April 28–30, 2023
Celebrate 90 years of business majors and minors, 75 years of the automotive program, Kellogg Hall’s 65th anniversary, and Evensong’s 60th anniversary! New schedule this year starts on Friday morning! Highlights include:
• Kellogg Hall 50’s-style Friday dinner.
• Milestones and Mission Celebration on Saturday night.
• Honor class reunions and photos for Vanguards (pre-1963), honor years, and former and current bookstore employees.
• Honor years: 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2013
• Music concerts and much more!
Find details and register at wallawalla.edu/homecoming.
Submit your class member profile at wallawalla.edu/alumnotes.
News from across campus 10
Jerry Hartman explores new technology’s impact on the Message we tell and hear 12 A
Five alumni reminisce on the lessons they’ve learned teaching 18 The
What has changed since these alumni forefathers were on campus? What hasn’t? 22 Alumni
22 Alumnus of Note: Andrew Nelson ’00, 26 AlumNotes, 29 In Memory
“I learned back when I was in Nicaragua that teaching is all about giving, but I have realized that my job has also given back to me in so many ways.”
—Bridget (Bechtel) Whitehead ’12, ’22
Walla Walla University is in the teaching and learning business. So it is quite natural that we have a special soft spot in our institutional heart—or at the heart of our institution!—for teachers. When we meet with alumni, their best stories seem to be about teachers, the contributions they made to one’s education, the rigorous assignments they used to give, and, sometimes, the eccentricities they exhibited.
In this edition of Westwind you will read the heartfelt stories of five educators, all across the country. You’ll be inspired by reading these biographical sketches about the rewards and challenges of teaching. Their experiences span some decades of WWU’s institutional life, but important themes emerge including the modeling they experienced at WWU. They name the names of professors that inspired and blessed them. Their stories will spark your own and remind you of the value of a WWU education.
That great heritage of faith-based education continues today. A few days ago, I sat at the lunch table in Kellogg Hall with a circle of WWU students, about six of them. I asked a usual question to one student, “Do you have a favorite class this quarter?” The student replied, “Yes. Jesus and the Gospels.” She went on to describe her growing conviction that Matthew was her favorite gospel and detailed the reason why. Matthew had helped her understand the Old Testament and why it is that Jesus fulfills the hopes and dreams of earlier believers. A second student chimed in with his choice of another gospel as his favorite, which sparked a very detailed and informed conversation about the
four gospels, their features, and their unique contributions to the story of Jesus. Along the way, students commented on this or that course about the gospels they had taken, warmly sharing their reactions to those classes and the professors who taught them.
Given that I trained as a New Testament professor and have practiced the craft of teaching for much of my career, I found the conversation nothing short of heartwarming. I didn’t contribute all that much to it, aside from luxuriating in it and composing an internal soliloquy with this theme, “Only at a place like WWU could such a wondrous conversation be experienced.”
I left that table with my sense of mission renewed and my gratitude and respect for Walla Walla University faculty members, whatever their discipline, intensified. Great students taught and mentored by dedicated faculty members who build excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God is at the heart of WWU and its mission.
John McVay, president
On November 11–12, six students from Walla Walla University presented their scientific research at the Murdock College Science Research (MCSR) Conference in Vancouver, Washington.
The conference, which welcomes 28 undergraduate institutions from across the Pacific Northwest, allows students to present research conducted with professors from their universities. Biology and chemistry majors from WWU prepared one oral presentation and three poster presentations.
Kristen Whitley, senior biochemistry major, was selected for the Molecular and Cell Biology Murdock Poster Prize for her poster presentation. Her research, in collaboration with Loma Linda University, is on targeting mitochondrial proteins to potentially help treat neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Hers was one of only 15 projects to be honored.
“It is always exciting for them to see how the work they are doing fits in with stories with students from other school’s research,” said Cecilia Brothers, assistant professor of biology.
Six students presented original biology and chemistry research to academic peers from other colleges.
To learn more about undergraduate opportunities in the sciences, visit wallawalla.edu/ areas-of-study.
FOR THREE WEEKS this summer, 12 students participated in WWU’s biennial United Kingdom tour, an opportunity to merge education with traveling in England, Scotland, and Wales. The tour offers both upper and lower-division history and English classes, all of which count for general studies credit.
Students read and responded to poems, prose, plays, and stories from British history. Led by Karen Clausen-Brown, former professor of English, and Greg Dodds, professor of history, students toured the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Tintern Abbey, the Jane Austen House,
Bodleian Library, and many more sites that helped contextualize their readings.
“It was so fascinating to see history and literature come to life as we got to see so many important locations,” said Hannah Thornton, sophomore history and English major.
The tour also spent ample time in the British countryside, exploring Scottish castles and hiking on the White Cliffs of Dover.
The one-year program will provide a focus on expanding technical knowledge and preparing for business and project management in the engineering profession. The program will allow current undergraduates the opportunity to obtain
a master’s degree and extend their expertise into another discipline with little disruption. The program is also designed to be accessible to working professionals who can attend required in-person classes.
Students will complete coursework in three core areas: engineering specialty, research and design theory, and project management and decision-making. With over 32 elective courses, students will be able to customize their coursework and projects to align with their professional goals. Students with math or sciences backgrounds will also be well-positioned to join the program.
Students in the M.Eng. program will benefit from the
Students found connections to the present and saw how history and literature relate to modern issues. Dodds notes the tour is an excellent opportunity for students of any major who are interested in multi-cultural learning experiences.
To learn more about the exceptional academics at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/academics.
75-year history of excellence in engineering instruction, and an active network of alumni who are professional engineers. The master’s program will build upon the WWU bachelor of engineering program, which has been continually accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology for 50 years.
“As the flagship engineering program in Seventh-day Adventist higher
education, offering a graduate program is the next innovative step in preparing professional engineers for leadership in this growing field,” said Pam Cress, associate vice president for graduate studies. Applications are now open. For more information on the program, visit wallawalla.edu/ meng
Gary Botimer
Columbus Candies Jr.
Travis Crumley
Keith Hallam
Clint Hess
Sergio Hernandez
Mileen Loeffler
Kathy Morgan
Bruce Thorn
A master’s of engineering degree (M.Eng.) will be offered by the Edward F. Cross School of Engineering starting in fall 2023.PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE, THISISENGINEERING RAENG BY THE NUMBERS
Nursing grants
In December, the WWU School of Nursing was awarded a $100,000 grant
as a part of an initiative launched by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
The grant required a rigorous application process and was awarded to only 10 schools,
including Johns Hopkins University and Texas State University. WWU was the only Seventh-day Adventist university and the only university in the Pacific Northwest to receive the grant.
In addition, WWU has received a $285,000 grant
from the Washington Student Achievement Council. This grant provides the funds to modernize the College Place campus nursing lab with three simulators, a realistic hospital room, and a long-term care room.
These funds support our top-rated nursing program in serving students. To learn more about the nursing program at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/ nursing.
DURING FALL QUARTER, Walla Walla University offered a redesigned biblical preaching course led by Alex Bryan, chief mission officer at Adventist Health and former University Church pastor. The purpose of the class was to facilitate meaningful interactions with experts in the craft and learn about the features of great preaching sometimes not found in traditional textbooks.
The structure of the course was broken down into two parts. Students read and watched sermons, after which they had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the creators of those sermons.
Bryan noticed that students seemed really energized and excited to be asking thought-provoking questions. The other half of the class took the form of a preaching laboratory. Students learned to deliver a thesis, read their
On October 19, 2022, the university had their 29th annual Fall Service Day. Students were able to participate in more than 30 different service projects that benefited the community.
The event is organized by the WWU Center for Humanitarian Engagement and over 500 students participated in local service projects including community garden
audience, and perfect their public speaking.
A number of high-level pastors and healthcare executives shared their expertise, including Karl Haffner, Andreas Beccai, Joyce Newmyer, Bill Knott, Sam Leonor, David Jamieson, and Dan Linrud.
“Why not interact with professionals who are plying the trade of preaching, of ministry, interacting with some of their material, and engaging them
live in the classroom setting?”
Bryan said. The class was designed to prepare students to excel in public speaking, writing, research, and manuscripting, strengthening their candidacy for a wide variety of career paths.
To learn more about how WWU is developing spiritual leaders, visit wallawalla.edu/ theology.
to connect with a resident they were helping. “It was really special getting to know her and see the difference I was making in her life,” said Gault.
renovation, cleaning and organizing for Hope Heals, and performing maintenance at Blue Mountain Therapeutic Riding.
Aurora Gault, senior theology major, helped a group clean homes and yards in a local retirement community. While cleaning, Gault was able
The event is unique in that it allows CHE to get to know their community partners better and learn how to best help them. “We don’t see this as just one day of service—we see it as a way to create partnerships and connect students with opportunities to serve all year round,” said Jonathon Simmons, associate director of CHE.
IN LATE AUGUST, a team of 14 students, nurses, and faculty from Walla Walla University arrived at Asia Pacific International University in Muak Lek, Thailand, ready to engage in three focused areas of service: farm work, English classes in an elementary school, and providing support for local nursing students.
Pedrito Maynard-Reid, professor of theology and trip leader, stresses that the most important task is spreading the good news about Jesus. The need for ministry is very prominent in Thai-
land. Located in the 10/40 window, many Thai people have never been introduced to Christ. The crosscultural experience also allows students to discover the power of mission work first-hand.
Striving to follow the commands of Jesus to serve, WWU mission trips take place annually during school breaks.
You can watch a student’s perspective of the trip on our Instagram page, @wallawallauniversity.
Through generous support from the North Pacific Union Conference, Walla Walla University is continuing to offer NextGen Scholarships, which combine with other funding sources to ensure that this year’s new theology and education students have 100% of their tuition covered. After launching the
innovative NextGen Pastor and NextGen Teacher scholarships in 2022, more than 35 new theology and education students were able to pursue their college goals at WWU.
“We have at least one couple where the husband is starting in our theology program as the wife is joining our education program. It’s
David Lopez, Center of Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) director, is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Community Service Award. Lopez was instrumental in founding the CHE and bringing the Blue Zones Project to Walla Walla. He finds working with the community through projects like Service Day particularly rewarding.
great when a husband and wife can serve together as a ministry team in this way,” said Debbie Muthersbaugh, dean of the School of Education and Psychology.
Funding has been renewed this year to make $1 million in support available to the next generation of pastors and teachers.
John McVay, president of Walla Walla University, complimented Lopez and said, “We have been particularly impressed with his engagement with our broader community and the fact that Walla Walla University is now a part of the organization and deployment of 4,700 volunteers in the Valley. I think it is exciting to have our students involved in that way.”
Reading and browsing recommendations
This book explores the philosophical, historical, and scientific explanation to the problem of pain and suffering while walking with God. It changed my life.
—Nestor Osorio, director of Athletics
Samuel Adams
by Stacy Schiff (Little, Brown and Company, 2022)Social media. Misinformation. Disinformation. Conspiracy. These are words we associate with our modern world. Samuel Adams used them prior to 1776 to enlighten and especially enrage the American people in his seemingly personal fight against oppressive and authoritarian British rule. He was a unique (and sometimes flawed) man with a unique (and sometimes flawed) vision of what America could and should be.
—Jim
Nestler, professor of biology
by Amy Stanley (Scribner, 2021)
Stanley creates both a compelling biography of Tsuneno, a woman who resisted the restrictions of her era, and a nuanced history of nineteenth-century Edo (present-day Tokyo), reminding her readers why ordinary voices matter when we study the past.
—Hillary Dickerson, professor of historyFrom the years 1891–1962, our congregation met to worship in at least six locations before the construction of the College Church. At its completion in October 1962, you will notice it did not yet have the Sabbath school wing or church offices. This last October, what is now known as the Walla Walla University Church celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special service. What memories do you have of the University Church? Tell us at westwind@wallawalla.edu.
DID YOU KNOW?
JESUS WAS A REVOLUTIONARY in a religion steeped in tradition and hierarchy; he told stories about and for everyone. Looking at it from a media perspective, he was a content creator. I’ve always been interested in the intersection of technology and storytelling. During a Sabbatical in the spring of 2022, I researched and beta tested virtual production tools—including artificial intelligence (AI) for creating images.
Filmmaking is intersecting with game engine software that renders a virtual world based on real-time motion tracking feedback. This kind of virtual production allows a filmmaker to integrate natural human exploration of a virtual scene to pre-visualize, and then capture, the clips needed to create traditionally framed media. Disney’s “The Lion King” (2019) utilized this approach.
Virtual hybrid production is a related approach that utilizes a physical camera to capture in-camera visual effects. With this style of production, a virtual world is displayed in the background of a real-world scene. This allows you to create with a virtual 3D space, captured by real cinema camera with minimal or no editing later. The technology allows a filmmaker to move a real camera and see the virtual background scene react—redrawing the scene in real-time. Any foreground real object in the scene can have reflections of the virtual background for instant believability. Over half of the Disney’s “The Mandalorian” series (2019) was filmed utilizing this technology.
This style of filmmaking often crosses over with the use of AI tools for image creation and animation. My research led me to test some of the new natural language visual content creation AI tools. AI software can now generate photo realistic ‘new’ content that is difficult to discern as computer-generated. For instance, I prompted the DALL·E 2 Open AI software to generate photos of engineering professors in a laboratory. One hundred
In his lecture, “Media Literacy: When the unreal is so real,” the 2022 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer considers the impact of innovative visual technology and its influence on the stories we tell and hear.
percent of those created images were male. When prompted to generate nursing professors in a classroom, 75% of the images were female. The AI system has embedded our historical bias within these professions that have tended to be dominated by a certain gender.
What can filmmakers (and other content creators) do to motivate needed social change? First, acknowledge that there is embedded bias. Second, know that media—even entertainment media—can motivate behavioral change. A study done by the Norman Lear Center found that viewers of the fiction film “Contagion” (2011)—which also had an uptick in viewers during Covid-19—had new knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Viewers understood more about how a virus spreads and mutates, were more likely to talk to friends and family about viruses, and were committed to washing their hands more frequently.
Many documentaries are now using virtual production technology to visually explain complex ideas or to interview subjects in locations where they may not be able to travel.
As a proof of concept, I worked with Pastor Ron Hessel at Summit Northwest Ministries to film an interactive sermon. Using an ancient throne room and fast-food restaurant backgrounds, we were able to add a unique perspective of place in addition to duplicating characters to better share a story.
While technology has changed how visual stories are created and shared, media literacy hasn’t changed. I encourage anyone consuming media—that’s everyone!—to consider learning more about media literacy. Media literacy means that you take time to be a critical thinker. Take time to analyze, evaluate, and assess media as you encounter it. For a start, consider who made the media and for what purpose. Then consider how that information may impact the way you view content. Consider if you should share it or not.
Jesus, the content creator, told stories, parables. These were certainly not Aesop’s fables with a neatly wrapped up “here’s what this means”. I think if Jesus was on earth today he would be sharing stories as films. I encourage everyone to examine their own media consumption. I recommend that you watch a wide variety of content, examine why the media was created, and question the embedded values. Be a part of social change for the greater good.
Watch a full recording of Hartman’s lecture at wallawalla.edu/DFL
“Media literacy means that you take time to be a critical thinker. Take time to analyze, evaluate, and assess media as you encounter it.”
Amid class clowns, runny noses, and curious minds, five alumni lead their classrooms with wisdom and intention. The paths they took to get there and the reasons they stay are as unique and varied as the children they guide.
Written by BRIDGET WHITEHEAD, MATT CANTRELL, ALISHA ANDERSON, TONI BUSBY, AND CAROL BOVEE
When I was eight years old, I was given an assignment that asked me about my career goals, to which I responded that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. This goal accompanied me through high school, paused during a brief interval where I pursued a business degree in college, and reemerged when I traveled to Nicaragua as a student missionary. My journey as a teacher has humbled me, shown me how I can make a difference, and ultimately allowed me to share my faith in Christ.
The assignment about career goals was not the only time I was drawn toward teaching as a young child. A particular third and fourth grade teacher of mine kept a myriad of animals—by some miracle, alive and thriving— which showed me the merits of being a grade-school teacher. What better excuse could there be to keep an exotic fish or an iguana?
Other fond memories of my grade school years include reciting multiplication tables while journeying to and from the computer lab. Success in this endeavor earned a student ever increasing varieties of cutout banana split toppings.
After arriving as a student
at Walla Walla University, I quickly got involved in campus ministries and had the opportunity to visit Nicaragua with my cousin as a student missionary. I taught classes like English and science to students of a wide variety of ages in about eight different class rooms during the day. It was a thrilling experience full of unexpected happenings, frequent use of a ham radio setup, and certainly no use of the internet. The most meaningful parts of the experience were the interac tions with the kids, whether it be hanging out with them after school or simply being a loving mentor for them.
I returned to WWU with a clear mission to become a teacher. From student teach ing in Milton-Freewater, to teaching in two different states, and finally landing in my current position at Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary School, I have been touched and rewarded by so many kids. Complet ing my master’s in special education has further allowed me to help my students thrive and succeed.
I am grateful to have the opportunity
“ Teaching ... what better excuse could there be to
Growing up I lived on the Upper Columbia Academy campus in Spangle, Washington. I was surrounded by teachers. My father and many of my relatives were teachers. My childhood revolved around school, and although I loved growing up where I did, I decided that teaching was not the job for me before even attending high school. I wanted to do something different.
Part of the way through my freshman year at Walla Walla University, already having changed my major twice, I remember feeling lost and so I called my father. I remember saying, “I don’t know what I want to do. I don’t know why, but I think I want to be a teacher.” His reply helped solidify my decision when he said, “What would give you purpose and make you happy each day?” I decided that evening the answer to that question was teaching.
The teachers I had growing up left an incredible impact on me. Could I ever be qualified enough to have that kind of
My journey towards a career in education began in high school. John Soule, a former physical education teacher and coach at Upper Columbia Academy, hired me as his student worker and teaching assistant when I was a junior. Then as a senior, Coach Soule brought me along as an assistant coach for basketball after I was injured. These experiences and his intentional interest in me helped me gain a desire to become a teacher and coach. Coach Soule showed and taught me a joy for what I do each day, love for Jesus, and love for others. These core principles have followed
responsibility? I chose to spend a year as a student missionary teaching in Kosrae, Micronesia, after my sophomore year at WWU. The quote, “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called,” continually echoed in my mind throughout the year.
I am currently in my sixth year of teaching. This job has taken me around the Pacific Northwest, to Loveland, Colorado, and now back where I teach kindergarten at Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary School. I had never been a homeroom teacher for kindergarten before this year. The fears, doubts, and worries came creeping in before the year started. Do I have what it takes? Will I start out their learning right? What do kindergarteners learn? “God qualifies the called.”
I absolutely love teaching kindergarten. I am constantly being told, “You are a great teacher,” or “You are so silly.” I am given meaningful, handmade gifts often and sincere compliments daily. I am always learning
which is another reason teaching has been just the right fit for me. What I have found to be true, in teaching any grade, is that students want and need to feel safe, heard, and loved. All of these needs must be met before true learning can take place. Teachers must also be in tune to their own needs as well. I feel honored each day to be a part of my students’ lives and to learn alongside them.
me throughout my education at WWU and into my career.
When I went to Walla Walla University in the fall of 2007, I met amazing professors who further modeled that joy and love. Tim Windemuth was full of energy and passion for WWU and the athletic program. He was tireless in his efforts to serve, and it left a real lasting impression on me as I transitioned out to become an athletic director and coach. Marvin Denney was my advisor and the first physical education professor I had at WWU. Elementary PE class was one of my favorites with him. He always had a laugh and smile on his face and made my time in his class and in the PE office full of fun memories.
Rodd Strobel had a huge impact on me as a teacher, coach, and person. I still remember his advice to pause and just sit in quiet for at least five minutes a day. The rush or busyness of life and teaching can drown out the important and not allow for space to talk with and hear from God. My engagement in running, cycling, swimming, and all sorts of recreational pursuits can be traced back to my time with Marv, Rodd, and Tim. So many amazing mem-
ories to look back on with them and my fellow physical education major students.
Since graduating from Walla Walla University, I have spent seven years as an athletic director, teacher, and coach in the Adventist school system at both Palisades Christian Academy and Sacramento Adventist Academy. I have spent the last five years in the public education system due to family related moves. I miss the closeknit spiritual community I experienced in the Adventist system.
As I transitioned into public education, I felt initially that maybe I needed to put my faith on the sidelines. But I have grown in my ability to engage my faith in the public-school setting through leading a staff worship once a week, supporting clubs like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and building individual relationships with students where conversations of faith are more easily initiated. My time being mentored by Coach Soule and the amazing professors I had at Walla Walla University has prepared me to continue to bring joy into the classroom as I serve and love my students.
“I have grown in my ability to engage my faith in the public-school setting.”
“The fears, doubts, and worries came creeping in before the year started. Do I have what it takes?”
Seventh and eighth grade is hands down my favorite age to teach. Apart from being past the age of needing noses wiped and shoes tied (I have experience with teaching PE to kindergarteners), I love that they’re at the age where they start to see the shades of gray. They start to see that a person can make a wrong choice and still be a good person. That makes for great conversation. I teach language arts, among a couple other subjects, and I love that it allows me to have so many different perspectives on a topic. My kids are constantly teaching me new ways to look at things.
The second reason I love this age is that, for the most part, the kids still care about what you think and yet they are still young enough that you can make a big impact on their lives. There are millions of little moments where you realize the opportunity you have to impact souls for Christ, to make them better people, better citizens.
I remember specifically
one former student who came from a rough home, with a mother who had drug problems. He called me one day during the summer; he had been caught stealing and didn’t have anyone else to contact. After driving to meet him at the store, we had a really good conversation. I asked him where he wanted to go in life and what would stand in his way. In the end, he didn’t end up coming back to school the next year, and I never knew what happened to him.
It was probably 20 years later, when he called me again. I have no idea how he got my number, but this time he had very different news. He said, “I just wanted you to know that I made it—I made it out of that drug world and I’m successful. I wanted you to know that you impacted my life.” In those moments, no paycheck—big or small—matters.
My goal in teaching these days is threefold. I want them to enjoy reading. I want them to walk away knowing they can write an essay, having confidence in their abilities. But most importantly, I want them to walk away feeling seen, to know they are important and loved. If I’ve accom-
plished those three things, I’ve been successful.
Verlie Ward was a significant person in forming my teaching philosophy. I was a foster kid and nobody from my family had gone to college. I had no clue what a bulletin was, nor credits, nor credit requirements. When I stood up to her and said, “Just because I don’t know something doesn’t mean I’m not important,” she was very supportive. She stepped right up. I saw the interest and care she showed me and her other students.
I’ve discovered this focus on relationships is crucial if I want a student to learn anything from me. Sometimes we get stuck in the rules and forget that these are people—people that don’t always fit with the rules as perfectly as we want, but they are still something of value. Much as Jesus saw value in every person he came across, though they were each a mess.
I am probably a bit unique as a teacher. We probably all are—we all bring our background and baggage to the table. Just because we’re grown doesn’t mean that we’re not influenced by when we were in seventh and eighth grade too!
“My kids are constantly teaching me new ways to look at things.”Toni Busby graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s in elementary education. She currently teaches 7th and 8th grade at Rogers Adventist School in College Place.
Trying to explain why I am still an Adventist educator is like trying to fit all my earthly belongings into a Walmart shopping bag. The one word that will fit in that bag, though, is joy.
To be completely transparent, not every moment of teaching is filled with joy. The pay certainly doesn’t reflect an emphasis on the mission, the high expectations can burden overworked shoulders, and those parent-teacher conferences in the church foyer can induce fatigue.
However, such complaints are completely offset by the euphoria that comes in those beautiful classroom “a-ha” moments, when a nonverbal student whispers an answer and when diplomas are dispensed on graduation day. Happiness comes in hilarious moments where the whole class dissolves into shared laughter, or a quiet and quick look with the one student who got your joke, or even when a joke falls completely flat and all groan in unison.
There is nothing more fulfilling than a former student calling to say, “Mrs. Bovee, I just wanted you to know I
graduated from college and I have a teaching job lined up for fall. You made me believe in myself, and I want to pass that on.” Then that moment arrives when the mischievous 10th grader, who has avoided books like the plague, checks to make sure no one is listening and then quickly admits, “This is not something I ever thought I’d say, but I’m actually starting to like reading. It’s so weird…” There are the Sabbaths I sink into the pew at church and the baptistry opens to reveal a radiant student, ready to dedicate their life to God. These moments are magic elixirs that roll tiredness and discouragement away and replace them with a joy that only comes from serving God.
Throughout my career in Adventist education, I have not always been able to live where I chose, to teach my favorite subjects nor to work at an easy job. But through every move to new relationships in unfamiliar environments, every subject taught, every grade level experienced, and now in my work as an administrator, I can see God clearly at work—in my students, but also in me. I have learned the most important
lessons, through my years teaching with God, that He will direct my paths, guide my words, walk with me through difficult situations, and He will fill me with joy.
“These moments are magic elixirs that roll tiredness and discouragement away and replace them with a joy that only comes from serving God.”
stayed the same, as these families can attest.
Compiled by KELSI NASH
The Schaffner family has had four generations attend WWU and two family members are currently on campus: Brian Schaffner ’92 teaches in the School of Business and his son, Samuel, will be graduating this year.
It seems surreal to have a son graduating this year from Walla Walla University. It’s a long list of names that traces education at WWU in my family. Samuel would have been forethought when I stepped onto this campus in the fall of 1988 over 34 years ago.
50th
Brian teaches in Bowers Hall, where students study accounting, management, entrepreneurship and more.
Then, Brian’s grandparents, the first in their families to attend college, took chemistry classes there as it served as the science building.
Brian met his wife, Linda (Lamberton) Schaffner, at the Scope.
Now, the Havstad Alumni Center parking lot stands in its place.
The Schaffner family has a unique claim to fame: Brian graduated on the university’s 100th anniversary; his father, Ronald Schaffner, earned his English degree on the 75-year anniversary; and his father before him, Marlowe Schaffner, left the university’s 50th year.
75th
Marlowe’s wife, Dorothy (Dye) Schaffner ’41 worked in the campus library which still stands today. Now, Dorothy’s great-grandson, Samuel, remembers the library as one of his favorite study spaces.
“What drew generation after generation back? I ask the same question of my students. The answer is simple to me and may be simple to them in 30 years. There is a more significant value here. A byproduct of spending time on this beautiful campus. WWU lives up to its mission. I see evidence of this every day. Excellence in thought. Generosity in service. Beauty in expression.
100th
And Faith in God. But without the families created and friendships formed, the thread of connection over more than 80 years would have been broken. These threads and connections continue to be formed today. Someday, those here now will stop, reminisce, and trace their own paths back to where it all started for them.”
–Brian Schaffner
Information provided by Donald Tall ’68
The first classes were held at Walla Walla College.
The first student from the Tall family was Margaret (Van Tress) Tall who studied alongside her cousin and her future sister-inlaw. Their families had been persuaded of the new school after traveling in horse-drawn buggies to hear Ellen White speak at camp meeting.
Now, it is a frequent sight to glimpse students sailing across campus on one-wheels to attend vespers.
Margaret would have completed student teaching hours, much as current education students do. She, however, likely taught them in the upstairs floor of a broom factory. Margaret finished her education at WWU in 1908, the 13th year of the school.
In Margaret’s day, the girls didn’t often have the chance to visit with guys. One night after studying in their petticoats, they purposely dropped the books out on the ledge of the girls’ dormitory—very unlike the Van Tress girls who were meek and acceded to the rules. What an opportunity to visit with the gents! Unfortunately, the dean just happened to be making her rounds.
“What are you girls doing out on the ledge at night in your petticoats?”
“We’re just retrieving our books,” came the reply.
“Of course you are.”
The dean saw right through their escapade.
We visualize as each generation has handed down a life full of meaningful hope, looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. WWU has provided purpose as we ask, ‘Why Walla Walla University?’ We run not in circles in life, but in seeing Jesus Christ, reveal our real life’s purpose.
–Don Tall ’68
Three of Margaret’s ten children graduated from WWU, including Vernon Tall in 1931. At the time, only seven professors could boast master’s degrees. Now, more than ten times that many hold a doctoral degree, or two!
In 1951, Margaret’s grandson formed one of his first recollections of WWU. Don Tall was attending another camp meeting with his family, this time on the established college’s campus.
“It was a very warm summer day when, above the sermon’s loudspeaker, we heard the mooing of dairy cows coming from Sittner Hall, the boys dorm. The cows had managed to make their way through open southern doors and were sticking their heads out the windows trying to get out.”
Now, cows are slightly less prominent on campus, since the college dairy farm closed.
to be full of college
Like many WWU alumni, Don met his future wife, Dana, here. When they announced their engagement, the lucky man was thrown into the algae-infested frog pond in front of Conard Hall in the middle of the night.
Don’s two stepsons also graduated from the university, having been active participants of the physical education and intramural programs.
Now, the intramural program continues to thrive, offering everything from basketball to cornhole.
In total, 21 of Margaret’s family members graduated or at tended WWU from 1905 to 2023. Her grandson, Don, is sure more will follow.
Why did all these attendees decide to attend Walla Walla University? For us to answer that speculative question neither academically nor impractically, the Spirit moves us to read Psalms 143:8.
‘Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way therein I should walk for I lift up my soul to thee.’ For we see in this Psalm, the Spirit of God attending our way, calling us to know God: a pathway of life, light and joy, as we lift our soul to Him. Wherever God is in the heart, blessings of love will flow out to others.
Now, cows are slightly less prominent on campus...
Following his grandfather’s advice about the importance of having good business skills as a physician, Nelson decided to major in business administration in addition to following the pre-medicine track at Walla Walla University.
Nelson found his grandfather’s advice to be sound, and the skills in leadership, management, and communication that he gleaned as a business major at Walla Walla University have proved invaluable throughout his career. Nelson now believes that a business mindset is critical to understanding the health care system. “Collaboration with other providers, staff, and each patient is so important,” Nelson emphasized. “It creates a work and patient care environment where each member of the health care team feels empowered to optimize the quality of the work that we do, which is really focused on the patient’s needs.”
Attending WWU left Nelson feeling well prepared as he followed many other pre-medicine students south to Loma Linda School of Medicine. There, Nelson found much needed respite from his rigorous studies in meaningful friendships. He participated in the medical school class choir, singing second bass for church services. Most Sunday mornings, Nelson joined the Loma Linda Lopers for a recreational run. Nelson has maintained this passion for running, having completed 14 marathons, five 50K ultramarathons, and 13 100-mile ultramarathons to date across the world. He reunited with several classmates in 2002 while completing the Los Angeles Marathon.
During his fourth year at Loma Linda University, Nelson also discovered his medical passion, deciding to specialize in diagnostic radiology. He really enjoyed his first two years of basic sciences, particularly his classes in gross anatomy and pathology. “I found that my greatest academic strengths in medicine were my visual-spatial skills. I enjoyed my radiology clerkship so much that I took two additional radiologist clerkships before graduation,” Nelson said.
A newly-minted physician, having completed his residency in diagnostic
bachelor of arts in business administrationradiology at LLU Medical Center, Nelson had the opportunity to serve as an active duty radiologist and chief of MRI at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He also served in the Army Reserves for nine years. Nelson chose the Fort Bragg post because it enabled him to practice general radiology and continue to advance his skills. “I enjoyed taking care of the soldiers that so bravely defend and protect our country,” Nelson recalled.
In 2012, Nelson began his current position as a diagnostic radiologist at Adventist Health Tillamook. He enjoys the incredible variety in the work he does, and also appreciates practicing small-town medicine.
“I really enjoy practicing rural medicine because I like feeling like I am a part of a small community and enjoy the serenity of the rural landscape. During my time here, I have come to realize how important collaboration and communication are for the health care team,” Nelson said.
“Each health care worker has a unique skill set, and each patient has a unique medical history and story.” This focus on individualized care surely played a part in his recent selection as Physician of the Year by Adventist Health Tillamook. Nelson was nominated by his peers for his above-and-beyond service, quality, compassion, and professionalism—a list of qualities easy to respect. Nelson has been driven by his mission since he was a child, inspired by the profound impact his grandfather made in his patient’s lives. “My experiences with my grandpa really showcased the impact a physician can have on patients and people’s lives. I wanted to make that impact,” Nelson remembered. He encouraged students who are considering medicine to get their feet wet by shadowing physicians as soon as possible to discover their own driving mission.
Growing up, Andrew Nelson always looked up to his grandfather. As a general surgeon, Nelson’s grandfather had a continual supply of gripping stories about saving people’s lives that captivated Nelson.
My experiences with my grandpa really showcased the impact a physician can have on patients and people’s lives. I wanted to make that impact.”
Too long ago, I remember musing, “Is there life after teaching?” My retiring colleagues were rapidly dropping out for reasons of age or sanity—often both. Would I do the same? The truth is now clear. Yes, of course there IS life after teaching.
Some of the best years of the college may have transpired in the 70s and 80s. Not because of me, but because of many of you who are reading these lines.
The 1,600, 1,700, and 1,800 students who inhabited our campus, took our classes, earned good grades, and then were handed a black-covered diploma from this credible school, then sped away to launch their futures.
They seemed upbeat, driven by their ethical and spiritual moorings, and seemed (here it comes) wholesome. Who uses that word anymore? And you may have no idea how proud we feel about you—you, your good lives, and your good works.
Staff and faculty numbered over 400. The dorms were packed. So were the classes. Dorms, three of them, were major generators of funds—and fun as well.
Some cutting edge programs emerged. Social work, health science, speech pathology, and environmental science were a few. Some still exist; others are gone. The ones that went down, “needed more students in their programs,” intoned academic vice presidents. We suppose they were right.
The 70s and 80s devotees say those were the Golden Years. That carries a pleasant ring. But the college didn’t fall apart in the decades that followed. It cracked at the seams when COVID-19 suddenly struck, but it didn’t fall apart. Good programs continued to thrive. So did good teaching.
One student told a teaching colleague, “I took your course because I knew you wouldn’t make it easy.” Many more students did or could have said that. A prominent Loma Linda University professor in the School of Medicine said on a visit here, “We like your students. Thank
you for not inflating their grades.” When did all this begin for me?
1962. “We plan to begin an FM station,” said Dr. Percy Christian, college president at the time. I doubt he knew I was job searching. I had just been dropped by an eastern SDA college.
President Christian was so sure I needed to do well at this new post that he offered me his master keys to all college locks. I was dumbfounded. But his generous offer seemed to click with the spirit my wife, Carolyn, and I found here—helpful, trusting, ethical, and wholesome.
The new FM station went on the air officially six months later. The first crowd of station volunteers were some of the best. They were doing majors like theology, biology, engineering, speech, business, and on and on. For years, these and many other men and women volunteered at KGTS to keep it on the air and sounding good. I felt I had found my niche.
Through it all, many have asked in quiet tones, “Why did you stay so long?” I silently translated “so
long” to mean “too long.” But it was long—50 years. By this time grandkids of the 60s crowd were showing up.
I have no answer to “why so long,” except the call of engaging with agile minds of kids whose present and futures intrigued me. A few have not done it right. Thousands have done it right.
Two of them are John Hawkins, Ph.D., and Kyra Eddy, M.D. John today lives in Heidelberg, Germany, doing a post doctorate in human health artificial intelligence. Kyra lives in Livingston, Montana, delivering babies and treating patients of all ages. They’re two of the 00s crowd doing it right.
When I faced cancer surgery mid-quarter two decades ago, John and Kyra stepped up. They performed class duties way out of their tasks as speech students. I shall for all time be grateful to them who typified the good scouts of the Walla Walla brand. That’s why I stayed too long.
Maybe you’ll forgive me for this rambling treatise on the Golden Years. It only proves my point: I stayed too long.
“I have no answer to ‘why so long,’ except the call of engaging with agile minds of kids whose present and futures intrigued me.”
Bart Moore ’68 and his wife Janet live in Walla Walla. His career includes 35 years in Family Medicine, and a retired Physician from Adventist Health. He enjoys hiking, nutrition research, and community health education. He has two sons, Jeremy att. and Jason. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed singing with The Messengers and Schola Cantorum.
Joseph (Joe) Galusha ’68 and his wife Marilyn live in Anacortes, Wash. He is a retired emeritus professor of biology. He and his wife live at Rosario Beach full time and enjoy hiking the trail to Bowman Bay regularly. Together they have two children, Tamilyn ’93 and Joe ’97. A granddaughter will be graduating from WWU in ’23. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed attending courses at Rosario beach, the classes and conversations with Dr. Joseph Barnes, and intramural sports.
Helen (Lingscheit)
Heavirland ’69 and her husband LeRoy att. live in College Place. She is a self-employed author and speaker. Helen used her nursing degree for several years in Washington, Montana, and Florida and was able to serve on various overseas mission trips. She enjoys hiking, birding, and exploring nature at home or overseas. She enjoys reading and writing. She has published hundreds of stories, articles, poems, and devotions in more than 50 magazines and anthologies, winning numerous awards for them as well as the five books she has authored. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed Helen Evan’s worships and her annual Christmas story, “David’s Star of Bethlehem.”
Del Griebel ’70 and his wife Terrie live in College Place. He is a retired pastor, teacher, army chaplain, and pilot. For 40 years he evangelized and now he witnesses. With his wife, he has two children, Rachelle Griebel-Gibson ’90 and Delmar Jonathan (Jon) ’94. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed sailing and gymnastics.
Donald Straub ’73 and his wife Juanita live in Kelowna, British Columbia. He is currently a self-employed clinical counselor. His career started as an elementary school teacher. He taught high school and was a principal for 38 years while pastoring a church for 10 years. He was a professional counselor for 12+ years, authored a book, and appeared on Canadian cable TV show “It Is Written,” as a result of his book. He has three daughters, Kerry att., Kris att., and Jody att. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed visiting churches on weekends to share his testimony and the 2 summers he spent working on an ACT team in Vancouver and Calgary, Canada.
Rowena Moore-Adams ’73 and her husband Leroy, live in Tarpon Springs, Fla. Before retirement she was the assistant director and editor of the Seventh-day Adventist yearbook for the General Conference. While in Brazil, working as secretary of the South American Division she was involved in a tragic car accident and spent three months in the hospital in a body cast. After five additional months in the hospital and eight months of recuperating, she was cleared to work and started a nearly 43-year career working at the General Conference. After retirement in 2020, she married Leroy Adams. Together they enjoy their combined families of four adult children and six grandchildren ranging from 9 to 18 years of age. From her time at WWU she enjoyed horseback riding.
Ramon Ulangca ’83 and his wife Rae Ann live in Brownsburg, Ind. He works as the lead pastor of Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indianapolis and the music director of Indiana Conference Choir and Orchestra. He is the board chair of a non-profit organization, Saving Orphans through Healthcare and Outreach, which ministers to orphans in Swaziland, Africa. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed making music and touring as a member of ICantori, playing in the orchestra, and singing in the WWC quartet.
Curtis Kramer ’84 lives in Grants Pass, Ore., where he works as a direct support professional for Partnerships in Community Living. “I help make life happen
for developmental and other mentally or physically alter-abled people who experience a slower than normal world,” he says. He also has other ambitions such as working in the glamping business and traveling to Thailand to help a friend grow bananas, mangoes, and grapes.
Darci (Weber) Ziegler ’93 and her husband Shane att. live in Keenesburg, Colo. She is currently an Online Dyslexia Tutor for her own business, Defeating Dyslexia with Darci. After graduating from WWU, she worked as a kindergarten teacher for five years at Brighton Adventist Academy. She and her husband love to hike and camp in the mountains and garden. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed singing together at the Friday evening afterglows.
Shawna (Rose) Campbell ’93 and her husband Kirk att. live in Loma Linda, Calif. She works as the associate pastor for children’s ministry at Loma Linda University Church. She loves serving others and finds her experience in church ministry the past 12 years to be rewarding. A highlight was finishing her Masters of Pastoral Ministry from Andrews University and getting ordained a few months later. She and her husband have two daughters: Teia and Tiana ’24. From her time at WWU, she loved working on The Collegian newspaper as the layout designer as well as attending the vespers programs and afterglows in the boys dorm.
Dan Downs ’98 and his wife Ferne att. live in Palmer, Alaska. He works maintenance control at Aleutian Airways. He enjoys
in touch with our family of graduates
published her first book Gypsy Soul: Memoirs of a Hippie Kid. This book is based on her unusual life as a child of hippies in rural Montana. She and her husband have two kids: a son, John, and daughter, Morgan. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed the students in her clinical social work program.
Misty (Watters) Lamb ’09 and her husband Alex live in Long Beach, Calif. She works as the communications coordinator for Crier PR and is returning to school to get her masters in nutritional science to become a registered dietitian. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed the beautiful campus, living in the dorm with friends, and the WEC.
spending time with family and friends while hiking, hunting, ATV/UTV riding, and snowmobiling. He and his wife have two sons: Joshua and Elliot. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed snowmobiling in the Blue Mountains, hiking, and camping with friends.
Pamela (Duncan) Rodman ’98 and her husband Jerald ’07 live in Centralia, Wash. She works as a paraeducator for the Centralia School District. She enjoys serving students at their local public elementary school as well as spending time with her husband and two boys. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed participating in choir and iCantori, and serving as a student missionary.
Heidi (Kubly) Ramirez ’99 and her husband Alex live in Marana, Ariz. She has worked as the case manager for CVS for 21 years. She likes that she can help people meet their needs by coordinating their medical care. She and her husband have three kids: Savannah, Rebecca, and Brandon. They love to travel as a family to see new places and be out in nature. From her time at WWU, she had the best memories with her social work classmates and teachers.
Sean Oliver ’01 is living in Seattle, Wash. He is currently the
product marketing manager for Microsoft. His favorite activities include writing, reading, drawing, and photography. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed the taco bar.
Christopher Santana ’03 and his wife Mackenzie (Fridlund) ’03 live in Frederick, Colo. He currently works as the medical staff manager at Centura health. He enjoys backpacking, hockey, soccer, running, and traveling. He has two sons with his wife: Liam and Beckett. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed Wolfpack hockey and bed races.
Mari (Ferguson) Cheney ’03 and her husband Greg ’04 live in Battle Ground, Wash. She is the associate director of research and instruction at Lewis and Clark Law School. She is the co-author of a legal research book, has authored numerous articles and earned three awards for the articles she’s written. She and her husband have two sons: Peter and Aaron. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed working on The Collegian, serving as a student missionary in Bangkok, and speaking at the baccalaureate on Friday night of graduation.
Gypsy (Hoover) Ray ’08 and her husband JB live in Anaconda, Mont. She is a trauma therapist in a private practice and author. She recently
Seen & Heard is an online supplement to our print issue of Westwind that provides opportunities to celebrate career milestones and inspirational stories about WWU alumni. This online portal includes a collection of links to national media news stories about alumni.
FIND IT AT wallawalla.edu/ westwind
Click on “More Seen & Heard” for the full archive. Send your info for Seen & Heard to westwind@wallawalla.edu.
at Legacy Health. Her favorite activities include hiking, camping, and spending time with family, friends, and pets. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed the annual biology club trip to Rosario and weekly Honors tea.
Brittany (Smith) Lodge ’12 and her husband Denver (Weston) Lodge ’17 live in Bellevue, Wash. She is currently a manager for Clifton Larson Allen LLP. She enjoys backpacking with her husband during her spare time. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed singing with iCantori, dorm life, and Worm Ranch.
Anastasia Haddad-Scott ’13 and her husband, Sam, live in Milwaukie, Ore. She completed medical school in 2018 at Loma Linda University. She pursued an internal medicine residency at UC Irvine and finished her training with chief residency in 2021. She is currently practicing in Portland, Ore., as a physician
Ngazimbi-Cun
Nonhlanhla ’13 and her husband, Tajloi (Taj) ’13, live in Hartford, Conn. They graduated from WWU as boyfriend and girlfriend, got engaged during December of 2015 and were married in August of 2018 after both finished graduate school. She is a nurse practitioner at Hartford Hospital in the neuro/trauma ICU caring for brain and spinal cord injured patients. Her husband serves as a chaplain at Hartford Hospital and as a reserve chaplain in the National Guard. She enjoys blogging and together, she and
her husband enjoy being out in nature and exploring new cultures through food. The two are excited to welcome their first baby in March of 2023. From her time at WWU, some of her favorite memories were welcoming and closing the Sabbath on Friday and Saturday evenings with her friends and a home cooked meal.
civil engineering with a concentration in water resources from the University of Central Florida. He has worked for the land development civil design firm Donald W. McIntosh Associates for nearly 10 years and is currently the senior registered engineer for the company. Their lives were changed with the births of their daughter Karolina and son Wesley. Outside of work he enjoys kayaking, working on his vegetable garden, playing the cello, and keeping up with his favorite local sports teams. From his time at WWU, he enjoyed creating new friendships, the nearby outdoor recreational activities, and playing intramural sports.
works as the director of government relations for Loma Linda University Health. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed making friends, the classes and instructors at the School of Business, and working in the MES office as a student worker.
Cameron Houmann ’13 and his wife Shelby live in Longwood, Fla. After graduating WWU, he received a master’s degree in
August 25-27, 2023
Shandra (Cady) Secor ’16 and her husband Lucas ’11 live in Redlands, Calif. She currently
Cindy (Kromrei) Schultz and her husband Ed att live in Boise, Idaho. She is currently a Health & Safety Administrator at Jacobs Engineering. Her data entry and software skills allowed her to achieve many job opportunities within technology and engineering companies. In 2018, the engineering firm she was a part of became one of the largest consulting engineering firms in the world. Plans to retire
are at the end of 2023. She and her husband enjoy their three grandsons, cooking, traveling, and discovering new food with friends in the USA and abroad. She has a son Ryan, who has one son, and daughter, Emily att. who has two sons. From her time at WWU, she enjoyed the peacefulness of Friday night vespers, Saturday night entertainment, and working in the data processing department of Accounting.
John Radzikowski ’22 and his wife Janice McKenzie live in College Place. He currently works as the men’s service director & pastor for Christian Aid Center & First Community Church. From his time at WWU, he most enjoyed the challenge the classroom brought and the character building exercises that occurred every day.
Join guest speakers Karl Haffner ’85 and Lindsey Haffner ’19 for a relaxing weekend with fellow friends and alumni. Come for Sabbath or the full weekend. Registration will open June 15.
James “Jim” Bebee att. was born in 1946 and died Aug. 2, 2022, in Kapa’a, Hawaii, at age 76.
Surviving: wife Ruth (Scyphers) ’65 of Richland, Wash.; and daughters Susan ’92 of Richland and Deanna (Bebee) Rodovsky ’95 of Seattle, Wash.
James A. Brown ’54 was born in 1931 and died Nov. 20, 2022, in Loma Linda, Calif., at age 90.
Surviving: wife Diana (Cowan) of Vista, Calif.; and sons David ’76 of Beaverton, Ore., and Donald att. of Los Cruces, N.M.
Clarence Carnahan ’50 was born in 1927 and died Nov. 4, 2022, in Bend, Ore., at age 95.
Surviving: daughter Jane Hinshaw ’77 of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and son
Brent of Bend, Ore.
David Gill was born in 1938 and died on Dec. 14, 2022, in College Place at age 84. Surviving: wife Carol att. of College Place; daughters Brenda Adams of College Place, and Kari Nightingale of Tehachapi, Calif.; and son Todd of Moberly, Mo. David worked as the executive director of Physical Plant at the university from 1994 to 2000.
Peggy (Vello) Green att. was born in 1923 and died Oct. 31, 2022, in Mount Vernon, Wash., at age 99. Surviving: daughter Sylvia Matterand ’79 of Mount Vernon, Wash.; and sons Albert Jr. att. of Federal Way, Wash., and Stanley ’76 of College Place.
Sonya “Jan” (Ensley) Katrib ’62 was born in 1939 and died Jan. 6, 2023, in Fontana, Calif., at age 83. Surviving: daughters Kathy Chilcott of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Alanna Heck of Fontana.
Evelyn (Karpow) Kay ’69 was born in 1932 and died Sept. 12, 2022, in Portland, Ore., at age 90. Surviving: daughter Karen Tetz ’77 of Portland; and son Bruce ’83 of Kirkland, Wash.
Hitomi (Kosaka) Johnson ’81 was born in 1955 and died Sept. 27, 2022, in Walla Walla at age 66. Surviving: husband Rick ’81 of Walla Walla; son Cedric ’ 16 of Austin, Texas; sister Akemi Negai of Yokosuka, Japan; and father Nobuo Kosaka of Yokohama,
Japan. Johnson was a faculty member of WWU and worked as a part-time Japanese instructor in 1987 and recruiter for Asian students in 1991–1997.
Ingrid (Rudy) Johnsen ’ 59 was born in 1934 and died on Nov. 21, 2022, in Lynden, Wash., at age 88. Surviving: daughter Tina Padilla. Johnsen was a faculty member of WWU and taught in the School of Nursing for 16 years starting in 1960 to 1976. She returned for another year in 1987.
Vicki (Cornforth) Morrison ’ 71 was born in 1949 and died March 14, 2022, in Tonasket, Wash., at age 73. Surviving: husband Roland of Tonasket; daughters, Lacy Morrison of Fairfield, Mont., and
Former Walla Walla University president and professor Jon Dybdahl passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2022, in Walla Walla. Dybdahl was born in California in 1942.
He studied theology at Pacific Union College before receiving his master’s degree in systematic theology from Andrews University.
Before coming to WWU, Dybdahl served as associate pastor for a church in Northern California. From 1968–1974, he served in Thailand as a pastor and evangelist and was instrumental in founding Chiang Mai Adventist Academy. For two years starting in 1974, he was a college pastor, professor, and chair of the department of theology at the Southeast Asia Union College in Singapore.
Dybdahl taught theology at WWU for 13 years starting in 1976. In 1981, while teaching at WWU, he completed his doctoral studies at Fuller Theological Seminary with a major in the Old Testament and a minor in missions and semitic languages. In 1988, he received the Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching. He left WWU in 1989 to serve in Thailand as an administrator, president, and professor of theology at Thailand Mission College. He then returned stateside and served as professor and chair of the Department of World Mission at
Andrews University, and director of the Institute of World Mission.
He was president of WWU from 2002 to 2006. Under his leadership, the old Administration Building was demolished and rebuilt, what was then Walla Walla College began the process of changing their name, and the student missionary program flourished.
Throughout his life, he wrote multiple books and articles and served as the general editor for the Andrews Study Bible.
Current WWU president John McVay says, “When I started teaching at PUC, I learned to look North with some admiration at the group of energetic, well-educated, and informed theology professors at Walla Walla College and especially to Jon as modeling what engaged, passionate teaching should like.”
Dybdahl is survived by his wife Kathy of College Place; daughter Krista Croft of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.; and son Paul of Walla Walla. Daughter Jonna Buell preceded him in death. A memorial service took place on Feb. 26, 2023, in the University Church.
Staying in touch with our family of graduates
Elizabeth Harris ’09 of Fairfield; son Ryan att. of Ferndale, Wash.; sister Ann Haxby of Blackfoot, Idaho; and brother Brent Cornforth of Aberdeen, Idaho.
Olen H. Nations ’ 52 was born in 1925 and died July 14, 2022, in Grants Pass, Ore., at age 97. Surviving: wife Mary (Spenst) ’53 of Grants Pass; daughter Sandy Puntney of Grants Pass; son Randy of Grants Pass; sisters Millie Shawn and Martha Ewert of Grants Pass; and brothers Robert att. of Santa Marie, Calif., Jim of Happy Valley, Ore., Stan of Grants Pass, Thomas Wayne of Longview, Wash., and Mike of Silverton, Ore.
Ellen Pflugrad-Cunningham att. was born in 1939 and died Dec. 2, 2022, in Kettle Falls, Wash., at age 83. Surviving: daughters Sherri Bynum of Sedro Woolley, Wash., and Debra (Pflugrad) Pankaskie ’86 of Coon Lake,
Wash.; sons Chester of Traverse City, Mich., and David of Rome, Ga.; and brother Joseph Ginter of Kennewick, Wash.
Ronald Riter ’65 was born in 1942 and died May 6, 2022, in Everett, Wash., at age 79. Surviving: wife Beverly (Paladeni) Riter ’64 of Everett; daughters Marianne Cursetjee ’ 91 of Happy Valley, Ore., and Dianne att. of Everett; son Richard ’ 96 of Seattle, Wash.; and sister Joan Carman ’65 of Walla Walla.
Vernon Shafer ’49 was born in 1924 and died Aug. 22, 2022, in Walla Walla at age 98. Surviving: daughter Teresa Heagy att. of Walla Walla; and sons Kenneth att. of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Larry ’80 of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Stewart Shankel ’54 was born in 1931 and died Sept. 9, 2022, in Loma Linda, Calif., at age 90. Surviving: daughter Martha Ward ’ 93 of Shady Cove, Ore.; sons
Former Walla Walla University Church executive pastor Henning Guldhammer passed away October 22, 2022, in Walla Walla.
Guldhammer was born in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1946. His family moved to the United States and lived in the Washington, D.C. area when he was 13 years old. He attended Takoma Park Academy then moved to Michigan where he graduated from Emmanuel Missionary College Academy, now Andrews Academy. Guldhammer graduated from Columbia Union College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and before earning his Master’s in Divinity degree from Andrews University.
In 1979, Guldhammer moved with his wife and child to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, where he pastored at the Milton-Freewater Seventh-day Adventist Church. A year later, he was called to Spokane Countryside Church where he spearheaded the building of a new church and private school for the congregation.
He was the executive pastor at the Walla
Stewart III ’82 of Plano, Texas, and Jeff ’84 of Reno, Nev.; and brother Clinton ’54 of Placerville, Calif.
Vera “LaRene” (Warren) Spady ’46 was born in 1922 and died Sept. 23, 2022, in Hermiston, Ore., at age 100. Surviving: daughter Billie Knight ’71 of Hermiston, Ore.; son Jay ’75 of Port Orchard, Wash.; and brother Howard (Dale) Warren att. of Corvallis, Ore.
Dolores (Allaway) Surdal ’ 50 was born in 1930 and died Aug. 31, 2022, in Grand Coulee, Wash., at age 91. Surviving: daughters Linda Kincaid ’76 of Fairbanks, Alaska, Nancy Kooy ’82 of Oregon City, Ore., and Peggy Nevsimal att. of Grand Coulee. Surdal worked in the duplicating office, where teachers’ exams were produced, in the Administration Building from 1965 to 1969.
Walla University Church from 1984 to 2016. Paul Richardson, administrative pastor at the University Church, said, “Henning’s ability to handle with easy grace the many details of the role I have now inherited is still amazing to me. Combine that with his natural curiosity for life, learning, and beauty, makes me so grateful God shared him with the Walla Walla University Church and community for more than three decades.”
During Guldhammer’s employment at the University Church, he managed building and improvement programs and was engaged in a host of pastoral responsibilities and community service until his retirement in 2016.
Alex Bryan, chief mission officer at Adventist Health and former University Church pastor, remembers working with Guldhammer: “Hundreds of hours of conversation in our shared offices deepened my walk with God and my thinking about the meaning and possibility of life. Countless ‘Henning, can I run some ideas by you?’ encounters turned bad sermons into
good ones, and a few good ones better. He was a churchman in all the right ways. He was the man under the steeple on the corner of Fourth and Bade for more than a generation.”
Guldhammer is survived by his loving wife, Kristy Ellen (Daub); daughter Anna Kristina; sons Adam, David Daub, and Jason Daub; and sisters Anelle Beals and Lea Olafsson. A memorial service was held on Feb. 5, 2023, in the University Church.
Know someone making a college decision?
During their visit, they will enjoy:
Going on an informative campus tour customized to their interests.
Meeting with helpful people like financial counselors and recruiters. They will also learn about the admissions process and discover student employment opportunities.
Food and lodging on us for up to three days and three nights during in-person visits.
Hearing from current university professors and students pursuing majors they are interested in.
Learning about what it’s like to live the residence halls.
Exploring the resources we have ready to help them succeed.
In-person or virtual campus visits can be scheduled at wallawalla.edu/visit.
Upcoming events to note on your calendar
This summer will be full of fun events for alumni, parents, and friends, including a night out at a Walla Walla Sweets game, a weekend in Rosario, and visits to camp meetings. Check for info at wallawalla.edu/ alumni-events
APRIL 10–12
An exploration of Asian American experiences in the Pacific Northwest will be the focus of this year’s Donald Blake Center conference, featuring presentations from renowned researchers, authors, and historians. Register at wallawalla.edu/DBC
APRIL 15
Elections for new Alumni Association officers will be held online this year—no printed ballot will be mailed. Visit wallawalla. edu/alumvote to learn about the candidates and to cast your vote. Voting will close at midnight on Thursday, April 15.
APRIL 28–30
Join us for Homecoming Weekend 2023. We’ve planned a variety of activities starting on Friday morning to help you reconnect and reminisce with favorite professors and longtime friends. Register now at wallawalla.edu/ homecoming
JUNE 9–11
Commencement weekend will begin with a consecration vespers on Friday, followed by a variety of events throughout the weekend. You might even catch a chance to sign the belfry! See the complete schedule at wallawalla.edu/grad
AUGUST 7–10
Calling all teachers, principals, and educators: we’re headed to Arizona for the NAD Educators’ Convention and would love to connect with you there. If you are attending, plan to stop by our booth and say hello!
For a full calendar of events, visit wallawalla.edu/calendar . Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn .
