Get Connected

Welcome!

Did you know that there are many ways for you to stay connected to your alma mater and the thriving community of Albers alumni? Help to shape the future of your school and your career by getting involved in the many alumni activities taking place on campus, joining a committee, or attending our local or regional events. Stay involved at Seattle U; you'll be glad you did.

Please complete this Albers Connects form to help us connect with you, stay current, and to share your accomplishments with fellow graduates if you choose. For more information or questions answered, please contact AlbersAlumni@seattleu.edu.

Alumni News

Albers Spring Wine Tasting Event 2012

[Details from above]

The Fine Art of Wine Selection for Business Occasions with Nathan Barker of Nell’s Restaurant 

To celebrate the season of spring, the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University cordially invites you to join us for an evening of fine wine, delicious appetizers, and the opportunity to network and connect with fellow business graduates from the Seattle University community as well as the members of the Albers Alumni Board.

This event will include a presentation on how to select wines for different occasions and how to navigate a restaurant wine list with Nathan Barker, the Wine Steward and Manager of Nell’s Restaurant in Green Lake. The evening will highlight a selection of red and white wines featuring the wine of our special guest wine maker, Tim Sorenson, retired Albers faculty member and owner of Fall Line Winery, plus more wineries to delight your senses while sharpening your wine selection skills.

Space will be limited to the first 75 registrants. For more information, or to reserve tickets, please RSVP to Rob Bourke at bourker@seattleu.edu. To learn more about our events, visit our website at www.seattleu.edu/albers.

Albers Alumni Networking Event

We’re happy to invite you an Albers Spring Alumni Networking Event at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue, featuring the Redhawks as Seattle University Baseball takes on the University of Washington!  This is your chance to enjoy a great game, support the team, and re-connect with your fellow Albers and Seattle University classmates, alumni, faculty for an afternoon at the park.  We’ll meet, network, and keep in touch in an outdoorsy setting to bring together the Albers alumni community.

Albers Alumni Happy Hour

Join us for an evening of networking and mingling at our first event of 2012 - Albers Alumni Networking Night, Spring 2012.

Re-connect with your fellow Albers and Seattle University classmates, alumni, faculty, and other SU business professionals in the greater Seattle area. This event is for people to meet, network, chat and keep in touch in an informal and casual setting, thereby fostering stronger Albers alumni community.  

We encourage you to attend and spread the word by forwarding the invite to other Albers and Seattle University professionals in your network and organization. Non-Albers alumni and current students are welcome to join the event.

When: May 24th, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Where: Palomino {Downtown Seatte} 1420 Fifth Ave. Seattle WA 98101

RSVP HERE

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Albers School of Business and Economics Presents Reading the Tea Leaves: The Shape of China's Government for the Next Five Years. Implications for Business Policy

Begin your morning with our second Albers Alumni Breakfast Speaker Series for the spring quarter! Dr. David Reid, Professor of Global Business Strategy, will discuss with us his examination of what the future might hold as the balance at the pinnacle of China's government begins to change. We may predict the changes that will occur. What is precipitating change? How might the pattern of the government shift? What are the implications of these shifts for your business strategy in the near and medium term? For the longer term, what might be effects on your business models for China trade?

Discover these answers and more at our presentation held on May 16, 2012 in the Student Center Building, Room 160, the Leroux Room at Seattle University from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Registration and a full breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. We promise urns of hot coffee to get you started. We will have plenty of time for your questions and will end promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Registration is required; the cost is $10. To register click here. If you wish to pay at the door we are happy to assist you, but you must still register by contacting either Gail or Rob so we have adequate food and seats.

For additional information, please contact Gail Yates at 206-296-6115 or yatesg@seattleu.edu or Rob Bourke at 206-296-2277 or bourker@seattleu.edu

We hope you will join us for this edition of the Albers Alumni Breakfast Speaker Series!

Entrepreneurship Event Sponsored by the Stanford Business School Alumni Chapter

The Stanford Business School Alumni Chapter would like to extend an invitation to all Albers Alumni to attend their upcoming entrepreneurship panel entitled, "How Do You Choose Your Space?" taking place on Monday, May 7 at the Bellevue Hilton. The panel will highlight key issues potential entrepreneurs should consider in the healthcare and clean tech sector in a presentation by Robert Chess, a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in entrepreneurship and a founder/CEO of multiple technology-based companies. Ralph Derrickson of Carena and Rick Luebbe, MBA '97, of EnerG2 will also share their stories, challenges, and insight for prospective entrepreneurs.

Cost is $35 per person, and includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Registration is required by Wednesday, May 2.

To learn more about this exciting and collaborative event, click here for registration and event details.

A Successful Crab Feed

Thank you for joining us at our 10th Annual Crab Feed held on campus in our student center on Saturday, March 24. The successful event raised enough funds to provide for four scholarships and hosted nearly 250 alumni and friends. Pictured above, Albers Alumni Board Members Scott Warren, Michael Hart, Jeff Greenaway, and Eileen Olsen are captivated by the fiery entertainment.

We would also like to thank the following leading sponsors for their support in this year's Crab Feed:

"Ethics in the Business World"

On April 17, 2012 the Albers School of Business and Economics will be hosting a presentation titled, "Ethics in the Business World" focusing on the positive traits in the business industry. Activities will demonstrate that professional ethics and ethical organization cultures are vital to advancing the role of business as a force for building the common good.

The event will kick off with an Albers Alumni Breakfast Speaker Series featuring Stan McNaughton, '74, President and CEO of Pemco and Dr. Marc Cohen, Assistant Professor of Business Ethics. This presentation will be held on April 17, 2012 from 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Casey Building, on the 5th floor, Casey Commons at Seattle University. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. Speakers will begin a little bit before 8:00 a.m. and we will have plenty of time for your questions. Registration is required; the cost is $10. To register, click here. For additional information, please contact Gail Yates at 206-296-6115 or yatesg@seattleu.edu or Rob Bourke at 206-296-2277 or bourker@seattleu.edu

As part of "Ethics in the Business World", most Albers students will be visited by thoughtful, ethical business leaders throughout the day who will participate in over 50 classes to share how they have addressed ethical dilemmas in their own career.  The day will conclude with a panel from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. when we kick off the  founding of the student chapter of Net Impact.  This new student group will host a panel of invited guests including the founder of Newground Social Investment.

We hope you will join us for the Alumni Breakfast!  

10th Annual Crab Feed

The 10th Annual Crab Feed is Saturday March 24th from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the SU Campus in the Student Center.  Don't miss this rollicking night of camaraderie, crab, and friendly silent auction competition! Revel in great food, old friends, and bid on an array of wines and winemaker tours, golf packages, handcrafted jewelry, vacation values to exotic destinations like Mexico, and local getaways.  Best of all, your participation supports scholarships for Albers students!

Contact Rob Bourke at (206) 296-2277 or bourker@seattleu.edu for sponsorship and VIP ticket information. 

Standard tickets are available online at: http://messages.seattleu.edu/crabfeed/2012_invite.html

Diane Jurgens Named President of Shanghai's GM division OnStar

 photo credit | General Motors

On January 1st, Albers Alum and Everett native Diane Jurgens became the new president of Shanghai OnStar. OnStar is a division of General Motors known for their installation of communications systems typically found in GM vehicles and can be of service to drivers in terms of safety and security. Currently OnStar in Shanghai is the only division located outside of North America and is expanding quickly. She is excited to take on her new role at OnStar and is looking forward to living in Shanghai more permanently. Jurgens received her second masters at Seattle University in International Business.

Keeping Up With Alumni

Albers Alumni and former Director of Special Events and Business Initiatives with the New Orleans Saints, Marcus Boyle is currently posted at the embassy in Ankara, Turkey serving as the Assistant General Services Officer.

New Art Added to Albers

Albers recently received an anonymous gift for this beautiful piece now on display on the third floor across the bridge and over the atrium. We look forward to adding more art to the blank walls of Albers. For more information on making a gift of art, please contact Gail Yates at 206-296-6115 or yatesg@seattleu.edu

Broadway's Blue Moon Burgers

This past summer, Albers Alumnus Charlie Olson '91 opened up his new restaurant, Blue Moon Burgers, on Broadway in Capitol Hill. The interior of the restaurant offers a modern twist to the diners that you may have been used to and instead, highlights much more of an industrial atmosphere and an enormous mural by street artist, David Teschner. The extensive menu offers a wide variety of specialty burgers as well as the option to build your own burger. We highly reccommend "The Blue Hawaiian" - thick teriyaki glaze, pepper jack cheese, a grilledpineapple ring, fresh lettuce, tomato, sweet red onions, pickles, andBlue Moon sauce on a SODO roll! 

If you are an Albers alum, and you are on the verge of debuting your new business in our neighborhood, please feel free to let us know!

Albers by the Numbers

As of July 8th, 2011, our statistics for the Albers School of Business & Economics have now been updated! We would like to thank Advancement Services for providing us with the following current information on our alumni.

Did you know that of the nearly 17,000 alumni students that have come through the Albers School of Business, 39.6% of them obtained a graduate degree while the other 61.6% graduated with an undergraduate degree?

Albers students come from all over the country and the world, but the top five states that house the most Albers Alumni are:

1. Washington
2. California
3. Oregon
4. Hawaii
5. Arizona

Outside of the US, the countries with the most Albers Alumni include:

1. Indonesia
2. Thailand
3. Japan
4. Taiwan
5. Canada

Similar to Seattle University's general women to men ratio, Albers remains fairly close to this comparison with 64.4% of alumi being male and 35.6%  being female.

Alumni Networking Event @ Palomino - 10/27/11

 Spotlight: Albers Alumnus Vic Rafanelli

Vic Rafanelli, a '69 graduate of Albers in Business Administration, continued his academic career at Golden Gate University where he went on to earn a masters degree in Transportation. Rafanelli currently teaches at Green River Community College and has a reputation of being a well-respected professor to his students and colleagues. He has been there for close to 30 years. While at Seattle University, he was an active member of the community participating in the ROTC program and playing the trumpet in the Pep Band. He remembers fondly Fathers Corrigan, LeRoux and Maguire.

Albers Alumnus Returns to Seattle University For A Visit

John Moga, a 1961 accounting alumnus, stopped by our Seattle University campus yesterday for a brief visit. Moga, along with his business colleagues, participated in helping to fund a remodel for our placement center some time ago. Here he is above pictured with his plaque honoring his efforts. Throughout his career, Moga has remained an active member within the Seattle community working with the Seattle Repertory Theater, the Seattle Art Museum and even served as a founding charimen for Seattle University's Accounting Associates Advisory Board for 15 years.

Thank You Denise Leary!

After nine years of serving on the Albers Alumni Board, Denise Leary (second from right) will be retiring. In addition to being a founding board member, Leary was active in founding two of our annual alumni events, the Seattle University Crab Feed and Wine Tasting. Denise Leary graduated from the MBA program at Albers in 2001, but has continued to stay involved ever since. Fellow founding member Eileen Olsen, Rob Bourke and Gail Yates are joining together to recognize her service and dedication to the work that she has contributed to and done for the Albers School of Business & Economics. Thank you for sharing your passion and hard work with us, Denise. We wish you the best of luck on all of your future endeavors.

Triple Threat and Albers Alum Duff McKagan Returns To Seattle University's Campus On Oct. 21

To promote his new memoir "It’s So Easy: and other Lies," the founding member of legendary rock group Guns N' Roses, Duff McKagan, will return to Seattle University's campus for an interview and book signing. While the book highlights dark parts of his journey as a recording and touring artist including his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, McKagan also reveals how he has risen above it all. During his time off from the road and the period in which he became sober, McKagan enrolled at Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics to become educated in the business and financial side of the music industry. Today, McKagan, who will always be known as a rockstar, is a financial advisor and contributing writer for Seattle Weekly, ESPN, Playboy Magazine and the author of his own memoir.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations and Elliott Bay Books, Duff McKagan will take part in a Q&A session with SU Associate Professor of American Literature and Poetry, Sharon Cumberland, at 7:30PM on Friday, Oct. 21 in the Pigott Auditorium. Following the session will be a brief book sigining at 8:15PM where copies of his memoir will be available for purchase.

For full details on the event, click here and watch a video of Duff McKagan's interview on CNN, in which he mentions the Albers School of Business and Economics here.

Join Us For A Tour

Allow us to introduce to you our new Preston Singletary piece currently being housed outside of the Alumni Relations and Admissions building. As a new addition to our collection, we would like to invite you to join us for a tour, which will give you the opportunity to not only view this piece up close, but also check out the campus's beautiful landmarks and attractions.

To schedule a tour, please contact Gail Yates (206-296-6115,  yatesg@seattleu.edu) or Rob Bourke (206-296-2277, bourker@seattleu.edu)

 The Ingredients Of A Community

[DENNIS BOX | Kent Reporter]

Within her community in East Hill and the city of Kent, Seattle University MBA Grad, Harpreet Gill, envisioned people being brought together by the blending of food, culture and community. In 2009, Gill created the International Festival designed to promote good will and diversity within the community celebrating the arts in music, dance talent, and exquisite ethnic cuisine. In addition to being an organizer for this event, Gill is also the owner behind Punjab Sweets, an authentic vegetarian restaurant started by her parents who are still very much involved with the business. The restaurant has gained such a following that visitors will travel across the state just to sample their cuisine with snacks made entirely from scratch and a diverse range of ingredients. 

"The belief of coming together over food and celebration of culture is at the heart of much of Gill's focus in the community."

To read the full article, click here.

Thank You For Joining Us At This Year's 9th Annual Albers Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament!

Albers alumni and friends were greeted with gorgeous weather out on the green this year at Bellevue's Glendale Course on August 8th, 2011 with 130 players participating in the tournament. After a little friendly competition on the course between teams, our players were then able to kick back and relax their feet while sipping on cocktails and dining on quite a feast in the evening portion of the event. Through our silent auction, we were able to raise enough funding to provide Albers student scholarships for several students. Thank you so much for joining us at the golf tournament this year! We hope you enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of golf and we hope to see you next year out on the green at our 10th Annual Albers Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament!

Special thanks to this year's sponsors:

Redhawk Champion Sponsor:BECU  

Contest Sponsor: Goldberg Jones

College Champion Sponsors: BDA, Plum Creek Timber, AAA, Holland America Lines, Onco Genex, Wells Fargo

 
Hole Sponsors: Copiers Northwest, SU Athletics

 Celebrating John M. Harding

EmeritusProfessor John M. Harding (Faculty Member in Accounting, 1975 - 1997)turned 90 years old on June 6.  Professor Harding established theVolunteer Income Tax Assistance program in 1975, when the InternalRevenue Service asked for volunteers to help the public work throughthe complexities of tax returns.  Throughout the years he led orassisted with VITA, he spent many a weekday evening and Saturdaymorning providing support and guidance, and also developed an earlycomputer program designed to check the accuracy of returns. 

His family hasasked us to publicize this milestone event for Dr. Harding with thehope that former students will be inspired to send him well wishes. This is one of the greatest gifts a student can give a teacher -- toshare reflections on the impact he had.

His family has set up a web page through which this can be done: http://johnturns90.tumblr.com. Alternatively, messages sent to this email address will beincorporated into a scrapbook that will be presented to him later thissummer.

Please take afew moments to let Dr. Harding and his family know the impact histeaching, mentoring, and inspiration to volunteer has had in your lifeafter SU and studying accounting.  We’re also interested in yourstories and will post some on the Albers website; so, feel free torespond to this email as well. We are always interested in what you’redoing!  Feel free to share updates and adventures with us.

Many thanks for helping us honor Dr. Harding’s 90^th birthday.

Dean Joe Phillips

Associate Dean Susan Weihrich

Accounting Department Chair, David Tinius Professor  Bruce Koch

Albers Alumni Relations Gail Yates and Rob Bourke

 Seattle University and Marquette University Garner Success from the CIRCLES Networking Event!

On Monday, May 9th 2011, over 200 attendees from both Seattle University and Marquette University came together to participate in the award-winning CIRCLES networking event. At this event, guests were given the opportunity to connect with professionals based on industry and business interests.The event also featured a leadership forum with representatives from Blue Nile Inc., Costco Wholesale, Nordstrom, and Puget Sound Business Journal.

"I thought it was an excellent format, the panel line-up was great, and the venue was perfect for meeting new people." - Jeff Greenaway

"I always find intriguing people at SU events and I truly appreciate your allowing me to participate." - Steve Gerdes