Tell us your stories
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mporia State’s Sesquicentennial website has collected a powerful series of Hornet memories during the past year. Here are a few–go to www.emporia.edu/150 and add yours!
I have fond memories of my time in Kansas; the students I taught as a graduate assistant, the friendly people I met in the Emporia community, and my great professors in the music division, most notably Dr. James Starr and Professor Elaine Edwards. I received a great education at Emporia State University and wish continued success and excellence to ESU in its next 150 years. n Mary Louise Petrik (MS-Music 67), Baltimore, Md. I have had the blessing of being associated with Emporia State and the Memorial Union for 44 years beginning as a student. I cannot imagine a better place to be. Amazing alumni friends through the decades enrich my life and inspire me. It is great to reconnect when they return to campus. I have valued my long and ongoing association with our ESU Greek community. “I’m a Hornet!”... and proud of it! n Roger Heineken (BFA-Art 78), Emporia, Kan.
ESU in bumper stickers: My father placed a KSTC bumper sticker on his 1969 Mustang when his oldest daughter first enrolled. He changed it to a EKSC sticker when his second daughter joined her. And while the name changed to ESU through his third daughter and his three sons, and Greek letters were added and removed, the EKSC sticker remained and is still in the rear window of the classic car. n Doug Hermes (BS-Sociology 84),
I enjoyed my four years at ESU. The friendships, teammates, and overall experience was great. As a student, the faculty took the time to make sure that we understood and learned. As a football player, I was a part of a team that was a close unit. Those experiences have helped me throughout my career as an advisor to my clients as an independent insurance agent. n Karl L. Burrell (BSBFinance 93), Dallas, Texas
I loved my undergraduate experience so much I have followed in my greatgrandfather’s academic footsteps (he of Breukelman Hall). Today I am the Vice President for Student Affairs at Missouri Western, a career path I chose because of my campus experience and the many mentors I had at Emporia State. I now oversee many of the areas that I once participated in as an undergraduate at ESU. n Shana Meyer (BS-English 95, MS-Counselor
Education 97), St. Joseph, Mo.
It was my first time in the United States and in an American university. The experience I had at ESU was unique and endless. I did my internship as an exchange international teacher. I enjoyed every piece of ESU—the activities, moments and friends and professors I met there. Happy Anniversary my dearest ESU, my university. You are very deep in my heart. n Vicente Aguilar (BA –English), Asunción, Paraguay I came to ESU in 1962 when it was KSTC. I studied music education under Ms. Hirschorn and Paul Moore. In my sophomore year, I met my wife who was a lover of classical and church music. Concerts gave us a great dating venue. We both believe that our training was second to none and gave us the basis for excellent teaching through many years. ESU changed both our personal and professional life. n Jimmie Webster (BME-Music 67), Memphis, Tenn.
ESU provided the best undergraduate experience I could have ever asked for. It was big enough to find my own way, but small enough to have friendly faces to help guide me when I stumbled. Being a part of multiple programs on campus lead to lifetime experiences that I will cherish forever like studying abroad, being a part of Greek life and fostering friendships that I will have all of my life. n Alice Christian, Graduate Student (MS-Social Work, BS-Rehabilitation Servics Education 12), Wichita, Kan. I will always be indebted to the opportunity given to me by Emporia State. My education there prepared me well for my career. The financial aid office staff went out of their way to help me with a package to afford a college education, and the professors in the Math department went out of their way to help me be successful and graduate. Thank you Emporia State! n Allen Litton (BS-Mathematics 80), Des Moines, Iowa
Liberty, Mo.
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