ISU Magazine spring 17 by Idaho State University

IDAHO STATE U N I V E R S I T Y

Volume 47 | Number 1 | Spring 2017

LEGACY

THE IMPACT OF THE KASISKA FAMILY CONTINUES

Cultural Connections

Retirement, Risk and Reinvention with Linda Hatzenbuehler

Life by the Horns: Wiley Petersen

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

921 South 8th Ave., Stop 8265 Pocatello, Idaho 83209-8265 (208) 282-3620 isu.edu Dr. Arthur C. Vailas President Dr. Kent M. Tingey, ’97 Vice President University Advancement Stuart Summers, ’10 Associate Vice President Marketing and Communications COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

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Emily Frandsen Kirsten Cooper Chris Gabettas Melissa Lee, ’14 Andrew Taylor Joey Gifford, ’03 Eric Gordon Joe Marley, ’04

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The Support of a Team A well-known fact of education and learning is that none of us can do it on our own. All of us have at least one teacher, faculty member, mentor, advisor or fellow student who helped us along the way. At Idaho State University, we are a community of innovative faculty, driven students, generous alumni and community members who care about and support the education we provide. In this issue of Idaho State University magazine, we honor members of our Bengal community. You will find a story on the Kasiska family, who have not only changed the lives of hundreds of students with their scholarship gifts, but did their part to help alleviate health care shortages in our communities. You will also find the story of Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler, the founding dean of the Division of Health Sciences, and a woman who has devoted her career to educating generations of health care professionals. We honor our outstanding student award winners who are graduating this spring and leading more than 2,000 new Bengal alumni out into the world to make a difference. We honor our outstanding faculty members for their teaching, community service and research. We honor our alumni, who embody the Bengal spirit in their careers. I am grateful for our Bengal community. As we finish one academic year, and begin another, I invite you to share your ISU experience with a future Bengal. It could be the beginning of something great. Go Bengals!

Arthur C. Vailas, Ph.D. President, Idaho State University

Send address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations at 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8033, Pocatello, ID 83209-8033

SPRING 2017

Pillars: Of the pillars on Red Hill, the fourth represents seniors as they graduate and head out into the world. There were 2,437 degrees and certificates conferred to 2,313 graduates at 2017 Commencement on May 6, 2017, with 119 students receiving multiple certificates and/or degrees. The breakdown of graduates includes 37 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, six Doctor of Education degrees, five Doctor of Arts degrees, four Doctor of Audiology degrees, 11 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees, 23 Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, 85 Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, seven educational specialist degrees, 387 masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees, 32 certificates, 1,201 bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees, 408 associate degrees, and 231 certificates. Photo by Eric Gordon

On The Cover: A painted portrait of Eva Kasiska. The Kasiska family has impacted Idaho State University for decades, most recently by the naming of the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences.

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IN THIS ISSUE

24 Former Bullrider Wiley Petersen Takes Life by the Horns 3 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 29 31 34 37 38

President’s Message Leibrock Receives Fulbright Fellowship TRIO Receives $1.2 Million for New Center Godsey Earns National Science Foundation Award Arts and Letters Brings Dual Enrollment to Campus College of Business Offers New Program Endowed Fund Established for Retiring ISU–Meridian Leader Technology to Move to Former RISE Complex Psychology Researcher Studies Drug Therapy Lower Injury Rates on Turf vs. Grass Grant Aims to Increase Latino Participation, Cultural Competency in Idaho’s Health Care System Physician Assistant Program Partners to Fight Cervical Cancer in Latino Women Linda Hatzenbuehler on Retirement, Risks and Reinvention Cover: Division of Health Sciences Named After Kasiska Family Jernigan Climbs for Help Petersen Takes Life by the Horns Congratulations to the Class of 2017 Frischmann Pushes the Future of Electric Transportation Alumni News Professional Achievement Award Recipients Outstanding Student Award Recipients Distinguished Faculty Award Recipients A Bengal in the Statehouse University Videographer Earns Gold SPRING 2017

All together better

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Oxford University, Photo by Sidharth Bhatia via UnSplash

Leibrock Receives Fulbright Fellowship Idaho State University’s Larry Leibrock, a political science research fellow at the ISU Informatics Research Institute, has been awarded a Fulbright-Shuman Fellowship to conduct research and teach for six months at Oxford University, England, starting in January. This is the second Fulbright award given to an ISU Informatics Research Institute employee in the last three years. Cory Schou, director of the IRI and associate dean of the College of Business, was selected for a Fulbright Specialist project in New Zealand at University of Waikato in the summer of 2014. Leibrock is doing a second doctorate in political science at ISU based on his

research while at Oxford, which he should have completed by August. While at ISU, Leibrock has been part of the IRI’s National Information Assurance Training and Education Center, teaching digital forensics and information assurance. The focus of Leibrock’s Oxford research will be on European Union Data Protection Directive (EPIC.org) and U.S. Homeland Security. “I intend to focus my research and teaching in the topics of terrorism, surveillance/ privacy and information security at the U.S. and international level,” Leibrock said. “I want to blend both undergraduate and graduate courses making use of case-discussion and flipped classroom pedagogies.” Leibrock is a disabled war veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He earned his first doctoral degree from the University of Texas in computer science. The Fulbright-Schuman Program, administered by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States and Belgium, is jointly financed by the U.S. State Department and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. The program funds graduate and post-graduate study, research, and lecture proposals in the field of U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions for interested American and EU citizens.

TRIO Receives $1.2 Million for New Center About 1,000 adults in five counties across south-central Idaho will have further access and opportunity to higher education through Idaho State University’s new fiveyear, $1.2 million TRIO grant to create an Educational Opportunity Center. The Educational Opportunity Center will serve non-traditional students across the counties of Cassia, Twin Falls, Minidoka, Gooding and Jerome. ISU TRIO executive director Sari Byerly said having a TRIO Educational Opportunity Center in south-central Idaho will be a huge benefit to its residents. Byerly noted that many of the logistics of higher education make sense to those who are in it, but

can be daunting to those who have never had to navigate it. “We sling words like FAFSA around all the time, but not everyone knows what that means or to go online to process an admissions application, for example,” Byerly said. “Everything in higher education assumes that people are traditional and have learned computer skills, but that’s not always the case.” Another primary goal of the EOC will be to assist participants who do not have a GED or secondary school diploma. “My estimate is that 100 out of the 1,000 participants will come to us without that credential,” Byerly said. “We will not

only help participants obtain that credential, but assist them with college admissions applications, financial aid applications, and post-secondary enrollment.” TRIO will work with these participants as long as necessary to get them ready to enroll in college. This grant will be especially beneficial for this area because of the five counties it will reach, 86 percent of the population has not earned a bachelor’s degree. The Educational Opportunity Grant is the third major grant the TRIO office has received this year.

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Geosciences Researcher Earns Early Career Award from National Science Foundation Idaho State University Geosciences Assistant Professor Sarah Godsey has received one of the most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty awarded by the National Science Foundation. Her award includes more than $500,000 to study streams and stream channels for five years. The award is part of the NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER). According to the NSF, the award is given to faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models

in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. “I was really excited to receive this award,” Godsey said. “It’s a testament to the great students and colleagues that I’ve had the chance to work with here at ISU so far. Over the next few years, we’ll work to provide cutting-edge insight into how western streams wet up and dry out.” The title of Godsey’s CAREER award is “Active Learning Across Interfaces: Controls on Flow Intermittency and

Sarah Godsey is researching how different events, such as rainfall and snowmelt, affect river quality.

Water Age in Temporary Streams.” More than one-third of the U.S. population relies on temporary streams, those that don’t always have water flowing through them, for their water supply. Both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Environmental Protection Agency have noted the importance of understanding these streams to ensure fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters throughout the country. Surprisingly, scientists can’t exactly predict where and when streams will run dry and how flows vary from year to year. “This project will address that gap by mapping where streams are flowing, and linking these maps to expected controls including rainfall, snowmelt, plant water use, and below-ground characteristics,” Godsey said. “We will collect water samples to test whether these different controls on flow affect water quality. These samples will also indicate how long ago the stream water fell as rain or snow, which may affect how often a stream dries up. In addition, the project will train a diverse group of students from elementary school through graduate school in cuttingedge temporary stream science.“ The project will also develop new courses to train college students in environmental field methods and to engage river guides in sharing temporary stream science with whitewater enthusiasts. Later in the project, hundreds of Idaho elementary school students who visit McCall Outdoor Science School will also learn about streams that run dry.

Arts and Letters to Bring Dual Enrollment On Campus Idaho State University’s College of Arts and Letters will bring 90 high school students to take dual-enrollment credits on campus with ISU professors this fall. Thirty seats are open to each of Pocatello’s three high schools, allowing students to take college-level courses during non-peak hours. The courses are part of ISU’s core objectives and count toward general education requirements 8

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once students are admitted to ISU. Students will pay $65 per course, which comes out of their school district’s Fast Forward program funds. “We are excited to be able to bring students to campus and see what ISU is all about,” said Kandi Turley-Ames, College of Arts and Letters dean. “We hope that they will see our courses and professors are top notch, and want to continue on to get their degrees from ISU.” Classes are available in anthropology, English, history, philosophy, political science, international studies, theatre, dance and art. Each course is taught by faculty members who have received outstanding teacher and researcher awards, or are popular with current undergraduate students.

College of Business to Offer New Program in Fall 2017 The Idaho State University College of Business will offer a Master of Taxation (MTax) degree beginning in the Fall 2017 semester. “Experts in taxation are in demand in Southeast Idaho and nationally,” said Daniel Ames, chair of the accounting department and associate dean. “There simply aren’t enough tax experts available locally or nationally. This degree program will help bridge that gap and provide another outstanding career path for our students.” The MTax program will complement the ISU College of Business’ successful Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program by offering students interested in pursuing

a career in taxation a more specified degree in the field. According to Ames, the MTax will inherit the same unique structure as the MAcc in preparing students for the four parts of the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) exam, which has resulted in an 88 percent first-time pass rate among MAcc students over the last three years. Students joining the MTax program can complete their degree in just one year – taking two eight-week courses at a time throughout the fall and spring semesters along with a summer course and capstone courses offered periodically during the 12-month program helping to prepare students for the CPA exam. Students will also receive specialized training in individual, corporate and partnership taxation as well as estate planning. Additionally, students have the option to graduate with both an MTax and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with one extra semester of study and a slightly different semester course structure.

ARTS AND LETTERS GALA The fourth annual College of Arts and Letters New Year’s Eve Gala raised more than $100,000. Proceeds will fund student scholarships. The gala features dinner, dancing and performances by students.

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Endowed Fund Established for Retired ISU-Meridian Campus Leader KATSILOMETES RETIRES FROM ISU AFTER THREE DECADES When Dr. Bessie Katsilometes retired Sept. 16, 2016, she described her 30-year career at Idaho State University as “an amazing journey, a labor of love.” And now friends, colleagues and alumni are honoring her through an endowed fund established in her name— The Dr. Bessie Katsilometes Endowed Fund to Support Bioskills. As associate vice president of university programs, Katsilometes oversaw the design of ISU-Meridian’s L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs Anatomy and Physiology Laboratories, which opened in 2015. The complex houses a state-of-the-art Bioskills Learning Laboratory for students, physicians and health practitioners seeking specialized training in medical procedures. Money raised through the endowment will help fund the lab’s upkeep and future

enhancements. Katsilometes was also instrumental in the construction and development of the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, which opened in 2009 and now houses two dozen graduate and undergraduate programs in the health professions. “Bessie has been a meaningful colleague, mentor, and friend to many of us, and absoBessie Katsilometes lutely essential in the vision, construction, and expansion of all that we now have in Meridian,” said Dr. Rex Force, ISU’s vice president for health sciences. At retirement, Katsilometes was in charge of the daily operations of the

Meridian campus which serves more than 1,000 students and working professionals. Over the years, she held numerous positons on the Pocatello campus, including leadership posts in community outreach, enrollment planning, recruitment, student services, fundraising and academic administration. From 1999-2004, she was director and special projects coordinator of ISU’s Center for New Directions, a program which provides support services and career counseling to community members and students facing economic and personal challenges. Katsilometes holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in public administration from ISU. In 2010, she earned a Ph.D. in humanities with a concentration in transformative studies from San Francisco’s California Institute of Integral Studies. To contribute to the The Dr. Bessie Katsilometes Endowed Fund to Support Bioskills, contact the Idaho State University Foundation at (208) 282-3470.

ISU Gains Approval to Study Feasibility of Relocating Some College of Technology Programs to Former RISE Complex The Idaho State Board of Education recently approved a motion by Idaho State University to begin engineering and cost estimating the relocation of some College of Technology programs to the former Research and Innovation in Science and Engineering (RISE) Complex.

into this space will not only increase enrollment but enable programs to work closely together to provide opportunities for regional industries. These collaborations support opportunities for ISU to do technical research, prototyping and product testing under one roof.”

The move by the College of Technology will enable the University to meet a growing enrollment in career and technical education, and it will expand existing classroom and laboratory space.

ISU programs that could be relocated include diesel, on-site power, computerized machining, welding, drafting and a

number of related programs, as well as administrative and support offices. ISU plans to create a state-of-the-art career and technical education center that will provide synergy with workforce and industry partners. Further state board approval will be required at the completion of the engineering and cost estimation work prior to implementing the move of programs.

“We will be able to expand enrollment for Idaho students and provide a world-class career and technical education center,” said Scott Rasmussen, dean of the College of Technology. “We have a tremendous opportunity to reallocate space in the RISE Complex, which will create a number of synergistic opportunities for STEM-related programs at ISU,” he said. “Moving these programs

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Psychology Professor Studies Drug Therapy Joshua Swift, Idaho State University assistant professor of psychology, was recently a lead researcher on a study regarding patients’ likelihood to refuse drug therapy more than psychotherapy for mental health treatment. The review of research published by the American Psychological Association said that people seeking help for mental disorders are more likely to refuse or not complete the recommended treatment if it involves only psychotropic drugs. Investigators conducted a meta-analysis of 186 studies of patients seeking help

for mental health issues that examined whether they accepted the treatment that was recommended and if they did, whether they completed it. Fifty-seven of the studies, comprising 6,693 patients, had a component that reported refusal of treatment recommendations, and 182 of the studies, comprising 17,891 patients, had a component reporting premature termination of treatment. After diagnosis, patients in the studies were recommended to drug-only therapy (pharmacotherapy), talk therapy (psychotherapy) or a combination of the two.

“We found that rates of treatment refusal were about two times greater for pharmacotherapy alone compared with psychotherapy alone, particularly for the treatment of social anxiety disorder, depressive disorders and panic disorder,” said Swift. “Rates of premature termination of therapy were also higher for pharmacotherapy alone, compared with psychotherapy alone, particularly for anorexia/bulimia and depressive disorders.” The research was published in the APA journal “Psychotherapy.”

SERVING THE MAGIC VALLEY • 22 programs available without leaving the Magic Valley • 9 online graduate programs • Six full-time staff members serve students completing programs in Twin Falls as well as those transferring or commuting to Pocatello Pocatello | Idaho Falls | Meridian | Twin Falls 12

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For more information: Student Services Office Hepworth Building, Room 144, CSI Campus isu.edu/twin • (208) 736-2101

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Researcher Finds Lower Injury Rates on Turf vs. Grass Idaho State University faculty member Michael Meyers has published research findings that conclude there is a significantly lower injury rate for collegiate men’s soccer athletes playing on FieldTurf, a type of artificial turf, versus playing on natural grass. Meyers, an associate professor of sports science and physical education, published “Incidence, Mechanisms, and Severity of Match-Related Collegiate Men’s Soccer Injuries on FieldTurf and Natural Grass Surfaces: A 6-Year Prospective Study” in the Nov. 21 issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine. “Although similarities existed between FieldTurf and natural grass during competitive match play, FieldTurf is, in many cases, safer than natural grass when comparing injuries in collegiate men’s soccer,” Meyers said. He qualified this remark by saying the findings of this study, however, may not be generalized and applied to other levels of competition or to other artificial surfaces. Meyers studied male soccer athletes from 11 NCAA Division I universities over

Michael Meyer six seasons. He evaluated 765 games for the match-related injuries playing on the two surfaces. Of the 765 games, 380 were played on FieldTurf and 385 were played on grass. There were 722 injuries, with 37 percent occurring on FieldTurf and 63 percent occurring on natural grass. Meyers’ analyses also indicated significantly less trauma on FieldTurf when comparing severity of injury, injury category, time loss, player position, injury mechanism and situation, injuries under various environmental conditions, cleat design, turf age, anatomic location and elective medical procedures.

“More than 1 million athletes play competitive soccer in the United States. Unfortunately, with this volume of competition, the number of injuries is rising, and the cost of treatment and rehabilitation is reaching into the millions of dollars each year,” Meyers said. “Coupled with this is the psychological trauma and setbacks in training, and the potential for long-term degenerative changes typically experienced by athletes after a significant injury. Therefore, the results of this study that have identified factors that predispose soccer athletes to these injuries should provide some guidance when selecting playing surfaces in the future.

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PERFORM FOR TICKET INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Stephens Performing Arts Center Box Office | (208) 282-3595

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Department of Theatre and Dance

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Cultural Connections Pipeline to Diversity Grant Aims to Increase Latino Participation, Cultural Competency in Idaho’s Health Care System

Hailey Lusk’s work interests have come full circle.

“I was once using Spanish to teach health, and now I’m teaching Spanish for health,” said Lusk, an Idaho State University graduate who is a Spanish teacher at American Falls High School and an adjunct Spanish instructor at ISU. Lusk previously used her fluency in Spanish working as a health educator for Health West. Now, at American Falls High School, Lusk has 14 students, nine who are Hispanic, enrolled in her Spanish for Health Professions II class, a dual enrollment class, meaning her students can receive college credit and high school credit at the same time. “This is definitely a high-level class,” said Lusk, who has a bachelor’s degree in health education and Spanish from ISU and holds a post-baccalaureate certificate in secondary teaching and is working on her masters in Spanish for Health Professions at ISU. “The kids enrolled are really assertive, bright, hardworking students. They are fun.”

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These students and Lusk are participating in programs offered through ISU’s nearly $1.2-million Pipeline to Diversity Grant from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Pipeline students at American Falls, Rigby and Snake River High Schools can get six college credits by taking Spanish for Health Professions I and II and up to 16 additional college credits by taking College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Additional area high schools have expressed interest participating in the program. Pipeline students can become certified medical interpreters by completing the Morales-Dimmick medical interpreter course and exam. This certification can help them land jobs after graduating from high school. The students also work at health fairs, gaining experience taking health histories and receiving cultural exposure. On top of this, health care professionals from a variety of fields visit the classrooms to share their experience, exposing the students to options in the medical fields.

For Phelps’ program in particular, the grant’s goals are to increase the number of “bilingual, bicultural” physician assistants practicing primary care in rural and underserved areas. ISU’s P.A. program is working to increase the recruitment and retention of Latino-focused bilingual and bicultural applicants and is changing its curriculum to include more content on cultural competencies and health disparities. It also aims to increase the number of Latino Veterans who enter the P.A. workforce. A “Latino Health Track” has been created within the ISU P.A. program and students will complete more clinical rotations in Latino-focused areas. Stipends are also available to Latino students entering the program.

“What is unique is the native Spanish-speaking kids can relate to Hispanic patients and the non-Hispanic kids can learn about relating to Hispanic patients,” Lusk said. A hoped outcome of these efforts is to have more Latino students enter the health professions. The Pipeline to Diversity grant, in its second year of five years, isn’t just for prep students. It includes undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate and certificate students at the university level. Its ultimate goal is to increase Latino participation and Latino cultural competency in Idaho’s and the region’s health care system. This interdisciplinary program was hatched by Paula Phelps, associate professor in ISU’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Helen Tarp, associate professor in the ISU Department of Global Studies and Languages and Melanie Domenech-Rodriguez, psychology professor at Utah State University, who is now a visiting professor in ISU’s P.A. program. This trio of investigators is helping put ISU on the national map as a leader in offering Spanish for the health professions. “The complexity of what we are doing is very unique,” Phelps said. “ISU and our Physician Assistant program are really focused on Spanish for health professions and increasing the cultural knowledge and Spanish-language acquisition of our providers and providing culturally and linguistically competent rural health providers to Idaho and the surrounding areas.”

Right: Hailey Lusk, teaching at American Falls High School. Opposite: Kneeling L-R: Angelica Hernandez, Erika Martinez, Sadith Laguna, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Carolina Torres Standing L-R: Samantha Mason, Tiara Grant, Alexis Navarette, Andrea Walker, Hailey Lusk (teacher), Mariah Christensen, Jose Mosqueda, Perla Gonzalez, Brenda Gonzalez Palacios SPRING 2017

Phelps noted that there is a health disparity between Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites nationally and in Idaho. Idaho’s Hispanic population has increased by 63 percent in the last 10 years as compared to a 21 percent increase in non-Hispanics and some rural school districts are in areas where Hispanics make up 80 percent of the population. “There is a high, unmet need for primary health care providers who are bilingual and bicultural,” Phelps said. This grant builds on the foundation for teaching medical Spanish that was created by Tarp, who was the driving force behind the ISU Department of Global Studies and Languages. In 2013, Tarp started a Spanish for Health Professions degree

program, a joint effort between the College of Arts and Letters and Kasiska Division of Health Sciences. “Our language program was already based on really good methodology and research, and the program itself was based on student demand. That helped us land this new grant,” Tarp said. “When we talked to providers out in the trenches, they said they needed students not just with the language skills, but they want students with cultural competency and a good understanding of health care systems. We had the structure, systems and attitudes in place and we had the P.A. program with its interest in rural community health, and it all came together.” Andrew Taylor

Physician Assistant Program Partners to Fight Cervical Cancer in Latino Women

More than 100 women in the Dominican Republic were able to receive cervical cancer screenings, thanks to Idaho State University faculty and a federal grant designed to help provide health care to Latino populations. In January, as part of a service-learning project, Paula Phelps traveled to the Dominican Republic and joined ISU physician assistant alumna Joanna Nichols, president of the Dallas Rotary International, and Jared Papa, ISU physician assistant program clinical assistant professor and service learning coordinator who is based in Meridian. The group met with a group of local Dominican Republic doctors and caregivers to provide the cervical cancer screenings and to provide follow-up care on women who had abnormal test results. This health center hadn’t provided this type of service in more than three years. “These experiences provide us with invaluable cultural knowledge acquisition and increased language skills,” Phelps said. “And our medical services are much needed.” This particular trip could also be the seed for a much larger health project. Phelps said she is hoping the ISU P.A. program may eventually partner with Rotary International to provide cervical cancer screenings and cervical cancer vaccines to Hispanic women internationally, with the Dominican Republic being a pilot project. “We’re seeing if we could partner with

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From left, ISU assistant professor Paula Phelps, College of Idaho pre-medical student Megan Phelps and two girls from the Palave Clinic neighborhood in the Dominican Republic. Rotary International,” Phelps said. “We’d love to see cervical cancer eradication worldwide.” She explained that if detected early, cervical cancer is nearly 100 percent treatable. There is also a vaccine available that treats the virus that causes the cancer. This vaccine is also nearly 100-percent effective. The ISU P.A. program has been doing international medical work at several sites for years, including in the Dominican Republic and Peru. Phelps noted there is a large health disparity worldwide, nationally and in Idaho between the cervical cancer rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the 14th most common cancer but is the second most common cancer in the United States. Nationally the cervical cancer rates

for Hispanic women is 13.8 per 100,000 and for non-Hispanic women is 8.7 per 100,000. This disparity is even larger in Idaho – about 16 cases per 100,000 for Hispanic women and 7 for non-Hispanic. “The disparity is not due to ethnicity and racial genetics, but has to do with poverty,” Phelps said. “The P.A. program is working locally in Southeast Idaho creating a program to increase access to Latino women to receive cervical cancer care.” The plan is to create a training program for lay, community health workers to meet face-to-face with women and children in the Latino community and provide education about cervical cancer treatment and prevention. “Research has found this is the best way to increase the number of patients screened,” Phelps said. Andrew Taylor

The Key To Long-Term Growth Is Sustainability The men and women at Simplot’s Don Plant produce crop nutrients that are used by farmers in every state west of the Mississippi River. These nutrients enhance soil fertility and allow the American grower to produce the abundant supply of healthy fruits and vegetables we all enjoy. Many of these same folks have also been key in stimulating the growth of Pocatello and Chubbuck as well. In fact, after nearly 70 years, you’ll now find second and third generations of Simplot employees coaching little league and soccer, and picking up where their fathers and mothers left off…helping their community wherever they can. But, nowhere is the company’s bond with Pocatello felt more passionately than in the Simplot Games. For 35 years we’ve worked hard together to create a world-class high school track and field event that illustrates for young and old alike that the future is what you make of it.

Bringing Earth’s Resources To Life

www.simplot.com

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Retirement, Risks an In the summer of 1976, clinical psychologist and doctoral candidate Linda Hatzenbuehler was sitting in her office at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in Pocatello when her phone rang. It was the chair of Idaho State University’s psychology department, telling her a psychology professor had just resigned. Would she be interested in taking his position until a permanent replacement was found? The one-year appointment came with a perk. Hatzenbuehler would have unlimited access to ISU’s computer center to analyze data for the doctoral dissertation she was completing through Kent State University. The downside? There was no guarantee she’d have a job in a year. “I decided to take the risk,” Hatzenbuehler said. And it paid off. That year, she not only completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology, but landed a permanent faculty position and began a storied career at ISU spanning 40 years. Dec. 31, Hatzenbuehler retired as vice provost and executive dean of the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, drawing praise from colleagues and the University’s top brass.

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nd Reinvention “Dr. Hatzenbuehler is recognized for her dedication and service in providing access to health care programs that serve the state,” said ISU President Arthur C. Vailas. “Her legacy is sure to have a lasting impact throughout our campuses and the state,” said Rex Force, ISU’s vice president for health sciences. On a Wednesday afternoon in early November, Hatzenbuehler discussed her ISU journey, her passion for health professions education and why having a parasite named after her was … well, a gift.

the early years By the time Linda Hatzenbuehler was a junior in high school, she knew she wanted to be a psychologist. “I was always fascinated by human behavior,” she said, sitting in her office in historic Gravely Hall. The Cleveland, Ohio native earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at John Carroll University and her master’s in clinical psychology at Kent State University before moving to Pocatello in 1972 with husband, Ron, who was taking a teaching position at ISU. Her first four years in the Gate City were spent working in mental health and clinical services for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare before taking the temporary faculty position at ISU. As a permanent hire, the young psychology professor quickly caught the eye of University leaders who tapped her for administrative roles. From 1983 to 1986, she served as acting associate dean of the former College of Arts and Sciences. From 1986 until June 2009, she served as dean of the Kasiska College of Health Professions—a position in which she guided the growth of ISU’s health professions programs and created the Institute of Rural Health.

Under Hatzenbuehler’s watch, ISU added new programs — including nurse practitioner, physician assistant studies and occupational therapy—transforming campuses in Pocatello and Meridian into national destination sites for health professions education.

As a leader, Hatzenbuehler stressed the importance of collaboration and interprofessional education in the delivery of health care. At meetings, department heads would discuss issues as a team, eliminating the rivalries and silo mentality that can beset an organization.

“I think the growth in the health professions is one of my greatest accomplishments because in a lot of cases we did it on a dime. We were able to take advantage of our own creativity,” she said.

A clinician with a passion for research, Hatzenbuehler encouraged faculty and staff to pursue scholarship and scientific discovery. Former associate dean and professor emeritus, Delane Kritsky, was so grateful for her support that, in 2009, he named a parasitic worm found in the gills of an Australian fish— Haliotrematoides hatzenbuehlerae –in her honor.

consummate leader In 2010, when Hatzenbuehler became executive dean and vice provost of the newly created Division of Health Sciences, her responsibilities intensified. She was now in charge of ISU’s largest academic unit with a $30 million budget, 22 nationally accredited professional programs, 17 outpatient clinics, 175 faculty members and more than 3,000 students.

The Linda Craine Hatzenbuehler Endowed Fund In 2015, ISU alumni, faculty, staff and Hatzenbuehler’s former students established the Linda Craine Hatzenbuehler Endowed Fund in her honor to support the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences. Support may include equipment maintenance, faculty recruitment and capital projects. To make a gift or pledge, contact the Idaho State University Foundation at (208) 282-3470 or contribute online at pledge.isu.edu. If you contribute online, select “other” in the “direct my gift as follows” box and write in The Linda Craine Hatzenbuehler Endowed Fund. You may also indicate in the “comments” section that you want your gift to go to the fund.

“It just blew me away,” Hatzenbuehler recalled with a laugh. “I think my comment at the time was ‘gifts are really important and that was the perfect gift.’ ”

reinvention This past spring, she taught an upper-level psychology course on clinical psychology and the law while continuing to work part time as a forensic psychologist for the Idaho judicial system. One of two board-certified forensic psychologists in Idaho, she evaluates the mental health of people facing adjudication in criminal and civil courts. “We are not advocates for the person. Our role in the whole process is to provide an objective assessment of the individual on behalf of their attorney or judge,” she said. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Hatzenbuehler is looking forward to beginning a new chapter in her life. “It’s time for me to do other things and reinvent myself,” she said. And count on her taking a risk or two along the way. After all, that risk she took back in 1976—the temporary faculty position in the Department of Psychology—turned out pretty well. Chris Gabettas

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Division of Health Sciences Named After Pocatello’s Iconic Kasiska Family Idaho State University has named its largest academic unit in honor of an iconic Pocatello family whose financial support has helped thousands of students pursue careers in the health professions.

Mabel were often the first in the community to donate to an academic program or annual scholarship drive.

The Division of Health Sciences became the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences during a public ceremony Aug. 30 attended by ISU dignitaries, community leaders and members of the Kasiska Family Foundation board of managers.

“We like to think we are helping to attract worthwhile students to the university,” Eva said.

“With all of our hearts we want to thank you for your vision and commitment to health care at ISU,” university president, Arthur C. Vailas, told foundation members.

Mabel died in 1976 and Eva in 1986, but their spirit of giving continues through the Kasiska Family Foundation. Since 1987, more than 6,700 ISU students have received Kasiska scholarships. Many have pursued advanced degrees—becoming nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, speech-language patholologists and physical therapists. Others have chosen to practice in rural Idaho communities, improving access to quality health care for thousands of citizens.

Since the late 1980s, the Kasiska Family Foundation has donated $17 million to ISU and pledged an additional $3 million, bringing the total gift to $20 million, said Alan Van Orden, who chairs the foundation’s board of managers. The money has funded scholarships, health science programs, equipment, special events and conferences.

Philanthropic spirit

Kasiska support for ISU began in the 1960s and 70s, thanks to sisters Eva and Mabel who inherited their father’s philanthropic spirit. William Frederick Kasiska emigrated from eastern Europe in 1881 and settled in Pocatello in the late 1890s. A skilled financier and former Pocatello mayor, he amassed a fortune in business, banking, ranching and real estate. Kasiska, who died 1945, was known for helping young people finance their education or dipping into his pocket to help a friend in need. “He always said he made his money here and he wanted to show his appreciation to the community that made it possible. It gave him great pleasure to help people and we like to carry on his work…’’ said daughter Eva in an Idaho State Journal newspaper article published in February 1974. That same article highlighted the Kasiska sisters’ early support of ISU—Eva and

President Arthur C. Vailas speaks at the Kasiska naming ceremony.

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Chris Gabettas

Kasiska Scholarship Recipients Grant Gundersen, nurse anesthetist As a kid growing up in Blackfoot, Idaho, Grant Gundersen loved science and dreamed of a career where he could help people. In 2005, he enrolled in ISU’s four-year nursing program and received a Kasiska Family Foundation scholarship to help cover tuition and books. “It would have been difficult without this scholarship. It was a blessing to my family to have it, said Gundersen, who was married with two young children at the time. In 2008, Gundersen earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing at ISU, then pursued a master’s degree with a specialty in nurse anesthesiology at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. As a certified registered nurse anesthetist or CRNA, he administers and monitors anesthesia under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, surgeon or other qualified medical professional. Gundersen credits the Kasiska scholarship with giving him the time to focus on his ISU studies and maintain the good grades necessary to enter Gannon’s highly competitive program. Today, Gunderson, 33, is employed at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, fulfilling the dream of that science-loving kid from Blackfoot who wanted to help people.

Kylie Auger, pharmacist

Alyssa Brock, future occupational therapist

Kylie Auger, 25, was the first in her family to go to college.

Honors student Alyssa Brock, 19, graduated from Meridian, Idaho’s Rocky Mountain High School in spring 2016 and entered ISU as a sophomore, thanks to credits earned through dual-enrollment and advanced placement classes.

After graduating from Preston High School in southeastern Idaho, she enrolled in Brigham Young Unversity, then transferred to ISU to study pre-pharmacy.

A health science major, Brock received a Kasiska scholarship, easing the financial burden on her family. Brock’s goal is to become an occupational therapist, a profession that will enable her to help people of all ages recover from injury, illness or learn to live with a mental or physicial disability. “I appreciate the holistic values of O.T.,” she said. Brock chose to study at ISU because of the friendly atmosphere on the Pocatello campus and the university’s reputation as the state’s leader in health professions education. She thanks the Kasiska Family Foundation for its generosity. “The scholarship is allowing me to pursue my education more fully. The things I am learning today will allow me to improve lives tomorrow,” Brock said.

“I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field and pharmacy seemed interesting,” she said. Thanks to a Kasiska scholarship and additional financial aid, she was able to complete her pre-pharmacy studies with limited debt before enrolling in the ISU College of Pharmacy’s rigorous docorate program. Auger, who graduated last spring with a Pharm.D., manages a Walgreens’ pharmacy in Twin Falls. She loves her job—especially interacting with customers and providing health education. Auger is grateful to the Kasiska Family Foundation for helping her achieve her career dream. “I say to them, ‘Thank you for believing in me and making an investment in my future.’ I certainly plan to pay it forward,” Auger said.

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Climb for Help One of the most majestic sights in Wyoming or from Idaho is the Grand Teton, the 13,770-foot centerpiece of the Teton Range in Grand Teton National Park. Imagine climbing it at age 50, in the rain or in the dark, or both, while carrying a 35-pound pack to rescue a climber, who might be suffering from serious injury.

12 hours on the Cascade Canyon patrol shoveling and cutting trees, Jernigan got home, got called on a rescue and climbed the middle Teton.

This can be all in a day’s work for Darin Jernigan, the director of the Idaho State University Physical Therapy Assistant program in the College of Technology. Jernigan also has an administrative role as the director of Rehabilitative Services, also overseeing the Massage Therapy Program and ISU’s new Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

“These climbers weren’t injured,” he continued, “but they were stranded and we didn’t get to them until right at darkness and we lowered ourselves off the middle Teton at night.”

During the summer, Jernigan is a climbing ranger for Grand Teton Park. For the three months he works at the park, Jernigan can be called out on more than 50 rescues calls. “It’s hard to describe what I do,” Jernigan said. “I don’t get to choose what I do.” For example, one day, after spending

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Three years ago, a climber was hurt badly on the Grand Teton’s upper Exum Ridge, about 400 feet from the summit on a stormy day. Other climbers were there to “arrest” the climber keeping him secure, but Jernigan and another ranger were called to provide aid and were flown into the peak’s lower saddle at 11,700 feet. Jernigan’s pack contained climbing and medical equipment and gear to cover the injured climber in case a helicopter couldn’t pluck them off the mountain and they would have to spend the night.

“So we get let off at the saddle and climb the Grand to get to this guy,” Jernigan continued. “I was 50 and was completely red-lining. My whole body was pulsating. You don’t lay all your chips down all that often. Laying all your chips down is an interesting thing.” Besides being a fully licensed physical therapist and having a doctorate in that field, Jernigan is a certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician. He is also an expert climber, proficient in scaling snow and ice, rock climbing, roped rock climbing and aid climbing. He has “climbed all over the place” in the continental United States, Alaska and Mexico. “I didn’t realize I could get paid to climb and this is the job that paid me to climb. This particular job is all about being a climber and then being taught how to be a ranger,” he said. “It doesn’t work so well the other way around.” Sometimes all his medical and climbing skills are tested. Jernigan has responded to climbing accidents involving groups with as many as 16 climbers. He frequently rides in or hangs below a helicopter coming or going from a rescue. “There can be death and destruction,” he said. “Two summers ago, in the span of a month, a big rock boulder virtually severed a man’s arm off his body. I had to place a tourniquet on him to keep him from bleeding to death. Three weeks later, a big boulder came across a different climber’s arm and it basically squished his forearm. You can’t make this stuff up.

There are lots of wounds and broken bones.” At age 53, Jernigan has been a climbing ranger since he was 33. “It has been getting harder. I am expecting this to be my final season, my 20th-year, this upcoming summer,” he said, although it will be hard not living summers a quarter mile from the park’s scenic Jenny Lake. Introduced to climbing in his early teens, Jernigan began mastering the craft with help from Alex Urfer, former director of ISU’s physical and occupational therapy programs, who Jernigan met when he was an undergraduate at ISU earning his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science. Jernigan, a native of Greenville, California, came to ISU in 1984 on a track scholarship and was a Big Sky Conference champion in the 60-meter hurdles and still holds the school record he set in 1986, which has stood for 30 years. “Climbing took the place of athletics when I left ISU (as an undergraduate),” he said. “I am that kind of a guy.” After getting a master’s degree in physical therapy from Pacific College in Costa Mesa, California, Jernigan returned to Idaho to practice physical therapy and work as a climbing ranger in the Tetons. In 2002, he was an emergency hire for the ISU physical therapy assistant program and has since taught during the school year and rangered during the summer. “I owe everything to ISU, really, looking back at the scheme of my life,” Jernigan said. “I owe a lot to the faculty members there, like Trent Stephens (professor emeritus of biological sciences) and Alex Urfer, and my coaches including Dave Nielsen and Brian Jannsen.”

“I didn’t realize I could get paid to climb and this is the job that paid me to climb. This particular job is all about being a climber and then being taught how to be a ranger. It doesn’t work so well the other way around.”

The ISU Physical Therapy Assistant program has 20 first-year and 20 second-year students and has had nearly 100 percent retention and job-placement rates for the last three years. New this spring, ISU will be offering an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, which will start out with 16 students and then have a bi-annual class of 20. The OTA program was launched with the help of an Idaho Department of Labor Grant in conjunction with North Idaho College. The Massage Therapy program Jernigan oversees also has full enrollment. “Working at ISU and rangering has been a good fit,” Jernigan said. Andy Taylor

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Former professional bull riding star Wiley Petersen had two goals growing up. ”I dreamed of being a doctor and I also dreamed of being a bull rider,” Petersen said. “Fortunately, the dream of being a bull rider came to fruition and I was able to experience that and pursue that dream and have a good amount of success.” Today, Petersen, a physician assistant studies student at Idaho State University, is working toward his next dream. Petersen, 38, retired as a professional bull rider in 2012. He began riding bulls at age 10. The Fort Hall native, who now lives in Chubbuck, won 13 Built Ford Tough Series events, including the 2007 Pro Bull Riding World Finals, and earned nearly $1.5 million in cash prizes. He has organized the Wiley Petersen Fort Hall Pro Bull Riding Touring pro event annually in August since 2011. “But, as we all know, bull riding is a limited-time activity,” he said.

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“It just got to the point that I was in my 30s, getting tired of getting on these big, tough, rank, bucking bulls and getting my butt kicked every weekend. I knew I needed to be thinking about a change.” That is when his other childhood dream awakened. Physician assistants, in a very demanding and competitive profession, work under the supervision of physicians and practice medicine and prescribe medicine. For about a year after retiring, Petersen tried marketing and doing other work for his pro rodeo sponsors, but he was tired of traveling and wanted something close to home. He explored his options in the health professions. “I looked into different aspects and different options and the P.A. route really interested me and excited me and I decided that was the way I wanted to go,” Petersen said. First, he reapplied to ISU to finish his bachelor’s degree which

he had started after high school, before he started riding bulls professionally. It took him three years to finish his bachelor’s degree and pre-requisites, before being accepted in the ISU P.A. program, which annually has as many as 10 times as many applicants as there are available spots. “They offered me a seat and here I am,” Petersen said. “It is so different. Coming from 12 years of riding bulls, I’d read occasionally but I wasn’t studying and wasn’t learning new information. It was really tough knocking the cobwebs off, coming back into college and just getting into the routine of studying all the time.” Some may find it surprising about what Petersen thinks is more nerve-wracking – trying to ride for 8 seconds on a twisting, turning bull weighing up to a ton, or being a student. “I’m definitely more stressed than I’ve ever been,” Petersen said. “But this is a short-term deal and it will be a worthwhile endeavor. I am just excited about the opportunities on the horizon.” After finishing spring semester and summer school, Petersen will begin a year of clinical rotations this August at various sites and plans to graduate in August 2018. It’s apt that his first clinical rotation is at the Fort Hall Medical Clinic. A member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Petersen has insight and familiarity with tribal members not many health providers have. He said he also would like to work at the clinic for a few years after graduating from the P.A. program. “I definitely want to stay involved with the Tribes and I want to be involved in programs to help people,” he said. “I want to encourage the youngsters to pursue education and not limit themselves and be that motivational, inspirational role model that I tried to be when I was riding bulls.” Petersen said he could not have made the transition from bull riding to tackling the P.A. program without the support of his family. His wife, Amy, works as an instructor

in the ISU College of Technology Practical Nursing Program, and earned her nursing bachelor’s degree at ISU in 2005. She also holds a master’s degree in nursing education. Amy’s son and Wiley’s stepson, Kaden, 19, is a freshman at ISU taking general courses and the couple’s youngest son, Rylan, 10, is in fourth grade. “You definitely need to have the support system,” Petersen said. “My wife is great. She has stepped up and has been fully on board with this. There is no way I could have done this without her.” He recommends other non-traditional-age students take up the challenge of going back to school if they have a dream they want to follow. “We did pretty well saving up for something like this and we have had some scholarships,” Petersen said. “There are so many scholarships out there that I don’t think people are aware of. There are opportunities for people if they are just willing to put forth some effort and find out what is out there for them.” The challenges and rewards can be great. “It has been a drastic change,” Petersen said. “It is really exciting to think about the opportunities that we have in America. We can go from one career to the next and it can be a completely different field.” Petersen said that bullriding has been beneficial to pursuing his new career path. “I definitely miss that adrenaline for sure, but I get some of that when I have to go do a check-off or see a patient in the clinic. I get those butterflies,” he said. “I think what has carried over from my experience as a bull rider is the perseverance and persistence. We (bull riders) are always getting challenged, it is just keeping your focus and saying ‘this is tough,’ and we can get through it and we just don’t back down.” Andy Taylor

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Congratulations CLASS OF 2017 26

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Alumnus Peter Frischmann Advancing the Future of Electric Transportation

Peter Frischmann, right Idaho State University alumnus Peter Frischmann is working to advance the future of electric mobility with his new company, Sepion. Frischmann graduated from Idaho State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Since then, he completed a Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, was an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow in Würzburg, Germany, worked as a project scientist at Berkeley Lab and, in September 2015, created Sepion Technologies alongside his co-founder, Brett Helms. Sepion’s primary focus is developing safe, energy-dense batteries capable of powering vehicles beyond 400 miles on a single charge. They accomplish this by replacing the expensive and resistive incumbent ceramic membranes developed for lithium-metal batteries with a specially-developed composite polymer-inorganic membrane with small pores. These membranes are also much cheaper to process than ceramics, giving them the potential to provide energy efficient, high-power batteries at a competitive price. “While participating in the Innovation

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Corps (I-Corps) Program from the National Science Foundation, it was kind of like a light switching on for me,” he said. “Academic labs are great for discovery, but they often don’t have the finances to push past that. That was a big part of what motivated us to create Sepion.” Frischmann said that Sepion wrapped up its first federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant in November, and it is now focusing on further expanding its customer base. With the federal government’s continued support, Sepion will be able to accelerate the development of its products and attract private equity investment. In addition to evolving batteries, Frischmann says he hopes the technologies developed at Sepion will help to improve the economy of the United States. “It’s important to emphasize how much batteries and mobility impact the U.S.,” Frischmann said. “Electric vehicles are a lot cheaper to operate since electricity costs so much less than gas and the lifetime maintenance costs are reduced compared to combustion vehicles.” “This is an issue I’m really passionate about,” he continued. “More widespread

use of electric cars would create more jobs in manufacturing and energy, reduce pollution and help to stabilize the electric grid, and I really want to stress that advancing and innovating new batteries is the most crucial part of making that happen.” Frischmann said his education at ISU proved to be helpful in preparing him for graduate school and his career. The opportunity to conduct research and work in a lab as an undergraduate was a big part of that, and Frischmann thinks that is something ISU does well compared to other universities. “I was presented opportunities to do research as early as my freshman year,” Frischmann said. “Professors Rene Rodriguez and Joshua Pak were incredibly supportive and patient.” “The chemistry department at ISU is very open, and the professors are always accessible,” he continued. “You can tell they genuinely enjoy working with their students, and that really helped ignite my passion for science and graduate school.” For more information about Sepion and the work he does there, contact Frischmann at pete@sepiontechnologies.com. Kirsten Cooper

ALUMNI NEWS 1960s

Albert Wada, ’69, of Pingree, has been named to the 2017 Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. Wada is a nationally honored potato industry leader active at the state and national level of production leadership and other agriculture-related civic organizations.

1970s Dale Conrad, ’73, has joined Washington Federal as a branch manager in Boise. Conrad has more than 30 years of experience in construction lending, mortgage and custom construction. Sharon Hagan, ’73, Lane Community College (Oregon) dental hygiene program coordinator, has received a public service award from the Lane County Dental Society for 40 years of service. She was recognized for providing dental care through community service projects and for assistance in obtaining grant funding. She earned a degree in dental hygiene at Idaho State University and taught at Western Kentucky University before moving to Eugene.

1980s Dan Hammon, ’80, has been promoted to senior vice president and senior commercial

loan officer, at D.L. Evans Bank. Hammon has 36 years of banking experience. Jean Henscheid, ’83, ’92, was named interim director of the University of Idaho’s James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, based in Boise. The McClure Center conducts nonpartisan public policy research, informs dialogue and engages University of Idaho students in learning about public policymaking. Henscheid earned her bachelor of arts in history and master of public administration from Idaho State University and her Ph.D. in education from Washington State University. Bryce D. Jolley, ’83, has been named to Bingham Memorial Hospital’s Board of Directors. Jolley is the president of Harper–Leavitt Engineering, Inc., having worked there for more than 30 years and is a registered professional land surveyor in Idaho. Kent Oram, ’83, the Idaho Central Credit Union President and CEO has joined the Western CUNA Management School Board of Trustees. Oram has been the president and CEO of Idaho Central Credit Union since 2007. Tina Fehringer, ’85, ’05, the principal of Hillcrest Elementary in American Falls, was named Idaho’s Principal of the Year. She will now attend a national summit in Washington D.C. this fall with award-winning principals from each state. Cass Herbst, ’85, ’01, CMAA, athletic administrator, Nampa East Valley Middle School,

is the 2016 recipient of the Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award presented by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. She is in her 31st year of teaching and her 18th year as an athletic administrator at Nampa East Valley Middle School. Herbst earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Idaho State University, and a master’s degree in athletic administration from Boise State University. Laura McKnight, ‘87, ‘98, director of Idaho State University’s dietetics program, has been selected as the 2017 Outstanding Dietetic Educator for a Didactic Program in Dietetics in her region. The award recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty and preceptors in dietetics education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. McKnight also received the 2016 June Yerrington Award from the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the Phi Upsilon Omicron 2016 National Bachtel-Holbrook Collegiate Advisor Award. Charlie Hurley, ‘88, was inducted into the Nevada High School Hall of Fame March 14. He served as head varsity softball and men’s soccer coach and served three stints as Virgin Valley High School Athletic Director in 19811984, 1996-2000 and 2004-2008. His support of athletics led to 37 Nevada state championships during his tenure. Hurley was named Clark County School District teacher of the year for 1995-1996.

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Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, ‘89, a 2016-17 American Council on Education fellow, has been selected by Misericordia University for a year-long fellowship. Pehrsson is a professor and dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

1990s Devanee Morrison, ‘02, was appointed executive director of The Lava Hot Springs Foundation, which oversees the hot pools, the swimming complex and approximately 178 acres of land in and around the Southeast Idaho resort town. Kendra Kenyon, ‘93, has joined Advocates for the West as director of strategic partnerships. Kenyon is a former co-owner of Polly Bemis Ranch on the Salmon River. She has worked with several Fortune 100 companies and nonprofits as a management and leadership consultant. Christine Wilcox, ‘93, has been promoted to vice president, communications and public affairs at Albertsons Companies. Wilcox is an 18-year veteran of Albertsons, and for the last 10 years has served in both internal communications and public relations roles for the company. She will lead a newly integrated internal and external communications team. Rachel Dunaway, ‘97, was recognized with the Summit County Rotary Club Hero Award for saving a man’s life last July. On July 16, Dunaway, a police officer, was driving south on Colorado State Highway 9, when she saw a man on a bicycle collapse on the side of the road. She performed CPR for 4 minutes before an ambulance arrived. Dunaway has been working as a police officer for nearly 20 years. Siva Gramm-Rohm, ’97, has been named to the International Association of HealthCare Professionals with her upcoming publication in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare. She has been practicing for more than 19 years and is a speech language pathologist currently working for Health Facilities Rehab Services in Kingman, Arizona. She is renowned as an expert in language disorders and in geriatric and pediatric swallowing disorders. Sarah Miller, ‘97, has joined Audacious Inquiry, a health information technology and policy company. Prior to coming to Ai, Sarah served as the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Chief Operating Officer for Technology, the Oregon Integrated Eligibility Determination Project Director, and the Statewide

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Chief Operating Officer at Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services. Dr. Aaron S. Florence, ‘99, has been named Chief of Staff of Estes Park Medical Center. Florence received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Idaho State University and went on to obtain his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. Amy LaBaugh, ‘99, has been named the Student Life vice president at Brigham Young University-Idaho, becoming the first woman to serve as a university vice president at the institution.

2000s Angie MacKinnon, ‘02, has joined HDR as the firm’s Nevada and Utah water business manager based in the Las Vegas office. MacKinnon’s responsibilities include business development, operations, staff development, project management, quality and control for the multi-discipline Nevada water section, and coordinating those efforts with national and regional leaders. Dan Thurman, ‘02, is the new President and CEO of East Idaho Credit Union. Prior to his appointment, he served as East Idaho’s Chief Lending Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Cole Parker, ‘04, is now a partner in Deagle, Ames & Co. The accounting firm has offices in Buhl and Twin Falls. Dr. Karli Ghering, ‘05, ‘07, has opened Bismarck Psychological Associates in Bismark, North Dakota. Ghering has practiced in Bismarck since 2007 Jonny Fisher, ‘06, founder and owner of Textbook Exchange, has been named the 2017 Idaho Business Leader of the Year by the Idaho State University Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Upsilon chapter, the professional business fraternity. Fisher was recognized at a dinner in Pocatello March 16. The award annually recognizes an Idaho business leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and professional ethics while contributing significant support to worthwhile community, civic and education activities. Adam Frugoli, ‘08, was named vice president of EPIC Health Care Strategy Group by EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants. Frugoli will be responsible for new business development, program design and management, marketing and coverage placement. Frugoli has received

many business and community awards, including a “Distinguished Under 40 Award” from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network. Connie Stopher, ‘08, is the new executive director of the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization. Stopher comes to the new position after having served since 2014 as executive director of the South Coast Development Council in Coos Bay, Ore. Stopher has also served as an economic development specialist for Bannock Development Corp. and human resource workforce training instructor at Idaho State University. She earned a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor of arts in political science from ISU.

2010s Jake Garcin, ‘11, has joined T3 Sport, a basketball-focused sports training facility that is under construction in Boise. Garcin will serve as director of marketing and operations. He holds a master’s degree in physical education, athletic administration from Idaho State University and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Boise State University. Max Pond, ‘11, has been hired as the new political affairs director for the Idaho Association of Realtors. Pond was most recently communication specialist for Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. He previously worked as deputy press secretary for Sen. Mike Crapo and field director for Mike Simpson for Congress. Jordan Kress, ‘12, has been promoted to escrow officer at AmeriTitle in Pocatello. Kress has more than six years of administration and banking experience. Zach Stringham ‘12, PA-C, is joining Banner Health Clinic in Brush and Fort Morgan. Joseph K. Han, ‘13, has been named Central Washington University’s new vice president of operations. He previously worked as associate vice president of facilities services at Idaho State University and was director of facilities management and services at California State University, Chico. Jennifer Sawmiller, ‘16, PA-C, joined the team at Toppenish Medical Dental Clinic. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Idaho State University in Meridian. Jennelle Thompson, ‘16, PA-C, joined the team at Miramar Family Health Center. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Idaho State University in Meridian.

Eleven Alumni Honored with 2017 Professional Achievement Awards Eleven Idaho State University alumni were honored with ISU 2017 Professional Achievement Awards at ISU Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 6. Professional Achievement Award recipients are alumni who have made important contributions in their profession, to the social, political or economic well being of the world around them and have shown continued community and civic involvement in addition to their contributions to ISU. Individuals selected for these prestigious awards have been out of school at least 10 years.

DAVID “CHRIS” CARLSON, MEDIMONT, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS – FINE ARTS AND HUMANITIES Chris Carlson obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Columbia University and earned a master’s degree in English literature from ISU in 1970. He was a reporter or correspondent for the Idaho State Journal, Spokane Daily Chronicle, Intermountain Observer and Anchorage Daily News. In the early 1970s, he began a life-long association with Idaho Gov. Cecil D. Andrus as his press secretary and the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Public Affairs when Andrus became Interior Secretary. Carlson has served on the Northwest Planning Council as vice-president of The Rockey Company, a public relations firm, and vice-president of public affairs for Kaiser Aluminum. He founded the Gallatin Group, an independent public affairs firm. Carlson has penned four acclaimed books including “Cecil Andrus: Idaho’s Greatest Governor.” He and his wife Marcia have four children and two grandchildren.

PAUL M. MILLER, SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS – SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES Paul Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1970 from The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in experimental psychology from ISU in 1978, and Ph.D. in educational psychology in 1985 from the University of Utah. Miller has worked as a statistical analyst at the Office of the President, University of Utah, the Office of Institutional Research at Rutgers University and as a technology manager and curriculum analyst in the private sector for New Century Education Corporation. He is currently associate professor of educational measurement in the Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership at St. John’s University. Miller has published more than 20 articles in refereed journals and has presented more than 40 papers at professional conferences. GALO MEDINA, HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS – GENERAL STUDIES Galo Medina graduated from ISU with his bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2000. As an undergraduate student, he was chair for the Associated Students of ISU Finance Committee and ran a successful campaign for ASISU president. Medina returned to his native California and began his career as a financial advisor for John Hancock and obtained his master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. After four years with John Hancock, Medina

started his own company, Comprehensive Financial Services, an investment firm that offers a variety of financial planning services. In 2015, Medina established the Galo Medina endowment at ISU to assist students from varying backgrounds in any course of study.

GARY L. LONG, INKOM, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, NATURAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES Gary Long, who was born in Twin Falls, attended ISU and was hired by JR Simplot as an analytical lab technician in 1970. He obtained his ISU Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1973 and was hired as a research chemist at the Simplot Pocatello phosphate manufacturing facility. During the next 10 years, Long was the co-inventor of four patents, one which remains the standard process for making phosphate animal feed. In 1981 he became production supervisor at the Pocatello plant and in 1985 became the production supervisor over Simplot’s ammonia and nitric acid production facilities in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He returned to Idaho, served as director of research and development, production superintendent for the Don Plant, vice-president of wholesale marketing, and vice-president of manufacturing until taking early retirement in 2000. In 2008, Long started again on his master’s degree in chemistry and completed it in 2008. Long and his wife Kristi have three grown daughters and one in junior high school.

For more complete biographies of the recipients, visit isu.edu/magazine

SPRING 2017

HERNAN R. RENDON, TURMERO ARAGUA, VENEZUELA, COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY Born in Caracas, Venezuela, the oldest of two sons, Hernan Rendon attended school in Venezuela, graduating in July 1980. He came to ISU to study English at the American Language Academy (ALA) in March 1981. Rendon was admitted into the Diesel Mechanic Program in the College of Technology and earned his Associates of Applied Science degree in 1984. After graduation, Hernan returned to Venezuela earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from “Instituto Politecnico de Las Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales” in 1990. In 1991, Rendon was hired by Schlumberger, an oil company that sent him to Argentina as an oil field engineer. He started his own company, Energy Systems and Engineering, S.A. now known as “Sistemas de Energia, S.A. The company is an electrical generator service company and has offices in Venezuela and Panama and may have one in North America by 2020. Rendon is married to Raquel Barreto and has two daughters.

JACK WALKER, GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Jack Walker graduated from ISU in 1955 with his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy. Shortly after starting his pharmacy career, he was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and in 1958 purchased three Walgreen’s Agency stores in Colorado and Utah. His company grew into a 12-store chain in the 1960s and 1970s. Walker gradually divested all but one, which he still operates, his store in Moab, Utah. Walker has repurposed, remerchandised this store and renamed it Walker Drug and General Store with Express Grocery. Walker has been a member and vocal participant in both professional pharmacy and industry trade organizations. He joined NARD (now NCPA) in 1967 and Affiliated/Associated Drugstores (now DDMA) in 1974. He has been a board member since 1998 and served as chairman from 2009 until early 2014.

LAURA LOU HILL, GARDEN CITY, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Originally from Jerome, Laura Hill graduated from ISU in 1983 with her bachelor’s degree in both secondary education and health education. She obtained her master’s degree from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1998. She was selected as the assistant director of Cyber Security for the U.S. Forest Service in 2016. Previously, she served in several Washington Office leadership positions. She had a 23-year career as an Army Signal Corps Officer, retiring in 2004. Hill was deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Guard and was responsible for the preparation and combat deployment of more than 130 major items of communication equipment and 260 personnel. As chief, Operations Center, Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Ft. Belvoir, 2001, she was responsible for providing emergency response communications in support of the terrorist events of Sept. 11, 2001. She has been recognized with many military awards including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal,

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and the White House Presidential Service Badge. Hill is married to Lt. Col. (retired) Bart J. Hill, director of information technology for the Idaho Catholic Diocese.

M. MICHELE POND-BELL, POCATELLO, NURSING The daughter of Mary T. Pond and the late Earl R. Pond, Michele Pond-Bell is married to Ned Bell and the proud mother of Christian Bell and grandson Everett Bell. Pond-Bell, and her entire family have a long history and legacy with Idaho State University. Pond-Bell is currently employed as the nurse administrator at Intermountain Healthcare Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley, Idaho for the past 6-1/2 years. Prior to this, she was affiliated with Pocatello Regional Medical Center/ Portneuf Medical Center, St. Anthony Community Hospital, all in Pocatello and LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Pond-Bell received her Bachelor of Arts degree in university studies in psychology and sociology from ISU in 1978 and her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1978. She received her Master of Business Administration degree in health administration in 2007 from the University of Colorado, Denver. Pond-Bell has lifelong affiliations with ISU including being a member of the ISU Alumni Association since 1978, Association Board of Directors 1994-1999, ISU Alumni Board president 1997-98 and member of the ISU Bengal Foundation. MINDY STOSICH-BENEDETTI, POCATELLO, KASISKA DIVISION OF HEALTH SCIENCES Mindy Stosich-Benedetti became the CEO of Health West in 2014, leading the organization in a new era of growth, sustainability and health care advancement. She oversees eight medical clinics, a

dental clinic, a team of behavioral health providers and all the supporting personnel required to run a thriving health care organization operating in seven cities and four counties in southeast Idaho. She has been with Health West for more than 11 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from ISU in 2006 followed by her Master of Business Administration degree in business administration. Stosich-Benedetti is an accomplished leader, having participated in Leadership Pocatello 2011-12 and Facilitator in 2012, recognized as one of the recipients of the Idaho State Journal’s 20 Under 40 award in 2016, was awarded an Emerging Leader Award from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy. Her civic affiliations are many.

REED N. BRIMHALL, MERIDIAN, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Reed Brimhall became Chief Financial Officer of Scentsy, Inc. in 2015. Prior to this position, Brimhall served as chief accounting officer of several public companies including URS Corporation, Inc. in San Francisco, senior vice president and controller of Washington Group International, Inc. in Boise. While the director of the Office of Government Cost and Rate Studies as Accounting Controller at Stanford University, Brimhall was the key figure in a landmark case in higher education finances. Brimhall obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from ISU in 1978 with very high honors. Brimhall is a Certified Public Accountant in Idaho, Oregon and previously in New Mexico. He is a

member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Idaho Society of CPAs and the Institute of Internal Auditors. He has served as the chair, Faculty Advisory Board for the ISU College of Business 1999-2001 and a member from 1995-2003. He was named Accountant of the Year in the College of Business in 1998. Brimhall and his wife Brook, opened Boise Bricks and Minifigs in Boise in 2016.

ROBERT D. BOSTON, BLACKFOOT, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING – ENGINEERING Robert After graduating from high school, Boston enlisted in the U.S. (Nuclear) Navy and served 12 years on active duty. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from ISU in 1994. He spent 10 more years in the Naval Reserves, retiring after 22 years of service. While at ISU, he became licensed as a senior reactor operator by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, serving in that post for three years until completing his master’s degree. He then joined Lockheed Martin Advanced Environmental Systems. He joined the Idaho Operations Office of the Department of Energy in 1999. Boston is the Deputy Manager Operations Support. Chief Operating Officer of the Idaho Operations Office of the US Department of Energy. His office has oversight of the operations of the Idaho National laboratory. Boston has had a career covering 18 years with the Department of Energy’s Idaho Operations Office. He was selected as the Outstanding Engineer for the ISU Department of Engineering in 2015.

SPRING 2017

2017 Outstanding Student Awards KRYSTAL NOELLE SCOTT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Krystal Noelle Scott graduated in May with a degree in physical education and business management. Originally from Rupert, Scott started college at age 16 and has been a leader in Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at ISU for five years. During this time, she also took part in several service trips including teaching English in China, working with Free International to raise awareness on human trafficking and worked with impoverished communities. She participated in the Career Path Internship (CPI) program in the College of Business as an undergraduate advisor and was first runner-up for CPI of the year in 2015-16. Scott received several scholarships including the State of Idaho Opportunity, Idaho Promise, Rotary Club, Magic Valley Dairy, Minidoka Bowman,

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Gooding Basque Association, ASISU fouryear, T. Kim Allen and the James Luper scholarships. She has been named to the Dean’s list eight times.

CLAIRE JORGENSEN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Claire Jorgensen is from Boise where she grew up with her parents and brother. She learned basketball post moves from her dad in their driveway and the nuances of gardening from her mother. These experiences taught her life lessons of hard work, resiliency and commitment. She carried these lessons with her in her activ-

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ities as a student. Jorgensen is a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor society, serving as its president in 2015-16; a member of SHEPHERD Club, ISU Student Orientation leader, Bengal Visit Day panelist and a member of Chi Alpha. Jorgensen was named Student of the Year in the Department of Physical Education in 2015. She recently earned her degree in physical education and health education.

SABRINA J SHERWOOD COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Following her graduation from Timberline High School in Boise, Sabrina J Sherwood came to Pocatello and ISU to complete her undergraduate coursework where she particularly enjoyed her courses in chemistry, health sciences and medical ethics. During her collegiate career, she

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was the recipient of scholarships for pharmacy students including the Pharmacy General, J. Garner Memorial, Michael T. & Robyn Prime, Gehrke-Moore Phi Delta Chi, David & Jane Chu, Walgreen’s Diversity Glenn W. Corbett, Kasiska and ASISU scholarships. Sherwood graduated in May with a Pharm D. degree and a wealth of experience gained due to her involvement in the university community and her curriculum. She served as the College of Pharmacy Senator for two terms 20142016 and was Senate President, was on the ISU Student Conduct Board from 2011-2014, vice-president of Phi Delta Chi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity,

fundraising for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and attended several local and national pharmacy meetings. She was invited to present at the Idaho Society of Health-System Pharmacists on Hepatitis C virus therapies. Her 2015 research project was accepted for presentation at a national pharmacy meeting and presented to the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Pharmacy about Mayo Clinic experience and curriculum improvement suggestions. She will pursue a clinical pharmacy residency specializing in solid organ transplant services.

CIERRA MEILINE JOHNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY Originally from Pocatello, Cierra Meiline Johns graduated with an Associate of Science degree in respiratory therapy and a Bachelor of Science degree in health

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science. She received scholarships from Norco and ASISU. Johns is the membership chair of Mortar Board National Honor Society and serves on the Respiratory Therapy advisory board as vice-chair. In 2008, she was recognized for her volunteer work with the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy. Since that time, she has continued her volunteer work with the Idaho Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Bannock Humane Society, Bannock Youth Foundation and Big Brothers-Big Sisters. She credits her academic success to her grandparents Butch Johns and Melissa Swain for their encouragement and support.

KYLLE STRUNK COLLEGE OF ARTS & LETTERS - FINE ARTS & HUMANITIES Kylle Strunk had no formal training in classical music when he arrived at ISU, but his passion and hard work have been rewarded. Strunk received the David Missal Band scholarship, GAIA Arts & Letters scholarship and the Ruth S. and Chilton Phoenix Memorial Scholarship. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance and a minor in visual communications. He has a 3.79 GPA. During his time at ISU, Strunk has been a member of the Student Activities Board and the Residence Hall Association. While performing with the Idaho State Civic Symphony, he has grown as a musician and has written compositions that have been premiered by the ISU Percussion Ensemble, ISU Chamber Orchestra, Idaho State Civic Symphony and Portland Percussion Group.

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ASHLEY TAILOR SONDAG COLLEGE OF ARTS & LETTERS - SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE Ashley Tailor Sondag was born in Pocatello but her family moved shortly after her birth to Casper, Wyoming. She graduated from Natrona County High School as valedictorian of her class with an International Baccalaureate Diploma and was awarded the Principal’s Trophy for her athletic and academic achievements. Sondag is the daughter of ISU alumni Becky and Corey Sondag. Her sister Shaelynn is also an ISU alumna. Sondag’s mother, Becky, was inducted

into ISU’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Sondag is also a member of the track and cross country team and has also served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of the International Affairs Council. Sondag has been named to the Big Sky Conference All-Academic Team and has been on the dean’s list every semester of her collegiate career. She has a 4.0 GPA. Sondag will graduate with honors and a double major of political science and international studies. She plans to continue as an athlete and graduate student at ISU next year and eventually pursue a law degree and work to protect the environment.

ANDREW KALER COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING ENGINEERING Andrew Kaler came to ISU from Camas, Washington, after being recruited for the ISU track and field and cross

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country programs. Kaler was the recipient of the Samuel H. Bennion Honors Scholarship, Bob Thompson Memorial Engineering Scholarship, Freshman Leadership Scholarship and the Jay W. Glasmann Scholarship. During his collegiate career as an honors program student and a student athlete, Kaler has been named Big Sky All-Conference Scholar Athlete four times and has been on the Dean’s list every semester of his four years at ISU. He has a 4.0 GPA and will graduate in May with his degree in electrical engineering and mathematics. He will continue his education in the graduate program at ISU in the fall.

PAMELA S. ROPSKI COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING - NATURAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES Pamela S. Ropski graduated from Centennial High School in Meridian and came to ISU in 2013. She has received the Freshman 4-Year Scholarship, the Samuel H. Bennion Honors scholarship, Idaho Promise, Freshman Leadership scholarship, Honors Housing, ASISU Scholarship and the Douglas and Joy Heiner Pre-Medical Scholarship. During her collegiate career she was a member of the Chemistry Club, Pre-Health Professions Association, University Honors Program Club, Research for Chemistry Department and a cross country athlete from 2013-2015. She was recognized as the Biochemistry Student of the Year in 2015-16 by the American Chemical Society and awarded the Idaho State Board of Education Research Funding and the University Honors Program Research Funding. Ropski graduated in

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May with an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and has a GPA of 3.75. She will attend the University of Utah School of Medicine next fall to begin her medical education.

NATALIE RENE SLAGOWSKI KASISKA DIVISION OF HEALTH SCIENCES Natalie Rene Slagowski came to ISU from Meridian specifically to pursue a degree in medical laboratory science. She received multiple scholarships during her undergraduate career at ISU including the Presidential 4-Year Scholarship, John and Charlotte Huntington Scholarship, Samuel SPRING 2017

H. Bennion Honors Scholarship, Freshman Leadership Scholarship, Idaho Promise and Housing, Room and Board Scholarship. She was a member of the University Honors Program, First Year Transitions Mentor, Envoy and University Honors Program Mentor. Slagowski was an undergraduate research assistant through the Career Path Internship program. She will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science and a 3.82 GPA.

EMILY M. HOLCOMB SCHOOL OF NURSING Raised in Wilder, Emily M. Holcomb attended the Idaho Virtual Academy, a public online academy, after the fourth grade. She was an excellent student and was awarded several scholarships, including the Kasiska 4-Year Scholarship, Freshman Leadership Scholarship, Idaho Promise, Samuel H. Bennion Honors scholarship, ASISU Scholarship, Bengal Retention Grant and ISU Junior-Senior scholarship. In addition to being a member of the University Honors Program, she was also a member of the Crossroads Christian Fellowship, Chi Alpha and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Holcomb is the first member of her family to obtain a

college degree. She volunteered her time for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Pocatello Homeless Stand Down. Holcomb will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and has a GPA of 3.98.

JENIFER READER GRADUATE SCHOOLMASTER’S CANDIDATE Jenifer Reader will graduate in May with a Master of Science degree in health education and a GPA of 3.93. She moved to Pocatello 18 years ago and has worked as a registered dietitian nutritionist since completing a dietetic internship at Idaho State University in 2008. Reader has been recognized with multiple awards including the 20 Under 40 Idaho State Journal award, 2007 Outstanding Student from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, ASISU Student of the Month – 2006, Idaho Central Credit Union Community Involvement Award – 2015 and Portneuf Cancer Center Community Oncology Service Award in 2006. She has received numerous scholarships that have assisted in her education. Reader enjoys teaching and has taught nutrition and family and consumer science classes at ISU since 2014.

JEFFREY G. HOWARD GRADUATE SCHOOLDOCTORAL CANDIDATE Jeffrey G. Howard’s education has branched across literature, folklore, critical theory, professional writing and editing, and poetry and nonfiction writing. During his four years at ISU, in addition to his academic achievements, Howard married and he and his wife, Amy, now have two little boys. Howard received a graduate fellowship in 2014 running through the present, as well as the John M. and Charlotte Huntington Scholarship. His activities as a graduate student include membership in the English Graduate Student Association, Black Rock & Sage editor-in-chief from 2015 to the present, Sigma Tau Delta member, volunteer at Special Collections and Archives and a volunteer at the Marshall Public Library. He was recognized with the Ph.D. Teaching Excellence Award in 2015 for the Department of English and Philosophy and Prose Winner, Black Rock and Sage in 2014. Howard will graduate in May with his Ph.D. in English and the Teaching of English and has a 4.0 GPA.

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Distinguished Faculty Named for 2017 Three Idaho State University faculty were honored as Distinguished Faculty at ISU Commencement May 6 in Holt Arena. They are Catherine Black, senior lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences, Distinguished Teacher; Thomas Kloss, assistant professor, music education coordinator and associate director of bands, Department of Music, Distinguished Service; and Erin Rasmussen, professor, Department of Psychology, Distinguished Researcher.

Catherine Black

“It is a distinction to receive one of these three awards, which are the highest honors bestowed on faculty at Idaho State University,” said Laura Woodworth-Ney, ISU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are proud to recognized these honorees, who are among our most accomplished faculty.”

Thomas Kloss

Erin Rasmussen

Other finalists for the Distinguished Teacher Award, who are 2017 Outstanding

Master Teachers, Justin Stover, assistant professor, Department of History; Janet Loxterman, associate professor, Department of Biological Science; Kellee Kirkpatrick, assistant professor, Department of Political Science; Thomas Klein, professor, Department of English and Philosophy. Other finalists for the Distinguished Service Award, who are 2017 Outstanding Public Service Award winners, Shauna Smith, a speech-language pathologist, clinical associate professor and clinic director in the graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) program of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders; Dawn Konicek, assistant clinical professor of accounting, College of Business; and Donna Lybecker, professor, Department of Political Science. Other finalists for the ISU Distinguished Researcher Award, who are 2017 Outstanding Research Award winners, are Jessica Winston, professor of English, chair of the Department of History; Karl Madaras-Kelly, professor, College of Pharmacy, located in Meridian; Thom Hasenpflug, chair and professor, Department of Music and co-director of the School for Performing Arts; Raphael Chijioke Njoku, chair of the Department of Global Studies, program director of Department of International studies, and history professor.

CO L L A B O R AT I O N I N S P I R I N G I N N O VAT I O N The Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) is a consortium of five partners – Idaho National Laboratory, Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.

Our goal is to be a regional resource for solving critical technical challenges, educating the next generation of scientific researchers, and providing industry assistance to fuel economic growth.

WHAT ENERGIZES YOU? Come find out at caesenergy.org

SPRING 2017

A Bengal in the Statehouse As a teenager, Mat Erpelding looked forward to February when he’d travel from Denver, Colorado to Pocatello to participate in the Simplot Games at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena. “I became enamored by that indoor track,” he said.

Since 2012, Erpelding, a Democrat, has served in the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 19 in Boise and a portion of neighboring Garden City. He is the House minority leader, a position he relishes despite being outnumbered by Republicans 59 to 11. “I may not make huge sweeping policy reforms because I don’t have the votes, but I push a lot of issues and I force the conversation on those issues,” he said during a recent interview in his Statehouse office. His committee assignments include Revenue and Taxation, Resources and Conservation, and Agricultural Affairs.

ISU Experience Erpelding, owner of the Boise-based Experiential Adventures, LLC, and co-owner of Idaho Mountain Guides, says his experiences at ISU helped shape his professional and political life.

So enamored, that he enrolled in ISU in 1993 and ran track for a couple of years before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1997. Erpelding never worked as a licensed psychologist—sitting in an office talking to people just wasn’t his thing. Instead, he spearheaded his athleticism and passion for the outdoors into businesses that focused on leadership, communication and experiential education.

He developed a passion for experiential education—learning by doing—by working with students in ISU’s outdoor program (now the Outdoor Adventure Center) and C.W. HOG, a nationally acclaimed program which provides recreational opportunities for people of all abilities. Erpelding, a retired high-altitude mountaineer, has climbed Denali in Alaska—North America’s highest mountain—five times, reaching the summit on four of those trips. So what does the world look like 20,310 feet above sea level?

“It’s a pretty cool thing. The physical aspect of getting to the top … then you’re looking down on the clouds,” he said. His first Denali climb was in 2000 with buddies from ISU. What’s impressive is that Erpelding didn’t start climbing until 1995 when a friend invited him to go rock climbing in Ross Park. Sidelined by a running injury, Erpelding gave the sport a shot. “I loved it,” he said. The physical and mental demands coupled with “the freedom of being outdoors” were a perfect fit for him. After all, this was the same guy who road his bike from Denver to Pocatello a few months earlier, a 582-mile trek that took him 10 days. After graduating from ISU, Erpelding taught and worked in outdoor education programs at various universities. In 2006, Erpelding moved to Boise. As an instructor at the College of Western Idaho, he trained teachers to use experiential education in the classroom. He’s also an adjunct faculty member in the Leadership Studies Program at Boise State University’s College of Innovation and Design. As a lawmaker, Erpelding says his goal is to serve his constituents to the best of his ability and never yield on values he thinks are important to the state. “Being in politics is much like mountaineering,” he said. “It’s often inclement weather. You’re often in ambiguous situations, and you have to persevere if you’re going to find success.” Chris Gabettas

University Videographer, Alumnus Goes Gold Idaho State University videographer Martin Baker, ’12, was honored with Gold and Silver Awards from the Collegiate Advertising Awards for ISU promotional videos he produced in 2016.

Production Series category. In this video Baker interviewed several graduates and asked them to reflect on their time at ISU and what they look forward to.

His Gold Award was for the video “United in Support” in the Special Video Production Single category, for schools with 10,000-20,000 students.

In 2013, Baker also won a Collegiate Advertising Gold Award for his Mascot Entrance video that featured ISU’s Benny the Bengal battling mascots from other schools.

The Silver Award was for his 2016 “Commencement Series” in Special Video

According to its website, the Collegiate Advertising Awards program is an elite

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national program created to honor today’s most talented marketing professionals for outstanding excellence in all forms of advertising, marketing and promotion specific to higher education products and services.

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