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Winter 2006
Dewitt discovers a jewel Kimber DeWitt, ’79, was a Central Michigan University biology major when he fell in love with Beaver Island during a visit in 1978. DeWitt, an orthodontist in Mount Pleasant, to this day regrets that because of his work schedule as a medical technician’s assistant, he never got the chance to take classes at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island while he was a student. DeWitt hasn’t been back to Beaver Island since his visit nearly 30 years ago. Still, he has made a positive impact on what he calls “the jewel of northern Lake Michigan.” Boathouse paves the way for safer research CMU’s Biological Station is located on the shallow eastern shore of Beaver Island. The station’s fleet of small boats enables students, faculty, and researchers to explore surrounding waters and travel to nearby islands. But because the boats must be anchored offshore, bad weather can put the boats and their occupants in danger. The acquisition of a new boathouse and docking facility will allow CMU to offer more in-depth educational opportunities in safer conditions. The former Coast Guard boathouse on the island’s Whiskey Point costs $1.25 million. So far, CMU has raised approximately 85 percent of that amount. “We’re really close,” said Jim Gillingham, director of the CMU Biological Station. “Everybody who gives is doing something that will change the Beaver Island center forever, helping us make it the pinnacle of research for northern Lake Michigan.” This summer DeWitt will make his first trip back to Beaver Island since his days as a CMU student. “I’m excited for my wife and kids to experience Beaver Island with me,” he said. DONATION TOWARD EQUIPMENT KEEPS DEPARTMENT CURRENT Donation honors parents Two longtime Central Michigan University supporters have found an innovative way to help every student in the Department of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts (BCA).
“It is our hope that other alums and friends of the department will join with the Campbells by contributing to the innovative effort that they have begun,” said chairman and BCA founder Peter Orlik. “This endowment in honor of Kevin’s parents is yet another example of their great generosity to broadcast and cinematic arts.” Parents put education first The endowment is named after Kevin’s late parents, George and Eva May Campbell. They shared a lifelong relationship with CMU and passed down the importance of a good education to their children. After working for Pure Oil Company and then as a salesman for Straker, Midway, and Franklin Supply companies, George worked for CMU Athletics as a locker-room attendant until his retirement in 1981. Eva May worked in CMU’s Registrar’s office and then in academic information until her retirement in 1984. “Education was very, very important to them, (George) in particular, because he left school at 13 to work and support his parents. It was important for his children and grandchildren to get an education,” Liz said. Campbells’ commitment runs full circle Like his parents, Kevin believes CMU has played an important role in every aspect of his life. He met his wife, Liz, during a summer theatrical production at CMU while earning his master’s degree in interpersonal and public communication. Liz was studing for her theater degree. After graduation, Kevin worked for the university in the instructional resources division and then took a position with Dow Corning Corporation, where he currently is senior information specialist. Liz became a freelance makeup artist, an independent Mary Kay consultant, and a volunteer for numerous productions at the Midland Center for the Arts. The couple has remained devoted to CMU throughout their lives. Coming full circle, Kevin currently teaches a broadcast history class at CMU. Besides giving his time and financial support, Kevin has donated valuable pieces of equipment and furnishings to BCA over the years, and Liz has served as a makeup consultant for BCA students. “This endowment is not about us, but it honors the respect and commitment that my parents had for CMU,” Kevin said. “It gave us the opportunity to turn the personal loss of our parents into a positive experience in support of the BCA students and program today and well into the future.”
Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees recently named a residence hall in recognition of a longtime CMU supporter. The Ben and Marion Celani Residence Hall honors Detroit-area businessman Tom Celani’s parents and is the fourth CMU residence hall to be named in appreciation of ongoing support. Tom Celani, president of Motor City Harley-Davidson and Buell and Luna Entertainment of Farmington Hills, recently established the Tom and Vicki Celani Venture Capital Fund in CMU’s College of Business Administration by donating 20 motorcycles to the college with the provision that its students use their marketing skills to promote the sale of the bikes. The first eBay auction of six motorcycles brought in $64,518. Proceeds from this and subsequent auctions will be invested into a portfolio to be managed by CBA students. Investment earnings will be used to fund a student venture capital business plan competition. “Tom and Vicki are outstanding examples of what it means to be true friends of CMU,” said CMU President Michael Rao. “Their selfless gift will support CMU academic programs and help the university maintain an environment conducive to graduates who will support Michigan’s economy." FACULTY ENDOWMENTS NURTURE UNIVERSITY TEACHING, RESEARCH Professorship aids battle against neurodegenerative diseases Gary Dunbar, John G. Kulhavi Professor of Neuroscience and director of The Brain Research and Integrative Neuroscience Center and neuroscience program, exemplifies the ways in which endowed professorships enrich student learning, university programs, and the world at large.
He conducts research on experimental treatments for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s diseases and specializes in the recovery of function after brain damage. “I was very impressed with the work that Dr. Dunbar and his staff were doing,” said John Kulhavi, a 1965 alumnus and member of the CMU Board of Trustees. “With additional funding, hopefully the department can have even greater breakthroughs. There are a large number of people that the research could benefit.” Currently, Dunbar’s research is focused on testing the efficacy of bone-marrow-derived stem cells for treating cognitive and motor deficits in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington’s disease. He also has been testing two new classes of drugs – one showing considerable promise for reducing balance deficits in rodent models of Huntington’s disease, the other showing equal promise as a potential therapy for the memory problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease. “The Kulhavi Professorship has allowed me to focus on these research projects this summer and also has provided summer support for one of my students. I am very grateful to John Kulhavi for supporting this endowment and for the support of the administration and my faculty colleagues who have provided me with this opportunity,” Dunbar said. CMU matching funds support endowed positions The New Vision of Excellence Campaign for Central Michigan University continues to provide the opportunity for supporters to earmark donations for faculty endowments. It is an area so vital to CMU’s future that the university is matching donor generosity with a commitment of funds. Faculty endowment funds ensure that CMU continues to recruit and retain the best professors while deepening its commitment to supporting excellence in teaching, research, and creative work. Current endowments supported by CMU’s Faculty Endowments Matching program are: John G. Kulhavi Endowed Professorship in Neuroscience William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Visiting Professionals Jerry and Felicia Campbell Endowed Professorship in Nash Family Professional Development Endowment in GIFT HONORS A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP
“(Bendle) gave me my first job right after I graduated,” Moon said. While Moon only taught at Bendle High School for one semester before joining the U.S. Air Force during World War II, dozens of Bendle students sent him letters of support while he was overseas. “Those years at Bendle were some of the best years.” The $150,000 Moon/Gempel Burton Bendle High School Scholarship will help Bendle High School graduates who plan on attending CMU, while acknowledging Moon’s lifelong friend Ken Gempel, former Bendle superintendent, teacher, and coach. Despite being separated by continents for many years throughout their careers, the two men kept in touch and have remained close friends to this day. In fact, they talk on the telephone every Sunday night, often recapping the week’s sporting events. “Ken was always, always a good friend,” Moon said. “I wanted to do it for Bendle and for Central Michigan University and to add Ken’s name because he was a really good friend. He was so devoted to (Bendle). Anything that I can do to add to his recognition would be nice.” Gempel was surprised and honored to be associated with the scholarship, which marks the second such fund started by Moon, who in 1998 initiated the Moon Family Scholarship for CMU-bound graduates of Fremont High School.
Gift brings CMU music to senior citizens Lon Morey, president and CEO of Morbark Incorporated and president of the Morey Foundation, recently gave a gift to Central Michigan University that brought high-quality music to area senior citizens as part of his larger goal to deepen CMU’s connection to the community. “I attended CMU’s Opus last year, and I was totally impressed with the professionalism of the program. CMU’s music program has one of the highest ratings in the nation, and it has an excellent facility,” Morey said. In response to attending Opus, Morey donated $35,000 from the Morey Foundation to the CMU School of Music to create “A Day of Caring: Encore Presentation” – a reception and collage concert in the CMU Music Building for residents of assisted living facilities. The concert featured student performers from Opus and other showcase music events. The Morey Foundation gift enabled CMU to provide all elderly people the transportation for that event, as well as for future events throughout the year. “We received great feedback, and the senior citizens had a wonderful time,” said Kim Dimond, interim director of music events at CMU. “Our students loved performing for this special audience and interacting with them during the reception that followed the concert.” Foundation follows family tradition of giving As president of the Morey Foundation – founded by his father, Norval Morey – Morey saw “A Day of Caring” as one of many ways that he is continuing his father’s legacy by funding overlooked areas that ultimately benefit the entire community. Since the October concert, CMU music students have continued to visit assisted care homes in Mount Pleasant and Alma, giving concerts and solo performances. Some students provided music during mealtimes over the holidays. Dimond also plans on bringing senior citizens back to campus for the School of Music’s Master Series. About the New Vision of Excellence Campaign
The opportunity to reach CMU's potential in each of these four important
areas has inspired an unreserved belief that CMU's traditional strengths
comprehensive undergraduate education and niche-area applied graduate
programs provide an outstanding impetus and foundation for visionary
progress at this moment in the university's history. |
BEAVER ISLAND GRADUATE HELPS SECURE BOATHOUSE FOR RESEARCH
CELANI RESIDENCE HALL HONORS BUSINESSMAN'S PARENTS 
Dunbar (pictured right) has been a strong advocate for undergraduate research and is a national leader in the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience – an international association of neuroscience professors. 
James Moon (pictured left), ’41, has established a new scholarship for Central Michigan University students as a gesture of appreciation for the years he spent teaching and coaching at Bendle High School in Burton, Michigan. 
LON MOREY STRENGTHENS CMU'S 
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