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Welcome
Just this past weekend a meeting was held by our Alumni Board of Governors discussing various topics ranging from engaging more alumni, to planning for Homecoming 2006, to meeting student needs of today. I am also happy to say that there have been some very aggressive goals set by the board to increase participation, enhance the fundraising efforts, and increase the awareness of the Alumni Board as a whole. At this time, the increased involvement from within the board has spurred others wishing to help by volunteering their time and efforts. Over the next couple months, you may be contacted by one of the board members to see how you can assist TSU and help carry out its mission. For more information about the Alumni Board or how you can help contact the Alumni Board President Luanne Putnam at Luanne4@verizon.net.
Do you remember what it was like on campus your senior year in February? Well other than the wind blowing in your face from all directions with the clouds blocking the dim sunlight, and an occasional snow fall that requires a shoveling in the morning and afternoon, I want you to think of something else. How about what you did to prepare yourself for after graduation. With our senior class finishing their final semester of courses, tests, and reports, they are also trying to find time to begin their career search. Are you in a position to influence the hiring of new employees? Well if so, don’t forget about the abundance of candidates from your alma mater.
Beginning February 27, Harris Connect will contact you via email, mail, or phone. Harris Connect is the company that is updating our database to produce another Alumni Directory. At that time you can update your information and reserve your copy of the 2006 alumni directory.
Plans have already begun for Homecoming 2006. It is scheduled for September 21-24, so mark your calendar now.
Allen Keen ‘03
Director of Alumni & Regional Campaign
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From the Board Chair: Dr. John Pittman '58
We have added two outstanding people to the TSU Board. At our fall meeting Ms. Jana Moak was elected to the Board. Jana Moak is the president and CEO of Computer Module, Inc, a designer and manufacturer of automated data collection and work force management systems. She received her BS degree in Physics from Northeastern University and did graduate work at both Northeastern and the University of Maryland. Jana held management positions at United Technology and later in her career was involved in investment banking and high tech start-up companies. She sits on the boards of several technology companies and was recently a finalist for the prestigious Connecticut Technology Council’s “Women in Innovation” award. Jana’s commitment to excellence and progress through change and her enormous energy will strengthen our efforts to achieve excellence in our academic programs.
At the Board’s winter retreat meeting Mitchel E. Rhoads was elected to the Board. He graduated from Tri-State in 1966 with a BS in Business Administration. Mitch is Chairman of Rhoads Holding Ltd. and LePeep Restaurants based in Colorado. During his career he was executive vice president of world-wide operations for Burger King, president of Technicolor Corp. retail division, and a court appointed trustee of International House of Pancakes. Rhoads served on the Dean’s Leadership Council of the University of Northern Colorado. Mitch Rhoads brings a wide variety of business experience and success in building high growth retail businesses to our Board. He will help us capitalize on our recent successes as we plan new initiatives and complete our $70 million capital campaign. |
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TSU Scholarship Gala
Tri-State University’s third annual Scholarship Gala took place this past weekend and was a huge success thanks to the community, friends, alumni, and faculty and staff of TSU. University officials report $63,000 was raised for the Annual Scholarship Fund. This year’s event featured live and silent auctions, wine tasting, and music performed by the Hillsdale College Contemporary Jazz Band. The gala was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Earl D. Brooks II and Drs. Ralph and Sheri Trine. |
TSU receives major gift
TSU has received one of its largest individual gifts in school history. Dr. Robert and Dolores Jannen have donated $500,000 to TSU, with an additional $500,000 differed pledge. Jannen has been a member of the TSU Board of Trustees since 1969, the second-longest tenure in school history. He served as chairman from 1988 to 1991, when the board named him chairman emeritus. He was also honored by Tri-State with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 1975 and was selected as the Commencement speaker for the Class of 1975. A 1943 graduate of the U.S. Maritime Service Cadet Academy and a veteran of World War II, Jannen entered Tri-State in 1947 and completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1950. Through the Lilly Endowment initiative, Jannen’s cash gift will be matched with an additional $750,000.
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Escape with TSU: Las Vegas
It is not too late to cure your winter blues. Escape with us to the beautiful MonteLago Village Resort, Lake Las Vegas, next weekend, February 24-26. Accommodation packages include a president’s reception, breakfast buffets, and an alumni dinner. Please contact Julie Wert at wertj@tristate.edu or at 260.665.4316 or Nancy Roberts at robertsn@tristate.edu or at 260.665.4114. Information on the event can also be found online.
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Thunder Time
The TSU wrestling team has enjoyed great success in its second season. Junior Chris Wolf (Springfield, Ohio) won TSU's first ever Mid-States wrestling championship. Wolf, who was seeded fifth in the tournament, won four straight matches to take the 285-pound championship. The TSU basketball teams each had a player join the 1,000 Point Club this season. Micah Williams (South Bend, Ind.) becomes the 38th men’s basketball player to reach that plateau and Shanna Hoogenboom (Goshen, Ind.) i  s
the 10th women’s player to score 1,000 points. Spring sports are preparing for the 2006 season. Over spring break, the baseball team will travel to Port Charlotte, Florida, our softball team will head to Fort Myers, Florida, and the men’s and women’s tennis teams will be competing in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
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Tax refund? Consider a gift
Phase Two of Lilly’s Initiative to Strengthen Philanthropy to Indiana Higher Education Institution will match every $1 TSU raises with $1.50. If TSU raises its $3 million goal by December 31, 2006, Lilly will match the qualified gifts with $4.5 million! Consider a gift today. Your donation will help TSU.
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TSU receives high marks during accreditation visit
Every 10 years, TSU must seek accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The campus community has been working for over two years to prepare for a three-day visit by commission members, which took place Feb. 12-15. The results were rewarding. “The accreditation team was very pleased with the state of the university,” according to Dr. David Finley, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Their visit to campus went extremely well, and I am confident this will be reflected in their positive report to the Commission.” |
Faculty Spotlight
After 29 years as a Navy officer in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Dr. Kenneth Meeks received his Ph.D. from George Washington University in Civil Engineering. Meeks discovered his love for teaching when he was selected as the first Civil Engineer Corps Naval Officer to teach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He joined the TSU family in 1997 and is currently the chair of the civil engineering department. Meeks’ objective to teaching is to motivate his students while incorporating ‘real world’ situations into his classes. He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy and also received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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February/March Events Calendar |
Feb 20
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Engineering Open House |
| Feb 24-26 |
Escape with TSU (Las Vegas) |
| Feb 27 |
Mbongi Dance Theater Project |
| March 6-10 |
Spring Break |
| March 15 |
Distinguished Speakers Series: Dr. Helen Free |
| March 17 |
A&S, Bus, Edu Open House |
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