V10.3 NEWS FROM SU FOR ALUMNI
News from SU for Alumni (Vol. 10 No. 3)
March 13, 2008
An Electronic Newsletter for Southwestern University Alumni
GETCONNECTED:
Register for the Online Alumni Directory. IT’S FREE! Update your own information and look up friends. Contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations for your personal registration number. Through the online directory, be sure to update your preferred e-mail address so you don’t miss announcements about upcoming events!
FEATURED STORY:
2008 Roy and Margaret Shilling Lecturer Announced
Save the Date – Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
ALUMNI NEWS:
Alumna and VISTA Volunteer Meets First Lady
Aldersgate Day Scheduled for May 22
Tennis Alumni Match Scheduled
Men’s Soccer Team Alumni Match Scheduled
Law Alumni Connection Group Forming
Local Association Happenings
2008 Class Reunions Announcements
The Class of 1958 is Looking for Volunteers!
A Message from the Class of 1973 Reunion Planning Committee
Refer a Prospective Student Online
Career Services News
Class Notes Spotlight
LIFELONG LEARNING:
Chautauqua Institution 2008 Summer Program and Group Rates
Guest Artist Exhibit
Southwestern to Host Texas United Methodist Historical Society Annual Meeting
Guest Artists’ Performances
The 30th Brown Symposium
Equity in Education: Opportunity for All Panel Discussion
International Trombone Week at Southwestern
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS:
Fayez Sarofim Receives President’s Philanthropy Award from Southwestern
Spring Break Service Trips Take Students Across the Country
Morehouse Exchange Student Promotes Diversity
King Creativity Symposium Scheduled for March 31
Pirate Athletics
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Bay Area Association Happy Hour – March 20
Bay Area Association Road Scholars Presentation – March 26
Big Apple Association Happy Hour – March 27
Texas United Methodist Historical Society Annual Meeting – March 28-29
Tennis Alumni Match – March 29
Soccer Alumni Match – March 29
Guest Artists’ Performances – March 29
King Creativity Symposium – March 31
Brown Symposium – April 3-4
Southwestern Snapshot Party, Houston – April 6
Equity in Education: Opportunity for All Panel Discussion – April 10
Distinguished Alumna Presentation – April 10alumn
Alumni Council Meeting – April 11-12
Los Angeles Area Association Barbecue – April 12
Big Apple Association Hands on New York Day – April 12
Career Connections Barbecue – April 18
Roy and Margaret Shilling Lecture – April 21
Dallas Association Annual Picnic – April 29
Washington, D.C. Association Day of Service – May 3
Commencement – May 10
Aldersgate Day – May 22
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend – Nov. 7-9
FEATURED STORY:
2008 Roy and Margaret Shilling Lecturer Announced
The 2008 Roy and Margaret Shilling lecturer, former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, will speak on “The New American Story,” including “Nine Questions to Ask Before Voting for President,” Monday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Alma Thomas Theater at Southwestern University. Bradley will provide insights as to why he thinks politics is stuck and idealism is not dead. A Princeton graduate and Rhodes Scholar, Bradley served three terms in the U.S. Senate. In the course of his wide-ranging career, Bradley played professional basketball for the New York Knicks, received an Olympic Gold Medal in basketball, authored four books, and currently serves as a visiting professor at Stanford, Notre Dame and the University of Maryland. Lecture seating is limited. Your invitation, including ticket distribution information, will be mailed soon!
Save the Date – Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
Have you marked your calendar for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend (Nov. 7-9, 2008)? If so, let us know! Complete the “Save the Date” survey so that we know that you plan to attend. By completing this survey, you will assist us in developing our “Look Who’s Coming” list. (Please note: this survey is not the official registration form for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.) If you have questions concerning Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations or visit The Association of Southwestern University Alumni Web site.
Check out “The List”
Southwestern University alumni and faculty are accomplishing great things on a daily basis. Now The Association Web site (www.sugrads.org) has a special page that provides details on news like upcoming performances, speaking engagements, television appearances and much more – we’re calling it “The List.” If you would like to include an item on “The List,” please e-mail the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations. And, don’t forget to view “The List” online!
ALUMNI NEWS:
Alumna and VISTA Volunteer Meets First Lady
Narda Hernandez ’07, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at Tulane University, was one of 10 young leaders invited to meet with first lady Laura Bush in New Orleans to discuss the successes and setbacks of community organizations developing post-Katrina health care, housing, employment and education. The roundtable meeting took place Monday, March 3, in downtown New Orleans at Idea Village, an organization that encourages entrepreneurial ventures. Hernandez says the meeting was an opportunity not only to talk about the work she does at the Tulane Community Health Center at Covenant House, but also to learn about other recovery efforts taking place in New Orleans. Click here to read the entire article by Alicia Duplessis, writer for the Tulane University NewsWave.
Aldersgate Day Scheduled for May 22
Aldersgate Day commemorates the founder of Methodism John Wesley's “heart-warming” experience on Aldersgate Street in London in 1738. In honor of the 270th anniversary of Aldersgate Day, Ellsworth Peterson ’55 and Rev. Milton Jordan ’62 have coordinated a celebration for Thursday, May 22, in the Lois Perkins Chapel at Southwestern University. The day will begin with coffee in the Chapel Courtyard at 9:30 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. presentation by Rev. Debra Crumpton, pastor at Wellspring United Methodist Church in Georgetown. A lunch buffet will be served in The Cove located on the lower level of the Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center for $6.50 per person. Following lunch, Ellsworth Peterson ’55, professor emeritus of music, will give a presentation on aspects of the Wesleyan music tradition. Interspersed during the day’s celebration, Henry Holloway ’50 will led the singing of Wesleyan hymns. Interested friends are welcome. Please RSVP to the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 800-960-6363.
Tennis Alumni Match Scheduled
The 2007-2008 men's and women's tennis teams invite all tennis alumni back to campus for a Saturday of fun (meeting up with former teammates), fellowship (meeting current players) and competition (match play opportunities). The “Pirates vs. Bucs” match is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, contact Lester Sombito, head men’s and women’s tennis coach.
Men’s Soccer Team Alumni Match Scheduled
The Southwestern University men’s soccer team will be holding its second annual Alumni Match Saturday, March 29, in Georgetown at 1 p.m. Last year, at the first ever Alumni Match, 26 former Pirates showed up to take on the current Southwestern team. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Pirates as they take on the former men’s soccer players. For more information, contact Don Gregory, head men’s soccer coach.
Law Alumni Connection Group Forming
An Alumni Connection Group is forming for those working in or interested in the legal profession. Join in professional networking, career mentoring and other professional, social and service-oriented activities relating to the study and practice of law. If you are interested in participating, please contact Alumni Connection Groups Chair Blake Stanford ’81. For information on how you can form an Alumni Connection Group for alumni who share your profession, affiliation or special interest, visit The Association of Southwestern University Alumni Web site or contact Amanda Randall, assistant director of alumni relations.
Local Association Happenings
Check out what local associations are doing across the country! Many local association officers are planning events for 2008. If you have any recommendations for events in your area or are interested in starting a local association, contact Megan Radison, associate director of alumni and parent relations, at 800-960-6363.
The Bay Area Association plans for Happy Hour and Road Scholars Event – March 20 and March 26
The Big Apple Association coordinates Happy Hour - March 27
The Colorado Association creates Alumni Interest Survey. Offer your feedback!
The Dallas Association plans for Annual Picnic – April 26
The Fort Worth Area Association prepares for 2008
The Greater Austin Association coordinates Day of Service
The Greater Georgetown Association develops schedule for 2008
The Houston Association plans 2008 Calendar
The Kansas-Missouri Association creates Alumni Interest Survey. Offer your feedback!
The Los Angeles Area Association plans to host April Barbecue – April 12
The Metropolitan Phoenix Association organizes Theater Event
The San Antonio Area Association creates a News Page online
The Washington, D.C. Association plans for Day of Service – May 3
2008 Class Reunions Announcements
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend is the perfect time to return to the Southwestern University campus, spend time with friends, become reacquainted with classmates, visit with faculty, take classes and enjoy all the activities that are a part of Homecoming. SAVE THE DATE for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Nov. 7-9, 2008, and fill out the “Save the Date” survey. (Please note: This survey is not the official registration form for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.) To find out who is celebrating a class reunion, visit the Class Reunions Web site.
The Class of 1958 is Looking for Volunteers!
Our class will be celebrating our 50th Reunion this year! The University will give us significant support, but they need us to help determine what would be most meaningful to our class. If you are interested in being on the reunion planning committee, please let Zoe Strickland Wilson ’58 know. As a member of the reunion planning committee, you could help with the following: contacting classmates, assisting with the planning of the Golden Anniversary Luncheon, planning details for our reunion party and generating ideas to make our 50th Reunion memorable. Please contact Zoe Strickland Wilson for more information.
A Message from the Class of 1973 Reunion Planning Committee
Get your motor runnin’...Head out on the highway! It’s the 35th Reunion of the Southwestern University Class of 1973. We’re planning a blow-out at Down the Alley Bistro in Georgetown Saturday, Nov. 8, 7-10 p.m., complete with a live band (The Blue Howlers featuring Anne Matthews ’73 as the singer). We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up. If you would like to help the reunion planning committee or just want to let one or more of us know you plan to attend, drop an e-mail to: Susan Peace Holley (e-mail Susan), Anne Matthews (e-mail Anne), Mary Cook Allen (e-mail Mary) or Cheryl Hughes Haynes (e-mail Cheryl). You can even sit in with the band. Let us hear from you!
Refer a Prospective Student Online
The recruitment climate for the best students is competitive and the admission staff is always interested in learning about potential students for whom the University may be a good fit. How can you recognize a student who may be a good fit? In the first-year class that enrolled Fall 2007, half ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Eighty-two percent graduated in the top quarter of their class. Southwestern’s average SAT and ACT scores continue to be well above the national average. And, most students who enroll at Southwestern have taken honors and AP classes during their high school career. Now you can refer prospective students online so that they receive an Admission Information Packet. Click here to refer a student you know!
Career Services News
Are you thinking of a career change? Learn about the fastest growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics by clicking here.
Class Notes Spotlight
Have you heard? Adam Bates ’05 works as a business development officer for the Austin Technology Incubator while pursuing a master of science in science and technology commercialization at The University of Texas at Austin. See what your classmates are up to by visiting Class Notes online. While you are there, submit your own class note!
LIFELONG LEARNING:
Chautauqua Institution 2008 Summer Program and Group Rates
If you are looking for an enriching, relaxing experience for you and your family this summer, the Chautauqua Institution is offering a special, all-inclusive group rate for Southwestern University alumni. The Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit organization that offers programs and facilities for spiritual renewal, intellectual stimulation and art appreciation. Among its amenities are accommodations at the Athenaeum Hotel, performance venues, golf, tennis, and educational and recreational facilities. Southwestern University learned about the educational offerings of Chautauqua Institution through the Institution's new director of education Sherra Haygood Babcock ’70. If you attend this summer, please share your experience with the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations as we are exploring the possibility of designating a Southwestern week at Chatauqua for Summer 2009. For more information about the Chautauqua Institution and details about the 2008 program, visit http://www.ciweb.org/.
Guest Artist Exhibit
An exhibit by internationally known printmaker, Rudy Pozzatti, titled “Bestiaries,” will run Wednesday, Feb. 13, until Friday, April 4, at the Fine Arts Gallery in The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center. The collection features images from two hand-printed artist's books, “The Bestiary of Bishop Theobaldus” and “Darwin's Bestiary.” Pozzatti is a distinguished professor emeritus at the Hope School of Fine Arts of Indiana University.
Southwestern to Host TexasUnited Methodist Historical Society Annual Meeting
The Texas United Methodist Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at Southwestern University March 28 and 29. The theme of the meeting is “The 40th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Central Jurisdiction: The Church Deals with Institutional Racism.” All persons interested in the history of Methodism in Texas are welcome. Registration for the meeting is $25 and should be mailed to the Rev. John C. Johnson, 6766 Silver Saddle Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76126. A detailed schedule and a list of lodging in Georgetown can be found at http://txmethhistory.blogspot.com/.
Guest Artists’ Performances
Thad Anderson, instructor of percussion at Southwestern University and Eileen Meyer Russell, associate professor of low brass, are hosting guest artists Saturday, March 29. The concert performances include Eric Hollenbeck, percussionist, at 4:30 p.m. in the Lois Perkins Chapel, and Sotto Voce, a tuba-euphonium quartet at 7 p.m. in The Alma Thomas Theater. Both concerts are free and open to the public. High school students who play euphonium, tuba, and percussion are also invited to activities during the day, which include music reading and performing and master class sessions with the artists. Students who want to participate in the day's events, which start at 10 a.m., should contact Thad Anderson (percussion) or Eileen Meyer Russell (euphonium and tuba). Thad Anderson can be reached at andersot@southwestern.edu or 512-863-1369. Eileen Meyer Russell can be reached at russelle@southwestern.edu or 512-863-1732.
The 30th Brown Symposium
The 30th Brown Symposium will be held April 3-4 in The Alma Thomas Theater, located in The Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center. This year's theme is “Umwelt: Exploring the Self-Worlds of Human and Non-Human Animals,” based on an influential paper by Jakob von Uexkull (1934) who argued that to truly understand animal behavior, one must appreciate the animal's “umwelt” or self-world. Presentations by four speakers and an art exhibition will reflect on how humans can experience the self-worlds of species other than our own. This year's speakers and featured artist will be:
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Dr. Diane Ackerman, writer and poet, author of The Zookeeper’s Wife and An Alchemy of Mind.
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Dr. Christopher W. Clark, Imogene Powers Johnson director of the Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and senior scientist in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior.
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Dr. David Fogel, president and chief executive officer of Natural Selection, Inc.
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Dr. Michael S. Gazzaniga, professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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Rudy Pozzatti, artist and distinguished professor emeritus of fine arts at Indiana University.
Online registration is open until March 21. For more information, contact Sue Smith.
Equity in Education: Opportunity for All Panel Discussion
As part of the celebration planned to honor Gwen Griffin Sherman '80 with the Distinguished Alumna Award, The Association of Southwestern University Alumni is hosting Equity in Education: Opportunity for All, a panel discussion, Thursday, April 10 at 3 p.m. in Lecture Hall 105, F.W. Olin Building. Steve Seleznow, director of education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Sherman's colleague, will provide introductory remarks on the topic and share some of the initiatives that the Gates Foundation has undertaken to ensure that all children have equal opportunity to quality education. Then he will led a panel of experts in a discussion about this important issue. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 800-960-6363.
International Trombone Week at Southwestern
The Music Department will celebrate "International Trombone Week" with a concert Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the Lois Perkins Chapel. The concert will feature performances by Eileen Meyer Russell, associate professor of low brass, Ellsworth Peterson ’55, professor emeritus of music, and a trombone choir composed of students, amateur and professional players. The concert is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in playing in the trombone choir is asked to contact Eileen Meyer Russell by e-mail or at 512-863-1732 to arrange to obtain the music, and should plan to attend the rehearsal at 5 p.m., before the concert that evening. For more information about International Trombone Week, visit http://trombone.net/itw/.
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS:
Fayez Sarofim Receives President’s Philanthropy Award from Southwestern
Houston investment manager Fayez Sarofim has received the President’s Philanthropy Award from Southwestern University. The award was presented March 7. Sarofim has given more than $15 million to Southwestern since he first became involved with the university in 1968. Most of his contributions have supported the University’s school of fine arts, which now bears his name. Click here to read more.
Spring Break Service Trips Take Students Across the Country
Senior Sarah Salinas first participated in Destination: Service as a first-year student in 2005. This year, she will be participating as a student leader, accompanying a group of nine students to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, to work with Cornerstone Ministries. Salinas is one of 49 students from Southwestern University who will be traveling to five different locations for spring break volunteer work March 14-20. This is the 13th consecutive year that students are participating in the volunteer program known as Destination: Service. Click here to read more.
Morehouse Exchange Student Promotes Diversity
Jeremy Battle, a student of Morehouse College, is the first student to take advantage of the student exchange component of the Engaged Diversity project, which is sponsored by the Mellon Foundation. Morehouse and Southwestern are participants in this program, along with Dillard University in New Orleans, Huston-Tillotson University in Austin and Rhodes College in Memphis. Battle has already given back to the Southwestern community. He performed a powerful vocal solo at the Martin Luther King Community Dinner in January and is forming a contemporary gospel choir for students, faculty and staff members. And, he is building connections between Southwestern and Morehouse by doing an independent study project that involves political science, sociology and economics faculty members from the two schools. Click here to read more.
King Creativity Symposium Scheduled for March 31
In 2000, W. Joseph "Joey" King ’93 donated $500,000 to Southwestern University to establish and endow the King Creativity Fund, which annually supports "innovative and visionary projects" of enrolled students. Click here to review the 2007-2008 recipients. This year, the King Creativity Banquet speaker is Texas journalist Tim Madigan. The symposium and dinner is scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2008. Click here for more information.
Pirate Athletics
Have you checked out the Pirate Athletics Web site lately? If not, visit www.southwesternpirates.com for the latest news. Also, check out the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Web site for conference updates.
Men’s Baseball: Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) got the best of the men’s baseball team Saturday, March 8, as the Pirates lost both ends of a doubleheader with TWU by scores of 15-4 and 16-9 in Georgetown, Texas. On the season, the Pirates are now 7-9 while Texas Wesleyan improves to 11-7.
Men’s Basketball: Matt Caplan ’08 was named as an honorable mention All-SCAC selection for the 2007-2008 season.
Women’s Basketball: Natasha Azizi ’09 was selected to the All-SCAC Third Team and Beth Thomas ’08 was an Honorable Mention selection for the women's basketball team as the teams were announced Saturday, March 1 at the SCAC conference tournament.
Women’s Soccer: Casey Grier ’09 has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-South Region team for the 2007-2008 academic year. Grier was one of 14 SCAC women’s players to earn Scholar All-Region honors
Men’s and Women’s Tennis: The men’s and women’s tennis teams traveled to Abilene, Texas, last weekend for three matches with McMurry University, Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University. The Pirate women now stand at 2-3 on the season while the men are 1-4. The Pirates play their first home match this week as they host Albion College on Thursday, March 14, with the match set to begin at 3 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Track: The men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the Texas State Open Friday, March 7, with a number of Pirates recording season-best times or distances in San Marcos, Texas. The Pirates will next be hitting the track at the Tarleton Relays in Stephenville, Texas, Thursday, March 14.
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