Peter Thomas

Peter Thomas has just returned from West Ghana and a second stint in the Peace Corps to start graduate work at USC in Public Policy. He is enrolled in a two-year program and aspires to do development work in Afghanistan and Iraq. Collins students interested in the Peace Corps in Africa may contact him.

Mike Davis

I recently won the 2011 Meritorious Service Award from the Wisconsin City/County Management Association.

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Press release

Middleton City Administrator Mike Davis Wins Wisconsin City/County Management Association Award

June 16, 2011 - Wisconsin Dells – Today Middleton City Administrator Mike Davis received the prestigious Wisconsin City/County Management Association’s (WCMA) Meritorious Service Award for 2011. The award honors and acknowledges “outstanding achievement as a local government management professional in the State of Wisconsin.” Davis was presented the award at the WCMA Summer Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

Davis was nominated by City of Middleton District 2 Alderman Gurdip Brar. He has spearheaded many initiatives during his 24 year public sector career, including 13 year service as the Administrator for the City of Middleton. Prior to coming to Middleton, Davis served as the Assistant City Attorney in Bloomington, Indiana, Deputy Mayor / Assistant to the Mayor for the City of Bloomington, Executive Director for the Association of Indiana Counties, and City Administrator for Evansville, Wisconsin.

In Middleton Davis also serves as the Director of Economic and Community Development, Personnel Officer, and Public Information Officer. Davis oversees 13 departments and 150 employees.

During Davis’s tenure as Middleton City Administrator Money Magazine named Middleton the #1 Best Place to Live (2007), the #4 Best Place to Live (2009), and the #7 Best Place to Live (2005). In 2010, Middleton was a finalist for an All-America City (AAC) Award. As Economic Development Director, Mike has forged a strong relationship with the Middleton Chamber of Commerce and with THRIVE, an eight-county Madison-region economic development enterprise.

From 2007-2008, Davis served as president of the Wisconsin City Managers’ Association. He has also served as a board member since 2001. Davis has actively engaged city employees and city residents in a wide variety of topics related to city management. He created an innovative program for 3rd graders called “Democracy In Action.” Each year, he invites all 3rd grade classes to participate as “Mayors” and “Council Members” faced with difficult municipal budget decisions.

Jami Davis, 81-85

After completing my PhD at the University of Wisconsin in 2005, I returned to the San Francisco Bay Area to be closer to family. In 2008 I accepted a position at Marin Ventures, an agency where I have worked and provided consultation services since 1990. Now, I'm just completing my first three months as Executive Director. Our founding Executive Director retired and I was selected from a field of 68 candidates to be the second Executive Director for Marin Ventures. You can read more about Marin Ventures at www.marinventures.org.

I think that the liberal arts education I received at IU (BA History) gave me a good foundation for my career. Being able to write well and think critically are key factors to my success. Being involved at Collins in student government and other activities helped me grow and develop. Ultimately, it was just really fun to live at Collins.

Constance Collins

I graduated in June from DePaul University with a Master of Arts degree.

I also have a blog focusing on Social Compliance in the Apparel and Textile Industries: fairtraderjournal.com.

Michael Martone

I have a new book coming out called Four for a Quarter and hope to be back in Bloomington and IU on October 5th for another reading. Cheers!