President's Letter
From the Alumni Director
On Campus
Applause
From Pac-Man to Haute Cuisine
Fairman, Nisbett and Wall
Homecoming Roundup
The Wacky World of Patents
And the Top Reason for Doing an Internship is...
Bulldog Bites
The Sailor Home From the Sea
Rocket Man
Beyond the Basics
Class Notes
In Memoriam
Alumni Events

Class Notes

The 1950s
Doug Gale (T’50), Hart, Mich., celebrated the 40th anniversary of his business, Gale’s Jewelry.
Ed Johnson (B’54), Greenville, Mich., and his wife, Mae, were 2003 Danish Festival grand marshals.

The 1960s
Nicholas Gutsue (T’61), Beverly Hills, Calif., has a full-time law practice and is married to Tammy, a retired Naval officer who served in the Gulf war.
Richard Bishop (T’64), Bay City, Mich., was elected president of the County Road Superintendents Assn. of Michigan for 2003 and was appointed Bangor Twp. Trustee, Bay County.
Susanne Coughlin (AH’65), Bay City, Mich., has joined the staff at Top Producers Inc.
Todd Warner (AS’65), Boca Raton, Fla., is an internationally known artist whose works are the exclusive focus of a downtown Petoskey art gallery.
Bill Nagy (E’66), New Boston, Mich., retired as supervisor of Career/Technical Education from the Van Buren Public School in Belleville after 37 years of service.
Larry Conley (T’67), Byron Center, Mich., retired as Grand Rapids deputy fire chief after 28 years of service.
John Hedstrom (E’67), Franklin, Wisc., retired after 36 years in school administration, now works as a consultant with the North Central Association for School Accreditation and School Improvement, and teaches school law at the University of Wisconsin as an adjunct professor.
Fred Leslie (P’67), Boyne City, Mich., after five years in pharmacy and 25 years in general medicine, recently retired to Boyne Mountain with his wife, Karen.
Calvin Meeusen (B’67), Grand Haven, Mich., originated the sole proprietorship of Calvin Meeusen Company, CPA, PLLC in 1973 and looks forward to continuing his career path in public accounting.
James Brink (B’68), Harrison Twp., Mich., recently retired after teaching and coaching for more than 30 years in the Center Line Public School System.
Dave Pedersen (T’69), W. Olive, Mich., retired as a Holland police officer after 25 years.
John Ujlaky (AS’69), Lansing, Mich., is an attorney and songwriter who had his first song, “Standing Tall in America,” commercially released on a CD entitled “New York, New York.”

The 1970s
Larry Fisher (E’70), Three Oaks, Mich., now runs the alternative education program for Galien School District.
Jerry Homminga (AH’71), Rockford, Mich., was appointed interim city manager of Rockford.
Eldridge Parks (B’71), Chesaning, Mich., is vice president of investments for Smith Barney’s Saginaw branch and has earned the Financial Planning Specialist Designation.
Mary (Czarnecki) Williams (B’72), Grand Rapids, Mich., is now with Professionals Direct Insurance Co. as a customer service representative. She recently passed the P&C State Licensing Examination.
Jerry Jensen (E’74), Sandusky, Mich., was named chairman of the United Way of Sanilac County campaign.
Phil Wiser (E’74), Alpena, Mich., retired as sergeant of the Alpena Police Dept. after 28 years, having served the last two years as an officer in Community Services, Crime Prevention, D.A.R.E. and T.E.A.M.
Jim Inglis (AS’75), Livonia, Mich., is director of the Livonia Housing Commission and was recently elected to a two-year term as president of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.
Bill Overkamp (P’75), Grand Haven, Mich., just opened a retail pharmacy, Bill’s Pills in Grand Rapids, serving patients without prescription insurance or those desiring larger quantities than their insurance will cover.
Kurt Vance (T’75), Detroit, Mich., is Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class and recently reenlisted.
Victor Martin (E’76), Caro, Mich., retired as commander of the Michigan State Police post in Bay City and is now director of Lapeer 911.
Althea Spencer (E’77), Pittsburgh, Pa., celebrated 25 years as a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God, and is province formation director and chairperson of Franciscan Federation of the U.S., Region 2.
Tom Forsberg (E’78), Freeland, Mich., retired as state police post commander in Bridgeport and began a second career as Mt. Pleasant Police Dept. inspector.
Dave Guelde (AH’79), Clarkston, Mich., owns Prosthetics Unlimited Inc. and Michigan Technical Implant Inc., with special affiliation with Harvard and Stanford universities. He is acquiring patent/trademarks on specialized implant componentry and designs.

The 1980s
James Couture (B’83), Saginaw Twp., Mich., was named vice president and banking center manager of Bank One’s Brockway Center office.
Nancy (Green) Farese (B’83), Chatham, N.J., is founder and CEO of Northport Partnership Management, LLC, in partnership with her husband, Jim.
Carl Heise (B’83), Redford, Mich., has taken an appointment to the office of the Auditor General of the City of Detroit.
Lauri Marenger (B’83), Green Bay, Wisc., is now legal secretary for the City of Green Bay Law Dept.

Sally A. Rutledge (B’83) has joined the firm of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C. in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Theresa Sheridan (E’83), Horton, Mich., is now recreation programmer at the Orion Township Parks and Recreation Dept.
Jeff Bates (T’84), Midland, Mich., is now project manager at Pumford Construction.

Brian Borbot (B’84), Grand Rapids, Mich., was recently named account executive for WWMT, the CBS Television affiliate for the West Michigan market. He had previously held similar positions with WZPX/WXSP TV and WLHT radio.

Pamela Gregory (B’84), Jackson, Mich., was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Center for Women.
Chris Burdette (B’85), Jackson, Mich., was promoted to interim retail banking administrator at the Bank of Lenawee.
James Miller (O’85), Big Rapids, Mich., wed Cindy Romero of Grand Rapids.
Karen Dutcher (E’87), Washington, Mich., received the Clarissa N. Young Award for Officer of the Year.
Michael East (B’87), Port Huron, Mich., has written a book, Burden of the Badge: A Year in the Life of a Street Cop.
Bridget (Fitzpatrick) Sawmiller (B’87), White Lake, Mich., had her second child, Conor James, who joins big sister, Audrey.
Sharon Stancavage (E’87), Sterling Hts., Mich., has published her first novel, Emily’s Christmas Wish.
Vedette (Palis) Cordes (B’88), St. Joseph, Mich., had her first child, baby girl Katrina Anna.
Steve Gauthier (B’88), White Lake, Mich., married Marcia Thomas (E’89) of Bay City. Marcia now teaches Health Careers at Bay Arenac Career Center in Bay City.
Tammy (Smith) Gasper (B’89), Frankenmuth, Mich., is now leader of the Michigan commercial lines underwriting team with Frankenmuth Financial Group.
Scott Hoezee (B’89), Manistique, Mich., is now vice president of State Savings Bank.
Curt (B’89) and Tammra (Kenney) (B’89) McAllister, Lake Orion, Mich., had their third child, Keith Daniel, who joins brothers Luke and Shane.
Jill (Jespersen) Rourke (B’89), Rochester Hills, Mich., and husband, Tom, announce the birth of their second child, Lindsey Marie, who joins her sister, Katrina Meghan.

The 1990s
Rana Lechlitner (B’90), Dowagiac, Mich., became a registered guardian through the National Guardianship Foundation.
Jay Neff (T’90), Howell, Mich., recently opened Howell Taekwondo.
Byron Parr (E’90), Alpena, Mich., took over the family business, Michigan Collection Bureau, established by his uncle in 1945.
Gerald Reschke (P’90), Whitehall, Mich., married Diandra Port, also of Whitehall.
Scott (T’91) and Melissa (Finkbeiner) (B’92) Geyer, Oxford, Mich., announce the birth of their first child, Lauren Nicole.
Rob Hilbink (B’92), Zeeland, Mich., married Tara Van Dam of Holland.
Lawrence Johnson (T’92), Alpena, Mich., is a Navy Petty Officer 1st Class recently returned from the Middle East while assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7.
Ronald Meyer (O’92), Ishpeming, Mich., was elected vice president of the Michigan Optometric Assn.
Jennifer Sierens-Allen (E’92), Ypsilanti, Mich., welcomed baby boy Lucas Harrison.
Michael Weisgerber (O’92), Portage, Mich., married Barbara Horn (O’98). They live in Shelby Twp.
Amie Aplin (B’93), Ithaca, Mich., is now manager of the internal audit and financial institution regulatory compliance consulting division at Rehmann Group in Saginaw Township.
Nick Barraco (B’93), Yale, Mich., is now director of information technology at Knight Facilities Management Inc. and Caravan/Knights Facilities Management.
Cindy Bosley (AH’93), Ithaca, Mich., was named chief administrative officer for Masonic Pathways.
Patrick Foster (B’93), Sterling Hts., Mich., married Angela Frontera of Warren.
Tracy Harden (AH’93), Three Rivers, Mich., married Gary Szymanski of Toledo, Ohio.
Randy Maddock (E’93), Clawson, Mich., married Jennifer Koperski (E’95). Randy is a counselor with the Oakland County ISD, and Jennifer is the center director of Kiddie Academy of Rochester Hills.
Jamie (Brown) Micka (B’93), Muskegon, Mich., has joined the law firm of Warner, Norcross and Judd as a legal assistant in the Corporate/Real Estate Practice section.
Steven Pearson (T’93), Fruitport, Mich., wed Debra Eek, also of Fruitport.
Bryan Travis (B’93), Suttons Bay, Mich., played football at Ferris 1989-92 and is on the varsity football coaching staff at Suttons Bay High School. He is married to Kelley Hufford (B’93).
Ronald Umbarger (E’93), Garden City, Mich., was recently promoted to detective sergeant with the Garden City Police Dept., after working two years in the Special Investigations Unit.
Donald Antcliff (B’94), Newaygo, Mich., was named manager of Bank One northern Michigan district.
William Davis (E’94), Chapel Hill, N.C., is now associate vice president of Security Services for Wachovia, Inc. in Charlotte.
James Downing (E’94), Owosso, Mich., was named principal of Owosso Christian School.
Mitchell LeClaire (E’94), Big Rapids, Mich., is an Army Brigadier General stationed at the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Brian (B’94) and Michelle (Novak) (AH’94) Main, Berkley, Mich., announce the birth of their daughter, Carrie Ann.
Jodi (Palm) Merrifield (P’94), Sterling Hts., Mich., welcomed her second son, Matthew Ryan, who joins brother Andrew.
Jennifer Ellis (AH’95), Menominee, Mich., married Doug Reed of Grafton, Wisc.
Kathryn McCullough (AS’95), Stanwood, Mich., won the Editor’s Choice Award for Ourstanding Achievement in Poetry. Her entry was published in The Best Poems and Poets of 2003.
Joe (T’96) and Sarah (Mlcek) (AS’97) Hills, Midland, Mich., announce the birth of their second daughter, Haley Christine.
Ryan Kimball (B’96), Ferndale, Mich., is now food service director of Lake Shore Public Schools.
Tim Martineau (AH’96), Escanaba, Mich., married Lesa Wallin, also of Escanaba.
Delila Owens (AS’96), E. Lansing, Mich., finished postdoctoral training with Michigan State University’s Career Development Center and has joined the Lansing School District counseling staff.
Nancy Peschke (AH’96), Grand Rapids, Mich., married Rick Kruse and is with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Account Services department. She is working on her HIPPA Professional designation through the Health Insurance Assn. of America.
Danielle Trapp (B’96), Benton Harbor, Mich., is now public relations representative at Lakeland Regional Health System.
Ralph (E’96) and Shawn (Corlew) (E’93) Van Heyningen, Jackson, Mich., welcomed baby Phoebe Kate. Ralph was recently promoted to sergeant at Blackman Twp. Public Safety.
Jeff (B’97) and Ami (Ivester) (AH’96) Borke, Hamburg, Mich., announce the birth of Christopher James.
Craig Oomen (T’97), Pentwater, Mich., wed Sarah Haddouche of Kentwood.
David Wanhala (AH’97), Iron Mountain, Mich., married Kristin Aho of Trenary.
Johnathan Burdick (T’98), Sanford, Mich., married Erinn Engwis (AH’99), also of Sanford.

Jesse Pero (T’98), Richland, Mich., and his wife, Veronica, had a baby girl, Olivia Ann. Jesse currently works for Hoffman Bros. in Battle Creek.

Ryan Reppert (E’98), Ypsilanti, Mich., is a field training officer with the Pittsfield Twp. Police Dept. He and his wife, Kristina,
welcomed baby boy Nicholas Charles to their family.
Michael Robb (B’98), Maple Shade, N.J., wed Jule Shultz of Flushing.

Stephanie (Stone) Cleaver (B’99), Portland, Mich., has relocated to the Grand Rapids area from the Okemos office of Andrews Hooper & Pavlik P.L.C.

Richard (T’99) and Lisa (Crutcher) (B’99) Jameson and daughter Tori Rose welcomed baby brother Chandler Esten. Richard was recently promoted to Plastic Principle V.I.P. Engineer at Cardinal Health, and he is receiving the Karl Bays V.I.P. award.
Jeremy Kapalla (AH’99), Haslett, Mich., wed Lara Lenzotti of Farmington Hills.
Jennifer Maciejewski (AH’99), Herron, Mich., married Jeremy Vanderbilt of Zeeland.
Eric (T’99) and Karisa (Kristin) (O’01) Ritter, Coleman, Mich., had a baby boy, Zander Mason.
Jon Walcott (T’99), Holland, Mich., wed Lindsay Raterink, also of Holland.

The 2000s
Nichelle Brown (AH’00), Grand Rapids, Mich., has received a master’s degree in Business Administration Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix, Walker campus.
Eric Fitzgibbon (E’00), Midland, Mich., married Sunny Wegner (B’00) of Madison, Wisc.
Stacey Jones (B’00), Port Huron, Mich., wed Joe Kautz (B’99) of Croswell.
Stacey McGaffey (E’00), Davison, Mich., married Timothy Ballinger of Schoolcraft. They reside in Kalamazoo.
Jeanne Watt (E’00), Midland, Mich., received a 2003 Gerstacker Teacher Proficiency Award from Midland Public Schools.
Christopher Max (T’01), Midland, Mich., married Christine Mijares of Novi.
Andrea Nerbonne (E’01), Bay City, Mich., is now commander of the Mt. Pleasant State Police post.
Kevin O’Connell (E’01), Clare, Mich., married Tracy Provost of Gladwin.
Brad Ramme (AH’01), Ironwood, Mich., wed Amy St. Vincent (AH’99) of Bessemer. They reside in Iron Mountain.
Steve Rumptz (B’01), Port Huron, Mich., wed Lacey VandeStreek (B’01) of Clinton Twp. They live in Port Huron.
Amy Schultz (AH’01), Alpena, Mich.,
married Gary Glawe, also of Alpena.
Nathan Taylor (T’01), Tecumseh, Mich., wed Courtney Heinrich (E’01) of Houghton Lake.
Sarah Taylor (E’01), Muskegon, Mich., wed Phillip Condon of Frasier. She is serving in the U.S. Army in Baghdad.
Eric Vetter (P’01), Winchester, Ky., was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
Kasey (Miller) Bishop (T’02), Niles, Mich., was recently married.
Kristen Bremer (B’02), Bay City, Mich., joined DDM Marketing & Communications in Grand Rapids as project artist.
James Every (E’02), Dansville, Mich., wed Ginger Odom of Mason.
Matthew Gillison (T’02), Arcadia, Mich., married Shannon Felt (B’01) of New Era.
Kimberly Jurries (AH’02), Hamilton, Mich., wed Kyle Dalman of Holland.
Nicholas Mladucky (B’02), Free Soil, Mich., is now with Ringel Real Estate & Auctions in Manistee.
Justin Nickrand (B’02), Harbor Beach, Mich., married Tami Nowiski (B’02), also of Harbor Beach.
Matthew Roberge (AS’02), Alpena, Mich., wed Kristy Norwood (T’02) of Muskegon.
Amanda Salem (B’02), Flint, Mich., is a financial advisor for UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly UBS Paine Webber).
Mary Wilberg (B’02), Manistee, Mich., was named decision support coordinator at West Shore Medical Center.
Greg Corbat (T’03), Merrill, Mich., married Beth Blewett (B’02) of Ishpeming.
Jessica Fitzgerald (T’03), Sanford, Mich., joined the staff at Knight Facilities Management Inc. and Caravan/Knights Facilities Management as facility/proposal documentation specialist.
Kyle Gordon (T’03), Big Rapids, Mich., wed Jodie Russell of Southgate, a Michigan College of Optometry student.
Julie (Johnson) Hanson (O’03), LeRoy, Mich., has joined the staff of Family Optometric Centers.
Andrew Holewinski (T’03), Gaylord, Mich., married Sherry Schumacher (T’02) of Sturgis, Mich. They reside in Evansville, Ind.
Charles Johnson (B’03), Newaygo, Mich., wed Kathryn Streng of Ada.
Shane King (O’03), Lapeer, Mich., has joined OptiCare Vision Centers in Bad Axe.
Jaymie Lutomski (T’03), New York, N.Y., is now a Technical Design specialist for Inscape, Inc., in New York City.
Jeffrey Oram (B’03), Plainwell, Mich., wed Heather Ellis of Allegan.
Jacqueline Scarbrough (O’03), Big Rapids, Mich., received her doctoral degree and is practicing in Alma at Wal-Mart.
Angela Swider (B’03), Miami, Fla., is now with USA Tennis High Performance working in Key Biscayne operations, Competition Training Centers and other administrative areas.
Matthew Tomes (T’03), Greenville, Mich., married Janele Hood of Traverse City.
Joshua Wittenbach (T’03), Muir, Mich., is now project engineer at DeMattia Group.