April 25, 2008
Alumni
The Northwood University experience does not end at graduation. Our alumni should enjoy a lifetime of networking, knowledge, and leadership by staying connected. We are pleased to report alumni activities at all three campuses are vibrant and growing. This is a critical component of our strategic plan for the university.
In Michigan, we just enjoyed the hospitality offered by Northwood alumnus and Board of Trustee member, Bill Parlberg, MBA ’00, at the annual Lunch with the President. This gathering, where area alumni are hosted at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, has taken place for several years and is a much-anticipated spring event. We are deeply appreciative of Mr. Parlberg’s generosity and his on-going commitment to NU and his fellow alumni.
At a banquet on April 25, five alumni will receive the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award. Mathew Dougher, BBA ’87; Victor George, BBA ’82; Terri Mulcahey, BBA ’87; Gary Short, BBA ’89; and Michael Szukhent, BBA ’01, have taken The Northwood Idea into their professions and personal lives. They have represented their alma mater well and we are proud to honor them.
The 17th Annual Tri-City Alumni & Friends Golf Outing will take place on June 2. Alumni provide the majority of the sponsorships with the remaining support coming from local businesses. Last year 144 people participated, and the event consistently contributes to our scholarship funds.
Southeastern Michigan is home to a great many Northwood University alumni. We have put the resources in place to begin a new chapter for them which could prove to be one of the strongest in Northwood’s history.
The efforts and impact of the alumni chapter on the Texas campus are legendary and growing. These amazing Knights put in twelve hour days to make Crossing Over one of the biggest events in the Northwood system. The Texas Alumni Board works together like an extended family. When a Texas Knight says about fellow Knights, “You are among very special people,” you know this organization is strong. The closeness they feel is striking.
The Texas Outstanding Alumni Achievement Awards dinner takes place the night before Crossing Over. The campus staff turns Lambert Commons into an elegant dining room hosting honored alumni and their proud families. This year Grace Hastings, BBA ’01, and Barbara Fife, BBA ’06, were recognized for success in their professions and service to Northwood.
Florida alumni are set to enjoy a golf outing during the last weekend in May. A special draw for this golf outing is a seminar on “Doing Business on the Golf Course.” This mix of learning and fun is a perfect example of what alumni activities are all about.
Florida also enjoys the efforts of a Professional Advisory Council which mentors students both personally and professionally. Their Outstanding Alumni Achievement Awardees are in the process of being selected.
At last week’s Freedom Seminar in Michigan, it was exciting and refreshing for me to see the number of alumni who attended. These people took time from work and family to enhance their education and show support for their school.
Over sixty MBA students recently participated in the required capstone experience at the Freedom Seminar. Their soon-to-be new roles as alumni were a lively topic of discussion. The pride and excitement at moving to this new status in their lives was exhilarating to observe.
As a university, our product is our students, and thus, our alumni. We transform the people who enter our campuses into professionals who carry The Northwood Idea into their industries and communities. We’ve been doing it for almost 50 years.
Our network is large and our message is strong. Whether in the classroom or in the community, the efforts of one person can make a difference, but working together, our influence multiplies. Strengthening our relationship with our alumni is a goal we should all support and assist.
Enjoy the spring weekend.
Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)
