Dr. Rock History Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS:

The members of Dr. Rock very much appreciate the years of sacrifice and loyal support by Jody Althouse, Deb Montague, and especially Sue Cvejanovich (thanks, Sue, for letting us trash your living room on a regular basis!)

BEGINNINGS

Dr. Rock began in September 1989 as the Barry University Faculty Rock Band. The charter members were Mr. Steve Althouse (Photography) on lead guitar, Dr. Jeremy Montague (Biology) on bass guitar, Mr. Tom Dickinson (Biology) on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Dr. Joanne Pierce (Philosophy and Religious Studies) on vocals, Dr. Rise Samra (Communications) on vocals, and a student drummer, Mr. Chris Dobrowolski. Steve and Jeremy had played in rock bands during the 1960’s; the others wished they had.

The nameless group met weekly in Studio-H in the Fine Arts building, and practiced in secret for several months before their first public performance. They arrived as a surprise entry to a student-talent show in Thompson Hall in November 1989. Dr. Rock blew away the competition that night and took home 1st-place. Within two months, they expanded with the addition of Dr. George Cvejanovich (Political Science) on keyboards and Mr. Michael "Cable-Boy" Elliott (Chemistry) on vocals, bass guitar, and various cables.

THE NAME

The name "Dr. Rock and the Terminal Degrees" refers to Steve Althouse’s efforts in 1988 to amend the official criteria in the Faculty Handbook for promotion from Associate Professor to Full Professor. The handbook at the time stated that only faculty holding the doctoral degree could attain the rank of Full Professor. Steve held the Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), which was a so-called "terminal degree" in the visual and performing arts (there is no "Ph.D." awarded in the fine arts such as photography or dance). Thanks to Steve’s efforts, the Faculty Senate (including Senator Joanne Pierce) and the Board of Trustees amended the criteria to include the M.F.A. as a terminal degree for promotion to Full Professor. And, by the way, Steve was promoted to Full Professor in 1989. At the final rehearsal before the band’s first public appearance in November 1989, Joanne Pierce referred to Steve, with some slight sarcasm, as "Dr. Rock," and to the rest of us as "his little Terminal Degrees." And so the legend was born.

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

November 1989 Thompson Hall Houndstooth - Student Talent Contest (roughly 150 screaming fans)...High-Light: Dr. Rock takes home 1st place!

December 1989 Thompson Hall Houndstooth - Faculty/Staff Christmas Party (roughly 200 frightened employees)...High-Light: Dr. Rock clears the dance floor!

February 1990 Thompson Hall Houndstooth – Rath-Night (roughly 200 energetic fans)...High-Light: Dr. Cvejanovich’s debut!

February 1990 Holtz Quadrangle – outdoor picnic for ACE alumni (roughly 30 deaf fans)...High-Light: Mr. Elliott’s debut!

February 1990 Thompson Hall TV-Studio – taping session...High-Light: Dr. Rock’s first video!

March 1990 Thompson Hall – International Students’ Potpurri Cultural Exhibit (several hundred delirious fans...High-Light: audience all up on the stage for the encore!

March 1990 Garner Hall TV-Studio – taping session...High-Light: Tim Stout’s special lighting effects!

May 1990 Weber Hall – 1st Annual Farewell to the Seniors (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: final appearance for Mr. Dickinson, Dr. Pierce, and Dr. Samra!

November 1990 Thompson Hall Houndstooth – Rath-Night (roughly 200 energetic fans)...High-Light: 1st concert video footage!

May 1991 Weber Hall – 2nd Annual Farewell to the Seniors (roughly 800 rowdy fans)...High-Light: Chris Dobrowolski’s final concert appearance!

May 1991 Broad Auditorium – Chris Dobrowolski’s Senior Music Recital (roughly 30 bemused parents, faculty, and friends)...High-Light: Dr. Rock joins Chris in rocking version of Born to be Wild!

December 1991 - Dr. Wade Silverman’s Christmas Party (roughly 50 dancin’ guests)...High-Light: Concert debut of Mr. Reising, Ms. Vacca, and Ms. Wolfe!

March 1992 Blue Marlin Bar - North Miami (roughly 75 screaming fans)...High-Light: everybody made it home in one piece!

May 1992 Thompson Hall Houndstooth – 3rd Annual Farewell to the Seniors (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: debut of the Althouse 60’s photo-slide review!

October 1992 Holtz Quadrangle – Hurricane-Andrew Benefit (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: Dr. Rock’s sound system simulates a howling hurricane!

May 1993 Thompson Hall Houndstooth – 4th Annual Farewell to the Seniors (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: debut of the tie-dye sheet stage motif!

July 1993 Irish Pub House - Miami South Beach (roughly 30 seasoned, 60’s-rock fans)...High-Light: smallest square-footage ever for Dr. Rock!

September 1993 C.B. Smith Park, Pembroke Pines - St. Thomas University Law School Picnic (roughly 10-15 disinterested listeners)...High-Light: deadest crowd ever for Dr. Rock…law students, it figures!   (sorry, Nick...hee hee)

February 1994 Bamboo Inn Bar - North Miami (roughly 30 loyal fans)...High-Light: Dr. Rock hot on a cold, frosty night!

April 1994 Thompson Hall Houndstooth – 5th Annual Farewell to the Seniors (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: farewell performances for Ms. Vacca and Ms. Wolfe!

March 1995 Barry University Alumni Cruise – Biscayne Bay (roughly 50 sea-sick fans)...High-Light: Dr. Rock marathon performance of Wooly-Bully!

April 1995 Thompson Hall Houndstooth – 6th Annual Farewell to the Seniors (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: another loud set!

October 1995 Holtz Quadrangle - Residential Life Alchohol-Awareness Benefit (roughly 100 sober fans)...High-Light: everyone made it home safe & sound!

April 1996 Holtz Quadrangle – 7th Annual Farewell to the Seniors (roughly 75 rain-soaked fans)...High-Light: Dr. Cramer’s debut (and final) concert!

June 1996 Special Guest Appearance - Chris Dobrolowski-Carol Boehm wedding reception (roughly 100 shocked guests)...High-Light: Louie Louie medley!

February 1997 Holtz Quadrangle – Barry Alumni Reunion for Classes of 1962 & 1967 (roughly 200 baby-boom alumni)...High-Light: Ms. Geiselle Rios’ debut!

April 1997 Shooters Restaurant, Miami Beach – 8th Annual Farewell to the Seniors (several hundred delirious fans)...High-Light: final appearance of Mr. Elliott, and Dr. Rock’s first police bust!

September 1997 Churchill’s Pub -  North Miami (roughly 20 late-night fans)...High-Light: Dr. Diehl’s debut (bass on Gloria)!

November 1997 Thompson Hall – Residential Life Alcohol-Awareness Benefit (roughly 100 sober fans)...High-Light: power quartet - Althouse, Cvejanovich, Montague, and Reising!

December 1998 Holtz Quadrangle – Special Christmas-Break Benefit (roughly 30 exam-weary students).

December 1998 Hibiscus Island Art-Show & Benefit – Another Special Christmas-Break Benefit...

April 1999 Churchill’s Pub -  North Miami (roughly 20 late-night fans)...High-Light: surprise "Special Guest" on saxophone jams out with Dr. Rock!

April 2000 Thompson Hall – Farewell to the Seniors...

June 2000 Churchill’s Pub -  North Miami (roughly 20 late-night fans)

April -  Barry University Festival of Nations (Dr. Rock represents the U.S.A.!!)

April 2002 Thompson Hall Quad -  Barry University Festival of Nations (Dr. Rock represents the U.S.A.!!)

February 2003 Barry Athletic Fields -  Barry University 2003 Alumni Home Coming (Dr. Rock greets returning alums & faithful fans!!)

April 2003 Thompson Hall Quad -  Barry University Festival of Nations (Dr. Rock represents the U.S.A.!!)

February 2004 Main Campus Quad -  Barry University Alumni Home Coming

April 2004 Thompson Hall Quad -  Barry University Festival of Nations (Dr. Rock represents the U.S.A.!!)

May 2004 Main Campus Quad -  Miami Shores-Barry University Relay for Life & the American Cancer Society Benefit (Dr. Rock rocks for good health!)

January 2005 St. Rose Festival - Miami Shores- Dr. Rock soars above it all at St. Rose Festival! (thanks to special guest-guitarist Bob Zwick from St. Rose!)

February 2005 Cushman Academy Homecoming - Miami Shores- Dr. Rock brings real Fine Arts to the Cushman School!

March 2005 -  Barry University Festival of Nations (Dr. Rock represents the U.S.A.!!)

April 2005 South Miami Relay for Life - Miami-Dade Community College (Kendal Campus)...Dr. Rock opens the relay with a smokin' performance!

April 2005 Miami Shores Relay for Life -  Miami Shores-Barry University Relay for Life & the American Cancer Society Benefit (Dr. Rock rocks for good health!)