February Luncheon - Craig Rubens '74

 John Evans '74 introducing his classmate   Craig Rubens

February's luncheon offered one a graduate brother who is a "rock-star" in the academic achievement arena.  Craig Rubens '74 followed his studious undergraduate days at the University of Washington with the study of Immunology and Microbiology at Columbia where he earned his PhD.  The study bug was still under his skin, so he then attended the School of Medicine at the University of South Carolina.

In July of 1984 he joined the staff at Children's Hospital (called Children's Orhopedic Hospital or COH back in those days).  Craig's has enjoyed an illustrious career in pediatrics at Children's, and this foundational experience has led to his current position as the Executive Director of a global research effort touting the goal to reduce and prevent premature and still births. 

This global research effort offers this far reaching title:  "Global Alliance to Prevent Prematruity and Stillbirth (GAPPS)".   It is a far-reaching and ambitious initiative led by Seattle Children's.

Craig engaged the crowd by asking members of each table to offer examples of significant changes in the past 40 years.  The responses were revealing --  copy machine, fax machine, cell phone, internet, laptop, etc.  After reviewing these great technological advances, Craig put in perspective that his field has seen great advances for keeping people alive.  BUT there have not been corresponding advances in preventing the problems.  Little work has been done to improve the outcome of pregnancy.

Each year around the world there are 130 million births of which 10% are pre-term and an additional 4 million die at birth / stillborn.  The GAPPS goal is to spawn research around the world that will improve the outcome of pregnancy.  Craig cited information that a drop in birth-related mortality will result in a reduction of birth rate.  Thus it can be said that a more predictable outcome with pregnancy can actually result in less pregnancies and less births.

Funding for GAPPS has come from UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and others

We thank Craig for a most interesting presentation.

Ad Astra - Dave Morgan '52

David Charles Morgan'52

David Charles MORGAN David Charles Morgan, 1930-2011, was born in Seattle and graduated from Franklin High School, class of 1947. David was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (Fiji's) at the University of Washington, class of 1952 and for over fifty years enjoyed getting together with his Fiji brothers. He passed away at his home on Sunday in the arms of his loving family. David was preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Lucile, his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Tom Moore, and son, Mark, who passed away in 2006. He is survived by Jane, his wife of 57 years, his surviving children, Ross (Diane Schrenk) Morgan, Cary (Lyn) Morgan Frates, Scott (Marsha Rova) Morgan, daughter-in-law Laura Morgan, nine grandchildren, Derek, Michelle, Alex, Monica, Joey, Nick, Katie, Victor and Erik, and three great-grandchildren, Jayli, Syndey and Brielle. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Bo and Joan Morgan, and several dear nieces, nephews and cousins. Life-long Washington residents, Jane and David raised their family in Bellevue and Clyde Hill, and in 1979 as empty nesters, they retired to Indianola and later moved to Kingston in Kitsap County. Golf and football topped his love of sports. He was a life-long Husky football rooter and Tyee member for many years. 

 David devoted over thirty years to coaching Boy's and Girl's Club Junior football, twenty-five as head coach in the Bellevue Fox football system. As head coach with Mike Lampkin as his defensive coach, he never had a losing season, with over 100 wins, 18 championships, only 10 losses, 2 ties and many undefeated seasons. In 1983, his team was un-scored upon and no first downs were made by any opposing team. He later shared his football wisdom with his sons, who coached junior football in Woodinville and Kingston, earning him the nickname, 'Yoda'. 

He was a longtime member of Overlake Golf Club in Bellevue, Washington. He golfed to the very end with the Meadowmeer Boys at the Thursday Night Men's League. He played his last round of golf with the Meadowmeer Boys in Astoria, Oregon, September of 2010. His wife and family were his greatest joy. A gentleman to his last breath, he filled their lives with unfailing love and great humor. He is, and will always be missed. Please make any remembrances to the Boy's and Girl's Club in your area, or to the Kingston High School Band Boosters. 

 

Memorial services will be held at the Indianola Club House in Indianola, Washington on March 20th at 2:00 p.m.

Published in The Seattle Times on February 14, 2011

Matt Conroy '11 receives Scholarship at 2010 Pig Dinner

Matt Conroy '11

Matt was honored with a scholarship at the 2010 Pig Dinner.   He was screened and selected by the board of the Sigma Tau Educational Foundation.

A bit of background on Matt.  He graduated from Inglemoor High School. He was member of a basketball team that went to state two times finishing 5th and 8th.  Off court, Matt was an active member in DECA and the National Honor Society.

Among the positions that he's held in the undergraduate chapter, he served one year as the liaison with the Graduate chapter. (Note by Clay -- Matt's performance in the graduate relations role was more than commendable -- he was efficient, communicative, and responsible.  I recommend him to anyone who wants to get the job done.)

Matt is finishing his major in Economics with a minor in History. On campus he's been a member of the University Sales Club. For the past two summers he's worked for Green Knight Landscaping.  Matt will be graduating in June 2011, and he could use our help in finding a job commensurate with his solid skills.

Contact Matt via email at:   matt@cbp-wa.com

Kyle Yamamoto '13 receives Scholarship

Kyle Yamamoto '13

At the 2010 Pig Dinner, Kyle Yamamoto '13 was one of the recipients of a scholarship from our Graduate Scholarship program.  Kyle graduated from Roosevelt High School (along with Henry Berry '13 and David Madsen '13) in 2009 where he played varsity soccer and football.  Demonstrating leadership traits, Kyle was also elected the vice president of his class in his junior year, and in his senior year he was elected the student body vice-president.

Since becoming an undergradute at Sigma Tau, Kyle participation within the house has included Scholarship Chair in the Spring of '10 and he is currently the Social Chair for Winter '11.  Kyle has the honor of having been admitted as a Freshman Direct to the Foster School of Business, and he is planning to major in either Finance or Marketing.

Exhibiting his strong work ethic, Kyle also holds down a part time job at Snappy Dragon where he has been a host for the past year and a half.