Staying in Touch

•1950s

Jerrold T. Booher ’56, ’61 spent 40 years in Colorado teaching, coaching, and in administration, but has lived in Pocatello, Idaho for the past 18 years. His wife, who did not graduate from Adams State, is named Shirley.

Clair M. Martinez ’56, ’75 with her brother Roy, received a “Heritage Award” for educators in recognition of their service to education as counselors for many years.

Caroline Sanchez ’56 celebrated her 66-year wedding anniversary.

Patricia J. Anderson-Richmond ’58, ’69 resides near Dolores, Colo. She retired after 25 years of teaching social studies, English, and music classes in Colorado towns Basalt, Del Norte, and Monte Vista. She was co-founder of the Gordon Cooper Library in Carbondale, Colo., and a founding member of the San Luis Valley Historical Society and the Old Spanish Trail Association. She served as the education director for the San Luis Valley Visitor Information Center and later as director for the Creede & Mineral County Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce. She still participates in civic and educational activities and continues to write for historical journals and other publications.

•1960s

Theodora Madrid ’60, ’69 writes that she is “so proud of” Adams State’s “tradition in the preparation of teachers,” and she hopes the school continues preparing school teachers and encouraging public education for all, pre-kindergarten through college. “We need teachers!”

Ruth K. Nichols ’61, ’88 thanks the Adams State staff and professors that supported her at the school. She now works at the multinational computer technology company, Oracle.

James E. Morlan ’62 had a class called Business Law at Adams State taught by Dr. Wick, which was most useful to him. After graduating in 1962, he went to Denver, hoping to find fame and money. He had three children, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren and worked as a casualty claims adjuster. Later, he sold his claims business and taught himself how to invest in dividend growth stocks as a retirement activity. Donald L. Brown ’62, ’68 worked for school district 9-R in Colorado for 30 years and was selected Colorado Counselor of the year. He and his brothers liked Adams State very much, picking out the outstanding teacher education programs and “most of all, excellent instructors!”

John S. Perry ’64, ’71 was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, on September 11, 2021, in Colorado Springs. He wrestled at Adams State for Dr. Frank Powell and in 1964 was named Adams State’s Outstanding Wrestler. After graduation, John taught and coached wrestling at Alamosa High School for three years. He continued to teach and coach at Kearney High School, Kearney, Neb., and McCook Junior College in McCook, Neb., finalizing his career at Sterling High School in Sterling, Colo., where he resides with his wife, Bobbi. He has two sons and six grandchildren. He is a world champion sled dog sprint racer, having won a gold medal with his six-dog team and a silver medal with his eight-dog team.

Matthew B. Shoban ’64, ’68 is retired from teaching at Middlesex College and Kean University, both in New Jersey. His time at Adams State included pushing a bed on wheels to Denver and impelling a wheelbarrow with potatoes to Albuquerque, as well as more common pursuits such as running and ski club, according to Shoban.

Larry A. Barker ’65 retired from coaching in Lubbock, Texas.

Arlene C. Lockrem ’68 went on from Adams State to receive her master’s degree in social work at University of Denver in 1972. She moved to Wyoming a couple of years ago to be near family, and is now retired.

Edward E. Atencio Sr. ’68, ’73 received the Warren Mitchell Award for the top track and cross-country coach in Colorado, in 2011. He received the Adams State Educators Hall of Fame award and the Colorado Coaches Hall of Fame award in 2019. In 2021, he was named Adams State Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. He is married to Josephine Atencio and has three children: Jozette, Joanna, and Edward.

•1970s

Wendy (Rawson) ’71 and Gordon Hoffman, MA ’71, were married on March 4, 1972 in Coronado Hall by the Reverend Lonnie Eakle, the campus chaplain. Wendy misses Gordon, who passed away in 2012. They have two children, Nick and Angela, and four grandsons.

Eric Mead ’71 writes that it’s hard to believe he graduated 50 years ago, “halfway through Adams State’s existence,” and he has many fond memories of Alamosa and the San Luis Valley.

William Hinz ’72 is in his 40th year of practicing primarily criminal law, and in his third term as a school board member. “I might be relocating back to Colorado soon.”

Jeanne Sategna ’74 coached varsity volleyball for 23 years, varsity track for 10 years, and has officiated volleyball for the past 20 years.

Phillip Sategna ’74, ’76 is in his 48th year coaching track. He was an administrator and teacher for 38 years.

Sally A. Karg ’75 is a member of Oak Harbor Garden Club on Whidbey Island in Washington State.

Charlene M. O’Leary Luke ’75 was a certified project management professional before she retired in 2014 and moved to Britt, Minn.

Steven Stenersen ’76 and his wife, Ana, were fortunate to attend Adams State University’s Centennial Celebration in October. They had not been to campus since many of the extensive renovations and additions were completed. He wrote that all associated with them should be proud, but said more importantly, everyone was “friendly” and “down to earth,” mentioning especially President Lovell’s engagement, enthusiasm and commitment, as well as Adams State faculty invitingly offering to assist the couple. Registered nurse Ana took a tour of the nursing facilities and found them impressive. The Stenersens also appreciated the passion of Alumni Relations and Engagement Director Ashley Maestas. Most importantly, they found Adams State students to be “fully engaged, partisan, robust” and “fun-loving.” Steven

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and Ana also approvingly made note of the school’s “academic progression, student compassion and … credo to be inclusive,” and they advise students to enjoy their time on campus because “it never gets better than the present.”

Frances M. Montoya ’79 retired from District 60 in Pueblo, Colo., as an elementary teacher. She enjoys traveling and doing volunteer work, mainly at her church. Frances is married to John Gutierrez and her son Erick is married to Kourtney. She has always told her students that education is the key to success, according to Montoya. “Way to go ASU Grizzlies as they celebrate 100 years!”

•1980s

Steven L. Heisterkamp ’86 enjoys retirement from the grocery business and wants to say hi to everybody that he knew at Adams State. “Thank you!”

•2010s

Snowy Coleman ’18 met Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Russell Smith (MCPON) when he boarded Coleman’s ship on Thanksgiving Day. Coleman took a picture with Smith and they talked for about 15 minutes.

What have you been up to since graduation? Your classmates want to know.

Email your update and photo to alumni@adams.edu.

Family Bookshelf

Mary Van Pelt ’81 recently published a chapbook, Finding My Pieces: Vignettes and Verse, with cover art by Kathy Park ’07, and layout and design by Bill Tite, M.F.A, professor of art. Van Pelt writes that she is inspired by the power of hope found in personal stories and in this chapbook, she shares a few of her own. “The really cool thing is going into the world with the support of friends,” according to Van Pelt. The book is available at Narrow Gauge Book Coop in Alamosa.

Thankful for Adams State

Adams State sent holiday greetings to alums, thanking them for their support. Some returned the message with expressions of their own thankfulness.

Wendy Hoffman ’71 gives thanks for her time at Adams State, where she made friends, learned lessons outside of class, and received a “world-class education.” Most importantly, she thanks the school because this is where she met her husband. In fact, she writes, their wedding reception took place in the Coronado Hall conference room without champagne, as they were on a dry campus. Adams State is the “best place on earth,” according to Hoffman, and the great story of her and her husband “definitely did begin” here.

Bette McFarren ’76 is thankful for her wonderful Colorado family in Durango, Denver and La Junta, and writes that the last part of her career was made possible by her master’s degrees in special education earned at Adams State. “It was a great place to study and spend the summer, back in ‘76 where I made lifelong friends.” McFarren works part time at the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette and has retired from the East Otero R-l School District in Colorado. Arvilla Weldon ’70, ’92 says “thank you” for the Thanksgiving wish and wishes the same to all at Adams State.

Darlene Brace-Torres ’04, ’05 is grateful for the amazing well-rounded education and leadership training received at Adams State, which gave her “a solid foundation” for her career, as well as lifelong friendships.