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Alumni Association NewsEmeritus Alumni Honored In 1971 the Merit of Honor Award program was established to recognize outstanding emeritus alumni—those who graduated from the University 40 or more years ago—for their professional achievements and meritorious service to the community. Since then, almost 550 U of U alumni have been recognized. Meet the recipients of the 2007 award:
David A. Dungan, Captain USN (Retired)
BA’56 English Literature Capping a distinguished 30-year career as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, David Dungan retired from active service in 1986. He had served as commanding officer at the Naval Air Station in Kingsville, Texas, and of a Navy jet squadron. He flew192 combat missions over Vietnam, and for his service there was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Air Medals, and other combat decorations. Upon retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit. After receiving a master’s degree in management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., Dungan became the commanding officer and a professor of naval science at the University of Utah. From 1986 to 2001, he served as executive director of the Executive MBA (EMBA) program at the David Eccles School of Business, where a scholarship was established in his name. Alan A. Matheson BA’53 Political Science, MS’57 Political Science, JD’59 Law After graduating first in his law school class, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Utah Law Review and earned Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif, among other honors, Alan Matheson became an associate in law at Columbia University, where he also did postgraduate work. In 1961, he was named assistant to the president at Utah State University. In 1967, he began his long and distinguished career at the Arizona State University College of Law, where he served as professor of law, assistant dean, associate dean, acting dean, and dean of what is now the Sandra Day O’Connor Law School. He received the ASU Alumni Association Faculty Achievement Award for Service and has been named Outstanding Professor by its College of Law four times. Yen-Ching “Y.C.” Pao MS’59 Mechanical Engineering, MA’61 Mathematics Yen-Ching Pao has earned international recognition for his work on computer-aided engineering (CAE), particularly for his extensive contribution to cardiopulmonary dynamics research. With a doctorate in theoretical and applied mechanics from Cornell University, Pao was a professor in the Engineering Mechanics Department of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) from 1971 to 2001, when he was named Emeritus Professor, and has worked with the Mayo Clinic for more than 30 years. His national honors include the Outstanding Scientist Award from the Scientific Research Society of America, recognition for Excellence in Instruction from the American Society of Engineering Education, and the Undergraduate Computational Science Award from the U.S. Dept. of Energy. He was a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Biomechanics for six years. Cherry Moslander Ridges BS’52 Elementary Education After graduating from the U, Cherry Ridges first taught kindergarten in Salt Lake County and then reinvented herself as a stockbroker, becoming one of the first NYSE-registered female representatives in Utah. She later graduated from the Utah Management Institute. In 1972, she was named the fraternity/sorority coordinator at the U of U, a position she held for 28 years. During that time, she exerted a positive and nurturing influence on countless young men and women, and her ability to bring together the students, neighbors, and administration to resolve issues on “Greek Row” was widely recognized. Her dedication and skills were acknowledged with accolades from the police departments of Salt Lake City and the U’s Office of Student Affairs, who honored her with its Award of Excellence. Bruce F. Sorensen, M.D. BS’56 Biology Bruce Sorensen’s distinguished career in neurological surgery has spanned more than four decades. With an M.D. from Temple University’s School of Medicine in 1960, Sorensen then completed his internship and general surgery residency at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, followed by a neurosurgery fellowship and residency at Cleveland Clinic, where he eventually served as chief resident. He returned to LDS Hospital, where he held numerous leadership positions, including chairman of the Neurosurgery Division and president of the medical staff. He also received an academic appointment at the University of Utah School of Medicine. A fellow with the American College of Surgeons, Sorenson has received numerous accolades, including the Physicians Recognition Award from the American Medical Association. Return to Winter 2007 table of contents | Back to top Meet Kris Bosman: Red to the CoreThe Alumni Association’s new advancement coordinator, Kris Bosman BS’93, is no stranger to the University of Utah. In fact, she describes herself as “red to the core,” having studied at, graduated from, and worked at the U—in the Athletics Department—for 11 years. There, she served on the staffs of the marketing division and the Crimson Club, and was responsible for organizing a wide range of campus events, as well as countless tailgate parties and other fan-related activities. In between her departure from and return to the U, she was a program manager at Morris Meetings and Incentives in Salt Lake City, handling event and travel planning for a wide variety of local and national corporations. Now, as advancement coordinator, Bosman will manage relations with the Association’s alumni chapter programs—recruiting new members and encouraging new chapter formation and development. She will also assist in advancement and outreach efforts for the U. A graduate of the U with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Kris is a native of Kenosha, Wis., which she describes as “located halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee,” on the shores of Lake Michigan. She is married to Derek Schmehl BS’94, the PGA head golf professional at Rose Park Golf Course, and is the mother of two, son Owen, 3, and daughter Harper, 4 months. And when not cheering on the Utes, she spends her time playing golf (natch!), cooking, and “waiting for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series.” Says Bosman, “I’m thrilled about returning to the University of Utah campus, and I’m eager to get to know our alumni across the country and learn how alumni chapters can better serve our graduates.” “We’re delighted to have Kris join our staff,” says Alumni Association Director of Business Relations John Fackler BS’89 BS’94 MprA’95, Kris’s supervisor. “I’ve worked with her in the past on tailgates and other events. She has excellent people skills, and I know she’ll develop great relations with our chapters.” “We’re putting a lot more emphasis on and resources into building our alumni chapters around the country,” adds Vice President of Institutional Advancement Fred Esplin MS’74. “It’s very important to the University that we reach out and engage more of our alumni, who are essential to our well being as we plan for the future, and Kris will play a key role in that endeavor.” Return to Winter 2007 table of contents | Back to top Welcome New Board Members, 2007-08Emeritus Alumni
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Executive Committee | ||
Graham Anderson, President Board Members |
John Bowers |
McKenzie Newton Nicole Nguyen Bill Park Spencer Pearson Doug Petersen Michael Rice Meghan Robinson Max Rohr Danielle Sample Brent Schmidt Alicia Taase Spencer Thompson Sarah Tingey Philip Varghese Tim Vogeler Grace Warner |
Return to Winter 2007 table of contents | Back to top
The donors of the 2000 Sesquicentennial Scholarship Walkway Campaign provided the impetus for the U of U Alumni Association’s “personalized brick walkway” project, launched in September 2007. The walkway, leading up to the main entrance of the Alumni House, is constructed to feature “donor bricks” acknowledging supporters in a meaningful, attractive—and permanent—way.
All funds raised from this project go directly into the Alumni Association’s General Scholarship Fund. In 2006-07 the Association awarded more than $90,000 in student scholarships, and that amount is expected to reach upwards of $150,000 in 2007-08!
Walkway bricks are available in two sizes: Contributors who donate $500 will see their names (or the names of others they designate) engraved on a 4” x 8” brick, and those who donate $1,000 will have names engraved on an 8” x 8” brick. An easy payment plan for donors is available.
For more information about how you can participate in the Scholarship Walkway initiative, call Robbi Dewey BS’95 at (801) 581-3857; or to sign up online, go to ,www.alumni.utah.edu, and click on the “walkway” link.
Alumni chapters and chapter activities are growing by leaps and bounds, as the Alumni Association and Institutional Advancement place ever greater emphasis on outreach to U of U alumni.
In September, President Michael Young and his wife, Suzan, attended alumni gatherings in the Northwest. Seattle was the first stop for an alumni chapter reception at the city’s spectacular Asian Art Museum. More than 60 Puget Sound-area U alumni enjoyed the magnificent museum setting and the opportunity to socialize with other alumni, to meet President and Suzan Young, and to get acquainted with the newly appointed dean of the College of Science, Pierre V. Sokolsky, who also made the trip.
Next stop: Portland, for another alumni get-together at the city’s Art Museum, where guests were welcomed by Portland’s Alumni Chapter President Jason Aldred BS’94. Following President Young’s remarks on the state of the University, the audience was treated to comments from special guest and Portland resident Morris “Bucky” Buckwalter BS’56, who related some of the experiences chalked up during his All-America basketball career at the U in the mid-1950s, his years as general manager of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers, and his current work with international basketball foundations.
The large number of U of U alumni who attended both receptions indicates the growing interest in University activities taking place across the country.