Westwind, Fall 2015

BACK TO YOU ‘GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES’ P. 30 ANNUAL REPORT SUPPORTING BRIGHT FUTURES P. 16

THE JOURNAL OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY FALL 2015

GOOD MEDICINE Lisa McGill-Vargas Texas neonatalogist receives Young Investigator Award

P. 12

y t u a n o e i s s e B r 16iversity 0 2 , –24 Walla Un

1 d at Walla 2 l i r Ap g weeken

p x e in

H

OR N O

, 197 6 6 9 1 1961, , 6 5 S 19 E S AS L C

20 06

comin e m o H

,1 1 9 19 , 86 9 1 , 981 1 , 6 1, 197

6, 9 9

Special reunion of the

Walla Walla University touring choirs Join Professor of Music Kraig Scott and former choral directors John Dennison, Bradley Krueger, Stephen Zork, Ralph Coupland, and others for a reunion of the WWU touring choirs. Musical selections will include favorites from 1965 to 2015. Rehearsals will begin Thursday afternoon, April 21, and will lead to performances Sabbath afternoon and evening. To reserve your spot in the reunion chorus and to receive music prior to the event, register at wallawalla.edu/touringchoir.

EVENTS INCLUDE:

Homecoming banquet, a catered Sabbath dinner with honor classes seated together, honor class reunions, Plant Services and Facility Services reunion, and a Prism vespers concert For more information and the weekend schedule, go to wallawalla.edu/homecoming. Or call Alumni and Advancement Services at (800) 377-2586.

ANNUAL REPORT

“...the Rosario experience in general is an amplification of what I love most about WWU— the family atmosphere.” p. 17 Jim Nestler ’84 and ’86

4

5

12

College Avenue

16

2015 Annual Report

26

Alumni Currents

the President From Building a lasting foundation

THE JOURNAL OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY // FALL 2015

BACK TO YOU ‘GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES’ P. 30 ANNUAL REPORT SUPPORTING BRIGHT FUTURES P. 16

THE JOURNAL OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY FALL 2015

GOOD MEDICINE Lisa McGill-Vargas Texas neonatalogist receives Young Investigator Award

P. 12

About the cover

As an assistant professor of pediatrics, Lisa McGill-Vargas ’04 is inspiring the next generation of neonatologists.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS DRAKE

Westwind Fall 2015, Volume 34, Number 3 / Westwind is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution. It is produced by Marketing and Enrollment Services/ University Relations. This issue was printed in November 2015. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2015 by Walla Walla University. Westwind/University Relations, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324.

Telephone (509) 527-2363 Toll-free (800) 541-8900 E-mail westwind@wallawalla.edu Online westwind.wallawalla.edu

The latest from across campus

Good Medicine

Conducting research as a WWU biology student opened a new world for Lisa McGill-Vargas ’04 Alumni and friends support WWU in its mission to shape young lives 26 Alumnotes, 28 In Memory, 30 Back to You

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Building on a firm foundation

Usually, every year in mid-June, our little town of College Place takes a hiatus. Most students scatter for the summer, leaving our campus to quietly bask under warm sunny days and fiery evening sunsets.

4

Westwind Fall 2015

career devoted to caring for our tiniest and most vulnerable babies.

Chad Angasan explains how Walla Walla University left his heart burning to serve his people in Alaska. For every story Westwind tells, we know there are hundreds more, and we’re grateful to hear them.

We’re also grateful when our alumni reach forward and support the new generations just forming their own foundations. In our annual report you’ll read thank-you notes from students deeply blessed by the scholarships they’ve received from generous donors, and you’ll see how small gifts add up to big investments in the future.

While it’s been exciting to see all of the construction work firsthand, I must confess that we eagerly anticipate the completion of the CARS Project. We hope you’re able to visit us to see the changes for yourself! When you do, you’ll find College Avenue dressed in fresh asphalt lined by smooth new sidewalks. And you’ll know that deep down, under the road, a lasting foundation exists to bless future generations until that joyous day when we will walk streets of gold. By God’s grace, may it be so!

Cordially, John McVay President

PHOTO: COLBY KUSCHATKA

But this year the normal calm was not to be.

The day after graduation, the City of College Place began phase two of what is known as the CARS—College Avenue/Rose Street—Project. An army of excavators and dump trucks appeared, sidewalks and retaining walls were quickly pushed away, and before we knew it, all that remained of College Avenue was a bumpy strip of dirt.

Busy streets don’t often get a chance for a complete upgrade, so the city took this opportunity to dig deep. Daily we heard the engines and felt the vibrations from the equipment as deep holes and long trenches were opened along the street. Deep below the surface, new pipes, conduit, and drains replaced the old. It was fascinating to watch as, layer by layer, a strong new foundation was built for College Avenue, one that will surely serve us well in days to come.

It takes good planning and patience to build a lasting foundation.

As I observed the work on College Avenue this summer, I reflected on our daily work here at Walla Walla University. Certainly we’re known for academic rigor and vibrant spiritual and social programming. We supplement those hallmarks with support services like new student mentors, tutoring and counseling services, and a career center forging connections between students and employers.

But it’s the rhythms of daily college life, particularly on a close-knit residential campus like our own, that dig deep and allow a solid infrastructure to be built for each student.

Just recently, Walla Walla University received a significant gift from the estate of Walla Walla College alumni who attended for only one year. During that year this couple made many friends and met each other, right here in College Place. Together, they built a foundation for a rewarding life, one that would be tested almost immediately when he was called away from college to military duty.

Though they did not return to WWC after his military service, their family recalls that this little spot in southeastern Washington was always considered special because it was the start of it all.

What we do here is foundational work. And it’s rewarding to see how our alumni build on it. In this issue of Westwind you’ll read thoughtful comments from Department of English Chair Kellie Bond, who started her academic journey at Walla Walla College and has returned to challenge a new generation with rigorous thought.

You’ll see how college research, mentored by Department of Biological Sciences Chair David Lindsey, propelled Lisa McGill-Vargas into a

College Avenue The latest from across campus

The ‘before’ shot PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE AND MICHAEL BORK

College Avenue and front campus get a makeover

COLLEGE AVENUE HAS NOTHING TO HIDE—it’s getting some work done. A lift here, some contouring there, and we will soon see marked improvement in the beauty, safety, and accessibility of campus.

Demolition on North College Avenue in front of Hallmark Apartments (pictured approximately a block above the far white dump truck) began during spring quarter 2015. The day after commencement in June, work started on demolition of College Avenue through the center of campus. The photo above was taken in late August. One of the few recognizeable landmarks is Village Hall on the right.

Removing layer after layer of asphalt brought work crews to 12 inches of concrete road that made up the old State Route 125. Not willing to let good concrete go to waste, George Bennett, WWU executive director of physical plant operations, seized the opportunity as the concrete was removed to have it ground up and returned to the worksite later where it was used as select fill for various parts of the project. “This allowed us to save quite a bit of money,” says Bennett.

“It was less expensive than new crushed rock.”

Among the relics unearthed during construction was a brick cistern

in front of Smith Hall that was 6 feet in diameter and more than 22 feet deep. The mystery remains about its intended purpose— possibly a hand dug well or a dry well for dissipating runoff water.

Also unearthed was 8-inch wooden pipe found in two locations and two vintage Green Spot soft drink bottles that were found near the location of the old college store.

The road construction has been part of the College Avenue/Rose Street Project funded by the State of Washington. In addition to a new road surface, the project will provide widened sidewalks along College Avenue and improved safety at intersections. The university took the opportunity during road construction to make major improvements including: paver patios and walkways in front of the Administration Building, Village Hall, and Meske Hall; improved campus lighting and landscaping; underground powerlines along College Avenue; and improvements to the visibility of crosswalks across College Avenue.

Come to Homecoming Weekend, April 21–24, and see the progress. See photos of the mystery cistern at wallawalla.edu/cistern.

Westwind Fall 2015

5

College Avenue The latest from across campus

‘Top-flight graduate education’

Cress to lead WWU graduate studies program

I

n July, Pamela Keele Cress became associate vice president for graduate studies at Walla Walla University. Cress has been a social work professor at WWU since 1996 and served as dean of the School of Social Work and Sociology from 2006 to 2015.

“We are known for serious academics at Walla Walla University. Our graduate programs do not disappoint,” said Cress. “Our programs boast highly qualified faculty and demonstrate the rigor and challenge one would expect and want from quality graduate education. Beyond that, graduate education at Walla Walla University is enhanced for the student through the personal relationships that are built with faculty and staff while on our campus. Receiving a top-flight graduate education in an environment where people care about you and want your personal and professional success is undoubtedly a win-win.”

Before coming to WWU, Cress practiced for 10 years as a mental health and administrative social worker in Walla Walla. In addition to her new administrative role, she continues to teach the loss and bereavement content at the university and is very active in the community.

Cress has lived in the Walla Walla Valley for 32 years.

“I respect and care about the community of believers to which I belong,” she said. Among her favorite things about WWU, Cress lists Welcome Back Bash, The Longest Table, and basketball tournaments. “I am an extrovert who relishes new beginnings and appreciates collaboration with others in service that is above self,” she said.

She and her husband, John, have two adult daughters and three beautiful grandchildren: Zoe, Isla, and Lincoln, whom she loves playing with. She also enjoys reading, music, traveling with her husband, and “a great cup of calming tea.”

Learn more at wallawalla.edu/ gradstudies about WWU graduate programs in biology, counseling psychology, education, media ministry, and social work.

Reaching out

Versafund grant provides educational opportunities for immigrant children

New faculty

W

alla Walla University welcomed 17 new faculty members for the 2015–16 school year. Front row from left: Michael Gref, instructor in aviation; Sherrice Croft, instructor in social work; Briana Maynor, assistant professor of nursing; Joseph Brannaka, assistant professor of chemistry; Heather Rodriguez, assistant professor of social work; Susan Alexander, professor of computer science; and Rodd Strobel, assistant professor of physical education. Back row from left: Doug McClay, assistant librarian level II; Matthew Toelke, instructor in aviation; Matthew Pierce, instructor in art; Benjamin Jackson, assistant professor of mathematics; Lynelle Ellis, associate professor of communications; Julie DeWitt-Kamada, professor of nursing; Mathilde Frey, associate professor of biblical studies; and Kayleith Pellandini, instructor in social work. Not pictured: Timothy Golden, professor of philosophy.

6

Westwind Fall 2015

Walla Walla University, the Children’s Home Society of Washington–Walla Walla, and the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla received a $16,300 consortium grant from Versacare Inc., to implement a 2015 summer program for immigrant children at the Children’s Museum.

More than 85 children from Walla Walla-area Farm Labor Homes attended four workshops held throughout the summer. Workshop classes were divided among themes of science, healthcare, and recycling and sustainability.

Classes included bird identification and building Faraday flashlights with the assistance of Don Riley, professor of engineering, and Fred Liebrand, professor of physics. Tammy Randolph, professor of education, and WWU students from the School of Education taught children about recycling and sustainability by having them haul away junk from a simulated ocean in a junk (flat-bottomed boat) that they constructed out of recycled

cardboard, birch branches, and plastic and glass bottles.

The Versafund The WWU chapter of Engineers Without grant is made Borders worked at the available by Children’s Museum of the CaliforniaWalla Walla during spring based company, quarter 2015 to help Versacare Inc., prepare the museum for to implement the summer children’s program. programs that support and educate children in the fields of health and science.

“A big thanks to Versacare,” said Riley. “Without this grant, the Children’s Museum summer program wouldn’t exist and these kids wouldn’t have the opportunities they do.” Riley said additional donations will enable educational projects to continue once a month throughout the 2015–2016 school year.

Adventist Health University Clinic Walla Walla General Hospital to provide health services on WWU campus

W

alla Walla General Hospital/Adventist Health is now providing health services for Walla Walla University students, faculty, and staff on the university campus in College Place.

The new Adventist Health University Clinic represents a new model of campus health care at WWU that offers 24hour access to an advanced registered nurse practitioner, a medical assistant, or an on-call physician. Students, faculty, and staff continue to enjoy the excellent health care they’ve come to appreciate on campus, while benefiting from the depth of services provided by

a large healthcare system. One of those benefits is insurance billing by the clinic.

“We recognize and celebrate the professionalism and ministry of the previous Campus Health and Wellness team led

by Wanda Nelson,” said David Richardson, WWU vice president for Student Life and Mission. “Our staff, faculty, and students have benefited from excellent care by a group of committed healthcare professionals that was dedicated to student success and generosity in service.”

The clinic will continue to be located in Meske Hall. Future plans call for a new clinic location.

Work ethic

WWU student named Washington state Student Employee of the Year Francieli Altamirano, senior social work major, was recently named 2015 Washington State Student Employee of Year by the Washington State Association of Student Employment Administrators (WSASEA).

Altamirano has worked in the Walla Walla University School of Social Work for three years as an office assistant. Her responsibilities include reception work at the front desk, data entry, creating PowerPoint presentations, and assisting three faculty members.

“Francieli is an outstanding worker and a lovely individual whom I believe embodies the qualities that WWU values in both a student and an individual. She is consistently friendly, helpful, kind, and effective in her work responsibilities,” said Heather Vonderfecht, master of social work graduate program coordinator.

Altamirano was first chosen from among her fellow WWU student employees as WWU Student Employee of the Year. This honor qualified her to be nominated along with student employees from across the state for the WSASEA award. In making their decision, the WSASEA considered the employee’s reliability, quality of work, initiative, disposition, attitude, and longevity.

The WSASEA brings together postsecondary educational institutions in Washington state that have student employment programs in order to address issues and concerns related to student employment. Heidi Lindstrom, WWU student employment manager, says that WWU joins the WSASEA in the belief that student employment is an important part of gaining work experience while attending a university.

Nursing accreditation ACEN grants continuing accreditation to WWU School of Nursing

T

he Walla Walla University School of Nursing was granted continuing accreditation for the bachelor of science nursing program with removal of a warning by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at a meeting of the ACEN in July.

The decision came following an ACEN site visit and program review in February 2015 after WWU appealed a July 2014 decision by the ACEN to deny continuing accreditation of the program.

The nursing program remained accredited throughout the appeal and review process.

“The quality of our nursing program and our graduates has been clearly demonstrated,” says Lucille Krull, dean of the School of Nursing. “ACEN has not been concerned with our curriculum or our student outcomes.”

Graduates from the WWU

School of Nursing consistently outperform the national pass rates on their National Council Licensure Examinations.

The initial denial of continued accreditation was issued when the university failed to meet one standard for graduate degree credentialing of School of Nursing instructors. That standard is that all WWU School of Nursing faculty must possess at least a master’s degree. As of January 2015, 100 percent of the nursing faculty had a master’s degree in nursing.

“Our nursing faculty are some of the most dedicated Christian professionals that I know, and I am pleased that ACEN has recognized this,” said Krull.

In addition to ACEN accreditation, the Walla Walla University nursing program is approved by the Washington State Nursing Commission and the Oregon State Board for Nursing.

To learn more about the WWU School of Nursing, visit wallawalla.edu/nursing or call (503) 251-6115.

Westwind Fall 2015

7

College Avenue The latest from across campus

On course WWU athletics program adds men’s varsity golf team

T

he Walla Walla University athletics program added a men’s golf team as the Wolves transition to the Cascade Collegiate Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

All NAIA member schools must offer at least six championship sports. Prior to the addition of the golf team, the WWU athletics program offered men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, and women’s softball.

Historically, women at WWU have had more athletic playing opportunities than men. “It became apparent that we needed a handful of male athlete opportunities,” said Gerry Larson, athletic director.

Rodd Strobel, assistant professor of physical education, will coach the new team. Strobel has more than 20 years of coaching experience at the high school and college level, and has taught golf at WWU for 12 years.

“I want my players to be better people because of the competitive golf experience,” said Strobel. “I believe the discipline and effort required to improve as a golfer directly translate into everyday life. Attributes that make great golfers—like balance, self-motivation, integrity, emotional control, accountability, and responsibility—will serve these athletes well in every area of their lives.

“In addition,” said Strobel, “the team will spend a lot of time working on developing their golf game. We will practice everything from ball striking and bunker play to course management and putting.”

Matches will be held during fall 2015 and spring 2016. Strobel expects the competition to be challenging and rewarding and to provide opportunities to see where the team excels and the areas that still need work.

A schedule of golf matches is available at UWolves.com.

96

BY THE NUMBERS

th

percentile

2015 placement

Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay

By Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2014)

Every manager’s dream is finding “The One”—that one employee who fulfills your wildest hopes and dreams.

Once you find that person, your greatest fear is losing them. Authors Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans explore 26 methods, from A to Z, for keeping your best people. From asking, “What keeps you?” (finding ways to make employees love what they do) to going for the zenith (doing everything you can to engage your employees), this book is a must-read for managers.

—Cheree Hill ’12, associate director of human resources

Test in Business by

seniors in the WWU School of Business.

Since 1992 WWU business seniors have scored in the top 12th percentile.

From your mobile device,

Scan me with your favorite app (like RedLaser)!

Westwind Fall 2015

Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts

on the Major Field

get more WWU news.

8

books sites

An Entire Day of Air Traffic in One Astonishing Visualization

By Jason Kambitsis Wired.com

You’ve undoubtedly assembled many twodimensional puzzles. Perhaps you’ve even tried a 3-D puzzle. But have you ever completed a 4-D puzzle? As an aeronautical engineer, my favorite 4-D puzzle is the international air space. Did you know that commercial aircraft make 100,000 flights per day? Imagine the close coordination.

At wired.com/2014/03/plane-viz you can see an illustration of this 4-D puzzle in the skies of Europe.

For a broader view, check out the worldwide airspace at https://youtu.be/G1L4GUA8arY. —Brian Roth ’01, associate professor of engineering

historynewsnetwork.org

I was once sitting on an airplane next to someone who told me that it must be nice working in a field where nothing new ever happened. In fact, history is constantly changing. There are always new discoveries, new interpretations, and new ways to teach the human past. And sometimes history is destroyed, such as the recent destruction of Palmyra. The History News Network is one of the best places to keep up on what is new in history and often has insightful commentary on how historical knowledge can inform our current issues and cultural conversations.

—Gregory Dodds ’97, professor of history and chair of the Department of History and Philosophy

From the archives / If memory serves

I Cantori

’83

The WWU select choir began touring in 1929 and was renamed I Cantori (Italian for “the singers”) in 1979. The auditioned group chosen from the 1900-member WWU student body is now under the direction of Professor of Music Kraig Scott ’84.

CREDIT TK

Watch I Cantori sing at wallawalla.edu/icantorivideos.

Westwind Fall 2015

9

Brown Bag / Faculty in first person

KELLIE BOND The 2015 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer examines the beauty and power of a few well chosen words

A

s an English professor, of course, I like good sentences. Four of my favorites come from the literary periods I study—modernism and the 20th century. These sentences keep me thinking, remind me of the awesome ability of language to inspire and transform.

In Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady, published in 1881, the protagonist, Isabel Archer, befriends Henrietta Stackpole—an unconventional, independent, talkative journalist. The narrator initially caricatures her, mocking her literary endeavors and rough manners. But deep into the novel (on page 535 in my Penguin Classics edition), the narrator gets some sense. When Isabel becomes increasingly depressed in her marriage to a wealthy expatriate living in Italy, Henrietta proves an indispensable support, traveling from America to Rome to check on her friend. The narrator reveals his admiration for Henrietta in one of my favorite sentences in literature: “She had crossed the stormy ocean in midwinter because she had guessed that Isabel was sad.”

“

In another of my favorite novels, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, published in 1925, the protagonist, Clarissa Dalloway, plans a party, which she identifies as “her gift.” Like the writer Woolf herself, Clarissa brings people together. But during the party, she grows weary and contemplative, leaving her longtime friends to go upstairs and contemplate the suicide of a British soldier returned from WWI. She tells her friends, who are longing to talk to her, “I shall come back.” And she does. As her friend Peter Walsh observes in the novel’s last sentence, “For there she was.” Clarissa’s promise to return recalls Christ’s, though Woolf—devastated by war, a flu epidemic, and rampant social injustice—is not a believer. In recalling the biblical promise, however, Woolf acknowledges its power, and in having Clarissa return at the end of the novel, she suggests humans must lend comfort and courage in a broken world. They cannot wait until Christ returns to address human problems.

‘I’m going to stay riled till somebody gets some sense and leastway act like a Christian.’”

In the last paragraph of his essay “Notes of a Native Son,” published in 1955, James Baldwin also proclaims our need to restructure the world. Navigating the difficulties, complexities, and volatilities of a segregated America, James Baldwin offers a profound and paradoxical statement regarding our responsibility to fight injustice: “It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas which

10

Westwind Fall 2015

seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as they are: in the light of this idea, it goes without saying that injustice is a commonplace. But this did not mean that one could be complacent, for the second idea was of equal power: that one must never, in one’s own life, accept these injustices as commonplace but must fight them with all one’s strength.”

I’ll give the last word to Stamp Paid, a character in Toni Morrison’s Beloved, published in 1987. Before the Civil War, Stamp is a conductor on the Underground Railroad. After the war, he performs odd jobs and helps his community bear the history of slavery and travesties of racism. When his friend, Ella, cites moral grounds for refusing to house Paul D, who is homeless, Stamp chastises her. She tells him to calm down, but he refuses: “Not me.

I’m going to stay riled till somebody gets some sense and leastway act like a Christian.”

These are difficult texts, exposing human cruelty and heartache. But they are also inspiring. James, Woolf, Baldwin, and Morrison stay riled. They insist that we can do better. They hold us accountable. They remind us to be good friends, to create beauty, to support each other, and to fight injustice.

They show that people don’t need to be Christian to promote justice (in fact, they reveal that Christianity has often fostered and perpetuated injustice), but Morrison suggests that people aren’t Christian unless they’re riled up for justice.

I’m lucky to teach these writers and to read them with my students. With sentences like these in our heads, we’re encouraged to be better human beings—and better writers.

ND

Associate Professor of English

Westwind Fall 2015

11

GOOD

M

12

Westwind Fall 2015

Just one stitch.

That was all it took for Lisa McGill-Vargas to know she wanted to be a doctor.

BY AMY WILKINSON PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS DRAKE

MEDICINE

THIS STORY BEGINS at Auburn Adventist

Academy. Or, perhaps more accurately, at Loma Linda University, where Lisa McGill-Vargas’ academy physics class took a week-long field trip to tour the Southern California campus and shadow medical professionals. It was during an overnight shift in the ER that she made that fateful suture. “Even as a high school senior, I could see that it was a good career fit for me,” McGill-Vargas, now a neonatologist in San Antonio, Texas, recalls. So the following autumn, when she enrolled as a freshman at Walla Walla University, she was resolute, declaring herself pre-med. And, unlike

Westwind Fall 2015

13

so many of her peers, it stuck. (Studies show that approximately 50 percent of college students change their major at least once before graduation.*) “Of course during my time at Walla Walla I wondered, and I thought maybe I should try other things,” McGill-Vargas says.

“But I was lucky in that I knew what I wanted to do, and it actually ended up being the perfect fit for me.”

Though certain about a career in medicine, McGill-Vargas learned just how many other avenues of discovery were open to her while a student at WWU. In fact, a significant portion of her professional focus today—research—had its genesis while studying under biology professor David Lindsey. “I had never thought about research,” McGill-Vargas admits. “I hadn’t even done a research elective.” But at Lindsey’s suggestion, McGill-Vargas applied for a scholarship from his Murdock Grant and received it. “That, to me, was a major turning point as far as getting me involved in research.”

“It was clear that Lisa was curious, bright, gracious, and enthusiastic,” Lindsey recalls of his former student. “It was easy to communicate with Lisa.” So McGill-Vargas spent the summer after her sophomore year helping Lindsey conduct research into ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathways. (Or, as McGill-Vargas helpfully explains in layman’s terms: “What he looked at is a single-cell organism. He looked at mutations in the organism to understand how those genes play in organizing this basically mold species.”) Their co-authored research was later published in the medical journal Eukaryotic Cell. “He dedicated so much time to teach me basic lab techniques that I still use now.”

After graduating from WWU in 2004 with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry, McGill-Vargas returned to the Loma Linda University School of Medicine—this time as a full-fledged medical student—where she not only settled on her love for pediatrics (“I felt like the vulnerable pediatric population was where I could make the biggest difference”) but also the love of her life—her husband, Lee Vargas. The two married in the interim between McGill-Vargas’ final year of medical school and her first year of pediatric residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. “I came back from my honeymoon and the day after my honeymoon I started my residency,” she explains with a hint of amusement.

The rigors of newlywed life and residency must have suited her, though, as she excelled in her program and was named resident of the year twice. McGill-Vargas then undertook a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine, where it wasn’t out of the ordinary for a day at the office to entail strapping in for an emergency helicopter ride. McGill-Vargas explains: “We would go by helicopter to border towns between Texas and Mexico to see babies who were born in tiny hospitals that weren’t equipped for a sick baby. In the middle of the night, we would go stabilize the baby and bring it back by helicopter.” And in case you are wondering, no, the heights don’t bother her.

“There’s a flight crew who takes care of all that,” she says.

FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER

Now, as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the same San Antonio university where she completed her residency and fellowship, McGill-Vargas goes on fewer helicopter runs but is no less committed to her patients or her profession. In fact, one could say her current position requires even more juggling, with a practice based at a teaching hospital where the watchful eyes of medical students, residents, and fellows are almost always on her. (And, to be sure, hers on them.) “It adds a different component—just going into a hospital with a sick baby—you have trainees that you have to observe and make sure they’re doing everything okay and teach them,” she says. And let’s not forget her research.

14

Westwind Fall 2015

Contemplating a career in medicine?

McGill-Vargas offers a few tips:

“Neonatology is a great field, but it’s a field that’s fairly new. We’re saving babies earlier and earlier in gestation, but a lot of what we do doesn’t have the best evidence behind it. And so that’s where the research comes in.” Specifically, her research concerns glucose levels in premature babies. “During the first couple weeks of life they can have abnormally high glucose measurements and abnormally low glucose measurements,” said McGill-Vargas. “We’ve found that poor glucose regulation—probably because of premature organs—has longlasting effects, but there’s not a lot of understanding as to why their glucose metabolism is abnormal. That’s what I investigate in my research.”

In 2014, McGill-Vargas presented and defended her research at the American Academy of Pediatrics national meeting in San Diego and won the Young Investigator Award. “I was surprised!” she says of the recognition. “It was very exciting.”

Someone who probably wasn’t too surprised by her accomplishment?

WWU mentor David Lindsey. “Lisa proved to be everything I saw in her as a

1.

LEARN HOW TO LEARN. “It’s helpful and essential to learn study skills and self-discipline, as medical school, residency, and the practice of medicine depends on these skills. It’s not just about a GPA.”

2.

DON’T LIMIT YOURSELF.

freshman,” he says. “Above all, she is driven by a desire to help others. Lisa continues to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to me.”

And while plaques and recognition are all fine and good, McGill-Vargas is quick to point out the real perks of the job: “I think the most rewarding part is taking care of an extremely sick baby and being up with them all night long and doing everything I can to keep them alive, and they stay alive,” she says. “We have our NICU [neonatology intensive care unit] reunion every year in October, and to see them at three years old running around and looking fantastic, that’s very rewarding.” Of course, there are also the times that McGill-Vargas must deliver the news no parent should ever have to hear. “The hardest part is that sometimes there’s just nothing to be done. You can do everything right and you can provide the best medicine has to offer and it’s not enough, and now you have to look a mom and dad in the eyes and say, ‘I’m sorry. I think the best thing to do right now is redirect our care.’ It’s really hard.”

McGill-Vargas is now a parent herself, raising two-year-old son Mason, and credits her support system at both work and home for helping to balance it all.

“Just today I left, and I gave my two-year-old a kiss and said, ‘Mom’s going to go take care of sick babies.’ So he’s learned, and at night he prays for the sick babies,” McGill-Vargas says. “I hope one day that he’ll know that when I wasn’t with him I was doing something that was important, and I hope that he’ll be proud of that.” And who knows: Maybe one day, little Mason will make a fateful stitch too.

Left inset: McGill-Vargas’ care of sick babies includes late-night helicopter trips to impoverished Texas border towns and all-nighters in the high-tech NICU at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Right inset: McGillVargas credits her family with helping her maintain balance.

“If there is another topic you would like to learn about, your time in college is a special opportunity to learn about these things. College is a great time to develop an inquisitive mind, which is needed for evidencebased medicine and medical research.”

3.

REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN. “I guess my biggest advice is to enjoy the journey. College is a time to enjoy learning and to figure out what you want to do with your life.”

*Source: http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2011/02/not-a-major-deal.html Westwind Fall 2015

15

ANNUAL Walla Walla University is a community of faith and discovery committed to:

EXCELLENCE in THOUGHT

GENEROSITY in SERVICE

BEAUTY in EXPRESSION

We foster the unique gifts of every individual within a Christian community of faith and discovery. In support of this mission and philosophy, from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, Walla Walla University received gifts totaling $7,438,832 and innumerable contributions of time and energy.

16

Westwind Fall 2015

REP ORT DONOR SPOTLIGHT

FAITH in GOD

Jim and Nancy Nestler fell in love in the Walla Walla Valley—first with the family atmosphere at Walla Walla University, with each other in 1981, and then with the WWU Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory in 1983 during Jim’s first summer there as a student.

Jim is now a professor in the WWU biology department, a position that allows him to teach at the marine laboratory near Anacortes, Wash. “I’ve been at Rosario in one capacity or another every summer since [1983],” he said.

“The Rosario campus, the Rosario experience in general, is an amplification of what I love most about WWU—the family atmosphere,” said Jim. “Rosario helped me find my place here. I want others to have the same opportunity to learn and grow here. Jesus says we can come as we are; WWU says the same thing, come as you are, and we will fully accept you into the WWU family.”

With a desire to continue supporting the program at Rosario after they are gone, the Nestlers have made a legacy gift to the university. “While immediate gifts are crucial to the mission of WWU and Rosario, long-term planning is important for the vision—what WWU and Rosario will become in the future,” said Jim. “Working for an SDA school doesn’t provide a whole lot of discretionary income for making one-time donations, so by providing a legacy gift, we may be able to make a greater difference in the success of students.”

The Nestlers emphasize that it is important to follow your heart when choosing to make a financial gift, and with this type of gift to the university, they promise you will never look back and regret your decision.

Westwind Fall 2015

17

2014–2015

Endowed scholarships are one way alumni and friends are helping current students. We’re pleased to announce six new endowed scholarships for 2015.

NEW END OW M E J. Paul Grove Memorial Endowment

Class of 1959 Endowed Student Missions Scholarship Fund

This endowed scholarship was established to commemorate the 50th graduation reunion of the Class of 1959. The endowment provides assistance to student missionaries for mission-related costs, such as airline tickets, travel visas, and immunizations. The class hopes this fund will encourage students to serve wherever God leads them. Class member Betty Wood attended the 50th reunion and remembers conversations about establishing the fund: “We wanted to do something special for student missionaries. We were really interested in helping WWU with regular funds provided by an endowment. It’s a spiritually life changing experience for growth.…

It’s an important year.”

Grellmann Family Scholarship Georg Grellmann was a nationally renowned athlete from Falkenstein im Vogtland, Germany, a WWII infantryman, and a WWII prisoner of war.

He met and married Charleene Riffle from Shattuck, Okla., a missionary nurse and director of surgical nursing at Loma Linda University, after his first wife, Helen, died in 1975. Charleene instantly became the mother of Georg’s five children.

After a career in the ministry in Illinois and Washington state, Georg and Charleene retired in Walla Walla where their children were either working or were students at Walla Walla University. After Georg’s death in 2012 and Charleene’s death in 2014, their five children and their children’s families sought to honor their parents by establishing this endowment. The fund provides scholarships for students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need.

T H A N K FU L S T U DENT S

Westwind Fall 2015

Dr. Gordon Johnson Endowed Physics Scholarship Gordon Johnson completed a degree in physics at Walla Walla College in 1966. After his marriage to Pat in 1972, the birth of their three children, and completion of his doctorate at Purdue University, Johnson accepted a teaching position in the WWU physics department where he taught for the next 26 years and served several years as department chair. After retiring in 2011, he is active in the WWU freshman mentoring program and is an involved member of the Walla Walla University Church. The Johnson family started this endowment to honor his dedication to Adventist education and his commitment to helping students excel. The fund provides scholarships for physics and biophysics majors who are interested in teaching. Recipients must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need.

Scholarship recipients express thanks for generous donors

Jason Kenney

Stephen Farr

“I would like to take the time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donation.… With any luck, I should be completing my degree in history and minor in business by the end of next year. As a disabled combat veteran from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, I want you to know how much it means to me to be able to use this money in my further progress. I am also a member of the Waitsburg Lions Club and Waitsburg Volunteer Fire Department, so I hope that you know that I do consider community service a big part of making the world a better place and helping my community in any way possible. Thank you so very much.”

“Thanks to the generosity of DeLaine Anderson, I have received a scholarship for three consecutive years. I would not have been able to attend college without your family member’s generosity. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. Your loved one has left a beautiful legacy. I have honored their hard work to leave me such a wonderful gift by working very hard in school and achieving excellence in my grades. Thank you again. Your gift has empowered me to get an education, and with God’s help, I will get a chance to make a difference in the world.”

SENIOR HISTORY MAJOR

18

Through the influence of his devout Christian grandmother, J. Paul Grove became a Seventh-day Adventist and then a pastor. In 1958, Paul Heubach and Gordon Balharrie invited Grove to teach at Walla Walla College. He taught for 26 years in the School of Theology and served as dean of the school for three years.

Grove retired from the university in 1984. He passed away in February 2015 having left an indelible mark at WWU and in the hearts of countless students. The J. Paul Grove Endowment provides scholarships for students majoring in degrees within the School of Theology who demonstrate academic merit or financial need. It may also be used to reimburse student travel-related expenses as approved by the School of Theology faculty.

SENIOR THEOLOGY MAJOR

WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

To read the stories behind the Walla Walla University endowed scholarships that are not listed here, visit wallawalla.edu/endowments.

NT S

I N DEP EN DEN T C O LLEGES o f WASHINGT ON The following corporations, foundations, and individuals support higher education by contributing to the Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW).

ICW is a consortium of private colleges and universities, including Walla Walla University.

The money from these donors directly benefits Walla Walla University.

Thomas M. Thompson and Kenneth L. Wiggins Excellence in Mathematics Scholarship

To honor retiring faculty members Thomas Thompson and Kenneth Wiggins, the WWU mathematics department hosted its first mathematics conference in 2013. The conference consisted of 13 presentations by department alumni and faculty. Conference attendees were invited to support the new Thomas M. Thompson and Kenneth L. Wiggins Excellence in Mathematics Scholarship. Thompson taught at WWU for 42 years and Wiggins for 34 years. The endowment in their name provides tuition scholarships for students majoring in mathematics and demonstrating academic merit, or it may be used to reimburse approved student expenses for conventions at which the student gives a presentation.

Randy Yaw Pi Contest Endowment If you attended Walla Walla College in the early 1980s—and even if you didn’t—you’re likely acquainted with Randy Yaw. A 1984 graduate with a major in mathematics and a minor in physics and computer science, Yaw is known for his friendly spirit and for his love of the mathematical constant pi. Yaw can recite more digits of pi than the average person could verify.

Throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, math teachers have inspired their students by telling them about a man by the name of Randy Yaw who memorizes digits of pi and collects pi jokes and memorabilia. Shortly after his graduation, the mathematics department started the Randy Yaw Pi Contest. Yaw’s endowment provides a scholarship for first place of $314.15 to the student contestant who recites the most digits of pi. The record is 1,769 digits! A cash prize of $31.41 is awarded for second place and $3.14 for third place. Each contestant receives a whole pie, and spectators are invited to enjoy a slice as well.

Alaska Airlines George D. Bartell Belma Villa Ben Bridge Donor Family Advised Fund The Bennett Family Blueacre Seafood The Boeing Company Herb Bridge and Edie Hilliard Jon Bridge and Ed Bridge Thoman Bruhns Violet A. Boyer Anne Cassidy CIC and the UPS Educational Endowment Fund Clark Nuber P.S. Cowles Company Devon Crouch Jim and Debbie Crouch Deborah Cushing Jessica Dafni Patty and Michael Daniels Brian Dohe Enterprises International Inc. Tom and Brenda Fitzsimmons Kenneth J. and Beryl N. Goodchild

Groninger & Co., Inc. Gull Industries Lawton Printing Services Ray and Caryl Lawton Microsoft Corporation Norcliffe Foundation Nordstrom Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation O.D. Fisher Charitable Fund/ The Seattle Foundation PACCAR Inc. PEMCO Foundation Peterson Sullivan LLP Puget Sound Business Journal Rabel Family Donor Advised Fund Saltchuk Seattle Pacific University Sheraton Seattle Hotel Andrew and Robin Stefan Titus Will Families Foundation U.S. Bank William Kilworth Foundation Wollenberg Foundation Wright Runstad & Co

Seraphine Hoang

Marissa (Masden) Bahnsen

“Thank you for providing your generous scholarship. These funds help make my education possible and affordable. Thank you! As a student, I’ve enjoyed many things about WWU. For example, I really love all the nursing and religion classes that are offered at WWU.… I also love all the teachers that I have had.

They are so wonderful and filled with grace. Upon graduation, I plan to use my degree to serve those who don’t have access to health care. If possible, I would like to work in the rural areas to serve those who are in need of health services.

One day, I plan to support WWU, as you have done.”

“Thank you very much for your generous contribution towards my education!

I am graduating this year and am planning to teach high school math and science for several years before proceeding to STEM educational research. Your help in this endeavor is very appreciated.”

SENIOR NURSING MAJOR

2015 GRADUATE, CHEMISTRY & MATHEMATICS MAJORS

Westwind Fall 2015

19

2014–2015

Many thanks to the donors who made possible the endowments listed here. Your investment today helps secure the future success of Walla Walla University and generations of students to come.

E N DOW M EN T S Administration Building Maintenance

Class of 1957 Scholarship

Advancement of Chemical Research at Walla Walla University

Class of 1959 Student Missions Scholarship

ASWWU Student Aid Endowment

Class of 1960 Student Missions Scholarship

THANKFUL S T U D E N T S, cont.

James and Ruth Bebee Computer Science Scholarship

Andrew Nunez

Beverly Math Faculty Improvement

Class of 1971 Scholarship

Shannon Marie Bigger Memorial Christian Service Volunteer Scholarship

Class of 1978 Scholarship

James and Ruth Bebee Nursing Scholarship

Dietrich/Wilkinson Aviation Scholarship Frances Dixon Special Education

Class of 1961 Student Missions Scholarship

Dr. Ralph A. Drake Scholarship

Class of 1965 Scholarship

Josephine Cunnington Edwards Memorial Scholarship

Lars and Anna Dybdahl Scholarship

Class of 1983 Scholarship

H. Russell and Genevieve Emmerson Memorial Scholarship

Class of 1984 Scholarship

Engineering Chair Endowment

Class of 1989 Edwin Zaugg Memorial Scholarship

Mary Garner Esary Memorial Scholarship

Class of 1996 Scholarship

Faculty/Staff Scholarship

George W. Bowers Excellence in Chemistry Scholarship

Class of 1997 Scholarship

Dena W. and R. B. Farnsworth Nursing Scholarship

Boyson Family Communication Scholarship

Class of 2009 Student Missionary Scholarship

John F. Bregar Memorial Scholarship Junior Senior Business Scholarship

Class of 2011 Shari Booth Memorial Scholarship

School of Business Fund

Class of 2012 Scholarship

Graduate Dean’s Award

“I cannot thank you enough for your generous financial gift, which enables me to finish my undergraduate education. WWU is an amazing university that has filled my life with community, faith, and immeasurable support both in my academic career and spiritual journey. I know I will someday give back to a place that has given me so much. May the Lord continue to bless you as you bless others.”

Clair and Myrtle Calkins Library Book Fund

Class of 2014 Scholarship

Albert E. and Reta J. Graham Memorial Scholarship

Cora Farnsworth

Janice P. Chance Memorial Nursing Fund

JUNIOR NURSING MAJOR

“I wish I could put into words how much your donation means to me.

My family and I have been going through hard financial times, and we have been praying that I would be able to continue my education here at Walla Walla University. Our prayers were answered through your donation. God bless you and may you continue to touch people’s lives.”

Rachael (Coon) Gaskill 2015 GRADUATE, ENGLISH MAJOR

SENIOR MATH & MUSIC MAJOR

“Thank you so much for contributing to my education. With my degree, I am hoping to be able to change the way children are educated to be more beneficial for each child. Thank you for making my dreams come true!”

Lester and Geraldine Border Christian Service Scholarship Alice I. Bowden Memorial Theology Scholarship

D. Ordell and Margaret A. Calkins Business/Education Faculty Development Merle Clairon Calkins Computer Science Faculty Development Lewis Canaday Memorial Technology Scholarship Dr. James R. Chambers Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Muriel Chapman Nursing Scholarship Percy W. Christian Excellence in History Scholarship A. J. and Gladys E. Christiansen Memorial Scholarship Class of 1954 Scholarship Class of 1955 Scholarship

20

Loren Dickinson Communications Scholarship

Westwind Fall 2015

Class of 2003 Scholarship

Verlin L. and Thelma (Kumalae) Cochran Memorial Scholarship

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

Grellmann Family Scholarship

Communication Development Course

John J. Hafner Music Scholarship

Computer Science Magazine

Lovyl and Mary Hagle Memorial Worthy Student Scholarship

L. P. “Jim” Corbett English Scholarship L. P. “Jim” Corbett History Scholarship

Richard and Dena Hammill Memorial Scholarship

L. P. “Jim” and Jane B. Corbett Student Aid Scholarship

Thomas Hampson Humanities Merit Scholarship

Lee Crain Memorial Music Scholarship

Howard E. Hanafin Scholarship

Edward F. Cross Engineering Scholarship 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

Clyde and Mary Harris Challenge Grant Pauline Hart Memorial Social Work Scholarship Richard and Georgiana Hayden Christian Service Scholarship Rodney Heisler Engineering Scholarship/Grant Robert A. Henderson Memorial History Scholarship

WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

During the 2014–15 fiscal year, the endowments listed here provided:

$801,377

Wilma E. Hepker Scholarship Paul and Frances Heubach Memorial Theology Scholarship

H. Lloyd Leno Memorial Music Scholarship

Blythe Owen Music Scholarship

Gene and Betty Soper Music Scholarship

Lewiston/Clarkston Scholarship

Doreen Paulson-Evans Memorial Scholarship

Jennie M. Livingston Memorial Library Fund

Yvonne Pickett Memorial Scholarship

Dr. C. Stanley Lloyd Jr. Scholarship

Piper-Johanson Scholarship

Helen and Archie Howatson Nursing Scholarship

Kelly Logan Social Work Scholarship

Helen L. Popoway Endowment

Joseph L. Stubblefield Memorial Scholarship

Oland F. Hubbs Memorial Theology Scholarship

Romulo and Mercedes Lozano Scholarship

Robert L. Reynolds Excellence in History Scholarship

Janis Suelzle Memorial Student Missionary Fund

Vera Johnson Hubbs Memorial Business Scholarship

Mary E. Marker Memorial Theology Scholarship

Robert M. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship

T5 Foundation Business Excellence Fund

Donald W. Rigby Biology Award

Theology Library Book Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Harold Huber Scholarship

Roy and Lois (Dorland) Martin English Scholarship

Donald W. Rigby Biology Faculty Research

George and Lola Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Wynelle J. Huff Nursing Scholarship

Sukhdev Mathaudhu Engineering Scholarship

Donnie Rigby Drama Award

Jess M. Hutson, M.D., Memorial Scholarship

Mathematics Alumni Scholarship

Rigby Hall Maintenance

Thomas M. Thompson and Kenneth L. Wiggins Excellence in Mathematics Scholarship

Lilah S. Risinger Mathematics Scholarship

Harry and Ella Thornton Memorial Scholarship

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

E. E. and Jane Breese-Trefz Christian Service Scholarship

Matiko Theology Award

Rosario Marine Station Maintenance

Murray L. and Ilene Johnstone Scholarship

Harden M. McConnell and Alvin L. Kwiram Award

Clarence O. Trubey Memorial Music Scholarship

Thomas C. Rowsell Memorial Scholarship

Undergraduate Advanced Study

Carl and Lucile Jones Nursing Scholarship

Eldena McDow Scholarship

Thais Thrasher Sadoyama Scholarship

Jess Holm Memorial Scholarship Juanita Wagner Holm Memorial Nursing Scholarship

IBCC Jensen Memorial Math Scholarship Dr. Gordon Johnson Physics Scholarship

Peggy Henderson Kaye Nursing Scholarship

Dorothy and Byron Miller Mathematics Scholarship Warren Matheson Memorial Christian Service Scholarship

Jacob G. and Lois A. Mehling Business Scholarship Messenger/Loewen Scholarship

Gayle L. Saxby Memorial Scholarship

Helen Wineberg Kendall Women in Business Scholarship

Jack Evan Miles Memorial Scholarship

Lilah Schlotthauer Memorial Mathematics Scholarship

KGTS

MariAnne Jensen Moore Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Eleanor B. Schofield Memorial Teachers Scholarship

Joseph & Beth Murray Memorial Scholarship for Resident Assistants

John Montgomery Schultz Engineering Fund

Betty Klein Engineering Scholarship A. H. and Mary Koorenny Memorial Scholarship

Music Scholarship

Seibly Family Endowed Scholarship

Robert H. and Thorna Koorenny Scholarship

Dan and Mary Morrison Necker Scholarship

Cecil W. Shankel Memorial Chemistry Scholarship

Kretschmar Hall Maintenance

Llewellyn and Vivian Nixon Scholarship

Shattuck/Zitterbart Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Nursing Scholarship

Donald and Virginia Sherwood Memorial Scholarship

Luella Latham Kretschmar Memorial Scholarship Laura G. Larson Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Daniel A. Ochs Memorial Theology Scholarship

Rudolf and Anna Klimes Learn Well Physical Education Scholarship

Dr. and Mrs. Howard Osborne Scholarship

Robert L. Spies Memorial Scholarship Glenn Spring Music Scholarship

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

Carolyn Stevens Shultz Scholarship

Randy Yaw Pi Contest Scholarship

Dan Shultz Music Scholarship

Young Memorial Lecture in Biology

Solomon Scholarship

Norma R. Youngberg Scholarship

Westwind Fall 2015

21

2014-2015

Each gift from an alumnus is important to Walla Walla University and we thank you. We take special care to ensure that this report recognizes every alumni gift to the university—to the Walla Walla University Fund, special class fundraising projects, gifts to academic departments, and more. We recognize here alumni giving from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

ALU MNI GIVING Mountain Ash Award

Special Mention

Highest class participation

Gateway Award Highest total giving

$62,392 CLASS OF 1985

37.7 % CLASS OF 1955

Orange & Green Award Highest participation of a class graduated in the last 10 years

4.7 %

CLASS OF 2006

22

Westwind Fall 2015

Most improved participation

+7 %

CLASS OF 1956

WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

TOTAL YEAR GIVING

The Legacy Society honors those who have generously provided for the work of Walla Walla University through a planned gift commitment.

Donors who make estate or deferred gifts of any size are recognized for their dedication to our mission.

PARTICIPATION RATE

1933-1947 $4,055 13.0% 1948 $3,925 31.6% 1949 $19,980 23.9% 1950 $26,555 15.4% 1951 $3,607 25.9% 1952 $3,875 24.0% 1953 $16,070 18.2% 1954 $13,134 25.4% 1955 $5,290 37.7% 1956 $2,390 34.2% 1957 $55,965 30.5% 1958 $8,600 25.9% 1959 $4,865 30.4% 1960 $49,195 34.7% 1961 $14,745 21.8% 1962 $14,110 27.8% 1963 $10,545 30.9% 1964 $29,250 24.0% 1965 $60,120 31.1% 1966 $21,820 25.3% 1967 $4,970 16.6% 1968 $14,725 14.3% 1969 $6,755 16.9% 1970 $8,665 17.3% 1971 $11,913 13.6% 1972 $15,955 14.4% 1973 $14,455 9.5% 1974 $9,330 13.2% 1975 $6,622 11.4% 1976 $20,991 12.1% 1977 $13,098 10.8% 1978 $28,145 13.5% 1979 $15,785 13.0% 1980 $15,910 11.3% 1981 $11,328 10.8% 1982 $18,995 8.7% 1983 $22,745 9.7% 1984 $9,983 8.5% 1985 $62,392 12.2% 1986 $6,708 8.8% 1987 $13,769 11.0% 1988 $6,520 8.6% 1989 $11,775 7.3% 1990 $3,665 7.2% 1991 $2,593 5.1% 1992 $5,546 5.9% 1993 $3,000 5.4% 1994 $34,620 5.6% 1995 $2,220 4.3% 1996 $32,360 4.8% 1997 $6,637 6.5% 1998 $3,515 2.0% 1999 $8,875 4.2% 2000 $13,407 3.2% 2001 $12,951 5.7% 2002 $6,450 3.4% 2003 $1,010 3.3% 2004 $7,480 3.1% 2005 $530 1.9% 2006 $5,801 4.7% 2007 $4,197 3.4% 2008 $2,591 2.1% 2009 $607 1.4% 2010 $815 1.2% 2011 $3,675 1.8% 2012 $1,891 2.3% 2013 $776 1.0% 2014 $6,920 2.9% 2015 $3,597 4.8%

LEG ACY SOCIETY To learn more about joining the Legacy Society, contact Dorita Tessier at (509) 527-2646.

Alice Ames Kirk and Melody Ayers Don and Alyce Bais Beverly Beem Jack and Evelyn Bergman Darold and Barbara Bigger Maxine E. Blome Robert and Georgene Bond Marjorie Bregar Burton and Carol Briggs Grace Cafferky Merle Calkins Lois Carscallen Challis Casebolt Sue Cason Douglas and Carmen Clark Margaret Cook Carlton Cross Sandra Dahl Donald and Orletta Dealy Joyce Dutro Jon and Kathryn Dybdahl Paul and Kristyn Dybdahl James and Vicky Edwards D. Joyce Engel Dorsett Feyen Allan and Donna Fisher Darius and Amanda Fleck James and Christine Forsyth Brant Foster Kenneth and Bernice Fox Leslie Carl and Barbara Ann Fromm Marcene Garriott Henry Gerber Keith and Elizabeth Gibbons Theo and Marianne Goltz Don Hall Jim and Ruth Hall Lewis and Ruth Hart Stanley and Mary Hixson Eugenia Hixson Lorena Hoffman Archie Howatson Delta Huber Wynelle Huff Eunice Johnson Ed and Marilyn* Karlow Robert and Peggy Kaye Mary Kincaid Clarence and Helen Klopfenstein Mel and Joyce Lang Nancy Ann Linder Walter and Luella Litchfield Sandra Love

Dan and Betsy Matthews Walt and Bonnie Meske Opal Mills William and Marjorie Moreno Alice Nash Olen and Mary Nations Ted and Nancy Nedderman Jim and Nancy Nestler Joan Ogden Alyse Olson Monta Osborne Effie Pampaian Jim and Della Park Troy and Renee Patzer Beulah Payne Tom and Barbara Pelett Lawrence Perrigoue and Ruth Anne May James and Jennifer Pinder Lloyd and Fern Piper Hoe T. and Mary Poh Edna Powers Robert and Barbara Richards Lois Norton Ritchie-Ritter John and Katherine Robertson Nancy Romine Alberta Roth Glenna Ryder James Sadoyama Doyle and Lorelei Saxby Janelle and Robert Schmidt Marcella Schwisow Jaclin Smith Louis Smith Sam and Carol Smith Ralph and Franice Stirling Eldon* and Barbara Stratton Mark and Dorita Tessier Everett and Shirley Tetz Griffith and Shirley Thomas Alden and Wanda Thompson Gordon Travis Kelly Turner Phil and Reid Wasser Ray and Pat Watson Ray* and Rosemary Watts Dorothy Weisz Melvin and Betty West Deloris White* Virginia H. Wilson Tim and Cheri Windemuth Gerald and Vicki Winkle Wade* and Rosalee* Wolfe Yew-Chong and Lily Wong

*Deceased prior to June 30, 2015

Westwind Fall 2015 23

2014-2015

DONOR SP O TLIGHT “To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs.” —RALPH WALDO EMERSON

CAROLYN AND DAN SHULT Z With foresight and commitment, Carolyn and Dan Shultz have mapped out a plan for building two endowed scholarships at Walla Walla University: the Carolyn Stevens Shultz English Scholarship and the Dan Shultz Music Scholarship. Each month since 1982, a check arrives at WWU from the Shultzes with a modest contribution to these scholarships as well as to the non-endowed Carolyn Shultz Honors Scholarship.

“We are not able to give a large one-time gift, but small gifts over time add up and help keep the scholarships going,” said Carolyn, who taught in the English department from

DOUBLE YOUR GIFT Find out if your employer participates in gift matching at wallawalla.edu/gift-matching.

24

Westwind Fall 2015

1970 to 2005 and in the honors Western Thought class for 26 years.

Dan chaired and taught in the music department from 1979 to 2000 and, as chair, led the establishment

of several music department scholarships, which still benefit students today.

“We both loved teaching at WWC, now WWU, for many years and still cherish friendships with colleagues and former students,” said Carolyn. “During our retirement we have continued to keep in touch with others who continue to donate to both departments.”

Small, regular gifts can take many forms. Payroll deduction is available and many employers (even employers not affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church) have gift matching programs. Other WWU

alumni and friends have given quarterly interest from stocks or quarterly royalties directly to the university.

One of the rewards of giving to scholarships is hearing back from students who have benefited. Carolyn said, “It is very gratifying to receive thank-you notes from scholarship recipients and know we have had a small part in supporting their education.”

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

VOLUN T EERS Campus-wide Volunteers Terri Alekel Nieta Adams Janet Anderson Don Barrett Lois Barrett Valerie Bass Cleona Bazzy Deirdre Benwell Evelyn Bergman Jack Bergman Robert Bergman Marjorie Bregar Bob Bond Jim Cain Larry Canaday Lois Canaday Barbara Casebolt Casey Casebolt Mary Casey Elizabeth Claridge Rick Claridge Ann Cornell Loretta Cotter Carlton Cross Dottie Curameng Joan Deming John Dowie Marion Dressler Bonny Eichner Christie Forsyth Jim Forsyth Allegra Gienger Jacque Goodhew Larry Goodhew Ruth Hall Gary Harding Maxine Hargreaves Kathy Hazen Lorren Heinrich Frances Henderson Linda Hintz Roman Hintz Ilo Hutton Bernie Janke Carolyn Janke Dale Johnson Ginger Johnson Gordon Johnson Patricia Johnson Echo Johnston

Ruth Joice Ed Karlow Richard Kruger Joyce Lampson Barbara Lee Donna Lowrie Carol Maher Tom Maher Lana Martin Bonnie Meske Walt Meske Gerry Miller Bill Napier Virginia Napier Larry Panasuk Shirley Panasuk Carol Perrin Milford Perrin Carmella Phillips Florence Ray Teresa Reich Pat Reynolds Sally Reynolds Steve Rose Patty Rouse LaVerne Rudolf David Russell Maylene Russell Chris Santana Mackenzie Santana Caroline Salsbery Aileen Saunders Greg Saunders Lorelei Saxby Rita Schroeder Eileen Sha Brooke Stafford Tom Stafford Vi Swanson Shirley Thomas Bill Thompson Gina Tsujimura Janis Tsujimura Evelyn Visger Barbara Vories Shirley Walde Verlie Ward Rosemary Watts Richard Worley Helen Thompson Zolber

WWU Alumni Association Board

WWU Board of Trustees

CHAIR

CHAIR

Art King

Max Torkelsen II

PRESIDENT

VICE CHAIR

Ted Swinyar

Bruce Thorn

PRESIDENT-ELECT

MEMBERS

Richard Flaiz

DeLona Bell Daniel M. Bergeron Andrew O. Carrington Kenneth Crawford Larry Dodds John Freedman Stephanie Gates Kathy Hamby Paul Hoover Monty Knittel Merlin Knowles Rhona Kwiram Gordan Lacey John Loor, Jr. Gregory Paskell Dennis Plubell David Prest Barbara Prowant Al Reimche Mark Remboldt Kevin Rogers Sandy Schnell Linda Sloop Oswaldo Villalobos Rodney Wehtje

SECRETARY

Patti Green TREASURER

Heather Schermann EX OFFICIO

Terri Dickinson Neil, director for Alumni and Advancement Services EX OFFICIO

Jodi Wagner, vice president for University Relations and Advancement MEMBERS

Bunny Baker Christian Bell Greg Brooks Carlton Cross Johannes Fackenthall Larry Swisher

Alumni and friends in Canada If you or a member of your family is a WWU alumnus or is currently enrolled at WWU, you can make charitable donations to the university and claim them on your Canadian tax return without the need for United States source income. This relieving provision is provided thanks to Article XXI of the Convention between Canada and the United States of America–Fifth Protocol signed in October 2007 (also known as The Treaty).

The amount you can contribute and claim in a year is the same for any other donation—75 percent of your net income reported on your Canadian tax return. You may carry forward this contribution for up to five years from the date of the gift.

Westwind Fall 2015 25

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

AlumNotes

was a teacher for 36 years, eight of which were spent at Holbrook Indian School in Arizona. He has also been a Sabbath School teacher and church elder for many years. He enjoys mechanics and woodworking.

Wellington and Frances have two children: Jeffrey and Brenda Foley.

Get up to date with fellow WWU alumni.

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

1950s

Melvin Brass ’55 and ’68 and his wife, Phyllis (Hamilton) att., live in Springfield, Tenn. Melvin is retired after a career working with high school students in Seventhday Adventist academies across the country. He has been a dean, principal, and pastor, and has taught classes in Bible, biology, physical education, history, shop, and outdoor living. He has enjoyed going on more than a dozen mission trips with his students. During his time at WWU, he enjoyed his Greek and science classes, including Don Rigby’s classes at Rosario. Melvin and Phyllis have four children: Lonny att., Sharolyn Snyder, Marlene Dunlap, and Diana.

John Elloway ’55 and his wife, MaryAnn (Hanson) att., live in Novato, Calif. John is a practicing physician specializing in family and preventive medicine. Throughout his career, he has been involved in international service, including being active within Rotary International. He has served in Ukraine, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia.

In addition, John has worked as a Physicians with Heart volunteer multiple times and has organized and supported a Christian medical center in the Ukraine. In 2014, John was named Loma Linda University School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year. His favorite memories as a student at WWU are of Dean Johanson and of meeting his wife, MaryAnn. The Elloways have three sons: Doug, Dwight, and Don att.

Myrna (Johnson) Tetz ’55 and her husband, Bob, live in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. “I have been a pastor’s wife since 1959 (and that’s a long time!),” says Myrna.

Throughout her career, Myrna taught at Walla Walla College Academy and at Canadian University College. She also was in charge of

26

Westwind Fall 2015

“God in His mercy has spared my life,” she says. As a student at WWU, Dorothea enjoyed being a resident assistant in the women’s residence halls. The Ameys have two sons: Mark and Michael.

the communications department at the British Columbia Conference and was managing editor of the Adventist Review. Myrna and Bob have two children: Gary ’84 and Linda Shaw.

1960s

Dorothea (Renschler) Amey ’65 and her husband, Eugene ’66, live in Moorpark, Calif., where Dorothea is enjoying retirement. At the beginning of her career, she taught elementary students in both public and Seventh-day Adventist schools.

Dorothea and Eugene also enjoyed more than six years as missionaries in Zambia and Zimbabwe. After returning from Africa, Dorothea taught elementary school again while Eugene was a pastor. For eight years, she was an associate

superintendent for the Michigan Conference, followed by four years as the associate director of education for the Pacific Union Conference. Dorothea was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 12 years ago.

Rose Marie (Beltz) Hayden ’60 and her husband, John L. ’58, live in Palmer, Alaska. Rose Marie is a retired nurse who remains very active.

She has many fond memories of her time at WWU but says that playing the organ on Sabbath in Columbia Auditorium is not her favorite memory! The Haydens have two children: Gregory and Jonathan.

Margaret (Dubyna) Hodgkin ’60 and her husband, Williard ’57, live in Lower Lake, Calif. Margaret is a retired nurse who worked as a school nurse at Laurelwood Academy, as a surgical nurse with the heart team at Loma Linda University, and as a surgical nurse for an ear/nose/throat team performing microscopic ear surgery. In retirement, Margaret enjoys arts and crafts, gardening, and participating in her local Seventh-day Adventist church as a deaconess, music coordinator, and greeter. The Hodgkins have two sons: Douglas and Robert.

Wanda (Knowles) Ingold ’65 and her husband, Allan, live in Cornelius, Ore. Wanda is retired after being an elementary school teacher in Adventist schools for more than 20 years. Allan was a contract engineer, which led Wanda to teach in six different states and seven Seventh-day Adventist Conferences. She finished her career in Indiana. Since retiring, Wanda enjoys gardening with native plants. Her favorite memories of her time at WWU include bike rides to Whitman Mission, hiking in the Blue Mountains, and vespers in the church with the pipe organ. Wanda and Allan have three children: Alanna Kellar, Brent, and Matt ’03.

Wellington Mathison ’60 and his wife, Frances (Welch) ’58, live in Carson City, Nev. Wellington

Warren Peters ’65 and his wife, Jeanne (Dutro) ’64, live in Forest Falls, Calif., where Warren is director of the Loma Linda University Center for Health Promotion. After earning a bachelor’s degree in zoology from WWU in 1965, he went to medical school at LLU. He has also studied surgery and epidemiology and has traveled the globe as a medical lecturer. He has conducted a wide range of research in the area of genetics and obesity, is widely published, and has served as contributing author for numerous publications. Warren and Jeanne have two children: Jonathan and Adena Hodges.

LeRoy Rieley ’65 and his wife, Ethel (Syme) att., live in Portland, Ore. LeRoy worked for the Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as an accountant and treasurer and for the North Pacific Union Conference as assistant manager of the data center, association treasurer, and conference undertreasurer. He retired in 2002 from the General Conference as a member of an accounting software team that worked to configure accounting software for conferences, schools, and other entities. He and Ethel enjoy traveling, bird watching, hiking, and camping. Some of his favorite memories of WWU include working the afternoon cleanup shift in the College Dairy when they were packaging cottage cheese or making ice cream. The Rieleys have two children: Della Dunbar att. and Karen Westphal att.

Nancy (Johnson) Teale ’65 and ’69 and her husband, Carl att., live in College Place. After graduating, Nancy spent four years teaching at Milton-Stateline school. She then finished her master’s degree in education and was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a missionary teacher in the Middle East.

She taught in Libya, Cyprus, and Lebanon. Back in the United States, she met and married Carl and raised two daughters. Throughout the years, she has taught kindergarten up through community college level students. Her hobbies include read-

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

ing, gardening, and helping people.

Nancy and Carl have two daughters: Melinda and Jodi Wright.

Barbara (Rouse) (Opp) Waldal ’60 lives in Wasilla, Alaska. Her husband, Weldon ’60, is deceased.

She is retired and became a greatgrandmother in 2014. Some of her favorite memories of WWU are the banquets, Conard Hall worships, and studying in the library with friends and her fiancé. She also treasures the memories working in the cafeteria office and being a reader for Dr. Waller in the English department.

Barbara has five children: Krystal (Opp) Tavasci ’83, Diane Opp ’87, Randy ’91, Shane, and Shawn.

Eleanor (Skrupa) Whitehead ’65 lives in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. Eleanor is a retired elementary school teacher who spent 36 “wonderful” years teaching in Seventh-day Adventist schools. She spent most of her career teaching

first grade. Eleanor enjoys traveling frequently to Europe to visit her daughter and her daughter’s family, as well as sharing her life with her son and his family. Her favorite memories of her time at Walla Walla University are “morning and evening worships in Conard Hall, especially the lovely singing and inspiring talks/stories given by the women’s deans.” She also fondly recalls the “excellent teaching experience gained by working for the elementary teachers at Rogers School.” Eleanor has two children: Candace att. and Kent ’98.

Lester Wright ’65 and his wife, Kristine, live in Adelaide, South Australia. Lester went to medical school at Loma Linda University and has a master of public health degree from Harvard University.

He practiced international health in Africa for seven years. His last position in the States was deputy commissioner/chief medical officer

‘I found my passion’ Elizabeth (Stephens) Wettstein ’65 and her husband, Wendell, live in Riverside, Calif. Elizabeth is now retired, but says her career in nursing gave her “flexibility to work in several fields of health care in hospitals and the community.” After working in hospitals, “I found my passion in public health nursing and was able to focus on infant and preschool children and their families,” she says.

Elizabeth has a master of science degree in health administration, which opened opportunities for her in quality management, utilization, and marketing.

She says that the nursing instructors at WWU “gave me the

knowledge and confidence to progress from Canadian farm girl to a professional nurse!”

Some of Elizabeth’s favorite memories of WWU are of Mrs. McNeil, whom she says “was a kind and caring dean.” She says her favorite classes were “Mr. Eichman’s government class and Donnie Ribgy’s speech class. The basketball games were memorable too!”

Elizabeth enjoys camping, water sports, and traveling with her family to locations such as Europe and southeast Asia. She and Wendell have four children: Michael ’93, Lamont att., Alina Wettstein-Hansel ’98, and Brina Wettstein-Kunkel.

of the New York State Department of Correctional Services. Lester now teaches at the University of Adelaide and at Flinders University. He enjoys reading and traveling. The Wrights have one son, Jason att.

1970s

Virginia Baker ’75 lives in Sacramento, Calif., where she works as an occupational therapist. After graduating from WWU, Virginia got married and had four children: Sarah Grubb, Tavis Blankenship, Rochelle Davidson att., and Ashley Blankenship. She returned to college at Loma Linda University and completed a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, a field she has worked in for the past 20 years.

Virginia loves to garden, especially working on major projects such as ponds, waterfalls, and hardscapes.

Some of her favorite memories from WWU are the many friendships she formed, which have spanned her lifetime. She also remembers enjoying the seasonal changes in the Walla Walla Valley.

children: Matthew ’08 and Kristen Spaulding ’11.

Fred Moor III ’75 and his wife, Kathleen (Devitt) Moor ’74, live in Kelso, Wash., where Fred is a pastor for the Oregon Conference. He and Kathy have been married for 40 years. Fred has pastored in Lewiston-Clarkston, Pendleton, Ore., Diamond Lake, Wash., Spokane, Wash., Ellensburg and Cle Elum, Wash., Madras and Prineville, Ore., Warm Springs, Ore., and Kelso-Longview, Wash. Some of his favorite memories of WWU are of meeting his wife, Kathy, enjoying Malcom Maxwell’s classes, changing his major from biology to theology, and a Village Club rafting trip when he was saved from drowning by his buddies in the spring runoff on the Clearwater River. Fred and Kathy have two sons: Daniel ’03 and Stephen ’05.

Tammy (LeMaster) Congleton ’79 and her husband, Robert, live in Nampa, Idaho. Tammy works in human resources at Plexus Corporation. After graduating from WWU, she also completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

She fondly remembers vespers at WWU, Afterglow, and making lifelong friendships. Tammy and Robert have two children: Natali att. and Nathan.

Carol Ann (Albertsen) St. Clair ’75 and her husband, Jack ’73, live in La Grande, Ore. Carol has worked as a 911 dispatcher for 22 years and says that in her work she has experienced many life-changing moments, such as saving a baby from choking and finding missing persons in the forest. Carol enjoys watching her seven grandchildren grow. Her fondest memory of WWU is meeting her husband. It all started when he would stop by her office to talk to his aunt, Gertrude Gibson, head of the secretarial department and Carol’s supervisor at the time.

Eventually, he stopped visiting his aunt and just visited her. They have been married for 40 years and have three children: Katrina (Beddoe) Koch ’04, Jason ’05, and Whitney Bartlett.

Karen (Merchant) Fletcher ’75 and her husband, Donald ’76, live in Auburn, Wash., where Karen is a registered nurse. She and Donald have three children: Kristin Ruckle att., Derek ’02, and Bryan ’04.

1980s

Richard Henderson ’75 and his wife, Karen, live in Walla Walla.

Richard is an orthopedic surgeon and Karen is a pediatrician. They both practiced in Yreka, Calif., for 21 years. Richard’s interests include mission trips to Micronesia with Canvasback, working on cars, and home improvement projects. Other family hobbies include traveling, liquid and frozen water sports, music, and gardening. Richard’s favorite memories of WWU include a summer trip to Rosario in 1974, because it instilled a love of learning in him and helped him form lifelong friendships. Richard and Karen have two

Russell Bibb ’80 and his wife, Sherrie (Holt) ’75, live in Boring, Ore. They have two children: Jason ’06 and Karen Kostenko ’10.

Rick Hallock ’80 and his wife, Twyla (Dailey) att., live in Rockland, Wis., where Rick works as a project manager for Comprompter. One of his fondest memories of his time at WWU is biking in the Blue Mountains.

Linda Monroe ’80 lives in Hillsboro, Ore, where she helps care for her “brilliant” 2-year-old granddaughter. After graduating from WWU, she continued her education

Westwind Fall 2015 27

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

in K-12 music education at Western Oregon University. She spent 25 years breeding and raising Arabian horses while caring for her parents and working in private childcare while she raised her daughter, Elizabeth.

David Panossian ’85 lives in Klamath Falls, Ore., with his wife, Teresa (Graham) ’85. After graduating from WWU, David attended medical school at Loma Linda University.

He is board-certified in pulmonary medicine, critical care, and sleep medicine. After moving to Klamath Falls, David started Klamath Sleep Medicine Center in addition to practicing pulmonary medicine and critical care. His favorite memories of WWU are of “meeting my beautiful wife,” playing pick-up basketball, and games with friends. David and Teresa have two children: Nathan and Valerie.

1990s

Lynelle (Childs) Ellis ’90 and her husband, Daniel, recently returned to Walla Walla where Lynelle is teaching in the Walla Walla University communications department and playing an important role

James Kneller ’95 lives in Richland, Wash., where he is an electrophysiologist at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in the electrophysiology program that he established.

He says, “Never did I imagine my professional life would bring me so close to Walla Walla! Never did I imagine I would see some of my former faculty as patients.” James has a master’s degree in bioengineering, a doctorate in pharmacology, and is a medical doctor. “I love my work and feel blessed in my present role,” he says. “Professional develop-

28

Westwind Fall 2015

Baybarz—Myron ’59 was born April 22, 1932, in Williston, N.D., and died Nov. 16, 2014, in Lodi, Calif. Surviving: wife Delphia of Lodi; son Daryl of San Jose, Calif.; daughter Shauna Baybarz-Hall of Lodi; and brother Lawrence of Olympia, Wash.

Blakeney—Ella ’56 was born April 10, 1921, in Jeddore, Nova Scotia, Canada, and died April 16, 2015, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

ment occurs naturally in the very dynamic field of electrophysiology cardiology. I also participate as an educator and consultant for related industries.” In his spare time, James enjoys waterskiing on the Columbia River, Nordic skiing and snowboarding out of his condo at Mt. Spokane, and enjoying his lake property on Priest Lake, Idaho. He says one of his favorite memories of his time as a student at Walla Walla University is of “sitting at the front of the College Church during services. It was larger than life!”

2000s

in developing the newest WWU master’s degree in media ministry.

Lynelle recently passed comprehensive examinations for doctoral study and is currently working on her dissertation. She and her family enjoy outdoor adventures together including camping and beach vacations. Lynelle says she has many great memories of her time as a student at WWU. “One of the best things about my experience was being an officer with the girl’s club— AGA.” She says that working on audio and video projects was also a big highlight and that “Friday night vespers programs were something I really enjoyed too.” Lynelle and Daniel have three children: Garrett, Lauren, and Ashton.

In Memor

Don Caagbay ’02 and his wife, Tiffany, live in Middleton, Idaho. Don works for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as a program specialist in the behavioral health division. He and Tiffany have two boys that keep them very busy.

Kara (Nelson) Hubbard ’04 and her husband, Adam ’05, live in Silver Spring, Md., where Kara is self-employed as a transcriber. The Hubbards have two children: Ava and James.

Bryce Sampsel ’05 lives in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works as a mathematics teacher for Sandia View Academy. His favorite memory of WWU is hanging out with friends.

Brown—Bonnie (Ireland) ’54 was born March 26, 1931, in Redmond, Ore., and died Sept. 25, 2014, in Federal Way, Wash. Surviving: husband James ’54 of Federal Way; son Ronald of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and daughter Renee of Edgewood, Wash.

Bullock—Anne ’76 was born Sept.

4, 1954, in Delta, Colo., and died Nov. 4, 2014, in Walla Walla. Surviving: husband David ’76 and sister Celia Boyd ’71, both of Walla Walla.

Bungard—Raymond att. was born Feb. 17, 1920, in Olds, Alberta, Canada, and died Jan. 11, 2014, in Boise, Idaho. Surviving: sons James, Robert, and Brent.

Cootz—Donald ’66 was born April 11, 1933, in Los Angeles, Calif., and died April 14, 2015, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Marial of Walla Walla; sons Donald II, James, Raymond, and Nathan; brother Thomas; and sister Nancy Bailey.

Daily—Stanley ’53 was born Sept. 1, 1931, in Rialto, Calif., and died Dec. 5, 2014, in Escondido, Calif. Surviving: wife Naomi ’50 of Escondido; sons Steve of Riverside, Calif., Larry of Ventura, Calif., and Dan of Placerville, Calif.; and sister Rheta Mitchell of Salem, Ore. Davis—Glen ’58 was born May 18, 1935, in Salem, Ore., and died April 15, 2011, in Battle Ground, Wash.

Surviving: wife Shirley ’53 of Battle Ground; sons Greg ’78 of New Plymouth, Idaho, Brad ’85 of Citrus Heights, Calif., and Monte ’82 of New Plymouth; and sister Mary Christensen of Salem.

Doleman—Esther ’48 was born Jan. 12, 1918, in Minnesota and died Jan. 9, 2015, in Redlands, Calif.

Surviving: daughter Jan Kroetz.

Drake—Joyce (Johnson) ’69 was born Sept. 22, 1947, in Salem, Ore., and died Nov. 26, 2014, in College Place. Surviving: husband James att. of College Place; sons Christopher ’01 of College Place and Jim ’01 of Dixie, Wash.; brothers Ron Johnson att. of Grand Junction, Colo., and John Johnson ’67 of Boulder City, Nev., and sister Lorraine (Johnson) Literal of College Place.

Entze—Irita (Snyder) ’65 was born April 25, 1945, in Modesto, Calif., and died April 19, 2015, in Walla Walla. Surviving: husband Dan of Walla Walla; sons Marc ’99 of Clarkston, Wash., and Jerry ’00 of Walla Walla; brother Larry Snyder att. of Caldwell, Idaho; and sister Sharon Studebaker att. of Pendleton, Ore. Giem—David ’68 was born July 12, 1946, in Loma Linda, Calif., and died Nov. 4, 2014, in Sullivan, Mo. Surviving: wife Ellen ’71 of Sullivan; son Andrew of Sacramento, Calif.; daughters Melinda Baysinger of Jefferson City, Mo., Laura of Jefferson City, and Crystal Similio of Pineville, N.C.; brothers Paul of Loma Linda, Jim of Oak Harbor, Wash., Ron of Nampa, Idaho, and John of Delano, Calif.; and mother Ruth Edwards att. of Spirit Lake, Idaho.

Grauman—David ’55 was born April 4, 1933, in Seattle, and died Jan. 9, 2015, in Bellevue, Wash.

Surviving: wife Joyce (Moor) of Bellevue, sons Arthur and Thomas, and daughters Joyce and Nancy.

Jensen—Vanessa (Ellis) ’80 was born May 27, 1958, in Walla Walla, and died Feb. 7, 2015, in Kirkland, Wash. Surviving: husband Roy ’78 of Bothell, Wash.; son Erik ’13 of Bothell; daughter Sahale att. of Seattle; and parents Ken ’62 and Gerrie Ellis of Lake Stevens.

Karlow—Marilyn (Cross) att. was born Jan. 6, 1941, in New York City, N.Y., and died Dec. 7, 2014, in Walla

ry Walla. Surviving: husband Edwin ’66 of Walla Walla; sons Marvin of Plano, Texas, and Norman of Tehachapi, Calif.; and brother Carlton Cross ’66 of College Place.

Koenig—Marjorie att. was born Dec. 19, 1924, and died May 26, 2015, in Walla Walla. Surviving: husband William of Walla Walla; and daughters Elizabeth Behrmann ’84 of Albany, Ore., Heidi Hart ’72 of Mosier, Ore., and Sandra Jacobson att. of Anacortes, Wash.

Koklich—Shirley Ann (Heaton) ’61 was born Sept. 5, 1938, in Loma Linda, Calif., and died March 13, 2015, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: brother Stephen Heaton of Aloha, Ore.; and sister Evelyn Greene of Gresham, Ore. Koorenny—LaVerne att. was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Harvey, N.D., and died Feb. 8, 2015, in Lewiston, Idaho. Surviving: wife Glenna att.; son Brian of Clarkston, Wash.; daughter Colleen Berry of Pendleton, Ore.; brother Floyd att. of Redlands, Calif.; and sister Donna Lefore of Milton-Freewater, Ore. McHan—James ’54 was born March 17, 1931, in Takoma Park, Md., and died Jan. 31, 2015, in Eugene, Ore. Surviving: wife Carolyn ’54 of Eugene; son Steven ’81 of Loma Linda, Calif.; and daughters Kathy (McMillan) att. of Yucaipa, Calif., and Nancy (Wolfe) att. of Loma Linda.

Minnich—Patricia ’46 was born May 1, 1925, in Spokane, Wash., and died May 15, 2015, in Walla Walla. Surviving: husband Don; sons Devin Smith and Paul Smith; stepsons Mike Minnich and Doug Minnich; daughter Tyece Okamura; and stepdaughter Michel Smith.

Miracle—John ’51 was born Oct. 12, 1930, in Wewoka, Okla., and died May 4, 2014, in Moses Lake, Wash. Surviving: wife Kathleen of Moses Lake; son Raymond ’99 of Gresham, Ore.; daughters René Penhallurick of Moses Lake and Yolanda Miracle-Colburn ’79 of Ridgway, Colo.; and brother Dan of Eagle Point, Ore. Mittleider—Mildred (Oberg) ’43 was born Feb. 17, 1922, in Waurika,

Okla., and died March 26, 2014, in Fair Oaks, Calif. Surviving: sons Stanton Jr. ’69 of Concord, Calif., and Richard of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; daughters Marsha Oberg ’70 of Fair Oaks, Cynthia (Oberg) Webster ’74 of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Nanci (Oberg) Wolske ’76 of Danville, Calif.

Munsey—Deloris (Beach) att. was born March 4, 1923, in Mountain Home, Idaho, and died on Nov. 12, 2013, in Caldwell, Idaho. Surviving: husband Frank ’46 of Caldwell; son Michael att. of Taipei, Taiwan; daughter Marilyn Kreuder ’70 of Caldwell; brother Harold Beach ’50 of Mountain Home, Idaho; and sisters Lorraine Foster att. of Mountain Home and Carolyn Kubitschek of Mountain Home.

Nailor—Audrey att. was born Feb. 14, 1913, in Joplin, Mont., and died on May 10, 2015, in Walla Walla. Surviving: stepson Ray of Seattle; and stepdaughters Margo Turner of Port Angeles, Wash., Brenda Quackenbush of Port Angeles, and Darcy Caddey of Seattle.

Nelson—Ivan ’59 was born June 13, 1934, in Deer Park, Calif., and died May 19, 2014, in Loma Linda, Calif. Surviving: wife Donna Buckendah-Nelson ’59 of Riverside, Calif.; sons Bruce of Riverside, Timothy of Grand Terrace, Calif., and Donald of Loma Linda; daughter Cynthia Nelson-Norton of Kingsport, Tenn.; and sister Ella Nelson-Reiss-Coffee of Redlands, Calif.

Newbold—Isabel att. was born Feb. 23, 1920, in Battle Creek, Mich., and died March 25, 2014, in College Place. Surviving: husband Robson of College Place; sons Robson Jr. of Redlands, Calif., Dwight of Frederick, Md., James of Chicago, and Scott of Walla Walla; and daughters Jean of Redlands and Carol Eldridge of Ukiah, Calif.

Perrin—Patti (King) ’71 was born April 3, 1948, in Portland, Ore., and died Nov. 20, 2014, in Roseburg, Ore. Surviving: husband Ralph ’77 of Roseburg; son Kyle ’13 of Oakland, Ore.; daughter Sharla of Roseburg; and brother Ted King of Mineral Wells, Texas.

Postnikoff—Rodney att. was born Nov. 10, 1937, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and died on Nov. 24, 2013, in Highland, Calif.

Surviving: wife Judith of Highland; daughters Rhonda Gefroh of Moxee, Wash., Alicia Curtis of Highland, Melissa Cardamone of Redlands, Calif., and Rebecca of Highland.

Robertson—John ’41 was born Aug. 22, 1918, in Roslyn, Wash., and died in Nov. 27, 2013, in Vancouver, Wash. Surviving: wife Katherine (Martin) ’40 of Gladstone, Ore.; and sons John of Lawrence, Kan., and Douglas of Vancouver.

Cheryl Klym ’80 of Kennewick, Wash.

Sweitz—Milton ’47 was born Feb. 3, 1929, in Wirch, N.D., and died May 27, 2014, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: son Richard of Carlsbad, Calif.; daughters Susan Weems ’74 of Portland, Ore., and Cindy Coburn of Bismark, N.D.; brother Willard ’49 of Woodland Hills, Calif.; and sisters Betty Finch ’56 of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jane Young of Vancouver, Wash.

Syphers—Charlotte (Schlehuber) ’65 was born July 31, 1925, in Corvallis, Ore., and died Aug. 7, 2014, in Sequim, Wash. Surviving: son Keith att. of Lummi Island, Wash.

Sanders—Anita ’59 was born Aug. 10, 1937, in Olympia, Wash., and died June 8, 2014, in Olympia.

Surviving: husband Milford att. of Olympia; son Harland ’87 of Rainier, Wash.; daughter LueAnn Denny att. of Olympia; and brothers Mason Dunkelberger of Long Beach, Calif., and Harold Dunkelberger of Olympia.

Thomsen—Grace (Thiebaud) ’51 was born Sept. 5, 1926, in Great Falls, Mont., and died July 20, 2014, in Keene, Texas. Surviving: daughter Cristina of Keene, and sisters Sarah VandenHoven ’54 of Angwin, Calif., and Juanita Kretschmar att. of Big Pine Key, Fla.

Schmidt—Vernon ’51 was born Feb. 10, 1926, in Portland, Ore., and died Jan. 27, 2014, in Cottonwood, Ariz. Surviving: wife Ruby ’51 of Cottonwood; son Stephen ’81 of Reno, Nev.; and daughter Susan Moran of Escondido, Calif.

Vetter—Hazel (Downs) ’36 was born Nov. 21, 1913, in Forest Grove, Ore., and died Nov. 13, 2014, in Hag-erstown, Md. Surviving: son James of Weston, Fla.; and daughter Joy (Thomas) of Chandler, N.C.

Smith—Erma (Wilson) ’68 was born Feb. 11, 1916, in Topeka, Kan., and died June 30, 2014, in Seattle.

Surviving: son Daniel of Nashville, Tenn.; and daughters Shannon Pasek of Phoenix, Ariz., and Molly Wangerin of Seattle.

Willoughby—Milton ’42 was born Dec. 8, 1921, in Calcutta, India, and died Feb. 1, 2015, in Vancouver, Wash. Surviving: wife Alice (Steunenberg) ’44 of Vancouver; and daughter Maureen Caldwell ’70.

Stewart—Douglas att. was born Aug. 24, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., and died April 12, 2015, in Richland, Wash. Surviving: ex-wife Caroline Bowdish of Pasco, Wash.; and sons Colin of Kirkland, Wash., and Cameron of Pasco.

Woodbury—Carol Lynn (Pester) att. was born April 20, 1941, in Walla Walla, and died Nov. 16, 2014, in Spokane. Surviving: husband M. John ’62 of Spokane; sons Michael ’88 of Riverside, Calif., and S. Scott ’90 of Enumclaw, Wash.; and daughter Michelle Jones ’86 of Milpitas, Calif.

Stickle—Beverly (Graham) ’62 was born March 28, 1944, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, and died Sept. 12, 2014, in Apache Junction, Ariz. Surviving: mother Margaret Graham of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada; son Ryan of Arizona; brother Darrel att. of Baja, Mexico; and sister

Westwind Fall 2015 29

BY

Back to You Alumni Currents Staying A view from in touch the field with our family of graduates

Lessons from the frozen desert

by Chad Angasan

P

owerful sermons, rich music, vibrant community, intimate friendships, and a stimulating environment that pushes one to their limits—this is what I left after graduating from Walla Walla University. WWU is the place were I proposed to my wife, a place where the faculty of the theology department were more family than professors, a place I grew to cherish. Yet, I left with a challenge burning in my heart. Dave Thomas, dean of School of Theology, told me, “Go back to Alaska and preach to your people, Chad!”

After graduation, Elizabeth and I got married and were called to pastor a little church in Togiak, Alaska, a village of about 800 people. There are no roads that connect to this place. You have to fly in to Togiak on a plane that holds six people. We call them puddle-jumpers.

When we arrived in Togiak, the culture shock hit us pretty bad.

There are about seven miles of developed roads in the town. At the church, Elizabeth and I were in charge of music, sermons, custodial, maintenance, taxi services for church members, and youth ministries. Whatever that church needed, we became. This was the most humbling experience I had ever faced.

Church attendance consisted of six to eight adults and a few kids.

There was no pastor to mentor me face-to-face. My aid consisted of a phone call to the pastor in Dillingham 90 miles away…and God. This was my desert walk. For six months, one question kept going through my mind: “Lord, why did you put us here?” We were miserable.

In the depths of misery, God dropped a miracle at our door. Her name was Margie, and she said, “Chad, you and your wife should apply to be teacher’s aides up at the school.” In this small village, the school was the main source of em-

30

Westwind Fall 2015

ployment. Elizabeth and I needed the funds. Life wasn’t cheap in the village. A half-gallon of milk was over $7, and four apples cost $15.

Gas was nearly $7 per gallon. Everything had to be flown in. Getting jobs at the school sounded good.

We both applied and were accepted as full-time special education teacher’s aides. It felt strange working in a public school after being educated in the Adventist system for so long. Even being around my own native people felt foreign. In time, Elizabeth and I developed a sense of purpose and structure while providing church services and Bible studies for the elderly. Spending time with the kids at the school opened doors left and right. God had led us to a gold mine of ministry. Kids showed up on our doorstep asking for water, to visit, or to use the bathroom at the church (our parsonage was inside the church facility). Before we knew it, we had 10 to 20 kids

photograph by ELIZABETH ANGASAN

coming to church by themselves.

Kids started bringing their parents.

Our youth population was getting so big that we had to develop a separate service that was contentappropriate for teens and kids.

We prayed for someone to help us out. Six months later, God sent a young couple from Oklahoma who came to Togiak to teach. They became great friends and a great help. We ran three services simultaneously every Sabbath—one for adults, one for teens, and one for kids 12 and younger. Our church family started with 10 people and grew to more than 40 in a matter of months. Before we left Togiak, two families were baptized, and three teenagers were being discipled to lead their peers in Bible studies and to lead out in church services.

So, why did God call us to Togiak, Alaska? He wanted His children there to know that He is coming soon and that there is an

invitation for them to spend eternity with Him. The work in Togiak alone is too great for two people to accomplish. How many more are needed to spread His gospel to the whole world?

Elizabeth and I are currently at Andrews University. I’m studying for a master of divinity degree while she finishes her bachelor’s degree. Our plan is to go back to Alaska and continue the work God has called us to do. My advice and challenge to those who are studying at Walla Walla University is to fill your heart with God’s agenda and not yours. My naïve desire was to work in a big church with flash and movement. Instead, God led me to a place where He was needed more. Soak up all the spiritual richness and all of Jesus that Walla Walla has to offer, then “go and make disciples” for the Lord wherever He sends you so that we can go home! Amen.

Walla Walla

The

UniversityFund Do you know how appreciated your investment in Walla Walla University is to students like us?

Your annual gift to the Walla Walla University Fund:

H NA HAN

R. Y, J LOG O H YC | PS

PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS “The scholarships I have received from WWU made all the difference in my decision to enroll here.

It’s so humbling to know there are people willing to support my goal of receiving the best education possible. Donors like you have inspired me to work even harder and bless others in whatever way I can.”

ENHANCES CAMPUS PROGRAMS “My favorite campus event is vespers on Friday night. It is a special time to come together at the end of the week and worship God with your friends. It’s a time to relax, recharge, and reconnect.”

K

IRST EN | HE ALT H SC IEN CE, SR.

“Programs on campus are wonderful opportunities for me to get involved in student life. Through these programs (worship opportunities, club-related gatherings, smallgroup meetings, musical performances, and many, many more), I have become very active in my role as a university student, meeting (literally) hundreds of new people.”

FACILITATES CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT “The learning environment is so important to keep focused. It can be to study when classrooms are outdated and dark. My favorite building is definitely the Administration Building. The two lecture rooms on the main floor are so bright, clean and new. It makes it so much easier to focus with lots of windows for light and fresh air!”

R. GY, J OLO E H |T HUA JOS difficult

Help us reach our $255,000 goal before June 30, 2016.

HAN NAH | HE ALT H

SCI ENC E, S R.

On behalf of the other students here at WWU, we thank you for your consideration, your prayers, and your financial support of Walla Walla University.

Give today. WALLAWALLA.EDU/WWUFUND

NONPROFIT ORG US Postage

Paid

Walla Walla University 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324

College Place, Wash.

Permit #11

See you there!

Upcoming events to note on your calendar

January 23

Come out and cheer on the Wolves men’s and women’s basketball teams as they play backto-back games at Multnomah University in Portland. The women’s game starts at 6:30 p.m., and the men will play at 8:30 p.m. Find more games at UWolves.com.

A dedication service for nursing students will be held at 3:30 p.m. during Parent

Sabbath at Portland Campus. WWU President John McVay will speak for church at the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church. A luncheon for family members of nursing students will follow the service. For details, call (800) 377-2586.

December 11

The WWU Department of Music Christmas concert,

“Infant Holy,”

will feature Gloria in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi.

Performances at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the University Church will include the University Singers, I Cantori, and the WWU Symphony Orchestra. Watch via live stream at wallawalla.edu/ concert.

January 28–30

Basketball teams from more than 20 academies will gather at WWU for the annual Friendship Tournament. Come cheer on your favorite team and enjoy the camaraderie of gathering together with old and new friends.

February 20

Alumni in Southern California are invited to

the Palm Springs Seventhday Adventist Church to hear WWU President John McVay speak for the church service at 10:45 a.m.

Following church, please join us for a potluck lunch and an update on the latest university news. Visit alumni.wallawalla.edu/ events for more information.

February 27

The WWU chapter of

Engineers Without Borders will hold their

annual gala at the Walla Walla Country Club at 6:30 p.m. This annual fundraising event supports WWU EWB projects around the world, such as their 2015-16 project to build a clean water system in Pampa Chiri, Peru. Learn more at EWB-WWU.org.

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

Follow us on flickr, Facebook, and tumblr.

PHOTO: DUSTIN ISEMINGER

November 14