President's Letter
From the Alumni Director
On Campus
Applause
Operation Desert Learning
The Individual Shape of the Universal Mind
Coming Home to Big Rapids
Prescription for Change
Bulldog Bites
Most Valuable
Golden Gopher Memories
Presidential Bus Tour, 2005
Black Alumni Pay it Forward
Class Notes
Karpa Agrees to Terms With Gulls
Johnson Notches 500th Win as Head Coach
Alumnus Cooks Live with Regis and Kelly
250 Words With..
Studying Abroad...in New Zealand
In Memoriam
Alumni Events

Crimson & Gold Homepage

Class Notes

The 1930s
Gerald Yeomans (B'31), Ionia, Mich., and his wife, Alberta, recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

The 1950s
Earl "Bud" Stroh (P'52) and his wife Jacquelyn (Vandenheuvel) (P'58), Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. They have owned Stroh Haus Bed and Breakfast in Sturgeon Bay since 1992.

Robert Allan (P'56), Cadillac, Mich., recently retired after serving 52 years as a pharmacist, most recently with Rite Aid in Cadillac.

Ken Laser (EHS'59), Cape Coral, Fla., received the 2004 Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Florida, Department of Biology and Agriculture Sciences in Gainesville. Dr. Laser is an adjunct professor of Life Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University and Edison College in Ft. Myers, where he teaches Biology, Environmental Science, Anatomy-Physiology and Microbiology. He is also a Master Gardener.

The 1960s
Sharon (Harkins) Harrod (EHS'63), Saginaw Township, Mich., recently retired from Vassar High School after teaching special education for 23 years. Her retirement activities have included a trip to the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands.

John Schultz (B'64), Prescott, Ariz., welcomes the birth of grandson Hayden Andrew Schultz to his parents Eric and Liz.

Thomas Rundquist (AS'65, B'75), Big Rapids, Mich., is a contributing editor for the book Saving Social Security: a Utopia by Sir Thomas More. The book is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Edward Palsrok (B'67), Manistee, Mich., has been appointed director of Workforce Development at West Shore Community College.

The 1970s
Charlene Blanchard (AH'71), Fairport, N.Y., recently graduated with a master's degree in instructional technology and curriculum development from SUNY Albany. She was recently promoted to professor at Monroe Community College in Rochester where she teaches in the dental studies program.

Lawrence Root (B'71) Big Rapids, Mich., recently retired after serving 28 years as chief judge of the 49th Judicial Circuit of the State of Michigan.

Billy Hawkins (EHS'76) Tyler, Texas, has been listed in the 2005-2006 edition of National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals.

Marie Puchel (B'76) Bay City, Mich., has been named president-elect for the Michigan Association of Professional Court Reporters. She will assume her duties during the organization's 2005-06 year of activities.

Wayne Albrecht (AS'77) Saginaw, Mich., was recently promoted to vice president of operations for Synergy Medical Education Alliance in Saginaw.

Frederick Engel (T'77) Morton Grove, Ill., received an Emmy Award at the Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences annual awards dinner on Dec. 5, 2004.

Matthew Kinsinger (EHS'77) Gaylord, Mich., recently retired from the Gaylord City Police Department.

Thomas Lamie (B'77) Grayling, Mich., was recently promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel in a ceremony at the Maneuver Training Center at Camp Grayling. Col. Lamie is assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing as the director of civilian/military relations.

Gerald Seidell (B'77) Massillon, Ohio, was recently named vice president for DelMonte Foods Corporation with responsibility for staff in San Francisco and Pittsburgh managing all production, inventory and customer support.

Phillip Mulder, Jr. (EHS'78), Stillwater, Okla., received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension during the Entomological Society of America 2004 annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Mulder is an extension entomologist and professor of entomology in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University.

The 1980s
Wesley (P'82) and Elizabeth (Case) (P'83) Ostrander, Petoskey, Mich., opened Medicap Pharmacy in Petoskey in February 2005.

Randall Holkeboer (T'83), Holland, Mich., wed Ann Otis, also of Holland.

George Nicolas, Jr. (O'83), Ofallon, Ill., has been promoted to medical group commander for the United Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla.

Jeff Stableford (B'83), Grand Blanc, Mich., wed Dawn Sharp of Swartz Creek.

Eric Wolff (EHS'83), Stevensville, Mich., was honored with a Police Officer of the Year Award by the St. Joseph Township Police Department.

Jack Groot (B'84), Hudsonville, Mich., recently established On Track Coffee Consulting, a training and consulting firm. On Track created two customizable template CDs with the forms and files needed to operate a coffee bar. The CDs won "Best New Product" at Coffee Fest 2005 in Chicago.

Jeff Lohman (AS'86), Whitehall, Mich., is a co-owner of a Christmas Decor franchise, as well as Double L Enterprises, Inc. in Montague.

Lori Mouton (AH'86), Port Huron, Mich., has been named corporate director, integrated marketing, by the Detroit Medical Center. She will lead the marketing and public relations activities for Children's Hospital of Michigan and various Detroit Medical Center marketing initiatives.

Randall Vanderyacht (B'86), Franklin, Ohio, was recently appointed fire chief for Covert Township, Mich.

Jeffrey Cipcic (B'87), Grand Rapids, Mich., owns Jeffrey Richard Salon, which was named one of the nation's fastest-growing salons by Salon Today magazine for the third consecutive year.

James Corbett (T'87), Fraser, Mich., has joined Interior Dynamics of Troy as director of construction and architectural products and services.

Darla Decker (B'87), St. Joseph, Mich, recently received her 15-year Service Recognition Award for State employment at the Berrien County Department of Human Services, in Benton Harbor.

James Kelley (B'88), Wake Forest, N.C., has been appointed president of Presentation Strategies Inc. in Durham.

Frank Willetts (T'88 & B'89), Sparta, Mich., co-owns the Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin.

Erich Miller (T'89), Columbus, Ind., and his wife, Marlene, have adopted a baby girl, Karissa Ann.

Nan Snow (B'89), Caledonia, Mich., is the co-owner of Living Stones Jewelry, a web-based Christian jewelry business located at www.livingstonesjewelry.com.

The 1990s
Jodie (Lundy) Allen (B'90), Little Rock, Ark., and her husband, Craig, announce the birth of their son Camden Gabriel, who was welcomed home by his brother, Deven.

Jodi DeKuiper (B'90), Fremont, Mich., has been promoted to partner, in charge of auditing, for Hendon & Slate CPAs of Fremont.

Paula (Cherry) Koch (O'90), Saline, Mich., is a part-time optometrist with Cunningham Vision Center, owned by Thomas Cunningham (O'82). Paula and her husband Dave have two children, Harrison and Carter.

Ronald Cox (B'91) (T'91) , Canton, Mich., has joined Clayco Construction Company as a project manager in the Detroit office.

Jill Kolehmainen (P'91), Green Bay, Wisc., wed Jeffrey Senkerik of Hobart, Wisc.

Brian Labaza (T'91), Lapeer, Mich., wed Casey Andrews of Pinckney.

Stephanie (Hausbeck) Mason (B'91), Freeland, Mich., is the author of a line of personalized children's books called Kisses and Cuddles. Mason owns Cloud 9 Design, a graphic design and illustration firm in Freeland. The books are available at: www.kissesandcuddles.com.

Bradley Henion (B'92), Grand Haven, Mich., has been appointed first vice president and division manager for business banking in West Michigan for Standard Federal Bank of Grand Rapids.

Elizabeth Turner (B'92), Jackson, Mich., is the executive director of Kellogg's Cereal City USA in Battle Creek.

Michael Wells (P'92), Grand Haven, Mich., married Elizabeth Scott, also of Grand Haven.

Shannon Bailie (B'93), Bridgman, Mich., wed Charles Moesta of Bloomfield Hills.

Ralph Bidelman (T'93), Grand Blanc, Mich., wed Jennifer Matweychek of Fenton.

Victoria (Alvarez) Gerding (EHS'93), Interlochen, Mich., is a counselor for Michigan Rehabilitation Services in Wexford and Missaukee Counties.

Michael Murvich (A&S'93), Marquette, Mich., wed Claudine Peura, also of Marquette.

Todd Vagi (T'93), Macomb, Mich., was recently promoted to Lincoln Mercury market area strategy manager - west.

Thomas Beaver (T'94), Ubly, Mich., wed Jannette Fisher of Flint.

Alexander Gasco (B'94), Berkley, Mich., married Jennifer Scheiern of Belding.

Craig Phillipich (B'94), Haslett, Mich., married Michelle O'Kelly of Clio.

Eric Roach (B'94), Clay, N.Y., and his wife, Dara, announce the birth of their twin daughters, Lily Grace and Emma Claire, born Dec. 19, 2004.

Peter Dwan (B'95) and Heather (Bivins) Dwan (B'94) , Bay City, Mich., announce the birth of their daughter, Kathleen, in December 2004.

Chad Hillman (T'95), Beaverton, Mich., married Mary Chomas of Pinconning.

William Recor (EHS'95), Spring Lake, Mich., wed Amy Peters, also of Spring Lake.

Angela (Lee) Sirotko (B'95) and her husband, Michael, announce the birth of their first child, Nicholas Alexander.

Marcia D'Alcorn (P'96), Ravenna, Mich., received the 2005 Michigan Pharmacists Association's Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award.

Joelle (Weller) Gallup (B'96), Baroda, Mich, and her husband, Patrick, announce the birth of their daughter, Payton Lauren. Payton joins her older sister, Haley Jade.

Jameson Reuter (P'96), Annapolis, Md., has been appointed clinical specialist in critical care at Union Memorial in Baltimore.

James Heiss (T'97), Midland, Mich., wed Beth Weidmayer of Ann Arbor.

Jason Mitchell (B'97), Grand Rapids, Mich., has been promoted to assurance manager at BDO Seidman, L.L.P. Mitchell was also elected to the Ferris Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Kara Roethlisberger (AS'97), Evart, Mich., wed Jason Emerich (B'93) of Traverse City.

Jeffrey Thompson (EHS'97), Mt. Pleasant, Mich., is an officer with the Mt. Pleasant City Police.

Teresa Afendulis (B'98), Muskegon, Mich., wed Rich Micheil of Aurora, Ill.

Scott Dobson (O'98), Aurora, Colo., received the 2004-05 Walmart Partner Doctor of the Year for Colorado.

Brett Krautstrunk (P'98), Las Vegas, Nev., wed Lisa Cortez, also of Las Vegas.

Brian Rickwalt (T'98), Caro, Mich., wed Laura McKay of Lake Orion.

Donald Wyant (EHS'98), Brookfield, Ill., and his wife, Kathy, celebrated the birth of their son, Noah Gabriel, on Jan. 20, 2005. Noah joins his sister, Faith Emily.

Angela (Ratti) Garrey (B'99) and her husband Randy Garrey (B'99), Big Rapids, Mich., announce the birth of their daughter, Corabella Josephine.

Kevin Gingras (T'99), Saline, Mich., wed Allison Labatzky also of Saline.

Elizabeth Wales (AH'99), Ishpeming, Mich., married Bradley Kowieski of Rhinelander, Wisc.

The 2000s
Tanya Englund (AH'00), Allendale, Mich., wed Peter Schroud, also of Allendale.

James Larsen (T'00), Ludington, Mich., married Allison Knudsen, also of Ludington.

John Providenti (T'00) and his wife Kristie (AH'00) , announce the birth of their daughter, Maria Jean, in November 2004. Maria was welcomed home by her sisters, Sarah and Mackenzie. John was recently named commercial sales leader for Carrier Corporation of Charleston, W.Va.

Sarah Connors (AH'01), Ishpeming, Mich., married Kurt Allan (AH'00) of Portland.

Mark Dodd (B'01), Grand Haven, Mich., wed Sandra Snyder of Zeeland.

Christian Farkas (B'01), Harrison Township, Mich., and his wife, Holly, welcomed their first child, Ella Rene, in February 2005. Christian is a medical sales representative for FEI-Womens Health LLC.

Jordan Lutz (T'01), Brighton, Mich., wed Amber Stordahl (T'03), also of Brighton.

Michael McDonald (P'01), Bellevue, Mich., graduated in April 2005 with honors from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a doctor of pharmacy degree.

Sarah Olson (P'01), Norway, Mich., wed David Turnbull (AH'01) of Strongsville, Ohio.

Dana Riopelle (EHS'01), Gaylord, Mich., wed Kyle Stubli, also of Gaylord.

Lacey (VandeStreek) (B'01) and Stephen Rumptz (B'02) welcomed their first child, Alexis Nicholle, in March 2005.

Kevin Swider (B'01), Knoxville, Tenn., has become the first recipient of the Southern Professional Hockey League's Most Valuable Player award.

Nathan (T'01) and Courtney (Heinrich) (E'01) Taylor, Tecumseh, Mich, announce the birth of their first child, Matthew Ferris, in March 2005.

Richelle Williams (AH'01), Big Rapids, Mich., and her husband, Michael, announce the birth of their daughter, Jenna Leigh, who was welcomed home by her sister, Katie.

Omar Ha-Redeye (AH'02), Markham, Ont., Can., recently obtained a position as a senior administrator for a tsunami medical relief team serving in Aceh, Indonesia.

Cynthia Horn (EHS'02), Reed City, Mich., is interim director of Student Leadership & Activities at Ferris. She recently began pursing her master's degree in career and technical education at Ferris.

Lindsey Bates (AH'03), Muskegon, Mich., wed Donald Ketner, also of Muskegon.

Melissa Frakes (AH'03), South Boardman, Mich., wed Thomas Steiner of St. Ignace.

Jena Lerash (B'03), Bad Axe, Mich., wed Jordan Mattison (T'03) of Livonia.

April Norton (AS'03), Port Hope, Mich., wed Nicholas Osburn (T'04) of Gaylord.

Matt Phillips (EHS'03), Sterling Heights, Mich., was recently honored by the Macomb County Bar Association with their Liberty Bell Award for his work since 1999 on the award-winning, Emmy-nominated show Legally Speaking, which helps educate the public on matters of law. Phillips is a broadcast production specialist for Sterling Heights Televison.

Douglas Searles (B'03) , Rockford, Mich., is an actuarial analyst for Jackson National Life Insurance Company. His wife, Deborah (Killips), is completing her externships for her optometry degree at Ferris and expects to graduate in May 2006. The Searles are active in International Christian Missions, having recently been to Haiti and Honduras to provide spiritual encouragement and eye care.

Michelle Binder (P'04), Traverse City, Mich., wed Michael Stocking (T'04) of Kingsley.

Andrew Busch (T'04), Holton, Mich., wed Jacqueline Kroeze of Muskegon.

Tina Hall (P'04), Pigeon, Mich., wed Scott Harrand (T'01) of Kingsley.

Colleen Hanna (AS'04), Big Rapids, Mich., wed Matthew Gough of Grand Haven.

Melissa Lane (AH'04), Muskegon, Mich., wed Duane Scholtens of Grand Rapids.

Amanda Marden (AH'04), Midland, Mich., wed Eric Camehl, also of Midland.

John Molitor (T'04), Logansport, Ind., was recently named product engineer at Brock Grain Systems in Milford, Ind.

Jeff Redmond (AH'04), Grand Rapids, Mich., has won a 2004 first place writing award from the National Fantasy Fan Federation Short Story Contest. Redmond is the author of several books of short stories. His Web site is at www.erdabooks.net.

Brett Schultz (B'04), Muskegon, Mich., wed Marzieh Schott, also of Muskegon.

Lindsey VanDenHeuvel (AH'04), Shelby, Mich., wed Ryan Weesies (AS'02) of Montague.

Abbie Lee West (B'04), Dowagiac, Mich., wed Tim Ferick, also of Dowagiac.

Carl (EHS'04) and Audrey (Corner) (AH'02) Young welcomed their first child, Ava Elizabeth Young, in March 2005.