Della Winters and Christine Mattley, Associate Professor and Chair
The Sociology & Anthropology Department held its first ever alumni tailgate at Ohio University’s 2016 Homecoming.
“It was a good start for something new for the department, and we appreciate the enthusiasm and encouragement from all who attended to continue with future Homecoming Tailgate events!” said Dr. Christine Mattley, Professor of Sociology and Department Chair.
Among the alumni attending were Jaclyn Lynch ’14, ‘16M, Marilyn Maher ’11, Rebecca Rafferty Malinski ’09, ’11M, Brian Raison ’98M, Leah Butler ’11, ‘16M, and Della Winters ’07, ‘11M. A few current graduate students also stopped by: Haley Hemming, Jacklyn Hockenberry, and Yixin “Vito” Yang.
Haley Hemming, Jacklyn Hockenberry, and Yixin “Vito” Yang
Department faculty who were spotted at the event included Cindy Anderson, Tom Vander Ven, Deb Henderson, Larry Burmeister and Chris Mattley. From the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s office: Dean Bob Frank, Associate Dean Laurie Hatch, Lisa Cohen, and Susan Downard.
About the Alumni
Raison continues working at the Ohio State University Department of Extension. After completing his Ph.D. at OSU in non-formal education and research, he now serves as a faculty member and as a field specialist working statewide on community and organizational leadership programs and projects. He has a teaching appointment in the Department of Agricultural Communications, Education, and Leadership. He and his wife, Jill, have two teenage daughters and continue volunteering with community and faith-based organizations across the United States and internationally.
Raison has been attending tailgates for four years and “was thrilled to stop in at the SocAnth tent this year.”
Maher is working at OHIO Heritage College of Medicine as an administrative associate after spending two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA with a non-profit. Non-profit management and public administration appeal to her, so she is taking time to evaluate master program options.
“I was happy that SocAnth had a tailgate this year and hope the department will continue to hold them in the future! I certainly have fond memories of my time as an Anthropology major, and I am happy to reconnect with the department,” Maher said.
Tom Vander Ven and Leah Butler
“Coming back to Athens for Homecoming was wonderful. It was especially great to spend time with my former professors at the SocAnth Tailgate,” added Butler. “It’s easy to stay in touch with friends and when you leave Athens, but having professors that I can stay in touch with and come back to visit makes me realize how great an impact my time at OHIO in the SocAnth department had on my life.”
“It was also fun because I got to see some of my former classmates at the tailgate. I’m currently a first year Ph.D. student in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. I have continued to work with Dr. Vander Ven on research and have stayed in touch with some of my close friends from my Sociology Master‘s program cohort,” she continued.
“I love that I’ve gotten to move forward in my academic career but I’ll always be a Bobcat and the Sociology and Anthropology department will always be the place where my career as a sociologist began.”
Winters is a Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville focusing on criminology, intersectionality, and social justice. She also continues work she started at Ohio University to explore the structural constraints of academia on the coping strategies utilized by faculty members as they manage work-life balance.
“I had a great time at the OU-SocAnth Tailgate! It was great to visit with faculty members and cohort members, and return ‘home’ with all my fellow bobcats. I’m really looking forward to Homecoming 2017!” she said.
Comments