Class Notes

Natalie (Bankuti) Summers, B.A., archeology, completed her master’s degree in archaeology from University College London and then worked in Belize with the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project. These days, Natalie is an archeologist for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and will soon begin her doctorate studying ancient Mayan hieroglyphics.

Claire Carlson, B.A., political science, is a bilingual court advocate for domestic and sexual violence survivors in Oregon. Last fall the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence gave her the PASSION Award (Perseverance, Advocacy, Sensitivity, Strength, Integrity, Optimism, Nurturance).

Eurydice Pentz, B.A., environmental policy, recently started a new role in the Sustainability Division of Pierce County’s Planning and Public Works Department, where she helps to implement the county’s Sustainability 2030 Plan.

Jamie Clough, B.A., political science, is the government relations director for the Delaware Association of Realtors.

Jordan Saravanja‐Recania, B.A., communication studies, recently began volunteering as a judo instructor with Zenyu Dojo in Maple Valley. He’s also studying to become a certified USA judo coach and working toward his third-degree black belt. In February, Jordan became an elementary support paraeducator with Federal Way Public Schools, where he now works alongside some of his former elementary school teachers.

Nicholas Ponting, B.A., theatre, is a set and production designer and stained glass artist in San Diego. His work has been seen in productions at the La Jolla Playhouse, Detroit Public Theatre and more.

Cheyenne Brown, B.A., general studies, works in the Office of Academic Engagement at Washington State University as a coordinator of the Cougs Rise program. Chey also has a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota in geography, environment and society.

Marisa Lee, B.S., geology, lives in Minneapolis with her husband Kory, two dogs, two cats and three chickens. She reports that she’s still a geology nerd, works as a real estate agent and grows edible flowers on the side.

Dane Kelley, B.A., business administration – operations management, was recently named vice president for the southern district with Total-Western, an engineering, construction, operations and maintenance industrial contractor.

Andrea Miele, ’07, B.A., history/social studies and ’09, MiT, is a social studies teacher and the ASB activities coordinator at Cougar Mountain Middle School in the Issaquah School District. She was recently named Adviser of the Year by the Association of Washington Student Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals.

Rebecca Swanson, B.S., and ’08, M.S., chemistry, is a science teacher at Renton High School and was recently recognized by the Renton School District as an outstanding employee for 2023.

Pete Nelson, MBA, is the new executive director of the Blaine Senior Center, adding several new activities and clubs for the center’s 500 or so patrons.

Noah Wass, B.S., plastics engineering technology, was recently named plant manager for Mack Molding in Cavendish, Vermont.

Arthur Lim, B.S., P.E., sport psychology, completed the 10k race in the Richland Runfest in February.

Julia Rose, B.S., computer science, has worked on games, open-source software, and more since graduating. “But what I'm most proud of is finally finding my true self and coming out as transgender,” Julia reports. “Justin is the mask I wore for 40 years. Julia is who I always was underneath and it feels so good to finally let her out!”

Marylynn Fiscus, B.A., human services, works with children who have special needs and worked as a social worker for DSHS Children’s Administration. She has two adult children, a son who is a mechanic at Boeing, and a daughter who is a Western alum and a nurse at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Abram Bergstrom, B.A., German and linguistics (interdisciplinary design), became an intellectual property specialist at Reed Smith, a global law firm based in Pittsburgh.

Alison Vega, B.A., speech-language pathology and audiology, has a doctorate in audiology from Utah State University and recently opened her clinic, Complete Hearing and Balance, in Chehalis.

Patrick Green, B.A., history, is an educational technology consultant and recently became the interim women’s basketball coach at Wenatchee Valley College.

Ryan Looper, B.S. and ’99, M.S. chemistry, is a professor and the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in organic and bioorganic chemistry at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute.