celebrating 35 years of supporting excellence! foundations

Message from the President When my family and I moved to East almost 14 years ago, we came here for the schools. I knew our children would get a great education here. What I didn’t know was how the schoolswould connect us to our community. First, parents on our street gathered to watch our kids play. Soonwe were discussing how all of them would walk to Lakeside together. The next thing we knew we werewaiting at the front door for kindergarteners to be dismissed, working together at holiday parties, sitting together at the kids’ activities and sports, coaching together, serving on PTO committees, volunteeringat events, selling Christmas trees, and posing for homecoming pictures. Before we knew it, we wereserving food together at the Senior all-night party. We came here for the fantastic schools, but those schools also provided a fantastic community. I bring this up because the Foundation continues to evolve into an institution that fosters that sense

of community by connecting us to each other and our schools. We connect East alumni from aroundthe country by sharing their stories on our updated website and coordinating their reunions. We host anannual event that raises funds for our schools but also brings us together as a community. We host a bi-annual dinner that recognizes our distinguished alumni and community service volunteers, celebrating the accomplishments and service that members of our community have provided. The Foundation is also becoming a hub of information about our schools and community. Ourweekly Cheat Sheet connects us by providing up-to-date information about what’s happening in ourschools and our city. Our Facebook page shares news about alumni and students while our website pullsall this information together in one spot. Of course, the Foundation’s greatest contribution to our sense of community is supporting our

schools. We are all connected by the desire for our children to receive an outstanding education. For 35years, the Foundation has provided students and teachers funds to take education one step further withinnovative programs, teacher education, and technology. Six years ago, when school funding from thestate was no longer sufficient, the Foundation pulled our community together with the EGRNow! campaign, allowing our schools to preserve key programs and maintain an excellent level of education.The program support has been critical, thus allowing the district to maintain vital programs and supports in our schools. I encourage you to look upon the Foundation as another connection point to our schools and our

city. I hope you’ll take advantage of the information we provide, join us for an event, volunteer or contribute to our cause. We want to help connect you to our fantastic schools and our extraordinarycommunity. Michael Reid, President

FoundationsCelebrating 35 years of supporting excellence!

2017-2018Board of Directors

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE EGR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION VOL. XXXVIII FEBRUARY 2018

Michael Reid, PresidentEric Starck, Vice PresidentDavid Hojnacki, TreasurerMelissa Marsh, Secretary

Quinn Allchin, ‘19Alexis BoydenJennifer BruceAmy CorettiSuzy Deems, ‘18Stephanie DoublesteinJoel IakiriSara IrwinJill MillerMegan MillerBrian SchwartzBeth SkaggsKelli SmithAbby SorotaMeg Zerfas

Ex-Officio MembersDr. Sara Shubel, SuperintendentBob Wolford, School Board Member

Office StaffAmy Stuursma, Executive DirectorMaria Allen, Alumni Relations CoordinatorJay Forstner, Director of CommunicationsRosanne Mack, AccountantCarole McDonald, Office Manager

The EGR Schools Foundation is proud to provide funds for Kabookie Week, a week of remembering Jimmy Gerken and promotingkindness at the high school. Pictured are two of the eight recipients, Chris Boylen and Lily Kate Rogers, who were voted by classmatesas exemplifying the characteristics of Jimmy Gerken, including friendship and compassion for all.

2 Foundations February 2018Volume XXXVIII

THE DONOR ROLL CALL The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s Donor Roll Call recognizes those individuals, businesses and organizations thathave supported the Foundation from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. The Foundation’s Board of Directors gratefullyacknowledges all who have generously supported our mission through their gifts. We also thank individuals who have secured matching gifts from their employers, as well as the employers who have supported their employees’ generosity through matching gifts. This list reflects all outright gifts and does not include participants in Foundation–sponsored events such as HURRAH! or golf outings.

ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTERS$10,000 or moreThe Crossroads FoundationDavid ’89 & Amy EngbersJohn M. Frey, ‘58 – in honor

of Kimberly Hettinga ‘73, Scott Gilmore ‘75, Gregory Gilmore ‘76, Tamara Woods ‘79 & Julie Gilmore ‘81

$5,000 - $9,999Charley ’87 & Janine

ThompsonChad Zagel & Ellie Frey

$2,500 - $4,999David ’60 & Sibley ’62 BarrettScott & Emily BrewThe Giving Gardens – Steve

& Margaux DrakeTed & Claudine DuncanJeff & Katie ’97 FlermoenRick & Carol GodfreyMike & Sue KeilBill & Nancy SwaneyChris & Lori Wolter

$1,000 - $2,499AnonymousNick & Shellie AdamyCraig & Staci AlguireMarty & Sue ’56 AllenMark & Kate AustinSteve Baker & Lucy ShairMax ’90 & Becky BarnesDale ‘56 & Sue BergerScott & Natalie Bernecker, ‘89Blake ’93 & Taylor BeusseBrett & Kim BoltTom & Alexis BoydenMark & Amy BraggTodd & Bonnie BrandstadtPatrik & Lena BrundinMike ’89 & Lisa ByamLuke & Ellen ChervenyDan ’58 & Linda ConwayDon & Johanna CrossleyBrad ’93 & Amy DaroogeGarrett DillBrad ’88 & Kim ’89 DitmarJason & Stephanie DoublesteinNadav & Karen DujovnyAndre & Kristen Gauri

Ted & Mary Louise GedraPeter & Andrea GoodrichRyan & Hope GoossensJohn & Deanna GreenBob & Diane HallTom & Sue HoaneMark ’94 & Beth ’92

HoekstraDirk Hoffius, ‘61Peter & Allison HoulihanJohn & Janyce HuffTravis & Christine HughesJoel & Shannon IakiriMark & Lauren JacobyKevin & Patricia KabatHerb & Glenna KnapeMike & Megan KnubleLucas & Joni LeeteDoug & Stacey MaasJeff ’91 & Shannon

MacKeiganAlan & Hope MargherioSteve & Jenny McMahonMatthew ’86 & Jill MillerSteve & Katie MillmanDonovan & Jenny MooJohn & Ann MooneyThe Murua FamilyThe Nguyen FamilyJohn Preston & Melissa

VanderZydenChris & Michelle RabideauMark & Lisa ’93 RapoportTerence & Tina ReubenKarl & Stacy RobertsJohn & Lisa RogersSarah Frey RoseJoel & Julie SchultzeBrian Schwartz ’84 &

Elizabeth Welch ‘88Tim & Ann SheridanElizabeth Warnshuis

Shimko, ‘75David L. Smith ’63 & Peggy

Child Smith‘64Rich & Abby SorotaPam Stanley & Kelly EldredMike & Cathy StevensChris & Sarah VanDevenDavid ’67 & Beverly VerdierRobert & Barbara VisRuss & Chris Visner

Mark & Wendy WassinkWealthy Elementary School

Art DepartmentMark & Amy WilliamsonAndy & Erin WinkelBob ’92 & Tracy WolfordBrad & Fleur Zylstra

$500 - $999AnonymousSteve ’86 & Maria AllenGreg & Kristi ArtzDave & Katie BakerChad & Beth BalonChris & Kim BardeggiaRyan & Sarah BeachAndrew ’92 & Jennifer BehlerBill ’90 & Jenny ’91

BergstromMatt & Erin ’91 BertkeKristin BickleyMike & Amy BishopChris & Analisa BlakleyDan & Tarah BockheimCraig & Shelly BoeveEric & Melissa BomberyWilliam BoorsteinJoe & Kristen BorakTim & Kathy BornRen ’55 & Cj BranderMike & Bethany BregenzerScott & Amy BroersmaDan & Lynne BrownJim & Kathleen BruinsmaMickey & Natalie BullockFrederick & Kathleen

BurkhartRick ’85 & Angie ’82 BuschDev & Susan ButlerBrian & Sarah CalnanMatt & Jackie CampbellMike & Kim CarnevaleLance ’57 & Sue ’59 CastonChris & Rona CaswellMatt & Sarah CavanaughStuart & Rita CitronStew & Emilie CollinsPhil Conrad & JJ LoewJeff & Sarah Conway, ‘94Andrew & Rachael CooleyDave & Dori CouvreurRyan & Amber Cox

Sean & Cheryl CoxMichael & Mary Crawford –

in honor of Jeffrey Crawford ‘99

Joe & Angie DayJeff & Jill DeanJohn & Mary DerschChad & Sara DupinSuzanne Case Edison, ‘75Nnaemeka Egwuata & Ngozi

OkoliBrian ’78 & JoAnn EllisThe Eugster FamilyMichael & Jenny ’87 FeeMatt Feyen & Nicole HaglundTom ’46 & Mickie FoxSasko & Danche GjorgijevskiScott & Mary GorslineKevin & Tracey GortGary Graeff & Kim KrauseThe Griemsman FamilyRobert & Marie GriffinThe Ham FamilyTom ’82 & Carole ’84

HammerslagBrian & Karey HamrickThe Hannah FamilyMichael Hannah, ‘63Andy & Peggy HeadGlenn Hefner & Silvia

GarbagniBoyd & Jane HendersonChris & Beth HillMichael & Stephanie HoekstraDavid & Susan HojnackiRobyn HubbardAmorak Huey & Ellen

SchendelBrad & Karen HunterGraham ’94 & Sara IrwinMichael ’54 & Roberta

JacobsonNick & Erinn JacquesErik & Lisa JohnsonTim & Lori ’79 JohnstonMary KanetiDave & Jill KantorKeller FoundationBarbara KellerSean & Jenelle KelschPatrick & Heidi ’97 KettBrad & Michelle Kirk

The Korff FoundationRob ’84 & Julie KowalewskiNicholas & Layla Kuhl, ‘00Jeff KunitzerRobert & Lucy LafleurEric & Doreen LambertThe Larsen FamilyAndrea LeistraRichard & Heather ’92

LewisThe Lingwood Aguayo

FamilyScott & Elisabeth LoosMary LoupeeRandy ‘88 & Lisa LovellChad & Nicole LowePaul & Elizabeth LuceThe Ludwig FamilyGary & Pam MacDougalBill & Amy MackayMatt Mahoney & Melissa

ConwayThe Malewitz FamilyLynne Boyles Marino, ‘77Bill & Melissa MarshLarry & Julie McCahillMatt & Katie ‘93 McIntoshJim ’81 & Sue ’82 McLainPeter & Michelle McSorleyChris & Michele MeaderRich & Jennifer MeyerAndrew & Elaine ’87 MilnesJoel & Melissa MitchellJohn Mitchell & Gina AngJeff & Allison ‘88 MontagueMarc & Charlene MontpetitJason Moore, ‘90Steve ‘95 & Rhiannon MorseJim & Courtney MoskalDave & Sara MulderTodd & Kelli MulderinkDean & Lisa NargiJack NicholsIsidore & Cary OkoroOnder & Carol OrsThe Orsini FamilyJohn & Ellen OsterhartNorm & Jan PalmHoward & Stacy PaulMichael & Anne PetruzziJoerg & Katharina PicardHenry & Nicole Prins

3FoundationsFebruary 2018Volume XXXVIII

Erik & Julia RatchfordGreg & Carolyn ReesePatrick & Cheri ’89 ReidRandy & Kris Renker Steve ’80 & Amy RockwellJack ’57 & Lija RomenceThe Royce FamilyBuck & Judy SaundersJeff Schad & Marilyn LankferShelley SchmidtEddy & Susanne SchmittThe Schneider FamilyMatthew & Margaret SchulteMike Sebastian, ‘65Brian & Racqel SelfBob Shapton & Mary Reagan

ShaptonRick & Stacy ShoreyGreg & Sara ShubelPhil & Beth SkaggsAaron ’93 & Jill SmithDiana SnoeyerAchilles & Ruth SpagnuoloMichael & Tricia SpiegelEric & Sarah StarckJohn & Katie ’98 SteinBrian Sterling & Carla BoydJim & Ann StuursmaPeter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89The Swayman FamilyPeter & Julie ’95 TeWinkle Nick & Amy TholeMichael Tomich & Jeanne

GlowickiRyan Trierweiler & Autumn

HorrocksThe VanHoose FamilyWayne & Angela VisbeenMatt & Allison ’96 VriesengaDamian & Deanne WaltersBrian & Kris ’82 WardCraig & Carmen WeigelDavid ’62 & Sharon WeissChris & Jodi WestgateBrad White & Kathleen

O’LearyMark & Allison ’89 WhiteMatt & Erica WikanderKyle Williams & Vanessa

BradleyAlex & Julie ’96 WisemanJohn & Patty WoodhouseCalvin & Clara YoungMichael & Katherine ZagoBen ’94 & Meg ’97 ZerfasThe Zimdar Family

$250 - $499AnonymousJoe Aardema & Mary LucasBrian & Sarah Adloff, ‘97Matt & Alyssa AlbersChris & Leslie AndersonPeter Anderson & Gretchen

GalbraithDorothy Ciner Armstrong

Shannon & Erica ArmstrongPhilippe Assaf & Coeli

FitzpatrickTodd & Carman BainesMatthew & Jennifer BorgulaThe Braden FamilyBen & Adrianne BraunCaroline Breault-CannonDennis & Jennifer BruceKevin & Julie BurnsBrian & Ann CallahanLuke & Heather CallahanJack Campbell & Mary Lou

Payette Campbell ‘51Thomas & Sarah CannonJason & Charissa ChapmanChris & Beth ChappusGrant ’85 & Josie CheneyYiJia ChuBrian & Jennifer ColesPat ’91 & Nancy ConnorDave ’57 & Nancy CookTom & Samantha CornellRick & Pam ’88 CrossScott & Ellen CusterErik Daly ’00 & Jessica

BloomDylan DanielsDavid & Faye DeckerDavid & Michele deVelderAlisa DevlaeminckDavid & Carol DistelChristopher & Sommer

DockeryEric & Lindsay DumaisDan Fechtner & Mei MahJay & Julie ForstnerDan & Joanne FowlerSteve & Michelle FoxThe Garmaggio FamilyThe Garrard FamilyJoe & Sarah ’99 GassBrendan & Laurel GibbonsTim & Emily GorashkoChad ’84 & Jennifer GouldJim & Katie GreenGreenscape Landscaping, Inc.Lee & Linda HegstrandDavid & Nancy HejnaBrad & Lea HilemanJohn & Monica InhulsenChuck ’57 & Carol JenningsAaron & Nikki JohnsonMichael & Cara JonesScott KeilJohn & Jessica KemppainenTheresa KeyesJim ’79 & Beth KincaidErika King & Robert

BeaseckerDerrick & Karen KooistraChristian ’84 & Susie KruppMichel Lanne & Kerri OrdersTony & Heather LawrenceGreg & Tracey LewisChris & Sharon Longstreth

Aracelis LopezMark & April LothschutzMartin & Cheri LuchtefeldJudson ‘71 & Lynn LynchPaul & Rosanne ’83 MackJason ’98 & Jennifer MaddenDonald Malcolm & Jean

MagolanThe Marx FamilyWarren Mason & Vikki

NesticoChris Matthysse & Kelly

Clum-MatthysseMichael & Carole McDonaldDick & Noel McGarrityPaul & Dee McGrawTerry McIlhargeyAndy & Amanda McIntyreThe McVay FamilyJim & Carolyn MorseDouglas Mossman, ‘72Brian ’93 & Kristie MurrayPaul & Valerie NelsonJoe & Lisa NewhouseJamie & Venta NorrisEddie O’ConnorMatt & Kerry ParentDan Persinger & Claire

WhitmanRyan & Katrina PetersJamie & Stephanie PhelpsKevin & Leslie PhilippsCarey Potter, ‘88Tim ’00 & Susan PriceMike ReaganMike & Betsy RedmanKirk & Jennifer ReifingerRyan & Whitney RennerDavid & Molly RizorGeorge & Heidi RobertsRochelle RoskamAl & Kim RossiKurt, Jodi, Baden & Davis

RushmoreMadonna Saia & Jim

Racinowski ‘00Tim SaundersMatt ’90 & Diana SchadTim & Cindy SchadMarianne SchimonAndrew & Logan SchmidtJim & Mary Kay SchumarAndrew & Kateri SchuttMark Schwartz & Catherine

KanetiThe Sherman FamilyJerome & Helen SmithPaul & Jackie ’82 SolbergJohn & Nikki SpeerThe Stankowski FamilyMatthew & Jennifer StaresBrian ‘96 & Amy SteketeeKeith ‘85 & Sherry ‘82

StewartClay ’89 & Kris StifflerTim & Sarah ’97 Straveler

Fred & Deb Braseth Carl & Betsy BrownScott R. BrundageChris & Lisa CamffermanDavid ’86 & Britt CampbellDavid & Jodi CaryCharlene M. Chadbourne,

‘61Richard Chalker, ‘58Mark ’75 & Eileen

ChamberlinDavid & Angela ChandlerJeff & Tamara ChristiansKestutis & Ingrid CivinskasPaul ClaessonMike & Jodi ClayHarry & Michele CoffillBrian Cole & Jen HutchingsBarbara Cone – in honor of

the Fouch FamilyCarolyn ConnorsJohn Constantelos & Polly

DivenMitch ‘83 & Jeanne CookThe Counts FamilyThe Crawford FamilyMike & Mary Ann CreteDevin & Michelle ’97 DayRich & Liz ’98 Della CroceGaylen & Diane DemarestRob & Allison DeVilbissMark & Lisa DeVriesJim Doan & Sarah

ArmbrusterAlice Dodgson, ‘55 – in

honor of Sam & Lauren Dodgson

Rick & Traci ’88 DouglasRobert & Linda ’65 DudleyTim ’95 & Andrea DudleyGary & Suzanne EberleGay Ebers-FranckowiakJohn & Stephanie EckleyThe Elble FamilySteve & Lisa EldersveldSue Spicer Elliott, ‘65Constance EllisFrances EllisTom & Martha FarringtonTom & Kathryn FaturosDon & Carol FirlikOmar & Elizabeth FloresAlex & Sara ForistThe Escobar Forsberg FamilyMatt & Jill FouchChad & Carolyn FoxNate & Joyce FrenchHailey & Hannah GerkinNicole GessnerThomas A. GetzJohn F. Gilmore, ‘48Parin & Liz GohelRobert Goodrich, ‘58Kristin GootjesRalph Greene, ‘57Jonathan Greer

Tim & Karen ‘86 SullivanMartha Teichner, ‘65Peter & Lisa TheutPaul & Cassie TithofScott ’98 & Michelle TitusJeff & Sue TobiasAdam & Gretchen TownshendDick ’72 & Kathleen ’73

TupperBrett & Julie TurnerDan & Anna TyrerThe Van Dis FamilyAlice Van EssMatthew & Kathleen

VandeGevelTanya Vanden BoschDavid & Leigh Vander MolenNate & Keri VanDrunenMike & Liz VargoBryan & Angie WaltersKyle & Kristin WatsonMary K. WeadockEric & Courtney WeilerVirginia Welch, ‘65Dave & Stephanie ‘79

WhitfordDouglas & Andrea WilliamsCharlie Winslow & Judy

SopelandMichael & Robbyn WnekChris & Janice YatesGlen Young, ‘55 – in honor of

Dave Mehney, ‘57Laura Young, ‘78The Zdravecky Family

$100 - $249AnonymousDoug & Christine AdamsLarry ’57 & Susan ’59 AllabenJoel Allchin & Deanna

Hoopingarner-AllchinSam & Joy AndersonScott & Elizabeth ArnoldRich & Cassie AxtellWade Bagnall & Elizabeth

FausoneMark Baloga & Amy WilliamsMark & Laura BanburyMark & Lynn Barger ElliottWil BaumrukBill ’67 & Diane BaxterTim ’87 & Shari BayerBill & Amber BehrendtRoger & Cindy BeraJeffrey Bergers, ‘73John & Pat BergstromDavid ’55 & Mary Kay ’57

Berles Bob & Val Bernecker – in

honor of Dave Mehney, ‘57Martin & Catherine BlagdurnLorraine BoerJohn BoeschensteinNicholas Bosch, ’57 – in honor

of EGRPS teachers


Hillary & Grant GriffinChadd & Anne GulchDave & Beth HammBob Hart, ‘57Ben HartingMichael & Jennifer HaskellGreg & Jane HazleBrad & Andrea HeckselDavid & Melinda HollisDavid ‘77 & Leslie ’83

HookerRobert HookerJeff HuizengaGary & Cindy HumphriesFil & Elizabeth IorioWin ’65 & Kyle ’70 IrwinBill ’87 & Jill JacobsonDoug & Dawn JenkinsScott ’82 & Susan JenningsGerri JohnsonGordon D. Johnson, ‘42Maria Laneuville JungStephen & Joee KamDennis Kellermeier &

Barbara JourdanDavid & Jennifer

KirchgessnerJanice Kirchgessner,’54Kelli Kopen & Chris

CalhounChristopher Kothe, ‘99 – in

honor of Dave Mehney, ‘57

Kenneth & Heather Krajewski

Steven & Amie Jo KreitzerMelanie KruisengaDavid & Sarah ’89 KuglerBob & Laurie LaarmanNick Leech, ‘62Philip M. Leech, ‘58John ’57 & Alexandra

LeidleinDave & Stacey LevittBill & Jan LewisSteven & Dawn LewisTim Lewis, ‘82Chuck & Jan LippertJim ’55 & Barb LogieCasey ’03 & Jami LongoDick & Genie LymanDavid & Virginia

MacDonaldJames MacDonald, ‘81Ryan & Heather MaddenRyan & Beth MarinMatt & Amy MarlowRodney & Mimi MartinBrian MayJohn & Bethal McCarthyThe Mellish FamilyGreg & Jennifer MetzMike & Carly MillerRichard K. Miller, ‘62Randy & Amanda MillwoodAnthony & Polly Morey

John BurkeMary BuzalskiPeri denDulkLori DoodSara EdlemanJenny Fee, ‘87Jeanne GlowickiKristin GriffithErin Grin, ‘90Beth HillMichael HoekstraDeanna Hoopingarner-

AllchinDoug JenkinsLori Johnston, ‘79Tim JohnstonHolly LampenKatie McIntosh, ‘93Heather McKinney-RewaSue McLain,’82Kaitlin Merpi, ‘07Scott MittonAnthony MoreyElisha MurphyAlison PeotMark PullenHollie RademacherBetsy RaymondBridget RiethLisa RogersShelly SchramWinona TinholtScott TompkinsKevin VanceMarjolijn van der Velde

Matching Gift DonorsAmazon Smile FoundationBank of America FoundationBenefit MobileCDK Global, LLCGE FoundationRockwell Automation

FoundationSteelcase FoundationTEGNA FoundationUnist, Inc.Wells Fargo Foundation

Special thanks to the following groups:Breton Downs ElementaryLakeside ElementaryWealthy ElementaryEGR Middle SchoolEGR High School

Dave & Joy MorganJami MoyerOtto Muller & Kelly GestPaul Murphy & Leigh EickeLou & Carol Murray, ‘64Abby NagherDavid ’88 & Julie NeuhausMarc & Alice NoordeloosTom & Diane NorthwayJack & Margie Oosting, ‘56Adam & Tricia OphoffThe Osborne FamilyLance & Kim Owens – in

honor of the Class of 2018Kristofer Pachla & Anne

Marie CarsonDon & Melissa PadgettKeith Paluska – in honor of

Larry FrazierChris & Joan PanopoulosAdam ’98 & Chrissy PanterAaron & Bess PaskvanLinda B. PattersonRobert PaulBrian & Amy PecenyAndrew & Alison PeotJude ‘02 & Carrie PereiraErik & Gwen ‘84 PostLarry Prange & Suzanne

Knecht – in honor of Mrs. Becky Martin and her bees

Cheryl RadeckiMichael & Jennifer RanvilleThe Reahm FamilyAdam & Marisa ReedMike & Trish ’89 ReidSmith Roberts ’94 & Jenny

BerglundLarry & Sally RobsonJay ’88 & Janet RomanowskiThad & Heather SalterLaura SaltsmanHenry ‘62 & Karen ’63

Schaefer – in honor of Mr. Bert Froysland

John & Judy SchneiderJohn & Kate SchneiderShelly SchramSteve & Mary SchwartzMichael & Monica SekulichKurt & Lyndsay SeyferthNancy Seymour, ’62 Mark & Lisa Shuart, ‘76Jane SiegelThe Silliven FamilyFlory SilversteinScott & Lindsay SlagboomChristopher & Kelli SmithDanielle SmithJason & Latchezara SmithSteve Smith, ‘58 – in honor

of Sister Patricia L. SmithAndrew & Pamela SteersJohn & Jennifer SteinerKurt & Andrea Steiner &

Family

Matt & Kristen SteketeeRichard & Mary StevensLeslie & Lane StewartKaren Henry StokesThe Storms FamilyJean Swaney, ‘51Tom ’77 & Sue ’78 SwaneyStacey SzczepanskiChip ’58 & Joyce TappanBob & Patty TempleMichael & Elizabeth

TerHorstCandace TitusJ. Rock ’56 & Kathy ’58

TonkelTom & Amy TownsendToby & Kim TuckerBenjamin VanHouten &

Heather SedlakTodd & Reyna VanKuikenScott & Marni Vyn, ‘90The Walker FamilyGreg & Deb WeaverJason & Jennifer WebbJim ‘85 & Susan WeissDan & Lynee WellsWest Michigan Hockey, Inc.George Whinery, ‘66Ben, Emily, Collin, Heidi &

Morgan WhiteMary WhitingSteve & MeiLi WieringaThe Wisniewski FamilyDean ‘80 & Nell WittingDave & Jan WolletDoug & Tamara WurlBruce C. Young, ‘74Rodger “Skip” Zwemer, Jr.,

‘67

$20 - $99Stephanie AardemaBrett & Carlye AllenDiane Chadwick Alt, ‘70Tom & Deb AnkneyTheodor Asgeirsson &

Geirlaug MagnusdottirGary & Mary Sue BarnesSam & Ben Basham Paul & Joan ‘59

BergsteinssonCharles & Patricia BloomHank & Suzy BonnahJanice BranderKyle Casillas, ’06 – in honor

of the Bogdan & Casillas families

The Casserly FamilyMary Frances ClineDoris Cole, ‘55Sharon Twohey Cook, ‘77Jay & Kathy CragwallMary E. Davis, ‘69Bob & Lisa Woons ’81

DykstraThe Eggert Family

Kirk ’85 & Kirsten Essenmacher

Grady & Julia FisherBetsy FleetwoodSusan FowlerLynn & Alice FrancisWilliam French ’86 &

Jennifer DawsonKelly FroehlichGene ’48 & Tubie GilmoreJordan Griffin. ‘97Marcia Hammerslag, ‘53Mark & Tina HesslerRobert ’04 & Jessica HuffMarty & Zezette HutchinsonWilliam & Barbara IsenbergAndy & Mary JohnstonJulian & Judith JosephSarah Porter Jury, ‘69Dave ’64 & Bev KaganNick & Colleen KanaanNorman Keller – in honor of

Dave Mehney, ‘57Ken & Carol KranzMike & Bindu LewisJudie MalecHilary MartinGeorge McBane & Susanne

BuchauMike & Lois McCardellKevin & Nancy McIntyrePaul & Laura McMahonBrock & Alex MellemaAnne B. Miller, ‘61David Murkowski & Diane

GollerCamel & Linda NajarMike & Cathy ’86 OosseMolly PeskinSteven Pestka, ‘70Mark & Becky PullenThomas Rider & Tracy

Miller-RiderRachel RiesRobert & Cassandra RoodJoy Dennen Scher, ‘60Jon & Gretchen SiebersMyra O. SmithSean ’94 & Anna SperlingEric & Stacey TannerThe Tonning FamilyJim & Maryam TroutOwen Van WinkleBeverly VanWeesBeth WilburCasey & Lindsey WilliamsJoe & Katie Zemaitis

United Way DonorsAnonymousAlfred AlbanoCarlye AllenBill BehrendtGeorge BennettCatherine BlagdurnSteve Brinks

Annual Fund Supporters (continued)

Love truth butpardon error.

Voltaire

We strive to be accurate andcomprehensive, but in a listing of

this length errors may occur.We appreciate readers’ assistance

in bringing any inaccuraciesto our attention.


GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDAnonymous Ray ’71 & Kristin AbrahamMatt & Alyssa AlbersMarty & Sue ’56 AllenSteve ’86 & Maria AllenChris & Emily BackusJ. Spencer Barnes ’72 Memorial FoundationScott & Natalie Bernecker, ‘89John R. Bertsch, ‘61Beusse & Porter Family FoundationRoger & Marcia BeutnerThe Bissell FamilyDan & Elizabeth BogoBrett & Kim BoltTom & Alexis BoydenTodd & Bonnie BrandstadtScott & Emily BrewBrett Brinker & Heather Slay ‘89Dennis & Jennifer BruceDirk ’63 & Lisa ’76 ButhMike ’89 & Lisa ByamCharles & Lucy CaldwellJason & Elizabeth ’95 ChristophersonBrian & Jennifer ColesPat ’91 & Nancy ConnorDave ’57 & Nancy CookJoe ’82 & Amy CorettiDustin & Jill DanielsBill & Margie DaroogeJason & Stephanie DoublesteinNadav & Karen DujovnyPete & Anne ’83 Eardley

John & Louise Edison, ‘69Michael ’80 & Lynette EllisDavid ‘89 & Amy EngbersJim & Harriet EngbersMichael & Jenny ’87 FeeDavid & Judy Frey Dan & Shelly FullerThomas A. GetzThe Gillespie FamilyJohn & Deanna GreenBill Harris & Gloria TrentMark & Tina HesslerGerard & Nancy HickeyTom & Sue HoaneMark ’94 & Beth ’92 HoekstraDirk Hoffius, ’61 David & Susan HojnackiThomas Hollingsworth, ‘69Joel & Shannon IakiriWin ’65 & Kyle ’70 IrwinGraham ’94 & Sara IrwinTim & Lori ’79 JohnstonTom & Margy JonesMary Ann KeelerTom ’71 & Vicki ’70 KimballTom & Sally ’85 KyrosBrad ’94 & Kotoe LaackmanKurt & Jennifer LacksBrad & Susan LaffreyEric & Doreen LambertBob ’73 & Susan LevineDavid & Stacey LevittMike & Kathy ’74 LloydRandy ’88 & Lisa LovellJudson ’71 & Lynn LynchDoug & Stacey Maas Paul & Rosanne ’83 MackMichael MacksonLeena Mammen

Alan & Hope MargherioBill & Melissa MarshDarrell & PK ’74 MasonMichael & Carole McDonaldDave ’57 & Linda MehneyHank & Liesel MeijerJohn & Jane ’79 MeilnerSam ’63 & Barb ’64 MetcalfBob & Beth MilanowskiMatthew ’86 & Jill MillerSteve & Katie MillmanAnthony & Polly MoreyJames & Carolyn MorseBob & Ellen NelsonNorris, Perné & French LLPBrian & Pamela PageMark & Barb PeriardChris & Michelle RabideauMuhammad Rasoul & Sabina Hubjer-RasoulMike & Betsy RedmanMike & Trish ’89 ReidRobell FoundationKen & Elaine RongeyRob Scheper & Candy Wilkes-ScheperBrian Schwartz ’84 & Elizabeth Welch ‘88John ’63 & Prim ’64 SebastianBob Shapton & Mary Reagan ShaptonGreg & Sara ShubelPhil & Beth SkaggsBrent & Diane SlayAllan, Melissa, Keaton & Halsey SmithChristopher & Kelli SmithJerome & Helen Smith – in honor of Dr. Sara Shubel

Rich & Abby SorotaEric & Sarah StarckBrian ’96 & Amy SteketeeBo & Monica StoverPeter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89Chris VandenBerg ’74 & Betsy NeubigJoseph Vanden Bosch, ‘86Tanya Vanden BoschAnn Devine Wahl, ‘55Brad Welch, ‘91Charles B. Welch, ‘05James ’65 & Jane Welch FoundationMark & Allison ’89 WhiteKyle Williams & Vanessa BradleyCharles Winslow & Judy SopelandThe Wisniewski FamilyBob ’92 & Tracy WolfordBob & Susan WolfordRobert C. Woodhouse, Jr., ‘72Chad Zagel & Ellie FreyBryant & Marcia Zanko

Matching Gift DonorsCDK Global, LLC Steelcase Foundation TEGNA Foundation

JIMMY GERKEN FUND Kyle Casillas, ‘06Glenna Paukstis, ‘55The Secchia Family

LINDA KEHM KINDNESS COUNTSSCHOLARSHIP FUNDLakeside Elementary PTO

PERFORMING ARTSFUNDDan ’77 & Julie ’85 HorningJanet L. Stauss ’65 Trust

REID VANGELDERENMEMORIAL ANDSCHOLARSHIP FUNDJonathan GluckCharles D. GoodyearJeffrey Hilliard

WE THE PEOPLE FUNDRobert Goodrich, ‘58Lexy McCullochMike & Suzanne Moore

ENDOWMENT FUND SUPPORTERS

MEMORIAL GIFTSJulie C. Conway, ‘89Anonymous

Terry M. Conway, ‘64Anonymous

Catherine Webber Curtis, ‘64Lee Webber Porter, ‘58

Robert Devine, ‘64Lou & Carol Murray, ‘64

Lewis Edison, ‘76Suzanne Case Edison, ‘75

Bob Eleveld, ‘54Tom ’71 & Vicki ’70 Kimball

Bill & Kathy ’59 LaidlawPeter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89

Kenneth D. Ellis, ‘47Frances S. Ellis

Dr. Dan Fox, ‘59Denny ’59 & MaryAnn Gray

Meg Genow, ‘00Erik Daly ’00 & Jessica Bloom

John R. Gillett, ‘66Tom ’71 & Vicki ’70 Kimball

Sarah Hall, ‘87Cary Bailen, ’90

Kimberly Kell, ‘93Susan Wittenbach, ‘64

Bill Hart, ‘58Bob Hart, ‘57

Brian Hire, ‘69Rob ’68 & Robin Easley

Jonathon Hoane, ‘88Tom & Sue Hoane

Albert HoffRobert & Elaine Hoff

Ruth Paley Hogan, ‘40DeWitt Morrill, ‘40

Zachary House, ‘11Dirk ’63 & Lisa ’76 Buth & FamilyThe Malewitz Family

Keeland Johns, ‘13Larry & Lee Nelson Weber

Linda KehmThe Giving Gardens – Steve & Margaux Drake

Harry, Evelyn & Chuck ’64 LawfordAnne Lawford Krawczak, ‘60

Elisabeth “Lissie” Lawrence-LeelingBarbara Cone

Bob BaileyBarbara Cone

Paul E. Beard, ‘96Laurie Beard

Amy BennettSarah Frey Rose

Joan E. BlantyBarbara Cone

Donna BoorsteinWilliam Boorstein

Mike CaryBarbara ConeLou & Carol Murray, ‘64

Thank you to our current L. NeesleyLegacy Society members:Linda KehmLouise Hitt NeesleyJanet L. StaussPeter & Joan SecchiaRemembering theFoundation in your estateplan is a lasting gift to education.


Sherman Massingham, ‘40Nancy Massingham

Marion MetcalfSam ’63 & Barb ’64 Metcalf

Beverly MoreyEGR Admin Lead TeamEGR Middle School Staff

Jane NicholsJack Nichols

Susan Emmons Nolan, ‘85Jim ’85 & Susan Weiss

Coach Bob PorterChuck Jennings, ‘57

Irma StauffacherIsidore & Cary Okoro

Jacob Steffee, ‘00Erik Daly ’00 & Jessica Bloom

Billy Swaney, ‘81Tom ’77 & Sue ’78 Swaney

Rusty Swaney, ‘51Jean Swaney, ‘51Tom ’77 & Sue ’78 Swaney

Shirley Swaney, ‘49Tom ’77 & Sue ’78 Swaney

“Bubba” Dorothy TupperTom ’71 & Vicki ’70 Kimball

Tracy TupperDick ’72 & Kathleen ’73 Tupper

Peter VandenBerg, ‘76Stuart Wegener, ‘71

Charlie Wallau, ‘14Barbara Cone

Jim “Lamar” Wendell, ‘59Denny ’59 & MaryAnn Gray

Richard N. Wolf, ‘50Muriel D. Wolf

Micah Wynn, ‘10Jeanine Dailey

Andy Lubbers, ‘92Dorothy Ciner Armstrong

Wade Mackay, ‘77Mark Zabroske, ‘77

Sara Galvan MagañaBarbara ConeMichael & Carole McDonald

Roger Martindill, ‘62Nancy Seymour, ‘62

CLASS REUNION GIFTSClass of 1952 - $185

Class of 1957 - $500

Class of 1967 - $1,500Bill BaxterCharles “Chip” CurtisMargaret IdemaJudy KnapeMartha Runnells Moyer

Sue Noreen MurphyJim PetersonDave ThoitsClass of ’67 gift

Class of 1977 - $7,700Penny Minhinnick BurnsScott ChampionTrisha Jillson CorneliusAbby DilleyPeter Hallas

Amy Dolphin HaskinsNeil KimballScott LoveLynne Boyles MarinoCurt MathenyBrian PhillipsTom SwaneyGrace Mueller ThorntonVincent TurcotteKarin McAleenan Turmelle

Tom WantyClass of ’77 gift

Class of 1987 - $808Julie Sebastian AndrewsSandy Secchia AslanianMaggie Catchick HoughtonElizabeth HenryPete JohnsonPatrick McCarthyElaine Sellas Milnes

Ingrid NelsonLisa RippergerClass of ’87 gift

Class of 1997 - $575Ted BalckJaime Cutler WeibelClass of ’97 gift

Class of 2017 - $6,050Class of ‘17 graduation gift

Class of ‘77 Makes Extraordinary Reunion Gift After their 40th reunion last fall, members of the Class of ’77 decided theywanted to do something special for East Grand Rapids. At the Foundation BoardMeeting in December, they did just that, presenting a check to the Foundation for$7,700. “We are so fortunate to have a Foundation that’s committed to the school system and community,” said Johnny Liu, one of the class members who presentedthe check. “EGR and its school system were a gift growing up,” says Lynne Boyles Marino’77. “You often don’t realize what you have until you move away. It’s a pleasure togive back to a place that has been the springboard for my life. EGR was my ‘Foundation.’ Community is what we are all about and EGR is our community. The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation helps keep our community strong andvital. With our gift, we hope to continue that legacy.” The donation was made up of individual contributions and money thatwas left in the reunion fund. “Schools today are faced with shrinking budgetsand EGR is no exception,” said another classmate, Diane Schroeder. “Our reunion not only provided a great opportunity to reconnect as a class, butgave us the chance to give back and help students and staff enjoy many of the extras that were readily available to us during our time there. It’s trulyhumbling to be able to do that.” And Cecilia Cunningham summed up the motivation for the Class of’77’s donation: “The bonds of friendship formed while at EGR have lasted a lifetime. The educational experiences were some of thefinest. The faculty were some of the top teachers in the state. The community is unparalleled in its support of our schools. Now, weare in a position to assist the next generation. It is our pleasure! Go Pioneers!”

Memorial Gifts (continued)


HURRAH! 2017 Lead UnderwritersAnonymousBrightFormat CWD Greenridge Realty

$2,500 Sponsors Founders Brewing Co.Hoekstra Transportation, Inc.Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Andrew Norden, RealtorNorris Perné & FrenchThe Starck & Wolford Families Wiser Contract Furniture

$1,000 SponsorsMarty & Sue ’56 AllenScott & Natalie Bernecker, ‘89Central Michigan PaperChristopherson & Caldwell OrthodonticsTed & Claudine DuncanJohn & Deanna GreenJoe & Katy LevanDoug & Stacey MaasMeijerBrian, Megan, Anabel & Olivia MillerNorthern TrustRecco ProductsSix-Tech Security

Stellafly Social MediaRuss & Chris Visner

$500 SponsorsNick & Shellie AdamyDavid ’55 & Mary Kay ’57 BerlesBob & Val BerneckerTom & Alexis BoydenKevin & Eileen BraderMike ’89 & Lisa ByamCharter IndustriesDave ’57 & Nancy CookJoe ’82 & Amy CorettiMimi CummingsErik Daly ’00 & Jessica BloomBrad ’88 & Kim ’89 DitmarBrian ’78 & JoAnn EllisJeff & Katie ’97 FlermoenJoel & Shannon IakiriKeil Lasik Vision CenterBarbara KellerAndrea LeistraJeff ’91 & Shannon MacKeiganSuzie MacKeiganBernie & Patti MalewitzThe Marx FamilyMatthew ’86 & Jill MillerSteve & Katie MillmanMark & Barb PeriardJohn Preston & Melissa VanderZyden

Reagan Marketing + DesignMike & Trish ’89 ReidSteve ’80 & Amy RockwellAl & Kim RossiMatt ’90 & Diana SchadBrian Schwartz ’84 & Elizabeth Welch ‘88County Commissioner Phil SkaggsSynergy West RemodelingNick & Amy TholeValleau, VanDeven & Massie Dentistry for ChildrenKyle Williams & Vanessa BradleyEric & Kathy WynsmaJack ’77 & Jennifer ’83 Zinser

$250 SponsorsChris & Emily BackusJon & Lisa BaermannMartin & Catherine BlagdurnWilliam BoorsteinMike & Deb CorbyJohn & Mary DerschMichael & Jenny ’87 Fee

David & Nancy HejnaMatt & Katie ’93 McIntoshChris & Michelle RabideauJames ’87 & Deb SearsMichael Tomich & Jeanne GlowickiMark & Allison ’89 WhiteChad Zagel & Ellie Frey

SupportersScott Broersma & Amy JonkerMitch ’83 & Jeanne CookThe Freiburger FamilyKevin & Kasey HaglerMark & Tina HesslerDavid & Jennifer KirchgessnerBob & Laurie LaarmanJim ’81 & Sue ’82 McLainBruce & Cathy Olson & FamilySheila PantlindJeff Schad & Marilyn LankferSteve & Mary SchwartzDavid & Donna SwigersNicholas & Amanda Velting

Food and Beverage SponsorsBig Bob’s PizzaD’Arts Donut ShopDerby StationGrand Rapids Garage Bar & GrillJet’s PizzaJosé Babushka’sKitchen SageLove’s Ice CreamMokaya Artisan Chocolate and ConfectionsMonica’s Gourmet CookiesOlive’s Restaurant & BarOsta’s Lebanese CuisinePietro’s Italian Restaurant/Three Chefs CateringRamona’s TableRose’s on Reeds LakeSchuil Coffee Co.SubwayTrailhead CaféTwo Scotts Barbecue

GERKEN OPEN2017$1,200 SponsorsAnonymousScott & Natalie Bernecker, ‘89HNI Risk ServicesImageQuestLacks Enterprises, Inc.Miller Johnson AttorneysProMedicoRonda Auto CentersThe Starck & Wolford FamiliesSwaney SalesWeb Traffic Partners

$600 SponsorsCole’s Quality FoodsCuster, Inc.Design Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.Metro Health-University of Michigan Health Cancer CenterSalesPadTwo Men and a Truck

$200 SponsorsDan Bogo – DB SalesDooge Veneers, Inc.GLT PackagineRick & Carol GodfreyGrand Rapids Label Co.Jane Boeschenstein Family DentistryJohnny Mac’s Sporting GoodsLaw Offices of Sean Patrick Cox, P.L.L.C.Lighthouse GroupNanoplas, Inc.Northstar CommercialRhoades McKee AttorneysTerryberryVETSports – Randy Tharp

SupportersMeijerGlenna Paukstis, ‘55

SAVE THE DATE!APRIL 21, 2018

Last year was the last HURRAH!This year’s fundraising event will be held on April 21

at the EGR Community Center and Wege Plaza.

Join us in support of our schools!

East Grand RapidsSchools Foundation

EVENTS


Enhancement Grants Provided by EGRSF – Fall 2017Support Provided School Amount

Stories Connect Us – Revitalizing the Elementary Learning Commons Breton Downs, Lakeside, Wealthy $11,806Instruction and enrichment in all elementary learning commons Classroom Set of Ukuleles Lakeside $2,22530 ukuleles to complement set already existing at Breton DownsZoning in on a Culture of Inclusion Middle School $9,032Multi-day training on leadership and inclusion for students and teachers in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Also MLK Day speakerBicycle Window Art Middle School $2,862Public art design, creation and implementation in the middle schoolDebating the Documents: U.S. History Resource High School $1,76051 lessons centered around historical questions and investigations3D Printer Middle School $1,031For use in the science classroomsEGR Robotics – CNC Router High School $5,474Table-top CNC router for use by Robotics team and other courses in the high schoolMiddle School Classroom Libraries Middle School $15,400Building breadth, depth and diversity in middle school classroom librariesMarch Madness Books Breton Downs, Lakeside, Wealthy $5,873International program where tournament bracket competition is set up between books for 3 years of competitionBook Love – High School Edition High School $1,500Books and alternative seating options to increase engagement and literary optionsiPad for English as a Second Language Students High School $464Supports vocabulary building and listening comprehensionEGRHS Science Olympiad High School $600Registration, competitions and building suppliesiPad Pro for Making Flipped Classroom Videos High School $645Social Studies Trade Books Middle School $715Select trade and picture books to serve as companions to all 8th grade unitsNational Council of Teachers of English Conference Middle School $790Opportunity for an EGR teacher to present a session with poet Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and showcase past students' poetry worksMakerBot Digitizer (3D Scanner) High School $800Allows students to scan objects and replicateSecond Grade Classroom Libraries – Below Grade Level Lakeside $800Extends the variety of leveled books in the classroom to support Lucy Calkins' units of studyHeadphones for Spanish Class High School $53935 two-way headphones with microphone attached for use with oral assessmentsENHANCEMENT GRANT TOTAL $62,316PROGRAM SUPPORT TOTAL $255,000EGRNow! provided funding toward K-1 paraeducators, the worldlanguage program, and the Performing Arts Center managementfor the 2017-18 school year.


East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation

“STARS”Gifts to the Foundation were made to honor stars in our schoolcommunity. Below is the list of gifts made during the Fall of2017 recognizing a special teacher, staff member or school employee. Thank you to the many contributors and to themany outstanding staff members who make East Grand RapidsPublic Schools a great place to learn!

Bill Bergstrom, JD Collins, Bryon Higgins, Rob Kowalewski, Joe Taylor,Matt Vriesenga 2017 7th Grade Football Team

Jimmy Gerken Awardof Appreciation and Thanks –

Fall 2017To recognize a coach who has made an impact

Deanna AllchinThe Adamy Family

Carlye Allen The Adamy Family

Mike Arthur EGR Crew Team

Steve Brinks Charlie Connor Sam Connor

Dan Brown Charlie Connor Joshua Klug

Mary Buzalski Scott, Maddie, Claire & Matt Millman

Harry Coffill Nick Collins

Michelle Day The Faber Family

Lori Dood The Duncan Family

Michael Dykstra Charlie Connor

Larry Frazier Sam Connor

Christy Gast The Duncan Family

Jeanne Glowicki The Murkowski-Goller Family

Erin Grin The Faber Family

Beth Hill Sam Connor

Chris Kenward The Duncan Family

Betsy Kratt The Duncan Family

Holly Lampen Charlie ConnorSam Connor

John MacKenzie The Duncan Family

Susan McCaffrey Charlie Connor

Socorro Mercado-Blackport Ben Collins

Megan Miller The Adamy Family

Cassandra Rood The Duncan Family

Tim Saunders The Adamy Family

Danielle Smith Charlie Connor

Jill Smith Sam Connor

Chris Stabile The Duncan Family

Kevin Vance Charlie Connor The Duncan Family

Tad VandenBrink Jack Collins

Jodi Westgate The Duncan Family

Laura Woolford Sam Connor

Sarah Youngs Sam Connor

Don’t forget to recognize your spring coaches with a JimmyGerken Award of Appreciation and Thanks!

L. Neesley Legacy Society Recognizes the Lasting Power of Planned Giving

Every donation to support education is an investment in thefuture. Funding school programs gives students of today and tomorrow every opportunity to succeed.

A donation made through planned giving takes that investment in the future one step further. Planned giving to theEast Grand Rapids Schools Foundation is an investment in education for generations to come.

“A planned gift to the Foundation shows unconditional support for our schools and our community,” says FoundationExecutive Director Amy Stuursma. “We live in a communitythat is built around our schools and educational excellence. Aplanned gift is a way of memorializing that commitment to ourcommunity.”

When individuals name the East Grand Rapids SchoolsFoundation in their estate plans, they become part of the L.Neesley Legacy Society and continue to benefit East GrandRapids Schools even after their lifetime.

Louise Hitt Neesley didn’t have any children. She and herhusband, Nate, were longtime residents of East Grand Rapids.She was on the boards of several local organizations. She loved towork in her garden. And Louise loved to walk from her houseup to Gaslight and over to the public library, a path that wouldhave taken her right past East Grand Rapids High School.

Something she saw or heard or experienced on those walkspast the high school must have made quite an impression onLouise. When she passed away in 2006, at age 91, Louise donated a portion of her estate to the East Grand RapidsSchools Foundation.

“As a member of the East Grand Rapids community, Louiserecognized the importance of education and understood thevalue of our schools and the impact the Foundation can have onour public schools,” Stuursma says. “By making the Foundationpart of her estate plan, Louise demonstrated her understandingof how important our schools are to our community.”

If you have any questions about the L. Neesley Legacy Society,or any aspect of planned giving, please contact the Foundation. We’dbe happy to talk to you about making a lasting investment in ourcommunity and our children’s future.

A special thank you to Kim Bardeggia, KimBolt, Bethany Bregenzer, Tanya Craig,Doreen Lambert, Mari Persons and AmyRockwell for their volunteer hours in the Foundation office.


ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Bill Spindle, '81 is the Wall Street Journal'ssenior writer for global energy issues. Previously, he was the Middle East BureauChief for the Journal and has covered the financial industry in Japan and on WallStreet.

What was your path from East Grand Rapidsto where you are now in life?

Circuitous, although looking back I suppose there’s a logic that wasn’t so clear as itwas all happening. After working at the studentpaper at the University of Michigan, I careenedthrough various freelance and full time jobs injournalism: a few months at the Grand Rapids

Press, the Ann Arbor News and then — after a year at Columbia University’s graduate journalism school in New York — Newsday onLong Island.

In 1992 I moved to Japan with my wife, who needed to do herfield research for a PhD in Japanese art history. I worked at Business-Week magazine and Bloomberg News in Tokyo before landing at TheWall Street Journal. Eventually I moved to the Journal’s main office inNew York — which directly across the street from the World TradeCenter — to become assistant foreign editor. That was early in 2001.With our toddler and newborn, we got an apartment two blocks fromthe office, on opposite side of the Towers. Six months later, the 9-11attacks completely destroyed the Journal’s offices, though miraculouslyno one at the paper was killed or injured. I got out of our offices beforethe worst of it. My family and I then made a relatively harrowing escape from lower Manhattan.

But the attacks thrust me into more than a decade of editing andreporting about the Middle East. We were based in Rome for severalyears, then Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. I was in Iraq forparts of the U.S. occupation and its aftermath, and in Syria both

before and after it collapsed into civil war. I’ve made almost a dozen reporting trips to Iran, as well as Israel and nearly every other countryin the Middle East. Along this journey I’ve written about everythingfrom the Japanese automobile industry, Arabic-language TV shows,Iran’s youth music culture, the collapse of global financial markets,ISIS, OPEC and the global cashew nut industry. I currently live andwork in India, based in New Delhi.

What specific thing did you learn in East that has enabled you tobe successful?

I think I learned to appreciate the value of learning — of learninghow to learn. That’s been my bread and butter as a journalist, quicklymaking sense of and then explaining so many different things while retaining a healthy appreciation of just how much you don’t know andunderstand.

What were you like in school?Curious and confident enough to get myself into classes where I

usually then was awed by how smart the other students were. I managed, but often with considerable struggle.

Did you have a favorite teacher or class?Bert Froysland instilled a love of language and appreciation for

the discipline that went into the best writing. I was dazzled by the intelligence of teachers in the science department and came away witha lifelong fascination with physics and have even put some vaguely recalled knowlege of chemistry to work while writing about the energyindustry, my struggles in those classes notwithstanding.

What advice do you have for young East alums who are just starting out?

Don’t dismiss simply doing something that’s fun and interesting.Amazing where that can take you....

To read more on Bill and other alumni, go towww.egrsf.org.

A VIRTUAL CUP OF COFFEE WITH BILL SPINDLE, ‘81

The Class of 1997 came H.O.M.E. (House of Music and Entertainment at the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids) to celebrate their 20th reunion.


UPCOMING REUNIONSMark your calendars for these upcoming 2018 reunions! Find additionalreunion information on our Upcoming Alumni Events page atwww.egrsf.org.

Class of 1958 – 60th ReunionJune 8-9, 2017Reunion contact Murry Idema at [email protected].

Class of 1968 – 50th Reunion September 21-23, 2018Reunion contact Jeff Hudson at [email protected].

Class of 1978 – 40th ReunionOctober 6, 2018Reunion conact Laura Young at [email protected].

Class of 1988 – 30th ReunionOctober 5-6, 2018Reunion contact Elizabeth Welch at [email protected].

Class of 1998 – 20th ReunionJuly 28, 2018Reunion contact Sarah (Stiehl) Tupper at [email protected].

Class of 2008 – 10th ReunionDate TBDReunion contact Maxwell Mikelic at [email protected].

Reunion information and contacts are needed for 1953, 1963,1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013.

Consider a class gift to our endowment, EGRFOREVER!, inyour reunion planning. Make a lasting impact on generations ofEGR students to come. “We are EGR!”

IN REMEMBRANCEWe extend our deepest condolences to the families and friendsof the following alumni who died since our last publication.They will be greatly missed.

Class of 1939Margaret (Rittenger) Campbell RogersHelen (Parsons) Nobel

Class of 1943Will Bottje

Class of 1947Marjorie (Olds) Leenhouts

Class of 1948Katherine (Hogg) McAleenanPriscilla (Goodspeed) Shuart

Class of 1950Noel Black

Class of 1957Lynn S. (Keister) EleveldRobert Meek

Class of 1960Mary Sue Jack

Class of 1964Robert DevineWillard Bukhardt

Class of 1965Janet StaussD. William RuoffRichard Closterhouse

Class of 1967Elizabeth (Neuman) MusteMarguerite Rowland

Class of 1972Drusilla Hillman-Richard

Class of 1974Bradford Loomis

Class of 1976Marc Wilkinson

Class of 1977Karla Mae Jacobus

Class of 1987Sarah HallSteven Saltsman

Class of 2000Margaret Genow

Class of 2010Micah Wynn

Class of 2014Charles Wallau

Don’t Delay – Start Planning Your Reunion Today!Your alumni association is available to support your reunion

planning efforts. Contact Maria Allen, Alumni RelationsCoordinator, today at [email protected] or (616) 575-9907.

The planning committee for the Class of 1967 50th Reunion

Take a look at the Class News page on our website,www.egrsf.org,and you will see the variety of information that is being shared, i.e.,weddings, births, new jobs, accomplishments/awards, retirements,reunions, photos, etc. You too can share your news with us, allowing alumni to find information from their classmates quicklyand easily. Contact the class agent listed for your class year or contact Maria Allen at [email protected] or (616)235-3535. If you don’t see a class agent listed for your class year, you can signup to be one.

We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please help us stay informed by calling us at(616)235-3535 or emailing [email protected].

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Foundations February 2018Volume XXXVIII

Thank you for supporting East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation.Please include this form with your donation. You will receive a letter of receipt for your tax-deductible gift. If you would like to make your donation online please visit our website: www.egrsf.org.

Please make checks payable to: East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation. Donations may be sent to: 2915 Hall St. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 or donate online at: www.egrsf.org

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