About ASUPA » Parents Spotlight
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Board member Jodi Christensen reflects on ASUPA impact
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 Neither Mac Christensen nor his parents can believe three years of college have already passed. But as he prepares for his final year working toward a degree in marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business, everyone agrees ASU has been a great choice. His involvement in the university, from the American Marketing Association to intramural sports, has opened many doors in his personal and professional life.
Mac isn’t the only one who has dived into the ASU lifestyle. In her third year on the board of the Parent’s Association, Jodi Christensen is still amazed at the impact the Association has on students, parents and the ASU community.
“Being part of such a vital, productive organization is extremely rewarding,” Jodi says. “The scholarships we award truly change the lives of these young adults, and the Professor of the Year Program allows us to see and reward the contributions the faculty makes to all our students. The parents I talk to at Orientation are surprised to learn about everything we do.”
The entire family is looking forward to Mac’s final year at ASU as well as Jodi’s last year with the ASUPA board. But graduation isn’t the end — Jodi plans to continue to volunteer as a PLUM (Parent of an Alum) after Mac receives his degree, taking advantage of the many opportunities involvement with the ASUPA provides. Read More |
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ASU inspires a student’s passion for service
Friday, June 11, 2010 As she neared the day she would receive her diploma, ASU graduate Julie Ryan was wavering about her commitment to join the Peace Corps.
The Spring 2009 commencement speech delivered by President Barack Obama changed that.
“As soon as she heard him speak, she told us she was going where ever Peace Corps sent her,” says Dave Ryan, Julie’s father.
Julie was assigned to a tiny village called Le Paz Centro, about 30 miles south of Leon, Nicaragua. In May, Dave and his wife Fran made the trip to visit the Central American country, spending several days with Julie in her village and watching her interact with her teaching counterparts and the kids in her school.
“Julie has blossomed incredibly in this environment and has complete command of the language, customs, and respect of the people she teaches and supports,” Dave Ryan says. “This passion for service was with her from a young age but it really came together at ASU!”
The family also journeyed to Ometepe in the southern part of Nicaragua — an island formed by two volcanoes that sits in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. They spent several days sightseeing and enjoying spectacular views, like a 500-foot cascading waterfall tumbling from the side of a volcano.
ASU inspires students and their parents to see — and change — the world. Help us continue to support families by becoming a contributing member of the Parents Association today.
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Seattle mom Peggy Camden, (proud parent of Erin, class of '05) spearheads Pacific Northwest regional event
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Always willing to help with Parents Association activities while her daughter was a student at ASU, Peggy continued to stay involved even after daughter Erin graduated. Peggy volunteered to help with orientation activities in the Seattle area, greeting new parents and answering questions as a 'seasoned parent'. This past November, Peggy thought it would be a lot of fun to organize a University of Washington/ASU tailgate.
With the help of current Parents Association board member and Seattle mom Janna Harala, (Elle, class of '12), they invited local parents to 'tailgate' at a local restaurant and make ASU connections before the game. Photo below - ASU moms Janna, Peggy and Shelley welcome families, students and alumni to the Parents Association UW/ASU tailgate. To see more fun photos of this event click here.
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Local mom volunteers to help new ASU parents
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Although she had always been engaged with her son’s schools, Jodi Christensen thought there would be little opportunity for involvement when her son Mac began attending ASU.
When she learned about the Parents Association, however, she realized there was an important role for her as a volunteer. This year, she spoke to parents of incoming students during many orientation sessions on the Tempe campus of ASU.
“The apprehension, excitement and questions that parents of incoming freshmen have can be overwhelming,” Jodi recalls. “Having been in their situation a year ago, it’s satisfying to help other parents and contribute to an organization that provides so much support to students and families.” Read More |
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Boston Marathon: Parent Who Wears Gold and Gives Gold
Thursday, September 25, 2008 Board member Dave Ryan represented the ASU contingent in the 2008 Boston Marathon. When Dave is not busy running in marathons, biking for charity or competing in Iron Man competitions, he volunteers his time on the Parents Association board of advisors. A member since 2000, Dave is active on the scholarship and Professor of the Year committees. Dave and his wife Fran are proud parents of 2004 WP Carey graduate Matthew, and Julie, who will graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in May 2009 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish.
Here is what Dave had to say about his experience in Boston:
"The Boston Marathon weekend is truly a family weekend in Boston with multiple generations from thousands of families coming out to watch and picnicking on their lawns. The entire 26 mile course from Hopkington to downtown Boston is lined with people. The third Monday of April is 'Patriot's Day', a state holiday in Massachusetts, so the course is lined with kids and families, but the most memorable points are where the college students congregate...and so many of them instantly recognized the ASU t-shirt I was wearing. 'Scream Tunnel' at the 13 mile mark is where Wellsley College students come out in force and create a sustained noise that can be heard from two miles away--it is deafening when running past the college. Starting at mile 16 and through mile 20 is the 'Heartbreak Hill' series of hills and the college students and families picnicking are sitting and standing 10 deep, cheering runners through the hills. Cresting the final hill at mile 20, it is six miles into downtown Boston and the finish line on Boyleston Avenue. That final six miles is filled with college students. So starting at mile 13 and through the next 13 miles to the finish there were not more than a few hundred yards that went by without one or more people yelling out 'ASU' and cheering me on. Judging from the positive reaction to the ASU t-shirt by the college students and the parents along the course, I guess we have sent our kids to a pretty popular place."
And Dave’s challenge: Calling all ASU parents, send us your photo in your ASU T-shirt!
Photo courtesy of MarathonFoto Read More |
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