Manchester Alumni News Blog | Spartan Stories & Celebrations

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 […]

The post Four join �鶹ԭ�� Board of Trustees – Jan. 2026 appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

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

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

The post �鶹ԭ�� Awards Scholarships to Incoming Students for Academic Excellence and Leadership appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

�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 […]

The post �鶹ԭ�� hosts annual alumni speaker series appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

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

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

The post Collegiate Esports at �鶹ԭ��: Competitive Play, Scholarships, and Student Success appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

�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 […]

The post �鶹ԭ�� Homecoming 2025 is Oct. 10-11 appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

�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, […]

The post �鶹ԭ�� recognizes Alumni Honor Award recipients and Athletics Hall of Fame inductees appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

September 2025 – Alumni Newsletter

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

The post September 2025 – Alumni Newsletter appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

�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 […]

The post �鶹ԭ�� names Matt Unger Staff Member of the Year appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

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.

The post The Manchester Fund reaches goal of $1.6 million appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

Athletic training alumni celebrate success with winning teams

Holly Smith — 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.

The post Athletic training alumni celebrate success with winning teams appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

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

Holly Smith — 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.

The post Department of Education honors students, alumni at annual Celebrate Education event appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

�鶹ԭ�� Alumni Inducted into Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Holly Smith — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:27:26 +0000

Two �鶹ԭ�� alumni - Ron Hecklinski and Dave McCollough - were recently inducted into the 2025 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

The post �鶹ԭ�� Alumni Inducted into Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

�鶹ԭ�� hosts virtual alumni showcase series

Holly Smith — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 14:36:26 +0000

�鶹ԭ��’s Office of Alumni Relations will host four virtual events during the month of January showcasing alumni and student stories.

The post �鶹ԭ�� hosts virtual alumni showcase series appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

Get ready for Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3!

Holly Smith — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:34:51 +0000

Giving Tuesday 2024 is fast approaching. Join the Manchester community in giving back to support the next generation of Spartans. Read about this year’s campaigns below and make a giftonline.

The post Get ready for Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3! appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.

College experience comes full circle

Holly Smith — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:31:28 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� has hosted students from Indian Springs Middle School, located in Columbia City, Ind., every year for nearly 30 years. This longstanding tradition has welcomed hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of young students to campus—with hopes that some of them might someday return as undergraduates. The most recent visit took place the week of November 4, 2024.

The post College experience comes full circle appeared first on �鶹ԭ��.