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USU Alumni Spotlight

Every issue we will be featuring a newsworthy Aggie. This month we would like to introduce you to Deanna Tanner Okun, Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission. Chairman Okun ('85), was nominated to the ITC by President Clinton on November 10, 1999, and confirmed by the US Senate on November 19, 1999. She was sworn in as a member of the Commission on January 3, 2000, for a term expiring on June 16, 2008. She served as Vice Chairman of the ITC from June 17, 2000, to June 16, 2002. President George W. Bush designated her Chairman for the term June 17, 2002, through June 16, 2004.

Prior to her appointment, Chairman Okun served as counsel for international affairs to Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK) from 1993-1999, where she was responsible for the international trade issues with which the Senator was involved as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. She also handled international energy and foreign relations issues for the Senator in his position as Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Earlier, Chairman Okun served as a legislative assistant to Senator Murkowski, where she was responsible for his Foreign Relations Committee work, with an emphasis on East Asian affairs. Prior to her work with the Senator, Ms. Okun was an associate attorney and member of the International Trade Group at the Washington, DC, law firm of Hogan & Hartson. Earlier in her career, Ms. Okun was a research associate specializing in trade at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC.

Chairman Okun holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with honors from Utah State University and received her J.D. with honors from the Duke University School of Law. She is originally from Paul, Idaho. Currently, Chairman Okun resides in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, Bob Okun, and two daughters, Rachel and Kelsi.

Student Scholarships Available
Help make Utah State University your child's or grandchild's first and only choice of education through Alumni Chapter Scholarships. Don't wait, applications are only accepted through February 1, 2003. Funds for these scholarships are raised each year through the following programs:

• Alumni Sustaining Membership Program
• Alumni License Plate Program
• Additional individual contributions

Some of our current scholarship recipients.

The funds for these scholarships are raised within the chapter area. Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for a chapter scholarship:

• Live in an area with a chartered alumni chapter
• Be an incoming freshman or transfer student (can not have previously attended Utah State University)
• Be a child or grandchild of a Utah State University alumnus/alumna

For more information or to apply, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/scholar.html

Online Directory
Wouldn't it be great to network with thousands of Utah State Aggies worldwide? The new Alumni Online Directory is a searchable database, free to Aggies, that you can use for networking and will be coming soon. More information will follow in the next issue of this eNewsletter.

Alumni Definition
"But I didn't graduate! Am I still an alum?" Yes you are! According to the constitution of the Utah State University Alumni Association, members of the Association with full rights and benefits include all graduates, present students and former students who have completed at least 12 hours of class work at the University (or any of its Extension Centers), faculty, and staff members of Utah State University.

Student Loan Consolidation
Do you have a student loan and would like to know how to refinance? It's easy! Through the Alumni Loan Consolidation Program, Alumni and their parents can reduce monthly student loan repayments by consolidating their eligible Federal student loans. Alumni with more than $10,000 in outstanding Federal student loans can take advantage of the lowest interest rates in recent history. For more information on student loan consolidation visit https://usu.alcp.org/.

Magazine
To receive issues of the USU Magazine online, subscribe now by sending an e-mail to: MAILSERV@cc.usu.edu and typing SUBSCRIBE USUMAG in the subject line. View the Magazine online at www.utahstate.usu.edu.

Bank One Credit Card Program
Utah State University has partnered with Bank One to offer Aggies a convenient credit card that also supports USU. Recent changes to the program are being implemented to offer new low interest rates and also allow you to earn rewards while supporting your alma mater. You can help support USU and earn rewards like cash back, sky miles and more. You can show your Aggie pride by calling toll free 1-877-533-9656 to apply today.

EVENT LISTINGS

Utah State University Alumni Relations sponsors many exciting events throughout the year. To keep informed about the most current ones, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/events.html often.

CONNECTIONS

If you have moved recently, please update your information at: www.usu.edu/alumni/update.html

Chapter News:

Current Chapters
If you are interested in participating in any of the current chapters, please visit www.edu/alumni/chapters.html or contact the alumni office at alumni@cc.usu.edu

Reorganizing Chapters
If there is not an active chapter in your area and you would like to help organize, or reorganize one, please e-mail the Alumni office at alumni@cc.usu.edu.

Reorganization of Chapter Structure
Last fall, Alumni chapters underwent a major reorganization. Where previously there was only one vice president for each chapter, there are now three: Academics, Advancement, and Athletics. The Vice President for Academics promotes support for various academic programs of the University, assists in the recruitment of students, and works with local high schools. The Vice President for Advancement promotes support for needed revenue in Aggie Chapters, organizes and directs scholarship fundraising events, marketing of license plates, sustaining memberships, and assists with identifying prospective donors. The Vice President for Athletics functions as a liaison between the Athletics Department and the Aggie Chapter. They will strive to find alumni and friends who are interested in Athletics and get them involved in chapter programs. All three vice presidents report directly to the chapter president.

Chapter Web pages
Alumni Chapters are currently establishing individual home pages. Chapters recently online include:

Watch for your local chapter’s home page.

Travel Opportunities

American Heritage Tour

Come and travel with fellow Aggies and relive the history and excitement of early America with a tour escorted by Utah State University Professor Ross Peterson May 10-17, 2003. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Peterson has been easily one of the best-loved professors at USU. He served as the founding director of the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies and has authored many articles and books, including The History of Cache County. Dr. Peterson has escorted many trips for the Alumni Association. He brings knowledge and insight to our tours and offers travelers a unique opportunity to look back in time at the locations where history was made.

For only $1499 from Salt Lake City, you can enjoy all of the sights of Washington DC The price is based on double occupancy. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/american.html or contact Scott Olson at (435) 797-2055.

China
You are invited to join the USU Alumni Association on an incredible adventure to experience the wondrous sights of the ancient Chinese Emperors and Dynasties on September 10-19, 2003. Journey back in time as you behold the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the historic Tiananmen Square. For only $1499 from Salt Lake City, you will marvel at the sights of Beijing including pagodas, pavilions, temples, courtyards, and shopping. For an additional $499 extend your trip for a three day tour of Xian. Prices are based on double occupancy. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.usu.edu/alumni/china.html or contact Scott Olson at (435) 797-2055.

Athletics
Check out utahstateaggies.com for the latest news and information about aggie athletics.