photo / Karlin Krishnaswami

After ten years in California, the Palmer family moved to Norman, Oklahoma where Jonathan worked as a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma for three years. Then the Palmer’s moved to Maryland where Jonathan worked as a faculty member for the University of Maryland and Sue did some grant writing for College Summit, a nonprofit organization designed to help kids get into college.  From there, the family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia where they lived for six years before coming to Principia College and where they still maintain a residency.

When asked how Prin has changed from the time they were both students and what it is like being back as faculty, Sue stated that “obviously the world has changed in thirty years, but there are still the same issues we wrestle with, the same moral issues.  I think there are greater temptations the world presents to students today, in one sense, but we are all still figuring out who we are and what stands we are taking.  So those things about Principia haven’t changed.”

Both Jonathan and Sue agree that the atmosphere on campus, despite the many physical changes that have occurred since they attended as students, has remained largely the same. Jonathan and Sue both love walking down Lilac Lane when the lilacs are in full bloom and smelling their flowery fragrance and they love the familiar creaking of the chapel as these things have remained the same throughout the years.

photo / Karlin Krishnaswami

The camaraderie on campus, the loving atmosphere and the relationships between students and faculty have all stayed very much the same.  Jonathan made the point that no student here has had to write a paper on an electric typewriter nor have they experienced the frustrations that come with it, and that the recent advancement in technology have changed the way students operate academically. Despite these changes, however, Jonathan also stated that “the tone now in the internet age is still relatively the same.  I think we are all still learning how to have conversations with each other that are deep and rich and satisfying, and having an opportunity really to build some things together in an environment that is probably unique in higher education where you have students, faculty and staff fundamentally pulling in the same direction… [when] you go into a classroom…you are expected to be an equal partner in the learning experience.”  All in all, the Palmer’s agree that Principia College has not changed in the ways that count: our fundamental values, commitment to learning and character education remain a top priority.

Some fun facts I learned about the Palmer’s:

• As a student here, Dr. Palmer went on the England Abroad
• During her middle school years, Mrs. Palmer lived in Johannesburg, in South Africa
• Dr. Palmer lived in 212, which is now Gehner House
• The Palmer’s favorite things to do on campus are attending chapel and hymn sing. They also love eating in the dining room with students
• They enjoy entertaining at Hutchinson House and hosting the guest speakers that come to Principia

Leslie's smiling face is the last thing Howard girls see before they leave for the day. photo / Alex Clapp

Leslie has been closely tied to the Principia community for years. She attended the Upper School and transferred to the College after one semester at a school in Florida. A few years after college, Leslie Nichols married Tom Shelton, whom she had known for years at camp [name of camp?]. The Sheltons live in Vinita, Oklahoma with a dog, Lily, and a cat, Socks. Since making the move to Oklahoma, Leslie has learned to appreciate a country lifestyle most people know very little about. Among other highlights, Leslie has personally branded a cow and helped capture a rogue rooster.

But to understand more specifically where Leslie is at this point in her life, it’s important to understand where she came from.

As a student, Leslie majored in Sports Management, which she’s sad to see is no longer offered as an academic major. Along with studying communication and coaching as part of her major, Leslie played on the Principia College basketball team for four years. She attributed part of her initial love for Principia to the welcoming nature of her teammates and coaches.

Leslie described her first two seasons on the team as “rebuilding years.” She explains, “We lost many games, but finally my junior year we were starting to turn around and we won a handful. And then my senior year we were part of a history-making season.”

Not only did Leslie have a lot of fun with the team, she also served as a team captain in her last two years of college and went on to become SLIAC MVP her senior year.

Leslie’s athletic career in college earned her a position as the head girl’s basketball coach at the Upper School. She also worked as a house mom for two years, taking on both new roles just a few months after her college graduation in 2007.

Leslie remembers her experience as a house mom fondly, saying she was happy to accept the temporary resident counselor position in Howard this quarter after so thoroughly enjoying her time at the Upper School. She added that many of the girls she worked with at the Upper School now attend the College, so she says it’s been nice to see those students again.

Once upon a time, junior Caroline Korthals knew Leslie as a house mom at the Upper School. Prior to that experience, Korthals had Leslie as a counselor at Cedars. “She’s like who I want to be when I grow up,” said Korthals, who lit up when asked to describe what she loves most about Leslie. Korthals also noted that Leslie is easy to talk to, calm and outgoing.

Junior Mallory Lee, one of two Howard House presidents, described Leslie in three words: “fun-loving,” “friendly” and “caring.”

Leslie said she’s looking forward to “connecting with the women of the house” throughout the rest of this quarter. She added: “I’m excited for the opportunity to cherish every single woman in this house, and I think a goal of mine is to really let everyone feel loved here.”

Even students who don’t live in Leslie’s house are feeling the love. Korthals explained: “I’m just happy she’s at Prin because she’s such a good example for girls, and everyone.”

On the very first day of the quarter, Leslie introduced a well-loved “daily thought” initiative. Members of the house are encouraged to pick up an inspirational quote on their way out the door every morning. At the first house meeting of the quarter, Leslie explained that her mother did something similar while she was growing up. Leslie added that she slipped the note into her pocket each day, and that every time her hand brushed the slip of paper, she would feel happy and loved.

Leslie has helped to create a similarly loving, happy environment for the women of Howard. Her door is always open, and she makes a noticeable effort to connect with students on an individual level.

Lee added, “She always stresses the fact that she’s here for everyone if they need anything.”

Senior Jessica Elmore enjoys treat night in Leslie’s apartment. photo / Alex Clapp

As a temporary transfer to Howard, I was surprised to find in my first meeting with Leslie that she already knew my name and a few things about my life at Prin. Perhaps that’s a special characteristic of the community we’ve created at this school, but I’m also led to believe that it’s a special quality of Leslie’s.

Whether she’s hosting a Glee viewing party in her apartment or conducting a one-on-one meeting, Leslie is doing a lot to preserve the concept of family that has been developed over the years in Howard.

Patrick McCreary poses as Abraham Lincoln, speaking on behalf of some historical friends. photo / Karlin Krishnaswami

When McCreary lived in Kansas and worked in the theater, McCreary’s best friend was the one that introduced him to triathlons.  This friend invited McCreary to compete in a nearby triathlon with him. McCreary recalls that it was a “bitter cold day,” but he was really excited to participate in a new kind of event. He was immediately hooked. Twenty-three years later, McCreary has competed in 171 triathlons.

So how did McCreary know that being a triathlete was what he wanted to do?  “How does one know…it’s inexplicable…it’s like wearing a pair of driving gloves.  You put them on and you don’t even notice they are there,” McCreary says.  “But you have to have them. It’s such a feeling of comfort, and a triathlon to me was like wearing a fine pair of driving gloves.  It was every aspect of the sport that peaked my interest and put me in a comfort zone.”

McCreary performs as the Candy Man in the 2011 Dance Production. courtesy of / Patrick McCreary

McCreary says that every race gives him a feeling of dominion, and that there is no better feeling than finishing a triathlon and knowing you gave 100 percent. “Triathlons have given me innumerable lessons throughout my life,” says McCreary.  “Other than that, I just love meeting all the people. They are all so upbeat and generous.”

Triathlons have taken McCreary all around the world: to Hawaii, Switzerland, Hungary and Beijing. He’s also qualified for this year’s men’s national team, which will compete in New Zealand.

One might ask what a professional triathlete’s summer training schedule looks like.  This summer McCreary competed in 10 races and received seven first places, two second places and one third place award. However, the icing on the cake was McCreary’s silver medal at this year’s world championship triathlon in Beijing, China.

McCreary powers through the second leg of the World Triathalon. courtesy of / Patrick McCreary

When he’s not busy training, McCreary is best known for his work in the theater department at Principia College.  Aside from teaching classes, McCreary is also known for his amazing impersonation of Abraham Lincoln, which many on campus recently would have seen in Cox Auditorium when he introduced Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry from Colonial Williamsburg.

Ever since McCreary’s visit to Chastain Park, an amphitheater in Atlanta, when he was a young boy, he knew he wanted to take the path into the theater world.  “That had such an impact on my young imagination as an eight-year-old that I never forgot it and immediately became enamored with theater,” McCreary recalls.  “It has now become my whole professional career both as an actor and as a teacher.  Since that one whimsical moment I have not lost my passion for the arts.”

In following this passion, McCreary founded multiple theater companies before coming to Principia. One such theater is located in central Kansas and is in its 25^th year of operation, 13 years of which McCreary worked with them.  “There really is not an aspect of the business I have not been in,” says McCreary.  “I have really not done any feature films, but looking back, it really is and has been an ongoing adventure.”

McCreary has been a professional actor for over 20 years. His theatrical skills have led to a number of unorthodox opportunities. “Someone mentioned to me that I looked like Lincoln, and if I had ever preformed Lincoln before,” he explains. “I said ‘no’, and that was the genius of an idea that got me thinking about it.”  McCreary has always considered himself a lover of history, and especially the presidency, which he has studied extensively.  Ironically enough, McCreary is the exact coloration, size and weight of Lincoln himself.

McCreary said performing Lincoln is not his favorite thing to do, but it is good for his professional development as an educator.  McCreary said that, for a while, impersonating Lincoln was a full-time, “always on the road” job.  After a good run as Lincoln, McCreary decided to settle down and start the theater in Kansas, which later led him to a career at Principia.

McCreary has been teaching at Principia for 11 years. “I’ve pretty much taught everything in the department, especially early on because there were only two of us in the department,” McCreary says.  Overall, McCreary has been a teacher of the arts for just over 25 years.

It takes dedication to balance several areas of expertise in one’s life, but it takes even more dedication to excel in each of those areas.  Patrick McCreary has an unbreakable passion for life and its many opportunities. This dedication and passion is what drives McCreary every day as a teacher, actor, and professional athlete.

Mr. Wold, a Principia alumnus, went into marketing and advertising after graduation. He started his own small business working with various client company executives on marketing strategies and what their organizations were trying to accomplish. After 15 years spent working with different companies, Wold certainly has the background necessary to teach leadership. After his time as a small business owner he and his wife, Deb (currently the Public Services Manager at the Marshall Brooks Library), decided that they wanted an “adventure”. Wold became resident counselor of Sylvester House, and he and his family moved to Elsah, where they stayed for 2006-07.

David Wold, the new hire in charge of helping with leadership at Principia, chats with seniors Bekah Charlston and Christian Richardson, the presidents of the student body. photo / Kelly McGinnis

It was during his time as an RC that Wold started to develop his idea for the Leadership Institute, through which he hoped “to provide students with opportunities to learn more about leadership, develop some skills that will help them be better leaders and have opportunities to discuss with each other how to best lead.” This inspiration came about after Wold noticed many students ending up in leadership roles without much experience or advanced understanding.

Wold wanted to provide those students with resources and opportunities to explore what they were trying to do. He said, “My hope is that the combination of my business experience in working with corporations, state agencies, and government entities …, where I was applying leadership principles in the field, combined with an academic background in it and also some experience in OSL and being close to students… that combination provides me with some nice reference points.”  And he hopes that students will leave school with the “skills and knowledge they can apply to their work and communities”.

After being an RC, Wold and his family spent some time in Switzerland and France. He received his master’s degree from Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland.  While in Switzerland, Wold worked on an independent project related to the United Nation’s environmental program, UNEP. Wold worked to partner the UN with different companies in order to establish a connection with private enterprises. He worked on a team made up of people from around the world, engaging him with perspectives different from his own.

photo / Kelly McGinnis

Once Wold and his family came back to the United States, he got back into consulting work with previous clients. In 2009 Wold contacted Dr. Palmer and proposed his idea for the Leadership Institute. The institute was founded in the spring of 2010 with Wold at the helm as an independent contractor. It was during this time that Wold “put together programming to see how students would respond and to see how the community would respond to the idea of a more formal and structured approach to leadership.” Wold has spent this last year developing different activities and programs to engage the level of student interest and determine opportunities down the road. After determining the institute had the value and traction to continue, the administration conducted a national search for director which resulted in Wold’s appointment to that post.

It seems the Institute has already contributed to the caliber of leadership on campus, and Wold’s expertise clearly adds to that. The Student Body President and Vice President meet with Wold every week to discuss their roles as leaders. Vice President Bekah Charlston said, “He’s so genuine and he’s such a great leader himself that you really trust what he’s teaching you.” President Christian Richardson added, “He’s really awesome – he knows everything about leadership!”

“I am grateful that I’m in Lee’s class,” said Tongori, “Students are able to question their fundamental beliefs by thinking and analyzing issues critically for the betterment of the society.”

Barron seems to enjoy teaching law as much as he does practicing it. Teaching gives him a chance to share his education and experience with another generation of Principia College students.  He graduated from Washington University Law School in 1986 and has taught the Business Law class here since 2001.

“One of the things I like about teaching is I get an opportunity to work with idealistic young people who haven’t seen it all, the silliness, or as Mrs. Eddy would say, ‘the ghastly farce of human existence,’” said Barron. “Practicing law, I’m often working with the ‘ghastly farce.’  That’s why I try to bring to both the classroom and to my practice of law a sense of joy, a sense of dominion, a sense of being unimpressed with whatever sorrow or ugliness is swirling around us and then trying to bring, if you will, healing or a peaceful resolution.”

Barron professionally handles employment law, federal court litigation, commercial litigation, civil rights, race and sex discrimination and whistleblower cases. He also enjoys keeping employers out of trouble through his practice of ‘preventative law.’

“I like employment cases but I like keeping employers out of trouble, too,” said Barron. “They need to learn how to identify areas of risk, so that if they find themselves in a situation, they know to talk to an attorney first.”

“The kind of people I get along with understand that you can be kind and speak bluntly and directly at the same time,” said Barron.  “I look people in the eye and tell them I disagree and do so with civility and respect. Sometimes we pretend that we agree with each other when we do not, and act like it’s the same as being in harmony.  I just really disagree with that.  I think we have to have the courage to disagree with each other and work through our disagreements.”

Barron also tries to exemplify his highest sense of right to his students, teaching that a pure sense of honesty has done well for him in court.  He doesn’t appreciate attorneys who try to pull the wool over a jury’s eyes.

“The things that I value and the things that I try to bring to class or to a jury are integrity, authenticity, preparedness, humility and respect for one’s time,” said Barron.

Barron seems to have communicated these values to his class. Students like Tongori are impressed with his sincere approach to life and its challenges.

“This is the great fun part of the class!” said Tongori. “He helps students strengthen their muscles to read between the lines and think beyond the words in order to understand the focus [and] substance of the idea.”

Tongori was also impressed with Barron’s abilities to communicate clearly and appreciates Barron as a role model for the class.

“There is a lot to learn from Lee,” said Tongori, “One of the greatest qualities that I believe students get from Lee is communication skills. He is very precise with language, which is very needed in fostering for an idea, whether it be business, personal story or life prospects.  Precise language is also crucial to communicating and building an understanding and informed community.”

Barron seems to be successful at bringing some of the harsh realities of the world into his class, and he seems to be leaving a lasting impression of the value and importance of classic values and ideals.

“I work with some real scoundrels in my law practice, the bottom of the barrel,” said Barron. “So when I go back to the Principia campus and see people who are really animated, really trying to bring a better sense of the divine and to let the divine animate their entire experience, that is important to me.”

It seems that Barron really appreciates his education at Principia.  All five of his children have attended The Principia School and three have graduated from the Principia Upper School.  He said he still has very good friends from his time at Principia and he and another friend will be teaching a class at summer session this year.

“Blair Lindsay and I graduated from Upper School together in 1972 and the College in 1976,” said Barron.  “Politically, Blair and I disagree about almost everything, yet I know he is smart, thoughtful and wise.  We’ll be teaching a summer session course together this summer, role modeling how to agree to disagree and at the same time to listen with civility and speak with courtesy, even when we disagree on fundamental issues.”

Barron was an All-American goaltender when he was on the soccer team at Principia.  His coach was Gary Crandell, who Barron said is a “great coach and an even better person.”  After college, he played for the Cleveland Cobras and for the Port Vale Club in England.  He also coached soccer at Principia, and among his players was Vitalis Otieno, the head coach of the current men’s team.

Many people at the College know Barron’s wife, Dr. Karen Grayson, who taught philosophy here for 18 years until 2008 and now has a counseling practice in Kirkwood, MO.  Barron still appreciates his professors at Principia and has maintained life-long contact with them, sharing ideas and metaphysical gems.  He was an English major at the College and still enjoys talks with one of his favorite professors, Colin Campbell.

“I enjoyed building relationships with my professors at Prin,” said Barron.  “I had lunch with Colin Campbell yesterday.   I’ve enjoyed staying in touch with my Principia professors over the years.”

“One thing you learn very early on is that you don’t have all the answers, and if you come from a place of thinking you’re supposed to, you probably won’t be a very good journalist.”

Van Slambrouck has an extensive background in journalism, having spent much of his professional career working for The Christian Science Monitor in Boston.

Although Van Slambrouck has a considerable amount of experience with writing, it wasn’t necessarily his earliest passion.

Van Slambrouck developed an interest in photography at an early age. His family always kept copies of the Monitor at home, and Van Slambrouck was drawn to the black-and-white photographs featured therein. “I think that was the thing that grabbed me most, and in a sense that imagery spoke to me more immediately than anything else at that young age,” he said.

Van Slambrouck studied anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  He became seriously interested in photography in his junior year and took a class off-campus as an introduction to the craft. Van Slambrouck graduated in 1972 and quickly enrolled in the Glen Fishback School of Photography, a small private school in his hometown of Sacramento, California.

From there, Van Slambrouck applied for a position as a writer and photographer for the San Francisco Business Magazine, a special publication of the city’s Chamber of Commerce. Said Van Slambrouck, “I really hadn’t done any writing, but I applied. They said, ‘Can you write?’ And I said, ‘Of course I can write.’” Van Slambrouck shared his work portfolio and earned the position, thereby launching his career in journalism.

He joined the Monitor in 1976 as a fulltime reporter after doing some freelance work for the newspaper. Van Slambrouck held a number of titles during his time with the Monitor, including business editor, international news editor, San Francisco bureau chief, and finally editor from 2001 to 2005. Van Slambrouck left Boston in 1989 to work for The San Jose Mercury News, where he and the rest of the staff won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.  

Van Slambrouck returned to Boston in 1997. He said of the Monitor, “I’m grateful for being trained in a journalistic environment that was that compassionate and understanding and … attuned to values beyond just professional [ones].”  

One story in particular lends itself to that ideal. Van Slambrouck said one of his most memorable experiences as editor of the Monitor came during the newspaper’s early coverage of the Iraq War. Several reporters went into the field with American troops to follow the story. According to Van Slambrouck: “It was a voluntary assignment for obvious reasons. It was not something we forced somebody to do, and it was a difficult thing to know you had reporters in harm’s way like that.”

It was hard for most journalists to stay in touch with their editors while in Iraq. Van Slambrouck said the Monitor staff in Boston would go for days without hearing a word of news. But one day around 3 a.m., Van Slambrouck received a phone call he’ll never forget from a distressed reporter.

“She seemed anxious, and she said, ’I’m here in Iraq, I’m with the American troops, and I think we’re about to go into Baghdad.’” Van Slambrouck continued, “The thing that came to me to say was: ‘The most important thing for you to know is that your well-being is way more important to me than this story.’”  The reporter calmed down a bit after that conversation and was able to proceed safely with the troops.

Van Slambrouck reflected on that experience for a moment: “It was not a kind of journalistic response, which might have been, you know, ‘Go get the story.’ In a professional sense that should be what’s most important to you … [But] it felt like it all kind of worked in the right way without getting into a lot of human counseling or advice.”

After leaving the Monitor, Van Slambrouck started working on a book about generosity and volunteerism. About a year ago, he was asked to teach a course at Principia College, but was unable to accept the job right away.

In fact, teaching had never exactly been on Van Slambrouck’s “to-do list.” He said: “There was no point in my journalistic career when I was thinking, ‘you know, at some point I’ll go teach.’ And I really can’t tell you why, it’s just that never really clicked for me.”

But Van Slambrouck was ultimately led to accept a job offer, and he’s settling into his Newswriting and Mass Media in Society classes quite well. Junior Will Pappas, a mass communication major, said Van Slambrouck is “really supportive of our work. He wants to be aware of where we are [with our assignments.]” Pappas added that Van Slambrouck’s level of experience is an asset to the classroom.

Van Slambrouck said, “I think I am drawn to challenges and situations where I feel very much like I’m going to learn as much a I’m going to teach.” He added that he’s always looking for ways to make the classroom experience more interactive, drawing on visual media and outside resources for help.

In Van Slambrouck’s eyes, students and teachers should work together to create a meaningful learning experience. “I’m a pretty big believer in collective wisdom, and what emerges from a group in a classroom setting is going to be better than anything any one person could produce.”

Sue Palmer was a student at Principia College herself. She transferred to the College after her first year, and graduated in 1979, with a double major in Business Administration and Sociology & Anthropology. During her time at the College, Mrs. Palmer lived in Sylvester house, which was a women’s dorm at that time, and served as the house president. She married Jonathan Palmer on the day after her graduation. Today, Dr. Jonathan Palmer is not only College President, but also Chief Executive (CE) of The Principia as a whole. Her husband’s positions give Mrs. Palmer the opportunity to frequently participate in the life on both Principia campuses and thereby to establish a relationship with students of all ages.

Mrs. Palmer said: “I am always just looking for ways to support and connect. Certainly, to do the more official functions that we have at Hutchinson House better, but also to be open to other things that we could be doing around campus. I think our goal initially was to be as transparent and as accessible and open to what Principia needed at that time.” Her strong desire to be open and transparent for the students comes from her great love for this institution. Mrs. Palmer said: “Principia allows us to see everything that we do as a vehicle for spiritual growth. The academic preparation is vigorous and important, but I think the most valuable thing, was that all of it—whether it is student government or academic preparation—is the foundation of your spiritual growth. The academic focus just prepares you for one part, but the overall spiritual foundation is more compelling. And I think this is an environment that really supports that, that really points that out to you along the way. And from that standpoint I do think that Principia is unique.”

Mrs. Palmer is very grateful for her own time at the College, so she sees her husband’s and her position in a very distinct way. Mrs. Palmer said, “It was a chance [for us] to give back!”

When Dr. Palmer took over as President in summer of 2008, Mrs. Palmer did not lose any time in jumping right into things. Mrs. Palmer said, “Of course it was a little bit surreal.…What helped make it more real, was that I was really eager to get involved. I sent an email around to faculty and staff, asking for anyone who wanted to take the time to get together for lunch or for a pub date so I could get to know people one on one. I had about 45 people take me up on that.” Mrs. Palmer also said that Principia needs to be represented in the outside world. After living in Elsah for a year, she was appointed to the Elsah Village Board, an organization that supports the interests of Elsah. Mrs. Palmer said, “That is a great way for Principia to be represented in Elsah and to make sure that Elsah feels that they know a little bit about Principia.”

Her main focus, however, is definitely on The Principia itself, and especially on its students. She and her husband host dinners for speakers who come to campus and during special events, such as the Pan African Conference and the Public Affairs Conference. Mrs. Palmer is also eager to open Hutchinson House up more to the students. Mrs. Palmer said, “We have tried to share Hutchinson House perhaps a little more with the students than in the past.”  The new freshmen in particular are encouraged to get to know the Palmers better. “We have each freshman house come for dessert and a game their spring quarter…. It is a big a group for us to get to know them, but it is an attempt for them to get to know us,” said Mrs. Palmer. This event is new as of last year. Mrs. Palmer said: “We started that because I had a couple of people say to me at Strawberry Festival, which is for seniors and is the weekend before they graduate, ‘This is the first time I have been to Hutchinson House’. So I thought, ‘We’ve got to change that!’”

Strawberry Festival has changed a little since 2008. The outgoing seniors are invited to Hutchinson House during their spring quarter. The men barbecue while the women have tea together. Both groups get to speak with three members of the faculty and staff, who share what they wish they had known when they graduated from the College. The whole gathering is designed to provide a comfortable and thoughtful atmosphere for the graduating students.

These are definitely events that freshmen and seniors can look forward to this upcoming spring quarter.

Mrs. Palmer also makes efforts to be present on the St. Louis campus. This is especially important due to her husband’s position as CE, which makes him responsible for both Principia campuses. Mrs. Palmer said, “When [Dr. Palmer’s work as CE] started last fall I sent an email to the school faculty and staff, asking them to think of ways that I could be helpful or be an audience for something that classes were doing, help participate in a class project, et cetera.” Mrs. Palmer loved serving as an eighth grade speech competition judge, participating in Upper School English class book discussions, and helping the art teacher to work with the students to make decorations for their Christmas tree last year. Mrs. Palmer said: “I would love to be able to do more at the School to support them. But then, I am always looking for ways to connect with the College as well.”

Sue Palmer loves to be part of the community and to connect with students and community members on campus. So the next time you see our First Lady, you might just want to ask her how her day has been, and you will surely find yourself in a great conversation.

Scott Eckert holds a tortoise in the Zoology classroom. photo // Lauren Powers

Dr. Scott Eckert is a Professor of Biology and currently teaches the Wildlife Conservation and Field and Natural History courses.  Eckert completed his undergraduate work here at Principia College.  At that time, he wanted to become either a raptor ecologist or marine biologist.  While at Principia, Eckert completed an internship at the Raptor Rehabilitation and Propagation Center in Missouri.  After this internship, Eckert returned to his home in the Northwest, where he got a job as a photographic chemist. He worked on  a processing site and created the blue screen special effects for the first Star Wars movie and the first IMAX movies.  After this, Eckert and his wife, Karen (Thurbon C’80), who was also a biology major, both got their first biologically-focused jobs working with logger sea turtles on Little Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia.  After two years in Georgia, they moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands to initiate a leatherback sea turtle conservation and research project in the southwest corner of St. Croix. This lasted for about five years, after which Eckert and his wife gave the project to the first National Wildlife Refuge for sea turtles, which was adopted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Eckert went to graduate school and earned his PhD in Zoology at the University of Georgia.  His dissertation explored what sea turtles do when they go off shore, how deep they dive and how they manage their oxygen stores at such deep levels.  Eckert also went to Antarctica for two seasons and worked with emperor penguins. He monitored the dive behavior of these penguins and worked  “to develop various electronic instrumentation to measure the behavior and activities of marine animals to understand how they fit their oceanic environments.”  Eckert is currently working on a project called WIDECAST, the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network. WIDECAST is the largest and oldest scientific network of its type in the world and provides technical expertise to countries from Bermuda to Brazil on restoring endangered sea turtle populations. Finally, Eckert maintains a long-term community based conservation and research program for leatherback sea turtles on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Eckert also worked at Duke University before coming to teach at Principia. One of his goals is to create a bridge between the two schools so that students who want to major in marine biology here at Principia can do so by taking required classes at Duke University. Eckert is also enjoys kayaking and photography in his spare time.

New faculty member, Brad Stock, reads to students in his "Life of Mary Baker Eddy" class. photo // Lauren Powers

Another professor new to the campus this year is Dr. Brad Stock, the Harding Mott II Distinguished Professor in the History of the Christian Science Movement.  Stock is currently teaching a course on the Life of Mary Baker Eddy and is very devoted to his study of the biography and works of Mrs. Eddy.  Stock completed his undergraduate work here at Principia College, majoring in Theater and Studio Art.  After college, Stock worked as a gaming consultant and helped to create games for the first Atari gaming machine.  Dr. Stock studied International Relations at Tufts University, where he received his PhD.  Stock then returned to Principia in 1988-1994, where he taught Political Science and created the International Relations major.  He has worked for the Christian Science Board of Directors in the Board Office and in the archives of the Mother Church.  Stock also helped to rescue financially a Christian Science Nursing Facility.  When asked how he did this, Stock answered that he mostly used metaphysics to help the facility and turn it around economically. Stock said, “For me the biggest idea was on page 8 of the Science and Health, where Mrs. Eddy says, ‘If we turn away from the poor, we are not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses the poor.’”  Stock helped to shape a facility that provided Medicare/Medicaid and was benevolent to any Christian Scientist, no matter what his or her financial situation. Stock’s goal here at Principia is to “help students and help the future of the movement.”  Some of Dr. Stock’s interests include spending time outside, playing the piano and playing games.

Paul Wesman is the newest addition to the Mass Communications department. photo // Lauren Powers

Paul Wesman is a new Professor of Mass Communications.  Wesman is currently teaching Intro to Mass Communications and Public Relations.  He is a Principia graduate and used to work in corporate communications.  Wesman recieved his master’s from Emerson College in Boston, MA, and has done mostly communications related work.  Wesman used to be a speech consultant for lecturers at the Mother Church and was also a freelance writer.  As such, he would help people to compose their thoughts and ideas and create outlines that helped them to write their books.  Wesman said he is, “enjoying getting his feet wet in the Mass Communications Department.” He also said that he is “enjoying being in the more rural atmosphere here… it’s a nice change of pace.”  Wesman enjoys traveling and loves the purpose of Principia, the Christian Science movement, and supporting student development.

Joe Van Riper's work experience includes serving as a baseball clubhouse manager at both the minor and major league levels. photo // Lauren Powers

An instructor new to the Music Department this year is Joe Van Riper.  Van Riper is currently directing the choir, teaching a class on the History of Popular Music in America and instructing private voice and trumpet lessons.  Van Riper also graduated from Principia College and majored in music and sports management.  After college, Van Riper worked for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox, serving as a clubhouse manager at both the minor and major league levels. Van Riper has worked in many different fields of work in his life. He said, “I went from baseball to music, from music into government contracting, and then ultimately back into music… It has been a great experience.”  From 2007-2010, Van Riper worked in Washington D.C. as an independent contractor for the Department of Justice, primarily working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  While working in Washington D.C., Van Riper began his doctoral studies at George Mason University.  There he served as a teaching assistant and worked with the orchestra, band and choir.  Van Riper is currently finishing his dissertation, which examines mechanical music at the turn of the century.  Van Riper also plays the trumpet and has had the opportunity to perform with the United States Army Band, Pershing’s Own. He was one of ten people in the country invited to audition as a conductor with the United States Air Force Band. Van Riper is also interested in old cars and trucks, and he is currently the faculty sponsor for ‘Panther Racing,’ the student organization on campus that operates the Radford Garage. He also loves old music, specifically Dixieland music and said he is, “really grateful to be at Principia. It felt like a homecoming to be here after being away for so many years.”

Principia is grateful to welcome Dr. Rick Grothaus to the college campus. photo // Lauren Powers.

Associate Professor of Education Dr. Rick Grothaus is another exciting new addition to Principia’s faculty.  Dr. Grothaus is teaching the Child and Adolescent Literature class and supporting the education Beginning Block.  Grothaus specializes in teaching others how to teach. He said, “I’ve done teaching and consulting on a national basis, on leadership and educational practices.”  Grothaus completed his undergraduate work at Luther College, where he earned his degree in music education.  He completed his masters at the University of Wisconsin Madison and became a principal after that.  Ten years ago, Grothaus and his wife started their own school in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.  He said they “wanted to create a school where they could put into practice everything they had been learning and teaching others.”  The goal of their school was to transform the lives of their students through learning.  Grothaus finished his doctorate along the way at Cardinal Stritch University. He used the school he and his wife started to write his dissertation, which studied, “the role of parent/teacher collaboration in transforming student lives through learning.”  Grothaus wants to elevate the understanding and practice of learning and to overcome the systematic barriers that surround how people teach and how they learn.  Dr. Grothaus’s hobbies include orchestra and jazz band and sailing his boat.

When he’s not working for camp, Frank runs a side business that teaches technical soccer skills and character building. He said this helps kids have fun “where just winning isn’t the end result.”

Spending some time on the green during a sunny day with his dog Kody, interim Buck House Resident Counselor Brandon Frank plays with his dog. photo // Amber Dahlin

Most recently, Frank assumed the job of interim Buck House Resident Counselor (RC), a position he will fill just for this quarter.  After that point, current Lowrey RC J.D. Daugherty will move out of Lowrey and into Buck as its new RC.

Frank said, “The Buck guys are awesome. They’re very thoughtful, responsible, sincere, genuine, honest young men, and it’s good to see that the ‘House of Gentlemen’ is actually filled with a great group of gentlemen.”

Those gentlemen love Frank too. Junior Colin Clark remarked on his constant smile and awesome dog, and senior Ben Kniola said, “He’s assimilated into the house well and the guys like him.” Kniola, who serves as Buck House’s treasurer, also said that Frank has a lot of supportive metaphysical ideas and insights.

Like Clark, Kniola and the other members of Buck also love Kodi, Frank’s two-year-old golden lab mix. Frank said that various Buck guys have even volunteered to take care of the dog on weekends when he’s away on camp business. According to Frank, Kodi loves everything to do with water, and he said, “He’s not a big fan of fetch, but he loves people.”

Frank joked that Kodi is “mostly disobedient” as he watched the dog run playfully toward those of Frank’s sister Julia (who is an Admissions counselor) and Sylvester RC Connie Crandell.

At a recent Quiet Time talk he led about the importance of right motives in sports, Frank reflected on his time as a member of Principia’s soccer team. After training to his utmost physical fitness for his junior year season, he found that, while his team did well, he struggled personally. The next year, he switched his focus to a “more spiritual sense of joy and dominion,” and said he found a lot of freedom and did fairly well.

Frank now puts living with a sense of purpose at the top of his priorities, and he said he is a “big fan” of humility.

When he was a student, he was a member of the Principia abroad to China, which also visited neighboring areas. After spending this summer at Owatonna, Frank will head to Asia with a Principia group for the second time – but this time to Japan as an abroad RC.

He has already done a considerable amount of traveling, which sophomore Natalie Zdan, a Japan abroad member with Frank, said “is really cool.” Frank went to Europe to play soccer when he was in high school, and he has also traveled to South America, Turkey, and Greece. Within the U.S., Frank said there are only four or five states he hasn’t visited. Zdan said,  “He seems really excited about getting to know everyone on the abroad.” She added, “He has some really good metaphysical ideas and I think he’ll be a great RC.”

Frank shared wisdom gained from his life experience: “What you do won’t be as meaningful unless the purpose is really clear.”

Eckert graduated from Principia in 1979, his wife Karen graduated a year later, and they were married soon thereafter. They then took a job at the University of Georgia with Joe Richardson, a tropical ecologist who had been a guest on the Guatemala abroad program that Karen participated in as a student. After two seasons of conservation work with loggerhead turtles, Eckert says they “were pretty much hooked” on turtle conservation.

Principia’s newest edition to the biology department, College alum & professor Scott Eckert is pictured in the Science Center. - photo / Ken Baughman

When Eckert graduated from Principia, he had hopes of working with raptors, and never considered sea turtles. While a student, he was the first intern at the Bird of Prey Center in St. Louis. He says, “I couldn’t spell ‘sea turtle’ when I left here.” But Eckert adds, “You go where the doors open. You go where you can do the most good and where you can drive the most interest.”

After completing his work in Georgia and embarking on a brief sojourn to Baja, Mexico, the Eckerts were offered a position in the US Virgin Islands to start a leatherback sea turtle conservation program, and ended up staying for five years. During their stay, they purchased land for the first national marine turtle wildlife refuge in the US.

With the project going, and with publications and grants to both their names, the Eckerts were able to get into graduate school and then go on to their doctorates. While doing his post-doctorate research at Scripps College, Eckert did some work with emperor penguins and seals. At the same time, Karen became the director of WIDECAST, the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network, which is the largest and oldest network of its kind. She remains the executive director today.

After finishing his research at Scripps, Eckert took a position with the US National Marine Fisheries Service as the chair of a team of biologists developing recovery plans for sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean, and traveling all over the Pacific. Next in line was thirteen years in a research position at the Hubbs Sea World Research Institute in San Diego. While he did a lot of work with whale sharks, Eckert says that sea turtles were still “the bread and butter” of his life’s work.

Eckert then became WIDECAST’s full-time Director of Science, and for the last five or six years, the Eckerts have worked at Duke University on the coast of North Carolina, while continuing to run the network.

The Eckerts made the move to Saint Louis primarily because their son Adam, whom Eckert called his “best field assistant,” was looking for a more fast-paced setting and, according to Eckert, “fell in love with the idea of attending the Upper School.” They moved WIDECAST’s headquarters to St. Louis, where Karen works long days writing and editing publications and communicating with colleagues all over the world. Eckert says, “All we really need for this network is an international airport and high speed Internet.” Adam, now a junior at the Upper School, has been Dad’s official team member since he was twelve or thirteen and goes to the WIDECAST meeting with his parents every year.

Eckert and his son Adam posing with a leatherback sea turtle on the Island of Trinidad.

In the fall, Eckert will take a permanent position with the College after teaching one more class at Duke this spring. Eckert says, “I think there’s a moral obligation of every scientist to serve as a mentor … it’s the only way science moves forward.” He has already begun extending opportunities to Principia students to get out in the field and build professional experience. He says, “I want to see the students coming out of here doing professional-level science … that’s what made the difference for Karen and me.” He also hopes to prepare Principia students for graduate school, which he said is a necessary step for all science students. He says they’ve already submitted five or six new course ideas, and Eckert promises to set up an abroad program in Trinidad.

In late March, Eckert will be back in Trinidad, checking up on a project to reduce accidental turtle capture by way of gill nets.  Eckert and his colleagues have come up with new technologies that allow fishermen to work with gill nets and “still reduce their turtle capture by at least 50 percent,” he says, “as well as some new fishing techniques that don’t catch turtles at all.” Thanks to Scott and Karen’s work, the Caribbean is now the only region in the world where endangered sea turtle populations are coming back.

Eckert quotes his wife when he says that “whether a sea turtle lives or dies is the decision of the individual that encountered that turtle.” He continued, “If those decision-makers don’t understand the importance of the natural world, if they don’t understand the benefits that the natural world provides and that we are the stewards of that natural world, then we won’t have one anymore.”