Alumni News And Notes

Alumni News & Notes

Real Life Hugs Deeper Than Ever at Homecoming

My Dear Central Family, Oh my, it was so good to be in your presence at Homecoming this year. I will never forget the moment during the parade when the Alumni Board car turned the corner from Elm Street on to Main Street and I saw the crowd of people. It was breathtaking. The energy, excitement, friendship, and love were palpable along the parade route, in the crowd, and everywhere. I was searching for one memory that defined the weekend for me, but all I can think about is the depth of the hugs. So many hugs. But it wasn’t the number of hugs and joyous greetings from old friends but how the hugs were longer, deeper, and more heartfelt. I know I was grateful to reconnect with all the Central love!

There were so many celebrations! The Hall of Honor, Delta Pi Omega 75th anniversary, Alpha Phi Gamma 76th anniversary, Chi Delta 90th anniversary, and a year of missing our friends. My virtual happy hour group got to toast IRL (“in real life” - if you don’t know). The Eagles beat Missouri Valley 41-7 (all the ’80s alumni say, “WHAT?”). Then on Sunday, we honored the 2020 and 2021 classes of Distinguished and Young Alumni.

So much fun, fellowship, and family. My former roomie and best friend for life, Laura Wolfe, ’85, and I were at the Alumni Board tailgate tent and she said, “The only thing different from our day is the cell phones.” And that was the truth. The “magic” of Central isn’t about the buildings, sports, events, Greek life, or other stuff, it is about the people who choose to attend Central.

This Homecoming was bittersweet for me. I’m nearing the end of my tenure as President of the Alumni Board of Directors. It’s been my honor to serve on the board, share good news from Central and remind us all that this special place binds us together. My best friends, my chosen family, are people I met at Central. How about you?

Dear Friends, my parting words to you are as follows: Cherish the friends you’ve made along the way. Support our alma mater to continue your legacy. Show up. Be present. Pay it forward. And never forget, “From the beginning you’ve been, always there, my old friend. True until the end.” ~Al Jarreau. My love of Al Jarreau came from friends I met at Central.

Keep Central at your heart.

Much love,

Laura Blair, Class of 1986

President, Alumni Association Board of Directors

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1980s

Tina Sabo Fuhler, ’83, retired in 2020 after 33 years of teaching elementary school, 32 in the Francis Howell School District and one year in the Glasgow School District.

Laura Blair, ’86, is the new learning and development training manager with Johnson County Library.

Kevin McClain, ’89, McClain Chiropractic Health & Injury, was once again named the Best of North County Business for Chiropractic by the Community News for 2020. He was also named the district chairman for the North Star District of the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Dr. McClain still resides in North St. Louis County with his family.

1990s

Brad Stumpe, ’91, was named a partner with Anders CPAs and Advisors in St. Louis, Mo.

Chris Kennedy, ’93, joined the Aurora R-8 High School as the new athletic director and transportation director.

John Brown, ’94, has returned to FOX 35 News in central Florida to be the evening news anchor.

Steve Jones, ’94, is the pastor at Camdenton United Methodist Church.

Tracy Crowe Jones, ’94, is celebrating 10 years with IBM. She serves as client experience lead.

Laura Pauly Templeton, ’99, was promoted to the position of chief clinical operations officer for Compassus, a national healthcare post-acute care provider.

2000s

Tristy Gunter, ’00, is the director of service coordination for the Howard County Home Health Board.

Ashley Anne Angle, ’01, graduated in April 2020 with an education specialist degree from William Woods University. Ashley plans on beginning her doctoral coursework in August. She started her 21st year of teaching this fall. Ashley teaches kindergarten in Jefferson City.

Alumni Luncheon A group of Central alums gathered recently in St. Louis to share a lunch and many memories. From left: Billie Devine, ’54; Bob Devine, ’56; Dotty Luther, ’56; Shirley Kirby, ’56; Sondra Spalding, ’57; and Carol and Fred Schneizer.

J.R. Royston, ’02, is an admissions representative at State Technical College of Missouri.

Michael Allgood, ’03, is teaching world history at Hannibal Senior High School.

Amanda Culbertson-Kraemer, ’03, is the vice president and general manager with Merrick Pet Care, a Nestle Purina Company.

Martin Hauck, Jr., ’03, was USA Wrestling’s cadet Greco Roman coach for the 2021 World Championships.

Mark Stone, ’05, is the director of market development with United Way, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Ray Davis, ’06, has been promoted to the rank of Major (May 2021) in the Texas Army National Guard. He is currently assigned as the Logistics Officer with the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Lauren Fruits, ’07, is the director of basketball operations at University of Texas-San Antonio.

MaryAnne Winn, ’07, is an assistant professor of nursing at Central Methodist University.

Taylor Drennan, ’08, is the principal at John Warner Middle School in Columbia, Mo.

Scotti Iman, ’08, served as the music director and onstage drummer for “In Due Time.” Mallory Mahon, ’08, is the middle school band teacher with Fairfield Community School District.

Catherine Eikermann, ’09, is the compliance manager in the office of the vice chancellor at Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo.

Katherin Frakes, ’09, earned the 2021 Nurses: Heart of Health Care Honoree award.

2010s

Johnathon Hankinson, ’10, is the assistant athletics director for equipment services at San Jose State University.

Ben Pallardy, ’10, is the head boys’ basketball coach at Battle High School in Columbia, Mo.

Jennifer Shepard, ’10, is the high school guidance counselor at Fayette High School.

Abby Arnette, ’11, is the assistant academic dean at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo.

Cassandra Frink, ’11, is the employee engagement specialist with MidwayUSA in Columbia, Mo.

Maggie Gebhardt, ’12, was recently promoted to national marketing and branding strategist at Accurity Consolidated.

Dustyn Yung, ’13, is the girls’ basketball coach at Battle High School in Columbia, Mo. Julianna Cook Thrasher, ’14, is the principal at Licking Elementary School in Licking, Mo.

Jessica Travlos, ’14, is the hospitality and events manager for American Dining Creations at Stephens College.

Sabrina Shockley, ’14, is a certified alcohol and drug counselor at McCambridge Women and Children’s Treatment Center.

Kelley Stock Hill, ’16, received her MBA in Human Resources Management in December 2020.

Darren Jones, ’16, is the Esports coach at Central Methodist University.

Kelly Neudecker, ’16, received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of MissouriColumbia.

Courtney Warford, ’16, is the marketing coordinator with the Murray Road Agency.

Kristerpher D. Brimberry, ’17, is a behavioral health/psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at St. Francis Healthcare System, Kneibert Clinic, in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Meredith Buchmeier, ’17, is an assistant professor of nursing at Central Methodist University.

Nik Ferri, ’17, is teaching social studies at Russellville High School and is also the assistant football coach and junior high basketball coach.

David Atkins, president and CEO of the Missouri United Methodist Foundation, presents CMU President Roger Drake with a check for $14,558. The money is a grant to help support the studio in the Center for Faith and Service.

Danielle Franklin, ’17, is the career development coordinator at Central Methodist University.

Camden Levett, ’17, is the women’s basketball coach at Moberly Area Community College.

Amanda Linneman, ’17, is the fifth grade ELA teacher at Bueker Middle School in Marshall, Mo.

Chris Aschemann, ’18, is the interim track and field/cross country coach at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Martha Bradley, ’18, who served as student government president, is an attorney with Veterans Clinic in Columbia, Mo.

Robert Kentner, ’18, received his doctor of nursing practice from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on April 23.

Danielle Sears, ’18, is the new head softball coach at Moberly Senior High School.

Colton Tolias, ’18, is an admissions specialist with the College of Graduate and Extended Studies at Central Methodist University.

Marjia Janjusevic, ’19, was added to the coaching staff for the women’s volleyball program at Ottawa University. Nicole M. Twenter, ’19, is a licensed professional counselor with Citizens Memorial Hospital and the CMH Pediatric Clinic.

Melanie Evans, ’19, is the new Home Health of the Ozarks and Hospice Care director at Texas County Memorial Hospital.

2020s

Chelsea L. Clark, ’20, is working with the alumni foundation at the University of Central Missouri.

Matthew Fohn, ’20, is an admissions representative and dance coach at Central Methodist University.

Breanna May, ’20, is a residence hall director at Central Methodist University.

Ashley Patzwald, ’20, is a middle school teacher at Richland R-IV School District.

Amanda K. Steinman, ’20, is an enrollment marketing specialist at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Mo.

Anne Ziegler, ’20, is an admissions representative at Central Methodist University.

Brandon Cline, ’21, is an assistant football coach at Central Methodist University. D’yanne Kloog, ’21, is a behavioral analyst with Autism, Behavioral & Educational Services, Geneva, Ill.

Cory Luke, ’21, is the new football coach at Brookfield High School.

Courtney Owens, ’21, is the new quality improvement/risk management director with Texas County Memorial Hospital.

Parker Pitts, ’21, is teaching middle school history at Van-Far Middle School in Vandalia, Mo.

Courtney Shipp, ‘21, is a fourth-grade teacher at David Barton Elementary School in Boonville, Mo.

Births, Marriages, Engagements

2000s

Jarrett Seiler, ’02, and wife, Rachel, had a baby girl, Audrey Lynn, born June 1, 2021.

Amanda Culbertson-Kraemer, ’03, and Trent Kraemer are the parents of Kennedy Maron Kraemer, born August 19, 2019.

2010s

Johnathon Hankison, ’10, married Alexandra Froehlich, July 17, 2021.

L Walters Bedor, ’10, and Curtis A Bedor, ’13, had a baby girl, Rylee Jeanette, born July 20, 2021.

Matthew Fraley, ’11, and Abigail Cage Fraley married June 28, 2021. They have been together for 14 years.

Destiny Stallo, ’18, and Alex Minor were married September 25, 2021.