CAMPUS (CONNECTION) IN THIS (ISSUE) You are invited to the inauguration of President Dr. T.J. Arant. The (2000s) Hello fellow 2000s alumni! I hope this letter finds you having enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and ready to embark on an exciting new year! In true Friends University fashion, there were many holiday celebrations on campus. The Christmas Candlelight Concert featured the Singing Quakers, Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus, Madrigals, Kantorei and the 200-voice Choral Union, and closed with the premiere performance of a brand new work by composer Craig Curry. Other events included the annual tree lighting ceremony and Salvation Army service day where students, faculty and staff worked to help the Salvation Army gear up to provide the less fortunate with a happy holiday. Other reasons to celebrate include new careers for fellow alumni and the births of some baby falcons. • Timothy Bernitt, FS’04, began working as an insurance agent with American Family Insurance. • William Bergkamp, G’09, is working at Bluestem High School as a social studies teacher and coach • Megan Garnier, G’05, is working as the executive assistant to the President / CEO at Valley First Credit Union. • Jodie Hearlson, G’07, received her Master’s in Biology from Emporia State University. • Amber (Harper), G’04, and Kary Harshbarger, FS’07, welcomed a new son, Peregrin Lee. • Courtney (VanSant) Wilson, G’05/M’10, and her husband Eric also welcomed a new son, Jack Eric. Sadly, there were also a few losses that I would like to share with you: Blaine Billinger, FS’02, and Deanna Bush-Kunc, G’08, both passed away in 2011. For those of you interested in the Friends license plate program, production of the plates are anticipated to be available for distribution by late March or early April 2012. If you have information to share or there is something you would like to see appear in our next class newsletter, please contact the Alumni Office by filling out the form at the top of page 2 of this newsletter, or you can send me an email. As always, it’s a pleasure to write these notes and I look forward to our next newsletter! News from your class agent LaChrystal Ricke, G’03 2000s Class Agent [email protected]News From Your Class Agent 1 What’s New With You? 2 Alumnae Share Culture Shock 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
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CAMPUS
(CONNECTIO
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PAIDPermit No. 1339Wichita, Kansas
IN THIS(ISSUE)
You are invited to the inauguration of PresidentDr. T.J. Arant.
The (2000s)
Hello fellow 2000s alumni! I hope this letter finds you having enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and ready to embark on an exciting new year! In true Friends University fashion, there were many holiday celebrations on campus. The Christmas Candlelight Concert featured the Singing Quakers, Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus, Madrigals, Kantorei and the 200-voice Choral Union, and closed with the premiere performance of a brand new work by composer Craig Curry. Other events included the annual tree lighting ceremony and Salvation Army service day where students, faculty and staff worked to help the Salvation Army gear up to provide the less fortunate with a happy holiday.
Other reasons to celebrate include new careers for fellow alumni and the births of some baby falcons.
• Timothy Bernitt, FS’04, began working as an insurance agent with American Family Insurance.
• William Bergkamp, G’09, is working at Bluestem High School as a social studies teacher and coach
• Megan Garnier, G’05, is working as the executive assistant to the President /CEO at Valley First Credit Union.
• Jodie Hearlson, G’07, received her Master’s in Biology from Emporia State University.
• Amber (Harper), G’04, and Kary Harshbarger, FS’07, welcomed a new son, Peregrin Lee.
• Courtney (VanSant) Wilson, G’05/M’10, and her husband Eric also welcomed a new son, Jack Eric.
Sadly, there were also a few losses that I would like to share with you: Blaine Billinger, FS’02, and Deanna Bush-Kunc, G’08, both passed away in 2011.
For those of you interested in the Friends license plate program, production of the plates are anticipated to be available for distribution by late March or early April 2012.
If you have information to share or there is something you would like to see appear in our next class newsletter, please contact the Alumni Office by filling out the form at the top of page 2 of this newsletter, or you can send me an email. As always, it’s a pleasure to write these notes and I look forward to our next newsletter!
News From Your Class Agent 1What’s New With You? 2Alumnae Share Culture Shock 225 Years of Graduate Education 2Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees 3Inauguration Date Announced 3Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Eick 3Spring Alumni Events 4From the Desk of Lisa Tilma 4
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.
25 YEARS of GRADUATE EDUCATION
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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.
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Though Friends University is in the heartland of America, its people have traveled to all corners of the globe. The Cultural & Social Issues Committee of Falcon Activities and Campus Events sponsored “Culture Shock: International
Missions” on Oct. 5, 2011 to allow two such alumnae to share their stories traveling to a foreign country.
Star Little, G’11, served with Mission of Hope Haiti in Titanyen, 45 minutes north of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Liz Wine, G’04, shared her story teaching at a small school for missionary children in Rwanda, Africa through Evangelical Friends Mission. They each described their experiences abroad, especially concerning how the culture of the country they visited differed from America’s.
Star and Liz hope that the evening sparked some interest in going overseas. “For those who are interested in overseas work, it was a great opportunity to get a glimpse into what it is like,” Star said.
The two alumnae also had the unique honor of coming back – as special speakers – to the same college they graduated from. “We don’t realize until much later how deep of an impact a place can have on one’s life,” Liz said. “Friends not only prepared me to be a successful professional, it also laid a strong foundation for my spiritual life, and for social involvements, as well as expanding my worldview.”
Star had similar sentiments: “I loved being back on campus and felt honored to speak!”
Alumnae share international experiences with students
Spring 2012 • The (2000s)
Dr. T.J. ArantInaugurationthePresidential
of
Thirteenth President of Friends University
About Dr. Arant
Dr. T.J. ArantThirteenth President ofFriends University
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.
Friday, the Thirtieth of March, Two Thousand Twelve2100 W. University Ave. | Wichita, KansasLearn more at friends.edu/inauguration.
Hold the Date
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012In between the women’s 2 p.m. and the men’s 4 p.m. basketball gamesGarvey Physical Education Center
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.
ATHLETIC HALL of FAME
Joseph “Joe” Hill,G’04
football
James Erik “Rick” Tjaden, G’72
football
Robert “Bob”Moore, 1957-1967
coach, athletic director
Ron Becker, G’80/M’96 football, basketball,
tennis
Lori (Cox) Carter,G’90
volleyball
In this issue of the Campus Connection class newsletter, we are pleased to spotlight Friends University faculty member Dr. Gretchen Eick and her award-winning 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.
“Dissent in Wichita” is a well-documented reminder that Kansas has been divided along racial lines and a detailed analysis of NAACP internal power struggle throughout the years.
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.
Faculty Spotlight
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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
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’04Executive Director of Alumni Relations
