University of Minnesota Morris Digital Well University of Minnesota Morris Digital Well UMM to You (1987-1996) Alumni Newsletters (Profile, etc.) Winter 1993 UMM to You: Winter 1993 University of Minnesota, Morris Alumni Association Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/ummtoyou • UMM To You Winter 1993 A publication for alumni and friends of the University of Minnesota, Morris UMM Cited in Fiske's 1993 Guide to Colleges The University of Minnesota, Morris has colleges are an alternative to both pri­ Colleges of Charleston, *Evergreen, with its ties to the larger Minnesota uni­ been identified in Fiske's 1993 Guide to vate liberal arts colleges and state *Mary Washington, *UMM, *New Col­ versities, low tuition, and sharp students, Colleges as one of the ten public liberal flagship universities. He also states that lege, *UNCA, Northeast Missouri, *St. there's little on Morris's horizon to stop it arts colleges/universities featuring "qual­ public liberal arts colleges have made Mary's of Maryland, SUNY-Geneseo, from getting better and better." ity liberal arts at a public school price." great strides in the quality of arts and and Trenton State. As one of the six smaller schools identi­ science programs and now offer small Fiske cites the "single-minded pursuit of fied, UMM is included as an educational classes and outstanding faculties in the According to Fiske, UMM "boasts an liberal education" as evidenced in the institution that would "make anyone's desirable settings. intimate environment and one of the PROSPER and Undergraduate Re­ list of the best public colleges in the most aggressively liberal curriculums in search Opportunities Programs, the nation." The ten public liberal arts colleges/uni­ these United States." The school has orientation programs and the Academic versities he chose (which include the six "evolved into the jewel in the crown of Assistance Center among other merits. Fiske declares that public liberal arts smaller schools as indicated by *) are the Minnesota state school system. And Fall Enrollment Picture Shows Increase for Students of Color Fall enrollment for students of color at "We at UMM are disproving a common the importance of diversity." total enrollment by students of color. UMM reached 10.9 percent, the highest national belief, that liberal arts colleges Overall, significant progress has been level in UMM's history. The new figure in rural areas will not be able to recruit UMM's success is in keeping with the made as University-wide enrollment by represents a 16 percent increase from minority students," comments Chancel­ University's objective of increasing the students of color has increased from 6.2 the previous year, and represents the lor David Johnson. "An increase of 16 population of students of color to at least percent in 1987 to 8.9 percent in 1992. highest minority student enrollment rate percent in one year in our minority en­ 10 percent of the student body. The in the University system. In all, 21 O rollment could only happen with the com­ Twin Cities campus also achieved the students of color are enrolled at UMM. mitment one finds across our campus to University's target with 10.1 percent of Minority Student Program Alumni Association Inaugurated at UMM During Homecoming Weekend History was made at UMM on October involvement will give these students a 23 with the formal inauguration of the path to follow to achieve success at Minority Student Program (MSP) Alumni UMM and to continue their involvement Association, a network of alumni of color as alumni after they graduate. I feel very founded within the auspices of the UMM fortunate to be a part of this effort." Alumni Association. According to the group's statement of "We are proud and excited about our purpose, "The UMM Minority Student group," states MSP Director Bill Stewart. Program Alumni Association is a com­ "This has been in discussion for many ponent of the UMM Alumni Association. years, and we are eager to move for­ It exists to promote the general welfare ward toward our vision." of minority students by assisting in the recruitment of minority faculty, staff and Working with alumni leadership from the students, by serving as mentors and UMM Alumni Association and MSP role models for minority students, devel­ alumni, Stewart and Alumni Relations oping employment resources, and Director Maddy Maxeiner will coordi­ participating in the UMM Alumni nate a series of efforts during the coming Association's Annual Alumni Career year to launch the new group. "Our first -Fair." MSP Alumni and current students gathered at UMM during Homecoming Weekend to step is to welcome all interested alumni celebrate the founding of an alumni network for students of color. Pictured with MSP to participate," indicates Maxeiner. "We Director Bill Stewart (far left) are: front row, Jeffery Robinson ('94), Maribel Ruiz ('93), In welcoming the MSP Alumni Associa­ will next concentrate on channelling the Veronica Burt ('89), Michael Rodriguez ('89), and Reginald Hamilton ('90); back row, tion, a statement read by Alumni particular interests and energies of MSP Marvin Scott ('94), Jason Bolden ('94), David Kelly ('95), Joel Kennedy ('88), Emmily Association President Ron Jost states, alumni toward making a positive impact Stokes ('93) and Robert Sharp ('83). "Whereas alumni of the Minority Stu­ on current students' needs at UMM." dent Program share a distinct history, sion in the Minority Resource Center Fuller ('89) member of the UMM Alumni and are especially able to offer personal The group's formation was officially rec­ focusing on the educational and social Association Board of Directors and guidance, assistance, and examples of ognized during the annual meeting of concerns of UMM students of color. The founding member of the MSP Alumni achievement to all University students the UMM Alumni Association held Fri­ discussion was well-attended by alumni, Association. "The students are inter­ but particularly to current students of day of Homecoming Weekend. A students, and staff. ested in what we have to say, because color, the UMM Alumni Association statement of purpose and resolution we come from similar backgrounds and wishes to honor them in their potential to were read and unanimously approved "It is invigorating to see how apprecia­ can apply our Morris experiences to our serve as resources to the campus com­ by those present. The inauguration was tive the students are of our alumni professional lives. We need to rely on munity of the University oi Minnesota, preceded by an afternoon panel discus- connections to UMM," observes Aleisha each other as resources. Hopefully, our Morris." . From the President: Ron Jost ('69) Phonathon Nets News and Pledges The Class Agent Program is off to a serving the academic and, where ap­ great start. The first class agent plicable, athletic accomplishments of phonathon was a success both in this University. Alums want to see the C term s of funds pledged and the oppor­ goals achieved in the classroom and in tunity for alums to communicate with the field of sports not just maintained their fellow classmates. The details of but also improved upon. The pride in the pledges are noted in the adjacent UMM transcends many different inter­ Fa article; I would rather comment on the est groups ranging from the pure aca­ other aspects of the phonathon, such demics to those who savor the extra­ VOLi as communicating with fellow alumni curricular activities. Regardless of your and discussing their concerns and motive, UMM needs your involvement, The ideas for the future of UMM. and the effort displayed in the plete phonathon was greatly appreciated. 11 0\1 The purpose of the Class Agent Pro­ inm for f1 gram is to select individuals from the Speaking of involvement, some acco­ Inter< graduating classes to serve as liaisons lades are in order for the planners and 5-7rr between their fellow classmates and participants in this year's Alumni Ca­ team the alumni Board to encourage involve­ reer Fair held during Homecoming. This Mike Murphy ('70), Barb Hippe ('78) and Long-time-no-see! Linda Olsund ('67) and recor ment in UMM--not only for financial event has gotten bigger and better Steve Sicheneder ('70) compare notes. Chris Henningson ('67) greet each other. recor support, but for participation in campus every year. The alumni support was Blaini caree affairs and alumni activities held fantastic and to be able to have the The first Class Agents alumni phonathon UMM Alumni Association President Ron throughout this country and abroad. Career Fair in the new Student Center three brought alumni together over the wires Jost ('69), Lee Temte ('69), Dick Slieter years was especially memorable. We are to update information, exchange news, ('70), Mike Murphy ('70), Steve Shet As the alumni body continues to grow, looking forward to next year. and raise pledges for the Alumni Annual Sicheneder ('70), Ed Caillier ('75), Ann recon we need a vehicle by which the con­ Fund. The phonathon was held Novem­ Klauda ('76), Ken Paulsen ('77), Barb Sheil, nection to UMM can be maintained. One final illustration of involvement ber 11 and 12 atAmeriData in Plymouth, Fjoseide ('78), Barb Hippe ('78), Lee middl The Class Agent concept has been was displayed at the Homecoming re­ Minn., through the hospitality of David Erickson ('80), Marian Blattner ('81), playel very successful at other institutions and ception in the Minority Resource Cen­ Anderson ('85), Senior Account Repre­ Kelly and Russ Swanson ('83), Christi seasc have judging by our inaugural event with the ter. A group of minority alumni partici­ sentative at AmeriData. Hansen ('87), Jason Haugland ('87), hope phonathon, we are well on our way. pated in a question and answer ses­ Norma Reker ('87), Cathy Condon ('87), sion for the benefit of the students.