Alumni Board of Directors

Officers

Michael DeWitt

Michael DeWitt, 2001
President

After graduating from Howe in 2001, as Company Commander of Bravo Co, Michael DeWitt immediately joined the Marine Corps, where he served for six years. Upon completion, he went to college and studied information technology, business, and marketing. Michael is an active Past Master in Freemasonry and is one of three partners at an IT company.

Eleni Mitropoulos, 2004 1st Vice President

Eleni Mitropoulos-D’Andrea, 2004
1st Vice President

Eleni Mitropoulos, ’04, attended Howe Military Academy for six years. Her stepfather, James D. Weiss, Sr., ’53, was a dedicated Board of Trustee and Alumni Association member. He also founded the Howe Military Academy Alumni Club in 2000 – a place in Sturgis where Howe alumni can gather and enjoy reminiscing together. Following in Jim’s footsteps, Eleni became Vice President of the Alumni Association and served on the School Board of Trustees until the School’s closing. She now runs and manages the Alumni Club. When the School closed, Eleni personally photographed, inventoried, and moved all of the memorabilia from Howe’s former campus to the Alumni Club to preserve and maintain it for years to come. E-mail her at emitropoulos@hmsalumni.org

Crystal Vaughn, 2012

Crystal Vaughn, 2012
2nd Vice President, Acting Treasurer
Registered Agent

Brian Morabito, 1990
Secretary

Brian is a Class of 1990 Howe Military School graduate; his younger and better looking sister Laura, who still outranks him, graduated with the Class of 1993.

Brian’s professional life and the good he has performed echoes the lessons and impacts of the extraordinary Howe faculty, staff, and educators in whose classrooms and barracks and homes he is so very fortunate to have experienced: CPT Glen and Fran Barton, LTC Reed Kimball, Mr. Earl Cleveland (RIP), Mr. Richard Piper (RIP), MAJ Eric Colville (RIP), Rev. Dr. Terry Timson (RIP), and of course Mr. John Pagin (RIP).

Since becoming an active participant with the HMSAA in 2004, Brian continues to wear several hats: Volunteer, Class Agent, Board Director (2012), Secretary and Parliamentarian (2018). His academic background and focus in the humanities, communication, law and philosophy fuels his professional endeavors which include at-risk youth counseling, public safety and security, legal support services, field investigation, research interviewing, data collection, entrepreneurialism and consumer advocacy. In reality, he has become an incidental wanderer, an idealistic rabble-rouser and a dedicated alumnus focused on mapping and activating Howe Military’s vast and immeasurably resourceful network of alumnae/i, in order to help preserve lasting and living Howe legacies.

Directors

Fred Seibold, 1953 President

Fred Seibold, 1953

Fred Seibold attended Howe Military School four years, was 1953 Salutatorian, battalion staff, and Editor of both Herald and Tatler. Attended University of Illinois under a Regular NROTC scholarship; after commissioning served 3 years in PhibLant and 19 years in Ready Reserve, eventually completing two three-year tours as commanding officer of two Naval Security Group units, retiring as Commander (O-5). Worked in the family florist business for years, built and managed an FM broadcast station for 15 years, managed another for 10, and did engineering at an NBC TV station for 10. Lions Clubs 60+ years, Rotarian 20+. Director of HMSAA since 2014, President since 2018. E-mail Fred at fseibold@hmsalumni.org.

James McKnight, Director

James McKnight, 1978

After James finished Howe he attended Monmouth College in Monmouth Illinois graduated with a BA in Speech Communications, then proceeded to Sangamon State University and did his MA coursework in Economics. he was the first African American Stockbroker in Springfield Illinois, also for a short period was Director of Housing & Management for the Springfield Housing Authority, James worked for some well- respected firms, Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Claims Manager, State Farm Insurance as an adjuster, Prudential Insurance Company, taught college economics for 6 years, them got into the airline business as an agent, eventually rose and became a trainer after meeting the CEO, and giving a presentation that blew him and his executive board away. James was a top trainer for over 10 years. After crafting their first union contract  he became and  am President of our Local Union CWA 3146, consisting of  23 stations in 9 states including St. Thomas  V.I. around 2500 employees.  He spends his time between DC when legislative issues arise and of course sunny Miami, and Chicago where I still have ties. James still attributes a great deal of his success to Howe.

Rudy Recile, 1986

Attended Howe 1982 – 1986. Freshman Year Echo Company, Sophomore Year Delta, Junior Year Bravo 1SG, Senior Year Battalion Staff, BN CDR and S3. Four Year Letterman, VHC.

Small business owner YCDI Corp, Website Company, Former US Department of Agriculture employee and Retired US Army Major, having served 26 years.

Chris Hoffecker, 2011

Howe Alma Mater

*”ones” after 1988

Howe, Alma Mater loyal sons* we stand
To pledge our love to thee with heart and hand
Faithful are we throughout this life ’till death
We’ll sing thy praises with our latest breath.

Thy love so kind hath led us in the past,
In thy fair walls our happy lot was cast,
And day by day as down life’s path we trod
Thy wholesome guidance brought us nearer God.

Now year by year as we our way pursue,
Recall to us thy teaching ever true.
Refresh us daily whereso e’re we be.
All through this life we gladly look to thee.

Once more before thine altar low we bend,
Pledging our deep devotion without end,
Hear thy true sons* as joyous voice we raise,
Howe Alma Mater, Thine be all our praise.

The following song is NOT the Alma Mater,
but was sung occasionally at events like the
Boar’s Head Dinner and Commencement.

“Dear Old Howe”
Sing a song of dear old Howe, Boys,
Raise the chorus high;
Roll her praises o’er the country, send them to the sky.

CHORUS–

Lift the chorus, speed it onward over hill and dale!
Hail to thee, our alma mater,
Hail to Howe, all hail!

Here we stand for right and justice, now and evermore,
Inspiration, mind and body, Wisdom’s sacred lore.
(repeat chorus)