It is an honor to serve you for a second year as president of your College of Education Alumni Association Board of Directors. It has been a privilege representing you at commencement, presenting our awards and scholarships, and a real joy meeting so many of you at our Homecoming Tent Party.

The board serves the alumni and friends of the college who are members of the MSU Alumni Association and have designated the College of Education as their constituent group. This past year has seen many changes. Dr. Becky Moore, Suzanne Richards, Sue Keller, and Carmen Ziegler completed their service on the board. In addition, doctoral student Aaron Moffett, who was a student representative on our board, completed his studies at MSU and is now an assistant professor at California State University, San Bernardino. Then, this summer we were shocked with the sudden death of Dr. Janet Jopke, who served on our board so ably and was the longtime superintendent of the Troy School District. Janet was a wonderful and devoted Spartan and I know I speak for the entire board in expressing our condolences to her family. I also want to thank, on behalf of the college, Becky, Suzanne, Sue, Carmen, and Aaron for their dedicated efforts. Ends are beginnings, and I want to welcome Dr. Janice Colliton, Sue Gutierrez, Dr. William Price, and Karen Ames, who replaces Aaron as the graduate student representative, to your service as new members of the COE Alumni Board of Directors.

The board’s work would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the Dean’s Office, including Dean Carole Ames, Associate Dean Cassandra Book, and administrative assistant Rosa Soliz. With Victor Inzunza and Michelle Stoneham-Mertz holding down communications and development, respectively, the fine corps of department chairs and professors in the College of Education comprises the team to make it one of the best colleges of education in the nation—still! U.S. News & World Report has again ranked the MSU College of Education one of the best in the country. That’s 11 straight years! As alums and members of the COE Alumni Association, you should be very proud of your college.

This is a special time at MSU, celebrating the 150-year milestone of the institution. We are joining in the celebration at the college. We began with our annual Alumni Homecoming Tent Party prior to the Homecoming football game, and it was another great success. It is a wonderful time for alumni and friends to gather and enjoy each other with food, music, and the memories of yesteryear. This year was no exception. Looking forward, the COE Alumni Association holds receptions for graduates and families in December and May; helps prepare soon-to-be graduates with a day of mock interviews; and helps organize a technology conference in February for teachers, administrators, alumni and friends. Finally, we help recognize our best and brightest by supporting the college’s Crystal Apple Awards, as well as the Spring Awards Reception in April.

Show your pride in MSU and the College of Education by renewing your alumni association membership. When you do, be sure to designate the College of Education as your constituent group. Then get involved. We enjoyed hearing from so many of you who filled out the alumni information form in this magazine. I hope you will continue to make us aware of your achievements and accomplishments. Keep providing us your feedback by writing or e-mailing us.

Stay connected . . . to MSU and the College of Education. Go Spartans!
 

David Dieterle, PhD 88

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