photo by Michael Randolph
Shaun Butler
“I love providing SVSU students with opportunities to do field work, or advise them on field work in our region.” — Russ Beaubien
coaching and administrative career,” Butler said. “We host dozens and dozens of universities to speak to our juniors and seniors, but I always make sure to give a special announcement when SVSU is here.” Just down the road in Dearborn, Gale Ferrell, 1987, B.B.A., also is doing her part to pass on the Red Pride that runs through her veins. Ferrell is a claims manager for AAA (American Automobile Association) and is actively involved in the area schools. She speaks regularly with parents and students alike about the benefits of SVSU. She recently began working with SVSU Career Services Director Mike Major to help connect students and alumni with internships as well as full-time positions at AAA. “It’s such a good feeling to know you have something positive you can share,” Ferrell said. “College is a wonderful experience and the education and experiences you receive there can never be taken away.” Other alumni much closer to home are connecting strongly with SVSU from their places of employment. Mike Tribble, 1987, B.B.A., is a principal at the Saginaw accounting firm Yeo & Yeo. He serves on a business advisory board for the College of Business & Management and was named the college’s Outstanding Alumnus in 2009. Through a close relationship Yeo & Yeo and Tribble maintain with the college, they are able to identify and employ top SVSU graduates. A total of 22 SVSU alumni are employed at Yeo & Yeo. “I’m very proud that Yeo & Yeo is able to employ alumni from Saginaw Valley,” Tribble said. “Many SVSU students were born in this area, and I think it’s important that we do our part to keep them in the community after they graduate.” Russ Beaubien
Russ Beaubien, 1991, B.A., also is using his relationship with SVSU to benefit the community. A project manager and associate with Spicer Group Inc., Beaubien is a former Alumni Association president. In his role as a civil engineer at Spicer Group, he is focused on keeping surface water free of pollution. Through his work with the Alumni Association, he met David Karpovich, 1992, B.S., who is SVSU’s H.H. Dow Endowed Chair in Chemistry and director of the Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute at SVSU. The two partnered to turn the Kawkawlin River into a learning lab. In 2009, Beaubien authored the river’s watershed management plan and Karpovich’s students now gain hands-on experience doing water quality chemistry in the river. “I love providing SVSU students with opportunities to do field work, or advise them on