Centralight CENTRAL MICHIGAN N UNIVERSITY UNIVERSIT | ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Living the
GREEK LIFE
CMU’s fraternities and sororities mark 125 years of building community on campus and beyond
FALL 2026
Centralight FALL 2026
Features On the cover
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Still Rushing
This fall marks 125 years of fraternity and sorority life on campus. Take a trip down memory lane with pictures across the decades.
20 In the 1970s and ’80s, Jump and Bid Day ended the formal rush period, with pledges who received their bids joyfully jumping into the arms of their new brothers and sisters.
Big Picture
Centralight is published three times each year by the Central Michigan University Office of Alumni Relations. It is printed by Walsworth Printing, St. Joseph, MI, and entered at the Mount Pleasant Post Office under nonprofit mailing. CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight. Copies of Centralight are distributed to alumni and friends of the university who are paid Gold Members or donors to CMU. A virtual edition of the magazine is available free online at go.cmualum.com/centralight. UComm 12147–24,000+ (8/26)
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PHOTO BY MADDI HILL
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLARKE HISTORICAL LIBRARY
For the 19th annual Grandparents University, alumni returned to campus with their grandchildren for a three-day camp of exploration and fun on campus.
Executive Editor and Deputy Chief of Alumni Relations & Constituent Engagement Marcie Otteman, ’87 Editor
Robin Miner-Swartz Visual Media Director Amy White
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Graphic Designer Erin Rivard, ’07, MBA ’16
PHOTO BY MADDI HILL
Homecoming
Photographer Lance Gascho, ’22 Maddi Hill, ’24 Michael Armistead, ’23 Adam Sparkes Neil Barris, ’13 Writers Eric Baerren, ’93 Jason Fielder Aaron Mills, ’02 Robin Miner-Swartz Melanie Whitelow Research Associate Bryan Whitledge, M.A. ’19 Editorial Assistant Alison Foster, ’25
Come back to campus to reminisce and reconnect for Homecoming weekend, Oct. 1-4. CMU takes on the Akron Zips Oct. 3, and the schedule is packed with fun for CMU Chippewas across generations.
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BSN, Now on Campus
Departments 5 CMU Today Rural high schools partner with CMU for a unique AR/VR learning opportunity. 30 Alumni News
PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
36 In Memory 40 Do You Remember
Vice President for Advancement Jennifer Cotter, ’01 Deputy Chief Marketing Officer for University Communications Abby Dean, ’01 Executive Director for Strategic Communications Ari Harris For advertising information Cindy Jacobs, ’93 alumni@cmich.edu
Stay connected Send change of address information to: Alumni Relations Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Phone: 989.774.3312 Email: alumni@cmich.edu Web: alumni.cmich.edu
CMU launched its first traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to meet a critical shortage in Michigan and beyond. Centralight Fall Fall’26 ’26 Centralight
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GOLD Become a Gold Member, and receive over 60,000 benefits CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight. 9/25
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Nurses are central to our communities On-campus BSN program enhances our educational opportunities It’s my favorite time of year again on campus. The leaves are turning their beautiful shades of maroon and gold, school is back in session, and campus is practically humming with energy. It never fails to make me stop and remember my own time at CMU. This fall, the issue you’re holding is personal for me. My mom became a nurse through a hospital program at Saginaw General in the 1960s. By the 1980s, she wanted to go back for her Marcie Otteman, ’87, Bachelor of Science in Nursing — but Central Executive Director of didn’t offer one then. So, she took every class that Alumni Relations she could here, finished her BSN at another college and went on to a nursing career that lasted more than 40 years. She’s a non-degree-holding CMU alumna who earned her degree elsewhere because the program she wanted wasn’t here yet.
Stay FIRED UP Connect with CMU alumni at upcoming Alumni Association events across the country! Find the complete schedule of in-person and virtual opportunities here: go.cmualum.com/alumni-events
Now it is. For the first time, Central Michigan University has welcomed students into its new on-campus BSN program. CMU has prepared working nurses through its online completion program for years, but this is different: a traditional, four-year nursing degree earned right here on campus, for students who will go on to care for our communities. It matters more than you might think. Michigan doesn’t have enough nurses, and the need only grows as our population ages. CMU built this program to help meet that need — and to keep these new nurses here in Michigan. Our president calls CMU an opportunity university, and I can’t think of a better example: the chance to become the nurse who one day cares for someone you love.
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I hope you’ll read the story in this issue. I think you’ll be proud. I know my mom is.
X @cmualumni
There’s a lot more to look forward to this fall. Homecoming is nearly here, and I always look forward to seeing the people I knew in college come back and reconnect on campus. Football is back, with a great run of Saturday home games in September and October. If you can find the time, make a trip back and take in the familiar sights and sounds of campus in action.
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This fall, we mark 134 years since the first class began at Central Normal College — 134 years of changing lives for the better. This fall, a new group of students is beginning the degree my mom once had to leave CMU to finish. That’s something to celebrate. Forever maroon and gold,
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Celebrating 125 years of legacy, leadership and community A salute to CMU Greek life President Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D.
This year, Central Michigan University has a truly historic milestone to celebrate. We are marking the 125th anniversary of Greek life at CMU. For more than a century, our fraternities and sororities have been a cornerstone of the CMU experience. These organizations provide our students with a sense of community while they’re on campus and foster lifelong friendships that endure long after graduation day. Just as importantly, Greek life gives our students a platform to hone their leadership skills — a quality we value deeply here at CMU. Did you know that some of CMU’s Greek organizations are among the very first chapters ever established? Way back in 1904, CMU became home to the nation’s second-ever chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau. Our Greek organizations are not only among the first, but they’re also among the best. In fact, almost all our chapters at CMU have won a national organization award, placing them among the absolute best in the country. If you want to see the true heart of CMU’s Greek life, look no further than their commitment to philanthropy. Since the 1950s, our chapters have come together every spring to host Greek Week, a high-energy tradition dedicated to raising funds and awareness for local nonprofit groups. The impact of their hard work is staggering. Over the past 10 years alone, CMU Greek organizations have raised more than $400,000 for community organizations, including Humane Animal Treatment Society, Isabella County Child
Advocacy Center and United Way of Greater Central Michigan. Through these efforts, our Greek members learn a fundamental lesson on the importance of giving back and serving others, staying engaged in community service after college and making a positive impact all over the country. To ensure this incredible legacy continues to thrive, we officially formed a fraternity and sorority alumni chapter in 2024. This group bridges the generations and supports today’s fraternity and sorority community as they write the next chapter of our history. On a personal level, Leanne and I are very supportive of Greek life as we have seen firsthand the positive impact it has had on our three daughters. We have spoken to, and met with, many of our sororities and fraternities and have participated in their fundraisers such as Grilled Cheese Night. For the past two years, Leanne has served as a judge for Mock Rock, which has quickly become one of our favorite CMU events of the year. To all our Greek students and alumni: thank you for 125 years of leadership, brotherhood, sisterhood and service. You make us all incredibly proud. Fire Up Chips!
Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D. President, Central Michigan University
Connect with
PRESIDENT MACKINNON: 4
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@cmuprezmac
PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
CMU TODAY
Bullock Creek High School students use augmented reality headsets as part of a dual enrollment course through CMU.
CMU, rural high schools partner for unique AR/VR dual-enrollment course Popular program to expand in fall 2027 BY AARON MILLS, ’02 Pencils down. Headsets on. Four rural Michigan high schools recently completed their first year of using mixed-reality headsets in their classrooms as part of a new, innovative health science course allowing students to learn in a more engaging way while also giving them the opportunity to earn college credit. Bullock Creek, Freeland, Garber and Beal City high schools were selected to pilot the new dual enrollment anatomy and physiology class with CMU during the 2025-26 school year.
“The vision with this was to take the technology out to rural school systems and demonstrate to students that they could really do college-level coursework successfully,” said Greg Zimmerman, ’84, M.S.A. ’91, associate dean for The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. As part of the course, students interact with 360-degree virtual dissections, manipulate anatomical models and explore human body systems using the latest augmented reality technology. “I liked how you could get away from the textbook and see the images suspended in air,” said Madelynn Forshee, a Bullock Creek junior. “I felt like that was a better way of learning.” The learning itself is one of three goals Zimmerman said they hope to achieve.
“Our second goal was to inspire the students to pursue health professions degrees at a college or university because this course is transferable to any college or university,” he said. “Thirdly, after they graduate from college or university, hopefully this encourages them to return to their rural communities to serve out their career in health professions.” The program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture with support from former Congressman Dan Kildee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters and former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. CMU has been approved for additional funding to expand the program to between six and 10 high schools across the state in the fall of 2027. •
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PHOTO BY MICHAEL ARMISTEAD
CMU TODAY
Partnership helps fill critical school psychologist needs Students get experience and support while assisting local schools BY ERIC BAERREN, ’93 Michigan has a critical shortage of school psychologists. CMU is doing something about it — and local students are benefiting in the process. The School Psychologist Apprentice Program places CMU graduate students in Midland County schools for a bridge year before their formal supervised training begins. Funded through a state grant, the program gives students handson experience in an academic support role, working directly with teachers and students before taking on psychological
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services in their second year and a full internship in their third. The structure is intentional. Rather than dropping students into high-stakes clinical work immediately, the program builds skills and confidence incrementally, while also preparing students to manage the demands of a field with high burnout rates. The results show up in the schools. Danielle Pellegrino, a school psychologist with Midland Public Schools, said her current practicum student arrived better prepared than any she’d previously worked with. “She has been able to hit the ground running,” Pellegrino said. “I wish that I could hire her now.”
The program was designed by Megan Thompson of Sanford-Meridian School District in partnership with CMU faculty member Daniel Drevon, who saw an opportunity to address the shortage at the local level. For the graduate students themselves, the experience has been clarifying. “I feel excited at just the idea that I get to help with the shortage,” said first-year student Lauren VanHouten. “We get to be part of the change.” •
CMU welcomes new leaders Joshua Nosanchuk named dean of medicine BY AARON MILLS, ’02 Joshua Nosanchuk joined CMU July 1 as dean of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine, bringing more than three decades of medical education leadership to the role. Nosanchuk comes from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served as senior associate dean and led the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic while keeping the college operational. He holds professorships in medicine, infectious diseases, and microbiology and immunology, and he maintains a clinical appointment at Montefiore Health System in the Bronx. He received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. His research and leadership extend well beyond a single institution. He has worked with the World Health Organization, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and has served as an advisory researcher in Brazil since 2013. He has more than 390 published articles and plans to continue his research at Central Michigan. Nosanchuk said he sees clear opportunities ahead: strengthening medical education programs, expanding research, and increasing healthcare access across mid- and northern Michigan. He also highlighted the college’s planned move to Saginaw as a challenge worth embracing. “The shift of the college to Saginaw will be a challenge, yet from it will come new opportunities to engage students in clinical experiences earlier and more often,” he said. Tina Thompson, who has served as interim dean since May 2025 and chaired the search committee, called Nosanchuk
a well-regarded figure in medical education with a deep understanding of curriculum development.
Christi Brookes named interim senior vice provost for Academic and Curricular Affairs BY MELANIE WHITELOW CMU Provost Paula Lancaster has named Christi Brookes interim senior vice provost for Academic and Curricular Affairs. Brookes, who was assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences prior to her July 1 appointment, will report directly to Lancaster and oversee key areas within Academic and Curricular Affairs, including curriculum development, general education, faculty support and academic initiatives across the university. Brookes brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education to the position. She earned a Ph.D. in French civilization and a master’s degree in French from Penn State, and a bachelor’s degree in French literature from the University of Arizona. She began her career as a French professor and has held numerous academic leadership roles, including department chair, coordinator of general education, inaugural director of the public and applied liberal arts major, and — at the college level — director of academic initiatives, interim associate dean and assistant dean. “Christi is a collaborative, studentcentered and strategic leader who understands the important connection between academic and student success,” Lancaster said. “Her experience across curriculum and teaching, faculty leadership, along with interdisciplinary
and international work will ensure strong continuity during this transition.” Lancaster added that Brookes’ appointment supports the university’s commitment to advancing academic excellence and innovation while maintaining stability in leadership. The university will conduct a national search for permanent position as part of its long-term strategic planning efforts.
Kyle Oldham named first University Engagement AVP BY AARON MILLS, ’02 Kyle Oldham, Ed.D., has been named CMU’s first associate vice president of University Engagement and Student Affairs (UESA). Oldham comes from Colorado State University, where he served as director of workplace integrity and talent management for on- and off-campus life. In that role and a previous one focused on diversity, inclusion and assessment, he oversaw learning and development for more than 450 full-time staff and guided strategic planning across multiple units. In his new position, Oldham leads teams including the CMU Cares office, the Center for Collaborative Learning and Engagement, and the CMU Counseling Center. He will also work with partners across campus and community, including the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, and on student success, belonging and engagement. “Kyle promises to bring an intentional, person-centered approach to guiding UESA’s capacity for bridging holistic development with campus outreach and support,” said Shawna PattersonStephens, vice president of University Engagement and Student Affairs. •
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PHOTO BY STEVE JESSMORE/
STEVE JESSMORE PHOTOGRAPHY
CMU TODAY
The CMU students who built the machine for SAPA are Breckin Prichard (from left), Grant Danner, Lucas Dailey, Abby Olin, Ashleigh Black and Kayla Gerard.
Engineering innovation meets industry need Partnership provides real-world learning for CMU students BY UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT What began as a Central Michigan University senior engineering group project resulted in a machine that is now used by metro Detroit-based SAPA Transmission, creating efficiency and saving the company money. Students designed and built a machine that automates a critical step in the production process for SAPA, a company that makes transmissions for armored military combat vehicles. The problem they solved: SAPA needed someone to hand-stack thousands of tiny washers every week. The students built a machine to do it instead.
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The project was part of CMU’s Industrial Affiliate Program, launched in March 2025, which connects engineering students with industry partners on real-world problems. SAPA’s team — led by Joe Glinski, a CMU alumnus and the company’s director of manufacturing — guided the students alongside CMU professor Terry Lerch throughout the academic year. Glinski, ’96, said the results exceeded his expectations. “There are things that we saw on this project that I normally would have hired a company around metro Detroit to do — professionals with 10, 20, 30 years of experience,” he said. “These students were able to pull it off.” The machine has already been integrated into SAPA’s production line. Glinski estimates it will pay for itself within the year and free up an employee for other work.
For the students, the experience translated quickly. All six May graduates who worked on the project have since been hired by companies such as Ford Motor Co., Fastenal, B&P Littleford, Bosch, Total Security Solutions and SAPA. Ret. Maj. Gen. Darren Werner, president of SAPA Transmission and a CMU alumnus, said the students delivered more than a class project. “They delivered a real, viable solution to a critical step in our assembly process,” said Werner, ’89. “Their work is now producing tangible results and is being applied directly to the build of advanced combat transmissions that ultimately support our soldiers.” •
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STILL RUSHING
Celebrating 125 years of fraternity and sorority life at CMU In 1901, Central’s first fraternity was chartered over the objections of faculty who considered such groups too elitist. The skeptics had their day: by 1917, fraternities and sororities were banned outright, surviving underground as literary societies until a new university president welcomed them back in 1939. Now, 125 years later, the worry looks quaint. Today, fraternity and sorority life is one of the busiest corners of campus — 28 chapters, thousands of service hours, hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for charity. What began as a fight to belong is now, at 125, a tradition of showing up.
Greek Week’s annual Pushcart Derby drew big crowds to watch the race, and it even crowned a Pushcart Queen.
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The effort to create Greek organizations had important campus allies. Faculty Council — department heads and administration — held meetings because a majority vote in favor of fraternities and sororities could not be secured in a general faculty meeting but could be in a Faculty Council meeting.
1902
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1910s Following the founding of CMU’s first fraternity, women quickly established their own chapters on campus, first with Pi Kappa Sigma in 1902 and the Beta chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau in 1904.
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ΦΔΠ
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Phi Delta Pi chartered as the first fraternity, over faculty objections.
Pi Kappa Sigma founded, the first sorority on campus.
Sorority Alpha Sigma Tau brings its Beta chapter to Central Michigan Normal School, two years after forming at Eastern.
Greek-letter organizations disappear from the yearbook.
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1940s
In 1939, new president Charles Anspach lifted the ban on Greek organizations on campus, and the school’s 1940 yearbook documented the revived chapters. With the return of the organizations, formal dances filled the social calendars of fraternity and sorority members for decades to come.
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The college bans fraternities and sororities, calling them elitist. Many regroup quietly as literary societies.
One of the first changes instituted by Charles Anspach when he became president of CMU in 1939 was to allow fraternities and sororities back on campus.
The yearbook is full of the histories of each of the Greekletter groups that started in the 1939-1940 academic year. Centralight Fall ’26 11 Centralight Fall ’26 11
The first PanhellenicInterfraternity Greek Week was held in 1958, featuring all kinds of activities for sorority and fraternity members. The highlight was an appearance by Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and his band for a public jam session and Greek dance in Finch Fieldhouse.
1958
In 1958, the Mount Pleasant March of Dimes Fund was enriched by $924.80 as the result of Central Michigan College’s Interfraternity Council Ugly Man Contest. The “winner” was Mike Hairabedian from Pontiac, whose Delta Sigma Phi fraternity raised $324.70 to secure his win.
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1958 ΣΚ
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The first Greek Week is held on campus. Jazz legend Louis Armstrong performs.
Pi Kappa Sigma merges into Sigma Kappa, still active today.
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Through Greek Week festivities and other year-round organized fun, CMU’s fraternities and sororities continued to build momentum through the 1960s and ’70s.
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Push Cart Derby races and winter snow sculptures draw big crowds.
Sloan Hall reopens as the Sloan Panhellenic House, home to eight sororities until 1970. Centralight Fall ’26 13 Centralight Fall ’26 13
1974 1978 Greek Week continued as a strong presence on campus into the 1970s and ’80s, with competitions like tug-of-war (above) and pledge week.
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Two special charity projects were featured in Greek Week activities: Special Olympics and Muscular Dystrophy.
Previously, individual organizations competed all week for points toward a Greek Week trophy, but this led to fierce competition and, as CM Life reported, some fighting. In 1975, a trophy was awarded in each event.
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1979
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CMU’s 20th annual Greek Week made a concerted effort to welcome the entire campus to the festivities, resulting in a more relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
The week before 1979’s Greek Week, fire destroyed Sigma Pi’s fraternity house. CM Life reported most of the 17 displaced chapter members stayed in the Sigma Chi and Theta Chi houses. Centralight Fall ’26
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1981 1981: Delta Sigma Theta members Tina Skelton, Cyrisse Houston, Regina Jones, Lucetry Bonds.
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1985: Phi Mu sorority goes national. Beth Sheets, president of the 29-member sorority, had reason to be proud of their national status. 1986: Among other philanthropic activities, Greek members cleaned up campus property. 1987: Doris Tresh, a house mom at CMU, does many different jobs. 1989: Zeta Phi Beta sorority sisters Anita Smith, Ann Mayes, Devara Kay Mulkey and Susan Harewood.
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Mock Rock fundraising tops $90,000
On Oct. 11, the CMU Alumni Association announces the formation of the Fraternity & Sorority Alumni Chapter (FSAC), a historic milestone that celebrates and solidifies the legacy of Greek life at CMU.
Seniors Lori Eldon (Phi Sigma Sigma) and Scott McQuillen (Beta Theta Pi), were elected as Homecoming King and Queen in 1991. The annual Get Acquainted Day is a welcome-back event hosted by the Office of Multicultural Academic Student Services. It features a DJ, food and performances by Greek organizations and RSOs.
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PHOTO BY NEIL BARRIS
2003 2017 2013 Since the beginning, fraternity and sorority members have volunteered to help organizations throughout the community. For the annual Bid Day, nicknamed Sorority Jump (near right), new members jumped off the stage and ran to their new sisters. Mock Rock (far right) closes out Greek Week. The philanthropic event raises thousands of dollars for local organizations.
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2026 Fraternity and Sorority Life marks 125 years on campus. Greek Week raises $40,000 for Mid-Michigan Industries; more than 800 students take the Mock Rock stage.
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YOUR SOURCE for CMU gear!
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Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities (see http://www.cmich.edu/ocrie).
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A Family AFFAIR
The 19th annual Grandparents University welcomed 134 participants to campus for a three-day summer camp in June. It’s a special opportunity for alumni grandparents and their grandchildren to experience life as a CMU student. They participate in classroom sessions, stay in the residence halls, and take part in social activities including a visit to Fabiano Gardens. PHOTO BY MADDI HILL, ’24
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A SHARED COMMITMENT, A SHARED CELEBRATION Sarah and Dan Opperman serve as CMU Homecoming grand marshals BY ROBIN MINER-SWARTZ Central Michigan University has named Sarah and Daniel Opperman as this year’s Homecoming grand marshals — an honor that reflects decades of engagement, leadership and support for CMU and its students. “Homecoming is a celebration of our shared history, and there is no better way to honor that legacy than by recognizing the Oppermans,” CMU President Neil MacKinnon said. “Their steadfast loyalty and visionary philanthropy have transformed CMU and the lives of our students. By serving as our grand marshals, they remind us that the heart of this university is the enduring commitment of our alumni.” For the Oppermans, CMU is both a place and a throughline — one that has shaped their lives, their work and their commitment to supporting future generations of leaders. 22
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For Sarah, the relationship began as a student interested in pursuing both business and journalism. She graduated in 1981 with a double major in business and journalism — a unique combination that a CMU faculty member told her when she first visited campus, simply, we can make that happen. She joined The Dow Chemical Company after graduation, where she worked in public affairs for nearly 30 years before retiring as vice president of global government affairs and public policy. Journalism sharpened her communications skills. Business taught her the language. “My university experience was transformational,” she said. “CMU’s commitment to student success is still just as vibrant, fostering that same transformational experience for current students.” That commitment to help future generations of students guides how she gives back — through board service, mentorship and philanthropy.
Dan’s connection came later, but it is no less meaningful. Earning his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and his law degree from Wayne State University, the nearly 20-year federal bankruptcy judge describes his relationship with CMU through Sarah’s experience — and through the community he has come to know. “It means a lot to me, because it means a lot to Sarah,” he said. “I feel as welcome as if I had graduated from CMU.” That friendliness, support and inclusiveness is, for both of them, at the heart of CMU. “It’s what CMU is all about,” Sarah said. The Oppermans have supported the university in ways that outlast any single gift — the Leadership Institute, the Park Library Auditorium and multiple studentfacing endowments, including a public relations internship. A former trustee and chair of CMU’s Board of Trustees, Sarah currently chairs the Forge the Future National Campaign Steering
Committee and is a member and past chair of the CMU Advancement Board.
Homecoming has long been part of that shared experience. For the Oppermans, it’s the game and everything that surrounds it: returning to campus and to Mount Pleasant, reconnecting with friends and the energy of a community that spans generations. “It truly is a homecoming for so many,” Sarah said. This year, they will experience it from a different vantage point — waving from the parade route, reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones. “We’re thrilled to recognize Sarah and Dan Opperman as the 2026 Homecoming grand marshals,” said Vice President for Advancement Jennifer Cotter. “Their commitment to CMU goes far beyond their philanthropy — they have invested their time, energy and talents in ways that truly shape the student experience.” Whether through mentorship, engagement or behind-the-scenes support, the Oppermans’ volunteerism creates meaningful connections and opportunities that students carry with them long after they leave campus, Cotter said. “We are deeply grateful for their continued support and unwavering dedication, and we look forward to celebrating the lasting impact they’ve made this fall,” she said. For both Sarah and Dan, the honor reflects something larger: a lifelong relationship with a university that continues to shape student leaders for the future. “If you want to renew your confidence in the future, spend time with and invest in these students,” Sarah said. “They certainly continue to inspire Dan and me.” As for Homecoming, Sarah said it’s a fun, joyous time to celebrate our students, the CMU campus, the Mount Pleasant community, and of course, the alumni who return for the game and all of the related festivities. “It’s a fun weekend, and we will be embracing that fun — with a Fired Up win, of course!” Dan is already working on his wave.
PHOTO BY MADDI HILL
Just as important, they approach their volunteerism as a partnership. “Everything we do, we do together,” Sarah said.
Homecoming
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CMU HOMECOMING: OCT. 1-4 Homecoming weekend includes college and alumni chapter events, Rock Rally, cardboard boat races, alumni breakfast celebrating the class of 1976, multiple CMU Chippewa athletic events and more. A detailed schedule for CMU’s 2026 Homecoming celebration will be posted online at cmich.edu/alumni/events/homecoming and it will be updated as needed.
MORE REASONS TO RETURN In addition to Homecoming, home football games offer a chance to reconnect with campus and introduce prospective students to CMU! Sept. 12: Family & Friends Weekend: Built around the home opener against Colgate University, this event welcomes supporters back to campus Sept. 11-13. REGISTER: go.cmualum.com/CMUFamilyFriends Sept. 19: CMU & You Day: This is your all-access pass to campus life for future CMU Chippewas. Tour campus, grab lunch in a dining hall and end the day cheering on CMU as they take on Wyoming. REGISTER: go.cmualum.com/CMUandYouDay
WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU! Centralight Fall ’26
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CMU, an EO institution, strongly and actively strives to provide equal opportunity for all individuals. 20260804
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PHOTOS BY ADAM SPARKES
BSN, NOW ON CAMPUS
CMU launched its first traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to meet a critical shortage — and to keep new nurses in Michigan BY ROBIN MINER-SWARTZ
For the first time, students are coming to Central Michigan University for a residential program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. CMU has run an online RN-to-BSN completion program for years, a way for working nurses to finish their bachelor’s degrees. This four-year standalone program that was launched in fall 2025 is new and different: it’s a traditional, on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing, where students enroll as undergraduates, and they graduate ready for licensure. As the online completion program continues, the traditional degree sits beside it, the first of its kind at CMU. Centralight Fall ’26
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PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
Nursing students work on a vitals simulation in one of the on-campus labs.
Kechinyere Iheduru-Anderson, Ed.D. ’24, the program’s director since December 2025, had pushed for it since she arrived on campus in 2018. She ran the completion program but believed a traditional bachelor’s degree program would do more, and sooner, for the region. “It’s more impactful in the community, and the community sees its impact rather quickly,” she said. Graduates go to work. The shift is already visible on campus. For years, with only the online program, nursing at CMU had no physical presence, and prospective students Kechinyere Iheduru-Anderson 26
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were often surprised the university offered it at all. “You have nursing?” Iheduru-Anderson said, recalling a common reaction. Now there are students to point to on campus. She knows her own enthusiasm only goes so far — she has been a nurse a long time, and she says she is biased. The more convincing promotional voice belongs to a classmate: yes, the program is hard, but the faculty help and students are succeeding. The timing isn’t accidental. Michigan needs nurses.
PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
CMU students take part in the nursing pledge ceremony, a rite of passage for first-year students as they work toward entering the profession.
In 2026, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration estimates there is a national shortage of more than 260,000 nurses. In Michigan alone, there is a shortage of more than 17,000 registered nurses, ranking it among the top 10 states with the largest projected nursing shortages through 2036, with a forecasted deficit of 19% by that time. The shortage is even sharper in rural areas, including much of rural Michigan, where the need is immediate. “It’s a very clear message,” said Jennifer Simpson, Au.D., dean of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, describing what she hears from health systems. “They need more nurses at all levels.” Michigan trains plenty of nurses. Keeping them is often the bigger challenge. Higher pay in states such as Washington
and Oregon draws graduates west, while an aging population that is living longer pushes demand higher. CMU’s answer is to recruit from the communities it serves. “If we graduate them here and their families are here, they stay here,” Iheduru-Anderson said. Many of her students come from rural parts of the state that, as she put it, needed nurses yesterday. Simpson became dean in August 2025, after the BSN program was already in motion. She credits a long list of people for getting it off the ground: faculty, the president, the board of trustees and the upper administration. The early momentum was part of what drew her to CMU. The college is building partnerships with hospitals and clinics. Whether that keeps graduates in Michigan will take years to measure. The first cohort has barely begun.
Interest has outpaced the plan. The program admitted about a dozen students in its first cohort, 17 in the second and more than 30 this fall, with room to grow toward a ceiling of roughly 60 per cohort. “That pace is what we were hoping for,” Simpson said, though she watches growth closely. Every student needs clinical placements and individual attention to succeed. As the demand for nurses grows, Simpson and Iheduru-Anderson keep returning to one word: opportunity. CMU has been named an opportunity university, and the BSN program is built to match. There is no waiting list. Students who meet the published requirements are admitted, rather than competing endlessly against marginally higher GPAs. “If you’re an opportunity institution, you can’t place students in a hierarchy,”
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Iheduru-Anderson said. “We’re not going to do the work for you, but we’re going to support you in doing the work.” For alumni, Simpson hopes the program reflects a university whose mission measures success by its students and graduates. Support of any kind matters, she said — expertise, mentorship, money. The stakes are also personal: alumni will ultimately belong to the aging population these nurses will care for. Three to five years out, Simpson said she pictures CMU-trained nurses at work in Michigan communities, and a program with more applicants than it can take. Iheduru-Anderson’s call to action for prospective nursing students is simple: “Tell them to come to CMU.” •
NURSES NEEDED Know someone who would be interested in CMU’s BSN program? Learn more at:
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PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
https://www.cmich.edu/ program/nursing-bsn
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ALUMNI NEWS Central Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors
Central Michigan University Board of Trustees
President Erica (Lagos) Romac, ’13, Carmel, Indiana
Dr. Jonathan Glenn, ’06, M.A. ’11, Ed.D. ’23, Alma, Michigan
Regine Beauboeuf
Monica Hackney, ‘00, Traverse City, Michigan
Ashok Kondur
Past president Scott Nadeau, ’89, Dexter, Michigan Directors Brooke Adams, ’11, Detroit, Michigan Kevin Bautista-Mancilla, ’22, Ferndale, Michigan Lester Booker Jr., ’08, M.S.A. ’10, Canton, Michigan Lisa (Laitinen) Bottomley, ’97, Kentwood, Michigan Chris Cantrell, ’99, Mount Pleasant, Michigan Catherine (Bomber) Claes, ’90, Mount Pleasant, Michigan Melissa DeJesus, ’01, M.A. ’09, Dexter, Michigan Elizabeth Dilg, ’22, Grand Rapids, Michigan Megan Doyle, ’03, Chicago, Illinois Norma Eppinger, ’91, Lansing, Michigan Matthew Franklin, ’04, Grand Blanc, Michigan Griffith Gatewood, ’14, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Spencer Haworth, ’12, M.P.A. ’22 Kalamazoo, Michigan Sean Hickey, ’88, M.A. ’90, Traverse City, Michigan Dr. LaMarcus Howard, ’09, M.A. ’12, Flint, Michigan
Denise Williams Mallett Edward J. Plawecki Jr., ’75 David R. McGhee, M.S.A. ’07 Todd Regis Jeff Stoutenburg, ’10, ’13 M.P.A.
DeAndra Larkin, ’08, ’13, Flint, Michigan Jennifer Peacock, ’18, Ann Arbor, Michigan Pamela Price, ’12, Flint, Michigan Karenia Randle, ’08, M.S.A. ’13, Lansing, Michigan Abby M. (Hagland) Watteny, ’02, Berkley, Michigan For a full listing including emeritus board members please see go.cmualum.com/ alumni-board
PHOTO BY MADDI HILL
Vice president Jonathan Eadie, ’93, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
Sharon Heath, ’96
For a full listing of Board of Trustees meeting schedules, please see cmich. edu/bot/Pages/ default.aspx
Forging a new path Alumnus becomes first neurosurgeon from the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU BY JASON FIELDER Leonard Verhey, ‘18, is the first graduate of the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU to become a neurosurgeon — a milestone that says something about where the program has arrived. Verhey is completing a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, one of the top children’s hospitals in the world, before returning to Grand Rapids to begin his career at Corewell Health West. His path to neurosurgery began with a personal experience: watching his sister recover from a serious brain injury as an undergraduate. That moment became a calling. After earning his CMU degree, he completed a seven-year neurosurgery residency at Corewell Health West — the first resident in that program’s history. Verhey is quick to credit CMU’s early years for shaping his foundation. As a member of one of the College of Medicine’s earliest classes, he was part of a program still developing — and motivated by it. “There was a true sense of energy and investment from faculty and administrators,” he said. “Things were tried, and things were adjusted when needed. It was exciting to be part of that process.” His wife, Lauren, a Michigan native, and their four children have been part of the journey throughout. Two of their children were born during his time in mid-Michigan. Verhey returns to Grand Rapids this year, focused on building the next chapter of neurosurgical care and training — and carrying forward what started at CMU. •
TIME honors for Renee and Bob Parsons CMU alumna and husband named to prestigious philanthropy list BY JASON FIELDER Renee Parsons, ’91, and her husband, Bob Parsons, were named to the prestigious TIME100 Philanthropy list for 2026. Through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, the couple has given more than $360 million to causes supporting veterans, education, health care, youth and first responders — creating hope and changing lives along the way. Their generosity has also extended to CMU. In February, the foundation launched a $350,000 grant that enabled Central Michigan Athletics to launch EmpowHER Leadership, a women’s student-athlete program designed to cultivate confidence, resilience and career readiness through mentorship, experiential learning and community impact. The program will make a
meaningful impact on many studentathletes for years to come. From TIME magazine: Bob and Renee Parsons like to say that as philanthropists, they deal in hope. The founder of GoDaddy, and his wife, a hospitality and apparel executive, make charitable gifts to support causes such as youth, education, health, the military and first responders. In 2013, the couple signed the Giving Pledge to donate at least half of their wealth — which Forbes estimates at $4.1 billion — and they have given away more than $360 million so far. The couple’s life experiences help shape their philanthropy. For Renee, that means backing women and girls, while Bob prioritizes support for veterans. “Everything I ever accomplished I owe to the Marine Corps,” he says. Read the complete TIME100 write-up on Renee and Bob at https://go. cmualum.com/parsonstime100 • Centralight Fall ’26
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ALUMNI NEWS
Alumnus Ryan Heeke, ’16 (center), received the Voigtman Family Scholarship, established by alumni Jon and Terri Voigtman (right and left, respectively). Heeke went on to work for RBC Capital Markets in New York City for nearly a decade.
Against all odds: How CMU built a pathway to Wall Street Finance alumni nurture internship pipeline to top employers in the field BY UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT Roughly seven out of every 1,000 college applicants land offers at top investment banks. Over the past decade, Central Michigan University has been beating those odds — repeatedly. More than 20 CMU students have secured internships and full-time roles at RBC Capital Markets, one of the most selective investment banking platforms in the world, along with firms like Discover, Fidelity and KPMG. For a regional public university, that’s not a simple data point. It’s a track record worth promoting. It started with a challenge. In 2012, finance student Alex Crosson — recipient of the Jon and Terri Voigtman Family Scholarship — told a room of people he didn’t think someone from CMU could get a Wall Street job unless their parents already worked there. He then proved 32
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himself wrong, becoming the first CMU student to intern at RBC Capital Markets and earning a full-time offer. His performance demonstrated what the Voigtmans had long believed: access, not ability, was the barrier. The scholarship, originally established in 2005 to support Michigan students facing financial hardship, evolved into something larger. Working with the College of Business Administration and RBC, the Voigtmans helped build a structured pipeline focused on identifying, preparing and placing high-performing students into one of finance’s most competitive segments. Preparation is central to the model. The Michigan Finance Scholars Program, led by faculty member Bradley Taylor, puts students through rigorous coursework, financial modeling, case competitions and corporate engagement that mirror expectations at elite business programs. The Voigtman Financial Trading Lab adds hands-on experience with Bloomberg Terminals — the same systems used on trading floors worldwide — and the certifications to match.
The network sustains itself. Alumni who come through the pipeline stay involved, mentoring candidates, sharing interview guidance and helping prepare the next group. “Each of us wants to keep the pipeline open for the next person,” said Ryan Heeke, ’16, who spent nearly a decade at RBC before moving into a director role at McBride Quality Care Services in Mount Pleasant. “You don’t want to let yourself down, or those who may follow.” For current students, that continuity is the point. CMU’s presence in finance isn’t an accident. It’s been built, deliberately, by people who came before them. •
CBA Hall of Fame welcomes new members Inductees lead with skills gained at CMU Central’s College of Business Administration celebrated the people who define the CMU business experience: students preparing to launch their careers, faculty and staff helping them grow, and alumni whose leadership continues to create opportunities for future generations. At the spring event, two distinguished alumni were inducted into the College of Business Hall of Fame, recognizing careers marked by innovation, leadership and lasting impact: MELANIE KALMAR ’87, ’25, spent nearly four decades at Dow, rising to corporate vice president, chief information officer and chief digital officer, where she led major digital transformation and strategy initiatives. Beyond her corporate career, she has worked extensively to expand opportunities for women in technology through the Michigan Council of Women in Technology and has been a longtime supporter of the Humane Society of Midland County. Now retired from Dow, she remains connected to CMU through mentorship and advisory roles.
Melanie Kalmar speaks with students during a networking event in Grawn Hall. Through mentorship and continued involvement with the College of Business Administration, Kalmar encourages students to explore opportunities, build connections and stay engaged beyond the classroom.
BOB OROS ’90, ’24, built his career through roles in financial services and software, eventually serving as chairman and CEO of Hightower Advisors during a period of significant growth. He has remained actively engaged with CMU through direct mentorship and student interaction and has deepened that connection in recent years; his daughter began attending CMU this fall. Oros describes the honor as a reflection of the people around him rather than individual achievement. The evening also recognized Lee Curtis, ’90, with the Alumni Commitment Award for his dedication to CMU and its students. Together, these honorees demonstrate how a foundation built at CMU can lead to meaningful careers, principled leadership and lifelong engagement with the university. •
Bob Oros delivers remarks during his CMU College of Business Hall of Fame induction, reflecting the work, relationships and commitment to showing up that have shaped his journey.
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ALUMNI NEWS Honors for CMU Chippewas SARAH ANTHONY, ’06, was named a Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Municipal League. Rep. Anthony (D-21) is midMichigan’s first Black woman to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate. Her legislative achievements include the passage of the CROWN Act, the Michigan Reconnect scholarship, and negotiating state budgets centered on priorities such as healthcare, housing, childcare and education. She also served as director of the Michigan College Access Network, partnering with education, nonprofit and business leaders to provide coordinate support for students. CHRISTOPHER HANSEN, M.A. ’06, was honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery. Hansen teaches seventh and eighth grade English at Potterville Middle School. Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. CHAD LIVENGOOD, ’05, earned a National Headliner Award, presented by the Press Club of Atlantic City, honoring the best print, online,
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television, radio and photographic journalism in the news industry. More than 1,000 entries were received for this year’s competition that covered journalism published in 2025. Livengood earned a second-place award for his article from the Detroit News titled “CURE Awash in Complaints, Lawsuits.” DANIELLE MCCANN, ’19, has been named the chief policy officer for the Michigan Nonprofit Association. She will lead MNA’s policy and advocacy efforts, working to ensure nonprofits across Michigan have a strong voice in the decisions that impact their communities. McCann most recently served as legislative affairs director for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, where she worked alongside legislators and stakeholders to advance economic development policy for the state. CAROLINE REDEKER, ’90, has been appointed chief commercial officer for StuffThatWorks. Redeker will lead the commercialization of the world’s first AI-native, patient-driven and patientconnected data foundation. She is a PharmaVoice 100 recipient and a member of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association and the Decentralized Trials Research Alliance.
MANDY SHELAST, ’20, M.S.A. ’21, was named president for Mercy Southeast Communities. Shelast will lead Mercy Hospital Southeast and Mercy’s clinics and services in Cape Girardeau and surrounding communities across Southeast Missouri. Her prior experience includes serving in board member and board chair positions with the American Hospital Association, Michigan Hospital Association and as a governor-appointed member of the Michigan Veterans Facility Authority. GLENN WILSON, M.S.A. ’22, has been selected as a 2026 Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence honoree — one of Metro Detroit’s most prestigious recognitions celebrating African American male leadership, achievement and community impact. As co-founder, president and CEO, of Communities First, Inc., Wilson was chosen for his outstanding professional accomplishments, leadership excellence and unwavering dedication to uplifting the community. Communities First, Inc. is a nonprofit serving over 35,000 community members across Michigan and Indiana, building healthy, vibrant communities through economic development, affordable housing and innovative programming. •
We drive with pride
PHOTO BY LANCE GASCHO
YOU CAN TOO
Order your CMU license plate today! www.cmich.edu/alumni CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and including but not limited to minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities. 10130 (5/21)
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In Memory Kenneth E. Nelson, ’61, Lapeer, Mich., died on July 14, 2025,
Thomas R. Lougheed, ’64, ’66 MBA, ’67 MA, Linden, Mich.,
Jayne A. (Miller) Samec, ’61, Leroy, Mich., died on April 11, 2026,
Janet B. (Bergquist) Potter, ’64, Greensboro, N.C., died on
Marceil E. (Henney) Yarlagadda, ’65, Overland Park, Kans., died on Jan. 11, 2026, age 83 Michael N. Dawson, ’66, ’73 MA, Muskegon, Mich., died on
Doris W. (Alber) Cook, ’52, Pontiac, Mich., died on
Peter P. Freel, ’62, Comins, Mich., died on Dec. 31, 2025,
Robert L. Urchike, ’64, Chandler, Ariz., died on April 23, 2026,
age 86
age 84
Linda L. (Limron) Felton, ’66, Boyne City, Mich., died on
Edward J. Salisz, ’53, Boyne Falls, Mich., died on
Howard L. Lyons, ’62, San Jose, Calif., died on Jan. 27, 2026, age 87 Donald E. Purcell, ’62, Swartz Creek, Mich., died on
Phillip L. Davidson, ’65, Whitmore Lake, Mich., died on June 5, 2026, age 83
Elaine A. Noffze, ’66, Grand Ledge, Mich., died on May 3, 2026, age 81 Susan A. (Greenfield) Ulrich, ’66, Willis, Mich., died on
Gertrude “Trudy” D. (Doyle) Boettcher, ’50, Traverse City, Mich., died on Feb. 6, 2026, age 97 Phyllis J. (Good) Brubaker, ’50, Hesperia, Mich., died on May 27, 2026, age 97
May 25, 2026, age 96
July 16, 2026, age 98
Norman D. Hoag, ’54, ’65 MA, ’74 Ed.S., Traverse City, Mich., died on June 4, 2026, age 94
Jerry Cotter, ’55, East Tawas, Mich., died on May 6, 2026, age 95 Charles “Chuck” E. Miller Jr., ’56, Spring Lake, Mich., died on May 3, 2026, age 91
Marjorie C. (Gregoire) Peters, ’56, Marquette, Mich., died on May 27, 2026, age 91
age 90
age 87
April 7, 2026, age 87
Lyle D. Hansen, ’63, ’70 MA, Thompsonville, Mich., died on May 26, 2026, age 90
Mary K. (Laidley) Hradel, ’63, Free Soil, Mich., died on April 18, 2026, age 84
Charles E. Keene, ’63, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died on May 10, 2026, age 85
Thomas W. Collins, ’57, Memphis, Tenn., died on
Carol A. (Scott) Wojcik, ’63, ’69 MA, Evart, Mich., died on
Theodore W. Hummel, ’58, ’78, Sanford, Mich., died on
Ann H. (Peloubet) Ayre, ’64, Midland, Mich., died on
John A. Kalanquin, ’58, Grand Blanc, Mich., died on
Martin A. Bordner, ’64, East Lansing, Mich., died on
June 28, 2026, age 92
July 16, 2026, age 91
June 3, 2026, age 91
Janet C. (Schomaker) Taht, ’58, Broomfield, Colo., died on
May 30, 2026, age 85
May 29, 2026, age 84
July 19, 2026, age 85
died on July 7, 2026, age 84
Jan. 7, 2026, age 83
Sally J. Grayvold, ’65, Sparta, Mich., died on May 14, 2026, age 83
Linda L. (Zorn) Hogan, ’65, Caseville, Mich., died on May 1, 2026, age 82
Mary “Mickey” L. (Kadolph) Howard, ’65, Ovid, Mich., died on April 26, 2026, age 83
Roy G. Kemppainen, ’65 MA, Republic, Mich., died on June 14, 2026, age 87
Beth E. (Corwin) McLaughlin, ’65, Saginaw, Mich., died on June 14, 2026, age 82
Gilbert F. Simmons, ’65, Portland, Ore., died on May 24, 2026, age 83
Garth D. Williamson, ’65, ’68 MS, Midland, Mich., died on July 13, 2026, age 88
June 22, 2026, age 83
April 22, 2026, age 82
May 26, 2026, age 81
Sharron L. (Herold) Bergland, ’67, Lansing, Mich., died on May 10, 2025, age 79
Robert W. Cook, ’67, Farmington, Mich., died on
April 23, 2026, age 82
Lana L. Dragmiller, ’67, East China, Mich., died on July 16, 2026, age 81
Collin E. Emmett, ’67, Romeo, Mich., died on May 15, 2026, age 83 Philip J. Ewald, ’67, Harrisonburg, Va., died on July 5, 2026, age 82
Ronald L. Foster, ’67, Plymouth, Mich., died on May 13, 2026, age 82 David B. Jacobs, ’67, ’93 MAH, Orvo Valley, Ariz., died on Feb. 9, 2026, age 85
Mary J. (Murphy) Revitte, ’59 MA, Bayfield, Colo., died on June 3, 2026, age 89
John M. Kahl, ’60, Freeland, Mich., died on June 5, 2026, age 91 Claude N. Saum, ’60, Flat Rock, N.C., died on July 5, 2026, age 87 Rex K. Smith, ’60, ’65 MA, Cadillac, Mich., died on April 14, 2026, age 93
Harold R. Unger, ’60, Grand Rapids, Mich., died on Feb. 13, 2026, age 94
Elaine E. (Lounsbury) Bila, ’61, ’75 MA, Canton, Mich., died on June 15, 2026, age 86
Barbara J. (Koelsch) Hungerford, ’61, Linden, Mich., died on May 31, 2026, age 90
Donald J. Kanicki, ’61 ’67 MA, Rockland, Maine, died on May 14, 2026, age 87
Larry G. Miller, ’61, ’62 MA, Fort Gratiot, Mich., died on April 16, 2026, age 93
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PHOTO BY ADAM SPARKES
June 19, 2026, age 88
March 27, 2026, age 81
Richard J. McCreedy, ’67, Niles, Mich., died on July 21, 2026, age 83 Daniel K. Morse, ’67, ’70 MA, Dallas, Texas, died on March 20, 2026, age 84 Marcia B. (Rupert) Stacy, ’67, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died on March 28, 2026, age 81
Patricia S. (Adams) Wagner, ’67, Merrill, Mich., died on May 29, 2026, age 81
Robert M. Ward, ’67 MA, Battle Creek, Mich., died on June 17, 2026, age 88
Gary C. Bentley, ’68, Manistee, Mich., died on July 2, 2026, age 82 Jean M. Biddulph, ’68, Flint, Mich., died on May 18, 2026, age 82
Victory R. Havens, ’68, Gladwin, Mich., died on May 30, 2026, age 83
Ann E. (Griess) Adams, ’71, Tucson, Ariz., died on June 18, 2026, age 77
Peter R. Hawkins, ’71, Southfield, Mich., died on June 18, 2026, age 77
Robert P. Johnston, ’71 MBA, Peachtree City, Ga., died on June 22, 2026, age 79
James R. Lent, ’71 MA, Kalamazoo, Mich., died on May 12, 2026, age 84
Samuel R. Maxwell, ’71, Lakewood, Colo., died on June 24, 2026, age 76
John R. Scott, ’71 MA, Petoskey, Mich., died on April 3, 2026, age 90
Ronald L. Wolkowicz, ’71, ’73 MA, Inkster, Mich., died on May 28, 2026, age 76
James J. Derezinski, ’72, ’72 MA, ’97 Ed.S., Muskegon, Mich., died on
PHOTO BY LANCE GASCHO
Julia M. (Moore) Lier, ’67, ’72 MA, Gladwin, Mich., died on
June 30, 2026, age 79
John F. Berg, ’69, Ocala, Fla.,
Barbara Duncan, ’72, Farmington, Mich, died on May 16, 2026, age 74 Ann E. (Holmden) Ed, ’72, Grand Rapids, Mich., died on
Karl D. Livingston, ’69, Fort Gratiot, Mich., died on
James D. Eurick, ’72, ’77 MA, Saginaw, Mich., died on
David J. Anderson, ’70, ’71 MBA, Bay Port, Mich., died on
Vera I. Hart, ’72 MA, Traverse City, Mich., died on
James T. Bishop, ’70, Detroit, Mich., died on April 21, 2026,
George A. Jonaitis, ’72, Jenison, Mich., died on June 13, 2026,
Jeffrey L. Clark, ’70, ’71 MA, Providence Village, Texas, died on March 25, 2026, age 84 Edwin Hendrickson, ’70 MBA, Muskegon, Mich., died on
Patty A. (Sworthwood) Kazen, ’72, Owosso, Mich., died on
Joan C. (Derwinski) Hildinger, ’70, Essexville, Mich., died on
Donald D. Schrader, ’72, ’78 MA, Stevensville, Mich., died on
Mary E. Hynes, ’70, Goodrich, Mich., died on May 25, 2026,
Judith E. (Dunn) Sowders, ’72, ’78 MA, Hemlock, Mich., died on
Diane K. (Bender) Oberlin, ’70, Holland, Mich., died on
Robert S. Czachorski, ’73 MS, Marne, Mich., died on
Larry A. Sorensen, ’70, ’73 MA, DeWitt, Mich., died on
K’ana Degen, ’73, ’91 MA, Milan, Mich., died on Aug. 29, 2025, age 79
KiAnn Kruttlin, ’75, Harrisville, Mich., died on June 22, 2026, age 73 Clayton S. Roberson, ’75 MA, Stephenville, Texas, died on
Louis R. Trogan, ’70, ’77 MA, ’77 SPSYS, Essexville, Mich.,
Pamela E. Gillis, ’93, Port Huron, Mich., died on March 30, 2026,
Gary A. Tuttle, ’75, Haslett, Mich.,
Barbara L. Whalen, ’70 ’74 MA, Davison, Mich., died on
Richard A. Wiltse, ’73, Grand Rapids, Mich., died on
Jill M. (Beehler) Rafos, ’68, Freeland, Mich., died on July 2, 2026, age 81
died on June 4, 2026, age 79
June 23, 2026, age 78
May 28, 2026, age 77
age 81
March 31, 2026, age 86
May 23, 2026, age 88
age 82
Feb. 20, 2026, age 77
June 23, 2026, age 79
died on July 10, 2026, age 78
May 18, 2026, age 77
Jan. 18, 2026, age 77
April 3, 2026, age 76
April 8, 2026, age 90
age 83
June 19, 2026, age 75
Michael A. Owens, ’72 MA, Mecosta, Mich., died on June 9, 2026, age 78
July 11, 2026, age 76
July 4, 2026, age 76
July 11, 2026, age 80
age 74
June 20, 2026, age 75
Glen P. Windorf, ’73, Shelby Township, Mich., died
Mary J. (Wilhelm) Hutchins, ’76, Roscommon, Mich., died on
Sandra K. Bogema, ’74, Portage, Mich., died on July 1, 2026, age 73 Robert J. Essenmacher, ’74, Osseo, Mich., died on
Terrance A. Matthews, ’76, Bradenton, Fla., died on
Randall J. Smith, ’74, White Lake Twp., Mich., died
June 21, 2026, age 78
Esta M. Stover, ’74, Excelsior, Minn., died on May 11, 2026, age 86 Dorothy D. Buckley, ’75, Jackson, Miss., died on
April 5, 2026, age 95
on June 5, 2026, age 75
July 20, 2026, age 74
on April 4, 2026, age 73
June 30, 2026, age 84
George J. Dickinson, ’75 MA, Palm Harbor, Mich., died on March 27, 2026, age 93
Edward V. Keelean, ’75, Grosse Pointe, Mich., died on July 12, 2026, age 77
May 25, 2026, age 91
May 26, 2026, age 72
May 22, 2026, age 73
Larry A. Pryce, ’76 MA, Pinconning, Mich., died on David A. Seyfarth, ’76 MA, Franklin, Mass., died on Rosemarie H. Tucker, ’76 ’77 MA, Honolulu, Hawaii, died on Jan. 8, 2026, age 93
Susan L. (Loetz) Vesely, ’76, Grand Rapids, Mich., died on April 14, 2026, age 71
Stephen B. Fish, III, ’77 MA, Albuquerque, N.M., died on May 27, 2026, age 92
Christina M. Frick, ’77, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died on July 6, 2026, age 72
Kenneth J. Loehr, ’77 MA, Loudon, Tenn., died on April 5, 2026, age 87
died on April 15, 2026, age 76
Diane K. (Brown) Ludwig, ’77, Grand Rapids, Mich., died on
Gerald P. Hart, ’76 MA, North Street, Mich., died on
John F. Pettit, ’77, Owosso, Mich.,
June 16, 2026, age 81
April 5, 2026, age 75
died on June 12, 2026, age 71
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In Memory Gary W. Shamel, ’77 MA, Chesterfield, Mo., died on
Douglas G. Long, ’80, Ovid, Mich., died on April 14, 2026,
Diane Whitt (Moore) Miller, ’84 MA, Martinsville, Va., died
Robert M. Videan, ’89, ’00 MA, Las Vegas, Nev., died on
James M. Sullivan, ’77 MA, Herndon, Va., died on
Myra S. Myers, ’80 MA, Mansfield, Ohio, died on
Martha S. Johnson, ’85, Suttons Bay, Mich., died on
Marissa L. Bousquet, ’90, Farmington Hills, Mich., died
John R. Thompson, ’77 MA, Woodbridge, Va., died on
Jeanne M. Taylor, ’80, Cumberland, Md., died on
Craig W. Carlson, ’86, Rockford, Mich., died on June 6, 2026,
Alan C. Stewart, ’90, Laingsburg, Mich., died
Jack D. Whitford, ’77 MA, Ruckersville, Va., died on
J.C. Teague, ’80 MA, Dover, Del.,
Laura A. (Bennett) Davis, ’86, Battle Creek, Mich., died on
Michael E. Thayer, ’90, ’03 MA, Saginaw, Mich., died on
Nancy M. Kurn, ’86, Saginaw, Mich., died on April 11, 2026, age
Kevin M. Lanfear, ’91, Ortonville, Mich., died on May 21, 2026,
Christina M. Repucci, ’86, Midland, Mich., died on
Judith A. (Richardson) Seltzer, ’91 MSA, Pretty Prairie, Kans.,
Peggy J. (Waldbilling) Sztuczko, ’86, St. Louis, Mich., died on
Robert J. Amon, ’92, Bowling Green, Ky., died
Betty J. (Suida) Bright, ’87 MSA, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., died on
Martin D. Balogh, ’92, San Francisco, Calif., died
Shirley S. Coupal, ’87 MA, Shawnee Mission, Kans., died
Stanley L. George, ’92 MSA, West Allis, Wis., died on
Ann D. Eckels, ’72 MSA, Clark County, Ky., died on
Linda (Hall) Gissy, ’92 MSA, Marietta, Ga., died on
Michael E. Johnson, ’87, Charlotte, Mich., died on
Gregory W. Irwin, ’92, Ferndale, Mich., died on May 19, 2026,
Alice K. (Wernett) Karcher, ’87, ’92 MA, Mecosta, Mich., died on
Kenneth M. Ruppel, ’92, Noblesville, Ind., died on
Patricia A. (Emmendorfer) McCullough, ’87, Midland, Mich.,
Patsy L. Dockery, ’93 MSA, Chester, Va., died on July 19, 2026,
Donald F. Sherman, ’87, Lake Orion, Mich., died on
John E. Porritt, ’93, ’95 MSA, Owosso, Mich., died on
April 21, 2026, age 74
May 12, 2026, age 79
June 7, 2026, age 83
May 29, 2026, age 89
July 22, 2026, age 79
May 24, 2026, age 81
died on April 19, 2026, age 90
on June 7, 2026, age 84
May 14, 2026, age 63
age 63
June 30, 2026, age 63
on May 12, 2026, age 59
on May 2, 2026, age 58
Maria J. Vilches-Ruiz, ’80, Sevilla, Spain, died on June 27, 2026, age 85 Lillian (Daniels) Walker, ’80 MA, Rocky Mount, N.C., died on
June 26, 2026, age 91
Gordon F. Atcheson, ’81 MA, Clarksville, Tenn., died on
May 29, 2026, age 62
Gary T. Bishop, ’81 MA, Cumming, Ga., died on
July 3, 2026, age 64
Eileen G. (Gleason) Hartman, ’78 MA, Columbus, Ind., died on
Booker T. Dawkins, ’81 MA, Willow Springs, N.C., died on
May 22, 2026, age 97
Keith A. Hayes, ’78, Scottville, Mich., died on July 19, 2026, age 72 Kenneth G. Koubek, ’78 MA, Elkton, Md., died on April 30, 2026,
Dorothy E. Shouldice, ’81, Battle Creek, Mich., died on
on June 14, 2026, age 77
Anne K. Southworth, ’81 MA, Midland, Mich., died on
May 19, 2026, age 93
Freddy R. Young, ’78 MA, Jonesboro, Ill., died on
May 12, 2026, age 73
Doyle A. Buck, ’82 MA, Lawrenceville, Ga., died on
May 29, 2026, age 60
Mary P. Clark-Mullins, ’79, Columbia, Md., died on
July 4, 2026, age 83
Gregory A. Farrell, ’82 MA, Atlanta, Ga., died on Jan. 18, 2026,
May 11, 2026, age 79
Henry A. Crooks Jr., ’79 MA, Interlochen, Mich., died on
age 89
Vern L. Klassen, ’82, DeWitt, Mich., died on June 7, 2026, age 66 Lenny Olson Jr., ’82 MA, Griffin, Ga., died on April 11, 2026, age 77 Brenda S. Parker, ’82, Warren, Mich., died on June 15, 2026,
died on April 15, 2026, age 63
Michael J. Williams, ’87, Battle Creek, Mich., died on
Edward H. Reisinger, ’93, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died on
David B. Smith, ’82, Washington Twp., Mich., died
Jennifer (Schoenhals) Beane, ’88, Brown City, Mich., died on
Larry P. Warrick, ’93 MSA, Andalusia, Ala., died on
Michael P. Spradlin, ’82, Lapeer, Mich., died on April 12, 2026, age
Craig A. Beins, ’88 MSA, Bridgeport, Mich., died on
Ronald Ford Sr., ’94 MSA, Glen Burnie, Md., died on
Thomas J. Foley, ’83, Diamond Bar, Calif., died on
Richard L. Feole, ’88, Battle Creek, Mich., died
Sandra A. (Nicholls) Karam, ’94 MSA, Novi, Mich., died on
Flint H. Horton, ’83, Traverse City, Mich., died
Robert B. Fullerton, ’88, Ferrysburg, Mich., died on
Douglas J. Cashen, ’95, ’97 MBA, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died on
Julia A. Tarsa, ’83, ’93 MA, East Lansing, Mich., died on
Joan T. Ziraldo-Higgins, ’88, Kalamazoo, Mich., died on
Ryan S. Humphrey, ’95, Portland, Mich., died on
Barbara J. Fles, ’84, Grand Rapids, Mich., died
Linda L. Adkins, ’89, Midland, Mich., died on June 18, 2026,
Michael D. Sharlow, ’95, Georgetown, Colo., died on
Sandra J. (Miller) Arndt, ’78 MA, Grafton, Wis., died on March 31, 2026, age 79
Thomas A. Barnes, ’78 MA, Cincinnati, Ohio, died on April 14, 2026, age 75
Brian W. Caukin, ’78, Oviedo, Fla., died on June 17, 2026, age 69 Douglas M. Forde, ’78, Erdenheim, Pa., died on July 16, 2026, age 78
April 23, 2026, age 81
age 81
April 24, 2026, age 89
June 28, 2023, age 65
Feb. 17, 2026, age 85
Jimmie L. Estes, ’79 MA, Saint Joseph, Mo., died on Dec. 25, 2025, age 85
Wayne O. Furman, ’79 MA, Marysville, Mich., died on June 12, 2026, age 92
Richard M. Lynn, ’79, ’84 MA, Shelby Township, Mich., died on June 14, 2026, age 77
Fred L. Sager, ’79, Anchorage, Alaska, died on May 7, 2026, age 71
Craig C. Davis, ’80, Novi, Mich., died on May 8, 2026, age 69
Gregory B. Green, ’80, Fenton, Mich., died on June 29, 2026, age 69
Thomas P. Grubb, ’80, Kenosha, Wis., died on May 14, 2026, age 69 Kim C. Leach, ’80 MA, Harrisburg, Pa., died on May 26, 2026, age 71
38
age 67
Centralight Fall ’26
April 29, 2026, age 98
April 18, 2026, age 79
June 22, 2026, age 73
May 28, 2026, age 78
May 5, 2026, age 66
age 67
on June 13, 2026, age 69
65
May 10, 2026, age 65
on April 12, 2026, age 67
June 26, 2026, age 64
on April 13, 2026, age 64
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April 18, 2026, age 62
June 3, 2026, age 60
May 25, 2026, age 59
June 14, 2026, age 83
on April 12, 2026, age 61
June 25, 2026, age 61
June 12, 2026, age 60
age 72
July 21, 2026, age 58
age 59
died on July 8, 2026, age 84
on June 14, 2026, age 58
on April 19, 2026, age 59
Feb. 23, 2026, age 69
April 13, 2026, age 76
age 55
April 28, 2026, age 57
age 75
May 16, 2026, age 86
June 25, 2026, age 61
April 15, 2026, age 77
July 4, 2026, age 85
April 17, 2026, age 81
May 10, 2026, age 63
May 29, 2026, age 54
April 29, 2026, age 55
PHOTO BY LANCE GASCHO
Nancy L. (Jackman) Wanchik, ’95 MSA, Farmington Hills, Mich., died on May 27, 2026, age 74
Joseph A. Moore, ’96, Wyoming, Mich., died on June 27, 2026, age 55
Linda L. (Richards) Thompson, ’96 MA, Rogers City, Mich., died on June 18, 2026, age 73
Sharon L. (Lawrence) Cramp, ’97 MSA, Kissimmee, Fla., died on April 7, 2026, age 84
James C. Dutcher, ’97, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died on April 30, 2026, age 78
Susan R. (Vizi) Furr, ’97, Owosso, Mich., died on May 19, 2026, age 73 Paulette A. (Sech) Moran, ’97, Detroit, Mich., died on April 19, 2026, age 81
Pauline M. Nowak, ’97, Howell, Mich., died on April 11, 2026, age 80
Kenneth C. Hickey, ’98 MSA, Brighton, Mich., died on April 9, 2026, age 63
Linda R.Kimball, ’98 MSA, Havre De Grace, Md., died on April 23, 2026, age 75
Samuel N. Peffers, ’98 MSA, Yuma, Ariz., died on April 8, 2026, age 60
Mary J. (Walker) Dipaolo, ’99 MSA, Novi, Mich., died on April 14, 2026, age 74
Donald D. Hemstreet, ’99, Clare, Mich., died on May 15, 2026, age 81 Valeria E. (Johnson) Taylor, ’99 MSA, Chesterfield, Va., died on June 4, 2026, age 72
Joyce S. (Smith) Gamble, ’01 MA, Atlanta, Ga., died on March 29, 2026, age 81
Ryan R. Pearsall, ’01, Mount Pleasant, Mich.,
died on May 14, 2024, age 46
Rashida J. Davis, ’02 MA, Decatur, Ga., died on June 23, 2026, age 48
Leah S. Lavanture, ’02, Traverse City, Mich., died on April 17, 2026, age 47
Timothy A. Jeschke, ’04, Peoria, Ariz., died on April 28, 2026, age 56
Jennifer L. Woodrum, ’07 MSA, Dayton, Ohio, died on April 21, 2026, age 48
Landon G. Creevy, ’08, Holland, Mich., died on July 22, 2026, age 40
Keith M. Hutchins, ’08, Rockford, Mich., died on May 29, 2026, age 46
Sara R. Ledwidge, ’09, Metamora, Mich., died on May 24, 2026, age 38
Sandra K. (Gehringer) Kujawa, ’10 Au.D., Howell, Mich., died on
Dennis R. Martin, ’15 MSA, Bay City, Mich., died on April 11, 2026, age 77
Mason K. Elliott, ’16, Cheboygan, Mich., died on July 19, 2026, age 32 Lance L. Goeckel, ’17, Owosso, Mich., died on May 31, 2026, age 33
Troy A. Haag, ’17, Grayling, Mich., died on June 3, 2026, age 59
Bernie Kerr, Belleville, Ill., died July 15, 2026, age 76
Robert E. Kohrman, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died April 5, 2026, age 85
Doris J. Ramsey, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died April 19, 2026, age 83 Geraldine K. Travis, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died May 10, 2026, age 81
Thomas S. Isom, ’19, Saginaw, Mich., died on June 20, 2026, age 58
FACULTY/STAFF Judith S. (Kriesel) Boyd, ’72, ’00 MA, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., died May 6, 2026, age 82
Michael A. Owens, ’72 MA, Mecosta, Mich., died June 9, 2026, age 78
Richard D. Featheringham, ’81, ’84 MM, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died June 16, 2026, age 91
Jane D. (Dennis) Leahy, ’83 MA, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died July 2, 2026, age 90
Christine V. Bailey, Farwell, Mich., died June 3, 2026, age 77 Roger G. Bland, Mount Pleasant, Mich., died June 24, 2026, age 86 Jean A. Burdo, Bellaire, Mich., died June 5, 2026, age 98
June 16, 2026, age 59
Centralight Fall ’26
39
DO YOU REMEMBER Through the years, Greek Week has staged a broad range of events, and in 1964, the men of Tau Kappa Epsilon participated in a memorable one: They managed to smash a piano and pass all of the pieces through an 8-inch hole in less than nine minutes.
40
Centralight Fall ’26
Stay
CONNECTED Affordable rates available to CMU Alumni for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless products and services.
connect.cmich.edu 989-774-3087 connect@cmich.edu Centralight Fall ’26
41
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MOUNT PLEASANT, MI PERMIT NO. 93
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Carlin Alumni House Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Your dollars
MAKE CHANGE STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND
Life is full of twists and turns — events that can threaten a student’s college education. At CMU, our Student Emergency Fund is there when our CMU Chippewas need a boost, often allowing them to stay in school through difficult circumstances.
$1,463,079
dollars have been awarded
1,152
Students awarded dollars
$119,300 Dollars raised for the 25-26 fiscal year
1,167
Donors for the 25-26 fiscal year
ignite.cmich.edu/sef
“During my undergrad, I ran into a life event that sent me and my finances whirling. I thought I was going to have to give up on my dreams and walk away from the university. My family could not make up the difference, so I reached out to my advisor to see if there was any hope. She connected me to the Student Emergency Fund and I was able to surpass this hardship. Today I am beyond proud to say I have recently elevated my career by accepting a new role as a Global Inventory Analyst at the Dollar General corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville, TN.” Jeremiah Carter ’22 Bachelor of Business Administration: Marketing and Management CMU, an EO institution, strongly and actively strives to provide equal opportunity for all individuals. UComm 11929 (4/26)