Bob Henn, '57 - July 2012
Robert “Bob” Henn, best known for his Wildflowers of Ohio book, presents a look at two of the 19th centuries most famous figures – Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Born on the same day, both men shaped the world in deep and meaningful ways, the impacts of which are still defining our outlooks. Lincoln & Darwin: Two Men Who Shaped the World looks at their lives in tandem, chronicling their choices and actions in order to better understand their impact.
A prominent Ohio naturalist and wildflower expert, Bob Henn is best known for his Wildflowers of Ohio, now in its second edition. A 1957 graduate of Otterbein, Bob earned graduate degrees from Baylor University and Miami University and taught biology for thirty-six years in the Dayton school system. Bob volunteers as Curator of the Herbarium at the Aullwood Audobon Center and Farm in Dayton. Currently, Bob is volunteering at the Miller Ecological Park in Lebanon, Ohio, identifying mammals, trees, wildflowers and birds.
Melica Niccole, '04 - August 2012
Melica Niccole (Hampton) ‘04 offers a series of provocative and emotional poems in her new collection, Poetic Outlets. Melica’s poems are drawn from inspiration received from life and art, including films such as How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and books like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Peruse this month’s display to learn more about poetry and some of Melica’s inspirations.
Melica, a Columbus, Ohio, native, has always been interested in writing. She developed a fondness of writing and creating things at an early age. Writing was a creative expressive technique that she used to talk about various subject matters such as relationships, domestic violence, friendships, and more. These subject matters were mainly expressed in the form of poetry.
Melica has performed in front of audiences at The National Black Book Festival, The Ohio State University, Laughin & Loungin, Writing Wrongs Poetry open mic events, and other places around the country. Her hard work finally paid off in August of 2010 when she released her first book titled, Dead Wrong.
Melica recently completed her Master's Degree in Health Services. Currently, she works with individuals with Developmental Disabilities and has over 9 years of experience in the Human Services field. Her activities include mentoring two young ladies that are 18 and 13 years of age and supporting local companies with planning and implementing effective programming. Melica loves living outside the box and creating new and exciting things. She believes that anything is possible with passion and determination.
The History of Music at Otterbein - October 2012
In the twenty-first century, Otterbein University continues the tradition of excellence that is over 100 years old. Despite the pull of an ever-increasing amount of activities and commitments, the number of students involved in the band program remains strong. Alumni involvement in the ensembles continues to grow, with many sending their children to Otterbein to continue the Otterbein Band tradition. Opera Theatre and Musical Theatre have been collaborating in recent years to the benefit of all involved. Recent graduates have placed highly in competitions, bringing further laurels to the already lauded vocal program. This display is in appreciation and honor of the instrumentalists, vocalists, and musicians of Otterbein University, past, present and future.
Larry Buttermore, '65 - November 2012
No information available.
Curtis Whitfield Tong, '56 - December 2012
Curtis Whitfield Tong ‘56 shares a personal and powerful story in his book, Child of War: Son of Angels. The child of missionaries, his memoir talks about the effect WWII had on the Philippine islands, and the internment camps set up by the Japanese to house American and British civilians & other prisoners of war after they had captured the islands in 1941. A powerful story, told with simplicity and beauty, Tong's book brings a personal element to a little-known portion of WWII history.
Curtis Whitfield Tong grew up in a family of missionaries who spent their time abroad. Graduating from Otterbein in 1956, Curtis then got his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University . He has served in a variety of functions in many different academic institutions, including time at Otterbein as professor of physical education and coach of the men’s basketball team, as well as being active with Otterbein’s football program. After Otterbein, he taught and coached at Williams College in MA. He is the author of two books, is married with three children, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Japan ICU Foundation.
Jim West, '76 - February 2013
In his wonderfully fun new book, Jim West, with Marshall Izen, shares the true story of The Dog Who Sang at the Opera. During the Metropolitan Opera’s 1997 performance of Massenet’s Manon, Pasha, the Russian Wolfhound “extra” who’s role was to simply fill out the on-stage cast, was so moved by the music that she too began to sing during one of Renee Fleming’s arias! Share the magic and the laughter in this engaging tale!
James “Jim” West ‘76 is an established New York City puppeteer, actor, and cartoonist. He has worked with the Metropolitan Opera and even appeared on an episode of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood! Graduating from Otterbein in 1976 with a degree in drama, he then went to the Herbert Berghof Studio and the Parson’s School of Design to finish his studies.
Melissa Dawn Johnson, '99 - March 2013
Melissa’s first book pulls no punches—it is a powerful and passionate book aimed at helping each reader become the person they want to be and live the life they’ve dreamed of. No idle words here—Melissa has lived her ideals, dedicating her life to becoming one of the world's foremost Personal Transformation Strategists. As her website says, “Johnson empowers by reinforcing the idea that change is a catalyst to unleash potential. “ Brand Me: Make your Mark is just the book to help you find the strength and motivation you need to make this life the best it can be!
.Find out more at: www.brandmelive.com!
Melissa Dawn Johnson ‘99 is a leader in personal branding initiatives. She graduated from Otterbein with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration and then obtained her Master of Science from the Integrated Marketing Communications program from Northwestern University. Melissa turned her inspiring and powerful personal drive into a career and is currently CEO and President of both Velvet Suite Marketing Consulting Group and Brand Me International, both based in Atlanta.
Johnson is an international on-air contributor to CNN through a weekly Sunday segment Sunday Morning Motivation. “Making the Brand” an online-web series, gives her audience an insider’s view to the recipe behind the world’s most renowned entrepreneurs, personalities and influential individuals making their mark. In 2008, Johnson created a groundbreaking social platform and online community – “Brand Me Live” (www.brandmelive.com), in conjunction with Endavo Media to offer videos, user-generated content and branding tips, with interactive social media features through the Brand Me Dream Center.
Johnson travels the world speaking about personal and global brand leadership and has been featured in national media including The Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, Essence, Ebony and InsideBrandedEntertainment.com.
Mary Ellen Aremntrout, '66 - April 2013
Mary Ellen Armentrout’s book, Carnegie Libraries of Ohio: Our Cultural Heritage, is as much a labor of love as it informative and intriguing. Her interest in the Carnegie libraries and their rich Ohio history began in graduate school, and led her to not only researching their architecture but their social and cultural impact on the regions and the state. In honor of National Library Week, (April 15—19), we want to share Mary Ellen’s book and all these great materials on Andrew Carnegie, other Carnegie Libraries in America, and the story of Libraries and their impact on our lives. Help us celebrate National Library Week all month long!
Mary Ellen Armentrout ‘66 graduated from Otterbein with a Bachelor’s in French and Home Economics, and went on to get her Masters Degree in Library Science from Indiana University in 1982.
Spending time in libraries in Indiana and Michigan, Mary Ellen returned to her Alma Mater to work at the Courtright Memorial Library in 1986. While at Otterbein, she provided library instruction, and served as Periodicals and Interlibrary Loan librarian. In 1999, she left Otterbein for the Cleveland Botanical Garden and then in 2001 she was made Library Director for the Herrick Memorial Library in Wellington, OH. Currently she serves part-time as a medical librarian at Doctors West Hospital.
Ryan Parrish, '03 - May 2013
One Day, October could easily be called a horror novel. A collection of short stories, each one told in a different tone and perspective, they are carefully written to wring emotions from the page and to bring the reader into their world. But it could just as easily be called a character study, as the thoughts, emotions, and actions of each character drive the action. This subtle interplay between external and internal make the more memorable stories, such as 77 Creekside, all the more powerful.
William Ryan Parrish ‘03, Ryan to his friends, studied Religion while at Otterbein. He completed his studies along with his wife, photographer and artist, Amy Parrish, and found his future in a combination of photography and writing. When not writing, he and Amy run the photography studio Atelier, in Granville, OH. One Day, October is a short story collection, a blending of literary character studies and horror.
Nita Leland, '55 - June 2013
Nita Leland (nee Anita Shannon) ‘55 studied English and Speech/Theatre while at Otterbein, graduating with Honors. Her career as an artist began in 1970 when she, with the encouragement of her husband, began taking classes at the YMCA. Her talents were clear, and soon she began teaching painting to others. Two videos, eleven books, and numerous articles later, Nita’s artistic talent has been an inspiration to many. Still actively instructing the art of watercolor, Nita teaches workshops when she isn’t sharing her skills and her love of art at the Hithergreen Center in Centerville, Ohio. She also keeps a blog about her creative side which can be accessed at nitaleland.blogspot.com/.
Items listed in chronological order by featured author.