s a publication for alumni and friends - University of Central Missouri
s a publication for alumni and friends - University of Central Missouri
s a publication for alumni and friends - University of Central Missouri
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Now Is a Very Exciting Time <strong>for</strong> CMSU<br />
What an exciting time to be<br />
a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Missouri</strong> State<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>and</strong> its future!<br />
President Aaron Podolefsky,<br />
who was inaugurated Oct. 22,<br />
is focused on the tasks ahead<br />
to chart a course <strong>of</strong> excellence<br />
<strong>for</strong> our great university. He has<br />
articulated his vision to be a<br />
world-class university that <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
a small-college environment<br />
while providing large-university<br />
opportunities.<br />
This vision is right on track,<br />
reflecting a collective statement <strong>of</strong><br />
where we’ve been <strong>and</strong> where we<br />
aspire to be.<br />
This university serves many<br />
stakeholders <strong>and</strong> serves them<br />
well. The future looks bright<br />
indeed. As <strong>alumni</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>friends</strong>,<br />
you play a vital role in achieving<br />
this vision.<br />
Through my travels this year<br />
attending various <strong>alumni</strong> events,<br />
I have met many individuals from<br />
all pr<strong>of</strong>essions <strong>and</strong> backgrounds.<br />
I have asked the question time<br />
<strong>and</strong> time again, “How are you<br />
connected to the university <strong>and</strong> how<br />
can we help make that connection<br />
stronger?” The answers are as wide<br />
Marberry (continued from page 20)<br />
The punishment is that they are<br />
separated from their families<br />
<strong>and</strong> loved ones. It’s not my goal<br />
to make every day <strong>of</strong> their life<br />
miserable.”<br />
Marberry said she’s a big<br />
believer in prison programs. Many<br />
<strong>of</strong> the programs at FCI Milan<br />
center around inmate education.<br />
Milan high school teachers<br />
come into the prison community<br />
so inmates can earn a high<br />
school diploma or GED. Inmates<br />
also can take part in vocational<br />
training programs to develop the<br />
skills they will need to succeed<br />
when they are released.<br />
However, it’s prevention that<br />
keeps people out <strong>of</strong> prison in the<br />
first place, Marberry noted.<br />
“I think education creates<br />
opportunity,” she said. “If we<br />
invest <strong>and</strong> prepare <strong>for</strong> education<br />
on the front end, then we<br />
probably can avoid a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
this on the back end, meaning<br />
incarceration.”<br />
Chris Small, Board <strong>of</strong> Directors president<br />
<strong>and</strong> varied as the individuals<br />
themselves. However, one theme<br />
is played out over <strong>and</strong> over again.<br />
The vision, focus <strong>and</strong> direction <strong>of</strong><br />
our university matter. They give<br />
us our deep sense <strong>of</strong> loyalty <strong>and</strong><br />
pride to the “red <strong>and</strong> black.”<br />
This has been a busy year <strong>for</strong><br />
your association. Serving more<br />
than 80,000 <strong>alumni</strong>, we are<br />
designing new ways to recognize<br />
Marberry said that at the<br />
Milan facility, inmates are<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered opportunities to improve<br />
themselves beyond academics.<br />
Drug dependency programs,<br />
faith-based organizations <strong>and</strong><br />
mentoring help to establish what<br />
Marberry calls a “support system”<br />
<strong>for</strong> returning to society.<br />
Marberry was an active student<br />
during her time at CMSU. A<br />
member <strong>of</strong> Delta Sigma Theta<br />
sorority <strong>and</strong> the Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Black Collegians, she participated<br />
in many community projects.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the most memorable<br />
experiences she had as a student<br />
was visiting the federal prison<br />
in Leavenworth, KS. She said<br />
meeting the inmates <strong>and</strong> staff<br />
really prepared her <strong>for</strong> a career in<br />
the prison system.<br />
Experiences like the ones she<br />
had at CMSU shaped Marberry<br />
into the pr<strong>of</strong>essional she is today.<br />
She said the dem<strong>and</strong>s placed<br />
on prison <strong>of</strong>ficials are greater than<br />
you in your workplaces <strong>and</strong><br />
communities; rethinking the old<br />
chapter structures <strong>of</strong> the past; <strong>and</strong><br />
exploring more effective ways to<br />
provide you with benefits such as<br />
insurance options, <strong>and</strong> rental car<br />
<strong>and</strong> travel discounts.<br />
In this, my last column, I want<br />
to thank all those <strong>alumni</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>friends</strong> with whom I have had<br />
a chance to “connect” over the<br />
past year. It has been an honor<br />
to serve as your ambassador <strong>for</strong><br />
all <strong>alumni</strong> around the state, the<br />
region <strong>and</strong> the world.<br />
My theme this year has been<br />
about the many ways each <strong>of</strong><br />
us can “connect” with our great<br />
university. The staff in the <strong>alumni</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> development <strong>of</strong>fice st<strong>and</strong>s<br />
ready to serve you, <strong>and</strong>, by the<br />
way, are great at what they do to<br />
enhance those connections.<br />
As always, we want to hear<br />
about you <strong>and</strong> your endeavors.<br />
On behalf <strong>of</strong> the entire Alumni<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors, we wish you<br />
<strong>and</strong> yours the warmest <strong>of</strong> holiday<br />
seasons <strong>and</strong> a happy new year.<br />
Go Mules <strong>and</strong> Jennies!<br />
that <strong>of</strong> other aspects in criminal<br />
justice. Marberry said she’s tried to<br />
surpass all expectations by leading<br />
by example.<br />
“We’re held to a higher<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ard in the law en<strong>for</strong>cement<br />
field,” said Marberry. “We expect<br />
integrity <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism<br />
from our employees <strong>and</strong> I try to<br />
exemplify that.”<br />
Marberry looks <strong>for</strong>ward to<br />
being promoted in the near future<br />
to higher security prisons, adding<br />
that the Federal Bureau <strong>of</strong> Prisons<br />
promotes <strong>and</strong> transfers <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
frequently. In fact, she has been<br />
“promoted” six times.<br />
Marberry said she still keeps<br />
in contact with some <strong>of</strong> her<br />
CMSU <strong>friends</strong> <strong>and</strong> said she has<br />
an excellent support base in her<br />
church <strong>and</strong> community.<br />
— Michael Bradshaw ’05<br />
<strong>alumni</strong> today<br />
Alumni Needed <strong>for</strong><br />
Mule Lead Teams<br />
Alumni volunteers are<br />
being recruited by the Alumni<br />
Association to serve on new<br />
Mule Lead Teams. Members<br />
in designated geographic<br />
areas will help plan <strong>and</strong><br />
contact <strong>alumni</strong> to attend<br />
area events <strong>and</strong> activities.<br />
They will provide feedback<br />
about <strong>alumni</strong> activities<br />
<strong>and</strong> communication. The<br />
first Mule Lead teams will<br />
be organized in the Kansas<br />
City, St. Louis <strong>and</strong> Johnson<br />
County, MO, areas.<br />
To volunteer <strong>for</strong> a team,<br />
contact Jenne V<strong>and</strong>erbout,<br />
assistant director <strong>of</strong> <strong>alumni</strong><br />
relations, at 660-543-8000 or<br />
<strong>alumni</strong>@cmsu.edu.<br />
Legacy Scholarship<br />
Open to Gr<strong>and</strong>children<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>children <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>alumni</strong> are now eligible<br />
to apply <strong>for</strong> the Legacy<br />
Scholarship, by vote <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Alumni Association Board<br />
<strong>of</strong> Directors in November.<br />
The scholarship had been<br />
available only <strong>for</strong> children<br />
or stepchildren <strong>of</strong> <strong>alumni</strong>.<br />
March 1, 2006, is the<br />
deadline to apply. Complete<br />
criteria <strong>and</strong> application <strong>for</strong>ms<br />
are online at www.cmsu.edu/<br />
foundscholarships.<br />
Alumni Board<br />
Election Results<br />
Becky Klein, Margaret<br />
Herron <strong>and</strong> Steve Harmon<br />
have been elected to threeyear<br />
terms on the Alumni<br />
Association Board <strong>of</strong><br />
Directors. Keith Hendrix was<br />
elected to a one-year term.<br />
“This election had one <strong>of</strong><br />
the largest voter counts in<br />
association history,” said<br />
Jenne V<strong>and</strong>erbout, assistant<br />
director <strong>of</strong> <strong>alumni</strong> relations.<br />
“It was the first time that we<br />
sent out a request by email to<br />
ask <strong>alumni</strong> to vote. It was so<br />
effective that we plan to use<br />
email more in the future.”<br />
winter 2005<br />
central today<br />
page 21