Colonel White High School Class of 1965 © 2004 :: Featured Alumni

Featured Alumni

Kathy Austin

Hello everyone. I'm Carol Flinspach. Today we are pleased to have with us Kathy Austin. Kathy, thank you for agreeing to share with us what you’ve been doing since graduation. Where are you living now?

I’m married to Dr. James Jacob (Political Science, CSU in Chico), and we are living at 1362 Magnolia Avenue in Chico, California. I am Secretary to the Dean at the CSUC College of Business and am a Reiki healer.

You have an interesting life, Kathy. Please tell us a little bit about your family and any pets.

My son Christopher (married to Amy) is 33. My daughter Amanda is married to Chris Cheadle; they have a son Jack (age 5) and a daughter Ava Kathryn (age 2). I also have two stepdaughters (Lisa, 25; Lindsey, 23). Our Golden Retrievers are Maggie and Campbell, and we have a Persian cat named Eddie.

When you graduated from Colonel White, did you go on to college?

Yes, I have a BS from Wright State and have half my Masters in business management and counseling. I have also had Reiki training.

Kathy, for those who don’t know what it is, can you explain a little bit about Reiki healing?

Reiki is an ancient energy healing technique. It is thought by some to be the healing Jesus learned during his years absent from Bible records and which he brought back to Jerusalem in a most highly developed form. It remained for centuries with Tibetan monks (one story goes), and was rediscovered around the turn of the last century by a Christian Japanese doctor, Dr. Usui. He developed his techniques, found a disciple and the teaching grew, disciples added, eventually moving into Hawaii and then California. Today there are many Reiki healers in the United States and probably all over the world. It is a "laying on of hands" where one taps in to universal energy, and acts as a conduit for that power.

That’s really fascinating, Kathy. What other occupations have you had in the past?

I’ve been an executive assistant to CEOs and manager of marketing and support services in health care, and an addiction counselor. A lot of the time, I’ve been trying to figure out what I should be doing instead of doing what I am doing at any given time!

What are your hobbies and interests, Kathy?

My children and grandchildren, of course. I enjoy metaphysics, cooking, spending times with friends, travel, reading, our dogs, gardening and swimming.

Have you had any memorable trips, activities or job assignments?

I’ve traveled to Europe three times so far and China. We have had many trips to NYC and we’re going back to Europe for a month during July-August, 2003. One memorable job assignment was to get a $10,000 check from Dayton to Cleveland by 5:00 the day it was issued, via last minute plane ride and taxi rush. And I’ve assisted in building a hospital.

You’ve been a busy woman! Do you still have any family in the Dayton area?

My sister Anne lives in Beavercreek. My mother died April, 2002; and Dad is in assisted living in Kettering. Both of my kids are in Dayton, and I have stepdaughters in Connecticut and Massachusetts

Kathy, what would you say you have accomplished or achieved?

Raising great kids, who both have graduate degrees. My daughter has her MA in linguistics and English composition and teaches at Wright State. My son graduated in May from University of Pittsburgh Law School. My children ask for parenting advice and would like me to be on site to assist them in raising their own children. At a personal level, I have consistently pursued various paths to become a better, more caring and loving person.

You must be very proud of your children. Kathy, do you have any regrets?

Yes, never absolutely figuring out what job is my passion and doing it. I keep finding too many new ideas and practices to be interested in. I do know (in part) that I should be a writer and have written several children’s books and a short story. I’m currently working on a novel.

Do you think that your work and life are where you expected them to be in high school? Why or why not?

Not at all. I thought I’d be a nurse. What I should have considered was being a doctor or college professor of English or Psychology …..I think. Why or why not? "Life is what happens when you’re making other plans."

What are some of your favorite high school memories?

My favorite teachers were Jim Payne and Stan Blum. My favorite courses were Drama, English and Psychology. I really enjoyed being in the senior class play and taking part in discussion forums at Mr. Blum’s. On weekends, I enjoyed football games and dates and hanging out with my friends Vicki Sullivan, Kathy Keefer, Joan Eisenstodt and others.

What are your plans for the future, Kathy?

Continue with Reiki training and become Reiki master. I am considering finishing my masters, but not sure I have the discipline for it in my "old age" – so, who knows?

Do you have any retirement plans?

Buying a house in the Basque country, in the southwest of France. I’d like to live there half the year and in Ohio the other half.

In closing, Kathy, do you have any message or words of wisdom for our classmates?

My model of the perfect grandmother is Rosalind Russell’s indomitable character, Auntie Mame. Mame says: "Live, live, live! Life is a banquet! And most poor suckers are starving to death!"

(There is another one I must send to Christopher, fresh from Pittsburgh as he is:

Mame’s young nephew, Patrick: "Is the English lady sick, Auntie Mame?"
Mame: "Oh, she's not English, darling, she's from Pittsburgh."
Patrick: "She certainly sounded English."
Mame: "Well, when you’re from Pittsburgh you have to do something!")

Thanks Kathy for sharing a little of your life with us. We sincerely hope to see you at Reunion 2005. I hope that all of you have enjoyed your stay. Don't forget, that very soon, we will have another exciting interview to share with you. Until then this is....
-Carol Flinspach Yinger