Jeremy Bird ’00

New Wabash Trustee Jeremy Bird ’00, whose career has seen a meteoric rise, is playing a key advisory role in the upcoming March election in Israel.

Jeremy is known for his keen insight and his organizational skills – these were fully on display as he was one of the major architects of President Obama’s election victories in 2008 and 2012.    Jeremy continuers to be a go-to guy for the President.

Jeremy is now a principal with 270 Strategies in Chicago.

As with all politics, there are at least two sides contesting the upcoming election.  Regardless of that, it’s nice to see Jeremy recognized on an International level for his leadership and skills.

Retired Navy Captain Frank Buerger ’73

Frank Buerger ’73, a retired Navy Captain and Naval Flight Officer, spoke on campus this week at a program called “Callings”.  Callings focuses on inviting alumni back to campus to share their story – from their time at Wabash on to today.

Frank was thinking Law School…and took a hard right at the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom.  You can do that as a Psychology major at Wabash!

Frank’s Navy career is the liberal arts in action.  After flight training he went on to go through the ranks.  He explained it is assumed you’ll be good in the jet – they wouldn’t give you this gold wings if there was any doubt.  “What else can you do?” is what the Navy, and all the Armed Services, look for in an officer.

Frank proved his value as a flyer but he also proved his worth as a commander, leader, and intelligence officer.  He’s still working – he’s a civilian in the Office of Defense Intelligence Integration.  Take it for the Grunge, that’s probably a challenge.

Thanks, Frank, for sharing your story with our guys and thanks for your Service!

The Wabash Needlepoint Belt

John Dewart ’10 sent me this link – thanks John.  Fellow Sigma Chi Garrett McCarthy ’12 is the creator – thanks Garrett.

You can get more details here: http://www.needlepaint.com/needlepoint-belts/wabash-college-campus-needlepoint-belt-424

All of the main buildings on campus are represented in the design…there’s also a living unit.  You’ll never guess which one…

Greg Estelll ’85 and Seton Goddard ’15

Greg Estell ’85 and Carter Adams ’15

The Board of Directors of the National Association of Wabash Men – your alumni board – honored two outstanding student representatives at the beginning of their meeting this past weekend.  That’s NAWM president Greg Estell ’85 presenting the certificates.   Seton Goddard ’15 was the student body representative in 2013 and Carter Adams ’15 served in the same capacity in 2014.

Seton will go to work after Commencement for CIGNA, the insurance company, in a management development program.  Seton honed his skills in a summer internship focused upon the operational analytics side of the insurance business as well as the Healthcare Immersion Program at Wabash.

Carter will be commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the USMC on Commencement day.  His “internships” over the summers consisted of Marine Corps officer training.

Both of these young men have great futures in store and were valuable contributors on the board.

Two young Wabash guys – Matt Kriech ’00 and Damon Carl ’03 – have started a brewing company…in Indianapolis, IN!

Wabash Brewing has just opened its doors.

To get  to know these two guys in more detail, plan on attending their session at the upcoming Alumni, Faculty, & Staff Symposium at Wabash on February 20th.  The theme this year is “Wally in the Lab” and we’ll feature a number of very interesting sessions (stay tuned for details.)

Matt and Damon were both Chem majors here so they’re putting that liberal arts education to excellent use in what I think is a second day job for both.

There’s always room for one more fine brewery in Indianapolis.

The Last Class of the Day

Head Lacrosse Coach Terry Corcoran gave a “Lacrosse 101” presentation yesterday to members of the Wabash staff community.  In response to a question about what brought Terry to Wabash, he talked about our passion for athletics but looking at it through a lens I hadn’t fully appreciated before.

Athletics at Wabash, he said, is “the last class of the day.”

The Last Class of the Day.

Perfect.  Top your daily liberal arts studies off with teamwork, leadership, effort, physical fitness, motivation, determination, goal-seeking, etc.

I’m filing “The Last Class of the Day” right next to “This Good Place”…you may see those again!

Coach Terry Corcoran teaching The Last Class of the Day

Chip Timmons ’96

One of the most popular pages on our entire web site is the listing of the Admissions and Financial Aid staff and their territories.  You can get the information two separate ways: here and here.  The first one let’s you see the entire staff, including all of the talented folks in Admissions and Financial Aid.  The second listing let’s you search for the Admissions Counselor for a particular area.  So, if you’ve found a talented young man down in the Evansville area, Chip Timmons is your man.

During travel season, you’re also able to see where each team member is traveling.

Wabash prides itself on being very hands on and personal during the entire recruitment cycle.  This gives you a chance to introduce a family your might think has a Wabash fit with one of our team members.

Of course, as things change these areas also change.  Check back often to make sure you have the latest information.

The Monon Bell – 2014

I think you’ll enjoy this short news items from Emily Hamilton, daughter of Terry Hamilton ’89, one of our alumni leaders.  It’s the story of two football fans…I’ll leave it right there.

Wabash vs. Allegheny

We played two basketball games this past weekend.  The guys from Hiram and Allegheny were doing their swing through Wabash and DePauw.

Wabash won a thriller, a double overtime victory, on Saturday against a determined Hiram team.  On Sunday, despite a nice lead in the first half, we just didn’t have enough left in the tank to hold off Allegheny.

Some times sports fans make the mental switch to the “intangibles”…hanging out where points, fouls, threes, dunks, and other details take a backseat to warm fuzzies.

The Grunge choose to go there yesterday afternoon.  Who doesn’t like a little warm fuzzy on a cold, snowy, slick afternoon?

As some around here say, “Always Means Always” and our guys fought the entire game…even if their legs were on fire.  Speaking of fire, Coach Brummett and Coach Sullivan also are never give up guys.  No slumping on the seats when the end became near…and clear.  No way.  Coach and Coach were teaching basketball and life…non-stop.  Their words, but even more their example, will resonate long after the next tipoff…

Yep – the Grunge hates to lose…at anything.  But the Grunge is also a proponent of lifelong learning…and we all did a little of that yesterday.

Coach Kyle Brummett

The Fall of 2014 was a great one for the college – Rhodes Scholar, athletic successes, large enrollment, new housing started, terrific fundraising year….the list goes on and on.

All of that suggests that 2015 has the potential to be an even better year for Wabash.  I know I’m looking forward to watching this year unfold…probably with as much interest as ever as a staffer here.

Keep in mind that your Wabash is bucking a lot of trends.  Fewer and fewer young men going to college.  That means the population willing to look at a college for men is also smaller.  Multiple that by the college’s desire to grow larger and by the competition from all those co-ed liberal arts colleges for exactly the young men your Alma Mater wants to attract.

That means your Alma Mater will need your help, especially with Admissions.  You know some young men who appear to have what it takes to be Wabash men?  Don’t stand on the sidelines of recruiting…jump in.  Get them introduced to Wabash and help them along the recruiting way.

It’s one of the best investments you can make in the future of your Wabash College!