Come Back to Campus to Celebrate Cmu's 125Th

Central Michigan University Alumni Magazine Fall 2017

COME BACK TO CAMPUS TO CELEBRATE CMU’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY Executive Editor and Executive Director centralight of Alumni Relations Fall 2017 Marcie Otteman Grawburg, ’87 Editor Betsy Miner-Swartz, ’86 Managing Editor Robin Miner-Swartz Graphic Designer Erin Rivard, ’07, MBA ’16 Photographer 20 Steve Jessmore, ’81 Writers Dan Digmann, M.A. ’15 Departments Cynthia Drake, M.A. ’08 On the cover Rachel Esterline Perkins, ’10, M.A. ’17 Nothing says fall, football and college 4 CMU Today Terri Finch Hamilton, ’83 spirit quite like the CMU marching band! Fashion merchandising and design Jeff Johnston, ’91 Come back to campus for a visit to get students have a rare opportunity to Curt Smith fired up for our 125th anniversary. study in South Korea. Andy Sneddon

PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE ’81 Research Associate 20 Big Picture Bryan Whitledge Campus puts on a colorful show each fall, showing its true CMU colors. Editorial Assistants Vicki Begres, ’89; Lori Conroy 32 Hidden Central Communications Committee Next time Central calls, you should Rebeca Barrios, chair, ’00, MBA ’02 answer. It just might be the president. Tom Worobec, ’93 Bob Van Deventer, ’74 37 Alumni News Nicole Yelland, ’05 A Chicago elementary class spends a week getting fired up. Vice President for Advancement Robert Martin 38 In Memory Associate Vice President of University Communications Sherry Knight, ’86 24 For advertising information Call Cindy Jacobs, ’93 (800) 358-6903 Stay connected 26 Send change of address information to: Alumni Relations Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University 15 Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Phone: (800) 358-6903 Fax: (989) 774-7159 Features Email: [email protected] 6 24 Web: cmich.edu/alumni/Centralight Happy anniversary, CMU! There’s a new AD in town As the university launches a yearlong Central’s new athletic director, celebration of its 125th year, we look back Michael Alford, comes to CMU at our history and marvel at how far we’ve from the University of Oklahoma. come since our “Normal” days. Body contains 30% 26 post-consumer waste 15 Driving Detroit Centralight is published three times each year by the Central Alumni entrepreneurs, educators and Michigan University Office of Alumni Relations. It is printed by Greek for life Quad/Graphics, Midland, and entered at the Midland Post Meet six alumni who turned college investors are drawn to Detroit to help Office under nonprofit mailing. CMU, an AA/EO institution, drive positive change in the city. provides equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, fraternity and sorority experiences females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich. into lifelong careers. edu/ocrie). Copies of Centralight are distributed to alumni and friends of the university who are paid Gold Members or donors to CMU. A virtual edition of the magazine is available free online at alumni.cmich.edu/centralight. UComm 9787–140,000+ (9/17)

centralight Fall ’17 1 We’ve come a long way Calendar Your Our year long celebration of CMU’s 125th anniversary starts now By Marcie Otteman Grawburg, ’87, September executive director of alumni relations 1 125 years is a long time. CMU at the Michigan State Fair, Novi GOLDEN Since those humble beginnings in a downtown 18 building in the newly incorporated town of Mount Great Lakes Bay Region Scholarship Opportunity Pleasant, Central Michigan University has grown from Golf Outing and Dinner, Apple Mountain Golf Club, Freeland a handful of students to about 26,000 each year. 27 Started by 16 business leaders, the goal was to create an CMU Alumni and Friends get an educational institution that would not only supply EXCLUSIVE look at the Grand Rapids a needed workforce for the burgeoning area, but draw Ballet premiere of “From Russia people here for the opportunity to expand their skills With Love,” Grand Rapids and knowledge. And here we are, a century and a quarter later, still fulfilling our The MEMORIES original mission and purpose. October Reading about the beginning of Central and looking through the old papers and 12 and stories reminds me that progress happens but the underlying constants remain. Phoenix-area Alumni and Friends FRIENDS It’s been fun to reminisce through the years and see the changes. at Coyotes vs. Red Wings Game, Glendale, Arizona you share with your While we haven’t celebrated 125 homecomings, we have had more than 90 of them. This one is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever — with not one but 14 Homecoming, Mount Pleasant alma mater don’t end TWO grand marshals! I hope you’ll make plans to be in Mount Pleasant the weekend of Oct. 14 to connect with former classmates and see all the exciting 14 with graduation. changes happening at your university. NPHC & CMU African-American Alumni Chapter presents Back on the Yard Continue to make We have reunion plans for Greek life, Robinson Hall, the Latino Alumni chapter Homecoming 2017, Mount Pleasant and the class of 1967, CM Life, plus Alumni Village, where all the colleges gather to 14 new ones! celebrate CMU with food and fun. Check out the schedule on page 23. 50-year Reunion, Class of 1967, I’m thankful for my friends in the Museum of Cultural and Natural History and the Mount Pleasant Clarke Historical Library for the quick responses and diligent research as we 20 Become a prepared not only for this issue of Centralight but the upcoming year of Notorious 313 Sinister History celebrating 125. They’re the keepers of CMU history. An extra-special shout-out Walking Tour, Detroit goes to our researcher, Bryan Whitledge, who is better than Sherlock Holmes in 27-29 Gold Member sleuthing out the answers to all the crazy questions we throw at him from Alumni CMU Alumni Weekend, Mackinac Island Relations! You’ll read more about what he does on page 13. of the CMU Alumni It’s our anniversary. We’re thrilled to celebrate 125 years of excellence in academics November Association today! and putting our stamp on the world. Come join the fun. I look forward to seeing 9 -12 you in Mount Pleasant soon. CMU Alumni and Friends Long Weekend, Las Vegas Forever maroon and gold, cmich.edu/alumni December 30-Jan. 1 CMU Alumni Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City This is a small sampling of the many alumni events. Please visit alumni.cmich.edu for a comprehensive list.

Keep the old, and bring the GOLD!

CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9794 - 2017 centralight Fall ’17 3 CMU Today CMU Today Working together CMU’s new Interdisciplinary Center for Styling a Why every day should be Community Health and Wellness is for better health launching as a virtual space for resource South Korean ‘take your dog to work day’ and information sharing. fashion and wellness It is designed to stimulate education, CMU professor’s research makes case for canine impact research, projects and service learning partnership on group dynamics in today’s office environment CMU launches interdisciplinary with a team approach to prevent disease center for health education, and promote health. CMU signs exchange When it comes to the workplace, there’s blue collar, white collar research and service learning agreement with Seoul and now, maybe, flea collar. “The center reflects our commitment A forum examining how the opioid National University to the Great Lakes Bay Region and the Research shows having a companion dog present during epidemic is impacting the Great meetings could improve employee emotions, communication state of Michigan,” Provost Michael CMU students with a Lakes Bay Region and Michigan will Gealt says. “Many opportunities exist passion for fashion and cooperation, according to CMU psychology professor be the first of many collaborations Stephen Colarelli. for community collaborations to will have the chance produced by a new center at advance urgent health priorities — to learn about global While previous studies show how dogs improve brief social Central Michigan University. especially in medically underserved trends in the heart of encounters between two people, Colarelli and his research team A variety of professionals — from rural and urban communities.” Seoul, South Korea. studied canine influence on group interactions. The end results, physicians to parole officers — will Deans from the colleges of Medicine, As part of a new featured in the 2017 issue of the Anthrozoös research journal, review resources, alternative suggest today’s workplaces could benefit from having a dog. Health Professions, Education and exchange agreement, treatment approaches, and Human Services, Humanities and Social students in the fashion “When work teams are first formed, it often takes a while for people intervention and prevention models at and Behavioral Sciences, and merchandising and to get comfortable with each other,” Colarelli says. “But having a the CMU College of Medicine this fall. Communication and Fine Arts have design program can take dog in the room seems to put people more at ease.” The center will connect faculty, staff partnered to develop the center. courses at Seoul National University. The agreement also allows Studies found group members were noticeably more friendly and and community experts, said Betty SNU students to attend CMU. “We envision a center that increasingly positive, increasing trust and cooperation. Kirby, acting dean of the College of engages CMU students and faculty with Fashion is a global enterprise, and Seoul has emerged as a center Education and Human Services. “Most workplaces of communities to improve health of design and merchandising because of nearby manufacturers today are increasingly “This interdisciplinary approach has a outcomes through clinical practicums, in China and Vietnam. high-stress environments, lot of potential. We’re expecting the research and service-learning “This is a significant honor for the fashion merchandising and and the results of this work we do to improve the health and initiatives,” says George Kikano, dean design program at CMU because of the reputation of Seoul research indicated how wellness of the mid-Michigan of CMU’s College of Medicine. • National University,” said Michael Mamp, associate professor of companion dogs can community, our state and potentially

fashion merchandising and design. “It is the No. 1-ranked influence prosocial STEVE JESSMORE the nation,” Kirby says. university in the country, and many have referred to it as the behaviors,” Colarelli says. • Serving seniors in Flint Harvard of South Korea.” PHOTO BY The exchange program — available to undergraduate and Dogs at work increase graduate students — is scheduled to begin in spring 2018. trust and cooperation, Up to two CMU students a year will be selected to enroll in according to CMU IRS infiltrates CMU accounting class up to 18 credits per semester at SNU. • research. Special agents lead class through mock criminal investigations Serving as an IRS special agent to solve a mock fraud case on CMU’s campus initially intrigued Taylor Tuttle. Leading online learning That is, until the exercise for her forensic accounting class got too real as she dug through the garbage to find receipts to CMU’s online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs launching this use as evidence in the criminal case. Suddenly, her class fall will meet the needs of students interested in entrepreneurship, work was dirty work. public administration, information systems and fashion. The training brought 11 real IRS special agents from throughout “Early arguments in favor of online learning, such as convenience Michigan to lead a role-playing exercise that introduced students and flexibility, remain true to this day,” says Pete Ross, vice provost of to accounting careers in law enforcement. academic development. He notes the web connects far-flung students with each other and with experts, faculty and guest “It can get really intense, and we got to see that,” says Tuttle, a speakers whom they otherwise would never meet. senior accounting major from Grand Rapids. “It was a good learning experience because when you think of the IRS, you don’t really “Since offering our first internet-based course in 1994, we have made think about interrogations and criminal activity.” student success in online learning a core endeavor of the university,” Ross said, citing investments in faculty development, curriculum “Through this exercise, our students get experience working and course design, technology, support, and student services — directly with IRS agents and can apply what they’re learning in the including national leadership — in making library resources classroom to real-life scenarios,” says Tom Weirich, the accounting available to all students. • professor who has brought the agents into class the past 11 years. See a video of the students learning about accounting careers in law enforcement at http://cmich.ly/irsatcmu. • IRS special agents lead a CMU accounting class through mock criminal investigations on campus. CMU’s new online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs will meet the needs of students across the country. Learn more STEVE JESSMORE

44 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 5 PHOTO BY Opportunity abounds Central Michigan University is 125 years old. For all those years, CMU students have been diligently pursuing excellence through learning as they prepare for their futures. With the opportunities CMU affords, scores of alumni are leading the way in their fields and building meaningful, successful careers. Whether they spent four years learning or four decades working in the midst of iconic Warriner Hall, all who call themselves Chippewas feel a sense of pride, belonging and connection to maroon and gold. >

CURRENT PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81

ACQUIRE THE

From training the next generation of teachers to advancing scientific research and discovery, CMU students have secured great starts to their careers over our first 125 years.

6 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 7 Character, competition and grit For decades, CMU has offered students a chance to compete in an array of sports. Today, more than 400 student-athletes pursue degrees in 68 majors. Last season, fans celebrated CMU football’s recapture of the Michigan Mid-American Conference Trophy and gymnastics’ record-setting fifth- consecutive MAC Championship. In addition, more than 10,000 Chippewas compete on intramural teams and in club sports. CMU has one of the largest intramural programs in the nation. >

FEEL THE

8 centralight Fall ’17 Club sports IM sports centralight Fall ’17 9 GAIN THE

Beaver Island: Great Lakes whitefish

Seek it, do it, learn it Central Michigan University is a nurturing institution that fosters the transformative power of advanced learning, and much of it is hands-on. Whether the opportunities are in the classroom, in the field or lab, or in clubs and extra-curricular activities, students have endless places to find their passion and purpose at CMU. >

10 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 11 Always picturesque The bustling Mount Pleasant campus is undeniably gorgeous, with its canopies of trees, lush lawns and detailed architecture. Abundant sugar maples and other vibrant trees make fall a special time to be on campus, although every season brings its own pristine beauty. > STEVE JESSMORE PHOTO BY DISCOVER THE CMU’s digital archivist knows school’s history inside out

BETWEEN THE LINES TEXT BY BETSY MINER-SWARTZ, ’86

ometimes a 1980s yearbook is just six years at CMU, his institutional “I said, ‘Let’s go find a weeping cherry that’s all Bryan Whitledge needs to knowledge is off the charts. supposed to be south of the west doors of dispel a myth, answer a question that building over there.’ ” S “He’s an amazing detective. You can give him or track down a quirky detail about a fact or two and he starts digging,” says He’s become an expert on CMU’s history, Central Michigan University. Marcie Otteman Grawburg, executive which is impressive considering he knew But more often than not, CMU’s digital director of Alumni Relations. “Even if he can’t close to nothing about Central when he took archivist needs to do some sleuthing find what you’re looking for, which is rare, the job in 2011 after earning his master’s in to pin down and preserve 125 years he’ll give you every dead end he ran into library science at the University of Illinois. of the university’s history. while looking for it.” Some of the history he can rattle off is “I try to find out what was going on here As the university celebrates its 125th pretty mundane: When did the board of during certain periods of time,” Whitledge anniversary, Whitledge was asked about trustees meet for the first time? “It was in says. “Sometimes it’s a lot more difficult the individuals who founded CMU, among 1964. That’s really boring, but important for than you’d think, and luck is a lot of it.” dozens of other questions. why we are what we are,” he says. Take CMU women’s basketball, for example: “The first meeting was in May of 1892,” Other facts are far from dull. “That takes a lot of digging,” he says. “You he says. “I’ve been asked everything from “Like, ‘What was the Death House?’ That have to read through everything about the that to, ‘What trees were planted in honor question just came up,” he says. “I found a men’s team starting in 1905 and just hope to of alumni at CMU?’” 1980s yearbook and learned that it was find something about the Girls’ Normal Team.” He didn’t just find the trees. He took simply a myth about a gruesome death that Whitledge fields hundreds of questions a a hike with an intern one day so they wasn’t really gruesome at all.” year, and he can almost always find the could identify every single alumni Warriner Hall, Central’s main administration building, was built on the ruins of Old Another mystery solved. • Main, Central’s first structure, which burned in 1925. Since then, it’s welcomed answer — if he doesn’t already know it. In tree on campus. thousands of students back to campus each fall. • 1212 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 13 CMU may be but behind you it’s GREEK never far away

Some CMU students love Greek life on campus so much, they don’t want to give it Four CMU alumni up. So, they don’t — they turn their Panhellenic passion into careers. turned college Four CMU alumni have become national leaders of fraternities or sororities. fraternity and sorority “It’s kind of special,” Steve Latour says of the path he took with fellow alumni Michelle Snyder Ardern, Katie Lampinen Gaffin and Basil Lyberg. “There’s something experiences into careers about being engaged and wanting to give back that makes you want to keep on BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON, ’83 doing it. So, you make a career of it.” BACKGROUND PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81

It all started with 22 Slurpees Steve Latour, ’03, didn’t waste any time in the Alpha Sigma Phi national office for While at CMU, he getting famous on campus. He didn’t think 10 years before becoming chief executive set a goal to be the Greek life was necessary — and he said so officer of Sigma Tau Gamma in 2014. CEO of an in a quote on the front page of CM Life. organization by He’ll never forget where it all started. age 35. He did that. Latour very quickly had the entire “Not a day goes by that I don’t think Alpha Chi Omega sorority working to Latour is thrilled about my experiences at Central,” Latour change his mind. Greek life is says from his office in Warrensburg, stronger than ever. “They met me outside classes to talk to Missouri. “Greek life was a learning Membership me about how great Greek life could be. laboratory, where I had conversations nationally is up 30 It was sort of spooky,” Latour recalls with about politics and religion and money percent since 2009, he says. a laugh. “They invited me to watch ‘The — all the things people say you shouldn’t Order your CMU Grinch’ with them at Christmas and asked talk about — on my way to figuring out “We’re all creatures who want to be me to bring 22 Slurpees.” who I really was and who I wanted to be. connected,” Latour says. “Even with all the technology, cell phones and social As he sipped a Coke Slurpee at the Alpha “You can be in charge of balancing a media, there’s something about sitting license plate Chi house, Latour was convinced he was chapter’s budget of $60,000 at age 21,” across from someone and talking to wrong — then he stepped up to help he says. “You have experiences that them, learning about their life. It helps today! re-establish an Alpha Sigma Phi chapter give you every advantage to be you learn about your own.” > cmich.edu/alumni on campus. After graduation, he worked successful later in life.”

CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9789 - 2017 centralight Fall ’17 15 A journey of hope and pride Basil Lyberg, ’99, joined Pi Kappa Phi as a bike ride, where Pi Kappa Phi members same way,” CMU freshman. He became one of those collectively raise more than $650,000 and Lyberg recalls. guys in yellow shirts holding buckets at then ride across the country in a two- “Now, I know Mission Street traffic lights collecting month summer journey. They visit 140 what they’ll money from drivers. organizations serving people with learn — about disabilities, awarding money along the Today, Lyberg is chief executive officer the good in this way. Lyberg did it in 1998 and 1999. of the Ability Experience, the nonprofit country, about philanthropic arm of Pi Kappa Phi He now loves helping run the national people with Fraternity. Its mission: Use shared event from the fraternity headquarters disabilities, experiences to support people with in Charlotte, North Carolina, and feels and about disabilities while developing the men enormous pride. themselves and of Pi Kappa Phi into leaders. what they’re capable of,” he says. “When the guys recently left from the Lyberg says a highlight of his fraternity Golden Gate Bridge, scared as all get out, “In college, we don’t yet realize that. days was the annual Journey of Hope I remember standing there feeling the It’s fun to be part of this legacy.” >

The power of a giant rolling running shoe Phi Sigma Sigma Ardern moved up from job to job in the “Everybody brings their own unique didn’t want to let organization, and today she is the skills,” she says. “Suddenly, you’re at your go of Michelle executive director, leading a staff of 25 first job, you have a big presentation, and Snyder Ardern, ’91. and 106 collegiate chapters from the it all comes back to you.” After graduation, headquarters in Elkridge, Maryland. Sororities are still relevant today, she worked as a She and Katie Lampinen Gaffin were Ardern says. field representative resident assistants together in Barnard for the sorority “The world moves so fast,” she says. Hall. They lost touch after graduation, but she loved so “Authentic friendships are hard for a last year, when Gaffin became the CEO of much at CMU, young woman to find. Alpha Chi Omega, they reconnected. traveling to college campuses nationwide to offer advice. Ardern laughs as she recalls building a “Having this support system throughout giant Nike running shoe for a Greek Week your life is so valuable. You can pick up “I thought that would be a good job for a bed race: “It went fast, looked great, but it the phone, hear a voice, and you’re right year, then I’d go to grad school,” she says. wouldn’t turn.” But what she learned back there again.” > That was 26 years ago. She never left. doing it — the power of teamwork and conversation - stuck with her. Panhellenic participation

Coming home to Alpha Chi is growing at CMU It was one of those epic moments that When a friend told her the CEO position That sisterly support is more important live on — Katie Lampinen Gaffin, ’92, and at Alpha Chi Omega was open, she than ever, Gaffin says, as the pressure Welcome, Chi Phi! in April, when most college campuses of bacterial meningitis. The fund two sorority sisters lip syncing to Aretha jumped at the chance. Gaffin was on today’s young people grows. host celebrations and events such helps her family with continuing The addition of the Chi Phi fraternity Franklin’s “Natural Woman” at Mock Rock hired in August 2016. as lip sync contests and massive medical bills from her care. “Students are seeking out safe to CMU this fall brings the number during Greek Week. tug of war competitions. Central’s She calls it “coming back home to Alpha places for community, fellowship of fraternities and sororities on “When it comes to raising money, our week has an added community “We made it into the top three that Chi.” It was homier than she knew — and fun even more than they were campus to 33. Greek organizations are all in,” Crawford and philanthropic focus. evening,” says Gaffin, now chief executive there are five other CMU alumni on her 25 years ago,” she says. > says. “It’s very meaningful to them.” Nine percent of the student population officer of Alpha Chi Omega. “Some of my staff in Indianapolis. This year, fraternities and sororities in belongs to a Greek organization, says Greek life has as much purpose best memories are of living in the Alpha Mount Pleasant raised $83,500 during “The most rewarding thing has been Katrina Crawford, former assistant director today as ever, she says. Chi Omega house.” Greek Week and split it between the looking back at the impact it made on my of fraternity and sorority life for CMU. Isabella County Child Advocacy Center “These are values-based organizations,” After a brief stint working in the sorority’s life and knowing I’m helping to provide Greek organizations have some room for and the Kristy Malter Memorial Fund. Crawford says. “We’re asking a new national headquarters in Indianapolis, that for other young women at a critical growth, but participation is strong in generation to uphold these traditional Gaffin spent the next 19 years in high time in their development,” Gaffin says. Kristy Malter was a member of Alpha Mount Pleasant, she says. values that are hundreds of years old. tech professional services and human Gamma Delta and about to enter her final A lot of students get really excited about resources leadership. CMU sets itself apart during Greek Week year at Central in July 2016 when she died that. They say, ‘This is how I grew up.’” • STEVE JESSMORE

16 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 17 PHOTO BY Your source for CMU tailgate gear!

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CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities CMUBOOKSTORE.COM (see cmich.edu/ocrie). Ucomm 9795 GOLDENglory

The courtyard alongside the Education and Human Services building shows its true CMU colors each fall, bursting with gold leaves. There’s no better time to capture beautiful images on campus than in the fall. Grab your camera and come back for a visit!

PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81

20 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 21 Friday, Oct. 13 What’s homecoming without a tailgate? CMU Rock Rally at 7 p.m. The parking lots at the Head to Warriner Hall’s Plachta south end of campus will Auditorium for the pep rally, open at 11:30 a.m., four mock rock contest for the hours before kickoff. [ Touchdown Terrace] Maroon Cup, presentation of Our celebrations begin in the end zone 2017 the football team and the Alumni Village festivities announcement of the 2017 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Homecoming Gold Join the free campus-wide Ambassadors. celebration near Rose Ponds for food, fun, friends and a ton of Chippewa spirit. This is the Saturday, Oct. 14 place to visit with a favorite professor, grab some food and 50 year reunion-celebrating soak up the atmosphere that is the classes of 1960-67, CMU homecoming. featuring the class of 1967. Scheduled events begin on Reunion Central at Saturday morning and will Alumni Village include: brunch, homecoming Join the following affinity This is the perfect year to make plans parade, tailgate party and groups at their reserved tent football game. space in Alumni Village. to return to campus for homecoming. It’s the 125th anniversary of CMU, so For details visit: CM Life alumni, LGBTQ, CMU cmich.edu/alumni/events Greeks, 50 year reunion there’s extra reason to celebrate. celebrating the class of 1967, 5K Run and Miles for Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 14, and it features SAPA, 50 years of Women’s Medals fundraising not one but two grand marshals. There are basketball and Latino/Latina run/walk at 8 a.m. activities galore, including a daylong party for the alumni. Robinson Hall alumni Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at classes of 1960-67, featuring the 50-year reunion from 1977 through 1984. Join Finch Fieldhouse for the 8 a.m. for the class of 1967. their Facebook page: Central start. Choose a 5K run/walk or a Michigan Robinson Hall. one-mile fun run/walk. All Mike O’Donnell, ‘70 proceeds benefit Special Tailgate Village Olympics Michigan. Register The site for the free Maroon Mike was instrumental in online at cmich.ly/cmu5k2017. and Gold concert series organizing the accounting system featuring Paddlebots from for Red Adair during the company’s Alumni Coffee and Donuts noon to 3:30 p.m. Sip a cold work to extinguish oil well fires in at 9:30 a.m. one at the beer garden. We are fired up for football and excited to welcome you home. Join us at the pregame the Middle East after the Gulf War. Start your day off right with Cardboard Boat Race at Now retired, he serves on CMU’s complimentary coffee and hospitality tent for President’s Circle and Chippewa Athletic Fund members. Max and Emily’s 1 p.m. at Rose Ponds near advancement board. donuts inside Powers Hall. Stay caters the event, and tickets include two drinks for adults. FIRE UP CHIPS! put to watch the parade. the CMU Events Center Cost: $18 per adult \\ $12 per child (under the age of 12) Homecoming parade Football game at 3:30 p.m. Katie Travis, ‘10 at 11 a.m. Order tickets at Katie has performed throughout It steps off in Parking Lot 22 1-888-FIREUP-2 or online the country in musical theater, and travels through campus at cmuchippewas.com. before heading north on operetta and opera. She recently For more information about Main Street to downtown concluded her star turn as Christine homecoming 2017, visit Mount Pleasant. Schedule Daaé in the North American tour of cmich.ly/cmuhomecoming. “The Phantom of the Opera.” Aug. 31 \\ CMU vs. Rhode Island Sept. 23 \\ CMU vs. Miami University Oct. 14 \\ CMU vs. Toledo Nov. 8 \\ CMU vs. Eastern Michigan Nov. 24 \\ CMU vs. NIU

Call 800-358-6903 for information or to register

centralight Fall ’17 23 PHOTO BY Laura Golden, 1984 MAC champion

Michael Alford’s first impression of Central Michigan University was powerful. “Unbelievable,” he said, describing the vibe he felt meeting CMU student-athletes, coaches, supporters, alumni, faculty and staff as he and his wife, Laura, settled into life in Mount Pleasant. “I asked Laura to Jody Beerman, give me one word that summed it up after 1985 we met people, and she said ‘energy.’ “The energy and the love that they have for BY ANDY SNEDDON the university really stands out. It really stood out when I was here during the The Central Michigan women’s basketball program interview process. The pride they have in celebrates its golden anniversary with a full slate of this university is just overwhelming, and activities on Oct. 13-14, coinciding with homecoming. you feel it everywhere you go.” Women were first able to participate in the sport at This spring, Alford was named CMU’s CMU just after the turn of the 20th century. Dubbed the Former senior associate AD at Oklahoma Associate Vice President and Director “Normal Girls,” in line with CMU’s name at the time, of Athletics by President George E. Ross. Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute has diverse résumé in college, pro sports took a 24-13 win from the Midland High School girls’ “When I first met Michael, it became LaTanga Cox, abundantly clear that he has a passion for basketball team in late winter 1905. 1986 students and student success, for their The program’s official start came in 1967-68, and the excellence in the classroom, and in their Chippewas quickly changed with the game, moving athletic pursuits,” Ross says. from the archaic six-on-six game to the modern “His values as a professional and in his five-player game. CMU’s first recorded intercollegiate personal life mirror mine for our university women’s basketball competitions came in ’69-70, and for our students,” Ross continues. when the Chippewas played a five-game schedule “Their success is our primary goal.” under coach Fran Koenig. Alford previously served in athletic Today, the Chippewas take the McGuirk Arena court departments at the universities in Oklahoma, under the bright lights and in front of large crowds, just Alabama, Southern California and Cincinnati. as women’s teams across the country do. The average He also worked with the Dallas Cowboys, attendance at CMU’s women’s games in McGuirk tops 1,500, and CMU has ranked third in attendance in the Cincinnati Bengals and ESPN. Nikki Thompkins, 12-team Mid-American Conference six times in the 1992 The senior executive has a strong past nine seasons and has never been lower than background in fundraising and marketing. fifth during that span. In the five years prior to his arrival at CMU, Alford served as the senior associate athletics Scores of women have worn the maroon and gold in director for administration and development the past 50 years, and they will celebrate with the at the University of Oklahoma. CMU Alumni Dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, at the John G. Kulhavi Events Center. The evening includes He brings a keen awareness of the rich a program and a facilities tour. history of Chippewa athletics and the program’s leadership. CMU coach Sue Guevara will host a coffee reception from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, in the upper “The legends that have come through lounge area at McGuirk Arena. At 11 a.m., she’ll here, Herb Deromedi, Dave Keilitz, Dave introduce the 2017-18 Chippewas, also known as Team Heeke, Marcy Weston,” Alford says, listing 50, during its Maroon and Gold Scrimmage there. Vershaun Jones, his most-recent predecessors. “It’s got a 2000 national reputation of being a first-class It will be the first opportunity for fans and supporters to program. When that opportunity get a look at this year’s Chippewas, who return four presented itself, I jumped at it. starters from a team that last season won CMU’s first regular-season MAC championship since 1985. “My job is to come in and continue the growth of CMU athletics, keep it going The women’s basketball tailgate/lunch follows from on a positive note, keep raising the bar, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Alumni Village/Rose Ponds Area and keep the same standards that those ahead of CMU’s homecoming game at Kelly/Shorts before me have set.” • Stadium. Kickoff against Toledo is set for 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the weekend’s events, including the football MAC Champions, game, are available at cmich.ly/womensbb50. • BY ANDY SNEDDON 2013

centralight Fall ’17 25 24 centralight Fall’17Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 25 Building a company, rebuilding a city ALUMNUS MAKES A DIFFERENCE CASON THORSBY THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP » Hometown: Davison, Michigan

After two Central Michigan University degrees and at » Occupation: Entrepreneur, founder least four startup businesses, Cason Thorsby is staking of CASON Superinfused Beverages his claim on Detroit. There’s no place he’d rather be. “There’s a feeling in the air of people trying to » CMU degrees: Bachelor of applied make something of themselves and, consequently, arts, entrepreneurship major, 2008; of the city,” he explains. MBA with a concentration in management consulting, 2010 For Thorsby, ’08, MBA ’10, it’s perfect for building up CASON Superinfused Beverages, his health-focused » Noteworthy: First “businesses” were natural soft drink line. trading pencils and baseball cards The city drew him in from the suburbs where he’d in grade school located after earning his MBA from CMU in 2010. He loved the tall buildings, the short stroll to Starbucks, the sense of possibility. “Rarely in your lifetime do you get an opportunity to ride the wave up,” he says.

Learning and earning CMU’s degree in entrepreneurship appealed to Thorsby’s go-getter spirit. The College of Business Administration’s LaBelle Entrepreneurial Center turned out to be everything he’d hoped for, with instructors who broke stereotypes. “I loved the guys in the entrepreneurship program,” he says. “They were just against the grain.” Thorsby borrowed $7,500 from his dad to start a party tent and supply rental operation that ended up paying for his college. He sold the company and moved on to other ventures. Like most entrepreneurs, he didn’t always find success. Some people want a sure path — to “follow the yellow brick road,” Thorsby says. “Entrepreneurship isn’t like that.” Still, he says signs are good for his beverage company. He’s distributing within Michigan, selling on Distance is no Amazon and raising capital to enter other markets barrier to CMU sharing such as L.A. and Chicago. in Detroit’s resurgence Difference for Detroit Michigan’s largest population hub is central to CMU. Thorsby has three people on his Detroit payroll. “The state needs the strength of its major cities in order to “My goal is to run a lean company while hiring more thrive,” says President George E. Ross. “That’s why we are dedicated people and keeping jobs here in the city,” he says. to fostering education, innovation and investment in the city of Detroit.” “Detroit is a talking point when you visit other larger cities. People like hearing about its comeback story, That’s why the university has five metro Detroit locations and one at the heart and it makes our brand unique.” of the city, and why Detroit attracts student volunteers and CMU research. He meets with fellow entrepreneurs who share CMU That’s also why CMU connects with people in Detroit who help drive positive change. roots and a passion for starting companies and “making The city’s revival is more than hype. National website realtor.com ranks Detroit No. 4 on sure Detroit’s a better city tomorrow than it is today.” > its list of top 10 downtown comebacks. Today, Detroit draws entrepreneurs, educators and investors, including these CMU alumni. > BY JEFF JOHNSTON, ‘91 Motown multimedia: Dig into videos and PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81 longer interviews with Cason Thorsby our featured alumni, cmich.ly/CMUDetroit centralight Fall ’17 27 26 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 27 Rebuilding the city KYLE GOODALL Using change to » Hometown: Lake Orion, Michigan with social capital invest in their future » Occupation: Teacher, Detroit Renaissance High School ENTREPRENEUR AND CMU ALUMNUS DETROIT TEACHER AND LEADS HISTORIC EFFORTS FOCUSED » CMU education: Integrative public relations major, public HIS STUDENTS ARE DRIVEN affairs minor, and global and cultural studies certificate, 2014 ON THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE » Noteworthy: Lem Tucker scholar — and mentor to a Fifty years ago, five days of conflict in Detroit ended 43 lives and Inspired by their interest in improving their world, Lem Tucker scholar destroyed 2,000 buildings. Today, Marlowe Stoudamire wants Kyle Goodall sees potential greatness in his students. people to reflect on that history to build a better future. He, too, is passionate about improving society. The The Detroit Historical Society chose Stoudamire, M.S.A. ’09, 2014 Central Michigan University alumnus from Lake to direct its Detroit 67 project marking what became Orion got into teaching partly to tackle inequality. known as the Detroit riots. “I realized that I can make a greater impact by getting It’s just the latest example of Stoudamire being a leader students to think about the kind of world they want in his hometown. to live in,” Goodall says. Building bridges Evolution to spark a revolution As a full-time working professional with a family, Stoudamire turned While teaching 11th-grade English and more at to CMU’s satellite location in Detroit and online learning to help Detroit Renaissance High School, Goodall leads social meet his ambition to earn a master’s degree. justice education programs and brings in high-profile speakers. He asks students “why?” and “how so?” His final degree project, on medical tourism, caught his employer’s eye. Henry Ford Health System assigned Stoudamire to focus on “There is always more thought to be pulled from global marketing. He traveled worldwide, leading to projects in students — sometimes thoughts they didn’t even Saudi Arabia and India. know they had,” Goodall says. “Questioning until there is an evolution of thought is the way to “Most people, when they study in class, sometimes it’s very spark a revolution.” theoretical, and they don’t get a chance to apply it,” he says. “I still apply those lessons learned.” For a decade, Goodall has led Focus: HOPE’s Generation of Promise youth leadership From cocoon to butterfly development program that nurtures understanding In 2014, Stoudamire started a consulting business and named it and respect in diverse metro Detroit. He also Butterfly Effect Detroit. co-facilitated an undergraduate class at CMU discussing racism and a just society. “I had to go through a cocoon,” he explains. “Part of my cocoon model is finding ways for my personal and professional lives to Scholar to scholar complement each other and not compete with each other.” Goodall foresaw working in secondary education Stoudamire says connecting with people — social capital — is the shortly after he received CMU’s four-year, full-ride way to make a difference. Lem Tucker Scholarship to study journalism. “Detroit is not buildings and structures,” he says. “Buildings and The scholarship is named after the late CMU structures have no soul without the people inside of them.” alumnus and Saginaw native who worked for three major television networks. ‘Organic social collisions’ CMU prepared Goodall to be an educator and an Stoudamire wants more Detroit neighborhoods to build the kind of activist through his integrative public relations, talent and networking already bolstering downtown and Midtown. public affairs, and global and cultural studies, as well MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE as his participation in programs such as Speak Up, To that end, he opened MASH Detroit — a space for retail » Hometown: Detroit Speak Out forums addressing social issues. businesses, pop-up exhibitions, community events and more — at the border of Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park. » Occupation: Owner of Butterfly Effect Detroit The Lem Tucker scholarship meant so much to Goodall that, in the past school year, he strongly “What I wanted to do was create a hub of what I call organic social » CMU education: Master of science degree encouraged one of his students — Sage Sanders collisions to foster collaboration, creativity, entrepreneurship and in administration, international administration — to submit her application. bridge-building in a neighborhood,” he says. concentration, 2009 She received the scholarship and will start classes “We can help activate spaces all around the city to create these » Noteworthy: 2012 honoree, Crain’s Detroit at CMU this fall. > mashups, which ultimately bring people together.” > Business’ 40 under 40

BY DAN DIGMANN, M.A. ’15 BY RACHEL ESTERLINE PERKINS, ’10, M.A. ’17

Kyle Goodall Marlowe Stoudamire

centralight Fall ’17 29 28 centralight Fall ’17 Invested interest CFO in the D CMU grad leads Detroit ALUMNUS HELPING ACCELERATE ALUMNA DISCOVERS A bike-sharing effort DETROIT’S RETURN TO PROMINENCE PLATFORM FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM BUILDS ON, FEEDS Aaron Seybert says facilitating million-dollar investments within the Karen Gerstenberger is among those who sign the city of Detroit isn’t about money alone. checks as investors like Aaron Seybert celebrate CITY’S VITALITY, GROWTH lenders’ and developers’ interest in Detroit. It’s a commitment to his two daughters. You might say Lisa Nuszkowski just put the Gerstenberger is chief financial officer for The Motor City on wheels. “I’ve never had a job that I’m not proud to tell my kids about,” says Platform real estate development company, She’s executive director of Detroit’s new bike share Seybert, ’04, a social investment officer with the Kresge Foundation. which concentrates on residential and retail program, MoGo. Launched in May, MoGo logged development opportunities in Detroit. Projects 8,000 rides in its first two weeks. An unexpected path evolve through community meetings. Seybert has worked on Kresge’s Social Investment Practice since After more than two decades of experience “It’s going really well,” Nuszkowski, ’01, says. “We’ve early 2016, focusing on Detroit. exceeded our projections by almost double.” in finance, accounting, risk management and In 2014, as a vice president and executive director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., human resources, Gerstenberger, ‘93, ‘A labor of love’ he helped design a $100 million investment in Detroit for urban development, joined The Platform in 2016. blight removal and workforce retention. Nuszkowski calls MoGo “a labor of love” that began “I really wanted to be a part of the five years ago while she was economic development Not too shabby for someone who came to CMU thinking of becoming a revitalization effort in Detroit,” project manager at Wayne State University. She met political science or history professor. Gerstenberger says. “The work we’re with people from several local foundations and doing here will long outlive me.” • corporations in 2012, when bike-share programs were “I developed an interest in finance and had a number of faculty sprouting around the country. members who cultivated that in me,” says Seybert, who was encouraged to explore accounting, too. Today, nonprofit MoGo is affiliated with Downtown KAREN GERSTENBERGER Detroit Partnership, a group dedicated to bolstering Magnifying the impact » Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan the city’s core. Henry Ford Health System and Health The Kresge Foundation is a $3.6 billion private national philanthropic organization Alliance Plan are MoGo’s top sponsors. Other funding that partners to help people with low incomes through grants and social » Occupation: CFO, The Platform comes from federal grants, philanthropy, businesses investments, such as low-interest loans and guarantees. real estate development company and bike rental fees. “It’s about using all the financial tools available to magnify its impact within the » CMU education: Bike-share programs exist in more than 70 U.S. cities, community,” he says. “What we are doing is taking on part of the risk, which helps Accounting major, 1993 Nuszkowski says. Detroit’s bikes are available 24 hours other more traditional investors come along.” a day, 365 days a year, barring severe weather. » Noteworthy: Second-degree Seybert says the excitement of investing black belt in tang soo do MoGo has 43 self-serve stations with 430 bikes spread in Detroit is contagious. over 10 neighborhoods in and near Detroit’s downtown. Users simply pick up bikes at one station “Lately, I don’t have to do a lot of convincing,” BY DAN DIGMANN, M.A. ‘15 and drop them off at another. he says. “We have seen a flood of capital come into the city in the past few years, and that Daily passes are available for $8. attracts more capital and new partners that want to be a part of the Detroit story.” > Visibility and diversity The bikes get noticed, Nuszkowski says. “People say ‘Are they new?’ ‘How much do they cost?’ BY DAN DIGMANN, M.A. ‘15 ‘That bike’s really cool.’” There have been so many “When is it going to come to my neighborhood?” questions that discussions are underway to possibly expand the project in 2018, she says. Nuszkowski says she most enjoys how brightly MoGo reflects Detroit’s diversity. “From young, old, black, white, brown — all LISA NUSZKOWSKI AARON SEYBERT backgrounds — it’s been really encouraging to see » Hometown: Mount Morris, Michigan » Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Michigan a wide variety of people embracing it,” she says. > » Occupation: Executive director, » Occupation: Social investment officer, MoGo bike share Kresge Foundation BY CURT SMITH » CMU education: Bachelor of arts » CMU education: Accounting and degree in political science, 2001 corporate finance major, 2004 Lisa Nuszkowski » Noteworthy: Interests include » Noteworthy: Once planned to become running, yoga and international travel a political science or history professor

centralight Fall ’17 31 30 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 31 PhonathonHidden Central: PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE, ’81

n the basement of Carlin have resulted in nearly students to make calls to Alumni House is a room that $9.5 million in pledges and unsuspecting alumni, parents Icomes alive every evening. gifts toward funds across CMU, and friends of the university. from academics to athletics. Since 2005, the students Ross wanted to learn more about employed by CMU Phonathon That’s a lot of dialing for dollars. what the students do and to have had more than half a million surprise a few people who gave A new temporary team member conversations with Central’s back to CMU last year. So, pick up came on board this year as alumni, parents, graduating that phone when CMU calls — it President George E. Ross seniors and friends might just be the president. • joined the phonathon of the university. Their calls

Learn more

centralight Fall ’17 33 3232 centralightcentralight Fall Fall ’17 ’17 centralight Fall ’17 33 Alumni News

Young Alumni board Jennifer Lopez, ’10 Alumni board Sean Hickey, `88, M.A. `90 Royal Oak Chelsea President President CMU alumni Michael Zeig, ’08 Gregory Marx, ’08 Thomas Olver, ’98 Bret Hyble, ’82, M.A. ’86 East Lansing Troy Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant Vice president Brittany Mouzourakis, ’11 Vice president Linda (Scharich) Leahy, ’82 Scott Hillman, ’10 Royal Oak Nathan Tallman, ’07, M.A. ’09 Midland Chicago Jason Nichol, ’12 Auburn Hills Scott Nadeau, ’89 Past president Chicago Past president Dexter Ashleigh (Klipper) Laabs, ’07 Kelly Pageau, ’08 Ryan Fewins-Bliss, ’02, Frederick Puffenberger, ’95 Royal Oak Chicago M.A. ’04 Mount Pleasant Bath Directors John Reineke, ’09 Kandra (Kerridge) Robbins, ’90 Cyril Agley, ’09 Oxford, Ohio Directors Portland Rebeca Reyes Barrios, ’00, Grosse Pointe Joshua Richards, ’08 Darryl Shelton, ’85 Lake Orion MBA ’02

Michael Decker, ’07 Canton Grand Rapids Beverly Hills Michelle (Curtis) Rush, ’07 Amy (Rousseau) Uebbing, ’86

You don’t build on top or around St. Joseph Carrie Baumgardner, ’99, Morgan (Curtis) Hales, ’06, M.A. ’02 Rochester people. You build with people. If you M. A . ’11 Christine Simon, ’13 Durand Matthew Uhl, `00 “ Farwell Grand Ledge “ Lisa (Laitinen) Bottomley, ’97 Grandville have young, talented minds and if Eric Johnson, ’11 Jeffrey Stoutenburg, ’10, Kentwood Robert VanDeventer, ’74 Mount Pleasant M .P. A . ’13 Saginaw you invest in their education, they’ll Midland Megan Doyle, `03 Anthony Lazzaro, ’15 Chicago Bradley Wahr, ’03 grow up to be the talent you need. Grand Rapids Michael Wiese, ’09 Mount Pleasant Grand Rapids Jacalyn (Beckers) Goforth, ’82 Danielle Leone, ’10 Beverly Hills Thomas Worobec, ’93 St. Clair Shores Dearborn Heights MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE Laura Gonzales, ’79, M.A. ’89 James (J.J.) Lewis, ’06 Mount Pleasant Nicole (Williams) Yelland, `05 Hometown: Detroit Thousand Oaks, California Occupation: Owner of Butterfly Effect Consulting Scott Haraburda, `83 Clarkston CMU degree: M.S.A. in International Spencer, IN Administration, 2009 Noteworthy: Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 under 40 Born, raised, studied and staying in Detroit

Bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate degrees { and certificates { On campus. Online. At locations near you.

Learn more today.

CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). 47128 8/17

34 centralight Fall ’17 | | centralightcentralight winter Fall ’17’10 35 Alumni News Alumni News

SEC names CMU alum Bikes bring focus to students Chicago as new general counsel This fall, Patrick Roenicke’s sixth-grade English language arts elementary students will spend some of their school day on two wheels. The Securities and Exchange Commission classroom named Robert B. Stebbins, ‘88, general East Middle School in Grand Junction, Colorado, applied for a counsel of the agency in May. The general grant to start the Riding for Focus cycling program created by gets fired up counsel is the chief legal officer of the the Specialized Foundation. The curriculum is based in part Chicago Public Schools is agency, providing a variety of legal on research by Ben Rollenhagen and Ray Allen in CMU’s introducing a districtwide services to the commission and staff. Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. “college week” in schools, It integrates cycling into physical education classes to help with each classroom selecting “Bob is an exceptional attorney and students better perform in the classroom. a university to learn about counselor, and I know his depth of each day. This spring, the knowledge and experience managing a The grant gave the school 30 bikes and 30 helmets. district piloted the program wide range of securities-related issues will “I think we’re going to see tons of positive benefits, including in five schools. benefit the SEC,” says Chairman Jay Clayton. a reduction in behavior referrals and a bump in student Elizabeth Sullivan, ’11, teaches “I have always had a great deal of respect for the SEC’s staff and achievement,” says Roenicke, ’00. second grade in Chicago’s John their commitment to the agency’s core mission, and I am proud The school is one of 20 nationally participating in the M. Smyth Elementary, so to be part of the team,” Stebbins says. curriculum this fall. The hope is to establish a sustainable naturally she chose to highlight Stebbins earned a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania school cycling program. • CMU alum is San Jose State’s first female AD CMU with her students. and a B.S. from CMU, where he was an Academic Marie Tuite, ’75, M.A. ‘81, interim athletics director at San Jose State University and a sports Armed with college All-American football player. • administrator at the school for the past seven years, was named athletic director this spring. applications, “Action C” Tuite is the first woman to head the athletics department at San Jose State since its men’s and lanyards, flags and maroon- women’s programs were combined in 1987. and-gold swag, the students learned about life on campus “Marie Tuite has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the success of all students, to our in Mount Pleasant. Marcie Chippewa inducted into national university’s mission and to the principle that athletics should be woven into the fabric of the Otteman Grawburg, CMU’s athletic trainer hall of fame university,” San Jose State President Mary Papazian said in a statement. executive director of alumni Tuite was a basketball and field hockey player at CMU.• relations, visited the classroom Tanya Dargusch, ’85, has helped thousands of via Skype to answer questions high school athletes play safely for nearly 30 years. about what it means to As the head athletic trainer for New Jersey’s graduate from college and be Washington Township High School since 1988, an alum of a school. she’s advocated nationally to ensure all high Alumni books highlight special needs, inclusion CPS funding enabled the schools have a trainer on staff. students to make tie-dye Two books featuring children with special needs are CMU T-shirts and banners to “New Jersey is fortunate because 97 percent of deeply personal projects for CMU alumni. our schools have an athletic trainer,” Dargusch show off their spirit at a rally tells the Washington Township Sun. “Schools “Emma Goes to School” is a children’s book that at the end of the week. • in the Midwest and West coast don’t have as PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SPECIALIZED FOUNDATION celebrates physical and neuro-diversity, inspired by a many, and it’s so important to help impact the little girl with special needs named Emma. She was health care of students while they compete.” diagnosed with Schaaf-Yang Syndrome in 2016 and Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2017. For her work in schools and in the field of training, Dargusch was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame Her parents, Brad Pack, ’90, M.A. ’11, and Kristin Dowis this summer. She’s one of a handful of women bestowed the honor. BCA alum named VP and GM of Pack, ‘09, created the book to show kids that their differences are beautiful and make them special and “To be amongst those people is very, very humbling,” she says. • West Michigan media outlets different, but never “less.” Julie Brinks, ’80, is the new vice president The book, illustrated by 13-year-old Sage Steiner, was funded by a Kickstarter campaign and general manager of a collection of and will be released in October on the Packs’ website, emmagoestoschool.com. media outlets serving Grand Rapids, Chippewa takes helm Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. In “What Matters: Reflections on Disability, Community and Love,” Her new role puts her at the helm of social worker Janice Fialka, ‘73, chronicles the story of her son Micah’s at community college WOOD-TV (NBC), WOTV-TV (ABC) and journey through diagnoses and labels (“neurological impairment,” James O. Sawyer IV, M.S.A. ’89, Ed.D. ’08, WXSP-TV (My Network), as well as “low IQ,” “unemployable”) to his present, 32-year-old self, living a became the sixth Macomb Community associated digital services including meaningful and inclusive life. College president, following the retirement woodtv.com and wotv4women.com. The book is a collection of reflections, essays, interviews and of Jim Jacobs over the summer. She returns to Michigan after serving as poems, with contributions by Micah, his sister, Emma, and his general manager of KOHD-TV (ABC) and father, Rich Feldman. Sawyer has 14 years of experience at Macomb, KBNZ-TV (CBS) in Bend, Oregon. previously serving as vice provost for career “I am grateful for this opportunity to return Today, Micah gives speeches around the country, serves on the programs and dean of engineering and to my home state of Michigan, where I have deep personal, President’s Commission on People with Disabilities and is a teaching advanced technology. • business and community relationships,” Brinks says. • assistant in the school of education at Syracuse University. The book is available at Amazon.com. •

3636 centralight winterFall ’17 ’10 centralightcentralight winter Fall ’17’10 37 In Memory Irene W. (Walther) Fleming, ’40, Barbara H. (Heflin) Cromwell, ’55, JoAnne M. (Clark) DeNeen, ’64, J.W. Wilson, ’71, Perrinton, Mich., James A. McKeown, M.A. ’75, James R. Frye, ’81, Torch Lake, Brett J. Yardley, ’88, Prudenville, Ronald J. Toussaint, M.S.A. ’00, Midland, Mich., died April 8, 2017. Virginia Beach, Va., died May 19, 2017, Saginaw, Mich., died May 14, 2017, died April 27, 2017, age 73. Middleville, Mich., died June 30, Mich., died April 16, 2017, age 85. Mich., died April 12, 2017, age 66. Cumming, Ga., died April 1, 2017, Carmin O. Ginter, ’41, Leesburg, Fla., age 83. age 83. Ruth A. (Markel) Claes, ’72, Bay 2017, age 75. Hubert M. Jamison, M.A. ’81, Johanna (Miller) Hancock, M.S.A. age 54. died April 14, 2017, age 97. Grover G. Niergarth, ’55, M.A. ’64, Crystal E. (Bailey) Lund, ’64, City, Mich., died May 22, 2017, age 93. Marie M. (Manning) Slusser, ’75, Beaufort, S.C., died May 18, 2017, ’89, Alberta, Canada, died May 6, Mary L. (Schippers) Soderholm, Mary (Miller) Coughlin, ’45, Flint, Atlanta, Mich., died Feb. 22, 2017, Sheridan, Mich., died March 5, 2017, Donna I. (Shaw) Kline, M.A. ’72, M.A. ’84, Charlotte, N.C., died May 1, age 71. 2017, age 85. M.A. ’01, Lincoln, Mich., died June 10, Mich., died March 19, 2017, age 91. age 83. age 91. Portage, Wis., died April 18, 2017, 2017, age 63. Annette J. (Ley) McCloy, ’81, Darrell C. Wright, ’89, Battle Creek, 2017, age 70. Mary L. (Eddy) Gover, ’46, Loris, Donald M. Kaufman, ’56, Cass City, Thomas S. Luptowski, ’64, M.A. ’73, age 91. John R. Ballantyne, M.A. ’76, Clarkston, Mich., died July 9, 2017, Mich., died May 23, 2017, age 49. Susan P. Grazick-Genitski, M.A. ’02, S.C., died June 25, 2017, age 92. Mich., died June 16, 2017, age 89. Bay City, Mich., died May 17, 2017, Karol L. (Kuehn) Lonsberry, ’72, Durham, N.C., died April 19, 2017, age 59. Patrick J. Humphreys, M.S.A. ’90, Augusta, Ga., died March 9, 2017, age 80. age 68. age 68. Virginia A. (Rice) Weidenfeller, William A. Dahlquist, ’57, Cadillac, Oscoda, Mich., died June 5, 2017, Richard D. Parker, M.A. ’81, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 13, ’46, Grand Rapids, Mich., died April 9, Mich., died April 30, 2017, age 86. John F. Artman, M.A. ’65, Saginaw, age 66. Perry A. Hudel, M.A. ’76, Swartz Creek, Mich., died May 12, 2017, age 61. Kelly L. Ketcham-Stoney, ’02, 2017, age 93. Robert E. Jones, ’57, Alpena, Mich., Mich., died March 29, 2016, age 81. Patrick E. Paul, ’72, Hudsonville, Summerville, S.C., died May 2, 2017, 2017, age 81. Sandra L. Putkamer, M.S.A. ’90, Grand Rapids, Mich., died March 24, age 84. 2017, age 40. Jeanette D. (Duncan) Cappaert, died July 6, 2017, age 82. Bernard R. Duke, ’65, Oconomowoc, Mich., died May 5, 2017, age 67. James C. Alltop, M.A. ’82, Fort Potterville, Mich., died March 26, ’47, Vicksburg, Miss., died April 13, Barbara A. (Peppler) Ahearn, ’58, Wis., died May 5, 2017, age 85. Marlyse A. (Andreski) Hessling, Kathleen M. Raymo, ’76, Pierce, Fla., died April 3, 2017, age 82. 2017, age 65. Cherylene (Singletary) Genis, 2017, age 92. St. Clair, Mich., died June 17, 2017, Iris B. (Marko) Harrison, ’65, ’73, Bad Axe, Mich., died April 11, Farmington, Mich., died June 24, Gary J. Galbraith, ’82, M.A. ’84, El Stacia A. Gillett, M.S.A. ’92, M.S.A. ’06, Columbia, S.C., died 2017, age 63. March 6, 2017, age 56. Robert F. Dakin, ’47, Athens, Ohio, age 80. Clinton, Mich., died June 30, 2016, 2017, age 66. Paso, Texas, died July 1, 2017, age 57. Edmond, Okla., died May 1, 2017, died May 4, 2017, age 97. Anne H. (Vetr) Beutler, ’58, age 72. Ralph L. Myrkle, M.A. ’73, Decatur, Marie W. (Wright) Tolliver, ’76, Peter D. Johns, ’82, Ishpeming, age 61. Shirley T. Avent, M.P.A. ’07, Emporia, Junction City, Ore., died June 22, Robert E. Herweyer, ’66, M.A. ’68, Mich., died May 23, 2017, age 85. Saginaw, Mich., died April 20, 2017, Mich., died May 21, 2017, age 58. Richard W. Hannan, ’92, Grosse Va., died Jan. 27, 2017, age 57. Barbara J. (Force) Mason, ’47, age 82. Byron, Mich., died March 25, 2017, 2017, age 96. Summerdale, Ala., died April 13, 2017, Michael J. Pietryga, ’73, Joan M. (Devlin) Kaweck, ’82, Pointe, Mich., died March 10, 2017, Kristopher C. Moore, ’07, Clinton, age 92. Robert T. Sheehan, ’58, Perry, Mich., age 74. Nicholasville, Ky., died Feb. 21, 2017, Douglas A. Bell, ’77, M.S. ’81, Clare, Midland, Mich., died June 17, 2017, age 48. Mich., died April 20, 2017, age 34. Mich., died May 15, 2017, age 61. Richard L. Eccles, ’48, Hazel Park, died April 23, 2017, age 84. Diana S. (Pierce) Kelm, ’66, Haines, age 66. age 86. Judy A. Kalar, ’92, Traverse City, Cherie A. Fisher, ’08, Hamburg, Mich., died July 3, 2017, age 94. Carla M. (Smith) Thompson, ’58, Alaska, died June 7, 2017, age 72. Mary E. Randolph, ’73, Newberry, Thomas A. Leonard, M.A. ’77, William G. Neaton, M.A. ’82, Dover, Mich., died March 24, 2017, age 69. Mich., died May 3, 2017, age 30. Grand Rapids, Mich., died April 27, Agnes J. (Duckworth) Kenney, ’66, Mich., died May 10, 2017, age 66. Decatur, Ga., died May 9, 2017, Del., died April 26, 2017, age 71. Stephen J. Keenan, ’92, Saginaw, George A. Heckman, M.A. ’09, Patsy R. (Jowett) Flewelling, ’50, age 80. Tampa, Fla., died May 3, 2017, age 89. 2017, age 80. M.A. ’70, Ithaca, Mich., died June 18, Joseph L. Devlin, ’74, Hope, Mich., Joe E. Bentley, M.A. ’83, Saginaw, Mich., died March 25, 2017, age 49. Westphalia, Mich., died June 19, 2017, William Banaszak, ’59, Grand 2017, age 102. died March 3, 2017, age 71. Ted R. Stiger, M.A. ’77, Ossineke, Mich., died Dec. 21, 2003, age 97. John S. West, ’92, Roseville, Mich., age 52. Warren E. Hill, ’50, Romeo, Mich., Mich., died April 25, 2017, age 66. died July 4, 2017, age 91. Rapids, Mich., died March 10, 2017, John C. Lillie, ’66, M.A. ’71, Ann M. (McNamara) Fallon, M.A. Raymond Mendez, M.A. ’83, died May 24, 2017, age 76. Sharon M. (Huff) Loughead, ’09, age 84. Houghton Lake, Mich., died May 31, James D. Thompson, M.A. ’77, Clinton, Mich., died June 4, 2017, Carol J. (Hachmuth) Irwin, ’50, ’74, Palm Harbor, Fla., died May 9, Waipahu, Hawaii, died Feb. 15, 2017, Duane E. Froelich, ’93, Oscoda, Rudolph H. Emerick, ’59, M.A. ’63, 2017, age 74. 2017, age 93. Sumter, S.C., died March 23, 2017, age 87. Mich., died June 9, 2017, age 51. age 69. Lansing, Mich., died March 22, 2017, age 73. age 87. Saginaw Township, Mich., died April JoAnne T. (Kasiborski) Vatter, John W. Ireland, ’74, Dekalb, Ill., Cheryl L. (Lucas) Noll, M.A. ’83, Kimberley S. (Price) Wilson, ’94, 24, 2017, age 81. M.A. ’66, Cadillac, Mich., died died June 30, 2017, age 65. Howard F. Baker, M.A. ’78, Dover, Ludington, Mich., died June 1, 2017, Harrison, Maine, died March 3, 2017, Faculty Norma E. (Wright) Miles, ’50, June 18, 2017, age 75. Del., died June 27, 2017, age 89. Lachine, Mich., died March 22, 2017, Sandra S. (Walsh) Nelson, ’59, Daniel S. Klimkiewicz, ’74, Mount age 72. age 47. Cora E. Enman, Mount Pleasant, age 88. East Lansing, Mich., died May 2, 2017, Maxine (Wood) Gleason, ’67, Pleasant, Mich., died July 18, 2017, Albert A. Saltalamachea, M.A. ’78, Joyce E. (Simmons) Vescio, Marilynn J. (Parker) Cubitt, ’95, Mich., died April 26, 2017, age 76. age 80. Houghton Lake, Mich., died March age 64. Bluffton, S.C., died May 30, 2017, M.A. ’83, Saginaw, Mich., died Bad Axe, Mich., died April 22, 2017, Marylou W. (Wyman) Spencer, ’50, 29, 2017, age 93. age 67. Charlotte B. Evans, Naples, Fla., M.A. ’70, Midland, Mich., died May 6, Bernard A. Thompson , ’59, Danny J. Markham, M.A. ’74, April 16, 2017, age 70. age 81. died April 17, 2017, age 89. Suttons Bay, Mich., died June 8, 2017, Donna E. Long, ’68, Monroe, Mich., Andrea F. Bennett, M.A. ’79, 2017, age 89. Arlington, Texas, died March 31, 2017, Courtney R. Smith, M.A. ’84, Allyn, Zachary E. Mayes, ’95, Grand Robert E. Rankin, Roseville, Mich., age 79. died Feb. 28, 2017, age 71. age 67. Shreveport, La., died June 9, 2017, Wash., died May 22, 2017, age 68. Ledge, Mich., died May 17, 2017, Gilbert A. Goodwin, ’51, Dexter, age 77. died June 18, 2017, age 90. Mich., died April 21, 2017, age 90. Ina E. (Morse) Wilson, ’59, Midland, Stanley A. Nowak, ’68, Livonia, Donald P. Moore, M.A. ’74, Logan, John W. Chriswell, M.A. ’85, Beverly age 46. Mich., died April 6, 2017, age 94. Mich., died Feb. 5, 2017, age 70. Bernard W. Flint, ’79, M.A. ’80, Ira S. Rosenbaum, Colorado Russell P. Posthumus, ’51, Grand Ohio, died April 5, 2017, age 91. Hills, Fla., died April 8, 2016, age 89. Barbara E. (Carl) Augustine- Springs, Co., died April 16, 2017, Bernard J. Reilly, ’60, Brighton, Charlotte W. (Woody) Seiler, M.A. Ed.S. ’85, Blanchard, Mich., died Hayes, ’96, Saranac, Mich., died Rapids, Mich., died March 11, 2017, John C. Starmann, M.A. ’74, White May 26, 2017, age 76. David J. Schuch, ’85, Holland, Mich., age 85. age 90. Mich., died May 5, 2017, age 83. ’68, Venice, Fla., died May 21, 2017, Pigeon, Mich., died April 7, 2017, died June 18, 2017, age 53. April 16, 2017, age 64. age 102. Stephen J. Gamble, M.A. ’79, Arthur R. Thayer, ’51, Grayling, Jerome L. Sieracki, ’60, M.A. ’62, age 74. Mark R. Chown, ’86, M.M. ’03, Matthew J. Sugg, ’96, Northwood, M.A. ’83, The Villages, Fla., died Robert M. Applegate, ’69, Grand Jacksonville, Fla., died March 24, Ohio, died May 31, 2017, age 44. Staff Mich., died March 8, 2017, age 91. Mary S. (Bonjour) Stover, ’74, 2017, age 76. Escanaba, Mich., died April 30, 2017, March 25, 2017, age 78. Rapids, Mich., died June 29, 2017, Chesaning, Mich., died March 27, age 59. Marvin W. Powell, ’97, Umatilla, Fla., Barbara E. Augustine-Hayes, George V. Whitfield, ’51, Petoskey, age 70. Bertra M. (Pleas) Gates, M.A. ’79, Saranac, Mich., died April 16, 2017, Mich., died June 22, 2017, age 89. James E. Kane, ’61, Sparta, Mich., 2017, age 65. Michael J. Seaman, ’86, M.A. ’87, died May 15, 2017, age 44. died July 6, 2017, age 78. Josephine D. (Tubergen) Kansas City, Kan., died April 25, 2017, age 64. Thomas C. Turcott , ’74, Petoskey, age 74. Mount Pleasant, Mich., died June 27, Rodney M. Weston, ’97, DeWitt, Dorothy A. (Haist) Allen, ’52, DeRuiter, ’69, McBain, Mich., Donna E. Boge, Beal City, Mich., Las Cruces, N.M., died April 16, 2017, Neil F. Kirwan, ’61, St. Augustine, Mich., died June 15, 2017, age 93. 2017, age 53. Mich., died March 2, 2017, age 44. Fla., died March 4, 2017, age 83. died April 7, 2017, age 98. Michael O. Halloran, M.A. ’79, died April 19, 2017, age 85. age 89. Gustaaf A. VanDerWaerden, M.A. Marble Falls, Texas, died May 21, David E. Chmielewski, Ed.S. ’87, Robin L. (Neadow) Mulligan, ’98, Dennis A. Miner, ’69, M.A. ’72, Audrey Marie Cumming, Hamilton, Charlotte A. Cowan, ’52, Harry L. Wolff, ’61, M.A. ’68, ’74, Warren, Mich., died June 14, 2017, 2017, age 75. Avoca, Mich., died April 12, 2017, Manistique, Mich., died May 24, 2017, Petoskey, Mich., died May 27, 2017, Saginaw, Mich., died April 7, 2017, age 88. age 61. age 60. Ohio, died April 15, 2017, age 100. Edwardsville, Ill., died March 21, 2017, age 70. Richard B. Koehler, M.S. ’79, Shreve, age 83. Marlene Kay Ernst, died March 5, age 87. Mary T. (Unrue) Young, ’74, Ohio, died July 1, 2017, age 70. Orlie E. Cokley, M.S.A. ’87, Craig A. Porubsky, ’98, New James W. Goecker, ’62, Daphne, Donald B. Assmann, ’70, Auburn, Marshall, Mich., died May 31, 2017, Washington, Ohio, died Feb. 5, 2017, Hudson, Mich., died March 17, 2017, 2017, age 74. Andrew W. Snyder, ’52, Berrien N.Y., died May 28, 2017, age 74. Thomas L. O’Neil, ’79, Cheboygan, Ala., died March 30, 2017, age 78. age 65. age 66. age 42. Waneta Swan, Shepherd, Mich., Springs, Mich., died March 8, 2017, Mich., died April 15, 2017, age 68. age 89. Thomas R. Harrison, ’62, Clinton, Robert C. Findsen, MBA ’70, James P. Davis, ’75, Imlay City, Robert D. Moffat, M.A. ’87, Lima, Vincente Castellanos, M.S.A. ’99, died April 10, 2017, age 97. Mich., died Aug. 26, 2016, age 75. Scottsdale, Ariz., died June 17, 2017, Mich., died May 12, 2017, age 65. Candace L. Seifert, ’79, Tallahassee, Ohio, died March 6, 2017, age 75. Freeland, Mich., died May 22, 2017, Ruth M. (Shirley) Seals, ’53, Ashley, age 76. Fla., died May 11, 2017, age 59. Mich., died April 21, 2017, age 85. Mary S. Lane, ’62, Midland, Mich., Marie E. (Kirk) Eby, ’75, Elkton, Jill P. (Shaver) Pacic, ’87, Grand age 74. Dennis J. Haut, ’70, M.A. ’74, Standish, Lloyd D. Wynn, M.A. ’79, Round William E. Spencer, ’53, Muskegon, died June 11, 2017, age 77. Mich., died May 31, 2015, age 91. Rapids, Mich., died June 20, 2017, Shawn N. Snider, M.S.A. ’99, Mich., died April 23, 2017, age 70. Rock, Texas, died April 27, 2017, age 52. Springfield, Mo., died May 12, 2017, Mich., died March 10, 2017, age 86. Maurice DeVoe, ’63, M.A. ’81, James A. Helmink, ’75, M.A. ’77, age 72. Mission, Texas, died May 1, 2017, William G. Derthick M.A. ’71, Conroe, Texas, died May 20, 2017, Manuel R. Borrell, M.S.A. ’88, age 54. Kenneth E. Barron, ’54, Hereford, Oscoda, Mich., died June 10, 2017, Carl G. Collins, M.A. ’80, Johnson Ariz., died Feb. 4, 2017, age 83. age 76. age 64. Huntersville, N.C., died June 1, 2017, Steven R. McAllister, ’00, East age 80. City, Tenn., died May 17, 2017, age 83. age 56. Setauket, N.Y., died May 31, 2017, Evelyn (Sabourin) Michiels, ’54, Glenn A. Jacobs, ’63, M.A. ’67, Hart, Alexander S. Malley, ’75, Hernando, Mich., died March 9, 2017, age 79. Philip B. Maynard, ’71, Alanson, Fla., died May 26, 2017, age 64. Barbara J. Putney, ’80, Bay City, Janice L. (Jenkins) Mason, M.S.A. age 39. Atlanta, Mich., died June 6, 2017, Mich., died June 9, 2017, age 77. Mich., died March 2, 2017, age 59. age 91. Jean L. (Preston) Bloecker, ’64, Monica L. McCarty, ’75, Novi, Mich., ’88, Beaver, Ohio, died March 2, 2017, Debra S. (Berne) Sodergren, Greenbush, Mich., died June 26, Robert S. Wickizer, ’71, Ann Arbor, died May 1, 2017, age 63. Thomas J. Edmundson, M.A. ’81, age 62. M.S.A. ’00, Warren, Mich., died 2017, age 76. Mich., died May 12, 2017, age 68. Harker Heights, Texas, died May 21, April 6, 2017, age 63. 2017, age 71.

38 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 39 Do you remember? CLARKE HISTORICAL LIBRARY

Supporting student success PHOTO COURTESY OF Sarah Rowley Opperman, ’81, and Daniel S. Opperman support student success in college and beyond. During her years at Central Michigan University, Sarah Rowley Opperman received support from many different avenues that ensured her success in college. This included help from staff and faculty to successfully navigate two majors while also participating in broader campus programs. This support advanced her academic studies as well as her professional career. The Oppermans are returning the support by giving to Charles V. Park Library and the CMU Leadership Institute in their estate plans. “It’s always been about student success,” Sarah said. “CMU believed in and helped Sarah Rowley Opperman, ’81, me to succeed. Likewise, we passionately believe in and hope to help future and Daniel S. Opperman generations of students to succeed.”

Give today for the future Grawn is growing Like Sarah and Daniel, you, too, can help students in an incredibly At 102 years old, Grawn Hall is the university’s oldest building. special way. To learn more about this and additional ways to give In its early years, it housed agriculture, math and science disciplines, back to Central Michigan University, contact: a greenhouse, and the university’s print shop. Today’s alumni likely Ted Tolcher remember Grawn Hall as the home of the College of Business Senior Philanthropic Advisor, National Director of Planned Giving, Advancement Administration. Crews worked all summer to finish a $10.8 million, Central Michigan University, Carlin Alumni House, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 two-story addition, opening Sept. 21. • 989-774-1441 • [email protected] CMU, an AA/EO institution, provides equal Grawn time-lapse opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities giftplanning.cmich.edu (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9796

40 centralight Fall ’17 centralight Fall ’17 41 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIDLAND MI PERMIT NO. 260 centralight Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

Membership Includes • A reserved ticket for each member 2017 CONCERT LINEUP • A parking pass for each group of 4 members Aug. 31 – Jedi Mind Trip • Prime viewing location in a private tent for the pregame concert in Tailgate Village Sept. 23 – Union Guns • Special dining menus each game Oct. 14 – Paddlebots • Access to a cash bar with beer and wine

Complete Turnkey Experience Just show up with your friends, show your wristband at the entrance and experience the Chippewas Walk of Champions, the great food and the concert with no hassle – just walk to Kelly/Shorts Stadium afterwards to watch the Chippewas in action!