TOPEKA – Seven Washburn University graduates will be honored as Alumni Fellows at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. The cost is $14 for members of the Alumni Association and $17 for non-members. Reservations are due by Oct. 9 and may be made by calling (785) 670-1641 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Sponsored by Washburn University deans and the Alumni Association, the Alumni Fellows program recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their career fields.

The 2009 Fellows are:

David Chavez, Olathe, Kan., bachelor of arts, 1988 (College of Arts and Sciences honoree). Chavez is founder and chief executive officer of LatinPonte Inc., an Hispanic branding agency specializing in signature programs, strategic relations and television programming. He served as executive producer of two Latino-themed prime time network television specials in both English (ALMA Awards, ABC Network) and Spanish (Premio Deportes, Univision Network) languages.

Paul Etzel, La Mesa, Calif., bachelor of science, 1971 (College of Arts and Sciences honoree). Etzel is professor, astronomy, at San Diego State University and director of Mount Laguna Observatory. He is the author of more than 90 research publications, has received more than $1.3 million in competitive grants for research and served as a panel member for grant proposals and as a manuscript referee for professional journals.

Paul Hoferer, Topeka, juris doctor, 1975 (School of Law honoree). Hoferer joined the law firm of Lathrop & Gage after retiring in 2008 as vice president and general counsel for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. He is a past president of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and a member of the Washburn School of Law board of governors.

Cynthia Hornberger, Lawrence, Kan., bachelor of science, 1978 (School of Nursing honoree). Hornberger is professor, Washburn School of Nursing, where she served 2000-09 as dean. During her tenure, the master’s program was established and enrollment in the baccalaureate program nearly doubled. She is a past president of the Kansas Association of Colleges of Nursing, a member of Leadership Kansas and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Michael Mustain, Basehor, Kan., bachelor of arts, 1976 (School of Applied Studies honoree). Mustain is an intelligence research specialist for the Army at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. As director of the test and evaluation division, he is responsible for the implementation of threat in operational tests for new Army and joint acquisition programs. He has received many military honors, including the Army Modeling and Simulation Award.

Marianne Webb, Carbondale, Ill., bachelor of music, 1958 (College of Arts and Sciences honoree). Webb is professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she is in her 45th year of service as distinguished university organist. She has performed recitals and presented workshops nationally under Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists Management and has a lifelong involvement at all levels in the American Guild of Organists.

John Wood, Bronxville, N.Y., bachelor of business administration, 1973, and juris doctor, 1978 (School of Business honoree). Wood is a partner in the law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP, where he leads the commercial real estate legal group. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, author of treatises and books on commercial leasing, serves the Practicing Law Institute as a member of the board of legal advisers and chairman of the commercial leasing program.