27 minute read
1998 Emporia State Lady Hornets
A Talent for Service to Others
Creating Opportunities for Artists
When most people think about art, they picture a person in the midst of a creative process, rendering the image in their mind’s eye into a real-life creation. It’s the artist and the canvas they imagine, and that’s the end of it. But that is only part of the work involved in being a professional artist.
Art is also a business. A challenging business with complicated rules for success, which can be hard to understand until you have climbed the ranks. Some success is luck, but mostly it’s the result of talent, practice, self-promotion and opportunity. The opportunity part can often be the hardest and most mysterious barrier to entry. Kaila Mock (BFA 13-Art) witnessed firsthand artists struggling to make it past the initial hurdles of breaking into the art business. “I was the Gallery Manager at the Emporia Arts Center for six years, and emerging artists would come in and say ‘Hey, I want to do a show here.’ We would unfortunately have to turn them away. The Trusler Gallery is a professional gallery, and the expectations are high. Normally only well-established artists are permitted to show artwork there.”
It pained her to turn so much talent away. She frequently pondered how she could help artists get started showing their work and developing the business acumen and résumé they needed to be successful.
She knew she could help. In fact, she had been preparing herself for this next step since her days as a student.
Building blocks for her dreams
“About midway through my time at ESU, I knew I wanted to open a gallery in Emporia at some point. That was the goal.” As a student, she took a position at the Norman R. Eppink Gallery in King Hall on the ESU campus, working for Roberta Eichenberg, professor of Art. “I learned a lot from her. I loved hanging shows and laying them out and trying to figure out which pieces communicate with each other and how to get the best flow through the room with the art.”
“I was also the treasurer for the ESU Glass Guild. And, I loved that! I loved being the one to organize everything, take the money, and figure out the percentages and make sure everyone was there on time—to be that overseer. That was where I was like ‘I'm pretty good at this. I enjoy this!’” “Then after I graduated, I was the gallery director for a semester while Roberta was on sabbatical. I learned a lot being on my own, not having Roberta there to ask the questions. Right after that, I got hired as the gallery manager and education coordinator for the Emporia Arts Center.”
Designing opportunities for others
Mock’s experience allowed her to understand both the artists’ and the gallery’s needs. She wanted to figure out a way for these budding artists to get their break. At the same time, she and her partner, Joel Smith, were recognizing local businesses in Emporia also had an emerging need. “Mulready’s Pub and Gravel City Roasters had always wanted local art on their walls. They were the catalysts. They were approaching local artists and saying ‘Hey, we’d like to put your art up in here.’ And, that was going OK, but a lot of artists don’t know very much about framing, and things were disorganized.” These were two problems Mock knew she could solve. In November of 2016, Mock and Smith put their planning into action and started the Emporia First Friday Art Walk (EFF). Starting with six locations on Commercial Street—Mulready’s Pub, Gravel City Roasters, Mohn Standard, Maud’s Tattoo, Studio 11 and incorporating a new showing at the Emporia Arts Center— they made all the arrangements, hung the pieces at the businesses and created a passport for attendees to experience a night of art in downtown Emporia. “The first Art Walk was awesome, and very well attended. The show at the Emporia Art Center was the veteran artist show and that always draws a huge crowd. The community really comes out to support those shows. So, most of those people were like ‘Oh, here’s this new art walk.’ And, they went and visited all the spots.” The event provided local artists an audience, businesses foot traffic and the community an entertaining cultural experience on a Friday night. But despite a huge opening night success, Mock and Smith had some hurdles in front of them. “For the second Art Walk, we got really excited, and we had something like 12 venues. We thought we had this momentum going, and then, I think, maybe five people showed up.” “It was December. It was so cold. And, people didn’t really know about it. It just flopped. The artists were so disappointed. I felt like a failure. I cried myself to sleep that night.” Kaila was determined to learn from that disappointment. She was devoted to making this opportunity a success for all the artists. She took the feedback she received to heart and made changes, including putting more focus on advertising. “By January and February, it just slowly started to pick up, and over the years it's grown into a really awesome community event that hundreds of people come to every month.”
It’s now a monthly event where local artists can show their art, develop their professional skills and build a following for their work. A perfect example is Emeline Fuller (BFA 21-Art). She was a featured artist at the inaugural First Friday event and has displayed at the event many times since then. Fuller says First Fridays, and working with Mock, have provided a lot of valuable lessons. “Kaila not only has creative energy, but she has the ability to actually get stuff done. You know, like, make the phone calls, talk to the people, do the things to make it work. As someone who has big ideas, but not always a lot of follow-through, it's really inspiring to see and has given me something to emulate. That's been a big thing. Seeing what she's been able to do simply by showing up. And, that's what I just started doing. Showing up and talking to people.” Showing up has provided Fuller with opportunities to promote and sell her art as well as build a stream of income from commissions and teaching. It also helped her polish some of those skills not commonly associated with being an artist. “There’s one thing I think artists don’t always understand. They think being a really good artist will be enough to succeed. But, you actually have to learn those other skills that aren’t always associated with artists, like being organized, being consistent, keeping track of your paperwork. And, then there’s the social aspect of self-promotion, which I’ve struggled with. Now, I keep meeting people through First Fridays, and it's really awesome,” Fuller says triumphantly.
Fuller’s experience is exactly what Mock was intending to create when she and Smith launched EFF. Of Fuller’s progress, she says, “Every art walk her professionalism gets better. She’s getting her name out there. She learned really quickly it was important to get her business card into people’s hands.” Fuller is only one of many success stories born out of the EFF experience. Mock shares about another artist she’s worked with, Jeff Quintana. “He had his first show as a pop-up show at First Fridays and he learned a lot there. Then, I asked him do a show at Trox. That was his first professional gallery show. We had a lot of meetings leading up to the exhibition, making sure he was ready, and I was very proud of his level of professionalism. Going through the First Friday process, he had learned all the things he needed to have ahead of time, from framing and presentation to pricing.” “Now that Jeff has a show at Trox under his belt, I hope he applies to do a show at the Emporia Arts Center because that’s the next step. EAC has a huge gallery space, and him being ready for an exhibition of that caliber is a big accomplishment.” The ‘Trox’ Mock refers to is Trox Gallery and Gifts, the gallery she first envisioned starting when she was a student. Once she had Emporia First Friday established, Mock had started to focus on making her gallery dream a reality. She took her idea to Emporia Main Street, where executive director, Casey Woods, advised her to enroll in the Start Your Own Business class offered through a collaboration between the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) at Emporia State University and Emporia Main Street. “I learned so much. There are so many components to starting a new business that you just never think about. They have a tech person, a lawyer, an accountant, a marketing firm, etc. come talk to the class. Lisa Brumbaugh (the director of KSBDC) had this whole spreadsheet where you can enter all your expenses and projected income so you can figure out if it will be a viable business. It was an invaluable experience.” The Main Street incubator space had just become available as Mock was finishing her class and getting ready to get Trox Gallery and Gifts started. She applied and got the space. Mock opened her doors at the corner of Commercial and Eighth on March 6, 2020. She closed because of COVID-19 restrictions on March 20, 2020. It was a scary time. Although her nerves were a little shaken, Mock realized closing the doors on her brand new business provided her time to make adjustments and look for emerging needs she could serve. She used the time to focus on her website and to place an enormous order for puzzles, anticipating people stuck at home would be wanting something like that to do. As people began looking for face masks, she pulled out her sewing machine and put her sewing skills to use. She made a little over 4,000 masks.
“When I was able to reopen the store, the masks brought people into Trox that probably never would have come in otherwise, because I had a necessity item they needed.” Now, they come back and purchase work from local artists. Currently, Mock has 67 artists whose work is carried in Trox; 67 artists developing viable streams of income with their passions and talents. “I have one artist who is a stay-at-home mom, and she makes earrings and has sold a ton. One day, she came to me in tears, saying, ‘I am just so proud that I’m contributing to my family's income. It's been such a blessing.’”
The next chapter
Mock’s time in the Main Street incubator space is nearing the end, and she is looking forward to the next step in her journey of bringing art, commerce and community together. She has partnered with Lucas and Amy Moody and Gravel City Roasters in developing the space at 715 Commercial Street. Starting fall 2021, the Emporia First Friday office will be upstairs, Trox Gallery and Gifts will be at the front of the space and Gravel City Roasters will be in the back. “I’m proud of everything Joel and I have accomplished and the way all of the artists have really stepped up and made this all possible. It’s been the most rewarding process and experience of my life.” With the way she has approached everything so far, it is undoubtedly only the beginning of what she will create for herself, local artists and the community.
No One Succeeds Alone
Alum Dan Austin Honors the Changemakers Who Shaped His Life and Inspired Him to Do the Same for Others
Dan Austin (BS 58-Social Sciences) grew up as a poor, shy, skinny kid on the wrong side of the tracks in Kansas City, Kansas. But, he was stubborn. That stubbornness, along with the interjection of God-placed people in his life, put Austin on a trajectory that would not only change the course of his life, but, more importantly, would change him as a person. In turn, he has gone on to impact countless others as a changemaker himself. As a young man about to graduate high school, Austin felt he had few options for his future. So, he decided to join the U.S. Army. On his way to the recruiting station, he stopped into a small grocery store to see a couple that he knew from his long-time paper route. John, the owner, said, “If you go to the junior college right now and enroll, I’ll pay you $.60 an hour to work at the grocery store.” After those two years at junior college, John, a WWII veteran, spoke up again. “You’re only half done,” he insisted. Change agent number one. Off to Emporia State University Austin went, where he enrolled in the Kansas State Teachers College to become a history teacher. As a junior, late history professor Dr. John Zimmerman pulled Austin aside after class one day and asked if he would like to get a Coke. At the table, Dr. Zimmerman said, “Dan, you’re feeling sorry for yourself. You have the makings of being an extraordinary teacher, but your self-pity is getting in the way. Just because you only have two sets of clothes and no car, and you got financial assistance, don’t feel sorry for yourself. Find out what makes you spark and grip it.” Change agent number two.
Following college, Austin taught at Lawrence High School, where a mutual friend set him up on a blind date. Nancy became his wife of 56 years, as well as his greatest changemaker. “She changed my life by forcing me into a heightened state of consciousness,” said Austin. “No longer would I live my life on autopilot. Things that seemed important to me before we met withered away. She made me see things more clearly, especially the people and experiences that deeply matter.” Sadly, Austin lost Nancy during the COVID pandemic. Never wanting his children and grandchildren to forget what a beautiful change agent she was, he spent four months writing more than 30 essays to capture her essence and their lives together. Originally intended only for family, a friend convinced him of the need to have the essays published. “Dear Nancy, Nancy Dear” was released in July 2021 through Covenant Books. Austin is professor emeritus of business at Nova Southeastern University. After leaving Temple University, he directed two state commissions, served as a State Department consultant in India and the Panama Canal, and was appointed to state and county health policy boards in Florida by the governor. However, it is not those global experiences or prestigious appointments he treasures most in his life. Instead, it is the impact he had on his students that resonates with him to this day. “I still hear from students who I had over 60 years ago,” he said. And the legacy of mentorship, no doubt, carries on.
Are you a Changemaker? Share your story with Hornet Nation at emporia.edu/changemaker 2021 Service Citation Recipients
Mark Runge
Mark Runge will be honored posthumously for 32 years of going above and beyond job expectations, first as campus architect and later as facilities director. Runge died unexpectedly in September 2019. Vice President for Administration and Finance Diana E. Kuhlmann, who nominated Runge for a Service Citation award, said campus staff and faculty remembered him as more than just a co-worker. “The common thread was about people’s appreciation of Mark, the person,” she wrote. “He was very generous and helped people in ways that others never knew, whether it be a student in financial need, or a co-worker in personal distress.” She described him as a humble servant leader, quick to give his team and others credit and not drawing attention to himself. “He just went about doing good work and helping others with no expectation of recognition,” Kuhlmann said. Cathy Runge agreed. “He aspired to teach others to lead also,” she said. “He was just very devoted to Emporia State. … I’m really honored that he’s receiving the award.”
Kevin Rabas
Chair of the English, Modern Languages, and Journalism Department Dr. Kevin Rabas shines a spotlight on ESU each time he presents poetry readings or plays to audiences around the state and beyond. He writes poetry, plays and short stories and is author of nine books, including two that won Nelson Poetry Book Awards and one that was named a Kansas Notable Book. He also writes for Kansas City’s Jazz Ambassador magazine. Rabas was named Kansas Poet Laureate 2017-2019 and received in 2018 the Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor Award from ESU for igniting passion for his subject matter and inspiring students to achieve their potential. Outside the classroom, Rabas travels to present poetry readings and plays at libraries, nursing homes, jails and detention centers, schools and more. “While service and outreach are expectations of Emporia State faculty, Dr. Rabas goes far and beyond,” said Roger Heineken, who nominated Rabas for a Service Citation. “As he participates in readings throughout the region, he carries the name and its positive reputation of Emporia State with him.”
Vern & Nancy McKinzie
Emporians Vernon and Nancy McKinzie consider ESU as an integral part of the community and, as such, they have contributed fiscally and physically to benefit the university. “We had two sons who both went to school kindergarten through 12 in Emporia, and we were blessed with having the university here for them to continue their education,” Nancy said. “I think the university is extremely important in our community.” The McKinzies, who have established a legacy gift with the Foundation, attend most baseball and basketball games, and other Hornet sporting events. Vern has been a hands-on Athletics Department volunteer through the years and has received the Joe Cannon Volunteer of the Year Award. Athletics Director Kent Weiser, who nominated the couple for the Service Citation, said that Vern McKinzie was PA baseball announcer at home games for more than 10 years. “In addition, he would bring his personal equipment—tractor, snow plow—to help get Glennen Field ready to host games early in the season,” Weiser said.
Gwen & Jeff Longbine
Jeff (FS 81-Business) and Gwen Yarnell Longbine (BSB 84-Business Administration) learned long ago that when people get involved in supporting universities and communities, those entities grow stronger. “I think Gwen and I were both raised with a sense of giving back,” said Jeff Longbine, who has been a state senator since 2010. “The community’s been so good to us … and we’ve realized that communities aren’t very good if people aren’t giving back.” Former State Rep. Don Hill nominated the couple for the Service Citation for their work on-campus and in the community. Both Longbines have served as ESU Foundation Trustees and Trustees Emeritus, as Difference Makers, and Athletics Champions in the Now & Forever Campaign, as well as numerous others committees and boards for educational, economic and charitable organizations. Jeff Longbine is a former Emporia mayor and city commissioner. They are parents of two daughters, Lexie and Lauren, who enrolled in May in ESU’s MBA program. The family established the Rich Longbine Memorial Scholarship and, in honor of their late son, the Greg Longbine Memorial Scholarship for athletes.
Spotlight on Alumni
Dr. Rosemary A. (Cobble) Kirby (BSE 52-Business Education), Wichita, was honored with a named scholarship and a sculpture called "Rosemary's Legacy" by
WSU Tech, where she served for over five decades and was the first female president. Coach David B. Steinmeyer (MS 57-Physical
Education), Jefferson City, Mo., is a 2021
Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee for his accomplishments in coaching girls tennis for many decades until his retirement at the age of 80.
Steve L. Sauder (BSB 68-Business
Administration), Emporia, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2020 by the Emporia Area Chamber of
Commerce. Gary L. Sherrer (BSE 63-Speech, Social
Sciences), Leawood, former Lt. Governor of
Kansas, was honored at the 2021 Leadership
Kansas Alumni Leadership Summit for being one of the founders of the program.
Bruce W. Burenheide (BSB 78-Business
Administration), Emporia, retired from
Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply after 44 years as a manager/buyer. Marilyn Dalton (BSE 72-Elementary
Education; MS 76-Curriculum &
Instruction), Emporia, retired after 48 years in education from USD 253 Emporia.
Marilyn taught kindergarten at William
Allen White Elementary School for 46 years. Concha (Jasso) Duarte (BSB 78-Business),
Ann Arbor, Mich., retired in January 2021 after 41 years of working in various areas of DCI, a bank software company in
Hutchinson, Kan. Dr. Richard A. Laird (BSE 74-Mathematics;
MS 89-Mathematics), Joplin, Mo., has retired from Missouri Southern State
University as a full professor in the department of mathematics. Mike May (BSB 79-Business
Administration), Bastrop, Texas, has been promoted to director of minerals review at the Texas General Land Office and is also the board of examiners chairperson for the
Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies (COPAS). Jesse E. Nelson (BSE 74-Physical Education),
Emporia, has retired after 44 years as head girl's basketball coach at Olpe High School. Russell L. Palmer (BFA 78-Speech), Kansas
City, Mo., recently retired from Federal
Express after 33 years working various positions in Kansas City, Mo.; Memphis,
Tenn.; and Lenexa, Kan. Chief Judge Michael F. Powers (BSE 77-Social Sciences), Marion, retired in
August 2021 as the chief judge of the 8th
Judicial District. He became judge in 1991 and was appointed chief judge in 1994. Susan (Merritt) Rathke (BSE 77-Physical
Education), Emporia, recently retired after 28 years as the director of Emporia's
Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Janet A. (Butcher) Shaw (BSE 75-English;
MA 76-English), Chapel Hill, N.C., graduated magna cum laude from Duke
University in December 2020 with a master's degree in liberal studies. Her thesis, recently edited for popular publication, is "Every Three Hours: Two Chronic Illnesses, a Thirty-Year Journey, and Victory." Sandra Lynn (Lucas) Worrell (BS 1975-Business), Leon, recently retired as a procurement specialist II with 45 years at HollyFrontier Corporation, El Dorado
Refinery, El Dorado, Kan.
1980s
Jay Adkins (BSE 83-Social Sciences; MS 95-Educational Administration), Emporia, retired after 36 years in education from
USD 253 Emporia.
Dr. Nancy M. (Richard) Albrecht Ed.D.
(BSE 82- Secondary Education), Lawrence, will be the 2021-22 King Endowed Professor in The Teachers College at Emporia State
University.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Guy C. Beougher
(BS 80-Business Administration), McLean,
Va., completed over 40 years of federal service both in uniform and with the
Defense Logistics Agency and will now be joining the Cypress International Team as vice president for logistics. Dennis R. Brockman (BSB 87-Business
Administration), Naperville, Ill., has been promoted to senior vice president and global chief inclusion and diversity officer with Starbucks Corporation. Dr. Diane M. (Prior) DeBacker (BSB 82-Business Education), Topeka, is the founding director of the Center for
Certification & Competency-Based
Education (C3BE) at the University of
Kansas. Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" (Kalmar) Dobler (BSE 85-Elementary Education), Topeka, received the 2020 Ervay Family Award for Applied
Scholarship by her Emporia State University peers. Her research interest is information literacy, with a focus on the Internet. Kathy Dreier (AS 82-Office Services),
Americus, retired after 27 years from USD 253 Emporia. Dr. Fatah Kashanchi (BS 86-Biology),
Potomac, Md., is doing research into a possible treatment for COVID-19 at George
Mason University. Jill Lynch (BSE 89-Elementary Education),
Emporia, retired after 31 years in education from USD 253 Emporia. PJ Marstall (BSE 88-Physical Education; MS 95-Educational Administration), Emporia, retired after 33 years in education from
USD 253 Emporia. Kelley A. (York) Massingill (BSB 87-Business Administration), Dothan,
Ala., has started a new business with her husband, Rob, called Caring Transitions of Dothan. Caring Transitions is a onestop shop for seniors who are making life transitions and their families. Rich A. McGuire (BS 88-Social Sciences),
Houston, Texas, was named Coach of the
Year by the Touchdown Club of Houston after the third consecutive undefeated district title for St. Thomas High School. Teresa L. (Lane) McVey (BSE 84-Elementary
Education; MS 91-Music Technology
Certificate), Caney, retired after teaching special education for 37 years - the last 22 years as an autism consultant. Daniel R. Naccarato (BSB 82-Business
Administration; MBS 85-Business
Administration), Hutchinson, "Coach Nac" was named the 2020-21 Dragon Educator of the Year at Hutchinson Community College, where he is an instructor of business management and entrepreneurship. Dr. James D. "Jim" Persinger (BA 88-Psychology, Sociology; MS 90-Experimental Psychology), Lawrence, received the 2020 Teachers College
Excellence in Service Award by his Emporia
State University peers. Lana R. (Waetzig) Reinhart (BSE 84-Business Education), Minneapolis, retired after 37 years of teaching in USD 239 North Ottawa County. Chris G. Vitt (BS 84-Biology; MS 91-Biology
Education), Hiawatha, has been inducted into the Kansas Teacher's Hall of Fame for his exemplary work as a science teacher. Cora A. Zaletel (BA 83-English; MA 85-English), Pueblo, Colo., has been hired as the communications specialist for the
Pueblo West Metro District beginning May 2021. Rhonda Zornes (BSE 88-Elementary
Education), Americus, retired after 30 years in education from USD 253 Emporia.
1990s
Dr. Allison M. Anderson-Harder (MS 94-School Psychology; EDS 95-School
Psychology ), Emporia, has been selected as the new superintendent for USD 253
Emporia. Aaron J. Barnett (BGS 94-General
Studies; BSE 94-Physical Education;
MS 08-Educational Administration),
Lee's Summit, Mo., received regional recognition from the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. The
Distinguished Principal Award is for the Kansas City Suburban Elementary
Principals Association region of the
Missouri Association of Elementary
Principals. KCSEPA chose Principal Barnett from Pleasant Lea Elementary because he represents the finest leadership and service in the regional organization. Ty M. Baumgardner (BSB 93-Marketing;
MS 95-Health, Physical Education, &
Recreation), Buford, Ga., has returned to
Kansas to take on the roles of both the boys basketball coach and athletic director at
Topeka High School at USD 501 Topeka. Eric S. Benjamin (BSE 94-Biology),
Alexandria, Va., completed his master's degree in physician assistant studies at
Touro University Nevada in 2019 and was recently hired as a physician assistant for
Privia Health. Lori Bishop (BSE 96-Elementary Education),
Emporia, was selected as a nominee for the
Emporia Kansas Elementary Teacher of the
Year. John J. Boyle (BSB 92-Finance), Washington,
D.C., has recently been hired as the group president of defense and civilian solutions for Cherokee Federal. Vicki L. (Rees) Brooks (BSB 92-Business
Administration; BSN 97-Nursing), Emporia, has retired from Newman Regional Health after 46 years in the field of nursing. Michael J. Burbach (BSB 96-Accounting),
Overland Park, has been hired as the new senior counsel - financial services, insurance and asset management for GE Capital. Ronald L. "Ron" Frierson, Jr. (BS 96-Social
Sciences), Los Angeles, Calif., has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Tara L. (Claycamp) Glades (BS 92-Psychology; MS 15-Educational
Administration), Emporia, has been promoted to executive director of special services for the Flint Hills Cooperative in
USD 253 Emporia. Mike F. Gottman (MS 90-Health, Physical
Education, & Recreation), Apollo Beach,
Fla., has been named head football coach and head of the physical education department at East Bay High School in
Apollo Beach. LTC USA (Ret) Charles W. Gregory (BS 93-Social Sciences), Monument, Colo., was recently admitted into the University of
Nebraska Medical Center Doctor of Public
Health program. Joy Haegert (MS 94-Counselor Education),
Emporia, retired after 24 years from USD 253 Emporia. Matthew J. Haglund (BSB 99-Marketing),
Minneapolis, Minn., was recognized by
Ameriprise as a 2020 Chairman's Award for
Excellence winner for his work transitioning live events to virtual events. He is vice president of advice & wealth management learning & development at the Ameriprise headquarters in Minneapolis. Dr. Alex Hamill (BS 94-Biology), Fredrick,
Md., has been hired as a senior program manager for IHRC, Inc. and ID/IQ program manager, FDA Office of Laboratory Safety. Emily J. Hawes (BS 99-Rehabilitation
Services; MS 06-Rehabilitation Counseling),
Barre, Vt., has been appointed as commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health by Vermont Governor Phil Scott. Jeff E. Hayes (MS 92-School Psychology;
EDS 93-School Psychology), Salina, has been promoted to executive director for the
Central Kansas Cooperative in Education (CKCIE) at USD 305 Salina. Dr. Stephen K. Hunt (BFA 92-Communication), Bloomington, Ill., has been named university professor at Illinois
State University where he is the director of communication. Jane McCoy (BSE 90-Elementary Education),
Emporia, retired after 22 years in education from USD 253 Emporia. Brad A. McDaniel (BSB 95-Computer
Information Systems), Pleasant Hill, Mo., has been promoted to IT manager at
Scoular. Melissa A. "Missy" (Kinsler) Miller (BSE 92-Elementary Education), Fort Scott, is the new principal at Winfield Scott Elementary at USD 234 Fort Scott. Julie K. Morgan Murphy (BS 92-Mathematics), Bartlesville, Okla., was recently hired as vice president project manager III at Bank of Oklahoma. Chris Parks (BSE 97-Elementary Education;
MS 08-Reading Specialist), Emporia, retired after 23 years in education from USD 253
Emporia. Melisa K. Schellhamer (BSB 96-Accounting;
MBA 12-Accounting), Topeka, has been promoted to business application process director with ADT. Mike Schoenberger (BSE 97-Elementary
Education), Emporia, retired after 18 years in education from USD 253 Emporia. Fredrick D. "Fred" Snyder (MS 93-Counselor Education), Mankato, Minn., has made his debut as a published author through the first novel in a dystopian trilogy titled "American Revolution 2056." Penny M. (Hatch) Spence (BSB 98-Finance),
Stilwell, was recently promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer at
Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Frisco A. Sullivan (BA 95-General Studies),
Minneola, has released a new book entitled "Unholy Alliance" published by Dorrance
Publishing. Brette T. Tanner (BGS 98-General Studies),
Abilene, Texas, has been promoted to head men's basketball coach at Abilene Christian
University where he has been the associate coach for the last seven years, qualifying for the last two NCAA tournaments. Rick Tasker (BS 95- Business
Administration), Castle Rock, Colo., was hired by Splunk to lead channel partner enablement as the global partner productivity manager. Rick has worked in cyber security for 10 years at companies such as HP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and
Forcepoint. He works from home in Castle
Rock, Colo., and travels nationally and internationally as necessary. Chris L. Thomas (BSE 96-Elementary
Education), Olathe, was recently hired as the regional vice president of sales at
Nomadic Learning. Col. Laura Trinkle (BSE 91-Physical
Education), Kailua, Hawaii, retired from the Army after 29+ years as a colonel and has been selected as the new director of administration, operations and relations for University Health Partners of Hawaii.
Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn is a partnership between UH Manoa Nursing and the Hawaii Department of Education and sits at the intersection of education and health to support the DOE to achieve student, school, and system success. Jeff L. White (MS 99-Counselor Education;
MS 03-Educational Administration),
Princeton, will take the helm as principal of Osawatomie High School at USD 367
Osawatomie for the 2021-2022 school year. Tricia L. (Hagemann) Wyckoff (BS 95-Psychology), Cherokee, was named a recipient of the 2021 Kansas Horizon
Award. The Horizon Award program is a regional competition that recognizes outstanding teachers that have completed their first year in education.
New job? Recently retired? Newly married? New addition to your family?Need to update your information? Visit emporia.edu/alumni/request-information.html
2000s
Amanda L. (Boyer) Alessi (BS 01-Biology),
Wichita, has been promoted to director of the Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) in
Wichita. Amanda Ballard (BSE 03-English), Emporia, was a nominee for the Emporia Kansas
Secondary Teacher of the Year. Jake W. Bassett (BFA 07-Communication),
Rogers, Ark., was recently hired as the vice president of brand partnerships for Gratsy.
