Westwind, Spring 2006

Westwind www.wwc.edu/westwind

The Journal of Walla Walla College Spring 2006

Better than Ever

The Marine Station Five Years Later

Logic, Proofs, Puzzles, and Brilliant Minds WWC: A Priceless Experience at a Cost You Can Afford Reflections on being the mother of a college-bound son

Letters to the Editor

Welcome to the New Westwind New contents. Fresh design. More color. In brief, that is the new Westwind.

We’re opening and closing each issue with two new additions, additions you can be a part of. First, as you see on this page, we’re adding letters to the editor.

Second, we are introducing “From My Point of View,” a new column for alumni writers. We welcome essay submissions, and if yours is printed, we will pay you for your work. Go to Westwind Online for more information.

In the Alumnotes section, look for profiles of alumni who exemplify Walla Walla College’s mission of service.

With more pages, we’re also including more feature stories; so if you have a story idea, send it our way.

No matter what changes we make to Westwind, the most intriguing challenge continues to be finding the right mix of content for readers who range from ages 20 to 100. Despite our differences, we share the Christian college experience, and I hope that each issue of Westwind connects you to that experience.

GOOD TO SEE YOU Just a short note to tell you I am so pleased with the story that appeared in Westwind.

Since my picture and comments were published (“Crafting the Years Ahead,” Summer 2005), I have received calls and letters from several long-lost friends. It is always so good to get news from my good old college.

Irene Lottman ’35

Yountville, Calif.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS IN ADVENTIST SPORTS HISTORY May I comment on the article about the basketball team and its laudable accomplishments (“Wolves Basketball Team Makes Adventist Sports History,” Summer 2005)?

In 1949 a group of six students from the College of Medical Evangelists (now the School of Medicine of Loma Linda University) participated in the first National Collegiate Volleyball Tournament in Los Angeles. They did not do well, as they had never been exposed to the proper way to play the game. Embarrassed by the results, they were stimulated

to learn to play the game well.

They practiced hard, and in 1950 went to Knoxville, Tenn., where teams from all across the U.S. assembled for the YMCA National Volleyball Championship tournament (the National Collegiate Athletic Association had yet to recognize volleyball as a varsity sport.) In the collegiate bracket several teams from the U.S. and a team from Mexico University were entered. CME went through the winner’s bracket, but lost out to the University of Southern California in the finals. Back home in Los Angeles, CME had won against USC, but the long nonstop drive from California took its toll. I, a WWC student from 1940 to 1943, was one of the members of that team. Others included Edward L. Esteb ’46 and Merle Peterson ’43.

In 1955 another and more talented group of volleyball players qualified for the national tournament being held at the University of Oklahoma in Enid, Okla., and came within two points of winning, losing in a double final to the University of Florida in one of the best matches in the entire tournament. This match attracted national attention and was reported in the local newspapers and also by

the Los Angeles Times. One of the members of that CME team was Kenneth Spady, a ’51 alumnus, who along with two teammates was named to the All American team for the Collegiate Division.

The Adventist Sabbath received significant mention in those stories.

It might also be of interest to know that in 1942, the Oregon State Softball tournament was rescheduled so that the championship game would be played on Friday, as the five top pitchers in the state were Seventh-day Adventist. Two of the five were WWC students Harvey Griffin and Merle King. The latter was later famous as the pitcher for the King and His Court, a barnstorming softball team.

One final thought. Shouldn’t we refer to these students as athletic students rather than student athletes? It has always been my thought that the first consideration in our schools should be our Seventh-day Adventist persuasion; the second, an education; and the third, athletics. If we alter this sequence, I fear we are losing our focus as denominational institutions of higher learning.

Although I did not receive a degree from WWC, my student years there, 1940 to 1943, remain as the most influential years of my life, and my love for the school has not diminished.

Herbert I. Harder att.

Rosa Jimenez Westwind Editor

Glendale, Calif.

Kenneth Spady, top row and second from right, and fellow medical students of the College of Medical Evangelists competed in a 1955 national volleyball tournament. Herbert Harder, bottom row and far right, coached the team.

2 Westwind Spring 2006

Contents

2

Letters to the Editor

4 Campus Current 9

Bits and Pieces

14 Logic, Proofs, Puzzles, and

10 Better

than Ever The Marine Station Five Years Later

After a much-needed facelift, the Marine Station is becoming a popular destination for homeschoolers, weddings, field trips, and more.

Brilliant Minds Five students, hundreds of hours of studying, and 12 tough problems are the equation for a mind-bending math test.

18 WWC: A Priceless Experience at a Cost You Can Afford Reflections on being the mother of a college-bound son

20 Interview 22 Alumnotes 28 In Memory 31 From My Point of View 32 College Avenue Crossings

Westwind Spring 2006, Volume 26, Number 1 Editor Rosa Jimenez Production Manager and Copy Editor Amy Wilkinson Campus Current Editor Kristi Spurgeon Alumni Gazette Editor Corina Car Alumnotes Writer Lindsay Krueger Contributing Writers Annie Lambeth, Jenny Watters Design Robert Car Graphics Cover Photo kpstudios

About the cover Twilight descends on the Rosario Marine Station.

Westwind is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Walla Walla College, a Seventh-day Adventist university. It is produced by the Office of College Relations. This issue was printed in May 2006. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2006 by Walla Walla College.

Address: Westwind/OCR 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 Telephone: 509-527-2513 Toll-free: 800-377-2586 E-mail: westwind@wwc.edu Online: www.wwc.edu/westwind

Spring 2006 Westwind 3

Campus Current

Dybdahl Retires Distinguished Faculty Lecture People Notes

A Shakespearean Twist at WWC

C

Brandon Witzel

olorful costumes and dramatic lighting brought India’s Bollywood to Walla Walla College for the performance of Shakespeare’s Othello. As the audience sat around the simple set, they could feel the emotions emanating from the characters. This 2005 production received six awards from The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Three actors, Richard Wallace as Othello’s Iago, Melissa MacPhee as Emilia, and Katie Woolever as Bianca, also competed in the KCACTF regional festival held in Pasco in February.

Directed by Marilynn Loveless, assistant professor of communications, this version of Othello included the collaboration of five colleges and universities: Walla Walla College, Walla Walla Community College, Whitman College, Western Michigan University, and Western Washington University. n

4 Westwind Spring 2006

Kirk Hirota

Campus Current

John McVay to Become 23rd President

Presidential Farewell Jon Dybdahl to Retire in August

S

ervice, both to the mission field and to the college students he cares about so deeply, has always come first for Jon Dybdahl. He’s given 40 years of his life to serving the Seventhday Adventist Church, not counting his childhood as the son of missionary parents or his time spent in Adventist schools and seminary. Now the Walla Walla College president is ready to re-

“

We will miss this godly leader who has provided a listening ear and

prayerful heart.”

turn to a quieter life of service.

Dybdahl has announced plans to retire effective August 2006.

“My wife, Kathy, and I have decided it is time to refocus our energies on family, scholarship, and other interests,” says Dybdahl. “I have enjoyed this time immensely and consider myself and my family to be richly blessed. Walla Walla College has a very special place in our hearts.” Dybdahl served at WWC for 17 years, as a theology professor and then, beginning in 2002, as the college’s 22nd president.

During his tenure at WWC, Dybdahl has overseen improvements in faculty salaries, the completion of an $18 million capital campaign, and increases in student enrollment. He has also championed WWC as “a life-changing experience” and strived to build a stronger sense of community among the students, faculty, and staff. One of his priorities was establishing the weekly chapel service as a time for faculty, staff, and students to build community.

“Jon Dybdahl is the president Walla Walla College needed during these past four years. The college is a better place because of his vision for the future of the college, his consistent focus on a hard-working master plan, and his ability to keep us moving forward toward realizing the goals of that plan,” says Ginger Ketting-Weller, vice president for academic administration. Ketting-Weller also served as acting president for part of a year while Dybdahl underwent cancer treatments. “He cares deeply about the college, its employees, and students. We will miss this godly leader who has provided a listening ear and prayerful heart.”

Dybdahl holds a degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a master’s degree in systematic theology and a master of divinity degree from Andrews University, and a doctorate in Old Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary.

The Dybdahls will continue to reside in College Place, where Dybdahl will spend time researching, writing, speaking, and teaching. He will also serve part-time at the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary. n

John McVay has accepted the invitation of the Walla Walla College Board of Trustees to become president of the college following Jon Dybdahl’s retirement.

McVay, dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University for the past six years, will take office in September.

“We are delighted to accept the invitation to join the Walla Walla College family,” says McVay. “Walla Walla College has a proud heritage and we are honored to join its great story. We look forward to ministering among friends, old and new.”

McVay, 47, is a 1980 graduate of Southern Adventist University. He

holds a master’s degree in divinity from Andrews University and a doctorate from the University of Sheffield in England.

Prior to his experience at Andrews University, McVay taught at Pacific Union College. He also was a pastor in Iowa and Georgia.

In addition, McVay is active in scholarly research, presentation, and publication. He and his wife, Pam, have a son, Marshall, 18, and a daughter, Macy, 14.

“We are pleased that John McVay has accepted our invitation to become the 23rd president of Walla Walla College,” says WWC board chair Jere Patzer. “He is recognized around the world as a scholar, theologian, administrator, and committed Adventist Christian.

I am confident that he will continue to build on the legacy of excellence that Jon Dybdahl has nurtured so masterfully.”

Spring 2006 Westwind 5

Campus Current

T

ownsend’s voice, and those of other early Seventh-day Adventist women, came to life for Beverly Beem, associate professor of English at Walla Walla College, as she thumbed through early issues of the Review and Herald. The women spoke of loneliness, commitment, joy, and most of all, their calling to spread the Third Angel’s Message to the world.

Those voices also came to life for the rest of the WWC campus during the 2005 Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Beem, and coscholar Ginger Hanks Harwood, associate professor of religious and theological studies at La Sierra University, have been studying early Adventist women for nearly a decade. Their studies focus on the role women played in the early Advent movement as recorded in the Review between the years of 1850 and 1881. Beem described some of their findings in a presentation entitled “‘My Soul Is on the Wing for Glory’: Voices of Early Adventist Women.”

6 Westwind Spring 2006

men,” says Beem. “We wanted to understand the context in which they spoke. The more we understand our heritage, the richer our own experience becomes.”

Beem’s research has also become richer through her work with Hanks Harwood, with each woman bringing a unique viewpoint. Hanks Harwood specializes in theology and church history, while Beem adds an emphasis in literary analysis.

Beem has been at WWC since 1976, serving as professor of English, college writing coordinator, and chair of the English Department. She has taught and published in the areas of biblical literature, classical literature, medieval literature, and the literature of spirituality, among other topics.

The Distinguished Faculty Lecture began at WWC in 1993 and has continued each year, with faculty members nominating one of their peers. n WESTWIND ONLINE wwc.edu/westwind

Read a transcript of Beverly Beem’s Distinguished Faculty Lecture.

Contrary to the social expectations of the era, women leaders were prominent voices of the early Adventist church, says Beverly Beem.

Bryan Aulick

Women of God

I am as it were almost alone here in reference to keeping the seventhDistinguished Faculty Lecturer Awakens day Sabbath; … I have never had the privilege the Voices of Early Adventist Women of hearing one of our faith preach. O, that some might be directed The role of women in the early this way …. I pray daily Adventist church was counterfor the prosperity of cultural at the time, yet distincZion, that the little flock tive to the Advent movement.

“The Review gave a voice to those may hold out faithful who had none. Letters from men and women appeared side by side to the end. —Sister M. on the page, allowing women A. E. Townsend, 1853 to speak freely and equally with

Campus Current

People Notes lPamela Cress, Barbara

Photo courtesy of CJ Anderson

Hernandez, Janet Ockerman, Susan Smith, and Heather Vonderfecht from the School of Social Work, and Darold Bigger from the School of Theology were recently awarded a $23,765 grant from the Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness at Loma Linda University. The grant will be used to fund research on forgiveness and its effect on families.

lPedrito Maynard-Reid, vice

president for spiritual life and mission, was honored for his outstanding service to the community by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce at an annual banquet where he received the WWC Community Service Award.

lJon Dybdahl, president, has

completed his latest book entitled A Strange Place for Grace. The book demonstrates the graciousness of God in the Old Testament

through the example of the sanctuary, people’s lives, and stories. A Strange Place for Grace, published

by Pacific Press, is available at Adventist Book Centers.

lKaren Tetz, professor of nurs-

ing, recently returned from Thailand where she gave a presentation based on her ongoing postdoctoral research study.

The presentation was entitled “Affection, Attentiveness and Skill: Evaluating Family Caregiver Roles.” Tetz has also been invited to speak at an international conference on chronic illness.

A CAPITOL EXPERIENCE

S

tudents who enjoy putting what they know into practice in the real world will never turn down a chance to get out of the classroom. Five students recently made a big transition when they were chosen to serve as full-time legislative interns for the Washington State government.

These students spent three

months at the state capitol in Olympia, working on tasks such as research, bill tracking, and constituent correspondence, as well as attending committee hearings and meetings. In addition to their office work, the interns participated in seminars, classes, mock hearings, and floor debates.

Every WWC student who applied was accepted into the pro-

lSenior class officers for 2006

include president Michelle Santana, business administration major; social vice president Shavonne Parris, business administration major; spiritual vice president Caleb Henry, theology major; secretary Shanda Vandehey, elementary education major; treasurer Wes Smith, accounting major; and public relations representative Tiffany Richardson, mass communication major. Portland campus officers include co-presidents Janelle Parish and Jaime Crandall.

Five Students Serve as Legislative Interns for State Senate

gram. This rare honor was even greater due to the exceptionally large pool of 162 applicants and fewer open positions, according to internship program coordinator Judi Best. WWC applicants were told their experience-filled resumes jumped out from the rest.

Pictured from left: Deputy Secretary of Senate Brad Hendrickson; CJ Anderson, se-

nior mass communications major; Heidi Laursen, senior humanities major; Jen Drake, senior history major; Sophia Hamilton, senior mass communications major; and Secretary of Senate Thomas Hoemann. Not pictured: Caitlin Hasenhauer, senior international business major. n

WESTWIND ONLINE wwc.edu/westwind

CJ Anderson was a public relations intern for the Senate Republican Caucus. Read the chronicles of his adventures (and misadventures) in his online journal.

Spring 2006 Westwind 7

Campus Current

Hope Amidst Heartache

Student, Professor, and Graduate Witness Faith in the Hurricane Region

W

hen hurricanes pounded the Gulf Coast last summer most Americans sympathized with the victims and their communities.

Thousands reached into their wallets, watched news reports, and wished they could do more.

Several members of the Walla Walla College family took action.

Social work graduate student Bonnie Grovom was watching media coverage of the hurricane wondering why people weren’t getting help. “I thought, ‘I’m going to do something,’” she said, “‘so I showed up at the Red Cross office in Walla Walla.”

As a registered counselor, Grovom spent one week training with the American Red Cross and then two weeks as a mental health worker in various locations in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, where she provided mental health services for staff at the Hurricane Katrina relief head-

Professor Susan Smith (left), seen here with a FEMA worker, heard heart-wrenching stories during her work with the elderly in Mississippi.

quarters. She also worked at several mega-centers, where 10,000 to 14,000 people received Red Cross services each day, and at other smaller centers. “Most clients had no money and no transportation to leave. Many reported never leaving their state, or for that matter, their parish. They didn’t have anywhere to go before the

WARMING THE BODY AND HEART

As a class project, students in Tamara Randolph’s Philosophy of Education class decided to make a quilt for someone affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Each student filled a 6-by-6 inch square with his or her own design.

Randolph, assistant professor of education, and Marlene Baerg, assistant professor of engineering, designed and sewed the rest of the quilt, including handstitching the words “God is love” along the left and right sides.

Although the quilt was soon complete, there was one problem: They didn’t know who to give it to since no one had personal contact with anyone displaced by Katrina. As a class, they prayed that God would lead them to the right person.

“The next day,” Randolph says, “I went to a state reading seminar in Seattle and met a professor from the University of New Orleans who had lost everything except her dog and five of her seven cats. She was also still mourning the loss of her great-grandmother’s 150-year-old quilt!”

8 Westwind Spring 2006

hurricanes, even if they could find a way to get there.”

Ron Cate, a 1979 biomedical electronic technology graduate who now works in Walla Walla, was planning a mission trip to Peru when the hurricanes hit, but felt he should also do something to help people in his own country. A month later he found himself in Montgomery, Ala., and Woodville and Centreville, Miss., for two weeks with the American Red Cross. Cate was part of a medical group who tried to connect hurricane victims to needed services and, like many volunteers, spent most of his time providing a listening ear. The situation was overwhelming, yet many people had no one else to talk with, so those affected often came to the service centers simply to tell the story of their loss.

Susan Smith, associate professor of social work and sociology, spent a week in Biloxi, Miss., with the Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi, helping the people acquire services and supplies. She worked in a multi-agency relief center located in a high school stadium. “I heard one heartwrenching story after another,” she says, “but in all the stories there was something deeper— their faith and hope. That was one thing they had that couldn’t be blown away.” n

WESTWIND ONLINE wwc.edu/westwind

Read Susan Smith’s account of her experience in Mississippi.

Bits & Pieces Volleyball Team Makes Waves at Nationals The women’s volleyball team had an exceptional season.

The Wolves became the first Adventist collegiate volleyball team to participate in a national championship when they made it all the way to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament. By choosing not to play on Saturday, the team wasn’t able to finish the tournament; however, other participants were so impressed with the team’s attitude that they voted to hold the USCAA championship at WWC next fall.

The Endless Ride I This summer five WWC alumni will undertake The Endless Ride I (TERI) to raise money for the Teri Lynn Kuhlman Cancer Foundation. Those riders, Curtis Kuhlman, David Green, Kraig Scott, Marvin Denney, and Rodd Strobel, will spend 28 days and

1,816.5 miles on their bikes in honor of Teri, a beloved member of the Health and Physical Education Department before her death from melanoma in 2004. Find out how you can help with The Endless Ride I at tlkcancerfoundation.org.

Mountain Ash Kudos

The 2005 Mountain Ash has been named a Crown Award Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Crown Awards are among the nation’s highest awards for the collegiate press and reflect the overall excellence of the publication in the areas of design, photography, concept, coverage, and writing. Mountain Ash staff included Dennis Huynh, editor; Brandon Witzel, photography editor; Dallas Reedy, head layout designer; Liz Schultz, layout designer; Adam

Student Missionaries Go Forth

Farnsworth, DVD editor and designer; Amanda Clanton,

Go anywhere in the world and there is a good chance you’ll run into someone affiliated with WWC. That’s especially true considering the 90 student missionaries and 19 task force workers sent out this year. The students are stationed in 29 countries, including Pohnpei, Thailand, Denmark, Nigeria, and the Czech Republic. Student missionaries perform many tasks, often serving as teachers, orphanage workers, and deans. Keep up with their struggles and successes on the Student Missions gallery at www.wwc.edu/campus-life/spiritual-life/.

Summer Dietrich, Portland liaison.

advertising manager; Janelle Michaelis, story editor; and

The New Hollywood

Q

: Why would a South Korean group from a city of 10 million people travel more than 5,400 miles to a town of only 9,000 people to record the song “The Wheels on the Bus”? : Those enticing Hollywood accents.

Instructors from the Seventhday Adventist Language Institute in Seoul, South Korea, spent a week at the Positive Life Radio stu-

A

dio, recording WWC and Rogers Adventist School students singing songs and telling stories that will be used to teach children English.

Textbook writer InHe Shim said songs spice up the lessons, and “the Hollywood accent” found on the West Coast is the perfect sound for language tapes.

Spring 2006 Westwind 9

Better than Ever

By Amy Wilkinson

The Marine Station Five Years Later

T

ake one beach resort built in the 1920s, add more than 70 years of wear and tear, and what do you get? A marine station suitable only for summer use and in dire need of a facelift and more.

That was the state of the Walla Walla College Marine Station campus by the

10 Westwind Spring 2006

1990s. A dilapidated dining hall and deteriorating cabins no longer accommodated the number of students and visitors who frequented the campus.

No one was probably more familiar with the campus’s problems than former Marine Station Director Larry McCloskey. Among his grimmer recollections he includes, “sitting on toilets,

kpstudios

Three new cabins house summer students along with researchers and guests who visit the campus.

Vital Statistics >> LOCATION On the shores of Rosario Strait in Anacortes, Wash. >> ACREAGE 45 >> THE VIEW Vancouver Island, the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains, and The San Juan Islands. >> NUMBER OF SUMMER SESSION STUDENTS 50; 30 from WWC and 20 from affiliated colleges and universities >> COURSES General Biology, Phytoplankton, Human Anatomy, Marine Invertebrates, Behavior of Marine Organisms, Ornithology >> BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR killer whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, barnacles, crabs, anemones, and sea stars >> PUT DOWN THE BOOKS and play “Rosario Volleyball,” participate in the Fourth of July games, go SCUBA diving, take a hike, have a snowball fight on Mt. Baker >> NEAREST TACO BELL 15 minutes

trying not to put one’s full weight on them for fear of crashing the whole thing into those crawlspaces … and jacking up old buildings so doors would open and close.” In short, the Marine Station needed help and it needed it fast.

Fortunately, the campus found its salvation in 1996 when the college embarked on its biggest capital campaign ever—Faith in the Vision: The Campaign for Walla Walla College. Of the $18 million given by alumni and friends, $2.5 million went toward renewing the Marine Station, which included constructing

three new cabins, updating the infrastructure, and building Lindgren Hall—a new dining and assembly hall.

Now, five years after the dedication of Lindgren Hall, the Marine Station is not only looking better than ever, it is more alive than ever before.

“Before the improvements, the campus was basically empty November through March,” says Marine Station Manager Dave Habenicht. “The campus improvements have made our facility much more usable and comfortable, especially for winter use.”

What used to be a campus suitable only for summer use is now a year-round educational and recreational facility. And people are taking notice. From community members to alumni, the Marine Station is being used in new and unexpected ways.

A Home for Homeschoolers

Ask 4-year-old Rachel Smith what her favorite thing to do is and she’ll most likely answer, “paint.” Ask what her favorite class is and she’ll most likely tell you “art.” Once a week, this budding Picasso gets the chance to hone her art skills at the Marine Station through the Anacortes Home Education Partnership, a K-12 school dedicated to the needs of home schooling families. Although not quite old enough for the program, Rachel tags along twice a week with her six older siblings and even attends art and world cultures classes on Thursdays.

“When I sit in the classrooms and look out at the beautiful water, I can’t believe what a gift the Rosario campus has been to the program,” says Rachel’s mom, Julie Smith.

The Marine Station campus was a gift that couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We were located in three little, old portable classrooms,” says AHEP Program Coordinator Kim Stamper. “So we were needing more space and an updated facility, and it worked out perfectly that [the Marine Station] was available when ours was about to end.”

More than 110 students attend classes Monday through Thursday on the Rosario campus. Over the course of two semesters, 163 classes will be taught through AHEP. Classes range from the commonplace— Spring 2006 Westwind 11

kpstudios

Four-year-old Rachel Smith paints a masterpiece in her weekly art class.

science and foreign languages—to the unusual—life after high school, equine studies, pioneer crafts, and survival skills, which uses the campus’s wilderness surroundings.

“It’s so peaceful and beautiful, and it offers so much,” says Stamper of the campus. “We’re absolutely thrilled.”

A Ceremony by the Sea

WESTWIND ONLINE wwc.edu/westwind

Learn more about alumnus Andrew Rice’s Academic Adventures and how you can host your own adventures at Rosario during the off-season.

12 Westwind Spring 2006

Although it was drizzling outside, the mood couldn’t have been brighter inside Lindgren Hall. Accompanied by a roaring blaze in the fireplace and more than 150 of their friends and family, Cheri (Klam) Oellrich, a 1999 graduate, and James Oellrich, a former student, exchanged vows January 23, 2005.

The wedding’s rustic locale was an obvious choice for the couple. In addition to its beautiful scenery, both have fond memories of the campus. As a boy growing up in Sumner, Wash., James and his family visited the Marine Station often.

Cheri’s memories date back to the summer she spent at the Marine Station as an undergraduate biology student at WWC.

Their fondness for the campus even found its way into their wedding décor.

“Cheri and James had picked rocks from the beach for the centerpieces and used them with floating flowers and candles,” says Cheri’s mom, Marlene. “I was concerned it wouldn’t be very large or effective on the tables, but it actually turned out really nice. And then they put the rocks back on the beach,” she was quick to add with a chuckle.

Between the ceremony and the reception, guests had time to wander the beach or get a warm beverage from the espresso stand set up in the library for the occasion.

The drizzle outside couldn’t keep the day from ending as wonderfully as it had begun.

“In the evening after the wedding was over, the sunset was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen,” says Marlene.

“It was sort of like the ending to a perfect day.”

A Budding Business

Martin Waidelich

You might call the Marine Station a second home for Andrew Rice, a 1995 and 1998 graduate.

As a biology undergraduate and graduate student, Rice spent four summers studying and teaching at the campus. He now uses the facility as home base for his business, Academic Adventures, an inquiry-focused coastal ecology and marine biology field school.

Rice started Academic Adventures in 2000 in the hopes of being a good steward of the Marine Station’s resources.

James and Cheri Oellrich make a new Rosario memory—their wedding.

“I was familiar with the campus and thought it could be a great opportunity to bring groups to the marine station to increase usage during the academic year,” says Rice.

The campus’s proximity to Deception Pass State Park was an added benefit.

“It is a living-learning lab right off of the property,” says Rice. “It’s an easy transition from indoor to outdoor activities.”

Rice hosts groups of all ages, from grade school to adults, although the majority of his students are fifth and sixth graders. Lessons are geared toward each grade level’s specific needs, and Rice utilizes interesting materials such as a retired World War II battle tug to enliven his lectures. Classes vary in length from daily field trips to three-to four-day sessions, taking advantage of the lodging facilities available on campus.

About 10 to 12 groups attend Rice’s program each year. Since its inception, more than 300 students have passed through the program. Responses from students and teachers have been overwhelmingly positive.

“At first I didn’t want to go to ‘outdoor ed,’” says Joey, a Forest Park Adventist School student, “but after, I wanted to go again. I wish school was as fun as ‘outdoor ed.’”

Who knows? Maybe Joey will return to the Marine Station some day—as a WWC student pursuing a career in biology. n

Amy Wilkinson is a 2004 business graduate and Westwind’s production manager and copy editor.

Researcher Ponders Gull Mystery West Coast scientists are hoping they won’t see a repeat of 2005.

Last spring, tens of thousands of dead seabirds washed onto seashores, and in the summer, the seabirds failed to breed at normal levels.

What was behind these natural events? Scientists are theorizing that last year’s unusual weather patterns altered the marine ecosystem to cause these and a string of other unusual occurrences from Alaska to northern California.

Whether or not the year was just an aberration is something that Joe Galusha, a biologist and long-time Walla Walla College professor, will be watching closely this summer.

For the past 25 years, Galusha has conducted research on the glaucous-winged gull at the Rosario Marine station. From its inception, the station has provided a superb natural setting to conduct scientific research that may help answer questions of the natural world. One of the longest-running projects is Galusha’s gull research.

Protection Island, a 50-minute boat ride south of the marine station, is the nesting site of the largest glaucous-winged gull colony in Washington state. Last summer, although 8,000 pairs of birds established nests and laid eggs, only 88 chicks were fledged. The blame may lie with the growing population of bald eagles, whose constant attacks may have forced the birds to abandon their nests. Galusha theorizes eagles are increasingly turning to Protection Island to feed, perhaps a result of changes in the eagles’ normal food supply.

Galusha was part of a January 2006 meeting in Seattle organized for oceanographers, atmospheric scientists, marine mammal experts, and seabird biologists who are studying these changes.

Spring 2006 Westwind 13

Logic, Proofs, Puzzles, and Brilliant Minds

By Annie Lambeth

Friday afternoons on campus often echo with joyful sighs as students and faculty welcome the weekend and the chance to rest from routine. But fall quarter, while offices closed and parking lots emptied, a small group of students met in the physics lecture hall on Fridays afternoons to solve math problems—for fun. Well, that and to prepare for the 65th Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

14 Westwind Spring 2006

Kenneth Wiggins and Matthew B Zimmerman

“It’s a test that could scare Einstein,” notes first-time competitor Melissa Magee, sophomore mechanical engineering and math student. Indeed, for even the most brilliant mathematical mind, these problems can send the head spinning. But these students tackled the challenge with no fear; in fact, they enjoy math so much that they looked forward to the study sessions.

“I asked them ‘Do you want to meet the Friday before Thanksgiving break?’ and they all agreed. I asked them again another time: ‘Are you sure you want to meet on Friday before Thanksgiving break?’ I had one student come up and say, ‘Look, I scheduled my plane tickets with these [sessions] in mind!’” laughs Kenneth Wiggins, chair of the Mathematics Department and Putnam Competition sponsor.

Begun in 1938, the competition unites colleges and universities of the United States and Canada for one day in December as more than 2,000 students have six hours to give their very best to solve 12 math problems. “[For winners] it’s an immediate four years paid at Harvard Graduate School. Unsolicited offers of scholarship money from grad schools across the country [will come your way] if you score in the upper 10 percent; everybody wants you,” says Thomas Thompson, professor of mathematics and physics. Thompson started the college’s involvement in the competition in 1979 with one student, Cheng Ng from Malaysia, who scored at the 83rd percentile and later received a doctoral degree in computer science from the University of California, Irvine. Aside from a hiatus from 1987 to 1989, the college has been taking part in the competition ever since.

WWC has had as many as seven students participate and this year there were five. Joining Magee and other first-year competitor Ross Magi, a junior math major, were second-year participants Graham Vixie, a senior math and physics major; Jason Damazo, a senior math and mechanical engineering student; and third-year participant John Foster, a senior math major.

“Students are not allowed to sign up for [the competition] except by permission from the Math Department,” says Wiggins. Straight A’s do not mean a student is automatically suited for the test.

Jason Damazo learned about the competition from his brother, who was also a math major. Realizing that he had a “knack for math,” Jason became a math major at his professors’ encouragement. He enjoys the problem-solving that engineering has to offer but finds the “exact answer” outcome of mathematics to be very rewarding. After skipping the review sessions last year, Damazo chose to take them for credit this year. For the first time, the Mathematics Department offered one credit for the students who chose it, thus making it an official math class. “It made a huge difference by going to the sessions this year,” says Damazo.

If being the only woman on the team was intimidating, Magee does not show it.

Magee was one of three who joined just for fun. “I took the Putnam classes more out of interest than anything, I guess. I wasn’t taking it for credit, but on a Friday afternoon, it’s not too hard to find time for more math!” Initially a mechanical engineering student because of her interest in the space program, Magee chose to double in math at the urging of Wiggins. Magee admits hesitancy at first but says, “I soon realized that I did not have a good reason for not [adding the math major], especially when I found that I loved calculus and wanted to learn, well, everything!”

In the course of seven weeks, professors Ken Wiggins and Thomas Thompson will spend quality time with their five Putnam test-takers, from Friday afternoon practice sessions to a full Sabbath day right before the test.

Spring 2006 Westwind 15

WESTWIND ONLINE wwc.edu/westwind

Learn more about the Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

Magee’s enthusiasm echoes in the other students. Wiggins proudly describes the energy of the afternoon sessions, which started the last Friday of September and ran every Friday up to the December 3 test. “The students come in and look at the problems on the board, and one will rush up to a problem and start working on it,” he says. If one is having trouble another will jump up eagerly to help figure out the problem.

“I always looked forward to the classes because I knew that Jason, Ross, John, or Graham would be proving something or other, and I would get to witness the proof step-by-step. They are all very bright,” says Magee.

“Dr. Wiggins has done a good job of selecting [problems] from previous math tests that are manageable to solve,” adds John Foster. Also participating for fun this year, Foster returned for his third experience with the logical reasoning test. Students may only participate for four years. When asked what brought him back, Foster said simply, “It’s a fun thing to do every year; it’s like a club with other math students.”

Adding to the fun and dedication comes the impressive fact that while many of their peers begin the exam in the morning and finish before dusk, WWC students start after sundown and work, with a one-hour break, until midnight. Yes, midnight. The test this year took place on December 3, a Saturday, as it always falls on the first Saturday in December. Does this make it difficult for a Seventh-day Adventist school to enter such a competition? Not exactly. With permission and approval of the director, students who have religious reasons against taking the test during Sabbath hours may test after sundown. The added challenge, therefore, is that on the day of the exam, students must be under constant supervision of their math professors. Wiggins and Thompson must also sign statements that these students haven’t been in communication with anyone who has already taken the test.

“At first I thought they were joking,” says Magee, of the supervision.

Foster, having gone through it before, says that it’s “kind of a special occasion and more of a tradition, something to look forward to.”

Damazo agrees that the group had “good camaraderie,” but adds that it is awfully hard to explain such a day to outsiders, or non-math people. “We had a super nerdy math lunch,” he says.

“The table cloth had fractions on it.”

Each year the special day begins at 8 a.m. when the students, minus cell phones, are picked up by Wiggins and Thompson, taken to breakfast together, then church, and then to one of their homes for lunch.

“We have a sundown worship and then take A game starts with four heaps of jelly beans, containing 3, 4, 5, and 6 jelly beans. the test. They get to spend the whole day with their favorite teachers!” laughs Wiggins.

The two players move alternately, and a move consists of taking either “These folks have given up their entire day (a) one bean from a heap, provided at least two jelly beans are left behind in and evening to take this test,” adds Thompson. that heap, or “That requires a lot of determination.”

And a lot of stamina. Foster, a morning per(b) a complete heap of two or three jelly beans. son used to plenty of sleep, admits that the time period of the test is tough for him. “Last year I The player who takes the last heap wins. To win the game, do you want to move was working at my best for the first hour and a first or second? Give a winning strategy. half [but] noticed a decrease in my performance [as the night continued].” He explained that working on one problem could take, at the least, half an hour to complete.

Damazo says “it’s a really hard test to study for—it could be [about] anything.” He reviewed his freshman calculus book and

Putnam PUZZLER

16 Westwind Spring 2006

“

In March, when the results came in, the scores were impressive. The team came in 83rd out of 395 teams, WWC’s best performance ever.” looked through a math dictionary, but admitted that on the day of the test the suspense in the hours before was tiresome.

The format of the test is such that team and individual scores matter. “All students work individually and then scores are pooled as a team,” says Wiggins. The 12 questions are 10 points each. “To be in the upper half two years ago required two out of 120 [points]. That means half of the group scored two or less,” Thompson explains. Wiggins adds that “the test favors creativity.” Showing all work and showing it clearly and cleverly can get a student points even if the answer given is not correct.

“It’s a weird feeling taking this test,” Damazo tries to describe. “One out of 120 [could be] a good score. When you tell people that, it sounds crazy.”

Scoring the test will take three months, after the long process of many people scrutinizing handwriting and carefully examining logic.

Even without knowing the test results, Damazo announces he will “most definitely” compete again, citing that the whole experience is “a lot of fun—the most fun I’ve ever had doing math. The math professors put a ton of work into this and I’m really thankful to them.”

In March, when the results came in, the scores were impressive. The team came in 83rd out of 395 teams, WWC’s best performance ever.

“Our three team members each scored 10/120 on this difficult test, which compares our best students with those of other colleges and universities in the United States and Canada,” says Wiggins. More than 500 colleges and universities participate.

Wiggins could not be more proud of the students he has guided through the Putnam competition and the math program in general. He can hardly contain his pride as he talks about two students who took the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) last spring. Students who took this test last year, scored, as a group, in the top 5 percent, the highest position in the scale.

One of those students, 2005 graduate Andrea Hawkins, now studies at the University of Texas at Austin where she recently received the merit-based CAM fellowship for $30,000. A student in the doctoral degree program in applied mathematics and biology, Hawkins’s fellowship is renewable for the next three years and her tuition expenses are also covered. n

Annie Lambeth is a 2004 English graduate and lives in Baker City, Ore.

In the Sabbath hours before the test, math students and professors have dinner together, complete with a math-themed brownie dessert.

At a sundown worship, President Jon Dybdahl encourages the students before they begin the test that will last until midnight.

Spring 2006 Westwind 17

Reflections on being the mother of a college-bound son

By DeLona Lang Bell

A Priceless Experience at a Cost You Can Afford It was a question I was almost afraid to ask.

But as our son solidified his plans to attend Walla Walla College, it became apparent that the time had come to talk with the school about finances.

Like many parents, I wondered just how much the next four years were going to cost us. How much had tuition gone up since I had walked these hallowed halls? Were the rumors true—that more and more families simply couldn’t afford it anymore?

I’d grown up in a family where a Christian education was something you simply found a way to afford, regardless of the cost, and we’d always made it a priority. Still, I felt a growing sense of concern as to just what this experience would require from us, knowing that at some point soon we’d have two sons in college. I wondered just how we’d navigate the years ahead.

With academy graduation looming on the horizon, we decided now was the time to find out.

WWC could cost you less than academy.

I was pleased—and even surprised—to find out that despite the initial sticker shock, once a financial aid package is put together, the price of college shouldn’t keep anyone out who ought to be here. Consider these facts: The average family contributed about the price of a high definition TV—or about $4,500—to send their student to Walla Walla College last year. To be precise, the average family contribution to student expenses here was $4,006 last year, compared to an estimated $11,250 contribution required for an out-of-state public university or college.

WWC gave out $32.5 million in financial aid last year, with the average award being $17,448, compared to $10,300, the average package for a major state university.

Between 80 and 90 percent of parents pay less for their students to go to WWC than to go to an Adventist academy.

WWC can actually cost less than a public college (including community college) when the financial aid package is factored in.

WWC is one of two colleges with the lowest room-and-board costs in the state of Washington.

A new scholarship program offers help above and beyond need-based aid.

Families who don’t qualify for aid based on need will be pleased to know about a new scholarship program launched this year.

Although WWC has awarded scholarships for high grades, high ACT and SAT scores, and academy leadership positions in the past, this year they’ve announced that they’ll extend these awards for four years—pro18 Westwind Spring 2006

WWC

vided the student keeps up his or her grades. This can amount to as much as $22,000 over four years. (To see how much free money your child could get through this program, fill in the scholarship calculator shown.)

Financial aid makes WWC possible for many who think it’s out of reach.

Including scholarships, the college has around $37 million in aid to award for 2006-2007. To get some of that, you’ll need to take two important steps: Fill out the financial aid application at sfs.wwc.edu/application Fill out the federal government’s aid application at fafsa.ed.gov

Cassie Ragenovich, director of Student Financial Services, encourages parents to do this even if they think they won’t qualify for aid. “We’ve seen a lot of families pleasantly surprised,” she says. “But it is important to do it soon, since some funds do run out.”

WWC wants you here.

I was deeply touched by the spirit I felt in the Student Financial Services department when I visited. The staff clearly feel that if it’s God’s will for you to be at WWC, they can find a way to help you get here. And they’re not just talking smoke and mirrors. Their stories of students who were able to attend WWC through miraculous means are inspiring.

“We want to see that any student God is leading here is able to attend,” says Ragenovich. “And we’re committed to doing everything we can to help them get here. If money is a problem, we’ll find a solution.

We’ll guide them through the financial aid application process and put together an award package tailored to their family’s needs.”

Anything’s possible.

Though the price tag isn’t small, I left the office realizing that a WWC education is not only possible for us, I believe it’s possible for anyone who has a will to make it a reality. With parents, students, and the college working together, a WWC Christian education can be within reach.

For our family, it’s meant committing weekends to helping our son identify and apply for scholarships. It will mean making college our financial priority in the years ahead. Our son, too, will need to do his part—both by working at a job and keeping his grades up.

Matthew B Zimmerman

Scholarship Calculator

But having done this myself once, I’ve no doubt that it will be worth the effort. Having spent time on a secular campus, my husband and I know that there’s no price tag we can put on the experience of studying in a faith-based environment.

We’re certain that it’s one of the most important investments we can make in our children’s future. And it’s our goal to do what we can to not only see that our children have the opportunity to attend WWC, but to encourage others who should be there to attend as well.

How alumni can help.

There are so many ways you can help your college. Your gifts, your prayers, your words of support. But perhaps most importantly, ask yourself if you know of a young person who should be here. If you do, see that they get a call. From the college or from you. There are people on campus who can help them make WWC a reality for them—if they know they’re out there. Contact either: Cassie Ragenovich Student Financial Services 800-656-2815 or 509-527-2815 rageca@wwc.edu

Freshman Four High School GPA Award year year 3.75-4.00 $3,000 __________ 3.50-3.74 $2,500 __________ 3.25-3.49 $1,500 __________ 3.00-3.24 $1,000 __________

ACT /SAT Scores Award 31+/2070+ $3,000 __________ 29-30/1950-2069 $2,500 __________ 27-28/1830-1949 $1,750 __________ 25-26/1710-1829 $1,500 __________

t A. Enter the larger: x4 =__________ (the GPA or the ACT/SAT Award) __________ years

B. Bonus Award: If you qualify for both GPA and x4 =__________ ACT/SAT awards above, add an __________ years extra $1,500.

Leadership Award SA President $2,500 __________ SA Spiritual VP $1,750 __________ SA Exec VP $1,750 __________ Sr Class President $2,000 __________ Sr Class Spiritual VP $1,750 __________ Sr Class Exec VP $1,750 __________ Jr Class President $1,750 __________ Jr Class Exec VP $1,500 __________ Other Jr or Sr Office* $500 __________ Yearbook Editor $2,000 __________ Newspaper Editor $2,000 __________ Assistant Editor $1,250 __________ Co-editor $1,500 __________ Head Resident Asst. $1,300 __________ Resident Assistant $1,250 __________ Team Captain $750 __________

Victor Brown Office of Enrollment 800-541-8900 or 509-527-2327 browvi@wwc.edu

DeLona Lang Bell is a grateful graduate of WWC, the mother of a WWC-bound son, and president of CMBell Company, a marketing and communication firm (cmbell.com).

*Some restrictions apply

t C. Total Leadership Award x4 =__________ Enter your total or $4,000, __________ years whichever is less.

Total Add Add

Freshman 4-Year

Column Column

A+B+C A+B+C

{

t

t

___________ ___________ Freshman 4-Year Award Year Award with 3.5 GPA

If you don’t apply for financial aid, here’s what it will cost:

}

Books (average) . . . . . . . . . $924 Tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,725 Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,472 SA Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $192 Cafeteria (minimum) . . . . $1,521 Total $24,834

Spring 2006 Westwind 19

Interview

Many Waters Run Deep Collect, organize, analyze. It’s all in a day’s work for Shanna Bailey Olson. The 2000 environmental science graduate is a water quality specialist on the Umatilla Indian Reservation where she has worked to improve water in the area for the past three years.

By Kristi Spurgeon You are a water quality specialist.

What does that mean?

I am responsible for planning and conducting field studies for surface and ground water on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. I use special equipment to collect water quality information or collect samples that are sent to an offsite laboratory. Then, I organize and analyze that data by preparing reports, maps, and graphs.

What types of water issues do you face on the reservation?

The Umatilla Reservation is located on 172,882 acres east of Pendleton, Ore. Pendleton, and the area that I work in, is similar to Walla Walla, with a semi-arid climate influenced by the Pacific Ocean and the Blue Mountains. Winters are cool and wet, and summers are hot and dry.

When the winters and spring are wet, the rivers have higher flows and the water quality conditions are usually clean and cold, providing an adequate aquatic habitat. During the summer and fall, when there is less precipitation, stream flows decline and water quality conditions and 20 Westwind Spring 2006

aquatic habitats are more of a concern. Flow conditions and water temperature are the main concerns for the preservation of aquatic biota during lower flow conditions.

What are you hoping to accomplish through your work?

By researching past and current conditions, the Tribes is striving to rehabilitate areas that will restore clean, cold, healthy waters to the streams on the reservation year-round. The Tribes’ primary focus is increasing the salmon population, but the habitat rehabilitation will provide a variety of environmental improvements. Reintroduction of native flora and fauna allows for increased traditional opportunities such as root gathering and elk hunting.

Shanna Bailey Olson tests water samples for temperature, dissolved oxygen, and other qualities.

Interview

Courtesy of Shanna Bailey Olson

Are there any special challenges or rewards involved working with the Tribes?

Working with the Tribes has its own challenges as with any government agency or political body. I feel as if there is an underlying understanding that it does not matter how long it

Through her work, Shanna is helping revive environmental habitats for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Enjoy catching up with fellow alumni through Westwind’s Interviews?

Visit Alumni Central (alumni .wwc.edu) to check out archives of these interviews and peruse additional web-exclusive interviews.

takes to reach a goal, as long as the information that is collected is understood and collected with the best available science. For example, when I started this position there were a variety of detailed studies of the conditions of the river, yet no consistent long-term water quality testing had been done. The Tribes has sent me to specialized trainings for additional instruction on how to write and plan a long-term surface water quality-monitoring project. With this project in place, I’ve been able to focus my attention on the basic river water quality testing on the reservation.

Because of my knowledge and interest I have expanded my water testing beyond basic river samples to include river sediments, lake water, and groundwater sampling across the reservation.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I have two types of days. One is an office day and the other is a field day.

A normal office day might consist of coordinating field monitoring with other biologists, hydrologists, or natural resource personnel. I also spend a lot of time creating reports for grants or projects. Many of the reports describe current conditions, historical data, and potential impacts, and predict long-term conditions of a specific project to the waters on the reservation.

I usually work with data collected in the field, using a mapping program to visually display and explain that data.

A normal field day consists of visiting stream sampling sites, which I do each season throughout the reservation. At each site I use equipment that records instantaneous water quality conditions, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and turbidity.

I also collect river water, which is sent to a laboratory for further analysis.

How did you become involved with this career?

Did you start out as an environmental science major?

During my junior year at WWC I was randomly flipping through the bulletin and found the section on independent studies where environmental science caught my eye. I felt that this was exactly what I had been looking for, since I was always the one with the nature t-shirts who used recycled paper. After I spoke with Jon Cole [director for environmental sciences at WWC] about the major and the options available, I knew that it was something that I would enjoy. Being involved in science yet having the option to go outside for work sounded great.

I laugh as I remember the first two years at WWC. I took a red marker and X-ed out all the engineering courses in the class schedule. Who would have thought that I would need, and even enjoy, many of those courses for my eventual degree? n

Your job sounds very precise and detail-oriented.

What type of people would enjoy the work you do?

People who are in my position often have specialized training in hydrology, geology, or, as I had, an environmental science major. If you are interested in a similar position you should enjoy fieldwork, including using field equipment and being able to track the information that is collected.

I have found that understanding technology has also helped me in my jobs after college.

Spring 2006 Westwind 21

Alumnotes

1940s Donald Peterson ’45 is living in Loma Linda, Calif. He has recently written a book about how to prevent headaches without the use of drugs. He has also written a book critiquing the legal system. This book draws upon his years of experiences as a neurologist and expert witness.

1950s Marlene (Nelson) Ferguson ’54 and her husband, Robert att., reside in Beach, N.D. Before owning and operating their farm, she worked with her husband driving an 18-wheeler for 10 years, operating a Terex twin-engine dirt mover for eight years, and also building dams for the Bureau of Land Management. Both worked with elderly people in their personal care home for six years. Marlene and Robert have four children, Charles att., Bruce att., Don att., and Dianna att.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Marlene enjoys cooking, gardening, growing flowers in her yard, but mostly playing with her “wonderful great-grandbabies.”

Willard Kaufmann ’55 and his wife, Pat, are living in Decator, Tenn. They have

a Senior Volunteer Coordinator and manager of the Better Living Center in Spokane. Ken and his volunteers have expanded the services of the BLC to include household appliances. He writes, “there are an incredible amount of people that are helping each week and Matthew 25:40 sums up the mission of the BLC, ‘In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these brethren you have done it unto me.’ ” Stanley “Floyd” Sargeant ’55 and ’58 and his wife, Emma, are retired and

living in Poulsbo, Wash. Before retiring in 1974, Floyd was serving the U.S. Army Medical Service as a nurse, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. He has served as a nurse anesthetist in various Army hospitals in the United States, Germany, and Vietnam. Upon retirement he worked as the director of the Wasau Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesiology and at the Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesiology.

Floyd and Emma have one son, Thomas ’82; and one granddaughter, Heidi Sargeant curr. att.

Ruth (Whatley) Weatherby ’55 is living in Prince George, British Columbia, Cana-

three children, Bruce, Delee Panasuk, and Beth Watson. In his spare time Willard loves to garden.

Kendall Noah ’55 and his wife, Mary (Cleveland) ’58, are living in Spokane, Wash. Since 1993 Ken has worked as 22 Westwind Spring 2006

da. Ruth has been a nurse for the last 50 years in 26 various capacities in Canada.

Serving as a maternity ward staff nurse for more than 10 years, she retired in

1991 from Prince George Regional Hospital. In January 2005 her husband, Jim, passed away. She writes, “I have lived a very ordinary life, but God has been good to me.” Ruth and Jim have two children, Sandra Boutilier, and Clarence; and two grandchildren, Alina and Andrea Boutilier.

Merton Allen ’56 and his wife, Margie (Parish) att., make their home in Portland, Ore. In their spare time they love to travel.

Merton and Margie have four children, Therese, Darilynne ’83, Terrill, and Tisa Stiltz ’86.

Victor Boyce ’56 and his wife, Arlene (Birchell) att., reside in Colbert, Wash.

Victor is a retired physician, working for 33 years in Lancaster, Calif. He has served every Seventh-day Adventist church job in his local church. They have retired to Arlene’s childhood home and farm, which has a private airport from which Victor flew his airplane until 2001. They have two children, Tab, and Beverly Doerler; and four grandchildren, Aria, Autumn, Vanessa, and Rochel.

Donald Lang ’56 and his wife, Joyce (Fry) att., make their home in Loma Linda, Calif. Donald has been very involved in his community, doing medical-ministerial evangelism for nine years, and volunteering at prison ministries for three years. He keeps fit by running marathons, which he has been doing for the last 11 years. He is working as a physician, conducting California evaluations on patients. Donald and Joyce have four children, Lorinda, Kevin, Lisa Neish, and Kathy Cornelius ’89; and two grandchildren. Donald has many memories from WWC, especially from one summer session spent at the Marine Station doing biological statistics.

Dale Minner ’56 is a retired physician living in Creston, Iowa. Dale is enjoying retirement after 42 years of practicing emergency and occupational medicine.

He enjoyed his time working as associate medical director for Western Electric.

Before retirement, Dale served as an occupational physician at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Dale has four children, son Allen, and daughters Denise Dale Minner att., LaDeane Duree, and Jenni; and four grandchildren.

From his WWC experience he remembers “Dr. Brown disappearing behind a ball of flames after forgetting to light a bunsen burner for too long.”

Joan (Rader) Shultz ’56 and her husband, Wes ’56, are retired and

living in Berrien Springs, Mich. Joan stays active by walking four to five miles a week and volunteering eight to 12 hours a week at Neighbor-to-Neighbor Community Center. Since Wes’s retirement in 2003 he, “enjoys gardening and catching up on the news.” Joan and Wes have three daughters, Kari, Debra, and Julie Duncan. Joan’s favorite college memory is “Sunday morning breakfast at the fountain at the College Store.”

Dorothy (Curtis) Takscal ’56, makes her home in Wheeler, Ore. Before retiring she worked in a local hospital as a surgeon’s assistant. She also worked for a physician in internal medicine for five years. Dorothy is now a volunteer at Care Center in Wheeler. She has four children, Wayne, James, Betty, and Julie; ten grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Dorothy’s favorite WWC experience “was going to the mountains on holidays and playing in the snow.”

Jeanette Weaver-Sullivan ’56 and husband, Carl, live in College Place. After

Alumnotes retiring from WWC in 2000 and getting remarried in 2002, she has volunteered in the chaplain’s office at Walla Walla General Hospital and also at Gospel Outreach.

Jeanette likes to bird-watch, garden and sing duets with her husband. She also enjoys spending time with friends. She has four children, Jerry ‘86, Joel, Jill Hargreaves, and Jennifer Aichele.

ada; South Lakefield, Africa; Montana Conference, and North Pacific Union Conference. He served 12 years on the WWC board. In 2000 he retired from 40 years of service, but then returned to be pastor of Ashland Adventist Church. Perry and Gloria have three children, Daniel att., Donita Jensen, and Darlene Perkins att.; and 11 grandchildren.

Kenneth Carr ’61 and his wife, Ellamae (Kurtz) ’57, are retired and make their

Verne Wehtje ’56 and his wife, LaDonna (Zuercher) att., make their home in Angwin, Calif. Before retiring Verne was a professor of English for 22 years at several Adventist colleges. He also served as vice president of public relations for WWC and as associate academic dean for five years.

After moving to Angwin, he spent six years being professor and chair of English at Pacific Union College. Verne and LaDonna have two sons, Gary and Rodney; and five granddaughters.

Ruth (Deming) Roberts ’60 and her husband, Raymond, reside in Berrien Springs, Mich. Retiring in 2004 from Andrews University, Ruth is currently helping her husband with his job as a certified personal accountant. She enjoys working in her yard and garden. Ruth and Raymond have one son, Philip.

home in Auhoru, Ore. Both enjoy working with Maranatha volunteers, building churches and schools. They try to do four projects a year. They helped with building San Diego Academy in 2004-2005.

For several weeks each year they work with mission church builders. Kenneth and Ellamae have seven children, Dan, Don, Jenny, Heather, Shaun, Ryan, and Stephanie.

Joanne Foss ’59 and her husband, Edward ’60, are retired and living in Winterhaven, Calif. Living in a small community, they started a Seventh-day Adventist church five years ago and have seen wonderful evidences of God’s power.

She writes, “we also have witnessed many people who have given their hearts and lives to the Lord. It has been a great experience.” They started a hobby farm a few years ago, Medjool Dates, through which they sell dates and trees throughout the Southwest. They have three children, Timothy, Sheryl Gauigan, and Steven ’94.

1960s Perry Parks ’60 and his wife, Gloria, are retired and living in Medford Ore. Perry

spent 13 years as a missionary in Africa.

He spent 20 years as a local conference president for Maritime Conference, Can-

Ginger “Lillian” (Reel) Snarr ’60 and her husband, Dudley, are living in Sur-

Rose Jacobus ’61 and her husband, LeRoy, make their home in Battleground,

prise, Ariz. Ginger and Dudley have been involved in many mission projects. They have done extensive humanitarian work in the former Soviet Union and recently went on a mission trip to Cuba doing global evangelism. Ginger worked as a nurse for several years and is now retired.

They have two children, Brian ’94 and Brent; and three grandchildren, Kendra, Caleb and Alexia. From her WWC experience she remembers “all the happy memories, especially making many wonderful lifelong friends.”

Barbara (Rouse) Opp Walda ’60 and her husband, Mel, are living in Palmer, Alaska.

Currently she is a land law examiner for the Bureau of Land Management. In her spare time she loves to ride her fourwheeler—in her words, “gently”—and likes to make greeting cards and photo albums. Barbara and Mel have five children, Krystal Opp Tavasci, Diane Opp, Randon “Randy,” Shane and Shaun; and one granddaughter, Heather Tavasci.

Wash. Rose retired in 2004 after 45 years at Adventist Medical Center in Portland.

She is now taking classes at the local community college in horticulture. She started a nursery and hopes to create a business in container gardening. Both love to travel and have been to several countries. They have two children, Sharon Dietrich ’87, and Michael att.; and five grandchildren.

John Dawes ’61 and his wife, Lovella (Koorenny) ’55, reside in Lebanon, Ore. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He writes, “I enjoy gardening, although it seems the deer do as much harvesting as we do.” Both like living on their five acres of woods and pastures. John and Lovella have four children, Gary, Larry, Terri ’88, and Barry.

David Claridge ’64 and his wife, Joanne, reside in College Station, Texas. David is a professor at Texas A&M in the department of mechanical engineering, where he does analysis techniques for building

energy date and heat transfer in buildings, with more than 280 publications in these areas. David is also associate director of the Energy Systems Laboratory in the Texas Engineering Experiment Station. He worked for the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colo., and for the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. After college, he went to Stanford University to attain his doctoral degree. Joanne and David have two children, Shelley and Jonathan.

Marlow Dawes ’64, and his wife, Carol (Otter) att., live in College Place. After teaching for 25 years, he decided to become a phlebotomist and now works at Walla Walla General Hospital. Carol is a nurse working as wellness director for Pioneer House Assisted Living. They have two children; Karen and Kevin; and three grandchildren. Marlow enjoys rock polishing, star watching, coin collecting, and both he and his wife enjoy camping.

Marlow’s favorite college memory is “dating Carol, my wife-to-be.”

Robert Crombie ’65 and his wife, Edna (Smith) ’66 and ’67, reside in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. Robert owns his own sawmill and is still working hard almost every day. Robert and Edna have two children, Crista Leiske and Kevin.

Sidney Kettner ’65 and his wife, Carol Rae, make their home in Creston, Brit-

ish Columbia, Canada. After college, he graduated from Loma Linda School of Medicine. After practicing medical services he did oversea services in China, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Greece, Argentina, and Bolivia. Hans Diehl of Loma Linda and Sidney launched the first Coronary Health Improvement Project in 1988 in Creston.

It has now spread to the United States, India, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, and Spring 2006 Westwind 23

Alumnotes Australia, with more than 250 programs.

It is held annually with more than 35,000 graduates. Sidney and Carol have four children, Todd ’93, Gregory ’96, Shawna Northup att., and Jane Rutherford. In his spare time he enjoys photography, sailing, running marathons, restoring old Mustangs, and trekking to Mount Everest. One of his favorite memories is Evensong at Sabbath sunset with Loren Dickinson and Melvin West.

LeRoy Rieley ’65 and his wife, Ethel (Syme) ’58, make their home in Portland, Ore. Both retired in 2002, after LeRoy completed 35 years of service, including one year at WWC, five years in the Washington Conference, and 28 years with the North Pacific Union Conference. Prior to entering denominational employment, he worked in insurance and public accounting. In June of 1969 he received his certified public accounting license and in August 1986 he received his trust service certificate from the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Trust Services. While retired they continue to assist in church duties and enjoy birding, camping, and visiting their two children, Della Dunbar att, and Karen att.

Shirley (Witherspoon) Schoepflin ‘65 and her husband, Gerald ’66, are living

in Portland, Ore. Shirley is very active in her church, leading children’s ministries and making flower arrangements for 29 years. She also enjoys singing in the church choir. Aside from that, she loves to cook, hike, snowshoe, bird watch, garden, and grow flowers. The couple has two children, Todd ’97, and Shelley Sanders ’98. Her favorite WWC memory, she writes, “I loved every Friday evening vespers, also church services were so special with Mel West at the organ.”

24 Westwind Spring 2006

Marolyn (Eiseman) Wagner ‘65 and her husband, Donald ’66, reside in Hemet,

Calif. They love their jobs as managers at The Camelot—a 138-apartment retirement facility. Before moving to Hemet, they lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., for 14 years, but moved to be closer to their daughter and husband. They have two children, Donald, and Mindy Rae Sue Williams; and one grandchild, Caroline. Marolyn loved her experience here at WWC and loved living in the dorm. She writes, “They were wonderful memories I cherish! Wonderful times with lifelong friends.” What makes WWC even more special is it is where she met her husband, Don. Eugene Amey ’66 and his wife, Dorothea (Renschler) ’65, make their home in Moorpark, Calif. Eugene has spent much of his life being a missionary overseas.

For 17 years he was a pastor in the Upper Columbia, Oregon, and Michigan conferences. Currently he is working as trust officer for the Michigan Conference and Adventist Media Center. Eugene and Dorothea have two sons, Mark and Michael; and one granddaughter.

Robert Brath ’66 lives in Lahaina, Hawaii. He owns his own dental practices on both the island of Maui and Molokai. Robert is active in the local Filipino community. He loves traveling to see his children and spending time with his grandchildren. Robert has seven children, Jon, Eyke Brath-Hurdman, Shade Hurdman, Madeline, Malik Hurdman, Blaise, and Ensen Hurdman.

Sharon Bredall ’66 makes her home in Hillsboro, Ore. She keeps herself busy by reading, sewing, and decorating, but her family has really been her life. She worked at Portland Adventist Hospital for several years after graduation. After staying home with her children, she went back to work keeping the books for her

husband Norman’s construction business. She also worked in a dental office part time and in a fabric store. In 2002 her husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. He semi-retired in 2003 and soon after, passed away in January 2004.

Now Sharon is retired and working on a large remodeling project. Sharon has four children, Douglas ’94, Laura Paddock, Debra Christensen ’97, and Michael; and one grandchild. Her favorite WWC memory she says is, “when the College Dairy served the best peanut butter milkshakes I’ve ever tasted for only 25 cents each.”

Bonnie (Emmerson) Fields ’66 and her husband, Bill ’66, live and work at Leoni Meadows Camp in Grizzly Flats, Calif.

Bonnie discovered after working a number of years in hospital food service that working at a conference camp would be more exciting since the staff adds dimension each year. Bonnie works as the food service director and the office manager of the camp. Currently Bonnie’s mother, Naida (Johnson) Emmerson ’35, adds a happy, loving spirit to their home.

Bonnie and Bill have two children, Tina Field-Melzer, and Tonya Levos att.

Lila (Stewart) Fry ’65 and ’69 is retired and living Enumclaw, Wash. Lila taught school for 31 years and now loves making quilts. She has two daughters, Gwen Smith ’64 and Joan Shumway att.; three grandchildren, including Todd Smith ’96; and three great-grandchildren.

Gordon Johnson ’66 and his wife, Patricia, reside in Pullman, Wash. Gordon works as director of the undergraduate physics labs at Washington State University. The couple keeps busy with volunteer projects for the National Forest Service and also sponsoring the Adventist Christian Fellowship at WSU. Gordon and Patricia have three children, Wendy, Darrin, and Aimee Saddler. When they find time they love to backpack and be outdoors.

Edwin “Ed” Karlow ’66 and his wife, Marilyn (Cross) att., are living in Riverside, Calif. Ed and Marilyn celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary by making the trip to Yellowstone and attending their

niece’s wedding while there. For the past 27 years Ed has been teaching physics, electronics, and acoustics at La Sierra University. Marilyn has been a records analyst and student advisor for 16 years at LSU. They have two children, Marvin and Norman. Ed’s favorite memory of WWC is “Evensong with Mel West playing the organ and Loren Dickinson as reader.”

1970s Becky (Shabo) Brown ’71 and her husband, Earl, live in Fillmore, Calif. Becky works at Adventist Media Center as the director of trust services. Because of her job she frequently visits trustees at WWC. She also frequently visits the Pacific Northwest because she has family in the area. They have three children, Wendy Well att., Chip Owens att., and Nicolas Owens. Something that Becky remembers about WWC is the old Ad Building, but she says, “I look forward to seeing the new structure in place.”

Pamela (Hitchman) Bullock ’71 and her husband, Larry, make their home in Fairview, Ore. She is currently the academic physician for Providence Portland Internal Medicine Residence. They have one daughter, Amy Bellinghausen, who is currently attending Pacific Union College.

Rodney Janssen ’71 and his wife, Wanda (Chrowl) ’73, live in Salem, Ore. Rodney is enjoying his own practice as a dentist.

They have two children, Jeremy att., and Janelle curr. att.

Janice (Ginter) Wiggins ’71 lives in Farmington, Wash. She is a nurse and has worked in clinical and private settings, including working at the Washington State Penitentiary. For two years she was school nurse and girl’s dean at

Alumnotes Country Haven Academy, but has since returned to Farmington to do lifestyle educating—her favorite kind of nursing. Janice has four children, Katrina Harness att., Corrina att., Hans att., and Hendrik att. She enjoyed every aspect of WWC. One thing that stands out in her memory is giving her roommate a new hairdo which she says was great.

She enjoyed having great roommates and friends.

Angie “Angelyn” (Sanborn) Austin ’75 is living in Vancouver, Wash. After working at Glendale Adventist Hospital for three years she moved to Portland, Ore., and worked at the old Portland Adventist Hospital and at Walla Walla General Hospital. Currently she works as a private duty nurse for an agency. She has two daughters; Tamalyn, and Shauna; and three grandchildren; Elric, Jaeger, and Lucien, who she says are, “the highlight in my life.”

Mary (Ruiz) Campbell ’75 lives in Vancouver, Wash. Currently she is working

as a nurse doing perioperative assessment services where she talks to patients and takes all their medical history, and also talks to them about upcoming surgery. Although she keeps busy working, she still finds time for her passion— gardening. She has two children, Justin and Jared, of which she says, “I’m very proud of both my boys. We are still missing Doug [her husband] after his death almost 20 years ago.” Her most fond memory of WWC is the great friends that she made while she was here, and continues to stay in touch with over the last 30 years.

Rick Henderson ’75 and his wife, Karen “Kay,” are living in Yreka, Calif. Rick and Kay consider Yreka, to be their “stateside” mission field. They have helped to build a Seventh-day Adventist junior academy

guidance and teaching of the Biology Department.

and a new community-based hospital, Fairchild Medical Center, where Rick works as a orthopedic surgeon. They feel blessed to be living in a country home with 20 acres and a beautiful view of Mt. Shasta out their breakfast nook window.

Rick writes, “We have found joy and service to others by helping to treat disease and relieve pain and suffering.” He states one of his real joys of life is his children, Matthew curr. att., and daughter Kristen. Rick was a pre-professional biology major so he says he benefited from the

Dan Erickson ’76 and his wife, Raydene (Rodonets) ’75, live in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Dan keeps himself busy by being a self-employed chiropractor. They have two children, Danaya MacDonald and Jaydene Freund.

Dawn (Zelka) Hainey ’76 and her husband, Herb, reside in Arlington, Wash.

With both children gone to college they consider themselves empty-nesters.

Dawn loves her job at Cascade Valley Senior Living as an activities assistant.

Both of them are Pathfinder area coordinators in the Washington Conference.

Dawn is also the church’s health coordinator, which she has done for 20 years. For a relaxing afternoon, they love riding their

tandem bike. They have two children, Lisa curr. att., and Brian curr. att. One of Dawn’s favorite memories from WWC was singing at Friday night afterglow.

Edward Harris ’76 and his wife, Sarah, live in Poulsbo, Wash. Edward is a police officer and is currently assigned to the traffic squad in Seattle, Wash. He is the lead instructor for the State Drug Recognition Expert Program. He was recently named Washington State’s Drug Recognition Instructor of the Year. Edward and Sarah have four children, Brian, Michael, Lindsey Manion, and Megan Buckman; and one granddaughter Taylor Buckman.

As a resident counselor under Dean Loewen he remembers having daily evening meetings. He also enjoyed Friday afternoon tennis matches with his roommate, Larry Unterseher.

Bringing Progress to Ethiopia

W

hen Fedeke Gemechu ’66 returned to the Ethiopian village of his childhood he was struck by how it had stayed the same: the same poverty, the lack of education and medical care, the devastation from civil unrest. It was as if no progress had been made in more than 40 years.

Communist rule had closed Ethiopia’s borders until the early 1990s, when Fedeke was finally allowed to visit his country. His travels sparked a dream to start a primary school in the rural village he had often visited as a child.

After retiring from his medical practice in Loma Linda, Calif., Fedeke formed a nonprofit organization, the International Medical Aid Association. Through IMAA, he returned to Ethiopia and founded the Learning Village.

After hiring teachers in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, who were anxious for employment, the school was set to open for 50 students in 1998. The first day, however, some 300 students lined

up to attend classes. “We had no choice but to quickly add more classrooms,” he says.

Most students are 15 or older and need practical, income-earning skills, along with skills in reading and writing. A component of the Learning Village is the microindustry training. As students learn and work, income they generate from gardening, woodworking, beekeeping, the dairy, or the bakery helps to support the school.

Currently, the Learning Village offers grades one through six plus vocational training to nearly 500 students. The goal is to add grades each year up to grade 10 and to expand the micro-industries. A first aid clinic serves the students and community. Fedeke plans to build a girls’ dormitory to help them stay in school and he also hopes to build a church.

When he isn’t working on the Learning Village, Fedeke is negotiating with the Ethiopian government to reestablish the Adventist hospital in Addis Ababa. Before communism in Ethiopia, the hos-

pital was renowned for its medical care. Now the government is interested in joining with Fedeke and his Adventist colleagues in establishing a hospital and medical training facility.

With the practical education the school offers and an open invitation to Sabbath worship, the Learning Village is becoming an integral part of the community.

Fedeke’s dream is to “help the people improve their lives—and then they have the freedom to choose.” n

Spring 2006 Westwind 25

Alumnotes Wes Kandoll ’76 and his wife, Maretta (Haynes) ’74, live in Vancouver, Wash.

Wes is an electrical inspector for the City of Vancouver. The couple has two daughters, Crystal curr. att., and KaraLeigh.

from home for college students. Her favorite WWC memories include working for Dr. Eichner in public relations and coordinating music tours around the Pacific Northwest.

Diana (Canty) Pierce ’76 and her husband, John Pierce ’78, recently moved to Osburn, Idaho. John is now a fulltime pastor. Diana says of their church, it was “a church that was considering closing its doors and now has the highest attendance in 130 years, Praise the Lord.” John and Diane have two children, Matthew ’89 and Stacy ’94, and four grandchildren. Diane’s favorite WWC memory is Evensong with Dr. Dickinson and Dr. West.

Jo (Keri) Baim ’81 resides in Seattle, Wash. Jo enjoys being the assistant organist at Trinity Parish Episcopal Church.

She spends time with her German shepherd, Henry Cecil, a nursing home therapy dog. She is also the oblate of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho.

Deborah (Hutton) Wiggins ’76 and her husband, David, make their home in Claremont, Calif. Deborah has a dental practice in Upland, Calif. She says, “We just hired our third dentist, another woman of course!” Deborah and David have one son, Paul. Deborah’s favorite WWC memories are Evensong (which she still misses today) and studying in the sixth floor parlor of Foreman Hall. She is still apologizing to the women whose peace they disrupted. Overall “I will be forever grateful for the learning, the growth, and the friendship I had at WWC.”

1980s Scott Gibson ’80 and his wife, Melody, are living in McMinnville, Ore. Scott works as a physician and also finds time for photography. He publishes his own work by making calendars. Scott and Melody have three children, Mandy, Cameron, and Stephanie.

Dorita (Perry) Tessier ’80 and her husband, Mark ’81, live in College Place.

Dorita is currently working at WWC as the director of capital campaigns. Her husband has his own real estate business, Mark V. Realty. They have two daughters Melissa ‘05, and Michelle curr. att. Dorita’s hobbies include traveling, scrapbooking, spending time with family and friends, and providing a home away 26 Westwind Spring 2006

Sandra (Nelson) Berg ’81 and her husband, Greg, are living in Marquette,

Mich. Recently married in 2003, she became a full-time homemaker. She writes, “Greg is a partner in a benefits firm, and made me an instant mother and grandmother. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with our ‘kids’ and also our two dogs.” Much of their time is spent on working in various capacities in their church and also volunteering at their local hospital. She has two stepchildren, Taylor and Tiffany; and one step granddaughter. Her favorite WWC memory is “being on the ‘dating game’ and choosing our pastor, Darold Bigger, as my date!”

Hoi Young Calvin Chan ’81 is living in West Linn, Ore. He is a medical physicist and assistant professor for Oregon Heath and Sciences University. He has one daughter, Rachel Chan.

Lori Ciccarelli ’81 lives in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. After completing her degree in mass communications media she continued her education, earning her teaching credential. Moving to Mammoth Lakes in 1990, she managed a world-renowned fly-fishing resort for 10 years, then taught elementary school for 11 years. She has been the community

relations director for Mammoth Hospital since 1998, overseeing public relations, marketing, volunteer services, Hispanic outreach, interpretive services, and fund development and fundraising. Lori is very active in her community, serving as the school’s PTA president, volunteering on the search and rescue team, and volunteering for animal-assisted therapy.

She visits hospitals and classrooms for the disabled with her certified therapy dog, Ike. Something that has changed Lori’s life is giving birth to an autistic child who has taught her tolerance of differences and patience and compassion for others. Lori’s hobbies include Pilates, traveling, ice skating, hiking, gardening, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, scrapbooking, and fly fishing. Lori’s favorite WWC memory is singing as the “Andrews Sisters” with Helen Kiefer and Ronda Sackett and winning first place in 1980’s annual OPS Amateur Hour.

Wafia Farag ’81 and her husband, Jeff ’80, make their home in Spokane, Wash.

Wafia teaches piano at Upper Columbia Academy, Whitworth College, and at her home studio. She is very active in her church as a musician and teaches Sabbath school for juniors. Jeff and Wafia have three children, Evan curr. att., Nolan, and daughter Elise.

Jack Sample ’81 and his wife, Elana Bartlett ’81, reside in Talmage, Neb. From 1994 to 1997 Jack and his wife served as missionaries to Papua New Guinea to create a vision of service for the entire family.

Their family’s corporation is named after the group of people they served, “Namia,” and its mission statement is to reach the underprivileged in Papua New Guinea through aviation, communication, and health services. They have two children, Ray and Corrie, currently attending Union College. Jack’s favorite memory of WWC is “meeting my wife in 1980.”

Basim Sawwan ’81 started college in 1976 after he graduated from high school in Lebanon. After completing his civil engineering studies, he practiced as a civilian engineer in southern California for the United States Navy (USN) for five years. Later, Basim moved to Washington D.C. to also work for the USN as a procurement engineer. He lived in the U.S. capital for eight years before he and his office moved to southern Maryland in 1997. “While I was in high school I always wondered if I’d make it to college. After I started college, I discovered that I love to study. Engineering was the type of profession that I decided to enter during my latter years in high school,” he writes. “It is amazing how much an engineer learns just from the laws of nature created by the almighty God and he does not stop learning new things. It is like an endless treasure of knowledge and a kind gift of a loving type. While in college, I made a lot of friends when studying together and during college activities. I know that we all appreciated each other. I run into some of my WWC friends by luck at various worksites. Kudos to WWC who helped me learn how to deal with the real world.”

Kelvin Johnson ’85 and his wife, Terry (Danielson) ’81, are working in McMinnville, Ore. Kelvin was employed

by Evergreen International Airlines for 10 years and then transferred to the Evergreen Aviation Museum. He writes, “I married Terry after her husband passed away in 2001. She had three teenagers, Cherry, Heidi, and Jonathan, and in 2003, we had Kyle. They keep very busy with the ranch, church, school, jobs, friends, and family.

From his time at WWC he recalls his early morning Business Law class and how it prepared him for his early weekly management meetings at Evergreen.

Mons Jensen ’86 and his wife, Julie (Zachrison) ’88, are living in Angwin, Calif. Mons is working for Adventist Health as IT director, and his wife Julie is teaching at Pacific Union College Elementary School. They have two children, Annika and Zachri. Mons has many special memories from WWC. One of his favorite memories was creating the first comput-

Alumnotes

Changing the World

I

n her quieter moments, Rita (Smith) Barrett ’81 is bemused. How did she, a social work and Spanish graduate intent on changing the world, find herself inspiring laughter instead?

The story begins 21 years ago when Rita and husband Mike ’83 had their first child. Even when baby Josiah’s parents were told the baby was born with microcephaly (severe brain damage) Rita believed she could still pursue her social work career. By the time Josiah was 18 months old Rita accepted the reality. Josiah, whose condition left him at the developmental stage of a sixmonth-old, required her constant care. A year later a second son, Nate, was born.

Josiah’s medical needs required frequent hospital stays as the years went by. In spite of the demands of caring for Josiah and being a stay-at-home mom, Rita kept up with her language skills as a volunteer Spanish teacher at Scappoose Adventist School.

Five years ago, in her and her husband’s quest to find a family activity that 14-year-old Nate would enjoy, Rita had an epiphany. “We had exhausted all our ideas and were frustrated. Mike sug-

gested that we should pray about it, so I left it at that,” she says.

“A couple nights later, I found I couldn’t sleep and the word ‘clowning’ suddenly popped into my head. It wasn’t an audible voice and I hadn’t been thinking about my son, but I knew immediately that God had just given me the word for Nate’s hobby.” To her own surprise, her son thought it sounded like fun.

Nate wasn’t the only one having fun: Rita and Mike also completed the clown course offered by

er network and having to crawl through steam tunnels to install network cables.

He also remembers connecting the 100th PC to the network in Manford Simcock’s office.

1990s Melani “Nani” (Tanaka) Shones ’96 and her husband, Bill, reside in Hemet,

the local “alley” (clown club).

Today, Rita visits hospital patients twice a month as Mensa the Clown. “I have a lot of fun with my bilingual clown name.

English speakers often say ‘Wow—a smart clown.’ Spanish speakers just laugh. Mensa International may be a club for the brilliant, but ‘mensa’ is Spanish for stupid.”

her time at WWC she remembers going to Saturday night hockey games.

Calif. Working at San Jacinto Family and Urgent Call as a physician assistant keeps her busy. She loves to garden, cook, bake, and spend time with her husband. From

Deborah Silva ’96 and her husband, David, make their home in College Place.

Deborah is assistant professor of speech communication at WWC. David is a social worker, working at the local veteran’s hospital as an addiction therapist. Deborah loves riding on her Harley Davidson and also enjoys camping, gardening, remodeling their 100-year-old Craftsman home;

Sometimes Rita will play ukulele for the children, a skill she might not have if it hadn’t been for college roommate Kathy Skeels ’81. “Her teaching me to play the guitar means so much to me now, not only because I can play for the kids in the hospital, but because guitar music is nearly the only comforting mechanism we have for Josiah’s chronic pain,” she says.

Rita says being a clown is what she was born to do. “For just a few moments, if I can take a child to another place, where he doesn’t have to think about pain, shots, or being away from home, that’s the only world I need to change,” she says. n

and tending to three dogs, three cats, and two birds. They have four children, Judy, David “Ashley” att., Samantha curr. att., and Devin att. n

Spring 2006 Westwind 27

In Memory

Adam—Elaine (Brown) ’73 was born Nov. 14, 1949, in Red Lodge, Mont., and died Nov. 26, 2005, in Berrien Springs, Mich. Surviving: husband Larry ’72 of Berrien Springs; son Benjamin ’99 of Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif.; daughter Shonnah Adams of Kalamazoo, Mich.; brothers Gene Brown of Cleburne, Texas, Leslie Brown of Walla Walla, and Jimmy Brown ’84 of Bridger, Mont.; sisters Susan Dahlman of Lincoln, Neb., Lois Ferguson of Wibaux, Mont., and Becky Brown ’86 of Laurel, Mont.

Alderson—Margaret (Vantress) att., was born May 3, 1913 in Union, Ore., and died Aug. 30, 2005 in Loma Linda, Calif.

Surviving: daughters, Barbara Heisler ’56 of Highland, Calif., Beryl Johnson ’64, and Betty Woodland ’63 of Berrien Springs, Mich.; and sister Lorraine Brown ’37 of Dayton, Wash.

Alkire—Esther (Finsand) ’41 was born June 28, 1917, in Saskatchewan, Canada, and died Sept. 22, 2002, in Richland, Wash. Surviving: husband George ’42 of Olympia, Wash.; sons Thomas of Portland, Ore., William of Olympia, and Richard of Maple Valley, Wash.

Anderson—Arnold att., was born Nov. 30, 1912, in McNeil Island, Gertrude, Wash., and died Sept. 26, 2005, in Tacoma, Wash. Surviving: wife Marguerite of Tacoma; sons Thomas ’77 of Issaquah, Wash., and Daniel ’79 of Fairbanks, Alaska; and daughter Karen Weismiller att., of Orting, Wash.

Anderson—Kae (Yarbrough) ’70 was born Sept. 29, 1948, in Wenatchee, Wash., and died Nov. 11, 2005, in Walla Walla, Wash. Surviving: sons Richard att. and Ted att. of College Place; mother Vae Yarbrough Harnack of East Wenatchee, Wash.; brothers Lynn and Dan Yarbrough of East Wenatchee; and sister Sally Smith of Wenatchee.

28 Westwind Spring 2006

Anderson—Lee ’60 was born Oct. 25, 1936, in Detroit, Mich., and died Feb. 29, 2004, in Clackamas, Ore. Surviving: wife Beverly ’59 of Boring, Ore.; daughters Laurie Berning att., of Sandy, Ore., and Julie Wahlin att., of Welches, Ore.; and sister Sandy Spencer of Hendersonville, N.C. Baerg—Ida May (Wentworth) att., was born Dec. 11, 1922, in Stites, Iowa and died Dec. 22, 2004, in Berrien Springs, Mich. Surviving: son Willard of Collegedale, Tenn.; and daughter Coral Brenneise of Berrien Springs.

Bell—Margaret “Peggy” ’80 was born Aug. 7, 1930, in Esperanza, Mexico, and died July 4, 2005, in Angwin, Calif. Surviving: husband Charles (faculty 1960-62, 1972-84) of Angwin; sons Michael ’80 of Walla Walla, Carey ’90 of Riverside, Calif., and David ’87 of Suisun City, Calif.; sisters Virginia Jenson of Vista, Calif., and Bonnie Helen Johnson of Calimesa, Calif.

Bigger—Forrest ’40 and ’42 was born March 23, 1921, in Roseburg, Ore., and died Nov. 19, 2005, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Garnet att., of College Place; sons Darold ’65 of Walla Walla, and Rick att. of Corvallis, Ore.; daughters Carolyn Evans ’69 of Laurel, Mont., and Sandra Carlson att., of Everett, Wash.

Binder—Alma (Kruger) att., was born Nov. 3, 1904, in McCluskey, N.D., and died Dec. 19, 2004, in College Place. Surviving: sister Elynor Mehling ’46 of Portland, Ore. Bischoff—Mary (Allen) ’36 was born Feb. 11, 1914, in Caldwell, Idaho, and died July 9, 2005, in Apple Valley, Calif. Surviving: son Larry of Riverside, Calif.; daughters Bonnie Gruesbeck of Nampa, Idaho, Suezy Tucker of Auburn, Calif., and Joanie Jones of Apple Valley, Calif.; and sister Louise Keefes.

Calvert—Patricia (Trent) ’61 was born April 28, 1940, in Richmond, Ore., and died June 17, 2005, in Redmond, Ore. Surviving: husband Lyle of Redmond; and daughter Lyla Keithley.

Diamond—Lloyd ’47 was born June 26, 1918, in Hood River, Ore., and died April 3, 2003, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: wife Helen ’39 of Portland; daughter Ann Carl; and brother Dale att.

Carr—Dalles ’56 and ’62 was born Feb. 1, 1933, in College Place, and died Jan. 7, 2005, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: wife Aileen (Chaney) att., of Hood River, Ore.; sons Douglas and Duane of Mobile, Ala.; daughters Jeanne Humbert of Rainier, Ore., and Joyce Beldin of Minneapolis, Minn.; and brother Dwight att., of Moses Lake, Wash.

Diede—Doris (Nast) ’49 was born March 30, 1923, and died April 14, 2005. Surviving: husband Elmer of Ceres, Calif.; son Barry of Moberly, Mo.; daughter Cynthia Lemos att., of Waterford, Calif.; and sister Vivian Richardson of Santa Rosa, Calif.

Cate—Laverne att., was born Sept.14, 1926, in Aberdeen, S.D., and died April 1, 2004, in Eugene, Ore. Surviving: wife Esther att., of Eugene; sons Larry of Eugene, and Ronald of Walla Walla, daughter Cheryl Reinehe of Portland, Ore.; and brothers Maynard of Apple Valley, Calif., Daryl of Gaston, Ore., and Wyman of Gaston.

Coleman—Lois (Smith) att., was born April 10, 1920. Surviving: husband Paul Coleman ’47 of Troutdale, Ore.; and sons Don att., of Hagatna, Ga., Ron att., of Walla Walla, and Lewis att., of Boring, Ore. Creitz—Nondus ’46 was born Nov. 12, 1915, in Okanogan, Wash., and died July 26, 2005, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: sons Thaine ’62 of Vail, Ariz., Lynn ’63 of Sandy, Ore., and Doug of Vancouver, Wash.; daughters Diane Strube ’66 of Deer Island, Ore., and Bonnie Creitz ’70 of Portland, Ore. Dawes—Anna ’48 was born Nov. 13, 1914, in Nepal, Wash., and died May 7, 2004, in Walla Walla. Surviving: son Allen of Walla Walla; and daughter Donna Finkbiner ’74 of Jacksonville, Ore.

Dunton—Robert ’46 was born Jan. 25, 1915, in Los Angeles, Calif., and died March 22, 2005, in San Diego, Calif. Surviving: wife Virginia of Murphys, Calif.; sons Kenneth ’61 of Murphys, and Brian of Las Vegas, Nev.; and daughter Carol Bradley of Grants Pass, Ore. Eby—Robert ’66 was born April 17, 1946, in Portland, Ore., and died Nov. 19, 2005 in Redding, Calif. Surviving: wife Sheri of Redding; sons Robert att., of Arlington, Wash., and Michael of Redding; daughter Kimberly; father Wilder ’39 of Pasco, Wash.; brothers William ’63 of Canton, Ill., and Ben ’66 of Phelan, Calif.; and sister Carol Hiort-Lorenzen ’57 of Fairfield, Calif.

Engeberg—William ’48 was born Jan. 20, 1926 in Walla Walla, and died April 14, 2005, in Inglewood, Calif. Surviving: wife Nellie of Los Angeles, Calif.; and son Gordon of Redondo Beach, Calif.

Erice—Monica att., was born May 20, 1969, in Pendleton, Ore., and died Aug. 26, 2005, in Pilot Rock, Ore. Surviving: father Juan of Pilot Rock; mother Carolyn att., of Pilot Rock; and brother Juan Jose of Pendleton.

Fellows—James ’59 was born July 8, 1928, in Stoneham, Mass., and died Dec. 18, 2005, in College Place. Surviving: wife Marjorie (Leinbaum) ’72 and ’77 of College Place; and sister Martha Smith of Walla Walla.

In Memory Fujii—Harold ’42 was born March 14, 1918, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and died May 30, 2005, in San Pedro, Calif. Surviving: wife Pauline of San Pedro; son Timothy Quinata of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; daughters Jennifer Michaelsen of Long Beach, Calif., and Terri McCandless of Santa Rosa, Calif.; brother Robert of Honolulu; and sister Mary Anahu of Honolulu.

A Cherished and Loyal Friend

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s a nursing graduate of the Class of 1955, Eileen (Wettstein) Whatley was a member of Basic G, the name given to her freshman class. Eileen’s

Gerling—Fred att., was born May 21, 1922, in Java, Indonesia, and died June 19, 2004, in Hendersonville, N.C. Surviving: wife Winifred (Peggy) ’47 of Hendersonville; son William of Hendersonville; daughter Patricia McCune of Petoskey, Miss.; and sisters Evelyn Vannix att., of Glendale, Calif., and Dorothy Blodgett ’57 of Salem, Ore. Glendrange—Theodore “Ted” ’51 was born April 20, 1929, in Norway, and died Sept. 10, 2004, in Shingletown, Calif. Surviving: wife Judi of Redding, Calif.; sons Ray of Riverside, Calif., Mark of Torrance, Calif., Barry of Redlands, Calif., and Philip of Redding; and daughters Julie Glendrange and Kari Glendrange of Redding.

Groves—Ella-Belle (Sargeant) ’34 was born July 26, 1912, in Yakima, Wash., and died March 9, 2005, in Loma Linda, Calif.

Surviving: son Gary att., of Laguna Beach, Calif.; daughter Gayle Smith att., of Whittier, Calif.; brother Don Sargeant ’35 of Gladstone, Ore.; and sisters Rose Jutzy att., of Loma Linda, Calif., and Doris Davis att., of Burleson, Texas.

Haluschak—Michael att., was born July 8, 1935, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and died July 21, 2004, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Surviving: wife Marjorie of White Rock, British Columbia, Canada; sons Steven ’86 of Seattle, Wash., and John ’83 of Dayton, Ohio; and brother Paul of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.

Harris—Vernon att., was born Dec. 7, 1926, in Pocatello, Idaho, and died Feb. 10, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio. Surviving: wife Betty of Worthington, Ohio; son Dale of Quincy, Calif.; daughters Carol Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sharon Strong of Batavia, N.Y., and Ellen Beldin of Hawaii; and sister Allegra Jennings of Boise, Idaho.

Hartley—Kenneth ’36 was born March 18, 1914, in Eagle, Idaho, and died Dec. 17, 2005, in Kennewick, Wash. Surviving: wife Althera of Kennewick; and son Ronald.

Haun—Ellen (Meliah) ’71 was born June 11, 1934, in Walla Walla, and died June 29, 2005, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: daughters Michelle Haun-Hood of Portland, Ore., Connie Lommer of Walla Walla, Denise Haun of Spokane, Shannon Miller of Spokane, and Peggy Haun-McEwen of Spokane; brothers Ed Meliah and Larry Meliah; and sister Kay Ray.

loyalty to her classmates was unwavering. In 2000, for Basic G’s 45th reunion, Eileen organized a weekend reunion at the School of Nursing, Portland campus, drawing 24 of her 26 classmates.

Eileen and her husband, Reynold att., who died in 1989, raised three daughters in College Place.

Daughter Brenda Clifton ’82 now lives in College Place, daughter Barbara Whatley resides in Walla Walla, and daughter Belinda Schlund att. lives in Laton, Calif. Eileen had six grandchildren, Sammy and Andy Clifton, and Heather, Joel, Jeff and Clay Schlund. Eileen was born Feb.1, 1931, in Stettler, Alberta, Canada, and died July 26, 2005, in College Place.

Hisey—Gertrude (Trudie) att., was born April 10, 1918, in Molson, Wash., and died July 27, 2005, in Walla Walla. Surviving: sons Craig ’69 of Zillah, Wash., and John att., of Wenatchee, Wash.

Hooper—John (Jack) ’53 and ’67 was born July 21, 1921, in Castle Rock, Wash., and died March 18, 2005, in College Place. Surviving: wife Irmgard (Siemsen) Hooper ’44 and ’67 of College Place; and daughter Jeanie Reed of Albany, Ore. James-Veitch—Elden ’54 was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Lachute, Quebec, Canada, and died Sept. 26, 2005, in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Surviving: wife Wendy of Kelowna; and daughter Robin Peters; mother May James-Veitch; and brother Quentin James of Florida.

Jepson Martin—Marie (Christensen) ’68 was born Dec. 21, 1911, in Werner, N.D., and died Feb. 26, 2005, in Fairfax, Va. Surviving: son Lyle Jepson att., of East Stroudsburg, Pa.; daughters Phyllis Stanyer att., of Spokane, Wash., and Beverly Wilson ’68 of Vienna, Va.

Kaiser—Vernon ’59 was born Nov. 10, 1932, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and died Sept. 9, 2005, in Battleground, Wash.

Surviving: wife Doreen of Battleground; son Rancy of Burleson, Texas; daughters Debra Lester of Vancouver, Wash., Karen Schall of Angwin, Calif., Lynne McClure of Vancouver, and Candy Anderson of Amboy, Wash.; brother Roy of Calgary; and sister Viola Mabley of Calgary.

Lutts—Donald ’56 and ’60 was born March 2, 1929, in Norwalk, Ohio, and died April 30, 2005, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: wife Darla att., of Portland; daughters Suzanne Lutts ’84 of Vancouver, Wash., Cheryl Royce att., of Portland, and Vicky Hitt of Portland; brothers Ted of Spokane, Wash., Maynard of Groveland, Calif., and Paul of Fairbanks, Alaska.

MacGregor—Doris (Matterand) att., was born Feb. 1, 1920 in Stanwood, Wash., and died Aug. 20, 2005, in Stanwood. Surviving: daughters Kathie Johnson of Stanwood, and Laurilee MacGregor of Lynnwood, Wash.; and sisters Eleanor Clayton att., of Stockton, Calif., and Mildred Jensen ’39 of Seattle, Wash.

McAlvin—Marjorie (Stiffler) ’39 was born Dec. 30, 1914, in Salem, Ore., and died Sept. 7, 2005, in Milton-Freewater, Ore. Surviving: son James of Mableton, Ga.; and daughter LoAnn MacDougall of Milton-Freewater.

McCants—Edward ’63 was born Feb. 12, 1927, in Charleston, S.C., and died April 7, 2005, in Fletcher, N.C. Surviving: daughters Catherine Porter of Orange Park, Fla., and Colleen McCants-Dyke of Nottingham, England; and sister Virginia Muncy of Bakersville, N.C. Mitchell—Robert ’55 was born July 6, 1931, in Salem, Ore., and died Feb. 12, 2004, in Myrtle Creek, Ore. Surviving: wife Letha of Myrtle Creek; son William of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and sister Evelyn Wagner att., of Rogue River, Ore.

Spring 2006 Westwind 29

In Memory Mittleider—Elmer ’51 was born Aug. 30, 1924, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and died Nov. 30, 2005, in Lodi, Calif. Surviving: wife Mildred (Miller) Oberg att., of Lodi; sons Lynden of Springfield, Ore., and Rusty ’78 of Medford, Ore.; daughter Cathy Turner of Canton, Texas; brothers Henry att., of Bellingham, Wash., Jacob of Loma Linda, Calif., and Kenneth ’51 of Ardisville, Ga.; sisters Anna Dunn att., of Georgetown, Tenn., and Ida Mittleider att., of New Plymouth, Idaho.

A Listening Ear

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onsidered a mother figure to many engineering students, Elizabeth “Betty” (Walker) Klein att. was known to comfort homesick students or offer them shrewd

Nelson—Reuben ’25 was born Oct. 4, 1901, in Great Falls, Mont., and died Sept 17, 2004, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: wife Ellen ’31 of Loma Linda; son Robert att., of Corona del Mar, Calif.; daughter Marilyn Martin att., of Sonora, Calif.; and sister Vivian Cushman of Bennet, Neb. Noel—Kenneth ’50 was born Aug. 8, 1921, in Clarkston, Wash., and died June, 8, 2005, in Madison, Ala. Surviving: wife Betty of Madison; sons Paul of Harvest, Ala., Kenneth ’63 of Indiana, Pa., Richard ’67 of Harrisonburg, Va., Theodore, and William; and daughter Roberta.

O’Neil—Belle ’48 was born Aug. 19, 1920, in Oroville, Wash., and died June 23, 2005, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: brother Morris O’Neil of Omak, Wash.; and sister Rose Crooker ’47 of Portland.

Perrigoue—Rowena (Stuart) att., was born Nov. 14, 1917, in Missoula, Mont., and died Dec. 27, 2003, in Kent, Wash.

Surviving: husband Lawrence of Everett, Wash.; sons Steven of Everett, Doug of Renton, Wash., and Kevin of Kent.

Send information for In Memory to Westwind, College Relations, Walla Walla College, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324; or e-mail westwind@wwc.edu.

Please include a contact phone number or e-mail address.

30 Westwind Spring 2006

Piper—Athol ’51 was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Perth, Australia, and died Oct. 27, 2005, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Surviving: wife Kathleen of Victoria; sons Haydn ’73 of College Place, and Lawrence ’76 of Salem, Ore.; and daughter Frances DeVries att., of Weimar, Calif.

Reiswig—Albert ’26 was born Feb. 2, 1902, in Harvey, N.D., and died Aug. 8, 1999, in Fullerton, Calif. Surviving: wife Dorothy of Fullerton, Calif.; sons Oran of Chico, Calif., Jon of Juneau, Alaska, and Robert of Chehalis, Wash.; and daughter Judith Cassel of Fullerton, Calif.

Reynolds—Robert “Bob” ’49 was born May 18, 1925, in Seattle, Wash., and died Aug. 21, 2005, in Angwin, Calif. Surviving: wife Patricia ’49 of Angwin; son R. Monti of Colfax, Calif.; daughters Shelley Reynolds of Napa, Calif., and Sandra Mathis ’73 of Oregon City, Ore.; and brothers George Lord of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Warren Tack of Roseburg, Ore.

advice on how to improve their social lives. Betty was office manager of the School of Engineering from 1973 to 2002. Betty loved people and prized life itself. She and her husband, Lawrence, who died in 2001, had two children.

Son Larry att. lives in Highlands, Calif. Daughter Jeanette Rowe att. lives in College Place, and Lana Franklin, who was like a daughter to Betty, lives in West Richland, Wash. Betty had two grandchildren, Tyler and Kayla Armijo.

Betty was born March 19, 1933, in Portland, Ore., and died Feb. 12, 2005, in Walla Walla.

Schimke—Albert att., was born Aug. 28, 1912, in Frobes, N.D., and died May 16, 2005, in Port Charlotte, Fla. Surviving: wife Alice of Port Charlotte; sons Dallas of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Clyde of Port Charlotte; and daughter Sharon Walsh of Port Charlotte.

Sherwood—Donald att., was born Dec. 4. 1907, in Bad Axe, Mich., and died Sept.

17, 2005. Surviving: daughters Guinevere Cook of Aumsville, Ore., Carolyn Hammond of Franktown, Colo., and Donna Gibb of Bakersfield, Calif.

Teal—Eugene att., was born Oct. 20, 1936, in Dallas, Ore., and died May 20, 2005, in Florence, Ore. Surviving: wife Donna att., of Florence; sons Derrick ’78 of Portland, Ore., and Ty att., of Eugene, Ore.; and sister Arleta Baker ’49 of Auburn, Wash.

Thrasher—Lucielle (Daniel) att., was born July 13, 1923, in Palouse, Wash., and died Jan. 9, 2003, in Lynnwood, Wash.

Surviving: husband Neil att., of Bothell, Wash.; sons Rhett att., of Webster, Mass., and Kurtis att., of San Diego, Calif.; and daughters Sylvia Thrasher att., Pam Tait ’69 of Bothwell, and Andrea Ellyn Thrasher of McLean, Va.

Tooley—Melba (Downs) ’67 was born June 21, 1934, in Klamath Falls, Ore., and died Feb. 21, 2005, in Hagerstown, Md. Surviving: husband Paul ’57 of Rohrersville, Md.; sons Richard of Hagerstown, and Paul of Booneboro, Md.; daughters Rosalie Gamblin of Smithsburg, Md., and Catherine Jackson of Rohrersville.; and perents John and Catherine Downs of Vancouver, Wash.

Wiggins—Arlene (Reiswig) ’56 was born Jan. 1, 1937, in Everett, Wash., and died Dec. 10, 2004, in Omar, Wash. Surviving: husband Al ’66 and ’75 of Omak, Wash.; son Brent of Milton-Freewater, Ore.; daughters Cindy Stanphill of Winston, Ore., Donna Stafford att., of Eureka, Mont.; and Elaine of Slingerlands, N.Y.; brother Ken Reiswig of Bend, Ore., and sister Bernita Burton of Shallotte, N.C. Willey—Warren ’64 was born June 7, 1942, in Minot, N.D., and died Dec. 11, 2005, in Hendersonville, N.C. Surviving: wife Deveena; son Philip; daughters Jennifer and Heather Port; and sister Georgia Hodgkin ’61 of Loma Linda, Calif.

Wilson—Evelyn ’37 was born Mar. 21, 1913, in College Place, and died July 22, 2005 in College Place.

Young—Wiley att., was born June 9, 1916, in Falls City, Ore., and died May 25, 2005, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: wife Vera (Wolcott) ’53 of West Linn, Ore.; and son G. Vance of Mazatlan, Mexico.

Amy Wilkinson

From My Point of View

That Booming Sound

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ormally, I’m against the concept of membership. I was never a Scout, Young Republican or Pathfinder1. I’ve never joined a labor union or the Neil Diamond Fan Club. I don’t lunch with Rotarians or run with Elks. I didn’t sign up for the Book of the Month. I won’t even eat a club sandwich, for fear there’s a joining fee.

Perhaps I’m just shy. Perhaps it’s the dress code. Perhaps, along with Groucho Marx and Alvy Singer2, I’m not interested in belonging to any group that would tolerate me as a member.

Whatever the reason, I avoid them, with one prominent exception: my charter membership in the largest, most powerful club in America—the Baby Boomers.

It was founded in 1946, when an extra half million or so Americans came into the world3.

That sudden increase in the birth rate has been attributed to the elation of World War II victory, the large numbers of returning military males, and allowing men and women to sit together in Columbia Auditorium.

Whatever the reason, the next

Do You Have Something to Say? Our new column, “From My Point of View,” will feature essays written by alumni. If you are interested in submitting an essay for consideration, visit westwind.wwc.edu for more information.

18 fertile years produced about 78 motley million of us. Michael Jordan, Bill Gates and Madonna are certified club members. Al Gore thinks he invented Boomers.

The Donald hopes to replace the word Baby with Trump and sell the rights. O.J. Simpson is searching for the real Boomers. Our President is a Boomer, though there’s no evidence he ever showed up for Boomer training. And let’s not forget the most important Boomer of all—Oprah.

But it’s not just who we are that makes us so special. It’s the things we’ve seen, the deeds we’ve done.

Most of us witnessed the tragic deaths of two Kennedys and Dr. Martin Luther King. We advocated racial and gender equality, suffered through Vietnam and Watergate, and introduced the world to blue jeans, rock music and irony. But our most important contribution to the planet was us. At every life stage we’ve defied categorization, and we’re still turning the eyes of marketing weasels into dollar signs.

For those of you who aren’t Boomers, it’s natural to be envious. After all, we’ve experienced so much, and have led such rich lives. With us around, you probably feel like the youngest child in a very large family. You don’t get any attention. It’s “Boomer did this,” and “Boomer did that.”

No one cares about your achievements, your challenges.

It can’t help that we seem to be the last peer group to be given an actual name. Previous generations

were called Lost, Silent or Greatest. After us, they’re just using letters—like Generation X or Y. Clearly, whoever labels these things stopped trying after we came along. I feel bad for my daughter.

She and her peers will probably be reduced to a punctuation mark. Gen &, or perhaps just ^.

Admit it. You’re jealous. And the truth is, we Boomers don’t make it easy for you. We like ourselves. We like talking about ourselves and reading about ourselves. Sometimes we like to write about how we like to talk and read about ourselves.

It has to be annoying. You’ve noticed, too, that we’re not bound by the laws of nature, or by the actuarial tables that have hampered other generations. We have no plans to actually age or die, so you’re going to have us around for a long, long time.

And that’s exactly what my fellow Boomers and I are worried about. As we enter our time of non-retirement and anti-aging, we’re going to lay waste to the land like a cloud of locusts. Unless you do something, fast, we’ll be breaking the bank on Social Security and Medicare. We’ll be expecting miracle health care procedures and expensive potions, and spurning nursing homes for private home care. We’ll be loudly demanding the personal services we’ve earned and think we deserve, but that you Xs, Ys and ^s don’t seem to yet have the will, money or numbers to provide.

Do you want that to happen?

Of course you don’t. Do you really want 78 million of us run-

Gary Tetz ’84 lives in College Place.

He looks and feels absolutely fantastic, and has a rare gift for denial.

ning around acting all grumpy and entitled? We didn’t think so.

That’s why we’re glad we had this talk, because it’s good to communicate honestly and openly about these things, to share clear outcome expectations.

Oh, and sorry you can’t be in our club. Really we are, but rules are rules. On the bright side, by 2010 there will be plenty of service positions available, so we’ll get to see each other a lot. You’ll take care of us, won’t you? Won’t you? n

Though I do have my Wild Edible Plants honor.

2 The mousy hypochondriac in Annie Hall.

3 Newsweek, November 14, 2005.

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Spring 2006 Westwind 31

College Avenue Crossings

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Westwind

Walla Walla College 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324-1198 Address Service Requested

Bryan Aulick and Brandon Witzel

t’s 11:55 p.m. and the fun is just beginning for Jason Friedrich, senior mechanical engineering student. Jason was one of 60 village students who filled the alleys of Bowlaway Lanes on a Saturday night—or was it Sunday morning—for Village Student Midnight Bowling.

A special “cosmic bowling” round allowed bowlers to play under the glare of multi-colored lights and a disco ball.

The event was sponsored by the Village Student Life and Rental Properties office, whose mission is to “build a bridge between the village students and the main campus.”

This mission is realized through numerous social events, the village singles and village married clubs, and real-world workshops.

Recent workshop topics have included how to buy a car and how to plan a wedding on a budget.

More than 640 students live in the village. n

Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID College Place, Wash.

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