Eastern, Summer 2015 Eastern Michigan University
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Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Alumni News University Archives 2015 Eastern, Summer 2015 Eastern Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/alumni_news Recommended Citation Eastern Michigan University, "Eastern, Summer 2015" (2015). Alumni News. 259. http://commons.emich.edu/alumni_news/259 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Archives at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Alumni News by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ?'·PRES I DE NT-� .ai�--- RE: FL£CTS ON I-IE:R, LEGACY.f: ™ . · EMU J'lfl(}/11&- L££D GOLD \\\f II I� ..................... HIGJ../£ R, "" \ \ ' . I I I \ 1NG . l{RO-ZllJO-ZE�O 1NITIATIVE £ iaNO� , 1 P �ID f D0V8l{D OF EMU 60QL70 STUDENTS RECEIVE SOME LEVEL OF SCHOLARSHIP AID. Your gifts of any size make a real impact in the lives of EMU students. Continue your E U legacy -givetodaf EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION of Contents FEATURES 16 / In Pursuit of 32 Joel Schoenhals is attempting to perform all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas. He's completed 26 so far in an experience he calls "intensely gratifying." 22 /Then and Now at EMU See images of EMU-past and present-that show how much things have changed, and how much they have stayed the same. 26 / Connecting Generations Michele Anderson·s grandfather, a World War II veteran, sparked her interest in history. Now the John Glenn H.S. teacher is the National History Teacher of the Year. DEPARTMENTS 4 / From the President 6-1 5 / Around Campus • President Susan Martin stepped down 1n July, but not before sharing her thoughts on her time at EMU. • How well do you know EMU history? Take our quiz! • Meet Miguel Ortiz, an Olympic hopeful and EMU graduate student. • EMU earns recognition as best in the MAC for women's sports. DEPARTMENTS CONTINUED 30-39 / Alumni News • Class Notes • Heather Antos (BS 1 3) lands her dream job at Marvel Comics. • Aaron Harburg (BA08) pays tribute to his great-grandfather with The Sound of Oz. • Members of the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2014 show their moves. Cover illustration by Molly Jacques From the President Celebrating the Past and Embracing the Future-Seven Years Later President Martin bids farewell to the EMU community hen I was inaugurated Our overall average GPA for W even years ago on July 7, incoming freshmen in 2010 2008, the theme for my inaugural was 3.05; it is now 3.27. The speech was "Celebrate the Past ACT average was 21.l in 2011 and Embrace the Future." I'd like and increased to 22.25 forthe to do a little bit of both in this, my entering fall2014 freshman class. final column as President. We have invested in, improved First and foremost, I want to and expanded academic advising. thank all of you for everything we An example is the Francine did together to lift up this great Parker Advising Center in the historic public university to make Student Center. We also have it successful, to make it shine. added more advising centers throughout the campus and 1 have a new best friend at home, enabled students to go on line and a golden retriever puppy named advise themselves. Teddy. He joins our growing family.Wh en I was inaugurated, Exciting new academic I had one grandson. We now have programs have been launched, such as the Physician Assistant fourgrandchildren, and a puppy President Martin with her husband Larry and puppy Teddy. along with my three children. Life Program. Even with a tight fiscal is good formy beloved husband Larry and me. 1 went to my situation, we invested in the renovation of the historic Welch Hall office to fetch my bike on the evening of July 5 Rackham building in the center of campus, retaining its art as July 7 was my last day. I rode it home to University House deco style while bringing it into the 21st century with lab spinning around the campus as fireworks were popping technology to accommodate the growth of our health and and lightning bugs were glowing up from the grass. It was human services program . a lovely denouement moment. I had tears of joy at all we Instead of building our own simulation laboratory space, accomplished together and in wonder of how we got it done. we partnered with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor It was our love of Eastern that pulled us forward. to lease space in its excellent facilitiesfor the Physician When 1 first started, we had a goal of 1,900 freshmen Assistant Program and other health programs. and a stretch goal of 2,100 freshmen. Now, we are Rackham is but one example of our successful renovation looking at a 2,800 stretch goal forfreshmen for Fall 2015, and rebuilding of key facilities.We have fixed up quite a reflecting our success in achieving record enrollment in a number of buildings in the last seven years. hypercompetitive market with declining numbers of high The $90 million Science Complex is another excellent school graduates. The Honors College has doubled in size example. The renovation of Pray-Harrold is another. since 2011-growth that has necessitated finding a new We moved everybody out at one time to complete the home for the Honors College. The Board of Regents has construction, rather than do it in parts, which would have approved the acquisition of the Holy Trinity Chapel, which taken longer and cost more. We called this "swing space" - is contiguous to campus, to house both The Honors College we used the cost savings to purchase the furnishings. Swing and our performingarts program. It is right behind Pease space was challenging but fun and is a great example of Auditorium and in wonderful condition. campus collaboration. 4 Eastern I SUMMER2015 EasternSUMMER 2015 In historic McKenny Hall-which was � The beautification of the campus Vol. 12, Issue 3 known as the old Student Union by grounds, from landscaping and berms EDITOR many of our students and alumni-we to rocks and trees. Darcy Gifford constructed classrooms where there had � Environmental and sustainability CONTRIBUTORS been a bowling alley. We also created a efforts that have reduced our annual Quinn Alexander, Chris Azzopardi(8506). large student lounge/gathering place, energy costs from $11 million from Jason Brooks, Patricia Cartwright, added an Eagle Cafe,Alumni Relations when I started to between $7-$8 Lon Horwedel, Molly Jacques. Randy Mascharka Office and corresponding Alumni (BBA85), Eva Menezes, Lynn Monson, Jeff Mortimer, million now. Jess J. Salisbury, Jeff Sa moray, HilarySimmet, Lounge, academic advising, and the Libby Smith, Scott Stewart University Archives new McKenny Gallery, providing an � The TRUEMU communications campaign and the ability to capture opportunity forEastern students, faculty, ABOUT EASTERN the distinct perspectives of Eastern staff and visitors to see historical displays Eastern (ISSN 2150-4679) is published three students, faculty,and alumni and share times a year by the Division of Communications at that capture our 166-year history. The them with the rest of Michigan. Eastern Michigan University EMU Foundation also will call McKenny 1215 N. Huron River Drive home this summer. � The 127 percent increase in financial Ypsilanti, Ml 48197-2351 aid, which has grown from $21 million All rights reserved. Many other highlights come to mind: to $48.5 million next year. Financial The views presented are not necessarily � The second phase of the renovation of aid helps our students stay in school those of the editor or the officialpolicies Rackham forother health programs, and persevere toward a degree and of the University. such as orthotics and dietetics. a career. ADDRESS CHANGES � The annual hiring of new faculty who � We successfully completed Eastern's Alumni Relations Office energize our campus with fresh ideas comprehensive campaign, "Invest. 234 McKenny Hall and expertise. Over the seven years Ypsilanti, Ml 48197 Inspire." The goal was $50 million and 734.487.0250 of my presidency, we hired 240 new we raised $56 million one year early. [email protected] faculty members. Send story ideas to: � Hiring an outstanding leadership team, � Renovations and environmental 15 Welch Hall with skilled and talented professionals Ypsilanti, Ml 48197 upgrades to classrooms, residence halls, in key University positions ... the best [email protected] and dining facilities.You will find fresh, people I have ever worked with. exciting food on Eastern' campus. Eastern Michigan University is committed Thank you all foryour steadfast support. to excellence in teaching, the extension � Establishing a new headquarters for None of the items in this impressive of knowledge through basic and applied research, and creative and artistic expression. the Department of Public Safety, as list would have happened without the well as hiring additional officers and Building on a proud tradition of national leadership and passion of the Eastern leadership in the preparation of teachers, we dispatchers to monitor the 700-plus team, and without the participation of maximize educational opportunities and cameras blanketing our campus, thousands of students, faculty and staff personal and professional growth for students from diverse backgrounds through an array helping to make Easternone of the across campus, as well as our alumni and safestuniversity communities in of bachelor's, master's and doctoral people in the community who care about programs. We provide a student-focused Michigan. Plus our partnership in the and love Eastern. Please remember that learning environment that positively affects Eastern Washtenaw afety Alliance, Eastern needs your support and every the lives of students and the community.