Westwind, Fall 2017

Homecoming Weekend 2018 at Walla Walla University

y t i s o r e n e G in Service April 26-29, 2018

CELEBRATING

Theology and Religion majors Bachelor of Social Work and

Master of Social Work programs

Thailand cultural mission trips

Home Economics

Gateway to Service Class of 1918

Week end Events

Alumni homecomin g banquet, young alumni event, Prism vespers, honor class reunions and photos , seminars

Honor Years

3, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 198 1988, 1993, 1998, 2008

For more information and the weekend schedule, go to wallawalla.edu/homecoming or call Alumni and Advancement Services at (800) 377-2586.

FEATURE // WHAT WOULD THE NEIGHBORS SAY?

“Those first WWC students and faculty were tough.”

—Terrie Dopp Aamodt

p.10

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the president From Birthday wishes from the North American Division president

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College Avenue

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Annual report

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Alumni Currents

THE MAGAZINE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY // FALL 2017

Celebrating God’s gifts

With ADRA in Iraq

Generous moments during 125 years p. 20

Alumna ministers to refugees p. 30

THE MAGAZINE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY FALL 2017

About the cover SHAPING the FUTURE PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

Reflecting on 40 years of leadership in an interview with the presidents p. 14

Six WWU presidents, representing leadership at WWU from 1976 to today, were on campus this year to celebrate the university’s 125th anniversary.

PHOTOGRAPH BY Brandon Hill

Westwind Fall 2017, Volume 36, Number 3 / Westwind is published three times a year by Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution. It is produced by the Marketing and University Relations office. This issue was printed in November 2017. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. ©2017 by Walla Walla University.

Mail Westwind/University Relations, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324 E-mail westwind@wallawalla.edu Telephone (509) 527-2363 Toll-free (800) 541-8900 Online westwind.wallawalla.edu Editor Kim Strobel Student staff writers Kyler Alvord, Annie Gibson Design L/Bailey Design

The latest from across campus

Shaping the future

Six university presidents reflect on WWU’s past and future A report to WWU alumni and friends highlights generous moments during the last 125 years

28 AlumNotes 29 In Memory

30 Alumna of Note

SPECIAL MESSAGE

By Daniel R. Jackson, president, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Seventh-day Adventist Church was just shy of 30 years old in 1892, and those early members were dedicated to the notion that Christian education was needed in an era where formal education was just gaining momentum. The Great Disappointment of 1844 would have been fresh in their minds, and as our church grew in membership, those early families were eager to train their children to prepare the world for the Second Coming.

With both Pacific Northwest church membership and the demand for Christian education growing, Ellen White and General Conference Secretary William Prescott advocated for the establishment of an Adventist school in the region. Walla Walla College wasn’t our first Seventh-day Adventist college—Andrews University, Pacific Union College, Atlantic Union College, and Union College (some under different names) preceded its opening. Like the others, the college’s founding came about because of persistent leaders and hardworking members determined to further the work of the church.

What an investment! I understand around $60,000 was invested to open Walla Walla College in 1892, or more than $1.5 million in today’s dollars. I imagine the college’s founders would be stunned if they could see what their vision and hard work have become today.

Graduates from Walla Walla College and now Walla Walla University have been such a blessing to the Pacific Northwest region and our world beyond! Teachers and business professionals, pastors and engineers, medical specialists, communicators, historians, artists and craftsmen, designers, pilots, homemakers, and more each reflect Walla Walla’s special close-knit community and durable commitment to service.

That tradition continues even now. Not long ago, I had an opportunity to spend time with Walla Walla University students on the College Place campus. I was there to speak at the weekly CommUnity, and I titled my comments, “The Church: Do I Fit In?” I was honored to make that presentation, but the conversations that followed were particularly moving. As we enjoyed ice cream together, Walla Walla University students shared their hopes to be active in a church that seeks their input, values their care for all people, and encourages their interest in serving others in Christian love.

The truth is we need that from them, more than ever before.

Could those Walla Walla College founders have known that 125 years later our world would still desperately need knowledgeable and capable graduates to improve people’s lives and point them to Jesus? Probably not. But what they did know in 1892 was the power of rigorous learning in a Christian environment, and their commitment to making it possible has changed countless lives.

Alumni, in this birthday moment, I encourage you to reflect on the blessings you received from your alma mater. A lifelong friendship? The attention of a gifted professor? A fuller understanding of the love that Jesus has for you?

While you reflect on your own blessings, know that people all over the world count you and your university among their blessings. Walla Walla College, you have changed the world. Walla Walla University, our future will be better because of you.

Happy birthday, Walla Walla University! And, until Jesus returns, many more!

READ MORE ABOUT OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT WALLAWALLA.EDU/125.

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PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

It must have been quite a sight, that morning Walla Walla College was born in the middle of a prairie, on the outskirts of the rowdy and up-andcoming city of Walla Walla.

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Kirt Onthank, assistant professor of biology, treats the octopuses he studies with great care and concern for their well-being.

Octopodium YouTube series marks third year documenting Rosario research

PHOTO: COLBY KUSCHATKA

E Catch up on the latest episodes and subscribe to receive notice of new seasons at

wallawalla.edu/ octopodium.

ACH SUMMER, biology students head to the Walla Walla University Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory in Anacortes, Washington, for eight weeks of field research. A centerpiece of the program is the octopus research lab, led by Kirt Onthank, assistant professor of biology. When Onthank realized the teaching potential that vlogging (video blogging) about the lab could have, he picked up a camera and created Octopodium, a YouTube series that ScienceAlert recently ranked one of “5 Amazing Marine Biology YouTube Channels You Should Subscribe To.” Onthank published the first vlog in June of 2015, and this September marked the end of season three.

Octopodium not only earned subscribers during its first two years—it earned its own staff. Initially, students gathered most of the footage, and Onthank and his wife did the editing. This year, Alex Bauer, senior communications major, spent the summer at Rosario to manage filming and video production, which allowed Onthank and his students to focus

on research. During underwater dives, the research team gathered GoPro footage while Bauer stayed back to prepare the episodes.

Only a handful of people work in the octopus lab each summer, and the small-group dynamic adds raw dialogue and comedic flair to every episode. In the most recent season, Bauer hangs out with the team and asks questions while filming. “So is it octopuses or octopi?” Bauer asks a student on the way to a dive.

Octopuses, she tells him. “If you saw a bunch of buses, would you say, ‘Look at all those bi’?”

“The primary goal of Octopodium is to show people how scientific research is done in the real world, by actual scientists,” Onthank says. “Science is a story that is constantly unfolding, so there will never be a lack of content.” Octopodium reveals just how complex octopuses are, and when the cameras turn on, the students get a chance to explain those complexities with visual aids at their sides.

Historically, science has been passed on through lab reports and seminars, but the new era of vlogging has given students at Rosario a platform for sharing knowledge remotely. Onthank hopes to continue demonstrating the scientific process through Octopodium for years to come.

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College Avenue The latest from across campus

Justice for all New center to improve diversity and fairness in education

NEW FACULTY

Walla Walla University welcomed 12 new faculty for the 2017–18 academic year Front row from left: Nerissa Lewis, assistant professor of chemistry; Cynthia Westerbeck, professor of English; Deisy Haid, assistant professor of social work and sociology; Victoria Wilson, student program advisor and clinical instructor of nursing; Linda Crumley, professor of communications and chair of the Department of Communication and Languages.

Middle row from left: Deanna Ludwig-Bos, assistant professor of nursing; Volker Henning, vice president for academic administration; Maria Bastien, assistant professor of education.

Back row from left: Patience Taruwinga, associate professor of business; Jefre Humbert, instructor of product design; Peter Gleason, associate professor of psychology; Philip Glendrange, instructor/operations manager for aviation technology.

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WWU welcomes Doug Tilstra as the new vice president for student life.

CAMPUS COMMUNITY

Tilstra named vice president for student life

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OUG TILSTRA joined the Walla Walla University administrative team in July as vice president for student life. Tilstra comes to WWU after 17 years at Southern Adventist University where he was director of outdoor education and leadership and previously served as professor of church leadership. At WWU, he will oversee all areas of student life, including housing, spiritual and social programs, student missions, campus ministries, athletics, and more.

“Dr. Tilstra brings a passion for mentoring and developing students to his new role,” says John McVay, WWU president.

“He possesses more than 30 years of valuable experience in leadership development and discipleship both in and out of the classroom. We look forward to the contributions he will make to Walla Walla University.”

Tilstra says that for many undergraduate students, college is a huge life transition. “Students begin to taste the freedom of independence, which for some can be overwhelming,” he says.

“College students in 2017 face multiple societal deterrents and distractions to lives of deep faith and love. At a Christian college we can explore the Bible, culture, human/divine relationships, and the tough questions of life in an atmosphere of faith and community. We can mentor students during a time of transition and invite them to consider God as part of the equation.”

Tilstra has served as a pastor in the Gulf States Conference, Northern California Conference, and British Columbia Conference. He is a Georgetown University-certified executive leadership coach and a certified emotional-intelligence trainer and coach. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles and professional papers on the subject of leadership. He has a bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a master of divinity degree from Andrews University, and a doctoral degree in organization and management from Capella University.

Tilstra and his wife, Lorraine, have three adult children: John, Stephen, and Elisabeth.

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

PHOTOS: BOBBY LOCKE & CHRIS DRAKE

The WWU School of Education and Psychology has formed the Center for Educational Equity and Diversity to increase research and strengthen practices related to diversity and fairness in education.

Debbie Muthersbaugh, CEED director and chair of the school, says, “Our belief is that we are all God’s children, created in His image, which gives inestimable value and worth to every individual, no matter their race, gender, cultural or social background, and inherent intellectual or physical abilities. We are committed to To learn more fostering the unique gifts of each individual about the CEED and celebrating their diversity.” and WWU The CEED works to provide professional undergraduate and development opportunities, establish partgraduate degrees nerships in the Walla Walla Valley, facilitate in education and diverse population enrollment in the School psychology, visit of Education and Psychology, communicate wallawalla.edu/ information through the center’s journal, and CEED. track issues of diversity and equity through statistical analysis.

Erin Jones, a professional educator with a commitment to transforming education, spoke for the first CEED event last spring.

During her visit to WWU, Jones offered training for local K-12 teachers, university-level educators, and anyone with a passion for promoting equity and diversity in education.

Career services New services provide tools for improved job placement

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EW AND ENHANCED internship and job placement services at WWU will facilitate relationships with alumni and employers to provide increased opportunities for students and recent graduates. “We currently have really good alumni relationships and information about employers, but we would like to formalize those relationships specifically for this purpose,” says David Lindstrom, director of the Student Development Center. This enhanced employer-relations program will provide more opportunities for alumni to be involved with students and recent graduates for career-preparedness coaching or to facilitate hiring or setting up internships.

A comprehensive study conducted in 2016 was the catalyst for these enhanced services, which include a new employer-relations coordinator. The study was conducted by business student Paul Trapani ’17 and funded by alumni Paul Rhynard ’04 and Deanne Rhynard ’04.

During a summer internship working for the Rhynards, Trapani executed the study, which included a survey of alumni, interviews with alumni and potential employers, benchmarking of other private universities and Adventist uni-

versities, analytics on job placement rates, and employment market, vetting potential employmore, which concluded with a recommended ees carefully before hiring is very important strategic action for the School of Business. for employers, and internships can be a big Tracking job placement statistics will be an part of that vetting process,” he says. additional focus for the Student Development The Student Development Center is a union Center. “Parents know we provide excellent of career services, internship services, disChristian higher education, but they also want ability support services, and peer tutoring. to know ‘Can my student get a job after they “We help prepare students for personal and graduate, and can they pay off their professional development,” says student loans?’” says Lindstrom.

Lindstrom. “I want them to have “We want to be able to provide all the tools necessary to achieve Help launch a meaningful data for parents and their goals. While we can’t make career! Sign up to other stakeholders about the return guarantees of employment, we can add a job posting or internship at on their investment at WWU.” help students feel confident that Lindstrom says the right internthey have what they need to find wallawalla.edu/ ship can be a significant factor in meaningful employment and conemployerrelations. finding employment. “In the current tinue to develop their career path.”

Academic excellence

Henning selected as vice president for academic administration

ILLUSTRATION: PETER RYAN; PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

Volker Henning is the new vice president for academic administration.

AS THE NEW VICE PRESIDENT for academic administration, Volker R. Henning will provide administrative and academic leadership at WWU while coordinating all formal instructional services.

Henning began his new role at WWU in September after 28 years at Southern Adventist University where he was most recently associate vice president for academic administration and was previously dean of the School of Journalism

and Communication.

He has been a pastor in Florida as well as communication director for the Florida Conference of Seventhday Adventists.

“Henning’s experience with all the facets of faith-based higher education shines through, along with his commitment to help position WWU for continued and creative excellence in the future,” says John McVay, WWU president.

Henning says, “Education at a Seventh-day Adventist college or

university should foster intellectual growth, encourage a vibrant and meaningful development of personal faith, enhance student understanding and appreciation of the arts and humanities, and equip them to participate in the blessings of service.”

As a “missionary kid,” Henning lived in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. “Growing up overseas has instilled in me an appreciation for the world, its people, and the uniqueness of every place I have lived,” he says.

“Moving to Walla Walla is an opportunity to expand my horizons and develop relationships with new people.”

Henning has a bachelor’s degree with majors in theology and communication from Southern Adventist University, a master of divinity degree from Andrews University, a master’s degree in communication from the University of Central Florida, and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of Tennessee.

Henning and his wife, Linda, have two adult children: Brian and Joia.

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College Avenue The latest from across campus

Tim Golden, professor of philosophy

BY THE NUMBERS

books sites

Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts

Student loans

Percent decrease in number of WWU graduating seniors with student loan debt between 2012 and 2016

Freedom fighters Golden speaks on civil rights at international congress

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IM GOLDEN, WWU professor of philosophy, was a plenary speaker for the International Religious Liberty Association eighth World Congress in August. More than 550 attendees and guests from 65 countries and six continents attended the congress in Hollywood, Florida. The theme of the 2017 quinquennial congress was “Religious Freedom and the Hope for Peaceful Coexistence.”

In his presentation, Golden made the connection between Adventist eschatological beliefs and religious liberty, especially in the current state of civil rights in America. “Adventism is Protestantism on steroids,” said Golden. “We have an intolerance for oppression that is at the core of our denominational DNA. If we are concerned about religious liberty, we must be just as concerned about civil rights abuses in this country. If we are not, we are betraying a legacy to which we are inextricably connected. We must never separate our religious Watch Golden’s freedom from those who live life on International Religious Liberty the margins and are harassed daily in ways that we say will happen at Association some point in the future. Peaceful presentation at wallawalla.edu/ coexistence is only possible if our deeds match our creeds.”

DBC. As director of the Donald Blake Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture at WWU, Golden speaks across the country on issues of civil liberty and promotes research and learning related to issues of race, ethnicity, and culture. The center’s annual conference on April 19–20, 2018, will feature speaker Benjamin Madley, associate professor of history at UCLA and author of An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846–1873.

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WWU ranking among private colleges in the United States for the least amount of private student loan debt (Source: The Student Loan Report.

Thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S. were analyzed. The top 250 were selected based on percentage of students with private debt and average private debt per borrower. WWU placed 36th out of the 250 private colleges selected.)

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Percent difference between national average Federal Direct Loan default rate (11.3%) and WWU student default rate (2.3%)

10.36 Percent difference between national average Perkins Loan default rate (11.93%) and WWU student default rate (1.57%)

Find more WWU news at wallawalla.edu/ news.

Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other

by Sherry Turkle (Basic Books, 2011)

We live in a mediated world, and as a way to gain some perspective, I highly recommend this book by Sherry Turkle. Turkle, who is a professor in the robotics area at MIT—and a licensed clinical psychologist—helps us think about the ways in which the technologies we’ve created shape us as humans in return.

This is a deep, thought-provoking read, especially given that Turkle is on the inside track of developing technologies and also deeply interested in the human experience. While the book has a cautionary tone at points, it is also hopeful and could be considered essential reading in our technology-heavy world.

—Lynelle R. Ellis, associate professor of communications and director of the WWU Center for Media Ministry

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot (Crown Publishers, 2010)

Advertisements to send away a sample that uncovers your DNA, your personal blueprint and ancestry, entice people daily. DNA-testing companies require signatures giving permission on how those samples can be kept for future use. Not so in 1951 when Henrietta Lacks went to the “colored” section of Johns Hopkins Hospital to find out why she had a “knot in her stomach.” The fascinating discovery of the first immortal cell line, HeLa cells, is also a human story of poverty, hardship, family, and the persistence of one investigative writer who uncovered the identity of the original donor. This book is a New York Times bestseller and a great read for anyone interested in scientific research, medical ethics, and race issues.

—Susan Gardner, professor of English

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

PHOTO: CALEB RISTON

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’20s THE

From the archives / If memory serves

School song On a fall day in 1924, Hayes Davis heard music coming from a house near campus. Intrigued, he knocked on the door and met fellow student Melvin Rees who was composing a tune for the college song contest.

Rees said he had no one to write words for the music. The next day, Davis showed up at the house again with words in hand and Download a copy of the winning contest entry the WWU school song at wallawalla.edu/125. was soon complete.

1924

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What would the neighbors say?

One of Walla Walla University’s finest storytellers takes us back to 1892 STORY BY TERRIE DOPP AAMODT

CREDIT TK

PHOTO BY CHRIS DRAKE

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CREDIT TK

Terrie Aamodt, WWU professor of history and English, holds a photo of the Administration Building taken in 1910.

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Come with me in your imagination to College Place 125 years ago, on Dec. 7, 1892. It is 8:30 a.m., the day Walla Walla College opened. The first word at the opening chapel is from the matron, Mrs. Sallie Sutherland, wife of the “principal,” E.A. Sutherland:

Principal E.A. Sutherland and his wife, Sallie

Good morning, boys and girls. [They really did talk to students that way.] We are happy you have all chosen to attend Walla Walla College. Since some of you have just arrived this morning and have not yet gotten settled in the dormitories, I would like to make some announcements.

We are very thankful to God that He has enabled us to open on schedule.

The classroom facilities are serviceable, and we should be able to get right to work. I must caution you, however, that some of the dormitory facilities promised in the promotional literature you received this fall have not yet been completed.

First, although the dormitory rooms will be heated by steam radiators, the system is not yet finished, and there is no heat in the dormitory rooms. You will be glad to know, however, that portable wood stoves will be placed in each classroom.

Also, each dormitory room will eventually be furnished with one 40-watt electric light fixture. However, that system too is incomplete, and you will need to use kerosene lamps in your rooms. Please be extremely careful when you use these lamps.

Finally, there is water available. You will find it at the pump just outside the back door of the building. You may fill your washbasins there.

Waste water and (ahem) other wastes must be carried to the proper receptacle outside the back door of the building. You will be happy to

know that having running water piped to our facility is one of our highest priorities. Principal Sutherland is writing to the General Conference this week to request special funds to provide hot and cold running water in the dormitories.

I must apologize about breakfast this morning. We had planned a full, hot meal, prepared according to the latest Battle Creek health reform principles. Unfortunately, the cook stove was improperly installed, and when we opened the draft, the kitchen filled with smoke. That is why we were only able to serve you white crackers and milk this morning. Please bear with us as we have the stove repaired.

Once again, I would like to welcome all of you. In a few moments we will register you for classes. We hope that you will study hard and show yourselves approved unto God.

Those first WWC students and faculty were tough. They knew privation—their own homes did not have steam radiators or electric lights either. But they were unpleasantly surprised later when an even tougher General Conference president counseled them to take sponge baths with cold water. The faculty, tough though they were, had no idea that by the end of the school year they would go two or three months without any salary.

Beyond admiring their fortitude, what can we learn from that first student body and faculty?

What do we have in common with them? And how can we extend our common threads beyond this moment?

Now, imagine another scene with me. Picture Walla Walla University with 25,000 students: high-rise dormitories, dozens and dozens of classroom buildings. Motor scooters outvying longboards to traverse the campus.

It’s hard for you and me to imagine such a place, but it would have been just as hard for that first group of 100 or so Walla Walla College, academy, and elementary students in 1892 to picture the 1,700 or so scholars who inhabit this place now.

Facing west down Whitman Drive during winter on campus in 1905.

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READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

CREDIT TK

Professor and President M.E. Cady (center) If we had a chance to time-travel and converse, could we understand what they were saying? Could they understand us? Would they laugh when we tell them sometimes the water temperature fluctuates in the dorm showers?

“You have showers? With, like, warm water?”

We would ask, “Did the kerosene lamps give you headaches? Nausea? Loss of appetite?

How long did you have to use those things?

Two years? And then when you got electricity, did they really turn out the lights every night at 9:30? And the rising bell was when? 6 a.m.?”

“What is the food like now?” they would ask.

“Oh, we have stir fry, and wraps, and sushi … .”

“Sushi? Do you like it?”

“Oh, it’s pretty good, but we always complain.”

“Did you ever have worms in the butter?”

“Whaaat?”

“Have you lost any students to typhoid lately?”

“Whaaat?”

“What are the rules like now? Are you allowed to ride in cars? Do you have to take a chaperone to go to Walla Walla? Do they tell you how to dress? Are women faculty fired for having their hair bobbed?”

Often, when we look at the past we see just the differences, and we are incredulous. Do we have anything in common with them? Students in 1892 knew why they were here, where they were going, and why they did not have much time to get there. They leapt from childhood to adulthood without much time for adolescence.

Where do we look for connection with them?

What lies at the core of this place is very simple. It is the aim of the school, as stated in its 1892 bulletin: to provide “a Christian education, surrounded with influences favorable to the development of Christian character.” It echoes today in our mission and core themes, which aren’t just words. Walla Walla University is a community of faith and discovery committed to the following core values: excellence

Future president W.I. Smith (front, center) on a Walla Walla College baseball team in 1914. in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, faith in God. How do those words connect with who we have been? They remind me of a favorite narrative from the past. It happened in 1906, to a young man who told his story this way:

She begged that I be given one more chance. “I want to see that boy in God’s work,” she said. …

Dear old Sister Conard! She has gone from this world of care.

Before she left us and after I had been a missionary in China a number of years, I wrote her what I am now telling you, of how her unconscious influence helped me to become a worker for God.

While I was a student at Walla Walla College, I met a turning-point (“The Boy Who ‘Listened In’” as told in my life. … [The school year] found to Sherman A. Nagel, The Youth’s me in a hopeless tangle of broken Instructor, May 3, 1921) rules and broken promises. … Finally Professor I became conscious, as the boys used Helen Conard to say, that I was on third base, and only waiting for Professor [President M.E.] Cady to give a home run. I thought everyYou know, we can talk until we are body was against me; no one loved me. blue in the face about buildings and budAt the coming Sunday’s faculty meeting, gets and academic excellence and professional I thought I will surely be sent home now that specialties, assessments and performance ratings, the faculty have heard of my latest infringement but it really boils down to this story. It’s why this of the rules, and I do wish to know if I have one school exists. It’s why you came. It’s why I am here. friend among them all.

So much has changed, and will continue to I grew determined about hearing [the fateful] change. And so much remains the same. faculty meeting. … In the afternoon when I saw This is my dream for the post-125th anniversary the teachers begin to assemble, I quietly slipped years at Walla Walla University, for its students, into the basement window [underneath the for its faculty and staff, for its alumni. I dream meeting room], fastened it securely on the inside, of the day when each of us makes the personal took my seat on top of the pile of boxes, and decision every day to put Jesus Christ at the waited for faculty meeting to begin. center of our lives every moment. I dream of the My heart suddenly leaped into my throat as I day when we all embody our core philosophy: heard my name called. … Several [faculty] spoke, “Recognizing that God is the source of all truth, and they all seemed to be of one mind with the goodness, and beauty, the university seeks to president. [Pressing my ear to the basement convey to students a wisdom that translates acaceiling], I began to lose hope. demic achievement into responsible citizenship, Then it came time for my literature teacher, generous service, a deep respect for the beauty old Sister Conard to speak. … I did not expect a in God’s creation, and the promise of re-creation favorable opinion from her, but she stood up and through Jesus Christ.” pleaded for me like a mother. There were tears Whether we were 100, or 1,700, or 25,000, in her eyes and in her voice; and the best part of it imagine what could happen. What would the all was that she did not know I was there listening. neighbors say?

It all came from her heart.

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SHAPING THE FUTURE On the eve of the Walla Walla University 125th anniversary, five former presidents and current president John McVay reflect on the university’s history and distinctive hallmarks.

BY

BEVERLY BEEM

CREDIT TK

PHOTOS BY BRANDON HILL

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SHAPING THE FUTURE

more direct involvement of the president with the financial support of the institution and with developing a network of colleagues within the Adventist system. At the same time it was heartwarming to become part of a professional family with whom I enjoyed a common spiritual outlook on life and education itself.

NIELS-ERIK ANDREASEN: When we first arrived at WWU, we thought it was very far from any place we knew, and yet remarkably well connected to the rest of the country and indeed to the world. I found no intellectual, artistic, or social isolation. In fact, the WWU community gave the impression that it was somewhere close to the center of the universe! I remember in my very first visit a faculty meeting going on until late at night, and somebody asked me from the back, “So what book are you reading right now?” We got talking about that, and it became ten o’clock. I remember saying to the faculty, “It’s getting late, and you have to work tomorrow. I’m going to go home and finish that book.”

JON DYBDAHL: I came back to WWU as president in a second term of service after having taught there for many years. I found the same deep feeling of esprit dé corps, the feeling that WWU may not be a perfect place, but it’s a good place, founded on good principles, and it’s doing good things. There is a deep support for the university and pride in the things happening there. That’s priceless and continues through thick and thin, and I think it continues today.

JOHN McVAY: My first impression came when I was a youngster visiting my brother who was 15 years older and attended Walla Walla College. When my brother was ordained to ministry, it was the first time I remember being in the College Church. I wandered in late and the only place to sit was on the steps in the balcony. The place was packed. I remember sitting there as a little kid, watching this service, and I was just in awe of that space.

What were the issues facing Adventist higher education, especially Walla Walla University, when you were president?

John McVay

SORENSEN: Now, at the time I was president, the ongoing, without doubt, hands-down main issue of every president, I think, in every year that colleges existed is, how students will pay the tuition.

That is a perennial problem and probably today determines to some degree who can attend and who can’t and also raises the question of how much the church can support them.

President 2006–present

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T THE CLOSE of Commencement in 1992, the graduating class stood listening as the bells in the Ad Building rang out 100 times to celebrate the Walla Walla University centennial. Now, 25 years later, the university celebrates another quarter-century milestone—an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and to look forward to the future.

We interviewed the six university presidents who served during the last 40 years, from 1976 to the present. They shared their perspectives on some of the key issues and events during their time at WWU, what campus life was like during their presidencies, and some of their favorite memories. Now we continue to build on the accomplishments of the past, and as former President Cliff Sorensen said, “Back in those days, we were building on the past, too.”

What were your first impressions of the campus?

CLIFFORD SORENSEN: I came to the campus as a teenager and not an Adventist. I was kind of unsophisticated, really a greenstick, but there were some mighty good teachers back then. When I went on to graduate work, I never found myself inadequately prepared. So now, I tip my hat to my teachers.

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JACK BERGMAN: Having been a student at WWC in the 1940s and a member of the board in the early 80s, my impression of the campus when I returned was colored by these earlier experiences. Also, coming from a secular state university where I had been a faculty member and administrator to a private religious college meant I had some extra adjustments to make. Probably the two most important were the

BERGMAN: In 1947, when I was a student at WWU, the entire graduating class was hired by the denomination except for two people, and that was by their choice. That speaks to why these colleges were first established—to provide the manpower and womanpower needed by the church. In 1947, many positions had been left unfilled during the war, and now they could be filled. The next year, the graduating class was about the same size, but there were 20 to 25 people who did not have jobs with the church.

The pattern since then has been that fewer and fewer students are going directly into church work. That leads to the question of why we exist and what our goals are as an institution.

ANDREASEN: When I was president, the farm closed down, not making milk anymore. I remember a former farm manager came to me and said, “How can you do that? We are told by the Spirit of Prophecy to make milk and grow food.” I said to him, “Brother, do you drink milk in the morning?”

He said, “No. Soy milk. Doctor’s orders.” We have changed things. It was sometimes a challenge, but these challenges were not distractions. They inspired us to think of other ways of working.

W.G. NELSON: My sense of the university is that there are things that parents and students both wish to happen. When parents send their children to a university, they don’t want them to emerge as the people that went in. One thing I was concerned about is that they learn to think

Jon Dybdahl President 2002–2006

for themselves and think critically, always within a context that they honor other thought traditions with which they might disagree.

DYBDAHL: I sensed that there was an openness at WWU and maybe a hunger for the spiritual life. I had little cards printed, “Pray for Walla Walla.” There were maybe people who chuckled about that, but many said, “We appreciate that kind of thing.” Whatever happens at WWU, we need prayer. We need God’s presence and God’s guidance. That was important to me, and I think it was to the campus.

McVAY: One thing that has unfolded fairly dramatically has been the burgeoning of technology and with it the democratization and individualization of that technology. Many of us have smart phones and are on these amazing social networks, and that has brought some interesting issues for higher education, such as the role of online education and how it compares to a full residential experience. At the beginning of my presidency, we would never have imagined using our phones as a portal for education. Now it is commonplace.

SORENSEN: During my time, we lost Columbia Auditorium, a real blow because many of us graduated there, many alumni had been married there, and we all remembered attending programs there. It had a history and an ambience that spoke to the heart of the institution. But we also constructed the new IT building, and we built it with a lot of do-it-yourself resources. I remember faculty pouring concrete and hauling bricks to build that building.

BERGMAN: When I arrived on campus I found a million dollar shortfall in the budget, as a result of a sharp decline in enrollment. When I left, there was a million dollars in the budget that was not committed to anything and more than 200 students over the count from four years earlier. These changes came about in a large part by the establishment of professional programs for student recruitment and retention and for financial development. The success of these programs was the result of the cooperation of faculty, staff, and administration.

I learned a great deal about the challenges a president faces in serving a series of constituencies—faculty, students, staff, parents, board, and church leadership and members. Any statement or decision a president makes will likely please some and just as likely displease others.

ANDREASEN: During my time at WWU the cost of one year in college passed $10,000, and we thought the world would soon come to an end. But it was a transition and we made it, got ten years of regional accreditation, and enjoyed a period of confidence that this would work for us and the institution would prosper, despite financial losses in the farm and dairy.

And we were right. The college prospered and became a university along the way.

DYBDAHL: It was touch and go the whole way, but we finally got the name changed from College to University. The actual official name change took place a month after I left office, but the very day I was leaving office, it was voted by the constituency. It was a challenge because there were many ideas about what the name should be. I wasn’t sure it was going to happen until the very end, but lo and behold, it did.

NELSON: I view education as a calling. In the church there’s a perception that having an educated church population has been of infinite value. It’s a privilege to be involved in church higher education, but I’m not

H. Jack Bergman ’48 President 1985–1990

sure that there is an awareness of how hard faculty work, of the kinds of things that they do, of the level or the depth of their commitment to the church and what it stands for.

McVAY: The one topic that has emerged strongly during this time and will remain with us, for lack of a better term, is sexual ethics or sexual identity issues and the proper way for a Christian higher education campus—and the same at the Adventist campus—to relate to those issues. Certainly in terms of controversy that’s a pretty significant suite of issues.

What inspired you most and sustained you during your years as president?

BERGMAN: I appreciated our theology staff. They were not only a supportive group, but they managed to avoid the harshness that some people have in dealing with disagreements. The theology staff were excellent examples of how to deal with the issues of the day and how to deal with people who need help and understanding.

ANDREASEN: I came to WWU from being a dean for one year and a faculty member for some 20 years.

The faculty connection was still in my blood, and I felt the WWU family accepted me as a colleague, not just an administrator. I would be stopped on the sidewalk by a Loren Dickinson or a Donnie Rigby from communications for a conversation about ideas. The centennial celebration in 1992 brought reflection and hope at the same time. I was impressed that the founders of the school decided to build a full-fledged college “out where the west winds blow.” It was brave and it is a legacy worth emulating and preserving.

DYBDAHL: I had some physical challenges when I began at WWU, a recurrence of cancer. I have this picture in my mind of the cabinet members with crazy hats. They knew that I was going to lose my hair from chemotherapy. I found that the humor lifted my spirits, and the kindness and sensitivity of my colleagues were very meaningful.

McVAY: There are moments of being with real, live WWU students, listening to them and experiencing their lives, being able to be a part of their reflections on what this education means to them. An honors class on the Gospel of Mark that I team-teach with Bev Beem provides one such occasion for me. Another comes from Friday

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been very influential in the church. With the number of leaders coming out of our hallways and classrooms, it is clear that the impact of WWU on the North American church and even the wider world church is substantial. From that standpoint I would say that we have carried out our mission with aplomb. Then you look at what we did for the individual student and how each, in turn, crossed the paths of so many others. I look at today’s graduates, which I meet often in churches and in a wide variety of places. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve been hugged in airports by people I didn’t know.

ANDREASEN: Every one of our schools makes a contribution, but I figure that partly through the geographical location and maybe the conscious environment of the North Pacific, Walla Walla is a little different from other parts of the country. I remember saying that someone looked like a Walla Walla person without really knowing exactly what I meant by that—someone sparkling and interested and very devoted to things but not taking it too seriously either. That characteristic at Walla Walla, I think, has been a breath of fresh air and has given a kind of can-do attitude to people and perhaps a focus on things that matter and not so much on things that don’t matter. Something about the pure air, maybe.

NELSON: I think that the university, Walla Walla in particular, but any university, can be useful to the church to the degree that the church lets them be useful.

The spectrum of expectation between what we do for students in confirming their faith but teaching them to think critically is never going to go away.

It’s always going to be a challenge. If you teach people to think critically, they’re going to ask questions even about scriptural and doctrinal issues, about which the church has not always done a good job of being forthcoming. I don’t see that it’s going to be easier in the future, and I think that every opportunity that the university has to be of value and of service to the church needs to be emphasized.

N. Clifford Sorensen ’58

McVAY: I love Friday evening vespers. I sit there in the darkness of the sanctuary and listen to the hundreds of students sing praises to the Lord, and for me, those are moments when we’re living our mission as a Christian higher education institution.

evening vespers when I don’t have to be up front leading but can enjoy the warmth and satisfaction of being part of that community.

What were some of your fondest memories from your time at Walla Walla?

BERGMAN: Even though I was a history major, I found that the biology classes helped me think about issues and problems and ways of dealing with them, and since this was in the field of science with relevance to our religious outlook, I find this still relevant.

NELSON: I always enjoyed the beginning of school when people came back and new students came, and their parents brought them. The anticipation of the future imparts a real energy. Graduation was the other time I most enjoyed. One reason was that we were all exhausted and could hardly wait. The other was that I got a chance to be with the parents and extended families of the students who were realizing they finally had finished, and I got to watch students interact with their faculty mentors. Spring was such a nice time in Walla Walla. I always

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worried about whether it was going to rain on commencement. It never did, but we had some close calls.

DYBDAHL: Some of the most pleasant times for me were meeting with student leaders. I always tried to have frequent meetings with the editor of The Collegian and the president of ASWWU. We talked about whatever, not necessarily an agenda. It was a lot of fun and a time for all of us to share ideas and talk and speak frankly, and to be heard. It’s good to be heard and be heard at the highest levels.

McVAY: A year ago we were opening up College Avenue, and somebody asked me to lead the parade in my little ’66 baby blue Volkswagen Beetle, celebrating the opening of the street after 18 months of dust and difficulty. Beeping that horn all the way down the street was a moment of joy and fun.

How do you see WWU contributing to Adventist life, thought, and higher education?

SORENSEN: My impression is that the college, now university, has

DYBDAHL: Our challenge is to maintain an Adventist identity, a Christian identity, in the face of a society that’s changing. We don’t want to be stuck in the mud a hundred years back, but neither do we want to take hook, line, and sinker the current trends that we see in society around us.

Certainly the university must be a thought center that can relate to and struggle with those kinds of issues in a way that helps the church in their struggle with them.

SORENSEN: One thing I didn’t touch on, but I want to, is that during my nine years of presidency back in the 70s, we felt we had the freedom to explore and probe vexing issues of concern without the slightest worry about receiving negative judgments or allegations regarding our motives. That is a freedom we need to protect.

McVAY: The generation of students moving through the campus has had a keen humanitarian urge. It hasn’t been a case of needing to try to get students to care about these matters so much as to keep up and care with them. Out of these natural disasters and this humanitarian concern has come a different shape to our educational ministry as an institution. It’s during this period that organizations

CREDIT TK

President 1976–1985 Interim president 2001–2002

SHAPING THE FUTURE

like Engineers Without Borders and ASWWU Global Service have come to the fore.

Another response has been an increased interest in diversity in the student body, and the student body has become much more diverse over the last six to seven years. We have moved from being 80 percent Caucasian to, the figure varies, but probably 60 to 69 percent, a fairly rapid and high degree of change.

Our students are doing all sorts of amazing things all over the world. How does this happen? How does a university awaken this recognition of need and willingness to serve?

BERGMAN: I remember with pleasure being called into a private meeting of the General Conference secretariat during an Autumn Council session and their telling me how much they appreciated our highly successful student missionary program. To me this program was a major step in the development of a culture of service on our campus, one that reflects the great commandments of Jesus: Love God and love your neighbor. I have watched with great satisfaction the development of this emphasis on service not just here but at our academies and even primary schools.

McVAY: A few years back, the North American Division started inviting ASWWU presidents to attend their year-end meetings, and the first person that did that was Jono Pratt ’14. I started touring these ASWWU presidents around Washington D.C. I picked him up, and we did a spin around the capital, and I took him to the Japanese Memorial. He talked to me about his grandparents who had been in an American internment camp, and he stood by the stone that memorialized that particular camp. I snapped his picture, and to be with him in that moment was very special for me.

DYBDAHL: We want to prepare our students to face the world and have good jobs in society, but we want them to see that in the context of service. The Student Missionary program is a key part of that. For quite a while we have had an average of 100 students participate in these programs each year. So, though we are on the road to nowhere geographically, that doesn’t mean we are isolated and unfamiliar with the world around us. We cultivate an awareness of the needs of the world and the possibilities of doing something about them. Students come back and give their testimonies of what they have done, and the inspiration spreads to others.

W.G. Nelson President 1994–2001

McVAY: I’m very proud of the suite of experiences that we have on offer. All the while, WWU has sent about the most, if not the most, ACA (Adventist Colleges Abroad) students, to participate in language and culture programs. We’ve often sent out the most student missionaries to various parts of the globe.

We’ve increased the number of tours, some of them regularly offered, like the tour to the British Isles, hosted by the English and history departments, and the Bible Lands Tour hosted by the School of Theology. It has amazed me that this institution situated as it is in a fairly isolated corner of southeast Washington has taken some intentionality to become a portal to the world. It is quite fascinating to me to watch students come back from these sorts of experiences blessed by the breadth that travel brings, and not just travel, but ministry and study with very able faculty members. That I see as adding huge value to their lives.

CREDIT TK

As the current president, Dr. McVay, what are your hopes for the future of Walla Walla University?

McVAY: Our mission statement begins with these words, “We are a community of faith and discovery.” That feature of our mission statement has, for me, become more and more significant and central during a time

Niels-Erik Andreasen President 1990–1994

when, partly as a function of social media, partly as a function of the divisiveness of politics and the world in which we live, our own community of faith has tended to fragment, and fragment toward the margins. That has been very, very challenging. But again, I come back to this buoyance that I believe we should have in the face of that, that we still are called to be a community, even in a setting where the views of faculty and staff and the views of students may divide more significantly than they might have a couple of decades back.

We’re still called to be a community, and we still must believe that Christ died to create a new humanity, that the church was created out of the disparate elements of humankind to, in some sense, have a shared identity and a shared unity. And the quest for that, and the quest to actualize our mission statement that we are community, a community of faith and discovery, holding those two things together is, I think, right at the core of who we need to be at this moment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bev Beem, WWU professor emeritus of English, taught at WWU from 1976 to 2015 and continues to teach classes as needed. She was chair of the English department for 16 years and was a member of the WWU faculty during the administration of each of the six presidents she interviewed for this feature.

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Generous moments CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF GIVING FOR 125 YEARS

Each year we tally the numbers and count our many blessings. Each year we have had the privilege of sharing good news with you, the alumni and friends of Walla Walla University. This year, on the occasion of the WWU 125th anniversary, we also share a handful of inspiring stories about generous moments during the last 125 years that are indicative of your abundant spirit of giving.

BY KIM STROBEL | Illustrations by Joel Libby

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CREDIT TK

The Walla Walla University Annual Report for 2016–2017

SACRED SPACE When plans for the University Church were on the architect’s table, Paul Heubach, senior pastor at the time, asked that the sanctuary be designed to be wide rather than long so he could be as close as possible to his congregation when he preached. It takes a big sound to fill the 818,090 cubic feet in that wide, spacious sanctuary. The church’s Casavant– Frères organ with its 4,982 pipes does a wonderful job—just leaving enough space for the voices of the congregation to fill the sanctuary with praises to God. In the early 1960s, when the student association at the college learned of the dream to purchase a grand organ for the new church, they looked at the $56,000 price tag and saw an opportunity to help. Using money they had raised to build an outdoor skating rink, they put their dreams on hold and donated $30,000 to the organ fund.

They were following a long tradition of giving from the student association for needs in the church. In 1927, students raised one-quarter of the cost of a Reuter pipe organ for the old church on the site of Village Hall.

In 1937 they raised $1,000 a year for three years for the Columbia Auditorium building fund (the predecessor to the University Church). Carrying on the tradition, the class of 2005 donated funds to purchase Bibles to be placed in each pew in the church.

Within the walls of the University Church, generations of students have worshiped, soaking in the inspiration of the words and music reverberating in that sacred space. From there, their lives of service are launched throughout the world.

CREDIT TK

Generous moments

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GENEROUS BENEFACTOR In 1873, Dr. N.G. Blalock traveled alone on horseback from Mt. Zion, Illinois, to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, to scout a route for moving his family west. Later that year, he led them and four other families to the Walla Walla Valley.

Blalock made quite a name for himself in Walla Walla. A plaque in his honor on the WWU campus describes him as “a tireless physician, civic servant, and promoter of Eastern Washington.” He was a member of the Washington state constitutional convention in 1889, mayor of Walla Walla, and a Democratic candidate for governor. He has been credited with bringing horticulture to the Walla Walla Valley, had an active medical practice, and delivered more than 5,000 babies.

In 1891, Blalock—who was mayor at the time and not a Seventh-day Adventist—presided over a meeting of 50 business leaders in Walla Walla. At the meeting, W.W. Prescott, General Conference educational secretary, who had traveled to Walla Walla from Battle Creek, Michigan, described the benefits of having an Adventist college in the community. Without delay, Blalock responded to the call for community support and pledged to donate 40 acres of his 1,700-acre orchard property as a building site for the college. His example encouraged enough additional donations from Walla Walla residents to make certain the college could be built in Walla Walla.

Blalock attended the dedication ceremony of the college on Dec. 8, 1892—the day after classes began. His generosity and entrepreneurial spirit were instrumental in establishing Walla Walla University.

Generous moments

THANK YOU!

2016–17 ALUMNI CLASS GIVING AWARDS

ANNUAL GIVING REPORT Walla Walla University is a community of faith and discovery committed to excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God. In support of these four core themes, from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, the university received gifts totaling

$11,443,667.

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Gateway Award

Mountain Ash Award

CLASS OF 1996

CLASS OF 1955

Highest total giving by class

$359,900 The class of 1996 is the youngest graduating class to receive the Gateway Award.

Highest class participation

30.9%

participation rate The class of 1955 surpassed the highest participation rate from 2015–16 by 4 percent.

Orange and Green Award

Highest participation of a class to graduate in the last 10 years CLASS OF 2017

5.6%

Special Mention

Most improved participation CLASS OF 1967

8.2%

participation rate

improvement from last year

Way to bring it, class of 2017! This participation rate surpassed last year’s tied highest participation rate of 3.4 percent by two classes 10 years older—the classes of 2006 and 2007.

The class of 1967 is making a run for the Mountain Ash Award!

Their participation rate was 16.6 percent in 2014–15, 19.5 percent in 2015–16, and 27.7 percent in 2016–17.

PASSION FOR PLANNING In 2009, a generous alumnus with a passion for strategic planning donated seed money for the university to develop a new physical master plan. As a result of that donation, firms were consulted, proposals vetted through committees, and a comprehensive physical master plan was set in place—including a project proposal titled “Initiate character change on College Avenue between Whitman Drive and Fourth Street.”

Then in 2012 the City of College Place called with a proposal of its own and a question. Their proposal: the federallyfunded College Avenue and Rose Street (CARS) Reconstruction Project, which would dramatically change the appearance of the main artery through the WWU campus. Their question: How would the university like to be part of the project?

The planning process set in motion by that generous alumnus meant when the call came from the city and the time came to act, the university was ready to move quickly to address concerns, including the safety of pedestrian traffic across College Avenue and improving the appearance of front campus.

The CARS project was completed in 2016 and College Avenue has never looked finer—a physical reminder of the generosity of WWU alumni and the power of good planning.

Generous moments

ALUMNI CLASS GIVING Class Year Total Giving Participation

Class Year Total Giving Participation

Class Year Total Giving Participation

1936-1947 $4,365.50

6.0%

1965

$180,113.00

29.5%

1983

$146,987.04

12.7%

Class Year Total Giving Participation

2001

$16,222.00

6.6%

1948

$65,100.46

15.6%

1966

$34,000.58

19.8%

1984

$9,550.23

12.3%

2002

$4,087.00

4.6%

1949

$30,660.00

19.0%

1967

$16,284.54

27.7%

1985

$71,822.00

13.9%

2003

$1,315.00

3.6%

1950

$6,500.83

16.7%

1968

$9,602.00

15.1%

1986

$12,511.86

15.8%

2004

$32,315.33

6.1%

1951

$3,249.00

12.7%

1969

$127,269.00

21.4%

1987

$45,980.00

12.1%

2005

$12,440.00

5.6%

1952

$24,243.00

24.6%

1970

$18,211.00

18.7%

1988

$12,595.76

10.4%

2006

$6,567.00

5.0%

1953

$5,650.00

17.7%

1971

$5,045.00

11.5%

1989

$8,150.00

9.2%

2007

$5,487.50

4.8%

1954

$12,902.00

16.4%

1972

$16,915.00

17.6%

1990

$3,819.06

12.1%

2008

$760.00

3.3%

1955

$6,315.00

30.9%

1973

$22,965.00

12.3%

1991

$19,254.09

8.8%

2009

$4,449.00

3.0%

1956

$1,370.00

24.3%

1974

$10,175.00

13.2%

1992

$5,408.00

8.0%

2010

$1,595.00

2.1%

1957

$6,975.00

23.0%

1975

$4,930.00

12.4%

1993

$3,630.00

7.9%

2011

$1,123.75

1.8%

1958

$5,621.00

30.6%

1976

$16,136.00

14.7%

1994

$74,737.50

8.5%

2012

$3,092.50

3.7%

1959

$4,010.00

19.4%

1977

$35,950.00

13.8%

1995

$2,776.00

6.7%

2013

$1,734.50

3.0% 1.9%

1960

$18,152.37

26.7%

1978

$30,058.00

15.0%

1996

$359,900.00

9.1%

2014

$3,453.35

1961

$5,725.00

23.0%

1979

$20,350.00

13.3%

1997

$22,235.00

8.5%

2015

$251.00

1962

$69,745.00

30.8%

1980

$22,283.00

15.9%

1998

$169,954.83

5.2%

2016

$9,593.01

4.2%

1963

$3,820.00

20.4%

1981

$6,587.19

11.5%

1999

$2,165.00

4.5%

2017

$7,950.58

5.6%

1964

$12,910.00

27.0%

1982

$14,240.00

11.4%

2000

$12,578.00

5.5%

1.4%

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LEGACY SOCIETY The Legacy Society honors individuals who have included Walla Walla University in their estate plans or have made a deferred gift of any size to provide for the work of the university.

Lewis ’42* and Ruth Hart Gerald and Orah ’47* Hixson Stan ’68 and Irene ’70 Hixson Jeanie Hixson ’72 Lloyd* and Lorena ’43 Hoffman Archie Howatson Delta and Harold* Huber Wynelle Huff Eunice Johnson Ed ’66 and Marilyn* Karlow Robert ’57 and Peggy ’60 Kaye Susan and Alvin ’34* Kincaid Clarence ’50 and Helen Klopfenstein Mel and Joyce ’73 Lang Bill ’55* and Rose Lay Aaron Leno ’51* Walter and Luella ’53* Litchfield Sandra Love-Dahl ’62 Sophie Ludden ’40* Dan ’57 and Betsy Matthews Marja-Leena McChesney ’91 Walt ’62 and Bonnie* Meske David and Florence* Miller Lloyd Miller ’52* Eldon ’68* and Opal ’69* Mills Lloyd ’51 and Maud ’51* Moody William ’50 and Marjorie Moreno James ’53* and Alice ’50* Nash Olen ’52 and Mary ’53 Nations Ted ’72 and Nancy ’74 Nedderman Joan Ogden Calvin ’50* and Alyse Olson Howard* and Monta Osborne Effie Pampaian ’39 James ’59 and Della ’65 Park Troy ’99 and Renee Patzer Beulah Payne ’52 Tom and Barbara Pelett

* Deceased prior to June 30, 2017

To learn more about joining the Legacy Society, contact Dorita Tessier at (509) 527-2646 or visit legacy.wallawalla.edu/legacy-society.

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ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS These endowed scholarship funds provided $928,619 in scholarships for WWU students during 2016–17. Funds from the new endowed scholarships will begin to be awarded in 2017–18. Your investments today help secure the future success of Walla Walla University and generations of students to come.

»

Anonymous (16) Alice Ames Kirk and Melody Ayers Beverly Beem Jack ’48 and Evelyn Bergman Darold ’66 and Barbara Bigger Maxine Blome ’50 Bob ’60 and Georgene Bond Marjorie Bregar Robert ’50 and Treva* Burgess Daryl and Patricia Burghart Grace Cafferky ’47 Merle Calkins Lois Carscallen Challis Casebolt ’75 Sue Cason Douglas ’70 and Carmen Clark Bernard and Margaret ’60 Cook Carlton ’66 and Nancy ’66* Cross Dorothy Curameng Walden* and Ellen Davis Don ’48 and Orletta ’68 Dealy Jon and Kathryn Dybdahl Jim and Vicky Edwards Joyce Engel ’63 Kerry Ferris Allen and Donna Fisher Darius ’06 and Amanda ’05 Fleck Kerry and Marian ’70 Forschler Jim ’67 and Christie ’90 Forsyth Brant Foster Gary ’67 and Udell ’66 Fresk Leslie and Barbara Ann ’62 Fromm Henry ’62 and Mayme* Gerber Keith ’60 and Elizabeth Gibbons Theo and Marianne Goltz Don ’68 and Phyllis ’68* Hall Jim ’65 and Ruth ’65 Hall Howard* and Elizabeth Hanafin

Lawrence Perrigoue and RuthAnn May Jim ’96 and Jen ’97 Pinder Lloyd and Fern ’55 Piper Marvin A. Piper, MD ’60 Zelma* Nethery Wells Piper Hoe ’52 and Mary Poh Avonelle Remboldt ’53 Bob ’62 and Barbara Richards Norton* and Lois ’59 Ritchie-Ritter John ’41* and Kathy ’40 Robertson Nancy Ann Romine ’82 Alberta Roth ’47 Glenna Ryder Jimmy Sadoyama ’52 Doyle ’49* and Lorelei ’49 Saxby Robert ’88 and Janelle ’87 Schmidt Don ’49* and Marcella Schwisow Gayle Smith Jaclin Smith Louis ’48* and Marguerite* Smith Samuel and Carol ’67 Smith Ralph ’81 and Franice Stirling Eldon ’48* and Barbara ’49 Stratton Ralph Stryker* Mark ’81* and Dorita ’80 Tessier Everett and Shirley Tetz Griffith ’57 and Shirley ’60* Thomas Alden ’65 and Wanda ’65 Thompson Kelly Turner ’96 Philip and Reid Wasser Ray and Pat Watson Dorothy Weisz ’49 Betty and Melvin West Keith ’78 and Joyce ’78 Wilkens Stephen ’98 and Kelly Wilson Virginia Wilson Tim and Cheri Windemuth Vicki and Gerald Winkle Yew-Chong and Lily Wong Helen Thompson Zolber ’49

* New scholarships to be awarded in 2017–18.

Administration Building Maintenance

James and Ruth Bebee Nursing Scholarship

Advancement of Chemical Research at Walla Walla University

Beverly Math Faculty Improvement

ASWWU Student Aid Endowment

* NEW! Claude Barnett, Ph.D., Scholarship

James and Ruth Bebee Computer Science Scholarship

Shannon Marie Bigger Memorial Christian Service Volunteer Scholarship Lester and Geraldine Border Christian Service Scholarship Alice I. Bowden Memorial Theology Scholarship

2016–17 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Max Torkelsen II, CHAIR (7/1/16 – 8/31/16) John Freedman, CHAIR (9/1/16 – 6/30/17) Bruce Thorn, VICE CHAIR (7/1/16 – 10/31/16) Rhona Kwiram, VICE CHAIR (11/1/16 – 6/30/17) John McVay, SECRETARY

A LIFE OF SERVICE

MEMBERS

W.I. Smith lived a life consisting of a series of generous moments. Smith became the ninth president of Walla Walla University in 1917 when he was just 29 years old. He served concurrently as head of the mathematics department during five years of his presidency. According to a Smith biographer, “Progress was the watchword” during his presidency, and “leaders from among the students began to plan and write for bigger and better things at Walla Walla college [sic].”

During Smith’s presidency, the senior class of 1918 gave as their gift to the college, the Gateway to Service lampposts that remain today in front of the Administration Building. Enrollment increased from year to year, student fundraising flourished, and a “faculty tenure of service plan” was implemented.

At the time of his departure from WWU to become associate secretary for education at the world headquarters for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a newspaper article in the Walla Walla Bulletin referred to “the remarkable growth” of the college during Smith’s presidency, listing examples including the remodel and expansion of the Administration Building, and the addition of a gymnasium, swimming pool, science hall, and music conservatory.

In honor of his contributions to the education program at the college, Smith was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree, and in 1965 the new education building on campus was named Smith Hall in his honor.

Generous moments

George W. Bowers Excellence in Chemistry Scholarship Boyson Family Communication Scholarship John F. Bregar Memorial Scholarship Junior Senior Business Scholarship School of Business Fund Clair and Myrtle Calkins Library Book Fund D. Ordell and Margaret A. Calkins Business/ Education Faculty Development Merle Clairon Calkins Computer Science Faculty Development Lewis Canaday

Memorial Technology Scholarship

Class of 1960 Student Missions Scholarship

Dr. James R. Chambers Memorial Scholarship

Class of 1961 Student Missions Scholarship

Janice P. Chance Memorial Nursing Fund

Class of 1965 Scholarship Class of 1971 Scholarship

Dr. Muriel Chapman Nursing Scholarship

Class of 1978 Scholarship

Percy W. Christian Excellence in History Scholarship

Class of 1984 Scholarship

A. J. and Gladys E. Christiansen Memorial Scholarship

Class of 1983 Scholarship Class of 1989 Edwin Zaugg Memorial Scholarship Class of 1996 Scholarship

Class of 1954 Scholarship

Class of 1997 Scholarship

Class of 1955 Scholarship

Class of 2003 Scholarship

Class of 1956 * Scholarship

Class of 2009 Student Missionary Scholarship

Class of 1957 Scholarship

Class of 2011 Shari Booth Memorial Scholarship

NEW!

Class of 1959 Student Missions Scholarship

Class of 2012 Scholarship

Class of 2014 Scholarship NEW! Class of 2017

*

Merit Award

Verlin L. and Thelma (Kumalae) Cochran Memorial Scholarship Communication Development Course Computer Science Magazine L. P. “Jim” Corbett English Scholarship L. P. “Jim” Corbett History Scholarship L. P. “Jim” and Jane B. Corbett Student Aid Scholarship

Daniel Bergeron Douglas Bing Andrew Carrington Bryan Clay Lowell Cooper Larry Dodds Stephanie Gates Rena Holland Paul Hoover Yvonne Iwasa Monty Knittel Merlin Knowles Stephen Kreitner

Daniel Linrud John Loor Kevin Miller Joyce Newmyer Todd Pascoe Dennis Plubell David Prest Mark Remboldt Paul Rhynard Jaime Rodriguez Kevin Rogers Rodney Wehtje Ron Wilkinson

2016–17 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Richard Flaiz, CHAIR Ken Aso, PRESIDENT Steve Walikonis, PRESIDENT-ELECT Heather Schermann, TREASURER Patti Green, SECRETARY Jodi Wagner, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT, EX OFFICIO

Terri Neil, ALUMNI AND PARENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR, EX OFFICIO

Twyla Leiske Bechtel, MANAGER,

HAVSTAD ALUMNI CENTER, EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Amy Alderman Christian Bell Renee Harms

Nancy Cross Memorial English Faculty Development Fund Vera Davis-Michel Memorial English Scholarship Edward F. and Clara M. Degering Memorial Educational Scholarship Claude and Annie Deming Memorial Fund Loren Dickinson Communications Scholarship

Teri Richardson Larry Swisher Michael Walter

Lars and Anna Dybdahl Scholarship Josephine Cunnington Edwards Memorial Scholarship H. Russell and Genevieve Emmerson Memorial Scholarship Engineering Chair Endowment Stephen and Margaret Tan Engineering/ Computer Science Scholarship Mary Garner Esary Memorial Scholarship

Dietrich/Wilkinson Aviation Scholarship

Faculty/Staff Scholarship

Lee Crain Memorial Music Scholarship

Frances Dixon Special Education

Edward F. Cross Engineering Scholarship

Dr. Ralph A. Drake Scholarship

Dena W. and R. B. Farnsworth Nursing Scholarship (continued on page 26)

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25

VOLUNTEERS Thank you to the alumni and friends listed here who give their time and energy to support Walla Walla University and to many others who give to WWU in countless ways.

Nieta Adams Theresa Alekel Don Barrett James Barrett Lois Barrett Valerie Bass Cleona Bazzy JaneAnn Bennett Evelyn Bergman Jack Bergman Robert Bergman Margaret Beucler Marjorie Bregar Jim Cain Larry Canaday Lois Canaday Elizabeth Claridge Rick Claridge Ann Cornell Nancy Cowin Dottie Curameng Christie Forsyth Jim Forsyth Garey Gantz Marilyn Gantz

Allegra Gienger Maxine Hargreaves Frances Henderson Linda Hintz Roman Hintz Joe Humble Bernie Janke Carolyn Janke Dale Johnson Ginger Johnson Gordon Johnson Patricia Johnson Echo Johnston Pat Johnston Ruth Joice Barbara Karlow Ed Karlow Richard Kruger Joyce Lampson Aileen Litchfield Carol Maher Tom Maher Martha Masden Aileen Mayor Ray Mayor

Walt Meske Virginia Napier Gloria Nelson Larry Panasuk Shirley Panasuk Lois Pegel Carol Perrin Milford Perrin Robin Pontius Carmella Phillips Florence Ray Stanley Ray Teresa Reich Pat Reynolds Sally Reynolds Antonio Rodriguez Gladys Rodriguez LaVerne Rudolf David Russell Maylene Russell Greg Saunders Lorelei Saxby Rita Schroeder Vi Swanson Helen Thompson Zolber Bill Thompson Janis Tsujimura Barbara Vories Shirley Walde Verlie Ward Richard Worley

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS (continued from page 25) NEW! Lawrence C.

*

Folkes, M.D. Scholarship

Ray and Alice Fowler Scholarship Norma S. Gardner Memorial English Scholarship Wilford and Emma Goffar Scholarship

Thomas Hampson Humanities Merit Scholarship

Jess Holm Memorial Scholarship

Howard E. Hanafin Scholarship Clyde and Mary Harris Challenge Grant

Graduate Dean’s Award Albert E. and Reta J. Graham Memorial Scholarship

Richard and Georgiana Hayden Christian Service Scholarship

Grellmann Family Scholarship

Rodney Heisler Engineering Scholarship/Grant

Lovyl and Mary Hagle Memorial Worthy Student Scholarship

Westwind Fall 2017

Paul and Frances Heubach Memorial Theology Scholarship

Pauline Hart Memorial Social Work Scholarship

John J. Hafner Music Scholarship

26

Richard and Dena Hammill Memorial Scholarship

Robert A. and Solange Henderson Memorial History Scholarship Wilma E. Hepker Scholarship

Juanita Wagner Holm Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Jensen Memorial Math Scholarship Dr. Gordon Johnson Physics Scholarship Murray L. and Ilene Johnstone Scholarship

Luella Latham Kretschmar Memorial Scholarship

Roy and Lois (Dorland) Martin English Scholarship

Laura G. Larson Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Sukhdev Mathaudhu Engineering Scholarship

Carl and Lucile Jones Nursing Scholarship

Rudolf and Anna Klimes Learn Well Physical Education Scholarship

Peggy Henderson Kaye Nursing Scholarship

H. Lloyd Leno Memorial Music Scholarship

Oland F. Hubbs Memorial Theology Scholarship

Helen Wineberg Kendall Women in Business Scholarship

Lewiston/Clarkston Scholarship

Vera Johnson Hubbs Memorial Business Scholarship

Helen and Archie Howatson Nursing Scholarship

Dr. and Mrs. Harold Huber Scholarship Wynelle J. Huff Nursing Scholarship Jess M. Hutson, M.D., Memorial Scholarship IBCC

Mathematics Alumni Scholarship Dorothy and Byron Miller Mathematics Scholarship Warren Matheson Memorial Christian Service Scholarship Matiko Theology Award

KGTS

Jennie M. Livingston Memorial Library Fund

Harden M. McConnell and Alvin L. Kwiram Award

Betty Klein Engineering Scholarship

Dr. C. Stanley Lloyd Jr. Scholarship

Eldena McDow Scholarship

A. H. and Mary Koorenny Memorial Scholarship

Kelly Logan Social Work Scholarship

Jacob G. and Lois A. Mehling Business Scholarship

Robert H. and Thorna Koorenny Scholarship Kretschmar Hall Maintenance

Romulo and Mercedes Lozano Scholarship Mary E. Marker Memorial Theology Scholarship

Messenger/Loewen Scholarship Jack Evan Miles Memorial Scholarship

A PLACE BY THE SEA In 1953, Ernest Booth, WWU professor of biology, got a hot tip from the president of an Anacortes, Washington, women’s club about a 40-acre piece of land with 400 feet of beachfront that was for sale. Booth had to do some maneuvering and fast talking, but he convinced the college Board of Trustees to purchase the land for $53,000. Now, 64 years later, the value of that little slice of heaven, which we now know as the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory, is inestimable in terms of educational value and beauty.

(Coincidentally, it was also Booth who, while on a doctoral study leave in New York City in 1944, met a New York-based, Seventh-day Adventist engineer named Edward Cross and convinced him to move across the country to start an engineering program at Walla Walla College.)

Since Booth’s initial visionary urging to acquire the property at Rosario, many generous donors have contributed to upkeep and improvements at the property including The Lindgren Foundation, the Committee of 100, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and James Sadoyama and Thais Thrasher. As a result of their gifts, each summer WWU biology students enjoy learning in first-class research facilities, meeting spaces, and living accommodations.

Generous moments

MariAnne Jensen Moore Memorial Nursing Scholarship

* NEW! Wilda Means Morasch Nursing Scholarship

Yvonne Pickett Memorial Scholarship Piper-Johanson Scholarship Helen L. Popoway Endowment

Joseph and Beth Murray Memorial Scholarship for Resident Assistants

Robert L. Reynolds Excellence in History Scholarship

Music Scholarship

Robert M. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship

Dan and Mary Morrison Necker Scholarship Llewellyn and Vivian Nixon Scholarship Nursing Scholarship Daniel A. Ochs Memorial Theology Scholarship

Donald W. Rigby Biology Award Donald W. Rigby Biology Faculty Research Donnie Rigby Drama Award Rigby Hall Maintenance

Dr. and Mrs. Howard Osborne Scholarship

John D. Rogers, M.D., Memorial Scholarship

Blythe Owen Music Scholarship

Rosario Marine Station Maintenance

Doreen Paulson-Evans Memorial Scholarship

Thomas C. Rowsell Memorial Scholarship

Thais Thrasher Sadoyama Scholarship

* NEW! Doyle B. and

Lorelei Pierce Saxby Business Scholarship

Gayle L. Saxby Memorial Scholarship Schlotthauer-Risinger Math Scholarship Eleanor B. Schofield Memorial Teachers Scholarship John Montgomery Schultz Engineering Fund Seibly Family Endowed Scholarship Cecil W. Shankel Memorial Chemistry Scholarship Shattuck/Zitterbart Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Donald and Virginia Sherwood Memorial Scholarship Herbert Z. and Jessie K. Shiroma Scholarship Endowment Carolyn Stevens Shultz Scholarship Dan Shultz Music Scholarship Robert and Susan Smith First Generation Endowed Scholarship Solomon Scholarship Gene and Betty Soper Music Scholarship Robert L. Spies Memorial Scholarship Glenn Spring Music Scholarship Joseph L. Stubblefield Memorial Scholarship Janis Suelzle Memorial Student Missionary Fund

T5 Foundation Business Excellence Fund Theology Library Book Fund George and Lola Thompson Memorial Scholarship Thomas M. Thompson and Kenneth L. Wiggins Excellence in Mathematics Scholarship Harry and Ella Thornton Memorial Scholarship E. E. and Jane Breese-Trefz Christian Service Scholarship Clarence O. Trubey Memorial Music Scholarship Undergraduate Advanced Study Marilyn K. (Dammrose) Van Stee Memorial Nursing Scholarship Verde Fund for Graduate Marine Research

Eva Stratton Vliet and Jess Vliet Scholarship Stanley E. Walker Music Scholarship Francys C. Welch Scholarship Melvin K. West Music Scholarship Lois Whitchurch Nursing Scholarship Monte Wilkins Memorial Scholarship John and Inez Willey Family Memorial Scholarship WWU Student Aid Randy Yaw Pi Contest Scholarship Young Memorial Lecture in Biology Norma R. Youngberg Scholarship

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27

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

AlumNotes Get up to date with fellow WWU alumni.

Submit your information for AlumNotes at wallawalla.edu/alumnotes.

1950s

Stan McCluskey att. and his wife, Betty (Smith) att., have celebrated “65 years of wonderful marriage.”

After WWU, Stan received a pharmacy degree from Washington State University and Betty received an honorary degree. After managing their own pharmacies and care facilities for many years, Stan was administrator of the Adventist hospital in Haiti and Betty was assistant Sabbath School secretary and public relations director for the FrancoHaitian Seventh-day Adventist Union Conference. They are now retired near Yakima, Wash. They have four children: Ron ’78, Harvey ’79, Edward ’80, and Susan att.

1960s

Alva “Verne” Hyland ’61 and his wife, Patty (Bee), live in Grants Pass, Ore. After graduating from WWU, Verne worked as a principal and teacher in Idaho for one year. “The next year I attended the seminary and found my life companion,” he writes. After Verne’s graduation from seminary, he pastored four churches in the Kansas Conference. Later, they started two more churches. Verne’s pastoral career included two years in Minnesota, 10 years in mission service in Sri Lanka, 46 years in the Oregon Conference, and four and a half years in mission service in Palau. Of his time at WWU, Verne recalls that “Robert Visser was a great roommate,” that he made many lifelong friends, and that the faculty were “outstanding.” The Hylands have two children: Stephen ’94 and Holly.

Jack Ring ’67 and his wife, Jennifer (Jorgenson), live in Garland, Texas.

Jack writes that in 1970 two life-

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changing things happened to him: he “came to genuine relationship with Jesus,” and he “married the most wonderful woman the Lord could have chosen.” In 1982, Jack began mission work in Nigeria. Since then, he has worked in ministry and construction. His favorite memories as a WWU student are of choir tours with Scola Cantorum. Jack and Jennifer have four daughters: Joanna Vipond, Christie Moore, Laura, and Bethany.

Elizabeth “Beth” (Booth) Wallace ’67 and her husband, Donald ’75 and ’77, live in College Place. Beth is retired after serving for 12 years as a hospice chaplain in Walla Walla.

She taught psychiatric nursing for 11 years and nursing administration and management for seven years.

She was also vice president of patient care services for Battle Creek Sanitarium and Hospital for four years. Beth writes that one of her fondest memories of her time at WWU was being baptized in 1966.

Her husband, Don, was director of the Counseling and Testing Center at WWU for 17 years. The Wallaces have two children: Richard ’05 and Asha René.

1970s

Margaret “Margie” (Matheson) Ham ’77 and her husband, John ’76, were married in September 1977 and lived in Loma Linda while John finished medical school at Loma Linda University and completed a general surgery residency and a vascular surgery fellowship. During that time, Margie worked as a registered nurse in the LLUMC neonatal intensive care unit, then as a pediatric nurse

practitioner where she coordinated care for babies that recently graduated out of NICU and assisted with Physical Diagnosis class for the medical students at LLUMC. In 1988 the Hams moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., where John completed a fellowship in abdominal organ transplant surgery. They have also lived in Richmond, Va., and Portland, Ore. In 2010 they relocated to Las Vegas, Nev., where John is medical director of the kidney transplant program. With each move, Margie has enjoyed immersing herself in work with school boards, children’s ministries, and breastfeeding education classes for new parents.

Some of her favorite WWU memories include traveling between Portland and Walla Walla during nursing school to spend time with John and signing up for a time slot to use the one phone in the Portland nurses’ dorm. The Hams have three children: Natasha Geigle ’09, Annalisa Lopez att., and Nickolas ’14.

Barbara (Russell) Melvin ’77 lives in Buckley, Wash. She has taught family and consumer science in alternative school for 20 years. She currently works as a job coach/ teacher for 19- to 21-year-old students with disabilities for the White River School District. She enjoys quilting in her free time. One of her favorite memories from WWU is “Wednesday dinner at the Lieskes’ house. It was great to be a part of the family and have dinner when you were so far from home.” Barbara has two sons: Robert and Richard.

1990s

Jonathan Eagan ’95 and his wife, Kelly, live in Martinez, Calif., where Jonathan is assistant superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. His wife, Kelly, is a vice prin-

cipal at a high school. “We live in the Bay Area inland from San Francisco and love the opportunities we have living in a small suburban area, but still close to the bigger city. We love the outdoors, traveling, which we do often, and eating,” Jonathan writes.

From his time at WWU, he fondly remembers hockey, mountain biking with friends, skiing at Bluewood, and flying with his brother who was working on his pilot’s license. Jonathan and Kelly have three children: Jacob, Kinely, and Emma.

Linda (Loiseau) Foxworth ’92 and her husband, Derrick, live in Happy Valley, Ore. Linda is a regional oncogenomic liaison for Genomic Health, Inc., a company that helps patients determine if they need chemotherapy for breast and colon cancers. She is also the education secretary and minister of music for the Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church in Portland, Ore. In her work at the church, she hosts members from 40 denominations and organizations for a yearly choir workshop called Lift Every Voice. She and Derrick enjoy biking, helping their aging parents, and “cruising.” Linda writes, “Some of my most life-changing experiences happened there at Walla Walla where I learned a true spiritual experience with the Lord. Many of those experiences and relationships are ones that I treasure, learned from, and hold dear to this day.”

Linda has two stepchildren with Derrick: Teela and Derrick Jr.

2000s

Juan Galan ’07 and his wife, Ashley (Wheeler) ’11, live in Turner, Ore. Juan is a social worker at Family Building Blocks. He says that his life-changing moments include his marriage to Ashley five years ago and the birth of their baby. In his favorite memories of WWU, Juan fondly recalls his professors in the social work department, who taught him a love of service. In 2016, Juan and Ashley welcomed their daughter, Acadia.

Krystin (McMiller) Henley ’07 and her husband, Jackson, live in Cashmere, Wash. Krystin is a mom, a homemaker, and a licensed marriage and family therapist. She currently stays at home to care for her children while also working as a contract cognitive behavioral therapist

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

at a residential recovery program in Weimar, Calif. After graduating from WWU, Krystin attended Loma Linda University, where she received a master’s degree in marital and family therapy. A year later, she and

Jackson were married. The couple moved to N.C., where Krystin attended an emergency medicine residency. She says her fondest memories from WWU are those that involve fellowship, including the barn party, dead week activities during finals, and the worships at Heubach chapel. The Henleys have two daughters, Amelia and Clara.

Nick Lambert att. and his wife, Shiloh (Hernandez), live in Vancouver, Wash. He currently works as a project manager for Oregon Story Board, where he strives to foster community and growth within Oregon’s emerging community of digital storytellers. He is also one of the founders and owners of the game design studio Mountain Machine. He has worked in the music industry for 10 years with Falling Up, as well as in the commercial construction industry. He writes that his favorite memory of WWU is “the sense of community.” He continues, “Being in the drama and improv groups really allowed that sense of connection with the local community to develop.”

Briana (St. Clair) Maynor ’07 and her husband, Brett ’08, live in College Place. Briana is an assistant professor in the WWU School of Nursing and is studying for a doctorate of nursing practice and family nurse practitioner. After graduating from WWU, she taught at Loma Linda University for three years before returning to Walla Walla. She says, “It is exciting to teach in the program I graduated from. I really enjoy seeing the students’ growth from the first day through the end of their sophomore year and then hear[ing] about their progress on the Portland campus.” Briana’s favorite WWU memory is of growing close to her fellow nursing majors on the Portland campus. The Maynors have one daughter, Roslyn.

KEY: att. = attended

In Memory Barbara Margaret AldersonHeisler ’56 was born July 10, 1935, in Walla Walla and died Jan. 1, 2017, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: husband William (Bill) Heisler ’55 of Highland, Calif.; daughter Susan Heisler Lewis of Reno, Nev.; sons W. Scott Heisler of Gold River, Calif., Barry Martin Heisler of Roseville, Calif., and Bradley Paul Heisler ’88 of Newcastle, Calif.; and sisters Betty Lou Alderson Woodland ’63 of Gresham, Ore., and Beryl Pauline Alderson Johnson ’64 of Niles, Mich.

Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Marilyn (Atwood) of Walla Walla and sons Russell of Eugene, Ore., and Thomas att. of Petersburg, Alaska.

and died March 19, 2017, in Fircrest, Wash. Surviving: daughters Susan Gardner att. of Federal Way, Wash., and Lynn Morasch ’80 of Fircrest.

Allen J. Iseminger ’53 was born Aug. 16, 1929, in Buffalo, Wyo., and died Jan. 20, 2017, in College Place.

Surviving: wife June (Kyle) ’53 of College Place; daughter Karen ’81 of Alexandria, Va.; sons Melvin ’78 of Cashmere, Wash., and Myron ’86 of Burtonsville, Md.; and sister Annette Chase of Portland, Tenn.

Gordon Bissell att. was born May 1, 1929, in Torrington, Wyo., and died Feb. 13, 2017, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Joan of Walla Walla; daughters Linda Hickerson att. of Damascus, Ore., Laurie Roosma att. of Walla Walla, Lisa Bissell Paulson ’81 of Angwin, Calif., and Lavonne att. of Edmonds, Wash.; and sons Lee att. of Culver, Ore., Lewis att. of MiltonFreewater, Ore., Larry att. of Pasco, Wash., and Lafe ’92 of College Place.

Christopher Steven La Belle att., was born July 1, 1987, in St. Paul, Minn., and died April 8, 2017, in Minneapolis, Minn. Surviving: mother Connie Brandenburger-La Belle of Corcoran, Minn., and father Larry La Belle of Corcoran, Minn.; sister Kelly La BelleLewis of Orono, Minn.; and brother David La Belle of Hopkins, Minn.

Caesar Nawalkowski ’70 was born May 29, 1934, in Rackham, Manitoba, Canada, and died June 5, 2016, in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Surviving: wife Linda (Lucas) ’62 of Ponoka, Alberta, Canada; daughters Shawna Dalke of Loveland, Colo., and Lauris White att. of Foley, Mo.; son Trevor of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; sisters Olga Olson of Holland, Mich., and Marie of Creston, British Columbia, Canada; and brothers Mitchel of Sandy Lake, Manitoba, Canada, Ernie Nolan of Ponoka, and Nelson of Creston.

Edwin Burnett ’54 was born March 10, 1933, in Portland, Ore., and died May 8, 2007, in Fruitland, Md. Surviving: sons Douglas of Silver Spring, Md., and Russell of Fort Dix., N.J.; and sister Marjorie Foster of The Dalles, Ore. William (Bill) Greenley ’56 was born Jan. 28, 1929, in Rockyford, Colo., and died Jan. 19, 2017, in

Edith Moor att. was born Feb. 19, 1927, in Takoma Park, Md., and died Jan. 24, 2017, in Battle Ground, Wash.

Surviving: husband Fred of Battle Ground; daughter RuthAnn Wyman att. of Battle Ground; sons Fred III ’75 of Kelso, Wash., James ’78 of Battle Ground, and Michael att. of Loma Linda, Calif.; and sister Aileen James of Grass Valley, Calif.

Wilda (Means) Morasch ’45 was born Aug. 5, 1922, in Winona, Wash.,

Joan Cayo Sandmeyer ’48 was born March 12, 1927, in Buchanan, Mich., and died Sept. 11, 2016, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Surviving: daughters Willa Sandmeyer ’77 of Thousand Oaks, Beth Sandmeyer of Jefferson, Md., and Jolynne Derigo of Midland, Texas; and sister Jacqueline Cayo Kull ’49 of Banning, Calif.

Stanley Sargeant ’55 was born Dec. 4, 1929, in British Columbia, Canada, and died Dec. 26, 2015, in El Paso, Texas. Surviving: wife Emma Griffin Sargeant (since deceased); daughter Destiny of Juneau, Alaska; and son Thomas ’80 of Everett, Wash.

Elwood Mabley

Elwood Mabley ’48 was born in Roseburg, Ore., on July 14, 1923. He completed his early schooling in Roseburg and then attended Laurelwood Adventist Academy. He enrolled at WWU in 1942 where he met Virginia (Miller) ’48. The two were married on Sept. 3, 1946.

After graduating they taught at Auburn Adventist Academy for two years where Elwood was

the boy’s dean. In 1950 they moved to Glendale, California, where he was the librarian and taught Spanish at Glendale Adventist Academy. During that time, they adopted their son, Gary att., and their daughter, Jeannie.

In 1956 Elwood joined the library staff at La Sierra University, and Virginia began teaching at La Sierra Academy. Elwood completed a master of library science degree in 1959 at the University of Southern California, and in 1968 he and Virginia moved to College Place, where Elwood became the director of libraries at WWU and Virginia taught in the secretarial science department.

Elwood had worked in the WWU library as a student and helped move the library from the Administration Building to the newly constructed

Peterson Memorial Library. The WWU library archives were named the E.L. Mabley Archives in his honor.

Elwood and Virginia retired together in 1989, but remained busy traveling, as active members of the College Place Village Seventh-day Adventist Church, and volunteering at Walla Walla General Hospital.

In retirement, Elwood used his skills as a librarian to assist in researching and writing the history of the Village Church and the history of the Medical Cadet Corps at WWU. On July 11, 2015, Virginia preceded Elwood in death. Elwood passed away on Dec. 31, 2016, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by son Gary of Walla Walla, daughter Jeannie of Spokane, and sister Dorothy of Long Beach, Calif.

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29

AC

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

Alumna of note

Elena Rohm 2013, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

Nursing graduate provides emergency medical care in Iraq

BY KYLER ALVORD

When Elena Rohm enrolled at Walla Walla University in 2010, she already had a career plan in mind. “I never went to nursing school to work in a hospital setting,” Rohm said. “My goal in going to school was always to meet the needs of the underserved population, particularly overseas.” But helping displaced Iraqis in areas devastated by ISIS? That’s something she couldn’t have anticipated.

Rohm’s mission work has taken her to nine foreign countries across five continents. The Oregon native’s latest trip took her to northern Iraq, where ADRA (the Adventist Development and Relief Agency) and Adventist Help are building an emergency medical care hospital to serve the 100,000-plus internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.

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Westwind Fall 2017

She lived in Erbil, Iraq, for two and a half weeks last June and July, traveling an hour to the Hasansham U2 Camp each day to help construct the hospital and treat patients from each of the five local IDP camps. “These were people fleeing from Sinjar or Mosul or a lot of the ISIS-held territories,” Rohm said.

Her daily commute to the hospital site showed evidence of a war-torn region, but it wasn’t until she spent a few days at a trauma stabilization point in Mosul that safety became a concern. “You could hear gunfire and bombs going off and see the smoke in the distance,” Rohm said. Only about 2 kilometers from the action, the trauma stabilization point workers acted as a first response for several injured soldiers and citizens who

wouldn’t have made it to one of the distant hospitals in time.

Rohm knew what kind of injuries to expect when she signed up to help in Iraq—anybody who watches the news knows it’s an ugly situation—but she had no idea how much of an impact the experience would have on her. “When we think of people from Third-World countries, we think they’re so different. But the people are the same as us,” she said. “They have goals and desires just like we do. The only difference between me and these people is that I was lucky enough to be born into a place where I don’t have to worry about this,” Rohm said. “It really stood out to me more than any other trip.”

Rohm returned to her Oklahoma home in July where she

faced a tough decision: What comes next? She toyed with the idea of revisiting school to become a nurse practitioner, but she’s in a prime position to travel and there’s no age limit on a degree. “School will always be there,” she said. “I don’t know that these opportunities will always be presented the same way that I could fulfill them right now.”

Few people exchange luxury for discomfort—and fewer people do it willingly—but when Rohm marched across Centennial Green on the WWU campus in 2013 and took her diploma, she knew her dream was far from conventional. Nobody can predict what part of the world will need help next, but one thing is sure: When an opportunity to help comes knocking, Rohm will open the door with a suitcase by her side and a passport in hand.

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Walla Walla

The The

UniversityFund

WWU 125 years years of of progress, progress, WWU is is celebrating celebrating 125 but needs are are still still the the same. same. but student student needs They need a a supportive supportive community, community, quality quality They still still need academic programs, fully fully equipped equipped learning learning academic programs, and facilities, and and financial financial aid. aid. and living living facilities, N HA AN T H E T E D AN ND A AA IIN N R B R AB | SA 117 7|S 0 2 0 2

Help celebrate our our 125th 125th birthday, birthday, Help us us celebrate and today’s students students by by giving giving and support support today’s to Walla University University Fund.

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GIVE TODAY AT WALLAWALLA.EDU/WWUFUND

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See you there!

Upcoming events to note on your calendar

MARCH 8–10 and APRIL 8–10

U-Days are a great

DECEMBER 8

JANUARY 18

JANUARY 20

JANUARY 25–27

APRIL 26–29

The WWU Department of Music will present its annual

Join fellow alumni for complimentary dinner and a WWU news update at Adventist Health headquarters in Roseville, California, on Thursday, Jan 18. RSVP by Jan. 15 by sending an email to alumni@wallawalla.edu.

Find more information at wallawalla.edu/alumni/ events.

Worship with Northern

Basketball fans, it’s time for the annual

Homecoming weekend 2018

featuring basketball teams from more than 20 academies. Join us to cheer on your favorite teams and enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones!

Visit wallawalla.edu/ friendship to learn more.

is just around the corner.

Plan now to join us for a weekend celebrating WWU generosity in service. The School of Social Work will celebrate 40 years since the start of the bachelor’s program and 30 years since the start of the master’s program.

Visit wallawalla.edu/homecoming to learn more.

Christmas Concert with performances at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Join us in person or online. Both performances will be live streamed at wallawalla. edu/concert.

California alumni

on Jan. 20 at the Gracepoint Church in Rocklin, California. There will be a potluck and WWU-provided dessert buffet after church. A complimentary dinner event will be held that evening at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Sacramento. RSVP by Jan. 15 at alumni@wallawalla.edu.

Friendship Tournament

For a full calendar of events, visit wallawalla.edu/calendar.

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PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

opportunity for high school and academy students to check out the WWU campus. The early-bird registration deadline for March U-Days (students living outside the NPUC) is Dec. 18. For April U-Days, the registration deadline is March 16.

Learn more at wallawalla.edu/udays.