FIRED up to Give Back CMU Alumni Support Today’S Students and Programs in Ways That Reflect Their Own Campus Experiences Centralight Winter 2020

Centralight CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY | ALUMNI MAGAZINE WINTER 2020

FIRED UP to give back CMU alumni support today’s students and programs in ways that reflect their own campus experiences Centralight Winter 2020

Features

6 12 On the cover CMU giving Virtual alumni events

Students, faculty and staff are wearing From efforts to enhance diversity While the pandemic has temporarily face masks and practicing social and inclusion to gifts that uplift halted in-person events, CMU’s alumni distancing on campus, working to entire departments, alumni are engagement team has created ways for keep everyone safe. giving back to CMU in ways that are everyone to stay connected, from Zoom

PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES meaningful to them. trivia to virtual Grandparents U.

22 Museum’s 50th anniversary Editor’s note

For 50 years, the Museum of Cultural and Natural History has served as a lab Some of the photos in this issue for students enrolled in CMU’s were taken prior to the COVID-19 museum studies minor and public pandemic and, as a result, don’t history major. Their work documents reflect current social distancing and showcases the history of the and masking requirements. university and the surrounding region.

2 Centralight Winter ’20 Executive Editor and Executive Director of Alumni Relations Marcie Otteman, ’87 Editor Betsy Miner-Swartz, ’86 Managing Editor Robin Miner-Swartz Graphic Designer Erin Rivard, ’07, MBA ’16 Photographers Steve Jessmore, ’81 18 Adam Sparkes Big Picture Writers Terri Finch Hamilton, ’83 Jeff Johnston, ’91 Robin Miner-Swartz Research Associate Bryan Whitledge Editorial Assistant Jean Rau Vice President for Advancement Heidi Tracy Vice President for University Communications and Chief Marketing Officer John Veilleux For advertising information Call Cindy Jacobs, ’93 (800) 358-6903 Stay connected Send change of address information to: Alumni Relations Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 After-sunset surveys allow CMU researchers to identify species of frogs and toads Phone: (800) 358-6903 present in Michigan wetlands, helping monitor the health of the Great Lakes’ ecosystem. Fax: (989) 774-7159 Email: [email protected] Web: cmich.edu/alumni/Centralight

Departments

4 CMU Today 35 Alumni Association After a nationwide search, Amy Folan Board of Directors is CMU’s new Director of Athletics. 37 In Memory 28 Alumni Award Winners 40 Do You Remember Centralight is published three times each year by the 30 10 Within 10 Central Michigan University Office of Alumni Relations. It is printed by Printing Services, Mount Pleasant, and entered at the Mount Pleasant Post Office under nonprofit mailing. 34 Alumni News CMU, an AA/EO institution, provides equal opportunity to all A CMU grad left nearly $10 million to his persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). Copies of alma mater. 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 10159–24,000+ (11/20)

CentralightCentralight Winter Winter ’20 ’20 11 YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Become a Gold Member, and receive over 60,000 benefits

foreveralumni maroon and gold

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective www.cmich.edu/alumni of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities. 10129 (8/20) Navigating a school year like no other Students, faculty, staff embraced pandemic-fueled change

As we gear up to We navigated how to learn differently, tastings and brewery tours. They’ve welcome winter, engage creatively and connect virtually. turned our face-to-face experiences I’m reflecting on But the determination and tenacity from into engaging online options that what probably our faculty, staff and students to not only alumni near and far are enjoying. Be has been the have a fall semester but to embrace the sure to check in on all the fun things strangest fall changes as much as possible felt they have happening in cyberspace! that I’ve ever welcome and familiar. Even in the face Finally, I’m excited to introduce a new experienced on of a global health pandemic, exciting recurring feature. In our fall issue, we CMU’s campus. things continue to happen here at CMU, invited CMU President Bob Davies to Mother Nature including the historic announcement of write about the power of higher Marcie Otteman, ’87, did not our first female athletic director, Amy education. You enjoyed it so much and Executive Director of disappoint, of Folan. Amy joined us in October and you asked for more — and we are happy Alumni Relations course, dressing already is making major strides. to deliver. His first piece appears below. our campus in I’m excited to introduce you to inspiring I’m personally looking forward to reading her favorite colors of maroon and gold. alumni in this issue who are making a his column in each issue. But the parking lots were only half full, as difference for our students. They’re using Here’s to finally closing the books on COVID-19 restrictions changed the way their financial commitment to ensure our 2020 and looking forward to a fresh new we navigated the fall semester. The students are supported every day of their year in 2021! students were wearing masks. And academic careers. the things I typically get excited Stay well and stay Fired UP! about each fall — like football games Did someone say pivot? The alumni and the sheer buzz of a new year on team has pivoted to virtual events, hosting campus — were missing. trivia and happy hours along with wine Alumni engagement matters You are CMU’s best form of advertising

I am honored a CMU education in action. The example • Recruit a CMU student to serve as an and thankful to you set — for both future and current intern in your place of employment, or have this new students — is a vital part of the CMU hire a recent graduate. column in story, and we need your engagement. • Make a financial contribution to a Centralight to While the ongoing pandemic has student scholarship or other student update you, our made some traditional activities support fund, such as the Student valued alumni challenging, alumni still can show their Emergency Fund or Student Food and friends, on support for CMU. Here are a few ways Pantry, and pay it forward for a fellow the exciting you can make a difference: CMU Chippewa. things President Bob Davies happening • Seek out fellow CMU Chippewas in your • Participate in alumni events and here at workplace. Invite them to celebrate activities, and invite your friends Central Michigan University. Fire Up Fridays with you by wearing to join you. your favorite maroon and gold attire. Behind every great university is a Until we can safely meet again in person, powerful network of engaged alumni. • Help us recruit the next CMU graduate: I look forward to seeing you virtually at Through your leadership in your Tell a high school or community college upcoming events and activities. Thank profession and in your community, you student about your experiences at you for all you have done and continue to demonstrate to others what it means to CMU, and encourage them to apply. do to support your university. be a CMU Chippewa — and you are a • Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Be well, and as always, Fire Up Chips! more powerful form of advertising than Instagram, and like, share and retweet any billboard or commercial. You are my posts. Spread the good news about living, breathing examples of the power of CMU to your circle of friends.

Centralight Winter ’20 3 CMU TODAY Amy Folan named to lead and proven leadership skills will have an immediate Central Michigan Athletics and positive impact.” Davies also recognized Folan’s ability to tackle tough issues New director brings experience and passion and turn them around, calling her a well-respected leader who After a nationwide search, Amy Folan is CMU’s will be an outstanding representative of CMU Athletics, its new Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice student-athletes and the entire university community. President/Director of Athletics. She brings to “An incredible passion for student-athletes, combined with her CMU extensive experience in collegiate experience and leadership in fundraising and compliance, athletics, with special focus on fundraising and compliance. positioned her as the best fit to take our athletics program to Folan joins CMU from the University of Texas at Austin, where the next level.” she spent more than two decades with the athletic department. “Central Michigan is a tradition-rich program with an incredible Most recently, she led the athletic department’s fundraising record of success, and I look forward to working with our arm while working as executive senior associate athletics student-athletes, coaches, university and surrounding director. U-T Austin is in the Big 12 conference with a student communities, fans and supporters to build on the CMU tradition body of about 40,000. of excellence and continue to raise the bar,” Folan said. “I am thrilled to welcome Amy Folan to Central Michigan Folan, who succeeds Michael Alford, is the eighth athletics University and the Mount Pleasant community,” President Bob director at CMU since 1940. She and her husband, Joseph, have Davies said. “Our goal was to find a person who would continue, if two children, Anelio and Giada. • not steepen, our upward trajectory. Amy’s past accomplishments

CMU names Staff A committee of past winners in Communication Sciences Sarah Scoby, selects the honorees for and Disorders. coordinator, Excellence honorees excellence on the job, events and Angela Fulk, President praises 14 for serving people well, communications, executive secretary leadership and service communication skills, Curriculum and Instructional in Physics. courage and effectiveness, Support. Central Michigan University passion for CMU, and Kayla Harber- celebrated 14 employees as Andrew Starner, modeling inclusiveness Bates, assistant 2019-20 Staff Excellence multimedia web and respect. This year’s director, Award honorees for their developer, learning award recipients are: admissions in outstanding service to the media production, Undergraduate Admissions. university and its students. Mark Blackmer, Curriculum and Instructional maintenance and Gary Lane, Support. President Bob Davies repair technician in technology presented the awards in a Barbara Steffke, the School of manager II, series of small-group coordinator/online Engineering and Technology. academic meetings to adhere to social course production, computing in the Office of distancing practices. Nel Boose, learning Information Technology. director, management systems, “Our passionate and dedicated enrollment Heidi Mahon, Curriculum and Instructional staff make it possible for and financial director, student Support. Central Michigan University to operations for Education services, advising carry out its student-centered Jennifer Stilwell, and Human Services. student services in mission,” Davies said. “I am technology project the College of Science and proud of each of our award Bernadette manager III, Engineering. recipients and the countless Cesena, executive project others who lead and lift up secretary in Jared Peless, management in the Office of our community.” Communication. software architect, Information Technology. development and Winners are nominated by Nicole Ferguson, Michelle Veith, maintenance in peers and colleagues for director, clinical director, Student the Office of Information exemplary service to others. instruction and Disability Services.• Technology. audiology services 4 CentralightCentralight Winter Winter ’20 ’20 CMU’s engineering technology programs Emeritus faculty member earn national accreditation joins Broadcasting Mechanical, industrial tech programs join growing list of Hall of Fame academic fields with ABET credentials Michigan Association of Broadcasters The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology honors William ‘Rick’ Sykes has added CMU’s mechanical engineering technology The Michigan Association of and industrial engineering technology programs to its Broadcasters has inducted Central list of accredited programs. They join the growing list of Michigan University emeritus faculty member William ABET-accredited programs at CMU that includes the “Rick” Sykes into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame computer, electrical and mechanical engineering programs. and presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. “This accreditation for our … programs demonstrates rigor, Sykes, ’73, M.A. ’80, began his broadcasting career in his relevance and excellence in the education and experiences hometown of Saginaw at WNEM-TV in 1973. He moved to we provide to our students,” said Kumar Yelamarthi, director WDIV-TV in Detroit in 1982 and to a regional public of CMU’s School of Engineering and Technology. relations firm in Detroit in 1990. ABET is a nongovernmental organization that accredits In 1996, Sykes joined what is now CMU’s School of programs in applied and natural science, computing, Broadcast and Cinematic Arts. He taught news and engineering and engineering technology. sports-related courses for 24 years and oversaw the “ABET accreditation provides assurance that the CMU student-produced News Central 34 during its 17-year engineering technology programs meet the quality streak as the MAB Foundation’s station of the year. He standards of the profession for which that program also has been a member and chairman of the MAB prepares graduates,” Yelamarthi said. Foundation board of directors. This accreditation extends retroactively from Oct. 1, 2017. • In 2010, Sykes earned CMU’s Excellence in Teaching Award. “We are very proud of Rick and his many contributions to our college, CMU and the broadcasting field,” said Elizabeth Kirby, interim dean of the College of the Arts and Media. Sykes is credited with helping scores of future broadcasters get their start. Established in 2001, the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognizes broadcasters for leadership, achievements and contributions to their local communities. Hall of Fame inductees are chosen based on distinguished professional careers in Michigan broadcasting. •

Study links colleagues started texting about Heidemann continues to study MIS-C as the same suspicions.” part of the COVID-19 investigator group COVID-19, working to better understand the Heidemann co-authored a research syndrome and treatment. rare syndrome article published in July in the prestigious in children New England Journal of Medicine As director of the Pediatric Intensive CMU pediatrician exploring MIS-C: multisystem Care Unit and co-director of the co-authors New inflammatory syndrome in children. transport team at Detroit Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan, England Journal of The researchers found that MIS-C Heidemann is a member of the new Medicine article can threaten previously healthy Detroit-based CMU Clinical Research children and adolescents. It was April 26, 2020, when Dr. Sabrina Institute. The institute is a partnership Heidemann — a Central Michigan “It became apparent there were children between CMU’s College of Medicine and University pediatrician based in metro admitted to the pediatric ICU with University Pediatricians to improve Detroit — first suspected COVID-19 inflammation affecting the heart and children’s health care across Michigan exposure might cause a rare and serious skin, and causing an increase in markers through research. inflammatory disease in children. of inflammation,” Heidemann said. She has been an attending physician at “I started writing a case report that Their manuscript explores the cases of Children’s Hospital since 1992. • day. By nighttime, a few of my 186 MIS-C patients, four of whom died.

Centralight Winter ’20 5 6 Centralight Winter ’20 ADAM SPARKES ADAM

PHOTOS BY PHOTOS

with purpose

Alumni support fueled by personal connections BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON ’83

Alumni don’t usually give money just because they loved football games, the autumn colors at Warriner Hall or the tasty popcorn chicken bowls from Fresh Food Co. The inspiration goes deeper. Phil Allen discovered a grounding in philosophy that shaped his life’s work — and his life. Larry Burns and the children’s foundation he leads see a CMU purpose that matches their own. Deirdre Drake and Lester Booker Jr. rally for the inclusion that sometimes eluded them on campus. This is personal. > Centralight Winter ’20 7 ‘We need change agents on campus’ Young alum’s scholarship fuels diversity and inclusion

Lester Booker Jr. grew up on the east Booker celebrated his 35th birthday in Meanwhile, they’ll get a financial boost side of Detroit, but when he was 12 his August with a fundraiser, asking friends to finish college. family moved to a predominantly white and family to contribute to the Lester Booker calls this “a pivotal time” community in Canton. Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for to encourage motivated students Diversity and Inclusion. “It was culture shock,” he said. “I was one to attend CMU. of just a few people who looked like me.” The $2,500 scholarship is awarded “We have racial tension across the annually to a student passionate about He played football and was on the Canton country,” he said. “We need change the issues close to Booker’s heart, Township Youth Advisory Council. agents on campus. This is the time for preferably from Detroit. people to come together and appreciate “I got to know people as people,” he said. Booker, who works in global people for people.” “That broke down a lot of stereotypes.” communications at General Motors, has He calls it “crucial for the success Booker, ’08, ’10, continued that mission as high hopes for the recipients. of CMU.” a student at CMU, working in Multicultural “They’ll be part of the culture of campus,” Academic Student Services, planning “I had an amazing experience at CMU,” he said. “They’ll stand up for what’s right. events such as a Martin Luther King Jr. Booker said. “I want CMU to remain true Maybe they’re in a residence hall and they community peace brunch. He was a to who it is. If I can help sow treasure and hear somebody say something they multicultural advisor in Thorpe Hall and time into it, I will, so that same experience shouldn’t. And they speak up. They was a resident assistant in Fabiano Hall. can be available to others — especially to challenge conversations. Maybe they people who look like me. Not long after graduation, Booker set a become an RA on campus like I was goal for himself: start a CMU scholarship and create programming for students “In 10 years, I can’t wait to hear about by the time he turned 35. and create an environment where their achievements and journeys,” he said. “That will be really gratifying.” Done. everybody feels heard. “That’s the kind of leaders I hope these students are.”

8 Centralight Winter ’20 Paying it forward by opening doors Alum’s ‘full-circle story’ provides students access and optimism

Deirdre Drake went to CMU with a scholarship designed to bring more people of color to campus. She graduated without debt, thanks to donors who supported a young woman from Flint who had little means but great aspirations. Now she’s paying it forward, funding a scholarship administered by CMU’s Office of Institutional Diversity. “When I started thinking of ways to give back, it seemed natural to do it in a similar way,” said Drake, ’89, executive vice president and chief people officer for UScellular in Chicago. “My vision is it will go to kids who are a lot like me, in many respects. My parents didn’t go to college and weren’t sure if their kids would, either. I’d like to help a student who may not fully appreciate the doors that are opened by a post-high-school education.” Drake likes to talk about optimism and hope. When somebody who doesn’t even know you believes enough in you to help fund your education, it inspires both. Out of about 16,000 students at CMU in 1984, she said, she was one of just 300 African Americans. Life on campus wasn’t always easy. But she bonded with other students, made lifelong friends and flourished as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a source of strength and support. “For every moment of isolation, there was a moment of inclusion,” she said. Her successful 33-year career in human resources started in the CMU School of Business, “and I can’t say enough about that foundation,” Drake said. “It opened up a whole new world. I learned how to rally people to collaborate and do good work in teams.” “The older I get, the more aware I am of the importance of motivating other people,” she said. “It’s important, Drake rallied a sea of CMU graduates in December 2018 when as we all think about our philanthropy, to carve some she was commencement speaker, stressing the importance of space for education.” adding character to the knowledge they gained at Central. She calls her CMU experience “a full-circle story.” Be caring. Treat people with respect. Be fair. Give your time, talent and money. “Who knew what worlds would get opened up to me when I ventured off that campus from the foundation that CMU She takes her own advice. provided for me?” she said. “I want to help CMU continue to thrive,” Drake said. Now, she looks forward to inspiring future students “to feel “Every penny counts. limitless opportunity by choosing CMU.”

Centralight Winter ’20 9 A thoughtful gift $500K donation honors influential philosophy professor’s work

When Phil Allen was a “There isn’t any direct kindergarten teacher in Mount application, except to teach it,” Pleasant, he wore holes in his Allen admitted. It doesn’t give jeans from scooting around the you the skill sets to a career, room on his knees. He wanted to he said, but it teaches you be on his young students’ level. how to think. Since then, in a multifaceted “It gives you the ability to analyze career, he’s been a leader in the data, to make sound judgments Michigan Education Association, and to evaluate other judgments brokered business deals from that might not be sound. Cuba to Kolkata, helped take “Philosophy won’t make you a Papa John’s Pizza to Russia, living,” he said, “but it’s a tool to masterminded telecom deals in live a better life.” China and bought a 150-acre organic hemp farm in Colorado. Allen thinks everybody can benefit from philosophy. That’s When he decided to donate why he didn’t designate his $500,000 to CMU, he gave it to donation toward a scholarship, the philosophy department. but to the philosophy What’s the meaning of that? department in general, for projects and programming. It makes perfect sense to Allen, ’74, ’75, ’80, who majored Allen donated the money in in philosophy and social honor of an influential science at CMU. philosophy professor, Dr. Nolan Kaiser, who lost his sight and his “Most of my successes and left hand at age 14 while my ability to cope with the replicating one of Thomas challenges of life are because Edison’s chemistry experiments of an understanding of the too close to the gas stove. Kaiser meaning of life — philosophy,” went on to earn a doctorate in he said. “Philosophy stretched philosophy at the University of my mind.” Michigan and taught at CMU for You expect philosophers to be more than 40 years. deep and mysterious. Allen is After Allen worked as Kaiser’s matter of fact, dislikes small talk teaching assistant, they became and did away with naps in his great friends. Now he hopes kindergarten class, sending all CMU’s philosophy professors his young students home with can inspire the next generation. their nap rugs. “Philosophy gave me the “The nap was clearly meeting self-confidence and strength to the teachers’ needs, not the be bold, daring and creative,” kids’,” he noted. Allen said. “I think everybody Allen knows not everybody should take philosophy and be thinks philosophy is a smart exposed to thoughts, career move. experiences and ideas, just for Phil Allen (top) and Dr. Nolan Kaiser. personal growth.”

10 Centralight Winter ’20 Larry Burns (right) talks with Dr. George E. Kikano for the Children’s Foundation’s child development and health podcast aimed at health care providers, clinicians and educators. An innovative partnership ‘If you lead with integrity and transparency, money will follow’

Larry Burns is a proud CMU lead clinical research to further the “We couldn’t do this without the Children’s graduate and says, “Fire Up!” as robust work to help kids thrive physically Foundation support,” Kikano said. robustly as the next guy. and emotionally. Research is expensive, he said. So But that’s not why the foundation he The Children’s Foundation also awarded is hiring top-notch experts to head heads generously supports the CMU a $50,000 grant to support a series of key areas of the medical school’s College of Medicine. educational podcasts for health care infrastructure. providers, clinicians and educators about Burns, ’78, looks at Central and sees The money is crucial, Kikano said, but child development and health issues. potential to improve kids’ health and he loves that this partnership is about their lives. It’s the same mission he Burns loves that colleges all over the more than funding. has as president and CEO of the CMU campus collaborate to produce “There’s alignment of mission, and Children’s Foundation, a Detroit the podcasts, from arts and media to open dialogue,” Kikano said. “Money is nonprofit dedicated to improving the education and human services to a byproduct of that. If you lead with health of Michigan children. health professions. money, that’s the wrong approach. If Now, with an innovative partnership that “A podcast can spread information not you lead with integrity and transparency, includes CMU’s College of Medicine, The just far and wide, but quickly,” Burns said. money will follow.” Children’s Foundation, Children’s Hospital The podcasts are just one example of “The real power of this, the exciting of Michigan and University Pediatricians how CMU’s medical school is building an potential, is these four entities working — a large group of pediatric specialists area of expertise around children’s health together,” Burns said. “You don’t often see based at the children’s hospital — the and wellness, said Dr. George E. Kikano, that in health care. It can be very potential for improving the physical and dean of the CMU College of Medicine and territorial. It strengthens the CMU brand. mental health of young people is even CMU vice president for health affairs. bigger, Burns said. “Some alumni said, ‘Why do we need to As CMU’s College of Medicine expands its start a medical school?’ Stories like this And he believes it’s potential worth reach, its mission and its partnerships, exemplify why,” Burns said. “CMU’s supporting. The Children’s Foundation funding like this comes at a perfect medical school is different. Alumni need has funded three endowed chairs that time, Kikano said. to know it’s working.” • allow the hiring of expert professionals to

Centralight Winter ’20 11 ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT GETS CREATIVE From trivia nights to Grandparents U at home, school spirit gets a virtual boost BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON ’83

It’s ’90s trivia night for CMU alumni, and the questions come fast, so stay on your toes. Whose ear did Mike Tyson take a bite out of during a boxing match? How many Spice Girls were in the group? What year did “Friends” premiere on NBC? Monica takes the lead, then Jennifer steals it with a question about the Goosebumps book series. It’s a spirited alumni event, but there’s no clinking of beer glasses or communal munching of chicken wings and sliders. This gathering is virtual — just like all alumni events since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March. Still, there’s a ton of alumni fun going on — just grab your laptop. Trivia not your thing? How about a whiskey tasting and distillery tour on Zoom? Interested in a Facebook group for ’90s CMU grads? More than 10,000 alumni were, and the group is growing. Even the popular Grandparents U, an event that brings more than 200 alumni and their grandchildren to campus for three days of fun each summer, was virtual. But the fun was real. ‘We’ve got this’ Brittany Milan, ’11, ’14, Katie Neu, ’16, ’19, and Summer Sharrard, ’18, are CMU’s effervescent alumni engagement team. They plan all sorts of alumni fun, from rousing Detroit Red Wings games to alumni cruises, tours and tastings. They thrive on meeting and greeting. But in March, they got the disappointing news: No more in-person events for a while.

At top, Margie Cole leads a virtual “Suddenly, we had to find a different way to engage kickboxing class. Below, alumni gather people,” Sharrard said. “Then, the creative light bulb on Zoom for a virtual trivia night. came on. We said, ‘We’ve got this. We can do it.’ ” >

12 Centralight Winter ’20 Grandparents U — in a box Montoye, ’14, is her CMU connection. game for video tastings, too, “When I heard it would be virtual, I showing alumni how to appreciate a Grandparents U is three days of fun on thought, all that neat stuff we did in good whiskey by first smelling the campus filled with tie-dyeing T-shirts, person — how can we rival that in our layered scents of it on their hands taking cool classes and bunking in the own home? But I’m a glass-half-full before they take a sip. residence halls. person. I thought, ‘Let’s see what they They made cocktails first, to enjoy have up their sleeve.’” “Instead of canceling, we brought during the tour. the experience to the grandparents,” She and husband Tom hosted grandkids Milan said. Noah, 10, and sister Charlotte, 8, for two days of fun at their Greenville, Michigan, home. Then they did it all over again for granddaughter Emily, 9. They tie-dyed shirts, crafted fleece blankets, painted rocks and flower pots, watched movies, munched popcorn and giggled around a campfire — all at their own pace. Noah squeezed a bunch of lemons and baked his first-ever lemon bread. When life hands you lemons, you bake lemon bread, right?

Jean Rau and her grandchildren, Gabe and “The main thing is we were together,” Evelyn, participate in Grandparents U. Kohn said. “We loved the time spent with them, the jokes made, the laughter. To Garrett walked them through it. No bar watch them learn things was a treat. tools? No problem. Muddle that orange They sent Grandparents U to families, peel with a kitchen utensil. delivered in boxes and online. Plain white “It’s more fun to be on campus, of T-shirts and packets of maroon and gold course, but we had a great time.” Alumni sporting maroon and gold sipped dye. Recipes for dessert pizzas. A slew of their drinks, asked questions and typed activity ideas, from a neighborhood Whiskey tasting on Zoom greetings to each other in the chat box. wildlife safari to at-home bowling. How do you attend a whiskey tasting and distillery tour without going to where the booze is? Hello, Zoom.

“Everybody was connecting and saying, ‘Fire Up!’” said Alyssa Young, ’14, Detroit City Distillery and CMU’s alumni distillery events planner. “It was a really engagement team brought the tasting neat experience. to 60 alumni from Michigan, Indiana, “They couldn’t be here in person Iowa and California. to touch, smell and taste, but it’s nice Christine Kohn, grandmother of They sent CMU-branded rocks glasses to know we can still engage and connect seven, was up for it. She and several to participants, along with a shopping list in all these ways we might not have grandkids had attended the event on of cocktail ingredients. thought were possible,” Young said. campus in the past. It was always a “One day, we’ll all be able to get back highlight of the summer. The distillery’s “whiskey factory” tours together again.” > are usually in person, led by brand “I figured they just wouldn’t have it this ambassador Garrett Passiak. But he’s year,” said Kohn, whose daughter, Laura

Centralight Winter ’20 13 Facebook fun Mary Hutter, ’98, was feeling nostalgic about CMU one night at her home outside Seattle and looked for a ’90s CMU alumni Facebook page. “I wanted to see pictures and memories from college,” she said. But there wasn’t one. So, she started it. That was in June. By August, it had 10,000 members. “I think it grew so fast because of COVID,” said Hutter, a video editor. “People need more interaction with other people. And everybody’s Alumni gather on Zoom for trivia night. home more, so they have time to dig out old photos from college.” (Cue the curling-iron bangs.) “CMU was a really great time in my life,” Hutter said. “I found myself. I found my people.” She even found her future husband, Seth Triezenberg, ’00, at Larzelere Hall. No talk of politics or coronavirus allowed, Sutter said. But post all you want about Big Burrito or The Bird. Not a ’90s alum? Groups for other decades have since sprung up. Something for everybody Other virtual events have focused on alumni needs, from a panel discussion on how to job search during a recession to resources and tech tips for teachers suddenly faced with teaching online. The alumni engagement trio called on departments all over Four generations of Susan Schaefer’s family held campus to contribute tips. their version of Grandparents U at Houghton Lake. Like 10-year-old Noah, everybody’s putting lemons to good use.

Detroit City Distillery led a virtual cocktail class. “Not seeing alumni in person has been really difficult for me,” Neu said. “But we love being able to engage alumni in this way, to see how happy people are to see each other. It’s so nice to have some sense of normalcy.” ‘This is in our wheelhouse now’ “When we return to face-to-face events, whenever that will be, we’ll still do virtual events, too,” Sharrard said. “This is in our wheelhouse now. “With a virtual event, you can be the only alum in a city and still attend,” she said. “That kind of contact with alumni is really cool to see.” During these times of social distancing, their mission to connect with alumni is even more important, Neu said. “Folks feel that Central is their home,” Neu said. “You meet lifelong friends, maybe your life partner, your children’s godparents. It’s a huge, shared experience. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. “Central stays with you for life.” Oh, and in case you were playing along: • Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during a boxing match. • There were five Spice Girls. • “Friends” premiered on NBC in 1994. •

14 Centralight Winter ’20 “They’re both groups that are ‘I Survived’ shirts really needed these days, now more than ever,” Schulz said. “It’s connect ’90s alumni just a hard time for everybody. During these crazy times, everybody Fun tee raises more than should support everybody else.” $4K for campus groups The Facebook group members agreed a portion of the sales would also buy BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON, ’83 much-needed art supplies for Schulz’s If you survived the 1990s in Mount elementary school students, who can no Pleasant, there’s a shirt for that. longer share supplies due to COVID-19. Actually, a few hundred. As the shirts started arriving in the mail, things got fun. People started posting When a member of the CMU 1990s photos of themselves wearing their Facebook page suggested they shirts in all corners of the country. should get matching T-shirts, Ian Schulz, ’94, ’95, volunteered to design Alumni wore the shirts to CMU during one. The St. Clair Shores art teacher move-in week as they moved their kids majored in graphic design before he into residence halls. Some discovered earned his teaching degree. long-lost friends. The shirt — featuring flames, a small On the ’90s alumni Facebook heart and “I Survived the ’90s in Mt. page, Schulz connected with his Pleasant” — was a big hit. freshman-year roommate whom he hadn’t talked to in 25 years. So was the suggestion to make it a fundraiser for Central students. “These shirts, and the Facebook page, help everybody connect,” he said. The sale of 559 shirts raised $4,310, “The fact that it raised money for good with most of the proceeds going to causes makes it even better.” • two campus groups: the CMU Student Food Pantry and the CMU Student Emergency Fund.

Centralight Winter ’20 15 YOUR SOURCE for CMU gear! MAROON ANDCMUBOOKSTORE.COM GOLD CENTRAL CMU Bookstore Winter Hours Monday-Thursday 8-6 Friday 8-5 Saturday 10-3

989-774-7493 800-283-0234

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, Photos by Jerrod Brownson Jerrod by Photos transgender status, veteran status, or weight (see http://www.cmich.edu/ocrie). Ucomm 10157

16 Centralight Winter ’20 YOUR SOURCE for CMU gear! MAROON ANDCMUBOOKSTORE.COM GOLD CENTRAL CMU Bookstore Winter Hours Monday-Thursday 8-6 Friday 8-5 Saturday 10-3

989-774-7493 800-283-0234

Centralight Winter ’20 17 18 Centralight Winter ’20 Great Lakes coastal wetlands are home to frogs and toads, and researchers in Thomas Gehring’s biology lab have spent a decade completing after-sunset surveys there. The surveys take place five times at each Michigan wetland assigned for the summer. Researchers identify species of frogs and toads present by watching and listening. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds the surveys through the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program. Researchers learn about the health of the Great Lakes by studying the wetlands.

PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES

Centralight Winter ’20 19 SHARE YOUR STORY, and help us celebrate!

2021 is our 50th anniversary of bringing innovative degree programs to working students.

If you’re one of our more than 75,000 graduates who earned your degree from a distance, we want to hear from you. Whether you took your classes at one of our satellite locations, online or received packets in the mail, we want to celebrate your success.

Visit global.cmich.edu/GCAlumni, and share your memories and achievements. Let us know how our distance learning programs helped you get where you are today.

Fire Up Chips! » global.cmich.edu/GCAlumni » 877-268-4636

Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight (see http://www.cmich.edu/ocrie). 10158 10/20

20 Centralight FallWinter ’19 ’20 CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Food to fuel student success Every day, some students at CMU struggle to meet their most basic needs. As many as 3,000 CMU students struggle with food insecurity. Students experiencing food insecurity drop or fail a class more frequently than their peers and are more likely to experience symptoms of depression. Without support, fewer than 20% of these students will complete their degree in five years or less.

Help CMU stamp out student hunger Since opening its doors in fall 2018, the CMU Student Food Pantry has distributed thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of students in need.

We need your support. Your gift to the Student Food Pantry will help hundreds of CMU Chippewas overcome unexpected obstacles and stay on the path to graduation. Donations in any amount will help us stock the shelves and keep students in school and successful. To donate online, visit go.cmualum.com/foodpantry

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 10073

Let’s see what we CAN CREATE TOGETHER. Graphic design services available. Ready for your next project? Submit your design request. Then we’ll work with you to make it happen. mgx.cmich.edu

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

Centralight Winter ’20 21 HISTORIC MILESTONE Museum of Cultural and Natural History marks 50 years of curating CMU’s story BY ROBIN MINER-SWARTZ

A 1971 Volkswagen van nicknamed “Honey Bear” was used to promote 22 Centralight Winter ’20 a museum exhibit called “Kozmic Clash: Peace, love and outer space.” The Museum of Cultural and Natural History at Central Michigan University is special. Sure, most museums probably regard themselves that way. But in this case, it’s true. The museum supports research and teaching in cultural and natural history and is a lab for students enrolled in CMU’s museum studies minor and public history major. It’s different from virtually every other university museum in the country, because it’s hands-on and student-centered. And this spring, it celebrates its 50th anniversary. “In most other museum studies programs, faculty teach, students learn, and it’s mostly filled with classroom work with little hands-on experience,” said Jay Martin, Ph.D., the museum’s director. “From the beginning, our program was the opposite — it was heavily focused on applied, hands-on student experiences.” The result — for its entire 50-year history — is that students have been central to the museum’s operations. “What we have is a museum that’s not composed of exhibits and programs primarily designed and implemented by museum professionals,” Martin said. “These are actual products of our students.” As the students prepare for jobs at museums, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, archives and more, they’re creating the exhibits and installations that tell the story of CMU and its surroundings. Part of that work includes curating items that showcase the student experience across the history of the university. “We’ve combined gifts of artifacts and specimens to our collection with an oral history,” Martin said. “We launched CMU’s first organized oral history project to capture stories of faculty, staff, alumni and community members to share the rich diversity of those stories.” One of Martin’s favorite encounters to emerge from that work is from Walter Beach, ’60. “As a kid, I had Coke bottlecaps with NFL players on them, and I had a Walter Beach. I kept it for years. When I came to CMU for work years later, I realized he was a CMU football player,” Martin said. “I still had the bottlecap, and I asked him if he had one. He didn’t, but said he’d love one.” Martin shared his with the former player for the Patriots and the Browns. What’s in your attic? “Many of our alumni are disconnected from If you’ve recently come across items from your CMU simply because we don’t always days at CMU, the museum might be interested in know their stories,” Martin said. including them in its collection. From a “Sometimes, that comes through homecoming queen’s gown to that box full of donating an object, but it’s extremely items from your dorm desk, your attic might hold valuable for us to connect with them the museum’s next big find. to personally hear and record their The museum is selective about items accepted stories for future generations. into the collection — obviously, storage space is “How great is it to know, years at a premium — so the best way to find out if you later, what all these people have something to contribute is by contacting Jay who’ve gone through CMU Martin and his team. Call (989) 774-3829 or have accomplished?” > email [email protected].

Centralight Winter ’20 23 A Natural History of Michigan The museum’s main exhibit takes you on a tour of some of the highlights of Michigan’s past. Fifty display cases present snapshots of our natural wonders and human experiences. See how glaciers shaped our lakes and terrain. Examine the bones of a 10,000-year-old mastodon unearthed near Troy. Explore the evolutionary process. Observe the results of early European contact with Native American groups through the exchange of pelts for manufactured goods. Explore logging camps around 1900. Get up close and personal with the wildlife STEVE JESSMORE/ and geology that make Michigan so special. > STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY PHOTO STEVE JESSMORE/

STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY PHOTO STEVE JESSMORE/

STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY PHOTO CLAIRE ABENDROTH

PHOTO BY PHOTO STEVE JESSMORE/

STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY 24 Centralight Winter ’20 BY PHOTO Grizzlies Grizzly bears are among the most dangerous animals in North America. Still, they have more to fear from humans than humans have to fear from them. These two bears were hunted by Dean Dale and donated to the museum by his widow, Judy. > STEVE JESSMORE/

STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY PHOTO Centralight Winter ’20 25 BOHANNON SCHOOLHOUSE Built in 1901

26 Centralight Winter ’20 Bohannon Schoolhouse When the Bohannon School was built in 1901, its first occupants could not have known that their school would still be fulfilling its intended role in education more than 100 years later. With its inkwells, McGuffey readers and wood-burning stove resting in the corner, the school is reminiscent of a long-ago era when the Golden Rule and the three R’s were the mainstays of education. Originally located in Jasper Township, near Midland, the school was brought to the CMU campus in 1970. The Museum of Cultural and Natural History staff and many dedicated friends worked to restore the building to its original state. Donated artifacts helped to make it complete. It now stands as a monument to rural education on the southwest corner of West Campus Drive and Preston Street on the campus of Central Michigan University. •

Centralight Winter ’20 27 Honoring love of CMU in action National Alumni Awards recognize seven for making the most of Central connections BY JEFF JOHNSTON, ’91

They are seven of a kind — six individuals Besides his radio work, Barclay has Scholarship, Michael J. Kirkpatrick and one organization whose common photographed and interviewed hundreds Leadership Award, G. Patrick Doyle Prize trait is love and support for Central of musicians over the years for blues and was on the CMU Dean’s List from fall Michigan University. magazines and other publications. In 2017-spring 2020. Upon completion of 2015, he received the Public Media her internship this fall with the West The 2020 National Alumni Award Impact Award from the Michigan Michigan Sports Commission, Coons honorees were recognized virtually this Association of Public Broadcasters expects to graduate with a recreation year; an in-person event has been for his outstanding contributions to degree through Recreation, Parks and postponed until next year due to the Public Broadcasting. Leisure Services Administration. COVID-19 pandemic. Barclay and Brisbane have generously “Please join me in congratulating them given to WCMU Public Media. They also Rachael now through social media until we can support areas including CMU Athletics, celebrate their hard-earned Moreno University Libraries and the Fabiano accomplishment in the spring of 2021,” Dick Enberg Botanical Garden Endowment. said Marcie Otteman, CMU executive CMU Alumni director of alumni relations and development strategies. “These award Kaitlyn Coons Commitment recipients are a uniquely talented group.” Future Alumni Award Here are the honorees: Leader Award Moreno, who earned her bachelor’s Coons’ dedication degree and teaching certificate from Robert Barclay and leadership are CMU in 1966, built an expansive career in Honorary shown through her education as a teacher, director, consultant and more. She retired in 1994 Alumni Award involvement in campus organizations, volunteer as associate superintendent of the Barclay, host of “The work and planning committees. As a Genesee Intermediate School District. In Juke Joint” blues CMU resident assistant in Barnes 2005, she came out of retirement as she program for 35 years and Calkins halls, she mentored more was appointed director of programs for as a volunteer, loves than 85 students and guided them to special needs for the Michigan to share his passion for the history of campus resources. Department of Education. blues, soul, gospel and R&B music with Coons volunteered for more than 75 Moreno supports CMU through listeners all over the world. events through her campus involvement donations to the Literacy Center, teacher He and his wife, Peggy Brisbane, spent with Program Board, the Association of education and professional development, over 30 years photographing the CMU Recreation Event Professionals and Study Abroad, the Education and Human community before both retired in 2013. Siblings Weekend. Services Building, President’s Club and The Clarke Historical Library recently the School of Music. She served on the She is a recipient of the Academic featured their CMU photo collection. Advancement Board and the Board of Success Award, Leader Advancement Trustees from 1983-90.

28 Centralight Winter ’20 Accolades throughout her career as an Dr. Gene established the Fashion Against Violence educator and administrator include not initiative of workshops, boot camps and only being recognized as the first Ragland industry networking, ultimately creating Hispanic principal in Michigan but also as Distinguished the annual Vehicle City Fashion week. founder and first president of the Wilburn involves current CMU fashion Hispanic Scholarship Foundation of Alumni Award students with her initiatives. She was a Michigan. She received CMU’s Alumni Ragland, founder and featured speaker for the Fashion, Interior Recognition Award in 1981 and Centennial chair of the advisory Design and Merchandising Department’s Year Award in 1992. board for The annual career day. Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Laurie Morris Health Professions, earned a CMU Honorary Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 before attending the University of Alumni Award Michigan Medical School. He served in Laurie Beckett Morris the U.S. Navy from 1972-74 and joined St. and Mike Morris Joseph Mercy Hospital staff in 1977. He Blue Cross Blue Shield established the became associate director of the of Michigan Morris Family Emergency Department in 1985 and chief Endowed Scholarship in 2005, and the of staff in 1996, eventually working with Corporate/Foundation family has continued to contribute to the more than 130,000 emergency patients Partner Alumni Award endowment. Their contributions have during 25 years at the hospital. He Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan allowed the initial endowment to be started working as a clinical instructor has worked closely with CMU for separated into three endowed for U-M Medical School in 1981. more than 20 years, supporting scholarships, for Global Campus, the In 1983, Ragland was a founding member research with grants and donations, College of Business Administration and of Life Support Services, offering medical and partnering with many departments the College of the Arts and Media. education to hospital and pre-hospital on professional development. Laurie and Mike regularly contribute to providers. In 1992, he founded Secure The organization employs 500 CMU the Murray Football Championship Fund, Care Inc., a correctional medicine alumni and actively recruits and mentors University Libraries, CMU Chippewa service, where he was president and CEO CMU students for internships and Challenge Golf Outing and the Women’s until 2003. full-time positions in finance, information Connection Student Scholarship. They systems, human resources and more. assisted in funding the Beckett and Kala Wilburn Morris Project Room in Grawn Hall, as Alumni Service BCBS is a sponsor of CMU’s Enterprise well as a space in Park Library named in Resource Planning simulation program, honor of their daughter, Jamie. Laurie Recognition known as ERPsim. The interactive event has purchased a Grawn Hall brick for Award allows teams of students to solve real- their son, Scott, and Warriner Mall bricks time problems with the help of mentors Wilburn, ’07, moved to from sponsoring companies. for Mike, Jamie and Scott. New York City and Another of Laurie Morris’ significant established her Tricia Keith, a 1993 alum and BCBS contributions to CMU is her love and Fannie Lucille fashion line of custom executive vice president, is chair of CMU’s support for her husband, son and clothing and handbags. In June 2011, she Board of Trustees, providing leadership daughter as they collectively earned returned to Flint, intending to put her and engagement that is key for the six CMU degrees. dreams into action in her hometown. growth of CMU’s presence in Detroit and across Michigan. • That same year, she lost her brother to gun violence. To honor his memory, she

Centralight Winter ’20 29 Young alumni carry their CMU pride into new careers and communities

The 10 Within 10 program celebrates young alumni who have What advice would you give to new grads? Write one used what they learned at Central Michigan University to build handwritten letter of gratitude to someone who has their careers and uplift their communities. We’re thrilled to made a personal or professional impact on you. Mail it. introduce you to the 2020 class of world-changers. Repeat daily. Doctor’s orders. What has your work life taught you? My work life continues to Nicholas Cozzi, M.D. ’18 teach me that we create our own meaning in life, and we decide » Major: Allopathic medicine whether we are fulfilled. My patients don’t start their day » Job: Emergency medicine resident thinking they would be a patient or their loved one would be in a physician at busy emergency department. But I get a chance to be a positive Spectrum Health/ influence on them in that moment. Michigan State University What about CMU helped you succeed? Chris Brown, senior » Current city: Grand Rapids associate director of financial aid, provided the “can-do” » Hometown: Chicago attitude we needed as a new medical school to accomplish our What is your favorite memory of CMU? A colleague and I worked ambitious agenda, and he helped accelerate the process of with the Mid-Central Area Health Education Center to create the building trust with community partners. He has served our Health Careers Pipeline Program, a nine-week mentorship community with class, and he identifies professional growth program for high school students centered on college readiness opportunities for students. Charmica Abinojar, [former] and health career exploration. Started in 2015, it has graduated executive director of the office of student affairs, is a kind, warm more than 50 high school students and pre-health graduates and and tenacious advocate for her students. Her impact will be felt recently grew to more than seven high schools, including for generations of CMU medical graduates. And Terence Moore, expanding into Saginaw. My favorite memory was the first retired CEO of MidMichigan Health, has been my counselor and graduation ceremony where students brought their parents and mentor. He taught me to invest my time, the enduring power of grandparents to the CMU College of Medicine. It remains a thank you notes, and the key practices of effective leaders. crystalizing moment for the positive impact our program has had on our community and our families. Caitlin Demsky, ’10 What has been your coolest moment since graduation? The » Majors: Psychology, English coolest moment since graduation as it relates to CMU took » Job: Assistant professor of place in the trauma bay of Spectrum Health Butterworth’s management in the School of Business emergency department a few months ago. As a busy, Level I Administration at Oakland University trauma center, we take a team approach, especially to care for

our most gravely injured patients. An elderly male was in a car » Current city: Ferndale accident, and in the midst of our resuscitation and interventions, » Hometown: Detroit I realized each of the four doctors caring for him in that moment What is your favorite memory of CMU? Some of my favorite were CMU College of Medicine graduates. Our mission was memories of CMU are from my time with Leadership Camp, first realized: CMU graduates caring for patients in Michigan. as a facilitator and later co-coordinator. Sharing CMU and the

30 Centralight Winter ’20 Social Change Model of Leadership Development with What are you proudest of? Receiving my interior design incoming students through LCamp was a really meaningful certification after passing the prestigious NCIDQ exam, the aspect of my time on campus. highest level of interior design qualification in the nation. I was proud of passing this extensive three-day exam after completing What has been your coolest moment since graduation? In the the required eight years of education and industry experience. summer of 2015, between finishing my Ph.D. at Portland State University and starting my faculty position at Oakland What advice would you give to new grads? If you’re not scared, University, my now-husband and I took a two-and-a-half-week you’re not doing it right. Success stems from allowing yourself cross-country road trip from Portland, Oregon, back to metro to be uncomfortable. Being nervous and being excited are Detroit. Our stops included Glacier National Park; Yellowstone actually the same feeling, so don’t allow nerves to keep you from National Park; Grand Teton National Park; Arches National growing in your career. Park; Boulder and Fort Collins in Colorado; Austin, Texas; What has your work life taught you? As a business owner, it is New Orleans, Louisiana; and Athens, Ohio. We spent the often assumed I live at the office. I love my business, but I first 10 days of the trip camping in some of the most recognized early in my career that it should never be my whole beautiful locations I’ve ever seen, and we got engaged life, and I’m grateful for the balance I’ve been able to achieve. I during our stop at Arches National Park! work really hard from 9-to-5, and then I go home to enjoy all the What are you proudest of? I’m incredibly proud to be the first other beautiful things in life like my husband and daughter, person in my family to graduate from college, and even prouder traveling the world and an active lifestyle. of taking the additional step of going to graduate school right afterward, finishing my master’s in industrial and organizational Mike Greene, ’13 psychology in 2012 and my Ph.D. in the same field in 2015. » Major: Business administration What advice would you give to new grads? While it might feel » Job: Assistant city manager and like you need to have all your next steps figured out upon community development director graduating, remember that you still have your whole life ahead for the city of Saline. of you! Now’s the time to take chances, make a big move and be » Current city: Saline open to making mistakes. » Hometown: Caro What has your work life taught you? The importance of What is your favorite memory of CMU? The people and the saying no. For every new opportunity or request you say yes to, relationships that were built, from Greek Life to Lunch Buddies you’ll likely have to say no to something else down the road, to Leadership Safari and everything in between. Every event and and it’s easy to quickly get overwhelmed if you say yes to activity with the people in these organizations was special, and everything that comes your way. You’re the best judge of your CMU would not have been the same without them. own time, energy and abilities, and saying no to things that don’t serve those will mean you have more energy to devote to the What has been your coolest moment since graduation? things you’re really passionate about. (This is definitely Traveling to a new part of the country and experiencing new something I’m still working on myself!) culture with friends I met at CMU. Each year we pick a city no one has been to, and we spend an extended weekend exploring Autumn Fuchs, ’10 and catching up. Being able to see and experience something new and hearing about all the amazing things going on in my

» Major: Interior design friends’ lives will never get old. » Job: Interior designer and owner of Fuchsia Design, a full-service interior What are you proudest of? Watching my friends and family design firm succeed in their current endeavors and then set more goals. There is no better feeling than witnessing all the time and hard » Current city: Grand Rapids work they’ve put in to accomplish one goal after another come » Hometown: Grand Rapids to fruition and then being there to celebrate. What is your favorite memory of CMU? I truly enjoyed my CMU What advice would you give to new grads? Whether it’s people experience to the fullest. From my involvements with the in your chosen industry, the friends you made at CMU or your Leadership Institute to loving every interior design class I took, family, surround yourself with good people. These people will be studying abroad in Beijing, China, and the wonderful professors there for you when you need a push to be better, to build you and friendships that were formed during those engagements, back up after a rough day and to celebrate the small wins as my four years at Central were memorable and rewarding. well as the life-changing moments. Going through life without What has been your coolest moment since graduation? It’s these people would not be as fulfilling. been a busy and rewarding 10 years since graduating from What has your work life taught you? Get to know everyone, not CMU. I’ve been honored to be recognized with a number of just those in senior positions. While building relationships with awards including the Top Female Owned Business in Grand senior staff is important, don’t overlook connecting with the Rapids in 2019 and one of Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 front-line employees. They can provide meaningful insight into Under 40 at the age of 29. your organization that you cannot get anywhere else.

Centralight Winter ’20 31 Ryan Heeke, ’15, ’16 What advice would you give to new grads? Be patient, and trust the process. Life is truly different once you leave good ol’ Mount » Majors: Mathematics, finance Pleasant and enter the “real world.” However, please know » Job: Associate, RBC Capital Markets, everything happens for a reason, and the Lord will not give you asset-backed securities syndicate more than you can handle. Have faith in the plans you create, » Current city: New York City execute them with precision, and trust that your successes and » Hometown: Mount Pleasant accomplishments will come in due time. What has your work life taught you? As a former graduate What is your favorite memory of CMU? Two student who worked full time and received two promotions in stand out: traveling to New York City with Dr. James Felton and four and a half years during my doctoral pursuit, I have learned to fellow finance students, and winning a conference championship appreciate the challenges life throws at me, because they make in baseball alongside lifelong friends. me stronger. It’s taught me to enjoy the family and friends in my What has been your coolest moment since graduation? Seeing life who make me happy and to live life like there is no tomorrow. multiple CMU students follow in my footsteps to NYC and land jobs and internships at RBC. John Ketchum, ’11 What are you proudest of? Earning two degrees while being a » Major: Broadcast and cinematic arts student-athlete at Central Michigan University and mentoring and » Job: Managing producer for a podcast tutoring students, propelling them forward to reach their goals. from Vox Media What advice would you give to new grads? Be a seeker » Current city: Atlanta of knowledge, a lifelong learner. Find a mentor. Give back. » Hometown: Saginaw Never settle. What is your favorite memory of CMU? Probably the day I got LaMarcus Howard, ’09, M.A. ’12 hired as a reporter at WCMU Public Radio. I had no experience » Majors: Social work, educational and a few average clips of writing. They took a chance on me, and leadership it changed my life forever. » Job: Associate director of the Disability What has been your coolest moment since graduation? Resource Center Getting married! » Current city: Belleville What are you proudest of? My proudest moment in my career so

» Hometown: Flint far came during my first job with “Marketplace,” helping launch a What is your favorite memory of CMU? Participating in the desk dedicated to covering wealth and poverty on NPR. It was Academic Career Empowerment (ACE) Program as an incoming such an important beat and was one that hadn’t really been freshman. The ACE program was a six-week, intense summer covered in public radio nationally until that point. academic boot camp designed for conditional admits and What advice would you give to new grads? Take risks, administered by Multicultural Academic Student Services (MASS). and challenge yourself. Do things you’ve never done before. As a fresh 18-year-old from Flint Northern High School, I had no Go to places that are new and uncomfortable. Venture into clue what was in store for me. However, dedicated MASS staff uncharted territory knowing that even when things seem taught me what it took to succeed at CMU academically and uncertain, your education has equipped you for anything socially. I met lifelong friends who I call my family in the ACE that may come your way. program, and we still laugh about our experience to this day. What has your work life taught you? To have confidence in What has been your coolest moment since graduation? myself and my abilities, even when things seem uncertain, In 2014, the CMU Organization for Black Unity (OBU) created an unmanageable or too hard. The process is usually messy, but award in my name for their annual Black Males Rock Ceremony. your talent and hard work will get you to where you need to be. The ceremony highlights the accomplishments of exceptional black males on the campus of CMU. The LaMarcus D. Howard Danielle Leone, ’10 Man of the Year Award honors a black male who exhibits » Major: Integrative public relations exceptional leadership skills on and off campus. It has been an » Job: Director of branding and honor to have OBU dedicate the most prestigious award of the communications for North America with ceremony in my name. Faurecia Clean Mobility, a global leader in What are you proudest of? I have been truly blessed to have automotive technologies amazing individuals in my life who love and support me. I am also » Current city: St. Clair Shores very proud of my three wonderful nephews and four godsons. » Hometown: St. Clair Shores Everyone who knows me knows these brilliant young black boys What is your favorite memory of CMU? Picking a favorite is and men bring joy to “Uncle Markie,” and I love witnessing and impossible. But one of the most meaningful was my experience supporting their dreams and aspirations as they come to life. on the 2007 All-Girl Universal Cheerleading Association College National Championship team. We were the first team to represent CMU in the all-girl division of the national

32 Centralight Winter ’20 championship, and we placed seventh. What has been your coolest moment since graduation? My I’m proud of my ongoing decision to dream bigger and work has offered me domestic and international travel work harder to make the greatest impact on the world opportunities. I have enjoyed sharing these travels with my two that I possibly can. wonderful nephews, Andrew and James. I make it a point to What advice would you give to new grads? There is no better send them a postcard from each trip. They enjoy learning about time to hustle than now. Not everyone has a high level of focus the “outside” world, but what I love most is the FaceTime and drive; leverage your momentum of transitioning with interactions with them to answer their eager questions from energy and excitement into the world of work, and build a faraway places. It’s cool that, through my work, I can share strong foundation for your career and self to grow from. Don’t the world with them. forget to use your voice to share your ideas and feedback. Don’t What are you proudest of? The network I’ve built. The forget to use your ears to listen to those who have opinions and women and men who have mentored me throughout my experiences that are different than yours. Lastly, don’t forget to career are invaluable. These people shared their time and listen to your gut, and stay true to your values and who you are. knowledge, which has inspired me to give back and help the What has your work life taught you? You really can accomplish next generation succeed. anything if you work strategically and with persistence. You can What advice would you give to new grads? I would encourage reshape your goals, your network and yourself at any time. You new graduates to consider careers as a collection of learning will be presented with challenges you never could have events rather than a linear path of checkboxes or milestones. foreseen, and you won’t always handle those obstacles the way Venture on your own path, and you will face your own challenges. you imagine you would. It’s critical to surround yourself with Embrace those unique opportunities, and resist comparing your mentors and with a community of people who will support, experience to others’. encourage and challenge you as you continually evolve throughout your career and your life. What has your work life taught you? Embrace moments of discomfort. Being comfortable with discomfort may offer you the greatest opportunities to learn and grow. Lessons are Jeffrey Steigerwald, ’10 rarely learned from comfortable, safe moments. » Majors: International business, Spanish » Job: Vice president of private-duty nursing Courtney Stanley, ’11 and home rehabilitation at Centria » Major: Recreation Healthcare, a leading home care company.

» Job: Owner, Courtney Stanley Consulting; » Current city: Royal Oak keynote speaker; podcaster and career » Hometown: Brown City success coach What is your favorite memory of CMU? » Current city: Grand Rapids There are too many little moments that seem insignificant at the » Hometown: Grand Haven time but are some of my favorite memories. Having the opportunity to live, spend time, and create lifelong friendships What is your favorite memory of CMU? I with people who are still a large part of my life really captures loved being part of the Meeting Professionals International my favorite parts of CMU. CMU student club, a group of ambitious people who were passionate about traveling the globe and experiencing the What has been your coolest moment since graduation? world’s greatest gatherings. In 2010, our motley crew earned Having the opportunity to work at a startup health care hands-on, backstage event experience at the Country Music organization and be instrumental in growing a company from a Awards in Nashville. This memory is special to me because it small office in Brighton with three people to a nationwide health reflects how we made a wild dream come to life. It was a care organization with more than 5,000 employees. once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we created it. What are you proudest of? I had the opportunity to work with What has been your coolest moment since graduation? an executive coach, Renee Erlich, in my mid-20s. We developed Moving my life and career to Toronto, Ontario. Toronto is the a personal mission statement that sparks a fire for me: “Create most multicultural city in the world, with endless opportunities opportunity.” Every personal and professional decision I’ve to learn about people who are different from me. The music, the made since has centered around fulfilling that mission. Having a food, the people, the community and the conversations I clear sense of who you are and where you’re going is the most engaged with in Toronto completely changed me for the better. refreshing feeling, and it’s something I’m very proud of. My experience in Toronto also introduced one of the most What advice would you give to new grads? Find your purpose, exciting speaking opportunities of my life: taking the stage in put together a solid support group, and take risks. Even when New York City at the United Nations headquarters. you take risks and fail, the knowledge you gain makes you that What are you proudest of? I’m proud of myself for taking risks much more valuable. and choosing to never stop believing I have a lot to offer the What has your work life taught you? Everyone has a story, world. There have been many times in my career and in my life different experiences and something valuable to bring to the when I have faced wild curveballs, unforeseen failure and table. Take the time to slow down, put the cellphone away, and rejection, but each time I was knocked down, I got back up and truly connect with people. It’s amazing the teams and talent you approached the next venture with a wiser, unique perspective. can put together when you seek to truly understand someone. •

Centralight Winter ’20 33 ALUMNI NEWS

Alum’s nearly one of the largest contributions in • Scholarships for adult learners CMU’s history — will create the completing their degrees online or at $10 million gift President’s Fund for University one of CMU’s many satellite locations. Excellence endowment to support: is among largest • Student service needs as they occur. • Undergraduate scholarships to be in CMU history • New lifelong learning programs, administered in conjunction with including certificates and badges. Bequest will support Multicultural Advancement and Lloyd numerous student-focused initiatives M. Cofer Scholarships, which will help “Mr. Richmond is trusting CMU to make In 1995, CMU alum Robert M. Richmond students persevere to graduation. the world a better place through education and innovation,” said CMU knew he was going to remember the • Staff and program initiatives to President Bob Davies. university in his estate plans, but he assist underserved populations provided little detail. Late last year, through Multicultural Academic After graduating from CMU with a degree in Richmond, ’66, died after a three-year Student Services. business administration, Richmond trained battle with pancreatic cancer. with IBM and helped businesses set up their • Creation of a “Finish Up Chips!” computer systems. He met his late wife, Lois, He left nearly $10 million of his estate to his scholarship program to help in Belding, Michigan, and they created B&L alma mater to help support CMU students. students who are within 25 credits Plastics and later B&L Development, of graduation and at risk of dropping Richmond’s gift — the largest cash specializing in the custom manufacturing out for financial reasons. donation from a single donor and of blow-molded plastic products. •

Design to empower CMU Chippewas communities wins top basketball star international award joins rival staff Lexus honors Kenyan team Hudson named director co-founded by CMU alum of player development BellTower from Kenya was the Grand Prix winner of the 2020 for Western Michigan Lexus Design Award. The company’s entry, “Open Source Standout point guard Presley Hudson, ’19, was the all-time Communities,” was selected for the prestigious award from leading scorer in both men’s and women’s basketball with among 2,042 submissions from 79 countries. 2,309 career points. She also helped lead the Chippewas to BellTower was co-founded by John Brian Kamau, ’08, and his two appearances in the NCAA Tournament including the partners in 2014 with the vision of using open-source systems run to the Sweet 16 in 2018. and technologies to solve real-life problems. Now, she’s stepping into rival territory. Their winning design addresses challenges often found in Western Michigan University women’s basketball head coach developing countries by using smart open-source planning to Shane Clipfell announced the addition of Hudson to the design affordable communities with sustainable clean water Broncos’ staff as the director of player development resources. and basketball operations. “Today, with our world plagued by the enormous issues of Hudson will monitor all academic progress of the student- climate change and social inequality, there is a design athletes and help with travel plans for the team and coaches. imperative for systemic design solutions,” said Jeanne Gang, She also will organize and manage team managers, collect program judge. film for scouting, assist with on-campus visits and arrange “The Grand Prix winner expands our definition of design to community service activities for the team and coaches. include systems of finance for community projects and “What I saw out of Presley over the course of her career is engages the critical role clean drinking water plays in citizens’ exactly why I’m excited she is on our staff,” Clipfell said. “She ability to thrive,” she said. • has benefited from our game and has a lot she can give back.” •

34 Centralight Winter ’20 Blogger offers turned social media into a full-time job showcases both restaurants he likes and highlighting halal food throughout others he’s hired to promote with followers a metro Detroit. marketing content. taste of halal Halal is an Arabic word that translates to His Instagram following grew in 2019 food in “permissible or lawful” and often is used when he started sharing videos of his to describe the way food is prepared, mom cooking during Ramadan. Then, as Dearborn adhering to Islamic law. The Detroit the COVID-19 pandemic kept so many Recent alum uses metropolitan area is home to the people home, he got another boost during his platform to largest concentration of Arab Ramadan this year. Americans in the U.S., and the showcase Detroit- Now, both locals and out-of-towners turn restaurant landscape reflects that. area offerings to Obeid to learn where they can find halal Abe Obeid, ’18 — better known on Obeid has built a following of more food in the Detroit area. • Instagram as @HalalFoodJunkie — has than 20,000 on Instagram, where he

Central Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors

President Catherine (Bomber) Claes, Spencer Haworth, ’12, Scott Nadeau, ’89, Nathan Tallman, ’07, M.A. ’09, ’90, Gladstone, Michigan Kalamazoo, Michigan Dexter, Michigan Macomb, Michigan Michael Decker, ’07, Sean Hickey, ’88, M.A. ’90, John Reineke, ’09, Vice president Birmingham, Michigan Traverse City, Michigan Oxford, Ohio Kandra (Kerridge) Robbins, Nicole DeFour, ’12, M.A. ’15, Bret Hyble, ’82, M.A. ’86, Joshua Richards, ’08, ’90, Portland, Michigan Madison Heights, Michigan Mount Pleasant, Michigan Rochester, Michigan Past president Megan Doyle, ’03, Erica Lagos, ’13, Caroline (Powers) Rizzo, ’15, Thomas Olver, ’98, Chicago, Illinois Carmel, Indiana Traverse City, Michigan Lake Isabella, Michigan Jonathan Eadie, ’93, Anthony Lazzaro, ’15, Michelle (Curtis) Rush, ’07, Directors Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan Newport Beach, California St. Joseph, Michigan Brooke Adams, ’11, Norma Eppinger, ’91, Linda (Scharich) Leahy, ’82, Kimberly Sampson, ’17, Detroit, Michigan Lansing, Michigan Midland, Michigan Midland, Michigan Rebeca Reyes Barrios, ’00, Chris Gautz, ’04, J.J. Lewis, ’06, Darryl Shelton, ’85, MBA ’02, Lansing, Michigan Adrian, Michigan Simi Valley, California Grand Rapids, Michigan Carrie Baumgardner, ’99, Jacalyn (Beckers) Goforth, Gregory Marx, ’08, Christine Simon, ’13, M.A. ’02, Davison, Michigan ’82, Beverly Hills, Michigan Troy, Michigan Lansing, Michigan Lester Booker, Jr., ’08, Laura Gonzales, ’79, M.A. ’89, Benjamin Moxon, ’17, MSA ’10, Canton, Michigan Mount Pleasant, Michigan Saint Clair Shores, Michigan Lisa (Laitinen) Bottomley, ’97, Kentwood, Michigan

Central Michigan University Board of Trustees

Mr. Todd J. Anson, ’77 Mr. Isaiah M. Oliver, ’07 Dr. Michael A. Sandler Mr. Robert F. Wardrop II, ’72, ’76, Ms. Tricia A. Keith, ’93, chair Mr. Edward J. Plawecki Jr., ’75 Mr. Richard K. Studley, ’93, vice chair vice chair Mr. William H. Weideman, ’76

For the safety of our alumni and friends, we have shifted events to a virtual format. Calendar Visit our event listings at www.cmich.edu/alumni/Events.

Centralight Winter ’20 35 We drive with pride YOU CAN TOO

Order your CMU license plate today! www.cmich.edu/alumni

forever CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase alumni diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities. 10130 (8/20) 36 Centralight Winter ’20 In Memory

Margaret E. (Newman) Charles D. MacGregor, ’57, Colleen K. (Stauffer) Naru, ’61, Regina J. (Necefer) Adams, ’66, Cranson, ’43, Grand Ledge, Mich., Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Edmore, Mich., died Aug. 31, 2020, Trenton, Mich., died Sept. 5, 2020, died June 25, 2020, age 98. Aug. 20, 2020, age 87. age 96. age 76. Norma M. (Woodworth) Strait, Philip W. Benson, ’58, Rockford, Robert (Gordon) G. Powers Sr., Donald F. Bach, ’66, Bay City, ’43, Green Valley, Ariz., died July 11, Mich., died Sept. 23, 2020, age 83. ’61 BSED, ’70 BS, Midland, Mich., Mich., died July 22, 2020, age 76. 2020, age 99. Marlene L. (Murray) Casey, ’58, died Sept. 17, 2020, age 94. Emilie I. (Nelson) Baker, ’66, Joan E. (Peterson) Lautner, ’45, Pinckney, Mich., died Sept. 25, 2020, William D. Smith, ’61, Traverse ’91 MA, East Lansing, Mich., died Cedar, Mich., died Sept. 29, 2020, age 86. City, Mich., died Oct. 11, 2020, age 83. Sept. 21, 2020, age 80. age 97. Lawrence G. Clayton, ’58, ’78 Nancy K. (Huck) Veldkamp, ’61, Carol A. (Raymond) Dwan, ’66, Emma M. (Skinner) Makinen, ’46, MA, Traverse City, Mich., died July Grandville, Mich., died Oct. 26, 2020, Bay City, Mich., died Aug. 4, 2020, Petoskey, Mich., died Oct. 4, 2020, 17, 2020, age 84. age 81. age 76. age 96. William A. Dast, ’58, Aledo, Tex., Jessie L. (Burns) Wierda, ’61, Gerald E. Meyers, ’66, ’71 MA, Wanda J. (Upham) Humphrey, died Sept. 18, 2020, age 84. Saginaw, Mich., died June 19, 2020, Saginaw, Mich., died Sept. 22, 2020, ’47, Lansing, Mich., died Aug. 15, Raymond P. Harwood age 90. age 79. 2020, age 95. (Szeszulski), ’58, Bay City, Mich., Marilyn K. (Smith) Ziegler, ’61, Walter L. Patterson, ’66, Marjorie M. (Woodmansee) died June 15, 2020, age 83. Memphis, Tenn., died Aug. 29, 2020, Philadelphia, Pa., died Aug. 7, 2020, Streb, ’47, Grand Rapids, Mich., Virginia R. (Boger) Herman, ’58, age 81. age 78. died Aug. 18, 2020, age 94. Weidman, Mich., died July 29, 2020, David L. Darnell, ’62, Vestavia William B. Rupert, Jr., ’66, Turner, Sally (Carnahan) Weisenburger, age 95. Hills, Ala., died Oct. 17, 2020, age 81. Maine, died Aug. 21, 2020, age 77. ’48, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Robert W. Manor, ’58, Grand Norval J. Hasse, ’62, ’70 MA, Grady J. Calloway, ’67, Troy, Sept. 22, 2020, age 94. Rapids, Mich., died Aug. 5, 2020, Gainesville, Fla., died March 23, Mich., died July 12, 2020, age 76. Donna J. (Chapin) Graebner, ’50, age 88. 2020, age 79. Lyman P. Jump, ’67, Highland, Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 5, William L. Swart, ’58, ’62 MA, Ronald N. Heinzman, ’62, Mich., died Aug. 24, 2020, age 78. 2020, age 91. Mount Pleasant, Mich., died July 25, Frankenmuth, Mich., died Sept. 29, Barbara J. (Yeakel) Koski, ’67, Mark M. Spagnuolo, ’51, East 2020, age 90. 2020, age 83. Lowell, Mich., died Oct. 18, 2020, Lansing, Mich., died July 19, 2020, Patricia A. (Kidder) Bartow, ’59, Thomas L. Swenor, ’62, Hollister, age 76. age 91. Battle Creek, Mich., died Oct. 17, Calif., died Oct. 7, 2020, age 87. Wallace A. Mollema, ’67, ’70 MA, Margery (Rose) Binder, ’52, Lake 2020, age 83. Connie M. Kreiner, ’63, Mount Ludington, Mich., died June 16, 2020, Ridge, Va., died June 26, 2020, age 89. Joanne C. (Curtiss) DeVuyst, ’59, Pleasant, Mich., died Aug. 20, 2020, age 77. Nita Lou (Herrick) Brown, ’53, ’68 MA, Ithaca, Mich., died Aug. 16, age 80. John E. Ryan, ’67, Royal Oak, Ann Arbor, Mich., died Oct. 9, 2020, 2020, age 83. Earl H. Richey, ’63, ’69 MA, Mich., died Aug. 15, 2020, age 77. age 89. Conrad A. English, ’59, Mount Chesaning, Mich., died July 22, 2020, Gloria K. (Bloomquist) Schnepp, Kae (Waskoviak) Schaefer, ’53, Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 12, 2020, age 79. ’67, Farwell, Mich., died June 9, 2020, Saginaw, Mich., died July 6, 2020, age 84. James L. Robinson, ’63, Swartz age 75. age 88. Charles (Dick) R. Kempf, ’59, Creek, Mich., died Sept. 17, 2020, Jerald L. Thomas, ’67, St. Louis, Jack R. Clary, ’54, Rockford, ’60 MA, Attica, Mich., died Aug. 14, age 80. Mich., died Sept. 17, 2020, age 76. Mich., died Aug. 25, 2020, age 87. 2020, age 83. Royce (Skip) R. Clay, ’64, ’70 Donald E. West, ’67 MBA, Eaton Virginia G. (Webb) Digard, ’54, Joseph A. Kotsko, ’59, Flint, MBA, Rockford, Mich., died Sept. 7, Rapids, Mich., died Oct. 1, 2020, Swartz Creek, Mich., died Aug. 14, Mich., died June 24, 2020, age 84. 2020, age 78. age 92. 2020, age 88. Ida M. (Bentley) Sherrod, ’59, Pamela (Bakhaus) doCarmo, ’64, John P. Allen, ’68, Colorado Evelyn M. Slott, ’54, ’69 MA, Hale, Mich., died Oct. 2, 2020, age 89. Severna Park, Md., died Oct. 7, 2020, Springs, Colo., died July 2, 2020, Howard City, Mich., died July 17, Roger K. Susterich, ’59, Nunica, age 78. age 76. 2020, age 90. Mich., died July 2, 2020, age 83. Lynn G. Robinson, ’64, Broken Barbara C. Bachman, ’68, Emily J. (Dalzell) Wilson, ’54, Benjamin C. Webb, ’59, Freeland, Arrow, Okla., died April 26, 2020, Bradenton, Fla., died Oct. 10, 2020, Traverse City, Mich., died Aug. 10, Mich., died Aug. 16, 2020, age 84. age 78. age 74. 2020, age 89. Jack A. Gridley, ’60, Naples, Fla., Mr. Robert L. Tuckey, ’64, Cass William E. Brown, ’68 MBA, Marjorie L. (Read) Siefert, ’55, died Oct. 11, 2020, age 88. City, Mich., died Aug. 17, 2020, age 80. Midland, Mich., died July 16, 2020, Williamsburg, Mich., died Aug. 11, Leatha M. (Koch) Wisenbach, age 88. 2020, age 86. Bruce B. Hurry, ’60, Inman, S. C., died July 25, 2020, age 83. ’64, Caro, Mich., died Oct. 6, 2020, Sharon L. (Eurick) Clark, ’68, James K. Brasseur, ’56, Thomas age 94. Clinton Ivory, ’60, Hadley, Mich., ’75 MA, Saginaw, Mich., died Oct. 7, Township, Mich., died Sept. 10, 2020, Emory C. Daniels, ’65, Westland, 2020, age 82. age 95. died Sept. 19, 2020, age 82. Mich., died Aug. 19, 2020, age 76. Mildred M. (Pierce) Gilbert, ’68 Robert G. Fochtman, ’56, Margarita A. (Lopez) Menzel, ’60, Sebewaing, Mich., died March Gary L. Hansen, ’65, ’73 MA, MA, Dimondale, Mich., died July 18, Port Huron, Mich., died July 7, 2020, Manistee, Mich., died Feb. 29, 2020, 2020, age 92. age 86. 8, 2020, age 82. age 76. Graham F. Hollis, ’68, Kalamazoo, Howard J. Geerlings, ’56, ’60 Shirley A. (Lada) Posk, ’60, Macomb, Mich., died July 14, 2020, Anna M. Jantzi, ’65 MA, Fairview, Mich., died Aug. 7, 2020, age 78. MA, Traverse City, Mich., died Sept. Mich., died Aug. 20, 2020, age 88. 28, 2020, age 86. age 83. David L. Merritt, ’68, Frisco, Tex., Alfred E. Prince, ’60, Mesa, Ariz., Sally L. (Geer) Kaufmann, ’65, died July 24, 2020, age 74. Clark R. Jackson, ’56, Alma, Mich., died Aug. 3, 2020, age 77. Indianapolis, Ind., died June 8, 2020, died Oct. 5, 2020, age 92. Daryles J. Richardson, ’68, Alma, age 87. Edward P. Revis, Jr, ’60, Pontiac, John L. Koren, ’65, ’67 MA, Mich., died Oct. 3, 2020, age 75. Mich., died Sept. 27, 2020, age 88. Ormond Beach, Fla., died July 5, Richard G. Siler, ’68, ’69 MA, Kenneth L. Kelley, ’56, Clinton 2020, age 77. Township, Mich., died July 13, 2020, Suzanne (Hummel) Riley, ’60, South Haven, Mich., died July 11, age 85. Sanford, Mich., died Sept. 20, 2020, Judy E. (Pack) Meldrum, ’65, 2020, age 75. age 81. Bay City, Mich., died Aug. 14, 2020, John C. Byerly, ’69 MBA, Bay City, Gwendolyn I. (Westbrook) age 80. Blesch, ’57, Las Vegas, Nev., died Natalie A. (Walldorff) Young, Mich., died Oct. 21, 2020, age 79. July 2, 2020, age 85. ’60, Coral, Mich., died Sept. 27, 2020, Karen S. (Kidd) Wilber, ’65, Milford J. Hale, ’69, Big Rapids, age 82. Dimondale, Mich., died Oct. 10, Mich., died July 12, 2020, age 79. George L. Hewitt, ’57, Mecosta, 2020, age 78. Mich., died July 23, 2020, age 87. Carl (Ned) E. Creswell, ’61, ’74 Raymond P. Killee, ’69, Newark, MA, Amarillo, Tex., died Sept. 5, Bruce H. Wolff, ’65, Greensboro, Ohio, died July 12, 2020, age 74. 2020, age 85. N. C., died Sept. 9, 2020, age 78.

Centralight Winter ’20 37 In Memory

Larry D. Larson, ’69, ’74 MA, Ann L. (Starmann) Craig, ’73, Charlene K. (Proctor) Juanita F. (Glassco) Lucas, ’79 Lewiston, Mich., died Sept. 4, 2020, Cass City, Mich., died Oct. 17, 2020, VanHaften, ’75, ’94 MA, MA, Columbus, Ohio, died July 22, age 73. age 74. Breckenridge, Mich., died July 15, 2020, age 90. Douglas S. McDougal, ’69, Maggie “Pat” L. (Patrick) Gaddis, 2020, age 77. Sue E. (Bailey) Monsell, ’79 MA, Harrison Township, Mich., died ’73 MA, Saginaw, Mich., died June Ronald D. VanLente, ’75, South Jackson Township, Ohio, died Aug. Oct. 24, 2020, age 75. 13, 2020, age 77. Haven, Mich., died July 1, 2020, 31, 2020, age 76. Lawrence H. Montney, ’69, ’76 Eugene B. Wilson, ’73 MA, age 66. Raymond J. Vanden Berghe, ’79 MBE, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Beavercreek, Ohio, died July 30, Jane M. Ceynar, ’76 MA, Villard, MA, Sergeantsville, N.J., died Sept. Sept. 20, 2020, age 83. 2020, age 85. Minn., died Oct. 18, 2020, age 77. 24, 2020, age 88. Jay T. O’Neil, ’69 MA, Petoskey, Fredrick L. Bauer, ’74 MA, Jeri L. (Stasa) Huseth, ’76, Mary L. Wood, ’79, Ludington, Mich., died Sept. 23, 2020, age 91. Palmer, Tex., died July 28, 2020, age Pooler, Ga., died June 8, 2020, age 66. Mich., died July 16, 2020, age 79. Jill A. (Rockwell) Schoeppach, 77. David D. Jones, ’76, ’80 MA, Ft. Loretta Anderson-Burgess, ’80 ’69, Higgins Lake, Mich., died Sept. Melvin E. Burcz, ’74 MA, Detroit, Myers, Fla., died April 8, 2020, age 79. MA, Mount Rainier, Md., died April 15, 2020, age 73. Mich., died July 4, 2020, age 91. Barbara J. (Bacon) Maxfield, ’76, 30, 2020, age 80. Margaret A. Baker, ’70, Sturgis, Michael L. Cooper, ’74, ’81 MA, ’91 Millington, Mich., died Aug. 29, 2020, Irene (Wrublesky) Baird, ’80, Mich., died Oct. 15, 2020, age 72. MA, Muir, Mich., died June 27, 2020, age 66. Katy, Tex., died June 7, 2020, age 64. James T. Hurt, ’70, Terre Haute, age 71. Erika B. (Dabringhaus) Miller, Wilbur B. Clarey, ’80 MA, Ind., died Oct. 17, 2020, age 75. Mary F. (Wooten) Jackson, ’74 ’76, Pickford, Mich., died Sept. 27, Brewster, Mass., died Sept. 11, 2020, James R. Jensen, ’70 MS, MA, Saginaw, Mich., died Sept. 27, 2020, age 65. age 90. Charlevoix, Mich., died Oct. 7, 2020, 2020, age 76. Marjorie A. (James) Strahle, ’76, Joseph A. Coppolino, ’80 MA, age 81. Levaughn E. Jenkins, ’74 MA, Fenton, Mich., died July 25, 2020, Saginaw, Mich., died Aug. 13, 2020, Kenneth W. Klintworth, ’70, Atlanta, Ga., died June 13, 2020, age 65. age 92. Hixson, Tenn., died Aug. 23, 2020, age 89. Richard Brychcy, ’77 MA, Perry, William R. DeCourcy, ’80 MA, age 73. Nels T. Johnson, ’74, Luther, Ga., died Sept. 15, 2020, age 68. Plymouth Township, Mich., died Patricia M. (Shannon) Mattlin, Mich., died Aug. 11, 2020, age 67. Larry L. Castleman, ’77 MA, Aug. 4, 2020, age 73. ’70, ’76 MA, Frankenmuth, Mich., William R. Lewis, ’74, Fort Wayne, Dothan, Ala., died July 29, 2020, Ben E. Julson, ’80 MA, Temple, died Sept. 24, 2020, age 72. Ind., died July 2, 2020, age 73. age 80. Tex., died July 18, 2020, age 85. Dale J. McIntosh, ’70, ’79 MA, James T. Lilley, ’74, ’76 MA, John R. Dykhouse, ’77, Grand James A. Parsons, ’80 MA, Cass City, Mich., died July 1, 2020, Loudon, Tenn., died Oct. 3, 2020, Rapids, Mich., died Sept. 21, 2020, Gahanna, Ohio, died Aug. 31, 2020, age 73. age 69. age 67. age 78. Craig W. Peltier, ’70, Traverse Philip D. Murfitt, ’74 MA, Carol A. (Hindson) Haas, ’77, ’83, Martin A. Brown III, ’81 MA, City, Mich., died Oct. 16, 2020, age 71. Frankfort, Ohio, died Sept. 24, 2020, ’93 MBA, Mount Pleasant, Mich., Hampton, Va., died Sept. 24, 2020, Marcia K. (Willis) Wegner, ’70, age 79. died Sept. 18, 2020, age 64. age 80. Mount Pleasant, Mich., died July 31, William C. Picott III, ’74 MA, Gordon D. Hill, ’77, Caro, Mich., John E. Grambau, ’81 MA, ’81 2020, age 71. Bradenton, Fla., died Sept. 3, 2020, died July 9, 2020, age 63. PsyS, Midland, Mich., died Aug. 15, M. Lydia Korson, OP, ’71 MA, age 80. Faye M. Parsons, ’77, Rochester, 2020, age 71. Grand Rapids, Mich., died Oct. 12, Robert F. Rzepecki, ’74, ’96 MA, Mich., died July 5, 2020, age 65. Elmer C. Jackson III, ’81 MA, 2020, age 91. Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 5, Winifred A. (Joseph) Toledo, ’77, Kansas City, Mo., died Sept. 18, 2020, Norman R. LaBonte, ’71 MA, 2020, age 74. ’86 MA, North Manchester, Ind., age 80. Mesa, Ariz., died April 22, 2020, age 87. Gordon W. Stockhill, ’74 MA, died July 25, 2020, age 83. William A. Martin, ’81 MA, Cecelia M. (Pearce) Nuoffer, ’71, Grand Haven, Mich., died Aug. 15, Tracy L. (Crawford) Waters, ’77, Winchester, Va., died Aug. 3, 2020, East Lansing, Mich., died June 22, 2020, age 90. Madison, Wis., died Aug. 29, 2020, age 92. 2020, age 71. John “Doug” Farmer, ’75, age 64. Lucille R. (Sheldon) McLachlan, Everett E. Peterson, ’71, Macomb, Mich., died Oct. 24, 2020, Charles M. Wiker, ’77 MA, ’81, Greenville, Mich., died Oct. 19, Manistique, Mich., died June 30, age 69. Chester, Va., died Aug. 26, 2020, 2020, age 84. 2020, age 77. Gary E. Fuller, ’75 MA, Mount age 81. Karen E. (Townsend) Mullane, James L. Simmons, ’71, Alma, Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 6, 2020, Steven M. Blackhurst, ’78, ’81, White Lake Township, Mich., Mich., died Sept. 17, 2020, age 76. age 69. Midland, Mich., died Oct. 6, 2020, died Aug. 24, 2019, age 60. Anita E. (Kerr) Behm, ’72, Lapeer, Franklin R. Hatcher, ’75 MA, age 64. Ray Eugene Nagle II, ’81 MA, Mich., died June 29, 2020, age 70. Chambersburg, Pa., died Sept. 17, Jorge L. Cotto, ’78 MA, Kinston, Albuquerque, N.M., died Oct. 11, 2020, age 87. 2020, age 74. Steve J. Cromell, ’72, Munising, N.C., died July 25, 2020, age 69. Mich., died July 7, 2020, age 70. Jonathan R. Kline, ’75 MA, Luane M. Lumbert, ’78, Mount Eugene L. Zibrat, ’81 MA, Shalimar, Fla., died Sept. 27, 2020, Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 30, 2020, Kingwood, Tex., died March 22, 2020, Donald W. Kutchey, ’72, Davison, age 75. age 80. Mich., died July 4, 2020, age 73. age 68. Stephen J. Loney, ’75, Traverse Wayne A. Magnan, ’78 MA, Hale, Jon W. Birks, ’82 MA, Levittown, Michael L. O’Connell, ’72, Fort City, Mich., died Oct. 23, 2020, age 67. Pa., died April 23, 2020, age 67. Wayne, Ind., died Aug. 30, 2020, Mich., died June 27, 2020, age 84. age 72. Charles C. Miknis, ’75, Battle Allen A. Aungst, ’79 MA, Solon, Alberto L. Brown Sr., ’82 MA, Creek, Mich., died March 2, 2020, Ohio, died Aug. 30, 2020, age 79. Havre de Grace, Md., died Aug. 20, Philip H. Price, ’72, Detroit, Mich., age 67. 2020, age 87. died Aug. 7, 2020, age 72. Lawrence H. Collins, ’79 MA, Beverly K. (Huber) Roberts, ’75 Mary J. Horan, ’82 MA, Sarasota, Jim E. VanHoven, ’72 MA, Detroit, Mich., died July 29, 2020, MA, ’78 MA, Fort Worth, Tex., died age 73. Fla., died Sept. 18, 2020, age 83. Ludington, Mich., died Aug. 3, 2020, Sept. 20, 2020, age 84. age 78. David W. Davis, ’79, Ironwood, Sherida A. Provens, ’82 MA, Patrick J. Rose, ’75, Hancock, Mich., died Sept. 17, 2020, age 63. Enon, Ohio, died July 12, 2020, age Susan K. (Menghini) Backlund, Mich., died Oct. 5, 2020, age 71. 72. ’73, Kingsford, Mich., died Sept. 17, Julia (Chase) Gonzales, ’79, 2020, age 68. Jayne E. (Abbott) Schafer, ’75, Aurora, Colo., died July 4, 2020, Kathleen S. (Bank) Blahunka, Grand Rapids, Mich., died August age 73. ’83, Novi, Mich., died Jan. 5, 2020, James N. Boblenz, ’73 MA, 25, 2020, age 67. age 58. Marion, Ohio, died June 11, 2020, James P. Greene, ’79, South age 84. Thomas E. Straight, ’75 MA, Bend, Ind., died Oct. 29, 2020, age 63. Franklin D. Burgess, ’83, Mount Wilmington, Ohio, died July 18, 2020, Pleasant, Mich., died Oct. 13, 2020, age 86. age 95.

38 Centralight Winter ’20 Roland “Andy” E. Andersen, ’84 Cathleen M. (Colasinski) Lopez, Heather M. (Marvin) Denny L. Bettisworth, Leesburg, MA, Fort Worth, Tex., died Oct. 19, ’90, Canton, Mich., died Oct. 22, Kruczynski, ’02, Clawson, Mich., Fla., died Dec. 7, 2019, age 79. 2020, age 77. 2020, age 51. died Oct. 6, 2020, age 41. Mary M. Bottaro, Mount Linda C. (Cartin) Holmgren, ’84 Michael A. Loveless, ’90, Mary C. (Rodwell) Meier, ’03 Pleasant, Mich., died Oct. 5, 2020, MSA, Titusville, Fla., died Aug. 27, Fennville, Mich., died July 26, 2020, AuD, Rochester, Minn., died Aug. 31, age 93. 2020, age 73. age 52. 2020, age 57. Roger N. Grabinski, Mount Mark R. McWhirter, ’84 MA, Jeffrey S. Berens, ’91, Grand Julie (Bond) Stinson, ’03 MA, Pleasant, Mich., died April 18, 2020, Durango, Colo., died June 20, 2020, Rapids, Mich., died Aug. 4, 2020, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. age 80. age 60. age 51. 15, 2020, age 56. Mikiyasu Hakoyama, ’01, ’04 MA, Robert T. Sisk, ’84 MA, Floyd, Va., Kathleen L. (Ash) Dick, ’91, Jeffrey J. Jacobson, ’04 MA, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Oct. 7, died Sept. 2, 2020, age 71. Grand Blanc, Mich., died July 24, Vallejo, Calif., died July 30, 2020, age 54. 2020, age 64. 2020, age 69. Allen R. Strozewski, ’84, Lansing, Andrew E. Zvagulis, ’04 MA, Lawrence O. Jenicke, Mount Mich., died Aug. 6, 2020, age 59. Patricia A. (Zitney) McCarthy, Colborne, ON, Canada, died Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 20, 2020, Bailus M. Tate, ’84 MA, ’91 MA, Grawn, Mich., died July 28, Aug. 2, 2020, age 66. age 76. 2020, age 70. Plattsburg, Mo., died June 30, 2020, Jodi L. (Schrader) Parker, ’05, Helen M. Morsink, Grand Rapids, age 73. Clarence Earl Carter, ’92 MSA, Berkley, Mich., died Aug. 15, 2020, Mich., died Aug. 13, 2020, age 87. Patricia A. Karas, ’84 MSA, Troy, Granger, Ind., died May 14, 2020, age 39. age 61. Thaddeus C. Zolty, Mount Mich., died Sept. 14, 2019, age 70. Cynthia M. (Boyd) Beloney, ’08, Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 8, 2020, Catherine A. McCartney, ’85 Anthony “Tony” E. Clark, ’93, Phoenix, Ariz., died June 23, 2020, age 83. MA, Livonia, Mich., died June 27, Rosebush, Mich., died Sept. 19, 2020, age 53. 2020, age 82. age 62. Jacob J. Wendling, ’10, Holland, STAFF Patrick J. Sower, ’85, Carrollton, Anita E. Newell, ’94 MA, Saint Mich., died Aug. 4, 2020, age 34. Velma Burr, Mount Pleasant, Ignace, Mich., died Aug. 18, 2020, Tex., died July 5, 2020, age 58. Patrick M. Hermanson, ’12 DHA, Mich., died Sept. 12, 2020, age 79. age 69. Sherry L. Walenta-David, ’85, Thornton, Colo., died Sept. 7, 2020, Shirleen T. Gepford, Rosebush, age 69. Spring Lake, Mich., died July 25, Collette K. (Savage) Shugart, Mich., died May 11, 2020, age 83. ’95, Suttons Bay, Mich., died March 2020, age 59. Angelica K. Moore, ’13, Merrill, Carol A. (Hindson) Haas, Mount 25, 2020, age 80. Mich., died Sept. 6, 2020, age 29. Arretta (Burton) Jickling Hill, Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 18, 2020, ’95 MSA, ’86 MA, Lapeer, Mich., died Aug. 29, Harry L. Smith, Margaret M. Reynolds, ’16, age 64. 2020, age 81. Huntsville, Ala., died Aug. 27, 2020, Pontiac, Mich., died June 1, 2020, John W. Knox, Rincon, Ga., died age 67. age 26. John “Steve” Morris, ’86 MA, July 1, 2020, age 91. Bryan M. Twardowski, ’95, Hobe Sound, Fla., died July 10, 2020, Earl P. Morrow, Grand Rapids, age 72. Berkley, Mich., died Sept. 14, 2020, FACULTY age 49. Mich., died Oct. 25, 2020, age 79. Brian D. Szalanski, ’86, Irons, Moonyeen (Brown) Albrecht, Mich., died Aug. 19, 2020, age 56. Sandra S. (Saunders) Walker, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Oct. 9, ’95 MSA, Petersburg, Va., died July 2020, age 84. Rose M. (Scurlock) Bailey, ’87 7, 2020, age 74. MSA, Shelby Township, Mich., died Oct. 26, 2020, age 87. Robert J. Goggins, ’96 MSA, Helena, Mont., died Aug. 10, 2020, Judith K. (Brauch) Carter, ’87 age 68. MA, Dripping Springs, Tex., died August 3, 2020, age 78. Tina M. (Thurston) Klein, ’96, Holland, Mich., died Aug. 23, 2020, Gene G. Dauer, ’87, Midland, age 47. Mich., died Oct. 11, 2020, age 70. Michael A. Walker, ’96, Ithaca, Donna L. (Benkert) Schnepf, ’87 Mich., died Sept. 16, 2020, age 47. MSA, Saginaw, Mich., died Oct. 4, 2020, age 87. Charles J. Brown, ’97, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Sept. 12, 2020, Thomas G. Serb, ’87 MSA, age 48. Hollywood, Md., died Aug. 18, 2020, age 73. Laurie G. (Gatliff) Landrum, ’97 MSA, North Augusta, S.C., died David A. Ward, ’87, Allen Park, Aug. 3, 2020, age 56. Mich., died July 30, 2020, age 57. Jeffrey J. Kidwell, ’99 MSA, West Rudolph “Rick” Arial Jr., ’88 MA, River, Md., died July 9, 2020, age 57. Saint George, Utah, died Aug. 24, 2020, age 71. Heather M. (Kralik) Williamson, ’99, Ortonville, Mich., died Oct. 15, John W. Duncan, ’88 MSA, 2020, age 45. Lansing, Mich., died Aug. 8, 2020, age 77. Paula J. (Zagers) Dunbar, ’00, Cadillac, Mich., died Aug. 26, 2020, Alice I. (Smith) Ferris, ’88, age 64. Benton Harbor, Mich., died Sept. 28, 2020, age 66. Joann L. (Linville) Tuttle, ’00 MSA, Clemmons, N.C., died Oct. 3, Claudia G. Marchione, ’89 MSA, 2020, age 73. Drexel Hill, Pa., died July 8, 2020, age 72. Debra J. Kiss, ’01 MSA, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., died Sept. 9, Kayann (Truesdell) Anderson, 2020, age 61. ’90, Mio, Mich., died Aug. 4, 2020, age 53. Eric W. Page, ’01, ’06 MA, Grand Rapids, Mich., died Oct. 14, 2020, Deborah (Ray) Kings, ’90 MSA, age 43. Pensacola, Fla., died Sept. 1, 2020, age 59. Lynda (Welsher) King, ’02, Fenton, Mich., died Sept. 30, 2020, age 68.

Centralight Winter ’20 39 DO YOU REMEMBER Enhancing Student EXPERIENCES Alumni couple supports neuroscience program

The greatest gift Central Michigan University gave to James Trosko, ’60, and Beverly “Kay” (Dowell) Trosko, ’60, was bringing them together 60 years ago. That is only one of many reasons they love their alma mater and are choosing to give back so generously. James and Beverly’s gift will advance the CMU neuroscience program with undergraduate scholarships and programs focused on the prevention and treatment of human neurological diseases.

While a student at CMU, James remembers receiving the scholarship that allowed him to remain on campus and the impact that had on his future personally and professionally. “Both Kay and I had our professional careers established by our education,” James said. We encourage others to consider supporting students if CMU had a direct impact on yourself or your life.”

Spirit of giving back The Troskos have a deep understanding of the value of higher education and want to help create opportunities Today’s COVID-19 pandemic is not the first time life at CMU has for students as they prepare for a lifetime career. To been disrupted by disease. learn more about helping students and giving back to In 1918, the influenza global pandemic struck Central with CMU, contact: deadly consequences. Because of the high mortality rate, all James and Beverly (Kay) Trosko classes were canceled from Nov. 1-18. An emergency hospital Ted Tolcher was set up in the school’s gym to deal with the large number of Senior Director of Gift Planning, Advancement sick people, many of them students. Central Michigan University, Carlin Alumni House, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Some alumni might remember the above headline from the 989-774-1441 • [email protected] Dec. 14, 1968, issue of Central Michigan Life. It was a public health emergency in the president’s eyes, but some students mycmulegacy.org took it less seriously. A picture of smiling students packing a car to go home, published in the same issue, was captioned, “Students wasted no time in leaving for the early Christmas vacation tonight.” The university was closed for three weeks. CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities. UComm 10161

40 Centralight Winter ’20 Enhancing Student EXPERIENCES Alumni couple supports neuroscience program

Spirit of giving back The Troskos have a deep understanding of the value of higher education and want to help create opportunities for students as they prepare for a lifetime career. To learn more about helping students and giving back to CMU, contact: James and Beverly (Kay) Trosko Ted Tolcher Senior Director of Gift Planning, Advancement Central Michigan University, Carlin Alumni House, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 989-774-1441 • [email protected] mycmulegacy.org

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities. UComm 10161

Centralight Winter ’20 41 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MOUNT PLEASANT, MI Centralight PERMIT NO. 93 Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Your dollars $1,046,121 dollars have been awarded

852 MAKE Students awarded dollars

$279,886 CHANGE Dollars raised in 2019-20 Student Emergency Fund 4,801 Life is full of twists and turns — events that can Donors in 2019-20 threaten a student’s college education. At CMU, our Student Emergency Fund is there when our CMU Chippewas need a boost, often allowing them to stay in school through difficult circumstances. donate.cmich.edu

The Student Emergency Fund allowed Candy Boakyewaa to realize her dream of achieving a college degree. Due to insufficient financial aid, she was in danger of being dropped from her classes in her senior year. With

support from donors, Candy earned Candy Abena her degree in integrative public Boakyewaa, ’18 Integrative public relations relations with a minor in public affairs. major, public affairs minor

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight. (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 10076 (10/2020)