August 31, 2004 Back-to-School Issue

Ten years ago, I joined EMU's development staff to raise money and forge working relationships with alumni and businesses. Initially, I worked on the Pease Auditorium restoration campaign. It was a great example of grassroots initiative. Alumni and friends in the community started the momentum to save Pease. It grew into a wonderful and successful partnership between the University and the community.

Currently, I work on behalf of the College of Health and Human Services and I also am coordinating the Faculty and Staff Giving Program.

I like working on behalf of education. It is the educated people who make the medical and technological breakthroughs; who start the businesses that create more jobs; who do things that make life better for all. When you think about impact, this is tremendously important.

I like working for Eastern because the University is committed to doing what it take to help people develop their potential, on campus and in the community. The alumni I meet all have stories about faculty who went out of their way to help them be successful. The parents talk about the comfort they feel that Eastern provides, an environment in which their children can succeed. The support we provide through gifts helps make that possible.  

My spare-time passion is training horses in dressage. To some, this seems quite a contrast. Training animals takes a great deal of patience and careful observation since horses can't tell you what they're thinking. In many ways, people are the same way.

I often wear an EMU logo — a pin, hat, or T-shirt. As a result, I have met EMU alumni at horse shows, on western ski slopes, even on dive boats in the Caribbean! All have had something great to say about the University.

Fundraising for Eastern is fun, challenging and worthwhile.

 

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