Summer 2006 alumni magazine

Summer 2006

ExperienceTHE ARTSat Washburn

Washburn Alumni Association

CONTENTS

F E A T U R E S

Dena Anson, ba ’01director, university relations

Jill Bronaugh,communications officerWashburn Endowment Association

Katy Browne,secretary, Alumni Association

Gene Cassell,sports information director

Peggy Clark, university photographer

Ernie Gunzelman, b ed ’55 and m ed ’68,Class Notes

Martha Imparato,Mabee Library reference librarian

Robin Kruschinska, ba ’99assistant director, Alumni Association

Amanda Millard, ba ’00assistant director, university relations

Vickie Waters, office assistant, university relations

Jeremy Wangler,assistant sports information/marketing director

FryeAllen, Inc., Topeka, Kan.design and layout

Alumni directorSusie Hoffmann, bba ’87

Alumni magazine editorJoy ThompsonContact Us!

Your news, thoughts and questions are importantto us. Please write, telephone or send us an e-mail.Letters to the editor and news of employment,honors, weddings, anniversaries and births arealways welcome. Please include your name, classyear, address and daytime phone number. Lettersto the editor may be edited for length and clarity.

Address: 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, Kan., 66621

Telephone: (785) 670-1641

Email: [email protected]

Web site: www.washburn.edu/alumni

To the editor: attention to Joy Thompson, (785) 670-1657, [email protected]

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10 Blanche Bryden:A legacy that continues shaping livesat Washburn

Jennifer Harris:A Lady Blues star hopes for future in the pros

23

14 Living Art:Experience an abundance of music, theatreand visual arts on Washburn’s campus

Student Alumni Association Board presidentElise Short

Contributors

Commencement | The St. Andrew Pipes and Drumsof Kansas City and grand marshal Myrl Duncan,professor, School of Law, lead law faculty, dignitariesand 148 graduates in procession.

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D E P A R T M E N T S

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Summer brings the arts into full bloom. Ofcourse, on campus, we enjoy the arts all year,but there is an easy, relaxed openness to ourenjoyment of the arts in the summer. In thewinter we dash from our cars to a programor gallery with our collars up against the chillwind. In the summer, festivals and celebrationsencourage a leisurely stroll, an open collar anda contemplative mood.

This is the 20th season for the SunflowerMusic Festival at Washburn. Thousands attend eightnights of full-house performances in White ConcertHall. The Mulvane Court adjacent to White Concert Hall is a wonderfuloutdoor gallery with sculpture and plantings adding ambience tomusical evenings.

The Mulvane/Mountain Plains Art Fair brings art and artists from acrossthe nation to our campus, and the theatredepartment offers a play in June and August.

The Mulvane Art Museum will reopen thisfall after extensive renovations, with openand airy galleries offering wonderful places todisplay special exhibits. Expanded gallerieswill allow for the display of Mulvane’simpressive permanent collection.

Take a leisurely walk across campus onthe way to a concert or play. Stroll from thefountain at the corner of 17th Street andWashburn Avenue past the outdoor sculpture

exhibits to the garden surrounding the Carole Chapel and over to thenew Harvey Garden by the art building. Summer brings to bloom ourappreciation for art, beauty, culture and expression. Join us.

Jerry Farley

Jerry Farley

“Summer bringsto bloom our

appreciation for art,beauty, culture

and expression.”

www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 1

Fromthe President

11

2 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4 ALUMNI NEWS

7 COMMENCEMENT

10 WEA

14 FEATURE

17 HISTORYAND TRADITIONS

18 CAMPUS NEWSAND SPORTS

27 CLASS NOTES

ALUMNI EVENTS

AUGUST4 After Hours, 5 p.m.

12 - 21 Alumni Association

sponsored travel to China

31 Wake Up With

Washburn, speaker

Kevin Moncrief,

bba ’83, 7:30 a.m.

SEPTEMBER2 Alumni Association tailgate,

Washburn vs. Colorado School

of Mines, 11 a.m.

15 After Hours, 5 p.m.

30 Alumni Association tailgate,

Washburn vs. Southwest Baptist

University, 11 a.m. (Family Day)

OCTOBER14 Alumni Association tailgate,

Washburn vs. Northwest Missouri

State University, 11 a.m.

26 Wake Up With

Washburn, speaker

Gregory Waller,

ba ’70 and jd ’73,

7:30 a.m.

27 Alumni Fellows Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.

27 After Hours, 5 p.m.


Washburn vs. Emporia State

University, 11 a.m.

(Homecoming/Hall of Fame)

NOVEMBER3 After Hours, 5 p.m.


Washburn vs. Missouri Western State

University, 11:30 a.m. (Senior Day)

All alumni events are in the

Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center,

unless noted. For information,

call (785) 670-1641.

MULVANE EXHIBITSAND EVENTS

JULY28 - 30 Mulvane Women’s Board

Antique Show and Sale, Lee Arena,

Petro Allied Health Center

SEPTEMBER15 - 16 Grand Opening Weekend

for newly renovated Mulvane

Art Museum

The Mulvane Art Museum is

located in Garvey Fine Arts Center.

For information, call (785) 670-1511.

MUSIC

JULY16 - 19 Total Percussion Camp,

For information, call Tom Morgan.

(785) 670-1521

SEPTEMBER29 Orchestra Concert, White

Concert Hall, Garvey

Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

THEATRE

AUGUST25 - 26 “Crimes of the Heart,” 8 p.m.

27 “Crimes of the Heart,” 2 p.m.

Located at the Andrew J.

and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre,

Garvey Fine Arts Center. Schedule

subject to change. For information,

call (785) 670-1639.

ACADEMICS ANDSTUDENT LIFE

AUGUST25 All University Convocation,

Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray

Theatre, Garvey Fine Arts Center,

12:45 p.m.

19 Fall classes begin

21 School of Law classes begin

SEPTEMBER4 Labor Day (University closed)

30 Family Day

OCTOBER19 - 21 Fall break

28 Homecoming, Washburn vs.

Emporia State University, 1 p.m.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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SPECIAL EVENTS

JULY17 - 19 Camp BLUE: Business Leaders

Understanding Entrepreneurship,

registration required. For

information, call (785) 670-1030.

19 - 21 Pre-legal Camp. Students

learn about the opportunities

available in a law career,

registration required. For


26 Washburn Board of Regents public

budget hearing, location TBA, 4 p.m.

AUGUST

August through July 2007 Exhibit

by four Washburn University art

professors: “Prairie Earth,” an

exploration of prairie ecology and

land development in Kansas, the

Flint Hills and Sedgwick County,

Wichita (Kan.) Art Museum

30 Activities and Majors Fair, Memorial

Union, 11 a.m - 2 p.m. For


SEPTEMBER8 - 17 Washburn booth at the State

Fair, Meadowlark Building,

Hutchinson, Kan., Washburn

alumni will receive a special gift

13 Career and Graduate School Fair,

Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health

Center, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For


18 Constitution and Citizenship Day

28 - 30 60th Annual Mountain-Plains

Philosophy Conference. For


29 Healthcare Interview Day,

Washburn Room, Memorial Union,

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information,

call (785) 670-1450.

SCHOOL OF LAW

JULY20 Kansas Women Attorneys

Association annual meeting, Ol

Stuga, Lindsborg, Kan., 5 - 6:30 p.m.

27 Chicago area alumni reception

hosted by Gary McCallister, jd ’75

AUGUST25 Golf Scramble with Lunch and

Continuing Legal Education, Shawnee

Country Club, Topeka, 8:30 a.m.

SEPTEMBER7 Wichita area alumni reception,

Wichita, Kan., 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

8 Southwest Kansas Bar Association

reception, Dodge City Depot,

Dodge City, Kan., 4:30 - 7 p.m.

12 Denver alumni reception at the

home of David Byassee, jd ’75,

Denver, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

13 Houston alumni reception at the

home of Sue Jean White, bba ’77

and jd ’80, Houston, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

14 Dallas/Ft. Worth alumni reception

at the home of Paul Hoferer, jd ’75,

Southlake, Texas, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER28 Dean’s Circle Dinner, Inter Continental

Hotel, Kansas City, Mo., 6 p.m.

For information on School of Law

alumni events, call (785) 670-1011.

CRANE OBSERVATORY

AUGUST24, 31, 8:30 - 10 p.m.

SEPTEMBER7, 14, 21, 28, 8 - 9:30 p.m.

OCTOBER5, 12, 26, 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Marguerite Perret | Blossom

Mark Your Calendars for Homecoming 2006


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES• AUG. 16: WU Move Crew. Alumni and friends are

needed to welcome incoming students and help

them move into campus residence halls from 9

a.m. - 5 p.m. Volunteers will be assigned to work

at Kuehne Hall and West Hall, the Living Learning

Center or the Washburn Village. To sign up,

contact Brittany Hinegardner, residential living

complex coordinator, at (785) 670-2545 or

e-mail [email protected].

• SEPT. 8-17: The Washburn booth at the

Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Alumni and

friends are needed for four-hour shifts. Please

contact Amanda Millard, assistant director of

university relations, at (785) 670-2153 or

[email protected], by Wednesday,

Aug. 2 with the day(s) and time(s) you would like

to assist. For more information about the fair,

visit www.kansasstatefair.com.

• NOV. 10-12: The forensics team needs judges for

the debate tournament they are hosting on the

Washburn campus. To volunteer, contact Kevin

O’Leary, director of forensics, at (785) 670-2234

or [email protected].

• DEC. 2: Quest High School Academic Competition

(formerly High Q), needs volunteers to quiz high

school participants in “Super Saturday” 9:30

a.m. - 4 p.m. To sign up, contact Amanda Millard,

assistant director of university relations, at

(785) 670-2153 or [email protected].

Let the Games Begin!• Oct. 26 Wake Up With Washburn,

7:30 a.m., Bradbury ThompsonAlumni Center

• Oct. 27 Alumni Fellows Luncheon,11:30 a.m., Bradbury ThompsonAlumni Center

• Oct. 27 After Hours, 5 - 7 p.m.,Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center

• Oct. 28 Athletics Hall of Fameinduction and breakfast, 8 a.m.,Washburn Room, Memorial Union

• Oct. 28 Homecoming parade, 11 a.m.• Oct 28 Tailgate with the Alumni

Association at 11:30 a.m. and cheerfor the Ichabods vs. Emporia StateUniversity, 1 p.m.


ALUMNI NEWS

■ At the races: Washburn alumni and friends from the Phoenix area gathered Feb. 18 at Turf Paradise,where they watched the “Washburn University Alumni” race. (L to R): Dixie Cook, ba ’62; David Sollars,dean School of Business; Sandra (Stetler) Carroll, b ed ’64; Terry Marshall, bba ’63; Susan Farley;Ruth Garvey Fink; Jack Swartz, bba ’73 and ba ‘74; Sandra (Shaw) Crimmins, bba ’59; and WashburnPresident Jerry Farley.

Up to Datewith WashburnThe “Ichabod Insider” onlinenewsletter is filled with photos,breaking news, sports updates andlinks to additional campus Websites. To subscribe, e-mail AlumniAssociation Director Susie Hoffmannat [email protected].

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Oct. 26

Aug. 31

Look for Directory in fall

Since November, representativesfrom Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI)have been contacting alumni toverify information for a Washburnalumni directory. This process takessome time, but the directories areexpected to be ready for mailing thisfall. If you haven’t been contacted toupdate your information, call PCI at(800) 982-1589.

The Honorable Gregory Waller, ba ’70and jd ’73, Wichita, Kan., will mark thebeginning of Homecoming Weekend.Waller serves as judge for Division 5 ofthe 18th Judicial District of Kansas, locatedin Wichita, and was the presiding judge inthe trial of the BTK serial killer.

Kevin Moncrief, bs ’83 and bba ’83,Victorville, Calif., will kick off the 2006-07Wake Up With Washburn Breakfast LectureSeries. Moncrief is an Ernst and Youngprincipal, leading the West Coast Securityand Technology Solutions practice.

Virginia (Rehkopf) Feeley,Topeka, earned a lifeteaching certificate fromEmporia State Universitybefore enrolling at Washburnin 1921, where she beganfour years of taking classes, as she describes it, “now andthen, until I worked up enough hours to graduate.”

Feeley remembers draught and dust during those years.“I was driving to Washburn during the noon hour with

the lights on because the dust was so thick,” she said.Feeley said she “found her niche” in social work after

graduating from Washburn in 1936 with a bachelor’s degreein philosophy. In 1939, she earned a master’s degree insocial work from Smith College, Northampton, Mass. Shefirst worked as a probation officer in the juvenile court andwas also a researcher at the Menninger Clinic. Her careerincludes service at the Kansas Children’s Service League,Shawnee County Health Department and the KansasDepartment of Health and Environment.

Feeley, who turned 95 in May, describes life today asbeing “very, very busy.” She has served as president of theresident’s council at Brewster Place Retirement Communityand currently serves as librarian and is a member of thesinging group. She has three sons and seven grandchildren.

In memory of her husband, who was a dentist andattended Washburn, she established the Newell O. andVirginia Feeley Endowment Fund for students planningcareers in the field of aging and to provide outreach servicesfor the aging.

ALUMNI NEWS

Virginia (Rehkopf) Feeley | Topeka, speaksafter being honored as a 70-year alumna.

Class of 1965 celebrates 50 years: DarrellParnell, bs ’56, Topeka, professor emeritusof physics, receives his 50-year alumnipen from Susie Hoffmann, bba ’87,Washburn Alumni Association director.Others inducted into the Golden Ichabodsinclude Barbara (Miller) Blackburn, ba’56, Topeka; James Blackburn, bba ’56,Topeka; Jan (Blaisdell) Bowen, ba ‘56,Dacula, Ga.; Forrest Fernkopf, b ed ’56and m ed ‘74, Topeka; Ann (Kirk) Nelson,b ed ’56, Topeka; and Don Nelson,ba ’56, Mission Hills, Kan.

Lady Blues basketball team members celebratewith Nancy (Edwards) Cottril, Topeka, whoreceived the Lilla Day Monroe Award. NancyCottril and her husband, Wayne Cottril, havebefriended and encouraged Washburn’s studentathletes for many years. (from L to R): JessicaMainz, Topeka; Bojana Samardziska, Belgrade,Serbia and Montenegro; Juwanna Rivers,Cleveland, Ohio; Nancy Cottril; AprilRoadhouse, Osborne, Kan.; Carla Sintra,Goiana, Brazil; Kaydi Hooker, Casper, Wyo.;Wayne Cottril; and Lora Westling, Casper, Wyo.

summer 2006 | 5

As part of Alumni Weekend, those attending the April 22Alumni Awards and Recognition Dinner congratulated thenew class of 50-year Golden Ichabods and celebrated theaccomplishments and contributions of four alumni and afriend of the university.

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AlumniWeekend 2006

Heather (Gish)Wachsnicht,bba ’97,Shawnee, Kan.,Graduate of theLast Decade(GOLD) Award

Charles Engel,jd ’85, Topeka,Ruth GarveyFink Award

HaydenSt. John,ba ’62 and jd’70, Topeka,DistinguishedService Award

Jayne (Bronson)Cafer, ba ’58,Topeka,DistinguishedService Award

70-year alumnaremembersDust Bowl years

ALUMNI NEWS

■ Author honors famous uncle: Ridley Pearson, Kirkwood, Mo., and RuthGarvey Fink, Topeka, pose in front of a painting of Bradbury Thompson,ba ’34, and honorary doctorate ’65, in the Bible Room of the BradburyThompson Alumni Center. Pearson, a nephew of Bradbury Thompsonand a New York Times best-selling fiction writer, spoke at the April 23champagne brunch celebrating the 10th anniversary of the BradburyThompson Alumni Center.

Special offer $24.95Oxford University PressEdition of the Washburn College Bible

celebrating the 10th anniversaryof the opening of the BradburyThompson Alumni Center

• Designed by Bradbury Thompson, ba ’34

and honorary doctorate ’65

• King James text phrased for ease in reading

• 66 full-color reproductions of art masterpieces

Please send _____ copies of the one-volumeWashburn College Bible at $24.95 each.

Name_________________________________

______________________________________

Address _______________________________

______________________________________

City __________________________________

State__________________________________

Zipcode _______________________________

Alumni Association Board of Directors 2005-06


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WASHBURN UNIVERSITYBOOKSTORE

1700 SW College Ave.

Topeka, Kan. 66621 (888) 475-6360

www.washburnbookstore.com

■ Peter McVicar’s Bible: As part of their150th anniversary celebrations, Topeka’s FirstCongregational Church presented WashburnPresident Jerry Farley with a Bible that oncebelonged to the Rev. Peter McVicar, who servedfrom 1871-95 as Washburn’s president. The Bible,given to McVicar on Dec. 25, 1869 by the YoungMen’s Bible Class, is on display in the Bible Roomof the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center.

Board MembersAnn Adrian, b ed ’67Dennis Bohm, bba ’04Paula Roberts Buchele,

bba ’90 and mba ’94Jerry Gray, bba ’68Richard Harmon, ba ’79

and jd ’82Pamela Hollie, ba ’70 and

honorary doctorate ’04Jared Holroyd, ba ’95

Larry Irwin, bba ’66Marie Kalas, bba ’88Mike Laughon, bs ’66Niki McDowell, bba ’92Dave Moore, bba ’70Jim Sloan, ba ’50

and jd ’52Ed Soule, ba ’62

and jd ’65Leo Taylor, ba ’74Jim Turner, ba ’68

PresidentRay Killam, bba ’70

President-ElectCindy Rogers, ba ’69

Past PresidentMary Lou McPhail, ba ’84

COMMENCEMENT

Teachers who Inspire Mortar Board arrivesat Washburn

New honors conferred at 2006 Commencement

■ 2006 Teachers Who Inspire with theWashburn students who nominated themand guest speaker Dennis Van Roekel,National Education Association. Front(L to R): Jane Rankin, AshlandJunior/Senior High School; CaraBurnidge, Weir, Kan.; KateMcCown, Ashland, Kan.; ErynO’Neill, Topeka; Nola Milligan,Valley Falls High School;Norma Monroe, RosedaleMiddle School, Kansas City,Kan.; Tanesha Berry, KansasCity, Kan.; Back (L to R):Washburn President JerryFarley, Gary Leiker, SoutheastHigh School, Cherokee, Kan.;Dennis Van Roekel, NEA; RyanGilliland, Topeka; and LoraWatson, Concordia High School.

www.washburn.edu/alumni | summer 2006 | 7photo by Peggy Clark

Sixty-six graduates crossed the stagewearing Mortar Board medals duringcommencement exercises. DeniseOttinger, vice president, student life,herself an active Mortar Board member,was instrumental in guiding Washburnstudents through the application process.

Mortar Board is a national honorsociety that recognizes college seniorsfor distinguished ability and achievementin scholarship, leadership and service.

“What it means for our students[to be in Mortar Board] is a connectionto a national group of like-mindedindividuals who will support theirendeavors in these areas,” said DonnaLaLonde, dean, honors program. “Thereare also internship possibilities as wellas a strong alumni network.”

The Greek letters Pi Sigma Alpha stand for the MortarBoard ideals of scholarship, service and leadership.

Five educators from KansasK-12 schools were honored duringcommencement exercises as the firstTeachers Who Inspire. They werechosen from nominations submittedby graduating seniors wishing to saythank you to teachers who had madesignificant contributions to theireducation or transformed them asindividuals. Dennis Van Roekel,Alexandria, Va., vice president ofthe National Education Association,spoke at a reception honoring theaward recipients.

The idea for the program came fromAlan Bearman, assistant professor, history,who read about such a program in theBoston area and brought the informationto the attention of Ron Wasserstein, vicepresident, academic affairs.

“We were struck by the great needto recognize, and to encourage ourstudents to recognize, the extraordinaryinfluence of teachers in their lives,”Wasserstein said. “We hoped to puttogether a program that would honorinspirational teachers, and in so doingwould honor all teachers. We hope thatall who hear about these teachers willremember those teachers who inspiredthem and will express their gratitudeto all the wonderful professionals whoteach our children.”

Frank Sabatini received an honorary doctor

of commerce during the School of Business

commencement exercises. He holds a bachelor’s

degree from the University of Kansas and a juris

doctor degree from the University of Kansas

School of Law. He has owned Capital City Bank

since 1979, currently serves as chairman emeritus,

and has also been involved in ranching,

convenience stores and Pizza Hut restaurants. His

support of, and service to, the community and

Kansas education is extensive and includes the

Washburn Board of Regents and support of the

Washburn Women’s Alliance. He and Judith

(Lennox) Sabatini are members of the Washburn

Lincoln Society and Whiting Society.

Judith (Lennox) Sabatini, bfa ’85,was

conferred an honorary doctor of fine arts degree

during commencement exercises for the College

of Arts and Sciences. A photographer and

founding member of The Collective Art Gallery

in Topeka, she formerly served as assistant to

the director of the Mulvane Art Museum and

as an adjunct instructor in the art department.

She headed the volunteer fundraising effort

to renovate the Mulvane Art Museum, serves

on the executive committee of the Mulvane

Women’s Board and is a trustee of the Washburn

Endowment Association. She and Frank Sabatini

are patrons of the arts and have established the

Judith (Lennox) Sabatini Endowed Fund, which

provides program support for the Mulvane.

Jon Kuhn,

bfa ’72, Winston

Salem, N.C., addressed

the graduates of

the College of Arts

and Sciences as he

received an honorary

doctor of fine arts degree. Kuhn holds a master’s

of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth

University and is president of the board for Kuhn

Glass Studios. He is currently working with the

North Carolina School of the Arts on a major

development project. His works are included in

the permanent collection of the White House and

are in the Corning (N.Y.) Museum of Glass, the

Ebeltoft (Denmark) Museum, the Metropolitan

Museum of Art in New York City and the Lusanne

(Switzerland) Museum. One of Kuhn’s glass

works, “Cotes du Rhone,” is on permanent display

in the Bradbury Thompson

Alumni Center, and his art

is also in the Mulvane

Art Museum’s permanent

collection. He was honored

as an Alumni Fellow in 1999.

The Honorable

Sam Crow, jd ’52,

Topeka, received an

honorary doctor of

law degree during

School of Law

graduation exercises.

He serves as Senior Judge for the U.S. District

Court, to which he was appointed by President

Ronald Reagan in 1981. Crow served in Korea and

then joined the Judge Advocate General Corps,

retiring as a colonel in the Army Reserves. He has

argued cases before the Kansas Supreme Court,

the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals

and the U.S. Army General Court Martial Courts.

He founded the Sam A. Crow American Inns of

Court, which emphasizes excellence in litigation

and legal ethics. He has been an adjunct professor

for the Washburn School of Law, served on the

School of Law Alumni Association Board of

Governors and was honored by the School of

Law with the Distinguished Service Award in 2000.

COMMENCEMENT


Four receive honorary doctoratesduring 2006 commencement exercises

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Jim Slattery, ba ’70 and jd ’75,

Washington, D.C., was the commencement

speaker for the 2006 class of School of

Law graduates. Slattery is a partner in the

Washington, D.C., law firm of Wiley Rein

and Fielding LLP. He served in the Kansas

House and was a U.S. Congressman from the Kansas 2nd District

for 12 years. He received the Distinguished Service Award from

Washburn in 1986 and was named an Alumni Fellow in 2001.

He is a former member of the Washburn Board of Regents and

currently serves on the School of Law Business & Transactional

Law Center’s board of advisors, is a trustee of the Washburn

Endowment Association and supports the Congressman Jim

Slattery Law Alumni Scholars Fund.

School of Law welcomesformer Congressman

Frank and Judith (Lennox) Sabatina, Topeka, receivehonorary doctorates at separate graduation ceremonies.Photo by Peggy Clark

COMMENCEMENT

FOURTH GENERATIONgraduates with honorsAs Sara Neiswanger walked across

the stage and received her diploma,she walked in the shadow of threegenerations who attended Washburnbefore her.

Included in her family tree are agreat-grandfather and great-grandunclewho not only received bachelor’s

degrees from Washburn, but also werelater honored with honorary doctoratesand Distinguished Service Awards.

When Sara pledged KappaAlpha Theta her freshman year, shejoined the sorority chosen by twograndaunts, two great-grandauntsand a great-grandmother.

Isabel (Neiswanger) Hughes, ba ’45,pictured in the Kaw yearbook asvice president of the freshman class.She also served as secretary-treasurerof the senior class and as presidentof Kappa Alpha Theta. She wasinducted into Nonoso and namedto Who’s Who Among Students inAmerican Universities and Colleges.

She is Sara Neiswanger’s grandaunt, sister of DavidNeiswanger, ba ’42.

Sara Neiswanger, bba ’06, Topeka, graduated summacum laude, indicated by the chords over her leftshoulder. The chords around her neck representNonoso and Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society.The medal on the white ribbon indicates membershipin Mortar Board. While at Washburn, shewas active in Washburn StudentGovernment Association, StudentAlumni Association Board,Student Ambassadors, theAmerican Business Women’sAssociation and the Deanof BusinessAdvisoryCouncil.She servedas presidentof Nonoso,was named toWho’s WhoAmong Studentsin AmericanUniversities andColleges andreceived theGreek Womanof theYear Award.

Sara Neiswanger, bba ’06, Topeka, with herparents, William Neiswanger, ba ’74, andNancy (Moody) Neiswanger, attendee ’75.


This photo shows WilliamNeiswanger, ba ’22 and honorarydoctor of law, ’51, as a member ofthe Washburn College Glee Club.At Washburn, he joined Phi DeltaTheta, Dramatic Club, YMCA, Men’sQuartet and Theological Club, servedon the Inter-fraternity Council andwas senior class president. He

received Washburn’s Distinguished Service Award in 1954.He is Sara Neiswanger’s great-granduncle. His four siblingsalso graduated from Washburn: Donald Neiswanger,ba ’10; David Neiswanger, bba ’14; Laura Neiswanger,ba ’19; and Mary (Neiswanger) Ihinger, ba ’26.

David Neiswanger, ba ’42, waseditor of the Kaw yearbook, servedas vice president of Phi Delta Theta,and was active in Student PolicyCommission, International Relations,Citizenship Council and YMCA. Hewas inducted into Sagamore andnamed to Who’s Who AmongStudents in American Universities

and Colleges. He served many years as an EndowmentAssociation trustee and was a president of the AlumniAssociation board of directors. He is Sara Neiswanger’sgrandfather, and his sister is Isabel (Neiswanger) Hughes,ba ’45.

Mary (Neiswanger) Ihinger, ba ’26,pictured in the Kaw yearbook asmost popular girl. She joined KappaAlpha Theta, YWCA, played on thebasketball team and served on theKaw staff. She was also president ofNonoso and vice-president of thejunior class. She is Sara Neiswanger’sgreat-grandaunt. Her siblings are

Donald Neiswanger, ba ’10; David Neiswanger, ba ’14;Laura Neiswanger, ba ’19; and William Neiswanger, ba ’22.

David Neiswanger, ba ’14 andhonorary doctor of law, ’57, wasinducted into Sagamore, joined PhiDelta, Theta Glee Club, YMCAand Dramatic Club and served asfreshman class president. Aftergraduation, he served more than36 years on the Washburn Collegeboard of trustees and was a president

of the Alumni Association board of directors. In 1949, hewas among the first of four recipients of the DistinguishedService Award. He is Sara Neiswanger’s great-grandfather,and his siblings are Donald Neiswanger, ba ’10; LauraNeiswanger, ba ’19; William Neiswanger, ba ’22; andMary (Neiswanger) Ihinger, ba ’26.

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Blanche Bryden:

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WASHBURN ENDOWMENT

Blanche Bryden touched thelives of many through her charitablecontributions during her lifetime. Hergenerosity is still felt today through theBlanche Bryden Foundation.

The Foundation, which was createdafter Bryden’s death in 1991, hasprovided more than $400,000 in financialsupport to various endeavors on theWashburn campus. One example is theBryden Scholarship program. Otherareas the Foundation has supportedthrough the years include WashburnWomen’s Alliance scholarships, KTWU’s“Sunflower Journeys,” the BrydenInstitute at the Sunflower Music Festivaland the Mulvane Art Museum.

“Blanche had a sensitivity forhardship and for people who werestruggling,” Katherine Kent, Topeka,a Blanche Bryden Foundation trustee,said. “She also had a significant interestin the arts, particularly music.”

Bryden, who was born in 1907,moved to Topeka from New York withher parents in 1914 at the age of seven.She married William James Bryden in1938. While William Bryden worked asthe chairman and president of VictoryLife Insurance Co., a Topeka-basedcompany that was established by hisfather in 1921, Blanche Bryden beganher many years of public service. Sheserved on the board of the Stormont-VailFoundation, was a trustee of the

Washburn Endowment Associationand a benefactor of Helping HandsHumane Society.

“They were always very generous,”said Judy Wilson, former secretary forWilliam Bryden and current assistantsecretary and treasurer of the Foundation.“This is just a carry over for their lives.”

Blanche Bryden scholarshipsBecoming a Bryden Scholar is not

an easy task, and the students whoreceive the scholarship are expectedto perform at a high academic level.The scholarships are selected from thewinners of the Presidential ScholarsProgram, which is based on a requiredessay and financial need. TheFoundation invites these scholars tosubmit an essay that relates Washburn’smotto: “Non Nobis Solum” (Not forourselves alone) to their own personalgoals and educational aspirations.

“The Bryden Scholarships areawarded to students who areoutstanding in a very small, selectivepopulation of candidates,” Al Dickes,

dean of enrollment management, said.“But the real evaluation of the impactof this scholarship is their achievementat Washburn.”

The scholarship provides up to $3,000per student per year to students withoutstanding academic and leadershipskills. The Bryden Scholarships arerenewable for up to four years.

Blanche Bryden InstituteThe Blanche Bryden Institute,

which takes place in conjunction withWashburn’s Sunflower Music Festival,was founded in 1987.

The Institute provides 26 gifted youngartists ages 16-26 with performanceopportunities and advanced study withmaster teachers and performers in theSunflower Music Festival. Applicants sendaudition tapes in late winter, and winnersare selected by early spring. Thesespecially-selected students of the violin,viola, cello, piano, flute, oboe, clarinet,bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone andtuba perform in two Blanche BrydenInstitute concerts during the Festival.

Bryden’s love of children, musicand philanthropy is something thatWashburn has felt and nourished formany years.

“Blanche was a lot of fun,” KatherineKent said. “She was very glamorous andyouthful, and that was apparent in allthat she did.”

“Blanche had a sensitivity for

hardship and for people who were

struggling. She also had a significant

interest in the arts, particularly music”

- Katherine Kent,Blanche Bryden Foundation trustee

Blanche BrydenA Legacy that will Continue to Shape Lives at Washburn for Years to Come

Laura Blasi, Topeka, performs the lead role ofSusanna in “The Marriage of Figaro,” Washburn’sfirst full opera in 32 years.

www.givetowashburn.org | summer 2006 | 11

Bryden Scholar Exceeds Expectations

WASHBURN ENDOWMENT

Capitol Federal Foundation members John B. Dicus, Jack Hamilton, Rick Jackson, Nancy Perry and John “Jack” C. Dicus,present a $2 million check to Washburn President Jerry Farley, who is dressed as Elwood of the “Blues Brothers,”symbolizing their “True Blue” partnership.

Capitol Federal makes $2 million donation

Washburn senior Laura Blasi, Topeka,is a current Bryden Scholar who isvery quick to recognize the impact thescholarship has had on her life and hercollege career.

“The scholarship itself remindsme of the initiative I started myeducation with,” Blasi said. “It inspiresme to continue to push myself to myhighest potential.”

While Blasi has been able to pursueher triple major of biology, businessadministration and vocal musicperformance due in large part to theBryden Scholarship, she has alsobecome part of Washburn history. InApril, she starred in Washburn’s firstfull opera in 32 years, “The Marriageof Figaro.”

Blasi has just completed her secondyear at Washburn, but because of herprevious college credit earned whileattending high school, she is considereda senior. After graduating fromWashburn, she plans to continue hereducation in the field of medicine.

Blasi understands the prestige thatcomes along with being a Bryden Scholar.

“Even today, I’m reminded of thisscholarship’s reputation for excellence,”she said. “Teachers who know ordiscover that I am a Bryden Scholardemand more of me and require that Icontinue to strive for academic distinction.”

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Washburn University’s largest singlegift from a corporate foundation wasannounced on June 14, by the WashburnEndowment Association and WashburnUniversity. The $2 million gift fromthe Capitol Federal Foundation will bedesignated to Stoffer Science Hall anda strength and conditioning facility forstudent athletes.

“Capitol Federal has a long historyhelping our community and WashburnUniversity,” Washburn President JerryFarley said. “Our partnership punctuatesthe growth and achievement of bothCapitol Federal and Washburn, andwe are delighted about the investmentCapitol Federal makes in the continuingsuccess of the University.”

12 | summer 2006 | www.givetowashburn.org

WASHBURN ENDOWMENT

Giving comes in many shapes and sizes,and this past year, a former Washburn artstudent paid homage to a favorite teacherwith a gift of art.

In honor of Edward Navone, professorof art, Randall Exon, bfa ’78, Wallingford,Pa., recently donated one of his oil onlinen paintings, “Banks of the Kaw River,”to be displayed in the newly constructedart building on campus.

“I was very happy with my instructionat Washburn, in particular Ed,” Exon said.“I wanted to acknowledge his efforts asa teacher.”

The painting is currently hanging inthe lobby of the art building.

“I was so excited to see that the artdepartment had grown into its own,” Exonsaid. “It was good when I was there, butlike a lot of smaller schools, the facilitiescan be limited.”

Exon added that he was compelled tohelp out financially, as well as giving backsomething personal.

“I spent a lot of time by that river(Kaw River) growing up in Kansas,” hesaid. “I really wanted to revisit a Kansaslandscape. The river is a wonderfulsymbol of the Midwest and the connectionthat I feel to the place.”

Exon is a professor of design atSwarthmore (Pa.) College. His paintingshave been shown at the Herschl & AdlerArt Galleries in New York City. His wife,Brenda (Embrey) Exon, b ed ’79, is bestknown in Philadelphia as the “Philly PrideLady” for her work as the co-founder ofPartners for Civic Pride Inc.

Kansas Rootsbecome way to give back

Randall Exon’soil on linen,“Banks of theKaw River”

www.givetowashburn.org | summer 2006 | 13

WASHBURN ENDOWMENT

The Leland Harvey Garden officially opened at Washburn

University May 4, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. This

plaque, placed in the new garden, honors Leland

Harvey, bba ’63, who died in 2000. The garden is

given in his honor by his brother, Robert Harvey,

ba ’64, Garrison, N.Y., and his sister, Sarah

Harvey, ba ’62, San Antonio.

Harvey Garden donors Robert Harvey, ba ’64and Sarah Harvey, with Washburn PresidentJerry B. Farley and Glenda Taylor, chair andprofessor, art. Taylor gave special thanks onbehalf of her students who will be able tolook down on the garden for inspirationfrom the art building windows. Althoughthe garden is now open, plantings andenhancements will be ongoing.

Washburn President Jerry B. Farley cuts theribbon with Sarah Harvey and Robert Harvey.

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YOUR LEGACY:Proper Planning Will Keep Your Dreams And Wishes Alive Beyond Your Lifetime

Nothing is more satisfying than knowing that youtruly can provide impact and make a difference in thelives of future generations. Simple planning during anindividual’s lifetime can bring effective and predictableresults after death. Interests can be supported during alifetime without losing control of any assets.

Send for our free brochure to learn about estateplanning techniques that will serve your needs nowand accomplish your goals later. Contact the WashburnEndowment Association, 1700 SW College Ave.,Topeka, Kan., 66621, (785) 670-4483. Your inquiry isstrictly confidential.

A view of the scenic Harvey Garden near the art building

Harvey Garden blooms at Washburn

FEATURE

A glance at the Washburn Universitycalendar shows a long list of concertsand recitals planned for the 2006-07academic year.

Even in the summer, when studentsand faculty take a break from formal

performances, theSunflower MusicFestival invitesmusic lovers fromaround the nationto eight days of

classical music performances at Washburn.The music department has a long history

at Washburn (see page 17, history andtraditions). Thirteen faculty members and20 adjuncts teach approximately 100 majorswho pursue three degrees: bachelor ofmusic in performance, bachelor of musicin music education and bachelor of arts.

The department supports a variety ofmajor ensembles, including

jazz ensembles and combos, band,marching band, symphonic wind ensemble,chamber, choirs, orchestra, percussion,singers and string orchestra plus a numberof smaller groups.

These ensembles, which provide learningopportunities for Washburn students,also provide opportunities for those innortheast Kansas to experience qualitymusical performances.

Additionally, Washburn facultymembers support community musicprograms such as the Topeka Symphony,founded by the late Everett Fetter, honorarydoctorate ’74, former head of Washburn’smusic department.

“The Topeka Youth SymphonyOrchestra, Topeka Wind Ensemble, TopekaJazz Youth Workshop, Total PercussionCamp and the College Music EducatorsNational Conference Junior High/MiddleSchool Solo Festival are all outstanding

examples of community outreachsponsored by the department of music,”said Kirt Saville, chair and professor, music.“They invite student musicians to connectwith other outstanding students fromnortheastern Kansas and allow our facultyto engage and challenge these studentsto reach higher levels of musicianshipand performance.”

■ Junior music majorAmy Puderbaugh,Topeka, holds “FunWith the Flute,”recently published byMel Bay PublicationsInc., which includestwo CD recordingsof Puderbaughplaying the flutewith senior Rebecca

Bumgarner, Coffeyville, Kan., accompanying onthe piano. The CDs, recorded in August 2005 inWhite Concert Hall, were produced by RebeccaMeador, assistant professor, music, and the pianoaccompaniment was arranged by Jean Marshall,adjunct instructor, music. The project was supportedby the Washburn University Creative and ScholarlyInnovative Grants Summer Research Stipend Program.

14 | summer 2006

20 years of Sunflower

Music students playing in the operaorchestra (L to R): Dacia Brown

(violin), Topeka; Valeria Kanaeva(violin), Russia; Heather Kumlin(oboe), DeSoto, Wisc.; Lindsey

Brown (oboe), Topeka; and SaraEmde (flute), Lawrence, Kan.

Washburn’s music department alsooffers instrumentalists many

opportunities to play in smallensembles, including the Brass

Quintet, Dolci Voice Quartet, FetterString Quartet, Honors WoodwindQuintet, Payless Jazz Combo and

Washburn Drumline.


Music Everywhere

Providing opportunities for childrento experience live theatre performanceshas been one of Paul Prece’s passionsduring his 24 years with Washburn’stheatre department.

Each fall semester, Prece offers a classin which Washburn students learn andrehearse a play for children. They presentthe play on campus in December and then,

from January through March,perform daily before third gradersattending the Sheffel TheaterClinic at the Topeka PerformingArts Center.

The theatre department has seenincreased enrollment, doubled credit hoursand added faculty members during the pastnine years, growth that can be credited inpart to Washburn’s commitment to creatingtwo departments from what had previouslybeen art and theatre.

“Our autonomy has increased ouridentity,” said Paul Prece, chair andprofessor, theatre.

In addition to Prece and Tony Naylor,associate professor, the department haswelcomed Penelope Weiner, assistantprofessor, and Sharon Sullivan, assistantprofessor. Sullivan also teaches courses inwomen’s studies.

Prece also attributes the department’sgrowth to the contribution of talented andqualified adjuncts, including, Jeanne Chinn,Barbara Dingman, Jeff Montague, ba ’78,and Ted Shonka.

Theatre has 20-25 majors and serves alarge number of students taking theatrecourses that satisfy humanities generaleducation requirements.

“Students who are not theatre majorsin an odd way benefit most,” Prece said.“Studying in the humanities helps to createwell-rounded individuals.”

The theatre department strives tooffer a wide range of productions fromwell-established plays and musicals to new,provocative plays and plays for children.

The 2006-07 theatre season offers fourplays for adult audiences plus a play forthe Performing Arts for Children’s Series(see the season schedule on this page).

A diverse cast of actors perform inuniversity theatre productions. Auditionsare open to anyone wishing to try out,including community members of all agesas well as Washburn faculty, staff and students.

Children’s Theatre

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• “Crimes of the Heart,” by Beth Henley,winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the New YorkDrama Critics Circle AwardAug. 25, 26 at 8 p.m. andAug. 27 at 2 p.m.

• “Jeckyll and Hyde, The Musical,”book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse; music by Frank WildhornOct. 27, 28 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.Nov. 3, 4, at 8 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.

• “The Pugilist Specialist,”by Adrian Shapiro.Feb. 22, 23, 24, March 10, at 8 p.m.and March 11, 2 p.m.

• “I Have Before Me A RemarkableDocument Given To Me By AYoung Lady From Rwanda,”(pending availability), by Sonja LindenMarch 2, 3, 8, 9, 8 p.m. andMarch 4, 2 p.m.

Performing Arts for Children’s Series

• “Nightingale,” a participation play adaptedfrom Hans Christian Andersen, by JohnUrquhart and Rita Grossberg GrauerDec. 9, Washburn Room, Memorial Union,10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.January – March, performances forSheffel Theatre Clinic at Topeka PerformingArts Center

Washburn Theatre2006-07 Season

Joshua Sievers, Yates Center,Kan., plays the role of Dmetri

before a children’s audience in“Fool of the World,” performed

in December 2005.

FEATURE

summer 2006 | 15

Tess Wilson, Topeka, plays the star role in “Antigone,”presented in February and March 2006. Behind her,playing the role of guards are Tomas Toledo, Mayetta,Kan., and Michael Pokorny, Independence, Kan.

Theatre grows to servecampus & community

FEATURE

■ Marie Morales, bfa ’02, Topeka, shows herceramic birds to Isaiah Huckins, Topeka, atthe annual Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair.Morales works in ceramics and mixed media.

A new building, new exhibits, new course offerings – all these

explain the optimism felt by the art community at Washburn.

Glenda Taylor, chair and professor, art,said students and faculty appreciate thefunctionality of the new building and theadditional space for students to exhibittheir work.

Behind the new building is a newgarden (see “Harvey garden blooms atWashburn,” page 13), which adds a scenictouch while giving art students a place towork with such issues as reflection andmovement in an outdoor setting.

Wichita exhibit

Beginning in August and runningthrough July 2007, the Washburn artdepartment will exhibit “Prairie Earth” inthe Interactive Gallery of the Wichita ArtMuseum. The exhibit showcases the worksof Washburn art professors Marguerite Perret,

Betsy Roe, Glenda Taylor and Mary DorseyWanless, along with the work of Washburnart students, who designed and createdinteractive children’s games and activities.

Scholarships and course offeringsIn addition to student scholarships,

special funds also aid the department. Forexample, Irving and Peggy Sheffel, Topeka,support such activities as guest artists. TheCatron Professorship, established by JamesKetcherside, bba ’58 and Norene (Catron)Ketcherside, b ed ’60 and m ed ’66,McPherson, Kan., allows the departmentto venture into new or unusual courseofferings. Betsy Roe, Catron VisitingArtist/professor, offered basketry inthe spring semester and contemporarysculptural practices in the summer. Sheplans two courses in paper making forthe 2006-07 academic year.

This ceramic work, “PrairieEarth,” by Glenda Taylor,chair and professor, art, willbe a part of the “Prairie Earth”exhibit in the InteractiveGallery of the WichitaArt Museum.

Student Art Show and Pollak AwardArt works ranging from drawings,

photographs and paintings to glass,ceramics and video/film were featured inthe 2006 student art show. Sara O’Keefe,Topeka, one of the 22 student exhibitors,received the Charles and Margaret PollakArt Purchase Award, which places thestudent’s art in the permanent collection ofthe Mulvane Art Museum.

■ Larry Peters, bfa ’62, Topeka, shows hiswork to Jack Shutt, bba ’61, Topeka, at theannual Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair.Peters was awarded a blue ribbon in thethree-dimensional category, plus threeadditional ribbons for his work in clay andmetal. Washburn honored Peters as anAlumni Fellow in 2003.

Alumni Active inArt Community

Glenda Taylor, chairand professor, art, withSara O’Keefe, Topeka,who was chosen bythe art faculty toreceive the 2006Pollak Art PurchaseAward for “Touch,” aseries of photographs.

Monette Mark,Auburn, Kan.,with herporcelain,at the2006 studentart show.

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Marc Limon, Satanta, Kan.,exhibits photographs, “Hotel Larned”and “Electrical Wires,” in the2006 student art show.

Visual Arts Flourish

HISTORY AND TRADITIONS


This spring the music department presented “The Marriage of Figaro” byMozart. Even though it was the first full-scale opera performed since 1974,Washburn has a rich history of musical performances, including opera.

1880s - 1920sWithin a few years after the first

music courses were offered at Washburnin 1882, a music department wasorganized, and students and professorsbegan performing in recitals andconcerts. In 1887, a choral group, theGlee Club, was organized, the first of itskind west of the Mississippi, accordingto a 1924 Washburn College Bulletin.

Although few music programs survivefrom the early years, it is unlikely thatthe students performed a full-scaleopera. However, in 1893, vocal studentsand instructor, Hallie Walker, presenteda program of selections from operasincluding the relatively new “Piratesof Penzance” (1879) by Gilbert andSullivan. President Peter McVicar’s son,Dana, sang “Air of Casper” from “DerFreischutz” by Weber. “La Traviata,”“Faust,” “Il Trovatore,” and “FlyingDutchman” were some of the otheroperas represented.

First full opera performed atWomen’s Club in 1926

The music department, which laterbecame part of the School of FineArts, was reorganized in 1920 into aseparate School of Music. In 1926,“The Enchantress” by Victor Herbert waseither the first or one of the first full-scale opera(s) produced by the School of

Music. Neither the stage in MacVicarChapel nor the stage in Mulvane ArtMuseum’s Little Theater was largeenough for the cast, ensemble andorchestra, so this opera about an operasinger was performed at the TopekaWoman’s Club Auditorium at ninth andHarrison Streets on June 1 at 8:15 p.m.

The very next year, the Schoolperformed “The Mikado” by Gilbert andSullivan, also in June at the Woman’sClub, but without an orchestra, and at9 p.m. The Japanese theme continuedwith the 1932 production of the operetta“The Yokohama Maiden” by ArthurPenn, this time in March and on campusin the Mulvane Little Theater.

1940 s - 1950sWhen Washburn College became

Washburn Municipal University in 1941,the School of Music was incorporatedinto the College of Liberal Arts and givendepartment status again. Throughout thenext decades, instead of staging classicoperas, the music department gained areputation for presenting mainly worksby contemporary composers. Threeprograms in the Washburn archivesdocument productions in the 1950s:an opera buffa, “The Telephone” (1947),by Gian-Carlo Menotti and folk opera“Down in the Valley” (1948) by KurtWeill, performed in 1950 at the Woman’s

Club auditorium, “Dido and Aeneas” byHenry Purcell and “The Lowland Sea”(1952) by Alec Wilder, presented in 1955at MacVicar Chapel, and “The TenderLand” (1954) by Aaron Copland,produced in 1958 at the Mulvane LittleTheater. The latter two productions weredirected by Gordon Gaines (music) andHugh McCausland (theater) as a partof opera workshop. “The Tender Land”and “Down in the Valley” also includeddancers directed by Helen Hocker(physical education and dance).

1960s - 1970sMusic programs from the 1960s and

1970s are scarce, but a survey of theyearbooks reveals that in 1965, a folkopera,”Sourwood Mountain” by ArthurKreutz, was performed by 60 musicmajors, probably at MacVicar Chapel. In1973, “Help, Help the Globolinks”(1968)by Gian-Carlo Menotti, starring RichettaManager, ba ’75, and “The Telephone”(again), also by Menotti, were presented.In 1974, “Gianni Schicchi” (1918), ashort opera by Puccini, was the last full-scale opera performed. Fromthe 1970s to the present, the musicdepartment has presented programsof opera selections through their musicfor the stage class. “The Marriage ofFigaro” by Mozart is the first full-scaleproduction since 1974.

Opera returnsOpera returnsto Washburn By Martha Imparato

CAMPUS NEWS AND SPORTS

While those graduatingthis spring with

bachelor’s and master’sdegrees in businessare the first tograduate from anAACSB accreditedbusiness school,

all stakeholderswill benefit from the

new designation.Although accreditation is a

significant achievement, David Sollars,dean, School of Business, is lookingtoward the future and the benefitsaccreditation will continue to bring.

Sollars sees the School of Businessmoving in new directions. For example,he points to plans for a more systematicfocus on ethics and globalization in thebusiness curriculum.

“We will raise the visibility of all ofour programs and the success that ourgraduates enjoy,” Sollars said. “We wantto be the first choice for students whoare seeking a student-centered businesseducation that will prepare them forsuccess in the future.”

Accreditation was the culmination ofan intense evaluation process that beganin 2000. Each year, the School has senta detailed report to AACSB documenting

School of BusinessThe oldest and largest

business school

accreditation

organization,

the Association

to Advance

Collegiate Schools

of Business, known as

AACSB International, officially

welcomed the Washburn School

of Business as a member of the

accreditation council on April

23 at its annual conference.

celebrates accreditation, looks to future growth


Unveiling the AACSB seal:Washburn President JerryB. Farley and David Sollars,dean, School of Business,together unveil theaccreditation seal conferredby the Association toAdvance Collegiate Schoolsof Business, known asAACSB International.Also pictured are RonWasserstein, ba ’78, vicepresident, academic affairs,and Nancy Paul, bba ’76,Topeka, chairperson ofthe Washburn Board ofRegents. The seal wasunveiled at a celebrationMay 2.



Additional NewDirections Include:• Increased opportunities for

transformational experiences,especially in the internationalarea, including more study abroad.

• Both bachelor’s and master’s degreeprograms with new emphases.

• Joint programs such as a combineddegree in business and law.

• Increased support of theentrepreneurship program, whichconferred its first certificates atthe 2006 graduation exercises.

• Expanded services of the WashburnUniversity Small BusinessDevelopment Center.

• Continued strengthening of theaccounting program.

• Of more than 700 declared undergraduate majors, approximately 50 percentare female; the median age is 22; and 64 percent of students come fromShawnee and Douglas counties in Kansas.

• Of more than 100 admitted master’s in business administration students,54 percent are female; the median age is 29.

• Approximately 130 bachelor of business administration degrees areawarded annually.

• Approximately 30 master’s of business administration studentsgraduate annually.

• Eight school-sponsored clubs and organizations are active, including theAmerican Business Women’s Association chapter (ABWA), one of only fivechapters in the nation.

• Business seniors taking the national Major Field Test (MFT) have earnedan institutional score which places Washburn consistently at the 80th to90th percentile nationally.

• Mean Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores of master’s inbusiness administration students is up 20 percent in the last four years andis above the national average.

• 170 business students received School of Business scholarships, totaling$271,264 in 2005-06.

Washburn School of Business QQuuiicckk FFaaccttss

“AACSB requires ongoing strategic planning and

continuous improvement... We will continue to improve

our programs each and every day.”

- David Sollars,Dean, School of Business

the quality of its programs and progresstowards meeting the AACSB standards. InFebruary 2006, the School hosted a four-day peer review team of three deans fromother accredited business schools. Thisteam’s report was then reviewed by theinitial accreditation committee, a largergroup of business school deans, whoin turn recommended Washburn to theAACSB board.

David Sollars,dean, School of Business

The Talkin’ Ichabods finished their2005-06 season at the University ofWisconsin-Eau Claire, where theycompeted against 78 other squadsfrom across the nation in the NationalForensics Association ChampionshipTournament, taking fourth place indebate sweepstakes. In addition,

Washburn boasted seven competitorsin elimination rounds — more

than any other squad inattendance. Sophomore JessicaOtto, Wichita, Kan., won fourthplace speaker in the tournament

(out of 96 debaters) and made it throughto octafinals.

Sophomore Annaleigh Curtis, Topeka,was Washburn’s best individualcompetitor at the national tournament.Last year, she shocked everyone byreaching the quarterfinals in her first tripto the championships. This year, shereached the semifinal round, losing tothe eventual national champion fromthe University of Missouri, and tying forthird place in the nation in LincolnDouglas debate.

This season, Washburn earned wellover 200 individual awards and almosttwo dozen sweepstakes awards,including five championship titles,placing higher on the national levelthan ever before in school history.

Patrick Muenks, Parkville, Mo., and AnnaleighCurtis, Topeka, hold the fourth placeLincoln/Douglas Sweepstakes trophy they wonApril 15 at the National Forensics Association

Championship Tournament held at the Universityof Wisconsin-Eau Claire.


Forensics & debate

One of Washburn’s mock trial teams placed first in the Jayhawk InvitationalTournament at the University of Kansas with a record of seven wins, no losses andone tie. In addition, four students received individual awards. Pictured with thetournament trophy, Front (L to R): Rob Bauer, Great Bend, Kan., outstanding witness;Leann Hirschfeld, Topeka; Danielle Wherrell, Topeka, team captain, outstandingattorney; Christi Somers, Topeka; Back (L to R): Matt Sholar, Topeka; AndreaChancey, Satanta, Kan.; Britain Stites, Tonganoxie, Kan., outstanding attorney; ChrisStemler, Topeka, outstanding attorney; Ashley Hutton, Topeka, team captain; JedsenWilliams, McPherson, Kan.; Blake Reinhart, Topeka; Murphy Wells, Lenexa, Kan.;Krystal Baer, Burlingame, Kan.; and Mike Kerls, Wichita, Kan.

Talkin’ Ichabods finishwith best season ever

Mock Trial Trial Advocacy

■ Matthew Ballard, Salt Lake City, Utah, andZachary Chaffee-McClure, Lyons, Kan., displaythe plaque they received for placing first at the EvanA. Evans Constitutional Law Moot Court Competitionat the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Washburn law teamcaptures first place innational competition

Washburn students finished sixthplace at the National IntercollegiateMock Trial Tournament hosted byHamlin University in St. Paul, Minn.Washburn’s two teams finished thirdand seventh, and four students wonindividual awards at the RegionalQualifier hosted by the University ofMissouri in Columbia. The teams didwell throughout the season, beginningby placing third at the Billiken BarristerInvitational Tournament hosted by St.Louis University, the first tournament ofthe season. They then placed sixth in theMid-South Mock Trial Invitational at

Middle Tennessee State University,10th at the Bluejay Open Mock TrialTournament at Creighton University andthird at the Kangaroo Court Challenge atthe University of Missiouri-Kansas City.

The two team captains, TopekansDanielle Wherrell and Ashley Hutton,are entering Washburn School of Lawthis fall.

Washburn’s mock trial class is taughtby coach Steve Cann, professor, politicalscience. Sarah Ubel, assistant professor,communication; David Fye, ba ’03 andbba ’04, Topeka; and Jay Hall, ba ’04,Topeka, also coach the teams.

photo by Jay Hall



Greek chapters and members demonstrating excellence inthe 2005-06 academic year were recognized and honoredduring the annual awards banquet.

Greek News

SORORITIESAlpha Phi• Community Service section award

Delta Gamma• Stephanie Barth, Augusta, Kan., Panhellenic

Association President’s Award• Most improved sorority grade point average

for fall 2005• Alumni relations section award• Recruitment section award• New member programming section award

Kappa Alpha Theta• Outstanding Greek Chapter of the

Year – Sorority• Sara Neiswanger, Topeka, Greek Woman of

the Year• Highest sorority grade point average for

spring 2005• Most improved sorority grade point average

for spring 2005• Campus involvement section award• Risk management section award• Essay section award• Presentation section award

Zeta Tau Alpha• Highest sorority grade point average for

fall 2005• Chapter accomplishments section award• Philanthropy section award• Greek Week lip sync sorority winner• Greek Week lip sync overall winner

FRATERNITIESKappa Sigma• Most improved fraternity grade point

average for spring 2005

Phi Delta Theta• Chapter accomplishments section award• Community service section award• Campus involvement section award• New member programming section award• Risk management section award• Essay section award

Sigma Phi Epsilon• Outstanding Greek Chapter of the

Year – Fraternity• Scott Maley, Emporia, Kan., Greek Man of

the Year• Jeremy Aytes, Ada, Kan., Greek Council

President’s Award• Bryson Wheeler, Soldier, Kan., Interfraternity

Council President’s Award• Highest fraternity grade point average

for spring 2005• Highest fraternity grade point average

for fall 2005• Philanthropy section award• Recruitment section award• Presentation section award• Greek Week lip sync fraternity winner

INTRAMURALSSororities:First place, Delta Gamma Second place, Zeta Tau AlphaThird place, Alpha PhiFourth place, Kappa Alpha Theta

Fraternities :First place, Sigma Phi EpsilonSecond place, Phi Delta ThetaThird place, Alpha DeltaFourth place, Delta ChiFifth place, Kappa Sigma

■ Book drive: Members of Alpha Kappa AlphaUpsilon Chapter collected new books this springfor primary level students. The Ivy ReadingAKAdemy book drive is part of the sorority’snational initiative in support of No Child LeftBehind. Pictured (L to R): Kemi Odusoga, Topeka;Surkeita Townsel, project chairperson,Leavenworth, Kan.; Kaelyn Seymour, Wichita,Kan.; and Wanda Handy, president, Topeka.

Greek Week awardsArchitects are beginning to

develop plans for Greek residentialhousing that will support Greektraditions while providing sustainedhigh quality living.

Universities across the nation arebuilding village-type housing as away to invigorate Greek student life.The housing, which will be leasedon a long-term basis to each Greekorganization, will be owned andoperated by the university.

Construction could start as earlyas summer 2007 with a targetedcompletion date of January 2009.The proposed location for the GreekVillage is northeast of Petro AlliedHealth Center. Four Washburnfraternities are participating in theinitial planning. Washburn sororitieswith houses on or near the campusare not considering new facilitiesat this time.

The project will be financedthrough both self-supportingrevenue bonds issued by Washburnand private fundraising supportfrom participating fraternities.Each fraternity is expected tocontribute $1 million to the project.The Washburn EndowmentAssociation will be working withthe Greek alumni associations tocomplete fundraising.

For more information, contactalumni chapter representatives or theWashburn Endowment Association at(785) 670-4483 or visit www.wea.org.

New Greek Housingplanned for campus

summer 2006 | 21

Fifteen Washburn University facultymembers were awarded SweetSabbaticals funded by an endowmentestablished in 1955 by Mary B. Sweet.The faculty summer grants are designedto enable recipients to study at auniversity outside Kansas.

Those receiving Sweets for thesummer of 2006 include Jennifer Ball,assistant professor, School of Business;Karen Camarda, assistant professor,physics and astronomy; Frank Chorba,professor, mass media; Richard Donner,

assistant professor, social work; JamesEck, professor, School of Business;Howard Faulkner, professor, English;David Freeman, professor, politicalscience; Thomas Kennedy, professor,English; James McCormick, professor,health, physical education and exercisescience; Dmitri Nizovtsev, assistantprofessor, School of Business; J. KarenRay, professor, English; Azyz Sharafy,associate professor, art; CourtneySullivan, assistant professor, modernlanguages; Sharon Sullivan, assistantprofessor, theatre; and Gene Wunder,associate professor, School of Business.


Farewells

Teresta Leyell, professor,School of Business, retiredafter 24 years of service.She taught introductionto business, informationsystems and managementcourses. Her researchinterests includedmanagement information

systems, methods of teaching business andmarketing research.

Dennis Honabach, dean,Washburn School of Law,has accepted the positionof dean of Salmon P.Chase College of Lawat Northern KentuckyUniversity in HighlandHeights, Ky. Honabachhas served as dean atWashburn since 2001.

Wanda Dole, dean,Mabee Library, hasaccepted the position ofdean of the OttenheimerLibrary at the Universityof Arkansas at LittleRock. Dole has servedas dean of libraries atWashburn since 1999.


Faculty recognized atApril 12 ceremony

FOUR FACULTY MEMBERSRECEIVED SPECIAL HONORS

Herrick Faculty Award for Outstanding Service:Donna LaLonde, associateprofessor, mathematics anddean, honors program

Roy Myers Excellence inResearch Award: HowardFaulkner, professor, English

Ned N. FlemingExcellence in TeachingAward: Kim Krutz,adjunct, music, andVirginia Pruitt,professor, English

Recognition

Sweet Sabbaticals

TWO FACULTY MEMBERSWERE RECOGNIZED FOR 25YEARS OF SERVICE:

Rick Barker, associateprofessor, computerinformation sciences

Jim McCormick, professor,health, physical educationand exercise science

■ Washburn professors inducted into national honor society for international scholars: Three newmembers were recently inducted into Washburn University’s Beta Phi chapter of Phi Beta Delta and newofficers were installed. (L to R): Wanda Dole, dean, Mabee Library; Baili Zhang, director, internationalprograms, ex-officio and campus coordinator; Nancy Maxwell, professor, School of Law; Mark Kauffman,associate professor, social work, treasurer; Karen Ray, professor, English, president; Bob Beatty, associateprofessor, political science, vice-president; Judy McConnell-Farmer, professor, education, secretary; andTeresita Leyell, professor, School of Business.

Faculty



After spending her two years as a guard at Washburn setting recordsthat will take a long time to break, Jennifer Harris, Morristown, N.J.,became the first Lady Blue and Mid-America Intercollegiate AthleticsAssociation (MIAA) player to get drafted into the Women’s NationalBasketball Association.

Jennifer Harrislooks to basketball career

By Jeremy Wangler

Harris, the NCAA Division II nationalplayer of the year, reported to theChicago Sky preseason camp andplayed in one exhibition game beforegetting cut. Harris is currently in Topekaenrolled in a summer class with plans tocontinue working towards her degreefull-time in the fall. She is still hopefulthat she will be playing professionalbasketball in the near future. Besidesbeing picked up by another WNBAteam, she can play professionallyoverseas while she develops her skills.

Harris, arguably one of the greatestathletes in Washburn history andprobably one of the most fun to watch,hopes she can get another chance atfulfilling her dream.

“In my junior year in high school, Iknew that this was what I wanted todo,” said Harris.

Despite not making an opening-dayroster right out of college, Harris will beremembered as one of the Lady Bluegreats. Harris went from scoring 14.4points per game in her first year at WUto leading the nation with more than 24points per game this year. She helpedWU to its first national championship her

junior year, and her senior year, helpedthe team set the national record forconsecutive wins at 51. When the finalbuzzer sounded, the postseason awardskept coming in. She was named theconference’s Most Valuable Player, andthree different organizations namedher national player of the year. Harrisfinished her four years in college witha 133-4 record.

While the Lady Blues will definitelymiss Harris when the new season rollsaround, three other seniors graduatedthat had a big impact on Washburn’ssuccess. April Roadhouse, Osborne,Kan., and Dani McHenry, Topeka,

both four-year players, joined BojanaSamardziska, Belgrade, Serbia andMontenegro, a one-year transfer, asseniors ending their career with Harris.Roadhouse, who was second on theteam behind Harris in both assists andsteals, was named the MIAA defensiveplayer of the year and a second-teamall-conference selection. She andMcHenry won the MIAA championshipall four years they were together.

Along with the conferencetitles, Roadhouse says the nationalchampionship, the 51-game win streakand the team chemistry will stand out.

“So many of us played together overthe past, and we became close over theyears,” she said. “We’re so much alike,but so different. It just works.”

While each player had her own roleon the team, the other players weren’tbothered by Harris’ success andattention. “We all just joked aroundabout it,” said Roadhouse. “After shewould have a 30-point game, we wouldjoke, ‘Jen, you only shot 30 times.’

“She knew she was good, but shewouldn’t key in on it everyday. Shereally developed as a person, and shewas a lot of fun on and off the court.”

Head coach Ron McHenry knew thatit wouldn’t be easy to get his star guardto the next level.

“It’s rare,” said McHenry. “It takes adifferent player to play at that level.

“I just want

to tell my fans,

friends, coaches,

the staff and

teammates: Thanks for everything.

It’s been an honor just to be here

and come through here. I don’t

want to be known for basketball

only. I want to be known as a

good person that you could laugh

and joke with.”- Jennifer Harris


There have been some good playerswho can add up some points, but theycan’t always do that at the next level.Count the number of Division II playersout there playing right now. It’s very rare.”

Not impossible, though.“If there’s a kid who wants to play

professionally after she’s done, we’veshown that there’s that option for themhere at Washburn,” McHenry said.

Harris’ path to playing professionallywasn’t the one she had in mind from thebeginning. “I had some top DI (DivisionI) schools in mind, but academically, Ididn’t make it,” she said.

After winning a national championshipand gaining All-America status in twoyears at Trinity Valley Community Collegein Texas, she ended up at Washburn.

When Harris finished her twoyears at Washburn, she was playingat the top of the Division IIlevel. Her 1,314 points arethe most scored by atwo-year transfer atWashburn, andthe 797 pointsshe scored thispast season are themost ever by a LadyBlue or anyone elseplaying in theMIAA.

Harris played well enough atWashburn to get noticed on thenational level, but can her numbers betransferred to what is today the highestlevel of basketball a woman can play inthe United States?

“I think she’s just scratching thesurface,” said McHenry. “Her mentalitywill pick up because she’s with differentstyle players.

She’s the new kid on the block,but I think her playing level caneasily withstand anybody at that level.It’s just a matter of how quickly shegrasps everything.”

Her teammates also recognize Harris’potential to get even better.

“She was a good player. Notjust a scorer, she could passthe ball, rebound anytimeshe wanted to,” saidRoadhouse. “Sometimes shewas our cheerleader bykeeping everybody’s headin it. Her work ethic here,she was naturally talentedand didn’t have to put

forth that extra effortthat some of us hadto. Playing in the pros

will really bring out her full potentialand challenge her everyday.”

While most other women who haveplayed basketball at Washburn havegone on to finish their education and

move into another professional careerafter their final season, Harris has shownthat playing for the Lady Blues can be astepping stone for a professional careerin hoops. But what about her degree?

“It’s something I know I want,” saidHarris, who still has about a year left.

“Right now Ihave a goal toplay basketball.I’m notpushing mydiploma away.I’m strong ontrying to makesome successin basketball,but I’m notgoing to forgetabout that.”

With preseason camp in April, Harriswasn’t able to finish her spring semester.Instead, she took incompletes in herclasses and will continue workingtowards her degree this summer and fall.

“When I do get it, I want everybody toknow that I got it at Washburn,” she said.

While the number of amazing playsand games that Harris had at Washburnare too many to remember, Harrishopes that she will be known as morethan just a player that could score almostat will.

“I’ll always remember the victoriesand the team chemistry that we had.There were a lot of memories thathappened in my two years,” she said.And while she was getting most of theattention after each win, her teammatesknew that they had their own roles.“If I scored 30, they were happy as ifthey scored it,” she said.

“It’s been a great experience. It’sbeen something that I never thoughtcould happen,” she continued. “Thetreatment that I got from the fans wasjust excellent along with the staff here,not just my coaches, but other staff andprofessors, and my teammates especially.


photo by Matt HicksPhotography

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Jennifer Harris CONTINUED

Matt Warnock,Liberty, Mo., wasnamed the Ichabodgolf MVP. He is oneof two Ichabodgolfers to haveplayed in four NCAAregional tennistournaments.

WU sports informationoffice seeking footballmedia guides

GOLF

The Ichabods also finishedsecond in the MIAA standings.Seniors Matt Warnock, Liberty,Mo., and Jeremiah Nelson, McPherson,Kan., were named all-MIAA as wasfreshman Matt Ewald, Leawood, Kan.Warnock was a three-time member ofthe all-MIAA golf team at Washburn,and Nelson was a two-time memberafter transferring from HutchinsonCommunity College.

Gene Cassell, sports information director, isseeking the 1977 and 1978 football mediaguides to complete the athletic department’scollection dating back to 1961. The guidescan be copied and returned.

Please contact [email protected] call (785) 670-1791.

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BASEBALL

Washburn teams see postseason play

The Ichabods play infirst MIAA postseasontournament since 2001

In the last poll,the Ichabodsranked seventhin the region,with the topsix teams incontention for aspot in the NCAAtournament.Washburn had itssecond winningseason in threeyears with a

29-25 record and finished fourth in theMIAA regular season at 16-12. MarkStoltz, Wichita, Kan., was named to theall-MIAA first team, and Sam Sissom,Kansas City, Mo., was named to thesecond team. Sissom finished hisWashburn career as the leader in hitswith 229 and at-bats leader with 662.Jake Lenherr, St. Marys, Kan., finishedhis Washburn career as the strikeoutleader with 215.

Senior Sam Sissom, KansasCity, Mo., set the Washburnrecord for most hits and atbats in a career with 229 at662 respectively. He willreturn for his senior seasonin football this fall.

Ichabod and Lady Blues Sports

SOFTBALL

Senior Kala Huske, Overland Park,Kan., named first team all-MIAA atfirst base after receiving first teamall-conference honors as a juniorat catcher, was also a second teamall-region selection. Sophomore pitcherKelly Swygert, Topeka, who led theLady Blues with 20 wins and a 2.68ERA, received second team all-MIAAhonors as did junior center fielderAshley Webb, Prairie Village, Kan.Huske finished her career 10th on theall-time hits chart with 180 and seventhon the all-time batting average chartwith a .334 career average.

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Sophomore pitcher KellySwygert, Topeka, led theLady Blues with 20 wins

this season.

- Gene Cassell

Ranked No. 22 in the nation,the golf team finishes secondat the NCAA Central Regional,falling just shy of a fourthstraight regional crown

The Lady Blues reach first NCAAnational playoff since the 1999season, finishing the year 36-21with an 11-5 MIAA record

photo by Gene Cassell

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Senior Kala Huske, OverlandPark, Kan., was a first teamall-MIAA selection and secondteam all-region pick for theLady Blues.



The athletic department celebrated theaccomplishments of Washburn’s studentathletes and named William “Bill” Sneed,bba ’77 and jd ’80, and Diane (Burkett)Sneed, bs ’79, Auburn, Kan., IchabodPersons of the Year at the annualAthletic Senior Awards Banquet May 1.

Most Valuable Players• Overall, junior Fletcher Terrell,

Minnetonka, Minn.

• Soccer, senior Lora Westling Casper, Wyo.

• Football, junior Trent Hearn, Lancaster,Texas (offense), and senior Grant Gould,Topeka (defense)

• Volleyball, sophomore Monica Miesner,Forissant, Mo.

• Men’s basketball, sophomore AndrewMeile, Olathe, Kan.

• Women’s basketball, senior JenniferHarris, Morristown, N.J.

• Women’s tennis, junior JulieHuyberechts, Louvain-LaNeuve, Belgium

• Men’s tennis, sophomore RutgerVliegenberg, Mierlo, The Netherlands

• Baseball, senior Jake Lenherr, St. Marys, Kan.

• Softball, sophomore Kelly Swygert, Topeka

• Golf, senior Matt Warnock, Liberty, Mo.

Senior Athlete of the Year (femaleand male): Lora Westling and MattWarnock. Westling was an All-MIAAand all-region soccer player in the fallafter finishing her basketball career asWashburn’s all-time 3-point leader.Warnock earned All-MIAA honors ingolf three seasons. He is also one ofonly two Ichabod golfers to play infour NCAA Regional Tournaments.

MIAA Commissioner’s AcademicHonor Roll: Amanda Geist, Topeka,a three-year letter-winner on the LadyBlues’ soccer team, was on the honorroll as a nursing (pre-med) major thepast two years. She was named honorablemention All-MIAA last fall as a midfielderand will complete her nursing degreewhile filling the role as a student assistantcoach on the Lady Blues soccer team.

Capitol Federal SavingsCapitol Federal Savings awarded $10,000in scholarships. True Blue SavingsScholar awards were given to juniorCindy Keeley, Great Bend, Kan.,(basketball) and junior Jake Lebahn,Salina, Kan., (football). Capitol FederalSavings Scholar awards were given toMonica Miesner, Florissant, Mo.,(volleyball) and sophomore NathanMartin, Salina, Kan., (tennis).

In the NCAA tournament, the menfinished second in the four-team event,losing in the second round. Overall,they finished 17-6 in duals. RutgerVliegenberg, Mierlo, The Netherlands,was named the MIAA most valuableplayer after going 16-6 at No. 1 singles.Drew Hanson, Topeka, was namedfreshman of the year. Also earningall-conference honors were Tyler Kinder,Topeka; Drew Hanson, Topeka; AndrewPlum, Dallas; Nathan Martin, Salina,Kan.; Brad Johnston, Topeka; and BlakeEdwards, Columbia, Mo. Kinder led theteam with 21 singles wins, most of themcoming in the No. 5 spot.

Overall, the Lady Blues were 13-10and finished fifth. Jennifer Keiner, LasVegas, was named to the all-conferencesecond team after going 15-7 at No. 1singles. Julie Huyberechts, Louvain-LaNeuve, Belgium, led the team with21 wins, 18 coming in No. 2 singles.The doubles team of Audrie Miller,McPherson, Kan., and Alex Rodenbeek,Salina, Kan., led WU with a 15-3 record.

ATHLETIC AWARDS

■ The 2005-06 Ichabod and Lady BluesMVP’s. (left to right) – Andrew Meile(basketball), Monica Miesner (volleyball),Kelly Swygert (softball), Rutger Vliegenberg(tennis), Julie Huyberechts (tennis), TrentHearn (offensive football), Grant Gould(defensive football), Jake Lenherr (baseball)and Lora Westling (soccer). Not pictured:Matt Warnock (golf) and Fletcher Terrell(football team MVP).

■ (L to R): The Capitol Federal Savings Scholarshipwinners with Jack H. Hamilton, president, CapitolFederal Foundation; Monica Meisner (volleyball),Forissant, Mo.; Nathan Martin (tennis), Salina, Kan.;Cindy Keeley (basketball), Great Bend, Kan.; JakeLebahn (football), Salina, Kan., and WashburnPresident Jerry Farley.

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photo by Gene Cassell

TENNIS

The Ichabod tennis team won their first MIAAChampionship after topping Northwest Missouri5-2 in the title match. Pictured (L to R): Rafeal Valdez,assistant coach; Jon Weygint, Lawrence, Kan.; AndrewPlum, Dallas; Drew Hanson, Topeka; Brad Johnston,Topeka; Blake Edwards, Columbia, Mo.; RutgerVliegenburg, Mierlo, The Netherlands; and NathanMartin, Salina, Kan.; not pictured, Tyler Kinder, Topeka.

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The Ichabod tennisteam wins first MIAAchampionship inschool history andhosts NCAA regional.

26 | summer 2006

CLASS NOTES


30s

BIRTHDAYCarl Nordstrom, ba ’38 and honorary

doctorate ’03, Topeka, celebrated his 90th

birthday in March. Nordstrom is a past president

of the Alumni Association and an Endowment

Association trustee emeritus. In 1992, Washburn

honored him with the Distinguished Service Award.

50s

Lou Eisenbarth, bba ’52 and jd ’54, Topeka,

joined the St. Francis Health Center Foundation

board of directors.

Robert Georgeson, bba ’54, Lawrence, Kan.,

received the Service to Mankind Award from the

Lawrence Sertoma Club.

Kay McFarland, ba ’57 and jd ’64, Topeka,

received the first Chief Justice Kay McFarland

Award from the Women Attorneys Association

of Topeka, given in honor of her professional

excellence and commitment to service. McFarland,

who has served as Chief Justice of the Kansas

Supreme Court since 1995, was honored as a

Washburn Alumni Fellow in 2005.

Jack Richmond, ba ’50 and honorary

doctorate ’00, and Laura Richmond, ba ’59,

San Antonio, were inducted into the San Antonio

Business Hall of Fame. Junior Achievement

of South Texas honored them for business

excellence, vision, innovation, leadership and

community mindedness. Jack Richmond, a

Washburn Endowment Association trustee,

received the Distinguished Service Award in

1987 and was named an Alumni Fellow in 1998.

Jack and Laura Richmond are members of

Washburn’s Lincoln Society.

60sRichard Bassett, bba ’68, Topeka, was named

a 2005 winner of the Honor Society Award by

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Bassett is a

realtor with Prudential First, Realtors.

Richard Davidson, ba ’66 and honorary

doctorate ’94, Omaha, Neb., was appointed to

the Chesapeake Energy Corp. board of directors.

Davidson serves as chairman of the Union Pacific

Corp. and is a trustee emeritus of Washburn

Endowment Association.

Frank Dexter, ba ’69, Moline, Ill., retired as

coach of the Moline High School boys basketball

program with a 244-99 record in 12 seasons.

Dexter, who played baseball and basketball at

Washburn, was inducted into the 1993-94 Athletics

Hall of Fame.

Linda (Henry) Elrod, ba ’69 and jd ’72, Topeka,

was honored as the 2006 Woman of Distinction

by the American Business Women’s Association

Career Chapter during its scholarship luncheon,

which raised funds for a scholarship in Elrod’s

name for women pursuing degrees at Washburn.

Elrod received the Distinguished Service Award

from Washburn in 2005.

Sandra (Ellis) Greenwell, ba ’66, Topeka,

celebrated 20 years of service with the Kansas

Department of Transportation.

Gary Montague, ba ’66, Shawnee, Kan.,

has joined the Johnson County (Kan.) Park

and Recreation District’s board of commissioners.

John Montague, ba ’66, Olathe, Kan., retired

after 28 years with the U.S. Department of Labor.

James Payne, ba ’62, Oxford, Miss., coauthored

“Peoplewise Putting: Get Your Brain in the

Game,” the second in a series, published in

2005 by SterlingHouse Publisher Inc. As with

his first book, Payne’s dedication is to Margaret

McCausland, Topeka, his Washburn freshman

composition teacher, who retired in 1983. Payne is

a professor of special education at the University

of Mississippi and president of Management &

Motivation Inc.

Creighton Pendarvis, ba ’63, Corinth, Miss., is

serving as chairman of the Alcorn County (Miss.)

Salvation Army disaster relief board and Katrina

rebuilding and relief organization.

Larry Peters, bfa ’62, Topeka, was elected a

trustee of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public

Library Foundation. Peters was honored as a

Washburn Alumni Fellow in 2003.

Dale Pond, bba ’69, Mooresville, N.C., was

named to the board of directors of Family Dollar

Stores Inc. Washburn honored Pond as an Alumni

Fellow in 2005.

John “Edgar” Tidwell, ba ’69, Lawrence, Kan.,

was a featured speaker during Black History

Month at the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum

in Arkansas City, Kan. Tidwell is an associate

professor of English at the University of Kansas.

Steven Walker, ba ’68, Fresno, Calif., was named

Preceptor of the Year by the Navy and Danya

Corp. for his consultation with the substance

abuse rehabilitation program at Lemoore Naval

Air Station. Walker, who has administered and

consulted with alcohol and drug counseling

programs for 30 years, has been a preceptor for

more than 10 years. Washburn honored him as an

Alumni Fellow in 2002.

Michael Worswick, bba ’68, Topeka, received

a Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award from

the Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka.

Worswick is chief executive officer of Wolfe’s

Cameras, Camcorders & Computers.

Thomas Wright, jd ’64 and ba ‘81, Topeka,

was elected a director of the Topeka Bar

Association. Wright, a partner in the law firm of

Wright Henson Clark Hutton Mudrick & Gragson,

served on the Washburn Board of Regents.

BIRTHDAYS

Janice (Pogue) Ferrell, b ed ’62 and m ed ’69,

Topeka, celebrated her 80th birthday in January.

Ernestine Rogers, m ed ’64, Topeka, celebrated

her 80th birthday in May.

ANNIVERSARY

Gary Myers, bba ’66, and Susan Myers, Topeka,

celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary

in February.

70s

William “Charles” Argabright, bs ’78, Colorado

Springs, Colo., retired from Lockheed Martin

after 20 years of service and from the Air Force

Reserves at the rank of lieutenant colonel after

26 years of service. Argabright’s career in the

space industry included training NASA astronauts

and assisting in the launch and operations of

government satellites.

Terry Beck, ba ’72 and jd ’75, Topeka, was

elected a director of the Topeka Bar Association.

Beck is an attorney in private practice.

Dan Brune, bba ’75, Aptos, Calif., joined

David Lyng Real Estate as a sales associate

and is co-developing a coffee plantation in

western Panama.

Thomas Corcoran, ba ’76 and jd ’79, Dallas,

was appointed chairman of the board of FelCor

Lodging Trust Inc. Corcoran co-founded FelCor

in 1991 and has served as president and chief

executive officer since its formation. Washburn

honored him as an Alumni Fellow in 1998.

Robert Ensley, bba ’73, Topeka, retired as an

accountant after 17 years of service with the

Kansas Highway Patrol.

Curtis Frasier, jd ’76, Beloit, Kan., was named

to the executive committee of the Kansas State

University Foundation.

Karen (Beavers) Griffiths, ba ’75 and jd ’78,

Norton, Kan., has joined the Kansas Children’s

Service League board of directors.

Judy (Kurz) Hackler, b ed ’72, Topeka, retired

from Auburn-Washburn USD 437, where she

taught at Indian Hills and Pauline Central

elementary schools.

Russell Hill, bba ’74, Alpharetta, Ga., has joined

Business Objects as senior director of retail,

consumer products, distribution worldwide

industry marketing.

Linda (Godbey) Klem, b ed ’72 and m ed

’84, Topeka, retired from Auburn-Washburn

UDS 437, where she taught at Wanamaker

Elementary School.

Sandra (West) Lassiter, b ed ’70, Topeka,

received the Ronald L. Griffin Excellence in

Education Award from the Black Law Student

Association of the Washburn School of Law.

Lassiter is a retired educator and co-pastor of

Faith Temple Church and the New Life

Fellowship Inc.

Paul Maricle, ba ’76 and jd ’79, Denver, is

of counsel with the law firm Holland & Hart,

where he practices in the business entities and

transactions group. Washburn honored him as

an Alumni Fellow in 1992.

Peggy (Weidman) Martin, ba ’74, Overland Park,

Kan., was named to Leadership Kansas 2006. Martin

is chief executive officer of TFI Family Services.

Cathy (Wollen) Maxwell, ba ’75, Powhatan,

Va., had her 14th novel, “In the Bed of a Duke,”

published by Avon Books in May.

Cathy (Crites) McCoy, b ed ’70, Auburn, Kan.,

qualified to join the Coldwell Banker International

President’s Circle, limited to the top seven percent

of sales associates.

Craig McKinney, ba ’79 and jd ’84, Topeka, was

honored by the Black Liberated Arts Center in

Oklahoma City for his contribution to Oklahoma

history as author of “A Biography of Charlie

Christian, Jazz Guitar’s King of Swing,” published

in 2005 by Mellen Press.

Jim Morrison, jd ’71, Manhattan, Kan., received

the 2006 Manhattan Legacy Award from the

Meadowlark Hills Foundation Legacy Society.

Patrick Nichols, jd ’77, Lawrence, Kan., has

joined the Washburn School of Law as an adjunct

professor. Nichols is a mediator and partner in

Associates in Dispute Resolution of Lawrence.

Daniel Olsen, jd ’78, Raymore, Mo., was

appointed to the 17th Judicial Circuit by Gov. Matt

Blunt. Olsen has been serving as a municipal

judge and is a partner in the law firm of Van

Hooser, Olsen, Eftink PC.

Blanche (Williams) Parks, b ed ’71 and m ed

’76, Topeka, was re-elected to the Topeka

Community Foundation. Parks is a member of the

Washburn Board of Regents and an Endowment

Association trustee.

James Parrish, jd ’73, Topeka, was elected a

director of the Topeka Bar Association. Parrish is

administrator of Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative

for Counties and president of Parrish Hotel Corp.

and Parrish Management Corp.

Rose (Cordero) Rodriguez, bfa ’78 and b ed

’86, Topeka, received a certificate of merit for “Art

Rules” newsletter from the Kansas Association of

School Boards/Kansas School Public Relations

Association. Rodriguez teaches art at Eisenhower

Middle School.

Patrick Salsbury, bba ’71 and jd ’74, Topeka,

was elected president of the Topeka Bar

Association. Salsbury is a partner with Goodell

Stratton Edmonds & Palmer.

Gaylord Sanneman, bba ’76, Sublette, Kan.,

was promoted to general manager and chief

executive officer of the Sublette Cooperative Inc.,

where he has been office manager and controller

for 21 years.


CLASS NOTES


Jeffrey Schemmel, jd ’79, San Diego, was

inducted into the Howard Wood Hall of Fame,

connected to the Howard Wood Dakota Relays

based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Gregory Stauffer, bba ’78, Cedar City, Utah,

has been named the interim president of

Southern Utah University, where he has been

serving as vice president for administrative and

financial services.

Thomas Theis, ba ’73 and jd ’76, Topeka, is

among eight Kansas lawyers selected for inclusion

in Legal Media Group’s “Guide to the Leading

U.S. Healthcare Lawyers 2005.” Theis is a partner

in Foulston Siefkin LLP law firm.

Jeff Ungerer, bba ’76 and jd ’82, Topeka,

was elected assistant secretary of the Topeka

Community Foundation.

Steven Unruh, ba ’74, Ottawa, Kan., was

promoted to sergeant with the Shawnee County

Department of Corrections.

William Vicory, ba ’74, Topeka, was recognized

for 30 years of service at the Kansas Department

of Transportation, where he is a public service

executive III.

Gregory Waller, ba ’70 and jd ’73, Wichita,

Kan., received the Superior Achievement in the

Law Award from the Black Law Student

Association of the Washburn School of Law.

Waller is a judge in the 18th Judicial District,

Sedgwick County, Kan.

BIRTHDAYS

Peggy (Debruler) Marlow, bs ’71, Eskridge,

Kan., celebrated her 80th birthday in May.

Alenna (Hawk) Sanders, b ed ’73, Nortonville,

Kan., celebrated her 90th birthday in May.

80sMartha Bartlett-Piland, ba ’86, Topeka, is

president of MB Piland Advertising & Marketing,

which was named a business of the year by the

Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and

received 15 awards and a Best of Show at

the 2006 Topeka Advertising Federation

ADDY Awards.

Roger Binyon, jd ’81, Scottsdale, Ariz., was

named outside tax counsel to Brokers

International Ltd.

Greg Brenneman, bba ’84 and honorary

doctorate ’99, Coral Gables, Fla., resigned as

chairman and chief executive officer of Burger

King to return to his private equity firm,

TurnWorks.

Daren Ciempa, ba ’86, Denver, was promoted to

lieutenant with the Denver Police Department.

James Clarke, bba ’85, Kansas City, Mo., is an

investment manager for the Kauffman Foundation.

Kim Cocklin, jd ’81, Charlotte, N.C., was named

senior vice president, utility operations of Atmos

Energy Corp.

Barbara Davison, bba ’86, Auburn, Kan., has

been appointed to the Brooke Credit Corp. board

of directors.

Joyce (Andrews) Dunlap, bba ’86, Topeka,

received the Henry A. Bubb Distinguished Service

Award from Capitol Federal Savings, where she is

accounting manager and assistant vice president.

Elizabeth (Ragsdale) Ensley, ba ’81, Topeka, is

serving a fourth full term as Shawnee County

(Kan.) election commissioner, a position she has

held since 1992.

Jenny (Smith) Godfrey, ba ’86, Topeka,

received the Shaklee Teacher Award, given

nationally to 10 outstanding teachers of children

with special needs by the Shaklee Institute in

Wichita, Kan. Godfrey teaches early childhood

special education at Auburn-Washburn USD 437.

Carol Green, jd ’81, Topeka, received the

Honorable E. Newton Vickers Professionalism

Award from the Topeka Bar Association.

Susan (Starr) Hammons, ba ’88, Conroe, Texas,

celebrated 20 years of service with Mize, Houser

& Co., where she is a computer programmer.

Deborah Hanes-Nelson, bs ’83, Seneca, Kan.,

is serving as pastor of United Methodist churches

in the Kansas cities of Corning, Seneca, Vermillion

and Centralia.

Wayne Hunter, ba ’82, Topeka, was named a

2005 winner of the Leading Edge Society Award

by Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Hunter is

a realtor with Prudential First, Realtors.

Carolyn Lohman, ba ’80, Fridley, Minn., was

promoted to the rank of colonel in the Air

Force Reserves.

Franklin Main, bs ’82, Topeka, received

the Varian Master’s Award, the highest sales

achievement award from Varian Inc. Diagnostics.

Marie Mater, ba ’89, Magnolia, Texas,

was honored as a College of Arts and

Humanities Piper Professor by Houston Baptist

University, where she is associate professor in

speech communications.

John Maxwell, aa ’81, Burlingame, Kan.,

celebrated 25 years of service with the Kansas

Department of Health and Environment.

John McGivern, bba ’83, Topeka, joined the

St. Francis Health Center Foundation board

of directors.

Kevin Morgison, bba ’87, Perry, Kan., received

the Henry A. Bubb Distinguished Service Award

from Capitol Federal Savings, where he is

compliance services manager.

Roger Noriega, ba ’82, Washington, D.C., is a

Visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise

Institute for Public Policy Research. Washburn

honored Noriega as an Alumni Fellow in 2004.

PROFILE: Diane Wigstone

Diane Wigstone,

bba ’80, is on location

in Jamestown, Va.,

producing and

directing a

documentary film,

“The People of Pocahontas,” which will mark the

400th anniversary of the May 13, 1607 landing of the

Virginia Company explorers on Jamestown Island.

Wigstone also authored “14 Generations: America’s

Critical Choice for Blessing or Exile,” which

addresses choices facing both Native Americans

and the descendants of those who conquered

America, published in 2006 by Kingdom

Enterprises International.

Since 1995, Wigstone has produced and directed

numerous projects in film, video and on the stage.

She also has a long performing resume in music,

stage/theatre, dance, training videos, films and TV,

including appearances on “The Client,” “Sisters,”

“Babylon 5” and “ER.” She also authored “Hope for

Hollywood: Reclaiming the Soul of Film and TV,”

published in 2003.

CLASS NOTES

Larita (Grant) Owens, ba ’81 and m ed ’95,

Topeka, received a certificate of merit for “High

Expectations” newsletter from the Kansas

Association of School Boards/Kansas School

Public Relations Association. Owens is principal

at Quinton Heights Elementary School.

Michael Patrick, bs ’86, Topeka, was promoted

to president of operations services for The Farm

Inc. Family Services.

Mark Skinner, jd ’85, Washington, D.C., was

inducted into the 2006 Clay Center Community

High School Hall of Fame.

Joseph Spence, jd ’89, Brookfield, Wis., with his

wife and son, is part of the Trilogy Poetic Team,

which was named Poet Laureate by the online

poetry site poets.com. The Spence team has

published “A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and

Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul.”

Annette (Knipp) Thornburgh, ba ’85, Topeka,

is on the executive committee of the Kansas

Children’s Service League board of directors.

Scott Willoughby, jd ’83, Rockville, Md.,

has joined Huron Consulting Group as a

managing director.

Jeannie (Shy) Wiseman, bba ’85, Topeka,

received a Distinguished Sales and Marketing

Award from the Sales and Marketing Executives

of Topeka. Wiseman is an advancement officer

with Washburn Endowment Association.

Rene (Vander-Yacht) Young, jd ’86, Salina,

Kan., was appointed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

as a judge for the 28th Judicial District.

WEDDINGGuy Galland, ba ’88, and Donna Grinnell

Orlowshi, Bellevue, Wash., on Jan. 1. He coaches

and teaches at Overland School.

BIRTHSShelly (Evans) Bolejack, ba ’89, and Richard

Bolejack, ba ’94, Topeka, a girl, Ainslee Sue, on

Jan. 6.

Renee (Stout) Montoya, bba ’89, and Michael

Montoya, ba ’85 and jd ’88, Salina, Kan., a girl,

Veronica Janae, on May 2.

90sBonnie Bieber, bsn ’99, Manhattan, Kan., is

inpatient wound care coordinator at Mercy

Regional Health Care Center.

Brandy Biltoft, bas ’99, Manhattan, Kan., was

promoted to unit supervisor at the Shawnee

County (Kan.) Department of Corrections.

Beau Caryl, ba ’97 and m ed ‘05, Topeka, is

dean of students at Chase Middle School.

Karla Clem, ba ’92, Topeka, was promoted to

vice president of M-C Industries, where she has

worked 15 years.

Alan Cobb, jd ’92, Topeka, was named a Senior

Fellow by the Dole Institute of Politics. Cobb is

the Kansas director of Americans for Prosperity.

Brett Ericson, bba ’99, Topeka, has joined

RE/MAX Associates.

Janene (Ries) Falley, aa ’91, Topeka, was promoted

to detective at the Topeka Police Department.

Natasha Forrester, bs ’93, West Linn, Ore., is a

youth librarian with the Multnomah (Ore.) County

Library in Portland.

Derek Hart, bba ’99, Lawrence, Kan., was

promoted to manager with the accounting firm

Windling Noe Nelson & Johnson LLC.

Jennifer (Cowan) Haugh, bfa ’96, Topeka, is

owner/creative principal of Tier One Design,

which received gold, silver and Best of Show

awards at the 2006 Topeka Advertising Federation

ADDY Awards. Haugh also received the Volunteer

of the Year award.

Brenda Head, jd ’92, Topeka, joined the

St. Francis Health Center Foundation board

of directors.

Angi Heller-Workman, bs ’97, Topeka, is a

caregiver specialist for Jayhawk Area Agency on

Aging Inc.

Chris Hill, ba ’94, Topeka, was named Phi of

the Year by the Topeka area Phi Delta Theta

Alumni Association.

Terry Iles, bs ’92, Topeka, was named a partner

with the law firm Frieden, Haynes and Forbes.

Darcy Jones, ba ’96, Atlanta, is an associate in

the intellectual property litigation group of the

law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan. Jones

graduated in December from the Mercer

University Walter F. George School of Law.

Brenda Jordan, jd ’94, Riley, Kan., has opened a

private law practice. Jordan served 10 years in

Riley County (Kan.) as assistant county attorney.

Keri Kish, jd ’98, Lawrence, Kan., was selected

for the 2006 Dwight D. Eisenhower Excellence in

Public Service Series. Kish is a staff attorney for the

National Association of Insurance Commissioners.


PROFILE: Colors over Iraq

(L to R): Mark Penrod, ba ’94, Topeka;

Nathan Bukowski, ba ’02, Fort Scott, Kan.; and

Linus Thuston, ba ’92 and jd ’95, Chanute,

Kan., fly a Washburn University flag while serving

in Tallil, Iraq, with the Army Headquarters

Support Company 891st Engineer Battalion of

the Kansas National Guard, which is based in

Chanute and Iola. Thuston purchased the flag on

Oct. 1, 2005, the day the Ichabod football team

defeated Pittsburg State University. Thuston, a

former member of the Washburn Alumni board

of directors, donated the flag to the Washburn

Alumni Association.

Norm Landry, bba ’94, Topeka, was promoted

to vice president, district retail manager at Capital

City Bank.

Chelsey (Weekly) Langland, jd ’99, Lawrence,

Kan., was elected a director of the Topeka Bar

Association. Langland serves as research attorney

for Judge Christel Marquardt.

Teresa Longberg, ba ’93, Topeka, received

Awards of Merit in writing and graphic design

from the Topeka Chapter of the International

Association of Business Communicators.

Carolyn (Rumfelt) Matthews, ba ’94, Wichita,

Kan., is a partner with the law firm of Foulston

Siefkin LLP.

Alisa Mezger-Crawford, ba ’97, Eskridge, Kan.,

joined Creative Business Solutions as a human

resource specialist.

Charles Miller, ba ’90, Los Angeles, is producing

“Trail End,” a short film set in rural Kansas.

Jan Norris, b ed ’90, Topeka, retired from

Auburn-Washburn USD 437, where she taught at

Washburn Rural Middle School.

Terence O’Malley, jd ’95, Kansas City, Mo.,

produced the documentary film, “Nelly Don: A

Stitch in Time,” which tells the story of his great-

great aunt, Nell Donnelly.

Karen Peters, bsn ’93, Lawrence, Kan., is an

advanced registered nurse practitioner at The LEO

Center of Heartland Medical Clinic.

Lowell Ramsey, jd ’90, Topeka, is director of

sales with Penwell-Gabel Funeral Homes

Crematory & Cemetery.

Sherry (Lambert) Rickel, bsn ’96, Silver Lake,

Kan., has opened Wheatland Health Clinic, where

she is a family nurse practitioner.

Janis Rowland, bba ’90 and mba ’93, Maple

Hill, Kan., celebrated 20 years with Kansas

Department of Transportation, where she is a

management systems analyst.

Joe Rucker, bs ’98, Topeka, was promoted to

lieutenant and unit supervisor with the Shawnee

County (Kan.) Department of Corrections.

Jeff Sanders, ba ’95, San Diego, earned a

doctorate in medicine from the University of

Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha in December

and has begun a four-year residency at the

University of California, San Diego.

Mark Schroeder, bs ’96, Hays, Kan., was

promoted to lieutenant and assigned as a Western

Region aircraft supervisor for the Kansas Highway

Patrol’s aircraft units in Hays.

Douglas Shima, jd ’94, Topeka, was elected

secretary of the Topeka Bar Association. Shima

serves as research attorney for Judge G. Joseph

Pierron Jr.

Teresa (Herdman) Sittenauer, ba ’91 and jd

’94, Topeka, was elected president-elect of the

Topeka Bar Association. Sittenauer is a partner in

the law firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP.

Eric Smith, jd ’94, Topeka, has joined

Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP as an

associate attorney.

Holly (Lynch) Staab, aa ’95, and Aaron Staab,

ba ’96, Topeka, have expanded the North Topeka

fitness franchise, Curves for Women, which they

own and operate.

Eric Tabor, ba ’98, Clay Center, Kan., is a

member of the 2006 Clay Center Area Chamber

of Commerce board of directors.

Rusty Ullery, bba ’97, Topeka, is an area

manager for the radial trucks operations team at

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Jannett (Bero) Wiens, aa ’99 and ba ’03,

Topeka, has opened All Occasions

Consulting LLC.

ANNIVERSARIESJudy (Miller) Morrow, b ed ’98, and Terry

Morrow, Topeka, celebrated their 25th wedding

anniversary in February.

Betty (Pierce) Wells, aa ’90, and Floyd

Wells, Topeka, celebrated their 50th wedding

anniversary in May.

WEDDINGSDavid Cullen, ba ’90, and Barbara Robinson,

Topeka, on Dec. 30. Both are working with the

developmentally disabled.

B.J. McGivern, bba ’97, and Julie Ellis, Topeka,

on Feb. 4. He is a realtor and sales associate at

Realty Executives.

Lynette Mitchell, bs ’99, and Michael Smith,

Nickerson, Kan., on March 24. She is executive

director of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Reno

County, Kan.

Jayme Roberts, bas ’93, and J.L. Riedel, Salina,

Kan., on Feb. 4. She is a communications

specialist with the Kansas Highway Patrol.

BIRTHSJodi (Robison) Atkins, bas ’91, and Kelley

Atkins, Lakeland, Tenn., a boy, Blake Thomas,

on Oct. 14.

Amber (Allendorf) Bonnell, aa ’93 and ba ’94,

and David Bonnell, Lawrence, Kan., a boy,

Dawson Alexander, on Feb. 23.

Andrea (Davis) Kelley, as ’96, and Bobby

Kelley, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a boy, Luke Adrian

Ross, on Feb. 4. He joins Cameron, 7 and

Shannon, 4.

Theodore Martinez, bas ’94, and Brenda

Martinez, Lawrence, Kan., a girl, Kate Ann, on

April 9.

Brandy (Smith) Pekarek, as ’96, and Sean

Pekarek, Topeka, twins, a girl, Olivia Raye, and

a boy, Jack William, on Nov. 29.

Melissa (Perkins) Racer, ba ’94, and Tim Racer,

ba ’92 and jd ’95, Lee’s Summit, Mo., a boy,

Quinten Anderson, on Feb. 7.

Matthew Snyder, ba ’93, and Darya Alexander,

Neenah, Wis., a boy, Owen Andrew, on Nov. 4.

Tonia (Owens) Whitener, jd ’99, and Jason

Whitener, jd ’00, Lawrence, Kan., a boy, Joshua

John-Paul, on Jan. 10.

00sBrenda (Huber) Adkins, mba ’03, Holton, Kan.,

is manager of the Jackson County (Kan.) Rural

Water District 3.

James Armbrust, jd ’06, Topeka, has joined the

sales staff of Prudential First, Realtors.

Rhys Baker, ba ’04, Clay Center, Kan., has joined

the 2006 Clay Center Area Chamber of Commerce

board of directors.

Matthew Bergmann, ba ’01 and jd ’05, Topeka,

is an associate with the law firm Davis, Unrein,

McCallister, Biggs and Head LLP.

Troy Biladeau, m ed ’03, Silver Lake, Kan., is

defensive coordinator for the Spokane Shock of

the Arena Football 2 League. Biladeau has been

coaching arena football for six years.


CLASS NOTES

Richard Buck, jd ’03, Hutchinson, Kan., is an

assistant public defender for Reno County (Kan.).

Julia Butler, jd ’03, Lawrence, Kan., is an

associate with the law firm Riling, Burkhead and

Nitcher Chartered.

Brandi (Jacobs) Clarke, ba ’04, Topeka, is an

analyst in the human resources department of the

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Vincent Cox, jd ’05, Topeka, has joined

Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith LLP as an

associate attorney.

Bill Crooks, bba ’01 and mba ’06, Topeka, was

recognized by Harrah’s Prairie Band Casino for his

role as marketing systems presenter/trainer on the

Caesar’s integration team. Crooks, who also

received an Excellence in Leadership Award at the

property level, serves as manager of three casino

marketing areas.

Robin Dixon, m ed ’04, Topeka, was named

Master Teacher by Auburn-Washburn USD 437.

Dixon, who teaches sixth grade at Jay Shideler

Elementary School, will represent that school

district at the state level.

Jason Duncan, mba ’02, Topeka, was promoted

to project manager in the land development

division of Bartlett & West Engineers.

Ryan Gilliland, ba ’05, Topeka, is a constituent

services representative in the Topeka office of

Congressman Jim Ryun.

Michael Grimmett, jd ’01, Douglass, Kan., has

joined Gaines & All law firm.

Marc Harvill, mba ’03, Topeka, exhibited oil

paintings in the Pittsburg (Kan.) Memorial

Auditorium lobby gallery in May.

Lena (Bronson) Hayden, ba ’02, Topeka, is

serving on the publications committee of the

MANA de Topeka board of directors.

Erica Huston, bs ’02, Topeka, has joined

Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair as a sales associate.

Amanda Kiefer, jd ’03, Topeka, received the

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the

Topeka Bar Association.

Adam Lawrence, aas ’02, Topeka, was promoted

to maintenance supervisor at Jostens Printing

and Publishing.

Jessica Leffler, bs ’05, Lawrence, Kan.,

completed an internship at Douglas County (Kan.)

Corrections and is working with Douglas County

Youth Services.

Jodi (Rausch) Lies, ba ’02, Halstead, Kan., is

head coach for girls basketball at Inman (Kan.)

High School.

Traci McDonald, ba ’02, Topeka, is an associate

with RE/MAX Associates of Topeka.

Blake Meyer, bba ’04, Topeka, has joined

Denison State Bank as a personal banking officer.

Robin (Lang) Moody, bba ’01, Scranton,

Kan., was promoted to manager, membership

administration at Blue Cross and Blue Shield

of Kansas.

Sara Neiswanger, bba ’06, Topeka, is an

executive assistant at Association Services Corp.

Brad Noller, ba ’00, Topeka, is an agent with

American Family Insurance.

Royce Overbey, bba ’04, Topeka, was promoted

to vice president, district retail manager at Capital

City Bank.

Tabitha Reist Steiner, b music ’00, Prairie

Village, Kan., a harpist, performs with the Tulsa

Opera Orchestra, the Wichita Grand Opera

Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City

Lyric Opera.

Keri (Battershell) Renner, ba ’03, Topeka, is

director of communications and statewide

networker for Kansas Family Partnership Inc.

Rebecca Rhymer, jd ’05, Evansville, Ind., has

joined the law firm of Kahn, Dees, Donovan and

Kahn as an associate attorney, concentrating on

general civil litigation and insurance defense.

Liz Rogers, ba ’04, Lawrence, Kan., was selected

for the 2006 Dwight D. Eisenhower Excellence in

Public Service Series.

Ken Schallenkamp, jd ’02, Emporia, Kan.,

received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the

Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Schallenkamp is a business professor at Emporia

State University.

Kelly Schmidt, bba ’04, Ft. Collins, Colo., is

sales operations manager with Front Range

Internet Inc.

John Scoggins, m ed ’01, Emporia, Kan., is head

football coach at Emporia High School.

Brandon Shaw, bs ’05, Holton, Kan., graduated

from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training

Center. Shaw is a deputy with the Jackson County

Sheriff’s Department.

Lance Sibley, b ed ’04, Topeka, was promoted

to sergeant with the Shawnee County Department

of Corrections.

Maureen Smith, m ed ’03, Topeka, was named

Elementary Teacher of the Year by Auburn-

Washburn USD 437. Smith, who teaches at

Wanamaker Elementary School, will represent that

district at the state level.

Anne (Davis) Stoops, ba ’00, Topeka, graduated

from Baker University with a master’s degree in

business administration. Stoops is a manager for

Target Corp.

Sonya Strickland, jd ’04, Topeka, has joined the

law offices of Joseph & Hollander PA.

Melanie (Wilson) Tomlinson, bsn ’05, Topeka,

is a nurse at Stormont-Vail HealthCare.

Kyle Wilson, bba ’02, Topeka, was named a

2005 winner of the Honor Society Award by

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. Wilson is a

realtor with Prudential First, Realtors.

WEDDINGSTiffany Caywood, bsn ’05, and Matthew Erb,

Lawrence, Kan., on July 2. She is a graduate

nurse in The Birthplace at Stormont-Vail

HealthCare, Topeka.

Quinton Cook, aas ’05, and Stacy Kiss, Topeka,

on Jan. 7.

Sarah Foster, ba ’05, and Jason Mesker, bba

’99, Lawrence, Kan., on Oct. 1.


Amelia Gast, b ed ’04, and Morgan Bailey,

Topeka, on April 8. She teaches sixth grade at

Pleasant Hill Elementary School.

Kolter Hoffman, mba ’03, and Meghann Dwyer,

Kansas City, Kan., on Nov. 5. He is self-employed.

Michelle Hollins, bs ’03, and Neal Rose, Topeka,

on Oct. 22.

Amy Karn, bsn ’02, and Jason Carreno, ba ’06,

Topeka, on Jan. 1. She is a registered nurse at

Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center.

Jared Laha, bba ’03, and Megan Skinner,

Lawrence, Kan., on Oct. 1. He is a conservation

manager for American Home Life Insurance.

Nichole Malott, bba ’02, and David Vasquez,

Topeka, on July 2, 2005. She is the accountant for

E-Kan Fire Equipment.

Anna Neufeld, ba ’04, and Roman Bolan,

Topeka, on Oct. 1.

Melissa Ruggero, ba ’00 and jd ’04, and David

Howarter, bs ’97, Topeka, on Oct. 8. She is an

assistant district attorney for Shawnee County

(Kan.), and he is director of operations at BG

Service Solutions.

Macy Tanking, mba ’04, and Dustin Cline, bba

’03 and mba ’04, Plano, Texas, on Oct. 1. She

works for TM Advertising, and he works for

Gregory Marketing.

Ryan Vaughn, b ed ’04, and Diane Burkdoll,

Osage City, Kan., on Dec. 17. He teaches special

education at Scranton Elementary School.

Candace White, bba ’03, and Wade Hapgood,

Topeka, on Oct. 8. She is an auditor at

Security Benefit.

BIRTHTueka (Farmer) Kruger, b ed ’03, and

Shannon Kruger, bba ’03, Silver Lake, Kan.,

a girl, McKinley Kay, on Jan. 18.

IN MEMORY

’20s

Vera (Kanode) Johnson, bs ’29, 98, Topeka, on

Feb. 4. She was a librarian for Stormont-Vail’s

School of Nursing, a secretary for the Kansas

Children’s Service League and also worked in

Washburn’s botany department.

’30s

Gertrude (Shideler) Barker, ba ’38, 88, Wichita,

Kan., on March 6. A cellist, she was a member of

Washburn’s music faculty from 1953-61 and

played in the Topeka Civic Symphony, Houston

Symphony, Wichita Symphony and Friends

University Community Orchestra. At Washburn,

she belonged to Sigma Alpha Iota and Alpha Phi

sorority. She was also a member of the Whiting

Society. Memorials may be made to the Gertrude

Elizabeth Shideler Barker Music Scholarship

at Washburn.

Rose Mary (Mechem) Gordon, attendee ’39,

85, Seattle, on April 2. She was an editor of Sports

Illustrated magazine, where she was elected to a

leading position in the Newspaper Guild.

Helen (Roose) Haskett, attendee ’37, 88,

Garden Grove, Calif., on April 18. She was the

executive secretary at Equity Brokers Inc. and a

founding member of the Los Altos (Calif.) United

Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for

many years.

Katherine (Davis) Ramus, ba ’33, 94,

Englewood, Colo., on March 6. She owned and

operated the Blue Jay Inn in Buffalo Creek, Colo.,

for more than 40 years and was also a librarian

for the Denver University art department. At

Washburn, she joined Sigma Alpha Iota women’s

music fraternity.

Dorothy (Harmon) Richards, ba ’39, 91,

Omaha, Neb., on May 9. At Washburn, she

belonged to the YWCA and Alpha Kappa

Alpha sorority.

Mary (Smith) True, ba ’37, 90, Longmont, Colo.,

on March 24. At Washburn, she was in YWCA,

Women’s Athletic Association, Glee Club, French

Club and Alpha Phi sorority.

Catharine (Ley) VanSant, ba ’35, 92, Lenexa,

Kan., on Oct. 3. She taught and then tutored at

the Kansas City Christian High School and was

active in the Village Presbyterian Church. At

Washburn, she was inducted into Nonoso and

joined Alpha Phi sorority. She was also a member

of the Whiting Society.

’40s

Robert Breidenthal, jd ’49, 86, The Woodlands,

Texas, on Feb. 4. A pilot in the Army Air Corps

during World War II, he practiced law in Wichita,

Kan. At Washburn, he joined Delta Theta Phi

legal fraternity.

Kenneth Bridwell, attendee ’49, 75, Topeka, on

March 12. An Army Korean War veteran, he sold

real estate and then owned and operated Topeka

Contractors & Engineers for 30 years.

Robert Dietrich, ba ’47, 84, Los Altos, Calif., on

Dec. 12. A Navy medical corpsman during World

War II, he served nearly 30 years as director of

occupational therapy at the Veterans

Administration hospital in Menlo Park, Calif.

Jules Verne Doty, ba ’49 and jd ’50, 82, Olathe,

Kan., on Feb. 20. A World War II Army veteran,

he served as commissioner to the Kansas

Corporation Commission from 1968-74 and as a

judge in the 4th Judicial District of Kansas from

1983 until retiring in 1995. At Washburn, he joined

Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Delta Theta Phi

legal fraternity.

IN MEMORY

Anna Elizabeth (Parker) Bunyan, ba ’23, 108, Corvallis, Ore., on April 6. Born in 1898, she taught mathematics in Ottawa, Kan., area schools for

more than 25 years, retiring in 1969 at the age of 71, moved to California, and later to Oregon, where she lived for the past 20 years with a daughter

and son-in-law. Shortly after her 108th birthday on March 21, she was interviewed by the Corvallis “Gazette-Times.” At Washburn, she was active in the

Alethean literary society, YWCA and joined Kappa Pi Beta sorority.


CLASS NOTES

Frank Eckert, bba ’48, 83, Abilene, Kan., on May

10. A World War II Army veteran, he served as

office manager and as corporate auditor of

Duckwall Stores. At Washburn, he was inducted

into Sagamore and joined Alpha Delta fraternity.

He also served on the Washburn Alumni

Association board of directors.

Robert Gucker, bba ’49, 80, Valley Center, Calif.,

on Jan. 27. A World War II Navy veteran, he had

a career in insurance, establishing Midwest

Insurers in 1959 and retiring in 1986.

Edwin Hailey, ba ’49, 83, Topeka, on April 9. A

World War II Navy veteran, he taught and

coached 37 years for Topeka USD 501, primarily

at Highland Park High School. At Washburn, he

played football, basketball and baseball and

joined Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Virgil Holdredge, attendee ’43, 80, Olathe, Kan.,

on March 28. A graduate of the Navy V-12

program at Washburn, he retired from the Naval

Reserves with the rank of commander. He served

in Kansas as county engineer for Johnson County

and as city engineer for Junction City, Lawrence

and Olathe.

Robert Johnson, ba ’41 and jd ’48, 86,

Lawrence, Kan., on Feb. 12. A retired Army

Reserve lieutenant colonel, he practiced law in

Topeka, served as president of the Shawnee

County (Kan.) Historical Society and was active in

the preservation and restoration of the Free State

Capitol. At Washburn, he belonged to Alpha Delta

fraternity and Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity and

was an honorary member of the Friends of the

Mulvane Art Museum Inc. With his wife, Simone

Johnson, professor emeritus, who survives, he

belonged to the Lincoln Society. Memorials may

be made to the Robert and Simone Johnson

Scholarship Fund at Washburn.

Howard Miller, ba ’49, 84, Jefferson City, Mo.,

on Feb. 6. A World War II Air Force veteran,

he was director of facilities for the Missouri

Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education. At Washburn, he was a Whiting Scholar.

Julian Muckenthaler, ba ’46 and jd ’47, 87,

Overland Park, Kan., on March 10. A World War II

Army veteran, he practiced law in Kansas City,

Kan. At Washburn, he belonged to Phi Kappa

Phi academic honorary and Phi Alpha Delta

law fraternity.

Gordon Pickup, ba ’47, 85, Overland Park, Kan.,

on Jan. 14. A World War II Navy veteran, he

worked for DuPont Co. and Monarch Cement Co.

and served on the Quivira, Inc. board of directors.

At Washburn, he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Kathleen (Martin) Taylor, ba ’45, 82, Topeka,

on May 3. She worked for Burgwin and Martin,

taught at Jardine Junior High School and started a

Topeka celiac sprue support group. At Washburn,

she was inducted into Nonoso and joined Kappa

Alpha Theta sorority. With her husband, Paul

“David” Taylor, who died April 15, she belonged

to Washburn’s Whiting Society.

John Witt, attendee ’49, 76, College Station,

Texas, on May 6. He owned Friendly Chevrolet

and was a founding partner of Toyota of Dallas.

’50s

Frank Beck, b ed ’57, 93, Sapulpa, Okla., on

Feb. 1. He taught and coached many years in

Kansas and Oklahoma, retiring in 1983. He was an

Oklahoma Silver Haired senator and won medals

in the Oklahoma and National Senior Olympics.

Lucretia (Stansbury) Caldwell, ba ’50, 79,

Cresco, Iowa, on May 15. She farmed with her

husband and belonged to Canton-Scotland

Presbyterian Church. At Washburn, she joined Phi

Sigma Chi women’s pep fraternity and Zeta Tau

Alpha sorority.

Franklin Carman, jd ’54, 82, Pfeifer, Kan., on

March 1. He practiced law in Quinter, Kan., and

then taught high school math in Colorado,

Kansas, Wyoming and Oklahoma.

Deanna Comer, attendee ’55, 69, Topeka,

on April 23. She was a supervisor at Kansas

Neurological Institute and belonged to St. Mark

A.M.E. Church.

Barbara (Berger) Dieter, ba ’51, 76, Houston,

on Feb. 19. She was inducted into Nonoso at

Washburn. Her husband, James Dieter, attendee

’49, survives.

Clarke Geddes, ba ’50 and jd ’51, 81, Beverly,

Ohio, on April 6. A World War II Navy veteran, he

retired from Globe Metallurgical after 31 years as

a purchasing agent. At Washburn, he joined Delta

Theta Phi legal fraternity.

Clayton Gerboth, attendee ’51, 72, Springfield,

Mo., on Feb. 22. He was a geologist for Kerr

McGee Corp. and North American Coal Corp.

Mary (McKinney) Harness, attendee ’50, 97,

Elizabeth, Ind., on Jan. 9. She taught in U.S.

Embassy schools.

Arthur Harper, ba ’52, 76, Boca Raton, Fla., on

Feb. 3. He was a missionary in Africa and later

practiced law. After retirement, he served as

special counsel to then Gov. Bob Graham. At

Washburn, he belonged to Tau Delta Pi honorary

scholastic society.

IN MEMORY

Helen (Hobbs)

Jordan, b music ’29, 99,

New York, on April 26.

She taught singing and

violin at Washburn from

1931-36, and then moved

to New York, where she

studied at Columbia University Teachers College and

the Julliard School of Music. For more than 50 years,

she operated a music studio in New York, teaching

musicianship to many of the top professional studio

players and singers in the country, as well as

Broadway performers, opera singers, symphony and

pop musicians and celebrities, including Tony

Bennett, Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler and Paul

Simon. She also taught at Julliard School of Music,

Columbia University, and was chair of the general

musicianship department of the American Theatre

Wing. She authored “The Modern Musicianship

Series” and was featured on “The Wall Street Journal

Report” and CBS Radio Network. Washburn honored

her with the Distinguished Service Award in 1985.

In 2001, Women In Music honored her with a

Touchstone Award. At Washburn, she was inducted

into Nonoso and joined the French Club, YWCA

and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

34 | summer 2006


Brent Hood, bba ’59, 70, Olathe, Kan., on Feb.

4. He retired after 25 years as district manager for

Kansas Power & Light. At Washburn, he belonged

to Young Republicans, band and the Association

of Business Students.

Donald Morrison, ba ’50, 78, Liberty, Mo., on

March 27. A graduate of the University of Kansas

School of Medicine, he was associated with

St. Joseph Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital in

Kansas City, Mo., and Liberty Memorial

Hospital. At Washburn, he belonged to Phi

Delta Theta fraternity.

John “Jack” Morrissey, bba ’52, 78, Topeka, on

April 24. A former Merchant Marine, he owned

and managed Fairlane Apartments, retiring in

1997. At Washburn, he belonged to the

Association of Business Students, Inter-fraternity

Council and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Memorials

may be sent to Washburn University.

Gene Nicely, attendee ’56, 69, Ozawkie, Kan.,

on Jan. 7. He was an appraiser for the Kansas

Department of Transportation, retiring in 2002.

Perry Nuckols, ba ’50, 83, Los Angeles, on Jan.

26. He was a probation officer with Los Angeles

County, retiring in 1979.

Warren Southard, jd ’51, 80, Wichita, Kan., on

Feb. 5. A Navy World War II veteran, he practiced

law for 55 years, serving 10 years as chairman

of the Wichita Bar Association ethics committee.

He was a fellow with the Kansas Bar Association.

At Washburn, he belonged to Delta Theta Phi

legal fraternity.

James Tillery, attendee ’56, 69, Meriden, Kan.,

on April 27. He practiced dentistry for 30 years in

Valley Falls, Kan.

Leon Wright, bba ’57, 77, Eskridge, Kan., on

Feb. 9. He served in the Army National Guard,

owned and operated Wright’s Tax Service and

was a farmer and rancher. At Washburn, he

belonged to the Association of Business Students.

James Yates, jd ’51, 86, Kansas City, Kan., on

March 16. An Army veteran of World War II, he

had a solo law practice.

’60s

Robert Bolan, bba ’62, 65, Mabelvale, Ark.,

on Feb. 16. At Washburn, he belonged to Delta

Sigma Phi business club and Alpha Delta fraternity.

William Ellis, bs ’69 and jd ’73, 58, Nixa, Mo.,

on Feb. 6. He was an attorney with a private

practice and had served as an alderman in Nixa,

an advocate in the Missouri Division of Family

Services and as a municipal judge in Oxford, Kan.

Dorothy (Crawford) Hayes, ba ’61, 78, Topeka,

on Feb. 1. She taught 25 years in Topeka public

schools and was a member of Alpha Kappa

Alpha sorority.

J. Roger Hendrix, jd ’64, 67, Topeka, on April 9.

He practiced law for 40 years and belonged to

the Kansas and Topeka Bar Associations. His

wife, Jan (Edwardson) Hendrix, ba ’67 and

msw ’98, survives.

William Howard, ba ’63, 65, Burtonsville, Md.,

on March 23. Active in conservation efforts, he

served as president of the Wildlife Habitat Council

and as president and chief executive of the

National Wildlife Federation. At Washburn, he was

active in basketball, football and track, was

inducted into Sagamore and joined Kappa

Sigma fraternity.

John Johnson, ba ’68, 61, St. Louis, on Jan. 19.

At Washburn, he participated in the Washburn

semester in Copenhagen.

Jim Jones, jd ’62, 74, Sallisaw, Okla., on March

2. An Air Force Korean War veteran, he had a

private law practice and served as city attorney

for towns in Sequoyah County (Okla.) and was a

senior member of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Harold McClary, ba ’60, 75, Vermillion, Kan., on

May 3. He was president of Vermillion State Bank.

Richard Neice, bba ’65 and jd ’70, 64, Wichita,

Kan., on Nov. 24, 2005. He was a retired attorney.

Gary Olden, ba ’66, 62, Warrensburg, Mo., on

May 8. He taught music, played in the Air Force

Band and worked 14 years at Quimby Pipe

Organs Inc. At Washburn, he was active in band,

choir and jazz workshop.

James Pett, bba ’65, 64, Loveland, Colo., on May

5. He was an internal auditor of First National

Bank of Lincoln, Neb., and then formed the bank

consulting firm, Pett and Associates. His wife,

Marilyn Pett, b ed ’65, survives.

Lucy (Thornton) Redding, b ed ’61, and m ed

’65, 91, Topeka, on Feb. 20. She was an

elementary teacher in rural Greenwood County

(Kan.) and also taught for Topeka Public Schools.

Ruth (Rigby) Timken, b ed ’63, 86, Topeka, on

Jan. 24. She taught in the Kansas towns of Ness

City and Lewis and then worked in Topeka at

Lyman and Grant elementary schools.

Joseph Youngkamp, ba ’62, 66, Alamogordo,

N.M., on March 12. He taught social studies at

Alamogordo High School, retiring in 2000. At

Washburn, he was in ROTC and the band.

’70s

Gary Boman, attendee ’78, 46, Topeka, on Feb.

20. He worked for Kansas Neurological Institute,

retiring in 1991.

Jerald Michael Eakes, bba ’72, 63, Shawnee,

Kan., on Feb. 19. A Vietnam veteran, he retired as

a financial analyst with the Johnson County (Kan.)

Water District 1 and belonged to the American

Contract Bridge League. His wife, Linda

(Duncan) Eakes, b ed ’72, survives.

IN MEMORYConstance (Lord)

Brown, ba ’44 and jd

’46, 82, Sun City, Ariz.,

on Jan. 20. With her

husband, Marlin Brown,

jd ’51, who died in 1993,

she established the law

firm of Brown & Brown in Council Grove, Kan.,

specializing in estate planning and income tax

preparation. She was the first woman elected as a

county attorney in Kansas and served in Morris

County from 1951-55. After retirement, she

continued to prepare tax returns and draft estate

plans. She served Washburn as a member of the

Alumni Association board of directors and as a

trustee of the Endowment Association, receiving

emeritus status in 1999. As a student at Washburn,

she was a Whiting Scholar, named to Who’s Who

Among Students in American Universities and

Colleges and was inducted into Nonoso. She served

on the Student Council and was secretary of Kappa

Alpha Theta sorority.

CLASS NOTES

Marilyn (Clark) Gilliland, attendee ’72, 69,

Topeka, on April 17. She taught 39 years in

elementary schools in Topeka, Wichita, Kan.,

and Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Her husband, David

Gilliland, bba ’68, survives.

Robert Herrick, attendee ’74, 49, Topeka, on

March 9. He served in the Army.

Betty (Wyatt) LaRue, ba ’76, 80, Topeka, on

Feb. 5. She retired as a social worker at Stormont-

Vail HealthCare and was a master gardener.

Ethel “Sally” (Blaine) Millett, ba ’71, 90, San

Antonio, on March 7. A second lieutenant in the

Army, she was among the nurses held captive by

the Japanese during World War II.

Richard Mills, attendee ’76, 52, Seal Beach,

Calif., on Feb. 3. He was an ombudsman and

correctional counselor for the State of Kansas.

In Long Beach, Calif., he taught special

education and was a teaching consultant for

behavioral management.

Catherine Murphy, ba ’76, 56, Omaha, Neb., on

Jan. 4. She volunteered 20 years at the YWCA

Women Against Violence hotline, receiving many

awards and commendations and also served in

the Salvation Army telephone assistance program

for the elderly.

Ralph Oliverson, bba ’77, 85, Wichita, Kan., on

Feb. 10. He worked for Walt Keeler Construction

and the Internal Revenue Service and served as

president of the Independent Businessmen

Association of Wichita.

Philip Rice, attendee ’70, 72, Topeka, on

March 17. He worked at the VA Eastern Kansas

Healthcare System, coached Little League baseball

and was active in his church.

Marylyn Schodde, attendee ’79, 71, Topeka,

on Feb. 3.

C. Dwight Wamsley, jd ’75, Wichita, Kan., 56, on

Feb. 21. He practiced law for 30 years, served as

an attorney for the State of Kansas and ran for the

Kansas House of Representatives.

’80s

Patricia (Ecord) Baker, b ed ’84, 74, Topeka, on

Feb. 20. She taught at State Street Elementary

School and also taught reading and math at

Quinton Heights Elementary School. Her husband,

Jerry Baker, bba ’68, survives.

Russell Blosser, attendee ’89, 56, Topeka, on

Jan. 20. He was the human resource manager for

the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.

Robert Buzbee, attendee ’80, 50, Topeka, on

April 23. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and

was a lifelong United Methodist.

David Henderson, as ’86, 73, Topeka, on April

28. He served 26 years in the Air Force and then

worked as a respiratory care practitioner at

Stormont-Vail HeathCare. He also helped organize

the Mission Township volunteer fire department.

Nigel Marcotte, bba ’87, 41, Lenexa, Kan., on

Dec. 19. He worked at Steak & Ale and then

managed Applebee’s restaurants for 14 years.

Paula McMillan, attendee ’89, 39, Topeka, on

May 13. She worked at Yellow Transportation and

belonged to Topeka Bible Church.

Betty “Bo” Sheafor, attendee ’86, 70, Topeka,

on Feb. 3. A partner in her family’s farming and

ranching business, she also established the AlBo

Glass Studio. She supported the International

Center of Topeka, KTWU and the Mulvane Art

Museum. Memorials may be sent to the Mulvane

Art Museum at Washburn.

Michael Simmons, jd ’89, 44, Racine, Wis.,

on March 12. He served 10 years as an assistant

attorney for the State of Wisconsin, and then entered

private practice as a criminal defense attorney.

Bernard Webb, ba ’88, 68, Topeka, on Jan. 24.

He was an Army veteran.

Debra (Garhan) Wolff, bs ’83, 45, Topeka, on

Feb. 9. She was a paraprofessional for Topeka

public schools, a receptionist at a doctor’s office

and a donor recruiter for the Topeka Blood Bank.

Kimberly Yurek-Askew, ba ’82, 45, Stockbridge,

Ga., on Nov. 14. She was a director of human

resources for Delta Technologies, had previously

worked for Macy’s Department Stores and also

volunteered with Big Brothers-Big Sisters.

’90s

Joseph Bachofer, attendee ’90, 59, Topeka, on

April 19. He worked 10 years as a paraprofessional

in Topeka Public Schools and also was an actor,

playwright and chef.

Rick Hall, ba ’92, 54, Houston, on Nov. 15. At

Washburn, he belonged to the Psi Chi national

psychology honor society.

IN MEMORY

Francine (Baudoux-Neubauer) Hines, ba ’76, 81, Topeka, on Jan. 29. An immigrant of Belgium who became an American citizen, she was a speaker, a

freelance writer and a consultant for professional and business seminars. She was receptionist-secretary to Gov. George Docking and then the transition agent

for both Gov. John Anderson and Gov. Robert Docking. Gov. John Carlin appointed her executive director to the Kansas Water Resources Board, and later Gov.

Bill Graves appointed her to the Kansas Military Advisory Board. Hines served on the Washburn Board of Regents from 1991-95 and taught at Washburn from

1985-91. She was a founding member of the Washburn Women’s Alliance board and a member of the Washburn Alumni Association and the Friends of the

Mulvane Art Museum. Hines was instrumental in the Topeka (Downtown) Rotary Club scholarship program which benefited Washburn international students,

and she coached several Washburn students applying for Rotary ambassadorial scholarships. She received the Americanism Medal from the Daughters of the

American Revolution, was honored as Woman of the Year by the American Business Woman’s Association in 1970 and listed in the World Who’s Who of

Women. Hines was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Topeka (Downtown) Rotary Club and received the Community Leadership Award from the International

Center of Topeka. She received the Lilla Day Monroe Award from the Washburn Alumni Association in 2001.

Deborah Nordt, bba ’99, 53, Topeka, on

April 15. She worked at the Shawnee County

Courthouse and then joined Topeka USD 501 as

a fixed assets specialist, retiring in 2004.

Dennis Reaves, attendee ’96, 33, Lowell, Ark.,

on April 27. An Air Force veteran of Operation

Desert Storm, he was a craftsman specializing in

home construction and additions.

Mark Stueve, jd ’97, 58, Topeka, on March 8. A

Vietnam veteran, he was the president of S/S

Builders Inc. from 1985-94 and was a project

manager for Woods Construction Inc. His wife,

Lynette (Smith) Steuve, jd ’97, survives.

Michael Waugh, ba ’92, 37, Algonquin, Ill., on

Jan. 30. He was an operator and partner of Joe’s

Stone Crab Restaurants in Chicago and had been

affiliated 12 years with the Lettuce Entertain You

restaurants. His wife, Lisa (Schmoller) Waugh,

b ed ’93, survives.

Glenn Wilson, bba ’97, 38, Topeka, on March

31. A certified public accountant, he worked for

Wendling, Noe, Nelson & Johnson and the

Washburn Endowment Association.

’00s

Shari (Woody) Banks-Hicks, bas ’00, 56,

Lawrence, Kan., on March 3. She had worked for

Stokeley Van Camp, Eckan and Aeroquip.

Lauren Cash, ba ’02, 27, Topeka, on Feb. 7. She

worked at Tallgrass Surgical Center and was an

avid equestrian.

Kelly (Kesar) Edmiston, bsn ’04, 39, Las Vegas,

on April 30. She was a registered nurse and

served as executive clinical manager for Sher

Institute for Reproductive Medicine.

Jane Kindle, bsn ’05, 23, Basehor, Kan., on

March 14. She was a nurse at Shawnee Mission

Medical Center. At Washburn, she was treasurer

for Student Nurses of Washburn. Memorials may

be sent to the Jane Kindle Scholarship Memorial

at the Washburn School of Nursing.

Michele Line, attendee ’03, 25, Topeka, on March

29. She was a psychology major at Washburn and

volunteered at the Catholic Campus Ministry and

the Kaw Valley Girl Scout Council.

FRIENDSGeneva (Benitz) Adkins, 66, Topeka, on Jan. 25.

She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church,

the Stormont-Vail Auxilary board and the PEO

Sisterhood. Her husband, William Adkins, bba

’60, survives.

Ralph Buckner, 84, Stillwater, Okla., on Dec. 29.

He was a professor of veterinary medicine. His

wife, Jacque (Gleason) Buckner, ba ’47 and

bba ’48, survives.

Ozella (Pierce) Craig, 72, Topeka, on Jan. 30.

She worked 35 years as a secretary for the Kansas

Bureau of Investigation, retiring in 1994. Her

husband, Richard Craig, aa ’78, survives.

James “Dick” Davis, 71, Douglass, Kan., on May

13. He was a field auditor for the State of Kansas

and an antique dealer. His wife, Brenda

(Kinder) Davis, bsn ’86, survives.

Patricia (Hamilton) Delano, 79, Topeka, on

March 22. A member of the Friends of the

Mulvane Art Museum, she was a long-standing

volunteer in numerous charitable organizations.

John Espy, 84, Topeka, on April 24. He was a

missionary and teacher for the American Baptist

Churches. In retirement, he taught business

courses at Washburn.

Elaine Hacker, 81, Topeka, on April 25. She

served 15 years as administrator, Kansas State

Department of Medical Services and belonged to

the Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum.

Louise (Stephenson) Haywood, 85, Topeka, on

April 23. She was a homemaker and a member of

Countryside United Methodist Church. Her late

husband, C. Robert Haywood, served as professor

and administrator at Washburn from 1969-88.

Memorials may be made to the C. Robert

Haywood Scholarship Fund at Washburn.

Myrtle Henderson, 78, Topeka, on March 13.

Her late husband, John Henderson, served as

president of Washburn from 1965-80.

Marion Huxman, 77, Topeka, on May 15. He

worked 13 years as a concrete finisher and 22

years as office manager, primarily for May,

Ransom and Sheetz, retiring in 1985. His wife,

Donna (Lott) Huxman, bba ’80, survives.

Robert Kearns, 83, Topeka, on March 11. He

retired as director of community relations from

WIBW and had served on the Washburn

Communications Advisory Board.

Gregory Pettys, 47, Salt Lake City, on April 24. He

was on the faculty in the School of Social Work at

Brigham Young University. At Washburn, he taught

in the social work department from 1994-97.

Dallas Pittenger, 80, Topeka, on March 17. He

retired from Capitol Federal Savings after more

than 30 years of service. His wife, Mary

(Scidmore) Pittenger, ba ’84, survives.

Janice (Robbins) Tarlton, 71, Topeka, on March

6. She served as an Air Force officer, worked at

Kansas Neurological Institute and retired from

the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System. She

belonged to Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Her

husband, John Tarlton, bfa ’68, survives.

Paul “David” Taylor, 75, Topeka, on April 15. He

worked as an engineer for Burgwin and Martin,

and then worked for Cook, Flatt and Strobel

Engineers, retiring in 1994. With his wife,

Kathleen (Martin) Taylor, ba ’45, who died May

3, he belonged to Washburn’s Whiting Society.

Memorial Gifts

Remembering loved ones through memorial or

honorary gifts to Washburn University leaves a unique

legacy in their names while enriching the lives of

students at the university. A gift to Washburn honors

individuals in keeping with your wishes and unites

their memory with the lives of so many others.

Please visit http://www.wea.org/giving-tributes

memorials/index.htm for more information on how to

create a memorial or honorary gift.


Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDTopeka, KS

Permit No. 689

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FOOTBALLSEPTEMBER2 Colorado School of Mines, 1 p.m.9 Western Washington University,

Bellingham, 3 p.m.16 Central Missouri State University,

Warrensburg, 1:30 p.m.23 Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m.30 Southwest Baptist University, 1 p.m.

(Family Day)OCTOBER7 Pittsburg State University, 2 p.m.14 Northwest Missouri State University,

1 p.m.21 Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.,

2 p.m.28 Emporia State University, 1 p.m.

(Homecoming/Hall of Fame)NOVEMBER4 Missouri Southern State University,

Joplin, 2 p.m.11 Missouri Western State University,

1 p.m. (Senior Day)18 NCAA Playoffs, first round, TBA25 NCAA Playoffs, second round, TBADECEMBER2 NCAA Playoffs, quarterfinals, TBA9 NCAA Playoffs, semifinals, TBA16 NCAA Playoffs, finals, TBA

All games in bold played at Washburn inYager Stadium at Moore Bowl.

LADY BLUES SOCCERAUGUST26 Southwest Minnesota State University,

Marshall, 1 p.m.

27 University of Minnesota-Duluth,Marshall, Minn., 1 p.m.

SEPTEMBER1-3 Central Missouri State Tournament,

Warrensburg, Mo.1 University of South Dakota, 5:30 p.m.3 Wayne State College, 1 p.m.

6 Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo.,7 p.m.

9 Southwestern Oklahoma StateUniversity, 11 a.m.

10 Emporia State University, 1 p.m.16 Central Missouri State University,

11 a.m.17 Truman State University, 1 p.m.23 Northwest Missouri State

University, 1 p.m.24 Missouri Western State University

1 p.m.29 Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar,

Mo., 4 p.m.30 Missouri Southern State University,

Joplin, 2 p.m.OCTOBER6 Emporia State University, 7 p.m.14 Northwest Missouri State University,

Maryville, 2 p.m.15 Missouri Western State University,

St. Joseph, 2 p.m.18 Central Missouri State University,

Warrensburg, 7 p.m.21 Truman State University, Kirksville,

Mo., noon 27 Southwest Baptist University, TBA 29 Missouri Southern State University,

Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl, 1 p.m.(Senior Day)

NOVEMBER3-5 NCAA Playoffs, first and second

rounds, TBD11 NCAA Playoffs, quarterfinals, TBD16 NCAA Playoffs, semifinals,

Pensacola, Fla.18 NCAA Playoffs, finals, Pensacola, Fla.

All games in bold played at Washburn in theYager Stadium at Moore Bowl, unless noted.

LADY BLUES VOLLEYBALLAUGUST25-26 Arkansas Tech University Invitational,

Russellville 25 Drury University, 9 a.m.25 Fort Valley State University, 1 p.m.26 Texas A&M University-Commerce,

9 a.m.26 Arkansas Tech University, 3 p.m.30 Newman University, 7 p.m.SEPTEMBER1-2 Premier Invitational, Denver1 Abilene Christian University, noon.1 Metropolitan State College of Denver,

7:30 p.m.2 TBD

6 Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m.8-9 Lady Blues Classic 8 University of South Dakota, 11 a.m.

Minnesota State8 University-Mankato, 3 p.m.9 University of Nebraska-Omaha, 9 a.m.9 University of North Alabama, 1 p.m.

13 Pittsburg State University, 7 p.m.16 Missouri Southern State University,

4 p.m.

20 Emporia State University, 7 p.m.23 Northwest Missouri State University,

5 p.m.29 Truman State University, 7 p.m.30 Missouri Western State University,

St. Joseph, 7 p.m.OCTOBER4 Central Missouri State University,

Warrensburg, 7 p.m.7 Southwest Baptist University, 2 p.m.11 Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m.13-14 Henderson State University Regional

Crossover, Arkadelphia, Ark., TBA17 Northwest Missouri State University,

Maryville, 7 p.m.20 Pittsburg State University, 7 p.m.21 Missouri Southern State University,

Joplin, 5 p.m.25 Emporia State University, 7 p.m.28 Missouri Western State University,

6 p.m. (Senior Night)NOVEMBEROct. 31-Nov. 4 MIAA Tournament, TBA9-11 NCAA South Central Regional, TBA15-18 NCAA Elite 8, Pensacola, Fla.

All games in bold played at Washburn inLee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center.

For Information,call (785) 620-1135 or visit

www.wusports.com

1700 SW College Ave.Topeka, KS 66621

Address Service Requested

www.washburn.edu/alumni

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Summer 2006 alumni magazine

Documents

Transcript of Summer 2006 alumni magazine