The Journal of Walla Walla University Summer 2013
The Girl Who Crashed the Boys’ Club p.12
Believe. Belong. Become. # 1 1
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mom, student, rodeo champion
“It really does feel like home.” p.16 Courtney Frazier, social work student
A tradition of excellence A WAllA WAllA University edUcAtion is a proud tradition for many families. if college is in your family’s future, see how the WWU tradition of excellence can continue: • Plan a campus visit. schedule a campus visit for your student and receive up to $250 for travel expenses. visit wallawalla.edu/visit, or call (800) 541-8900 to start the journey. • Join us at the fall College Fair. this fall, WWU may be coming to a school near you to share the latest about our academic, spiritual and social programs, and to answer enrollment questions. stop by and see us—find the schedule at wallawalla.edu/collegefair.
Allison Berger '13 Scott Berger '76, '83
Excellence in thought Generosity in service Beauty in expression Faith in God
The Journal of Walla Walla University // Summer 2013
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Westwind
• (800) 541-8900
ben blood
Bethany Logan Ropa takes in the view from the boardroom of UBS Investment Bank. Photograph by Joyce Lee
2 www.wallawalla.edu/visit Summer 2013
College Avenue
The latest from across campus
Brown Bag
Jerry Hartman, telling stories
The Girl Who Crashed the Boys Club Bethany Logan Ropa leans in
Mom, Student, Rodeo Champion Social work student Courtney Frazier
• Ask for more information. it’s easy to get information about scholarships, areas of study, spiritual and social programs, and more. simply go to wallawalla.edu/info to make your request.
SEE FOR YOURSELF how the WWU experience can be part of your family’s tradition.
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the President From Courage and character
Westwind Summer 2013, Volume 32, Number 2 / Westwind is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution. It is produced by Marketing and Enrollment Services/ University Relations. This issue was printed in July 2013. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2013 by Walla Walla University. Westwind/University Relations 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 Telephone (509) 527-2363 Toll-free (800) 541-8900 E-mail westwind@wallawalla.edu Online westwind.wallawalla.edu
Alumni Currents
Alumni of the Year, 22 Honor Class Photos, 26 AlumNotes, 28 In Memory 30 Back to You
College Avenue
From the President
The latest from across campus
Courage and Character Now More Than Ever
If you wish to be inspired, I invite you to any of the events we hold every June during graduation weekend. Our Sunday commencement ceremony is the weekend highlight; however, memorable moments often happen at dedication services for students in the academic disciplines of nursing, theology, social work, and education. At this year’s Teacher Dedication service, a serendipitous glitch occurred during the “Bell Ringing” portion of the program. Traditionally, at the end of this service future teachers ring bells in unison, symbolizing the calling to education each one of these students has experienced. This year, instead of sending an order of small bells to give to students, the company sent rather large brass bells. When it came time for our newly qualified teachers to ring them, the glorious sound of those brass bells filled the auditorium. It was wonderful. That beautiful sound of celebration accompanied tears on the part of many who heard not only about the successes of these graduates, but challenges that were overcome or special dreams fulfilled. We were all inspired by these students who have their future before them, a future filled with promise and potential. The day after this dedication service, we celebrated the graduation of 449 students at the commencement ceremony. Our commencement speaker, Ambassador Robert Seiple, presented a bracing exhortation to our students to practice “Generosity in Service.” “The last thing you ever want to be ever in your life, starting from this day forward, is inconsequential,” he said. He told the stories of two missionaries in the country of Laos, persecuted for their Christian faith, and eventually sacrificing their lives rather then renounce their beliefs. “Courage needs to be modeled,” he said. “Once modeled, it stands on its own. Once modeled, it is irresistible. Once modeled, it cannot be ignored.” While our new graduates may not ever be in a position to sacrifice their lives for their faith, the need for this depth of courage, and the character to sustain that courage, is needed more than ever before in public and private life. Ambassador Seiple’s message, always timely, was especially appreciated as I and other campus leaders look ahead to how best to foster students of courage and character. These ideals are embedded in the core themes of our mission
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as a university: “Excellence in Thought,” “Generosity in Service,” “Beauty in Expression,” and “Faith in God.” All in the service of “celebrating and sharpening the best of who we are and what God has called us to be: a university offering unparalleled higher education in the context of wholistic, Christian community,” to borrow some of the language of our newly minted 2013–2023 Vision for Walla Walla University. You’ll be hearing more about our vision for the next ten years in future issues of Westwind. As you read this issue, with its reports on some of the rich array of personalities, events, and projects that have made up the 2012–13 school year, could I ask something of you? Could I ask you to pause along the way and do two things? First, could you thank God for all those 449 students, now graduates, as they plan for their futures? Second, could you ask God’s blessing on WWU as we move toward a spirit-filled future, one where our mission instills in students courage and character. Cordially, John McVay President
photograph by ben blood
Looking for Patterns
Mathematics Professor Recognized for Study of Widely Used Algorithm
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ne might say the Haynals are a left-brain couple. Heidi Haynal is a mathematician and associate professor at Walla Walla University. Steve Haynal is an engineer, who manages a small business in addition to teaching WWU courses. Together, they have published a paper at the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer’s May 2013 International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, held in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. This paper continues the Haynals’ recent research focus on the Fast Fourier Transform, or FFT, and is their third peer-reviewed paper on this theme in the past two years.
photograph by bryan aulick
“While Steve was working on an engineering project to analyze singing, he came up with a new way of looking at the FFT,” says Heidi. “He asked me for help with the mathematics to describe what he was finding out. Since I enjoy working on puzzles and hard problems, I’ve continued to help with this research.” The FFT is a mathematical algorithm widely used in engineering and computer science to do such things as detect edges in images, add artificial reverberation to recorded sound, and detect oil underground by analyzing reflected sound. The Haynals’ specific contributions are currently theoretical and establish bounds on the complexity of the FFT as well as enumerate all variations of the FFT under certain constraints. “We were surprised to find undiscovered instances of FFT algorithms, even though this field has been studied intensely for almost 40 years,” say the Haynals. Their research has been noticed by established experts in the field as well. Steven Johnson, professor at MIT and co-author of perhaps the most widely used FFT software library, FFTW, called the Haynals’ research “an unusual approach to this problem” and has mentioned it on Wikipedia’s FFT page.
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College Avenue The latest from across campus
Building Bridges in India
Refreshed and Renewed
Engineers Making School Improvements
Peterson Memorial Library Gets a Facelift
In March 2012, a group of nursing students and faculty traveled to a school in Meghalaya, India, to immunize students and local people who didn’t have access to basic medical care. During their stay, a bridge near the campus collapsed, injuring 39 Indian students and two Walla Walla University students. Since then, not only have nursing students continued the immunization program, but several engineering faculty and students are fixing the bridge and planning other campus improvement projects at Riverside Adventist Academy. Professors Doug Logan and Bryce Cole are working to improve the school’s electrical and sewer systems while three students are shaping their senior projects around ways to better the campus. Currently, students are canoeing across the river to travel from the school to the bus stop. Travis Wageman is searching for ways to rehabilitate the bridge by addressing erosion and installing a sturdier cable connecter and better reinforcements. Meanwhile, Matthew Freedman is addressing the problem of water on campus. There are two wells on campus, one 20-foot hand-dug well, and one 500-foot well. How-
The library’s lower floor, named the “Blue Level,” still holds periodicals, but now has more welcoming study tables and seating.
New whiteboards, both in open spaces and in private study rooms, give students tools for group collaboration.
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72 electrical outlets added
94 new windows
DRAMA
Recent Student Awards The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival has awarded top honors for two recent drama productions.
“Mother Courage and Her Children” Spring 2013 Props Christopher Reeve stage management Fawn Fahrer costuming Rachel Scribner
“The Importance of Being Earnest” Fall 2012 directing Diana Farnsworth Props Christopher Reeve Stage management Randall Lutz costumes Rachel Scribner lighting and program direction David Crawford
Greg Khng
by the numbers
spaces would not succeed if the rooms remained too cold in winter and too hot in summer,” says Carolyn Gaskell, director of libraries. “New windows were installed throughout the building, also reducing the library’s energy costs.” “Light now floods the stacks,” says Gaskell. “The space is much more inviting, and everyone loves the new windows.” Meanwhile, the E. L. Mabley Archives have been moved to the lower level of the Administration Building. As funds become available, its former location will become a collaboration study room, where students can work together to compose and practice academic presentations, projects, and speeches. “In today’s knowledge economy, collaborative work is the norm,” says Gaskell. “This space will be furnished and equipped to help students work together, much as they might in an actual workplace.” An online reservation system for group study rooms will be in place early this fall. “We’re committed to providing quality resources,” says Gaskell. “This includes not only academic resources, but also the atmosphere of the building itself.”
Tyler MacPhee, Chris Drake
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tudy tools may have changed, but a good place to study is always in demand. Two years ago, when students were asked what low-cost campus projects would make a big difference to them, most of them placed library improvements at the top of the list. As a result, campus administrators allocated $500,000 for the “Refresh and Renew” project at Peterson Memorial Library. During Phase I, completed in January, the foyer, lobby, and reference room were refurbished. Improvements included new ceiling tiles, lighting, paint, carpet, windows, study pods, comfortable lounge seating, a fireplace, and more evenly distributed heating and cooling systems. Phase II, completed in the spring, focused on improving the periodicals area, the South Reading Room, and the new technology room (formerly Archives). Updates included write-on walls and outlets for laptops in various new study areas, redistributed heating and cooling, a ceiling-mounted projector, and new lights, windows, and blinds. “Updating the reference room and computer lab
ever, the pumps in use are inadequate for the campus. Also, locals prefer the taste of the water from the shallow well even though it is often contaminated. Possible solutions include introducing minerals into the deep well to encourage drinking the cleaner water and installing a more efficient pump. Finally, Brett Schultz is addressing another issue on campus. One of the boys’ dormitories has brick walls and the mortar is compressing, causing a long crack on the wall and around the ceiling. The building is not currently in danger of collapsing, but a solution is becoming increasingly urgent. Schultz is looking for a way to rehabilitate the building. Cole says that this has been a great opportunity for the seniors. “Students doing their senior projects in India had to accept that just solving water quality problems or creating safe structures for normal circumstances wasn’t enough. They also had to adapt their projects in ways that would accommodate Indian culture and habits. For example, treated water had to taste just as good as poor quality water that was the norm for drinking, and a bridge had to accommodate more people than what might be deemed ‘reasonable.’”
The bridge collapse in 2012 has initiated new engineering student projects.
Brandon Pierce, in the role of Evangelist, visits the house of Graceless.
Pilgrim Series Digital Tools Tell a 16th-Century Tale
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he six-year brain CHILD of senior Kyle McCluskey has blossomed into an incredible reality. The “Pilgrim Series,” an Internet video series, is a re-imagining of the classic 1678 book Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. McCluskey says he chose this story because it stuck with him as a child, and he wanted to make a film adaptation worthy of the book. As many as 60 people are working with McCluskey on this immense project. In addition to Andrew Woodruff, assistant director, and Tanner Dull, producer, there are many actors, make-up artists, advertising managers, and art and prop directors working on the video series. The project started with concept design and writing. McCluskey planned the plot well into the future in order to establish continuity, then built digital cities which are now being integrated into the footage. He says his time at Walla Walla University “has been invaluable to the process.” Professor Jerry Hartman has worked to make available the tools necessary to complete the project, says McCluskey. The equipment includes a Black Magic 2.5 K cinema camera, a green screen, and motion trackers for actors’ faces. These things combine to allow the post-production crew to separate the subject from the background and to create 3D animation. The series has two seasons with 12 episodes per season. The pilot aired on June 1 in Village Hall, and money raised through ticket sales helped fund the video project as well as the student association fundraiser, Mission Mozambique. The fundraiser helped provide for fresh-water wells in the African country. Although his long-term goals entail large-scale film production, after graduation McCluskey wants to start his own studio in Walla Walla after graduation, where he will continue his work on the “Pilgrim Series.”
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College Avenue The latest from across campus
books sites Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln By Doris Kearns Goodwin (Simon & Schuster, 2006)
Emily Muthersbaugh
Tyler Jacobsen
The Best of the Best
More than 30 students presented at the Undergraduate Academic Symposium in April. Presenters represented a wide variety of disciplines, with topics ranging from fractals and the Pythagorean triangle, to healthcare market research and the history of civil defense in Portland. “The symposium is intended to highlight ‘Excellence in Thought’ and ‘Beauty in Expression,’” says Cheris Current, symposium organizer and assistant professor of social work. For a complete list of symposium presentations, see wallawalla.edu/symposium.
Lecture Spotlight
David Bullock, chair of the Department of Communications and Languages, will present the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecture Sunday, Nov. 10. Bullock is currently developing his lecture and most likely will draw from his observations and research in social and political conflict. He gained political experience as the communications director for a 2006 congressional campaign. Bullock is a WWU journalism graduate and has a master’s degree from Washington State University and a doctoral degree from University of Arizona.
Employee Kudos
Lucas Anderson and Julianne Ward were both recipients of the 2013 Student Employee of the
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Year Award presented at the Awards Celebration in April. Anderson, senior communications and web design major, received first place and a $1,000 scholarship. Ward, a senior nursing major, was recognized as the runner-up and received a $700 scholarship.
For the second year, graduating seniors who have been student missionaries will receive a medallion to wear at commencement. “Returned student missionaries are as proud of their year of service as they are of their grade point average,” says Jeanne Vories, student missions director. “Student missionaries want others to know how much their year broadened their horizons and how much they learned about our world that they could never learn from a classroom.”
Edited by Steven Dunbar, L. James Gibson and Humberto Rasi (Adventus – International University Publishers, 2013)
This new book about environmental issues from a primarily Adventist Christian perspective is one of the best treatments of this subject I have read. Each of the book’s five sections (with chapters written by different authors) addresses issues ranging from the scriptural basis for our duty, our moral obligation we have to preserve the ecosystem and animals in it, several theoretical aspects of biodiversity in our communities, and ways we can educate the next generation about problems and solutions before it is too late. —Joe Galusha, Professor of Biology
Bible.com
On a Mission
The Associated Students of Walla Walla University had an ambitious fundraising goal for the 2012—13 school year: raise $60,000 to build 10 wells in the Zambezi Province of Mozambique. Through the help of generous sponsors and events such as the International Food Festival, ASWWU exceeded its goal, raising about $85,000, enough for 14 wells.
Entrusted: Christians and Environmental Care
From your mobile device,
get more WWU news. Scan me with your favorite app (like RedLaser)!
Bible.com provides comprehensive and easyto-track reading plans and is compatible on smartphones and tablets. With the audio version, you can listen on a walk or while you’re watching the clouds go by. —Paddy McCoy, Campus Chaplain
Corrections We hate it. but it happens. » Spring 2013 issue. Page 7. Professor David Lindsey spent two months on sabbatical at Texas A&M University, not three weeks as we stated in a news story.
» Spring 2013 issue. Page 18. In the KGTS timeline, we should have recognized engineering professor Glen Masden as one of the key players in the formation of KGTS, as well as Stanley Kirk and Walter Murray.
» Spring 2013 issue. Page 31. In the scholarship ad, the captions were switched between the photos of Albert and Myra Thompson and Scott and Lorene Berger.
Chris Drake
Megan Cleveland
In Recognition
Team of Rivals is a beautifully written narrative of Abraham Lincoln, his path to the presidency, and his remarkable choices when forming his cabinet. Goodwin outlines how Lincoln chose his strongest rivals for his cabinet, which kept them within his political circle and also harnessed their considerable energies for causes that were important to him. Together they moved the country through the most divisive period in its history. The book won the Lincoln Prize and the American History Book Prize, and was a source for the recent motion picture, “Lincoln.” —Terrie Aamodt, Professor of History
80s the
From the archives / If memory serves
Say Hello
1988
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Perhaps they’re now your teachers, pilots, nurses, accountants, or social workers, but 25 years ago, they were Walla Walla University students, taking a moment to pose for the camera.
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Brown Bag / Faculty in first person
Telling Stories to Bring About Change
Assistant Professor of Communications
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y passion for filmmaking is interdisciplinary—science, sociology, art, justice. This interdisciplinary interest has given me access to some amazing stories. ¶ In 2007, my wife, Machelle Hartman, who has a master’s degree in Environment and Community, and I began working with Indigenous and Maroon tribes in the Amazon basin. These people are being driven from their lands and poisoned because of economic development. We partnered with Suriname Indigenous Health Fund (sihfund.org) and traveled to Suriname, South America. We took video cameras to villages so that community members could interview each other and record their own footage. We didn’t have a script. We didn’t have a storyline. But that was part of our plan. Alanis Obamsawin, a renowned Canadian First Nation filmmaker, gave me this advice: “It’s not your story. Whoever you are working with, they will tell you what story to tell. Remember that. It’s not your story.” We were following a participatory filmmaking process called “Community-Directed Filmmaking” that I created in collaboration with Machelle and the co-founders of the Suriname fund, Sarah Augustine and Dan Peplow. This filmmaking style has a basis in community-based participatory research with diverse interdisciplinary roots, including critical pedagogy, participatory action research, feminist theory, and, of course, documentary filmmaking. As filmmakers we integrated into the community and provided technology and training—turning over as much of the filmmaking process to the community as possible. This approach encourages communities to tell their own stories and facilitates social action and change to begin within the community.
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We didn’t have a script. We didn’t have a storyline. But that was part of our plan.”
At the time, our driver and translator told us the interviews from the communities were worthless and that we didn’t have a story. Since we don’t speak Dutch, Sranan Tongo, or any of the tribal languages, we started to believe him. But we continued anyway. Over the course of the next couple years, we were able to get the interviews translated. The stories were heartbreaking and beautiful. The Indigenous tribes, who traditionally avoided the outside world and the media, opened up and trusted us with their stories and their culture partly because of this unique approach. Each time we produced a new film we worked closely with community leaders in Suriname to make sure their stories were told accurately; we cut and re-cut each film until it said what the communities wanted it to say. Eventually, we produced three documentary films (eclecticreel.org) that have been shared at United Nations conventions and have screened at film festivals in
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the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Nepal and have won several awards. This international exposure has created awareness of human rights issues in Suriname, and more nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working with the communities. This past winter, David Bullock, the chair of our department, asked, “Have you ever thought of doing any community documentary projects a little closer to home?” As we started sharing ideas, we realized that a local project would be an ideal collaboration between his “Fundamentals of Fundraising” course and my “Documentary Production” course. We are now partway through a new community-directed project called “Yakama Clean Waters.” Students from the fundraising class are currently running a crowdsourced fundraising campaign using Kickstarter.com. The funds will allow my documentary production students to provide video gear to community members in this region. This is a community-directed documentary exploring the efforts of Native American groups to protect their communities from the harmful effects of concentrated dairy operations that are increasing in number and size on lands of the Yakama Indian Reservation. By the time you read this edition of the Westwind, we will know whether we succeeded or failed to reach our fundraising goal on Kickstarter. Either way, the learning experience for the students involved has been a success and this fall the documentary film production students will partner with community members advocating for social change and environmental justice. For the current status of this project, visit http://bit.ly/yakamacleanwaters
photograph by Ben Blood
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Jerry Hartman
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The Girl Who Crashed the Boys’ Club Bethany Logan Ropa ‘06 leans in and leads on in the male-dominated field of investment banking.
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by Amy Wilkinson • photographs by Joyce Lee
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There’s a measured calm that descends upon New York City in the early morning hours—the once bustling sidewalks largely empty; the city’s yellow cabs ambling up and down the avenues, vacancy lights pricking the darkness; the lone nighthawk slurping his matzo ball soup in the corner diner. It’s a tableau Bethany (Logan) Ropa has witnessed many times during her career as an investment banker at the global financial services firm UBS, where workdays often twilight into work nights before dawning into work mornings. But that’s just the cost of doing business at the top of your field. The 2006 French graduate is among a rarefied group of women who aren’t just surviving but thriving in the male-dominated world of investment banking. Just how elite of a group are we talking? According to a 2010 survey of the top 75 investment banks in North America (conducted by job search site Vault.com), only 25 percent of investment banking positions are held by women. And the numbers shrink even more when considering the executive level, where only 11 percent of senior roles are filled by women. Ropa has beaten the odds—while weathering the 2008 banking crisis and more than 10 rounds of layoffs—to rise within the ranks of UBS as a director and chief operating officer. And all before the age of 30.
You Should Be a Doctor
Like most 18-year-olds, Ropa came to Walla Walla University uncertain of her career path, relying on advice she received earlier in her teen years for guidance. “I had been told in high school that I was smart, so I should be a doctor,” Ropa recalls. So she declared a pre-med and psychology major, intending to follow in her social worker mother’s footsteps as a psychologist or psychiatrist. To her science-heavy schedule she added French—a language she’d studied in high school. But by the end of her first year, she wasn’t so sure about pursuing medicine, so she decided to spend her sophomore year abroad in France, where she’d surely come to some sort of conclusion. Except, she didn’t. Ropa delayed the inevitable by returning to her alma mater, Campion Academy, to serve a year as a taskforce worker. When she returned to WWU for her junior year, she declared a double major in social work and French, which became a French major and social work minor by her senior year. “The summer before my senior year, I had a little 22-year-old crisis and was like, ‘I don’t know what I want to do. What am I going to do with my life?’’’ Ropa says. It was boyfriend (now husband) Joshua Ropa, a 2005 international business and Spanish graduate, who suggested business as a potential area of interest.
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Things You Won’t Learn in Business School by Bethany Logan Ropa
1. Everyone’s integral I’ve seen people spend a lot of time buttering up the boss but not focus on building relationships with other people who have the ability to make life significantly better (or worse)—like assistants and interns.
Risk and Return
Most MBA programs require a minimum of two years’ work experience from applicants, but Ropa intended to pursue a master’s degree directly out of WWU. “I didn’t think two years of work experience in whatever I could do with a French major was going to set me up anymore than just kind of going on my personal achievements in college,” Ropa explains. “So I took a chance and looked at a bunch of business schools that would at least accept applicants straight from undergrad.” It was a risk that paid off. Ropa applied to several of the top business schools in the country, eventually selecting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She arrived in Cambridge, Mass., in 2006, where from nearly her first day on campus, she was wined and dined (so to speak) by potential employers looking to recruit the brightest minds in business. Ropa landed an internship at UBS, doing investment banking for the industrials group (think: metals, paper, and building materials). At the end of the summer, she received an offer for a full-time position upon graduation, but she had her sights set elsewhere. “I told them thanks, but I actually want to be in the real estate group,” Ropa recalls. “They were really supportive, so I went back and interviewed with the real estate group and got a full-time offer.” After graduating from MIT, Ropa moved to New York City, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. She started at UBS during the summer of 2008—in the midst of one of the worst financial crises since the Great Depression. In fact, six weeks after joining the group, a third of her team was laid off. “The layoffs are a tricky question that I’ve asked myself many times,” Ropa admits when considering why she was spared during her first few weeks. “I think the very early rounds I was viewed as junior, inexpensive and at least had potential.... No one from my class was hit that time. I think it was definitely frowned upon to lay off the brandnew hires, so they hit the class above me pretty hard instead.”
Leaning In
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“She was looking at some of my homework problems, and she says, ‘I can figure this out,’” Joshua recalls. “And I said, ‘Well, if you think you like this stuff, why don’t you take an accounting course or a finance course in the business department and see how you like it?’ The more she studied it, the more she liked it. She excelled at it. It’s like when a pianist looks at a piano, he knows how to play it. When Bethany looks at numbers, she’s always been able to play.” And so it was that Ropa revamped her entire senior year schedule—replacing pottery with finance and photography with accounting—in the hopes of applying to business school.
More than 10 rounds of layoffs have followed over the course of five years, but Ropa has remained, all the while advancing from associate to associate director to director (the equivalent of a vice president position at most banks). Last fall, she was given the added title of COO for the real estate, lodging, and leisure group—among the youngest to hold such a high position at the bank. “Because most people go to work three to five years before business school, and because I went straight through, I was done with business school and in NYC before I turned 26, and a lot of people are probably 30 at that point,” Ropa explains. “And so now I’m 30, and I got promoted to director at the age of 29. People were asking, ‘Are you an admin or an analyst?’ I’m like, ‘I’m a VP.’ And they’re like, ‘What?!’”
2. Don’t be afraid to speak up Let your voice be heard. Don’t wait until you have all the answers and full confidence to join in on a conversation. But also know when to just be quiet and listen. 3. Have an outlet outside of work It is so important to have a life and identity outside of your job to avoid burn-out. Find what keeps you grounded and make time for it—no matter how busy your schedule is. 4. Hard work matters, but so does perception Having managers know that you’re working hard is oftentimes just as important as actually working hard when it comes to year-end reviews and promotions. 5. Remember to laugh Sometimes that’s all you can do.
Age obviously isn’t the only factor that’s made Ropa’s achievements noteworthy, lest we forget the boys’ club mentality of her industry. It’s an interesting dichotomy to be sure: Despite high-powered women like Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Yahoo! president and CEO Marissa Mayer advancing the national discussion about women’s rightful place in the boardroom, young executives like Ropa continue to struggle to find women mentors within their field. (It’s worth noting that Ropa has been the most senior female on her team since her sixth week at the bank.) And it isn’t always the heady matters of work-life balance or pay raises that benefit from the advice of a more seasoned professional. Sometimes it really is the small stuff that needs sweating. “My first year in banking, I didn’t really know what to wear,” Ropa recalls. “I was looking around the office just desperate to see a woman and what she wore to work, and there weren’t any. So I would go to Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic and Ann Taylor and look at how they dressed the models and just buy outfits. At 25, I should have known what was going on, but I grew up in Boulder. We wear Tevas.”
With her tailored suits and sleek, shoulder-length bob, it’s hard to imagine Ropa ever looking anything less than perfectly polished, but that just goes to show how far she’s come in her five years at UBS. And, soon enough, Ropa will have to begin contemplating that more serious question of how she can have it all—or at least attempt to. “I think during your twenties you can put your head down and work hard, but when you get to your thirties, you’re saying, OK at some point I’m going to need to have a life,” Ropa explains. “My husband probably wants to see my face. I need to buy groceries. How is this long-term going to be sustainable with my life if I choose to have kids down the road? A bunch of my friends are all starting to have kids. I’m not there yet, but I have to think about how this is going to fit.” In the meantime, Ropa’s focused on giving her junior analysts what she’s so wanted: a female role model. “I try to pay it forward, so maybe one day I’ll have an older woman in my life to look up to,” she says. And maybe someone to split a cab home with at midnight on a Tuesday.
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By Debra Rood • Photographs by Ben Blood 16
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future social worker Courtney Frazier makes it all happen
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Mom, Student, Rodeo Champion Westwind Summer 2013
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eet rodeo champion and Walla Walla University senior social work major, Courtney Frazier, and prepare to be inspired. She is as successful at keeping her eye on the academic prize as she is at winning barrel racing and breakaway roping competitions throughout the United States. Frazier, 23, was born in Walla Walla and raised in Touchet, a nearby farming community. She says that as soon as she could walk, she could ride. “My parents bought me my first pony when I was a toddler. Ever since I can remember I’ve been all about riding competitively and winning.” Her academic trail ride to WWU commenced six miles away at Walla Walla Community College. Frazier was attending WWCC and majoring in nursing. She was also on the college’s rodeo team and smiles as she recalls, “My rodeo coach convinced me to stay a third year after receiving my associate degree in general studies. I took random classes just so I could do rodeo. Something about sociology classes clicked with me.” It occurred to Frazier that she might like social work better than nursing. One day, Susan Smith, program director of WWU’s bachelor of social work program, called Frazier on the phone and talked to her about transferring to WWU to pursue her degree in social work. “When Susan Smith called and set me up with all this information about their social work program, it opened up a whole new world to me. WWU was such an exciting, new place. I kind of fell in love with it and couldn’t wait to attend there.” Once Frazier enrolled at WWU, she discovered that her expectations were more than met. “Everybody at WWU is so friendly. If you need any help, there is always someone there. Everyone is so nice and polite. When I walk into the social work offices or my classes, everyone knows everyone by their first names. It is like a small, supportive family outside your own family,” she says with joyful emphasis in her voice. One of the many benefits of attending WWU, Frazier says, is that, “I feel like the teachers are so open with me traveling and rodeo. It is a small, personal community within a community.” In November 2012, Frazier competed in the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. One of three women to actually compete in both breakaway roping and barrel racing, she qualified in both. “Since I competed and did well in them, I won the title of Women’s All Around World Champion.” Frazier roped three calves, was placed in the top 10 and then competed in barrel racing where she ended up fifth in the world. Her winnings included a gold belt buckle, a jacket, a horse trailer, money, and a saddle. Even though most of what Frazier earns from rodeo is earmarked for school, she also uses her winnings to pay for diesel fuel and occasional entry fees in order to continue competing. “Most definitely, a big win like Vegas goes toward school,” she says. “I still have to take out student loans, but the money really helps.” As a student, Frazier appreciates the compassion her professors have shown her, especially during a recent personal hardship. “My grandfather died right before Thanksgiving 2012. It was right before the end of the quarter too. I could not believe how understanding my teachers were during this very difficult time of mourning. They gave me an in-progress while I caught up in my classes during Christmas break.” On the subject of teachers, Frazier lights up when she says, “I love every one of my teachers: Emily Tillotson, Susan Smith, Janet Ockerman, and Cheris Current. Susan Smith is my adviser, and she
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Whether at her Walla Walla Valley home, or at arenas in Las Vegas and Canada, Courtney Frazier excels in her sport.
is probably the most intrigued by my participation in rodeo. She has also helped mentor me and has been very supportive.” Smith is equally complimentary about her student. “Courtney is an amazing young woman, and I am really happy to have had the chance to get to know her and to be one of her teachers,” says Smith. “I guess what strikes me about Courtney is that when you meet her she appears to be a relatively shy person but in reality she is fierce, especially when she’s on a horse. I have enjoyed watching Courtney blossom as a student over the past two years, and I feel certain that she will grow into an excellent professional social worker who will be an asset to our profession.” Since March 2013, Frazier has been honing her professional skills at Helpline in Walla Walla where she is doing her social work practicum. Helpline is a community organization that provides basic needs to local people. “We help with food stamps and help them pay bills, assist with relocation into housing for low-income or no-income
people. We help homeless people get into shelters,” she explains. Frazier is currently working at Helpline in order to fulfill the 360hour practicum requirement for graduation. Working at Helpline has made Frazier all the more thankful for her home and all of her blessings. She lives with her son, 6-year-old Preston, in separate living quarters on her parents’ property. She reports that her mom has five or six foster kids, and her mom also helps take care of Preston when Frazier is attending classes or at Helpline. After graduation, Frazier is not completely sure what she wants to do with her degree but is interested in working on the Yakama Reservation with Native American children. “I have always wanted to work on the reservation. My mother is Native American. And I have always wanted to do social services because I want to help out children more because there are not many opportunities on the reservation. I want to instill hope in Native children and help them to succeed. My goal is to go there and help—perhaps in tribal social services,” Frazier says.
As Frazier focuses on graduation and obtaining her master in social work degree next year, her equine friend and barrel-racing horse, Mary, 13, and her breakaway roping horse, Teddy, who is 20 years old, are also graduating—from rodeo competitions. “Mary is going to be a mama, and I decided it was time for her to retire. After my win in Las Vegas, I felt that they had done their jobs long enough,” she explains. Frazier has a couple of young horses to train in and will try to fit that into her busy schedule. There is no doubt that people and animals are the highlight of Frazier’s life and that is what energizes her. She says that she looks forward to attending classes every week with her friends who hail everywhere from Canada to Arizona. “It is much easier to be away from my own family because I feel like I am welcome and supported at WWU. When I attended other schools, I never felt like I fit in like I fit in here with students and professors. It really does feel like home.”
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Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Class of 1993
2013 Alumni of the Year
Doug Thomsen
Walla Walla University Graduates Making a Difference By Amy Wilkinson • photographs by chris drake
Class of 1953
Myron Tupper
Although Myron Tupper began his career at Walla Walla University as a chemistry major, he soon switched to pre-engineering. He finished the program in 1942 only to be drafted into World War II a month later. Tupper returned to WWU 10 years after he began, entering the engineering program under Professors Cross and Patchen. He graduated in 1953 with a major in mechanical engineering, and moved with his wife, Roberta L. Branch, to Morrison, Ill., where he began work at General Electric. While at GE, Tupper earned his first of two dozen patents and worked on a jet fuel project for NASA. He was also accepted into the company’s Advanced Technical Course—the first WWU engineer to claim that honor. After 11 years at several GE locations, Tupper relocated to Portland, Ore., where he worked for 12 years in the research and development department at Omark Industries, traveling across the country scouting product ideas. One idea that Omark turned down—a tire chipper— became the foundation of the business Tupper founded in 1976—Tiregon Co. Tupper went into semi-retirement in 1985, but continues to work as a consulting engineer. He and wife Roberta, who has passed away, have three children: Robert Tupper ’69, Nancy Oh ’75, and Ellen Stinson. The couple also adopted two children: Jennie Lame and Edward Tupper.
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Class of 1983
Tamara Thomas
A passion for medicine has taken Tamara Thomas around the world—from Afghanistan to Nicaragua to Vietnam—healing and teaching while gleaning new experiences to share in the classrooms. She has traveled within the United States, helping bring care to people affected by Hurricane Katrina or other disasters. Thomas began her journey at Walla Walla University, where she graduated in 1983 with a major in biology. She was then accepted to Loma Linda University School of Medicine, where she completed her medical degree and residency in emergency medicine. Over the course of her distinguished 25-year career, Thomas has served in a number of California hospitals, including Redlands Community Hospital, Riverside General Hospital, and Loma Linda University Medical Center. Her main areas of research have been disaster medicine and international emergency medicine system development. She was also integral in helping to develop one of the first fellowships in international emergency medicine. Thomas has been chair of the American College of Emergency Physicians International Emergency Medicine Section, and, in 2006, she was named a “Hero of Emergency Medicine” by the ACEP. Thomas is currently a professor in the department of emergency medicine at LLU and the vice dean of the School of Medicine.
Class of 1963
Dennis W. Woodland With a surname like Woodland, perhaps Dennis W. Woodland was destined to spend his years observing nature’s wonders, sharing his enthusiasm for God’s creation with inquisitive students. Woodland graduated from Walla Walla University in 1963 with a major in zoology, and in 1965 with a master’s in biology. While at WWU, he married Betty L. Alderson, a fellow ‘63 graduate. The couple moved to Jordon, Mont., where Woodland worked as a high school science teacher before earning his doctoral degree in botany-systematics at Iowa State University. Woodland was then hired as a professor of botany at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he also served as curator of the herbarium and coordinator of the biological sciences division.
In 1977, Woodland received the distinction of Fellow of the Linnean Society of London—one of the highest honors a biologist can receive. Two years later, Woodland became a professor of botany at Andrews University. During more than 30 years at Andrews, Woodland taught courses in environmental science, plant diversity, and biogeography, while curating the university’s herbarium, supervising the department’s greenhouse, chairing the Arboretum Council, and conducting his own research. Woodland also penned a text, “Contemporary Plant Systematics,” which has become the standard for study in the field. Another co-authored text, “Common New Zealand Plant Families,” is due in 2013. Woodland is currently professor emeritus at Andrews University.
A sharp intellect and inquisitive mind have catapulted Doug Thomsen to the top of his field and made him a distinguished alumnus of the School of Engineering. Thomsen graduated from Walla Walla University in 1993 with a major in mechanical engineering and was accepted to numerous well-regarded graduate schools around the country. He was most intrigued by Purdue University, where he would have the opportunity to study highpressure combustion and acquire the necessary skills for a career in the gas turbine industry. He earned both master’s and doctoral degrees in combustion in 1996 and 1999, respectively. His research focused on laser diagnostics in combustion, and his thesis was published as a NASA report. In 1999, Thomsen was hired by General Electric as a combustion aero design engineer with GE Aircraft Engines. During his nearly 15-year career, Thomsen has focused on developing the first-in-the-industry, lean-burn combustor for commercial aircraft engines. His collaborative efforts—from research through development—culminated in the certification and entry into service of the GEnx engine on the Boeing 787 and 747-8 aircraft applications. His work on the project earned him GE Aviation’s highest engineering award, the Perry T. Egbert Memorial Award. Thomsen continues to work on expanding this technology in his role as principal engineer.
Alumni Currents
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Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Class of 1958
Homecoming Class Photos
Each year at Alumni Weekend, the years melt away as members of honor classes reconnect— and pose for posterity.
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Class of 1963
Row 1: Virginia Mabley ‘48, Doyle Saxby ‘49, Lorelei (Pierce) Saxby ‘49, Helen (Morley) Fried ‘52, Thelma Johnson-McCoy ‘46, Louise (Wallace) Bowman att., Shirley (Brane) Thomas ‘60, Verona (Montanye) Schnibbe ‘48, Robert Schwindt ‘46, Francis (Moorman) McRae ‘55, Marion (Spenst) Brown ‘55, Row 2: Elwood Mabley ‘48, Jim McHan ‘54, Carolyn Boyer-McHan ‘54, Ethel (Clary) Ferguson ‘48, Elaine (Skinner) Derby ‘47, Irvin Fried ‘53, Pat (Saxby) Reynolds ‘49, Donald Dealy ‘48, Eugene Bowman att., Jean (Watkins) Hall att., Griffith Thomas ‘57, Fred Schnibbe ‘50, Taffy (Fjarli) Johnson ‘55, Marlene (Nelson) Ferguson ‘56, Ramona (Brown) Sturgill ‘55, Dorothy (Kuhn) Holm ‘55, Row 3: Clarence Chinn ‘51, Roger Dorner ‘55, Edna (Dopp) Powers ‘45, June (Brooks) Dorner ‘54, Virginia (Proctor) Napier ‘48, Patricia (Munro) Swisher ‘55, Helen Thompson Zolber ‘49, Mace Gay ‘50, Dick Hall ‘50
Row 1: Joyce Griffith, Cathy (Williams) Garrett, Ellen (Hill) Gregg, Dorothy Deer, Jere Franklin, Lynn Creitz, Jan (Satterlee) Rooff, Row 2: Larry Halleson, Caroline (Shepherst) Dyer, Joyce Wallace, Louise (Cowin) Bartholomew, Ruth (Parks) Massey, Ciri (Hansen) Achord, Evelyn (Chickering) Mitchell, Maribeth (Vipond) Burns, Linda (Luce) Bauer, Sue (Jepson) Mulanix, Gary Harding, Row 3: Otis Parks, Al Liske, Les Leslie, Betty (Alderson) Woodland, Judy Toop, Maxine (May) Lange, Ann (Weinand) Schnibbe, Beverly (Taylor) Johnson, Betty (Bredall) (Blank) Stone, Carrie (Wilson) Boskind, Ann (Hedlund) Parmiter, Lou (Rasmussen) Sample, Dorothy (Von Bergen) Anderson, James Kilmer, Row 4: Chet Blake, Bill Kraisosky, Wayne Christensen, Gordon Buhler, Thomas Siaw, Pat (Craik) Fackenthall, Lorena Jeske, Marsha (Schwartz) Salisbury, Clyde Sample, Joyce Engel, Row 5: Calvin Smith, Dennis Woodland, Dave Stefonek, Jerry Dunifer, Louis Williams, Harvey Harden, Dwayne Herbel, Ted Edmister, Ken Trefz, John Thorn, Larry Ilchuk, Joe Young
Class of 1953 Row 1: Norma (Grovet) Glatt, Mary (Spenst) Nations, Vera (Wolcott) Young, Glen Edgerton, Eddie Norton, Row 2: Edward Sanders, Sydney Stewart, Myron Tupper, Leland Quinn, Martin Nelson, Row 3: Ken Schmidt, Irvin Fried, June (Kyle) Iseminger, Robert Graham, Frank Salt
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Row 1: Warrine (McDuffie) Harden, Corinne (Elliott) Pestes, Ruth (Emery) Stafford, Katty (Fenton) French, Shirley (Amonson) Davis, Row 2: Betsy (Neufeld) Matthews, Gloria (Cox) Oakes, An-Marie (Jackson) Kromminga, Ann (Haraden) Cornell, LeBerta (Peterson) Haynes, Row 3: Bill Oakes, Dale Peterson, Harold Harvey, Ted Lutts, Alvin Kwiram
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Class of 1968 Row 1: Anton Andersen, Pat (Reiswig) Halleson, Del (Kneller) Guttormson, Ruby (Kruger) Stafford, Cheryl Nelson, Orletta (Wilson) Dealy, Row 2: Jeanne (Wilson) Battenburg, Don Hall, John Stafford, Linda (Marriott) Lauren, Fred Christensen, Ruth (Montgomery) Hawley, Row 3: Judy (McDowell) Shaner, Bart Moore, Ken Lauren, Dean Sanders, Edwin Gibbons
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Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Class of 1973
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Row 1: Nathan Zane, Aster (Tebedge) Debeb, Ron Sellards, Joy Robinson (Smith/Price), Pam (Jensen) Bennett, Row 2: Lee Canwell, Vanda (Biastock) Yocum, Cheri (Christensen) Armstrong, Sandi Reynolds (Studebaker) Mathis, Glenda Johnson, Guy Oltman, Terry Gottschall, Row 3: John McGhee, Denise (Altman) McGhee, Dalene (Ringering) Johnson, Dave Corson, Anne (Hazelton) Anholm, John Anholm, Jan (Johnstone) Blakemore, Row 4: Bob Sanders, Steve Schultz, David Schwantes, Paula (Del Grosso) Reuer, Wilton Hart
Class of 1988 Row 1: Kurt Sch채fer, Tina (Biegler) Bennett, Stephanie (Nelson) Renshaw, Robert Schmidt, Shelly (Paulson) Unger, Row 2: Scott Salsbery, Dee Ann (Hackett) Taylor, Cheri (Chard) Pestes, Ryan Pestes, Mark Mikkelson
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Class of 1993
Class of 1978 Row 1: Beverly (Rippey) Foster, Ruth (Montgomery) Hawley, Bonnie (Heinrichs) Franks, Maxine (Meador) Shumate, Cindy (Miller) Walikonis, Row 2: Dean Gienger, Charlene (Weis) Walker, Lynn (Barter) Yanke, Chrystal (Clymer) Wood, Steve Walikonis, Judy (Newell) Anderson, Row 3: Lynae (Gienger) Moor, Ron Wilkinson, Larry Ramey, Connie Casebolt, Joyce (Anderson) Wilkens, Clarence Anderson, Row 4: James Moor, Doug Taylor, David Cowles, Randall Tan, Keith Wilkens, Fred Shumate
Row 1: Cynthia Briggs, Laura (Beck) Peterson, Kellie Bond, Heidi (Pike) Ross, Jenny (Mackett) Neil, Julie Sanders Keymer, Row 2: Doug Thomsen, Jeff Wagner, Scott Neil, Marshall Keymer
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Class of 1983 Row 1: Tamara Thomas, Stephen Harden, Kari (Richardson) Olson, Patti (Thompson) Green, Julie (Woods) Scott, Patti Roberts, Row 2: Mona (Messinger) Matheus, Kaarsten (Lang) Richards, Jerilyn (Baker) Schosnig, Denise Sproed, Kari (Kravig) Novak, Lorie (Koehn) Ramey, Brenda (Burden) Aufderhar, Elizabeth (VanDorn) Juhl, Shirlene (Meister) McClendon, Row 3: Dave Eichner, Keith Casebolt, Laurens Johansen, Rick Triebwasser, Muffy Piper, Ted Kimball, Brock Bohlman, Carol (Norton) Gienger, Thonie (Williamson) Marcus, Tim Dempsey
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Class of 2003 Row 1: Heather (Pope) Krause, Andra Aaby, Brian Bell, Row 2: Jamie Miller, Jennifer (Christensen) Knittel, Jaime Bennett, Row 3: Mackenzie (Fridlund) Santana, Linae (Davis) Hays, Mari (Ferguson) Cheney, Row 4: Chris Santana, John Stumph, Heather Schermann
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Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Merlene Olmsted
AlumNotes
Elford Radke ’63 and his wife, Norabel, live in Battle Ground, Wash. Elford is a pastor and has served the church for over 40 years and has also worked as a nursing home administrator. Elford
Get up-to-date with just a few of our alumni. Send AlumNote information to alumni@wallawalla.edu
1950s
Ruth (Emery) Stafford ’58 and her husband, Chuck ’57, live in Ellensburg, Wash., where she is retired. She had a long career in health care, and spent 18 years serving in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Pakistan, after which she worked in home health and hospice for 15 years. Ruth and Chuck have four children, Lori, Merlin ’87, Lauren ’84, and Marilee. Ronald White ’58 and his wife, Kay, live in Paradise, Calif., where he works as a dentist. He enjoys singing in choirs and going on
14,000 feet in the lower 48 states. He is active in the Pathfinder ministry and has participated in several medical and dental mission trips. He and Edryn have three children, Kent ’87, Debbie att., and Doug. Lillian (Konselman) Machlan ’62 and her husband, Richard ’61, live in Hillsboro, Ore., where she is retired from a teaching career at Tualatin Valley Academy. She loves to travel throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe and enjoys spending time with grandchildren. Lillian and Richard have five children: Brent, Shaunna att., Denise, Tami ’92, and Gina att. Heather (Henrickson) Perry ’62 and her husband, Dale att., live in Walla Walla, Wash., where she is a retired nurse. She worked as a nurse for 50 years and served two terms of mission service in Africa. Now she enjoys quilting, sewing, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, and helping others. She has two sons, Troy ’88 and Dean att.
mission trips. One of his favorite memories of WWU was the time he and other members of the custodial crew went to the roof of the old Administration Building and saw Sputnik.
1960s
Fair (Ochs) Fuschetti ’61 and her husband, John, live in Rancho Mirage, Calif. One of her favorite memories was the summer she spent at Rosario. She and John have two children, Mary and Julie. William Kast ’62 and his wife, Edryn (Johnson) att., live in Dolores, Colo. He is a retired dentist who has climbed all 70 peaks over
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Wayne Christensen ’63 and his wife, Sandra, live in Sequim, Wash., along the Dungeness River. He enjoys volunteering and spending time with grandchildren. Some of his favorite memories of Walla Walla are skiing at Spout Springs and watching hockey games.
Gerald Dunifer ’63 and his wife, Caroline, live in Ferndale, Mich. Gerald has been retired for six years after a 35-year career at Wayne State University where he worked in the department of physics and astronomy. He now enjoys sailing, flying, traveling, and visiting astronomy observatories around the world. Marilyn Ruth Verabelle (Pinder) Hubley ’63 and her husband, George, live in Vernon, B.C., Columbia, Canada. She is a retired nursing professor who taught at both the College Place and Portland campuses of WWU and at the Empress Zauditu Memorial Hospital in Ethiopia. Her favorite memories of WWU are the evening worships at the women’s dormitory. Marilyn and George have two children, Stephen and Rebekah. William (Bill) Kraisosky ’63 and his wife, Joquita, live in Riverside, Calif., where he worked as the principal engineer for the Public Works Department of the City of Riverside for 24 years. Now retired, Bill enjoys traveling, golfing, and working on car projects. Bill and Jo have one daughter, Alissa.
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Taylor Sarrafian
Alton Olson ’68 and his wife, Doris, live in Pendleton, Ore. He has taught industrial technology
for 46 years and is now teaching at Harris Jr. Academy. In his spare time, Alton enjoys showing his classic car collection. Alton and Doris have two daughters, Tracy and Melanie.
Rosa Jimenez
Lisa Krueger
Clyde J. Sample ’63 and his wife, Lou Ellen (Rasmussen) ’63, live in Spangle, Wash., where they are retired. Clyde worked in the food service industry for 52 years, working at WWU, Weimar Institute, and Upper Columbia Academy. Lou Ellen served as a nurse at the WWU health center, Weimar Institute, and at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Clyde enjoys gardening and woodworking while Lou Ellen enjoys sewing, gardening, cooking, and spending time with their grandchildren. They have three children, David, Laurinda, and Raymond att.
1970s
Judy (Westergaard) Harvey ’73 and her husband, Bruce, live in Medford, Ore., where she works as a registered dietitian for the Jackson County WIC program. She enjoys spending time with grandchildren, gardening, and reading. She has two children, Shaen ’02, and Andrew ’06. Anita (Newell) Mayberry ’73 and her husband, Paul ’71, live in Ridgecrest, Calif., where she works as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She enjoys teaching music to elementary students and participating in women’s ministry. One of her favorite memories of WWU
Helen (Godfrey) Pyke ’63 and her husband, Teddie ‘62, live in Bryant, Ala., on a small farm. She retired from Southern Adventist University after teaching writing
Westwind Assistant Editor
and Norabel have three children, Lawrence ’80, Carol ’88, and Deanne att.
Families come first. For Merlene Olmsted ’69, being a source and voice for families has been a calling since she began her undergraduate years at Walla Walla University as a home economics major. “I can’t think of a more delightful combination of being able to combine my professional career with my religious beliefs while teaching in a public university,” Merlene says of her years teaching at a New Mexico university. As a professor in the field of family and consumer sciences, Merlene has taught subjects ranging from textiles to culinary arts, consumerism, family resource management, nutritional influences on health, and adolescent identity and relationships, among others. Merlene taught at Walla Walla University from 1977 to 1991, serving also as chair of the department. When the department was closed in 1991, Merlene began a 20-year career at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. Outside of her classroom subjects, Merlene pursued scholarly work
for 25 years. One of her favorite memories of WWU was Pegasus club events. Helen and Teddie have three children, Gregory, Douglas, and Emily.
Judith (McDowell) Shaner ’68 and her husband, Lloyd, live in Caldwell, Idaho. She retired after a career in teaching as well as serving as principal and interim superintendent of the Idaho Conference. They have two children, Janette att., and Bryan.
is her experience in the women’s residence hall. Anita and Paul have three children, Jonathan ’05, Jeffrey att., and Janelle. Don Straub ’73 and his wife, Juanita, live in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, where he is self-employed as a counselor. After retiring from a 38-year career as a teacher, pastor, and principal, he
on issues as diverse as department assessment, group learning, sweatshop solutions, contracts with a Guatemalan apparel factory, reducing teen pregnancy in New Mexico public schools, and recruiting minority students to the field of family and consumer sciences. In addition to teaching at ENMU, Merlene was chair of both the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the Department of Elementary/Secondary Education. She was also College of Education assessment coordinator and twice served as acting dean of the College of Education. She also hosted a sixweek traveling Smithsonian exhibit, “Key Ingredients: America by Food.” Merlene has been honored for her dedication to her profession and ENMU. She was named New Mexico Family and Consumer Sciences Professional of the Year in 1997. ENMU awarded her the Spirit of Eastern New Mexico University Award in 1999 and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service in 2011. In May of this year, she received the distinction of Distinguished Emeritus Faculty.
earned a master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. Don and Juanita have three children, Kerry ’99, Kris att., and Jody att. Roxanne (Mola) Vixie ’73 and her husband, John ’74, live in Modesto, Calif., where she is a massage therapist. After a 20-year nursing career, she is enjoying semi-retirement and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her favorite memories of WWU include listening to the organ in the University Church and enjoying the campus scenery in the fall. Roxanne and John have four children, Jeremy att., Aaron ’02, Joel ’06, and Julie ’06. Elizabeth (Haynes) Hurst ’77 and her husband, James Pearman ’77, live in Alberta, Canada, where she works as a patient relations consultant. Her favorite memories of WWU include the walks from Foreman Hall to the University Church and the first gathering of black alumni. Elizabeth and James have three children, Jason, Michael, and Charece.
1980s
Delbe (Thomas) Meelhuysen ’82 and her husband, Edgar ’82, live in Joshua, Texas, where she works as a doctor. Delbe remembers the teachers at WWU “who went above and beyond the call of duty.” Delbe and Edgar have three children, Matthew ’11, as well as Mark and Daniel who are currently attending. Wilson Tam ’82 lives in Barrigada, Guam, where he works as an assistant professor of English and serves as the chair for the Committee on College Assessment at Guam Community College. He is also a deacon at the Agat Seventhday Adventist Church. One of his favorite memories of WWU is his adviser, English Professor Bonnie Eichner, and her kindness and guidance. Wilson has two children, Ashley and Allen.
1990s
He enjoys traveling and going on mission trips. His favorite memories of WWU include getting to know his great teachers and classmates. James and Lynae have four children, Ryan, Trisha, Emily ’12, and Brandon att., who is deceased. Joyce (Anderson) Wilkens ’78 and her husband, Keith ’78, live in Spokane, Wash., where she works
Raymond Anderson ’78 and his wife, Debra, live in Alberta, Canada, where he works as a farmer. His favorite memories of WWU include playing hockey and lectures from Joe Galusha. Raymond and Debra have one son, Cody att. James Moore ’78 and his wife, Lynae, live in Battle Ground, Wash., where he is a vascular technologist.
WWU is attending plays. Joyce and Keith have three children, Taylor ’07, Emily ’11, and Fletcher ’11.
as an author and artist. She loves painting, being in nature, and traveling. Her favorite memory of
Derin Scott ’93 and his wife, Shannon (Durkos) ’93, live in Hobe Sound, Fla., where Darin is a business owner, and Shannon writes Christian programs and books for children. They have fond memories of the beautiful campus and meeting each other at WWU. Derin and Shannon have six children, Micah, Aspen, Zain, Laken, Raiden, and Vann.
2000s
Mari (Ferguson) Cheney ’03 and her husband, Greg ’04, live in Ridgefield, Wash., where she works as a reference librarian at Lewis and Clark Law School. She coauthored Utah Legal Research and has written several legal research articles for professional journals. Her favorite memory of WWU was the time she spent as a student missionary in Bangkok, Thailand. Mari and Greg have one son, Peter.
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Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Staying in touch with our family of graduates
In Memory Calkins – Margaret Ann (Deming) ’48 was born of Aug. 24, 1925, in Devil’s Lake, N.D., and died Nov. 22, 2012, in Orangevale, Calif. Surviving: husband Delbert “Ordell” ’49 of Orangevale; sons Merle of Orangevale; Duane of Roseville, Calif.; and daughter Beverly of Magalia, Calif. Cochran – Clarence Lenhart “Len” ’59 was born May 18, 1933, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and died Jan. 3, 2013, in Billings, Mont. Surviving: wife Rowena of Cody, Wyo.; sons Steven of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Scott of Leoni Meadows, Calif.; and daughter Idella ‘87 of Cody. Dempsey – Myrna (Welsh) ’53 was born Feb. 11, 1930, and died Jan. 7, 2012. Surviving: husband Charles of Boring, Ore.; son Timothy ’83;
Robert Brown
Downs – Raymond ’51 was born Sept. 14, 1922, in Battle Ground, Wash., and died Aug. 4, 2012, in La Mesa, Calif. Surviving: wife Marcella of La Mesa; son Dennis att. of Anaheim, Calif.; and sister Hazel of Hagerstown, Md. Joers – Annetta Mae (Peterson) ’45 was born Sept. 25, 1915, in Woodburn, Ore., and died Aug. 28, 2012, in Clinton, Ariz. Surviving: son Lawrence ‘81 of Clinton; and daughter Linda Summerfield. Lawson – Aletha “Darlene” (Downs) ’60 was born Oct. 7, 1926, in Cambridge, Idaho, and died Feb. 11, 2013, in Walla Walla. Surviving: husband Clifford ’51 of Walla Walla; son Kenneth att. of Riverside, Calif.; and daughters Sheila att. of Walla Walla; Barbara ’72 of Boring, Ore.; and LaJean ’72 of Sherwood, Ore. Kutzner – Arno ’59 was born Aug. 10, 1929, and died Nov. 17, 2011, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: wife Agnes of Loma Linda; daughters Shirley Juhl of Caldwell, Idaho; Wendy of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Chandra Attiken, of Columbus, Ohio; brothers Waldemar “Wally” ’60 of Collegedale, Tenn.; and Eric of Creston, B. C., Canada. Olson – Linda Ann (Luvaas) ’68 was born
War-time scientist and Adventist educator Robert Brown, 97, died on Feb. 12, 2013, in Barboursville, W.V. During World War II, Bob was employed by the Sylvania Electric Co. to do research on proximity-fused artillery, radar, and secure radio communication. He also worked for the U.S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, where he received a Superior Accomplishment Award while developing a precursor to sonar. From 1945 to 1960, he worked as a physics professor at Canadian Union College and Walla Walla University. After 12 years as a Physics Department chairman, he moved into college administration and served as dean of administration, vice president, and acting president of WWU. He later served as president of Union College and director of the Geoscience Research Institute for the Adventist Church. After retiring in 1980, Brown served eight years as a GRI Senior Research Scientist. Brown was born Aug. 27, 1915, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Bob met his wife, Frances Miler, at Union College, and they married on May 26, 1942. He is survived by his wife and his daughter, Judith Silver.
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Westwind Summer 2013
New Officers to Serve Alumni Association
Patchen – Glenn ’57 was born June 27, 1935, and died Nov. 5, 2012. Surviving: wife Valerie Ann Davy att. of Wenatchee, Wash.; sons Gregory ’80 of Chandler, Ariz.; and Garth of Moore, S.C.; and daughter Genelle Pepple ’85 of East Wenatchee, Wash. Perry – Daryl att. was born Nov. 4, 1936, in Benton Harbor, Mich., and died Oct. 4, 2012, in College Place. Surviving: wife Loreta Carol of Walla Walla; sons Steve att. of Enumclaw, Wash.; Stan of Blaine, Minn.; and daughter Dorita Tessier ’80 of College Place.
Walla Walla University alumni have elected four new officers to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. They are president-elect Ted Swinyar ’02, secretary Wendy (Archer) Bleth ’84, and board members Johannes Fackenthall ’01 and Greg Brooks ’02.
Sheer – Walter B. ’54 was born Oct. 22, 1927, in Idaho, and died Jan. 4, 2013, in Virginia. Surviving: wife Doris of Virginia; daughters Keli Mace of Grottos, Va.; Kimberly att. of Laguna Beach, Calif.; Susan Perkin of Greenville, N.C.; and Leslie of Charlottesville, Va. Wagner – Raymond att. was born May 9, 1931, in Farmington, Wash., and died Jan. 1, 2012, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: wife Hazel (Jenkins) att., of Spokane; sons Randy ’76 of Spokane; and Wes att. of Farmington; brother Dennis att. of Farmington; and sister Diane Lampson ’62 of Vancouver, Wash. Ted Swinyar is a software engineer at Banner Bank and volunteers at the University Church. During his time at WWU, he served as the Mask editor, Collegian layout editor, systems administrator, and webmaster. He and his wife, Heather (Jarnes) ’02, have two children, Veronica and Tate.
Wilson – Leland ’56 was born Oct. 14, 1934, in Maine, and died Feb. 6, 2013, in Riverside, Calif. Surviving: wife Halcyon of Riverside; daughters Jan Schulz of Morganville, Calif.; and Levelle Rhodes of Murietta, Calif.; and brother William Wilson of Florida.
Lucile Knapp
At a young age, it was Lucile Knapp’s dream to have a Seventh-day Adventist education. At the age of 13, she pursued her dream—going to Mt. Ellis Academy, then to Walla Walla University, where she earned a degree in biblical languages, graduating in 1947. During that time, she met her future husband, Merle Knapp. She also earned a master’s degree at the Adventist Seminary in Washington, D.C. She became a teacher and a mother at the same time, having seven children over eight years. In 1961, she realized her dream of teaching at WWU. She taught English and Hebrew, eventually specializing in teaching Greek to all ministry students. She loved to travel and spent her last summer of teaching at the Adventist College in Singapore. She retired to her farm in Walla Walla in 1990. Lucile was born Sept. 25, 1925, in Roundup, Mont., and passed away April 30, 2013, in Walla Walla. She is survived by her sons Ray, Terry, Linden, and Randy att.; her daughters Carol Lorentzen and Suzanne; and her brother, Howard Harper. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle, in 1969, and her son, Michal, in 1964.
Wendy (Archer) Bleth has a background in human resources, manages rental properties and homeschools her and her husband Jim’s two children, Jessie and Josh.
The president-elect of the Alumni Association is elected annually and serves a 3-year term—one year as president-elect, one year as president, and one year as the board chair. The secretary serves a two-year term and board members serve two-year terms. Elections are held in early spring prior to Alumni Homecoming Weekend in April.
Johannes Fackenthall is a carpenter in the Walla Walla Valley. He and his wife, Chelane ’02, have one daughter, Pepper. He enjoys being outdoors, hiking, trail running, and snowshoeing.
Greg Brooks is a hydropower test and evaluation engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers. His wife, Kristen (Smith) ’10, is the manager of the College Place ABC Christian Bookstore.
WWU (former) students, faculty, and staff are members of the Alumni Association and can vote. The association plans events and services, and oversees the use of the Havstad Alumni Center. It also manages an endowment that provides funding to the university. The association is incorporated and has its own bylaws and officers, separate from WWU.
Alumni Sabbath
Rosario
August 23-25, 2013
chris drake
Boyl – Daniel att. was born March 17, 1937, in Portland, Ore., and died Dec. 28, 2012, in Dayton, Wash. Surviving: wife Nona of Dayton; daughters Rebecca Curtis att. of Bozeman, Mont.; Lisa Boyl-Davis ‘92 of Snohomish, Wash.; and Marcia Evans ’97 of Milton-Freewater, Ore.
and daughters Cynthia Robbins ’83, Teresa ’86, and Crystal Cornelius.
Nov. 7, 1945, in Everett, Wash., and died Nov. 7, 2012, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: husband Tom of Spokane; son Don ’93 of Pasco, Wash.; and daughter Cindy Williams ’95 of Lolo, Mont.
courtest of robert brown family, walla walla university archive
Beck – Klova att. was born Jan. 28, 1929, in Lewiston, Idaho, and died Feb. 16, 2013, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Charmaine of Walla Walla; daughters Marne Jorgenson of Kennewick, Wash.; Jaclyn Cultham of Athena, Ore.; and Andrea Beck of Walla Walla.
AC
Alumni Currents
Join alumni and friends at Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Events include a groundbreaking for the cabin expansion project. For information call (800) 377-2586 or visit wallawalla.edu/rosario-sabbath.
Westwind Summer 2013 29
A view from the field
Creating Sacred Moments By Jenny Tillay
D
o you have a minute?” I look up to see Erin peeking around the door to my office with bright eyes and a creased lab coat. I look around my desk—my Spiritual Ambassador curriculum wrestles for space next to incomplete plans for my upcoming Mission Peer Review. Unwritten sympathy cards are strewn through stacks of bereavement family contact info, and new email message alerts make muted pings on my computer.
“I’m thankful that my church is housed in a hospital,” says Jenny Tillay, receiving a gospel ministry commission in February.
“Do I have a minute?” I inwardly ask myself. If my desk and calendar are any indication, I truly don’t, but then I am reminded of other times when I didn’t have a minute and what happened when I stopped and helped someone directly in front of me. Holy ground moments. The take-your-shoes-off kind of moments that months of superficial conversations could never
BY reach. It is in these moments where I get the distinct privilege to see the core of a person, their intermingled fears and dreams spilling out of their deepest places. I feel blessed that my job as a hospital chaplain is about providing sacred space so that people can actually hear themselves say the things that have previously just been tumbling around in their brains. If I am honest with myself it is actually the interruptions, the stolen moments of my day that truly make my work meaningful and memorable. Holding the hand reaching out for prayer, comforting the grieving staff member who just lost a long-term patient, giving a blessing to the firstborn baby of proud, exhausted parents, all of these breathe life into my work. My favorite part of the job is when my ministry becomes tangible, when prayer becomes action, and I know I am extending the healing ministry of Christ. Creating deep points of meaning with people will always win out for me when it comes to emails, committee meetings, and stacks of seemingly endless charting and paperwork. This past February, I was commissioned to the gospel ministry by the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. I am thankful that my church is housed in the hospital. While my parishioners come and go, I enjoy walking with them through good times and bad during their hospital stays. In preparation for my service, I was asked to reflect on my spiritual journey, and I was reminded of the Bible text that started me down my chaplaincy road. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. God has blessed me so much in my life: a wonderful family, the privilege of Adventist education, and a supportive pastoral care team. Every day I have the opportunity to pass on the comfort God has shown me to those with whom I work. I need to continually remind myself that while these opportunities sometimes come at what I would call inopportune moments, I’m never sorry when I stop and care for the person in front of me. “It looks like you’re kinda busy, but I could really use some prayer,” Erin’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Of course, Erin, please come in,” I gesture to the chair next to my desk and she sits down gratefully. We both know that our time together will be more than just a minute, and that’s OK. I straighten a few stacks of papers and watch my computer screen fade to black as I focus my attention on Erin. I don’t want to miss a moment. Jenny Tillay is a 2005 theology graduate. She and her husband, Bryan Cafferky, live in Willowbrook, Ill.
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Westwind Summer 2013
courtesy of jenny tillay
Back to You
nonprofit org US Postage
Paid
Walla Walla University 204 S. College Avenue College Place, WA 99342-1198
College Place, Wash. Permit #11
See you there! Upcoming events to note on your calendar
October 5
Join students, faculty, and church members for The Longest Table at 1 p.m. Abundant food graces tables spanning College Avenue from Whitman Drive to Fourth Street to bring people together on the first Sabbath of the school year.
August 24
Join alumni and friends for a Sabbath at Rosario Beach. Activities include a worship service, Sabbath lunch, nature walk, sundown worship, and a bonfire with hot dogs and s’mores. Also, celebrate the groundbreaking for the cabin expansion project. Register at wallawalla.edu/ rosario-sabbath or call (800) 377-2586.
October 10-12
WWU will host the Fall Classic, the annual volleyball and soccer tournament, which draws more than 20 teams from academies across the country.
October 25-27
Come visit your student on Family Weekend. Events include a free Sabbath dinner with the President’s Cabinet, student missions vespers, and the annual AGA Breast Cancer 5K run.
November 10
David Bullock, chair of the Department of Communication and Languages, will present the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Bullock’s topic will reflect his research in social and political conflict.
November 16
Enjoy the autumn Wind Symphony Concert
at 4 p.m. in the University Church. Brandon Beck directs WWU’s band and wind instrument groups.
For a full calendar of events visit wallawalla.edu/calendar Follow us on: flickr, Facebook, and tumblr