Staying in Touch

1950s

Jerrold T. Booher ’59, ’61 spent 40 years in administration, teaching and coaching in Colorado schools on the Eastern Plains. Jerrold is currently retired and living in St. George, Utah.

•1960s

During Lee A. Vickers ’60, ’65 long tenure in higher education, first in teaching positions and, ultimately, as a college president for 30 years, he often reflected on the quality of education he received at Adams State. “In particular, two professors, Drs. Lorimer (psychology) and Lyman (English) and my basketball and tennis coach, Ron Crawford, inspired me and greatly impacted my life.”

Larry L. McClanahan ’62 is retired and living in Colorado Springs, Colo. and enjoying life after 34 years of teaching. “I am grateful to Adams State for providing the opportunities that led to a great life.”

Bernice L. Martinez ’66 recently moved to Boca Raton, Fla. after living in Northern California for 42 years. Her two sisters, Ruth and Polly, who graduated from Adams State in 1967 reside in Southern Calif. and Denver, Colo. Bernice has enjoyed her retirement for the past ten years after having a successful career in finance.

Robert Valdez ’66 earned his M.A. with majors in psychology and guidance and counseling. He spent 33 years of service at the Española Schools as a counselor. After retirement he volunteered for Search and Rescue in New Mexico for 30+ years, where he was in charge of the entire state. Robert coordinated over 250 missions in New Mexico and a couple in Colorado in the Cumbres area. He now works knapping knives out of obsidian, agate, quartz, gold stone and other stones.

Francisco O. Adame ’66, ’71 enjoys retirement after 45 years of coaching, classroom and building administrator, including Colorado (4 years), Alaska (26 years), Oregon (2 years), and Kansas (13 years). Francisco is a proud grandparent of five boys, Rick, Andrew, Heath, Ellis, and Maddox; and one “beautiful princess” Maeva. Go Grizz!

Sharon Walker ’66 went by “Tex” at Adams State. She taught for 30 years, all in Texas except for one summer. Sharon was an exchange teacher and spent the summer of 1991 in Moscow, Russia and Vilnius, Lithuania. “What a trip.”

Sam Porter ’68 is retired and spends summers in South Fork, Colo.

Ted Morrison ’69 retired in 2013, after 43 years with PAC. He is a widower after 55 years of marriage. Ted lives in Alamosa and is very active with Adams State and Grizzly Club.

Terrence W. Sloan ’69 is retired and living in Gallup, NM. Terrence likes photography, hiking and mountain biking.

•1970s

Michael R. Williams, Ph.D., ’70 has over 45 years of experience in education. He served in a leadership capacity in the military, public schools, government, and business. Michael has been a teacher, assistant superintendent, district superintendent and deputy superintendent of a state education agency. He served as chief academic officer of education businesses, consulted in school effectiveness and in the business operations of several schools. Currently he enjoys skiing, hiking, bicycling, travel and entertaining grandchildren.

James Tenbrook ’70 retired and moved from Denver, Colo. to Robson Ranch in Denton, Texas.

Karen S. Stone ’71 continues to volunteer at her school. Her mom is 101 years young, and Karen is no longer her caregiver. “I moved her to a skilled nursing facility.”

Martha R. Nelson ’71 earned a Master’s of Science Teaching from NM Tech. Martha taught 31 years in California and N.M., retiring from public schools in 2003. She also taught as adjunct staff at Dine College for 4 years, San Juan Community College for 22 years and finally retiring in 2019. She has two daughters: one is a cosmetologist and the other is a physical therapy assistant.

Rosalie A. Ellgen ’71 says, “Adams State made it possible for me to receive a college education. My bachelor’s degree opened many doors and opportunities for me. I am very grateful to the university.”

Shirley J. Lambert ’71 retired in 2001 after teaching for 30 years in Buena Vista High School. “I never guessed my husband, Aubrey, would pass unexpectedly in 2010.” Her daughter, Misty, works with the Center School District in the San Luis Valley while her son, Cameron, works for Fed Ex Dept. in Kansas. He and his wife, Sarah, have four children. “Genealogy and organizing family photos keep me busy between chemo infusions, to be completed in December. I would enjoy hearing from former roommates of mine.”

Gary D. Ramer ’72 is blessed to have gone to Adams State. Arriving in Alamosa to pastor the College Heights Baptist Church, Dan and Dorthy Throgmortan surprised Gary by wanting to pay for a master’s degree if he started immediately. “Scared and humbled I began. My life has been richly blessed by my 3 years there. Donald Brooks was one of the best English teachers I ever had. What a joy to have teachers who really care.”

Liska A. Crowley ’72 at 73 years young, she still loves to ride with her spouse on their 1952 Harley. “We love our work as living history reenactors of the Mountain Man lifestyle circa 1820-1840. When not enjoying our 20-acre homestead in rural Washington state, we enjoy spending time with family and friends. Hard to believe I graduated 50 years ago. Would love to reconnect with others.” “Grow old with me….. the best is yet to be.” -Robert Browning

Nanette Mongelluzzo, Ph.D., ’72, ’77 earned her doctorate in psychology in 2006 and received a Dissertation Distinction Award. She is now a private practice clinical psychotherapist and adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University (graduate program in psychology). Nanette is the author of three books on mental health topics.

Laura R. Haase ’73 is a retired educator, having spent 33 years in Jefferson County School District including as principal and athletic director. “I spent the last 15 years as a sales associate for Richmond American Homes.” She has one son, Haas Pratt, a state trooper in Boulder.

Billie R. Feazell-Olin ’77 says, “Our story, like so many others, started at Adams. We are celebrating 45 years together on our farm where we foster 38 rescue horses. Our oldest daughter Randi, son-in-law, and grandson sail their catamaran around the Bahamas and Florida Keys. Our youngest, and her husband, are in the process of moving to Australia. We have been blessed.”

Carey Sanchez ’77, member of the Denver Alumni Chapter, attended the recruiting event at Eagle Ridge Academy, in Brighton, Colo., last November.

“It was awesome.”

Sanchez visited with approximately 12 students and answered questions about Adams State’s location, scholarships and concurrent enrollment. The evening brought back wonderful memories of her days as a high school counselor. “I am hoping that we (Denver Alumni ChapterStudent Recruiting) can be of more assistance to the Admissions Department.”

Charlotte A. Kaiser ’79 was recently honored by being admitted to the State of Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame for excellence in the classroom and extracurricular activities: such as plays, drama club, forensics classes and weekend tournaments.

Ben J. Rudder ’79, ’84 graduated as an industrial arts major. After receiving his master’s in 1984 in secondary ed K-12, Ben worked for 25 years in the Sanford School District and retired in 2003. He serves as a veteran’s service officer for Rio Grande County. Ben and Theresa have been married for 52 years.

•1980s

Lorene M. Parker ’85, ’97 enjoyed reconnecting with fellow graduates, Amy Goehl Hausman and Anna Apadoca. “We get together a few times a year now that we have retired and take some fun trips together. Retirement is wonderful and I’m looking forward to my husband joining me soon.”

Steven L. Heisterkamp ’86 would like to thank all of his professors for giving him a quality education, especially, Thomas Gilmore, Ph.D., emeritus professor of business, and John McDaniel, Ph.D., emeritus professor of history.

Terral S. Archer, Ed.D. ’87 graduated from Grand Canyon University with a doctorate in education with an emphasis in special education leadership in June 2022. The title of her dissertation was “Educator Perceptions of General Education access Influence on Academic Performance for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities.” It was published in Pro Quest. Sue A. Luttrell ’88 retired on Dec. 31, 2022 after 33 years of teaching various levels of special education and 11 years as a receptionist. “My husband and I plan to discover traveling the country by rail (Amtrak).”

•1990s

Sarah A. Menapace-Walker ’93 took a Pacific Coast RV trip on Highway 101 on the West Coast, last summer. The trip highlight was the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This fall they took an RV trip along the “Great River Road” from the headwaters of the Mississippi River to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. Trip highlights were the St. Louis Arch and Vicksburg National Military Park.

Susan Snyder ’83 was inducted into the 2022 National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. She has an impressive record as Big Sandy (Simla, Colo.) High School Volleyball Coach. She led the team to two state championships, four state runners-up titles and a list of accolades. She coached the Bearcubs for 37 years before retiring in 2018. Under her mentorship the Cubs made 16 trips to the state tournament advancing to the state semifinals or beyond 11 times, while compiling an overall record of 670-178. In 2003, Susan was NHSACA Coach of the Year. Other awards include Don Des Combes Distinguished Service, Helen McCall Coach of the Year, Boettcher Teacher Award and All-Colorado Coach. She won the Dave Sanders Award in 2012 and was inducted into the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Hall of Fame. Snyder taught technology and business at Simla and was the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) sponsor for 31 years.

Pictured, Big Sandy Schools Superintendent Steve Wilson, Susan Snyder and Al Snyder.

The AStater appreciates the information and photo published in the June 30, 2022, “Ranchland News,”

Scott Holman ’96 has been active in motocross racing. This year he won the 250 Intermediate and 40+ Intermediate championships. In 2019, he won the same championships in the Novice division. He moved up to the Intermediate class the next year (2020) and got second in the 250 class and third in the 40+ class, and in 2021, he got fourth in the Open class and third in the 250. His sponsors for the 2023 race season are O’Neal USA, Dunlop, Scott Goggles, ODI, Leatt, GoPro, Acerbis, and Sunstar. Scott earned his Ph.D. in English from Idaho State University in 2016 and currently teaches writing at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Pictured, Scott at this year’s Rocky Mountain Vintage Motocross Championship (RMVMC).

Lorrie J. Comfort-Hoffman ’96 is divorced and living a great new life as a nurse practitioner.

•2000s

Ryan Hollingshead ’00 lives in Castle Rock with his wife, Belinda, and two college kids, Noah and AnnMarie. Ryan is a first-year principal at Ponderosa High School and completed 23 years in Douglas County School District.