Class Notes

Retired Division 1 football coach Dave Christensen, B.A., sociology, is a motivational and keynote speaker who recently shared what he's learned about leadership in a book, "Your 4th Down: Why You Need to Go for It."

Brett W. Bachman, B.A., English - creative writing, is an in-demand film editor whose work can be seen this year on six films: "Companion," " Heart Eyes," "Rabbit Trap," "The Toxic Avenger," " Lone Samurai," and "Shelby Oaks." 

Ashton Macauley, B.A., and '15, M.S., psychology, just completed his sci-fi comedy novel, "One Night at Kedasi," published by Artemesia Publishing and Shadow Dragon Press. Ashton has written several books and this is his first with a traditional publisher. 

Alyssa-Lois Gehman, M.S., environmental science, is a biologist with British Columbia's Hakai Institute, where she and her research team published a study over the summer pinpointing the pathogen responsible for sea star wasting disease, which has destroyed billions of sea stars on the Pacific Coast for more than a decade. "There are a bunch of things we can do now that we know what causes this disease that might actually change the tide and make it so these animals can survive," Alyssa-Lois told KUOW. 

Craig Packard, B.A., theatre, wrote and directed the feature western, "This Bloody Country," released in October by Quiver Distribution and available for streaming. The film won the Audience Choice Best Feature Award at the 2025 Utah International Film Festival.  

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."

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

Tim Barron, B.S., kinesiology, is a chiropractor who recently opened North Sound Spine & Sports Therapy in Ferndale. Previously, Tim worked at a spine and sports therapy clinic in Lynnwood. 

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. 

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. 

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."

Jameson Goff, B.S., environmental science - terrestrial ecology, recently took his expertise in soils to work with New Dungeness Nursery in Sequim. 

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

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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

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.