Westwind, Summer 2017 by Walla Walla University

THE JOURNAL OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY SUMMER 2017

Taking the Lead

Dave and Karen Vixie are changing the world, one student at a time P. 10

Homecoming weekend Highlights from the 125th homecoming celebration p. 14

Meet the team

The Westwind staff T H E W E S T W I N D S TA F F

Kim Strobel

Dorita Tessier

Chris Drake

Alix Harris

Jodi Wagner

Caleb Riston

Emily Muthersbaugh

“Editing Westwind is my favorite part of the work I do at WWU,” says Kim. “When I was a student at WWU taking classes from one of my favorite professors, Terrie Aamodt, I never guessed that one day her son, Alex, would write for me as a student.” Alex’s feature on page 10 highlights an alumnus who, like many professors at WWU, goes the extra mile for his students.

Dorita’s favorite WWU teacher was Virginia Mabley. “She always encouraged me and showed she cared about me, even when I returned to WWU as a staff member,” says Dorita. In the work she does at WWU and especially during the 125th anniversary, Dorita says she enjoys “being a part of the legacy of dedicated individuals who made a difference in my experience at WWU.”

Six of the seven staff members pictured above named WWU professors in the humanities as their favorite teacher at WWU—Terrie Aamodt, Bev Beem, Greg Dodds, Susan Gardner, and two votes for Dan Lamberton! Chris says, “Dan challenged me to think outside the box I was comfortable in. His deep heart for the land, its people, the written word, and the life of thought have inspired me.”

Alix’s favorite part about celebrating WWU’s 125th anniversary has been “the stories! This milestone has lots of people reminiscing. It’s interesting to hear how things have changed, but even more intriguing what things have stayed the same,” she says. Check out some of Alix’s web work and a collection of WWU trivia at wallawalla. edu/125.

Hearing a friendly “Hello” or “Hey” or “How’s it going” is a telltale sign you’re on the WWU Hello Walk. (See page 9 for a bit of Hello Walk history.) Jodi says she always tries to say hello to people she passes on the Hello Walk. “I think saying ‘hello’ to people is a way to recognize their life, their humanity. It’s the least we can do,” she says.

Caleb says that meeting alumni who are visiting campus was his favorite part of the WWU 125th anniversary celebration. “As a student, I have a tiny four-year viewing window on WWU’s most recent history. Most of the alumni went to WWU long before I was born, and it was fascinating to learn about how the campus operated back in the day.”

“Something about watching the fireworks on Saturday night of homecoming weekend was especially impacting,” says Emily of her favorite part (so far!) of the 125th anniversary celebrations. “It was like an exclamation point on this feeling of connectivity to the people who have come before me and the people who will follow. Taking time to celebrate these 125 years has encouraged me to really be intentional about appreciating WWU.”

Westwind Summer 2017

Director of Gift Planning

Senior Media Services manager

Web content manager

Vice president for University Relations and Advancement

Student staff writer and photographer

Director of Marketing and University Relations

PHOTO: BRANDON HILL

University Relations supervisor and Westwind editor

NEWS // HOMELESS MINISTRY

“They have the same needs, dreams, hopes, and problems as me.”

p.6

— Troy Wallace curr. att.

4 5 10

From the president

THE JOURNAL OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY // SUMMER 2017

College Avenue

The latest from across campus

Taking the Lead

School of Education alumnus David Vixie finds revolutionary ways to inspire his students

14 Homecoming weekend report

About the cover PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

The dynamic teaching duo of Karen ’77 and Dave Vixie ’77 fill their classrooms—both indoors and outdoors—with laughter and honest discovery. PHOTOGRAPH BY Mindy (Vixie) Coleman ’09

Westwind Summer 2017, Volume 36, 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 June 2017. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2017 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 Editor Kim Strobel Staff writers Alex Aamodt, Kyler Alvord, Elisabeth Brassington, Ali Reiner Design L/Bailey Design

A snapshot of a wonderful weekend of celebration and new memories

Alumni Currents

26 Alumnotes, 29 In Memory, 30 Meet the new Alumni Association officers

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Spring snapshot

Celebrating the grand and the quiet moments that shape the end of the academic year

I seem to succumb to the same cycle of forgetfulness every academic year. I forget how energized and fast-paced spring quarter is at Walla Walla University. The rapid sequence of events, though tracing a predictable schedule, inevitably surprises with its breathless quality. Spring quarter always features two large celebrations of the mission of Walla Walla University— alumni homecoming weekend and graduation weekend.

building blocks of the excellent, Christian education offered at WWU. And it just this educational ministry that we celebrate at large, public gatherings like alumni homecoming weekend and graduation weekend. These two—the large, public celebrations and the quiet, everyday, transforming work of excellent, Christian education—came together for me in a poignant moment on the commencement platform. A brand new graduate of the WWU master of social work program managed to do more than shake my hand as her degree was conferred. She offered a very short, quiet, well-practiced, and impassioned speech. She packed quite a testimony into a few seconds—a story about driving hours to the College Place campus each week, hours she regards as a wonderful investment. She bore joyful witness to the excellence of the education she received, shaped by Christian values and offered by faculty members who consistently demonstrated their care and concern. Thank you for being part of the Walla Walla University family, and for celebrating and nourishing a 125-year-long heritage of excellence in Christian education. Cordially, John McVay President

FIND MORE NEWS ABOUT WWU AT WALLAWALLA.EDU/NEWS.

Westwind Summer 2017

PHOTO: CALEB RISTON

I am writing these words a few days after graduation weekend, the grand finale to the 2016–2017 academic year. I am still savoring the wise words of His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica, during his commencement address to the senior class. Sharing his own story with the members of the class and a large crowd of their family and friends, Sir Patrick exhorted, “Your degree qualifies you to travel the grand highways of life with the competence to succeed. … Opportunities are the channels through which God shows His blessing, so that you can bless others.” As I look back a few weeks to alumni homecoming weekend in April, the memory of the warm fellowship of past presidents Sorensen, Bergman, Andreasen, Nelson, and Dybdahl and their spouses is still very much alive. They helped us inaugurate the celebration of WWU’s 125th year, which we commemorated in a variety of ways during homecoming weekend (as you will see beginning on page 14 in this issue of Westwind), including a full-blown fireworks display over Rogers field. These large, public events dominate our corporate memory as we conclude the 2016-2017 year. However, essential to the fabric of WWU are hundreds of quieter events—well-choreographed class sessions, senior projects, portfolios prepared and defended, project-based learning, a well-planned and inspiring worship event, student research presented at national-level conferences, clinical internships, advising and mentoring sessions, careful feedback and evaluation by dedicated teachers, a quiet prayer, and a kind word of advice shared by a faculty or staff member with a student friend. It is just such day-in-day-out events that are the

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Embracing a revolution

Improved 3-D printer design builds on engineering lab success

USTIN NORDMAN, 2017 mechanical engineering graduate, looked at the 3-D printers that freshman engineering students were building in class and saw room for improvement. The printers allow students to create physical objects from digital designs, and before using one of the university’s top-end machines, the freshmen get to build one of their own. ››

photograph by CALEB RISTON

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Embracing a revolution (cont.)

Maynard-Reid to speak for Distinguished Faculty Lecture Pedrito Maynard-Reid, professor of biblical studies and missiology, will speak for the 2017 WWU Distinguished Faculty Lecture on Nov. 12. This annual lecture is presented by a faculty member who is recognized for excellence in leadership, teaching, and scholarship, as well as involvement in governance, church, and community service. Maynard-Reid has taught at WWU since 1990. He is also WWU assistant to the president for diversity.

Westwind Summer 2017

BY THE NUMBERS

WWU Libraries

Most popular study hour of the day in Peterson Memorial Library. (Post meridiem.)

WWU students employed in the library during spring quarter 2017.

1493 Print date of the oldest item owned by the library—a page from the Nuremberg Chronicle.

144

Requests for information from the E. L. Mabley Archives during 2016. (As of June 14, 2017, during the WWU 125th anniversary year, there have been 103 requests.)

Check out a timeline of significant moments in WWU history at wallawalla. edu/125.

Troy Wallace is exploring novel ways to form relationships with the homeless.

THEOLOGY STUDENT STARTS

Homeless ministry

ROY WALLACE HIT THE streets of Portland, Oregon, in March 2016 with nothing more than a backpack and a jacket. The senior biblical languages and theology double major set out to better understand poverty by experiencing homelessness firsthand for a weekend. “When I walked down the street, people would take the long way around to not acknowledge me. I quickly realized homeless people face a lot of alienation and dismissal,” says Wallace. On his return to classes at Walla Walla University, Wallace received a class assignment to start a new ministry. With his newly developed sympathy for the homeless, he decided his ministry would involve Walla Walla’s homeless population. He began visiting Tent City, a homeless camp in Walla Walla, with food and a willingness to engage in conversation and build new friendships. Together with WWU faculty and other students, every Sunday Wallace provides a potluck and music for the Tent City community. “After forming relationships with the people there, I realized they really like music,” he says. “So I began to bring students with me who play the guitar and sing.” After hearing about Wallace’s homeless ministry, several organizations and people were inspired to get involved. The Associated Students of Walla Walla University provides financial support, while Jody Washburn, assistant professor of biblical studies, encourages her students to contribute to Sunday potlucks. “This ministry started out as learning for me, and then it turned into filling a need,” says Wallace. “Now I feel like every time I visit with the homeless population, they preach a sermon to me. The most important thing I’ve taken away from this is that they are human beings with the same needs, dreams, hopes, and problems as me. Their conditions are just different.”

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE

“The general idea in Intro to Engineering class is that the students focus on introductory course material, and then in the third quarter, there is a project. Working with a 3-D printer kit is interdisciplinary—mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers can benefit from working on the project,” says Nordman. “Assembling the printers was a fantastic project for the class, but the kits they used were purchased off-the-shelf, and they were difficult to assemble. We wanted to take that and make a much better printer. “I gave the freshmen a questionnaire asking them what needed to improve. They said the build manual was bad and the quality of the printer’s materials made it difficult to assemble. I looked at what 3-D printers were on the market. I wanted to learn from others’ mistakes and improve upon those designs to make the best printer possible for the least amount of money.” Austin began working on several designs in his spare time, eventually developing the idea into his senior engineering project. Several failed prototypes later, he developed a model using stainless steel and higher quality bearings that Key Technology, a local hightech manufacturer, could produce. “It was also challenging to make it small and compact,” he says. “I spent a lot of time figuring out how to engineer it to take up less space. I’m also currently in the process of writing the manual. It’s up to 100 pages so far and goes into great detail.” Before Austin graduated in June, he had already moved on to bigger projects, working on instrumentation for the next MARS Rover at an internship with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. His new printer kits were used last spring by the latest group of incoming engineers.

WWU chaplain named president of Campus Chaplain’s Council Paddy McCoy, WWU lead campus chaplain, was voted as president of the North American Division of Seventhday Adventists Campus Chaplain’s Council in March. The council coordinates events and professional development for the 13 NAD college and university ministry programs and for more than 25 NAD campus chaplains. The council also oversees the annual campus ministries convention, which hosts more than 110 leaders from Adventist campuses and plans an annual chaplain’s retreat. “The council seeks to improve professional development and spiritual growth,” says McCoy. “It also plays a role in making sure chaplains are supported through the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries.” As president, McCoy will work to professionalize campus chaplaincy and will oversee the professional care, development, support, and events that bring the chaplains together. “I’m excited to do this and humbled,” says McCoy. “Serving as a chaplain means a lot to me, and this is a great opportunity to bless and hopefully build some infrastructure for future chaplains.” McCoy graduated from WWU in 1999 with degrees in religion and speech communication and has a master’s degree in youth ministry from the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.

CoLab Scrum

WWU hosts first annual design and innovation event

HE FIRST ANNUAL WWU Collaborative Innovation Laboratory, or CoLab Scrum, was held on campus this past February. The Scrum was a design and innovation event where student teams representing a variety of majors presented new, marketable, and patentable ideas. During the first day of the two-day event, students presented their prototypes and ideas to a panel of judges that decided which ideas would move forward in the competition. Students then had 24 hours to incorporate feedback from the judges before competing against the other teams. The Scrum was a collaborative effort of the Department of Technology, the School of Engineering, the School of Business, and the Department of Computer Science. Nine faculty members from these departments helped plan the event. “When Pablo Wenceslao was hired in the Department of Technology, he and I often chatted about his experience in starting up an ‘innovation incubator’ of sorts at his previous place of employment,” says Linda Felipez, professor of technology and one of the organizers of the event. “As he got to know people on campus here, we discovered a common thread of this ‘innovation incubator’ idea happening simultaneously in other departments as well.”

Meet the new alumni and parent relations director

PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE

Wenceslao and McVay review student designs at the first annual CoLab Scrum.

Claudia Santellano, the new Walla Walla University alumni and parent relations director, is no stranger to the WWU campus. Santellano completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration at WWU in 2014 and was executive assistant to the vice president for

academic administration from 2007 to 2017. She previously worked as a paralegal in Silicon Valley. “I’m looking forward to interacting with alumni—people who made this their home during a critical point in their lives when they were transitioning into becoming responsible adults,” says Santellano. “I enjoy listening to their stories and being

The panel of four judges was comprised of community members and WWU faculty with work experience and degrees in communications, journalism, fine art, physics, engineering, and business, and experience working with startups in Silicon Valley and with Fortune 500 companies. “It was exciting to be at the beginning of multiple business ventures,” said Brian Hartman, assistant professor of education and Scrum judge. “The energy was high, and the expectation was that at least one of these ideas would eventually be made into a real business.” The innovations presented included a child-friendly stethoscope that encourages more child-healthcare-provider interaction; a cost-effective, high-quality 3-D printer; a hot glue gun with a more efficient heating component; and a nonprofit organization that provides tea-leaf pickers with better backpack devices for collecting leaves. Three of the ideas introduced at the Scrum were presented at a follow-up entrepreneurial workshop hosted by the School of Business during spring quarter. Felipez says that the heart of this event is to instill in its participants “the creative hope of realizing a design dream, a collaborative spirit, critique for improvement of their projects, and the desire for more of the same.”

Find alumni resources at wallawalla.edu/ alumni.

a resource for them and for interactions with parents of current students. “I want alumni to feel connected to the university, to continue to feel proud that they attended here, to feel

like they continue to belong to this family, and that together we are working to advance God’s mission and His work,” she says. Santellano is married and has two children. She and her family enjoy the close-knit community they have found in the Walla Walla Valley and the opportunities for outdoor activities and family life.

Westwind Summer 2017

College Avenue The latest from across campus

books sites Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts

Business professor successfully defends doctoral dissertation

HE BOWERS HALL renovation isn’t the only update in the Walla Walla University School of Business this year. Johanna Attoh, assistant professor of economics and finance, recently earned her doctorate in economics from Western Michigan University. Attoh titled her dissertation “Three Essays Assessing Global Value Chain Fragmentation on International Trade Using the World InputOutput Database,” which explores issues about world economics, specifically how fragmented supply chains affect international trade. In September 2016, she successfully defended her dissertation, adding another doctor to the School of Business faculty. Attoh joined WWU in 2014 and teaches classes that include Fundamentals of Economics, Business Statistics, and Principles of Macroeconomics.

WWU students elected to AIA leadership positions The Adventist Intercollegiate Association has elected Peter Flores, junior music and theology double major, as AIA executive president, and Matthew Cosaert, junior theology major, as AIA religious vice president. Flores and Cosaert will hold their positions from June 2017 through May 2018. The AIA is comprised of student leaders from the 11 Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities in North America. The organization was founded in 1950 and gathers each year on the campus of a member school to foster networking and community among the schools. As president, Flores will lead fellow cabinet members to organize the 2018 conference and to determine new direction for the organization. Cosaert’s responsibilities will include planning breakout sessions for the university religious vice presidents and organizing worships for the conference.

‘BIG IDEAS IN A SMALL TOWN’

University Church podcast highlights community, spirituality The Walla Walla University Church has launched a podcast series about “big ideas in a small town.” Each episode focuses on a feature of the Walla Walla Valley and connects that feature to Adventists and spirituality. Kris Loewen, pastor for communications and worship, hosts the series with fellow University Church pastors Alex Bryan and Jenn Ogden. The team selects topics on current events, prominent personalities, and unrecognized histories in the valley. Episodes have covered Klicker’s strawberries, homelessness in Walla Walla, and the local Veterans Administration Medical Center. “Our hope is to paint this quaint, fun portrait of a real town and then have conversations about ideas and issues that are relevant to anyone anywhere,” says Loewen.

Podcast episodes are available at

wallawalla podcast.com

and can be downloaded free on iTunes.

Westwind Summer 2017

Unroll.me

If you are like me, somehow your inbox always ends up cluttered with subscription emails and newsletters from various stores and services. The website Unroll.me—also available as an app—is a tool that helps you identify subscription emails in your inbox and offers you three options: 1) unsubscribe, 2) keep, or 3) rollup. The rollup feature is my favorite. It allows you to combine selected emails and newsletters into one simple email delivered daily. —Amanda Eldevik, administrative assistant to the associate vice president for Alumni and Advancement Services

The Landscape of History: How Historians Map the Past by John Lewis Gaddis (Oxford University Press, 2002)

What is history and why should we study it? Gaddis argues that the past matters to us today and does so in fascinating ways by comparing historians to geologists, astronomers, and cartographers. Ultimately, how we understand the past plays an important role in how we comprehend the world around us and negotiate the decisions that affect our future. —Montgomery Buell, associate professor of history

WWU RELEASES 125th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE BOOK Even if you missed the fellowship, fireworks, and Blast from the Past Extravaganza during homecoming weekend, it isn’t too late to get a copy of the 125th anniversary commemorative book that was given out Saturday night as a gift to alumni.

Request your free copy while supplies last. Email westwind@wallawalla.edu or call (800) 377-2586.

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

PHOTOS: ASWWU

World economics

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s THE

From the archives / If memory serves

A friendly hello

1967

Pictured: Fred Bennett, ASWWC President William McVay, George Bowers, Kenneth Aplington, William Loveless, and Cecil Shankel

PHOTO: WWU ARCHIVES

Following a Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day breakfast on March 12, 1967, new Hello Walk markers were placed during the WWU 75th anniversary. The new markers, which remain today, replaced the original Hello Walk sign along the front steps of Johnson Memorial Music Conservatory near where the Melvin K. West Fine Arts Center now stands.

Westwind Summer 2017

Taking the Le Photo by Brock Cummings

Westwind Summer 2017

The wide open space and aroma of sagebrush on this section of the Applegate Trail in Nevada (part of the southern Emigrant Trail route to Oregon) create the classroom backdrop that David Vixie uses to help his students soak up life lessons that only hands-on experience can teach.

David Vixie takes his students on “skinnedknuckled, blistered-foot” adventures they will treasure for a lifetime. BY ALEX AAMODT

F, IN LATE SUMMER, YOU FIND yourself in the Sierras of Northern California or in the Forty-Mile Desert of western Nevada, you may be fortunate enough to catch sight of a wagon train led by Walla Walla University alumnus David Vixie ’77 and ’83. Like something straight out of a history book illustration, wooden wagons with ribbed white tops are pulled by teams of mules and oxen, while dozens of trail-worn wayfarers dressed in long skirts and bonnets or canvas pants and vests walk alongside. Vixie and his crew of period-clad junior high school students from Paradise Adventist Academy are on an Emigrant Trail, one of several that stretched from Missouri to the Western Territories, gaining fame in the mid-19th century as a conduit for settlers going west to find a better life. Eventually the transcontinental railroad stemmed the flow and the once-dusty ruts receded back into arid landscapes and mountain passes. Traces remain, however—faint tracks of wagon wheels in the desert, hazy outlines where settlers wrote their names in axle grease on the rocks—enough to intrigue teachers and lovers of history, such as Vixie, who hasn’t forgotten the stories and struggles of those early travelers and who even now thinks about what the voices of those brave and desperate pioneers might still have to say. When the dirt trail drops into a ravine, the students grab ropes to steady the wagons as they bounce across a creek bed. Oxen strain against their yokes, while the other students push to assist, their young faces showing struggle then triumph as the wagons crest the top. These lucky ones woke up in the open mountain air and will go to sleep under the stars. They are both following in footsteps and leaving their own.

NURTURING A LOVE OF DISCOVERY If you want to find Vixie when he isn’t on the annual wagon trip with his students, don’t start by looking in the classroom. Yes, he is a teacher, an award-winning one at that, but to find him you might have to get

Karen and David Vixie hang out with Blackjack.

MINDY COLEMAN

your shoes dirty. Go outside. Look for a man with the weathered face of a rancher, who might be wearing a wide-brimmed hat or an Abe Lincoln beard or a pirate’s coat. Listen for the sounds of questions and laughter, of honest discovery and exploration. “My doors are open a lot,” Vixie says. “My students, when they come to school late, will often look outside first before they ever go to the classroom, because they’re pretty sure if there’s something I can teach—a science lesson, a Bible lesson, a math lesson, a history lesson—if it’s outside we’re going to go out there and do it.” He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a teacher, but he also felt that the norms of traditional education were lacking something. “I was given an assignment in seventh grade to write down a career I would want to do as an adult and paint a picture of it. So, I contemplated that I’d want to be a teacher, and I painted a guy who was bald and wearing a black and white suit. I wore jeans and a white t-shirt, but that’s what I thought a teacher had to be. So, at 13, I said to myself, ‘I’m willing to look like this. I’m willing to have no hair and dress in black and white, because I want to be

Westwind Summer 2017

“I just want kids to think. Think wrongly if you must, think differently if you must, but think for yourself.”

create an education to better meet children where they were. The classroom was now his, and it was time to start making it more of the students’ as well. When he was 16, a local rancher invited Vixie to learn how to train a horse. The rancher gave instructions that Vixie tried to replicate, and little by little, over the course of weeks, he began to move the horse around the arena, until one day he could mount it. Vixie hadn’t thought he was ready, but the rancher could see the horse was saying otherwise. “There are so many principles of teaching he was instilling in me, and he was a rancher. But he understood behavior. So many things in teaching are like that. It’s the psychology of teaching, it’s the observing, the words you say, the energy of your voice, or your body position. It’s sitting and observing the students and thinking, ‘What needs to happen here?’”

TEACHING FROM THE HEART Now, even after 30 years of teaching seventh and eighth grades at Paradise Adventist Academy (and more than 40 total years of teaching), Vixie keeps finding new ways to realize his vision of education that is experienced, not just given. At the beginning of school, students “immigrate” into junior high through a replica of Ellis Island. Walk in on another day and you might see the entire room turned into a World War II battlefield.

Junior high students from Paradise Adventist Academy develop strength and resilience during their overland wagon train trip.

Westwind Summer 2017

Or on another day, the whole class might be behind the school, dressed in pioneer garb, and plowing a spare piece of land with a mule team in preparation for the wheat they will plant. Yet without a doubt, the annual wagon trip is the culmination of all his ideas. The wagon trips began 20 years ago, but even before that Vixie would take students on multiday horse-packing trips as part of their U.S. history class. When he bought a broken-down wagon, the whole class worked to restore it, and he reached out to join the Oregon-California Trails Association that works to preserve the old Emigrant Trails. The trip grew from an initial six miles to sections that now sometimes cover 100 miles or more. Early on, Vixie discovered the difficulty of starting these trips—you need animals to pull a wagon, a trailer to haul the animals, and a truck to pull the trailer. “If we wait until we can afford this, we’ll be retired and not really active in our teaching,” he remembers discussing with Karen. So, they refinanced their house and bought what they needed to get started. Over the 20 years, their personal investment in the project has grown into the six figures. Every detail adds something to the realism of it all and the gravity of the experience. “I try to

MAP GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LIBRARIES, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.

a teacher.’” He laughs, “I’m probably now the age of that person I drew, but I still have my hair.” Vixie became singularly focused on becoming a teacher who could give students what that monochromatic approach to education lacked. Throughout high school, while growing up in the Walla Walla Valley, he involved himself in any position that might provide teaching experience. After graduating from college in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in education and minors in biology, physical education, and religion, (and later a master’s degree in education in 1983), he and his wife, Karen, also a teacher, began applying for jobs. Offers flooded in for Karen. Vixie got none. One school in Montana said they would love to have Karen and suggested he could find work as a logger. It seemed that most schools were not ready for mold-breakers. But finally, his opportunity came. “There was nothing in my experience that was equal to the first day that I sat in that classroom. The kids came in there, and I thought, ‘I’ve got these guys all day, and if I don’t give them something to do they’re going to figure out what to do!’ I used up my whole week’s lesson plan in the first day. I had student teaching to go on, but there is nothing like the real deal. You’re the guy standing in the center of the ring. What’s going to happen?” What happened was that Vixie could finally implement all the ideas he had been forming since that day in seventh grade and

PHOTOS FROM LEFT: BROCK CUMMINGS; JULIANA HUGHES; DAVID VIXIE (TOP RIGHT); KAREN VIXIE (BOTTOM RIGHT)

Under the watchful eye of Vixie—looking for all the world like Indiana Jones—students conduct an archaeological dig, finding dinosaur pieces made by Vixie that they later assemble.

put the 19th century in their hands, under their feet, and in their laps so that they feel it, experience it, work with it. On the wagon trip, they are in the position to learn. “I am a person at a point of a large community,” Vixie is quick to say. “Administration, parents, school boards, the larger community—all of these have to come together to make something. This isn’t about me.” While Vixie approaches his role with humility, the energy and devotion he brings to his work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2005 he was recognized as Teacher of the Year at the Disney Teacher Awards, chosen from 50,000 nominees. Film directors have come knocking—the Little Light Studios 2016 Leaving Independence series documents the students on the trail, and Stephen Arrington’s Dust to Dreams won gold at the 2013 WorldFest Film Festival. That film is dedicated to the Vixie’s daughter, Kristy, who they lost abruptly at age 17 to a brain aneurism. It is impossible to talk to Vixie about young people and teaching without hearing the inflection in his voice and the intensity of his tenor. “I just want kids to think. Think wrongly if you must, think differently if you must, but think for yourself. When I take these kids on the trail, I put in their hands the diaries,

the statements of people at that same location. It connects them with humanity, all the way back to ancient times. Old books still apply, humans are still humans, people still think like people. And maybe a book that I put on the shelf and let be covered in dust is still applicable.” This past year the class started their wagon trip in the Hope Valley south of Lake Tahoe— what was surely a beautiful oasis to the settlers after crossing the deserts of Nevada. The trail is so steep and rugged as it climbs up to Carson Pass that the class began with only pack animals. The nights were cold, and they awoke to four inches of snow one morning. Finally, they reached West Pass, which at nearly 10,000 feet is one of the highest points on the California Trail, and then they started down the western side where they joined the wagons for the final stretch. The struggles of modern life might not be all that different from those encountered on a wagon trip in 1845. A week on the trail might seem brief, but perhaps it can be an anchor, an experience to reference later, and a chance to step outside oneself. In the final scene of Dust to Dreams, after the trail has ended and the old-time clothes are put away, a camera rolls as a student hands Vixie a film

canister. He opens it to reveal a single bullet. “During the middle of this year, I wasn’t feeling too good,” the student says. He had taken a gun, loaded the bullet, and prepared to squeeze the trigger. “But then I stopped and realized that this year has been one of the best years I’ve ever had.” They stand there. Vixie puts a hand on the boy’s shoulder, and all you hear is muffled grief, and joy. Can lessons pulled from a pioneer’s diary still apply to a teenager today? Can teachers teach something that won’t be forgotten? Can one teacher make a difference? For David Vixie, the answers are out there, in the open California air, in moments both raucous and quiet, and on the faces that shine in the dancing campfire light.

Watch Vixie and his class in action in “Hard Road, Easy Road” from the Leaving Independence documentary at wallawalla.edu/ leaving-independence.

Westwind Summer 2017

H MECOMING 2017

Celebrating 125 years at Walla Walla University HOMECOMING WEEKEND PHOTOS BY CHRIS DRAKE

6 15

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The Blast from the Past Birthday Extravaganza on Saturday night ended with a fireworks show so spectacular that one student remarked, "That's the coolest thing I think I've ever seen the university do!" The fireworks show wrapped up a retrospective program in the University Church featuring presentations by Loren Dickinson, Betty Duncan ’66, Tom Thompson ’68, Alden Thompson ’65, and a Messengers reunion choir.

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Class photos Members of the 2017 honor classes reconnected with classmates during homecoming weekend

PHOTOS BY BRANDON HILL

Class of

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2007 1. Crystal Milne 2. Monique (Acosta) Vincent 3. Jackie (Page) Langi 4. Melinda Hebbel 5. Christie Lang

6. Krystin (McMiller) Henley 7. Curtis Grant 8. Briana (St. Clair) Maynor 9. Tobi Goff 10. Nicholas Jones 11. David Rae 12. Grant Helbley 13. Emily (Schmidt) Hellman 14. Caren Cumbo 15. Rachel Davies

16. Brittany (Joice) Maine 17. John Foster 18. Karan Shultz 19. Brandt Anderson 20. Christina (Silver) Feigner 21. Phillip Thompson 22. Melissa Rau 23. Kayla Johnson 24. Carissa Ness 25. Reuben Ness

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HOMECOMING 2017

C Class photos

ELEBRATE! WAS THE theme of alumni homecoming weekend this year, and more than 1,000 alumni enjoyed a wonderful weekend of making new memories on campus. Important milestones celebrated this year included 125 years of Seventh-day Adventist higher education at Walla Walla University, 50 years of aviation education at WWU, and 10 years of humanitarian service by the WWU chapter of Engineers Without Borders. Events throughout the weekend included an awards celebration on Friday morning to acknowledge student scholarship recipients and seminars on Friday afternoon on topics ranging from WWU history to bioethics to caregiving for family members. On Sabbath afternoon, alumni enjoyed departmental suppers and class reunions. Wonderful music by student groups and alumni groups echoed through halls and out open windows throughout the weekend, and worship services in the University Church marked our gratitude to God for his care and leading throughout the history of Walla Walla University.

Class of

6. Hilary (Bigger) Catlett 7. Amy Dodds 8. Monte Puymon 9. Greg Dodds 10. Mike Stafford

1. Jennifer Bechtel 2. Lance Bergherm 3. Julius Tolan 4. Becky Kettner 5. Greg Kettner

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At the Blast from the Past Birthday Extravaganza, the Messengers reunion choir performed selections from the Messengers repertoire through the years.

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11. Erwin Driessen 12. Kenneth Aso 13. Dwayne Evans 14. Marci Evans 15. Lisa (States) Stuart 16. Grant Smith

WWU President John McVay celebrates with his brother Bill McVay â&#x20AC;&#x2122;67 at the homecoming banquet Thursday evening. The banquet theme One Voice featured a program honoring the alumni of the year as well as the five living former WWU presidents and the current president, who were all in attendance.

Class of

1. Judy (Gren) Weber 2. Matt Weber 3. Greg Davis 4. Jennifer Moyer 5. Janette (Hensel) Sheperd 6. Timothy Stilson

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14. Louie Yaw 15. Kristyn (Jones) Dybdahl 16. David Bennett 17. James Pope 18. Doug Venn 19. Nikki (Steffensen) Bryan

7. Jodi (Larson) Wagner 8. David Forsyth 9. Susan Bebee 10. Kevin Worth 11. Wendy (Woodard) Stupmh 12. Milton Adams 13. Paul Dybdahl

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HOMECOMING 2017

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR Meet four Walla Walla University alumni who were honored during homecoming weekend 2017 for service and achievement that embody the spirit of their alma mater. â&#x20AC;şâ&#x20AC;ş

The aviation department hosted an open house at the WWU hangar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program. Visitors enjoyed seeing the fleet and trying out the flight simulator.

Class of

4. Diane Opp 5. Lisa (Ladd) Comeau 6. Chuck Burkeen 7. Susan Newer 8. Steven Gilmore 9. Karen Lamberton 10. Shirley Buchanan-Linebaugh 11. Lloyd Thomas

1987 1. Anita Strawn de Ojeda 2. Michaelynn Paul 3. Edward (Kiel) Heyman

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20. Heidi (Anliker) Brenes 21. Ron Clendenon 22. Jay Jennings 23. Rhett Unger 24. Alwin Vyhmeister 25. James Boyd 26. Jerry Clifton 27. Kevin Krueger

12. Arlene (Haning) Salt 13. Teri (Betts) Kimball 14. Marc Yarlott 15. Sharon (Fish) Thiel 16. Shellie Stiltz 17. Diane (Huenergardt) Fogarty 18. Todd Huston 19. Sandra Pellecer 14

By Emily Huso Photos by Chris Drake

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KEN FOX

Class of

the Alberta Pastoral Care Association, an organization which helped make chaplain and pastoral care a funded healthcare service in Canada. In 1974, he became president and chief executive officer at Grand Prairie Regional Hospital, where he administered the operation of seven satellite facilities and managed the construction of a new regional facility that was commemorated by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. Fox established the Queen Elizabeth II Healthcare Foundation and served as president and chairman of the board of directors for the Alberta Hospital Association before retiring from healthcare administration in 1995. Since then, Fox has kept busy with a variety of en-

1. Monte W. Nogle 2. Norman Thiel 3. David Olson 4. Nancy (Surdal) Kooy 5. Terri (Dickinson) Neil 6. Ruth (Arjona) Lemus

1982

deavors, including starting his own healthcare strategy consulting firm and serving for six years as president of Canadian University College (now Burman University). Fox also developed a planned giving program at Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) and chaired the executive committee of the Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He remains a member of the American and the Canadian College of Healthcare Executives and leads numerous charitable organizations. Fox married his wife, N. Bernice Anderson, at the end of his junior year Class of at WWU. The couple have a daughter, Shonna, and a son, Todd.

1962

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13. Delbe (Thomas) Meelhuysen 14. Jan (Olson) Hendrickson 15. Robert Van Dorn 16. Karen Maas 17. Ed Meelhuysen

7. Lavonne Bovey 8. Kathy Tatro 9. Helen (Whitehead) Teske 10. Jerry (Place) Irvine 11. Paul Novak 12. Brenda (Whatley) Clifton

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Class photos

OVER THE 35-YEAR SPAN of his career in healthcare administration, Ken Fox has demonstrated the enormous impact that one individual can have when approaching life with passion, hard work, and a partnership with God. After graduating from the Walla Walla University business program in 1962, Fox interned at Loma Linda University Medical Center while earning a degree in hospital administration from the University of Southern California. In 1964, he returned to his homeland of Canada, where he had accepted the position of vice president at Red Deer Regional Medical Centre. Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership in the Canadian health system has had long-lasting effects. He served as president of

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ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

BETTY WINSLOW

Class of

1967

Class of

1. Paul Christensen 2. Wanda Zeman 3. Elizabeth Claridge 4. Brent Hildebrand

and a doctorate in nursing from the University of Colorado in 1994. Her doctoral work inspired an interest in nursing research that was rewarded with funding from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the National Institutes of Health. Winslow received fellowships to study family caregiving for relatives with dementia and to study vulnerable populations. While advancing the nursing profession with her research, Winslow has contributed to the education of nurses and scholars who continue to raise the bar for excellence in their fields. Winslow has taught in the WWU School of Nursing and the Pacific Union College nursing program. For more than 22 years, she

served as professor and director of research at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. She has taught graduate nursing students in China, South Africa, and Thailand through LLU international programs and has chaired or served on doctoral committees for 16 students. Since officially retiring in December 2016, Winslow continues to teach part-time and serves as co-project director for a grant funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She and her husband, Jerry, were married after their junior year at WWU and have since celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They enjoy traveling the world and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

23. Jean Edstrom 24. Colleen Tillay 25. Joe Barnes 26. Ron Fridlund 27. Ken Edstrom 28. Joy (Strickland) Turner 29. John Ham 30. Karen (Kay) Tetz 31. Margaret (Matheson) Ham

14. Virginia (Zaugg) Mitchell 15. Cindy (Kind) Brown 16. Laura (Ek) Boyd 17. Les Wheeler 18. Sheila (Warner) Maynor 19. Linda (Bakke) Joice 20. Patricia (Opp) Marsh 21. Kim Boyd 22. David Bannister

5. William Marshall 6. Lester Atkins 7. Bruce Dixon 8. Corinne (Heitz) Gurney 9. Tim Gray 10. Joy (Haynes) Hurst 11. Jan (Zaugg) White 12. Gene Jacobson 13. Fred Lenz

1977

THROUGH HER IMPORTANT work as a nurse, an educator, and a scholar, Betty (Wehtje) Winslow has improved the lives of countless individuals. She has served as a caregiver in various capacities, participated in the education of many young people, and conducted nursing research of international recognition over the course of her 50-year career. Since graduating from the Walla Walla University nursing program in 1967, she has repeatedly demonstrated her passion for public health. In 1976, Winslow earned a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in community and school health nursing at the University of California, San Francisco,

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HOMECOMING 2017

Class of

1972 1. Noreen (Thorgersen) Krogstad 2. Dan Meidinger 3. Bob Davidson

4. Marianne Walter 5. Keith Harris 6. Jeanie Hixson 7. Yvonne Stratton 8. Randon (Randy) Hesgard 9. Mel Farnsworth 10. Pam Revolinski 11. Richard Kruger

20. David Robinson 21. K aren Brown Baumgartner 22. Jim Eklund 23. Terry Bock 24. Jacquie (Jenkins) Biloff 25. Neil Biloff 26. Fred Biesenthal

12. Trudy (Carpenter) Klein 13. Duane Gilliland 14. Tony Philcox 15. Verlene Fischer Meyer 16. Larry Lambeth 17. David Ludden 18. Laura Tomanka 19. Robert Stuart

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PHOTO: BOBBY LOCKE

Timothy Golden, WWU professor of history and philosophy, presented â&#x20AC;&#x153;More Than the Sabbath: Libertarian Theology in Adventism and Judaismâ&#x20AC;? Friday afternoon for the annual William Landeen Library Lecture. The winner of the 24th Annual Randy Yaw Pi Contest was Andrew Fisher, senior mathematics and physics double major, who recited 1,001 digits of pi. (The record for this contest is 1,769 digits!)

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HOMECOMING 2017

Class photos

The 19th Annual Alumni Car Show drew a large crowd Sunday morning to see more than 133 cars on display, including this 1978 Sterling kit car that was a crowd favorite. Former WWU presidents W.G. Nelson, Niels-Erik Andreasen, Clifford Sorensen, and Jon Dybdahl celebrate with current president John McVay.

Class of

1967 1. Ernie Furness 2. Judith (Shipley) Lindquist 3. Edith (Hiten) Furness 4. Viki (Carlson) Iizuka 5. Ron Turner 6. Darlene Kelley 7 10

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18. Charles Brown 19. Esther (Tataryn) Stout 20. Espie (Tapias) Wasmer 21. Charles Zacharias 22. Dianne (Swetnam) Gibbons 23. John Wendell 24. Betty Winslow 25. Jerry Winslow 26. Gerald Youker 27. Ed MacKenzie 28. Nancy (Santry) Youker

7. Bruce Barnett 8. Judy (Scott) Thomsen 9. Judy Ziegele 10. Frank Finlayson 11. Sandy (Worden) Johnson 12. Richard Worley 13. Connie Smith 14. Virginia (Robinson) Oliver 15. Wayne Wentland 16. Dan Weston 17. Marjorie (Jones) Brown

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ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

KEVIN KRUEGER KEVIN KRUEGER SEES HIS work as vice president and general manager at WGTS 91.9 as an opportunity for ministry. With more than 550,000 listeners in the Washington, D.C., metro area, the contemporary Christian music radio station is a source of encouragement and blessing that touches lives every day. Krueger says, “I like to daydream about a day in heaven when we will have a huge listener reunion and we will each share stories of how God worked in our lives through a song, a word shared—through this media ministry, God’s ministry.” Krueger’s radio career began at Walla Walla University when he worked as a student

announcer at the WWU station, KGTS 91.3. One year after graduating from WWU in 1987 with a degree in mass communication, Krueger was promoted to general manager at KGTS, a position he held for 25 years. Under Krueger’s leadership, the station grew into the Positive Life Radio Network with broadcast outlets throughout Eastern Washington. A number of experiences at WWU helped prepare Krueger for a media ministry career. “I think of moments more than seasons: a short conversation with a professor, a concept shared, a belief challenged, the moment when a good grade results from hard work. These

and many thousands of other moments helped to mold me into the person I would need to be to undertake media in the two Washingtons,” says Krueger. Though his talent, hard work, and faith in God have taken Krueger far in his career, he remains humble and committed to helping others and sharing Christ. He continues to serve as a leader of fundraising initiatives and in other roles that benefit Christian media. When Krueger isn’t hosting on air or fulfilling other work responsibilities, he enjoys spending time Class of with his wife, Lisa, and their daughters, Kristen and Larissa.

1987

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61. Neva Lovell Brackett 62. Steven Cromwell 63. Annita (Fitzgerald) Davison 64. Bill McVay 65. Virginia (Kerth) Bryson 66. Larry Rudy 67. Jim Forsyth 68. Ruth (Chappell) Squier 69. Norene (Ringering) Carey 70. Larry Van Hees

50. Irwin Hansen 51. Eloise (Mittleider) Gatchet 52. Judith (Nielson) Pearson 53. Marilyn (Sampsel) Ludden 54. Dan Knauft 55. Nora (O’Brien) Bleth 56. Carol (Stafford) Maher 57. David Brodeur 58. Marilyn (Stream) Galusha 59. Richard Ford 60. Bernie Neil

40. Roger Kruger 41. Carol (Rasmussen) Smith 42. Tony Henneberg 43. Jack Ring 44. Marilyn (Wehtje) Deininger 45. Leslie Pearson 46. Marilyn Anderson-Gepford 47. Clifford Toews 48. John Gatchet 49. Pamela (Sonnentag) Chatley

29. John Mohr 30. Beverly (Smith) Daniels 31. Betty Coleman Cox 32. Terri (Hansen) Koch 33. Loren Fenton 34. Lynda (Lamberton) Osborne 35. Carole (Bedwell) Brodeur 36. Jan Stone 37. Gary Fresk 38. John Johnson 39. Linda (Wenger) Knowlton

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Westwind Summer 2017

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

KRIS WETTSTEIN

Class of

2007

IN THE TEN YEARS SINCE he graduated from Walla Walla University, Kris Wettstein has launched a distinguished career in music that has taken him to stages around the world. Wettstein credits his classical piano studies at WWU, as well as his involvement in groups like the WWU Gospel Choir and the Steel Drum Band, for preparing him to grow and expand as an artist through the years. While talent and hard work have taken Wettstein far, he has driven his career forward by seizing opportunities outside his comfort zone. After completing the classical

6. Reuben Tataryn 7. Heather (Henrickson) Perry 8. Gloria Myers Nelson 9. Gerald Dietrich 10. Alvin Hayko 11. Virginia Young 12. Barbara (Wagner) Schwartz 13. Lois (Anderson) Cornell 14. Judy (Williams) de Chantal

Class of

1962 1. Ramon Gonzalez 2. Gloria Sanders 3. Kenneth Fox 4. Vivian (MacPhee) Dobbin 5. Donna (McDow) Carr

piano program at the Rice University School of Music, Wettstein used his savings to travel to Dakar, Senegal, where he was invited to perform keyboard for an audience of thousands alongside Senegalese pop star Carlou D. After returning to the States, Wettstein accepted an “unlikely” position as director of music at Mott Haven Reformed Church in the South Bronx, where he has worked for the past five years. Since relocating to New York City, Wettstein has continued to write original music, perform, collaborate with other artists, and pursue other professional

24. Carol (Basaraba) Kegebein 25. Carol (Huether) Schafer 26. Lester “Scott” Thygeson 27. Jan (Schmidt) Clayton 28. Herb Schafer 29. Ruth (Lorenson) Trefz 30. Eva Lou (Carlson) Diebel 31. Elsie McLellan

15. Walt Meske 16. Jean (Turansky) Aleka 17. Lois (Thorn) Dietrich 18. John Jones 19. Dale Beaulieu 20. Gerald Wade 21. Lynette Bramlett 22. Jim Grindley 23. Fran Williams Kilmer

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work as a musician. In 2016, he toured the West Coast performing from his debut record. Wettstein currently teaches piano, songwriting, and drum set at Art House Astoria Conservatory for Art and Music and leads music for a Jewish congregation in Queens. He directs a choir called The Street Singers, a group that brings prayer, music, and activism to the streets of New York. Though his work and artistic pursuits keep him busy, Wettstein enjoys reading, bicycling, and hiking in his free time. He became engaged to Emily Herzlin in February 2017.

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HOMECOMING 2017

Class photos

Class of

1. Victor Fitch 2. Dan Matthews 3. Bill Smith 4. Ruth (Henriksen) Christensen 5. Brian Bull

1957

11. Ralph Roberts 12. Griffith Thomas 13. Colin Campbell 14. Bill Hodgkin 15. C. Elwyn Platner

6. Don Bohlman 7. Jackie (Esteb) Ladd 8. Richard Tompkins 9. Robert Sproed 10. Rich Roberts

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VANGUARDS

(Graduates from 1956 and prior)

1. Alice (May) Chaney att. 2. Louise (Cook) Weller att. 3. Pat (Saxby) Reynolds ’49 4. Ramona (Brown) Sturgill ’55 5. Leland Quinn ’53

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22. Donald Weaver ’56 23. Fred Schnibbe ’50 24. Catherine (Sankey) Chinn att. 25. Howard Gimbel ’56 26. June (Brooks) Dorner ’54 27. Gloria (Cox) Oakes ’58 28. Lou Niderost ’52

14. Fern Piper ’55 15. Marilee (Hayes) Thomas ’54 16. Mace Gay ’50 17. Lenella (Hitchman) Chellis-Gay att. 18. Bill Oakes ’58 19. Claude Sterling ’51 20. Clarence Chinn ’51 21. Verona Schnibbe ’48

6. LaRene Spady ’46 7. Vera (Wolcott) Young ’53 8. Lorelei (Pierce) Saxby ’49 9. Robert Graham ’53 10. William Rippey ’50 11. James Stirling ’44 12. Frank Salt ’53 13. Richard Guthrie ’52

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Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

AlumNotes

Charlotte, N.C., three years at Northfield Junior Academy in Michigan, and 27 years at Greater Boston Academy. She retired to Maine where she lived for five years. She is now enjoying life in Ohio where she is active in her small church. Her hobbies include reading and traveling, with notable trips to Alaska and Israel. Her favorite memories from WWU are of summers at Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory while working on a master’s degree.

Get up to date with fellow WWU alumni. Submit your information for AlumNotes at wallawalla.edu/alumnotes.

1950s

George Kafrouni ’57 and his wife, Denise (Noujaim), live in La Canada, Calif. George is a surgeon at White Memorial Medical Center as well as assistant professor of surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. After graduating from WWU, he attended medical school at LLUMC and completed residency in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at White Memorial in 1961. In addition to his career as a medical practitioner in Los Angeles and Glendale, George

has worked on numerous academic publications and served in various leadership roles, including as chair of White Memorial’s Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery for 27 years and as manager of the Surgical Multispecialties Medical Group for 30 years. His hobbies include skiing, snowboarding, waterskiing, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, and spending time with his grandson. George and Denise have been married for 55 years. They have one son, John. Richard Pflugrad ’57 and his wife, Harriet (Sabo) att., live in Medford, Ore. Richard is a retired teacher. He fondly recalls his professors at WWU who encouraged him in his academic pursuits. Richard met Harriet at WWU, and the couple celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2017. They have three children: Pamela Blackburn ’78, Cynthia Lowe ’82, and Kathryn.

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C. Elwyn Platner ’57 and his wife, Patsy (Gerhardt) att., live in Simi Valley, Calif. Elwyn is retired after working for the Seventh-day Adventist church for 42 years. He served in various capacities, including as a teacher at Oshawa Missionary College in 1957 and as editor of the Pacific Union Recorder. The Platners have two children: Christopher and Maria.

where she was employed until she retired. “We were pleased that both our children graduated from WWU,” she writes. “I thoroughly enjoyed my junior and senior years at WWU. The worship talks were excellent, and I met many fine classmates and teachers. A college education is worth it all. I’m thankful I was able to attend WWU. It was a great asset in life.” Viola and Delbert have two children: Raymond ’90 and Lori Hermanson ’94.

1960s

Betty Jean (Skeels) Magnuson ’66 and her husband, Jay Magnuson ’65, live in Quincy, Wash. They have three children: Warren ’97, Amelia Messervy ’03, and Nathaniel att.

Annita (Fitzgerald) Davison ’67 lives in Spokane, Wash. She retired in 2011 after nearly 30 years of working in various clerical positions for the Washington state government. After graduating from WWU, Annita taught for four years at Rogers Adventist School. She married Vernon in Heubach Chapel with her fourth graders as candlelighters in the ceremony. Annita took a break from teaching to start her family before returning to full-time employment. A favorite memory from WWU occurred more recently when Annita walked her daughter down the aisle in the same chapel where she and her late husband were married. Annita has two children: Jennifer Dubon ’94 and Michelle Johnston ’96. Dorothy (Tanner) Johnson ’62 and her husband, Bill ’66, live in Tillamook, Ore., where they are retired. They have two children: Ron Hockley att. and Carla Hockley. Viola (Kovaloff) Koberstine ’61 and her husband, Delbert, live in Spokane, Wash. After graduating from WWU, Viola taught for two years in the public school system in Sunnyside, Wash. After she and Delbert were married in 1963, she taught in Spokane Valley and in Spokane. When they had two children, Viola took time away from teaching to be a full-time parent. Later she worked for Elderly Services of Washington,

Margaret (Sutherland) Mounce ’62 lives in Flagler Beach, Fla. She is retired and has two children: Donnelleigh ’85 and Eiren Oh. John Woodbury ’62 and his wife, Carol (Pester) att., live in Spokane, Wash. John is retired after teaching for 22 years at Upper Columbia Academy and Gem State Academy. Since retiring, he enjoys “see[ing] his former students prospering and contributing to their communities.” Before John became a student at WWU, he would sneak into the boys’ dorm to stay with friends because he didn’t have any money. The dean who kept catching John in the dorm eventually asked him if he really wanted to attend college. He took John to Dr. J. Randall Sloop, head of student finance, who found him a job in the college bakery so that he could enroll. John was the first in his family to finish college. He and Carol have three children: Michelle Jones ’86, Michael ’88, and S. Scott ’89.

Connie (Anderson) Burke ’72 and her husband, Dennis, live in Hermiston, Ore. After Connie received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from WWU, she completed a doctorate in health science at Loma Linda University and then worked at Portland Adventist Medical Center. After moving to Hermiston in 1988, she started her company, Alive & Well. She is also co-owner of Andy’s Market in College Place. Dennis is the chief executive officer at Good Shepherd Healthcare. They enjoy camping, cycling on their tandem bicycle, and weightlifting. They are both involved in the children’s Sabbath school divisions at their church with their grandchildren. Connie and Dennis have two daughters: Rachele att. and Rebecca Madsen att. Patricia-Ann (Barza) Catlett ’77 lives in Yucaipa, Calif. After 40 years of teaching grades K–12, Patricia-Ann has retired and “loves it.” In her free time, she takes craft classes and rides her horse as a posse member for the Riverside County Sheriff Department. Mel Farnsworth ’72 and his wife, Sue (Popplewell) att., live in Anacortes, Wash. Mel is an optometrist who has practiced for 34 years. After graduating from WWU, he taught in Adventist academies for five years before enrolling at Southern California College of Optometry. When not running his practice alongside his daughter, Mel is busy giving back to his community. He has served on numerous committees and helped plant a Seventh-day Adventist church in Anacortes. For fun, Mel enjoys gardening, traveling, and

1970s

Sandra Bent ’72 lives in Beavercreek, Ohio, where she is retired after a long teaching career. She taught five years at a public high school in

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

‘You got this!’ Nicholas Jones ’07 and his wife, Julie (Cleveland), live in Sandy, Ore., where Nick is a pastor for the Oregon Conference. Nick says that one of the things he enjoys most about living in the Portland area is that it is centrally located near mountains (“I love backpacking!”), the beach (“Julie loves the beach”), and his family in Salem and Julie’s family in College Place. Nick enjoys cycling, running, and triathlons, and he is a cancer survivor of 21/2 years. His most recent triathlon was Walla Walla’s own Onion Man Triathlon in 2016. “What I enjoy most about triathlons is the friendly atmosphere,” he says. “During every triathlon I have competed in, people are always encouraging one another: ‘Good job! Keep it up! You got this!’ The friendliness and encouragement of athletes toward one another interestingly reminds me of the importance of church. We meet together to worship God and to encourage one another.” Nick’s favorite memories from WWU include being a student dean for the men’s dorms and developing many friendships with the other students living in the dorms. Nick and Julie have two children: Casey and Nicole.

spending time with his family. His favorite memories of WWU include playing in the Sonnenberg Series and meeting his wife, whom he calls “the delight of [my] heart.” The Farnsworths have two children: Adam ’07 and Ashley Ayers ’08. Ruth (Gilliland) MacKenzie ’71 and her husband, Edward att., live in Yakima, Wash., where she is self-employed as a homemaker, apartment complex owner, and co-president of Mission Projects, Inc. “We travel quite a bit doing evangelism in different countries. I give health talks,” writes Ruth. “We go to La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital in Belize once or twice a year and to the Philippines every other year.” In her spare time, Ruth says, “I love to garden on our 11/2-acre place. We have a large garden plus five kinds of berries, grapes, apples, peaches, pears, plums, and apricots. I love the birds that nest on our place and come to our feeders.” Her favorite memories of her time at WWU include meeting “the love of my life and husband of 51 years while working at the college laundry.” She also enjoyed biology field trips and the summer in 1962 that she spent at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Ruth and Edward have four children: Vaughn ’92, Lawana Ballance att., Jonathan ’01, and Richard ’01. Harlen Miller ’72 and his wife, Lorna (Darnell), live in Gilbert, Ariz. Harlen is currently the part-time band director at Thunderbird Adventist Academy after having “flunked the first year of retirement.” Throughout his 42-year career, he

KEY: att. = attended

has directed music organizations for Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions across the United States, in Puerto Rico, and in Brazil. He has led seven European music performing tours and has directed choirs that sang in Carnegie Hall and the National Cathedral. He also continues to lead the Harlen Miller Chorale in Napa Valley, Calif. His favorite memories of being a student at WWU are of singing in Chorale and Schola Cantorum, and listening to Drs. West and Dickinson do Evensong. Harlen and Lorna have three children: Tom, Tim, and Teri. Carol Perfect att. lives in Walla Walla. She retired in 2016 after 24 years working at the Walla Walla Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Carol has one son, Jimmy Wilhelm-Perfect ’11. Merrielee (White) Wright ’73 and her husband, Kenneth, live in British Columbia, Canada. Merrielee is retired, and her favorite memory of WWU is of the friendships she made when she was a student.

1980s

Mark Carr ’87 and his wife, Colette (Gauthier), live in Anchorage, Alaska. Since before his days at WWU, Mark has been a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska, where he fishes for red salmon on a beach set-net site. After spending several years in ministry for the Alaska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, he went through a doctoral program

in religious ethics at the University of Virginia. He was a professor and administrator for the Center for Christian Bioethics in the School of Religion at Loma Linda University for 17 years and then departmental chair and professor of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kettering College in Ohio. He writes, “Not long into that job, I was so pleased to land a job back in my hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, as the director of ethics for the Providence Health and Services corporation in Alaska.” He spends his days in case consultation, education, and policy matters for four hospitals and a variety of other healthcare facilities throughout Alaska. Mark’s fond memories of WWU include retreats in the Blue Mountains; IceBurg milkshakes; singing choruses at the beginning of class with Alden Thompson; studying with Lucille Knapp, Jerry Winslow, Glen Greenwalt, Chuck Scriven, John Brunt, and Jon Dybdahl; and “long theological talks” with Chuck Burkeen and Rick Jordan. He also fondly remembers apple fritters from Rogers Bakery. Mark and Colette have two children: Tyler att. and Melissa. Daniel “Dan” Koopman ’82 lives in Baker City, Ore., where he is a director at Blue Mountain Community College. He spent 34 years working at all levels of education, both as a faculty member and as an administrator. He lives on a small ranch outside of Baker City. He writes, “In addition to riding horses and volunteering, I took time to complete my doctorate in adult and higher education leadership at the

University of South Dakota.” His favorite memories from WWU include leading praise services in the College Church with Dr. Tupper and Kraig Scott on the organ. Dan has four children: Mindy, Andrew, Molly, and Austin. Karen (Matthews) Maas ’82 and her husband, Reg ’81, live in Newberg, Ore. Karen is a lifeguard, water safety instructor, and receptionist for the Chehalem Park and Recreation District. Her favorite class to teach is a deep water exercise class. In her free time, she volunteers at Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore and enjoys helping with Pathfinders. Karen says her favorite WWU memory is of playing tennis with her friend, Jen, on the morning that Mount St. Helens erupted. “This huge dark cloud mass approach[ed], looking like a dust storm, but not windy. Someone driving by stopped to tell us what it was, so then we went in search of a TV.” Karen and Reg have two children: Laura ’12 and Lisa att.

1990s

Morris Bentley ’97 and his wife, Katrina (Hoopes), live in Grangeville, Idaho, where Morris has retired as a licensed clinical social worker for Bentley Counseling. His favorite memories from his days at WWU are of driving to Walla Walla during winter storms and the classes and classmates he had in the School of Social Work. Morris and Katrina have five children: Heather Choate Hall, Jeffrey Choate, Robert Bentley, Jonathan Choate, and Zachary Choate. Erwin Driessen ’97 and his wife, Alina (Reyes), live in Trego, Mont. He is a software engineer at Jive Software. In his free time, Erwin enjoys road cycling with friends, building their log home, and camping with his family. His favorite memories from WWU are of serving at the branch Sabbath school on the reservation with Dan Darikuma, aviation class and lessons, cycling with friends, and his year as a student missionary in the Amazon. Erwin and Alina have three children: Dania, Emariah, and Diandre. Monte Puymon ’97 and his wife, Misty (Youmans), live in Walla Walla, Wash. Monte has worked as a transportation engineer for the city of Walla Walla since 2007. Misty was a residence hall dean at WWU from

Westwind Summer 2017

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

2005 to 2013 and is now a stay-athome mom with their 4-year-old son, Micah. Monte’s favorite memories of his time at WWU are of “going to the Wallowas in the middle of winter and summiting Sacagawea, and hall worships with with my RA in the basement of Sittner East/Meske.” James “Jamie” Treat ’97 and his wife, Candi (Sorenson) ’99, live in Cheyenne, Wyo. Jamie is currently a registered nurse at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and has worked as a nurse for 19 years, mostly in cardiovascular care. He is involved with music ministry at his local church, loves sports, movies, and spending time with his family. Jamie’s favorite memories

team to entertain and encourage the Washington, D.C., area. His morning show reaches more than half a million people weekly. When he’s not on the air, he’s planning concerts, community events, and service opportunities for the radio-listening family. He “loves to hang out with his family and explore all of the historic sites and museums around

Bernardino. He has worked in the corporate marketing department for Makita Powertools, started a construction company, and was the administrator of a hospital in Kansas before becoming a founding partner in an oil field boomtown business in North Dakota. His favorite memories from WWU include Afterglow, Rosario Beach, and, he says, “best of all, Dr. Daly’s organic chemistry class.” Jeffrey and Constance have two children: Kaelan and Kesara. John Foster ’07 and his wife, Bethany (Miller), live in College Place. John is an assistant professor of mathematics at Walla Walla University. Of his favorite memories of his time as a student at WWU, John writes,

Circle of love Jacqueline (Page) Langi ’08 and her husband, Ofa Langi ’06, live in Mount Vernon, Wash. Jacqueline currently stays at home to manage her large household in addition to helping Ofa with his duties as senior pastor at North Cascade SDA Church. After receiving a master of social work degree from WWU, Jacqueline worked with the YWCA to help homeless Seattle youth. While her husband attended seminary at Andrews University, she earned a second master’s degree in religious education. The Langis returned to Washington where Jacqueline worked as case manager at Sunrise Services before deciding to stay at home with her growing family. Her favorite memories of WWU include Sabbath hikes to Palouse Falls and late-night study sessions at Kretschmar. Jacqueline and Ofa have four children: Maiko, Akosita, Malakai, and Josiah.

from WWU are of Week of Prayer, Afterglow, banquets, the nursing program, trips to Rockaway Beach with the Nursing Club, and meeting his wife. He and Candi have two daughters: Jailynn and Julianna. Julie (Johnston) Wallewein ’92 and her husband, Kevin, live in Colorado Springs, Colo. Julie received her North American Division Standard Teaching Certificate with a kindergarten endorsement in 2016 and is now the kindergarten and first grade teacher at Springs Adventist Academy. One of her favorite memories from WWU is of Afterglow in the boys’ dorm on Friday nights. Julie and Kevin have one son: Kyle. Jerry Woods ’97 and his wife, Crystal (Reeves), live in Laurel, Md. Jerry is a morning show host and the director of promotions at radio station WGTS 91.9. He is up before the sun every day working with his

Westwind Summer 2017

the D.C. area.” Jerry writes, “One of my many favorite memories at Walla Walla University was climbing up on the roof of the old Ad Building and covertly launching water balloons at unsuspecting victims who were coming out of Sittner Hall. I also loved the midnight breakfasts and bed races down College Avenue.” Jerry and Crystal have two daughters: Adilynn and Maya.

2000s

Jeffrey Colburn ’97 and his wife, Constance (Tseng), live in Williston, N.D., where he owns GoGo Café and Donuts. Jeffrey received a master of business administration degree focused on finance and marketing from California State University, San

“meeting my wife tops the list.” John and Bethany have two sons: Andrew and Benjamin. Tobi (Foster) Goff ’07 and her husband, Michael ’05, live in Walla Walla where she is currently a stayat-home mom to her two daughters, Kayt and Kyli, and works part-time in the freshman mentoring program at WWU. Tobi writes, “Highlights of the last 10 years have included becoming homeowners, having two daughters, taking a trip to Europe, and celebrating 11 years of marriage. In 2016 we began a significant journey, both personally and in ministry, by launching Sweet Onion Simple Church with another couple.” Of her time as a student at WWU, Tobi fondly remembers Heubach worships, working in the grounds department, and Michael asking her to be his girlfriend on the third floor of Kretschmar Hall.

Ross Magi ’07 and his wife, Katie (Savage), live in College Place, Wash., where he is an assistant professor of mathematics at WWU. His favorite memories from his time as a student at WWU include time spent with friends, “especially outside.” “I have especially fond memories of rock climbing and playing ultimate frisbee,” he writes. Ross and Katie have one son, Colin. Jenilyn “Jen” (Drake) ’07 and her husband, Chris Van Vechten, live in Tacoma, Wash. Jen is the community relations director for The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing, where she is responsible for sales and marketing at a senior retirement community, manages 147 units and 163 residents, and helps with administrative responsibilities. She has been a board member of Tacoma Metro Park’s Business and Responsive Agency where she observed and responded to the financial spending of the metropolitan park system. “I love our parks, and helping to create quality access to the outdoors is a passion of mine,” she writes. Her favorite memories of her time at WWU include “starting the Amnesty International chapter at WWU in 2006, which began a cascade of wonderful events and life-long friendships! We fully funded an orphanage for girls who were otherwise slated for the sex trade in Calcutta, India.” Jen and Chris have one daughter: Czarina.

2010s

Ryan Gratias ’11 lives in Issaquah, Wash., where he is an associate at Point B. Jimmy WilhelmPerfect ’11 and his wife, Sarah ChoiPerfect, live in Loma Linda, Calif. Jimmy is president of Perfect Energy. Since graduating from Walla Walla University, he has done graduate work in geology at Loma Linda University and graduate work in business at La Sierra University. Of his years at WWU, Jimmy says, “My fondest memories are the times I spent with the history, English, and honors faculty. Oh, and the Speedo run.”

In Memory Edna Boone ’54 was born May 12, 1912, in Rossville, Kan., and died Nov. 14, 2016, in Walla Walla. Surviving: sons Gary of Walla Walla and Doug of Clifton, Colo.; and daughter Kathy Grant of Walla Walla. Edwin Burnett ’54 was born March 10, 1933, in Portland, Ore., and died May 8, 2007, in Fruitland, Md. Surviving: wife Frances; sons Douglas of Silver Spring, Md., and Russell of Fort Dix, N.J; and sister Marjorie Foster ’61 of The Dalles, Ore. Dorothy (Storey) Canwell ’47 was born Aug. 24, 1922, in Hailey, Idaho, and died Sept. 16, 2016, in College Place. Surviving: sons Lee ’73 of Walla Walla and Keith ’76 of College Place. Jose Cordero ’51 was born March 28, 1925, in Lebrija, Colombia, and died Sept. 29, 2016, in West Liberty, Ky. Surviving: wife Joyce of West Liberty; daughters Jeannine of Chicago, Ill., Amber of Los Angeles, Calif., and Esperanza of Salt Lake City, Utah; and sisters Carlina Molina of Colombia and Angela Britton of Los Angeles. Perry Echelbarger ’82 was born June 13, 1962, in Seattle, Wash., and died Oct. 9, 2016, in Camano Island, Wash. Surviving: wife Laura of Camano Island; daughter Elissa of Camano Island; son Noah of Camano Island; mother Nancy of Stanwood, Wash.; and sisters Jeanette Eldevik ’81 of Stanwood and Cherie ’87 of Stanwood. Jerrell Newton Fink ’69 was born July 28, 1940, in Wythe County, Va., and died Nov. 2, 2016, in Max Meadows, Va. Surviving: wife Regina of Max Meadows; sons Todd of Max Meadows and Chadrick of Chattanooga, Tenn.; daughter Jerrellynn of Bluefield, W.Va.; and brother Don of Roanoke, Va. Nada (Froman) Flint att. was born Nov. 20, 1927, in Massena, Iowa, and died Jan. 1, 2017, in Fresno, Calif. Surviving: daughter Loretta Manning att. of Fresno. Beverly Ann (Paulson) Johnson ’61 was born March 25, 1939, in Milton-Freewater, Ore., and died May 8, 2016, in Ceres, Calif. Surviv-

ing: husband Clair ’63; sons Ryan of Denair, Calif., and Trenton of Ceres; daughter Belinda Boldwan of Antelope, Calif.; and sister Shirley Chiburis ’57 of Ceres. Ronald Johnson ’64 was born Feb. 19, 1942, in Portland, Ore., and died Sept. 21, 2016, in St. Joseph, Mich. Surviving: wife Beryl ’64 of Niles, Mich.; sons Drew ’90 of Point Roberts, Wash., Curt of Holland, Mich., and Grant of Berrien Springs, Mich.; brother Gordon ’66 of College Place; and sister Marianne Walter att. of Loma Linda, Calif. Helen (Stratton) Kramer ’52 was born July 14, 1925, in Eugene, Ore., and died Jan. 14, 2017, in Grants Pass, Ore. Surviving: sons David and Curtis ’84 of Grants Pass; daughter Edith att. of Grants Pass; and sister Gladis Doeneka of Bradenton, Fla. Donald Long ’67 was born Aug. 29, 1944, in Lincoln, Neb., and died April 1, 2008, in Fontana, Calif. Surviving: wife Evonne Long Gonzalez ’66 of Yucaipa, Calif. Duane Meidinger ’77 was born Dec. 21, 1954, in Rapid City, S.D., and died Aug. 21, 2016, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: wife Margie ’77 of Spokane Valley, Wash.; son Eric ’12 of Loma Linda, Calif.; daughter Erin Denney ’06 of Spokane; and brothers Dennis att. of Enumclaw, Wash., and Dan ’72 of Post Falls, Idaho. Alice (Osborne) Nash ’50 was born June 6, 1926, in Lake Worth, Fla., and died Jan. 3, 2017, in Peoria, Ariz. Surviving: son Sid ’93 of North Bonneville, Wash., and daughter Carol Trujillo ’62 of Sun City, Ariz.

brothers Ken, Tom, and Richard; and sisters Suzie and Roberta. Reed Qualley ’67 was born Jan. 4, 1945, in McMinnville, Ore., and died Jan. 9, 2017, in Vancouver, Wash. Surviving: wife Linda ’66 of Vancouver; son Geoff att. of Vancouver; daughter Marci Henry ’93 of Bend, Ore.; and sisters Carol Strandley ’65 and Dianne McBurnett ’72 of Portland, Ore. Constance Jean (Morris) Ramkissoon ’57 was born Jan. 13, 1934, in Koloa, Hawaii, and died Nov. 23, 2016, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: husband Reuben of Loma Linda; son Kevin of Goodlettsville, Tenn.; and daughter Keri RamkissoonStrong. James Richman ’64 was born July 6, 1936, in Midland, Texas, and died Dec. 25, 2016, in College Place. Surviving: wife Anne att. of College Place; sons James ’87 of Spokane, Wash., and Jeffrey att. of Charles Town, W.Va.; daughter Julie att. of Murrieta, Calif.; and sisters Kathryn Qualls att. of Kennewick, Wash.; Delores Gearhart of College Place; and Sharron Miller of Silver Springs, Fla. Betty Rosenquist att. was born July 2, 1923, and died Aug. 3, 2016, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: son Robert of Redlands, Calif.; and daughters Dianne Morris of Redlands; Nancy Wernick of Colton, Calif.; and Janine Cochrane of Loma Linda.

Donald Odell ’50 was born Jan. 9, 1922, in Monroe, Wash., and died Oct. 15, 2016, in Rialto, Calif. Surviving: daughter Karen Clements of Yucaipa, Calif., and son Laurence of Rialto, Calif.

Doyle B. Saxby ’49 was born Jan. 23, 1925, in College Place, Wash., and died Aug. 16, 2016, in College Place. Surviving: wife Lorelei (Pierce) ’49 of College Place; sons Kent ’77 of Kalispell, Mont., and Monte ’82 of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; brother Harold att. of Walla Walla, Wash.; and sisters Elaine Emerson ’51 of Walla Walla and Dorothy DeMoss of College Place.

Clyde Phillips ’82 was born May 20, 1949, in Chicago, Ill., and died June 30, 2015, in Dease Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Surviving: wife Sandra att. of Yelm, Wash.; son Daniel att. of Seattle, Wash.; daughters Jennifer Nelson att. of Yelm, Karen Yao of California, and Jenna of Yelm;

Grace D. Scheresky-Williams ’49 was born March 23, 1925, in Benedict, N.D., and died July 9, 2016, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: brothers Edward ’63 of Boise, Idaho, and James att. of Max, N.D.; and sisters Viola att. of Gresham, Ore., and Agnes Dahl ’61 of Gresham.

Evalyne (Robison) Shepherd att. was born Jan. 3, 1921, in Gardiner, Ore., and died Oct. 7, 2016. Surviving: son Lynn of Bellingham, Wash.; daughter Minda Lea Christie ’71 of Walla Walla; and sister Gladys Robison ’56 of Meadowglade, Wash. Carol Ann Shultz ’60 was born Aug. 21, 1938, in Caldwell, Idaho, and died Nov. 12, 2015, in Ola, Idaho. Surviving: sister Myrna Long ’64 of Caldwell. Louis Smith ’48 was born May 19, 1925, in College Place, Wash., (his father Walter I. Smith was WWU president at the time) and died Sept. 9, 2016, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: daughter Patti Catalano of Redlands, Calif. Mark Tessier ’81 was born Sep. 8, 1956, in Dacca, East Pakistan, and died Nov. 24, 2016, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Dorita (Perry) ’80 of Walla Walla; daughters Melissa (Tessier) Rae ’05 of Walla Walla, and Michelle Werner att. of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada; sister Martha Olson of Sinclairville, N.Y.; and parents Leonard and Carolyn of Ellijay, Ga. Michael Ray Thornton ’91 was born April 7, 1962, in Salem, Ore., and died Sep. 28, 2016, in Vancouver, Wash. Surviving: wife Shelley (Ferster) ’86 of Vancouver; sons Jarred ’15 of Walla Walla, and Nicholas of Fort Drum, N.Y.; daughter Kira att. of Vancouver; brothers Randy ’91 of Days Creek, Ore., and Greg att. of Salem; and parents Ray and Karen of Vancouver. Carolyn (Merrill) Van Hees ’64 died at age 74 in Meridian, Idaho. Surviving: husband Larry ’67 of Meridian; daughters Tonja Kromrei att. and Tricia Henderson att. of Meridian; brothers Dean of Post Falls, Idaho, and Gene of Boise, Idaho; and sister Kathlene of Boise. Ellen (Ogren) Ziegele ’38 was born July 19, 1917, in Mizpeh, Mont., and died Aug. 11, 2016, in Yakima, Wash. Surviving: sons Calvin att. of Princeton, Idaho, and Richard att. of College Place, Wash.; and daughters Alice Laabs ’86 of Yakima, Jeanne Sudduth att. of Cleveland, Tenn., and Kathy Case of Yakima.

Westwind Summer 2017

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

The results are in!

Thank you, WWU alumni, for casting your vote for new Alumni Association officers. The following alumni have been elected to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

’95

JAMES KNELLER PRESIDENT-ELECT

In his position as president-elect, James Kneller will serve one year as president-elect, one year as president, and one year as Alumni Association board chair. Kneller is a cardiac electrophysiologist at the Yakima Heart Center in Yakima, Wash. In his medical practice, he has brought several new technologies and procedures to Washington state. Kneller has doctor of medicine and doctor of philosophy degrees from McGill University.

’02

HEIDEE (LENO) HANSON SECRETARY

Heidee Hanson will serve a two-year term as Alumni Association secretary. Hanson lives in Ellensburg, Wash. She has a bachelor’s degree in health science and is a certified physician assistant. She enjoys music, skiing, and cooking.

Alumni Sabbath at ROSARIO

Westwind Summer 2017

’01

BEN MARSON BOARD MEMBER

Ben Marson will serve a three-year term on the Alumni Association board. Marson is a certified public accountant and works as a senior accountant at Banner Bank in Walla Walla. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a graduate of the Washington Bankers Association Executive Development Program. He enjoys traveling, reading, and learning.

’00

GREG McCULLOCH BOARD MEMBER

Greg McCulloch will serve a three-year term on the Alumni Association board. McCulloch is the chief financial officer at Sonora Regional Medical Center. He has a bachelor’s degree in business, is a certified public accountant, and has a master of business administration degree from the University of California, Davis. McCulloch enjoys going on short-term mission trips with his wife and their two boys.

Join guest speaker Paul Dybdahl, School of Theology professor, for a relaxing weekend with fellow friends and alumni. Come for Sabbath or the full weekend. Reservations available beginning June 20, 2017.

Share Walla Walla Walla. Walla. Do Doyou youknow knowstudents studentswho whoshould shouldbebe at atWWU WWUthis thisfall? fall? Encourage Encouragethem themtotovisit visitcampus, campus,where wherethey theycan: can:

You You loved loved Walla Wallaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Walla Wallaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; they they will will too. too. Schedule Schedule aa campus campusvisit visitatat wallawalla.edu/visit. wallawalla.edu/visit.

Go tour customized to to their Goon onananinformative informativecampus campus tour customized their interests. interests. Attend based onon their interests and Attendclasses classeswith withour ourstudents students based their interests and meet with our professors. meet with our professors. Meet with financial counselors, learn about admissions, and Meet with financial counselors, learn about admissions, and discover student employment opportunities. discover student employment opportunities. Receive complimentary transportation to and from the Walla Receive complimentary transportation to and from the Walla Walla (ALW) or Pasco (PSC) airports (when flying). Walla (ALW) or Pasco (PSC) airports (when flying). Participate in life on campus by meeting our students, Participate in life on campus by meeting our students, attending worship, and receiving free access to our gym and attending worship, and receiving free access to our gym and other facilities. other facilities. Enjoy food and lodging for up to three days and three Enjoyon food nights us.and lodging for up to three days and three nights on us.

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

Walla Walla University 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324

Paid WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

See you there!

Upcoming events to note on your calendar

SEPTEMBER 25

Fall quarter classes start,

which means busy move-in days in the residence halls, exciting new classes and friends to meet, and maybe even a family visit to The Ice-Burg!

OCTOBER 5–7

OCTOBER 20–22

Sports fans will enjoy a full schedule of soccer and volleyball games at the annual Fall Classic Tournament, which draws more than 20 teams from academies across the country. Watch for the game schedule at wallawalla.edu/fallclassic starting Sept. 29.

Ice cream at Bright’s Candies in downtown Walla Walla, Friday evening AppleFest, concerts, church services in the University Church, a faculty/staff talent show, and more will all be part of

Welcome and Luncheon as

freshman JumpStart begins. Fall quarter classes begin on Monday, Sept. 25.

Family Weekend

on the WWU campus. Learn more at wallawalla. edu/family-weekend.

OCTOBER 27–29

The WWU Campus Ministries office will host

Follow2Lead Fall Weekend for

NPUC academy students who are interested in developing their strengths and learning about being effective Christian leaders. To learn more, contact the Campus Ministries office at campusministriesstaff@ wallawalla.edu.

NOVEMBER 12

Pedrito Maynard-Reid, professor of biblical studies and missiology, will speak for the Distinguished

Faculty Lecture.

This annual lecture is presented by a faculty member who is recognized for excellence in leadership, teaching, and scholarship. If you can’t join us in person, watch the livestream at wallawalla.edu/DFL.

For a full calendar of events, visit wallawalla.edu/calendar. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

PHOTO: COLBY KUSCHATKA

SEPTEMBER 17 New students and their parents are invited to join WWU President John McVay at 11:30 a.m. for the President’s