Westwind, Fall 2018

THE MAGAZINE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY FALL 2018

Under His wings How World War II transformed B-24 pilot Orah Fry p. 14

Stories of grace Counting our blessings in the 2017–18 annual report p. 18

Elta JacksonHenry takes bold steps to combat racism

Turning points P. 12

12.07.1892

sity AUTHOR Walla Walla Univer TITLE PUBLISHED GENRE TS WEEKEND EVEN

CELEBRATING

eekend 2019 Homecoming W 2019 April 25–28, n Thought Excellence i

urnament, spers, golf to ve M IS PR t, Banque otos, unions and ph honor class re more! seminars, and

, 1969, 1974, 64 19 , 59 19 s: Honor year 2009 , 1994, 1999, 89 19 , 84 19 , 1979 majors, m, education ra og Pr rs no Ho y minors, jors, librar psychology ma ary’s Memorial Libr and Peterson ary 75th annivers

019 April 25–28, 2

NEWS // ASWWU OUTDOORS

“The relaxed, open community … is at its finest during ASWWU Outdoors trips.”

—Tyler Humphries, senior mechanical engineering major

p.6

4 5

14

From the President

THE MAGAZINE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY // FALL 2018

18 About the cover

From coast to coast, social work graduate Elta JacksonHenry works to encourage positive change.

PHOTO: KAI KOPITZKE

Photograph by MICHAEL PERSICO Westwind Fall 2018, Volume 37, Number 3 / Westwind is published three times a year by Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, and is produced by the WWU Marketing and University Relations office.

This issue was printed in November 2018. © 2018 by Walla Walla University.

Mail Westwind, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324 E-mail westwind@wallawalla.edu Telephone (509) 527-2363 Toll-free (800) 541-8900 Online westwind.wallawalla.edu Editor Kim Strobel Staff writers Charles Riseley and Malcolm Shaw Design L/Bailey Design

26

College Avenue

The latest from across campus

Under His wings

Orah Fry’s World War II experience highlights how God can use unlikely circumstances to reach us with His love

Stories of grace Four students share how support from endowed scholarships and other funds changed their WWU experience Alumni Currents

26 AlumNotes, 29 In Memory

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Privileged moments

Religion and attention to the sacred remain relevant on college campuses heightened attention to the sacred. Reviewing the book reminded me of Walla Walla University’s part in this wider trend and of heartwarming privileges we enjoy here.

One such everyday experience is evident when I periodically pause to read the material on our campus bulletin boards. There are posters announcing events sponsored by our student association (ASWWU) and some of the 40 clubs on campus—events marked by the values of faith, community, and service. There is advertising for various lectures and art shows. Usually a number of Campus Ministries events are represented as well. Recently, the bulletin boards featured an invitation to gather and pray for the upcoming General Conference Annual Council meeting in Battle Creek, Michigan. The collage of content is wondrous testimony to the special qualities of our WWU experience.

At the start of this quarter I stepped into a class that was meeting for the first time. The professor was introducing the practice of praying at the start of class and then led the group in prayer.

Sacred moments! A few days later I was chatting with a faculty colleague. We fell into the topic of opening class with prayer, and he told me how he has developed strategies to draw students into that important act. It is a privilege to be part of a praying campus.

I also treasure the experience of sharing a meal in the cafeteria with students, listening to them chatter with one another. When there is a lull in the conversation, I ask a question or two. During our recent Week of Worship featuring Laurence Turner, professor emeritus of the Department of Theological Studies at Newbold College, I asked students to reflect on the presentation he had just given. I was blessed by their ready engagement with the Bible story Dr. Turner had so ably unpacked for us. At these lunches, I sometimes ask, “What passion is God birthing in your heart about how you wish to invest your life?” I’ve learned to listen carefully to the answers that emerge. Big dreams. Bold visions of their future. They are out to change this world of ours! Imagine my quiet satisfaction at lunch one Friday when, as a student departed for class, she said, “Dr. McVay, have a great Sabbath!”

Sabbaths on campus are very special, introduced as they are by Friday evening vespers. All the challenges of the week—agendas, committee meetings, papers, quizzes, tests—are set aside, and we gather together in the early moments of Sabbath. To listen to hundreds of WWU students sing praises to the risen and exalted Jesus is one of the grand privileges of my life. There is an attitude of praise, worship, contemplation, and joy in those moments.

We are one in the weariness brought on by the week and in the anticipated rest of Sabbath. Vespers ends with the large screen at the front of the University Church displaying announcements about all the great worship and ministry opportunities on offer over the Sabbath hours and, with hundreds of students lingering in the sanctuary, enjoying together the joy of Sabbath.

Our core theme, “Faith in God,” is alive and well at Walla Walla University. It is a grand privilege to experience it every day.

Cordially, John McVay President

FIND MORE NEWS ABOUT WWU AT WALLAWALLA.EDU/NEWS.

4

Westwind Fall 2018

PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

In a very recent book, The Resilience of Religion in American Higher Education (Baylor University Press, 2018), John Schmalzbauer and Kathleen Mahoney counter a common assumption that religion on higher education campuses has declined, died, or disappeared.

Instead, the authors document the amazing staying power of religion in campus experiences, demonstrating a growing interest in the study of religion across disciplines, a willingness to acknowledge the intellectual relevance of religious commitments, and

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Learn more about the Department of Biological Sciences at

wallawalla.edu/ biology.

Antarctic research

WWU faculty member studies invertebrates in Antarctica

C

ECILIA “C.J.” BROTHERS, the newest faculty member of the Walla Walla University Department of Biological Sciences, brings experience and firsthand research to her new post. As a recent doctoral graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Brothers’ research focuses on common marine invertebrates that you might find in a tidepool—sea stars and sea urchins—and how they are affected by climate change.

Brothers’ research took her to Palmer Station, Antarctica, from February to June 2018, where she collaborated on research projects to better understand the ecology of the seafloor off the western Antarctic Peninsula.

“The seafloor is not barren like you might imagine but supports a dense community of macroalgae and marine invertebrates, such as tiny crustaceans and gastropods, or snails,” says Brothers. She and her colleagues studied the chemical defenses employed by many of these creatures to deter predators.

“Living and researching at Palmer Station was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” says Brothers. The station is located on Anvers Island just off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, making it ideal for marine research. “It’s a small but extremely collaborative environment of only 40 to 45 people,” she says.

“Every day was an adventure. Each morning that the weather permitted we headed out in Zodiacs to take the divers to their research sites. The opportunity to see penguins, whales, and icebergs in person was exciting every time!”

Brothers’ research at Palmer Station will have a direct impact on her students. “One of the initial laboratory projects I am bringing to WWU comes straight from Antarctica,” she says. “With undergraduate students, we will be investigating the bacteria associated with Antarctic sea stars. We want to learn more about the functions of these bacteria and how much the bacteria vary between sea star species.”

Having earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from WWU, Brothers is no stranger to the Walla Walla Valley. “I’m looking forward to returning to the friendly WWU campus and all the outdoor opportunities in the Pacific Northwest,” she says. What she most looks forward to, though, is “setting up my laboratory and getting students started on research!”

Westwind Fall 2018

5

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Adventure awaits Students explore the great outdoors on ASWWU Outdoors trips around the Pacific Northwest

A

S ONE OF THE 10 departments of the Associated Students of Walla Walla University, ASWWU Outdoors plans a variety of outdoor activities for students each quarter. From hiking and camping to biking and rock climbing, students have many opportunities to relieve stress and experience the great outdoors.

During one ASWWU Outdoors trip last spring, students gathered near White Salmon, Washington, for a weekend of camping, fellowship, and whitewater rafting. “Somehow I got the ASWWU Outdoors trips best seat and got to sit in the front of the vary with the season and raft where I got walloped with cold water include hiking, climbing, just about the entire time. But it was worth skiing, and rafting. it!” says April Riseley, 2018 master of social work graduate.

“ASWWU Outdoors exhibits what is inherent in so many WWU students—that adventure is out there and we want to find it,” said Tyler Humphries, senior mechanical engineering major and 2018–19 ASWWU Outdoors director. “Many of us create our best memories of college climbing at Smith Rock or surfing at Pacific City. The relaxed and open community that WWU is known for is at its finest during ASWWU Outdoors trips.”

Events this year, planned by Humphries and his student team, include backpacking in the Wallowas, biking and climbing near Bend, Oregon, hiking at Mount Adams, cross-country and downhill skiing, and rafting.

Follow ASWWU Outdoors on Instagram at

@aswwuoutdoors

or visit them online at

NEW FACULTY

WWU welcomed 12 new faculty for the 2018–19 academic year.

Front row from left: Amanda Lewis, assistant professor of social work; Licci Zemleduch, instructor in business; C.J. Brothers, assistant professor of biology; Eunice Muriu, assistant professor of nursing; Mike Hellie, assistant professor of health and physical education.

Back row from left: Monique Vincent, assistant professor of history; Hilary Dickerson, professor of history; George Perez, assistant professor of business; Doug Thomsen, associate professor of engineering; Cristian Neacsu, associate professor of music.

Not pictured: James Foster, assistant professor of computer science, and Ryan Mowat, associate professor of engineering.

6

Westwind Fall 2018

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

PHOTOS: TOMMY MOEN, BLAIR ROESSEL, MICHAEL ISEMINGER

aswwu.com/ pages/outdoors.

DIVERSITY:

BY THE NUMBERS

Fall 2018 student enrollment

404

Our commitment in action Walla Walla University is on an important journey, one that brings focus to our mission statement, which affirms that “every person is created in the image of God as a being of inestimable value and worth.”

Last April, Walla Walla University President John McVay announced eight areas of diversity focus that the university would immediately pursue in keeping with its mission.

Since then, students, faculty, and staff have

developed implementation steps and measurement opportunities for each of these areas: • Modifications to curriculum, both inside and outside our classrooms, to support diversity education.

• Expanded diversity education for university faculty and staff.

• P olicy and procedure revisions to remove barriers to progress in diversity.

• I mproved feedback mechanisms for our campus family.

•R ecruiting enhancements that will attract diverse students, faculty, and staff.

• Regular diversity conversations and engagement with stakeholders.

• Assessment and annual reporting through a diversity scorecard.

• Increased resources and staffing committed to diversity-linked events and roles.

Called Our Commitment to Diversity, the plan is being shepherded into action. Progress will be reported annually.

“Our university family has committed to foster-

ing a respectful and durable pattern of diversity that will enrich each individual, strengthen Walla Walla University, and bless the world we serve,” says Pedrito Maynard-Reid, assistant to the president for diversity since 2008. “This plan is our roadmap and holds us accountable as we work to provide every student and employee with a safe environment and to model an atmosphere of inclusion and harmony.”

Read the commitment to diversity document and learn more about our action steps at

wallawalla.edu/ diversity.

First-time freshmen.

(The highest in 37 years.)

1,654

Study in Hollywood

201

W

Undergraduate students.

Graduate students.

(WWU offers graduate programs in biology, education, cinema/religion/ worldview, and social work.)

PHOTOS: COLBY KUSCHATKA, RONNIE ANDERSON

1 ,855 Total enrollment for fall quarter 2018.

Find more WWU news at wallawalla.edu/ news.

Film students fine-tune skills with a semester at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center ALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY’S membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities makes it possible for WWU students to attend classes at a variety of study locations around the world, such as Oxford University. Now a new agreement between the CCCU and the Los Angeles Film Studies

Center allows WWU film students to fulfill some degree requirements at the film center in Hollywood.

The center offers 250 hours of internship experience with major companies in the film industry and works to develop the artistic voices of students in the classroom. Jerry Hartman, WWU associate professor of communications, says the film center works with approximately 120 agencies and does a great job of placing students in their most desired areas of interest.

The program is faithbased, allowing students to integrate their study of film with Christian values and themes.

Alumni of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center have worked as writers, directors, editors, and visual effects artists on major films such as Star Wars: Episode VII— The Force Awakens, and Doctor Strange.

WWU film students work on editing in the film lab.

Discover WWU film study opportunities at

wallawalla.edu/film.

Westwind Fall 2018

7

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Students take part in a variety of research projects at Rosario.

books sites Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

By Philip Yancey (Zondervan, 2006)

Students explore the world of biology at Rosario

T

HE WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory hosted 40 faculty, researchers, and students this summer engaged in courses such as General Biology, Environmental Physiology, Sea to Summit, Marine Phycology, and Marine Biology. Undergraduate and graduate students also had the opportunity to partner with faculty and researchers on a variety of research projects.

Students of Jim Nestler, professor of biology, are studying the giant California sea cucumber and its Learn more about ability to regenerate internal organs each year. the Rosario Beach Researchers are looking specifically at telomerase Marine Laboratory activity, which may be the key to unlimited tissue and view photos regeneration in other organisms, including humans. of the Rosario In an ocean acidification lab setup comparable to campus and cabins premier labs on the West Coast, students of Kirt available for rent at wallawalla.edu/ Onthank, associate professor of biology, are studying rosario-cabins. ocean acidification and how emerging environmental problems will impact marine organisms.

David Cowles, professor of biology, is exploring eelgrass communities, especially a large, green isopod that lives in them. Cowles and his team have recently discovered that the isopods are photosynthetic yet have little physiological protection from free radicals that can be created by photosynthetic processes.

As part of the scientific diving program, WWU provides training in underwater research and safety techniques for students who are certified scuba divers, as well as opportunities to enhance coursework and research activities by diving at multiple locations and collaborating with faculty and students from other universities. WWU is an organizational member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences.

“Currently we have 13 WWU scientific divers involved in the program,” says Nestler. These divers have conducted more than 250 dives this year.

For 63 years, Rosario has served as an extraordinary learning center for scholars and scientists.

In the classroom, in the forest, and on the water, there’s always something to study at Rosario.

8

Westwind Fall 2018

Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God

By Brennan Manning (HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 2000)

Given to me by a mentor, Ruthless Trust has transformed how I approach my relationship with God. In his work, Manning examines the necessity for humanity to understand what it truly means to possess an unwavering trust in a God who is relentless in His love and pursuit for us. Ruthless Trust will either take you on a journey of renewal and gratitude or one of healing and restoration that breathes new life into a meaningful relationship with our Emmanuel God. For me it did both.

—Andrew Perrin, recruiter for Marketing and Enrollment Services

GreenKitchenStories.com

This food blog by Stockholm, Sweden-based couple David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl is full of vegetarian (and mostly vegan and glutenfree) ideas for nutrient-dense meals. Their YouTube channel features beautifully produced videos that are truly inspiring.

—Kim Strobel, University Relations supervisor

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

PHOTOS: DUSTIN GIENGER, JIM NESTLER

Summer at the sea

Yancey approaches prayer from a very thoughtful, richly researched yet warm and relational perspective. The author interspersed personal prayer stories from individuals who shared them with him. While concluding many aspects of prayer will remain a mystery, Yancey wonders what might happen to our divisive world if everyone prayed more intentionally, not only for others in our world, but also for insights into the condition of our own souls and how we might be impacting our world. This 2006 book resided at my home for several years until just the right time this year.

—Pamela Bing Perry, associate professor of social work and master of social work program coordinator, Billings Campus

’90s THE

From the archives / If memory serves

Backspace 1990

PHOTO: WWU ARCHIVES

It’s 1990—the year HyperText Markup Language (HTML) was developed in Geneva, Switzerland—a step that would give rise to the World Wide Web. Meanwhile, in a small town in Eastern Washington, a computer science student listens to his portable CD player while writing a program in DOS on a state-of-the-art x86 IBM PC clone with a 5¼ floppy drive and a 3½ floppy drive. Times have certainly changed!

Westwind Fall 2018

9

Faculty in First Person

Rodd Strobel Assistant professor of physical education

Taking care of your body is vital for mental and spiritual function and growth I have developed an obsession with a triangle.

I blame Gary Hamburgh, Tim Windemuth, Ralph Perrin, and Curtis Kuhlman, because it started in their classes when I was a physical education major at Walla Walla University.

They took seriously the equilateral triangle in our school seal and did everything in their power to ensure that I took it seriously too.

They challenged me to focus on what I consider the most important side of that physical, mental, spiritual triangle in order to encourage a truly balanced life in my students.

My obsession is renewed every fall when WWU faculty and staff read together the core themes, philosophy, and vision of Walla Walla University, and again in the spring when the school seal on Centennial Green provides the backdrop for sending a fresh batch of alumni out into the world. The philosophy statement we recite draws from Ellen White’s book Education: “… every person is created in the image of God as a being of inestimable value and worth, imbued with powers of intelligence, stewardship, and creativity akin to those of the Creator.” She goes on to say that educational institutions are to “send forth men [and women] strong to think and to act, men [and women] who are masters and not slaves of circumstances, men [and women] who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thought, and the courage of their convictions.” This is what has motivated me to be a physical educator for the last 30 years, and this is why I am convinced that physical education is the most important area of study on this campus.

Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

Everything in life is experienced through our physical bodies. Everything!

Our senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch are all physical processes.

From noticing that vision of loveliness across the cafeteria, to walking across campus to the next class, to the lightbulb moment of finally understanding that concept in physics class—everything we do or experience happens through our physical bodies. It’s not just that the mental and spiritual aspects of our existence are enhanced by a healthy body, it’s that they are dependent on a physical body to exist. You can’t even read these words or form an opinion about them without the physical processes of neurotransmitters, ions, and semipermeable membranes doing their physical thing over and over. And it only works if a variety of physical properties (sodium, calcium, potassium, etc.) are balanced within an optimal range.

Because of this, anything that contributes to the optimal functioning of the body enhances our ability to engage in all our other pursuits. Literature, science, history, music—all these important and worthwhile fields of study benefit from the body functioning at its highest possible level. A healthy body works better than an unhealthy body and contributes positively to anything you chose to do.

I have another obsession that is related to the first. I am fascinated by how people learn to do things. All kinds of things. In one of my classes we read and discuss

10

Westwind Fall 2018

photograph by CHRIS DRAKE

“

It’s not just that the mental and spiritual aspects of our existence are enhanced by a healthy body, it’s that they are dependent on a physical body to exist.” a book by Geoff Colvin, Talent Is Overrated. In it, Colvin outlines the principles of deliberate practice that research has found to be the most effective way to get really good at something. I mean exceptionally good, like Jerry Riceplaying-football or Bach-composing-music kind of good.

While the principles are relatively well understood, the challenge is learning to apply them to the wide variety of pursuits that occupy our time. This other obsession led me to spend a year studying how people learn to move and the neuromotor processes that control those movements.

That experience resulted in a research project investigating the best way to learn to ride a bicycle that steers in reverse. Yes, it is every bit as bizarre as you think it would be and a lot more difficult. My research question explored whether whole or part practice methods are better when learning a novel variation of a well-learned skill. What I really want to know is the best way to teach people how to ride a bicycle, and the lack of empirical evidence to support either whole or part practice methods necessitates this first step down that path of discovery.

As with most research, I raised as many questions as I answered, but while I was being entertained watching my participants struggle to learn the skill (I got really good at laughing on the inside), I also saw a powerful example of the remarkable adaptability that people possess. The first faltering efforts that sent study participants crashing into the walls were eventually replaced with remarkably smooth and controlled riding. It reminded me of David’s words in Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful … .”

After 30 years I’m still obsessed with the triangle. The triangle matters. If I want to pursue excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God, the triangle matters. If I want to send forth graduates who possess breadth of mind and clearness of thought, the triangle matters. I’m fortunate enough to work in the best department on campus. Yes, my colleagues are awesome. Yes, we get to play a lot. Yes, we have fantastic students. But in addition to that, I get to work in a place that takes the school seal seriously. Helping to train the next generation of health and physical education professionals to share my obsession seems like a worthwhile thing to do.

It’s my way of passing on what I learned here at WWU, and it’s what I hope to be doing until I can learn how everything is really supposed to work from the one who created it all.

Westwind Fall 2018

11

Back to You / A view from the field

Turning points

By Elta Jackson-Henry ’95 and ’96 // SOCIAL WORK

D

uring my formative years, I had no idea that the maxim instilled in me, “To whom much is given, much is required,” was taken directly from the Bible verse Luke 12:48. Come to find out, neither did my young, Louisiana-born mother who set the foundation of my “much” with creativity, resourcefulness, intentionality, and spiritual fortitude. She credits the grace of God as her parenting manual.

I never knew my father, who passed away a few months before my birth on Jan. 20, 1973. He was a foreign-exchange student at the University of Washington who hailed from Ghana, West Africa.

During my coming of age, I took pride in identifying myself as truly being “African-American”! Believe me, it was only a cute cliché.

I was honored to be part of the generation to celebrate the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was first recognized as a national holiday on Jan. 20, 1986. At this time my mother was making a great sacrifice to send me to a Seventh-day Adventist school. MLK day was not recognized there as a holiday that year. I was not sure where to bring my confusion about this. My white friend brought her signature shortbread cookies for my birthday, and my Filipino friend brought her mom’s famous Lumpia, and we played Danish Rounders during gym class with our principal/math teacher/ coach. In my developing mind, I believed we represented what Dr. King meant in his “I Have a Dream” speech because we judged each other by the content of our character and not by our skin color.

Strangely enough, our parents never got to know one another.

My mother, younger sister, and I made excursions to cultural festivals and nook-and-cranny eateries on the outskirts of Seattle. I remember occasions when we were asked if we were lost. I learned quickly that

12

Westwind Fall 2018

was code for, “You are making us uncomfortable. Please find your way out, or take your food to go ASAP.” I always held my head up high and would not shy away from the next event if I wanted to experience something new and different, but feeling unwelcome was the pits. My peers apparently believed in my resilience because they would thrust me forward as their fierce leader with “You know how to fit in” or “They like you.” On the other side, I would hear what I thought were affirmations: “You are different,” “So articulate,” “Always funny and making us laugh,” and “I feel so comfortable around you.” My mind swirled with mixed emotions. Did I want this kind of classification or acceptance?

I set my sights on the Big Apple or an HBCU for my higher education.

I was still happy to travel eastward to Walla Walla College instead. I settled on studying social work and earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It was the best of times. In 1992 Mae C. Jemison was the first

photograph by MICHAEL PERSICO

It took me almost half a century to take some bolder steps in my life, to be a change-maker in the effort to end racism.”

African-American women in space on the space shuttle Endeavor, and in 1996 Tiger Woods won the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. It was the worst of times. The L.A. riots were sparked in 1992 after the brutal beating of Rodney King by police.

Meanwhile in 1993, in Conard Hall, after returning to my dorm room from choir rehearsal, I found a neatly cut out hand with a middle finger and a red painted nail taped securely to my door. I searched for my voice and called for a meeting with the deans to mediate a conversation between the black and white girls. Secretly I was hurt and confused about why they chose my door.

It was determined that our loud music and louder voices prompted this visual retort. The carefully crafted art piece was destroyed. End of story.

I continued to participate in student government and sang songs of joy more for my own therapy than anything else. Although I tried to maintain my happy-go-lucky persona, in the years to follow I misdirected my unhappiness toward my white female friends and others who tried to get close to me. I did not trust that they were genuine. They were pairing off and finding mates while I was not invited to chapel or vespers. Not once, ever.

The great Wilma Hepker, founder and professor emeritus of the WWU School of Social Work and Sociology, noticed my inner conflict. She had a keen eye for all things bio-psycho-social and would often tenderly remind me, “Dear, you are your brother’s keeper, yes, but you are not responsible for your whole race.” I am so grateful for the seeds of wisdom she planted in my life, although they took a while to blossom.

I eventually moved to the East Coast in 2005 when my husband accepted a teaching position at an Adventist academy outside of Hamburg, Pennsylvania. If I didn’t realize my minority status in Seattle—where the minority population is less than 8 percent black—this 97-percentwhite Pennsylvania-Dutch community with only 0.34 percent of people looking like me made it mind-blowingly evident! I will never forget one of my first encounters at the local laundromat “Die Wascherei.” I greeted a woman there with a warm smile and was met with, “Wow, your teeth are so white.” I later found out that all of her teeth had to be pulled when she was a young adult due to poor dental hygiene. She never traveled outside of her town and assumed I was from the big city of Philadelphia and that I must have moved to Hamburg to be closer to my husband who must be incarcerated in the county prison there. We had many encounters and, keeping the quote from Abraham Lincoln in mind—“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better”—she served me my first bowl of chicken pot pie and in turn accepted my offer to listen to one of my favorite gospel tunes by Mahalia Jackson.

I did eventually decide to commute to the big city of Philadelphia to work. There people were more direct and the expectation was

that you knew what you were about and how to get there. Looking for a good cheesesteak one evening after work, I took a wrong turn and asked for directions from the wrong group of guys who, not so kindly, told me to go back to wherever I came from quick and in a hurry.

This experience and others like them were very important reminders that I was no better than anyone of my same complexion because I happened to speak with a Pacific Northwest accent.

As we know, “Prejudice is defined as making a judgement prematurely without having adequate information.” Philly is over 40 percent African-American and many hold positions of civic leadership and prominence, so one would think with that far-reaching reputation I would be given the benefit of the doubt as a college-educated professional. Not so. Although I basked in the glory of vicarious achievement and reveled in the election of our 44th president, Barack Obama, who just so happened to be inaugurated on my 44th birthday, Jan. 20, 2009, I have come to realize that making personal connections with my fellow white brothers and sisters— and anyone else for that matter—are necessary to effect baby-step changes in terms of ending racism.

My mother and younger sister have since joined me here on the East Coast and, like old times, we three take voyages to the outskirts of the city, trying Amish cuisine, visiting local farmers markets, and patronizing off-the-wall boutiques. We are sometimes overlooked for the next white customer or asked if we are lost. Now we are intentional: We give a bright smile, direct eye contact, and engage in conversation expressing interest in their culture and wares being offered. I personally use my assertive “I-message” and say “I feel disrespected when you look past me as though I am not here to help the next person in line. Please take the time to help me complete my purchase first. Thank you.” Drawing attention to inequality at the time it happens can most often wake people up to their behavior.

It took me almost half a century to take some bolder steps in my life, to be a change-maker in the effort to end racism. I believe this is my season to finally use the “much” I have been given. In the words of the late Kwame Nkrumah, first president of the Republic of Ghana, “We face neither east nor west: we face forward.” In my experience “forward” looks like: 1. Saying hello to my neighbors on a regular basis until we are on a first-name basis and actually can invite each other over for a meal.

2. Being willing to come out of my comfort zone and lend a helping hand to those in need, even on Sabbath.

3. Becoming educated about issues in my community that may require advocacy for a group that is being left out or unfairly treated.

4. Mentoring young people and helping them embrace differences on multiple levels.

5. Being genuinely interested in improving relationships by having real conversations and providing a safe place for questions and discussion.

6. Incorporating diversity into natural lifestyle of worship, social life, family, friendships, and personal experiences so I can fully appreciate it and feel more comfortable.

7. Enjoying the process and considering it a privilege, not a chore.

I pray for God’s guidance and wisdom to be a catalyst for change wherever I am, however I can, with whomever I am with, for as long as I can … for it is required. Stay tuned.

Elta Jackson-Henry is an employee assistance specialist with Optum Behavioral Health (United Health Care) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She lives in Reading, with her husband, Wayne Henry ’97. As a choir director and praise team leader for her church, she enjoys using music to help people connect, heal hurts, and break down barriers. She serves meals at the local homeless shelter, works with the NAACP to help educate the community on issues of diversity, and is part of the Reading Rotary.

Westwind Fall 2018

13

UNDER HIS WINGS

Just months after Pearl Harbor was bombed during his senior year of high school, Orah Fry ’59 was inducted into the Army and within two years was on his way to Italy in a B-24. BY GENE STONE

FEW YEARS AGO, I stopped by to visit Orah Fry, a 1959 graduate of Walla Walla University, retired teacher, and longtime caretaker of WWU’s Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Orah’s wife had died not long before, and I was concerned about how he was coping.

Well past his 90th year, it was clear Orah was managing well with a clean house and well-kept lawn. He was taking a break from splitting and stacking firewood after cracking some ribs during a home repair project, but said he was feeling better and would soon be stacking wood again until he had enough for winter.

Our conversation turned to his wife, Louise. He missed her, but wasn’t grieving.

Louise had been suffering from the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and now her suffering was over. Orah told me that he is confidently looking forward to being reunited with her, because he has learned to “fly on instruments.” Over the next couple of days, I learned what he meant.

14

Westwind Fall 2018

ABOVE: Orah Fry in uniform.

RIGHT: Fry with his B-24 crew: first

pilot Chuck Comstock on his right and navigator Arnold Levy and bombardier “Pop” on his left. In the front row from left are the engineer, tail gunner, waist gunner, sperry ball gunner, second waist gunner, and top turret gunner.

FAR RIGHT: Earlier this year, Fry’s family took him to see a restored B-24 at an airfield in Oxnard, California.

Westwind Fall 2018

15

“

16

Westwind Fall 2018

Y GRANDFATHER, Martin Fry, moved to Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho, in 1875,” said Orah.

“He and his brother, Richard, bought the ferry that crossed the Kootenai River from its original owner, Edwin Bonner.” The Fry brothers also ran Fry’s Trading Post, and Richard was the first postmaster of Fry, Idaho.

Orah’s father, Adelbert “Del” Fry, had degrees from Gonzaga University in civil and steam engineering and was operating a successful freight business running from Bonners Ferry to Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, when he met and married Rebecca Ratcliff Dykes.

Rebecca was a widow with four children when she married Del. They had three more children, each about two years apart. Then, seven years later, in 1918, Rebecca became pregnant with Orah. She was 39 years old, fearful of pregnancy at her age, and resented being pregnant. By the time Orah was 5 years old she had told him he was unwanted, and that message was repeated often during his childhood and adolescence.

Rebecca feared for Del’s safety on the 40-foot tug and 50-foot barge he ran for his business and convinced him to make a career change to farming. The family moved to Hood River, Oregon, and fell into poverty.

After Orah completed eighth grade, Rebecca insisted that he drop out of school and go to work. He objected and left home.

Before long Rebecca relented and wrote to tell him that if he came home he could attend the local high school. Orah knew his parents needed his help. His brothers and sisters had all left home, and his parents had no income. So he returned and helped support the family by picking up odd jobs that fit around his school schedule.

Orah was eager to learn. His curiosity about how things work was key to his learning. That curiosity paid dividends when one of his teachers came to school one rainy day with a windshield wiper that didn’t work.

Orah fixed it, and a couple of weeks later that same teacher asked if he would like to work in a garage. Orah’s response, “I don’t have training for that,” didn’t deter the teacher who told him to report to the head mechanic at the local Pontiac garage in town. Orah worked until 10 p.m. most days and gave his earnings to his parents.

Orah taught himself to play the piano and during high school played the baritone in the concert band. He also played the cello in a string quartet, the bass viol in the concert orchestra, and the sousaphone in the pep band. His string quartet had played for every church in town except his own when his music teacher asked him to find out if the group

could play at his church. When the head elder learned that the other members of the quartet were not Adventists, he refused to let them play. Not one to be deterred, Orah took matters into his own hands and invited his fellow church member musicians to get together and practice for special music. Out of the several members he invited, Orah was the only one to show up for practice. These experiences and others were so discouraging to Orah that he stopped attending church.

During his senior year of high school, Pearl Harbor was bombed. After he graduated, he went to work as a welder at the Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, Washington. Orah thought during this time that his family didn’t care about him, his church didn’t care about him, and God didn’t care about him. Just a few months later he was drafted into the Army.

Irene, the wife of his older half-brother, drove Orah to catch the train to Fort Lewis where he was to report for duty. Her parting words to him were, “Orah, I know you think God doesn’t care about you, but next to my husband and my children, I care about you.

I’m going to be praying that God will take care of you during this war and that He will take you through some experience that will teach you that He cares about you.” That was the first time in Orah’s life that anyone had told him they cared about him.

That evening at Fort Lewis, an announcement over the public address system invited all cadets interested in trying out for Aviation Cadet School to be at a certain building by 0700 the next morning. Orah—and 138 others—showed up for a day of physical and mental testing. At the end of the day, Orah was one of seven chosen.

His training included basic training in Clearwater, Florida; officer candidate school in Miami Beach; the equivalent of two years of college in five months at Butler University in Indianapolis; aviation ground school in San Antonio; flight training at Stamford Flying School, Arledge Field, in Stamford, Texas; basic military flight school at Perrin Field near Denison, Texas; and advanced flight training at Ellington Field in Houston.

Orders for B-24 transition training sent him on his way to the war in Europe.

Once Orah was fully trained, he flew a B-24 with his crew from Manchester, New Hampshire, to Italy by way of Gander, Newfoundland, the Azores, Africa, and Tunisia. Shortly after arrival in Italy, the crew watched B-24s landing as the planes returned from combat. On the third plane to land, the nose wheel collapsed, folding the fuselage into the windshield and killing both pilots. Chuck Comstock, the first pilot of Orah’s crew, turned to the engineer and said, “One of your jobs will be to check and make sure that nose wheel is locked in place before every landing.”

They were assigned to the 759th Bombardment Squadron, part of the 459th Bombardment Group that flew out of Giulia Airfield near Cherangola, Italy. The 759th carried out bombing missions to northern Italy, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia. Orah and his crew participated in missions in March and April of 1945.

“I have tried to forget about World War II,” said Orah. Some things are not easy to forget, however, and he recalls bombing runs as if they happened yesterday.

“The first mission I flew was to a railroad marshalling yard in Budapest,” said Orah. “The city is divided by a river and the railroad yard was on the Pest side. We flew to the city just under 30,000 feet. A B-24 with a load of bombs could not fly any higher.

The last 10 minutes of our flight we were flying straight and level in order to give the bombardier time to line his bomb sight up on the target and adjust it for wind drift and altitude.

Once he got it set, it would automatically track the target and drop the bombs at the proper time so they would hit the target. This is the most dangerous time on a bombing mission because it gave the anti-aircraft gunners a chance to align their guns to track us. Some of the crew were swearing while others were praying.

“Flak was bursting in front of us as we entered the bomb run,” continued Orah. “We could see the flak bursts ahead of us and a little higher than we were. The next set of flak was about half as far away and right on our altitude. The third set of flak bursts were just ahead of us. The anti-aircraft bullets were designed so when they exploded, they broke into many pieces about an inch long and a half-inch wide. They sounded like hail stones hitting the plane. As soon as our bombs were released, we turned left and gained a little more altitude to throw the anti-aircraft guns’ range off.”

On another mission Orah recalled, “As we started our bombing run, flak bursts were just ahead of us and on our elevation.

The second set of flak was right where we were. Shrapnel was flying everywhere. One piece came from behind my left shoulder, whizzed by my face so close I could feel the wind from it, and went into the instrument panel, knocking out our instruments. The next thing we knew our power steering was shot out and the number three engine got hit. Smoke poured from it, so I turned on the fire extinguisher for that engine and feathered the prop. Our bombs had hit the target, and a lot of black smoke was seen coming from the tanker cars on the railroad

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ORAH FRY

As far as Orah is concerned, however, the most important mission was the one he was scheduled to fly, but didn’t.

yard beneath us. When we got back to our airfield, our left side gunner showed us the tears in his shirt where shrapnel had gone by the front of his body, ripping his shirt, then under his arm where it tore his sleeve.

Our maintenance crew later told us we had over 200 holes in the plane, but none of the crew got a scratch.”

Without the power steering, it took the strength of both pilots to pull the nose of the plane up for landing. If either pilot had been incapacitated, it would likely have been a crash landing.

Orah’s individual combat flight record indicates that in addition to the more common targets of bridges, tunnels, railroad marshalling yards, ammunition depots, and oil refineries, he conducted missions to the “St. Valentin Tank Works, Austria,” and one location simply titled “5th Army Front, Italy.” His certificate of service indicates he was involved in battles and campaigns in the North Apennines, the Po Valley, the Rhineland, and Central Europe, for which he was awarded the EuropeAfrica-Middle East ribbon with four bronze stars. He was also awarded the Air Medal.

As far as Orah is concerned, however, the most important mission was the one he was scheduled to fly, but didn’t.

“When the war ended in Germany, the flying stopped. I, and a number of others, had all our pay sent to our homes. We had to fly six hours a month to get our flight pay,

so the Commanding Officer organized some reconnaissance missions so we could get our flight pay. I was scheduled to fly the second mission. The war in Europe had been over for two weeks. The day before I was to take off, a friend of mine came to my tent and asked to go in my place. I didn’t want him to go, because I needed the money. He followed me around all day begging and pleading with me to let him go in my place.

Finally, at 10 minutes till five o’clock, we went to the flight room and scratched my name and put his name in.

“He took off the next morning at 5 a.m.

About 10 o’clock, the field commander got a phone call telling him that the plane we had sent out that morning had been shot down by the Russians.”

Orah recalled thinking, “I should have been on that plane. My life should have ended that day.” As he thought about flying 10 missions with none of the crew getting a scratch even though their plane was shot up and planes all around were either knocked out of the sky or shot up so badly they couldn’t get back to base, he could have concluded that the four-leaf clover the 759th Bomb Squadron wore as a shoulder patch had brought him good luck. Instead, he remembered what his sister-in-law told him when she dropped him off at the train station: “Orah, I’m going to be praying that God will take care of you during this war and that He will take you through some experience that will teach you that He cares about you.”

“Right then I knew her prayers had been answered,” said Orah. He said that one of the best things to happen to him during WWII was being given the assurance that God cares for him. With that assurance, he became a serious Bible student and returned to church. He graduated from WWU in 1959 with a degree in education and taught at Myrtle Point School, Sutherlin Adventist Christian School, and Tualatin Valley Junior Academy. In 1966 he became caretaker at Rosario Beach Marine Station, a position he held for 18 years.

Orah is 99 years old now and lives in Ventura, California, with his granddaughter and her husband. “I try to live like I am flying on instruments,” he told me, describing his method for living a Christian life. Pilots learn to trust their cockpit instruments

even when there is no visibility. For Orah, flying on instruments and trusting what those instruments tell you is the equivalent of trusting God’s guidance system—“His Word.” That is the method for living he recommends for everyone.

ADVENTISTS IN THE MILITARY The relationship of Seventh-day Adventists to war has been the subject of passionate internal debate since the earliest days of our church. Our church pioneers saw themselves as emissaries of the Prince of Peace, as citizens of God’s international kingdom, and while loyal to their government, early on committed themselves to military noncombatancy. In the 1860s, at significant financial cost and exercising fledgling national influence, our pioneers made provision for Adventists to avoid training with or carrying weapons. While that remains the official position and advice of our denomination, Adventists also honor the convictions of every individual. Some Adventists, and many others, believe it is their responsibility in extreme circumstances and under the measured control of appropriate authority to take up arms to defend the oppressed.

Regardless of their military status, stories abound about God working on the hearts and in the lives of those who serve. Heroes emerge from among those who carry no weapons as well as among those who do.

Faith is strengthened in the faithful and awakened in the unbeliever. No matter the status or the circumstances, God works and wins those who are open to Him. Orah Fry’s wartime experience testifies to this truth.

—Darold Bigger, WWU assistant to the president, former (and current interim) senior pastor for the University Church, and retired rear admiral in the chaplain corps of the United States Navy

Westwind Fall 2018

17

“Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people.

And they all ate and were satisfied.”

THE WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2017–2018

CREDIT TK

by Emily Huso and Kim Strobel • Photographs by Chris Drake

18

Westwind Fall 2018

Brandon Rittenour SOPHOMORE, MUSIC EDUCATION MAJOR

Recipient of the

CREDIT TK

YVONNE PICKETT MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP

THOUGH SOPHOMORE Brandon Rittenour was uncertain about his future plans when he arrived on campus in the fall of 2017, today he is a confident music education major with a passion for fitness. Rittenour’s WWU story started two weeks before April U-Days in 2017, when he was invited to audition for scholarships in the Department of Music.

As an avid cellist, Rittenour decided he might as well audition. Afterwards, he was offered the Yvonne Pickett Memorial Scholarship, a three-year scholarship that awards $6,000 annually to a music major or minor.

“That really surprised me and kind of shook everything up,” Rittenour says. Though previously interested in studying aviation, physics, engineering, or math, he found himself considering music as a career for the first time. After much self-reflection, Rittenour enrolled as a music education major.

During his freshman year, he enjoyed the opportunity to explore other interests, particularly health and fitness. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 14, Rittenour strives to live a healthy lifestyle. Classes at WWU such as Wellness for Living helped solidify his habits, while Jogging class encouraged him to take his running hobby more seriously. Additionally, joining the WWU Cycling Club helped him develop better cycling technique.

By summertime, Rittenour had set some big goals: to train for both a marathon and a century (a hundred-mile cycling ride) and to simultaneously raise funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is researching a cure for the disease.

Today, Rittenour has successfully completed both of his fitness goals and has reached 30 percent of his $2,500 fundraising goal.

Now that his exciting summer has ended, Rittenour looks forward to another year at WWU. “I’m very grateful for all of the generous donors that enabled me to study at a private university with very high-level educators,” he says. “I definitely wouldn’t be able to go to Walla Walla if it wasn’t for that.”

Westwind Fall 2018

19

2017–2018 ANNUAL REPORT

In this season of thanksgiving, we look back over the past year and reflect on our blessings, giving thanks to our creator for His abundant gifts.

A busy school year is underway at WWU with more than 1,800 students enrolled.

The freshman class of more than 400 is the largest group of freshmen at WWU in 18 years.

The School of Business is enjoying a beautiful, professional environment in the newly renovated Bowers Hall, and a revitalized Student Develop-

ment Center is leading the way to connect students with experiential learning opportunities beyond the WWU campus. In 2017–2018, WWU faculty completed advanced degrees in education, chemistry, music, motor learning, and nursing.

From one end of campus to another, students are engaged in activities that

facilitate their growth from maturing adolescents to confident young men and women who are eager to change the world. Thank you for your support of Walla Walla University as we seek to provide challenging and relevant experiences to develop the next generation of thinkers, doers, leaders, and dreamers.

2017–18 ALUMNI CLASS GIVING AWARDS

ANNUAL GIVING REPORT Walla Walla University seeks to foster the unique gifts of every individual within a Christian community of faith and discovery.

In support of this mission, from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, the university received gifts totaling

20

Westwind Fall 2018

Gateway Award

Mountain Ash Award

CLASS OF 1952

CLASS OF 1958

Highest total giving by class

$1,614,765 Congratulations to the class of 1952!

This number is tough to beat!

Highest class participation

33 %

participation rate

Well done, class of 1958! You surpassed last year’s Mountain Ash Award winner, the class of 1955, by nearly 3 percent.

Orange and Green Award

Highest participation of a class to graduate in the last 10 years CLASS OF 2009

3.5 %

Special Mention

Most improved participation CLASS OF 1959

7. 3 %

participation rate

improvement from last year

The class of 2009 brings strong representation for post-millennial alumni and snags the only award not taken this year by a ’50s-era graduating class.

The class of 1959 is sneaking up on the Mountain Ash Award with an increase in participation from 19.4 percent last year to 26.7 percent this year.

Recipient of surprise gift from the

SILENT SANTA GIFT FUND

Karly Joseph SENIOR, COMMUNICATIONS MAJOR

THOUGH ONE might not think $100 would go very far, for alumnus Karly Joseph, the $100 anonymous gift she received every holiday season while she was a student at Walla Walla University profoundly impacted her life. The former community college basketball coach began attending WWU after she was invited to join the university’s basketball team. Coming from a difficult family background, Joseph wrestled with feelings of pain and despair throughout her freshman year.

“I had spent a good portion of high school living in my car.

During college, I was on my own with really no parents, trying to make it through,” she explains. “I was really struggling with post-traumatic stress and had a difficult time finding hope in my circumstances.”

As the holidays approached, Joseph was simply focused on daily survival. After an especially challenging week, she received a letter with an encouraging note and a check for $100 from the Silent Santa Gift Fund, an anonymous fund supported by faculty, staff, and alumni, and organized by Loren Dickinson, professor emeritus of communication. “In the middle of a really hard season, it was hope,” Joseph says. “It was a reminder that I’m not alone.” Over the next three years, she began healing from her past with newfound faith and the support of her WWU community. “I’ve seen the Lord take the burdens I carried for so long,” she says. “I felt His love in the most tangible way, in the way that people cared for and loved me.”

Joseph now works full time in the WWU Student Financial Services office as she completes her degree. She is also an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team and is raising her two-year-old daughter. Recently, she began contributing to the Silent Santa Gift Fund. “Every holiday season I’m reminded of the impact that gift had on my heart,” she says. “If I give $100 and it helps one student, that’s enough.”

ALUMNI CLASS GIVING Class Year Total Giving Participation

Class Year Total Giving Participation

Class Year Total Giving Participation

1933-1947 $138,670.21

4.1%

1965 $93,960.90

24.0%

1983 $14,824.95

10.1%

Class Year Total Giving Participation

2001 $16,250.00

4.4%

1948 $7,706.58

16.7%

1966 $16,158.52

24.7%

1984 $33,263.50

10.2%

2002 $1,525.00

2.8% 4.2%

1949 $4,125.00

7.5%

1967 $14,094.00

29.4%

1985 $14,873.04

12.6%

2003 $6,910.00

1950 $3,135.00

9.9%

1968 $29,990.00

18.9%

1986 $9,520.00

12.7%

2004 $54,184.00

5.8%

1951 $1,965.42

17.9%

1969 $14,260.00

21.7%

1987 $29,120.00

11.8%

2005 $12,652.50

5.8%

1952 $1,614,765.10

15.2%

1970 $57,550.00

14.5%

1988 $11,036.83

12.3%

2006 $7,715.00

5.5%

1953 $15,465.00

20.0%

1971 $6,590.00

12.3%

1989 $3,095.00

9.2%

2007 $8,254.50

5.0% 2.8%

1954 $72,891.47

16.1%

1972 $8,070.00

14.7%

1990 $6,148.55

11.5%

2008 $4,245.00

1955 $2,430.00

22.7%

1973 $23,930.00

12.4%

1991 $16,379.92

8.4%

2009 $8,600.00

3.5%

1956 $2,195.00

22.7%

1974 $10,750.00

13.4%

1992 $3,340.00

8.0%

2010 $3,280.00

2.3%

1957 $78,015.00

26.2%

1975 $4,629.00

10.8%

1993 $5,356.67

11.0%

2011 $11,370.00

1.3%

1958 $14,640.00

33.0%

1976 $23,601.00

14.1%

1994 $43,335.00

6.8%

2012 $2,246.65

3.4% 2.0%

1959 $3,635.00

26.7%

1977 $4,690.00

12.8%

1995 $2,860.00

5.8%

2013 $1,980.38

1960 $22,981.37

24.8%

1978 $22,372.50

13.5%

1996 $25,945.00

7.0%

2014 $2,381.00

1.3%

1961 $105,545.00

26.3%

1979 $26,670.00

11.5%

1997 $24,590.00

7.7%

2015 $735.00

1.9%

1962 $71,780.00

28.5%

1980 $12,381.22

12.6%

1998 $3,274.28

4.1%

2016 $2,246.00

2.2%

1963 $10,313.00

23.1%

1981 $7,493.66

11.5%

1999 $3,099.00

6.4%

2017 $2,468.75

2.0%

1964 $19,160.00

25.5%

1982 $8,840.00

10.8%

2000 $45,104.46

5.2%

2018 $5,740.25

3.3%

Westwind Fall 2018

21

2017–2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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

Don ’68 and Phyllis ’68* Hall Jim ’65 and Ruth ’65 Hall Howard* and Elizabeth Hanafin Lewis ’42* and Ruth* Hart Gerald and Orah ’47* Hixson Stan ’68 and Irene ’70 Hixson Jeanie Hixson ’72 Lloyd* and Lorena ’43 Hoffman Archie Howatson Harold* and Delta Huber Wynelle Huff Eunice Johnson Ed ’66 and Marilyn* Karlow Robert ’57 and Peggy ’60 Kaye Alvin ’34* and Susan Kincaid Clarence ’50 and Helen Klopfenstein Mel and Joyce ’73 Lang Bill ’55* and Rose Lay Aaron Leno ’51* Walter and Luella ’53* Litchfield Sandra Love-Dahl ’62 William ’49* and Edna Mae ’50 Loveless Edward ’67 and Ruth ’71 MacKenzie Dan ’57 and Betsy Matthews Marja-Leena McChesney ’91 Walt ’62 and Bonnie* Meske David and Florence* Miller Lloyd ’51 and Maud ’51* Moody William ’50 and Marjorie Moreno Olen ’52 and Mary ’53 Nations Ted ’72 and Nancy ’74 Nedderman Joan Ogden Calvin ’50* and Alyse Olson Howard* and Monta Osborne Effie Pampaian ’39 James ’59 and Della ’65 Park Troy ’99 and Renee Patzer Beulah Payne ’52 Tom and Barbara Pelett

“When I hear that someone is willing to help me out with financial assistance, it lets me know that I’m not in this alone.”

22

Westwind Fall 2018

* Deceased prior to June 30, 2018

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

STEPHEN & MARGARET TAN ENGINEERING/ COMPUTER SCIENCE ENDOWMENT FUND

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS These endowed scholarship funds provided $970,143.42 in scholarships for WWU students during 2017–18 fiscal year. Funds from the new endowed scholarships will begin to be awarded in 2018–19. Your investments today help secure the future success of Walla Walla University and generations of students to come.

»

Anonymous (16) Paul and Patricia ’68 Ackerman Alice Ames Arlene Anderson* Kirk and Melody Ayers Beverly Beem Jack ’48 and Evelyn Bergman Darold ’66 and Barbara Bigger Maxine Blome ’50 Bob ’60 and Georgene Bond Marjorie Bregar Robert ’50 and Treva* Burgess Daryl and Patricia Burghart Grace Cafferky ’47* Merle Calkins Lois Carscallen Nancy Carter ’61* Challis Casebolt ’75 Sue Cason Douglas ’70 and Carmen Clark Bernard and Margaret ’60 Cook Carlton ’66 and Nancy ’66* Cross Dorothy Curameng Don ’48* and Orletta ’68 Dealy Jon and Kathryn Dybdahl Jim and Vicky Edwards Joyce Engel ’63 Kerry Ferris Allan and Donna Fisher Darius ’06 and Amanda ’05 Fleck Kerry and Marian ’70 Forschler Jim ’67 and Christie ’90 Forsyth Brant Foster Gary ’67 and Udell ’66 Fresk Leslie* and Barbara Ann ’62 Fromm Henry ’62 and Mayme* Gerber Keith ’60 and Elizabeth Gibbons Theo and Marianne Goltz

Lawrence Perrigoue and RuthAnn May Jim Pinder ’96 Jen Pinder ’97 Lloyd and Fern ’55 Piper Marvin A. Piper ’60 Zelma Nethery Wells Piper* Hoe ’52 and Mary Poh James M. and Sandra Dassenko ’75 Reilly Avonelle Remboldt ’53 Bob ’62 and Barbara Richards Norton* and Lois ’59 Ritchie-Ritter John ’41* and Kathy ’40 Robertson Nancy Ann Romine ’82 Alberta Roth ’47 Glenna Ryder Jimmy Sadoyama ’52* Doyle ’49* and Lorelei ’49 Saxby Robert ’88 and Janelle ’87 Schmidt Gerald ’66 and Shirley ’65 Schoepflin Don ’49* and Marcella Schwisow Gayle Smith Jaclin Smith Samuel and Carol ’67 Smith Ralph ’81 and Franice Stirling Eldon ’48* and Barbara ’49 Stratton Mark ’81* and Dorita ’80 Tessier Everett* and Shirley Tetz Griffith ’57 and Shirley ’60* Thomas Alden ’65 and Wanda ’65 Thompson Kelly Turner ’96 Philip and Reid Wasser Ray and Pat Watson Dorothy Weisz ’49 Betty and Melvin West Keith ’78 and Joyce ’78 Wilkens Stephen ’98 and Kelly Wilson Virginia Wilson Tim and Cheri Windemuth Gerald and Vicki Winkle Yew-Chong and Lily Wong Helen Thompson Zolber ’49

Recipient of scholarship funds from the

Administration Building Maintenance Advancement of Chemical Research at Walla Walla University ASWWU Student Aid Endowment Claude Barnett, Ph.D., Scholarship James and Ruth Bebee Computer Science Scholarship James and Ruth Bebee Nursing Scholarship Beverly Math Faculty Improvement

Shannon Marie Bigger Memorial Christian Service Volunteer Scholarship Lester and Geraldine Border Christian Service Scholarship Alice I. Bowden Memorial Theology Scholarship George W. Bowers Excellence in Chemistry Scholarship Boyson Family Communication Scholarship John F. Bregar Memorial Scholarship NEW! Burton and Carol Briggs * Chemistry Scholarship

2017–18 BOARD OF TRUSTEES John Freedman, CHAIR Rhona Kwiram, VICE CHAIR John McVay, SECRETARY

Jacob Priddy

MEMBERS

SENIOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DOUBLE MAJOR

FOR SENIOR computer science and electrical engineering major Jacob Priddy, what started as a hobby soon became a career goal and a dream. In the years since he learned to program at age 10, Priddy has developed a true passion for computer science and engineering. As he grew older, he dreamed of making his childhood pastime into a lifelong career. Today, Priddy is pursuing this dream at WWU with the aid of scholarship funds from the Stephen and Margaret Tan Engineering/Computer Science Endowment Fund. The fund, which supports WWU students studying engineering and/or computer science, was established by alumni Bernard Pham ’83 and Alwin Vyhmeister ’87, both of whom now work as program managers at Microsoft.

“I would like to thank the donors for the opportunity and for enabling me to be able to go to an Adventist private university like WWU that encourages good Christian education,” Priddy says. As a full-time student who also works as a computer science laboratory administrator on campus, Priddy especially appreciates the scholarship as it alleviates some of the financial burden of attending college. “Having scholarships like these means I am able to get education and do things I want to be able to do without having to worry about money,” he says.

Priddy aspires to work in computer security, a field he became interested in after taking a computer security class at WWU. Following this career path will give him the option of training in several areas, from security auditing to development of defenses against malware. Thanks to the support of alumni like Pham and Vyhmeister, Priddy is prepared to become a part of the next generation of innovators in this rapidly expanding field. “Their support means a lot to students, myself included,” Priddy says. “It’s just a great help.”

Junior Senior Business Scholarship School of Business Fund Clair and Myrtle Calkins Library Book Fund D. Ordell and Margaret A. Calkins Business/ Education Faculty Development Merle Clairon Calkins Computer Science Faculty Development Lewis Canaday Memorial Technology Scholarship Dr. James R. Chambers Memorial Scholarship Janice P. Chance Memorial Nursing Fund 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 Class of 1956 Scholarship Class of 1957 Scholarship Class of 1959 Student Missions Scholarship Class of 1960 Student Missions Scholarship Class of 1961 Student Missions Scholarship Class of 1965 Scholarship Class of 1971 Scholarship Class of 1978 Scholarship Class of 1983 Scholarship Class of 1984 Scholarship Class of 1989 Edwin Zaugg Memorial Scholarship Class of 1996 Scholarship Class of 1997 Scholarship Class of 2003 Scholarship Class of 2009 Student Missionary Scholarship Class of 2011 Shari Booth Memorial Scholarship

The average scholarship awarded during the 2017–18 Awards Celebration was

$1,114.

These funds were applied to student accounts during the current school year.

Class of 2012 Scholarship Class of 2014 Scholarship Class of 2017 Merit Award Verlin L. and Thelma (Kumalae) Cochran Memorial Scholarship Communication Development Course Computer Science Magazine L. P. “Jim” Corbett English Scholarship L. P. “Jim” Corbett History Scholarship L. P. “Jim” and Jane B. Corbett Student Aid Scholarship Lee Crain Memorial Music Scholarship Edward F. Cross Engineering Scholarship Nancy Cross Memorial English Faculty Development Fund Vera Davis-Michel Memorial English Scholarship

Daniel M. Bergeron Douglas Bing Andrew Carrington Bryan Clay Lowell Cooper Larry Dodds Stephanie Gates Rena Holland Paul Hoover (7/1/17–4/30/18)

Yvonne Iwasa Monty Knittel Stephen A. Kreitner Minner Labrador

Bill McClendon (1/2/18–6/30/18)

Kevin Miller Joyce Newmyer Todd Pascoe Dennis Plubell David Prest Elden Ramirez Mark Remboldt Paul Rhynard Jaime Rodriguez Kevin Rogers (7/1/17–5/7/18)

Terrance Taylor (5/8/18–6/30/18)

(5/1/18–6/30/18)

Daniel Linrud John Loor Jr. (7/1/17–1/1/18)

Rodney Wehtje Ron Wilkinson

2017–18 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Ken Aso, CHAIR Steve Walikonis, PRESIDENT James Kneller, PRESIDENT-ELECT Heather Schermann, TREASURER Heidee Hanson, SECRETARY Jodi Wagner, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT, EX OFFICIO

Claudia Santellano, ALUMNI AND PARENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR, EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Amy Alderman Renee Harms Ben Marson

Edward F. and Clara M. Degering Memorial Educational Scholarship Claude and Annie Deming Memorial Fund Loren Dickinson Communications Scholarship Dietrich/Wilkinson Aviation Scholarship Frances Dixon Special Education Dr. Ralph A. Drake Scholarship Lars and Anna Dybdahl Scholarship Josephine Cunnington Edwards Memorial Scholarship H. Russell and Genevieve Emmerson Memorial Scholarship Engineering Chair Endowment Stephen and Margaret Tan Engineering/Computer Science Scholarship

Greg McCulloch Teri (Pifer) Richardson Michael Walter

Mary Garner Esary Memorial Scholarship Faculty/Staff Scholarship Dena W. and R. B. Farnsworth Nursing Scholarship Lawrence C. Folkes, M.D. Scholarship Ray and Alice Fowler Scholarship Norma S. Gardner Memorial English Scholarship Wilford and Emma Goffar Scholarship Graduate Dean’s Award Albert E. and Reta J. Graham Memorial Scholarship Grellmann Family Scholarship John J. Hafner Music Scholarship (continued on page 24)

Westwind Fall 2018

23

2017–2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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

Nieta Adams Theresa Alekel Don Barrett James Barrett Lois Barrett Valerie Bass Cleona Bazzy JaneAnn Bennett Deirdre Benwell Evelyn Bergman Jack Bergman Robert Bergman Marjorie Bregar Jim Cain Larry Canaday

Lois Canaday Barbara Casebolt Casey Casebolt Elizabeth Claridge Rick Claridge Ann Cornell Nancy Cowin Dottie Curameng Joan Deming Bonny Eichner Christie Forsyth Jim Forsyth Garey Gantz Marilyn Gantz Allegra Gienger

“At Walla Walla, I’m challenged, pushed to grow, and accepted. It’s where I feel at home.”

Jacque Goodhew Larry Goodhew Ruth Hall Liz Hanafin Maxine Hargreaves Frances Henderson Linda Hintz Roman Hintz Joe Humble Bernie Janke Carolyn Janke Dale Johnson Ginger Johnson Gordon Johnson Patricia Johnson Echo Johnston Pat Johnston Ruth Joice Barbara Karlow Ed Karlow Richard Kruger Joyce Lampson Barbara Lee Aileen Litchfield Carol Maher Tom Maher Martha Masden Raymond Mayor Walt Meske Virginia Napier Gloria Nelson Larry Panasuk

Shirley Panasuk Lois Pegel Carol Perrin Milford Perrin Carmella Phillips Richard Pontius David Pontius Roberta Pontius Florence Ray Stanley Ray Teresa Reich Pat Reynolds Sally Reynolds Antonio Rodriguez Gladys Rodriguez LaVerne Rudolf David Russell Maylene Russell Aileen Saunders Greg Saunders Lorelei Saxby Rita Schroeder Laviera Swanson Helen Thompson Zolber Bill Thompson Janis Tsujimura Barbara Vories Shirley Walde Verlie Ward Richard Worley Valorie Wren

Received support from the

PEER MENTORING PROGRAM which is funded in part by an anonymous alumni donor

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS (continued from page 23)

Lovyl and Mary Hagle Memorial Worthy Student Scholarship Richard and Dena Hammill Memorial Scholarship Thomas Hampson Humanities Merit Scholarship Howard E. Hanafin Scholarship 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. and Solange Henderson Memorial History Scholarship Wilma E. Hepker Scholarship Paul and Frances Heubach Memorial Theology Scholarship

24

Westwind Fall 2018

Jess Holm Memorial Scholarship Juanita Wagner Holm Memorial Nursing Scholarship Helen and Archie Howatson Nursing Scholarship Oland F. Hubbs Memorial Theology Scholarship Vera Johnson Hubbs Memorial Business Scholarship Dr. and Mrs. Harold Huber Scholarship Wynelle J. Huff Nursing Scholarship Jess M. Hutson, M.D., Memorial Scholarship IBCC Jensen Memorial Math Scholarship Dr. Gordon Johnson Physics Scholarship Murray L. and Ilene Johnstone Scholarship Carl and Lucile Jones Nursing Scholarship

Peggy Henderson Kaye Nursing Scholarship NEW! Robert Kaye, M.D.,

* Rosario Scholarship Helen Wineberg Kendall Women in Business Scholarship KGTS Betty Klein Engineering Scholarship A. H. and Mary Koorenny Memorial Scholarship Robert H. and Thorna Koorenny Scholarship Kretschmar Hall Maintenance Luella Latham Kretschmar Memorial Scholarship Laura G. Larson Memorial Nursing Scholarship Rudolf and Anna Klimes Learn Well Physical Education Scholarship H. Lloyd Leno Memorial Music Scholarship Lewiston/Clarkston Scholarship

Jennie M. Livingston Memorial Library Fund Dr. C. Stanley Lloyd Jr. Scholarship Kelly Logan Social Work Scholarship Romulo and Mercedes Lozano Scholarship Mary E. Marker Memorial Theology Scholarship Roy and Lois (Dorland) Martin English Scholarship Sukhdev Mathaudhu Engineering Scholarship Mathematics Alumni Scholarship Dorothy and Byron Miller Mathematics Scholarship Warren Matheson Memorial Christian Service Scholarship Matiko Theology Award Harden M. McConnell and Alvin L. Kwiram Award Eldena McDow Scholarship

Jacob G. and Lois A. Mehling Business Scholarship Messenger/Loewen Scholarship Jack Evan Miles Memorial Scholarship MariAnne Jensen Moore Memorial Nursing Scholarship Wilda Means Morasch Nursing Scholarship Joseph and Beth Murray Memorial Scholarship for Resident Assistants Music Scholarship Dan and Mary Morrison Necker Scholarship Llewellyn and Vivian Nixon Scholarship Nursing Scholarship Daniel A. Ochs Memorial Theology Scholarship Dr. and Mrs. Howard Osborne Scholarship Blythe Owen Music Scholarship

During the 2017–18 WWU Awards Celebration last April

542

students received scholarships from the endowment funds listed in this annual report.

Amara Johnson SOPHOMORE, NURSING MAJOR

“GROWING UP, I just thought there was something wrong with me,” says freshman nursing major Amara Johnson. As a child, Johnson was placed in special education classes when she fell behind her peers in reading.

“My teachers thought I just needed more practice or that I wasn’t trying hard enough,” she says.

When she began her studies at WWU, Johnson struggled to keep up with homework. Reading remained a time-consuming process. Eventually, she reached out to the Teaching and Learning Center, part of the WWU Peer Tutoring Program, which is funded in part by an anonymous donation from a WWU alumnus. The program provides free peer tutoring and disability support services. Sue Huett, WWU disability support services coordinator, arranged for Johnson to be tested for dyslexia. Scoring high in verbal intelligence but significantly lower in processing, Johnson’s results were consistent with a learning disorder called nonverbal dyslexia.

To Johnson, the diagnosis was a relief. Identifying the problem meant she could focus on finding a solution. “I was just happy to learn it is a real thing,” she said, “because that means there’s a way to deal with it—a way out.” With the help of the TLC, she obtained audio versions of her textbooks and arranged to have additional time when taking exams.

Johnson also took advantage of the Peer Tutoring Program, which offers quick tutoring solutions as well as in-depth tutoring for those who need it. “It’s really well-rounded,” Johnson says. “Whether you have a disability or whether you just need proofreading on your essay or help with one math assignment, it really is something that everyone can utilize.”

Real students. Real With the TLC’s support, Johnson has overcome stories. Watch WWU obstacles to unlock her full potential. Today, her goals students express include becoming a nurse practitioner and earning their thanks at a chiropractic license. “My big dream is to open up wallawalla.edu/ thankyou! a homeopathic and allopathic clinic,” she says.

Doreen Paulson-Evans Memorial Scholarship Yvonne Pickett Memorial Scholarship Piper-Johanson Scholarship Helen L. Popoway Endowment Robert L. Reynolds Excellence in History Scholarship Robert M. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Donald W. Rigby Biology Award Donald W. Rigby Biology Faculty Research Donnie Rigby Drama Award Rigby Hall Maintenance John D. Rogers, M.D., Memorial Scholarship Rosario Marine Station Maintenance Thomas C. Rowsell Memorial Scholarship Thais Thrasher Sadoyama Scholarship

Doyle B. and Lorelei Pierce Saxby Business Scholarship Gayle L. Saxby Memorial Scholarship Schlotthauer-Risinger Math Scholarship Eleanor B. Schofield Memorial Teachers Scholarship John Montgomery Schultz Engineering Fund Donavon and * NEW! Marcella Schwisow Scholarship Seibly Family Endowed Scholarship Cecil W. Shankel Memorial Chemistry Scholarship Shattuck/Zitterbart Memorial Nursing Scholarship Donald and Virginia Sherwood Memorial Scholarship Herbert Z. and Jessie K. Shiroma Scholarship Endowment

Carolyn Stevens Shultz Scholarship Dan Shultz Music Scholarship Robert and Susan Smith First Generation Endowed Scholarship Robert and * NEW! Susan Smith Social Work and Sociology Scholarship Solomon Scholarship Gene and Betty Soper Music Scholarship Robert L. Spies Memorial Scholarship Glenn Spring Music Scholarship NEW! Eldon and * Barbara Jean Stratton Scholarship Joseph L. Stubblefield Memorial Scholarship Janis Suelzle Memorial Student Missionary Fund T5 Foundation Business Excellence Fund

Theology Library Book Fund George and Lola Thompson Memorial Scholarship Thomas M. Thompson and Kenneth L. Wiggins Excellence in Mathematics Scholarship Harry and Ella Thornton Memorial Scholarship E. E. and Jane Breese-Trefz Christian Service Scholarship Clarence O. Trubey Memorial Music Scholarship

Undergraduate Advanced Study Marilyn K. (Dammrose) Van Stee Memorial Nursing Scholarship Verde Fund for Graduate Marine Research Eva Stratton Vliet and Jess Vliet Scholarship Stanley E. Walker Music Scholarship Francys C. Welch Scholarship Melvin K. West Music Scholarship

Lois Whitchurch Nursing Scholarship Monte Wilkins Memorial Scholarship John and Inez Willey Family Memorial Scholarship WWU Student Aid Randy Yaw Pi Contest Scholarship Young Memorial Lecture in Biology Norma R. Youngberg Scholarship

“Your support is deeply appreciated and an encouraging reminder that our purpose in life is to help others and live like Jesus!”

Westwind Fall 2018

25

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

AlumNotes

and Adventist schools. Throughout her career, she taught grades one through 12 in Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Alaska, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Virginia.

She has most recently tutored students in Malaysia. Her favorite WWU memories include skiing at Spout Springs, studying with friends in the library, listening to “The Messiah” in the new church, and graduating in the new church. Vivian has two sons, Eugene Prewitt and Michael Prewitt.

Get up to date with fellow WWU alumni.

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

1950s

Zach “Z.T.” Boyd ’58 and his wife, Joyce Ann, live in Dunlap, Tenn.

Zach is a retired teacher and home builder. The Boyds have two sons: Zach and William. In his free time, Z.T. enjoys fiddle playing and gardening and is active in the Lions Club. He notes that a life-changing moment

was “discovering my salvation is

by GRACE through FAITH in Jesus Christ.” From his time at WWU, he fondly remembers “Dad Applington, English professor, for his humility and approachability, John O. Waller, English professor, for his interest in his students, and George Leno, college maintenance person.”

Norman Griessbach ’58 counts among his professional and lifechanging moments graduating from Glendale California School of Laboratory Technology in 1959 and marrying his wife, Ann, in 1965.

Norman and Ann have two sons: Scott and Barry. Some of his fondest memories from his time at WWU include making “lifelong friends” and the “wonderful teachers.”

Luanna J. (Jorgenson) Handley ’58 and her husband, Howard ’59, live in Woodburn, Ore. Luanna is

26

Westwind Fall 2018

retired after a 30-year career as a nurse. She writes that she has “enjoyed a happy marriage with two wonderful grown children.”

She is involved in church leadership and says, “Our home is open to a lot of hospitality dinners, etc.” From her time at WWU, Luanna remembers Friday night candlelight dinners, vespers, and AGA banquets.

“I loved college so much and made many lasting friendships,” she says.

The Handleys have two children: Daniel and Jeanenne Schmid att., and five grandchildren.

Patricia (Pearson) Johnston ’58 and her husband, Joe Humble, live in College Place where Patricia enjoys baking, gardening, reading, photography, and walking. She is retired after serving for 25 years at Loma Linda University as chair of the nutrition department and professor and dean of the School of Public Health. During her career, she chaired the International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition, wrote for professional and lay journals and books, and spoke for various professional and lay meetings. She also served as a church elder, Sabbath School teacher, and school board chair. Patricia writes that her favorite memory from WWU is “the care and kindness of Nellie Sharman, dean in West Hall.” Patricia has two children: Linda Johnston ’81 and Marty Johnston ’87.

1960s

Carol (Marsh) Campbell ’61 and her husband, Mickey att., are retired now and living in Ooltewah, Tenn.

Carol writes, “We were delighted

to be present for WWU’s 2018 graduation in June since our granddaughter, Julie McEdward, graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in elementary ed.” Julie is the third generation of the family to graduate from WWU. Pictured here are the three generations of graduates (from left): Carol ’61, Marcia (Campbell) McEdward ’79, and Julie (McEdward) Buell ’18.

Cleon White ’63 and his wife, Sandra (Clough) ’62, live in Berrien Springs, Mich. They have two children: Eric and Suzanne White-Wein ’91. Cleon is a retired educator who taught math and chemistry and held administrative posts both internationally and in the United States.

His fondest memories from his time

at WWU include, “the great teachers I had like Dr. Joseph Barnes, Dr. Meckling, and Lilah Schothower,” “some excellent lifetime friends like Rollin Shoemaker and Duane Haase,” and “building my relationship with my future wife of 54 years.”

Vivian (Marsh) Wondzell ’63 and her husband, Robert, live in Dunlap, Tenn., where Vivian is retired from her career as a teacher in both public

1970s

Connie (Casebolt) Carver ’78 and her husband, Randy, live in Spartanburg, S.C. She and Randy own an Integrative Functional Medical Center in Greenville, S.C., where they specialize in various types of therapy, nutritional testing, innovative cancer treatments, and addiction recovery. She recently published a book titled Wellness

by Design. Connie writes, “We

stay busy but find time for travel including an annual cruise to the Caribbean and visiting family,” which includes daughters Amy Godenick Bedinghaus, Lisa Godenick, and Laura Godenick. Connie writes that her favorite memories of her time at WWU include “the camaraderie of fellow classmates, the intellectual rigor and discipline of stimulating classes, and the emotional and spiritual connections formed during weekend events.”

Kenneth Field ’76 and his wife, Carol, live in Burlington, Wash., where he is a semi-retired assistant manager for Rite Aid Corporation. His favorite memory of his time at WWU is “the church bells ringing the hour.”

Herb Hainey ’78 and his wife, Dawn (Zelka) ’76, live in Arlington, Wash., where Herb is a senior analyst/design engineer for San Juan Software/Hainey Associates,

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

Joyce & Keith Wilkens Joyce (Anderson) ’78 and Keith Wilkens ’78 live in Spokane, Wash. Keith has practiced family medicine in Spokane for more than 30 years, and Joyce retired from finance/payroll work in 1983 when they “started the child-raising adventure.” The Wilkens have three children: Taylor ’07, Emily ’10, and Fletcher att. “Our family of three gradually became six as we hugged in their three spouses,” says Joyce. She now counts among her life-changing moments, “looking into the new eyes of grandbabies.”

After graduating from WWU, the Wilkenses lived in Loma Linda, Calif., and Orlando, Fla. They spent three months in Zimbabwe and Zambia before settling in Spokane.

Through the years, Joyce has volunteered as an art and history docent and actor at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, has learned to paint, write poetry and stories, and take photos, and has published two coffee table books. Joyce says that “feeling the Holy Spirit’s guiding” and “my husband’s renewed health” have also been significant life-changing moments.

Some of Keith’s favorite memories from his time at WWU include, “Chemistry labs and Benzene fires. Camping in the Blues. Retreats to the Oregon Coast” and “Dean Meske’s BIG handshake.” Joyce counts among her favorite memories from WWU, “acting in drama productions,” “music in the University Church,” and “walking the beautiful WWU campus.” Keith and Joyce each have similar recollections of their very best WWU memory though—for Keith: “Meeting my beautiful wife!” and for Joyce: “Meeting my beloved, of course!”

Joyce’s plans for the near future include a book of painting and poetry that she is currently working on. Keith says of his plans: “Retirement? NOT YET!”

LLC, a subcontractor at the Boeing Systems Concept Center. “Much of the 40 years since graduation, I have been self-employed doing embedded system design for a variety of clients in the greater Seattle area,” says Herb. He and Dawn are active in their local church where Herb helps with the primary/junior class and is an elder. He also enjoys working with Pathfinders, especially on STEM projects for the Pathfinder Fair. “We have done balsa bridges, wind turbines, mouse trap powered cars, and this year we are making robot arms that are powered by 10ml syringes,” he says.

They have two children: Lisa ’06 and ’08 and Brian att. Herb writes that they are “looking forward to the Lord’s soon return.”

Donald Harvey ’73 and his wife, Shirley, live in Madison, Tenn. They have three children: Tammra Wear, Kevin, and Ana Monroy. Donald is semi-retired from his work as a science teacher. He has taught in Pennsylvania, Maryland, at Bass

KEY: att. = attended

Memorial Academy in Mississippi, and at Madison Academy in Tennessee. He was awarded the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award in 1989 and was recognized in Who’s Who several times throughout his career. “God has blessed during my career, and I give him all the glory,” writes Donald. When he isn’t teaching, Donald enjoys taking private pilot lessons and scuba diving. He has been on several mission service opportunities with Bass Memorial Academy and Madison Academy.

Donald writes, “I was a biology major, and my favorite memory was going out with the professor at night into the desert area around the college to capture-tag-release Kangaroo rats. It was a lot of fun and a VERY unique experience.”

Larry Ramey ’78 and his wife, Lorie (Koehn) ’83, have been married for 30 years. Larry is a nurse anesthetist who has traveled around the world doing mission work involving building churches and medical clinics and providing anesthesia services. His fondest

memories from his time at WWU are of “watching water balloons being launched from the top floor of Sittner,” jeep rides with Dean Lowen, “Friday evening vespers to end busy weeks especially when Mel West played the organ,” and being a student of Dr. Clayton and Dr. Grable.

Jan (Parker) Roberts ’73 lives in Walla Walla where she is a collaborative pianist for WWU and Whitman College. She has three children: Eric ’00, Gary, and Stephanie RobertsLewis. Jan and her husband, Bob att., left for mission service in Ethiopia in 1976. Bob was a pilot, teacher, and maintenance director and died in a plane accident in 2014.

Their mission service took them to Tanzania, Kenya, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and Papua, New Guinea. Jan was heavily involved in worldwide mission work administering funds for Reach International. Her fondest memories of WWU are of the Lyceum series concerts and traveling between the Portland and College Place campuses while in nursing school.

Larissa, Karina curr. att., and Andrew. Among many other favorite memories of her time at WWU, Carol writes, “Probably the most valuable heritage from WWU is from my time with amazing professors in the education department.

From them, and from my parents … I believe I inherited a passion for Adventist education, service to God, and a strong faith.”

Leanne M. Bowker ’83 lives in Tigard, Ore., where she is an attorney with Harris and Bowker LLP. Darrin Hayes ’89 and his wife, Valerie, live in Jacksonville, Fla. They met in Geneva, Switzerland, and have two children: Vincent and Isabella. Darrin is the director for corporate learning at Citra Health Solutions and has worked in training and development in the healthcare field for the past 15 years. Darrin writes that his fondest memories of his time at WWU include “creative class beginnings and prayers with

Iselin (Jensen) (Reiber) Scholten ’78 lives in Sonora, Calif. She has two children: Kristina (Reiber) Ranzolin and Andrew Reiber ’15. Since graduating from WWU, Iselin worked parttime as an accountant. She is currently working as a church treasurer and provides personal accounting services to individual clients.

1980s Carol (Bennett) Bovee ’88 and ’95 and her husband, Randy ’87, live in Hanford, Calif.

Carol has been a teacher since graduating from WWU. In 1991 she began work in the Adventist school system and has taught everything from kindergarten to 12th grade. In 1995 she received the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award and also graduated with a master’s degree in education from WWU. Carol and Randy, who is an Adventist school administrator, attend and lead mission trips with their students “in hopes of igniting a passion for service.” Carol enjoys writing, photography, and hiking.

The Bovees have three children:

Dr. Loren Dickenson, enjoying music and friends during Friday evening afterglows, spending wonderful time with an amazing couple: Lee and Ina Johnston, so many close and wonderful friendships, and fascinating exegesis class with Dr. John Brunt.”

Reuben Rabanal ’83 and his wife, Laquita, have lived in Olathe, Kan., since 1993. Reuben is a medical social worker with Compassionate Hospice Care, and Laquita is a speech pathologist for the school district. They have five children: Michael, Katelyn Brown, Jonathan, David, and Jacob. Reuben is an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, a kung fu instructor, and has been a

Westwind Fall 2018

27

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

professional and amateur bodybuilder. He enjoys weightlifting, racquetball, volleyball, swimming, backpacking, canoeing, and campouts with the scouts. His fondest memories from WWU include toga parties, traveling to the Portland campus to visit his sister, skiing, and “watching the dark clouds come over Walla Walla College when Mount St. Helens erupted.”

Lorie (Koehn) Ramey ’83 and her husband, Larry ’78, live in Beavercreek, Ore. After graduation from nursing school, Lorie worked in the cardiac stepdown unit at Portland Adventist Medical Center for four years and then took

a position in the Nursing Education Department where she has worked in various positions for more than 30 years. She has also been very involved with the local chapter of the American Heart Association. She and her husband have been on mission trips to Fiji and Belize. In 2001, she coordinated a mission trip with the Oregon Adventist Men’s Chorus to Tanzania where the group sang for an evangelistic series. She enjoys scrapbooking and making cards in her spare time, and writes that she and Larry have “no children except the four-legged ones!”

Kaärsten (Lang) Richards ’83 and her husband, Les, live in Mount Vernon, Wash. Kaärsten has been an orthopedic surgeon for PeaceHealth for a year after many years in private practice. “I love [the

Glenn & Carlene Johnson Glenn ’58 and Carlene (Heid) Johnson ’58 live in Berrien Springs, Mich., where they are both retired from Andrews University. “We met at WWC and have been blessed with nearly 61 years of marriage,” writes Glenn. The Johnsons have a daughter, Janice Kijak, and a son, Gary, who is deceased.

Within weeks of college graduation, the Johnsons had moved to Lynn, Mass., where Glenn started a 20-year career with General Electric. From Lynn, Glenn was transferred to the G.E. plant in Erie, Penn., where he attended night classes at Pennsylvania State University to earn a master’s degree in engineering science. In 1978, they accepted an invitation for Glenn to teach at Andrews University in the Department of Engineering Technology. Carlene stayed home while their children were growing up and then worked for 20 years as the administrative assistant to the vice president of academic administration at Andrews.

Since retirement, they have traveled abroad several times, and Glenn has volunteered with a United Way group that helps lower-income people with their income taxes. Carlene fills in at various offices on the Andrews campus and, for her work, is the recipient of a 35-year service award and the Staff Excellence in Service Award. The Johnsons are active at the Pioneer Memorial Church and on community volunteer projects.

“We’ve been greatly blessed through the years and appreciate the top-notch education we received at Walla Walla College!” writes Glenn. “We both enjoyed the many friends we met at WWC, many who we still keep in touch with.” Carlene has fond memories of working in the college business office for Mrs. Marguerite Aplington, who was fondly called “Mrs. A.” Glenn greatly appreciated his engineering teachers, especially Edward Cross.

28

Westwind Summer 2018

PeaceHealth] mission to share the healing love of Jesus Christ and the people,” she writes. Kaärsten has been active in hospital leadership and was board chair of the local church school for many years. Some of her favorite memories from her time at WWU include Dr. Galusha taking charge of her schedule and encouraging her to enroll in the honors program, Dr. McClusky mentoring her in biology, and the many special times with friends.

The Richardses have two children: Jefferson att. and Kallan.

Sharon (Brown) Schiller ’83 lives in Walla Walla and works as a writer. She has two children: Daniel and Valerie. Sharon writes, “I loved my time at WWC. I would not have attended without the single-parent scholarship.” Sharon says, “My favorite classes were in the liberal arts and the required religion.”

Elizabeth (Matthews) Simcock ’88 and her husband, Manford, live in College Place. They have two sons: Douglas ’88 and Richard ’93.

Elizabeth worked in real estate for 35 years, and Manford was WWU vice president for financial administration. Elizabeth writes, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to return to college and finish a degree when both our boys were in college and high school. … I was pleased to graduate the same year, Douglas, our son, graduated. It was very special to have Manford give us our diplomas.”

1990s

Denise (Samsel) Liedkie ’98 lives in Lewiston, Idaho, where she now works part time for the Idaho State Department of Behavioral Health.

Previously she was the clinical supervisor for counseling and then health services manager at Pioneer Center North in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., where she was recognized for writing policies and procedures that were later adopted by the Department of Health. Denise has fond memories of hard work during her time at WWU and long drives from Clarkston, Wash., to College Place with friends. She and her husband, Walter, who is deceased, have three children: Brett, Curtis, and Shalie.

istrator for Stafford Dental Center.

The Staffords were missionaries in Zambia and Saipan. During that time, Andrea writes, “My life was full with parenting, volunteering, and doing various part-time social work-type jobs until we moved back to the states. I love that the MSW program gave us such a broad training.” She still plays the piano when opportunities arise and helps with Pathfinders and homeschooling some of their kids. She and Mike have three children: Allen, Andrew, and Alissa. Some of Andrea’s best WWU memories are of joining a prayer group in the men’s dorm her freshman year, excursions with friends to ski, sled, hike, and conduct church services, and “spending many hours in the music building practicing, learning, and socializing.”

Judy (Gren) Weber ’92 and her husband, Matt ’91, live in McMinnville, Ore. Judy is currently working as a payroll specialist at Hagan Hamilton Insurance, and Matt is a part-time Bible worker and teacher. They are both very involved in their church and have enjoyed many cultural experiences through their mission work in Norway, India, Africa, and Fiji. Of her time at WWU, Judy fondly remembers Friday night afterglows and Sabbath afternoon hikes to Whitman Mission.

Steve Wilson ’98 and his wife, Kelly Jo, live in Touchet, Wash. Steve works at Andy’s Market in College Place and lists his job title as “whatever needs done that no one else will do.” He enjoys learning new things and making friends.

2000s

Jenee (Gifford) Hilliard ’00 lives in Clackamas, Ore., with her husband, Jonathan, where she is an attorney with Miller Nash Graham and Dunn LLP. She has been an attorney with the firm for 12 years. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate

Andrea (Bryson) Stafford ’98 and her husband, Mike ’97, live in Selah, Wash., where Andrea is an admin-

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

transactions and general business law. She and Jonathan have a son, Levi, and a daughter, Daphne. Of her time at WWU, Jenee writes, “The summer I spent at Rosario was definitely a highlight. I also have many fond memories of my countless hours in Rigby Hall with the wonderful professors and fellow students who also spent most of their waking hours there.”

Brittany (Joice) Maine ’07 and her husband, Cody, live in Walla Walla, where Brittany is a nurse at Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center. She has worked in a variety of nursing fields including inpatient and outpatient settings as well as nursing education. Brittany writes that the highlight of her experience at WWU was meeting her husband and starting a family. “Being a mom will always be my greatest and most important job,” she says. She and Cody have a son, Parker.

Greg Rogers ’08 and his wife, Hailee att., live in College Place.

Greg is a physical therapist at Clark Arias Physical Therapy.

2010s

Katherine “Kate” Dickinson ’13 and her husband, Darin Berning, live in Hopedale, Mass.

Kate just finished graduate school at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where she received a master of fine arts degree in visual design. Her focus was on book arts, bookbinding, and publication design. Kate now works for an architecture firm in Boston where she designs environmental graphics/ wayfinding systems in addition to being the in-house designer at the firm. In her spare time, she creates hardbound books and limited-edition art books, and enjoys hiking, reading, printmaking, and riding dressage.

Her fondest memories of WWU are of “the autumn season in Walla Walla in general.”

KEY: att. = attended

In Memory Richard Boose ’54 was born June 12, 1928, in Red Lodge, Mont., and died Jan. 5, 2018, in College Place.

Surviving: daughters Rebecca Cason of San Diego, Calif., Michalle McMillan of Olney, Mont., and Theresa Bodle of Waldport, Ore.; and sons Tim att. of Bigfork, Mont., and John ’89 of Walla Walla.

Randall James Cleveland ’87 was born Sept. 29, 1964, in Loveland, Colo., and died April 12, 2018, in Kirkland, Wash. Surviving: wife Ann (Ward) ’87 of Kirkland; daughters Madeliene Hill ’13 of North Bethesda, Md., and Megan ’14 of Aurora, Colo.; brother Scott of Salinas, Calif.; and mother Laurene of Loma Linda, Calif.

Cooper L. Brown att. was born June 20, 1918, in Binger, Okla., and died April 26, 2018, in Walla Walla. Surviving: daughter Kimberly Huey of Sandy, Ore.; and sisters Margie Francisco att. of Loma Linda, Calif., Bette Davis ’52 of Loma Linda, and Norma Johnston att. of College Place.

Karen Rae (Anderson) Cole att. was born Jan. 16, 1939, in Janesville, Wis., and died June 20, 2018, in College Place. Surviving: husband Jon of College Place; daughters Susan Cole-Voth ’85 of Walla Walla, and Sharon Cole Behe ’86 of Millersville, Md.; sons Bruce ’88 of Walla Walla and Bryce ’87 of Walla Walla; and brother Paul Anderson of Napa, Calif.

Nancy A. Carter att. was born March 24, 1940, and died March 8, 2018, in Fergus Falls, Minn. Surviving: brothers Dick Ulland of Lake City, Minn., and Jeffrey Jetter of California.

Mark Edward Cooper att. was born Aug. 6, 1970, in Loma Linda,

Calif., and died June 3, 2018, in Dayton, Ohio. Surviving: wife Amy of Centerville, Ohio; sons Eric, Scott, and Tim of Centerville; sisters Karen Mowat ’93 of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, and Jody Morgan ’99 of Portland, Ore.; and father Loren of Chehalis, Wash.

Junior Max Fischer att. was born Feb. 3, 1933, in Vernon Center, Minn., and died July 16, 2017, in Salem, Ore. Surviving: wife Mary of Falls City, Ore.; daughters Rosita Tice of Falls City, Cynthia Ostrander of Keizer, Ore., and Trudy Pritchard of Lyle, Wash.; sons J. Arnold of Elk City, Idaho, and Vern of Japan; and sisters Cornelia Grange of Gaston, Ore., and Cheryl Androes of Pedee, Ore. Leslie Carl Fromm att. was born Aug. 21, 1934, in Merced, Calif., and died April 6, 2018, in Cleburne,

Betty Sorensen Betty (Heinrichs) Sorensen, was born Feb. 18, 1937, in Saskatchewan, Canada. As the wife of Walla Walla University president N. Clifford Sorensen, she was WWU first lady from 1976 to 1985 and again from 2001 to 2002 when Cliff was interim president.

Betty has been described as “bubbly,” “spunky,” and “sparkling.”

Through the years, she hosted countless dinners in her home for college students.

She and Cliff met when they were both students at Burman University (formerly Canadian Union College). They were married on Aug. 26, 1956, and moved to Walla Walla where Cliff attended WWU. Following Cliff’s graduation, the family moved to Southern California where Betty graduated from nursing school at Pasadena City College. Throughout her career, she worked at various hospitals including Glendale Adventist Hospital, Walla Walla General Hospital, and New England Memorial Hospital where she retired in 1997.

The Sorensen family made many memories at their cabin in British Columbia where Betty was known to serve an abundance of delicious food and enjoy Disney movies with her grandchildren.

“Her greatest joy was when the family was gathered around the table together,” said her son Mel. “Betty was a cheerful hostess.

She was busy and bubbly at the same time. She knew how to create a sense of belonging,” says Darold Bigger, WWU assistant to the president and former University Church pastor.

“She was talented and sophisticated,” says Ralph Coupland, WWU associate professor emeritus of education, who knew Betty at Burman. She was involved in music and performed at many churches throughout Western Canada.

Among her favorite Bible texts was Galatians 3:26–29: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor

This photo of Cliff and Betty Sorensen was taken during the WWU 125th anniversary celebration in April 2017.

Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Betty died on Aug. 2, 2018, in Gladstone, Ore. She and Cliff were married for 62 years. She is survived

by Cliff, their son Melvin and daughter Laura Sterner, Betty’s brother Harvey Heinrichs, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Westwind Fall 2018

29

Alumni Currents Staying in touch with our family of graduates

Texas. Surviving: wife Barbara Ann ’62 of Cleburne; daughters Alice Currier of Battle Ground, Wash., and Sherri Aschwanden of Turlock, Calif.; and son Gary of Sherwood, Ark. Lois (Louise) Fry att. was born April 14, 1929, in Colville, Wash., and died Sept. 3, 2014, in Evans, Wash. Surviving: husband Orah ’49 of Ventura, Calif.; and sons Zerrol of Ventura and Keith ’73 of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia.

Marcus Reece Hepler ’96 was born Aug. 9, 1960, in Everett, Wash., and died April 9, 2018, in Challis, Idaho. Surviving: partner Deedri Roberson of Challis, Idaho; daughter Chelsea of Walla Walla; son Reece of Walla Walla; sister Colleen Brassington of Lodi, Calif.; brothers Christopher of Walla Walla and Scott of Lincoln, Calif.; and father Anthony of Walla Walla.

Clayton R. Jepson ’49 was born May 4, 1923, in Brainerd, Minn., and died April 10, 2018, in Walla Walla. Surviving: daughter Gail Szana att. of Walla Walla; and

Ward Soper Ward Arthur Soper passed away on Nov. 18, 2017, in College Place, Wash. He is survived by his wife, Lois, of College Place; daughters Debra Gross of Florence, Mont., Ward Soper (back row, center) enjoyed gatherings with fellow his WWU mathematics professors.

30

Westwind Fall 2018

sons Trent of Colton, Calif., and Gary ’76 of Huntsville, Ark. Ordell Johnson ’51 was born Nov. 1, 1922, in Ossett, Mont., and died May 14, 2018, in Walla Walla.

Surviving: wife Echo ’47 of Walla Walla; daughter Judy Rasmussen att. of Walla Walla; and son Robert of Everett, Wash.

Kenneth B. Lauren ’68 was born July 23, 1946, in Seattle, Wash., and died Jan. 26, 2018, in Seattle, Wash. Surviving: wife Linda ’68 of Snoqualmie, Wash.; daughter Jen att. of Snoqualmie; son Mark of Monroe, Wash.; sister Anne Beck of Tacoma, Wash.; and brothers Don of Edmonds, Wash., and Dan of Federal Way, Wash.

John Colin Lello ’91 was born July 21, 1966, in South Africa and died Nov. 26, 2012, in May River, Papua New Guinea. Surviving: wife Pamela of Williamsburg, W.Va.; daughters Abigail and Alissa; sister Lois Burn ’86 of Berrien Springs, Mich.; and parents Judy and Graham of Lititz, Pa.

Linda Soper of College Place, and Joyce Soper of Spokane, Wash.; brother Marley Soper of Apopke, Fla., and several grandchildren.

Soper was born in Leslie, Mich., on Oct. 16, 1938, and graduated from Dansville High School. He studied mathematics at Andrews University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1961. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1962. Soper taught at Adelphian Academy in Holly, Mich., and while there, married Lois Meseraull in 1963. The family moved to College Place in 1965 where Soper began his career in the mathematics department at Walla Walla University. He taught at WWU for 43 years before retiring in 2008. After retirement, Soper volunteered at the SonBridge Community Center in College Place.

“I worked with Ward for many years,” says Mel Lang, professor emeritus of mathematics and associate vice president emeritus for Academic Administration. “If he was assigned a class or other responsibility, you would know

Roger Mathews ’57 was born Jan. 8, 1933, in Chanute, Kan., and died Aug. 31, 2013, in Loma Linda, Calif.

Surviving: wife Trudy att. of Pasadena, Calif.; sons Gary of Corvallis, Ore., and Randall of Pasadena; and brother Ross att. of Hillsboro, Ore.

Feb. 1, 1940, in Santa Barbara, Calif., and died June 29, 2018, in Frederick, Md. Surviving: daughter Kate Wolfer of Frederick; and sons Steven of White Plains, N.Y., Joel of Madison, Wis., and Ben of Madison.

Wellington F. Mathison ’60 and ’70 was born Aug. 1, 1934, in Wallingford, Ky., and died Nov. 27, 2017, in Carson City, Nev. Surviving: wife Francis Mae (Welch) ’58 of Carson City; daughter Brenda Foley of Carson City; son Jeffrey of Carson City; and brothers James of Grandview, Wash., and Oscar of Cleburne, Texas.

Don Sullivan ’65 was born Oct. 22, 1921, in Oregon City, Ore., and died Feb. 18, 2018, in Walla Walla. Surviving: son Mark of Bow, Wash.

Nancy (Steelman) Nelson ’74 was born Nov. 26, 1933, in Caldwell, Idaho, and died July 6, 2017, in Seattle, Wash. Surviving: husband Iral of Richland, Wash.; daughter Tonja Steel of Kennewick, Wash.; sons Iral of Richland and Lars of Honolulu, Hawaii; sister Genevieve of Canyon City, Ore.; and brother Ralph of Hines, Ore. Rollin Shoemaker ’63 was born

that it would be done and done with quality. His students appreciated him as he would go the second mile for them and would often spend hours per day helping them in his office.”

“Ward was primarily known for two things,” says Ken Wiggins, professor emeritus of mathematics. “Firstly, he was nearly always available to patiently help students outside of class, and secondly, he was known among his colleagues for his near miraculous efficiency. At one point the department had a blue sweatshirt made for him with a big red and yellow superman logo on the front surmounted by the word ‘Soperman.’”

Retirement did not slow Soper one bit. “Ward was there every day,” says Todd Reiswig, former director of construction at SonBridge. “He was never afraid to do whatever had to be done.

He was a great man with a huge heart who wanted to give back.

He will be missed.” Lang agrees, continuing: “His Christian demeanor will always be a legacy for Walla Walla University.”

Gary B. Strauss ’53 was born June 15, 1930, in Marshfield, Wis., and died July 28, 2017, in Paradise, Calif. Surviving: wife Alva of Paradise; daughters Laurel Goddard of Chico, Calif., and Sandra Liske of Clackamas, Ore.; sons Marcus of Magalia, Calif., and Shawn of Clackamas; and sister Linda Hanson of Salem, Ore. Constance Tiffany ’61 was born Sept. 11, 1927, in Madison, Tenn., and died Sept. 16, 2015, in Kingsley, Mich. Surviving: daughter Joella Martin of Berrien Springs, Mich.; and son James ’85 of Manton, Mich.

Rex Turnbull ’50 was born May 11, 1925, in Boone County, Ark., and died Oct. 23, 2017, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: daughter Sheryl Reese of Spokane; sons Ken of Spokane and Russ of Vallejo, Calif.; and sister Laura Wiedner of Pasco, Wash.

Eddie van de Pol ’14 was born Sept. 12, 1990, in Reno, Nev., and died Oct. 28, 2017, in Roseville, Calif. Surviving: sisters Florissa att., Emmalee ’18, and Grace of California; and mother Floreen of California.

James E. Wasenmiller ’70 was born Jan. 22, 1948, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and died March 12, 2017, in Salem, Ore. Surviving: wife Kristie (Johnson) att. of Gleneden Beach, Ore.; daughters Katie Jo of Seattle, Wash., and Andrea of Palo Alto, Calif.; sons Henry of Woodinville, Wash., and Charles of Wilsonville, Ore.; and brother Ken ’68 of Falling Waters, W.Va. Paul L. Worden ’55 was born Aug. 4, 1926, in Blaine, Wash., and died Dec. 16, 2017, in Walla Walla, Wash. Surviving: wife Bonita of Walla Walla; daughters Renee Mackin of College Place, Wash., and Elaine Smith of Smithsburg, Md.; sons Duane of Walla Walla and Brian of Hagerstown, Md.; and brothers Don of Enterprise, Ore., and Bruce of Custer, Wash.

READ MORE ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU

How has the

Walla Walla University Fund made a difference to students?

Joy “Scholarships allowed me to study in Spain— it was a life-changing experience.”

Karla Scott “ASWWU Outdoors trips let me get outside and explore new places.”

“New lighting on campus made me feel safer than ever going to evening classes.”

Support students like these and make your gift today at wallawalla.edu/give.

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

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

Paid WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

See you there!

Upcoming events to note on your calendar

MARCH 7–9 AND APRIL 7–9 Check out campus life at WWU during U-Days!

High school students from throughout the Northwest (in March) and across the country (in April) will visit campus for events planned especially to introduce them to college life at WWU. Register by Feb. 15 for the March event and

by March 15 for the April event. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/udays.

DECEMBER 7

JANUARY 12

JANUARY 24–26

FEBRUARY 22

APRIL 25–28

The WWU Department of Music will present its annual Christmas Concert with performances at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the University Church. Join us in person as we welcome the holiday season or watch online.

Both performances will be livestreamed at wallawalla.edu/concert.

Join fellow alumni for a

More than 20 high school and academy basketball teams will be on campus for the annual

Graduates from 2008 through 2018 are invited to a WWU alumni event in

Plan now to join us for

Seventh-day Adventist Church. WWU president John McVay will speak for church services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. followed by a church potluck with dessert provided by WWU and a campus news update.

Friendship Tournament. We’d

love to have you join us to cheer on your favorite teams and to reconnect with friends old and new!

Learn more at wallawalla. edu/friendship.

Southern California.

We will welcome the Sabbath with a complimentary meal and vespers in the Loma Linda Academy Heritage Room. Please RSVP by Friday, Feb. 15, at alumni@wallawalla.edu or by calling (509) 527-2631.

Homecoming Weekend 2019!

We’ll celebrate excellence in thought with special emphasis on Peterson Memorial Library, the School of Education and Psychology, and the Honors Program. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/ homecoming.

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

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE

WWU alumni event at the Puyallup