Centralight

The best gifts aren't always tied with a bow Calendar Corrections Fall 2014, Central's chosen children Historical photos used courtesy of Clarke Historical Libray. By Marcie Otteman Grawburg, '87 Executive director of alumni relations You know that feeling you get when you give someone a really special gift? The one you searched for, found, knew would be perfect, and then wrapped it in shiny paper and topped it with the perfect bow? Remember the look of pure joy when they opened it – the look that let you know how much they loved it? You may have even been more thrilled than they were, and that's part of what makes giving so great. St. Francis of Assisi said, "For it is in giving that we receive." Whether it is our time, talent or treasure, giving makes us feel good; it gives us purpose, motivation and satisfaction. In this issue you will meet people who gave the ultimate gift – the gift of life. You'll read about Central Michigan University students, alumni and their families who have been touched by the gifts of organ, tissue and cornea donation. This package includes the story of grad student April Lucas, who gave perfect gifts when she died in 2011 of a brain aneurysm: She gave new life to four complete strangers. We'll also hear from alumni who are giving fi nancially to scholarships for CMU students. We talk to some of those students about what that generosity means to them and their ability to learn. Speaking of giving, this issue marks the 68th year we have been giving you Centralight as a quarterly magazine. Centralight started in 1930 as a newsletter and moved to its current format in December 1948. It was produced then by the extension department and subtitled "The Alumni Quarterly." Which made me ask the question, "Where did the name Centralight come from?" I turned to our sleuthing friends at the Clarke Historical Library. After much searching, they didn't have a defi nitive answer for me, but they off ered a pretty good educated guess. "As for the history of the name, we have noted that the students of Central, as far back as the early 1900s, were referred to as Centralites, and this may have inspired the name of the publication." I like to think that is exactly why they named the magazine Centralight. Our alumni light the way for others by giving back. Their generosity keeps the spirit of CMU alive. It's the season of giving. I hope you will give more than you receive, and the joy you share with others will make all the diff erence. 3 centralight winter'14 January 17 Skiable Feast at Treetops Resort, Gaylord 24 PBR-Professional Bull Riders event with meet and greet, Detroit 29 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Red Wings, Tampa 31 Pistons vs. Houston Rocket, Auburn Hills February 4 Alumni social, Tuscon, Arizona 6 Alumni social, Scottsdale, Arizona 6-8 Boyne Ski Trip, Boyne City March 6 Red Wings vs. Calgary Flames, Detroit 18 CMU golf outing with social, The Villages, Florida 20 Dinner Theater, Mount Pleasant 20 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Red Wings, Tampa April 21 Alumni social, Naples, Florida 12 "Phantom of the Opera," Wharton Center, East Lansing 25 Scholarship luncheon, Mount Pleasant This is a small sampling of the many alumni events throughout the U.S. Please visit alumni.cmich.edu for a comprehensive list. 16 centralight fall '14 chosen childn Central's 16 centralight fall '14 BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON, '83 Six decades later, the Korean orphans adopted by CMU students from afar say thank you – and they're doing just fine

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