Alumni News

Be proud of your Alumni Association, Vikes! We came home from the CASE District V convention earlier this winter with three awards in recognition of our efforts to engage alumni in meaningful ways.

Champion powerlifter and pre-physical therapy student Ken Bray started his powerlifting career at about the age many of his peers started seriously going to pot. At 40 he joined a gym. Six years "and 43 pounds of muscle later," Bray reports he now holds three national, one American and four Ohio records in powerlifting. Even more inspiring, after successful prostate cancer surgery in December, he plans to use his growing notoriety to draw more attention to the importance of early detection and the treatment of the disease. He's also motivated to jump back into powerlifting and finish his degree.

The annual post-New Year's Day crowds at local gyms are already beginning to disappear. But it's not too late embrace a simple fitness plan, says Dr. Kenneth Sparks, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. Dr. Sparks, author of "The Runners Book of Training Secrets" (Rodale Press, 1996), is a former all-American in track and world-class middle-distance runner. He's also a much-loved presence at CSU.

"We're delighted to welcome these recent graduates to our alumni community and we look forward to keeping in touch with them as they pursue their careers and their dreams," said Brian Breittholz, assistant vice president, alumni relations, and executive director, CSU Alumni Association.

Though the weather in Cleveland has been rather spring-like, our minds have been thinking of the great feast that awaits us next week, and we were itching to bring a new dish to the table. Something out of the ordinary. Something with a flavor all its own. We reached out to alumna Natasha Pogrebinsky, owner of Bear restaurant in New York City, and she sent us a recipe you'll just have to try.

Alumna Lisa Ryan has built a successful business around selling the power of gratitude to companies across the county. Turns out it can do wonders for the bottom line. This month, she shares how we can see the silver lining, take the good with the bad and let the sun shine in.

Where Television Host Barbara Walters left off with her Fascinating People specials, we picked up with our own "Fascinating Alumni" project. Originally conceived as part of CSU's 50th anniversary celebration, the Alumni Association undertook an effort to recognize 50 fascinating alumni. "It soon became apparent that 50 was just the beginning," said Brian Breittholz assistant vice president for alumni relations. "Hundreds of nominations poured in and we quickly learned we were blessed with a richness of accomplished and fascinating alumni among our ranks."

They also think WiFi is an entitlement. Yes, theirs is a world that's likely far different from your own. Find out just how different from Beloit College's annual mindset list.