November 12 , 2020 The Beacon • 9
Raymond Foster
Raymond Foster , known by many in the Xenia area as long-time leader of Xenia ’ s high school and community band programs , died Monday after a long illness .
Ray touched the lives of countless students and fellow musicians throughout his nearly 40-year career . He was born in Roscoe , near the northeast Ohio city of Coshocton , where he met his high school sweetheart , future wife and lifelong companion Jacqueline ( Bendure ). After graduating from The Ohio State University in 1959 , Ray taught music in the Cuyahoga Heights ( Ohio ) school district . In 1966 , he and Jackie , with their two children , moved to Xenia where Ray became the Xenia High School band director , and devoted the next 21 years of his life to cultivating excellence , inclusion , and pride within the school ’ s band ensembles . Whether a young person was a veteran member of the concert band , marching band , pep band , or jazz band , or a study hall student Ray spotted and recruited to come learn an instrument and join the band , they felt his commitment to their value both as a person and as a musician . In 1986 during Ray ’ s final year as director , the Xenia High School marching band received a coveted Superior rating at the Ohio Music Educators ’ Association state-wide marching band competition .
In addition to his devotion to his music students , Ray was a devoted coach and supporter of many young men via his involvement in the Babe Ruth and American Legion youth baseball leagues in Xenia , where he coached teams for nearly a decade between 1975 and 1985 .
After retiring from Xenia schools in 1987 , Ray continued to create musical outlets for others to enjoy . His fondest labor of love during
Raymond Foster
Submitted
this period was founding the Greene County Adult Concert Band in 1988 . The band provided avenues for members of the community to dust off instruments they had formerly played , join with professional and semiprofessional players from the area , and rediscover the joy of performing music together . In 2012 , Ray passed along his director ’ s baton , and the band continued to thrive under the leadership of his colleagues and friends . Ray was also leader of the Nostalgia Big Band , Society Jazz Band , and Four to Go ensemble , performing at community events , weddings and ceremonies in the area , and frequently hamming it up as emcee with his unique brand of humor . In 1990 , Ray was awarded a Sertoma International “ Service to Mankind Award ”, and was inducted into the Xenia Educational Endowment Fund Hall of Honor in 2011 . The value , purpose , and love of music that Ray shared with others was a great joy in his life and a gift to so many .
In his later retirement years , Ray continued to be a fierce Ohio State Buckeye fan , and was an avid golfer , boasting two holes-in-one before the end of his delightfully aggravating amateur golf adventures . One of his favorite leisure activities was sharing and listening to vintage jazz with his family .
Ray is survived by
his wife , Jackie ; daughter , Teri ; son , Barry ; two
granddaughters , Jessica and Beth ; three greatgrandchildren ; and a loving extended family .
Private funeral services are being provided by McColaugh Funeral Home and held at Faith Community United Methodist Church . A celebration of life is planned for late Spring 2021 and will be announced through print and social media outlets . All who knew Ray will be invited at that time .
In lieu of flowers , donations can be made to the Greene County Adult Concert Band by contacting www . greene-band . org , or to Faith Community United Methodist Church by contacting www . fcum . org .
Online condolences may be made to the family at www . mccolaughfuneralhome . com .
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Ohio State University at Newark enrollment numbers are released
Enrollment at the Ohio State University at Newark for autumn semester 2020 is 2,873 . Despite a 2.4 % drop from the prior year , the total number of students at Ohio State Newark still ranks third among all-time student enrollment . This decline in the midst of a pandemic comes after six-consecutive years of rising figures including record-breaking totals in 2018 and again in 2019 .
“ While our applications for admission dropped one-quarter , our yield rate increased from 29-36 %,” said Diane Kanney , director of enrollment . “ We worked hard to minimize the impact to our enrollment , and our decisions paid off with an increase in
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our yield rate .”
Ohio State Newark also achieved records in recruiting minority students . The percentage of minority students reached an all-time high of 34 % with underrepresented minority students increasing to a record 24 %.
“ Due to the pandemic , we were forced to do so many things differently , and we could not welcome students to visit campus in the spring while they were making their final college decisions . This was , by far , our biggest challenge — to enroll students to a campus you could not invite them to visit ,” Kanney said .
Beginning in mid- March , the admissions team switched to all virtual operations , connecting with students via phone , email and the Zoom videoconferencing platform .
A total of 1,404 new first-year students decided Ohio State Newark was a good fit . With access to Ohio State ’ s academics and professors , Ohio State Newark provides a rigorous education while living at home . Small classes and personal attention provide even more opportunity for success .
All students , faculty staff and visitors to the campus must adhere to personal protection and hygiene requirements such as wearing a face mask . Visit www . safeandhealthy . osu . edu for the university ’ s full response to the coronavirus pandemic .
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