May 2011

Association Club and Chapter News and Events
Click here to view the upcoming activities and events with Association Clubs and Chapters.

Join the Alumni Association!
Alumni Association members may purchase a variety of high quality, competitively priced insurance products administered by Marsh, our newest benefit partner.

The University of Memphis awarded a record-breaking total of 2,170 degrees at the FedExForum on Sunday, May 8. For more information about Commencement click here.

The Alumni Association is pleased to provide an Associate Membership to our new graduates. This complimentary first year membership to the Association, mailed with your diploma, is given with hopes that you will take advantage of the more than 70 clubs, chapters and programs based on academics, geography or a specific interest. Get involved by mentoring a current student, sponsoring a scholarship or nominating a favorite professor for an award. Socialize with other Tigers at a True Blue Watch Party. Network at one of the hundreds of events and meetings that we sponsor throughout the year. But most importantly – Stay True Blue and continue your membership in the Alumni Association!

Your membership information will be included with your diploma. For more information about the University of Memphis Alumni Association, visit us online at www.memphis.edu/alumni or call 800/678-TRAX.

Wei Chen (IMBA '98) is the current Vice President of Communication on the National Executive Board of Directors and Life Member of the Alumni Association. He will also soon be the first Chinese Earthrounder, or the first Chinese pilot to fly around the world in a single-engine plane. Wei's goal throughout his journey is to raise money for St. Jude and to raise awareness about the city of Memphis and our University.

Wei will stop in 40 cities in 21 countries in 69 days. For a map of Wei's flight route, click here.

For more information about Wei's trip, visit www.weiaroundtheworld.com

Follow Wei Around the World on Facebook and Twitter!

Wei Chen Send-Off Celebration
Saturday, May 21, 6 pm, Wilson Air Center
Wei will take off for his trip around the world on Sunday, May 22. Join the Alumni Association for a send-off celebration sponsored by the Greater Memphis Chamber. This worldly evening will feature performers from Golden Sail in China, international cuisine, a live auction and dancing. The event is black tie optional.

Individual tickets for the event are $100. Click here to purchase your tickets today! Sponsorships are also available. Click here for more information.

Wei's goal is to raise $250,000 for the children of St. Jude. Click here to donate online.

For more information about the Wei Chen Send-Off Celebration, please contact Lisa Heros at lisa.heros@stjude.org or 901/373.5051.

John Pafford holds two undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Technology from State Technical Institute at Memphis and the University of Memphis (1987). Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Spine Wave, he has over 30 years of experience in the orthopaedic industry with 20 years in senior management. From 1991 to 2000, he served in a variety of executive positions at Sofamor Danek (now Medtronic Spine) including Executive Vice President of Worldwide Research and Development with Regulatory Affairs responsibilities and, most recently, as President for the Thoracolumbar Group and Technology Development. Prior to joining Sofamor Danek, Mr. Pafford served in a variety of technology roles at Dow Corning Wright (now Wright Medical). He also is listed as inventor on fourteen U.S. patents as well as eighteen U.S patent applications on medical devices. He serves on the boards of IlluminOss Medical, Inc. and BioShape Solutions, Inc., both privately held companies focused on orthopaedic device development as well as the Herff College of Engineering Advisory Council.

Mr. Pafford was awarded the Herff College of Engineering Alumni Chapter Outstanding Alumnus Award in March 2011. For more information about the Engineering Alumni Chapter visit the chapter webpage.

The Alumni Association is celebrating the University's Centennial with Tigers Around Town. Click here to learn more.

Call to Artists! View a message from the Alumni Association!

We are excited to get involvement from many of our students as well as alumni, faculty and staff, and we want YOU to participate! Help us to express the TRUE BLUE creativity of the University of Memphis by designing one of the 100 Tiger Statues that will be positioned around town during the Centennial Celebration!

Click here to download the Artist Information Packet that includes a list of recommended materials and a template of the Tiger statue. Interested artists, please submit the included artist application by the May 31 deadline.

Follow Tigers Around Town on Facebook!

Submissions may be sent via email to alumniassociation@memphis.edu or sent to the following address:

The University of Memphis
Alumni Association
635 Normal Street
Memphis, TN 38152

Sponsors are currently in the process of selecting artists, so submit your work today!

Work has already begun on the tigers! Click here to see a picture of one of the first tigers to be painted in progress!

Sponsors
Tigers Around Town would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors:

IMBA Alumni Club "i2i:Union and Reunion"

Education Alumni Chapter
As part of its new initiative to reach out to local public and private schools, the College of Education Alumni Chapter will visit White Station High School on Wednesday, May 17 at 2:30, during the schools’ weekly faculty meeting. Representative Debbie Robb will present information on the Alumni Association, the Chapter, and will conduct a discussion on how best the Chapter can connect with local educators. For more information, or to invite Chapter representatives to your school, please contact Alumni Coordinator Wendy Sumner-Winter at wsumner1@memphis.edu or 901/678.1562.

Wei Chen Send-Off Celebration
Join the U of M Alumni Association, St. Jude, and the Greater Memphis Chamber on Saturday, May 21 at 6 pm at Wilson Air for a send-off celebration as Wei Chen (MBA '98) sets off on his flight around the world. All proceeds from the Send-Off Celebration will benefit St. Jude. For more information about this event, to donate to St. Jude, or to purchase your tickets, please visit www.stjude.org/weichen.

UMAR
The Univeristy of Memphis Association of Retirees invites you to their next book club discussion group on Tuesday, May 24 at 11 am at Brother Juniper's. Enjoy breakfast with the group before discussing this month's literary work House of Prayer No. 2 by Mark Richard. For more information, contact Alumni Coordinator Connie Thiemonge at cthmonge@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333.

On Tuesday, June 28 UMAR will participate in the “Arts on Broad” event.  Members and their guests will explore the historic Broad Avenue Arts District starting with lunch at Three Angels Diner followed by a presentation from John Weeden, Executive Director of the Urban Art Commission.  The group will then enjoy a tour of Broad Avenue Arts District galleries and studios. NOTE: Space is limited, so make your reservation early. Contact Alumni Coordinator Connie Thiemonge at cthmonge@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333 to RSVP or for more information.

Music Society Jam Session

FCBE Alumni Chapter
The Annual FCBE Alumni Chapter Golf Tournament has been rescheduled due to rain and flooding at Miramichi.  More information regarding the new date will be available soon. For any questions on this upcoming event or Chapter information, please contact Alumni Coordinator Shannon Miller at semiller@memphis.edu or 901/678-3043.

Engineering Alumni Chapter
The Herff College of Engineering Alumni Chapter will host a Professional Development Hours (PDH) lunch on Tuesday, June 21 at the Alumni Center. The guest speaker will be U of M alumnus Mitch Jackson (BS '87), Vice President of Environmental Affairs & Sustainability at FedEx Corporation. Contact Alumni Coordinator Connie Thiemonge at cthmonge@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333 to register or for more information.

Save the Date: Vision Forum 2011
The University of Memphis Alumni Association will host its Vision Forum on Saturday, August 20 at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis Campus. More information to follow.

Save the Date: Tigers Around Town Grand Unveiling
All 100 Tiger statues will be unveiled on the University of Memphis campus on Saturday, September 10 at 12 noon (9.10.11@12 noon). More information to follow. Contact the Alumni Association at alumniassociation@memphis.edu or 901/678-2586 for more information.

Save the Date: MPA Alumni Club
The MPA Alumni Club will host its “Back to School Night” event on Tuesday, September 13 in the Alumni Center. Contact Alumni Coordinator Connie Thiemonge at cthmonge@memphis.edu or 901/678-1333 for more information.

Tiger Tour - Memphis

Save the Date: Journalism Alumni Club
The Journalism Alumni Chapter will host its annual Outstanding Alumni Awards on Thursday, October 27 at the Holiday Inn on campus. More details to follow. For more information on this upcoming event or Club information, please contact Alumni Coordinator Shannon Miller at semiller@memphis.edu or 901/678-3043.

Save the Date: UMAA Reunion Weekend
The University of Memphis Alumni Association will host the Centennial Alumni Reunion Weekend on April 20, 2012 – April 22, 2012. Formal invitation and information to follow. For more information on this upcoming event, please contact Alumni Coordinator Alexa Begonia at hbegonia@memphis.edu or 901/678-3873.

Beauty and the Beast at the Orpheum
The deadline to purchase your tickets to the June 17 performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the Orpheum has been extended! The offer is valid from Tuesday, May 17-Sunday, May 22. For more information and to purchase your tickets at this exclusive members-only discounted rate click here.

Tigers Around Town Centennial Celebration Call to Artists
The University of Memphis Alumni Association is accepting artwork proposals for Tiger Statues that will be featured in the Tigers Around Town Centennial Celebration. If you are an interested artist, please click here for more information. Download an artist information packet here.

Alumni may purchase a variety of high quality, competitively priced insurance products through the University of Memphis Alumni Association. These plans are administered by Marsh U.S. consumer, one of the largest brokers of alumni association insurance in the United States.

Short Term Medical
Recent grad? Between jobs? The Short-Term Medical Plan provides comprehensive, temporary medical coverage at a reasonable price. Available to alumni, spouses and dependent children.

Medical Insurance
The Major Medical Program provides a wide variety of health insurance options for alumni and their families. Coverage is available in most states. The program includes PPO, HMO, MSA, and Fee for Service plans (availability will differ based on your state of residence).

Auto/Home Insurance
Save big on Auto and Home insurance just for being a member of the Alumni Association. Get a quote from Liberty Mutual today to see what you could be saving!

Long Term Care
Long Term Care is a critical component of a retirement plan. With the option to choose from multiple carriers, alumni are able to obtain coverage and/or find rates based on their individual health circumstances. Alumni and their spouses are offered a 5% discount annually through the U of M Alumni Association.

Dental Insurance
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Learn more at www.personal-plans.com/memphis or call Marsh's award-winning customer service at 888/560-ALUM.