November 1, 2008Celebra8 Mort. Sci. in 2008! Did you know that the Program of Mortuary Science will be celebrating its Centennial in 2008? The core committee has been actively meeting to work on all facets of the event. The members include: Donna Dvorak, Kay Sperry, Ken Peterson, Michael LuBrant, Mike and Liz Mathews, Rich and Sharon Purcell, Stephanie Christensen, and Tom Weber. Please reserve November 1, 2008, on your calendars and click here for further details on this landmark event.
November 3, 2007 Homecoming Alumni-Student Networking Event at Jax Cafe and the Minnesota vs. Illinois Football Game. See details here...
Alumni Gathering held on 10/8/2007 at the National Funeral Directors Association Convention in Las Vegas
Letter from Alumni Relations Coordinator
From left to right: Stephanie Christensen, Sharon Purcell, Kay Sperry, Ken Peterson, and Rich Purcell
Dear Members of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Mortuary Science Group:
Last summer when I accepted the position as the adjunct business instructor for the Program of Mortuary Science, I was also hired as the Program's alumni relations coordinator.
During my first year, we have taken small initiatives in revitalizing our alumni group. Announcements were sent in the fall of 2006 about an open house on-campus followed by a dinner at Jax Café. This past spring, an alumni event was reborn: the silent auction at the MFDA convention! Additionally, an opportunity for CEU's along with a social was held at the Thomson-Dougherty Funeral Home in South Minneapolis. We had the privilege to learn from Bob Dowson ('86), who shared his experiences in serving the families of former US Presidents Reagan and Ford. Mr. Dowson was also presented with the "Alumnus of the Year" award. With the 2007-08 academic year upon us, I hope you will partake in our alumni group activities.
In addition to these activities, a group of us have been meeting on a monthly basis for planning the Program's Centennial. Please mark your calendars for November 1, 2008, to join us in celebrating /Undertaking a Century of Excellence in Funeral Service Education/. Members of the core committee include: Donna Dvorak, Kay Sperry, Ken Peterson, Michael LuBrant, Michael and Liz Mathews, Rich and Sharon Purcell, Stephanie Christensen, and Tom Weber.
As your alumni relations coordinator, I am eager to learn from each of you on your expectations and suggestions for our group. We are only in the beginning stages of revitalization, and your involvement makes a difference.
If you are interested in assisting with centennial planning or other activities, please contact me at chris416@umn.edu or at 952-935-4052.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards, Stephanie L. Christensen ('99)
2007 Alumnus of the Year for the Program of Mortuary Science
The Mortuary Science Alumni Society is pleased to honor Robert Dowson as the recipient of the Program’s “Alumnus of the Year” award.
Mr. Dowson is a native of Minnesota and a 1986 graduate of the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science. After gaining experience in the funeral and cemetery business, he moved to California in 1991 and joined Service Corporation International. Over the past 15 years, he has held several positions within SCI, including Funeral Director, Mortuary Manager, General Manager, and Vice President of Operations and Revenue Services for Southern California. In 1997, Bob was transferred to run SCI’s Hawaiian Operations with locations in Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the big island of Hawaii. Currently, Bob resides in Laguna Niguel, California, and is the Market Director of Operations for Orange and South Los Angeles Counties. His market area conducts over 6,000 services per year.
Bob is a member of the Cemetery Mortuary Association of California, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association, and is a past Board member of the Orange County Funeral Directors Association. Bob also serves on the Professional Development and Legislative Committees of the California Funeral Directors Association.
Bob is a member of SCI’s Ceremonial Funeral Detail, which works closely with the Military District of Washington, D.C., in coordinating State funerals for former Presidents of the United States. He has served on funeral services for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. He has also participated in services for Senator Lloyd Bentsen, Vice Admiral James Stockdale, and Congressman G. V. Montgomery.
Alum named 2007 "Citizen of the Year"
Wes Libbey ('33) of Grand Rapids, MN, has been recently named the 2007 "Citizen of the Year" in his community. Mr. Libbey owned and operated Libbey Funeral Home in Grand Rapids for many years. He is a founding member of several organizations in his community, where he served in various officer capacities at the local, state, and national levels. Mr. Libbey has been a tireless activist for conservation. One of his many accomplishments includes his involvement in the establishment of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. [Information courtesy of the Grand Rapids Herald, March 2007]
Alumni Contact
Stephanie Christensen chris402@umn.edu Alumni Relations Coordinator Program of Mortuary Science University of Minnesota
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The Mortuary Science Alumni Society is pleased to honor Robert Dowson as the recipient of the Program’s “Alumnus of the Year” award.