President Robert O. Davies is quickly becoming a familiar face on CMU’s campus Centralight Summer 2019
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10 Cover story Career connections MACKENZIE BROCKMAN PHOTO BY
CMU President Robert O. Davies makes a CMU is fired up about career development. The Career Development Center and Office of habit of walking around campus, shaking Business Engagement strengthen important networking connections. Large companies hands and introducing himself to people. deploy their own Chippewa staffers to recruit new employees, and faculty help students He puts students first, and he knows the navigate the job hunt. If you’re looking for a career, start with your alumni network. value of celebrating success. Read more about him on Page 7.
COVER PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE/STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
31 CMU’s recreation alumni create a large network
Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration faculty member Tim Otteman spent spring break on a nine-city, 10-day cross-country trip to visit alumni working in recreation. His “Best of the Best Recreation and Event Management Industry Tour” checked in with nine CMU grads selected from 51 applicants in 15 states, and he posted his adventures for social media followers.
2 Centralight Winter ’18 Executive Editor and Executive Director of Alumni Relations Marcie Otteman Grawburg, ’87 Editor Betsy Miner-Swartz, ’86 Managing Editor Robin Miner-Swartz Graphic Designer Nate Jones, ’10 Photographer 18 24 Steve Jessmore, ’81 Helping the Chibok Girls heal 10 within 10 Writers Terri Finch Hamilton, ’83 Robin Miner-Swartz Research Associate Bryan Whitledge Editorial Assistants Vicki Begres, ’89; Lori Conroy Vice President for Advancement Michael Alford, interim Associate Vice President of University Communications Sherry Knight, ’86 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 Phone: (800) 358-6903 Fax: (989) 774-7159 CMU alumna Somiari Fubara Demm is an 10 young CMU alumni are making Email: [email protected] international mental health consultant and strides to transform their communities Web: cmich.edu/alumni/Centralight trauma specialist working with some of the and workplaces in their first decade young women who survived kidnapping after graduation. by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria.
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Body contains 30% post-consumer waste 3 Calendar of Events 34 Alumni News
There are lots of ways to connect with Cheering Chippewas make sure Centralight is published three times each year by the fellow Chippewas across the country veterans receive a warm welcome Central Michigan University Office of Alumni Relations. It is throughout the year. to visit D.C. war memorials. printed by Quad/Graphics, Midland, and entered at the Midland Post Office under nonprofit mailing. CMU, an AA/EO institution, provides equal opportunity to all 4 CMU Today 38 In Memory persons, including minorities, females, veterans and CMU celebrates 25 years of reaching individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). Copies 40 Do You Remember of Centralight are distributed to alumni and friends of the students through charter public schools. 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 10044–21,700+ (5/19)
CentralightCentralight Summer Winter ’19 ’18 11 Your GOLDEN Opportunity
The MEMORIES and FRIENDS you share with your alma mater didn’t end with graduation. Continue to make new ones!
Become a Gold Member of the CMU Alumni Association today!
cmich.edu/alumni
Keep the old, and bring the GOLD!
CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9794 - 2017 CHIPPEWA PRIDE TRAVELS + CALENDAR FAR AND WIDE CMU alumni and fans are everywhere we go JUNE 18-20 Grandparents University, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, Mount Pleasant and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the JULY earth all one’s lifetime.” — Mark Twain I recently returned from back-to-back trips that reminded me 15 just how broad our alumni reach is. In Florida, I connected with Grand Traverse alumni in The Villages and the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. At a Scholarship Golf Detroit Tigers spring training game, I chatted with CMU alumni Outing, Traverse City including Ron Myers, ’80, Lakeland Tigers vice president, and nearly 100 alumni there. And I enjoyed time with another 60 20 alumni at our annual golf outing in The Villages. CMU Night at A week later, I headed to New York City. I got the chance to Comerica Park, visit past 10 within 10 alumni award winner Jenny Robertson, Detroit Marcie Otteman Grawburg, ’87, ’08, who gave me a tour of the iconic Rainbow Room at the Executive Director of top of 30 Rockefeller Center. Jenny coordinates corporate 26 Alumni Relations events there, with one of the best views in the city. Michigan’s Adventure, At the NYC Hard Rock Café, a salesperson asked where I was from, and when I said Muskegon Michigan, she asked if I had heard of Central Michigan University and Mount Pleasant. Her brother moved to Michigan to go to school here. I love that wherever my travels take me, I know I’ll cross paths with people who share a AUGUST connection to CMU. 24 As commencement season is upon us, I’m thinking of all the high school seniors and CMU Night at transfer students who soon will head to Mount Pleasant to begin their journey. Chicago Cubs, And I’m thinking of all our new graduates who are heading out to put their stamp on Chicago, Illinois the world, their communities and their workplaces with the spirit of CMU in their hearts and minds. OCTOBER Travel is indeed fatal to prejudice. Best of luck to all on their journeys. And wherever your road takes you, remember you always have a home here with your Chippewa family. 12 Forever maroon and gold, Homecoming vs. New Mexico State, Mount Pleasant 25-27 Mackinac Island alumni weekend, Mackinac Island
This is a small sampling of the many alumni events. Please visit alumni.cmich.edu for a comprehensive list.
Correction: In the Winter 2018 issue of Centralight, Nina Nash- Robertson’s name was misspelled in a caption on page 14. We apologize for BRIANNA HUGES BRIANNA the error. PHOTO BY Centralight Summer ’19 3 CMU TODAY
Meteorite makes fresh impact Smithsonian geologist who confirmed discovery at Central Michigan draws a curious crowd Before a standing room-only crowd in Park Library, Central Michigan University earth and atmospheric sciences faculty member Mona Sirbescu welcomed a guest of honor. “Thank you so much for traveling all over from the asteroid belt to be with us on Planet Earth,” she said with a smile to the Edmore meteorite, the former doorstop she famously identified in 2018 as a rock from outer space. The 22-pound chunk of iron and nickel rested on a cart in front of her on the Opperman Auditorium stage. It shared top billing with the event’s flesh-and- LEARN MORE blood star: geologist Catherine Corrigan, curator of Antarctic meteorites at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. A Michigan native and onetime CMU instructor, Corrigan helped authenticate and analyze the Edmore meteorite in Washington, D.C., after Sirbescu sent her a slice of the rock. Her visit this spring was her first chance to see the entire meteorite in person. Corrigan told the crowd how meteorites offer clues to the formation of the solar system. She also shared her experiences collecting hundreds of samples near the South Pole through the Antarctic Search for Meteorites program. The meteorite’s owner, David Mazurek, from Grand Rapids, took the rock to Sirbescu for analysis last year and learned it could be worth tens of thousands of dollars to a museum or collector. • LEARN MORE
CMU celebrates 25 years of reaching students through charter public schools In 1994, Central Michigan became the first university in the nation to authorize a charter public school. For the past 25 years, CMU has been a leader in the quest to ensure every child in Michigan has access to an innovative, high-quality public school education. Central has connected students with specialized learning opportunities with passionate public school teachers using approaches and environments as unique as the children they’re educating. As the university commemorates this quarter-century milestone, you can learn more about how CMU alumni are involved in these dynamic schools. Read their stories at www.TheCenterForCharters.org/25Years. •
4 Centralight Summer ’19 Advancement VP Martin retiring Successful fundraising campaign wraps up; search for replacement begins WCMU’s Adam Miedema (from left), Stefanie Mills, Matthew Ozanich, Chris Ogozaly Robert Martin, CMU’s vice and Steven Smith president for advancement, will retire June 30 with the successful conclusion of the Fire Up for Excellence campaign. The campaign surpassed its $100 million goal more than three years ahead of schedule. “I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others,” Martin said. “The work we have done through the Fire Up for Excellence campaign will positively change the lives of thousands of students and families for generations to come. I am honored to CM Life, WCMU earn more top honors have been a CMU Chippewa.” CMU’s student media company wins sixth consecutive national award; public TV and radio collect six trophies Martin joined CMU in February 2016. Since then, the university set new records for the most donors, largest Central Michigan Life was named College Media Company of the Year gifts, largest Day of Giving events, and highest by the College Media Business and Advertising Managers organization at percentage of faculty and staff giving. the 2019 National College Journalism Convention in La Jolla, California. This was the sixth consecutive year CM Life earned the top award. Of the more than $103 million raised, 82% supports academics and 18% supports student-athletes. “It is an honor to be recognized among so many other successful student The campaign included 165 new endowments media companies,” said Kathy Simon, assistant director of student media and naming opportunities. at CMU. “It validates to our students that they are doing outstanding work.” “We have changed the culture of philanthropy at CM Life took home 23 awards, including: CMU,” Martin said. “The advancement team, our • College Media Company of the Year. alumni and President-emeritus (George E.) Ross combined to make this a phenomenally successful • First Place: Best College Media Design Program. campaign. It has been a tremendous honor to work • First Place: Best College Media Sales Program. beside each of them.” • First Place: Best Sales Proposal. Martin also held senior leadership roles in • First Place: Best Innovative New Idea. advancement at Eastern Illinois University, Auburn • First Place: Best Training Program. University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He raised more than $2.3 billion • First Place: Best Social Media Strategy. during his career. • First Place: Best Guerrilla Marketing Strategy. He is now turning his attention to family, including CM Life received second place, third place and honorable mention in three grandchildren. 14 other design, sales, marketing and multimedia categories. CMU President Robert O. Davies appointed athletic On the TV and radio side, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters director Michael Alford to lead the university’s recognized WCMU Public Media programming with six MAB Broadcast advancement and alumni relations division in the Excellence Awards for outstanding programming at its annual meeting interim. Alford, who joined CMU in 2017, has extensive earlier this year. fundraising experience and a successful history of Four of WCMU Public Media’s television programs received awards: engaging external audiences. “Destination Michigan,” “Destination Michigan Pledge Special,” “Native Alford and Dave Keilitz, chair of CMU’s advancement American Stories” and “WCMU in the Community.” board, are co-chairing the search committee. • WCMU Public Media also earned awards for its radio program “Michigan Politics” and its coverage of PFAS contamination in Michigan. •
Centralight Summer ’19 5 Star teacher casts his spell Education alum ‘Mr. D’ brings his positive message to campus Before fifth grade teacher and spelling test prankster Joe Dombrowski graduated from Central Michigan University in 2012, no one could have known the viral fame that lay in his future — or how he would parlay it into even greater success. Returning from Seattle to CMU to catch up with his professors and mentors is special, Dombrowski said, but travel is nothing new: He tours the country as both a motivational speaker and a stand-up comic (he got his start in comedy with CMU’s Trap Door Improv). But he limits his touring to weekends, at least during the school year. “On top of all the comedy and everything I’m doing, I’m still a fifth grade teacher,” he said. Wherever he goes, Dombrowski stresses the importance of quality — and authentic — teaching. “I keep it so real,” he said. “I push the teachers to be their true selves. Kids can smell fake.” Earlier this year, undergraduate honorary society Kappa Delta Pi and the College of Education and Human Services brought Dombrowski Match Day aligns with CMU’s — now widely known as “Mr. D” — to campus for his second visit since he first gained internet fame in 2017. College of Medicine mission Seven in 10 medical students chose primary care That happened when Dombrowski recorded his Royal Oak, Michigan, for residency; 45% will serve in Michigan fifth graders taking a pop spelling quiz of words he had made up for April Fool’s Day. The video of his baffled students slowly catching on Cheers, hugs and sighs of relief erupted this spring quickly tallied millions of YouTube views. Watch it here: cmich. as students in the Class of 2019 from Central ly/2UmzdCk. Michigan University’s College of Medicine discovered where they “matched” into residency programs “When that took off, it really opened up a lot of doors,” he said. across the nation. One of those doors was to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” where This year, 71% of the class matched specifically Dombrowski appeared as a guest and received gifts of $20,000 for into primary care residencies, and 45% matched himself and his elementary school. See that appearance here: to programs in Michigan. Three students matched cmich.ly/2Uyqayo. • into military residencies, two in the Army and one in the Navy. “To have such high percentages of our students match into Michigan residencies is evidence that we are staying true to our mission of preparing physicians to serve in rural and medically underserved regions of Michigan,” said Dr. George Kikano, dean of the CMU College of Medicine. The matches are determined by a computerized mathematical algorithm used by the National Resident Matching Program to align the specialty and location requests of students with the preferences of program directors at U.S. teaching hospitals. The organization estimated the 2019 match to be the largest ever, exceeding the more than 43,000 applicants who registered for the 2018 match and the more than 33,000 residency positions. •
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6 Centralight Summer ’19 Hi, CMU’s new president is student-focused, omnipresent and fired up BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON, ’83 PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE/STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
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On one of his first days on campus as CMU’s new “I think we asked the Energizer Bunny to be president, Robert O. Davies was in line at president of CMU,” Richard Studley, vice chair Starbucks, shaking students’ hands. of the Board of Trustees, quipped at Davies’ Investiture ceremony in March. “Hi,” he said, over and over again. “I’m Bob.” Davies calls his frequent forays around campus People were perplexed. Who’s this Bob guy? his “walkabouts.” Five months later, he was in line at Starbucks again, Bob! “It’s important to be visible on campus,” Davies with Tricia Keith, CMU Board of Trustees chair. said. “By being accessible, by having what I call “She said, ‘This time they didn’t have to ask your ‘constant conversations,’ I have a better hand on name to put on the cup,’” Davies said. He laughed. the pulse of the university. “The word is out.” “I want to get to know them and let them get to know me — not just as the university president, The word is out because Davies is everywhere. but as a person,” he said. “Everything is based Ever since stepping onto campus last September on relationships.” as CMU’s 15th president, he’s been eating lunch “He’s come to campus and been embraced,” with students in dining halls, visiting faculty in Keith said. “And he embraced us, too.” > their offices and hosting student leaders for dinner at his house.
Centralight Summer ’19 7 ‘We need to be bold’ ‘An exciting new day on Certain words pop up often as Davies talks: Bold. Flexible. campus’ Innovative. Adaptable. Rigorous. Relevant. Put them all together That’s what CMU needs, said Keith, ’93, who led the presidential and you get a sense of his plan for CMU’s future, from attracting search committee. more students to boosting research to positioning an already exemplary school in the national and international spotlight. “Transparency at all levels was incredibly important to us,” she said. That’s one reason the committee selected Davies. In his first few months on campus, he faced some serious issues. “We have to be clear and concise about the issues the university Racial hate comments were scrawled on a student’s residence is facing,” Keith said. “You can’t not talk about them because hall whiteboard. Sexual assault survivors brought the issue of they’re uncomfortable. sexual violence on campus to the forefront. Enrollment figures showed a continuing decline. “There will always be challenges,” she continued. “What matters is how they’re handled. He starts with a fact base, communicates Davies took on the issues, writing heartfelt, bold letters to the openly, brings people together, listens to many perspectives.” campus community sharing his action plans. In his letter about declining enrollment, Davies asked for those He appointed a Presidential Title IX Advisory Board to address “many perspectives.” sexual assault, including training, education, support services, prevention programming and resources. “I asked people, bluntly, to give me their ideas,” he said. More than 100 responses rolled in, and they keep coming. He wrote a comprehensive letter to the campus community about declining enrollment, suggesting a host of strategies. “That’s a sign we have a healthy community,” Davies said. “They aren’t pulling any punches. They’re not being Midwest “We’re dealing with some difficult issues, at Central Michigan nice. They say, ‘Here’s what we’re doing wrong and here’s what and across the country,” Davies said. we need to do.’ “We will confront the brutal facts,” he said. “We won’t hide them “I love it,” he said. or sugar coat them. It’s a difficult time. We need to be bold.”
PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE/STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
President Robert O. Davies: PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE/ STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY Every day is ‘fantastic’+ At CMU’s December commencement, + When a student at commencement Everybody talks about Davies’ warmth, humor Davies shook hands with every requested Davies “floss,” a popular and positive energy. graduate — more than 2,000 of them. dance move, he obliged. Here’s a glimpse of the “I’ve never seen that before,” said “He pulled out dental floss,” said head guy in the CMU tie. Bradley Swanson, biology professor Abbey Claes, a student assistant in and chair of the Academic Senate. Davies’ office. “He’s hilarious.” “It was really impressive.”
88 Centralight Summer ’19 So does Bradley Swanson, biology professor and chair of the Abbey Claes, an Escanaba junior, works as a student assistant in Academic Senate. Davies’ office, so she sees him more than most students. “Bob is being incredibly proactive,” Swanson said. “He doesn’t “Every time you have an exam or a job interview, he doesn’t say, think all decisions and answers have to come from the ‘Good luck’ — he says, ‘When you get 100 percent,’ or ‘When administration. you get the job,’” Claes said. “It’s like he believes in every CMU student here.” “He’s one of the most personable presidents I’ve known,” he said, describing Davies’ enthusiasm as infectious. Davies smiles and laughs a lot, Claes said, but when weighty issues arise, “He puts his more serious face on. He involves who “I look forward to a change in atmosphere — a friendlier, needs to be involved and gets their opinions, which I think is happier, more upbeat campus,” Swanson said. “It’s an exciting important. His main focus is always the students.” new day on the CMU campus with him.” Davies knew the right way to holler “Fire Up Chips!” from his very ‘He makes students feel first press conference. He was loud and proud. important’ “It’s not just a rallying cry of CMU pride,” Davies said. “It’s about this amazing passion. If you put any obstacle in front of us, we’ll Jake Hendricks, president of the Student Government overcome it.” Association, meets monthly with Davies. He was wearing his CMU tie, of course, because it was Fire “He’s open and willing to talk about the things we care about,” Up Friday. said Hendricks, a Traverse City junior. He said students appreciated Davies’ letter addressing sexual assault on campus “I’m the eternal optimist,” Davies said. “The best days of Central published in Central Michigan Life. Michigan are ahead of us.” “That not only showed he cares about students, but he used a student resource to reach out to us,” Hendricks said. “He really connects to students on a personal level. “He makes students feel important,” he said. “I’m a big fan.”
STEVE JESSMORE/ PHOTO BY MACKENZIE BROCKMAN PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
+ Faculty tenure letters are typically sent through + When Student Government Association + Davies tucked his business campus mail, but Davies hand-delivered them, President Jake Hendricks walked across card on the windshield of popping into professors’ classrooms and campus with Davies to grab lunch, “He a car at the airport when presenting them in front of their students. shook every student’s hand on the way he noticed it had a CMU over there,” Hendricks said. alumni license plate. “This is a pinnacle moment in their careers,” Davies said. “I wanted to take a brief moment to celebrate “When he saw a guy wearing a University + Ask Davies how his day is with them.” of Michigan shirt, he said, ‘Come to my going, and he answers, office and I’ll give you a new shirt so you “Fantastic!” Every time. • Getting the letter in the mail and opening it by don’t have to wear that.’” yourself isn’t much fun. This was fun. (Related fact: One of Davies’ childhood cats was named Tenure.)
Centralight Summer ’19 9 careerMeet the starters
Some of Michigan’s biggest employers have Chippewas working within their CMU ranks, part of a powerful career pipeline enthusiastic about hiring alumni fellow CMU alumni. Top brass at Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy highlight and Quicken Loans host student tours, foster internships and hand over their phone numbers, inviting students to call. the power Back on campus, career development pros are working all the angles, of ‘who connecting students with promising internships and great jobs through relationships with alumni in the field. you know’ And professors are serving up their own brand of career prep, coaching students for life beyond CMU. The lessons? Be nice. Speak with a strong voice. Dress well. Believe in yourself. When it comes to career development, CMU is fired up.
TEXT BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON, ’83 PHOTOS BY STEVE JESSMORE/ STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
10 Centralight WinterSummer ’18 ’19 DTE Energy: Harnessing the power of CMU alumni Gina Tate-Johnson, M.A. ’08
Bob Richard had a lightbulb moment. Richard’s daughter, Kayla McClung, ’16, is an Think solar and wind power. Metering alum. And while Richard isn’t one himself, technology. Smart grids. 3D mapping. The senior vice president at DTE Energy in he does sit on CMU’s engineering advisory Robots. Drones. Detroit was thinking about how the committee. And his wife, Dina, is on burgeoning energy industry needs workers. He wants CMU students to see it all. Central’s Advancement Board. And those 180 Chippewas on staff are CMU students want to graduate with jobs. To be upfront, there’s definitely something the perfect tour guides. Hmmm. in it for DTE Energy. “Anytime a young person knows a person When he discovered 180 CMU alumni “Our demographics are startling,” Richard at a company, it absolutely gives them a already were working at DTE, he emailed said. “Thirty percent of our employees will leg up in employment,” Richard said. “This them. How about joining a CMU alumni be retiring in the next five years. Michigan can be a really cool journey alumni can go steering committee to start forging is starved for people in technology and on with students.” relationships with students? engineering. Gina Tate-Johnson, M.A. ’08, couldn’t wait. They loved it. “This is an industry that hasn’t been She led a tour of DTE for a CMU thought of as cool,” he said. “But it is.” engineering class, happily connecting students to DTE employees who showed off careers in everything from safety to social media. After the tour, students eagerly shared their résumés. “They were face to face with the movers and shakers who could help them,” said Tate-Johnson, senior project controls specialist. She’s excited about the possibilities. “We want to attract graduates before they’re even graduates,” she said. “I want to do whatever I can to put them face to face with people here. Pique their interest. Attract them to this great company.” Come on over, she said. “I want to keep the momentum going.” >
Bob Richard
CentralightCentralight Summer Winter ’18’19 11 Quicken Loans: Lending alumni connections
There are so many alumni working at A Quicken Loans vice president shared Quicken Loans — 550 — that they his path from CMU to the company. have company events just for Chips. A panel of recent CMU grads talked about their internships and jobs there. Want to make it 551? 552? Talk to Buddy Henika, ’14. Alumni handed out their business cards — and more. “I was hired by a CMU alum, and they were hired by a CMU alum,” said “It was very impressive,” said Lee Henika, senior university relations Furbeck, executive director of manager at Quicken Loans. admissions at CMU and a co-host of the event. “A Quicken Loans vice He wants to keep it going. president and CMU alum gave out his Henika brings alumni back to the CMU personal number. He said, ‘Do you campus to tell students about job want to know what it’s like to work opportunities at Quicken Loans. here? Hear about internship possibilities? Call me. Put my number He visits classrooms, attends CMU in your phones right now.’” career fairs and hosts career development events off campus. Across the street at CMU’s Detroit office, faculty and staff answered He helped host a unique event at his questions and happily accepted company for students who weren’t deposits from students ready to even Chippewas yet, showcasing the become Chippewas. strong partnership between Quicken Loans and CMU. “Outcomes are important to students and families,” Furbeck said. “We showed The audience: students who were them, ‘Look what our students are accepted to CMU but hadn’t yet going on to do. They have these great committed to attending. careers that started with internships The goal: convince them that CMU they had as CMU students. Look, Mom business partnerships are so strong, and Dad — they won’t be living in your they’ll have no trouble landing a job basement, unemployed. They’ll be able after graduation. to make a living for themselves.’” “We wanted to show them the great That’s a big comfort, Henika said. opportunities at Central before they “The reason we go to college is to get a even step foot on campus,” said job,” he said. “They left with a sense of Henika, who won an award for his comfort that, yes, this is the right work from the Michigan Career school to help me do that.” > Educator and Employer Alliance.
12 Centralight Summer ’19 Buddy Henika (bottom right), senior university relations manager at Quicken Loans, organizes events for Chippewas to learn about opportunities his company offers to CMU grads.
Centralight Summer ’19 13 14 Centralight WinterSummer ’18 ’19 Professor John Nichol: Teaching what it takes
Not all career development happens on a bus tour to DTE or an event at Quicken Loans. Some happen in John Nichol’s music classroom — and have nothing to do with mastering the saxophone. “After 38 years of teaching, I’ve learned what it takes to make it in the profession,” said Nichol, a saxophone professor. “Be kind. Be understanding. Write thank-you notes. If someone else wins the competition, walk up and say congratulations. Don’t be negative. Know when to shut up. Speak with a strong voice. Dress well. Shake hands. Believe in yourself.” All of this is just as important as the musical training, he said. “That helps them get the job.” Nichol took a group of students to Italy for a music camp, then they performed in Croatia at the world saxophone Congress, the greatest gathering of classical and jazz saxophonists in the world. That kind of experience changes students, he said. Back on campus, he conducts mock job interviews with students. He reviews their résumés and CVs. He directs them where to audition. Along the way, he dispenses tips — a sort of “pre-professional training program,” he said. “Look at me, don’t look down,” he said. “Keep smiling. Little things like that. “I’m no counselor,” he said with a laugh, “but I try to guide them.” Many of his students go on to be music educators, teaching in elementary, middle and high schools. Some earn advanced degrees and teach in higher education. Nichol stays connected to band directors so he can recommend students for jobs. He writes countless letters of recommendation. And the students land jobs. “You might have to start at a small school,” he said. “But after you have four or five years of experience, you’re highly desirable and hireable. “Maybe they won’t all go into music,” he said. “That’s OK. I just want them to be happy and successful.” >
CentralightCentralight Summer Winter ’18’19 15 CMU’s Office of Business Engagement: Opening doors to the big time
Last fall, Rob VanDorin took a busload of 50 CMU students to “Alumni are absolutely vital to this,” VanDorin said. “We can three Ford Motor Co. locations, including its impressive new connect to people in human resources at a company and Advanced Manufacturing Center not yet open to the public. get a posting on a job board. But a job board is not a relationship. You need a champion on the inside to fight for The $45 million complex in suburban Detroit is packed with you when you’re competing against dozens of other the latest wow-inspiring tech — 3D printers, collaborative universities who also want opportunities for their students.” robots and augmented reality simulators. He tells of a recent CMU grad who works in logistics at Gordon “We were the very first school to get a tour,” said VanDorin, Food Service in Grand Rapids. He called VanDorin because his director of CMU’s Office of Business Engagement. boss said he wants more employees like him — but CMU isn’t Their connection? Gary Johnson, Ford’s group vice president on the company’s radar. He thought it should be. of manufacturing and labor affairs, who oversees the global “If I knocked on the door at Gordon’s they might say, operations of every Ford assembly, stamping and powertrain ‘We already have relationships with 13 other universities. plant around the world. Thanks, and have a nice day.’ But having alumni inside can He’s kind of a big deal. make a world of difference,” VanDorin said. And Johnson graduated from CMU. “My No. 1 goal is student success — anything that drives toward them getting a career,” he said. “That starts with “We asked Gary, and Gary said, ‘Let’s do it,’” VanDorin said. relationships.” “That doesn’t happen with cold calling. Alumni relationships open doors for us. It doesn’t have to be a huge company. “You know that old saying it’s who you know? You have to have “Everyone has their right fit,” VanDorin said. “Not every the right skills and knowledge first,” VanDorin said. “Our faculty student wants to work at a major corporation. If you’re a do a great job of teaching students what they need to know. shop of 50, we still want to have a relationship with you.” Then my office can open doors to who you need to know.” Partnering with CMU students or faculty can help a smaller Those doors are open at some impressive companies. company with fewer resources complete projects they couldn’t do otherwise. CMU has great partnerships with Ford, General Motors, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Consumers Energy, Quicken “If you think there’s an opportunity for CMU and your Loans, DTE Energy and more, VanDorin said — all because of company to have a relationship, I’d love to hear from you,” alumni connections. VanDorin said.
Rob VanDorin
16 Centralight Winter ’18 Career Development Center: Use it for a lifetime
Maybe your favorite Central hoodie is “We get a lot of questions about threadbare and there’s a layer of dust LinkedIn,” Sherlock said. “How to on your diploma. use it, what to include, is it worth it? Yes, it is.” You can still come back for career advice. Need help with your social media profile? (Did you just say “We offer lifetime services,” said Julia aloud, “What social media profile?” Barlow Sherlock, director of CMU’s Then, yes, you do.) Career Development Center. Even the job interview process may have changed since you started your career. “It’s no longer one and done,” Sherlock said. “It’s a whole process. It often includes several people. It might include Skype.” If you graduated within the past 10 years, your CMU Handshake account is still active, Sherlock said. Use that to set up appointments or view upcoming career events. There’s a huge array of help, and it’s If you’ve been away longer, call the not just for recent graduates. Career Development Center office at (989) 774-3068 to schedule Visit the Career Development Center an appointment. website at careers.cmich.edu. And as long as you’re Take an online career assessment. getting some career Make an appointment to review your help, why not return résumé — either in person or over the favor? the phone. Share your career story There are plenty of reasons to with today’s CMU students, reconnect. Sherlock said. “Maybe parents stayed at home for a Come back to campus to talk to a while to care for children or a loved class. Be part of a panel discussion. one,” Sherlock said, and they need “Your story makes it personal for advice as they re-enter the work force. students,” she said. “Maybe you lost touch with what a “Share how you made your résumé looks like,” she said. “A résumé choices, what worked for you, is no longer a career history. It’s a what resources you used, what brand, marketing you. You give an strategies you had. employer what’s relevant, not your whole career history. “It’s very, very valuable.” •
CentralightCentralight Summer Winter ’18’19 17 CMU alum uses her trauma and mental health training to support Nigerian women through their recovery
PHOTOS BY CBS Somiari Fubara Demm has taken on a heavy task. She is the therapist for some of Nigeria’s Chibok Girls, young women who survived being kidnapped by Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group. In 2014, 276 female students were taken from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Nigeria, with the CMU alumna Somiari Fubara Demm talked with CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl about her work intention of selling them into slavery. with Nigeria’s Chibok Girls for a “60 Minutes” story that aired in February. Fifty-seven escaped after a few months in captivity, and some have Demm, who was born in Nigeria and counseled the Chibok Girls since been freed or rescued in the ensuing raised and educated in the U.S. — they arrived at their new school years. Many remain unaccounted for. including earning her degree in more than a year ago. psychology from CMU — has “Despite everything that they’ve She’s using a variety of therapeutic been through, they push forward,” treatments to help the girls heal, Demm said in an interview with CBS though working with them requires correspondent Lesley Stahl. “They a nimble approach. come back even with greater force, with greater determination. And “Trauma really changes the brain they blow me away.” whether memory, cognition, recall, retrieval,” Demm said in the “60 Demm, ‘01, is an international Minutes” piece. “We have to meet mental health consultant and them where they are. If not, all trauma specialist. She meets we’re doing is making the with the young women who situation worse.” live and study in a prep school created for them Demm leads the women in and paid for by the yoga and relaxation exercises, Nigerian government and she offers individual and donors. and group therapy — though she said most of The story of the Chibok the women still have Girls — and Demm’s work difficulty talking about with them — was what they endured. featured on the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes” You can watch the entire in February. “60 Minutes” story here: cmich.ly/2Us4zqZ. •
18 Centralight Summer ’19 CMU may be but behind you it’s never far away
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CMU is an AA/EO institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see cmich.edu/ocrie). UComm 9789 - 2017 Centralight Winter ’18 19 20 Centralight WinterSummer ’18 ’19 The Chippewa Battalion of the CMU Army ROTC carry out the Posting of Colors at the Investiture for President Robert O. Davies, Central’s 15th president.
PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
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CentralightCentralight Summer Winter ’18’19 21 CMU Bookstore Summer Hours Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 989-774-7493 800-283-0234 Photos by Jerrod Brownson
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CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal oppor- tunity 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). Ucomm 10041 CMU Bookstore Summer Hours Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 989-774-7493 800-283-0234 Photos by Jerrod Brownson
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CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal oppor- tunity 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). Ucomm 10041 YOUNG ALUMNI CARRY THEIR CMU PRIDE INTO NEW CAREERS AND COMMUNITIES BY ROBIN MINER-SWARTZ
The 10 Within 10 program celebrates young alumni who have used what they learned at Central Michigan University to build their careers and uplift their communities. This year’s group of exceptional Chippewas is putting their stamp on the world in meteorology, special education, entrepreneurship, graphic design and more.
JESSICA SEVECKE-HANRAHAN, the Delta Iota Chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma. opportunity to be a trainee or a trainer at I also enjoyed volunteering at Camp the internship, apprenticeship or M.A. ’12, PH.D. ’15 Michitanki Transplant Camp for Kids. postdoctoral level, take it! Be a lifelong learner and give back. It is so rewarding to Major: School What has been your coolest moment take the knowledge you learn, share it with psychology since graduation? others and better someone’s life. This past Thanksgiving, I had the Job: Associate opportunity to be a balloon handler in the What has your work life taught you? psychologist, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New It’s all about balance. As an early career Geisinger Health York City! professional, it’s tempting to take on the System, Behavioral world. Although that’s exciting, it’s Health Primary Care What are you proudest of? important to take care of yourself and Pediatrics. Lead Last year, I was honored to co-direct balance your personal values with your pediatric psychologist Geisinger’s first systemwide Transgender work life. in Geisinger’s first integrated pediatric Health and Wellness Conference. We primary care location in northeastern partnered with members of the What has been your biggest Pennsylvania. transgender community and care accomplishment since graduation? agencies across the state to increase I completed a postdoctoral fellowship and City: Scranton, Pennsylvania knowledge, awareness, advocacy and was offered the chance to be the lead affirmative health care for transgender clinician in my first-ever professional patients in Pennsylvania. position. It has been an honor to be a What is your favorite memory of CMU? mentor to my trainees and provide care to I enjoyed participating in department-led What advice would you give new children and families in our community. community service like the Mobile Food graduates? Pantry and a variety of summer programs Learn as much as you can and teach as for youth, as well as serving as an adviser for much as you can. If you have an
24 Centralight Summer ’19 ERIC REED, ’10, M.S.A. ’12 ZACH ROSZCZEWSKI, ’12 JENNA BETKA-POPE, ’15 Majors: Health Major: Graphic Major: Special administration, design education with public administration a concentration Job: Freelance icon in cognitive Job: Director, TRiO and illustration impairments, English Student Support designer, specializing education (6-12) and Services, Eastern in creating large Spanish language Michigan University. iconography systems TRiO SSS is a federally for major brands Job: Middle school funded college such as Airbnb, Bose, resource room support program for first-generation GoPro and Turbotax. teacher at Excel Charter Academy working college students from economically with sixth through eighth graders in a full City: Encinitas, California challenged backgrounds. inclusion model. Also the coordinator for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s summer camp City: Westland and low-sensory night. What has been your coolest moment since graduation? City: Grand Rapids What is your favorite memory of CMU? Because of the flexibility of my work-from- I met some of my closest friends at CMU, home schedule, my wife and I have and we reflect almost daily on dorm and traveled to Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. What has been your coolest moment apartment life, going to the gym, and just Jet skiing around the French Polynesian since graduation? hanging out and having fun. I’m glad I islands to an area where we got to feed The first low-sensory night at Grand Rapids stayed at CMU for graduate school because sharks and swim with the stingrays is Civic Theatre. It’s the first theater in our I established lifelong friendships with something I will never forget. region that has sponsored an event of this international students from Nigeria, Kenya, sort, and I was honored to coordinate it. It What are you proudest of? China, India and many other countries. was incredibly humbling to see so many Working with the fine folks at GoPro to people with various sensory needs attend What has been your coolest moment design the entire icon system for the GoPro live theater for the first time and get to since graduation? camera, and then being able to use that experience its magic. Traveling to almost every major city in the camera in real life and engage with U.S. and to a few countries. I really value something that I had a hand in crafting What are you proudest of? learning about different cultures and was very rewarding. I am proudest of coming out as the person I making new connections. I love attending truly am and getting married to the love of my What advice would you give new sporting events or concerts when I visit life. She constantly inspires me to follow my graduates? other cities. passions, work as hard as I can, and challenge Work really hard right when you get out of myself professionally and personally. What about CMU helped you succeed? college, even if it means working on I’d like to sincerely thank Kevin Williams, passion projects outside of work, because What advice would you give new Traci Guinn, Sean Novak, Dale Sanders, that’s when you will have some of your graduates? Wallace Weiss and Tim Pletcher for helping greatest ideas, energy and time to do so. Take time to find a job you love. It’s easy to me get through the challenges of college If you work hard enough in the beginning, take one of the first that’s offered to you life. During my first year, I struggled you can set yourself up to work more because you’re afraid you won’t get another. academically and could have been efficiently and less often when you’re in It’s so important to take risks and find a job dismissed if it wasn’t for their help. MAC your late 20s and early 30s, and your older you are truly passionate about, even if it isn’t Scholars helped me graduate within four self will thank you for it! a full-time job with benefits yet. I would also years and provided the cultural awareness I highly recommend traveling as much as you What has your work life taught you? needed for the work I do now. Also, these can to explore other people and cultures. Work-life balance is essential for longevity people helped me earn the King Chavez and productivity. Every morning, I try and What has your work life taught you? Parks fellowship, which allowed me to go out for a surf or do something outdoors, I am capable, and I should trust myself and continue my graduate studies at CMU. even when the waves are flat, to get my training. I am much more willing to What has been your biggest inspired for the work day. speak up to my colleagues and advocate for accomplishment since graduation? myself and my students based on my work What about CMU helped you succeed? Earning a Ph.D. while running two of my experiences. I have realized I should use my I have CMU to thank for guiding me to the own businesses (a real estate company and intuition and my knowledge to assist others. right career path. I was originally going to college tour company), working full time, study coding, and I quickly realized it wasn’t What has been your biggest making career advancements, getting the right match for me. Luckily, I was in the accomplishment since graduation? married, being an active community library one day and found myself at a booth I have become the coordinator for multiple member, and still making time for family, advertising the graphic design major. I was and major events at Grand Rapids Civic friends and fun. I thank God for blessing me amazed I could create fun stuff and get Theatre, developed schoolwide procedures with discipline, and I thank my family for paid for it. Ever since that day, I had my at Excel Charter Academy, and I’m vice their continuous love and support. eyes set on graphic design and never president of a comedy collective called looked back. Funny Girls. I’m very proud of making change in all these fields. >
Centralight Summer ’19 25 ANN MARIE LAFLAMME, ’09 SCOTT GEORGE, M.A. ’11 SHARON R. ELEFANT, D.H.A. ’17 Majors: Integrative Major: Sports Majors: Health public relations, administration administration, journalism, and international health Job: Manager of broadcast and university Job: Executive cinematic arts engagement for director, Engage the Job: Anchor, WXYZ Unified Champion Vision. ETV ABC 7 Detroit Schools, supporting encourages and the 52 Special empowers fourth and City: Detroit Olympics state fifth grade boys from programs at colleges and universities. inner cities through consistent weekly mentoring. Adjunct instructor at Florida What has been your coolest moment City: Washington, D.C. International University for undergrad health since graduation? administration and the online M.H.A. Landing a job at WXYZ! It’s the station I program. grew up watching and worked my whole What has been your coolest moment career to get to. Being able to share the since graduation? City: Los Angeles stories of my community and connect I attended the 2018 Special Olympics USA with people in my hometown is a dream Games in Seattle and saw the impact come true. Special Olympics Unified Sports is having. What has been your coolest moment It was the first national games I attended, since graduation? What advice would you give new and meeting partners and athletes from all Hearing “Dr. Elefant, we love you!” yelled by graduates? over who were so similar to those in Mount 30 fourth and fifth grade boys at an Engage Accept help and don’t be afraid to be Pleasant was great. This spring, I attended the Vision mentoring session melted my vulnerable. I wish I could whisper to my and worked the 2019 Special Olympics heart. THEY inspire me. 21-year-old self as I walked across the stage World Games in Abu Dhabi, UAE. to accept my diploma, “You don’t have to What are you proudest of? be so tough.” We’re meant to live as a What advice would you give new While in the doctor of health administration community and lean on each other through graduates? program, I directed an outreach program for successes and failures. Life is so much easier Pursue experiences you love, and enjoy military veterans, competed in a body- when you accept that sometimes things are your career. There can be a lot of pressure building competition (placed!) and maintained hard and you open yourself up to learn as you enter that next stage in life, and it my high GPA. Now, I’m a self-employed from others. can be challenging to avoid getting consultant and instructor. I travel the world, caught up in the stresses and activities of see my family and have a professional life What has your work life taught you? life. Figure out what experiences fill your wherever the adventure takes me! Never let anyone else determine your bucket, and make sure you have value. As long as you work hard, stay true to What advice would you give new opportunities to experience those as a what you believe in and do the right thing, graduates? part of your job. This will hopefully lead YOU define who you are and what your Stay connected with your colleagues and you to a career full of purpose and joy. success is. professors. Be a mentor to new and current What has your work life taught you? students. Be involved in your network and What about CMU helped you succeed? Be yourself, and be genuine toward others. alumni associations. Find a way to stay When I started college, I was an insecure, That’s something I learned from my connected to the academic community anxiety-ridden teen whose high school teammates during my time at CMU, and through continuing education at CMU or English teacher had told, “Some people are it’s something I learn from every interaction other universities local to you. During your just average.” But my college professors I have with a Special Olympics athlete. academic program, go on every single believed in me, and the university invested international immersion you possibly can. in me, providing every opportunity to grow What about CMU helped you succeed? and succeed, and I did. Sure, being on TV is The social and emotional learning What about CMU helped you succeed? cool, but it’s that spark the CMU community experiences I had outside of the classroom. The relationships I built with the other D.H.A. lit inside of me that made me believe I The faculty and staff members who had students and professors tremendously could actually make an impact through my the biggest impact were the ones who helped me succeed. Their encouragement, work. When people ask me about CMU, I pushed me to participate in extracurricular their instructing, their mentoring and their always say it’s the place where people work and activities, whether it was friendships helped me complete my D.H.A., believed in me and poured love and intramural sports, student organizations, or stay positive and constantly learn from a confidence into me when I had no love internships and employment. I spent so variety of global perspectives. and confidence in myself. much more time in the Student Activity What has been your biggest Center than I did in my apartment that I felt What has been your biggest accomplishment since graduation? like I should have been paying rent to URec. accomplishment since graduation? I’ve helped several nonprofit organizations But those are the times when you’re Winning my first Emmy! fundraise over $1 million! I have helped interacting with people and building more than 4,000 homeless veterans receive relationships, and that is so much of what housing in Southern California. And I have my career has been to this point. helped sustain a mentoring program for young boys in Los Angeles, where over 90% don’t have a positive male role model.
26 Centralight Summer ’19 JESI PARKER EKONEN, ’10 AHMAD BAJJEY, ’15 KYLE BAZZY, ’10 Major: Interpersonal Major: Meteorology, Majors: Pre-law, communication, minor in mathematics economics organizational Job: Morning Job: Chief Growth communication meteorologist for Officer for Grand concentration WEYI NBC 25 and Circus, the largest Job: Associate WSMH FOX 66 coding bootcamp in director of the newscasts. Michigan. Also a Sarah R. Opperman founding partner City: Clio Leadership Institute in Venture Catalyst, at CMU, overseeing a comprehensive an entrepreneurial ecosystem four-year leadership development program development, and co-founder of Detroit What is your favorite memory of CMU? and scholarship cohort. Startup Week, the largest entrepreneurial Running out onto the football field as part conference in Michigan. City: Mount Pleasant of the Marching Chips. There is no better feeling than hearing the crowd and City: Detroit knowing those around you are excited to be What is your favorite memory of CMU? a part of something bigger than themselves. I absolutely loved serving as an academic What is your favorite memory of CMU? What has been your coolest moment orientation mentor. Guiding a team of Writing business plans and building since graduation? diverse student leaders made me a better businesses at CMURC with Cason Thorsby. Working more than 40 hours straight person. My favorite part was assisting new without sleep covering destructive What has been your coolest moment students during their transition to CMU. tornadoes. I got to see the damage they can since graduation? What has been your coolest moment do firsthand, and I gained a new I partnered with Techstars, one of the since graduation? understanding of what viewers need from premier technology accelerators in the During graduate school, Dan Gaken asked me to have the safest information possible. world, to bring Startup Week to Detroit. me to be a facilitator for LeaderShape, What has your work life taught you? What are you proudest of? a program offered through the Sarah R. What may seem insignificant to you could Marrying the strongest and smartest Opperman Institute. I worked closely with be astronomically important to someone woman I’ve ever met — Katelynn. college student leaders to develop their else. The truth is important to tell, even vision for a better world. LeaderShape was What advice would you give new when it’s sometimes hard to hear, and a powerful experience personally and graduates? earning someone’s respect and trust is the professionally. Not only did it fuel my Never stop learning. Be the boss of your highest honor they can give you. commitment to student development, but own life. If “it” scares you, that usually I also reconnected with another CMU What about CMU helped you succeed? means you’re onto something. alumni facilitator, who I eventually married. I made connections with professors and What has your work life taught you? LeaderShape was truly life changing! students that led me to finding an We spend the majority of our lives working. extremely important internship and What advice would you give new Find what you love and figure out a way to eventually to my first job. My broadcasting graduates? get paid doing it. Everything else gets so professor and my meteorology professor Keep yourself open to learning and much better when you’re excited to get up helped me find my way into a difficult unlearning. Education doesn’t stop once each morning. career field. you receive a degree. We have more access What about CMU helped you succeed? to information than any generation before What has been your biggest Several people took an interest in my us, and we have an obligation to use this accomplishment since graduation? success at CMU. Robert Miller is the reason information to make positive change in our I was hired to teach the first-ever broadcast I believed in myself enough to get started communities. meteorology course CMU has offered. It’s a on this journey. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t new way to help students prepare for a What has your work life taught you? know if I’d be here. I also found my career as a broadcast meteorologist. It’s an Stress is not a badge of honor. Everyone you first-ever investor for my first technology honor that cannot be put into words, and work with is handling major personal and startup at CMU. Overall, connections! one that means a lot to a person who professional challenges. Work life has taught struggled and persevered to graduate and What has been your biggest me the importance of remembering we are succeed in their career path. accomplishment since graduation? all human beings, not human doings. Coming soon … • What about CMU helped you succeed? I was drawn to CMU because of my older brother, but I love that we were able to pursue unique paths during our time on campus. CMU helps people succeed because it is large enough for me to meet a who’s doing new connection each day, yet small amazingKnow things? a recent Nominate grad them for next enough to feel like my voice matters. year’s 10 Within 10 awards: cmich.ly/10in10.
Centralight Summer ’19 27 CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
$600,000+ Your dollars Total awarded to CMU students in five years
MAKE 593 Students awarded emergency CHANGE dollars in the past five years STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND $159,819 Dollars raised in 2017-18
All donations to Central Michigan University’s Student Emergency Fund were matched up to $50,000 in 2017 by an anonymous donor. 3,712 Donors in 2017-18 Life is full of twists and turns – events that can threaten a student’s college education. At CMU, our Student Emergency Fund is there when our 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 Candy Abena donors, Candy earned her degree in Boakyewaa, ’18 integrative public relations with a Integrative public relations major, minor in public affairs. 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 9920 (5/19) ALUMNI NEWS
YOUNG ALUMNI BOARD ALUMNI BOARD President President Scott Hillman, ’10 Nathan Tallman, ’07, M.A. ’09 Chicago Macomb Vice president Vice president
Brittany Mouzourakis, ’11 Kandra (Kerridge) Robbins, ’90 SPARKES ADAM
Royal Oak Portland
Directors Past president PHOTO BY Cyril Agley, ’09 Thomas Olver, ’98 Traverse City Weidman Michael Decker, ’07 Directors Birmingham Rebeca Reyes Barrios, ’00, Spencer Haworth, ’12 MBA ’02 Grand Rapids Canton Anthony Lazzaro, ’15 Carrie Baumgardner, ’99, M.A. ’02 Grand Rapids Durand Danielle Leone, ’10 Lisa (Laitinen) Bottomley, ’97 St. Clair Shores Kentwood Gregory Marx, ’08 Megan Doyle, ’03 Troy Chicago Benjamin Moxon, ’17 Jonathan Eadie, ’93 St. Clair Shores Grosse Pointe Park Jason Nichol, ’12 Norma Eppinger, ’91 Chicago Lansing Kelly Pageau, ’08 Chris Gautz, ’04 Chicago Adrian John Reineke, ’09 Jacalyn (Beckers) Goforth, ’82 Oxford, Ohio Beverly Hills Joshua Richards, ’08 Laura Gonzales, ’79, M.A. ’89 Rochester Mount Pleasant Michelle (Curtis) Rush, ’07 Scott Haraburda, ’83 St. Joseph Spencer, Indiana Kimberly Sampson, ’17 Sean Hickey, ’88, M.A. ’90 Midland Chelsea Steven Santostasi, ’17 Bret Hyble, ’82, M.A. ’86 Dearborn Mount Pleasant Christine Simon, ’13 Linda (Scharich) Leahy, ’82 Lansing Midland Jeffrey Stoutenburg, ’10, J.J. Lewis, ’06 M .P. A . ’13 Simi Valley, California Midland Scott Nadeau, ’89 Michael Wiese, ’09 Dexter Grand Rapids Darryl Shelton, ’85 Mary Witherspoon, ’14 Grand Rapids Royal Oak Amy (Rousseau) Uebbing, ’86 Rochester STEVE JESSMORE/STEVE PHOTOGRAPHY JESSMORE PHOTO BY
Centralight Summer ’19 29 ALUMNI NEWS Mount Pleasant’s new mayor is a Central Michigan alum Former Mount Pleasant City Commissioner Will Joseph, ’18, is the city’s new mayor. Joseph has risen rapidly through the city government ranks. He was appointed to the planning commission in 2016 and elected to a three-year term on the City Commission in 2017. He was appointed mayor by the city commission this year, and his term lasts for one year. He’s joined on the council by Chippewas ADAM SPARKES ADAM Lori Gillis, ’92; Amy Pershbacher, ’13, ’15; and Petro Tolas, ’80. • CMU alumni welcome PHOTO BY Michigan veterans on a special visit to Washington, D.C. CMU Chippewas cheered veterans from across CMU’s international film festival shines Michigan as they arrived on an Honor Flight to tour the nation’s capital April 20. the spotlight on alumni talent Honor Flight is a nationwide network of nonprofit For the 16th year, the CMU Film Society brought international and organizations that fly veterans of World War II, the independent films to the campus and Mount Pleasant community. Korean War and the Vietnam War to Washington, D.C., The 2019 festival showcased 24 movies, from student shorts to to visit memorials built in their honor. international features, and among them were works by CMU alumni. “These veterans amaze me on every flight,” said The documentary “Breaking the Sound Barrier,” co-directed by Patty Bobbie Bradley, president of Talons Out Honor Flight, Williamson, ’92, M.A. ’99, an associate professor in the School of southwest Michigan’s hub for the network. “It is such Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, spotlights women working in the a joy to watch the events unfold before their eyes.” male-dominated world of radio. The feature film “My Soul to Keep” was co-written and co-produced by Justin Hynous, ’95. It’s a horror- CMU’s D.C. alumni and family gathered at Reagan thriller film about a 9-year-old boy confronting his worst nightmare. International Airport to welcome 14 veterans from World War II, 14 from the Korean War, 56 Vietnam War The festival will return for its 17th year in 2020. Keep an eye on veterans and 76 escorts. They were met by applause, cmfilmfest.com for details. • handshakes and thanks from the Chippewas. Their tour included visits to a number of war memorials and the changing of the guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Kara Covert Maser, ’03, and her husband, Dennis, an Air Force veteran, attended the Honor Flight welcome. Their sons, Davis and Dalton, were probably the favorite part of the CMU alumni welcome wagon for the veterans, as they both eagerly ran up to each veteran to shake their hands and thank them for their service. Taylor Gehrcke, ’15, co-lead for the CMU Alumni D.C. group, said the welcome group included not only Mount Pleasant campus alumni, but also global campus
students, who are well-represented in the D.C. area. • WILLIAMSON PATTY
PHOTO BY
30 Centralight Summer ’19 CMU’s recreation alumni create a large network Want a career in recreation? Start by Faculty also value their connections going to Central Michigan University. to successful recreation alumni. A study by the Michigan Recreation and RPL faculty member Tim Otteman Park Association found 65% of Michigan spent spring break on a nine-city, recreation professionals are CMU alumni. 10-day cross-country trip to visit And at a recreation summer job fair for alumni working in recreation. students held in March, it was clear CMU His “Best of the Best Recreation and students continue to dominate the field. Event Management Industry Tour” Dozens of CMU alumni returned to checked in with nine CMU grads campus to represent more than 50 selected from 51 applicants in 15 summer camps, adventure centers, nature states. He also encountered 22 more centers, municipal parks departments RPL alumni, interns and current and more. Those employers listed at least students along the way, and he 131 CMU alumni on staff, said Recreation, tweeted his adventures for his social Parks and Leisure Services Administration media followers with his Twitter
faculty member Jill Almasi-Dole. handle @teeohhcmu. MICHAEL ERLEWINE
In practically every field, CMU alumni “I think one of the biggest takeaways PHOTO BY return to recruit current students. was how quickly students go from being in the hallowed halls of Finch “The formula works,” said Julia Barlow Fieldhouse to being incredible Sherlock, director of CMU’s Career Dance Magazine professionals in recreation and event Development Center. She said alumni management,” Otteman said. know what they’re getting in CMU- highlights CMU alum educated candidates, and students “The majority of students I visited as an artist to watch benefit from seeing how alumni have with are leaders in their niches of our Dance Magazine’s 2019 list of the forged careers. field in just four to six years after dancers, choreographers and graduation from CMU.” • “It just strengthens and gives value to companies on the verge of skyrocketing their experiences as students,” she said. includes a CMU alum who’s spent two LEARN MORE decades honing his craft and making his name in the percussive dance movement. Nic Gareiss, ’10, who the Boston Herald called “the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene,” draws inspiration from many percussive dance traditions to weave together a dance technique incorporating his love of improvisation, traditional footwork and musical collaboration. He has performed with many of the luminaries of contemporary traditional music and dance, including The Chieftains, The Gloaming, Solas and Liz Carroll, and with his own quartet, This is How We Fly. Gareiss spends an average of 36 weeks a year on the road. See a sample of his work here: cmich.ly/2Uq1AzE. •
As part of his spring break tour, Tim Otteman (second from right) hosted an alumni event with the Lakeland Magic, where alum Erin Hayes is the director of game operations. Erin was too busy calling the NBA G League game to come down for the picture.
Centralight Summer ’19 31 ALUMNI NEWS
potential technologies on the market. Alum partners with GCI was honored as CMURC’s 2018 Honors for Chippewas CMU Research Corp. SmartZone Small Business of the Year. This year, GCI was named a SmartZone Sarah Anthony, ’06, was to clean, reuse water Best Small Business by the Michigan elected to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. House of Representatives in In 2015, Mike Schuette, ’05, and his November, representing the brother-in-law Josh Lauderman “GCI Water Solutions came to CMURC 68th district (Lansing). As a began exploring how to clean the while in the early development phase. new member of the House, billions of barrels of water used in the By utilizing surrounding resources and she was elected chair of the House oil and gas industry. funding opportunities, they progressed Democratic Caucus, and she also is a member into a full-scale facility,” said Erin Strang, of the Appropriations Committee. With the backing of two Chicago- president and CEO of CMURC. “The based investors, they formed GCI persistence and dedication of these Darren Werner, ’89, was Water Solutions. They’re testing entrepreneurs is why they were chosen promoted to the fifth- technologies to transform production for this honor.” • highest-ranked position in water to fresh water instead of having the U.S. Army — brigadier to dump it — a feat not possible LEARN MORE general. Werner served tours using traditional treatment methods. in Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, GCI Water secured a $30,000 grant in South Korea and Germany. He entered active 2017 to accelerate its growth, working duty in the Army in 1989 after he was in collaboration with the CMU commissioned as a second lieutenant from Research Corp. CMU’s ROTC program. The company’s technology, now Kelly PeLong, ’93, is the verified by the U.S. Environmental new executive director of Protection Agency, removes harsh Disability Network of contaminants without using more Mid-Michigan. She is a chemicals. It is more cost effective licensed social worker and and uses less energy than other GCI’s proprietary system removes impurities from has been working with water for a fraction of the cost of traditional people with disabilities her entire career. treatment options. “Having had a disability since birth, I have learned to adapt to a world that is not always welcoming to those who are different,” she said. “We all have challenges, some visible and some hidden. My approach is to find Pair of alumni named to Michigan’s ways to meet people where they are in life and to work with them to help them become high school football coaches hall of fame the best version of themselves.” Charlie Otlewski, ’90, one of Mid-Michigan’s all-time winningest high school football coaches, and Jim Webb, ’80, Joshua Hudson, ’12, a coach and teacher for more than three decades, were among National Native Network 14 coaches inducted into the Michigan High School Football program manager at Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Lansing. Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, was selected as Charlie Otlewski has a career record of 213-121-1 over 29 seasons. Otlewski, ’90 a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Prior to joining Haslett in 1994, Otlewski coached at St. Ignace Community Leadership Network Fellow. LaSalle and CMU. His record at Haslett is 171-82. It’s an innovative program for local leaders Webb, who taught for more than 30 years at Hartford and to connect, grow and lead transformational Cadillac high schools, is the longest tenured coach in Cadillac’s change on behalf of children, families and history. Under Webb, Cadillac won four Big North Conference communities. Hudson, of the Bay Mills Indian championships and four district championships. The Vikings Community, is passionate about healing Jim Webb, ’80 qualified for the MHSAA playoffs 10 times under Webb and had intergenerational trauma and creating safe undefeated regular seasons in 2000, 2013 and 2014. His overall spaces in Indian Country for two spirit and record is 194-112 over 31 years as a coach. • LGBTQ youth. He is an elected judge for Bay Mills Indian Community.
32 Centralight Summer ’19 Dan Eichinger, ’14, was Hairston-Bridges also was recently The Michigan College appointed director of the promoted to executive vice president of the Access Network has named Michigan Department of economic development and investment Ryan Fewins-Bliss, ’02, M.A. Natural Resources in services team for the Detroit Economic ’04, interim executive December. Prior to his new Growth Corp. director. He was the deputy appointment, he was director of community and executive director of Michigan United Patty Jobbitt, M.S.A. ’91, partner mobilization for five years. Fewins- Conservation Clubs. Eichinger is an avid was named CEO of Detroit Bliss is the current past president of CMU’s hunter and angler. Early in his career, Medical Center’s alumni board. Eichinger was an administrator at CMU, Rehabilitation Institute of supporting the university’s educational Michigan. The center CMU Police Sgt. Riley Olson, programs offered to active-duty military provides physical medicine ’02, was the only Michigan and veteran students. At 38, he’s the DNR’s and rehab services for sports or other officer chosen to go to Abu youngest director in the state’s history. injuries, as well as strokes, brain injuries and Dhabi as part of the final other traumas. Jobbitt began working for team carrying the torch for Flintside publisher and DMC as a staff physical therapist in 1983. the 2019 Special Olympics managing editor Marjory World Games. Olson was part of multiple Raymer, ’95, was chosen Dilcie Perez, ’00, has been runs and ceremonies in cities and towns in to participate in the 2019 named vice president/ the UAE, averaging about five to six miles of Images and Voices for assistant superintendent of running each day. This is the first time the Hope Restorative student services at Cerritos games have been held in the Middle East. Narrative Fellowship. She was among a College, a community dozen journalists and others selected college in Norwalk, Former CMU basketball nationwide for the opportunity to report on California. Prior to her new role, she served player Mary Sheltrown, ’90, resilience and recovery in their community. as dean of student life and judicial affairs at was named Farmington The Chicago-based nonprofit began in 1999 MiraCosta Community College District. Public Schools’ teacher of with a focus on the meaningful, positive the year. She’s been change that media can create. It launched Bronson High School teaching physical education its fellowship program in 2015 to encourage athletic director and head at the high school for 23 years. and develop an avenue for the creation of volleyball coach Jean restorative narrative projects. LaClair, ’02, was honored Nancy McKeague, M.S.A. by Michigan’s state high ’93, has been named chief Carolyn Allen, M.H.A. ’93, school athletic directors operating officer of the a veteran health care with the George Lovich State Award of Michigan Health & Hospital professional with 30 years Merit, recognizing her long-term Association. She oversees of progressive accounting, contributions, leadership and meritorious human resources, IT, graphic auditing, reimbursement, service to the profession of interscholastic services, and accounting and finance. business planning and athletics. LaClair has been at West Previously, McKeague was senior vice leadership experience, has joined St. Michigan’s Bronson Jr./Sr. High School for president and chief of staff for the Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New 19 years, starting as athletic director and organization, representing all community Jersey, as its new chief financial officer. head volleyball coach before adding the hospitals throughout the state. duties of assistant principal during the Two CMU alumni were 2011-12 school year. Shari Brand Robertson, named to the Crain’s ’82, has been named the Detroit Business 2019 list The Houston Dynamo 2019 President of the of notable women in real and Houston Dash have American Speech- estate. Jeanette named highly decorated Language-Hearing Schneider, ’07, was sales executive Dionna Association. In her term as recognized for being the Widder, ’06, chief revenue ASHA’s president, Robertson will work to first female and nonowner officer of the soccer clubs. advance the objectives of ASHA and its to become a vice president Widder joins the Dynamo and Dash after nearly 200,000 members and affiliates. • for the Detroit region of spending the previous four-plus years with Re/Max of Southeastern the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, where she Michigan. Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, ’03, was the team’s vice president of ticket sales earned her spot on the list for developing and service. forward-thinking solutions to complex challenges at Detroit Economic Growth Corp.
Centralight Summer ’19 33 ALUMNI NEWS Detroit Tigers draft a Chippewa as new voice of the team Fox Sports Detroit and the Tigers have named Matt Shepard as the new play-by-play announcer, replacing Mario Impemba. Shepard, ’88, filled in for Impemba a handful of times last season and has worked for FSD for nearly two decades. Former Tigers Kirk Gibson and Jack Morris will be Shepard’s in-booth analysts, while Craig Monroe will continue as a FOX SPORTS DETROIT pregame and postgame host. The network also has plans for about 17 “players-only” broadcasts throughout the season, featuring Morris, Gibson and Dan Petry. PHOTO BY Matt Shepard, ’88 (left, with broadcast partner Jack Morris), is the Detroit In addition to some Tigers work, Shepard’s time with FSD Tigers’ play-by-play announcer on Fox Sports Detroit this season. has included covering games from the Red Wings to the Pistons to Lions preseason. He also has extensive sports Shepard was a baseball team walk-on at Eastern Michigan radio hosting and play-by-play experience, broadcasting before transferring to CMU for his junior and senior years, and University of Michigan men’s basketball and Eastern he worked football, basketball and baseball games on both Michigan football games. the campus radio and TV stations. •
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34 Centralight Summer ’19 + DO YOU REMEMBER?
1990
2004 MACKENZIE BROCKMAN PHOTO BY
Farewell Barnes 2018 CMU’s beloved Barnes Hall has housed its final group of students. The nearly 70-year-old residence hall — the only one remaining with community bathrooms — is being razed as part of a three-year project to upgrade residence life across campus. After it’s demolished, the north campus land will become green space and will feature a commemorative sign marking the site of the hall, built in 1951.
1950s
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Centralight Summer ’19 35 Embrace change
If you want to move up, move on or change course, CMU has master’s, doctoral and certificate programs On campus · online · at satellite centers across the U.S. cmich.edu/global
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). 3811449 4/19 36 Centralight Summer ’19 + IN MEMORY
Thelma W. (Western) Dibble, Gloria A. (Lehman) Blazo, ’51, Henry Verberkmoes, ’57, M.A. Lyle W. Stieg, ’61, Dayton, Ohio, ’37, Bad Axe, Mich., died Oct. 5, Northville, Mich., died Oct. 29, ’62, Lake Linden, Mich., died died Dec. 26, 2018, age 80. 2018, age 103. 2018, age 89. Jan. 15, 2019, age 88. Lois I. (Holland) Helmboldt, Maxine R. (Williams) Rowley, Kathleen M. (Merkling) Ralph V. Wolfe, ’57, M.A. ’69, ’62, M.A. ’67, Mount Pleasant, ’40, Elgin, Ill., died Oct. 2, 2018, Hayward, ’51, Port Huron, Mich., Midland, Mich., died Dec. 10, Mich., died Oct. 23, 2018, age 92. age 100. died Oct. 14, 2018, age 89. 2018, age 84. Eugene O. Knobloch, ’62, Mary A. (Stacey) Wellwood, Arlene L. (Derrer) Meeder, ’51, Joseph C. Bommarito, ’58, Hopkins, Mich., died Dec. 14, ’40, M.A. ’68, Carson City, Mich., Mancelona, Mich., died Jan. 28, Saginaw, Mich., died Oct. 7, 2018, 2018, age 80. died Sept. 8, 2018, age 101. 2019, age 89. age 82. Duane E. Lane, M.A. ’62, Eileen M. (Ruetz) Ballard, ’42, Alvin L. Sprague, ’51, M.A. ’59, Rhea R. (Raven) Ferrier, ’58, Wakefield, Mich., died Sept. 29, Lock Haven, Pa., died Feb. 5, Bay City, Mich., died Oct. 21, Taylor, Mich., died Oct. 15, 2018, 2018, age 87. 2019, age 97. 2018, age 95. age 81. Kenneth J. Myles, ’62, Tawas Kenneth D. Sohmer, ’42, Shirley “Kris” Hansen, ’52, Lake John D. Putnam, ’58, Oscoda, City, Mich., died Sept. 30, 2018, Flemington, N.J., died March 4, Placid, N.Y., died Feb. 22, 2019, Mich., died Jan. 5, 2019, age 82. age 78. 2019, age 99. age 89. Francene M. (Blasius) Smith, Glenn F. Sanford, ’62, M.A. ’65, Gordon B. Williams, ’42, Leonard D. Harper, ’52, Tulsa, ’58, Mayville, Mich., died June 29, Midland, Mich., died March 12, Traverse City, Mich., died Oct. 6, Okla., died Dec. 11, 2018, age 90. 2018, age 98. 2019, age 81. 2018, age 97. Beverly A. (Huffman) Johnson, Grace I. (Baumbach) Warner, Joseph Winiarski, ’62, Davison, Dorothy L. Sanchez, ’43, Dallas, ’52, Tustin, Mich., died Oct. 17, ’58, Bellaire, Mich., died Nov. 8, Mich., died Oct. 25, 2018, age 83. Texas, died Jan. 31, 2019, age 98. 2018, age 87. 2018, age 99. Lynn D. Middlebrook, ’63, Donna R. (Hether) Wurtz, ’44, Dorothy J. (Bailey) Johnson, Lewis J. Fenton, ’59, Saginaw, Spring Lake, Mich., died Dec. 1, Saginaw, Mich., died Nov. 14, ’52, Crivitz, Wis., died Feb. 1, 2019, Mich., died Feb. 3, 2019, age 82. 2018, age 78. 2018, age 96. age 91. Joseph B. Galiardi, ’59, Port Carol (McNally) Middleton, Dorothy (Barritt) Juterbock, Robert W. Stephenson, ’52, Orange, Fla., died Nov. 29, 2018, ’63, Midland, Mich., died Nov. 4, ’45, Shelby, Mich., died March 2, Monroe, Mich., died March 18, age 87. 2018, age 77. 2019, age 95. 2019, age 87. James E. Love, ’59, Avon, Conn., Charles L. Rupp, M.A. ’63, Lila A. (Nott) Fierstien, ’46, Betty J. (Smith) Foust, ’53, died Nov. 9, 2018, age 81. Archbold, Ohio, died Sept. 1, Conroe, Texas, died Oct. 12, 2018, Traverse City, Mich., died Feb. 28, Jack E. Morley, ’59, Lansing, 2018, age 94. age 94. 2019, age 87. Mich., died Nov. 22, 2018, age 82. Albert J. Snyder, ’63, Cadillac, Marjorie A. (Lynch) Arsen, ’49, Mary H. (Nickless) Lavrack, ’53, Alvin C. Schmidt, ’59, Weidman, Mich., died Nov. 22, 2018, age 77. Clarkston, Mich., died March 15, Jackson, Mich., died Nov. 7, 2018, Mich., died Dec. 31, 2018, age 88. Marvin J. Boersma, ’64, M.A. 2019, age 92. age 86. Gerald G. Smith, ’59, M.A. ’73, ’65, Detroit, Mich., died Feb. 27, Donald O. Boulanger, ’49, Iron Dorothy L. (Attaway) Wright, Saginaw, Mich., died Sept. 28, 2019, age 82. Mountain, Mich., died Nov. 7, ’53, Berkley, Mich., died Oct. 23, 2018, age 86. Denise M. (Goovert) Forstorm, 2018, age 92. 2018, age 89. Richard L. Smith, ’59, Midland, ’64, Kingsford, Mich., died Nov. Dale V. Burdy, ’49, Flushing, Maureen K. (Quinlan) Ayre, Mich., died Dec. 17, 2018, age 84. 26, 2018, age 77. Mich., died Nov. 22, 2018, age 94. ’55, Flint, Mich., died Dec. 5, 2018, Mary Jo (Twitchell) Gorsuch, age 84. Darryl K. Crabb, ’60, M.A. ’64, Phyllis H. (Hartman) Eastman, Midland, Mich., died Feb. 7, 2019, ’64, Crystal, Mich., died Jan. 9, ’49, Midland, Mich., died Oct. 30, Elinor E. (Peck) Bishop, ’55, age 81. 2019, age 76. 2018, age 93. Holland, Mich., died Oct. 12, Charles L. Gum, ’64, Lakeland, 2018, age 85. Lorry M. Huested, ’60, M.A. ’66, Evridiki K. (Mitchell) Newaygo, Mich., died Feb. 14, Fla., died Nov. 28, 2018, age 77. Sebestyen, ’49, Traverse City, Carolyn J. Fretz, ’55, Midland, 2019, age 81. Janet S. (Albrecht) Hillaker, Mich., died Nov. 10, 2018, age 90. Mich., died Oct. 15, 2018, age 85. John M. Lett, ’60, M.A. ’64, ’64, Port Huron, Mich., died June Mona (Gunberg) Halladay, ’50, William A. Gordon, ’56, North Street, Mich., died Dec. 10, 1, 2018, age 76. Ludington, Mich., died Jan. 10, Traverse City, Mich., died March 2018, age 81. William D. Johnston, ’64, M.A. 2019, age 96. 29, 2019, age 85. Rudolph R. Leutzinger, ’60, ’69, Sanford, Mich., died March Marco C. Marcet, ’50, Ruth A. (Anderson) Gundry, M.A. ’67, Granger, Ind., died 25, 2019, age 80. Frankenmuth, Mich., died ’56, Petoskey, Mich., died Nov. 1, March 19, 2019, age 81. Mary A. (Post) Rohde, ’64, Dec. 17, 2018, age 94. 2018, age 92. Jerome K. Albright, ’61, M.A. Saginaw, Mich., died Jan. 17, Jean A. (Liberty) Pickett, ’50, Harold J. Reenders, ’57, Grand ’63, Escanaba, Mich., died Nov. 8, 2019, age 76. Petoskey, Mich., died May 2, Rapids, Mich., died Feb. 1, 2019, 2018, age 82. John A. Soyak, ’64, M.S. ’66, 2018, age 93. age 84. John R. Harkins, ’61, M.A. ’66, Hendersonville, N.C., died Jan. 7, Jay D. Wildfong, ’50, Union Lewis E. Twining, ’57, Midland, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Jan. 2019, age 76. Grove, Wis., died Feb. 16, 2019, Mich., died March 21, 2019, age 85. 23, 2019, age 79. age 94.
Centralight Summer ’19 37 + IN MEMORY
Judith A. (Perle) Todd, ’64, Inez H. (Slater) Melvin, ’68, Gayle D. (Gaiser) Bachman, Barbara A. (Flint) Amundson, Warren, Mich., died Nov. 25, Petoskey, Mich., died Oct. 23, ’72, Whitmore Lake, Mich., died M.A. ’75, Helena, Mont., died 2018, age 77. 2018, age 87. March 9, 2019, age 69. March 8, 2019, age 71. Jon M. Whan, ’64, M.A. ’66, David E. Palmateer, ’68, Bay Royal E. Bingham, ’72, Fort Joseph R. Bunce, M.A. ’75, Byron Center, Mich., died Jan. 1, City, Mich., died Dec. 20, 2018, Walton Beach, Fla., died Dec. 9, Centreville, Md., died Nov. 28, 2019, age 77. age 76. 2018, age 71. 2018, age 81. Joan L. (Cogsdill) Johnson, ’65, Barbara P. (Prince) Sovereen, Marjalee E. (Dull) Kelly, M.A. Thomas L. Culver, ’75, Mount Detroit, Mich., died March 11, ’68, M.A. ’69, Midland, Mich., died ’72, Cadillac, Mich., died Nov. 5, Pleasant, Mich., died Feb. 2, 2019, 2019, age 76. Dec. 9, 2018, age 89. 2018, age 87. age 89. Patricia A. (Takacs) Nagy, ’65, Ronald L. Bebernes, MBA ’69, Gloria (Hunt) King, ’72, Linda A. (Skinner) Handlon, Plymouth, Mich., died Dec. 7, Roswell, Ga., died Feb. 12, 2019, Saginaw, Mich., died Jan. 7, 2019, M.A. ’75, Midland, Mich., died 2018, age 75. age 81. age 81. Oct. 30, 2018, age 74. James F. Borough, ’66, Lansing, Kay E. (Snyder) Furst, ’69, Kay E. Tilley, ’72, Hale, Mich., Richard B. Hanna, M.S. ’75, Big Mich., died Nov. 9, 2018, age 74. Midland, Mich., died Dec. 31, died Nov. 21, 2018, age 71. Rapids, Mich., died Jan. 26, 2019, Carol J. (Musselman) Brannan, 2018, age 71. Dwight R. Bowerman, ’73, age 80. ’66, M.A. ’70, Mount Pleasant, Konstantin G. Prokos, M.A. ’69, Sebring, Fla., died Feb. 21, 2019, Richard R. Johnston, ’75, Mich., died March 14, 2019, age 75. Flint, Mich., died Feb. 5, 2019, age 69. Rockford, Mich., died Jan. 17, Betty L. (Pittman) Frye, ’66, age 82. Linda D. (Welch) Campbell, 2019, age 66. Grand Rapids, Mich., died March Thomas H. Shepard, ’69, M.A. ’73, M.A. ’78, Brown City, Mich., Richard D. O’Connor, ’75, 17, 2019, age 88. ’74, Shepherd, Mich., died Feb. 2, died Feb. 17, 2019, age 75. Fairgrove, Mich., died Nov. 10, Jim W. Huffman, ’66, M.A. ’73, 2019, age 73. Robert K. Feist, M.A. ’73, 2018, age 65. Barryton, Mich., died Jan. 1, 2019, Alfred D. Armstrong, ’70, M.A. Columbus, Ohio, died March 13, George H. Oliver, M.A. ’75, age 91. ’76, Bay City, Mich., died March 2019, age 95. Smithville, Tenn., died Nov. 20, Gerald R. Milligan, ’66, Big 20, 2019, age 72. Anthony W. Fox, M.A. ’73, 2018, age 75. Rapids, Mich., died Oct. 16, 2018, Nancy L. (Miller) Clark, ’70, Lompoc, Calif., died March 5, John H. Pool, ’75, Kingman, age 79. Greenville, Mich., died Jan. 19, 2019, age 74. Ariz., died Dec. 30, 2018, age 78. Arthur I. Nixon, M.A. ’66, Bay 2019, age 70. Robert W. Nims, ’73, MBA ’74, Virginia M. (Flathau) Radina, City, Mich., died Nov. 30, 2018, Palmer C. Lesch, ’70, St. Joseph, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Dec. ’75, Saginaw, Mich., died Feb. 4, age 88. Mich., died Jan. 22, 2019, age 72. 12, 2018, age 68. 2019, age 84. Nancy L. (Johnson) Benedict, Janet Taglauer, M.A. ’70, Marilyn L. (Turner) Cech, ’74, Paul G. Rolewicz, ’75, ’67, Oklahoma City, Okla., died Auburn, Mich., died Dec. 13, South Lyon, Mich., died Jan. 9, Ludington, Mich., died Feb. 23, Feb. 9, 2019, age 75. 2018, age 80. 2019, age 66. 2018, age 70. Sherryl (Law) Dillon, ’67, M.A. Linda S. VanLoon, ’70, Vernon, Steiner C. Garthe, ’74, Steven H. Spencer, M.A. ’75, ’71, Cass City, Mich., died Oct. 26, Mich., died March 11, 2019, Northport, Mich., died Sept. 28, Cambridge, Wis., died Nov. 7, 2018, age 73. age 70. 2018, age 69. 2018, age 71. Curtis C. Freudenburg, M.A. Robert D. Brugger, ’71, Milford, Samuel G. Glover, ’74, Nashville, George D. Atwood, ’76, M.A. ’67, Bay City, Mich., died Feb. 25, Del., died Feb. 10, 2019, age 77. Mich., died March 5, 2019, age 69. ’83, Farwell, Mich., died Feb. 7, 2019, age 81. Phillip H. Karner, ’71, Craig C. Griffith, ’74, Raleigh, 2019, age 65. Syed Naqvi, MBA ’67, Grand Tecumseh, Mich., died Jan. 23, N.C., died Nov. 24, 2018, age 66. Deborah A. (Davis) Baker, ’76, Rapids, Mich., died March 15, 2019, age 69. William S. Holmes, ’74, Traverse Sturgis, Mich., died Oct. 16, 2018, 2019, age 77. David M. Dow, M.A. ’71, Stowe, City, Mich., died March 22, 2019, age 64. Marvin R. Rosa, ’67, Frankfort, Vt., died Nov. 2, 2018, age 75. age 67. Irvin W. Frutchey, M.A. ’76, Mich., died Feb. 1, 2019, age 82. Douglas F. McLeod, ’71, Port Eugene F. Portwine, ’74, Daytona Beach, Fla., died Feb. 17, John E. Schuberg, M.A. ’67, Huron, Mich., died March 6, 2019, Waycross, Ga., died Oct. 13, 2018, 2019, age 77. La Salle, Mich., died Nov. 24, age 70. age 66. John A. Long Jr., M.A. ’76, 2018, age 80. J. Robert Minich, ’71, Midland, James R. Sawyer, M.A. ’74, Bellbrook, Ohio, died Nov. 21, Richard S. Fabus, ’68, Saginaw, Mich., died Oct. 29, 2018, age 79. San Antonio, Texas, died Dec. 12, 2018, age 72. Mich., died Oct. 30, 2018, age 72. Karen E. (Fredericks) Onstott, 2018, age 78. Charles A. Randolph, ’76, Big Candace L. (Wood) Laufer, ’68, ’71, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Jerry S. Wade, M.A. ’74, Rapids, Mich., died Feb. 24, 2019, Paw Paw, Mich., died March 25, April 4, 2019, age 72. Columbus, Ohio, died Oct. 5, age 66. 2019, age 72. Donald A. Verduin, ’71, M.A. 2018, age 75. Alan M. Yokobosky, ’76, Clio, Virginia “Dawn” (Drake) ’78, Ludington, Mich., died Feb. 7, Lee V. Waldron, M.A. ’74, Mich., died Oct. 16, 2018, age 64. McKnight, ’68, M.A. ’74, 2019, age 72. Buffalo Grove, Ill., died March 16, Arthur L. Anderson, M.A. ’77, Rosebush, Mich., died Jan. 23, 2019, age 94. Shreveport, La., died Nov. 15, 2019, age 87. 2018, age 69.
38 Centralight Summer ’19 Pearl L. (Layne) Bobson, M.A. June B. Williams, M.A. ’79, Kathleen H. (Dowling) Kelly, Kimberly A. (Bozzer) Wagar- ’77, Columbus, Ohio, died Jan. 16, Lenexa, Kan., died Nov. 5, 2018, M.S.A. ’85, Camden Wyoming, Hart, ’87, Gaylord, Mich., died 2019, age 92. age 80. Del., died Jan. 12, 2019, age 81. Oct. 16, 2018, age 53. Dale M. Glenn, M.A. ’77, Thomas A. Gregg, M.A. ’80, David S. Merritt, ’85, Battle Winston W. Isaac, M.A. ’88, Columbus, Ohio, died Sept. 30, Effingham, Kan., died Feb. 26, Creek, Mich., died March 5, 2019, Ontario, Canada, died Feb. 15, 2018, age 79. 2019, age 76. age 62. 2019. Carol P. (Phelan) Hacala, M.A. Merald L. Matthews, M.A. ’80, Susan S. (Smith) Parco, ’85, Janice B. (Butler) Ryckeley, ’77, Grosse Pointe, Mich., died Rogers, Ark., died Nov. 28, 2018, Chico, Calif., died Dec. 5, 2018, M.S.A. ’88, Tar Heel, N.C., died Jan. 28, 2019, age 82. age 81. age 55. Feb. 25, 2019, age 63. Ida D. Napier, ’77, Lapeer, Mich., William P. Osentoski, ’80, Joseph D. Simko, M.A. ’85, Brian D. Benjamin, ’89, M.S. ’00, died Oct. 9, 2018, age 64. Greeley, Colo., died Jan. 25, 2019, Sharon, Pa., died Feb. 18, 2019, Rose City, Mich., died Nov. 9, William N. Stowe, M.S. ’77, age 66. age 69. 2018, age 52. Boise, Idaho, died Nov. 20, 2018, Steven M. Baker, ’81, Bay City, Evelyn D. (Walsh) Woodbury, Alfred B. Clowser, M.S.A. ’89, age 79. Mich., died Feb. 27, 2019, age 63. ’85, Flint, Mich., died Feb. 7, 2019, Colorado Springs, Colo., died Norris G. Turner, ’77, Detroit, Thomas R. Halsey, ’81, Punta age 89. Oct. 11, 2018, age 85. Mich., died Feb. 13, 2019, age 82. Gorda, Fla., died Feb. 8, 2019, William E. Babcock, M.A. ’86, Dwayne Holt, ’89, Holland, Steven D. Ward, ’77, Manistee, age 65. Flint, Mich., died Feb. 26, 2019, Mich., died March 14, 2019, Mich., died Dec. 11, 2018, age 63. Annette M. Neeson, ’81, age 73. age 82. Daniel B. Cress, ’78, Cadillac, Boulder, Colo., died Feb. 13, 2019, Ralph A. Benman, ’86, Detroit, Linnea A. (Bankey) Jackson, Mich., died Feb. 27, 2019, age 62. age 63. Mich., died Nov. 23, 2018, age 67. ’89, Jacksonville, Fla., died Dec. 11, 2018, age 51. Harlan K. Halvorsen, MBA ’78, James P. Schuback, M.A. ’81, Terry L. Chamberlin, ’86, Grand Big Rapids, Mich., died March 28, Gettysburg, Pa., died Nov. 6, Ledge, Mich., died Sept. 13, 2018, Ronald K. Smith, M.S. ’89, 2019, age 73. 2018, age 72. age 74. Midland, Mich., died Nov. 9, 2018, age 66. Walter H. Murphree, M.A. ’78, Toni J. Thomson, ’81, Lansing, Amy E. Dietz, ’86, Grosse Pointe, Zainesville, Ohio, died Jan. 19, Mich., died Dec. 19, 2018, age 63. Mich., died Jan. 15, 2019, age 55. Norman J. Udovich, M.S.A. ’89, 2019, age 88. John F. Cope, M.A. ’82, Carol A. (Morton) Nash, M.A. Ridley Park, Pa., died March 1, 2019, age 92. Robert L. Swindell, ’78, New Washington, D.C., died Dec. 16, ’86, Grand Rapids, Mich., died London, Wis., died Jan. 27, 2019, 2018, age 86. Nov. 17, 2018, age 80. Thomas J. Darland, ’90, age 63. William G. Horsley, M.A. ’82, Kimberly J. (Bischoff) Peters, Midland, Mich., died March 3, 2019, age 78. David M. Tait, ’78, Troy, Mich., Beaver, Ohio, died Oct. 19, 2018, ’86, Troy, Mich., died Nov. 21, died Nov. 27, 2018, age 63. age 80. 2018, age 54. Kareen E. (Beck) Latoski, ’90, John B. Walters III, M.A. ’82, Dianna M. (Wonders) Mount Pleasant, Mich., died Oct. Jeffrey T. Tefft, M.S.A. ’78, 30, 2018, age 51. Ann Arbor, Mich., died Jan. 9, Montevallo, Ala., died Feb. 6, Thomson, M.A. ’86, Heath, Ohio, 2019, age 67. 2019, age 79. died March 7, 2019, age 77. Charles E. Marquardt, M.S.A. Alison E. Haas, ’83, Gainesville, David Witucki, ’86, M.A. ’90, ’90, West Branch, died Oct. 8, Danelle A. (Ruohomaki) 2018, age 70. Jones, ’79, Saginaw, Mich., died Ga., died Oct. 29, 2018, age 61. Grand Rapids, Mich., died March Oct. 3, 2018, age 64. Edward E. Lee, M.A. ’83, Dayton, 19, 2019, age 54. Susan D. (Routly) Muirhead, Ohio, died Nov. 1, 2018, age 76. Edward C. Cline, ’87, M.S.A. ’90, M.S.A. ’90, British Columbia, Timothy P. Kennedy, ’79, Canada, died Jan. 9, 2019, age 67. Wakefield, Mich., died March 14, Christopher J. Merlo, ’83, Oxford, Mich., died Nov. 2, 2018, 2019, age 62. Dallas, Texas, died Nov. 13, 2018, age 74. Joseph C. Tancredi, ’90, age 58. Katherine M. (Kaunitz) Jones, Boulder, Colo., died Feb. 18, 2019, Donna M. (Leisenring) Lasu, age 51. ’79, M.A. ’81, Dewitt, Mich., died Ronda K. (Essig) Turner, ’83, ’87, Midland, Mich., died Nov. 22, Dec. 23, 2018, age 62. Buchanan, Mich., died Dec. 22, 2018, age 77. Kendall W. Harrington, ’91, 2018, age 58. Phillip J. McGuire, M.S.A. ’87, Saginaw, Mich., died March 7, Kristina C. (Beckman) Laurent, 2019, age 62. ’79, Dewitt, Mich., died Nov. 20, Kevin P. Battjes, M.S. ’84, Bethesda, Md., died Aug. 7, 2018, 2018, age 61. Midland, Mich., died March 27, age 68. Joseph Kazen, ’91, M.A. ’97, 2019, age 63. Deborah S. (Sias) Reger, ’87, M.S. ’01, Mount Pleasant, Mich., Parkash Samuel, M.A. ’79, died March 8, 2019, age 50. Washington, D.C., died Oct. 17, Edgar Boyd, M.A. ’84, Dayton, Beaverton, Mich., died Feb. 27, 2018, age 90. Ohio, died Oct. 28, 2018, age 74. 2019, age 67. Kenneth P. Foust, M.A. ’92, Hugh J. Robinson, ’87, Jackson, Mich., died Dec. 7, 2018, William C. Tysinger, M.A. ’79, Glenn T. Ware, ‘84, Grand age 83. Mount Dora, Fla., died Dec. 7, Rapids, Mich., died Jan. 6, 2019, Shepherd, Mich., died Feb. 7, 2018, age 76. age 56. 2019, age 79. Marilyn W. (Gangerdeen) Litz, Lori M. (Anderson) Schreier, M.S.A. ’92, Bangor, Maine, died Thomas L. Waldrop, M.A. ’79, James E. Daust, M.A. ’85, Nov. 18, 2018, age 75. Portland, Ore., died Oct. 3, 2018, Lansing, Mich., died Dec. 8, 2018, ’87, Stevens Point, Wis., died Feb. age 82. age 84. 21, 2019, age 54.
Centralight Summer ’19 39 + IN MEMORY
Joseph L. Curtin, Ed.S. ’93, Evart, Melissa L. (Volway) Schanck, Mich., died Dec. 5, 2018, age 73. ’04, Farwell, Mich., died Jan. 13, Kim S. (Kokko) Davids, 2019, age 50. Jack Harkins, ’61, M.A. ’66, died Jan. 23, M.S.A. ’93, Saline, Mich., died Samantha A. (Day) Gibson, ’06, Remembering2019; he was Jack 79. The Mount Pleasant Dec. 6, 2018, age 66. Gaylord, Mich., died Oct. 27, 2018, property his parents owned during his age 35. Marilyn F. (Torina) McCormick, high school years is now the heart of M.A.H. ’93, Traverse City, Mich., Julie S. (Kroontje) Bontrager, CMU’s campus, encompassing much of died Oct. 6, 2018, age 76. M.A. ’08, Sturgis, Mich., died Jan. the area between Park Library, the Music Wayne M. Wrobe, M.S.A. ’93, 5, 2019, age 69. Building and Brooks Hall. Novi, Mich., died Oct. 15, 2018, Edwin Jeter, M.A. ’12, Atlanta, Jack was not an exceptionally diligent age 64. Ga., died Nov. 25, 2018, age 68. college student, and he left another Lee A. Dziduch, ’93, North Teresa L. (Klemens) Oliver, university only a few semesters into his Branch, Mich., died March 9, M.A. ’15, Midland, Mich., died Jan. college career. But he received a second 2019, age 48. 18, 2019, age 56. chance at CMU as one of “Charlie’s boys,” a group of young men CMU President Charles Anspach singled out as people who he Paul E. Gesling, M.S.A. ’94, Kevin R. Schuette, ’18, Turner, believed held great promise if encouraged to succeed. Virginia Beach, Va., died Sept. 26, Mich., died Jan. 6, 2019, age 24. 2018, age 60. Jack supported many causes in his home town and beyond. Through a grant from the John R. and Constance M. Harkins James R. McDonald, M.S.A. ’94, Faculty Highland, Mich., died Nov. 2, Community Fund, Jack paid for school field trip busing to the 2018, age 69. Anneliese Bowlby, Ann Arbor, Museum of Cultural and Natural History at CMU, drastically Mich., died Aug. 26, 2018, age 83. increasing the museum’s attendance. Wayne M. Smoot, M.S.A. ’94, Grand Blanc, Mich., died Oct. 17, Emmett Mason, Ohio, died 2018, age 58. June 16, 2017. Catherine P. (Parker) Yascolt, Diane E. Newby, Mount M.A. ’94, Midland, Mich., died Pleasant, Mich., died Jan. 15, Jan. 26, 2019, age 70. 2019, age 76. Kirby S. Steil, ’95, Grand Rapids, Patrick Rode, Grand Rapids, Mich., died Nov. 20, 2018, age 47. Mich., died Dec. 9, 2018, age 90. D. Patrick Loveless, ’97, Barry Jacobson, Wynnewood, Midland, Mich., died Jan. 31, Pa., died Feb. 21, 2019, age 93. 2018, age 67. Phyllis J. Covey, ’98, Clio, Mich., Staff died Nov. 27, 2018, age 66. Bruce Ellsworth, Mount Mary Jo (Swidersky) Jordan, Pleasant, Mich., died Oct. 17, M.S.A. ’98, West Bloomfield, 2018, age 72. Mich., died March 12, 2019, Marian L. Beutler, Weidman, age 58. Mich., died Jan. 25, 2019, age 85. Carl J. Olson, M.S.A. ’98, Royal Agnes Hamilton, Mount Oak, Mich., died Feb. 20, 2019, Pleasant, Mich., died Jan. 2, 2019, age 71. age 87. Chrysanthe (Kilimas) Ewing, Dorothy A. Kowallic, Mount ’99, Troy, Mich., died Jan. 12, 2019, Pleasant, Mich., died Dec. 25, age 62. 2018, age 95. Jessica L. (Hartford) Robinson, Alice C. Paisley, Shepherd, ’02, Holt, Mich., died April 5, 2019, Mich., died Jan. 21, 2019, age 89. age 37. Harold W. Tremain, Mount Roy W. Lowell, M.A. ’04, Clio, Pleasant, Mich., died Jan. 6,2019, Mich., died Oct. 21, 2018, age 70. age 87. Zachary S. Lytle, ’04, Higgins Carol J. (Musselman) Brannan, Lake, Mich., died Oct. 2, 2018, ’66, M.A. ’70, Mount Pleasant, age 40. Mich., died March 14, 2019, age 75. John M. Noraian Jr., ’04, STEVE JESSMORE/STEVE PHOTOGRAPHY JESSMORE Pleasant Ridge, Mich., died Oct. 4, 2018, age 61. PHOTO BY
40 Centralight Summer ’19 Giving students the world
Two alums provide students with a doorway to the world
Richard Telfer, ’70, ’72, and Veronica Telfer, ’70, ’75, are helping Central Michigan University students put their stamp on the world by sending them around the world. Richard and Veronica know firsthand that some of the greatest learning experiences happen internationally. Both are former educators and administrators, as well as world travelers. They see tremendous value in the life-changing experience of being in a foreign environment. “International travel and study helps students learn more about others and themselves,” Veronica said. “We feel that stepping out of your comfort zone is an Richard and Veronica Telfer essential learning experience, and we want all students to be able to take that step.” The Telfers are translating their passion for travel into an endowed scholarship for study abroad. The award is open to all students who demonstrate financial need, regardless of major.
Spirit of giving back Veronica and Richard Telfer support students who are making the world their classroom. To learn more about helping students and giving back to Central Michigan University, contact: Ted Tolcher Senior Philanthropic Advisor, National Director of Planned Giving, Advancement Central Michigan University, Carlin Alumni House, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 989-774-1441 · [email protected] giftplanning.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, 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). UComm 10042 04/29 Centralight Winter ’18 41 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MIDLAND MI PERMIT NO. 260 Centralight Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859