Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and the Alumni National Tour
Written by Doug Goodnough
We had strong turnouts in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo in Ohio, and a Saturday luncheon in the Elkhart, Indiana, area. Here are some highlights from these events:
Cleveland
The Tour opening event had an interesting cross-section of alumni attend. There were a few recent transplants, including Kyle Johnson, ’07, and his wife, Johanna, who relocated from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area about a year ago. Kim Choate, ’01, relocated even more recently, starting a few months ago as assistant general counsel at the Parker-Hannifin Corp. Jim Phillips, ’65, who attended both Lansing-area National Tour events last year, relocated to the area after marrying his wife, Jessie, earlier this year. Phillips, the son of former Hillsdale President J. Donald Phillips whose consulting company has helped businesses grow for more than 40 years, recently released his new book, Waypoints, which is now available on Amazon. The 80-year-old said his first book offers a “10-step selling journey to awesome success” to “actualize your potential in any walk of life.”
Columbus
Douglas Freutel, ’94, is actively involved in several projects. He is an entrepreneur with several companies and is helping to develop other business leaders. Melissa Perriello Hunter, ’89, lives in Naples, Florida, but is spending the summer in the Columbus area. A longtime public school counselor, she was recently back to campus to interview for a video for her father, the late Ralph Perriello, ’64, who will be inducted posthumously into Hillsdale’s Athletic Hall of Fame on September 22. Bethany Slater, ’03, has been involved with the proposed Heart of Ohio Classical Academy, a school seeking membership with Hillsdale’s K-12 program. However, she and her husband will soon be moving Claremont, California, where she will work at Hillel at the Claremont Colleges, a Jewish student ministry.
Elkhart
Dennis, ’76, and Merril Mossey McCarthy, ’79, have celebrated 40 years of marriage, and Dennis remains president of BayBridge Manufacturing, which produces truck bodies and chassis. They said they both remain active with the College, and enjoy coming to Hillsdale events. Brian “Buck” Buckley, ’87, is the longtime athletic director at Elkhart High School, which has approximately 3,500 students and is one of the largest schools in Indiana. He and his wife, Kelly (Brown), ’92, who also teaches at EHS, reside in Bristol, Indiana. Kyle, ’12, and Kristen, ’13, Smith have three children. Kyle is an attorney dealing with environmental compliance, while Kristen stays at home and does freelance editing work. They said they meet a lot of alumni in South Bend. Kristen also spoke highly of the Facebook group: The Challenge for Hillsdale grad moms.
Toledo
About 75 people attended the National Tour event at the Toledo Mud Hens on July 18. Jennifer Link Lippus, ’91, didn’t have far to go. The Sandusky, Ohio, resident, just started her new job with Catholic Charities in downtown Toledo, which is located just blocks away from Fifth Third Field. Another who lives just walking distance from the stadium is Morgan Delp, ’15. She is beginning her second year as principal at Toledo Central Catholic High School, her alma mater. Tom Lorkowski, ’79, remains active in his roofing business. In fact, the 65-year-old still climbs on top of roofs with his co-workers to help with projects. He said the work keeps him young. Tom Barker, ’91, recently retired after more than 30 years in the marketing business with Lamar Advertising. He said he is looking for a new challenge, and in 2019 ran—and completed—the Boston Marathon, crossing the finish line wearing a Hillsdale College tank top provided by the Chargers track and field program. Karin Tiettmeyer Sullivan, ’88, also brought her family to the game. The former Alumni Association Board member retired last year after a 35-year teaching career at Bedford Public Schools. She is now working as an academic advisor at Owens Community College.
The next stop on the National Tour train is October 5 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For a National Tour event near you, visit Alumni Events for the schedule.
Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.
Published in August 2023