It was with honor that I accepted the challenge of being president of the Board of Directors of the College of Education Alumni Association this year. It is my pleasure to serve the board, alumni and friends of the college who have elected to be members of the msu Alumni Association by designating the College of Education as their constituent choice. I want to thank my predecessor, Dr. Robert Spencer, for the past two years of dedicated service as president. He was a board member for six years, recently retiring as superintendent of the Lakeview School District in Battle Creek, Michigan. I wish him the best in his retirement and am looking forward to seeing him at various msu events this year. Dr. Spencer is a true Spartan. I welcome Dr. Carl Hartman and Margaret Weber as new board members and Dr. William Mayes as an alternate.

It has been exciting to be an active participant with the msu family as a board member for the past four years. Returning to campus—and especially to Erickson Hall—brings back fond memories of the many great times I had as a student. Study groups, friendships, football games, walking across campus in the freezing cold, and eating a tuna bagel in the cafeteria are some things that come to mind. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976 and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 1979. My husband, Duane Moore (ma 69/phd 76), is also an alumnus. Together, we hold the Michigan State banner high!
msu gave me a foundation in which to have a rewarding and challenging career as a teacher and administrator. My career spanned more than 20 years, serving as an elementary school principal in Texas, Indiana and, of course, Michigan. I retired in 2002 after 12 years as principal of Hulsing Elementary School in the Plymouth-Canton School District. These days, I enjoy my connection with msu’s College of Education, keeping up with current happenings in education, teaching classes at Oakland University, and supporting the Plymouth-Canton School District.

I want to mention some of the activities connected with the alumni association and invite you to become involved. The alumni board hosts a Homecoming Tent Party prior to the football game for alumni and friends of the college with food and great music two hours before the game. The board helps to gain sponsors for the event and we invite Sparty to attend! In November, we support the Crystal Apple Awards. Receptions for graduates and families are held in Erickson Hall in December and May, including hooding ceremonies for Ph.D. and Ed.S. candidates. In May, a reception in Erickson Hall is held following the commencement for undergraduates and families. Alumni board members sell merchandise at these various events. The association and college also organize a Technology Conference in February for undergraduates, interns, alumni, teachers and administrators. In March, board members and other school-based personnel hold mock interviews for the benefit of interns from the teacher education program. Finally, an awards reception in April honors recipients of the Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding k–12 Alumni Administrator, and Outstanding Alumni k–12 Teacher awards, as well as alumni scholarship recipients.

It is a busy schedule and we hope to see you at an event this year. By the way, do you know that msu’s College of Education is ranked among our nation’s best with eight programs in the top nine according to the rankings from U.S. News & World Report? I encourage you to show your pride and renew your membership and become more involved in msu functions. I believe that you will benefit from the partnership. I would love to hear from you, so please provide feedback by writing or e-mailing me here at msu. My desire is to see students, faculty, friends, and alumni stay connected.


Becky Moore, President
MSU College of Education Alumni Association

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