Manchester Alumni News Blog | Spartan Stories & Celebrations

�鶹ԭ�� Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 is Oct. 16-17

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:48:36 +0000

Celebrate �鶹ԭ��’s Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 on Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17 with events at the North Manchester and Fort Wayne campuses. Reunions this year are for the classes of 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, and 2026. Friday events that are open to the public include: Virtual 5k throughout the week leading up to Homecoming Alumni Honor Award Recipient Q&A Panel at 1:15 p.m. in Wine Recital Hall Now and Then Student and Alumni Panel at 2:30 p.m. in Wine Recital Hall Self-guided campus tours from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Alumni Honor Awards and Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.manchester.edu/alumni/homecoming. Saturday events that are open to the public include: State of the University with President Stacy Young at 9:30 a.m. in Wine Recital Kall Peace studies plaque dedication in honor of Professor Emeritus David Waas at 10 a.m. in the Gladdys Muir Peace Garden Tree planting ceremony with the Class of 1966 at 10:30 a.m. in Oak Grove Donuts and Departments with �鶹ԭ�� faculty from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on East Street Literacy Lab Open House from 11 […]

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Manchester Symphony Orchestra announces 88th season

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:17:31 +0000

The Manchester Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is prepping for its 88th season. “I am thrilled about this music!” said Conductor and Artistic Director Debra Lynn. “Mark your calendar now because you don’t want to miss a note. This year, we’ve made a special effort to balance our repertoire more evenly between new, diverse works and familiar, beloved symphonic standards.” The season begins with A New World concert on Oct. 4 at �鶹ԭ��’s Cordier Auditorium, featuring the “New World Symphony” by Antonín Dvořák, “A Place in the Sun” suite by Franz Waxman, “American Salute” by Morton Gould and based on “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” by Patrick Gilmore, and Aaron Copland’s rousing “Hoedown from Rodeo.” “A Place in the Sun” showcases Scott Humphries on saxophone. The Fort Wayne resident is well known to MSO fans as its former conductor. “Our first concert features music composed right here in the USA, celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday,” Lynn said. “Scott Humphries’ saxophone solo adds a textural layer not often heard in symphonic music.” The MSO will kick off the holiday season on Nov. 22 with its Winter Wonderland concert at Cordier. “We’ll include the familiar tunes‘Winter Wonderland’byFelix Bernard and Leroy Anderson’s timeless‘Sleigh Ride,’complete […]

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My Manchester Story – Chris Rohr, Class of 2027

Chloe Leckrone — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:29:10 +0000

My Manchester journey began when I was born in 2005, with my father being a recent graduate and my mother working in admissions. My first day out of the hospital saw me in the old admissions building. As I grew up in and around North Manchester, I was adamant that I needed to go out of state for college, having frequented the same streets, restaurants, and people for the past 18 years. However, after myfreshmanyear at North Central College in Illinois, I decided that Manchester was a better fit for my personal and academic needs,ultimately decidingto enroll in a last-minute trip to London in January 2025. I entered my sophomore yearatManchester with uncertainty in my area of studies, switching from my original marketing degree to environmental science and eventually biology.The classes I took were interesting, but there was an academic itch that I wasn’t able to scratch.An anxious aura surrounded me as I prepared to travel to London for my first January course:The Development of Scientific Thought. In London I was exposed to superb education through primary sources and first-hand experiences under the direction of our supervisors Dr. Greg Clark and Dr. Steve Naragon. For the first time in years, […]

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�鶹ԭ�� professor emeritus named pioneer in social work

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:10:45 +0000

Dr.Brad Yoder,professor emeritus of sociology and social work,wasone of three Hoosiersrecognized as aPioneer in Social Workby the National Association of Social Workers Foundation(NASW)at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.in early June. Yoder was inducted into the 2025 and 2026 Pioneers program classes, created to honor social workers who have made significant contributions to advancing the profession. Yoderspent more than five decadesestablishingthe high standard to which social work can achieve when compassion is paired with courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Yoder’s career reflects a rare blend of visionary leadership, community engagement, and transformative teaching that has left a lasting impact on mental health care, criminal justice reform, social work education, and public policy in Indiana and beyond. Yoder taught sociology and social work at Manchester fornearly 40years, where heguided the social work program through continuous CSWE accreditation since 1978, developed a criminal justice major, and taughtcourses insociology and peace studies.He helped to create the Wabash County Habitat for Humanity Affiliate and the �鶹ԭ�� Habitat Campus Chapter. He led 31 Habitat Spring Break Workcamps in nine states. “Our Hoosier Social Work Pioneers reflect lifelong work and commitment to the social work profession,”statedBeryl Cohen, Executive Director, NASW-IN. “Because of their […]

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Four join �鶹ԭ�� Board of Trustees – Jan. 2026

Chloe Leckrone — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:30:12 +0000

Four new members, including threealumni, have joined �鶹ԭ��’s Board of Trustees. D. Randall Brown ’87 ofFort Wayne, Ind.,returns to Manchester’s Board of Trustees after 10 years off. He spent three years asBoardChair. Brown earned his bachelor’s degreein political science and businessfrom Manchester in 1987, before completing his Juris Doctor at Indiana UniversitySchool of Law-Indianapolis.He is nowlitigationdepartment chair and Fort Wayne managing partner at Barnes & Thornburg. Healsoserves on the boards of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. BradfordAquino’98 of Golden, Colo.,earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Manchesterand a master’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame. His career began in public accounting, and he has since held leadership positions in the medical device community at Zimmer Biomet, CONMED Corporation and RTI Surgical. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Metron in the water industry. He served on the board for Ancilla College and assisted in leading its merger into Marian University in 2021. MeghanLinvill ’06McNabof Nashville, Tenn.,earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Manchester in 2006, before completing her Juris Doctor at Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. Sheisnowpartnerat Krieg Devault where sherepresentshealthcareprovidersin […]

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�鶹ԭ�� Awards Scholarships to Incoming Students for Academic Excellence and Leadership

Nathan Haywood — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:41:21 +0000

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�鶹ԭ�� hosts annual alumni speaker series

Chloe Leckrone — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:00:41 +0000

�鶹ԭ��’s Office of Alumni Relations will host four virtual events during JanuaryandFebruaryshowcasingalumni and student stories. All events will be held at 7 p.m. on Microsoft Teams. Links will be sent via email after registration. Jan. 13:Dr. JeffEasley, Class of 1983,experienced a life-changing opportunity when he went on the second-ever Medical Practicum trip as a student. Hear how thattrip helped shape his career in medicine. Registerhere. Jan. 20:Connor Eichenauer, Class of 2019,will shareabouthis journey completingaPh.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Michigan State University, as well ashis careerin talent management withGE Aerospace. Hearhow his time at Manchester continues to influence his work designing talent assessment tools that ensure GE Aerospace has the right talent, in the right place, at the right time. Registerhere. Jan. 27:SeniorMegan Pierceholds the world record for the largest collection of Joker memorabilia, with more than 2,300 pieces.She will share aboutherunique hobby and the process of getting the record.Registerhere. Feb. 3:Hear from students whoparticipatedin theJanuary Session travel course to Nepal.They will share about peacebuilding outside of the context of the United States and the recent “Gen-Z Revolution” led by youngNepalipeople seeking change.Registerhere. For the media Contact the Office of Alumni Relations atAlumniOffice@manchester.edu. �鶹ԭ��, in North Manchester […]

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Collegiate Esports at �鶹ԭ��: Competitive Play, Scholarships, and Student Success

Nathan Haywood — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:28:32 +0000

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�鶹ԭ�� Homecoming 2025 is Oct. 10-11

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:07:38 +0000

Celebrate�鶹ԭ��’s Homecoming 2025onFriday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11with eventsat the North Manchester campus. Reunions this year are for the classes of1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025. Scheduled eventson Saturdaythat are open to the public include: Donuts and Departments from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Spartan Stadium. Spartan Street Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Spartan Stadium. General luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Spartan Stadium. Lunch is $12. Alumni Authors Corner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Spartan Stadium. Kids Zone, including crafts and a bounce house, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by Spartan Stadium. Football game versusCapital at 1:30 p.m. Kids are invited to run out with the team before kick-off at 1 p.m. Women’s soccer gameversus Bereaat 1 p.m. at Good Field. Men’ssoccer gameversus Bereaat 3:30 p.m. at Good Field,withrecognition offormer longtime coach,Dave Good, who is beinginductedinto the Athletics Hall of Fame. Volleyball game at 6 p.m. in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena. Friends with the Weather concert at 6:30 p.m. in Wine Recital Hall. TheCampusStore andPetersimeChapel will be open throughout the day. Manchester alumni andstudentscan registerhere. For the media For more information, contact the Office of […]

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�鶹ԭ�� recognizes Alumni Honor Award recipients and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:52:31 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� will recognize the annual Alumni Honor Award recipients and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees at a banquet on Friday, Oct. 10, kicking off Homecoming weekend. Three �鶹ԭ�� alumni will receive Alumni Honor Awards this year:Dr.Jeff Easley, Class of 1983; Connie Snyder Mick, Class of 1994; and Stacie Gayheart, Class of 1995, 1996M.Acct. Easleypracticed family medicine for 25 yearsand taught physician assistant studiesfor another 10 yearsat the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, where he led students on short-term global health experience trips to Haiti. Mickisthe senior associate director of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concernsand the director of the poverty studies interdisciplinary minor.Her research has appeared in several academic journals, and she has published two textbooks with Oxford University Press. Gayheartisthe Chief Financial Officer at Barnes andThornburg,where she has worked for more than 25 years.As an executive and leader, she is known for her strategic vision, commitment to developing talent, and lasting impact on one of the nation’s largest law firms. Dr.Martin Garcia Chavez, Class of 2016, will receive a Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award.Chavezreceiveda prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for his graduate school researchand nowworksas a Senior Scientist IIforAbbVie. Two alumni, a former coach, […]

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September 2025 – Alumni Newsletter

Nathan Haywood — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:10:35 +0000

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�鶹ԭ�� names Matt Unger Staff Member of the Year

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 13:27:51 +0000

Matt Unger, director of performing arts technologies, has been named the 2025 Christopher W. Garber Staff Member of the Year at �鶹ԭ��. The award is named in honor of Chris Garber, who was Manchester’s assistant vice president for operations at the time of his death in 2015, and recognizes an employee who demonstrates steadfast commitment to �鶹ԭ�� and is a leader and collaborator who keeps the best interests of the University at heart. Unger, a fifth-generation Manchester graduate, earned his degree in history in 2006. His wife, Lindsey; his parents, Becky and Denny Unger; his grandparents, Phyllis and Art Hunn; two sets of great-grandparents; and a pair of great-great-grandparents all attended Manchester. He was recognized at an all-colleague meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28. “Every scheduled event that happens on our North Manchester campus—not just in Cordier, but all of campus, and sometimes in Fort Wayne—which requires any type of technology, likely has Matt’s hands on it,” said President Stacy Young. “Matt brings a type of servant leadership to �鶹ԭ�� that is rare,” said Alexis Young, assistant vice president for facilities and auxiliary operations. “His historical knowledge of this campus, as well as his desire to always do what’s […]

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The Manchester Fund reaches goal of $1.6 million

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:17:41 +0000

The Manchester Fund, �鶹ԭ��’s general fund for a wide variety of campus and student needs, has collected a record high of $1.6 million in the last year. The Manchester Fund ensures that the University can focus on teaching and learning while also handling the day-to-day realities of operating two busy locations. It covers urgent needs including laboratory equipment, student activities, technology upgrades, subscriptions, campus maintenance, travel expenses, and much more. In the past, The Manchester Fund has averaged $1.08 million annually. From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, a total of $1,631,268.75 million was donated to the fund by 1,226 donors, making it the largest amount raised in the University’s history. This achievement was made possible by the efforts of Janeen Kooi, former director of The Manchester Fund, who served �鶹ԭ�� for nearly 20 years and retired on June 30, 2025. For more information, contact Melanie Harmon, vice president for advancement, admissions, and marketing, at MBHarmon@manchester.edu.

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Athletic training alumni celebrate success with winning teams

Nathan Haywood — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:16:35 +0000

Two alumni of �鶹ԭ��’s undergraduate athletic training program have recently celebrated the success of winning league championships with their Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams.

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Department of Education honors students, alumni at annual Celebrate Education event

Nathan Haywood — Wed, 21 May 2025 13:16:10 +0000

�鶹ԭ��’s Henney Department of Education hosted its annual Celebrate Education event on Tuesday, April 29. The event welcomes incoming first-year students to the program and honors current students and alumni with a variety of awards.

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