Panthers on the Prowl Monica Mordaunt, BFA dance performance ’12, was involved with a project with the modern dance company Nugent Dance. The performance Yes is Not Passive and Other Stories made its Los Angeles debut in January. She is a company member of Vox Dance and an apprentice with Backhausdance. Since graduation, she studied with Doug Varone and Dancers, a professional dance company in New York City. Katie Parsons, B.A. public relations/ advertising ’12, was hired at Essence Digital in December as an associate project manager. In her new role, she will deal with media planning, media strategy, trafficking and reporting mobile advertisements as well as project management. Courtney (Heard) Prouty, B.A. liberal studies ’11, and Matt Prouty, BFA film production ’10, married in October. Courtney is an admission counselor at Chapman University.
The celebration commemorating Dean William Hall’s 50th anniversary at Chapman University (see page 7) sent us into the “Prowl” archives, where we found this photo (above left) of Hall waving the Chapman banner on the Great Wall of China in 2002. More recent prowlers include Rodney Reeves ’59 and his travel companion, Loraine Chapman, who explored Ireland in October. Reeves displayed his Panther pride (above right) at a castle in County Shannon. Meanwhile, two dozen students from the Argyros School of Business and Economics took a moment between winter meetings with Wall Street executives to pose for the photo above. Joining the students and Professor Terry Burnham was Argyros School Dean Reggie Gilyard, left.
Friends We Will Miss James L. Christian ’48 passed away Dec. 9 in Orange at age 88. He was a professor emeritus at Santa Ana Community College, where he taught philosophy for 30 years. James was known by his students as an engaging and charismatic professor. He was also an ordained minister. Guillermo “Billy” Flores, B.A. legal studies ’06, passed away on Dec. 20 at age 30. Billy was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He opened a Crossfit gym in Costa Mesa with fellow Chapman alumnus and fraternity brother Tate Worswick. Billy is remembered as a proud brother, loving son and a faithful and true friend. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends supporting the Los Angeles Dream Center (www.dreamcenter.org) in Billy’s honor. Lois (Swanson) Gangnes, B.A. home economics ’65, passed away Jan. 15 in Encinitas, Calif. She enjoyed traveling, boating, golfing, charitable activities and socializing with family and friends. Lois is survived by her husband of 66 years, Al Gangnes, her three sons and daughters-in-law as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sharon (Shyrock) Pearson, B.A. elementary education ’58, passed away on July 19 at age 76. Born in Orange County, Sharon became an Alaska resident in November 1996. She was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Carl Pearson, of Anchorage. Susan Rowe Tucker ’91 passed away Dec. 21 in Hilo, Hawaii. Susan was a social worker for many years and a strong supporter of the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries. She enjoyed doing arts and crafts and swimming at the local YWCA. 48
U Matthew Ralston, MBA ’11, and Amanda (Blake) Ralston, MBA ’11, welcomed a son, Isaac Blake Ralston, on Dec. 4, in Seattle.
Justin Riley, BFA television broadcast journalism ’11, and Joy Willis, BFA dance performance ’11, started a blog, www.lovejays.com, that offers advice to young people about relationships, dating and friendship. Tori Rose, BFA television and broadcast journalism ’11, was recently hired as the script coordinator for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Ivan Van Norman, BFA film production ’11, is competing on the TBS competition show King of the Nerds. Sarah Van Zanten, B.A. public relations/ advertising ’11, began a new position as an assistant account executive at Idea Hall, a marketing and public relations agency in Costa Mesa, Calif. V Zech Wilson, B.S. biology ’10, is pursuing an M.D. at the University of Nevada, Reno.