[ ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD ]
Wichita Alumni Advisory Board
The Friends University Wichita Alumni Advisory Board includes the following members (listed in alphabetical order):
SHERRI ANDERSENSherrie received her bachelor’s degree in physical and math education from Friends University in 1968.
As a student, Sherrie was very involved in campus life, including have served as class president her junior and senior years, participating on student council, and helping organize the annual Cherry Carnival.
Now retired, Sherrie spends her time experiencing the joys of cooking, reading, walking and traveling.
Sherrie and her husband, Richard, reside in Wichita and have two grown sons, Ryan and Drew.
DANIEL CROOKDaniel graduated from Friends University in 2005 with his master's degree in business law. He is currently employed at Bank of the West. Daniel and his wife Paula have two teenage children, Mathias and Krista.
Daniel's hobbies include spending time with his family, working around the house, reading, and working with middle-school and high-school kids at his church. He is also involved as a writer for the Friends University Masters of Business Law Campus Connection Newsletter.
Daniel is excited to " ... be a part of a group that can make a difference for Friends University, the students and community, no matter how great or small."
CLAYTON DECKINGERClayton received his bachelor’s degree in 1990 with a major in business administration and minor in computer science and information systems.
As a student, Clayton enjoyed playing soccer and participating in student council. One of his fondest college memories was living in the soccer house on the Wichita campus. He said, “We never cleaned that house once during our four years, so it was probably a good thing they demolished it and replaced it with the beautiful Green Residence Hall.”
Some of Clayton’s interests entail surviving long-distance runs and triathlons, being involved in his church, and spending time outdoors with his wife Tiffany and their four children: Eliya, Prescott, Haven and Willow.
DANIEL DE LONGEDaniel graduated from Friends University in 2007 with a bachelor’s of science degree in Management Information Systems. During his academic career, he served on the Student Government Association three of the four years with the top position on the Executive Council as Speaker of the House.
Daniel is a founding member of TkFast—a technology solutions provider, and ISAlarm—a complete security solutions company.
Daniel is married to Nicole (Goubeaux) and they are expecting their first child early November. In his free time, Daniel enjoys golfing, hunting, and entertaining the wife. He is also a member of the East YMCA Men’s Club helping the Strong Kids Campaign.
Daniel is excited to continue his mark in the history of Friends University by encouraging students and other community members to join the legacy.
CURT DEMUTHCurt graduated from Friends University in 1996 with a master of science in management degree. He and his wife, Kathleen, who is a 1992 Friends graduate, reside in Wichita.
Currently, Curt works for Spirit Aerosystems, Inc. In his spare time, he loves family activities, the outdoors, animals, music, art, cars, church, reading, physical fitness, electronics, and boating.
This is Curt’s second term on the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board. As a returning committee member, he continues to have a personal goal of helping Friends thrive as a university and for alumni to feel like a part of the Friends Family.
JENNIFER EDWARDSJennifer graduated from Friends University with three degrees: she earned her associate’s degree in 2003, completed her bachelor’s through the Business Management Program in 2005 and went on to earn her master’s degree in Organization Development in 2008.
She is currently employed with Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., and lives in Wichita with her husband Marvin and their three children, Kazuela, Deante and Karmane. Jennifer spends her free time with her family as she is actively involved with her children and their school sports and programs.
As a member of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board, Jennifer would like to see the Alumni Association continue to focus on making the students, both traditional and adult, aware of the various activities on campus.
RICK FITZGERALDRick graduated from Friends University in 1970 with a bachelor's of science degree. He recently retired from Merrill Lynch and resides with his wife Connie in Oklahoma City. They have two children: John and Shelly.
Rick is an adjunct professor at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City where he teaches finance in its master's in business administration program. Rick is also the associate editor of Prehistoric American magazine and writes for the 1970s Campus Connection newsletter for the Friends University Alumni Association.
In his spare time, Rick collects prehistoric pottery from North America (800 A.D. to 1650 A.D.) and is currently writing a book about Mississippian pottery.
CARA GRIFFITTSCara graduated from Friends University in 2001 with her degree in Business Administration, and in 2005 with her master's degree in management. She is a homemaker and is also an independent distributor of Premier Designs Jewelry. Cara and her husband Keven have three children: Samantha, Brody and Gannon. Cara's hobbies include reading, playing with her kids, and cooking.
Cara heard about Friends University when the Singing Quakers sang for her high school choir and she had to be member. One of her favorite memories of Friends University was when Dr. Biff Green hugged her as she walked across the stage at graduation. "How many university Presidents do that?!"
ROBYN HAXTONRobyn graduated in 1990 from Friends University with a bachelor's degree in human services/psychology. Robyn and her husband, Monte, have two children, Zachariah and Aubreigh. Robyn and her husband have purchased her parents’ farm and are busy with transitions there.
Some of Robyn's most memorable experiences while attending Friends University were the European tour with the Singing Quakers and the Chicago trip with Bill Allan.
LISA HENSHALLLisa graduated from Friends University in 2004 with a degree in e-commerce management. She is currently employed by Dean & Deluca. Lisa lives in Wichita with her husband, John, and their two children, Isabella and Elizabeth.
Lisa enjoys reading, writing fiction, cooking, playing with her daughters and theatre, and writes for the Friends University eCommerce Management Campus Connection newsletter.
RENAE HOLLIERenae graduated from Friends University in 2004 with a bachelor’s in human services/psychology.
"I first noticed Friends when I moved here in 1997. As, I was driving by one night, I saw the lit tower and asked my friends about it," Renae recalled. "The campus caught my attention first, but it was the recollection of my friends' experiences attending the University that drew my interest to apply."
As a student, Renae was very impressed with the amount of personal attention the professors and the University offered to the students. "I never felt like just a number," she stated. As a member of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board, she wants to help provide current students with a college experience they can look back on with a sense of pride and nostalgia.
Renae works for HSSportsTV Inc. in Wichita and enjoys reading, traveling, fishing, cooking and spending time with her two sons, Kielan and Connor.
KIMBERLY HOWARDKimberly graduated from Friends University with a degree in elementary education in 1999. She is employed by Washington Accelerated Learning Elementary in Wichita and lives in Udall. She enjoys spending her free time reading, shopping, and traveling.
Kimberly heard of Friends University through her sister who had previously attended. She was able to experience what life at the University could be like with her sister when she came to visit and attended numerous campus events.
Becoming a member of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board is how Kimberly hopes to “feel a connection to Friends again.” She hopes to promote more social events for alumni to be involved in.
MELISSA KNOEBERMelissa graduated in 2002 with her bachelor’s degree in business management. She works for Fidelity Bank and enjoys reading, being active in the Young Professionals of Wichita group, and volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
One of Melissa’s fondest college memories is of her graduation day. She said, “Graduation was extra special to me because I walked for my bachelor’s degree and my mom walked for her master’s degree on the same day!”
Melissa and her husband Dale live in Wichita and she is excited to be a part of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board as she “Can’t wait to help out and experience things from this end!”
SCOTT LEMBKEScott attended Friends University during the year of 2004 and has also worked at Friends as part of the groundskeeping crew since 1999. He lives in Wichita with his wife Jackie and they have two girls, Marian and Krystal.
In his spare time, Scott enjoys tracking the ever-changing weather patterns in Kansas. He also plays online games, crossword puzzles and likes to cross-stitch.
As a member of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board, Scott hopes to help make any and all members of the Alumni Association feel welcome anytime they return to campus.
ROSANN O’DELLRosann graduated from Friends University in 2005 with her master's degree in management.
Rosann's full-time job is with Wesley Medical Center as a manager in the health information management department.
In her spare time, Rosann enjoys yoga, golfing, reading, watching documentary films, as well as spending time with her fiance, family, friends, and pet.
She says that she is extremely proud to be an alumnus of Friends University and remembers her graduation day fondly. "I remember being in awe because I was wearing my master's hood."
SHAWN PAGEShawn received his undergraduate degree in Health Management in 1991. He currently lives in Wichita and works for Spirit Aerosystems.
In his spare time, Shawn enjoys playing soccer, golf, hunting, watching car racing, listening to live music and going riding on his motorcycle.
As a student, Shawn enjoyed the social aspect of the Wichita campus such as spending time with friends at the Casado Campus Center, living at the soccer house, being part of the soccer team, and playing under the lights at Adair-Austin Stadium.
For Shawn, being involved in the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board will hopefully cause someone to be encouraged to “pursue an experience at Friends University that will impact their life in a positive way.”
RICK REEVERick graduated from the Friends University Master of Science in Management program in 2008.
He is currently employed by the Quivira Council with the Boy Scouts of America and lives in Wichita with his wife, Wendy, and three children: Elizabeth, Cassandra and Hayden.
When he isn’t working, Rick enjoys spending time listening to classical music and scuba diving.
Rick joined the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board simply because “I want to give back.”
MICHAEL RICEMichael received his associate’s degree through the Program for Adult College Education (PACE) in 2004. He is currently working towards his bachelor’s degree in history and government education with an anticipated graduation date of 2009.
Michael works as a student worker in the Friends University Registrar’s Office. He and his wife, Paula, who is also a member of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board, reside in Haysville with their two children Josh and Jeannette.
PAULA RICEPaula received her associate's in general studies in 2004 and her bachelor's of English education in 2007, both from Friends University.
She is currently a teacher for USD 259 at Wichita West High School. When not teaching, Paula is the assistant volleyball coach and co-sponsor of the junior class.
She lives in Haysville with husband Michael, who is also a member of the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board, and their two children Josh and Jeannette.
CHERISSE TAYLORCherisse graduated from Friends University in 2006 with her bachelor's degree in business management and administration.
"Abdul Arif was my favorite professor; he was great," she said. "The business management program was a great place to build the relationships that I still have today."
Cherisse resides in Wichita and works for Vantage Point Properties. Cherisse enjoys running, working out, sports, socializing and spending time with her family.
CAROL URBAN-DEALCarol graduated from Friends University in 2000 — 20 years after her high school graduation. She received her undergraduate degree in organizational management leadership and now works at Fidelity Bank.
Carol and her husband Brent have three sons: Cody, Matthew and Alex. When she isn’t busy with work or the Wichita Alumni Advisory Board, Carol enjoys traveling, camping and spending time with friends.
BRYAN WOHLWENDBryan graduated from Friends University in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in biology. During his senior year, he was the president of the Student Activities Committee (SAC). One of Bryan's fondest memories with SAC was helping to plan the very first Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
"It was a mess. The tree was short and ugly. It kept falling over, and branches would fall off of it," he said. "We had to stuff branches from other trees into it to fill it out. People made fun of it. But when it was lit, it was great. It is pretty amazing to see that it is such a tradition now!"
Bryan works at the Hutchinson Clinic as a pediatrician, and in his spare time he enjoys traveling, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and listening to music.
ALUMNI
Alumni Home
Alumni Benefits
Advisory Boards
Campus Connection
Class Agents
Athletic Hall of Fame
Homecoming
Distinguished Alumni
How to Volunteer
Friends Flash
Alumni Directory
Request a Transcript
Circle of Friends
Brick Campaign
Calendar of Events
Update Alumni Info
Giving to Friends
University Relations
