Winter 2017 A-Stater by Adams State University

Stater

winter 2017 the magazine of adams state university

Jazzed for Homecoming

Stater

VOL. 57, NO. 3 • WINTER 2017

Published by Adams State University Foundation adams state university • alamosa, co 81101 719-587-7011 • 800-824-6494 www.adams.edu • e-mail: alumni@adams.edu www.adams.edu/alumni/astater/ EDITOR & DESIGNER Julie Waechter

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gaylene Horning ’94 • Linda Relyea ’96, ’10

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS ASU Sports • Robert Baca ‘94 • Anne Branson • Greg Davis ’83 Amy Kucera ’05 • Aaron Miltenberger ‘12 • Taylor Mills ’19 Daniel Parsons ’19 • Priscilla Rahn • Shaun Wicen

PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY Dr. Beverlee J. McClure

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY Cleave Simpson Chair Kathleen Rogers Vice Chair Reeves Brown • Pam Bricker • Michele J. Lueck Wendell Lorenzo Pryor • Arnold Salazar ’76 John Singletary • Randy Wright ’84 Dr. Rob Benson Faculty Trustee John Owsley ’18 Student Trustee

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Lori Lee Laske ’91, ’01 Executive Director of Alumni & Donor Relations Liz Tabeling-Garcia ’96, ’06 President Delzia Worley ’97 Vice President Holly Felmlee ’76, ’92 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 Kasey Russell ’03 • Rich Scanga ’75 • Jeremy Wilder ’96

ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD Ron Howard ’98 President Dr. John McDaniel Vice President Jeni Goodwin ’85 Secretary Donn Vigil Treasurer Tim Bachicha ’92 • Glenn Burnham • Duane Bussey ’82 Keith Cerny • Genevieve Cooper • Bill Fassett Valerie Finnegan • Dale Hettinger ’64 • Charles “Chuck” Houser ’62 Dorothy Lucero ’61 • Joe Martinez ’99, ’12 • Cathy Mullens ’82 Chuck Owsley ’68 • Michelle Roepke • Rich Scanga ’75 Helen Sigmond • Don Stegman ’61, ’64

FOUNDATION HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Stephen Bokat ’68 • Marguerite Salazar ’75, ’76 • Michael Ware ’69 Harold Kelloff • John Marvel Jr. Izora Southway ’66 • J. Byron Uhrich • R. Paul Wagner

FOUNDATION EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Beverlee J. McClure ASU President Tammy Lopez ’91, ’00 Executive Director of the Foundation Kathleen Rogers Trustee Liaison

GRIZZLY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ron DeSautell ’76 President • Ted Morrison ’69 Vice President Hoyt Anderson ’97 • Heather Brooks • Keith Cerny Jeni Goodwin ’85 • Dennis Ortiz ’79 Jeff Owsley ’86 • Steve Valdez ’87 • Donna Wehe ’12

president’s letter: it’s the gift that counts A group of San Luis Valley leaders showed excellent foresight when they established the Adams State Foundation in 1962. At that time, publically funded colleges and universities weren’t as concerned with fundraising as private institutions have always been. By recognizing Adams State’s need for financial support beyond state funding and tuition revenue, those leaders envisioned a time when private contributions would become more important. That day has come. Once, the Dr. Beverlee J. McClure state covered two-thirds of the cost of attending college, and students, one third. State funding cuts have reversed that split, meaning students and their families must now cover twothirds of the cost. Most of the funds managed by the Adams State University Foundation are restricted to scholarships and other programs. Last year, the ASU Foundation awarded $1.1 million in scholarships, thanks to alumni and other donors who wish to share the fruits of their own education with today’s students. Each year, the ASU Foundation and the Grizzly Club honor donors who have been particularly generous. This issue of the A-Stater highlights them on pages 20, 21, and 37. Escalating student debt is a national concern, but the situation is more acute for Adams State students, many of whom are low income and/or the first in their families to attend college. Fifty-four percent of our students are eligible for federal Pell grants – that is the highest percentage of all of Colorado’s four-year institutions. In all, 91 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid. Many institutions have offset funding cuts by increasing tuition. We realize there is a limit to how much our students can take on, so we created our Guaranteed Tuition program, which locks in tuition for four years. What’s more, this year we kept tuition for new students at last year’s rates. You may have benefitted from a work-study job or Foundation scholarship during your student days. Perhaps you experienced how dramatically a college education can change a life. By supporting the ASU Foundation, you help a deserving student reach that goal. How much should you give? Whatever is comfortable for you. We appreciate any size of gift and will put it to good use. When should you give? We send request letters twice a year, and each issue of the A-Stater includes an envelope to make giving convenient. During our Spring Phonathon, a student may call to update you on your alma mater and request a gift. You can also donate at any time through the ASU Foundation website: adams.edu/give. Our Foundation staff can help you create a planned gift or establish a scholarship. You can also choose to support an existing scholarship fund or make an unrestricted gift, which allows the Foundation to support an area of need. What matters is that you give. An Adams State student will thank you.

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 2020

To become the university community of choice for diverse, historically underserved groups, and all who value quality education and inclusivity.

Dr. Beverlee J. McClure President

contents

adams family gatherings

cover story

january

Gettin’ Saxy with Darren Rahn ‘94

Cover photo courtesy of Darren Rahn

San Luis Valley Social

Albuquerque

february march

latest editions Keeping Current USDA grants $100,000 for new First Southwest Bank Center for Economic Opportunity at ASU Cleave Simpson and Kathy Rogers elected to head Adams State Trustees Academic Pursuits Ph.D. program gains CACREP accreditation Upward Bound expands with math-science grant Coffee and integrity inspired painting

4 6 7 7 8 8 9

great stories Camila Alire ‘70 receives Billy Adams Award You are what you eat Gettin’ Saxy with Darren Rahn ‘94 Remembering the words, breaking down the walls Bridging worlds through music

10 11 12 14 18

adams family legacies ASU Foundation recognizes Wehes’ support Willis Fassett Jr. Award honors SLV Health Chemistry students benefit from Kenneth Bean Memorial Spraitzer bequest funds need-based scholarships Porter Realty establishes scholarship

staying in touch adams family album great grizz

20 21 22 22 23 24 28

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country take NCAA Div. II National Championships Grizzly Club recognizes donors for decades of support Grizzlies Fall Season

36 37 38

This new sign at the entrance to Alamosa already has to be updated. The men’s and women’s cross country teams recently brought home two new national championships. See story page 36.

2 3 5 6

San Diego Orange County Phoenix Tucson

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

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keeping current keeping curr

Dr. Chris Adams, assoc. professor of chemistry, works with elementary school kids following the 26th annual Chemistry Magic Show, entitled "Chemistry Rocks.” Hands-on activities in the labs are very popular and help spread the love of science.

New students receive an enthusiastic welcome from ASU faculty and staff at the fall New Student Orientation. A range of activities introduced freshmen to college life and helped them bond with classmates.

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More than 200 ASU volunteers contributed 1,000 hours of service during the 18th annual ASU Cares Day, held in September. More than 25 local agencies and projects received help from ASU clubs and teams.

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Students in art, computer science, and physics collaborated to create a Mars Habitat concept – a life-sized shelter complete with workshop, hydroponics, 3D printing, robotics, and other technology. The display also featured Marsthemed artwork by students in area schools. The project was partially funded through grants from the Colorado Space Grant Consortium and the Adams State Office of Title V Initiatives.

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rent keeping current keeping ◗

Members of ASU’s 68 West a capella group attended a workshop with a member of VOCES8, an internationally acclaimed British vocal ensemble that performed and worked with students in October. The group tours extensively throughout Europe, North America, Russia and Asia, and has released acclaimed recordings as a Decca Classics artist that have been at the top of the classical charts.

The Zacheis Planetarium made telescopes available for viewing the solar eclipse on August 21, attracting a couple hundred community members of all ages to the campus.

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The CASA Center (Cultural Awareness and Student Achievement) presented a slate of events during Hispanic Heritage Month. Bertha Garcia, from Santa Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico, bakes bread in a traditional horno at the CASA Center.

USDA grants $100,000 for new First Southwest Bank Center for Economic Opportunity at ASU through a three-year, $100,000 grant from the usda and matching funds from the first southwest community fund, adams state is establishing the first southwest bank center for economic opportunity. The center will open in January and focus on communitybased strategic planning and trainings to promote local business startups, thereby improving job creation, job retention, and local income levels. Adams State University’s expertise in business education and community partnerships, combined with a proven model implemented by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship (CRE), will inform the project design and approach. CRE has an impressive track record of helping rural communities by integrating customized strategies in entrepreneurship, including community coaching. The First Southwest Bank Center for Economic Opportunity also will collaborate with and support the SLV Small Business Development Center, Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation, SLV Development Resources Group, Upper Rio Grande Economic Development, local chambers of commerce, and Colorado Workforce Centers. Headquartered in Alamosa, First Southwest Bank has six branches in the San Luis Valley and southwestern Colorado. First Southwest Bank CEO Kent Curtis said the new center is a prime example of the bank’s mission: cultivating valuable relationships, investing in economic and social doers, and fostering a well-lived rural Colorado culture. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a designation for banks that serve underserved areas of the country, First Southwest Bank receives financial awards from the U.S. Treasury and other government entities. “I especially want to thank our Senior VP/Commercial Lender Delzia Worley ’97 for her diligence and communityminded efforts in the valley, because that was the primary reason we received this particular financial award. It is vital to us to deploy those award monies back into the communities we’re serving. First Southwest Bank is absolutely committed to building more small businesses, networks, and opportunities for our rural Colorado community,” Curtis said. “The First Southwest Bank Center for Economic Opportunity is one way Adams State is fulfilling our commitment to make the entire valley our campus. This center is an excellent example of a public/private partnership designed to better the San Luis Valley,” said Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure, who serves on the board of the First Southwest Community Fund. “The Center will also provide our students a unique opportunity to participate in economic and community development through paid internships.”

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The First Southwest Bank Center for Economic Opportunity will leverage the SLV’s resources in an effective and sustainable entrepreneurship initiative that strengthens the capacity of low-income and diverse communities to grow locally owned businesses. It is committed to: community capacity and leadership building, entrepreneurship development and job creation, and resource network (NetWork SLV) capacity building. “Our goal is to create a supportive entrepreneurial environment in the valley to foster projects that may range from value-added agriculture to technology creation. This will build a center for people to come together, expand, and make the San Luis Valley a thriving environment for entrepreneurs,” Curtis added. One of the concepts he hopes to see developed is that of co-working spaces, an upscale business incubator that is technology driven and helps create an entrepreneurial environment. He is also enthusiastic about developing a “Leadership Alamosa” program like those used in other communities. Participants enroll in a 6-8 week course and commit to taking community leadership roles. “It helps them better understand the infrastructure of a community in all aspects and become more educated to assume leadership roles.” Senator Michael Bennet said, “This grant will help fuel economic development in the San Luis Valley. The joint work between Adams State University and First Southwest Bank is an example of how public-private partnerships empower state and local government officials to think outside of the box to make our communities stronger.” The First Southwest Bank Center for Economic Opportunity has the following overarching goals: 1. A shared vision for entrepreneurship and climate for successful small business development that improves the lives and livelihoods of residents across the SLV 2. A deeper understanding of the barriers faced by entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups and solutions to address systemic change 3. Stronger communities through recognition of local and regional resources and assets 4. Improved capacity in multiple low-income communities to mentor and foster the success of local entrepreneurs, supported by a strong resource network 5. Valuable work experience and training for student interns in community and business development 6. New value chains for businesses that optimize local talent and resources 7. Job creation and retention, including an estimated 80 new jobs by the end of Year 3 8. A sustainability plan and community endowment strategy to support successful efforts beyond the 3-year grant period

The Board of Trustees for Adams State University elected new officers at its regular meeting on campus, August 25. Trustee Cleave Simpson was elected chair, and Trustee Kathy Rogers was reelected vice chair. The term of current chair Arnold Salazar concludes December 31. He passed the reigns of chairmanship to Simpson following the election. On behalf of the entire board, Trustee John Singletary thanked Salazar for his service as chair over the last three years. “It has been a privilege to serve with you,” Singletary said. “Cleave’s service as chair of the board’s Finance Committee makes him ideally suited for the position of chair as we move to right-size our staff and grow enrollment,” said Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure. “His selection demonstrates the board is taking its fiduciary responsibility very seriously.” Simpson has served as a trustee since 2015, and his term will continue until Dec. 31, 2018. “By retaining Kathy Rogers as vice chair, the board has maintained a continuity of leadership. She brings significant institutional knowledge to the position and represents us well in the local community,” McClure said. Simpson, of Alamosa, is general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. As a fourth generation San Luis Valley farmer and rancher, he also works closely with his father to manage their family farms and cow herds. Simpson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1984. He worked 30 years in Texas and Australia before returning to his hometown. He previously served on the County Land Use Planning Commission, the Farm Service Agency County Committee, and local school district accountability committees. Lifelong San Luis Valley resident Kathy Rogers was appointed to the board in 2013 and has served as its vice chair for the last three years. She also represents the Trustees on the ASU Foundation Board. Rogers was recently named president of Rio Grande Savings and Loan, after serving on its Board of Directors for 10 years. Her previous 14-year career was spent at San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center as vice president of development and then as director in Public/Patient Relations and Marketing. In 2001, Rogers was elected to the Alamosa City Council and then as the city’s Mayor in 2009, serving a total of 12 years in city office. She has been appointed to multiple boards and commissions statewide and locally. Cleave Simpson (left) and Kathy Rogers are the new chair and vice chair of the trustees.

academic pursuits Emily Johnson, a junior majoring in music business and flute performance with a percussion minor, completed a paid summer internship with the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, Colo. From May to August, she worked in festival operations, ticket sales, promotions, fundraising, office management, merchandise sales, house management, and special events coordination. Graduate students Dustin Oranchuk and Zachary Switaj, who recently completed the M.S. in exercise science, along with Dr. Brian Zuleger, asst. professor of sport psychology, had a publication in the

Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning. The research project, “The addition of a ‘response’ neuromuscular activation to a standard dynamic warm-up improves isometric force and rate of force development,” found that the addition of a novel ‘rapid response’ neuromuscular warm-up involving short, rapid foot movements, to a generic dynamic warm-up, significantly improves force and rate of force development compared to a dynamic-only warm-up. The Adams State Alpine Backbeats Drum Line was invited to perform for the Colorado Military Taptoo production at Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs. The Drum Line, led by sophomore music performance major Delaney Armstrong, performed alongside the USAF Academy Band, US Army 4th Infantry Band, Scotland’s Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band, and the Calgary, Calif., Police Pipe Band. The Drum Line performed all original compositions by senior percussion performance and music education major Dryden Hill, and an original marching drill designed by senior percussion performance and music education major Kevin Johnson. The group also recently performed at a K-12 assembly at Sierra Grande Schools, for the Saguache 24th Annual Fall Festival, and for the Monte Vista High School Band Appreciation Night. The Adams State Marimba Band, led by senior percussion and music business and general business major Zachary Carpenter, recently performed for ASU Cares Day, the Alamosa Farmers Market, and the CASA Center Domestic Violence Awareness ceremony. Faculty and doctoral students in the Department of Counselor Education attended the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) national conference in Chicago, Ill., in early October. Student presenters included Coreen Haym,

Christina Jurekovic, Megan Numbers, Jill Nardin, Richard Audsley, and Vasti Holstun. Continued on page 8.

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cleave simpson and kathy rogers elected to head adams state trustees

academic pursuits

ph.d. program gains cacrep accreditation

Continued from page 7.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) recently granted accreditation to Adams State University’s online doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision. This makes Adams State one of only seven institutions in the nation to offer an online, CACREP-accredited doctoral program. CACREP is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). “CACREP accreditation provides recognition that the content and quality of the program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession,” said Dr. Cheri Meder ‘08, director of the doctoral program. Those who supervise counselors or teach in an academic program are required to have a degree from a CACREP-accredited program. “Our mission and program objectives include meeting the academic needs of underserved students who otherwise would not have access to higher education. The process of seeking ac-

Third-year doctoral student Megan Numbers was selected as an Emerging Leader with the Associa-

tion for Counselor Education and Supervision. With Professor Laura Bruneau, she published an article in VISTAS 2017 titled “Creating connections and fostering self-growth: Gestalt group counseling for military spouses.” With Dr. Janessa Henninger, asst. professor of counselor education, she presented a session at the Association for Counseling Children and Adolescents Conference, “Advocating for children and families involved with child welfare.” With fellow student Madeleine Stevens and Dr. Joel Givens, asst. professor of counselor education, she presented “Art as a reflective process: Using altered books in humanistic counseling, supervision, and counselor education” at the Association of Humanistic Counseling National Conference. Aaron Abeyta, professor of English, had an essay published in the Center for Humans and Nature’s anthology Wildness: Relations of People and Place. Published by University of Chicago Press, it features stories that explore the spectrum of wildness found in wilderness areas, on working landscapes, and in urban communities. In his essay, “Wilderness in Four Parts, or Why We Cannot Mention My GreatGrandfather’s Name,” Abeyta writes about the sheep – and the men who are responsible for their lives and deaths – of the Toltec wilderness, where family and prayer, memory and landscape intertwine. Dr. Richard Baker, professor of English, delivered a paper at the Teaching Academic Survival Skills Conference (TASS) in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during spring break. He presented three unique assignments for English 102 that are designed to reach and help the under-prepared college student.

Dr. Laura Bruneau, professor of counselor education, presented “Theoretical frameworks for Animal Assisted Interventions” at the Annual Animal Interventions Conference at Oakland University in August. She also published manuscripts, including: “Read two books and call me next week: Maximizing the book selection process in therapeutic reading,” which appeared in the Journal of Poetry Therapy, and “Healing bonds: Animal assisted interventions with adjudicated male youth,” which appeared in

Men and their dogs: A new psychological understanding of ‘man’s best friend.’ Dr. Melissa Freeman, project director of the PPOHA Grant, was a co-author with N.C. Barnhart on “Higher education as a field of study at minority serving institutions,” which appeared in The Western Journal of Black Studies.

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creditation has given us the opportunity as a department to reflect on how we prepare our students to be change agents within the profession,” Meder said. With 21 current students, Adams State launched its doctoral program in 2014. The first students to complete the Ph.D. program will graduate in May of 2018. The Ph.D. program is offered online with summer residency on campus. Assuming students complete their dissertations in one year, they can complete the program within four years. Meder noted it is designed to prepare counselor educators and supervisors to serve as faculty members, researchers, and practitioners in academic and clinical settings. Adams State’s long-standing master’s degree program in counselor education has been CACREP-accredited since 1995. Beginning in 2020, counselor licensing and certification will require that counselors come from CACREPaccredited programs.

upward bound expands with math-science grant Students in three San Luis Valley school districts will benefit from the Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS) program, funded by a new grant to Adams State University from the Department of Education. The four-year grant of $263,938 will support participation of 60 students from the Alamosa, Sanford, and Centauri schools, according to Angelica Valdez ‘98, ‘08, Adams State executive TRIO director. “This program will help students interested in math and science to increase their GPAs and test scores so they may ultimately enroll in and graduate from college. We work to take them to the next level,” Valdez said. The ASU UBMS program is available to high school students who are low income and/or the first generation in their families to attend college. Upward Bound is one of the federally funded TRIO programs, which provide outreach and student services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Out of 638 applicants, Adams State received one of 169 UBMS grant awards. It was one of only 22 new applicants to receive the grant. Like the primary Upward Bound Program, which serves 114 students from seven area school districts, UBMS provides academic and advising services during the school year and during a six-week summer residential component on the Adams State campus. During the summer residential program, students take courses in math, reading, and writing, in addition to a focus on a math or science field. “Each summer we will rotate among math and science disciplines, to give students the best exposure possible,” Valdez said. High school seniors also will be placed in a summer internship for math and science experience.

coffee and integrity inspired painting

academic pursuits

Morris Sowards '19 applied logic and imagination to his portrait of Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdős (1913-1996), which he donated to the Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science Department. The piece now hangs in the Porter Hall lobby. Sowards said, “I felt it would only be right to give it back to the school that has given me so much. This school has broken my comfort zone and pushed me to new places. When I started my journey here, I had no respect for art. If it weren't for the dedicated professors here, I would have never discovered my God-given talents. I am now a double major in computer science and fine arts with an emphasis in painting.” He explained, “Erdős was an infamous mathematician decorated for his progress in the field of number theory. He became an inspiration to me in Linear Algebra, a class taught by Dr. Steven Aldrich. Dr. Erdős is well known for the comical quote, ‘Mathematicians are devices for converting coffee into theorems.’ This quote, which proves mathematicians can be comical carbon-based life forms, inspired me to paint Dr. Erdős out of coffee.” While the quote intrigued Morris, he discovered it actually originated with Alfréd Rényi, a colleague of Erdős. Morris considered making Rényi the subject of his painting, but decided upon Erdős, who he said was "a more fascinating individual to study because of his erratic behavior. He was also a big coffee drinker." Morris hopes the 4' x 3' artwork will encourage students and faculty to strive for accuracy. "I want to remind the people of academia to always show skepticism in citing their sources." Morris spent hours preparing the medium for his portrait. He ground a gallon of coffee grounds to a fine powder, then mixed in seven gallons of water, which he boiled down to about three gallons. He continued to filter and boil until six ounces remained of a creamy tar of burnt coffee. Sowards mixed his coffee pigment with an acrylic medium, as a binder, and a little glue. The painting was sealed with an acrylic medium and coated with ultraviolet-resistant varnish. Morris' appreciation for the mathematics/computer science faculty inspired him to hang the art in Porter Hall. "I told myself I would leave my mark on this school. I was unsure how that process would go. After I painted this painting, I knew it only had one home, and that is in the location where I received the most support in my academic endeavors."

Dr. James Doyle, assoc. professor of music, played drums and percussion on two recently released Howlin’ Dog Records label albums: Bob Livingston’s “Up the Flatland Stairs” and Michael and Bill Hearne’s “The Hearne Family Album.” He also had two articles published recently in Percussive Notes, the peer-reviewed journal of the Percussive Dr. Joel Givens, asst. professor of counselor education, presented the keynote address, “Living in the Moment: Time and Humanistic Counseling,” at the Association of Humanistic Counseling National Conference, held in Syracuse, N.Y., in June. He also co-facilitated another presentation, “The Janus faces of empathy: A spirited debate on Heidegger’s mood, Gendlin’s felt sense, and our basic humanistic counseling ideals.”

Dr. Adam Kleinschmit, associate professor of biology, presented a pedagogical research poster and microbrew session entitled “Assessment of a Modelbased Riboswitch Activity for Instruction on Microbial Gene Regulation” at the 2017 American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators in Denver. He also published a peerreviewed pedagogical case study entitled "Botched Botox Party in the Hamptons” via the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Dr. Brian Zuleger, asst. professor of sport psychology, attended a think tank for leading applied sport psychology professionals at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in June. As part of the three-day event, professionals from around the United States working in applied sport psychology settings (youth, high school, college, and pro sports) shared best practices and collaborated on ways to build networks and increase communication among professionals to further the field. The Adams State student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) received an Honorable Mention award for its activities during the 2016-17 academic year. Of more than 400 applicants for the awards, 52 were named Outstanding; 114, Commendable; and 139, Honorable Mention. The awardwinning chapters will be honored at the 255th ACS National Meeting. ACS said chapter advisor Dr. Alexey Leontyev, asst. professor of chemistry, deserves special commendation, noting, “Few faculty members are willing to make the great commitment of time and energy that a successful chapter requires. Professor Leontyev’s efforts certainly represent the best in undergraduate science education and mentoring around the country.”

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Standing before Sowards’ painting of Paul Erdős are from left: Dr. Comfort Cover, Dr. Stephen Aldrich, Dr. Matthew Iklé, Dr. Beverlee McClure, George Sellman, Morris Sowards, Dr. Meredith Anderson, and Dr. Christy Miller ‘92.

Arts Society.

Camila Alire ‘70 receives Billy Adams Award the institution founded by billy adams in 1921 has produced graduates who share his dedication to higher education. billy adams’ founding spirit is demonstrated by alumni like dr. camila alire ‘70, who has found ways to give back to her alma mater. In honor of her commitment and service, Alire received the university’s Billy Adams Award at the Alumni Banquet and Awards Ceremony during Homecoming. Adams State University President Beverlee J. McClure said Alire shows how the founder’s vision lives on. “Alumni like Camila are our strength. I truly appreciate her passion for Adams State and her willingness to share her expertise.” Alire said at the banquet, “I am deeply humbled to receive this honor. The greatest gift Billy Adams gave to the San Luis Valley was the establishment of Adams State.” She said three gifts she received from Adams State were a quality education, lifelong friends, and the opportunity to build self confidence. “My first role model was Connie Spencer ‘63, ‘66, the dean of women. She was the only female in a maledominated administration. She prepared me to be successful in a male-dominated work situation.” A native of Monte Vista, Colo., Alire attended college with several cousins and is proud a great niece is a current freshman. “Education was very important to my family,” she said. “For me it has come full circle to be recognized by my alma mater, the place I love the best and that gave so much to me.” Having retired from a career in university libraries, Alire combined professional expertise with passion for her alma mater when she served as interim director of the Nielsen Library during 2016-17. “My husband had just passed when I was asked to fill in, so it was a great distraction from my grief. There are great people in the library,” she said. It was a literal circling back to where her path of library science began. As a work-study student in the Adams State Library, she was encouraged to complete a minor in the field by Library Director Stanley Alberta. Having discovered while student teaching that the classroom was not for her, she instead became credentialed as a school media specialist upon graduation in 1970.

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Later earning her Master of Library Science from Denver University and a doctorate in education from University of Northern Colorado, she went on to work in several academic libraries. Alire retired from Colorado State University as Dean Emerita and Full Professor in 2001, then in 2005 from University of New Mexico as Dean Emerita of University Libraries and Full Professor. “I credit Adams State for beginning the trajectory of my library career. It gave me self-confidence and leadership background along the way. I was the first Coloradan elected president of the American Library Association, which was at its peak with 66,000 members. It was a great accomplishment for me that allowed me to travel and speak all over the country and internationally,” Alire said. She also served as president of the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and of National REFORMA. She co-authored five books on academic librarianship, emotionally intelligent leadership, library services to Latino communities, disaster planning/recovery, and management basics. She has also written and presented extensively on various aspects of diversity, library advocacy, and library marketing. Alire’s leadership and scholarship abilities have been honored with the ALA/Lippincott Award for Distinguished Service, the CALA Presidential Recognition Award, and the ALA Achievement in Library Diversity Research Award. She also received the first ALA Elizabeth Futas’ Catalyst for Change Award and the National REFORMA’s Librarian of the Year Award. She was named Scholar-in-Residence for the Chicago Public Library System and was honored one year by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the U.S. Most recently, she was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to sit on the National Endowment for the Humanities Board of Advisors. After retiring from academia, Alire began consulting, with a focus on higher education strategic planning and leadership development. As an associate with the professional search firm Pyramind, she worked with the Adams State Board of Trustees to hire her alma mater’s current president. Alire continues to advocate for Adams State as part of the Denver Alumni Chapter. “I’ve been involved with ASU Day at the Capitol, meeting with legislators,” she said. “For all of us who are alumni, we need to be prepared to fight for this institution. There have been challenges, but when it’s time for alumni to get involved, they need to be. The majority of people I know, if not all, had a really good experience here. I would not trade my four years here for anything.”

You are what you eat.

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we saw it really go from dirt to mounds to seed to awesome greenery.” source means they don’t have to ask. They can just come and be welcomed and grab what they need. Food equals love. Having this available shows that there’s a heart to Adams State.” ASU’s Food Pantry is one of 14 in the FoodBank Network of the San Luis Valley. VEGI (Valley Education Garden Initiatives) pitched in to create the garden. Both services come under the umbrella of La Puente, Alamosa’s homeless shelter. Campus groups have also supported the pantry by holding food drives. The Classified Employees Council periodically collects donations from faculty and staff. During Inspire Your Grizzly Week, sponsored by the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, Christian Challenge and their student leader, Kalen Malueg, coordinated a food drive called Fill the Truck. The idea of a campus Food Pantry started at the CASA Center (Cultural Awareness Student Achievement) after director Oneyda Maestas ‘93, ‘06 noticed a number of commuter students eating in their cars. She invited them into the center and began offering food from its pantry. That brought in more food and more students. The garden and pantry are available to anyone in the ASU community, according to Aaron Miltenberger ‘12, director of Student Life and Recreation. Patrons may visit the pantry twice a month, with 15 points allotted per visit for each member of their household. Food items “cost” one or two points each, so 15 points often provide a week’s worth of food, Miltenberger said. Use of the Food Pantry continues to grow; 41 visitors used the service in November, compared to an average of 20 per month from January through August. Miltenberger said, “At some point, nearly every college student is faced with a choice of how to spend a scant amount of money. It is the lucky few who only have to do so every once in a while, but when students are hungry they can’t be their best, and everyone deserves that chance.”

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It may be cliché that college students subsist on a cuisine of Ramen noodles and Kraft macaroni and cheese, but the reality is that a significant portion of college students at times experience food insecurity. That means they must choose between buying food and paying for other necessities – those might be rent, car repair, or textbooks. A nationwide study of campus food insecurity conducted by the Wisconsin HOPE lab showed 22 percent of the respondents experience food insecurity. Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life Mark Pittman, who conducted a similar survey on the ASU campus, said, “We matched or exceeded national trends. The problems may be a little more real here.” Ninety percent of respondents said they or someone they knew on campus could benefit from a food pantry. While the survey sample was small, Pittman said, “It’s a problem if only one person who is a part of our community has got to make those difficult decisions, especially when we have the resources and close-knit community that we do.” That community and those resources recently joined forces to address the issue of campus hunger. ASU Student Life and Recreation led students in planting a Community Garden this summer and in September held the grand opening of the ASU Food Pantry, which was spearheaded by student Oona King. AS&F Student Government’s Campus Impact Fund put $8,000 toward the garden, with labor provided by ASU EARTH (sustainability group), the Rods & Rifles Club, and other students. Surplus produce went directly to the Food Pantry. Senior Vince Alcon, a resident assistant over the summer, said, “We worked on the garden every Wednesday. We saw it really go from dirt to mounds to seed to awesome greenery.” He said students have embraced both the garden and Food Pantry. “It’s hard for people to ask for help. This kind of re-

Gettin’ Saxy with Darren Rahn ‘94 a silver saxophone gripped in his hands, darren rahn ’94 filled the room with jazz at the homecoming jazz concert. a jazz artist, producer, and mixing engineer, rahn has over 25 number one radio singles and multiple grammy nominations. he returned to his alma mater and took the stage with students. “The students were playing at a different level,” said Dr. James Doyle, associate professor of music. “Darren's presence on stage and his embracing spirit clearly inspired the ensembles to play great.” Rahn spent Friday afternoon with students, dispensing inspirational advice in the classroom and rehearsing for the evening. On Saturday, he also delighted the audience at halftime of the football game with a jazz solo.

Darren Rahn was joined by his son, Kevin (far left), in the Homecoming Jazz Concert with ASU students.

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According to Dr. Angela Winter, director of bands, the students were excited after rehearsing and performing with him. “Someone with that much commercial success coming from the ASU Music Department made several of the brass students I teach see their future possibilities in a different light. They were excited and energized to go practice.” Cheyenne Hopkins, a music performance and education major, performs in the Adams State Sunset Brass Quartet and Alpine Back Beats Drum Line, as well as the wind ensemble and the jazz band. She appreciated Rahn suggesting that a solo between multiple people should seem more like a conversation than like a standard solo. “He really had me pay more attention to listening than trying to play the best solo I could.” A lot of time, energy, and hard work are needed to become successful in any field, and that certainly applies to any of the arts – especially the music business. While attending Adams State, Rahn held two work-study jobs, taught 10 private saxophone lessons, and took 25 credit hours per semester. “I spent a lot of time in the practice room. When everyone else went home or out, I was in there practicing.” Although he is well-known as a jazz musician, Rahn works with many different styles of music. As a student, he participated in all the ensembles on campus, including concert band, marching band, jazz and jazz combo, and even concert and chamber choir. “I developed a wide skill set at Adams State. It plays a big part in how I write and produce now. I dabbled in all of it in college. All different facets of the music program I experienced in the different areas were integral to my career.” In Doyle’s Music Business class, Rahn shared his experiences and path to success that started at Adams State. “Darren’s time at Adams State provided him with a diversity of opportunity and, combined with his hard work and dedica-

tion to music, he has had success,” Doyle said. “Hearing from an alumnus who practiced and studied in the very same classrooms, practice rooms, and rehearsal rooms is a very powerful and tangible experience.” Larger universities attempted to recruit Rahn. However, he connected with Dr. Benny Ferguson, former Music Department chair. “He made sure the big schools did not whisk me away.” Ferguson helped Rahn receive a small scholarship and helped him secure his work-study positions. “We had schools looking at us (Rahn’s twin brother, Jason ‘94, also graduated from Adams State) but we wanted opportunities to grow and develop, and we believed Adams State could better provide those chances. I had friends attend big schools and they got lost in the crowd.” Rahn didn’t let Darren Rahn (center) with members of Adams State’s Uptown and Downtown Jazz ensembles. limitations hold him back. Despite the fact Adams State had no jazz program, notes of success an “excellent” adjunct, Mark Israel, traveled from the ColIt took 10 years of persistence and dedication to his career orado Springs Air Force Academy to teach trombone and jazz. “He was a great force to learn all about jazz. So many in- before the record label Rendezvous Music provided a wonderful opportunity. Rahn had submitted a song and, although structors laid the groundwork and planted the seeds for my the label admired his work, it was unable to sign him. Infuture career.” stead, they put him in touch with Wayne Tisdale, a jazz bass Rahn eventually taught a jazz improvisation class. “When you have to develop the skill set to teach and explain to other guitarist and former member of the 1984 United States Basketball “Dream Team.” Rahn produced a radio single for students, it deepens that area for you, as well. From my perhim, a remake of Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now. Within nine spective, rather than push students through the system, weeks, it was number one on the Billboard charts. “Then the Adams State allowed us to develop our own music personaliphone started ringing with requests for me to record, proties. It was key to the experience.” duce, and play. It is grace, trust me.” He extended his past teaching experience to current music That opportunity was not simply a lucky shot. Rahn spent students. “Before he visited, I never really enjoyed playing 15 years prepping, and his belief system has always sustained jazz,” Hopkins added. “I love listening to it though. Darren him through the more challenging aspects of his life. “My Rahn helped me realize that I just need to add more of my faith is the core of who I am musically. God’s grace has carpersonality into the music I play. He inspired me to not only ried me through.” take chances, but to also make standard music my own with When advising young musicians, Rahn says: “Don’t look my own flavor.” for any big doors to open. Just go through all the small doors After earning his degree in music education and performance from Adams State, Rahn received a master’s degree from with excellence and preparation. You have to have a servant’s heart and be the person everyone wants to work with. Check the University of Northern Colorado and started working on your ego at the door. Say what you are going to do and then a doctoral degree. “I realized I did not need a paper to perform. I wanted to risk it all and go for a professional career as do what you said.” Rahn and his wife, Priscilla, continue to live and work in a musician and recording artist.” He continued to enroll in the Denver area. They enjoy traveling and experiencing many clinics and workshops which were beneficial throughout his different cultures. For more information about Rahn, visit early career. darrenrahn.com. By Linda Relyea ‘96, ‘10

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Remembering the words, breaking down the walls The Anne Frank Theatre Project eight characters stand on stage, each illuminated by a spotlight. one by one, the lights snap off. the play is the diary of anne frank, and seven of the eight people portrayed were killed during the holocaust, some just days before the liberation of the concentration camps. as the stage darkens, the words of the youngest victim are projected around the theatre. “i must uphold my ideals. . . i still believe. . . think of all the beauty still left around you. . . our lives are all different and yet the same.”

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making history real Actors are challenged when portraying characters who actually exist or have existed. Joshua Gilbertson, who played Herman Van Dann, explained, “One thing we were able to do is research our characters. Life Magazine did a 70-year anniversary story on the publication of the diary. We got to know the backstory and learn about each person, how they actually lived and ultimately died.” Trujillo added, “As an actor, it was a unique experi- Molly Bibeau portrayed 12-year-old Anne Frank, whose diary, recovered after ence to portray someone who was real. We had source her death and published 70 years ago, inspired the play. material and photos. We could Google people and learn their histories.” Brittany Pollard, who played Anne’s mother, Edith, said, “It was a double-edged sword, having all the source material. You want to be sure you’re doing right by these people. You want to be sure you get the story right.” Knowing how the characters died made the production of the Diary of Anne Frank particularly poignant. “It got harder every night, when you hear the doors open and the Nazis come in. This really happened,” said Brandon Billings, who played teenage Peter Van Dann. “I relived what my character felt,” Trujillo recalled. “She feels, ‘this is bad,’ being shuffled off by the Nazis, but she doesn’t know it’s going to get worse.” Brandon Duran had the role of Anne’s father. He said the final scene “was torturous. I feel all of the lights go out around me, when I’m the one cuing the lights, killing them. I have to remember I am Otto Frank, this is my family. Of all the people I lived with, I’m the one that lived. It makes you remember family and the small things that are very valuable.” Molly Bibeau said that was when she felt most connected to her character, Anne. “I was thinking, that’s my dad, he lost me and my sister – that’s when I was crying the hardest and the most.”

a message for today Another unique aspect of the play was the fact the audience knew how the story would end. Billings said, “It was an interesting challenge. You can’t play as though you know how it ends. You have to portray their hopefulness.” Gilbertson added, “The challenge was making the audience believe they don’t know the end.”

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“There wasn’t a moment on stage when I forgot they were real people, that this was really happening,” said Lauren Trujillo. She played Petronella Van Dann, whose family joined the Franks in hiding. “I had tears when the others’ lights went out. And seeing how the audience looked at us was heartbreaking.” Of Words and Walls: The Anne Frank Theatre Project was the latest in a series of projects centered around a theatre performance. Dr. John Taylor, professor of theatre, directed the play and coordinated the associated events. Previous projects presented by the theatre program addressed a variety of social and political issues raised by plays. These included: • The Fahrenheit 451 Project • The Dead Man Walking Theatre Project • The Laramie Project • The Romeo and Juliet Project • The 365 Days/365 Plays Project • Standing Strong: the ASU Equality Project • Good Kids. “Through studying our history, sharing our stories, and creating our art, we seek to celebrate the diversity that defines us and reject the artificial divisions which separate us. In doing so, we ask a very basic question: what is our responsibility to one another?” Taylor said. “When I learned it was the 70th anniversary of the publication of Anne’s diary, I knew in my mind, heart, and gut it was exactly the right play to stage at this time. . . This is not only Anne’s play; it is, in the big picture, about the need to stand up against hate in all its forms.” Of Words and Walls: the Anne Frank Theatre Project included several collateral events over 10 days that attracted a total attendance of about 2,000, Taylor said. The production was made possible by a gift from Leslie and Maury Lieberman, friends of Taylor in New York City. “While they have no other association with ASU, they are a great example of giving to the university and partnering in a very successful way,” Taylor noted. Leslie Lieberman wrote to him, “Of all the projects we have ever supported, this may well be the one that has best fulfilled our goals. But you are the one who made this happen. We are forever grateful to you for having the vision and the capability to bring it off.”

Three of the performances concluded with a “talk back” session with the actors and audience members. Duran said, “I think people need to get something out of this play. As each single light is going out, it’s hard, because these people’s voices were snuffed out. Otto Frank lived, and Anne’s diary inspired him to share that story so we didn’t come to that point again in history. It makes it harder and easier to show their story.” Billings also derived a bigger message from the play. “It kind of shows you can be having the greatest time of your life, and it could change in a minute. It makes you realize the need to live every day as a special day. Something could change in a second, good or bad.”

pieces of the project The documentary No Asylum: the Untold Chapter of Anne Frank’s Story left the audience of 100 in silence, as they

processed what they had just watched. The documentary featured the lost letters of Anne Frank’s father, Otto, who wrote frantically to countries and individuals pleading for help in getting his family out of Nazi-occupied Holland. Those seated comfortably in the theatre felt the impact of Otto’s voice-over as he described their treatment. Film footage included news reels of concentration camps, some filmed as the Nazi’s carried out their heinous crimes, others taken when the Allies first began liberating the populations. A woman whose own family managed to escape the fate of the Franks drew a standing-room-only crowd for the lecture In Her Own Words: Holocaust Survivor Barbara Steinmetz. Born in Hungary, Steinmetz is considered a "child survivor" of the Holocaust. She told how, like Otto Frank, her father began an exhaustive effort to find safe haven for his family. After being denied entry into many countries, they ended up along with other Jewish refugees in the Dominican Republic. After the conflict, her family came

to the United States, where they faced the challenges of an immigrant family in WWII America where no one wanted to know their history. Drawing parallels between that time and now, Steinmetz said, “This time we must be strong, firm, and united. Silence is the enemy. Indifference validates the perpetrators. Only courage, actions, civility, and behavior can change the narrative.” About 120 people took part in Hate Has No Home Here: A Candlelight Walk in Solidarity for a More Just and Inclusive Society, held after one of the performances. Throughout Of Words and Walls: The Anne Frank Theatre Project, a traveling exhibit was displayed in the theatre lobby. Anne Frank: A History for Today, provided courtesy of the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, presented the chronological order of Anne’s life, from her birth through her eventual death. As audience members arrived for each evening’s event, they studied the panels of images and stories of Anne and her family, as well as of other Holocaust victims and survivors. Campus and community members participated in the events included in Of Words and Walls: the Anne Frank Theatre Project. CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Holocaust survivor Barbara Steinmetz with Dr. John Taylor; Dr. George Backen; Model U.N. panel; and participants in Coming Together: An Evening of Conversation.

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One section was devoted to issues and challenges faced by today’s minorities. The event Connecting the Past to the Present: What is Our Responsibility to One Another? opened with a panel debate presented by the Model United Nations team, directed by Professor of Political Science Mari Centeno. The teams presented both sides of a question regarding removal of monuments from public parks. Following the panel debate, Dr. George Backen, professor of philosophy, presented on ethical systems and the possible foils when adopting a seemingly strong ideal, including consequentialism, respecting rights of others, and autonomy. He explained the belief that people “get what they deserve,” whether positive or negative, does not take into account those born into difficult circumstances or, conversely, into privilege. Respecting others’ rights can trip up when questioning rights to marriage, voting, and other issues which are not “real” or concrete. Autonomy can fail when people see the world and resources to be consumed, he said. Concluding his presentation, Backen encouraged the audience to practice compassion. The final event for the week, Coming Together: An Evening of Conversation, was hosted by the San Luis Valley’s Center for Restorative Programs (CRP). The gathering split into two groups to discuss issues surrounding the topics highlighted in Of Words and Walls: The Anne Frank Theatre Project. Luke Yoder, CRP executive director, said the purpose of the evening was to provide the community an opportunity to reinforce dialogue as a tool for understanding more deeply the feelings, concerns, thoughts, and dreams of another person. He stressed that effective communication requires respecting others and taking their ideas seriously.

the san luis valley federal bank main stage theatre was dedicated on opening night of The Diary of Anne Frank. Noting that projects like Of Words and Walls invite community members to become involved on campus, Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure said, “It is appropriate that we are naming the Main Stage for San Luis Valley Federal Bank, which gives so much back to the community.” Its longtime support of Adams State totals over one million dollars, with 70 percent of that going toward scholarships. That includes a decade of contributions to the Theatre Scholarship Endowment. “That makes this evening even more special. It didn’t take our board long to come together to choose the theatre as our namesake,” said Bank President Duane Bussey ’82. BELOW: Employees of San Luis Valley Federal Bank were special guests on opening night of The Diary of Anne Frank.

By Linda Relyea ‘96, ‘01 and Julie Waechter

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Bridging worlds

through music communicating through music, artists connect across continents. dr. tracy doyle and dr. james doyle traveled to japan to collaborate, perform, and share their love of music and art. They hope to establish an international exchange between Adams State and Gunma University. “International exchange in the arts provides an opportunity to think objectively about yourself as a musician, and about how music functions in society, both the commonalities, as well as the differences,” Tracy said. James agreed: “Anytime you travel anywhere and interact with different musicians, stateside or abroad, it widens your perspective.” Tracy Doyle and Dr. Chiho Sugo, a Gunma University music professor, did doctoral work together at Louisiana State University. They rekindled that friendship and began an exchange of music, travel, and educational opportunities for students of both Adams State and Gunma University in Japan. According to Tracy, Gunma University has an active international program and a great interest in establishing an exchange program with Adams State. The creation of a formal exchange agreement would not necessarily cost anything, but would provide a structure within which students and faculty may apply for and receive grant funding to support international collaboration. “It could be as simple as regular visits between universities for students and faculty interested in learning more about another culture,” Tracy added. An Adams State visiting scholar during the fall of 2016, Sugo remained in Alamosa until the following April. According to James, Sugo presented her perspective on Adams State at an International Exchange Symposium where she spoke about the Music Department’s focus on chamber music and community engagement, as well as the Ethos: Exploring Eq-

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uity Through Music project. “When Professor Sugo presented on her experience at ASU, it allowed us to view our institution through the eyes of another,” Tracy said. “We are doing so many things right here at ASU, and in many cases are ahead of the curve. It is important to step back to recognize and celebrate that fact.” This September, Tracy and James shared their passions – music and education – in Japan. A highlight of the visit included performing two collaborative concerts for the Nakanojo Biennale Arts Festival. They presented the concerts with Sugo, Gunma University music education major Miyu Matsui, and Gunma University sculpture professor Koshi Hayashi. The in-the-round concerts took place amongst Hayashi sculptures recently installed for the festival at a mountain-site sculpture garden. “Performing in the forest will be a lifetime memory,” James said. “The concert at the well-known hall in Tokyo fulfills the professional side, but the performance in the forest amidst Hayashi’s sculptures was so special.” During the performance, hundreds of migrating butterflies flew among the musicians and audience members. “It was a surreal experience,” Tracy added. Throughout their stay, the Adams State music professors taught lessons and masterclasses to Gunma University students, interacted in English language discussions with students and faculty in a variety of degree programs, and studied curricular designs at Gunma University. The Japanese university’s music program only offers music education. “The university is small by Japanese standards,” James said. The student body reminded them of Adams State students. How-

OPPOSITE: Performing at the Nakanojo Biennale Arts Festival were (from left) Dr. Chiho Sugo, student Miyu Matsui, Dr. Tracy Doyle, Dr. James Doyle, and Koshi Hayashi. NEAR LEFT: Gunma University music professor Dr. Chiho Sugo presenting on Adams State’s ETHOS project, which addresses issues of equity and diversity.

One of the Japanese students, “a wonderful pianist and percussionist,” hopes to visit Adams State in spring 2018, and another Gunma University student hopes to attend as a parttime international student in spring 2019. “It is interesting to learn about shared and different values with other musicians and artists,” James added. The Doyles and Sugo have been working on an album of works for flute, clarinet, and marimba, which is currently in production. When Sugo returns to the United States, they plan to do a regional tour presenting music from the CD, including a work commissioned for the trio that is inspired by the sandhill crane, a bird important to both the San Luis Valley and Japanese culture. “The experience of collaborating with Professor Sugo, who our students also met and worked with, stimulated conversations about the creative process and what it means to be an artist,” Tracy said. Tracy and James are committed to Adams State students and their own passion for music. Tracy teaches applied flute, chamber music, and courses in music education. She has performed at the National Flute Association Convention, the College Music Society Conference, and the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference. James teaches courses in percussion, music business, and improvisation, and directs the jazz ensembles, steel bands, Alpine Backbeats Drum Line, and percussion ensemble. He performs regularly with the San Juan Symphony, the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra, and performs and records for numerous Austin and Nashville-based popular music artists. By Linda Relyea ‘96, ‘10

eleven days in japan with tracy & james doyle • Performed in a solo and chamber recital that included the premiere of two works by Japanese composer Ippo Tsuboi in Tokyo at the renowned Suginami Kokaidou Concert Hall along with Professor Sugo and concert pianist Kiki Kashiwagi. • Presented on Adams State and international exchange, and performed for 90 undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students at Gunma University for the Global Frontier Leaders Seminar. This was a select retreat at Mt. Akagi for students with interests or experience in international travel, study abroad, and international exchange. • Presented on Adams State University, the San Luis Valley, the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, and ASU Equity work; served on an international panel discussion on international exchange; and performed a recital for faculty, staff, and students at the Gunma University International Symposium.

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ever, there are differences. “In teaching Japanese students, there is a focus, politeness, and awareness that is unique, as well as a different level of curiosity,” James added. “They tend to sit very quietly and politely listening to the professor.” Although the Japanese students study English throughout their schooling, they hesitated to practice the language in front of classmates and instead would approach the visiting lecturers afterwards to ask questions one-on-one. “I found it remarkable that despite the difference in language, communicating complex ideas and concepts about art, music, and collaboration was natural and effortless,” Tracy added. This was their second trip to Japan and to Gunma University, located in Maebashi-City in Gunma Prefecture. On both visits they were immersed in the culture, working closely with artists and musicians, meeting friends and families, and being invited into homes and places of work. “We experienced the way art and collaboration impact the local community, which is not unlike Alamosa,” Tracy said. “The most incredible art was happening there. It was a stimulus for the economy, but also created a paradigm shift for many of the residents as they saw their hometown through the eyes of others. This was an important concept we were able to bring back to the classroom. As our students at Adams State create art in Alamosa, Colorado, we are able to better facilitate their understanding of the global nature of what it is they do, and the impact art has on communities large and small.” Tracy and James covered most of their own traveling expenses; James had professional development funds for half of his travel, and Gunma University provided stipends. They also stayed with Sugo at her residences in Tokyo and Maebashi.

ASU Foundation recognizes Wehesâ€™ support The Adams State University Foundation has selected Virginia and the late Elwyn "Al" Wehe '73 for the 2017 Willis Fassett Jr. Individual Award. The Wehes and their children think of Adams State as part of their home, since it has played such a huge part in their lives. "Adams encouraged us to reach for our dream, do the best we can, help others, respect and appreciate one another. The university offered us a great community of people to raise our family in, as Alamosa is ASU-centered and full of nice, generous, educated people," Virginia said. The couple donated their Alamosa home to the Foundation, which then invested the proceeds from the sale of the house. Al passed away this spring. On the morning of his memorial service, May 27, son David read the letter about the Willis Fassett Jr. Award. Virginia was speechless and had tears in her eyes. "I believe Al had tears, as well, and was smiling down from heaven and encouraging everyone to put on green and white and celebrate education." When Virginia was young, she remembered her parents and their friends discussing the school Billy Adams started. Her uncle was one of the first students of Adams State. "I took piano lessons at Adams State and during WWII lived at Casa Bonita during high school." She met Al while attending Colorado State University. They eventually moved back to Blanca, Colo., and purchased the Blanca Telephone Company from her parents. Virginia taught in the public school and helped Al run the business. Al worked several jobs to make ends meet, including irrigating fields, helping his father in Kansas, driving combines, and farming their land south of Fort Garland. "We both grew up learning how tough life can be running our own business, and trying to feed a family," Virginia added. "As our family grew, the kids learned the value of hard work by helping their parents. Every month, bills were made out and the family had a 'lick and stick' party, putting the bills in the envelopes, pasting on the stamps and closing the envelopes." 20

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The couple moved to Alamosa in the â€˜70s and lived a block from Adams State. All their children participated in Adams State activities, took classes and were in the summer productions. Their daughter Anne Branson completed her senior year of high school at Adams State. Seven family members have obtained bachelor's or graduate degrees from the university. Their son Alan taught computer science after receiving his degree. He later entered the family business, eventually taking over when Al and Virginia retired. The company has grown to include internet, cell phone, and television, and now employs a fourth generation, Josh Wehe. "Al was a gifted journalist who never got to fulfill his dream due to family commitments," Virginia said. After turning 40, Al completed his degree at Adams State, reigniting his yearning for education. He then attended the Iliff Seminary at University of Denver and the George Washington School of Law in San Diego. "Al and I knew the value of education and would discuss our hopes and dreams for our children and the community as we took our nightly walk through the Adams State campus." They encouraged their children, who shared the same desire for knowledge and have earned higher education degrees. Al and Virginia made sure all their grandchildren had the opportunity to go to college, as well, and have encouraged local children both emotionally and financially. "Now that Adams State offers online classes, my family is excited to see where the future is going," Virginia said. "With more financial support, ASU can help students achieve their dreams from virtually anywhere in the world." Virginia and Al's dedication to Adams State was passed along to David and his family, who are very involved in the Grizzly Club and athletics. "All of my family encourages alumni and corporations to contribute to the academic and athletic endeavors of ASU. The tiny school I heard about at the dinner table is now a reality, and has grown to become a university to be reckoned with," Virginia said. Al and Virginia have always supported institutions, people, and their community when they saw a need and when they could. "Al took his duties as a Rotarian seriously, and tirelessly contributed time and funds," Virginia added. The Wehes have donated to La Puente, Tu Casa, the Alamosa Senior Center, Alamosa Community Hospital, United Methodist Church in Alamosa, other churches, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, and Casa de las Campanas in San Diego. "The greatest legacy that Al and Virginia Wehe have is their unselfishness and dedication to enriching other's lives," said Branson. "They have led exemplary lives as role models by respecting others, through their way of life, and by offering help whenever and wherever they could." Virginia currently lives in California and has four children: Alan '75 (Sandra '83, '89); David (Donna '12); Helen (Jim) Johnson; and Anne Branson, as well as several grandchildren.

Willis Fassett Jr. Award honors SLV Health San Luis Valley Health’s long-standing support of Adams State University takes many forms, from helping to educate future nurses and providing internships to funding scholarships and providing medical services.

SLV Health CEO Konnie Martin (center, in red) with some of the hospital staff who are ASU alumni.

critical qualities that lay the foundation of any thriving organization. With an emphasis on ‘learning by doing,’ my internship not only introduced me to a flourishing health system, but provided me with invaluable mentors, and served as the catalyst for my professional development." SLV Health also has a strong partnership with Adams State Athletics, funding scholarships and providing medical services. SLV Health provides ambulance services at home athletic events. Medical specialists such as an athletic trainer, chiropractor, physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, and physician’s assistant regularly work with ASU athletes. Martin said, “We provide consultative care as a community service. The care provided is rewarding and inspiring to our medical professionals. Some find sports medicine very fulfilling.” In turn, ASU athletes volunteer to support SLV Health activities. Wrestling, cross country, and women’s basketball help annually with the SLV Health Foundation's Stephanie L. Miner Run/Walk. The volleyball team and other teams often raise funds on a “Think Pink” night. Football players helped with a Red Cross effort to install smoke alarms in homes. Adams State Director of Athletics Larry Mortensen ‘88, ‘93 said, “SLV Health has been a longtime supporter of Adams State athletics. Their support goes far beyond financial. The care for our student-athletes’ health and welfare provided by their practitioners has been a tremendous asset." Martin said the partnership between Adams State and SLV Health also benefits the community. “ASU’s mission is education, and SLV Health’s mission is health care. We share common ground in providing service and play important roles in the community. We look forward to building more opportunities to work together.”

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SLV Health Chief Executive Officer Konnie Martin said, “Our contribution is a combination of financial support, service, and education. The value of our partnership activities is the true heart of our relationship to the ASU Foundation. It’s a good fit for our community.” SLV Health was recognized for its contributions with the ASU Foundation’s Willis Fassett Jr. Award. The award honors individuals and organizations with an exceptional record of support for Adams State’s educational mission.The award includes the Buffalo Chant bronze, created specifically for the Foundation by the late William Moyers '39. One example of the ASU and SLV Health partnership is the close work with Adams State’s Nursing Department to offer clinical rotation experiences for student nurses. Hospital staff provide education in that setting and in the classroom as instructors. In addition to clinical rotations, nursing students participate in leadership rotations, where they shadow nurse executives. Paid nursing internships are also available for students at the end of their training. “We model career ladders and possibilities for nursing professionals beyond hands-on clinical care. We help the nursing students gain an understanding of the complexity and challenges that go with nurse leadership,” Martin said. Dr. Melissa Milner, director of Adams State’s Nursing Department, said, “SLV Health hospitals and clinics not only provide our students with the opportunity to complete clinical rotations, but they also allow our students to work with nurses practicing within the San Luis Valley. This partnership helps expose students to the unique needs of the Valley's patient population, as well as prepares students to successfully transition into the profession upon graduation.” Adams State business students also have a range of internship opportunities with SLV Health. Students have worked with SLV Health staff in its foundation, marketing office, business office, and human resources. Overall, a large portion of SLV Health’s employees are Adams State alumni, including physicians and top administrators. “There are so many career and leadership opportunities in health care. We are happy ASU has such a robust health care administration program,” Martin added. John Luterbach ‘14 is just one Adams State alumnus who benefitted from an SLV Health internship. Now a population health and clinical integration consultant with Trinity Health, he said, “I feel quite fortunate to have begun my career with such an exemplary organization as San Luis Valley Health. I was exposed to a culture that places a tangible emphasis on its mission, core values, community, and continuous learning –

Chemistry students benefit from Kenneth Bean Memorial Alice Bean and Susan Buth, the daughters of Dr. Kenneth E. Bean ‘49, recently established a scholarship in his memory. The youngest child of Luther and Georgia Bean, Kenneth earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Adams State, then went on to Stanford University for a Master of Science and Ph.D. “Dad was always very proud of graduating from Adams State and going on to Stanford,” Alice said. “While the Chemistry Department was small and the wartime years provided more challenges, he had lots of interesting remembrances of that time.” The Dr. Kenneth E. Bean Memorial Scholarship Endowment will help offset students’ financial burden of housing, tuition, books, and other living expenses. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be a junior or senior chemistry major studying full time with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. “We Beans have been and always will be farmers from the San Luis Valley,” Alice said. “We grew up in a smaller town with a smaller college, with a very prominent indigenous local population that our grandfather and father taught us to respect and love and support from the very start. We have no intention of ending that family tradition.” Kenneth served in the military, including working on the team under Wernher von Braun on coatings for the nosecone for the Explorer 1 satellite, the first satellite launched in the U.S., in 1958. After receiving his doctorate, he was a research chemist with Shell Development Company. In 1962, Kenneth became the third faculty member in the Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) Chemistry Department. While there, he served as chairman of the faculty, helped form the Faculty Senate, and sat on many other committees. He was honored with an NAU Distinguished Faculty Award and retired from NAU in 1993 as professor emeritus. After retiring, Kenneth served in all the

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leadership roles with the NAU Retirees Association. He was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1967. Kenneth and his wife of 48 years, Lois Nadene Proffitt, were married in 1955. He helped establish the Nadene Proffitt Bean Cello Scholarship at NAU, as well as the Nadene Bean Endowed Cello Chair with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. He played the flute, sang in the church choir, and played the bells. He was very well-traveled, having visited China, Tibet, Kenya, Europe, Japan, Iceland, Russia, and Turkey, as well as all 50 states. He served as president of the Flagstaff School Board and as a member of the Arizona School Board Association (Coconino County Director), the Arizona Councils of Government (Community Action Agency), and the Coconino County Advisory Council. Alice Bean is a third generation Ph.D. and is proud to follow in her grandfather and father’s footsteps as Dr. Bean. She is a University Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Kansas. Susan Buth studied geology and received her master’s degree at Colorado School of Mines. Kenneth’s father, Luther E. Bean, was one of the first faculty members at Adams State, joining in 1925 and becoming full professor in 1927. He was the head of the Education Department and director of the San Luis Institute of Arts and Crafts. All Luther’s children received degrees from Adams State. “The Bean family has always been a legacy of teachers,” Alice added. “We remember grandpa as a teacher and through his teaching, his love of the outdoors and the valley, and his writings.” By Linda Relyea ‘96, ‘10

Spraitzer bequest funds need-based scholarships Linda Spraitzer left her entire estate to Adams State, at a value of over $300,000. Her generous gift will establish the Linda L. Spraitzer Memorial Endowment to provide need-based scholarships. Spraitzer was born October 12, 1943, in Center, Colo. and attended grade school and high school there. She then attended Adams State for three years, but her love for the institution lasted a lifetime. She spent her career as an administrative secretary. She worked in the Imperial Valley of California and Omaha, Neb., before returning to the Denver area, where she finished her career with the State of Colorado working for the Division of Wildlife and the University of Colorado Medical Center.

Porter Realty establishes scholarship The Porter Realty, Inc., Scholarship Endowment was recently established by Preston Porter and his parents, Mike and Mary Ann ’86 Porter, to help students with college expenses. “For the last 10 years, my parents have been discussing the idea of establishing a scholarship,” Preston said. “They finally had the time, now that they are retired, to pursue the idea.” To qualify for the scholarship, students must hold a 3.0 GPA or better, be registered full-time, and be at least a sophomore during the award year. “We have supported the athletic department and student athletes forever,” Preston added. “We wanted to do something more general, as the cost of going to college becomes more expensive every year. Every bit of help is needed for students. We hope to grow the scholarship so it becomes even more meaningful.” Although Preston did not attend Adams State, receiving his degree from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, he understands the need for advanced degrees in the professional world. “It has almost become a necessity for employees to have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree. It is also a great way to transition from school life to work life. College classes teach you how to think, and employers know college graduates bring new ideas to a company.” He sees how his degree helped to bridge the gap between generations when he joined his parents’ realty business. “We have the benefit of my parent’s experience, plus my perspective.” Mary Ann graduated from Adams State in 1986, and Mike attended Adams State before starting his real estate career and establishing Porter Realty in 1991. Preston began working at

Porter Realty in 2003 and took over the family business in 2012. “We wanted to give back to the community,” he said. “Adams State helps attract new people to the area, provides the community with an educated workforce, and offers many attractions, including sporting events, music and theatre performances, art exhibits, and planetarium shows. Adams State also provides a lot of supplemental education opportunities for public school students and adults looking to enrich their life or advance in the work force.” He added, “The univerPreston Porter sity has a huge economic impact for all businesses, including real estate. When new professors, students, or staff members move to town looking for a place to live, that keeps the real estate market thriving. Other businesses benefit from visiting parents who frequent retail shops, restaurants, and hotels. The community would suffer dramatically if Adams State were not here.” By Linda Relyea ‘96, ‘10

Meet the ASU Foundation Board of Directors

FRONT, FROM LEFT: Duane Bussey '82; Tim Bachicha '92; Dr. Glenn Burnham; Dr. John McDaniel; Don Stegman '61, '64; Joe Martinez '99, '12; Chuck Houser '62. BACK: Donn Vigil, Keith Cerny, Michelle Roepke, Jeni Goodwin '85, Jenny Cooper, Ron Howard '98, Richard Scanga '75, Bill Fassett, Chuck Owsley '68, and Dorothy Lucero '61

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staying in touch ◗1960s Jeffrey Sell ’61 (Carlsbad, CA) writes, “We just took a 14-day cruise to Alaska. That bay is rough. Carol had several exceptional sightseeing trips. Our season starts the 20th of September, with the Senior Chorus (35-40 members), which I direct. They are developing each year and are very good.” Peter Ciraolo ’66 (Hamburg, NY) is still the leader/trumpeter, conductor of the Pete Ciraolo All-Star Big Band. Their last performance was at the Erie County Hamburg Fair in August. They had 4 performances with a standing ovation at each one. Irma Sack Carpenter ’67 (Yucaipa, CA) and her husband, Gene, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary November 6. They have lived in California since 1962. Gene worked at Ford Aerospace, and Irma taught elementary school. In 1983, the Carpenters retired to the town of Coarsegold. For the next 20 years, they maintained a 16-acre ranch, entertained their 4 grandsons, and traveled in Europe,

Morocco, and Central America. In 2003, they moved to Fresno and then to Yucaipa.

◗1970s Stan ’73 & Mona ’75 Brinkley (Lamar, CO) have five grandchildren: Josh, Katie, Meredith, Jake, and their youngest, Parker. Like all grandparents, they are proud of their grandkids. Parker turned one August 30, and they were in Nebraska for his first birthday party. Margaret Lobato Bolte ’75 (Belle Fourche, SD) retired from 32 years in government as an import and drug inspector with federal agencies. Her bachelor’s degree in biology from Adams State helped her achieve a great career. Also, she received her MPH from University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy hiking and driving through the

great stories Rose Vialpando ’92, ’97 (Manassa, CO) received the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Folk Arts Award, Premio Hilos Culturales. The annual award recognizes a folk artist, musician or dancer from Colorado and New Mexico who has contributed to the folk and cultural arts of the Hispaño traditions of the upper Río Grande region. Rose grew up listening to the music provided by her family members at gatherings to celebrate birthdays and weddings, in addition to other special community events. Her love for music led her to record her first album, Hallando Mi Voz (Finding My Voice). Her desire to expand writing the songs under the same album title resulted in four additional original compositions. She and her uncle, Salomón López of San Antonio, perform as Los Cancioneros del Valle. This led to their release of a two-CD set recording titled Dos Voces – Dos Guitarras and has resulted in many invitations to perform throughout the San Luis Valley, the Front Range, and northern New Mexico. Their recording includes the always popular Ojitos Verdes, Los Laureles, and El Lirio. Rose has enjoyed a career in education and community counseling. She and Salomón have mentored Rose’s nephew, Ruben Domínguez, also a musician, and are now performing with him as El Trío Cancioneros del Valle.

Rose Vialpando (right) performing at the CASA Center’s Hispanic Heritage event.

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Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore, and hiking Crazy Horse Memorial. “Greetings to all.” Emma Rae Martinez ’77, ’78 (La Jara, CO) is the new superintendent of schools in South Conejos School District. Originally from Conejos County, she spent a number of years as principal at Twain High School in San Diego, CA. She said it was time to come home.

◗1980s Paula Burky '84 (Westminster, CO) writes, "I continue to enjoy life as a wife to Mark Burky for 26 years and mom to Annie, 25, and Jamey, 21. I'm grateful for the great things our young adult children are doing. Annie is teaching English in China, after having spent two years teaching English through the Peace Corps in Bulenga, Uganda, Africa. Our son, a junior at MSU Denver, continues to establish his career in sports journalism. I continue to thrive in my social work career at Adams County Human Services in the Kinship Services program. I hope all my ASC friends are enjoying life, as well." Randy Bohlander ’85, ’06 (Howard, CO) is the superintendent of Cotopaxi School District. He has 33 years in education, with the last five spent in Cotopaxi. Carol Clarke ’85 (Louisville, KY) writes, “I have a poetry book for sale on Amazon.com that tells the story of my life, starting with poems I wrote at Adams State. I will have my second book out soon. I am still disabled with MS. I collect stamps, keep busy, write poems, and try to stay active, and let the good education I received work for me. There is so much to study.” Eduardo Ortega ’86 (Roseville, CA) has been in mortgage banking for 27 years. He received his Master’s at USD in international relations in 1989. He has been married to his wife, Marie, for 27 years. They have a daughter, Elaine Ortega, who is attending graduate school at Cal State Fullerton in social work. They have a son, Eduardo Ortega III, who is attending University of San Diego for software engineering and applied mathematics and playing rugby. Brooke (Clayton) Hayden ’87 (Alamosa, CO) executive director of Blue Peaks Developmental Services, was honored by the organization for 35 years of service. Kathy Soden ’89 (Rocky Ford, CO) writes, “I have finished 27 years of teaching kindergarten and will happily keep teaching as long as I can. My mascots have changed from an Alamosa Moose to a Rocky Ford Meloneer. Yes, it is a very mean melon! I have two amaz-

Walter Roybal ’94, ‘08 (Fort Garland, CO) has joined San Luis Valley Federal Bank as a commercial loan officer to assist the bank’s business members with their loan needs. Prior to joining the bank, Walter worked for Adams State University in the Admissions and Extended Studies Departments, serving from 2010 to 2017 as the associate vice president for Extended Studies -Academics. He and his wife, Emma ‘10, reside in Fort Garland and are the parents of four children. He’s been involved in a number of community organizations and currently serves as the Station 2 Battalion Captain for the Costilla County Fire Protection District, is a Panther Pee Wee basketball coach, and is the president of the Sierra Grande High School Scholarship Foundation. Alanna Hijar Zimmerman ’94 is a seventhgrade teacher at Fort Morgan Middle School. She taught special education from 1999 to 2009 in Denver Public Schools, Pueblo District 60, and Weld County RE-1 School District in Gilcrest. She has served on a Colorado Read Act Grant Team. She has been active with the Big Sister program, has served as a Sunday school teacher, and was a Las Animas city council member for a time. In her free time, she enjoys bike riding, concerts, movies, and gardening. Steven Smyth ’95 (Tyngsboro, MA) is the director of Youth Violence Prevention for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. He met Brenda Atencio Smyth at ASC 23 years ago, and they have 3 healthy, happy children. One is in college, one is a senior in high school (hoping to attend ASU in the future), and one is in 8th grade.

◗2000s Tamera Valentine ’00, ’11 (La Jara, CO) is teaching at Centauri schools in La Jara, Colo. She is a mother of four and enjoys working on the ranch and the outdoors. Eric Carpio ’01 (Alamosa, CO) has joined History Colorado as philanthropy officer for Community Museums. He brings with him more than 20 years of higher education experience, most recently as assistant vice president of student services at Adams State University. At Adams State, Carpio and his team received more than $2.5 million in grants for several programs. In his new position, he will design and implement fundraising strategies across the state to support Community Museum initiatives. Bruce Hatch ’06 is the new associate principal and athletic director at Alamosa High School. For the past 16 years he has been a coach, teacher, guidance counselor, and administrator at Bloomfield High School in New Mexico—the same school he played football for when he was younger. He’s married with 2 daughters, ages 7 and 4. Angela Sillas-Green ’07, ’10 (Alamosa, CO) has received an award for Outstanding Leadership in Domestic Violence Advocacy. She works at Tu Casa in Alamosa.

◗2010s Krista Schoonveld ’10 (Fort Morgan, CO) is a fifth-grade teacher at Wiggins Elementary School. She and her husband, Brian, own and operate a cattle ranch south of Wiggins. They also have two daughters, 15-year-old Kate and 12-year-old Lauren. Krista previously taught at Woodlin School in Woodrow, working with kindergarteners for five years and first- and second-graders for two years. In her free time, she enjoys visiting the mountains, alpine skiing, water skiing, and spending time with family and friends. Stephanie Carino ’13 (San Luis, CO) is a nurse working for Nurse Family Partnership. She was the guest speaker for the Invest in Kids annual fundraising event, which raised $275,000. She’s also been inducted into the Nurse Family Partnerships National Board of Directors.

Photo courtesy of Valley Courier

◗1990s

Jeff Hawkins '97 is the principal of The Connect Charter School in Pueblo, CO. The school has been recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVoss as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Camry Sisneros ’14 (Alamosa, CO) married Ross Jones on August 19. She works at Valley-Wide Health Systems, and Ross works at Mountainview Aeromotive.

family bookshelf Lynne Marie Getz '78 has published a new book entitled Abolitionists, Doctors, Ranchers, and Writers: A Family Journey Through American History from the University Press of Kansas. The book follows three generations of the Wattles-FaunceWetherill Family, who settled in southwestern Colorado in the 1870s. Getz is a professor of history at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

aStater staying in touch

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ing boys: Bo ’16, who teaches 5th grade in Rocky Ford, and Sawyer, who is attending Adams in pursuit of a business degree. Even though Rocky Ford has wonderful melons and warm summers, my husband and I enjoy heading west for cooler temps and those beautiful mountains that surround the SLV.”

Photo courtesy of Valley Courier

Stephen Brannen ’15 joined the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Music Department as an adjunct instructor in the fall of 2015. He retired from the United States Air Force in June of that same year after serving 20 years as a guitarist in the band career field. As an Air Force bandsman, he performed all over the U.S. and across the globe in dozens of ensembles covering a wide variety of musical styles. Prior to his Air Force musical career, he was a freelance guitarist in Nashville, Tenn., where he performed at Opryland USA, the General Jackson Showboat, and other performance venues and recording studios. Laurel Heimstra ’15, ‘16 (Monte Vista, CO) has begun teaching 9th grade English at Centauri High School in La Jara, CO.

Emily Thong ‘15 (Alamosa, CO) is the new administrative assistant in ASU’s Alumni/Foundation Office. She writes, “As a proud alumna, I feel very fortunate to be part of the Grizzly team! I have a passion for traveling. In the past year, I checked off several items on my bucket list: traveling to Mexico, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Taos; attending a Broncos game; parasailing; hiking up Seven Falls; and white water rafting. I have my eyes set on the Bahamas for my next adventure!”

great stories

Stephen Jiron ’16 (Alamosa, CO) is the new sports editor for the Valley Courier. Donna Mae Keys ’16 (Antonito, CO) enjoys the outdoors with family, fly fishing, running, reading, and cooking, and now leads instruction at Centauri Middle School in eighth grade social studies and coaches the CHS Falcon cross country team. She is married to Cahlen Keys with two children, Jaycee and Forrest. Allen May ’17 (Dallas, TX) is pursuing an MBA in leadership at ASU and is the CEO of Westwood Associates, LLC, in Dallas. Management consulting has always been his passion. He credits both his current and future success to Adams State and looks forward with great enthusiasm to earning his master’s. Fellow alumni can reach him on Facebook or Twitter, @allentmay2016. Vanessa Moore ’17 received a 2017 Colorado Governor’s Service Award in recognition of

her work as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at Adams State’s Veterans Center. The award promotes community service and recognizes volunteers who have made profound change in their communities. As part of the Iowa National Guard, Vanessa was deployed to Afghanistan for one year as a medic. Now based in Denver with the AmeriCorps Second Mission, which helps veterans returning to school, she oversees VISTA volunteers on campuses across Colorado and in parts of Wyoming. She also has begun work on a master’s degree in education. Emily (Serna) Osburn ’17 (Alamosa, CO) works in the ASU PR/Marketing department. She was once this department’s workstudy but is now enjoying her position as a content strategist. On the side, she has been helping local businesses build webpages. She recently married her long-time boyfriend, Ben Osburn. Originally from Northern California, they enjoy being close to Wolf Creek and the mountains. Heidi Versaw ’17 is teaching at Manassa Elementary after 6 years of teaching kindergarten in Flagler. She loves the outdoors and spending time with family, and is grateful to be back in the San Luis Valley.

Dr. Julian Maendel ’07 was the guest speaker at the Adams State University annual Porter Scholars Dinner, Oct. 23. Dr. Maendel recently joined the staff of SLV Health in Alamosa as a general surgeon. He was named the university’s Exceptional New Alumnus in 2014. He earned his M.D. at University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2011. Established by the late William A. Porter ‘51 and his wife, Joan, the Porter Scholars Program this year awarded $89,500 for scholarships and focused academic programs. At the dinner, Maendel shared with students the path he has taken to become a physician and offered advice. “Adams State was an excellent choice because of the people here. You have one-on-one time with faculty, and they introduce you to opportunities.” Dr. Julian Maendel ‘07 (front, far right) with the 2017 Porter Scholars.

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Photo courtesy of Valley Courier

◗2010s

Rachel Perry Edwards ’16 (Duncanville, TX) is teaching AP environmental science and forensic science at Singley Academy in Irving, Tex. This is a Texas STEM school, with a heavy emphasis on career and technology education.

final chapters . . . Angeline "Angie" Gonzales Velasquez ’47 (Belen, NM) passed away Oct. 7 at the age of 93. Otto Stangl ’53 (Albuquerque, NM) passed away Sept. 12 at the age of 90. He was named Outstanding Alumnus in 1998. Robert Wallendorff ’54, ’60 (Rock Springs, WY) passed away Oct. 19 at the age of 86. Olga Genis Reorda ’55 (Trinidad, CO) passed away Sept. 26 at the age of 89. Among her survivors are husband Joseph Reorda ’69 and niece Vicki ’66 & Allen ’66 Bachoroski.

“Final Chapters” lists only survivors who are Adams State graduates or are affiliated with ASU. Patrick Hayden ’66 (Farmington, NM) passed away Sept. 14 at the age of 85. Among his survivors are wife Janice Hayden ’66 and twin brother Peter Hayden ’66. Diana Yokota Oyakawa ’67 (Lihue, HI) passed away Aug. 10 at the age of 72. Gary Clear ’69 (Waddell, AZ) passed away Sept. 7 at the age of 70. Among his survivors is wife Kristin Clear ’86. Elizabeth "Betty" Gladin ’70 (Colorado Springs, CO) passed away Sept. 19 at the age of 71.

George Kelloff ’59 (Fountain Hills, AZ) passed away Oct. 29 at the age of 96. Among his survivors are son George ’78 & Judy ’91 Kelloff and grandson Ben Kelloff ’13.

Edward Gallegos ’70, ’74 (Olathe, CO) passed away July 13 at the age of 73. Among his survivors is wife Victoria Duran Gallegos ’85.

Walter Lamb ’59 (Del Norte, CO) passed away Nov. 7 at the age of 90.

Tom Martinez ’71 (Trinidad, CO) passed away Sept. 6 at the age of 74.

Patricia Honeycutt ’60 (Thornton, CO) passed away June 19 at the age of 80.

Robert "Bobby" Duran ’71 (Bloomfield, NM) passed away Sept. 22 at the age of 68.

Joanne Holmes ’60 (Greeley, CO) passed away Aug. 3 at the age of 80.

Arthur Rivale ’71 (La Junta, CO) passed away Oct. 30 at the age of 69. Among his survivors are brothers J.C. Rivale ’72 and Ernie Rivale ’88.

Charles Podraza ’62 (Sterling, CO) passed away Sept. 9 at the age of 79. Among his survivors is brother Bill Podraza ’63. Bill Whitten ’63 (Evansville, WY) passed away Jan. 29 at the age of 80. Sherrie Bennett Maule ’63 (Scottsdale, AZ) passed away Sept. 7 at the age of 76. Among her survivors are sisters Judy Bennett Martin ’67 and Darla Bennett Chappell ’77 and nephew Michael Bennett ’02.

Constance Moreland Cox ’72 (Del Norte, CO) passed away Aug. 19 at the age of 73. Steve Rael ’72 (Northglenn, CO) passed away Sept. 2 at the age of 69.

Arnold Gallegos ’72, ’74 (Parker, CO) passed away Sept. 19 at the age of 71. Among his survivors is brother Ron Gallegos ’70. Harold "Babes" Abeyta ’74 (Antonito, CO) passed away Oct. 12 at the age of 83. Judith Norton-Bennett ’78 (Aztec, NM) passed away Oct. 11 at the age of 73. Patrick Mazzei ’78, ’79 (Rio Rancho, NM) passed away July 7 at the age of 63. Among his survivors is wife Nancy Foskett Mazzei ’80. Robert Campos ’81 (Colorado Springs, CO) passed away July 14 at the age of 74. Among his survivors is daughter Danielle Campos ’07. Samuel Hendricks ’81, ’87 (Austin, TX) passed away Aug. 30 at the age of 68. Among his survivors is wife Peggy Manee Hendricks ’78. Betty MacLeod ’83 (Colorado Springs, CO) passed away Sept. 30 at the age of 74. Elsie Howells ’89 (Pueblo, CO) passed away Aug. 4 at the age of 87. Joshua "Butters" Hendren ’10 passed away May 27 at the age of 29. Derek McBee ’16 (Grand Junction, CO) passed away July 22 at the age of 45.

Tommy Dotson ’72 (Hearne, TX) passed away Sept. 1 at the age of 74.

Erasto Jaramillo ’63 (Vallejo, CA) passed away Sept. 17 at the age of 77.

new chapters . . .

Gary Kliesen ’64 (Los Alamos, NM) passed away Sept. 3 at the age of 80. Larry Motz ’63, ’68 (Anchorage, AK) passed away Sept. 14 at the age of 81. Among his survivors are wife Lynnette Motz ’65; sisters-inlaw Mary Motz ’62 and Linda Motz ’67; nephew Tom Motz ’82; niece Susan ’88 & Michael ’84 Arnold; great nieces and nephews Jeff ’00 & Katherine ’00 Motz; Kristi ’02 & Robert ’04 Kern; Jake Streeter ’07; Josh ’10 & Christine ’09, ’13 Streeter; Gretchen ’11 & Kyle ’12 Sand; Madison Miner ’15; and Beth Streeter ’16. Jon Simbeck ’64 (Moab, UT) passed away Sept. 2 at the age of 78. Amos Bernal ’64, ’73 (San Luis, CO) passed away Aug. 6 at the age of 79. Among his survivors are daughters Sharon Maestas ’86 and Annette ’07, ’09 & Antonio ’15 Sisneros.

is there a future grizzly in your family?

Stephen James “Fen” Brace is the son of Darlene (Clayton) Brace ‘04, ‘05 and her husband, Michael. Fen was born August 16 and weighed 7.5 lbs.

If so, we’ll help introduce him or her to the rest of the Adams Family. You can share a favorite photo of your special baby, grandbaby, or great-grandbaby. Email photos with a little information about you and your future Grizzly to: Gaylene Horning ghorning@adams.edu.

Phoebe Sunshine Relyea, age 2, is the daughter of Matt ‘04, ‘06 and Sarah (Vaniwaarden) ‘07 Relyea.

aStater staying in touch

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June Malenchini Kliesen ’63 (Los Alamos, NM) passed away Oct. 12 at the age of 76.

Alaska was the destination

of our 2017 Alumni Cruise. We were joined by 37 alumni and friends on June 5 for a 5-day land tour through the Alaskan interior. We became part of the 30% club, as we had a full view of Mt. Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) on our first day out. Only 30% of visitors to the park ever see a full view of the mountain. We were lucky enough to see it from the backside during our third day, while we toured Denali National Park. That put us in the 10% club! We were able to see four out of the “Big 5” wildlife — grizzlies, dahl sheep, moose, and caribou. We were joined by the rest of the group on June 10 on the ship bound for Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Glacier Bay National Park. The 72 alumni and friends had a fabulous time on board and enjoyed being recognized as “those green shirts from Adams State.”

1 • We spent some time on buses during our land tour and we had a lot of fun — Lori only made us sing once! 2 • No one was awake at midnight to view the spectacular sunset over Mt. Denali except Gaylene — and maybe some bears and a moose or two. 3 • Alumni arrive at the Denali Princess Lodge and prepare for an amazing tour the next day through the park.

By Gaylene Horning ‘94

1 The views from the ship were spectacular, as this shot by Robert Baca `94 demonstrates.

◗ The view of Mt. Denali from the deck of the McKinley Princess Lodge.

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6 4 • One awesome thing about our trips is that people make new friends. Babes `80, `82 & Cherith `81 Marchase (left) with Butch `69 and Judy Jones celebrated their second alumni cruise together. Both couples have been on three cruises, according to the shirts they made for the occasion. 5 • The trip included lots of fishing excursions. Here Mike Rogers, Lonnie Rogers `60, Don Stegman `61, `64, Chuck Owsley `68 and Ted Morrison `69 enjoy the scenery and the sighting of some whales while they wait for their poles to jump. 6 • The group with Mt. Denali in the background, as seen for the second time, on the backside.

Photo by Amy Kucera `05

9 • There were many excursions on this trip. Virginia Vigil `81 was part of a helicopter tour that landed on a glacier. She said it was amazing! 10 • First day on the ship, we always don our green t-shirts and take a pic. It definitely gets us recognized on the ship for the rest of the cruise!

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. Ketchikan

8 • Claude Vigil `85 wowed the crowd as a contestant in “The Voice of the Ocean.” He made it to the finals and was the main stage entertainment the last night of the cruise. We were all hoarse from cheering. Way to go, Claude. You are #1 in our hearts! Photo by Greg Davis `83

The view of Juneau from the top the Mt. Roberts tramway. Photo by Amy Kucera `05

The question is, how many Adams State alumni can you fit in an elevator? The answer is, a lot — good thing we are all family!

aStater adams family album

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7 • Our traditional formal night shot on the main staircase.

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adams family album next generation dinner

L-R: Carmen Lucero Bruno ’70, ‘01; Mary Ann Hammond Sansom; Camila Alire ‘70; and Betti Cable Marvel came back to campus for a visit and tour. L-R: Kiana Gomez, Jesse Wright, Marisa Gomez, Abby Stagner, Sawyer Soden, Jordyn and Morgan McMaster Neely, Isabel Rodriguez, and Lori Laske.

the girls’ reunion volleyball alumni

mineral water bowl reunion Front L-R: Emily Bussey, Megan Velasquez, Monica (Garcia) Ashley, Mary (McNeil) Dyson, Megan Tapia, Jocelyn (Garcia) Hall Front L-R: Don McKillip, Tony Giordano, Bill Hard, Barry Heckard, Jerry Hughes, Bill Rakow, and Bill Wood Back L-R: Harris Allen, Bob Exler, Jim Gable, Roger Guidetti, George Kos, Gary Venturi, and Kelly Meek

Back L-R: April (Krakow) Smith, Kelsey Huckle, Jacque (Loch) Keys, Sandy (Wilcox) Dutton, Tiffany (Stockebrand) Hawkins, Nicole (Stroker) Evans, Megan (Jennings) Hendricks

alamosa elementary teacher appreciation

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aStater adams family album

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homecoming memories

With the host, Dr. Nick Saenz (far left), the Miller family celebrates winning the 2017 Adams Family Feud, in which alumni competed against students. From left: Winema ’02; Jeannie ’85, ’91; Wynona ’11; Raymond ’82, ’83; and Waylon.

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aStater winter 2017

◗ Dr. Beverlee J. McClure with the alumni award winners Camila Alire ’70, Barbara Holmes ’82, and Matthew Martinez ’13.

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This year’s homecoming shirts were camo—they really worked! Back L-R: Lisa Wilson ’94; Cameron Miller ’92; Jackie Martinez ’94, ’17; Belen Maestas ’02; and Diane Kissell ‘07. Front L-R: Linda Relyea ’96, ’10; Christy Miller ’92; and Kari Allen.

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aStater aStater adams latest family editions album

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Chemistry majors catch up with favorite professor Kay Watkins ’55. L-R: Art Lowe ’67, Jeb Taylor ’66, Bob McAllister ’67, Dr. Watkins, and Mark Thomas ’67.

◗ Billy Adams Award winner Camila Alire ’70 is flanked by dear friends, from left: Bob Damashek ’68, ’73; Mary Ann Sansom; Carmen Lucero Bruno ’70, ’01; Camila ’70; Normandy Montano ’74, ’76; Patsy ’70, ’90 and Herman ’69 Martinez.

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The Holmes family gathered at the Homecoming Banquet to honor Barbara Holmes ’82 as the Outstanding Alumna. The family includes several alumni: Diego Trujillo ‘11; Fuzzy Holmes ‘97; Jeni Jack Goodwin ’85; Jay Holmes ’83; Erica Holmes Trujillo ’11, ’14; and Greg Goodwin ’96.

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aStater winter 2017

Alumni Jackie Martinez ’94, ’17; Pat Roybal ’90; and Lisa Wilson ‘94 catch up during the alumni reception.

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Bev Morgan ‘83 (left) and Patty Tsosie ’87 reunite during Homecoming 2017.

ASU alumni and friends gather at Cattails on a beautiful Friday morning to play a little homecoming golf.

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aStater adams family album

It’s a two-fer!

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country take NCAA Div. II National Championships National Championship titles 53 and 54 arrived in Alamosa, along with a storm of green that took over Evansville, Ind., at the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championships. Adams State University's cross country program took the sweep, as the women won 126-137 against runner-up University of Mary, while the men held off Grand Valley State University in a 4464 showdown. In all, five top-15 finisher trophies, eight All-American medals, and two National Championship trophies found themselves in the hands of the Adams State Grizzlies. On what most would consider a brisk morning, the Grizzlies were ready. Slight rain and an all-too-familiar breeze provided the setting for the championships. The women's team kicked things off, but didn't jump into the top spot until halfway through the race. With 1,000 meters remaining, Adams had all but secured the title, but things came down to the end as the University of Mary charged back from down 40 to just the deciding 11-point gap. Coming into the race, the women were underdogs, ranked No. 3 in the nation behind Cal-Baptist and Grand 36

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aStater winter 2017

Valley State. When the dust settled the women were shedding tears of joy. RMAC Runner of the Year Eilish Flanagan was the first to cross, finishing ninth overall with a time of 21:08. Five seconds behind her was the NCAA South Central Regional Runner of the Year Malena Grover in 12th. Roisin Flanagan was the final woman AllAmerican, finishing 21st overall. Closing out the scoring were Haleigh Hunter-Galvan in 46th and Kaylee Bogina in 51st. Next up came the men, who were ready for the task at hand. The men's race seemed to be a tighter one, as Colorado Mines, Grand Valley State, Western State, and Adams State populated half of the top-20 crowd halfway through the race. It seemed to be anyone's race, as Grand Valley had just a one-point lead through 4K. The Grizzlies would take the lead the rest of the way, but it was just a six-point lead through 7K. With brightly colored hair, the men started crossing one-by-one, as Adams realized the victory when Sydney Gidabuday closed out the scoring ahead of a group of charging individuals.

Kale Adams was the first Grizzly across, finishing third overall with a time of 30:56. Behind him was Elias Gedyon in seventh, then Joshua Joseph in ninth. Regional Runner of the Year Lucio Ramirez finished 13th, while Gidabuday crossed the line in 17th. Though Adams led the pack, Joseph was the true hero. The sophomore was in 28th place halfway through the race, keeping pace just ahead of two Lakers from Grand Valley State as the fifth Grizzly scorer. Throughout the last half of the race Joseph charged, passing numerous runners on his way to a top-10 finish. This is the first time since 2009 that Adams State University swept the cross country titles. Coincidentally, that was the last time the national championships were in Evansville. The men defended their title for the sixth time in the NCAA Division II era, while the women captured their second title in three years. This is the 13th NCAA Division II title for the men and the 17th for the women. In the 26-year history of Adams State competing at the Division II level, the program has taken 30 of the 52 possible cross country titles. By Shaun Wicen

Kale Adams

In addition to the championship titles, Adams State garnered five top15 finisher trophies and eight All-American medals.

Grizzly Club recognizes donors for decades of support individual partners: ted and janet morrison

corporate partner: valley electric Mark Hensley ‘89 is the owner and operator of Valley Electric, a Grizzly Corporate Partner since 1982. He took over in 1980 from long-time ASU supporter Dick Clark. Mark was an All-American wrestler. His wife, Stephanie ‘93, ‘01, is on the faculty of ASU’s Department of Teacher Education. Valley Electric has helped Adams State and ASU Athlet-

Grizzly Club honorees Ted ‘69 and Janet ‘69 Morrison (left) and Stephanie ’93, ‘01 and Mark ‘89 Hensley

ics throughout the years, from rewiring Richardson Hall to helping pay for the videoboard in Plachy Hall. Of the more than 30 employees at Valley Electric, a third have degrees from Adams State; the group boasts nearly 50 family members among ASU alumni. "Without Adams State, 50 or 60 of our people wouldn't have a degree," said Hensley. "Adams State is a great school. It has offered a high-quality education for local and lowincome individuals throughout the years. We are very grateful for Adams State University."

aStater great grizz

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Ted and Janet Morrison, both Class of 1969, were honored by the Grizzly Club for their decades of support for ASU Athletics. Ted served for 43 years as one of the first physician’s assistants in the San Luis Valley. Janet and Ted owned and operated the local Arby’s for many years and were always corporate partners with the Athletic Department. In their time with Arby’s, the two initiated the Arby’s All-Star Game in 1988, an event that raised money for two scholarships for boys and girls from the valley to play basketball for Adams State. Ted was part of the revitalization of the Adams State Hall of Fame in 2000, helping to find funding for the event from local banks. Their two children, Kim Woodke ‘95 and Melissa Moeller, both have Adams State affiliations. Kim is an ASU alumna and works as a physician’s assistant in Del Norte, while Melissa works for Adams State in ASU Online Counseling. Most recently, Ted initiated raffling of a 1982 Corvette to spearhead the Grizzly Club Dream Endowment, which will eventually provide a full-ride scholarship for each athletic program. Susan Oringdulph won the drawing, held during the Homecoming game.

grizzlies fall season Israel Varela

men’s soccer The Grizzlies had a stellar season, breaking the school record in wins with seven. The team was led by Leo Barba, who was named to the All-RMAC Second Team. Key wins came against Fort Lewis College and CSU-Pueblo, both school firsts. The team was in a deadlock battle toward the end of the season, but ended up in seventh, one spot outside the RMAC Tournament. Adams State also set school records by being ranked in the top 10 in the region for five straight weeks. The team finished with a 7-10-1 record.

women’s soccer Adams State women’s soccer had a rebuilding season, led by All-RMAC Honorable Mentions Kendall Weld and Natalie Wheelock. The team finished with a 3-8-4 record, with wins against Eastern New Mexico, Black Hills State, and Fort Lewis. Weld led the team with four goals.

Howard Samuel

volleyball The Grizzlies finished the season strong, with a 14-14 record. The season was highlighted by a five-set match in the RMAC Tournament against No.17-ranked Colorado Mines. In that game the Grizzlies took the first two sets. Additionally, libero Gabrielle Timmen moved into second all-time in career digs, Mallory Grimsrud continued to climb the records in kills and blocks, and Katelyn Schwartz finished top-four in career assists. Head coach Lindy Mortensen became the alltime winningest coach in Adams State history, with 183 total victories. Grimsrud was named to the All-RMAC First Team, while Timmen was named All-RMAC Honorable Mention.

Victoria Sanchez

Julianna Zamora

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aStater winter 2017

more details at grizzly athletics: www.asugrizzlies.com

grizzly greats

football Chad Hovasse The Adams State football team had a good year, finishing 4-7 overall. A strong start boosted the Grizzlies, but a tough road stretch halted the progress. The team finished with the top-ranked passing offense in Division II, along with the No.1-ranked solo tackler in the nation in Garrett Jackson. Junior captain Chad Hovasse was named Preseason All-RMAC, All-RMAC First Team, and capped off the season as the RMAC Academic Offensive Player of the Year. The junior set records in single-game receptions three times and broke the school career records in receptions and receiving yards. Hovasse was just one catch away from the singleseason reception record, as well. Another key record broken came from freshman punter Kane Bowen, who broke the RMAC record for longest punt with a 93-yard punt. Jackson was named to the All-RMAC Second Team along with lineman Conner Johnson and wide out Marquese Surrell, while Corey Brown, Nick Rooney and Jimmy Holtrop were named Honorable Mention. Rooney, Surrell, Hovasse and Jackson all finished in the top 10 in the nation in a statistic category. Josh Blankenship was recently named to replace Timm Rosenbach as head coach for Grizzly football. He has served as offensive coordinator for the team for the last three years.

the 2017 class of the adams state athletic hall of fame was the largest in

Greg Critchett ’92 (Aurora, CO) has been inducted in to the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame. He is one of 13 individuals honored this year. He is now a cross-country coach at Cherry Creek High School. Aaron Braun ’09, ’11 (Flagstaff, AZ) ran in the Chicago Marathon on October 8. He placed fifth in the 30-34 age group and 12th overall, with a finish time of 02:13:41.

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history. Those inducted included Jim Bevan, Dan Caulfield, Heather Ebert, Mary Jaqua, Stacey Mills, Bill Stone, Denise Summers, Jim Vuono, and Darrell Yohn. Also inducted were the 1977 men’s cross country team, the 1980 wrestling team, and the 1981 women’s cross country team.

Dan Antolik ’73 is the new offensive line coach at University of Nebraska-Kearney. Dan has had an extensive coaching career that spans four decades. He has been both a college and high school head coach and an assistant coach at schools around the nation. He spent the past 16 years at NCAA Division III Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA). He helped start the Captains program in 2000 and eventually became associate head coach and offensive coordinator, primarily working with the offensive line. He has served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Salem College (WV), New Mexico Military Institute, and FCS-member Hampton University (VA). He was the defensive coordinator at SC, NMMI and HU. A member of the Fort Lewis Athletic Hall of Fame, he holds a B.A. from FLC, as well as a master's degree from Adams State. During his playing days for the then-FLC Raiders, he was a two-way player (fullback and linebacker), team captain, and team MVP.

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Adams State University

Published on Dec 21, 2017

Winter 2017 A-Stater

Published on Dec 21, 2017

The magazine of Adams State University

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