Homecoming 2024
A snapshot of a wonderful weekend of celebration p. 14
Flight for equality
Handel Wellington ’98 shares about championing diversity in aviation p. 26
CLIMBING HIGHER
A trek to Mount Everest reunites WWU alumni p. 10
A legacy gift is a gift that impacts generations to come. Make Walla Walla University part of your heritage by including WWU in your estate plan. Remembering WWU in your will builds financial strength, bolsters academic and co-curricular programs, and helps students and faculty. Here are the benefits to you:
It’s simple.
You can set up your gift with a single paragraph in your will or a simple one-page amendment.
It’s flexible.
You can leave us a specific asset or a share in your estate’s net remainder. Your bequest can support a specific program or whatever needs are most relevant when your gift is received.
It’s revocable.
If your plans or circumstances change, you can easily revise the bequest.
Learn more about legacy giving by visiting legacy.wallawalla.edu or by contacting Troy Patzer ’99, associate vice president for Alumni and Advancement Services, at (509) 527-2586 or troy.patzer@wallawalla.edu.
“I have been very fortunate to find a lot of open doors ... I feel a great responsibility to let other kids have that experience.”
—Pedrito Maynard-Zhang '94
4 From the President New president Alex Bryan sets vision for WWU's continued purpose
5 College Avenue News from across campus
10 Climbing Higher
A group of alumni create memories while exploring the mountains of Nepal
14 Homecoming 2024
A snapshot of a wonderful weekend of celebration and new memories
26 Flight for equality Handel Wellington ’98 shares about championing diversity in aviation
About the cover Walla
28 Alumni Currents 28 AlumNotes, 30 In Memory
God’s creative impulse
God.
In the beginning, God. God is, and must always be, first.
God is the first Word, the premier Creator, and original catalyst of all things. On the first day he engineered light waves, on the third day towering evergreens and golden wheat, on the sixth day humanity, and in 1892 he spoke Walla Walla University into being.
In the beginning, God. In our beginning, God.
And God continues to be at his creative best in the life of Walla Walla University faculty, staff, students, and alumni. God remains our genesis; he alone is our inexhaustible, generative energy.
This Westwind teems with testimony of God’s presence and creative impulse at WWU: the wonders of springtime at Rosario, expanding athletic joy of the human body at play, inspired filmmakers, daring mountain climbers, bright entrepreneurs, and an alum pilot escaping the gravity of ground and low expectations. This issue reads like Genesis One all over again: God creating, creating, and creating again.
Here stands my confidence, my enthusiasm, for Walla Walla University’s future. We will continue to bravely set our sails in the reliable, prevailing winds of God’s Spirit; and we will move accordingly. Our motion will not be carelessly driven by the fickle breezes of modern secularism nor stifled by the stillness of religion devoid of living, vibrant faith. Jesus, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” will continue to be our pioneer. Jesus, by whom “all things were created,” will remain our preoccupation. “Christ among us” will be, as always, the enduring “hope of glory” for Walla Walla University.(1)
And so, I want to invite you—distinguished alumni, faithful faculty, professional staff, and promising students—to join this bold venture. (2) Never has the mission of Walla Walla University been more needed. In a world broken morally, economically, politically, spiritually, we are uniquely positioned to fulfill the transformational promise of this grand institution. We can be the “community of faith” our planet is longing for. We can model gospel in a generation plagued by bad news, soothe wounds in an age of emotional and com-
munal laceration, and faithfully bless in a time of habitual cursing. We can—through material generosity, academic ingenuity, a reservoir of kindness, and most of all, a faithful commitment to a righteous imagination—stride forward on this hallowed pilgrimage. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,” the writer of Hebrews implores.(3) And this race, brothers and sisters, colleagues, and friends, is the opportunity of our lives.
The articles in the following pages present more than just information. They present the heart and voice of our university community—both near and far—that exemplify the ever-renewing commitment to our profound purpose. They present the legacy of what transpires when God is and remains first. And most importantly, they share the testimony that God creates here.
Alex Bryan, president
PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE
(1) Colossians 2:3; 1:16, 27 (2) Credit to Terrie Aamodt (3) Hebrews 12:1–2
College Avenue
The latest from across campus
Spring Tide
Rosario to provide oceanfront general studies program
BEGINNING IN 2025, Walla Walla University will offer a 16-credit, general studies spring quarter at Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory open to students from any major.
Students participating in the Spring Tide program will spend a spring quarter at Rosario, taking four carefully crafted two-week courses, each designed to utilize the unique learning environment of Rosario and to integrate with one another.
at the oceanfront location will allow professors to include activities such as boat rides, hikes, and nature observation into their curriculum.
Each course within the Spring Tide program counts for general studies credit, making it an excellent opportunity for students from any major to explore new disciplines, fulfill degree requirements, and learn in a setting integrated with the outdoors.
To learn more about the Spring Tide program at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/spring-tide.
“One thing we do extremely well at Rosario is hands-on learning,” said Kirt Onthank, associate professor of biology and Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory director. Studying
“Many students returning from Rosario say it was one of the most impactful experiences they had at WWU,” said Onthank. “Everyone deserves to have the chance to study at Rosario.”
College Avenue
First of five
WWU students set eyes on sacred mountain peaks across the world
SITUATED AT THE HEART of its own outdoor paradise, Walla Walla University has a unique understanding of the great educational value of God’s creation.
This summer, a group of 20 students and sponsors traveled to Greece to climb Mount Olympus and learn from the culture and history of the iconic peak.
“There are tremendous spiritual,
mental, and physical benefits to getting outside into beautiful places, doing hard things with good friends,” said Darren Wilkins, vice president of student life. The group not only summited Olympus but also spent time exploring Athens, Chania, and the island of Crete.
WWU announces 24th president
On July 1, Alex Bryan, former pastor and healthcare executive, began his tenure as Walla Walla University president after being unanimously appointed by the WWU Board of Trustees in May.
Bryan joins the university from
Adventist Health, where he served since 2018 as senior vice president and chief mission officer, where he led strategy and discourse about ethics, alignment to mission, spiritual care, relationship to faith communities, and theological foundations of healthcare.
Prior to that work he served as a pastor—13 years in Georgia and Tennessee and eight years at the Walla Walla University Church as senior pastor.
“We are excited Bryan accepted our invitation to serve as WWU president,” said John Freedman, WWU Board of Trustees chair and North Pacific Union Conference president. “He has a deep love for and walk with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, which will bless our university students, faculty, and staff.”
Learn more about Bryan and his family at wallawalla.edu/president.
The inaugural trip is the first of five annual summer trips which will take students to Mount Ararat, Kilimanjaro, Fuji, and Sinai. Each mountain is held sacred by different people groups and provides unique learning opportunities for those who study and experience them.
Cowles to present Distinguished Faculty Lecture
David Cowles, professor of biology, will speak for the 2024 Distinguished Faculty Lecture on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Cowles' classes in marine ecology, plant biology,
marine invertebrates, and philosophy of origins have helped students explore the wonders of God’s creation.
The Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a WWU faculty member who is respected for leadership, teaching, and scholarship, and who is involved in church life and community service.
Watch the lecture via livestream on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at wallawalla.edu/DFL.
Learning through adventure is growing at WWU.
PHOTOS: DARREN WILKINS, ALEX BRYAN, CHRIS DRAKE
Mt. Olympus GREECE
Mt. Ararat TURKEY
Mt. Kilimanjaro TANZANIA
Mt. Fuji JAPAN
Mt. Sinai EGYPT
BY THE NUMBERS
Class of 2024
251
graduates joined the WWU alumni family on June 16.
The oldest bachelor’s degree graduate in the class was
50 years old, proving education has no age limit.
69 students earned their graduate degrees, including four doctoral degrees.
$ 15 million dollars were received in grants and scholarships by members of the class.
17 graduates served as student missionaries or taskforce workers.
View photos from graduation at wallawalla.edu/ grad.
Business with a mission
THE ENACTUS club at
Walla Walla University has shown exceptional growth and achievement in the last year. With a focus on using entrepreneurial ideas to positively change the world, students in Enactus learn invaluable business skills and practice their Adventist calling to serve others.
In April, the club sent four representatives to Hyve International, the largest gathering of Adventist entrepreneurs. WWU students listened to seminars, networked with Adventist business leaders,
and pitched their own award-winning projects to earn funding. The first of their projects, Bionova, focuses on providing clean, renewable energy to underdeveloped countries. The second project, WiseBite, aims to make nutritional information more accessible to non-English speakers through an app.
“The most rewarding part of the trip was meeting so many like-minded people,” said George D. Perez, senior psychology major and president
More to athletics
Soccer and volleyball players have new opportunities
Walla Walla University will add men’s volleyball and women’s soccer teams for the 2024–25 season, providing more opportunities for students to get involved.
"God has blessed our program with amazing coaches, students, sponsors, and supporters,” said athletic director Nestor Osorio, “and we are grateful to do our part to support student-athletes who are committed to WWU’s values and mission."
The women’s soccer team will eventually join the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), while men’s volleyball will operate in non-conference play, as the CCC does not currently include men’s volleyball.
The athletics program at WWU provides the opportunity for students to develop and exercise their athletic abilities, learn leadership skills, build lasting relationships, and grow spiritually. Maintaining a mission-centered program, the WWU athletics program promotes a healthy, balanced life—body, mind, and soul—for athletes through sport. Varsity athletic opportunities include men’s and women’s basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, and volleyball.
Visit uwolves.com to see when you can watch the Wolves in action next year.
of the Enactus club. “The environment made us realize that our efforts can go far beyond campus and make a positive impact in the world.”
The club also won awards at several business competitions, including the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge in Seattle and a healthcare business case competition at Loma Linda University Health.
Leading in chaplaincy
Four WWU students were chosen as Adventist Health and AdventHealth chaplaincy interns this summer, earning all the available internship placements.
Camron Bordeaux, Kendra Burtch, Shamara Daniels, and Deih Niang will learn about the power of health ministry and whole person care while gaining valuable real-world experiences in the workplace.
Revised offerings by the WWU School of Theology are ensuring that students are well-prepared for chaplaincy without sacrificing the deep theological foundations of a theology degree. Chaplaincy is a growing area of opportunity to reach an increasingly secular world, and WWU students are stepping up to minister in this space.
Students in Enactus club develop the skills and perspective essential to leadership.
College Avenue
books + sites
Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts
Impact award
Two WWU students earn state civic leadership award
THIS YEAR, senior psychology major George Perez and junior business major Liberty Anderson were each awarded the Student Civic Leadership Award by the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good. The award recognizes students from across the state for their commitment to civic leadership in their community.
Perez was nominated in part for his two-year presidency of the Enactus club at WWU. The club has grown significantly in membership under Perez’ leadership and pitched award-winning business ideas at a
variety of competitions.
Anderson was recognized for her significant work at the WWU Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) and the Black Student Christian Forum (BSCF). “WWU has given me so many opportunities to be involved in civic engagement, specifically through the CHE,” she said. One of those opportunities: serving on the board of the Blue Mountain Action Council, a local agency committed to helping people who are experiencing poverty. The civic leadership awards were presented on April 19 in a ceremony at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.
WWU becomes home of new Adventist Information Ministry contact center
Walla Walla University is the new home of a contact center for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Adventist Information Ministry (AIM) serves as the central contact
point between many Adventist ministries and the public, and the new center will allow them to more easily support ministries along the West Coast. Around 15 WWU
students will be hired and trained to minister effectively at the center by answering questions, taking requests for Adventist literature, praying with callers, and even connecting them with pastoral care. “We see the value in this [training] because these are young people who eventually leave school and go out into the work field, and who will end up in a local church where they can use these skills to support their church,” said AIM director Brent Hardinge.
This application provides an efficient way to engage with written text. Whether it's a lengthy research paper or a stack of essays, with just a click, NaturalReaders converts every word into clear, natural-sounding speech. The website has been an excellent productivity tool for me, making it easy to read content and catch errors.
—Amanda Ramoutar, assistant professor of education and psychology
webbtelescope.org
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is our best window into what lies beyond this small blue ball we call home. The official NASA site (webb.nasa.gov) is a bit technical but the other site (webbtelescope.org) has much of the same information and pictures presented in a more friendly format. The variety in the universe is truly amazing.
—Tom Ekkens, chair of Department of Physics
Leadership and Self-deception
Why is leadership so difficult? How can we overcome complex challenges without getting caught in the blame game cycle? This accessible and entertaining narrative demonstrates how self-awareness, kindness, and empathy can help improve our relationships and reach our highest potential at work and at home. I read this book in law school, but I’ve returned to it several times since then. This book is a great read for anyone, regardless of whether you consider yourself a leader or not.
—Brooklynn Armesto-Larson, dean of students
PHOTOS:
By The Arbinger Institute (BerrettKoehler Publishers, 2018)
An annual celebration
Graduation weekend has been a time of great celebration since 1896 when the first three Walla Walla College graduates gathered to receive their diplomas. Throughout the years to follow, Commencement and the conferring of those hard-earned degrees has happened in the WWU Church, Columbia Auditorium, and now on Centennial Green.
A TREK TO MOUNT EVEREST REUNITES WWU ALUMNI
by Emily (Huso)
Logan ’17
s snow fell on a misty November evening in Nepal, a bold group of trekkers including three WWU alumni ascended the winding trail to Kala Patthar in the Himalayas. Just as the group reached the top of this popular vista point, the clouds parted to reveal a majestic view of Mt. Everest, its peak glowing a warm orange hue in the last rays of sunset. The world’s tallest mountain at 29,029 feet above sea level, Everest was one of the sights that drew the friends from the comfort of their West Coast homes to the rugged Nepal alpine region. “You feel like the smallest thing on earth in
the presence of such big, impressive mountains,” says Kelsey Zuppan ’13. “Seeing all the spectacular things He has created, you cannot deny the amazingness of God.”
You feel like the smallest thing on earth...
The previous summer, Kelsey called up friends Tommy Dalrymple ’17 and Monica (Carr) Dalrymple ’17 for Nepal
travel recommendations and tips, as the pair had visited a different region of Nepal with another group a few months before. Although Tommy and Monica’s years at WWU did not overlap with Kelsey’s, the three travel nurses met through their Walla Walla and Big Lake Youth Camp friend networks. When Kelsey needed a place to stay during a three-month travel assignment, Monica and Tommy opened their home to her, and they have been friends ever since. During the phone call, Kelsey explained the trek she was planning to take: a large loop trail that would hit major sites such as Lobuche East, Island Peak,
and Everest Base Camp. The trek would take 21 days of strenuous hiking and would hit elevations as high as 20,000 feet. “Do you want to come with us?” she asked. “Monica and I were like, yeah! We want to go back! We want to go see Mount Everest,” Tommy says. When asked what drew them to this unusual challenge, Kelsey responds effusively: the Himalayas. “It’s the tallest mountain range in the world!” she says. “It was kind of a little bit of a bucket list thing for me. But also, there's so many things to explore just in our own backyard, I didn't know if I would ever do it. Then circumstances really made that a very viable option last fall.”
In October of 2023, the group, which also included Bethani King ’12, Stephen Erich, and Sharla Erich, set out on the Three Passes Trek, a route that traverses Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La passes. The trek involves hiking six to seven hours a day at challenging elevations in barren wilderness. Nights are spent at remote guest tea houses tucked into the rugged landscape. “There's hot tea and hot food and a mattress there,” Tommy says. “All you have to do is throw down your sleeping bag on the mattress and go to sleep.”
Many groups choose to complete the trek with the aid of local guides and
Mount Everest
Kelsey Zuppan gathered several WWU alumni and friends for the adventure of a lifetime: a trek in Nepal guided by experienced locals.
porters, who assist with carrying gear and navigating the rough Himalayan terrain. Hiring guides helps not only to make the trip easier, but also to support the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism during the short climbing seasons. Chet, one of the group’s local guides, told them that his work as a guide for their trip would be his sole source of income for the year and would allow him to support his family. “The guides were so attentive to the littlest details and had absolutely endless patience,” Kelsey says. “They do this trek over and over with so many people. Nothing is new to them. They take an interest in you, and their goal is to make this as great of an experience for you as possible. The way the guides treated us is a pretty beautiful picture of how we can serve one another and also how God takes care of us.”
With the guides’ care and assistance, and clear weather on most days, the circumstances for the trip were ideal in many ways. However, the trek was not without its challenges. A common cold circulated among the group, with every trekker struggling with symptoms at some point in the three-week journey. Unfortunately, Bethani became so sick she was unable to continue. A porter accompanied her back the way they had come. “That was an unfortunate time in the trip,” Kelsey observes. Meanwhile, the trail’s extreme elevations took their toll. “The trip challenges you physically in ways that you don't expect,” Monica says. “It really made me develop grit and perseverance to keep going.” With less oxygen available in the air at high elevations, taking just a few steps can leave you breathless. “I would take two steps, and then I
The way the guides treated us is a pretty beautiful picture of how we can serve one another and also how God takes care of us.
Moonlight highlights the grandeur of Lungden, a small tea house settlement near Renjo La Pass.
would just feel like I had sprinted up a flight of stairs,” Tommy says. Under these extreme conditions, it took both mental and physical determination to keep climbing.
In spite of the challenges, Kelsey, Monica, and Tommy enjoyed making lifelong memories on their Himalayan adventure. In late October, the group reached the highest elevation of their trip so far when they crested Renjo La Pass. On a ridge the width of a sidewalk, the group had a handstand competition, the blood rushing to their heads as they balanced, a rocky incline on one side and a precipitous drop on the other. The trip also included a celebration of Kelsey’s birthday at a guest house with what they describe as a “hiker’s trash cake,” a tortilla they spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with brownie bites and candy. “They did a great job. I was so impressed,” Kelsey laughs. “They made a cake at, like, 17,000 feet.”
For Tommy, the friendships and connections he built on the trek are part of what made the experience so unforgettable. “You don’t walk with someone for 21 days without getting to know them really well,” he says. The deep conversations and significant time in each other’s company allowed the group to really bond. “It was so cool to basically become family with not only the other people on the trek, but with the guides, too.”
Back home in the U.S., Kelsey, Monica, and
Tommy urge others to dream big, to appreciate God’s breathtaking creations, and to seize opportunities for adventure. “I thought it would be cool to go trekking in the Himalayas or to see Everest with my own eyes, but I really thought I might never actually do that in my lifetime,” Kelsey reflects. “But it happened! I still can't believe sometimes that I saw with my very own eyes the tallest mountain in the world. I was in its presence.” Monica reminds us that although the idea of a “trek” can sound intense, you do not have to be a highly skilled or experienced hiker to go to Nepal or see the Himalayas. “It truly is a very accessible place because of the amazing guides who are there,” she says. “If you are ever in a position to be able to go and see some part of the Himalayas, totally take it and support the awesome guides and people who live there.”
You don’t walk with someone for 21 days without getting to know them really well.
The group celebrated Zuppan's birthday with a "hiker's trash cake".
Zuppan stands victorious on Island Peak after climbing to 20,305 feet.
A glimpse of Everest, on the left and nearly clear of snow, drew the crew to Nepal.
Dzos (half yak, half cow) are common high altitude pack animals in the region.
HOME COMING
A joyful sojourn at the old stomping grounds
WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY alumni have a reputation for thinking deeply, creating with passion, delighting in God, and serving their communities and the world with a sense of mission and abundance. Practicing generosity and kindness has long been tradition at WWU. This year around 1,000 alumni gathered on campus in April for homecoming weekend to celebrate that same mission and spirit of friendliness, reconnecting with old classmates, and creating memories with new friends.
HOMECOMING WEEKEND PHOTOS BY CHRIS DRAKE, NATHAN LEBENTRITT, AND CLAUDIA SANTELLANO
CLASS PHOTOS
CLASS OF 2014
Seminars
Alumni also enjoyed a variety of seminars on Friday afternoon including a presentation of archival research on Adventist theologian and naval intelligence translator B.P. Hoffman by Hilary Dickerson ’02. Other seminar topics included “What Makes a Five-star Student” by Tammi Thomas ’83, “Shame Shields and Our Shame-based Culture” by WWU professor Pamela Bing Perry, and a film screening of The Color of Threads, written by Josie Henderson ’18, ’20.
Excellence in thought
The yearly campus Awards Celebration took place Friday morning and provided an opportunity to recognize faculty, staff, and student accomplishments from the academic year.
Members of the 2024 honor classes reconnected with former classmates during homecoming weekend.
PHOTOS BY CHLOE CONGLETON
PHOTO EDITING BY OLEKSII MAKARENKO
Chris Reeve
Tammy Johnson
Jacob Radke
Megan (Fesler) Wu
Claudia Santellano
Scan the QR to see more photos from homecoming weekend.
OF THE YEAR
Meet four Walla Walla University alumni who were honored during homecoming weekend 2024 for service and achievement that embody the spirit of their alma mater.
BY KELSI DOS SANTOS ’21
Photos by CHRIS DRAKE
ALUMNI OF THE YEAR HERB LARSEN
CLASS OF 1979
Herb Larsen is, in short, a multitalented and prolific creator. Growing up in the Canadian wilderness, he easily pursued interests in a variety of crafts. His mother encouraged his endless creativity and he learned to played piano, guitar, and the 5-string banjo at a young age.
His love for art and music has been enduring: he performs and writes music, studied under world renowned gun engravers, helped create a new form of offset lithography, produced commissioned art pieces, and designed magazine covers.
After graduating from WWU with a biology major and a stint teaching high school, he taught himself mechanical engineering to join his two younger brothers in business. Designing and engineering custom industrial equipment turned out to be a great fit, and Herb has run a successful firm since 1990.
His art, music, and business has led to connections with prominent people. Born as a third-generation preacher’s kid, Herb swore he would never be a preacher, yet his greatest passion has been using these divine appointments to share his faith. He regularly preaches, sometimes internationally, and conducts a weekly inner-city Bible study group. His partner in ministry and life is his wife, Tammy, with whom he has two sons.
1. Zach Burke
CLASS OF 2004
Paul Rhynard
Greg Cheney
Brian Corbett
5. Randy Wentland
6. Ron Wentland
7. Renee Corbett
8. Charla (Aguilar) Burke
9. Jennifer Royer 10. Guy Einig 11. Aaron Heinrichs
12. Deanne (Maschmeyer) Rhynard
13. Marie Baumgartner
14. Janette (Maier) Hiebert
KARI FIRESTONE
As a first-generation college student facing financial struggles, Kari Firestone was told, “Well, not all students are meant to go to college.” This experience lit a fire in her heart to prove all students deserve the opportu nity to pursue higher education, and it shaped the direction of her life.
As a nurse and nurse educator for more than 30 years, Kari says, “Having a small part in shaping the future of the nursing profession through my students gives my work meaning.” Kari completed her master’s in nursing education and clinical nursing specialist in 2008, and her doctorate in 2016.
She has taught in Portland, Loma Linda, and Walla Walla, serving as a professor, adjunct faculty in social work, dean, and a director for COVID-19 response. In all these roles she has passed on her passion for service, inviting students to participate in the many health-related outreach activities she enjoys.
She is currently director of a clinical education program at Oregon Health & Sciences University that teaches medical, dental, nursing, and nutrition students through providing health care for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Jerry Hartman
Les Zollbrecht
Troy Patzer
Todd Nagele
Jeremy Connell
Willman Rojas
Elsa Rojas
Aimee Johnson
Jennifer (Korb) Oetman
BOWERS HALL CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
Initial Bowers Hall construction was completed in 1924 and the building became home to the university’s science programs. In 1955 it was named in honor of George Bowers, chair of the chemistry department and later the 13th president of WWU. While most widely remembered as the chemistry building, Bowers Hall has also housed the Department of History and Philosophy, an arche-
ology laboratory, and the School of Theology over the years. The WWU School of Business relocated to Bowers in 2009. The Bowers Hall renovation project began in 2017 and a ribbon cutting ceremony took place in December of that year to celebrate the transformed and expanded facility which honored the building’s history while providing updated, tech savvy spaces for students.
Brandt Culver
Pedrito Maynard-Zhang
Janine Childs
(Cooper) Firestone
13. Donna (Hepker) Ellis
14. LeAnne (Heaton) Culver
15. Amy (Fowler) Mocenacagi
The basement of Bowers once housed an archeology lab.
Bowers was significantly renovated in 2017.
In 1994 the chemistry department moved out of Bowers to Rigby Hall.
1. Valerie Bass
2. Angie St. Clair Devitt 3. Teri (Barnett) Wagner
4. Brenda Salsbery
5. Lorraine Jacobs
6. Jamie (Gardner) Wallace
CLASS OF
7. Rafat Shirinzadeh
8. Charles Reel
9. Benge Scott
10. Darryl Conrad
1. Aaron Mountain
2. Brent Stanyer
3. Don Elloway
4. Perry Unruh
5. Stan Bechtel
6. Brent Logan
7. Jefre Humbert
8. Paul Richardson
9. Mark Horsman
10. Ken Rose
11. Cindy McCrery
12. Susan Stiles
13. Kevin Stiles
14. Rick Tanaka
15. Bonnie Gerber
16. Bill Gerber
17. Don Schafer
18. Joseph Winn
19. Denise Sproed
20. Barbara Dinkmeier
21. Roma Gryte
22. Renita (Reeves) Carlin
23. Celeste Kemmerer
6
24. Wendi Kannenberg
25. Teresa (Walde) Reich
26. Gayla Rogers
27. Lorrie (Turner) Kravig
28. Sandy (Finch) Gales
29. Tim Dempsey
30. Robert McGhee
31. Bob Radke
32. Donivan Andregg
33. Randy Yaw
34. Lori (Tucker) Kyle
35. Bob Barnes
1. Harley Heinrich
2. Tammy (LeMaster)
Congleton
3. Herb Larsen
4. David Elmendorf
5. DeLona Bell
6. Craig Wilson
7. Tammy Poole
8. Vicki (Price) Jacobs
9. John Christensen
10. David Russell
11. Sherry (Toretta) Keller
12. Susanne Trethewey
13. Devi Nelsen
14. Rudy Fallang
15. Patty (McIntyre) Knittel
16. Joan (McGinley) Redd
17. Anita (Davis) Quirk
18. Diane (LeMaster) Liston
19. Gary Schiller
20. Sherol (Smith) Mershon
CLASS OF 1974
1. Kathy Ball
2. Murray Matheson
3. David Jewkes
4. Roger Glenn Johnson
5. Marc Ball
6. Albert Thompson
7. Myra (Ladd) Thompson
8. Cassie (Johnson) Ragenovich
9. Marsha (Simpson) Booth
10. Myrna Nelson
11. Troy Epperly
12. Amy (Sapp) Cafferky
13. William McCool
14. Geri (Bohnke) Goe
15. Richard Wimer
16. Gary Ojala
17. Gerald Lofthouse
18. Merlin Hart
19. Carmen Cafferky
20. Elayne (Schreckengast) Lofthouse
21. Howard Munson
22. Dick Goe
23. Dallas Weis
24. Antoinette HamamjyLaRondelle
25. Carol (Tannich) Boulden
26. Edward Ko
27. Nadine (Hayes) Messer
28. Art Klym
29. Doug Logan
30. Lee Malott
31. Wayne Johnson
Saturday night fun
The Class of 1984 held a special Saturday night program celebrating "the way we were" through songs, fun, and reconnecting with former and beloved professors like Loren Dickinson and Hollibert Phillips.
32. Steve Bork
33. John Vixie
34. Calvin Donnelly
35. Priscilla Ko
36. Ronnie Carroll
37. Nancy (McCoy) Nedderman
38. Linda (Loy) Robison
39. Frank Meidell
40. David Drake
41. Bill Poole
42. Raymond Baker
43. Daina (Cummings) Moor
44. Cherelyn (James) Strickland
45. Dennis Vories
46. Linda (Wolcott) Torretta
47. Jimmy Oei
48. Sharon (Huddleston) Reed
49. Terry Waterbook
50. Rosa (Conner) Gillham
51. Carolyn (Prall) Dinkmeier
52. Ed Tillotson
CLASS OF 1994
As the child of two Jamaican immigrants pursuing their studies in the U.S., Pedrito recognized the importance of education from a young age. His academic journey eventually led to earning a doctorate in computer science from Stanford University. His love for computer science was born in high school, but he studied electrical engineering at WWU to lay a technical base before focusing his post-graduate studies and collegiate teaching career in computer science and artificial intelligence.
Despite his love of teaching, Pedrito eventually dove into industry-level software development, working at Amazon and Microsoft for over 15 years. He specialized in solving prob lems in machine learning and data
CLASS OF 1969
1. Judy (Brown) Silver
2. Jim Robertson
3. Kurt Berg
4. Steven Packard
5. Kathy (Kinzer) Grosse
6. Jan (Gaunt) Sifford
7. Gayle Schoepflin
8. Judy (Olcott) Schoepflin
9. James Karmy
10. Marilyn (Monroe) Gantz
11. Naomi (Chappell) Matteson
12. Vivian Robertson
13. Kathie (Schultz) Bartholomew
14. Judy Farnsworth
15. Helen Heavirland
16. Darlene (Letniak) Karmy
17. Carolyn (Bigger) Evans
18. Bob Van Stee
19. Scott Duncan
20. Loretta (LiDrazzah) Ruff
21. Merlin Schreiner
22. Dorothy (Root) Epperly
23. Jim Severance
24. Sonja (Rennings) Gourley
Fun across the valley
Sunday closed with the annual car show, a golf tournament held this year at Wine Valley Golf Course, and the Richard J. Kegley Memorial Fun Run/Walk. Early morning risers joined to tackle the 5k with smiles all around. The proceeds from the event went to support the WWU worthy student fund.
1. Jack Lamberton
2. John Griffin
3. David Claridge
4. J Byron Rupert
5. George Nordby
6. Roman Hintz
7. Bob Bohlman
8. Bob Sutton
9. John Fackenthall
10. Nikki (Meidell) Gonzalez
11. Winifred (Jackson) Whitsett
12. Jeanne (Dutro) Peters
13. Jewell (Rasmussen) Putz
14. Bev (Paladeni) Riter
15. Rosemary (Grove) Dressler
16. Arlene (Ausmus) Harris
17. Donna (Monks) Worley
LES ZOLLBRECHT
CLASS OF 1999
It was during a 30-day mountaineering and rock climbing educator course in the North Cascades and Canada that Les Zollbrecht saw the full potential of merging his interests in the outdoors and passion for empowering others.
After graduating from WWU, Les served at several Adventist churches and as chaplain for Portland Adventist Academy while pursuing a master’s in leadership. It was during this time he went on the eye-opening trip and soon launched a non-profit organization called Mountain Leadership Institute. He continues to use outdoor experiences to empower others, leading trips in Nepal annu-
ally and instructing rock climbing and mountaineering leadership courses.
Les has worked as director of Big Lake Youth Camp since 2013, where he relishes the challenge of teaching young people to be dynamic leaders and change agents in the lives of kids. He’s helped form important partner ships to dramatically improve facilities, complete a $3.1 million reconstruction of the main lodge, acquire land, and build a Pacific Crest Trail welcome center.
He hopes “that those around me will experience a love so compel ling that they will spend the rest of their lives pursuing the source.”
VANGUARDS GRADUATES
1. Betty Stone
2. Betty (McGinnis) Wood
3. Robert Wood
4. Bob Bohlman
5. Scott Thygeson
6. Beverly (Baker) Thygeson
7. Ramon Gonzalez
8. Ruth (Parks) Massey
9. Bill Oakes
10. Pat Johnston
11. Joe Humble
12. Robert Sproed
FROM 1957 AND PRIOR
13. Ruth Christensen
14. Tom Matthews
15. Lou Ellen (Rasmussen) Sample
16. Clyde Sample
17. Betty (Alderson) Woodland
18. Jeanette (Churchman) Sulivan
19. Gloria (Cox) Oakes
20. Walt Meske
21. Don Weaver
22. Verona (Montayne) Schnibbe
23. Cliff Sorensen
The 24th annual Homecoming Car Show was the grand finale to homecoming weekend. The show is attended by several car clubs in the Walla Walla Valley and includes prizes, a food booth, and more.
Open houses
On Sabbath afternoon, the engineering and nursing departments held open houses where alumni toured recently updated state-of-the-art laboratories. The Office of Student Missions also welcomed guests.
24. Jim Smith
25. Dan Matthews
26. Harvey Harden
27. Howard Gimbel
28. Kenneth Fox
29. Patricia (Craik) Fackenthall
30. June (Kyle) Iseminger
31. Louis Williams
34. Lois (Hollenbeck) Stevens
35. Gary Patterson
36. Rachel (Ireland) Patterson
42. Jim Davis Car show
32. Pat (Munroe) Harden
33. Joy (Uehlin) Palmer
39. Ann (Haraden) Cornell
40. Art Ward
41. Reuben Tataryn
37. Betsy Matthews
38. Ruby (Bader) Hain
Alumni Currents
Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Handel Wellington ’98
Flight for equality: Championing diversity in aviation
By Becky St. Clair
Captain Handel Wellington enrolled at Walla Walla University in 1998 as a civil engineering major. After three years in the engineering program, he discovered his passion for flying and switched to the aviation program, earning a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology in 2001.
It was while he was obtaining his licenses and ratings that he discovered OBAP—Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals—an organization which mentors and provides assistance with training, scholarships, and networking for minority pilots. Their sister program, Sisters of the Skies, provides the same opportunities to female pilots. OBAP helped Wellington with the financing he needed to obtain his aviation credentials.
Due to the events of September 11, 2001, Wellington had difficulty finding work as a pilot after graduation, so he took the first job he could that kept him close to aviation. He became a loadmaster on the Lockheed Tri-Star L1011 and DC8 for Arrow Air, based out of Miami International Airport. In this role Wellington supervised loading and unloading, ensured regulatory compliance, calculated weight and balance for each flight, and ultimately ensured the flight was safely loaded to operate from departure to destination.
Subsequent to flying with Arrow Air as a “flying” loadmaster, Wellington proceeded to fly cargo in the Convair 580 for Air Tahoma. He then flew passengers for Continental Express, followed by Spirit Airlines, and then Delta Connection. While flying the Airbus 320 for Spirit Airlines, Wellington was based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, a big step toward his ultimate goal of flying for a major airline, where he could travel and see the world.
In 2009, Wellington was hired by Qatar
Airways to fly as a first officer in their Airbus 320, based out of Qatar. He later flew the Boeing 777 as first officer, and finally as a captain.
“I have literally flown around the world, having flown to six of the seven continents worldwide in the Boeing 777,” he says. “On average, we took up to 412 passengers on
“Our life experiences give us the opportunity to serve and give back to our communities in special ways, and I try to do that however I can with my own experiences.”
the Boeing 777-300ER as we traversed the world. This was an impressive and remarkable aircraft. A true Rolls Royce of the sky.”
In his travels, Wellington has explored South America, the Caribbean, Berlin, Luxor, Luxembourg, Johannesburg, the Philippines, Capetown, Copenhagen, Iran, Malaysia, Amsterdam, Nairobi, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Damascus, Cairo,
Casablanca, Russia, Stuttgart, Spain, Japan, and Central America, just to name “a few.”
“As a pilot I am blessed to see the world, make new friends, build relationships, and learn about different people, cultures, religions, and traditions,” he says. “Our life experiences give us the opportunity to serve and give back to our communities in special ways, and I try to do that however I can with my own experiences.”
Wellington has a passion for giving back to his community, particularly in his support of current and future minority pilots with the passion and desire to accomplish great things.
“If you don’t see someone who looks like you in the career field you’re considering, it could lead you to believe that achieving your goal may not be possible,” he comments. “However, seeing others accomplish what you’d like to reassures you that you can achieve it, too.”
Additionally, Wellington says, the cost of studying aviation can be cost-prohibitive to minorities. With these roadblocks removed, it opens up many doors for young people to enter this field—and thus the skies.
“I strongly believe that giving back through outreach and encouraging our youth by providing the necessary opportunities is vital in developing our future generation of airline pilots,” Wellington says. Some of the ways this can be accomplished is by exposing them to aviation through OBAP’s mentorship program in their early
“Don’t let anything or anyone stop you,” he says. “Be persistent and don’t give up. You will succeed if you are committed and determined.”
years as they work toward becoming airline pilots.
“I do whatever I can to make myself available to mentor and guide young people whenever the opportunities present themselves,” says Wellington.
One step others could take to increase representation of minorities in aviation is to speak to kids in schools about career options for their futures, and also provide internships so they can get the necessary exposure and experience to become qualified pilots.
Wellington encourages young people to dream big and follow their dreams.
“Don’t let anything or anyone stop you,” he says. “Be persistent and don’t give up.
You will succeed if you are committed and determined.”
It’s not just advice for others; Wellington practices what he preaches. While overseas flying for Qatar Airways, he realized he wanted to expand his knowledge even more. Looking for an area in which to further his education, he found himself fascinated by the idea of obtaining a doctor of jurisprudence, or J.D. And so he enrolled at Taft Law School in Santa Ana, California. After receiving that degree, he proceeded to acquire a second law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law, receiving his master of laws in risk management.
“I love learning,” he admits. “I had already achieved a lot, but I knew I could
do more, so I challenged myself to do even better than I did before.”
Wellington is also a mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution, a member of the President’s Advisory Board for William Howard Taft University and Taft Law School, and a mediator and vice president for Professional Mediators of Alaska. He is currently a captain and line check airman on the Boeing 747 for UPS, and an assistant chief pilot for the 747 fleet, managing more than 700 pilots who operate these aircrafts around the world.
“I wouldn’t change my experience for anything,” Wellington says, “I love making a difference in other people's lives.”
Alumni Currents
Staying
AlumNotes
Get up to date with fellow WWU alumni. Submit your information for AlumNotes at wallawalla.edu/alumnotes .
1970s
Diane (LeMaster) Liston ’79 lives with her husband, Ted, in Caldwell, Idaho. She is now retired, but after graduating with a bachelor’s of science in nursing she worked as a registered nurse and as a critical care nurse case manager. Her favorite memories of WWU were of chapels in the girls dorm and Friday night vespers.
Debbie (McHutchison) Nelson ’79 lives with her husband, Greg, in Touchet, Wash., where she works as a registered nurse hospital supervisor for Trios Health Hospital. They have four children—Ryna, Candace Kerr, Crystal Eno, and Rebecca Snyder, and eight grandchildren. After graduation, Debbie and her husband moved so he could attend Mt. Hood Community College for funeral services. Then they moved to Pasco, Wash., and started attending the Kennewick Seventh-day Adventist church during a revelation seminar. Her husband was not raised Adventist, but they were both baptized in 1988. They moved back to the Walla Walla area so their children could attend Walla Walla Valley Academy. They are big supporters of missionary projects since their daughter Crystal and her husband Chris were missionaries in Guyana for 2–3 years. Since moving back to Walla Walla, Debbie and Greg have become members of the Stateline SDA Church. While attending WWU, she enjoyed attending weekly chapels.
Linda (Wolcott) Torretta ’74 lives with her husband, Raymond, in College Place. She is now retired, but she
worked as a paraprofessional for the Milton-Freewater School District from 2003 until 2021. She worked a total of 27 years in education, three years as a teacher and 24 as a teacher assistant. She began teaching grades one through four at Shelton Seventh-day Adventist School in Shelton, Wash., for a year, starting in 1974, and married Raymond in November of that same year. Together, they moved to College Place, where she was a substitute teacher for the next school year, and taught geometry for three weeks at Walla Walla Valley Academy. Throughout her career, she also taught at Walla Walla High School, Rogers Adventist School, Green Park Elementary, Davis Elementary School, Dixie Grade School, Garrison Junior High, Milton Stateline SDA School, and Country Garden SDA School. In 1991, Torretta taught at her own daycare, Linda’s Country Home, where kids enjoyed creative learning at her five-acre creek property. Torretta took several breaks from teaching, working as a telecommunications clerk for the Walla Walla City Directory, as a process control technician for Birdseye Frozen Foods, as a retail clerk and head of department at Shopko, and more. While attending WWU, Linda’s favorite classes included broadcasting with Loren Dickinson, elementary education with Verlie Ward, history with Carlis Schwan, family life with Joseph Barnes, drama with Donnie Rigby, and home economics with Mrs. Schwantes. Other fond memories include Friday night vespers in Conard Hall, eating meals in the cafeteria, and Christmas concerts at the University Church.
Anita (Davis) Quirk ’79 lives with her husband, Matthew, in
Kelso, Wash., where she works as a criminal justice faculty advisor for Lower Columbia College. After graduating from WWU, she married and moved to the east coast for a couple years until she returned to what she calls, “the best area in the United States, the Pacific Northwest.” She then graduated from law school and practiced law for over 20 years. Now she teaches business law and multiple criminal justice, and other classes, and her local college as a criminal justice and pre-law advisor. Her and her husband enjoy their large garden and orchard and love to go on snorkeling vacations to Hawaii whenever they get the chance. Looking back on her time at WWU she says, “I will not forget the time I studied in Sagunto, Spain, during my junior year.” Her favorite memories were of fabulous professors and her wonderful roommate from her last year who was so much fun and has a beautiful singing voice. A fun memory they share is of serenading the boy’s dorm, playing musical combs. She says, “Yes, we played combs. One of the best things from this was that she sang for my wedding, almost 45 years ago.”
1980s
for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. She and her husband both earned their M.S.W. from Walla Walla College. They worked in the mental health field for 19 years in Walla Walla, and then for 16 years in Fairbanks, Alaska. Later, they moved to Southern California, where she changed to hospital social work and worked in a medically fragile outpatient program through LLU Children’s Hospital. Bernice recalls her favorite part of attending WWU being the friendships she was able to make. She says that her and her husband’s biggest hobby now is growing as many of their own vegetables as they can, but “we did learn one lesson, we do not need to plant six zucchini plants. I was able to supply the office and several neighbors with zucchini for way too many months!”
Bonnie (VanFossen) Parle ’84 lives in Lynden, Wash., where she works as a professional caregiver for Family Resource Home Care. Bonnie has lived in Lynden since 1988, she got married to Henry att. in 2012, and was widowed in 2018. In 2020, she began attending North Cascade Seventh-day Adventist Church, and was baptized in 2021 by Pastor Ron Halvorsen Jr., and John Brunt. Now, her free time is often spent reading and playing online scrabble, and she continues to be involved in the North Cascade Church as an interpreter; signing American sign language with the team for most Sabbaths. Some of her favorite memories of WWU were of Friday evening worship with friends at John and Ione Brunt’s home. She also says that Evensong with Dr. D. was always a great ending to the Sabbath, and that worship in the dorm every day was a real treat.
Bernice Beddoe ’89 lives with her husband, Ken Roberts att., in Loma Linda, Calif., where she works as a clinical social worker
1990s
David Weaver ’94 lives with his wife, Wendy (Hiebert), in Everett, Wash., where he works as program manager for the Internal Revenue Service. They have three sons: Andrew, Levi, and Jonathan. David loves exercise, diet, and studying longevity. He says, “I’m a gym rat who works out 4 or 5 days a week, and I love sauna bathing.” He also enjoys traveling with his wife, and has appreciated his 29-year career with the Internal Revenue Service and will be eligible to retire in 2027. His favorite aspects of WWU were walking or riding his bike to class, living in the dorm with his best friends, and working out in the college weight room. He says his favorite memories were when accounting and business clicked in his mind, graduating with a business degree, and “Meeting my wife in the dean’s parking spot at Sittner Hall.”
2000s
Leah (Davy) Botimer ’09 lives with her husband, Allen ’09, and two children in Meridian, Idaho, where she works as a pediatric nurse practitioner. During her time at WWU, she loved the beautiful Walla Walla valley, the changing seasons, the awesome people and times they shared, and the plethora of activities and opportunities available.
Michelle (Muelleiz) Hinez ’04 lives in Helena, Mont. She has two children, Jessica Vuckovich and Jacob Martin, and works as a psychotherapist for her own private practice. Looking back
she says it was a “wonderful journey to private practice psychotherapy versus standing in my first class wondering (looking at peers and teachers) if I was smart enough to be there.” Now, she is especially grateful for the amazing and insightful instruction she received while attending WWU.
Jane att. lives in Boise, Idaho, working as a naturopathic physician and owner of MediKha, her private practice that focuses on mindbody medicine. After attending WWU, she went on to graduate from the University of Oregon in Eugene in 2007, and then from the National University of Natural Medicine in 2017. She loves working with each patient as an individual, helping them to live their healthiest life possible. In her spare time, Ashlee enjoys outdoor recreational activities like hiking, whitewater kayaking, backpacking, and exploring the many local hot springs. She sings in the Common Ground Community Chorus and is completing her yoga teacher training with a future goal of hosting healing retreats. Her fondest memories made at WWU were of dorm life in Foreman Hall, singing in ICantori, volunteering with student-led worship services, and listening to Kraig Scott and his fabulous students play the organ after church services.
Katrina (Beddoe) Koch ’04 lives with her husband, Lorin ’04, in Salem, Ore. They have two children, Lilijana and Cadence, and Katrina says, “we hope they attend WWU when the time comes.” She works as a music teacher at Livingstone Adventist Academy, teaching choir, handbells, praise, and elementary music to grades K–12. She is also active in the East Salem Advetntist Church where she
and her husband co-lead praise and play piano. With in-laws living in Walla Walla and the biennial choral festival at WWU, she often enjoys returning to the valley to visit. She also loves to compose music, cook, craft, and play games in her free time. Her favorite memories of attending WWU were of vespers and afterglows, Sabbath afternoon hikes in the Blue Mountains, singing in Chorale and ICantori, and accompanying friends at recitals. She says, “I loved singing in the tunnel under the sanctuary and listening to the Watchmen sing down there.” The highlight for her was all of the music-making at WWU.
Joy (Ishkanian) Lipscomb ’04 lives with her husband, Benjamin, and two children, Jacob and Lillian, in Broadway, Va., where she works as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Shenandoah Valley Adventist Elementary. While attending WWU she enjoyed her time as education club vice president, writing for the school paper, making relationships as a girls’ dorm resident assistant, and participating in the drama department. She loved being a part of the worship services, especially with music.
Philip Sirbu ’04 lives with his wife, Marianne Lemay, and two children in St-Christophe-d’Arthabaska, Quebec, Canada, and is currently a self-employed English language teacher. In 2004, Philip moved back to the East Coast with his newly earned degree in engineering. He then worked for five years as an electrical engineer. Then, in 2009, he says his life “changed completely” when he met his wife. Marianne was from Quebec, so he decided to quit his job and move to Canada. Soon after, he was introduced to teaching the English language, and changed his career to teaching English to French-speaking Canadians. He
found a love for the job, saying, “I realized it was more in-tune with who I was.” Eventually, he obtained an online M.Ed. degree in TESOL from the University of British Columbia. However, he also tells about how life has not been easy. His wife was diagnosed with Scleroderma after the birth of their second son in 2015, and he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2022. In 2015, they started a Center of Influence in their town to reach out to a secular and anti-religious population. He recalls that despite the challenges, “the Lord has been at the helm in all things. We give Him the glory!” Looking back to his time at WWU, his favorite things were the climate, the beauty, and the spiritual experiences at the University Church. He remembers enjoying walking everywhere, making new friends, and working in the grounds department and discovering all the nooks and crannies of the campus.
2010s
Rachel (Logan) Hallock ’14 lives with her husband, Jason, and two children in Folsom, Calif., where she works as a senior marketing specialist for Mayo Clinic. Rachel says she “misses everyone in the English department!” And her favorite memories of WWU were formed around drinking tea, writing, and sharing stories with friends and professors. She fondly remembers The Collegian nights with the staff “editing our pages until they were *chef’s kiss* for publication.”
Ashlee (Hull)
Alumni Currents
Staying in touch with our family of graduates
In Memory
Family members may submit obituary information for their loved ones at wallawalla.edu/obituary.
David E. Abbey ’67 was born in 1943 in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, and died Oct. 30, 2023, in Redding, Calif., at age 79. Surviving: wife Judy of Millville, Calif.; daughter Laurelie Hillebert of Millville; and brother Donald ’69 of Coupeville, Wash.
David Beale Jr. att. was born in 1975 in Nashville, Tenn., and died Sept. 28, 1993, in Tri Cities, Wash., at age 18. Surviving: brother Timothy; and parents Lana and David Sr. of Portland, Ore.
Marguerite Brady-Ciampa ’56 was born in 1934 in Fruitta, Colo., and died July 14, 2023, in Vancouver, Wash., at age 88. Surviving: husband Bartholomew “Bart” of Vancouver; daughters Susan Huston of Portland, Ore., Lisa Young of Pflugerville, Texas; Robyn Cleveland of Romsey, United Kingdom; and sisters Miriam Redfield ’56 of Vancouver, and Eleanor Hetke ’59 of Vancouver.
Thomas Calkins’65 was born in 1943 in Hillsboro, Ore., and died Feb. 5, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz., at age 79. Surviving: spouse Nigel de Gale of Phoenix; daughter Meredith Hann of Woodinville, Wash.; son Wendell ’91 of Hillsboro; and brothers Rob of Ore., and Kevin of Ore.
Leo J. Dorgan ’52 was born in 1924 in Seattle, Wash., and died Feb. 10, 2021, in Pendleton, Ore., at age 96. Surviving: daughters Judith Kamensky att. of Rogers, Ala., and Hazel Lu ’78 of Denver, Colo.; and sons Lonnie ’71 of Kettering, Ohio, and David of Pendleton, Ore.
Nadine (Platner) Dower att. was born in 1944 in Spokane, Wash., and died Jan. 5, 2024, in Seattle, Wash., at age 79. Surviving: husband Richard att. of College Place; daughter Mona
Sarcona of Berrien Springs, Mich.; and son James of Portland, Ore.
Alvin Epperson ’57 was born in 1930 in Pueblo, Colo., and died Nov. 10, 2023, in Loma Linda, Calif., at age 93. Surviving: daughters Candi of Beaumont, Calif., and Connie Pesterfield att. of Auburn, Wash.; and son Curtis ’85 of Kent, Wash.
Anne L. Fletcher ’16 was born in 1994 in Bellevue, Wash., and died Aug. 24, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn., at age 29. Surviving: brothers Charles att. of Cleveland, Tenn., and Carson ’22 of Portland, Ore.; and parents Cheri and Todd ’89 of Cleveland.
Weldon Fletcher att. was born in 1936 in Lincoln, Neb., and died Nov. 18, 2023, in Kirkland, Wash., at age 87. Surviving: wife Beverly ’60 of Redmond, Wash.; daughter Brenda Manley att. of Kirkland; sons Todd ’89 of Cleveland, Tenn., and Cory att. of Kirkland; and sister MaryKay att. of Roseburg, Ore.
Bethany Ford ’00 was born in 1978 in Orlando, Fla., and died July 6, 2016, in St. John, Wash., at age 37. Surviving: sister Shannon ’99 of St. John; and mother Lorene att. of St. John.
Ernest Ford ’69 was born in 1946 in Kanakanak, Ala., and died Aug. 9, 2022, in St. John, Wash., at age 75. Surviving: wife Lorene att. of St. John; and daughter Shannon ’99 of St. John.
Chad J. Gessele att. was born in 1973 in Hutchinson, Kan., and died March 22, 2022, in The Dalles, Ore., at age 48. Surviving: brother Todd ’92 of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and parents Marybeth and Glenn of Gaston, Ore.
Hervey Gimbel ’50 was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and
KEY: att. = attended curr. att. = currently attending
died Feb. 22, 2021, in Loma Linda, Calif., at age 94. Surviving: wife Ann (Mattorand) att. of Gresham, Ore.; daughters Shirley Tetz att. of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, Denise of Orcutt, Calif., and Beverly Kramer ’83 of Clackamas, Ore.; son Marlin of Chehalis, Wash.; and sisters Glenda Schafer ’59 of College Place, Nalda Oliver of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and Elaine Skoretz of Colton, Calif.
Judith “Judy” Gimbel att. was born in 1936 in Seattle, Wash., and died Aug. 21, 2021, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at age 83. Surviving: husband Howard ’56 of Calgary; daughters Karen ’79 of Calgary, and Janette Remboldt att. of Castle Rock, Colo.; sons Roger att. of Lakewood, Colo., Glenn att. of Loma Linda, Calif., and Keith att. of Loma Linda; and brothers David Carl ’70 of Gresham, Ore., and Michael Carl att. of Portland, Ore.
Dwayne H. House att. was born in 1943 in Portland, Ore., and died in 2022, in Vancouver, Wash., at age 79. Surviving: wife Yvonne ’70 of Vancouver; daughter Christi Bell of Marysville, Calif.; and Shri Shrader of Manhattan, Mont.; and sisters Roslyn Meyer of Harrison, Idaho, and Marilyn Gibson att. of Omak, Wash.
May E. Johnson ’48 was born in 1924 in Hemingford, Neb., and died Aug. 29, 2023, in College Place, at age 98. Surviving: brother Melvin ’55 of Aumsville, Ore.
Laurel (Pat) Jones ’67 was born in 1927 in Los Angeles, Calif., and died Dec. 31, 2023, in Loma Linda, Calif., at age 96. Surviving: daughters Laurel Munson att. of Redlands, Calif., Allison Field ’78 of Redlands, and Julianne Hardy ’78 of Easton, Md. Jones worked in the WWU Department of English from 1963 to 1966 and in the registrar’s office from 1974 to 1979.
Patricia “Patti” Kluchesky att. was born in 1949 in Eugene, Ore., and died Sept. 11, 2023, in Twin Falls, Idaho, at age 73. Surviving: husband Dwayne ’74 of Twin Falls; daughters Cynthia Tetz of Filer,
Idaho, and Michelle Hinsdale att. of Boise, Idaho; son Jefferey of Loveland, Colo.; sister Donna Runyan att. of Happy Valley, Ore.; and mother Lois Barrett of Happy Valley.
Clara (Miller) Lively ’56 was born in 1932 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and died Aug. 16, 2023, in Pacific, Wash., at age 91. Surviving: son Eldon ’86 of Pacific; and daughters Fonda Cox ’89 of Monmouth, Ore., and Danene Jordheim att. of Spanaway, Wash.
Gloria L. (Myers) Nelson ’62 was born in 1940 in Tehachapi, Calif., and died June 2, 2023, in Walla Walla, at age 83. Surviving: husband Jim “Jimmie” ’70 of College Place; daughter Lisa Cogburn of Mounds, Okla.; and son Kenneth of South Bend, Ind.
Marilyn (Hegstad) Nicholson att. was born in 1944 in Portland, Ore., and died Feb. 22, 2021, in Portland, at age 76. Surviving; daughters Melinda ’94 of Portland, and Cynthia Ulloa ’92 of Troutdale, Ore.; son Daniel of Portland; sister Loretta Johnson of Monroe, Wash.; and brother Bruce Hegstad att. of Bel Air, Md. Becky De Oliveira ’94 was born in 1971 in Enumclaw, Wash., and died June 21, 2023, in Dacono, Colo., at age 51. Surviving: husband Japhet of Granite Bay, Calif.; sons Joshua of Calif., and Jonah of Calif.; brother Daniel Crooker att. of Duvall, Wash.; and father David Crooker of Redmond, Wash.
Gene Schroeder ’58 was born in 1936 in Marshfield, Wis., and died Nov. 25, 2023, in Anacortes, Wash., at age 87. Surviving: husband Miriam att. of Anacortes; daughters Terri Eggers of Coupeville, Wash., and Tami Rowe ’93 of Sedro-Woolley, Wash.; and son Tim ’11 of Walla Walla.
Robert Slough II att. was born in 1957 in Loma Linda, Calif., and died June 28, 2023, in Garden CIty, Idaho, at age 65. Surviving: sisters Rhonda Miller of Boise, Idaho, and Renae Wilson of Pine Bluff, Ariz.; and mother Mourene Wilson of Garden City.
The results are in!
Meet your newly elected Alumni Association officers and board members
PRESIDENT-ELECT
JERRY WOODS
Class of 1997
Jerry Woods will serve one year as president-elect, one year as president, and one year as board chair. Woods graduated with honors with a B.A. in mass communications. He has worked in broadcasting for the past 32 years after getting his start on-campus at KGTS/ Positive Life Radio. Today, he anchors the morning show at WGTS 91.9 in Washington, D.C. He is married to Crystal and has two daughters, Adilynn and Maya. Adilynn plans to attend Walla Walla University in a year. Woods is passionate about sharing the opportunities to grow and learn that Walla Walla provided for him.
JIMMY JOHNSON
Class of 1997
Jimmy Johnson will serve a two-year term as treasurer for the Alumni Association. Johnson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. For the past 24 years, he has worked for the Upper Columbia Conference as an assistant treasurer and most recently as corporation treasurer. He is married to Debbie and together they have three children: Chloe ’20, Tori, a sophomore at Walla Walla University, and Jack, a junior at Upper Columbia Academy. Johnson enjoys leading worship music, water skiing, camping, and reading.
BILL
GERBER
Class of 1984
Bill Gerber will serve a three-year term on the Alumni Association board. Gerber graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then captained a commercial salmon fishing boat off the coast of British Columbia for 14 years. Next, he became a ‘fisher of men’ as development director for Fraser Valley Adventist Academy. For the last 13 years he has been the director of Camp Hope for the BC Conference. He and his wife, Bonnie ’84, have a son, Beau ’19, and two daughters: Bethany ’15, and Brooklyn, who is currently a WWU student.
KARLI HART
Class of 2018
Karli Hart will serve a threeyear term on the Alumni Association board. Hart graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary teaching certification and has been teaching high school English in the Walla Walla area since then. Currently, she teaches English at Walla Walla High School. In 2023, she earned her master’s degree in education in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing and water sports, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and a new puppy.
Celebrating 70 years since the initial land purchase and Joe Galusha’s 50 summersconsecutive at
TREASURER
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
Rosario!
Walla Walla University
204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324
See you there!
SEPTEMBER 23–25
School is starting again; campus leaders gather early to ground the year in intentional connection to Christ. An annual retreat prepares students to lead in ministry, student missions, the associated student body, and more.
SEPTEMBER 22
Freshmen arrive on campus for orientation at JumpStart. New students and their parents are invited to join WWU President Alex Bryan for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Classes start for all students on Monday, September 23, and the adventure will begin!
OCTOBER 10–12
Cheer on your favorite soccer and volleyball teams at the Fall Classic Tournament. More than 20 teams from across the country will compete. Watch for the game schedule in September online at wallawalla.edu/ fallclassic
OCTOBER 19
Greg Dodds, professor of history, will present "The Kingdom of God" at Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Boise, Idaho. Join fellow alumni and parents for worship and connect with WWU. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/ alumni-events
NOVEMBER 1–2
Come visit your student at Family Weekend! Events include class visits, ice cream at Bright’s Candies, Friday vespers, and free Sabbath dinner for families of current students with the president’s cabinet. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/ family-weekend
NOVEMBER 12
Celebrate Walla Walla University at the Inauguration of Alex Bryan at 11 a.m. in the University Church. Festivities will include remarks from dignitaries, musical performances, and the inaugural ceremony. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/president
