Central Michigan University Alumni Magazine
Fall 2017
COME BACK TO CAMPUS TO CELEBRATE CMU’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY
centralight Fall 2017
On the cover Nothing says fall, football and college spirit quite like the CMU marching band! Come back to campus for a visit to get fired up for our 125th anniversary. PHOTO BY STEVE
JESSMORE ’81
Features
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As the university launches a yearlong celebration of its 125th year, we look back at our history and marvel at how far we’ve come since our “Normal” days.
Central’s new athletic director, Michael Alford, comes to CMU from the University of Oklahoma.
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Driving Detroit
Happy anniversary, CMU!
Greek for life
Meet six alumni who turned college fraternity and sorority experiences into lifelong careers.
There’s a new AD in town
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Alumni entrepreneurs, educators and investors are drawn to Detroit to help drive positive change in the city.
Executive Editor and Executive Director of Alumni Relations Marcie Otteman Grawburg, ’87 Editor
Betsy Miner-Swartz, ’86 Managing Editor
Robin Miner-Swartz
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Departments
Photographer
Steve Jessmore, ’81 Writers
Dan Digmann, M.A. ’15 Cynthia Drake, M.A. ’08 Rachel Esterline Perkins, ’10, M.A. ’17 Terri Finch Hamilton, ’83 Jeff Johnston, ’91 Curt Smith Andy Sneddon
4 CMU Today Fashion merchandising and design students have a rare opportunity to study in South Korea.
Research Associate Bryan Whitledge
20 Big Picture Campus puts on a colorful show each fall, showing its true CMU colors.
Editorial Assistants Vicki Begres, ’89; Lori Conroy
32 Hidden Central Next time Central calls, you should answer. It just might be the president.
Communications Committee Rebeca Barrios, chair, ’00, MBA ’02 Tom Worobec, ’93 Bob Van Deventer, ’74 Nicole Yelland, ’05
37 Alumni News A Chicago elementary class spends a week getting fired up. 38 In Memory
Graphic Designer Erin Rivard, ’07, MBA ’16
Vice President for Advancement Robert Martin
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Associate Vice President of University Communications Sherry Knight, ’86
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For advertising information Call Cindy Jacobs, ’93 (800) 358-6903
Stay connected Send change of address information to: Alumni Relations Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Phone: (800) 358-6903 Fax: (989) 774-7159 Email: alumni@cmich.edu Web: cmich.edu/alumni/Centralight
Body contains 30% post-consumer waste
Centralight is published three times each year by the Central Michigan University Office of Alumni Relations. It is printed by Quad/Graphics, Midland, and entered at the Midland Post Office under nonprofit mailing. CMU, an AA/EO institution, provides equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich. edu/ocrie). Copies of Centralight are distributed to alumni and friends of the university who are paid Gold Members or donors to CMU. A virtual edition of the magazine is available free online at alumni.cmich.edu/centralight. UComm 9787–140,000+ (9/17)
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Your
DEN GOLOpportun ity MEMORIES and FRIENDS
The
you share with your alma mater don’t end with graduation. Continue to make new ones! Become a
Gold Member of the CMU Alumni Association today! cmich.edu/alumni
Keep the old, and bring the
GOLD!
CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9794 - 2017
We’ve come a long way
Our year long celebration of CMU’s 125th anniversary starts now By Marcie Otteman Grawburg, ’87, executive director of alumni relations 125 years is a long time. Since those humble beginnings in a downtown building in the newly incorporated town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University has grown from a handful of students to about 26,000 each year. Started by 16 business leaders, the goal was to create an educational institution that would not only supply a needed workforce for the burgeoning area, but draw people here for the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge. And here we are, a century and a quarter later, still fulfilling our original mission and purpose. Reading about the beginning of Central and looking through the old papers and stories reminds me that progress happens but the underlying constants remain. It’s been fun to reminisce through the years and see the changes. While we haven’t celebrated 125 homecomings, we have had more than 90 of them. This one is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever — with not one but TWO grand marshals! I hope you’ll make plans to be in Mount Pleasant the weekend of Oct. 14 to connect with former classmates and see all the exciting changes happening at your university. We have reunion plans for Greek life, Robinson Hall, the Latino Alumni chapter and the class of 1967, CM Life, plus Alumni Village, where all the colleges gather to celebrate CMU with food and fun. Check out the schedule on page 23. I’m thankful for my friends in the Museum of Cultural and Natural History and the Clarke Historical Library for the quick responses and diligent research as we prepared not only for this issue of Centralight but the upcoming year of celebrating 125. They’re the keepers of CMU history. An extra-special shout-out goes to our researcher, Bryan Whitledge, who is better than Sherlock Holmes in sleuthing out the answers to all the crazy questions we throw at him from Alumni Relations! You’ll read more about what he does on page 13. It’s our anniversary. We’re thrilled to celebrate 125 years of excellence in academics and putting our stamp on the world. Come join the fun. I look forward to seeing you in Mount Pleasant soon. Forever maroon and gold,
Calendar September 1 CMU at the Michigan State Fair, Novi 18 Great Lakes Bay Region Scholarship Golf Outing and Dinner, Apple Mountain Golf Club, Freeland 27 CMU Alumni and Friends get an EXCLUSIVE look at the Grand Rapids Ballet premiere of “From Russia With Love,” Grand Rapids
October 12 Phoenix-area Alumni and Friends at Coyotes vs. Red Wings Game, Glendale, Arizona 14 Homecoming, Mount Pleasant 14 NPHC & CMU African-American Alumni Chapter presents Back on the Yard Homecoming 2017, Mount Pleasant 14 50-year Reunion, Class of 1967, Mount Pleasant 20 Notorious 313 Sinister History Walking Tour, Detroit 27-29 CMU Alumni Weekend, Mackinac Island
November 9-12 CMU Alumni and Friends Long Weekend, Las Vegas
December 30 - Jan. 1 CMU Alumni Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City This is a small sampling of the many alumni events. Please visit alumni.cmich.edu for a comprehensive list.
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CMU Today Styling a South Korean fashion partnership
Why every day should be ‘take your dog to work day’
CMU signs exchange agreement with Seoul National University
When it comes to the workplace, there’s blue collar, white collar and now, maybe, flea collar.
CMU professor’s research makes case for canine impact on group dynamics in today’s office environment
Research shows having a companion dog present during meetings could improve employee emotions, communication and cooperation, according to CMU psychology professor Stephen Colarelli.
CMU students with a passion for fashion will have the chance to learn about global trends in the heart of Seoul, South Korea.
While previous studies show how dogs improve brief social encounters between two people, Colarelli and his research team studied canine influence on group interactions. The end results, featured in the 2017 issue of the Anthrozoös research journal, suggest today’s workplaces could benefit from having a dog.
As part of a new exchange agreement, students in the fashion merchandising and design program can take courses at Seoul National University. The agreement also allows SNU students to attend CMU.
“When work teams are first formed, it often takes a while for people to get comfortable with each other,” Colarelli says. “But having a dog in the room seems to put people more at ease.” Studies found group members were noticeably more friendly and positive, increasing trust and cooperation.
Fashion is a global enterprise, and Seoul has emerged as a center of design and merchandising because of nearby manufacturers in China and Vietnam.
“Most workplaces of today are increasingly high-stress environments, and the results of this research indicated how companion dogs can influence prosocial behaviors,” Colarelli says. •
“This is a significant honor for the fashion merchandising and design program at CMU because of the reputation of Seoul National University,” said Michael Mamp, associate professor of fashion merchandising and design. “It is the No. 1-ranked university in the country, and many have referred to it as the Harvard of South Korea.” The exchange program — available to undergraduate and graduate students — is scheduled to begin in spring 2018. Up to two CMU students a year will be selected to enroll in up to 18 credits per semester at SNU. •
Dogs at work increase trust and cooperation, according to CMU research.
Leading online learning CMU’s online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs launching this fall will meet the needs of students interested in entrepreneurship, public administration, information systems and fashion. “Early arguments in favor of online learning, such as convenience and flexibility, remain true to this day,” says Pete Ross, vice provost of academic development. He notes the web connects far-flung students with each other and with experts, faculty and guest speakers whom they otherwise would never meet.
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PHOTO BY STEVE
JESSMORE
“Since offering our first internet-based course in 1994, we have made student success in online learning a core endeavor of the university,” Ross said, citing investments in faculty development, curriculum and course design, technology, support, and student services — including national leadership — in making library resources available to all students. •
CMU’s new online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs will meet the needs of students across the country.
CMU Today Working together for better health and wellness CMU launches interdisciplinary center for health education, research and service learning A forum examining how the opioid epidemic is impacting the Great Lakes Bay Region and Michigan will be the first of many collaborations produced by a new center at Central Michigan University. A variety of professionals — from physicians to parole officers — will review resources, alternative treatment approaches, and intervention and prevention models at the CMU College of Medicine this fall.
PHOTO BY STEVE
JESSMORE
The center will connect faculty, staff and community experts, said Betty Kirby, acting dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “This interdisciplinary approach has a lot of potential. We’re expecting the work we do to improve the health and wellness of the mid-Michigan community, our state and potentially the nation,” Kirby says.
CMU’s new Interdisciplinary Center for Community Health and Wellness is launching as a virtual space for resource and information sharing. It is designed to stimulate education, research, projects and service learning with a team approach to prevent disease and promote health. “The center reflects our commitment to the Great Lakes Bay Region and the state of Michigan,” Provost Michael Gealt says. “Many opportunities exist for community collaborations to advance urgent health priorities — especially in medically underserved rural and urban communities.” Deans from the colleges of Medicine, Health Professions, Education and Human Services, Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Communication and Fine Arts have partnered to develop the center. “We envision a center that increasingly engages CMU students and faculty with communities to improve health outcomes through clinical practicums, research and service-learning initiatives,” says George Kikano, dean of CMU’s College of Medicine. • Serving seniors in Flint
IRS infiltrates CMU accounting class Special agents lead class through mock criminal investigations Serving as an IRS special agent to solve a mock fraud case on CMU’s campus initially intrigued Taylor Tuttle. That is, until the exercise for her forensic accounting class got too real as she dug through the garbage to find receipts to use as evidence in the criminal case. Suddenly, her class work was dirty work. The training brought 11 real IRS special agents from throughout Michigan to lead a role-playing exercise that introduced students to accounting careers in law enforcement. “It can get really intense, and we got to see that,” says Tuttle, a senior accounting major from Grand Rapids. “It was a good learning experience because when you think of the IRS, you don’t really think about interrogations and criminal activity.” “Through this exercise, our students get experience working directly with IRS agents and can apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-life scenarios,” says Tom Weirich, the accounting professor who has brought the agents into class the past 11 years. See a video of the students learning about accounting careers in law enforcement at http://cmich.ly/irsatcmu. •
IRS special agents lead a CMU accounting class through mock criminal investigations on campus.
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Opportunity abounds Central Michigan University is 125 years old. For all those years, CMU students have been diligently pursuing excellence through learning as they prepare for their futures. With the opportunities CMU affords, scores of alumni are leading the way in their fields and building meaningful, successful careers. Whether they spent four years learning or four decades working in the midst of iconic Warriner Hall, all who call themselves Chippewas feel a sense of pride, belonging and connection to maroon and gold. >
CURRENT PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81
ACQUIRE THE
From training the next generation of teachers to advancing scientific research and discovery, CMU students have secured great starts to their careers over our first 125 years.
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FEEL THE 8
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Character, competition and grit For decades, CMU has offered students a chance to compete in an array of sports. Today, more than 400 student-athletes pursue degrees in 68 majors. Last season, fans celebrated CMU football’s recapture of the Michigan Mid-American Conference Trophy and gymnastics’ record-setting fifthconsecutive MAC Championship. In addition, more than 10,000 Chippewas compete on intramural teams and in club sports. CMU has one of the largest intramural programs in the nation. >
Club sports
IM sports
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GAIN THE
Seek it, do it, learn
it
Central Michigan University is a nurturing institution that fosters the transformative power of advanced learning, and much of it is hands-on. Whether the opportunities are in the classroom, in the field or lab, or in clubs and extra-curricular activities, students have endless places to find their passion and purpose at CMU. >
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Beaver Island: Great Lakes whitefish
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Always picturesque The bustling Mount Pleasant campus is undeniably gorgeous, with its canopies of trees, lush lawns and detailed architecture. Abundant sugar maples and other vibrant trees make fall a special time to be on campus, although every season brings its own pristine beauty. >
DISCOVER THE
Warriner Hall, Central’s main administration building, was built on the ruins of Old Main, Central’s first structure, which burned in 1925. Since then, it’s welcomed thousands of students back to campus each fall. • 12 12
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JESSMORE PHOTO BY STEVE
CMU’s digital archivist knows school’s history inside out
BETWEEN THE LINES
S
ometimes a 1980s yearbook is all Bryan Whitledge needs to dispel a myth, answer a question or track down a quirky detail about Central Michigan University.
just six years at CMU, his institutional knowledge is off the charts.
But more often than not, CMU’s digital archivist needs to do some sleuthing to pin down and preserve 125 years of the university’s history.
“He’s an amazing detective. You can give him a fact or two and he starts digging,” says Marcie Otteman Grawburg, executive director of Alumni Relations. “Even if he can’t find what you’re looking for, which is rare, he’ll give you every dead end he ran into while looking for it.”
“I try to find out what was going on here during certain periods of time,” Whitledge says. “Sometimes it’s a lot more difficult than you’d think, and luck is a lot of it.”
As the university celebrates its 125th anniversary, Whitledge was asked about the individuals who founded CMU, among dozens of other questions.
Take CMU women’s basketball, for example: “That takes a lot of digging,” he says. “You have to read through everything about the men’s team starting in 1905 and just hope to find something about the Girls’ Normal Team.”
“The first meeting was in May of 1892,” he says. “I’ve been asked everything from that to, ‘What trees were planted in honor of alumni at CMU?’”
Whitledge fields hundreds of questions a year, and he can almost always find the answer — if he doesn’t already know it. In
He didn’t just find the trees. He took a hike with an intern one day so they could identify every single alumni tree on campus.
TEXT BY BETSY MINER-SWARTZ, ’86
“I said, ‘Let’s go find a weeping cherry that’s supposed to be south of the west doors of that building over there.’ ” He’s become an expert on CMU’s history, which is impressive considering he knew close to nothing about Central when he took the job in 2011 after earning his master’s in library science at the University of Illinois. Some of the history he can rattle off is pretty mundane: When did the board of trustees meet for the first time? “It was in 1964. That’s really boring, but important for why we are what we are,” he says. Other facts are far from dull. “Like, ‘What was the Death House?’ That question just came up,” he says. “I found a 1980s yearbook and learned that it was simply a myth about a gruesome death that wasn’t really gruesome at all.” Another mystery solved. • centralight Fall ’17
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CMU may be
behind you never far away but it’s
Order your CMU
license plate
today! cmich.edu/alumni CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9789 - 2017
GREEK Four CMU alumni turned college fraternity and sorority experiences into careers BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON, ’83 BACKGROUND PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81
Some CMU students love Greek life on campus so much, they don’t want to give it up. So, they don’t — they turn their Panhellenic passion into careers. Four CMU alumni have become national leaders of fraternities or sororities. “It’s kind of special,” Steve Latour says of the path he took with fellow alumni Michelle Snyder Ardern, Katie Lampinen Gaffin and Basil Lyberg. “There’s something about being engaged and wanting to give back that makes you want to keep on doing it. So, you make a career of it.”
It all started with 22 Slurpees Steve Latour, ’03, didn’t waste any time getting famous on campus. He didn’t think Greek life was necessary — and he said so in a quote on the front page of CM Life. Latour very quickly had the entire Alpha Chi Omega sorority working to change his mind.
in the Alpha Sigma Phi national office for 10 years before becoming chief executive officer of Sigma Tau Gamma in 2014. He’ll never forget where it all started.
“They met me outside classes to talk to me about how great Greek life could be. It was sort of spooky,” Latour recalls with a laugh. “They invited me to watch ‘The Grinch’ with them at Christmas and asked me to bring 22 Slurpees.”
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my experiences at Central,” Latour says from his office in Warrensburg, Missouri. “Greek life was a learning laboratory, where I had conversations about politics and religion and money — all the things people say you shouldn’t talk about — on my way to figuring out who I really was and who I wanted to be.
As he sipped a Coke Slurpee at the Alpha Chi house, Latour was convinced he was wrong — then he stepped up to help re-establish an Alpha Sigma Phi chapter on campus. After graduation, he worked
“You can be in charge of balancing a chapter’s budget of $60,000 at age 21,” he says. “You have experiences that give you every advantage to be successful later in life.”
While at CMU, he set a goal to be the CEO of an organization by age 35. He did that. Latour is thrilled Greek life is stronger than ever. Membership nationally is up 30 percent since 2009, he says. “We’re all creatures who want to be connected,” Latour says. “Even with all the technology, cell phones and social media, there’s something about sitting across from someone and talking to them, learning about their life. It helps you learn about your own.” >
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A journey of hope and pride Basil Lyberg, ’99, joined Pi Kappa Phi as a CMU freshman. He became one of those guys in yellow shirts holding buckets at Mission Street traffic lights collecting money from drivers. Today, Lyberg is chief executive officer of the Ability Experience, the nonprofit philanthropic arm of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Its mission: Use shared experiences to support people with disabilities while developing the men of Pi Kappa Phi into leaders. Lyberg says a highlight of his fraternity days was the annual Journey of Hope
bike ride, where Pi Kappa Phi members collectively raise more than $650,000 and then ride across the country in a twomonth summer journey. They visit 140 organizations serving people with disabilities, awarding money along the way. Lyberg did it in 1998 and 1999. He now loves helping run the national event from the fraternity headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and feels enormous pride. “When the guys recently left from the Golden Gate Bridge, scared as all get out, I remember standing there feeling the
same way,” Lyberg recalls. “Now, I know what they’ll learn — about the good in this country, about people with disabilities, and about themselves and what they’re capable of,” he says. “In college, we don’t yet realize that. It’s fun to be part of this legacy.” >
The power of a giant rolling running shoe Phi Sigma Sigma didn’t want to let go of Michelle Snyder Ardern, ’91. After graduation, she worked as a field representative for the sorority she loved so much at CMU, traveling to college campuses nationwide to offer advice. “I thought that would be a good job for a year, then I’d go to grad school,” she says. That was 26 years ago. She never left.
Ardern moved up from job to job in the organization, and today she is the executive director, leading a staff of 25 and 106 collegiate chapters from the headquarters in Elkridge, Maryland. She and Katie Lampinen Gaffin were resident assistants together in Barnard Hall. They lost touch after graduation, but last year, when Gaffin became the CEO of Alpha Chi Omega, they reconnected. Ardern laughs as she recalls building a giant Nike running shoe for a Greek Week bed race: “It went fast, looked great, but it wouldn’t turn.” But what she learned doing it — the power of teamwork and conversation - stuck with her.
“Everybody brings their own unique skills,” she says. “Suddenly, you’re at your first job, you have a big presentation, and it all comes back to you.” Sororities are still relevant today, Ardern says. “The world moves so fast,” she says. “Authentic friendships are hard for a young woman to find. “Having this support system throughout your life is so valuable. You can pick up the phone, hear a voice, and you’re right back there again.” >
Coming home to Alpha Chi It was one of those epic moments that live on — Katie Lampinen Gaffin, ’92, and two sorority sisters lip syncing to Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” at Mock Rock during Greek Week. “We made it into the top three that evening,” says Gaffin, now chief executive officer of Alpha Chi Omega. “Some of my best memories are of living in the Alpha Chi Omega house.” After a brief stint working in the sorority’s national headquarters in Indianapolis, Gaffin spent the next 19 years in high tech professional services and human resources leadership. 16
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When a friend told her the CEO position at Alpha Chi Omega was open, she jumped at the chance. Gaffin was hired in August 2016. She calls it “coming back home to Alpha Chi.” It was homier than she knew — there are five other CMU alumni on her staff in Indianapolis. “The most rewarding thing has been looking back at the impact it made on my life and knowing I’m helping to provide that for other young women at a critical time in their development,” Gaffin says.
That sisterly support is more important than ever, Gaffin says, as the pressure on today’s young people grows. “Students are seeking out safe places for community, fellowship and fun even more than they were 25 years ago,” she says. >
Panhellenic participation
is growing at CMU
Welcome, Chi Phi! The addition of the Chi Phi fraternity to CMU this fall brings the number of fraternities and sororities on campus to 33.
PHOTO BY STEVE
JESSMORE
Nine percent of the student population belongs to a Greek organization, says Katrina Crawford, former assistant director of fraternity and sorority life for CMU. Greek organizations have some room for growth, but participation is strong in Mount Pleasant, she says. CMU sets itself apart during Greek Week
in April, when most college campuses host celebrations and events such as lip sync contests and massive tug of war competitions. Central’s week has an added community and philanthropic focus. This year, fraternities and sororities in Mount Pleasant raised $83,500 during Greek Week and split it between the Isabella County Child Advocacy Center and the Kristy Malter Memorial Fund. Kristy Malter was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and about to enter her final year at Central in July 2016 when she died
of bacterial meningitis. The fund helps her family with continuing medical bills from her care. “When it comes to raising money, our Greek organizations are all in,” Crawford says. “It’s very meaningful to them.” Greek life has as much purpose today as ever, she says. “These are values-based organizations,” Crawford says. “We’re asking a new generation to uphold these traditional values that are hundreds of years old. A lot of students get really excited about that. They say, ‘This is how I grew up.’” • centralight Fall ’17
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CMUBO
Your source for CMU tailgate gear! CMU Bookstore Fall Hours Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. *Extended hours on home football game days
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CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). Ucomm 9795
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glory
GOLDEN
The courtyard alongside the Education and Human Services building shows its true CMU colors each fall, bursting with gold leaves. There’s no better time to capture beautiful images on campus than in the fall. Grab your camera and come back for a visit! PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81
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CMU
[ Touchdown Terrace ] Our celebrations begin in the end zone
We are fired up for football and excited to welcome you home. Join us at the pregame hospitality tent for President’s Circle and Chippewa Athletic Fund members. Max and Emily’s caters the event, and tickets include two drinks for adults. FIRE UP CHIPS!
Cost: $18 per adult \\ $12 per child (under the age of 12)
Schedule Aug. 31 \\ CMU vs. Rhode Island Sept. 23 \\ CMU vs. Miami University Oct. 14 \\ CMU vs. Toledo Nov. 8 \\ CMU vs. Eastern Michigan Nov. 24 \\ CMU vs. NIU
Call 800-358-6903 for information or to register CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9806 - 2017
Friday, Oct. 13
2017
Rock Rally at 7 p.m. Head to Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium for the pep rally, mock rock contest for the Maroon Cup, presentation of the football team and the announcement of the 2017 Homecoming Gold Ambassadors.
Saturday, Oct. 14
This is the perfect year to make plans to return to campus for homecoming. It’s the 125th anniversary of CMU, so there’s extra reason to celebrate. Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 14, and it features not one but two grand marshals. There are activities galore, including a daylong party for the classes of 1960-67, featuring the 50-year reunion for the class of 1967.
Mike O’Donnell, ‘70 Mike was instrumental in organizing the accounting system for Red Adair during the company’s work to extinguish oil well fires in the Middle East after the Gulf War. Now retired, he serves on CMU’s advancement board.
Katie Travis, ‘10
For details visit: cmich.edu/alumni/events 5K Run and Miles for Medals fundraising run/walk at 8 a.m. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at Finch Fieldhouse for the 8 a.m. start. Choose a 5K run/walk or a one-mile fun run/walk. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Michigan. Register online at cmich.ly/cmu5k2017. Alumni Coffee and Donuts at 9:30 a.m. Start your day off right with complimentary coffee and donuts inside Powers Hall. Stay put to watch the parade. Homecoming parade at 11 a.m. It steps off in Parking Lot 22 and travels through campus before heading north on Main Street to downtown Mount Pleasant.
Alumni Village festivities 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Join the free campus-wide celebration near Rose Ponds for food, fun, friends and a ton of Chippewa spirit. This is the place to visit with a favorite professor, grab some food and soak up the atmosphere that is CMU homecoming. Reunion Central at Alumni Village Join the following affinity groups at their reserved tent space in Alumni Village. CM Life alumni, LGBTQ, CMU Greeks, 50 year reunion celebrating the class of 1967, SAPA, 50 years of Women’s basketball and Latino/Latina alumni. Robinson Hall alumni from 1977 through 1984. Join their Facebook page: Central Michigan Robinson Hall. Tailgate Village The site for the free Maroon and Gold concert series featuring Paddlebots from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sip a cold one at the beer garden. Cardboard Boat Race at 1 p.m. at Rose Ponds near the CMU Events Center Football game at 3:30 p.m. Order tickets at 1-888-FIREUP-2 or online at cmuchippewas.com. For more information about homecoming 2017, visit cmich.ly/cmuhomecoming.
PHOTO BY STEVE
JESSMORE
Katie has performed throughout the country in musical theater, operetta and opera. She recently concluded her star turn as Christine Daaé in the North American tour of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
50 year reunion-celebrating the classes of 1960-67, featuring the class of 1967. Scheduled events begin on Saturday morning and will include: brunch, homecoming parade, tailgate party and football game.
What’s homecoming without a tailgate? The parking lots at the south end of campus will open at 11:30 a.m., four hours before kickoff.
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Michael Alford’s first impression of Central Michigan University was powerful. “Unbelievable,” he said, describing the vibe he felt meeting CMU student-athletes, coaches, supporters, alumni, faculty and staff as he and his wife, Laura, settled into life in Mount Pleasant. “I asked Laura to give me one word that summed it up after we met people, and she said ‘energy.’ “The energy and the love that they have for the university really stands out. It really stood out when I was here during the interview process. The pride they have in this university is just overwhelming, and you feel it everywhere you go.”
Former senior associate AD at Oklahoma has diverse résumé in college, pro sports
This spring, Alford was named CMU’s Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics by President George E. Ross. “When I first met Michael, it became abundantly clear that he has a passion for students and student success, for their excellence in the classroom, and in their athletic pursuits,” Ross says. “His values as a professional and in his personal life mirror mine for our university and for our students,” Ross continues. “Their success is our primary goal.” Alford previously served in athletic departments at the universities in Oklahoma, Alabama, Southern California and Cincinnati. He also worked with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and ESPN. The senior executive has a strong background in fundraising and marketing. In the five years prior to his arrival at CMU, Alford served as the senior associate athletics director for administration and development at the University of Oklahoma. He brings a keen awareness of the rich history of Chippewa athletics and the program’s leadership. “The legends that have come through here, Herb Deromedi, Dave Keilitz, Dave Heeke, Marcy Weston,” Alford says, listing his most-recent predecessors. “It’s got a national reputation of being a first-class program. When that opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it. “My job is to come in and continue the growth of CMU athletics, keep it going on a positive note, keep raising the bar, and keep the same standards that those before me have set.” • BY ANDY SNEDDON
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Laura Golden, 1984 MAC champion
Jody Beerman, 1985 BY ANDY SNEDDON
The Central Michigan women’s basketball program celebrates its golden anniversary with a full slate of activities on Oct. 13-14, coinciding with homecoming. Women were first able to participate in the sport at CMU just after the turn of the 20th century. Dubbed the “Normal Girls,” in line with CMU’s name at the time, Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute took a 24-13 win from the Midland High School girls’ basketball team in late winter 1905.
LaTanga Cox, 1986
The program’s official start came in 1967-68, and the Chippewas quickly changed with the game, moving from the archaic six-on-six game to the modern five-player game. CMU’s first recorded intercollegiate women’s basketball competitions came in ’69-70, when the Chippewas played a five-game schedule under coach Fran Koenig. Today, the Chippewas take the McGuirk Arena court under the bright lights and in front of large crowds, just as women’s teams across the country do. The average attendance at CMU’s women’s games in McGuirk tops 1,500, and CMU has ranked third in attendance in the 12-team Mid-American Conference six times in the past nine seasons and has never been lower than fifth during that span.
Nikki Thompkins, 1992
Scores of women have worn the maroon and gold in the past 50 years, and they will celebrate with the CMU Alumni Dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, at the John G. Kulhavi Events Center. The evening includes a program and a facilities tour. CMU coach Sue Guevara will host a coffee reception from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, in the upper lounge area at McGuirk Arena. At 11 a.m., she’ll introduce the 2017-18 Chippewas, also known as Team 50, during its Maroon and Gold Scrimmage there.
Vershaun Jones, 2000
It will be the first opportunity for fans and supporters to get a look at this year’s Chippewas, who return four starters from a team that last season won CMU’s first regular-season MAC championship since 1985. The women’s basketball tailgate/lunch follows from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Alumni Village/Rose Ponds Area ahead of CMU’s homecoming game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Kickoff against Toledo is set for 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the weekend’s events, including the football game, are available at cmich.ly/womensbb50. •
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Distance is no barrier to CMU sharing in Detroit’s resurgence Michigan’s largest population hub is central to CMU. “The state needs the strength of its major cities in order to thrive,” says President George E. Ross. “That’s why we are dedicated to fostering education, innovation and investment in the city of Detroit.” That’s why the university has five metro Detroit locations and one at the heart of the city, and why Detroit attracts student volunteers and CMU research. That’s also why CMU connects with people in Detroit who help drive positive change. The city’s revival is more than hype. National website realtor.com ranks Detroit No. 4 on its list of top 10 downtown comebacks. Today, Detroit draws entrepreneurs, educators and investors, including these CMU alumni. > PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81 26
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Motown multimedia: Dig into videos and longer interviews with our featured alumni, cmich.ly/CMUDetroit
Building a company, rebuilding a city ALUMNUS MAKES A DIFFERENCE THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CASON THORSBY » Hometown: Davison, Michigan
After two Central Michigan University degrees and at least four startup businesses, Cason Thorsby is staking his claim on Detroit. There’s no place he’d rather be.
» Occupation: Entrepreneur, founder of CASON Superinfused Beverages
“There’s a feeling in the air of people trying to make something of themselves and, consequently, of the city,” he explains.
» CMU degrees: Bachelor of applied arts, entrepreneurship major, 2008; MBA with a concentration in management consulting, 2010
For Thorsby, ’08, MBA ’10, it’s perfect for building up CASON Superinfused Beverages, his health-focused natural soft drink line. The city drew him in from the suburbs where he’d located after earning his MBA from CMU in 2010. He loved the tall buildings, the short stroll to Starbucks, the sense of possibility.
» Noteworthy: First “businesses” were trading pencils and baseball cards in grade school
“Rarely in your lifetime do you get an opportunity to ride the wave up,” he says.
Learning and earning
CMU’s degree in entrepreneurship appealed to Thorsby’s go-getter spirit. The College of Business Administration’s LaBelle Entrepreneurial Center turned out to be everything he’d hoped for, with instructors who broke stereotypes. “I loved the guys in the entrepreneurship program,” he says. “They were just against the grain.” Thorsby borrowed $7,500 from his dad to start a party tent and supply rental operation that ended up paying for his college. He sold the company and moved on to other ventures. Like most entrepreneurs, he didn’t always find success. Some people want a sure path — to “follow the yellow brick road,” Thorsby says. “Entrepreneurship isn’t like that.” Still, he says signs are good for his beverage company. He’s distributing within Michigan, selling on Amazon and raising capital to enter other markets such as L.A. and Chicago.
Difference for Detroit
Thorsby has three people on his Detroit payroll. “My goal is to run a lean company while hiring more people and keeping jobs here in the city,” he says. “Detroit is a talking point when you visit other larger cities. People like hearing about its comeback story, and it makes our brand unique.” He meets with fellow entrepreneurs who share CMU roots and a passion for starting companies and “making sure Detroit’s a better city tomorrow than it is today.” > BY JEFF JOHNSTON, ‘91
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KYLE GOODALL » Hometown: Lake Orion, Michigan » Occupation: Teacher, Detroit Renaissance High School » CMU education: Integrative public relations major, public affairs minor, and global and cultural studies certificate, 2014 » Noteworthy: Lem Tucker scholar — and mentor to a Lem Tucker scholar
Using change to invest in their future DETROIT TEACHER AND HIS STUDENTS ARE DRIVEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Inspired by their interest in improving their world, Kyle Goodall sees potential greatness in his students. He, too, is passionate about improving society. The 2014 Central Michigan University alumnus from Lake Orion got into teaching partly to tackle inequality. “I realized that I can make a greater impact by getting students to think about the kind of world they want to live in,” Goodall says.
Evolution to spark a revolution
While teaching 11th-grade English and more at Detroit Renaissance High School, Goodall leads social justice education programs and brings in high-profile speakers. He asks students “why?” and “how so?” “There is always more thought to be pulled from students — sometimes thoughts they didn’t even know they had,” Goodall says. “Questioning until there is an evolution of thought is the way to spark a revolution.” For a decade, Goodall has led Focus: HOPE’s Generation of Promise youth leadership development program that nurtures understanding and respect in diverse metro Detroit. He also co-facilitated an undergraduate class at CMU discussing racism and a just society.
Scholar to scholar
Goodall foresaw working in secondary education shortly after he received CMU’s four-year, full-ride Lem Tucker Scholarship to study journalism. The scholarship is named after the late CMU alumnus and Saginaw native who worked for three major television networks. CMU prepared Goodall to be an educator and an activist through his integrative public relations, public affairs, and global and cultural studies, as well as his participation in programs such as Speak Up, Speak Out forums addressing social issues. The Lem Tucker scholarship meant so much to Goodall that, in the past school year, he strongly encouraged one of his students — Sage Sanders — to submit her application. She received the scholarship and will start classes at CMU this fall. > BY DAN DIGMANN, M.A. ’15
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Rebuilding the city with social capital ENTREPRENEUR AND CMU ALUMNUS LEADS HISTORIC EFFORTS FOCUSED ON THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT Fifty years ago, five days of conflict in Detroit ended 43 lives and destroyed 2,000 buildings. Today, Marlowe Stoudamire wants people to reflect on that history to build a better future. The Detroit Historical Society chose Stoudamire, M.S.A. ’09, to direct its Detroit 67 project marking what became known as the Detroit riots. It’s just the latest example of Stoudamire being a leader in his hometown.
Building bridges As a full-time working professional with a family, Stoudamire turned to CMU’s satellite location in Detroit and online learning to help meet his ambition to earn a master’s degree. His final degree project, on medical tourism, caught his employer’s eye. Henry Ford Health System assigned Stoudamire to focus on global marketing. He traveled worldwide, leading to projects in Saudi Arabia and India. “Most people, when they study in class, sometimes it’s very theoretical, and they don’t get a chance to apply it,” he says. “I still apply those lessons learned.”
From cocoon to butterfly In 2014, Stoudamire started a consulting business and named it Butterfly Effect Detroit. “I had to go through a cocoon,” he explains. “Part of my cocoon model is finding ways for my personal and professional lives to complement each other and not compete with each other.” Stoudamire says connecting with people — social capital — is the way to make a difference. “Detroit is not buildings and structures,” he says. “Buildings and structures have no soul without the people inside of them.”
‘Organic social collisions’ Stoudamire wants more Detroit neighborhoods to build the kind of talent and networking already bolstering downtown and Midtown.
MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE
To that end, he opened MASH Detroit — a space for retail businesses, pop-up exhibitions, community events and more — at the border of Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park.
» Hometown: Detroit
“What I wanted to do was create a hub of what I call organic social collisions to foster collaboration, creativity, entrepreneurship and bridge-building in a neighborhood,” he says.
» CMU education: Master of science degree in administration, international administration concentration, 2009
“We can help activate spaces all around the city to create these mashups, which ultimately bring people together.” >
» Occupation: Owner of Butterfly Effect Detroit
» Noteworthy: 2012 honoree, Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 under 40
BY RACHEL ESTERLINE PERKINS, ’10, M.A. ’17
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CMU grad leads Detroit bike-sharing effort PROGRAM BUILDS ON, FEEDS CITY’S VITALITY, GROWTH You might say Lisa Nuszkowski just put the Motor City on wheels. She’s executive director of Detroit’s new bike share program, MoGo. Launched in May, MoGo logged 8,000 rides in its first two weeks. “It’s going really well,” Nuszkowski, ’01, says. “We’ve exceeded our projections by almost double.”
‘A labor of love’
Nuszkowski calls MoGo “a labor of love” that began five years ago while she was economic development project manager at Wayne State University. She met with people from several local foundations and corporations in 2012, when bike-share programs were sprouting around the country. Today, nonprofit MoGo is affiliated with Downtown Detroit Partnership, a group dedicated to bolstering the city’s core. Henry Ford Health System and Health Alliance Plan are MoGo’s top sponsors. Other funding comes from federal grants, philanthropy, businesses and bike rental fees. Bike-share programs exist in more than 70 U.S. cities, Nuszkowski says. Detroit’s bikes are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, barring severe weather. MoGo has 43 self-serve stations with 430 bikes spread over 10 neighborhoods in and near Detroit’s downtown. Users simply pick up bikes at one station and drop them off at another. Daily passes are available for $8.
Visibility and diversity
The bikes get noticed, Nuszkowski says. “People say ‘Are they new?’ ‘How much do they cost?’ ‘That bike’s really cool.’” There have been so many “When is it going to come to my neighborhood?” questions that discussions are underway to possibly expand the project in 2018, she says. Nuszkowski says she most enjoys how brightly MoGo reflects Detroit’s diversity. “From young, old, black, white, brown — all backgrounds — it’s been really encouraging to see a wide variety of people embracing it,” she says. > BY CURT SMITH
Lisa Nuszkowski
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LISA NUSZKOWSKI » Hometown: Mount Morris, Michigan » Occupation: Executive director, MoGo bike share » CMU education: Bachelor of arts degree in political science, 2001 » Noteworthy: Interests include running, yoga and international travel
Invested interest ALUMNUS HELPING ACCELERATE DETROIT’S RETURN TO PROMINENCE Aaron Seybert says facilitating million-dollar investments within the city of Detroit isn’t about money alone. It’s a commitment to his two daughters. “I’ve never had a job that I’m not proud to tell my kids about,” says Seybert, ’04, a social investment officer with the Kresge Foundation.
An unexpected path
Seybert has worked on Kresge’s Social Investment Practice since early 2016, focusing on Detroit. In 2014, as a vice president and executive director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., he helped design a $100 million investment in Detroit for urban development, blight removal and workforce retention. Not too shabby for someone who came to CMU thinking of becoming a political science or history professor. “I developed an interest in finance and had a number of faculty members who cultivated that in me,” says Seybert, who was encouraged to explore accounting, too.
Magnifying the impact
The Kresge Foundation is a $3.6 billion private national philanthropic organization that partners to help people with low incomes through grants and social investments, such as low-interest loans and guarantees. “It’s about using all the financial tools available to magnify its impact within the community,” he says. “What we are doing is taking on part of the risk, which helps other more traditional investors come along.” Seybert says the excitement of investing in Detroit is contagious. “Lately, I don’t have to do a lot of convincing,” he says. “We have seen a flood of capital come into the city in the past few years, and that attracts more capital and new partners that want to be a part of the Detroit story.” >
CFO in the D ALUMNA DISCOVERS A PLATFORM FOR PROGRESS Karen Gerstenberger is among those who sign the checks as investors like Aaron Seybert celebrate lenders’ and developers’ interest in Detroit. Gerstenberger is chief financial officer for The Platform real estate development company, which concentrates on residential and retail development opportunities in Detroit. Projects evolve through community meetings. After more than two decades of experience in finance, accounting, risk management and human resources, Gerstenberger, ‘93, joined The Platform in 2016. “I really wanted to be a part of the revitalization effort in Detroit,” Gerstenberger says. “The work we’re doing here will long outlive me.” •
KAREN GERSTENBERGER » Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan » Occupation: CFO, The Platform real estate development company » CMU education: Accounting major, 1993 » Noteworthy: Second-degree black belt in tang soo do BY DAN DIGMANN, M.A. ‘15
BY DAN DIGMANN, M.A. ‘15
AARON SEYBERT » Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Michigan » Occupation: Social investment officer, Kresge Foundation » CMU education: Accounting and corporate finance major, 2004 » Noteworthy: Once planned to become a political science or history professor centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17
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Phonathon Hidden Central:
PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81
I
n the basement of Carlin Alumni House is a room that comes alive every evening.
Since 2005, the students employed by CMU Phonathon have had more than half a million conversations with Central’s alumni, parents, graduating seniors and friends of the university. Their calls
have resulted in nearly $9.5 million in pledges and gifts toward funds across CMU, from academics to athletics. That’s a lot of dialing for dollars. A new temporary team member came on board this year as President George E. Ross joined the phonathon
students to make calls to unsuspecting alumni, parents and friends of the university. Ross wanted to learn more about what the students do and to surprise a few people who gave back to CMU last year. So, pick up that phone when CMU calls — it might just be the president. •
Learn more
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CMU alumni
SHINE “
“
You don’t build on top or around people. You build with people. If you have young, talented minds and if you invest in their education, they’ll grow up to be the talent you need. MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE
Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Owner of Butterfly Effect Consulting CMU degree: M.S.A. in International Administration, 2009 Noteworthy: Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 under 40
Born, raised, studied and staying in Detroit
{
Bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate degrees and certificates
{
On campus. Online. At locations near you. Learn more today. CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). 47128 8/17
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cmich.edu/global | 877-268-4636 | CMUglobal@cmich.edu
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Alumni News Young Alumni board President Michael Zeig, ’08 East Lansing Vice president Scott Hillman, ’10 Chicago Past president Ashleigh (Klipper) Laabs, ’07 Royal Oak Directors Cyril Agley, ’09 Grosse Pointe Michael Decker, ’07 Beverly Hills Morgan (Curtis) Hales, ’06, M.A. ’11 Farwell Eric Johnson, ’11 Mount Pleasant Anthony Lazzaro, ’15 Grand Rapids Danielle Leone, ’10 St. Clair Shores James (J.J.) Lewis, ’06 Thousand Oaks, California
Jennifer Lopez, ’10 Royal Oak Gregory Marx, ’08 Troy Brittany Mouzourakis, ’11 Royal Oak Jason Nichol, ’12 Chicago Kelly Pageau, ’08 Chicago John Reineke, ’09 Oxford, Ohio Joshua Richards, ’08 Lake Orion Michelle (Curtis) Rush, ’07 St. Joseph Christine Simon, ’13 Grand Ledge Jeffrey Stoutenburg, ’10, M.P.A. ’13 Midland Michael Wiese, ’09 Grand Rapids
Alumni board President Thomas Olver, ’98 Mount Pleasant Vice president Nathan Tallman, ’07, M.A. ’09 Auburn Hills Past president Ryan Fewins-Bliss, ’02, M.A. ’04 Bath Directors Rebeca Reyes Barrios, ’00, MBA ’02 Canton Carrie Baumgardner, ’99, M.A. ’02 Durand Lisa (Laitinen) Bottomley, ’97 Kentwood Megan Doyle, `03 Chicago Jacalyn (Beckers) Goforth, ’82 Beverly Hills Laura Gonzales, ’79, M.A. ’89 Mount Pleasant Scott Haraburda, `83 Spencer, IN
Sean Hickey, `88, M.A. `90 Chelsea Bret Hyble, ’82, M.A. ’86 Mount Pleasant Linda (Scharich) Leahy, ’82 Midland Scott Nadeau, ’89 Dexter Frederick Puffenberger, ’95 Mount Pleasant Kandra (Kerridge) Robbins, ’90 Portland Darryl Shelton, ’85 Grand Rapids Amy (Rousseau) Uebbing, ’86 Rochester Matthew Uhl, `00 Grandville Robert VanDeventer, ’74 Saginaw Bradley Wahr, ’03 Mount Pleasant Thomas Worobec, ’93 Dearborn Heights Nicole (Williams) Yelland, `05 Clarkston
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Alumni News SEC names CMU alum as new general counsel The Securities and Exchange Commission named Robert B. Stebbins, ‘88, general counsel of the agency in May. The general counsel is the chief legal officer of the agency, providing a variety of legal services to the commission and staff. “Bob is an exceptional attorney and counselor, and I know his depth of knowledge and experience managing a wide range of securities-related issues will benefit the SEC,” says Chairman Jay Clayton. “I have always had a great deal of respect for the SEC’s staff and their commitment to the agency’s core mission, and I am proud to be part of the team,” Stebbins says. Stebbins earned a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. from CMU, where he was an Academic All-American football player. •
Bikes bring focus to students This fall, Patrick Roenicke’s sixth-grade English language arts students will spend some of their school day on two wheels. East Middle School in Grand Junction, Colorado, applied for a grant to start the Riding for Focus cycling program created by the Specialized Foundation. The curriculum is based in part on research by Ben Rollenhagen and Ray Allen in CMU’s Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. It integrates cycling into physical education classes to help students better perform in the classroom. The grant gave the school 30 bikes and 30 helmets. “I think we’re going to see tons of positive benefits, including a reduction in behavior referrals and a bump in student achievement,” says Roenicke, ’00. The school is one of 20 nationally participating in the curriculum this fall. The hope is to establish a sustainable school cycling program. •
Chippewa inducted into national athletic trainer hall of fame Tanya Dargusch, ’85, has helped thousands of high school athletes play safely for nearly 30 years. As the head athletic trainer for New Jersey’s Washington Township High School since 1988, she’s advocated nationally to ensure all high schools have a trainer on staff. “New Jersey is fortunate because 97 percent of our schools have an athletic trainer,” Dargusch tells the Washington Township Sun. “Schools in the Midwest and West coast don’t have as many, and it’s so important to help impact the health care of students while they compete.” For her work in schools and in the field of training, Dargusch was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame this summer. She’s one of a handful of women bestowed the honor. “To be amongst those people is very, very humbling,” she says. •
Chippewa takes helm at community college James O. Sawyer IV, M.S.A. ’89, Ed.D. ’08, became the sixth Macomb Community College president, following the retirement of Jim Jacobs over the summer. Sawyer has 14 years of experience at Macomb, previously serving as vice provost for career programs and dean of engineering and advanced technology. •
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SPECIALIZED FOUNDATION
BCA alum named VP and GM of West Michigan media outlets Julie Brinks, ’80, is the new vice president and general manager of a collection of media outlets serving Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. Her new role puts her at the helm of WOOD-TV (NBC), WOTV-TV (ABC) and WXSP-TV (My Network), as well as associated digital services including woodtv.com and wotv4women.com. She returns to Michigan after serving as general manager of KOHD-TV (ABC) and KBNZ-TV (CBS) in Bend, Oregon. “I am grateful for this opportunity to return to my home state of Michigan, where I have deep personal, business and community relationships,” Brinks says. •
Alumni News Chicago elementary classroom gets fired up Chicago Public Schools is introducing a districtwide “college week” in schools, with each classroom selecting a university to learn about each day. This spring, the district piloted the program in five schools.
CMU alum is San Jose State’s first female AD Marie Tuite, ’75, M.A. ‘81, interim athletics director at San Jose State University and a sports administrator at the school for the past seven years, was named athletic director this spring. Tuite is the first woman to head the athletics department at San Jose State since its men’s and women’s programs were combined in 1987. “Marie Tuite has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the success of all students, to our university’s mission and to the principle that athletics should be woven into the fabric of the university,” San Jose State President Mary Papazian said in a statement. Tuite was a basketball and field hockey player at CMU. •
Alumni books highlight special needs, inclusion Two books featuring children with special needs are deeply personal projects for CMU alumni. “Emma Goes to School” is a children’s book that celebrates physical and neuro-diversity, inspired by a little girl with special needs named Emma. She was diagnosed with Schaaf-Yang Syndrome in 2016 and Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2017.
Elizabeth Sullivan, ’11, teaches second grade in Chicago’s John M. Smyth Elementary, so naturally she chose to highlight CMU with her students. Armed with college applications, “Action C” lanyards, flags and maroonand-gold swag, the students learned about life on campus in Mount Pleasant. Marcie Otteman Grawburg, CMU’s executive director of alumni relations, visited the classroom via Skype to answer questions about what it means to graduate from college and be an alum of a school. CPS funding enabled the students to make tie-dye CMU T-shirts and banners to show off their spirit at a rally at the end of the week. •
Her parents, Brad Pack, ’90, M.A. ’11, and Kristin Dowis Pack, ‘09, created the book to show kids that their differences are beautiful and make them special and different, but never “less.” The book, illustrated by 13-year-old Sage Steiner, was funded by a Kickstarter campaign and will be released in October on the Packs’ website, emmagoestoschool.com. In “What Matters: Reflections on Disability, Community and Love,” social worker Janice Fialka, ‘73, chronicles the story of her son Micah’s journey through diagnoses and labels (“neurological impairment,” “low IQ,” “unemployable”) to his present, 32-year-old self, living a meaningful and inclusive life. The book is a collection of reflections, essays, interviews and poems, with contributions by Micah, his sister, Emma, and his father, Rich Feldman. Today, Micah gives speeches around the country, serves on the President’s Commission on People with Disabilities and is a teaching assistant in the school of education at Syracuse University. The book is available at Amazon.com. • centralight centralightwinter Fall ’17 ’10
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In Memory Irene W. (Walther) Fleming, ’40, Midland, Mich., died April 8, 2017. Carmin O. Ginter, ’41, Leesburg, Fla., died April 14, 2017, age 97. Mary (Miller) Coughlin, ’45, Flint, Mich., died March 19, 2017, age 91. Mary L. (Eddy) Gover, ’46, Loris, S.C., died June 25, 2017, age 92. Virginia A. (Rice) Weidenfeller, ’46, Grand Rapids, Mich., died April 9, 2017, age 93. Jeanette D. (Duncan) Cappaert, ’47, Vicksburg, Miss., died April 13, 2017, age 92. Robert F. Dakin, ’47, Athens, Ohio, died May 4, 2017, age 97. Barbara J. (Force) Mason, ’47, Byron, Mich., died March 25, 2017, age 92. Richard L. Eccles, ’48, Hazel Park, Mich., died July 3, 2017, age 94. Patsy R. (Jowett) Flewelling, ’50, Tampa, Fla., died May 3, 2017, age 89. Warren E. Hill, ’50, Romeo, Mich., died July 4, 2017, age 91. Carol J. (Hachmuth) Irwin, ’50, Lansing, Mich., died March 22, 2017, age 87. Norma E. (Wright) Miles, ’50, Lachine, Mich., died March 22, 2017, age 88. Marylou W. (Wyman) Spencer, ’50, M.A. ’70, Midland, Mich., died May 6, 2017, age 89. Gilbert A. Goodwin, ’51, Dexter, Mich., died April 21, 2017, age 90. Russell P. Posthumus, ’51, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 11, 2017, age 90. Arthur R. Thayer, ’51, Grayling, Mich., died March 8, 2017, age 91. George V. Whitfield, ’51, Petoskey, Mich., died June 22, 2017, age 89. Dorothy A. (Haist) Allen, ’52, Las Cruces, N.M., died April 16, 2017, age 89. Charlotte A. Cowan, ’52, Edwardsville, Ill., died March 21, 2017, age 87. Andrew W. Snyder, ’52, Berrien Springs, Mich., died March 8, 2017, age 89. Ruth M. (Shirley) Seals, ’53, Ashley, Mich., died April 21, 2017, age 85. William E. Spencer, ’53, Muskegon, Mich., died March 10, 2017, age 86. Kenneth E. Barron, ’54, Hereford, Ariz., died Feb. 4, 2017, age 83. Evelyn (Sabourin) Michiels, ’54, Atlanta, Mich., died June 6, 2017, age 91.
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Barbara H. (Heflin) Cromwell, ’55, Virginia Beach, Va., died May 19, 2017, age 83.
JoAnne M. (Clark) DeNeen, ’64, Saginaw, Mich., died May 14, 2017, age 83.
Grover G. Niergarth, ’55, M.A. ’64, Atlanta, Mich., died Feb. 22, 2017, age 83.
Crystal E. (Bailey) Lund, ’64, Sheridan, Mich., died March 5, 2017, age 91.
Donald M. Kaufman, ’56, Cass City, Mich., died June 16, 2017, age 89.
Thomas S. Luptowski, ’64, M.A. ’73, Bay City, Mich., died May 17, 2017, age 80.
William A. Dahlquist, ’57, Cadillac, Mich., died April 30, 2017, age 86. Robert E. Jones, ’57, Alpena, Mich., died July 6, 2017, age 82. Barbara A. (Peppler) Ahearn, ’58, St. Clair, Mich., died June 17, 2017, age 80. Anne H. (Vetr) Beutler, ’58, Junction City, Ore., died June 22, 2017, age 96. Robert T. Sheehan, ’58, Perry, Mich., died April 23, 2017, age 84. Carla M. (Smith) Thompson, ’58, Grand Rapids, Mich., died April 27, 2017, age 80. William Banaszak, ’59, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 10, 2017, age 84. Rudolph H. Emerick, ’59, M.A. ’63, Saginaw Township, Mich., died April 24, 2017, age 81. Sandra S. (Walsh) Nelson, ’59, East Lansing, Mich., died May 2, 2017, age 80. Bernard A. Thompson , ’59, Suttons Bay, Mich., died June 8, 2017, age 79.
John F. Artman, M.A. ’65, Saginaw, Mich., died March 29, 2016, age 81. Bernard R. Duke, ’65, Oconomowoc, Wis., died May 5, 2017, age 85. Iris B. (Marko) Harrison, ’65, Clinton, Mich., died June 30, 2016, age 72. Robert E. Herweyer, ’66, M.A. ’68, Summerdale, Ala., died April 13, 2017, age 74. Diana S. (Pierce) Kelm, ’66, Haines, Alaska, died June 7, 2017, age 72. Agnes J. (Duckworth) Kenney, ’66, M.A. ’70, Ithaca, Mich., died June 18, 2017, age 102. John C. Lillie, ’66, M.A. ’71, Houghton Lake, Mich., died May 31, 2017, age 74. JoAnne T. (Kasiborski) Vatter, M.A. ’66, Cadillac, Mich., died June 18, 2017, age 75. Maxine (Wood) Gleason, ’67, Houghton Lake, Mich., died March 29, 2017, age 93. Donna E. Long, ’68, Monroe, Mich., died Feb. 28, 2017, age 71.
Ina E. (Morse) Wilson, ’59, Midland, Mich., died April 6, 2017, age 94.
Stanley A. Nowak, ’68, Livonia, Mich., died Feb. 5, 2017, age 70.
Bernard J. Reilly, ’60, Brighton, Mich., died May 5, 2017, age 83.
Charlotte W. (Woody) Seiler, M.A. ’68, Venice, Fla., died May 21, 2017, age 102.
Jerome L. Sieracki, ’60, M.A. ’62, M.A. ’83, The Villages, Fla., died March 25, 2017, age 78. James E. Kane, ’61, Sparta, Mich., died July 6, 2017, age 78. Neil F. Kirwan, ’61, St. Augustine, Fla., died March 4, 2017, age 83. Harry L. Wolff, ’61, M.A. ’68, Petoskey, Mich., died May 27, 2017, age 83. James W. Goecker, ’62, Daphne, Ala., died March 30, 2017, age 78. Thomas R. Harrison, ’62, Clinton, Mich., died Aug. 26, 2016, age 75. Mary S. Lane, ’62, Midland, Mich., died June 11, 2017, age 77. Maurice DeVoe, ’63, M.A. ’81, Mission, Texas, died May 1, 2017, age 76. Glenn A. Jacobs, ’63, M.A. ’67, Hart, Mich., died March 9, 2017, age 79. Jean L. (Preston) Bloecker, ’64, Greenbush, Mich., died June 26, 2017, age 76.
Robert M. Applegate, ’69, Grand Rapids, Mich., died June 29, 2017, age 70. Josephine D. (Tubergen) DeRuiter, ’69, McBain, Mich., died April 7, 2017, age 98. Dennis A. Miner, ’69, M.A. ’72, Saginaw, Mich., died April 7, 2017, age 70. Donald B. Assmann, ’70, Auburn, N.Y., died May 28, 2017, age 74. Robert C. Findsen, MBA ’70, Scottsdale, Ariz., died June 17, 2017, age 76. Dennis J. Haut, ’70, M.A. ’74, Standish, Mich., died April 23, 2017, age 70. William G. Derthick M.A. ’71, Oscoda, Mich., died June 10, 2017, age 80. Philip B. Maynard, ’71, Alanson, Mich., died June 9, 2017, age 77. Robert S. Wickizer, ’71, Ann Arbor, Mich., died May 12, 2017, age 68.
J.W. Wilson, ’71, Perrinton, Mich., died April 27, 2017, age 73. Ruth A. (Markel) Claes, ’72, Bay City, Mich., died May 22, 2017, age 93. Donna I. (Shaw) Kline, M.A. ’72, Portage, Wis., died April 18, 2017, age 91. Karol L. (Kuehn) Lonsberry, ’72, Oscoda, Mich., died June 5, 2017, age 66. Patrick E. Paul, ’72, Hudsonville, Mich., died May 5, 2017, age 67. Marlyse A. (Andreski) Hessling, ’73, Bad Axe, Mich., died April 11, 2017, age 66. Ralph L. Myrkle, M.A. ’73, Decatur, Mich., died May 23, 2017, age 85. Michael J. Pietryga, ’73, Nicholasville, Ky., died Feb. 21, 2017, age 66. Mary E. Randolph, ’73, Newberry, Mich., died May 10, 2017, age 66. Joseph L. Devlin, ’74, Hope, Mich., died March 3, 2017, age 71. Ann M. (McNamara) Fallon, M.A. ’74, Palm Harbor, Fla., died May 9, 2017, age 93. John W. Ireland, ’74, Dekalb, Ill., died June 30, 2017, age 65. Daniel S. Klimkiewicz, ’74, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died July 18, 2017, age 64. Danny J. Markham, M.A. ’74, Arlington, Texas, died March 31, 2017, age 67. Donald P. Moore, M.A. ’74, Logan, Ohio, died April 5, 2017, age 91. John C. Starmann, M.A. ’74, White Pigeon, Mich., died April 7, 2017, age 74. Mary S. (Bonjour) Stover, ’74, Chesaning, Mich., died March 27, 2017, age 65. Thomas C. Turcott , ’74, Petoskey, Mich., died June 15, 2017, age 93. Gustaaf A. VanDerWaerden, M.A. ’74, Warren, Mich., died June 14, 2017, age 88. Mary T. (Unrue) Young, ’74, Marshall, Mich., died May 31, 2017, age 65. James P. Davis, ’75, Imlay City, Mich., died May 12, 2017, age 65. Marie E. (Kirk) Eby, ’75, Elkton, Mich., died May 31, 2015, age 91. James A. Helmink, ’75, M.A. ’77, Conroe, Texas, died May 20, 2017, age 64. Alexander S. Malley, ’75, Hernando, Fla., died May 26, 2017, age 64. Monica L. McCarty, ’75, Novi, Mich., died May 1, 2017, age 63.
James A. McKeown, M.A. ’75, Middleville, Mich., died June 30, 2017, age 75. Marie M. (Manning) Slusser, ’75, M.A. ’84, Charlotte, N.C., died May 1, 2017, age 63. John R. Ballantyne, M.A. ’76, Durham, N.C., died April 19, 2017, age 68. Perry A. Hudel, M.A. ’76, Summerville, S.C., died May 2, 2017, age 84. Kathleen M. Raymo, ’76, Farmington, Mich., died June 24, 2017, age 63. Marie W. (Wright) Tolliver, ’76, Saginaw, Mich., died April 20, 2017, age 82. Douglas A. Bell, ’77, M.S. ’81, Clare, Mich., died May 15, 2017, age 61. Thomas A. Leonard, M.A. ’77, Decatur, Ga., died May 9, 2017, age 80. Ted R. Stiger, M.A. ’77, Ossineke, Mich., died April 25, 2017, age 66. James D. Thompson, M.A. ’77, Sumter, S.C., died March 23, 2017, age 73. Howard F. Baker, M.A. ’78, Dover, Del., died June 27, 2017, age 89. Albert A. Saltalamachea, M.A. ’78, Bluffton, S.C., died May 30, 2017, age 67. Andrea F. Bennett, M.A. ’79, Shreveport, La., died June 9, 2017, age 77. Bernard W. Flint, ’79, M.A. ’80, Ed.S. ’85, Blanchard, Mich., died May 26, 2017, age 76. Stephen J. Gamble, M.A. ’79, Jacksonville, Fla., died March 24, 2017, age 76. Bertra M. (Pleas) Gates, M.A. ’79, Kansas City, Kan., died April 25, 2017, age 74. Michael O. Halloran, M.A. ’79, Marble Falls, Texas, died May 21, 2017, age 75. Richard B. Koehler, M.S. ’79, Shreve, Ohio, died July 1, 2017, age 70. Thomas L. O’Neil, ’79, Cheboygan, Mich., died April 15, 2017, age 68. Candace L. Seifert, ’79, Tallahassee, Fla., died May 11, 2017, age 59. Lloyd D. Wynn, M.A. ’79, Round Rock, Texas, died April 27, 2017, age 72. Carl G. Collins, M.A. ’80, Johnson City, Tenn., died May 17, 2017, age 83. Barbara J. Putney, ’80, Bay City, Mich., died March 2, 2017, age 59. Thomas J. Edmundson, M.A. ’81, Harker Heights, Texas, died May 21, 2017, age 71.
James R. Frye, ’81, Torch Lake, Mich., died April 16, 2017, age 85.
Brett J. Yardley, ’88, Prudenville, Mich., died April 12, 2017, age 66.
Hubert M. Jamison, M.A. ’81, Beaufort, S.C., died May 18, 2017, age 71.
Johanna (Miller) Hancock, M.S.A. ’89, Alberta, Canada, died May 6, 2017, age 85.
Annette J. (Ley) McCloy, ’81, Clarkston, Mich., died July 9, 2017, age 59.
Darrell C. Wright, ’89, Battle Creek, Mich., died May 23, 2017, age 49.
Richard D. Parker, M.A. ’81, Swartz Creek, Mich., died May 12, 2017, age 81. James C. Alltop, M.A. ’82, Fort Pierce, Fla., died April 3, 2017, age 82. Gary J. Galbraith, ’82, M.A. ’84, El Paso, Texas, died July 1, 2017, age 57. Peter D. Johns, ’82, Ishpeming, Mich., died May 21, 2017, age 58. Joan M. (Devlin) Kaweck, ’82, Midland, Mich., died June 17, 2017, age 86. William G. Neaton, M.A. ’82, Dover, Del., died April 26, 2017, age 71. Joe E. Bentley, M.A. ’83, Saginaw, Mich., died Dec. 21, 2003, age 97. Raymond Mendez, M.A. ’83, Waipahu, Hawaii, died Feb. 15, 2017, age 87.
Patrick J. Humphreys, M.S.A. ’90, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 13, 2017, age 61. Sandra L. Putkamer, M.S.A. ’90, Potterville, Mich., died March 26, 2017, age 65. Stacia A. Gillett, M.S.A. ’92, Edmond, Okla., died May 1, 2017, age 61. Richard W. Hannan, ’92, Grosse Pointe, Mich., died March 10, 2017, age 48.
John S. West, ’92, Roseville, Mich., died May 24, 2017, age 76. Duane E. Froelich, ’93, Oscoda, Mich., died June 9, 2017, age 51.
Courtney R. Smith, M.A. ’84, Allyn, Wash., died May 22, 2017, age 68.
Zachary E. Mayes, ’95, Grand Ledge, Mich., died May 17, 2017, age 46. Barbara E. (Carl) AugustineHayes, ’96, Saranac, Mich., died April 16, 2017, age 64.
Sharon M. (Huff) Loughead, ’09, Clinton, Mich., died June 4, 2017, age 69. Faculty Cora E. Enman, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died April 26, 2017, age 76. Charlotte B. Evans, Naples, Fla., died April 17, 2017, age 89. Robert E. Rankin, Roseville, Mich., died June 18, 2017, age 90. Ira S. Rosenbaum, Colorado Springs, Co., died April 16, 2017, age 85.
Marvin W. Powell, ’97, Umatilla, Fla., died May 15, 2017, age 44.
Barbara E. Augustine-Hayes, Saranac, Mich., died April 16, 2017, age 64.
Rodney M. Weston, ’97, DeWitt, Mich., died March 2, 2017, age 44.
Orlie E. Cokley, M.S.A. ’87, Washington, Ohio, died Feb. 5, 2017, age 66.
Craig A. Porubsky, ’98, New Hudson, Mich., died March 17, 2017, age 42.
Robert D. Moffat, M.A. ’87, Lima, Ohio, died March 6, 2017, age 75.
Vincente Castellanos, M.S.A. ’99, Freeland, Mich., died May 22, 2017, age 74.
Janice L. (Jenkins) Mason, M.S.A. ’88, Beaver, Ohio, died March 2, 2017, age 62.
Kristopher C. Moore, ’07, Clinton, Mich., died April 20, 2017, age 34.
Staff
Robin L. (Neadow) Mulligan, ’98, Manistique, Mich., died May 24, 2017, age 60.
Manuel R. Borrell, M.S.A. ’88, Huntersville, N.C., died June 1, 2017, age 56.
Shirley T. Avent, M.P.A. ’07, Emporia, Va., died Jan. 27, 2017, age 57.
Matthew J. Sugg, ’96, Northwood, Ohio, died May 31, 2017, age 44.
David E. Chmielewski, Ed.S. ’87, Avoca, Mich., died April 12, 2017, age 61.
Jill P. (Shaver) Pacic, ’87, Grand Rapids, Mich., died June 20, 2017, age 52.
Cherylene (Singletary) Genis, M.S.A. ’06, Columbia, S.C., died March 6, 2017, age 56.
George A. Heckman, M.A. ’09, Westphalia, Mich., died June 19, 2017, age 52.
Marilynn J. (Parker) Cubitt, ’95, Bad Axe, Mich., died April 22, 2017, age 81.
Michael J. Seaman, ’86, M.A. ’87, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died June 27, 2017, age 53.
Kelly L. Ketcham-Stoney, ’02, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 24, 2017, age 40.
Stephen J. Keenan, ’92, Saginaw, Mich., died March 25, 2017, age 49.
Joyce E. (Simmons) Vescio, M.A. ’83, Saginaw, Mich., died April 16, 2017, age 70.
Mark R. Chown, ’86, M.M. ’03, Escanaba, Mich., died April 30, 2017, age 59.
Susan P. Grazick-Genitski, M.A. ’02, Augusta, Ga., died March 9, 2017, age 68.
Cherie A. Fisher, ’08, Hamburg, Mich., died May 3, 2017, age 30.
Kimberley S. (Price) Wilson, ’94, Harrison, Maine, died March 3, 2017, age 47.
David J. Schuch, ’85, Holland, Mich., died June 18, 2017, age 53.
Mary L. (Schippers) Soderholm, M.A. ’01, Lincoln, Mich., died June 10, 2017, age 70.
Judy A. Kalar, ’92, Traverse City, Mich., died March 24, 2017, age 69.
Cheryl L. (Lucas) Noll, M.A. ’83, Ludington, Mich., died June 1, 2017, age 72.
John W. Chriswell, M.A. ’85, Beverly Hills, Fla., died April 8, 2016, age 89.
Ronald J. Toussaint, M.S.A. ’00, Cumming, Ga., died April 1, 2017, age 54.
Donna E. Boge, Beal City, Mich., died April 19, 2017, age 85. Audrey Marie Cumming, Hamilton, Ohio, died April 15, 2017, age 100. Marlene Kay Ernst, died March 5, 2017, age 74. Waneta Swan, Shepherd, Mich., died April 10, 2017, age 97.
Shawn N. Snider, M.S.A. ’99, Springfield, Mo., died May 12, 2017, age 54. Steven R. McAllister, ’00, East Setauket, N.Y., died May 31, 2017, age 39. Debra S. (Berne) Sodergren, M.S.A. ’00, Warren, Mich., died April 6, 2017, age 63.
centralight Fall ’17
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PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARKE HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Do you remember?
Grawn is growing At 102 years old, Grawn Hall is the university’s oldest building. In its early years, it housed agriculture, math and science disciplines, a greenhouse, and the university’s print shop. Today’s alumni likely remember Grawn Hall as the home of the College of Business Administration. Crews worked all summer to finish a $10.8 million, two-story addition, opening Sept. 21. • Grawn time-lapse
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centralight Fall ’17
Supporting student success Sarah Rowley Opperman, ’81, and Daniel S. Opperman support student success in college and beyond. During her years at Central Michigan University, Sarah Rowley Opperman received support from many different avenues that ensured her success in college. This included help from staff and faculty to successfully navigate two majors while also participating in broader campus programs. This support advanced her academic studies as well as her professional career. The Oppermans are returning the support by giving to Charles V. Park Library and the CMU Leadership Institute in their estate plans. Sarah Rowley Opperman, ’81, and Daniel S. Opperman
“It’s always been about student success,” Sarah said. “CMU believed in and helped me to succeed. Likewise, we passionately believe in and hope to help future generations of students to succeed.”
Give today for the future
Like Sarah and Daniel, you, too, can help students in an incredibly special way. To learn more about this and additional ways to give back to Central Michigan University, contact:
Ted Tolcher
Senior Philanthropic Advisor, National Director of Planned Giving, Advancement Central Michigan University, Carlin Alumni House, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 989-774-1441 • ted.tolcher@cmich.edu CMU, an AA/EO institution, provides equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9796
giftplanning.cmich.edu centralight Fall ’17
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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIDLAND MI PERMIT NO. 260
centralight
Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
Membership Includes
• A reserved ticket for each member • A parking pass for each group of 4 members • Prime viewing location in a private tent for the pregame concert in Tailgate Village • Special dining menus each game • Access to a cash bar with beer and wine
2017 CONCERT LINEUP Aug. 31 – Jedi Mind Trip Sept. 23 – Union Guns Oct. 14 – Paddlebots
Complete Turnkey Experience
Just show up with your friends, show your wristband at the entrance and experience the Chippewas Walk of Champions, the great food and the concert with no hassle – just walk to Kelly/Shorts Stadium afterwards to watch the Chippewas in action!