Clay and Michael are part of the increasing number of 20-30 -somethings who are returning to live and work in the Indianapolis area after college graduation.  Both talked to the Indianapolis Star about what drove them to return to Indiana after time away.  Click here to read the complete story from May 29.

Jay D. Kasey ’79 is OSU’s new senior vice president for administration and planning.  He was formerly the chief operating officer for The Ohio State University Health System.

As COO, he led the operational elements of the health system and the $1.1 billion expansion of the medical center and integrated life sciences project.  Jay’s new role as senior vice president combines and streamlines facilities and space planning responsibilities for the entire university, and he will oversee the departments of Facilities Operations and Development, Physical Planning and Real Estate, Public Safety, Transportation and Parking, and Uniprint.

After Wabash, Jay earned a master’s degree from Washington University; he is currently enrolled in the Masters in Business Operations program at OSU’s Fisher College of Business.  His career includes 30+ years managing large institutions across large academic medical centers and universities.

Jay is father of John Kasey ’08.

Congratulations, Jay!

Story and photo courtesy of
The Ohio State University

Go Little Giants!

You can check out the South Regional Lineup here.

You can follow the live stats here.  Click on the link to live stats at the bottom right of the web page.

     Dr. Richard Ice ’83 sent this message:  “I will become the Academic Dean for the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University on July 1, 2011.”  Located near St. Cloud, MN, CSB (for women) and SJU (for men), are nationally recognized Catholic liberal arts colleges that share one academic program, and students attend classes together on both campuses.

     As Academic Dean, he will serve as the key administrator engaged in curricular matters and work with departments and programs on assessment of student learning initiatives. He will also be the final authority on student academic issues.  

     Dr. Ice is currently the chair of the Department of Communication at the colleges and has taught in the department since 1989.  After graduation from Wabash, he completed his doctorate at the University of Iowa before starting his career at CSB/SJ. 

     Dr. Ice has been an active scholar, with his book Rhetoric in Civic Life scheduled for publication this year, and has been active in both the campus and community, including a variety of leadership roles within faculty governance as well as serving as chair of the Albany, MN School Board. 

Congratulations, Richard!

      The Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina honored John W. Bachmann, Wabash 1960, longtime friend of the school, at its 2011 Business Leadership Dinner and Awards Program on May 12. �
    
     John has worked at Edward Jones since 1959 in retail investment, product marketing, strategic planning, corporate finance and technology and is currently senior partner.  He is a former chairman of the Securities Association and chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and was the Moore School’s first distinguished executive in residence.

     He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wabash College and a MBA in finance from Northwestern University, and received honorary doctoral degrees from Wabash College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

     Leadership in professional and community organizations includes chairman of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and commissioner of the St. Louis Science Center. He is an emeritus trustee of Wabash College; chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Peter F. Drucker Center; trustee of the Claremont Graduate University and Washington University in St. Louis; and director of AMR Corporation, American Airlines Inc. and Missouri Baptist Medical Center.  

Congratulations, John!

Story and photo courtesy of
the University of South Carolina – Columbia

We attended the Honorary Degree Recipients Luncheon on Sunday – you can read about the honorees elsewhere on the college web site.  Interesting points in the talks of all three:

Bob Charles ’59 – Wabash prepared me for life after Wabash, regardless of what I did. From making graduate school look easy to identifying the opportunity in risks in several different areas, it was my Wabash experience that made me successful.

Gov. Mitch Daniels – Wabash is even more important today than at any time in its history.  With the alarming trends in the number of young men seeking an education, Wabash continues to give our state and nation world changers.

Dr. Walter Massey – Wabash, like Morehouse, creates young men who are leaders, change agents, and role models during a time when they are desperately needed.  I have always been a Morehouse Man and today I’m proud to be a Wabash man.

Impact – regardless of your vantage point – impact!

Despite the rain and other distractions, it was a day to remember.  Most of all, for the young men and their families in the Class of 2011!

Your Commencement?

As the bleachers go up, we all pause and remember our Commencement weekend….

–  Outside or inside?
–  Hot and Humid or just hot and humid?
–  Speakers?
–  Your president?
–  Your favorite professor?
–  Your favorite Wabash moment?
–  The feeling as you walked away from campus that day?
–  Where you thought your future was headed versus where you were headed?

It’s almost exactly the same for Jake German, Kyle Grand, Jacob Surface, Jake Ezell, Alex Avtgis, Derrick Yoder, Ben Burkett, Dominique Thomas, Tommy Mambourg, Josue Guitierrez, Jake Kolisek, Kody Lemond, Evan Rhinesmith, Grant Schmutte…and the rest of the Class of 2011.

Hope you’ll share some of those stories at Scarlet Yarns on your next reunion.

Commencement Bleachers Going Up

Just when several of us were beginning to wonder if the rain forecast was just too much to consider an outdoor option – the bleachers are going up!

Commencement weekend is so special that an indoor ceremony is just not the same…here’s hoping for a great day Sunday.

Chris Worden '92

Indiana congressman Andre Carson has announced that Chris Worden ’92 is his new district director.

Worden will supervise the staff and oversee the day-to-day operations of the office, including developing and implementing policy objectives, strategies, and operational plans.

Prior to this appointment, Chris ran his own family law practice.

Congratulations and good luck Chris!