As summer 13 issuu

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Stater

the magazine of adams state university

summer 2013

The Future is so Great

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Stater

VOL. 53, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2013

Published by Adams State University adams state university • alamosa, co 81101 719.587.7011 • 800.824.6494 www.adams.edu • e-mail: alumni@adams.edu online edition: www.adams.edu/alumni/astater/ EDITOR & DESIGNER Julie Waechter

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Linda Relyea ’96

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Gena Akers • ASU Sports Information • Warren Curley ‘16 Gaylene Horning ’94 • David MacWilliams • Maddie Mansheim ‘15 Jake Moberly ‘15 • Kellicia Morse ’14 • Linda Naro ‘15 • Brittany Olsen ‘13 Elario Rickey • Rio de la Vista • U.S. Forest Service • Kellylynn Zuni ‘15

PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY Dr. David Svaldi

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY Steve Valdez ’87 Chair Mary Griffin Vice Chair Paul Farley • Liane “Buffie” McFadyen ’91, ’93 • Ann Rice Arnold Salazar ’75 • Charles Scoggin, M.D. Val Vigil ’71 • Tim Walters ’73 Dr. Rob Benson Faculty Trustee Meagan Smith Student Trustee

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Lori Lee Laske ’91, ’01 Executive Secretary/Director of Alumni Relations Kasey Russell ’03 President Liz Tabeling-Garcia ’96, ’06 Vice President Holly Felmlee ’76 Secretary Toney Cantu ’70 • D. Mike Garcia ’73, ’77 • Phil Lopez ’04 Lynn Michalke ’77 • Karen Rubidoux Miller ’94 Robert Oringdulph ’71 • Sandy Ortega ’74 Chris Page ’02, ’03 • Brian Rossbert ’02 • Rich Scanga ’75 Jeremy Wilder ’96 • Delzia Worley ’97

ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD Duane Bussey ’82 President Dr. John McDaniel Vice President John A. Marvel ’70 Secretary/Treasurer Russell Achatz ’85 • Tim Bachicha ’92 • Greg Bervig ’81• Keith Cerny Genevieve Cooper • Valerie Finnegan • Jeni Jack Goodwin ’85 Dale Hettinger ’64 • Charles “Chuck” Houser ’62 • Ron Howard ’98 Randy Jackson ’98 • Philip Lopez ’04 • Dorothy Lucero ’61 Chuck Owsley ’68 • Michelle Roepke • Rich Scanga ’75 Ray Skeff • Izora Southway ’66 • Donn Vigil

FOUNDATION HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Stephen Bokat ’68 • Marguerite Salazar ’75, ’76 • Michael Ware ’69

FOUNDATION EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS Sharon Carter • Richard Jacobs • Harold Kelloff Ralph Outcalt • J. Byron Uhrich • R. Paul Wagner • Eldo Wall FOUNDATION EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. David Svaldi ASU President Tammy Lopez ’91, ’00 Executive Director of the Foundation Mary Griffin Trustee Liaison

GRIZZLY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Owsley ’86 President • Ron DeSautell ’76 Vice President Dave Barrows • Keith Cerny • Jeni Jack Goodwin ’85 Ericha Loosbrock • Joe Martinez ’99 • Ted Morrison ’69 Dennis Ortiz ’79 • Steve Valdez ’87

ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT

ASU’s mission is to educate, serve, and inspire our diverse populations in the pursuit of their lifelong dreams and ambitions.

VISION STATEMENT

To become the university community of choice for diverse and traditionally underrepresented groups and all who value quality education and inclusivity.

president’s letter: the value of higher education Social media and Twitter have helped to make any news an instant event. One path to fame and sometimes fortune is the old fashioned “scoop” – being the first to break a story. So it is not surprising that the 2008 economic meltdown prompted some in the media to question the value of higher education. College graduates were challenged to find good paying jobs, and in light of what seems to be crippling loan debt, doubt was cast on the payoff of attending college. These doubts are contradicted by various studies David Svaldi (Lumina Foundation, Georgetown Study) showing that future U.S. economic growth depends on a greater percentage of the population completing college certificates, two-year or four-year degrees, as well as MBA’s, MD’s, and advanced degrees in STEM fields. With Boomers my age retiring in droves each day, there are growing gaps in a variety of fields.

It appears some would prefer fewer educated citizens, although currently only one-third of the U.S. population has any post-secondary education. Others argue, and rightly so, that certain highly skilled jobs, such as machinists or mechanics, are not being filled because of an over-emphasis on college. Secondary schools have reduced vocational programs. Unfortunately, we live in an age in which working with your hands is accorded lower status than having a law degree. In reality, there is a glut of lawyers: one in seven 2011 law school grads were unemployed nine months after graduation, with an average debt load of $150K. Obviously, the U.S. economy requires both skilled workers and college and university graduates. We should not make college or university attendance more difficult as a solution to what is a temporary problem. The current debate over student loan rates is one issue that may discourage attendance – especially of graduate school, since loans are nearly the only option for those students.

The economy is recovering, and even if you don’t believe that, many jobs are unfilled due to the shortage both of individuals with specialized hands-on or technical skills and those with a post-secondary degree that matches workforce needs. We can certainly be sure we will continue to need plumbers – ever tried to get a plumber out on a weekend? As a reformed shade tree mechanic, I now need a highly trained mechanic who can diagnose my computerized car (a base Chevy Equinox, but don’t ask me to explain anything under the hood, like I could my ’56 Chevy).

So my advice to parents and students is caveat emptor – or buyer beware. Following your bliss is certainly romantic, but some disciplines may not immediately lead to fortune. Yet, the discipline or major is less important than such “soft skills” as being able to work with others and to write and speak effectively.

As a nation, we need to regain an appreciation of those who work with their hands and to value the range of options for post-secondary education that lead to fulfilling careers.

the cover Commencement speaker for the Class of 2013, Jasmine Mascarenas anticipates a great – and bright – future. She and other outstanding new graduates are profiled beginning on page 20.

adams state video features

contents cover story We have seen the future and it is us

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update Campus renewal concludes with Richardson Hall renovation Adams State welcomed fire evacuees Forum delves into reality of Affordable Care Act Autumn@Adams schedule Boettcher Teacher Program helps rural schools

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features The Destination or the Journey?

Hilos Culturales enchants No hype here - Adams State professors walk the talk A professor first: Ybarrondo retires after 21 years

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giving Alumni Phonathon increases donors Billy Adams Award goes to Erik van de Boogaard Summerfest creates scholarship for art and music majors The Great Story of Dr. Gary Peer Scholarship fosters music and community Legacy Society welcomes Michael ‘65 & Margaret Sloan

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This symbol at the conclusion of an article indicates a related video can be viewed on You Tube.

Pg. 17: adams.edu/a/15 Pg. 20: adams.edu/a/8 adams.edu/a/9 Pg. 21: adams.edu/a/6 adams.edu/a/7 adams.edu/a/12 adams.edu/a/12 adams.edu/a/13 Pg. 22: adams.edu/a/10 adams.edu/a/11 Pg. 23: adams.edu/a/5

alumni events SEPTEMBER TBA

OCTOBER

alumnews Homecoming Schedule Biundo dedicated career to education Circling toward wholeness Educators Hall of Fame celebrates second induction

alumnotes alumni scrapbook sports scenes RMAC Hall of Fame honors ASU athletes Grizzlies top the RMAC

Retirees’ Barbecue

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11-12 Homecoming

NOVEMBER

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Donor Recognition Dinner Denver Colorado Springs Pueblo

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Retirees’ Christmas Dinner Theatre Matinee

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DECEMBER

made for walking Students share insights of their journeys with professors to locales as varied as New York City and Nicaragua, pages 8-13.

Watch your mail for details. www.facebook.com/ adamsalumni • adams.edu/alumni 800-824-6494, ext. 8

Stay up to date on events, sports, and news from Adams State University: www.adams.edu/news

Campus renewal concludes with Richardson Hall renovation “So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

That certainly applies to campus renewal at Adams State University. Adams State’s first structure, historic Richardson Hall, will be renovated through the recent award of state capital construction funds. Its central wing was constructed in 1925, and it originally housed all of the college’s classrooms, offices, library, and auditorium.

“We are very excited to finally begin renovating Richardson Hall,” said President David Svaldi. “There is a lot of history in this building, and it is an important community landmark.”

Renovation work will begin in midDecember, with the goal of completion

by December 2014, according to Bill Mansheim, vice president for Finance and Governmental Relations.

“Richardson Hall is considered the heart and soul of our campus, and it is imperative we maintain and restore its historic character. Richardson Hall will continue to proudly bear the inscription, ‘Adams State Normal School,” Mansheim said. As another example, the Luther

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Richardson Hall is considered the heart and soul of our campus, and it is imperative we maintain and restore its historic character.”

Bean Museum, originally the library, will be left intact, while upgrading the building’s mechanical systems and structural integrity.

The main objectives of the $16.9 million project are to replace electrical, plumbing, and heating/cooling systems to achieve energy and resource efficiencies, and to improve the building’s accessibility in accordance with ADA regulations (Americans with Disabilities Act.) The planning and design process kicked off in mid-July, as denizens of Richardson Hall met with members of the design/ build team of G.H. Phipps Construction and OZ Architecture. Phipps built Adams State’s Porter Hall, and the two companies have collaborated on projects at Pueblo Community College and Colorado College, among others. They are also working on restoration of the State Capitol dome.

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Rick Petersen, lead design architect with OZ Architecture, said, “We are inspired by this opportunity to bring back this building’s luster and to upgrade the structure without impacting its current aesthetics.”

About 125 employees work in Richardson Hall; the 64,641-square-foot edifice houses most of the university’s administrative offices, as well as the museum, Upward Bound, Extended Studies, Nursing Department, and Richardson Hall Auditorium.

The Richardson Hall project will be completed in phases, allowing some employees to continue working in the building, with others temporarily relocated to the East Campus.

The building’s third floor will be restored to maximize space usage.

The Adams State campus has been transformed through $65 million in improvement projects over the last seven years.

The centerpiece is the new Residences at Rex student apartment building and stadium facility, which faces the North Campus Green. Renovations were also made to student residence halls, academic buildings, and the Zacheis Planetarium. Campus parking was expanded, and new playing fields were developed.

aStater summer 2013

By Julie Waechter

Adams State welcomed fire evacuees Forests under stress from drought and bark beetle infestation were particularly vulnerable to wildfires this summer. Blazes erupted all around the San Luis Valley, near La Veta Pass, Poncha Pass, and Wolf Creek Pass. The most severe was the West Fork Fire Complex, a combination of three lightning-ignited fires in the San Juan Mountains near Pagosa Springs, Creede, and South Fork. It has become the second largest fire in Colorado history.

The fire began June 5 and by mid-July was 66 percent contained, a status maintained at press time (Aug. 3). The fire claimed nearly 110,000 acres, but sustained no structure damage or personal injury.

Cost of the fire to date is $33 million.

Tourists and South Fork residents were evacuated from the fire zones, and area hotels filled quickly.

When Adams State University received a request to assist West Fork Fire evacuees, the campus reacted.

Bernadine Hostetter, guest services, immediately went into action to serve the evacuees after receiving a request through the Adams State President's Office. Student residence halls became a temporary home for about 100 evacuees who had no other place to go.

"My staff has been amazing," Hostetter said.

"They have worked overtime, sometimes until two or three in the morning. Across campus, departments and individuals responded to make the stay as comfortable as possible for the evacuees.”

The Academic Instructional Technology Center provided the temporary residents with access to Skype for the daily fire meetings; Computing Services enabled WiFi for all the rooms; and the Rex Activity Center opened its facilities to the evacuees.

Texas resident Teal Holman, who has worked at Fun Valley RV Park for the last three summers, said: "Ms. Bernadine is one of the nicest people I met in Colorado so far. The students and resident assistants have all been great. We couldn't ask for more." He had remained with the owner of Fun Valley, along with six other employees, to help evacuate their approximately 200 campers.

Holman said it was a relief to know they had a place to go. "We had everything we needed while we bunkered down."

Fellow Fun Valley employees, Bob and Marcelle Russell of Roswell, New Mexico, had left for Pagosa Springs on their day off. When it was time to return, Wolf Creek Pass was closed. Taking the long-way around over Cumbres Pass, they stopped on their way through Alamosa and heard Fun Valley had been evacuated. They drove west on 160, noticing the string of RVs heading east. Once they arrived in South Fork, the state police stopped them from continuing any further west. "The sheriff took us up in his car and gave us three minutes to retrieve possessions – get in and out."

That night they slept in their pick-up truck in the Walmart parking lot. The next morning they heard about Adams State's dormitories being available. "It is just amazing how everyone, not just the administration, has been so friendly and welcoming." Students asked if they needed anything, and some of the custodial staff offered their homes. "The moral support was so appreciated."

Two days later, the couple was allowed to retrieve their RV from Fun Valley. "We made the best of a bad situation. We are taking the opportunity to explore the San Luis Valley."

Hostetter said: "The community's outreach has been amazing." Many individuals and local organizations and churches donated food, meals, and supplies for the displaced. "The community was fantastic, and the evacuees were a great group."

Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service

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Forum delves into reality of Affordable Care Act ASU Community Partnerships helped dispel confusion about the Affordable Care Act at a forum that drew an audience of about 85 in April.

“We are not here to debate,” said moderator Armando Valdez, assistant professor of business. “The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land; we are here to see how it really affects you.”

Expertise was offered by panelists including Ned Calonge, M.D., President and CEO of The Colorado Trust; Gigi Darricades, CEO of Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc.; Tom Deegan, registered nurse and author of Healthcare: A View from the Trenches; Reginaldo Garcia, PhD., Rocky Mt. Prevention Research Center; Russ Johnson, Senior Vice President of Network Development & Outreach at Centura Health, Denver, and former CEO of the SLV Tom Deegan shared his expe- Regional Medical Center; and Marrience as an RN at the forum. guerite Salazar ‘75, Colorado Commissioner of Insurance, formerly Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CEO of Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. The panelists explained that thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), millions of people who were previously uninsured now have coverage and greater access to preventive services. Calonge said his main hope is that the new insurance marketplace structure will help people understand they really do have choices.

“The PPACA makes our ability to attract and retain physicians stronger,” said Johnson. “Before the PPACA, [the hospital] saw uninsured patients but didn’t get paid for it. Now, we still do, but get reimbursed in a different way. That makes us more competitive and strengthens our ability to provide better care.” Calonge sees the PPACA as a significant benefit to today’s providers. “There is work here for all of us, and there is the payment reform to support us.”

Audience questions centered on whether the law would result in a healthier population. Panelists agreed the PPACA and other current state-wide initiatives can make it easier for individuals to adopt healthy habits.

Calonge explained that the PPACA’s focus on prevention is about more than cutting costs. “Prevention does save money, but we have to rethink it. Preventive services deliver changes in our behavior and in our communities. We develop safe, walkable communities, healthy cafeterias, no smoking. When you keep your weight down, you will have less chronic diseases. That is a different kind of savings.”

Story & photo by Gena Akers

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10th annual autumn@adams Health, Fitness, and Beyond/ Salud, Buena Forma Física y Más September 9 - 14 7 p.m.

Monday, September 9 • McDaniel Hall 101 Tom Deegan and SLV Hospice “End of Life Decisions”

Tuesday, September 10 • McDaniel Hall 101 7 p.m. San Luis Valley Mental Health “Access to Positive Mental Health” 4 p.m.

7 p.m.

Wednesday, September 11 Labyrinth Dedication and Food Drive McDaniel Hall - South Lawn Last Lecture • McDaniel Hall 101 Dr. Leslie Alvarez and Dr. Tracy Doyle

Thursday, September 12 Dr. Beez Schell • McDaniel Hall 101 “Health and Leadership” 4 - 6 p.m. Human Performance & Physical Education Open House & Grand Opening Celebration East Campus (former Evans Elementary) Noon

above events free and open to the public.

Saturday, September 14 • North Campus Green 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Green Chile, Red Chile & Salsa Cook-Off $10 for contestants, $3 for participants Free jalapeño eating contest for adults Free watermelon seed spitting contest for kids

for information visit autumn.adams.edu or call: 719-587-7827

Snook Gallery exhibits alumni artists Opening reception: Friday, Sept. 27 • 5-7 p.m.

Showing Sept. 23 to Oct. 18 Recent work by fifty Art Department graduates of 1996-2012 The Art Dept. is requesting artists donate proceeds from sales at this show to support framing of 27 signed, original photographs by Jean Claude and Cristo. Other donations also welcomed.

For more info, call 719-587-7823.

Boettcher Teacher Program helps rural schools “How do you see that impacting you as a teacher?” Dr. Linda Christian asked the first group of eight aspiring teachers in the new Boettcher Teachers Program in the San Luis Valley. noted high teacher turnover in public schools has created a demand for alternative licensure. Initial participating school districts include Alamosa, Center, Monte Vista, Antonito, and North Conejos. Hensley added it is hoped the program will expand to other SLV districts.

This partnership with Adams State is the first extension of the Boettcher Teacher Program to rural communities. A collaboration between the Boettcher Foundation and Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC), the program was initiated nine years ago on the Front Range, resulting in 96 percent teacher retention over six years, in addition to statistically significant increases in student achievement.

The program was modified for rural schools to offer two tracks: one for apprentices, and one that offers induction support for full-time, first-year teachers who already possess an alternative teaching license.

Both groups complete a master's degree over the course of two years. In addition, apprentices work alongside a mentor teacher for the first year, then assume a classroom of their own for

the second year. All participants make a five-year service commitment to San Luis Valley schools.

Adams State provides a $100 per credit hour scholarship to all participants. The Boettcher Foundation supports an additional $5,000 scholarship for those in the apprentice track. The master’s program entails between 39 and 48 credit hours of coursework, depending on the participant’s previous coursework. They take classes on weekends and evenings, as well as in the summer.

Noting that Adams State was founded in 1921 specifically to prepare teachers for rural Colorado, University President David Svaldi said it can be difficult for rural school districts to fill certain teaching positions, such as those in math and science, and the Boettcher program will help address those needs.

By Julie Waechter

LEFT: Dr. Linda Christian and the first cohort of the Boettcher Teacher Program in the SLV discuss Perspectives in Teaching and Learning.

ABOVE: As part of their study of San Luis Valley culture, the Boettcher Teacher residents take part in the Fandango presented as part of the HILOS Institute (see story page 14-15.)

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The graduate students had just read an article comparing the varying degrees of success Hispanic students achieved in four different southern Colorado school districts. The article found success was positively correlated to the degree of Hispanic influence in the community and district.

During the class discussion, students in Christian’s “Perspectives in Teaching and Learning” course drew on their own educational experiences in local schools. Their second course during the inaugural summer institute was “Culture of the Valley.”

The program aims to prepare more teachers for low-income, rural public schools, with a focus on training teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse students. It provides alternative teacher licensure and a master’s degree in education from Adams State, along with an endorsement in culturally and linguistically diverse education.

Stephanie Hensley, with Adams State’s Teacher Education Department,

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We are forced into a role of humility. That is pilgrimage.

That is true change.

That is the Camino.”

The Des or Jour Study adventures allow students to

The Camino de Santiago, “The Way of St. James,” is a pilgrimage route which has carried millions of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela for over 1,200 years. According to legend, the remains of Christ’s apostle St. James the Elder are entombed in this city in northwestern Spain.

Traditionally, peregrinos, as these travelers are known in Spain, came from across Europe seeking spiritual renewal, but today they come from around the world for many reasons, including adventure, friendship, personal challenge, and spiritual insight.

The mindset going into the camino was “Conquer the Camino.”

But in the days since then, I have found that it’s not about conquering the Camino, but rather, letting the Camino conquer you. Be open, be free. Let it change you. Don’t force things. Everyday life is a struggle back home now, because I have no free time. No time to recollect. . . No one understands what I feel and what I have seen. But in a sense I deeply enjoy this, because it is something that is all mine.

– Jake Moberly ‘15 8

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aStater summer 2013

Why hike the Camino?

Other hikers had their reasons, which made me feel a little insecure, because they wanted to solve some issue they were facing or figure out what the next step is for them. I was the little native girl with no agenda but to hike in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

I’d seen the greens of Colorado, but I desperately wanted to see the greens of Spain. . .

“Roswell,” “Littlefoot,” and “Laughing Lightening” are nicknames I acquired along the Camino, and I love every single name. . . People from all across the world have complimented my laugh. My group even said my laughter is contagious, and hearing that makes me appreciate my laughter even more. . . I did figure out my role on the Camino. My role was to love myself and add to the stories of other Camino hikers.

– Kellylynn Zuni ‘15 In mid-May, English professor David MacWilliams and three student writers set off on a 200mile segment of The Way from the mountains to the sea. Students Brittany Olsen, Jake Moberly, and Kellylynn Zuni (right, from left) share their reflections.

stination the rney?

No place like NOLA “I took back from New Orleans a great deal of connection,” said Tanisha Thomas, a senior government

Photos by Dr. David MacWilliams

A foot injury midway through the hike forced Brittany Olsen to leave the trail, walking five kilometers on her own to reach shelter.

In the space of five kilometers, very little changed, yet I found that I had. I wasn’t the same scared person. . .

It’s not until I left the trail that I appreciated how much the dull plod of my feet upon the ground, my wooden walking stick vibrating a hollow thud in my palm, and the slow progressive change of landscape had become a part of me and just how important those kilometers truly are….

Despite the fact that I had to walk in pain, it didn’t keep me back.

Relying on the kindness of strangers and messily drawn maps, I found that I had made my own micro-pilgrimage. Whatever awaited me in Santiago, whatever big question it was that I had come to answer for myself, I knew that I had found some of it on that stretch of road. The questions I faced were the same I face off of the Camino. The biggest struggle I had to overcome was myself. . . The Camino is deceptive, because it is no different than everyday life. We bring the same troubles and worries to it. It is because we are more open to its lessons that encourages the biggest change, because we are forced into a role of humility. That is pilgrimage. That is true change. That is the Camino.

– Brittany Olsen ‘13

Story & photos by Kellicia Morse ‘14

BSU members who ventured to New Orleans included (from left) Chris Darby, Tanisha Thomas, Nyree Jones, and Jazmine Ralph.

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discover the world – and themselves.

major who enjoyed the Black Student Union’s tour this spring with Professor of History Ed Crowther. “There is a great sense of community and diverse culture that I admire the most. People down in New Orleans carry with them traditions of ‘hey baaaaabeh’ all the way to the roots of inspirational food and music to bring people together."

Crowther oriented the group to the town and introduced them to everything from the National World War II Museum to the best places to eat traditional foods like jambalaya and gumbo. They also observed the continuing impact of Hurricane Katrina on damaged streets with deserted storefronts.

Vanois Queen, a senior majoring in business administration/advertising, said, “I learned things while in New Orleans that I didn't learn in school. Learning how New Orleans got its start was very fascinating, and it was great to go to the places where jazz began.”

BSU president Meagan Smith ‘13 organized the trip because she wanted to “overwhelm” members with culture. “My goal was to give them a chance to learn more about the different aspects of African American culture in the south, and that they did.” Smith particularly enjoyed a New Orleans traditional dance originally performed by West African slaves on Sundays to celebrate their religious rituals. “My heart pounded as the sounds of the brass bands and drums roared down the streets of the Treme. I have never seen so many happy people dancing in the streets and on their front porches.”

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Finding a happy heart When traveling to a country such as Nicaragua, you can spend weeks preparing, but you will find it makes little difference. As ready as you feel you are, you’re not.

On our bus ride from the airport in Managua to our home-stays in Granada, we saw a plethora of things. There were mansions hidden behind towering walls. There were people sleeping on the sidewalks. There were billboards with attractive females. There were young women selling their bodies. There were the most incredible flowering trees. There

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Matias, our professors, had emphasized that immersion is critical to understanding a culture. Being dropped off at a home where no one speaks English, in a foreign country, in the middle of the night is a good way to become fully immersed.

The last stop of the night was to a teal home with a large boulder in front. A stout, elderly woman stood at the door. This was my home-stay. I stepped off the air-conditioned bus and into this humble house.

The journey had begun.

At five a.m. the music started. This low “dum duh dum dum, bum bada bum bum” reverberated throughout the house. Shortly after, the roosters on the patio began to caw.

Then cannons were intermingled in this cacophony. This was the heartbeat of Granada. All these noises were the sound of life.

My first experience of this actual life in Nicaragua was with my host mother, Juanita. Juanita was a beautiful woman. I do not mean this in the superficial sense. Her heart was kind. Her soul was compassionate. She walked with a cane and only came up to my shoulder, but let me tell you, she was not someone you would want to cross. She was a pro-

We had the most memorable lunchtime chit-chat of my life. Yet neither of us could speak the other’s language.” was trash in every crevice. There was all this devastation merged within this beautiful country, and Matias, one of our group leaders, just kept saying “My heart is happy.” I was not sure what he meant. It is a simple enough statement, but hard to decipher.

Our bus arrived in Granada around midnight. The city blocks were lined with boldly painted colonial homes, chipped and faded from the passing of time. Even in the dark of the night, the houses were luminous. One-by-one we students were dropped off with our home-stay families. Ben and

ABOVE: Sociology students of Dr. Ben Waddell (center front) joined a group of students from University of New Mexico, led by economist Matias Fontenla, for a twoweek journey studying efforts to provide more sustainable access to health care, education, and income in Nicaragua. The author, Maddie Mansheim, is fourth from left in yellow.

RIGHT: One of many church processions through the streets of Granada.

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hid cocaine addicts and loving mothers alike. The streets were home to orphaned children. Bullet holes pocked the buildings, a haunting reminder of the bloodshed in the decades past. Poverty was at every corner. Yet Nicaragua was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

The simplest way to describe the average day in Nicaragua is to walk down any street. A child is selling soda from little plastic bags for one cordoba.

Young men dressed as if they were straight from New Jersey are selling the United States’ used, dated cell phones. Fruit stands are scattered throughout with produce that you have never seen before. Distended dogs scavenge for food.

Teenagers hang out with their friends. The newest blockbuster movies are available for one American dollar. A mother holds her ill baby that will probably not see the age of two. There is a blind woman walking with no direction.

I think I now understand Matias’ declaration of his happy heart. There was a moment when I was leaving my home-stay. My abuela was sitting outside in this cracked plastic green lawn chair. In the street, the neighborhood kids were kicking around a tattered soccer ball. A group of men were playing cards. The sun was setting behind the tiled rooftops. It was then, my heart was happy.

In the weeks before Nicaragua, I had imagined how every step of the trip would go. Needless to say, none of it went the way I thought. You can spend weeks preparing, but you are never truly prepared. You cannot prepare for the hardships you will witness and the beauty you will see. Nothing you read compares to what you experience.

Nicaragua was far from what I thought it to be. It was riddled with unexpected moments. It redefined life and illuminated the world a bit more.

This trip will resonate in my soul forever.

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The children simply glowed.

It was as if they had this internal light.”

Story & photos by Maddie Mansheim ‘15

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tector of her whole family and she had adopted me. She had become my abuela. We had the most memorable lunchtime chit-chat of my life. Yet neither of us could speak the other’s language.

With conversation restricted to what I learned in high school Spanish, communication was limited with all Nicaraguans. Hand gestures and shrugging became our common language. Despite the fact I could not comprehend much of what was being said, the people conveyed their lives through their countenances.

In the elders, you could see this hardened exterior; yet in many ways their eyes showed a distinct contentment with life. The children? The children simply glowed. There is no better way to put this.

It was as if they had this internal light, similar to how a speck of gold shines like the sun, even though it is no bigger than a bit of dust.

And then you see the environment that they live in and can’t help but ask yourself, how? How do these people radiate and smile with such pure joy, when they have near to nothing? The only way I could explain it is that they are living. Maybe not “living the life,” so to speak, but they are not hindered by their habitat. While their lives may be drastically altered by their surroundings, life goes on. Their happiness is not contingent upon it. Nicaraguans have an unfathomable strength.

It was often painful to observe the people’s living conditions. Trash became the beaches of the lakes. Shanty houses built from driftwood

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Art through new eyes Art, architectural design, cultural foods, and people from all over the world come together in one city: New York.

Art professors Dana Provence and Roger Eriksen accompanied me and 12 other art students on a whirlwind tour of the Big Apple and its art in May. I found amazing artworks of all sizes, shapes, colors, and materials, from glass to various metals, marble, and clay. It changed my whole thought process and ideas of creating jewelry into works of art.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art had a variety of metals stamped and molded, giving me fresh ideas for my current classes. Our visit to Storm King Park in upstate New York introduced me to massive land art that has sparked ideas for my own art in smaller scale. I can add bends and turns, and there is no right or wrong.

I have always tried to make my works of art understandable, and now I see it is what you want to put into it. Jackson Pollock’s work has never been adequately emulated, because he put himself into it. I now hope I can do the same. Van Gogh, Picasso, Cezanne, and Degas not only painted, but also did sculpture or drawing. I can see where this will help me to broaden how I look at things, too, with great hopes of creating my own masterpieces.

I had never realized there could be so much beauty throughout a city: from the waterways to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty; from the Brooklyn Bridge to the New York City skyline.

The history in the structures truly showed their age: pillars, balconies, gargoyles, lions, and scrolls on entrances of buildings and surrounding the roofs tops. My Art Appreciation class introduced me to artwork I was unaware of, and this trip helped me to see art through new eyes.

Story & photos by Linda Naro ‘15

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CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT: The cemetery at Trinity Church Fulang-Chang and I by Frida Kahlo, a Claude Monet, Gold Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol Art Professor Dana Provence approaches Tilted Dreamcatcher

by Mark di Suvero at Storm King Park

Nursing students lend a hand in Guatemala “I grieve as a person,” said Kenny Scally ’13, as he related the “shocking” living conditions he and fellow ASU nursing students encountered in rural Guatemala: lack of sanitary plumbing, poor personal hygiene, and the prevalence of rabid dogs.

A group of eleven students volunteered at two clinics in Guatemala for two weeks during March. They worked in the towns of Parramos and San Andreas Iztpa, accompanied by Victoria Kretche, visiting asst. professor of nursing, and Allison Bennett, coordinator of the Nursing Simulation Lab. The service trip was prompted by a desire to improve health care services in the San Luis Valley.

“There is a significant and diverse population of Guatemalans in the San Luis Valley, and they often have a difficult time with health care,” Kretche explained. “By learning more about that culture, our future nurses can have a stronger impact on the local community.”

The students shared their service learning experience at a public presentation on campus in early May. Guatemala is one of the ten poorest places in the world, with the lowest life expectancy and highest infant mortality rate in Central America. The civil war that ended in 1996 left half of Guatemalans with no health care services, particularly rural and indigenous people. Their top health issues are maternal death, child malnutrition, and violence.

“They lack schooling, clean water, and food,” Scally noted. “The largest river, where they get their drinking water, was covered with trash and foam, with dogs drinking from it.” He and other students made home visits to administer childhood vaccinations. The group also vaccinated dogs against rabies to help protect the human population.

The clinic in Parramos, a community of Mayas, was “small and rundown,” staffed by one doctor, one nurse, and a half dozen nursing assistants. Patients were primarily women – many of whom were pregnant – and children. The women were eager for family planning information, although contraception is socially unacceptable, and the country has one of the highest fertility rates in the western hemisphere.

Ashley Kelly said, “The amount of poverty was hard to take, amidst all the beauty of the people, climate, and geography.” She added the experience “made me think about how much food we waste. The people are very appreciative of what they do have.”

The students also helped to educate the communities about the importance of hand washing. “The schools have no soap, no running water, and the adults just didn’t get it,” Kelly explained. “Toothbrushes are rare and cherished.

Jonathan Reed (right) and translator Casey Harrington talk to school children about the importance of good hygiene.

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Hilo

From the Iberian Peninsula through Mexico into the Upper Rio Grande region, the unique flavor of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado has aroused the senses of generations.

The Hilos Summer Institute honors Dr. Herman ‘69 and Patricia ‘70 Martínez (below) for preserving traditions, values, and beliefs that strengthen individuals, familia, and community.

In 2000, the Martínezes founded Hilos Culturales, Inc., a Colorado nonprofit corporation, to promote and preserve the Hispaño music and dance traditions of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

Two years ago they partnered with Lillian Gomez, Title V Grant director at ASU, to bring this rich culture to Adams State faculty and staff with the weeklong Hilos Summer Institute, held in San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado.

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os Culturales enchants For the past four nights, my dreams connected with the universal subconscious, blurring the lines of time as Conquistadors march north, hunting for seven cities of gold, always looking in the wrong direction.

They plant cultural seeds which centuries later continue to ripen and nourish their descendants and all who willingly embrace a rich heritage that runs as deep as the aquifer.

The desperate wailing of La Llorona, searching for her dead children, dissolves into the verse of Los Penitentes singing to save a soul – widespread wings honor the eagle, as the sound of the single drum fades into the strings of guitar and violin lightly strumming, as the newly wed dance through the arch formed by friends and family.

The wool blanket lies heavy on our chests, providing both warmth and a reminder of how the fibers of one culture weave through existing traditions to create an entirely new design. My inner sanctum begins to recede and the dark night, accentuated by the light of stars, melts into a slow burst of color rising behind the silhouette of the silent, all seeing mountain.

The Hilos Summer Institute (hilos is Spanish for threads) impressed more than my imagination. The tightly scheduled days began with morning workshops. Business Executive Carlos Gonzales shared his expertise with administrative staff. Barbara Catbagan and Scott VanLoo facilitated the session on active learning, which engaged faculty in strategies to become more effective professors.

Seated on old church pews, cooled by afternoon breezes waving curtains inward, the group of 21 listened and participated as experts in their field shared their knowledge of the Spanish Colonial visual arts, music, dance, language, lineage, religious ceremonies, and stories. Colleagues and institute leaders connected at a deeper level – through music and song at the end of each day.

From my heart, I thank Lillian Gomez, Title V director, for inviting me to participate.

This experience enriched and enlightened my understanding of a proud and strong culture and helped open my mind to acceptance of all.

Story & photos by Linda Relyea ‘96 counter-clockwise from upper left: Lynee Sanute, reference and instruction librarian, and Dana Provence, professor of art, act the part of the married couple during the Bailes Sociales presentation.

Larry Torres makes history come alive portraying Francisco de Coronado.

Alumnus Huberto Mestas ‘84 relates various aspects of his creation of the Stations of the Cross in San Luis (background).

Debbie Carrillo (at right), an accomplished potter of micaceous clay, appreciates the interest of Candice Morgan, resident director; Beth Apodaca-Ruybal, Extended Studies curriculum and evaluation specialist, and Ryan Shiba ‘04 ‘07, director of the Academic Instructional Technology Center.

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No hype here

Adams State professors wal increasing competition for funding and students has intensified higher education marketing and branding efforts. But Adams State University is an easy sell: alumni of all eras consistently praise professors for their scholarly excellence and individual attention to students. The faculty’s dedication remains Adams State’s core value, and is recognized through the relatively new tradition of the Presidential Teacher Award.

“The Presidential Teacher Award is coveted by our professors, particularly because it is determined by our students,” said Dr. Michael Mumper ‘76, senior vice president for enrollment management and program development, who initiated the award six years ago. “And it’s competitive, because Adams State has many superb faculty members who devote their careers to students.”

Over six years, the Presidential Teaching Award has recognized 21 professors for their outstanding contribution to their students. Recipients receive $1,500 toward professional development and have the opportunity to create and teach a special course.

Nominations originate with students, then a committee of outstanding students spends hours evaluating, interviewing, and observing these nominees before electing them to the honor.

2013 Presidential Teachers (from left): Dr. Zena Buser, Dr. Leslie Cramblet Alvarez, The 2013 Presidential Teaching and Sheryl Abeyta.

Award recipients are Sheryl Abeyta, assistant professor of accounting; Dr. masters in the art of teaching Leslie Cramblet Alvarez, associate professor of psychology; and Dr. Zena Buser, assistant professor of business and direcAlthough the 2013 Presidential Teachers differ in discitor of the Agricultural Business program. pline, background, and education, they share many common The student selection committee also gave a posthumous denominators when it comes to the art of teaching.

Presidential Teacher Award to the late Dr. Stuart Hilwig, proFor these professors, the education profession provides opfessor of history, who died in an auto accident last fall. Hilwig portunities for continued growth and development. Abeyta was nominated for the award all six years, had been a 2012 fi- believes every moment offers a teaching/learning opportunity. nalist, and received the most nominations this year, Mumper "The capacity to learn is endless." Buser strives to "make the said. material and the discussion relevant to the student, make it

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Presidential Teachers build on their talents and student focus by creating new courses and building their skills.

By Linda Relyea ‘96 and Warren Curley ‘16 matter." As an educational psychologist, Alvarez relates what is known about effective teaching and learning to the classroom.

All three women relate to the students in a very personal way. Abeyta inspires students to surpass their preconceived limitations and "help them discover the power and confidence that comes with education." Coming from humble beginnings, she understands what these students are going through, and as such, is better prepared to help them. "Teaching is what I do. It comes naturally."

Buser wants her students to think critically about the topic at hand, about life in general, and "about the possibilities."

Alvarez speaks fondly of her own K-12 teachers and undergraduate and graduate professors. She said: "I love teaching, because I loved being a student." She hopes to create life-long learners.

Through their courses, the professors teach more than just the subject. Abeyta takes pride in her ability to relate with students from many different backgrounds and believes there is much more to her job than lecturing. She says "My job is to make them believe they can make their dreams come true."

Alvarez encourages a scientific attitude in her students.

"Psychology is a science. The concepts and theories are important, but probably most important is being able to think – to be critical, skeptical, and able to express an informed opinion."

During Buser's favorite course, “World Food Distribution & Agricultural Economics,” she guides the students to understand what is produced, why, and where. "It is great to watch them put it all together."

“Principles of Accounting” is Abeyta's favorite course, because it gives her an opportunity to reach students so early in their academic careers.

Alvarez has a similar experience when she teaches “Research Methods,” a difficult course that requires students to devise and conduct original research in only six weeks. She said students who complete the course have a real sense of accomplishment, and that it "demystifies the process of carrying out a psychological research project."

Abeyta, Alvarez, and Buser said it was an honor to know their students took the time to nominate them. "It is a true honor to receive accolades for something I truly love to do," Abeyta said.

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lk the talk

“Performance Art” was the course developed by gene schilling, professor of art and one of the first award recipients in 2008. He collaborated with dr. john taylor, professor of theatre and a 2009 award recipient. The class is now offered every other spring.

Taylor then created a “Theatre and Social Change” course, also now part of the theatre program’s curriculum. “As artists, I wanted to challenge my students to ask the question, ‘How will I change my part of the world?’” With the stipend, Taylor attended a workshop that enhanced many of the approaches he uses in the class. dr. renee beeton, associate professor of chemistry and 2011 recipient, developed an advanced forensic chemistry class. She had already been teaching an introduction to forensic chemistry, and chemistry majors were interested in learning more. “It required the purchase of several microscopes and chemicals, so now this course may be offered periodically as a special topics course.” Her professional development stipend allowed her to attend two national chemistry conferences.

Another chemist, dr. marty jones, emeritus professor of chemistry and ’09 recipient, developed the upper division course, “The Chemistry of Sustainability,” taken by both chemistry and earth science students. “I developed that course because of my interests and activities pertaining to ‘green chemistry’ and sustainability issues.”

Students conducted group projects and presented them to a general audience at a Lunchtime Talk. dr. stephen roberds, associate professor of government, received the award in 2010 and created “Justice, Ethics and Law” which many students say was their “favorite political science course.”

A 2011 recipient, dr. carol guerrero-murphy, professor of English, used the stipend to attend a workshop about creating a poetry collection book. “It was a powerfully constructive experience for me. It taught me strategies and perspectives that I bring back to my senior students, who must arrange a book for their capstone creative writing work.” dr. mari centeno, associate professor of political science and 2012 recipient, ordered books and films to complement her courses.

Another 2012 recipient, dr. robert benson, professor of earth science, used the stipend to purchase field work supplies, including instructional technology for field base mapping.

Chair of the Music Department dr. tracy doyle used her stipend for an intensive training in flute and pedagogy with Patricia George, one of the world's leading flute pedagogues. George had recently released The Flute Scale Book, which Doyle uses in applied lessons. Doyle implements what she learned in flute lessons and adapts the material for her woodwind studio class. dr. tim armstrong, professor of biology, has conducted a number of courses in Costa Rica and Africa. With the goal of improving such ventures, he took a Chautauqua Class on the biology/geology of the Colorado Plateau. “I always lead trips and had never taken one.”

In 2010, the Autumn@Adams committee polled students to select professors from among the Presidential Teacher Award recipients to present a “Last Lecture.” Taylor and Jones addressed an over-flow crowd. The following year, Guerrero-Murphy and Armando Valdez, assistant professor of business and ’11 recipient, were chosen. The Last Lecture will return this fall, with lectures by Dr. Leslie Alvarez and Dr. Tracy Doyle.

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ybarrondo retires after 21 years

A professor first at precisely 1 p.m., Dr. Brent Ybarrondo enters the classroom. With a full mustache and brown hair pulled into his signature ponytail, he carries a stack of papers; smiling, he teases with a couple of the undergraduate students.

The space doubles as biology lab and lecture classroom. A dusty magpie swings over the front of the class ,while a worn-looking bird of prey perches near the clock. Ybarrondo wastes no time in beginning his lecture.

His props include an overhead projector, screen, blackboard and chalk, and a visual aid or two – all the SMART in this classroom comes from his extensive

“Superior teacher”

“

said. “Memorization does not constitute understanding.” He wants students to feel proud when they have completed a bachelor’s degree that they can also think at a higher level.

“Dr. Ybarrondo brings his passion and learning into the classroom,” Nathan Samora said. “He is one of my favorite professors. His unique way of teaching helps me understand the ideas and primary principles.” Samora will graduate in May 2014 and plans to attend veterinary school. “Dr. Ybarrondo uses the Socratic method of teaching.

The male dung beetle has a charming way of attracting a mate - using the freshest, biggest dung ball.”

knowledge and the intellect of his students.

As he moves about from blackboard to the diagram projected on the screen, Ybarrondo frequently stops to ask for student input, and when interrupted by an unsolicited question, he replies immediately in an encouraging way.

There is no indication on this Friday afternoon that the end of the 2013 spring semester looms near, and with that, Ybarrondo’s retirement. The energy level remains high as he passionately shares information. “I strive to develop students’ ability to think at higher cognitive levels,” he

He gets you to answer your own questions.”

Amber Harlan ’12 said she graduated from Adams State well-prepared for the rigors of medical school. She attends Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. “The level of his (Ybarrondo) classes was very difficult, and that is a good thing. I am now better prepared for the expectations at this kind of level.”

Classroom time will be what Ybarrondo misses most after retirement.

“Hilarious”

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“Everything else is supportive of that,” he said.

Chair of the Chemistry and Mathematics Department Dr. Matt Nehring said he admires Ybarrondo’s ability to pull seemingly disparate topics together under a common umbrella. “Brent has engaged students with relevant and cohesive discussions about quantum mechanics, evolution, and components of Einstein's theories of relativity – all in a single biology class period.”

Ybarrondo enjoys the satisfaction that comes from an effective experience in the classroom. “It feels good to have

dr. brent ybarrondo

vitals and vitae ing gone on to achieve their goals and hope that you have contributed in some small way to their success.”

Rick Sloan, M.D., ‘98 said Ybarrondo attended his graduation from University of Colorado Medical School.

“This is something I will never forget. I can remember thinking that if it weren't for him, I may not even have been there getting this professional degree.”

Dr. Benita Brink, Biology/Earth Sciences Department chair, said Ybarrondo developed the biology curriculum to allow the progressive development of the student as a scientist and prepares them well for professional programs, graduate school, or careers with the federal and state natural resource agencies.

Ybarrondo enjoyed watching college students mature. “From terrified freshmen, they mature into confident seniors, thinking so much more clearly and effectively than when they walked in the door.”

Paul Sims ‘89, ‘94, an associate professor of biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma, said, “Dr. Ybarrondo’s courses were rigorous, and he expected his students to put forth substantial effort, but he was also fair. He exemplified the ideal college professor. He showed that it was possible to connect with his students while still maintaining very high standards.” Sims earned a master’s in zoology from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of WisconsinMadison.

After 21 years at Adams State, Ybarrondo said he hopes he made a significant contribution to the Biology Department in particular and Adams State in general. His former students say his impact encouraged their dreams and realistically prepared them for a future in science.

“Full of integrity”

“Wise”

By Linda Relyea ‘96

• Ph.D. zoology, University of Vermont; M.A. biology, Boise State University; B.S. biology (awarded with distinction), San Diego State University.

• Adams State asst. professor of biology, 1992; assoc. professor, 1995; full professor, 1999 • 1995 to 2010: Chair of the Department of Biology and Earth Sciences. “I spent the last three years doing what I came here to do – teach.”

• Member of Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, American Society of Physiologists, Sigma Xi.

grants • $487,216 State of Colorado Program of Excellence Award • $161,335 Department of Defense Instrumentation and Research Support Program for Hispanic-Serving Institutions • $12,449 A.D.A.M. Education Partnership Grant • $11,724 National Science Foundation Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Grant

selected presentations • Invited symposium panelist: “Life on the edge: The physiology, ecology and evolution of insect thermoregulation and temperature tolerance,” National meeting of the Entomological Society of America, 1999 • Invited seminar, Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, 2001: Diving Beetles in a Thermal Minefield” • Invited seminar, Phi-Eta Chapter of βββ Biological Honor Society, 2012: “African Dung Beetles – Nature’s Pooper Scoopers”

research • Comparative studies of the respiratory physiology, thermoregulation, and thermal preference of beetles (Coleoptera) and dragonflies (Odonata), published in peerreviewed journals.

• Most recently published manuscript: “On the Function of the Respiratory Airstore in Two Species of Water Scavenger Beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae),” in revision for submission to the Journal of Experimental Biology.

personal • Married to Lori, 38 years • Hobbies: Restoring vintage Volkswagens, working in woodshop, racing vintage cars

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helped bring them to a point at which they were not operating before.”

Mario Padilla ’11 credits Ybarrondo for influencing his pursuit of a graduate education in entomology.

“Taking his entomology course opened my eyes to the wonderful diversity of insects and how they could be used as fantastic model systems for a variety of research areas.”

Currently in a graduate program at Pennsylvania State University, Padilla said anytime he had a question about a current course or his future, Ybarrondo was there to help. “He has written me letters of recommendation, one of which, I believe, strongly influenced my acceptance to Penn State.

“He taught me how to be the critical thinking scientist, proper deployment of the scientific method, and how to ask biologically relevant questions,” Padilla added.

Ybarrondo said “It is an honor and privilege to participate in students’ intellectual development. It is especially rewarding to hear from graduates hav-

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We have seen the and it is

Kailee Potter chemistry Beginning one-year paid internship with National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colo. ◗ Completed 12-week Research Experience for Undergraduates at University of Maryland’s Chesapeake Biology Lab ◗ President of Adams Atoms, attended national conferences of American Chemical Society, worked as chemistry teaching assistant, EARTH workstudy ◗ Porter Scholar, federal SMART grant (National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent), Kay Watkins Scholarship, Lorraine Young Memorial Scholarship, Vice President's Merit Scholarship ◗ “Dr. Marty Jones was definitely one of the best teachers I ever had. He wants you to understand and learn.

It’s impressive that at 8 in the morning, he can maintain such engagement with students.”

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e future

us.

David Noller bachelor of fine arts, ceramics Specializes in low-fire earthenware white clay body and hand-building figurative sculpture. ◗ Originally wanted to attend an art academy. “I am glad now I didn’t. I feel more well-rounded.” ◗ “Throwing on the wheel makes me dizzy.” ◗ Her self-portrait thesis exhibition was an installation centered on a large seated figure surrounded by smaller figures hanging from sheer material. “The smaller figures personified emotions interacting with the self-portrait.” ◗ “Completing a BFA helped me form a conceptual layer to my art. I discovered and explored deeper meaning and understanding, and this made my art stronger.” ◗ Mentor: Professor of Art Eugene Schilling. “I enjoy drawing the human figure. When I had anatomy questions, I would go to Gene. He has been great.” ◗ Work-study job in the Office of Communications, assisting with web management.

◗ Won Colorado’s “Got Talent” competition and a private audition with the producers of “America’s Got Talent” ◗ His first solo CD, “A Book of Scars,” was released through Prime Studios. He will release a full-length album, “DTFW,” later this year. His work is accessible at davidnollerdrums.com. ◗ “I’ve been taking these opportunities to broaden my horizons. I’ve been exploring dub step, Latin, jazz, and electronic styles to increase my opportunities.” ◗ “The most important thing I’ve learned is how to be professional. It doesn’t matter how good I am, if I can’t network and present myself well.” ◗ Attributes his success in part to James Doyle, visiting assistant professor of music. “The percussion training I’ve received here has been extremely helpful. He’s a really cool guy, and he’s opened my eyes to the importance of being professional in the music business.”

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Katelyn Heon

music business/percussion Headed to Denver to play and produce music

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Jeremy Brunette hgp anthropology emphasis, history minor Will enter University of Nebraska master’s in anthropology program, Lincoln, NE, where he hopes to intern at the National Park Service’s Midwest Archaeology Center to work on a new program documenting homestead materials. His goal is to earn a Ph.D. ◗ Non-traditional student from Colorado Springs, married with 3 sons. “The other students were very welcoming. I never felt out of place and met other non-trads which was also helpful.” ◗ On staff of Ft. Garland Field School this summer. ASU Archaeology lab coordinator, identifying and analyzing artifacts from last year’s dig, entering into data base (bones, toothbrush, cans, clothing remnants) ◗ “I’d love to teach at an institution of similar size to Adams State.

The one-on-one interaction has been a great experience for me.

I like to help other students.” ◗ Lots of opportunities stemmed from attending Society for Historical Archaeology conference in Leicester, UK (paid for by lab stipend); received President’s Merit Scholarship ◗ Co-presented paper at Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists comparing construction styles of Ft. Garland and Ft. Massachusetts (co-authors Jamie Devine, Delfin Weis); poster on gold dredging in Ft. Massachusetts area ◗ “Dr. Goddard has been a mentor and a friend. He encouraged my conference attendance.”

Tucker Jones psychology Admitted to doctoral program in psychology at Kansas State; offered a teaching assistantship with full funding guaranteed for 5 years. ◗ Senior thesis study: “Coping with Rejection-Induced Emotions and Shame” was presented at Student Scholar Days, the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Convention in Denver, and the Association for Psychological Science Convention (international) in Washington, D.C. ◗ Served as vice president for the Adams State chapter of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, which awarded him a $1,500 research grant, received Vice President’s Merit Scholarship ◗ Was teaching assistant in statistics, research assistant, and worked at Grizzly Testing and Learning Center ◗ Completed summer internship with PALS, a program through Alamosa’s homeless shelter, La Puente, that offers free afterschool and summer programs for at-risk elementary students ◗ “I am convinced that without Dr. Elison’s help I would not be going to grad school. He treats me more like a colleague than just a student, and I learned a lot from him.”

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Tucker Jones (left) gets a high-five from Dr. Jeff Elison.

Jasmine Mascarenes hppe-exercise science Accepted into Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Northern Arizona University, which only accepts 6-7 percent of applicants ◗ Has standing job offer with physical therapist in Taos, where her mother & sister work. They hope to open their own PT practice eventually. ◗ LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratories) Foundation scholarship, Milestone Scholarship, Vice President’s Merit Scholarship ◗ Work study in ASU Police Dept., member of Newman Club, Prizm, HPPE Club ◗ Campus Minister Shirley Atencio is someone “I’ve always been able to talk to.”

elementary education Hopes to teach elementary school, preferably in Monte Vista, Colo., his hometown ◗ Student taught 4th grade and coached middle school baseball in Monte Vista ◗ “I want to stay in the SLV, and I really care about the kids who need more attention.” ◗ Received SLV Federal Bank Scholarship, Vice President’s Merit Scholarship ◗ “Mr. Wreford definitely helped me with my writing, even though that’s my strongest area. He was also a great example of a teacher.”

Vicente Vega-Ruiz business administration-finance Accepted into FirstBank management training program in his hometown of Greeley, Colo. ◗ “As soon as school started in August, my goal was to have a job lined up by Spring Break. The offer from FirstBank came one week later.” ◗ Teaching assistant for managerial finance and tutor for finance; received Chairs' Merit Scholarship, Latin American Educational Foundation Scholarship, Lions Club Scholarship ◗ VP of Finance for AS&F, men’s soccer team played every game this season, then served as asst. coach ◗ Interned last summer with Sherwin-Williams in Firestone ◗ “I really enjoyed the culture and small atmosphere of Adams State. I enjoy walking across campus and seeing three or four people I know.” ◗ “From Day One, Prof.

Zaro helped me with everything, with the objective of getting me a job. Professor Liz [Thomas] really helped Vicente Vega-Ruiz (center) with Liz Thomas and with academic advising.” Yushri Zaro.

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Lucus Torres

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Billy Adams Award goes to Erik van de Boogaard The 2013 Billy Adams Award will be presented to Erik van de Boogaard at the annual Student & Donor Recognition Dinner, Nov. 6.

Van de Boogaard oversaw the university’s $65 million in campus renovations and construction completed since 2006, as associate vice president for Facilities Planning, Design & Construction. He recently relocated to Florida.

Summerfest creates scholarship for art & music majors Alumni Director Lori Laske (right) gives instruction and encouragement to student callers.

One ringy-dingy ...

Alumni Phonathon increases donors Around the corner in the Alumni Relations Office, currency-themed streamers and paper money wallpaper surrounds a bank of phones and busy students calling during the annual Phon-a-thon.

“Hi, is this James? This is Tara, calling from Adams State University, and I just want to thank you for your previous donation. Can I count on you again this year for $100? Awesome, have a great night.” The call ends, and Tara Wyatt quickly dials the next number on the list.

The buzz is constant and the air sparks when a bell rings to note every donation received. Lori Laske ‘91, ‘01, director of Alumni Relations, rushes to a station when a noise maker blows, which means she needs to take a credit card number. “Okay, no longer calling the East 15 nights called Coast. How are we doing?”

17 student callers she shouts over the cacophony.

16,914 calls dialed This is Wyatt’s third year working the Phon-a-thon.

3,651 alumni contacted “My favorite is ‘high roller 655 donors night,’ when we call past givers who donate $500 and 9% more donors over last year up.”

$31,144 pledged adams state alumni 2013 phonathon

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The Summerfest on the Rio committee established a scholarship to give back to the community and emphasize the event’s focus on music and art.

Adams State juniors majoring in art or music with a GPA of at least 2.5 are eligible to apply.

Held in Alamosa’s Cole Park the first weekend in June, Summerfest on the Rio features art and craft booths, live music and entertainment, and a variety of food and beverage.

The scholarship is funded through Summerfest’s Rio Poker Run. Nearly 40 bikers participated in 2013, raising $500 for a scholarship. The bikers leave together escorted by the city police to the edge of town where they enjoy a ride throughout various areas in the San Luis Valley.

The scholarship will first be awarded during the 2014/2015 academic year.

Donor Report correction Apologies to Mandy Elder `94, who was inadvertently omitted from the list of those who contributed to her the memorial scholarship created to honor her father, Bill Sinclair ‘70, ‘76.

The scholarship benefits students majoring in Human Performance & Physical Education (HPPE).

The Great Story of Dr. Gary Peer Dr. Gary Peer thought he was out of the limelight once he concluded his speech at Adams State University’s Spring Commencement, May 11. But he was surprised at the subsequent luncheon with a very special honor: a Great Story on Walls in Halls.

The Adams State University Foundation created the “Great Stories on Walls in Halls” as a way to honor loved ones, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university. Adams State President David Svaldi claims Peer as a very important mentor and friend who encouraged him to pursue an administrative role at Adams State. Svaldi’s wife, Virginia, previously worked as Peer’s administrative assistant.

“It is not always possible for us to give public recognition to someone who has served a pivotal role for us in growing our aspiration and achievement,” Svaldi said. “For me, Dr. Gary Peer is that person. We want to let him know how much he means to us.”

The “Great Story” plaque reads in part: “Dr. Peer will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, commitment to students and teaching, and his knowledge of Mark Twain. In Twain’s words: ‘Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.’ Dr. Peer is a sunny spirit.”

Peer served Adams State for a dozen years in senior level administrative positions, including Vice President for Academic Affairs and acting President.

Adams State’s academic accomplishments during Peer’s tenure include three Program of Excellence awards from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Currently, he is interim Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University.

“This is capping a very special Dr. Gary and Bev Peer (left) with longtime friends and colleagues, Dr. David and Virginia Svaldi. weekend for Bev [his wife] and Don Basse, and the Adams State me,” Peer said. “This was a very, very Department of nice thing for you to do. It touches me History/Government/Philosophy. and Bev very deeply. We had twelve The Foundation accepts a minimum sweet, special years here, not just bedonation of $5,000 to dedicate a Great cause of the mountains, but because Story with a framed photograph and you and so many others were such a joy plaque, which is then hung in the Stuto work with.” dent Union Building. Previous “Great Peer’s “Great Story” was dedicated Story” honorees include Dr. Robert Polthrough gifts from Dr. David and Virlard ’61, John Spencer ’62, Rick Spier ginia ‘83, ‘84, ‘95 Svaldi, Dr. Ed ’88, ’91, Dr. John Turano, and Johnny Crowther, Connie Spencer ‘63, ‘66, Dr. L. and Electra (Watson) Wilson.

The family of the late Bill Waters ’59, the ASU Outstanding Alumnus for 2006, has donated his 1978 Ford Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition to benefit Adams State’s renewed baseball program.

Baseball Coach Jim Capra is accepting offers for the vehicle at 719-480-1131. It will shortly be available for bidding on Ebay.

"The athletic department and baseball program are extremely grateful to the Waters family for their donation,” said Athletic Director Larry Mortensen ‘88, ‘93.

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in honor of don richmond

Scholarship fosters music and community Friends and admirers of Alamosa musician Don Richmond created a scholarship for music majors in his name through a $10,000 endowment.

Don Richmond (left) and the Rifters play a benefit hoedown for the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust.

Photo by Rio de la Vista

The lead donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, began the scholarship in appreciation of Richmond’s commitment to the San Luis Valley community. Thus, one requirement is that

applicants submit an essay on the power of music in community building and/or their plans to contribute musically to the community in which they live. Applicants must also be full-time students with at least a 3.0 GPA. “I am profoundly struck by what Don has given to the community. He raises money for cancer patients, the food bank. . .” the donor said. “What has kept him in the San Luis Valley is his desire to record the music of this area.”

Richmond has been making his living playing and producing music in the Colorado - New Mexico area since 1970. He also owns and runs the recording studio Howlin' Dog Recording. He is a multi-instrumental musician and singer-songwriter, performing on guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, pedal steel guitar, dobro, harmonica, accordion, and trumpet.

Richmond considers music “a way of communicating ‘something fine’ – something that reminds us all of why it's worth being alive. There is great joy for me in participating in this process, whether it is as a musician putting out the music or as someone helping record other musicians. There is also great joy for me in the group creative process.”

For 17 years, Richmond was a member of the Colorado band Tumbleweed, which achieved a strong and devoted following around the region. Richmond went on to play with the Rock Bottom Band, Hired Hands, and his current group, the Rifters. Additionally, he performs as a solo act and has recorded six solo CDs. Richmond has composed and recorded musical soundtracks for three documentary films seen nationally and internationally. He has been Artist in Residence and Aesthetic Institute Instructor with the Colorado Council on the Arts. His book, Getting Your Music Past the Fear, deals with the psychology of creativity and performance. (See more information at gymptf.com) This is the second scholarship to benefit ASU music students in the name of a Richmond musician. Don’s wife, Dr. Teri McCartney, professor of counselor education, initiated the Richmond Scholarship for Vocal Music Students in memory of Don’s father, Ed Richmond. The Music Department subsequently named its new recording studio in honor of the elder Richmond, who was a 20-year vocal instructor at Adams State.

Legacy Society welcomes Mike ‘65 and Margaret Sloan The newest members of the Adams State Legacy Society are Mike ‘65 and Margaret Sloan. By including Adams State in their estate plans, they created the Mike & Margaret Sloan Family Endowment to support scholarships. Once it is initiated, the scholarship will benefit full-time students with a 3.0 GPA who demonstrate financial need.

Mike began his career as a teacher in Alamosa School District, then went on to work for McDermith Motors and Dain Bosworth. In 1991 he became an investment broker with Edward Jones , both in Alamosa and in Cave Creek, Ariz. He retired from that position in 2008 and spends time volunteering at local homeless shelters. He also formerly officiated football and baseball.

The Sloans have 9 children, 34 grandchildren, and 5 greatgrandchildren. They spend their summers in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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Director of Alumni Relations Lori Laske ‘91, ‘01 (left) presents the ASU Legacy plate to Mike ‘65 and Margaret Sloan.

2013 Homecoming Schedule

Wednesday, October 9 Medicine Show – Richardson Hall – 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 10 Bonfire/Main Event Performance – TBA

Friday, October 11 – 10 a.m.

3:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

8 p.m.

Golf Outing, Cattails Golf Course Alumni Receptions & Special Reunion Group Get-togethers Alumni Banquet & Annual Meeting Jazz Concert An Evening of Comedy Improv Featuring The Lost and Found

Cost $25 per 18 holes, includes cart Student Union Building, 3rd floor, Room 309 Student Union Building, Room 131 Richardson Hal Auditorium, Free to Alumni Xperimental Theatre, $5 suggested donation

Saturday, October 12 – 8 a.m.

10 a.m.

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

5K Run Parade Tailgate Party Football Game

Cole Park, $10 entry fee Main Street Campus Green, $10 per person ASU vs. Black Hills State, $7 per person Reserved seating for reunion groups

Class Reunions 5 year = Class of 2008 10 year = Class of 2003 15 year = Class of 1998 20 year = Class of 1993

25 year = Class of 1988 30 year = Class of 1983 35 year = Class of 1978 40 year = Class of 1973

45 year = Class of 1968 50 year = Class of 1963 55 year = Class of 1958 60 year = Class of 1953

For more information – 800-824-6494, ext. 8 www.adams.edu/alumni • email – alumni@adams.edu ◗

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outstanding alumnus 2013

Biundo dedicated career to education Having spent his career in education, Jim Biundo ’59 ’62 believes education is not an end, but a means, and is a lifelong experience beyond the classroom.

“Through education we are able to get information about the world, past and present, synthesize it, and then apply it to our own lives,” he said.

Biundo, the 2013 Adams State University Outstanding Alumnus, has taken that philosophy to heart throughout the years he spent in the classroom, boardroom, and in all aspects of his life.

Upon hearing he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award, Biundo said: “Adams State has a very special place in my heart. My whole career in education began here, first as a student and then, later, as a faculty member and administrator. Just prior to receiving my bachelor’s degree, I was interviewed on campus for my first teaching job at Las Animas High School. Five years later, I was interviewed on campus for my teaching job at the college level. Adams State prepared me well for what would become my life’s profession, just as it has done for generations of other students. Access, opportunity, and excellence continue to be the hallmarks of Adams State. I am proud to call it my alma mater.”

“

Teaching truly is a noble profession, and as educators, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our students.”

Emeritus Professor of English Don Stegman ’61,’64 has continued his friendship with Biundo that began in their student days and became closer once they both joined the Adams State English faculty. “Jim was a popular professor. He was fair and very good at what he taught.” Stegman said Biundo took that upbeat attitude with him when he joined the administration as head of the Language and Literature Division.

During Biundo’s tenure at Adams State, he observed the work of his colleagues and their various teaching and administrative techniques. “I learned the importance of collegiality and recognized that teaching truly is a noble profession, and, as educators, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our students.”

As an English, speech, and theatre major, Biundo drew on the arts throughout his career. He said: “Administrators, of necessity, have to deal with a considerable amount of organi-

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Outstanding Alumnus Jim Biundo with his wife, Antoinette.

zational detail. It is easy to get caught up in the detail and lose sight of the broad view. Poetry, as is the case with all the visual, written, and performing arts, has helped remind me of the broad view and, in doing so, has made me a better administrator.”

Dr. John Marvel, emeritus president, remembers Biundo as an “outstanding” professional and very sociable. “He was always concerned that people live up to the expectations of their positions.”

Since retirement in 2000, Biundo has lived in Surprise, Arizona, where he serves as the vice mayor. He has served the city of Surprise on a variety of boards and committees, including the City of Surprise Arts and Cultural Commission and the West Valley Art Museum Board of Trustees. He also completed the Surprise Citizens Academy.

In the letter nominating Biundo for the Outstanding Alumnus Award, his daughters wrote: “He (Biundo) continues to work for the betterment of the city and enhancement of city services for the residents of Surprise. He also works closely with a charter school for low-income children in the district.”

By Linda Relyea ‘96

brief bio of jim biundo Family: • Wife, Antoinette ’65 ‘69 • “My wife and I have three wonderful daughters, all of whom have become successful women in their professional lives.”

Terrilee (Ron) Day ’93; Kimberly (Kevin) Peets ’82; Tammy (Greg) Gerstner • 5 grandchildren

Mentors & Professors • Ernest Bruegel, principal of Las Animas High School: “Mr. Bruegel hired me for my first teaching job and was the epitome of the professional educator.”

• Dr. John Marvel, Adams State emeritus president: “Dr. Marvel brought the concept of ‘shared governance’ to Adams State and kept colleagues fully involved in the decision-making process.”

• Dr. John Turano, emeritus professor of teacher education: “Dr. Turano practiced and affirmed that quality teaching and learning are the foundations of higher education.”

• Donald Brooks, emeritus professor of English, “He taught me about the universality of theatre and the importance of respect for the use of the English language.”

• Dr. Dean Lyman, who taught Shakespeare classes and was an accomplished jazz pianist: “The most memorable moments in Dr. Lyman’s classes were when he, a tall, thin, seemingly frail man, would draw himself up to his full height and, with a strong booming voice, read passages from Shakespeare.”

favorite . . .

Book • Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

“The book shows the resilience of the family unit and the strength of the matriarchal figure, which reminds me of my mother who raised a large family, often during some difficult times.”

Poem • Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” “The last three lines of the poem serve as a life reminder:”

But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Author

Recent Published Articles

• William Faulkner: “Southeast Missouri State University, where I spent the latter part of my career, has one of the four largest collections of original Faulkner works. I was fortunate to have access to those in the Rare Books Library and to have discussions with one of the eminent Faulkner scholars who was a member of the faculty.”

• “Like Watching a Miracle,” The Rotarian

Poet

For nearly 25 years, Biundo presented at academic and professional development conferences across the country and internationally.

• Other than Shakespeare, “the favorite would be Robert Frost because of his clear, universal messages in such poems as “Stopping by Woods…” and “Mending Wall.”

Vacation Spot • Visits to Venice, Italy, and Lucerne, Switzerland, were memorable; however, “Las Vegas has been a favorite vacation spot.”

Leisure Time • Community involvement

literary life Published Poems • “I Know Another Side,” Weekend Portfolio, The Philadelphia Tribune • “Three Poems: Colors, I know Another Side, Deep Bright Remembrance,” A Flood of Emotions, Vandalia Missouri: The Right Writer’s Group • “Intimated Immortality,” On the Threshold of a Dream, Maryland: The National Library of Poetry. Editor’s Choice Award, North American Open Poetry Contest • “Elk Cycle,” Of Diamonds and Rust, Anthology, Maryland: The National Library of Poetry. Editor’s Choice Award, North American Open Poetry Contest

Published bookss • In the Beginning: The Writing Process, Berkeley, California: McCutchan Publishing Company • Moments of Selfhood: Three Major Plays by Luigi Pirandello New York: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.

• “The Frozen World of Ethan Frome,” Proceeding of the Society for Interdisciplinary Study of Social Imagery,

• “Searching for Self,” American Association of Behavioral and Social Science Perspective Journal • “Motiveless Malignity,” American Association of Behavioral and Social Science Perspective Journal.

professional Positions • Assistant to the President for University Relations, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau • Executive Director of Public Affairs/ Director of Marketing, Pima Community College, Tucson, Ariz.

• Assistant to the President for Community Relations, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa • English professor, special assistant to the president, Director of Public Affairs, Adams State College • English teacher, Las Animas, Colo.

Recognition • Designated Rotary Paul Harris Fellow

by Cape Girardeau Rotary Club, 1995 • International Society of Poets International Pen Award in 1991 • Poet of Merit Award in 1992 • Adams State Alumni Association Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement, 1985

Greatest Professional Experience • Met US Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton

Education • Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English, speech, and theatre, Adams State College

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Circling toward wholeness Exceptional New Alumna courts personal growth “I need to do what I’m going to do now,” declared Kathy Park Woolbert ‘07, explaining why she and Henry, her husband of 30 years, sold their home with studios and greenhouse in Jaroso, Colo., and relocated to Dolores, Colo. There they are collaborating with Kathy’s cousin, Kat Wilder, to develop a center offering clinics in natural horsemanship, as well as workshops in art, writing, and sustainable land use.

Rain today. Hours of glorious big fat splatters of rain. Puddles. Puddles flowing into bigger puddles and rivulets flowing down the road. Wet horses. Wet horses rolling in the wet grass, standing and shaking and haloed by steam.

Rapid temperature drops and cool wind and rainbows and a roiled, sultry sky.

Rain bands marching down the valley, drenching the parched slopes of Mesa Verde. Listen close and you can hear the grasses drinking, the junipers and gamble oaks opening to the wet, the miraculous wet that falls from the sky, soaks into the ground and makes life breathe and grow.

Kathy Park Woolbert 9:44 p.m. July 15 Cachuma Ranch

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Cachuma Ranch perches atop a ridge with 360 degree views of the Four Corners area. In the evening, Mesa Verde is silhouetted to the south, as rainstorms move across Cortez toward Sleeping Ute Mountain to the west.

“I really feel like this is the holy land,” Woolbert said of Cachuma, which means “good omen” in the southern California Chumish Indian language. This is the place and time she senses will meld the themes that have shaped her life: aikido, equines, artwork, and writing.

Woolbert is Adams State’s 2013 Exceptional New Alumna, in recognition of her achievements in those realms and her bold willingness to continually reinvent herself.

When she enrolled at Adams State in 2003 at the age of 53, Woolbert was the quintessential non-traditional college student, with market forces stimulating her pursuit of a new career.

“9/11 changed the art world,” she said, “Our sales virtually disappeared.”

With the goal of becoming a chiropractor, Woolbert began at Adams State as a biology major. But a disappointing tour of the chiropractic school changed that plan. “This gave me an identity crisis – I really wanted to stay in school, but for what?” She soon found her place in the English Department’s new creative writing program, with a minor in theatre.

“I had never thought of myself as a writer,” she said, although she had written about her experiences working in a women’s prison. “I just loved theatre. It combines art, music, language, psychology, history.” She had roles in Adams State productions of Deadman Walking and A Christmas Carol. She and Henry conducted workshops in movement for puppeteers, and created the puppets used in Miracle on 34th St. She also worked on the Sandhill Review, ASU’s student publication of art and literature, and designed its first logo.

Her undergraduate work birthed Woolbert’s memoir, Seeing into Stone: A Sculptor’s Journey, which she fully developed during her subse-

a different perspective Woolbert doesn’t mind telling you she “majored in drugs” and activism when she first attended college in the early ‘70s. “I was proud to be a dropout.” She was also proud to be a self-taught artist. Pottery was her first medium, and she came to excel as a sculptor. Her work also includes watercolors and fibers.

Also beginning in the ‘70s, Woolbert immersed herself in therapeutic body

work and the martial art of aikido, in which she holds a second degree black belt. She said these interests stem from the fact that she “grew up with handicapped people” and has been challenged by her own vision issues. Woolbert’s father had contracted polio in World War II, and her younger sister was born with spina bifida, forcing her to use leg braces and endure multiple surgeries. When she first started school, Woolbert developed symptoms of strabismus and amblyopia, conditions in which the eyes are misaligned, also called lazy eye.

“This actually gave me an advantage in having this external, immediately apparent flaw. I want you to be able to see past what I look like to see who I am,” she said. “This gives me a different perspective. It frees me of the need to be normal, which is confining. I’ve seen ‘beautiful’ women who are still self loathing. You’ve got to learn to be comfortable in the body you’re in.”

These experiences also sensitized her to others who are disabled. “It’s shaped my interest in the body, which has become a lifelong study. I’ve become more interested in non-verbal and non-visual communication.”

Woolbert applies the principles of aikido, which strives for peaceful conflict resolution, to both teaching and horsemanship. She explained aikido is fundamentally different from other martial arts, with circular movements and extension of energy. There are no strikes, attacks, or blocks.

“You defend yourself by moving and redirecting the attacker’s balance, changing the game. It entails a paradigm shift of ‘entering’ into a threat. It relies on timing and courage. You can be soft, with no force, which is sort of counter intuitive, but a useful metaphor for life.”

She credits akido with making her a good teacher. “With multiple attackers, you can’t focus on only one – just like

with students.” Similarly: “When you’re around horses, you need to be centered and grounded. You need to be present.

Horses find their center by moving their feet in response to a threat.”

A few years ago, Woolbert received the gift of a Morab mare, Esperanza, who shortly gave birth to a filly, Cinnamon. This reenlivened the happiness she found as a child being in nature at summer horse camp. “That saved me.

My sister and I just loved horses.”

She and Henry have recently become inspired by Linda Kohanov’s books, The Tao of Equus and The Power of the Herd: A Nonpredatory Approach to Social Intelligence, Leadership, and Innovation.

Equine wisdom, according to Kohanov, stems from circular, intuitive power with, not over others.

“I aspire to this. It’s so clean and peaceful.”

By Julie Waechter Seeing into Stone: A Sculptor’s Journey is available on amazon.com. Woolbert can be reached at kathywoolbert@adams.edu.

ABOVE: Kathy Park Woolbert ‘07 grooms her filly, Cinnamon.

TOP OF PAGE: Her 34” mahogany sculpture, Reunion, captures the ecstacy horses can inspire.

OPPOSITE: Kathy and Henry Woolbert at Cachuma Ranch. She designed the horse used in the logo.

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quent completion of an MFA in creative writing at Lesley University.

“Aaron Abeyta and Carol Guerrero-Murphy are both great. They really helped midwife what I wanted to do. I took their suggestions to heart,” Woolbert said. The resulting book chronicles her 15-year apprenticeship with sculptor Gordon Newell in the Mojave Desert ghost town of Darwin, California.

In 2010, Woolbert started teaching Communication Arts I and II at Adams State as an adjunct instructor. She has since developed courses in Writing the Ten-Minute Play and workshops focused on creative writing: Writing and Being, Writing and the Body, Writing and Place. Her recent move means she no longer teaches on campus, but Woolbert is teaching Women and Memoir through ASU Extended Studies, with courses underway in Advanced Composition and Women and Drama.

“I like being part of an academic community – people who are reading, writing, and thinking,” she said. Woolbert’s appreciation of her Adams State education is expressed through the Green/Park Woolbert Creative Arts Scholarship she and Henry created in 2008. It awards $500 a year to a student in their junior or senior year as a major in English-creative writing, theatre, music, or art.

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Educators Hall of Fame celebrates second induction The Adams State University Second Annual Educator Hall of Fame Celebration inducted outstanding individuals who created opportunities for students to achieve academic and professional success.

The May 8 ceremony recognized Mary Agnes Langston ‘58 (posthumous); Lucy Martinez ‘69, ‘73; Hazel Petty ‘46, ‘71; Margaret Polston ‘43, ‘68; Edward Atencio ‘68, ‘73; Gary Benson ‘68, ‘74; Florence Davison (posthumous), Antonio Valdez ‘51, ‘69; James Beckley ‘56, ‘59; Myron Clayton ‘61, ‘68 (posthumous); Betty Shawcroft ‘74; Betty Stephens ‘58, ‘61; Dr. Hobart Dixon ‘83; Connie Spencer ‘63, ‘68; Gary Stephens ‘56, ‘60; and Dr. Luis Trujillo ‘56, ‘61 (posthumous).

The room was filled with family, friends, and former colleagues who supported and encouraged the educators along their path. The following summaries only begin to reveal their dedication to education.

elementary educators mary agnes langston obtained a Lifetime Teachers Certificate in 1924 from Emporia State Teachers College and received the Colorado State Department of Education Certificate of Appreciation Award in 1967. She was principal at East Alamosa for 23 years. lucy martinez earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State. She spent 25 years in education teaching Head Start, and first and second grade. She was a Master Teacher during her tenure in Romeo School. Martinez said 11 other members of her family graduated from college.

She appreciates her first grade teacher, who encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

After 26 years in education, hazel petty remains active in the community. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State. In 1989, Petty was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce. Her civic organizations include American Legion, United Methodist Women, P.E.O., San Luis Valley Historical Society, and other organizations. margaret polston earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State and taught in the Alamosa School District for 35 years. In 1981, the elementary school was named in her honor. Her civic organizations include Delta Kappa Gamma and P.E.O. She said she remembers every student she ever taught.

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secondary educators edward atencio earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State. During his 36 years in education, he taught, coached, and was an athletic director. His achievements include Who's Who in American Teaching, Centennial Teacher of the Year, Scholastic Coach, three rings from the Colorado Coaches Association, and numerous awards from CHSAA. gary benson earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State and retired from the Centauri School District after 33 years. He sponsored Knowledge Bowl, Model UN, and Kiwanis Youth Organization; he was president of the local teachers organization, and a member of CEA, NEA, and Uniserv Council. He received the Special Outstanding Teacher Award, CSU Award, Outstanding Elk, and the Knowledge Bowl Council Outstanding Achievement Award.

An adult learning center in India is named in florence davison's honor. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Baker University and taught in Alamosa for 20 years.

She was a member of the Phi Mu sorority, the United Methodist Church, Church Women United, Current Events Club and chapter HT P.E.O. A resident of the Colorado State Veteran Home at Walsenburg, Colo., antonio valdez received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State and worked in the Centauri School District teaching, coaching, and as an assistant principal for 25 years.

administrators james beckley spent 30 years in education as a teacher, coach, and principal. A Navy veteran, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State. He was the last principal at La Jara High School and the first principal at Centauri High School. Beckley was involved in the Elks, received the Marvin Lewis Award in Scouting, and was a member of CEA and NEA. He was president of ACEA, as well as being active in many other organizations. myron clayton received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State and served the institution for 30 years, retiring as Vice President for Finance. He also earned a certificate in College Business Management from Municipal University of Omaha. He was in the Air Force, a member of Masons, and an officer in the Future Business Leaders of America. He received awards as an Air Force officer, Future Leader of America and Who's Who Among Students.

At one time the only female principal in Colorado (in secular public schools), betty shawcroft said the education profession was a wonderful way to live her life. She received

The Adams State Educator's Hall of Fame Class of 2013 includes (left to right) back row: Kristin Myers (accepting for Florence Davison), Hobart Dixon, Connie Spencer, Gary Benson, James Beckley, Betty Stephens, Gary Stephens, Gerald Langston (accepting for Mary Agnes Langston), Edward Atencio, Betty Shawcroft; front row: Antonio Valdez, Hazel Petty, Margaret Polston, Bertha Trujillo (accepting for Dr. Luis Trujillo), Lucy Martinez, and Joanne Clayton (accepting for Myron Clayton).

post-secondary educators Adams State Emeritus Professor of Biology hobart dixon retired after 25 years. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and has several books published that pertain to his research, cataloging and documenting San Luis Valley plant life. He taught in a way that made people comfortable and wanted to make sure his students walked out of his classrooms knowing something they could use and might make them successful in their endeavors.

connie spencer received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State and retired from the university after 30 years. She was an icon on campus, setting the stage for women leaders. While at Adams State she was the magistrate, dean of women, dean of Student Affairs, and a professor. She was involved in the American Association of University Women, the Colorado-Wyoming and National Associations of Women Deans and Counselors, and other associations. gary stephens was a teacher, superintendent, and principal in the San Luis Valley. He worked for the Adams State Department of Education and Psychology for 26 years. He was an adjunct professor at Southern Colorado State University and Metropolitan State College. He was named Alamosa Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1999 and was certified by the General Conference of United Methodist Church as lay minister for pastoral care in 2005.

After 28 years, luis trujillo retired from the Foreign Language Department at Adams State, of which he was chair and professor. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Adams State and his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. He was a member of Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society. Trujillo is remembered as being a vibrant and enthusiastic classroom teacher. He published three books and many articles.

By Linda Relyea ‘96

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her bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado. She was a teacher and principal in the North Conejos School District during her 26-year career. She taught 4-H clubs and classes at the LDS church. She served on the Board of Colorado Cattle Women and received the Outstanding Leader Award in 1999. betty stephens earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at Adams State and was a school counselor for the Alamosa School District for 23 years. She received Counselor of the Year and Citizen of the Year and was a member of the Colorado School Counselors Association and Colorado Education Association. Betty serves on numerous boards of directors, including San Luis Valley Mental Health Center and the Alamosa Schools Suicide Prevention Committee. She sponsored the Knowledge Bowl and assisted with Ortega Middle School Science Fair.

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alumnotes ◗1940s Hazel Petty `46, `71 (Alamosa, CO) is the Colorado Welcome Center's May Volunteer of the month, in recognition of her "caring attitude, love of education, and extensive knowledge of SLV history." She recently retired from the presidency of the SLV Historical Society.

congratulations class of ‘63 & all 2013 reunion groups Adams State Class of 1963

By Elbert Detwiler `63 Written in 2006 in reflection of my graduation from Adams State College.

It was a great year `63 The place was Adams State.

Our course work finished, requirements met.

We would soon graduate.

We walked the aisle with heads held high To receive that earned degree.

Then packed our bags and scattered From the mountain to the sea.

◗1960s Don Brown `62, `68 (Cortez, CO) retired to his wife’s family ranch in Cortez after 32 years counseling at Durango High School. He and his wife, Ann, have 5 children; all have advanced degrees. They have the typical cow/calf operation, and he loves irrigating and the laidback country life.

Shari Steiner `62 (San Francisco, CA) writes, “I got to visit at Homecoming 2012, and the building plan was wonderful—particularly the football field. Go AState University!”

Frank Lower `63, `64 (Marshall, TX) attended DU Law School after leaving Adams State. He taught for Metro State when they first opened. He moved to Georgia and taught at Georgia State for 5 years then went to Florida State, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1974. He put in a total of 38 years in college education before retirement.

We took professions, started families Earned advanced degrees.

Our futures filled with options In our hands we held the keys.

Janet Mangum `63 (Albuquerque, NM) says that Adams State was the stepping stone she needed to expand her horizons. After graduating, she spent 5 years teaching physical education to junior high students, 5 years teaching 5th grade, and 40 years as co-owner of an auto body collision shop in Albuquerque. She is now retired and volunteers at Rio Grande Nature Center and Lovelace Senior Health advisory board. That, combined with travel, keep her and husband, Jasper, busy.

It was a big world that we entered But we were prepared to cope.

Our learning process never stopped And n’re did we lose hope.

Jennifer Reglien `63 (Santa Fe, NM) is a retired teacher. She works part-time at Los Alamos National Lab. She is also a freelance writer and is working on 2 novels about her passion—horses.

With a hope chest full of knowledge We were anxious now to see If indeed we had the wisdom To engage productively.

For most life’s been rewarding For some a troubled sort.

And some we hold in memory Whose lives have been cut short.

But time moves on and we reflect And in retrospect we see A source to which we owe so much Adams State, a school that’s great, Class of `63.

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Yvonne Moulton `65 (Goodyear, AZ) is happy to say she is still attending the local ASU reunions—not Arizona State U but Adams State U! Since last year, she underwent 6 weeks of radiation for a third bout

with cancer. She enjoyed the New England/Canada alumni cruise in June with dear friends.

Bernice Martinez `66 (Oakland, CA) is semiretired after 46 years of working with the federal government in the US Department of Commerce and as a banker with Wells Fargo, Union Bank.

She plans to continue serving as a finance consultant assisting firms with capital placement for expansion.

Zaidee Sadler `66 (Albuquerque, NM) taught high school physical education for 10 years, including 3 years on the Navajo reservation.

She coached tennis, volleyball, and gymnastics. She’s lived in Arizona and Colorado.

She also lived in Washington, where she was a resource physical education teacher in elementary. She did her graduate work in education at Springfield College.

Kathleen Newcomb Scrimgeour `66 (Boulder, CO) married Don Scrimgeour in 1966, and they divorced in 1992. They have 3 kids: Kyle, Meghan, and Reid, who are all married and between them have 5 wonderful daughters. Kathleen retired as a guidance counselor from Boulder Valley school district in 2006.

She and her sister, Eileen, spent a year in Ireland and then bought land there, where she returns often. She’s been working on a screenplay and book about counseling. She enjoys genealogy, traveling, reading, tarot cards, some consulting, and being with her granddaughters.

Don Alley `67 (Colorado Springs, CO) is a retired golf professional.

Stephen Magoon `67, `70 (Ventura, CA) retired in June, 2011, after teaching math for 44 years—the last 27 at Buena High School in Ventura. After 37 years of marriage, his wife, Anne, passed away in December, 2012. His youngest daughter, Laura, is getting married in September. His older daughter, Karen, has been married for 5 years. He continues to enjoy traveling (2 trips to Germany in the next 15 months), reading, gardening, music events, drama productions, and supporting

◗1970s Linda `67 and Roger Bill `68 Mitchell (Monte Vista, CO) bought a house in Chandler, Ariz., and live there 6 months out of the year. The other 6 months are spent on their farm outside of Monte Vista. They are grateful to have happy and successful lives which include 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

Edward Atencio `68, `73 (Fort Garland, CO) was a teacher for Centennial School District in San Luis for 36 years, an athletic director for 31 years, and a track coach for 43 years. He is married to Josephine Atencio and has 3 children: Jozette, Eugene, and Joanna.

George Wickstrom `68 (Cortez, CO) married his wife, Lorraine, in 1967. After receiving his MA in 1968, he became a school administrator.

After several years, he changed careers to owning his own business. Both careers were good for him. They have 2 married sons and 4 grandchildren.

Gloria Barela Archunde `69 (Parker, CO) retired after 31 years from Albuquerque Public Schools. They moved to Colorado to be near grandchildren and family. Her husband, Greg, is a deacon at Ave Maria in Parker, and she spends time sewing and is a member of Mission Quilters.

Priscilla Gibson `69 (Sun City, AZ) was a poll worker for Maricopa County elections in 2012. She is a precinct committee woman on the Maricopa County and Arizona State central committee. She serves senior citizens at Olive Branch Senior Center in Sun City and helped prepare youth for the sacraments in April, 2013.

Cliff Miller `69 (Albuquerque, NM) fishes a lot of bass tournaments in New Mexico and Texas. He also enjoys golfing.

Ted Morrison `69 (La Jara, CO) recently retired from Valleywide Health Services as a physician’s assistant.

Virginia Elder `70, `90 now lives with her husband at Casa Del Sol, a retirement community in La Junta, Colo. She writes, “We really enjoy it. There are many activities, and the people are so warm and wonderful.”

Dennis Ecton `72 (Phoenix, AZ) just moved from Colorado to retire. He is still playing bass viol in symphonies and jazz bands. He retired from Cherry Creek Schools after 33 years.

Jack Miller `72, `76 (Longmont, CO) taught and coached in Phoenix, Ariz. from 1976 – 2005. He semi-retired, then continued to teach and coach in Fort Lupton school district from 2006 to the present. He is still happily married to Janice, who is a paraprofessional for Boulder Valley schools.

Barbara Motes `72, `78 (La Vista, CO) is still coaching and teaching.

Bill Schinkel `72 (Colorado Springs, CO) retired from the Colorado Springs Police Department. He now owns his own private investigation company, Investigative Support Specialists. He is married to Angie.

Shar Short `72 retired to Mancos, CO, with husband, Bruce.

They built a house in 2010 and hope to stay put for many years.

Aubrey “Woody” Woodward `72 (Grand Junction, CO) enjoyed the alumni get-together in Grand Junction. He is also enjoying retirement.

He spent 3 months in Europe in 2012. His son lives in Denmark, so he takes advantage of that when he can.

Dorothy August `73 (Tucson, AZ) writes, “A lady I know says, ‘Retirement is a hoax.’

It certainly isn’t difficult to stay busy. I volunteer at the school where I used to work, attend a lady’s fellowship

group and listen to presentations on topics of interest to me. My husband and I are both members of the Dominican Laity, a Third Order in the Catholic Church. My husband is attending a wellness program and sharing information and insights with me. Life is good.”

Russ Cagle `73 (San Mateo, CA) is still working but now he works at home. He has a new granddaughter, Jemma, who keeps her big sister Megan busy.

Gregory Calloway `74 (Sunnyvale, CA) has had a varied career as an accountant, financial analyst, internal auditor, and a quality improvement manager. He has a wife and 2 beautiful daughters. He has moved several times—from his home state of New Jersey to Atlanta and now to the Silicon Valley. He has fond memories of Adams State.

Alan Lebsock `74 (Missouri City, TX) married Dianne Mitchell `74 in August, 1974. They have 3 children: Jennifer, Neil, and Hayley.

They are all married, with 5 grandchildren among them. Alan and Dianne lived in Colorado Springs for 16 years and then moved to Texas. They are planning to retire in Colorado.

Elizabeth Martinez `74 (Albuquerque, NM) had her first job as a middle school counselor in Commerce City, Colo. She was also an elementary counselor in Ft. Myers, Florida. She was then a school counselor with Albuquerque Public Schools from 1991 until she retired in 2011. During her 20 years with APS, she sponsored peer mediation programs and served on the district mediation team, which provided mediation training to educators who were sponsors in their schools. She served on the MIS team for 10 years and was selected Mediator of the Year in 2007. She has 2 daughters. Felice Jackson is a computer programmer, and Celina Sessa is a geologist.

Celina recently presented her with her first granddaughter, Holly Jean. Elizabeth remarried 5 ½ years ago to David Ruiz, who is also

aStater alumnotes

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his high school’s German-American exchange program.

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◗1970s from her hometown of Las Vegas, New Mex. They have 4 dogs, 3 of which are rescue dogs.

She enjoys doing crafts, traveling, going to movies, and attending the theatre.

Thom Horne `75, `77 (Nashua, NH) is enjoying retirement and works with emotionally challenged students as a consultant. He continues to enjoy rebuilding old houses. He and his wife, Lorraine `77, would like to build a timber-frame home in the Valley in the not-too-distant future. Lorraine writes, “It’s been 36 years since we left our beloved ASC, but we’ve been busy recruiting and are working on the 3rd generation of Horne’s to attend the now ASU. Our connection to ASC has remained strong, even though we are 2000 miles away - -always fond memories and a destination for visiting the campus and old friend. Go Grizzlies!”

Rick Ince `75 (Denver, CO) retired from Lake County HS after 30 years. He is married to Judy and they have 2 children: Richie `07 and Jennifer, and grandson Jacoby.

Barbara Peterson `75 (Tucson, AZ) retired from teaching in 2011 and now works part-time for a disability clinic. In a few months she will join her husband, who has accepted a job in Abu Dhabi.

Tom Sandoval `75 (Colorado Springs, CO) was the head baseball coach at Trinidad HS from 1976-78, the head football coach at Mitchell HS from 1983-2002, and the assistant principal at Coronado HS from 2003-2010. He has 2 sons: Adam and Marc.

Billy Presley `76 (Colorado Springs, CO) was a 1976 Academic All-American.

After leaving Adams State, he pitched for the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers. He is now a pharmacist.

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aStater summer 2013

Alfred Wall, Jr. `76 (Towaoc, CO) has been with Social Services for 14 years.

He enjoys working with families and the community, and attending conferences and trainings. He has 8 grandkids and enjoys his life with them around him. He would like to hear from his college buddies of 1974-76.

Robert Waltman `76 (Greeley, CO) teaches photography as an adjunct faculty member at Aims Community College. He also has a small photographic business and shoots photos for a stock photography agency. He says retirement can be very busy.

Vernon Akes `77 (Albuquerque, NM) has been married to Chrissy for 5 years. He works for Eclipse Aerospace, after retiring from GE Aircraft Engines. He is helping raise 2 step-kids: Jeremy (20) and Lindsey (16). He also enjoys Lobo basketball.

Tim Holt `77 (Colorado Springs, CO) is retired from education and doing consulting work for school districts by giving workshops on instruction.

Gerald Petersen `77 (Tucson, AZ) retired and works with automotive teachers/programs in Tucson and Pima Counties. He writes, “Almost all industrial education programs in colleges and universities across the country closed their programs some time ago. Now all trade and industrial teachers are coming directly from industry and sorely lack the preparation like I received at Adams State.”

Jerry Rudrude `77 (Casper, WY), has been the Kmart District Manager and Regional H.R. Director for 37 years. He has 3 kids.

Son Brett played for the Boston Red Sox organization. His daughters, Melanie and Wendy, both have 2 children. He has moved many times and worked in Texas, Nevada, and California for 25 years.

Donna Johnson `78, `86 (Fort Garland, CO) retired 10 years ago from teaching business education at Alamosa High School for 25 years.

In 2012, she and husband, Ted, moved to the mountains near Fort Garland. They winter in Arizona.

Jack Rudder `79, `84 (Alamosa, CO) is a retired teacher and principal now serving as Veteran’s Service Officer for Rio Grande County.

◗1980s Jacqueline Haney `83 (Lakewood, CO) has been a systems programmer for the Department of the Interior for 30 years.

She is single with no children.

Mary Rose Hartmann `83 (Denver, CO) has been a special education teacher for 28 years and is currently teaching kindergarten at Fletcher Miller in Jeff Co. She has been married for 23 years and has 2 sons.

Her oldest son is considering Adams State to pursue a degree in education—a legacy!

Scott Ritzen `83, `85 (Chadron, NE) has been inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Ala. He retired from coaching last summer, but remains as the department chair of health, physical education and recreation at Chadron State College. He is Chadron’s first coach or athlete inducted in the NCAA Hall of Fame. He coached the Eagles for 25 years (1987-2012) and retired as the longest tenured coach in Chadron State's history. He is the school's winningest wrestling coach, with a record of 134-139-8; he tutored 33 All-Americans and three national champions. For all his success as a collegiate wrestler and coach, Ritzen has been inducted into several halls of fame: the NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Adams State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame as a member of the national champion Adams State squad, and the Chadron State Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach. He and his wife, Donna `85, also a professor at Chadron State, have three children: John, Nikki and Joe. John is an adjunct faculty member and a volunteer track and field coach at CSC, Nikki is a senior member on the Eagles' softball team, and Joe attends Chadron Middle School.

remembering . . .

Ramon Delgado `84 (Denver, CO) has been a Denver resident since 1988. He is married to Linda, and they have 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and a new dachshund puppy. His new career goal is to retire early. He is planning to be an “ex-pat” and move somewhere in the world such as Ecuador, India or Bali, to name a few.

Ruth Wills `46 (Ada, OK) passed away May 2 at the age of 87.

Larry Mayer `84 (Esparto, CA) is retired from teaching. He lives in California and Itapema, Brazil.

He recently married Marcia Regina Morales. He fishes the Rio Grande every June.

Frank Montoya `55 (Albuquerque, NM) passed away Nov. 6 at the age of 82.

Joseph `85 & Linda `86 Sheader (Grand Junction, CO) just celebrated the graduation of their son, Kerry Joseph ‘13, and their soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Katelyn Hoen ‘13, from Adams State University in May. Their daughter, Lorien Rose, is a sophomore at Western Washington University.

Robert Pilkington `65, `65 (Decatur, IN) passed away Feb. 18 at the age of 81.

Bonita Tooley `85 (Edgewood, NM) is busy doing costume building and stage makeup at Albuquerque Little Theater and Musical Theater Southwest.

Darrell Willhite `86 (Rohnert Park, CA) travels 45-50 weeks per year all over the world repairing optical equipment.

Silver Jaramillo `48, `55 (Fort Garland, CO) passed away Apr. 23 at the age of 92. Among his survivors is daughter Judy Jaramillo `71.

Calvin Oba `48 (Scottsbluff, NE) passed away Jan. 29 at the age of 86.

John "Jack" Krasovich `51 (San Diego, CA) passed away Mar. 1 at the age of 84.

Betty Mullings `52 (Raton, NM) passed away Mar. 9 at the age of 82. Among her survivors is husband, James Mullings `51, `68.

Charles Supulski `53 (Secane, PA) passed away Apr. 26 at the age of 86.

John Brandt `54 (Alamosa, CO) passed away May 18 at the age of 85. Among his survivors is grandson Russell John Nelson `89.

Esther Wunnicke `58 (Anchorage, AK) passed away Mar. 19 at the age of 91.

J. Mack Cox `63 (Cache, OK) passed away Mar. 18 at the age of 79.

Warren Hostetter `65 (La Jara, CO) passed away May 1 at the age of 91. Among his survivors are son John Hostetter '85 and grandsons Graham Hostetter `09 and Tyler Hostetter `12.

Iona Nossaman `65 (Durango, CO) passed away Jan. 26 at the age of 88. Among her survivors are daughters Beverly McKelvey '68 and Barbara Lukow '70.

Milford "Moose" Eversole `66 (Powell, WY) passed away Apr. 12 at the age of 76.

James McConnell `66 (Pampa, TX) passed away Feb. 9 at the age of 94.

Kathleen Morgan `67, `89 (Alamosa, CO) passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 67. Among her survivors are brothers-in-law Roy Van Horn '69 and David Morgan '73.

Candy Handy `68, `80 (Del Mar, CA) passed away Feb. 3 at the age of 66.

Roger Sloan `68 (Grand Junction, CO) passed away Jan. 5 at the age of 68.

Michael Wacker `69 (Bache, OK) passed away Feb. 12 at the age of 65.

Eve Malo `73 (Butte, MT) passed away Mar. 5 at the age of 84.

Gerry Nielson `74 (Portales, NM) passed away Apr. 22 at the age of 64. Among his survivors is sister Sue Inama `74.

Patricia May `86 (Hesperus, CO) passed away Mar. 3 at the age of 68.

Danna Laverty `88 (Pagosa Springs, CO) passed away Mar. 4 at the age of 54.

Lisa Schofield `89, `06 (Draper, UT) passed away Mar. 7 at the age of 49. Among her survivors are sister Mary Schofield Frey `72, `77, brother Peter Schofield `90, and sister-in-law Judy Schofield `89.

Casey Forth `03 (Aurora, CO) passed away Nov. 23 at the age of 40.

Ashley Johnson `09 (Cañon City, CO) passed away Jan. 1 at the age of 42.

Ken Herrera `90 (Grand Junction, CO) is retired. He enjoys restoring classic cars and jamming the guitar.

friends Charlene Goehl, Former Human Resources Director, (Alamosa, CO) passed away Jun. 1 at the age of 70.

Among her survivors are daughters Mary Kaye Cottingham `85 and Amy Hausman `86.

John "Lee" Holland, former Adams State professor (Durham, NC), passed away Mar. 10 at the age of 72.

Among his survivors are wife, Rosemarie Holland `82, and daughter Heide Slezak `98.

Betty Lou Jeffryes (Colorado Springs, CO), wife of former professor Dale Jeffryes, passed away June 1 at the age of 95. Among her survivors are son Larry Jeffryes `69, daughter Bonnie Kern `72, and son-inlaw Darold Kern `82.

Randolph "Casey" Jones, former professor of music (Denver, CO,) passed away Feb. 15 at the age of 87.

Don Wuckert, 2001 Billy Adams Award Winner and 2007 Grizzly Club Individual Member of the Year (Alamosa, CO), passed away Mar. 13 at the age of 87.

aStater alumnotes

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◗1990s

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◗1990s Michelle Sutherland `91 (Whitman, MA) is a 20-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police working at the South Boston Barracks. She completed her Ph.D. in comparative history at Brandeis University in May 2013. She lives with her husband, John Higgins, and daughters Samantha (10) and Jacqueline (6).

Teri Erickson `92 (Rocky Ford, CO) is the new director of the Otero Junior College Foundation, responsible for alumni relations, fund-raising, and events. She continues to write grants for OJC, where she has worked for 7 years.

Sven Gustafson `92 (Anchorage, AK) has been selected as the 2013 Alaska Middle School Principal of the Year by the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals. He is the Principal of Romig Middle School in the Anchorage School District. Gustafson was named Teacher of the Year at Central Middle School in 2002, and has served as principal of Romig since 2008. Prior to that, he served as assistant principal at Clark, Romig, and Gruening middle schools. Gustafson has served as assistant principal-at-large and Region IV director on the AASP Board of Directors, and has mentored numerous aspiring principals. He is married with 2 children.

Karen Bunce Sheff `92 (Commerce City, CO) got married in July 2012 and relocated to Denver to be with her husband, Dave. She is teaching business and ACE at Northglenn High School.

She writes, “Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.

Life is wonderful!”

Sarah Menapace-Walker `93 (Farmington, NM) graduated from University of New Mexico in 1979 and worked for Duke City Lumber as a secretary. Upon moving to Farmington in 1982, she worked at PNM as a secretary until 1985. She went on to be a caseworker for the State Foodstamp Office. In 1989, she started with the Farmington Municipal Schools teaching a variety of subjects:

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aStater summer 2013

typing, speech, poetry, yearbook, and ESL to middle schoolers. She has taught at Heights Midschool since 1989. She plans to retire from the Farmington Municipal School in May, 2014. She will be traveling to Spain this summer on a pilgrimage to walk the “St. Charles Way,” a total of 72.3 miles from Madrid to the coastline. She and her husband adopted a grey, Maine coon-looking cat named “Darcy” from the animal shelter who camps, RVs, and jeeps with them. She is leash-trained and 3 years-old.

Blair Corning `94 (Arvada, CO) works in Commerce City for the water and sanitation district. He has a daughter, Chloe (8), and a son, Holden (6). He is married to Becky. He spends his free time spelunking in caves throughout the South American continent.

Tatiana (Giles) Gant `94 (Chicago, IL) was elected as the Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council Agency, where she has worked for 11 years.

Zoila Gomez `94 (Alamosa, CO) was the keynote speaker at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley annual Youth of the Year Breakfast on April 23.

Tom `95 and Jennifer `97 Horne (Rindge, NH) met at Adams State in August 1994 while working as RA’s for the Housing Dept.

They were married in 1995 and now have 4 wonderful children. Jennifer is a special education teacher in Milford, NH, and is working on her MA from Southern New Hampshire University. Tom is a police officer and a volunteer coach for a local high school football team. Life is busy chauffeuring the kids around, but they enjoy the few quiet moments together.

Rick Sloan `98 (Litchfield Park, AZ) attended University of Colorado Medical School. After his residency, he was a physician on the Salt River/Gila River Reservation. He is married to Valerie, with 6 children between them. He writes, “Much thanks to ASU, and especially the Biology/Science Department.”

Rick partners with Darryl Montgomery `86 (Glendale, AZ) at We Care Urgent Care and Palo Verde Family Medical in Peoria, Ariz.

◗2000s Liv Mackenzie `01 (Durango, CO) lives, works, and plays in Durango. She specializes in reproductive psychology and adoption, with particular focus on diagnosis and treatment of postpartum/prenatal mood and anxiety disorders. When she is not working, she is busy raising 2 sons with her husband, Ian. Suzie Mitchell `02 (Lamar, CO) has been teaching 1st grade and gifted/talented for 10 years at Washington Elementary.

She is married to Nigel, and they have daughters, Grace (13), and Isabelle (7), and son William (2 mos.).

Brian Small `03 (Syracuse, NY) and his wife, Shannon, welcomed their first child, Danillel Hazel Small, on Jan. 17. Brian works at Syracuse University as the Jewish Chaplain and as Interim Executive Director at Hillel.

Darlene Clayton `04 (Durango, CO) was married in the San Luis Valley in July!

She continues to work as a therapist for a non-profit and recently became a licensed Zumba instructor (“So all those nights at the Purple Pig are paying off! Ha ha ha ha!”)

Lena Wright Dickerson '04 (Driggs, ID) recently purchased an organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm in Eastern Idaho while continuing work as paramedic and assistant director for Teton Valley Ambulance.

Nieve (Montano) Findell `05 (Denver, CO) owns and operates Everything Delicious Cooking, which provides personal chef services, catering, and cooking classes. Her website is www.everythingdeliciouscooking.com.

Nate Moreau `05 (Nashua, NH) has his own business owner doing screen printing and building adaptive bicycles.

Eric Wendelin `05 (Westminster, CO) is a successful software engineer, speaker, and blogger. He is married with 2 puppies.

Natasha Imadiyi Castronova `06 (Mesa, AZ) enjoys hiking, traveling, and keeping up with her 6-year old daughter. She was recently married and looks forward to the many new adventures they will have. She is still working as a forensic scientist for the Phoenix Police Department.

Kathy Park Woolbert `07 relocated to Dolores, Colo., but will continue as an Extended Studies faculty member at Adams State. She and her husband, Henry, will be working at Cachuma Ranch, which will promote natural horsemanship, equine facilitated learning and healing, Aikido principles, and writing workshops. She writes: “ASU has been good to me in all respects: I have loved being a part of an academic community, both as a student and as a teacher; I have loved the small scale of ASU; I've had some exceptional students I'm proud to also call my friends; my memoir, Seeing Into Stone: A Sculptor's Journey, was seeded during my ASU creative writing classes; and I have been so honored to be accepted as a full peer and colleague by many who were my former teachers, including David Mazel, David MacWilliams, Carol Guerrero-Murphy, Aaron Abeyta, John Taylor, and Paul Newman.”

Matt `09 and Brittany `08 Felton live in Los Alamos again! Britt is the photography and

digital art teacher at Los Alamos High School.

Matt is still killin’ it as a 5th grade teacher at Mountain Elementary.

the 3-to 5-year olds on a daily basis. Thank you, Adams University, for all you have helped me to accomplish.”

Ashley Raley `08 (Loma, CO) writes, “Thank you so much for hosting an alumni event in Grand Junction! It was a wonderful way to connect with other alumni in this area. I moved to Grand Junction one year after graduation, and I miss the Grizzly Spirit!”

Susan Koval `12 (Peyton, CO) writes, “Being a graduate from Adams State University has been an honor. I will always cherish the memories.”

John Auxier II `10 (Jefferson City, TN) successfully defended his Ph.D dissertation in inorganic chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, under Dr. George K. Schweitzer. He is pursuing a joint post-doctorial position at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory with Dr. Howard Hall.

Greg Bowman `11 (Pueblo, CO) was appointed chief quality officer at Parkview Medical Center. He also serves as the hospital's chief of medical staff and has been a cardiothoracic surgeon there since 1995. He will continue his surgical practice.

Martha Amos `12 (Grand Junction, CO) opened her own business and is pursuing a Ph.D. in forensic psychology.

Glenda Browning `12 (Peyton, CO) writes, “I would like to take this time to let everyone know ‘It’s never too late to go back and get a degree.’ This was a wonderful adventure with my boys. My youngest graduated from college 1 year before I did. It has also encouraged my oldest son to start looking into classes himself. These were the best family times together. As I struggled, my boys were my tutors, as well as my pillars. I feel that by obtaining my degree I have shown the younger generation that it pays to stay focused on their goals. I feel good knowing I set a good example for my family. I am now working for CPCD as a preschool teacher.

I love working with

Debby McCammond `12 (Calhan, CO) writes, “As a mentor/coach for preschool teachers, I have to continually learn new trends in education. By obtaining my degree, I have become more confident in my abilities as a coach and as a person. I am a grandma and felt that I was ‘too old’ to go back to school. I learned differently, as I progressed with my cohort. As a result, I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in early childhood education, along with a minor in business. This turned out to be such a rewarding experience that I am constantly singing Adam’s praises and hope to start my master’s in adult education in the near future.”

Shara McCray `12 (Bennett, CO) graduated from the REAP program. She is married and has 2 wonderful children. She is an elementary teacher, finally, after all the schooling and hard work. She says, “Thank you Adams State University!”

Katie McNew `12 (Colorado Springs, CO) is a teacher at CPCP working with children ages 3 to 5 years old. She writes, “I was very happy when I completed my degree, being a single mother working full-time and attending school full-time. If I can do it, anybody can! I have a 10-year old son, Riley, who can’t say that he can’t complete something because it is too hard—nothing is too hard if you put your mind to it! I appreciate all the support I received from my family and couldn’t have done it without them!”

aStater alumnotes

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Dustin Richardson `05 has lived in Tucson, Ariz. since shortly after graduation. He worked in healthcare quality for 5 years and started a new career in 2012 as a training specialist for healthcare software.

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alumni scrapbook Front L-R: Lori Laske Wayne Evans, Dorothy August, Ellen Evans and Barbara Peterson

tucson • feb. 21

Back L-R: Russel Buyok, Dick Seals, Dustin Richardson, Mark August, Debbie & Dick Smith, Marilyn & John McBride

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la junta • april 20

Front L-R: Kay Arends, Bessie McCorkle, Suzie Mitchell, Sherri Becker Middle L-R: Lori Laske, Cheryl & Jim Abernathy, Cindy Baer, Bill Becker Back L-R: Lavoy McCorkle, Ken & Kathy Anderson, Mona & Stan Brinkley

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lamar • april

◗ san francisco • march 9

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aStater summer 2013

Front L-R: Lori Laske, Carol Cagle, Shari Steiner, Bernice Martinez, Rita Garfield Back L-R: Hal & Cynthia Gettman, Russ Cagle, Darrell Willhite, Noel Hurd, Clare Montoya, Greg Calloway, Gilbert Montoya, Larry & Marcia Mayer

baseball reunion

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◗ L-R: Virginia & John Elder, Phyllis Sinclair, Will & Janet Lowther, Lori Laske, Jake Martinez, Gerrie Valerio, Kayla & Doug Bay, Teri Erickson

Front L-R: Jim Workman, Bob Miller, Rod Wood, Jack Signs Middle L-R: Tom Bobicki, Joe Andenucio, Jim Colbert, Randy Gettman, Rick Ince, Tom Sandoval, Billy Presley, Mark Vivoda, Jim Paronto

walsenburg • april 20

Back L-R: Paul Williams, Jack Lewis, Larry Olin, Michael Brady, Jerry Rudrude, Carl Krug, Norman Keller, Alan Lebsock, Frank Lower, Don Alley

Front L-R: Cecile Ruder, Jewel Geiger, Loyola Litz, Bertha Ragsdale, Virginia Archuleta, Cathy Mullens

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Back L-R: George & Ione Glumac, Ann & Albert Galvan, Gerald & Cathy Pavlick, Dianne Hanisch, Georgann Gomez, Lori Laske

◗ L-R: James Robert Garcia, Brenda Oakley, Matt & Brittany Felton, Kathy & Rob Hipwood, Lori Laske, Wendy Hoffman, Bruce Gibson

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los alamos • march 21 ◗

aStater scrapbook

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alumni scrapbook

L-R: Tashina & Justin Garrett, Greg & Gloria Archunde, Shara McCray, Linda & Ramon Delgado

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denver • march 7

colorado springs • m

L-R: Mary Hartmann, Kari Erickson, Patsy & John Capra, Chuck Houser, Dr. Bill & Grace Fulkerson, Dave & Karen Sheff, Mike Erickson, Jacqueline Haney

durango • may 7

◗ Front L-R: Lori Laske, Ann & Don Brown, Ross & Margi Smith Middle L-R: Liv Mackenzie, Jolleen Myers, Tanya Monter, Shar Short, Rita King, Sarah Menapace-Walker, Diane Trembly, Marilyn Malberg Back L-R: Ian Mackenzie, Louis Myers, George & Lorraine Wickstrom, Bruce Short, Alfred Wall, Darrell Trembly, Donald Walker, Tracy Tucker, Dutch Malberg, Norman Tucker 42

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aStater summer 2013

grand junction • may 16 From the Top L-R: Lori Laske, Amy Lambert & Martha Amos John & Ashley Raley, Linda & Joseph Sheader, Aubrey & Dorothy Woodward,

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Rita Paronta, Karen Stone, Julie Witt Louis Martinez, Dolores Pitman, Maria Martinez, Jim Witt, Richard & Jane Cardenas Robert Garcia, Ken Herrera

march 2

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boston • june 7

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L-R: Thom & Lorraine Horne, Tom & Jenn Horne, Lynn Drake, Nate Moreau, John Higgins & Michelle Sutherland, Lori Laske and Becca Cleef

◗ Front L-R: Sharon Makris, Lori Laske, Billie Olin, Eva Esquibel, Jennifer Holt Middle L-R: Debby McCammond, Wanda & Katie McNew, Glenda Browning, Susan Koval, Leslie & Tim Holt, Paul & Nancy Rahne

albuquerque • feb. 19

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Back L-R: Dannie Makris, Teenan Anderson, Larry Olin, Angie & Bill Schinkel

Front L-R: Vern & Chrissy Akes, David Ruiz & Elizabeth Martinez, Bonita Tooley, Zaidee Sadler, Cliff Miller, Dean Tooley and Lori Laske Back L-R: Dale Kerby, Janet & Jasper Mangum, Debbie & Geoff Bokan

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aStater scrapbook

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Alumni are all aboard for fun Adams State Alumni rocked the boat from Boston to Montreal on the third alumni cruise this past June The group of 69 alumni and friends gathered in Boston to set sail for a seven-day cruise that included stops in Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, and the Canadian cities of Sydney, Quebec, and Montreal.

Dr. Rich Loosbrock, assoc. professor of history at ASU, met up with the group in Boston and gave them a historical tour (photo near right). The man is a fount of knowledge, and, despite the rain, the group had a fantastic time.

On Saturday, the group boarded the ship and quickly became known as “the green shirt group.” They were hard to miss and they were everywhere!

The first formal night, there was an alumni reception before dinner and the group met on the main staircase for the group picture (photo below left). It’s always a challenge to get everyone in, but being the largest group on the ship is so much fun!

ASU alumni spent seven days exploring new places. They ate lobster in Bar Harbor, experienced the red sandy beaches of Prince Edward Island, and danced on the pier in the quaint city of Quebec, to name a few.

There was never a dull moment from Boston to Montreal. The evening shows were entertaining, the weather was beautiful on deck, and there was always something tantalizing to eat, including a mussel bake on the Lido deck.

Everyone had a wonderful time and is ready to go again in June, 2015.

Make plans to join us. As anyone who went will tell you, you won’t be disappointed. Watch your mail and future A-Staters for details.

By Gaylene Horning ‘94

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aStater summer 2013

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phoenix • feb. 22 Front L-R: Lori Laske, Yvonne Moulton, Jaidyn Imadiyi, Margaret Sloan, Judy Jones Middle L-R: Brent Williams, Frank & Natasha Castronova, Vanesse & Dennis Ecton, Michael Sloan, Butch Jones

Front L-R: Velma Workman, Priscilla & Mary Jane Gibson, and Ardith Nance Back L-R: Jim Workman, Dennis Ecton, Brent Williams, Sherrie Maule, Lori Laske, Judy Martin, Rudy & Sharon Basovsky, Frank Nance and Roger Trotter

aStater scrapbook

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Back L-R: Rick Sloan and Family, Burt Moulton, Sara Graf, Darryl Montgomery

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RMAC Hall of Fame honors ASU athletes The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Hall of Fame inducted three individuals and three teams from Adams State, July 12.

• NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame, Adams State Athletics Hall of Fame (2001)

Track star Brenda Jarvis-Eriksson ‘86 was inducted along with former wrestling coaches Frank Powell ‘62 and Dr. Richard Ulrich. They were joined by the 1990 and 1992 men's indoor track & field teams and the 1990 wrestling team.

Coach Ulrich also coached Adams State wrestling for nine years, winning the RMAC championship each year. He also served as Adams State’s head football coach in 1981.

Ulrich then served 19 years as Athletic Director at NCAA Division III University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., in addition to coaching men's and women's golf. He led the Loggers to a couple of NCAA DIII tournament appearances before retiring in 2010.

• Dual-meet record 83-23-3 (.778) • Coached 11 national champions, 38 All-Americans • 1980 National Coach of the Year • Adams State Athletics Hall of Fame, 2001; University of Puget Sound Athletic Hall of Fame, 2011

coach richard ulrich

men’s indoor track & field teams

Members of the 1990 wrestling team joyfully accept their awards.

brenda jarvis-eriksson In her career, Jarvis-Eriksson was a three-time NAIA National Champion and 16-time All-American as a middle distance runner and hurdler. She contributed to Adams State’s 1983, 1984, and 1985 RMAC Outdoor Track & Field championship titles. She also served as team captain of the 1985 Adams State NAIA national championship team that was inducted into last year's RMAC Hall of Fame. Jarvis-Ericksson earned national titles in the 55-meter hurdles and the 100meter hurdles at the 1985 and 1986 outdoor national championships.

• 6 RMAC hurdling titles: 400m, 4 years; 100m, 2 years • Former NAIA national record in the 100-meter hurdles • 8-time NAIA All-America honors • 2003: inducted into the Adams State Athletic Hall of Fame

coach frank powell Coach Powell coached wrestling for nine years after initiating the Adams State program in the early 1960s. Powell went on to become head wrestling coach and Athletic Director at Metro State from 1972-1977.

• National Coach of the Year • Dual-meet record 72-36-1 (.665) • Four consecutive regional championships: 1965-68 • RMAC titles: 1967, 1968 • Coached six national champions and 35 All-Americans

These are the only two men's indoor track & field teams in RMAC history to win national team championships.

Adams State’s 1990 squad was the first RMAC men's track & field team to win a team national championship at the NAIA meet in Kansas City, Mo. Overseen by the legendary Joe Vigil and National Coach of the Year Tom Lionvale, the thenIndians boasted a number of individual champions, including: Martin Johns ‘92, Dan Maas ‘92, Rick Robirds ‘90; and the distance medley relay team of Johns, Maas, Stephan Flenoy, and Pete Kilbarda.

Adams State repeated the feat in 1992, this time led by Vigil and John Kernan, who was named National Coach of the Year. Individual national championships went to: Maas; Shane Healy ‘93; Kevin Cunningham ‘92; the two-mile relay team: Johns, Brian Blazek ‘93, David Bell ‘92, and Scott Smoot; and the distance medley relay team of Healy, Brian Blazek ‘93, Dan Caufield ‘95, ‘99, andJason Mohr ‘93.

1990 wrestling team In 1990, the Adams State wrestling team captured the eighth national team championship in that sport in school history – a record that still stands, tied with Central State of Oklahoma. Adams State went 10-2 in dual meets.

Led by National Coach of the Year Rodger Jehlicka and 167-pound national champion Timm McDaniel, it was Adams State’s first national championship in 10 years and the most recent national wrestling title in school history.

All-Americans on the team included: • Dennis Friedland ‘96 (5th at 118) • Dale Hall ‘92 (5th at 126) • Larry Evens ‘91 (2nd at 150) • Chad Smidt ‘90, ‘91 (2nd at 158) • Matt Zene ‘91, ‘94 (4th at 177) • Jim Gontis ‘90

By Elario Rickey

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aStater summer 2013

Grizzlies top the RMAC Adams State Athletics won the prestigious Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Sports Competition Cup for the fourth time.

The award caps one of the most successful years in ASU Athletics. "With the quality of programs in the RMAC, this truly is an honor," said Adams State Director of Athletics Larry Mortensen ‘88, ‘93. "The award is also a tribute to our 700 student-athletes, outstanding coaches, and support staff here at Adams State."

Dozens of ASU athletes have also accumulated player of the week, player of the month, and player of the year honors. Additionally, Adams State has posted imAthletic Director Larry Mortensen (left) pressive numbers with student-athletes earning academic honors. accepts the RMAC All-Sports Cup. The RMAC All-Sports Competition Cup is awarded based on outcomes in the RMAC's four core sports, along with six wild card sports. The four core sports are football or men's soccer, men's basketball, women's basketball, and volleyball. For ASU, those wildcard sports were men’s & women’s cross country, men’s & women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and wrestling, fifth-place: learfield director’s cup which combined to contribute 600 points, the most possible.

Cross Country Total RMAC All-Sports Competition Cup • Men’s Team 2012 National Champions points are calculated based on how the teams fin• Men’s & Women’s teams RMAC Champions ish in the RMAC regular season standings. If • Damon Martin named National XC Coach of the Year, 31st time teams do not have regular season standings, conFootball ference championship results are used.

2012-13 asu grizzlies rmac all-sports cup champions

• Best season in program history for DII-era (8-3)

Volleyball

By Elario Rickey

• First ever NCAA Tournament bid • Tied for second in RMAC standings

Men’s basketball • Nationally ranked for the first time • Third straight NCAA Tournament appearance • Tied for second in RMAC standings

Women’s basketball • Finished season ranked 10th in RMAC

Wrestling • RMAC Champions • Jason Ramstetter named DII Coach of the Year

Track & Field • Men’s and Women’s Teams won both indoor and outdoor RMAC Championships • Damon Martin named RMAC Coach of the Year, indoor & outdoor

Swimming • First national qualifier • Coach Dan France named RMAC Coach of the Year

Softball • Advanced to RMAC Championship game • Three named to All-RMAC Tournament Team

Baseball

junior alicia nelson (#1 above) enjoyed one of the most impressive years in ASU's athletic history, capturing four national championships and winning a title in every sport in which she competed. Then at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she recorded the second fastest time ever by a Division II athlete in the 3000m steeplechase: 10:03.20.

• Back on the diamond for the first time in 36 years

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aStater sports scene

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non-profit u.s. postage

paid permit no. 80 alamosa, co A-Stater Adams State University Alamosa, CO 81101

A three-foot high stone lantern (center) was donated to Adams State’s Japanese-American Memorial Garden by Emily Lewis (Sumie Kawasaki) of Pueblo. Inspired by a 2005 article on the garden, she donated the piece because she is returning to her homeland.