NSU Alumni Association Announces Board Changes

TAHLEQUAH - Northeastern's Alumni Association welcomed several new members to its Board of Directors for Spring 2006, including a new president, vice president, president elect, and four new board members. Serving as avid supporters of the University, each board member plays an integral part in promoting the growth and mission of the Alumni Association.

"On behalf of the NSU Alumni Association, I would like to welcome our new board members," said Anita Thompson, director of Alumni Relations. "I look forward to working with all the members in serving the University and its alumni."

Ron Evans (Collinsville) will be serving as the new president of the Alumni Association. Evans received his bachelor of science degree in Education in 1960 and a masters in Education in 1964. Evans retired from a teaching and coaching career in 1999. He has been an instrumental volunteer for the Nifty Fifties Alumni group and has helped organize numerous reunions for alumni that graduated in the late '50s and early '60s. Evans is also chairman of Collinsville High School Nifty Fifties, serves on the Miss Collinsville Board, and maintains a web site for both the NSU and Collinsville High School Nifty Fifties groups.

The Alumni Association welcomes Mary Battenfield (Tulsa) as its new vice president. Battenfield earned a bachelor of science in Elementary Education in 1960. While at NSU, she was a cheerleader, vice president of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and was Phi Sigma Epsilon Sweetheart. After teaching for eight years, Battenfield became a stay-at-home mom and property manager for 32 years. She volunteers for many community services in Tulsa.

The new president elect is Jared Webster (Oktaha). Webster graduated from NSU in 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics Education and received a master of Education degree in 2002. While at NSU, he served as president of the President's Leadership Class and received the 2000 Jack Kaufman Outstanding Senior Male Award. Webster is currently Student Support Services Academic Advisor at Connors State College and maintains an active membership in the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Martha (Poyner) Dickerson (Springfield, MO), Stella Goudeau (Tulsa), Gregg Simmons (Tahlequah), and Emily Lim (Tulsa) were recently elected as the Association's newest board members.

Martha (Poyner) Dickerson earned a bachelor of science in Education in 1951. While at Northeastern, she was active in Alpha Sigma Alpha, was president of the Women's Student Governing Board, worked on the Tsa La Gi, and was named Who's Who. Dickerson is active with the Alpha Sigma Alpha Alumnae Group and the NSU's Fast Forties Alumni Group. Since retiring, Dickerson enjoys her time painting, doing needlework, and traveling with her husband Richard.

Stella Goudeau received a bachelor of science in 1973. During her time at Northeastern, Goudeau was involved in Phi Beta Lambda and was a member of the Alpha Bets. She currently is the president of the Oklahoma chapter of the National Sickle Cell Disease Association and is the national secretary for the organization. She has been a member of the Les Belle Amies civic organization for the past 28 years and has been active with the planning committee of the 1965-1985 NSU African American Alumni group. A contracts analyst for Sunoco, she and her husband Robert have two children and one grandson.

Gregg Simmons earned a bachelor of arts in Mass Communications in 1999. During his time at Northeastern, Simmons served as the editor of The Northeastern and was active in Lambda Chi Alpha, Northeastern Activities Board, and Rookie Bridge Camp. He was instrumental in the creation of the "I Love the '90s" NSU alumni group. He is currently a writer for the Cherokee Phoenix and is also a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.

Emily Lim received a bachelor of science in Chemistry in 1992. While at NSU, Lim was active in the President's Leadership Class, Northeastern Activities Board, Rookie Bridge Camp, and Delta Zeta. She served as Miss NSU 1989 and was named the Outstanding Senior Female for 1992. After spending several years teaching, she now serves as the assistant director of Telemedicine & Program Development for the OSU Center for Health Science. Lim is married to fellow alum Michael Plunkett ('93), and they have one daughter.

NSU Alumni Association board member, Michelle Naylor (Tahlequah), has been re-elected and will serve an additional three-year term. Naylor earned a bachelor of Business Administration in 1995 and a master of Business Administration in 1997. She is currently co-owner of Vidalia's in Tahlequah. She has also served as chair for the Tahlequah Main Street Board of Directors and co-chair of the Taste of Tahlequah event.

Promoting the interests and welfare of Northeastern State University, the NSU Alumni Association represents the lifelong commitment and support of its alumni and friends. The Association promotes positive interactions between the University and its alumni through a variety of activities, events, services, and communication. All graduates, former students, and others interested in Northeastern are eligible for membership in the NSU Alumni Association.

1/24/2006

Published: 2006-01-24 00:00:00