Grunge Report

February 09, 2010

From John Panozzo '89 - A MUST READ

This note came from Dr. John Panozzo, our "family doctor" in Denver, Colorado. It speaks volumns about the important things in life.

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Hi Tom.

I have a piece for your blog.

Spent the weekend in Atlanta, GA at the home of Michael Funk, '89 - Wabash Athletic Hall of Famer. Mike is in a battle for everything right now. He has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He is headed to Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center this week to receive a bone marrow transplant.

The story however is about 8 guys who have been best of friends since they met at Wabash in the fall of 1985. Twenty-five years of brotherhood drew us from Denver, Dayton, Ft. Wayne, Crown Point and Indianapolis down to Atlanta to celebrate that friendship, watch some football and maybe give that little extra positive energy that will hopefully heal our brother. Mike is also about to tackle some serious chemotherapy in the coming weeks, and in anticipation we all decided the hair must go!! (Not a huge sacrifice for some of us though)

Also, a special thanks goes to Coach Raeburn and the current Wabash football team. They contributed a helmet with all of their signatures and the logo "Wabash Always Fights". Never more appropriate I think. Keep Mike and his family in yours prayers.

WAF,

John Panozzo, '89

Note: You can track Mike's progress on a blog authored by his wife Christie: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelfunk

Photos:

Mike (flannel shirt) and his "team"

Mike and Kelley House with the team football

Posted by runget at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)

February 07, 2010

Black and Blue - A Whole New Meaning

Took this shot at the Wabash vs. Wooster basketball game. They were both cheering for the Bash!

Wondered if they be sitting with each other at the end of the day...

Posted by runget at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)

February 04, 2010

Chad Sorenson & Jacob Grow - Footballers and Future Docs

That's senior Chad Sorenson celebrating a touchdown earlier in the football season. Nothing out of the ordinary - Chad was always pretty much exactly where he needed to be. At the football awards banquet head coach Erik Raeburn stated that Chad's so smart and knows exactly what to do as a tight end that Erik said he could make ANY coach the tight ends coach.

Chad's playing days are over at the Bash - he's had a great career. But this next challenge lies immediately on the horizon - Medical School. And Chad's ready. Not only is he president of this fraterntiy and plays football, he's pulled down something well above a 3.7 GPA this past semester and has an over GPA of about 3.8. (You'd have to add 2 of my semesters together to get to 3.8.)

Jacob Grow, another senior football player and wide receiver, has a perfect 4.0...for his entire time here! That's right, all "As"! He's headed to Medical School as well.

So, Grow and Sorenson have absolutely ruined the myth that your grades will suffer as a result of playing sports.

Seriously, congratulations to Jacob, Chad, and all the senior football players and all the best!

Posted by runget at 01:03 PM | Comments (0)

February 03, 2010

A Special Wabash Moment

The true nature of any team is its collective ability to survive and prosper under adversity. The strength and character of the Wabash Football Family was clearly evident at the Football Awards Banquet last Sunday.

The first award given was the Ralph Lee Wilson Award. The award was presented by the head football coach Erik Raeburn. The award went to the late Josh Linthicum, big #70.

Josh's family was in attendance and they accepted the award on Josh's behalf. The standing ovation was loud and strong. It meant a great deal to everyone there for Josh's family to be there and to know they are and will always be a very special part of the Wabash football family.

But it didn't stop there.

At least 10 different players stepped to the podium and mentioned Josh, thanked his family for attending, and told everyone how special a young man Josh was. Skip Tokar and Matt Hudson, both seniors, recall vividly their efforts to get Josh to come to Wabash. Others recounted his infectious smile. Still others Josh's ability to give his best at all times and also get others to do the same.

It was one of those moments where one felt really proud to be a part of "this good place."

Posted by runget at 07:41 AM | Comments (2)

February 02, 2010

Roscoe Wilson '97 - Accomplished Artist

This piece is entitled "Billboard Landscape 4". It's the work of alumnus Roscoe Wilson '97, son of Kerry Wilson '72. Kerry has to be one, proud Dad.

Roscoe is an accomplished educator. Serves as an Associate Professor of Art at Miami of Ohio.

Roscoe is also an accomplished artist. Not only can he teach - his work has been featured many, many times. For more information on Roscoe, click here. Make sure you view his on-line galleries.

Posted by runget at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)

January 31, 2010

Major General Earl Johnson'38 - Some Little Giant

The college community said "safe fini flight" to our most senior class agent, Major General Earl Johnson '38, at the Pioneer Chapel this past weekend. The group was small - after all, the General had outlived virtually all of his friends.

However, one of his favorite experiences at Wabash, his time in the Phi Delta Theta house, was the center of the celebration of his life. Donna Dawson, General Johnson's daughter, accepted an award from the International fraternity. The award has been made only five times and goes to a member of the fraternity who truly distinguished himself in the service of our Country. In addition, several current members of the fraternity were there to pay their respects.

It reminded me that we often focus our attention on the alumni who go on to be highly successful. And we should celebrate those whose leadership and effort make a difference out in the "real world". But there are also those who toil behind the scenes - teachers, ministers, and those in the service - whose efforts often go without celebration but whose tasks are absolutely critical to the life we enjoy today.

General Johnson was indeed one of those difference makers.

Posted by runget at 09:43 AM | Comments (1)

January 29, 2010

Top Doctor - Dan Kraft '85

Indianapolis Monthly magazine runs a list of Top Doctors in it's magazine on an annual basis. The last list was published in the November 2009 edition.

What makes this listing so important is that the Top Doctors in each category are selected by their peers. It's one thing to have a popularity vote, it's another to have your peers say you're the best.

In the November issue, Dan Kraft '85 was named a Top Doctor in the field of Sports Medicine. Dan's approach seems like other Wabash doctors I have talked to who are also top notch - talk to the patient and don't be thinking surgery unless it's really needed.

To look over the Indianapolis Monthly list of Top Docs, click here.

Congrats, Dan! Well done.

Posted by runget at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)