(ECM)
C S E PUNN M O A C (C
) N O I T
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1339 Wichita, Kansas RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
IN THIS (ISSUE) News from your class agent News From Your Class Agent 1 What’s New With You? 2 Alumni Spotlight: James Porter 2 25 Years of Graduate Education 2 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees 3 Inauguration Date Announced 3 Faculty Spotlight: Kathy Slemp 3 Spring Alumni Events 4 From the Desk of Lisa Tilma 4
It’s not six degrees of separation any longer. You are now only 4.74 degrees separated from... well, the rest of the world. A recent study conducted by Facebook and the folks at the University of Milan concluded that any two random Facebook users are (on average, of course) only about 4.74 connections away from each other. The researchers came to this conclusion using algorithms that are far outside of my abilities to understand. The study looked at all 721 million currently active Facebook users, who had 69 billion friendships between them. Some experts say the data is skewed and that the population of the study (all Web-savvy Facebook users), meant that the survey only looked at people with common areas of interest, but it does show those of us in e-commerce that the world is shrinking virtually - allowing e-businesses to take advantage of the continuing growth of the Internet and social media.
Lisa Henshall, G’04 ECM Class Agent lisa.henshall@hotmail.com You are invited to the inauguration of President Dr. T.J. Arant.
Michelle Suddeth (former Friends University Web designer) and Silvergear are in the process of creating a new program: “Tips and Tricks of Social Media That You Can Do On Your Own.” The classes will be about one hour and will focus on topics such as social media knowledge, Facebook, YouTube,
Constant Contact (email blasts), Google Analytics, Google Adwords, Google Places and more. To learn more about the courses, “like” the Silvergear page on Facebook. If you have any news you would like to share, please send an email to me. I would like to hear from you and publish your information in the next newsletter. In the meantime, exciting things are happening at Friends University this spring that you and your family can take advantage of, like the 14th Annual Chili Cook-off. This year’s cook-off takes place at the Wichita campus from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. It’s a fun time to come back to campus, enjoy some free food and vote for your favorite chili and booth theme. Be sure to stick around for the basketball games later that same night. Speaking of Falcon athletics, for a list of upcoming games and locations (both on campus and abroad), please feel free to visit www.friendsathletics.com. Best wishes for a blessed new year, and I look forward to hearing from you in 2012!
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 • (ECM)
Alumni Spotlight In this issue of the Campus Connection class newsletter, we are pleased to spotlight Computer Information Systems and Master of Management Information Systems (CIS/ MMIS) alumnus James Porter, G’91/M’93. After a successful career at Boeing, James has been retired 18 years. He and his wife Judy are active in the volunteer watch in Derby, Kan., and James is the editor of the Wichita Citizens Police Acadamy Alumni newsletter. James said he gets to use his computer skills learned at Friends to make electronic versions of the newsletter to send via email.
CAMPUS (CONNECTION)
He also participates in secret shopper and mystery shopper programs, which also keep him up with technology. James said he’s working more now volunteering than when he was working a full-time job.
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.
“It keeps me pretty active,” he said.
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.
From their three children, James and Judy have 14 grandchildren and a 1-year-old great grandson.
Learn more at www.friends.edu/grad-25.
James and his wife also participate in an all-volunteer community theater that performs shows in Dole Center at McConnell Air Force Base. Many of their shows include singing and dancing routines and melodramas.
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
of
Thirteenth President of Friends University
Friday, the Thirtieth of March, Two Thousand Twelve 2100 W. University Ave. | Wichita, Kansas Learn more at friends.edu/inauguration.
About Dr. Arant
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.
In this issue of Campus Connection, we are pleased to spotlight Friends University College of Adult and Professional Studies faculty member Kathy Slemp. Kathy has been on staff for 12 years, during which she pioneered a strong Human Resources Management program (SHRM). Currently it is the only HRM program in the state to receive a certificate of alignment with the Society for Human Resources Management, a 450 thousand-member professional organization with global reach. As a senior professional, Kathy is nearing the end of a successful two-year term appointment as workforce readiness director for the state council of SHRM, in which she had the opportunity to present a keynote session, “Critical thinking: Is it missing in the workplace?” at the Kansas SHRM conference in 2011.
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.
James Erik “Rick” Tjaden, G’72 football
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. T.J. Arant Hold the Date
Lori (Cox) Carter, G’90 volleyball
Dr. T.J. Arant Thirteenth President of Friends University
Kathy takes pride in her involvement in the HRM program at Friends. “I take a special delight when I see my students at Wichita SHRM meetings and they speak of their success.”
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