Centralight

A Day ofgratitude Enberg immortalized inside Events Center atrium Hall of fame sportscaster Dick Enberg, '57, is immortalized inside the CMU Events Center atrium with a bust that stands next to the ticket office. Todd Anson, '77, a CMU Development Board member, took action to recognize Enberg in the new facility. The Mount Pleasant native, along with his wife, Teresa, funded the sculpture, donated to the Events Center and has an endowed scholarship. Anson says he remembers listening to Enberg, currently the San Diego Padres' television play-by- play announcer, who quickly became his hero. "I've been fortunate enough to watch him behind the scenes," says Anson, now a close friend of Enberg. "The guy never stops impressing me. He's the hardest working guy in broadcasting." Anson called on sculptor John Thomas before getting the idea cleared with CMU Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. "I was delighted when Dave said the sculpture would be put in the entrance," Anson says. "We are truly thankful to Todd and Terri for making this special recognition of Dick Enberg a reality and for their generous support of the CMU Events Center Campaign," says Heeke. "It is only fitting that we recognize one of our most celebrated alums in one of our most widely used buildings that is a gathering place for the university community and its many visitors." The bust captures the thumbs-up pose Enberg gave to graduates at his commencement speech in 1980. "This is just one more reflection of the overall excellence that CMU stands for as we continue to push this university to even greater heights," says Heeke. "It's an extraordinary honor to be remembered in classic sculpture, a long way from my youth picking apples on our farm in Armada, Mich.," says Enberg. "I hope it will serve as a visual reminder that through education we all have the opportunity to enjoy success. I humbly thank my alma mater, CMU, for taking a total 'nobody' in 1952 and providing the full opportunity to become 'somebody'. I'm certain I speak for tens of thousands." • centralight summer '11 29 Many CMU students have the opportunity to attend college due to the generosity of others, donors known to them only as names on the scholarships they received. In April, CMU hosted its annual Scholarship and Endowment Luncheon which brought together nearly 300 donors, scholarship recipients and their families. Above, right, CMU Development Board member Mike O'Donnell, '70, recognizes the contributions of donors and the academic excellence of the students attending the luncheon. O'Donnell established the Michael F. and Mary F. O'Donnell Endowed Scholarship in Accounting. •

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