Rudy Cope -This week, I visited some high schools in Cincinnati I missed on the first go-round – Winton Woods, Moeller and Princeton H.S., home of Wabash’s very own Lonnie Dusch ’96. 

Although I’ve been at Wabash for five years (which nearly qualifies me for “rookie” status on this admissions team!), this is my first year recruiting in Ohio and Kentucky.  So, this was the first chance I’d had to meet Lonnie, who has been faithful to do his part in sharing about his Wabash experience with future generations of Wabash men.  I was lucky enough to find a Cracker Barrel in Sharonville, Ohio, and just happened to have enough time to grab a bite in between visits (what trip would be complete without a Cracker Barrel stop!?).  I included a picture of my entrée:  it was a treat!

On to Covington – the “Kentucky side” of Cincinnati.  I received a very nice reception from Kerry Overstake, guidance counselor at Covington Catholic High School (I suppose it didn’t hurt anything that I brought Dunkin’ Donuts) and got to meet with a very fine young man from that school.  Kerry had worked in admissions at the University of Cincinnati prior to moving into guidance at Covington Catholic.  I also visited Beechwood and Highlands before moving on to Louisville for two days.

My stop in Louisville included a nice visit with John Fischer H‘70, Professor of Classics Emeritus.  John took me on a tour of his new house and we talked – about food, Greece, books, politics, war and of course, Wabash, its students, and the many student relationships John values very much.  After the house tour, John and I went down to Ramsi’s Café on Bardstown Road (the neighborhood is somewhat akin to Broad Ripple), which offered a broad menu and wine list.

My Louisville stint also allowed me a short visit with Dr. Eric Shreve ’02.  Eric is urology resident at the Louisville Medical Center hospitals.  We grabbed some wings at the Buffalo Wild Wings and swapped Wabash stories.  Eric will be on campus November 8 for our “Top Ten Scholarship” visit day.

I suppose – by now – you’re wondering if I actually did any work in Louisville!  No worries, between alum meetings and Cracker Barrel stops, I managed to visit eight high schools in Louisville.  I had the good fortune of crossing paths with Phil Hoagland ’93, who teaches at Seneca High School.  I also met with one of their fine students – a National Achievement Scholar, no less!  Here’s hoping he becomes “Some Little Giant”!

All and all, this was a great week and I have plenty of pictures to share.  We haven’t done a lot of travel to Kentucky schools in recent years, so my expectations were far exceeded thanks to supportive guidance counselors and loyal Wabash alumni and friends.