Western State Colorado University Alumni Magazine Fall 2013
From the President & Board of Trustees
Dear Western Nation,
Fellow Mountaineers,
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As the Interim President of Western State Colorado University, I am writing to let you know that the university is charting a path toward continued improvement as we search for our next president. It’s no secret that Western State Colorado University has seen some major changes over the past several years under the remarkable leadership of Jay Helman. We have re-launched graduate programs, undergone incredible physical plant transformations, and became a university with our recent name change. These initiatives along with the extraordinary efforts of our faculty and staff are netting positive results, as enrollment is up this fall for the second year in a row and, equally important, people are becoming ever more connected to and invested in Western. In late August, I was honored to welcome a freshman class that was 5 percent larger than it was last year, according to preliminary numbers. We have seen a significant increase in retention, no doubt primarily a reflection of the implementation of last fall’s inaugural First Year Experience program, which promotes both academic and community engagement. Next spring, we will open the doors to our new 120,000 square foot field house; a long-needed facility for Western’s students and athletes. We’ve launched a new logo and a new mascot, and soon, we’re launching a new website. Indeed, Western is well positioned for a successful year. I recently shared with the campus community our action plan for 2013-14. Highlights of the plan include improving how we manage, how we communicate, how we collaborate and how we develop relationships. It is increasingly true that a key component to success of any higher education institution is strong partnerships. This begins with the university’s engagement in and commitment to the health and vitality of our community and their engagement in and commitment to ours. These are exciting times for Western and the Gunnison Valley. I know many of you care as much about this university as I do, and I want you to free to contact me over the next year if you have questions, concerns or suggestions. You can reach me at bbaca@western.edu or 970-943-2114.
It has been a year of transition and change here Western, and I want you to know that your university is poised for a promising future. As you may know, Western’s long time president, Jay Helman, left his position this summer. Dr. Helman was a long term, valued contributor to the success of this great institution and we are proud of his many accomplishments. During his 23 years here, he helped Western become the great university that it is today. Without Jay’s leadership, Western would be a much different place. Now, at this juncture in Western’s more than 100 year history, the Board of Trustees believes it is time to begin the transition to the next president immediately. The Western State Colorado University Board of Trustees has named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Baca as Interim President. Brad has been at Western since 2002, serving as Vice President for Finance and Administration and, most recently, as Executive Vice President. Western has contracted with an executive search firm to conduct a national search for a new president. We have carefully selected a committee composed of faculty, staff, community members, alumni and other important stakeholders to help make this monumental decision. We are working tirelessly to ensure that Western’s next leader brings the intellect, acumen and requisite people skills to constructively engage our students, their parents, alumni, our faculty, our hard working administrative staff, our board, and our community to lead Western into its next 100 years. During this important process, we want your input too. Please feel free to share your ideas for the next president or nominate someone you think might be a good fit for the job. You can send our search committee an email at presidentialsearch@western.edu. We expect the review of candidates to begin sometime later this fall and the next president to begin no later than next summer. The Board of Trustees is confident that, under the leadership of Brad and the rest of the executive management team at Western, this great university is in solid hands as we prepare for this important next step in our future.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Brad Baca Interim President Western State Colorado University
Todd Wheeler Chair, Western State Colorado University Board of Trustees Western Alumnus, Class of 1990
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In This Issue
Fall 2013, Volume 12, No. 1 The Westerner is published twice each year for alumni and friends of Western by Western State Colorado University, 600 N. Adams, Gunnison, CO 81231.
Readers may submit news items to: Tonya Van Hee Director of Alumni Relations tvanhee@western.edu 970-943-2493
Brad Baca President bbaca@western.edu 970-943-2114
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Brian Barker Director of Marketing and Media Relations bbarker@western.edu 970-943-3038
Tom Burggraf Executive Director, Western State Foundation tburggraf@western.edu 970-641-2237
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Garrett Finke Director of Sports Information gfinke@western.edu 970-943-2831
Crested Butte Publishing & Creative Layout, Design and Printing
Alumni Board of Directors Bruce Bartleson (Emeritus Faculty) Corbin Bennetts (Student Rep) Laurel (Butcher) Becker (’07) Shannon Bounds (’92) Ann (Clements) Eckman (‘89) Howard Fishman (’69) Paul Giberson (’01) Karen McCrary (’70, ’71) Elena Oster (’09, ’13) Vicki (Figgie) Wheeler (’86) Photos in this issue of the Westerner taken by: Greg Smith (Western’s new Enrollment Communications Strategist) photographed Western’s homecoming photos and bookstore photo, Jason Dunning (’04), Jesse Cruz (’11), Allan Ivy (Campus overview photo), and Fred Coester (Pinnacles double rainbow photo). The maps on page 15 were done by mymaps.com. Articles in this issue of the Westerner were written by alumnus, Luke Mehall, class of 2004. Luke is a freelance writer living down in the Durango area.
p.25 4 Intro 5 Building Western Up 15 Alumni Map 16 Campus News 17 Western State Foundation 24 Athletics 28 Class Notes westerner
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Building Western Up
Hello Alumni and Friends— Last week we put another Homecoming in the history books of Western State Colorado University. I dare say that the 2013 Homecoming will be one that will live on in infamy for years to come. Ten and twenty years from now, you’ll hear alumni saying, “Do you remember the Homecoming where it snowed during the lighting of the W and the fireworks? Remember how a cloud came in and sat right in front of the W so that no one could see that it was lit? That was awesome!” I can hear it now. And I did hear it all day on Saturday – people talking about the events of the night before. And, in true Gunnison style, the sun came out, melted the snow and we were all hot by noon. There’s just no other place like it, is there? If you missed it this year, check out the photos later in this magazine or check us out on Facebook. We’ve decided to look inward for this issue of the Westerner. Normally, we profile several amazing alumni, but I thought it might be time to remind everyone what a great place Western is. We’ve got some pretty incredible programs and transformations happening on this campus and I wanted to let you know about them. There are a couple of underlying themes happening on campus this year – first of all, it has been declared “The Year of the Mountaineer.” President Brad Baca has signed a declaration proclaiming each Friday as spirit Friday and all Mountaineers are encouraged to wear their crimson and slate. We’ve also been using the theme “Western Up” this year to encourage everyone to get involved in one way or another. The theme of this edition of the Westerner is “Building Western Up” so that we can let you know about all the things that are moving and shaking up on our campus. I hope you enjoy this issue of the Westerner. My goal is for you to read this and then say to yourself, “I’m so proud to be a Mountaineer!” I know I am.
Tonya Van Hee Western Alumni Relations Director Class of ‘91 4
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Building a Brand
The New W There’s nothing that says Western like our “W”. It’s proudly on display on Tenderfoot Mountain, the most recognizable landmark in Gunnison. In the past year, after the name change to Western State Colorado University, the “W” went through some transformations, culminating with a new, sleek, three-dimensional look. When the institution changed to Western State Colorado University in the fall of 2012, a new logo was created, that did not emphasize the “W”, rather WSCU. Quickly campus leaders realized the “W” needed to return. A new rebranding effort began, spearheaded by Brian Barker, director of marketing and media relations, in conjunction with Bearings Branding, based out of Parker, Colorado. “The new “W” was meticulously researched,” said Barker. “We conducted focus groups with five hundred people, including prospective students, current students, faculty, and alumni. Everyone ended up loving this new logo.” Barker noted the logo is iconic. “It’s unlike any other “W” in the country,’’ he said. “It’s sharp, edgy, and at the core is a mountain range. There’s a lot of “W”s out there, but ours stands out from the rest.” Bearings Branding wanted to make sure Western’s uniqueness was represented in the rebranding effort. (Mad Jack, The Mountaineer was also redesigned and unveiled this fall, see accompanying story.) “We wanted to be sure certain things were represented with this new ‘W’,” said Tom Webb, managing partner at Bearnings Branding. “Among those were the tremendous value of Western, the unique mountain environment location and the entrepreneurial spirit of those who live in the Gunnison Valley.” Webb also noted the three dimensional look of the “W” was no coincidence. “It’s an enhancement of the original “W” to build upon the heritage, but to also reflect the many dimensions of Western. We wanted to create something alumni would be proud of.” A video featuring the unveiling of the logo can be found at the Western YouTube page. Alumni, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to “Show Us Your W”, using the hashtag #westernup when posting Western-related photos to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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Building a Mascott
A new look for Mad Jack, The Mountaineer After the unveiling of the new “W” this past April, Western rolled out a new look for the Mountaineer, also known as Mad Jack. Also created in collaboration with Bearings Branding, the new mountaineer is blazing into 2013 with a sharp and edgy appearance. “Mad Jack, our mascot, was reinvented after countless hours with the athletic department, student athletes, alumni and faculty,” said Brian Barker, director of marketing and media relations. “His new look certainly captures the mountaineer spirit, and is designed to appeal to a younger audience.” A look back in history reveals Mad Jack as an “old west” type of figure, straight out of the early 1900s. The new mountaineer has a hint of that look, with a feather in his hat, but he’s looking forward, the first time that Mad Jack has had a profile shot. “It is a very iconic and cool look,” said Greg Waggoner, director of athletics. “He looks like he’s going a thousandmiles-an-hour and is fierce, dominant and rugged, yet modern.” Waggoner also noted the importance of staying true to the past, while also appealing to the youth of today. “I think the new Mad Jack represents our heritage as a rugged, tough mountaineer, and also represents the future with a fresh look. It has an iconic abstract look to it that you see with a lot of sport program logos today.” Tom Webb, of Bearings Branding, echoes these thoughts. “The contemporary mountaineer is more of a high altitude athlete, who is performance based,” he said. “We wanted to inject a high performance element to The Mountaineer, with an attitude of determination.” The new logo was unveiled Aug. 30 on Western’s campus. The event drew hundreds of students, fans, staff, faculty and community members to Western’s University Center for a first glimpse at Mad Jack’s newest rendering. The first Mountaineer Spirit Friday of 2013 was also kicked off at the unveiling. To make Spirit Fridays official, President Baca signed a declaration making every Friday Mountaineer Spirit Fridays. Fans, alumni and friends are encouraged to wear red or Western apparel every Friday to support Mountaineer Nation. We’re all Mountaineers!
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Building the Campus Up
Borick Business Building
The Building Boom The Western State Colorado University campus has been enhanced greatly over the last few years, with $112 million in improvements. These new buildings and renovations have retained the character of the past, while adding state of the art facilities with consideration of efficiency and environmental impact.
Borick Business Building
In the fall of 2007 the doors of the Borick Business Building opened for classes, a historic occasion that kicked off the building boom. Led by alumnus Steven Borick (1975) and Western’s Foundation, the $7.3 million facility was completely privately funded. It was also the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building on campus, receiving the Silver Certification. LEED certifications are designated by the U.S. Green Building Council, and reflect Western’s commitment to sustainable development, efficient building systems, and renewable building materials.
Kelley Hall
Kelley Hall Renovation
After a major renovation, Kelley Hall reopened its doors in 2008, and was the first building at Western to attain the LEED gold certification. Home of the Environmental Studies and Behavioral and Social Science departments, the renovation was the first to implement a solar energy system at Western. Students spearheaded the efforts for the solar system and spent time monitoring its efficiency in their Environmental Studies courses. $5.5 million in improvements were made to the facility, and local art graces the halls, giving the building an elegant touch.
University Center
University Center
Replacing the Student Union, the University Center was a $28 million project, which was completed in time for the Spring 2010 semester. Also receiving the LEED gold certification, the University Center houses many student organizations, a movie theater, the campus dining facilities, and the bookstore. Large south facing windows, xeriscaping, and on-site recycling during the construction are among the features that earned points for the LEED certification. Much like the Student Union of the past, the building is a true hub for campus life.
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Building the Campus Up
Western’s original building, Taylor Hall is the most recent facility to be renovated. In the fall of 2011 the renovation was complete, exactly one hundred years after it opened. The most visible physical change was the new Welcome Center, on the south side of the Taylor, home for the Office of Admissions and a convenient greeting place for guests and prospective students. Significant upgrades were made throughout the LEED gold certified building, including the facilities used by the campus radio station KWSB, the student newspaper The Top O’ the World , and the film program and their co-curricular club, Mountaineer Media. Extensive efforts were made to preserve the historic brickwork, and the building retained its original flavor outside, with a modern interior.
Taylor Hall
Taylor Hall Renovation
Field House/Recreation Center
The most recent building project to Western’s campus is the new $30 million Field House and Recreation Center, one that has been in the making for two decades. The 118,710 square foot facility will have the distinction of the highest-elevation collegiate competition track in the United States. The track infield will house over 30,000 square feet of court surface for a variety of configurations including basketball, volleyball and soccer. Office and classroom space will border the track. On the south end of the building a 5,000 square foot Recreation Center will replace the current Escalante Fitness Center. The Recreation Center will house a new climbing and bouldering walls, with cardio stations, circuit training, and free weights. There will also be a new High Altitude Performance Lab in the Field House. The building is being constructed to meet or exceed LEED gold certification standards. Construction is on schedule to be completed in March of 2014.
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Field House
Western’s newest offering for student housing is the $20 million Pinnacles Apartment Complex. The Pinnacles can house 226 students, with fully furnished two, three and four bedroom apartments, complete with one to two bathrooms, a living room and a full kitchen. The building also houses study rooms, a computer lab, and game rooms. A new greenhouse is located in the building, which allows for year round food cultivation. The project was student led, and offers a variety of educational opportunities for growing at high altitude. The building is also LEED gold certified.
The Pinnacles Apartments
The Pinnacles Apartment Complex
Building Students Up New Changes to First and Second Year Experiences at Western Recruitment and retention are buzzwords for any college or university. Western has had good news on both fronts, with enrollment and retention numbers increasing for the fall 2013 semester. Enrollment climbed three percent, and retention was up five percent from the previous year. With more students on campus, new programs are being rolled out to keep those students active and engaged.
Orientation
Team captains for the Mountaineer Wrestling team, Corbin Bennetts and Elliot Copeland, summit Mount Yale last summer.
For the 2012-13 school year, Western enacted a new format for the incoming freshman orientation. The old format, involving a day and a half in the middle of the summer, was replaced with a five-day orientation the week prior to the fall semester. Students moved in to their residence halls and spent a week getting to know their future place of study, fellow students, the campus community, and the greater Gunnison Valley. “One of the biggest benefits of this new orientation program is that all of the students go through the process at the same time,” said Gary Pierson, vice president for student affairs. “This allows the students to come in with better connections, more socialized with their peers, and a greater ability to identify key people and resources at Western.” Programming for the orientation highlights the unique blend of culture, surroundings and academics of Western. Students attend informational sessions about campus life, meet with their advisors, and learn about resources for academic success, including the Academic Resource Center. This is complemented with a Wilderness Pursuits (WP) trip, an afternoon at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, dubbed “University Day” and a service project. This year the service projects included work on the Contour Trail behind Western, and volunteering with an affordable straw bale housing project. “I’ve noticed a big change in the energy on campus,” said Sara Phillips, director of student engagement and orientation. “This new process really better prepares students for life at Western, and also helps facilitate a stronger sense of engagement and community.” Another component of the new orientation process is the Headwaters 100 First Year Seminar Class, a one credit session, designed specifically to engage students with the
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Building Students Up students continued campus and the community. It is an introduction to Western’s interactive educational experience and the diverse learning environments of the Gunnison Valley. Western students still have the option of taking the Wilderness Based Orientation (WBO) program, offered through Wilderness Pursuits. This ever- popular option, which has been available since the late 1990s, has more of an outdoor focus, with mountaineering, multi-sport, whitewater and climbing sections. Students camp and recreate all over the Gunnison Valley, and learn about campus life from the upper class student-leaders, who facilitate the course.
SophoMORE Experience
In addition to the changes for first year students, Western has made several improvements aimed at engaging second year students with the SophoMORE Year Experience. “We are trying to provide more opportunities of engagement for sophomores,” said Chris Luekenga, associate vice president for student affairs. “We want students to get more out of their second year at Western.” The most visible change is the requirement for sophomores to live on campus. In the past this wasn’t possible, but with the addition of The Pinnacles apartment complex the capacity increased for student housing. “We felt that keeping students on campus would increase their chances for success, and build upon the foundation of our new orientation programs,” said Pierson. Several other initiatives complement the second year on campus living requirement. Among those are the Academic Leadership Program Scholarships (ALPS) and grants for students to study abroad and facilitate learning beyond what they’ve learned in the classroom. Additional workshops about wellness training, stress management, alcohol and drug prevention, sexual conduct and healthy relationship building are all being offered. Building on the Headwaters 100 course, opportunities for service projects are also increased. “With an increased population on campus we have a more engaged student body,” Luekenga said. “There’s an exciting synergy that is going on this fall, and everyone seems to be energized by it.”
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Building Academics Up As the Spring 2013 semester wound down, Western completed its reaccreditation process from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The accreditation lasts for ten years, and the process shows that Western’s defining characteristics continue to shine. The accreditation team spent a week on campus meeting with faculty, students, staff and university leadership, as well as interested community members and inspecting classrooms, labs and other learning spaces. Additionally, a lengthy self-study was completed, culminating in a 146 page document that was presented to the HLC. “It was a very positive process, and our academic programs came through with flying colors,” said Bill Niemi, interim vice president for academic affairs. “The entire campus community came together.” Some of the strengths that the process revealed are those that have been tried and true for many years: a high terminal degree rate for faculty, small classroom size, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, community partnerships and student engagement through co-curricular activities. “Naturally we are happy to receive full and unconditional reaffirmation of accreditation by the HLC this year, but ultimately the standards describe a set of minimum expectations,” said Maria-Claudia Tomany, associate vice president for academic affairs. “We aspire to so much more. We want to be known in the state and nation for what we have to offer: a transformational learning experience that combines liberal arts and professional education to graduate citizens prepared to assume constructive roles in local, national and global communities.” Currently 75% of Western’s faculty have terminal degrees, the highest they can attain in their field of study. “Western has continued to attract an unique mix of faculty from all over the country, with the highest degrees from
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Building Academics Up academics continued high powered doctoral institutions,” said Tomany. “They are creative and original thinkers who believe in the power of education, learning, and intellectual comprehension of the world around us, and who have devoted their lives to the education of their students.” Western faculty and students continue to remain engaged in the greater Gunnison Valley community while attaining their degrees. Among the examples of recent collaborations between Western and the community are: Environmental Studies and Business students working with the annual Farm to Table conference that brings local food producers and the restaurant industry together, Biology students who work with the Bureau of Land Management to study a unique type of butterfly, and Art and Music faculty, who regularly work with high schools in the area to set up camps, retreats and concerts. Western continues to offer an interdisciplinary education. “In keeping with our liberal arts tradition, we want students to acquire both breadth and depth in their learning,” Tomany remarked. “Our programs are flexibly constructed and strongly interconnected so they allow for a nearly unlimited number of individual study plans. A student of Mathematics could explore statistics or actuary science, a student in Biology could prepare for entry into medical school or for work as a wildlife biologist, and a Geology student could be interested in the petroleum industry or a career in teaching science.” Tomany also noted the significant improvements to the campus infrastructure have greatly enhanced an already remarkable place. “Our campus remains a place of beauty that offers countless different places and settings to create the kinds of interactions and learning experiences that we desire for our students and that set us apart from other universities,” Tomany shared. “When you are on the Western campus you cannot help but feel uplifted and inspired by the harmonious, beautiful and lovingly cared for and maintained indoor and outdoor spaces through which you move throughout your day.”
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Building Graduate Programs Up Three Graduate Programs Underway at Western
Dr. John Hausdoerffer (’96) teaching on the lawn outside Taylor Hall. John is heading up Western’s new Master in Environmental Management (MEM) program.
Western’s Master in Environmental Management program is currently enrolling the first students to begin in this exciting new field in the summer of 2014. There are two tracks to choose from – Integrative Land Management or Sustainable & Resilient Communities. Both offer a residency or low-residency choice: Students can either be at Western and participate in courses on campus, or they can participate remotely if they have a significant environmental commitment keeping them in their region. Residency and low-residency students will come together online every week and in person in intensive two-week summer programs. Supervised masters projects are also an important part of this program, and the University has partnered with an exciting range of organizations and institutions in the US and abroad for students to choose from. The registration deadline is December 1, 2013. Seats are filling up fast. For more information, please contact Dr. John Hausdoerffer at jhausdoerffer@western.edu. www.western.edu/mem The first two master’s programs, which were started in 2010 after an almost 20 year hiatus, are thriving: The twoyear MFA in Creative Writing, with its three concentrations allowing students to focus on screenwriting, popular genre fiction, or poetry as versecraft, currently has 31 students enrolled; 17 have graduated since the inception of the program in 2010. Three graduates already have book deals, several are represented by agents, and others have published stories and poems in major national publications. The summer program, “Writing the Rockies”, continues to attract ever more prominent participants while remaining a friendly and open event where everyone is welcome. As a part of Western Press Books, the graduate Certificate in Publishing has just released its second annual anthology in the Manifest West series, this one entitled “Even Cowboys Carry Cellphones,” and has opened submissions to the third edition forthcoming next year. The graduate writing programming has also acquired a nationally prestigious literary magazine, Think Journal, and will offer two issues a year starting this spring. The Creative Writing program is hoping to add another degree to their offerings next fall: a 13-month MA in Creative Writing with an emphasis on creative writing pedagogy that could serve as preparation for high school
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Building Graduate Programs Up graduate continued and community college teachers who do not need a terminal degree to teach. For more information, please contact the program director, Dr. Mark Todd, at mtodd@western.edu. www.western.edu/mfa The offers a multitude of licensure programs for aspiring educators, as well as added endorsements for in-service teachers and principals. The Post-Licensure year(s) of the master’s degree offers a broad range of fields including leadership tracks in Reading, K-12 Online Teaching, Educational Administration, and the Teacher Leadership Track. In-service teachers can choose from a number of Added Endorsement programs, the newest in Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CLD), and participate in professional development through the Teacher Institute. What sets the Teacher Education Program at Western apart and makes it so successful is our unique blend of a fullyear residency at a K-12 school while students participate in relevant, interwoven, application-based coursework online. All learning in the program’s courses is tailored toward the rhythm of the school year and tightly integrated both with the real-life experiences students are making in the classroom and with the state professional standards required for licensure or professional effectiveness . It is therefore also the perfect program for alternative licensure candidates. During a site visit by representatives of the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Department of Higher Education(CDHE) on September 19th, Program faculty were honored to be invited to present key aspects of the program at the CDHE’s Summit on Teacher Preparation. Western’s presentation was part of a the event’s “Showcases Featuring Exemplary Education Preparation Programs in Colorado.” 62 students have graduated with master’s degrees since 2010, 50 are on track to graduate in 2014, and 140 students in total are currently enrolled in various post-graduate programs. Please contact Barbara Woerner at bwoerner@ western.edu for more information. western.edu/academics/education/Graduate_Programs Building on this success, Western is currently exploring the building of two new master’s programs to begin in 2015 which would follow the same model of the existing programs and offer innovative, interdisciplinary, low-residency programs focused on professional preparation in a field that builds on our strengths in undergraduate programming and is closely aligned with Western’s mission and goals. Stay tuned! Maybe one of our programs can become your bridge into the future?
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Join Matt (’02) and Erica Hogan (’01) down in Costa Rica in their tree house community, Finca Bellavista, to work towards your Master’s in Environmental Management. Email John Hausdoerffer (see story) for details.
Alumni Map
For an interactive map and a more detailed view of your area visit: www.westernalum.org
Maps by MyMaps.com
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Campus News
Western State Colorado University sophomore Mac Pierce and senior Gina Thompson, both University Bookstore employees, pack boxes with WSCU logo items to ship to flood victims in northeast Colorado.
Western Bookstore Donates to Flood Relief Nearly everyone at Western has been touched in some way by the recent inundation of northeast Colorado. Some have families in the Denver, Boulder or Lyons areas. Others have friends who have been washed out. Western Bookstore manager Teri Haus is not immune. She has a cousin in Lyons, and a son at school in Sterling. But she says what really prompted her into action was television reports showing scenes of devastation afflicting fellow Coloradans. “These poor people,” Haus says. “They’ve lost everything. Many don’t even have safe water to drink. … And winter’s coming.” Moreover, Haus has had a few problems of her own, with Western changing its official logo twice in a year’s time. This has given her a storeroom stacked with outdated – but still very useful and new – merchandise. It didn’t take her long to figure out a win-win situation that warms the heart – and some chilled flood victims, too. She and her staff collected a variety of merchandise and began boxing it to ship north. Among the items bearing the old WSCU logo are: • • • • •
30 Filtering Guzzy water bottles Ball caps, Winter hats with earflaps T-shirts, Sweatshirts Scarves, Gloves Baby Blankets
“We would have to get rid of this stuff anyway,” she explains. “But it’s so much better to know it’s going to a good purpose.” 16
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Western State Colorado University Sees Growth in Retention and Female Enrollment Western State Colorado University’s total enrollment on the first day of classes is 3% larger than last year, and the university is seeing other positive enrollment growth, including a 5% growth in the incoming freshman class, and Western’s best retention rate in years. According to preliminary numbers, Western retained 68% of the 2012 freshman class. That’s up from 62% last year. The retention numbers may change by the time Western conducts its official census, but they demonstrate a positive trend. Western State Colorado University has made retention efforts a high priority over the past several years, with initiatives like a new comprehensive first year experience program that focuses on engaging freshman in their academic programs and the larger Western community. “Western is committed to providing the best academic and career support for our students,” Baca says. ”By elevating our academic offerings, career services and graduate programs, we are working to provide an outstanding education that ensures our students graduate and prepares them for the rest of their lives.” Western also saw a 22% increase in female first time freshman students. Women account for 46% of this year’s freshman class. Last year 39% of the freshman class was women. Western also saw a 31% increase in students who are veterans. The university has been actively recruiting both of these groups in an effort to increase campus diversity. “This is the second year in a row we have seen growth in our enrollment, and we believe that this is just the beginning,” Interim President Baca says. “This is a university on the rise, and with a renewed focus on academic excellence, improving retention, and growth, we expect more students will choose Western in the years to come.”
Towering possibilities. Made possible by you.
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Campus News
Forbes Names Western To Top Colleges List
to this grant, and we are able to spend this money in support of our collection according to our own priorities.
Forbes Magazine has ranked Western State Colorado University as one the top 100 colleges in the West in its latest America’s Top Colleges rankings. The annual rankings include only about 25% of America’s more than 2,000 four-year colleges and universities. With a rank of 99th in the West and 594th in the U.S., Western is ranked ahead of the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado Mesa University and Metropolitan State University of Denver. To view the list, visit Forbes.com/topcolleges. “This important ranking is yet another recognition that Western State Colorado University offers a high quality education that gets results,” says university President Brad Baca. “Post graduate success plays a huge role in the Forbes rankings, and our graduates consistently use their Western educations to go out into the world and do great things.” Western State Colorado University boasts graduate success stories spanning the globe, with alumni working as CEOs of major corporations, neurosurgeons, airline pilots, and owners of international travel destinations. Recent graduates have landed jobs at major national brands like Red Bull, gone on to pharmacy and medical school, and launched many successful businesses including an advertising agency and an eco-friendly resort in Costa Rica. The Forbes rankings are based on five general categories: post graduate success, which evaluates alumni pay and prominence; student satisfaction, which includes professor evaluations and freshman to sophomore year retention rates; debt, which penalizes schools for high student debt loads and default rates; four-year graduation rate, and competitive awards, which rewards schools whose students win prestigious scholarships and fellowships like the Rhodes, the Marshall and the Fulbright or go on to earn a Ph.D. Western has recently been ranked on a number of other top colleges lists, including Outside Magazine’s Top 25 Colleges for Outside Readers, ESPN’s Top 10 Best Colleges in the U.S. for Skiers, and Mountain Bike Action Magazine’s Top 10 Colleges for Mountain Bikers.
Dr. Claudia Tomany, Debra Clark, Doug Driver and Dale Gaubatz submitted a successful application for a $10,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation, which is disbursed through the CHE to implement Reverse Transfer between Colorado two- and four-year institutions. Western received this grant to participate as a pilot institution in phase 2 of the statewide implementation. Other partners in phase 2 include Colorado State University, CSU-Global, and Regis University. All Colorado schools are required to implement Reverse Transfer by 2014-15.
Western Faculty, Staff Win Long List of Grants
Dr. Patrick Magee, Thornton Chair in Biology, received an additional $7,000 in an ongoing contract with the Bureau of Land Management for research on the “Effects of Fuel Reduction Treatment on Piñon-juniper Woodland Birds in the Arkansas Valley.”
The following grants were awarded to the University since June 1, 2013: Dr. Kevin Alexander, professor of Biology, was awarded $7,000 from the Bureau of Land Management in support of Gunnison Basin Butterfly Surveys in Colorado. His project focuses on inventorying and monitoring the federally endangered Uncompahgre Fritillary Butterfly on BLM lands within the range of this species. Nancy Gauss and the staff of the Savage Library received $3,000 from the Colorado State Library out of the State Grants for Libraries program. There are no specific conditions attached 18
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Dr. David Marchetti, associate professor of Geology, and Dr. Amy Ellwein, visiting professor in Geology and Science Education, received a $133,612 grant from the National Science Foundation, Earth Sciences: Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology program, in collaboration with scientists at the University of Utah. The total project award is $664,383. The title of their project is “Late Pleistocene Paleoclimatology From Soil Carbonate Pendants in the Colorado Plateau.” Dr. Lance Dalleck, new assistant professor in Exercise Science, has been awarded a grant of $7,500 from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) to study “The Optimal Exercise Order for Aerobic, Flexibility, Neuromotor, and Resistance Training.” Lance also recently co-authored the following article: Nolan PB, Maddison R, Dalleck L., “The Incidence of VO2 Plateau at VO2max in a Cardiac-Diseased Population,” International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013, Aug 14 [Epub ahead of print]. Dr. Lynn Sikkink, professor of Anthropology, received a State Historical Fund grant of $9,464, with an institutional match of $4,655 to research the cultural landscapes of San Luis, Colo., and undertake a field school experience with Western students. Dr. Jonathan Coop, associate professor of Environment and Sustainability and of Biology, and Dr. Patrick Magee, Thornton Chair in Biology, were awarded $192,501 from the Bureau of Land Management/Joint Fire Science Project to research “Piñon-juniper Fuels Treatments and Ecosystem Restoration: Avifauna, Vegetation and Fuels.”
Dr. John C. Peterson, professor of Computer Information Science, was awarded $63,599 in a collaborative grant award with Yale University, totaling more than $1 million for a fouryear project with the National Science Foundation in Computing and Communications Foundation – Software and Hardware Foundation. The grant focuses on educational activities to prepare future generations of computer science workers. The work will contribute to a better understanding of declarative models of time and interaction, which are the hallmark of Functional Reactive Programming (FRP).
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Campus News
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Western Hosted Thousands at Camps, Classes and Events Last Summer
Western State Colorado University Acquires National Literary Magazine
Even though the traditional school year was over at Western State Colorado University last spring, the campus was still a very busy place. Western’s Extended University Studies program included trips to China, Egypt and Nepal and offered a wide array of classes in the region throughout the summer. Meanwhile, Western’s Conference Services staff was hard at work all year booking guests to campus and hosted 6,410 people through the summer. Extended University Studies sent a team of Western students and community members to Nepal with world famous mountaineer Chhiring Dorje Sherpa to trek through the mountains near Mount Everest. Other programs included trips to Egypt, Belize, Italy, and China. The popular Wednesdays at Western courses began in June, and included geology hikes, fly fishing clinics, climbing trips and more. The single day courses are designed for Gunnison residents and visitors to spend some time learning about the area from Western professors and local experts. The first big event on campus happened during the first weekend of June when the Western State Colorado University Mountaineers hosted more than 700 high school athletes from across the state at a football camp. Mountaineer Athletics play a major role in bringing people to town, hosting large camps for football, basketball, cross country, soccer, volleyball and wrestling. Western’s wrestling team alone brought 1300 high school students to campus in June. Other events on campus included the Western State Colorado University Summer Teacher Institute, which offered a variety of graduate-level courses designed specifically for K-12 educators who want to enrich their existing curricula. The institute included intensive seminars with qualified instructors who immersed participants in their subjects. Opportunities included hands-on, individualized activities, instructional enhancements, and outdoor-as-classroom activities. Western’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program hosted its annual Writing the Rockies Conference this summer as well. The conference offered a wide range of workshops designed to provide valuable learning tools in an inspiring setting. Working with participants of all levels, featured faculty helped writers hone their craft through workshops and mixed with participants during events outside of formal sessions. Preceding the conference were two-week extensive courses in Poetry and Screenwriting open to everyone. Western’s Music Department offered the popular Boston Brass Music Camp. During the camp, the Boston Brass taught and coached brass players of all ages in clinics, small and large ensemble playing, breathing, and private lessons which prepared them for a full camp performance at the end of the week as part of the Music Festival’s main program. Western also hosted a number of other academic camps including a computer camp, environmental studies camp, and a math camp.
Western State Colorado University is now home to a nationally prestigious literary magazine called “Think Journal.” Thanks to joint efforts by founder/publisher Christine Yurick and Western’s graduate poetry director David J. Rothman, the university assumes operation of the publication this summer. The poetry faculty and students in Western’s MFA in Creative Writing will serve as the editorial staff, and the institution will also take over responsibilities for printing and distribution. Rothman said, “With the acquisition of Think Journal, Western’s MFA Poetry Concentration rises to a new level. All the pieces are now in place: we have a highly distinctive, fully accredited curriculum; with David Yezzi and Ernest Hilbert, we have a vibrant, gifted faculty who publish so much, and in such exalted venues, it’s almost impossible to keep track of all they do; our Symposium on Poetry Criticism is one of the most exciting events of its kind in the country; our students are publishing widely and even beginning to pull down book contracts; and now...we have acquired one of America’s best small poetry journals, which will benefit everyone in the program and the University as a whole. “ Western MFA poetry professor David Yezzi said: “Quite simply, ‘Think’ publishes an array of the finest poets and critics writing today. Under the visionary leadership of founding editor Christine Yurick, it has become an exciting and indispensable part of the literary landscape.” Yurick said, “Handing over ‘Think Journal’ to Western State Colorado University is a marriage where students, readers and writers can benefit from a community of shared values in literature. “Having never myself been associated with academia, quite a large percentage of ‘Think Journal’ contributors and subscribers are, so by centering ‘Think’ in academia will only strengthen the connection and the publication.” Rothman explained, “We are all tremendously grateful to Christine for her vision and dedication to Think and her interest in working with us.” Yurick noted, “‘Think’ will continue publishing extraordinary contemporary poems that make sense in clarity and form; poems that Think.” Under Rothman’s editorial management, Western will continue the publication’s tradition of offering two issues a year.
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Campus News
Western State Colorado University Opens On-Campus Greenhouse Step in from the cold on a below zero morning at the Western State Colorado University greenhouse and you’ll feel like you’re in the tropics. The air is humid, flowers bloom, and vegetables are ready to pick. Western’s new greenhouse, located in the LEED certified Pinnacles Apartments on campus, is the result of a student-led initiative to grow produce locally despite Gunnison’s cold climate. Last Spring you would find Western senior Kyle Brookens caring for plants or working on irrigation systems. Brookens, who graduated in May with a degree in Environmental Studies, worked tirelessly to get the facility up and running. “I know that there are problems in this world, and I want to fix them,” Brookens says, “this is an important step in helping Western reduce its carbon footprint and bring local, healthy food to our students.” “The greenhouse represents the coming-of-age of the student local food movement,” says Western Environmental Studies professor Dr. Jonathan Coop. “Growing food in our cold mountain climate is inherently challenging, and greenhouses represent one of many technologies that can add warmth and length to the growing season.” The greenhouse also allows student gardeners to experiment and gain experience with a wide range of produce that would otherwise never survive in Gunnison’s climate. Students have an opportunity to practice year-round production and work with demonstration projects like an aquaponic/hydroponic food production ecosystem. Because most students are only on campus for the 8 months of the year least amenable for food production, the greenhouse provides a wide range of educational opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. The greenhouse will also allow students to grow produce for use by Western State Colorado University dining services during the school year when students can eat the fruits of their own labor. “In short, the greenhouse is really a keystone piece of a student-led campus food production system that also includes campus gardens, a hoophouse, composting, and other initiatives,” Dr. Coop says. A significant portion of the funding for the greenhouse came from a grant to the student sustainability fund written by two Environmental Study students: Brian Goldstein and Ian Oster. Both have stayed in the valley and are working on sustainable agriculture. The greenhouse is just one of many student led sustainability initiatives at Western. Other efforts include a Renewable Energy Fee and Western’s participation in the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (UCPCC), which states that Western will strive to achieve a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2035. To learn more, visit Western.edu/ student-life/ sustainability. 22
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The new greenhouse at the Pinnacles apartment complex.
An even more remarkable Western. Made possible by you. Western is changing the lives of students who’ll change the world. And your support helps make that possible. If Western has impacted your life—or touched your heart—now it’s your turn to Western Up. Here’s how:
1. Give. There are several ways to donate. Find out more at westernup.org 2. Connect. Follow the Western Up effort at facebook.com/WesternStateColoradoAlumni 3. Show. Contribute and proudly wear your Western gear. 4. Tell. Tweet, post and boast about how truly remarkable Western is using #WesternUp
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Athletics
Crab Feed The Mountaineer Athletic Association and Western State Colorado University Athletics are currently accepting donations and underwritings for the 13th Annual Crab Feed and Auction Dinner, presented by United Companies and Lacy Construction Company. The dinner and auction is scheduled for the last weekend in March. Western athletics is accepting donations for items such as vacation packages, antiques, memorabilia, or larger items like cars, motorcycles or boats, although any item of reasonable worth can be donated. Contact the Mountaineer athletic department at (970) 943-2079 for more information on donating items. Items from past events included vacation packages to Ouray, San Luis Obispo and Oregon; signed items by Shane Carwin, former President Jimmy Carter and baseball legend Buck O’Neil; suites for games with the Colorado Rockies; outdoor packages in the Gunnison Valley; and even a boat. Individuals may also underwrite items. Donations, whether made before the first of the year or after the year, may be eligible for tax deductions. More than 320 supporters attended last year’s event, which generated a $29,153 for the Western athletic department. The largest fundraiser of the year for the Mountaineers, all funds go back to fund scholarships for Western student-athletes and support one of the most successful athletic programs at the Division II level.
Matt Robbins is the official “auctioneer” for Mountaineer Athletics and for the annual crab feed fundraiser.
Hall OF fame The 19th Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame Class, presented by the Mountaineer Athletic Association, included former wrestlers Dave Vondy and Ernie Jimenez, as well as skier Jennings Cress, the 2001 volleyball team and the 1978 football team. They were inducted at the annual ceremony and banquet on Oct. 11. Western athletics is currently accepting nominations for the 20th Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame Class. To nominate a deserving alumnus, please visit GoMountaineers.com/ halloffame. 2001 Vollyball
Ernie Jimenez 24
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Jennings Cress
Dave Vondy
1978 Football
Barbara Szabo
Gabe Proctor
Track National Champions Barbara Szabo earned her fourth overall high jump national championship title and her first outdoor high jump national title in May at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Pueblo, Colo. Szabo, the three-time defending indoor high jump national champion, will return for her senior season after competing as an amateur at the World Championships in Moscow over the summer. Sophomore Vegard Olstad also earned a national championship at the Division II Outdoor National Championship. He broke the CSU-Pueblo facility record in the men’s 1,500-meter run en route to his first ever national championship. Mountaineer distance runner Gabe Proctor won both the men’s 5,000-meter and 10,000 meter run, earning two NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships to his resume. Proctor, who graduated last spring, is only the second Western State male to win both the 5k and 10k in the same year.
The Year of the Mountaineer As the Year of the Mountaineer gets underway in 2013, fans will be seeing a lot of the new Mad Jack as he will appear on many of the Western Athletic uniforms and Western Athletic facilities. The Western Athletics website, GoMountaineers. com, will also be getting a facelift with the new Mad Jack logo and will be up and running in October.
Vegard Olstad westerner
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2013 Homecoming
Scenes from Homecoming 2013
This year’s Homecoming was one that will never be forgotten. Alumni enjoyed snow on Friday night during the Lighting of the W and fireworks and sunshine on Saturday. Only in Gunnison! Top left photo shows what was left of the lit W after the storm cloud rolled by. 26
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wscubookstore.western.edu 1-800-321-0673 Open: Monday - Friday 7:45 to 5:00 After every home football game till 5. westerner
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News from the Alumni Association
Future Mountaineers:
Michael William McGrath was born January 29, 2013 to Taylor Cahill and Bill McGrath (BA-2007). He weighed 6 lbs, 4 oz.
Dollie Parsons Durant (BA-1967) was married to Larry Durant on July 4, 1973. Together they have three nephews and six nieces. She has taught in Egnar, Colorado and Grants, New Mexico as an elementary teacher.
1970s:
Naomi Shea Treadwell was February 2, 2013 born to Carmen Bell and Eric Treadwell (BA-2004). She weighed 8 lbs, 4 oz.
Judy Buffington-Sammons (BAs-1970, MA 1987) released Alonzo Hartman’s biography “Dos Rios Memories” published by Raspberry Creek Books, Ltd., of Gunnison.
Jade Mary Smith was born May 21, 2013 to Brian Paul Smith (BA-1998) and Jennifer Mary Smith of Gunnison. She weighed 9 lbs, 12 oz.
Joanne Williams (BA-1971) has retired from her position as the director of the Gunnison County Community Development. Joanne first joined the country’s planning department in 1979.
Timothy Finn McHale was born June 19, 2013 to Carlie Kenton (BA-2007) and Dave McHale. He weighed 5 lbs, 2 oz.
1980s:
Tucker Andrew Leonard was born August 5, 2013 to Jodie and Tyler Leonard (BA-1998). He weighed 7 lbs, 5 oz. Paisley Ann Betts was born August 9, 2013 to Jann (Johnson) (BA-2008) and Lance Betts (BA-2008). She weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz. Grandparents include Steve McHale (BA-1984). Harleigh Elizabeth Phillips was born August 9, 2013 to Kaitlin Stewart and Thomas Phillips II. She weighed 7 lbs, 14oz. Harleigh’s grandparents are Karin (Stegmueller) (BA-1991) and Fred Stewart (Attendee) of Gunnison. Eliza Mae Wickenhauser was born on July 5, 2013 at 9:40 am to Jen Michel (BA-2001) and Brian Wickenhauser. Eliza weighed in at 8 lbs, 3 oz and is 19.75 inches long. Katrina Alianna Parr was born Feb 16, 2013 at 11:28 pm to Lynette and Tim Parr (BA-2005). She weighed 6 lbs, 5 oz and was 18.75 inches long.
1950s:
Mable A. (Duzenack) Sanders (BA-1955) majored in secretarial science and secondary education at Western, then taught two years in Climax High School, married Joe Sanders, and moved to Denver where they had three children, Sue, JoAnn, and Dave. Joe and Mable divorced in 1974. After which, Mable taught at Parks Business College and Machebeuf High School, then worked as administrative assistant at Anaconda Copper Company, Arco Exploration Company, Amoco Oil and Gas Company and retired after ten years with Newmont Mining Company in Denver. Mable now lives in Battlement Mesa, Colorado Donald “Dick” Richard Hicks (BA-1955) and Ann (Warfel) Hicks (BA-1952) were featured in the Longmont Times – Milestones section. The Hicks have served the Niwot community for 50 years and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Dick started the volunteer fire department in Niwot in 1968 where he served as the captain for several years. Ann was also a volunteer for the fire department. Ann retired from IBM in 1990 and Dick still works small jobs through his contracting company. 28
1960s:
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Dennis Fraser (BA-1984) and Steven “Ed” Woytek (BA-1971, MA-1980) both received awards at the Colorado Athletics Director Association annual ceremony. Fraser was awarded the Athletic Director of the Year and Woytek won the Bob Ottewill Award, which honors retired athletics administrators from the Colorado High School Activities Association. Doug Tredway (MA-1987) is the newly appointed superintendent of the Lake School District in Gunnison, CO. I think it is the Gunnison Watershed RE1J School District Eric Green (BA-1986) is the Panhandle Library System Coordinator who was appointed by the Nebraska Library Commission to provide support for all libraries within the Panhandle since January 2013. Green assists 115 libraries that are K-12, college, medical, and museum based. Drew Davis (BA-1981) was nominated for the Larimer Country’s Innovation Awards Program for the Fleet Services Utility. Justin Cross (BA-1981) was recently featured on the NFL Buffalo Bills website. Justin began his career unlike most NFL players, when the former Bills offensive tackle headed to Western State College in Colorado not for football, but for the skiing. He was taken in the 10th round of the 1981 Draft by the Bills. His first career as an Buffalo Bills tackle, and in his second career as a pilot, a coach, and a new dad, Cross’ contentedness with his journey makes it evident that though he has certainly “worked a day in his life,” he is lucky to have found a life’s worth of jobs that don’t feel like work.
1990s:
Priscilla (Pettey) Swanson (BA-1995) is the successful owner of Metamorphosis salon. Swanson is changing her salon to the ‘Aveda Concept Salon’ because the integrity of the Aveda brand pairs perfectly with their philosophy: Commitment to the environment, community, and to individual health. Kym O’Connell-Todd (BA-1990) and Mark Todd (faculty) released two books in the Silverville Saga series and a third is planned for release later this year. The books are available from the publisher Ingram Book Group. Jami Tobey (BA-1997) married to Mitch Kiendra (BA-1997) is a featured artist at Arts at Denver. She will be part of a two person show in September 2013 called Earth and Sky. Mitch and Jami live in Southern California and have two children.
Joseph and Cynthia (Schmitt) West own and operate The Rockin’ JC Ranch where they sell grass fed beef, pork and chicken. The ranch sits on 484 spring-fed acres high in the Rocky Mountains of Western Colorado. They specialize in traditional, now rare breeds of livestock.
Jen Michel (BA-2001) and husband, Bryan Wickenhauser had a full slate of concerts booked at the long-under-used facility at the I-Bar Ranch on the south side of Gunnison this past summer. Carolyn Riggs (BA-2011) was elected to Gunnison City Council Board.
Sarah Segal (BA-1998) has been awarded the prestigious Robert H. Jackson Center National Award for Teaching Justice. This prestigious award was created to recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution toward teaching the concept of justice in creative, inspiring ways, which may include teaching about civil liberties, human rights, international humanitarian law, the Holocaust, genocide studies, or local issues of justice. Sarah has been a middle school teacher in Hood River, Oregon for the past 10 years.
2000s:
Laura Kohlhepp (BA-2004) was married to Drew Nelson July 6, 2013 at White’s Wild Wood Retreat, Chippewa Falls. Upon graduating, Laura attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, FL. She is currently an emergency medicine resident physician at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA. David Goodman (BA-2012) was the first athlete accepted in the New England Distance Project of Woonsocket, RI to compete at the USA Track & Field Outdoor National Championships in Des Moines, IA. This program is an innovative local support program because the athletes work in the city’s schools and nonprofits while they train for professional careers as track runners. When not training, David works 20 hours per week tutoring, mentoring and coaching local youth. This past year he coached 50 kids who had been diagnosed with high body-mass-index to collectively run over 1000 miles. Catherine Elizabeth Nesbitt (BA-2011) married Sean Robert Hervey (BA-2008) at the end of July in Gunnison, CO. The couple has just purchased their first home and will reside in Denver. Catherine is the office manager for a nail salon and Sean is a sales representative for Shamrock Foods. Michael Aish (BA-2003) finished in a time of 18 hours, 27 minutes and 58 seconds to finish third overall at the Leadville Trial 100 mile running race on August 17, 2013. Audrey Trautwein (BA-2013) takes first place in the first-ever 5K Fun Color Run on the city’s Van Tuyl Ranch trails. Bryan Dillon (BA-2010) hung onto place third overall in the men’s pro division of the Fat Tire 40 which started and ended at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. During another race, Dillon finished in a time of 3:36:47 to place second overall in the men’s marathon pro/open division at the Battle the Bear bike race in Lakewood, CO. Duncan Callahan (BA-2005) finished second in the 50-mile Collegiate Peaks race. Marketa Zubkova (BA-2006) received the eighth annual Immigrant Liberty Award in Denver on May 16, 2013, presented by the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Zubkova is both a board member of the Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP) and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Program. She is also the president of the local group Imigrantes Unidos.
Jesse Kruthaupt (BA-2005) is the Upper Gunnison River project specialist for Trout Unlimited. Trout Unlimited and Goddard Ranch have joined forces to restore the longtime eyesore and boating hazard the “concrete corner” on the Gunnison River between Northbridge and the Palisade Cliffs. The “concrete corner” will be restored to improve boating safety, river aesthetics and fish habitat. Karissa (Ball) Cumberbatch (BA-2009) a junior Olympian and Division I and II athlete, who has spent the past three years coaching the Hampton Roads Juniors, has been hired as the head volleyball coach at Grafton High. She served as a student assistant coach at Western State College while she completed her degree in sports and fitness management, then moved with her husband Christian to the peninsula in 2009. She also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Peninsula Catholic, where she helped the school capture its first and only state championship in 2012. Drew Nelson (BA-2011) co-owner of Waggin’ Tails in Gunnison is also a gator wrestling instructor at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park near Alamosa, CO. Garrison Garcia (BA-2009) raced in this year’s Gore-Tex Grand Traverse, a back country ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen, CO. Not only did he take on this 40 mile challenge, but he participated as a charity team in order to raise money for Cancer Climber. Garrison battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at ages 8 and 14 and has been cancer free for almost 10 years. The Cancer Climber organization provides unique adventure-based opportunities to cancer survivors. Two summers ago, Garrison was awarded an adventure grant to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, 19,341’) through Cancer Climber. Justin Stone (BA-2013) is working in Grand Junction at KKCO 11 News. He is a production assistant (PA) for the 5:00am show and the noon show, editing broadcast video while the anchors speak during which time he is also adjusting audio levels for the anchor’s microphones and the Packages and the Natural Sounds (NATS). Gabe Proctor (BA-2013) has become a pro runner for the Mammoth Track Club in California. In his professional debut at the half marathon at the San Jose Rock n Roll Race, Gabe finished fourth. Gabe’s sights are set on the 2020 Olympics. Gabe was a National Championship runner for Western and graduated in May.
David Vondy (BA-2002) recently became the Interim Assistant Athletic Director at Western State Colorado University. Vondy was also an NCAA Division II National Champion wrestler for the Mountaineers. In 2001 Vondy was named the Colorado Collegiate Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Vondy, will also be inducted into the 2013 Mountaineer Hall of Fame. Jackson Bahn (BA-2011) married Samantha Wade Lane in September. Jackson is manager of Sweetie’s Bakery and Deli in Salida, and is a part-time raft guide and kayak instructor in Colorado. westerner
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From the Archives
We are still looking for clues to these photos. 1 – Skate board obstacle course? Thought to be a photo of the Ant Cup. A skate boarding competition from 1979 and/or 80. 2 – The note on the back of the photo says picnic, Anyone know anything further? -No response
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3 – I know we all say that the students are getting younger every year, but this is a bit much. A class from the Gunnison elementary school on a field trip, fall of 1954 or 1955.
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Check these new photos out. let us know what you know about them. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW. Email Shannon Eagles at seagles@western.edu or send a letter to Shannon Eagles, Leslie J. Savage Library, Western State Colorado University, 600 N. Adams, Gunnison, Colorado 81231. Thank you in advance for sharing your memories of Western State. - Shannon Eagles, Library Archivist 4 – It looks like Western has a strong tradition of Summer trips. Does anyone remember this one? 5 – The oar would indicate a rafting trip. What does the giant duck indicate? 6 – Nature painting or painting with Nature? 7 – People standing on a chalked in map?
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In Memorium
40’s
Ernest “Ernie” Orahood (’40) March 9, 2013 Eula Mae (Gilbert) Dougherty (’40) August 16, 2013 Marvin William Bohman (‘41) March 5, 2013 Herman Edward Marholin (’41) April 13, 2013 Carrie Margret (Davis) Mergelman (’43) July 23, 2013 Eli Barnett (’49) February 24, 2013 Frank W. Sargeant, PhD (’49) March 30, 2013
50’s
Kathryn “Ann” (Hunt) Hieronymus (’50) April 27, 2013 Cosimo “Casey” Abbate (’50) August 5, 2013 John “Jack” Clifford Cowperthwaite (’50) May 26, 2013 Jerry W. Uhrlaub (’50) November 12, 2012 Jacqueline “Jackie” Joy Campbell (’50 & ’53) May 4, 2013 Geraldine Virginia (Battiste) Cowan (’50 & ’69), Sept. 30, 2013 John DeNardo (’51) April 26, 2013 Harry Eugene Miller (’54) February 1, 2013 Vernile “Vern” Edward Williams (’54) January 14, 2013 Opal Ruth (Collins) Lynch (’55) May 24, 2013 Royce Burton Clark (’57) August 23, 2013 George Klaich (’55 & ’61) July 14, 2013 Frank Milton Walker (’56) July 24, 2013 Eldon “Ray” Wheeler (’56) July 28, 2013
60’s
Richard J. Tierney (’60) April 1, 2013 Mildred Lititia (Spencer) Anderson (’60) August 1, 2013 George W. Field JR. (’61) February 17, 2013 Wayne Eugene Meeker (’62) March 30, 2013 Walter “Bud” Wayne Meisel (’63) August 1, 2013
William “Bill” Dee Francis (’64) February 22, 2013 James Olin Yorke (’64) September 8,2013 June Susan (Skokane) Woods (’65) July 2, 2013 William Ralph Heistand (’65) August 15, 2013 Ronald “Bo” Ray Bowens (’66) April 26, 2013 Dick Edward Summers (’67) April 23, 2013 Susan Lehua (Kelso) Mick (’67) June 28, 2013 Roger Bruce Kinney (’68) July 1, 2013
70’s
Walter Ernest Spence (’70) May 27, 2013 Isabelle Marie (Landowski) Petersen (’70) January 29, 2013 Peggy Ann (Opfer) Brown (’71) February 16, 2013 Glenn Edwin Cline (’72) May 5, 2013 Willard “Skip” Wayne Hunter Jr. (’73) August, 21, 2013 Cathy (Hedin) McNeil (’76) March 24, 2013 Richard “Dick” Charles Mitton (’76) March 20, 2013
80’s
Rand “Randy” Allen Myers (’80) June 24, 2013 Mollie Bee (Dozier) Lechman (’81) September 10, 2013 Charles Eugene Miller (’86) March 1, 2013 Matthew Alan Kent (’84) May 21, 2013 Todd William Peterson (’84) May 21, 2013 Michelle E. (Owens) Mileski (’84) July 5, 2013 Donetta Jo Ann (Hellums) Ramsey (’86) March 25, 2013 Craig Wayne Lopez (’87) July 18, 2013
00’s
Brent Christopher Hurley (’00) August 27, 2013 Brian Jason Hirsh (‘01) November 1, 2013
Attendees
Imogene “Jean” Willie Hazel Gray April 3, 2013 Karen Ann (Copen) Kaess-Yunikar June 3, 2013 Todd Gamble Lyons March 24, 2013 Ardella (Ringwalt) Frantz April 20, 2013 Ryan C. Williams May 7, 2013 Ronald Marvin Jones April 7, 2013 Patricia Mary (McLennan) Johnson May 3, 2013 John Lee Hennessy April 27, 2013 Audrey (Humeston) Schneider May 3, 2013 Gary Erwin Struessel June 19, 2013 Jack Clayton Cook June 26, 2013 Jessie Caroll (Throckmorton) Poss June 29, 2013 Paula (Wreden) Campbell July 3, 2013 Warren J. Sarber Jr. July 28, 2013 Larry Estep August 1, 2013 Nancy Sharon Brenton April 9, 2013 Vicki Ann (Grand) Tannatt September 14, 2013 R “Vernon” Craig September 14, 2013 Dr. Rex Ingraham September 21, 2013
Employee
Helen I. Spino March 23, 2013 Adrian”Dortz” Dorzweiler (Emeritus Faculty), March 10, 2013 Dr. Charles Patrick Stark (Associate Professor of Psychology) May 10, 2013 Lynn Marie (Holte) Hanover (Administrative Assistant), May 20, 2013 Dr. Partricia Manzanares-Gonzales (Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs), June 8, 2013 Pat Julio (Emeritus Faculty), January 2, 2013 Andrew W. McKendry September 7, 2013 westerner
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage
PA I D
Alumni Relations Office 600 N. Adams Gunnison, CO 81231
Dates To remember November 2 Football Tailgate – Western vs. Mines Golden, CO February 14-17 Alumni Ski Weekend To find out more about these and other events, log onto www.westernalum.org/events. Join the conversation! Look for the Western State Alumni Facebook page, “Like” us and stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest happenings at your alma mater.
Permit No. 5 Gunnison, CO