(EMBA/MBA)
C S E PUNN M O A C (C
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IN THIS (ISSUE) News from your class agent News From Your Class Agent 1 What’s New With You? 2 Alumni Spotlight: Mary Duncan 2 License Plates Now Available 2 Homecoming 2012 3 Inauguration of President Arant 3 Faculty spotlight: Jay Johnson 3 Fall Alumni Events 4 From the Desk of Lisa Tilma 4
Kurt Richardson, G’99/M’04 EMBA/MBA Class Agent krichardson123@cox.net
I hope everyone is having a great summer. I know by the time this newsletter reaches you, the vacation part of summer will be over and school will be in full gear. My summer was a flurry of activity. Two of my children graduated from college in May. My summer was also filled with my youngest son’s baseball tournaments. He will be a senior in high school next year and we had baseball tournaments every weekend from late May until the end of July. For us it felt like there were no weekends this summer. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
Children bring us great joy and I have always tried to follow my grandfather’s advice when it comes to my kids: Don’t miss a thing, they’ll remember you were there, you’ll experience great pride and joy from their accomplishments and the memories are priceless. The other piece of advice my grandfather shared was no matter how hectic things get, remember to enjoy the journey. To me, the joys in life are enjoying the journey and each other along the way. We have heard from several alumni who shared the following updates:
License Plate Update on Page 2
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Joanna (June) Neises, M’06, and her husband Mike welcomed a daughter,
Emily Kathleen, into the world April 24, 2011. “We are so blessed,” Joanna wrote. Joanna, who was working as the CFO for Summer Regional Medical Center, recently started her own business. Nicely Done LLC offers housecleaning, organizing and interior painting services.
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Byron Cox, G’06/M’08, accepted a new position within the federal government at the Department of Justice. “I enjoyed working in financial management and my new position would not have been possible if I had not accomplished my EMBA at Friends University,” Byron said.
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Dr. Joy Hatch, M’95/M’00, is the Vice Chancellor of Technology at Virginia Community College in Richmond, Va.
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-yourinformation. Until next time, I hope you have an awesome fall and remember “don’t miss a thing” and “enjoy the journey and each other!”
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 • (EMBA/MBA)
Alumni Spotlight In this issue of your class newsletter, we are pleased to spotlight Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) alumna, Mary Duncan, M’09.
CAMPUS (CONNECTION)
Mary has been a member of the Friends University Topeka Alumni Advisory Board since 2010 and will be serving as the president for the 2012-2013 academic year. But that’s not all she’s accomplished since graduating from Friends. Mary wears many hats, including teacher and council member. She teaches science methods at Washburn University to preservice teachers, serves on the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center program and exhibit committees, and the Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) international advisory team. She also serves on the coordinating council of developmental services for the state of Kansas as the Governor’s representative and chair. Mary’s favorite instructor at Friends University was Dona Gibson. “She believed in me when I was finishing my master’s program,” said Mary. “She challenged me to ‘keep going’ with my research and studies. By continuing my education (because of her encouragement) other doors have opened.”
University Kansas license plates now available
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 feature Friends University Associate Professor of Business and director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate program, Dr. Jay Johnson. Since first coming to Friends in 2009, Dr. Johnson has increased the size of the University’s MBA program from 140 students to 270 students, making the program the largest on campus, with approximately 10 percent of the student body. He also implemented an all-online program, an MBA in accounting and a CPA track, as well as compiling more data for further improvements. “I always have something cooking,” Dr. Johnson says of his plans to further improve the MBA program. In his free time, Jay enjoys golfing, travel, watching TV, movies, and visiting his family farm in Missouri a few times a year. If you know someone who may be interested in learning more about the MBA program, feel free to have them contact Lisa Haggard, manager of Graduate School Recruiting Services via email at lisa_haggard@friends.edu.
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