Archive for the ‘Alumni Events’ Category

Join T-birds in Southern California for the 20^th annual Day at the Races, which celebrates World Trade Week and the running of the Kentucky Derby.

Enjoy a buffet lunch on the Finish Line Café, network with fellow T-birds and global trade professionals, place your wager on the Kentucky Derby or the group race, win raffle prizes and simply enjoy a great afternoon.

DATE: Saturday, May 5, 2012

WHERE: Hollywood Park – Finish Line Café

TIME: Open seating begins at 10:30 a.m., Post time (1^st race): 11 a.m.

DRESS: Casual to dressy. No jeans. Ladies wearing hats is a Derby Day tradition

COST: $50.00 per person. Cost includes entry to Hollywood Park, lunch, private seating on the Finish Line Café, general parking and program.

Seats are limited! Advanced purchase is required. To register, go tohttp://www.wit-la.org/event_detail.asp 
For questions and additional information, e-mail 20thDayattheRaces@gmail.com

Imagine sipping local wine on a sprawling patio in Ensenada while the rays of the setting sun glisten on the sea. You watch a group of dolphins swim by as you delight in the sounds of acoustic guitar.

This may sound like a scene from a vacation advertisement, but it’s just another one of the many interesting events hosted by the San Diego Alumni Chapter.

Nearly 40 alumni, friends and family members gathered March 3, 2012, for a day of whale watching, local wine tasting and a lobster extravaganza. The event was organized by Fernando Gaxiola ’08, Veronica Yepez Reyna ’08, and David Betts ’96, Bobby Lipton ’03 and San Diego Alumni Chapter Leader Scott Krawitz ’05.

“We had an amazing day and it felt like a family,” Yepez said. “It’s a great feeling to belong to a group that is doing so many things.”

The alumni began by driving 60 miles south along the scenic Pacific coast to Ensenada and boarded “El Guero III” for a four-hour whale watching trip to see gray whales traveling during their annual migration.

Following a morning at sea, the group drove to Las Ventanas, where Betts and his wife, Carla, and their children and neighbors hosted an oceanfront sunset reception complete with acoustic guitar, dolphins swimming by, appetizers and local wines.

The wine was provided by the family of T-bird student Carlos Husson Igelstad, who owns the Baja Californian winery, Santa Ursula. Additional sponsors included Adobe Guadalupe and Bodegas Malagon. Acoustic guitar was played by Miguel de Hoyos and Alex de Pue, who have played all over the world and performed at Carnegie Hall.

To top it all off, the group went to El Pescador lobster house in the heart of Puerto Nuevo and shared margaritas and fresh lobster during a cozy candlelight dinner by the sea before heading home to San Diego.

Yepez said she, her husband Ignacio Ruelas Rodriguez ‘08 and the rest of the Leadership in San Diego will continue working with the chapter to organize diverse events – both social and professional.

“This year has been tough for our Thunderbird friends,” Yepez said about the job market. “We want to also create events that will help those who are actively job seeking.”

The Southwest Florida Alumni Chapter enjoyed a small, but lively get-together on March 6, 2012 at Ciao Ristorante in Naples for Super First Tuesday.

Five alumni and spouses, along with one prospective Thunderbird student and her friend attended the event.

Thunderbird would like to thank Southwest Florida Alumni Chapter Leader Garry Moore ’64 for organizing this event and for sharing this great photo with us!

Have photos and stories to share? Send them to alumni@thunderbird.edu

Pictured (left to right): Gail Faria ’01; husband Rob Burns; Nathalie Espinales, prospective student; Michelangelo Hernandez, friend of Nathalie; Lynne Schneider;  Woody Schneider ’60; Berit Moore; Jim Davis ’62; Suzi Davis; Garry Moore ’64; Suzanne Williamson ’69; Bob Morse, Suzanne’s friend

The student rugby team took home another win with a 43-26 victory over the Old Boys alumni team March 3, 2012 during the annual Rugby Alumni weekend on campus.

Dozens of spectators gathered along the sidelines on the rugby pitch to enjoy a competitive match and a chance to catch up with friends under the warmth of the Arizona sun.

Although the Old Boys tied the game at 26 after the first 40 minutes, the students’ stamina and frequent practice helped them push ahead in the final 20 minutes, said Thunderbird Alumni Rugby Association leader Chuck Hamilton ’91.

“I thought we were just going to have some fun, but those guys are serious,” said Craig Hammond ’12, student rugby club president.

Despite the fierce competition on the pitch, the student and alumni rugby teams still found time to enjoy their close-knit friendship with social activities, such as a mixer at the pub and a banquet.

Student Rugby player Morgan Siegal ’12 said that the students are honored to host “those who have come before us.”

“The best part is always the camaraderie with old and new friends  you haven’t seen in a year,” Hamilton said. “Our goal for next year is to triple the alumni turnout and continue to demonstrate to the student team what it means to be an Old Boy and how the fun continues even after graduation.”  

Hamilton said that rugby is valuable to the alumni network because after each class graduates, its rugby players join the Old Boys “invigorating the Thunderbird Alumni Rugby Association with new blood.”

Also, the sport gives the alumni a reason to return to campus each year and “visit our old stomping grounds and remind each other how great we used to be,” Hamilton said with a chuckle.

He added more seriously, “It also doesn’t hurt that the networking has paid off for many of our members through internships and jobs.”

During Rugby Alumni Weekend, the Old Boys hold a special mixer for students to meet with alumni and share résumés.

The next trip for the Old Boys will be Croatia-Montenegro in summer 2013. Last year, the group traveled to Iceland to compete and a number of students joined them on the trip.

Future plans for the student team include a fundraising effort to play at the MBA Rugby World Cup hosted by Duke University.

To get involved with the Thunderbird Rugby Alumni Association, e-mail Chuck Hamilton ’91 at chuck.notlimah@gmail.com View more rugby photos here

The Austin Alumni Chapter recently celebrated Mardi Gras with a gathering at the home of Thundercouple Byron Attridge ‘98 and Heather Attridge ‘99.

Guests were encouraged to wear their favorite beads and masks and enjoyed Hurricanes and Cajun hors d’oeuvres while catching up with fellow T-birds and friends of Thunderbird.

One month prior, the chapter held a T-bird Asado dinner. Most recently, they enjoyed Mediterranean food, along with a bit of Persian and Middle Eastern food during Super First Tuesday.

The T-bird Class of 1968 held its ninth annual gathering Feb. 25 in Miami.

“The evening was a wonderful night of renewing old friendships,” said Robert Cackett ’68

One T-bird, Takashi Kurisaka ’68, came all the way from Tokyo.

Cackett said that the class invites everyone they can locate every year. He said that those who couldn’t attend truly missed a great experience.

“You have no idea what you missed,” said Cackett. “Just look at the faces of your classmates whom most of you have not seen in 44 years.”

Cackett credits the success of the gatherings to the fact that it’s simply a no-strings-attached yearly gathering for classmates only.

A special thanks to the Class of 1968 for sharing this great photo with Thunderbird!

Pictured in the photo from left: 
Back: John Dowd, Juan Luis Rodriguez, Fred Opper, Ken skuse, Berry Hayley, Joe Gury, Peter Gunther and Keith Parker. Center: Mary Kay (Thomas) Ross, Joe Ringer, Ron Alonzo, Joe Kimm and Takashi Kurisaka. Front: John Harriman, Bob Cackett, Fred Saah and Dick Weden.

Some of you have lived in small villages tucked far away in the world; some of you have worked in bustling cities as leaders of global companies; and others have taken a dream and transformed it into a thriving business. But no matter what path you have traveled in life, part of your journey was spent with Thunderbird.

Share these experiences with the next generation of T-birds by joining your local alumni chapter on March 6 for Thunderbird’s seventh annual Super First Tuesday event.  Also, if you know someone who would make a good T-bird, invite them to join you.

The event is organized and promoted by the Thunderbird Recruiting Team and Alumni Relations to give prospective students a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights from T-birds on how a Thunderbird education has led them to a wide variety of careers and life experiences. The event’s primary organizer is Bell Benjapatanamongkol ‘08, Global Community Engagement Manager.

“Super First Tuesday gives the alumni the opportunity to contribute to the school in a way other than financially, which is especially significant to recent graduates who may not be able to give back in other ways,” said Director of Admissions Jay Bryant ’04.  “Their comments, insight, and support at the event can help us bring the best and brightest global minds to Thunderbird.”

Last year, 76 chapters participated in the event along with nearly 360 prospective students.  This year, various Thunderbird staff will attend events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Salt Lake City, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Phoenix.

Hong Kong Chapter Leader and Thunderbird Alumni Network Board member Kevin Rohrer ’82 has organized numerous Super First Tuesdays at his chapter and knows how powerful the event is.

“Seeing the alumni network in action can make the difference for an MBA candidate who is choosing between Thunderbird and another top tier school,” Rohrer said.

In fact, more than 80 percent of Thunderbird’s current students first learned about the school through a friend, colleague or family member – who is often a Thunderbird graduate.

Washington D.C. Chapter leader and Thunderbird Alumni Network Board Member Jean-Christophe Deverines ‘00 said that he is expecting over 80 attendees to his Super First Tuesday event, which will be held at The International Trade Center.

“The alumni body is what makes up the fabric of a school. It shapes networking, aids in career advancement, and is ultimately the embodiment of the Spirit of the school,” Deverines said. ”It all starts with recruiting students, and Super First Tuesday is a unique opportunity for alumni to contribute to shaping the school’s profile and to further the Thunderbird spirit.”

Specific information can be found on your local chapter page on MTB and here

Please contact Bell Benjapatanamongkol ‘08 at bell.b@thunderbird.edu if you would like to get involved with your Super First Tuesday chapter event.

The student and alumni rugby teams will once again face off on the Thunderbird rugby pitch March 1-3 for the 29^th annual Rugby Alumni Weekend.

In last year’s match, the alumni team “Old Boys” fell short 29-8, but had a good time playing and even traveled to Iceland the same year to compete.

“The great thing about Rugby Alumni Weekend is the gathering of rugby alumni from the 1970s through 2012 getting together to swap lies about how great we were when we played at Thunderbird,” said Thunderbird Alumni Rugby Association leader Chuck Hamilton ’91. “When 80 or more Old Boys show up, you might have to bring your hip waders.”

The weekend’s activities include golf outings, a night at the pub, a baseball game, skeet shooting, a social with the alumni and student rugby players, a rugby banquet – and, of course, the annual match.

Leader of the student rugby team Morgan Siegal said he is looking forward to seeing the alumni back on campus. Siegal helped his team reach a victory against the Old Boys last year and believes the team will come out strong this year – especially with players Clay Adair and Elliot Rossbach.

“Since I’ve started at Thunderbird, I’ve made some powerful connections with a lot of the rugby alumni guys,” Siegal said. “Naturally, I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and introducing current members to our alumni to impress upon them the importance of this tradition and relationship.”

Hamilton said that rugby tours always bring the team closer together, despite the fact that there are more than three decades of alumni. Following Rugby Alumni Weekend, the team will prepare for a Croatia-Montenegro tour in 2013.

For more information on Rugby Alumni Weekend, contact Chuck Hamilton ‘91 at chuck.notlimah@gmail.com

Nearly 50 T-birds and other guests enjoyed an evening of light appetizers, a silent auction, drinks and great company during the Chicago Alumni Chapter’s annual holiday party on December 8, 2012.

“The event was a great success,” said Lee Schlesinger ’01. “A special thanks goes to those who donated items as well as a number of people who volunteered to call alumni.”

Schlesinger and chapter leadership invited T-birds to their events through a special phone campaign and a concerted effort to reach more people through e-mail communications.

A number of new T-birds also shared their contact information and expressed interest in attending future events, Schlesinger said.

The event was held at Webster’s Wine Bar in a private room. Silent auction items included toys, Cubs tickets, wine and more. Donated items were provided by Lee Schlesinger ‘01, Tom Kostal ‘99, Scott Altman ‘86, Keith Olson ‘77 and Heidi Saunders ‘99.  

Thunderbird would like to extend a special thank-you to the Chicago Chapter leaders for their time and commitment to making this event a success – and for sharing these great photos!

About 15 T-birds and guests enjoyed a visit in Madrid on October 13, 2011 at EntreVinos restaurant.
Global Community Engagement Manager Bell Benjapatanamongkol ’08 was in Madrid for the MBA Tour and shared this photo from the gathering.