Building Bridges

Amanda R. "Mandi" (Hulme) Dilling

(BSB 07-Marketing), Omaha, Neb., recently became thelearning and development director for Home Instead Senior Care. Scott S. Dumm (BSB 04-Business Administration), Olathe, began a new job in August 2020 as a regional sales manager with Doolittle Distributing. Alisha K. (Frazer) Farmer (BSE 05Art; MS 18-Instructional Design & Technology), Wichita, recently became a new art teacher forDerby USD 260 at Derby North Middle School. Dr. Justin B. Henry (MS 01-Educational Administration), Wichita, was selected as the 2021 Kansas Superintendent of the Year. Scott H. Hogan (BSB 08-Marketing; MBA 09-Business Administration), Palm City, Fla., was recently featured in Stuart Magazine's 40 Under 40: Rising Stars edition for founding SaltWrap, a sports nutrition and exercise instruction company. Bradley S. Huber (BFA 00-Communication), Paola, is a new business teacher at Louisburg High School USD 416. Lisa M. (Day) Jarvis (BSE 08-English, Physical Education), Council Grove, is one of 46 public school educators chosen to receive the prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in February 2021. Spencer Musgrove (BS 07-Earth Science), Denver, Colo., has been promoted to vice-president of geoscience with Samuel Gary Jr. & Associates, Inc. Gina S. Owens-Ott (MS 06-Business Education), Grand Junction, Colo., has been appointed to the Colorado Board of Accountancy. Wendy L. Pederson (MLS 01-Library Science), Albuquerque, N.M., retired as ibero-american resources specialist at the University of New Mexico. Cassondra J. (Boston) Richards (BSB 09-Accounting; MBA 11-Accounting, Business Administration), Dallas, Texas, is a 2020 Athletic Hall of Honor Award recipient for her excellence in basketball. Charles D. Rigdon (MS 08-Instructional Design & Technology), Columbia, Mo., was promoted to system administrator at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Jonathan D. Ruhlen (BA 05-English), Lawrence, has been appointed as Chief Justice Marla Luckert's staff research attorney II. Dena R. A. Rusell-Marino (BS 07-Sociology), Emporia, will take on the role of area manager with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. Jay Scott (MS 03-Educational Administration), Topeka, has been appointed as a member of Hayden Catholic High School's Board of Trustees for the 2020-2021 school year. Samantha L. Sheeley (BS 08-Rehabilitation Services), Los Angeles, Calif., is a 2020 Athletic Hall of Honor Award recipient for her excellence in softball. Jace G. Smith (BS 03-Health Promotion), Kansas City, has been hired as a director of development for LevelUp Kids. Sherman R. Smith (BA 04-English), Topeka, is the editor in chief at Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news operation providing in-depth reporting, diverse opinions, and daily coverage of state government and politics that launched in July 2020. James "JP" Swirczynski (BS 06-Sociology), Roeland Park, became a new corporate recruiter for Sonesta Hotels with Broadleaf Results. Scott L. Truelove (MS 07-Business Education), LaOtto, Ind., was elected as a board member of the East Noble School Corporation's Board of Education in Kendallville, Indiana. Virginia M. Volzke-Bray (BSB 09-International Business), Overland Park, was recently hired as an assistant vice president for SitusAMC. Deana M. (Mercer) Waltrip (BSE 00-Elementary Education), Haysville, has been named principal for Newton USD 373's Santa Fe 5/6 Center. Sarah R. (Waring) Wells (BSE 03-Elementary Education; MS 11-Early Childhood Education), Topeka, was named Auburn-Washburn's 2020 Elementary District Teacher of the Year.

Dillons / Kroger Card

Do you shop at Dillons/Kroger grocery or convenience stores? If so, here's a great opportunity to give back to Emporia State University and the Alumni Association while you are doing your everyday shopping! Simply sign up for the Dillons Plus Card/Kroger Community Rewards Program by visiting: https://www.kroger. com/o/store-services/community-rewards Camille N. Abdel-Jawad (BA 18-English; MLS 20-Library Science), Overland Park, recently accepted a position at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, as visiting assistant professor of Library Instruction and Outreach, and began work on August 1, 2020, navigating teaching and providing library services in a socially-distant environment. Arica N. (Shepard) Ahlvers (BSB 10-Marketing), has received the 2020 Athletic Hall of Honor Award for her excellence in volleyball posthumously. Xochitl Z. Arzate (BS 19-Crime & Delinquency Studies), Emporia, is the new university police officer trainee for Police & Safety at Emporia State University. Connor Burns (BSB 19-Management), Emporia, was named baseball coach at Sherwood Park Minor Baseball. Jamie A. (Augustyn) Butler (BSE 11-Elementary Education; MS 13-Health, Physical Education, & Recreation), Paola, is the new head girls basketball coach and physical education teacher at Paola High School. Dalton R. Carley (BSB 19-Information Systems), Wamego, has been hired as an application support analyst by Koch Engineered Solutions, a Koch Industries company. Brian W. Cochran (BSB 16-Accounting), Overland Park, recently became an accounting manager for Executive Hills Management, Inc. Shayla Cotman (BSB 17-Accounting, Information Systems; MBA 18-Business Administration), Wichita, was promoted to supervising associate at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C. Courtney J. Crosby (BS 17-Crime & Delinquency Studies), Rochester, N.Y., is a new children's health home care manager with Villa of Hope. Dr. Cari J. Cusick (MLS 11-Library Science; PHD 20-Library & Information Management), Independence, has been named director of the Newton Public Library. Josiah D. D'Albini (BS 14-Sociology), Ottawa, is a new academic advisor at Allen County Community College. Gracie M. Dautel (BSB 19-Accounting), Abilene, has begun a new role as accounting specialist for the Geary Community Hospital in Junction City. Korey Erickson (MLS 18-Library Science), Sioux Falls, S.D., was recently promoted to library coordinator for the Sioux Falls, South Dakota School District. Shane F. Garrison (BSB 17-Economics), Lawrence, has been hired as a senior internal auditor with Seaboard Corporation. Morgan Gibson (MLS 16-Library Science), Simpsonville, S.C., currently is serving as a library media specialist at Monarch Elementary and has been nominated for 2020-21 Teacher of the Year for the state of South Carolina. Makyah Goldsby (BS 18-Crime & Delinquency Studies), Abilene, has been named telecommunications officer/911 dispatcher for the City of Fort Scott. Tatum E. Graves (BSB 19-Accounting), Shawnee, is a new audit and assurance assistant at Deloitte. Aaron C. Hammond (BIS 14-Interdisciplinary Studies), Emporia, has been selected as the next head coach to lead the Spartans' softball program at Emporia High School. Sierra J. (Taylor) Heins (BSB 14-Accounting; MBA 16-Business Administration), Lawrence, is a new corporate accountant for HME, Inc. Hannah Henricks (BS 19-Communication, Journalism), Wichita, started a new position as a graduate research assistant at Wichita State University. Heather B. Holaday (BSN 14-Nursing), Garfield, started a new position as a family medicine provider at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus. Cassley Jackowski (MS 19-Health, Physical Education, and Recreation), La Fayette, N.Y., has been named head women's lacrosse coach at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Jacob A. Jackson (BSB 19-Business Administration; MBA 20-Business Administration), Shawnee, has recently been hired as a brokerage operations specialist II with DST Systems. Milton Knopp (MS 16-Instructional Design & Technology), Aurora, Colo., was recently hired as a multimedia instructional designer (serving the United States Space Force) with Aleut Aerospace Engineering. Rachel S. (Rose) Koszalka (MLS 18-Library Science), Independence, started a new position as an adult education instructor with Neosho County Community College. Cynthia M. Lamberty (MS 14-Physical Science), Junction City, has been hired as the director of assessment, institutional effectiveness, and planning for Cloud County Community College. Joseph D. "Joe" Leiter (BS 17-Rehabilitation Services Education; MS 19-Rehabilitation Counseling), Prairie Village, has recently been hired as an employee services coordinator with Job One. Oscar A. Lemus (BSB 16-Accounting; MA 17-Accountancy), Park City, started a new job at K-Coe Isom, LLP as an associate. Stephania M. (Nelson) Martin (BSE 14-Elementary Education), Herington, is a new second grade teacher at Centre Elementary USD 397. Ziyad M. Mubaraki (BSB 14-Information Systems), Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, has recently become the relationship manager for Emirates NBD. Katie L. Norman (BS 16-Rehabilitation Services), Mulvane, was recently hired as an occupational therapist with Select Specialty Hospital. Dr. Youn Shim Park (BS 11-Biology; MS 14-Biology), Pohang, South Korea, recently accepted a postdoctoral researcher position at Harvard Medical School. She also recently received her PhD in neuroscience from KU Medical Center. Merissa A. Quick (BS 15-Crime & Delinquency Studies), St Albans, United Kingdom, has signed to play forward with the Oaklands Wolves of the Women's British Basketball League. Gavin L. Reeves (BSB 19-Information Systems), Valley Center, is a new data analyst with Cerner Corporation. Meghan J. Reilly (BSE 12-Elementary Education), Fairway, started a new position teaching first grade at Rockville Elementary USD 416.

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emporia.edu/esutag

Ralvell A. Rogers, II (BA 18-English), Washington, D.C., is the founder & CEO of Ambitious Stories, LLC, a Kansas Citybased publishing company that focuses on often unheard, yet riveting and inspiring creative works from The Heart. Nicole A. "Nikki" Sanders (BIS 13-Biology), Miami, Fla., was recently hired as an ERP supply chain consultant for Cerner. Zachariah Selley (MLS 11-Library Science), Augusta, Maine, recently accepted the position of curator of Archives with the Maine State Museum. Christopher Smith (BS 12-Biochemistry, Molecular Biology), Lexington, Ky., was hired as an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine. Steve J. Stone (BSB 17-Information Systems), Olathe, is the new director of Information Technology for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cory Sullivan (MS 15-Health, Physical Education, & Recreation), Springfield, Ohio, is the new defensive coordinator/ recruiting coordinator for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Russell W. Swanson (BSE 14-Elementary Education; MS 18-Curriculum & Instruction), Emporia, has been hired as an instructor and PDS supervisor for the Elementary Education, Early Childhood and Special Education department at ESU. Jevon X. Taylor (BS 18-Health Promotion), Denver, Colo., has founded an environmentally friendly clothing company called False Ego. The clothing line combines fashion and sustainability, using organic materials that can also be recycled to help reduce textile waste. Henry Teaford-Boldridge (BSB 15-Information Systems), Raytown, Mo., has been hired as a support engineer for Amazon Web Services (AWS). Fabian Wank (BSB 18-Management), Vienna, Austria, has been hired as a recruitment specialist with Computer Futures. Jenika W. Wheeler (BS 18-Biology; MS 20-Forensic Science), Emporia, has accepted a position as a forensic scientist at Quest Diagnostics in Lenexa, Kansas. Lukas Winkler (BS 19-Psychology), Wetzlar, Hesse, Germany, is a new teacher at Albert-Schweitzer-Schule Grundschule. Kevin Wu (BSB 17-Marketing), Kansas City, Mo., started a new position as a government savings intern with Ascensus. Brooke J. (Briand) Zarco (MLS 18-Library Science), Blair, Neb., is the new library director for the City of Blair Nebraska - Blair Public Library & Technology Center.

2020

Kim M. Bonen (MLS 20- Library Science), Aberdeen, S.D., started a new position as a senior librarian with the South Dakota State Library. Cassidy E. Doran (BS 20-Health & Human Performance), Junction City, started new position as a volunteer coordinator with the Flint Hills Volunteer Center in Manhattan. Mirjam "Melody" Jacobson (BS 20-Psychology), Kansas City, Mo., began a position as pre-kindergarten teacher at Exploring Minds Academy of Kansas, Inc. Makenzie B. Ochoa (BSE 20-Elementary Education), Council Grove, received the 2020 Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN) Teacher of Promise Award. Kenadee L. Palmitier (MS 20-Forensic Science), Ankeny, Iowa, will be working in the microbiology section of Eurofins, a company with laboratories in 50 countries worldwide.They provide product testing and support to the pharmaceutical, food, and consumer product industries and to government facilities. Lyndsey A. Stuart (BS 20-Psychology), Augusta, was recently hired as the staffing coordinator for TrueCare Nursing Agency. Lauren M. Tunnell (MS 20-Art Therapy, Clinical Counseling), Vancouver, Wash., is a new rehabilitation therapist/art therapist for the California Department of State Hospitals. Hannah L. (Rose) Walsh (MS 20-Art Therapy), Hillsdale, Mich., has been hired by Hillsdale College's Ambler Health and Wellness Center as an art therapist.

FORMER STUDENTS

George H. Brooks, Lenexa, is the founder and CEO of Crema, a Kansas City-based digital product agency that creates web and mobile apps. Crema was named one of the nation's best workplaces for 2020 by Fortune Magazine. Richard A. Mick, Newton, was inducted into the 2020 Newton High School Hall of Fame.

Nuptials

Joe Davis and Samantha Atwell (BSE 13), March 16, 2019 Tucker Busch and Taylor Stueve (BSE 16), March 7, 2020 Matthew Farmer and Alisha Frazer (BSE 05, MS 18), April 24, 2020 Jefferson Holmes and Piper Brooks (BSB 17, MBA 18), June 13, 2020 Wesley Gemmill and Brittni Ehrhart (MLS 15), July 31, 2020 Karl Burrell (BSB 93) and Desiree Patterson, August 15, 2020 Kyle Kjar and Micayla Johnson (BSE 20), August 15, 2020 Alex Febres and Julie McGovern (BSB 10), September 5, 2020 David Allbritton (BS 14) and Micha Schiebe, September 26, 2020 Kent Vosburg and Paula Richardson Dodge (BS 01, MS 03), October 10, 2020

Derek Parris

(BSB 16) and Madeleine Stevens, October 24, 2020

SUBMISSIONS

High-quality photographs are encouraged (JPG preferred) and will be considered for use. Entries may be edited for clarity or length and may be sent to alumni@emporia.edu or: Spotlight Magazine 1500 Highland St. Emporia, KS 66801-5018. Nelda Epp, Emporia, retired on August John Morton, North Newton, retired on Gloria Swift, Emporia, retired on 8, 2020, after 12 years, ending her career August 8, 2020, after 7 years, ending October 30, 2020, after 44 years, ending as a lecturer in Elementary Education/ his career as an associate professor in her career as an academic program Early Childhood/Special Education in School Leadership/Middle/Secondary specialist in International Education. The Teachers College. Teacher Education in The Teachers Scott Waters, Emporia, retired on Tim Marshall, Meriden, retired on College. December 26, 2020, after 36 years, August 8, 2020, after 5 years, ending Luisa Perez, Lawrence, retired on July ending his career as a professor his career as an associate professor in 11, 2020, after 21 years, ending her in Elementary Education/Early School Leadership/Middle/Secondary career as a professor in English/Modern Childhood/Special Education in The Teacher Education in The Teachers Languages/Journalism in the College of Teachers College. College. Liberal Arts & Sciences. Debra Wilson, Americus, retired on Juanita Moore, Emporia, retired on Janet Rees, Emporia, retired on September 4, 2020, after 37 years, August 14, 2020, after 22 years, ending September 5, 2020, after 45 years, ending her career as a custodial her career as a custodial supervisor in ending her career as an academic supervisor in Building Services. Towers/Residential Life. program specialist in Admissions. Thank You!

The ESU Student Foundation is raising funds to help fellow students who are experiencing financial emergencies.

The Student Foundation is a committee within ESU Student Ambassadors. Their mission is to enhance the knowledge of philanthropy on campus and raise funds in support of the Student Foundation Emergency Scholarship. This scholarship is available to students who are in emergent need of funding to continue their education. Students wishing to receive funding must have exhausted all other financial means before applying for emergency aid. As alumni, fans and friends of Emporia State University, would you consider helping our students by making a gift to the Student Foundation Emergency Scholarship Fund? Your support can help a Hornet in need stay on track to graduation. To make a gift, visit emporia.edu/give and select Student Foundation Fund in the search field.