History Alumni
On this page you can read news from History Alumni.
Please send additions and updates to the department
secretary.
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From Edward and Margery (Harder) Bennett (1952)
Edward Bennett and his wife, Margery (Harder) Bennett, both
graduated from Butler in 1952 with degrees in history.
Edward has a wealth of experience teaching in universities;
serving on committees and national organizations; writing articles,
essays and books; making speaking appearances; reviewing books and
manuscripts and much more. The majority of his work,
extending from the early '60s to the early '90s, was with
Washington State University. His national experience includes
reviewing grant applications for the National Endowment for the
Humanities, as well as the U.S. Department of Education. He
has been honored with numerous awards, including Outstanding
Teaching Award on more than one occasion. Since 1976 he has
been included in Who's Who in America.
Edward and his wife, Margery, have partnered in writing
publications through the years. Edward says that Margery is
his research assistant, editor, typist, partner, and you name
it. Added Fall 2010
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From James Brainard (1976)
After graduation from Butler, I received a Juris Doctor from
Ohio Northern University and a diploma from the University of San
Diego Institute on Comparative and international Law.
I was elected Mayor of Carmel, Indiana in 1996 and have served
in that position since then, having re-elected three
times.
I served as President of the Butler Alumni Association in the
1980's and as a Trustee of the University.
As Mayor, I have presided over one of the fastest growing cities
in the country. I was elected as a one of thirteen Trustees
of the US Conference of Mayors and serve with the mayors of major
cities throughout the US.
I have been quoted recently in time Magazine, the Financial
Times of London, the Christian Science Monitor and many other
publications. I have instituted the use of roundabouts in
Carmel, building more than any other city in the US resulting in a
city wide per mile decrease in injury accidents of over
65%.
In 2008 I received the US Conference of Mayors Climate
Protection Award beating out over 100 eligible
cities. Brief bio for James
Brainard
Added Fall 2010.
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From DeAnna (Brunner) Poon (2000)
DeAnna (Brunner) Poon graduated from Butler in 2000 with a
history degree. She continued her education earning a J.D. from Ave
Maria School of Law. After law school DeAnna joined the Indiana
Utility Regulatory Commission as an Administrative Law Judge. In
addition to her work, she serves as a board member for USS
Indianapolis Museum. DeAnna is married to Peter Poon.
Added Fall 2010
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From Rhea Cain (2003)
I completed my MBA from the University of Indianapolis focusing
on Not for Profit Marketing and Public Relations in August of 2008.
Currently I am employed with Follett Higher Education Group, but
continue to do quite a bit of volunteer work, too. I have been
working at the Indiana Medical History Museum since 2000 as a
docent, but also do research on collections, help with grant
proposals, and public programs. In the past year, I worked to
revamp the League of Women Voters of Indianapolis' newsletter and
continue to volunteer with the League on various projects as well
as compiling the quarterly newsletter. My goal is to find a
position in Indianapolis--preferably in the Not for Profit
sector. Added Fall 2010
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From Krista (Chernausky) Ruud (2005)
Krista (Chernausky) Ruud is a 2005 graduate from Butler,
majoring in secondary education, and minoring in history. She
continued her education at the University of Illinois, earning an
MS in Library & Information Science in 2010. Krista has been
able to apply her expertise teaching US history and social studies
to 8th graders in both Kansas City and Urbana, Illinois.
She currently serves in a middle school in Urbana as Library Media
Specialist. Krista's other accomplishments include presenting at
Write Traits in 2007 and 2008, as well as being involved with the
American History Teachers Collaborative as a fellow and a presenter
for three years, from 2008-10. She volunteers her time at Windsor
Road Christian Church with high school students. Krista and her
husband, Collin Ruud (BA '04), have a one-year old son, Colton
Michael. Added Fall 2010
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From Zachary Fuqua (1997)
I graduated from Butler in 1997 with a BA in History. I
continued my education at Lexington Theological Seminary where I
earned a Master of Divinity in 2002. I recently started work
toward a PhD in Higher Education - Policy Studies. Following
that I served at the Seminary for 4 years in admissions and
recruitment. Currently, I work at the University of Kentucky
as an Academic Advisor. I work specifically with freshmen and
sophomores who are still exploring their major. I live in
Lexington, KY and am married to Holly Spencer Fuqua and we have two
beautiful children Kennedy and Spencer. I am so thankful for
the experience I had at Butler where I learned a valuable lesson
that I try to instill in my current students, choose a major you
will love. Then, find a job you will love and utilize the
skills you learned within that major. I have found that while
I don't use history in a direct way, the skills and information I
learned through that degree are used daily.
Added Fall 2010
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From Stephanie Hicks (2005)
I graduated in 2005 with a Minor in History (my Major was in
Finance). After graduation, I went to law school at Wayne
State University Law School in Detroit. I graduated cum
laude in 2008. I am currently practicing with Cardelli,
Lanfear, & Buikema, P.C. in Royal Oak, MI focusing on insurance
defense.
Also, I focused a lot on German history for my minor, and took
several classes with Prof. Cornell that I really enjoyed. I
backpacked through Germany right after the bar exam in August 2008
for a month, and visited a lot of places that I studied during
Prof. Cornell's classes (especially his contemporary Germany and
history of Berlin class). Added Fall
2010
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From Jim Knytych (2005)
Jim Knytych graduated from Butler in 2005, with a history
degree. He continued his education, earning a Masters in Education
from St. Xavier University in Chicago. Jim is now teaching Social
Studies at Plainfield East High School. In addition to teaching, he
also serves as Assistant Varsity Baseball coach at the school. Jim
is married to Alissa Davis, who is a 2007 Butler
graduate. Added Fall 2010
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From David Locke (1992)
David Locke graduated with
a history degree from Butler in 1992. He continued his education,
earning his J.D. at Indiana University School of Law in 1995. After
graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, he served as a
federal law clerk for the late Chief Judge Allen Sharp. He then
turned to private practice with Stuart & Branigin, where he
received Martindale-Hubbell's top, AV® peer-review rating from
fellow lawyers and judges.
An experienced litigator, David helps to continue the firm's
long-time commitment to the defense of railroads. His 1994 Note,
titled "Counter-speech as an Alternative to Prohibition: Proposed
Federal Regulation of Tobacco Promotion in American Motorsport,"
was selected for publication in the Indiana Law Journal.
The Note provided a unique bridge between his earlier profession as
a racing driver in the Sports Car Club of America's Can-Am
Challenge Cup series and a career in the law.
David went on to become editor-in-chief of the Indiana Law
Journal. David has been admitted to practice before the U.S.
Supreme Court and holds memberships in the National Association of
Railroad Trial Counsel, the Defense Research Institute, and other
professional associations.
Outside the office, he has served as president of the Lafayette
Christian School Board of Trustees and is back on the race track in
the Sports Car Club of America's club racing program.
David and his wife, Tracy, have been married since 1995, and
have a daughter, Erin, who is 12 years old. Added Fall
2010
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From John Messner (1999)
John Messner graduated from Butler in 1999 with a BA in history.
He continued his education at the University of Leicester, England,
where he earned an MA in Museum Studies in 2001. John has served as
Curator for several museums, including the Museum of Science and
Industry in Manchester; the World of Glass Museum in St. Helens,
England; and the National Football Museum in Preston, England.
Today he is Curator for the Museum of Transport in Glasgow,
Scotland, with a goal of expanding the collection there, and making
it more accessible to the public. John is married to Heather
Milligan of Stewarton, Scotland. Added Fall
2010
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From Patrick Reilly (2002)
Patrick Reilly graduated from Butler in 2006 with a history
degree. He continued his education, earning his J.D. from Ohio
State University in 2009. After law school, Patrick joined the firm
of Baker & Daniels LLP in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is married to
Molly (Callon) Reilly, who is also a Butler graduate.
Added Fall 2010
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From John Schuchman(1961)
After my wonderful education as a history major at the hands of
Beeler, Thornbrough, Silver, Comfort, and of course Waller followed
by graduate degrees from Bloomington, I went on to become a history
professor and VP for Academic Affairs at Gallaudet College in
Washington, DC. During the course of that career, colleagues
and I developed what is now referred to as "Deaf community
history." Personally, I completed work on the history of
film/television and its impact on the lives and image of deaf
people in the United States, oral history techniques with deaf
subjects, and finally on the Holocaust experiences of deaf
persons. Now that I am retired, my wife and I are
downsizing.
My hope is to donate my collection of deaf history monographs to
Butler's Irwin Library. I believe it runs to about 90 volumes
or so. I plan to bring the collection to Butler sometime in
2011 which is the 50th anniversary of my graduation in 1961.
For those who might be puzzled by my connection to deafness, I
should add that my parents were profoundly deaf and went to
the school for the deaf there in
Indianapolis. Added Fall 2010
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From Susan (Saunders) Stepleton (1970)
After Susan (Saunders) Stepleton's 1970 graduation from Butler
with a BA in history, she continued her education earning an
MA, MSW, MBA and a PhD in Policy Analysis and
Administration. Since 2002, she has served as President and
CEO for the Parents as Teachers National Center, which is an
international early childhood parent support and education
program. Prior to 2002 Susan served in various social
services administrative positions, including 13 years as Executive
Director for Edgewood Children's Center, an organization which
works with severely emotionally and behaviorally challenged
children. Susan was awarded the CORO community Leadership
Award; has been recognized as Distinguished Alum at two
universities; was honored with the Reinhold Niebuhr Servanthood
Award…and has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from
Webster University. Through the years, Susan has volunteered
for the Child Welfare League, the Brown School of Social Work, the
Eden Theological Seminary, the Missouri Women's Forum and the St.
Louis YWCA. Susan is married and has two adult
children. Added Fall 2010
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From Elton (Gene) Sullivan (1971)
Elton (Gene) Sullivan is a 1971 Butler graduate with a BA degree
in history. He is owner of Athletic Enterprises, which is a sales
agency representing numerous sporting goods manufacturers
throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He and his wife, Deborah, have
two children and two grandchildren. Elton is looking to retire to
South Carolina in 2013. Added Fall
2010
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From Andrew Zach (2005)
Andrew Zach graduated with a BA in history and
political science from Butler in May 2005, Since
then, Andrew has lived in Washington,
DC, working for the U.S. House of
Representatives. He worked for Congressman Jim
Sensenbrenner prior to working for the House Select Committee on
Energy Independence and Global Warming. In December
2009, Andrew completed the Professional MBA program from
George Washington University, with a concentration in
Strategic Management and Public Policy. Andrew was a founding
member of the Butler University Washington, DC Alumni Chapter and
continues to serve on the chapter's steering committee.
Added Fall 2010