Sunday, June 10, 2007
President's Associates are inspired to serve
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Stephanie Buchanan ‘97 and John Schutz ‘82 have a lot in common. They’re both USI graduates with a record of involvement as students and alumni. They’re both former presidents of the USI Alumni Association. And they’re both members of the President’s Associates, the University’s most prestigious giving society. Buchanan, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in business administration and German, is an account executive with KDL, Inc., a bandwidth provider for the Midwest. She and her husband Jason have two small children, Katie, 2, and Noah, 3 months, and also own Business Communications Solutions. As a student, Buchanan was a member of Kappa Ki, a Christian service fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. Her involvement increased after graduation, when David Herrenbruck ‘76 asked her to join the Alumni Council in a bid to diversify the group by attracting younger members. Now, she said, “I do a million things and it’s all with USI.” After her terms as president of the Alumni Council and as a Foundation board member expired, she looked for more opportunities for involvement. She was recommended for the Varsity Club board, and her term on that board will keep her busy until 2010. “Once you get involved, it’s an infectious university,” she said. “I am more involved, and have attended more basketball games than I ever did as a student.” She was recently elected to another three-year term on the Foundation board. In the future she hopes to get more involved with students in the College of Business. Schutz is senior vice president of Hilliard Lyons, Inc. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from USI. As a student, he was involved in many organizations, including the Student Union board, Student Government Association, Amigos, Mid-America Singers, and Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. In 1980, Schutz spoke before the state legislature on behalf of USI students in the University’s bid for independence. As an alumnus he has served USI in multiple capacities. In addition to ongoing involvement with the Alumni Association, he helped found the USI Center for Economic Education and has supported Athletics as a USI basketball season ticket holder for 25 years. He was recognized for his generosity to the University as the 1993 recipient of the Alumni Service Award. Schutz has been a member of the President’s Associate for several years. “When I went to school in 1977, someone who didn’t even know me donated money to the University for scholarships and buildings for me and a lot of other people,” he said. “If someone else doesn’t take the same attitude they took, how is the University going to grow and prosper as it has since the time I graduated? “So many volunteer hours and volunteer dollars – that’s what fueled the growth of the University into regional exposure. In some ways, I feel like I’m repaying a debt.” Buchanan concurs. “I appreciate what the University provided for me,” she said. “I want to give back, to help the University grow.” She and her husband are in their second year as members of the President’s Associates. “Our participation in the President’s Associates has several motivations. As my involvement with the University has become more extensive, I have a deeper appreciation for USI. As my career continues to develop, we have the financial resources to attain that level. I understand the need the University has for the financial support, to continue its growth and its commitment to education.” As business owners, the Buchanans benefit from interaction with other members of the business community at University functions. “We see their desire to be involved and feel it’s important for us to be involved as well.” In the future, Buchanan said, she will know she was a significant part of making the University grow. “My involvement made an impact.” |
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