Summer 2006
Experience
THE ARTS at Washburn
CONTENTS
7 Commencement | The St. Andrew Pipes and Drums of Kansas City and grand marshal Myrl Duncan, professor, School of Law, lead law faculty, dignitaries and 148 graduates in procession.
18
F E AT U R E S
10 Blanche Bryden:
A legacy that continues shaping lives at Washburn
23
14 Living Art:
Experience an abundance of music, theatre and visual arts on Washburn’s campus
23 Jennifer Harris:
A Lady Blues star hopes for future in the pros
Washburn Alumni Association Contact Us! Your news, thoughts and questions are important to us. Please write, telephone or send us an e-mail. Letters to the editor and news of employment, honors, weddings, anniversaries and births are always welcome. Please include your name, class year, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the editor may be edited for length and clarity. Address: 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, Kan., 66621 Telephone: (785) 670-1641 Email: wualumni@washburn.edu Web site: www.washburn.edu/alumni To the editor: attention to Joy Thompson, (785) 670-1657, joy.thompson@washburn.edu
Alumni director
Alumni magazine editor
Susie Hoffmann, bba ’87
Joy Thompson
Contributors Dena Anson, ba ’01 director, university relations
Martha Imparato, Mabee Library reference librarian
Jill Bronaugh, communications officer Washburn Endowment Association
Robin Kruschinska, ba ’99 assistant director, Alumni Association
Katy Browne, secretary, Alumni Association Gene Cassell, sports information director Peggy Clark, university photographer Ernie Gunzelman, b ed ’55 and m ed ’68, Class Notes
Amanda Millard, ba ’00 assistant director, university relations Vickie Waters, office assistant, university relations Jeremy Wangler, assistant sports information/marketing director FryeAllen, Inc., Topeka, Kan. design and layout
Student Alumni Association Board president Elise Short
From the
President
11 Summer brings the arts into full bloom. Of course, on campus, we enjoy the arts all year, but there is an easy, relaxed openness to our enjoyment of the arts in the summer. In the winter we dash from our cars to a program or gallery with our collars up against the chill wind. In the summer, festivals and celebrations encourage a leisurely stroll, an open collar and a contemplative mood. This is the 20th season for the Sunflower Music Festival at Washburn. Thousands attend eight Jerry Farley nights of full-house performances in White Concert Hall. The Mulvane Court adjacent to White Concert Hall is a wonderful outdoor gallery with sculpture and plantings adding ambience to musical evenings. The Mulvane/Mountain Plains Art Fair brings art and artists from across the nation to our campus, and the theatre department offers a play in June and August. Mulvane Art Museum will reopen this “Summer brings fallThe after extensive renovations, with open to bloom our and airy galleries offering wonderful places to special exhibits. Expanded galleries appreciation for art, display will allow for the display of Mulvane’s beauty, culture impressive permanent collection. a leisurely walk across campus on and expression.” theTake way to a concert or play. Stroll from the fountain at the corner of 17th Street and Washburn Avenue past the outdoor sculpture exhibits to the garden surrounding the Carole Chapel and over to the new Harvey Garden by the art building. Summer brings to bloom our appreciation for art, beauty, culture and expression. Join us.
DEPARTMENTS
2 4 7 10 14 17 18 27
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ALUMNI NEWS COMMENCEMENT WEA FEATURE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS CLASS NOTES
Jerry Farley
16 www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 1
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUGUST 4 After Hours, 5 p.m. 12 - 21 Alumni Association sponsored travel to China 31 Wake Up With Washburn, speaker Kevin Moncrief, bba ’83, 7:30 a.m.
NOVEMBER
All alumni events are in the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, unless noted. For information, call (785) 670-1641.
MULVANE EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
SEPTEMBER Alumni Association tailgate, Washburn vs. Colorado School of Mines, 11 a.m. 15 After Hours, 5 p.m. 30 Alumni Association tailgate, Washburn vs. Southwest Baptist University, 11 a.m. (Family Day)
2
JULY 28 - 30 Mulvane Women’s Board Antique Show and Sale, Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 14 Alumni Association tailgate, Washburn vs. Northwest Missouri State University, 11 a.m. 26 Wake Up With Washburn, speaker Gregory Waller, ba ’70 and jd ’73, 7:30 a.m. 27 Alumni Fellows Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. 27 After Hours, 5 p.m. 28 Alumni Association tailgate, Washburn vs. Emporia State University, 11 a.m. (Homecoming/Hall of Fame)
THEATRE
3 After Hours, 5 p.m. 11 Alumni Association tailgate, Washburn vs. Missouri Western State University, 11:30 a.m. (Senior Day)
Barbara-Waterman-Peters
ALUMNI EVENTS
15 - 16 Grand Opening Weekend for newly renovated Mulvane Art Museum The Mulvane Art Museum is located in Garvey Fine Arts Center. For information, call (785) 670-1511.
MUSIC
AUGUST 25 - 26 “Crimes of the Heart,” 8 p.m. 27 “Crimes of the Heart,” 2 p.m. Located at the Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre, Garvey Fine Arts Center. Schedule subject to change. For information, call (785) 670-1639.
ACADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE AUGUST 25 All University Convocation, Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre, Garvey Fine Arts Center, 12:45 p.m. 19 Fall classes begin 21 School of Law classes begin
JULY 16 - 19 Total Percussion Camp, For information, call Tom Morgan. (785) 670-1521
SEPTEMBER 29 Orchestra Concert, White Concert Hall, Garvey Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. 2 | summer 2006 | www.washburn.edu/alumni
SEPTEMBER 4 Labor Day (University closed) 30 Family Day
OCTOBER 19 - 21 Fall break 28 Homecoming, Washburn vs. Emporia State University, 1 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS JULY 17 - 19 Camp BLUE: Business Leaders Understanding Entrepreneurship, registration required. For information, call (785) 670-1030. 19 - 21 Pre-legal Camp. Students learn about the opportunities available in a law career, registration required. For information, call (785) 670-1030. 26 Washburn Board of Regents public budget hearing, location TBA, 4 p.m.
29 Healthcare Interview Day, Washburn Room, Memorial Union, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information, call (785) 670-1450.
SCHOOL OF LAW
7, 14, 21, 28, 8 - 9:30 p.m. 20 Kansas Women Attorneys Association annual meeting, Ol Stuga, Lindsborg, Kan., 5 - 6:30 p.m. 27 Chicago area alumni reception hosted by Gary McCallister, jd ’75
SEPTEMBER 7
August through July 2007 Exhibit by four Washburn University art professors: “Prairie Earth,” an exploration of prairie ecology and land development in Kansas, the Flint Hills and Sedgwick County, Wichita (Kan.) Art Museum 30 Activities and Majors Fair, Memorial Union, 11 a.m - 2 p.m. For information, call (785) 670-1942.
Wichita area alumni reception, Wichita, Kan., 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 8 Southwest Kansas Bar Association reception, Dodge City Depot, Dodge City, Kan., 4:30 - 7 p.m. 12 Denver alumni reception at the home of David Byassee, jd ’75, Denver, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 13 Houston alumni reception at the home of Sue Jean White, bba ’77 and jd ’80, Houston, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 14 Dallas/Ft. Worth alumni reception at the home of Paul Hoferer, jd ’75, Southlake, Texas, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
OCTOBER SEPTEMBER 8 - 17 Washburn booth at the State Fair, Meadowlark Building, Hutchinson, Kan., Washburn alumni will receive a special gift 13 Career and Graduate School Fair, Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For information, call (785) 670-1450. 18 Constitution and Citizenship Day 28 - 30 60th Annual Mountain-Plains Philosophy Conference. For information, call (785) 670-1542.
24, 31, 8:30 - 10 p.m.
JULY
25 Golf Scramble with Lunch and Continuing Legal Education, Shawnee Country Club, Topeka, 8:30 a.m.
Marguerite Perret | Blossom
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST AUGUST
CRANE OBSERVATORY
28 Dean’s Circle Dinner, Inter Continental Hotel, Kansas City, Mo., 6 p.m. For information on School of Law alumni events, call (785) 670-1011.
Mark Your Calendars for
OCTOBER 5, 12, 26, 7:30 - 9 p.m.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • AUG. 16: WU Move Crew. Alumni and friends are needed to welcome incoming students and help them move into campus residence halls from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Volunteers will be assigned to work at Kuehne Hall and West Hall, the Living Learning Center or the Washburn Village. To sign up, contact Brittany Hinegardner, residential living complex coordinator, at (785) 670-2545 or e-mail resliving@washburn.edu. • SEPT. 8-17: The Washburn booth at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Alumni and friends are needed for four-hour shifts. Please contact Amanda Millard, assistant director of university relations, at (785) 670-2153 or amanda.millard@washburn.edu, by Wednesday, Aug. 2 with the day(s) and time(s) you would like to assist. For more information about the fair, visit www.kansasstatefair.com. • NOV. 10-12: The forensics team needs judges for the debate tournament they are hosting on the Washburn campus. To volunteer, contact Kevin O’Leary, director of forensics, at (785) 670-2234 or kevin.oleary@washburn.edu. • DEC. 2: Quest High School Academic Competition (formerly High Q), needs volunteers to quiz high school participants in “Super Saturday” 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. To sign up, contact Amanda Millard, assistant director of university relations, at (785) 670-2153 or amanda.millard@washburn.edu.
Homecoming 2006
Let the Games Begin! • Oct. 26 Wake Up With Washburn, 7:30 a.m., Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center • Oct. 27 Alumni Fellows Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center • Oct. 27 After Hours, 5 - 7 p.m., Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
• Oct. 28 Athletics Hall of Fame induction and breakfast, 8 a.m., Washburn Room, Memorial Union • Oct. 28 Homecoming parade, 11 a.m. • Oct 28 Tailgate with the Alumni Association at 11:30 a.m. and cheer for the Ichabods vs. Emporia State University, 1 p.m.
www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 3
ALUMNI NEWS
Aug. 31
Oct. 26
Kevin Moncrief, bs ’83 and bba ’83, Victorville, Calif., will kick off the 2006-07 Wake Up With Washburn Breakfast Lecture Series. Moncrief is an Ernst and Young principal, leading the West Coast Security and Technology Solutions practice. The Honorable Gregory Waller, ba ’70 and jd ’73, Wichita, Kan., will mark the beginning of Homecoming Weekend. Waller serves as judge for Division 5 of the 18th Judicial District of Kansas, located in Wichita, and was the presiding judge in the trial of the BTK serial killer.
Up to Date with Washburn The “Ichabod Insider” online newsletter is filled with photos, breaking news, sports updates and links to additional campus Web sites. To subscribe, e-mail Alumni Association Director Susie Hoffmann at susie@washburn.edu.
Look for Directory in fall
photo by Susie Hoffmann
Since November, representatives from Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI) have been contacting alumni to verify information for a Washburn alumni directory. This process takes some time, but the directories are expected to be ready for mailing this fall. If you haven’t been contacted to update your information, call PCI at (800) 982-1589. ■ At the races: Washburn alumni and friends from the Phoenix area gathered Feb. 18 at Turf Paradise, where they watched the “Washburn University Alumni” race. (L to R): Dixie Cook, ba ’62; David Sollars, dean School of Business; Sandra (Stetler) Carroll, b ed ’64; Terry Marshall, bba ’63; Susan Farley; Ruth Garvey Fink; Jack Swartz, bba ’73 and ba ‘74; Sandra (Shaw) Crimmins, bba ’59; and Washburn President Jerry Farley. 4 | summer 2006 | www.washburn.edu/alumni
Alumni
70-year alumna remembers Dust Bowl years
Weekend 2006 As part of Alumni Weekend, those attending the April 22 Alumni Awards and Recognition Dinner congratulated the new class of 50-year Golden Ichabods and celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of four alumni and a friend of the university. Hayden St. John, ba ’62 and jd ’70, Topeka, Distinguished Service Award
Jayne (Bronson) Cafer, ba ’58, Topeka, Distinguished Service Award
Heather (Gish) Wachsnicht, bba ’97, Shawnee, Kan., Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
Charles Engel, jd ’85, Topeka, Ruth Garvey Fink Award
Class of 1965 celebrates 50 years: Darrell Parnell, bs ’56, Topeka, professor emeritus of physics, receives his 50-year alumni pen from Susie Hoffmann, bba ’87, Washburn Alumni Association director. Others inducted into the Golden Ichabods include Barbara (Miller) Blackburn, ba ’56, Topeka; James Blackburn, bba ’56, Topeka; Jan (Blaisdell) Bowen, ba ‘56, Dacula, Ga.; Forrest Fernkopf, b ed ’56 and m ed ‘74, Topeka; Ann (Kirk) Nelson, b ed ’56, Topeka; and Don Nelson, ba ’56, Mission Hills, Kan.
photo by Peggy Clark
photos by Peggy Clark
Virginia (Rehkopf) Feeley, Topeka, earned a life teaching certificate from Emporia State University before enrolling at Washburn Virginia (Rehkopf) Feeley | Topeka, speaks after being honored as a 70-year alumna. in 1921, where she began four years of taking classes, as she describes it, “now and then, until I worked up enough hours to graduate.” Feeley remembers draught and dust during those years. “I was driving to Washburn during the noon hour with the lights on because the dust was so thick,” she said. Feeley said she “found her niche” in social work after graduating from Washburn in 1936 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. In 1939, she earned a master’s degree in social work from Smith College, Northampton, Mass. She first worked as a probation officer in the juvenile court and was also a researcher at the Menninger Clinic. Her career includes service at the Kansas Children’s Service League, Shawnee County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Feeley, who turned 95 in May, describes life today as being “very, very busy.” She has served as president of the resident’s council at Brewster Place Retirement Community and currently serves as librarian and is a member of the singing group. She has three sons and seven grandchildren. In memory of her husband, who was a dentist and attended Washburn, she established the Newell O. and Virginia Feeley Endowment Fund for students planning careers in the field of aging and to provide outreach services for the aging.
Lady Blues basketball team members celebrate with Nancy (Edwards) Cottril, Topeka, who received the Lilla Day Monroe Award. Nancy Cottril and her husband, Wayne Cottril, have befriended and encouraged Washburn’s student athletes for many years. (from L to R): Jessica Mainz, Topeka; Bojana Samardziska, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro; Juwanna Rivers, Cleveland, Ohio; Nancy Cottril; April Roadhouse, Osborne, Kan.; Carla Sintra, Goiana, Brazil; Kaydi Hooker, Casper, Wyo.; Wayne Cottril; and Lora Westling, Casper, Wyo. photo by Peggy Clark
summer 2006 | 5
photo by Peggy Clark
ALUMNI NEWS
photo by Peggy Clark
ALUMNI NEWS
■ Author honors famous uncle: Ridley Pearson, Kirkwood, Mo., and Ruth Garvey Fink, Topeka, pose in front of a painting of Bradbury Thompson, ba ’34, and honorary doctorate ’65, in the Bible Room of the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. Pearson, a nephew of Bradbury Thompson and a New York Times best-selling fiction writer, spoke at the April 23 champagne brunch celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.
Alumni Association Board of Directors 2005-06 President
Board Members
Ray Killam, bba ’70
Ann Adrian, b ed ’67 Dennis Bohm, bba ’04 Paula Roberts Buchele, bba ’90 and mba ’94 Jerry Gray, bba ’68 Richard Harmon, ba ’79 and jd ’82 Pamela Hollie, ba ’70 and honorary doctorate ’04 Jared Holroyd, ba ’95
President-Elect Cindy Rogers, ba ’69
Past President Mary Lou McPhail, ba ’84
Larry Irwin, bba ’66 Marie Kalas, bba ’88 Mike Laughon, bs ’66 Niki McDowell, bba ’92 Dave Moore, bba ’70 Jim Sloan, ba ’50 and jd ’52 Ed Soule, ba ’62 and jd ’65 Leo Taylor, ba ’74 Jim Turner, ba ’68
Special offer $24.95 Oxford University Press Edition of the Washburn College Bible celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center • Designed by Bradbury Thompson, ba ’34 and honorary doctorate ’65 • King James text phrased for ease in reading • 66 full-color reproductions of art masterpieces Please send _____ copies of the one-volume Washburn College Bible at $24.95 each. Name_________________________________ ______________________________________ Address _______________________________
■ Peter McVicar’s Bible: As part of their 150th anniversary celebrations, Topeka’s First Congregational Church presented Washburn President Jerry Farley with a Bible that once belonged to the Rev. Peter McVicar, who served from 1871-95 as Washburn’s president. The Bible, given to McVicar on Dec. 25, 1869 by the Young Men’s Bible Class, is on display in the Bible Room of the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.
______________________________________ City __________________________________ State__________________________________ Zipcode _______________________________ WASHBURN UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE 1700 SW College Ave. Topeka, Kan. 66621 (888) 475-6360 www.washburnbookstore.com
6 | summer 2006 | www.washburn.edu/alumni
COMMENCEMENT
New honors conferred at 2006 Commencement Mortar Board arrives at Washburn
Teachers who Inspire Five educators from Kansas K-12 schools were honored during commencement exercises as the first Teachers Who Inspire. They were chosen from nominations submitted by graduating seniors wishing to say thank you to teachers who had made significant contributions to their education or transformed them as individuals. Dennis Van Roekel, Alexandria, Va., vice president of the National Education Association, spoke at a reception honoring the award recipients. The idea for the program came from Alan Bearman, assistant professor, history, who read about such a program in the Boston area and brought the information to the attention of Ron Wasserstein, vice president, academic affairs.
The Greek letters Pi Sigma Alpha stand for the Mortar Board ideals of scholarship, service and leadership.
“We were struck by the great need to recognize, and to encourage our students to recognize, the extraordinary influence of teachers in their lives,” Wasserstein said. “We hoped to put together a program that would honor inspirational teachers, and in so doing would honor all teachers. We hope that all who hear about these teachers will remember those teachers who inspired them and will express their gratitude to all the wonderful professionals who teach our children.”
Sixty-six graduates crossed the stage wearing Mortar Board medals during commencement exercises. Denise Ottinger, vice president, student life, herself an active Mortar Board member, was instrumental in guiding Washburn students through the application process. Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. “What it means for our students [to be in Mortar Board] is a connection to a national group of like-minded individuals who will support their endeavors in these areas,” said Donna LaLonde, dean, honors program. “There are also internship possibilities as well as a strong alumni network.”
■ 2006 Teachers Who Inspire with the Washburn students who nominated them and guest speaker Dennis Van Roekel, National Education Association. Front (L to R): Jane Rankin, Ashland Junior/Senior High School; Cara Burnidge, Weir, Kan.; Kate McCown, Ashland, Kan.; Eryn O’Neill, Topeka; Nola Milligan, Valley Falls High School; Norma Monroe, Rosedale Middle School, Kansas City, Kan.; Tanesha Berry, Kansas City, Kan.; Back (L to R): Washburn President Jerry Farley, Gary Leiker, Southeast High School, Cherokee, Kan.; Dennis Van Roekel, NEA; Ryan Gilliland, Topeka; and Lora Watson, Concordia High School. photo by Peggy Clark
www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 7
COMMENCEMENT
Four receive honorary doctorates during 2006 commencement exercises Frank Sabatini received an honorary doctor
are patrons of the arts and have established the
The Honorable
of commerce during the School of Business
Judith (Lennox) Sabatini Endowed Fund, which
Sam Crow, jd ’52,
commencement exercises. He holds a bachelor’s
provides program support for the Mulvane.
Topeka, received an
degree from the University of Kansas and a juris School of Law. He has owned Capital City Bank since 1979, currently serves as chairman emeritus, and has also been involved in ranching, convenience stores and Pizza Hut restaurants. His support of, and service to, the community and
Jon Kuhn, photo by Peggy Clark
doctor degree from the University of Kansas
honorary doctor of
bfa ’72, Winston
law degree during
Salem, N.C., addressed
School of Law
the graduates of
graduation exercises.
the College of Arts
He serves as Senior Judge for the U.S. District
and Sciences as he
Court, to which he was appointed by President
received an honorary
Ronald Reagan in 1981. Crow served in Korea and
Kansas education is extensive and includes the
doctor of fine arts degree. Kuhn holds a master’s
then joined the Judge Advocate General Corps,
Washburn Board of Regents and support of the
of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth
retiring as a colonel in the Army Reserves. He has
Washburn Women’s Alliance. He and Judith
University and is president of the board for Kuhn
argued cases before the Kansas Supreme Court,
(Lennox) Sabatini are members of the Washburn
Glass Studios. He is currently working with the
the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals
Lincoln Society and Whiting Society.
North Carolina School of the Arts on a major
and the U.S. Army General Court Martial Courts.
Judith (Lennox) Sabatini, bfa ’85,was
development project. His works are included in
He founded the Sam A. Crow American Inns of
conferred an honorary doctor of fine arts degree
the permanent collection of the White House and
Court, which emphasizes excellence in litigation
during commencement exercises for the College
are in the Corning (N.Y.) Museum of Glass, the
and legal ethics. He has been an adjunct professor
of Arts and Sciences. A photographer and
Ebeltoft (Denmark) Museum, the Metropolitan
for the Washburn School of Law, served on the
founding member of The Collective Art Gallery
Museum of Art in New York City and the Lusanne
School of Law Alumni Association Board of
in Topeka, she formerly served as assistant to
(Switzerland) Museum. One of Kuhn’s glass
Governors and was honored by the School of
the director of the Mulvane Art Museum and
works, “Cotes du Rhone,” is on permanent display
Law with the Distinguished Service Award in 2000.
as an adjunct instructor in the art department.
in the Bradbury Thompson
She headed the volunteer fundraising effort
Alumni Center, and his art
to renovate the Mulvane Art Museum, serves
is also in the Mulvane
on the executive committee of the Mulvane
Art Museum’s permanent
Women’s Board and is a trustee of the Washburn
collection. He was honored
Endowment Association. She and Frank Sabatini
as an Alumni Fellow in 1999.
Frank and Judith (Lennox) Sabatina, Topeka, receive honorary doctorates at separate graduation ceremonies. Photo by Peggy Clark
School of Law welcomes former Congressman Jim Slattery, ba ’70 and jd ’75, Washington, D.C., was the commencement speaker for the 2006 class of School of Law graduates. Slattery is a partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm of Wiley Rein and Fielding LLP. He served in the Kansas House and was a U.S. Congressman from the Kansas 2nd District for 12 years. He received the Distinguished Service Award from Washburn in 1986 and was named an Alumni Fellow in 2001. He is a former member of the Washburn Board of Regents and currently serves on the School of Law Business & Transactional Law Center’s board of advisors, is a trustee of the Washburn Endowment Association and supports the Congressman Jim Slattery Law Alumni Scholars Fund.
8 | summer 2006 | www.washburn.edu/alumni
COMMENCEMENT
FOURTH GENERATION graduates with honors As Sara Neiswanger walked across the stage and received her diploma, she walked in the shadow of three generations who attended Washburn before her. Included in her family tree are a great-grandfather and great-granduncle who not only received bachelor’s
degrees from Washburn, but also were later honored with honorary doctorates and Distinguished Service Awards. When Sara pledged Kappa Alpha Theta her freshman year, she joined the sorority chosen by two grandaunts, two great-grandaunts and a great-grandmother.
photo by Peggy Clark
Sara Neiswanger, bba ’06, Topeka, with her parents, William Neiswanger, ba ’74, and Nancy (Moody) Neiswanger, attendee ’75.
Sara Neiswanger, bba ’06, Topeka, graduated summa cum laude, indicated by the chords over her left shoulder. The chords around her neck represent Nonoso and Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society. The medal on the white ribbon indicates membership in Mortar Board. While at Washburn, she was active in Washburn Student Government Association, Student Alumni Association Board, Student Ambassadors, the American Business Women’s Association and the Dean of Business Advisory Council. She served as president of Nonoso, was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and received the Greek Woman of the Year Award.
David Neiswanger, ba ’14 and honorary doctor of law, ’57, was inducted into Sagamore, joined Phi Delta, Theta Glee Club, YMCA and Dramatic Club and served as freshman class president. After graduation, he served more than 36 years on the Washburn College board of trustees and was a president of the Alumni Association board of directors. In 1949, he was among the first of four recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. He is Sara Neiswanger’s great-grandfather, and his siblings are Donald Neiswanger, ba ’10; Laura Neiswanger, ba ’19; William Neiswanger, ba ’22; and Mary (Neiswanger) Ihinger, ba ’26. This photo shows William Neiswanger, ba ’22 and honorary doctor of law, ’51, as a member of the Washburn College Glee Club. At Washburn, he joined Phi Delta Theta, Dramatic Club, YMCA, Men’s Quartet and Theological Club, served on the Inter-fraternity Council and was senior class president. He received Washburn’s Distinguished Service Award in 1954. He is Sara Neiswanger’s great-granduncle. His four siblings also graduated from Washburn: Donald Neiswanger, ba ’10; David Neiswanger, bba ’14; Laura Neiswanger, ba ’19; and Mary (Neiswanger) Ihinger, ba ’26. Mary (Neiswanger) Ihinger, ba ’26, pictured in the Kaw yearbook as most popular girl. She joined Kappa Alpha Theta, YWCA, played on the basketball team and served on the Kaw staff. She was also president of Nonoso and vice-president of the junior class. She is Sara Neiswanger’s great-grandaunt. Her siblings are Donald Neiswanger, ba ’10; David Neiswanger, ba ’14; Laura Neiswanger, ba ’19; and William Neiswanger, ba ’22. David Neiswanger, ba ’42, was editor of the Kaw yearbook, served as vice president of Phi Delta Theta, and was active in Student Policy Commission, International Relations, Citizenship Council and YMCA. He was inducted into Sagamore and named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He served many years as an Endowment Association trustee and was a president of the Alumni Association board of directors. He is Sara Neiswanger’s grandfather, and his sister is Isabel (Neiswanger) Hughes, ba ’45. Isabel (Neiswanger) Hughes, ba ’45, pictured in the Kaw yearbook as vice president of the freshman class. She also served as secretary-treasurer of the senior class and as president of Kappa Alpha Theta. She was inducted into Nonoso and named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She is Sara Neiswanger’s grandaunt, sister of David Neiswanger, ba ’42.
photo by Peggy Clark
www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 9
WASHBURN ENDOWMENT
Blanche Bryden: A Legacy that will Continue to Shape Lives at Washburn for Years to Come Blanche Bryden touched the lives of many through her charitable contributions during her lifetime. Her generosity is still felt today through the Blanche Bryden Foundation. The Foundation, which was created after Bryden’s death in 1991, has provided more than $400,000 in financial support to various endeavors on the Washburn campus. One example is the Bryden Scholarship program. Other areas the Foundation has supported through the years include Washburn Women’s Alliance scholarships, KTWU’s “Sunflower Journeys,” the Bryden Institute at the Sunflower Music Festival and the Mulvane Art Museum. “Blanche had a sensitivity for hardship and for people who were struggling,” Katherine Kent, Topeka, a Blanche Bryden Foundation trustee, said. “She also had a significant interest in the arts, particularly music.” Bryden, who was born in 1907, moved to Topeka from New York with her parents in 1914 at the age of seven. She married William James Bryden in 1938. While William Bryden worked as the chairman and president of Victory Life Insurance Co., a Topeka-based company that was established by his father in 1921, Blanche Bryden began her many years of public service. She served on the board of the Stormont-Vail Foundation, was a trustee of the
“Blanche had a sensitivity for hardship and for people who were struggling. She also had a significant interest in the arts, particularly music” - Katherine Kent, Blanche Bryden Foundation trustee
Washburn Endowment Association and a benefactor of Helping Hands Humane Society. “They were always very generous,” said Judy Wilson, former secretary for William Bryden and current assistant secretary and treasurer of the Foundation. “This is just a carry over for their lives.” Blanche Bryden scholarships Becoming a Bryden Scholar is not an easy task, and the students who receive the scholarship are expected to perform at a high academic level. The scholarships are selected from the winners of the Presidential Scholars Program, which is based on a required essay and financial need. The Foundation invites these scholars to submit an essay that relates Washburn’s motto: “Non Nobis Solum” (Not for ourselves alone) to their own personal goals and educational aspirations. “The Bryden Scholarships are awarded to students who are outstanding in a very small, selective population of candidates,” Al Dickes,
10 | summer 2006 | www.givetowashburn.org
Blanche Bryden
dean of enrollment management, said. “But the real evaluation of the impact of this scholarship is their achievement at Washburn.” The scholarship provides up to $3,000 per student per year to students with outstanding academic and leadership skills. The Bryden Scholarships are renewable for up to four years. Blanche Bryden Institute The Blanche Bryden Institute, which takes place in conjunction with Washburn’s Sunflower Music Festival, was founded in 1987. The Institute provides 26 gifted young artists ages 16-26 with performance opportunities and advanced study with master teachers and performers in the Sunflower Music Festival. Applicants send audition tapes in late winter, and winners are selected by early spring. These specially-selected students of the violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba perform in two Blanche Bryden Institute concerts during the Festival. Bryden’s love of children, music and philanthropy is something that Washburn has felt and nourished for many years. “Blanche was a lot of fun,” Katherine Kent said. “She was very glamorous and youthful, and that was apparent in all that she did.”
WASHBURN ENDOWMENT
Bryden Scholar Exceeds Expectations Blasi has just completed her second year at Washburn, but because of her previous college credit earned while attending high school, she is considered a senior. After graduating from Washburn, she plans to continue her education in the field of medicine. Blasi understands the prestige that comes along with being a Bryden Scholar. “Even today, I’m reminded of this scholarship’s reputation for excellence,” she said. “Teachers who know or discover that I am a Bryden Scholar demand more of me and require that I continue to strive for academic distinction.”
Washburn senior Laura Blasi, Topeka, is a current Bryden Scholar who is very quick to recognize the impact the scholarship has had on her life and her college career. “The scholarship itself reminds me of the initiative I started my education with,” Blasi said. “It inspires me to continue to push myself to my highest potential.” While Blasi has been able to pursue her triple major of biology, business administration and vocal music performance due in large part to the Bryden Scholarship, she has also become part of Washburn history. In April, she starred in Washburn’s first full opera in 32 years, “The Marriage of Figaro.”
Laura Blasi, Topeka, performs the lead role of Susanna in “The Marriage of Figaro,” Washburn’s first full opera in 32 years.
Washburn University’s largest single gift from a corporate foundation was announced on June 14, by the Washburn Endowment Association and Washburn University. The $2 million gift from the Capitol Federal Foundation will be designated to Stoffer Science Hall and a strength and conditioning facility for student athletes. “Capitol Federal has a long history helping our community and Washburn University,” Washburn President Jerry Farley said. “Our partnership punctuates the growth and achievement of both Capitol Federal and Washburn, and we are delighted about the investment Capitol Federal makes in the continuing success of the University.”
photo by Scott Sewell
Capitol Federal makes $2 million donation
Capitol Federal Foundation members John B. Dicus, Jack Hamilton, Rick Jackson, Nancy Perry and John “Jack” C. Dicus, present a $2 million check to Washburn President Jerry Farley, who is dressed as Elwood of the “Blues Brothers,” symbolizing their “True Blue” partnership.
www.givetowashburn.org | summer 2006 | 11
WASHBURN ENDOWMENT
Kansas Roots
become way to give back
Randall Exon’s oil on linen, “Banks of the Kaw River”
Giving comes in many shapes and sizes, and this past year, a former Washburn art student paid homage to a favorite teacher with a gift of art. In honor of Edward Navone, professor of art, Randall Exon, bfa ’78, Wallingford, Pa., recently donated one of his oil on linen paintings, “Banks of the Kaw River,” to be displayed in the newly constructed art building on campus. “I was very happy with my instruction at Washburn, in particular Ed,” Exon said. “I wanted to acknowledge his efforts as a teacher.” The painting is currently hanging in the lobby of the art building. “I was so excited to see that the art department had grown into its own,” Exon said. “It was good when I was there, but like a lot of smaller schools, the facilities can be limited.”
12 | summer 2006 | www.givetowashburn.org
Exon added that he was compelled to help out financially, as well as giving back something personal. “I spent a lot of time by that river (Kaw River) growing up in Kansas,” he said. “I really wanted to revisit a Kansas landscape. The river is a wonderful symbol of the Midwest and the connection that I feel to the place.” Exon is a professor of design at Swarthmore (Pa.) College. His paintings have been shown at the Herschl & Adler Art Galleries in New York City. His wife, Brenda (Embrey) Exon, b ed ’79, is best known in Philadelphia as the “Philly Pride Lady” for her work as the co-founder of Partners for Civic Pride Inc.
WASHBURN ENDOWMENT
Harvey Garden blooms at Washburn
Harvey Garden donors Robert Harvey, ba ’64 and Sarah Harvey, with Washburn President Jerry B. Farley and Glenda Taylor, chair and professor, art. Taylor gave special thanks on behalf of her students who will be able to look down on the garden for inspiration from the art building windows. Although the garden is now open, plantings and enhancements will be ongoing.
photo by Peggy Clark
photo by Peggy Clark
photo by Peggy Clark
The Leland Harvey Garden officially opened at Washburn University May 4, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. This plaque, placed in the new garden, honors Leland Harvey, bba ’63, who died in 2000. The garden is given in his honor by his brother, Robert Harvey, ba ’64, Garrison, N.Y., and his sister, Sarah Harvey, ba ’62, San Antonio.
Washburn President Jerry B. Farley cuts the ribbon with Sarah Harvey and Robert Harvey.
A view of the scenic Harvey Garden near the art building
YOUR LEGACY:
Proper Planning Will Keep Your Dreams And Wishes Alive Beyond Your Lifetime Nothing is more satisfying than knowing that you truly can provide impact and make a difference in the lives of future generations. Simple planning during an individual’s lifetime can bring effective and predictable results after death. Interests can be supported during a lifetime without losing control of any assets.
Send for our free brochure to learn about estate planning techniques that will serve your needs now and accomplish your goals later. Contact the Washburn Endowment Association, 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, Kan., 66621, (785) 670-4483. Your inquiry is strictly confidential.
www.givetowashburn.org | summer 2006 | 13
FEATURE
Music Everywhere A glance at the Washburn University calendar shows a long list of concerts and recitals planned for the 2006-07 academic year. Even in the summer, when students and faculty take a break from formal performances, the Sunflower Music Festival invites music lovers from around the nation 20 years of Sunflower to eight days of classical music performances at Washburn. The music department has a long history at Washburn (see page 17, history and traditions). Thirteen faculty members and 20 adjuncts teach approximately 100 majors who pursue three degrees: bachelor of music in performance, bachelor of music in music education and bachelor of arts. The department supports a variety of major ensembles, including
Music students playing in the opera orchestra (L to R): Dacia Brown (violin), Topeka; Valeria Kanaeva (violin), Russia; Heather Kumlin (oboe), DeSoto, Wisc.; Lindsey Brown (oboe), Topeka; and Sara Emde (flute), Lawrence, Kan. Washburn’s music department also offers instrumentalists many opportunities to play in small ensembles, including the Brass Quintet, Dolci Voice Quartet, Fetter String Quartet, Honors Woodwind Quintet, Payless Jazz Combo and Washburn Drumline. photo by Peggy Clark
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jazz ensembles and combos, band, marching band, symphonic wind ensemble, chamber, choirs, orchestra, percussion, singers and string orchestra plus a number of smaller groups. These ensembles, which provide learning opportunities for Washburn students, also provide opportunities for those in northeast Kansas to experience quality musical performances. Additionally, Washburn faculty members support community music programs such as the Topeka Symphony, founded by the late Everett Fetter, honorary doctorate ’74, former head of Washburn’s music department. “The Topeka Youth Symphony Orchestra, Topeka Wind Ensemble, Topeka Jazz Youth Workshop, Total Percussion Camp and the College Music Educators National Conference Junior High/Middle School Solo Festival are all outstanding
■ Junior music major Amy Puderbaugh, Topeka, holds “Fun With the Flute,” recently published by Mel Bay Publications Inc., which includes two CD recordings of Puderbaugh playing the flute with senior Rebecca Bumgarner, Coffeyville, Kan., accompanying on the piano. The CDs, recorded in August 2005 in White Concert Hall, were produced by Rebecca Meador, assistant professor, music, and the piano accompaniment was arranged by Jean Marshall, adjunct instructor, music. The project was supported by the Washburn University Creative and Scholarly Innovative Grants Summer Research Stipend Program.
examples of community outreach sponsored by the department of music,” said Kirt Saville, chair and professor, music. “They invite student musicians to connect with other outstanding students from northeastern Kansas and allow our faculty to engage and challenge these students to reach higher levels of musicianship and performance.”
FEATURE
Theatre grows to serve campus & community
• “Crimes of the Heart,” by Beth Henley, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award Aug. 25, 26 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.
• “Jeckyll and Hyde, The Musical,” book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse; music by Frank Wildhorn Oct. 27, 28 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. Nov. 3, 4, at 8 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
• “The Pugilist Specialist,” by Adrian Shapiro.
Feb. 22, 23, 24, March 10, at 8 p.m. and March 11, 2 p.m. • “I Have Before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young Lady From Rwanda,” (pending availability), by Sonja Linden March 2, 3, 8, 9, 8 p.m. and March 4, 2 p.m.
Performing Arts for Children’s Series • “Nightingale,” a participation play adapted from Hans Christian Andersen, by John Urquhart and Rita Grossberg Grauer Dec. 9, Washburn Room, Memorial Union, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. January – March, performances for Sheffel Theatre Clinic at Topeka Performing Arts Center
photo by Don Denton
Washburn Theatre 2006-07 Season
Tess Wilson, Topeka, plays the star role in “Antigone,” presented in February and March 2006. Behind her, playing the role of guards are Tomas Toledo, Mayetta, Kan., and Michael Pokorny, Independence, Kan.
The theatre department has seen increased enrollment, doubled credit hours and added faculty members during the past nine years, growth that can be credited in part to Washburn’s commitment to creating two departments from what had previously been art and theatre. “Our autonomy has increased our identity,” said Paul Prece, chair and professor, theatre. In addition to Prece and Tony Naylor, associate professor, the department has welcomed Penelope Weiner, assistant professor, and Sharon Sullivan, assistant professor. Sullivan also teaches courses in women’s studies. Prece also attributes the department’s growth to the contribution of talented and qualified adjuncts, including, Jeanne Chinn, Barbara Dingman, Jeff Montague, ba ’78, and Ted Shonka.
Theatre has 20-25 majors and serves a large number of students taking theatre courses that satisfy humanities general education requirements. “Students who are not theatre majors in an odd way benefit most,” Prece said. “Studying in the humanities helps to create well-rounded individuals.” The theatre department strives to offer a wide range of productions from well-established plays and musicals to new, provocative plays and plays for children. The 2006-07 theatre season offers four plays for adult audiences plus a play for the Performing Arts for Children’s Series (see the season schedule on this page). A diverse cast of actors perform in university theatre productions. Auditions are open to anyone wishing to try out, including community members of all ages as well as Washburn faculty, staff and students.
Children’s Theatre from January through March, perform daily before third graders attending the Sheffel Theater Clinic at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
photo by Don Denton
P
roviding opportunities for children to experience live theatre performances has been one of Paul Prece’s passions during his 24 years with Washburn’s theatre department. Each fall semester, Prece offers a class in which Washburn students learn and rehearse a play for children. They present the play on campus in December and then,
Joshua Sievers, Yates Center, Kan., plays the role of Dmetri before a children’s audience in “Fool of the World,” performed in December 2005.
summer 2006 | 15
FEATURE
Visual Arts Flourish
A new building, new exhibits, new course offerings – all these explain the optimism felt by the art community at Washburn. Betsy Roe, Glenda Taylor and Mary Dorsey Wanless, along with the work of Washburn art students, who designed and created interactive children’s games and activities.
Glenda Taylor, chair and professor, art, said students and faculty appreciate the functionality of the new building and the additional space for students to exhibit their work. Behind the new building is a new garden (see “Harvey garden blooms at Washburn,” page 13), which adds a scenic touch while giving art students a place to work with such issues as reflection and movement in an outdoor setting.
Scholarships and course offerings In addition to student scholarships, special funds also aid the department. For example, Irving and Peggy Sheffel, Topeka, support such activities as guest artists. The Catron Professorship, established by James Ketcherside, bba ’58 and Norene (Catron) Ketcherside, b ed ’60 and m ed ’66, McPherson, Kan., allows the department to venture into new or unusual course offerings. Betsy Roe, Catron Visiting Artist/professor, offered basketry in the spring semester and contemporary sculptural practices in the summer. She plans two courses in paper making for the 2006-07 academic year.
Wichita exhibit
Beginning in August and running through July 2007, the Washburn art department will exhibit “Prairie Earth” in the Interactive Gallery of the Wichita Art Museum. The exhibit showcases the works of Washburn art professors Marguerite Perret, Marc Limon, Satanta, Kan., exhibits photographs, “Hotel Larned” and “Electrical Wires,” in the 2006 student art show.
photo by Peggy Clark
This ceramic work, “Prairie Earth,” by Glenda Taylor, chair and professor, art, will be a part of the “Prairie Earth” exhibit in the Interactive Gallery of the Wichita Art Museum.
Monette Mark, Auburn, Kan., with her porcelain, at the 2006 student art show.
Glenda Taylor, chair and professor, art, with Sara O’Keefe, Topeka, who was chosen by the art faculty to receive the 2006 Pollak Art Purchase Award for “Touch,” a series of photographs.
Student Art Show and Pollak Award Art works ranging from drawings, photographs and paintings to glass, ceramics and video/film were featured in the 2006 student art show. Sara O’Keefe, Topeka, one of the 22 student exhibitors, received the Charles and Margaret Pollak Art Purchase Award, which places the student’s art in the permanent collection of the Mulvane Art Museum.
Alumni Active in
Art Community
■ Larry Peters, bfa ’62, Topeka, shows his work to Jack Shutt, bba ’61, Topeka, at the annual Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair. Peters was awarded a blue ribbon in the three-dimensional category, plus three additional ribbons for his work in clay and metal. Washburn honored Peters as an Alumni Fellow in 2003.
■ Marie Morales, bfa ’02, Topeka, shows her ceramic birds to Isaiah Huckins, Topeka, at the annual Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair. Morales works in ceramics and mixed media.
photo by Peggy Clark
HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
Opera returns to Washburn By Martha Imparato
This spring the music department presented “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart. Even though it was the first full-scale opera performed since 1974, Washburn has a rich history of musical performances, including opera. 1880s - 1920s Within a few years after the first music courses were offered at Washburn in 1882, a music department was organized, and students and professors began performing in recitals and concerts. In 1887, a choral group, the Glee Club, was organized, the first of its kind west of the Mississippi, according to a 1924 Washburn College Bulletin. Although few music programs survive from the early years, it is unlikely that the students performed a full-scale opera. However, in 1893, vocal students and instructor, Hallie Walker, presented a program of selections from operas including the relatively new “Pirates of Penzance” (1879) by Gilbert and Sullivan. President Peter McVicar’s son, Dana, sang “Air of Casper” from “Der Freischutz” by Weber. “La Traviata,” “Faust,” “Il Trovatore,” and “Flying Dutchman” were some of the other operas represented. First full opera performed at Women’s Club in 1926 The music department, which later became part of the School of Fine Arts, was reorganized in 1920 into a separate School of Music. In 1926, “The Enchantress” by Victor Herbert was either the first or one of the first fullscale opera(s) produced by the School of
Music. Neither the stage in MacVicar Chapel nor the stage in Mulvane Art Museum’s Little Theater was large enough for the cast, ensemble and orchestra, so this opera about an opera singer was performed at the Topeka Woman’s Club Auditorium at ninth and Harrison Streets on June 1 at 8:15 p.m. The very next year, the School performed “The Mikado” by Gilbert and Sullivan, also in June at the Woman’s Club, but without an orchestra, and at 9 p.m. The Japanese theme continued with the 1932 production of the operetta “The Yokohama Maiden” by Arthur Penn, this time in March and on campus in the Mulvane Little Theater. 1940 s - 1950s When Washburn College became Washburn Municipal University in 1941, the School of Music was incorporated into the College of Liberal Arts and given department status again. Throughout the next decades, instead of staging classic operas, the music department gained a reputation for presenting mainly works by contemporary composers. Three programs in the Washburn archives document productions in the 1950s: an opera buffa, “The Telephone” (1947), by Gian-Carlo Menotti and folk opera “Down in the Valley” (1948) by Kurt Weill, performed in 1950 at the Woman’s
Club auditorium, “Dido and Aeneas” by Henry Purcell and “The Lowland Sea” (1952) by Alec Wilder, presented in 1955 at MacVicar Chapel, and “The Tender Land” (1954) by Aaron Copland, produced in 1958 at the Mulvane Little Theater. The latter two productions were directed by Gordon Gaines (music) and Hugh McCausland (theater) as a part of opera workshop. “The Tender Land” and “Down in the Valley” also included dancers directed by Helen Hocker (physical education and dance). 1960s - 1970s Music programs from the 1960s and 1970s are scarce, but a survey of the yearbooks reveals that in 1965, a folk opera,”Sourwood Mountain” by Arthur Kreutz, was performed by 60 music majors, probably at MacVicar Chapel. In 1973, “Help, Help the Globolinks”(1968) by Gian-Carlo Menotti, starring Richetta Manager, ba ’75, and “The Telephone” (again), also by Menotti, were presented. In 1974, “Gianni Schicchi” (1918), a short opera by Puccini, was the last full-scale opera performed. From the 1970s to the present, the music department has presented programs of opera selections through their music for the stage class. “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart is the first full-scale production since 1974.
www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 17
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS
School of Business
celebrates accreditation, looks to future growth
The oldest and largest business school accreditation organization, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, known as AACSB International, officially welcomed the Washburn School of Business as a member of the
While those graduating this spring with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business are the first to graduate from an AACSB accredited business school, all stakeholders will benefit from the new designation. Although accreditation is a significant achievement, David Sollars, dean, School of Business, is looking toward the future and the benefits accreditation will continue to bring.
Sollars sees the School of Business moving in new directions. For example, he points to plans for a more systematic focus on ethics and globalization in the business curriculum. “We will raise the visibility of all of our programs and the success that our graduates enjoy,” Sollars said. “We want to be the first choice for students who are seeking a student-centered business education that will prepare them for success in the future.” Accreditation was the culmination of an intense evaluation process that began in 2000. Each year, the School has sent a detailed report to AACSB documenting
accreditation council on April 23 at its annual conference.
18 | summer 2006 | www.washburn.edu/alumni
Unveiling the AACSB seal: Washburn President Jerry B. Farley and David Sollars, dean, School of Business, together unveil the accreditation seal conferred by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, known as AACSB International. Also pictured are Ron Wasserstein, ba ’78, vice president, academic affairs, and Nancy Paul, bba ’76, Topeka, chairperson of the Washburn Board of Regents. The seal was unveiled at a celebration May 2.
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS
“AACSB requires ongoing strategic planning and continuous improvement... We will continue to improve our programs each and every day.” David Sollars, dean, School of Business
the quality of its programs and progress towards meeting the AACSB standards. In February 2006, the School hosted a fourday peer review team of three deans from other accredited business schools. This team’s report was then reviewed by the initial accreditation committee, a larger group of business school deans, who in turn recommended Washburn to the AACSB board.
Additional New Directions Include: • Increased opportunities for transformational experiences, especially in the international area, including more study abroad. • Both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs with new emphases. • Joint programs such as a combined degree in business and law. • Increased support of the entrepreneurship program, which conferred its first certificates at the 2006 graduation exercises.
- David Sollars, Dean, School of Business
Washburn School of Business
Qu ic k Fa c t s
• Of more than 700 declared undergraduate majors, approximately 50 percent are female; the median age is 22; and 64 percent of students come from Shawnee and Douglas counties in Kansas. • Of more than 100 admitted master’s in business administration students, 54 percent are female; the median age is 29. • Approximately 130 bachelor of business administration degrees are awarded annually. • Approximately 30 master’s of business administration students graduate annually. • Eight school-sponsored clubs and organizations are active, including the American Business Women’s Association chapter (ABWA), one of only five chapters in the nation. • Business seniors taking the national Major Field Test (MFT) have earned an institutional score which places Washburn consistently at the 80th to 90th percentile nationally. • Mean Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores of master’s in business administration students is up 20 percent in the last four years and is above the national average. • 170 business students received School of Business scholarships, totaling $271,264 in 2005-06.
• Expanded services of the Washburn University Small Business Development Center. • Continued strengthening of the accounting program. www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 19
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS Forensics & debate The Talkin’ Ichabods finished their 2005-06 season at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where they competed against 78 other squads from across the nation in the National Forensics Association Championship Tournament, taking fourth place in debate sweepstakes. In addition, Washburn boasted seven competitors in elimination rounds — more than any other squad in attendance. Sophomore Jessica Otto, Wichita, Kan., won fourth place speaker in the tournament Patrick Muenks, Parkville, Mo., and Annaleigh Curtis, Topeka, hold the fourth place Lincoln/Douglas Sweepstakes trophy they won April 15 at the National Forensics Association Championship Tournament held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. photo by Peggy Clark
Mock Trial Washburn students finished sixth place at the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament hosted by Hamlin University in St. Paul, Minn. Washburn’s two teams finished third and seventh, and four students won individual awards at the Regional Qualifier hosted by the University of Missouri in Columbia. The teams did well throughout the season, beginning by placing third at the Billiken Barrister Invitational Tournament hosted by St. Louis University, the first tournament of the season. They then placed sixth in the Mid-South Mock Trial Invitational at
(out of 96 debaters) and made it through to octafinals. Sophomore Annaleigh Curtis, Topeka, was Washburn’s best individual competitor at the national tournament. Last year, she shocked everyone by reaching the quarterfinals in her first trip to the championships. This year, she reached the semifinal round, losing to the eventual national champion from the University of Missouri, and tying for third place in the nation in Lincoln Douglas debate. This season, Washburn earned well over 200 individual awards and almost two dozen sweepstakes awards, including five championship titles, placing higher on the national level than ever before in school history.
Trial Advocacy Middle Tennessee State University, 10th at the Bluejay Open Mock Trial Tournament at Creighton University and third at the Kangaroo Court Challenge at the University of Missiouri-Kansas City. The two team captains, Topekans Danielle Wherrell and Ashley Hutton, are entering Washburn School of Law this fall. Washburn’s mock trial class is taught by coach Steve Cann, professor, political science. Sarah Ubel, assistant professor, communication; David Fye, ba ’03 and bba ’04, Topeka; and Jay Hall, ba ’04, Topeka, also coach the teams.
Washburn law team captures first place in national competition photo by Martin Wisneski
Talkin’ Ichabods finish with best season ever
■ Matthew Ballard, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Zachary Chaffee-McClure, Lyons, Kan., display the plaque they received for placing first at the Evan A. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
One of Washburn’s mock trial teams placed first in the Jayhawk Invitational Tournament at the University of Kansas with a record of seven wins, no losses and one tie. In addition, four students received individual awards. Pictured with the tournament trophy, Front (L to R): Rob Bauer, Great Bend, Kan., outstanding witness; Leann Hirschfeld, Topeka; Danielle Wherrell, Topeka, team captain, outstanding attorney; Christi Somers, Topeka; Back (L to R): Matt Sholar, Topeka; Andrea Chancey, Satanta, Kan.; Britain Stites, Tonganoxie, Kan., outstanding attorney; Chris Stemler, Topeka, outstanding attorney; Ashley Hutton, Topeka, team captain; Jedsen Williams, McPherson, Kan.; Blake Reinhart, Topeka; Murphy Wells, Lenexa, Kan.; Krystal Baer, Burlingame, Kan.; and Mike Kerls, Wichita, Kan. photo by Jay Hall
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS
Greek News
Greek Week awards Greek chapters and members demonstrating excellence in the 2005-06 academic year were recognized and honored during the annual awards banquet. SORORITIES Alpha Phi
FRATERNITIES Kappa Sigma
• Community Service section award
• Most improved fraternity grade point average for spring 2005
Delta Gamma • Stephanie Barth, Augusta, Kan., Panhellenic Association President’s Award • Most improved sorority grade point average for fall 2005 • Alumni relations section award • Recruitment section award • New member programming section award
Phi Delta Theta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Outstanding Greek Chapter of the Year – Sorority • Sara Neiswanger, Topeka, Greek Woman of the Year • Highest sorority grade point average for spring 2005 • Most improved sorority grade point average for spring 2005 • Campus involvement section award • Risk management section award • Essay section award • Presentation section award
• Outstanding Greek Chapter of the Year – Fraternity • Scott Maley, Emporia, Kan., Greek Man of the Year • Jeremy Aytes, Ada, Kan., Greek Council President’s Award • Bryson Wheeler, Soldier, Kan., Interfraternity Council President’s Award • Highest fraternity grade point average for spring 2005 • Highest fraternity grade point average for fall 2005 • Philanthropy section award • Recruitment section award • Presentation section award • Greek Week lip sync fraternity winner
Zeta Tau Alpha • Highest sorority grade point average for fall 2005 • Chapter accomplishments section award • Philanthropy section award • Greek Week lip sync sorority winner • Greek Week lip sync overall winner
INTRAMURALS Sororities: First place, Delta Gamma Second place, Zeta Tau Alpha Third place, Alpha Phi Fourth place, Kappa Alpha Theta
• • • • • •
Chapter accomplishments section award Community service section award Campus involvement section award New member programming section award Risk management section award Essay section award
Fraternities : First place, Sigma Phi Epsilon Second place, Phi Delta Theta Third place, Alpha Delta Fourth place, Delta Chi Fifth place, Kappa Sigma
■ Book drive: Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Upsilon Chapter collected new books this spring for primary level students. The Ivy Reading AKAdemy book drive is part of the sorority’s national initiative in support of No Child Left Behind. Pictured (L to R): Kemi Odusoga, Topeka; Surkeita Townsel, project chairperson, Leavenworth, Kan.; Kaelyn Seymour, Wichita, Kan.; and Wanda Handy, president, Topeka.
New Greek Housing planned for campus Architects are beginning to develop plans for Greek residential housing that will support Greek traditions while providing sustained high quality living. Universities across the nation are building village-type housing as a way to invigorate Greek student life. The housing, which will be leased on a long-term basis to each Greek organization, will be owned and operated by the university. Construction could start as early as summer 2007 with a targeted completion date of January 2009. The proposed location for the Greek Village is northeast of Petro Allied Health Center. Four Washburn fraternities are participating in the initial planning. Washburn sororities with houses on or near the campus are not considering new facilities at this time. The project will be financed through both self-supporting revenue bonds issued by Washburn and private fundraising support from participating fraternities. Each fraternity is expected to contribute $1 million to the project. The Washburn Endowment Association will be working with the Greek alumni associations to complete fundraising. For more information, contact alumni chapter representatives or the Washburn Endowment Association at (785) 670-4483 or visit www.wea.org. summer 2006 | 21
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS
Faculty Recognition Faculty recognized at April 12 ceremony FOUR FACULTY MEMBERS RECEIVED SPECIAL HONORS Herrick Faculty Award for Outstanding Service: Donna LaLonde, associate professor, mathematics and dean, honors program Roy Myers Excellence in Research Award: Howard Faulkner, professor, English
Sweet Sabbaticals Fifteen Washburn University faculty members were awarded Sweet Sabbaticals funded by an endowment established in 1955 by Mary B. Sweet. The faculty summer grants are designed to enable recipients to study at a university outside Kansas. Those receiving Sweets for the summer of 2006 include Jennifer Ball, assistant professor, School of Business; Karen Camarda, assistant professor, physics and astronomy; Frank Chorba, professor, mass media; Richard Donner,
TWO FACULTY MEMBERS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE:
Ned N. Fleming Excellence in Teaching Award: Kim Krutz, adjunct, music, and Virginia Pruitt, professor, English
Rick Barker, associate professor, computer information sciences Jim McCormick, professor, health, physical education and exercise science
■Washburn professors inducted into national honor society for international scholars: Three new members were recently inducted into Washburn University’s Beta Phi chapter of Phi Beta Delta and new officers were installed. (L to R): Wanda Dole, dean, Mabee Library; Baili Zhang, director, international programs, ex-officio and campus coordinator; Nancy Maxwell, professor, School of Law; Mark Kauffman, associate professor, social work, treasurer; Karen Ray, professor, English, president; Bob Beatty, associate professor, political science, vice-president; Judy McConnell-Farmer, professor, education, secretary; and Teresita Leyell, professor, School of Business.
assistant professor, social work; James Eck, professor, School of Business; Howard Faulkner, professor, English; David Freeman, professor, political science; Thomas Kennedy, professor, English; James McCormick, professor, health, physical education and exercise science; Dmitri Nizovtsev, assistant professor, School of Business; J. Karen Ray, professor, English; Azyz Sharafy, associate professor, art; Courtney Sullivan, assistant professor, modern languages; Sharon Sullivan, assistant professor, theatre; and Gene Wunder, associate professor, School of Business.
Farewells Wanda Dole, dean, Mabee Library, has accepted the position of dean of the Ottenheimer Library at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dole has served as dean of libraries at Washburn since 1999. Dennis Honabach, dean, Washburn School of Law, has accepted the position of dean of Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Ky. Honabach has served as dean at Washburn since 2001. Teresta Leyell, professor, School of Business, retired after 24 years of service. She taught introduction to business, information systems and management courses. Her research interests included management information systems, methods of teaching business and marketing research.
22 | summer 2004 | www.washburn.edu/alumni
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS
Jennifer Harris looks to basketball career
By Jeremy Wangler
After spending her two years as a guard at Washburn setting records that will take a long time to break, Jennifer Harris, Morristown, N.J., became the first Lady Blue and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) player to get drafted into the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Harris, the NCAA Division II national player of the year, reported to the Chicago Sky preseason camp and played in one exhibition game before getting cut. Harris is currently in Topeka enrolled in a summer class with plans to continue working towards her degree full-time in the fall. She is still hopeful that she will be playing professional basketball in the near future. Besides being picked up by another WNBA team, she can play professionally overseas while she develops her skills. Harris, arguably one of the greatest athletes in Washburn history and probably one of the most fun to watch, hopes she can get another chance at fulfilling her dream. “In my junior year in high school, I knew that this was what I wanted to do,” said Harris. Despite not making an opening-day roster right out of college, Harris will be remembered as one of the Lady Blue greats. Harris went from scoring 14.4 points per game in her first year at WU to leading the nation with more than 24 points per game this year. She helped WU to its first national championship her
junior year, and her senior year, helped the team set the national record for consecutive wins at 51. When the final buzzer sounded, the postseason awards kept coming in. She was named the conference’s Most Valuable Player, and three different organizations named her national player of the year. Harris finished her four years in college with a 133-4 record. While the Lady Blues will definitely miss Harris when the new season rolls around, three other seniors graduated that had a big impact on Washburn’s success. April Roadhouse, Osborne, Kan., and Dani McHenry, Topeka,
“I just want to tell my fans, friends, coaches, the staff and teammates: Thanks for everything. It’s been an honor just to be here and come through here. I don’t want to be known for basketball only. I want to be known as a good person that you could laugh and joke with.” - Jennifer Harris
both four-year players, joined Bojana Samardziska, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, a one-year transfer, as seniors ending their career with Harris. Roadhouse, who was second on the team behind Harris in both assists and steals, was named the MIAA defensive player of the year and a second-team all-conference selection. She and McHenry won the MIAA championship all four years they were together. Along with the conference titles, Roadhouse says the national championship, the 51-game win streak and the team chemistry will stand out. “So many of us played together over the past, and we became close over the years,” she said. “We’re so much alike, but so different. It just works.” While each player had her own role on the team, the other players weren’t bothered by Harris’ success and attention. “We all just joked around about it,” said Roadhouse. “After she would have a 30-point game, we would joke, ‘Jen, you only shot 30 times.’ “She knew she was good, but she wouldn’t key in on it everyday. She really developed as a person, and she was a lot of fun on and off the court.” Head coach Ron McHenry knew that it wouldn’t be easy to get his star guard to the next level. “It’s rare,” said McHenry. “It takes a different player to play at that level.
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CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS CONTINUED
There have been some good players who can add up some points, but they can’t always do that at the next level. Count the number of Division II players out there playing right now. It’s very rare.” Not impossible, though. “If there’s a kid who wants to play professionally after she’s done, we’ve shown that there’s that option for them here at Washburn,” McHenry said. Harris’ path to playing professionally wasn’t the one she had in mind from the beginning. “I had some top DI (Division I) schools in mind, but academically, I didn’t make it,” she said. After winning a national championship and gaining All-America status in two years at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, she ended up at Washburn. When Harris finished her two years at Washburn, she was playing at the top of the Division II level. Her 1,314 points are the most scored by a two-year transfer at Washburn, and the 797 points she scored this past season are the most ever by a Lady Blue or anyone else playing in the MIAA.
photo by Matt Hicks Photography
Harris played well enough at Washburn to get noticed on the national level, but can her numbers be transferred to what is today the highest level of basketball a woman can play in the United States? “I think she’s just scratching the surface,” said McHenry. “Her mentality will pick up because she’s with different style players. She’s the new kid on the block, but I think her playing level can easily withstand anybody at that level. It’s just a matter of how quickly she grasps everything.” Her teammates also recognize Harris’ potential to get even better. “She was a good player. Not just a scorer, she could pass the ball, rebound anytime she wanted to,” said Roadhouse. “Sometimes she was our cheerleader by keeping everybody’s head in it. Her work ethic here, she was naturally talented and didn’t have to put forth that extra effort that some of us had to. Playing in the pros will really bring out her full potential and challenge her everyday.” While most other women who have played basketball at Washburn have gone on to finish their education and move into another professional career after their final season, Harris has shown that playing for the Lady Blues can be a stepping stone for a professional career in hoops. But what about her degree? “It’s something I know I want,” said Harris, who still has about a year left.
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photo by MattHicks Photography
Jennifer Harris
“Right now I have a goal to play basketball. I’m not pushing my diploma away. I’m strong on trying to make some success in basketball, but I’m not going to forget about that.” With preseason camp in April, Harris wasn’t able to finish her spring semester. Instead, she took incompletes in her classes and will continue working towards her degree this summer and fall. “When I do get it, I want everybody to know that I got it at Washburn,” she said. While the number of amazing plays and games that Harris had at Washburn are too many to remember, Harris hopes that she will be known as more than just a player that could score almost at will. “I’ll always remember the victories and the team chemistry that we had. There were a lot of memories that happened in my two years,” she said. And while she was getting most of the attention after each win, her teammates knew that they had their own roles. “If I scored 30, they were happy as if they scored it,” she said. “It’s been a great experience. It’s been something that I never thought could happen,” she continued. “The treatment that I got from the fans was just excellent along with the staff here, not just my coaches, but other staff and professors, and my teammates especially.
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS
Ichabod and Lady Blues Sports - Gene Cassell
Washburn teams see postseason play BASEBALL
GOLF Ranked No. 22 in the nation, the golf team finishes second at the NCAA Central Regional, falling just shy of a fourth straight regional crown photo by Gene Cassell
Matt Warnock, Liberty, Mo., was named the Ichabod golf MVP. He is one of two Ichabod golfers to have played in four NCAA regional tennis tournaments.
photo by Gene Cassell
The Ichabods also finished second in the MIAA standings. Seniors Matt Warnock, Liberty, Mo., and Jeremiah Nelson, McPherson, Kan., were named all-MIAA as was freshman Matt Ewald, Leawood, Kan. Warnock was a three-time member of the all-MIAA golf team at Washburn, and Nelson was a two-time member after transferring from Hutchinson Community College.
The Ichabods play in first MIAA postseason tournament since 2001
The Lady Blues reach first NCAA national playoff since the 1999 season, finishing the year 36-21 with an 11-5 MIAA record Senior Kala Huske, Overland Park, Kan., named first team all-MIAA at first base after receiving first team all-conference honors as a junior at catcher, was also a second team all-region selection. Sophomore pitcher Kelly Swygert, Topeka, who led the Lady Blues with 20 wins and a 2.68 ERA, received second team all-MIAA honors as did junior center fielder Ashley Webb, Prairie Village, Kan. Huske finished her career 10th on the all-time hits chart with 180 and seventh on the all-time batting average chart with a .334 career average. photo by Gene Cassell
photo by Gene Cassell
SOFTBALL
Senior Kala Huske, Overland Park, Kan., was a first team all-MIAA selection and second team all-region pick for the Lady Blues.
Sophomore pitcher Kelly Swygert, Topeka, led the Lady Blues with 20 wins this season.
In the last poll, the Ichabods ranked seventh in the region, with the top six teams in contention for a spot in the NCAA Senior Sam Sissom, Kansas tournament. City, Mo., set the Washburn Washburn had its record for most hits and at bats in a career with 229 at second winning 662 respectively. He will season in three return for his senior season in football this fall. years with a 29-25 record and finished fourth in the MIAA regular season at 16-12. Mark Stoltz, Wichita, Kan., was named to the all-MIAA first team, and Sam Sissom, Kansas City, Mo., was named to the second team. Sissom finished his Washburn career as the leader in hits with 229 and at-bats leader with 662. Jake Lenherr, St. Marys, Kan., finished his Washburn career as the strikeout leader with 215.
WU sports information office seeking football media guides Gene Cassell, sports information director, is seeking the 1977 and 1978 football media guides to complete the athletic department’s collection dating back to 1961. The guides can be copied and returned. Please contact gene.cassell@washburn.edu or call (785) 670-1791. www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 25
CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS ATHLETIC AWARDS
The Ichabod tennis team wins first MIAA championship in school history and hosts NCAA regional.
The Ichabod tennis team won their first MIAA Championship after topping Northwest Missouri 5-2 in the title match. Pictured (L to R): Rafeal Valdez, assistant coach; Jon Weygint, Lawrence, Kan.; Andrew Plum, Dallas; Drew Hanson, Topeka; Brad Johnston, Topeka; Blake Edwards, Columbia, Mo.; Rutger Vliegenburg, Mierlo, The Netherlands; and Nathan Martin, Salina, Kan.; not pictured, Tyler Kinder, Topeka.
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photo by Gene Cassell
■ The 2005-06 Ichabod and Lady Blues MVP’s. (left to right) – Andrew Meile (basketball), Monica Miesner (volleyball), Kelly Swygert (softball), Rutger Vliegenberg (tennis), Julie Huyberechts (tennis), Trent Hearn (offensive football), Grant Gould (defensive football), Jake Lenherr (baseball) and Lora Westling (soccer). Not pictured: Matt Warnock (golf) and Fletcher Terrell (football team MVP).
Most Valuable Players • Overall, junior Fletcher Terrell, Minnetonka, Minn. photo by Brett King/MWSU sports information director
In the NCAA tournament, the men finished second in the four-team event, losing in the second round. Overall, they finished 17-6 in duals. Rutger Vliegenberg, Mierlo, The Netherlands, was named the MIAA most valuable player after going 16-6 at No. 1 singles. Drew Hanson, Topeka, was named freshman of the year. Also earning all-conference honors were Tyler Kinder, Topeka; Drew Hanson, Topeka; Andrew Plum, Dallas; Nathan Martin, Salina, Kan.; Brad Johnston, Topeka; and Blake Edwards, Columbia, Mo. Kinder led the team with 21 singles wins, most of them coming in the No. 5 spot. Overall, the Lady Blues were 13-10 and finished fifth. Jennifer Keiner, Las Vegas, was named to the all-conference second team after going 15-7 at No. 1 singles. Julie Huyberechts, LouvainLaNeuve, Belgium, led the team with 21 wins, 18 coming in No. 2 singles. The doubles team of Audrie Miller, McPherson, Kan., and Alex Rodenbeek, Salina, Kan., led WU with a 15-3 record.
The athletic department celebrated the accomplishments of Washburn’s student athletes and named William “Bill” Sneed, bba ’77 and jd ’80, and Diane (Burkett) Sneed, bs ’79, Auburn, Kan., Ichabod Persons of the Year at the annual Athletic Senior Awards Banquet May 1.
• Soccer, senior Lora Westling Casper, Wyo. • Football, junior Trent Hearn, Lancaster, Texas (offense), and senior Grant Gould, Topeka (defense) • Volleyball, sophomore Monica Miesner, Forissant, Mo.
Senior Athlete of the Year (female and male): Lora Westling and Matt Warnock. Westling was an All-MIAA and all-region soccer player in the fall after finishing her basketball career as Washburn’s all-time 3-point leader. Warnock earned All-MIAA honors in golf three seasons. He is also one of only two Ichabod golfers to play in four NCAA Regional Tournaments. MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll: Amanda Geist, Topeka, a three-year letter-winner on the Lady Blues’ soccer team, was on the honor roll as a nursing (pre-med) major the past two years. She was named honorable mention All-MIAA last fall as a midfielder and will complete her nursing degree while filling the role as a student assistant coach on the Lady Blues soccer team. Capitol Federal Savings Capitol Federal Savings awarded $10,000 in scholarships. True Blue Savings Scholar awards were given to junior Cindy Keeley, Great Bend, Kan., (basketball) and junior Jake Lebahn, Salina, Kan., (football). Capitol Federal Savings Scholar awards were given to Monica Miesner, Florissant, Mo., (volleyball) and sophomore Nathan Martin, Salina, Kan., (tennis). photo by Gene Cassell
TENNIS
• Men’s basketball, sophomore Andrew Meile, Olathe, Kan. • Women’s basketball, senior Jennifer Harris, Morristown, N.J. • Women’s tennis, junior Julie Huyberechts, Louvain-LaNeuve, Belgium • Men’s tennis, sophomore Rutger Vliegenberg, Mierlo, The Netherlands • Baseball, senior Jake Lenherr, St. Marys, Kan. • Softball, sophomore Kelly Swygert, Topeka • Golf, senior Matt Warnock, Liberty, Mo.
■ (L to R): The Capitol Federal Savings Scholarship winners with Jack H. Hamilton, president, Capitol Federal Foundation; Monica Meisner (volleyball), Forissant, Mo.; Nathan Martin (tennis), Salina, Kan.; Cindy Keeley (basketball), Great Bend, Kan.; Jake Lebahn (football), Salina, Kan., and Washburn President Jerry Farley.
CLASS NOTES
30s BIRTHDAY Carl Nordstrom, ba ’38 and honorary doctorate ’03, Topeka, celebrated his 90th birthday in March. Nordstrom is a past president of the Alumni Association and an Endowment Association trustee emeritus. In 1992, Washburn honored him with the Distinguished Service Award.
50s Lou Eisenbarth, bba ’52 and jd ’54, Topeka, joined the St. Francis Health Center Foundation board of directors. Robert Georgeson, bba ’54, Lawrence, Kan., received the Service to Mankind Award from the Lawrence Sertoma Club. Kay McFarland, ba ’57 and jd ’64, Topeka, received the first Chief Justice Kay McFarland Award from the Women Attorneys Association of Topeka, given in honor of her professional excellence and commitment to service. McFarland, who has served as Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court since 1995, was honored as a Washburn Alumni Fellow in 2005. Jack Richmond, ba ’50 and honorary doctorate ’00, and Laura Richmond, ba ’59, San Antonio, were inducted into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame. Junior Achievement of South Texas honored them for business excellence, vision, innovation, leadership and community mindedness. Jack Richmond, a Washburn Endowment Association trustee, received the Distinguished Service Award in 1987 and was named an Alumni Fellow in 1998. Jack and Laura Richmond are members of Washburn’s Lincoln Society.
60s Richard Bassett, bba ’68, Topeka, was named a 2005 winner of the Honor Society Award by Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Bassett is a realtor with Prudential First, Realtors. Richard Davidson, ba ’66 and honorary doctorate ’94, Omaha, Neb., was appointed to the Chesapeake Energy Corp. board of directors. Davidson serves as chairman of the Union Pacific Corp. and is a trustee emeritus of Washburn Endowment Association. Frank Dexter, ba ’69, Moline, Ill., retired as coach of the Moline High School boys basketball program with a 244-99 record in 12 seasons. Dexter, who played baseball and basketball at Washburn, was inducted into the 1993-94 Athletics Hall of Fame. Linda (Henry) Elrod, ba ’69 and jd ’72, Topeka, was honored as the 2006 Woman of Distinction by the American Business Women’s Association Career Chapter during its scholarship luncheon, which raised funds for a scholarship in Elrod’s name for women pursuing degrees at Washburn. Elrod received the Distinguished Service Award from Washburn in 2005. Sandra (Ellis) Greenwell, ba ’66, Topeka, celebrated 20 years of service with the Kansas Department of Transportation. Gary Montague, ba ’66, Shawnee, Kan., has joined the Johnson County (Kan.) Park and Recreation District’s board of commissioners. John Montague, ba ’66, Olathe, Kan., retired after 28 years with the U.S. Department of Labor.
James Payne, ba ’62, Oxford, Miss., coauthored “Peoplewise Putting: Get Your Brain in the Game,” the second in a series, published in 2005 by SterlingHouse Publisher Inc. As with his first book, Payne’s dedication is to Margaret McCausland, Topeka, his Washburn freshman composition teacher, who retired in 1983. Payne is a professor of special education at the University of Mississippi and president of Management & Motivation Inc. Creighton Pendarvis, ba ’63, Corinth, Miss., is serving as chairman of the Alcorn County (Miss.) Salvation Army disaster relief board and Katrina rebuilding and relief organization. Larry Peters, bfa ’62, Topeka, was elected a trustee of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Foundation. Peters was honored as a Washburn Alumni Fellow in 2003. Dale Pond, bba ’69, Mooresville, N.C., was named to the board of directors of Family Dollar Stores Inc. Washburn honored Pond as an Alumni Fellow in 2005. John “Edgar” Tidwell, ba ’69, Lawrence, Kan., was a featured speaker during Black History Month at the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum in Arkansas City, Kan. Tidwell is an associate professor of English at the University of Kansas. Steven Walker, ba ’68, Fresno, Calif., was named Preceptor of the Year by the Navy and Danya Corp. for his consultation with the substance abuse rehabilitation program at Lemoore Naval Air Station. Walker, who has administered and consulted with alcohol and drug counseling programs for 30 years, has been a preceptor for more than 10 years. Washburn honored him as an Alumni Fellow in 2002. Michael Worswick, bba ’68, Topeka, received a Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award from the Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka. Worswick is chief executive officer of Wolfe’s Cameras, Camcorders & Computers.
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CLASS NOTES Thomas Wright, jd ’64 and ba ‘81, Topeka, was elected a director of the Topeka Bar Association. Wright, a partner in the law firm of Wright Henson Clark Hutton Mudrick & Gragson, served on the Washburn Board of Regents.
BIRTHDAYS Janice (Pogue) Ferrell, b ed ’62 and m ed ’69, Topeka, celebrated her 80th birthday in January. Ernestine Rogers, m ed ’64, Topeka, celebrated her 80th birthday in May.
ANNIVERSARY
Curtis Frasier, jd ’76, Beloit, Kan., was named to the executive committee of the Kansas State University Foundation. Karen (Beavers) Griffiths, ba ’75 and jd ’78, Norton, Kan., has joined the Kansas Children’s Service League board of directors. Judy (Kurz) Hackler, b ed ’72, Topeka, retired from Auburn-Washburn USD 437, where she taught at Indian Hills and Pauline Central elementary schools. Russell Hill, bba ’74, Alpharetta, Ga., has joined Business Objects as senior director of retail, consumer products, distribution worldwide industry marketing.
Gary Myers, bba ’66, and Susan Myers, Topeka, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in February.
Linda (Godbey) Klem, b ed ’72 and m ed ’84, Topeka, retired from Auburn-Washburn UDS 437, where she taught at Wanamaker Elementary School.
70s
Sandra (West) Lassiter, b ed ’70, Topeka, received the Ronald L. Griffin Excellence in Education Award from the Black Law Student Association of the Washburn School of Law. Lassiter is a retired educator and co-pastor of Faith Temple Church and the New Life Fellowship Inc.
William “Charles” Argabright, bs ’78, Colorado Springs, Colo., retired from Lockheed Martin after 20 years of service and from the Air Force Reserves at the rank of lieutenant colonel after 26 years of service. Argabright’s career in the space industry included training NASA astronauts and assisting in the launch and operations of government satellites. Terry Beck, ba ’72 and jd ’75, Topeka, was elected a director of the Topeka Bar Association. Beck is an attorney in private practice. Dan Brune, bba ’75, Aptos, Calif., joined David Lyng Real Estate as a sales associate and is co-developing a coffee plantation in western Panama. Thomas Corcoran, ba ’76 and jd ’79, Dallas, was appointed chairman of the board of FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. Corcoran co-founded FelCor in 1991 and has served as president and chief executive officer since its formation. Washburn honored him as an Alumni Fellow in 1998.
Paul Maricle, ba ’76 and jd ’79, Denver, is of counsel with the law firm Holland & Hart, where he practices in the business entities and transactions group. Washburn honored him as an Alumni Fellow in 1992. Peggy (Weidman) Martin, ba ’74, Overland Park, Kan., was named to Leadership Kansas 2006. Martin is chief executive officer of TFI Family Services. Cathy (Wollen) Maxwell, ba ’75, Powhatan, Va., had her 14th novel, “In the Bed of a Duke,” published by Avon Books in May. Cathy (Crites) McCoy, b ed ’70, Auburn, Kan., qualified to join the Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle, limited to the top seven percent of sales associates.
Robert Ensley, bba ’73, Topeka, retired as an accountant after 17 years of service with the Kansas Highway Patrol.
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Craig McKinney, ba ’79 and jd ’84, Topeka, was honored by the Black Liberated Arts Center in Oklahoma City for his contribution to Oklahoma history as author of “A Biography of Charlie Christian, Jazz Guitar’s King of Swing,” published in 2005 by Mellen Press. Jim Morrison, jd ’71, Manhattan, Kan., received the 2006 Manhattan Legacy Award from the Meadowlark Hills Foundation Legacy Society. Patrick Nichols, jd ’77, Lawrence, Kan., has joined the Washburn School of Law as an adjunct professor. Nichols is a mediator and partner in Associates in Dispute Resolution of Lawrence. Daniel Olsen, jd ’78, Raymore, Mo., was appointed to the 17th Judicial Circuit by Gov. Matt Blunt. Olsen has been serving as a municipal judge and is a partner in the law firm of Van Hooser, Olsen, Eftink PC. Blanche (Williams) Parks, b ed ’71 and m ed ’76, Topeka, was re-elected to the Topeka Community Foundation. Parks is a member of the Washburn Board of Regents and an Endowment Association trustee. James Parrish, jd ’73, Topeka, was elected a director of the Topeka Bar Association. Parrish is administrator of Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative for Counties and president of Parrish Hotel Corp. and Parrish Management Corp. Rose (Cordero) Rodriguez, bfa ’78 and b ed ’86, Topeka, received a certificate of merit for “Art Rules” newsletter from the Kansas Association of School Boards/Kansas School Public Relations Association. Rodriguez teaches art at Eisenhower Middle School. Patrick Salsbury, bba ’71 and jd ’74, Topeka, was elected president of the Topeka Bar Association. Salsbury is a partner with Goodell Stratton Edmonds & Palmer. Gaylord Sanneman, bba ’76, Sublette, Kan., was promoted to general manager and chief executive officer of the Sublette Cooperative Inc., where he has been office manager and controller for 21 years.
Jeffrey Schemmel, jd ’79, San Diego, was inducted into the Howard Wood Hall of Fame, connected to the Howard Wood Dakota Relays based in Sioux Falls, S.D. Gregory Stauffer, bba ’78, Cedar City, Utah, has been named the interim president of Southern Utah University, where he has been serving as vice president for administrative and financial services. Thomas Theis, ba ’73 and jd ’76, Topeka, is among eight Kansas lawyers selected for inclusion in Legal Media Group’s “Guide to the Leading U.S. Healthcare Lawyers 2005.” Theis is a partner in Foulston Siefkin LLP law firm. Jeff Ungerer, bba ’76 and jd ’82, Topeka, was elected assistant secretary of the Topeka Community Foundation.
Greg Brenneman, bba ’84 and honorary doctorate ’99, Coral Gables, Fla., resigned as chairman and chief executive officer of Burger King to return to his private equity firm, TurnWorks. Daren Ciempa, ba ’86, Denver, was promoted to lieutenant with the Denver Police Department. James Clarke, bba ’85, Kansas City, Mo., is an investment manager for the Kauffman Foundation. Kim Cocklin, jd ’81, Charlotte, N.C., was named senior vice president, utility operations of Atmos Energy Corp. Barbara Davison, bba ’86, Auburn, Kan., has been appointed to the Brooke Credit Corp. board of directors.
Steven Unruh, ba ’74, Ottawa, Kan., was promoted to sergeant with the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.
Joyce (Andrews) Dunlap, bba ’86, Topeka, received the Henry A. Bubb Distinguished Service Award from Capitol Federal Savings, where she is accounting manager and assistant vice president.
William Vicory, ba ’74, Topeka, was recognized for 30 years of service at the Kansas Department of Transportation, where he is a public service executive III.
Elizabeth (Ragsdale) Ensley, ba ’81, Topeka, is serving a fourth full term as Shawnee County (Kan.) election commissioner, a position she has held since 1992.
Gregory Waller, ba ’70 and jd ’73, Wichita, Kan., received the Superior Achievement in the Law Award from the Black Law Student Association of the Washburn School of Law. Waller is a judge in the 18th Judicial District, Sedgwick County, Kan.
Jenny (Smith) Godfrey, ba ’86, Topeka, received the Shaklee Teacher Award, given nationally to 10 outstanding teachers of children with special needs by the Shaklee Institute in Wichita, Kan. Godfrey teaches early childhood special education at Auburn-Washburn USD 437.
Franklin Main, bs ’82, Topeka, received the Varian Master’s Award, the highest sales achievement award from Varian Inc. Diagnostics. Marie Mater, ba ’89, Magnolia, Texas, was honored as a College of Arts and Humanities Piper Professor by Houston Baptist University, where she is associate professor in speech communications. John Maxwell, aa ’81, Burlingame, Kan., celebrated 25 years of service with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. John McGivern, bba ’83, Topeka, joined the St. Francis Health Center Foundation board of directors. Kevin Morgison, bba ’87, Perry, Kan., received the Henry A. Bubb Distinguished Service Award from Capitol Federal Savings, where he is compliance services manager. Roger Noriega, ba ’82, Washington, D.C., is a Visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. Washburn honored Noriega as an Alumni Fellow in 2004.
PROFILE:
Diane Wigstone Diane Wigstone, bba ’80, is on location in Jamestown, Va., producing and directing a
BIRTHDAYS Peggy (Debruler) Marlow, bs ’71, Eskridge, Kan., celebrated her 80th birthday in May. Alenna (Hawk) Sanders, b ed ’73, Nortonville, Kan., celebrated her 90th birthday in May.
80s Martha Bartlett-Piland, ba ’86, Topeka, is president of MB Piland Advertising & Marketing, which was named a business of the year by the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and received 15 awards and a Best of Show at the 2006 Topeka Advertising Federation ADDY Awards. Roger Binyon, jd ’81, Scottsdale, Ariz., was named outside tax counsel to Brokers International Ltd.
Carol Green, jd ’81, Topeka, received the Honorable E. Newton Vickers Professionalism Award from the Topeka Bar Association.
documentary film, “The People of Pocahontas,” which will mark the 400th anniversary of the May 13, 1607 landing of the
Susan (Starr) Hammons, ba ’88, Conroe, Texas, celebrated 20 years of service with Mize, Houser & Co., where she is a computer programmer.
Virginia Company explorers on Jamestown Island.
Deborah Hanes-Nelson, bs ’83, Seneca, Kan., is serving as pastor of United Methodist churches in the Kansas cities of Corning, Seneca, Vermillion and Centralia.
addresses choices facing both Native Americans
Wayne Hunter, ba ’82, Topeka, was named a 2005 winner of the Leading Edge Society Award by Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Hunter is a realtor with Prudential First, Realtors. Carolyn Lohman, ba ’80, Fridley, Minn., was promoted to the rank of colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
Wigstone also authored “14 Generations: America’s Critical Choice for Blessing or Exile,” which and the descendants of those who conquered America, published in 2006 by Kingdom Enterprises International. Since 1995, Wigstone has produced and directed numerous projects in film, video and on the stage. She also has a long performing resume in music, stage/theatre, dance, training videos, films and TV, including appearances on “The Client,” “Sisters,” “Babylon 5” and “ER.” She also authored “Hope for Hollywood: Reclaiming the Soul of Film and TV,” published in 2003.
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CLASS NOTES Larita (Grant) Owens, ba ’81 and m ed ’95, Topeka, received a certificate of merit for “High Expectations” newsletter from the Kansas Association of School Boards/Kansas School Public Relations Association. Owens is principal at Quinton Heights Elementary School.
Bonnie Bieber, bsn ’99, Manhattan, Kan., is inpatient wound care coordinator at Mercy Regional Health Care Center.
Michael Patrick, bs ’86, Topeka, was promoted to president of operations services for The Farm Inc. Family Services.
Brandy Biltoft, bas ’99, Manhattan, Kan., was promoted to unit supervisor at the Shawnee County (Kan.) Department of Corrections.
Mark Skinner, jd ’85, Washington, D.C., was inducted into the 2006 Clay Center Community High School Hall of Fame.
Beau Caryl, ba ’97 and m ed ‘05, Topeka, is dean of students at Chase Middle School.
Joseph Spence, jd ’89, Brookfield, Wis., with his wife and son, is part of the Trilogy Poetic Team, which was named Poet Laureate by the online poetry site poets.com. The Spence team has published “A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul.” Annette (Knipp) Thornburgh, ba ’85, Topeka, is on the executive committee of the Kansas Children’s Service League board of directors. Scott Willoughby, jd ’83, Rockville, Md., has joined Huron Consulting Group as a managing director. Jeannie (Shy) Wiseman, bba ’85, Topeka, received a Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award from the Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka. Wiseman is an advancement officer with Washburn Endowment Association.
90s
PROFILE:
Colors over Iraq
Karla Clem, ba ’92, Topeka, was promoted to vice president of M-C Industries, where she has worked 15 years. Alan Cobb, jd ’92, Topeka, was named a Senior Fellow by the Dole Institute of Politics. Cobb is the Kansas director of Americans for Prosperity. Brett Ericson, bba ’99, Topeka, has joined RE/MAX Associates. (L to R): Mark Penrod, ba ’94, Topeka; Janene (Ries) Falley, aa ’91, Topeka, was promoted to detective at the Topeka Police Department.
Nathan Bukowski, ba ’02, Fort Scott, Kan.; and
Natasha Forrester, bs ’93, West Linn, Ore., is a youth librarian with the Multnomah (Ore.) County Library in Portland.
Kan., fly a Washburn University flag while serving
Derek Hart, bba ’99, Lawrence, Kan., was promoted to manager with the accounting firm Windling Noe Nelson & Johnson LLC.
Linus Thuston, ba ’92 and jd ’95, Chanute, in Tallil, Iraq, with the Army Headquarters Support Company 891st Engineer Battalion of the Kansas National Guard, which is based in Chanute and Iola. Thuston purchased the flag on Oct. 1, 2005, the day the Ichabod football team defeated Pittsburg State University. Thuston, a
Rene (Vander-Yacht) Young, jd ’86, Salina, Kan., was appointed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as a judge for the 28th Judicial District.
WEDDING Guy Galland, ba ’88, and Donna Grinnell Orlowshi, Bellevue, Wash., on Jan. 1. He coaches and teaches at Overland School.
BIRTHS Shelly (Evans) Bolejack, ba ’89, and Richard Bolejack, ba ’94, Topeka, a girl, Ainslee Sue, on Jan. 6. Renee (Stout) Montoya, bba ’89, and Michael Montoya, ba ’85 and jd ’88, Salina, Kan., a girl, Veronica Janae, on May 2.
Jennifer (Cowan) Haugh, bfa ’96, Topeka, is owner/creative principal of Tier One Design, which received gold, silver and Best of Show awards at the 2006 Topeka Advertising Federation ADDY Awards. Haugh also received the Volunteer of the Year award.
former member of the Washburn Alumni board of directors, donated the flag to the Washburn Alumni Association.
Brenda Head, jd ’92, Topeka, joined the St. Francis Health Center Foundation board of directors.
Darcy Jones, ba ’96, Atlanta, is an associate in the intellectual property litigation group of the law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan. Jones graduated in December from the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law.
Angi Heller-Workman, bs ’97, Topeka, is a caregiver specialist for Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Inc.
Brenda Jordan, jd ’94, Riley, Kan., has opened a private law practice. Jordan served 10 years in Riley County (Kan.) as assistant county attorney.
Chris Hill, ba ’94, Topeka, was named Phi of the Year by the Topeka area Phi Delta Theta Alumni Association.
Keri Kish, jd ’98, Lawrence, Kan., was selected for the 2006 Dwight D. Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service Series. Kish is a staff attorney for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Terry Iles, bs ’92, Topeka, was named a partner with the law firm Frieden, Haynes and Forbes.
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Norm Landry, bba ’94, Topeka, was promoted to vice president, district retail manager at Capital City Bank. Chelsey (Weekly) Langland, jd ’99, Lawrence, Kan., was elected a director of the Topeka Bar Association. Langland serves as research attorney for Judge Christel Marquardt. Teresa Longberg, ba ’93, Topeka, received Awards of Merit in writing and graphic design from the Topeka Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Carolyn (Rumfelt) Matthews, ba ’94, Wichita, Kan., is a partner with the law firm of Foulston Siefkin LLP. Alisa Mezger-Crawford, ba ’97, Eskridge, Kan., joined Creative Business Solutions as a human resource specialist. Charles Miller, ba ’90, Los Angeles, is producing “Trail End,” a short film set in rural Kansas. Jan Norris, b ed ’90, Topeka, retired from Auburn-Washburn USD 437, where she taught at Washburn Rural Middle School. Terence O’Malley, jd ’95, Kansas City, Mo., produced the documentary film, “Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time,” which tells the story of his greatgreat aunt, Nell Donnelly. Karen Peters, bsn ’93, Lawrence, Kan., is an advanced registered nurse practitioner at The LEO Center of Heartland Medical Clinic. Lowell Ramsey, jd ’90, Topeka, is director of sales with Penwell-Gabel Funeral Homes Crematory & Cemetery. Sherry (Lambert) Rickel, bsn ’96, Silver Lake, Kan., has opened Wheatland Health Clinic, where she is a family nurse practitioner. Janis Rowland, bba ’90 and mba ’93, Maple Hill, Kan., celebrated 20 years with Kansas Department of Transportation, where she is a management systems analyst. Joe Rucker, bs ’98, Topeka, was promoted to lieutenant and unit supervisor with the Shawnee County (Kan.) Department of Corrections. Jeff Sanders, ba ’95, San Diego, earned a doctorate in medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha in December and has begun a four-year residency at the University of California, San Diego.
Mark Schroeder, bs ’96, Hays, Kan., was promoted to lieutenant and assigned as a Western Region aircraft supervisor for the Kansas Highway Patrol’s aircraft units in Hays. Douglas Shima, jd ’94, Topeka, was elected secretary of the Topeka Bar Association. Shima serves as research attorney for Judge G. Joseph Pierron Jr.
Jayme Roberts, bas ’93, and J.L. Riedel, Salina, Kan., on Feb. 4. She is a communications specialist with the Kansas Highway Patrol.
BIRTHS Jodi (Robison) Atkins, bas ’91, and Kelley Atkins, Lakeland, Tenn., a boy, Blake Thomas, on Oct. 14.
Teresa (Herdman) Sittenauer, ba ’91 and jd ’94, Topeka, was elected president-elect of the Topeka Bar Association. Sittenauer is a partner in the law firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP.
Amber (Allendorf) Bonnell, aa ’93 and ba ’94, and David Bonnell, Lawrence, Kan., a boy, Dawson Alexander, on Feb. 23.
Eric Smith, jd ’94, Topeka, has joined Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP as an associate attorney.
Andrea (Davis) Kelley, as ’96, and Bobby Kelley, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a boy, Luke Adrian Ross, on Feb. 4. He joins Cameron, 7 and Shannon, 4.
Holly (Lynch) Staab, aa ’95, and Aaron Staab, ba ’96, Topeka, have expanded the North Topeka fitness franchise, Curves for Women, which they own and operate.
Theodore Martinez, bas ’94, and Brenda Martinez, Lawrence, Kan., a girl, Kate Ann, on April 9.
Eric Tabor, ba ’98, Clay Center, Kan., is a member of the 2006 Clay Center Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
Brandy (Smith) Pekarek, as ’96, and Sean Pekarek, Topeka, twins, a girl, Olivia Raye, and a boy, Jack William, on Nov. 29.
Rusty Ullery, bba ’97, Topeka, is an area manager for the radial trucks operations team at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Melissa (Perkins) Racer, ba ’94, and Tim Racer, ba ’92 and jd ’95, Lee’s Summit, Mo., a boy, Quinten Anderson, on Feb. 7.
Jannett (Bero) Wiens, aa ’99 and ba ’03, Topeka, has opened All Occasions Consulting LLC.
Matthew Snyder, ba ’93, and Darya Alexander, Neenah, Wis., a boy, Owen Andrew, on Nov. 4. Tonia (Owens) Whitener, jd ’99, and Jason Whitener, jd ’00, Lawrence, Kan., a boy, Joshua John-Paul, on Jan. 10.
ANNIVERSARIES Judy (Miller) Morrow, b ed ’98, and Terry Morrow, Topeka, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in February.
00s Brenda (Huber) Adkins, mba ’03, Holton, Kan., is manager of the Jackson County (Kan.) Rural Water District 3.
Betty (Pierce) Wells, aa ’90, and Floyd Wells, Topeka, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May.
James Armbrust, jd ’06, Topeka, has joined the sales staff of Prudential First, Realtors.
WEDDINGS David Cullen, ba ’90, and Barbara Robinson, Topeka, on Dec. 30. Both are working with the developmentally disabled. B.J. McGivern, bba ’97, and Julie Ellis, Topeka, on Feb. 4. He is a realtor and sales associate at Realty Executives. Lynette Mitchell, bs ’99, and Michael Smith, Nickerson, Kan., on March 24. She is executive director of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Reno County, Kan.
Rhys Baker, ba ’04, Clay Center, Kan., has joined the 2006 Clay Center Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Matthew Bergmann, ba ’01 and jd ’05, Topeka, is an associate with the law firm Davis, Unrein, McCallister, Biggs and Head LLP. Troy Biladeau, m ed ’03, Silver Lake, Kan., is defensive coordinator for the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football 2 League. Biladeau has been coaching arena football for six years.
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CLASS NOTES Richard Buck, jd ’03, Hutchinson, Kan., is an assistant public defender for Reno County (Kan.). Julia Butler, jd ’03, Lawrence, Kan., is an associate with the law firm Riling, Burkhead and Nitcher Chartered. Brandi (Jacobs) Clarke, ba ’04, Topeka, is an analyst in the human resources department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Vincent Cox, jd ’05, Topeka, has joined Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP as an associate attorney. Bill Crooks, bba ’01 and mba ’06, Topeka, was recognized by Harrah’s Prairie Band Casino for his role as marketing systems presenter/trainer on the Caesar’s integration team. Crooks, who also received an Excellence in Leadership Award at the property level, serves as manager of three casino marketing areas. Robin Dixon, m ed ’04, Topeka, was named Master Teacher by Auburn-Washburn USD 437. Dixon, who teaches sixth grade at Jay Shideler Elementary School, will represent that school district at the state level. Jason Duncan, mba ’02, Topeka, was promoted to project manager in the land development division of Bartlett & West Engineers. Ryan Gilliland, ba ’05, Topeka, is a constituent services representative in the Topeka office of Congressman Jim Ryun.
Adam Lawrence, aas ’02, Topeka, was promoted to maintenance supervisor at Jostens Printing and Publishing. Jessica Leffler, bs ’05, Lawrence, Kan., completed an internship at Douglas County (Kan.) Corrections and is working with Douglas County Youth Services. Jodi (Rausch) Lies, ba ’02, Halstead, Kan., is head coach for girls basketball at Inman (Kan.) High School. Traci McDonald, ba ’02, Topeka, is an associate with RE/MAX Associates of Topeka. Blake Meyer, bba ’04, Topeka, has joined Denison State Bank as a personal banking officer. Robin (Lang) Moody, bba ’01, Scranton, Kan., was promoted to manager, membership administration at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Sara Neiswanger, bba ’06, Topeka, is an executive assistant at Association Services Corp. Brad Noller, ba ’00, Topeka, is an agent with American Family Insurance. Royce Overbey, bba ’04, Topeka, was promoted to vice president, district retail manager at Capital City Bank.
Michael Grimmett, jd ’01, Douglass, Kan., has joined Gaines & All law firm.
Tabitha Reist Steiner, b music ’00, Prairie Village, Kan., a harpist, performs with the Tulsa Opera Orchestra, the Wichita Grand Opera Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Lyric Opera.
Marc Harvill, mba ’03, Topeka, exhibited oil paintings in the Pittsburg (Kan.) Memorial Auditorium lobby gallery in May.
Keri (Battershell) Renner, ba ’03, Topeka, is director of communications and statewide networker for Kansas Family Partnership Inc.
Lena (Bronson) Hayden, ba ’02, Topeka, is serving on the publications committee of the MANA de Topeka board of directors.
Rebecca Rhymer, jd ’05, Evansville, Ind., has joined the law firm of Kahn, Dees, Donovan and Kahn as an associate attorney, concentrating on general civil litigation and insurance defense.
Erica Huston, bs ’02, Topeka, has joined Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair as a sales associate. Amanda Kiefer, jd ’03, Topeka, received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Topeka Bar Association.
Liz Rogers, ba ’04, Lawrence, Kan., was selected for the 2006 Dwight D. Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service Series.
Ken Schallenkamp, jd ’02, Emporia, Kan., received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Schallenkamp is a business professor at Emporia State University. Kelly Schmidt, bba ’04, Ft. Collins, Colo., is sales operations manager with Front Range Internet Inc. John Scoggins, m ed ’01, Emporia, Kan., is head football coach at Emporia High School. Brandon Shaw, bs ’05, Holton, Kan., graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Shaw is a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Lance Sibley, b ed ’04, Topeka, was promoted to sergeant with the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Maureen Smith, m ed ’03, Topeka, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year by AuburnWashburn USD 437. Smith, who teaches at Wanamaker Elementary School, will represent that district at the state level. Anne (Davis) Stoops, ba ’00, Topeka, graduated from Baker University with a master’s degree in business administration. Stoops is a manager for Target Corp. Sonya Strickland, jd ’04, Topeka, has joined the law offices of Joseph & Hollander PA. Melanie (Wilson) Tomlinson, bsn ’05, Topeka, is a nurse at Stormont-Vail HealthCare. Kyle Wilson, bba ’02, Topeka, was named a 2005 winner of the Honor Society Award by Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Wilson is a realtor with Prudential First, Realtors.
WEDDINGS Tiffany Caywood, bsn ’05, and Matthew Erb, Lawrence, Kan., on July 2. She is a graduate nurse in The Birthplace at Stormont-Vail HealthCare, Topeka. Quinton Cook, aas ’05, and Stacy Kiss, Topeka, on Jan. 7. Sarah Foster, ba ’05, and Jason Mesker, bba ’99, Lawrence, Kan., on Oct. 1.
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Amelia Gast, b ed ’04, and Morgan Bailey, Topeka, on April 8. She teaches sixth grade at Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Kolter Hoffman, mba ’03, and Meghann Dwyer, Kansas City, Kan., on Nov. 5. He is self-employed. Michelle Hollins, bs ’03, and Neal Rose, Topeka, on Oct. 22. Amy Karn, bsn ’02, and Jason Carreno, ba ’06, Topeka, on Jan. 1. She is a registered nurse at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center. Jared Laha, bba ’03, and Megan Skinner, Lawrence, Kan., on Oct. 1. He is a conservation manager for American Home Life Insurance. Nichole Malott, bba ’02, and David Vasquez, Topeka, on July 2, 2005. She is the accountant for E-Kan Fire Equipment. Anna Neufeld, ba ’04, and Roman Bolan, Topeka, on Oct. 1. Melissa Ruggero, ba ’00 and jd ’04, and David Howarter, bs ’97, Topeka, on Oct. 8. She is an assistant district attorney for Shawnee County (Kan.), and he is director of operations at BG Service Solutions. Macy Tanking, mba ’04, and Dustin Cline, bba ’03 and mba ’04, Plano, Texas, on Oct. 1. She works for TM Advertising, and he works for Gregory Marketing. Ryan Vaughn, b ed ’04, and Diane Burkdoll, Osage City, Kan., on Dec. 17. He teaches special education at Scranton Elementary School. Candace White, bba ’03, and Wade Hapgood, Topeka, on Oct. 8. She is an auditor at Security Benefit.
BIRTH Tueka (Farmer) Kruger, b ed ’03, and Shannon Kruger, bba ’03, Silver Lake, Kan., a girl, McKinley Kay, on Jan. 18.
Dorothy (Harmon) Richards, ba ’39, 91, Omaha, Neb., on May 9. At Washburn, she belonged to the YWCA and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
IN MEMORY ’20s Vera (Kanode) Johnson, bs ’29, 98, Topeka, on Feb. 4. She was a librarian for Stormont-Vail’s School of Nursing, a secretary for the Kansas Children’s Service League and also worked in Washburn’s botany department.
’30s Gertrude (Shideler) Barker, ba ’38, 88, Wichita, Kan., on March 6. A cellist, she was a member of Washburn’s music faculty from 1953-61 and played in the Topeka Civic Symphony, Houston Symphony, Wichita Symphony and Friends University Community Orchestra. At Washburn, she belonged to Sigma Alpha Iota and Alpha Phi sorority. She was also a member of the Whiting Society. Memorials may be made to the Gertrude Elizabeth Shideler Barker Music Scholarship at Washburn.
Mary (Smith) True, ba ’37, 90, Longmont, Colo., on March 24. At Washburn, she was in YWCA, Women’s Athletic Association, Glee Club, French Club and Alpha Phi sorority. Catharine (Ley) VanSant, ba ’35, 92, Lenexa, Kan., on Oct. 3. She taught and then tutored at the Kansas City Christian High School and was active in the Village Presbyterian Church. At Washburn, she was inducted into Nonoso and joined Alpha Phi sorority. She was also a member of the Whiting Society.
’40s Robert Breidenthal, jd ’49, 86, The Woodlands, Texas, on Feb. 4. A pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he practiced law in Wichita, Kan. At Washburn, he joined Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity.
Rose Mary (Mechem) Gordon, attendee ’39, 85, Seattle, on April 2. She was an editor of Sports Illustrated magazine, where she was elected to a leading position in the Newspaper Guild.
Kenneth Bridwell, attendee ’49, 75, Topeka, on March 12. An Army Korean War veteran, he sold real estate and then owned and operated Topeka Contractors & Engineers for 30 years.
Helen (Roose) Haskett, attendee ’37, 88, Garden Grove, Calif., on April 18. She was the executive secretary at Equity Brokers Inc. and a founding member of the Los Altos (Calif.) United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years.
Robert Dietrich, ba ’47, 84, Los Altos, Calif., on Dec. 12. A Navy medical corpsman during World War II, he served nearly 30 years as director of occupational therapy at the Veterans Administration hospital in Menlo Park, Calif.
Katherine (Davis) Ramus, ba ’33, 94, Englewood, Colo., on March 6. She owned and operated the Blue Jay Inn in Buffalo Creek, Colo., for more than 40 years and was also a librarian for the Denver University art department. At Washburn, she joined Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity.
Jules Verne Doty, ba ’49 and jd ’50, 82, Olathe, Kan., on Feb. 20. A World War II Army veteran, he served as commissioner to the Kansas Corporation Commission from 1968-74 and as a judge in the 4th Judicial District of Kansas from 1983 until retiring in 1995. At Washburn, he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity.
IN MEMORY Anna Elizabeth (Parker) Bunyan, ba ’23, 108, Corvallis, Ore., on April 6. Born in 1898, she taught mathematics in Ottawa, Kan., area schools for more than 25 years, retiring in 1969 at the age of 71, moved to California, and later to Oregon, where she lived for the past 20 years with a daughter and son-in-law. Shortly after her 108th birthday on March 21, she was interviewed by the Corvallis “Gazette-Times.” At Washburn, she was active in the Alethean literary society, YWCA and joined Kappa Pi Beta sorority.
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CLASS NOTES Frank Eckert, bba ’48, 83, Abilene, Kan., on May 10. A World War II Army veteran, he served as office manager and as corporate auditor of Duckwall Stores. At Washburn, he was inducted into Sagamore and joined Alpha Delta fraternity. He also served on the Washburn Alumni Association board of directors.
Virgil Holdredge, attendee ’43, 80, Olathe, Kan., on March 28. A graduate of the Navy V-12 program at Washburn, he retired from the Naval Reserves with the rank of commander. He served in Kansas as county engineer for Johnson County and as city engineer for Junction City, Lawrence and Olathe.
Robert Gucker, bba ’49, 80, Valley Center, Calif., on Jan. 27. A World War II Navy veteran, he had a career in insurance, establishing Midwest Insurers in 1959 and retiring in 1986.
Robert Johnson, ba ’41 and jd ’48, 86, Lawrence, Kan., on Feb. 12. A retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, he practiced law in Topeka, served as president of the Shawnee County (Kan.) Historical Society and was active in the preservation and restoration of the Free State Capitol. At Washburn, he belonged to Alpha Delta fraternity and Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity and was an honorary member of the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum Inc. With his wife, Simone Johnson, professor emeritus, who survives, he belonged to the Lincoln Society. Memorials may be made to the Robert and Simone Johnson Scholarship Fund at Washburn.
Edwin Hailey, ba ’49, 83, Topeka, on April 9. A World War II Navy veteran, he taught and coached 37 years for Topeka USD 501, primarily at Highland Park High School. At Washburn, he played football, basketball and baseball and joined Kappa Sigma fraternity.
IN MEMORY Helen (Hobbs) Jordan, b music ’29, 99, New York, on April 26. She taught singing and
Howard Miller, ba ’49, 84, Jefferson City, Mo., on Feb. 6. A World War II Air Force veteran, he was director of facilities for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. At Washburn, he was a Whiting Scholar.
violin at Washburn from 1931-36, and then moved to New York, where she studied at Columbia University Teachers College and the Julliard School of Music. For more than 50 years, she operated a music studio in New York, teaching
Julian Muckenthaler, ba ’46 and jd ’47, 87, Overland Park, Kan., on March 10. A World War II Army veteran, he practiced law in Kansas City, Kan. At Washburn, he belonged to Phi Kappa Phi academic honorary and Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity.
musicianship to many of the top professional studio players and singers in the country, as well as Broadway performers, opera singers, symphony and pop musicians and celebrities, including Tony Bennett, Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler and Paul Simon. She also taught at Julliard School of Music, Columbia University, and was chair of the general musicianship department of the American Theatre Wing. She authored “The Modern Musicianship Series” and was featured on “The Wall Street Journal Report” and CBS Radio Network. Washburn honored her with the Distinguished Service Award in 1985. In 2001, Women In Music honored her with a Touchstone Award. At Washburn, she was inducted into Nonoso and joined the French Club, YWCA and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
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Gordon Pickup, ba ’47, 85, Overland Park, Kan., on Jan. 14. A World War II Navy veteran, he worked for DuPont Co. and Monarch Cement Co. and served on the Quivira, Inc. board of directors. At Washburn, he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Kathleen (Martin) Taylor, ba ’45, 82, Topeka, on May 3. She worked for Burgwin and Martin, taught at Jardine Junior High School and started a Topeka celiac sprue support group. At Washburn, she was inducted into Nonoso and joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. With her husband, Paul “David” Taylor, who died April 15, she belonged to Washburn’s Whiting Society. John Witt, attendee ’49, 76, College Station, Texas, on May 6. He owned Friendly Chevrolet and was a founding partner of Toyota of Dallas.
’50s Frank Beck, b ed ’57, 93, Sapulpa, Okla., on Feb. 1. He taught and coached many years in Kansas and Oklahoma, retiring in 1983. He was an Oklahoma Silver Haired senator and won medals in the Oklahoma and National Senior Olympics. Lucretia (Stansbury) Caldwell, ba ’50, 79, Cresco, Iowa, on May 15. She farmed with her husband and belonged to Canton-Scotland Presbyterian Church. At Washburn, she joined Phi Sigma Chi women’s pep fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Franklin Carman, jd ’54, 82, Pfeifer, Kan., on March 1. He practiced law in Quinter, Kan., and then taught high school math in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and Oklahoma. Deanna Comer, attendee ’55, 69, Topeka, on April 23. She was a supervisor at Kansas Neurological Institute and belonged to St. Mark A.M.E. Church. Barbara (Berger) Dieter, ba ’51, 76, Houston, on Feb. 19. She was inducted into Nonoso at Washburn. Her husband, James Dieter, attendee ’49, survives. Clarke Geddes, ba ’50 and jd ’51, 81, Beverly, Ohio, on April 6. A World War II Navy veteran, he retired from Globe Metallurgical after 31 years as a purchasing agent. At Washburn, he joined Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity. Clayton Gerboth, attendee ’51, 72, Springfield, Mo., on Feb. 22. He was a geologist for Kerr McGee Corp. and North American Coal Corp. Mary (McKinney) Harness, attendee ’50, 97, Elizabeth, Ind., on Jan. 9. She taught in U.S. Embassy schools. Arthur Harper, ba ’52, 76, Boca Raton, Fla., on Feb. 3. He was a missionary in Africa and later practiced law. After retirement, he served as special counsel to then Gov. Bob Graham. At Washburn, he belonged to Tau Delta Pi honorary scholastic society.
Brent Hood, bba ’59, 70, Olathe, Kan., on Feb. 4. He retired after 25 years as district manager for Kansas Power & Light. At Washburn, he belonged to Young Republicans, band and the Association of Business Students. Donald Morrison, ba ’50, 78, Liberty, Mo., on March 27. A graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, he was associated with St. Joseph Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., and Liberty Memorial Hospital. At Washburn, he belonged to Phi Delta Theta fraternity. John “Jack” Morrissey, bba ’52, 78, Topeka, on April 24. A former Merchant Marine, he owned and managed Fairlane Apartments, retiring in 1997. At Washburn, he belonged to the Association of Business Students, Inter-fraternity Council and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Memorials may be sent to Washburn University. Gene Nicely, attendee ’56, 69, Ozawkie, Kan., on Jan. 7. He was an appraiser for the Kansas Department of Transportation, retiring in 2002. Perry Nuckols, ba ’50, 83, Los Angeles, on Jan. 26. He was a probation officer with Los Angeles County, retiring in 1979. Warren Southard, jd ’51, 80, Wichita, Kan., on Feb. 5. A Navy World War II veteran, he practiced law for 55 years, serving 10 years as chairman of the Wichita Bar Association ethics committee. He was a fellow with the Kansas Bar Association. At Washburn, he belonged to Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity. James Tillery, attendee ’56, 69, Meriden, Kan., on April 27. He practiced dentistry for 30 years in Valley Falls, Kan. Leon Wright, bba ’57, 77, Eskridge, Kan., on Feb. 9. He served in the Army National Guard, owned and operated Wright’s Tax Service and was a farmer and rancher. At Washburn, he belonged to the Association of Business Students. James Yates, jd ’51, 86, Kansas City, Kan., on March 16. An Army veteran of World War II, he had a solo law practice.
IN MEMORY
’60s
Constance (Lord) Robert Bolan, bba ’62, 65, Mabelvale, Ark., on Feb. 16. At Washburn, he belonged to Delta Sigma Phi business club and Alpha Delta fraternity.
Brown, ba ’44 and jd
William Ellis, bs ’69 and jd ’73, 58, Nixa, Mo., on Feb. 6. He was an attorney with a private practice and had served as an alderman in Nixa, an advocate in the Missouri Division of Family Services and as a municipal judge in Oxford, Kan.
husband, Marlin Brown,
’46, 82, Sun City, Ariz., on Jan. 20. With her jd ’51, who died in 1993, she established the law firm of Brown & Brown in Council Grove, Kan., specializing in estate planning and income tax
Dorothy (Crawford) Hayes, ba ’61, 78, Topeka, on Feb. 1. She taught 25 years in Topeka public schools and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
preparation. She was the first woman elected as a
J. Roger Hendrix, jd ’64, 67, Topeka, on April 9. He practiced law for 40 years and belonged to the Kansas and Topeka Bar Associations. His wife, Jan (Edwardson) Hendrix, ba ’67 and msw ’98, survives.
plans. She served Washburn as a member of the
William Howard, ba ’63, 65, Burtonsville, Md., on March 23. Active in conservation efforts, he served as president of the Wildlife Habitat Council and as president and chief executive of the National Wildlife Federation. At Washburn, he was active in basketball, football and track, was inducted into Sagamore and joined Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Among Students in American Universities and
John Johnson, ba ’68, 61, St. Louis, on Jan. 19. At Washburn, he participated in the Washburn semester in Copenhagen. Jim Jones, jd ’62, 74, Sallisaw, Okla., on March 2. An Air Force Korean War veteran, he had a private law practice and served as city attorney for towns in Sequoyah County (Okla.) and was a senior member of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Harold McClary, ba ’60, 75, Vermillion, Kan., on May 3. He was president of Vermillion State Bank.
county attorney in Kansas and served in Morris County from 1951-55. After retirement, she continued to prepare tax returns and draft estate Alumni Association board of directors and as a trustee of the Endowment Association, receiving emeritus status in 1999. As a student at Washburn, she was a Whiting Scholar, named to Who’s Who Colleges and was inducted into Nonoso. She served on the Student Council and was secretary of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Lucy (Thornton) Redding, b ed ’61, and m ed ’65, 91, Topeka, on Feb. 20. She was an elementary teacher in rural Greenwood County (Kan.) and also taught for Topeka Public Schools. Ruth (Rigby) Timken, b ed ’63, 86, Topeka, on Jan. 24. She taught in the Kansas towns of Ness City and Lewis and then worked in Topeka at Lyman and Grant elementary schools. Joseph Youngkamp, ba ’62, 66, Alamogordo, N.M., on March 12. He taught social studies at Alamogordo High School, retiring in 2000. At Washburn, he was in ROTC and the band.
Richard Neice, bba ’65 and jd ’70, 64, Wichita, Kan., on Nov. 24, 2005. He was a retired attorney.
’70s
Gary Olden, ba ’66, 62, Warrensburg, Mo., on May 8. He taught music, played in the Air Force Band and worked 14 years at Quimby Pipe Organs Inc. At Washburn, he was active in band, choir and jazz workshop.
Gary Boman, attendee ’78, 46, Topeka, on Feb. 20. He worked for Kansas Neurological Institute, retiring in 1991.
James Pett, bba ’65, 64, Loveland, Colo., on May 5. He was an internal auditor of First National Bank of Lincoln, Neb., and then formed the bank consulting firm, Pett and Associates. His wife, Marilyn Pett, b ed ’65, survives.
Jerald Michael Eakes, bba ’72, 63, Shawnee, Kan., on Feb. 19. A Vietnam veteran, he retired as a financial analyst with the Johnson County (Kan.) Water District 1 and belonged to the American Contract Bridge League. His wife, Linda (Duncan) Eakes, b ed ’72, survives.
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CLASS NOTES Marilyn (Clark) Gilliland, attendee ’72, 69, Topeka, on April 17. She taught 39 years in elementary schools in Topeka, Wichita, Kan., and Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Her husband, David Gilliland, bba ’68, survives. Robert Herrick, attendee ’74, 49, Topeka, on March 9. He served in the Army. Betty (Wyatt) LaRue, ba ’76, 80, Topeka, on Feb. 5. She retired as a social worker at StormontVail HealthCare and was a master gardener. Ethel “Sally” (Blaine) Millett, ba ’71, 90, San Antonio, on March 7. A second lieutenant in the Army, she was among the nurses held captive by the Japanese during World War II. Richard Mills, attendee ’76, 52, Seal Beach, Calif., on Feb. 3. He was an ombudsman and correctional counselor for the State of Kansas. In Long Beach, Calif., he taught special education and was a teaching consultant for behavioral management. Catherine Murphy, ba ’76, 56, Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 4. She volunteered 20 years at the YWCA Women Against Violence hotline, receiving many awards and commendations and also served in the Salvation Army telephone assistance program for the elderly. Ralph Oliverson, bba ’77, 85, Wichita, Kan., on Feb. 10. He worked for Walt Keeler Construction and the Internal Revenue Service and served as president of the Independent Businessmen Association of Wichita. Philip Rice, attendee ’70, 72, Topeka, on March 17. He worked at the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, coached Little League baseball and was active in his church.
Marylyn Schodde, attendee ’79, 71, Topeka, on Feb. 3. C. Dwight Wamsley, jd ’75, Wichita, Kan., 56, on Feb. 21. He practiced law for 30 years, served as an attorney for the State of Kansas and ran for the Kansas House of Representatives.
’80s Patricia (Ecord) Baker, b ed ’84, 74, Topeka, on Feb. 20. She taught at State Street Elementary School and also taught reading and math at Quinton Heights Elementary School. Her husband, Jerry Baker, bba ’68, survives. Russell Blosser, attendee ’89, 56, Topeka, on Jan. 20. He was the human resource manager for the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. Robert Buzbee, attendee ’80, 50, Topeka, on April 23. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and was a lifelong United Methodist. David Henderson, as ’86, 73, Topeka, on April 28. He served 26 years in the Air Force and then worked as a respiratory care practitioner at Stormont-Vail HeathCare. He also helped organize the Mission Township volunteer fire department.
Betty “Bo” Sheafor, attendee ’86, 70, Topeka, on Feb. 3. A partner in her family’s farming and ranching business, she also established the AlBo Glass Studio. She supported the International Center of Topeka, KTWU and the Mulvane Art Museum. Memorials may be sent to the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn. Michael Simmons, jd ’89, 44, Racine, Wis., on March 12. He served 10 years as an assistant attorney for the State of Wisconsin, and then entered private practice as a criminal defense attorney. Bernard Webb, ba ’88, 68, Topeka, on Jan. 24. He was an Army veteran. Debra (Garhan) Wolff, bs ’83, 45, Topeka, on Feb. 9. She was a paraprofessional for Topeka public schools, a receptionist at a doctor’s office and a donor recruiter for the Topeka Blood Bank. Kimberly Yurek-Askew, ba ’82, 45, Stockbridge, Ga., on Nov. 14. She was a director of human resources for Delta Technologies, had previously worked for Macy’s Department Stores and also volunteered with Big Brothers-Big Sisters.
’90s
Nigel Marcotte, bba ’87, 41, Lenexa, Kan., on Dec. 19. He worked at Steak & Ale and then managed Applebee’s restaurants for 14 years.
Joseph Bachofer, attendee ’90, 59, Topeka, on April 19. He worked 10 years as a paraprofessional in Topeka Public Schools and also was an actor, playwright and chef.
Paula McMillan, attendee ’89, 39, Topeka, on May 13. She worked at Yellow Transportation and belonged to Topeka Bible Church.
Rick Hall, ba ’92, 54, Houston, on Nov. 15. At Washburn, he belonged to the Psi Chi national psychology honor society.
IN MEMORY Francine (Baudoux-Neubauer) Hines, ba ’76, 81, Topeka, on Jan. 29. An immigrant of Belgium who became an American citizen, she was a speaker, a freelance writer and a consultant for professional and business seminars. She was receptionist-secretary to Gov. George Docking and then the transition agent for both Gov. John Anderson and Gov. Robert Docking. Gov. John Carlin appointed her executive director to the Kansas Water Resources Board, and later Gov. Bill Graves appointed her to the Kansas Military Advisory Board. Hines served on the Washburn Board of Regents from 1991-95 and taught at Washburn from 1985-91. She was a founding member of the Washburn Women’s Alliance board and a member of the Washburn Alumni Association and the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum. Hines was instrumental in the Topeka (Downtown) Rotary Club scholarship program which benefited Washburn international students, and she coached several Washburn students applying for Rotary ambassadorial scholarships. She received the Americanism Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution, was honored as Woman of the Year by the American Business Woman’s Association in 1970 and listed in the World Who’s Who of Women. Hines was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Topeka (Downtown) Rotary Club and received the Community Leadership Award from the International Center of Topeka. She received the Lilla Day Monroe Award from the Washburn Alumni Association in 2001.
Deborah Nordt, bba ’99, 53, Topeka, on April 15. She worked at the Shawnee County Courthouse and then joined Topeka USD 501 as a fixed assets specialist, retiring in 2004. Dennis Reaves, attendee ’96, 33, Lowell, Ark., on April 27. An Air Force veteran of Operation Desert Storm, he was a craftsman specializing in home construction and additions. Mark Stueve, jd ’97, 58, Topeka, on March 8. A Vietnam veteran, he was the president of S/S Builders Inc. from 1985-94 and was a project manager for Woods Construction Inc. His wife, Lynette (Smith) Steuve, jd ’97, survives. Michael Waugh, ba ’92, 37, Algonquin, Ill., on Jan. 30. He was an operator and partner of Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurants in Chicago and had been affiliated 12 years with the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. His wife, Lisa (Schmoller) Waugh, b ed ’93, survives. Glenn Wilson, bba ’97, 38, Topeka, on March 31. A certified public accountant, he worked for Wendling, Noe, Nelson & Johnson and the Washburn Endowment Association.
’00s Shari (Woody) Banks-Hicks, bas ’00, 56, Lawrence, Kan., on March 3. She had worked for Stokeley Van Camp, Eckan and Aeroquip. Lauren Cash, ba ’02, 27, Topeka, on Feb. 7. She worked at Tallgrass Surgical Center and was an avid equestrian. Kelly (Kesar) Edmiston, bsn ’04, 39, Las Vegas, on April 30. She was a registered nurse and served as executive clinical manager for Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine. Jane Kindle, bsn ’05, 23, Basehor, Kan., on March 14. She was a nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. At Washburn, she was treasurer for Student Nurses of Washburn. Memorials may be sent to the Jane Kindle Scholarship Memorial at the Washburn School of Nursing. Michele Line, attendee ’03, 25, Topeka, on March 29. She was a psychology major at Washburn and volunteered at the Catholic Campus Ministry and the Kaw Valley Girl Scout Council.
FRIENDS Geneva (Benitz) Adkins, 66, Topeka, on Jan. 25. She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, the Stormont-Vail Auxilary board and the PEO Sisterhood. Her husband, William Adkins, bba ’60, survives. Ralph Buckner, 84, Stillwater, Okla., on Dec. 29. He was a professor of veterinary medicine. His wife, Jacque (Gleason) Buckner, ba ’47 and bba ’48, survives. Ozella (Pierce) Craig, 72, Topeka, on Jan. 30. She worked 35 years as a secretary for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, retiring in 1994. Her husband, Richard Craig, aa ’78, survives. James “Dick” Davis, 71, Douglass, Kan., on May 13. He was a field auditor for the State of Kansas and an antique dealer. His wife, Brenda (Kinder) Davis, bsn ’86, survives. Patricia (Hamilton) Delano, 79, Topeka, on March 22. A member of the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, she was a long-standing volunteer in numerous charitable organizations. John Espy, 84, Topeka, on April 24. He was a missionary and teacher for the American Baptist Churches. In retirement, he taught business courses at Washburn. Elaine Hacker, 81, Topeka, on April 25. She served 15 years as administrator, Kansas State Department of Medical Services and belonged to the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum. Louise (Stephenson) Haywood, 85, Topeka, on April 23. She was a homemaker and a member of Countryside United Methodist Church. Her late husband, C. Robert Haywood, served as professor and administrator at Washburn from 1969-88. Memorials may be made to the C. Robert Haywood Scholarship Fund at Washburn.
Robert Kearns, 83, Topeka, on March 11. He retired as director of community relations from WIBW and had served on the Washburn Communications Advisory Board. Gregory Pettys, 47, Salt Lake City, on April 24. He was on the faculty in the School of Social Work at Brigham Young University. At Washburn, he taught in the social work department from 1994-97. Dallas Pittenger, 80, Topeka, on March 17. He retired from Capitol Federal Savings after more than 30 years of service. His wife, Mary (Scidmore) Pittenger, ba ’84, survives. Janice (Robbins) Tarlton, 71, Topeka, on March 6. She served as an Air Force officer, worked at Kansas Neurological Institute and retired from the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System. She belonged to Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Her husband, John Tarlton, bfa ’68, survives. Paul “David” Taylor, 75, Topeka, on April 15. He worked as an engineer for Burgwin and Martin, and then worked for Cook, Flatt and Strobel Engineers, retiring in 1994. With his wife, Kathleen (Martin) Taylor, ba ’45, who died May 3, he belonged to Washburn’s Whiting Society.
Memorial Gifts Remembering loved ones through memorial or honorary gifts to Washburn University leaves a unique legacy in their names while enriching the lives of students at the university. A gift to Washburn honors individuals in keeping with your wishes and unites their memory with the lives of so many others. Please visit http://www.wea.org/giving-tributes memorials/index.htm for more information on how to create a memorial or honorary gift.
Myrtle Henderson, 78, Topeka, on March 13. Her late husband, John Henderson, served as president of Washburn from 1965-80. Marion Huxman, 77, Topeka, on May 15. He worked 13 years as a concrete finisher and 22 years as office manager, primarily for May, Ransom and Sheetz, retiring in 1985. His wife, Donna (Lott) Huxman, bba ’80, survives.
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HEDULE SPORTS SCHEDULE SPORTS SCHEDULE FOOTBALL SEPTEMBER 2 Colorado School of Mines, 1 p.m. 9 Western Washington University, Bellingham, 3 p.m. 16 Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, 1:30 p.m. 23 Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m. 30 Southwest Baptist University, 1 p.m. (Family Day) OCTOBER 7 Pittsburg State University, 2 p.m. 14 Northwest Missouri State University, 1 p.m. 21 Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., 2 p.m. 28 Emporia State University, 1 p.m. (Homecoming/Hall of Fame) NOVEMBER 4 Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, 2 p.m. 11 Missouri Western State University, 1 p.m. (Senior Day) 18 NCAA Playoffs, first round, TBA 25 NCAA Playoffs, second round, TBA DECEMBER 2 NCAA Playoffs, quarterfinals, TBA 9 NCAA Playoffs, semifinals, TBA 16 NCAA Playoffs, finals, TBA All games in bold played at Washburn in Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl.
LADY BLUES SOCCER AUGUST 26 Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, 1 p.m.
27 University of Minnesota-Duluth, Marshall, Minn., 1 p.m. SEPTEMBER 1-3 Central Missouri State Tournament, Warrensburg, Mo. 1 University of South Dakota, 5:30 p.m. 3 Wayne State College, 1 p.m. 6 Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo., 7 p.m. 9 Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 11 a.m. 10 Emporia State University, 1 p.m. 16 Central Missouri State University, 11 a.m. 17 Truman State University, 1 p.m. 23 Northwest Missouri State University, 1 p.m. 24 Missouri Western State University 1 p.m. 29 Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Mo., 4 p.m. 30 Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, 2 p.m. OCTOBER 6 Emporia State University, 7 p.m. 14 Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, 2 p.m. 15 Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, 2 p.m. 18 Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, 7 p.m. 21 Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., noon 27 Southwest Baptist University, TBA 29 Missouri Southern State University, Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl, 1 p.m. (Senior Day)
NOVEMBER 3-5 NCAA Playoffs, first and second rounds, TBD 11 NCAA Playoffs, quarterfinals, TBD 16 NCAA Playoffs, semifinals, Pensacola, Fla. 18 NCAA Playoffs, finals, Pensacola, Fla.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
All games in bold played at Washburn in the Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl, unless noted.
LADY BLUES VOLLEYBALL AUGUST 25-26 Arkansas Tech University Invitational, Russellville 25 Drury University, 9 a.m. 25 Fort Valley State University, 1 p.m. 26 Texas A&M University-Commerce, 9 a.m. 26 Arkansas Tech University, 3 p.m. 30 Newman University, 7 p.m. SEPTEMBER 1-2 Premier Invitational, Denver 1 Abilene Christian University, noon. 1 Metropolitan State College of Denver, 7:30 p.m. 2 TBD 6 Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m. 8-9 Lady Blues Classic 8 University of South Dakota, 11 a.m. Minnesota State 8 University-Mankato, 3 p.m. 9 University of Nebraska-Omaha, 9 a.m. 9 University of North Alabama, 1 p.m. 13 Pittsburg State University, 7 p.m. 16 Missouri Southern State University, 4 p.m.
20 Emporia State University, 7 p.m. 23 Northwest Missouri State University, 5 p.m. 29 Truman State University, 7 p.m. 30 Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, 7 p.m. OCTOBER 4 Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, 7 p.m. 7 Southwest Baptist University, 2 p.m. 11 Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m. 13-14 Henderson State University Regional Crossover, Arkadelphia, Ark., TBA 17 Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, 7 p.m. 20 Pittsburg State University, 7 p.m. 21 Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, 5 p.m. 25 Emporia State University, 7 p.m. 28 Missouri Western State University, 6 p.m. (Senior Night) NOVEMBER Oct. 31-Nov. 4 MIAA Tournament, TBA 9-11 NCAA South Central Regional, TBA 15-18 NCAA Elite 8, Pensacola, Fla. All games in bold played at Washburn in Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center.
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