Technology

Campus Executive OfficerCarolyn Long

EditorDr. Adrienne King

DesignKatrina Baker

Web Bok Kwee Toh

ContributorsRachelle BecknerBecky BrouseTara Hines, ’03Dr. Adrienne King

PhotographersKatrina BakerJames HollowayRick LeeBok Kwee Toh

Office of Relations & CommunicationsOld Main 201Montgomery, WV 25136wvutech.eduTech-Relations-Communications@mail.wvu.edu

Change of AddressWVU FoundationPO Box 1650 Morgantown, WV 26504-1650info@wvuf.org

Class NotesWVU Institute of TechnologyOffice of Alumni Relations304.442.3131Tech-Alumni@mail.wvu.edualumni.wvutech.edu

West Virginia University Institute of Technology isgoverned by the West Virginia University Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

WVU Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution.

cont

ents

04 2 8

2 Letter from the WVU Tech CEO

4 Campus Updates

8 Robotics Inspires Future Engineers

Continuing a Dream

2 USCAA National Soccer Tournament

4 Welcome Home

6 Class Notes

7 In Memoriam

8 Alumni News

2 Upcoming Events

ON THE COVER: The Golden Bears took the title of National Champions in the 2013 United States College Athletic Association (USCAA) National Soccer Tournament on Saturday, November 2. WVU Tech took the title in a 2-1 victory over the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

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wvutech.edu

Student Success Center Grand OpeningWVU Tech held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 4 for the University’s new Student Success Center located on the third floor of the Vining Library. The center coordinates all first-year advising, academic peer tutoring and workshops covering topics such as study skills and time management.

WVU Tech hosted first Cyber-Physical Systems SymposiumThe Center of Excellence for Cyber-Physical Systems (WVCECPS) at WVU Tech hosted the first annual Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Symposium on May 2. The event featured six of the leading CPS researchers. Topics included the applications of CPS in smart grids, landslide detection, underground coal mines, emergency response and environmental monitoring.

WVU Tech hosted College Summit WV and Yale Alumni Service Corps VolunteersWVU Tech hosted a special College Summit workshop featuring the Yale Alumni Service Corps on June 27 – June 30. More than 130 students from West Virginia high schools attended the workshop at WVU Tech, including students from Raleigh, Wyoming, McDowell, Webster, Putnam, Greenbrier and Mingo counties.

AT&T sponsored annual Camp STEMThe annual, one-week summer program teaches high school students about the STEM disci-plines through hands-on, interactive learning. Now in its ninth year, the 2013 camp included

Golden Bears represented at Undergraduate Research Day Two student teams from WVU Tech showcased their research at the 2013 Undergraduate Research Day at the Legislature. Senior mechanical en-gineering students Kevin Goff and Paul Shaw and senior engineering technology majors Amy Young and Hannah Clutter presented their research at the State Capitol.

Tech faculty received $150,000 in state-funded research grantsThe West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) recognized faculty from across the state that were awarded scientific research grants in conjunction with

the annual Undergraduate Research Day. WVU Tech faculty members Dr. Stephen Goodman, Dr. Mingyu Lu, Dr. Houbing Song, Dr. Baozhong Tian, Dr. Horng-Jyh Yang and Dr. Nan Wang were recognized during a luncheon at the State Culture Center.

TECH FACULTY RECEIVED

$150,000 IN STATE-FUNDED

RESEARCH GRANTS

On March 22, WVU Tech joined forces with more than 50 WVU and WVU Extension programs for WVU’s Day at the Legislature. WVU Tech provided hands-on, interactive presentations highlighting academic programs from across the University including chemistry, forensic investigation and nursing.

TECH JOINED WVU & WVU EXTENSION AT THE CAPITOL

CAMPUS UPDATESCAMPUS UPDATES

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school students in 22 West Virginia counties. The fair was hosted by WVU Tech, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Tech hosted WVU Coach Bob Huggins and Attorney James "Rocky" GianolaThe Department of Physical Education hosted an athletics coaching education and sport management panel featuring two well-known West Virginia University alumni: Attorney James “Rocky” Gianola and Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins on Wednesday, September 25 in the Engineering Auditorium. The pre-sentation was sponsored in part by Summit Community Bank.

60 students from across the country. With the generous support of AT&T, WVU Tech was able to offer scholarships for many of the participants and increase the number of seats in the program.

Golden Bears at the State FairWVU Tech once again participated in the West Virginia State Fair in Greenbrier County, W.Va. Faculty, staff and students provided demonstra-tions in renewable energy, nursing and aviation for fairgoers.

West Virginia Science and Art Fair held at WVU TechWVU Tech was the site for a West Virginia Science and Art Fair for high school and middle

CLASS OF

’13

WVU Tech honored the Class of 2013 during the 114th Commencement on the Montgomery campus on May 11. The ceremony recognized 171 graduates. West Virginia Secretary of Transportation and WVU Tech

alumnus Paul Mattox, Jr., ’82, provided the Commencement Address.

The University’s Academic Awards Committee presented the Leadership Citations, which were established by former Tech president and professor emeritus Dr. Leonard C. Nelson in 1978. This year’s recipients were Casey Orndorff and Monika Becker.

Mattox offered final advice to the graduates, saying, “Be confident in the knowledge that the education you’ve received at this great institution has given you all the tools you need to be successful. All you have to do now is apply them.”

CAMPUS CELEBRATES 114TH COMMENCEMENT

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Otis K. Rice LectureThe fifth annual Otis K. Rice Lecture Series featured Dr. Fred Barkey on Thursday, September 26. The event was sponsored by the West Virginia Humanities Council. Barkey’s lecture, entitled “Here Come the Boomer ‘Talys’: Italian Immigrants and Industrial Conflict in the Upper Kanawha Valley (1903-1917),” was held in the Engineering Auditorium.

Industry experts lend hiring tips to studentsWVU Tech hosted an expert panel of employers during a special “Get Hired” event on Thursday, October 10, in the Student Success Center. The 11-member panel featured employers from across the state with professional backgrounds representing a variety of majors including accounting, business, chemistry, health service administration, mechanical engineering, nursing and sport management.

This year’s Homecoming was celebrated with a Superheroes theme. The weekend kicked off on Friday, October 25, with the annual State of Tech Address given by CEO Carolyn Long. Following that was the Alumni of the Year Banquet where Barry Pearson, ’96, was honored by the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences and James Smith, ’86,

was honored by the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences.

On Saturday morning, October 26, the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association held their annual meeting. Later that afternoon students, alumni and community members gathered to watch the Homecoming parade and take part in the tailgate. This year’s parade marshall was Tim O’Neal, ’97. The men’s and women’s basketball teams kicked off their opening season. The Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association hosted a reception for alumni during the annual alumni basketball game held later in the evening. Seniors Emily Geldbach and John Walters were crowned homecoming queen and king.

CAMPUS UPDATES

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WVU Tech hosted dinner theatreThe campus community was invited to a special dinner theatre performance of Les Miserables on Thursday, October 17, in the Tech Ballroom by the Charleston Light Opera Guild. Featured performers from the production, including two WVU Tech grads, performed several numbers from the musical followed by a Q&A with the audience. Ted Rose, ’99, and Carl Simpkins II, ’10, were among the performers on campus.

DOW Chemical Sponsored Engineering & Sciences Open HouseWVU Tech hosted an Engineering & Sciences Open House for students in grades 6-12 on Thursday, October 31. The event was sponsored by The DOW Chemical Company and included more than 1,000 student participants.

“The Little Shop of Horrors”The Tech Players annual production featured a hapless florist and his carnivorous plant that feeds on human flesh. The comedy delighted fans during the performances on November 21 – 23.

Holiday Open House CEO Carolyn Long hosted a Holiday Open House for faculty, staff, alumni and friends at the Robinson House on December 4. Students were invited for a holiday pizza party that evening.

Top Chefs of TechA campus favorite, Top Chefs of Tech, included administrative and staff volunteers cooking a midnight breakfast for students during finals week. The event features a popular omelet station, pancakes and homemade waffles, to offset those long study sessions.

The WVU Tech community gathered on Monday, December 9, to celebrate the Lighting of Old Main and the upcoming holidays. Now in its fifth year, the festivities included the official lighting

of Old Main complete with fireworks, as well as many other holiday traditions such as hot cocoa, s’mores, cookie decorating and pictures with Santa and Elf Monty.

LIGHT UP OLD MAIN FESTIVITIES

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ROBOTICS

By Dr. Adrienne King

Cory Igo, Samuel Johnson and Nathan Settle demonstrate their robot’s climbing capabilities outside of Old Main.

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ROBOTICS INSPIRES

The multidisciplinary team included mechanical engi-neering students and recent graduates Darrell Gartin, ’13; Samuel Johnson, ’13; Cory Igo, ’13; Joseph Menello, with support from Wyatt McClead, Jason Browning and recent electrical engineering graduates Ryan McBrayer, ’13; and Nathan Settle, ’13. The mechanical engineering students

designed and built their robot from scratch for their cap-stone project, with microprocessor programming assistance from their electrical engineering classmates.

McBrayer explained, “My specializations in electrical engineering are control and communications systems. I was brought in to help bring their robot to life.”

The students’ capstone advisor and assistant pro-fessor of mechanical engineering Dr. Farshid Zabihian explained, “They discovered that if they really wanted something they could achieve it. They all put in a 110 percent effort on the project. It was rewarding to see their self-satisfaction.”

The team traveled to the 2013 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Regional Student Leadership Conference where they participated in the “Remote Inspec-tion Device” student design com-petition. The annual event brings together professional engineers and student members. “The objective of the project was hands-on learning. Their robot was so strong and robust that with a little more development it could have been used in mining applications,” added Zabihian.

The competition’s obstacles proved to be more than the robot could handle in the time limit, but the students’ capstone experience didn’t end in Toronto. The students decided to take their project on the road and into class-rooms around West Virginia in hopes of inspiring the next generation of engineers. “The idea came from them. I just tried to encourage them,” said Zabihian. Igo explained, “We all came from smaller schools like Clay County High School. We wanted to show kids what you could do with a STEM education.”

The robotics team traveled to elementary, middle and high schools throughout West Virginia providing live demonstrations of their robot and then opening up the floor to questions. “We got lots of different questions about the design…it was a great way to engage students,” Igo said. McBrayer added, “It was a great experience to see people sitting where we were 5-10 years ago getting excited about what worlds engineering can open for them.”

The WVU Tech robotics tradition is continuing with a new team preparing for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles competition this semester.

FUTURE ENGINEERS

You know you’re passionate about a project when you work around the clock, even sleeping in the lab, for four

days straight. The Golden Bear robotics team did just that before taking their robot named “Quick Draw Claw” to a Toronto conference and competition last year.

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By Rachelle Beckner

Webb spent her childhood in St. Albans, attending McKinley Middle School and St. Albans High School, where she competed on the swimming and foren-sics teams. Upon high school graduation, Ammy worked for City National Bank and Olive Garden, at its former location in the Town Center Mall in Charleston, W.Va, all while attending classes as a freshman at WVU Tech. “I told her she had to work hard and show us that she was going to apply herself for college,” her father said. “It shouldn’t be easy. I told her if we saw her applying herself, we’d help her.”

Ammy worked hard, applying her math skills to pursue a civil engineering degree at WVU Tech. “She enjoyed the math,” John Webb said. “She was intrigued by the strength of steel and bridges. When I’d take her out to dinner, she

would tell me about all the things she was learning.”

That all changed when Ammy and two friends were killed in a car crash along Route 60 near Shrewsbury an early morning in

September 2002. Devastated by her death, Ammy’s parents – John and Carol Webb – weren’t sure how to handle their grief and have their daughter’s memory live on. But friends had a suggestion that gave some solace for John and Carol.

“(They) … suggested that we start a scholarship fund in Ammy’s name,” John said. “Carol and I looked at each other and knew that was what we should do. We knew how important this degree was to Ammy.”

Friends and family contributed to the scholarship over the years. Ammy’s fiancé at the time, Aubrey Ayash, and

n her childhood, Ammy Michelle Webb enjoyed numerous

activities and sports, including ballet, swimming, cheerleading,

reading, debate team, drama and chorus. “She was very proud

of all of her accomplishments,” said her father, John Webb, as he

recently flipped through a scrapbook Ammy organized with all her

ribbons, certificates and news clippings.

She wasn’t the star of any sports team or theater production, but

Ammy was well-liked and highly involved in her community. When

she died in a tragic car crash in September 2002, people in the

community wanted to honor her memory.

aCONTINUING

Dream

I

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Ammy’s father John affectionately remembers his daughter’s loving spirit.

his family made a generous contribution to the scholarship. “We were more fortunate than some, so we put a large gift in there,” Aubrey recently recalled. “It mattered to us. My mother was close to Ammy, but more importantly (my mother) knew how much Ammy meant to me so she made a large donation to the scholarship.”

Now, students pursuing a civil engineering degree at WVU Tech can receive financial help through the Ammy Michelle Webb Civil Engineering Endowed Scholarship, which provides financial support for a sophomore, junior or senior civil engineering student with a B average and who has financial need. No athletes are eligible for the award. While Ammy participated in sports and activities in her youth, she focused her attention on her studies in college, her parents explained.

Ammy was 22 when she died. She was a young woman with a bright future, full of ambition and vision. Her father said she eventually planned on a career in public service. “She liked to help people. She would have done a good job (in politics),” he said.

In her short life span, Ammy impacted a lot of lives, her parents said. It was evident during her funeral service, when hundreds of visitors lined up outside the funeral home to pay their respects.

“She tutored quite a few people in an official and unof-ficial capacity,” Aubrey said. “I heard about how she helped people at the funeral. People I didn’t know would tell me stories about her helping them study, or learn a concept.”

Ammy’s influence is evident even today as John and Carol continue their lives in the Kanawha Valley.

John operates Webb Plumbing in Spring Hill and Carol has worked for the St. Albans Post Office for more than two decades. Last year, John toured a potential con-struction site. The professional giving him the tour was a mechanical engineer. “He said to me, ‘Webb. Webb. Did you have a daughter who attended Tech?’” John recalled recently. “I asked him if he knew Ammy. He told me how she changed his life. He was a student at Tech at the same time as Ammy and was struggling with some of the math. She helped him study that semester and encouraged him to stay in school. Now, he’s a mechanical engineer.”

That’s the kind of influence Ammy had in people’s lives. John and Carol want their daughter’s influence to continue at WVU Tech through her scholarship. The scholarship keeps their daughter’s memory alive, but more importantly it provides a way for Ammy to continue to be an influence in other students’ lives. “We want to help someone else achieve what she couldn’t,” the Webbs said.

Donations to the Ammy Michelle Webb Civil Engineering Endowed Scholarship may be made using the enclosed enveloped or by contacting the WVU Tech Office of Development at 304.442.1078.

We want to help someone else achieve what she couldn’t.

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WVU Tech Brings

USCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

WVU Tech and the City of Charleston were proud to host the 2013 USCAA National Soccer Championship Tournament for men and women from October 31 – November 2 in Charleston, W.Va. The

University will also host the tournament along with 10 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams again in 2014. The national tournament was a huge opportunity for WVU Tech and Charleston to showcase the University and the City of Charleston. During the tournament, attendees got to experience the Charleston Civic Center, Schoenbaum Stadium (Coonskin Park) and Trace Fork Soccer Complex. The city received guests from around the country which had a nearly 500 thousand dollar economic impact on the area.

WVU Tech’s Office of Alumni Relations hosted a tailgate at Schoenbaum Stadium for WVU Tech alumni, students, fans, faculty and staff to kick off the tournament prior to the men’s game on October 31. Guests had the chance to enjoy trunk-or-treat and a costume contest. The food was provided by Chef Paul Smith, son of Tech alumni Reggie Smith, ’74, and Sarah (Sally) Smith, ’73.

The support of the fans was noticeable from all aspects as the teams played in front of a home crowd of family, friends and Golden Bear fans. Tech felt their presence and appreciated every minute of it.

“It was a great accomplishment for the University and the student body. We had amazing support throughout the tournament, without them we wouldn’t have been able to beat one of the best teams I’ve seen in my coaching career from Maine Fort Kent,” said WVU Tech men’s head coach Luis Cortell.

WVU Tech’s men’s and women’s teams both partici-pated in the tournament. The women’s squad entered the tournament as the tenth seed but upset seed No. 7, Paul Smith’s College, with a score of 2-0. The Golden Bears then

faced 2012 tournament runners-up, No. 2 seed Daemen College. WVU Tech fell in a narrow 3-2 loss to the eventual runners-up of the 2013 tournament.

The top-seeded men’s team defeated the No. 2 seed, University of Maine Fort Kent, 2-1 to take the National

By Becky Brouse

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- Luis Cortell, head men's soccer coach

We had amazing support throughout the tournament, without them we wouldn’t have been able to beat one of the best teams I’ve seen in my coaching career...

USCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENTto West VirginiaTitle in 2013! The Golden Bears were the victors over the Bengals during the regular season (4-3) and history repeated itself. WVU Tech was the runner-up in the 2012 USCAA Men's Soccer National Championship and managed to win on a penalty kick golden goal in this year's championship.

The 2014 USCAA Soccer Championship Tournament will be held at Schoenbaum Stadium and Trace Fork Soccer Stadium again next fall. The men’s and women’s teams both look forward to the opportunity to participate in, and host, the tournament for the second year in a row.

Read the fans’ reactions via Storify: www.wvute.ch/soccerfans13.

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By Tara Hines, ’03

The Office of Alumni Relations at WVU Tech has begun a tradition for a very special group of alumni…our Golden

Alumni! These alumni have celebrated 50 years since their graduation from Tech and have helped to build our

University into what it is today.

WelcomeHome

Golden Alumni Honored

�at Commencement

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ach year, the 50th anniver-sary class is invited to return to their alma mater during WVU Tech’s annual Com-

mencement celebration weekend. This two-day event kicks off with a tour of campus. This is a chance to revisit places that hold special meaning to them and to see how Tech has grown since their days as students. The former classmates and their guests are then invited to a reception in their honor at the president’s house hosted by CEO Carolyn Long.

The following morning a special breakfast is held before the Com-mencement ceremony in the Uni-versity’s Bear’s Den. Guests include the Commencement speaker, Golden Alumni, platform party and other special guests. The menu features traditional brunch fare including ham, made-to-order omelets, biscuits and gravy, French toast and other pastries. The event provides guests an opportunity to share stories and reminisce about their time at Tech.

The major highlight for our Golden Alumni is a chance to once again don the traditional cap and gown and walk in the Commence-ment ceremony along with our current graduates. Karen Gill, ’63, said, “To walk in the processional line in front of the students was such an honor.” As each of their names are read, the Golden Alumni are recognized and receive a certificate of achievement for the accomplishments they have made since their graduation.

After the Commencement cer-emony, graduates and their families are invited to attend a reception with

our Golden Alumni that is hosted by WVU Tech and the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association. Having this group back on campus is a great opportunity for our newest alumni to talk to them and get advice as they venture out into the workforce. We want to build relationships between alumni of all ages. This is the first step in bridging that gap and combining our history with our future.

Each year this event continues to grow and last year the Golden Alumni Class of 1963 set a record for the number of alumni in attendance with 16 graduates returning along with their spouses and families. Golden Alumni in attendance were Eric Anderson, John Copley, Edward Donalson, Linda Donalson, Karen Gill, Earl Harshbarger, Nancy Hart, Charles Kuhl, Delmas Lane, Stephen Light, John Mooney, Charles Raines, Frank Seller, Morley Shamblen, William Shorter and Marylu Walker.

Class agents Edward and Linda Donalson and Nancy Hart contacted many of their fellow Golden Bears and made this past reunion one to remember. Not only were old friendships rekindled, but new ones were made. Gill also recalls more of how she and her friends felt that day, “From the beginning until the end we were impressed by the detail and planning that went into making this a special time for us. Everything from the invitations to the freshly pressed gowns that awaited us on our arrival were top notch.” Gill’s

husband, Jimmy, graduated in 1968 and before leaving the ceremony last year remarked, “I can’t wait to come back in five years so I can take part in this event.”

This year we are honoring the Golden Alumni class of 1964. If you are a part of this graduating class, or any upcoming class, and would like to serve as a class agent, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 304.442.3131 or e-mail Tech-Alumni@mail.wvu.edu. We can help get you started reaching out to and reconnecting with your former classmates.

Golden Alumni1963 – 2013

�50Years

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1960sRoger Griffith, ’68, was named president of the Tech Foundation.Ed Robinson, ’69, was elected to serve as a member of the Tech Foundation.

1970sKing Boyce, ’72, plans to retire this year after 41 years of service in the public school system.

Sarah (Sally) Smith, (above), ’73, served as the guest speaker during the 2013 WVU Tech Student Convocation.Ralph (Rick) Williams, ’75, is working as the senior manager of employee rela-tions for OFS Fitel, LLC in Georgia. John Fischer, ’78, was promoted to executive vice president of HealthSmart’s western region.

1980sJohn McDaniel, ’80, director of engineering and technical services for Arch Coal, Inc., received the “Because of You” Engineering Professional Award at the 4th annual Miners’ Celebration Conference.Edward O. Watson, ’81, joined the city of Hopewell, Va.’s staff as the director of public works.Paul Mattox, ’82, was elected to serve on the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association Board of Directors effective November 2013.

John Jarrett, (above), ’84, served as the project manager for the construction of the WVU Tech Welcome Wall and began serving on the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association Board of Directors in May 2013.Jason Landers, ’88, was elected to serve on the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association Board of Directors in September 2013.

1990sTeresa McNeil, ’90, was elected to the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association Board of Directors in October 2013.Joyce Gentry, ’91, joined Potesta & Associates, an engineering and environ-mental consulting firm, at its Charleston corporate office as a senior engineer.Eric Bess, ’95, joined Hatch Mott MacDonald in Charleston, W.Va., and was named secretary of the Tech Foundation.Rebecca Randolph, ’97, was elected to serve as the vice-president of the Tech Foundation.Tim O’Neal, ’97, joined the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association Board of Directors in May 2013.Tina Williams’, ’99, daughter, Camryn, served as a 2013 Homecoming crown bearer.

2000sKevin Highlander, ’01, was hired as the senior manager at Arnett Foster Toothman PLLC in the accounting firm’s tax practice.

Kendra Bailey Prine, ’01, and her husband, Joe Prine, ’01, welcomed their first daughter, Morgan Abigail (above).

Joe Cline, ’02 and Tamara Cline, ’04, welcomed their first son, Holt (above).Ronald Hatfield, ’02, became the regional director of ViSalus Sciences.Jason Perry, ’02, is an associate with Stanley D. Lindsey & Associates Ltd., in Brentwood, Tenn. He recently wrote an article titled “Rapid Response” in the March 2013 issue of Modern Steel Construction.Jason Blackhurst, ’03, and his wife, Elicia, welcomed their second child, Finn Edward.Tara Thomas Hines, ’03, was accepted into the master’s degree program for Integrated Marketing Communications at West Virginia University.Kaci Foster, ’03 and ’04, was elected to the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Associa-tion Board of Directors in September 2013. Foster recently went to work for Ramsey Eye Care in Charleston, W.Va. Her son, David, served as a 2013 Homecoming crown bearer.

CLASS NOTES

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Golden BearsDr. Ernest Nester passed away on

March 25, 2013. Nester spent his

professional life as a professor of civil

engineering, department chairman

of civil engineering and, later, dean of

engineering at WVU Tech.

Dr. Surinder Kumar Ram, professor

of electrical engineering at WVU Tech,

passed away on April 30, 2013.

Alan Swiger passed away on June 6,

2013. Swiger was the assistant supervisor

of campus services at WVU Tech.

Jake Lease, ’03, is the new sports events manager at the Dallas Conven-tion and Visitors Bureau.Stephen Holcomb, ’09, started his own business practice as an independent New York Life agent.

2010sAndrew Blatt, ’12, was honored by West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin during his 2013 State of the State speech for his work overseeing Gestamp’s new $22 million dollar laser cutting project.Casey Orndorff, ’13, is studying at Louisiana Tech University to receive his Ph.D. in computational analysis and modeling with emphasis in math, computer science and biomedical engineering.

Amanda Simpson, ’13, was accepted into the veterinary medicine program at the University of Missouri.

1940sDorothy E. Facinoli, ’46, of Adamstown, Md., passed away at her home on July 19, 2013.

1950sRobert L. Breeden, ’50, of Maclean, Va., passed away on March 15, 2013. Breeden was the vice president for publication and educational materials for the National Geographic Society and created the first official guidebook of the White House at the insistence of First Lady Jackie Kennedy.Jane Ann Kennedy, ’54, of Montgomery, W.Va., passed away on June 30, 2013.

1960sDr. Michael Lewis, ’65, of Charleston, W.Va., passed away on August 2, 2013. Lewis was appointed as secretary of the DHHR by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Upon his passing Tomblin said, “Throughout his (Lewis) career, he was a kind, compassionate healthcare advocate who dedicated his life to the health of all West Virginians.”Nile Williams, ’65, of Herndon, Va., passed away on October 21, 2013. Mustafa Kol, ’66, a native of Izmir, Turkey, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2013 surrounded by his loved ones.

In Memoriam

TO SUBMIT CLASS NOTES, PLEASE E-MAIL US ATTECH-ALUMNI@MAIL.WVU.EDU.

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Twenty-four Tech alumni and their spouses, along with members of the WVU Tech administration, came together at an event on May 31 in Cary, North Carolina. The alumni gathering was organized by Hank Wright, ’68 and Richard “Dick” Hart, ’62. The formation of

this new alumni chapter will give Golden Bears living in the central North Carolina area a place to stay in touch with others and support their alma mater.

2013 HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONThe Golden Bear Athletic Department inducted five outstanding alumni into the Hall of Fame on Friday, September 6. The inductees were Jerri Aleshire, ’00, Ronald Beatty, ’90, Kenneth Knapp, ’60, Eric Smith, ’03 and Jim Welker, ’59. A dinner was held in honor of these alumni as they became a part of a long list of Golden Bear athletes to be recognized for their talents both on and off the playing field.

During this year’s Homecoming celebration, WVU Tech hosted the annual Alumni Game. Former players of all graduation years came out to face each other on the court. In what was a very entertaining game our alumni proved they still have what it takes. Following the game, the Tech Golden Bear Alumni Association held a reception for alumni and their families.

RALEIGH, N.C.

ALUMNI CHAPTER KICK-OFF

WVU TECH ATHLETIC REUNION

Richard “Dick” Hart, ’62, hosted a reunion for all former Tech athletes on Saturday, September 7, on the campus of WVU Tech. Alumni from all over came to catch up with old friends and relive memories.

NEWSalumni

RALEIGH, N.C.

ALUMNI CHAPTER KICK-OFF

2013 ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME

18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B EAR TRACKS

$100 wall paverPreserve your Tech memories by purchasing a 4×8 paver and engraving it with your message to be placed on the back of the new Welcome Wall.

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPis extended to all dues-paying alumni of New River State College, West Virginia Institute of Technology, the Community and Technical College of West Virginia Institute of Technology and West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

While supplies last, those paying lifetime dues will receive a free lifetime member t-shirt.

annual dues$250$25lifetime dues

per person per person

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ATGOLDEN

BEAR ALUMNI

405 Fayette Pike | Montgomery, WV 25136304.442.3131 | TechAlumniAssoc@mail.wvu.edu

alumni.wvutech.edu

NEWM E M B E R S*

TECH GOLDEN BEAR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

John Jarrett, ’84Gene L. Winfrey, ’61Scot G. Meadows, ’95Jen Wood Cunningham, ’01Harold Robinson, ’96Randall Isom, ’93Douglas Sergent, ’92Barry Pearson, ’96John Vencill, ’68 Annual MembersMelvin Gritt, ’60

Col. William F. Palmer, ’52David A Cotton, Jr., ’06Kirstin Hypes, ’13Carrie Hammond, ’13Casey Orndorff, ’13John Smith, ’13Cody Currence, ’13David Webster, ’13Mara Lewis, ’13Ella Osborne, ’13Jonathan Bellamy, ’13Jared Wright, ’13Benjamin Shannon, ’13Paul Shaw, ’13

Nathan Plymale, ’13Daniel Dudley, ’13Jonathan Hill, ’13Thonide Aristide, ’13Phillip Cook, ’13Ashley McCoy, ’13Robin Davis, Jr., ’13Mary Estep, ’13Mary Billings, ’56Earl Harshbarger, ’63Christopher Reed, ’70Gerald Terry, ’63John Mooney, ’63Ralph Williams, ’75

Warren Perrine, ’64Sandra Perrine, ’61Kenneth Bailey, ’66Anna Bailey, ’63Eric Anderson, ’63Jack Tamplin, ’75James Mallow, ’91Tonja Parsons, ’91Kenneth Barker, ’65Heather D. DiCarlo, ’93Harold L. Earehart, Jr., ’94James E. Jeffries, ’94Mary A. Oglesby, ’99Jason C. Smith, ’05

Joseph D. Bobbitt, ’92John M. Katok, ’78William E. McGraw II, ’94Stephen T. Rumbaugh, ’94Bradley D. Ball, ’80John M. Hashtak, ’68Heather Whaples, ’03Carl Henson, ’94Wilden Harbour, ’99Todd Clark, ’04Jason Landers, ’89

Associate MembersCarl Kennedy

LIFETIME MEMBERS

*New memberships purchased between January 2013 and December 2013.

March 22Blue & Gold Day Open House

May 3115th Commencement

Alumni Association Board MeetingOpen to all dues paying members.

June 22 – 27Camp STEM

August 16Alumni Association Board MeetingOpen to all dues paying members.

November 5 – 8USCAA National Soccer TournamentCharleston, W.Va.

November 14 – 15 Homecoming Weekend 2014

November 14 State of Tech Address

Hall of Fame / Alumni of the Year Banquet

November 15Alumni Association Board MeetingOpen to all dues paying members.

[ ]EventsUpcoming

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405 Fayette Pike | Montgomery, WV 25136-99801.888.554.8324 | wvutech.edu