Your connection to Adrian doesn’t stop after you graduate.
After walking across the stage and receiving your diploma, you will join the ranks of our alumni who have achieved—and are achieving—remarkable things in their field.
Graduated from Adrian College in 2002 majoring in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Holds a Master’s Degree from Walden University in Reading.
Certified in K-12 in her major, as well as 6-8 in Reading.
Teaches “College Critical Reading and Writing” as an adjunct professor at Adrian College.
Helps with the Adrian College TED test prep program (since she has begun working with AC, the MTTC test past rates have risen).
Prior to her current job, she spent seven years as a classroom teacher, six years in the Mount Baker School District and one year at Summit School District.
Wayne Roedel (2013)
Superintendent, Fowlerville Community Schools
Graduated from Adrian College in 1988, majoring in Biology and Chemistry.
Holds a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University.
Served for a total of 10 years as an administrator: nine of those years in the Fowlerville Community Schools and one year prior at the Battle Creek Lakeview High School.
Prior to being an administrator, taught high school science courses for 16 years.
Held positions as a coach in multiple sports—including football, track and swimming.
Bob Gustas (2012)
8th Grade Math Teacher at Hal E. Clark Middle School in St. John.
Graduated from Adrian College in 1988.
2010 Hoosier Educator of the Year, which recognizes, rewards and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the education profession.
Lake Central Teacher’s Association Co-President
The National Junior Honor Society Sponsor
Bob is the boy’s cross-country and track coach and the girl’s assistant track coach.
Bob lives with his wife, Letitia and their three children in St. John.
Mike McAran (2012)
Superintendent of Tecumseh Schools: Serving over 2,900 students
Graduated from Adrian College in 1966 majoring in English and History.
Mike is concluding his 47 year career in education as he retired in the 2013 school year.
From 1976 to 1983 he was assistant high school principal and athletic director for Tecumseh.
He returned to Tecumseh in 1998 as middle school principal and was appointed superintendent in 2005.
His wife, Judy, is also a graduate of Adrian College.
Brent McCall (2012)
English Teacher at Addison High School
Brent graduated from Adrian College, magna cum laude, in 2007. He majored in English and minored in History.
While at Adrian, Brent played four years of baseball for the College. After graduation, he went on to teach two years of high school English in Battle Creek. He then moved onto his current position at Addison High School where he teaches English and yearbook. He has also served as the athletic director for the Addison Community Schools.
Mrs. Mary Betzoldt (2011)
Placement Coordinator, Teacher Education
Graduated from Adrian College in 1968.
Master of Arts Degree in 1989 from Eastern Michigan University
Permanent Teaching Certificate from the State of Michigan in 1973: Grades 7-8 All Subjects: Grades 9-12 BD BA
Mrs. Betzoldt is the field placement coordinator of the Teacher Education Department at Adrian College after teaching in Adrian Public schools for a combined service of 43 years.
After graduating from Adrian, she began her teaching career at Springbrook Middle School, at Adrian Public Schools. In 1973, Betzoldt Permanent Teaching Certificate from the State of Michigan in 1973: Grades 7-8 All Subjects: Grades 9-12 BD BA. Then, in 1989, she received her master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Betzoldt taught in the Adrian Public Schools from 1968-1999: Grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 English: Math 7, 8: Speech 8, Adrian High School 9-12: U.S. History 8. She was the Lenawee County Effective Teacher Trainer 1980’s. After retiring from APS, she then taught Speech and Communication Classes at the Jackson Community College from 2000-2005.
In 1996, Betzoldt joined the Adrian College Teacher Education Department as an adjunct instructor. Her areas of instructing are:
Literacy in the Content Area
English Methods
Methods of Secondary Teaching
Field Experience Coordinator
CPR and First Aid classes for MI certification
Supervises Student Teachers
Mary and her husband, Jack, reside in Adrian and can be seen at various Adrian College events and sports, as well as enjoying the company of their grandchildren, Grace and Zeke.
Mr. Nathan Parker (2011)
Principal, Adrian Middle School 7/8
Undergraduate Degree, Adrian College 1998
Graduate Degree, Marygrove University.
Specialist Degree, Siena Heights University
Mr. Nathan Parker is the principal of Adrian Public Schools Middle School 7/8 building as of August 2010 to present. Parker is a 1998 graduate of Adrian College; he received his master’s degree from Marygrove University and his specialist degree from Siena Heights University.
Parker spent 10 years at Morenci, first as a Spanish teacher and then as a high school principal. While at Morenci, Parker then served as interim superintendent for several months.
Dr. Chris Timmis said Parker has been successful at Morenci and “he’s big on school culture and discipline.” “Their student achievement has been strong and he’s done some great things as a leader to support teachers to make that happen.” Timmis also pointed to the range of roles that Parker filled as principal. “He’s worn many hats while at Morenci and been able to balance them all.”
“The key to a great school… is the same as it always has been and always will be—outstanding teachers,” Parker said. “Anybody can teach the top tier students. Great teachers can teach them all.”
Nathan and his wife, Stacy, have three young children: Sean, Adam and Ethan.
Dr. Christopher Timmis (2011)
Superintendent, Adrian Public Schools, Adrian, MI July 2008-present
Graduated from AC in 1996 (was VP for Class of 1995 and came back to student teach). Majored in Mathematics and Communications-Advocacy.
M.Ed. in 1999 from Wayne State University.
Ed.D. in 2007 from Eastern Michigan University. Dissertation: “A Study of School-Choice Students in the Southgate Community School District.”
“I remember visiting Adrian College as a high school senior. As soon as I walked onto the campus, everything felt right. I remember meeting with the baseball coach and some faculty on the visit. Great things happened over those next four years. Now, as an adult, I feel a sense of pride as I think about the day I visited and decided to attend Adrian College. I owe much of my success to the visit that day and the decision to attend Adrian College.
“Adrian College provided me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a leader. My time at Adrian College, like so many others, was an important time in my life. Those four years taught me how to learn, how to stretch myself, how to define myself, how to work in an ethical and principled-manner and how to be a leader. My education courses and faculty helped me define what type of educator I would become. Everything I’ve done in my career since leaving Adrian College can be linked back to the positive experience I had. I love Adrian College and attribute my success to my experiences at AC.”
As the Superintendent at APS, Dr. Timmis has accomplished the following:
Significantly increased test scores in grades 3-8
Received competitive School Improvement Grant totaling $2.75 million over three years for Adrian High School
Created partnership with Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee that resulted in a $1,000,000 capital project raised solely by private donations
Increased technology throughout the district
Implemented International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Adrian High School and Middle Years Program at AMS 7-8 and AHS
Dr. Christopher Timmis currently lives in Adrian with his wife, Lori, and son, Drew. They live five houses away from Adrian College.
Chris Stewart
Chris graduated from Adrian College in 2004, with a Teaching Certification in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation as well as Biology.
Chris also holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration and Coaching from Michigan State University.
Chris has worked at Olivet College since 2008 most recently as the head strength and condition coach and student athlete advisory committee advisor.
Prior to that, Chris was a teacher at Freedom High School in Florida.
Chris defines leadership as the honor of serving others by providing them with viable access to success in times of need and prosperity.
Robert Wright
Robert graduated from Adrian College in 1991, majoring in Secondary Mathematics Education.
Robert also holds a Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Educational Leadership and Administration as well as an Educational Specialist Degree from Sienna Heights University in Educational Leadership and Administration.
Robert has been the Onsted High School Principal since 2012.
Prior to that, Robert was the assistant principal at Onsted from 2007 - 2012. From 1999 to 2007, Robert was the assistant principal and athletic director at Sand Creek Community Schools..
Robert is described as a, “Dynamic, caring, purpose-driven educator with demonstrated capabilities in classroom experience, data informed decision making, and collaborative leadership.”
From their roots at Adrian College, to classrooms in other states and countries, graduates from the teacher education program at Adrian College succeed. They work and learn in real life environments to have hands-on experiences. It’s just one piece of the Adrian College experience.
Ashley Evard—Teacher, South Korea
Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and Elementary Education, Adrian College, May 2010
Ashley describes her time at Adrian College, and what she has done since graduation:
“I graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and Elementary Education. While attending Adrian, I held a few work study jobs, all with the Academic Services Department. I worked as a note taker, a tutor and as a front desk supervisor. I also participated in Disabilities Awareness Week in March 2009. I was the secretary and the treasurer of my class my sophomore year and I was a member of Chi Alpha Epsilon Honors Fraternity. I worked closely with a few of the education professors as well as several teachers and administrators in the Adrian Public School’s district, especially teachers and staff from Lincoln Elementary where I fulfilled the majority of my clinical experience hours, volunteered for various school activities and completed my associate teaching.
“As I type this, I am sitting in my apartment in South Korea, where I teach English to Korean children in a private school setting. Being at Adrian gave me the confidence and tools necessary to make this big move, literally to the other side of the world.
If it was not for the courses I took, the time I spent in public school classrooms, especially during student teaching, or for the closeness I had with a few professors, I would have never made it out here.
“Now that I’m here, I cannot imagine how my life would be if I were not in Korea. I recently completed my first year and have just started my second. I absolutely love teaching out here. The students I work with range in age from 5-15 years old and they are all so smart and eager to soak up as much of the English language and culture that I can share with them.”
