Alumni News Texas Wesleyan Zeta Xi Jimmy Bridges ’04, has opened a State Farm Agency office in Argyle, Texas. Tulsa Mu R.J. Lasek recently received the Tulsa University Collins College of Business 2011 Fast Track Alumnus award. Lasek, a senior product maanger fro Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, has received four promotions in nearly eight years. He has helped build new organizational teams, developed extensive commercial operating and business development plans for executive management and driven millions of dollars in expense reductions. Takeda is a global company with is North American operations based in Deerfield, Ill. Texas Omicron Andrew Cord ’03, is residing in Austin, Texas, where he is planning to pursue his MBA at St. Edward’s University. Texas A&M-Commerce Gamma Upsilon John Fredrick Ory ’90, is a Senior Vice-President of Operations at Triumph SSB in Dallas, Texas, and is the proud father of two young children. Texas-Arlington Delta Iota Randy Dean Widaman ’68, is a retired USCG Merchant Marine Captain, now working for Cyberonics, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Widaman is married with a daughter.
William Crawford Collier ’06, is a proudly serving with the U.S. Army, recently sent from Williamsburg, Virginia to El Paso, Texas, where he is working in transportationrelated areas for the 1st Armored Division. Christopher Michael Perrotto Leach ’10, resides in Buena Vista, Virginia, and works in the indoor climate industry for Munters, a global leader in energy efficient air treatment solutions. He also helps coach Rockbridge County High School football and is a landlord. Andrew Miller ’10, recently moved to the Washington, D.C. area to work as a flight engineer for a government contractor.
Aviation’s Kaps honored for dedication to students
Virginia Wesleyan Epsilon Omicron Christopher Channing Davidson ’87, has been employed by Verizon Communications for 18 years and resides in Chesapeake, Virginia. Western Kentucky Epsilon Theta Matt Bonner ‘96 and his wife, Khakki welcomed their first child into the world on August 25, 2011. Nathaniel Brackston was born happy and healthy and parents are doing well. Young Nathaniel is eager to fulfill his KA legacy, sporting a special pledge pin (below)!
Virginia Military Institute Beta Commission Daniel Joseph Plitnik ’07, is on active duty with the United States Navy, stationed at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Reprinted in part with permission by The Saluki Times
KA Journal
45
Fall 2011
kappaalphaorder.org
In his more than 40 years in the aviation industry, Robert W. Kaps (Beta Theta – Washington Univ. ’64) has done a bit of everything, from being involved with airline labor negotiations to working with famous celebrities including Peter Sellers, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Frank Sinatra and other members of famed “Rat Pack” during their travels. Now, as a professor in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s nationally recognized aviation management and flight program, it’s Kaps’ impact on students that draws attention and appreciation. Kaps is the 2011 recipient of the E.J. and Mary C. Simon Distinguished Faculty Award in SIUC’s College of Applied Sciences (CASA). A former executive with Trans World Airlines and later Ozark Airlines, Kaps began his SIUC career in 1981. Kaps and his wife, Donna, live in St. Louis, and have three grown daughters. Kaps said he’s honored to receive the award, and said his goal is to keep students inspired. Known for his spontaneity, Kaps dislikes lectures and favors open discussions with students. He will climb atop a desk or break into an old soft shoe routine in an effort to help students better understand the critical issues that involve airline management. It’s important to bring real-world experiences into the classroom, and “sometimes you have to do different things to get them to understand it,” he said. “In my teaching I do anything I can to get them to the point where they are wanting to learn,” he said. Dr. Kaps was instrumental in the early founding of what is now the Zeta Sigma Chapter at SIU-Carbondale.