SPRING 2002 • 1

Keene State TodayTHE KEENE STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

Volume XVIINumber 3Spring 2002

Features

4 War TalkTesting academic freedom in a time of conflict

7 Next Gas Station: 30,000 FeetWar flies close to home for Brian Monahan

10 Athletes and Wildlife Share a HabitatKSC showcases playing fields and conservation management

14 ArachnophiliaFaculty Profile: Karen Cangialosi

17 Strengthening Jacob’s BridgeSusan and John Scheinman tackle the biggest challenge of their lives

EditorMichael Matrosmmatros@keene.edu

Assistant EditorJane Forrestaljforrestal@keene.edu

DesignerChristine Justice ’96cjustice@keene.edu

Class Notes EditorBarbara Hall ’89kscclassnotes@yahoo.com

Editorial BoardCraig Brandoncbrandon@keene.eduFred Fosher ’57Stuart Kaufmanskaufman@keene.eduScott McPherson ’92smcpherson@nhpr.orgBill Menezesbmenezes@keene.eduDirector of College RelationsMichael MatrosDirector of AdvancementJudy Kalichjkalich@keene.edu

Director of Alumniand Parent RelationsMichael Maher ’72mmaher@keene.edu

Alumni Association PresidentPatty Adams Farmer ’92

Keene State Today is published quarterlyduring the months of March, June, Sep-tember, and December by the Office ofCollege Relations, Keene State College,229 Main Street, Keene, NH 03435-1502.Periodicals Postage Rate is paid at Keene,N.H., and additional offices. U.S. PostalService No. 015-914.

This magazine is owned by KeeneState College. For the Fall 2001 issue,21,500 copies were printed – 19,843requested subscriptions were mailed,150 complimentary copies weremailed, and 1,250 were distributed byother means, bringing the total freedistribution to 21,243, with 257 cop-ies not circulated.

POSTMASTER: Please send addresschanges to: Keene State Today, 229 MainStreet, Keene, NH 03435-2701.

Address Changes: Make sure youdon’t miss the next issue of Keene StateToday. Send the following information –your name, your class year, spouse’sname and class year, new address, city,state, zip code, and telephone – to BarryAlumni Center, Keene State College, 229Main Street, Keene, NH 03435-2701.

Departments

2 By the WayWhat’s new along Appian Way

19 Owl NotebookWho’s making news in Owl sports

21 Class NotesShare your news

Spotlight on AlumniNotes from Tbilisi: Just When You Thought You Were Alone...(inside back cover)

On the coverWild rye (Elymus spp.) is a member of the native plant community found in the wildlifehabitat at Keene State’s athletic complex. A native grass common to wet and floodplain areas,wild rye is a valuable food source for the habitat’s animals. Photo by Wendy Ward.

www.keene.edu

Keene State on the Web

4 War Talk 7 Gassing up 10 Habitat 14 Faculty Profile 17 Jacob

2 • KEENE STATE TODAY

V.P. Bob Golden Headsfor Upstate N.Y.

Robert E. Golden, KeeneState’s vice president foracademic affairs since 1995,has accepted a position asprovost and vice president foracademic affairs at PlattsburghState University of New York,beginning July 1.

KSC President Stanley J.Yarosewick said that Dr.Golden has been an effectiveadministrator and academicleader during his tenure atKSC. “I’m elated that he hasthis opportunity but I’mdisappointed for Keene Statethat he’s going,” Dr. Y said.“Dr. Golden has been a keymember of my leadershipteam and I will miss himgreatly.”

“During his time at KSC,Dr. Golden oversaw signifi-cant changes in academicaffairs and provided stabilityand vision for the division,”Dr. Y said.

Among many projects, Dr.Golden co-chaired KSC’ssuccessful NEASC (NewEngland Association ofSchools and Colleges)reaccreditation self-study,helped stabilize the College’senrollment, and oversaw thedevelopment of such aca-demic initiatives as the bi-annual public affairs sympo-sium. He also co-chairedKSC’s information technologycommittee, which created theCollege’s renewable five-yeartechnology plan, and devel-oped an academic affairsstrategic plan as part of theCollege’s broader planningefforts.

The search for a new vicepresident for academic affairs

Student Financial Servicesdepartment will evaluate allapplications for assistance.The first grant from the fund,for $750, will be made to astudent during the currentsemester. Two additionalgrants of $500 each will bemade to students during thefall semester of 2002 andspring semester of 2003.

“Our aim is to build thefund until it becomes anendowed fund, whichrequires a total of $20,000,”explained Tilton. “The fundwill always be known as the911 Scholarship Fund, but, inthe future, scholarships willbe awarded to students whodemonstrate a dire need forassistance who, without thisfinancial aid, would be unableto continue their education.”

David Andrews,Leader and Innovator,Retires

The schedule for leaving isnot what he thought it mighthave been, but DavidAndrews, professor ofpsychology and director ofthe Elliot Center, says he’sfinally taking heed of whathis body and people in his lifeare telling him.

Dr. Andrews, who cameto KSC in 1970 and won theAlumni Association’s Distin-guished Teacher of the YearAward in 1992, retired fromKSC on Dec. 21. Among thefondest memories of his timehere, he says, are those of theprojects that he describes as“mixed successes.”

Dr. Andrews alwaysseemed to come up withinnovative ideas and pushedfor change at KSC. In the

early 1970s, believing that allstudents needed a coreunderstanding of traditionalcourse material to help themdevelop motivation forlearning, he proposed theGeneral Education Require-ments model. “The result ofthis,” he said, “was that theindividualized major cameinto existence.”

David also lists hissuccessful FIPSE (Fund for theImprovement of SecondaryEducation) grant proposal as afavorite memory. The$215,000 grant was used tohelp modify teachingapproaches at KSC.

According to Bob Golden,vice president for academicaffairs, Dr. Andrews has hadan enormous impact on theCollege over the past 30years. “He has been involvedas a teacher, an innovator incurriculum development, andas a leader, finding new ways

By the WayW H A T ’ S N E W A L O N G A P P I A N W AY

to negotiate faculty con-tracts,” Dr. Golden said.

Dr. Andrews taught morethan 30 courses, published orpresented over 100 papers,and served on as manycommittees at KSC. He alsoacted as the Elliot Center’sfirst director, helping bring avariety of student servicesinto one location.

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Bob Golden

at KSC has begun, with theintention of appointingsomeone by July 1.

KSC Announces 911Scholarship Fund forStudents

A new scholarship hasbeen established to assistKeene State students whohave been affected by theterrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Michael McCarthy, alecturer in communications atKeene State, and his wife,Susan, established the 911Scholarship Fund with a giftof $1,000. “Our goals are topreserve the memory of theevents of Sept. 11 and to helpstudents who might havebeen affected by thoseevents,” said McCarthy.

According to Laurie Tilton,assistant director of advance-ment at KSC, the fund hasbeen supplemented withadditional contributions ofapproximately $3,000. Thecontributions came fromcampus faculty and staff, a$1,000 grant from the KSCAlumni Association, and a$750 grant from Pepsi.

“The fund is primarilydesigned to provide financialassistance to KSC studentswho have been directlyaffected by the events of Sept.11,” Tilton said. The College’s

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SPRING 2002 • 3

Dr. Andrews has joined hiswife, Delina Hickey, formervice president for studentaffairs at KSC, at their homein South Carolina.

Storytelling ConferenceCelebrates Its 11th Year

Internationally knownchildren’s author Laura Simmswill be one of five storytellersto offer workshops at “TheGift of Telling Tales,” the 11thannual New England Confer-ence on Storytelling forChildren, to be held at KeeneState on Saturday, April 6.

The workshops are forteachers, parents, and anyoneelse who enjoys sharingstories with children, saidMary Mayshark-Stavely, ateacher in the Child Develop-ment Center at KSC. A publicstorytelling session byconference presenters willbegin at 3 p.m. All activitieswill be held in the RedfernArts Center on BrickyardPond

The conference will beginat 9 a.m. with a keynoteaddress by Simms titled“Sudden Story – the Gift ofTelling Tales.” In her talk,Simms, who lives in NewYork City, will discuss whyshe believes it is necessary tonurture the hearts andimaginations of children asthe key to wholesome livingand learning.

Other workshop leadersinclude Becky Graber, NancyMellon, Carolyn Parrott, andMark Shepard.

For more information, visitwww.keene.edu/events/storytelling.

.KSC Hosts KennedyCenter Theatre Festival

Keene State Collegerecently hosted the NewEngland regionals of theKennedy Center AmericanCollege Theatre Festival(ACTF). The five-day festival,Jan. 30-Feb. 3, drew morethan 500 faculty members andstudents from colleges anduniversities throughout NewEngland.

The ACTF Region I festivalinvolved the production ofeight plays, more than 32workshops in theatre arts,numerous student-written,one-act plays, and dailycompetitions for the presti-gious Irene Ryan actingaward.

Stage actress Alice Ripley,who recently starred in “TheRocky Horror Show” onBroadway, was the festival’skeynote speaker and con-ducted an acting workshop inmusical theatre. Otherworkshops dealt with stageand lighting design, auditiontechniques, stage combat,theatre critique, costumes andmakeup, choreography, andphysical improvisation.

Ronald Spangler, chairmanof theatre, dance, and film,and Daniel Patterson,associate professor of theatre,served as co-chairs and hostsfor the Region I ACTF festivaland will do so again in 2003,when the festival returns.

“Win Win” GetsFunding Boost for 2002

“Win Win,” a programorganized by Keene State forsixth- and seventh-gradestudents at Thayer Middle

School, has had its fundingrenewed by the Nellie MaeFoundation. The $88,000grant will enable the programto cover its costs throughDecember ’02.

The program is part of theEarly College AwarenessProject, a partnership be-tween Keene State College,Thayer Middle and HighSchool, Winchester Elemen-tary School, Communitiesand Schools Together (CAST)and Monadnock FamilyServices. It was designed tocounter the high rate of highschool drop-outs in Winches-ter, by providing middleschool students with aca-demic tutoring, recreationaland social skills activities, andcollege and career guidance. Itwas introduced as a six-weekpilot project in March 2000and became a full-timeprogram that October. About50 middle school students,more than double the numberof last year, regularly attendWin Win sessions, saysHannah Hurlburt ’00, theprogram’s coordinator.

Cohen Center OffersSummer Institute onthe Holocaust

Sponsored by KSC’sCohen Center for HolocaustStudies, the Summer Instituteon the Holocaust will be anintensive one-week programfor high-school teachers inNew Hampshire. Theunderlying purpose of theInstitute, offered July 7-12, isto provide a substantiveintroduction to the historical

background and facts of theHolocaust. Yet, says CohenCenter Director Paul Vincent,because study of the Holo-caust raises difficult questionsabout the nuances of humanbehavior – such as what ledpeople to be bystanders,collaborators, perpetrators,rescuers, or resisters – theInstitute goes beyond merehistory by examining issuesthrough the lens of the socialsciences.

The institute will empha-size the importance of theHolocaust to secondaryteachers in history, literature,the social sciences, andphilosophy. It will also assistin providing ideas andmaterials for teaching aboutthe Holocaust at the second-ary level.

For more informationabout the Institute on theHolocaust, call the CohenCenter at 603-358-2490.

Keep Up with Keene

Now you can use yourPalm, Handspring, or otherPDA to keep track of news,scores, and events at KeeneState. Point your browser towww.keene.edu/pda andlearn how to download thelatest KSC information ontoyour handheld device,whether wireless or not.

Meanwhile, clicking “KSCNews” on the keene.eduhome page will bring younews releases from weeksgone by, along with links tothe faculty/staff newsletterCampus News, events listings,and other sources of campusand local interest. To read thelatest edition of the studentnewspaper, The Equinox, visittheir new web site atwww.keeneequinox.com.

And, of course, visitwww.keene.edu/alumni fornews of upcoming alumnievents.

4 • KEENE STATE TODAY

War TalkTesting academic freedom ina time of conflict

By Dave Orsman

SPRING 2002 • 5

“There are somepeople who think that

academic freedom,especially in a time of

crisis, is a luxury.”

“Terrorist Attacks Put Academic Freedom to theTest.” A headline in a recent issue of The Chronicle ofHigher Education tells the story. Since Sept. 11, facultymembers on college and university campuses have comeunder fire from students, alumni, administrators, col-leagues, and the public for doing what they do best –sharing their expertise and their perspectives.

The Chronicle described several incidents on cam-puses in which faculty members had been reprimandedor even heckled for expressing their opinions. At theUniversity of Texas at Austin, a professor was publiclylambasted by the university’s president for writing anop-ed piece which suggested that the Sept. 11 attacksmight have been a response to U.S.foreign policy. At California StateUniversity at Chico, a professorwho also spoke out against U.S.foreign policy became the targetfor removal by a letter-writingcampaign. In other cases, studentshave complained about remarks bytheir professors during lectures,including the now infamous com-ment made by a faculty memberat the University of New Mexicothat “anyone who can blow up thePentagon gets my vote.” The professor later acknowl-edged that the remark was in bad taste.

At Keene State, it’s not so much that faculty mem-bers have been criticized as some speakers the Collegeinvites. Keene State had its taste of controversy whenAngela Davis, a 1960s activist and a former member ofthe Black Panthers and the Communist Party, spoke herein October. Dr. Davis, whose visit was planned monthsbefore Sept. 11, was a guest of the College’s Sidore Lec-ture Series. The Sidore program was established to sup-port presentations by speakers on emerging ideas andto enhance faculty efforts to challenge students and thepublic to think about controversial issues facing society.Previous Sidore speakers at KSC have included civil rightsattorney and “Klan buster” Morris Dees and Dr. Timo-thy E. Quill, a proponent of physician-assisted death.

Dr. Davis, professor of the history of consciousness atthe University of California at Santa Cruz and an experton racial violence, addressed several themes in a presen-tation that was also tinged with reactions to the terroristattacks and the developing war in Afghanistan. In her talk,“The Color of Violence,” Dr. Davis, a tall, imposingwoman, warned of the possibility that in a time of crisisfierce nationalism could easily spill over into raciallymotivated violence. She also cautioned those who speakout against the war of a McCarthy-like backlash.

Despite the success of her presentation, at least mea-sured by the enthusiasm of the filled auditorium, Dr.Davis’s visit was not universally supported. In the daysafter her speech, a few members of the Keene commu-nity expressed anger and indignation that she visited at

all. “Why at this time,” asked the writer of a letter in theKeene Sentinel, “Keene State College felt a need to invitethis anti-American to speak – and undermine support forour country – sickens me.” Another writer, in a letter toKSC President Stanley J. Yarosewick, called Dr. Davis’sinvitation to speak a “bone-headed stunt.” A KSC studentwrote a letter to the Equinox, the College’s student news-paper, expressing anger that Davis had visited and that somany people had attended. The President’s office alsoreceived a number of telephone calls – some opposed toDavis’s visit, but others in support.

While their feelings might have been expressed even ifthe terrorist acts had not occurred, each opponent of Dr.

Davis’s visit articulated a similarsentiment: that inviting a personof her political background tospeak was an anti-American act.In their letters, the writers at-tempted to simplify the argu-ment. “This is about us,” onewrote. “If you are not for us, thenwe have to assume you areagainst us.”

While acknowledging the rightof people to criticize AngelaDavis’s visit, KSC President

Stanley J. Yarosewick does not agree with the criticism.Keene State places a high value on the sharing of ideas,Dr. Y said. “College campuses require discussions of di-verse and controversial ideas to encourage critical think-ing among our students. It is essential that these ideasnot be censored.”

The problem, suggests Robert Golden, vice presidentfor academic affairs, is that sometimes institutions of higherlearning are perceived to be marching to the beat of theirown intellectual drum. “There are some people who thinkthat academic freedom, especially in a time of crisis, is aluxury,” said Dr. Golden. “There can certainly be a ‘themor us’ feeling among people who don’t understand or ap-preciate the work that institutions do, or the academic free-dom that institutions need to carry out this work.”

Academic freedom is to colleges and universities whatfreedom of speech is to American citizens. According tothe 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom of theAmerican Association of University Professors, to whichKSC subscribes, the concept of academic freedom is in-tended to encourage “full freedom, within the law, ofinquiry, teaching, research, and publication.” Withoutthis freedom, the Statement notes, a college or universitycannot achieve its purpose of evaluating and extendingknowledge.

One way that academic freedom is expressed at KSCis in the selection of speakers for presentations. “We (theadministration) are not in the business of telling facultyand staff whom they should invite onto the campus tospeak,” Dr. Golden explains. According to LarryWelkowitz, associate professor of psychology and the

6 • KEENE STATE TODAY

member of the Sidore Committee who organized the An-gela Davis presentation, a few concerns crossed his mindabout public reactions to Davis after Sept. 11. But, he said, itnever occurred to him to cancel the event. Rather than pull-ing the nation apart, Dr. Welkowitz said he believes that theexpression of alternative points of view has an importantrole to play in maintaining the values of society. “I think, inthe end, we’re a stronger country if we stick to our demo-cratic principles and hear what everyone has to say, regard-less of whether we agree with them or not.”

The concept of academic freedom directs the way insti-tutions of higher learning do their work and plays an impor-tant role in society, said Dr. Golden, “I believe that academicfreedom plays a critical role in maintaining a democracy, byhelping a society and an economy be open to new ideas andinnovations.”

In a state such as New Hampshire, which is not knownfor its racial or cultural diversity, this role is especially im-portant, said Dr. Golden. “I think as acollege we can take pride in bringingin speakers who represent a range ofissues that may not normally be airedin New Hampshire.”

Students are the main focus ofKSC’s policy of academic freedom.Exposure to a variety of ideas andopinions is both part and parcel of at-tending college and an essential ele-ment of learning, explained Dr.Golden. “Students learn from hearing speakers with diver-gent points of view,” he said. “This is an important way thatthey begin to develop their own critical thinking skills. We’renot, I believe, in the business of telling students what to thinkpolitically or ideologically, but we are in the business of en-couraging students to think.”

In October, a group of students, members of the KSCHonors Council, organized two evening coffee talks whereinvited faculty and community members discussed topicsrelevant to the attacks. The discussions, held in an intimatesetting in the Night Owl Café, featured lively debate. Stu-dents were introduced to the geo-political environment ofAsia and the Middle East, aspects of U.S. international rela-tions, and basic beliefs of the Islamic faith. A crew from CBSSunday Morning filmed the second event for a feature storyabout reactions in Keene to the terrorist attacks.

Each year, Keene State’s students, faculty, and membersof the public are given many opportunities to hear and dis-cuss different points of view. A week after Angela Davis’visit, Dr. Martin Brokenleg, professor of Native AmericanStudies at Augustana College in South Dakota, spoke to anaudience of more than 400 people about a Native Americanapproach to the rearing and education of children that couldbe applied to Western society. In contrast to federal and stateeducation policymakers who emphasize test results as themain indicator of student success, Dr. Brokenleg instead sug-gested that four values, belonging, mastery, independence,and generosity, must be present in children’s lives for themto be successful. This model, which he calls The Circle of Cour-age, departs from grading students and instead depends onthe involvement of parents, teachers, and community mem-bers in the child’s development.

In November, hundreds of scholars, veterans, and othersfrom around the Northeast gathered at KSC for the three-day

symposium “The Second World War: A Legacy Remembered.”The symposium, organized by members of KSC’s history de-partment, marked the 60th anniversary of the entry of theU.S. into the Second World War. Scholars from numerous in-stitutions and WWII veterans offered a range of perspectivesabout different aspects of the war. One of the goals of thissymposium was to illustrate how the war shaped contempo-rary political and social realities, said symposium co-organizerDr. David Price, associate professor of history and literatureand a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division.Many of these observations differed from the way some peopleview America’s role in the war, he explained.

“The popular way of looking at America’s role in the waremerges, in part, from certain myths and misconceptions thatmany hold dear,” he said. “Our intent was to have a broadand open discussion about the war. To do this, we neededpresenters who could de-romanticize some of the events thattook place and talk about topics people don’t usually associ-

ate with the war.” Dr. Price and his col-leagues got their wish. Among the top-ics discussed were the dropping of theatomic bombs on Hiroshima andNagasaki (with views pro and con), thehorrific realities of combat, the intern-ment of Japanese-Americans, and thestories of POW nurses in the PacificTheater.

Ultimately, the controversial na-ture of some of the topics, spoken at a time when national-ism was running high, seemed to better serve the purpose ofthe symposium, said Dr. Price. Although the terrorist attacksprobably increased the interest in the symposium, the changein climate didn’t convince the organizers to adapt their pro-gram. “Some presenters wanted to change their talks to drawcomparisons between the war and Sept. 11,” Dr. Price ex-plained, “We made it clear that they were welcome to alludeto the events of Sept. 11 but that they should stick to talkingabout the Second World War, because we didn’t want to losethe focus on that topic. If people in the audience wanted todraw comparisons or make analogies, they were welcometo do so.”

Although it’s inevitable that people’s reactions to speak-ers and topics may be accentuated in a time of crisis, Dr.Golden said, it’s important that all voices are heard. “TheWorld War II symposium played a role that few of us wouldhave expected pre-Sept. 11,” he explained. “The symposiumhelped us to reflect on how our country and people wereresponding to another time of great challenge. By discussingperspectives surrounding the Second World War, we can takewhat we’ve learned to help us understand the situation wehave now, in both positive and negative senses.” It’s impor-tant through all of this, he explains, that the principle of aca-demic freedom, not to mention freedom of speech, is notsacrificed for a perception of “what’s good for the nation.”

Keene State has an important social role to play by notsuccumbing to jingoism, Dr. Golden said. “Academic free-dom helps create a vibrant society where new ideas, ap-proaches, and solutions emerge which help all of us. By in-viting the speakers we do, we’re helping New Hampshire bea more tolerant and open society.”

Dave Orsman is a writer in the College Relations Office.

“As faculty, our purposeis to investigate and

critique ideas, concepts,policies, and opinions.”

SPRING 2002 • 7

OOn September 11, Dianna PayneMonahan ’86 watched a second plane hit thetwin towers on a live television news report. Shethought, “This is an attack on the country,” anddialed her husband at work.

Brian Monahan ’86 and his colleagues werealso tuned in to the television news. Minuteslater, their phones started ringing. Inside the 157thAir Refueling Wing at Pease Air National GuardBase everyone was placed on high alert, ready forwhatever orders came down. Brian assuredDianna he’d keep her updated through the day.

The next day Brian took off. Piloting the bigKC-135R tanker jet as he had for 14 years, he leftPease and made an immediate right turn in thesky toward Washington, D.C., flying directly overBoston and New York. This route was unheard offor the tanker jets, as skies jammed with commer-cial air traffic would typically force them out overthe ocean and around those cities. In addition, theradio, normally crackling with conversation, wassilent.

In no time, he and his crew picked up thesmoke plume just south of Massachusetts andfollowed it all the way to Manhattan. The skyhad an eerie emptiness with all other planesgrounded. When Brian flew over Manhattan, hethought the entire south end of the island lookedlike a volcano erupting. When he reached Wash-ington, he could see the blackened scar on thePentagon.

Brian’s mission that day was to fly over the capital,refueling jet fighters in what would be known as

Next Gas Station:

30,000 FeetWar flies close to home for Brian Monahan

By Jane Forrestal

Next Gas Station:

30,000 FeetWar flies close to home for Brian Monahan

By Jane Forrestal

PHOTO BY NANCY HORTON

8 • KEENE STATE TODAY

Operation Noble Eagle, theprotection of U.S. citiesfrom the air. On Septem-ber 14, in an e-mail to KSCAlumni Director MikeMaher ’73, he wrote,“Having been involved inthe Persian Gulf War, Op-eration Restore Hope insupport of Somalia, enforc-ing United Nations-sanc-tioned no-fly zones overBosnia-Herzegovina, com-bat missions in the Balkans,and protecting the Kurdishpeople in northern Iraq, I never thought I’d see ‘loaded-for-bear’ fighters off my wing over Washington, D.C.”

Three days later Brian was deployed overseas. He kissedhis wife and children goodbye. Dianna had no idea wherehe was going or how long he’d be gone.

Brian’s mission on the other side of the Atlantic was tofly as part of an “air bridge,” linking the U.S. with strategicMiddle East locations in support of Operation Enduring Free-dom, America’s worldwide war on terrorism. With the elimi-nation of so many U.S. military bases around the globe whererefueling used to take place, and up to five days required tomove an aircraft carrier into position, air bridges are oftenthe only way to swiftly move planes and equipment over-seas. Tankers act as flying gas stations for other aircraft, al-lowing U.S. military planes to respond, overnight, to anypart of the world.

The KC-135R can carry 200,000 pounds (or approximately33,000 gallons) of fuel. With a crew of three – a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator – it can refuel an F-16 fighter 10-12times and still fuel itself through a complete mission.

On a tour of his plane, Brian explained the KC-135s arenot youngsters. Those in use at Pease were built by Boeingin the 1950s and ‘60s. But they’ve had as many overhaulsand replacements of parts – including both wings – as a fullyrestored 1955 Chevy Bel Air. The avionics (flying instrumen-tation) have all been replaced with digital instruments anddisplays. Brian wonders aloud if something that’s had thismany replacements is still considered to be built back whenhe was born.

The cockpit has a feelingof importance and control,with wall-to-wall gaugesoffering the most accuratebits of information aboutanything and everythingthe pilots need to knowwhen flying. Despite allthe upgrades and replace-ments, the plane’s interiorretains a certain kind ofsimple, utilitarian charm.Even the floor feels like itcould be the original ply-wood, covered by a dozen

or more coats of military gray paint. In the midst of all theradar screens, communications systems, and high-tech equip-ment, in a dark corner toward the rear of the cockpit hangsan early 1960s Boston manual pencil sharpener, as sturdyand reliable as the day it was installed.

Brian describes how the tanker takes off, full of fuel, andflies in a designated area at a certain elevation and speed towait for another aircraft to arrive and align itself with thetanker. In order for the boom to connect and refueling tooccur, the two planes have to fly in synchronization within15 to 30 feet of each other.

While Brian and his co-pilot fly and perform navigation,the boom operator is lying prone at the back of the plane ina glass-bottomed compartment manipulating the boom witha joystick. Once refueling is complete, they retract the boomand circle, waiting for the next plane to arrive, or for ordersto fly to another refueling location in the sky.

Flying so close together at times, crews can see inside eachother’s aircraft. At Christmas time, the boom operator willwear a Santa hat. And, when several tankers happen to beflying near each other simultaneously, the crews draw largenumbers on signs to display in windows so the fighter jetscan tell which tanker to use.

With much joking and banter, and the occasional game ofTrivial Pursuit, a good-natured playfulness prevails in flight.Brian is quick to point out to hot-dog fighter pilots, withtheir look-what-I-can-do loop-de-loops, that he’s ‘been thereand done that,’ and, having broken the sound barrier, is amember in good standing of the Chuck Yeager club. “That’snice, but,” he reminds them, “I can still get up and walkaround and get a cup of coffee on my plane, and you can’tdo that until you’re back on the ground again.”

Brian confesses there’s an ample supply of ego amongpilots, but a greater amount of camaraderie and commitmentto getting the job done. “When it’s time to refuel, suddenlyeveryone gets very serious and it gets very quiet until it’sover,” he says. “Afterward, we can relax and joke again.”

Brian doesn’t deny the element of danger in flying. Heknows he’s taking a certain kind of risk every day when hetakes a 300,000-pound hunk of metal up in the air. And someof the territory they fly over is more dangerous than others.At times, including flying over Croatia in October 1996, afew months after Capt. Scott O’Grady was shot down, Brianflies, armed, wearing all of his life-support equipment. Onthese missions, he leaves behind anything personal, includ-ing family photos, that could reveal his identity. Even the

Mid-air refueling requires both planes to fly at the same speed and directionwithin 15-30 feet of each other.

Brian and Dianna share lunchtime at Pease with theiryoungest child, Cailinn.

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patches on his flight suit are held on only with Velcro. Sincethe tankers themselves are virtually defenseless, the pilotsare trained in techniques to evade an unidentified jet thatmight come screaming up to them. Occasionally they willfly protected by other planes.

Brian returned safely home to New Hampshire at theend of October. The pace back at Pease was hectic, how-ever, with continued domestic missions and performing thevarious support and training duties involved in his job. Inaddition to flying, Brian is an instructor pilot for flight train-ing at Pease and is the Wing flight safety officer. He alsoserves as the airfield support coordination officer for theNASA Space Shuttle Program, keeping Pease prepared to re-ceive a shuttle landing should one be necessary.

Though some would argue otherwise, everyday life hasresumed for many Americans, aside from watching nightlynews reports from Kandahar and Kabul and being told totake off their shoes at the airport. Not so for Brian and Dianna.

Family routine has been put on hold. Brian and his col-leagues continue to rotate overseas, and at home the in-creased schedule of domestic refueling missions at odd hours(10 p.m. to 4 a.m.) with mandatory rest time in between,has not let up. Brian and Dianna have three children, Connor,age 9, Brennen, 7, and Cailinn, just under 2 years old. “Whenhe’s away, I become a single parent,” says Dianna. Her jobthen ranges from being careful about what the children seeon the T.V. news (both boys are aware of their father’s job),to finding extra help getting the driveway cleared of snowand ferrying kids to and from activities, to giving extra hugsand kisses at bedtime.

A hint of the strain she is under shows up in Dianna’seyes, but she maintains her commitment to Brian’s career. Inher words, “It’s his job and I’m extremely proud of him. Isupport what he has to do, one hundred percent.” While theyboth wonder how long the war on terrorism might last, theMonahans make the most of each day. The availability of e-mail from almost anywhere on the globe helps Brian stayconnected to home. He can send his boys little notes everyday, which he says is far better than a phone call every fourthor fifth day.

Dianna and Brian met in 1982 when both were students atKeene State College. They became friends, started dating inthe spring of 1985, and were married in 1989. Dianna accom-panied Brian while he attended flight school in Phoenix, Ariz.

During flight training, Brian put to use some of the knowl-edge he gained as a geology major at Keene State. He gavehis instructor a quick lesson on what they saw as they jet-

ted, upside down, along the rim of the Grand Canyon at 500miles per hour. Having had experiences like this, Brian can’thelp but chuckle when Dianna gets a thrill out of a roller-coaster ride at an amusement park. He says he’ll go alongfor the ride but has to admit, “It doesn’t do much for me.”

Brian is often asked why he chose to fly. “It’s funny. I didn’tspend my childhood dreaming one day I would be a pilot.When I learned it was one of the options available throughthe Guard, the idea intrigued me. It was as simple as that.”

His modesty causes him to be surprised and uncomfort-able every time someone thanks him for his service to thecountry since September 11. “I don’t get it,” says Brian. “I’mjust doing my job, like everybody else.”

To those who know Brian, there’s no question why heboards his plane every day. In another e-mail message, thisone to college friend Alison Ahmed-Regen ’85 on the firstof October, Brian wrote, “Give your kids a hug tonight andtell them the best damned air force in the world is makingsure they won’t have to grow up being afraid something likethe 11 SEP attacks will ever happen again.”

Editor’s Note:Major Brian Monahan will be back overseas when thisissue of Keene State Today arrives in your mailbox. Anyonewishing to send an e-mail message to say hello may do soat: tankerjock@yahoo.com.

Jane Forrestal is a writer and editor in College Relations.

Pilot Brian Monahan enjoys some levity with his co-pilot, MajorMike Blair of Epping, N.H.

10 • KEENE STATE TODAY

&AthletesShare a Habitat

KSC showcases playing fields and conservation management

WildlifeStout woodreed (Cinnaarundinacea) is a nativebunchgrass abundant in silvermaple floodplain forests butnot commonly found in otherNew Hampshire plantcommunities.

The Owl Stadiumhabitat is home to snowyowls in the winter when

food becomes scarce intheir tundra home

farther north.Spikerush (Eleocharis)is a native sedgecommon in wetmeadows and alongedges of slow-movingriver systems.

SPRING 2002 • 11

protect these natural resources and enhance the diversewildlife habitat in the area has already yielded a bountyof benefits.

Keene State College was recognized last May by theCheshire County Conservation District as Cooperator ofthe Year for “outstanding conservation practices at theOwl Stadium Athletic Complex.” The ConservationDistrict’s citation praised Keene State for practices that“will protect soil and water resources, and restore wildlifehabitat and native plant communities along the AshuelotRiver.”

Bud Winsor, KSC assistant director of physical plant/grounds, jumped at the opportunity suggested by WendyWard, biological science technician with the USDANatural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Winsorrecalls Ward offering her suggestion rather tentatively, asif prepared for the College to not be interested in changingsome management practices to enhance wildlife habitatand buffer the fragile riparian, or riverbank, corridor.But Winsor was very interested. He remembered thecontroversy in the community over the loss of wetlandhabitat and bird migration areas when the athletic com-plex was developed in the late 1980s. At the time Winsorwas teaching horticulture at Keene High School – andserving on the Conservation Commission in the neighbor-ing town of Swanzey.

Ward approached KSC in 1998 to see if they would beinterested in having a site visit to look at wildlife manage-ment possibilities at the Owl Stadium Complex. “This areahas regional significance for migrating and breeding birdsand animals,” Ward explains. “The Ashuelot River bordersthe complex to the east and the complex itself occupies theflood plain of the river. The southern end of the complex isa silver maple flood plain forest natural plant community –considered a rare ecosystem type by the N.H. Natural

The playing fields and stadium at NewHampshire’s Keene State College fit the idyllic image ofcollege in New England. The fields lie in a verdantmeadow setting along the winding Ashuelot River, withcommanding views of Mount Monadnock. Located in aflood plain, and adjacent to 100 acres of woodland,wetland, and old fields, Keene’s athletic complex is part ofan important greenbelt for both the 4,600-student campusand the city of Keene. An effort begun three years ago to

By Lorraine Stuart Merrill

Back to nature: A “delay mow” area grows wild,adjacent to the groomed fields where KSC Owls play.

Small white asters providenectar and pollen in earlyautumn for wintering beesand migrating butterflies.

An important nectar source forbutterflies and other insects,joe-pye weed (Eupatoriumpurpureum) is a nativewetland plant, which flourishedduring delay mow management.

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12 • KEENE STATE TODAY

Posting educational signs for the public was part of theplan, and Winsor thinks the signs helped reinforce commu-nication with the grounds crew about the new practices.Two signs explain the delayed mowing areas, and twosigns tell about the riverbank protection program. After thesigns went up, Winsor says, “the crew guys started comingin and reporting the wildlife they saw down there.”

Increased wildlife activity was evident within the firstyear of implementing the new practices, adding encour-agement for everyone involved. “The wetland buffer areashave grown in, and we see all kinds of activity in that areanow,” Winsor notes. Wildlife sightings in the area includedeer, moose, small mammals, nesting teal and other ducks,and many birds and butterflies. A snowy owl spent sometime in the area last winter. Birds have increased dramati-cally. “The birds are almost deafening on spring mornings,”Winsor reports.

Restoring a natural 75-foot forested buffer along theriverbank – which had been cleared for farming years ago– is a longer, phased-in process. “We are still in the processof realizing the goals of the plan,” Ward explains. “Someresources challenges – such as the stream bank erosionproject – will take a while to complete. We need to surveythe area and work with the NRCS engineer to come upwith some environmentally sustainable alternatives toaddress the erosion.” After the stream bank stabilizationproject is completed, trees will be planted to expand theriparian forest buffer.

Heritage Inventory.” Rated unique and declining in NewHampshire, these plant communities may be home toseveral threatened and endangered plants and butterflies.

Based on her site visit and consultation with the KSCgrounds team, Ward presented alternatives for managingfor the benefit of wildlife at the stadium grounds. “TheCollege was very open to adopting these wildlife manage-ment practices,” Ward says. A new NRCS program – theWildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) – had justbeen funded, so Ward and Winsor developed a conserva-tion plan according to the goals and practices outlined inthe WHIP program.

The plan is being implemented on 40 acres of land thatsurrounds 12 acres of managed athletic turf, including oneartificial turf field and a sand-based soccer field built threeyears ago. The College has a total of 20 acres of managedathletic turf.

Implementing the plan in phases may have helped theKSC grounds department ease the adjustment to the newpractices. “It’s a different way to think about managing aproperty,” Winsor emphasizes. “Everything doesn’t need tobe groomed.”

The first steps were leaving wetland buffer areasunmowed and delaying mowing of other open areas untilfall to protect nesting birds and wildlife. “That first year Iwent on vacation in August,” Winsor reports, “and whenI came back it was all mowed down. They told me thesoccer coach said it looked messy.”

Dick Denico, Bud Winsor, and Wendy Ward walk a cross country trail in the floodplain forest. KSC installed fencing to move pedestriantraffic away from the riverbank and erected signs to tell visitors about the project.

SPRING 2002 • 13

A fence installed along the river to pull cross-countryrunners back from the riverbank also sets a boundary forthe mowing crew, Winsor notes. “It’s a beautiful area forthe cross-country trail,” he adds.

Concerns about the invasive, non-native wetland plantcalled purple loosestrife led to an addition to the conserva-tion plan. After holding two campus events to marshalforces to cut and destroy the seedheads, Winsor says, “werealized the futility of trying to eradicate it that way.”

Instead, the College is working with Marshall Patmosfrom University of New Hampshire CooperativeExtension to try controlling loosestrife biologically usinggalerucella beetles. “We actually have a little purple loos-estrife nursery where we are raising the beetles under anet to a certain age, and then we will release them in thewild,” Winsor adds. He notes that the experimentalbiological control program fits well with the KSC groundsphilosophy. The gardener uses composting and a lot oforganic practices, he says, “and we are trying to use abalanced approach to all our grounds maintenance.”

The Conservation District Award said it this way:“Keene State College is an enthusiastic participant in theWHIP program through the leadership of Bud Windsor, thehead of the grounds department, and Dick Denico, head ofmaintenance for the complex area. Bud and Dick arecommitted to manage the grounds of the college in asustainable and environmentally friendly manner.”

The grounds department’s environmental conservationefforts have attracted the positive interest of sciencefaculty and students and campus environmental groups.NRCS’s Ward has met with the campus sustainabilitygroup to explain the project’s goals and practices. Severalprofessors have expressed interest in tying the project totheir curriculum and developing internships.

Ward has led several walks of the area for Earth Dayand other campus activities. A display board outlining theproject’s goals and practices has been used at functions onand off campus. Winsor and Ward gave a slide presenta-tion last spring for a physical plant administrators confer-ence hosted by the College, and another for the CheshireFlower Show on managing for native plants. In August,members of the New England Sports Turf ManagersAssociation learned about the practices and changes thatearned the conservation award when KSC hosted theAssociation’s 10th Annual Athletic Turf Field Day.

For Winsor, seeing members of the community use andenjoy the area is also rewarding. These athletic facilitiesget a lot of non-college use, in addition to the full scheduleof KSC athletics and activities. Because of the quality of itsfields and scenic setting, the KSC complex was selected fora national dog agility competition in June. The LadyPhantoms professional women’s soccer team from

Manchester has played on the artificial soccer field, andthe Phantoms men’s professional team also has scheduledgames.

With all the snow last winter, Winsor says they startedplowing the artificial turf in February, and it was rentedout constantly for lacrosse from March on – to DartmouthCollege, teams from Massachusetts, and more. “You cansee the need for the artificial turf,” he commented. “Therewas no place for the teams to play.”

The Keene State College project to manage athleticgrounds to benefit wildlife is doing more than protectingand enhancing wildlife and habitat. The project is provid-ing a living laboratory and educational demonstration areafor the campus and larger community.

Lorraine Stuart Merrill of Stratham, N.H., is Secretary of theBoard of Trustees of the University System of New Hampshire.Her copyrighted article was first published in the August 2001issue of Turf Magazine.

Increased wildlife activitywas evident within thefirst year of implementingthe new practices.

Dick Denico examines the root systemof turf grass in the new sand-basedsoccer field.

The Owl Stadium habitatattracts the occasionalnorthern harrier, athreatened species in NewHampshire and otherwisevery rare in the southernpart of the state. Duringmigration, these raptorsuse the unmowed area forhunting small rodentsand snakes.

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KarenCangialosi

wants toknow what

it is in aspider’senviron-

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from home-builder to

thief tocannibal.

Testing out a newvideo system in class,

Karen Cangialosishows off a member of

her spider collection.

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SPRING 2002 • 15

Dave Cook ’00 spends a lotof time flyfishing, but a few years agohe was visiting New Hampshirestreams for a different reason, con-ducting field studies in an ecologyclass at Antioch New England Gradu-ate School. Cook was doing samplingstudies, placing driftnets in streams tosee what kinds of animals camefloating or swimming by. He wassurprised to find a high number ofDictynids, little spiders about a half-inch long.

Later Cook enrolled at Keene State,and he mentioned his discovery to hisbiology professor, Karen Cangialosi.Together they speculated that thecreatures were using the streams fordispersal, but then they looked closerat the arachnids’ behavior. “We nowthink these spiders were intentionallyfinding overwintering spots,” she says,“where temperatures are amelioratedin little caves under the ice.”

Another student, SharonMartinson ’00, worked with Cookand Cangialosi on the study and isnow the lead author of an article-in-progress about their findings. She’sfinishing the written portion of theproject at Dartmouth, where she nowattends graduate school.

“It’s a good example,” saysCangialosi, “of how students can findexcellent research experiences at asmall college.”

And when those experiencesinvolve spiders, KSC students canwork with a leader in the field ofarachnology – and one of a few dozen

By Michael Matros

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Arachnophiliain the world whose specialty isArgyrodes. The spiders of the genusArgyrodes, explains Cangialosi, areknown for, among other characteris-tics, kleptoparasitism, or their habit ofstealing food from other species.

Kleptoparasitism exists throughoutthe animal world, from the spottedhyena to the African fish eagle to thelittle eight-legged creatures that takeup so much of Cangialosi’s attention.And, just as humans employ more thanone means of food-gathering – hunt-ing, shopping at the grocer’s, orderingfrom a menu – so do certainArgyrodes. Sometimes the spiders stealinsects from another’s web, sometimesthey take over the web, sometimesthey eat the host spider. At times theyconstruct their own webs.

Karen Cangialosi wants to knowwhat it is in a spider’s environmentthat turns it from home-builder to thiefto cannibal. Titles of a few of herarticles reflect her search: “ForagingVersatility and the Influence of HostAvailability in Argyrodes trigonum,” forexample, appeared in The Journal ofArachnology. Last March she wasinvited to a gathering of colleagues inSouth Africa to speak on “ArgyrodesForaging Versatility and Influences onHost Populations.”

“I always loved nature as a child,”Cangialosi explains. “One of myearliest memories is of observinganimals in their natural habitat. Iremember watching ants – I’ve alwaysloved ants – and watching spidersbuild their webs. Spiders are really

beautiful; the webs they make areamazing – not that I don’t find otheranimals just as amazing.”

Observing spiders is one of theways she looks for general principlesabout how environment and geneticsinteract to affect animal behavior.While the purpose of her study is notnecessarily to demystify the ways ofhigher species, such as Homo sapiens, “itcan let us know something aboutimportant factors influencing thebehavior of other animals, especiallyother terrestrial carnivores.”

Cangialosi describes arachnologistsas “true scientists, advancing knowl-edge in the world.” Practical applica-tions of their study may come along;many research dollars are now devotedto synthesizing spider silk, known fora remarkable strength-to-weight ratio.But for most of Cangialosi’s colleagues,she says, it’s not for competitive gainbut for learning that they spend theirdays recording spider populations persquare meter and watching the dramasof life and death among some ofnature’s cleverest killers.

At the University of Maryland,Baltimore County, Cangialosi paid herdues as an undergraduate scientist,cleaning test tubes for a work-studyassignment. Then she landed a jobcaring for and measuring spiders.“I raised thousands of spiders,” sherecalls, and eventually she advanced tomore sophisticated jobs, including fieldsurveys, where she counted spidersand observed their behavior in naturalhabitats.

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with some understatement, with “agood sense of what we mean by anecosystem.”

This semester she’s also teachingbehavioral ecology, research methods,and, with Film and Women’s StudiesInstructor Corinn Columpar, awomen’s studies seminar.

As KSC’s first tenured womanfaculty member in the natural sciences,she has served as a pioneer. Now, shesays, “having four women faculty inbiology has made an outstandingdifference...not that we’re really doinganything for women that we’re notdoing for guys, but we’re treating themequally, which is itself unusual.”

Coming home to New Hampshiredoesn’t mean that Karen Cangialosigives up underwater exploration forthe year. She dives in nearby lakes,especially after dark (“fish are moreactive at night”) but also keeps herhead above water by kayaking andhiking. And of course she always hasan eye out for spider activity, unusualor otherwise.

“But when all the Spiderwomanjokes have been told,” says GordonLeversee, dean of sciences, “I still find itremarkable that Dr. Cangialosi can takestudents on a journey of academicdiscovery that leads to new and excitingideas for so many of them. I haveheard students say that her classes gavethem a sense, many for the first time intheir lives, that they had real commandof a subject, real expertise that allowedthem to challenge existing ideas abouthow the world works. That is apowerful talent, indeed.”

Michael Matros is editor of Keene StateToday.

Pursuing a master’s degree at theUniversity of Cincinnati, she continuedher work, this time with a group ofspiders observed in the forest anddesert of Mexico and in experiments inan Ohio laboratory. For her doctoraldissertation at Miami University, shelived almost a year in South Americato observe arachnid behavior in theAmazon jungle of Peru.

While much of her recentresearch explores the kleptoparasitictendencies of Argyrodes, Cangialosijoined a colleague last fall at theUniversity of Massachusetts during aone-semester sabbatical to observe thecapacity for learning and memory incertain “jumping” spiders. Cangialosi’sfocus, she says, was to observejumping spiders’ “ability to learn toassociate environmental cues withpositive and negative stimuli.”

The little animals were fascinatingto observe. “They have such sophisti-cated vision,” she says, “that they canwatch TV.” In one experiment,Cangialosi and Beth Jacob, her col-league in psychology at UMass,manipulated cricket images on televi-sion to observe the spiders observingtheir prey.

But Cangialosi’s sabbatical also tookher outside the lab during Novemberto gain experience in another venue forfield work: south of the Bahamas tothe Turks and Caicos Islands and theworld’s third largest coral reef system.While studying different sites, she alsoimproved her SCUBA technique tomake herself a better teacher oftropical marine biology, which shebegan teaching last year.

In January 2001, she and LourdesRamirez-Crusellas, professor ofmodern languages, worked together toplan the marine biology course. Theyaccompanied a group of students tothe islands for the first offering of theclass – a week spent largely underwa-ter. But Cangialosi had felt she neededto learn more about the diving sitesand coral reef diversity to lead students

While studying different sites, she also improvedher SCUBA technique to make herself a betterteacher of tropical marine biology.

to the richest possible experience,especially along the wall of the reefwhere it suddenly drops to the depthsof the sea. So, with financial backingfrom the Whiting Foundation, shewent back to the islands in Novemberfor further training and exploration.

Leading another group to the Turksand Caicos this January, Cangialosi wasa more capable and confident teacher,she says. Not only could she helpstudents identify fauna they sawthrough their masks – sponges the sizeof washing machines, fish shaped likedisks to fit sideways into reef irregulari-ties – but she could also help themappreciate the reef “as a living, dynamicfunctioning ecosystem,” going beyondthe first-time diver’s reaction, she says,of “oh, aren’t those fish pretty!”Tropical Marine Biology, she explains, isnot an advanced biology class only forfuture scientists, but an ecology courseto satisfy a general education require-ment in biology – and probably theCollege’s only gen. ed. course thatrequires SCUBA certification.

For the rest of this semester back inKeene, their dive slates traded fornotebooks, the students recall whatthey observed underwater and learnmore about coral reefs, seagrasscommunities, and the ecology oftropical marine environments. Studentswill leave the course, says Cangialosi

Dr. Cangialosi (left) inspects coral heads off the Turks and Caicos Islands with studentsJulia Daigler (center) and Jenny Hill.

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What’s a story about a Plymouth StateCollege men’s basketball coach and his wife doingin Keene State Today, you ask?

His name is John Scheinman M’89 and,although he coaches Keene State’s longtime rival,his fondness for Keene State has not diminishedover the years. After all, it was at KSC whereScheinman earned his master’s degree in specialeducation. And he began his coaching career atKSC, first as an assistant with the Owl basketballteam and then as co-head coach of the College’sbaseball team in the late 1980s.

Her name is Susan Scheinman ’89. A highlycompetitive athlete then known as SusanWoodworth, she established herself on the soccerfield at Keene State as a record-setting goalie for thenationally recognized Owl women’s soccer teamduring the same period.

Readers of Keene State Today will be interested toknow about John and Susan Scheinman, but notnecessarily because of their athletic accomplish-ments. Rather, this is a story about their ability tochannel the same athletic drive and determinationthey displayed on the court and the field intosomething much more important: their family,which includes an autistic son, Jacob.

Thanksgiving Day, three years ago, John andSusan learned that Jacob, then 22 months old, wasautistic. “We didn’t know where to turn,” John said.

“I went to one of my college textbooks and foundless than a page on autism.”

As he approached his second birthday, Jacobdisplayed many of the warning signs associatedwith autism: a regression in verbal development,lack of eye contact, and a gradual withdrawal fromthe world around him. According to the AutismSociety of America, autism is the result of aneurological disorder that affects the functioning ofthe brain. It is four times more prevalent in boysthan girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or socialboundaries.

“I had no clue that folks with Ph.D.’s could havechildren who are autistic,” said John. “It was a veryquick awakening on my part.”

While New Hampshire statistics show thatapproximately one in 200 individuals is somewhereon the behavior spectrum of autism, there was verylittle information available on the condition, andprograms of treatment are sparse. “The lack ofinformation available to New Hampshire parentsand families was astonishing,” Susan said.

Out of frustration, Susan and John, with helpfrom Jacob’s doctors, began their own tirelessresearch. In a case of trial and error they learnedthat youngsters like Jacob need a complex, inte-grated program of therapy – behavior, occupational,and speech – as well as a special diet that includes avariety of vitamins. What they also found out isthat HMO insurers don’t cover the costs of autismtherapy.

After leaving Keene, Susan went on to earn adegree in nursing at St. Joseph’s College in Maine.

StrengtheningJacob’s Bridge

“We didn’t know where to turn. I went to one of mycollege textbooks and found less than a page on autism.”

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Susan and John Scheinman tackle

the biggest challenge of their lives

By Stuart Kaufman

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18 • KEENE STATE TODAY

She was working at HealthSouth RehabilitationHospital in Concord, N.H., when Jacob wasdiagnosed. She took several extended leaves ofabsence in order to ensure there was alwayssomeone present to provide the stimulation andinteraction that would keep Jacob connected withhis surroundings. With three children to care for,and few outside resources for assistance available,life for everyone in the family changed dramatically.

“What I’ve done is taken that same intensity thatI used to train for soccer and put it into my kids,”said Susan, who also has an older son, Aaron, and ayounger daughter, Sarah.

It was the lack of information that led to thefounding of Jacob’s Bridge Through Autism by Johnand Susan in October 2000. The program wasdeveloped to educate both the public and privatesectors about autism, and to serve as a resource forother families and caregivers who are trying to findthe right program for someone with autism. Theyhope that through grant funding they will one daybe able to bridge the financial gap between the carethat HMOs and insurers will provide, and whatmust come from family resources.

“As a parent, you need to educate yourself veryquickly,” Susan said. “John and I are both educatedpeople and we didn’t know what to do. I wanted tocreate a web site, so people can get the informationthey need any time of the day.”

The Jacob’s Bridge Through Autism web sitewww.jbtautism.org offers a comprehensive listingof related organizations, along with support groups,sources of additional information, and the latest inresearch and therapy.

In addition, Susan, in conjunction with the group“Moms through Autism,” was instrumental inhelping organize an autism awareness rally inConcord for the past two years. This year’s rallywill take place April 6 at the State Capitol. Susan

has also traveled to Washington, D.C., for anational rally. “We need a team approach to dealwith the legislature, schools, and insurance compa-nies,” Susan said.

Susan reports that Jacob is making significantprogress. From rocking on the floor and communi-cating with cards, Jacob has blossomed into avibrant five-year-old boy who is mainstreamed in atypical pre-school classroom along with an aide.“Every day is different,” Susan said. “One day Jacobis fine, the next day he’s not. It takes never-endingvigilance and figuring out what to do.”

“But we are some of the lucky parents,” Susanadds. “We have a child who talks, shows affection,and even tells jokes. What more can you ask?”

One of the goals of Jacob’s Bridge ThroughAutism is to bring a bit more normality into thelives of families with an autistic child. Susan is inthe process of applying for grants to help familiesattend events such as museum exhibits or sportsgames in their area.

Since John works in athletics, it seemed onlyappropriate that sports would also play a key rolein increasing the awareness of autism. It was KeeneState Coach Rob Colbert who came up with theidea of using this year’s Granite State Challenge –a basketball tournament that includes teams fromKeene State, Plymouth State, Colby–SawyerCollege, and New England College – to promoteand raise funds for the work of Jacob’s Bridge.

“That’s where the family from Keene growseven stronger,” said Susan. “It’s great that one of hispartners in the basketball community took theinitiative to step up and help out.”

Pleased with the initial response, theScheinmans know it is just the first step in spread-ing the word. The struggle to find a cure for autismleaves an uncertain future for children like Jacob.

“It’s not easy,” said John, using a basketballanalogy. “But if you’re down 20, you have to keepon playing and figuring out a way to get back in thegame. You just take what life gives you and try tofind a solution. Jacob was born to us for a reason.”

Stuart Kaufman is sports information coordinator atKeene State College.

“We are some of the luckyparents. We have a child whotalks, shows affection, andeven tells jokes. What morecan you ask?”

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Halloween with Jacob, Susan, Aaron, Sarah, and John.

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SPRING 2002 • 19

Men’s Basketball TeamOff to Best Start

The Keene State Collegemen’s basketball team hasbeen the cause of muchexcitement among fans thisyear. At press time, theOwls boasted a 20-1 recordand were undefeated (8-0) inLittle East Conference play.Off to its best start in theprogram’s long history, theOwls also set a record forconsecutive wins (17 andcounting), bettering the

previous mark, set in the1979-80 season.

What is the secret to theteam’s early-season success?“Everyone is checking theiregos at the door and makingwinning the number onepriority,” said third-yearcoach Rob Colbert.

In addition to a strongstarting nucleus, whichfeatures senior captain DaveStantial, junior DerekSwenson, and sophomoresChris Timson and BennettPawlusiak, the Owls havetremendous depth, whichhas worn down the opposi-tion. Playing an exciting up-temp style, KSC is amongthe nation’s Div. III leadersin scoring average, three-point shooting, and re-bounding margin.

The Owls’ strong starthasn’t gone unnoticed. Inthe first Northeast regionalpoll of the season, KeeneState found itself sitting inthe top position. “It’s veryflattering,” said Colbert.“But I’d much rather be

there at the end of theseason.”

The Owls won’t besatisfied until they reachtheir goal of earning theirfirst-ever berth in the NCAATournament. By claimingthe LEC regular-season title,KSC will have the opportu-nity to host the conference’spost-season tournament atSpaulding Gym. You can betthat Owls fans can’t wait forthat to happen!

Stantial Nets 1,000thCareer Point

It didn’t take long forDave Stantial to add hisname to Keene State’s1,000th point club. Thesenior forward accom-plished that feat three gamesinto the season in a gameagainst Endicott College.Hitting his patented three-point shot midway in thesecond half, the Beverly,Mass., native became the22nd Owl men’s player toreach the coveted plateau.

Veterans LeadOwl Women’sBasketball Team

Prior to the start of theseason, KSC Coach KeithBoucher felt the play of hisveterans would determinehis team’s fate. And theOwls’ 13-year coach hasproven to be right on themark. Led by senior co-captains Erika Forsbergand Sarah Linn, juniorHayley Alaimo, andsophomore Aly Araque,KSC has more than held itsown in the competitive

Little East. The Owls havealso been bolstered by thereturn of senior NicoleFargione, who missed lastseason with a back injury,and the arrivals of new-comer Cathy Mechare andtransfer Andrea Arsenault.

Returning from theirFlorida trip, the Owls puttogether a four-gamewinning streak and ap-peared on their way tohosting an LEC Tournamentgame for the third consecu-tive year.

Owl NotebookW H O ’ S M A K I N G N E W S I N O W L S P O R T S

by Stuart Kaufman

Owl Women’s TrackTeam on Record Pace

The Keene Statewomen’s indoor track teamset eight new schoolrecords in its first meet ofthe season, at WilliamsCollege. NicoleGeyselaers, a freshmanfrom Cornwall Bridge,Conn., topped the recordsetters with new marks inthe long jump (16’, 7-1/2”),

Dave Stantial with Coach Rob Colbert

Bennett Pawlusiak

Sarah Linn

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20 • KEENE STATE TODAY

triple jump (34’, 1-1/2”),and 55-meter race (7.44).

Mary Proulx, who hasalso set new records in the1,000-meter (2:00.78) and600-meter (1:42.01) thisseason, didn’t waste anytime qualifying for theNCAA Championships. TheAshland native raced toautomatic qualifying timesin the 1,500 (4:37.97) and5,000 (17:47.57) at the TuftsInvitational. Proulx, thedefending outdoor nationalchampion in the 3,000- and5,000-meter races, earnedindoor All-America honorslast year with her fifth-placeperformance in the 5,000.

Getting set to defend hisnational 1,500-meter title,Mark Miller has turned insome solid runs in early-season meets. The Owls arealso making their presencefelt in field events. BothArthur Dybizbanski andfreshman Jim Slack havegiven KSC a solid one-twotandem in the high jump,while senior Josh Lyfordset a school-record throw of44’, 10.5” in the weightthrow at Tufts.

KSC Women DefendLEC SwimmingChampionship

The Keene Statewomen’s swim team madeit two in a row. The Owlscaptured their secondconsecutive Little EastChampionship by tallying555 points at the meet,hosted by UMass-Dart-mouth. Katy Cargiulo(200 breast stroke and1,650 freestyle), MeaganHumphreys (200 and500 freestyle) and LisaWandeloski (50 and 100freestyle) won two eventseach. Later in the season,Humphreys, a freshmanfrom New Hartford, N.Y.,

set a new KSC record with atime of 2:20.84 in the 200-yard individual medley.

Katie Goulet set a newrecord in the 200-yardbutterfly (2:19) and AdamSmith set a new mark in the1,000-yard freestyle(10:23.70), a record previ-ously held by Carl Arlig’76 back in 1976.

It was Big East vs. LittleEast when the Keene Statemen’s team traveled toBoston College for a meetagainst the Eagles. AdamSmith had a big day for theOwls, winning the 100, 200,and 500 freestyle races.Although the Owls lost166.5-129.5, Coach GeneLeonard was very pleasedwith his team’s perfor-mance. “I thought ourswimmers did a great job,”he said. “We almost hadthem, but they have a littlebit more depth than wehave.”

Fall Recap

In case you missed it –the Keene State men’s soccerteam finished with an 18-4(7-0 LEC) record andcaptured the Little EastTournament Championshipwith a surprising 5-0 victoryover rival Plymouth State.The Owls advanced to theNCAA Northeast Regional

Tournament where they fellvictim to the Cadets ofNorwich, 2-0, in Canton,N.Y. Ron Butcher wasnamed LEC Coach of theYear and Jason Lombardo(17-3-37), who led KSC inscoring, ran away with theRookie award.

The Keene State women’ssoccer team completed itshighly successful 2001season with a program-best19 victories and appearancesin the LEC and ECACTournament finals. Leadingthe team in scoring with 13goals and 32 points, seniormidfielder Jessica Williamswas named LEC Player ofthe Year.

Expected to finish amongthe leaders, the Keene Statemen’s cross country teamplaced a disappointing 15that the NCAA Division IIIChampionships, held at

Augustana College in RockIsland, Ill. Mark Miller,who finished 25th (24:49)and Matt St. Germaine,who was 34th (24:58), bothearned All-America honors.It was the third All-Americaaward for St. Germaine andthe second for Miller.Posting her best time of theseason (17:14), MaryProulx placed fifth in thewomen’s field to claim hersecond consecutive All-America award.

The field hockey teamfinished its transitional 2001season with a 10-10 (7-3/3rdLEC) record. A promisingnucleus of players will returnfor the Owls including LECfirst team all-stars MelissaHarnch Smith (8-6-22) andNichole Dallas (7-4-18).Goalie Lindsay Hamiltoncompleted her career secondon KSC’s all-time victory(39), goals against (1.19), andshutout (24) lists.

Unable to find thewinning combination onthe court, the Keene Statewomen’s volleyball team hada disappointing 11-16 (1-6LEC) season. Junior middlehitter Deb Hughes, who ledthe conference in hittingpercentage (.392) and toppedthe team in kills (259),became the first volleyballplayer at KSC to earn LECfirst team all-star honors.

Meagan Humphreys

Jessica Williams Jason Lombardo

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