The Alumni National Tour Kicks Off in Ohio

Written by Doug Goodnough

The 2022-2023 Hillsdale College Alumni National Tour is off and running, and three July events in Ohio kicked off the schedule. The Alumni team visited Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, with more than 100 alumni gathering at these three events. Alumni shared recent happenings and reflected on past memories as they enjoyed food and fellowship at each event. Here are some highlights:

Vietnam War veteran Jim Jenkins, ’70, got his first job working just down the street from campus at the local radio station, Radio Hillsdale WCSR 92.1 FM. He spent his early career learning from legendary local broadcaster Parke Hayes, ’67, as he hosted the afternoon show. From there, he went on to an interesting career in communications. Eventually, he was hired as a writer/producer for a fledgling TV news network—CNN. When he started in 1981, the network was less than a year old, and Jenkins said construction wasn’t even finished on the building when the Atlanta-based network went on the air. He said owner Ted Turner was an interesting figure, often hanging around the studio at all hours of the day and night. As the early morning writer, Jenkins said he had a chance to cover several notable stories, including the O.J. Simpson trial. Jenkins retired from CNN in 2007, and has since settled in the Cleveland area near family. What does he think of the network now? “I don’t watch it,” he said.
Russell and Julie Finke Morey, ’13, ’15, belonged to a book club in the Cincinnati area filled with multiple Hillsdale alumni. But they have recently expanded the book club into a social group where their close-knit group of friends hangs out and does fun things together. The day after the Cincinnati event, they had plans to go kayaking down a river with the group. But they’ve also held game nights and potlucks in the past. They said they’re very thankful for the ability to be in the company of and engage in conversations with Hillsdale people.
John Shaughnessy, ’71, shared that as a student, he had the honor of being the “chauffeur” for then-President J. DonPhillips. Working in the Dow Center videotaping conferences and handling other tasks, Shaughnessy said he gained valuable experience. He currently resides in Berea, Ohio.
Jennifer Link Lippus, ’91, serves on the College’s Board of Women Commissioners. She has also had a long career in sales, marketing, and non-profit fundraising. She currently is Erie County’s regional director for the Boys and Girls Club in her hometown of Sandusky, Ohio. She said she is looking forward to the Charger Derby in November.
Matt Hoenig, ’17, was a biology major who went on to get a master’s degree at Wright State University in environmental science. Heightened during his time at Hillsdale, he’s taken his love of paleontology from doing a dinosaur dig with the College in North Dakota to being a hobby paleontologist—going into fossil parks and quarries searching for old fossils. At Hillsdale, he gave a senior presentation on the true age of the earth. He remembers delivering his research to a crowded room, and even having a protestor outside of the door. He plans to continue his education and earn a doctorate.
Lennie Stover, ’79, said he always wanted to play baseball for the Chargers. However, he was a member of the football team, and then-coach Jack McAvoy strongly “encouraged” him to participate in spring football practice. Stover finally got his wish as a senior, earning a spot on the baseball team. Then-coach Johnny Williams, who was suffering from cancer at the time, was a memorable figure, and Stover said he enjoyed his lone season on the diamond. The Cleveland resident is the owner of Stover Construction.
Bob Phillips, ’87, said he is currently training to once again participate in Pelotonia, a two-day bike ride in Columbus, Ohio. The event, which began in 2008, raises funds for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—The James. Pelotonia, the Ride, includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism, according to the event description.
Ben Liebing, ’08, said he runs into people who are not alumni but very enthusiastic about Hillsdale College. Once, on a boat tour in Boca Grande, Florida, the captain noticed his Hillsdale apparel. Liebing found out “Captain Will” is an Imprimis subscriber, has enrolled in online courses, and is a donor to the College. He even offered to give tours to other Hillsdale College people who vacation down there. Liebing also shared that wearing Hillsdale gear in public has been a great conversation starter.
Tom Ruebel, ’90, DSP, is the vice president of State Government Relations at US Bancorp in the Columbus area. He has been working in the banking industry for more than two decades after beginning his career in Ohio politics. He and his wife, Lana, have two grown children. “Rube” was a member of both the Charger baseball and football teams, and continues to be an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Cleveland professional sports scene—as well as the Chargers.

Special thanks to Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Programs Braden VanDyke for sharing information from our young alumni.

Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s new director of Alumni Marketing. He’s looking forward to connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.

Published in August 2022