Westwind, Spring 2012

Westwind wallawalla.edu/westwind

The Journal of Walla Walla University Spring 2012

Places You Knew

From Prisoner to Professor Education Alumni: Reading Ready

Contents

4 Campus Current 9 Bits and Pieces 10 Places You Knew

Places You Knew

10

18 From Prisoner to Professor 22 Alumni Interview 24 Alumni News 26 Alumnotes 29 In Memory

Courtesy of WWU Archives

30 Calendar 32 College Avenue Crossings

Westwind Spring 2012, Volume 31, Number 1 Editor Rosa Jimenez Writers Lisa Krueger, Martin Surridge, Jenae Williams, Camlynne Waring Cover Photo Courtesy WWU Archives Design Robert Car Graphics

Walla Walla University is a community of faith and discovery committed to – Excellence in thought – Generosity in service – Beauty in expression – Faith in God

Photo Above For many years, Egg Drop competitors launched their devices from the fourth floor of the Ad Building.

Westwind is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution. It is produced by Marketing and Enrollment Services/University Relations. This issue was printed in April 2012.

Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2012 by Walla Walla University.

About the Cover Lab assistants knew this place well— the chemistry laboratory supply room.

Westwind/University Relations 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 Telephone: (509) 527-2397 Toll-free: (800) 541-8900 E-mail: westwind@wallawalla.edu Online: westwind.wallawalla.edu

Spring 2012 Westwind 3

Campus Current

Hispanic Ministries Equipment Donation Leader of Leaders

Reading Ready

4 Westwind Spring 2012

tests, as demonstrated in a study released by the Center for Education Data and Research (CEDR) at the University of Washington, Bothell.

The study was an analysis of the scores for public school students taught by teachers credentialed in the 20 programs offered in Washington state, including the University of Washington, which ranked second for reading scores.

In addition to having the highest reading scores, students taught

by WWU alumni had strong math scores, ranking eighth in the state compared to students taught by teachers from other programs. A large majority of the teachers in the study had been teaching for six or more years.

Randolph says that some of the

effects seen in the CEDR study may be linked to the same factors seen in the CognitiveGenesis study, which has shown that students schooled in the Adventist K–8 education system outperform the national average across all demographics. These are the primary feeder schools for WWU’s teacher education program. n

Matthew Banderas

Y

es, showing children how SpongeBob’s sidekick is learning to read helps them learn to read.

In her classroom, Walla Walla University education professor Tamara Randolph uses all manners of techniques to help education majors learn how to teach their future students to read.

She and her colleagues in the School of Education and Psychology are on the right track. WWU’s education alumni are among the most effective reading teachers in the state of Washington, according to a recently released study As a group, the students of WWU education graduates had the top scores in their state reading

Campus Current

McVay Concludes University Leadership WWU President Returns to Classroom

Chris Drake

P

resident John K. McVay has served as the top administrator for Walla Walla University since 2006; but, after June of this year, he will return to the classroom, joining the WWU’s School of Theology as a professor of New Testament studies.

In his six years as president, McVay has worked with the university’s five vice presidents, and its faculty, staff, and student body, in guiding the school through its day-to-day management and long-term planning.

Under his leadership, WWU has seen a number of significant changes to its curriculum and campus, including adopting a comprehensive physical campus master plan, a five-year strategic plan, and renovations and improvements in the Winter Educational Center, dormitories, and cafeteria.

McVay is proud of the progress made during his tenure, specifically “choosing good people who have served the university with distinction and dedication, and building important elements of administrative infrastructure.”

McVay arrived at WWU with an impressive resume, having previously served as a pastor in Iowa and Georgia, and a professor of New Testament studies.

From 2000 to 2006, President McVay served as the dean of Andrews University Theological Seminary, so it seems only natural that his next role in higher education will involve a return to

religious education.

McVay’s teaching position will be similar to the one he held while serving at Pacific Union College from 1985 to 1998.

He acknowledged that teaching classes on a daily basis is something that he has missed during his time as university president and that he’s excited about “get-

ting to know a considerable number of students on a personal level.”

“I could not resist an opening in the School of Theology in my area of expertise,” McVay says. “I just In every way, McVay has championed the university’s mission.

couldn’t pass up that opportunity.”

When McVay clears his desk at the end of June, he will not need to travel far, given the fact that the president’s office and the School of Theology share the same floor of the Administration Building.

Yet, returning to the challenging territory of pastoral training and religious instruction means that McVay will leave behind many of the things he has grown to appreciate during his time as president.

“It has been rewarding to be part of the leadership team that is grappling with all the challenges and opportunities before the university,” he shared. “I shall miss that.”

He adds, “The work has stretched and blessed both me and my wife, Pam. We are grateful for the partnership of such an able and committed leadership team, as well as the support of the wider community of faculty, staff, and students.”

When asked how the university could continue going forward, McVay declined to answer in too much detail. “I should probably leave that for my successor to define,” he says.

“Certainly, though, a laserlike focus on WWU’s mission must be behind whatever initiatives are mounted to improve our delivery of high-quality, distinctively Christian and Seventh-day Adventist higher education.” n

Spring 2012 Westwind 5

Campus Current

In the Field

B

ienvenidos! Feliz Sábado!”

A warm greeting welcomes anyone who steps into a Hispanic church in the Pacific Northwest.

This school year, three Hispanic churches are extending those greetings to Walla Walla University’s Hispanic Ministries team. The team presents worship services, called Sabado Joven, to Hispanic churches in Washington and Oregon. WWU students lead the entire church service—singing songs, reading scriptures, saying prayers, and presenting sermons.

After a fall visit to the Tacoma Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, Rubi Perez, senior religion major and Hispanic Ministries coordinator, says she was amazed by the positive reaction the group received from the church. “We received invitations to come back as often as possible,”

she said. “It’s a lot of fun. Even though we’re there for just a short period of time, it feels like we’re able to create that relationship where we know that if we ever came back, they’d welcome us as part of their church family.”

Perez heard about the Sabado Joven program while visiting California a couple years ago.

She had never seen it done in the North Pacific Union Conference before, but she has been excited to implement the idea at WWU. It’s a program where “youth can be motivated and encouraged to participate in the church, considering that they are going to be the ones Rubi Perez, top left, says Sabado Joven encourages youth to become leaders. The group spent one Sabbath last fall at the Tacoma Hispanic Seventhday Adventist Church.

taking on those leadership roles in the future.”

In addition to leading worship services, Hispanic Ministries team members impart the importance of a college education to church members. Vanessa Soto, WWU’s Hispanic student recruiter, travels with the group to assist in promoting both WWU and the value of a college education. “On these trips, I feel one aspect is education, but it’s also about our religion too. We get to show the community what [WWU] is all about.”

Hispanic Ministries students are enthusiastic about serving Christ and reaching out to their community, says Marilyn LaCome, the group’s sponsor and a WWU staff member. They are willing to help, and they support each other in difficult times.

“I personally feel very blessed,”

Rubi Perez, top left, says Sabado Joven is a way youth can be encouraged to become leaders. The group spent one Sabbath last quarter at the Tacoma Hispanic Seventhday Adventist Church.

6 Westwind Spring 2012

says LaCome. “Being around these students has helped me realize again how important it is for us as Christians to stay positive and energetic in the Lord!”

Hispanic Ministries operates as part of Campus Ministries, and welcomes anyone to join them in ministry. The group aims to foster spiritual growth and minister to others (especially those of Hispanic descent). Besides Sabado Joven, the team holds weekly worships on campus and coordinates outreach programs.

Pastor Paddy McCoy, campus chaplain, is proud of the level of motivation and initiative shown by the Hispanic Ministries team. The team is “a blessing to all who are fortunate enough to be near them.”

The growth of Hispanic ministries on campus reflects the increasing number of Hispanic church members in the NPUC. In 2011, Hispanic members in this region numbered 10,665 in 71 churches, a 43 percent membership increase since 2006. The growth of the Hispanic work is a significant reason for the Adventist church’s robust growth among Christian denominations in North America.

At WWU, the number of selfreported Hispanic students has increased from 118 in 2004 to 194 in 2011.

Churches interested in having the Hispanic Ministries team, or other student group, present a program can send an inquiry to wwuhappyfeet@wallawalla.edu n

Courtesy of Hispanic Ministries

Students Bring Sabbath Services to Hispanic Churches

Campus Current

California Company Makes Generous Donation Equipment Gives Science Students Experience for Future Jobs

Eric Barcelo

A

Southern California company has donated laboratory equipment that will help Walla Walla University physics students prepare for real-life jobs in the physics field.

B&K Precision, based in Yorba Linda, Calif., specializes in test and measurement instruments, and made a generous donation of seven oscilloscopes, specifically the digital oscilloscope model 2530B. An oscilloscope is a test instrument that is used to measure and analyze electronic signals and displays them on a screen.

Although the company typically donates one or two scientific instruments per school or individual, Victor Tolan, B&K Precision’s chief executive officer, decided to donate additional scopes to WWU because of his familiarity with the school. B&K Precision recently worked with WWU’s School of Engineering.

The donation is also unique since the instruments are not

for a specific project, as they are commonly given for, but used instead to equip an entire laboratory.

“I would like to express my thanks to B&K Precision, and specifically to Geisa Mello [B&K Precision’s director of business development] for her role in obtaining this generous donation for the physics department,” says Tom Ekkens, chair of the Physics Department.

“The upper division physics laboratories have been in need of quality instruments since previously used oscilloscopes were expensive and often difficult to operate. The instruments were also noisy and made exporting data a time-consuming process.

“These B&K scopes are faster, allow us to export the data much quicker, and have better user controls,” explains Ekkens. “We can now spend more time on the experiments and less time on the process of taking data.” Students

will be using these oscilloscopes during a nanotechnology course.

In addition to simplifying the process of acquiring data, the oscilloscopes allow students to gain experience using stateof-the-art equipment. “For the majority of physicists, most of their day is spent in the lab building experiments or in the office processing data from those experiments. Our labs are the best preparation for their actual

Seven oscilloscopes from B&K Precision have outfitted an entire lab in the Physics Department.

work day,” says Ekkens.

This is the second time the company has provided equipment for campus labs.

In spring of 2012, twelve pieces of equipment were given to the School of Engineering for electrical engineering labs. n

Destination Honduras A Spring Field Trip Like No Other Palm trees, tropical breezes, and sandy beaches are usually the makings of a spring getaway. But engineering and health science students headed to Honduras have spring service on their minds as they pave the way for a new school building for the children of Nueva Suyapa, Honduras.

Read about their adventure at the Engineers Without Borders website: ewb-wwu.org

Campus Current

Leader of Leaders

W

hen Walla Walla University students are elected to a student government office on campus, it can often be a stepping stone to serve in higher leadership positions, allowing them to connect with other young collegiate Adventist leaders. These leadership positions can also open avenues for them to continue serving in their churches and communities after college as well.

One organization where WWU students have historically served is the Adventist Intercollegiate Association. AIA meets once a year, rotating through the campuses of each Adventist college and university. During those meetings, student leaders from each of the schools spend time worshipping, socializing, and sharing leadership strategies.

Officers break into small groups to discuss campus newspapers and weeks of prayer, and how to facilitate better cooperation and communication among the various student associations.

Eric Barnes, a 23-year-old religion and pre-med major, ran for the office of AIA president last year and was elected by the various student association representatives from across the country.

Last year, Barnes served as the social vice president for the student association of Walla Walla University. During his time in office, Barnes was responsible for planning social and fundraising events, as well as assisting the other student leaders in their

8 Westwind Spring 2012

mission “to enrich student quality of life.”

However, while his work on the WWU campus may have been busy, it only involved one campus and one group of students.

Now, as the elected leader of AIA, Barnes has a greater responsibility: to continue the tradition of

tively and with purpose, inspiring Seventh-day Adventist leaders to embark on humanitarian endeavors, and acting as the voice of all Adventist student leadership across the nation.”

“I was the outgoing ASWWU social vice president, and I caught the fire of getting involved with

Adventist intercollegiate cooperation as well as finding a way to keep the organization relevant and moving forward. Barnes has an especially important role because this year’s convention will be hosted by WWU at Rosario Beach from March 28 to 31.

Barnes explained his view of the four major goals of AIA: “serving as a bridge to network student leaders with one another, training student leaders to lead effec-

Student leader Eric Barnes points to successes in fundraising as just one of the extraordinary outcomes that can result from collaboration between Adventist college campuses.

AIA. I chose to get involved because I had a vision to unite Seventh-day Adventist collegiate leaders by developing resources for each of us to stay better con-

nected and become empowered as a whole,” Barnes continued.

Staying connected has been a big issue for AIA in the past, and conventions are often dogged by pessimism and criticism. “The criticism is that communication is shoddy between schools,” Barnes said, “so we’re working to choose the perfect software to get student leadership connected.”

Yet, even with inevitable breakdowns in communication, “the organization has raised over a quarter million dollars for various humanitarian efforts across the globe in the last five years,” proving just how influential AIA can be.

Barnes believes that the cooperative network of student associations can truly change the collegiate experience of Adventist students.

“AIA needs to recognize it has the potential to do extraordinary things and to do that it needs a shift in its philosophy. We have spent a lot of time with committees to create an environment that will nudge AIA into focusing on greater ideas,” say Barnes.

When Barnes graduates from WWU, he will no longer serve AIA in a formal capacity, yet the work of the organization will continue. For Barnes, serving AIA has been both a privilege and a pleasure.

“It is composed of people with dreams, vision, work ethic, goals, and ideas,” he said. “I couldn’t ask to be a part of a finer group of people. It has been a real honor!” n

Matthew Banderas

Barnes Heads National Student Organization

Bits & Pieces

Small but Mighty Future engineers sharpened bridgebuilding skills for the annual Bridge Building competition sponsored by the student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

The popsicle-stick bridges were judged by how well they performed with load per weight divided by the weight of the bridge. Josh Pendleton created the winning bridge with a weight of 133.8 grams and a load of 418 pounds.

Where’s Wally?

You never know. Wally, the university’s Hoodies? Why Not?

Jason Shewchuk, a campus food service employee, and Regan Agrey, a junior business major, are giving hooded sweatshirts to people who are homeless through “Hoodies for Homeless,” their new charitable business project. Funds for the sweatshirts will come from the sale of T-shirts designed by Shewchuk. Agrey’s experiences working in British Columbia soup kitchens inspired the choice of clothing. Hoodies were the most-requested clothing by patrons, he says. “I figured, why not give them what they want?” You can find more information at “Banyuk Adventures” on Facebook.

Beauty and the Geek “I want YOU to find a nurse…and take her to “Beauty and the Geek.” This year’s theme to the annual dinner and entertainment event recalled the World War II era and drew almost 100 guests, some dressed in vintage nursing caps and military outfits. The tradition started years ago after a few motivated engineering students asked the nursing majors out for a date night.

Today, the event still brings future engineers and nurses together, but all students are invited. The nursing, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering clubs sponsored the dinner.

wolf mascot, has crashed campus parties and made personal appearances at athletic events. For the faculty and staff Christmas party, Wally dressed for the Scottish-themed occasion in a handsome kilt, posing with our very own President John McVay, also dressed appropriately for the evening. Wally’s name pays homage to one of Walla Walla’s nicknames, Wally World.

Neighbor to Neighbor

Instead of going global, student leaders looked no further than next door to give a helping hand.

This year’s annual student body service project, “Coloring Without Lines,” is providing College Place schoolchildren with books, tutors, and support for an afterschool program. Fundraising events included a “Splash for Cash” at the pool and “The Amazing Race,” an outdoor relay competition.

Spring 2012 Westwind 9

Women's Dormitory Wing, 1930s Chapel, 1920s

Heart of the

Ad Building

Office Administration Class, 1960s

Admissions and Records, Orpha Osborne, 1950s

Places

Take a tour through time and to the places you knew. Walla Walla University is 120 years old and deserves a look back.

10  Westwind  Spring 2012

Photographs courtesy of WWU Archives

Administration Building, 1930s

When Walla Walla University opened its doors in 1892, a single structure housed not only its classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, dorm rooms, and business offices, but the elementary and secondary school besides. Called the College Building at the time, its cupola could be clearly seen from the town of Walla Walla, rising above the treeless fields.

Though safety concerns and the high cost of remodeling eventually required its demolition, a new Administration Building rose in its place in 2007, preserving beloved architectural elements of the original.

But for the WWU alumni who sat in its classrooms, became occasionally lost in its labyrinth of floors, or scrambled up fire escapes to watch sunsets from its roof, the building summons treasured memories.

Campus

Village Church Portrait

Mission Students, 1920s

Village Church

Village Hall

Few campus sites evoke the rich history and character of what has become known as Village Hall. Originally constructed in 1912 to be the College Church, it burned to the ground and was completely rebuilt in 1920 with expanded seating for 700. The original stained glass has been preserved to this day.

For years it was the spiritual heart of the school, and many Seventh-day Adventist pioneers stood behind its pulpit.

Graduations, weddings, funerals, and baptisms all were held here, and its front steps were a favorite place for future missionaries to pose for pictures before departing for service assignments worldwide.

At the culmination of each academic year, graduates in their regalia would pass through the building’s doors and between two pillars called the Gateway to Service, a gift from the Class of 1918. In more recent years, the building was renamed Village Hall, and is still the setting for theatrical productions and student social events.

Drama Production, 1970s

George Bowers, Paul Heubach (at left), 1950s

You Knew

Spring 2012 Westwind 11

Chemistry Professors Cecil Shankel, George Bowers, Carl Jones

Classrooms and Laboratories

Looking back through the decades to the classrooms of the 1940s and 50s, what’s striking is the focus and intensity on the faces. Whether the teacher or the taught, the thrill of discovery comes shining through.

They seem driven by a desire for excellence and the pursuit of a lifetime of success and service.

Just like Walla Walla University students and faculty in 2012.

Today’s classrooms may be marvels of modern technology.

Today’s students may be dressed a bit differently than those pictured here. But in the world of academics at Walla Walla University today, little else has changed. Art is still art, science is science, and typewriters are, well, obsolete.

Greek Class, 1970s

In the Chemistry Laboratory, 1920s

Ad Building Art Class

12 Westwind Spring 2012

Women’s Dorm Switchboard

Video Production, 1980s

Glenn Masden, 1960s

Classroom

Recording Studio, 1940s

Technology

Talk about progress. As they posed with what today seems like primitive laboratory equipment, chemistry faculty Cecil Shankel, George Bowers, and Carl Jones (pictured upper left) could not have imagined that someone, someday would be viewing their photograph on an almost-magical computer device called an iPad. As technology has exploded from decade to decade ever since 1892, it’s been no small achievement that Walla Walla University has continued to provide the tools necessary for a cutting-edge academic experience. Our students continue to excel in prestigious graduate schools and as 21st century pioneers of science and industry.

It’s true. You can look it up on your iPad.

Engineering Students, 1970s

Spring 2012 Westwind 13

Commencement

Site of Future College Church

College Church, 1962

Church

With its towering walls and steeple lifting toward heaven, the Walla Walla University Church makes a powerful statement about the centrality of God and worship in every aspect of campus life.

By the time it was built in 1962, the thriving church family had already outgrown the church (now called Village Hall), the Ad Building Chapel, and Columbia Auditorium. For a time, services were even held in the cavernous Columbia Auditorium, where worshippers experienced a cacophony of noise from the many Sabbath schools meeting simultaneously.

In the midst of an economic and construction boom as the 1960s began, funding was finally secured for the new church project, and a large College Dairy barn was torn down to make room. When construction was completed, its square footage made it the largest Seventh-day Adventist church in the world.

On a Sabbath morning, alumni returning to campus still feel a chill from the swell of the pipe organ (made possible in part by student association funds redirected from a proposed skating rink project) and the multitude of voices raised in songs of praise.

The University Church is proof that though the campus has been transformed in a myriad of ways over the past 50 years, some things never change.

14  Westwind  Spring 2012

Mel West, Church Organ

Commencement

Life

Conard Courtyard

Sittner Hall Lobby

Sittner Dorm Room

Conard Hall Room

Resident Life

Late night study sessions and dorm room talks. Sonnenberg. Amateur Hour. Vespers dates and Sabbath afternoon hikes. No matter what year you graduated from Walla Walla University, there’s probably one thing you still remember most fondly: life.

Particularly in less mobile times, the campus was home, and students and faculty were extended family. We lived together, studied together, struggled and succeeded together, worshipped together. And yes, sometimes a casual conversation with the attractive stranger sitting next to us in College Writing 101 ended up as a lifetime together.

As You Knew I t Spring 2012 Westwind 15

Testing

Commencement Sabbath School

Registration

Places We M Columbia Auditorium

Roller Skating

16  Westwind  Spring 2012

Conard Pond

Snack Bar

Miss

It’s one thing to say out loud that life is all about change, and that we should happily embrace it. But it’s much harder to put those words into practice when we have to say goodbye to beloved campus icons.

The College Farm and Dairy was one of those. Another was Conard Pond, where engaged men no longer need fear its cold embrace. While the vegeburger lives on at the Dairy Express, the Snack Bar so many of us remember does not. And don’t get us started about the old Ad Building.

“Change in all things is sweet,” said Aristotle. But even he would have been hard pressed to be positive the night Columbia Auditorium burned. n

Earlier Snack Bar College Dairy

College Farm

Spring 2012 Westwind 17

18 Westwind Spring 2012

From Prisoner to Professor

By Nancy Canwell

The Journey of Samuel Sih

by Nancy Canwell With notebook and recorder in hand, I entered the Chan Shun Pavilion on the campus of Walla Walla University with anticipation. This was the first time I have met anyone who has been imprisoned for his religious beliefs.

Samuel Sih met me with a smile. He eagerly showed me pictures of his China homeland, and documents that are a testimony to God’s hand in his life.

But his expression turned serious as we began the interview.

What would you like the readers of Westwind to know about you?

That I’m probably the only person on campus who was in prison and has been exonerated! I like to speak of God’s blessings more than my achievements.

But I think that there are two ways we can honor God: telling of our sufferings, and telling of our achievements. Both can be blessings from God.

Matthew Banderas

How did you honor God through your suffering?

I was arrested twice during China’s Cultural Revolution because I still insisted on my faith in Jesus Christ.

I openly professed my faith, so the Communists hated me. They also hated me because my father was a capitalist who owned nine department stores and a small textile factory.

My trouble started one day in 1966, when a group of Red Guards came and ransacked our home. They asked me, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?”

Spring 2012 Westwind 19

I openly said, “I believe.” Then they beat me. To be invaded and beaten in those days was a common thing. There was a portrait of Jesus hanging on the wall in our sitting room. They destroyed it, along with many of our other belongings. Then they left.

Two years later, without our permission, “Running Dogs” came to occupy our house. These were people not yet qualified to be Communists. They called a moving truck and had all our furniture moved out. We were forced to leave, but were later allowed to come back. We could stay in our house, but were forced to live in small rooms. My room was about half the size of this small office.

During the ransacking, they broke out the windows in one of the rooms.

“It’s too windy,” the occupiers told me.

“Tape some newspapers over the broken windows.” I had plenty of newspapers stored because I tried to keep caught up with society. So I began to do the taping. Then they said to each other, “Let’s check this pile of papers to see if there are any pictures of Chairman Mao in them. They should be left out. They must not be harmed.”

They took the newspapers, came back to me, and said, “Mao’s eyes have been

pierced by something.” They accused me of doing this, but I had not done it.

They called many people to the house, including the police. I was arrested and sent to prison on Nov. 2, 1968.

In prison, I was the only person who openly confessed his faith in Jesus Christ. Other prisoners laughed at me and insulted me. I refused to eat pork, and it was the only meat we were allowed to have. So I suffered. And I had no hope of ever being released. I had no hope at all. There was darkness all around. There was no religion in that society. Churches and the Bible were not allowed. If a Bible was found, it was destroyed. I was questioned and forced to stand before the prisoners and told to denounce my faith, but I would not. One prisoner said to me, “If I were the judge, I would have you sentenced to death.” Daily I would silently pray and ask for release, and to see my mother again. I had read through the Bible several times and would quote memorized scripture in my head.

Through a series of events, my mother discovered who had pierced the eyes of Mao’s picture, and got that person to confess. On June 2, 1970, I was released and allowed to return to the small room

China and the Cultural Revolution

in our house, but they continued to persecute me, always looking to find fault with me.

And then you were arrested a second time?

Yes. The second time was Jan. 19, 1972. I had secretly written some letters to Chairman Mao. I told him that I wished Christianity to be honored, and for people to be able to freely worship in China. In those days, no churches were allowed to be open.

Atheism was the only belief allowed.

I had also written letters to a scientist and to a biology professor, telling them that I wished for creationism to be understood.

But the letters had been intercepted, and they had checked the handwriting, so I was arrested again and sent to prison. When asked if I’d sent the letters, at first I denied it, because I was afraid. They showed me the letter and asked, “Was this letter written by you?”

I answered, “No, no, no.” But they didn’t believe me. Once again, I had no hope.

Finally, after more than a year, I was questioned again. “Do you still believe in Jesus Christ?” I answered, “I do.”

They discovered that it was useless to The “Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution,” usually known as the Cultural Revolution, was a “complex social upheaval that began as a struggle between Mao Zedong and other top party leaders for dominance of the Chinese Communist Party and went on to affect all of China with its call for continuing revolution.” This social upheaval lasted from 1966 to 1976. Through the struggle, young people were recruited to be the front line of the revolution. Called “Red Guards,” they were encouraged to destroy the “Four Olds—old customs, old habits, old culture, and old thinking.” Churches, schools, and universities were closed. Red Guards damaged temples, buildings, and works of arts. They also verbally and physically attacked authority figures in society, including teachers, school administrators, even their friends, relatives, and parents.

The Seventh-day Adventist work began in China more than a century ago and by 1949 had grown to about 22,000 members. After the Cultural Revolution, churches reopened and today Adventist church members number approximately 400,000.

Source: “The Search for Modern China,” Jonathan Spence, 2001

20 Westwind Spring 2012

In 1983, Sih posed in front of his same home that had been ransacked 20 years earlier.

In 1980, Sih and his wife, Leona, were married in the Sih family home. From left, Yao Guo-Yin (mother of the bride), bride Leona, Pastor Pu-Zhou Tsai, Sih, and his uncle, Ming-San Sih. Hsu Hua, president of the China Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (center), was one of the honored guests at the Sih marriage ceremony Sih graduated from the University of Texas in 1995, celebrating here with his wife, Leona, and their daughter, Mary, born in 1985.

keep me there anymore.

I would not deny my faith. And they decided to release me.

When people in China were released from prison, a “title” was placed on them. People would know your title, and you were despised by society. Your work, your living, were all in trouble.

They had planned to put this title on me: “Counter-Revolutionary.” But just before they were planning to do this, I heard some fellow prisoners talking. One of them said, “Whenever the judge asks you something and you confess, you are released without title.” This was the greatest hope of all prisoners.

I was then called out to see the judge. He said, “If you confess, we will let you go without title.” I answered, “Yes! I wrote the letters.” I was released at once—with no title. Do you think this is a miracle of God? Yes! What lessons did you learn in prison?

During my combined stay in prison of over three years, I learned to trust in God. I learned that if I would be my own best, God would help me and bless me.

Let’s talk about your blessings. How has God blessed you for your faithfulness?

I got a good job doing translation work from English and German in a big factory. I got married, and we had a daughter. Then, when the doors were opened for people to leave China, I applied to graduate school in the United States. The University of Texas granted me free full tuition and help with housing. First I received a master of science in engineering degree. Then I took a qualifying test to begin my doctoral studies. Before I received the results, I had a clear dream that comforted my heart. I dreamed that I had passed my qualifying exam. Five days later, I received confirmation by letter that I had passed it. I went on to earn my doctor of philosophy degree.

What would you like our readers to know about your life here in Walla Walla?

God brought me to this place. When I look back, I think that God is in control. Even in the darkest hour, God is in control. This is how I passed through all the hard times.

I feel I am teaching God’s children here. When I went to my first graduation weekend here, many parents of the students came to celebrate their own children’s success. I saw smiles on their faces, and I thought to myself, “I’m now teaching God’s children.” God is happy for them, like their earthly parents. I have a big responsibility! I must teach well. God will hold me responsible for their success.

I hope to teach here as long as I can. n *More of Samuel Sih’s story can be found in one chapter of his book, I Know There is a God, published by University Press of America, Inc., 2006.

Spring 2012 Westwind 21

Interview

An Alaska Education

By Amy Wilkinson

After 26 years in Adventist education, Donivan Andregg, a 1984 education major, left the traditional classroom setting, embarking for the not-so-wilds of Alaska and a new position as an instructional design specialist at the Native Alaska-owned healthcare organization Southcentral Foundation. Yet, for the educator, learning remains fundamental.

Did you ever envision yourself living in Alaska?

I actually had never planned on living up here full-time, but during college and a number of years after, I worked in the fishing industry, so I’ve been up here 19 summers working commercial fishing.

Why did you make the move?

My wife’s [Wendi Kannenberg, 1984 graduate] job situation changed, and she moved up to Alaska and took a job after a year and a half of looking. She came in November of 2009, and since I was in the middle of a school year, I finished it out. We lived in two separate homes for about nine or 10 months, and I lost interest in that.

What’s the most common misconception you hear about life in Alaska?

I think one of the things that people key in on—right now in particular—is the amount of daylight or lack of it. People think, “I could never do that, it sounds ter22 Westwind Spring 2012

rible! It’s dark all the time.” Well, I think the stories that people hear are where you go way up in the Arctic Circle, where in the summer it’s daylight all of the time and, in the winter, darkness all the time. In Anchorage, our range of daylight at the lowest part would be 10 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. But the thing is, we have electricity up here.

You began working for the Southcentral Foundation in 2010. What’s the organization’s mission?

The Southcentral Foundation is an Alaska Native healthcare corporation, and Southcentral is the region of Alaska, so it includes the Anchorage area down to the Kenai Peninsula. There are about 55,000 Alaska Natives and American Indians that get their health care through this entity. On campus, we have over 1,400 employees that work anywhere from primary care to dental to optical research and emergency room jobs. We’ve got the full scope, and those people

need certification and ongoing renewal of credits.

Is there a big project you’ve worked on recently that you’re particularly proud of?

How do you fit into that puzzle as the learning and development instructional design specialist?

Southcentral Foundation owns, staffs, and operates a primary care clinic and all of the departments that go along with supporting that: research, grants, behavior health, dental, optical.

Across the street from SCF is the Alaska Native Medical Center.

The two organizations decided together to change from paper medical records to electronic health records. That was a $20-25 million conversion involving hundreds of analysts, specialists, nurses, doctors, support staff, and trainers over a couple of years. There was a Learning Team, comprised of both SCF and ANMC employees—essentially the core group that created the protocol for organizing, offering, presenting, and tracking the dozens of training system solutions for about 2,500 employees. I was part of that 10-person team that met weekly, biweekly, and often daily

My role has to do with curriculum for some of that training.

It might be designing the curriculum or working with another department that has an idea of what they want to offer, and I partner with them and define it or make suggestions. I work as a consultant on occasion. I might step in and be a presenter, where I’ll actually be in charge of some portion of training or filling in for someone else, and I’ll be the classroom facilitator. Some other times it might be that someone wants a new program or a new training.

They see a need in their clinic or department. They’ll get in touch with me, and I’ll do a pre-assessment to see what their needs are and what they would like to have and how we can help. So it’s a real wide variety of things. No day is the same.

Interview And what challenges have you faced?

Kyla Morris

I’ll have to be honest, the first six months or so I was here, I was given time to work into the job and become acquainted with the job because it is a Native corporation in Alaska. It’s unique because it can show preference to Alaska Natives and American Indians for hiring, while in the lower 48 we typically frown on that sort of bias. But up here, that is an accepted part of business. They know they want their long-term Native population to be invested and involved and educated to get the skills necessary. More than half of the folks I work with are Alaska Native, so it’s fun to get acquainted with their backgrounds, whether it’s Aleut, Athabaskan, or Yupik, or whatever it might be. There’s a real variety of cultures and backgrounds. That’s been very enjoyable—a challenge not so much as a pleasant change.

Donivan Andregg is translating his classroom skills and curriculum instruction specialty into a corporate setting. “It’s given me a new platform for developing my own interests and skills and abilities,” he says.

to address the issues. It was a very big deal and has gone quite well.

What’s been the highlight of your transition?

The really nice thing about the job change has been the value and appreciation on a peer level that is here, working with other departments and adults who respect that experience and training. The value of contribution is really a noticeable appreciative difference here. I think sometimes in the classroom, whether it’s parents or kids or board members, they just take the teacher’s role for granted.

It’s given me a new platform for developing my own interests and skills and abilities. It’s a good shift for me. My master’s degree was in curriculum instruction, so I just shifted my focus from the traditional classroom to a little more corporate setting.

What have you learned about Native Alaskan culture as a result?

There is a significant collision of cultures in Alaska. The first, an ancient, traditional, non-literary culture that values story and legends, that utilizes nature and animals as both food source and spirit world. The second, a dominating culture that is faster paced, part of the global-literate culture that values possessions, time, and income. Seeing these two worlds collide, it is common to compare and evaluate. I heard a good illustration to help give proper perspective. When a person refers to a sporting game using a ball, and they say “dribble,” what mental image do you have? For some, the image may be basketball, where you use your hands, and it is against the rules to use your feet. For others, the image may be soccer, where you use your feet,

and it is against the rules to use your hands. Both are correct, it just depends on which game you are playing. To me that illustrates what is going on in Alaska—there are two different games, both right, but there is confusion between the players.

You also work part-time as the associate director of education for the Alaska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. What does that entail?

My focus is on the Anchorage School and the Palmer School, and those are within 40 miles of each other. I go to board meetings, visit with teachers, help at work bees, and go to school programs—just try to be as available and involved and knowledgeable as I can be for those two schools.

Looking back on your own education experience, is there a Walla Walla University professor that especially inspired you?

In January, Loren Dickinson was up here, and he gave a seminar on communication. I had a small group communication class from him, and I also had speech and did some drama—did some plays with Donnie Rigby, so that’s fresh in my mind. I think some of those key skills of communication and listening are fundamental. I mean, just so foundational in doing business and doing day-to-day jobs.

This isn’t your first time in the pages of Westwind. You appeared in an alumni ad in the magazine a few years ago. Did it result in any classmates calling or e-mailing?

Yeah, I think there were quite a few comments, “Boy, that’s you?

Man, you’ve changed a lot!” That’s what happens. n

Spring 2012 Westwind 23

Alumni News

Lifelong Learning Seminars and Other Events Offer Educational Options

H

omecoming Weekend. A time to remember your years at Walla Walla University. A time to reconnect and renew your relationships with professors and friends. And, a time to learn new things.

On Friday, April 27, between 2 and 5 p.m., you’ll have several learning opportunities as well the chance to hear about some of our students’ educational pursuits.

For the first time at Homecoming Weekend, an afternoon symposium of multimedia, visual, and oral presentations will showcase undergraduate student research projects.

Three students from different disciplines will present a project.

For example, a panel discussion on food will highlight projects on photosynthesis, a food app that allows you to find local restaurants, and a building project that uses discarded water bottles as the building materials.

“I hope this event helps to elevate and make visible the remarkable research that our students are doing,” says organizer Cheris Current, assistant professor of social work. “My goal is to help this campus-wide celebration of scholarship become part of our campus culture.”

The symposium will be at the Winter Educational Complex from 2 to 5 p.m.

For the second year, several

seminars will highlight different disciplines. These seminars are open and free to everyone.

Forensic Engineering Presenting at 2 p.m. in the Chan Shun Pavilion Lecture Hall, Room 154, Gary Curtis, a 1959 engineering graduate, will share his experiences with forensic engineering, including discussing examples of major tower collapses, design errors, and lawsuits. Curtis has worked on such notable structures as the Seattle Space Needle, the Roller Coaster Bridge in Long Beach, Calif., and the South Pole Dome. His engineering firm, Gossamer Space Frames, designs three-dimensional struc-

ture frames. “Basically, I imagine structures and figure how to make them stay there in adverse conditions,” say Curtis.

Organic Gardening Also at 2 p.m., an organic gardening seminar will be hosted by the Home Economics department graduates in the Administration Building, Room 117. The seminar, presented by Merlene Olmsted, former chair and faculty member of the Home Economics department, will include information about growing in limited spaces, improving soil, and using companion planting as an alternative to chemicals.

Alumni News Washington State Mining History At 3 p.m., communications professor David Bullock will present the William Landeen Library Lecture, “A Strike at the Heart: Mining Community Memory in a Central Washington Coal Town,” in the Peterson Memorial Library Reference Room. Bullock’s presentation details his journey to uncover a story of depression-era coal miners in Roslyn, Wash., who flexed their communal muscle by creating a new, independent union. Laid bare in the struggle were simmering racial and ethnic tensions, communist influences, and neighborhood infighting, occurring against a backdrop of nationwide economic upheaval that tore at the fabric of this community. Bullock says, “This story is special to me since one of the miners was my grandfather.”

Social Work Beginnings A second presentation at 3 p.m. will be presented by social work professor, Susan B. Smith, in Room 209 of the Winter Educational Complex. Her talk, titled “Jane Addams’ Settlement Idea: Charity or Social Justice?,” will explore the life and work of Jane Addams who is remembered as a humanitarian reformer, leader of the settlement house movement, and a principle participant in the development of American social work. She founded the Hull-House and was the first

The campus walking tour includes a stop at Village Hall, formerly university church. The oldest building on campus was the center of campus life for many years.

American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

In addition to the seminars, four other educational events are available Friday afternoon.

Gadfly Reading At 3 p.m. in the Administration Building, Room 117, alumni and current students join together to read from past and present

Gadflys, a yearly publication of prose and poetry.

department and labs will also be offered during this time.

Pi Contest Held annually since 1994 in Kretschmar Hall, students participate at 3:14 p.m. in the Randy Yaw Pi Contest to see who can recite the most digits of Pi. The record for this contest is over 1,200 digits. Each spectator will get a piece of pie.

Historical Walking Tour Terri Aamodt, history professor and campus historian, will lead a walking tour. Now in its third year, tour highlights include behind-the-scenes stories about the founding of our university and the men and women who shaped its course with stops at Village Hall, Rigby Hall, and Kretschmar Hall. The tour begins at 4 p.m. in front of the Administration Building. For those unable to go on the walk, a slideshow will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Room 117 of the Administration Building. n

Engineering 65th Anniversary A reception in the second floor lobby of the Chan Shun Pavilion from 3-4:30 p.m. will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Edward F. Cross School of Engineering. Tours of the

Bring the sounds of sacred music and spoken word

into your home with the new CD, “Evensong: A Sabbath Sunset Reflection,”

featuring Melvin West and Loren Dickinson.

They will be signing CDs at Homecoming Weekend: Friday, April 27, Havstad Alumni Center; and Saturday, April 28, University Church foyer, after the 7 p.m.

Evensong program.

CDs available at Adventist Book Centers in College Place; Gladstone, Ore.; and Spokane, Wash. Order online at sabbathtimemusic.com Spring 2012 Westwind 25

Alumnotes

1950s

children, Cindy Brown, Linda Terrill, Teri Bailie, Mark, and Scott.

Robert Benfield ’52 lives in Sacramento, Calif., with his wife, Glynes.

Helen (Stratton) Kramer ’52 lives in Grants Pass, Ore. In her retirement, she makes quilts and has cooked for schools and church. Some of her favorite WWU memories include working in the cafeteria and teaching the overflow first- and second-graders. She has three children, Edith ’77, David, and Curtis ’84.

He is retired after teaching music for 17 years in Brazil and 24 years at Sacramento Adventist Academy. He enjoys directing Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible School classes with several hundred students. His favorite WWU memories are good times in Sittner Hall, music activities, and working in the bindery.

Lowell Calvin Dobyns ’52 lives with his wife, Beverly Anne, in Fortuna, Calif. He

served as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force and is a local Pathfinder administrative director. He enjoys hiking, snow skiing, and fishing. He fondly remembers WWU field trips with Dr. Ernest Booth.

Norman Henderson ’52 lives in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., with his wife, Barbara. He is retired after 41 years of solo family medicine which included the delivery of 3,000 babies. In 2009, he was honored as the Tennessee Rural Practitioner of the Year. His favorite WWU memories include singing in the Aurora Duxes quartet and a three-month biology trip through Mexico with Drs. Booth and Underhill. He and his wife have five 26 Westwind Spring 2012

Delbert Ralph Lewis ’52 lives in Salem, Ore., with his wife, Alice. He is

retired, after teaching for 37 years in Washington and California. He has good memories of a water fight outside of Sittner Hall. Ralph and Alice have three children, Wanda Westcott, Dan, and Dewayne.

Ethel “Lou” (Naught) Niderost ’52 lives in Walla Walla and is a retired nurse.

She fondly remembers summer school at the Anacortes biology station and hearing Mrs. Sherrard read poetry in the old Village Church. She has three daughters, Laurel, Cherie, and Janette.

Carl E. Crawford ’57 lives with his wife, Donna Jean (Calder-Dickson), in Mount Vernon, Wash. He is retired after 38 years in engineering. His career included being the primary engineer for the Indio Freeway Bypass in Southern California. He enjoys helping with building projects, going on two Maranatha trips and helping to construct three cabins at WWU’s Marine Laboratory in Rosario. He and Donna Jean have three children, Cindy Green, Gary, and Lisa Marie Nolen ’91.

Melvin E. Johnson ’57 lives in Hamilton, Mont., and is retired after more than three decades as a dentist. He has also done dentistry in the mission field, including three trips to Belize. He enjoys backpacking and traveling by bicycle. His favorite memory of WWU is meeting his wife, Gladys (Hendricksen), who passed away in November 2010. He has three children, Kathleen Zabolotney ’77, Randall ’80, and Deanna Harris, att.

Kenneth “Mickey” Purdom ’57 lives in Whittier, Calif., where he is a self-employed physician. As an obstetrician/gynecologist, he delivers about 100 babies each month.

He also enjoys cattle ranching in Idaho.

One of his favorite WWU memories is the biology field trip to Mexico. He appreciated the dedicated, Christian teachers and Elder Heubach’s sermons. Mickey is the father of Lorena and Kendra.

Rich Roberts ’57 lives with his wife, Barbara (Parker) att., in Brier, Wash. He is retired after working 36 years for the Washington and Alaska conferences doing treasury work. Now, he does maintenance work for the Kirkland Seventh-day Adventist Church and Cypress Seventhday Adventist School. In his spare time, he enjoys working in his yard and garden. He and Barbara have three children, Richard ’83, Danny ’83, and Sally ’84.

Daniel G. “Dan” Matthews ’57 and his wife, Betsy att., live in Glendora, Calif., where he is a parttime associate pastor for the Loma Linda University Church.

For many years, he was a pastor in the Pacific Northwest and the Potomac Conference before hosting the first Seventh-day Adventist live-audience TV series, Lifestyle Magazine, at Faith for Today. In retirement, he has continued helping several ministry organizations and served on the WWU Board of Directors for nine years.

His hobbies include traveling, building, and gardening. He and Betsy have three sons, Michael, att., Daniel Jr., att., and Robert, att.

Dorothy (Anderson) Solomon ’57, lives in Caldwell, Idaho, and works parttime at the dental office of Dr. Alvin Schnell. She enjoys reading, knitting, and keeping up with the yard and garden. Her favorite memories of WWU include girls’ dorm worships, cooking at Rosario one summer, and being one of the first females to take a woodworking class. Her children are T. Monte and Rhonda Wood.

Norman Peckham ’57, and his wife, Bonnie (Hamren) ’57, live in Yucaipa, Calif., where he has been chief of pathology at the Loma Linda Veterans Administration Hospital for the past 16 years. On the top of his list of things he most appreciated about WWU was finding his wonderful wife. He also enjoyed playing in the band and going on band trips. He and Bonnie have three children, Lon, att., Rob, att., and Kelly Ann.

Allan Wasylyshen ’57 and his wife, Christine, live in Placerville, Calif. He is retired after a career in dentistry. He enjoys playing the mandolin and fiddle, as well as riding his bicycle.

A favorite WWU memory is hammering on the piano at Dr.

Alumnotes Ashey’s house. He has five children, Larry, Lynn, Darryl, Dean, and Karen.

1960s Dale Beaulieu ’62 lives in Clackamas, Ore., with his wife, Lorene (Jennings) att. He has served at multiple union

conferences, as well as working for the General Conference for Seventh-day Adventists. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, golfing, and traveling. In June, he and Lorene will have been married 55 years. Some of his favorite WWU memories are church services with Paul

Heubach in the Columbia Auditorium and classes from Helen Evans. He and Lorene have three children, Richard, Joanne att., and Denis att.

tions, and in April 2010, she was rebaptized and remarried in Bozeman, Mont.

Betty (Griffin) Blandini ’62, and her husband, Neil, live in Red Bluff, Calif. She was a nurse for 40 years, and also helped care for a sister and brother during cancer and illnesses after her retirement in 1996. Her favorite memory of WWU is the leaves that collected under the trees on the Conard Hall lawn and the snow.

Charles Dick ’62 and his wife, Virginia Lorayne (Butler), live in Port Orchard, Wash.

He retired from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1995. He and Lorayne now spend their time traveling, being with their grandchildren, and helping at the Bremerton Seventh-day Adventist Church.

His hobbies are woodworking and painting. Charles and Lorayne have two children, Jeffry, att., and Nancy Gebhardt att.

Sandra Love-Dahl ’62 lives with her husband, John, in Belgrade, Wash. She is a retired nurse and realtor who enjoys traveling, skiing, and hiking.

She met her husband, John, through Adventist Single Connec–

Vivian (MacPhee) Dobbin ’62 and her husband, John, divide their time between Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, and Mesa, Ariz. Vivian is a retired nurse and director of patient services. She spends her summer months com-

Fresh Bread, Clean Water

T

he Wilkinson Baking Company recently installed its first commercial bread machine at Super 1 Foods in Walla Walla. The machine, known as the Bread Bakery, is fully automated.

Customers can watch as the selfcontained machine mixes, kneads, and bakes bread behind its transparent walls. The Bread Bakery can produce 40 loaves of bread each hour, and two types of bread— either white, whole wheat, honey oat or nine grain—at a time.

“The response to the Bread Bakery and our bread has been remarkable,” company president Ron Wilkinson ’78 (at right) says.

“Consumers love the idea of ‘just out of the oven’ fresh bread.”

The company is dedicated to providing wholesome bread without chemical additives or preservatives to communities. It is also committed to assisting global communities as well.

Twenty-eight percent of the

profits from the sale of the bread will be given to well drilling and maintenance projects in Africa.

Every bread machine in a store

has the potential to fund two wells a year, at the rate of about 77 cups of water per loaf, each year of the life of the well.

Wilkinson bought rights to the Bread Bakery concept in 1993.

Developing the machine involved many hands, including several alumni. In its early stages, Herb Larson ’79 designed a working prototype for the concept of the

automated bread machine. Jesse Knight ’06 and Jonny Ostojic ’06, both engineering graduates, then worked to develop a successful

operating system. Other Wilkinson family members have an active role in the company too, including Ron’s brothers, Jim Wilkinson ’82 and Russ Wilkinson att.; and Ron’s son Eric Wilkinson ’10. Ron, Russ, and Eric each served as student body presidents at Walla Walla University.

To learn more, visit wilkinsonbaking.com

peting in flower shows, and during the winter, she sings in a “Sweet Adeline” group. She has fond memories of her WWU professors Mrs. Jones (nursing) and Mr. Sloop (finance). She and John have three sons, Bret, Brad, and Bruce.

Doris (Thornton) Ellison ’62 and her husband, William, live in Lincoln, Calif. She is a retired nurse, and worked for many years at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

In her spare time, she enjoys oil painting, wood carving, quilting, and gardening. She has two children, Lori and Lona Morton.

Kenneth Fox ’62 lives in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, with his wife, Bernice.

He is retired after working as a healthcare administrator, a university fundraiser, and president of Canadian University College. In his spare time, he enjoys landscaping and gardening. A fond memory of WWU was being the student body treasurer. He has two children, Todd att. and Shonna Rhine.

Joyce (Higashi) Garrigus ’62 lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. Though she is retired, she has an office at Hawaiian Mission Academy where she raises money for student scholarships and keeps the alumni database current. When she is not working as a caregiver, her grandson keeps her busy. Her favorite WWU memories are being on the tumbling team and being baptized by Paul Heubach on April 1, 1962.

Don Rogers ’62 lives with his wife, Daina (Cummings) ’74, in Salem, Ore. He retired after teaching in Adventist schools for 40 years. He and Daina adopted two girls, who are students at Auburn Adventist Academy. He works part-time in a retail store. Some of his favorite WWU Spring 2012 Westwind 27

Alumnotes memories include working in the College Bakery, where he met his first wife, Louise, now deceased. He has four children, John att., Tricia, Hilary, and Whitney.

Herb Schafer ’62 and his wife, Carol (Huether) ’62, live in College Place. He has taught in Seventhday Adventist academies for 18 years, including six years in Uganda.

He operates College Place Mini Storage, and has driven school buses for the Walla Walla Public School System for 17 years. It was during his time at WWU that he found his life companion. Carol owned and operated a facility for the mentally handicapped and has also served as a women’s dean at Auburn and Gem State academies. He and Carol are the parents of Scott.

T. Joe Willey ’62 and his wife, Barbara (Lowry), live in Colton, Calif. During his career as a neuroscientist, he worked at Loma Linda School of Medicine, doing brain research with a joint appointment at the Brain Research Institute at UCLA and LLU. In his retirement, he enjoys photography and writing and research about 19th century historical literature. At WWU, he enjoyed his studies in biology and at Rosario. He and Barbara have four children, Bruce, Mark, Kelly Boyatt, and Christina.

Ronna “Rae” (Scott) Witzel ’62 lives in Lincoln, Calif., with her husband, Duayne.

She is a worker’s compensation technical assistant at the Adventist Health corporate office. She loves scrapbooking and traveling. After a mission trip to Mozambique, she is hoping to go on more mission trips. Her granddaughter Kayla is a highlight of her life. She fondly remembers WWU friends, faculty, and staff. She and Duayne have three children, Shonna Dalusong, Darold, and Darin.

28 Westwind Spring 2012

John Woodbury ’62 and his wife, Carol Lynn (Pester) att., live in Spokane, Wash.

He is retired after teaching for 21 years.

His hobbies are model trains and APBA baseball. His favorite WWU memories are meeting his wife, the Sonnenberg Series (basketball), and teaching Walt Meske to play basketball. He and Carol have three children, Michelle Jones ’86, Michael ’88, and Scott ’89.

Ursella (Pierce) Ball ’67 and her husband, Vernon, live in Wenatchee, Wash.

She is retired after teaching. Her most challenging experience was teaching a one-room classroom at a logging camp in Alaska. Along with her husband, she enjoys tending to their dahlias and vegetable garden. She and Vernon have three children, Joan Ball-Lefore att., Lenn, and Marc att.

John K. Mohr ’67 and his wife, Rebecca J. (Hutson) ’70, live in Prosser, Wash., where they have harvested Concord grapes since 1973, at one time owning about 175 acres. Prior to that, John worked at the former Portland Sanitarium and Hospital and served his country for 18 months in Germany. They have two children, Anthony ’99 and Ronda Adey att.

Janet (Wagner) Schmehl ’67 lives in Supply, N.C., with her husband, Roland Malcolm. She is a public health nurse, as well as the lead maternity nurse at the Brunswick County Health Department.

She has three children, James, Joseph, and Philip ’05.

1970s George Carpenter ’72 lives in Zephyrhills, Fla., with his wife, Rose.

George is a chaplain for Adventist Care Centers, and has also ministered as a pas-

tor and evangelist. He enjoys landscaping and reading books on current events and politics. All-night Rook tournaments and football on Sundays are some of his favorite WWU memories. He and Rose have two daughters, Kathy and Kristy.

Trudy (Carpenter) Klein ’72 and her husband, James, live in College Place. She is enjoying her 19th year on the faculty of WWU, and is currently the Associate Dean for the School of Nursing. She is the proud grandma of Colton Wentz. She and James are the parents of Hans att. and Katrina ’03.

Linda (Bakke) Joice ’77 lives with her husband, Paul ’76, in Happy Valley, Ore., where she is a nurse with Northwest Cancer Specialists. She enjoys quilting, gardening, and spending time with her three grandchildren. She and Paul have two daughters, Heather Ashlock att. and Brittany ’07.

1980s Bryan Clay ’82 and his wife, Jill (Settlemier) att., live in Kirkland, Wash.

He is the president of Evergreen Living Centers, Inc. He has gone on mission trips to Pohnpei, Mexico, and Belize, and he enjoys boating and bicycling. His favorite WWU memory is the Sonnenberg basketball tournament. He has three children, Melissa Wirtz ’09, Bryanna attending, and Ryan.

Jan (Goad) Spears ’82 lives in Foster, Ore., with her husband, Thomas. She is a nurse and caregiver, as well as a sign language interpreter. A favorite WWU memory is when she and her daughter Mae won a costume contest.

Donald Wayne Johnson ’87 and his wife, Susie Ann (Gray) ’84, live in Apison, Tenn., where he is a captain for Airtran Airlines. He and Susie have three children, Dustin, Breanna, and Benjamin.

Elias Lozano ’87 lives in Campbell, Calif. with his wife, Imelda. He is a successful

engineer and entrepreneur in the Silicon Valley, where he also started a church plant that is now the Santa Clara Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church. He enjoys music and playing soccer. Some favorite WWU memories include the music and attending Afterglow. He has two children, Sahyii and Elim.

2000s Cathy Brenneman ’02 lives in Kalispell, Mont., where she is the Northwest Regional Clinical Supervisor for Altacare.

Her favorite WWU memory is graduation.

She has two children, Jesse and Erin.

John Dukaric ’02 lives in Canton, Mich., with his wife, Christy (Ferguson) ’01 and their two children. He works as a solution development senior analyst in the I.T. department of the St. John Providence Health System. John and his wife enjoy helping in their local church, spending time with their children, and traveling to Niagara Falls. His favorite memories of WWU are meeting Christy and eating lunch with her in the cafeteria, playing basketball in the gym, and worship services at the University Church.

Travis Giarde ’02 is a financial analyst at Car Toys Inc. in Seattle, Wash. A sports fan, he enjoys attending Seahawks and Mariners games.

His favorite memories of WWU center around playing on the varsity Wolves soccer team.

In Memory

Bliss—Charles “Burton” att. was born July 29, 1917, in Milton, Ore., and died Jan. 4, 2011, in College Place. Surviving: daughters Corine Wallace att. of College Place, and Carolyn Seltman ‘80 of Topeka, Kan.; and brothers Bob att. of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Bern att. of Milton-Freewater, Ore. Dale—Dolores (Hinds) att. was born March 25, 1929, and died Feb. 18, 2011.

Surviving: husband Everett of Redding, Calif.; son Veldon of Redding; and daughters Kim Hemenway of Salem, Ore., Kathy Boyle of Redding; Diana Powell of West Bank, British Columbia, Canada, and Celeste Price of Canton, Mich.

Dietrich - Rowland Dean ’61 was born June 1, 1939, in Yakima, Wash., and died Feb. 21, 2011, in Sedro Woolley, Wash.

Surviving: wife Lois (Thorn) ’62 of Sedro Woolley; son Greg att. of Lewiston, Idaho; daughters Tamra Erwin of Dana Point, Calif., and Susan Mayhew ’93 of Battleground, Wash.; and sister Judith Whitehouse att. of Loma Linda, Calif.

Engineering Dean Visionary

F

ormer professor and administrator Rod Heisler died unexpectedly from injuries sustained in a tree-trimming accident on March 8 at his home in Port Angeles, Wash. Heisler served the university for 36 years, working as a professor and dean of the Edward F. Cross School of Engineering, and also as vice president for academic administration. He retired in 2006.

Heisler, a 1965 WWU engineering graduate, began his teaching career at WWU in 1970, the same year he completed a doctor of philosophy degree in engineering science at

Duncan—Martha (Peterson) ’39 was born July 7, 1913 in Forest Grove, Ore., and died July 17, 2011, in Ephrata, Wash.

Surviving: son Donald of Lakewood, Wash.; daughter Ruth Gruber ’68 of Soap Lake, Wash.; and sister Huldah Fritz ’45 of Ephrata, Wash.

Ford—Dorothy M. (Smith) ’62 was born July 18, 1920, in Aberdeen, Wash., and died April 10, 2011, in Federal Way, Wash.

Surviving: son Ernest ’69 of Federal Way. Gilbert—Margaret (Huntington) ’32 was born July 24, 1912, in Portland, Ore., and died July 21, 2011, in Crawford, Neb. Surviving: daughter Elaine Saxton of Crawford.

Gwinn—George att. was born June 24, 1918, in Walla Walla, and died Sept. 23, 2011, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Anne of Walla Walla; son Harris of Oregon City,

Ore.; and daughters Sherry Cook and Georganna Sitton, both of Walla Walla.

Hall—Raymond ’61 was born March 11, 1937, in Sherman, Texas, and died Oct. 14, 2011, in Colton, Calif. Surviving: wife Janice of Colton, Calif.; son Bradley att. of Jacksonville, Fla.; and daughters Julie Webb of Upland, Calif., and Jacklyn Moon of Palm Desert, Calif.

Kenney—Blaine att. was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Colorado, and died Oct. 20, 2011,

Washington State University.

Heisler excelled as a teacher, receiving a 1996 Zapara Award for Teaching Excellence and the Outstanding Engineering Teacher Award.

For 10 years, beginning in 1987, Heisler stepped into the leadership role of dean of the School of Engineering. One of his most significant accomplishments during his term was initiating and successfully completing a $3.75 million building expansion project. Chan Shun Pavilion, a threestory wing added to Kretschmar Hall, opened in 1996.

In recent years, Heisler was enjoying retirement life with his wife, Liz, at their home in Port Angeles. He delighted in being able to fish for salmon right out in front of his house. Heisler also enjoyed hiking, photography, kayaking, working in the yard, and playing with his grandchildren next door.

Heisler is survived by his wife, Liz (Kutzner), sons Donald att., and Jon ’94; and daughter Tamara Brown ’03.

in Idaho. Surviving: daughter Debbie Wilde att. of Salem, Ore. Kessler—Edwin ’55 was born Feb. 18, 1925, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and died Aug. 27, 2011, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife Ramona Stewart-Kessler of Walla Walla.

Mitchell—Maurice ’59 was born Nov. 6, 1932, in Yakima, Wash., and died July 26, 2011, in Walnut Creek, Calif. Surviving: wife Ann of Concord, Calif.; son Mike of Concord; and daughter Catherine of Everett, Wash.

Nickel—Marvin ’53 was born May 20, 1920, in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada, and died Oct. 5, 2011, in Grand Terrace, Calif. Surviving: wife Pearl of Grand Terrace; son Randall of Loma Linda, Calif.; and daughter Lavonne Anderson of Grass Valley, Calif.

Rasmussen—Mary (Hess) att. was born March 28, 1924, and died Aug. 13, 2011, in Turlock, Calif. Surviving: son Kenneth of Laurel, Md.; and daughter Beverly Wetherbee of Hughson, Calif.

Ritchie—David ’64 was born May 11, 1922, in Wibaux, Mont., and died Aug. 12, 2011, in College Place. Surviving: wife Donna of College Place; sons David of Loveland, Colo., and Daniel of Brandon, Miss.; daughters Dorris (Dodie) Brueggeman of College Place, and Dixie Cramer of Walla Walla; and brother Carl ‘64 of Sacramento, Calif.

Sonnentag—Beverly “Jean” (Moen) ’65 was born Sept. 1, 1925, in Neilsville, Wis., and died on April 10, 2010, in Milton-Freewater, Ore. Surviving: husband Jacob of College Place; son Peter ‘68 of Fernwood, Idaho; daughter Pamela Chatley ’67 of College Place; and brother Dennis Stilwell ’71 of Gresham, Ore. Vixie—Luverne “Vern” att. was born May 25, 1919, in Hutchinson, Minn., and died Aug. 26, 2011, in Portland, Ore. Surviving: wife Maxine (Tompkins) att.; sons Dennis of Grants Pass, Ore., and Arlen of Bothell, Wash.; daughter Muriel Keys of Portland, Ore.; and brother Ernest of Walla Walla.

White—Kathryn att. was born Aug. 1, 1950, in Marion, Ohio, and died Feb. 11, 2011, in Port Orchard, Wash. Surviving: brothers Douglas att. of Burleson, Texas, and Darvel of Lemoore, Calif.; daughter Karen Cruz of Mansfield, Texas; and father Arthur White ’56 of Walla Walla.

Spring 2012 Westwind 29

Calendar Campus Events APRIL

Alumni Events

- University Days

bd

2!

Oregon Camp meeting, Gladstone, Ore.

APRIL

i

North Pacific Regional Robotics Challenge

2^-2(

2*

Alumni Homecoming Weekend

- Weekend of Worship Shane Claiborne, speaker

Hope Camp meeting, British Columbia, Canada

1# 1$ 2@

Service Day

JUNE AU G U S T

1^ Upper Columbia Camp meeting, Spangle, Wash.

2$-2% Rosario Alumni Weekend, Anacortes, Wash.

2#

M AY

- AGA (Girls’ Club) Weekend

1! 1#

1@, 1#, 1&, 1(, 2) wwudrama Spring Show “Romeo and Juliet”

Washington Camp meeting, Auburn, Wash.

To register or for more information, visit alumni.wallawalla.edu.

J U LY

1& Walla Walla Sweets Alumni Night, Walla Walla

JUNE

1@

Commencement

For information about these and other events, see the online calendar at wallawalla.edu.

30 Westwind Spring 2012

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Walla Walla University 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324-1198

Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID College Place, Wash.

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College Avenue Crossings

F

Matthew Banderas

or Nate Johnson, senior art major, inspiration tends to shift from time to time. His senior art show included sculptures, paintings, drawings, and digital images, all inspired by varying and distinct places.

Johnson credits his professors, Tom Emmerson and Martha Mason, for the most lasting impressions on his art in the past few years. He also admires Whit Brachna for his work in digital art.

Inspiration for Johnson’s own digital artwork, “Coffee Mug,” came from his time spent in the Navy, stationed on the USS Harry S. Truman.

The mug is a jet engine; its handle, an aircraft stick grip.

“Every now and then I’d walk around while they were testing jet engines,” says Johnson. “Then in Advanced Design class, we were supposed to design a coffee mug, and I was just thinking, ‘What is something cool that is shaped like a cylinder?’”

To see art by Johnson and other art students and graduates, visit wallawallau.tumblr.com. n