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Thunderbird
thanks Barrett
Students, faculty, staff salute
interim president for service
Guests sign a portrait of
Ambassador Barrett that was
later framed and given to her as
a memento.
African students Caroline Kenduywa ’13, left, and Jennifer Juma ’12
greet Ambassador Barbara Barrett during her thank you reception
Nov. 28, 2012.
Thunderbird
faculty, staff and
students rolled out
the red carpet for
Ambassador Barbara Barrett
during a thank you reception
Nov. 28, 2012, following
her six-month term as
interim president.
Barrett, who served as
Thunderbird’s 10th leader
from April 27 to Nov. 1,
2012, bridged the administrations
of Ángel Cabrera,
Ph.D., and Larry Edward
Penley, Ph.D. She was the
first woman and the first
honorary alumnus to serve
as Thunderbird president.
The celebration included
musical performances,
tributes, toasts and even a
dramatic reading of a Maya
Angelou poem. Japanese
student Yohei Matsumura
’13 shared his thoughts
in a thank you video that
opened the celebration.
“I was especially impressed
with how Ambassador
Barrett clarified three
priorities — students,
jobs and donors — which
helped us to follow her
easily and clearly,” he said.
“When I become a leader, I
want to do the same thing.”
Chinese student Shan
Ouyang ’13 said she appreciated
the way Barrett
provided special access for
students to professional, political
and cultural events in
Arizona. “She created many
opportunities for students
to be around her and learn
outside the classroom,”
Ouyang said.
Former Thunderbird
Trustee John Berndt, who
served as Chief Operating
Officer during Barrett’s
interim administration, also
attended the event.
The Thunderbird community
thanked Berndt for his
most recent service during
a Pub reception on Dec.
12, 2012. Guests dined on
Mexican food and toasted
Berndt with margaritas.
Special Assistant to the
President Gbemi Disu ’06
organized both events.
PHOTOS BY SUZY HOWELL
Thunderbird Arizona license plate sales raise funds
Thunderbird license plates
have become a common
sight on campus. Through
January 2013 the Arizona
Department of Transportation
has sold 438 of the
specialty plates. Thunderbird’s
portion of the revenue
is nearly $8,000. “The great
news here is that all who
purchase a plate will renew
the plate every year or two,
adding yet again to the sales,”
said Aram Chavez ’08, who
has spearheaded the project.
To order a plate, visit www.
servicearizona.com and click
“Vehicle.” Alumni outside
Arizona can order a license
plate holder — the next best
thing — for $18 at www.
thundershop.com.
thunderbird magazine 15