Alex Crape, B.A., business administration, was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduation and went on to serve 3 ½ years in Okinawa, Japan. He served as a Combat Logistics Detachment Commander, a Motor Transport Platoon Commander, a Training Officer within a Combat Logistics Regiment S-3 Section, and various other duties abroad, including training the Royal South Korean military. He was recognized as Motor Transport Officer of the Year for the fiscal year 2022 and was hand-selected to attend a U.S Army Captain Career Course as a Marine; only 16 Marines annually get to attend, on average.

Class Notes
Class Notes include professional accomplishments, awards, retirements, weddings, obituaries and other news about Western Washington University alumni; they’re gathered from published reports and communication from alumni themselves.
If you have an update you’d like us to share in Class Notes, please email it to window@wwu.edu. Tell us what’s new with you, and we’ll publish it in the next edition and online.
Class Note
Alex Crape - 2018
Natalie (Bankuti) Summers - 2018
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 - 2018
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 - 2018
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 - 2016
Jamie Clough, B.A., political science, is the government relations director for the Delaware Association of Realtors.
Jordan Saravanja‐Recania - 2015
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.
Nicolas Ponting - 2014
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 - 2009
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 - 2008
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 - 2007
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 - 2007
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 - 2006
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 - 2005
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 - 2005
Noah Wass, B.S., plastics engineering technology, was recently named plant manager for Mack Molding in Cavendish, Vermont.
Arthur Lim - 2005
Arthur Lim, B.S., P.E., sport psychology, completed the 10k race in the Richland Runfest in February.
Julia Rose - 2003
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 - 2003
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 - 2002
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 - 1999
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 - 1998
Patrick Green, B.A., history, is an educational technology consultant and recently became the interim women’s basketball coach at Wenatchee Valley College.