Spring 2014 3 NAIA Champs Feature Story Alumni Weekend 2014 Event Schedule The Alumni Office and Alumni Association are excited about your new alumni magazine, Alumni Baker Proud We treasure sharing the stories of our graduates, faculty and staff who Weekend have made a difference in the lives of so many BAKER UNIVERSITY people Campus news and student successes • MAY 16-18, also will be an integral part of this quarterly 2014 magazine Please enjoy this issue and eagerly 4 14 await the arrival of the next 18 BAKER PROUD | Spring 2014 President Dr Pat Long Senior Director of Advancement Patrick Mikesic Director of Major Gifts Amy Piersol Vice President for Endowment Table of Contents and Planned Giving Jerry Weakley, BA ’70, MBA ’92 Director of Alumni 3 Campus News and Corporate Relations Doug Barth, BA ’91 4 Lynne Murray Named President Alumni Relations Coordinator Kelsey Nolte Baker University 6 National Track Champs Board of Trustees Chair Rich Howell, BS ’74 9 Cross Country and Track Success Baker University Alumni Association Board of Directors 10 Alumni Notes President Ivan Fenwick, MBA ’08 20 Vice President Joe Westerhaus, MBA ’09 12 Let Thy Praises Ring Secretary Leandra Monreal, BSN ’09 14-15 Alumni Weekend Chair of Recruitment Jodi Akers, BS ‘92 16 Sports Highlights Chair of Scholarships Leila Uhl, BSN ’11 A Publication of the Office of Marketing and Communications 18 Gordon Lansford Leads Company Vice President for Marketing, Communications 20 Bruce Gilbert Returns to Boston 6 and External Relations Mary Larson Diaz, MSM ’96 23 Anatomy of a Student On the cover: Baker University’s national champions, Stephanie Nelson, Public Information Officer Palmer Mai, ’54, and Jeremy Gathright. and Special Assistant to the President Chris Smith, BA ’09 25 Principals Honored Senior Director of Digital Communications Cover photograph by Mark Hutchinson and Emerging Media Neil Kulbiski, MBA ’11 26 Two Deans to Retire Assistant Director of Marketing 29 Alumni Calendar 23 and Communication/Design Wende Beeson, MLA ’97 Writing Kyle Davis, BS ’11 www.facebook.com/BakerUniversity www.flickr.com/photos/bakeru Art Direction and Graphic Design John Masson Web Content Manager and Writer Annette Pierce Baker University Alumni Relations Office www.youtube.com/user/BakerUniversity www.twitter.com/Bakeru [email protected] or 888.781.2586 Writing and Photography Steve Rottinghaus, MSM ’14 BAKER PROUD | Spring 2014 3 Campus News First-year students participate and has the potential to change the lives of Kansas college or university education facul- A Message from in Emerging Leaders Summit those around us,” said Schaefer. “In a world ty for the prestigious designation. Baker University takes pride in developing today that is moving faster than ever before, Internship success leads to awards leaders. the ability to communicate effectively has Five Baker University students were honored never been in higher demand. At Baker, we President Pat Long Twenty-five first-year and transfer students in mid-October as award recipients for the want to graduate students who can clearly from Baker participated in the annual Baker Organizational Observation for Knowl- articulate the ideas they fostered during their Emerging Leaders Summit at Camp Chip- edge (BOOK) program. years here.” pewa in Ottawa, Kan. The event helps stu- The program expands basic summer dents enhance their leadership skills, enable Communication is one of the four major Dear alumni, internship opportunities by inviting students other students to act, establish values and objectives of Baker’s Quest program. to participate in presenting a profile of their respect, and develop teamwork. “As students practice and learn commu- hosting or sponsoring organization through It is my pleasure to open the second issue of Baker Proud. Sharing the success stories of your fellow Graduates of the summit have gone on to nication competency, the Speech Center researching the company’s history, mission, alumni is such a joy for us at Baker. From Academy Award nominees to newly minted CEOs, Baker hold significant campus leadership posi- will help provide the tools they will need for structure, products and services, finances graduates are continuing to make a name for themselves at the pinnacle of their respective industries. tions, including orientation team members, their journey,” Schaefer told students, faculty and management. Our Marketing and Communications office can attest it is often difficult to capture all of your wonder- resident assistants, Student Activities and staff at the grand opening. “Whether Molly Bostwick, a senior from Baldwin City, ful accolades in just 32 pages! We could not be more proud of you. Council executive board members, student students are giving their first individual pre- was awarded the top prize. She received organization presidents, Baker Ambassa- sentation on campus or are interviewing for $1,500 for her presentation about her in- In this issue you will read an inspiring piece on our three national champion track stars, Stephanie dors and student body presidents. internships or job opportunities, we want to ternship at Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Ark. She be there every step of the way so they can Nelson, Jeremy Gathright and Palmer Mai, ’54. In addition to reading the exciting introductions of Bak- Baker’s Emerging Leaders Summit Class also received $500 from Baker’s Institute for competently articulate their ideas.” er’s President Elect, Dr. Lynne Murray, and the University Minister, the Rev. Kevin Hopkins, I would of 2013-2014 is made up of Bree Busch, Leadership and Positive Change initiative for invite you to scan this season’s class notes and athletics updates. We certainly have much to celebrate Manhattan, Kan.; Jordan Buscher, Overland her profile on Wal-Mart’s social responsibility in Wildcat Nation right now. Park, Kan.; Amanda Conrade, Topeka, Kan.; efforts, including sustainability consider- Kaci Dillingham, Topeka, Kan.; Kristina Hein- ations and community involvement. I want to use this space at the front of the magazine to recognize the retirements of two key lead- rich, Wilson, Kan.; Jaime Hodge, Ottawa, Outstanding merit awards were presented to ers who, like the Rev. Ira DeSpain in the inaugural issue, have made significant contributions to our Kan.; Allissa Houchin, Gypsum, Kan.; Ryenn Caitlin Campbell, Topeka, Kan., senior, who Johns, Lenexa, Kan.; Emi Kniffin, Wichita, blessed institution. Dr. Peggy Harris and Dr. Kathy Harr, deans and vice presidents of the School of interned at West Ridge Lanes and Family Kan.; Sione Maumau, Highlands Ranch, Fun Center in Topeka, $600; Alex Hen- Education and the School of Nursing, respectively, are finishing their tenures in 2014. Dr. Harris and Colo.; Luke Miltz, Lecompton, Kan.; James Dr. Harr have been exemplary models for their faculty and students during their combined 47 years of ning, De Soto, Kan., senior, who interned Newton, De Soto, Kan.; Heather Nichols, at K-State Olathe (Kan.) Innovation Center, dedicated service to Baker University. They will be dearly missed. Lecompton, Kan.; Logan Pope, Republic, $300; Mike Hobbs, Olathe, Kan., senior, Mo.; Darrell Randall, Overland Park, Kan.; who interned with the Kansas City (Kan.) Indeed, this spring marks the final Alumni Weekend for many of us here at Baker. I speak for all of Jami Sanborn, Independence, Kan.; Caylea T-Bones baseball team, $300; and Jordan our future retirees when I say that we would love to see you back in Baldwin City and have the chance Siler, Bonner Springs, Kan.; Rebecca Honore, ’13, Stafford, Texas, who interned to visit with you and your families during Alumni Weekend May 16-18. I have made it my mission to Simkins, Merriam, Kan.; Elizabeth Stover, at Hooper and Honore Attorneys at Law in be at every event; I want to bid farewell wishes to our golfers on Friday, our Greeks on Saturday and Olathe, Kan.; Kiana Turner, Tatum, Texas; Atlanta, $300. everyone in between at the weekend socials. While you are here, make sure to stop by our renovated Evelyn Vila, Overland Park, Kan.; Zach Bryan Kindle, ’13, School of Education Vredenburg, Olathe, Kan.; Madison Wendt, Media students place first Student Union and dining hall — you will be very impressed and proud of what your gifts and support Dean Peggy Harris and Lindsey Brown, ’13 Chanute, Kan.; Steph Woltkamp, Overland at national competition have made happen on our campus! Park, Kan.; and Anna Wright, Lawrence, Baker University students Kayla Infanti and Kan. December graduates honored Lauren Bechard, members of the Baker If you cannot be here during Alumni Weekend, please know that I am sincerely grateful for all of your as Teachers of Promise Orange staff, placed first in the multimedia support during the past eight years and I will always be Baker Proud! Speech Center helps students sports category at the Associated Collegiate improve communication skills Recent Baker University School of Educa- tion graduates and Press and College Media Association na- Designed to enhance the communica- Lindsey Brown, ’13, were recognized in tional convention in October in New Orleans. Proudly, tion skills of students, the Speech Center Bryan Kindle, ’13, November as Teachers of Promise. Brown, Competing against schools of all sizes opened its office at Parmenter Hall in Overland Park, Kan., and Kindle, Eudora, across the nation, Bechard and Infanti were mid-October to an overflowing crowd. Kan., both majored in secondary education recognized for their multimedia package, Kim Schaefer, assistant professor of com- and mathematics. The Teachers of Promise “High Risk Sports,” on athletes and injuries. munication, and President Pat Long dedi- Dr. Pat award is presented by the Kansas State Infanti, a junior from Olathe, Kan., is majoring cated the office for the new student service. Department of Education to recognize, in public relations and behavioral psycholo- “The goal of the Speech Center is to help recruit and retain the best Kansas teachers gy.