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Dear Alums

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Alumni board has new president, exciting travel plans

1999 Homecoming

Wildcats on the Move

Within the last year, the board of directors of the alumni association has undergone a complete metamorphosis. The only member still serving on the board since Alumni Relations director Jack Fox came in March 1998 is Jeff Finck, immediate past president. Due to term limits, Jeff will be leaving the board next June.

This year's board president, 1976 alumnus Bob Linscheid, has been an organizational leader for years. In his senior year at Chico State, Bob was the Associated Students president. Since then, he's been CEO of the Chico Chamber of Commerce, vice president and general manager of the Chico Heat baseball team, and president of Bob Linscheid and Associates. He is also commissioner of the Western Baseball League, in which the Chico Heat team competes.

As one might expect, new blood means new ideas, and the new board members are full of those. In the eigh-teen months the new members have served, they have continued to support the excellent policies and programs of their predecessors, as well as implement new programs and strategies that have kept the staff in the alumni office on their toes.

Among the more innovative creations of the board are these: A dues-paying membership program that will result in increased support for our students and expanded programs for our association members; a comprehensive alumni travel program; the Student Recruitment Committee that is working with the Admissions Office to enhance our efforts to attract a more diverse student population; a new publication, Connected, that is mailed to all dues-paying members; a revised and enhanced Web site to better serve the needs of all alumni; and several student-oriented programs such as Home Away from Home, Dinner with Eight Strangers, and an alumni/student mentoring program.

About the travel program: It's spring, and that means Chico State alumni are taking another trip to New York City. This year's excursion is planned for April 15-22. Last April, alumni saw plays, ate great food, rode the subway, visited museums, shopped, and visited the remodeled New York City Public Library. The group stayed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where they gathered in the Chico State hospitality room to tell tales about adventures in the Big Apple. They dined with the Chico State Model United Nations team to celebrate its honorable mention award in the UN competition, which included more than 200 schools from all over the world. They held a reception for Chico State theatre arts alums, including Jeannie Lehman. Jeannie, a former Chico State student who's performed at Carnegie Hall seven times, is now appearing in Sound of Music with Richard Chamberlain.

Jeannie plays Mother Superior in the national touring company of Sound of Music. Join us when we attend the show in the Bay Area and meet Jeannie, who will do a special behind-the-scenes program for us. Watch for the mailed announcement with all the details.

Another very special trip is coming up. President Manuel A. Esteban and his wife, Gloria, will lead a trip to Spain June 3-17. The Estebans are from Spain, and the trip promises to include an insider's view. To join us for this or other trips, check with the alumni office.

The board is continually looking for new ways to help our students and the university in general. What can your association do for you, and how would you like to help your university and its students? The board welcomes all comments and ideas-please call 530-898-6472.

Bob Linscheid

Jeannie Lehmann