Distinguished Guests
On Nov. 27, Senator Robert Meeks, Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) President Hans Geisecke, and Executive Vice President Tony Maidenburg, met with Bob Remington and me to share information pertinent to TSU, including the 2007 budget and the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana funding issues. Our guests were given a tour of campus and a master plan update.

On Nov. 29, former trustee and Shive Field namesake, Wayne Shive, toured the campus and had lunch with Mike Bock and me. Shive provided the lead gift toward the construction of the home football field in 1998.

Over lunch on Dec. 1, Mike Bock and Jim Ingledue of Ingledue Construction discussed our current facilities, growth, and the current capital campaign.

Holiday Celebration
The community came out to celebrate the Christmas season early with TSU on Sunday, Dec. 3. Activities included holiday story time at the TSU Bookstore, a community tree lighting with Mayor Richard Hickman, and a holiday concert with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic quartet. The event was well attended by TSU employees and their children.

Athletic Meeting
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Athletic Conference’s annual fall meeting was held on Dec. 4. This year I serve as president and chair of the conference. The MIAA is America’s oldest collegiate athletic conference. I consider it a great honor and privilege to serve in this leadership position.

Birthday Celebration
Melanie and I celebrated with the November and December birthday group at Park Avenue Café. We hope all of you that attended enjoyed the meal and the company. For a list of those celebrating their birthdays in December, click here..

Student Christmas Dinner
Melanie, Megan, and I got a chance to join all the students, faculty, and staff that attended the Student Christmas Dinner on Dec. 6. Many were in attendance to enjoy a great meal provided by Bon Appétit.

I also wanted to note that the Student Cookie Break was a huge success this year. The students enjoyed the cookies. Thank you again to those of you who contributed the merry morsels.

Student Success
Recent TSU graduate, Paul Handke, won the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ A. McLaren White Award at the institute’s Annual Meeting. Paul received first prize in the individual category of the 2006 National Student Design Competition. The title of Paul’s project was “Crystallization of Uranyl Nitrate from Dissolved Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF).” Handke was competing against approximately 150 chemical engineering programs across the country.

In addition, three students from the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering received scholarships from the Northeast Indiana American Foundry Society. Kai Hartman, Kyle Glass, and Michael Smercina received scholarships totaling $3,900 at the chapter meeting Monday, Dec. 4. For more information on their accomplishments, click here.

It’s All About Experience
The Department of Brand and Integrated Marketing hosted a webinar, “It’s All About Experience,” on the importance of relaying an authentic TSU experience to our prospective and current students. This integrated approach to marketing was presented by Stamats, and employees from various departments attended the event.

With Heartfelt Sympathy
The TSU family is in mourning after the loss of head volleyball coach Sarah Steele on Dec. 11. We plan on holding a TSU memorial service in honor of Sarah after the first of year. Information on the event will be sent soon. For information on the funeral and visitation arrangements, click here

Dr. Pittman Visits for the Week
Chair of the Board of Trustees Dr. John Pittman is visiting this week. He has traveled to TSU North in Angola to tour the Technology Center and to meet with former trustee, Emily Pichon of the Cole Foundation, in Fort Wayne, Ind. He also visited with Mamon Powers in Gary, Ind., the President and CEO of Powers & Sons Construction, Inc.

In addition to his travels, Dr. Pittman has been planning the Board of Trustees Winter Retreat to be held in Austin, Tex. in January. He also received an update on our campus master plan and will attend our Holiday Dinner on Friday.

TSU Faculty/Staff Holiday Dinner
We will be celebrating this special time of year at the TSU Faculty/Staff Holiday Dinner on Friday, Dec. 15. Bon Appétit has created a wonderful menu of holiday treats, and entertainment will be provided by TSU’s own Pam Fifer and Sherrie Grant. Special guests will include Trustees, Dr. John Pittman and Dr. and Mrs. R. Wyatt Weaver.