Hey there, fellow Titan alumni, your newsletter editor, Debbie Burt-Frazier here. First, let me apologize for my lengthy absence, I moved to Dayton, Ohio in late December. I teach at two Historically Black Universities, Central State and Wilberforce. The Spring semester began in January and it has been a pleasant whirlwind of activity, ever since. Please, forgive me, for seeming to forget about you, but, I’mmmm back.

I hope you all participated in ‘The All In for Wesleyan,” giving event, last month. Congrats, on making it another super successful endeavor! If you weren’t able, you will get another chance next month to give before the IWU fiscal year ends. Check the TitanPride(website) for more information.

The Class of 2017 has exited Wesleyan, and gone forth to “do well and do good,” as beloved past President Minor Myers used to say. Old man Winter, finally, loosened his grip on us. Spring has sprung and summer is right around the corner. The first big holiday is upon us, Memorial Day. Please, remember our brave servicemen and women. Also, remember those loved ones who have gone on.

Lastly, it is not too early to think about Homecoming 2017, October 13 -15 weekend. It is my birthday weekend, I plan to be there! (God willing, and the creek don’t rise. As my Granny used to say.) This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Minority Alumni Network, (M.A.N.) that’s silver, baby! Planning is underway for a celebration, on Saturday, October 14th. You do not want to miss it!
Well, gotta go, Titans. I promise not to stay away so long. Thanks, take care! DRBF

Daily Herald correspondent Dave Gathman ’74 is undergoing the same physical workouts and nutritional counseling as Fittest Loser contestants as he writes about their journey.

Click here for a link to the entire article.

Terry Hill ’72 was elected to a six-year seat on the Board of Trustees
at the Danville Area Community College in the Vermilion County general
election on April 4th.

Hill was a teacher and coach at DACC for 28 years before his retirement
in 2007.

Here is a link to the full article: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-04-25/new-dacc-trustees-ready-hit-ground-running.html

Steve was awarded the 2017 CASE Outstanding Leadership Award by the Arizona Council of for Exceptional Children at their annual conference on February 24. He is currently the principal at Desert Meadows School in Laveen, AZ.

Susan Chamberlin Smith ’73, retiring after 25 years as pastor at Deerfield’s Trinity United Church of Christ, was described as “a friend of everyone.” You can read more about it here

Thomas Brown ’79 was appointed to the board of directors for First Midwest Bancorp. Currently, Brown is vice president and chief financial officer of RLI Corp. He also serves on the board of directors for Prime holding Insurance Services, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and Easter Seals of Central Illinois. You can read more here

Richard Drexler ’77 is busy teaching in Orlando, full time at UCF and part time at Valencia College. Tenor saxophonist and head of UCF Jazz Studies Jeff Rupert and Richard were busy giving concerts, jazz club performances and college clinics in IN and OH for the past week and a half, minus Tues. afternoon to Thurs. morning, when he flew back to cover UCF classes. Their duo CD “Imagination” has been on JazzWeek’s top 20 list of national jazz radio airplay since its release in early January. They have ten days of quintet work coming up, including two days in the recording studio, with young New York jazz vocal sensation Veronica Swift.

Donor support allows IWU students to continue to have experiences that make being a Titan unique and transformative. To be among those celebrated today, make a gift at www.iwu.edu/give.

Tom Dossett ’74 composed “Trilogy For Bass Trombone” which was performed this last year at the 2016 International Trombone Festival held at The Juilliard School in New York.  Blair Bollinger, bass trombonist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, was the performing artist.  “Trilogy” was originally commissioned by Tom Streeter, retired professor at IWU.  Tom’s composing schedule and other highlights can be visited at his website, www.thescribblershand. com