Tina Zwegat Receives 2025 YB Staff Award for Extraordinary Service</h1> <article> <h1>Tina Zwegat Receives 2025 YB Staff Award for Extraordinary Service</h1> <p>mreed — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:44:22 +0000</p> <span>Tina Zwegat Receives 2025 YB Staff Award for Extraordinary Service</span> <span><span>mreed</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-30T09:44:22-04:00" title="Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 09:44">Wed, 04/30/2025 - 09:44</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A devoted employee since 1987, Tina Zwegat was honored with the YB Staff Award for Extraordinary Service at the annual spring appreciation celebration for faculty and staff, held April 29 at the Heisman Field House. The award was presented by President Carmen Twillie Ambar.</p> <p>Zwegat has served the �鶹��Ƶ community in many roles for nearly four decades. She began her career as Projects & Special Events Coordinator and steadily rose to her current role as Director of Student Involvement and Orientation.</p> <p>Zwegat has had a profound and lasting impact on �鶹��Ƶ’s students. Through her leadership in New Student Orientation and Parents Weekend, she creates the first impression many students and their families have of �鶹��Ƶ. Zwegat also supports countless student groups, including the Student Finance Committee and dozens of student organizations, dedicating her time and insight to helping them navigate the college experience. Her advocacy, guidance, and genuine care have left a lasting mark on generations of Obies.</p> <p>A longtime �鶹��Ƶ resident, Zwegat has consistently built bridges between the college and the town through her work on events such as Folk Fest, Dandelion Romp, and Big Parade. She previously oversaw programming at the Apollo Theatre, striving to bring diverse, engaging events to the broader community. More recently, Zwegat has been a key organizer behind “Walking in a Winter Oberland,” a town-and-gown tradition that continues to grow in popularity. She has also been a longtime champion of WOBC-FM, working with students and community members to ensure the local radio station remains a vibrant, inclusive platform.</p> <p>Beyond her formal job duties, Zwegat is known across campus as a trusted advisor and generous colleague. Zwegat is also active in campus governance and programming, serving on several committees, including Finney and Assemblies, Conditions of Employment, and Student Employment Appreciation Week.</p> <p>Her colleagues repeatedly praised Zwegat’s steadfast positivity and humility. One nominator reflected: “She always says, ‘I’m just doing my job,’ but for someone who has dedicated close to 40 years to �鶹��Ƶ, it’s clear she’s doing far more than that. She exemplifies the YB Award spirit in everything she does.”</p> <p>Other colleagues shared:</p> <p><em>“Tina is a fierce advocate for our students. She celebrates their accomplishments and supports them during their struggles. </em></p> <p><em>“Her daily interactions with students are always positive. Many have thanked her for helping them find a sense of belonging and fulfillment here at �鶹��Ƶ.”</em></p> <p><em> “Whenever a new person is hired in our division Tina is the first to reach out. She makes sure they know they can come to her at any time, with any question.”</em></p> <p><em>“Tina’s institutional knowledge is immense. She knows who to call for anything, and she always makes time to help. Her advice is gold—because she’s done it all.” </em></p> <p><em>“During my first week, Tina made me feel seen, welcome, and appreciated. I hadn’t even found my office yet, but I knew I had someone in my corner.”</em></p> <p><em>“Tina truly lives and breathes �鶹��Ƶ. Her decisions reinforce the values and traditions this institution is famous for.” </em></p> <hr> <p>The YB Staff Award was established to honor the extraordinary service of the late Yeworkwha Belachew—“YB,” as she was affectionately known—who served �鶹��Ƶ in numerous roles for more than 35 years, most notably as ombudsperson and founder of the �鶹��Ƶ College Dialogue Center.</p> <p>First presented in 2016—to Belachew—the YB Award was established to recognize a non-faculty employee of the college or conservatory who demonstrates daily commitment and performance in advancing �鶹��Ƶ’s strategic goals through exemplary service.</p> <p>For more information about the YB Award and a complete list of past honorees, please visit the Department of Human Resources’ <a href="/node/72566">Awards and Recognition</a> page.</p> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Longtime employee is a key first contact for new �鶹��Ƶ families and a steadfast supporter of student organizations.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-04-30T12:00:00Z">Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Shaw</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Shirley Sikora, Night Manager of the ’Sco, Dies at 65</h1> <p>eburnett — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:28:03 +0000</p> <span>Shirley Sikora, Night Manager of the ’Sco, Dies at 65</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-06-11T12:28:03-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 12:28">Tue, 06/11/2024 - 12:28</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Shirley Adkins Sikora, a fixture in �鶹��Ƶ’s Wilder Hall student union for 37 years, died June 3 at her home in Norwalk. She was 65.</p> <p>Hired in 1983 to manage evenings at the Dionysus Disco—the basement-level club known more widely by its shorthand nickname, the ’Sco—Sikora quickly developed a warm rapport with her student employees. In addition to mentoring them on how to run the club, she delighted in teaching them how to crochet, scrapbook, and pursue other creative interests in their free time. Among generations of students, the lady who checked student IDs at the door came to be known affectionately as “Mama ’Sco.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Shirley Sikora, with �鶹��Ƶ President Marvin Krislov, at a 2015 Service Awards celebration. (photo by Dale Preston ’83)</figcaption> </figure> <p>Sikora, who was celebrated at a Service Awards function in 2015, retired from �鶹��Ƶ five years later.</p> <p>“Shirley was the soul of the ’Sco, working tirelessly, sometimes for weeks without a break,” says <a href="/node/32631">Tina Zwegat</a>, �鶹��Ƶ’s director of student involvement and orientation, who worked with Sikora throughout her career. “Alums always looked forward to seeing her at the door of the ’Sco when they returned to campus for visits. She was a fixture on campus who made them feel like they had come home.”</p> <p>Sikora is survived by her husband, James Sikora. Learn more in the <em><a href="https://obituaries.norwalkreflector.com/us/obituaries/norwalkreflector/name/shirley-sikora-obituary?id=55283523">Norwalk Reflector</a></em>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Longtime employee was beloved by student workers and all who frequented the Wilder Hall club.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-06-11T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2412">Obituaries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">In fall 2018, ’Sco student employees paid tribute to Shirley Sikora by painting a Tappan Square rock in her honor. Sikora, who retired from �鶹��Ƶ in 2020, died on June 3.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Sean Lehlbach</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Who is Becky Bode?</h1> <p>ygay — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 19:44:33 +0000</p> <span>Who is Becky Bode?</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-08-08T15:44:33-04:00" title="Monday, August 8, 2022 - 15:44">Mon, 08/08/2022 - 15:44</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Full Name:</strong> <a href="/becky-bode" target="_blank">Becky Bode</a></p> <p><strong>Department and location on campus:</strong> <a href="/facilities-operations" target="_blank">Facility Operations in the Service Building</a></p> <p><strong>Job title:</strong> Grounds Services Manager</p> <p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong> Most of everything outside, which includes maintaining and installing landscape in the flower beds around buildings and campus; planting and maintaining the trees around campus and Tappan Square; mowing the grass, parking lots, and athletic fields for practices and games; the big flower pots you see outside of various buildings that we plant and decorate for the different seasons; and the koi pond at the conservatory.</p> <p><strong>How many years at �鶹��Ƶ? </strong>5</p> <p><strong>What are your hobbies?</strong> I kayak when the weather permits, hike year-round with my dog Mia, and I do pottery (throwing and handbuilding), cooking, and reading.</p> <p><strong>Favorite Quote?</strong> "My life is mine."</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-08-08T12:00:00Z">Mon, 08/08/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Becky Bode and her team are responsible for maintaining the college’s grounds and those amazing flower pots in front of campus buildings. Read more about Bode in this installment of Who Am I? </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Becky Bode, grounds services manager</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Anthony Traska Named Director of Campus Safety</h1> <p>swargo — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 14:41:14 +0000</p> <span>Anthony Traska Named Director of Campus Safety</span> <span><span>swargo</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-08-05T10:41:14-04:00" title="Friday, August 5, 2022 - 10:41">Fri, 08/05/2022 - 10:41</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Anthony Traska has been selected to lead the <a href="/campus-safety">Office of Campus Safety</a>, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in higher education. </p> <p><a href="/anthony-j-traska">Traska</a> comes to �鶹��Ƶ from Mercy Health Hospital in Lorain, Ohio, where he was the chief of police and led the daily operation and administration for all Mercy Lorain Health Partners (MLHP) and associated facilities.</p> <p>Prior to his work with MLHP, Traska was at Cleveland State University for more than two decades. He took on progressively responsible roles throughout his tenure at CSU, ultimately leading a staff of more than 60 employees while serving as chief of the department. </p> <p>As deputy chief at CSU, Traska served as the primary point of direct administrative contact and liaison with other university departments and individuals and also with external institutions, agencies, community leaders, and constituents. He assisted in the development and implementation of emergency and disaster preparedness plans for the university and coordinated planning with city, county, and state partners. Traska also coordinated major event planning and Homeland Security initiatives. </p> <p>Traska began his career at CSU as a patrol officer and within several years was promoted to sergeant and given the responsibility for the daily supervision of patrol officers. During his tenure at CSU, he also assisted in budget administration, conducted operational and cost/benefit analyses, and was engaged in grant writing.</p> <p>Traska earned an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice at Montgomery College and a bachelor of arts in public safety management and a master of public administration at Cleveland State University. Traska has completed a professional development course series with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the advanced leadership training course for law enforcement executives through the Public Safety Leadership Academy in Columbus, Ohio.</p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Tyrone Wicks Promoted to Assistant Director of Campus Safety</strong></p> <p><a href="/tyrone-wicks">Tyrone Wicks</a> has been named an assistant director of campus safety. He joined the Office of Campus Safety in 2017 as a supervisor.</p> <p>Wicks previously was a deputy sheriff in Florida and served in a variety of roles, including school resource officer, and as a member of federal and state task forces. He is the current president of the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Campus Safety Administrators, the nation's largest association of Campus Safety professionals.</p> <p>Wicks is a native of �鶹��Ƶ and has deep family ties to �鶹��Ƶ College.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyrone Wicks Named Assistant Director of Campus Safety</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-08-05T12:00:00Z">Fri, 08/05/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Wargo</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2571">Campus Safety</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Who is Amanda Phillips?</h1> <p>ygay — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 18:57:33 +0000</p> <span>Who is Amanda Phillips?</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-04-01T14:57:33-04:00" title="Friday, April 1, 2022 - 14:57">Fri, 04/01/2022 - 14:57</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p><strong>Full Name:</strong> <a href="https://goyeo.com/staff-directory/amanda-phillips/314" target="_blank">Amanda Phillips</a>, she/her</p> <p><strong>Department and location on campus:</strong> <a href="https://goyeo.com/staff-directory" target="_blank">Athletics Communications Office</a> in the Athletics Department located in the <a href="/philips" target="_blank">Jesse Philips Physical Education Center</a></p> <p><strong>Job title:</strong> Assistant Director of Athletics Communications</p> <p><strong>What does your job entail? </strong>Day to day, I manage the athletics social media accounts as well as maintain our <a href="https://goyeo.com/index.aspx" target="_blank">GoYeo website</a>. Included in that is content creation and photography which takes up most of my time. On game days, I prepare social media content, take photos, and schedule game workers, as well as take statistics during the match. Afterwards, I write up post-game recaps, organize photos, and update team records in preparation of their next contest.</p> <p><strong>How long have you been at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> I have been here for just over a year.</p> <p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your work?</strong> There’s plenty to enjoy about the job but I especially love taking in-game photographs and hosting media days for our athletes. They are a small part of my work but it’s great to see the athletes interact with one another and get excited for their season.</p> <p><strong>Are you an athlete?</strong> I played lacrosse in college, but since then I’ve not been able to partake in many organized sports. I did, however, compete in a dodgeball league with my partner recently and we won the league championship!</p> <p><strong>We have quite a few teams in athletics. How do you juggle it all?</strong> I am fortunate enough to work with Mike Mancini, who is a veteran in this field, as well as our phenomenal student workers who really keep the ship afloat. We do as much as we can to be proactive on the job, but with the schedule of athletics constantly fluctuating, it’s imperative that we are able to respond and adapt on a quick turnaround.</p> <p><strong>What is the most memorable sporting event you have attended?</strong> As part of the job, I attend nearly every home sporting event, so there are a ton of memories related to athletics, but my first game here at �鶹��Ƶ sticks out. It was a baseball doubleheader against Hilbert College last April, and it was especially important because it was the opener for the spring season that we weren’t expecting to have. The atmosphere was electric, and you could feel the excitement from all the athletes in the stadium. Although there were no spectators allowed, it felt like a packed house and the team dominated the Hawks for a game one victory. It was a great way to kickstart my �鶹��Ƶ experience.</p> <p><strong>Hobbies?</strong> I try to get outside, go on walks, be active, cook new recipes, and perfect old ones. I don’t have any secret talents or big hobbies, but I’ve recently found more time for reading.</p> <p><strong>Favorite food?</strong> Narrowing down to just one favorite food is such a challenge, but every time I go to the Feve, their habanero rangoons are a must-have.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-04-01T12:00:00Z">Fri, 04/01/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Part of Amanda Phillips’ job as assistant director of athletics communications is to attend almost every home game event, serve as game photographer, and write post-game recaps. Find out what the other half of her job entails in this installment of Who Am I? </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Phillips, assistant director of athletics communications.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Who is C.J. Blair?</h1> <p>ygay — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 20:17:55 +0000</p> <span>Who is C.J. Blair?</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-25T16:17:55-04:00" title="Friday, March 25, 2022 - 16:17">Fri, 03/25/2022 - 16:17</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> </p> <hr> <p><strong>Full Name:</strong> <a href="/cj-blair" target="_blank">Craig Joaquin Blair Jr.</a> </p> <p><strong>Department and location on campus:</strong> The <a href="/admissions-and-aid/arts-and-sciences" target="_blank">College of Arts and Sciences Admissions</a> in the Hotel at �鶹��Ƶ</p> <p><strong>Job title:</strong> Admissions Counselor</p> <p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong> Visiting high schools, reading applications, and convincing students to come to �鶹��Ƶ College.</p> <p><strong>How long have you been at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> Nine months this time around.</p> <p><strong>Why did you decide to join the Office of Admissions?</strong> I owe so much to �鶹��Ƶ. It opened so many doors for me and helped me come into my own. This job gives me the opportunity to pay it forward while I figure out where to go next.</p> <p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your work?</strong> Interviewing prospective students. Virtual interviews allow me to speak with students from around the world, and I’m routinely floored by their stories and intelligence. Some of my interviewees have already committed to �鶹��Ƶ, so I know we’re in good hands.</p> <p><strong>As a recent graduate, how do you find yourself relating to prospective Obies?</strong> I think we’re at oddly similar points in our lives. They’re transitioning into college, and I’m slowly transitioning out of it. I remember feeling both nervous and excited about the future at their age, so I always make sure to tell them how much they have to look forward to.</p> <p><strong>What questions do you find prospective students ask the most?</strong> Prospies often ask what a typical day at �鶹��Ƶ is like. I respond by describing my Fridays as a student, when I would play frisbee in the afternoon, then eat my bodyweight in co-op pizza, go to five hours of concerts, and swing dance until 1 a.m. </p> <p><strong>Are you still connected with the student community on campus?</strong> Yes! I’m seeing more live music than ever, and I sometimes sit in on ToadsCo, the amphibian-themed ExCo I started as a student. </p> <p><strong>What do you encourage students to do when they arrive on campus as new Obies? </strong>Dabble away! Nobody cares what your major is, and now’s not the time to specialize. If a class or club sounds remotely interesting to you, just sign up for it. It’s entirely possible you haven’t discovered your favorite subject or hobby yet. </p> <p><strong>Any recent personal achievements you would like to tell us about?</strong> I wouldn’t call it an achievement yet, but I’m currently making a documentary short film about a chronic health issue I’ve been dealing with. Hopefully I’ll actually finish it. Email me if you wanna help!</p> <p><strong>Do you have any hidden talents?</strong> I can identify several species of frog by their calls. Boo-beep!</p> <p><strong>What’s your favorite childhood memory?</strong> My parents are veterinarians, and I vividly remember growing up in a house full of outpatients including possums, boa constrictors, ducklings, and fawns. </p> <p><strong>Best vacation ever?</strong> I was lucky enough to receive a <a href="/news/cj-blair-wins-2018-watson-fellowship" target="_blank">Watson Fellowship</a> after I graduated, which allowed me to spend one year living in Greenland, Wales, Puerto Rico, Nepal, and Japan. I still can’t believe it happened.</p> <p><strong>Hobbies?</strong> Taking long, <em>long</em> walks, watching obscure art house movies, eating adventurously, and trying to play the saxophone/piano/guitar.</p> <p><strong>Favorite food?</strong> Great sushi and great curry. Also narwhal (thank you, Greenland). </p> <p><strong>Favorite quote or personal philosophy?</strong> “How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live,” by Henry David Thoreau.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-25T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/25/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Ever wonder what species of frog is bellowing in your backyard on late summer nights? Invite C.J. Blair ’18 over. He has a talent for identifying several species of frog by their calls. He’s also responsible for ToadsCo, the amphibian-themed ExCo at �鶹��Ƶ College. Learn more about Blair—including why his favorite childhood memories involve possums, boa constrictors, and fawns—in this installment of Who Am I? </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2556">Admissions</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2580">Experimental College (ExCo)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">C.J. Blair '18, admissions counselor for the College of Arts and Sciences.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Blair</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Who is Josh Teaster?</h1> <p>ygay — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 19:17:23 +0000</p> <span>Who is Josh Teaster?</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-17T15:17:23-04:00" title="Thursday, March 17, 2022 - 15:17">Thu, 03/17/2022 - 15:17</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p> </p> <p><strong>Full Name: </strong><a href="/josh-teaster" target="_blank">Joshua Lee Teaster</a></p> <p><strong>Department and location on campus:</strong> <a href="/admissions-and-aid/conservatory" target="_blank">Conservatory of Music Admissions</a> located in the <a href="/conservatory-annex" target="_blank">Conservatory Annex</a></p> <p><strong>Job title?</strong> Associate Director of Admissions</p> <p><strong>How many years at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> Nine</p> <p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong> Our office is responsible for managing recruitment efforts of prospective conservatory students, providing a welcoming and informative campus visit experience, creating a process for students to apply and audition, reviewing student applications in collaboration with our faculty, and making admission decisions. As a small office with a big charge, we’re all involved in each of those steps in some way, but I’d say my work focuses primarily on the back-of-house responsibilities—coordination of our office’s efforts, project management, and process implementation. </p> <p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your job?</strong> Two things come to mind when I think about what I enjoy most. The first is variety—there is such a wide variety of things that we need to accomplish, no two days are the same. It keeps things very interesting and challenging. The second would be interacting with prospective students. They are the reason we do this work, to find those students most excited about and capable of joining the �鶹��Ƶ community. It gives you pride in the institution and your work to see their excitement, and it feels wonderful to help such bright and gifted students realize �鶹��Ƶ is a good fit for them.</p> <p><strong>What do you think most people would be surprised to learn about the �鶹��Ƶ Conservatory of Music?</strong> Possibly the focus on undergraduate students, as that’s pretty rare in our field, especially for institutions of this caliber. But also, possibly its history as the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the country. I say that because nothing about �鶹��Ƶ feels dated.</p> <p><strong>Year after year I am amazed by �鶹��Ƶ's talented student body. Is it the same for you? </strong>Absolutely. They are an incredible group of people. If anyone needs reminding of that, just attend a concert, performance, or presentation.</p> <p><strong>What events, places, classes, etc. do you encourage new conservatory students to take advantage of during their time at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> The bike path is such a great asset on a sunny day. The reservoir and nature trail are beautiful places for a run. Go see a movie at the Apollo—I still remember the glow of the neon sign outside my hotel window when I visited campus as a prospective student. Take a language class. Learn to scuba dive for Winter Term, or do something else unexpected and amazing.</p> <p><strong>What was the most memorable �鶹��Ƶ performance you attended?</strong> Probably the performance a few years ago of Dvořák Serenade for Winds. It’s one of my favorite pieces, and it was great to see it performed together by both faculty and students.</p> <p><strong>Do you have any hidden talents?</strong> I can recall song lyrics a very long time after learning them. Kind of like a vocalist, but without the ability to sing them.</p> <p><strong>Do you have a favorite movie?</strong> Anything with Goldie Hawn.</p> <p><strong>What's your favorite place in �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> Home, it’s where the heart is.</p> <p><strong>Favorite childhood memory?</strong> The time spent with my family in the Outer Banks—bike rides with my siblings to the corner store for candy, hanging out at the fish docks, fishing for crab with a chicken neck, reading about pirates, and learning to love the ocean.</p> <p><strong>Hobbies?</strong> It feels like my hobby is collecting hobbies—reef keeping, disc golf, Legos. But my real hobby is scuba diving. Everything from here on out is scuba.</p> <p><strong>Best vacation ever?</strong> Bonaire. The reef is healthy, the diving is easy and spectacular, and the pace moves wonderfully slow.</p> <p><strong>Any recent achievements you would like to tell us about?</strong> I recently completed training in the use of a more advanced diving technology: closed circuit rebreather. It seems more akin to space travel than scuba equipment and provides the ability to stay underwater longer at deeper depths. As much as I love diving the reef, it’s the shipwrecks in the cold depths of the Great Lakes that are most exhilarating. I have some goals in mind in those waters and I’m looking forward to the journey.</p> <p><strong>Nickname(s)? </strong>Scuba Josh, of course. There are a lot of Josh’s around and sometimes you need a way to identify.</p> <p><strong>Favorite food?</strong> Bacon…covered in maple syrup.</p> <p><strong>Favorite Quote?</strong> “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it,” by Ferris Bueller.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-17T12:00:00Z">Thu, 03/17/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Josh Teaster, associate director of Conservatory of Music Admissions, is always up for exploring a reef, but it’s the shipwrecks in the depths of the Great Lakes that he finds most exhilarating. Learn more about Teaster in this installment of Who Am I?</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Josh Teaster in scuba diving gear.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Teaster</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Andrew Oni Appointed Executive Director of Student Safety and Wellbeing</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:40:20 +0000</p> <span>Andrew Oni Appointed Executive Director of Student Safety and Wellbeing</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:40:20-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - 12:40">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:40</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Division of Student Life welcomes Andrew Oni as the new executive director of student safety and wellbeing.</p> <p>Oni brings 18 years of experience across higher education, community health outreach/education, and healthcare to his role at �鶹��Ƶ. </p> <p>Oni began his career in higher education as student advisor to incoming students at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Nigeria. In this role, he provided support to freshmen regarding adjustment to college life, connecting old, new, and transfer students to campus resources. </p> <p>Subsequently, he worked with a non-government organization in collaboration with the mayor’s office, in Elmsford, New York, to support and connect families with resources. During this period, he provided support to at-risk students by identifying needs and linking students and their families with resources. As part of his role, Andrew collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to create community services in lieu of incarceration. </p> <p>After working for nearly a decade in that position, Oni moved to healthcare, where he worked as program manager for Garnet Health in Middletown, New York. During this period, he was responsible for identifying, creating, and executing health education programs as well as prevention programs in mental health and substance use, especially opioids. To do this, he collaborated with county governments and partnered with other strategic healthcare providers in executing programs. He also worked with several departments within Garnet Health: behavioral health, emergency department, and other relevant departments to connect patients with agencies for continuity of care to reduce readmission rates. </p> <p>Most recently, Oni served at Mercy Health Lorain, where he was responsible for providing support to physicians and providers by creating networks of relationships. In this role, he was also responsible for ensuring a smooth referral process among providers.</p> <p>Oni has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a master’s degree in counseling and psychology, and a PhD in higher education leadership, management, and policy. In his spare time, Oni enjoys listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.</p> <p>Oni’s office is located in Dascomb Hall, and he can be reached at 440-775-5787.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Andrew Oni</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Mark Zeno Appointed Assistant VP and Dean of Residential Education and Campus Life Auxiliary Services</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:23:14 +0000</p> <span>Mark Zeno Appointed Assistant VP and Dean of Residential Education and Campus Life Auxiliary Services</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:23:14-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - 12:23">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:23</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Division of Student Life welcomes Mark Zeno as the new assistant vice president and dean of Residential Education and Campus Life Auxiliary Services.</p> <p>Zeno has more than 25 years of higher education experience in student affairs, working in several departments and divisions within the collegiate setting. He began his career in housing and Greek life at Ashland University while working on his master’s degree in higher education administration at the University of Akron. He left Akron to become the director of fraternity and sorority life and housing at Ohio Wesleyan University. After his four years serving the Ohio Wesleyan community, he was hired at Case Western Reserve University as a conduct and housing administrator within the residence life and fraternity/sorority life office.</p> <p>Zeno returned to Ashland University as assistant director of residence life and housing, where he managed all residential and fraternity/sorority houses, conduct, and orientation. He went on to become associate dean of students at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he oversaw residence life and housing, fraternity/sorority life, student engagement programming, student conduct, and dining/facilities management. </p> <p>Zeno returned to Ohio to become the assistant dean of student affairs at his alma mater, Heidelberg University. He was at Heidelberg for 14 years, leading the residence life and housing team, safety and security team, student conduct, student programs, facilities management, and dining services liaison. </p> <p>Zeno has also taught first-year and transfer courses at Baker University and Ashland University. He has been an active member in several national and state associations, including his most recent role as past president of Ohio College Personnel Association.</p> <p>Zeno earned his bachelor of science degree in computer information systems at Heidelberg and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Akron. He completed his PhD in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University, where his dissertation topic was “Housing Partnerships: Understanding Organizational Culture Elements and Building and Maintenance Strategies Between University Professionals and Private Corporate Developers.” </p> <p>In his spare time, Zeno is actively involved in community service with Kiwanis International, as well as serving in several capacities of leadership in the Marlin Auto Club and American Motors Owners national car club. He enjoys traveling with his daughter Madeline while camping at his favorite island on Lake Erie; Kelleys Island.</p> <p>Zeno’s office is located in Stevenson Hall 118, and he can be reached at 440-775-8118.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-16T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/16/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2359">Administration</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Mark Zeno</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Who is Crystal Willer?</h1> <p>ygay — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 16:47:27 +0000</p> <span>Who is Crystal Willer?</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-03-11T11:47:27-05:00" title="Friday, March 11, 2022 - 11:47">Fri, 03/11/2022 - 11:47</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> </p> <hr> <p><strong>Full Name:</strong> <a href="/crystal-willer" target="_blank">Crystal Willer</a></p> <p><strong>Department and location on campus:</strong> The conservatory library located in <a href="/bibbins" target="_blank">Bibbins Hall</a></p> <p><strong>Job title:</strong> Special Collections Librarian and Curator of the <a href="https://libraries.oberlin.edu/libraries/conservatory-library/special-collections/collections/the-james-r-and-susan-neumann-jazz-collection/history-of-the-collection" target="_blank">James R. and Susan Neumann Jazz Collection</a></p> <p><strong>How many years at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> 3 ½ years—I was a project archivist before my current position.</p> <p><strong>What does your job entail?</strong> I manage the conservatory library’s special collections. We have a rich variety of material and formats, from 16th-century music theory books to more than 42,000 jazz LPs. My job involves storing, arranging, describing, and sharing these items.</p> <p><strong>Have you always wanted to be an archivist?</strong> I doubt I knew what an archivist was growing up, but I’ve always enjoyed saving and organizing things, and snooping around in other people’s houses. (Kidding! but I do get to read letters, diaries, and other personal items in our collections.)</p> <p><strong>What is it about this career path that appeals to you the most?</strong> I get to see and handle interesting and historical items every day, which means I’m always learning something new. I love being able to share our collections with students, faculty, and outside researchers. Seeing other people get excited about what we have reinforces my whole reason for doing this work.</p> <p><strong>You also held a position at the Circus World Museum’s Robert L. Parkinson Library. That sounds like it was a lot of fun! What did you do there?</strong> It was fun! I inventoried and described photographs (learned some terms such as "candy butcher"), created digital collections, and recorded oral histories with former circus performers during a reunion weekend for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus.</p> <p><strong>You have taught undergraduate poetry writing workshops. Is there a correlation to your poetry writing and your career as an archivist?</strong> In a broad sense, both are interested in detail, description, care, empathy, and memory. As a writer, I'm interested in how we try to make sense of ourselves and others through language and memory, and how often we fail. As an archivist, I'm interested in how our collections (both individual items and collections as a composite whole) document history or tell a story. And of course, the flip side to that is investigating archival silences: how do items or collections fail to tell the whole story, and who gets left out of the archive and why?</p> <p>This might be a long-winded way of saying both areas require creative participation. I think the same muscles that can craft and analyze poems can serve primary source objects well by being open to many modes of inquiry. Or maybe I think there's more connection between the two than there is since I’m always thinking about both.</p> <p><strong>Do you have a favorite movie?</strong> I watch a lot more TV shows than movies, but I’ve recently gotten into the documentaries of Les Blank, like <em>A Well-Spent Life</em> (about Texas blues musician Mance Lipscomb) and <em>In Heaven There Is No Beer?</em> (about polka festivals in the US in the 1970s and early 1980s).</p> <p><strong>Favorite places in �鶹��Ƶ?</strong> <a href="https://www.thinithai.com/" target="_blank">Thini Thai</a>, <a href="https://www.oberlinlibrary.org/" target="_blank">�鶹��Ƶ Public Library</a>, walks in <a href="https://www.cityofoberlin.com/for-residents/westwood-cemetery/" target="_blank">Westwood Cemetery</a> and surrounding neighborhoods. </p> <p><strong>Favorite childhood memory?</strong> Summers spent on the Oregon coast with my extended family. </p> <p><strong>Best vacation ever?</strong> Hopefully, the best is yet to come! I'm saving up for a trip to Japan.</p> <p><strong>Any recent achievements you would like to tell us about?</strong> During the height of the pandemic my husband successfully went through chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma, and I gave birth to our daughter, who is now 15 months old and a budding percussionist.</p> <p><strong>Hobbies?</strong> Spending time with my family and friends, eating out, and going to used bookstores.</p> <p><strong>Favorite food?</strong> A steamed artichoke with melted lemon butter</p> <p><strong>Favorite Quote?</strong> "Almost every person has something secret he likes to eat,” by Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-03-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/11/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Crystal Willer didn’t really know what an archivist did when she was growing up, but she knew she enjoyed saving and organizing things. Today her job as special collections archivist in the conservatory library not only involves storing, arranging, describing, and sharing a rich variety of material, but she has found a unique way to combine her love of poetry writing with the work she does. Find out more about Willer in this installment of Who Am I?</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3450">Conservatory Library</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2551">Staff</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3448">Conservatory Special Collections</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Crystal Willer, special collections librarian and curator of the James R. and Susan Neumann Jazz Collection.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>