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1953

Gerald JC ’53 and Marlene (Parsons JC ’53) Bates spent February at Hope Africa University in Burundi, Africa. Marlene worked to establish an alumni association for the University, and Gerald taught in the new master’s in educational leadership program. They reside in Indianapolis.

 

1968

Patricia (Pifer) Norris ’68 and her husband, Tom, recently retired and have opened Pixalls Photoart Gallery and Studio in Willoughby, Ohio. They work together in the business doing photo printing, enlarging and restoration as well as video editing. They also reside in Willoughby.

 

1969

Estrella “Star” (Hauser ’69) Steward, retired from teaching and is currently the co-music director for the Congregational Church in Clarkston, where she conducts the bell choir and orchestra. She also gives music lessons in cello, violin and piano and is a cellist in the Birmingham Musicale String Orchestra. Star resides in Waterford, with her husband, Jay.1975 
 

1979-1987

Kenneth Coffman, president of SAU from 1979-1987, celebrated his 80th birthday on May 15. Coffman resides in Traverse City with his wife, Beth. 
 
1991
Kevin and Rochelle (Odermann ’91) Traub adopted a daughter, Gracyn Adele Mei, on May 11. Gracyn was born in Shanxi, China on August 15, 2008. She was welcomed home by twins, Espen and Sierra, 11. Rochelle is a homemaker and freelance producer/writer/voice talent, and Kevin is the kids’ product buyer for Family Christian Stores. They reside in Middleville. [email protected]
 

1994

Tyrus Clutter ’94, of Lecanto, Fla., has accepted the position of assistant professor of visual art at the College of Central Florida. He continues to produce artwork, exhibit, write and speak around the country. [email protected]
 

2001

Michael Decker (2001-06) was recently hired by Canada Dry Bottling Co. based in Lansing. He works as an area sales representative for two counties. Michael resides in Eaton Rapids.

 

2003

Brett and Kelle (Cryderman ’03) Hampton, of Naples, Fla., welcomed a daughter, Nella Cordelia, on Jan. 22. She joins brothers, Austyn, 15, and Brandyn, 12, and sister, Lainey, 3. Brett sells communication software, and Kelle, a former fifth-grade teacher, owns a photography business. She also writes a blog, “Enjoying the Small Things” at www.kellehampton.com, which includes the joys and challenges of raising Nella, who was born with Down Syndrome.

 

Noah ’03 and Lizbith (Runals ’03) Kamper, of Fairview, welcomed a son, Elliot Whittaker, on Nov. 6, 2008. He joined big brother, Forrest, now 3. The Kampers [ 3] are missionary appointees with Latin America Mission to Honduras, where they work alongside a national church at Campamento Manantial de Vida. nlkamper.blogspot.com; [email protected]

 

2004

Tom and Dawn (Peterson ’04) Phillips welcomed a daughter, Abigail Iland, on Sept. 29, 2009. She joins big sister, Hannah, 5. They reside in Elizabethtown, Ky., where Tom works as a video editor and photographer for the television company at Fort Knox Military base. Dawn is a stay-at-home mom. She also tutors children part-time and will start homeschooling Hannah in the fall. [email protected]

 

2005

Emilie Janson ’05 married Jake Buter on May 30. Emilie is a family support case manager for the Low Income Housing Institute and Jake is the cafe manager of Qwest Community Development (Q Cafe). They work and live in Seattle.

 

2008

Brittney Austin ’08 and Nicholas Everett ’09 were married on May 23, 2009. They reside in Ypsilanti, where Nicholas works as a security officer for Citi Group, and Brittney is a pharmacy technician. [email protected]; [email protected]

 

Joe Rinehart ’08 and his wife, Marcy, were honored with the Humanitarian Hero award from the Knox County Chapter of the American Red Cross. The award recognized their contributions and leadership to charitable causes like Interchurch Social Services, the Salvation Army and CareNet Pregnancy Services. Joe was also recently promoted to assistant professor of communication at Mount Vernon Nazarene University where he serves as director of broadcasting. Marcy also works at MVNU as their radio station manager. They reside in Mount Vernon, Ohio, with their daughter, Rachel, 12. [email protected]

 

2009

Jordan Smith ’09 recently accepted a position at St. Patrick Catholic High School in Portland, teaching biology, A.P. biology, chemistry and physical science. He resides in Portland and is engaged to Mallory Wood ’10 of Flint. [email protected]