Westwind, Summer 2008

Westwind www.wallawalla.edu/westwind

The Journal of Walla Walla University Summer 2008

In Her Own Words “With God, Everything is Possible” Honoring Professor Richard Litke 2008 Alumni of the Year

Walla Walla University on iTunesU : : Browse campus events, and services of University Church and “The Awakening.” : : Play the latest audio and video content at the click of a button : : Download to your computer, MP3 player or burn to a CD Visit wallawalla.edu/iTunesU

Contents

4 Campus Current 9 Bits and Pieces 10 In Her Own Words 17 He’s Never Failed, And That’s the Way It Is

20 Interview 22 Honored Alumni 24 Alumnotes

14

From the Fields of Idaho to the Halls of Yale

Westwind Summer 2008, Volume 27, Number 2 Editor Rosa Jimenez Production Manager Breanna Bork Campus Current Editor Rebecca St. Clair Alumnotes Writer Sarah Radelfinger Design Robert Car Graphics Cover Photo Matthew B Zimmerman

33 In Memory 35 From My Point of View 36 College Avenue Crossings

About the cover Larysa Volynets, a student who grew up in Ukraine, had long dreamed of becoming a Walla Walla University student.

Westwind is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist university. It is produced by the Office of University Relations. This issue was printed in September 2008. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2008 by Walla Walla University.

Westwind/University Relations 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 Telephone: (509) 527-2513 Toll-free: (800) 377-2586 E-mail: westwind@wallawalla.edu Online: westwind.wallawalla.edu

Summer 2008 Westwind 3

Campus Current

Distinguished Faculty Lecture Mission: Zimbabwe Engineering Gift

Knitting for Kids

4 Westwind Summer 2008

With all of the knitted items, the group decided that someone should benefit from their creativity. They chose the Mount of Olives Children’s Village, an orphanage in Uruapan, Baja, Mexico. A group of WWU students going to the orphanage happily agreed to take the knitting group’s completed items to give to the children at the orphanage.

The university has sponsored mission trips to Mount of Olives for three years now, and Jeanne Vories, director of student missions, estimates that up to 300 knitted items have been taken to Mexico over the past two years alone.

This year, more knitted items are planned for Mexico, and the knitters are adopting a new project—making blue and white for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Anyone interested in joining the group may contact Veverka at Campus Ministries, (509) 527-2102. n

Jeanne Vories

L

ast year Ellie Veverka had an idea. Looking to take part in Walla Walla University’s small group program, the administrative assistant for campus ministries wanted a group whose members could do something productive while also interact socially and spiritually. So she began a group of knitters.

Every Sunday night at 6 p.m., from two to eight people gathered to knit sweaters, caps, socks, scarves, blankets and mittens.

Ranging in age from 10 to over 60, some members even knitted at home.

Campus Current

World Perspectives Eric Ashley

Professor’s Lecture Draws From His Childhood Experiences

A

ny student who has taken a class from Bruce Johanson can tell you where the professor of biblical studies was born and raised: India! His experiences in India often play a major role in his classroom lectures and lessons.

As a child growing up in a missionary family in a foreign country, Johanson had a rare opportunity to learn about a different country with different people, cultures and religions. This sparked the passion he still has for culture and religion, and it shows in every class he teaches.

It was no different when Johanson was selected as the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. His campus lecture, given in November, also demonstrated his experiences abroad.

Every year the faculty select a colleague to be Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. This honor is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and scholarship, and involvement in governance, church, and community service. The chosen faculty member gives a presentation in November, and is given a $2,000 honorarium.

Johanson, a professor of biblical studies, presented the lecture entitled, “Integrity, Faith, and Shifting Horizons.” Drawing from his vast experience in cultures of various kinds, especially from his time as a child in India, Johanson shared his insights on religion today.

“The lecture was a distillation

Bruce Johanson, 2007 Distingushed Faculty Lecturer, lived in India as a child and his experiences often find their way into his lectures and lessons.

of my journey of faith in relation to scripture, church history and world religions,” Johanson says. Defining integrity as the alignment or the coherence of a person’s thoughts, words, and actions, Johanson described how the human condition—in spite of our cultural environment—has a longing for integrity, for a coherence which gives life its fullest meaning.

Johanson has always had a pas-

sion for religion and culture. The third of three children born to missionaries Johannes and Ida Johanson, Bruce Carl Johanson was born in 1943, and at the age of 11 moved to the U.S. Five years later, his roots called him home, and he returned to India to finish high school in the Himalayas in 1962. After a year in France, Johanson graduated from Andrews University with a major in French and minors in Greek and religion.

After his marriage to Anne Christoffersen, the Johansons lived in Denmark, India, Sweden, and finally, College Place. As a result of his extensive travel, the

professor can converse not only in English, but also in Swedish, Danish, French, and German.

In addition, he is relearning the Hindi he heard so often as a child in India.

Currently, Johanson teaches religion and Greek classes for the School of Theology. With such a strong cultural background, Johanson is the perfect choice for teaching one of the department’s most popular classes: World Religions. n WESTWIND ONLINE wallawalla.edu/westwind

Hear the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Lecture presented by Bruce Johanson.

Summer 2008 Westwind 5

Campus Current

WESTWIND ONLINE wallawalla.edu/westwind

Mission: Zimbabwe Project Prompts Outpouring of Support

W

hat began as a small group of students’ resolve to make life better for Zimbabwe orphans ended with hundreds of students involved and eager to help.

In early January, two student clubs joined forces to organize the Mission: Zimbabwe project, with a goal to raise $15,000, and also awareness of the crisis in Zimbabwe. Two months later, Amnesty International and the Associated Students of Walla Walla College (ASWWC) had raised $32,000 for an orphanage in Zimbabwe—far exceeding the organizers’ hopes.

The funds will benefit the Murwira Orphanage directed by Paula Leen, who will use the money for a food program that feeds 300 chil6 Westwind Summer 2008

dren daily. It will also assist with medical supplies, education, and general maintenance of the orphanage. Leen founded the orphanage in 1996 after witnessing Zimbabwe’s exploding social needs.

Through Mission: Zimbabwe, the campus has learned more about these and other issues in the African country that before may have been just a news headline.

The country’s crisis became especially real when student Lwazi Moyo-McCune told his story of growing up in Zimbabwe and living under a dictatorial regime in a country suffering from civil and political strife.

From Moyo-McCune’s story, and those of other students who had volunteered at Murwira Or-

phanage, the campus learned that Zimbabwe has one of the worst performing economies in the world. Its unemployment rate is 80 percent, and it has the world’s highest inflation rate. The nation also faces a mass exodus of an estimated 3.4 million men, women, and children—at least a quarter of the country’s population—into neighboring countries and abroad, as natives struggle to survive.

With the lowest life expectancy in the world in 2006, Zimbabwe men live for an average of 37 years; women a mere 34 years.

According to UNICEF, Zimbabwe also has a higher number of orphans per capita than any other country in the world. Most of the cases are a result of parents dying from AIDS. Hundreds participated in the fundraising events organized by ASWWC and Amnesty. The first large event the two clubs organized was a date auction.

As student bachelor after bachelorette was auctioned off to single students, the dollar amount raised for Murwira Orphanage climbed higher and higher. The total amount raised was over $6,500.

Another fundraising event was the Zwim Meet, which required participating swimmers to have sponsors. Dozens of people participated, including President John McVay, and Vice President of Academic Administration Ginger Ketting-Weller. Both swam eight laps in 10 minutes.

ASWWC and Amnesty also

held an early morning run with an entrance fee of $5. Dozens turned up to show their support for Mission: Zimbabwe.

“When we first set our goal of $15,000, we thought it was a lot to ask for,” says Janelle Walikonis, president of the Walla Walla University chapter of Amnesty International. “It is very inspiring to see other people rally around a cause that has been such a close part of those who have been involved in it from the very beginning.”

At a special February University CommUnity meeting, students representing ASWWC and Amnesty International took to the platform and announced that total funds raised as of that morning had reached over $26,000. Since then, more donations raised the total to $32,000.

“We are amazed at the generosity of students, and by the overwhelming compassion that has swept over this campus,” say Contessa Mensink and Becca Parshall, ASWWC social vice presidents. “God has blessed beyond our wildest imaginations. From the date auction to watching some of our administration swim in the Zwimathon to opening donation envelopes to find large personal checks from students—we stand in awe. This project has been a testament to both God’s power and to the goodness on the WWU campus. We cannot wait to someday ask God where the money traveled to and who it touched … or saved.” n

Cas Anderson

See videos produced for Mission: Zimbabwe.

Campus Current

New Views Tom Ekkens

Microscope Takes Physics Studies to Higher Levels

T

he Physics Department recently acquired an advanced microscope that is being used in nanotechnology classes being taught for the first time at Walla Walla University.

The atomic force microscope, valued at $30,000, takes a picture in a method very similar to the method used by the blind to read a Braille book. A small finger, called a cantilever, drags slowly over the surface of the sample to be imaged. A computer compiles the height information from each point into a single picture.

Because each point on the object must be visited, it takes quite

awhile to make an image.

However, the atomic force microscope (AFM) can see very small things. The largest picture the model can take is about 0.05 mm wide, but the smallest picture possible is about 100 atoms wide.

Something to note about the AFM is that it isn’t what one would typically expect of a microscope.

“One of the biggest frustrations people have with the AFM,” explains Tom Ekkens, chair of the Physics Department, “is that it isn’t a microscope you can put your eyes up to and look through like everyone imagines a microscope to be.”

In fact, the part of the AFM responsible for taking the image is a hexagon measuring about three

inches on each side. Another box, about the size of a large textbook, houses the electronics and the interface to the computer. All of the “looking” is done on the computer screen.

The Physics Department taught nanotechnology using the new AFM for the first time during winter quarter 2007. The department plans to offer the class every two years in the future. In the short time the department has had the AFM, it has already been used to work on a joint project

With the atomic force microscope, students can capture images as small as 100 atoms wide.

with a group at University of Washington.

“I am very grateful for the support we received from our alumni,” says Ekkens. “They gave us the means to purchase this fabulous technology that will make classes much more real and handson in the future.” n

WWU Appoints New Vice President

Bryan Aulick

D Dennis Carlson will lead in raising support for Walla Walla University.

ennis N. Carlson is Walla Walla University’s new vice president for university advancement. He moved west from the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, where he served as president for six years. Prior to this position, Carlson was assistant to the president for administration at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

“Carlson brings excellent, proven leadership skills and thorough knowledge of the Northwest,” says

John McVay, WWU president. “His focused attention to advancement priorities will prove strategic for the university,” says McVay. Carlson lived in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years, serving as executive secretary in both the Washington Conference from 1986 to 1994, and the Upper Columbia Conference from 1994 to 1996.

Carlson also has experience in evangelism, radio ministry, and church planting. He has served as pastor of churches ranging in membership from 57 to 500.

A native of Nebraska, Carlson received his bachelor’s degree in theology from Columbia Union College in Maryland, his master of divinity degree at Andrews University in Michigan, and his doctor of ministry at Northwest Theological Union in Washington.

“I am excited about being a part of an extraordinary group of educators, administrators, and staff,” says Carlson. “It is my great desire to make a contribution to the success of Walla Walla University in my new role.”

Summer 2008 Westwind 7

Bryan Aulick

Campus Current

Major Grant Awarded to Engineering New Tools a Boon for Student Projects

T

he School of Engineering has received a $500,000 grant from the Bashir Hasso Charitable Trust. The trust provided the gift to enhance engineering education by providing the school with new equipment.

With this grant, the School of Engineering has acquired a Mori Seiki computer numerically controlled lathe, a structures lab crane, a rheometer for the fluids lab, materials lab sample preparation equipment, new surveying equipment, and a rapid prototyping (RP) machine.

Of all the new equipment, the RP machine is an exceptional device giving students an advanced tool to create prototypes of their designs. Students in Introduction to Engineering and Machine Design have already used it in classes.

“Even a couple of junior electrical engineering students have used it to create an enclosure for

8 Westwind Summer 2008

their electronic circuit in Embedded Systems,” says Ralph Stirling, project engineer. “It’s a versatile machine. It can make virtually anything.”

The RP machine is especially valuable to students working on senior projects. Student Robert Van Raden produced a prototype of an impeller for a pedal-powered jet canoe. Student Gabriel Penalba produced a prototype for a cold weather assistance device designed to cover the mouth and nose, and warm air to be inhaled. For this project, Penalba even used the RP machine to produce a model of a face to demonstrate the placement of the device.

Though it sounds complicated, it’s easiest to think of the RP machine as a three-dimensional printer. The machine produces three-dimensional plastic objects from computer-created models.

The objects can be individual

pieces, or assemblies of parts built together. Even gears can be fabricated such that they are already meshed when the machine is done making them.

“We strive continuously to improve the learning experience,” says Douglas M. Logan, dean of the School of Engineering. “A key part of that experience is our laboratories, where students can connect concepts and designs with the physical reality. Each of these new machines and instruments is a major acquistion for

A new prototyping machine produced a model of an impeller for a pedal-powered jet canoe.

one or another of the labs. The RP machine, in particular, enables a student to create physical prototype of something he or she has designed.” Logan adds, “This equipment has made our labs equal to the very best in any undergraduate engineering school.

We really appreciate the Bashir Hasso Trust for making these investments possible.” n

Bits & Pieces

East to West

Representatives from Kiang Wu College of Nursing in Macau, China, recently visited the School of Nursing’s Portland campus to explore the possibilities of short-term faculty and student exchange between schools.

They observed labs, supportive environments for learning, and improved their communication skills.

They weren’t the only ones learning however; Lucy Krull, dean of the School of Nursing at the Portland campus, learned a lot about what nursing is like in China as well.

A Native Voice

Jerry Hartman, instructor in communications, recently traveled to Suriname, formerly known as Dutch Guyana, located on the northeast coast of South America. In this country of nearly half a million people, Hartman was giving one of the native tribes a voice. Hartman took a small team of assistants to film a documentary about the natives of Suriname.

The documentary is focusing on their need for basic human rights: clean water, education, and health care. To view Hartman’s work in Suriname, visit youtube.com/watch?v=cVHebk w3w9c&fmt=18.

ConFab … ulous!

Soccer Champs

Last fall, Walla Walla University’s men’s soccer team traveled to Michigan to participate in the United States Collegiate Athletics Association tournament.

Though the tournament’s original schedule included a Saturday, the association rescheduled the entire tournament in order to accommodate the three Sabbath-keeping institutions at the event. The team came home with a third place trophy.

Ever heard of a ConFab? Neither had we until last school year. The 2007-08 student association officers wanted more student input on matters that directly affect them. So they began holding ConFabs, defined by the dictionary as, “A slang term for an assembly of people having a casual conversation.” Issues discussed last year included new cafeteria meal plans, requirements for weekly worship, and “Express Yourself,” a public opportunity for students to share their concerns about society today. Though these venues for students’ thoughts are not a new concept, this is the first year these forums were given a name. It was a productive way of finding out how the students felt about changes going on around them.

Summer 2008 Westwind 9

Matthew B Zimmerman

As a child in Ukraine, Larysa Volynets never imagined the life she has today. Now she knows, as she shared in her Week of Worship message, that with God everything is possible.

In Her Own Words

Winter Student Week of Worship Speaker Larysa Volynets

10 Westwind Summer 2008

Jesus looked at them and said; “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all thing are possible with God.” Do you believe this? Do you believe this? Good. I did not believe this.

In 1995 an Adventist world conference took place in Europe. Many people from Europe and Asia attended. My parents also went. There they were introduced to the huge Adventist family for the first time in their lives. They returned with many interesting stories, books and magazines. At that time I was 9years-old. I was fascinated by the many colorful magazines full of beautiful pictures of smiling faces. I was curious why the young people were smiling, why they were so happy.

Unfortunately, all of the magazines were in English, and I did not know a single word. I took a dictionary and started to translate. When I translated a few sentences I got to know that the magazine was about Adventist education and Adventist schools in the United States. That was the first time in my life I had heard there were Christian schools in the world; schools where students go to classes together and go to worship together. I could not image that. I closed my eyes and imagined myself one day at such an institution.

I was the only Adventist in my school. In my heart I desired to one day attend an Adventist school. But I could not even dream about it. That was impossible for me. But with God everything is possible. God saw me and saw my heart. But before He would do something for me, I needed to make the choice to follow Him. I compare my life to this story: There was once an old tree and an old log. The log said to the tree, “I have been looking at you for a long time. I have seen that many thunderstorms pour rain on you. A hot sun shines and burns your leaves. Cold weather freezes your branches. Strong winds bend your stem. I feel very sorry that you have all of these troubles. I am very lucky that I am a log. Nothing gives me trouble. No wind, rain or cold can cause me harm because I am lying on the fence. I am small and nobody sees me here. I am very proud that I am a log.” The tree answered,

Summer 2008 Westwind 11

WESTWIND ONLINE wallawalla.edu/westwind

Hear Week of Worship speakers, including Larysa Volynets, at Walla Walla University on iTunes U.

“Yes, you are right. It is true that you are resting and nothing troubles you. But there is no life in you because you are dead and you are decomposing. I face many weather changes, but I am alive and bearing fruits. In thunderstorms and hot weather people can hide under my branches.”

Were you born to be a tree or a log? Everybody was born to be a tree, but it is our choice what we want to be. The life of a log is very easy. The log says, “I am happy with who I am. I am proud of who I am, even though I am bad. I have everything I need, and I don’t care about anything. I do not think about God, my friends or my family.”

The life of the bearing tree is different. The tree bears fruits. What is a fruit? It is our good deeds and actions. The person of that kind thinks not only about himself or herself but about people around him or her.

Life’s problems and sufferings don’t break our character but teach us to be a better person. One day in our life each of us must make a choice to be either a tree or a log. I also had that choice.

I was born in an Adventist family. My grandparents and parents were very good Christians. They taught me about Jesus and read many Bible stories to me. When I went to middle school I was faced with many decisions in my life. I was the only Christian in my class. The school system required students to attend school six days a week. So, every Monday I had to explain to my teachers why I was not at school on Saturday. First, I wanted to lie and give different reasons why I was not at school, but that could not last long because I missed every Saturday. My classmates also asked me why I wasn’t at school on Saturdays.

To tell the truth, it was very hard for me to tell the real reason. Christians in that society were considered crazy people. Ukraine at that time was independent, but atheistic and communist ideas were still in people’s mind. Many people believed that there was no God, and everyone came from monkeys. People said that if you are a Christian that there is something wrong with your mind and that you could be a danger to society.

To my shame, sometimes I was embarrassed that I was a Christian. I was like a Peter. One day I came home and opened the Bible. I read one verse from the gospel of John.

As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” John 18:25 12 Westwind Summer 2008

I knew that verse, and I did not want to be like Peter. I did not want to be a betrayer. OK, I thought.

If I decide to be a Christian many students will make fun of me. My best friends told me many times that I was wrong, that I was not supposed to believe in what my parents believed. Teachers talked to me and they explained to me that if I choose to be a Christian many doors would be shut to me.

I was considered the odd person in my school. I was very shy and quiet. Finally, I needed to give my answer. I needed to make my choice to go to school on Saturday or not. I thought about who I was. I prayed a lot. I wanted to know what I was going to be in this world: a tree or a log. I realized that if I choose to be a tree I would face many weather changes and have many troubles.

I praise God that He helped me make the correct decision. Finally, I told my teachers and my friends that I was a Christian and I was not going to change my ideas and beliefs. God is more important than everything else in my life and Christianity is more important than society’s ideas and rules.

The same Peter that denied Jesus, a few years later said,

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” Acts 5:29 Of course, everybody rejected me. I had bad grades even though I studied very hard. My best friends would have nothing to do with me. That was a hard time in my life, but because of this I got to know a very good Friend. His name is JESUS. I have never known who He was until I began to be a close friend with Him. I realized that Jesus knocked on my heart for a long time. He knocked softly but all the time.

I joined a group of people in my church who were like local missionaries. They went from house to house and offered people Christian books to read. Christian books are quite expensive in my country and many people had no money to buy them, so our church bought some books and anyone who wanted to read a book borrowed it. After a few weeks we came back to that person and exchanged books. And if that person wanted to learn about Jesus we offered Bible studies. I remember when I knocked at somebody’s door.

In my heart I wanted the person to open the door, smile and say, “I have been waiting for you for a long time. I would love to take some books to read and get to know Jesus.” Unfortunately, not many people I met were friendly and only a few of them wanted to know about Jesus. But that makes me think about Jesus. He also stands and knocks at the door of our heart. He desires so much to come and to be in our home.

Eric Ashley

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Every time when we refuse to open the door, Jesus has to leave us with sorrow in His heart.

Jesus changed my life. I realized that my life is so miserable and so short compared to eternal. Every time teachers yelled at me at school I prayed in my head.

Now I see that God wanted to make me strong to be ready for the real life. He wanted me to make the choice to follow His path. If your parents are Adventists it does not mean that you are already a Christian. You need to have that personal experience with God. God helped me to finish high school. I wanted to have a good education very much, but I could not have it in my country. I could not imagine that I would study in an Adventist institution in the future, but with God everything is possible. When my family got the chance to come here and they came to the U.S., I realized that God was giving me a chance to study here but I needed to work hard. I started to study English when I was 20-years-old, and I want to tell you. It’s not easy. This language is hard. It is hard to study a new language.

There is an Adventist magazine, the GLEANER, in my hands. I open it and there is an interesting article about Walla Walla University. Everything is the same as it was many years ago when I was 9-years-old. I see many interesting pictures and smiling faces. At that time I didn’t know a single word in English. Now I can read and understand English. Now I am a student at Walla Walla University. At that time I could not even dream about that. I knew it was impossible. But for God everything is possible.

I studied very hard. I came three years ago, and now I am a sophomore at WWU. It is such a great blessing for me to be here. If I had been embarrassed about Jesus and rejected Him then, I would never be here with you. If you need to make the same decision I want to tell you to never be embarrassed that you are a Christian and follow Jesus.

For me it is a miracle for me to be here. I’m sure many of you have dreams. Give all of them to God and He will make them true. Many of you were born here in Adventist families and you went to Adventist schools for academy, college, or university studies. And maybe you think there is nothing special about WWU—an Adventist institution. But it is. Guys, God blessed you a lot and gave you the opportunity to be here.

You can go together to classes, you can go together to church, you can go worship together. There are many

In Their Own Words Week of Worship Brings Campus Together

During Week of Worship, students take to the church platform to tell their stories.

Raw and emotional, funny and poignant, their words convey the struggles and triumphs of their spiritual walks.

In addition to Week of Worship, students gather weekly for University CommUnity, a time for the campus to gather for worship, hear guest speakers, and celebrate school spirit.

students all over the world who dream of studying here.

They WANT to be here, and they do not have these opportunities. But you have! Have you ever thanked God that you are here? Think about that! If you have dreams, give all of them to God and He will make them come true! For with God everything is possible!

God wants us to be strong and have faith in Him. I am strong only when I am with Him. I cannot do anything without God. Everyone is special to God. You are not an accident.

You were created by God and for God. If I was born, it means that I have a special purpose in the world.

God wants to prepare me for His eternal life. God created us to be trees. When a farmer plants a tree he is expecting to have a green tree—not a log that has no treasure.

Believe in God. Believe that He created you and chose you to be His son or daughter. He has the best Friend for you that you can ever have. He has Jesus who will be next to you every second in your life. You need to believe this and receive it. Receive Jesus in your life as your Savior and Lord. Receive everything that He gives to you.

I wish your prayer today was, “Jesus, I believe in You and receive You.”

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 n

Summer 2008 Westwind 13

By Becky St. Clair

W

hen self-proclaimed “Okie Farm Boy” Richard Litke moved to Idaho with his family in 1924, he had no idea that his path would lead him toward Walla Walla University.

In 2008, Richard Litke completed 60 distinguished years of service to WWU. Enrolling at WWU as a post-war freshman in 1946, he graduated two years later, and was hired by the university to teach Greek and Hebrew.

“Dr. Richard Litke is one of the most brilliant faculty ever to teach on our campus,” says Alden Thompson, professor of biblical studies. “In spite of his own vast and brilliant scholarship, Dr. Litke teaches ordinary people with passion, compassion, and good humor. In virtually every sense of the word, Dr. Litke was, and still is, an inspired and inspiring teacher.”

Where did this gifted scholar begin his inspiring life? He started as a simple farm boy.

Born to German immigrants in Bessie, Okla., Litke spent his first years in a virtually German

community. The immigrants had their own schools, churches, and grocery stores.

By the time Litke was 3-yearsold, the family had moved to the woods of northern Idaho, then three years later to a farm in the Spokane valley. In 1934, the family again moved—this time to Bellingham. “There I was pleasure mad at age 14,” remembers Litke.

“I was determined to find and drink all the alcohol I could get a hold of, and to chase all the girls I saw. I loved going to movies, too.”

Also, as a result of Litke’s mother’s communist and antireligious attitudes, Litke had an anticapitalistic outlook on life. He saw businessmen as people who should have their wealth taken away from them. How could a youngster do that? He began to shoplift.

“I spent a lot of time figuring out the best ways to do it,” says Litke. “I came home with bulging pockets.”

Despite these distractions, Litke had a serious side, and as he prepared to finish the eighth grade, he began contemplating what to do with his life. He settled on becoming a biologist, as insects, sea life, plant life, and anything related fascinated him.

A New Life

O

ne day, an advertisement came to the Litke home.

A visitor to the area would be presenting an astronomy lecture. Appealing to Litke’s scientific interests, he went to the first meeting and was delighted. Night after night, well into the summer, Litke attended the meetings.

“The man told us logically that the orderly circuits of the stars proved that there was Intelligence behind them,” remembers Litke.

“He said it couldn’t have just happened. Someone made them and controlled their movements.”

Litke came to believe everything he heard in those meetings.

Up until this point, Litke had no idea what the Bible was, nor what people meant by “God” and Jesus.” But what this man presented made perfect sense to him, and Litke accepted it all.

Before the summer was over, Litke decided he was going to work for the people sponsoring the speaker.

Litke was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Aug. 8, 1935. His parents eventually attended the meetings with him to see what was so exciting to their young son. Ultimately, they

From the Fields of Ida

14 Westwind Summer 2008

were baptized as well. He graduated from Auburn Academy in 1939, and was then ready to go to WWU. There was only one problem with his plan: College required money, money he didn’t have.

Although work was scarce because of the Depression, Litke became a riveter for Boeing in Seattle.

When the company began building bomber planes, the pacifist in Litke couldn’t handle it. Litke left Boeing and worked as a salesman, first in books, then in furnaces.

While he worked, saving money to attend WWU, Litke became interested in Norma Larson, a girl he knew from junior academy. In 1942 the couple married and just a few weeks later, Litke was drafted.

Stationed in Kansas, Litke served first as an army medic, then as the chaplain’s clerk, where he managed to convert the civilian secretary to Adventism, much to the chaplain’s distress. Litke was then shipped to Europe.

While he worked as a warehouse clerk in England, Litke did German coursework through Home Study International (HSI). An officer supervised Litke’s final test, and shortly thereafter reported to his superiors that Litke knew German.

At the close of World War II, Litke

was flown into Germany and appointed as an intelligence clerk.

Shortly thereafter, Litke was promoted to sergeant. Though he was eligible for discharge, he was offered a stripe for every month he stayed. Litke declined. He was eager to get back to his young wife and on to WWU. During his army years, Litke had given Bible studies in every spare minute he had. This experience convinced him he needed to study not biology, but theology.

By 1946, Litke was back home with his wife. Almost immediately, the young couple put all their belongings in an old pickup and headed for College Place.

That summer, Litke enrolled at WWU. By winter quarter, he had enough credits to be considered a junior.

Litke spent many hours poring over his books and assignments, determined to get through what he considered to be the hardest part of getting his degree: Greek.

When the year was over, Litke knew that he had made quite an impression on his professors.

“I don’t think they realized it was because I’d studied backward and forward until I understood it,” says Litke. “I was simply racing against ignorance. I was afraid everyone

else was way ahead of me, and that made me study even harder.”

The following summer, WWU came to Litke with a proposal: They could not accommodate all the veterans in the theology program. Litke had studied all the Greek WWU offered. Would he work as a contract teacher for the second-year Greek classes?

Litke accepted the position, and his second year at WWU—his senior year—he not only took classes, but taught Greek classes practically full-time.

In 1948, Litke graduated cum laude and then taught at WWU three years before taking a leave to earn a higher degree.

A Famous Tablet

L

itke enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. After obtaining a masters degree in cuneiform languages, his professors suggested he apply to Yale University.

Receiving a full fellowship, he took classes in Sumerian, Acadian, and Hittite.

Studying these languages at the University of Chicago one summer, Litke became acquainted with Benno Landsberger, then the world’s leading scholar in

From left to right: Richard Litke managed the Auburn Academy farm in the summer of 1939.

In 1927, the Litke family lived near Idaho’s Spirit Lake.

A typical farm boy, Litke had two pet goats on the family’s Spokane valley farm.

Litke’s military service included serving as an intelligence clerk in Germany in 1945.

Litke began his distinguished service as a professor in 1948.

aho to the Halls of Yale

Summer 2008 Westwind 15

16 Westwind Summer 2008

dissertation, translating and drawing replicas of the text for final publication.

When his dissertation was finished, Litke submitted it to Yale.

He was soon contacted and told that he did not need to defend his thesis; it was accepted as it stood.

Yale eventually published Litke’s dissertation in one of their prestigious scholarly series and it is now a special resource publication used by scholars world-wide.

The Revelation

R

eturning to WWU, Litke continued teaching until 1968, when for health reasons he went to part-time teaching. Within two years, his wife’s health also deteriorated with an inherited liver disease, preventing her from being very active.

As a result, she read many books Litke had acquired.

As Norma examined the strange signs and symbols Litke had done so much with over the last few years, she commented that they looked like Chinese. Litke disagreed, but Norma insisted. Litke refused to be taken in.

“I was taught in graduate school that there was absolutely no relationship between the ancient languages I had studied and the Chinese language,” says Litke.

“I didn’t want to get bogged down in ‘childlike’ research like that.”

Norma’s questions alarmed Litke; he couldn’t answer them to his own satisfaction. Finally, he decided to look more closely at what she was finding. He soon realized that he could not do any research unless he knew more about the Chinese language.

So Litke taught himself Chinese.

The more Litke looked into it, the more he realized that he could not overlook Norma’s findings.

Though every book he found insisted there was no connection between Chinese and Sumerian, Litke decided this was because those who wrote the books didn’t know anything about Sumerian.

Honoring a Lifetime of Service and Scholarship Achievement Richard Litke is the recipient of Walla Walla University’s first Generosity in Service Medallion.

The award was created to recognize those who continuously uphold the university’s mission statement: “Excellence in thought; Generosity in service; Beauty in expression; Faith in God.” With 60 years of dedicated service to WWU, he was a deserving candidate for the award.

Presenting the award to Litke at the 2008 commencement ceremony, President John McVay stated, “Dr. Richard Litke has served his God, his church, his university, and the world with distinction, inspiring both his students and his faculty colleagues to superior scholarship and serious Christian commitment.”

With his extensive knowledge of both languages, Litke began putting the two together. Finally, in 2003, Litke concluded that his findings and writings had come to maturity. He began preparing two volumes to be published. The first dealt with the grammar principles of both Sumerian and Chinese.

The second dealt with phonetics and pronunciation.

Litke plans to have the final manuscript of the first volume completed by the end of 2008.

Currently, Litke is a contract teacher and teaches WWU classes in Advanced Classical Greek, Sumerian, Acadian, and Arabic.

Though Norma’s health forces her to remain in a care facility, the constant stream of students in Litke’s life helps to alleviate the loneliness caused by his wife’s absence.

“My present goal is to live for at least 13 more years,” states Litke with a smile. “I’ve got a lot of books yet to write and publish, and a lot of brilliant students to teach Arabic to.” n

Katia Moteva

these languages. Litke asked Landsberger for counsel on what he should do for his doctoral dissertation.

Landsberger knew of a famous large religious text Yale possessed. He told Litke that if he could prepare that text for publication, it would be the most fortunate experience that could come to him as a young scholar.

Landsberger would even contact Litke’s professors and recommend him. Litke was quite excited by the prospect.

Upon his return to Yale, Litke’s major professor told him they had been discussing Litke’s dissertation. He said Yale had a famous tablet in pieces that needed to be restored and prepared for publication with a running translation. Would Litke be interested in a project like that?

“I had to be silent for an appropriate and diplomatic few moments,” says Litke. “So I scratched my face, cleared my throat, and said that maybe that would be a good project for me to work on.”

Following his coursework at Yale, the university paid Litke another year’s fellowship to work on his dissertation.

The text Litke was translating was about two feet high and a foot and a half wide, with writing on both sides. The print was in cuneiform, and had approximately 12 lines to an inch. He couldn’t read it without a microscope. He spent two years on his

By Cassie Ragenovich and Shauna Gifford

He’s Never Failed, And That’s the Way It Is

Kim Miner

Student finance director finds God always comes through

Summer 2008 Westwind 17

I

t was May of 1970. I stood with my father in the middle of a hay field. The wind was blowing, sand drifted across the field, and the newly seeded hay looked pathetic. With his arms around me, Dad said, “Cassie, it’s going to be this hay field that gets you and your sister into Walla Walla College this fall.”

My heart sank. There seemed to be no way this sad hay would pay for two kids to go to college that fall.

But each morning, before my siblings and I took the hour-and-a-half bus ride to school, Dad, my brother Andy, and I would go out and irrigate hay fields.

Later that summer, a family friend on leave from the mission field in Africa was visiting and talked about needing money to help build churches there. I heard Dad tell Mom to write a check for a certain number of churches.

A couple weeks later, a tape from the Voice of Prophecy was played in church, asking for help so they wouldn’t have to shut down some of their programs. I heard Dad tell Mom to write another check.

By then—with that sick-looking hay field, the mission churches, and the Voice of Prophecy—I knew there was no way Debbe and I would be heading to Walla Walla College that fall.

But when September came, we packed up the station wagon for the trip to College Place. As we were loading, Dad came to the front door and told us he had just sold that hay—and for the highest price ever.

In the intervening years, those few hay fields in Indian Cove, Idaho, paid not just for me and my four siblings, but also a string of nieces and nephews to earn a Seventh-day Adventist education.

My deal with God Years later, when the vice president for finance asked me to work in Student Financial Services at the college, I told him I would commit to two years. Later, I told God that I would stay in it for the long haul if He met one condition: that He would always—not most of the time, but always—provide the resources students needed so they could come to college.

I conceded that the students would need to work and earn decent grades and that the parents would have to contribute what they reasonably could. (Over the years, I’ve learned that in many situations, parents can’t provide—but God does.)

Those were my terms. I said, “God, the minute you don’t meet that commitment, I won’t be able to do this job anymore. And that’s the way it is.”

Thirty-two years later, that’s still the way it is. God has never failed me on this.

18 Westwind Summer 2008

My doubt; His miracle A few months ago—with long hours in the office, too little sleep and shortened time spent one-on-one with God—I was certain He was failing me. In my office was a senior girl who had only two quarters left in school. She was a good student, a hard worker whose parents had done their part. But the resources were gone. It was getting close to noon, and I suggested we spend the lunch hour praying about the situation and meet back in my office at 1:30.

I went home to the little room where I have my devotions, and asked God why after all these years He wasn’t providing the resources needed. As I got up from praying, I bent over to pick up my study materials that were still lying on the floor after my morning devotions. My eyes were drawn to the Desire of Ages.

It was open to page 371, where two sentences jumped out at me: “If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him.” Wow. I went back to work and told the girl what had happened. I told her I didn’t know where the money was coming from, but that God knew. And I signed her off for the next two quarters. I had to wait about three days for God’s resources to come through. A letter arrived in the mail with a rather large check and a note saying, “Thought maybe someone needed help. Use as you think best.”

Coming through for Christmas One December, I got a call from a regular donor I call my “Telephone Buddy.” His daughter had called him a couple days before and told him a story about an orphan boy and then asked him what he thought needy students were doing this year for Christmas.

It started him thinking, and that’s when he picked up the phone and called me. He asked how much money I’d need to make sure all the “poor students” at the college had something for Christmas. I told him I’d need $100,000—in addition to a significant sum I’d asked him for earlier. The money arrived three days later.

The kindness of strangers We had an international student who was being sponsored by an American family while working on his graduate degree. I never knew why, but the family pulled their sponsorship. The kid had two quarters left and absolutely no resources.

I called the student in and discussed the situation.

We agreed to meet again in three days and to keep the matter before God in the meantime. Before the student left my office, I had him call all his family and ask them to pray. I called my folks and asked them to pray, too.

Two days later, I got a message to call a local elderly lady. I knew she had hearing challenges, so I went to see her instead of phoning. When I got to her apartment, she said, “Cassie, yesterday I was trying to take a nap. I lay down three different times and got up three different times. Three times I had the strange feeling that one of ‘Cassie’s kids’ needed help. So I called your office. After I made that phone call, I was finally able to sleep.”

She asked me if there was a problem, and I told her about this young man. She asked how much I needed.

I hesitate to tell elderly people how much I need, fearing that out of their generous hearts they will give me more than they can afford. So I answered, “Whatever you feel you want to do.” She went into her bedroom and came out a few minutes later with a check for the amount that two days earlier I had estimated the student would need.

My perception transformed Not too long ago, we had another international student finishing her undergraduate degree, and she wanted to go on and get her master’s with us.

We faced three problems with her. She had no money. She was not eligible for U.S. aid. And, frankly, she drove me bats. I really like people, and I really like working with our students, but I confess I found it difficult to like this girl.

One day, after another meeting with her, I went home and talked to God about the situation. I told Him that if He wanted her to get her degree here, He would have to change my heart. I asked Him to help me think of her at the same time each day. I reminded Him that I didn’t have time to make a lot of contacts and raise all the funds this girl would need, so He’d have to provide the resources with just one phone call from me.

Guess what happened. I started liking this gal and looking forward to her coming into the office. For several months, she was on my mind every morning at 7:15. And I made a phone call—one call—asking a friend to sponsor this student. My friend’s response was, “If you think this is a really important investment, we’ll send the money.” I said I did—and I meant it from my heart.

They sent the money, but what amazes me most about that story isn’t how God provided financial resources, but how He could take this sinful heart of mine and show me how to love that precious girl of His.

seven files I’d left on the corner of my desk—and of those seven students who had not yet received financial clearance. Each kid was working, getting reasonably good grades, and the families had done their part.

There just weren’t enough resources.

I couldn’t sleep. So I prayed all night about those seven files. Finally, at about four in the morning, I decided to get up and go to work.

When I got to the office, my private phone line rang, and the person on the other end said, “Cassie, my wife and I were going to make a major purchase yesterday, but as I was getting ready to pay for it, I told my wife, ‘I don’t feel good about this. I think someone like Cassie may need some help.’ I just wanted to tell you I put a check in the mail.”

That check was exactly the amount needed to keep those seven students in school.

Our part in His providence Not every story that comes out of our office is a miracle story. We all hear about students who say Adventist education is prohibitively expensive. But what I’ve seen and experienced convinces me that if a student works and earns decent grades and the family contributes its portion, God provides the rest.

If getting our students here is that important to God, Seventh-day Adventist higher education must be tremendously significant to Him. That makes me proud to work here. The challenges are great; that keeps me dependent on Him. The rewards are unparalleled; that makes me grateful.

The God of the universe takes a personal interest in what happens on this campus. He knows the story of that difficult kid sitting across from me. He gives me a front row seat to the show of His limitless power in action. He allows me to represent Him despite how well He knows my failings and my flaws. He lets me play a part in fulfilling His plans for the students and families He brings to Walla Walla University. He holds me—that student, those parents, and every one of us—in the safety of His hand and the center of His heart. It simply astounds me.

In 32 years of working in Student Financial Services and in a lifetime of testing and trusting His providence, He’s never failed. And that’s the way it is. n

Just what we need, just in time Winter quarter financial clearances are the most difficult. Summer savings are usually depleted, and taxes are around the corner for parents. As I crawled into bed at the end of a long day, I was thinking about the Summer 2008 Westwind 19

Interview

One Child At a Time

By Lindsay Krueger

When Beth (Schelske) Miller graduated in 2000 with a masters in social work degree, she had no idea that she would be “grooming babies for heaven.” But since 2004 Beth has served as agency director at Christian Family Adoptions, a nonprofit organization. Through her and her agency’s work, she is making a difference in the world—one child at a time.

How long has Christian Family Adoption been a service to parents wishing to adopt a child?

LeEllen Bradshaw officially founded Adventist Adoption and Family Services back in 1958. It is presently known as Christian Family Adoptions.

What is the mission of CFA?

As LeEllen would say, she began this ministry as a way of “grooming babies for heaven.” Since that time we have continued to follow our mission to influence the world for Christ—one needy child at a time. Our goal is to do this through what we believe to be God’s model of adoption.

And what is God’s model of adoption?

Well, Ephesians 1:5 says that, “in love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will ….” When we needed a Heavenly Parent—when we needed an eternal home—God adopted us through Jesus. He didn’t abandon us, but in love drew us to Him. 20 Westwind Summer 2008

How did you happen to get involved with this agency?

My good friend Juline (Schultz) Bodnar, who graduated from WWU in 1999, was the director before me. When a position opened in 2001, she asked if I would interview for it. She knew that I came from a family with five adopted children! I’m the only child not adopted in my family. Juline felt that I would have firsthand experiences that would help those looking at the option of adoption. I got the job and worked for the agency for a very short time before my husband and I moved to Arkansas to serve at Ozark Adventist Academy for two years. When we returned, the agency had an opening for a part-time case worker, and I was hired. In 2004 when Juline retired and moved to Bend, Ore., I was interviewed for her position and promoted to agency director.

Does CFA limit its services to Adventist church members?

Absolutely not. CFA is owned by the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day

Adventists and is governed by an independent board of directors which reports to the NPUC. But we provide services to all denominations, as well as nonChristians. We feel this serves as a great role model to nonAdventists and the community at large. Those who might only know Adventists as people who go to church on Saturday and don’t eat meat can see that there’s much, much more to us than that!

Does CFA provide services for women facing unplanned pregnancies?

Yes. We counsel women and men in crisis, providing options for their pregnancy. Should a woman choose to place her baby for adoption, we also provide mediation for birth parents and the adoptive families to make contact. We are proud of the fact that we’re the only private agency in Oregon who handles DHS cases in this manner.

Back in 1958, the original purpose of AAFS as a formal adoption program was to provide an unplanned pregnancies counseling service to both expectant mothers and their families. The service was designed to help them review their options and choose a plan which would be beneficial to both the parents and their children. If adoption was chosen by the birth parents, AAFS made efforts to match the requests of the birth parents as closely as possible.

An additional offer was to provide services to families of older children with needs, and to assist in providing a permanent plan tailored to fit those individual needs.

The agency has retained the early purpose as a basis for service, but has broadened its services to include consultation and referral for a variety of child welfare issues between parents and professionals. In addition, the agency now provides contractual services for public agencies in the field of child welfare.

Interview

Richard Dower

What is your favorite part of your job?

“The greatest events of my job are introducing the adoptive parents to their new children,” says Beth Miller, a 2000 social work graduate.

“I, too, cry with joy and say a little prayer of thanks.”

I love being able to pray with my staff as well as the families and birth parents of those we come in contact with. Social workers are typically advised not to discuss religion, yet in this agency, it’s a very open topic. On Monday mornings we have prayer for our cases and the agency. We begin all meetings with prayer, inviting God to lead us. Because of this deep and open relationship with God, we are given the privilege of witnessing His miracles on a daily—sometimes even hourly—basis.

An example happened recently, when I was introducing an adoptive family to the birth parent. I knew the history of both sides and what both the birth mother and adopting family had gone through to get to this point. The match was a perfect fit that no one on earth could have created. It was beautiful to witness how both sides surrounded the child with love and prayer, as they moved into the next phase of these four lives which were now entwined forever. It was also amazing to witness God’s grace in bringing the birth mother back in Himself. She viewed this unplanned pregnancy as the Lord waking her up and saving her from the destructive path she was on. I know of no other role in social work than this one, where all parties involved are thrilled with the outcome and feel they are finding the best solution to a very difficult problem. What an amazing blessing to work for this agency!

What tough times do you face in your job?

I hate to say this, but the hardest part of my job is stressing about finances. We provide our services below what it costs our agency to operate. We do this because we want to offer services to great families who have resources to raise a child, but may not have funds for the initial cost of adopting. Al-

though we subsidize these expenses through private donations, these are often not enough. CFA has highly qualified staff with notoriety in the adoption community who are working at a lower rate of pay, simply because they believe in what they do. I would love to reimburse them the amount reflective of their qualifications and passion.

In spite of the financial stresses, what’s the greatest joy of your job?

The greatest joy of my job is introducing the adoptive parents to their new child. I find myself crying with joy and saying a prayer of thanks. I love seeing the story unfold from the beginning and watching as it develops over the years. So few have this luxury, and are only given a snapshot of events. On several occasions I have even helped bring babies into the world, and there is no greater miracle than that!

The greatest joy I find in my work is seeing the smiles on faces of kids and parents. I have numerous pictures of families—both birth parents and adoptive parents—who were so happy with the adoption. The kids smile because they know they’re loved by all their parents. The adoptive parents smile for many reasons. Maybe a child they have prayed and hoped for is finally theirs, possibly after years of loss. Perhaps they see their children growing into caring, funny little people, or they see improvement in a child who had a tough past. And even the birth parents smile, knowing that they’re choosing the best for their child.

They know their future includes a loving home, food on the table, nice clothes, the possibility of attending college, and more.

What’s your best advice for parents who are looking into adoption?

ing in finding and placing His perfect child or children in their family. I have seen how families have changed their expectations in their adoption plan as they submit to the will of God. They actually find that His plan was much better suited for all involved.

Adoption can be a roller coaster of emotions. But when you allow Someone else who knows what’s best to be in charge, there’s less stress and sadness, and more relaxation and joy. Also, families need to remember that adoption—as with other life events—happens in God’s time. Those involved need to be patient and fill their waiting with preparations for the future.

What does CFS look forward to in the future?

So far we have found homes for more than 1,000 precious children. We want that number to grow! Also, this year we celebrate our organization’s 50th year. On Nov. 22, we’re hosting a banquet with an open invitation. The evening will be filled with fascinating stories of families who have adopted from our agency, as well as some who have been adopted.

Coincidentally, November is National Adoption Month.

If a couple wants to adopt a child, or if someone wishes to support CFS, where can they find more information?

Online at christianfamilyadoptions .org/ or by calling (503) 232-1211.

You can also RSVP to attend the anniversary banquet in November.

I’d also like to say that we need prayers. Right now there are more children needing adoption than there are families who can financially make this happen. Our goal is to find a home for every child we come in contact with. n

I would say that they need to remain flexible to God’s leadSummer 2008 Westwind 21

Paving the 2008 Alumni of the Year

Phyllis Atkins

Bill Chobotar

Way

PHYLLIS ATKINS ’57

I

n 1980, when Phyllis Halsey Atkins took the oath as U.S. Magistrate, she became the first woman to serve as a judge on the federal court bench in Nevada. She also served on several Ninth Circuit committees while on the federal bench. Twenty-one years later, she retired as the longest serving U.S. Magistrate Judge in the history of Nevada. She officially retired from her judicial position in 1999, but returned to serve as a Recalled Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge until 2001.

Judge Atkins’ legacy embodies many things that made her unique and effective as a judge. In 1999, Phyllis was honored by the Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association as “NNWLA Woman Lawyer of the Year.” She was also presented with a “Women of Achievement” award from the Nevada Women’s Fund.

Phyllis graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in business administration, the distinction of being the only woman in her major, and a desire to achieve. “At Walla Walla College, I got the education I always wanted,” says Judge Atkins.

BILL CHOBOTAR ’65

B

ill Chobotar is a distinguished professor of biology at Andrews University. A consummate teacher and researcher, Bill has mentored scores of students who today are leaders in their field.

Bill has also been the editor of the Parasitology Research Journal since 1990.

He has written more than 70 articles for peer-reviewed journals, chaired international congress sessions for scientific symposiums, been a guest professor at Solousi University, and won several awards for excellence in teaching and researching.

In 1996, Bill was awarded with the John Andrews Medallion presented by the Andrews University administration for outstanding service to the university through teaching, researching, student advising, and other activities.

“A teacher doesn’t see what he or she does as a job,” Bill says. It’s a commitment and a calling. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned and passing it onto my students.

“I’m still in contact with my students after they graduate. Teaching is such a blessing. I’ve been given many chances to do what I like to do, and I thank God for the opportunities that were placed before me.”

JOYCE LANG ’73

W

Joyce Lang

ith an unequaled dedication to teaching, Joyce Lang’s career in the classroom touched the lives of hundreds of children.

Her years of teaching were marked by her wise insights into how children learned and developed. She believed that all students were capable of achieving, that learning should be fun, and that education came in many different forms. She loved to provide a wide range of experiences, from student-led drama and trips to major museums in the Northwest, to making dolls for a regional Children’s Hospital. Faith and service were integral to her life, and in addition to modeling that lifestyle, she gave her students the opportunity to experience the joy resulting from both. Through curriculum and her ability to nurture, she tended to the spiritual lives of students with purpose and care.

Beginning her career in North Dakota and Colorado, Joyce taught for 25 years at Rogers Elementary School in College Place, Wash. In 1988, Joyce was awarded WESTWIND ONLINE wallawalla.edu/westwind the Excellence in Teaching Award from the North American Division of Seventh- See more about honored alumni, day Adventists. She retired in 2000. n including photographs.

Summer 2008 Westwind 23

Alumnotes

1940s Donald I. Peterson ’45 and his wife, Elsie (Litvin) att., live in Loma Linda, Calif. Donald has been practicing neurology and teaching students for 33 years at Loma Linda University. Recently, he received the 2007 Distinguished Service Award and has written a book entitled “Relief from Headache.”

always left an unpleasant smell on her hands), the day she saw President Eisenhower in Walla Walla, and evening worships with Rose Budd. Charles and Ruth have four children, Lori, Merlin ’86, Laren ’85, and Marilee.

Albert Russell ’58, and his wife, Sally, are enjoying retirement in Lebanon, Ore. Albert is a retired cabinet maker. Albert and Sally

Vanguards

Russell att., and Raymond att.

Harold Harvey ’58 is retired in Hermiston, Ore. Harold enjoys stamp collecting and

collecting, reading, gardening, and playing the piano. One of his favorite college memories was the day he met his wife.

Shirley and Dale have two grown children,

1950s Jacqueline “Jackie” (Esteb) Ladd ’57 and her husband, Kenneth ’60, are enjoying retirement in Vermont. Jackie and Kenneth have worked in seven different conferences and in various academies across the country. Currently, they volunteer at Central Vermont Academy and enjoy snow-shoeing in their spare time.

Jackie and Kenneth have two children, Lisa ’87, and Michael ’87.

Luanna (Jorgenson) Handley ’58 and her husband, Charles Howard ’59, are enjoying retirement in Woodburn, Ore. Luanna enjoys making floral arrangements for an altar at her church. Next year will be Charles’ and Luanna’s 50th wedding anniversary. Luanna has two children: Dan ’62 and Jeanenne Schmid ’65. Some of Luanna’s favorite WWU memories are vespers, Friday candlelight dinners, and working in the cafeteria with her friends.

Ruth (Emery) Stafford ’58 and her husband, Charles att., are retired and living in Ellensburg, Wash. They traveled and taught in Africa for 12 years, and five years in Pakistan. Ruth’s WWU memories include the anatomy “cat” lab (which was interesting but 24 Westwind Summer 2008

Row 1 Frances (Moorman) Mc Rue ’55, Bernadine (Johnson) Car ’55, Helen (Stratton) Kramer ’52, Mary (Spenst) Nation ’53, Vivian (Hassell) Black ’50, Vera (Wolcott) Young ’53, Thais (Thrasher) Sadoyama ’52 Row 2 Wanda (Hellman) Petersen att., Clyde Petersen ’51, Norman Severance ’53, Bill Napier att., Guy Stewart ’52, Dona (Weaver) Stewart att., Olen Nations ’52, Sydney Stewart ’53, Meribeth (Wagner) Mcfarlane ’55, Ann (Krakenberg) Erlandson ’50, Lucille (Graham) Schultz ’50, John Gruzensky ’52 Row 3 Carl Crawford ’57, Ted Becraft ’56, Fern (Johanson) Piper ’55, Mona (Slaybaugh) LeDuc ’55, June (Brooks) Dorner ’54, Roger Dorner ’55, Don Goe ’50, Fred Bennett ’55, Robert Graham ’53, Melvin C. Johnson ’55, Jim McHan ’54, Clarence Chinn ’51 have three grown children, Shirley, Fae Haffner ’87, and Dan ’85. One of Albert’s favorite memories about WWU is the faculty members that impacted his life.

Lynn (Trowbridge) Finch ’58 and her husband, Douglas, reside in Oregon City, Ore. Lynn earned her master’s degree in critical care nursing and administration. While in college, Lynn remembers having fun by the fish pond in front of the girls’ dorm. Douglas and Lynn have four children, Sandra Gates ’84, Steven,

traveling. He recently planned a 10-day tour to the Holy Lands and a five-day stop in Egypt. Harold has three children, Melody Ayers att., Theresa ’88, and Carmen.

Wilfred “Dale” Peterson ’58 and his wife, Shirley (Lalumondier) ’70, reside in College Place. Dale enjoys traveling, coin

Loren ’86 and Loralee Paulson.

George Crumley ’58 and his wife, Ruth, live in Surprise, Ariz. George served the Adventist church for over 40 years. While at college, he remembers learning how to study in the classes of his very good teachers.

George and Ruth have two children, Tari Popp and George.

Alumnotes Katty (Fenton) French ’58 and her husband, George, live in Riverside, Calif. Katty

enjoys teaching as an associate professor at Loma Linda University’s School of Nursing. She has fond memories of P.E. classes and the parade music in the old Columbia Auditorium.

David Igler ’58 and his wife, Jane ’58, are currently enjoying retirement in Loma Linda, Calif. David worked as the vice president of Glendale Adventist Medical Center for 19 years. He has worked a total of 25 years in Adventist education and 24 years in Adventist healthcare. Jane is a retired Pacific Union College English professor. David and Linda have one child, Peter.

Don Kindig ’58 and his wife, Janece (Harbison) att., are retired and living in Pasco, Wash. Don has spent 42 years

Vanguards

serving the Adventist church. His hobbies include camping, computers, yard and building maintenance.

Marilyn (Bramlett) Bixel ’58 and her husband, Noel ’60, live in Turlock, Calif.

as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers based in Seattle. He also worked as a technical writer for the Alaska District Corps of Engineers. While in college, Gloria remembers summer chemistry classes, chats with Professor Alcock, and meeting her future husband. Bill and Gloria have three children, Susan ’82, Elizabeth att., and Stephen att.

Franz Siemsen ’58 and his wife, Doris, live in Sandpoint, Idaho. Franz worked as a doctor in the medical profession for 50 years. Franz and Doris have two children, Debbie Letniak and Patti Schultz.

Randall Dupee ’58 lives in Lake Sherwood, Calif. He is a semi-retired pediatrician. He enjoys writing and living near a small lake. From his time at WWU, Randall remembers philosophical marathons at Sittner Hall.

Since retiring from nursing, Marilyn spends her time with her grandchildren and husband. Marilyn and Noel have three children, Kevin, Gregg, and Sandra.

Albert “Bill” Oakes ’58 and his wife, Gloria (Cox) ’58, are currently enjoying retirement in Anchorage, Alaska. Bill worked

Nellie (Soule) Davis ’58 is currently living in Milton-Freewater, Ore. She enjoys sponsoring two little girls through International Children’s Care and likes to volunteer at Stateline Seventh-day Adventist Church. Nellie has four children, James att., Michelle Dale att., Timothy Metter, and Deborah Berglund.

Gene Schroeder ’58 and his wife, Miriam (Kahler) att., live in Sequim, Wash. Gene remembers with fondness Columbia Auditorium. Gene and Miriam have three children, Ted, Theresa, and Tamara (Rowe) att.

Rita Hopper ’58 lives in Alisa Viejo, Calif.

In her spare time she enjoys taking art classes, and playing the organ and piano. Some of her favorite WWU memories include Sabbath afternoons, Friday evenings, and sing-a-longs.

Ruby (Bader) Hain ’58 and her husband, Dieter, are enjoying retirement in Walla Walla. Ruby is a retired registered nurse and enjoys being a homemaker. One of her favorite WWU memories is attending her Philosophy of Religion class, right after having to work all night at the local hospital. Ruby and Dieter have two children, Mark and Tim. Melvin Northrup ’58, ’66 and his wife, Norma (Short) ’53, live in Lincoln, Neb. Melvin’s hobbies include amateur radio, exploring family history and traveling.

Zachary Boyd ’58 and his wife, Joyce, live in Dunlap, Tenn. Zachary enjoys playing

Row 1 Doyle Saxby ’49, Lorlei (Pierce) Saxby ’49, Barbara Jean (Stotts) Stratton ’49, Eldon Stratton ’48, Cleve Henriques ’48, Paul Coleman ’47 Row 2 Gretta Jean (Rowland) Mohr ’38, James Stirling ’44, Mary Ella Johnson ’48, Orletta (Wilson) Dealy ’68, Lois (Coleman) Hall ’49, Irmgard (Siemson) Hooper ’44, Wilma Tuttle-Goe ’39, Howard Hallock ’47 Row 3 Gerald Casebolt ’48, Paul Gruzensky ’47, William Gruzensky ’43, Donald Dealy ’48, Preston Smith ’48, Virginia (Miller) Mabley ’48, Elwood Mabley ’48

bluegrass on his fiddle and woodworking.

One-life changing experience for Zachary was when he recognized salvation is a gift and that he is saved by grace. From his WWU years, Zachary remembers two of his English professors— “Prof” Applington and “Prof” Woller. Zachary and Joyce have two children, Zachary and William.

Warrine (McDuffie) Harden ’58 and her husband, Hal ’59, are enjoying retirement in East Wenatchee, Wash. Warrine retired Summer 2008 Westwind 25

Alumnotes

from acute care nursing. Warrine has taught in West Africa while her husband worked as the medical director at the local hospital. Two life-changing experiences have occurred in Warrine’s life, the first being the death of her son and the second being a battle with breast cancer. Warrine has four children, Stephen ’83, Sharon, Bryan att., and Scott, now deceased.

Patricia (Pearson) Johnston ’58 lives in Lakeville, Minn. Some of her professional highlights include being chair of the Department of Nutrition and associate dean for academic affairs. She has served as the senior editor for Vibrant Life, and has been nominated for Who’s Who Among America’s

Class of 1958

Teachers many times. Some of her favorite WWU memories include playing tennis, Kooskooskie parties, meeting her husband, and the love of Mrs. Sharman for “her girls.”

remembers life in Sittner Hall, singing in the choir, and sliding down the “Hello Walk” with his brother. Ron has one child Richard, who is deceased.

Ida Warner ’58 and her husband, David ’68, are currently living in Red Deer,

Amaryllis (Gramms) Brown ’58 and her husband, Herman, live in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Amaryllis retired from nursing and now enjoys being with her grandchildren. She enjoys playing in the Red Deer community band and gardening. Amaryllis and Herman have two children, Bonita Grimbel ’86 and Carola Hanasyk.

educational director and college teacher in Ethiopia. He was also the president at Kingsway College in Ontario for six years.

Evelyn has fond memories of nurses’ training at Portland Adventist Hospital.

Evelyn and Leroy have two children, Laura Morrison and Linda Learned.

Alberta, Canada. Ida works as a foster mom for Alberta Social Services and is planning to retire soon. While at WWU, Ida remembers dorm life, Sunshine Bands, and meeting new friends. Ida and David have four children, Debbie Bell, Diane Reiman ’81, Dennis, and David ’88.

Ronald White ’58 and his wife, Kay, make their home in Paradise, Calif. Ron works as a dentist. While at WWU, Ronald

Leroy Kuhn ’58 and his wife, Evelyn (Boepple) ’58, live in Kelowna, B.C. Some of Leroy’s professional highlights include working as principal, business manager,

Yvonne (Badgley) McDaniel ’58 and her husband, Dick ’62, make their home in Lincoln, Calif. They have two children, Caroly Heisler ’89 and Cynthia Kongorski ’91.

Charles “Chuck” Winn ’58 and his wife, Dee, are currently living in Roseville, Calif.

Chuck worked at the Department of Interior in Ephrata, Wash. After 32 satisfying and rewarding years, he was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in Washington, D.C. in 1985. Chuck enjoys playing golf. He and his wife have three children, Charles, Donna, and Candace.

Robert Kenline ’58 is retired in Brush Prairie, Wash. He has taught the fourth and fifth grade for 26 years in Prosser, Wash. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and collecting wild flowers.

Marjorie (Lange) Bankhead ’58 and her

husband, Don ’61, are retired in Candler, N.C.

Row 1 Rita Hopper, Marilyn (Bramlett) Bixel, Ernest Porter, Luanna (Jorgenson) Handley, Sylvia (Landreth) Sproed, G. Corinne Pestes, Ida (Knopp) Warner, Susan (Fosdal) Comeau, Melva (Nelson) Eslinger, Norma (Reistad) Reiswig, Pat (Drake) Cople, Marcia (Peterson) Monteith, Betsy (Newfold) Matthews, Glen Davies Row 2 Verlin Gibson, Cliff Sorensen, Bob Weaver, Betty (Ashley) Myers, An-Marie (Jackson) Kromminga, Carlene (Heid) Johnson, Ella (Lydie) Petricko, Warrine (McDuffie) Harden, Myrna (O’Lennick) Jansen, Gloria (Cox) Oakes Row 3 Arthur Nelson, Lee Crane, James Bechtel, Floyd Lewis, Glenn Johnson, Barbara Leadbetter, Ann (Haraden) Cornell, Bill Oakes Row 3 1/2 Ray Leadbetter, Marian (Wallace) Age, Pat Johnston, Nellie (Soule) Davis Row 4 Alvin Kwiram, Harold Harvey, Leroy Kuhn, George Crumley, Delbert Gennetten, W. Dale Peterson, Larry Shipowick, Ron White, Richard Taggart Row 5 Bob Bohlman, Ted Lutts, Gene Schroeder, Leon Ringering, George Harty, Lorrell D. Smick, Ted Olson, Dick Freeman, Albert Russell 26 Westwind Summer 2008

1960s Cleon White ’63 and his wife, Sandra (Clough) ’62, live in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Cleon enjoys working as the principal of Andrews Academy. While at WWU, Cleon

Alumnotes his father-in-law), and playing basketball in Columbia Auditorium. Harvey and Patricia have two children, Harian and Heidi.

Louise (Cowin) Bartholomew ’63 and her husband, Dale ’66, live in Charlotte, N.C. Louise and Dale have two children, Cameron ’94 and Mardene Fowler ’97. remembers meeting his future wife. He also enjoyed his physics and mathematics classes. Cleon and Sandra have two children, Eric and Suzanne Wein ’91.

Vivian (Marsh) Prewitt ’63 lives in Dunlap, Tenn. She retired after teaching

Dave Stefonek ’63 and his wife, Karen (Rupert) ’72, have retired in Corbett, Ore. One of Dave’s life-changing experiences

Class of 1963

Clyde’s hobbies include being a handyman and gardening. Lou Ellen enjoys sewing and photography. Clyde and Lou Ellen have three children, David, Laurinda Cutlip, and Raymond.

Larry Smick ’68 and his wife, Dana, are currently enjoying retirement in Bremerton, Wash. Larry worked at the Washington Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

From his time at WWU, Larry remembers the many excellent professors in the Biology Department. Larry and Dana have two children, Shelli and Kellen.

habitats for his birds. He enjoys canoe trips along the Washington Coast and the lakes in Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Nerita Machado ’63 lives in Kealakekua, Hawaii. Nerita changed professions in 1997

for 20 years. She has had the opportunity to travel to Russia and the Cayman Islands and has even backpacked in the High Sierras. Her two sons, Eugene and Michael, are the joys of her life. One of her memories of WWU includes being moved to tears during a performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Judy Toop ’63 is currently residing in Auburn, Wash. where she works as a science teacher at Auburn Adventist Academy. From her time at WWU, Judy remembers the building of the church and highrise girls’ dorm.

Betty (Alderson) Woodland ’63 and her husband, Dennis att., live in Berrien Springs, Mich. Betty works as an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s College and has played the organ for church for 53 years.

Betty and Dennis have two grown children, Cherie and Heather.

Harvey Harden ’63 and his wife, Patricia (Munroe) att., live in Sandpoint, Idaho.

While at WWU, Harvey remembers the dorm life in Sittner Hall, working part-time for Earl Munroe (who later turned out to be

Row 1 Clyde Sample, Lou (Rasmussen) Sample, Dorothy (Von Bergen) Anderson, Ruth (Parks) Massey, Caroline Shepherst, Joyce Griffith, Donnie Boskind Row 2 Dave Stefonek, Bill Chobotar, Larry Ilchuk, Doug Wells, Al Liske, Ken Walters, Gary Harding Row 3 Jerry Dunifer, Gary Wicklund, Don Drake, Don Loomer, Jere Franklin was bypass surgery, subsequent rehab, and a plant-based diet. Dave and Karen have two children, Karen and Krista.

Jere Franklin ’63 and ’65 and his wife, Linda, live in Chetwynd, British Columbia.

Jere has written a book entitled “You Can Survive” about the preparation for the end-time events. Jere and Linda present seminars on the book and travel to churches in Canada. While in college, Jere remembers being re-baptized during one of Elder Huebach’s Week of Prayer services. Jere and Linda have two children Susan and Jedidiah.

Clyde Sample ’63 and his wife, Lou Ellen (Rasmussen) ’63, live in Spangle, Wash.

Darlene (Bakke) Clark ’63 and her husband, Dale ’60, are living in Curlew, Wash. She enjoys gardening, sewing, and crocheting.

One of her favorite WWU memories is of Loren Dickinson’s vespers programs.

Darlene and Dale have two grown children, Darilee Bond, and Duane.

from working as a nurse to working as a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage therapist and instructor. While at WWU, Nerita remembers seeing snowflakes falling for the first time, meeting students from around the world, and the excellent kind-hearted professors.

Wayne Christensen ’63 and his wife, Sandra (Reimann) att., are currently enjoying retirement in Sequim, Wash.

Joseph Young Jr. ’63 and his wife, Virginia (Loop) ’62, live in Walla Walla.

Joseph enjoys raising waterfowl and game birds. He owns a beautiful aviary which includes waterfalls and heated Summer 2008 Westwind 27

Alumnotes Wayne worked with a civil engineering company and is a cancer survivor. Some of his favorite WWU memories are engineering professors Cross and Bennett, skiing at Spout Springs, and meeting and marrying his wife, Sandra.

Maribeth (Vipond) Burns ’63 and her husband, Lowell, live in Brewster, Wash.

Maribeth taught at Brewster Adventist School for 21 years. In her spare time, Maribeth enjoys helping with the music at her local church and gardening. Lowell and Maribeth have two children, David ’97 and Edith McCloskey att.

Fred Bunn ’63 and his wife, Gilda, are retired in Lakeland, Fla. Fred served for two years in the Army and later worked at the Army Research Lab. He has traveled to London, Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. From his WWU years, Fred remembers winning a six-mile race, his physics classes, and being on the tumbling team. Fred has two children, Brenda Rivera and Jeff.

Ursella (Pierce) Ball ’67 and her husband, Vern, live in Wenatchee, Wash.

Ursella enjoys gardening and spending time with family. She has three children, Joanie Lefore att., Marc ’74, and Lenn.

Kathleen (Geppert) Hoffman ’68 and her husband, Marlyn ’60, live in Canyon City, Ore. Kathleen has survived lead poisoning and cancer, but that hasn’t stopped her from having a strong relationship with Christ. She enjoys gardening, making quilts, and “going on God errands.”

Kathleen has fond college memories preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Kathleen and Marlyn have one son, John att.

Janice Brock ’68 and her husband, Doug, live in Portland, Ore. Janice retired after 30 years of teaching high school.

She enjoys yoga, painting, bicycling and spending time with friends.

James Henneberg ’68 and his wife, Jackie, live in Pasadena, Calif. James is a 28 Westwind Summer 2008

medical doctor. Jackie and James have three children, Jeff, Heidi Threadgill att., and Cameron.

meeting for the first time in speech class at WWU. They have three children, Elly, John, and Jenny Lee Garner.

Norman Klam ’68 and his wife, Marlene (Skula) att., reside in La Center, Wash.

John Christensen ’68 and his wife, Barbara (DeFord) ’68, are retired in College Place. John’s hobbies include volunteering at his church and gardening.

Class of 1968

Gloria Davy ’68 resides in Carson, Wash.

She works as the nurse in the Ray Yasui Unit.

Alton Olson ’68 and his wife, Doris, reside in Pendleton, Wash. Alton works as an industrial technology teacher for Echo High School. Alton and Doris have two children, Melanie Lawson ’92 and Tracy.

Row 1 Pete Sonnentag, Verna (Corson) Sonnentag, Selma (Syme) Wolfswinkel, Phyllis (Miller) Hall, Orletta (Wilson) Dealy, Ruth (Montgomery) Hawley, Marlene (Anderson) Porter, Sondra (Hoxie) Bowser, Cheryl Nelson, Ruby (Kruger) Stafford Row 2 Gail (Hubbard) Stumph, Corky Harvey, Jeanne (Wilson) Battenburg, Ralph Winsor, Derreta (Budd) Winsor, Nels Nelson, Tom Thompson, Donald Tall, John Stafford Row 3 Dean L. Sanders, Roger A. Kruger, Bert Connell, Evelyn (Rasmussen) Connell, Ed Gibbons, Bart Moore Row 4 Alton Olson, Philip Ruud, Don Hall, William McGhee, Richard Ford, Dave Warner Row 5 Joe Galusha, Joe Parmele, C. Bruce Clough, Martin Bradley, Don Grosse, Ralph Kneller Both enjoy traveling and have been to 48 states, all provinces in Canada, and Cambodia. Some of Norman’s favorite memories at WWU include organizing the first hockey game against a Spokane team, business classes in the old Ad Building, and food at the Express.

Norman and Marlene have two children, Cheri Oellrich ’99 and Jeff ’70.

John and Barbara have three children, Shirley ’70, Cheri ’73, and Stan ’77.

Ruth (Duncan) Gruber ’68 and her husband, Jim, live in Soap Lake, Wash. Ruth is a substitute librarian and has two children, Yvonne ’79 and Eric ’80.

Phyllis Hall ’68 and her husband, Don ’68, are enjoying retirement in Happy Valley, Ore. Don works at Wellsource, a company he founded in 1984. Phyllis enjoys the outdoors and hopes to complete the Pacific Crest Trail. She hikes around 300 miles per season. Don hiked the Grand Canyon in one day when the temperature was 100 degrees. Phyllis and Don have two children, David ’93 and Heather Tourville ’97.

John Garner ’68 and his wife, Tenny (Thompson) ’69, are currently living in Twin Falls, Idaho. John works as superintendant of schools in a nearby town and Tenny works in mortgages/sales at Wells Fargo Bank. John and Tenny remember

Marie (Huk) Kneller ’68 and her husband, Ralph ’66 and ’68, are currently

E. Jeanne (Wilson) Battenburg ’68 and her husband, Joe, are currently living in Port Hadlock, Wash. Jeanne enjoys singing in a community choir, bird-watching, and gardening. Her favorite WWU memory is when she lived in Portland. living in Kelowna, B.C. Marie works as a ward clerk at Kelowna General Hospital.

In her spare time, Marie enjoys reading, hiking and selling Shaklee Products. From her time at WWU she remembers being in love, feeling at home, and great times with friends. Marie and Ralph have two children, Julie ’92 and James ‘95.

Orletta (Wilson) Dealy ’69 and her husband, Donald Dealy ’48, reside in College

Alumnotes Waitsburg, Wash. Her hobbies include gardening, knitting, and taking walks. Her favorite college memory is the Christian atmosphere. Barbara has seven children, Sharon, Russell, Alan, Warren, Valerie, Michael, and Shawn.

Place. Orletta retired after 35 years of teaching. She enjoys volunteering at her church and fundraising for the local television station. Orletta has fond college memories of meeting her husband when playing volleyball.

Class of 1973

Friday afternoon shopping excursions into the “big” city of Walla Walla!

Ethlyn Obland ’73 currently resides in Grand Terrace, Calif., where she is the supervising public health nurse at the Department of Public Health. Ethlyn enjoys activities such as golfing, oil painting, photography, and snow skiing.

traveling internationally. Anne works as an OB/GYN at a local clinic. Some of her favorite college memories include working for Marlene Finch, and trying to learn how to ski and mountain climb.

Marshall Merklin ’73 and his wife, Glenda (Petersen) ’74, live in Bonney Lake, Wash.

Judy Loop ’73 lives in Caldwell, Idaho.

Judy works as a pediatric home health

Wanita (Fullerton) Butler ’73 and her husband, Stephen ’75, live in Enumclaw, Wash. Wanita works as an accountant at a local business. She keeps busy with the renovation of her house and landscaping projects in the yard. She also enjoys time spent with her grandchildren. Wanita and Stephen have three children, Glenn att., Bambi Perrin, and Monty att.

Lesley (Hay) Harrison ’73 and her husband, Mike, live in Bellbrook, Ohio. After 30

years in nursing, Lesley left the nursing field to babysit her 13 grandchildren which she thoroughly enjoys. Mike and Lesley enjoy trips and touring on their motorcycles. They have three children, Kim Demeter, Rebecca Descalso, and Brittan.

Cheri (Christensen) Armstrong ’73 and her husband, John, reside in Athena, Ore.

Row 1 Bob Sanders, Sheila Palmer, Denise (Altman) McGhee, Aster Debeb, Cliff Milburn, Pete Sonnentag, Joy (Smith) Robinson, Lonna (Tachenko) Milburn, Dalene (Ringering) Johnson Row 2 Dolores (Anderson) Morgan, Julie (Witcombe) McGhee, Bobbi (Clark ) Ordelheide, Al Corson, Dave Corson, Debbie (Mayer) Coleman, Joaline (Gruzensky) Olson, Chris Lundquist Row 3 Anne (Hazelton) Anholm, John Anholm, Marshall Merklin, Nathan Zane, Robert Marshall, Glenna (Furber) Marshall, Terry Gottschall

1970s Hayden Piper ’73 and his wife, Elizabeth Gudwer, live in Chandler, Ariz. Hayden works as a commercial realtor at Keller Williams Legacy One Realty. His hobbies include historic sightseeing, gold prospecting, and desert gardening. His favorite WWU memory is taking summer classes.

Barbara (MacDougall) WhiteakerHansen ’73 is retired and resides in

Marshall is the principal at Northwest Christian School. In his spare time he enjoys music and photography.

Marshall and Glenda have two children, Jennifer and Christopher.

John Anholm ’73 and his wife, Anne (Hazelton) ’73, live in Snohomish, Wash.

John is a self-employed electrical engineer. John enjoys running, hiking, and

nurse. She enjoys playing flute and piano for community events. Judy remembers skipping classes, water skiing on the Columbia River, and the Christian experience through student involvement.

S. Gale (Hooker) Blankenship ’73 and her husband, Randy, live in Bickleton, Wash. Gale works full-time in Seattle area hospitals and Randy works on the 100year-old, family-inherited farm. In their spare time, they enjoy Alpine hiking.

Gale’s memories of WWU include graduation, her long-lasting friendships, and

They spent a winter in England where Cheri worked on the Tower Hamlets Youth Offending Team. While they were in East London, both of them enjoyed traveling and seeing more than 20 plays.

Cheri’s favorite WWU memory is pulling pranks with her friends when she should have been studying. John and Cheri have four children, Amy, Kristen Cacka att., Lige, and John.

Don Straub ’73 and his wife, Juanita, live in Kelowna, B.C., Canada. Don is the pastor at Son Valley Fellowship and the principal of Okanagan Adventist Academy.

From his time at WWU, Don remembers Summer 2008 Westwind 29

Alumnotes the Bible conferences at Mt. Hood and Camp MiVoden.

Judy (Westergaard) Harvey ’73 and her husband, R. Bruce, live in Medford, Ore.

Judy works as a registered dietitian for the Jackson Country WIC Program. She is currently redecorating her home. Judy

Class of 1978

tirement in McCall, Idaho. While at WWU, Montell remembers working with the EMS club. Montell has three children, Shari, Daren, and Christopher.

From his time at WWU, David remembers worships by Walt Meske, being a student missionary, and being the teacher’s assistant for developmental biology.

April (Munson) Hardinge ’73 and her husband, Fred ’73, live in Spokane, Wash.

April works as a quality assurance nurse for the State of Washington. She enjoyed working as a student missionary in the Philippines and finds pleasure in backpacking, gardening, hiking, and sewing.

While at WWU, April remembers the wonderful nursing instructors. April has two children, Karah and Brent.

Keith Wilkens ’78 and his wife, Joyce (Anderson) ’78, live in Spokane, Wash., where he works as a physician. Keith and his family enjoy playing outdoor sports together. Keith also enjoys woodworking, gardening, and music. Keith has three children, Taylor ’07, Emily curr. att., and Fletcher curr. att. Reflecting back on his time at WWU, Keith misses the teachers and great music.

Nancy (Huggard) Wilson ’78 lives in Auburn, Wash. She has worked as a reg-

Derrick Teal ’78 and his wife, Julie (Cole) att., are currently residing in Portland,

is a hand therapist and owns a private practice. From his time in college, Derrick would like to thank Gary Wiss for recognizing his journalistic talents and Bill Napier for preparation and the many opportunities in physical education.

Sharon (Baker) Brothers ’78 and her husband, Roger, reside in West Linn, Ore. Sharon is the founder and CEO for the Institute for Senior Living Education, an online website designed to train future senior care providers. Some of Sharon’s favorite memories of WWU are the beautiful campus and the religion classes that challenged her thinking. Sharon and Roger have three children, Ashley, Brenna, and Kendall.

Tina (Cain) Anderson ’78 and her husband, Tom ’77, are living in Issaquah, Wash. Tina is currently the project manager for Siemens Ultrasound and enjoys combining health solutions with high technology. From her time at WWU, Tina remembers climbing Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, lifeguarding at the college swimming pool, and volunteering at the radio station. Tina and Tom have two children, Kristen and Katherine.

Beverly (Rippey) Foster ’78 and her husband, James ’80, live in Beaverton, Ore.

Row 1 Joy (Fearing) Krause, Lynn (Barter) Yanke, Larry Ramey, Ruth (Montgomery) Hawley. Maxine (Meador) Shumate, Larose McCluskey, Ruth (Lambert) Corson, Janice (Sawzak) Wibberding Row 2 Allison (Jones) Field, LaDonna (Liske) Lehman, Charlene (Weis) Walker, Deborah (Reese) Reynolds, Beverly (Rippey) Foster, Connie (Casebolt) Godenick, Fred Shumate, Ron Wilkinson Row 3 (Gienger) Moor, Jim Moor, Marvin Denney, Linda (Huett) Martin, David Cowles, Bob Johnson Row 4 Ruthann (Moor) Wyman, David Wyman, Larry Summerton, Doug Taylor, Derrick Teal, Bernard Yanke, Pam Baumgartner and Bruce have two children, Shaen ‘01 and Andrew ‘06.

Wanda (Reiber) Woodruff ’73 and her husband, Ray ’57, are currently living in Vancouver, Wash. Wanda taught home economics at Milo and Livingstone academies for a total of 10 years. Wanda enjoys sewing, cooking, and needle crafts.

Montell Clendenon ’73 is enjoying re30 Westwind Summer 2008

istered nurse for a health corporation for the past 10 years. While at WWU, Nancy remembers the fun times on the Portland campus. Nancy has two children, Ryan curr. att., and Scott.

David Cowles ’78 and his wife, Linda (Kreye) att., lives in College Place. David works as a professor of biology at WWU. David and Linda have two children, Jonathan curr. att., and Joanna curr. att.

Beverly works as an accounting specialist at Digimarc. Beverly and James have two children, John ’07 and Laura att. Beverly says, “Our children have found that WWU continues to have a caring faculty, just as we enjoyed in our college years.”

David Chuljian ’78 is currently living in Port Townsend, Wash. He works as a dentist. In his spare time, David enjoys solo canoeing and kayaking trips in the Canadian subarctic rivers.

Ore. Derrick has started several businesses in which manage aviation, healthcare, business consulting, and real estate. Julie

Pam (Hilde) Baumgartner ’78 lives in College Place. She is an Early Head Start nurse educator who works with young

Alumnotes families. Pam and her late husband, Edwin, spent 15 years in mission work in Peru, Nicaragua, and Haiti. They adopted a sibling group from Peru: Belissa Whitehill, Henry att., Gabriela, att., and Luisa curr. att.

Connie (Casebolt) Godenick ’78 and her husband, Joe, reside in Spartanburg, S.C. Connie works as a self-employed wellness consultant. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking gourmet vegetarian food, playing board games, and educating others about nutrition and health. While at WWU, Connie remembers intramurals and hiking in the Blue Mountains. Connie has three children, Amy, Lisa and Laura.

Richard and Norma have four children, Chris ’74, Nancy att., James ’79, and John ’80.

1980s

Nancy (Adams) Cronnelly ’78 and her husband, Roy, live in Somerset, Calif.

Nancy works as a registered nurse at a local hospital. She remarried in April 2007 and both of them “are in shock at how things turn out when you least expect it.”

Nancy and Roy have two children, Aaron and Cari.

Terri Dawes ’83 and ’88 resides in Grandview, Wash. She works as the co-owner and director of ABC Preschool & Daycare Inc. Some of her favorite WWU memories include listening out her window to the singing in the courtyard.

Carmen (Hammond) McWilliams ’78 and her husband, Steven, currently live in Maple Valley, Wash. Carmen works as an art instructor in the Kent School District. She has three children, Steven, Nathan, and Christine.

Laurens Johansen ’83 and his wife, Linda, make their home in West Linn, Ore. Laurens works as a medical doctor. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, reading, gardening, and working on his car. During his time at WWU,

Thomas Hamstra ’78 and his wife, Dulce Prior-Ortiz, live in Happy Valley, Ore. Thomas works as the senior project manager for a local engineering company, and has had the chance to work on the delivery of large transportation projects.

While at WWU, Thomas remembers Sabbath afternoon drives to South Fork.

Class of 1983

Laurens remembers springtime, Rosario, playing in band and living in Sittner Hall.

quartet and has won fifth place at an international contest for the past two years.

Sendra Gunawan ’83 and her husband, Sutera, live in Avon Park, Singapore.

Sendra enjoys reading and traveling. While at WWU, she remembers the Kretschmar Hall study room. Sendra and Sutera have five children, Jeffrey, Jonathan curr. att., Angeline curr. att., Merissa, and Maydina.

Shelley (Steiner) Rubin ’88 and her husband, Stephen, live in Walla Walla.

Shelley works as a psychometrician at the Sleep Center in St. Mary Medical Center.

Shelley has sung with the Blue Mountain Chorus of Sweet Adelines for the past 18 years. She enjoys jewelry-making and scrapbooking, but her passion lies with making desserts, especially chocolate desserts and candies. Shelly has two grown children, Adam and Heather.

Kari (Kravig) Novak ’83 and her husband, Paul ’82, live in Yakima, Wash. Kari works as a registered nurse for a local doctor. Kari and Paul live in an orchard and own two-and-a-half acres of blueberry fields which keeps them very busy in the summer. They have one child, Melinda.

Mark Smith ’83 and his wife, Ivy (Gladden) att., reside in Anchorage, Alaska. Mark is the vice president for marketing and sales at a local business. His hobbies include commercial fishing with his family each summer. From his college days, Mark especially remembers Professor Alden Thompson as well as welding in the Canaday Technology Center.

Kevin Stinson ’88 and his wife, Shauna (Spady) ’89, live in Damascus, Ore. Kevin works as a U.S. Sales Manager for Ruby Company, LTD. He sings in a barbershop

Chris Shepard ’88 and his wife, Tami, are currently living in Battle Ground, Wash. Chris works as a teacher for Mountain View High School. They have one child, Jazmine.

Gart Curtis ’88 and his partner, Deb, live in Homer, Alaska. Gart is currently selfemployed. He enjoys working on boats and life with their son, Leland. While at WWU, Gart remembers the remarkable people and the time he was lucky enough to spend with them.

Kurt Mehner ’88 and his wife, Jennifer, live in Seattle, Wash. Kurt is currently working as a drywall estimator. He enjoys coaching baseball and ski racing. Kurt has fond memories of his friend Roy Slaybaugh throwing

Larry Bunnell ’79 and his wife, Maryann (Riesland) ’76, reside in Klamath Falls, Ore. Larry has served 14 years as a pastor there. He recently received his doctorate from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. Maryann works for the Klamath Falls City School. Larry and Maryann have two children, Joseph and Elijah.

Norma (Krauss) Nelson ’78 and her husband, Richard ’47, are enjoying retirement in McMinnville, Ore. Norma has traveled to India where she was a medical missionary. One of her favorite college memories is meeting her husband.

Row 1 Darilynne Allen, Lorie Ramey, Wayne Dunbar, Gabriel Acosta, Denise Sproed, Brenda (Burden) Aufderhar, Russ Zapotichny Row 2 Mark Smith, Clark Lampson, Michael Case, Merlin Windels, Jerald Fevec, Adriana Scuka Row 3 Stephen P. Harden, Louanne McGhee, Bruce Kay, Ron McVay, Todd Schafer Summer 2008 Westwind 31

Alumnotes a piece of chocolate cream pie at the wall of the cafeteria. Kurt and Jennifer have four children, Kyle, Dylan, Brock, and Bridgit.

Class of 1988

Center. In her spare time, Kimberley loves hanging out with her family and skiing. While at WWU, Kimberley enjoyed Friday night Vespers, teaching skiing at Bluewood, and eating ice cream at

1990s John Roe ’98 and his wife, Shari (Foster) ’98, are currently living in Vancouver,

Row 1 Dee Ann (Hackett) Taylor, Khai-Ling (Chuah) Tan, Kate (Kelly) Keltz, Margo (Place) Hinsley, Stephenie (Nelson) Renshaw, Karl E. Thompson, Kurt Schäfer, Carla Smith, Keith Perrin, Ken Wirtz, Lee Hatfield Row 2 Rob Ruder, Mark Mikkelson, Dan Carr, Ryan Pestes, Cheri Pestes, Stephen Warren, Scott Salsbery, Troy Towler Cristina Matos-Grys ’88 and her husband, John, reside in American Canyon, Calif. Cristina is a piano teacher. Some of her favorite college memories include hikes in the mountains, backpacking trips, and Friday night vespers. Cristina and John have two children, Jason and Kristofer.

Ann (Roach) Kracke ’88 and her husband, Arthur, are enjoying retirement in Portland, Ore. Ann enjoys volunteering at the Oregon Historical Society and Leach Botanical Gardens. From her college years, Ann remembers the support given to her and her colleagues as they sought their nursing degrees. Arthur and Ann have four children.

the Dairy. Kimberley has three children, Delaney, Danielle and Mackenzie.

Troy Towler ’88 and his wife, Minda, reside in Bremerton, Wash. Troy works as the engineering manager for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. His hobbies include playing games, pool, snowboarding, and traveling.

While at WWU, Troy remembers hanging out at the student activities center and playing in College Bowl. Troy and Minda have two children, Victor and Miranda.

Wash. While at WWU, John remembers early morning math classes, and late nights in the SUN lab.

Kristin (Bergman) Fry ’98 and her husband, Scott ’98, reside in MiltonFreewater, Ore. Kristen works at home and is also a contract teacher for the WWU English Department. Scott and Kristin enjoy hiking and traveling. They have three children, Emily, Steven and Mara. Kristin’s favorite WWU memory was having classes in the “Shakespeare” room.

Christina (Bond) McGill ’98 and ’99 and her husband, James ’99, currently live in Days Creek, Ore. Christina is the head girl’s dean at Milo Adventist Academy. Christina loves to scrapbook, play tennis, and spend time with her family. Her favorite college memories of WWU include being a resident assistant and being a student dean in the women’s dorm.

Alison (Rue) Cover ’98 and her husband, Jay, live in Granite Falls, N.C. Alison currently works as an oncology nurse at a local healthcare center. Her greatest dream of working internationally was accomplished when she worked in Pakistan and India. Alison’s college memories include walks to Whitman Mission on Sabbath afternoons, and her incredible life-long friends.

Newt Zanes ’98 and his wife, Vicki, currently live in Helotes, Texas. They have two children, Audra and Elliot.

Victoria (Learned) Mills ’98 and her husband, Jeff ’99, reside in Fontana, Calif.

Victoria is a physician assistant at a local private practice. Jeff and Victoria have one child, Matthew, who was born in 2007.

Melinda Russell ’98 and her husband, Craig, live in Meridian, Idaho. Melinda works as a licensed clinical social worker at Montgomery Counseling Center.

Class of 1998

Kate (Kelley) Keltz ’88 and her husband, Jack, live in Wichita, Kan. Kate currently works as the purchasing manager at Precision Pattern. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer. While at WWU, some of Kate’s favorite memories are “pinging” and having creative birthday parties with her friends. Jack and Kate have two children, Dan and Kinsey.

Kimberley Haynes-Henson ’88 and her husband, David, live in Omaha, Neb. Kimberley works as an anesthesiologist at the University of Nebraska Medical 32 Westwind Summer 2008

Row 1 David A. Caldera, Pamela (Duncan) Rodman, Carrie (Roy) Bergherm, Jorge Barcelo, Al Kirby, Holly (Utt) Coleman, Amber (Martin) Nelson, Jacy Nelson Row 2 Kristianne (Dodds) Connell, Shelley (Schoepflin) Sanders, Brandon C. Schoepflin Sanders, Darrin Johnson, Jeff Cross, Stacey (Howland) Schwarz, Penny (Stepper) Ammon

In Memory

Atkins—Leonard ’70 was born in 1947 in Portland, Ore., and died June 24, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: wife Ann (Wilson) ’70 of Newport, Wash.; sons Shane ’99 of Renton, Wash.; daughter Tonya (Atkins) Awuor att., of Erie, Pa.; brother Lester ’77 of La Center, Wash.; and sister Lorraine (Atkins) Gray ’76 of La Grande, Ore. Battee—Robert att., was born June 16, 1930, in Greenwood, Calif., and died Sept. 27, 2007, in Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico. Surviving: wife Eva Battee of Sonoyta; son Ryan Battee of Boise, Idaho; daughters Marjorie Pitzer of Apache Junction, Ariz., Donna Kohfeld of McMinnville, Ore., Sharon Peterson of Garvis, Ore.; father Julian Battee of Angwin, Calif.; mother Beulah Battee of Angwin, Calif.; brother George Garrido of Rogue River, Ore.; sisters Joanne (Battee) Eberhardt att., and Jeanne Mannes of Rocky Island, Tenn.

Boskind—Christopher ’64 was born May 4, 1942, in Malabar, Fla., and died June 1, 2007, in Ridgefield, Wash. Surviving: wife Connie ’63 of Vancouver, Wash.; son Jeffery of Gresham, Ore.; daughter Dawne ’99 of Battle Ground, Wash.; brothers Richard ’61 of Melbourne, Fla., and Andrew of Hendersonville, Tenn.

Bliss—Clayton att., was born July 19, 1941, in McMinnville, Ore., and died Sept.

24, 2007, in Chewelah, Wash. Surviving: son Clinton of Seattle, Wash.; daughters Jacqueline Vaugn of Craig, Alaska, Charis Armstrong of Nuevo, Calif., Audrey Zamora of Running Springs, Calif., Monika Bliss of Collegedale, Tenn.; father Bern att., of Milton-Freewater, Ore.; mother Dorothy (Garlock) Bliss att., of Milton-Freewater; brother Charles ’76 of Spencerville, Md.; sisters Beverly Elloway att., of Chehalis, Wash., Barbara Lodahl att., of Bend, Ore., and Elizabeth Gottschall att., of Chewelah, Wash.

Leaving a Legacy

E

dward Johnston was a man of many professions. He will be remembered for his many

Christensen—Barbara (DeFord) ’68 was born June 13, 1924, in Spokane, Wash., and died August 27, 2007, in College Place. Surviving: husband John ’68 of College Place; son Stanley ’77 of Walla Walla; daughters Shirley Heisey ’70 of Milton-Freewater, Ore., and Cheri Armstrong ’73 of Athena, Ore. Coon—Duane att., was born Aug. 29, 1926, in Port Townsend, Wash., and died July 4, 2007, in Petersburg, Alaska. Surviving: wife Sharla of Petersburg; son Brenton of Petersburg; and brother Jay of Yakima, Wash.

Cushman—Vivian (Nelson) ’31 was born Dec. 5, 1907, in Seattle, Wash., and died Jan. 14, 2008, in Lincoln, Neb. Surviving: sons William Smith of Goodlettsville, Tenn., Arthur Cushman of Old Hickory, Tenn.; daughters Mitzi Wiggle of Bennet, Neb., and Sylvia Finch of Riverside, Calif.

roles as dean, dentist, astronomer, professor, and church leader. As a WWU professor, Edward’s interest in astronomy led him to start the development of an observatory.

He even purchased a costume so he could impersonate Christopher Columbus. Edward was born Dec. 6, 1934, and died Jan. 10, 2007, in Minneapolis, Minn. He is survived by his wife, Pat ’58, of Lakeville, Minn.; son Martin ’87 of Saint Paul, Minn.; and daughter Linda ’86 of Lakeville.

Dawes— Lou Ella ’55 was born Feb. 22, 1931, in Harvey N.D., and died Aug. 13, 2007, in Corvallis, Ore. Surviving: John Dawes ’62 of Lebanon, Ore.; sons Gary of Beaverton, Ore., Larry of Aumsville, Ore., Barry of Radcliffe, Ky.; daughter Terri ’83, and ’88 of Grandview, Wash.; brother LaVerne att., of Milton-Freewater, Ore., Raymond att., of Huntsville, Texas, Floyd att., of Redlands, Calif.; and sister Donna Lefore of Milton-Freewater, Ore. DeRuwe—Amy att., was born Nov. 1, 1919, in Cleveland, Ohio, and died Oct. 7, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: husband Jack of Spokane; son Karl of Othello, Wash.; daughters Julie of Olympia, Wash., Carmen Yunker of Longmont, Colo.; and sister Marjorie Morelli of Albuquerque, N.M. Elliot—Ruth Alice (Wyman) att., was born Nov. 16, 1915, in Rangoon, Burma and died Sept. 3, 2007, in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Surviving: son Phil Elliott of Carson City, Nev.; daughters Shari Perman of Apache Junction, Ariz., Corky Harvery ’68 of Pacific Palisades, Eileen Laycock att., of Lynwood, Wash.; brother Lloyd Wyman ’50 of Newbury Park, Calif.; and sister Carol Nelson ’54 of Auburn, Wash.

Emmerson—Lila (Goode) ’35 was born August 25, 1915, in Rogersville, Ala., and died Sept. 7, 2007, in Walla Walla.

Surviving: sons David att., of Tucson, Ariz.

James att., of Neskowin, Ore., Thomas ’72 of College Place; daughter Sharon Emmerson att., of Portland, Ore., sisters Hazel Cole of College Place, and Thetis Gair of College Place.

Evans—Jeffrey att., was born Feb. 27, 1959, in Walla Walla and died Dec. 14, 2006, in Wasilla, Alaska. Surviving: father William ’59 of Anchorage, Alaska; mother Barbara att., of Anchorage; brother David att., of Long Island City, N.Y.; and sisters Cindy Sherman of Palmer, Alaska, and Linda Carleton of Anchorage.

Fischer—Ben ’51 was born Nov. 12, 1922, in Burley County, N.D. and died May 4, 2006 in Battle Ground, Wash. Surviving: wife Roberta (Davis) ’47 of Battle Ground; sons Curt att., of Battle Ground, David ’79 of Portland, Ore; daughter Jacqueline of Fall Creek, Ore.; and sister Esther Muth of Pacheco, Calif.

Ford—Gloria att., was born Sept. 14, 1924, in Everett, Wash., and died March 9, 2007, in Olympia, Wash. Surviving: sons Greg Bichsel of Billings, Mont., and Gary Bichsel of Edgar, Mont.

Freund—Melvin att., was born June 10, 1927, in North Dakota, and died Mar. 11, 2007, in Napa, Calif. Surviving: wife Esther Knittel-Freund of Yountville, Calif.; son Wayne of Stockton, Calif.; and sister Marlene Freund att., of Walla Walla.

Griffin—Lyle ’48 was born August 31, 1918, in Salem, Ore., and died Mar. 5, 2007, in Salem. Surviving: wife F. Doris att., of Salem; son Ronald att., of Salem, daughters Donna att., of Arlington, Ore., and Linda Klein att., of Arlington; and sister Betty Blandini ’62 of Red Bluff, Calif.

Summer 2008 Westwind 33

In Memory Grogan—Dale att., was born May 22, 1918, in Milton-Freewater, Ore., and died Sept. 16, 2007, in Milton-Freewater.

Surviving: sons John of Milton-Freewater, Mike of Milton-Freewater, Larry of Fairview, Ore.; daughters Margret Hershfeldt of Salem, Ore., Cheryl Boucher of Nehalem, Ore., and Sharon Wong of Nehalem.

Johnson—Verta (Rogers) ’43 was born in Genesee, Idaho, and died Oct. 28, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nev. Surviving: son Duane Johnson ’65 of Hermiston, Ore.; daughters Yvonne Long of Clarkston, Wash., Marlene Curry att., of Las Vegas, Nev.; brother Ortis Rogers ’45 of MiltonFreewater, Ore.; and sister Violet Carman of Prosser, Wash.

Oellrich— John Gilbert “Gil” att., was born Jan. 24, 1920, in Oelriches, S.D., and died Dec. 6, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Lois ’72, of College Place; son Donald ’66, of Lake Taps, Wash.; daughters Lorraine Fargo ’72, of Pasco, Wash., Karen Claridge att., of Englewood, Colo.; brother George of Buena Park, Calif.; and sister Doris Davenport of El Cajon, Calif.

Hanson—Eleanor ’72 was born Jan. 29, 1920, in Nekamah, Neb., and died Dec. 15, 2007, in Hermiston, Ore. Surviving: sons Louis of Hermiston, and Larry att., of Echo, Ore.; brothers Earl Prusia ’42 of College Place, Merle Prusia att., of Monroe, Wash., and sister Elaine Smith att., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Loomer—Edna (Pierson) att., was born Oct. 9, 1934, in Niobrabra, Wyo., and died Aug. 1, 2007, in College Place. Surviving: husband Donald ’63, of College Place; sons Rodney of College Place, Todd ’86 of Wenatchee, Wash.; brothers Eugene Pierson of Buffalo, Wyo., and Donald of Riverton, Wyo.; sisters Eunice Horn of San Diego, Calif., Donnabell Peckham of Nebraska, Ruby Scheller of Greeley, Colo., and Maisy Helms of Riverside, Calif.

O’Connor—Kirt att., was born Jan. 21, 1983, in Loma Linda, Calif., and died June 1, 2007, in Richland, Wash. Surviving: wife Kellie att., of College Place; father Kerry of Chehalis, Wash., mother Kathryn of Chehalis; brother Kyle curr. att., of College Place; and sister Kelly Preston att., of Chehalis.

Hanson—Otto ’44, ’60 was born Dec. 8, 1910, in Monitor, Ore., and died August, 31, 2007, in Calistoga, Calif. Surviving: wife Geneva ’60 of Calistoga; son Steve of Rogue River, Ore.; and daughter JuDee of Calistoga.

Hesser—Ernest ’53 was born Aug. 19, 1922, in Lowden, Wash., and died Oct. 10, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Carolyn att., of Dixie, Wash.; son John att., of Anchorage, Alaska; daughters Elizabeth James of Dixie, and Jill Gardiner of Las Vegas, Nev.; father Karl of Wasilla, Ark.; and sister Louise Bradley of San Francisco, Calif.

Hixson—Lyla (Dewey) ’47 was born March 18, 1920, in White Fish, Mont., and died May 17, 2007, in San Clemente, Calif.

Surviving: son Keith Hixson ’75 of Bellingham, Wash.; daughter JoAnn Davidson of Wrightwood, Calif.; brothers Jim of Oregon, Burton of Port Angeles, Wash., and Ivan of Sequim, Wash.

Hixson--Orah Mae (Lorenz) ‘47 was born March 1, 1920, in College View, Neb., and died May 2, 2007, in Walla Walla.

Surviving: husband Gerald Hixson att., of Walla Walla; sons Glynne att. of Milton Freewater, Ore., and Rollin ‘76 of Bozeman, Mont.; and daughter Jeanie ‘72 of Walla Walla.

34 Westwind Summer 2008

May—Eleanor (Hansen) att., was born June 4, 1919, in Seattle, Wash., and died July 20, 2007, in Seattle. Surviving: son LeVern att., of Port Orchard, Wash; brother Roy Hansen of Bremerton, Wash; sisters Margo Humphrey of Bellevue, Wash., and Millie Groce of Lake Forest Park, Wash.

McCartney—John ’48 was born Nov. 30, 1910, in East Wymess, Fife, Scotland, and died Aug. 15, 2007, in Portland, Ore. Survivng: wife Hazel of Gresham, Ore.; son Vern McCartney of Woodland, Wash.; daughters Maylene Russell att., of Portland, Ore., Heather Leno att., of Clackamas, Ore., Nancy Teale ’65, ’69 of Washougal, Wash.; and sisters Ellen McCartney ’45 of Gresham, Ann Saunders of Aldergrove, B.C. Merklin—Modeena ’82 was born April 4, 1924, in Oklahoma City, Okla., and died July 8, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving: husband Lester att., of Walla Walla; sons Lester Jr. ’72, of Berrien Springs, Mich., and Marshall ’73 of Puyallup, Wash.

Merritt—Helen Carr att., was born Oct. 4, 1937, in Hermiston, Ore. and died Dec. 7, 2007, in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Surviving: husband Robert of Lake Havasu City, daughters Lorie Lowe att., of Dayton, Wash., Ronda Fontes of Plains, Mont.; and mother Agness Beamer of Damascus, Ore.

Odell—Mythol Jane (Reiber) att., was born June 5, 1921, in College Place and died Feb. 21, 2007, in Fontana, Calif. Surviving: husband Donald ’50 of Rialto, Calif.; sons Dennis of Encinitas, Calif., and Laurence of Rialto; daughter Karen of Yucaipa, Calif.; and brother Clifford ’48 of Loma Linda, Calif.

Osborne—John ’61 was born March 23, 1910, in Lander, Wyo., and died Sept.

22, 2006, in Wenatchee, Wash. Surviving: wife Martha Osborne of Wenatchee,; son James of Klamath Falls, Ore., daughters Viki Downey of East Wenatchee, Wash., and Crystal Tschritter of Sedro Woolley, Wash.

Otter—Gordon att., was born Oct. 22, 1917, in Howard, S.D., and died Feb. 10, 2008, in College Place. Surviving: daughter Carol Dawes att., of College Place.

Schaak—Ernest ’52 was born June 27, 1924, in Hardin, Mont., and died April 13, 2007, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: wife Bernice (Lecklider) ’49 of Walla Walla; daughter Renee Robinson att., of San Rafael, Calif.; brother Hugh Schaak of Visalia, Calif.; and sisters Minnie Wageman of Usk, Wash., Hilda Harper att., of Livingston, Mont., and Arlien Lanquien of Boise, Idaho.

Schaber—Virginia ’49 was born March 12, 1920, in Portland, Ore., and died Jan. 20, 2008, in Poulsbo, Wash. Surviving: sons Donald of Poulsbo, Neil of Hollywood, Calif., and daughter Donna Ayers of Portland.

Smith—Lenora Juanita ’60 was born Jan. 13, 1920, in Wapato, Wash., and died May 28, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving: sister Ella Mae Cook of Walla Walla.

Smith—Oris att., was born Nov. 19, 1919, in Madison, S.D., and died May 10, 2007, in Sunnyside, Wash. Surviving: wife Kathryne of Sunnyside; son Gregory Smith att., of Sunnyside; brother Dale of Weston, Ore.; and sister Emogene Hill of Pendleton, Ore. Standley—Leta Maude (Gibson) att., was born Sept. 27, 1931, in Fayetteville, Ark., and died Mar. 21, 2007, in La Mesa, Calif. Surviving: husband George att., of Gresham, Ore.; son Wallace of Damascus, Ore.; daughters Berneta Workman of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Darla Liehr of Camas, Wash.; brothers Donald ’90 of Corrales, N.M., Therman att., of Kalama, Wash.; Winston att., of Ione, Ore.; and sisters Dee Parker of Portland, Ore., and Orvella Ernst of Nice, Calif.

Teske—Steven A. att., was born Sept.

2, 1947, in Baker City, Ore., and died Sept.

18, 2007 in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Patricia of Walla Walla; son Steve of Frederick, M.D.; daughter Dolly Spangler of Grand Junction, Colo.; father Reuben of Rice, Wash.; brothers David of Port Townsend, Wash., and Terry of Walla Walla.

Watts—Harry ’92 and ’97 was born May 31, 1930, in Eureka, Calif., and died Aug. 11, 2007, in Vancouver, Wash. Surviving: Margery Watts ’52 of Milton-Freewater, Ore.; daughters Andrea Bermoy of College Place, Laura Robert of Whidbey Island, Wash.; brothers Tom of Long Beach, Calif., Dick of Bend, Ore., Dave of Denver, Colo., and Jim of Gulf Shores, Alaska; and sister Barbara Stadler of Pensecola, Fla. Worth—Sidney att., was born Feb. 22, 1917, in Ohio and died Oct. 31, 2006, in Placerville, Calif. Surviving: sons Zebulon ’86, Nathanael of Placerville, Calif., and Thaddeus of Fallon, Nev.; daughters Zipporah of La Quinta, Calif., Deborah Taylor of Brentwood, Calif., and Junia Ferretto of Sun Valley, Nev.

From My Point of View

I’d Rather Walk, Thanks

I

’ll tell you up-front: This essay is mostly about trains. A good deal of my first year out of college was spent riding trains. During my work week, I spent two hours a day, five days a week, for nine months, riding a train. That’s 10 hours a week, 360 hours in nine months. I have spent approximately 15 days on a train since I graduated from college. That doesn’t include the times I took a train on the weekend nor does it include the two-and-a-half days I spent traveling across the country by train.

To get to work in D.C. by 9 a.m., I had to leave my Rockville, Md., apartment by 7:50 a.m. I walked four blocks to the train station. At first I didn’t believe Andrew, my husband, when he told me that D.C. women commuters wear sneakers and carry their heels to work. It didn’t make any sense to wear Nike with Ann Taylor. When I went for my job interview at Senator Murkowski’s office, I wore my black Franco Sarto heels.

Four blocks to the Metro, the Metro ride, three blocks to the Hart Senate Office Building, by the time I reached Senator Murkowski’s office, blisters were forming, and I still had to walk back to the Metro to go home.

Andrew was telling the truth— D.C. women do wear sneakers on the Metro.

On my first day of work as a receptionist in Senator Murkowski’s office, I walked down the hall, past Senator Obama’s office, wearing a pink

silk blouse, my new brown suit, nylons, and grey Nikes with a blue heel spring.

At first I rode the Metro to work. The Metro ride from Rockville Station to Union Station has 16 stops: Rockville, Twinbrook, White Flint, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Tenleytown/American University, Van Ness/UDC, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park Zoo/Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place/China Town, Judiciary Square, and Union Station. I can recite them backward, too.

Rockville is on the Red Line, and is the second to the last stop in the direction of Shady Grove.

In the morning during rush hour, every train that arrived at Rockville Station was already usually packed with people who got on at the Shady Grove stop. If I was lucky, there would be a seat available. If I was unlucky, as I was most mornings, I stood up the entire ride.

There are tricks to getting a seat on a crowded train. One: Walk to the far end of the Metro platform and get on the front car. Or, two: Wait in the middle because most people who only have to ride a few stops will not bother walking to the end of the platform to get a seat and will stand up in the middle or sit for only a few stops.

Neither of these tricks is guaranteed to work.

Most mornings, I didn’t get a

seat. If it was a good non-seatday, I would have my own handrail to hold on to. If it was a bad non-seat-day, I played Twister with four strangers as we each attempted to grasp a nail hold onto the stainless steel bar at the top of the car. The worst day—the day I wanted to live like a street bum in D.C. for the rest of my life in order to never have to ride the Metro again—my face was packed against a tall man’s stomach as he swayed back and forth as the train lurched its way through the concrete tunnels to Union Station.

After the face-in-stomach incident, I was ready to leave D.C. I didn’t hate my job, I hated my commute. That’s when I discovered the MARC. The MARC, unlike the Metro, runs above ground on regular train tracks.

The MARC line from Rockville to Union Station has only five stops.

The MARC has an engineer and two conductors. The conductors take your tickets. The conductors help you on the train. The conductors even haul suitcases up the steep stairs when commuters are on their way to the airport.

There is a seat for every passenger on the MARC, sometimes two!

The MARC is quiet. The MARC is civilized. The MARC was also late, almost every day, but I almost didn’t care. I had a seat.

After a while, even the MARC lost its luster. To distract myself in the mornings, I read the Express, a free newspaper printed by the Washington Post. Every morning Alfred, the Rockville Express distributer, handed out newspapers and said alternately to passersby, “Have a great day, beautiful/my little sister/young brotha.” Or “Wake up! You’re going to miss something.” Reading the Express

Carrie Ojanen, a 2007 English graduate, spent her first year after college working for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Carrie’s home state.

Ojanen is now a student in the creative writing program at the University of Montana.

from cover to cover, including the gossip column, would get me to the bridge five minutes out of Union Station. In the evenings, I played Tetris on my phone as I rode the train home. My highest score: Level 36, Score 761938, time elapsed 4 hours 44 minutes 47.75 seconds. Maybe I was missing something.

My commute was dragging me into the ground. Leaving at 8 a.m. and getting home at 7:15 p.m., I had only an hour in the morning and 2 1/2 hours at night to be awake at home. I was usually asleep by 10 p.m., exhausted.

When I was accepted into the University of Montana’s creative writing program, I was only too glad to go. Andrew and I moved to Montana, our boxes are stacked in the living room of our new apartment, and I don’t have to ride the train anymore. n Summer 2008 Westwind 35

College Avenue Crossings

N

o time for varsity sports? Students who love team sports have other options.

Throughout the year, the Health and Physical Recreation Department hosts an intramural program open to everyone and anyone.

Basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and hockey are some of the choices students have.

Sure, students like Cambria Hayton have fun hitting balls, scoring points, and making goals, but the most fun team members might have is coining the team name.

Last school year’s softball roster included games between Muy Caliente and Hannah Montanas, Mean Machine and Evil Poptarts, and Leather Sleeves and Budunkadunkalicious.  n

Westwind

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