Muhlenberg college

Alumni Insider Returns!

Found... One Alumni Newsletter. Did you miss the Insider last month? Like the students, the Insider was away for a short time this summer. It's back... as the students will be soon. We hope you enjoyed your summer vacation, too. Where did you go this year? Share your stories at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.

Reunion/Homecoming 2010

"What are you wearing?" You'd better be asking that, and other critical questions, of your 'Berg classmates. With Reunion/Homecoming 2010 just over a month away, now is the time to plan your outfits-and book your hotel. Remember, this is the Reunion/Homecoming where Everybody's Coming Back! With a jam-packed schedule and a buzzing campus, it's sure to be a fantastic celebration.

Summer break is almost over. The Seegers Union expansion is nearing completion. Campus maintenance and rejuvenation projects are drawing to a close. Things may be quieting down now, but the weekend of September 24-26, Muhlenberg will see an alumni gathering the likes of which it has never seen before: a combined Reunion/Homecoming celebration! This year, we've pulled out all the stops. Like to get pumped up (with cheers and carbs) before the big game? Come to the Tailgate Luncheon, open to all returning alumni and this year featuring Reunion classes sitting together and presenting their class gift check to President Helm. Want to relive your days in the classroom-without those pesky grades? Join a stimulating panel discussion led by esteemed 'Berg faculty, including a Friday, September 24 session entitled, "Health Care Insurance Reform: Now What?" and a Saturday photo exhibit/presentation on Costa Rica. Want to see what's changed on campus? Tour guides will do their famous backwards walk to show you around, pointing out new and exciting projects such as the expanded Seegers Union and fantastic new campus restaurant. (Don't worry - much about 'Berg has remained the same: General Pete continues to stand guard over campus, Academic Row is still stately and beautiful, and the occasional squirrel still pops out of the garbage cans.)

Watch for the Reunion/Homecoming 2010 brochure to arrive towards the end of the month - but you don't have to wait! View the entire schedule and register online by clicking here. Remember, this is the one Muhlenberg event you won't want to miss.

Who do you most want to see back at 'Berg during Reunion/Homecoming 2010? Encourage them to come back by sharing your story with us at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.

Living Writers

Is "living writers" an oxymoron? Good news: not at all, and we're about to prove it (again) on Muhlenberg's campus! Despite how much we revere those scribes who are no longer with us, our students will soon be celebrating those who are with us - both literally and figuratively - through the Muhlenberg College Living Writers program.

Since 1994, the "Living Writers" program has brought both highly decorated, established writers and exceptionally talented emerging writers to campus, affording Muhlenberg students and community members rare, personal access to these authors. Offered every three years and open to all students regardless of their declared field of study, "Living Writers" brings six writers to campus, each for a one-day engagement. Prior to each author's arrival, students enrolled in the "Living Writers" course read a work by that author. Generally, a recent work is selected; however, in the case of a more established author, a landmark piece may be chosen (such as Maus, by Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novelist Art Spiegelman). Once on campus, the author has an informal lunch with students followed by class, which includes a question-and-answer session. In the evening, the author gives a public reading of his or her work that is open to the community. Before leaving campus, each author is interviewed on campus radio station WMUH by a member of the English Department.

The lineup of "Living Writers" for 2010 features: Monique Truong, Matthea Harvey, Russell Banks, Sarah Vowell, Art Spiegelman and Alan Michael Parker. A short biography for each and the dates of their readings can be found here. This program is made possible thanks to funding from the Provost's Office, the English Department and the Lectures and Forum Committee.

Did you ever meet a (living) writer during your days on the 'Berg campus? (Tell us if you met any non-living ones, too, but weird dreams experienced after ingesting "mystery meat" in the old Garden Room don't count.) Share your stories at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.

Alumni Achievement Awards 2010

What do a surgeon, a numbers whiz and an octogenarian have in common? They have all made Muhlenberg an even better place - and they're all recipients of this year's Alumni Achievement Awards. Do you know any Muhlenberg heroes?

Since 1952, the Muhlenberg College Alumni Association has honored individuals whose achievements in life have been greatly significant to the College and Alumni Association. Alumni Achievement Awards are the highest award given by the Alumni Association, and have been established to recognize distinguished and exceptional achievement.

Congratulations to this year's Alumni Achievement Award Winners, who will be recognized at a special awards ceremony and reception on September 25, 2010 during Reunion/Homecoming:

Mr. J. Ralph Borneman, Jr. '60 - Alumni Lifetime Achievement

Ralph Borneman founded Body-Borneman Insurance and Financial Services of Boyertown, PA in 1965, becoming a nationally respected professional in the field. He serves on the Board of Directors of National Penn Bank, Erie Insurance, the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, and the Academy of Producer Insurance Studies. He was selected as the Greater Boyertown Area "Citizen of the Year" in 1995 for his outstanding contributions in the community. He has also stood out in the Muhlenberg community through financial contributions and volunteerism, including serving as an assistant football and baseball coach. He is a tireless advocate for the Muhlenberg Athletics program.

Ms. Deborah Schneider '77 - Alumni Achievement in Education

Deborah Schneider has overcome many obstacles to become a true inspiration and exceptional educator. She recently had a memoir published, bringing hope into the lives of its readers. Deborah is an outstanding public speaker, presenting on the struggles that face the disabled. In addition to having founded a nonprofit, Deborah also offers workshops and seminars on traumatic brain injury and disability in general. The interactive nature of her workshops enables even those who have worked in the field for years to better understand what their patients experience.

Mr. Rudolph Favocci, Jr. '79, P'12 - Alumni Leadership

Rudy Favocci (far left) will be presented with the Alumni Leadership Award for his distinguished and exceptional service to Muhlenberg College. Rudy has shown his dedication to the College in a variety of ways, serving for many years on the Alumni Board, being a member of the HMMS Society, serving on the Parents Council, and being a member of the Reunion Committee for each of his reunions. Recently, he led a webinar for alumni. Rudy and his wife Sherin are parents of a current Muhlenberg student, Rebecca Favocci '12.

Dr. Alfred Nicolosi '80 - Alumni Achievement in Science

As a distinguished and accomplished heart surgeon based in Milwaukee, Al Nicolosi is receiving the award for Alumni Achievement in Science. He is the Section Chief for Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as the Director of Heart Transplantation and Medical Circulatory Support at Froedtert Hospital. Al has also been featured on "Good Morning America" to discuss a rare heart condition called Situs Inversus. Specializing in adult heart surgery and performing a full range of heart valve surgery, Al has performed more that 50 heart transplants, saving countless lives.

Mr. Kent Dyer P'07, P'10 - Service to the College by a Friend

Beginning his career at Muhlenberg in 1987, Kent Dyer has always been dedicated to the College. He currently serves as Muhlenberg's Chief Business Officer and Treasurer. Kent has worked tirelessly to maintain the College's finances, constantly searching for creative solutions to difficult problems. Excelling with sometimes limited resources and during difficult economic times, he has been a valuable asset to the College in his thoughtful and inventive plans. Kent and his wife Florence are parents of two Muhlenberg alumni, John '07 and Joseph '10.

Mr. William Raines '49 - Heritage Recognition Award

Bill Raines has constantly supported the college and its students, providing many opportunities for scholarship support. Both the William J. and Theodora W. Raines scholarship, as well as a recently established scholarship in honor of Jacy Good '08, enable multiple students to continue their academic pursuits at Muhlenberg. Being grateful to have received his education through the G.I. Bill for veterans, Bill has become a member of the Circle of 1848, Muhlenberg's planned giving society. In his words, "My [planned] estate gift is my way of repaying it to someone who deserves a first-class education at Muhlenberg." Having served on the Alumni Board and on the committee for the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Society, he has always been willing to dedicate his time to Muhlenberg.

Show your support for these deserving honorees by attending the Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony and Reception on Saturday, September 25, 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre Dance. Cost to attend is $15 and advance registration is required; click here to register. Who are your Muhlenberg heroes? Let us know at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.

First-Year Student Orientation

We may not be green... but we are a tad envious. Who can blame us? We alumni all remember how thrilling it was to arrive on Muhlenberg's campus as a new student that very first day, full of the excitement/anxiety of leaving home and making that first friend. This year's crop of newly-minted first-year students arrives at the end of next week.

With first-year orientation fast approaching, current students, faculty and staff are all working hard to prepare a weekend that aims to inspire and equip the Class of 2014 as they begin their Muhlenberg journey. On the morning of August 27, members of the Muhlenberg community will greet 605 incoming first-year students, helping to unload their stuffed vehicles and move them into their dorm rooms. As is tradition, among the first greeters of new students and families will be a stalwart group of alumni volunteers from several decades. Soon thereafter, new students will meet their faculty advisors, student advisors and the other students who will be participating in their advising groups; a combination of people who help them more easily make the social and academic transition from high school to college. With community-building activities and presentations on diversity and how to handle social pressures, new students are given insight into college life and educated on how to best handle different situations.

First-year students also take part in a number of 'Berg traditions, including the First Lecture, the Candle Lighting Ceremony and Opening Convocation, where their official matriculation into Muhlenberg is more formally recognized. At the First Lecture, students will be greeted by President Randy Helm, Dean of Students Karen Green and Dean of the College for Academic Life Carol Shiner Wilson. The lecture itself will be given by Troy Dwyer, Assistant Professor of Theatre & Dance. Also in the weekend lineup is a presentation on Muhlenberg traditions by Dean Wilson. The Class of 2014 will learn about some of what makes Muhlenberg special, and, by helping them to connect the past, present and future of the College, how they will become a part of 'Berg traditions. During that event, students will write letters to themselves that will be put away for four years and returned to them at the end of senior year. This will be followed by the Candle Lighting Ceremony, which connects the new students to all those who preceded them at Muhlenberg. Students will process to the front lawn and light their candles to signify the beginning of their journey - and will participate in this ceremony four years later in the exact same spot at Baccalaureate, the night before their undergraduate journey ends.

If an incoming student has a parent, grandparent or sibling who graduated from 'Berg, both the student and his or her relative(s) are invited to the Legacy Luncheon on Friday, August 27. This long-standing tradition serves to honor the Muhlenberg legacy created by one generation, and now being continued by another. A photo of all legacy families will be taken at 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required to attend.

And as if that wasn't enough, a very special event will take place Sunday, August 29 as part of the College's Opening Convocation All-Campus Picnic: a ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially mark the opening of the renovated and expanded Seegers Union! This state of the art facility features a full Student Life Suite with offices and conference spaces for student organizations, an enhanced event/performance venue, an expanded bookstore and plenty of informal social spaces. The Campus Restaurant is the pinnacle of the project with seating for more than 600 students, a food gallery offering options for vegetarian, organic and international cuisine and two fully equipped kosher meat and dairy kitchens under Star K certification which are open to the entire campus community.

What was your first day at Muhlenberg like? Did you observe any special traditions? Share your story at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.

Point of Pride

The Talents Entrusted to Our Care Campaign wrapped up on June 30, 2010, and we raised $110.4 million, exceeding our goal of $105 million! Thanks to all of the alumni, parents and friends who helped us attain this fantastic result!