The Fullness of Time
Honoring a beloved tradition where music, faith, and community meet in harmony and celebration. p. 28
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
(pre-1966),
4 From the President
6 You’re Invited WWU events and groups to keep you connected year-round
8 College Avenue News from across campus
20 Annual Report Faith, purpose, and service shape who we are and guide future generations.
26 Back to You
Tiffany Nelson shares her journey from Miami to WWU, trusting God through life’s big changes.
28 The Fullness of Time
About the cover
The annual Christmas concert brings students together in song, filling the University Church with warmth and wonder. This image captures a moment when music, faith, and tradition unite, marking the start of the Advent season for the campus community. PHOTO: HANNAH KNIPPLE
A cherished celebration of faith and music, bringing the campus and community together each Advent season.
30 Alumni Currents AlumNotes and In Memory
An Invitation: Let’s Change the World
(509) 240-5578.
That’s my private cell phone number. Shoot me a text message.
alex.bryan@wallawalla.edu.
That’s my personal email. Zip me a note.
Let’s find a time to talk. Why?
I hold two immovable convictions:
1. There’s nothing more critical nor powerful for the future healing of our fractured world than shaping the quality of the next generation of human beings. How much we need high-character, compassionate and kind, brave and true, smart and hardworking, following-the-way-of-Jesus human beings. This is why I am here at Walla Walla University. This is why our brilliant team of faculty and staff educators is here. We believe in this place. We believe the mission of WWU is at the epicenter of God’s daring plan to restore and revive our world.
2. The rocket fuel for this vision can only be supplied by one group: our alumni. It will not be governments. It will not be secular venture capitalists. It will not be some unnamed,
non-descript humanitarian social or political movement. Nor should it be. No, it will only be one group. It will be one mission-driven, Jesus-drenched, morally-attuned, fiercely-loyal group: the potent network of Walla Walla College and Walla Walla University alumni.
I don’t know exactly how our private conversation will go. That’s the wow and wonder of God-stirred conversations. But this I can say:
WWU needs highly skilled alumni who are willing to leave the marketplace and join our team of faculty and staff professionals. Join us.
WWU needs highly skilled communicators and marketers, engineers and software designers, MDs and CPAs, who are willing to gift a portion of their time, labor, and expertise to move the institution forward. Gift us.
WWU needs alums who are willing to invest the horsepower of their companies to accelerate our mission. Fuel us.
WWU needs a host of folks who are willing to invest $1,000, $5,000, $50,000, $5,000,0000 in student scholarships that determine whether a student can live, work, worship, pray, study, and be formed for the future here. Invest in them.
WWU needs alumni who are willing to pick up a phone, rally other alumni, work their networks, and stoke a global fire of Walla Walla U people who live as faith-filled, flammable folks. Power us.
Distinguished alumni—Walla Walla University is in a very good place. Momentum is afoot. The strength of faculty, the resolve of staff, the quality of students, the achievement of our alums (and our very recent alums) provide formidable evidence of continuing, durable
exceptional alumni who are, here and now, blessing and changing the world.
But now, in this timely moment, an invitation to us all—to courageously and generously (and maybe even sacrificially, which always brings the most joy) invest in the present and future potential of Walla Walla University and its students.
Here’s an invitation: Text. Email. Call. Let’s talk about changing the world.
Alex Bryan, president
InvitedYou’re
Be sure to mark your calendar
Join us for these upcoming events at WWU! Whether it’s a concert, a game, or a weekend of celebration, you’re always welcome to come back to campus and be part of the community. We’d love to see you, reconnect, and share in the spirit that makes WWU feel like home.
2025 Annual Christmas Concert
Join us at the University Church on Friday, December 12, at 6 or 8 p.m.
Scan the QR code or visit wallawalla.edu/concerts to stream the concert live or watch it later
WWU Photo Collections
View the latest photo galleries from Walla Walla University— Alumni Sweets Game, Homecoming Honor Photos, and more—on the WWU Flickr page.
Scan the QR code or visit flickr.com/ wallawallauniversity to explore the galleries.
2026 Homecoming Weekend
Mark your calendar for April 24–26, 2026! We will be honoring classes that end in a 1 or 6 (ex: 1961, 1966, etc.). More information will be available on the Homecoming web page as the date nears.
Scan the QR code or visit wallawalla.edu/ homecoming for updates.
Worship at the University Church
Join us for Sabbath worship—attend in person if you’re on campus or stream it live from anywhere in the world. You can also access the church bulletin and church directory online.
Visit or scan the QR code at wwuchurch.com for
WWU Alumni Facebook Group
Stay connected with upcoming alumni events and campus updates by joining the WWU Alumni Facebook group.
Scan the QR code or go to facebook.com/groups/ wallawallaalumni to join.
Visit Havstad Alumni Center
If you’re on campus, stop by the Havstad Alumni Center and say hello to the Advancement and Alumni Engagement team! We’d love to give you a tour of the beautifully renovated board room and kitchen on the second floor, funded by the alumni endowment.
Scan the QR code or visit wallawalla.edu/alumni to learn more.
WWU Athletics
Attend a sporting event—basketball, soccer, cross country, golf, and more—and cheer on your favorite WWU athletes! Some games are also live-streamed.
Scan the QR code or visit uwolves.com to find a
College Avenue
The latest from across campus
Walla Walla University aviation takes off
Walla Walla University’s aviation program has soared in enrollment, growing from 22 majors in 2023–24 to more than 70 this year. To meet this need, WWU acquired two new airplanes, bringing the fleet to 10 total. Program director Shawn Dietrich credits the expansion to faculty who combine high expectations with strong support. Nearly all graduates secure jobs, with alumni flying for major U.S. airlines. Based at Walla Walla Regional Airport, the program benefits from a staffed control tower and well-maintained runways. WWU also partners with the U.S. Air Force to host a summer JROTC flight program, which saw 100% pilot certification this year.
Learn more at wallawalla.edu/aviation.
Laser-focused on professional school success
Now in its third year,
Walla Walla University’s Center for Health Professions is helping students take confident steps toward careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and more. Led by Jeremy Wiggins, associate professor of biology, the center offers specialized advising, seminars, and mentoring programs that prepare students for professional school and beyond.
“We’ve heard from schools that WWU graduates are prepared and contributing even outside the classroom,” says Wiggins. “Our graduates tell us they felt ready for
their classes and confident in their programs—that’s what we love to hear.”
The center pairs students with advisors experienced in their fields, such as physical therapist Ruth Meltzer for pre-PT students and Wiggins himself for pre-med and predent. Seminars and alumni panels guide students through applications, entrance exams, and interviews, while senior and recent graduates mentor younger students. Wiggins draws on his own path—from pre-med to dentistry—to help students navigate change. “I remind them that they may plan their path, but God directs their steps,” he says. “Helping students see that and lifting the weight off their shoulders—that’s what makes this work so meaningful.”
Enrollment soars as WWU expands its aviation fleet.
BY THE NUMBERS
Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE)
149 majors pursuing either a bachelor of science or an associate of science degree through HPE, a 52% increase since 2022
20% of majors are pursuing physical therapy (pre-PT)
54 students majoring in exercise science, followed by 34 in health science, and 17 in sports management and coaching, and 44 in allied health or pre-professional programs.
Students trace Paul’s journeys abroad
This summer, 24 Walla Walla University students joined the Bible Lands Study Tour, retracing the journeys of the apostle Paul and visiting the seven churches of Revelation. Over three weeks, the group explored Turkey, Greece, and Rome—walking the Sacred Way, sailing to Patmos, and touring the Colosseum.
For sophomore history major Audrey Bryan, the highlight was reading about Paul’s missionary work while standing in the places he served.
“I gained so much more on this trip than I thought: friendships, spiritual growth, and the experience of new places,” she said.
Sophomore computer science major Jonathan Schaffner recalled the group’s first day in Rome, when a downpour turned into a joyful memory of “marching through the rain like it was nothing.”
The tour was co-led by theology dean Carl Cosaert and former WWU president John McVay.
wwudrama season brings classics and new voices
756 credit hours taught by HPE in fall 2025
Learn more about the HPE department at wallawalla.edu/hpe.
Since 1961, wwudrama has been a cornerstone of theater on campus and in the Walla Walla community. The 2025–26 season opens this fall with “Emma,” Paul Gordon’s musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, running Nov. 8–16 in Village Hall. Winter brings the Festival of Shorts, featuring student-directed plays and original one-acts, Feb. 28–March 8. The season closes in May with “Blossom Canyon Fire” by Don Zolidis and Mandy Conner’s “Dirt,” exploring resilience amid hardship.
Details and ticket information are available at wallawalla.edu/drama.
WWU students retrace Paul’s steps in Turkey, Greece, and Rome.
WWU honored for character in athletics, again
Walla Walla University has earned the NAIA Champions of Character Gold Five-Star Award for 2024–25, marking the second consecutive year the university has received the honor.
The award recognizes NAIA institutions
that demonstrate a strong commitment to character in athletics. Schools are evaluated on character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, and recognition and promotion of character. Additional points are given for high student-athlete GPAs and minimal ejections during games.
Learn more about Wolves athletics at uwolves.com.
WWU launches its first 3-year bachelor’s degree
Walla Walla University has launched its first three-year bachelor’s degree—the Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Science—approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The 144-credit program allows students to earn their degree more efficiently, entering the workforce sooner while addressing the growing demand for technology professionals. The curriculum combines academic rigor with applied learning, preparing graduates for careers in computer science and related fields. “This pilot balances innovation with academic integrity,” said Jonathan Duncan, associate vice president for academic planning and innovation. The university will study program outcomes over the next two years before deciding whether to expand the three-year model to additional majors.
Learn more at wallawalla.edu/cs.
Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts
Claiming the Courageous Middle
by Shirley A. Mullen
Author Shirley Mullen explores what it means for Christians to lean into the “courageous middle” in a polarized world. This book offers ideas and reflections to help us relate to one another, find common ground, and rest in the confidence that the Father is in charge and will accomplish His purposes.
—Gayla Rogers, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement
Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age
By Felicia Wu Song
Our always-connected digital environment is not neutral, it is shaping us in subtle but powerful ways, argues Song in this book that explores how digital devices affect us. Adventists emphasize Sabbath rest and healthy living, and I appreciate this opportunity to reflect on how digital devices affect us physically, socially, and spiritually.
—David Lindsey, chair, professor of biology
Reflections on the Psalms
By C.S. Lewis
How can we relate to ancient words in the book of Psalms?
This book thoughtfully explains the perspectives of biblical poets, and the techniques they used to process and articulate complex human experiences, including judgement, death, nature, and connivance. A favorite quote comes from a chapter titled “Cursings” that cautions, “Those who are readiest to die for a cause may easily become those who are readiest to kill for it.”
—Jodi Wagner, vice president for marketing and enrollment services
WWU alumna honored
with Junia Award
Patricia Drake Cople, a 1958 graduate of Walla Walla University’s Edward F. Cross School of Engineering, has received a 2025 Junia Award from the Association of Adventist Women. The award, presented during the General Conference Session in St. Louis, recognizes women who break new ground, serve as leaders, and are active in their churches.
Cople was the first woman to graduate from WWU’s engineering program, earning a degree in architectural engineering. She began her career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before joining the U.S. Air Force staff, where she developed innovative contract methods to reduce cost overruns and created a management plan still used in major construction projects. She later became the first civilian woman named Chief of the Air Force Construction Branch, with responsibilities spanning the U.S. and Europe.
After graduate study at Cornell, she served at the Pentagon as associate director of construction, promoting quality and excellence in military design. She later consulted on projects worldwide, including Ankara’s metro system, and served on the Washington Adventist Hospital board.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cople has restored classic cars, served her community through local committees, and remained close to her family in Texas.
Reflecting on her career, she emphasized persistence, flexibility, humor, and the importance of strong networks. Cople was one of three women to receive the 2025 Junia Award, joining Wanda Phipatanakul of Harvard Medical School and Nda Anastasie, a pastor and advocate in Cameroon.
Singing on the national stage
Luke Palau, junior aviation major, earned third place in the National Student Auditions, a competition sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Competing in the Musical Theater category, he advanced through
regional rounds to the semifinals in Philadelphia, where his performances secured him a spot on the podium. Palau performed songs from Sunday in the Park with George, On the Town, and Honeymoon in Vegas. His voice teacher, Christine Janis, praised his dedication: “Luke thrives in performance environments. We’re incredibly proud of his achievement.”
‘If it’s engineering, it’s Walla Walla’
Showcasing decades of excellence, innovation
Every five years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church holds a General Conference Session to conduct church business and highlight initiatives.
In July, an estimated 100,000 guests from all over the world attended the 62nd session in St. Louis, Missouri. Walla Walla University was pleased to be part of a vibrant Exhibit Hall, presenting a booth that spotlighted 78 years of academic excellence and professional ministry from the Edward F. Cross School of Engineering, as well as the university’s other areas of study.
Engineering on display
Though seven university representatives staffed the booth, the real stars were “Paul” and “Phil,” robots programmed by WWU alum and now-retired project engineer Ralph Stirling to display the power of engineering.
“We named one robot Paul because its task was to write the letters WWU on ping pong balls,” says Jodi Wagner, vice president for marketing and enrollment services. “The other robot, Phil, used a filament to create microscopic tissue scaffolding that can be used to grow tissue in our bioengineering lab. Ralph programmed the robots to work together to move materials around in the display, which drew quite a crowd.”
“The real strength of our School of Engineering is the opportunities for tackling challenging, open-ended projects, using creativity and base knowledge,” says Stirling. “This robot project was an opportunity to show what is possible with the resources our engineering program has to offer.”
Four additional exhibits emphasized the impact that WWU
engineering has on our campus, in missions, and in industry. One featured an acidification measurement tool developed by engineering to help WWU’s Department of Biological Sciences conduct research in the Puget Sound. Another exhibit displayed WWU students’ T-shaped design to expand Maranatha Volunteers International’s One-Day Churches around the world. A third exhibit nodded to the work that more than 40 WWU engineers have contributed to Adventist World Radio over the years, inviting booth guests to scrutinize radio signals and vote for the strongest. And a fourth exhibit featured a student-designed bioreactor that can be used in WWU’s bioengineering lab to grow muscle tissue, which could eventually be developed for severely injured patients.
“It was a blessing to represent the various concentrations of our engineering program so tangibly,” says Dr. Janice McKenzie, professor of engineering, who teaches biomaterials, tissue engineering and bioreactors at WWU. “I had conversations with many people interested in what we do. The potential to develop cutting-edge technology within the context of Adventist education seemed to be an exciting new idea for some of them.”
Proud of our impact
“If it’s engineering, it’s Walla Walla,” nadadventist.org quoted WWU President Alex Bryan in a July 13 article about the innovative booths at the event. The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists recognized WWU’s booth among a handful that exemplified “the interaction of innovation, faith, and service.”
“It is nearly impossible to showcase in just one booth the incredible reach Walla Walla University’s well-trained engineers have had over the decades,” Bryan says. “I was proud to represent our School of Engineering in St. Louis, and I hope our engineers are proud to represent Walla Walla University through whatever they do.”
“Our booth visitors were so taken with how our work in STEM fields was truly in service,” recalls Maria Bastien Valenca, dean and professor of education for WWU’s School of Education and Psychology. “But it was amazing to meet with our alumni and hear how much they love Walla Walla, and in such a deep way. It isn’t just nostalgia or a longing for some kind of ‘good old days,’ but a deep recognition of a place that formed their faith and sent them out into service,” she recalls. “It made me proud to be a part of this great community.”
“It was a blessing to represent the various concentrations of our engineering program so tangibly.”
—Janice McKenzie
WRITING BY CAEDEN ROGERS
AWalla Walla University education has always been about more than classes and credits. It is also about finding friends who become family, discovering projects that spark joy and purpose, and growing a faith that lasts a lifetime.
For generations of WWU students, countless moments outside the classroom—meals, conversations, worship, service— have shaped who they became long after graduation.
That’s why WWU is investing in the creation of the Student Life and Ministry Center (SLMC), envisioned as the “living room” of campus. More than just a building, the SLMC will become the heartbeat of student life—a place where friendships deepen, faith grows, and community thrives.
inevitably brings noise and inconvenience, the project timeline has been carefully designed to minimize disruption for current students. When complete in 2027, the SLMC will expand Kellogg Hall’s footprint to more than 22,000 square feet devoted entirely to student life.
Redefining the Heart of Campus
“Some of my most life-changing college moments took place outside of the classroom,” says Darren Wilkins, vice president for student life. “Late-night conversations still turn into lifelong friendships, and faith is still discovered in everyday campus life. I am so pleased that we can finally give our students a campus ‘living room’ where they can laugh, study, pray, and grow into the people God is calling them to be.”
Work has already begun on Kellogg Hall, the 67-year-old facility at the center of this transformation. While construction
This isn’t simply a renovation. It’s a reimagining of what student life can be. The SLMC will bring together Campus Ministries, Student Life, The Atlas, and dining under one roof, creating a hub where students can eat, worship, serve, and simply be with one another. New spaces for music, games, and informal gatherings will nurture friendships, spark spiritual growth, and support the vibrant life that makes WWU distinctive.
Tradition, Mission, and Momentum
The dream of a dedicated student center has been part of WWU conversations for decades. Previous generations of students made do with scattered spaces—cafeteria tables, dorm lounges, borrowed classrooms—but the sense of needing a true “home base” persisted.
Shaping Student WWU’s new living
Life: living room
$18,000,000
$16,700,000
“WWU students thrive when they are together, but our campus lacks a dedicated space designed to foster that connection,” says Lorelei Harbour, 2024–2025 ASWWU president. “The SLMC is exactly what we need to fill that gap and strengthen our community.”
ministry leaders are present in the same building where students already gather, it normalizes prayer and service as everyday practices.”
In this way, the SLMC embodies WWU’s vision of preparing students for competent and compassionate service in a rapidly changing world.
Building Support for the Future
That continuity extends across alumni as well. Paul Ford, who served as ASWWC president in the mid-1990s, recalls how even modest improvements to student spaces made a difference. “Having a ‘third space’ where people can be physically present supports everyone during college life,” he says. “It’s exciting to see that vision reaching a new level.”
WWU’s mission has always been rooted in faith. Campus Ministries leaders envision the SLMC as a hub for ministry as well as informal fellowship. With dedicated space for ministry offices alongside gathering areas, students will be able to move seamlessly between planning an outreach project and gathering to eat with friends.
“The SLMC gives us a chance to make faith part of daily rhythms,” says Wilkins. “When
The SLMC project is ambitious: an $18 million campaign, with just $1.3 million left to raise. Progress has been steady, but significant support is still needed. Alumni, parents, and friends have already stepped up in meaningful ways, and new gifts are helping close the final gap.
One of the most inspiring contributions has come recently from a WWU alumnus who knows firsthand the challenges and blessings of campus life. His story shows how deeply the WWU experience resonates across generations— and how it can inspire transformational giving. He recently issued a powerful challenge designed to double the impact of support for the SLMC.
Anonymous donor offers $100K challenge match for gifts to SLMC
An anonymous donor and self-proclaimed WWU supporter has generously offered a $100K matching fund challenge to fellow alumni as a means of encouraging further support for the new Student Life and Ministry Center (SLMC) building fund. “I feel deeply dedicated to the school that has done so much for me both academically and spiritually,” he says. “This is one way that I can give back.”
A graduate of the engineering school, he remembers the intensity of the coursework. He characterizes his WWU engineering training as “the most difficult experience” of his lifetime. But he is quick to say that the rewards were great. “I learned about the laws of nature and how to use math and science to creatively solve problems I could have only dreamed of previously.”
Perhaps the greatest gift for the donor came from his interaction with his professors. “I was deeply impressed by the spiritual dedication of the WWU School of Engineering founder, Professor Edward Cross, and by Professors Heisler, Masden, McNeil, Bennett, and others who daily brought God into the classroom.”
Because of how he experienced God at WWU and thanks to how the Lord has financially blessed him,
his support of WWU extends to his philanthropic endeavors. When his class chose to raise funds for the new SLMC in celebration of their 50th reunion, he contributed. The class raised approximately $50,000. Wanting to increase support, this anonymous donor recently put forth his own challenge match of $50,000 for the project—initially just for his class members—but has since opened the match up to any donors, while simultaneously doubling his pledge. The donor will now match any gift made to the fund, up to $100,000, if that goal is reached before December 31.
His deep faith in God is the driving force behind his desire to support the university. “I believe that all blessings are a gift from God to be managed for Him,” he says. He hopes that his matching gift will inspire other alumni to support the SLMC fund or perhaps create a similar matching challenge.
“We are living in accelerating end times with a need to focus on competent, creative service to others and the joy of getting out the good news about our soon coming Creator,” he says. “Anything we can do to inspire students to do the same should be our priority.”
it For wardPaying Ne xt G e ne ration TO THE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
byLisaJerveyLennox’88
IHAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTRIGUED BY THE “WHY” that lies behind every philanthropic gift. WHY do people decide to support a particular cause at a particular moment? Each gift is tied to a story—a deeply personal and often quite powerful story.
I’ve found that the WHYs in higher education often involve a paying-it-forward component. I cut my teeth in philanthropy working with alumni at Cornell University. There, I heard meaningful stories from successful alumni—many of whom were first generation students whose lives were completely transformed by a college education. Keenly aware that their own success might never have materialized if not for the generous support of donors, these alumni made it their mission to do for others what had been done for them.
For others, I learned, the WHY boiled down to a conscious decision to invest in the future. These donors believed the world needs educated young people prepared to face complex challenges with knowledge, creativity, and finely tuned analytic minds. In providing student financial support, they were making a strategic commitment to building a better world—and to ensuring that the institution they attended lived on for future generations.
THE WHY AT WWU
At WWU, I’ve found that the donor WHYs initially sound quite similar to those of Cornellians: our alumni are paying it forward or they see their gifts as an investment in the future. But at Walla Walla University, there is another WHY component—and it’s a game-changer—a solid belief in the faith-based mission of this university.
WWU is a sacred space. This university prepares students to be critical thinkers and collaborative problem-solvers as they navigate a rapidly changing world. It teaches them to address complex global challenges with ethical decision-making, and to be spiritual leaders who embody the values they saw modeled here: committed to excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God.
I am a WWU alum with a WHY of my own. Like many others, I would never have been able to attend this university without the support of alumni donors who had never met me. These alums were paying it forward, trusting that I—and other students whom they supported—would do the same, in turn. Their
generosity opened the doors to so many opportunities. I think about these donor investments and wonder about their impact. Because of their generosity:
• How many of us have been inspired by outstanding, committed faculty scholars who could have taught anywhere but chose WWU?
• How many of us went on to graduate school, nervous that we might not measure up, only to be told that we were better prepared than many of our peers who had attended top-tier universities?
• How many of us studied with theology professors who allowed us to question our faith and, ultimately, to strengthen our convictions and trust in our Creator?
• How many of us have gone on to have successful careers and abundant lives beyond our expectations?
At the East end of the Havstad Alumni Center, the words of Psalm 71:18 were inscribed with purpose: “ … I declare your power to the next generation … ”
INVEST NOW IN A WWU STUDENT
Our goal is to raise 1.5 million in student aid this academic year, making a WWU education accessible and affordable for hundreds of students who could not be here otherwise. Scan this QR code and make your gift now to support our future leaders and problem-solvers: teachers, chaplains, engineers, pilots, automotive technicians, physical and respiratory therapists, researchers, writers, historians, and so much more.
Support a student at
wallawalla.edu/give .
What better way to follow through on this mission than to provide financial support to those who seek a quality Christian college education?
I invite you to join me in declaring God’s power to the next generation of WWU students—students who seek the same opportunities we had. That is a WHY worthy of our collective commitment.
Making One Student’s Dream a Reality
This summer, I transitioned from serving as director of Student Financial Services to the Advancement and Alumni Engagement team. I have seen first-hand the miracles that happen when students, parents, and student finance team members reach out to God in prayer— and these prayers are answered through gifts from generous donors.
I remember one young man who came to my office during a campus visit and was accompanied by three staff members from the local public high school. I knew, in advance, that he would be navigating college as a first-generation student so I sought out the resources he would need. When he arrived, I carefully laid out the financial aid plan for him. At the end, I asked if he had any questions.
“This means I can come here to college?” he said, wiping away tears.
“Yes, we would be delighted to have you join the Walla Walla University family,” I said.
He was incredulous. “My parents will be so happy! I’ve dreamed of being a pilot but never thought it would be possible.”
At that point, none of us in that room could contain our tears.
—Gayla Rogers, vice president for Advancement and Alumni
Thank You Note from a WWU Student
“Chances are that I have not met you, yet your generosity impacts my life and the lives of my peers in such an important way. I’m very grateful for the aid you provide that allows WWU to be accessible to me. It is a privilege to have an Adventist education—to be able to learn from professors who share my Christian values and to be surrounded by friends and students who share them, as well.”
Engagement
An Invitation
EVERY STORY HAS A BEGINNING.
For many, that beginning was here— on the tree-lined paths of Walla Walla University. It was in the classrooms where faith met curiosity, in the friendships that felt like family, and in the quiet moments when God’s voice became clear. Those years shaped more than a career. They shaped who you are. And now, the invitation that once came to you is being offered to a new generation—to learn boldly, to serve faithfully, to live with purpose. This year, we’re inviting you to be part of that story again. To remember what Walla Walla meant in your own life. To pass on the same Christ-centered education that helped you grow in faith and calling. To make it possible for today’s students to discover their mission, just as you once did. You’re invited to give. You’re invited to pray. You’re invited to be part of what God is still doing at Walla Walla University.
The WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT for 2024-2025
Gateway Award
Highest total giving by class
CLASS OF 1972
$1,011,951.73
Congratulations, class of 1972! You’ve earned the highest giving award.
Mountain Ash Award
Highest class participation CLASS OF 1957
16 % participation rate
Thank you, class of 1957, for your generous gifts!
Orange and Green Award
Highest participation of a class to graduate in the last 10 years
CLASS OF 2023
2.58% participation rate
Thank you for your generosity, class of 2023!
Special Mention
Second most improved participation
CLASS OF 1955
4.76 % improvement from last year
More than 11.4% of the class of 1955 participated in giving this year.
Walla Walla University is a community of faith and discovery committed to excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression, and faith in God. In support of these core themes, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, alumni and other friends of the university gave gifts totaling $11,045,659.75
Join the WWU Legacy Society
The Legacy Society honors those who have chosen to support the mission of WWU by including the university in a planned gift commitment. Your estate plan is a private matter, but if you wish to notify us of your intentions for planning purposes—or to strategize about how best to structure your gift, you can reach out to Troy Patzer ’99 at troy.patzer@wallawalla.edu. If you choose to be recognized, your gift may inspire others to also remember WWU through a planned gift.
Optional means of making a planned gift:
• Beneficiary designation in a will or living trust.
• Beneficiary designation of an IRA, qualified retirement and pension plans, or annuities.
• Beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
• Life income arrangement (charitable gift annuity and charitable remainder trust).
• Beneficiary of a charitable lead trust.
• Remainder interest in a personal residence or farm.
• Other planned gift arrangement.
ENDOWED FUNDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The endowed scholarship funds listed here provided $1,796,538.34 in scholarships and other forms of support for Walla Walla University during the 2024–25 year. Funds from the new endowed funds will begin to be awarded in 2025–26. Your investments today help secure the future success of WWU and generations of students to come. »
Administration Building
Maintenance
Advancement of Chemical Research at Walla Walla University
Paul W. Anderson
Scholarship
Alumni Association Student
Internship Scholarship
ASWWU Student Aid
Endowment
Claude Barnett, Ph.D.,
Scholarship
James and Ruth Bebee
Computer Science
Scholarship
James and Ruth Bebee
Nursing Scholarship
Dr. Frederick and Mrs. JaneAnn Bennett
Engineering 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
Legacy of generosity: Planned
gift by Bev Beem establishes Endowed English Fund
BEVERLY BEEM, former professor of English, spent her adult life in service to Walla Walla University. Her influence on the English department and its curriculum, on her beloved colleagues, and on the generations of students with whom she shared her passion for literature is inestimable. And now, with the establishment of the Beverly Beem Endowed Eng lish Fund, Beem will continue to serve future generations.
ABOUT BEV BEEM
Beem joined the faculty of the English Department at Walla Walla College (now University) in 1976. She arrived in College Place, having completed her Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska two years prior, and decided she had found a place to stay.
Beem’s career would span more than four decades at WWU. While her teaching and academic interests included classical, medieval, and Renaissance literature, Old Testament narrative, and the historical literature of women’s spiritual-
George W. Bowers Excellence in Chemistry Scholarship
Boyson Family Communication Scholarship
John F. Bregar Memorial Scholarship
John F. & Marjorie J. Bregar Endowed Engineering Scholarship
Burton and Carol Briggs Chemistry Scholarship
Junior Senior Business
Scholarship
School of Business Fund
Clair and Myrtle Calkins Library Book Fund
Dr. D. Ordell Calkins Excellence in Finance Endowed
Scholarship
D. Ordell and Margaret A. Calkins Business/
Education Faculty
Development
Merle Clairon Calkins
Computer Science
Faculty Development
Lewis Canaday Memorial Technology Scholarship
Dr. James R. Chambers Memorial Scholarship
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 1968 Memorial
Endowed 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
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
ity—her quest for learning was hardly restricted to these subjects. She earned a fellowship at the University of Iowa’s Institute on Writing, which helped her develop WWU’s college writing program and conduct writing workshops for hundreds of elementary and secondary teachers around the country.
Beem also earned fellowships with The National Endowment for the Humanities to study biblical literature at Indiana and Yale Universities, and to study women of the Ancient Near East at Brown University. Her academic achievements were recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 2001. She delivered WWU’s Distinguished Scholar Lecture in 2005-2006 on the topic “My Soul is on the Wing for Glory: Voices of Early Adventist Women.”
As chair of the English department for 16 years, Beem fostered academic rigor and respect among her departmental colleagues. Her leadership embodied what she (and her predecessor Gary Wiss) called “The Four C’s” of collegiality, competence in the discipline, classroom effectiveness,
Music Scholarship
Edward F. Cross
Engineering Scholarship
Nancy Cross Memorial
English Faculty
Development Fund
Vera Davis-Michel Memorial English Scholarship
Edward F. and Clara M.
Degering Memorial
Educational Scholarship
Claude and Annie
Deming Memorial Fund
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
and Christian influence—a legacy that her colleagues say lives on in current department faculty, all of whom studied under Professor Beem.
Beem’s house in College Place reflected her warm hospitality. “For nearly 50 years her home provided a place of generosity—good food, serious dialog, and intense friendships. It was a forum for students and faculty, a place for study and conviviality,” says Dan Lamberton, WWU Professor Emeritus of Humanities and lifelong colleague and friend.
“Bev invited many otherwise solitary people to her home for Christmas dinners and other events. Her example
H. Russell and Genevieve Emmerson Memorial Scholarship
Engineering Chair Endowment
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
Graham Family Scholarship
Albert E. and Reta J. Graham Memorial Scholarship
Grellmann Family Scholarship
J. Paul Grove Memorial Scholarship
John J. Hafner Music Scholarship
Lovyl and Mary Hagle
Memorial Worthy
Student Scholarship
Richard and Dena Hammill
Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Hampson
Humanities Merit Scholarship
Howard E. Hanafin Scholarship
Bryan G. and Susan J. Harris Endowed Excellence in Work Ethic 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
2024-25
John Freedman, CHAIR
Alex Bryan, SECRETARY
Doug Bing
Keith Hallam
David Jamieson
Kara Johnsson
Lowell Cooper
Stephanie Gates
Yvonne Iwasa
Joyce Newmyer
Gary Botimer
Columbus Candies, Jr.
Travis Crumley
Sergio Hernandez
Clint Hess
Bill McClendon
Rodney Mills
Jim Jenkins
David Prest, Jr.
Jeff Fogelquist
W. Todd Pascoe
Paul Rhynard
Jaime Rodriguez
Ron Wilkinson
Steve Kreitner
Byron Dulan
Mileen Loeffler
Kathy Morgan
Bruce Thorn
2024–25 WWU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OFFICERS
Lisa Jervey Lennox ’88, BOARD CHAIR
Brad Brown ’98, PRESIDENT
Jerry Woods ’97, PRESIDENT-ELECT
Jimmy Johnson ’97, TREASURER
Laurel Rogers ’95, SECRETARY
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Jodi Wagner ’92, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND ADVANCEMENT, EX OFFICIO
Claudia Santellano ’14, FORMER DIRECTOR FOR ALUMNI AND PARENT RELATIONS, EX OFFICIO
AT LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Danielle Craig ’11
Loren Dickinson (FACULTY ALUMNUS 1962-2000)
History Scholarship
Wilma E. Hepker Scholarship
Paul and Frances Heubach Memorial Theology Scholarship
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
Humphreys Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
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
Robert Kaye, M.D., Rosario Scholarship
Helen Wineberg
Kendall Women in Business Scholarship
KGTS Positive Life Radio Announcer Fund
Meade and Frances Kinzer and Family
Nursing Scholarship
Betty Klein Engineering
Scholarship
Rudolf and Anna Klimes
Learn Well Physical
Education Scholarship
Edward and Priscilla Ko
Math & Nursing
Scholarship
Bill Gerber ’84
Karli Hart ’18
Sue Huett ’75
Joy Veverka ’04
A.H. and Mary Koorenny
Memorial Scholarship
Robert H. and Thorna Koorenny Scholarship
Kretschmar Hall Maintenance
Luella Latham Kretschmar Memorial Scholarship
Rhona Kwiram Excellence in Accounting Endowed Scholarship
Laura G. Larson Memorial
Nursing Scholarship
H. Lloyd Leno Memorial
Music Scholarship
Lewiston/Clarkston Scholarship
Paul Lindgren History Scholarship
Jennie M. Livingston
Memorial Library Fund
Dr. C. Stanley Lloyd Jr.
Scholarship
Kelly Logan Social Work
Scholarship
Romulo and Mercedes Lozano Scholarship
(continued on page 26)
EVENT & PROGRAM SUPPORT 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.
Theresa
Twyla Leiske Bechtel
Gayle Beck
Evelyn Bergman
Lois Blackwelder
Liz Brandt
Leslie Bumgardner
Millie Busby
Neil Busby
Larry Canaday
Lois Canaday
Elizabeth Claridge
Rick Claridge
Jon Cole
Ann Cornell
Loretta Cotter
Carlton Cross
Laurie Cummings
Brigitte Davis
Joan
Loren
Jane
Dick Dower
Kathy
Garey Gantz
Gladys
Dave
Maylene
Karen
Tom
Janis
To learn more about volunteering at WWU, call (800) 377-2586 or email alumni@wallawalla.edu.
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 RS Michel Endowed Scholarship for Entrepreneurship
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
(continued from page 23)
Alfred R. Ogden Endowed
Theology Award
Mary Ogden Art Scholarship
Orland Ogden Memorial
Music Scholarship
Orland and Mary Ogden
Music Scholarship
Dr. and Mrs. Howard
Osborne Scholarship
Blythe Owen Music
Scholarship
Doreen Paulson-Evans
Memorial Scholarship
Thomas & Barbara Pelett
Scholarship Fund
Yvonne Pickett
Memorial Scholarship
Piper-Johanson Scholarship
Helen L. Popoway
Endowment
Robert L. Reynolds
unsettled the university’s lore of being a ‘wedding college’ by celebrating her own singleness and encouraging through gatherings, lectures, and publications those who lived alone to live life fully,” Lamberton says.
Beem officially retired in 2015 with the status of Emeritus Professor of English and continued to be actively involved with the university in her scholarship, and with the community in her public service.
THE ENDOWMENT
In December 2024, at age 80, Beem passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. But with her trademark foresight, planning, and generosity, Professor Beem ensured that she would nurture future generations of English students and faculty. She stipulated that, upon her death, the proceeds from her estate should be used to establish the Beverly Beem Endowed English Fund.
Cynthia Westerbeck, current chair of the English Department, and Kellie Bond, the immediate past chair, note that Beem was extremely particular about the wording surrounding the purpose of the fund.
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
Rowsell Family
Memorial Scholarship
James and 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 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
Silent Santa Gift Endowment Fund
Cliff and Betty Sorensen
Scholarship Fund
Carolyn Stevens Shultz
English Scholarship
Dan Shultz Music
Scholarship
Robert and Susan Smith First
Generation
Endowed Scholarship
Robert and Susan Smith
Social Work and Sociology Scholarship
Solomon Scholarship
Gene and Betty Soper Music Scholarship
Robert L. Spies
Memorial Scholarship
Glenn Spring Music Scholarship
Eldon and Barbara Jean Stratton Scholarship
Joseph L. Stubblefield Memorial Scholarship
Janis Suelzle Memorial Student Missionary Fund
Doris Syme Women in Business Endowed Scholarship
T5 Foundation Business Excellence Fund
Stephen and Margaret Tan Engineering/Computer
PHOTO: CHRIS DRAKE
“She worked closely with both of us to identify different ways our students and department could benefit from her legacy,” says Bond.
Beem’s goal was to offer flexibility to the department in responding to future needs. The text of the endowment is open-ended, saying only that proceeds should “be used to support the work of the English Department, as approved by a majority vote from the English faculty.” Beem’s list of suggestions include, but are not limited to, support for scholarships, professional development, study tours, publishing, and honorariums for instructors.
“We are deeply grateful that our students will continue to enjoy the legacy of generosity modeled by so many former English professors, including Helen Zolber, Nancy Cross, Carolyn Shultz, and Bev Beem,” she says. “Their endowments ensure that we can keep alive their spirit of hospitality, commitment to academic excellence, and passion for beauty in expression through great literature and careful writing.”
CYNTHIA
WALLA
WALLA UNIVERSITY LEGACY SOCIETY
The Legacy Society honors individuals who included the university in their estate plans or make a deferred gift of any size to provide for the work of Walla Walla University.
Anonymous (25)
Paul and Patricia ’68* Ackerman
Edward ’90 and Julie Ammon
James and Barbara* 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
Daryl* and Patricia Burghart
Merle Calkins
Rob ’07 and Liz ’07 Carlson
Lois Carscallen
Sam ’60 and Grace Carvajal
Challis Casebolt ’75
Leonard* and Sue Cason
Ruth Christensen ‘57
Joanne Chrowl
Douglas ’70 and Carmen Clark
Bertrum ’68 and Evelyn Connell
Edward ‘67 and Ruth ‘71 MacKenzie
Dan ’57 and Betsy Matthews
Marja-Leena McChesney ’91
James* and Kathy McMillan
Walt ’62 and Bonnie* Meske
Phyllis Miller ‘52*
William ’50* and Marjorie* Moreno
Olen ’52* and Mary ’53 Nations
Ted ’72 and Nancy ’74 Nedderman
Jen ’97 Pinder
Jim ’96 Pinder
Lloyd and Fern ’55 Piper
Marvin A. Piper ’60
Hoe ’52* and Mary Poh
Kenneth Purdom ‘57
James M. and Sandra Dassenko ’75 Reilly
Avonelle Remboldt ’53
Sandra Renaux ‘74
Westerbeck notes that Beem’s gift is one of several that past faculty have offered to the department in recent years. “We are deeply grateful that our students will continue to enjoy the legacy of generosity modeled by so many former English professors, including Helen Zolber, Nancy Cross, Carolyn Shultz, and Bev Beem,” she says. “Their endowments ensure that we can keep alive their spirit of hospitality, commitment to academic excellence, and passion for beauty in expression through great literature and careful writing.”
Science Scholarship
Theology Library Book Fund
Thomas Theology Scholarship Endowment
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
WESTERBECK, chair of the English Department
Dennis L. Vories, PE, Engineering Scholarship
Eldon and Barbara Vories Student Missions
Endowment Scholarship
Stanley E. Walker Music Scholarship
Raymond L. and Rosemary Watts 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
Ray & Pat Watson Endowed Christian Service Scholarship
WWU Student Aid
Randy Yaw Pi Contest Scholarship
Young Memorial Lecture in Biology
Norma R. Youngberg Scholarship
Helen Thompson Zolber Fund
Melvin L. Zolber Fund
Alumni and Friends in Canada: If you or a member of your family is a WWU alumnus or student, you can make charitable donations to the university and claim them on your Canadian tax return without the need for United States source income. For more details, contact advancement.office@wallawalla.edu.
Carlton Cross ’66
Dorothy Curameng
Jon* and Kathryn Dybdahl
Paul ’92 and Kristyn ’92
Dybdahl
Carol Edholm
Jim and Vicky Edwards
Joyce Engel ’63
Kerry Ferris
Allen and Donna* Fisher
Jim ’67 and Christie ’90* Forsyth
Brant Foster
Gary ’67 and Udell ’66 Fresk
Leslie* and Barbara Ann ’62 Fromm
Howard ’56 and Judith* Gimbel
Theo and Marianne Goltz
Don ’68 and Trish Hall
Jim ’65 and Ruth ’65* Hall
Howard* and Elizabeth Hanafin
Yvonne Hanson
Bryan and Susan Harris
Stan ’68 and Irene ’70 Hixson
Jeanie Hixson ’72
Eunice Johnson
Kurt Johnson ‘72
Ed ’66* and Marilyn* Karlow
Robert ’57 and Peggy ’60 Kaye
Susan and Alvin ’34* Kincaid
Jim ’70 and Judy ’72 Klein
Edward ’75 and Priscilla ’73 Ko
Tim Kosaka ‘18
Diane Wagner Lampson ‘62
Mel and Joyce ’73 Lang
Bill ’55* and Rose Lay
Sam* and Donna LeFore
Doug ’74 and Suzan Logan
Sandra Love-Dahl ‘62
William ‘49* and Edna Mae ’50 Loveless
Bob ’62* and Barbara Richards
David Richter ‘69
Norton* and Lois ’59 RitchieRitter
Nancy Ann Romine ‘82
Brian ’01 and Trasa ’02 Roth
Glenna Ryder
Elmar ’65 and Darilee ’69 Sakala
Robert ’88 and Janelle ’87 Schmidt
Roy Schmunk ‘50
Gerald and Shirley Schoepflin
Chuck Scriven
Gene ‘69* and Caroline Settlemier
Dorothy Smith ’52
Jaclin Smith
Samuel and Carol ’67 Smith
Ralph ’81 and Franice Stirling
Craig ’84 and Cheryl ’81 Stowers
Muffy Piper ’83 and Rob Sweezey ‘80*
Doug Taylor ‘78
Mark ’81* and Dorita ’80 Tessier
Everett* and Shirley Tetz
Alden ’65 and Wanda ’65 Thompson
Kelly Turner ’96
Dennis Vories ’74
Philip and Reid Wasser
Donald Weaver
Dorothy Weisz ’49
Margaret Wells*
Keith ’78 and Joyce ’78 Wilkens
Stephen ’98 and Kelly Wilson
Tim and Cheri Windemuth
Vicki and Gerald Winkle
Vera Young ’53
(*=deceased prior to June 30, 2025)
Alumni Currents
When God says go
Iwill never forget getting on the plane to Walla Walla. “Is this actually happening?” I wondered. It was surreal, almost like slow motion. Hours later, I looked out the window as we flew over Mount Rainier. I thought, “What am I doing out here?”
I was raised in Miami, Florida, and my whole life was there. My mom insisted that I would go to college, but she didn’t care where. I wasn’t planning to go to an Adventist university, and I didn’t expect to venture too far away. Family is a big part of my Hispanic culture, and for us, leaving family is the exception and not the rule.
In my senior year, our school participated in Walla Walla University’s Fall Classic. A trip to the other side of the country? Say less, I was definitely down to miss school. We were just in it for the adventure.
Being on WWU’s campus was eye-opening. I still remember Jana Kubrock, our tour guide. She was so kind. And I noticed how nice everyone else was, too. Walla Walla was a huge shock geographically and culturally, but not spiritually. I could see that the Walla Walla people believed as I did. My interest was sparked.
Making the decision to go to Walla Walla University made me uneasy. “Tiffany, if you hate it, you can always come back,” my mom finally told me. It was encouraging to know I could change my mind, and it gave me peace to know my mom was in my corner. So, in September 2012, I got on the plane and headed into the unknown.
Five years later, it was time to graduate from WWU. I’d met
some of my best friends, studied abroad, and earned an elementary education degree. I realized that I could choose to move anywhere, but I needed to narrow my options. I wanted to do a year of service work, so I accepted a one-year task force position at Auburn Adventist Academy. Everything there was new to me. I learned a lot. And at the end of the year, I found myself facing the unknown all over again.
It would’ve been comfortable to stay at Auburn, but nothing worked out. It was the first time I recognized that God was calling me to have faith. I put my things in a storage unit while I looked for a job. What was next? I couldn’t tell, and so I asked my mom to fly out and help me drive back to Miami.
The day before she arrived, I opened Facebook and saw a message alerting me to a couple of jobs at Puget Sound Adventist Academy. By the time my mom landed in Seattle, I had scheduled an interview, and then they hired me as a math teacher. It was a temporary job, they told me, a one-year assignment because I wasn’t yet endorsed to teach high school. I took it anyway.
I spent four great years at PSAA. I earned my high school teaching endorsement for math, and ended up teaching Spanish, too. And then the pandemic hit. Our teaching staff went through
the ups and downs of COVID. Teaching is already a lot of work, and teaching during the pandemic was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Emotionally, I was on empty.
And then in January—halfway through the difficult pandemic school year—I got the call. My father had been killed in a car accident.
To say this was devastating is an understatement. The PSAA team was incredibly supportive, but it was tough for me to even finish the year. I needed a break, and I didn’t know what to do. Move to Berrien Springs to be closer to my boyfriend, Angel? Move home to Miami? Go to grad school?
I eventually chose grad school, but I was late applying. They said, “not now.” I was disappointed. But then …
The day I learned that my chosen grad school wasn’t possible, I noticed a new message sent to me via Facebook. Gerry Larson from Walla Walla University told me about an open recruiting position, and he asked if I knew of anyone who might be a good candidate.
“That’s random,” I thought. My best friend, who was with me at the time, said, “That’s crazy that today you found out that grad school won’t work out for you, and then you see this message.” Was God at work again? Days went by. Finally, I submitted my own name, and they offered me the job.
In the middle of my grief, this was a relief. God knew where I was, and it was as if He was telling me, “This is what you need now. I’m going to put this one in your lap.” I loved the job and my WWU team.
So, it was bittersweet when another big change rolled my way last year. Now my fiancé, Angel was offered a pastoring job in Los Angeles. Though I was happy for him and it seemed clear that God was moving us to California, I struggled a lot with leaving Walla Walla.
“Here we go again,” I thought, but then I remembered what God had already done for me—courage to go to Walla Walla, the task force position at Auburn, then the job at Puget Sound, the people he sent to help me through my father’s death, and then the recruiting job at WWU just when I needed it most. I told Angel that I’d been here before with God, and that I knew He would come through for us.
I started applying for jobs. I kept seeing positions available at Loma Linda Academy, and I eventually applied for one, even though I wasn’t technically qualified for the listed positions. They called me for an interview anyway. The day of the interview, a new position opened that I was perfectly qualified for. I got that job, and I am now a Spanish and math teacher at LLA. Another answer to prayer.
I tell people that Walla Walla University changed my life. I am grateful that I took the plunge to learn a whole new culture. WWU was the gateway to so many learning experiences, and it is the place that helped me claim the faith I’ve needed to see me through really hard times.
In just a few days, I will return to Miami to marry Angel, and we’ll make our home in Southern California. I’ve learned so much since that day 13 years ago when I found the courage to get on that plane to Walla Walla. And now, I can share my experiences with high school students who worry about what is next. I tell them, “Trust your gut when God gives you the desire to try something different, something scary. It’s normal to have feelings of doubt, to worry about major changes. We say we will believe in God, let’s actually believe in him. He will show up.”
“Trust your gut when God gives you the desire to try something different, something scary. It’s normal to have feelings of doubt, to worry about major changes. We say we will believe in God, let’s actually believe in him. He will show up.”
The Fullness of Time
WWU’s Christmas Concert celebrates faith, music, and community
As the lights dim inside the University Church, a hush falls over the crowd. A single note rises from the choir, and the familiar glow of the Walla Walla University Christmas Concert fills the room with warmth, reverence, and joy.
For many, it marks the true beginning of the Christmas season—a moment of beauty shared by students, alumni, and community members alike.
For decades, the annual Christmas Concert has been a highlight of Advent on campus, drawing packed audiences and thousands of online viewers each year. Since 2009, Professor Kraig Scott, director of choral studies, has guided the event, shaping it into more than a musical performance—into a deeply thematic experience that connects art, scripture, and sound.
Scott says he began introducing themes to give each concert a sense of purpose and unity. “It allows the audience to connect on a deeper level,” he explains. This year’s theme, The Fullness of Time, is drawn from the New Testament verse describing
Fullness
Christ’s arrival at just the right moment in history. For Scott, that message resonates powerfully in today’s world. “The idea is that Jesus came when the world was ready—even if it didn’t look that way. It’s a reminder that God’s timing is still perfect, even when ours isn’t.”
Each year’s concert features the university’s choirs and orchestra—ensembles made up mostly of current students, joined by faculty and alumni musicians. Together, they bring to life a program that blends classical works, traditional carols, and contemporary arrangements, all chosen to express the theme’s emotional and spiritual depth.
questions about how we treat strangers and immigrants.
While each performance stands on its own, the enduring tradition lies in what it represents: a gathering of the WWU community in song and reflection. Students rehearse for weeks leading up to the concert, balancing finals and ensemble practice, knowing that for many in the audience, this is a moment of stillness amid the season’s rush.
“The idea is that Jesus came when the world was ready— even if it didn’t look that way. It’s a reminder that God’s timing is still perfect, even when ours isn’t.”
Scott keeps posters from every concert since 2009 in his office—a colorful archive of themes that have guided both music and message through the years. Some remain especially meaningful. At the Door reflected on there being no room in the inn, Every Bell on Earth Shall Ring captured the joy of Christmas, and Visitors, centered on the story of the Magi, also raised deeper
And though the music takes center stage, the event’s visual design—crafted in collaboration with the university’s Art Department since 2012—adds another layer of meaning.
Each poster and program captures the heart of that year’s theme, creating a unified experience that’s both seen and heard.
As the final notes echo through the sanctuary and fade into silence, the message of this year’s concert lingers: in the fullness of time, hope still arrives—exactly when it’s needed most.
Alumni Currents
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Get up to date with fellow WWU
1960s
Elmar Sakala ’65 lives with his wife, Darilee (Allen) ’69, in Redlands, Calif., where they have both retired. Two years after graduating from WWU, he married his college sweetheart—celebrating 58 years of marriage as of June 2025. In 1968 he earned his Master of Arts in Education from WWU and went on to teach public school in Canada for two years. They later moved to Loma Linda, Calif., where he attended Loma Linda University and received his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health. After four years of Ob-Gyn residency at Oregon Health Sciences University, they moved back to Loma Linda. There, he joined the medical school faculty and completed a sub-specialty fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. After 45 years of academic medicine, he retired from LLU School of Medicine as professor emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Throughout his career, Elmar has authored two Ob-Gyn review books and over 30 peer-reviewed publications. In 1993 he was awarded the Don F. Neufeld Medallion of Excellence Award from Canadian Union College, in 2002 he was elected senior member of American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and in 2023 he was honored to receive the LLUSM Alumnus of the Year Award. He is currently a member of the national honor societies of medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha) and public health (Delta Omega). He has enjoyed getting to lecture in several countries around the world, and has coordinated a Contemporary Issues Sabbath School class for over 40 years at the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist church, in Calif. He and
Darilee now have two children and four grandchildren and have retired with gratitude for their many blessings. His favorite memories of WWU include working with Dr. Dickinson in the campus studio of KGTS classical music radio, going to Conard Hall to take Darilee to Saturday night entertainment, taking business administration classes from attorney Ralph Jones, and wielding the gavel in Sittner Hall as president of Omicron Pi Sigma. He also enjoyed “taking in the magnificent sound of the University Church pipe organ at Evensong with Dr. Melvin West at the keyboard and Dickinson with the spoken word.”
1980s
Dawnelle (Deming) Marshall ’80 lives with her husband, William ’77, in Roseburg, Ore. They have one son, Alexander ’18, and after years as a nursing director, Dawnelle is currently retired. Her favorite memories of WWU are of meeting her husband, the wonderful friends she made, and the Christian professors she said provided excellent teaching and led by example.
1990s
Eugene Constantine ’94 lives with his wife, Lori (DeMange), and two kids, Megan and David, in Dayton, Ohio. Their daughter has published five books—available on Amazon—and plans on being an English major, and their son is considering a major in electrical engineering with an interest in computers. Eugene is currently a professional mechanical engineer working for Value Added Solutions and is responsible for designing HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems for the U.S. Department of Energy. In the past, he has also done this for hospitals, schools, retail, and industry. He is also a Certified Commissioning Professional capable of testing these systems. Since 2009, he has enjoyed discipling and house church planting with the Simple Church at Home Network, which was started by WWU alumnus Milton Adams. While studying at WWU, Eugene enjoyed his classes, teachers, friends, and the variety of Christian fellowship— including University Church, Kretschmar Sabbath School, vespers, afterglow singing, and small groups. He also holds fond memories of skiing and riding his bike, especially out to Whitman Mission to sail his model sailboat on the pond.
Constance (Strahle) Corbett ’90 lives with her husband, Byron, in Murphy, Texas, where they raised their three daughters, Ainsela, Carleigh and Verity. After graduating from WWU, she went on to earn her Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University and worked in Sudan, Africa, with Adventist Development and Relief Agency. Later, she worked
for the Washington State Health Department before meeting her husband and moving to Texas where she homeschooled their daughters through high school. Byron is currently the director of evangelism for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Constance served as vice president for exhibitions and a workshop coordinator at the Southwestern Watercolor Society and is now focused on becoming a professional painter. Her favorite memories of WWU come from working for Gary Brendel in the psychology department, singing in ICantori and taking communication classes from Donnie Rigby and Loren Dickenson.
Cynthia Dinwiddie ’95 lives in San Antonio, Texas, where she works as a staff scientist, hydrogeologist, planetary scientist, and environmental scientist for Southwest Research Institute. She is a hydrogeologist and petrophysicist with 26 years of experience in organizing and conducting field investigations in remote environments. Her expertise is broad, largely in mechanical engineering and earth, planetary, and environmental science. In the state of Texas, she is a licensed professional geoscientist, and in the state of Washington, she is an engineer-in-training. She also serves as the principal investigator of NASA’s astrobiology ARRAKIS
grant project—which stands for Assessing Regional Reflectors of Astrobiology in Kobuk dunes for Interplanetary Science—and has recently returned from two weeks of field research above the Arctic Circle in Kobuk Valley National Park at the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which are planetary analogs to sand dunes on early Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan. Before her time in the field, Cynthia’s favorite memories of WWU were of Friday night Bible studies, weekend mountain trips, working in the art museum, musical performances, and weekend dinners with Buddy, former men’s assistant dean, and Carrie Keubler.
Lynelle (Childs) Ellis ’90 lives with her husband, Daniel att., in College Place, where she works as associate professor of communication for WWU. She and her husband have three kids, all currently attending WWU. Garrett att. is a junior marine biology major, Lauren att., a freshman
English and music major, and Ashton att., a freshman marine biology major. Lynelle’s favorite memories from WWU are from her time as an AGA officer and the fun events she helped plan.
Nathan Schwarck ’99 lives with his wife, Morgan Eisenlord, in Anacortes, Wash., where he works for the Western Washington University Shannon Point marine center as a safety professional—specializing in marine science, including scientific boating and diving. He is a skilled U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) master with over 1,500 days at sea operating in near coastal waters, a diving safety officer with dive program oversight supporting 40 plus divers averaging over 800 dives annually, an American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) scientific diving instructor and Professional Association of Diving Instructors master scuba diver trainer, and Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC/
MOCC) credentialed lead small vessel safety instructor and instructor trainer. He is also a marine research professional with over 25 years of experience assisting with two National Science Foundation programs: Minorities in Marine Science Undergraduate Program and Research Experience for Undergraduates. He has aided several published multi-disciplinary research projects and is mentioned in over 280 peer-reviewed publications. While he was studying at WWU, he held the same love for marine study and exploration: His favorite memories of WWU were summers at the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory.
2010s
Kate Dickinson ’13 lives in Providence, R.I. Over a decade ago, she moved to New England to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in visual design and book
In Memory
Family members may submit obituary information for their loved ones at wallawalla.edu/obituary.
Mary “Anita” Baker att. was born in 1931 in Trenton, Neb., and died Nov. 3, 2024, in Waitsburg, Wash., at age 93. Surviving: daughter Margaret “Peggy” Mudd of Pasco, Wash.; and sons Charles of Quilcene, Wash., and Loyal of Dayton, Wash.
Marvin Gottschall, Sr. ’49 was born in 1927 in Dayton, Wash., and died June 5, 2025, in The
Dalles, Ore., at age 97. Surviving: daughter Vicki att. of La Center, Wash.; and sons Marvin, Jr. ’74 of Colville, Wash., and Terrell ’73 of Walla Walla.
Anita Isene ’60 was born in 1936 in Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, and died May 21, 2025, in Lodi, Calif., at age 89.
arts, where she has remained since. Now, she works as creative director for Saam Architecture, a woman-owned architecture firm in Boston, and is responsible for designing large-scale architectural graphics, signage and wayfinding systems, and visual branding strategies for both interior and exterior spaces. She also provides creative support for interior design and project concept development, and oversees the implementation of the firm’s brand identity. Her work is featured in corporate environments around Boston, elementary and high schools in New England, and high-traffic transportation hubs, among other settings. In her spare time, Kate loves reading and writing books, traveling abroad, exploring local New England, fishing, skiing, and participating in equestrian sports. From her time at WWU, she remembers enjoying doing anything outside in the autumn, hanging out at Coffee Perk, eating gelato at the Patisserie, skiing at Bluewood, and taking long drives through the hills.
Robert Kappel att. was born in 1935 in Granger, Wash., and died May 19, 2025, in Riverside, Calif., at age 89. Surviving: daughters Lori Chinn att. of Seattle, Wash., Vicki Spain att. of Reno, Nev., Karynn Gutierrez of Redlands, Calif., and Janel Christensen of Yucaipa, Calif.
David Stewar ’77 was born in 1955 in Spokane, Wash., and died Feb. 25, 2025, in Winterville, Ga., at age 68. Surviving: sisters Lois McDonald of Clarkston, Wash., Bonnie Schroeder of Spokane, Wash., and Patricia Carlson of Nampa, Idaho.
From the Archives
Echoes of the season
Themes of light, hope, and wonder unfold across the years in these Christmas concert posters—each one a glimpse of a season’s story told through art and faith. Born from collaboration between musicians and artists, the posters capture the spirit behind the music: the ringing of joy, the opening of doors, the welcome of unexpected visitors. Together they form a visual record of a beloved tradition, where image and song meet to reflect the beauty of the season and the message that time itself can be full of grace.
