Class Notes

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.