Summer 2024 | Volume 99 | Issue 2
Building on our legacy of academic excellence with a vision for the future
100 years later, U of R School of Education continues to be a leader for change
Woodbury University acquisition opens doors to new opportunities for students
New programs and renovated spaces elevate the Bulldog experience
Originally called the “Psalm of Collegiate Thanksgiving,” the “Och Tamale” cheer was written by cheerleader C. Merle Waterman ’20 and classmates Walter J. Richards ’21 and Jack Slutsk ’22. The “Och Tamale” is recited when the Bulldogs score a touchdown, at pep rallies, Homecoming, alumni events, or as a greeting to fellow alumni.
Generations of alumni gathered to celebrate the Johnston Renewal over three days of social events on and off campus
University of Redlands students go above and beyond when it comes to fulfilling their Community Service Internships
Several new leaders have arrived at Redlands since the new year: (from left to right)
Grace Crickette ’88 returns to Redlands as Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO; Jim Dusserre is named director of the Office of Career & Professional Development; Maria Serna Pulido joins as the inaugural Hispanic-Serving Institution Grant Director.
3 Watch The College Tour on Amazon Prime Video
University of Redlands students were filmed in spring and will be featured in Season 12 of The College Tour
6
Redlands campus improvements aim for an accessible, safe, and sustainable future
President
Krista L. Newkirk
Vice President, Strategic
Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer
Kinnari “Kin” Sejpal
Vice President, Advancement
Jed Schwendiman
Interim Director of Alumni & Community Relations
Jessica Pfahler
Editor
Jennifer Dobbs ’17, ’22
Class Notes Editor
Sarah Armes Harwood
Graphic Designer
Michelle Dang ’14
Contributors
Steven Arciniega ’20
Alieu Corr ’20, ’22
Lance Franey
Catherine Garcia ’06
Katharina Napoletano ’24
Frank Perez
Rachel Roche ’02
Och Tamale is published by the University of Redlands.
This fall, Bulldogs will have more choices with the addition of six new academic programs 11
University of Redlands finalizes acquisition and integration of Woodbury University
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Nothing makes me happier than seeing our students back on campus. I am convinced there is no better place to be than the University of Redlands – especially when it is teeming with the excitement and electricity of welcoming our new and returning students for the fall academic term.
We’ve had a busy summer, and I’m thrilled to see the outcome of the tremendous work taking place both inside the classroom and throughout our campus.
One of the most exciting upgrades is to our quad, where we have planted 17 magnificent oak trees from a local Redlands farm – Jacinto Tree Farm. These 30-foot trees have a special connection, as they were grown from acorns collected by business owner Larry Jacinto during his visits to campus when his daughter, Laree, was a student at Redlands. And now the trees have returned home to our campus – a true full-circle moment! It reminds me of the Greek proverb: “A society grows great when [people] plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
Just as these trees symbolize growth and continuity, we are also celebrating the Centennial of our School of Education. With a proud history as one of California’s first institutions to offer teaching credentials, we’ve evolved into a champion of educational and social justice. Although initially met with resistance, the formation of the School of Education furthered the initial vision of the university as an institution with a core of liberal arts and a variety of professional schools – making concrete the development of the University of Redlands in the model of the new American university.
Building on that legacy and looking ahead, we are excited about our recent acquisition of Woodbury University, based in the heart of the film, fashion, and art districts of Los Angeles.
This historic university (founded in 1884) and its beautiful campus with amazing faculty and programs will give our students access to fashion, architecture, design, and film programs, further enriching their lives and academic journeys.
Additional new program offerings in Kinesiology and GIS, including the addition of the Institute of Geospatial Impact, will give our students more choices and better prepare them for various career paths in today’s fast-changing job market. By the way, we couldn’t be happier to welcome our fall class, comprised of 1,000 new students (our largest incoming class in four years), 630 of whom are new undergraduates!
In addition to our academic achievements, our remarkable Athletics program has expanded and is now offering women’s flag football – one of the fastest-growing sports across the country – as a club sport this year! Keep an eye out for more information and game schedules as we strive to grow this into a varsity sport this year – the 50th Anniversary of Title IX.
As I like to say, it’s a great time to be a Bulldog! We are creating the best version of ourselves – a University that continues to be centered in the liberal arts, now with expanded professional programs, facilities, and new opportunities to attract students and meet market demand.
As our relentless focus on our mission continues to drive us forward, we are shaping the future of the University of Redlands and inspiring future generations of Bulldogs.
Go Bulldogs!
Krista L. Newkirk
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University of Redlands will be featured in Season 12 of the award-winning Amazon Prime streaming series The College Tour. The episode will premiere on Amazon in October. Watch now at www.thecollegetour.com/ tour-colleges/university-of-redlands
This fall, Bulldogs will have more choices with the addition of six new programs
By Katharina Napoletano ’24 and Steven Arciniega ’20
What are the main pollutants affecting air quality? Have reading levels improved in elementary school students since new standards were implemented? Data scientists can help answer these by analyzing and interpreting complex data sets. Redlands’ new program is an opportunity for students to bridge liberal arts with STEM, utilizing tools from mathematics, statistics, and computer science to investigate questions in a wide variety of disciplines, even areas that have not traditionally been seen as data-focused. Professor Joanna Bieri, the data science program director, believes “these technical skills must be complemented by non-technical skills, such as critical thinking, effective communication, and creative problem-solving. Data science is not just about crunching numbers — but about asking meaningful questions and finding solutions within specific domains. The Redlands liberal arts environment is the ideal place to develop both the technical and non-technical skills that employers are looking for.”
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The U of R will offer two new undergraduate GIS programs: the Bachelor of Arts in GIS (BAGIS) program and the Bachelor of Science in GIS (BSGIS). Both programs aim to create leaders in the field of GIS, but the BSGIS program differs from the BAGIS program in that the former offers students more advanced
skills in GIS without the same exposure to interdisciplinary applications contained in the latter. John Glover, a history and GIS professor, said, “We inhabit a world saturated with spatial information, from maps and charts to mobile devices that employ location-based services. It is also increasingly clear that the pressing issues confronting society — from urban planning to energy needs, natural hazards, climate change, and human health — are fundamentally spatial in nature. Linking locational and descriptive information makes it possible to visualize data in the form of maps and charts to conduct location-based analyses, revealing patterns that can inform decision making.”
KINESIOLOGY
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training are just a few of the growing fields in allied health. The new kinesiology program will provide students the opportunity to excel in an academically rigorous program that provides a pathway to graduate programs and career opportunities within the allied health industry. Tom Whittemore, chair of physical education, said, “Transitioning our PE minor into a kinesiology major is something we have talked about within the PE and Athletics Department for several years. As I talked to current U of R students, it became more and more apparent that there is great interest in kinesiology and careers in the allied health professions. I am confident that this new program will be a
great draw for prospective students with an eye toward careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, teaching, coaching, and strength and fitness. The timing is perfect for us to launch the kinesiology major, and we have received tremendous support from the administration, faculty, and students.”
Coming in Fall 2025* the School of Education is introducing the Bachelor of Arts in Education: Secondary Mathematics Teaching degree offering. The four-year degree will include a single-subject mathematics credential and prepare students to teach mathematics and make use of emerging technology in a classroom setting. The offering will be the first four-year degree program from the School of Education. Professor Stephanie Quan-Lorey said the program “lends itself to other STEM areas,” and that the plan is to “eventually open this up for all the single subject areas.”
*The program is currently awaiting approval from WASC.
3+3
The 3+3 Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) accelerated pathway offers University of Redlands students the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree and transfer to Loma Linda University’s School of Allied
Health Professions to complete their DPT, all in 6 years. While taking courses, students will have access to curriculum and career advising from Loma Linda faculty. After completing the pathway, students will become graduates of both institutions.
“I am excited that the Science Center is in a position to offer accelerated tracks that allow motivated students to earn advanced degrees quickly, saving them both time and money and allowing them to make a difference in their community that much faster,” Professor and Director of the Science Stauffer Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Studies Bryce Ryan said.
3+4 DOCTOR OF PHARMACY PATHWAY
The 3+4 Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) pathway gives University of Redlands students the chance to finish their undergraduate degree and transfer to Loma Linda University’s School of Pharmacy to complete their PharmD in seven years. Students can take advantage of curriculum and career advising from Loma Linda faculty, and once done with the pathway, they are graduates of both institutions.
“Like the University of Redlands, Loma Linda is a well-respected institution that has served the communities of the Inland Empire for decades,” Ryan said. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with them to train the next generation of health care professionals.”
The Fitness Center renovations will include new flooring, paint, and cutting-edge equipment to create an optimal training space.
The first floor of Holt Hall was remodeled to be ADA-accessible, providing a more comfortable living space for students.
By Steven Arciniega ’20
The University of Redlands is set to transform its main campus with a series of upgrades, funded by University bonds and generous donations. Among the exciting changes are enhancements to the iconic Quad funded in part by Char Burgess, former Vice President of Student Life; Jack Dangermond, President of Esri; and Larry Jacinto, owner of Larry Jacinto Construction and Jacinto Farms.
“As part of our Quad revitalization project, we’ve planted 13 magnificent oak trees and relocating four around the Quad,” Vice President of Advancement Jed Schwendiman said.
The 30-foot oaks coming from Redlands Jacinto Tree Farm have a special connection to the University.
“When Larry Jacinto’s daughter, Laree, was a student at Redlands, he collected acorns during his visits to campus,” Schwendiman said. “Those same acorns have grown into the beautiful trees now returning home to our campus.”
In addition to the Quad, several dorms, classrooms, and the Fitness Center will also receive upgrades to enrich student life on campus, including increasing accessibility, improving security, and accommodating those with disabilities.
Improvements to North include new flooring, paint, low-flushing toilets, fixtures, and LED lighting. Additionally, the first-floor entrance, living room, laundry room, kitchen, and restroom were remodeled to become ADA-accessible. The transformation was funded through a University bond and allows the hall to serve more students and provide a more comfortable living space.
With a goal of being accessible to all students, significant improvements have been made to Holt Hall’s first floor, including the renovation of two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a dorm room, and the addition of a laundry facility, creating a space for students that is fully ADA accessible. Funding was provided through donations from Thomas McClung ’69 and many Johnstonians and parents of Johnston Center students.
Two projects are underway in Hall of Letters – the first, funded by the Fletcher Jones Foundation, will see classrooms 101 and 103 combined back into a single large tech classroom. The renovated room’s main feature will be configurable furniture that will allow a professor to quickly set up the room for various scenarios including group work or breakout sessions. The room will also feature three to four displays that professors and students can connect to via smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Additionally, the room will have high-end microphones and speakers, so it can be used for remote teaching. The second project, funded by bond through ADA accessibility, will renovate two restrooms on the first floor, turning one into an all-gender, ADA accessible bathroom and the other to an all-gender bathroom.
Funded by University bond with the aim of enhancing safety, work has begun on installing card readers to the main exterior entrances of all buildings on the Redlands campus. Expecting to be completed by the end of summer 2024, all students, faculty, and staff will be issued new ID cards.
Currently underway, the University’s Train Station Walkway Project will enhance the gateway from the Arrow Line train station to the University’s Performing Arts complex (Theatre Arts Building and Ann Peppers Hall), and towards the remainder of the Redlands campus. The project includes a walkway, plaza, and social gathering space, landscaping, light fixtures, steps-to-greenbelt plaza area, and decorative palms with stone pavers that include the Redlands logo.
Generous donations from Trustee Jim Schroeder ’65 and Althea Schroeder have enabled upgrades to the athletics Field House that include new carpeting, paint, and wall graphics. The Fitness Center is also being renovated to reflect current trends while providing an optimal training space for studentathletes and Bulldog fitness enthusiasts. The renovations include new flooring, paint, and, thanks to funding from a University bond, cutting-edge equipment. OT
By Steven Arciniega ’20
If college wasn’t challenging enough, imagine doing it 8,000 miles from home. For Anika Tabassum ’26, facing this challenge at Redlands has been met with a supportive community and endless opportunities. Double majoring in computer science and business administration, Tabassum wants to bring opportunity to other women in Bangladesh, a country steeped in tradition and the place she calls home. There, women remain home while men work. “I want to become an entrepreneur and allow women to work and have financial independence,” she said.
Already projecting the entrepreneurial spirit, the Hunsaker Scholar has become a student mentor, running both a Facebook and YouTube channel dedicated to encouraging Bangladeshi youth to attend college. Still in its infancy, the channels have amassed more than 45,000 followers and accumulated millions of views.
Tabassum lights up every room she walks into, building a close-knit community on campus and staving off homesickness. In addition to faculty mentors and students, her supportive community includes Maria Williams from the Office of Career and Professional Development, where students get help in their career journey – from drafting resumes to interview wardobe. In addition to many conversations with Tabassum, Williams has assisted her through the Hunsaker Scholarship journey and admires her trajectory. “She’s overcome everything from navigating dorm life to figuring out health insurance,” Williams said. “The sky is the limit. The only one that is going to tell her no is herself.”
Redlands has rapidly become Tabassum’s new home away from home, inspiring her to ask questions that matter, and grab attention in a crowded room. Tabassum showcases what it means to be an international student while establishing a supportive community at Redlands. OT
By Sarah Armes Harwood
In the ever-evolving landscape of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Liz Parrish ’17, an MBA alumna of U of R’s School of Business & Society, stands out as an example of the power of education and dedication. When Parrish came to Redlands, she propelled herself from a GIS technical specialist to manager of Geospatial Analytics and Insights practice at H-E-B, the largest grocery chain in Texas and Forbes’ fifth largest private U.S. company.
Parrish pursued an MBA to understand the intersection of GIS and business decisionmaking. Drawn to U of R’s highly respected business program, she immersed herself in an educational journey that shaped her career.
“My U of R experience was life-changing. Learning from professors with executive leadership and business experience has been a priceless addition to my life,” said Parrish.
As a student, Parrish’s passion led her to serve as a research assistant at the Center of Spatial Studies. Her commitment was reflected in her co-authorship with Professors James Pick and Avijit Sarkar on a paper providing a geospatial analysis of the digital divide in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Beyond academics, Parrish actively sought opportunities to network and learn from mentors. Post-graduation, she gave back as an adjunct professor and mentor. Last November, she returned to campus to share insights from her professional journey the Center for Spatial Studies speaker series. Parrish also spoke in a forum co-hosted by U of R and Esri for GIS academics and professionals, discussing ways to enhance GIS curricula and ensure students are better prepared for GIS careers.
Parrish’s story exemplifies the impact of strategic education, passion, and dedication. As she continues to excel and inspire future leaders, her journey speaks to the enduring influence of our University’s commitment to excellence and service. OT
TThe University of Redlands has launched the Institute for Geospatial Impact (IGI), transforming the Center for Spatial Studies into a leading collaborative hub for geospatial education, interdisciplinary research and scholarship, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Directed by School of Business & Society Professor Avijit Sarkar, IGI aims to tackle critical, time-sensitive challenges such as climate change to social justice, global conflict, and resource scarcity, by educating the next generation of geospatially skilled students, scholars, and professionals.
"I am drawn to GIS because of its ability to bring people together and to make a profound impact on people and our planet," Sarkar said. "Geospatial gives us ways in which to view the world and meaningfully continue to impact some of the most pressing problems that we are all facing today."
IGI will continue to support the University’s enduring relationship with Esri and its co-founders Jack and Laura Dangermond to expand GIS programs and pathways, foster research, and build community. Recent curriculum expansions include a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in GIS in the College of Arts and Sciences, and an Executive Master of Science in GIS in the School of Business & Society. These new programs reflect a diversification of degree offerings and bridges GIS instruction across the university.
“We are positioning ourselves as an institution where we can authentically say that wherever you are in your geospatial journey, the University of Redlands has opportunities and pathways for you to continue to advance your education and professional development,” Sarkar said.
This July, Sarkar was joined by U of R faculty, students, administrators, and staff at the Esri User Conference where they introduced IGI to the GIS world.
“To me, our booth reiterated the power of GIS to bring people together,” Sarkar said. “It was energizing to see how GIS is enabling so many people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to find common ground, build bridges, and continue to make an impact.” OT
This spring, President Krista Newkirk, School of Performing Arts Director Joseph Modica, Jacob Anderson ’26, and Lara Baden ’27 performed Love Letters by A.R. Gurney. Meanwhile, the Department of Theatre and Dance put on Hansel and Gretel and the School of Performing Arts presented “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín,” a unique concert-drama. Additionally, seven student musicians from the Conservatory of Music performed at the President’s Honor Recital.
The San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) at the University of Redlands, in collaboration with the Center for Faith and Justice (CFJ), has secured a substantial $1.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the Preaching Justice Fellowship.
Dean Laurie Garrett-Cobbina of SFTS emphasized the importance of dynamic dialogue within diverse faith communities in fostering impactful preaching. “Compelling preaching thrives when the sermon takes place in the middle of an ongoing conversation in diverse and networked communities of faith committed to the work of justice,” Garrett-Cobbina said. “The Center for Faith and Justice is helping preachers do exactly that. SFTS is thrilled to partner with CFJ to help communities of faith envision new ways to preach justice in and beyond the pulpit.”
The Preaching Justice Fellowship is part of the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative, which aims to cultivate preachers who inspire individuals to live out their Christian faith more deeply. Among 81 programs funded by this initiative, the Preaching Justice Fellowship stands out for its innovative approach.
Peter Choi, Executive Director of CFJ, highlighted the collaborative nature of creating impactful sermons, saying, “When multiple perspectives converge in sermon crafting, preaching becomes multiple acts of listening and speaking, envisioning and building a new world.”
This grant not only reinforces the University’s dedication to theological education but also strengthens its ongoing partnership with CFJ in other significant projects. These include collaborations with Princeton Theological Seminary in the Teaching Spiritual Entrepreneurship project and SFTS’s “Collaborative Seminary” project funded by the Association of Theological Schools. OT
The University of Redlands announced in January the successful integration of the esteemed Kodály Center programs into its School of Performing Arts, a move prompted by the closure of its former home at Holy Names University.
This integration marks a significant enhancement to the University’s music education programs. The Kodály Center, renowned for its training and resources tailored to teachers, conductors, parents, and enthusiasts interested in children’s musical development, seamlessly complements the University’s undergraduate degree program in music education.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kathy Hickey, a distinguished scholar in Kodály pedagogy and a professor of music at Redlands, the Kodály Center is poised for continued success. Former faculty members from Holy Names University were invited to join the program and the University plans to enrich the curriculum by inviting world-renowned experts from Hungary, further enhancing the educational experience.
For more information on the Conservatory of Music and newly integrated Kodály Center, visit www.redlands.edu/music. OT
It’s the beginning of a transformative chapter for the University of Redlands and Woodbury University that will create a dynamic academic portfolio and reinforce both Redlands’ and Woodbury’s positions as leaders in higher education.
University of Redlands announced June 3 that the acquisition and integration of Burbank-based Woodbury University had been finalized, resulting in the addition of programs including architecture, interior and fashion design, filmmaking, animation, and game design to U of R’s existing innovative programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, and theology.
“In today’s competitive higher education landscape, we must explore innovative ways to grow by offering new programs that are in high demand by students and employers,” President
“ This is a transformational opportunity to combine two historic Southern California universities into a strong, forward-looking organization with a broad range of programs sought after by students seeking a unique and personalized educational experience.”
— President Krista Newkirk in Los Angeles Daily News, “University of Redlands extending its reach to Los Angeles County,” Jan. 26, 2024
Krista L. Newkirk said. “By joining together, our shared academic portfolio will enable us to create a progressive and compelling environment where our combined impact is greater than what either institution can do alone.”
U of R Board of Trustees Chair Jamison J. Ashby added, “Woodbury offers immediate access to excellent academic programs which complement those presently offered by Redlands. This acquisition is entirely consistent with our strategic plan, further strengthening our
In May, Presidio Graduate School celebrated 36 graduates from its MBA, MPA, and Dual Degree MBA/MPA in Sustainable Solutions programs. These graduates have prepared personally and professionally to be changemakers and now join a growing alumni network making a global impact. Congratulations, Class of 2024! OT
stature as a leading private liberal arts and professional university in the West.”
The acquisition marks Redlands’ third in four years. In 2020, it acquired San Francisco Theological Seminary, establishing its campus in Marin County.
In May 2023, it solidified a merger with San Francisco-based Presidio Graduate School and its pioneering MBA and MPA programs in sustainable solutions, which will be a signature program in Redlands’ School of Business & Society. OT
For more than a century, the U of R School of Education has been forward-thinking
By Catherine Garcia ’06
When Dr. Iwar Westerberg welcomed the first group of students to the University of Redlands School of Education in September 1924, the founding director had high expectations for this new institution, but even he likely never envisioned just how big, bold, and influential it would become.
Westerberg had only been hired at the University a year earlier as the college’s first education faculty member. He quickly got to work, developing teacher training programs for elementary, junior high, and secondary education and leading the University’s efforts to credential students for teaching. The endeavor was a success, and when accreditation was granted by the California State Board of Education in January 1924, the School of Education was the lone college in San Bernardino County and one of only three in Southern California to earn this distinction. Being forward-thinking has always been a part of the School of Education’s DNA.
“The secret to the School of Education’s success lies in its ability to adapt, lead, and remain focused on serving our students and the community,” Dr. Nicol Howard, dean of the School of Education and co-director of the REAL (Race in Education Analytics Learning) Lab, said. “Our commitment to student learning and development and strong community partnerships set us apart from other programs.”
Since those early days under Westerberg, the School of Education has grown to include masters and doctoral programs, undergraduate degree programs, a Center for Educational Justice, an Office of Licensures and Credentialing, the REAL Lab, and the Alliance for Community Transformation and Wellness, and has formed valuable partnerships with schools and districts in the community and across California. It has also sharpened both its vision and mission, pledging to inspire more justice-related dialogue and action and strengthen social and educational justice through student, staff, and faculty engagement.
“The School of Education has a long history of progress and success, standing for over a century,” Howard said. “Progress happens through a combination of faculty and staff committee work, data-informed decision-making, and key community initiatives inspired by professors.”
Dr. Iwar Westerberg may have been the first faculty member at the School of Education and its founding director, but he was well known by students across campus. From 1923 to 1943, Westerberg took on such diverse duties as building up the School of Education to serving on the President’s Cabinet to working on the University’s accreditation efforts, while also delivering oratories during morning chapel and playing first violin with the University of Redlands Orchestra. His musical skills brought him attention off campus as well — Westerberg was president of the Redlands Community Orchestra and director of the Baptist Sunday School Orchestra.
When Associate Professor Elizabeth Hidden was hired as the School of Education’s first woman faculty member, it was a homecoming. An alumna of the University of Redlands, Hidden earned her bachelor of philosophy in 1912 before moving to New York City, where she received a master’s degree at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Hidden settled into her new role at the School of Education in 1926, staying until 1954. During her tenure, Hidden supervised practice teaching and taught non-credit courses like Penmanship and Phonics.
Starting with the first future teachers to sign up for classes in 1924 to the doctoral graduates in the Class of 2024, tens of thousands of students have crossed through the School of Education over the last 100 years. Professors have always risen to the challenge of instructing educators in an evolving field, knowing that there is a ripple effect — what these students learn will shape how they approach their own teaching or counseling.
“We’re working in a really interesting time and place,” Department of Teaching and Learning Professor and Co-Director Alayne Sullivan said. “Our 50-mile radius includes a wide range, from Redlands to San Bernardino to Beaumont to Moreno Valley to Corona to Highland. The surrounding area is filled with little ones in K-12 classrooms and teachers who are working to be both shepherds or supporters of diverse talents that students bring and their diverse languages and culture, as well as trying to meet very stringent, standards-based teaching demands.”
The School of Education has three departments: Teaching and Learning, Counseling and Human Services, and Leadership and Higher Education. Within the last decade, most programs underwent curriculum revisions, an important step that coincided with a time of tremendous growth for the school. Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Wall, who served as dean from 2014 to 2020, the School of Education hired a dozen new faculty members and saw its number of students double from around 500 to 1,000.
“We have seen growing numbers of diversity in our student population, a really wonderful, rich tapestry of student talent. Some are adults joining us for a second career or arriving after receiving a bachelor’s degree. There is a wide range of student backgrounds.”
— Alayne Sullivan, Department of Teaching and Learning Professor and Co-Director
By hiring gifted new faculty to join the skilled instructors already at the college, it showed that Redlands was serious about expanding its offerings and bringing in a racially and economically diverse student body, including undocumented and first-generation students.
“The School of Education does a really good job of preparing educators to serve the Inland Empire, and that is a noble thing,” Wall said. “There is a lot of economic need in the Inland Empire and a diverse population, and educators and counselors need to be prepared to meet those needs and make a difference in the lives of youth and communities.”
There have been shifts in the School of Education’s focus throughout its history, but the most seismic might have been the transition in the early 2000s to a focus on educational justice. Under Dean Bob Denham and a task force co-chaired by Department of Teaching and Learning Professor Jose Lalas, the school launched the Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Justice in 2004, and with it came a summer orientation for students, called the Summer Institute on Leadership for Educational Justice. Over time, this grew into a larger event that drew industry leaders from across the country, and in 2010, the institute was renamed the Center for Educational Justice (CEJ).
One of the University’s Centers of Distinction, the CEJ supports initiatives that promote justice, encourage community and civic engagement, strengthen democracy, and build pathways into higher education for marginalized communities.
It is like a “cultural arm” of the School of Education, Lalas, the founding and past director of the CEJ, said. The popular Superintendent’s Forum held every summer, where district superintendents from across the region come together to discuss important and timely topics like the safe reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, got its start through the CEJ’s annual conference on leadership for educational justice, and this July the School of Education hosted nearly 100 superintendents and K-12 education leaders from partner districts. The CEJ, now under new co-directors Department of Teaching and Learning Professor and Associate Dean of
Academic Affairs Brian Charest and Department of Teaching and Learning Professor Mikela Bjork, also hosts events like webinars and bimonthly workshops.
The School of Education was one of the first to use the term educational justice, Lalas said, and today, all of its “programs are peppered with conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and most importantly, social justice.”
This emphasis is what attracted Ebram Naftzger ‘24 to the School of Education for his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. “I think issues of social justice and mental health are intertwined — you can’t talk about ‘improving mental health’ in any honest or meaningful way without acknowledging and addressing the way our political and social systems have contributed to the issues we see today,” he said.
Naftzger worked as a graduate assistant for Department of Counseling and Human Services Professor Janee Both Gragg, and this “allowed me to see a lot of inner working of the program and get involved in a lot of projects that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise,” he said. That includes presenting at the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) Conference, contributing to research articles, and working as a counselor at the Riverside Free Clinic.
He has accepted a job with Riverside County as a therapist, and will soon start living this “dream I’ve had for awhile,” he said. “I think it’s a good place to start my career and be able to immediately make an impact in the local community.”
For Dr. Robin McIver-Brown ‘20, earning her doctorate from the School of Education was the fulfillment of a family dream.
As a child, she watched her father, Floyd McIver, graduate with his associate’s degree in business from San Bernardino Valley College. “He always said, ‘I want to go and finish my BA at the University of Redlands,’” McIver-Brown recalled, adding that he “understood where an education could take you.”
It was a “full circle” moment when her dad witnessed McIverBrown defend her dissertation shortly before he passed away, one made even more special by the fact that she graduated alongside her sister, Dr. Rhea McIver-Gibbs ‘20. McIver-Brown, who earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and master’s degree from Pepperdine, is “so thankful every day that the doctorate happened at the University of Redlands,” she said. “Not only because my father held it in high esteem, but the University has always had a reputation second to none. “
McIver-Brown came to the School of Education with a breadth of experience. Over the course of nearly 30 years, she worked as a teacher and administrator in the Los Angeles, Rialto, and San Bernardino City Unified School Districts and an adjunct professor with Point Loma Nazarene University. During her time as a principal in Rialto, where she grew up and attended public schools, she turned around the district’s lowest-performing elementary school.
“I always wanted to help students and educate them in a way that would make a difference in their lives,” McIver-Brown said. At the same time, she focused on “taking care of teachers and giving them the tools and supplies they need, the equipment that will allow them to do great things for students.”
Now the Director of Leadership and Outreach at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, McIver-Brown oversees family and community engagement efforts, expanded learning and opportunities programs, and student events. She works closely with researchers and other educators at the regional and state levels and said the skills she developed during her time at the School of Education have enhanced her ability to analyze information and ask the right questions.
“My doctorate allows me to be able to look at resources and not be afraid of them,” McIver-Brown said. “I am in a space where I can add value to the conversation in a manner that shapes the outcome and improves student achievement.”
A commitment to social justice, continued
The School of Education believes in giving students transformative, community-based experiences, and there is no better example of this than the Inside-Out course. Professor Charest takes Redlands students to California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, where they meet with incarcerated students to explore topics like the school-to-prison pipeline and the intersection of race, class, gender, and discipline in schools.
“There is a level of intensity in these classes and engagement we don’t often see replicated in classes we have on campus,” Charest said. “This has to do with the context of going into a prison and also doing things old school — there are no cell phones, students can’t bring in laptops, and there are none of the typical distractions that you might have when sitting in class on campus.”
While they are not allowed to discuss their cases, the incarcerated students are free to share about their backgrounds. Many have revealed that they “felt so alienated from the experience of schooling and unable to develop positive relationships with adults in schools,” Charest said. “It gets my students who are going to be teachers thinking about the potential of a student who may not be engaged. Just because a student isn’t engaged doesn’t mean they don’t have potential. Rather than writing this student off, what are some of the outside environmental contextual factors leading to certain behaviors in the classroom?”
The course changes lives, inside and out. Students have told Charest they now want to work in juvenile hall or prison education and that they have adjusted the way they think about discipline and restorative justice in schools.
Acentennial only happens once, and to mark an occasion as big as this, the School of Education in collaboration with the Alumni Board School of Education Committee, planned nearly a year’s worth of events.
In February, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education and Counseling Summit was held on campus.
Meanwhile in June, hundreds of attendees from around the world came to Redlands for the International Interdisciplinary Conference on Clinical Supervision.
Later in July, school district superintendents from across Southern California participated in the Superintendents Forum and Teacher Summit
The festivities will culminate at two upcoming events: 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at University of Redlands
This dinner celebrates the ongoing contributions of School of Education faculty, staff, esteemed alumni, and community members. View snapshots of our 100-year inclusive history. For more information, contact Adrianna_Rascon@redlands.edu, Joy_Clark@redlands.edu, or Clyde_Derrick@redlands.edu.
Vibe Health and Wellness Festival 5K Family Fun Run
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at Sylvan Park, Redlands, CA
Hosted by the U of R Alliance for Community Transformation and Wellness with the City of Redlands, for mental health and wellness in the Inland Empire. Enjoy local food, art, and wellness resources. For more information, contact ACTW@redlands.edu.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, a definitive history of the School of Education, written by Department of Leadership and Higher Education Professor Pauline Reynolds, will hit bookshelves this fall.
“We want to discover the story of the School of Education,” Reynolds said. “Nobody knows it, nobody has told it. It’s time to put ourselves back into the narrative.”
As part of her research, Reynolds scoured the University Archives and pored over documents found at the A.K. Smiley Public Library, University of California, Riverside Library, and the California State Board of Education.
She believes that by sharing our history, it paints a broader picture of the institution for the entire University of Redlands community and “connects us with something bigger than ourselves.”
The School of Education has strong roots in the region, but it also has a growing international presence. A global counseling course brings students to such diverse locales as China, Guatemala, Mexico, and Scotland, and plans are underway for a Summer 2025 trip to Cuba.
“Sending people out into the world is important,” Department of Counseling and Human Services Emeritus Professor Rod Goodyear said, and vice versa. The M.A. in Counseling and Psychotherapy is a collaboration between School of Education and Hubei Oriental Insight Mental Health Institute. Students are taught by School of Education faculty and some of China’s leading psychologists, and spend part of their final term in Redlands.
The program “draws nationally from across China — we have students in inner Mongolia, central China, and in Yunnan Province in the south,” Goodyear said. These students weren’t the only international visitors on campus this summer. Mental health professionals from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Guatemala, Mexico, India, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom came to Redlands when we hosted the International Interdisciplinary Conference on Clinical Supervision. Nearly 300 people attended, and Goodyear said they were “left wowed by the caliber of scholars we drew from around the globe.”
Progress has always been steady and principled at the School of Education, with faculty and staff coming together to collaborate and chart a path forward that puts students and their outcomes first. They are problem solvers constantly striving for solutions — and now, they are ready to introduce a new program aimed at helping end the shortage of middle and high school teachers.
Set to launch in Fall 2025, the B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Teaching is geared toward students fresh out of high school who “always knew teaching was their calling and want to get started right away at the beginning of undergrad,” Department of Teaching and Learning Professor Stephanie Quan-Lorey said. Generous funding from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing pursued by Howard and Charest paved the way for the development of the School of Education’s first fouryear undergraduate degree program, which “lends itself to other STEM areas,” Quan-Lorey said, adding that the plan is to “eventually open this up for all the single subject areas.”
She developed the program using her own background as a reference point. Quan-Lorey got her start as a high school math teacher, where she taught lower-performing students who had trouble passing the class. “This is what sparked my desire to
go back to school so I could get a doctorate and go into higher education, teacher education,” she said. “I wanted to build the morale of all students that I know exist across the United States, to build their confidence up in math and hopefully do well. That definitely aligned with this new program, and it is super exciting.”
The promise of what lies ahead is great, and the School of Education “envisions itself as a continued leader and innovator in inspiring justice-related action in the field,” Howard said. Not only that, it also “seeks to be an inspiration for equity and inclusion and a transformative force in education known for its dedication to preparing K-12 teachers and administrators, higher education professionals, and counselors who make a profound difference in the lives they touch in their communities and society at large.”
What will be written about this era when the School of Education celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2124? Charest hopes it will be clear that “we were willing to kind of challenge the prevailing orthodoxies around what educational justice can be. We were willing to challenge the status quo around society’s racial, economic, and social inequities and willing to take risks we thought would benefit the common good, that would be beneficial for our society, and move it in a positive direction.” OT
By Steven Arciniega ’20
I
n 1969, a young Professor Bill McDonald stood outside of Bekins on the brink of an educational renaissance. Recruited by founding Chancellor Pressley McCoy, McDonald and 16 new faculty were poised to give students an alternative to the traditional Redlands education. It would come to be known as the Johnston College, an experimental program that allowed students to be the architects of their own education and design a degree that reflected their unique goals.
Fast forward to February 2024, where a now seasoned Professor Emeritus McDonald greets generations of Johnston alumni, faculty, and staff at the school’s 55th homecoming. Held every five years, Johnston Renewal celebrates what is now the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, and the experiment that is now a thriving living and learning community.
The three-day Renewal included social events on and off campus, current Johnston student-led mini-lectures, a memorial service for Johnstonians who have passed away, and a director’s brunch.
“I was thinking that this is the first time in my life where I don’t need to explain to anyone what a Johnston degree is,” Delia Wahby ’23 said. Speaking of Johnston’s past colliding with his present, Wahby said that, “although Johnston is this living environment able to change and move with the weather, I think what this weekend shows us is that Johnston doesn’t need to change for this new era. It needs to tighten up and think about those fundamental values that have led us here, 55 years later.”
Wahby also noted that intentional living, social care, community building, and individualized learning have all made Johnston a unique experience.
“When you have been through the experience that it offers, there’s a bonding that takes place,” Deb Howard ’75 said. “You’re opened up more. You’re more vulnerable. Anytime we create more vulnerability between us, it creates a bond.”
Reflecting on their time on campus, alumni had different takes on the physical space Johnston has occupied for the last 55 years, their experience with faculty, and how their unique education has shaped who they are today.
“Johnston was not easy,” Lisa Beth Robinson ’91 recalled. “Because you are living, learning, trying to thrive, and trying to become or produce. In a way, that’s the legacy - in taking what happens to you in a community and moving forward. Everything you are learning is going to be useful.”
Looking to the future, current director Tim Seiber sees Johnston spinning out foundational pieces at U of R. Outdoor Programs, for example, started as an emphasis, and the Health, Medicine, and Society program, which has adapted certain Johnston educational practices, is a traditional major.
“I think we (Johnston) will continue to be an incubator for new ways of doing things,” Seiber said. “Can one place that occupies two buildings change society? The people who come out of here certainly do change society. One thing we ask people to do is to imagine themselves changing in a 4-year arc. That’s what a Johnston education is.”
In concluding Renewal events, Seiber sees what he calls “fire and fabric” in expressing his hope for the next generation of Johnstonians.
“Whatever it is that sparked you to be here now, your story won’t be the same as mine but nonetheless, whatever that flame is, however many lumens it’s producing in you right now, I hope that collectively, we can share that with future generations and with each other.”
By Catherine Garcia ’06
The first thing Monique Arellano ’26 saw from her boat was a spray of mist emerge from the water — a tell-tale sign that a whale is nearby. Moments later, two fin whales, a mama and calf, appeared. They swam in unison, gliding effortlessly through the waves.
This was the closest Arellano had ever been to the majestic creatures, and “it was awesome,” she said. “It was nature in its purest form, and I was observing it.”
Arellano wasn’t out on a boat in the Pacific Ocean for a day of leisure. She was there as part of her Community Service Internship, collecting data on whales and dolphins for the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Over the course of seven months, she recorded pages of notes on their behavior and snapped pictures of every marine mammal she came across.
“I learned how to multi-task really fast,” Arellano said. She’s always dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, and the internship showed her how this could become a reality. “It helped me develop more professional skills and also gave me confidence,” Arellano said. “Now, when I’m struggling in a class, I remember my time at the aquarium and know that I can make it far.”
Students at the University of Redlands forge their own individual academic paths, but community service learning is a tie that binds. To graduate, every Bulldog must complete a meaningful service internship to fulfill their Community Engagement and Reflection (CER), formerly known as a Community Service Activity Course (CSAC).
“We’ve treated it like an internship since day one,” Community Service-Learning Director Tony Mueller said. “It’s much more than an activity. A lot of learning is done through reflection and thinking about what you’ve been doing.”
Every year, between 500 and 700 students complete their service internships, and it is entirely up to them to decide where to fulfill their hours. Animal shelters, hospitals, and schools are popular choices, and many stay on campus to work with University-run initiatives like the Big Buddies mentoring program and Jasper’s Corner Homework Club. The internship also doesn’t have to happen during the academic year — some students wait until the summer to serve at a nonprofit in their hometown.
This flexibility always stood out to Rep. Pete Aguilar ’01. While in the Office of Community Service Learning, he saw firsthand how Mueller and the staff trusted students and listened to their ideas for community service, allowing them to “be creative while achieving their goals,” Aguilar said.
Mueller also works closely with faculty members who incorporate community service into their curriculums. Dr. Mara Winick found a winning formula more than a decade ago with her Principles of Management, Organizational Behavior course. Each semester, she finds clients, most of them nonprofits, and matches them with teams of students. Together, the teams learn their client’s needs and help with everything from social media marketing campaigns to filling out 501(c)(3) paperwork.
“Redlands students have got heart,” Winick said. “They really want to make a difference and apply what they’ve been learning.”
That includes design thinking, how to use consulting tools, and ways to tackle problems with innovative solutions. By the time they graduate, these students have an impressive set of skills they can put on a résumé or tout in an interview.
Service internships “open a lot of doors,” Mueller said, and give students “an experience they normally wouldn’t get to have.” Some are hired on at a nonprofit for the summer or full-time, showing that community service is “not just a feel good requirement.” It prepares people for careers and even helps them stay in school — research has shown that having meaningful relationships on or near campus keeps students in college.
The Office of Community Service Learning opened in 1991, and Mueller still hears from alumni who graduated decades ago but remember their experience like it was yesterday. This is a testament to the “extraordinary” program that Mueller and his team have built, Winick said, which she believes is “essential to who we are as a university.”
Aguilar agrees, and views community service as a vital part of a liberal arts education. “You are teaching people how to interact in the community and how to be good citizens,” he said. “I can’t think of anything that prepares you more to roll up your sleeves and dig in and try to make your community a better place.”
To learn more, please visit www.redlands.edu/student-life/ community-service-learning OT
Calel Olicia-Aramboles ’24 shares what it’s like to be a deaf individual in a hearing world
By Catherine Garcia ’06
Calel Olicia-Aramboles ’24 has been an explorer from the start. Because of his father’s Army career, his family moved to many states while he was growing up. “I always tried to escape from the house, which confused my mom,” OliciaAramboles, who is deaf, said through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. “I was an exploratory person who wanted to see all these places. I was curious.”
His inquisitive nature brought him to University of Redlands, where he is an international relations major and running back on the football team. “This feels like the right place for me, especially since classes are smaller,” Olicia-Aramboles said.
Olicia-Aramboles arrived at Redlands knowing he was interested in studying and having an internship abroad, and one of his goals is to travel to Australia and New Zealand. He wants to start a program where athletes with and without disabilities form teams and travel the world to play matches. This would give participants “new perspectives,” Olicia-Aramboles said. “We always have to educate ourselves and rise up to the next level.”
He’s long had the travel bug; a natural athlete, Olicia-Aramboles grew up playing eight sports, and would often hit the road with his teams for games and tournaments. While attending the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, OliciaAramboles participated in an international studies program, and traveled abroad for the first time, visiting England and France.
At home, he is doing his part to share with the community his culture and what it is like to be a deaf individual in a hearing world. He visits schools and colleges and participates in panel discussions, and also provides one-on-one ASL tutoring and is an aide for an ASL instructor. “I really enjoy it, especially working with students and seeing how they gain more confidence,” he said. “You can see their progress.”
Olicia-Aramboles also recently showcased his acting skills, appearing in the University’s College Tour episode. “It was a fantastic experience,” he said. “The script was interesting and allowed the audience to see what I do. It was really fun to be able to change things and ad-lib and make adjustments as necessary.”
One thing Olicia-Aramboles won’t do is set limits for himself, and that’s why he is so open to having new experiences. “It’s important to have the right mindset and take initiative,” he said. “Whatever opportunities present themselves, take them. You will go farther and get closer to your goals.” OT
Sarah Brekke ’24 combines outreach with environmental education
By Catherine Garcia ’06
Sprinkle the seeds of knowledge and soon, they will bloom through action. Sarah Brekke ’24 saw this firsthand directing Roots and Shoots, a program that empowers youth to create change in their communities. Brekke and fellow Bulldogs worked with high school students, educating them on environmental matters, and after a few weeks the teens made a breakthrough.
“The kids were disengaged with activities and being outside in the dirt, but as we gardened more with them and chatted about their lives, they became more invested,” Brekke, an environmental science major, said. “They wanted to learn how to garden at their own homes, in their backyards or even in a little pot, and grow their own food and experiment with different forms of gardening. It was awesome.”
For her service internships with Roots and Shoots and Sustainable University of Redlands Farm (SURF), Brekke combined community outreach with environmental education. This summer, she will get to do something similar on the other side of the world when she travels to Palau to work in island forestry conservation. She secured this three-month job last May Term while studying marine ecology in Palau, and will be involved with local schools and doing activities like tree planting.
“This is an amazing opportunity,” Brekke said. “I’m excited to use the knowledge I got through Roots and Shoots and SURF.”
One of Brekke’s favorite moments is when she sees “the light bulb go on,” and she knows an idea or concept clicked. Community service is a way of getting people excited about learning new things and boosts confidence on both sides.
“Students realize this is beneficial for them personally and for the community,” Brekke said. “They get to see how easy it is to engage with others, which is an awesome experience.” OT
By Catherine Garcia ’06
His service internship at Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Loma Linda was unlike anything Raymond Morris ’23 had ever experienced before.
The babies and children here are medically fragile, with some in vegetative states and many unable to communicate verbally. Morris, a communication sciences and disorders major, was given specific tasks to complete, like read to the kids or try to help a child with their hand grip. His brother, Noah Morris ’23, interned at the same time, and together they would create cheerful posters to put up on birthdays and celebrations.
Some children rarely received visitors, and “it’s hard to see that,” Morris said. “At the same time, I was very appreciative that I got to be here. Even if the kids may not have known what I looked like or even remembered me, it made an impact. I was there to make a difference.”
Morris has always been good with kids, and it was no surprise that he wanted to do a community service internship that helps children. He is now earning his Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching (MALT) degree from the School of Education and a fourth-grade student teacher at Mariposa Elementary School in Redlands.
When he talks to people about what he did before teaching, Totally Kids is the first things that comes to mind. “I take a lot of pride in it,” Morris said. “You’re leaving a mark and something you can be remembered by.”
Being in the classroom puts Morris on the receiving end of community service efforts, with parents coming to volunteer their time. “As a teacher, you are very appreciative of people who participate and take the opportunity to help,” he said. “They want to do something.” OT
Rep. Pete Aguilar ’01 has a long history of giving back
By Catherine Garcia ’06
The power of collaboration, the importance of coalition building, and the art of listening — these valuable lessons
Rep. Pete Aguilar ’01 learned through community service at the University of Redlands prepared him for life on Capitol Hill.
“None of us can do this on our own,” Aguilar said. “You have to work together to accomplish goals.”
Community service has always been part of Aguilar’s life — while attending Yucaipa High School, he volunteered at the Salvation Army Hospitality House in San Bernardino. Then, during orientation week at the University, he met with Community Service-Learning Director Tony Mueller, who asked Aguilar if he had a car. “That opened me up to being able to help off campus,” Aguilar said, and he soon found himself working as a teacher’s aide at Head Start in Redlands. A bigger role was to come, when Mueller mentioned the University’s Habitat for Humanity chapter had been dormant and needed reviving.
Aguilar accepted the challenge. Over the next three years, he built a volunteer base and secured financial support for the chapter, all while educating people on the importance of affordable housing. Together, the Redlands volunteers assisted the San Bernardino Habitat for Humanity affiliate with at least half a dozen house builds in the Inland Empire.
Aguilar didn’t know at the time that his dedication to service would take him to Redlands City Hall, where he spent two terms as mayor, or the House chamber in Washington, D.C. He was certain, however, that he would remain active and involved in the community, doing his part to lend a hand. “Fundamentally, what Tony and community service learning teaches people is the importance of taking action and being a good global citizen,” Aguilar said. “If we all do our share, we can make a difference.” OT
“Realistic expectations can help, but so can a traveler’s attitude. People who try to avoid cultural differences fare worse than those who embrace them.”
—Susan Goldstein, professor of psychology, in National Geographic, “Real ‘culture shock’ is rare – and can be serious,” Feb. 27, 2024
“You can be a tough, strong guy, and you can also be emotional and connecting. I think there’s a growing acceptance that our human emotions are natural, rather than something that we need to dam up or that we need to push down.”
—Fred Rabinowitz, professor of psychology, in The New York Times, “There was always crying in sports, the Kelces made it cool,” March 6, 2024
“ Who you develop next to in utero can absolutely change the trajectory of your development. Some studies have shown that opposite[sex] twins, especially the females, do show differences in behavior.”
—Bryce Ryan, professor of biology, on NPR.org, “In the womb, a brother’s hormones can shape a sister’s future,” April 9, 2024
MILESTONES & MOMENTUM / BULLDOG ATHLETICS
By Rachel Roche ’02
The Bulldog women took second and the men finished sixth in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Chloe Bullock ’25, Eve Mavy ’26, and David Huggins ’26 received All-SCIAC honors for finishing among the top 20 at the conference championships. Bullock and Mavy also earned All-Region honors, while Bullock advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships in Newville, PA, and finished 159th.
Redlands went 5-5 overall and 4-4 in SCIAC. The team gained nine All-SCIAC honorees in Tony Williams Jr. ’24, Tristan Murad ’27, Jax Lee ’25, Jacob Sega ’24, Scott Tinsley ’24, Evan Aguon ’24, Benjamin Fitchett ’26, Kamdin Karmann ’24, and Dre Owens ’24 Lee and Tinsley also were named D3football.com All-West Region.
MEN’S SOCCER
Compiled a 12-3-3 overall record with an 8-2-2 mark in SCIAC for second place. Advanced to the SCIAC Tournament Final. Jarette Barajas ’24 was named the SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Year, while Jacob Sattler ’24, Phillip Kostenko ’25, Seth Lawrence ’24, Spencer Palmer ’24, and Skylar Darwen ’24 earned All-SCIAC accolades. Lawrence, Darwen, Barajas, and Palmer landed on the All-Region Team. Barajas was also selected as a Second-Team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, becoming the 12th Bulldog to receive All-America recognition since 1999. Furthermore, Darwen, Kostenko, Owen Jamieson ’25, and Julian Weber ’25 gained College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Developed a huge recruiting class while tallying a 2-13-2 overall record and a 2-8-2 showing in SCIAC. Landed five on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, including Gianna Alati ’26, Avery Bergschneider ’25, Sami Salinas ’25, Shannon Stewart ’26, and Kelsey Williams ’26. Salinas and Stewart were named to the All-SCIAC Second Team.
Under first-year Head Coach Craig Mallery, the men finished seventh and the women took eighth at the SCIAC Championships. Sarah Szafranski ’24 was selected as the SCIAC Character Award recipient, while Sydney Patterson ’24 became the SCIAC Women’s Diver of the Year. Patterson took eighth on the 3M and 10th on the 1M at NCAA Diving Regionals. The men’s and women’s teams also collected Fall Scholar All-America accolades from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for excelling in the classroom.
Andrew Higginson ’24 named the SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Year
MEN’S WATER POLO
Put together a 22-10 overall record and an 11-1 effort in SCIAC to win a share of the regular-season title. Finished second at the national tournament in a brutal one-goal loss. Andrew Higginson ’24 and Roberto Barrera ’25 were tabbed the SCIAC Offensive and Defensive Athletes of the Year, respectively. Higginson, Barrera, Nicolas Fedotov ’25, Ron Gvishi ’25, and Dean Moody ’25 collected All-SCIAC honors. Spencer Clinton ’25 and Barrera were named to the USA Water Polo National Championship All-Tournament Team. Higginson, Moody, Gvishi, and Barrera became Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Americans.
Under first-year Head Coach Savannah Cox, the Bulldogs earned an 8-14 record with a 4-12 mark in conference. This quadrupled their win total from a year ago and included five-set wins over Occidental and Chapman. Paige Sugg ’26 and Lyric Waterman ’26 were selected as College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees.
Aliyah Anderson ’26 recorded the women’s basketball program’s first-ever triple-double
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Earned a 13-12 overall record and a 9-7 mark in SCIAC for a spot in the conference tournament for the 16th straight season. Colbi Zorich ’26 and Aliyah Anderson ’26 collected All-SCIAC accolades. Anderson recorded the women’s basketball program’s first-ever triple-double, which came off 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Tallied a 16-9 overall record with an 8-8 conference mark that placed the Bulldogs in a tie for fifth. Kendrick Currey ’25 and Neil Owens ’24 gained Second-Team All-SCIAC honors. Knocked off ranked opponents East Texas Baptist, Middlebury, and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh before earning No. 17 in the D3hoops.com national poll in late November.
For more information and day-to-day results of Bulldog Athletics, please visit WWW.GOREDLANDS.COM
Bulldog Athletics kicked off Homecoming weekend by celebrating an elite class of eight that entered the Bulldog Bench Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2023 inductees all come from the 2000s and include Ryne Scholl ’06 (Men’s Golf), Ryan Hall ’08 (Men’s Water Polo), Derek Johnson ’11 (Baseball), Mariah Barbetti-Cort ’12 (Women’s Basketball), Emily CanalesVillalobos ’12 (Women’s Cross-Country/Women’s Track & Field), Jeff Depew ’15 (Men’s Swimming & Diving), and Caroline Ordian ’18 (Women’s Golf). The event also welcomed the 2011 Men’s Soccer Team to the Hall of Fame. Traditionally recognized on an every-other-year basis, the Hall of Fame celebration boasted more than 200
friends, family, classmates, past inductees, colleagues, and others. They enjoyed the video presentation put together by C3 Media, which highlighted the inductees’ achievements, favorite memories within their athletic experience, and key relationships that helped propel them forward.
“I absolutely love the Hall of Fame celebration,” Associate Director of Athletics Rachel Roche, who took the lead in planning the event, said. “It truly becomes an athletics reunion with former student-athletes, head coaches, and graduate assistant coaches gathering with current staff to honor these amazing people.”
To read more about the honorees, visit the Bulldogs’ new digital Hall of Fame at goredlands.touchpros.com/Home2. OT
In mid-November, Geoff Roche ’96 returned to the University of Redlands in a new role within the Advancement Office as the first Athletics Advancement Officer. In this position, Roche will focus on securing philanthropic support for Bulldog Athletics from alumni, parents, friends, and community members. He will report to Ericka Smith, Executive Director of Leadership Gifts, and work closely with Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez, coaches, and other members of the University community.
“I am grateful to serve as our first athletics advancement officer here at the University of Redlands. As a former Bulldog student-athlete and coach, I am eager to spearhead and bolster our donor relations, which will help elevate our entire athletic program.”
— Geoff Roche ’96
Roche most recently served as a lead volunteer for the Coach Jim Verdieck Tennis Center fundraising campaign, which helped make that facility a reality in early 2023.
He began his career as a full-time tennis coach at the University of Redlands in 1998. He led both the men’s and women’s programs from 1999 through 2003 and then focused on the men’s team for the subsequent six years. He resumed a dual role in 2009-10 and remained at the helm of both programs until he stepped away from college coaching in 2021.
“Geoff is a dedicated and committed Bulldog who is passionate about the studentathlete experience. He knows us, as well as our needs and our desire to succeed,” Martinez said. “I’m excited to work with him again and look forward to further defining and implementing this new role within Advancement and Athletics.”
To become a Bulldog Bench member and support our student-athletes, contact geoff_roche@redlands.edu
One of the first tasks for Roche is rolling out a re-imagined Bulldog Bench membership experience and supporting the University’s efforts on Giving Day. OT
Celebrating the Class of 2024 for the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business & Society, School of Education, and San Francisco Theological Seminary
Celebrating the Class of 2024 for the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business & Society, School of Education, and San Francisco Theological Seminary
Woman of influence
Vanessa Wilkie ’00 has been to places she never imagined
By Steven Arciniega ’20
Double majoring in government and history, Dr. Vanessa Wilkie ’00 envisioned going to law school, however, she was not set on becoming a lawyer. After completing a Community Service Internship in her junior year, Wilkie’s vision came to focus.
“I did an internship at the Heritage Room at Smiley Library,” Wilkie recalled. “It was my first taste of working with documents and transcribing things — I absolutely fell in love with it.”
Now, 24 years later, Wilkie’s Bulldog education has taken her places she never imagined. As the William A. Moffett Senior Curator of Medieval Manuscripts and British History at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA, Wilkie attributes her education and the internship with shaping her career.
“In my senior year, there was a class for museum curating,” Wilkie said. “We got to work in the San Bernardino County Museum, the Heritage Room, and the Yorba-Slaughter Adobe and curate an exhibit there. Doing that made me realize there is a way to take all of these things and have a public service component to it. That’s what got me on that track.”
In April 2023, Wilkie authored her first book, A Woman of Influence: The Spectacular Rise of Alice Spencer in Tudor England Spinning out of her dissertation work, Wilkie wanted to highlight a “woman that was a central feature of my research and use her as a way to think about the legal agency of women in a period where it seemed like they shouldn’t have or didn’t on paper, have that much agency.”
Traveling to various archives around the world, Wilkie’s continued research helped her discover endless avenues of Spencer’s life and piece together the historical non-fiction narrative. On March 20, Wilkie returned to the U of R campus for a discussion on her book and the impact of Spencer’s life. OT
From words to dishes A journey through Judith Tschann’s latest book
From Bulldog Bites, by Katharina Napoletano ’24
Last fall, the Creative Writing Department, with support from the English Department and Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, hosted Judith Tschann, Redlands professor emerita and author of Romaine Wasn’t Built in a Day: The Delightful History of Food Language, for the annual Visiting Writers Series.
For Tschann, the pandemic inspired her unique book, which revels in the words we use for food and their origins. She grew up in a family of eight, and was “reminded daily of missing the pleasure that comes from talking and eating with a noisy group around a table. Writing about food and language was not only a consolation but a source of joy.”
She also found inspiration from learning about and teaching Old and Middle English literature and language and linguistics. “I amassed a pile of notes on interesting etymologies, especially of food words. I also investigated the symbolic importance of food in the literary works I taught over the years, from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to Salmon Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children.”
Tschann served as chair of the English Department for five years and taught an array of courses on topics varying from Latin tutorials to Homer in Translation. She was also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and Mortar Board Professor of the Year.
“I’d like to say thank you to all my students of 42 years — so many years, so many wonderful students,” Tschann said. “Thank you for keeping me on my toes and making me question my assumptions and look at issues in different ways. You taught me a lot. Keep in touch!” OT
1950
Alumni are U of R’s best ambassadors. We know firsthand the impact of a Redlands education and understand how students will thrive at U of R. Let’s ensure that future generations benefit from the same exceptional opportunities by referring promising future Bulldogs to our beloved University.
Janet Gall Lynes janetgall@mac.com 1951
Diana Copulos Holmes dvholmes@verizon.net 1958
Stennis and Joanne Waldon stennisjoanne@gmail.com
1959
Marilyn Kerr Solter mjsolter@verizon.net 1961
Judy May Sisk judysisk@sbcglobal.net 1963
Dan King danandlindaking@ montanasky.net 1964
William Bruns wbruns8@gmail.com 1965
Nancy Wheeler Durein dureins@comcast.net 1966
Carol Rice Williams carolwilliams62@gmail.com 1967
Steve Carmichael scarmic264@aol.com 1968
Nancy Bailey Franich MightyLF@aol.com 1969
Becky Campbell Garnett beckycgarnett@gmail.com 1970
Sally Bauman Trost sallybtrost@gmail.com 1971
Teri Allard Grossman terigrossman@gmail.com 1972
Katy Hucklebridge Schneider kathryn.schneider2@gmail.com
1973
Lyndy Barcus Dye pldye@sbcglobal.net 1974
Heather Carmichael Olson quiddity@u.washington.edu 1975
Maureen McElligott mkmcelligott@gmail.com 1976
LeAnn Zunich SmartWomn2@yahoo.com
1977
Mark Myers mmyers@greaterjob.com
1978
David David revdaviddavid@gmail.com
1979
Renee Maclaughlin Bozarth reneemac@sbcglobal.net
1981
Gina Griffin Hurlbut bghurlbut@verizon.net
1982
John Grant (JC) jjgrant@earthlink.net 1983
Nathan Truman truman_nate@yahoo.com 1984
Linda Schulman Uithoven lindau5@yahoo.com 1985
David Enzminger denzminger@winston.com 1987
Cynthia Gonzalez Broadbent broadbentj5c@gmail.com
1988 Tim Altanero timaltanero@gmail.com
1989 Chris Condon condonmanor@mac.com
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To volunteer as a class notes reporter or to send contact information updates, please email ochtamale@redlands.edu .
1990
Kelly Mullen Feeney Kelly.Feeney@disney.com
Diana Herweck drdipsyd@yahoo.com
1991–1992
Sue Schroeder shakasue23@yahoo.com 1993
Joseph Richardson Jr. joespeak@gmail.com 1994
Heather Pescosolido Thomas lilfishslo@gmail.com 1995
Ashley Payne Laird alaird@chandlerschool.org 1997
Adrienne Hynek Montgomery amontgomery2000@yahoo.com 1998
Julie Kramer Fingersh julesif@yahoo.com 1999
Stacie McRae Marshall stacie.mcrae@gmail.com 2000
Rebecca Romo Weir rebecca.d.weir@gmail.com 2001
Maggie Brothers brothers.maggie@gmail.com
Kelly McGehee Hons kellyhons@gmail.com 2002
John-Paul Wolf johnpaulwolf@me.com 2003
Brianne Webb Lucero briannelucero03@gmail.com 2004
Stasi Phillips stasiredlands04@gmail.com 2005
Katherine E. Deponty squeeker_kd@yahoo.com
2006
Jocelyn Buzzas Arthun jbuzzas@gmail.com
2007
Annie Freshwater annie.freshwater@gmail.com
2008
Alana Martinez alanamartinez10@gmail.com
2009
Steven Halligan steventhalligan@gmail.com 2010
Samantha Coe Byron samantha.byron88@gmail.com
2011
Timmy Hendrickson timmyhendrickson@gmail.com
2012
Porscha Soto Guillot porscha.guillot@outlook.com
2013
Jacque Balderas Cavanagh jacqueleen.balderas@gmail.com 2014
Alyssa Good alyssaleegood@gmail.com
2015
Samantha Townsend Bundy samanthaptownsend@ gmail.com
2016
Isabella Raymond isabella.a.raymond@gmail.com
2017
Megan Feeney megan.feeney@comcast.net
2018
Emily Dabrow Remsen erdabrow@gmail.com
Retired Faculty and Staff
Elaine Brubacher elaine_brubacher@ redlands.edu
Passings reflect deaths between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024*
Eppie Piety Provost ’40, July 9, 2023. Cortner Society. Family members include daughters Carol Gruber ’65 and Judy Bonilla ’68.
Peggy Whaley Geiger ’46, July 28, 2023. Family members include son Scott Straker ’79.
June Heller Kramer ’47, Dec. 18, 2023.
Marguerite Noel Downing ’49, June 18, 2023.
Barbara Harding Kohlenberger ’49, Sept. 11, 2023. Family members include brother Gene Harding ’49.
Richard Sands ’50, Jan. 22, 2024.
Betty Hentschke Conly ’51, Sept. 15, 2023.
Evie Salter Huebner ’52, Oct. 27, 2023.
Alan Jackson ’52, Nov. 9, 2023.
Margaret McConaghy ’52, Aug. 10, 2023.
Roberta Evans Wilson ’52, Nov. 29, 2023.
Mary Lee Baker Anderson ’53, Oct. 2, 2023.
Lloyd Howard ’53, Feb. 18, 2024. Family members include sister Margaret Howard Barnett ’47.
Janet Amend Carver ’54, July 23, 2023.
Bill Hawk ’54, Jan. 3, 2024. Former Trustee.
Bob Elliott ’55, Oct. 31, 2023. June Wilcox Petit ’56, Sept. 13, 2023.
Susan Robinson Stevenson ’56, June 4, 2023.
Philip Mohan ’57, June 28, 2023.
Kay Coulter Womack ’57, Oct. 5, 2023. Family members include daughter Elizabeth Calbreath ’00 and son Darryl Womack ’05.
Jay Hagey ’58 ’65, July 28, 2023.
Bentley Wallis ’58, Sept. 11, 2023.
Cecelia King Evans ’59, July 23, 2023. Former Alumni board member.
Carl Gott ’59, Oct. 1, 2023.
Edna Hoffman Haws ’59, Jan. 22, 2024.
Lois Horn Dotson ’60, Nov. 4, 2023.
Yolanda Blozan Hall ’60, June 7, 2023.
Deanna Newell Knickerbocker ’60, Aug. 22, 2023. Family members include brothers Alan Newell ’67 and Roy Newell ’72.
Jim Taylor ’60, July 28, 2023.
Bob Davis ’61, July 14, 2023. Family members include son Wesley Davis ’89 and daughter Tamara Nicoll ’91.
Priscilla Blake Draper ’61, June 15, 2023.
Jackie Singer Pulliam ’62, Feb. 24, 2024. Family members include husband James Pulliam ’62.
Bob Simms ’62, June 7, 2023. Cortner Society. Family members include wife Linda Nelson Simms ’62, grandson Bradley Simms ’23, and granddaughter Mary Simms ’16.
Dennis Tarr ’62, Dec. 24, 2023.
Judith Tucker Arnett ’63, March 4, 2024. Family members include husband Warren Arnett ’66.
Barbara Bolles Marcum ’63, Sept. 18, 2023. Cortner Society. Family members include husband Bert Marcum ’63.
Mary Anderson ’64, June 3, 2023.
Harold Shively ’64, May 4, 2023.
Curtis Zimmerman ’64, Oct. 11, 2023.
Marilyn Martin Caminiti ’65, June 11, 2023. Family members include husband David Caminiti ’65 and sister Margaret Van Loy ’66.
Christina Curran Ryrholm ’67, Dec. 16, 2023.
John Shyer ’67, Nov. 3, 2023.
Chris Lampe ’68, June 24, 2023.
Donn Miller ’68, May 27, 2023. Family members include wife Susan Miller ’69.
Laura Osbourne Slemp ’69, Feb. 6, 2024.
Mary Hunt Shambra ’70, Aug. 7, 2023.
Susan Tillery ’70, Oct. 19, 2023.
Robert Hughes ’71, Nov. 23, 2023.
Monica Martinez Schoenmann ’71, Nov. 27, 2023. Family members include sister Priscilla Brown ’79.
Linda Gill Bryden ’72, Oct. 18, 2023.
Dennis Jones ’73, July 2, 2023. Art Newman ’75, Jan. 2, 2024.
Jill Deroche ’76, June 3, 2023.
Leslie Austin Pulliam ’76 ’80, March 1, 2024. Former adjunct faculty. Family members include husband Barry Pulliam ’65 and daughter Katelin Shelbourne ’06.
Barbara Carney Masterson ’77, Aug. 29, 2023. Family members include brother Richard Carney ’78.
Jim Moffatt ’79, Oct. 26, 2023. Family members include wife Teri Forst Moffatt ’77 and sons Darron Moffatt ’08, Steven Moffatt ’10, and Travis Moffatt ’17.
Christine Hallenbeck ’84, Oct. 6, 2023. Family members include daughter Sarah Wolcott ’06.
Erin Quinn ’05, June 12, 2023.
David Menary ’20, Nov. 15, 2023.
Heidi Dressler ’73, Oct. 23, 2023.
Richard Highman ’74, May 24, 2023.
Bob Lofgren ’76, July 24, 2023.
Howard Beck ’78, Jan. 16, 2024.
Ted Moskowitz ’79, Nov. 28, 2023.
Fred Denenberg ’83, June 23, 2023.
Alice Shearer ’75, Aug. 30, 2023.
William Hawkins ’77, Oct. 10, 2023.
Sara Hayes ’77, Nov. 25, 2023.
Ruth MacMillan ’77, Jan. 22, 2024.
Michael Maudsley ’77, Feb. 5, 2024. Family members include wife Judith Maudsley ’85.
Charles Vandewark ’78, Oct. 29, 2023.
Donald Hankerson ’78, Dec. 10, 2023. Family members include wife Valorie Hankerson ’79.
Neil Purcell ’79, Nov. 25, 2023.
Deborah Pyne ’80, Nov. 14, 2023.
Shylana Smith ’80, Dec. 5, 2023.
John Mendoza ’80, Aug. 17, 2023. Family members include daughter Jennifer Mendoza ’98; sisters Carol Brown ’72 and Anita Mendoza ’88; and brother Theodore Mendoza ’81.
Ronald Hart ’82, Feb. 21, 2024.
Milaine Schorling ’83, Aug. 8, 2023.
David Burns ’83, Oct. 15, 2023.
Charles Barker ’83, Jan. 17, 2024.
Nancy Thompson ’86, June 7, 2023. Family members include husband Arlie Thompson ’88.
Carmen Audas ’87, July 9, 2023.
Ken Bishman ’87, July 11, 2023.
Paul Kessler ’87, Nov. 5, 2023.
Joseph Moran ’89, Sept. 3, 2019.
Mark Uffer ’94, Sept. 10, 2023.
Rebecca Aulerich Robinson ’95, Aug. 17, 2023.
Beverly Stiles ’97, Aug. 21, 2023.
Kay Williams ’98, July 29, 2023.
Denise Spencer ’12 ’14, Dec. 21, 2023. Former staff member.
Al Richmond ’79, Sept. 22, 2023.
Beverly Jimenez ’07, Nov. 3, 2023.
Roxana Tody ’77, June 21, 2023.
San Francisco
Theological Seminary
Shirley Soden Jennings ’53, Feb. 11, 2024.
David Tritenbach ’55 ’64, Feb. 22, 2024.
Dorothy Richmond ’56, Aug. 6, 2023.
Maggie Veneman ’56 ’74, March 7, 2024.
Bruce Tjaden ’59, Jan. 15, 2021. Russ Lewis ’60, Dec. 3, 2023.
Robert Jeambey ’65, Oct. 27, 2023.
James Clarke ’67, Jan. 7, 2024.
Robert Koenig ’69, June 29, 2023.
George Fitzgerald ’72, July 6, 2023.
Barbara Stout ’76, Feb. 15, 2020.
Richard Wardlaw ’78, Nov. 9, 2023.
Wendy Dreitcer ’83, April 23, 2004.
John Barklind ’84, Oct. 13, 2023.
Scott Schaefer ’87, Nov. 26, 2023. Former SFTS VP of finance and administration.
Joseph Beltran ’91, March 12, 2024.
Joan Currey ’96, July 2, 2023.
Peg Lofsvold ’97, Jan. 10, 2024.
Carolyn Stiles ’97, Dec. 22, 2023.
Mara Crabtree ’98 ’99, Nov. 15, 2023.
Jan Opdyke ’08, Dec. 17, 2023. Family members include husband Albert Opdyke ’93.
Friends
Al Annexstad, Nov. 3, 2023. Philanthropist.
Bob Best, Dec. 8, 2023. Family members include daughter Leslie Best ’88 and grandsons Steven Best ’17 and Thomas Best ’19.
Mike Bloxham, June 1, 2023. Former professor.
Jeanne Broadwater, Aug. 7, 2023. Cortner Society.
Steve Colwell, Nov. 20, 2023.
Jim Dort, June 12, 2023. Family members include wife Janet Dort ’60.
James Folmer, Jan. 14, 2024. Editor, Redlands Community News.
Paul Ideker, May 25, 2023.
James Johnson, Nov. 16, 2023. Former SFTS Trustee.
Robert Jones, June 17, 2023. Former adjunct faculty.
George Kupfer, Oct. 22, 2023. Family members include father Terry Kupfer ’57 and sister Kimberly Schubert ’92.
Paul Little, Feb. 20, 2024. Former Professor. Family members include daughter Teri Kuhlman ’84 and son Jeffrey Little ’76.
Josette Melzer, Sept. 26, 2023. Former professor. Family members include daughter Janine Melzer ’82 and son Paul Melzer ’84.
Avis Pickett, Jan. 8, 2024. Cortner Society.
Robert “Bob” Simms ’62, age 82, of Encinitas, CA, passed away on Jun 7, 2023. Born in Los Angeles but raised on a grape ranch in Selma, CA, he came to U of R in 1958 and obtained both a B.A. and M.A. in Speech. He also pursued a master’s degree at the United States International University.
Bob dedicated his career to making a difference as a speech and hearing pathologist and later ventured into international school administration, including 14 years in the Middle East with his wife, Linda. Upon returning to California, he owned and operated a gas station and car washes and freelanced as a computer consultant and graphics designer.
Bob was a loving family man with many hobbies. He had a great sense of humor and was always ready to lend a helping hand. In addition to his wife, former U of R trustee Linda Nelson Simms ’62, Bob is survived by sons, Michael and Paul (Beth), and five grandchildren, Anna, Mary ’16, Brandley ’23, Violet, and Charlie. He is also survived by his stepbrother, Martin (Sheryl).
James “Jim” Johnson, life trustee of SFTS, passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 16, 2023, at age 93. Jim was born in Yankton, SD, and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where he met his wife, Nancy Brown. He then served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a jet fighter pilot from 1952-1956.
He obtained his law degree from the University of Colorado, settling in Ft. Collins where he worked in several jobs including teaching business law and coaching track at CSU. In 1972 he ran for Congress and was elected, serving for eight years then returning to Fort Collins to practice law. In addition to many charitable works in his lifetime, he was proud of his 30 years of service to SFTS where he took his turn as Board President.
Jim was known for his kindness, wit and intelligence. In the book Watching Politicians: Essays on Participant Observation, Richard Fenno noted that Jim could quote the Bible (or was it Shakespeare?) and swear like a sailor. Jim is survived by daughter Dea (Woody), daughter JC, son Drake (Christy); 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
William “Bill” Hawk ’54, former U of R Trustee, passed away on Jan 3, 2024, shy of his 92nd birthday. Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA and moved with his family to Redlands, where Bill completed his senior year of high school and attended U of R. After graduation, Bill enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He then met his future wife, Mary Vasse ’54. They married in 1956 and moved to the San Gabriel Valley to raise their three children, Kathleen, Carolyn, and Stephen.
Bill spent his career in banking, working for Security First National Bank, through all its acquisitions, and retired from Bank of America in 1990. Bill enjoyed serving as a docent at the Los Angeles Public Library and the Huntington Library. An avid
reader, he was a Pasadena Public Library book club member. He collected a substantial personal library, largely focused on California history.
Bill’s wife Mary predeceased him in 2014. He is survived by his three children, their spouses, four grandchildren and their spouses, and several greatgrandchildren. Bill leaves behind many memories, the biggest being his propensity for telling people that he has been “just the luckiest guy.”
Dr. Paul J. Little, longtime theatre arts professor, passed away at home in Michigan on Feb. 20, 2024, at age 95. Paul was born in Wister, OK, and lived a full life that spanned the globe. Paul worked at MGM in Hollywood. He served in the U.S. Navy, receiving the WWll victory honor. He received degrees from Linfield College and Berkley Baptist Divinity School, and ultimately his Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He taught in McMinnville, OR, Redlands, England, Scotland, and Austria. Upon retiring from academia, he served 13 interim pastorships at churches from Maine to California.
Paul’s heart was always in the theatre, and his home was always Redlands. He served as the Chair of the U of R Theatre Dept. from 1970-1986 and had a profound impact on the community, producing Camelot in 1974, the first large-scale musical in the history of the Redlands Bowl. For the next 25 years, he continued to bring musical theatre to southern California. In 2007, people of Redlands came together to create the Paul Little classroom at Glenn Wallichs Theatre.
Paul is preceded in death by wife of 74 years, Jo, and his infant daughter Cynthia. He is survived by his daughter Teri (Bob), sons Jeff (Connie) and Brad (MinkYung), his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. OT
*Only if the notification date was between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024
Class Notes reflect submissions from May 30, 2023 to Feb. 29, 2024
Sue Blackwell Hurlbut ’59 went birding in Belize, joined a Road Scholar trip touring Montreal and Quebec City, and rented a riverside cabin with her son in Oregon for a week of hiking and relaxing to the sound of the river.
Ron Johnson ’59 spends most of his time in Palm Springs with occasional visits to San Diego. Most days are spent walking his dog Rusty and riding his horse, Belle, in the desert canyons. “A good time for body and soul.”
Pat Morris ’59 and son Jim completed an 8-day bicycle ride for the 2023 California Coast Classic Bike Tour supporting the Arthritis Foundation, which raised $1.2 million this year. Pat and his son were recognized as one of the top 10 fundraising teams.
Wayne Weld-Martin ’59 still pilots 3,000 hours. He preaches occasionally and is writing a family history and a new Hanukkah/ Christmas Eve service. He currently lives in Oregon and still travels to Nevada and California.
Annette Veenstra Bain ’61 and husband, Gary, are thrilled to have their grandson attending Santa Clara University just seven miles away from them in Sunnyvale. Charley, a sophomore, was raised in Washington state.
Carol Gustafson Jordan ’61 and Jim Jordan ’61 traveled on a one-month trip to Japan and Korea, ending at Dutch Harbor in Alaska. They took a trip to Columbia, South America, to attend a granddaughter’s wedding. They headed back to Bamberg, Germany, in August, where they lived from 1969 to 1973. Jim retired at age 82. He still does some flight physicals but retired from flying after 53 years and was awarded the Wright Brothers award last year. They hope everyone stays young and healthy and for goodness sake, don’t get old!
Dreux McNairy ’61 reports that he is still alive at 85 and considers that to be an accomplishment!
Liz Drake Plachy ’61 and Bill Plachy ’61 have enjoyed the past 18+ years in their El Dorado Hills senior community while watching their five local grandchildren grow up and leave the nest. Bill recently resigned from his five-
year volunteer position as the community winemaker. This will enable them to spend the otherwise busy grape harvest months at nearby Lake Tahoe. They are pleased that their 2021 red blend received a silver medal last June at the El Dorado County Fair.
Judy May Sisk ’61 is sad to report that she lost husband John in early December. They were married 58 years.
Audrey Voigt ’61 and husband have been retired for several years and are enjoying their years together. They are slowing down on their travel, although that is something they still like to do.
Clarice Giberson Wiggins ’61 reports that her grandson from Falls Church, VA, was recently accepted at the U of R for Fall 2024. If he attends, he would be a legacy since his maternal great-grandmother, Mary Lou Gott-Giberson, great aunt, Carol GibersonRodgers, and grandmother are all alums. They do not yet know his decision.
Ronald “Ron” Wiggle ’61 has fond memories of his time at the U of R many years ago. He’s been retired from Ford Motor now for a quarter century where he was in Chemical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Technology for 36 years. He and his wife of 56 years live in a historic area and home that Henry Ford built for his employees. They like to do 5K races where they are usually the oldest but not the last ones in. Every spring and fall, he spends time in Moab, UT, where he enjoys hiking, scrambling, climbing, and trail-running with his younger guide friends. Good times! May they continue!
Mike Williams ’61 and wife Evelyn are still in their big house with yet a few more revisions. Do not ever buy a house older than you are! He is still at work, Monday through Friday, but he goes home when there are no patients, and he does not take calls at night or on the weekends. A very bright office staff keeps him honest and treats him like a grandfather. They have two great-grandchildren.
Marie Stevens Haskell ’62, Barbara Bauer Schleuning ’62, Linda Nelson Simms ’62, and Anna Fagerlin Tarkanian ’62, traveled to New York City in October 2023, then went to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., where they joined a group led by Char Gaylord Burgess ’69 ’70 and Larry Burgess ’67 . The group learned of the relationship of the Smiley family and the town of Redlands from the late 1800s to the present, as well as the history of Mohonk and the family and how they have been influential in both New Paltz and Redlands.
Lon Golnick ’62 and Steve Taylor ’62 reunited in Salzburg after 62 years, joined by wives Sandy Golnick ’64 and L inda Taylor ’93 Steve and Lon were a part of the first Fall semester class in Salzburg in 1960, which included 600 students from the U.S. and Europe. In 1960, they left New York on a 10-day Atlantic crossing aboard a ship that had been sunk during World War II. They traveled to London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Vienna, and Prague during their time there.
Harrison “Mac” Bains ’64 and Chuck Wilke ’64 had lunch together on campus in 2023, when Mac drove down from Santa Barbara and Chuck drove up from Palm Desert, where he likes to retreat every winter. They also indulged in one of John Oliver’s legendary wine tastings. Chuck notes the Class of ’64 has had more trustees than any in school history—Gary Byrne ’64, Janet Shikles ’64, Ron Troupe ’64, Mac, and himself. Chuck is the Founder and Managing Director of Meridian Capital in Seattle and serves on several advisory boards for the U of R. Mac was Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Bristol-Myers Squibb when he retired after earlier holding senior executive positions at RJR Nabisco and Chase Manhattan Bank. He remains active in governance at several investment firms and charitable institutions.
Hank Johnson ’64 and Kathy Terbeck Johnson ’65 are realizing that they “blinked” and life ran on. They always thought 40 was old, and they are now both in their 80s! In June, their six grandkids will be three university grads and three in university! How did it happen? They’ll be busy traveling to Tennessee, Eugene, OR, and San Jose for graduations!
John Oliver ’64 was feted in November for 50 years of service as the longest-serving registered representative with Lincoln Financial Advisors. At 81, he is still working full-time from his office in Redlands (though he visits New Orleans every year for Mardi Gras). The company held a celebration dinner in Irvine. Prior to joining LFA, John was a development officer at the U of R, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Florida State University, and Millsaps College in Jackson, MS.
Sam Brown ’65 and wife, Allison, made their annual sojourn to London for theater and to Paris for museums, wandering and eating. For his 80th birthday, he took a walk in France from Le Puy-en-Velay to Cahors, about 350 kilometers. They spent a few weeks in Sicily and Tuscany in the fall. Over Christmas, they spent two weeks in Truckee with their whole family: three kids, three spouses, four grandkids and two au pairs. This year is his 15th as a Board Member of the Aspen Music Festival and School where he has been Treasurer. They will return to Aspen for the summer and 8 weeks of music made by students, faculty, and musicians. He is also a founder of the board, and advisor to Third Act, a group for environmentally and politically active individuals of a certain age.
Rita Loftus Cavin ’65 had an exciting trip to Iguazu Falls and Antarctica. Both were beautiful. Packing for a tropical rainforest and icebergs was a challenge.
Gary George ’65 has published books 10 and 11 in the Smoke Tree Series, Smoke Tree Burning and The Devil in the Desert Wind
Julie Grimm Gregg ’65 and husband recently celebrated the anniversary of their first date in 1965, Valentine’s Day, and Julie’s 80th birthday on beautiful Sullivan’s Island, near Charleston, S.C. For history buffs, it is also the site of Fort Sumter and Moultrie National Historic Park.
Carol Provost Gruber ’65 has been living in Oceanside, CA, since retiring in 2006. She and her sister Judy Bonilla ’68 share a house and love traveling. This past year they cruised the length of the Mississippi from New Orleans to Minneapolis. In 2022 they cruised the length of the Columbia and Snake Rivers and this year they will spend 17 days cruising and land-tripping Alaska. It’s their “see America last” plan. They lost their mother this year, Evangeline “Eppie” Piety Provost ’40, at age 104.
Alan Hauser ’65 and wife Jan celebrated their 53rd anniversary in March. They have three children and three granddaughters. Like many classmates, they have spent recent years enjoying their grandchildren and traveling. This past year they toured Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia, San Miguel de Allende, México, cruised up the Columbia and Snake Rivers, then visited Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, and spent four weeks in Palm Desert to escape the New York winter.
Gil Lynch ’65, Dayton Dickey ’66, and David Tuttle ’67 ’69 celebrated their self-declared Super Seniors Golf Championship at the Redlands Baseball Golf Tournament.
Chris Maple ’65 is thriving in a retirement community near Temecula while continuing to develop a property in Mendocino County toward full sustainability. He remembers fun times in Cortner Hall with Alan Hauser ’65, John Prince ’65, Steve Robbins ’65, and Richard Place ’65 , and enjoyed weekly dinners with other married young couples including Johnny ’64 and Marcia Mehl ’65. He and wife have been deeply involved for over 30 years in an organization that prioritizes ending racism, acknowledging the full
sovereignty of Indigenous nations with full rights to their ancestral lands, and ending the climate emergency.
Eileen Beerman Mason ’65 continues to travel extensively. Last year she went on a 25-day cruise to Antarctica, beginning in Santiago/San Antonio, making stops down the coast of Chile, and over to Antarctica. Then they visited South Georgia and the Falklands before finishing in Montevideo and Buenos Aires. In addition, she worked on dog training with her dog in Southern Ontario, Canada, went to a Harp Society convention in Los Angeles, and visited the East Coast, Costa Rica, and Durango, CO. In the fall she visited Florence, Italy, and then two small group tours to Tunisia and Morocco. She also enjoys going to San Diego Symphony concerts, The Old Globe Theater, the gym, and her volunteer work as President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Harp Society.
Marcia Mehl ’65 hosted several of the Northern California women for tea at her house to celebrate everyone’s 80th birthdays. Attendees included many Bulldogs: Robin Linton McKenna ’65, Normajean Berger Hinders ’65, Sherry Netzley Engberg ’65, Nancy Wheeler Durein ’65, Janet Welker Seaman ’65, Lynne Geary Boyer ’65, and Judy Gundlach Darling ’65
Marcia Mehl ’65 went on an enjoyable tour of music cities of the south in October 2023. They started in New Orleans hearing jazz, went on to Memphis to Graceland with R & B, and ended in Nashville with a trip to the Grand Ole Opry. Three different styles of music, cities, and food. She even had Elvis’ favorite peanut butter and jelly sandwich at 9 p.m. at The Guest House in Graceland.
Jim Page ’65 hosted a group of fellow alums at his Tucson base in September. It was a fabulous “better than old times” get together. Gary Byrne’s ’65 musician-brother, once with Creedence Clearwater, also lives in Tucson and graciously hosted the group one afternoon.
Drew Rodgers ’65 published a collection of 100 poems and has published over 200 on Instagram. Otherwise, he and wife Inger spend time cross-country skiing with their dog, and he gives free private language lessons to friends in his free time.
Judy Ferrell Thum ’65 traveled to Europe with sons, James and Jeremy, and their families in December. They traveled through the Chunnel to Paris and enjoyed the Eiffel Tower and the New Year’s Eve fireworks. After Paris, they took a train to Switzerland and lodged with Jeremy’s family. Jeremy works for FIFA, which is headquartered in Zurich and boasts an excellent Soccer Museum. They toured the FIFA Museum, learned exciting soccer history, and saw the solid gold World Cup, behind glass.
Jim Tomlin ’65 would start his days at U of R at 6 a.m. to work in the Commons, then 9 a.m. to noon classes, MEF on call for ground crew, dinner, and study till 10. He wonders what the 1962 frosh track team is up to.
Rick West ’65 and wife, Mary Beth, are enjoying their grandchildren and exploring the L.A. region. Son Ben co-created a documentary entitled Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting. Daughter Amy is a professor at Keck USC Medical School and has responsibilities at the Children’s Hospital of L.A. In retirement, Rick serves on several nonprofit boards and a few special projects that interest him. He purposely avoided assuming the mantle of “retired museum director consultant.” True to Rick’s nomadic Native roots, he and Mary Beth wander happily geographically – this past year to France, Bali, Vietnam, and Oaxaca to attend Day of the Dead celebrations. Next summer will feature a full family trip to the British Isles, with a trans-Atlantic return on the Queen Mary 2.
Don Zell ’65 retired after practicing law for 50 years and moved to Vista from Orange County to be closer to grandkids. He is looking forward to the next reunion to see who is still around.
Tom Bandy ’66 and wife Gail celebrate aging gracefully in a topsy-turvy world! They hope their fellow classmates enjoy a healthy and joyful year!
Conroy Chow ’66 is just doing the basic jobs around the house: watering the yard, cleaning the bathrooms, and vacuuming.
Jack Cooper ’66 published a children’s book, Silly Lily’s Adventures. Jeri Nolfi Brown ’65, a teacher for 30 years, is quoted on the cover endorsing the book.
Richard Goyette ’66 and wife Arlene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He has written three books on Progressive Christian Universalist theology and still runs his online concert classical guitar sales business: GoyetteGuitarCenter.com
Scott Harvey ’66 has kids in their 50s, a grandson finishing law school, one who will hopefully be considering Redlands, and the youngest born last October. He and wife Anne visit California family and friends and enjoy the college environment in Auburn, AL.
Merrill Hatlen ’66 visited sustainable wineries in Oregon last summer in conjunction with his recent novel, The Bard & The Barman: An Account of Shakespeare’s Lost Years
Wendell Johnson ’66 still lives in Siem Reap, Cambodia. He retired there 10 years ago and helps with the posting of unexploded ordnance as well as helping families with medication and food needs. Last year he had a mini reunion with Bob Millen ’66, Rob Stebbins ’66 , Martin Udell ’66 , and his brother Bruce Johnson ’61.
Bob Millen ’66 and wife Linda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, living in Vista for the last 26 years. They took a three-week genealogy trip, driving through 10 states, and have documented their pedigree charts as far back as 10 generations. Bob and Rob Stebbins ’66 attended the AGN fraternity centennial party last fall.
Dave Partie ’66 was very involved last year singing classical music with various groups. His book, More Precious Than Gold, Principles of Wisdom Contained in the Book of Proverbs: Volume One is scheduled to be published in 2024 by WestBow Press.
Susie Shultz Robar ’66 and husband, Bob, became first-time great-grandparents last June with the birth of Malakai Jay Patchen, whose parents are missionaries headed to permanent service in Nepal. Bob and Susie continue to enjoy their Baywood Park “Shut Chateau” with cool and salty ocean breezes.
Mary Whitney Romo ’66 and John Romo ’67 have recently become more aware that some friendships that mean the most to them are those from their Redlands days. There is a special camaraderie and richness to these friendships that came after sharing so many years of their lives, a real gift that comes from attending a small university like Redlands.
Norma Snelling ’66 was a Search and Rescue dog handler for over 30 years. She trained dogs to go into tunnels, repel off cliffs, search wilderness areas, etc. She is now retired but will be getting a new golden retriever puppy to be trained to do scent work, just for fun.
Rob Stebbins ’66 and Kit Davis Stebbins ’66 are doing well. Kit continues to ride her horse and Rob is an active member of the train museum. He runs trains a few times a month at Campo. Rob and Bob Millen ’66 attended the 100th anniversary of the Alpha Gamma Nu fraternity. They report that the house looks about the same as it did in 1966, but by late afternoon the collection of empty beer cans must have set a new record!
Kurt Van Horn ’66 and Liz took a Holland America cruise from Boston, MA, to the Canadian Maritimes, and then on to Greenland and Iceland. On their return journey, they went down the Saint Lawrence to Quebec City and then Montreal, Canada. They had a wonderful time and would recommend it to all.
Randall Young ’66 and Sharon Uzzel Young ’66 became first-time grandparents when daughter Courtney Young Hall ’13 and husband Matt welcomed twins into their family on February 19, 2024.
Christopher Dewees ’68 had a one-person show of his Japanese Fish Prints (Gyotaku) at the Dolphin Gallery in Gualala, CA. Titled “Fishes of Mendonoma,” the show featured the fish and shellfish of Mendocino and Sonoma counties.
Larry Dierdorff ’68 painted two murals at Judson and Brown Elementary School in Redlands. “Peacebuilders” is the behavior program at the school. These murals were awarded the City of Redlands Beautification Award for 2023-2024. Larry has painted over 150 murals in the Inland Empire.
Susan Bartley Lea ’68 and her husband Bob enjoyed the U of R alumni tour to Europe in June 2022 which included a cruise on the Danube from Prague to Budapest with a visit to Salzburg at the end. At Homecoming 2023, the group had their own mini-reunion to reminisce about the fantastic trip.
Pi Chi alums Steve Warfield ’70 , Doug Verdieck ’70, Hank ’71 and Leslie Cochran ’71, Lach Hough ’71, and Randy Verdieck ’72 recently had a great day of golf and dinner at the Santa Ana Country Club. Hank and Leslie’s son Geoff is the head pro at the club.
1972
Robert Blanck ’72 spent over 30 years adjunct teaching in the Schools of Business and Education at Redlands. Watching the expansion of the campus buildings over the years has greatly increased his pride in the school. Specifically, the changes and redesign of the library have added so much.
He and his wife raised their five children in Redlands. They are now retired in southern Colorado. Robert finished coauthoring his sixth book on Amazon and stays busy teaching online courses for University of California Extension – Riverside in their education department. He plans on returning this spring to visit campus and see his family.
Lynn Turnquist Spafford ’76 , Karen Turnquist Vandenberg ’78, David David ’78, and Debbie Sauder David ’78 enjoyed catching up over lunch in San Diego, CA.
Deborah Foster-Swenson ’77 proudly accepted the Disney Legends Award in front of 7,000 Disney fans at last year’s D23 Disney Expo in Anaheim, on behalf of her father, Robert Price Foster. Her father was honored for secretly scouting out and purchasing all the land that Walt Disney World now sits on and implementing the now infamous Reedy Creek Improvement District in Florida.
Timothy Thorman ’77 was recently installed as Master of his Masonic lodge in Buena Vista, VA. He first joined the fraternity in Redlands Lodge in 1989.
Friends Lori C Gray ’78 , Lisa Leonard Kiriakidis ’78 , Ingrid Larson ’78 , Susie Bathrick Olson ’78, Laurie Paolinetti ’78, Bonnie Sandborn Richardson ’78, Kathy Speilman ’78, and Kimi Katsura Cronin ’79 got together at a rental home in Oxnard for a weekend.
Mike Rothmiller ’78 will release his book, Reckless: Sex, Lies and JFK , on Amazon worldwide through his London publisher. In early May 2024, his U.S. publisher will release volume one of his true crime book series, True Crimes of the United Kingdom. Prime Witness. Shocking True Crimes from the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries Volume two will be released during the summer.
Viki Langer Schecter ’78, Jeff Schecter ’80, and Tacy Witter ’80 met and lived in Fairmont Hall in 1976 and met Jeff Mayer ’78 the following year. Jeff S. and Viki got married in 1984. They both ended up teaching and have now retired to Washington. Their son remains in California teaching high school biology. Tacy and Jeff M. got married in 1991 and settled in the Silicon Valley area. Their two sons are in the computer engineering field. U of R friendships can last a lifetime.
Karen Turnquist Vandenberg ’78 was delighted to find that she was on the same 51-day South Pacific cruise with fellow San Diego Delta Annetta Townsend ’63 and Rich Townsend ’62! Karen is enjoying her sixth
year of retirement. Post-COVID travel has included Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Hawaii, and the South Pacific, and annual trips to New York City to see theater. Church activities, PEO, and visits with mom, Marilyn Gould Turnquist ’53, keep her busy. She enjoys spending time with her granddaughter who was born in June of 2022.
Gene Williams ’78 and Cindy Fry Williams ’78, had a fun time reminiscing with U of R friends in Honolulu, HI. They were joined by Henderson Nuuhiwa ’78, Elaine Setsuda Nuuhiwa ’80, Rhoda Kealoha Spencer ’81, Phil Spencer ’80, and Noel Ching ’78
Steven Arnold ’79 has become the Council Commissioner of the Western Los Angeles Area Council as of January 2024. Steve has been involved in scouting for 35 years. He is also the Advancement Chair for the WLACC.
Larry Beemer ’79 was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) at the annual conference in Tampa, FL. The CLM is an organization of 55,000 Insurance Claim Professionals and Insurance Defense Attorney’s. Beverly Lane Beemer ’79 , daughter Marissa, and son Joshua attended the awards ceremony. Son Timothy was at home with wife Lara and son Jaxxon watching via Zoom. Larry is the Vice President of Casualty Claims at Tokio Marine HCC. Beverly is the Director of Planning for the Chino Valley School District.
Ruth Ann Irvin Walker ’79 lives in Chula Vista. She’s still married to Frank, the guy she met 44 years ago in a Jacuzzi. She keeps busy running their Airbnb and volunteering in their church. In November they took a 25day trip to Spain and Portugal, to celebrate conquering cancer. Their son Rusty Walker ’08 and his wife Liddy Price Walker ’08 live nearby; their other son, Dennis, and wife Becca, live in San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico, so they also travel there often. She’s looking forward to the class reunion!
Timothy Lefler ’80 has published a new book Mabel Normand: The Life and Career of a Hollywood Madcap. American silent film star Mabel Normand (1892-1930) appeared in hundreds of films at the dawn of Hollywood. As one of the first women to star, write, produce, and direct her own films, she blazed the trail for the women who followed her.
Jim Ashby ’82 and Donna Johnson Ashby ’83, attended a Grand Circle Cruise visiting Christmas Markets along the Rhine River, along with fellow alums Cathy Moreland
Schilling ’76, Jan Vance Christian ’76, and Barbara McCormick Krause ’73. Sherri Larson Medina ’82 was joined by a group of classmates in Long Beach for a reunion of their Salzburg group from Fall 1980. What started as dinner plans turned into two dinners and two brunches. Attendees included Leslie Barakat Equitz ’82, Donna Smith ’82 , Rob Petris ’82 , Tori Lee ’82 , Lisa Day ’82, John Grant ’82, Pam Cordry Hernandez ’82, Connie Pezoldt Smith ’81, Rushean Andrews Schuhmann ’81, Leslie Saint McLellan ’81, and Nancy Andrews Davidson ’80. Even their professor from the trip, Richard “Kush” Kushner, and his wife, Gail, flew in from New Hampshire to join. The centerpiece dinner on Saturday night was Bavarian cuisine.
John “Hoss” Myers ’90 relocated to Mesa, AZ, last year along with wife, Yasmine, and their two kids. They are still unpacking and getting settled into their new home. John continues to work, mostly remote, at his Long Beach-based law firm, defending automobile manufacturers in warranty litigation throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Oregon.
Edgar-Allan Toh ’94 is once again an independent artist. He exited his contract with his publisher and now self-publishes his art. Between the pandemic right when they started his marketing campaign and a couple of his sculptures burning in the Maui fire, he’s glad he gets to have destiny in his hands again. www.edallanart.com
Ginger Evens ’94, husband, Craig, and son, Casey, completed the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. They hiked 500 miles over the Pyrenees through beautiful Basque Country, Rioja wine country, the Meseta, and through Galicia to Santiago. They had an incredible time meeting people from around the world and look forward to another Camino in the future.
Heather Thomas ’94 is halfway done with a 450-hour pilates teacher training program and looks forward to launching her new business, Food & Pilates with Heather. She’s merging it into her existing food writing (www.slocooking.net). She will be offering private in-home training, as well as group and individual mat classes, both in person and online.
Michael Wilkens ’94 is a retired FBI Special Agent, who is now involved in corporate security. He lives in Virginia with his wife and young child.
Sherri Larson Medina ’82, Leslie Barakat Equitz ’82, Donna Smith ’82, Rob Petris ’82, Tori Lee ’82, Lisa Day ’82, John Grant ’82, Pam Cordry Hernandez ’82, Connie Pezoldt Smith ’81, Rushean Andrews Schuhmann ’81, Leslie Saint McLellan ’81, Nancy Andrews Davidson ’80, former Professor Richard “Kush” Kushner, and his wife Gail gathered in Long Beach for a reunion of their Salzburg group from Fall of 1980.
Kiendra Hunter ’04 and husband, Gavin, live in Oakland,
Pete McCall ’94 published his third book, Smarter Recovery: A Practical Time for Maximizing Training Results. Looks like all that time in the old Currier weight room was good for something after all!
Cori Gadbury ’95 will be celebrating her three-year anniversary at United Talent Agency as a Music Marketing Agent in August. She has a roster of over 40 clients and works on tours with artists such as Lil Nas X, My Morning Jacket, The Kid Laroi, and J. Cole.
David “Jamey” Heiss ’95 and fellow alumni
Paul “Skip” Sjoberg ’90 , Aimee Roach Halligan ’09, Steve Halligan ’09 ’22, and Fred Mason Lewis ’96 ’03 hiked up to help clear the R in November.
Ashley Payne Laird ’95 completed her 28th year as a 7th grade English teacher. She
Carl O’Day ’00 ’12 was awarded the prestigious U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology.
Matthew Hale ’10, Caitlyn Kell Hale ’11, and son Hunter Matthew welcomed baby Lucas Arthur Hale to the family on Sept. 13, 2023.
feels lucky to have found her calling after graduating from Redlands. Ashley and family had a trip of a lifetime in 2023 to Southern Africa. They enjoyed safari, river rafting down the Zambezi River, and stayed in luxury tents in the wild.
Carl O’Day ’00 ’12, Acting Branch Chief, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was awarded the prestigious U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology. The award recognized outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve operations, productivity, and problem-solving.
Lisa Kiendra Hunter ’04 has been working as the Lead Speech-Language Pathologist at
Patrick Miller ’04 owns and runs his distillery, Faccia Brutto Spirits, making Italianinspired herbal liqueurs in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Clark Trimmer ’06, Tim Westmyer ’06, Eric Gascho ’06, and Scott Schneider ’06 got together for a mini-reunion at the Air and Space Museum‘s Jazz Cafe in December.
San Francisco General Hospital since 2009. She treats neonates with feeding issues in the NICU and adults with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and head and neck cancer. She met husband Gavin at a wedding in England, married in 2017, and has two daughters – Esme, 4 and Freya, 2. They currently live in Oakland, CA, and enjoy frequent family gatherings with alum Allison Roeser ’04 and her family!
Evan Baughfman ’06 continues to write plays and horror fiction. Evan has published his first novel, Bad for Your Teeth, a spooky story about an evil dentist. Evan has also coauthored a choose-your-own-adventurestyle horror/fantasy novella, Try Not to Die in a Dark Fairy Tale
Lamar Simmons ’06 ’15 ’19 attained a Master of Arts in Management in 2015 and
a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning, along with his Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential, in 2019, all from the U of R. He has since moved from Rialto to Banning, CA, to purchase his first home. He is currently an Education Specialist teaching Special Education at Lugonia Elementary in Redlands.
John Terhorst ’06 joined the faculty at Oregon State University as a chemistry instructor teaching general and organic chemistry.
Tim Westmyer ’06 started a new job as Program Manager at Valiant countering Weapons of Mass Destruction for the Department of Defense. His son, Adam, also celebrated his first Leap Day birthday at the movies watching Cars with Redlands alumni Eric Gascho ’06 and Scott Schneider ’06.
Matthew Hale ’10 and Caitlyn Kell Hale ’11 welcomed their second baby boy, Lucas Arthur Hale, on Sept. 13, 2023. He joins his brother Hunter Matthew Hale, who turned two in October.
Andrew Blatt ’11 and wife Abbie welcomed Ben and Sloan to the Blatt family on Sept. 15, 2023. The next generation of Bulldogs has arrived! They are so excited and fortunate to have two happy and healthy babies home with them.
Laura Theobald ’11 graduated from Baylor Law in May 2023 and passed the July 2023 Uniform Bar Examination. She is now practicing law as a prosecutor with the City of Tucson.
Erika Lindsley Hryciuk ’11 and husband Nick welcomed baby Sophia Hazel Hryciuk on June 23, 2023, and celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary a week-and-a-half later.
Katie Shea ’11 and husband Alex Nestorov welcomed their first child, John, in December 2023. Friend and fellow alum Nathalie OlsonStudler ’11 attended Katie’s Harry Potter themed baby shower.
Matthew Dale ’11 published his Chineseto-English translation of Re-Understanding Entrepreneurship by Dr. Weiying Zhang through Cambridge University Press. Richard Dye ’11 released his first EP, “Infinite Flightpaths,” from All The Love Records on Dec. 8, 2023. “Infinite Flightpaths” by DJ Skyhawk is available on all streaming platforms.
Stessy Mezeu ’12 and sister Naomi Domkam published a book, How the Sly Siblings Learned to Share . The sisters recalled stories from their childhood growing up in Cameroon to write this children’s book about sharing.
Mica Arps ’14 married Jenica Farley Arps ’17 in July 2022. They welcomed their first child, a boy named Jupiter, in May 2023.
Max Hardman ’14 and Hannah Ashton ’15 welcomed Zoey Jean Hardman, born Dec. 9, 2023, at 7:15 p.m., weighing 6 pounds 3 ounces and 18 inches long. Max and Hannah live in Solana Beach, CA, and are so in love with their future Bulldog.
Kimberly McCarty ’14 and Sebastian Saballett ’18 married on Nov. 17, 2023. The bridal party included many other U of R alums as well!
Kira Rojanaroj Wegner ’14 and Derek “DJ” Wegner ’03 are expecting their third baby, due in September 2024.
Annie Budash ’17 just had her third anniversary with a home care agency in the Bay Area, working with elderly and sick people and finding them wonderful caregivers. She is proud to do work that is community-oriented and promotes the safety and health of our aging population.
Evan Johnson ’17 and Hannah Litton ’17 got engaged in October 2023.
Kayla Wobschall ’17 ’18 got engaged to Garrett Bride on Sept. 16, 2023, in Estes Park, CO. The couple plans to tie the knot on June 1, 2024, in Denver, CO.
Michael Perez ’17 reconnected with Brittany Hagen ’16 in August 2021 and got engaged in December 2023. Michael credits Redlands for helping him find his soulmate! They plan on getting married in May 2025.
Tracy Cresta Johnson ’17 married Ryan Johnson on July 14, 2023, in a ceremony held in Spokane, WA. Bulldogs in attendance included Emily Millspaugh Cantoni ’17 as a bridesmaid and Josh Silverman ’17. Tracy is currently a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County and Ryan is a senior HR Manager at Amazon.
Patricia Batchelor ’89 was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the California Board of Accountancy in October 2023. She is honored to be reappointed for a four-year. She also serves as a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Alliance of Black Women Accountants.
Dennis Seaton ’03 retired from BNSF Railway as the Senior Manager Intermodal Operations in 2021.
At 90 years old, Rev. Charles Adams Eaton ’66 is jogging, hiking, writing, and lecturing at UNM, OASIS Adult Learning, and churches. His work over many years includes volunteer Chaplain and Psychologist for a palliative care and hospice clinic. Currently, he is developing a national program to reduce suicide among Native American teens and meets with tribal teens identified as felons.
Rev. Charles “Chuck” Proudfoot ’73 served six parishes as a pastor before retiring in 2018. He serves on the Ganado Presbyterian Mission Foundation (GPMF) board which continues education and health and spiritual care for the Navajo people. He also created an endowment to serve Navajo Presbyterian churches and volunteers at multiple organizations. Predeceased by first wife LaVerne Scholten, he is now married to Dawn Ashton and is father to Scot V. Proudfoot.
Rodger Mattson ’77 changed careers in the 1990s, completing medical school, being in family practice, and then teaching residents, on topics such as colposcopy and prevention of cervical cancer. He eventually retired as the program director of a family medicine residency in Virginia, and “soon will be retired again.”
Rev. Ann Hayman ’78 spent two years at First Presbyterian Church of El Centro as Assistant Pastor and 28 years as Program Director for the Mary Magdalene Project helping street prostitutes. After her work as Interim Pastor at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Rolling Hills, she retired but took on new interim assignments and committee work. She also has an MA in Feminist Spirituality.
Rev. Dr. David C. Emery ’81 is Interim Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Longview, WA, and earned his D.Min. at Drew Theological Seminary. Joyce M. Emery ’81 is Pastor at East Woods Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA. She earned her D.Min. at Princeton Theological Seminary and is Lead Assessor for Discerning Missional Leadership, 1001 Initiative/PCUSA. They reside in Vancouver, WA, and celebrate their four grown children and ten grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. Malcolm McQueen ’83 ’93 retired in February 2024 after more than 40 years of pastoral ministry, having served as pastor at The Church at Horseshoe Bay in Horseshoe Bay, TX (interdenominational). Previously he served as pastor at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX, and Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church in Cortez, CO, and as associate pastor at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church in El Cajon, CA.
Rev. Terry McBride ’85 retired after 36 years of ordained ministry in 2021. Terry served as associate pastor at Goleta Presbyterian Church in Goleta, CA, and at First Presbyterian Church in South Bend, IN, where he served as the founder and director of the LOGmichiana retreat ministry for high school youth. Terry and wife Debbie have relocated to Renton, WA, to live closer to their two adult children.
Rev. Mark Wheeler ’89 started his 30th year as pastor at Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church in Spokane, WA. In 2022, Mark became the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest.
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Gram ’96 is a retired Reformed Church minister and Licensed
Clinical Social Worker with four theological degrees and an M.S. from Columbia University School of Social Work. He’s bicycled from San Francisco to Portsmouth, N.H., and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,350’), Chimborazo (20,750’), and Huayna Potosi (20,011’). Bob, who lives in Rhinebeck, N.Y., has written four books, including Christ and Covid-19: Meditations for Peace in Times of Turmoil, and his short stories have won national awards.
Rev. Miguel Santamaria ’03 celebrates his 20th anniversary of ordination in 2024, and last year, his 20th anniversary with wife Amy. They have three children from 11 to 14 who are “the greatest joy, blessing, and at times challenge in our lives.” A CPE Educator at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, FL, for the last 13 years, Miguel officially retired from playing soccer.
Rev. Heather Jepsen ’06 is faithfully serving in ministry and is proud of her openly welcoming congregation in Warrensburg, MO. She is married to Lars Jepsen, whom she married on the SFTS campus in 2004. They have two children aged 12 and 14, the latter having a side gig writing devotionals for Guideposts
Rev. Nicholas Kolivas ’09 is part-time associate pastor at Forest Hill Christian Church in San Francisco. He recently served on the board of Christian Church Homes (CCH), which builds and manages affordable senior housing in six states and is a ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “The professors at SFTS changed my life with their erudite wisdom, ability to weave cogent tales into otherwise opaque scriptures, and true fondness and love for that which they taught. I so wish all of them well.”
Elizabeth Campbell-Maleke ’11 and Raymond Maleke ’11 reside in West Virginia, where they are parents to 5- and 11-year-old sons. Elizabeth is pastoring two congregations, First Presbyterian Church of Williamstown and Waverly-Bethel Presbyterian Church, and serving as the synod commissioner for the presbytery. Raymond is also pastoring two congregations, Parkview United Methodist and St. Andrews United Methodist Churches. “We hope our SFTS community and alumni are doing well!”
Kikanza Nuri-Robbins ’14 professionally focuses on sustaining healthy organization cultures by improving communication, developing effective leaders, and nurturing corporate values for cultural proficiency. Kikanza has authored many articles and six books, including Cultural Proficiency and Fish Out of Water. She serves on the Bio-Ethics Committee of the UCLA Medical Center and boards of social-service organizations, and spends time in her studio playing with color and textiles.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024
School of Education 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
University of Redlands
This dinner is dedicated to celebrating the ongoing contributions of faculty, staff, esteemed alumni, and community members. Snapshots of our 100-year inclusive history will be presented. For more information, contact Joy_Clark@redlands.edu, Adrianna_Rascon@redlands.edu, or Clyde_Derrick@redlands.edu.
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024
Vibe Health and Wellness Festival 5K and Family Fun Run Sylvan Park, Redlands, CA
Hosted by the U of R Alliance for Community Transformation and Wellness with the City of Redlands, for mental health and wellness in the Inland Empire. Enjoy local food, art, and wellness resources. For more information, contact ACTW@redlands.edu
Thursday, Nov. 7 to Saturday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 Real Women Have Curves
University of Redlands
A microcosm of the Latina immigrant experience, this play celebrates real women. Tickets to be announced. For more information, email TheatreAndDance@redlands.edu or call 909-748-8728.
Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 Constellations
University of Redlands
This spellbinding, romantic journey raises questions about choice and destiny. Tickets to be announced. For more information, email TheatreAndDance@redlands.edu or call 909748-8728.
Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 77th Feast of Lights University of Redlands
This annual service tells the story of the birth of Christ and the symbolic message of the star of Bethlehem as it led the Wise Men to the stable. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Family Service Association of Redlands. Tickets to be announced. Call 909-748-8800 or email FeastOfLights@redlands.edu For the most up-to-date list of University events, please visit www.redlands.edu/news-events.
2024 was a record-breaking year for the University’s annual Giving Day. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends rallied together to raise and give over $460,000 to support programs throughout campus and beyond, including Bulldog Athletics, student clubs and organizations, and the Redlands Fund.
By Sarah Armes Harwood
In the tapestry of the University of Redlands history, stories of gratitude and triumph often emerge from unexpected beginnings. Such is the case of Adeline “Addie” Lim Pedersen ’68, a remarkable alumna whose journey began with a unique connection to former U of R First Lady Verda Armacost.
Addie’s mother, Rosalind Lim, served as translator to Verda when she was a featured speaker at the Baptist Women’s Conference in 1963, forging an impactful friendship.
While Rosalind and Verda got to know each other, Rosalind mentioned that her daughter Addie was attending high school in Albuquerque as a foreign
student from Thailand and was hoping to attend college in the United States.
Hearing her story, Verda enabled Addie to attend the University by recommending her for the Crowell Scholarship, opening doors to a future that would shape Addie’s life forever.
While at U of R, Addie met her future husband, Pete Pedersen ’68, a kindred spirit with a passion for biology and a fellow international student. After college, they married in 1968 and embarked on a journey that saw Addie find her way to a successful career in real estate, while Pete spent many years as a biology professor. They had two daughters, one of whom, Joan Pedersen ’92, would follow in their footsteps as a
Bulldog and worked in the development office for a time. In all, seven family members are proud Bulldogs.
Driven by a profound sense of gratitude, Addie and Pete have established the Pete and Addie Pedersen Endowed Scholarship at Redlands. “One of my mission statements is paying it forward,” said Addie. “I love my life, and much of that was touched by the Armacosts who gave me the beginning of my life in the United States.” This scholarship, which will have its inaugural student in the 2024-25 academic year, aims to provide financial support to undergraduate students, creating a perpetual ripple effect of opportunity and success. OT
For information on how you can support scholarships, please contact Ericka Smith, Executive Director of Leadership Gifts, at 909-748-8357 or ericka_smith@redlands.edu. You can also give directly to support scholarships at www.redlands.edu/givenow.
