The (1970s)
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 1 What’s New With You? 2 Classmate Updates 2 25 Years of Graduate Education 2 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees 3 Inauguration Date Announced 3 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Eick 3 Spring Alumni Events 4 From the Desk of Lisa Tilma 4
The seventh annual Humanitarian of the Year award was recently bestowed on one of our classmates, Ronald W. Holt, G’73. This award recognizes leaders who make significant contributions benefitting others in the Wichita community through their guidance, philanthropic and/or selfless actions.
Soon he was involved with many other community organizations, leading him to see volunteerism as “the rent we pay for living.”
In 1970, Ron started at Friends University on the G.I. bill. He went to work as a meter reader at KG&E during this time because the flexible hours allowed him to work, go to school and raise a family.
In June 2002, Ron joined Sedgwick County as Assistant County Manager. His role as project leader for Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita brought his nomination to the Humanitarian selection committee, leading to his selection as the 2011 recipient of this prestigious award.
Over the next 30 years with KG&E, Ron moved up the ranks from meter reader to eventually serve as chairman of the board and then President. He retired from the company, now known as Westar Energy, in 2001.
Rick Fitzgerald, G’70 1970s Class Agent cfitz1@cox.net You are invited to the inauguration of President Dr. T.J. Arant.
His exposure to community service began while serving as KG&E’s personnel representative. He took his supervisor’s position on several community-based committees, serving first on committees for the United Way and the American Red Cross. This began his lifetime of giving to the community.
Ron lives in Wichita with his wife, Karen. They have a daughter and two sons: Alana, Ron Jr., and Stacy, and 10 grandchildren. Congratulations to Ron Holt, who was also our Distinguished Alumnus at Friends University in 2003, and to his entire family. Well done!
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.
Spring 2012 • The (1970s)
Classmate updates Jon Folber, G’70, recently completed his 17th triathlon. He has participated in triathlons in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Jon lives in Liberty, Mo., after retiring from teaching physical education in New York for 32 years. Richard Roller, G’74, recently took a new job at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. He will be the new director of community and provider collaboration.
CAMPUS (CONNECTION)
Linda (Dirks) Grafton, G’72, passed away Aug. 20, 2011. Linda received her B.A. from Friends and her M.Ed. from Wichita State. She was the owner of the Palette Bistro on West Douglas in Wichita. June (Prather) Johnson, G’71/M’95, retired from teaching English and theater at Derby High School in May 2011. She is currently teaching for the West Wichita Homeschool Co-op and enjoying her grandchildren. Gayle Grace, G’74, just finished completing her master’s degree in vocal pedagogy at Regis University in Denver, Colo. She is employed at Pikes Peak Community College, where she teaches music. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., and is currently writing a textbook on singing. Dr. Jay Hallowell, G’78, completed his degree of missiology at the Asia Graduate School of Theology in the Philippines, He and his wife, Amor, are now in the U.S. for a year of mobilization ministry. They will return to the Philippines in April 2012, and Jay will be teaching and mentoring students in a seminary in Manila. Thanks to all of you who have responded with emails and letters. Please continue to let us know what you have been doing since you attended Friends in the 1970s.
25 YEARS of GRADUATE EDUCATION Since 1986, Friends University has offered graduate education for professionals ready to take their careers to the next level. Friends University’s graduate offerings have grown from two programs and 41 students to 12 programs and more than 700 students. Currently, graduate students account for more than one-third of enrollment. Looking to the future, “the Graduate school’s next big step is to begin considering doctoral degree programs, as well as adding additional master’s degrees,” said Dr. Evelyn Hume, dean of the Graduate School. Learn more at www.friends.edu/grad-25.
ATHLETIC HALL of FAME Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 In between the women’s 2 p.m. and the men’s 4 p.m. basketball games Garvey Physical Education Center
Ron Becker, G’80/M’96 football, basketball, tennis
The Friends University Athletic Hall of Fame currently honors 55 inductees, including athletes, coaches and supporters. This year’s inductees were selected by a committee of staff and alumni based on nominations received from members of the Friends University community. Congratulations to the following alumni and coach who will be inducted into the 14th annual Athletic Hall of Fame.
Inauguration the Presidential
Robert “Bob” Moore, 1957-1967 coach, athletic director Joseph “Joe” Hill, G’04 football
James Erik “Rick” Tjaden, G’72 football
Faculty Spotlight of
Dr. T.J. Arant Thirteenth President of Friends University
Hold the Date
Lori (Cox) Carter, G’90 volleyball
Friday, the Thirtieth of March, Two Thousand Twelve 2100 W. University Ave. | Wichita, Kansas Learn more at friends.edu/inauguration.
In this issue of the Campus Connection class newsletter, we are pleased to spotlight Friends University faculty member Dr. Gretchen Eick and her awardwinning book titled, “Dissent in Wichita,” a work which chronicles the civil rights movement in the Midwest from 1954-72. Winner of three prestigious prizes, “Dissent in Wichita” begins with an account of the Dockhum’s Drug Store sit-in, the first sustained student sit-in of the modern civil rights movement.
About Dr. Arant
“Dissent in Wichita” is a welldocumented reminder that Kansas has been divided along racial lines and a detailed analysis of NAACP internal power struggle throughout the years.
As Friends University’s new president, Dr. T.J. Arant’s engaging nature and passion for excellence make him an ideal fit to take the University to the next level. Dr. Arant hails from the east with a doctorate in English from Duke University; a master’s in English from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and a bachelor’s from Vanderbilt University. While the role of teacher is among the most fulfilling for Dr. Arant, he describes his family as his great joy: his two grown daughters and his wife, Susan, a fundraiser and former director of alumni affairs at a small, private college.
Dr. T.J. Arant Thirteenth President of Friends University
Dr. Eick is a professor of history at Friends University, has received two Fulbright fellowships and was a professional lobbyist in Washington D.C. She was presented with the W.A. Young award at the 2009 commencement ceremony at Friends. Her book is available through the Wichita campus bookstore or on the publisher’s website at www.press.uillinois.edu or at Amazon.com.
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. basketball games. Wichita Campus
SEE YOU (SOON!) FROM THE DESK OF (LISA TILMA)
Friday, March 30, 2012 • Wichita Campus
Annual Easter Egg Hunts
Saturday, March 31, 2012 • Topeka Education Center Saturday, April 7, 2012 • Wichita Campus
Chili Cookoff
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. Wichita Campus
Applications due for 2012-13 Alumni Scholarships Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 at 5 p.m.
Graduation Fair
2012 Commencement Exercises Wichita - Saturday, May 5, 2012 INTRUST Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
30th Annual Urban Chicago Trip Reunion
Friday, May 13, 2012 • Wichita Campus
Thursday, March 15, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wichita Campus
Many thanks to everyone who had an opportunity to write the Alumni Office and share all the exciting things that have been happening in your lives since the last issue of Campus Connection. I am excited to say that with our new layout of the class newsletters, we received a record number of updates from our readers! Even more exciting is that we were able to spotlight some of our alumni in the various class letters as an opportunity to not only
Alumni Office 316.295.5900 800.794.6945 ext. 5900 alumni@friends.edu www.friends.edu/alumni
MORE (INFO)
Inauguration Ceremony for President T.J. Arant
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.
Stay up-to-date with Friends Flash! at www.friends.edu/friends-flash!
showcase their accomplishments and talents, but also to hopefully reacquaint them with former classmates and introduce them to you as a new friend or business contact. As I’m sure you’ve heard, it’s not only what you know but who you know in today’s world to be successful. So isn’t it nice to know you will always have Friends? Best wishes to all our alumni and their families for a blessed New Year - we look forward to seeing you and hearing from you in 2012!
Lisa Tilma, G’01/M’04 Executive Director of Alumni Relations