A Different Kind of Spotlight Shines Behind the Scenes

Sean C. Bird (MLS 08-Library Science),

Topeka, was one of 10 librarians across the country who received the national "I

Love My Librarian" award by the American

Library Association. Jason C. Brooks (BM 09-Music; MM 12-Music, Performance), Lexington, Ky., will serve as the executive director for institutional engagement for the University of Kentucky, a new position designed to support, develop and maintain collaborative relationships throughout campus, working in partnership to create initiatives to recruit and retain diverse students, staff and faculty. Mariah E. (Catlett) Cline (BS 04-Economics), Bentonville, Ark., is the new GTP-BPO for Walmart Global Tech. Amy E. Codney (BS 04-Rehabilitation

Services; MS 10-Rehabilitation Counseling),

Friendswood, Texas, has been hired as an instructional coach for Pasadena ISD. LeLan R. Dains (BS 08-Recreation),

Emporia, has been chosen as the new director of the Emporia Convention &

Visitors Bureau. Erin L. Ellis (MLS 02-Library Science),

Bloomington, Ind., was recently elected

ACRL (Association of College & Research

Libraries) vice president/president elect with a three-year term beginning July 1, 2021. Christa J. (Tenpenny) Estrada (BS 06-Health

Promotion), Lenexa, was recently promoted to clinical research coordinator at Johnson

County Clin-Trials (JCCT). Branden A. Ewertz (BSB 09-Management;

MS 11-Health, Physical Education &

Recreation), Clearwater, has been promoted to gulf coast sales manager with RedGuard. Christinia M. (Wolfe) Gibson (BS 06-Health

Promotion), Lenexa, started a new position as TMF manager at EQRx. Kim M. (Gibson) Grooms (BSB 01-Business

Administration), Lawrence, has recently been hired as a senior reporting analyst for

Mariner Wealth Advisors. Karen A. Haffner (BS 01-Rehabilitation

Services), Wichita, has been hired as a clinical supervisor with Preferred Family

Healthcare. Allison L. Hall (BSB 03-Management),

Emporia, was named the 2020 Volunteer of the Year by the Emporia Area Chamber of

Commerce. James "Jim" N. Howard (MS 08-Educational

Administration; MS 08-Curriculum &

Instruction), Hoxie, has been named new superintendent of Jackson Heights in USD 335 Ellinwood. Sarah E. (White) Kennedy (BSB 06-Marketing), Holton, 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. Audra A. (Rieck) Kosinski (BSB 04-Business

Administration), Overland Park, recently left her 21-year career in transportation to open a Farmers Insurance Agency in

Overland Park. Dr. Daphne (Jones) Mayes (BS 06-Biology),

Emporia, has been named the director of the new Prophet Aquatic Research &

Outreach Center (PAROC) at Emporia State

University. Jessica S. McCartney (BSB 09-Business

Administration), Topeka, has been promoted to information technology relationship manager with Advisors Excel. Clint S. McCurry (BSB 01-Finance; MBA 04-Business Administration), Indianapolis,

Ind., has been promoted to relationship specialist-investment resources at Capital

Group. Thadd A. McElreath (MS 05-Health,

Physical Education & Recreation), Sanford,

N.C., has been selected as recipient of the 2020-2021 Central Carolina Community

College Instructor of the Year. Pamela J. (Burch) Moore (BS 09-Biology,

Environmental Biology; MS 14-Biology,

Ecology & Biodiversity), Fort Scott, has a new position as a wildlife biologist with U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service in the National

Wildlife Refuge System. She will be part of the Habitat and Population Evaluation Team

Office of Conservation Science in Fergus

Falls, Minn. Dr. Troy L. Moore (BS 00-Recreation), Great

Bend, has joined Ellinwood Hospital &

Clinic as a physical therapist. Elizabeth L. (Moreau) Nicolai (MLS 06-Library Science), Anchorage, Alaska, was one of 10 librarians across the country who received the national "I Love My

Librarian" award by the American Library

Association. Allison R. (Evans) Norris (BSE 08-Elementary Education), Wichita, has been named Circle Elementary Teacher of the Year by USD 375 Circle. Dr. Christine L. (Yates) Patterson (BS 07-Psychology), Midlothia, Va., graduated with a Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences with a concentration in Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in

May 2021. Robyn L. (Verner) Peterson (BFA 08-Theatre; BS 14-Computer Science),

Bozeman, Mont., was promoted to UX engineer and team lead at Symplr. Precious H. (Tillman) Porras (MS 04-Counselor Education), Lawrence, has been hired as the new chief diversity officer for Dominican University. Megan (Teeter) Quillin (BS 08-Management), Shawnee, has been hired as director of search marketing for

GoHealth Urgent Care. Rob J. Robinson (MS 05-Curriculum &

Instruction), Eastvale, Calif., recently starred in Last Chance U - Basketball, a reality show on Netflix. Troy A. Ross (BSB 09-Business

Administration), Manhattan, is the owner of CR Tire & Automotive, which has been named the 2021 Emerging Business of the Year by the Kanas Small Business and

Development Center. Dena R.A. Russell-Marino (BS 07-Sociology), Emporia, will take on the role of court programs specialist for the

Supreme Court of Kansas. Mike J. Sauer (BSE 09-Social Sciences; MS 17-Special Education) and Jessica (Johnson)

Sauer (BSE 04-Elementary Education),

Emporia, recently became the new owners of Ken's Sharpening, a business that focuses on industrial, manufacturing, construction and domestic sharpening. Patrick D. Schroeder (BSE 00-Elementary

Education, Social Sciences), Salina, is the new seventh grade Language Arts teacher at

Southeast of Saline Middle School and also coaches high school cross country. Vicki Schweinler (MS 04-Educational

Administration), Emporia, retired after 18 years in education from USD 253 Emporia. Alysa F. Selby (MLS 04-Library Science),

Steamboat Springs, Colo., has been named the new director of the Bud Werner

Memorial Library, where she has been employed for the past 23 years. Derek D. Sifuentez (BS 08-Political Science,

Philosophy), Olathe, has taken on the role of senior technical trainer at Lighthouse. Jesse C. Tuel (BSB 01-Business

Administration; MA 08-English),

Christiansburg, Va., has been promoted to senior director of University Relations and executive editor at Virginia Tech. Ginger A. Wilcox (MBA 00-Business

Administration), Bella Vista, Ark., has started a new job as a national account manager at MGA Entertainment. Allen L. Wilson (BS 09-Rehabilitation

Services), Emporia, has opened a new counseling service and life coaching business called The Lighthouse of Emporia. Jennifer A. (Black) Womack (MS 09-Teaching of Gifted), Silver Lake, math teacher at Topeka High School in USD 501

Topeka, was recently awarded certification in math from the National Board for

Professional Teaching Standards.

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2010s

Jad Alnouri (BSB 16-Accounting), Ottawa,

Ontario, Canada, started a new position as financial manager at Canadian Bureau for

International Education (CBIE). Shahad Ashi (BFA 16-Art, Graphic Design),

Saudi Arabia, was hired as a senior officer -

UX/UI designer at Bupa Arabia. Joe M. Beffer (MS 11-Educational

Administration), Bartlesville, Okla., has been named senior vice president and director of lending for Truity Credit Union. Ben S. Bosworth (BSB 13-Accounting),

Mission, has been hired as a staff accountant at Design Resources, Inc. Kaylee J. Bryant (BS 19-Rehabilitation

Services), College Station, Texas, recently graduated with a master's degree in developmental sciences at Texas A&M

University and has been hired as a senior registered behavior technician by Empower

Behavioral Health. Reid Buckingham (BS 18-Health

Promotion), Lawrence, was recently hired as a delivery consultant with Cerner. Greg P. Burger (BS 17-Biochemistry &

Molecular Biology), Lecompton, was recently named the Kansas Council of

Health System Pharmacy's (KCHP) Legacy

Award winner for 2021. Dr. Paola L. Candia (BS 16-Biology),

Emporia, graduated with her Doctorate of

Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Kansas

City University in May 2021 and will begin her residency in family medicine at One

Community Health in Hood River, Ore. Jason D. Carmichael (MS 10-Health,

Physical Education & Recreation), Fremont,

Calif., has been hired as the new athletic director of University of West Georgia. Scott Chrisman (MS 11-Educational

Administration), Salina, was recently selected as the new principal of Lakewood

Middle School in USD 305 Salina for the 2021-2022 school year. Tanya (Johnson) Circle (MS 15-Psychology),

Lubbock, Texas, has been hired as the new human resources manager at ESC Spectrum

Corporation. Michelle Corkins Kusselson (BSB 11-Marketing), Yukon, Okla., has been promoted to vice president of operations and foundation executive director at Kansas

Academy of Family Physicians. Allison E. (Barnhill) Crofoot (BS 10-Psychology), DeSoto, has become the new talent acquisition and human resources specialist for Essense of Australia. Dr. Kevin Dalina (MS 12-Health, Physical

Education & Recreation), Sayreville, N.J., has been appointed as the new council president of the Borough of Sayreville. Mohammad Daouk (BS 18-Computer

Science), Kansas City, Mo., has begun a new job as a software development engineer with

Amazon. Layne M. Downing (BSB 19-Management),

Dodge City, is the new owner of Variety

Vending Company in Cimarron, Kan. Caleb G. Edelman (MBA 17-Business

Administration), Wichita, was hired as the new assistant controller at Electromech

Technologies in January and has since been promoted to vice president of finance. Diego H. Esparza (BA 17-Political Science),

Hays, is the new assistant director for student engagement at Fort Hays State

University. John C.W. Faris (BS 18-Earth Science),

Rushville, Mo., has been hired as a geographic information systems (GIS) technician for Atchison County, Kan. Mark Felvus (MS 17-Educational

Administration), Garden City, will be serving as the new assistant principal and activities director at Atchison High School at USD 409 Atchison. William D. "Billy" Garner (BA 15-Political

Science), Emporia, has been promoted to human resources supervisor with Simmons

Pet Food. Kelsey R. (Bernhart) Garton (BSB 17-Marketing), Niceville, Fla., was recently promoted to sales account manager with

ParTech, Inc. Esperanza K. Garza (BSN 19-Nursing),

Emporia, has recently been hired as a cardiac catherization laboratory nurse at

Stormont Vail Health in Topeka. Claudia Gomez-Beltran (BSB 12-International Business; BA 12-Spanish

Culture; MBA 14-Business Administration),

Olathe, has been promoted to senior project manager - Garmin Health at Garmin. Dr. Jasmine B. Greene (BS 13-Political

Science), Glenville, Pa., successfully defended her dissertation for the Doctor of Public Administration degree from the

University of Baltimore College of Public

Affairs and became the development director for the Pennsylvania Immigration

Resource Center (PIRC). Sertrice S.A. Grice (BS 15-Psychology),

Inglewood, Calif., recently became the chief consulting officer and co-founder of

Mattlingly Solutions, a company that helps organizations take a more data-driven approach to diversity, equity & inclusion.

Enilisse (Ortiz) Hagler (BSB 13-Business

Administration), White Oak, Texas, recently began a new position as salesforce administrator at Koch Engineered

Solutions. Alex R. Haines (BSN 10-Nursing), Marion, a nurse at Newton Medical Center, was named by the Wichita Business Journal as one of the 2020 "40 under 40" Award winners, which honors individuals who are under 40 years old and are making a significant contribution to the Wichita area community. Nafiul Haque (MBA 16-Information

Systems), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has been hired as a digital banking implementation officer for Canadian

Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Nathan R. Harris (MLS 18-Library Science),

Lincoln, Neb., serves as the research librarian for the American Historical

Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR), which is the national headquarters for the organization. Sierra J. (Taylor) Heins (BSB 14-Accounting;

MBA 16-Business Administration),

Lawrence, has recently been hired as a project controls analyst senior for Evergy. Jared R. Herzet (MS 19-Educational

Administration), Shawnee, has been selected as director of activities and athletics at St. James Academy in Lenexa beginning in fall 2021. Rachael R. (Dowling) Hissong (BIS 13-Interdisciplinary Studies; MLS 18-Library Science), Lawrence, is the new director of the Paola Free Library. Austin A. Hogan (BSB 15-Information

Systems), Arlington, Va., has been promoted to senior associate consultant at

Cerner Corporation. Lexi Holstin (BSB 18-Marketing), Levittown,

Pa., has been hired by SanMar as an account executive. Mariana Guerro Justiniano (BFA 19-Art),

Santa Cruz, Bolivia, has been hired as a user experience and user interface designer with

Arandu. Laetitia B-N Marlene Kabre (MS 16-Instructional Design & Technology),

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, started a new position as analyst, contracts administration and billing at IA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance). Farid Kayali (BA 17-Biology), Fullerton,

Calif., has been hired as a sustainability coordinator with Partner Energy. Molham Kayali (BS 15-Computer Science),

Fullerton, Calif., has been promoted to engineering project manager with Southern

California Edison (SCE) and is the chief executive officer of Infinite Green Energy

Source, LLC. Kelsey A. (Collins) Kowalski (MS 15-Psychology-Industrial/Organizational),

Colorado Springs, Colo., has been hired as a human resources business partner with

Jabil. Paige C. (Maley) Vander Linden (BA 18-Communication), Topeka, has been hired as a college and career advocate for

Topeka Public Schools. Justin M. Villmer (BSB 14-Accounting;

MACC 17-Accountancy), Colby, has been hired as the new vice president of business affairs for Colby Community College. Allyson E. Walker (BSB 18-Business

Administration), Emporia, is the new program coordinator for the Small Business

Development Center at Emporia State

University. Dr. Brianna C. Ward (MS 15-Clinical

Psychology), Wichita, was hired as the new athlete mental health coordinator and staff psychologist at Wichita State, a position she has held since August 2020. Rebekah M. "Becky" Wendland (BSE 19-Social Sciences), Derby, 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. Jacob T. White (BFA 11-Public Relations),

Lawrence, has been hired as an assistant golf professional for Shadow Glen Golf Club. Ryan P. Williams (BSB 13-Business

Administration), Madison, has been hired as a new commercial and ag lender for ESB

Financial. Trevor P. Williamson (BA 10-Modern

Languages), Elkins, Ark., was promoted to academic counselor for men's golf at the

University of Arkansas in June 2021. Lukas Winkler (BS 19-Psychology), Wetzlar,

Germany, has recently been hired as the site acquisition consultant at MD7 in

Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia,

Germany. Brad D. Witherspoon (MS 14-Health,

Physical Education & Recreation),

Humboldt, has been named the new head basketball coach at Northern Oklahoma

College. Brad will also teach in NOC's

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Division. Kevin Wu (BSB 17-Marketing), Kansas City,

Mo., started a new position as connections manager, organic search at VMLY&R. Karli M. Zabokrtsky (BS 19-Computer

Science), Burlingame, has been promoted to associate software engineer at BNSF

Railway.

James "J.J." Libal (MS 10-Educational

Administration), Overland Park, principal at Santa Fe Trail Middle School in Olathe, has been named a recipient of the Principal

Advocate Award by the Kansas School

Counselor Association. Amy M. Little (BS 19-Communication),

Emporia, is the new membership director for the Emporia Area Chamber of

Commerce and Convention & Visitors

Bureau. Courtney L. Maddux (BSE 15-Elementary

Education), Wichita, was recognized by

USD 252 Wichita Public Schools as a

Distinguished Classroom Teacher. Clay M. Mettlen (MS 14-Educational

Administration), Salina, has been hired as the new principal for Bennington Junior

High-High School with USD 240 Twin

Valley. Lauren Miller-Gifford (BS 17-Biochemistry & Molecular Biology), Emporia, recently graduated as a Doctor of Osteopathic

Medicine from the AT Still University-

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine program in Kirksville, Mo. Dustin W. Mitchell (BSE 11-Elementary

Education), Sutherland, Neb., has been selected as the new Bryant Elementary principal for the 2021-22 school year in

Kearney Public Schools. Carter E. Olander (MS 19-Health, Physical

Education & Recreation), Emporia, has been hired as the new director of operations for University of Virginia's track & field and cross country program. Shelby N. Perez (BA 15-Communication; MS 20-School Counseling), Lawrence, has been promoted to director of diversity, equity and inclusion & wellness programs at Baker

University. Kelli R. (Lovell) Phimsiprasom (BSE 12-Elementary Education), Wichita, was recognized by USD 252 Wichita Public

Schools as a Distinguished Classroom

Teacher. Eric A. Porter (BSB 12-Business

Administration), Emporia, vice president of commercial lending at ESB Financial, was recently named one of the 40 under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders by

Independent Banker Magazine. Kaitlyn E. Powell (BIS 18-Interdisciplinary

Studies), Baldwin City, has recently been hired as the assistant director of student activities at Baker University. Viridiana Reyes Coria (BS 15-Sociology),

Emporia, was recently hired as a new behavioral therapist at Flint Hills

Community Health.

Hornet Travel Opportunities

If you would like to receive information on our upcoming Hornet trips, please contact Laurie Pitman at lpitman@emporia.edu Jesse L. Rivers (BSB 19-Business

Administration), Independence, Mo., has become a licensed insurance agent and was recently hired by Spring Venture Group. Charles R. "Charlie" Roemer (BA 12-Psychology), Monterey, Calif., was recently promoted to lead human resources business partner at Cerner Corporation. Courtney L. Romero (BFA 17-Theatre),

Kansas City, has been promoted to revenue cycle quality and training analyst with the

University of Kansas Health System. Tyler Anne Rutledge (BSB 19-Business

Administration), Wellsville, is the new office administrator for Acadental. Olivia Saillet (MBA 16-Business

Administration), France, was promoted to team lead at Guidepoint in London,

England. Kayla A. (McKinney) Schadegg (BSE 13-English), Topeka, was named Mrs.

Maryland America 2019 and is a 2020-21

GameChanger with the Ulman Foundation. Tyler R. Sheldon (BA 14-English; MA 16-English), Baton Rouge, La., was the winner of the 2020 Dickens Essay Prize and a recipient of the LSU Engaged

Educator Distinction in 2020 and 2021. The publishing of his poetry collection, "When to Ask For Rain," is forthcoming with

Spartan Press. Ruochen "Charlie" Shen (BSE 17-Physical

Education) Lawrence, 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. Nathan D. Short (BFA 19-Theatre), Topeka, has opened his own theatre company in

Topeka. Sunrise Theatre Company's first show was "The Realistic Joneses" held virtually at the end of April 2021. Logan J. Sleezer (BS 16-Biology), Olpe, is a new research associate for the Mississippi

Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit. Justin M. Smith (BA 10-Political Science;

BS 10-Sociology), Gardner, recently completed his master of social work from

UMKC and has been hired as a supervisor at Community Health Services in

Independence, Mo. Michael D. Stephens (BSB 10-Business

Administration; BSB 17-Information

Systems), Emporia, has been hired as a research analyst for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Allied Global

Services). Michaela D. Todd (BS 19-Communication),

Baldwin City, has been named staff assistant for Rep. Tracey Mann's Washington, D.C. staff. Janette M. Tulachka (MS 19-Psychology),

Kansas City, Mo., was recently hired as a human resources business partner for C.H.

Guenther & Son.

2020s

Annie Allen (BSE 21-Elementary

Education), Augusta, will be teaching fifth grade at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Wichita. Lucy Altis (BSE 21-Business), Emporia, will be teaching business at Emporia High

School in USD 253 Emporia. Megan L. Brobst (MACC 20-Accountancy),

Hiawatha, recently opened Brobst

Accounting LLC in downtown Hiawatha. Kyle Carnes (BSB 20-Marketing), Shawnee, recently started a new position as fire service sales representative at Cintas. Lauren R. Diaz (BSB 21-Management), Rose

Hill, is the winner of the 2021 Emporia

Entrepreneur Challenge. Kaitlin S. Gile (MS 20-Curriculum &

Instruction), Silver Lake, fourth grade teacher at Northern Hills Elementary in

USD 345 Seaman, was recently awarded certification in literacy from the National

Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Maria I. Martinez (BSE 21-Elementary

Education), Lawrence, will begin teaching 5th grade at Scott Dual Language Magnet

School in USD 501 Topeka. Kat McKee (MLS 21-Library Science),

Abilene, has been hired as the new director of the Linwood Community Library in

Linwood, Kan. Alex N. Mosakowski (MLS 20-Library

Science), Emporia, was recently announced as the new outreach specialist for Emporia

Public Library. Sophie K. Reeves (BSB 20-Marketing),

Lenexa, is the new marketing manager for her family's business, Junk King, in the

Kansas City area. Katie N. Schrag (MS 20-Biology),

Halstead, just accepted a position as an aquatic nuisance species biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife

Conservation. Kate A. Scott (BSB 20-Marketing),

Marysville, has been hired as a digital strategist for the Lincoln Journal Star. Daija M. Tillman (BS 21-Forensic Science),

Elk Grove, Calif., was recently hired as a clinical laboratory technician in the Clinical

Molecular Oncology Lab in the University of Kansas Health System. Former Students

Jodi Case, Emporia, retired after 4 years in education from USD 253 Emporia. Friends

Dr. Linda M. (Rasmussen) AdamsWendling, Olpe, was named one of

Ingram's Icons of Education for 2020. Dave F. Harris, Lincoln, Neb., former track and field coach at ESU for 19 years from 1992-2011, has recently retired from coaching at Nebraska University.

SUBMISSIONS

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