Centralightcentral Michigan University Alumni Magazine
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Volume 77 • Number 1 • Spring 2008 centralightCentral Michigan University Alumni Magazine Off-campus degrees help professionals excel Remembering President Plachta – CMU President 1992-2000 You already Belong. NowBE GOLD. You’re already one of 160,000 members of the CMU Alumni Association. Now show your university loyalty and pride. Join the association’s 2,200 Gold Members. Gold Membership dues support CMU’s alumni programs and students while also giving you: • Discounts on car rental and hotel rates • Special prices at the CMU Bookstore and SBX • Discounts on sporting goods • Many more benefits Join us. Find out how at www.cmualum.com CMU Gold Member CMU is an AA/EO institution (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo). centralight Volume 77 • Number 1 • Spring 2008 On the cover Volume 77 • Number 1 • Spring 2008 centralightCentral Michigan University Alumni Magazine Executive Editor and Executive 10 CMU worldwide Director of Alumni Relations Anywhere there are offices Mary Lu Yardley, ’90 MSA ’92 (and even places where there aren’t) you’ll find CMU Editor grads – many of whom have Barbara Sutherland Chovanec earned their degrees through CMU Off-Campus Programs. Photographers Meet five alumni here. Robert Barclay Peggy Brisbane Off-campus degrees Cover illustration help professionals excel Writers by David Stairs, Tracy Burton, ’02 art professor Remembering President Plachta – CMU President 1992-2000 Cynthia Drake Scott Rex Graphic designer Sydnee MacKay, ’98 Communications committee Kevin Campbell, ’74 MA ’76 Raymond Jones, ’73 MA ’80 Darcy Orlik, ’92 MSA ’95 Shirley Posk, ’60 6 8 22 Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Features Michael Leto 6 Remembering President Plachta For advertising information CMU’s 11th president, Leonard Plachta, left a legacy of leadership and warmth. Call Cindy Jacobs, ’93 (800) 358-6903 8 Guiding professionals Meet Michigan Professor of the Year Norma Bailey. 18 The power of perseverance Follow Deborah Shear’s path from CMU to a top medical research institution. 22 Standing up for the invisible Meet Juan Salazar, who earned a degree against all odds and now aids those who need help. Departments 2 Letters Stay connected 3 Take Five Send change of address information to: Educating leaders with a new minor; student art at the Alumni Relations Capitol; and other university briefs. Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University 5 From the President Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Phone: (800) 358-6903 26 Sports Fax: (989) 774-7159 Meet star wrestler Wynn Michalak and his athletics E-mail: [email protected] alumni parents. Web: www.cmualum.com 30 In Support Centralight is published four times each year by Denison family supports Native American studies; the Central Michigan University Office of Alumni Relations. It is printed by Village Press Inc., Traverse endowment guides future political leaders; and more. City, and entered at the Traverse City Post Office under nonprofit mailing. CMU (an AA/EO institution) 32 Maroon and Gold strongly and actively strives to increase diversity Your alumni association source. within its community (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo). CMU provides individuals with disabilities 1 reasonable accommodations to participate in the 35 Alumni in Action activities, programs, and services announced in this publication. Individuals with disabilities requiring an 38 In Memoriam accommodation to participate in a program should call the event sponsor. 40 I Am Central PRM 7821 – 28,400 (2/08) centralight Spring 2008 Letters Letters Remembering Story captured an Embers tradition The Embers’ last night Editor: Editor: I was sad to see The Embers has closed. Thank you for your story on The Embers’ closing. It was a wonderful tribute to Our family had a tradition for our eighth my father and brother who for so many birthday. Besides getting a two-wheeled years have worked to bring “real dining” Schwinn bike, we were treated to a dinner to Mount Pleasant. You did a wonderful at The Embers. I lived in Midland, so it job of expressing the last night of The was special dressing up, driving to Mount Embers. Of course we were all there The Embers will remain Pleasant with only my parents (everyone to say goodbye, as it has been more else stayed home with a babysitter) and of a second home to us than just the in our memories eating at our first fancy restaurant. place my dad works. There have been many stories written about The Embers Editor: I am sure my brother couldn’t have this past nine months. I believe you cared less about going out to eat when I was saddened when the Winter 2007 captured the real feeling of the place it came his turn, but my older sister and edition arrived to see that The Embers and how it was to say goodbye. I both loved it. We attended Central had closed! My wife Cherie, ’91, and I when we got older and would eat at The were married in Bay City on Sept. 29, Amy Tuma Madsen, ’81 MS ’93 Embers for other special occasions. 1990, and moved our wedding party Mount Pleasant, Michigan to The Embers for the reception and I am glad you were able to get the pork dinner. Indeed we all thoroughly enjoyed chop recipe, but is there any hope the famous one-pound pork chop! of getting the recipe for the pea and peanut salad? I always loved that and Unfortunately, we never made it back have never been able to duplicate it. to The Embers after that, however this is one memory that stays in Jean Melching, ’74 the banks forever. Thank you Tuma Wausau, Wisconsin family for being a cornerstone in Mount Pleasant for so many years. Sorry Jean, the peas and peanuts recipe will stay a Tuma family secret. Matthew D. Siel, ’91 But for those of you who missed the Holland, Michigan pork chop recipe, it’s online at: www.alumni.cmich.edu/ Thanks for fun event centralight/fiftyyears.html. Editor: Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for all the fun and hospitality we enjoyed at the CMU vs. Purdue tailgate party – our first alumni event since we graduated way back in 1984 and 1985. This event was all the more special as it was also Family Day at Write to Centralight:Mail letters to: Purdue University where our middle son, Centralight wants to hear from you! Centralight Letters Jonathan, is a freshman in the School We welcome all letters from readers. Public Relations and Marketing of Technology. Thanks again, and we Tell us your thoughts about Centralight West Hall look forward to our next alumni event. articles or about CMU in general. Central Michigan University Mike, ’85, and Susan (Boldt) Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Spagnuolo, ’84 Be sure to sign your letter with your full 2 Columbus, Indiana name and also include graduation year and Letters also may be sent by degree, address, and daytime phone number. fax to (989) 774-1098 or by Letters may be edited for space and clarity. e-mail to [email protected]. centralight Spring Spring 2008 2008 Take Five Not so dull CMU’s 3 Dull Guys definitely doesn’t live up to its moniker. The sketch comedy show produced by CMU students was named the country’s Best Comedy during the College Broadcasters Inc. national conference Educating leaders in Washington, D.C. More than 400 entries were submitted for judging CMU continues to lead the way in various competition categories. with one of its newest programs – the leadership minor. Recent grad Mike Greiner, ’07, produced the show based on the The minor is the first of its kind at a CMU improvisational troupe of the public university in Michigan, and to follow and work toward a goal of same name. The group includes it now has more than 200 students creating and articulating a personal junior Cameron Dodge-White and participating, all with varying educational leadership mission statement.” seniors Greg Ott and Matt Hays, who backgrounds and career aspirations. perform regularly on campus. • Buschlen says he believes that the minor “What the leadership minor does is may be a popular choice due to CMU’s focus on the student and their success,” focus on creating strong student leaders. says Eric Buschlen, a faculty member Rao wins district award in the recreation, parks, and leisure “I really think that leadership is the services administration department. “It backbone of this university, and students Seven years of visionary offers a strong road map for students are finding that vision,” he says. • leadership landed CMU President Michael Rao in the spotlight this winter. Capitol art Focusing on SAP Rao received the Council for The art of two CMU students is CMU has revolutionized its Master of Advancement and brightening the hallways of the Michigan Business Administration program, giving Support of Education’s House and Senate buildings as part of the working professionals the opportunity 2007 District V Student Arts in the Legislature exhibition. to continue their careers while learning Chief Executive Shown here is the work of senior Nichole software that is used by 85 percent Leadership Award at Lockman, who says her piece represents of all Fortune 1000 companies. the district’s annual “the way people see motion and color in conference in Chicago. dreams.” It’s on display in the Anderson The new online MBA program is the only online program that has a House Office Building. Junior Michelle “Receiving this award from CASE was management information systems Snay’s work is on exhibit in the Billie not only a surprise but also a tremendous concentration with an emphasis in SAP. S. Farnum Senate Office Building. • honor,” says Rao. “Credit for this SAP enterprise resource planning achievement is really the university’s.