Alan Bright ’79

Recently promoted to full professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources; Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Coordinator of Department of HDNR Graduate Program and on-line Masters degree in Nature Based Tourism. Currently working on expanding on-line graduate program to China in cooperation with Chinese Universities. Recently authored text entitled “A Human Dimensions Framework: Guidelines for conducting social assessments” in cooperation with the United States Forest Service.

Patrick Drazen ’74

Stone Bridge Press, Berkeley, California has announced that the second edition of “Anime Explosion: The What? Why? and Wow! of Japanese Animation” by Patrick Drazen will be released on April 1, 2014.  The book, described as an “essential” guide to Japanese animation when the first edition was published in 2003, has been expanded, with three new chapters and others extensively reworked.  The book will be available in print and as an e-book, readable on dozens of platforms.

Congratulations, Patrick!

Nancy Steele Brokaw ’71

Fertile Ground, which was a joint Prairie Fire Theatre and IWU opera production a few years back has been picked up to be showcased by the Forth Worth Opera. Fertile Ground is the story (sort of an opera/musical hybrid) of a Central Illinois farm family. David Vayo composed it and I wrote the libretto, a process that was a three year commission and was also a wonderfully rich collaboration.

Brokaw 71

Sonny Freeman ’70 in regards to Jim Boisclair’s passing

Attached is a memorial web link created by Mike O’Brien in honor of our Sigma Chi Fraternity Brother Jim Boisclair who passed over to the “Chapter Eternal” on November 18,2013. Bois was a member of our graduating Class of 1970.  This web link will continue to be updated as new and historical photos are contributed. Regards to all of the Class of 70′. Sonny

http://www.jimboisclair.com/

 

Bois1981

Ann Stroink ’76 presented 2010 IWU Commencement Address

Ann Stroink 76

Ann Stroink,  a board-certified neurosurgeon, presented the 2010 Commencement address.  Stroink used her extensive medical training to bring the concept of “lifelong learning” to graduates. Originally, she said, the brain was considered a fixed organ, without the ability to change and grow, but medical science has learned the brain can continue to explore and adapt throughout a human’s life. In her speech titled “Cerebral Plasticity: Lifelong Learning,” Stroink used the very real example of a patient with a tumor relearning to speak in order to show the incredible plasticity of the brain and how a person can learn throughout a lifetime.

“Illinois Wesleyan is your partner for life, and with that partner you will learn what lifelong learning is all about,” she said. “That’s the thrill of learning.”

You can hear the audio of Ann’s introduction by President Wilson and her speech if you click here.