Archive for June, 2007

Matt Miller and C Different Foundation

June 29, 2007

Just received the latest issue of C Different Foundation’s newsletter, which includes a focus feature on teenager Jacob Goldberg who suffers from macula hypoplasia and news from Mark Pollock who along with his guide John O’Regan completed the two part Dead Sea-Evereest Challenge, the world’s lowest and highest marathons, in May. Visit the C Different Web site for news and to sign up for your copy of their inspirational newsletter at:
http://www.cdifferent.org/home.html

Read Matt’s Be the Change profile at:
http://www.jmu.edu/BeTheChange/miller.shtml

Gina Anzuini (‘03)

June 21, 2007

Our office recently heard from Gina Anzuini about how she has used adversity to make a difference:

“In 1999, after my first semester at JMU, I sustained a traumatic brain injury through a life threatening car accident. After a year of rehab., I returned to JMU. I graduated from JMU Dec. 2003 in social work and have since finished a master’s in rehab. counseling. I am currently a certified rehab. counselor and work at a rehab hospital. I work with people with various disabilities. I also work with people who have also sustained brain injuries. I occassionally disclose my own story to inspire my clients.”

George Wynn nominated

June 4, 2007

Donnie Mongold in JMU’s procurement services made this nomination: “At Dr. Wynn’s request, for the past 15 or so years, this office has offered itself to Dr. Wynn’s students to be interviewed to get real life experiences from people in the field concerning sales people and buyers. Such things like what makes a good sales person, what buyers look for in a presentation given by a sales person, we are asked about honesty and creditability and even what we dislike in sales people. The students are also required to interview sales people as well. In the years that this has been happening, we have heard only praises from the students towards Dr. Wynn. Many of the students have expressed to this office that Dr. Wynn has very much prepared them for their future after JMU. I think that much of George’s success is due his work experiences before JMU. But one thing that really stands out, is that George doesn’t see his students as mere students, but as he states in conversations with him as “My Kids”. It takes a very unique person or professor to show the kindness and genuine concern for the students. He truly cares for his students Although Dr. Wynn is retiring after this semister, I feel he has indeed been a world changer and he will live on in the many many students he has taught over the years.I would suggest interviewing the students, because they are the ones who know him best.

Diane Sullenberger nominated

June 4, 2007

Dean David Brakke says: “Diane graduated with double major in biology and English and has put them to good use. She is Executive Editor for one of the most presitigious scientific journals in the world, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She upholds the highest standards and ethics in producing a journal with impact far exceeeding all but one or two journals in the world.”

Steve Slater nominated

June 4, 2007

Dean David Brakke says: “Dr. Steve Slater, bio alum, is at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University. Steve works in the area of plant and bacterial genomics with very practical applications, for which he holds several patents. Steve is currently developing a biotechnology program for a new ASU campus.”

http://www.biodesign.asu.edu/people/bios/steven-slater/

Martha Sadlick nominated

June 4, 2007

Sandra Delawder nominated Martha: “graduated in ‘78. Has been geophysicist for Conoco in The Netherlands, London England; worked for Kirland Resources doing exploration work in the Far East; worked for TotalFinalElf as a Sr Geophysicist to map and understand source of rock of deep water Gulf of Mexico. Now living in SugarLand, TX.”

about Shy Pahlevani

June 4, 2007

Khalid Nadim says “Shy Pahlevani is the proud owner of JMADDY.com, which is a popular site among the JMU community. He also helps people get jobs.”

Brian Rusk (‘96) nominated

June 4, 2007

Sandra Delawder says: “He earned his PhD at U of Oregon. He has been a Mendenhall Postdoctural Fellowship recipient and worked in Denver, CO and Japan. He has also taught Earth resource and other geochemistry-mineralogy type classes at U of Oregon. During his grad work he has presented at GSA meetings in Canada and around the US, co authored articles. His post doc work has taken him to Denver, Butte Montana, Sendai, Japan at Tokyo U.”

LaFonte Nesbitt nominated

June 4, 2007

Dean David Brakke says: “LaFonte Nesbitt is the executive partner in the northern Virginia and Maryland law offices of Holland and Knight. He is a recognized real estate attorney.”

http://www.hklaw.com/Biographies/Bio.asp?ID=111651

See recent award:

http://www.hklaw.com/Publications/OtherPublication.asp?ArticleID=3585

Madison Connection nominated!

June 4, 2007

Kathy Sarver/Drew Newton nominated this group: “If you think you have JMU pride, then you haven’t seen Madison Connection! With a staff of nearly 40 student callers, managers, and a graduate assistant, all under the direction of Assistant Director of the Madison Fund Kathy Sarver, Madison Connection cultivates a new tradition of giving back to JMU.