A Texas Wesleyan University - Office of Communications Publication

July 23, 2008

Tolleson to Serve as National Treasurer for the Federation of Business Disciplines

Thomas Tolleson, professor of accounting, has been appointed as the national treasurer of the Federation of Business Disciplines for 2008-2011. As treasurer, Tolleson will be responsible for financial matters relating to the annual conference as well as financial reporting and compliance for FBD during his term. "In addition to making a contribution to the support of management research, Dr. Tolleson's service will also bring additional visibility to our School of Business," said Hector Quintanilla, dean of the School of Business. "I am appreciative to Dr. Tolleson for his willingness to serve and ask that you join me in extending him congratulations."

Survey: Wesleyan magazine

All members of the Texas Wesleyan community are invited to participate in a Communications Office survey about the Wesleyan alumni magazine. Participants will be asked to answer questions about the magazine and the changes it has undergone in recent years. It will take five minutes or less to complete the questionnaire. Your participation in this study is voluntary. The results will be tabulated and returned to the Office of Communications. Your information will be coded and will remain confidential. Click here to participate. If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, contact Laura Hanna via email or at 817-531-4498.

In the News: Alumnus Uses Biodiesel for Fuel

As gas prices rise, alumnus John Oldner, JD '95, is one of a growing number of people using biodiesel in their vehicles. Oldner tried to make biodiesel at his Murphy home, but now buys it from an outside source. Click here to watch a video of Oldner showing the equipment used and the process of making biodiesel. Click here to read the full story in the Dallas Morning News.

Survey: Does Your Department Work with the Fort Worth ISD?

John Gonzales, community outreach coordinator at Texas Wesleyan, is compiling a list of events and activities that the University does to support the Fort Worth Independent School District. The information will be shared with a FWISD Community Action Team that is meeting to assess the assistance FWISD is receiving from the community. Action from this information has yet to be determined. If your department does such events or activities, please forward a list to John Gonzales (jgonzales@txwes.edu). Contact him at 817-531-7591 with any questions.

Rams Are Excelling This Summer

Coming off a 42-16 campaign, several members of the Texas Wesleyan University baseball team are having strong summers both in the professional ranks and in collegiate summer leagues. The biggest news for the program this summer has been Hayden Lackey’s signing with the Detroit Tigers. The reliever out of Duncanville, TX, currently holds a 4.50 ERA with a save in seven appearances in Gulf Coast League Action.

     Ryan Riddle (LHP, Bedford, TX) who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after his junior season in 2007, is 4-4 in 12 games with the Fort Worth Cats. He has struck out 49 batters in 68.1 innings of work while posting a 4.08 ERA.

     Aaron Wimpee (RHP, Bells, TX), Jayson Rachuig, (RHP, Fort Worth, TX) BS '08, Steven DeFratus (RHP, Oxnard, CA), and Antoine Cole (OF, Shreveport, LA) have all begun their professional careers in the Continental Baseball League. Wimpee has signed with the Corpus Christi Beach Dawgs, while Antoine Cole has signed with the McKinney Blue Thunder. Rachuig and DeFratus are playing for the Bay Area Toros along with former teammate Jason Diaz. In three appearances DeFratus has recorded one save and has yet to allow a run.

     Several other Rams are excelling in collegiate wood bat leagues. Blake Walker (OF, Southlake, TX) will play in the Coastal Plains League All-Star Game. Walker is currently leading the Florence Redwolves with a .323 AVG and 43 hits. Ryan Jacobi (OF, Mansfield, TX) and Joey Evans (RHP, Tyler, TX) are playing for the Sherwood Parks Dukes in the Canada based Western Major Baseball League. Jacobi ranks third on the team with 34 hits and second with six stolen bases. Evans is 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA and is currently leading the league with six saves while ranking second with 17 appearances.

Alumni News

Alumnus Mike Meier, MBA '06, recently attended the 2008 U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships in Las Vegas - not as a competitor, as a few of our Texas Wesleyan table tennis players did, but as an umpire. Meier, already a regional umpire, sat for the USA Table Tennis (USATT) National Umpire Exam while at the tournment. After passing the national exam, Meier served as Assistant Umpire of a Saturday evening featured match on Center Court. With more than 500 people watching, Meier umpired a men's singles friendship match between the U.S., represented by Wesleyan's Mark Hazinski, and Iran, represented by Mehran Ahadi. Click to see both Hazinski and Meier in action during games one and two. Meier is currently the youngest USATT National Umpire, as well as the youngest USATT Certified Referee. He will be eligible to sit for the international umpire exam in 2012.

Alumni Star in Regional Production of Li'l Abner

Several Wesleyan alumni will be starring in Li'l Abner at the Graham Regional Theatre. The show features Evan Faris, BA '76, as Marryin' Sam; Stephanie Faris Sanders, BA '01, as Available Jones; Mike Skipper, BA '78, as General Bullmoose; Anne Skipper, BA '78 and chairman of the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees, as one of the General's secretaries; and Janie Faris, BMEd '77 MA '83, as one of the General's secretaries and also a citizen of Dog Patch. Stephanie is also responsible for the music, choreography, and has helped with the set construction. Li'l Abner runs July 25-27 and August 1-3; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Let's Talk Fort Worth

A discussion and planning meeting, part of Let's Talk Fort Worth, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in the Betty and Bobby Bragan Fellowship Hall on the Texas Wesleyan campus. “Let’s Talk Fort Worth is an opportunity for each of our more than 700,000 residents to tell the mayor and City Council how we can all work together to make Fort Worth even better,” says longtime resident Dennis Shingleton, chairman of the citizens’ committee behind the event. “It’s our town, our time, our talk.” For more information, visit www.fortworthgov.org/townhall2008/.

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