Spring/Summer 2025 Class Notes

Peter Hallson, B.A., biology, is a bicycle advocate in Edmonds and recently received the Doug Walker Award from the Cascade Bicycle Club for his 25 years of work promoting bicycling in the community, including working with the Edmonds School District to designate safe bike routes to schools. At 89, Peter still cycles thousands of miles each year, though mostly on an e-bike these days. 

David Swanson, B.A., sociology, was named as a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California Riverside. In addition to his 130 peer-reviewed journal articles, among other reasons for this recognition, ScholarGPS identified Swanson as 56th among the world’s 60 most Highly Ranked Scholars in the field of Demography.

Peter Kalivas, B.S. biology, is a neuropharmacologist whose work explores the brain molecules and circuits that underlie substance use disorder. He's a Distinguished University Professor of Neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he was the founding chair of the neuroscience department. He is the past-president of the American College of Neuropharmacology, which recently honored him for his work in mentorship.  

Timothy Ohms, B.A., English, recently retired after 33 years as a federal prosecutor in Eastern Washington. During his career as an Assistant US Attorney, Ohms was known as an expert in complex cases and prosecuted several significant crimes involving drug trafficking, violence, wildlife and Native American artifacts.

Darrell Newcomer, B.S., geology, retired in 2024 after a 35-year career as a hydrogeologist. After completing his master's degree from Montana Tech in 1988, Darrell worked for 30 years for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. He then spent five years working with the Central Plateau Cleanup Co. in Richland. His work has included hydrogeologic characterization, groundwater remediation research, and groundwater monitoring activities at the Hanford Site and at government sites across the country.

Steve Kizer, BAE, physical education - secondary, recently retired after more than two decades as head football coach at Skyview High School in Vancouver, Washington. 

Heidi Fedore, B.A., journalism, retired as a school principal in 2022 and just debuted a young adult novel, "Pigs and Flakes," the story of an American teen who goes to work on her uncle's farm in England in hopes of escaping hateful online gossip. Heidi also writes a monthly blog. 

Tom Tebb, B.S., environmental geology, is retiring after 33 years with the Department of Ecology, most recently as head of the Office of the Columbia River. 

Joel Purdy, M.S., geology, is the Water Resources manager for Kitsap Public Utilities District. 

Mike LaDoe, B.A., speech communication, became the director of Consumer Lending for TAPCO Credit Union. 

Eric Silvey, BAE, history - secondary education, recently retired after 35 years of teaching in the Vancouver Public Schools. Beginning his career teaching social studies at McLoughlin Middle School, Eric finished after 27 years at Skyview High School in the social studies program. While at Skyview, Eric coached football, baseball, softball and bowling. His bowling teams finished in the top four in state four times, winning state in 2022. Now, Eric plans to spend retirement traveling the world.

Deb Krishnadasan, B.A., communication, was recently appointed to serve in the Washington State Senate representing the 26th Legislative District, which covers parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties. She'll fill the seat vacated by Emily Randall, who was elected to Congress. Sen. Krishnadasan is a former member of the Peninsula School District board and the founder and co-chair of Stand Up for Peninsula Schools. 

This spring, David Wain Coon, M.Ed., student personnel administration, is the acting president of San Jose City College. He retired in December 2024 as president of College of Marin. 

Chris Hartmann, M.Ed., physical education, who coached volleyball at WWU from 1987 to 1991, now coaches varsity disc golf at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. Chris also designs disc golf courses, plays professionally, and works toward growing other collegiate disc golf programs in Canada.  

Shannon Braddock, B.A., communication, became acting King County Executive in early April after the resignation of Dow Constantine. Shannon had been King County Deputy Executive since 2023. 

Tom Venable, B.A., political science, has announced he will leave his position as Methow Valley School District Superintendent at the end of the school year and will become the executive director of the Methow Housing Trust in July. Before moving to the Methow Valley, Tom was a teacher, principal and deputy superintendent for Bellingham Public Schools. 

Brad Tanberg, B.A., business administration - finance, became the chief financial officer of Gulf Winds Credit Union, which serves Florida, Alabama and Georgia.  

Arcadia Publishing recently published "Tug Boat Sand Man" by Lisa Nickel, BAE, geography - elementary. The Sand Man, built in 1910, spent several decades towing commodities to and from Budd Inlet and has been lovingly restored. 

After retiring from the Marysville Fire District as Battalion Chief of EMS, Dean Shelton, B.A., recreation, recently graduated from the Harvard Trade Union Program, Harvard Law School's intensive five-week executive training program for trade union leaders. Dean serves as vice president of the Washington State Council of Firefighters and 8th district representative. 

Kelly Kriss, B.A., art, is principal of Adele Harrison Middle School in Sonoma, California, and was named Middle Grades principal of the Year by Region 4 of the Association of California Administrators, which represents six counties in Northern California. 

Patricia Fulton, B.A., political science, was recently sworn in as a superior court judge in Walla Walla County, and the first woman to hold the position. Previously, she served as a court commissioner and defense attorney. 

Amy Heinze, B.A., English and music, recently joined the board of the Tacoma Community College Foundation. 

Justin Neal, B.A., interdisciplinary concentration, is a playwright and founder of Holy Crow Arts, which last year staged his most recent work, "Keepers of the Salish Sea" at The Cultch Historic Theatre in Vancouver, B.C.

Michelle Marques, B.A., German, recently became a radio content producer and the weekday local host of "All Things Considered" for Northern California Public Media, serving NPR stations in the northern San Francisco Bay Area. Michelle has been working in radio in Sonoma County, California, for about 20 years. 

Kari Mar, B.A., journalism, is the editor and publisher of The La Conner Community News, a new non-profit newspaper in La Conner whose citizen board of directors includes Jerry Willins, '97, B.A., English. "We are deeply grateful to this town for taking a chance on us," Kari wrote in a recent column, "and we hope to build a newspaper worthy of your trust."

Jennifer Louie, B.Mus., music performance, was selected by The Recording Academy to serve as a GRAMMY U mentor for 2024-25. Her first holiday solo violin album, "Snow in Alabama," received two iTunes chart awards in Sweden. And her new album, "The Cherry Tree Carol" was released in November. 

Kari Mar, B.A., journalism, is the editor and publisher of The La Conner Community News, a new non-profit newspaper in La Conner whose citizen board of directors includes Jerry Willins, '97, B.A., English. "We are deeply grateful to this town for taking a chance on us," Kari wrote in a recent column, "and we hope to build a newspaper worthy of your trust."

Christopher Haveman, B.A., English, is an associate professor of history at the University of West Alabama and the author of "River of Sand: Creek Indian Emigration, Relocation, and Ethnic Cleansing in the American South." 

Jessica Schenck, B.A., journalism, was selected to be the superintendent of the Mount Baker School District. She'll come from the Othello School District, where she's the superintendent of teaching and learning. 

Matthew Konsa, B.A., student-faculty designed major, is a philanthropy portfolio lead for Mass Mutual and the MassMutual Foundation and recently led the creation and launch of a $25 million initiative focused on driving the growth of community development financial institutions across the country. 

Michael R. Grigoni, B.A., philosophy, recently became assistant professor of religion at Wake Forest University after completing his Ph.D. in religion at Duke University. Since graduating from Western, Michael has also earned a master's degree in ethnomusicology from University of Washington and a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School. At Wake Forest, he teaches courses in religion, politics and Christianity and is working on a book about guns in relation to American Christianity. 

Michael Dashiell, B.A., journalism-news/editorial, recently became Tribal Communications and Publication specialist for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe after 25 years with the Sequim Gazette, including the past 15 as editor. Michael was also named Grand Marshal of the 2025 Sequim Irrigation Festival.

Dustin Till, B.A., history, recently became a partner in the law firm of Troutman Pepper Lock. Dustin has extensive experience in hydropower, environmental and renewable energy law. 

Michael Hemphill, B.S computer science, is a principal engineer at SpaceX helping bring Starlink internet access to people around the world.

Rebecca Som Castellano, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration, is a professor of sociology at Boise State University, where her areas of expertise include rural sociology, and the sociology of food and agriculture. 

Sabrina Villanueva, B.A., political science, is the senior director of Property Management at Clise Properties in Seattle and performed as a "celebrity dancer" for Plymouth Housing's annual fundraising gala, Seattle Dances on March 8. 

Alissa Shay, B.A., planning and environmental policy, recently became the new deputy director of the Port of Grays Harbor, overseeing the industrial property and marine terminal divisions. Previously, Alissa was the general manager of Satsop Business Park. 

Jenni Baldwin, M.A., English, and '09, MiT, and her husband Ryan spearhead the Baldwin Challenge, an annual fundraising drive for Northwest Harvest that has raised more than $100,000 for the non-profit organization supporting foodbanks in Washington. Jenni is director of Alumni Engagement at The Overlake School, where she was a teacher for more than a decade. She also serves on the Lake Washington Schools Foundation board of trustees. 

Rachel Vasak, B.A., geology, recently became the executive director of the Whatcom Land Trust. Previously, Rachel led the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. 

Lansia Jipson, M.Ed., environmental education, is a nurse practitioner who recently joined the neurology clinic of Aspirus St. Luke's in Duluth, Minnesota.  

Shoko Toyama, B.A., business - finance, is vice president and chief development officer of Plymouth Housing and was recently named part of the Puget Sound Business Journal's "40 Under 40" cohort of 2025. 

Johanna Brown, B.A., chemistry, is the associate director for Secondary Science at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Johanna is also a former high school chemistry teacher in Pullman who was the 2021 Washington Science Awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. The PAEMST is the highest recognition in the U.S. for K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The award was announced by President Joe Biden in January 2024.

Louise Gearhart, B.A., human services, became marketing manager for RMC Architects in Bellingham. 

Brooke Bain-White, B.S., environmental science - marine ecology, and '17, M.S., environmental science, is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of Montana's Global Climate and Ecology Lab, where her research investigates ways in which wildfires affect water quality in high-elevation lakes. Her research is funded by the Glacier National Park Conservancy. 

Anneliese Cousineau, B.S., kinesiology - movement studies, was recently promoted to executive director of Experience International, a non-profit that sponsors J-1 visas for foreign nationals seeking work training and cultural immersion opportunities in the U.S. Anneliese earned an M.S. in global studies and international relations from Northeastern University in Boston in 2020. 

Evan Tablatin, BAE, early childhood education, is a talent acquisition specialist for Seattle City Light. 

Alyssa Pitcher, B.A., art, visual journalism, is a marketing production assistant at Whatcom Educational Credit Union and president of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce board. 

Miriam Karamoko, B.A., French and B.S., psychology, was recently appointed the inaugural executive director of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission.  

Renee Noelle Cheesman, BA, BFA, studio art, is an installation artist, painter and interdisciplinary artisan whose work was recently featured in the Cordata Gallery in Bellingham. 

Zoe Ballering, MFA, creative writing, recently received an Oregon Literary Fellowship. Her anthology, "There Is Only Us" received the 2022 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction, and she has short stories forthcoming in The Cincinnati Review and Story Magazine. In addition to writing, Zoe is senior assistant dean of Admission Communication at Reed College. 

Bottlecap Press just published "Analogous Annum," the first poetry chapbook by Elinor Serumgard, B.A., English - creative writing. 

Nate Sanford, B.A., journalism - news/editorial, is a Murrow News fellow working as a reporter at Cascade PBS and KNKX radio, covering policy and politics with an emphasis on issues facing young adults. The Murrow News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to help revitalize local journalism by placing 16 early-career journalists in newsrooms across the state.  

Isabela Lund, B.A., journalism - news-editorial, covers East Pierce County for The News Tribune. Previously, Isabela worked as a digital content manager for KDRV in Medford, Oregon, and as a reporter for the Stanwood-Camano News. 

Danielle Parlin, B.S., biology, completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Pacific University in Oregon and recently became a physician assistant in vascular surgery at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. 

Lainie Pennington, BFA, dance, is a dancer and collaborator with the Margaret Jenkins Dance Co. in San Francisco. 

Dorrance Publishing Co., just released "Black Sun and Scarlet Skies," a young adult novel by Thitiya Astleford, B.A., English - creative writing, 

Lena Miltemore, BFA, studio art, is a painter and fiber artist whose work was recently featured at the Inn at Lynden and the Olympia Arts Walk.  

James Eaton, 95, a teacher and personnel analyst for the state of Washington who raised and raced horses, on Jan. 1, 2025. 

LeRoy Galley, 89, a retired English teacher and coach at Bellingham High School, on Feb. 21, 2025. 

Joan Elaine Hamburg, 88, who worked for the Puyallup Fair, on Feb. 7, 2025. 

Shirley Hauenstein, 89, a retired real estate agent, on Feb. 20, 2025, in Mount Vernon. 

John William "Bill" Sundberg, 91, a U.S. Airforce veteran who taught for 28 years in the Longview School District, on Jan. 11, 2025. 

Forbes Ray Johnson, 89, a U.S. Army veteran and retired area supervisor for Washington state addiction and recovery programs, on Jan. 21, 2025. 

Mac Madenwald, 85, a retired orthopedic surgeon who often traveled overseas to provide medical care, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Ivan John Groen, 90, retired commercial agriculture lender and vice president of People's Bank, on Dec. 24, 2024. 

Jack Hagen, 86, a retired teacher in British Columbia, on July 5, 2024. 

Gary Gerhard, 82, retired assistant superintendent of the Monroe School District, on May 10, 2024. After retiring to Redding, California, he was a volunteer college baseball coach. 

Thomas Richard Manney, 90, a retired physics and biology professor at Kansas State University who did research in yeast genetics and worked in science teacher education, on June 14, 2024. 

Delbert O. VanderYacht, 86, a retired school bus driver for the Blaine School District, on Dec. 28, 2024, in Blaine. 

Terry Mosher, 84, a longtime sports columnist for the Kitsap Sun and other papers, on Dec. 30, 2024. 

The Rev. Albert M. Archer, 88, former executive director of the Lighthouse Mission Ministries in Bellingham and a longtime community volunteer, on Jan. 5, 2025. 

Dorothy McDonald, 97, a retired elementary school teacher and community volunteer, on Sept. 7, 2024, in Tumwater. 

Ralph Munro, 81, five-term Washington Secretary of State, championing voter access, transparency, public service and civic engagement, on March 20, 2025. Mr. Munro was known for building coalitions across the aisle and for his forward-thinking work on the rights of immigrants and those with disabilities, as well as for ending the hunting and trapping of orcas in state waters. After retiring, he served on the WWU Board of Trustees and established the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education, supporting political dialogue and student involvement in public life. 

James R. Smith, 78, an economist who worked 33 years for the Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle and in retirement worked with FEMA following hurricane disasters in Louisiana and Mississippi, on Aug. 19, 2023, in Shoreline. 

Mary Bensen, 77, on Aug. 8, 2023. 

Calvin Slotemaker, 78, a certified health physicist, on Feb. 9, 2025. 

Duane "Skeets" Gainer, 86, of Warm Beach, on June 8, 2024. 

Weldon Harvey Richardson, 87, retired music teacher and school board member in Blaine, on Jan. 16, 2025. 

Ginny Schilaty, 76, a retired teacher and principal, on Jan. 19, 2025. 

Dale Zeretzke, 76, a retired counselor at Seattle Central Community College, on Jan. 7, 2025. 

Ron Kuhnhausen, 76, a retired teacher and wrestling coach, on Jan. 3, 2025. 

Diana Lynn Brunink, 76, a retired research analyst for the state of Washington, on Feb. 17, 2025. 

Sharon Sellereite, 74, who was deeply involved in school and community events in Connell and served as a guardian ad litem for foster children, on Nov. 19, 2024. 

Ardie Lee Warren, 74, founder and president of Warren's News and Gift, which ran several retail businesses at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and later grew to include other businesses and real estate holdings in several cities, on March 2, 2025. Mr. Warren was also an original board member of the Seattle Black Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Sea-Tac Minority Business Association. 

Duane Claeys, 77, a U.S. Army veteran and retired electrical designer, on Jan. 13, 2025. 

Philip Michael Daniels, 78, retired instrumentation and controls engineer for the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County, on Aug. 10, 2024, in Centralia.

Vernon Eugene Flunder, 71, on Nov. 2, 2022. 

Elaine Hanson, 72, a retired teacher, union leader and community volunteer in Marysville, on June 19, 2024. 

Barbara Orr, 72, a retired 30-year teacher at North Omak Elementary School and part-time special education director for the Omak School District, on July 30, 2024. 

James Malphrus, 76, a U.S. Navy veteran and retired general manager for the public body overseeing the maintenance and planned replacement of the historic Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Feb. 2, 2025, in League City, Texas. 

Leonard Franklin Lythgoe, 92, a retired high school music teacher, church musician, and community choir director in lower mainland British Columbia, on Jan. 15, 2025. 

Marilyn Mastor, 91, who ran an interior design business in Bellingham for 32 years, on Feb. 3, 2025. 

Jeffrey Benham Clark, 68, a musician, computer programmer, teacher and entrepreneur, on June 23, 2023. 

Maj. (Ret) Jonathon Powell, 65, a retired US Marine Corps pilot, sheriff's deputy and security manager, on Dec. 6, 2024.

Mark Challender, 67, retired network administrator for the Mount Baker School District and volunteer with the Ski to Sea race, on Jan. 1, 2025. 

Mark Gardner, 68, former senior legislative analyst for the Bellingham City Council, on Jan. 20, 2025, in Bellingham. 

Sara-Ellen Greer, 63, who was a leader in the Ancient Order of Druids in America, on Feb. 20, 2024. 

Jim Bacon, 72, a retired journalist and avid record collector, on Feb. 10, 2025, in Kennewick. 

Leo Hughes, 63, on Dec. 18, 2024. 

P. David Verheyden, 79, a retired machine shop, welding and CAD/CAM teacher at Shoreline Community College, on Oct. 24, 2024. 

Frederick J. Welch, 87, a U.S. Navy veteran who worked for Boeing, on Jan. 4, 2025, in Mount Vernon. 

Mark Tye Turner, 61, a TV producer, filmmaker and author who got his start as the music director for KUGS radio, on June 9, 2024, in Studio City, California. 

Brett Jackson, 60, a paramedic, on Feb. 6, 2025. 

Elizabeth Leighton, 74, who worked for the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with the Bellingham Theatre Guild, on Feb. 11, 2025, in Bellingham.

Ann Bennett Mix, 83, the founder of the American WWII Orphans Network, an advocate for building the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, and an active member of the Grant County Republican Party, on Oct. 31, 2024. 

Mary "Mickie" Nowlin, 87, a social worker devoted to children and families, who created the Readiness to Learn Program in the South Whidbey and Camano Island school districts, on May 26, 2024. 

Christopher H. Crane, 81, a lifelong musician, member of the Kitsilano Boys Band and the Vancouver Firefighters Band, on June 13, 2024, in Sidney, B.C.

Linda Weiss, 79, who worked for the Port Angeles Juvenile Justice Service, the U.S. Navy and the Social Security Administration, on Feb. 4, 2025, in Tacoma. 

Jennifer Grace Winkler, 56, a retired records management professional who worked for King County Elections, University of Washington and the city of Seattle, on Dec. 30, 2024, in Seattle. 

Linda (Nelson) Thorstad, 76, who worked for many years at William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota, on Aug. 23, 2024. 

Karen Sterling Goens, 70, retired human resources manager for Whatcom County and a singer who organized several community musical groups, on Jan. 13, 2025, in Bellingham. 

James Frederick Zurcher, 53, a social studies and literature teacher at Whatcom Middle School who loved skiing and being in wild, natural spaces, on Oct. 31, 2023. 

Leslie Ann Gilkey, 77, on Aug. 4, 2024. 

Ryan David Astle, 47, on Feb. 5, 2025. 

Lionel Kubiak, 84, a U.S. Army veteran with a varied career including as a truck driver, machinist and manufacturer, on Feb. 8, 2025. Mr. Kubiak earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from WWU at age 62. 

Phillip Mabry, 50, a U.S. Navy veteran and network technician, on Oct. 16, 2024. 

Collin Coughlin, 24, who worked for a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to electric vehicle charging stations in low-income communities, on Feb. 8, 2025, while climbing outside Golden, Colorado. 

Maurice Foisy, 88, political science professor emeritus, former president of the American Federation of Teachers at WWU, and community activist deeply involved in social and economic justice, human rights, and peace movements, on Jan. 13, 2025, in Bellingham. 

Marge Backman, 92, a retired staff member in the Political Science Department, on Jan. 4, 2025. 

Alexey Kutalo and Bahar Oguzertem, '16, B.A., French, on Sept. 20, 2024, in Portland, Oregon.