The (2000s)
C S E PUNN M O A C (C
) N O I T
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IN THIS (ISSUE) News from your class agent News From Your Class Agent What’s New With You? More News From Your Agent License Plates Now Available Homecoming 2012 Inauguration of President Arant Faculty Spotlight: Jim Smith Fall Alumni Events From the Desk of Lisa Tilma
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As always, it is my pleasure to share with you exciting life events shared with us by fellow alumni.
Nicole (Goubeaux), G’09, and Daniel De Longe, G’07, welcomed baby girl Brooklyn Nicole on March 4, 2012, and Ellie (Wright), G’08, and Justin Moser, G’11, welcomed their son Micah Shade on Nov. 30, 2011. If you have any events that you would like to share with our fellow alumni, please email them to me or contact the Alumni Office. When I sat down to write this installment of Campus Connection, I wanted to find something inspirational to share with you. I began searching and came across the following narrative, titled “Look Within To Find Happiness.”
LaChrystal Ricke, G’03 2000s Class Agent lachrystalricke@gmail.com
License Plate Update on Page 2
“A close friend said, ‘If I could only figure this out, I think I could find happiness.’ I have heard this before and will hear it again I am sure. Many people want to believe that finding happiness is all about finding something else they want. Not many have ever found long term happiness by achieving another
goal. The answer to finding happiness is to look within. In other words, happiness is completely an inside job. The most important piece to finding happiness is to comprehend happiness is a choice and not the result of an experience. If all happiness could be found as the result of an acquisition, meeting a goal, or having anything, then a person’s happiness would always be subject to something else. Remember this: one definition of happiness is simply the absence of an opposite emotion whether it is pain, sadness or something else. If the opposite emotions are never experienced then happiness can never be experienced either. Think about it like this: bad times allow you to appreciate good times; hunger allows you to appreciate food; and sadness allows you to appreciate and experience happiness. The dictionary defines happiness as enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction or joy.” (Continued on Page 2)
WHAT’S NEW WITH (YOU?)
Friends University is more than just getting a degree, but developing a lifelong friendship, which is why we want to stay connected with you as a member of the Friends University Alumni Association. If you have some exciting news that you would like to share with your classmates, let us know! You can update your information online at www.friends.edu/update-your-information. Use your ID number to process the changes quicker.
Fall 2012 • The (2000s)
“How often do you hear… ‘I’ll be happy when’? When I get that job, I’ll be happy. I’ll be happy when I find a life partner. I’d be happy if I had more money.
University Kansas license plates now available
These, and all the other ‘if I had’ scenarios are following the same reasoning; that happiness is based on external circumstances.
CAMPUS (CONNECTION)
If you base your happiness on external circumstances, you will continuously fail to find happiness. There will always, always be another external circumstance. There will always be another dollar, another job, another house, or another partner. Better, more, else. To break this vicious cycle, we must find our happiness somewhere else. That somewhere else is within. We have been given everything we need to be happy. Allow yourself to choose happiness. If life was perfect would you be happy? Life is perfect because we create it with our choices. Since we can create life, we can create happiness – and how much better can it get? When we can accept that life is perfect as it is and that our lives are the sum total of everything that has happened to this instant, only then can we accept the joy and happiness we deserve. I realize that this concept is very difficult for some to accept. However, the alternative to being happy now is to spend the rest of our lives seeking happiness as if happiness was an item to be bought or found. It’s not. Just remember the saying: ‘Don’t worry, be happy.’” By Miami Phillips
As of June 25, the Alumni Office learned that the Friends University state license plates were shipped from the Division of Vehicles to all Kansas county tag offices. This means that by the time you read this issue of Campus Connection, the plates will be available to pick up from your local county tag office! A supplemental order for Sedgwick County has been placed as of July 16. If you did not pre-purchase a plate from the University, you can still purchase one “over-the-counter” next time your tag comes due. If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Office via email at alumni@friends.edu.
HOMECOMING 2012
October 20 day, tur a S
Milestone Class Reunions • 10 a.m. Davis Admin. Bldg. (1962, 1987) • Check-in at 10 a.m., first floor. • Visit from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (campus tours included). Parade • 1 p.m. University Ave. & Hiram St. • Motorcyclists and and classic car enthusiasts wanted for parade. • Bring the family to enjoy the floats and collect candy!
President’s Inauguration brings Friends community together Friends University celebrated the inauguration of its 13th president, Dr. T.J. Arant, March 30, 2012. The ceremony took place at 2 p.m. in Garvey Gymnasium in the Garvey Physical Education Center. Approximately 600 students, alumni, parents, friends and members from the local community were in attendance, along with nearly 50 delegates from visiting colleges who showed their support. Rodney Pitts, G’82, chair of Friends University Board of Trustees, presided over the installation of the president, followed by Dr. Arant’s inaugural address. Music was provided by the Friends University student brass quintet, the University Concert Band and the Singing Quakers. A cocktail-style reception in McKay Gymnasium at the Casado Campus Center followed the ceremony, with music provided by the Friends University jazz ensemble and string ensemble. Guests enjoyed a variety of hors d’oeuvres provided by Sodexo catering services. This historic occasion was a rare opportunity to highlight Friends University and its place within the realm of higher education and the regions it serves.
Block Party • 1:30 p.m. Garvey Practice Field • FREE carnival games and inflatables. • FREE tailgate lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixins! Football Game vs. Bethany College Swedes • 3 p.m. • Halftime - crowning of Homecoming Royalty.
Faculty Spotlight In this issue of Campus Connection, we are pleased to spotlight faculty member and alumnus Dr. Jim Smith, G’84, and his notable book series, which includes the titles: “The Good and Beautiful God,” “The Good and Beautiful Life” and “The Good and Beautiful Community.” Called the Apprentice series, this set of three books was written as a curriculum for spiritual transformation. The books are meant to be read as a group with a discussion at the end of each chapter. Additionally, each chapter contains “soul-training exercises” for becoming apprentices of Jesus. Dr. Smith is an Associate Professor of Religion at Friends University and has started the APRENTIS Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. Dr. Smith’s involvement with Friends has been vital in the development of these books, as he field-tested each book by partnering with Campus Ministries to lead student groups through it and get their feedback on the books. The books are available at the Friends University bookstore, many local bookstores and online at InterVarsity Press at www.ivpress.com.
Friends University Appreciation Tailgate
Sept. 8, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.; game starts at 7 p.m.
FROM THE DESK OF (LISA TILMA)
SEE YOU (SOON!)
Alumni Art Show Reception
Oct. 18, 2012, 6:30-9 p.m.
Milestone Reunions for Classes of 1962 and 1987
Sept. 28, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Oct. 20, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
APRENTIS Institute National Conference “Grace, Grace and More Grace”
Singing Quaker Alumni Concert
Sept. 27-29, 2012
Deadline for Athletic Hall of Fame nominations Oct. 1, 2012, at 5 p.m.
Run with Friends
Nov. 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Run with Friends
Dec. 1, 2012, Wichita Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run
Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony
Jan. 26, 2013, between women’s/men’s basketball games
Oct. 14, 2012, Wichita Prairie Fire Marathon
Stay up-to-date on alumni news with Friends Flash! at www.friends.edu/friends-flash! Did you know the Friends University Alumni Association has its very own Facebook group? As of this issue of Campus Connection, we’re at more than 900 members! If you would like to join, go to facebook.com/groups/ friendsuniversityalumni. If you are already a member, I challenge you to help make this group something that will be enjoyed by all!
Alumni Office 316.295.5900 800.794.6945 ext. 5900 alumni@friends.edu www.friends.edu/alumni
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Great Conversation!
Friends University does not discriminate against academically qualified students on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, 230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604; www.ncahlc.org; 1-800-621-7440.
Suggestions include: • Photos from your college days – you never know what memories a photo will spark! • Job postings – if you’re looking for you or your employer, ask a fellow alum for their help. • Hello to new neighbors – did you recently move? Chances are there is someone with a Friends connection who lives in your new hometown. • Invite your classmates – I would love to see our group reach 1,000 members before the end of 2012.
Lisa Tilma, G’01/M’04 Executive Director of Alumni Relations