Chip Timmons - Classes begin today, so I thought this would be a good time to provide a mid-season report.

Early last week, we received our 1,000th application for the Class of 2012.  When I joined this office in 1997, 1,000 applications was thought to be a goal that could not be reached.  Many of you will remember when surpassing 1,000 applications was a goal we reached in April or May of a given year. Now, we hit 1,000 at or before January 1.    

Thanks to the hard work of this staff, the Wabash Administration, faculty, coaches, alumni, parents, and students, we have raised expectations to a point where receiving 1,000 applications isn't such a big deal.  However, to those who've been around for a while, hitting that number reminds us of how far we've come and brings a smile to our faces.

Alumni referrals are lagging a bit behind this year.  As of Friday, we had received 882 referrals for the Class of 2012.  We set a goal of 1,000 (sound familiar) referrals for each class and we have plenty of time to reach it.  Our next application deadline (Feb. 1) is almost three weeks from today, so students still have time to apply, visit , and receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships.  

While we would prefer seniors at this stage of the game, we're still happy to receive referrals for the Classes of 2013, 2014, etc.  You can refer a student online or call Audra Abney at 800-345-5385 to make your referral over the phone.

Mid-Season MVVs (Most Valuable Volunteers)

At our staff meeting last week, I asked counselors to send me names and a little background on volunteers who are really making a difference in our recruitment efforts this year.  Some familiar names were sent my way, but some of the nominations were for some less-heralded volunteers.  I would like to share one of those with you today, but plan to share other nominees from time to time.

Hagen Manker '73 (submitted by Marc Welch '99)
As a student here in the late 90's, I always wondered how someone from Charlevoix, Michigan ended up at Wabash.  It wasn't until last year, when I met Hagen, that my question was answered.  Hagen has brought students and encouraged student to pursue Wabash for years.  During my time at Wabash, I had two fraternity brothers, Sam Bingham '96 and Noel Kammerman '00, that attended Wabash as a result of Hagen's efforts.

Last year, Hagen brought a number of students to campus, two of whom are now Wabash students.  One is Hagen's son, Joshua, who continues the rich Manker legacy at the College.  The other student, Ryan Fortune, illustrates the importance of alumni efforts in attracting young men to Wabash - especially students who live 8 hours from Crawfordsville.  

This fall, Hagen brought four students to campus from Harbor Springs, Michigan.  We won't know until later this semester if any of those students decide to attend Wabash.  For now, what we do know, is that in northern Michigan, many more people know of Wabash or have experienced Wabash because of Hagen Manker.

Fort Wayne Social Recap

Mike Owens '02 hosted a vacation social in Fort Wayne on January 2.  The event was a great success mainly to due to the willingness of alumni volunteers in the spend with prospective students and their parents.   Mike would like to thank Ron Blum '92, Tim Grusenmeyer '85, Lonnie Heck '03, Andrew Krouse '03, Tom Rice '06, and Ben Wagner '02 for their help.

Tonight, Mike and I are off to Cincinnati for their annual alumni dinner with guest speaker Dean of the College, Gary Phillips.  I'm looking forward to catching up with some of my friends from Cincinnati and enjoying some ribs from the Montgomery Inn.

Don't forget about those referrals!