Crimson & Gold
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Class Notes |
Featured Alum | Harry L. Thompson (P’28), Marshall, Mich., turned 102 on Jan. 12, and still proudly wears his Ferris Institute graduation ring. Harry is known for his generosity to various Marshall charitable associations. Two days a week you can find him at the Stage Coach Inn having coffee and donuts with members of the Executive Club, a local group of retired men. Some of Harry’s remembrances will be featured in the Fall 2009 issue of Crimson & Gold. |
1960s |
Ray Baker (T’62), Mooresville, N.C., founder of Baker Engineered Racing Engines, was inducted into the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame in Michigan. This honor follows his induction into the Michigan Racing Hall of Fame in 2001. In the late 1970s Baker engines won more than 1,000 races in a three-year period, held 24 new track records, and won such memorable races as the World 100 in Eldora and the Baja 1000. In 1981 Buick selected Baker to design and build the engines for the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. |
1980s |
LaVonne Barnell (AH’81), Portage, Mich., wed Eldon VanSickle of Bay City on June 21, 2008. She is an ophthalmic technician; he is a licensed plumber. |
1980s |
Jim Budzinski (B’81), Marietta, Ga., has been named chief financial officer for Marietta-based WellStar Health System. |
1980s |
Dan A. Macksood (T’81, B’82), Washington, D.C., has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer at Washington Hospital Center. Macksood joined the Hospital Center’s finance department as a senior executive in July 2007 and most recently was the institution’s interim CFO. Prior to coming to Washington, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Duke Raleigh Hospital and the Director of Finance at Duke Hospital in Durham, N.C. |
1980s |
Last fall, the employees of East Paris Pharmacy participated in a 5k run/walk fundraiser to benefit the Forest Hills School District and Grand Rapids community. The pharmacy’s involvement, including donating gift bags to participants, was organized by Katie Seino and Vanessa Beddows, prospective College of Pharmacy 2009 graduates. L-R: Vanessa, Katie, Patti Smeelink (P’82), Eric DeGraff, James Bennett, Rose McCarron (B’85), Linda Woodman. Front: Kristin Rider. |
1990s |
Ed Terris (T’93), East Lansing, Mich., has joined Peckham Inc. as director of manufacturing. He is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the organization’s manufacturing division. Peckham, Inc. provides paid job training opportunities to nearly 1,000 people in its affirmative business line. |
1990s |
David Baldwin (T’94), Decatur, Mich., announces the birth of his son, Karson, born Jan. 16, 2008. |
1990s |
Patrick and Rebecca (Byard) Prater (both B’94), Chicago, Ill., announce the arrival of their daughter, Margaux Violet, born Oct. 24, 2008. |
1990s |
Eileen (Strasser) and Kevin Mist (P’94 and B’93, respectively), Cadillac, Mich., write, “In front of our home we have the Ferris garden. We met at Ferris and later married, so Ferris was an important part of our landscaping.” |
1990s |
Jason C. Smith (E’97), Westland, Mich, married Laura M. Smaczniak on Aug. 23, 2008 in Buffalo, New York. Jason’s sons Blake and Brendan were junior groomsman and ring bearer, respectively. Both Jason and Laura are Special Agents with the Department of Homeland Security. |
1990s |
Amber Kneale (T’98) and Chris Bergman (T’98), Wayland, Mich., were married in August 2002. They now have two children – April, born Oct. 31, 2006, and Justin, born April, 2008. |
1990s |
Bryan Korytkowski (P’99) and Kari (Cwiklinski) Korytkowski (P’98), Rockford, Mich., announce the birth of their fifth child, Warner Chase, on Feb. 21, 2008. Warner is welcomed by his sisters, Taylor, Shelby and Peyton (6 years) and brother, Preston (4 years). (L-R) Taylor, Preston, Warner, Peyton and Shelby. Photo by Jess Challa Photography. |
1990s |
Aaron Phelps (B’99), Cedar Springs, Mich., has been elected a partner at Varnum, a leading Michigan law firm. Phelps is a member of Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Services Group. He specializes in both commercial and environmental litigation, and has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including complex contract disputes, director liability claims and Michigan DEQ enforcement proceedings. |
1990s |
Robert Scott (B’99), Tucson, Ariz., welcomed the birth of his daughter, Grace Evelyn, born Aug. 5, 2008. Robert is owner/operator of Handyman Connection of Pima County, a home remodeling franchise business. |
2000s |
Geoff Eldred (T’00) and Stacey (Rydeski) Eldred (AH’98 and ’00), Lowell, Mich., announce the birth of their son, Rowan Keith, on Feb. 12, 2008. He joins big brother Reid. Geoff was the drummer for the Ferris Jazz Band (1996-2000) and he and Stacey played percussion in the Ferris Pep Band. |
2000s |
Amy McGown (AH’00), Lincoln Park, Mich., wed Richard McGowan Jr., May 2, 2008, in Jamaica. |
2000s |
Scott Seifferlein (B’00), Walker, Mich., PGA instructor and owner of GrandRapidsGolfLesson.com has partnered with The Highlands Golf Course to open The Highlands Golf Academy. |
2000s |
Jordan Lutz (T’01) and Amber (Stordahl) Lutz (T’03), Howell, Mich., welcomed their son, Aiden William, born Dec. 30, 2008. |
2000s |
Jason Basile (B’02), Shreveport, La., married Erin Kennington on Aug. 8 on the island of Aruba. Jason was a member of the Bulldog hockey team from 1998-2002. |
2000s |
Kari Sederburg (B’02), Lansing, Mich., was recently named vice president for marketing, communications and development with Gerontology Network. Sederburg will head all marketing and communication efforts for GN and its affiliate organizations. Prior to joining GN, Sederburg served as a senior account executive for The Rossman Group, a full-service public relations firm in Lansing that specializes in issues management, media relations, crisis communications and community relations strategies. |
2000s |
Michelle Shaffer (EHS’02), Milan, Mich., wed Jonathan McDonagh on June 7, 2008 at Lake Tahoe, Calif. |
2000s |
Laura Tahash (AS’02), Saginaw, Mich., wed Justin Hasselbach of Fremont, Ohio, on June 7, 2008. The couple resides in Sterling Heights. |
2000s |
Kevin Venton (EHS’02) and Erica (Farr) Venton (B’02), Portland, Mich., welcomed the arrival of daughter, Maya Kristina, in September 2007. The two met as RAs at Ferris and were married in 2005. |
2000s |
Steven Hawes (T’03), Ann Arbor, Mich., and wife, Jennifer, welcomed their son, Justin Alexander, July 28, 2008. |
2000s |
Dan Kittleson (AS’04), Kentwood, Mich., and his wife, Torey, welcomed the birth of Hailey Elyse on April 28, 2008. Kittleson earned the status of Certified Quality Engineer and Six Sigma Green Belt from the American Society of Quality. |
2000s |
Kurt Osterhart (EHS’04) and Amanda (Swanson) Osterhart (EHS’06), Fruitport, Mich., welcomed their son, Lance Richard, on Nov. 14, 2008. |
2000s |
Brielle (Burt) Vance (B’04), White Cloud, Mich., and Delbert Vance Jr., welcomed their first child, Hunter, born Nov. 7, 2008. |
2000s |
Carl Young (EHS’04) and Audrey (Corner) Young (AHS’02), Madison Heights, Mich., announce the birth of their second daughter, Ashley Simone, on Sept. 15, 2008. |
2000s |
Amy Bretz (T’06), Hartland, Mich., wed Scott VanWieren (B’05), of Holland, on March 8, 2008. The couple resides in Holland. |
2000s |
Brook (Gibbie) Kraus (B’06) and Mark Kraus (B’04), Hesperia, Mich., welcomed their first son, Dain Alan, on Aug. 9, 2008. |
2000s |
Heidi Kromer (AHS’06) and Nicholas Allen, Burton, Mich., were married on June 28, 2008. Heidi works for Michigan Cardiology Specialists as a cardiovascular technician, and Nick works at C&W Fabricating and Prototyping. |
2000s |
Jennifer McIntyre (AH’06), Roseville, Mich., wed Jason Balinski on Nov. 8, 2008, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. |
2000s |
Jeffrey Thelen (EHS’05), and Lacey Patton, Hiram, Ga., were married on Oct. 18, 2008. Jeffrey is a police officer and Lacey works air traffic control in Atlanta. |
1960s
Thomas J. Rundquist (AS’65, B’75), Big Rapids, Mich., of Nova Counseling Associates Inc., has developed a publication, “Psychological Index of the Stock Market,” to help evaluate and build confidence in investors. More information is available at www.novamediainc.com.
Kay (Barackholtz) Backus (AH’67), Lansing, Mich., was awarded a 2008 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award from Michigan State University.
Linda Meeuwenberg (AH’68, EHS’78), Stanwood, Mich., professor emeritus of Ferris’ Dental Hygiene program, was recently interviewed by the American Dental Hygienists Association. The interview was published in Access, July 2008.
1970s
James A. Thomas (B’73), Denver, Colo., retired in 2004 as a probation officer, criminal law and criminal justice instructor. In 2008 he returned to work as an addictions counselor for at-risk parolees.
Robert Diamond (P’75), Charlotte, N.C., is the “Bob the Pharmacist” of the Web site www.bobthepharmacist.com. The site posts articles relating to pharmacy in such areas as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and depression.
William Jorgensen (E’77), Oviedo, Fla., is the author of the novel A Falling Tree, which is available at Amazon.com and Borders.com.
Alison Parks (B’87), Philadelphia, Penn., has joined Steppingstone Scholars, Inc., as director of support services. Steppingstone Scholars is a non-profit organization that develops and implements programs which prepare urban schoolchildren for educational opportunities that lead to college.
1980s
Diana Marble (AHS’88), North Star, Mich., was named the 2008 AANP State Award recipient for Excellence for Nurse Practitioners in Michigan. She has been a successful nurse practitioner in the Michigan Department of Corrections since 2000.
1990s
Bob Przybylski (E’90), Bay City, Mich., has completed his fourth documentary, Tracks Through Time: Michigan Railroads – History and Impact which aired on PBS. His other state and national award-winning documentaries produced include Vanishing Voices of WWII, Sawdust & Shanty Boys – Logging the Saginaw Valley White Pine and Margin of Victory –Saginaw Valley’s Role in Winning WWII.
Peter Jenkins (T’91), St. Paul, Minn., received his Master of Science in infrastructure systems engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Lori (Thomas) Rock (B’91), Lapeer, Mich., has been promoted to mortgage lending department manager at Dort Federal Credit Union in Flint.
Dan Adams (EHS’96), Allendale, Mich., a detective with the Grand Rapids Police Department, graduated with a master’s degree in communication from Grand Valley State University. He has taken on additional responsibilities as an adjunct instructor with Grand Rapids Community College.
Jared Shapiro (B’99), Lakewood, Ohio, and his wife, Michelle, welcomed daughter Ayla Rae born Nov. 15, 2008.
2000s
Jigar Desai (P’00), Lake in the Hills, Ill., opened a third pharmacy with fellow alumni Jiten Patel (P’99) in the Chicago area. Desai is married to Hetal Patel (AHS’01) and father to Kunal Patel (AS’05), who has recently completed dental school.
Alicia Marie Thornton (B’01), Irving, Texas, graduated with an MBA from UW-Oshkosh in December 2008.
Michael Brown (EHS’02), Marysville, Mich., a Michigan State Trooper, was awarded a Lifesaving Citation by the Michigan State Police. Trooper Brown and his partner were dispatched to a reported attempted suicide by knife. They located the wounded subject in a snow bank and ascertained he had numerous stab wounds. Trooper Brown and his partner provided lifesaving measures until responding ambulance units arrived.
Jill Collins Brown (EHS’03), Sandusky, Mich., is shelter operations manager and legal advocate at Huron County SafePlace, a domestic violence shelter in Bad Axe.
Douglas Searles (AS’03) and Debbie (Killips) Searles (O’06), Stevensville, Mich., announce the birth of their second child, Evan Douglas, born last September. Doug has completed an MBA and accepted a position with Whirlpool Corporation at its headquarters in Benton Harbor. Deb has accepted a position with Niles Vision Clinic in nearby Niles.