Tricia Schwaller (EE98) announced “I got married Dec. 31, 2010, in Roseville, Mich.” Deborah Sloat (IS94) proudly informs: “Brandon Quiett (CE04) graduated from Portland State University in August with a master’s degree.” Mitchell Slusarski (IE95) sent this note: “I have been at US Bank for two years now in private banking and really enjoy my new career. My wonderful wife Lyndsi is a physician assistant in dermatology at the Rapid City Medical Center. We have a two-year-old son Baron, whom we’re grooming to be a Hardrocker.” Mitch is also on the board and treasurer of the Alumni Association. Rhenda Strub (ChE92) via Glenn C. Barber & Associates, Inc. press release: “Olympia City Councilwoman Rhenda Strub announced that she will seek a second term. Strub, 55, has worked as an environmental consultant and was elected to the City Council in 2007. Among her priorities are stimulating market-rate housing downtown, bringing the nonprofit group Artspace to Olympia to develop artist workspace/housing and working with other jurisdictions to reduce homelessness. Before she was elected, she spent time on the Thurston County Planning Commission. She has also been active with the Thurston County Democrats. She said she decided to run again “because I truly enjoy it, I am good at it and I enjoy it.” Justin Tomac (IE93) sent this greeting: “Big ‘Hi’ from Kansas City. It was good to see a lot of people at the Reunion. We just added No. 7 to the family, four boys and three girls (Vincent, Benedict, Philip, Natalie, Isabella, Ivan and Juliana). We are planning on being in the Dakotas the week before the 4th of July for my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. Who knows – we may be in the Black Hills area for a day.”
2000s Jeff Comrie (ME09) via press release: “Melinda Wells and Jeff Comrie, both of Rapid City, S.D., announce their engagement. Melinda is the daughter of Amber and Brian Wells of Spearfish, S.D. Jeff is the son of Paul and Susan Comrie of Pendleton. Melinda is a 2005 graduate of Spearfish High School and a 2010 graduate of South Dakota State University in nursing. She is currently employed at Rapid City Regional Hospital as a registered nurse. Jeff is a 2005 home school graduate and attended Pendleton High School and Blue Mountain College while in high school and living in Pendleton. He is a 2009 graduate of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City in mechanical engineering and is currently working to complete his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, also at the School of Mines. He is presently employed by the university in research. The couple is planning a June 26, 2011, wedding in Spearfish, S.D.
Melinda Wells and Jeff Comrie (ME09)
Tyler Cowning (IS00) updates: “I am currently in the master of science program in civil and environmental engineering at SDSM&T.” Michael Grave (ME09) tells: “I moved to Yankton, S.D., after graduating in May 2009 to manage the Lewis and Clark Resort. I am currently continuing my education at USD, working on my MBA and loving life.” Timothy Jacobson (CSc03) proudly announces the arrival of their new baby girl Sarah Jeannette Jacobson, born on July 6, 2010. Jeremy Smith (ChE00) shares: “I have relocated yet again. After 10 good years with Lafarge, with stops in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and most recently New York, it was time for a career shift. I left the cement industry in June and am now working for Calgon Carbon Corporation (CCC) in eastern Kentuky. CCC works heavily with filtration systems, and the division I am in focuses on manufacturing granular and powdered activated carbon. I am currently a production coach with responsibilities for the line that re-activates spent carbon. The family is enjoying our new home. My wife, Sara, and our two children, Kathryn (12) and David (two) are settling in quite nicely. It is definitely a change of pace compared to upstate New York, but so far the change has been for the better. We are looking forward to good things to come.” Michelle Swanson (ME01) was recently notified that she was named as one of the “Top 20 Under 40” in the Mountain States Construction magazine. It highlights the best of the best young professionals in the construction and design industries. Also, Michelle and Dominic Miller (CSc00) are engaged and their wedding is set for June. Please send us a photo from the wedding. Congratulations to you both!
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