Spotlight
Winter 2009 Back to Spotlight home page
A letter from Rod Turner
Alumni Association president
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned as your Alumni Association president, it’s that the future of ESU promises to be just as rich as the past has been. I finished my master’s degree in education in 1974, and began serving on the association’s Board of Directors five and a half years ago. As I spoke briefly to the 600-plus graduates at the May 2008 commencement ceremony – about a quarter century past my master’s degree – I found myself asking “Where have the years gone?” At the Alumni Association, we’re just as excited about where the years will go in the future. The campus is truly crackling with energy and educational optimism, and we’re looking to serve you in a number of ways.
First, we’ve welcomed a new and experienced Alumni Relations Director, Peter Brodie. We’re formulating a more energetic and involved Flint Hills Area Alumni Chapter. The Hornet News Update e-mail newsletter has a great new look and feel. The campus is on the threshold of transformation with the upcoming renovation of the Memorial Union. We’re researching a new partnership with insurance companies, to offer you discounts on a variety of insurance products you already purchase solely because you’re an alum. Also, the alumni board will welcome Russ Everhart of Overland Park as the 2009-2010 president.
Looking back, I want to recognize and thank the previous alumni board presidents I’ve served under. Each president has demonstrated true commitment to ESU, and I hope their contributions will be an example to you. First, Mike Culp introduced me as one of the new board members way back in 2002. Then, it was Jenny Kramer who challenged us as board members to become a working board with committees designed to meet specific objectives and be accountable for them. Thanks to Janet Schalansky, who spent so much time on campus during her year as president that she seemed like a full-time employee who had her own office. Her guidance on various selection committees has cemented the ESU’s current administrative direction. Thanks to Kelly Mobray, who gave one of the most inspiring speeches that I have ever heard, about “building a foundation” during the inauguration of President Michael Lane. A special thanks to Myrl Cobb, who was a great mentor for my transition into the position of your board president. His cool and deliberate guidance during very trying times kept us all focused and on target. Myrl and his lovely wife Laveta have begun a new chapter in their life (Myrl recently retired from 25-plus years at Payless ShoeSource). I want to wish them the best.
Lastly, some highlights are bittersweet – like saying goodbye to Roy Mann, the former director of alumni relations who has left ESU for another great opportunity. He is a true friend, a confidante, and fishing partner, and a truly professional representative of ESU and higher education.
To each alumnus and alumna, please take a moment to reflect on what ESU has meant to you. If you wish to reconnect with ESU in any way, just send a note to alumni@emporia.edu and we’ll help you in every way we can – because you are ESU’s heritage. Thank you for making ESU what it is today!
Yours for ESU,
Rod Turner
BSE 1971, MS 1974
Last Updated January 30, 2009