Spring 2022 Class Notes

Dick Jansen, BAE, history – secondary ed and special education – elementary ed, recently retired as the tennis coach at Snohomish High School.

John Olbrantz, B.A., art history, recently published a book on the 19th century Scottish artist and traveler David Roberts, whose travels to Spain, Morocco, Egypt, and the Holy Land in the 1830s firmly established him as the most accomplished architectural and topographical painter of his day. The book accompanies a major exhibition of Roberts’s work at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, this summer. John, a CFPA Distinguished Alumnus, has served as director of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art since 1998.

Carolyn Price, B.A., journalism, retired in 2021 after publishing OutdoorsNW magazine for 33 years. Carolyn founded the outdoor recreational publication in 1988 and it became one of the top regional magazines of its kind in the country. She now plays drums in rock and roll bands.

Jan Yoshiwara, M.Ed., will retire this summer as the executive director of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Cal Bratt, B.A., journalism, retired editor of the Lynden Tribune, has been back on campus auditing classes through the Waiver of Tuition and Fees for Persons 60 Years of Age and Older. The program allows people to audit courses for $5 and take them for a grade for $25. Learn more by emailing Registrar.Office@wwu.edu.

Rick Petty, B.A., economics, is an investment consultant in New York and was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Ball Brothers Foundation in Muncie, Indiana, where he’ll serve as treasurer.

Geoff Babb, ’80, B.A., biology, helped design the AdvenChair, an all-terrain wheelchair that recently took him to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back by way of the famously challenging Bright Angel Trail. Geoff’s trail team included Matt Nugent, ’17, B.A., environmental education. Babb is the founder of the Onward Project, which is devoted to encouraging and enabling outdoor adventures for people of all physical abilities.

Gary Sigel, B.S. and M.S., chemistry, is a senior principal scientist for Armstrong Flooring.

SparkPress just published “Hope, a History of the Future,” by Gayle G. Kellner, B.A., urban studies. It’s a philosophical climate fiction novel about saving the planet, incorporating history, science, politics and adventure.

Maren Haavig, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration, was named provost and dean of Research and Sponsored Programs at University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. Previously, she was associate dean for the School of Arts and Sciences, dean of Graduate Studies and an associate professor of accounting.

Janine Parry, B.A., political science, who has been at the University of Arkansas since 1998, was named a University Professor in the Department of Political Science in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Janine is also the director of the annual Arkansas Poll. Vanessa Bloy, B.A., journalism, recently became director of Marketing Strategy for StayPineapple boutique hotels.

Judy Beliveau, M.Ed., school administration, was appointed principal of Tahoma High School.

Darin Zehrung, B.S., biology and ’11, MBA, became the chief business development officer for PharmaJet, which has developed a needle-free injection technology. Most recently Darin worked at PATH as Global Program Leader for their Medical Devices and Health Technologies Program.

Bret Nicks, B.S., chemistry, is an emergency medicine physician at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His first book, “Standing Naked in the Rain,” is a collection of charming short stories about Toby, a beloved Labrador-hound mix.

Laura Fead, B.A., history and ’96, certificate, recently became the principal of Concrete High School after spending 17 years in Las Vegas area schools.

Kena Greer Brashear, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration, is a designated and managing broker of Muljat Group Realtors in Bellingham and recently earned the At Home with Diversity certification from the National Association of Realtors.

Elizabeth Frombgen, B.A., political science, was recently named president of Southwestern College in Kansas. Previously, she was vice president for academic affairs at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

Eric Emans, B.A., sociology, recently became CFO of Nintex, a process management and automation company. Previously, he was CFO for Lighthouse and also held senior finance positions at A Place for Mom, Blucora, Infospace and Corbis.

Steven Millman, M.A., political science, is senior vice president for global research and operations for the market research company Dynata. He’s also a member of the board of trustees for the Advertising Research Foundation, a member of the Market Research Council and a member of Western’s Marketing Advisory Board.

Justin De Witt, B.A., art – graphic design, is the co-owner of Fireside Games and designer of Castle Panic, a popular series of cooperative board games. The company recently released My First Castle Panic for preschoolers, which received a Mom’s Choice Award. 

Shannon Eddy, B.A., communication, recently became a deputy prosecutor for Wahkiakum County.

Dan MacPhee, B.A., general studies, is chief of the Everson Police Department in Whatcom County.

Mandie Lusk, BAE, special education and elementary education, recently moved to Idaho with her family and became a kindergarten teacher at Kamiah Elementary School.

Tim Hollenbeck, B.A., geography, recently became a surveyor with AKS Engineering and Forestry in Oregon.

Mark Davis, B.A., biology/ anthropology, is a dermatology physician’s assistant at Clear Choice Dermatology, a new practice in Salem, Oregon.

Chad Stoddard, B.A., geography, recently came in seventh in the Iditarod dog sled race, and won “Most Improved.” He came in 23rd last year on his first Iditarod.

Andrew Maratas, B.A., business administration – marketing, recently launched Gotcha Covered of the Greater East Side, a custom window treatment business.

Levi Pulkkinen, ’02, B.A., general studies, recently became business editor of the Seattle Times.

In July, Scholastic will publish “The Language of Seabirds,” by Will Taylor, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration. Will’s fifth published book, it’s his first focusing on the experiences of LGBTQ+ preteens and will be part of Scholastic’s “Own Voices” series for middle-grade readers.

Brian Rice, B.A., business administration – finance, is an attorney who recently joined Smith + Malek in Boise, focusing on corporate transactions and real estate law.

Michael Franson, B.A., business administration – marketing, recently became the sports development manager for the Yakima Valley Sports Commission, working to bring sports tournaments and events to the area. Previously, he worked for Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.

Aeron O’Brien, B.A., environmental education and ’08, teaching certificate, recently became a high school science teacher in Kamiah, Idaho. Most recently, he taught at Mount Baker Middle School in Mount Vernon.

Jocelyn Stockton, B.A., finance, recently became a senior vice president and commercial relationship manager for Columbia Bank in Seattle.

Kimberly Jensen, MiT, was recently named principal of Mead High School in Spokane. Previously, she was an administrator in the Mukilteo School District.

Robert Knapp, B.S., and ’09, M.S., environmental science, works for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in the Natural Resources Department, focusing on salmon recovery, geospatial analysis, land use planning and natural resources planning.

Ben Smith, B.S., mathematics, recently became the director of the STEM Center at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.

Emily Halverson, B.A., accounting and French, was recently selected as the controller and principal accounting officer for Alaska Air Group. Emily has worked at Alaska Airlines since 2016, most recently as the managing director of accounting and investor relations.

Newfound, a publisher in Austin, published “Super Worth It,” the debut poetry chapbook by Anthony Warnke, M.A., English. Anthony is enrolled in the MFA program in creative writing at the University of Washington, teaches writing at Green River College, and co-facilitates the Columbia City Writing Circle.

Danielle Campoamor, B.A., English literature, is a reporter for TODAY Parents, where lately she’s been writing about the war in Ukraine, reproductive rights and parenting issues. Previously, she was a contributing editor at Hearst and her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, NBC News, THINK, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and other publications.

Uluao “Junior” Aumavae, B.A., general studies, became the chief equity officer for the city of Anchorage, Alaska. Aumavae played professional football with the NFL, IFL, and AFL for teams that included the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets, among others. Before working for the city of Anchorage, he served as the Community Outreach specialist for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Alaska as part of Operation Engage. He also worked for the National Football League Player Association, serving as the secretary and vice president. Aumavae also founded Elite Athletic Trend (EAT), a non-profit that works with youth in athletics to develop successful life skills and civic engagement, ensuring communities are vibrant, resilient, and strong.

Angela Gelfer, B.S., geology, became a project geologist for The Riley Group, working in the geotechnical department.

Courtney Telloian, B.A., English literature, is a freelance health writer.

Tia Stephens, B.A., German, advises the Operetta Club at Sequim High School and recently directed the student production of “Emma: A Pop Musical.”

Kate Sechrist, BFA, studio art, is a textile artist who received a grant from the Japanese government to pursue her master’s degree at Kyoto Seika University in Japan. She recently won an award from the university vice president for her thesis.

Alyssa Pitcher, B.A., art and visual journalism, is the marketing and tourism coordinator at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

Geoff Babb, B.A., biology, helped design the AdvenChair, an all-terrain wheelchair that recently took him to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back on the Bright Angel Trail. Geoff’s trail team included Matt Nugent, ’17, B.A., environmental education.

Emma Raivio, B.A., accounting, business administration – management information systems, was promoted to senior tax accountant at VSH CPAs in Lynden.

Savannah Smith, B.S., biology – marine, is director of Youth Engagement for Sea Potential, a non-profit she co-founded to create more opportunities for BIPOC communities in the maritime industry.

Brien Reed, M.Ed., adult and higher education, is a school and neighborhood resource officer for the Mount Vernon Police Department as well as a career and technical education teacher at Mount Vernon High School.

David Moreno, B.A., multidisciplinary studies, is a Spanish teacher for Gabriel’s Art Kids in Bellingham, where Abbi Bailey, B.A., also teaches in the after-school art program.

David Moreno, B.A., multidisciplinary studies, is a Spanish teacher for Gabriel’s Art Kids in Bellingham, where Abbi Bailey, B.A., also teaches in the after-school art program.

Colton Rasanen-Fryar, B.A., journalism – public relations, recently became a reporter for the Wahpeton Daily News in North Dakota.

Zach Willis, M.S., kinesiology – sport and exercise psychology, is the assistant offensive line coach for Pacific Lutheran University’s football team. He’s also a master resilience trainer and performance expert at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Ruth Herren, 102, a retired teacher in Centralia, Toledo and Vader, on Sept. 27, 2021, in her home on the Cowlitz Prairie.

Ruby Virginia Bower, 99, a retired teacher and principal in Norfolk Public Schools, on Sept. 27, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Barbara Ethel Dunlap, 95, who worked in her family’s moving business and at Dunny’s Drive-In, on Oct. 16, 2021, in Everson.

Maxine Mae Shroyer, 90, on Jan. 28, 2021, in Burlington.

Charles Odell, 93, a U.S. Navy veteran who worked as a teacher, as an assistant to U.S. Rep. Thomas H. Pelley, and as a congressional liaison officer for the Department of Commerce before running his own business, on Oct. 5, 2021, in Westminster, Maryland.

Neva Leed on Feb. 4, 2021, in Burlington.

Mary Jean Woodman, 90, on Sept. 27, 2021, in Poulsbo.

Milton “Mick” Goheen, 89, retired from Battelle Laboratories in Richland and a 20-year resident of Orcas Island, on Nov. 2, 2021.

Darlene Joan Magee, 88, a former teacher and flight attendant who ran a golf course in Fisherville, Ontario, with her family, on Oct. 29, 2021, in Dunnville, Ontario.

Arlayne Doris Knox, 90, a lifelong traveler who worked as a travel agent and teacher and was a dedicated community volunteer in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Sept. 27, 2021.

Arnold Durrell Nordquist, 90, a retired teacher in the Nooksack and Bellingham school districts. on Sept. 24, 2021.

Carole Jeane Elliott, 86, a retired teacher in Anacortes, on Oct. 6, 2021, in Sedro-Woolley.

Grace Smith, 85, a retired teacher and principal who worked in Quincy, Wenatchee and Othello schools, on Sept. 2, 2021, in East Wenatchee.

Joyce O’Donnell, 84, a retired teacher and real estate agent, on Aug. 3, 2021, in Everett.

Robert Scheldrup, 88, a U.S. Army veteran and a retired teacher and track coach in Mukilteo, on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.

JoAnn Marchese, 82, a retired elementary school teacher, on Oct. 20, 2021, in Santa Rosa, California.

Herbert Langeman, 85, a retired teacher and coach at Sehome High School, on Nov. 4, 2021.

Gary H. Gregg, 84, on Oct. 25, 2021, in Richland.

Robert Burkhalter, 89, a retired teacher and coach in the Naselle School District, on Feb. 26, 2022.

Ray Aust, 79, a retired teacher in the Edmonds School District, on Dec. 11, 2021, in Lynnwood.

Erling Alf Molver, 87, a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired teacher and principal for the Clover Park School District, on Nov. 19, 2021.

Madelyn Ruth (Layton) Saric Gale, 79, a retired teacher in Alaska, on Feb. 16, 2020.

Sherman Lee Grant, 85, on Nov. 15, 2021.

Donald Charles Whitney, 79, who worked in real estate, on Dec. 2, 2021, in Bellingham.

Patricia Ann Baldwin, 79, a retired teacher at Blaine Elementary School, on July 8, 2021.

Richard Edwin Riggs, 76, a musician and retired music teacher in the Yakima School District on Aug. 23, 2020.

Peggy Pilkington, 78, a retired kindergarten teacher in Mukilteo, on Sept. 16, 2021.

Richard Charles, 79, who had a long career with the federal government, on Oct. 19, 2021, in Olympia.

D. Irene Wilson, 94, retired chair of the Math Department of Butte College in Chico, California, on Oct. 21, 2021.

Jane Eileen Warner, 77, on Nov. 4, 2021.

Pamela Ver Chapman, 76, a retired teacher in the Vancouver and Evergreen school districts, on Aug. 15, 2021.

Rollin Kirk Wilson, 74, a retired coach and science teacher, on Nov. 30, 2021.

Brad Ward Hogan, 79, retired math faculty member at Highline Community College, on Sept. 11, 2021.

Charles M. Hoagland, 78, a retired teacher and traveling salesman and engineer, on Aug. 6, 2021, in Lynden.

Daniel Francis Donnelly, 76, retired from a career in mental health, on Oct. 27, 2021, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Kenneth James Kandoll, 73, a former Coastguardsman and retired carpenter, on July 19, 2021.

William N. Pratt, 80, retired superintendent of maintenance at BP Cherry Point Refinery, who also helped form a refinery consortium to protect Puget Sound from oil spills, on Feb. 11, 2021.

Eleanor Luverne Flanders-Creek, 95, a retired elementary school teacher, on July 20, 2020, in Bellingham.

David Paola, 78, a U.S. Navy veteran, musician and retired teacher, on Oct. 8, 2021.

Don Crider, 85, a retired middle school math teacher, on Nov. 6, 2021.

Stanley A. Heeringa, a Lynden resident and U.S. Airforce veteran who retired from Bostec, 76, on Dec. 9, 2021.

John D. Garber, 75, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who worked in the aviation insurance industry, on Aug. 24, 2021.

Beverly Gay Barker, 90, retired English teacher at Mount Vernon High School, on October 19, 2021.

Gregory Anabel, 70, on Aug. 3, 2019.

Edward Alan Seafeldt, 71, on Nov. 20, 2021.

Greg Kosanke, 69, a longtime attorney in Whatcom County, on Jan. 23, 2022, in Bellingham.

Mary Anne Price Mead, 67, a talented singer who had a career in public administration, health policy and ethics, on August 24, 2021.

Patricia Kaye Roberts, 69, who ran a dog lodging business with her husband in Utah before retiring, on April 7, 2022.

Fred Meyers, 88, a retired U.S. Navy pilot, on Oct. 18, 2021.

Thomas Patrick Jeffreys, 75, an artist, on Nov. 21, 2021, in Bellingham.

James Michael Longridge, 74, a retired high school principal in British Columbia, on Nov. 29, 2021.

Donald Slone, 65, a retired clinical psychologist, on Sept. 23, 2021, in Lakewood.

Randall Scott Sanders, 70, a retired accountant and active volunteer, on Dec. 22, 2021, in Blaine.

John Leo Roland, 63, a hydrologist for the state Department of Ecology and the recipient of the department’s Environmental Stewardship Award, on Oct. 10, 2021, in Spokane.

Kris Dale Portis, 63, a commercial fisher and active volunteer in youth sports, on Oct. 25, 2021, in Anacortes.

Ralph A. Gier, 89, a U.S. Air Force veteran, retired instrumentation and electrical engineer and licensed pilot, on Feb. 25, 2021, in Bellingham.

Timothy Wean, 74, a stone mason, teacher, baker, science enthusiast and Renaissance man, on Oct. 2, 2021.

Donn H. Mackenzie, 63, retired director of technical services for the McCarthy Improvement Co., on Aug. 4, 2021, in Huntington, West Virginia.

Don Hiley, 59, the facilities program manager for the Southeast Regional Resource Center in Juneau, Alaska, on Nov. 19, 2021.

Don Alford, 80, a U.S. Navy veteran and retired conductor for Burlington Northern Railroad, on March 25, 2021, in Bellingham.

Lawrence LaVyrn Thompson, 84, a Lutheran pastor and retired archivist at Wheaton College, on Sept. 1, 2021.

Howard Mortimer, 59, a former drug and alcohol counselor who owned Chuckanut Builders, on Nov. 11, 2021.

Carolyn Ann Hundley, 60, a retired nurse, on Dec. 9, 2021, in Mount Vernon.

Lori D. McKinley, 66, a teacher and school librarian in the Vancouver School District for nearly 30 years, on Dec. 27, 2021.

Ronald Dasch, 67, a finish carpenter for luxury yachts and smaller boats, on March 19, 2021, in Bellingham.

Phillip Dollan, 70, a retired faculty member in mechanical engineering at British Columbia Institute of Technology, on Oct. 13, 2021.

Sue Kidd, 52, a longtime food writer and restaurant critic in Tacoma, on March 1, 2022.

Cindy Hubner, 72, a retired wine specialist with Haggen Inc., on Nov. 11, 2021, in Mount Vernon.

Matthew John Mihelich, 49, executive director of human resources and health services for the Sedro- Woolley School District, on Nov. 29, 2021, in Big Lake.

Moses Paul Tcheripanoff, 56, who worked for the Alaska Native Tribal health Consortium and was studying for a master’s degree in Indigenous peoples law, on Oct. 2, 2021.

Kenneth Dustin Hamilton, 58, who worked at Raycap, Inc., on May 6, 2020.

Floyd McKay, 86, professor emeritus of journalism, former chair of the department and an award-winning print and broadcast journalist in Oregon and Washington, on March 4, 2022, in Bellingham.

Theodore Joseph Czajkowski, 81, a retired assistant superintendent of the Bellingham School District who taught at Western, on Oct. 11, 2021, in Bellingham.

Renee Collins, 71, whose 30-plus-year career included leading some of Western’s most important student support services including the Ethnic Student Center, Student Outreach Services, and Career Services and Academic Advising, on Feb. 24, 2022, in Bellingham. She also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Western, completed a doctorate at Seattle University, and was the founding president of the Northern Puget Sound chapter of the NAACP.

Megan Lum, ’06, B.A., journalism, and Sean Williams, on Aug. 8, 2021, in Auburn.

Brad Straavaldsen Mahoney, ’16, English literature, and Brittany McCormick Walker, on Nov. 20, 2021, in Brighton, Utah.