Alumni

2009 Hall of Fame Inductees

School of Business

Fernando Aguirre became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. in January 2004. He is responsible for setting the company’s day-to-day operational performance and its strategic direction. Prior to Chiquita, Mr. Aguirre spent more than 23 years in brand and general management and turnarounds at Proctor and Gamble (P&G). He began with P&G in Mexico in 1980, rising through the corporation in positions which included the leader of P&G’s first Hispanic Marketing Group, President and GM of P&G Brazil, Vice-President of P&G's global and U.S. snacks and food products, and President of global feminine care. In July 2002, Fernando Aguirre was named President of special projects, reporting directly to P&G’s Chairman and CEO.

Mr. Aguirre is a member of the International Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. He serves on the board of directors for Chiquita Brands International and the board of Coca Cola Enterprises. He was also the first chairman of the corporate advisory board he helped form at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He was inducted into the SIUE Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 for his outstanding career as a Cougar pitcher. He is also a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

Karyn Molnar could be considered a trailblazer. Her career with KPMG spanned nearly 31 years beginning in 1974. She rose through the ranks to become one of the first women promoted to audit partner. She retired in 2005 as a government services partner. Her client list included the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Madison County, the Government of the District of Columbia, the U.S. Treasury Department, The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Karyn’s professional affiliations included the AICPA, the Association of Government Accountants, the Missouri Society of CPAs, for which she served as president, and the Government Finance Officers’ Association, for which she served as a member of the Special Review Committee for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Ms. Molnar’s involvement with her community and alma mater included service on the Boards of Trustees of Southeastern University, the SIUE Foundation, the Washington Ballet, and the YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and was instrumental in mentoring and hiring SIUE students. She is also a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

College of Arts & Sciences

Gordon Bush has served more than 40 years as a public servant, with 32 of those years as an elected official. That service includes St. Clair County Assessor, two-term mayor of East St. Louis, East St. Louis Building Commissioner, East St. Louis City Treasurer, and St. Clair County Board of Review. During his tenure as mayor, Gordon Bush was elected president of the National Council of Black Mayors.

Gordon Bush is also a decorated U.S. Army veteran with 29 years service. Upon his retirement, Lieutenant Colonel Bush received the U.S. Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal. During a ceremony at the White House, President Bill Clinton presented Dr. Bush with a “Certificate of Appreciation” honoring his distinguished military career. Gordon Bush is also active on numerous boards and organizations including the NAACP, Shriners International, and the United States Army Reserves Officer Association. In 2006, the Gordon D. Bush Elementary School in East St. Louis opened in his honor. He is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and received the SIUE Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996. He is also a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

Edna J. Patterson-Petty works in a number of mediums as an artist and art therapist, but she is nationally recognized for her art quilts and the stories they convey. Her art quilt “Road to Redemption,” was specially created to commemorate Barack Obama’s presidency and was displayed in Washington during his inauguration. Ms. Patterson-Petty’s work has been exhibited in venues ranging from the St. Louis Art Museum to Antioch College in Los Angeles. One of her pieces was on display for three years at the American Embassy in Pakistan, and she has an art quilt on permanent display in Senegal, West Africa.

Ms. Patterson-Petty has received fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council and the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. She co-authored the book “Quilt Designs and Poetry Rhymes.” Her work has also been featured on the cover of African American Review, the American Art Therapy Journal, and other publications. The life-long East St. Louis resident has won many awards including the Grand Center Visionary Award and the 2008 NAACP Arts Award. She devotes a significant amount of time mentoring young artists in the region. Ms. Patterson-Petty is a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

When Bill Plaschke stepped into the office of Mass Communications Department Chair Bill Ward in 1977, Plaschke was living out of a Roxana church basement and did not have much money. What he did have, Plaschke said, was “luster.” “I'll be the best writer you’ll ever have,” Plaschke said to Ward. Ward smiled and said “We'll see.”

Plaschke would graduate in 1980, and after several stints at several newspapers, wound up as a sports columnist for the L.A. Times and as a guest on ESPN’s “Around the Horn.” Ward, Plaschke said, prepared him for the future and molded him into the reporter he is today. Although, Plaschke admits, the trial-by-fire wasn’t easy. “[Ward] used to yell at us, make us work all night,” Plaschke said of his experience at The Alestle. “I remember working all night for a story, then hopping into a car the first thing in the morning to take it to the printers.” Plaschke was a sports editor for The Alestle during his education in the Mass Communications Department, and said his most rewarding work came from oddball assignments.

First as the sports writer and later as the sports editor, Plaschke said he would write stories on “everything and anything,” even a story about a nearby little league field plagued by dangerous gasses. “When I was there, the only thing between you and your dreams was how hard you wanted to work and how much you cared,” Plaschke said. “SIUE taught you that anything was possible.” When his first internship ended, he applied to 50 more newspapers at the end of his senior year. Again, he got only one reply. This time, it was the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Fla.

At this job, and also at a previous job at the now-defunct Metro-East Journal, Plaschke came into contact with fellow classmate Rick Pierce. “Bill was always a great writer,” Pierce said, who is the Illinois editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “He’s always had that gift.” Plaschke would later find himself working for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and finally, at the L.A. Times. Plaschke said he works with people who come from more affluent schools and backgrounds, but there is one important thing about him that separates him from the rest of the pack. “I work harder,” Plaschke said. “I work with a lot of people from the Ivy Leagues and people from very exclusive backgrounds. SIUE prepares you for the real world like none other.” Plaschke suggests if people want to follow in his footsteps, they should begin by taking a chance. “I want someone who will take a chance and do the offbeat story,” Plaschke said. “I want someone who will cover the little league story, the athlete with cancer. The human aspect.”

Rance Thomas was a faculty member in Sociology/Criminal Justice and served as lead faculty/coordinator of Sociology at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey for 30 years. He became the first person in the College’s history to be granted the Professor Emeritus Award when he retired in 2002 as a professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Thomas has devoted his life to social change on campus and in the community. He has served on multiple committees of the Illinois Board of Education and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

He is the founder and president of the National Minority Caucus on Higher Education. He co-founded and is president of the North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice Organization. Dr. Thomas has received numerous awards for community leadership and service. He has served on the boards of the Madison County, Illinois Urban League, the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial, the advisory board of the SSM Depaul Health Center, and is a past president of the SIUE Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

School of Dental Medicine

Dr. Larry Osborne is currently the President of the Illinois State Dental Society. After graduation from the SIU School of Dental Medicine, Larry opened a private practice in Decatur, Ill. He is the past president of DENT-IL-PAC, and is an American Dental Association Grassroots Legislative Team Leader. Dr. Osborne is also the past Chair of the Council on Government Affairs for the ADA.

He is a member of the International Association of Orthodontics Tier 1, a founding member of the Mideastern Society of Orthodontics for General Practice Study Club in Evansville, Indiana, an alumnus of the L.D. Pankey Institute, member of the Triple Plus Club, and a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Larry is a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church ELCA having served on several committees. He is presently the treasurer of the Church Foundation. Dr. Osborne has also served on the Macon County Board of Health, chaired the March of Dimes Walk America, and chaired the Decatur Celebration Smile Contest. He is immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees of Richland Community College. He is also a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

School of Education

Ann Beatty, PhD. is the President of Psychological Associates of St. Louis, managing the company’s strategic direction and financial welfare while she continues to serve major corporations as principle advisor and educator at the CEO level. Her work includes CEO succession planning, assessment, CEO and Board evaluation, senior team building and coaching. A frequent speaker on executive development topics, Dr. Beatty has also published numerous articles on developing leadership skills and co-authored the book Making Common Sense Common Practice.

In 1997, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis presented her with the YMCA Special Leadership Award in Professions. Committed to community service, she is a Member of the Executive Board, United Way of Greater St. Louis; Member of the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis; Member of the St. Louis Women’s Forum; and President and Vice-President of the American Association of University Women. She spent seven years as a visiting professor at SIUE, remaining involved with the university as a member of the SIUE School of Education Advisory Board, and board member of the SIUE Rape and Sexual Abuse Center. She is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

Alberto Friedmann is the Head Coach of the U.S. Martial Arts Team, a World Martial Arts Champion, and Medical Researcher. One of the top martial arts competitors and coaches in the world, Eighth-Degree Black Belt Grand Master Alberto Friedmann has won more awards than can be listed. Among the highlights of his career are induction into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, 12 Gold Medals, one Silver Medal, and one Bronze Medal from the World Championships between 2000 and 2006. He was a Bronze Medalist at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel as part of Team USA, and Olympic Torch Bearer for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

His accolades reach well beyond sports. Due to his own rare disorder, Alberto Friedmann went into medical research where he has made a name for himself studying hypermobility syndromes, recovery from chronic stroke and recovery from brain injury. Among other work, he teaches course for the American College of Sports Medicine, works with athletes with disabilities, and helps stroke victims recover their walking ability and self-sufficiency. He is a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

School of Engineering

Kay Guse is the Director of Policies, Procedure and Processes for Engineering, Operations and Technology (EO&T) at Boeing. She leads the development and deployment of a common process strategy for all EO&T functions and operating groups across the corporation. Boeing employs more than 158,000 people in 49 states and 70 countries worldwide. Kay joined Boeing as an industrial engineer in flight and delivery operations of tactical fighter aircraft. Kay has served in a wide variety of capacities including Liaison Engineering, Producibility Engineering, Quality Engineering, Equipment Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering. Most recently, Kay was the Chief Systems Engineer for Global Strike Systems, where she led the implementations of requirements, change and data management; reliability/maintainability and system safety for GSS aircraft and weapons programs.

Kay is the Boeing Executive Focal for SIUE and serves on the School of Engineering Advisory Board. She is active in mentoring engineering and other employees at Boeing, and is a frequent speaker on engineering and science education and opportunities at area K-12 schools. Kay is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and former member of the Association board of directors. She is also a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

James “Jim” Heinz began his career managing construction projects for K&S Associates, Inc. and St. Louis based general contractor Kozeny-Wagner, Inc. In 1993, he founded Heinz Corporation with a vision to provide construction and engineering services to the growing wireless industry. Heinz Corporation was recognized as St. Louis’ 12th-fastest-growing privately held company by the St. Louis Business Journal, and received the 2001 St. Louis Regional Technology Fast 50 Award. After 9/11, Jim led the company to specialize in consulting and engineering for public safety communications for several high profile New York City Projects.

In 2004 Heinz Corporation was acquired by WPCS International, Inc. where Jim now serves as Executive Vice President overseeing four U.S. operation centers. Heinz is actively involved in the SIUE Construction Department and School of Engineering. He is a founding member and past President of the SIUE Construction Alumni Association, and has served as President of the Construction Advisory Committee. Jim served on the School of Engineering Industry and Professional Advisory Committee (IPAC), and is Vice President of the School of Engineering Advisory Board. He has served twice as the industry observer during the Construction Program accreditation process. He is a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

School of Nursing

Michele Brown received her bachelor of science in nursing from St. Louis University in 1974 and began a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. She retired after 34 years of service, having worked in different areas of the VA, holding positions of staff nurse, head nurse, nursing instructor, clinical manager, and nurse executive. She is a member of the Federal Women’s Hall of Fame; was the first recipient of the SIUE School of Nursing Jewels of Excellence Award as an Outstanding Alumna; was named for Excellence in Health Care by the St. Louis American Newspaper; and received a commendation for exemplary service by Dr. Michael Kussman, Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration.

Ms. Brown is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau (Honor Society of Nursing), American Nurses Association, and the Association of Nurse Executives. Michele also serves on the SIUE School of Nursing Advisory Board, the board of directors of the Assuage Transitional Home for Women, and as a Mentor St. Louis volunteer with the St. Louis Public Schools. She is also very involved in her church. She is a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

Edgar Curtis became president and chief executive officer of Memorial Health System in Springfield, Illinois on January 1, 2008. He began his career as a registered nurse at Memorial Medical Center in 1975. He went onto the hold management and administrative positions in the medical center from 1979 through 1993. In 1994, Mr. Curtis assumed responsibilities as the executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Memorial Health System, providing administrative leadership for the overall direction, coordination, and delivery of patient care services, and all other operations for Memorial Health System’s six affiliates.

Mr. Curtis is also a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a member of the task force for the Q5 Medical Industry Initiative for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and serves as a member of the Chamber’s Strategic Leadership Council. Curtis served on the Regent’s Advisory Council for Southern Illinois for the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Hospital Association, and serves as the Chairman of the Board for VHA Mid-America. He has also served on the boards of the Central Illinois Food Bank, the United Way of Central Illinois, and the Springfield Urban League. He is a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.